Manifold

For a thousand years since the collapse of the interplanetary Old Empire, the trajectory of individual lives have been controlled by curious artefacts–Destiny Incunabula–gifted to each person in their 18th year. From birth to death, each individual's story is written and rewritten according to the power of their Incunabulum.

In a world of unceasing competition, stories clash. An Incunabulum's power is represented by the color of its cover. Unimaginable power, vast wealth, profound knowledge–even control over other Incunabula–none of these are beyond the reach of those blessed enough to receive a Golden Incunabula from the Library at the Edge.

At 18 years of age, Betelgeuse is gifted an ashen-colored Incunabula, the lowest-grade and most common of artefacts. In seconds, his life is decided for him–a one-way trip to the Sylvan Protectorate on the planet Desert, at the very edge of human civilization, where he will be drafted into the endless war against the Chimerae, alien creatures whose sole purpose for existence is the extermination of the human race.

Total Life Expectancy: 20 years.

Destiny: Cannon fodder.

At the highest echelons of society rule the Founding Families, led by the great Hierarch.
It is the time-honored tradition of the human race, Betelgeuse had been taught, for inferiors to sacrifice everything on the altar. Humiliation? It was his great honor to serve and die!

But Betelgeuse is unwilling to accept the Bishopric's interpretation of the Scriptures, nor does he believe in the invulnerability of the Golden Incunabula.

In the end, unto the end of all things, he fights for himself!