In Vale-by-the-Sea, a near-future coastal city, a neuropsychologist and a group of insurgent truth-seekers must protect a powerful psychic from sinister forces planning to unleash a mind-controlling drug in an effort to suppress the population and keep the city's ancient secrets hidden.

SYNOPSIS:

Dr. Jameson Cross is approached by his mentor, Dr. Ari Mann of The Genesis Institute, to lead a groundbreaking study using a new brain-computer interface device called "RetroFit". Ari presents it as a revolutionary tool for enhancing cognitive function and well-being.

As Jameson begins overseeing the study, he meets Guin, a member of a group of insurgents known as Arcanum who's posing as a local historian researching Vale-by-the-Sea's past. She wants Jameson to help her search for a group of ancient artifacts supposedly hidden within the city, tempting him with a pair of old, obscure texts about a place called Paradysia. There's an immediate attraction, but Jameson's commitment to his work and skepticism about the veracity of the texts keeps him from accepting her offer.

Among the RetroFit test subjects is Adam Nesis, a street-smart young man with a history of psychedelic drug use. Jameson notices that while most subjects show increased productivity and decreased stress, Adam seems unaffected, even displaying signs of increased intuition and sensitivity.

As the study continues, test subjects continue to exhibit enhanced concentration and focus but with lower markers in memory, creativity, and conceptual thinking, yet Adam's results remain the same. Jameson begins looking closer at these anomalies when he becomes aware of an increased presence of Parallax Security Services in Vale-by-the-Sea. Their operatives, ostensibly providing additional security around the city and inside the Institute, seem to be keeping a close watch on Adam and the population at large.

Jameson delves deeper into the study and uncovers a disturbing truth: the RetroFit device is secretly administering “Nullifi”, a frequency-based bioelectrical nanodrug designed to suppress psychic abilities, memory, and imagination. Adam's seeming immunity marks him as unique.

When Jameson decides to confront Ari about his findings, Parallax agents attempt to apprehend him. Guin, who has been keeping a close eye on the situation, notices Jameson's frantic escape from the Institute facility and quickly contacts her Arcanum colleagues for help. A high-stakes chase ensues, with Parallax operatives in close pursuit of Jameson through the streets.

Guin and her Arcanum colleagues join the fray, using their knowledge of the city and its hidden pathways to guide Jameson to safety. As the chase reaches its climax, the combined efforts of Guin and Arcanum create a diversion, allowing Jameson to slip away from the Parallax agents.

Guin leads Jameson to a secret Arcanum safehouse, where they can regroup and plan their next move. Guin introduces Jameson to her Arcanum colleagues. They dig into the obscure texts mentioning Paradysia, a legendary city of psychic potential, and a mysterious figure known as The Archetype who will liberate the latent psychic abilities of people in the city. Initially skeptical, Jameson starts to see parallels between the texts and the anomalies in his study.

As Jameson grows closer to Guin, he becomes increasingly intrigued by her research into the city's hidden past and the ancient artifacts she seeks, particularly an object known as the Arc, something only the Archetype can interact with. He agrees to help her in her search to uncover the truth about Paradysia, but they must navigate around the increased presence of Parallax operatives.

Meanwhile, Adam's psychic abilities continue to develop, and Jameson realizes that Parallax's interest in him goes beyond mere observation. Parallax agents abduct Adam, with Ari intending to study and control his growing powers for his own benefit. Jameson, Guin, and Arcanum devise a daring plan to rescue Adam.

As they infiltrate the Genesis facility, they witness firsthand the extent of their control over the city and its inhabitants. The rescue mission is a success, but not without consequences: Ari is now fully aware of Jameson and Arcanum's involvement in Adam's escape and the growing threat they pose to his plans.

With Adam now safe and under their protection, Jameson and Guin must navigate the heightened tensions and dangers as Ari and Parallax intensify their efforts to maintain control over Vale-by-the-Sea. Jameson learns more about the Arc, which holds the key to unlocking the city's true nature as Paradysia. Another revelation about the natural cycle of human consciousness evolution and the Institute's attempts to prevent it is made more ominous by the realization that Parallax is the muscle behind this suppression. They're responsible for neutralizing anyone who gets in their way.

Act II climaxes with Jameson, Guin, Adam and Arcanum discovering the Arc, an electrical arc gateway that responds to Adam's abilities, which means he's undoubtedly the fabled Archetype according to the texts. The gateway reveals the old city of Paradysia, deep in the forestry outside the city. There, the crew gains valuable knowledge and resources in their fight against Ari and Parallax. However, they also realize the true extent of the struggle ahead, as the awakening of Paradysia will require more than just uncovering its hidden past; it will necessitate freeing the city's population and confronting Ari and Parallax head-on. Meanwhile, in a desperate attempt to combat them, Ari and the Institute rush out RetroFit to the masses, and plan to release Nullifi in secret, posing a significant threat to anyone who uses the device.

Now fully aware of Vale-by-the-Sea's true identity and Adam's role, Jameson, Guin and Arcanum work to free the city from RetroFit's influence while evading Parallax agents. The team must not only sabotage the RetroFit/Nullifi plan but also outmaneuver Parallax's well-trained operatives. Jameson's insider knowledge of the Institute and Guin's historical insights become crucial in understanding and countering both the Institute's plans and Parallax's tactics.

The climax takes place in the hidden ancient site, where a physical confrontation with Parallax forces adds an action element to the psychic awakening of Paradysia. Adam must not only choose how to best use his newfound abilities but also protect Jameson and Guin from Parallax's assault. The act climaxes with Adam, Guin and Arcanum defeating the Parallax operatives, albeit with some casualties in the Arcanum crew, and with Ari fleeing through a mysterious underground tunnel/portal, despite Jameson's attempts to stop him.

In the resolution, as Vale-by-the-Sea awakens to its true nature as Paradysia, the population must also grapple with the revelation of the truth and the extent of the control that had been exerted over them.

The story ends with Vale-by-the-Sea/Paradysia transforming, its awakening potentially spreading beyond its borders. Jameson, Guin, and Adam and the surviving Arcanum members stand ready to face future challenges, including the potential for Ari and Parallax to regroup and attempt to suppress other awakening sites around the world.