Shu'Zuya
Archangels The Library Database line X8457-Y34453-Z44245-W4423, Article Ψ142j, Planet {[Shu'Zuya]} From Tionislan (Salvage of the Damned)
OVERVIEW
Shu'Zuya, the temporary homeworld of the Athezians in Milky Way, is a temperate, radioactive marine planet located at the far reaches of the Milky Way in the Asgard Arm. Positioned near the galaxy’s Bridge between the Asgard and Astrid Arms, Shu'Zuya occupies a strategic and isolated corner of the universe.
The planet's most distinctive feature is its vast network of circular islands, surrounded by swampy, mold-filled oceans. The atmosphere is a toxic blend, instantly lethal to humans, and its natural radioactivity makes it even more inhospitable. The thick biotoxin clouds that shroud the planet are primarily composed of neurotoxins emitted by the native fungal flora, making Shu'Zuya almost devoid of fauna, with the exception of the Athezians.
Shu'Zuya orbits as the fourth planet in the Ay'Ashura star system. Originally a 'failed' Earth-like world devoid of life, it was later selected by the Archangels to serve as a sanctuary for the Athezians, who were rescued from Archdemon enslavement and intergalactic migrated here. Despite the planet's harsh environment, it perfectly suited the Athezians’ unique physiology. As a symbol of gratitude, the Athezians built a permanent space station in the Ay'Ashura system, serving as a hub near the Bridge. This station became a testament to their enduring alliance with the Archangels and an integral part of the region's trade and diplomacy.
In the present day, Shu'Zuya lies largely abandoned by the Athezians, who returned through the Bridge. However, remnants of their once-thriving cities, powered by geothermal vents, still function autonomously. These ghost cities, constructed from local materials and metal mined from the rings of the fifth planet, are a haunting sight. The use of Angelic Metal in the infrastructure further emphasizes the deep economic and diplomatic ties between the Athezians and the Archangels. Even in abandonment, the lights of these cities still flicker in the night, casting an eerie glow over the swamps below.
ENVIRONMENT
The environment of Shu'Zuya is exceptionally toxic to humans. The atmosphere is laced with neurotoxic gases, primarily produced by the local fungal flora, which dominate the planet's surface. These deadly biotoxin clouds are the primary reason for the near-total absence of animal life, except for the resilient Athezians.
Aside from its fungal growths, Shu'Zuya’s swamps also host dense forests of palm-like trees. These unique trees, classified as Arecaceaetoxicium gas-refines, thrive on the planet's toxic atmosphere, particularly feeding on sulfur dioxide and ammonia. In return, they emit a mixture of clean oxygen and nitrogen, earning them the nickname "gas refineries" for their remarkable ability to purify the air in their immediate surroundings.
On Shu'Zuya, alongside the palm-like trees, one can find mold-covered, vineous trees that dominate the planet’s jungle landscapes. These towering trees, known as Zuyan Pine Densiflora, bear striking yellow fruits that resemble the pears of Terra in both shape and form. The vines that grow from the tree spiral protectively around the fruit, shielding them from the planet’s toxic environment. The vibrant yellow of the fruit stands out against the otherwise muted, swampy hues of the planet.
Beneath the Zuyan Pine Densiflora, a variety of vegetables can be found growing near the tree's root system. It is believed that the tree itself provides these crops with essential nutrients and minerals through its roots, enabling their growth in Shu'Zuya’s otherwise hostile soil. This unique symbiotic relationship between the tree and the vegetables has earned the Zuyan Pine Densiflora the nickname "goddess of agriculture" among the few who have studied the planet's ecosystems. Like a nurturing mother, it supports and protects the crops that flourish in its shadow, making it one of the planet’s most remarkable life forms.
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NOTABLE LOCATIONS
Despite being abandoned, Shu'Zuya remains dotted with the operational ruins of Athezian cities. These cities, powered by geothermal vents rich in sulfur dioxide, are a marvel of ancient Athezian engineering. Constructed using local resources and metals harvested from the rings of Ay'Ashura’s fifth planet, they also contain traces of Angelic Metal, underscoring the economic and technological ties between the Athezians and the Archangels. The abandoned cities stand as silent monuments to a forgotten era, their power grids still operational, casting light into the swamps.
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HISTORICAL EVENT
A major event in Shu'Zuya's history was the historic Economic Summit held between the three civilizations: Tionisla, the Athezians, and the Archangels.
This summit was a crucial meeting between the dominant galactic civilization and two neighboring powers, focused on fostering economic growth and collaboration in the region surrounding the Bridge network. The summit brought together the civilization of Tionisla, predominantly located in the Enzel Galactic Arm, the newly neighbors Athezians, and the ancient Archangels.
However, the Milky Way was still embroiled in the ongoing Archdemon invasion, and tensions ran high. The summit was hosted aboard four-dimensional resonating space station, built within Shu'Zuya's sphere of influence. This station, an architectural marvel, stood as a symbol of unity and cooperation among the Athezians and Archangels civilizations. But during the second day of talks, tragedy struck as the Ay'Ashura star system came under sudden and violent assault by the Archdemons, targeting the space station itself.
The station becoming a battleground as Archdemon fighters attempted to turn it into the coffin of high-ranking Archangel officials. Despite their technological prowess and the presence of advanced defense systems, the station was ultimately overwhelmed. The catastrophic event led to the station's destruction, scattering its remnants across Shu'Zuya's surface and its swampy oceans.
The ruins of the station still dot the landscape of Shu'Zuya to this day, a haunting reminder of the Archdemon's assault. Humanity later gave the site the somber nickname "Angels' Valhalla," in recognition of the many Archangel leaders who perished during the attack.
The attack on the high-ranking officials at the summit became a pivotal moment in the ongoing war, hardening the Archangels' resolve. In response to the assault on the Ay'Ashura space station and the loss of so many prominent leaders, the Archangels made a fateful decision. They unleashed a devastating biochemical weapon designed to target the genetic code of the Archdemons, triggering a mass genocide of Archdemon forces throughout the Milky Way.
The controversial actions of the Archangels, particularly their deployment of a biochemical weapon that led to the mass genocide of Archdemon forces, have ignited a fierce debate among humanity. Once revered as celestial beings of wisdom and benevolence, the Archangels now face growing scrutiny, with many questioning whether they still embody the virtues of "angels" at all.
For some, the decision to unleash a weapon targeting the genetic code of their enemies marked a turning point, revealing a darker, more pragmatic side to the Archangels—one willing to cross ethical boundaries to secure victory. Critics argue that such a move, no matter how strategic, is a betrayal of the moral high ground that the Archangels were thought to uphold. It has led to a reexamination of their role as protectors and guardians, with some even labeling them as tyrants willing to resort to extreme measures.
Others, however, defend the Archangels' actions as a necessary evil, a last resort in a war that had pushed the galaxy to the brink. They see it as a pragmatic decision made to ensure survival, asserting that the Archdemons would have shown no such restraint had the roles been reversed. To these supporters, the Archangels remain "angels" in spirit, their harsh measures justified by the desperate circumstances of the ongoing conflict.