After their brief but fateful encounter, Iska and Alice made an impression on each other, resulting in some sleepless nights. Despite being on the opposing sides of the war, they soon learn that they have much more in common than they thought.

100 years ago, a drift of astral energy created a vortex which cursed, or gifted, people with astral power. Now another vortex has formed, triggering a race between the Empire and the Nebulis Sovereignty to acquire it.