Paddra Nsu-Yeul

"This," Yeul said, as they stared out at the sprawling metropolis, "is Academia. It is the capital city of Gran Pulse and more people live here than in the rest of the world."

Because monsters ruled most of the world, in case her guests hadn't figured that out by now.

Academia was a tangled warren of streets and automatic paths that were marked by arrows. The bridges and stairways were translucent and crossed deep drops, as the city was built upon itself, higher and higher.

"The Academy is the center of human government these days," Yeul said, gesturing at the tall building that loomed over the rest of the city. "The building is open to the public, as they have an open door policy," to a degree, "and there's even a restaurant on the top floor. They say the view is fantastic."

[NFB and for them that have been invited. Academia's theme song can be listened to here: Academia.]

In deference to the fact that her friends knew very little about the world of Gran Pulse, Yeul had decided against dropping them in the middle of ruins on the first day.

Instead, she had settled on the seaside town of New Bodhum. Half of the town was built over the sea and the crystallized Cocoon could be seen in the distance.

When night fell, New Bodhum became even more beautiful as the night sky was lit up by Cocoon reflecting moonlight.

There was swimming to be done, or dining in the famous NORA House, a popular café for tourists. Just be careful not to go past the fence, where armed guards stand watch! While New Bodhum itself is safe, past the fence roam monsters.

[NFB and for them that have been invited. The theme music for New Bodhum can be listened to here.]