Chapter 1: The Vessel of Travel

Henry serves as my guide through the City; where he ventures, I follow. He embodies my quest for understanding. There are times I pause, awaiting answers—sometimes for two years or even longer. I remain within my designated space in the world, where entities are not confined to rigid classifications but are instead allowed to thrive in their own authenticity. This is a challenge in a landscape rife with vendetta-driven definitions. No longer can things simply exist; they are dissected, interpreted, and distilled to the point where their intrinsic beauty is lost. The world has become fragmented, reduced to pixelated squares. True unity is merely an illusion observed from afar.

Humanity is compartmentalized into labeled containers, leaving scant room for authenticity. We are divided into categories—men and women, races, sexual orientations, and social classes. The classification continues until we are reduced to mere dust, with division becoming our sole identity.

Our narratives hold significance. The tales that endure across generations morph into truths, irrespective of their authenticity or logic. When does a tree swaying in the breeze regain its beauty? When can I converse with a black man without the interference of societal optics, simply drawn by the inclination of my heart?

To exist in the presence of others—recognizing them neither as similar nor dissimilar—but appreciating their existence for what it is, encapsulates the essence of living. This is the purpose of our being: to coexist among all things simultaneously.

The year 20XX reflects a society steeped in division. It portrays a City that dissects humanity in countless ways—through societal norms, religious beliefs, technological advances, legal frameworks, and a multitude of other constructs. The desire for mere existence has waned; individuals now seek labels and classifications, aiming for acceptance within hierarchies and new mappings of old paradigms.

I conceived the City during my incarceration, driven by a yearning for freedom. I craved the ability to envision a better world, or at the very least, to advocate for one. Perhaps even to fight for it. Imagine—a solitary individual trapped within the system's grasp, penning thoughts about rising above it, striving to overcome. Writing became my tether to sanity; paradoxically, I had to lose my grasp on reality to maintain my sanity.

Henry Church, the protagonist, despises his surname as it symbolizes the relentless machinery of societal norms—an apparatus that perpetuates separation. His greatest fears do not stem from death, pain, or destitution; rather, they arise from the notion that the world may not be as it seems. What, he wonders, is the value of a life devoid of objective reality?

As Henry navigates through the City, he encounters two churches: one sleek and modern, the other dark and Gothic. Suddenly, these churches rupture, spilling forth rats and roaches, giving rise to the Traumalian. Meanwhile, Switch and Vern stroll along the shores of Galilee, as the Gilgal tree provides shade to Henry from the chaos of the City, interrupted only by incessant megaphone announcements.

Henry seeks clarity. He longs for peace long enough to address his questions—because Henry is me, and it is challenging for me to find answers in a world that moves at breakneck speed. That’s why my time at Deaderman Correctional was a revelation; it taught me that stillness is the closest I can get to genuine experience. It’s during these moments of calm that the City reveals its true nature.

Occasionally, I watch a car pass by my office and feel a profound sadness. I see a butterfly and am overwhelmed by sorrow, realizing how far removed I am from the world while being right in its midst.

I harbor a deep suspicion that everything I’ve perceived throughout my life is an illusion—none of it real, none of it true, merely a fleeting sentiment that has haunted me for years.

I keep wishing to awaken one day within the reality I have sought my entire life. I am weary of seeking refuge, exhausted by the City’s relentless pace. I am drained from yearning for connection in a City designed to obliterate tranquility.

I recognize that Henry seeks a return to wholeness, and perhaps, so do I. Yet, this journey may require me to rediscover my origins. Perhaps the conclusion is merely a new beginning.

Hey, I’m Roman. I’m currently crafting my debut novel, 20XX, which explores themes of magical realism. Additionally, I share insights about the writer's journey on Substack.

Chapter 2: The Illusion of Reality

In the video "Humanity - Reveal Trailer," we are introduced to a game that explores profound themes of existence and choice, inviting players to ponder the essence of humanity.

Chapter 3: Seeking Peace in Chaos

The "Humanity Review" video delves into the game's mechanics and narrative, offering a critique that resonates with the quest for understanding in a divided world.