The five factions at work in the world aren't neatly divided into good or bad as one would believe. They each have their own reasons, sometimes conflicting with those of their respective faction. It also appears that each faction has a number of smaller 'Cells' within various parts of the globe. Each of these cells seem to operate independently of each other.

For the most part, a kind of blind area covers these battles between the faction members, so that ordinary people cannot see them. These "Kekkai", which translates to Spirit Shield in Japanese, are a sort of barrier or field that cloaks these battles, so that human beings cannot see them occurring. Time inside the Kekkai seems to slow down or even completely stop. Most Kekkai seem to be generated by Mindbreakers, but a similar field has been seen generated by WIZ-DOM and Arayashiki faction members as well.

There are also instances of such battles taking place outside these Kekkai, and those are the ones people tend to see, though not much better. The visible effects such as damage to property are the most telling proof, but very little can be seen of the combatants. Modern technology such as digital video cameras, have also aided in the documentation of these events; For some reason, digital cameras can see the actual goings-on taking place, or at least the energy that flows during the conflict.

It would seem that not all members of the five factions are immediately aware of their capabilities. In any cases, they lead simple, ordinary lives among human beings. In fact, they themselves think they're ordinary human beings. At least until they are, as one Freelancer member put it, "Awakened" to their abilities, talents, and allegiances. Exactly how one is "Awakened" is not sure. Oftentimes it is the work of a Mindbreaker, trying to get an unknowing EGO/Arayashiki/WIZ-DOM/Darklore member into his fold, at others it is a defensive gesture after one is attacked by another faction as a threat. In still others, it is simply a natural state of self-awareness. We can never be truly certain.

Faction-specific information follows.

ARAYASHIKI	WIZ-DOM	DARKLORE	E.G.O.	ERASER	EMPIRE
MINDBREAKERS