Every story begins somewhere. For the Vicious Circles series, that place is Cerellea — an island nation where modern ambition collides with ancient shadows. At its heart lies Azalea City, a metropolis of beauty and danger, where power is polished on the surface but frayed underneath.
This newcomer’s guide orients you to Cerellea as a whole, walks you through the heartbeat of Azalea City, and introduces the districts, landmarks, and daily rhythms that shape life here — before leading you into its most dangerous school: Vikan Academy.
The Nation of Cerellea
Cerellea is a proud island nation made up of four distinct lands:
- Gadina — the economic powerhouse, pulsing with trade and industry. Its ports bustle with merchants and ships carrying goods across the seas, while boardrooms in Azalea City dictate the nation’s financial future.
- Lorea — the cultural heart, rich with theater, artistry, fashion, and spectacle. Festivals draw thousands each year, spilling color and music into its plazas.
- Sona — an ocean paradise, alive with glowing bioluminescent waters and marine research. By day it’s a haven for water lovers; by night, its seas shimmer with life like a second sky reflected beneath the waves.
- Kalia — rugged, rural, and traditional, where history still holds sway. It clings to old ways, preserving myths, rituals, and the memory of wars long past.
Together, they form a nation defined by pride, resilience, and progress. Cerellea pushes forward into modernity but never escapes the shadows of its past.
Azalea City — The Beating Heart of Cerellea
Azalea City is the beating heart of Cerellea — a metropolis where elegance masks tension and opportunity is always balanced with risk. As the second largest city on Gadina Island, it draws dreamers, workers, Syndicate operatives, and tourists alike. Skyscrapers of colored glass rise beside rooftop gardens and flower-lined plazas, blending innovation with natural beauty. By day, the city glimmers with commerce and ambition. By night, neon and lanterns transform it into a world of indulgence, secrets, and survival.
Uptown
The epitome of luxury and power, Uptown is a showcase of wealth. Towering high-rises with mirrored glass overlook pristine plazas. Valets stand ready at the doors of exclusive clubs and rooftop lounges where entry is invitation-only. Luxury cars purr along clean boulevards lined with designer storefronts. Inside these spaces, deals worth millions are signed over cocktails, and gossip between the elite decides who rises and who falls. Uptown thrives on spectacle — every inch is designed to impress, intimidate, or seduce.
Downtown
Downtown is the city’s restless heart. By day, food vendors line neon-soaked streets, the smell of sizzling skewers mixing with sharp coffee from street carts. Office workers hurry between sleek tech start-ups, and students cut through alleys to reach cafés where ideas flow faster than caffeine. By night, the entire district transforms: holographic billboards glow, clubs thrum with music, and arcades spill laughter into the streets. It’s vibrant and dangerous — fortunes can be made in its crowded markets, and reputations destroyed just as quickly.
Academic District
Dominated by the prestigious Vikan Academy, the Academic District pulses with intellectual energy. Streets are dotted with bookstores, lecture halls, and cafés where scholars argue over philosophy and science until closing time. Public exhibitions display student innovations, while whispers of secret competitions between Academy factions keep the tension simmering. On weekdays, the district feels scholarly, orderly, even serene. On weekends and holidays, the mood shifts dramatically as students spill into the city, bringing with them noise, bravado, and a kind of reckless curiosity that unsettles locals.
Residential Districts
The neighborhoods of Azalea City reveal its deepest divides:
- Upper Residential — a sanctuary for the city’s elite. Here, mansions hide behind manicured hedges and private security gates. Towering penthouses command sweeping views of the coastline, their balconies hung with exotic plants imported from Sona. Wealth buys not only comfort but insulation from the chaos below.
- Lower Residential — a patchwork of tradition and modernity. Families live in narrow apartments stacked above bakeries, bookshops, and tea houses. Rooftop gardens burst with herbs and vegetables, creating pockets of green among concrete. The streets here are alive with festivals, neighborhood gossip, and the rhythm of survival.
- Slums — dense and unforgiving, where paint peels from walls and broken neon signs flicker in the night. Life here is harsh, but the people are resilient. Informal markets thrive, street musicians play for spare coins, and the seeds of rebellion grow in whispered meetings held in back alleys.
The Docks
The Docks are where salt, sweat, and steel collide. During the day, workers unload cargo while gulls wheel above and the scent of brine clings to every surface. Fishing boats arrive with their daily hauls, and cargo freighters tower like mountains of rust and metal. At night, the legitimate workers go home, and a different economy takes over: smugglers, Syndicate operatives, and thieves move goods through the shadows. Every crate could carry either grain or contraband, and no one asks too many questions.
The Warehouse District
Once industrial, now reborn as the city’s underbelly, the Warehouse District hums with dual lives. By day, forklifts rattle across cracked pavement, and shipments move in and out like clockwork. By night, cavernous halls become marketplaces for contraband. Auctions are held in whispers, fortunes exchanged in unmarked bills, and masked Syndicate enforcers watch from the shadows. Outsiders who stumble here at night rarely return without scars — or debts.
Landmarks in Azalea City to Know
Golden Orchid Resort
A world within a world — Uptown’s crown jewel.
The Golden Orchid Resort is more than a hotel; it is a symbol of Uptown’s affluence and power. As the sun sets, Azalea City transforms into a playground of luxury and sophistication. Under neon skies, the Golden Orchid rises as the epitome of Uptown glamour — a sophisticated oasis where the city’s elite mingle with Vikan Academy’s top students to experience the height of indulgence.
Located in the very heart of Uptown, the resort is just a twenty-minute ride from the Academy by public transit, yet it feels worlds away. The district surrounding it, often called the gold-light district, is lined with polished streets, curated art installations, and lush greenery woven between towers of glass. High-end boutiques and gourmet restaurants cluster shoulder-to-shoulder, offering bespoke fashion, designer jewelry, and curated artwork. To walk these streets is to feel the weight of wealth — every detail, from the manicured hedges to the scent of imported flowers, is designed to display success.
- Golden Orchid Plaza
- At the heart of the resort lies the Golden Orchid Plaza, a vibrant open-air hub that pulses with elegance and spectacle. By day, it is filled with the sound of cascading water from interactive fountains and the chatter of professionals enjoying outdoor cafés. By night, its lights shift with the skyline, transforming the plaza into a stage for live performances, rotating art exhibits, and spontaneous gatherings. VIP lounges and signature cocktail bars add an air of exclusivity, while curated cultural markets give the wealthy a way to “shop” for unique experiences. Whether for casual gatherings or intimate events, the plaza is designed to impress — every brick polished, every corner alive.
- Grand Dahlia Hotel
- Across from the plaza stands the Grand Dahlia Hotel, a towering jewel of marble and glass. Its lobbies sparkle with chandeliers, and its polished floors echo with the footsteps of dignitaries, Syndicate emissaries, and Academy prodigies alike. A skywalk connects the hotel directly to the Grand Dahlia Mall, creating a seamless flow between indulgence and commerce. The EVE Society often reserves blocks of rooms here for lavish parties and private gatherings, transforming suites into exclusive lounges and conference halls into ballrooms that blur the line between celebration and strategy.
- Grand Dahlia Mall
- Beside the hotel sprawls the Grand Dahlia Mall, Uptown’s most extravagant shopping destination. It is more than a mall — it is a temple of consumption, where designer boutiques, exclusive jewelers, and luxury showrooms compete for attention. Shoppers move from couture houses to experimental concept stores, trailed by personal assistants and stylists. A state-of-the-art theater provides entertainment, while rooftop terraces host seasonal showcases of fashion, music, and cuisine. For many, the mall represents Azalea City at its most indulgent — a place where money vanishes as quickly as water poured onto sand.
- Cerulean Recreation Center
- For those who value health as much as status, the Cerulean Recreation Center offers a sanctuary of wellness. Behind discreet glass doors lies a private gym, tranquil spa rooms, and bespoke wellness programs curated for the city’s most affluent residents. Though tourists may buy day passes, Uptown locals and the top students of Vikan Academy, who enjoy both the exclusivity and privacy primarily frequented the center the center affords. Here, status is maintained not only by what one wears, but by how one is seen caring for themselves.
- The Maravelle Garden
- Tucked between the hotel and the mall lies the Maravelle Garden, a tranquil retreat designed to balance Uptown’s frenetic energy. This indoor botanical sanctuary brims with exotic plants, vibrant floral displays, and cascading waterfalls that echo softly through the air. The fragrance of orchids and jasmine lingers on every path, while koi ponds and peaceful lawns invite reflection. Secluded benches and intimate picnic areas provide privacy for whispered conversations or stolen moments. For some, it is simply a place of beauty; for others, it is the backdrop for quiet negotiations hidden beneath the illusion of serenity.
Café Delta
The Academic District’s most beloved crossroads. Inside, walls lined with bookshelves meet the warm glow of hanging lanterns. Students huddle over notes, professors debate in corners, and locals slip in for tea and gossip. The café hums with possibility: ideas, friendships, and rivalries all brewed together in the same pot. More deals are struck here than in some boardrooms Uptown.
The Camellia Room
An elegant rooftop bistro where every table feels like a secret. Soft lighting, floral décor, and panoramic views create an air of refined intimacy. Couples come here to celebrate milestones, Syndicate members to negotiate in whispers, and solitary dreamers to stare out at the skyline and wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Obsidian Crown Hotel & Pavilion
A labyrinth of decadence — and danger.
Within its glittering halls lie the Obsidian Salon, where appearances are sculpted into masks of power, and vast Casinos and Banquet Halls, where velvet tables host both fortunes and failures. A Luxury Buffet presents food as art, while the Indoor Waterpark and Virtual Experiences offer escape tailored to every desire. Above it all, the Infinity Pool seems to float in the sky itself, where guests sip cocktails as the city sprawls beneath them. For many, this is heaven; for others, it’s the Syndicate’s gilded cage.
Nine Flix
More than a nightclub — a four-story fever dream. Music pulses through every floor: EDM, live bands, and experimental performances. Screens project shifting visuals, while dancers blur in strobe lights. Students, locals, and tourists collide here, drawn into a whirl of adrenaline and spectacle. Nine Flix is equal parts escape and exposure — one night of revelry could build your reputation, or destroy it.
The Black Petal
Where the sea meets the music — moody, magnetic, unforgettable. The club sits on the edge of the coast, its walls of glass opening to crashing waves below. Violet lights cast shadows that linger too long, and music vibrates through every bone. Patrons come for more than drinks — they come for mystery, for danger, for the possibility of losing themselves.
Shimmer Pier Night Market
Lanterns, laughter, and shadows by the sea. The Night Market is alive until dawn. Lanterns sway above stalls selling skewered meats, fragrant teas, handmade jewelry, and questionable remedies. Children chase each other through alleys, street performers juggle fire, and fortune-tellers beckon curious customers. Families, students, and Syndicate operatives mingle under the same flickering lights, proof that Azalea City never truly sleeps.
The Skyline Edge
A rooftop lounge suspended between heaven and neon. By day, its infinity pool mirrors the sky; by night, it transforms into a floating party above the city lights. Transparent floors give visitors vertigo, a reminder that indulgence in Azalea City is always one misstep away from disaster.
Daily Life in Azalea City and Cerellea
Life in Azalea City is a mosaic of contrasts — shaped by age, class, and circumstance. The city never sleeps; it only shifts its rhythm.
Children and Teens
On school days, children crowd classrooms in the Residential Districts, while the wealthy attend private academies with manicured courtyards. Afternoons fill parks and rooftop courts with laughter, while Uptown teens practice music or athletics in private studios. On weekends, malls and arcades fill with restless energy, and adventurous teens sneak into the Night Market for thrills they can’t find at home.
Young Adults (Non-Students)
Young adults balance survival with ambition. Apprenticeships in warehouses, offices, or creative studios keep them moving by day. By evening, they flock to cafés, rooftop lounges, and music halls, carving out pieces of life for themselves. For some, nightlife is escape; for others, it’s opportunity. Here, friendships and rivalries are tested under neon glow.
Vikan Academy Students
Most of the year, students are cloistered on campus. But when weekends and holidays arrive, their presence hits the city like a storm. Cafés fill with louder laughter, night markets blaze with sharper fashion, and Uptown clubs overflow with sudden demand. Merchants raise prices, locals retreat or compete, and Syndicate watchers sharpen their eyes. For a few days, Azalea City belongs to the Academy — and then, as quickly as they arrive, the students vanish back into their walled world, leaving the city buzzing in their wake.
Working Adults
Mornings are crowded commutes and the hum of Uptown offices. At the Docks, workers haul crates before the sun fully rises. Afternoons split the city in two: Uptown’s business lunches linger over wine, while Downtown workers grab quick meals before rushing back to labor. Evenings bring different endings: some collapse into neighborhood bars, others gamble or chase comfort in spas and casinos, and a few retreat to quiet dinners with family.
Elders
Elders live at a gentler rhythm. Mornings mean seaside walks, temple offerings, and balcony gossip with neighbors. Afternoons are for tending rooftop gardens, playing cards, or keeping small family shops. Evenings divide: the wealthy attend theater shows Uptown, while others gather in courtyards to share stories of the past. Their wisdom lingers quietly in the city’s veins, a reminder of what was lost and what still survives.
The Rhythm of Azalea City Nights
- Morning — vendors set up, schools open, offices hum.
- Afternoon — Uptown gleams while Downtown sweats and the docks grind.
- Evening — lights glow, markets and clubs open, streets fill with leisure and risk.
- Night — the most dangerous hours; Syndicate whispers pass quietly — unless Academy students are in town, in which case the entire city feels alive, volatile, and electric.
Why Azalea City Matters
Azalea City is not just scenery. It’s a stage that shapes every ambition, betrayal, and desire in Vicious Circles. Its beauty dazzles, its nightlife tempts, and its shadows test anyone who dares to walk its streets.
Where would you live?
- In the Academic District, buried in books and secrets?
- Under neon lights Downtown, chasing risk and possibility?
- In the quiet Residential blocks, hoping for fragile peace?
Dive Into The World
Cerellea is a nation of beauty and brutality, where every district carries its own weight of ambition, tradition, and shadow. From the glowing waters of Sona to the financial towers of Gadina, life here is as fractured as it is dazzling. Yet all of these paths inevitably converge on one place: the Academy built to refine, test, and control the nation’s most ambitious youth.
Within those walls, students live in a world apart. Walled off, surveilled, and pressured to rise or fall, they shape the currents that will one day flow back into Cerellea itself. The Academy is not just a school — it is a crucible, and survival there means far more than grades.
Our Newcomer’s Guide to Vikan Academy will take you inside that crucible. There, ambition is sharpened, alliances tested, and reputations carved into stone.
Continue your journey here → Newcomer’s Guide to Vikan Academy
Cerellea is a nation of contrasts — beauty and brutality, pride and peril. Azalea City will shape everyone who enters it.
Explore more about Azalea City on World Anvil.
Start Esias’s story in Circle of Secrets — free to read on Ream.