In a family confrontation, Xavier Grant, deemed useless, is pressured by his father to surrender his status. His brother, Zane, is chosen as the new heir and undergoes a successful implant. Forced to choose a support core, Xavier defiantly selects a forbidden and dangerous one, ignoring warnings that it causes insanity. During the chaotic procedure, his vital signs crash. As others assume he is dead and celebrate his demise, Xavier survives the fusion. His father strips him of his inheritance and exiles him to a wasteland. Xavier accepts his fate and vows to watch from afar as his family faces a looming threat.