The human race was once able to teleport to Mars after discovering a hypergate on the Moon. Those who opted to dwell there discovered a technology considerably superior to that of their home planet, which they dubbed "Aldnoah," prompting the establishment of the Vers Empire of Mars and a declaration of war against the "Terrans," those who remained on Earth. A conflict on the moon, subsequently dubbed "Heaven's Fall," caused the hypergate to rupture, destroying the moon and forcing the two worlds to agree to an uneasy truce.