Firefight

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

As a post-apocalyptic version of New York City, Babilar is the main setting of Firefight, and it symbolizes both The Burden of Power and The Ambiguous Line Between Heroes and Villains. Since the rise of the Epics, Regalia has seized control of Babilar and has transformed it into an enormous city of water, gaining near-total control over every flooded area. Named for both Babylon and the famed flood that overcame the city, Babilar represents Regalia’s desire to reshape the world into a better place, even if her desire is tainted by the moral corruption that her powers have caused. Babilar also offers a contrast to the oppression that David experienced in Newcago under Steelheart’s rule. Whereas Steelheart ruled through fear, Regalia has mostly allowed the people of her city to do as they will. Thus, the people have adopted a relaxed attitude toward the city’s political situation, believing that they may as well live their lives to the fullest and cease worrying about the harm that the Epics can cause. After Regalia is killed at the end of the novel, the people of Babilar stay in the restored city.