Founded in 2020 by its charismatic leader, Cabe McAlister, The Children of Elysia promises its followers a utopian existence within the virtual world. The group operates through a strict hierarchy, with members ascending through seven levels—each named after an angel and symbolising a higher stage of enlightenment. With a strong emphasis on personal growth, McAlister’s movement attracts those seeking belonging and purpose, offering a virtual paradise free from fear, pain, or suffering as they progress towards ultimate immersion.

As members rise through the ranks, they become increasingly entrenched in the community, striving to transcend the physical limitations of the real world. The cult’s doctrine asserts that true enlightenment—the final stage of ascension—can only be achieved through complete immersion in the digital realm. Neuro-implants induce a coma-like state, severing the mind from the body, facilitate this.

Yet, not all who reach the penultimate sixth level are willing to surrender their physical form. Those who refuse remain part of the support team for the Explorers—members who undergo total immersion into the virtual paradise. The term originates from McAlister’s claim that “like Armstrong and Columbus, we are explorers of a new world.” The support team administers a cocktail of drugs to induce the coma-like state, ensuring the brain seamlessly integrates with the neuro-implant. They also monitor vital signs and assist in the Explorers’ digital journey.

This transition is not without risk. Some Explorers suffer a critical breakdown between brain and body, becoming digital ghosts—trapped between the physical and virtual worlds. The longer they remain in the digital realm, the greater the risk of permanent disconnection, rendering them unable to return to their physical form.