Darrow is a Red miner who was surgically transformed into a Gold to infiltrate their society and bring down the caste system. After conquering Mars, he was betrayed and held captive. He struggles with the mental toll of leadership and his disconnection from his original purpose, but draws strength from his loyal friends to rebuild the resistance.

An exceptionally intelligent and empathetic Gold, and the twin sister of the Jackal. Despite her privileged background, she aligns herself with the cause of equality and leads military forces against the Sovereign. She prioritizes building a functional system over simply destroying the current one, demanding that the revolution maintain an ethical foundation.

The ruthless twin brother of Mustang. He lacks empathy and seeks absolute control, using brutal suppression tactics and media manipulation to maintain order on Mars. He harbors intense jealousy toward Darrow's ability to inspire genuine loyalty, relying instead on fear and manipulation to command his followers.

The half-Red, half-Gold leader of the Sons of Ares. Following the death of his father, he assumes the mantle of Ares but struggles heavily with the immense responsibility. He operates with a ferocious approach to rebellion, acting violently against the Society while guarding deep insecurities about his leadership capabilities.

A highly skilled Gold who serves the Sovereign. Driven by a deep sense of honor, he struggles with his role in a corrupt system and his lingering grief over his family's destruction. His past friendship with Darrow is overshadowed by a bitter blood feud stemming from their time at the Institute.

A fiercely loyal Gold from a famously wealthy and treacherous family. Despite her harsh exterior, she proves deeply dependable. She battles insecurities regarding her family's reputation, fearing that she carries a familial poison that will ruin her relationships.

A massive Obsidian warrior who previously lived in enslavement to the Golds. Following his liberation by Darrow, he serves as a loyal soldier for the Rising and earns the title 'Shield of Tinos' for protecting the refugees. He rejects the violent warrior religion imposed upon his people by the Golds.

The Sovereign of the Society, ruling over the harsh, color-coded government. She faces rebellion from multiple fronts and uses her chief bodyguards and fleets to crush opposition. She grows uneasy with the Jackal's brutal tactics but relies on him for military support.

The Sovereign's chief bodyguard and an overwhelmingly powerful fighter. She operates efficiently and without hesitation, frequently dispatched to eliminate high-level threats to the Society.

Darrow's former friend and a brilliant naval commander. He betrayed Darrow in the past upon learning his true identity as a Red. He is a poet and a dedicated soldier of Gold who ardently believes in the concept of the Society, refusing to see its corruption.

A highly capable Gray operative working for the Sons of Ares. She is disciplined, pragmatic, and utilizes advanced weaponry to extract high-value targets for the resistance.

A Gray operative in the Sons of Ares. He gives Darrow a customized Razor adorned with images of Darrow's loved ones, demonstrating his rejection of Gold traditions regarding weaponry.

Victra's half-sister and an old school rival of Darrow. She is ruthless, self-serving, and aligned with the Sovereign. She famously killed her own mother and severely injured Victra to secure her political position.

A remarkably wealthy Silver businessman who funds various political factions. As a capitalist, he opposes the Gold ideology because it stifles human growth, preferring a free market to drive social change.

A Pink who previously trained Darrow in Gold culture. He is now married to Quicksilver and assists in managing his vast financial empire.

A massive, jovial Gold and a father figure to Mustang. He remains fiercely protective of his adoptive daughter and supports her coalition against the Sovereign.

Ragnar's sister and a Valkyrie warrior. She earned her moniker by refusing to speak after Ragnar was taken away by the Golds. She leads a formidable force of Obsidian women and searches for the truth about the Gold gods.

The matriarch of Ragnar and Sefi's Obsidian tribe. She knows the Golds are not gods but enforces the religion out of fear of their military might.

The leader of the Rim planets. He values honor, order, and restraint, believing these traits make his people more civilized than the Core Golds, though he still enforces the caste hierarchy.

Darrow's old mentor in the Sons of Ares. He remains dedicated to the cause but often clashes with other leaders over strategy and the integration of Gold allies into the resistance.

Darrow's mother. She provides him with emotional support and reminders of his roots, urging him to survive the war so he can eventually live a peaceful life.

Darrow's brother, who has joined the resistance and helps ground Darrow in his family ties.

Darrow's uncle and a beloved figure among the Sons of Ares. He actively participates in sabotage missions for the rebellion.

The founder of the Sons of Ares whose execution sparked Sevro's brutal campaign against the Society. Though dead, his legacy hangs heavily over the rebellion.

The Jackal's fiercely loyal right-hand woman. She executes his most destructive commands without hesitation.

A skilled Blue ship captain who remains loyal to Darrow's vision for the future, commanding naval forces to cause chaos on Society shipping lines.

A radicalized former rebel who leads non-affiliated terrorist attacks. She betrayed Dancer to the Jackal because she felt Darrow had sold out the rebellion.

A Bonerider and former Institute classmate of Darrow's who serves the Jackal as a guard.

A Gold who uses advanced technology to impersonate a deity, thereby enforcing the religion that keeps the Obsidians enslaved.

A Gold pretending to be a Norse goddess to manipulate the Obsidian population into servitude.

A former Howler who defected to become one of the Jackal's Boneriders. She attempts to fit in with the Golds by dying her hair.

Kavax's son, a large and capable Gold who supports Mustang's political and military efforts alongside his family.

The eccentric Carver who originally surgically transformed Darrow into a Gold. He uses his medical expertise to rehabilitate the wounded resistance members.

A loyal member of the Howlers who fights for the Rising. She reassures Darrow that the Howlers consider him family.

Romulus au Raa's daughter, representing the proud and martial culture of the Rim planets.

A Red operative in the Sons of Ares who guides the strike team through the lower levels of the city-moon.

A fearsome Gold commander who leads the Society's navy in defense of Luna.

The young grandson of Octavia au Lune, observing the brutal politics and warfare of the Society from within its highest echelon.

Darrow's late wife whose execution sparked his rebellion. Her song and dream of a free world serve as the emotional and ideological heartbeat of the Rising.