Flight is the major means of transportation on Prester's universe, made possible by Claudia Fluid: a liquidized form of the crystals generated on the planet. An organization known merely as "the Guild" has complete control over the sky, as well as a monopoly on the engines that utilise this fluid. Furthermore, as natural disasters destabilize the warring kingdoms of Anatoray and Disith, the Guild mediates disagreements between the two. Sky Couriers, pilots of small, two-person vanships that fly freely over the sky, get caught in the crossfire. Last Exile chronicles the exploits of two kids who aspire to be better than their parents: Claus Valca, the son of a legendary vanship pilot, and Lavie Head, Claus' best friend and rival.