I am currently writing a Sci-Fi/Divine/War novel. There are several points I want the people here to comment on. I am writing this novel in Japanese (I used to write novels in English but recently, I am writing in Japanese because I am Japanese and I live in Japan). It's a bit long post but I hope you guys read them all.


I'll get into the summary first. This takes place in alternative universe.
In a research center of another alliance where piloted (mech-like) weapon called Jagannath (which is actually a living species), considered "Apostoles of God" (and thus viewed as divine creatures by the world) is created, a scientist along with his fellow friends releases mother-Jagannath to "save humanity". Jagannath has a consciousness of its own and serve as AI-like assistant for the pilot.
Meanwhile, we have the protagonist, Kalki, who had very unfortunate life but has really no one to blame but destiny, who is a 2nd sergeant in a formal peaceful country, Pritha that was forced into (8th) world war due to territorial dispute with neighboring country. Kalki is sent to battle only to have his team annihilated by Jagannath and he barely survives. During his stay in hospital, lieutenant offers Kalki to try out the latest series of Jagannath, which unlike the former series requires him to surgically implement his brain into the Jagannath, but as a result much faster and effective. However, Jagannath's life span can significantly decrease under continuous action. Kalki takes the offer.
Unfortunately, Kalki's superior of the team is Lieutenant Matsya. Matsya is one of "Friend-Trios" (the other being Kalki and a girl named Kalika), and is very intelligent, good-looking, tall, and gentle person. However, Kalki's unfortunately life mainly is caused by Matsya, such as his terrible inferiority complex and having Kalika stolen from him (although Matsya is unaware of this) and some others. Matsya pilots a newer series of Jagannath (but not the latest one), which doesn't require surgical procedures and pilot can eject themselves when they choose to. Although Matsya treats Kalki specially in a good way, Kalki finds it extremely irritating. Kalki also have problems with his Jagannath's mind that sometimes throws sharp words at Kalki and sometimes pities Kalki, but they eventually work things out.
As war progresses the country is dominated despite Kalki's team successful in their missions. Meanwhile, news and reports shows that something strange is happening in enemy alliance as well as a scientist named Avatala explains that God decided to punish humanity for the things they are doing. Similarly, strange/divine things happen around Kalki as well.
Eventually, the country is overrun with the last command being "fight 'till you die". Being overwhelmed in numbers Matsya is killed, causing very complex emotions for Kalki (because despite being a rival he is still his friend). Kalki flies to Kalkika, who now have Matsya's child and protects them from enemy and hides them in a hiding place where Friend-Trios used to play when they were young. Kalika mistakenly assume that Kalki is Matsya (once again giving Kalki a hopeless feeling) but Kalki remains silent and flies away.
Kalki, now alone, battles his way through more strange/divine occurring and finally ends up in a research center where the latest series of Jagannath is created. Upon here, he meets Avatala, who was the scientist that released the Mother-Jagannath to "save humanity". They discuss the philosophies of life and humanity and the reason Avatala, despite knowing that the way he did it was brutal, released Jagannaths to destroy and save humanity at the same time, explaining that in one way or another most God in a religion destroys humanity in the end and he is doing the same thing. He then explains where Jagannath came from and that they are nothing divine but a product of people's belief system that causes them to look divine, however he does not explain the strange/divine phenomenon that has happened. He finally explains that he knew someone was going to come and that turned out to be Kalki. He tells Kalki that the only way to stop Jagannath from destroying humanity is for him to kill all Jagannath in this world one by one, and by the time he successfully stops Jagannaths, survivors would believe in the "true" God and that they would understand what they were doing wrong, to restart civilization and humanity.
Avatala later says that Kalki has freedom of choice whether he will or will not stop Jagannaths, and explains the results would be different but ultimately be the same thing (because either way, humanity is either annihilated thus no longer able to do anything "wrong" or survivors will learn what is right and wrong and thus do nothing "wrong"). However, Avatala says the exact quote of Chapter 18, 6th verse of Bhagavad Gita, that whatever he chooses, he shall perform them without attachment to results, but as a duty and as Dharma. Kalki chooses to stop the Jagannath.
In Epilogue shows that Kalika is still alive, her child now 4 years old. Kalki returns with his body worn-out and remains silent not correcting Kalika's misunderstanding that he is Kalki. Kalki's Jagannath asks him if he is okay with it, Kalki answers that he thinks it's his duty. Kalki asks his Jagannath that if he reincarnates would he have better life. Jagannath asks back when have Kalki started believing in God or concept of reincarnation, and Kalki answers he never did and never will. Kalki spends his last day with Kalika. Few years later, people worships Kalki (Jagannath) body calling it "God Matsya".



Overview: I wanted to make this story have a very strong religious taste to it, but still maintaining sci-fi. However, I also wanted to show futility of life and humanity at the same time, thus the tone is kind of dark and depressing, also gory at the same time. Also, we go back an forth between time to show Kalki's childhood life little by little. It's main theme is philosophy of religion in general and sometimes specifically Hinduism (more specifically the Bhagavad Gita).
Note: most names like Kalki, Matsya, Kalika is written in Japanese as "ateji", while they are actually avatars of Vishnu (except Kalika which is Hindu Godess). Jagannath is also avatar of Vishnu.




So here's what I need you guys to comment about:
1) The setting and story is a bit complicated. Is there an effective way of writing for readers to understand?
2) I find it hard to balance out the emotional, philosophical, religious/divine aspects of this story. How much weight should the above three have in these sort of story (such as 1:1:1, or 1:2:1 or comments like that is good)?
3) Overall comments on the storyline.



I'm pretty sure no one would do this on this forum, but please don't say "it sucks, /thread".



Thanks!