Deep in the heart of Labyrinthos lay the Aitiascope —the device through which the Sharlayans peer into the aetherial sea. And before it was the laboratory from which more cautious preemptive measurements were taken and analyses performed.

The professor at the head of the studies was busy going over the most recent findings, not noticing that he had company until he turned around.

“Oh, forgive me!” He hastily apologized with a sheepish smile. “Greetings, and welcome to my humble laboratory! I am Claudien, leader of this little research collective. What can I do for you?”