Content Warning: This section of the guide contains depictions of violence, captivity, enslavement, mental health struggles, suicidal ideation, and death.

In its final statement as “keeper-librarian of the human moiety of the Carryx” (2), Ekur-Tkalal explains that the Carryx have been at war with the enemy for so long that they don’t know how it began. However, it knows that the end came the day the Carryx conquered the people of Anjiin.

Dafyd Alkhor attends a celebration at the Irvian science academy, where he works as a minor research assistant. He’s a member of Tonner Freis’s research team, famous for genetics research. Dafyd meets astronomer Llaren Morse from the rival Dyan Academy, who warns Dafyd to enjoy his team’s accolades while he can. Concerned, Dafyd speaks with his aunt Dorinda, a member of the funding colloquy. She criticizes his habit of being self-effacing, knowing that he purposely urges people to underestimate him. When Dafyd asks Dorinda about Llaren’s vague threat, Dorinda doesn’t respond.

Dafyd interprets his aunt’s lack of response as confirmation that something is wrong. He approaches Tonner Freis and the team’s second team lead, Else Yannin. Else is a beautiful, intelligent woman who gave up being lead of her own team to work with Tonner.