In 2174, a splinter group of scientists calling themselves the Cartographers found traces of Damien.
They saw time not as linear, but as a topological terrain. Their tech let them "draw" on time—creating canyons, bridges, sinkholes in causality.
They feared Damien. Revered him. Some wanted to destroy him. Others wanted to be him.
But he was always one breach ahead.
Until Lyra infiltrated them.
And the maps began to shift.