Welcome, Player.

I've never said this openly before, but I've always regarded you a friend of the Shadow.

That's why I am telling you this, despite the risks.

Player: "What do you mean, the Shadow?"

You will learn about the Shadow as you carry out this mission. For now, just do as I ask.

I'll send you to the Library of the Sages in Sanctum to visit the historian Nestor.

He will tell you everything.

Player: "Library. Sounds exciting."

Welcome, friend of the Shadow.

I've been watching you this whole time, you see.

The time has come for me to tell you all that I have seen.

Player: "You've been watching me?"

I need to verify what Icaronix has done. There is something I need for that, and to make it, I'll need Manastone: MP +50, Lazuli, and Stone of Black Embers.

You can get Manastone: MP +50 from hunting. You can obtain Lazuli by gathering Lazuli in Atreia. Getting Stone of Black Embers is a problem since you can only get it from the Tomb of the Giant Weapon on the upper layer of Reshanta. You can get it by defeating Black Blaze Spirit.

Once you've collected all the materials, take them to the Alchemy Master Diana.

Player: "That's nice of you."

Ah, Player!

Nestor asked for something strange again. He's always asking me to make weird things.

Did you bring me the materials?

Player: "Oh, here they are."

Wait just a little bit. I'm done with all the preparation work, so it won't take long at all.

So, add a bit of this, mix in a bit of that...

Here, it is finished! Take it to Nestor. And tell him to stop making these weird requests.

Player: "Yeah, I'll tell him."

Did you bring the materials I had mentioned to Diana?

Did Diana make the orb I asked for?

Player: "Here's the orb."

I think something happened between Ecus and Icaronix at the Sliver of Darkness. The orb will show you what happened in the past.

Witness with your own eyes what passed between Ecus and Icaronix. Put your hand on the orb.

Player: "Should I wave my hand around, too?"

For a long time I've had doubts about the Ecus' demise. What happened?

Player: "Something unexpected..."

So Icaronix knew Ecus' true identity.

Ecus was a member of the Shadow Elders, like me. He was a great colleague who carried out many missions.

I had better tell you about the Shadow Elders, then. Simply put, we are those who seek Atreia's hidden truths.

Player: "What's a hidden truth?"

You young Daevas have already forgotten that Atreia was once one and whole. The Cataclysm cleaved it in two, and we have been waging war as Elyos and Asmodians ever since. Fighting out of the belief that we need to destroy the other's Aion's Tower lest we ourselves came to ruin.

We Shadow Elders do not believe that to be the truth. There must be a way to restore Atreia as one, like it was before.

You will understand this truth one day as well, Player. But for now, I'd better inform my colleagues about Ecus. Please go to the Lyceum and tell Aithra about this.

Player: "I don't get it, but all right."

What is your business with me?

Player: "Nestor sent me."

What is it? Wait. What? Ecus...at the hands of Icaronix?

I understand. I appreciate you coming here to tell me despite the risks. But I just don't have the authority to take action on this matter.

Can you go tell Boreas as well? Stealthily, without being seen by anyone.

Player: "No problem."

As we had feared.

We've had our suspicions about Icaronix for some time now, but never imagined that he would actually harm Ecus.

But, we now have the justification to track Icaronix down. Thank you for sharing this important piece of information, Player.