The year the Deepspace Tunnel tears open above Linkon City is also the year humans discover Lemurian underwater ruins southeast of Linkon. The discovery immediately triggers exploitation: Lemurians are captured, killed, and experimented on for their long lifespans, which humans want to weaponise as immortality research. Rafayel's parents are killed in this first wave. From this point forward he carries an entrenched, rational hatred of humanity. He leaves Linkon and spends years abroad — primarily Verona — depressed, unable to paint, living with an old butler and his art teacher. His aunt Talia also lives in Verona.