The entire clan sat outside the entrance to the lair. Which was saying something, given how Cupric was rarely seen outside his laboratory. It was also strange that none of Kyrna, Arcturus, or Aeroma were in the skies above. Every eye was fixed on the object streaking through the sky. In the center sat Rastaban and Eltanin, with Kyrna sitting between them and Arcturus coiled around his father's neck. To their left sat Sequoia and Aeroma, with Vanadi shifting her way towards the Nocturne, all of their eyes still on the object regardless. Eridanus sat awkwardly on their other side. On the end sat Cupric, calmly watching the strange anomaly in the sky. To the right of the founders sat Adofai, with Quorra on top of her, loosely holding on to an antler. On that end were Axiesi and Laterite, the two idly talking while keeping their eyes on the object.
Every dragon present was curious as to the spectacle above them. The Arcane dragons were taking a special interest, although Sequoia seemed to have a similar one. Not everyone was as enthusiastic about the event, however.
"Why are you so excited about this? It's just a shooting star," said Laterite.
"It can't be just a shooting star," Arcturus began, "shooting stars are way too fleeting. If it were one, this would be over."
"What about a comet?" Cupric suggested.
"I doubt it," said Aeroma, "This is the Arcanist's domain. If there was a comet approaching, a lot of dragons around here would have seen its approach long in advance, and I haven't heard any talk of it. Not to mention a comet's approach is typically seen for several days, if not more. This one's just shown-"
"Did it just change direction?" Kyrna spoke up, interrupting Aeroma. Everyone's heads and eyes looked back towards the object. Sure enough, it had deviated from its initial trajectory and was now at a steeper angle to the horizon. More unnervingly, it seemed to be moving faster toward the ground. The steak of the object seemed to have changed color as well. Then, the object disappeared behind the horizon, causing many to gasp and exchange nervous glances.
First came the shockwave. It nearly knocked Quorra off of Adofai when it hit, and it caused many items in the lair to rattle and break, prompting Cupric to rush back into his lab. Fortunately no new explosions or shouts from Cupric came of it. Later, a large wave approached the peak of the clan's lair. It didn't threaten anything or anyone, yet Eridanus was still concerned by the development.
"We've got plenty of fish, don't worry," Rastaban said, "You all get some rest. We'll figure out what to do in the morning. I'll wake you if anything bad happens." Most of the clan went inside, heading for sleep. Rastaban, Eltanin, Arcturus and Kyrna stayed outside for a while longer.
"What do you think this means for us?" Eltanin asked.
"I'm not sure," Rastaban said, "but we're definitely going to find out."

---

The next day, Aeroma, Arcturus, and Kyrna went out to speak with other clans and at marketplaces to find word of what had happened. Rastaban and Vanadi were both pacing while waiting for their return, although it was suspected that the Mirror was pacing for a different reason.
"There they are!" Sequoia shouted. Vanadi went deeper in the lair to find the others, while Rastaban stayed out to greet the incoming clan members. Later, the whole clan sat down to hear the story.
"I don't believe it," Aeroma said while panting. The trio had flown back as fast as they could without stopping at all.
"Don't believe what?" Adofai asked.
"They're back..." Arcturus began, unable to finish the sentence due to disbelief.
"Who's back?" Axiesi demanded.
"Calm down, you," Quorra said. Even though her tone lacked inflection, dismissiveness could somehow still be heard in her voice.
"The Aether!" Kyrna said, "The Aether have returned!" A few voices gasped.
"The what now? What are Aether?" Eridanus asked.
"You should know that, Arcane dragon." Laterite said, with mild disdain in her voice. "The Aether were... are the first creations of the Arcanist. I had heard that they had somehow gotten themselves into orbit with no way back." Ni let out a laugh while Oxi continued, "obviously they found one."
Aeroma nodded, saying, "There were Aether all over the place, all coming from the "Astrolab," which I guess is what they were in while in orbit. They were completely dispersing as they were evacuating the facility." Aeroma righted himself having gotten his panting breaths under control. "What surprised me most was their eyes. They aren't just Arcane ones! Apparently, being in orbit allowed the Aether to have hatches over all elemental territories, so their elements are really diverse." This got many looks of surprise from the clan.
Sequoia eventually spoke up, "What if any Aether find us here?"
Rastaban smiled, "then we will welcome them with open wings."
"That may be coming sooner than expected," Kyrna said, pointing to the sky. A few of the dragons present walked out the lair entrance and looked to where Kyrna was pointing. Out above the sea, two shapes were becoming visible. One a dusty gold, the other a dark grey.
Soon, the gold dragon noticed the clan and swooped down towards the entrance, the grey one seeming to have some hesitation before doing the same. Sure enough, they were both Aether. The gold one, with red and blue wings and deep blue Water eyes quickly started bouncing around the few dragons that had stayed outside.
"Hi hi hi!" She greeted, "I'm Pleiades, and this is my sister, Hyades!" She said, pointing to the grey Aether, who had pink wings and was covered in light blue accents. She had a piece of cloth wrapped in front of her eyes.
"Oh dear," Arcturus began, "you didn't lose your sight in the crash, did you?"
"Oh, no, I can see just fine," Hyades responded. "It's just that my have been feeling really sensitive, I got something in them while we were trying to get to safety."
"Do you think you're doing any better now, sis?" Pleiades asked. Hyades reached one pair of claws to take the cloth off of her eyes. As she did, everyone in the lair entrance gasped. Story continues on Hyades' page!

---

Pleiades and her sister, Hyades, were born in the Astrolab while in orbit. They take on the classic attribute of Aether of being fascinated with every new thing to learn. Upon their arrival, both of them began asking around the clan so that they could understand what creations the gods had created in the absence of the Aether. Pleiades is often a bit calmer and tries to keep her sister under control. Developing her magical prowess, Pleiades is hydrokinetic, and has a way of sensing when Water magic has been used.