The hum of Kael’s lab was a comforting sound now, a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous day. Max sat in a specialized chair, wires and sensors attached to his temples and the temporal resonance amplifier on his wrist. Kael stood by a console, meticulously adjusting settings, while Thorne hovered nearby, a notepad in hand, occasionally offering theoretical insights.“Alright, Max,” Kael said, his voice low and steady. “We’re going deeper this time. The Shard’s connection to Anastasia’s residual temporal signature is strong, especially after the close proximity you had with her. Thorne’s calculations suggest we can achieve more stable, longer visions of her past.”“Longer than just a glimpse?” Max asked, his voice a little strained. He was nervous. The idea of diving into Anastasia’s mind, seeing her life, felt… invasive.“Yes,” Thorne confirmed, adjusting his glasses. “The Chronos Shard acts as a conduit, and with Kael’s temporal stabilization protocols, we’re essentially creat