I've speculated that the Awoken are humans that during the collapse got exposed to the worm parasite. Awoken 3 could back this up. I've also speculated that the awoken "birth" ceremony is one in which the worm parasite is removed, leaving them forever changed, half light/half dark. As Mara says "I remember the day of my birth. I still bear the scars" My only issue was if true, how did they manage to remove the parasite? Who would have such knowledge? Then I Reread the first Awoken card. Reminded me that Taox has a habit of showing up and presenting herself to races the traveler has visited and the hive are battling. And Taox is traveling in cryostasis inside a ship. Random ship floating in the reef of unknown origin? In the reef where the awoken are "born"? Perhaps Taox was inside that ship. Perhaps Taox, someone with the knowledge and motivation to remove the worm, helped create the Awoken. I don't believe that Mara is Taox. But I think Mara knows Taox. Lots of speculation here obviously. Maybe 10% accurate lol. But I liked the idea.