Opening

The sun sank below the horizon, casting its last rays across the earth. In the sunset glow beyond the window, a slightly pale hand with raised veins opened a notebook on the desk and leafed through it:

"...After the evil spirit possessed Ince Zangwill, it controlled him into leaving Backlund and the North Continent. The spirit had a clear destination: Binsy, one of the ancient settlements of its descendants...

"...After a struggle and a prolonged tug-of-war, Sauron Einhorn Medici obtained an item and regained his sanity. He and Ince Zangwill agreed to cooperate, each seeking what he needed. The evil spirit needed Beyonder Characteristics, and so did Ince...

"...The evil spirit swallowed the characteristics raw, but followed a progression from lower to higher Sequences. This might be some sort of ritual supported by a higher power. Meanwhile, the hunt for Hunter Beyonders drew the attention of War Bishop Tony Donn. His conspicuous actions as a member of the Iron and Blood Cross Order alerted many people to Ince Zangwill's movements. This was part of the plan...

"...At precisely the right time, Ince Zangwill met Palenke Tasib, the Pale Hand of the Numinous Episcopate's Artificial Death Faction. The Red Gloves had destroyed Palenke's base, leaving him no choice but to work with Ince, help remove the evil spirit, and even offer further assistance..."

(Some lines had been crossed out.)

"...To Ince's surprise, the Red Gloves team in Grahame quickly confirmed that a Hunter evil spirit had possessed him. Daly Simone had warned them, having received her information from Leonard Mitchell. Leonard had received a letter from Reinette Tinekerr and obtained the crucial information through it. But who had sent that letter?

"Red Gloves captain Soest reported the matter to Iliya, the Goddess Eye and a senior deacon of the Church of