Chapter Summaries

Aaron warned Ross that arresting him would risk a war with Abei and revealed that his divination and divine artifacts gave him further ways to resist. Ross then tried to pressure Aaron by targeting Jane Volturi, and the chapter ended with Aaron challenging Ross's claim that he was seeking justice for her past victims.

• Aaron warned Ross that Abei could destroy the task force and described the dragon's abilities, while Ross threatened to capture Aaron instead.
• Aaron said he could predict an arrest through divination and use his artifacts against the task force, and Everett worried about the soldiers who would be sent after him.
• Ross implied that Aaron's loved ones could be targeted, provoking Aaron's killing intent, but Nick Fury explained that Jean Grey was protected and others had ties to Aaron.
• Ross identified Jane Volturi as a possible target and claimed he wanted justice for people she had killed, while Aaron questioned his motives.

Aaron used his connections and his companions’ powers to argue that Ross could not use his loved ones as leverage to force him to surrender his resources. He left Ross with a warning that his own family could become vulnerable if he targeted Aaron’s loved ones.

• Aaron challenged Ross’s threat against Jane and warned that he could portray Ross as declaring war on vampires.
• Aaron claimed he could leave Earth through a Teleportation Array or by traveling through Asgard, and refused to trade his resources to the United Nations.
• Ross threatened to surround Mutant Academy and protect Daisy Lewis, but Aaron said Fawkes could teleport Jean Grey away and Horologium could shield Daisy from any attack.
• Aaron asked Wanda whether she would leave Earth with him, and she promised to go wherever he went.
• Aaron warned Ross that if he harmed Jean or Daisy, he could target Ross’s own loved ones, including his daughter.

Aaron used threats and his strength to end Ross's attempt to seize his magical items, then advanced his total Magical Energy to High-Level Holy Magus. In the Mind World, he found Rogue had improved in combat and considered teaching her more magic.

• Aaron threatened Ross with retaliation against the families of those involved if they harmed Betty or his allies, and explained that his power and backing made him difficult to coerce.
• Ross abandoned the negotiation and left, while Nick Fury and Hill admitted S.H.I.E.L.D. had planned to claim most of Aaron's magical items.
• After several days of uneasy peace, Aaron used Magic Points to raise his total Magical Energy to 43,400, reaching High-Level Holy Magus.
• Aaron stopped the Shadow Ninjas from attacking Rogue and acknowledged her progress, then discussed her mastery of basic spells as she asked whether he would teach her new magic.

Aaron trained Rogue in combat readiness and mental fortitude, then created the demon Sauron and introduced him at the group meeting. Bruce Banner reported that misfortune had stranded him at a space scrapyard, where he discovered Loki was a celebrity on the planet.

• Aaron warned Rogue that her sheltered mindset put her at risk and began teaching her portal magic after subjecting her to an illusion of the Mutant Academy under attack.
• Aaron formed Sauron from the Book of Demons, named him, and sent him to absorb memories while he awaited a ritual.
• Zemo and Sauron introduced themselves at the meeting, and the group shared their identities and Pathways.
• Banner told the group he had been stranded at a space scrapyard after falling through a wormhole, and Aaron explained that he had avoided the Sokovia Accords while away from Earth.
• Banner said Loki appeared to be a popular celebrity on the planet, and Aaron advised him to avoid Loki.

Aaron assigned his dependents on Earth to locate Stephen Strange and guide him to the Shadow Holy Court after a prophecy foretold that an accident would cripple his hands. He wanted to use Strange’s future as Sorcerer Supreme to negotiate a fair exchange with Kamar-Taj for records about Horn Gaius and a Sling Ring, and Carter Slade accepted the mission.

• Jane Volturi and the others reported their pathways and recent affairs, while Bucky Barnes explained that Howard and his wife had forgiven him and Rogue revealed that Magneto had taken Polaris Lorna to ask Professor Charles for help establishing a Mutant nation.
• Aaron warned that Magneto might create a crisis to make Charles support his plan, then assigned his Earth-based dependents a mission to find Stephen Strange.
• Aaron explained that the Book of Prophecy predicted Strange would suffer a car accident that crippled his hands, and revealed that Ancient One had chosen him as the next Sorcerer Supreme.
• Aaron said he wanted to guide Strange toward the Shadow Holy Court so he could negotiate with Kamar-Taj for Horn Gaius’s records and a Sling Ring without owing Ancient One a favor.
• Aaron instructed his dependents to wait until Strange had lost hope of healing his hands, then discreetly direct him to the Seer in Hell’s Kitchen and the God of Contracts; Carter Slade volunteered to handle the mission.

After a car accident left Stephen Strange’s hands severely damaged, he met Carter Slade, who directed him to Aaron Gaius as a possible cure. Strange headed for Gaius’s Divination Shop, while Aaron learned the plan had gone smoothly.

• Stephen Strange crashed his car while viewing a brain scan and woke in the hospital with severe nerve damage in both hands.
• After spending his savings on unsuccessful treatments, Strange met Carter Slade, who told him a doctor named Aaron Gaius could heal even severed limbs.
• Strange admitted he could not afford treatment, and Carter gave him two hundred dollars for a taxi in exchange for a favor.
• Carter told Aaron that Strange was on his way to Gaius’s Divination Shop and asked to be reimbursed for his expenses.

Stephen Strange visited Gaius's Divination Shop to have his damaged hands healed, but Aaron restored only his left hand and demanded six million dollars for the rest. Ancient One then emerged from the Mirror Dimension and told Aaron that Strange was her chosen successor, but asked him not to heal Strange because his altered path could disrupt the original timeline.

• Stephen Strange asked Aaron to heal his hands, and Aaron demanded six million dollars for treatment.
• Jane used Phoenix Tears to fully restore Strange's left hand while Aaron left his right hand untreated until Strange could pay.
• Strange offered to repay Aaron over time, and Aaron demanded three future favors and took Christine's watch as collateral.
• Ancient One appeared from the Mirror Dimension and explained that Strange was her chosen successor.
• Ancient One asked Aaron not to heal Strange because his appearance had already diverted Strange from the original timeline.

Aaron healed Stephen Strange’s right hand and used the favors Strange owed him to push him to confess to Christine and travel to Nepal to meet Ancient One. The chapter ended with Aaron claiming a prophecy required Strange to become Ancient One’s student, though the Book of Prophecy’s pages were blank.

• Aaron and Ancient One agreed that Aaron would heal Strange and direct him to Kamar-Taj, while Ancient One would let him inspect the Gaius family records in person.
• Strange returned to Aaron’s shop and surrendered Christine’s watch as collateral before Aaron healed his right hand with Phoenix Tears.
• Aaron made Strange promise to confess his love to Christine and offered to lend him money for a proper proposal.
• The Book of Prophecy spoke, and Aaron pretended it had revealed that Strange must go to Nepal and become Ancient One’s student.
• Aaron told Jane to book tickets for the following day, while Strange asked to hear the prophecy so he could explain his plans to Christine.

Aaron brought Strange to Kamar-Taj, where Ancient One revealed the multiverse and offered to teach him magic. Strange learned that a prophecy named him a possible successor to the Sorcerer Supreme, but he had to decide whether to stay and prove himself.

• Aaron brought Strange through a shabby door in Kathmandu and introduced him to Ancient One at Kamar-Taj.
• Ancient One expelled Strange's soul from his body and showed him the astral dimension and the vast multiverse.
• Aaron explained that Ancient One was Earth's Guardian and that a prophecy suggested Strange might succeed her as Sorcerer Supreme.
• Ancient One offered to teach Strange magic but told him he could leave or stay and work hard.
• Aaron went with Ancient One to the library while Strange was left to decide whether to remain at Kamar-Taj.

Aaron read Agamotto’s account of Horn Gaius and found a moving portrait that seemed to connect to his original universe. He also discovered that Ancient One had recorded his Shadow magic in her private collection, while Strange began learning the mystic arts.

• Ancient One explained why Strange would stay at Kamar-Taj and instructed Wong to help Aaron find records about Horn Gaius.
• Aaron read Agamotto’s account of Horn Gaius’s rise and his role in sealing powerful threats, then found a moving portrait labeled with Horn’s name.
• Wong showed Aaron Ancient One’s private collection, where Aaron found a book describing Shadow magic spells he had once exchanged with Ancient One.
• Aaron suspected Ancient One had recorded the spells to prepare against him or exploit his power, but decided to keep his identity and concerns to himself.
• Ancient One taught Strange that magic drew energy from other dimensions, and Strange watched her form a complex Magic Array with keen interest.

Aaron revealed his Gaius heritage to Strange and summoned Horn Gaius inside the Mirror Dimension, where the ancestor recognized Ancient One watching them. Aaron attacked Horn over his past failures, and their duel left Horn facing Aaron’s far larger earth-element spell array.

• Ancient One told Strange that Aaron was a Gaius mage whose ancestors had protected the universe and humanity, while Aaron insisted he owed the universe nothing.
• Aaron made Strange sign a contract promising to keep his identity secret, then asked Ancient One for a secluded place to use his own magic.
• In the Mirror Dimension, Aaron transformed a tea table into a wooden statue of Horn Gaius and animated it with Rat energy, bringing Horn to life.
• Horn noticed Ancient One watching through the barrier and scolded her for peeping, so she led Strange away from the tea room.
• Aaron punched Horn over his ancestor’s perceived failures, then fought him as Horn defended himself with layered barriers and magic.
• Aaron broke Horn’s barriers with enhanced flames and eye lasers, sealed the space against Apparition, and aimed a massive stone spear at him.

Aaron fought Horn’s avatar, venting his anger over the dangers caused by Horn’s past actions while revealing his command of elemental authority and a powerful Mind World. Horn ultimately freed his consciousness to return to his main body with his memories, leaving Aaron’s attempt to gain his ancestor’s care unresolved.

• Aaron battered Horn with elemental magic, and Horn survived the blast with his Patronus Charm and All Spells End.
• Aaron confronted Horn about the Cairo Magic Array that had announced his existence after Apocalypse broke free, then punched Horn while venting his frustration.
• Aaron overpowered Horn physically, but Horn trapped him in a Mental Prison maze; Aaron’s Mind World swallowed the maze and freed him.
• Horn praised Aaron’s potential but criticized his weak magical foundation, and Aaron blamed his slow progress on the dangers he had faced.
• Horn said he would use his final spell to free his consciousness from the wooden carving and return to his main body with his memories.

Aaron summoned Horn to discuss his danger as Ancient One and Odin neared their ends, and learned why the Sorcerer Supreme’s borrowed power made her a beacon for dimensional lords. Horn warned Aaron about the risks of bringing powerful beings to life and recounted how Trick had protected him; Aaron remained determined to survive and return home to his family.

• Aaron told Horn that Ancient One might retire in two years, and Horn explained that her borrowed energies and tangled karmic ties had made her a coordinate for powerful dimensional lords.
• Aaron described his encounters with Odin and Hela, while Horn suggested Odin might have arranged for Hela to live with Aaron.
• Horn explained that Trick had left him facing powerful enemies after departing, and recalled punching Trick’s avatar before being slapped onto another planet.
• Horn warned Aaron that bringing still objects to life could let beings stronger than him escape, reject his summons, or reveal their main bodies’ locations.
• Horn recounted how Trick possessed his body to activate a contingency and nearly destroy the dimensional lords and ancient demon gods who came after him.
• Aaron admitted he planned to keep a low profile because the Gaius name attracted danger, and said he needed to return safely to his parents and three wives.

Aaron learned that Horn’s emerald ring concealed his magical aura and could summon Trick Gaius’s Single Universe Level avatar in an emergency, while Horn explained the conditions for Aaron to return home early or briefly visit through a dream. Aaron then asked Horn about his historical records, learning that the Vampire Progenitors destroyed one another and Horn sealed Dracula after slaughtering the vampire royal city.

• Aaron and Horn compared their romantic histories, and Horn warned that his old relationships had left potential enemies behind.
• Horn explained that the ring hid Aaron’s magical aura and could summon Trick Gaius’s avatar, though doing so would expose Aaron’s identity and attract attention.
• Horn told Aaron he could return home early by surpassing seventy thousand Magical Energy, or briefly visit through a dream if he became a god within eight years.
• Aaron asked Horn to verify historical accounts, and Horn said the seven Vampire Progenitors had fought over their Source Blood until only Dracula and Fielder remained.
• Horn explained that Dracula attacked him after trying to recruit him, so Horn slaughtered the vampires in the royal city and sealed Dracula underground.

Horn Gaius learned the truth about God’s departure from Heaven and discussed Agamotto’s account of his history with Aaron, who remained determined to avoid responsibility and return home safely. Before leaving, Horn borrowed Aaron’s ring to inspect his potential granddaughters-in-law, then arrived at the Divination Shop, where Hela caught him in the Mirror Dimension.

• Horn told Aaron that God had left Heaven to escape his rebellious children and would return if they tried to seize his dimension.
• Aaron and Horn discussed Agamotto’s manuscript, and Aaron said he wanted to avoid getting involved and quietly make it home.
• Horn borrowed Aaron’s ring and used it to find Rogue and Jean Grey at Xavier’s School, then Daisy Lewis conducting research in the wilderness.
• Horn arrived at the Divination Shop to find Wanda and Hela, who detected him in the Mirror Dimension and cut a passage into it.
• Horn introduced himself as Aaron’s great-great-great-grandfather and explained that he had come to inspect his granddaughters-in-law.

Horn warned Wanda that her Chaos Magic made her Chthon’s chosen sacrifice and discussed ways to protect her, then revealed Hela’s ancient engagement to Aaron and teased Jane about her bond with him. After months of peace, Aaron accepted a mission to kill the ancient Celestial Ego for 3,000 Magic Points and prepared to leave his Thoughtform to cover for him.

• Horn told Wanda that Chthon could control her through her Chaos Magic and use her as a sacrifice, while outlining possible ways to sever or contain their connection.
• Horn revealed that Hela and Aaron had been verbally engaged for thousands of years, and predicted that she would eventually marry into the Gaius Family.
• Horn examined Jane’s unusual vampirism, encouraged her to pursue a closer relationship with Aaron, and left after asking the women to keep his visit secret.
• Aaron saw a prophecy about the ancient Celestial Ego and accepted a system mission to kill Ego, which offered 3,000 Magic Points with no failure penalty.
• Aaron and his Thoughtform agreed that the Thoughtform would cover his identity during the mission, though they worried about what might happen on Earth while Aaron was away.

Aaron toured Bohart Star before ordering Ramon to find Yondu Udonta for information about Ego and requesting intelligence on the Guardians of the Galaxy. Meanwhile, the Guardians took Nebula as payment from Ayesha, but Rocket's theft of Sovereign batteries triggered a fleet pursuit and a space battle.

• Aaron used Ake's divination to identify Yondu Udonta and Peter Quill as possible clues to Ego, then sent Ramon to locate Yondu and ordered intelligence gathered on the Guardians.
• Ayesha gave Nebula to the Guardians as compensation for their work, and Gamora took her aboard the Milano.
• Rocket revealed that he had stolen Sovereign batteries, prompting Sovereign ships to pursue the Milano.
• The Guardians argued while trying to escape, and Rocket fired on the pursuing ships, destroying several remotely piloted craft.

The Guardians of the Galaxy escaped the Sovereign Fleet’s attack only for their damaged ship to crash through Aaron’s Food Trees on Bohart Star. Aaron demanded ten million in compensation and offered them work to pay off the debt, leaving the Guardians facing ten years of labor.

• Peter Quill and Rocket fought over piloting the Milano through an asteroid field, and their distraction led to a collision that damaged the ship.
• Drax destroyed a pursuing Sovereign ship with an energy cannon, but the Sovereign Fleet later surrounded the Milano beyond the asteroid field.
• A silver-white light destroyed the Sovereign ships, allowing the Milano to reach the jump point before it caught fire and crash-landed on Bohart Star.
• Gamora saved Drax from being dragged down with the ship, and the Guardians’ crash wrecked dozens of trees in Aaron’s forest.
• Aaron introduced himself as the owner of Bohart Star and demanded ten million in compensation for the damaged Food Trees.
• When the Guardians said they had no money, Aaron offered them work and calculated that they could repay the debt in ten years.

Aaron forced the Guardians of the Galaxy to acknowledge their debt, agreed to repair the Milano, and learned that an unknown figure had destroyed much of the Sovereign fleet to save them. The Guardians were confronted on Bohart Star by Ego, who revealed himself as Peter Quill’s father.

• Aaron disarmed Rocket, demanded repayment, and let the Guardians sign an IOU after Peter Quill revealed he was from Earth.
• Aaron offered the Guardians arena fights as a way to earn money and agreed to repair the wrecked Milano within seven days.
• Peter Quill explained that the Guardians had angered Ayesha and the Sovereign by stealing Adamantium Titanium Batteries, while Aaron refused to promise protection beyond not handing them over.
• Rocket revealed that a tiny figure had destroyed dozens of Sovereign ships, and Aaron suspected the rescuer was Ego.
• Aaron told the Guardians to leave the forest with him, but Nebula warned that someone had followed them through the jump point.
• Ego arrived with a two-antennaed woman, identified himself to Peter Quill, and declared that he was Peter’s father.

Aaron agreed to visit Ego’s remote home to collect Peter Quill’s debt, while Ramon uncovered Yondu’s secret about Quill and the children. The chapter ended with Yondu accepting Ayesha’s offer to capture Quill and the Guardians after the Sovereign hired him.

• Ego admitted he owed Aaron ten million and invited him to collect the debt at his home, though he carried no money.
• Ramon arrived on Contraxia and learned through Mind Reading that Yondu had taken Peter Quill as the last child from Ego.
• Yondu attacked Ramon, but Ramon took control of the Whistle Arrow, revealed he knew Yondu’s secret, and then returned the arrow while promising to keep the secret.
• Stakar left Yondu’s crew and ordered the Ravagers to investigate Peter Quill’s whereabouts after Yondu refused to explain himself.
• Ayesha offered Yondu a job capturing Peter Quill and the Guardians for stealing Sovereign batteries, and Yondu accepted.