Chapter Summaries

Shade and the other Travelers encountered a wish-granting Djinn during their ship voyage and learned what had become of the people they sought. As night fell, they faced the decision of who would keep watch and lose strength for the next day.

• Shade remained transformed into a cat until the ship reached shore, while Mia eagerly rubbed against him.
• Dika Enriques drew a card describing a Djinn in a Bottle, and the Djinn offered the Travelers three wishes in exchange for his freedom.
• Shade recognized the Djinn's demonic power, but Mia's roar made it back away; reassured that it would not set a trap, the Travelers asked about those they sought.
• The Djinn told Dika that his childhood lover had become a count's wife, and told the old knight that his family had died but might be reunited with him at a price.
• The Djinn said the woman sought by the Witch and her Maid was alive, and that the Demigod Witch Shade sought was in the Snow Mountain; it then returned to its bottle.
• As night fell aboard the ship, the Travelers considered who would keep watch until dawn and sacrifice stamina and Spiritual Power for the next day's journey.

During the travelers’ boat journey, the Underworld Moon drew their dead loved ones into view and tested whether they could resist following them. The old knight chose to leave the journey with the souls of his wife and daughter, and the others were left to continue without him.

• Shade and the witch arranged the night watch, and the god’s story brought the travelers face to face with the Underworld Moon and the road of the dead.
• The travelers encountered familiar souls in the fog and had to resist longing that could keep them from leaving.
• Shade met the deceased Detective Sparrow Hamilton, who described Miss Mia San Gaode as warm as the Sun, gentle as the earth, tranquil as the Silver Moon, and sacred as a church statue.
• The Bard, the witch, and Clara said farewell to the dead, while the old knight reunited with the souls of his wife and daughter.
• The old knight chose to follow them across the black water and disappeared; the fog then dispersed, and the god reappeared at the camp.

Shade and his companions navigated a mirage-filled desert, where Areira Andreana used the Myriad Aspects of Impermanence Cards to identify the safe path. They camped at twilight, and the Bard drew a lute card to begin the next part of the story.

• Shade questioned why the story had clothed him, and the Traveler explained that the tale would remain wholesome with ladies present.
• Maid Clara drew an oasis card, and the travelers found water and supplies in the desert.
• Areira Andreana drew a mirror card and led the group into a mirage that trapped them in illusions and Disordered Space.
• Areira used the Unicorn's power to rule out the left mirror, then used Shade's Tarot Card to identify the middle mirror as the correct exit.
• The travelers escaped the desert's illusion-ridden heartland and made camp as twilight fell.
• The Bard drew a lute card and asked the god what story would unfold that night.

Shade and his companions continued the Seven-Day Trip after Shade learned the God of Journey’s Traveler’s Camp spell. Their choice to follow Mia’s guidance deeper into the desert led them into a sandstorm and a blinding force that transformed them before the scene ended.

• The God of Journey sang a song that gave Shade the Traveler’s Camp spell and strengthened his protection during the journey.
• On the fourth day, Shade chose to follow Mia’s meowing deeper into the desert rather than head directly for the Snow Mountain or enter the Underground Nether Realm.
• A sandstorm struck, and Shade used the Heaton Seal and Great Sin Chains to shield the group and pull the Unicorn and hound to safety.
• The Witch combined the Unicorn’s protective light with Shade’s shield as an overwhelming light and heat engulfed the travelers.
• Shade and the Bard awoke in the woods, with the Bard injured around his left eye, the Witch strengthened, and Clara grown taller with longer hair.

Shade’s companions gained new abilities after the desert sandstorm, and the god advanced their journey toward the Snow Mountain while warning that its final days would bring a major choice. Back in the present, Shade discussed the trip with Luvia and Iluna, then asked Iluna to teach him Earth Energy Cannon.

• Clara awakened as a witch, Mia’s fur grew glossier, and Shade’s Heaton Seal became stronger and could be cast while moving.
• The god described the travelers’ peaceful camp at the edge of the Snow Mountain and warned that the final day might bring something unexpected.
• The Bard asked Shade to bring ink, paper, and pens, and Shade left the story as White Fog carried him away.
• After Shade returned, he asked Mia to breathe fire, but Luvia and Iluna dismissed it as an ability she would likely master because her tail could catch fire.
• Shade recounted his adventure to Luvia and Iluna, and Iluna promised to bring supplies to keep the travelers warm on their next Snow Mountain journey.
• Shade asked Iluna to teach him the Earth Energy Cannon technique he had used in Randall River Valley.

Shade sought Iluna’s advice on learning wide-area attacks, then discussed the dangers in the Green Lake Region with Miss Galina and arranged to alert the Church and the Council. After visiting the restored Forgotten Church, he asked the Guardians for help, who told him that an approaching lunar eclipse would be crucial to his training.

• Shade asked Iluna how to develop Giantified wide-area attacks, and she explained the need for control, sufficient spirit, and an insight into greater power.
• Shade and Iluna met Miss Galina and Tifa, and Shade recounted his encounter with the Invisible Man and the Thirteenth Ring Warlocks on Central Island.
• Miss Galina agreed to warn the Council about the Green Lake danger, while Shade planned to have Iluna inform The Church and urged them not to intervene prematurely.
• Shade visited the Forgotten Church and learned that the Golden Dawn Opera Troupe had gone to the Green Lake Region to perform.
• Shade asked the Guardians to help him learn Giantified attacks, and they told him to sense the Moon during the coming lunar eclipse, which would be extremely important to him.

Shade discussed the coming moon eclipse and the Black Moon Rune with Sister Devlin, then visited Cassandra Auction House and talked with Grandma Cassandra about Audrey Edwards and the Space Chosen One. He remained cautious about involving Grace and Helen in the Green Lake affair, while Cassandra said she would join any Great Witches sent there.

• Sister Devlin told Shade that the moon eclipse could awaken the power of his Moon's Shadow Spirit Rune and advised him to wait for the eclipse night.
• Shade practiced swordsmanship with Sister Devlin, then agreed to visit Grace and Helen at Cassandra Auction House after she insisted he go to lunch there.
• Shade asked Grandma Cassandra and Rita Swift about Audrey Edwards, and Cassandra confirmed that Audrey Edwards and Megan Edwards were both real names.
• Cassandra and Rita warned Shade that keeping Grace and Helen uninformed could make them investigate Green Lake on their own, and Shade said he would tell them more after confirming the Chosen One Ritual's details.
• Cassandra announced that she would accompany any Great Witches sent to the Green Lake Region, prompting Rita to worry about her health.

Shade drank a potion made by Grace and Helen and gained the Transformation Spell—Cat, then met Miss Danist and told her about Invisible Man and the Edwards Family’s connection to the Seer Association. He refused to stop investigating Green Lake, while Miss Danist urged him to leave the dangerous case to her.

• Grace and Helen gave Shade a blood-red potion intended to strengthen his transformation abilities and help him gain the Red Butterfly Spirit Rune.
• The potion turned Shade into a silver-white cat, granting him the Transformation Spell—Cat; he changed back and fled after the sisters tried to pet him.
• Shade returned home, reviewed his Green Lake clues, and later met Miss Danist at Saint Byron's Grand Library.
• Shade showed Miss Danist a photograph of Invisible Man and said the enemy had injured him with Dimension Slash on Central Island.
• Shade told Miss Danist that Klein Edwards had belonged to the Seer Association and asked her to identify which Seer Association Diviner matched him.
• Miss Danist warned Shade to stop investigating, but Shade insisted on continuing and promised to be careful.

Shade received a powerful Alchemy Item from Miss Danist and went to the Green Lake Region to investigate Grave Robbers connected to the Edwards Family and the Angel Finger Bones. Captain Rades directed him to Rotten Eye Barry, whom Shade learned was at his lakeside villa meeting wealthy guests.

• Miss Danist gave Shade an Alchemy Item that could unleash Red Moon Fall and briefly project her to his side if he used it at night.
• Shade received the red-covered item and traveled to the Green Lake Region to search for clues about the Grave Robbers.
• Shade met Captain Rades, who described rising border tensions and recommended that he seek out Rotten Eye Barry in Pukhov Village.
• At the Pukhov Village tavern, Shade knocked down a drunken man who demanded money for information.
• Shade learned that Rotten Eye Barry was at his lakeside villa discussing business with wealthy guests from Mikella Blast Furnace City.

Shade investigated the local Unifier legend, then met Rotten Eye Barry to ask about grave robbers who had raided Green Lake Central Island. Barry agreed to investigate the Black Rats gang by Friday afternoon, while Shade noticed a Water Ghost scent on him and left the mystery for later.

• Shade questioned a village drunk about the Unifier’s black badge and learned the legend was an old local rumor around Green Lake.
• Shade found Professor Brownell at Rotten Eye Barry’s lakeside compound and went inside to speak with Barry.
• Shade asked Barry about grave robbers who had visited Green Lake Central Island three years earlier, and Barry identified them as the Black Rats gang hired by an Outlander.
• Barry said the Black Rats survivors had later fallen ill or gone mad and died, then agreed to investigate them for Shade by Friday afternoon.
• Shade noticed a Water Ghost scent on Barry but chose not to investigate him yet, then returned to the village tavern to meet Professor Brownell.

Shade met Professor Brownell at a tavern, helped him seek guards, and asked him to identify a fountain pen connected to Shade’s search. He then won a rare Rhodes Card from a Traveling Merchant and began looking through the merchant’s goods.

• Shade spoke with Professor Brownell, who explained that he was conducting a geological survey and wanted temporary guards while exploring Delarion territory.
• Shade showed Brownell a rusted fountain pen bearing the name Durut Giles, and Brownell agreed to ask his colleagues in Wilundell about it.
• A Traveling Merchant offered to wager a rare Peace Dove Mountain Talks card, and Shade joined the card game after the other interested patrons backed out.
• Shade won the card, gave the merchant his five-pound stake anyway, and accepted the merchant’s offer to choose one item from his goods.
• The Traveling Merchant bought drinks for Shade and the two other men, and Shade began inspecting the goods.

Shade found eight unusual metal pieces, helped Professor Brownell’s group through a tavern confrontation, and later learned the pieces were derivatives of an Angel Level Relic. He discovered their limited ability to change shape and color, then left with plans to pass them on.

• Shade found eight tiny metal pieces with faint elemental fluctuations among a Traveling Merchant’s goods.
• Shade drove off two sailors who had insulted Professor Brownell and his students, then escorted them to Captain Rades.
• Shade took Little Mia to the Seer Association and Old John’s pawnshop, where Old John identified the pieces as derivatives of the Angel Level Relic Feynman’s Vault.
• Shade resonated with the pieces and transformed them into a metal rose, then decided he did not need the derivative.

Shade and Doctor Schneider’s team took custody of Nameless One’s Remains, an Angel Level Relic whose coffin had to remain sealed, and set out to guard it until sunrise. The relic’s power then caused Tobesk’s streets to overlap with a moonlit forest, leaving the team to confront the breach on the road.

• At Tobesk train station, Doctor Schneider explained the relic’s history, its containment rules, and the threats facing the team.
• Shade touched the black coffin and sensed a heartbeat and Whisper; the previous escort handed over a containment crystal and a bag of refined salt.
• The team loaded the coffin into a carriage, with Doctor Schneider driving, Priest Augustus beside him, and Shade and Dorothy in the rear; Luvia followed separately on a Bone Horse.
• As the carriage traveled through Tobesk’s fog, Shade and Dorothy discussed the coming lunar eclipse and their plans for the occasion.
• The city streets transformed into a dim forest path as the relic’s power leaked out, and Shade warned Doctor Schneider that their surroundings had changed.

Shade, Dorothy, Doctor Schneider, and Priest Augustus transported a coffin through Tobesk while fighting a relic’s power leakage and evading scrutiny. Near their destination, a Sixth Ring Arcanist ambushed Shade with a forced spatial transfer, but Shade struck him first.

• Dorothy scattered salt across the coffin’s badge while Shade and the Match Girl fought off black wolves during a relic power leak.
• Shade and Dorothy combined their thaumaturgies to freeze a giant wolf, then Shade destroyed it with Sunlight Ray as Dorothy ended the anomaly.
• At a police checkpoint, Doctor Schneider used forged documents to conceal the coffin, and the group learned that a Kassenric baron had shot himself after meeting an unidentified Tobesk noble.
• Doctor Schneider explained that Ring Arcanists could track the relic during power leaks, and the carriage continued through the West District toward the prepared warehouse.
• Black vine-like patterns triggered a forced spatial transfer that separated Shade from the carriage, and Shade’s sword pierced the attacking Sixth Ring Arcanist.
• The Arcanist tried to strike Shade with a Venomous Spirit Rune, but Shade blocked the attack and detonated the Heaton Seal against him.

Shade defeated a Ring Arcanist who attacked the coffin convoy, then reunited with Doctor Schneider, Luvia, Priest Augustus, and Dorothy at a Warehouse to guard the relic. While Shade and the Doctor discussed the First Demon, the coffin’s power transformed their surroundings into a desert, leaving them facing a distant sandstorm.

• Shade wounded the Sixth-Ring Arcanist, learned that three attackers and another theft group were involved, and accepted Adamantine ore before the man escaped with the Wind King Sword.
• Doctor Schneider and Shade defeated the Seventh Ring Arcanist’s duplicates, and Luvia petrified her before recovering a shield-shaped relic.
• Shade and his companions moved the coffin to a Warehouse, prepared a ritual and Traveler’s Camp, and took turns guarding the relic.
• Shade and Doctor Schneider discussed the group’s changes and the Doctor revealed that the First Demon likely originated in the First Epoch.
• The coffin’s power changed the Warehouse District into a moonlit desert, separating Shade and Doctor Schneider from the others as they watched a distant sandstorm.

Shade and his companions endured successive relic disturbances while guarding the coffin, until a cemetery caused its contents to awaken and the Academy advised using a special cat or crow to suppress it. Shade went to retrieve Mia and met Princess Leisha at Yodel Palace, then returned toward the warehouse with the cat.

• Doctor Schneider summoned the power of demons within himself to kill a giant sand worm during the desert disturbance.
• Priest Augustus destroyed a crowd of Water Ghosts during a later disturbance on an island.
• Military Intelligence Section Six's wounded target, an attendant to a Delarion nobleman, killed himself with poison before they could capture him.
• The coffin began shaking violently during a cemetery disturbance, and Shade, Dorothy, and their summoned companions suppressed it while Doctor Schneider fought a winged corpse.
• The Academy advised placing a cat or Black Crow on the coffin, so Shade went to retrieve Mia.
• Leisha brought Mia to Shade at Yodel Palace, kissed him, and showed him her maid dress before he headed back toward the warehouse.

Shade returned to the warehouse as the coffin’s Angel Level Relic broke free, exposing him to the Void and forcing the group to suppress it. After Shade and Mia helped contain the relic, the survivors escaped the collapsing warehouse in a Pumpkin Carriage.

• Shade arrived at the warehouse and gave Luvia the Yggdrasil Staff while he and Mia helped Priest Augustus cover the coffin with salt.
• Luvia, Doctor Schneider, and Dorothy fought two Eighth Ring Arcanists until the Sleeping Princess felled one, while the other invoked the Nonexistent Void and blew open the coffin.
• The bandage-wrapped corpse rose and erased whatever it saw, meeting Shade’s gaze and exposing him to Whisper, Indifference, and Void.
• Doctor Schneider, Priest Augustus, and Luvia attacked the corpse, and the Yggdrasil Staff struck it back into the coffin as Shade closed the lid with Night Watchman.
• Shade transformed into a silver cat, and he and Mia calmed the coffin while Dorothy summoned a Pumpkin Carriage and Priest Augustus drove the group away.

The Witch Council finalized plans for the Green Lake Region operation, where Audrey Edwardz had encountered a capable helper who helped her escape the Invisible Man. After the meeting, Galina Cavendish and Emma Sylvia discussed Shade, Galina’s growing power, and the possibility that she could reach Thirteenth Order.

• Isabella assigned Vanessa Benanis and Galina Cavendish to travel to Green Lake under their current identities, while Sivie Aurora and Grandma Cassandra waited and Emma Sylvia planned to go secretly later.
• Galina Cavendish protested that the meeting had lasted until five in the morning, and Isabella adjourned it after checking on Audrey Edwardz’s recovery.
• Audrey Edwardz told Galina Cavendish that a mid-ring helper had helped her escape the Invisible Man, and said she would explain the situation in Green Lake.
• Audrey Edwardz left, and Galina Cavendish confirmed to Emma Sylvia that the helper was Shade and that Shade and Luvia Annette suspected the Edwardz family of being connected to the Chosen One of Space.
• Emma Sylvia noted that Galina Cavendish’s power had risen rapidly, and Galina said the ice crystal the Demigod Witch gave Shade might help her reach Thirteenth Order.

After containing the Nameless One’s Remains, Shade and his companions handed the relic over to Aisha Eisberg, the Winter Singer, and learned that someone had deliberately caused its rampage in Tobesk. Aisha departed with the coffin, while Shade’s unanswered question about the Winter Hymn Choir remained for later.

• On the cargo boat, Shade and his companions welcomed Aisha Eisberg, a Thirteenth Ring Arcanist who had come to collect the relic for Saint Byrens.
• Aisha inspected the black coffin, confirmed the relic was contained, and sealed it in ice before taking charge of its transport.
• Shade and the others described how the remains had sat up during the rampage, and Aisha explained that its gaze sent everything it saw into the Void.
• Aisha concluded that the attack had aimed to cause the relic to lose control in Tobesk, rather than steal it, and said she would report the matter to Saint Byrens.
• Shade hesitated to ask Aisha about Myriad Aspects of Impermanence, so she promised that someone would contact him later; she then left with the coffin.
• The Doctor arranged to distribute the mission reward the next day, and the group parted after a night without further injuries.

Iluna investigated the warehouse aftermath and encountered If, an Unknown Level Relic that forced her into a future-simulation game. The first simulation ended with her death at Shade’s house, leading Iluna to realize that the imagined future contained no Shade.

• Iluna used her Dark Gold Scales to sense the warehouse’s lingering power and identified traces of a powerful void relic.
• Iluna met the blond stranger If in an alley and learned that he wanted to play three games with her.
• Iluna refused to trust If or play, but he said she could not leave and began simulating a future in which she went to Shade’s home.
• Iluna watched the simulation describe her meeting Sparrow Hamilton’s soul at 6 Saint Derain Square and dying after the Guardian of Doomsday attacked her.
• Iluna concluded that If’s simulated future was one in which Shade did not exist.