Chapter Summaries

Salomon brought his Alchemical Artificial Lifeform project to the Sorcerer Supreme, who supervised as he prepared to implant it with an Alchemical Soul using his life force. He planned to create a female Synth who would protect him and assist with alchemy, while the Sorcerer Supreme questioned his choices and inspected the clothes he had brought.

• Stark showed Salomon his newer Iron Man Armors and suggested they work together on Magic Armor, but Salomon refused and teased him about preparing for fatherhood.
• Salomon arrived at Kamar-Taj with two constructs and a bundle, then visited the Sorcerer Supreme's meditation chamber.
• Salomon and the Sorcerer Supreme examined the Biomimetic Flesh growing over the Alchemical Skeleton's rune-covered metal casing.
• Salomon explained that he intended to use his life force to implant an Alchemical Soul and create a female Synth who would admire and protect him.
• The Sorcerer Supreme agreed to supervise the spellcasting and asked Salomon about the clothes in his bundle, including a very short dress.

Salomon attended Agent Coulson’s funeral with Natasha and introduced his Homunculus assistant, Dinah, to Stark and Captain Rogers. He worried that Mephisto might have returned Coulson’s soul and decided to warn the Sorcerer Supreme and help monitor Hell.

• Natasha questioned Salomon for inviting Audrey to Coulson’s funeral, and he defended the decision while explaining that Dinah was a Homunculus.
• Salomon reflected on theories of the soul and worried that GH325 had revived Coulson without his soul, possibly with Mephisto’s help.
• Salomon decided to message the Sorcerer Supreme and join Mordo in monitoring Hell with the Cauldron of the Cosmos.
• Audrey spoke about meeting Coulson, then Stark and Captain Rogers comforted her after the funeral.
• Salomon introduced Dinah to Stark and Captain Rogers, and he bet Captain Rogers that Dinah could beat him at arm wrestling.

Salomon discussed Agent Coulson’s resurrection with The Venerable One and learned that she had made a deal with Mephisto to retrieve Coulson’s soul from Hell. She explained that Mephisto wanted his avatar returned, but she planned to thwart him and ensure he lost both the avatar and his investment.

• At Agent Coulson’s funeral, Salomon and Stark tested Dinah’s ability to interact with people, while Stark compared her intelligence to J.A.R.V.I.S.
• After the funeral, Salomon took Dinah back to Kamar-Taj and left her in his room with the Cheshire Cat before speaking with The Venerable One.
• Salomon told The Venerable One that Coulson had returned from the dead after GH325 was used, and suspected Hell had been involved.
• The Venerable One revealed that she had made a deal with Mephisto and retrieved Coulson’s soul from Hell to prevent a future disaster.
• The Venerable One explained that Mephisto wanted his mortal-world avatar returned before it could usurp the body of the King of Devils’ offspring.
• The Venerable One told Salomon that she intended to make Mephisto lose both his avatar and his investment.

Salomon tried to reassure Bayonetta about Dinah, the Artificial Human he had created, while teaching Dinah about romance and emotions. Dinah’s devotion to her creator remained unsettling, and she revealed that she had learned questionable ideas from J.A.R.V.I.S.’s network.

• The Sorcerer Supreme assured Salomon that Mephisto had returned Agent Coulson’s soul and advised him to face Bayonetta rather than avoid her.
• Salomon presented Bayonetta with crystal high heels and flattered her, then explained that Dinah was his assistant and an important creation.
• Bayonetta confronted Salomon about using her lipstick on Dinah, but he whispered an answer that satisfied her.
• While cooking with Dinah, Salomon explained romance and distinguished her soul-linked loyalty from love.
• Dinah offered to help Salomon win worshippers and asked whether he was a masochist, then revealed that she had learned the term from J.A.R.V.I.S.’s network.

Nick Fury asked Salomon to prepare for a possible purge of S.H.I.E.L.D. if his efforts to uncover its hidden forces failed, while also pressing him about his Artificial Intelligence and the Ghost Rider. Salomon rejected Nick Fury’s political demands but accepted the contingency file, and the chapter ended with him calling God to discuss something.

• Nick Fury told Salomon that Peggy Carter and Captain Rogers wanted to see him, then reminded him of his promise to keep Extra-dimensional Beings off Earth and asked whether he had developed an Artificial Intelligence.
• Salomon confirmed that he had developed an Artificial Intelligence and warned Nick Fury not to test him.
• After Nick Fury left, Salomon explained that Fury had given him a document of secret S.H.I.E.L.D. base locations and asked him to cleanse Triskelion Headquarters if he received a signal.
• Salomon tore open the document immediately, dismissing the need to wait because Asgard’s Bifrost was nearly repaired.
• Salomon rejected the Artificial Human’s suggestion that he seize power over human society, then called God to discuss something.

Salomon attended a remedial astrophysics class with Darcy Lewis and then met Peggy Carter, temporarily awakening her with magic. He asked why she had wanted someone to adopt him ten years ago and why she wanted to see him now.

• Jane Foster taught Fourier series to Darcy Lewis and Salomon, who argued that true gods could alter the laws of mathematics.
• Salomon and Darcy negotiated that he would owe her two meals before he left to meet Peggy Carter and Captain America in London.
• Salomon visited Peggy Carter, learned from her caregiver that she was rarely lucid, and used the Cunning of the Fox spell to awaken her temporarily.
• Salomon asked Peggy Carter why she had wanted someone to adopt him ten years earlier and why she had asked to see him now.

Salomon met Captain Rogers at a café after visiting Peggy Carter, and their conversation turned from Salomon’s view of the multiverse to his education and his place in the magical world. Captain Rogers left the question of whether Salomon could have a normal life unresolved as Salomon rejected the authority of secular governments over magic.

• Salomon left Peggy Carter’s residence without sharing his conclusion about the matter she had discussed with him.
• Salomon met Captain Rogers at a café and said that the multiverse existed regardless of whether anyone observed or interfered with it.
• Captain Rogers tried to make conversation by asking about Salomon’s studies and hobbies, but Salomon’s advanced lessons and knowledge of Bernini left him unable to follow.
• Captain Rogers revealed that Nick Fury had asked him to talk to Salomon and warned that Salomon’s mature outlook and disregard for rules could be dangerous.
• Salomon defended his choices, cited his magical upbringing and experience fighting a god’s incarnation, and argued that secular governments had no authority over the magical world.

Salomon struggled through an awkward conversation with Captain Rogers before returning home to Dinah and learning that his adoptive mother had taken Bayonetta and Jeanne away. Just as he tried to settle into his busy routine, the Sorcerer Supreme sent him a message claiming the snacks in his refrigerator.

• Captain Rogers awkwardly asked Salomon about Dinah, and Salomon corrected him that she was an Alchemical Artificial Lifeform before leaving.
• Captain Rogers sensed an emptiness in Salomon and wondered whether they both needed psychological help.
• Salomon returned home and learned that his adoptive mother had taken Bayonetta and Jeanne away three hours earlier.
• Dinah explained that she had studied robot behavior through movies and had made cheesecake and flying ointment.
• Salomon gave Dinah his Mystic Mark so she could buy more alchemical materials at Vandazar Foh.
• The Sorcerer Supreme sent Salomon a message, saying she had modified the delivery spell first and claimed the snacks in his refrigerator.

Salomon and the Kamar-Taj Arcanists were assigned to deal with the Demonkin left behind by Mephisto’s avatar, while the Sorcerer Supreme warned that she could not intervene. The mission left Salomon heading down the mountain to buy food for Kamar-Taj, with his fellow Arcanists teasing him about the errand.

• Mordo examined the Cauldron of the Cosmos with Salomon, and Cassilius returned with the Arcanists and their spoils from purging the cults in Canada.
• Cassilius complained that Salomon looked more like a wizard than the other Arcanists, and Salomon explained that his magic focused on theory and that Dinah now protected him.
• The Sorcerer Supreme told the Arcanists to handle Mephisto’s Demonkin freely, since she could not act without violating her agreement with Mephisto.
• The Sorcerer Supreme assigned Mordo to coordinate the mission and Cassilius to lead combat, and ordered Salomon to bring Phoenix because they would encounter Ghost Rider.
• After the Arcanists left, the Sorcerer Supreme asked Salomon to buy dried beef, butter, and other food, and suggested he recite Buddhist scripture to avoid drinking too much Butter Tea.
• An Arcanist called after Salomon to request Gamba Sheep Meat for hot pot, and Salomon teased him as Senior Brother Diarrhea.

Salomon recovered from the effects of drinking Butter Tea and later took Dinah to Stark Industries to select weapons for her training. He insisted that her primary weapon be something far more powerful than ordinary firearms, and Stark prepared to test the requested weapons.

• Salomon returned to Kamar-Taj after treating Tibetans and suffered the Butter Tea’s effects, then rested with his head in Bayonetta’s lap.
• Bayonetta told Salomon that Jeanne had gone to a spa with Athena and that the Cheshire Cat had gone along.
• Salomon and Dinah visited Stark’s private laboratory, where Stark offered firearms and showed them the shooting range.
• Salomon demonstrated that he could hit a target with magic and told Stark he did not need a handgun.
• Salomon proposed adding miniature missiles to two unfinished constructs but insisted Dinah’s primary weapon should be an exceptionally powerful weapon he had ordered.
• Stark asked J.A.R.V.I.S. to bring the weapons for testing and said he would take Dinah somewhere to experience a normal person’s life.

Salomon trained the Artificial Human with a massive enchanted sword while Stark tried to persuade him to go to Hollywood and socialize. Later, Salomon asked Agent Romanoff to use S.H.I.E.L.D. resources to track Ghost Rider and Johnny Blaze’s girlfriend, Rose, and she agreed to provide a team on the condition that he explain his reasons.

• Salomon trained the Artificial Human to fight with the heavy sword he had made for her while Stark urged him to visit Hollywood.
• Stark revealed Captain Rogers had spoken to him about Salomon, then tried to arrange a secret Hollywood trip that Pepper Potts discovered and canceled.
• Salomon joked with Agent Romanoff about Stark’s canceled trip before asking her for S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel and technical support.
• Salomon showed Agent Romanoff marked satellite maps and asked her to check whether S.H.I.E.L.D. was tracking Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, and Rose.
• Agent Romanoff agreed to deploy an operational team against the arms dealers and drug traffickers involved, while Salomon agreed not to interfere on the other side.

Salomon vented to Natasha about his troubles and gave her an expensive pair of heels before returning to the apartment, where Jeanne confronted him over the cost. Bayonetta urged Jeanne to accept Salomon's money and mentioned their plans to marry, then asked what Athena had said.

• Salomon complained to Natasha about Stark, Steve Rogers, Nick Fury, and his own problems while asking whether she had recovered.
• Salomon gave Natasha a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo heels worth fourteen hundred dollars.
• Jeanne confronted Salomon about spending fourteen hundred dollars from the apartment's living fund.
• Salomon told Jeanne that he considered his money shared with their family, and Bayonetta encouraged Jeanne to use it.
• Bayonetta said she and Salomon hoped to marry within ten years and asked Jeanne what Athena had told her.

Salomon spent the autumn break in the Northern European countryside with Jeanne, Bayonetta, and the Artificial Human while worrying that Mephisto’s hidden son and the approaching winter solstice could trigger a crisis. Jeanne and Bayonetta offered to help, and Salomon decided the whole family would join the hunt.

• Jeanne angrily threw the Cheshire Cat at Salomon after Bayonetta teased her, then Bayonetta refused to explain the joke to him.
• Salomon and Kamar-Taj searched unsuccessfully for Johnny Blaze and Mephisto’s son, while Rose told Salomon she did not know where Johnny had gone.
• After several months without leads, Salomon took Jeanne, Bayonetta, the Artificial Human, and the Cheshire Cat to a countryside cabin for the autumn break.
• During the vacation, Salomon told Bayonetta and Jeanne he feared Dark Magic Creatures might ally with Mephisto’s son during the winter solstice.
• Jeanne and Bayonetta offered to help with the coming danger, and Salomon said the whole family would head out.

Salomon received clues from S.H.I.E.L.D. that Johnny Blaze was hiding in Romania and set out with Dinah to find him. He reached Slobodzya and decided to wait near a supermarket where Blaze had been buying alcohol.

• Bayonetta and Jeanne teased Salomon about buying Natasha a gift, while Salomon waited for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s call.
• S.H.I.E.L.D. reported that security cameras had caught Johnny Blaze buying whiskey, bread, and peanut butter in Eastern Europe, though they had not located him precisely.
• Salomon told Bayonetta and Jeanne he planned to find Blaze and ask who was helping him, and Bayonetta agreed to protect him if he brought gifts for both witches.
• Salomon informed Kamar-Taj about Blaze's location and the witches' help, then traveled with Dinah to Slobodzya, Romania.
• Salomon and Dinah went to a local supermarket, where Salomon planned to wait for Blaze to return for more alcohol.

Salomon and the Artificial Human tracked Johnny Blaze to an abandoned auto repair yard, where they questioned him about his escape and discovered Morlu’s urgent mission to save a boy. The chapter ended with Johnny demanding the photograph of the boy from Salomon.

• Salomon questioned a supermarket cashier and learned that Johnny Blaze had been buying alcohol and smelled of motor oil.
• Salomon and the Artificial Human found Johnny Blaze at an abandoned auto repair yard with Morlu, a priest who asked whether Salomon could control the devil inside Johnny.
• Salomon identified himself as an Arcanist of Kamar-Taj and questioned Johnny about who had helped him escape and whether anyone was assisting him.
• Morlu tried to make Johnny go save a boy shown in a photograph, but the Artificial Human restrained him.
• Salomon took the photograph and said the boy’s fate depended on circumstances, prompting Morlu to accuse him of serving the devil.
• Johnny demanded that Salomon hand over the photograph.

Salomon and Father Morlu agreed to work together to find Mephisto’s incarnation, with Salomon seeking the adult and Morlu seeking the child. S.H.I.E.L.D. was already closing in on Johnny Blaze, leaving Salomon to insist that Ghost Rider was needed before the search was finished.

• Salomon revealed his sacred power to Father Morlu, who claimed Salomon was the child born in New York sixteen years earlier and urged him to join the Church.
• Johnny Blaze asked how to rid himself of the Spirit of Vengeance, and Morlu said he would help if Johnny helped find the boy who was Mephisto’s child.
• Salomon explained that Mephisto had another son connected to Kamar-Taj and warned that the devil’s incarnation might have transferred his soul into the boy.
• Salomon learned from Natasha that S.H.I.E.L.D.’s strike team was already targeting Johnny Blaze on the World Security Council’s orders.
• Salomon told Natasha to warn S.H.I.E.L.D. that he needed Ghost Rider, then agreed with Morlu to pursue Mephisto’s adult incarnation while the priest took the boy.

Salomon forced his way into the mission to find Mephisto’s son, while Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. arrived at the warehouse. The Ghost Rider escaped aboard Fury’s Quinjet, and Salomon set off to track him.

• Salomon argued with Cassilius and secured permission to accompany the temple stewards on the mission.
• Nick Fury arrived seeking the Ghost Rider, but Salomon told him to stand aside and sent him to speak with Father Morlu.
• Agent Melinda thanked Salomon for saving Coulson and asked him to keep Coulson’s resurrection secret.
• At night, the Ghost Rider emerged from the burning warehouse, chained his motorcycle to Fury’s Quinjet, and flew off toward the Demonkin.
• Salomon refused Father Morlu’s request to join him and flew after the Ghost Rider with the Artificial Human.
• Fury ordered Melinda to contact the Airbus and request another Quinjet so S.H.I.E.L.D. could follow.

Salomon and Dinah tracked Ghost Rider’s fight with the mercenaries while waiting for Mephisto’s incarnation to appear. Dinah seized the Demonkin boy from the fleeing mercenaries, giving Salomon the bait he needed.

• Nick Fury questioned Father Morlu about the Inquisition and Salomon, and Morlu claimed Salomon had abandoned his innate power for magic.
• Salomon and the Artificial Human followed the burning Quinjet from above while Jeanne worried about Salomon and Bayonetta reassured her.
• Salomon told Dinah to wait rather than enter the firefight, since their target was Mephisto’s incarnation and Ghost Rider would not die from the crash.
• After Ghost Rider went down and the mercenaries began to flee, Dinah leaped onto the road, split a sedan with her greatsword, and pulled the Demonkin boy from a Jeep.

Salomon and S.H.I.E.L.D. transported the Devil’s son, his mother, and the Ghost Rider toward Father Morlu’s purification ritual while Salomon insisted they wait for Mephisto’s forces to appear. They prepared to leave the Quinjet for the ritual site, knowing Mephisto’s followers would be waiting.

• Salomon told the Artificial Human to keep the boy safe and called the London Sanctum and Nick Fury for help.
• Nick Fury arrived by Quinjet, and Salomon handed over the boy, his mother, and the Ghost Rider while insisting they wait for the Devil’s incarnation and his followers.
• Nick Fury agreed to delay the purification ritual until Mephisto’s gathered allies came for the boy, and he said Father Morlu had provided the ritual’s address.
• Nadya woke aboard the Quinjet, learned the mercenaries were dead, and thanked God that she was free of them.
• Salomon and the Artificial Human discussed the risks of the purification ritual before Agent Melinda May ordered a break and said the action team would escort them to the site.
• Salomon woke the drunken Father Morlu and told him to sober up because Mephisto’s followers awaited them.

Nick Fury, Salomon Damonet, and Father Morlu gathered intelligence on Mephisto’s human followers while the Airbus headed toward the site of the purification ritual. The operation came under threat when two armed drones began tracking the Quinjet.

• Nick Fury learned that Johnny Blaze remained unconscious and that Nadya wanted to stay with her son.
• Salomon told Nick Fury that Mephisto’s incarnation was powerless but could make contracts and open the Hell Gate, and that the Devil had gathered followers.
• Father Morlu identified the attackers as members of a group that Salomon’s companion had killed, then described Mephisto’s wide-ranging human allies.
• Salomon warned that Vampires, Werewolves, and Devil Worshipping Cultists were also among the supernatural threats.
• Agent Melinda May reported that two unmarked drones were tracking the Quinjet and might be carrying missiles, then said she would handle them.