When one has tread into the depths of both the criminal underworld and the occult, a sixth sense, an intuition is born. It was with this intuition that Zalam, newly awoken from a dream that he can only describe as fantastical and likely prescient in some fashion, that Zalam found himself with the strange desire to take a walk in the cold, damp air in the middle of the night.

At first, he thought about the dream. But he could make neither heads nor tales of whatever meaning was intended for him through the vision.  And when he hit the cold air, his intuition served him yet again as he saw visitors approaching in the middle of the night. Zalam secreted himself so as to not disturb these visitors and to yet observe their passing.

To his surprise, it was Lothar and a young, foreign girl. Zalam’s eyes followed the young girl. It was readily apparent that all was not what it seemed with her. As they passed Zalam, it seemed like she even saw him hiding in the darkness while Lothar was oblivious. And to Zalam’s surprise they entered not only the inn but went directly to Zalam’s room.

Zalam followed them, as they returned to their horse unable to find their objective who was at this point watching them and doing his best to listen to any clues as to why they sought him in the middle of the night. And son the most intriguing of discoveries. The young woman was dressed in clothes that certainly did not seem like they matched the cold. And he could not see her breath in the cold air no matter how hard he squinted. Lothar’s was readily apparent, but hers was nowhere to be seen.

At this point, Zalam made a choice. He revealed himself to inquire as to why they sought him. In truth, it did not matter what they said. He would seize on it for a chance to investigate this girl. Intuition can be a shockingly powerful thing. Who would know that with that one decision, Zalam would come face to face with the puissance he desires so greatly?

And so Zalam found himself in Castle Giovanni, a depraved manse in the middle of nowhere. In the middle of the depravity, the young girl, Nouri, revealed her true nature to him. Nothing could have prepared him for such a revelation! He knew how dangerous his situations was.  How could he not? But his goal was so close. And so he followed Nouri into the depths of the castle.

He was not disappointed. He saw monsters the like of which he hadn’t imagined could truly exist. He even incurred the wrath of one such monster only to have its hand stayed by one who calls himself Augustus. And what did Zalam learn of Augustus? He was in possession of everything he desired! Power over death! Mystical power over the dead! How could Zalam not crave what Augustus demonstrated? But Augustus laughed and denied Zalam this future that he wanted.  And after Augustus performed a divination of Zalam’s future, Zalam was left with one word, one name: Yocalo before he was rendered unconscious.

Old man, I hope you are one day in a position in which Zalam has something you desire. Then Zalam can merely chuckle and announce that such things are not for you.