"Al," the demon that Hagen Patterson houses already for thirteen years, has finally revealed its true nature. Now Al demands that Hagen give him substance, using his alchemy skills. Hagen would like nothing better than to comply and be rid of Al, but first he has to deal with his foes. Tim Abcott, the dethroned leader of the inner circle of alchemists, collaborates now with the enemy: the head governmental agent Andy Mitchell. Not only that, Abcott has also Hagen's scheming wife Juliana on his side. Caught between human killers and magical beasts - giants, wolfbears and croclihos - from Al's realm, Hagen tries to protect his children and himself with all means necessary.