The Cross Family of Northbay is massacred, but Gideon Cross survives. After learning The Seventy-Two Earthly Shifts, he returns eighteen years later for revenge. He soon rescues Valerie Pierce from Lord Drake's goons, and she later discovers Gideon is her fiance. When Malcolm Graves, the richest man in Northbay, seeks Drake's help, Drake sends his goddaughter, Nadia. Her assassination attempt fails, and Gideon toys with her instead. After crashing Malcolm's birthday with a coffin, Gideon defeats experts from The Apex Roster. He is nearly killed by Drake's poison master, Trent, but Valerie saves him, revealing herself as the Commander of the Dragon Order. When Jagger, the original assassin, is hospitalized, Gideon stops Malcolm and Drake's hitmen from silencing him. Impressed, Drake sends Nadia to seduce Gideon. While dining, they are harassed by the Governor's drunk nephew, Preston Hale, at a restaurant owned by Malcolm's daughter, Evelyn Graves. Feigning loyalty to Drake, Gideon fights The Valdorian Delegation for Northbay. Malcolm and the Governor's wife, Beatrice Hale, conspire to kill him. Gideon crushes the delegation, but an envoy fatally overdoses on enhancers. Framed, Gideon is trapped by Beatrice's Golden Snare until Valerie exposes Beatrice as an enemy spy. Drake then plans to marry Nadia to Preston. Meanwhile, Evelyn overhears Malcolm ordering Madam Blanche to poison Valerie. Gideon saves Valerie just in time. At the engagement, Gideon takes three strikes from Drake to free Nadia. When Drake breaks his word and tries to kill him, Gideon fights back. To survive, Drake exposes Malcolm's treason. Gideon chases the fleeing Malcolm but is lured away, allowing Malcolm to kidnap Valerie, Nadia, and Evelyn. Facing Malcolm alone, Gideon shifts into The Great Trickster, defeats him, and avenges his family. Yet, torn between three beautiful women, Gideon faces his toughest choice yet.
