He tells the audience of the betrayals of his ancestors and mentors. In a series of vignettes, his audience is finally shown how Andrea Parker transformed into Elle. Eventually, this transformation continued into a Strange Nightmarish woman who remains Nameless throughout a majority of the recollection.

Borty's mentor foregoes his apotheosis and returns to the City to find answers regarding his youthful Charge. The strange version of Andrea then finds a vessel to free her from the prison in which she is held. We are given a glimpse into the "deal" this woman has made to ensure her escape with none other than the Man in Black, Demi.

The woman soon finds out this deal has many strings attached as MIB has ulterior motives for wanting to disrupt Borty's life. The Strange Liberator also finds a new obsession with the consumption of the light that is part of Rahan's legacy to his grandson. This Liberator also entices others to do his bidding in both keeping Borty imprisoned as well as aiding in the attempt to destroy the young Shepherd.

In order to save his friend, a trickster sacrifices the comfort he had been dependent upon - The Night - and in doing so, makes himself vulnerable in the future. The Andrea/Elle Former then turns her sights onto this new version of the Old Man... but not until she gets answers from MIB regarding Its choice to tap her as his steward.