The Tome

The Tome is a cursed book, now carried everywhere by the detective Abrams. It radiates malice. Abrams has admitted that he has to figure out how to use the damn book before it gets him killed; once he has mastered it, he can strike with its power. In the shadows of New York, more than one faction is asking after its whereabouts.

“Abrams…that tome is radiating malice.”

“亚伯兰……那本书正散发着恶意”

Abrams will not give an inch where it is concerned, and takes anyone’s attempt to touch it as an affront.

“I'm warning you Paradox… you touch my property you won't like what happens next”

“我警告你，悖论… 如果你碰我的财产你不会喜欢接下来发生的事情”

The Covetous

Paradox of Paradox declares that the Tome will be hers. Lady Geist demanded it outright, and Abrams only answered that it’s a cursed tome. Graves, for her part, says her mentor needs that tome.

“My mentor says she needs that tome.”

“我的导师说她需要那本书”

Venator of the Vatican holds it to be evil and has demanded it of Abrams, who shot back that, last he checked, it doesn’t belong to the Vatican. Warden goes further: the Tome must be destroyed; and Nurse Harrow, standing over a fallen Abrams, said the same: that tome needs to be destroyed. Nor will Abrams ever let a man like Drifter get the Tome; when Paige wanted a look at it, he turned her down flat as well.

“That tome is evil, Detective.”

“宝书很邪恶，侦探”

“That tome needs to be destroyed.”

“宝书必须被销毁”

Warnings and Burdens

Seven is fascinated by it, yet warns that it is pulling its bearer into deep waters; the Doorman calls it an impossible burden. Wraith told him to just sell the damn book already, and Abrams only said he can’t. Celeste insists the book was always going to lead to his death, while Solomon believes there must be another way to deal with it.

“That tome is pulling you into deep waters Detective, be careful”

“宝书正在把你拉入深渊，侦探，小心点”

“Looks like I'm stuck with this book for a little longer…”

“看来我得跟这本书再纠缠一段时间了……”

Both the Patrons grant that Abrams has borne the Tome’s weight as others might not have, and both say he will one day be free of its burden.

“Only you were strong enough to bear the tome's weight, Detective Abrams… and soon you will be free of it.”

“只有你才有足够的力量承受这本宝书的重量… 亚伯兰侦探，很快你就会摆脱它”

“You protected the tome as no one else could… but the time has come for you to free yourself from its burden.”

“你保护了宝书，其他人都做不到……但现在是你卸下重担的时候了”

Their terms, though, are not the same. The Archmother says that only she can relieve him of the Tome: summon her, and be free. The Hidden King says that when the ritual is complete, he will honor his debt to Abrams.

“Detective Abrams…only The Archmother can relieve you of the tome. Summon her, and be free.”

“侦探亚伯兰…只有源祖才能让你摆脱这本宝书。召唤她，你就能获得自由”

“Trust doesn't come easy for you, Abrams… but know this: when you complete the ritual; The Hidden King will honor his debt.”

“信任对你来说并不容易，亚伯兰…但要知道：当你完成仪式，隐王会履行他的承诺”