In the unnamed framing story, the male Sphinx prepares his assault on the female Sphinx, with the goal of taking all of the Ka power, instead of merely half. He previously sent the ten members of the New Warriors into different times and places to complete this conflict without interference.

Slave to the Past - Night Thrasher has been transported to Alabama, apparantly prior to the Civil War, where educated, free black men are not popular in society.

To the Last Breadth - Silhouette has been sent to Cambodia, decades ago, where she encounters a young child she will later meet as an adult.

Blood and Water - Kymaera leads primitive Atlanteans to learn how to defend themselves, only to learn that they plan to do much more than that.