When Maître Abel was killed by an alternative Araxe De Kerkadio in a parallel France, he was unable to flee in another world, but instead sent his mind, memories and personality to another version of himself. John Ross, a travelling magician of the Victorian London, inherited those gifts and his powers. Initially, he didn't comprehend what happened and was unable to control his powers, wandering randomly through parallel worlds of different ages or structure, as well as different flows of time. Eventually he realized everything and mastered his powers, sending his mind to another self each time he was on the verge of death. He lived uncountably lives, in many worlds and eras, so much that he even lost the count. During one of these trips he found the Plateau of Leng, the followers of the Kuen - Yuin and the cult of the Great Old Ones. From that day, he dedicated his life to bringing them back, becoming one the most elusive and dangerous enemies of Harlan Draka.