Chapter Summaries

Evenson and Sif faced Mephisto's son while Ghost Rider distracted the Destroyer. Evenson refused to stop fighting, suspecting that Ghost Rider's immortality worked like a Lich's: his soul was kept outside his body, within Mephisto's contract.

• Mephisto's son reappeared unharmed and claimed he could not die, so Evenson and Sif prepared to fight him.
• Ghost Rider was knocked into the space between the fighters after struggling against the Destroyer, whose divine armor made him immune to Ghost Rider's Hellfire and other attacks.
• As Ghost Rider charged back at the Destroyer, Mephisto's son used the distraction to rush Evenson, but Sif intercepted him and Evenson escaped with Detonation Sprint.
• Mephisto's son proposed ending the fight, but Evenson refused and recalled how his earlier battle with Ghost Rider had led him to investigate immortality.
• Evenson reasoned that Ghost Rider's soul was stored in Mephisto's contract, much as a Lich's soul was kept in a phylactery.

Evenson prepared a weapon while Sif held off Mephisto's son, then used a crystal dagger to sever his right hand and prevent it from regenerating. He revealed the weapon as the Philosopher's Stone, leaving Mephisto's son shaken by the possibility that he could be killed.

• Evenson deduced that Mephisto's son was a magically animated construct and began preparing a weapon to destroy him.
• Sif kept Mephisto's son from reaching Evenson until he sacrificed his left arm to create an opening and charged through her defenses.
• Mephisto's son grabbed Evenson's throat, but Evenson's Demon Skin and Demon Armor Spell protected him.
• Evenson cut off Mephisto's son's right hand with a purplish-red crystal dagger, and the hand failed to regenerate.
• Evenson called the dagger the Philosopher's Stone, and Mephisto's son realized it could threaten his immortality.

Evenson used Soul Crystal daggers to overcome Mephisto’s son’s regeneration and prepared him for Ghost Rider’s judgment. The chapter ended with Evenson infusing the remaining daggers into Mephisto’s son and turning to the still-tormented Ghost Rider.

• Evenson revealed that his dagger was a Soul Crystal weapon capable of permanently erasing parts of Mephisto’s son, but it shattered after one strike.
• Evenson produced more Soul Crystal daggers and gave one to Sif, who used them to remove Mephisto’s son’s arm and legs while two hellhounds restrained him.
• Mephisto’s son insisted that he could survive as long as his subordinates recovered his body.
• Evenson thrust the remaining Soul Crystal daggers into Mephisto’s son, then told Ghost Rider he could pass judgment on him.

Evenson and Sif tried to keep Mephisto's son from manipulating Ghost Rider while Johnny fought Destroyer, until the former Ghost Rider Cartesley arrived to finish the old contract. Cartesley transformed and began using his own move, High Noon, against Mephisto's son.

• Evenson warned Sif that Mephisto's son could use Johnny's girlfriend to stop Ghost Rider from killing him, so Sif dislocated and then tore off the captive's jaw.
• After Evenson admitted that he had used all the Soul Daggers, he silenced Mephisto's son with a Language Curse that made his speech incomprehensible.
• Johnny remained occupied fighting Destroyer, leaving Evenson concerned that they could not finish Mephisto's son themselves.
• Cartesley arrived, explaining that he had come because he feared Johnny might hesitate to act while his girlfriend was in danger.
• Cartesley transformed into Ghost Rider, opened Mephisto's son's eyes, and announced that he would end their contract with his move, High Noon.

Cartesley used up his remaining Rider power to defeat Mephisto's son and explained why he had endured his curse for 170 years. Before vanishing, he shot Evenson in revenge, while Evenson believed the contract was safe in Asgard and prepared to celebrate, forgetting about Johnny and Destroyer.

• Evenson realized Mephisto's son was dead and that his contract with Mephisto had ended.
• Cartesley reverted from his Rider form and told Evenson that he had spent 170 years guarding the contract rather than sacrificing other people's lives to save himself.
• Evenson told Cartesley that the contract was in Asgard, where Odin would keep it from Mephisto.
• Cartesley shot Evenson more than two hundred times in revenge, then vanished as his power ran out.
• Evenson found Cartesley's silver flask, decided to forgive him, and suggested celebrating with Sif.
• Sif reminded Evenson that Johnny and Destroyer were still there, and Evenson realized he had forgotten them.

Evenson joined Ghost Rider’s fight against the Destroyer, using Fel magic to strip Johnny of his Hellfire and launch a Chaos Bolt into the Destroyer’s head. The attack pierced the armor, leaving the battle’s outcome unresolved.

• Evenson asked Sif whether Odin would blame him for destroying the Destroyer, and she said an honorable duel would protect him from blame.
• Evenson decorated his Skull Staff with five cow-bone skulls, threw it toward the battlefield, and shouted “Mak'gora” to declare a duel.
• Evenson entered the fight, but Ghost Rider attacked him, so Evenson teleported away and waited for another opening.
• When the Destroyer prepared its Destruction Beam, Evenson used Shadow Fury to immobilize Ghost Rider and corrupted him with Fel energy.
• Evenson extracted Ghost Rider’s Hellfire, returning him to Johnny, then compressed the stolen flames with Fel into a Chaos Bolt.
• Evenson fired the Chaos Bolt through the Destroyer’s open faceplate, and it pierced the armor’s head.

Evenson defeated the Destroyer and Ghost Rider, then faced Mephisto over their contract and Johnny’s powers. Thor discovered Evenson’s demand for reimbursement after realizing Sif was still on Earth.

• Evenson explained to Sif why his attack counted as an honorable duel, then kicked Johnny awake and reminded him that he owed a favor.
• Evenson told Mephisto that Thor had taken the Soul of Mephisto Contract to Asgard, and Sif backed up his claim while warning Mephisto against returning to Midgard.
• Evenson argued that a conflict with Hell could unite Asgard, and Mephisto chose not to risk provoking a war.
• Mephisto asked Johnny to return the Ghost Rider’s power, but Johnny refused and promised to use it against him.
• Thor noticed Sif was still on Earth, then read Evenson’s letter demanding payment for her food and alcohol.

After Mephisto returned to Hell, Evenson suspected the demon was hiding his true plans and took Sif toward S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. On the way, he asked Sif to arrange a private visit to Asgard, but their drive stopped at a drunk-driving checkpoint.

• Mephisto left for Hell after cursing Evenson, and Evenson suspected his anger was a deliberate act to make him lower his guard.
• Evenson apologized to Sif for involving her, then persuaded her to leave the temporary base and wait for Thor elsewhere.
• Evenson advised Sif to become more independent so Thor would see her as a person in her own right.
• Evenson asked Sif to help arrange a private visit to Asgard, and she said Odin would likely allow it.
• Evenson called Coulson to handle the aftermath and drove toward S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters with Sif, but a traffic officer stopped them for a drunk-driving check.

Evenson explained to Nick Fury how Sif’s reaction to a traffic stop had caused a brief confrontation, then discussed Earth’s response to learning about other civilizations. He argued that Earth should pursue peaceful relations with Asgard while strengthening its military, and hinted that the damaged Asgardian robot could be useful.

• Nick Fury criticized Evenson for being detained by police again, and Evenson blamed Sif for drawing her sword during a traffic stop.
• Evenson explained that Sif had taken the officers’ actions as a challenge because of Asgardian customs around courage and drinking.
• Nick Fury told Evenson that the World Security Council had raised military alert levels after learning about Asgard and the possibility of war, but countries were scaling back after the conflict was resolved.
• Evenson argued that Earth should pursue peaceful exchange with Asgard while developing enough military strength to protect itself from less friendly civilizations.
• Nick Fury said the Asgardian robot could revolutionize Earth’s weapons research and regretted that Evenson had damaged it.
• Evenson replied that the robot being damaged might be the best-case scenario.

After the Destroyer battle, Earth’s major powers cooperated in response to the alien threat, while S.H.I.E.L.D. secured the right to study the damaged Destroyer. Nick Fury learned that Ross was making new political and business plans, then turned his attention to receiving Sif.

• Earth’s five most representative powers reviewed the battle report and quickly agreed to cooperate while shelving several longstanding disputes.
• Nick Fury asked Evenson whether he had deliberately damaged the Destroyer, and Evenson neither confirmed nor denied it.
• Nick Fury explained that S.H.I.E.L.D. had secured the Destroyer’s research rights because other nations would object to any one country studying it.
• Nick Fury told Evenson that Ross had contacted former military associates and planned to register a company and enter politics.
• Nick Fury dismissed Ross as unlikely to cause trouble and shifted the conversation to receiving Sif of Asgard.

Evenson and Nick Fury discussed how Earth should handle Sif’s presence as a link to Asgard, with the World Security Council seeking Evenson’s advice. Evenson recognized that his growing ties to S.H.I.E.L.D. and his knowledge of Asgard had made him an important adviser.

• Evenson warned Nick Fury not to harm Sif, and their joking discussion of collecting alien samples ended when they considered how perverted it would be.
• Nick Fury explained that Sif could serve as a window between Earth and Asgard and asked Evenson for advice on opening diplomatic relations.
• Nick Fury showed Evenson surveillance images and footage of his encounters with Thor and Loki, including material Melinda had reported.
• Evenson said he owed Melinda for risking her life to help him during his fight with Ghost Rider, and Nick Fury was pleased that the incident had strengthened Evenson’s bond with S.H.I.E.L.D.
• Nick Fury said the Council’s experts knew little about Asgard and had identified Evenson as the person best suited to advise them, and Evenson answered with a cryptic blessing.

Evenson explained to Nick Fury how Sif’s report to Odin could shape Asgard’s view of Earth, and Fury discussed the political implications of Thor’s relationship with Jane Foster. The chapter ended with Evenson advising Fury to show Sif Hollywood so she would speak favorably of Earth.

• Evenson told Nick Fury that Sif could serve as an on-site source of information about Earth when she returned to Asgard.
• Evenson explained that Sif’s status and possible future as Queen could make her opinion of Earth especially influential.
• Nick Fury said S.H.I.E.L.D. and the World Security Council had decided to take no position on Jane Foster’s relationship with Thor or her chances of gaining official status in Asgard.
• Evenson advised Fury to welcome Sif with plenty of strong alcohol and keep agents away from her if she drank too much.
• Evenson told Nick Fury to take Sif to Hollywood to encourage her to think favorably of Earth.

Evenson persuaded Nick Fury to introduce Sif to Earth through movies rather than overt political lobbying, avoiding suspicion from Odin. Nick then invited Evenson to join a World Security Council project called Phase Two, which aimed to rapidly increase Earth's strength.

• Nick Fury rejected Evenson's idea of taking Sif to Hollywood until Evenson explained that movies offered a subtle, low-risk way to show her Earth's aspirations without making Odin suspicious.
• Nick agreed the movie plan was sensible, though he lamented how humiliating it felt for Earth to court Asgard.
• Nick said he had applied to the World Security Council for a special project to increase Earth's strength and asked Evenson to participate.
• Evenson asked about the project's details and guessed it involved analyzing the Destroyer, but Nick said that was only a small part.
• Nick revealed the project was called Phase Two, and he and Evenson argued over why it had that name.

Evenson learned that Nick Fury’s Phase Two plan centered on using the Cosmic Cube, which S.H.I.E.L.D. could not safely control. He explained that the Cube was really a key to opening gates between worlds and reluctantly agreed to guide them in using it without activating its true purpose.

• Evenson asked Nick Fury about Phase Two’s progress and learned that S.H.I.E.L.D. had only settled on a name for the plan.
• Nick Fury showed Evenson the Cosmic Cube and explained its history, including Red Skull’s weapons and the danger of mishandling its energy.
• Evenson concluded that S.H.I.E.L.D. had put the Cube away because it could not control it, and Nick Fury asked for his help.
• Evenson explained that the Cosmic Cube was the Key to All Worlds, capable of opening spatial gates rather than merely supplying energy.
• Nick Fury asked Evenson to help them avoid using the Cube’s true power, and Evenson reluctantly agreed to guide S.H.I.E.L.D.

After agreeing to help Nick Fury with the Cosmic Cube plan, Evenson returned home and was caught by Klayya for breaking his promise to play games with her. After an all-night gaming session, he found a suspicious, military-dressed man staring at his car and began to suspect he knew who the man was.

• Evenson left Nick Fury, expecting that the Cosmic Cube experiments would not need him for three or four months, and returned to his shop.
• Klayya confronted Evenson for leaving her waiting for their promised game night, and he claimed he had been busy with detective work.
• Evenson invented a story about two wealthy families, and Klayya forgave him but demanded fifty wins in their games.
• Evenson spent the night gaming with Klayya and left her shop exhausted the next morning.
• Evenson noticed a muscular man in military clothing studying his car and suspected the man was someone he recognized.

Evenson met Steve Rogers, who revealed that Nick Fury had sent him to get help adjusting to modern society. After learning about his crew’s chaotic money-making schemes, Evenson decided Steve would join their street act.

• Steve Rogers introduced himself to Evenson, who recognized him as Captain America and invited him into the shop.
• Evenson discovered that Hubbs had spent half the online account money on luxury dog food, so Sarah sent Hubbs, Tyler, Dumen, and Tripsy out to earn money.
• Sarah explained that Tyler, Dumen, and Tripsy performed a stone-breaking act, with Dumen lying under the stone and Tyler swinging the hammer.
• Steve told Evenson that Nick Fury had sent him to learn about modern society and had avoided telling Evenson because he expected to be charged a counseling fee.
• After Steve said he had no spare money, Evenson told him to join Tyler’s stone-breaking act.

Evenson spoke with Steve during a psychological evaluation and asked how he felt about the world after waking from sixty years of sleep. Steve questioned whether his wartime efforts had mattered, and Evenson left him with a question about how people overcome suffering.

• Evenson asked Steve why he had chosen him for psychological counseling, and Steve explained that he had rejected S.H.I.E.L.D.'s psychologists and picked Evenson out of curiosity.
• Steve said he had read Evenson's combat files and wished Evenson had been alive to fight Hydra alongside him.
• Steve recalled losing comrades and wondered whether more people like him could have changed the war's outcome.
• Evenson asked Steve what he thought of the modern world, and Steve said its weapons made it more frightening and questioned whether his fight for peace had meant anything.
• Evenson argued that Steve had led people to overcome suffering and asked him whether that had been meaningful.

Evenson counseled Steve about how hardship had shaped his resilience and his belief that heroes should protect people from suffering. After Steve left, Evenson compared him to Arthas and told Sarah to find something that could exploit his weaknesses.

• Evenson argued that famine, plague, war, and death drove civilization forward, and he cited the Black Death as a force behind the Renaissance.
• Steve challenged Evenson’s argument as sounding like Hydra’s ideology, and the two traded barbs about their education.
• Evenson asked why Dr. Hawkins had chosen Steve for the Super Soldier program, and Steve recalled enduring beatings in every Brooklyn alley without staying down.
• Evenson credited Steve’s resilience with making him a Super Soldier who resisted madness and ambition, but Steve insisted heroes should prevent suffering or bear it themselves.
• After Steve left, Evenson compared him to Arthas before his fall and asked Sarah to find something that could serve as an opening gambit against him.

General Ross and the Eredar Twins prepared a covert operation against Professor Elliot Randolph, whom they suspected of having an unusual ability. The twins entered his office and asked how Asgardians dealt with deserters, leaving Randolph facing the true purpose of their visit.

• Aurelles and Queen Saloras discussed the operation with General Ross, who worried about the risks and whether S.H.I.E.L.D. would discover it.
• Ross explained that his former military contacts had approved the covert operation after he presented the twins’ intelligence about its sensitive target.
• Saloras recalled Evenson’s warning that an alien war would come within a year and the twins’ plans to use the ensuing chaos to advance their goals.
• Aurelles and Saloras left Ross in the limousine and went to Professor Elliot Randolph’s university office.
• Aurelles and Saloras introduced themselves as Ada Wong and Mira Wong, then asked Randolph how Asgardians dealt with deserters.

Elliott Randolph, an Asgardian Berserker deserter living under an assumed identity on Earth, was exposed after his unusual knowledge of Asgard drew Evenson’s attention. He realized the Eredar Twins had lied about Sif’s orders and confronted them, leaving the three poised to fight.

• Aurelles and Saloras questioned Randolph about Asgardian deserters, and he tried to conceal that he was one.
• The chapter revealed that Randolph had deserted his Berserker Legion party centuries earlier and had lived on Earth under changing identities.
• Evenson had investigated Randolph after finding his claims about Asgard unusually accurate, including his statements about Loki, Thor, and Sif.
• The Twins told Randolph that Sif had ordered them to take him back to Asgard, but he recognized their story as a lie because they had not asked for his Berserker staff.
• Aurelles and Saloras admitted their deception had failed, and the Twins prepared to fight Randolph.