Chapter Summaries

Nick Fury briefed the Avengers on Ghost Rider, the Witchcraft Demon's plan to obtain the Saint Vangansa Contract, and a prophecy of Hell invading Earth, then assigned the team to protect the contract and the people involved. At St. Michael's Church, Aaron and Carter Slade trained Johnny while Aaron prepared his own expensive version of Holy Water.

• Nick Fury told the Avengers that Ghost Rider Johnny Blaze had been searching for Gaiuses and had confronted Aaron, then explained that Aaron and Johnny had driven the Witchcraft Demon back to Hell.
• Nick Fury warned the Avengers that the Witchcraft Demon wanted the Saint Vangansa Contract to open the Gate of Hell, and that Aaron's book prophesied an invasion of demons and the appearance of Heaven.
• Steve, Natasha, Vision, and Falcon received assignments to support the mission, protect Johnny's girlfriend, and alert the military and Xavier's School, while Wanda and Banner stayed at the compound.
• At St. Michael's Church, Johnny successfully produced a small ball of Hellfire, but Carter Slade and Aaron criticized his lack of readiness for battle.
• Aaron made Holy Water in a cauldron with Holy Dragon's fire and offered to sell Johnny bottles at a discount.

Aaron and the Avengers prepared for Witchcraft Demon's attack while Johnny learned to control the Spirit of Vengeance. After Witchcraft Demon captured Roxanne and her family, Johnny resolved to find the Saint Vangansa Contract before the demon's deadline, and Carter Slade considered trusting him with it.

• Banner told Aaron that Fury was at Avengers Base, where Wanda and Nearly Headless Nick were also staying, and Aaron warned him to prioritize Wanda's safety.
• Johnny used thoughts of Roxanne to suppress his Hellfire, though Carter Slade warned that Mephisto could still overwhelm his control.
• Tony questioned Carter Slade about the Saint Vangansa Contract, and Carter explained that he had guarded it for over a hundred years because it could not be destroyed or safely moved.
• Banner reported that Witchcraft Demon escaped Fury's exorcists and captured Roxanne by taking her parents and young nephew hostage.
• Johnny agreed to trade the contract to save Roxanne, and Carter told him he had until the following night to find it.
• Tony and Vision urged Johnny to make a plan, and Carter acknowledged that Johnny's love and sense of justice might earn God's support.

Carter Slade gave Johnny the Saint Vangansa Contract, and Johnny, Tony, and Vision set out to confront Witchcraft Demon while Aaron stayed behind. Aaron revealed his identity and past to Carter Slade, then invited him to become his dependent and offered him a new lease on life.

• Carter Slade gave Johnny the Saint Vangansa Contract and agreed that they should use it to make Witchcraft Demon vulnerable to Ghost Rider’s Judgment Eye.
• Johnny, Tony, and Vision left for Saint Vangansa Village to rescue Roxanne and destroy the contract, while Aaron stayed behind with Carter Slade.
• Aaron told Carter Slade that he had come to recruit Ghost Rider and asked him to sign a confidentiality agreement.
• The Book of Prophecy named Carter Slade as Aaron Gaius’s new dependent, and Aaron explained why he had avoided recruiting Johnny and hidden his identity.
• Aaron revealed that he was a mage from another universe and invited Carter Slade to join his team, promising enough life energy to extend his life.

Aaron offered Carter Slade a Death Pathway and a contract in exchange for his loyalty, and Carter accepted after negotiating protection for Tony Stark, Vision, and Johnny Blaze. After drinking the first potion, Carter gained Spirit Vision and saw the evil spirits contained within the true Saint Vangansa Village.

• Aaron showed Carter the Death Pathway potions and explained that advancing to Sequence One or Zero would require exceptional merit.
• Carter initially refused Aaron’s contract, but agreed to sign after seeing the danger near Saint Vangansa and securing a clause requiring Aaron to keep Tony Stark, Vision, and Johnny Blaze alive if the Gates of Hell situation spiraled out of control.
• Carter signed the contract and drank the Sequence Nine Corpse Collector potion.
• Carter’s new Spirit Vision revealed the black mist and evil spirits confined within the true Saint Vangansa Village, which Aaron said was protected by an invisible barrier.
• Aaron explained how Carter could digest the pathway potions, gave him his honorific name for contacting him, and said the retainers would meet every three months.

Carter Slade set out for Saint Vangansa to help stop Witchcraft Demon, while Aaron stayed behind and claimed his mission reward. In the village, Johnny Blaze lured Witchcraft Demon into absorbing the Contract’s souls, and Ghost Rider began judging him as Tony Stark and Vision backed the plan.

• Carter Slade decided to go to Saint Vangansa, and Aaron gave him Holy Water and a Demon Hunter Sniper Rifle before claiming 1,500 Magic Points for completing the Subdue Ghost Rider mission.
• Tony Stark, Johnny Blaze, and Vision agreed to use the Saint Vangansa Contract to draw Witchcraft Demon out, with Vision taking Roxanne away from the village.
• Johnny gave Witchcraft Demon the Contract, and Witchcraft Demon absorbed the evil spirits gathered throughout Saint Vangansa.
• Tony attacked Witchcraft Demon with Holy Water and missiles, but Witchcraft Demon regenerated and boasted that the attacks could not stop him.
• Ghost Rider pierced and bound Witchcraft Demon with a Hellfire chain, then began judging him for the suffering of the souls inside him.

Tony Stark, Johnny, and Vision fought Witchcraft Demon as he used the Saint Vangansa Contract to command endlessly reviving evil spirits. Carter Slade joined the battle, and Witchcraft Demon transformed into his demon true form, leaving the heroes to face his increased power while Johnny still needed to pass judgment.

• Witchcraft Demon reassembled after exploding, and Tony deduced that Johnny's Hellfire had destroyed his body before the Judgment Eye could burn the spirits sustaining him.
• Witchcraft Demon overwhelmed Tony with evil spirits until Vision arrived and cleared them with the Soul Stone, while Johnny escaped from a dry well.
• Witchcraft Demon unleashed the power of the Fallen Saints, but Carter Slade arrived and battered him with Hellfire shots before humiliating him with Holy Water.
• Witchcraft Demon abandoned his human appearance and transformed into his demon true form, intensifying the heat and sulfurous conditions around the village.
• Carter explained that Johnny still had to personally judge Witchcraft Demon to fulfill Mephisto's contract, then fired his Hellfire-enchanted rifle at him.

Carter Slade appeared to die fighting Witchcraft Demon, but his skeletal horse restored enough Hellfire to revive him. Aaron took control of Carter Slade’s body and aimed Demon Hunter at Witchcraft Demon, while Tony and Johnny realized the weapon belonged to Aaron and its power could not be measured.

• Vision raised a Mind Stone barrier around Saint Vangansa Village, while Tony, Johnny, and Carter Slade fought Witchcraft Demon.
• Witchcraft Demon overpowered Carter Slade and buried him beneath a collapsed building; F.R.I.D.A.Y. reported that Carter Slade had lost all vital signs.
• Carter Slade’s skeletal horse transferred its Hellfire to him, reviving him, and Carter Slade asked Aaron to help Johnny break free of the demon’s control.
• Aaron agreed to give Johnny one more chance and moved Carter Slade’s consciousness into his Mind World before taking control of his body.
• Aaron aimed Demon Hunter at Witchcraft Demon, and Tony’s systems identified the rifle as Aaron Gaius’s and could not detect the intensity of its five types of energy.

Aaron’s Demon Hunter destroyed Witchcraft Demon’s body, allowing Johnny Blaze to burn him with the Judgment Eye and break Mephisto’s hold. As the heroes questioned the prophecy that Hell’s Gate would open, Lucifer appeared, retrieved the Saint Vangansa Contract, and claimed its fallen-saint souls belonged to him.

• Aaron fired Demon Hunter and obliterated Witchcraft Demon’s Demon True Form, while the blast shattered Vision’s barrier and a distant mountain.
• Aaron revealed that Witchcraft Demon would recover while Mephisto’s Hell Dimension remained, and Johnny bound him and used the Judgment Eye to burn him, freeing himself from Mephisto’s shackles.
• Vision warned that the prophecy still foretold Hell’s Gate opening and demons descending despite Witchcraft Demon’s defeat, so Aaron cautioned Carter Slade to leave Saint Vangansa.
• Lucifer walked through the magma, retrieved the Saint Vangansa Contract, and told the startled heroes that its fallen-saint souls belonged to him.

Lucifer used the Saint Vangansa Contract, three Fallen Angels, and Witchcraft Demon's Hell energy to open the Gate of Hell, despite Mephisto's protests and the heroes' attempts to stop him. The gate opened beneath Saint Vangansa, and demons began pouring into the mortal world.

• Johnny refused Mephisto's offer to reclaim the Ghost Rider's power and chose to keep the curse so he could fight evil.
• Lucifer revealed that Witchcraft Demon's rebellion had been part of his scheme and used the contract and three captured demons to form a magic array.
• Tony attacked Lucifer and Vision fired the Mind Stone at the array, but Lucifer redirected Tony's blasts and slammed Vision into the ground.
• Lucifer took Hell Dimension energy from Witchcraft Demon's corpse and completed the array, opening the Gate of Hell beneath Saint Vangansa.
• Carter Slade explained that the entire town had become Hell's exit, and low-ranking demons emerged and fled toward the surrounding world.

Lucifer opened the Gate of Hell while a group of Demon Gods distracted Ancient One at Reality's border. After the gate breached Earth's defenses, Dormammu appeared and forced Ancient One to confront him, leaving the demon invasion unchecked.

• Lucifer warned Tony, Johnny Blaze, Vision, and Carter Slade that attacking the demons would trap their souls, and they withdrew after Nick Fury confirmed that defenses and evacuations were underway.
• Ancient One confronted more than a dozen Demon Gods, fought them off, and trapped them in her Mirror Dimension while demanding to know Lucifer's plan.
• A Demon God revealed that Lucifer had sent them to hold back Kamar-Taj, and Ancient One sensed that the Super Magic Array had been breached and demons were entering Earth.
• Ancient One prepared to return to Earth, but Dormammu emerged through the shattered Mirror Dimension, preventing her from focusing on the Gate of Hell.

Dormammu and the Dimension Demon Gods held Ancient One back while their allies attacked the Sanctums and opened a path into Earth. Kamar-Taj and the heroes fought the invading demons, and the chapter ended as Pyro confronted a Flame Demon.

• Dormammu and the other Dimension Demon Gods attacked Ancient One, while the Seductive Demon God revealed that they meant to keep Kamar-Taj occupied.
• Three corrupted sorcerers destroyed the New York Sanctum, weakening Earth's Super Magic Array, and Mordo and Wong realized Kamar-Taj was the demons' next target.
• The Seductive Demon God led the Dimension Demon Gods in opening a portal to Earth as Dormammu stopped Ancient One from intervening.
• Dimension Demon Gods invaded Kamar-Taj, where Mordo, Wong, Kaecilius, and the sorcerers organized their defense.
• Steve, War Machine, Falcon, Wanda, and Hulk battled demons across Earth, while the X-Men fought at their assigned position.
• Iceman froze advancing Hell creatures, but a Flame Demon resisted his cold, so Pyro stepped forward to face it.

Lucifer opened the Gate of Hell to draw Heaven into the mortal world, hoping to return and claim his inheritance, while Mephisto learned the plan and worried that the Ancient One could interfere. A nuclear strike on Saint Vangansa vanished through Lucifer’s portal, leaving humanity terrified as the invasion continued.

• Pyro drained the Balrog’s flames, and Iceman froze it until it shattered.
• Military forces, exorcists, Demon Hunters, priests, and believers fought the demons advancing from Saint Vangansa.
• Lucifer revealed to Mephisto that he hoped Heaven’s arrival would let him return and claim its throne, though he expected the Ancient One and others to obstruct him.
• Lucifer redirected the Nuclear Bomb through a portal, shocking world leaders and collapsing morale.
• Nick Fury learned that Iron Man and Ghost Rider were supporting the battle while Vision protected the Avengers Compound, then asked Carter Slade how they could stop the demons.

Nick Fury monitored the Tree of Knowledge as Heaven appeared over Saint Vangansa and Lucifer confronted Gabriel at the Gate of Heaven. In Asgard, Odin ordered Loki to return to Sakaar and fight regularly in the arena, then showed him the battle between Heaven and Hell.

• Carter Slade told Nick Fury that he had no way to stop Satan and advised him to stay out of the conflict between gods.
• Natasha and Hill reported that the Tree of Knowledge had turned autumnal and released much of its energy through its branches and leaves.
• Nick Fury ordered Coulson to find Aaron Gaius, while Lucifer warned Mephisto to leave Saint Vangansa.
• The Gate of Heaven opened, and its Holy Light destroyed demons and suppressed the Gate of Hell before Lucifer absorbed the light and spoke with Gabriel.
• Odin watched Ancient One fight Dormammu with Loki, then told Loki he would return to Sakaar to become a regular arena fighter.
• Odin revealed the battle at Saint Vangansa through the branches of the World Tree, showing Lucifer facing Gabriel.

Odin and Loki realized Lucifer was using his apparent assault on Heaven to absorb its energy and probe the obstacles to his return, while a mark left by the Gaius Family began sealing Hell. Lucifer revealed that a single drop of Gaius blood could strengthen the seal, forcing Aaron Gaius to face pressure from the Avengers Compound, where he reluctantly drew a small vial of his own blood.

• Odin showed Loki a spatial-temporal seal spreading across Saint Vangansa, and Loki deduced that Lucifer was not planning to enter Heaven yet.
• Lucifer confirmed that he was gathering Heaven's energy and testing what blocked his return, while Gabriel remained wary of him.
• The Tree of Knowledge appeared at Saint Vangansa and weakened Hell's darkness, but Lucifer could not use it to find Gaius.
• Lucifer provoked the Gate of Hell into surging again and told Earth that one drop of Gaius blood could fully seal it.
• At Avengers Compound, Aaron denied being the Gaius Lucifer wanted, but Nick Fury and Coulson prepared to draw his blood.
• Aaron took the syringe and drew a small vial of his own blood.

The Thoughtform sent Geer to Saint Vangansa, where it sealed the Gate of Hell and faced Lucifer’s test. Geer remained on Earth to spread Gaius’s faith, while Lucifer vowed to find Gaius and the Thoughtform warned that Earth would become forbidden ground to him.

• Aaron accepted the mission to close the Gate of Hell and chose Geer to carry it out while the Thoughtform possessed him.
• Geer agreed to the mission, prayed in his home, and let the Thoughtform take control of his body.
• The Thoughtform entered Saint Vangansa through a golden portal, used a Patronus raven to drive back Hell creatures, and sealed the Gate of Hell with the Tree of Knowledge.
• Lucifer tested the Thoughtform with crushing pressure and a deadly attack, but it resisted with magic and escaped the strike by stopping time.
• Lucifer revealed he wanted Gaius as his own spokesperson to surpass God, while the Thoughtform said Geer would remain on Earth to spread Gaius’s faith.
• The Thoughtform warned Lucifer that it would avenge Geer and make Earth forbidden ground to him, and Lucifer vowed to find Gaius.

Ancient One returned to Kamar-Taj and swiftly defeated the invading Dimension Demon Gods, then took the Thoughtform aside for a private conversation. Meanwhile, S.H.I.E.L.D. discussed the demons still loose on Earth, and Carter Slade declined Nick Fury’s offer to become a consultant.

• The Thoughtform offered Lucifer a deal, which Lucifer accepted as a temporary draw before leaving when Ancient One arrived.
• Nick Fury sent Coulson to investigate Saint Vangansa and ordered him to gather information on Geer, the Thoughtform, and the mage.
• Aaron and Carter Slade both asked Coulson to introduce them to Geer, but Carter rejected Nick Fury’s offer to work for S.H.I.E.L.D.
• Carter warned Nick Fury that surviving mid-ranking and High-ranking Demons could hide among people, possess them, and summon more demons.
• Ancient One returned to Kamar-Taj, pulled the fleeing Dimension Demon Gods back through their portals, and trapped them in the Mirror Dimension.
• Ancient One asked Mordo and Wong to handle the aftermath, then took the Thoughtform into the Mirror Dimension to speak privately.

The Thoughtform met Ancient One in the Mirror Dimension and explained his wish to return to his original universe and marry his fiancées, while refusing her offer to train him at Kamar-Taj. He introduced Geer’s faith scriptures to her, leaving her to consider the claims made about his future religion.

• Ancient One served tea to the Thoughtform, who revealed that he had first encountered her during the Chitauri invasion.
• The Thoughtform explained that he had planned to live quietly and return home to marry Hermione, Fleur, and Kria, but Earth’s many dangers had forced him to stay cautious.
• Ancient One offered to train the Thoughtform at Kamar-Taj and open its resources to him, but he declined, citing his family’s warning against associating with the very old and confidence in his own talent.
• The Thoughtform told Ancient One that Geer and his daughter had survived on a dead star, and that Geer had chosen to become his follower after passing a test.
• The Thoughtform handed Ancient One Geer’s scriptures, and defended their titles for him as God of Contracts, an ancient and noble inheritor, Creator of Minds, and Master of Shadows.

Aaron’s thoughtform rejected Ancient One’s offer to protect Geer and returned to Saint Vangansa, while Aaron claimed his mission reward and spent Magic Points to absorb the Wind Demon Qi. Aaron gained the authority of wind and considered collecting the remaining demon qi and Panku Treasure Box to obtain a Hell Dimension.

• Ancient One reviewed Gaius’s religious code, accepted its purpose, and offered Kamar-Taj’s help protecting Geer, but the thoughtform declined and accepted the New York Sanctum’s address.
• The thoughtform left for Saint Vangansa through Ancient One’s portal, while Ancient One decided to keep watching him and wait for him to need help.
• At Avengers Base, Aaron and the thoughtform discussed hiding their strength and the dangers posed by Ancient One, Odin, and powerful enemies such as Wanda.
• Aaron claimed the 3000 Magic Points reward for closing the Gate of Hell and checked his status, which showed 6500 Magic Points.
• Aaron bought the Wind Demon Qi, absorbed it, and gained the authority of wind, bringing his collection to three of the Eight Great Demons’ qi.

Aaron bought Star Chart History, several magical materials, and a Senzu Bean, then spent most of his remaining Magic Points on increasing his magic power. Meanwhile, Geer chose to stay at Avengers Compound and seek official recognition for spreading his master's faith, while Aaron told Carter Slade why he intended to remain on Earth.

• Aaron purchased Star Chart History, Angel Feather, and a Senzu Bean, then used 1,000 Magic Points to strengthen his magic power.
• Tony, Ross, and Coulson each tried to take Geer into their custody, but S.H.I.E.L.D. presented authorization for Geer to go with them.
• Geer chose Avengers Compound as his temporary home and requested negotiations with officials who could formally recognize his master's faith.
• Nick Fury agreed to negotiations and directed S.H.I.E.L.D. to assess Geer and his faith over the next seven days.
• Abei devoured a huge platter of pudding, astonishing Carter Slade, who learned that Aaron had bought a planet as a gourmet base.
• Aaron told Carter Slade that he would not leave Earth unless he had no other choice, admitting that women were one reason he stayed.

Aaron and the Avengers questioned Geer about his service to Gaius after learning about the cosmic threat and the power of Carter Slade’s weapon. Geer explained that his contract protected his daughter and set limits on Gaius’s treatment of his followers, leaving the group to consider how unusual those terms were.

• Aaron and Carter Slade defended their rest while Nick Fury complained that demons were attacking the human world, and Aaron warned Wanda against joining such dangerous battles.
• Fury showed the Avengers footage of Carter Slade destroying a demon and a hilltop with Demon Hunter; Aaron said the weapon could not be mass-produced and refused to hand it over to S.H.I.E.L.D.
• The group watched footage of Lucifer seeking Gaius and Geer being taken by the Sorcerer Supreme, and Aaron insisted that he had no connection to the search.
• Tony, Ross, and Geer arrived, and Geer introduced himself as a follower of the God of Contracts.
• Geer told the group that the God of Light had deceived him and his dying daughter, while Gaius had promised to save her in exchange for Geer’s soul.
• Geer said Gaius treated followers like employees and that their contracts barred immoral orders and unjust punishment, prompting the group to question the unusually generous terms.