Chapter Summaries

Salomon traveled to New York with Wanda to speak with Tony Stark about his plan to give armor technology to the US government. The chapter explained the financial crisis and political pressure that had driven Tony toward the deal, leaving Salomon prepared to use force if persuasion failed.

• Salomon changed into the Shroud Robe and boarded his Pegasus Heavy Assault Transport with Wanda and his guards.
• Salomon told Wanda he was going to Stark Industries to persuade Tony Stark to work for him, not to kill him.
• Nick Fury assured Hammurabi that Agent Hill's intelligence about Tony Stark's location was reliable and warned that Stark's decision threatened the international balance.
• The Emperor's arrival in New York and War Engine's destruction of a Wall Street landmark caused American stock indices to plunge and weakened confidence in federal intervention.
• Tony Stark negotiated with the US Air Force to keep Stark Industries operating, retain control of its armor patents for fifty years, and support the Patriot Act.

The Emperor brought Wanda and the Sisterhood to Avengers Tower to confront Tony Stark, while explaining how Latveria planned to divide the financial powers backing him. He warned Tony not to share his manufacturing technology with Congress and the Pentagon, threatening to destroy New York if he did.

• The Emperor ordered the Sisterhood and Praetorian Guard to control, search, and destroy as the Pegasus Heavy Assault Transport drew public panic and Sage seized the tower's systems.
• The Emperor explained to Wanda how private financial groups controlled the Federal Reserve and said the financial families were his enemies.
• The Pegasus Heavy Assault Transport departed Manhattan for low orbit, while Stephanie Malik received investment offers from financial families seeking refuge in Latveria.
• The Emperor and Wanda entered Avengers Tower and found Tony Stark and Pepper Potts escorted at gunpoint by the Sisterhood.
• Tony asked the Emperor to release Pepper, but Aura struck him and the Emperor warned him not to give his technology to Congress or the Pentagon, threatening to nuke New York.

The Emperor forced Tony Stark into a political trap, leaving him to decide whether to cooperate while the Emperor controlled the evidence and the public narrative. After ordering Amon to kill the approaching SEALs but spare Happy, the Emperor withdrew with his forces to Kamar-Taj’s Sanctum and arranged a return to Oxfordshire Manor.

• The Emperor explained that Tony Stark and Pepper were the only witnesses to their meeting and that the Federation would likely distrust their account.
• The Emperor learned that Happy and Tony Stark’s SEAL bodyguards were approaching, then ordered Amon to kill the SEALs but spare Happy.
• The Emperor’s group teleported to Kamar-Taj’s Sanctum, where Wanda asked why they were letting Stark go.
• The Emperor planned to release Amon’s combat record and images of the dead SEALs to shape public opinion before the media could control the story.
• The Emperor thanked Aura and her sisters, then sent an apprentice to ask Arcanist Daniel to open a portal to Oxfordshire Manor.

Eliza investigated the slaughter of the SEAL Team at Avengers Tower and questioned Happy about the Latverians and their Emperor. Tony Stark sent the FBI away and withheld the truth from Happy, promising him a long vacation and keeping the Iron Man Armor ready.

• Eliza reconstructed how a Latverian Super Soldier had ambushed and slaughtered the SEAL Team, and she suspected the killer wore protective armor.
• Eliza ordered her FBI SWAT team to take Tony Stark and Pepper Potts to the FBI office before the Air Force Security Forces arrived.
• Eliza questioned Happy about the killer’s armor and whether the Avengers knew the Emperor of Latveria, but Tony Stark stopped her and sent the investigators out.
• Happy asked Tony Stark why the Latverians had attacked, but Stark kept the truth to himself and offered Happy a long vacation.

Salomon checked Milia’s health and protected her from supernatural threats before bringing her back to the estate. In New York, Tony Stark and Pepper Potts faced a tense government investigation into the attack on Stark Tower, with the FBI seeking access to Friday as the dispute continued.

• Salomon found Milia making a mess of the estate grounds and let her have one piece of chocolate after checking her teeth.
• Salomon reviewed Milia’s health report, confirmed her collar was functioning, and took over her protection from the Shadow Hounds.
• Salomon carried Milia back to the estate, where she looked forward to orange jelly and seeing Wanda.
• Eliza’s team waited as Tony Stark and Pepper Potts argued with government officials over the attack and the leaked footage.
• Pepper explained that the attackers had disabled Stark Tower’s power and systems, while Colonel Rhodes objected to the FBI’s suspicion of Tony.
• The FBI sought a warrant to search Friday and wanted Tony kept at an FBI residence, but Colonel Rhodes argued that the court could not search classified defense intelligence.

FBI agents pressed Tony Stark to reveal whether the Emperor of Latveria was the mysterious knight, and Stark said the Emperor had removed his memories. In Latveria, Salomon watched the resulting political spectacle and continued manipulating the American election while Bayonetta urged him to join the party.

• The FBI presented photographs linking the Emperor of Latveria to the mysterious knight and questioned Tony Stark, while Colonel Rhodes asked him to cooperate.
• Tony Stark said the Emperor had cut away his memories and could manipulate minds, then began to describe how it happened before Pepper Potts stopped him.
• The White House publicly accused Latveria of brainwashing Stark and killing the SEALs who tried to rescue him, while officials arranged to honor Stark with the Medal of Honor and an honorary military rank.
• Salomon dismissed the accusations as election politics and considered Latveria's need to rebuild its industry and infrastructure while maintaining its tacit balance with the United States.
• Bayonetta asked Salomon why he was not joining the party, and he said he was manipulating the American election as he picked up the dozing Milia.

Regent Victor von Doom imposed the Emperor’s reforms across Romania, crushing unrest and purging corruption while reshaping the province’s economy and defenses. After Victor returned to Latveria, the Emperor discussed further military plans and prepared to leave for South America, leaving Victor to exercise his authority.

• Regent Victor von Doom enforced martial law in Bucharest, restricted communications and trade, and prosecuted former Romanian officials.
• Victor expanded the Great Purge to target corrupt businesses, illegal armed groups, and officials’ associates while broadcasting trials and confiscations.
• Victor embedded the Emperor’s reforms across Romania, strengthening centralized administration, expanding farms and military industry, and introducing militia defenses and Unified Truth.
• After two months, Victor returned to Latveria and warned the Emperor that transferring Romanian grain to Albania risked renewed unrest.
• The Emperor described Romania’s industrial upgrades, railway plans, and proposed naval expansion as Stephanie Malik assisted their discussion.
• Stephanie Malik realized the Emperor planned to go to South America, leaving Victor to rule in his place until the global threat was resolved.

The Emperor told Stephanie Malik that Quetzalcoatl’s awakening threatened South America with catastrophic disasters and asked her to prepare diplomatic support while he organized the expedition. As flooding and cult activity spread, he planned to depart in twelve days, leaving Victor in command and relying on Wakanda to secure supply lines.

• Stephanie Malik accepted the Emperor’s wine and worried that his departure could leave Latveria vulnerable to division.
• The Emperor explained that Quetzalcoatl was stronger than the beings from the Fenris War and could destroy South America through geological disasters.
• The Emperor asked Stephanie Malik to handle diplomacy and prepare Victor to act with full authority while he was away.
• The Emperor agreed that Wakanda would join the operation, assigning its forces to fight the Cartel Group and protect supply lines.
• Flooding displaced South American refugees, strange cults spread, and Sacred Guard agents investigating them disappeared.
• The Emperor warned that the worst case was South America sinking beneath the seabed and said he would depart in twelve days, on the eve of the Day of the Dead.

Laura Croft uncovered evidence that Quetzalcōhuātl’s rebirth would bring a catastrophic flood, while the City of Immortals’ forces dismantled The Trinity’s influence across South America. As mercenaries attacked her expedition, Laura joined Camila’s team in fighting back from their armored vehicle.

• Laura Croft’s archaeological research linked the Feathered Serpent God’s awakening to an ancient great flood, and current weather forecasts suggested another disaster might be imminent.
• The City of Immortals and Conservative Hydra weakened The Trinity’s South American operations, defeating its mercenaries, cartels, and political allies.
• Laura Croft and Camila escaped a mercenary attack in an armored personnel carrier while carrying a fragment of an ancient stone slab.
• After the vehicle came under fire, Laura Croft took control of its roof-mounted Heavy Explosive Rounds machine gun and opened fire.

Laura Croft and Camila escaped Cartel Group pursuers with an ancient Cholti-inscribed stone slab and planned to return to the ruins for more clues about the Feathered Serpent God. Supiluliumas arrived in the forest and said his lord would soon meet Laura Croft, but first she needed to produce results.

• Laura Croft used the Armored Personnel Carrier’s heavy machine gun to destroy pursuing Cartel Group vehicles, then retreated inside as the rain grew too heavy.
• Laura Croft studied the stone slab and told Camila she needed more information, possibly from the ruins they had left behind.
• Camila agreed to rest and regroup before returning, warning that more Cartel Group pursuers might come after them.
• Camila’s team concealed the Armored Personnel Carrier in the forest and set sentries while Laura Croft continued deciphering the inscription.
• Supiluliumas joined Camila and said his lord would leave a state visit to Cuba and rendezvous with Laura Croft, whose findings needed to satisfy him.

Camila’s team pursued The Trinity’s plan to awaken the Feathered Serpent God after the Chakchel Key’s theft triggered a devastating earthquake and tsunami. Dr. Domínguez explained the relics and joined their research, but Camila remained suspicious of his motives as the team prepared to return to the ruins.

• Rurk escaped with the Chakchel Key after Camila’s forces attacked The Trinity’s mercenaries, and the resulting earthquake and tsunami devastated the Yucatan Peninsula and Cozumel.
• Dr. Domínguez explained that The Trinity sought to use the Chakchel Key and Ixchel Silver Box to awaken the Feathered Serpent God and remake the world.
• Camila brought Dr. Domínguez into Laura Croft’s research team and urged him to cooperate to protect Peru from the prophesied flood.
• Dr. Domínguez questioned Camila about her Shining Path past, and she said the group had chosen the wrong path while insisting she still believed her actions were right.
• Camila privately ordered a young former Shining Path member to watch Domínguez, keep him away from Laura Croft, and be ready to kill him if necessary.

Diana Lister traveled to Cuba to persuade Fidel Castro to accept Latverian medical aid and provide cover for the Monarch’s secret mission in Peru. Hammurabi reminded her to protect her health and revealed that Latveria was sending more support to Supiluliumas regardless of Cuba’s decision.

• Amon and Hammurabi discussed the Emperor’s teachings on war and the Praetorian Guard’s purpose as both warriors and learners.
• Diana told Hammurabi that Fidel Castro had withdrawn from politics and Raul Castro had repeatedly rejected meetings, making her mission difficult.
• Hammurabi reminded Diana that she also needed to persuade Fidel Castro to provide cover for the Monarch’s Peru mission, and warned her to rest.
• Hammurabi explained that Supiluliumas needed supplies, ammunition, repairs, and Martian Technicians to support his operation in Peru.
• Amon agreed to arrange supplies through a smuggling cargo ship Nick Fury had prepared.
• Hammurabi said the Monarch had ordered reinforcements sent to Peru regardless of Cuba’s response, and told Diana the Helicarrier would accompany her after Cuba cleared their passage.

Wanda Maximoff, Master Wong, and the Emperor of Latveria discussed the imminent awakening of the Feathered Serpent God and the danger surrounding the Chakchel Key. Laura Croft prepared to lead Camila's team into the rainforest while keeping Dr. Domínguez restrained, and the Emperor sent Amon to assist them.

• Wanda Maximoff and Master Wong reviewed evidence linking the Chakchel Key to the Feathered Serpent God's awakening and feared the dangers it posed.
• Master Wong explained that Kamar-Taj believed the Feathered Serpent God's awakening would bring disasters, while the Emperor of Latveria considered an interstellar missile a last resort.
• The Emperor of Latveria said Laura Croft's investigation would determine whether the missile was needed and that Amon would assist Camila's team.
• Laura Croft asked Jonah to meet the team outside town, bring fuel, and collect ammunition and medical supplies before their rainforest expedition.
• Laura Croft refused to remove Dr. Domínguez's tracking restraints and held him responsible for The Trinity's killings in Cozumel.

Camila’s team prepared to travel into the jungle with Laura Croft while Latverian intelligence uncovered Dr. Pedro Dominguez’s ties to the former Trinity High Council. As the expedition set out toward the Ucayali River, Dominguez revealed that his parents came from Paititi.

• Laura Croft challenged Dr. Domínguez over The Trinity’s massacre, but he refused to answer her questions about the jungle and Silver-Crowned Mountain.
• Camila confirmed the team’s route, and the Mars Foundry technician inspected the Armored Personnel Carrier before its crossing of the Ucayali River.
• Supiluliumas reported finding a ruined native settlement, while the Sacred Guard linked Pedro Dominguez to Cardinal Gualtiero De Luca Dominguez and the Trinity High Council.
• Nick Fury flew to meet the Pope, hoping Vatican records would confirm Pedro Dominguez’s past.
• Camila secretly shared the intelligence with her adjutant, and the soldiers quietly spread the news through the crowded vehicle.
• Pedro Dominguez told the team that his parents were natives from Paititi and that he had once surveyed it.

Nick Fury met Pope Francis to investigate a secret cult within the Holy See, while Stephanie Malik handled an execution order and briefed Hammurabi on the Emperor’s pending reports. The chapter left the Vatican investigation underway and the Cuba mission awaiting a report.

• Nick Fury waited for Pope Francis, who explained that he had come to uncover the truth behind the matter Fury was investigating.
• Pope Francis said the Holy See’s corruption and a secret cult needed to be cut away, and he explained why he feared suffering John Paul I’s fate.
• Stephanie Malik warned someone by phone that their family would be destroyed under the monarch’s authority once the agreement expired.
• Hammurabi asked Stephanie for Diana Lister’s progress report and news of Fidel Castro’s response to Latveria’s medical aid.
• Hammurabi told Stephanie that the Emperor wanted the Cuba state-visit mission report as soon as possible.

Camila’s team fought off Trinity mercenaries and local attackers, then removed Dr. Pedro Domínguez’s tracking device. They left him alive but demanded an explanation for why the natives had joined Trinity, while the team used possums carrying fake tracker signals to evade pursuit.

• Camila repelled an attack by locals and Trinity mercenaries with the armored vehicle’s autocannon, then ordered her team to advance and capture survivors if possible.
• Camila handcuffed Dr. Pedro Domínguez and threatened him until he admitted that a tracker was implanted in his arm.
• Camila’s team returned without prisoners, and the mechanic used his cybernetic prosthetics to remove the tracker from Dr. Pedro Domínguez.
• Camila had the mechanic copy the tracker signal onto walkie-talkies and attached the devices to possums to mislead Trinity.
• Camila asked Dr. Pedro Domínguez to explain why the natives had attacked alongside Trinity.

Camila planned a guerrilla campaign against the Trinity in Peru while the Martian Technician investigated genetic changes among the local natives. In Latveria, the Emperor prepared a larger force to confront the Feathered Serpent God, with an Arcanist joining the operation.

• Camila used captured Trinity weapons, documents, and radio equipment to map enemy strongholds and plan guerrilla attacks with Laura Croft and the Martian Technician.
• The Martian Technician reported that the feathered local natives might have genetic issues and sent tissue samples to headquarters for analysis.
• Master Wong explained that worshippers of Outer Dimension Entities could undergo physical and mental mutations, and the Emperor vowed to kill every Outer Dimension Entity, beginning with the Feathered Serpent God.
• Hammurabi reported that Cuba had accepted and that the Emperor had at least a day to carry out the Peru mission while Diana List negotiated for more time.
• Hammurabi said Amon had entered Peru and five regiments of Hellfire Knights were ready at Sky Sword Space Station under Aparajita and Constantine.
• Master Wong announced that the Venerable One would send an Arcanist to join the Latverian and City of Immortals forces.

Nick Fury’s covert team secured financial records and prepared to investigate a CIA informant in Switzerland while operatives and political unrest spread across the country. Elsewhere, Camila’s squad and Laura Croft attacked Trinity mercenaries with overwhelming firepower as the Martian Technician tracked targets and requested tissue samples.

• Swiss Guard soldiers fell ill, while a series of incidents left several people missing or dead and their belongings stolen; police found a victim’s briefcase intact.
• Nick Fury told a contact that his agents had secured financial records and ordered strict precautions against the Vatican Order and other possible enemies.
• Maria Hill asked whether S.H.I.E.L.D. would reorganize the Avengers, and Nick Fury said Coulson should continue operating while the rest of the former team pursued new lives.
• Hill reported that Ghost had refused to rejoin because S.H.I.E.L.D. had failed to cure her, and Fury ordered the aircraft to Switzerland to question a CIA informant.
• Camila’s squad used heavy weapons and tactical surveillance to destroy Trinity positions and kill enemy fighters while Laura Croft advanced through the defenses.
• The Martian Technician confirmed kills and reminded the squad to collect biological tissue samples for testing.

Camila and her team attacked a Trinity stronghold and entered a cave while an Apache arrived overhead. Inside, they found signs of an ancient civilization and pushed onward in search of Commander Rurk, the dagger, and the Silver Casket.

• Camila ordered mortar fire on Building D, then led her team through the destroyed Trinity positions toward the cave to find Laura Croft.
• The sniper and Martian Technician lost contact with Camila as an Apache approached, and they worried the Armored Personnel Carrier could not withstand Hellfire missiles.
• Laura Croft rejoined Camila's team after surviving attacks by hostile natives, and she explained that the natives hunted everyone.
• Camila and Laura saw ancient stonework and murals in the cave, then agreed to find the Silver Casket and end the looming disaster.
• Camila ordered her team to search for Commander Rurk and advance carefully, killing anyone who attacked them.

Camila’s squad followed Laura Croft through a bloodied cave as she searched for the ruins and volcano connected to The Trinity. Meanwhile, Nick Fury interrogated a former bishop in Switzerland and slipped away to pursue his own mission, leaving Maria Hill to manage the fallout and protect the Pope.

• Camila’s squad found many dead Trinity mercenaries and Indigenous people, and Laura Croft suspected the Indigenous fighters used stimulants or hidden passages.
• Laura Croft chose a cave route despite admitting she was unsure, and Camila’s squad prepared their Plasma Rifles as the passage widened beneath the stars.
• Laura Croft examined and photographed the ruins, concluding that The Trinity had followed the Spaniards and had a strong reason to value the site where Dr. Domínguez was taken as a child.
• Nick Fury interrogated a former Swiss diocesan bishop about The Trinity, then accepted Maria Hill’s warning that the CIA and spy satellites were watching.
• Nick Fury disguised himself and left alone to continue his mission, while Maria Hill ordered agents to withdraw, destroy the scene, and strengthen the Pope’s security.