Welcome back to Ashes of Midnight. Last time, the team finally got a lead on Doctor Faustus' location, and just as Cynder, Captain Marvel, and Nico Minoru managed to track him down and were just about to get the data they needed from him, something shot a Dark Gem into him, disintegrating him. Crossbones showed up as a distraction, but Cynder saw right through it, though she could hardly believe who she saw, though she didn't reveal who she thought she saw. Thankfully, Nico Minoru managed to find a journal in Faustus' clothes, which for some reason didn't disintegrate. So, what's hidden within? Read on to discover...

(Our tale resumes the morning after the confrontation with Doctor Faustus, and at the Mirror Table, Caretaker and Doctor Strange are looking over Doctor Faustus' journal, with Cynder looking out the window, trying to reconcile what she saw last night.)

Cynder: (In her own mind) There's no way what I saw was real. It couldn't have been him. But... who else could it have been? What did they do...?

(As Cynder continues her thought process, Nico Minoru comes up behind her)

Nico Minoru: Hey, Cynder. Thanks for talking the others into getting us involved.

Cynder: (Snapping out of her thoughts) Oh, no problem, Nico. It seemed a little baffling that everyone was willing to leave the team specifically formed for this prophecy. I'm honestly as surprised as you are that Carol listened.

Nico Minoru: After seeing what we did, so am I.

Cynder: That's not the sight that's most disturbing to me.

Nico Minoru: (Putting it together) You saw who shot Doctor Faustus?

Cynder: I think I did, and I still can't believe it.

Nico Minoru: Well, who was it?

Cynder: Unless my eyes were deceiving me, and I pray to the Ancestors that they were, it was...

Caretaker: That takes care of that.

Cynder: (Getting off her train of thought for a second) You found something?

Doctor Strange: It seems Doctor Faustus kept records of every HYRDA facility in New York City right now.

Caretaker: Good work in finding this, Nico.

Cynder: Now we should be able to take HYDRA down, and with it, cut off the technosorcery supply line to Lilith and Malefor.

Doctor Strange: I can only hope you're right, Cynder.

Nico Minoru: Well then, what are we waiting for!? Let's get to work!

Cynder: Hold up, Nico. You should take a rest after last night's madness. I saw you were up on Superlink all night talking about it with Spider-Man.

Nico Minoru: (Barely suppressing a yawn) I guess you've got a point.

Cynder: I'll take Robbie and Magik along. They could use some field work.

Caretaker: Honestly, I kind of agree. Illyana's been getting kind of restless recently.

Doctor Strange: And a Spirit of Vengeance would be most formidable against HYDRA.

Cynder: Then it's settled. I'll get them and we'll head out for a HYDRA stomping marathon.

(As Cynder leaves, Nico Minoru looks towards Caretaker, and the two seem to realize the same thing just as Doctor Strange leaves.)

Caretaker: She knows who took out Faustus, doesn't she?

Nico Minoru: She was about to tell me when you finished deciphering the journal. But whoever it was, she couldn't believe it. Even prayed that it wasn't who she suspected. I've never heard her invoke her Ancestors before.

Caretaker: Neither have I. This is serious.

Nico Minoru: Wait, you know too?!

Caretaker: Cynder and I share the same suspicions, I assume. And if we're right, it will be the end of us all...

(But before Nico Minoru can ask for further details, Cynder returns with Ghost Rider and Magik)

Cynder: Alright, we are ready to go.

Ghost Rider: This is going to be so epic!

Magik: Save your energy for the battlefield, Robbie.

Caretaker: Advice you should probably heed. You're going to be busy for a while based on the number of HYDRA bases in Faustus' journal. (Looks to Nico Minoru) Nico will send the intel to your phones.

Nico Minoru: (Caught off guard) Will do.

Cynder: Then we haven't a moment to waste. Ms. Rasputin, if you would?

Magik: Gladly. Let's go.

(With that, Magik opens a door to Limbo. And as the trio steps out onto their mission, our tale ends for today)

And that looks like a good place to wrap up for now. Yes, not a lot from the game, but that's really because my source for the cutscenes just skips straight between missions and that doesn't really work from a story telling standpoint. So I created this little filler chapter to introduce the next trio going in. So, what awaits as Cynder, Ghost Rider, and Magik go out to stomp out HYDRA? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!