Welcome back to Ashes of Midnight. Last time, Cynder, Blade, and Nico Minoru put the anti-symbiote suit to the ultimate test, taking out enough of Fallen Venom's tendrils to push back towards ancient wards of protection underneath the Sanctum Sanctorum, ultimately finding a way up into the place. But then, HYDRA attacked. While the first wave fell easily, by the time the second one came in, Nico and Blade both realized Cynder needed to get up and into the Sanctum and start clearing it out. So they gave the order, and she begrudgingly went along with it. So, what awaits up top? Read on to discover...

(Our tale resumes up in the Sanctum Sanctorum, where Lilith, Malefor, and Bruce Banner are looking over a HYDRA canister of some kind, being worked on by HYDRA mystics)

HYDRA Mystics: Cum Codit in Mundum, Quo Fit Caelo Gramina...

(As the mystics continue chanting their strange spell, Bruce Banner attempts to hand Lilith a small canister of some kind, but that's when Cynder bursts up through the floor)

Cynder: This ends here.

Lilith: You kept us waiting, child.

Cynder: (Summons The Hunter's blades) I'm here now.

Malefor: Alone, just as you always were.

(Just as Malefor boldly makes that statement, Spider-Man swings in through the roof of the building)

Spider-Man: Am I too late for the party?

Cynder: On the contrary, you're just in time.

(And Spider-Man isn't the only ally swinging in, as Doctor Strange walks in as well, through the front door)

Doctor Strange: I told you, the door works now.

Spider-Man: Sorry. First apocalypse excitement, I guess.

Cynder: Trust me, Spidey. That wears off pretty quickly.

Lilith: The little sorcerer returns home...

Doctor Strange: And I must say, I hate what you've done with the place, Demon Mother. (Notes Bruce Banner) And the same goes for my friend over there. No matter, already the power of the Sanctum returns to me. Your days of plundering it's secrets end today!

Malefor: And who said that was the plan? (To Bruce Banner) Do it now.

Bruce Banner: Yes, Master.

(Now the canister's function is revealed, it's a detonator, which Bruce Banner presses, detonating the larger canister, some sort of mystic gamma bomb that opens some sort of portal through which Lilith summons strange orbs, some of which animate into full fledged ghouls)

Lilith: (To one of the orbs) Seek.

(The strange mystic orb does as it's told and leaves the Sanctum, seeking something as Bruce Banner, Lilith, and Malefor begin to exit the scene. But as Lilith does, she looks back to Cynder with a look of regret, one that even Cynder doesn't expect)

Cynder: (Snapping back to reality) We're losing them!

Spider-Man: Maybe they've got the right idea!

Doctor Strange: Not while there's still a chance to seal the breach and save the Sanctum!

(The battle is long and painful, but ultimately, the breach is almost sealed, Lilith and Malefor's unified magic continues to almost destroy the Sanctum Sanctorum, with Doctor Strange being unable to hold it back.)

Spider-Man: Doc, we've got to get out of here before the whole place comes down on us!

Doctor Strange: Leave if you must, I can hold it!

Cynder: No offense, but like hell you can!

(Cynder uses a magic rope to grab one of the doors, making it into a platform for Spider-Man to launch off of and grab Doctor Strange, getting everyone out of there just as 177A Bleeker Street, and the symbiote tree holding it aloft explode in green and violet magic. As the dust settles, the truth of Lilith and Malefor's plan is revealed, behind where the Sanctum Sanctorum used to be is a massive... well nobody's really sure what it is, but it's projecting green and violet magic into the sky, darkening the clouds around it. Cynder and Spider-Man are both confused, but Doctor Strange knows exactly what's going on)

Doctor Strange: Chthon.

Cynder: (Confused) Who?

Spider-Man: I don't know what he's talking about either, but it definitely does not look good.

Doctor Strange: Not even remotely.

(And as the team looks on upon this Chthon related thing, our tale ends for today)

And that looks like a good place to wrap up for now. So, retaking the Sanctum didn't quite go as planned, since it's now a giant pile of rubble and a hole in the ground. And even worse, Lilith and Malefor are apparently prepared to summon Chthon, whatever that means. For those who have played the game, you know how bad this is. But please, don't spoil it for those who haven't. But I will say this, it's bad. Really bad. So, just how screwed is everything right now? Tune in next time to find out. Same time... same channel...