Welcome back to Ashes of Midnight. Last time, Captain America finally finished going through the HYDRA data left behind by Crossbones. And amongst the files on every member of the team, there were frequent mentions of a "Project Gottmorder", which based on my limited knowledge of German, sounds promising for what they're trying to do. So, Cap set up Wolverine and Cynder to explore Red Skull's old tunnels beneath Mount Wundagore, only to be convinced to come along himself. So, what awaits in the old Nazi tunnels? Read on to discover...

(Our scene picks up in a tunnel lined with vintage HYDRA banners, where Cynder, Wolverine and Captain America are on patrol. At this moment, Cynder notices something about their surroundings and finally speaks up, breaking the silence of the eerie corridor)

Cynder: Does anyone else feel like we've been walking in circles for hours?

Wolverine: Firstly, it's only been twenty minutes. Secondly, relax. (Sniffs the air) We're close to something.

Cynder: You said that last time too, Logan.

(But sure enough, the trio rounds the corner and Wolverine's statement proves true, as at the end of the hallway is a vault door)

Wolverine: Looks like I was right.

Cynder: You'd think after all the years I've known you I'd learn not to doubt that schnoz of yours.

(As the trio approaches the vault door, the corpses of HYDRA agents can be seen littering the floor)

Wolverine: If this was an ambush, it kinds of sucks.

Cynder: Ambush? Logan, this was a slaughter.

Captain America: No kidding. (Examines the scene) Looks like they were trying to get into that vault. Now I don't believe in coincidences, so that can only mean...

Cynder: Project Gottmorder.

Captain America: I'd put solid money on it.

Cynder: (Looking at the corpses everywhere) Bet they did too.

(As the trio advances, the corpse of another HYDRA trooper is thrown down to the floor, as Lilin demons approach from the ceiling, though they don't seem to notice them)

Wolverine: (Extending his claws) Guess HYDRA just dropped a few rungs on the bad guy food chain!

Cynder: I don't know, something feels different. These demons don't feel like Malefor's possessing them. They seem more... feral.

Captain America: Right now we don't have time to worry about that. Let's just get that vault open before they turn on us.

(And of course, this is when the Lilin finally are connected to Malefor, their purple bioluminescence lighting up the ceiling)

Cynder: You just had to jinx us, didn't you Steve!

(And with that, the demons attack. But thankfully, they're taken out pretty quickly, allowing the trio to press on towards the vault, which Wolverine slices enough to unlock it. And inside the vault, under a giant recreation of Red Skull's face is a single case containing what looks like a dagger of some sort.)

Wolverine: Ladies and Gentlemen, Project Gottmorder.

Captain America: (Examining the pedestal) Looks like an old Enigma lock. I should be able to break this thing.

Wolverine: Leave that to me.

(With no hesitation, Wolverine punches the glass, triggering an alarm)

Captain America: I'd bet that alarm still leads somewhere.

(Realizing they don't have time, Cynder grabs the dagger, only to be transfixed by some kind of dark energy emanating from it, as what could only be Chthon materializes in her mind behind her.)

Wolverine: Grab the dagger and run, kid!

(Realizing Cynder isn't listening, Wolverine grabs her by the shoulders, snapping her back to reality.)

Cynder: What the...? That was odd.

Wolverine: We'll have to discuss it later, we've got to get moving.

Captain America: Before whatever's protecting this place gets back online.

Cynder: (Still unnerved by earlier) Right. Let's get moving.

(Both Captain America and Wolverine realize something is off with Cynder, but neither have time to worry about it too much, as they've got other business to attend to, namely getting the heck out of dodge before something else comes along. And as the trio makes their way out, our tale ends for today)

And that looks like a good spot to end for today. So, it looks like recovering Project Gottmorder went pretty smoothly, beyond the army of Lilin in the ceiling of course. And whatever evil energy was behind that dagger transfixing Cynder for a moment. Or did it really get The Hunter and Cynder just happened to get stuck in it? More on that as the story goes on. But for now, we've got to get out of here. So, will the trio make it out without a hitch? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!