Continuing up the mountain, the Illuminati fought against avalanches, blizzards, the extreme cold, yeti and the altitude… but the biggest challenge was found in dealing with each other. Chris’ mind games continued to tear at the team- tormenting Rumble and Deimos with illusions of Brass and Shade and bedding William Benson once again. The Aurelius and Tick-tock persisted to play, strengthening their friendship amidst Chris’ apparent attempts to tear them apart.

The higher they climbed, the worse the conditions became. Coup opted to teleport the Sherpa off the mountain in the days before the heroes finally reached Shambhala. There, they found the city in shambles- having been attacked and crushed…

Odin sat in the city, perplexed over the situation he discovered upon arriving. The Illuminati searched the city; William Benson and Odin found Heimdall near death and wearing Meginjord and Jarn Griepr- the gauntlets and girdle of Thor. Another soldier was spared from death by Rumble’s medical training. Stabilized, he told them what had happened… the Five Demons of the East arrived: Chi, Sui, Ka, Fu and Kuchin. Believing the Aurelius would take refuge in Shambhala, the Five invaded to claim the Anathema Ring.

Returning to Avalon, Auberon divided the Hunters to search the world for demonic disturbances- viewing that as their only hint at where the Aurelius may now be. Still, William Benson used the respite to journey to the beach… hefting Mjolnir and taking it with him on their journey…