A year has passed since the people of Earth made their decision to exclude the Guardians and sure enough, society begins to spiral back into its fractured and divisive mindset. When an ancient peril threatens, humanity finds itself alone, undefended and helpless. But all in not lost. Though helplessly outnumbered, a small cadre of Guardians attempts the impossible: to protect the Earth – and mankind itself – from certain extinction. Amid scenes of appalling suffering and devastation, the Earth survives, but not before an insidious enemy – long forgotten – is awakened and released. As the Guardians seize the opportunity to offer the hand of friendship and help rebuild a ruined world, that ancient enemy forges alliances of its own with those who should know better. Diabolical plans are put into motion that will have far reaching and deadly consequences. Just how deadly, is revealed when – a year to the day that the Guardians made their heroic stand – a most heinous crime is committed. Repercussions are inevitable.