The Beyonder makes a deal with the devil: he agrees not to destroy the cosmos if a hero can sustain his life's purpose in the face of overwhelming adversity. He chooses Spidey and frees Zarathos to torment him. Spidey overhears plans for the murder of Kingpin. Resolved to rescue him, Spidey is hampered in his quest by dead friends and foes from the past who accuse him of being a failure. Spidey is beaten down and begins to give in to despair. The source of the illusions, Zarathos, confronts Spider-Man and tries to convince him to let Kingpin be killed. Spidey finds the strength to fight back.; Harold is accepted into Strikeforce Morituri, and he must decide if he wants to commit to the process that will give him super-powers but kill him within a year.