Still reeling from the devastation of the Ultimatum tidal wave, Ben Grimm travels deeper into the underground city of Subterranea under the guidance of the Mole Man, Dr. Harvey Elder.

Mole Man reveals that the destruction on the surface is only the beginning — the dimensional imbalance caused by Magneto’s global assault has triggered violent tectonic shifts, threatening both the surface world and the subterranean kingdom.

Ben refuses to give up hope for Sue and demands that Elder help save her life. Mole Man agrees — but insists that Ben must do something for him in return.

Elder leads Ben to a massive subterranean chasm called the “Open Wound,” a rent in the earth caused by the same catastrophic forces that created the tidal wave. Through this rift:

Strange interdimensional creatures are emerging

Subterraneans are being slaughtered

The entire lower world faces collapse

Mole Man claims that only Ben Grimm has the physical power to defeat what’s coming through the breach. If Ben helps him, Elder will stabilize Sue’s condition and attempt to revive her from the coma.

Meanwhile, the surface world continues to fall into chaos as the Ultimatum disaster spreads, with the FF still fractured and scattered.

The issue ends with Ben standing alone at the edge of the massive interdimensional rift, preparing to face whatever monstrosity is about to emerge — because Sue’s life depends on it.