After his selfless sacrifice, Ethan Winters wakes following fifteen years of slumber to discover Mother Miranda had a fail-safe; she didn't die and nor did the other lords. Unable to return to the "old world", Ethan becomes confined to the lords' doings as a runner and eventual apprentice upon the reveal of his mutation. This attracts the attention of Karl Heisenberg who takes a particular interest not only in researching his abilities, a rebellion against Mother Miranda or the mysterious reappearance of Rosemary Winters, but the man himself, Ethan Winters.