The game features a diverse team of characters, including familiar faces like Tank Dempsey, Nikolai Belinski, and Dr. Richtofen, alongside new heroes, all confronting the Dark Aether threat.

The story revolves around the aftermath of a battle at Project Janus, which serves as a gateway to the Dark Aether, blending modern heroes with classic characters in a perilous environment.

Call of Duty Black Ops 7 introduces a new Zombies mode called 'Ashes of the Damned,' with a cinematic trailer depicting a battle atop Project Janus headquarters leading into the Dark Aether dimension.

Maya Aguinaldo, skilled in covert tactics, joins the fight after her involvement with the Syndicate and her brother's abduction, adding a layer of espionage to the story.

Nikolai Belinski, a Soviet tank commander haunted by war and betrayal, remains a steadfast fighter amidst the chaos.

Grigori Weaver, a hardened CIA operative, leads the fight against the Dark Aether, bringing military expertise to the team.

The team includes characters from various backgrounds, such as Takeo Masaki, a disgraced ronin seeking redemption, and Dr. Elizabeth Grey, a scientist uneasy about her research amid the chaos.

The narrative emphasizes the characters' diverse origins and their forced collaboration in an alien environment against a growing, formidable threat.

Dark Aether is depicted as a realm where corrupted creatures, descendants of Apothicons, seek to reenter the physical world, adding horror and mystery to the gameplay.

The mode emphasizes atmospheric tension, character interactions, and cinematic visuals, aiming to revive the storytelling mystery that made earlier Zombie games popular.

The Zombies mode features the largest roster in Black Ops history, with eight playable characters including both modern heroes and fan favorites.

Players face a dual-generation team fighting within the Dark Aether, a twisted dimension where their souls are at risk, evolving from the realm where Apothicons were banished.