With the recent storylines tying up loose ends, and old villains Eldrazi and Nicol Bolas being defeated or 'handled', there have been whispers and hints at the more pernicious villain, the Phyrexians, is rising once more.
We knew that New Phyrexia rose and took over Mirrodin from Karn's folly, spreading from Xantcha's heartstone, and corrupting the entire plane through Memnarch's actions (formerly the Mirari). In that battle of New Phyrexia, Venser gave his life to save Karn through Melira's ability to cure Phyrexian corruption, and Elspeth was forced to flee by Koth.
The last we heard, Elspeth (who was born on a Phyrexian corrupted plane) was killed, but has escaped the Theros Underworld, while Karn is seeking tools and allies to stop the potential spread. The Gatewatch is scattered after the loss of Gideon, and Liliana and Nissa's departures, and the War of the Spark. The current Gatewatch may only comprise of Jace, Chandra, Ajani, Teferi, and Kaya, with support from planeswalkers who they worked with, such as Arlinn, Kiora, Saheeli, Huatli, Niko, Sorin, Ugin, Karn, or Tyvar. Tamiyo, as we will cover below, is lost...
During Dominaria (~2 years ago in story):
The Gatewatch was still gathering planeswalkers to fight Bolas, and Karn was met on Dominaria, seeking the Golgothian Sylex. He retrieved it, and took it with him, hoping to use it against Phyrexia's growing threat.
War of the Spark (~1.5 years ago in story):
The beacon and the war brought many planeswalkers together. Many met the Gatewatch, and saw Gideon's sacrifice. The list above includes some that may be interested in working with the Gatewatch again in the future. They have met, and several are actively speaking about the potential threat to the multiverse of Phyrexia.
Kaldheim (0.5 years ago to Present):
A mysterious, interplanar contact hired Kaya to stop and kill Vorinclex, green praetor, on Kaldheim. While she was met with help on the plane, she was in the end unsuccessful in stopping his efforts or killing him. We do not know who was the hiring agent, but it must be someone with knowledge of what the Phyrexians are up to, and with access to multiple planes. The Phyrexians are working with Tezzeret currently, who has within him the Planar Bridge, an artifact made on Kaladesh that can transport non-living material between worlds. His discomfort at seeing planeswalkers turned to aid Phyrexia unquestioningly has led us to suspect he may be the one hiring Kaya.
Vorinclex's plan on Kaldheim, beyond spreading the Phyrexian gift to the realms of Kaldheim and potentially corrupting Tibalt, was to steal a sample of Tyrite. Tyrite on Kaldheim is made from the sap of the world tree, and grants the Gods of Kaldheim their godhood, powers, and immortality. Vorinclex not only retrieved a sample and left the plane, but he also managed to start corrupting Esika, God of the Tree.
Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Crimson Vow (Present):
While no Phyrexians were found or discovered during the recent events on Innistrad, Teferi questioned Arlinn Kord after their success in restoring daylight. He specifically asked if she heard of the Phyrexians on Innistrad, or oil, or metallic flesh, to let the Gatewatch know. He let her know to be ready, too - for what may come.
Kamigawa: The Neon Dynasty (Present):
Kaito Shizuka, a native planeswalker of Kamigawa, discovered the reality chip and met Tamiyo, in efforts to aid the Wandering Emperor, and stabilize her planeswalking. However, in this effort, they encountered Jin-Gitaxias, blue praetor of Phyrexia. Tezzeret assisted Jin-Gitaxias, and in the end, managed to manipulate the Reality Chip and kidnap Tamiyo to New Phyrexia, where Jin-Gitaxias compleated (phyrexian-ized) her, creating the first Phyrexian Planeswalker. At this point in the background, we see Tezzeret scowling at Tamiyo, and she wonders if he is a threat to Phyrexia. He does not seem fully thrilled at seeing a planeswalker becoming compleated.
Soon...
Next we head to the streets of New Capenna, where we may encounter more compleating, or not. Summer 2022 brings another Dominaria expansion, and 2023 is still shrouded in mystery!
Update: The Slow March - Part 2 - to Phyrexia!
