The Shadow Smiths are one of the biggest mysteries in the upcoming Shattered Veil DLC for Black Ops 6 zombies. First teased in a hidden Modern warfare 3 zombies cutscene, these shadowy figures appear to be ancient entities connected to the Dark Aether and possibly capable of manipulating time itself. Their sudden connection to AA Janson, the daughter of Samantha Maxis, and the eerie events unfolding in Liberty Falls suggest they could play a major role in shaping the future of the zombie storyline.
Shadow Smith mystery deepens ahead of Shattered Veil DLC
The upcoming Shattered Veil DLC for Black Ops 6 zombies is already building up to be one of the most story-rich and surprising maps Call Of Duty has ever released. But there’s one mystery that’s flying just under the radar, and it might be the most important one of all: the Shadow Smiths.
This unknown group was first teased not in Black Ops 6, but in Modern Warfare 3 zombies, during a brief but chilling moment that saw a silhouetted figure appear in a mirror, snatching away AA Janson — the daughter of Samantha Maxis and Sergey Ravenov — and pulling her into the Dark Aether. That moment may hold the key to unlocking not just the plot of Shattered Veil, but the future of the entire Dark Aether timeline.
The Shadow Smiths first appeared in a hidden MW3 cutscene
Back in August 2023, a post-game cutscene from Modern Warfare 3 Zombies showed AA Janson inside a hotel room in Liberty Falls. After defeating her dark twin, known as The Entity, she is taken through a mirror by a shadowy figure wearing a top hat. The eerie visual sparked theories, but now, as Shattered Veil draws near, fans are starting to piece it all together.
The figure is referred to as part of a group called the Shadow Smiths. These aren’t just another enemy faction or elite zombie class — they could be ancient entities, possibly Elder Gods, with connections that span the entire Aether storyline. And now they’re finally stepping into the spotlight.
What makes this moment even more chilling is that AA Janson calls out, “Mother, is that you?” before being pulled through the mirror. Many believe the Shadow Smiths disguised themselves as Samantha Maxis to manipulate Janson into trusting them. If true, it means these beings not only travel between worlds but also deceive and capture key figures in the storyline.
The Liberty Falls mansion and Josiah Shem’s dark purpose
The location of this scene — Liberty Falls — is also the setting for the upcoming Shattered Veil map. The Mansion at the center of the town was built by a man named Josiah Shem, who was allegedly possessed by an unknown force and compelled to construct it. While initial theories pointed toward The Order, a cult from Black Ops 4 zombies, newer evidence suggests that the Shadow Smiths may have been the ones truly pulling the strings.
If Josiah was under the influence of the Shadow Smiths, and if they used him to establish a focal point in Liberty Falls, then this map is far more than just a spooky location. It could be a temporal gateway, a weak point in spacetime, or even the original birthplace of the Entity that becomes Janson’s dark version.
This idea also supports the growing theory that time travel will become a major element in Black Ops 6 zombies.
Time travel could return to zombies in a huge way
The line between past, present, and future in the zombie storyline has always been blurry. But the events involving AA Janson, the Dark Aether, and the Shadow Smiths suggest something even bigger: the potential for AA Janson to have been taken in the 2020s and sent back to the 1990s, where the Shattered Veil takes place.
This would mean that the Entity we fight in Modern Warfare 3 Zombies wasn’t born when Janson was but was created because of what happens to her in the DLC 3 map. A perfect loop — and a perfect way to reintroduce time travel as a main mechanic in the Dark Aether story.
That theory ties directly into Project Janus, a secretive experiment led by Edward Richtofen, which was designed to manipulate time using Aetherium. Richtofen harvested the DNA of Requiem members, including Samantha, Ravenov,, and others. That DNA was used to create AA Janson — but why? What did Richtofen see in her that made her the ideal subject?
Learn more about Shadow Smiths revealed in Black Ops 6 from MrDalekJD on YouTube.
Could the Shadow Smiths be Elder Gods?
One of the most fascinating connections comes from the Cold War zombies era, where the Elder Gods and Old Ones were introduced. A figure named Sparagmos is especially relevant. He was a godlike being who forged the CRBR-S Wonder Weapon in *Forsaken and swore revenge against Forsaken himself.
Sparagmos and others were described as ancient, crafting weapons and shaping events in the Dark Aether. That’s exactly what the Shadow Smiths seem to be doing. The name “Smith” suggests forging, and the fact that they might be tied to deception, time travel, and manipulation adds weight to the theory that they are the continuation — or new form — of the Elder Gods.
They might be the ones guiding Richtofen. They might be controlling The Order. They might even be using Liberty Falls as a way to break through the spacetime barrier.
In a Cold War zombie super Easter egg, players hear a voice say, “Our ways are of the old world. We will not be forgotten.” That line now reads like a direct tease of the Shadow Smiths, suggesting they’ve been in the background for years.
More on the official lore can be found at callofduty.com/zombies.
How this could bring back the OG zombies crew
The rumor mill is heating up with talk that the original zombies crew — Richtofen, Dempsey, Takeo, and Nikolai — may return in Call of Duty 2025 zombies. If true, the only way that could happen is through some kind of time manipulation or multiverse twist.
The Shadow Smiths, with their control over timelines and Aether, could be the vehicle for making that happen.
It also repositions AA Janson as potentially one of the most important characters in zombies’ history. Her genetic makeup, her link to the Dark Aether, and her manipulation by the Shadow Smiths all point to her becoming something more — or worse — in the chapters ahead.
As we wait for the Shattered Veil trailer, all eyes are on that Mansion in Liberty Falls. The past may not be as far behind us as we thought.
FAQs about the Shadow Smiths in Black Ops 6 zombies
What are the Shadow Smiths?
A mysterious group tied to the Dark Aether, possibly ancient gods or forgers of reality.
When did the Shadow Smiths first appear?
They first appeared in a Modern Warfare 3 zombies cutscene set in Liberty Falls.
Is AA Janson related to Samantha Maxis?
Yes, she is the daughter of Samantha Maxis and Sergey Ravenov, created using Requiem DNA.
Are the Shadow Smiths connected to time travel?
Very likely. Theories suggest they manipulate timelines and may cause Janson to travel to the past.
Will Richtofen appear in Shattered Veil?
It’s not confirmed, but his role in Project Janus and ties to AA Janson suggest a return is likely.
Keep an eye on this one. If the Shadow Smiths are who we think they are, Shattered Veil might be the beginning of the biggest shift in zombie lore since the Aether storyline ended. Be sure to keep an eye on CODIntel for updates and theories as soon as the trailer drops.
