When Aaron stepped onto the stage, it was as if the world hit the pause button.
Both demons and humans froze in place.
All eyes turned to Aaron, to that familiar face.
"He's finally back!"
Nick Fury took a deep breath. The turbulence in his heart gradually calmed.
"If he's returned, it must mean the Galaxy race was truly wiped out."
"So many of them... each one with enough power to drown Earth with a single breath."
"Magic… it's dangerously addictive."
For a moment, Nick Fury was tempted to connect to the magic net and delve deeper. He was dying to know how the God of Magic had achieved such incredible feats. If even a handful of Earth's people could grasp this power, perhaps the planet could finally defend itself.
Tony Stark looked up, his hands still held in a spell-casting gesture, eyes locked onto Aaron. His mind drifted.
Once, like everyone else, he had been eager to challenge Aaron.
He had done extensive research, even concocted ironic "plans."
He had dreamed up an anti-God-of-Magic suit.
But who could have foreseen this day? Now, he himself had learned magic and joined the magic net.
And Aaron had become the unshakable pinnacle of Earth.
No matter how grave the crisis, the moment he appeared—his presence alone brought a calm reassurance.
It felt like everything would be okay as long as Aaron was there.
Maybe… the God of Magic was Earth's true Asgardian.
As reluctant as Tony was to admit it, it was simply the truth.
If Aaron hadn't returned, even the Dimensional Lords' alliance might have been enough to overrun Earth.
Sad.
Tony had matured. The more he studied magic, the more he understood the world.
No more reckless ideas like Ultron or relying solely on an Iron Legion.
That didn't mean he abandoned technology. For him, both magic and science were tools.
Even while diving into arcane arts, he never let go of engineering or the suit. He focused on merging both realms—envisioning tech infused with Asgardian magic.
The results, he believed, would be astounding.
The Ancient One smiled when she saw Aaron appear.
Just as she'd anticipated.
Aaron had grown stronger again, far beyond even her expectations.
To deal with the Galaxy so swiftly—it was no ordinary strength.
If she'd faced that many enemies, she might've had no other option but to use forbidden techniques… and those came at a cost.
Kill a thousand enemies, lose eight hundred of your own.
And even then, there was no guarantee of defeating the Galaxy's main force.
Their trouble extended far beyond the obvious.
Some were filled with hope. Others, dread.
Aaron's return reignited Earth's confidence.
But for the demons, it cast a heavy shadow.
He hadn't even acted yet—just stood there—and already they felt suffocated.
"Damn it! Why is he back so soon?"
"What about the Galaxy? Weren't they the strongest race in the universe?"
"Was it all just hype?"
Upon seeing Aaron, Mephisto's expression twisted with unease.
Dormammu and Satanish also winced.
In their own realms, they would have no fear.
But here, they were mere projections—and not even in their own territories.
They still remembered what happened last time.
Aaron didn't even lift a finger. His woman handled them.
Shameful.
But what could they do?
One demon, however, smiled involuntarily when Aaron appeared—then quickly masked it to avoid being noticed by the others.
Unfortunately, she wasn't fast enough.
Nastil saw it.
As the last demon brought into the Dimensional Lords' alliance—via Mephisto's backdoor no less—Nastil's status was fragile.
The other demons weren't happy about his elevation.
Strength ruled in the dimensional universe, and Nastil had little reputation.
Once a mere lackey of Velasco, the former ruler of Limbo, he'd fled during the God of Magic's invasion—betraying his master to save himself.
A certified coward.
The other demons disdained him.
Even worse, he and the secret guest were from the same domain.
The secret guest had become the new ruler of Hell's borders.
But Nastil? Homeless. Not even a realm to his name. Hardly worthy of being a Dimensional Lord.
Still, Mephisto and the others insisted.
Eventually, thanks to the cross-dimensional virus, his position solidified.
Even so, he could feel the subtle contempt from the Lords.
Blackheart openly mocked him, wounding his pride deeply.
So, he loathed the secret guest even more.
If not for her, I could've ruled Limbo. I'd be the real Dimensional Lord—not some charity case.
Instead, he was gifted a tiny dimension and ridiculed endlessly.
He watched her constantly, fantasizing about tearing her apart.
Even now, he was watching.
And glaring at Aaron—his murderer.
He still remembered the casual way Aaron had killed him.
Aaron killed Velasco too!
And the cryptid only barely pushed him back…
Or did it?
Was Illyana lying the whole time?
What if she and Aaron had been in it together?
Their history in Limbo made it likely.
She might've even helped Aaron kill Velasco!
Yes! That must be it!
Illyana betrayed the dimensional realm. She's with Aaron.
Otherwise, how could she defeat the one who slew Velasco?
And now, she was smiling at Aaron!
She's the traitor!
Suddenly, Nastil blurted out, "Watch out! The secret guest is with them!"
"She's the spy!"
"What?!"
Everyone froze.
Mephisto instinctively took a step away, staring at Illyana.
Realizing she'd slipped, Illyana quickly pulled herself together and tried to suppress Nastil's words.
"Nastil, are you kidding me? This isn't the time for internal conflict!"
Mephisto didn't want to believe it. The situation was already bad enough.
If Illyana really was with Aaron… they were doomed.
Forget conquering Earth—they'd be lucky to survive.
Besides, Nastil and Illyana were always at odds. Mephisto had every reason to doubt him.
"When the God of Magic arrived, I saw her smile!"
"And during battle, she held back! Struggling against a mere human—how embarrassing for a Dimensional Lord!"
Nastil's accusations continued.
Captain Marvel, who'd been enjoying the drama, suddenly felt targeted.
Wait—was that "mere human" supposed to be me?!
Sharp glances fell on her.
Seriously? Did he just say I'm weak?
You witch… I'm coming for you next.
Mephisto's heart sank.
Dormammu and Satanish were both rattled. They turned to Illyana, awaiting her response.
Just as she was about to speak, Aaron cut in.
"Are you the demon I shot in the head?"
"Nastil? Even you became a Dimensional Lord? Is that what passes for power in the dimensional world these days?"
"Huh?"
The jab didn't just cut Nastil—it infuriated the other Lords.
They were already upset that Nastil had been placed above them.
Now Aaron had just called them all weak by association.
"See? I told you Nastil's unqualified. If he can make it, why not me?"
"All this over a stupid mechanical virus. Mephisto's a disgrace—trading his demon body for that hideous machine form!"
"Mephisto shouldn't rule Hell! If you'd backed me, none of this would've happened!"
Blackheart chimed in, fanning the flames to challenge Mephisto's throne.
Nastil's face twisted in fury and humiliation.
He wanted to scream that he wasn't the same as before.
But this was Aaron.
Memories of being casually killed came flooding back.
All his courage vanished.
He couldn't even lift his head.
"Useless," Mephisto muttered under his breath.
But Aaron wasn't done.
"Yo, isn't this the model worker?" he said, squinting at Mephisto. "Not bad. Your face healed nicely. Swelling's gone."
"Oh, even the hole in your temple's patched up! But… why do you still look so pathetic?"
Mephisto felt countless eyes on him.
Mocking him.
He burned with rage.
"Don't get cocky, Aaron! You were the one who ran first. If you hadn't fled, you wouldn't be here smirking!"
Aaron ignored him and turned to Dormammu and Satanish.
"How've you been? I'm sure you've had plenty of visitors lately."
A cryptic line—but Dormammu knew what he meant.
He remembered Kamar-Taj's magicians constantly "borrowing" from him—never returning anything.
Damn you. Can't you just keep quiet?
Now, all their hatred locked onto Aaron.
Even Mephisto began to doubt—was Illyana really working with Aaron?
He eyed them both.
But what happened next made everything irrelevant.
Because when Aaron appeared—it didn't matter if Illyana was a spy or not.
"It's over."
"Retreat."
Aaron raised a hand—and terror washed over the demons.
Their minds almost short-circuited.
The threat was everywhere. Inescapable.
They had no idea where it came from.
Then they saw it.
Weak demons and believers froze, eyes wide.
Their energy forcibly ripped from their bodies—then they exploded.
One. Then two. Then three…
A chain reaction of demonic disintegration.
The mysterious force—like Death itself—was reaping them.
And they were powerless to stop it.
They didn't even know what was killing them.
Just watched, horrified, as their allies died.
Then… they died too.
This technique was more terrifying than anything the demons themselves used.
"It's him!"
"Whoever wants to live—interrupt his casting!"
Mephisto didn't understand what was happening.
But Aaron's calm smile told him everything.
With no choice, the demons all turned to attack Aaron.
Illyana didn't move.
Aaron had already instructed her—no more hiding.
The time for secrets was over.
And besides, Aaron no longer cared about Mephisto.
This entire Dimensional Lord invasion… he would end it effortlessly.
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