Mephisto looked disdainful.
From the moment eternity was born, there were very few dimensions where Mephisto had ever fallen into defeat, except in cases of death in battle.
Dormammu's humiliation was one such precedent.
Yet Mephisto showed no dissatisfaction. Instead, he spoke respectfully:
"Although Lord Dormammu lost the Dark Dimension, he is still well-prepared."
"For example… right now."
Mephisto relaxed.
He rested his chin on one hand while conjuring a glass of blood-like wine in the other. Taking a slow, savoring sip, he stared at the trembling liquid in the glass and said casually:
"Tell me."
He acted as though it were nothing.
But a faint trace of oppressive force naturally appeared in Mephisto's eyes. Then he exhaled deeply and said:
"Lord Dormammu has successfully found Chthon, the god of the Black Magic Dimension, and plans to lure him into a multidimensional war against you."
"Of course, the battlefield would be set in Hell."
Mephisto stared at the wine glass for a moment before sneering:
"Does he think Chthon is a fool?"
"Or does he take Mephisto for a fool?"
Chthon sneered as well, not hiding his contempt, and continued:
"Dormammu is a master of playing with souls, an expert in deception. You think you can trick me?"
"Heh. Do you think I'm the same as that idiot who once ruled the Dark Dimension?"
Dormammu didn't care. He simply asked in return:
"If I set the battlefield in Hell, do you think he would refuse?"
"It fits?"
Chthon's disdain turned into a sneer, the contempt in his eyes only deepening.
What a genius idea—to send the god of the Black Magic Dimension straight into Hell.
Dormammu, of course, understood the implications. He smiled faintly.
"What if I told you that Hell has already become my territory?"
"I haven't been without a backup plan all these years. In fact, part of the border of the Hell Dimension is already under my control."
"Mephisto won't venture into other Hell-Lords' dimensions, but he dares to walk along Hell's borderlands. After all, he can wield his full power there."
He paused, waiting for Chthon's reaction.
But Chthon said nothing, sensing there was more.
Dormammu looked a little disappointed, but pressed on:
"I can hand over part of that border to you. Make it your territory, and you'll be able to channel the full power of the Black Magic Dimension without restriction—fighting at your peak."
Chthon narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. After a few seconds, he frowned.
"Do you think he won't notice? And why risk drawing him there?"
Dormammu's smile grew twisted.
"Because I will tell Mephisto that you'll appear there, and that your goal is to steal Hell's power."
"Only an avatar bearing true authority could survive such a scheme. He'll realize this—and he'll want it."
Not only the power.
If he gains energy from the Black Magic Dimension, Mephisto will inevitably start to covet that realm as well.
And for someone who's lived for endless millennia, an opportunity like this is impossibly rare.
"Why do you think Chthon would take such a risk?" Mephisto frowned.
To him, this was a fatal flaw.
Without enormous profit, Chthon would never expose himself.
But the shadowed emissary at Mephisto's side smiled, voice low and sinister:
"Because Lord Dormammu will promise him a portion of Hell's borderland authority—while warning that you'll be waiting there to ambush him."
"With full access to his powers, Chthon will believe he can catch you off guard—and seize every drop of Hell's energy you bring."
"He will definitely be tempted."
"And then, all we need to do is seal off the area once he descends."
"Of course, he'll summon most of his strength first, forcing you to reveal yours."
"Then Lord Dormammu will exploit the loopholes in the Darkhold, enter the Black Magic Dimension, and summon you."
"At that moment, the Black Magic Dimension will have no choice but to change masters."
The emissary produced a contract.
Its terms were absolute: if either party broke the agreement, they would suffer true death.
The emissary smiled faintly.
"This is sincerity. Lord Dormammu cannot resist such a contract. But you can."
Mephisto inspected it carefully. There were no tricks hidden in the wording.
He fell silent.
He was tempted.
"When the time comes, I will use the Ghost Rider contracts scattered across Earth to invade the Hell Dimension."
"Then I'll summon you. Together, we'll divide Mephisto's Hell equally."
"To show my sincerity, here is my own contract. It only has the power to bind me."
Dormammu spoke smoothly, then conjured a parchment agreement.
Chthon studied it carefully. No trace of deceit.
The other party was serious.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Check out my new Marvel fanfic!
[Marvel: A Video Editor]