The dim lights of the interrogation room cast long shadows across the faces of those present. Strange stood with his back straight.
"These two," Strange gestured with a sweep of his hand, "are the team leaders guarding the Celestial embryo. This is Ms. Thena."
Strange performed the introductions to Dormammu and Mephisto, whose otherworldly presences seemed to darken the room further. The air crackled with mystical energy as the two cosmic entities assessed the white-haired Eternal before them.
"We need to access the space where the Celestial embryo is located," Strange continued, his voice steady and measured. "Ms. Thena's assistance is essential for this endeavor."
Dormammu, his flaming visage shifting in perpetual motion, looked down at the white-haired woman. Despite being in a weakened incarnation, his voice still resonated with ancient power.
"I'm curious," he said, the flames around his head flickering with each word, "as to why an Eternal would choose to cooperate with you." His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "We should be careful about being deceived."
"I have complete faith in Ms. Thena's intentions," Strange replied firmly, straightening his already impeccable posture. "I hope we can all display more confidence in each other's commitment to our cause." He adjusted the sleeve of his robe before continuing. "After all, our upcoming collaboration requires everyone's concerted efforts."
Strange's direct response seemed to ease some of the tension in Thena's shoulders, her expression returning to its usual stoic demeanor.
"Strange," Thena said, her voice as smooth and cold as ice, "I need to know when my companions can be released." Her piercing blue eyes bore into his. "And I need to solve my control problem as soon as possible. My condition is deteriorating rapidly."
She ran a hand through her stark white hair, a rare sign of nervousness from the usually composed Eternal.
"If Arishem discovers my compromised state, I fear I will be... recycled."
Despite discussing her potential demise, Thena's tone remained eerily calm, devoid of fear or desperation. The implication was clear—if they would help, she would continue; if not, she would accept her fate.
"Of course, Ms. Thena," Strange assured her, a hint of genuine concern crossing his features. "You are our partner. Your problems are our problems."
He then gestured toward the two imposing figures flanking him. "These two are our allies. You may have heard their names before—Mephisto, the Demon King of Hell, and Dormammu, the God of Darkness."
At this revelation, Thena's eyebrows arched upward, a flash of genuine surprise breaking through her typically expressionless face. She studied the faces of the two entities with newfound suspicion, taking in Mephisto's calculating crimson eyes and the swirling vortex of energy that constituted Dormammu's form.
"With these two taking action," Strange continued, "we can bypass the Celestials' surveillance with minimal risk of detection." He stepped closer to Thena, his cape swaying gently behind him. "And as promised earlier, we will help you neutralize the Celestials' control mechanisms embedded in your body, returning you to complete autonomy."
Strange said all this openly in front of Dormammu and Mephisto, making no attempt to conceal their arrangement. It was a calculated move—after all, who would trust Mephisto, renowned for his cunning and cruelty, or Dormammu, the devourer of worlds?
The unspoken message was clear: Cooperate with the fallen sorcerer, and her team members might be rescued. Align with these cosmic malevolences, and she might be consumed herself.
Mephisto and Dormammu clearly understood the subtext but merely regarded the Eternal with thinly veiled interest, saying nothing. The demon lord's lips curled into the faintest of smiles, revealing teeth unnaturally sharp for his otherwise human appearance.
To be honest, when the fallen sorcerer first claimed to have access to the Celestial embryo's location, Mephisto had been skeptical. However, when they presented an actual Eternal as evidence, both cosmic entities had quickly agreed to David and Strange's conditions.
They had suffered significant defeats recently. Even their true forms couldn't manifest on Earth—only weakened incarnations could cross over. This made it difficult to claim such cosmic prizes directly.
Now, presented with an opportunity to obtain a Celestial embryo, neither was willing to walk away. Both had sustained serious injuries and were in various stages of recovery. Few things in this universe would accelerate their healing better than the power of a nascent Celestial—truly a cosmic rarity.
As for their contract, the parties had engaged in intense negotiations, eventually establishing an alliance of convenience. Death itself had witnessed their pact, ensuring its reliability.
"Ms. Thena," Mephisto said, his velvet voice belying his dangerous nature, "since we're all working together now, there are some things I'd like to confirm." He adjusted the lapel of his immaculate suit. "I rarely interact with Celestials, but I'm aware that creation is their specialty."
His red eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Are you the only guards they've stationed on Earth? Are there other sentinels? Would they report our energy signatures to the Celestials?"
Mephisto wasn't eager for a confrontation with the Celestials—avoidance would be preferable if possible.
Thena considered his questions carefully, her fingers absently tracing patterns on the table's surface. "On Earth's surface, I can confirm that only a few of us are responsible for the guard duty," she said thoughtfully. "But within the space containing what you call the 'Celestial embryo'..."
She paused, choosing her words with precision. "Whether defensive forces exist there is unknown to me. But highly probable." Her eyes darkened as she continued, "I've entered once before. Although I didn't encounter anyone, I sensed clearly that any deeper understanding would bring catastrophic consequences."
A mocking smile played across her lips. "Besides, I don't know who has blocked off the entire Earth. Even if other Celestial agents exist, they currently cannot leave the planet to relay information."
This revelation caused Dormammu to straighten, pieces falling into place in his cosmic mind. He finally understood why he had sensed all three major temples of Kamar-Taj operating at full capacity when he first arrived on Earth. He had assumed some major event was unfolding, but now it became clear—Kamar-Taj was actively suppressing the flow of information off-planet.
"Very well," Mephisto said after a moment of contemplation. "We'll maintain contact. Leave the rest to us." Despite his agreement, curiosity lingered in his expression.
He had been dealing with Gu Yi for countless years, yet had never pegged her as someone radical enough to target all gods for elimination. Perhaps what he had heard from Thor, Asgard's God of Thunder, was false. Or perhaps, the inevitable hostility between their kinds had finally reached its breaking point.
________________________________________
Meanwhile, in the Bamboo Forest Tea Room of Kamar-Taj, Gu Yi stood before a window, gazing at the distant mountains shrouded in mist. Her eyes held confusion mingled with steely determination, lost in contemplation for who knows how long.
The sound of approaching footsteps broke her reverie.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
"Lockhart, you've arrived," the Ancient One said, turning to face the familiar features of Lockhart.
The future of the sorcerers lies with a visitor from another world.
Was this truly reliable? Sometimes she doubted, contemplating whether to follow the original path instead. Yet something in her heart resisted, unwilling to accept what she knew would come.
After thousands of years at Kamar-Taj, she had witnessed countless generations of sorcerers rise and fall. The weight of this endless cycle had become almost unbearable.
Her time was running short; eternity called to her. As the Supreme Sorcerer, she needed to secure Kamar-Taj's future. But should she choose the predetermined trajectory or forge a new path? The upcoming test would decide.
"Supreme Sorcerer," Lockhart said with a formal bow, "we've communicated with all divisions of Kamar-Taj. Once the Celestial embryo's location is confirmed, all Masters stand ready to eliminate future threats."
Gu nodded silently, her eyes distant.
"However, Supreme Sorcerer, there's one more thing to report," Lockhart continued, his brow furrowed with concern. "We have confirmed that both Mephisto and Dormammu are involved in this matter. I suspect they might—"
The Ancient One raised her hand, interrupting him mid-sentence.
"Lockhart," she said, her voice soft yet commanding, "what happens next is in your hands." Her eyes held a knowing look that transcended time itself. "As long as Odin, Dormammu, and Mephisto haven't arrived yet, I will not intervene."
The weight of her words hung in the air between them, heavy with portent for what was to come.