Everyone in the room went quiet as the weight of Lucien's words settled over them. They all knew how frustrating it was for Illyana when she couldn't use her powers. The inability to access her magic, even her portals- it ate at her constantly.
Even more so, considering her rebellious personality. Illyana wasn't someone who accepted limitations well, especially those imposed upon her by others. Yet, she had to.
When Romulus had attacked them, she had blamed herself for not being able to help for days afterward. The guilt had been crushing, watching her friends getting attacked while she stood helplessly on the sidelines. Only after Laura, who had been harmed during the encounter, consoled her did she finally move on from that dark place.
And now Lucien was saying that he was going to help her get rid of Belasco today.
Right now.
They had all known that Lucien was planning to help deal with the demon sorcerer eventually, but they'd thought it would take another few months at minimum. Belasco wasn't some street-level threat. According to Illyana, he was a master of dark magic who ruled over a portion of Limbo itself.
Illyana was the first to speak, her voice carrying a mix of hope and disbelief. "For real?"
Lucien nodded casually. "It's about time we do it. I've made my preparations. And besides, that mark on your forehead isn't exactly in fashion."
Illyana smiled at the joke, but the concern in her eyes remained. "Are you sure you're ready? That guy is a sorcerer, and he has an army of demons. Though he doesn't command the entirety of Limbo, there are at least a few hundred or even thousands of demons there."
Lucien thought for a moment, considering the information. "Do you think there are any demons at the level of Thor or Hulk?"
"No, but their numbers—" Illyana started to say.
"Then there won't be much of a problem," Lucien cut her off calmly.
Illyana opened her mouth to argue, to point out all the ways this could go wrong, but Anna beat her to it.
"Trust him," Anna said with conviction. "He's been taking care of all the problems we've had till now. And besides, don't you want to fight Laura, huh?"
She said the last part with a knowing smile. The entire household was well aware of the rivalry between Illyana and Laura, though they were equally good friends as well. The two of them had a competitive streak that manifested in constant challenges and teasing.
Laura joined in as well, her expression remaining mostly neutral as she spoke. "Yeah, it's getting awfully boring to tease you. To the point I almost feel like I'm bullying you sometimes."
That was Laura for you - rarely letting emotions show on her face, but her words revealed that she cared in her own way.
Seeing the support from her friends, Illyana's resolve strengthened. "Alright. But if things don't go the way we want, then I want you to leave from there. He's after me, not you. You can escape."
"That ain't going to happen," Lucien said firmly. "But sure, if it helps to make up your mind."
Illyana nodded, accepting the compromise even if she knew Lucien wouldn't actually abandon her. "When do we leave?"
"Right now."
The response was immediate and definitive. No more delays, no more waiting. The time had come.
Illyana took a deep breath and nodded again. "Then I can make a portal to Limbo, but it will only be open for a few hours. And it will directly open at the castle of Belasco, so he will immediately sense us as soon as we reach there."
"Don't worry about it," Lucien said. "Let's go out, and you can open the portal there."
"Alright."
Daniel stood up, looking concerned. "Be careful, both of you. And Lucien, bring her back safe."
Lucien gave him a slight nod before turning toward the door. Illyana followed, and Anna stepped forward to give her friend a quick hug.
"Kick his ass," Anna whispered.
.....
Soon they reached their destination. The abandoned building was the same one where Lucien had cleared his dungeon earlier that day. It seemed fitting somehow - one conquest completed, another about to begin. The seventh floor was empty and quiet, the perfect place for what they needed to do.
Illyana stood in the center of the floor, closing her eyes and concentrating. The mark on her forehead - the sigil that Belasco had placed on her to maintain his connection and control - began to glow with an eerie red light.
Magic that had been suppressed for weeks suddenly surged through her. Not her full power, but enough to create a gateway to the realm she had once been held at against her will.
The air in front of her began to shimmer and twist. The space in front of them bent as a portal tore itself open, revealing a swirling vortex of crimson and black energy.
Through the opening, glimpses of another dimension could be seen - twisted landscapes of stone and fire, a sky that looked perpetually caught between dusk and midnight.
Limbo.
The mark on Illyana's forehead flared brightly for a moment before fading away completely, having served its purpose of opening the gateway. She stumbled slightly from the effort, not used to channeling magic after so long without it.
"You okay?" Lucien asked.
"Yeah," she replied, steadying herself. "The portal's stable. It'll stay open for about three hours before it closes on its own."
Lucien looked at the swirling gateway, then back at Illyana. "You stay here."
"What? No, I should—" she started to protest.
"You'll be useless in a fight," Lucien said bluntly, but not unkindly. "You haven't used your powers in weeks, you're exhausted from just opening the portal, and Belasco will be gunning for you specifically. You stay here where it's safe."
Illyana wanted to argue, but she knew he was right. As much as she hated to admit it, in her current condition, she would be more of a liability than an asset.
A few of his shadow soldiers, mostly his newly acquired orc soldiers, moved from his shadow to her shadow.
Lucien commanded them that if anything comes through that portal that isn't him, kill it.
"Lucien," Illyana called out as he stepped toward the portal. There was worry in her voice, the kind that came from knowing exactly what waited on the other side. "Belasco is dangerous. He's been alive for centuries, mastering dark magic that most sorcerers wouldn't dare touch. And his demons are completely loyal to him. They'll fight to the death."
"So will I," Lucien replied simply.
"I'm serious. He won't fight fair. He'll use illusions, mind control, soul manipulation - every dirty trick in the book. And if he realizes he's losing, he might try to call upon beings he called Elder Gods, and even I don't know anything about them. The might be---"
Lucien turned to look at her, and there was something in his eyes that made Illyana pause. Not arrogance or overconfidence, but absolute certainty.
"I appreciate the warning," he said. "But as I have told you before, I am prepared. So, don't worry and stay here. This won't take long at all."
.....
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