"Quickly!" Agamotto barked, his voice sharp as another swarm of snarling, armored demons surged toward them. He thrust out his hands, and bolts of golden magic tore through their ranks, blasting apart bodies that dissolved into ash mid-scream.
The portal, glowing like a tear of sunlight in the suffocating gloom, was close now. They could see it. Freedom was only steps away.
Behind him, Odin and the Ghost Rider were locked in the thick of the fight.
Odin's voice roared across the field as Mjolnir swept in wide, brutal arcs, shattering crimson swords and crushing demonic skulls in showers of black ichor. Each strike sent shockwaves through the ashen ground.
Beside him, the Ghost Rider sent an endless shower of hellfire from his mouth. Demons shrieked as fire washed over them, melting armor and searing flesh until they collapsed into smoldering husks. The ground was littered with bodies, but more kept coming too many, too fast.
From everywhere around them, Mephisto's laughter rolled like thunder, cold and mocking the demon lord had made a game of their plight, keeping himself entertained by sending armies of demons their way.
Agamotto's hands moved in complex sigils as words spilled from his lips. His eyes burned white. Odin turned his head just long enough to shout over the clash of battle. "What are you doing, seiðmaðr?"
Agamotto didn't answer, too focused on the spell he was casting.
The tide of demons surged harder, driving Odin and the Ghost Rider back. They fought like wolves with their backs to the wall but they were being swallowed by sheer numbers.
Then Agamotto's voice rose. He slammed his palms to the ground.
"Gaea's Reckoning!"
The world around them exploded.
A titanic shockwave of green-gold light tore outward from Agamotto in every direction. The ground cracked and heaved, swallowing demons whole before incinerating them in a storm of earthen fury. When the dust settled, not a single demon stood.
Odin lowered his hammer slowly. "You could do that the whole time," he growled.
Agamotto's mouth twitched in the faintest smirk. "It is a one-time thing, sadly. Now come. We have no time to waste."
They turned toward the portal only to freeze.
A figure had appeared before them: Mephisto.
He was tall and impossibly lean, his skin crimson, horns curled wickedly from his brow, his long black hair cascading over a high-collared mantle. His burning yellow eyes were slitted like a serpent's, and his fanged smile gleamed with cruel amusement.
Slow, mocking applause echoed in the silence.
"Well done," Mephisto purred. "Truly, I was entertained. You've put on quite the spectacle."
His gaze shifted to the Ghost Rider. "You two may leave… but you—" He pointed a taloned finger at the Rider. "—we have much to discuss."
"How about no," Odin snarled, hurling Mjolnir with all the force he could muster.
Mephisto's hand shot out, catching the hammer midair with insulting ease. He turned it over in his grasp, smirking. "Quite the weapon. I think I'll keep—"
He didn't finish. Agamotto's spell struck: a column of golden fire slammed into his chest. Mephisto staggered, his grip loosening. Mjolnir tumbled free.
Odin's hand snapped forward, and the hammer ripped back into his grasp.
"Now!" Agamotto roared.
Agamotto, the Ghost Rider, and Odin came at Mephisto as one.
Odin swung Mjolnir in a wide arc, the head of the hammer trailing lightning as it crashed toward Mephisto. At the same moment, the Ghost Rider bent down, snatching up one of the discarded crimson swords left by the fallen demons. His hellfire wrapped around the blade, reshaping it into a flaming sword.
From behind, Agamotto unleashed a relentless volley of golden blasts, mandalas blooming in the air around him. Each beam hammered against Mephisto's guard while the sorcerer's other hand worked furiously, weaving a far greater spell in silence.
Mephisto only laughed. Every attack, no matter how fierce, was met with an effortless counter. He parried Mjolnir's lightning with a wave of his clawed hand, slipped past the Ghost Rider's flaming strikes, and batted away Agamotto's bolts like they were nothing.
In a flash, Mephisto's talons raked across Odin's chest, sending the prince of Asgard staggering. But the Asgardian only growled, planted his feet, and charged again Mjolnir whipping forward in a brutal, straight-line strike that caught Mephisto square in the face.
The Lord of Hell stumbled back, his grin faltering for the first time. "You are one powerful Asgardian…" he admitted.
"You haven't seen anything yet," Odin growled. Raising Mjolnir high, he summoned a storm so massive it seemed to darken the crimson realm lightning coiling in the heavens above, building into a single, world-shaking bolt.
Mephisto smirked, beginning to weave an attack of his own only to be blindsided as the Ghost Rider heaved a fiery boulder down onto him.
At the same time, Agamotto's spell reached its completion. The air split with a blinding surge of light as his magic shot toward Mephisto.
Lightning from Odin and the golden beam from Agamotto struck together, engulfing Mephisto in a blast so intense the ground shook beneath their feet. The demon lord staggered, smoke curling from his form.
"This is our chance!" Agamotto shouted.
Without hesitation, Odin grabbed the Ghost Rider by the shoulder and launched into the air, flying fast toward the portal as Agamotto followed closely behind.
Behind them came the sound of laughter low at first, then swelling into Mephisto's full, mocking cackle. They braced for another attack, but it never came.
The portal swallowed them, and in an instant they were hurled into the icy expanse of the Arctic. They crashed hard into the snow, sending up clouds of frost. The Ghost Rider's flames died away as he reverted to his human form.
Odin stood, brushing snow from his body. "We did it! Ha!"
Neither Agamotto nor the Ghost Rider shared his enthusiasm.
"He let us go," the Ghost Rider said flatly.
Agamotto gave a slow nod. "I believe so."
Odin's grin faded, but he forced a shrug. "Still…we made it."
"Yes," Agamotto allowed, his tone quieter now.
Odin laughed again, shaking his head. "Grænlaðr really took the easy one. He's not going to believe what we just did."
But Agamotto didn't laugh. His eyes narrowed slightly as he felt the flow of the world around them.
"Odin…" he said at last, voice low. "Three moons have passed here."
The prince froze. "WHAT?"
.
.
.
"So… what's next for you, En Sabah Nur?" Max asked, his voice breaking the quiet as they stood before the shattered remains of Rama-Tut's grand pyramid. The once-mighty structure lay in ruins, its golden apex long gone, massive stone blocks scattered across the sand.
Nur's gaze lingered on the wreckage. "I… don't know."
Max raised an eyebrow. "You don't know?"
"At first," Nur said, folding his arms, "when I began building the rebellion, my plan was simple: I would defeat Rama-Tut and take his place. The strong should rule, after all." He paused, his voice lowering slightly. "But now… I'm not sure."
Max tilted his head. "What changed?"
"You," Nur said bluntly. "You've given me a different perspective, Lantern. One that has… forced me to rethink some things."
Max didn't reply right away. He simply nodded, turning his eyes toward the ruins of Thebes around them. It had been nearly a week since Tut's defeat. The city was still smoldering in places, but the streets were no longer filled with the cries of starving and rioting citizens. Most were being resettled northward or to fertile lands Max had personally chosen lands he knew would one day grow into great population centers.
The gods had been less than helpful. Instead of aiding the people, they had descended into squabbling debating punishments for humans who had served Tut. Ammit was the loudest voice calling for retribution. Khonshu had assured Max that it would lead to nothing, but Max still felt the sting of disappointment. How quickly these so-called gods turned their attention away from protecting the mortals that worshiped them and toward their own petty arguments.
Nur's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "I plan to settle most of the clans. Many have agreed already. It is the best course for my people."
Max nodded. "If that's your decision and theirs then it's the right one."
They stood in silence for a moment, the hot wind carrying dust between them.
"I'll be on Earth for a while," Max added. "If you ever need help, I will always be there."
"The offer stands in return," Nur replied. They clasped forearms, their grips firm a bond of warriors and, now, friends.
Nur was just about to take his leave when he stopped, glancing back at Max.
"What of the Sphinx, Lantern? It disappeared… along with that sentinel."
Max rubbed his chin, thinking. "The Fantastic Four the other time travelers I mentioned came here after discovering the Sphinx in their own time nearby. If that's the case, maybe… it'll return someday. Could be in a few years… or a few hundred. And if it does" his expression darkened "the sentinel might come back with it."
"So it will return," Nur said flatly.
"Someday," Max replied. "And the sentinel as well."
Nur nodded slowly. "Then I will make sure my people are on the lookout for it now and always."
The Eternals approached, Azzuri and Khenmet walking beside them.
"We're leaving," Thena said simply.
Gilgamesh gave a nod. "We're going to meet with the others to update them on everything that's happened."
Max smiled. "I assume my presence will be a topic of discussion?"
"Oh yes," Thena replied with a faint smile. "It's going to be mostly about you… and the fact that the Pharaoh of Khem was a time traveler. Truly, it's been one of the more thrilling events we've been part of in a millennium."
"My army and I are prepared to leave as well, friend Lantern," Azzuri said.
Max glanced at them all and smiled. "Well… I guess the Revengers have served their purpose."
"They have," Khenmet agreed, a small chuckle escaping her. "I'll be assisting Khonshu in restoring the worship of the gods… and handling some issues with Ammit."
Max looked at them all. "It was an honor to fight with all of you," he said. "And hey if another threat rises, maybe we can assemble once more."
"You will always have my spear at your side, Lantern," Azzuri said firmly.
En Sabah Nur, the Eternals, and Khenmet all voiced their agreement.
They parted ways soon after, each heading toward their own path. He had offered Azzuri and his army a ride back to Wakanda, but the king had declined, wishing instead to march home in victory. Max stood alone among the ruins of the pyramid, watching them go.
=====
Max leaned back into the emerald couch construct he'd formed, the umbrella construct above him shading him from the sun near the ruins of the pyramid. His mind shifted toward other matters Odin, Agamotto… and the power ring.
He really needed to figure out what was going on with Parallax and the other entities he was sure existed in this universe. Parallax was after him for a simple reason: Max was the sole wielder of the green light of will in this universe. And will and fear… they didn't mix well. Not at all.
If he was going to face something like Parallax, something that strong, he needed to grow far stronger than he was now. He needed a deeper understanding of the ring and his power, become as strong as Hal Jordan in the comics, and also figure out how he was going to create the Corps, since that was something he was going to do in the future according to all the time travelers he'd just met.
But first, he had to find his friends—Odin and Agamotto.
He was just about to ask Jade about the satellite he had monitoring the Arctic, especially the area where the two had vanished when Jade's voice cut in before he could speak.
"Max, I've detected interdimensional energy signatures again three lifeforms have appeared on-site."
Max straightened. "They're back?"
"It would seem so," Jade confirmed.
"Send a message to the ship in orbit."
"It's done," Jade replied. "The ship will pick them up and bring them here."
Max smiled faintly in relief. "Wonder what the fuck they've been up to…"
"Nothing as impressive as what you just did, I'm sure," Jade said.
"Of course," Max said, entirely in agreement.
He leaned back again, settling into the couch, waiting for Odin and Agamotto to show up. But the calm didn't last.
"Max," Jade warned suddenly, sharper now. "Someone is approaching behind you."
Max shot up, spinning around only to freeze in shock.
Standing there before him was Rama-Tut.
No… not Rama-Tut.
His appearance was different now far more regal, far older. His purple and green robes were layered with intricate golden trim, his high-collared cape flowing in the wind. A crown-like headpiece framed his face.
"Care for some company?" the man asked with a smirk.
"Nathaniel," Max said slowly, eyes narrowing. "I thought I just killed you."
The man chuckled, the sound rich with arrogance. "Ha… Nathaniel. That is a name I have not heard in a very long time. And yes… I know you killed Rama-Tut, a name I haven't used in ages as well." His eyes glinted. "I go by Immortus now."
Max's jaw tightened. "You sent the Time-Keeper."
Immortus inclined his head in a slow nod. "Yes. I even warned Rama-Tut to leave, but sadly… he refused to listen. His mind was far too gone, his ambitions chained to the obsession of defeating you and the forces he was meddling with. Such a shame."
"So why are you here?" Max asked sharply. "And how are you here?"
Immortus clasped his hands behind his back, speaking with the calm of someone utterly sure of himself. "Even with Rama-Tut dead, that does not erase the existence of Nathaniel Richards. I am… a paradox unto myself. There will always be a version of me." His gaze sharpened. "And now, with you, Green Lantern, killing Rama-Tut in this timeline… you may have invited a more powerful version of me to take his place or perhaps something even worse."
"I'm sure I can handle him as well."
"Of course you will," Immortus said, almost amused. "You are the Green Lantern, after all." His eyes drifted to Max's ring. "Most of us who come into contact with the mysterious Emotional Spectrum eventually decide not to tamper with it. Too dangerous. Too volatile. And Rama-Tut along with many other versions of myself has fallen prey to its influence and as you can see it does not end well."
Max folded his arms. "So why are you really here?"
Immortus allowed a small smile. "I simply wished to meet you. You are… unique in the multiverse, Lantern. There is only one of you. And that" his tone lowered "intrigues me more than you could possibly imagine. Everything about you… is fascinating."
"A multiversal constant only a few beings in the multiverse can boast such a thing… Amazing."
He straightened, the faintest glimmer of something unreadable in his expression. "I have long since passed my conquering days… but mark this well there will always be a Kang the Conqueror."
"Good luck with everything. This truly is a fascinating universe… fascinating indeed."
Before Max could reply, Immortus vanished in a flash of blue light.
Max stood there for a long moment, the silence of the ruins pressing in around him.
"Only one of me…" he muttered to himself.
======
It didn't take long for the ship to arrive, its engines cutting through the dusty air before setting down in the courtyard near the pyramid. Max stood waiting as the hatch opened and two very familiar figures emerged.
Odin was first, grinning like a madman. His clothes were torn, his cloak shredded. Behind him, Agamotto stepped out, equally disheveled robes torn, hair wild, his usually composed face lined with exhaustion.
"Well, well, well," Max said, a smirk tugging at his mouth. "Look who's back."
Odin strode right up to him, his booming laugh carrying across the ruins. "Grænlaðr!" he greeted warmly, gripping Max by the shoulders. "How did you know where to find us?"
"I came looking for you two months ago," Max replied, narrowing his eyes. "What the hell happened?"
Odin's smile widened. "It was a grand adventure, Grænlaðr! The seiðmaðr and I were pulled into the realm of the demon god Mephisto."
Max turned his gaze to Agamotto, who gave a slow, tired nod.
"I knew you were in another dimension," Max said. "But Mephisto? Damn. Where's the other guy, the one with the flaming skull you were going to fight before you cut contact?"
"Oh, Ghost?" Odin asked. "He left. Icy lands are his home, after all." He looked around at the shattered pyramid and smoking ruins. "It seems you've been up to your own adventures as well."
"Yeah," Max said, "much more interesting. And a lot more dangerous."
Odin snorted. "More dangerous than escaping the realm of Mephisto? I doubt it."
"But far more interesting," Max shot back.
The prince grinned. "Then tell me of yours. Then we'll compare which was greatest."
Agamotto sighed, rubbing his temples. "I hate to interrupt your… competition, but what are your plans now?"
Odin shrugged. "I don't know. I was going to leave Midgard… but I would like to stay especially to learn some of your magic, Agamotto."
Agamotto glanced at Max. "And you? What's next for you?"
Max shrugged. "I need some time to work on my powers and figure a few things out. So I'm planning to stay here for a while preferbly somewhere more peaceful."
Agamotto nodded thoughtfully. "Then come with me. My home is… more or less peaceful. And I have plans to safeguard Earth from threats like Mephisto. I could use help from both of you."
Max looked to Odin, who met his gaze. After a brief silence, they both nodded in agreement.
"Then let's be off," Agamotto said, adjusting his robes. "I'm tired of the heat especially after Mephisto's realm."
Odin chuckled as they began walking. "So, Grænlaðr… tell me your tale first."
Max followed, but after a few steps, he stopped.
"What is it?" Odin asked, glancing back.
"Forgot something," Max replied. He walked back a few paces, reached down, and picked up the spear Rama-Tut had wielded. Once infused with the yellow crystal of fear, it now glowed faintly green with willpower after Max had purged it.
Odin's eyes lit with curiosity. "Oh? Where did you get that?"
Max grinned. "Spoils of war." He handed the weapon over.
Odin turned it in his hands, inspecting the craftsmanship. His expression shifted from interest to recognition. "This… looks Asgardian."
Max blinked. "What?"
"Not a design I've seen before," Odin admitted, "but it's definitely made in Asgard. I'm sure of it."
Before Max could press him further, Agamotto's voice called out again. "Are you coming?"
"Yes, yes, seiðmaðr," Odin bellowed back, tossing the spear to Max as he continued walking.
Max followed, his mind now turning over his friend's words.
Asgardian….
.
.
.
Eight men moved through the tall grass under the pale light of the moon, their copper-tipped and stone-headed spears glinting faintly. Their leader, a scarred man with a jagged bone necklace, kept his voice low but firm.
"We are near the village of the tainted ones," he said.
The others grunted in agreement, their eyes fixed on the distant flicker of firelight from a small village. They crept forward with the steady patience of hunters.
Then, suddenly, howls erupted from everywhere.
Long, low, and chilling, the sound rolled across the plain. The men froze, instinctively drawing closer together. The night seemed to thicken, shadows pressing in on every side.
They moved into a tight circle, spears raised, breaths coming faster.
From the darkness, glowing eyes emerged one pair, then three, then a dozen. Wolves stalked closer.
But it wasn't just the wolves.
A figure stepped into view, her presence drawing all their eyes. Moonlight spilled over her pale skin like carved ivory, hair the color of fire. She was beautiful, but there was something in her gaze that made the men's hands shake.
She smiled faintly.
"Now, my loves," she whispered.
The wolves leapt.
The night filled with screams, the tearing of flesh, and the snapping of bones. The leader's cry was the last to fade, swallowed by snarls and by the wind moving through the grass.