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Chapter 165: Darkness Is Approaching, It Is Time for Fear to Come!
🕑 Added 2025-03-22 13:47:35 +0000 UTC"The establishment of the Bureau of Magic must be accelerated!"
"Time does not allow us to delay any further."
"The crisis on the magical front is approaching much faster than we anticipated."
"After our unanimous discussion, we have decided to increase our capital investment once again. We need results as soon as possible."
"What about the S.W.O.R.D. initiative? We cannot ignore the extraterrestrial threats either."
"S.W.O.R.D. is on hold for now. The most pressing matter is the current crisis. We cannot afford to be defenseless the next time a second sun appears over New York."
"I understand."
On an airborne helicarrier, Nick Fury ended a brief meeting with the United Nations. Exiting the video conference room, he headed straight to the command hall, where several individuals had been waiting.
"The next step is to intensify surveillance on the three Sanctums in New York, London, and Hong Kong," Fury declared.
"We cannot place our trust entirely in the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj."
"This will be the first mission of the Bureau of Magic."
"At the same time, I will assign the Avengers to assist in monitoring."
"We need to ensure we can respond in real-time when the next crisis emerges."
"Understood, Director," came the collective response.
In the hall stood members of the Avengers, the Bureau of Magic, and some from the X-Men. Among them was Tony Stark.
Although he was the appointed director of the Bureau of Magic, his position was still slightly subordinate to Nick Fury's. However, his influence was nearly equal to Fury’s, given that he was the only one who had direct contact with Kamar-Taj. More importantly, he was the first to verify the functionality of the magic net.
After absorbing the immense power of a super-giant Arc Reactor, his magical strength had grown formidable—enough to rival even the Hulk. With his cunning and unpredictable magic, he could practically manipulate the green behemoth at will.
This experiment had significantly heightened the United Nations' expectations for the Bureau of Magic.
Before the rise of the God of Magic, even subduing the Hulk had been an impossible challenge. No effective method had ever been found.
Yet Tony Stark, after only a few days of converting raw materials into magical energy, had managed to go toe-to-toe with the strongest Avenger.
A terrifying feat.
If his progress continued, the Bureau of Magic would soon surpass the Avengers, becoming the most powerful military organization directly under the United Nations.
This would make dealing with future crises far more manageable.
"Stark, do you have any contacts in Kamar-Taj?" Fury asked. "Who exactly is the enemy currently fighting the God of Magic in New York? Could it be the rogue sorcerers from Kamar-Taj?"
Tony shook his head. "It’s not Kaecilius and his followers, though they are connected."
His face darkened with concern.
"They suspect that the beings opposing the God of Magic are followers of the Three Dimensional Lords."
"No—more than that."
His tone grew graver.
"It’s very likely that they themselves are the Three Dimensional Lords."
"The actual Dimensional Lords?"
Nick Fury's expression hardened.
"Are you certain?"
"So far, we’ve identified three: Mephisto, the King of Hell; Dormammu, the Master of the Dark Dimension; and Satanish, the ruler of the Spirit Realm.
"They are among the most powerful Dimensional Lords in existence."
"Mephisto?!" Fury’s voice rose. "You mean the demonic overlord from myth and legend? He’s real?"
"Is that really surprising?" Tony replied dryly. "We’ve seen Odin and Thor. A mythical demon or two is hardly a stretch."
A murmur spread throughout the room.
"But that's not the issue," Stark continued. "In truth, nearly every deity or demon from mythology has some counterpart in reality."
"This time, we’ve seen Asgardians, Mephisto, and Satanish. Next time, it could be the Greek gods."
"For various reasons, these beings left Earth and faded from our perception."
"But now, they are turning their gaze back toward this world.
"We must build our strength as soon as possible to prepare for the crises ahead."
"We don’t need to worry so much," Carol Danvers interjected. "I watched the battle between the Three Dimensional Lords and the God of Magic. Honestly, they weren’t that impressive."
Though she had lost to Gwen, the magic apprentice, she understood that the magic net operated on unique principles. Losing to someone with that kind of power wasn’t unexpected.
But against the Mephistas? She wasn’t convinced they were all that formidable.
"Danvers," Tony said evenly, "what you saw was only a fragment of their presence in our reality.
"If they fully manifest, they could consume not just Earth—but entire universes.
"Even the God of Magic might not be able to stop them."
The room fell into tense silence.
These creatures weren’t just enemies; they were existential threats.
Tony had been having nightmares lately—visions of darkness swallowing the world.
He had never felt so helpless before.
But he couldn’t retreat.
Because he was Iron Man—and now, the Director of the Bureau of Magic, Tony Stark.
If even he faltered, what hope did the world have?
Besides, Earth was not defenseless. The God of Magic and Kamar-Taj were still here.
Unless…
Unless the gods abandoned this world.
It had happened before.
The gods of myth had left one by one.
Would the God of Magic leave too?
That thought haunted him.
But he shook it off.
Now was not the time for such worries.
He looked around the room, meeting everyone’s gaze.
"We need to strengthen ourselves immediately. The Earth still needs us. We cannot always rely on divine intervention—we must build our own power and fight alongside them."
"This planet is ours to protect."
One by one, heads nodded in agreement.
But the weight of Stark’s words lingered.
The enemy was far stronger than they had anticipated.
Darkness was coming.
And with it—fear.
"Pull yourselves together!" Steve Rogers suddenly slammed his hand on the table, his voice steady and unwavering.
"At least we’re still here, making plans. The world hasn’t ended yet, has it?"
His firm resolve rekindled the fire in everyone’s hearts.
"Alright, we’ll conclude here," Fury said. "Stark, I’ll be counting on you for what comes next."
"No problem," Stark replied. "I’ll expedite the nuclear reactor project for the Bureau of Magic. In fact, I’ve already begun mass-producing the Iron Legion—they can be deployed worldwide at any time.
"If the UN gives the green light, they can be stationed in every region to maintain stability. They’ll also assist in constructing magical energy facilities."
He smirked.
"Maybe I’ll throw in a little magic—create some enchanted sentinels."
Meanwhile, in the Hell Dimension…
Three dark figures sat on thrones, shrouded in silence.
Satanish, the most irritable among them, fumed with rage at the humiliation he had suffered at Aaron’s hands.
But Mephisto merely smiled.
"Allies, do not be discouraged," he said smoothly. "Although Aaron foiled us again… ahem, we still achieved our goal."
Dormammu turned his gaze toward him.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. I saw it myself—the negative energy has entered Phoenix’s body.
"It was only a trace—but you know how the Phoenix works.
"That trace will be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back."
Dormammu remained skeptical.
"I have Kaecilius keeping watch. The moment Phoenix and the God of Magic turn against each other, we will strike the three Sanctums."
Mephisto chuckled darkly.
"Trust me—right now, Aaron and Phoenix are locked in an all-out war."
"We’ll see who comes out on top."
Meanwhile, in New York...
The door swung open.
Aaron stepped out, looking refreshed as he fastened his belt.
It had been a fierce battle—both sides had fought desperately for victory.
Dark Phoenix’s combat prowess was overwhelming, and under the influence of the negative aura, her fighting spirit burned with an intensity that defied death itself.
But who ever said only the cow gets exhausted?
Aaron had emerged victorious.
And, honestly? It wasn’t even that difficult.
His Magic Superman Form was no joke.
Enhanced from the inside out, it had granted him unparalleled endurance.
A Kidney of Steel? Perhaps.
Dark Phoenix? Nothing he couldn't handle.
In fact, he felt like he could take on ten more rounds without breaking a sweat.
But now that this little episode was over, it was time to move forward.
The negative aura within Dark Phoenix had served its purpose—it was no longer a threat.
Now, he could refocus on his research with peace of mind.
Without hesitation, Aaron strolled to the bathroom, took a quick shower, and then returned to his room.
As he entered, his eyes landed on an unexpected sight—
Sif, clad in delicate gauze, bent over as she tidied the space.
Aaron paused.
Then smirked.
Another battle was inevitable.
No time to waste.
Business comes first.
The door closed behind him.
And once again—
A new storm began.
Far from the house…
Kaecilius narrowed his eyes, stretching his senses to perceive the battlefield.
A battle of epic proportions should have been raging by now.
Yet…
Everything was silent.
Too silent.
Where was the chaos? The destruction?
Kaecilius frowned.
What the hell is going on in there?
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