Chapter Forty-One: The Devil’s Dilemma

“Sir, I have scanned the crystal coffin and found it to be completely seamless, not a single gap anywhere. However, that lady within does indeed show signs of life,” Jarvis’ words interrupted Tony’s contemplation, leaving him momentarily stunned.

“You’re saying there’s not a single gap? How—well, I suppose it’s possible.” Tony had been about to say it was impossible, but the sight of the ethereal, otherworldly woman and Jarvis’ reminder that she lived made him reconsider. After all, the reason he’d come to explore this cavern was to seek out supernatural phenomena.

“All right, what should I do next?” Tony’s question was cut short by Jarvis.

“Sir, magma is rising. At current projections, the entire underground cavern will be flooded in ten minutes,” Jarvis reported swiftly, prompting Tony to look up at the rivers of magma.

“What’s happening, Jarvis?” Observing the magma, now noticeably different from when he’d first arrived, Tony immediately took flight, using the height to survey the entire underground space.

“Unknown, sir. The presence of magma is severely interfering with my scans.” Even Jarvis could offer no explanation, but the rising magma was a threat that could not be ignored.

What Tony didn’t realize was that, by flying straight over the booby-trapped corridor and forcefully opening the hidden door, he had triggered the final mechanism of the underground lair—a device designed by the cultists to destroy any flying intruders.

“Well, it seems we’re left with only one option.” Watching the magma climb ever higher, Tony glanced at the crystal coffin, hoisted it from the altar, and charged back the way he’d come.

The magma surged upward as Tony, carrying the coffin, dashed from the cave. Although the magma’s speed was no match for the armor’s flight, it pressed Tony to his limits.

Following his previous path, Tony burst from the cave’s mouth. He didn’t ascend skyward, but instead landed at the cave’s entrance.

He set the crystal coffin down for a moment, then replaced the floor tile he’d lifted earlier, dragging some debris over to weigh it down. He wasn’t sure if the tile possessed any magical properties, but it was worth trying.

“Jarvis, report on the magma.” Tony lifted the crystal coffin again, taking off from the entrance. If the magma were to erupt, the entire town would be doomed.

“Sir, magma activity has gradually subsided since you replaced the floor tile,” Jarvis reported, and Tony breathed a sigh of relief. Had the magma erupted, he’d have been forced to bring the coffin all the way to New York, and that would surely attract SHIELD’s attention.

Tony landed, approached his car, and shed his armor. With one last glance at the strange little town, he placed the coffin in the passenger seat and started the car.

“Looks like I’ll have to rename my car ‘The Seven Dwarfs,’” Tony chuckled, heading for the nearest airport, where Happy had already arranged a private jet for him.

...

Ael withdrew his gaze. Now that Tony Stark had taken the crystal coffin, the contest had truly begun, and it was time for him to move as well.

“Artanis, would you care to join me on an adventure?” Ael turned to Artanis. Since Vorazun and Selendis had arrived, they had taken over his duties. Now, apart from his daily training, he was studying the magic of Kamar-Taj, coming to Ael only when he encountered bottlenecks.

“It would be my honor, Your Majesty. To adventure at your side is my greatest privilege.” Artanis paused his practice and rose to bow. He had been meditating on the Twilight Power as Ael had instructed.

“Very well. Let us set out at once.” Ael rose too, signaling Artanis to prepare. At that moment, Vorazun spoke up, “Your Majesty, may I join this mission as well?”

“Of course, Vorazun. But be aware, this task carries certain dangers.” Ael turned to her with a gentle smile. Vorazun responded at once, “Your Majesty, I do not fear danger. The universe is rife with peril, but only by overcoming it may we grow stronger.”

“You are very different from your grandmother, Vorazun,” Ael nodded slightly. “But since you are so determined, you may come as well. Selendis, do you wish to join us?”

Selendis had wanted to say yes, but if the entire group left Kamar-Taj, there would be no one to manage the base. She could only shake her head with some regret, “Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty, but I must remain here to oversee matters.”

Ael smiled, “There’s no need to feel regret; this is only the first time. Next time, perhaps you and Vorazun can switch places.”

Hearing this, both Vorazun and Selendis bowed to Ael. “As you will.”

At that moment, the Ancient One stepped through a portal, bowing to Ael, who nodded and opened a golden portal with a wave of his hand.

The portal Ael conjured differed from the Ancient One’s. Hers directly linked the two spaces, while his resembled the one he’d created in New York: a golden membrane filled the center, barring passage to any whom Ael did not wish to let through.

The three of them entered the portal together. When it closed, the Ancient One chatted briefly with Selendis before returning to her chambers. Ever since the Dark Gods began their great assault on reality, Dormammu had been relentlessly battering the shields set up by the sanctum’s sorcerers. These days, the Ancient One could scarcely leave Kamar-Taj at all.

...

Passing through the portal, Ael and his companions arrived at an underwater ruin—a secret corner of the South Pacific, and also the lair of the demon god Amon had sent to Midgard.

A golden barrier formed around them, separating them from the sea. As Ael gazed at the ruins, his brow furrowed. That demon who had surpassed the rank of High God had sealed a true demon’s body here on Midgard itself; it was indeed a troublesome matter.

Though the entity’s true form, if fully manifested, would be rejected by the universe’s laws and hurled into the void, as long as the demon suppressed its power, it could stay in Midgard for a limited time—and the seal further prolonged this period.

In other words, if Ael wished to banish this demon, he would first have to let its followers break the seal and free it, then force it to continually expend its power. Only then would banishment be possible.

“They’ve certainly made this difficult for me,” Ael murmured, peering through the murky water and crumbling ruins to the sealed demon god.

This being had a humanoid outline, but its head was a mass of tentacles like an octopus, its body a scaled, gelatinous bulk ending in enormous taloned feet, and tattered, narrow wings sprouted from its back. Wrapped in mucus, the grotesquely obese green creature lay coiled in slumber—the Lord of R’lyeh, God of the Ocean and of Sleep: Cthulhu.