"Hm? Something is coming?!" Alaric suddenly opened his eyes.
He felt an enormous energy approaching, so powerful it reminded him of a whale stirring the whole sea with its movements.
At that moment, the dark energy around him surged like a mighty wave, rising from within him and flooding the space around him.
Under the gaze of the all-seeing eye, a cloud of darkness appeared before him, denser and more powerful than the rest of the dimension.
"Dormammu…"
Alaric immediately stood up, his eyes falling on the layer of time magic drawn on his wrist. After making sure the protection was functioning, he felt relieved.
With this protective layer, even in the presence of the Lord of the Dark Dimension, he had the certainty that he would be able to retreat.
"Good, let's see who dares step into my world!"
Like a colossal giant, Dormammu appeared before him, covering the entire space with the shadow of his being. His eyes, vast and fiery, bore down upon Alaric.
"Emmm… he really is huge."
Now, face to face with Dormammu, Alaric finally realized the terrible size and weight of his presence. It was a feeling no movie nor imagination could portray.
That pressure… that crushing force.
This was a Dimensional Lord. The ruler of the Dark Dimension. The mortal enemy of Doctor Strange.
The first opponent who inspired in Alaric such a terrifying sense of pressure and awe.
Compared to him, both the Ancient One and Odin seemed like they carried no oppressive force at all.
"Hm? Your magic…" Dormammu sensed the energy enveloping Alaric, and it seemed familiar to him.
"Kamar-Taj?"
His voice thundered like a storm. "A disciple of the Ancient One… and you dare to step alone into the Dark Dimension?!"
Surprise overwhelmed the Lord of Darkness. Had not all of Kamar-Taj always stood in the way of his plans, guarding Earth from his influence? How could any of them dare to personally seek him out?
Was it possible this young man was a traitor?
Alaric coughed, pressed his fist against his mouth, and said: "Well… since we already know each other, I just came to visit your halls."
"…"
Dormammu fell silent for a moment, surprised and confused.
A visit? If it's a visit, why not let me visit Earth then?
One thing was clear: this mage could only be a traitor of Kamar-Taj, seduced by his power.
At first, Dormammu intended to devour him immediately. But now, seeing the glow of the pure, untainted soul before him, he changed his mind.
Wouldn't it be far better to draw such a soul into darkness?
"Say it, say what you want!"
"I will satisfy you with everything!"
Dormammu, who always wished to attack other worlds and dimensions, didn't care about betrayal, on the contrary, he thought that the more such people existed, the better!
Especially now, when the other side was still a mage from Kamar-Taj, which made him all the more pleased.
Compared to the woman who once borrowed his power and then betrayed him, Dormammu thought the child before him might be more susceptible to control.
After all, he seemed clever, but not very bright.
Alaric: ?
"Can that really satisfy everything?" Alaric asked in surprise.
"That's right! Speak your desires! I will give you immense power!"
"Come on! Pray to me!!"
"Then can I become the lord of the Dark Dimension?" Alaric looked at Dormammu and voiced his wish.
"..."
For the first time ever, Dormammu heard such a wish.
Usually, those who summoned him desired immense power or eternal life.
But lord of the Dark Dimension?
Are you joking?
If you become the lord, then what about me?
You came into my home and want to take away my identity as head of the household. Are you dreaming that?
"Can't you?" Alaric was visibly disappointed.
It seemed Dormammu was nothing but a big braggart.
"Then let it be so, I don't have to be lord. Be half! In the Dark Dimension, let's rule together! Will and bond… no, let the Dark Dimension become greater and stronger!"
"You'll be in charge of attacking and conquering, and I'll be in charge of guarding the home! Let's build a better world together in the Dark Dimension!"
"Look how that sounds!" Alaric spread his arms and said excitedly.
"?"
A question mark slowly appeared above Dormammu's head.
He looked at Alaric like a complete fool.
Maybe he had been mistaken earlier when he thought Alaric was a traitor of Kamar-Taj?
This person seemed like just a simple idiot who had accidentally wandered into the Dark World.
And he even spoke of wanting to be lord together with him. Why not just say right away he wanted to become lord of Earth, and then we'll see if the Ancient One would agree!
Before the great dark deity, he dared to utter such words.
Dormammu had truly seen and heard much, but this still surprised him.
"Silence! Are you seeking death?"
Feeling provoked, Dormammu went berserk.
"You don't want to? Then fight me!"
Alaric said as he summoned the Magic Ring of Infinity.
Golden rings surrounded his body like a massive shield.
Each ring represented a spatial barrier - nine layers in total.
Besides wanting to test the strength of his magic, Alaric also wanted to test the power of the Time Stone.
After all, as long as he possessed it, he could not die.
"Damn little rat, you dare provoke me!"
"Go and die!"
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