The battlefield split—not by the rift, not by the villains, but by Doctor Strange's choice. His crimson wards glowed, dividing friend from friend. For the first time since the rift opened, the war wasn't between Marvel and DC, or heroes and villains. It was within the heroes themselves.
Superman advanced, eyes glowing, his voice shaking with restrained fury. "Strange, step down. We can find another way."But Strange's face was pale, lined with exhaustion and haunted visions. "I've seen the endings, Kal. All of them. In every one, resistance means annihilation. The multiverse devours itself. This—this surrender—is the only thread that leaves anything alive."
Thor's voice thundered across the chaos. "Cowardice dressed as wisdom! You would bend knee to tyrants and call it salvation?" Lightning cracked around him as he prepared to strike, only for Strange to warp the air, redirecting Mjolnir's thunder against the ground, scattering allies.
Iron Man's HUD lit up red, warning of sorcery disrupting his systems. "Guys, he's not bluffing. He's destabilizing everything we throw at him. If we push too hard, the rift reacts."Batman's jaw clenched. "Then we push smarter." His hand hovered over his belt, calculating—but could even he outthink a sorcerer who had glimpsed every future?
Meanwhile, the villains feasted on the fracture. Darkseid's army surged forward, emboldened by the sight of heroes fighting each other.Thanos smirked, Gauntlet gleaming. "Let them tear themselves apart. All wars are won from within."
Wonder Woman stood between Strange and her allies, sword raised, voice unyielding. "Stephen, listen to me. You are not alone. You are a hero, not a pawn." Her words cut through the storm—but his eyes, filled with guilt, refused to meet hers.
The war within had begun. Trust was broken, alliances crumbled, and the line between savior and betrayer blurred.
And all the while, the rift above widened, laughing at the folly of gods and men alike.