Mirror Space.
The Ancient One stood calmly a short distance from the seven imprisoned dimensional demons. She neither moved forward nor attempted further dialogue. Instead, she waited, her expression serene, as though anticipating an opportunity.
Suddenly, her lips curved into a faint smile of amusement. Turning her gaze toward Dormammu, she asked, "Dormammu, how is my student faring? Not so easy to deal with, is he?"
Dormammu remained silent, his expression as unreadable as the void.
The other dimensional demons exchanged glances. Their curiosity was piqued—Dormammu's silence spoke volumes. To them, it was clear that this Sorcerer named Lockhart wasn't without significance.
But their focus was not on Lockhart; it was on freeing themselves from the Ancient One's grasp.
Meanwhile, Lockhart felt a flicker of awareness deep within.
"Ding, the system has detected a mutilated god-level soul. Do you want to absorb it?"
The system's prompt echoed in his mind, but Lockhart dismissed it for now, turning his attention to the battlefield.
The Wheel of Destruction floated above, unleashing devastating elemental attacks that obliterated the monstrous invaders. Around him, the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj fought valiantly, eliminating the surviving creatures with precision.
Dormammu's plan to consume him in darkness had failed; Lockhart's will remained unbroken.
Lockhart cast spell after spell, striking down the monsters charging toward him.
Sharp magical blades cleaved through demonic flesh, and explosions from his spells reduced grotesque forms to ash. The air was filled with the acrid stench of burning blood as the sea of fire consumed the fallen.
Despite the carnage, the invaders seemed endless, their numbers replenished by the dark vortex above.
Lockhart's eyes narrowed as he focused on the swirling portal. The relentless stream of reinforcements made it clear: unless the source was sealed, Kamar-Taj would eventually fall.
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Master Lockhart, I am Elder Byron Max, Enforcer of Kamar-Taj," the voice said, firm yet calm.
"You've no doubt noticed the current situation. While we maintain the upper hand for now, this advantage is temporary. If the source of the invasion is not blocked, we will inevitably be overwhelmed."
Byron continued, "In past encounters, the most effective solution has been to send a team of Sorcerers to seal the dark vortex. Doing so cuts off their reinforcements and grants us an absolute advantage."
He paused briefly before adding, "The Sorcerer Supreme spoke highly of your capabilities. I would like to invite you to join my team to seal the vortex."
Lockhart's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the Ancient One's recommendation. His gaze shifted to the dark vortex. After a moment's thought, he replied, "Very well, Master Byron. What do you need me to do?"
Byron's voice carried approval. "Excellent. The Sorcerer Supreme's judgment was not misplaced."
He explained, "I've assembled a team of five first-class Sorcerers. The Wheel of Destruction will cover our advance. Your task will be to protect Master Saso, who will perform the sealing ritual."
Lockhart nodded. "Understood. I'll ensure his safety."
Boom!
A fiery explosion erupted as the Wheel of Destruction unleashed another wave of attacks. The sky cleared momentarily, and countless monsters were reduced to ash.
Byron's voice rang out. "Now, Lockhart! Move!"
Without hesitation, Lockhart soared into the air, heading toward the vortex. Six other Sorcerers joined him, their movements swift and coordinated.
Spotting his charge, Lockhart approached a Sorcerer in a robe adorned with glowing pentagrams. The man's pale hair and metallic left arm gave him an air of authority.
"Master Saso," Lockhart said as he fell into formation beside him. "I'm here to guard you as instructed by Master Byron. Tell me what you need."
Saso glanced at him briefly, his expression thoughtful. "Master Lockhart, I am aware of your accomplishments against Dormammu."
He continued, "For the seal to succeed, I must not be interrupted. Your task is to hold off any intruders while I work. The rest of the team will handle the formation itself."
"Understood," Lockhart replied with a nod.
The seven Sorcerers, now dubbed a death squad in the eyes of those below, approached the swirling vortex.
Though the Wheel of Destruction had cleared many enemies, a fresh wave of monsters surged forth from the portal.
Lockhart's gaze hardened. The vortex was like an endless maw, spewing forth its army with no end in sight.
"Let's clear the battlefield first," Byron commanded.
In unison, the Sorcerers raised their Sling Rings, weaving intricate patterns in the air.
Magic Resonance!
Lines of red flame appeared, forming a massive, intricate symbol that radiated an aura of power.
Buzz!
Nearby, the fabric of space trembled as cracks formed. Beyond the rifts, chaotic void storms raged, their disordered energy threatening to spill into reality.
The Sorcerers channeled their collective power, directing the void storms toward the advancing invaders.
The result was devastating. Monsters, demons, and ghosts were swept away, torn apart by the raw, chaotic force.
A few managed to escape the storm's reach, but their numbers were insignificant.
The group pressed forward, using the storm to carve a path toward the vortex.
Boom!
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the vortex.
A humanoid demon with blood-red skin stepped forth, its body radiating a murderous aura. Twin blades of crimson energy extended from its arms, pulsing with deadly intent.
"Hell Dimension – Blood Demon."
Looking at the blood-drenched demon before him, Lockhart's mind flashed to the Demonic Manual in Kamar-Taj's library.
The Blood Demon—a ruthless enforcer of Mephisto's forces and one of his most formidable fighters.
Its presence here could mean only one thing: it had been summoned to disrupt their attempt to seal the dark vortex.
Lockhart's gaze shifted, noticing six additional monstrous entities emerging from the portal. Each exuded an aura of darkness, despair, and bloodlust.
Among them, a creature with dark green skin held a silver-white orb, shimmering with ethereal brilliance.
As the orb appeared, the once-chaotic spatial energy began to stabilize.
A spatial artifact. Lockhart's eyes narrowed. If only I had the Cosmic Cube in my possession, dealing with these threats would have been far easier.
But there was no time for regret. The seven Kamar-Taj Sorcerers moved in unison, scattering tactically to confront the invaders.
Lockhart's focus locked onto the Blood Demon—the most immediate threat.
"Avada Kedavra!"
A dark green beam, imbued with the aura of death, shot toward the demon.
The Blood Demon, sensing danger, dodged with inhuman agility and charged straight at Lockhart, its blood-red blades gleaming.
"Apparition!"
In an instant, Lockhart vanished, reappearing behind the demon.
Lockhart's wand flicked, sending a crushing spell hurtling toward the Blood Demon.
Boom!
The spell struck its target, detonating with devastating force. Flesh and blood splattered as the demon's back exploded.
Yet, to Lockhart's dismay, the demon's mangled flesh began to regenerate, knitting itself back together at an alarming speed.
Lockhart took a deep breath, his mind calculating. This level of resilience… it will either take a fatal blow or a prolonged battle to defeat it. But time isn't on our side.
His eyes flicked to the vortex above, where more monsters continued to pour out. He couldn't afford to waste time.
Lockhart clenched his wand. Time to use the trump card.
With a wave of his hand, dark red flames surged into existence, wrapping around his body.
Hellfire.
The flames consumed his flesh, leaving behind pure, jade-like white bones. Dark red runes burned themselves into the skeletal frame, glowing with fiery intensity.
The Hellfire spread across his entire body, engulfing even his wand, which now radiated with the same searing energy.
Bone Sorcerer Form.
This was a powerful transformation developed alongside the Ghost Rider, a fusion of magic and Hellfire designed to push his combat prowess to its absolute limits.
Lockhart raised his skeletal arm, now brimming with Hellfire, and conjured a massive fireball.
Boom!
The fireball streaked toward the Blood Demon.
The demon raised its blade-like arms in a defensive cross, attempting to slash through the incoming inferno.
Lockhart stepped forward, his thoughts sharp and focused as the Hellfire burned away all distractions, leaving behind only precision and clarity.
A flaming sword materialized in Lockhart's hand, forged from the same Hellfire that coursed through his body.
Buzz!
As the Blood Demon shattered the fireball, the flaming sword surged forward, piercing through its defenses and driving deep into its chest.
The Hellfire ignited, spreading across the demon's body in an instant.
Roar!
The demon let out a pained wail, struggling desperately as the flames consumed it. Moments later, it collapsed into ash, carried away by the wind.
Lockhart turned his burning gaze to the remaining intruders. His emotionless, skeletal visage radiated a chilling aura, sending shivers through friend and foe alike.
Master Byron suppressed a shudder, but inwardly, he felt relief. The Sorcerer Supreme's judgment was correct. As fearsome as he looks, Lockhart's strength is undeniable.
"Master Byron," Lockhart said, his voice hoarse and cold, "I'll handle these enemies. Proceed with the seal."
Byron nodded, quickly signaling to the others.
The Sorcerers broke from their battles, unleashing a final volley of powerful spells to clear their path. They soared toward the dark vortex, leaving Lockhart to face the remaining monsters alone.
Within the circle of Hellfire, Lockhart confronted the six remaining enemies.
The flames roared, creating an impenetrable barrier that kept both the intruders and Kamar-Taj's Sorcerers isolated.
Lockhart stepped forward, his skeletal frame exuding lethal intent. I am enough.
Above, Byron led Master Saso and the other Sorcerers to the vortex's edge, clearing a path through the emerging monsters.
Saso cast a glance over his shoulder, his concern evident. He had struggled to face these creatures earlier; could Lockhart truly handle them alone?
But as he saw Lockhart's flaming sword decapitate a demon with a single swing, Saso's doubts evaporated.
He turned back to the vortex, closing his eyes briefly to attune himself to the spatial energy.
Feeling the intricate web of energy flows, he began weaving runes with his Sling Ring, constructing the sealing formation.
The other Sorcerers formed a protective perimeter, fending off the few monsters that managed to slip past the Hellfire.
Back within the circle, Lockhart dispatched another enemy with brutal efficiency.
He raised his hand, and a Hellfire Lotus—a compressed orb of fire shaped like a flower—materialized.
The dark red lotus shot toward a cloaked figure, sizzling like acid as it struck. The flames erupted, engulfing the enemy in an instant, leaving behind only ash.
With the immediate threats neutralized, Lockhart turned his focus back to the vortex. He knew his transformation had limits, and his time in this form was running out.
But for now, the Hellfire coursing through him provided an unrelenting supply of power.
Lockhart unleashed another wave of Hellfire, clearing the sky of monsters.
Byron and the others exchanged stunned glances as they continued their work. Even amid the chaos, Lockhart's relentless assault stood out as both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
But Lockhart's expression remained serious. He knew the battle wasn't over.
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