**Mindscape**
A mass of black mist was pulled into the mindscape and instantly exploded into countless tiny insects!
They swarmed in all directions, trying to burrow into the 'flesh' of the mindscape!
If even one succeeded, it would be impossible to remove!
When the body died and the mindscape collapsed, it could use the opportunity to return to the black magic dimension!
But then a cold laugh echoed:
"Don't waste your efforts, Chthon."
"I went through a lot to lure you out; do you think I wouldn't be prepared?"
In an instant, the pure white mindscape transformed.
Flames and thunder appeared, light and darkness intertwined!
A massive cage, long prepared, emerged, enveloping the entire space!
The swarm of insects hit the cage, either igniting into sparks, being struck into ash by arcs of electricity, evaporated by light, or swallowed by darkness!
In mere seconds, a third of the insects were dead!
Seeing no escape, the remaining insects regrouped, writhing into a humanoid figure with crimson eyes!
It raised its hand without hesitation, forming black circular arrays in front!
Covered in eerie symbols!
A mere glance would drive an ordinary human mad, carrying unimaginable power!
The next second, the arrays contracted and combined, symbols merging!
A pitch-black lightning bolt shot toward the cage!
"Heh!"
"You really underestimate me~"
Balder appeared at the cage's edge, pressing forward with five fingers!
Countless holy lights emerged, and a twelve-winged angel with a blurred face appeared!
Holding a silver-white spear inscribed with runes, it threw it forward like a meteor, piercing the black lightning and continuing toward Chthon!
"Holy power?"
Chthon's pupils shrank, raising their hands without hesitation, black magic shields forming!
But they couldn't stop the spear!
In an instant, the shields shattered!
Chthon turned into black mist again, trying to evade!
A cold voice rang out!
"Shatter!"
Runes on the spear lit up, exploding into countless silver arcs.
Most of the black mist couldn't escape, engulfed by the arcs, bursting into sparks.
Chthon screamed in pain, reforming into a humanoid.
Now covered in charred marks, its face cracked like porcelain!
It glared at Balder, gritting its teeth:
"Who are you?"
"Why do you have ancient holy power, and what's your connection to Mephisto?"
It suspected the red-skinned devil was involved!
Especially with the appearance of holy power!
Mephisto's Ghost Rider was linked to that power!
Balder didn't continue attacking. With his power, dealing with a black magic mark was easy.
He shrugged, looking helpless:
"Didn't expect you to see through it. I did make a deal with Mephisto."
"That guy has a knack, for knowing you left a mark in the reality dimension."
Chthon's eyes burned with rage!
It had been cautious, acting only after the Ancient One's soul vanished, truly dead!
But Dormammu was bait, not prey!
It spoke again:
"So, you're the new Sorcerer Supreme. I'll remember you!"
It couldn't understand why the Ancient One cooperated in death!
Balder grinned:
"Yes, I'm Stephen Strange."
"Next time you see me, run. Don't forget."
Since Chthon didn't know his true identity, the next encounter could be another surprise.
And add some hatred for Strange.
Young people need the pressure to grow.
Chthon glared coldly at Balder as if engraving his image:
"I'll remember you, Sorcerer Supreme Strange!"
With that, it melted like a candle, turning into bubbling black water.
Then it boiled violently, releasing black steam.
It seemed to want to pollute the mindscape.
Balder symbolically constructed an array.
Blue wind burst out, echoing like a winter gale in the cage.
The next second, the sound of water freezing in winter was heard, the steam turning into countless ice particles, then shattering.
It seemed effective!
The frozen black water suddenly ignited, forming crimson flames with black arcs, attacking the cage's top.
Chthon seemed desperate, trying to break the seal again!
But the cage's flames and thunder easily neutralized the attack.
No matter how it erupted, it couldn't break through!
It seemed like a last-ditch effort.
But in the firelight, a shadow appeared behind Balder.
In the shadow, crimson eyes opened.
The next second, Chthon's shadow rose silently, hands reaching for Balder!
Closer!
Closer!
Just as it was about to touch him, Chthon couldn't help but grin evilly, imagining Balder corrupted.
Sorcerer Supreme or not, too young.
This time, I win, and this world is mine!
Mephisto won't get any souls from Earth!
Then, it grabbed the Sorcerer Supreme's neck, releasing its power!
But in an instant, Chthon's eyes widened in fear.
No thoughts were felt.
It was fake!!!
It tried to collapse back into the shadow!
But too late!
*Shunk!*
A flaming sacred sword pierced its chest.
Chthon looked down, pained:
"Is this... the Vishanti's flaming sword?"
White magic burned it like oil, turning it into a torch.
Balder emerged from Chthon's shadow, dispersing the sword, stepping back, expression indifferent.
Chthon only mastered shadow black magic!
But he controlled shadow divine power!
So how could he not notice the black magic god's actions?
And this was just a mark with little power.
The sword struck the core of the black magic mark, destroying its structure.
The flames crackled, and Chthon screamed.
The burning black magic god swelled like a balloon!
It laughed maniacally:
"You win this time, young Sorcerer Supreme!"
"But this is just a mark. I'll watch you from beyond the dimension!"
"Remember, don't let me catch you, or I'll burn your soul for ten thousand years!"
"Hahaha!"
*Boom!*
Like Dormammu's divided dark power.
In desperation, Chthon chose to explode the mark, like a giant firework!
The explosion shook the cage but held the impact, protecting the mindscape.
Countless sparks fell like a meteor shower, extinguishing instantly, leaving no trace.
The mindscape returned to peace.
Balder glanced around, turning to leave the cage.
The cage trembled, about to dissolve.
But as Balder stepped out, he turned back, smiling at the space:
"Chthon, you don't think I believe you're gone, right?"
"I won't treat you like Dormammu, that fool."
But nothing changed in the mindscape.
After a few breaths, Balder sighed, muttering:
"Guess I overthought."
"Earth is truly safe now, finally relaxed."
With that, he vanished, the cage dissolving, the mindscape returning to normal.
But then, a white ash appeared.
In seconds, it turned black, twisting and growing.
Chthon's cold laugh echoed:
"Heh, still too young, too naive, inexperienced."
"This might not be bad, turning dark completely, maybe a unique chance."
Though the mark had a sliver of power, its voice was joyful.
But then a familiar voice echoed:
"I don't think so."
A silver lightning bolt appeared, striking the growing ash.
No scream was heard.
The ash, growing like flesh, was consumed by the lightning, leaving nothing.
Balder reappeared, glancing coldly, snorting:
"Think I wasn't prepared?"
"Naive."
With that, he truly left the mindscape.
---
**Simultaneously.**
An angry roar echoed in the black magic dimension, shaking the world!
"Mephisto, I'll remember this!"
---
**PS:**
Marvel's God is vague, creating the original Spirit of Vengeance to stop the elemental demon lord Zarathos.
But Marvel's God differs greatly from DC's, likely an ancient Earth god with holy power.
DC's God is akin to OAA.
Asgard's system in most Marvel universes is inherited from Gaea, an ancient Earth god.
---
Give me Power stones....