"OH SHIT!"
Amanda heard Elsa’s cry and rushed down the stairs. The monster hunter could sometimes drift on the dramatic side, but she rarely just yelled out expletives without good reason. Still, it couldn’t’ be that bad with Dr. Strange in the house, but then again—
“That explains it,” Amanda said as she reached the end of the stairs and saw the Princess of Hell herself, Satana. Elsa was off to the demon’s right side and looked ready to strike at any moment. Strange appeared annoyed and it didn’t take rocket scientist to guess why. The Sorcerer Supreme did not like unexpected guests. By the smirk on Satana’s face, she was definitely part of that category.
“Amanda and Elsa, this is Satana. She has come to us with a grave problem and I believe it to be connected with my most dire dreams,” Strange said.
Shang-Chi cleared his throat and said, “I do not know what is going on, but I think I don’t have any part in it.”
‘No,” Dr. Strange replied. “This does involve you. Your role in things shall be laid bare soon enough.”
Satana blew dispassionately on her nails and gave a sigh as she said, “Can we get on this already? The Fear Lords won’t just stop with my realm.”
Relaxing some, Elsa said, “Okay, I’m confused. What do The Fear Lords have to do with anything?”
Satana rolled her eyes at the youth and turned to Strange. “Must we really involve these mortals?”
“You would do well to remember that I am mortal,” Dr. Strange replied seeing the offense on Sefton and Bloodstone’s faces. Women and their bickering was something Stephen wanted to avoid at all times.
“Mortal in body, but most certainly not in mind. You should do better to surround yourself with buffoons!” Satana exclaimed.
“Hey!” Elsa shouted, her leg itching to connect with the scantily clad demons’ face.
“Enough!” Dr. Strange said before another insult could be hurled. “Either you accept my allies or go elsewhere Satana. You will not continue to exude such disrespect.”
Thinking on what he had said, Satana huffed and knew she couldn’t risk calling his bluff. “Fine. So should I tell the story or should you?”
Amanda moved a bit closer to Elsa and was about to whisper something to her when Strange suggested, “Perhaps we should all sit down first. I do not intend to levitate all night. Wong, could you bring us all some hot chocolate?”
“Of course sir. Anyone care for marshmallows?”
Elsa smiled. “You know me too well Wong.”
“I try Mistress Bloodstone.”
As he walked away, Satana began her tale.
Flashback
Satana sat in her stone, black throne and looked out across the plain of fire which her demon servants danced in. It had become a boring affair to the mystic. She wanted a life of sensation and adventure, but lately her life had been lacking in both. The mortals seemed to enjoy constant excitement. Though she would never say it, she envied the mortal champions. A realm was hers to rule, but what else was there besides that? Torturing captive souls had become a yawn and none of her rivals had fancied her attentions.
A three-eyed black crow landed on Satan’s shoulder and asked, “My lady what disturbs you?”
“Nothing and that’s the problem. Things have been dreadfully boring around here. What do you suggest?”
The crow’s head jerked around with a nervous twitch before it cawed and said, “Perhaps a conquest would bring up your spirits. Demonic warfare is your forte.”
Smiling at the idea, Satana quickly lost the expression and shook her head. “A worthy suggestion, but not quite what I’m looking for. I need something new.”
As she said this, a beam of white light shot down form the black sky and slammed into the fiery plain. It cut into the realm like a blade and Satana’s demons ran away from it because of an emotion they rarely experienced, fear.
“How about an invasion?” the crow asked.
Satana grimaced at the pillar of light and watched as four figures stepped forth from it armed with weapons. They were tall, thin, and had flowing white hair. She might have thought them weak if not for their menacing armor. The one armed with a lengthy ebony broadsword was protected by jade body armor that was spiked at the shoulders, knuckles, and knees. The invader holding the golden axe wore slick white armor with blue encrusted jewels in the chest and knees. Next to him was a mace wielder with beige armor that was disproportionately bulky at the shoulders. The armor connected to a black cape with a symbol of fire in the center. The last of the invaders was holding two wickedly curved blades that might have passed for sickles. He was almost a foot taller than the rest of his companions. The sky blue chest in the backdrops of his ebony armor was the easiest to spot in Satana’s demonic realm.
Rising up from her throne, Satana said, “Only four? Hardly an invasion, crow.”
As she said this, another beam of red light ripped into the ground behind her and the crow cawed nervously. “Four might have just been the beginning.”
“Perhaps you’re right!” Satana said to her own dismay. “Go and gather my minions! We have war.”
The crow flew away in a hurry and Satana watched who came from the red beam of light.
The Present
“So who was it that came from the light?” Bloodstone asked like a little kid enthralled by a parent telling a bedtime story. She felt the makings of a great adventure for herself.
“The Fear Lords. They came forth from that beam and I knew at that moment that all was lost.”
“Do not lose faith so quickly demoness.”
The voice boomed through the dining room and Strange appeared annoyed once more. With frustration bubbling underneath his voice, Strange said, “You need not hide Olympian. No one will do you harm here.”
As the Sorcerer Supreme said this, a bright sphere of white flame materialized behind Strange and Apollo stepped out of it in armor of gold and white. At this side hung a sword forged from the very fires of the sun. He looked no older than his early 20s, but his life had seen many more years than that. Strange turned around slowly and said, “You Olympians are all the same. Show offs to the end.”
Apollo smiled. “It is good to see you as well Sorcerer Supreme.”
“So what was this about not losing faith?” Satana asked in aggravation at the spotlight being taken from her.
“I know who led the charge against your kingdom. My great-aunt Nox, but there is more to this devilry than meets the eye. Two beings are intimately connected to this affair and can provide the missing piece to this puzzle. May I have your permission to summon them here?”
Strange crossed his arms across his chest and his brow furrowed as he said, “My Sanctum is not some great gathering hall Olympian, but you may proceed.”
Apollo nodded and looked upward. His eye took on a golden hue. A portal of fire opened up in the roof and two aliens crashed into the floor. They quickly separated from each other and were in their unique battle stances. Strange’s expression grew harder. “Blackwulf and Century.”
“Be at peace warriors. This is Earth and we mean no harm. I assure you,” Apollo quickly said.
“You know them, Doc?” Elsa asked.
Strange shook his head. “These two were in my dreams.”
“Just what is going on here?” Blackwulf growled. One moment he was guiding a Kree space vessel to Earth and the next he’s in a room full of Earthers. It was jarring to say the least.
“We were hoping you could tell us that,” Strange said. “What do you know of The Fear Lords?”
Lucian snarled. ‘I know nothing of these Fear Lords! Return us to our ship!”
Century placed a hand on Blackwulf’s shoulder and said, “There is no need/want/desire for that. We are on Earth. Let us find/search/seek Tantalus out.”
Satana’s eyes widened. “The one with the death touch. He was with The Fear Lords.”
“Tell them/us/we where.”
Satana smiled. She had her spotlight back. “Then listen. I will finish recounting my tale.”
This just gets more crazy by the second, Bloodstone thought. First, a demon princess appears and then a Greek God pops up bringing two aliens along with him. Through it all Strange didn’t seem the least bit shocked, but just annoyed. He looked like he had better things to do than listen to stories of conquest. Elsa glanced over at Shang-Chi and he appeared as stoic as Strange. He was probably just trying to not let everything that was occurring overwhelm him. Thus far his role in things appeared small, but Bloodstone hoped that he stuck around. She didn’t mind having people around who weren’t so engrossed in the supernatural.
“The Fear Lords came forth from the beam and I immediately engaged the one Apollo referred to. We commenced a battle of weapons, but her skill was lacking,” Satana boasted making sure to make eye contact with Apollo.
Strange saw the gesture and said, “Your boasting is neither appropriate nor wanted. The ice you tread continues to get thinner, Satana. Continue your tale in appropriate fashion.”
Elsa wanted to applaud the comment, but held back. She didn’t want Strange ripping into her either. Apollo didn’t seem to be effected one way or the other. She figured that most of these god types were just bubbling over with self-righteousness and pride. Elsa had expected Apollo to respond in some snippy way to Satana’s insult, but he took the higher ground.
“As I was saying before our new company arrived—I watched The Fear Lords come forth from the red pillar of light…
Flashback
“To battle!” Satana yelled as her demonic servants burst up from the ground and appeared like fiery bursts in the sky. In her boredom Satana had constructed many demonic servants with her dark magic. Never did she think that they would have to be used in such a capacity. What could The Fear lords possibly want here? There were bigger dimensions to conquer. Why would hers be a target?
Satana ran down the obsidian stairs that descended from her throne and towards the first opponent she was in striking distance of. Nox was hovering in the air with her back to Satana as she summoned up fearful creations of her own to combat Satana’s. The demoness lashed out with a barbed whip that wrapped around Nox’s neck. Satana tossed The Fear Lord to the ground and covered her turquoise face in red dirt. Nox tried to cry out as Satana yanked on the whip again and again, but the barbs were too deep in the flesh of her throat.
“You have picked the wrong fight today Fear Lord!” Satana said as she pulled the bleeding Nox close to her. She lifted her black sword into the air and was about to deliver the killing stroke when she was truck from behind by the mace wielding invader with the billowing black cape. The red energy attack from the invader’s weapons sent Satana across the air and plopped her right in front of the crimson pillar that the Fear Lords had come from.
Painstakingly, Nox pulled the barbs out of her neck and stood to her feet with blood dripping down her breasts. She reached into her shirt and pulled out a tiny vial full of glowing green liquid. She handed it to her ally and said, “I thought the damn thing was going to burst. Much thanks for your timely intervention Ahoox. She’s quite feisty isn’t she?”
Ahoox took the vial and stuffed it underneath his bulky shoulder pad. His face was a deathly gray and his eyes seemed older than existence. It came to lend to the critical stare he was giving Nox. “The Elixir Vitae is too important to our plans. You should not have been so careless.”
Nox was clearly insulted. “Remember well who-”
“If you are not capable of handling combat situations then stay behind. Our plans cannot afford weakness.”
The argument was clearly heard by Satana as she struggled to her feet. That was when she felt a great wash of death enter into her realm. She looked up and saw a mammoth sized being look at her with menacing red eyes. The creature stood at twelve feet and had a frame that reminded Satana of the Earth creature, Hulk. Unlike that savage beast, there was an air of royalty about his man. He had the posture of a great ruler. Knowing the threat she faced, Satana swung upwards with her sword to cleave off the monster’s hand. Her weapon shattered from the blow and its pieces crumbled to the ground. Nox’s laughter filled Satana’s ears.
“Tantalus is not one of your pathetic demons. His very touch brings death. Show her,” Nox gleefully said.
The Deviant looked at The Fear Lord with the same expression he had given Satana. “Be careful who you command, Nox. I do not fear you.”
It was that momentary side note that allowed Satana’s crow to swoop down from the air and began to peck at Tantalus’s eyes. Wit every peck the crow began to grow in size. Satan knew that the battle was indeed lost if her crow was in the fight. He was as cowardly as they came and only desperation would prompt him to action. The demoness used the distraction to draw an inscription into the dirt. She passed her hand over it and said, “To Earth.”
“Stop her!” Ahoox yelled as he saw Satana sink into the ground.
His warning came too late because Satana was already gone. Nox placed a hand on Ahoox’s shoulder and said, “Fear not. She is insignificant. Her realm is ours.”
The Present
Dr. Strange contemplated on Satana’s tale for a moment and said, “There are bigger things at work here, but I have yet to ascertain a connection. This matter will require further investigation on all our parts.”
“Investigation is moot at this point,” Blackwulf said and followed with a low growl. It seemed that all these people wanted to do was stand around and talk. Taking action was a foreign matter to them.
The warrior in Century had that same mentality. “Tantalus is not the kind of opponent/foe/enemy who requires investigation. His goals are simple. Death/Annihilation/Destruction. “
“But those are not the goals of The Fear Lords,” Sefton replied. She had taken to studying many of the major mystical entities since coming under Strange’s tutelage. “The Fear Lords want to create terror. Death and annihilation would not allow that to flourish if no one is around to create it.”
Strange silently thanked Amanda for her input and said, “That is why I have suggested a period of investigation. The goals of our foe are not clear. We cannot make a move blindly.”
“Take heed, Sorcerer Supreme. My father has given me an edict and I cannot meander around in an attempt to discover precise motivates. We have a threat before us and we must face it!” Apollo proclaimed. He had absolutely no intention of failing Zeus. Nox was a black mark on his people and Apollo wasn’t going to let the stain get any deeper. His father had stated his will and woe to anyone, immortal or mortal, which felt the gall to defy it.
The resolve in Apollo’s voice had been easily picked up by Strange. He was dealing with men of action and his call for patience was not resonating amongst them. They had their way of doing things and he had his. Of course his way was the right one, but he would have to compromise somehow. He didn’t want the guilt of them recklessly running off.
“I would prefer that all of us work together on this matter,” Strange said, but everyone heard Strange wanting them to follow his lead. The man’s tone exuded such arrogance that it was enough to put off a boastful Olympian. Strange had earned his stripes to be sure, but many were annoyed by the attitude that came along with it. When it came to having his way, Strange was a master of making it happen.
Since the Death of the Seventeen, Strange had only become more determined in the belief that his way was the right one. The world needed order to prevent another mass slaying of his friends. They had given their lives to ensure that the world would fall into darkness. Strange felt that he could do no less. Unfortunately, only a few saw the buried determination because most could only see the arrogance on the exterior.
“So how would you suggest we go about this collaboration/teamwork/partnership?” Century asked. In his Force Works days the name of Strange had bee mentioned a few times by Tony and Wanda. Both seemed to hold him in good standing, though Tony had some skepticism about how potent he really was.
“We investigate and act in simultaneous fashion. Tantalus seems to be our most tangible target at the moment. He is the one we need to find,” Strange explained.
Every bit of Blackwulf’s exposed flesh was suddenly covered in black fur and gave a nasty show of teeth. “No need to find him.”
Century realized what Lucian’s statement meant and said, “Strange! Tantalus is here/present!”
There was no time for Strange to form a protective shield before Tantalus came crashing through the roof. The behemoth crashed into the linoleum floor and sent fragments of it flying in every direction. Blackwulf deflected away what he could with his Shadowlance and Century with his scythe. Strange created a shield around him and the others did what they could to keep from harm.
Fueled with rage at what he thought a cowardly attack, Apollo rammed head-on into Tantalus. The Olympian smacked into Tantalus’ chest and did not budge The Deviant an inch. Apollo wasn’t able to pull back before Tantalus had his hand around the sun god’s neck. The Black Legacy power that Tantalus possessed had no effect on The Olympian so he flung Apollo through the same roof hole he had only moments ago created. Apollo didn’t fly exactly through the hole and cracked his head through the roof. The force of Tantalus’ throw was enough to still keep the sun god flailing into the sky.
Blackwulf pointed his Shadowlance at Tantalus’s face and unleashed the full power of his weapon. White energy poured out of the staff and slammed into Lucian’s father. Tantalus cried out in agitation at the attack. Dr. strange floated down behind Tantalus and began to move his fingers in rapid motions as he began an incantation.
“Fires of Vishanti heed my prayer. A foe has attacked and now your fiery burden he must bear.”
As Strange finished his spell a spire of flame shot out from his chest and began to wrap around Tantalus. From above an insulted Apollo thrust his fist forward and fire descended to strike down The Deviant. His anger had prevented him from seeing Strange’s spell beginning to form. Strange could not revoke his magic and could only let out a terrifying, “No!” as Apollo’s fire collided with his own.
The two mystical flames slammed together and created a violent explosion. Strange and his gathered allies were flung in every direction. Shang-Chi was thrown into a bookcase next to Strange who was singed and unconscious. Tantalus was still standing and made his way towards The Sorcerer Supreme. He intended to do what no else had achieved. Strange would be dead within moments.
NEXT ISSUE: Will Tantalus finish off Strange?