"In the name of Agamotto..."
Strange from an unknown Earth—the one with the perpetually tired expression—cast White Magic, its power severely weakened in Limbo, to place buffs on everyone present. The main goal was to protect their souls from the undue influence of Limbo, as complete immunity was impossible. The buffs would, at least, weaken the effect and help them live a little longer.
The weary Strange then deliberately skipped over Peter.
"Don't look at me, Spider-Man. Your soul is protected by the Web of Destiny. Perhaps you're the only Spider Totem in the entire Multiverse with this protection. Limbo's power can't touch you."
The disheveled Strange walked aside. Though it sounded ridiculous, the leader of this impromptu "Ghostbusters" team, set to depart now, truly was this version of Strange who had failed to save his own universe.
"Alright, folks, I've got to say, I always knew this day would come. Eventually, some bunch of nuts would come up with a ridiculous idea to lead us all to our deaths. I just didn't expect the proposal to come from a world that hasn't been invaded yet."
The grunge-style Strange gave a completely unenthusiastic pre-battle speech: "Most of us here are the last survivors of our respective universes. Every one of us has already lost our home, so we have nothing left to lose but this life. Now, some kid says he has a plan that might defeat Belasco. So, fine, let's give it a shot. If we die, no loss; if we win, a huge score."
"Alright, everyone, go off and get killed!"
The weary Strange yelled half-heartedly, then walked over to Peter and asked, "Are you sure you have a plan, kid?"
Peter looked at him, having already confirmed with his Spider-Sense and divination magic that everyone here was reliable.
"I'm sure."
Belasco sat on his throne made of skeletons, waiting for the miserable wretches to arrive. In his hand, he held an amulet containing a Pentagram array. Placed at each point was a Bloodstone condensed from human souls.
Five Bloodstones from Earth-616 were set in the amulet. The array was already prepared: as soon as he arrived on Earth-616, the array would automatically activate, and the great Chthon would descend personally.
The so-called Sorcerer Supreme of the Prime Universe would be no match for the Elder God Chthon. At that point, no one could stop him.
The prerequisite was that he had to pretend to lose this fight, leading Spider-Man to believe he had rescued the X-Men from a powerful dimensional demon. Only then would Spider-Man open a portal to another dimension, allowing everyone—including Belasco—to slip through and enter the 616 Universe.
He was currently contemplating how to make his defeat look convincing. So, he stood up, coughed twice, and cleared his throat.
"Damn you, Spider-Man! You actually... No, the emotion isn't right."
Belasco stepped off his throne and looked up, much to the confusion of his demonic servants, striking a look of defiant resolve: "Spider-Man, you might have won this time... Wait, I'm the villain, he's the one running for his life. Wrong, wrong."
"Ahem, Spider-Man, did you really think you could escape? The Lord of Limbo shall—is that too cliché?"
Belasco paced back and forth. As a demon-sorcerer who had battled the great poet Dante during the Renaissance, he had some standards. He took a deep breath, adopted the posture of an actor performing Roman theater, and carefully constructed his lines.
"Inescapable destiny will not change, Spider-Man, sulfur and flame... Normal people don't talk like that. Let's try again."
So, when the Immortal (The former Apocalypse) entered Belasco's throne room, he saw a demon draped in human skin (literally) declaiming various lines in a Shakespearean theatrical voice: "My gaze shall fall upon you like cold sunlight, Spider-Man. Hell is full, and your world shall face the final judgment. And then... Ah, you've arrived."
Belasco, whose expression didn't change (he probably didn't even have a functioning heart), quickly composed himself and addressed the Immortal: "Well, are you satisfied with my gift?"
"The Promethium is indeed a remarkably powerful energy source, far more efficient than any known energy source, even antimatter. Limbo's technological potential far exceeded my expectations."
The gift Belasco gave the Immortal was a special substance only produced in Limbo: Promethium Metal (not the DC version). This metal only exists deep inside the ore veins on Limbo's surface, taking the shape of an animal heart. It is a silver liquid metal that closely resembles a Symbiote, both in appearance and material properties.
It could even be forged into liquid metal armor similar to a Symbiote's. For a time-traveler like the Immortal, this was a rare commodity.
Having received his due, the Immortal ignored Belasco's flamboyant performance and merely gave a warning: "Spider-Man and his group have begun their movement. And I will be leaving shortly. When I do, the stasis field on the X-Men will be very fragile, easily broken by a slight touch."
"And isn't that a good thing? To give them some hope."
Belasco sat back down on his throne, replying with a smile. After politely watching the Immortal depart, he took a deep breath, ready to continue rehearsing the upcoming scene. However, the Immortal suddenly turned back.
"I still advise you: do not underestimate Spider-Man and his amazing friends, or you will suffer a great fall."
"Do you think I haven't killed many Spider-Men? I have this under control."
As long as he didn't harm Spider-Man's soul, the powers of Neith and Knull would not be triggered—that was Belasco's confidence. Since good advice is wasted on the self-assured, and with Belasco looking so confident, the Immortal paid him no mind and left with his Promethium.
Belasco finally breathed a sigh of relief and resumed his rehearsal.
"It needs to be genuine, tragic. Apart from the Earth-616 people, everyone else can be killed. Make them go to extremes, make them think they were on the verge of total annihilation. That's what makes it real."
While rehearsing, Belasco suddenly chuckled. He sensed the arrival of Spider-Man's group. So, Belasco cleared his throat and stepped out with a light, bouncy stride.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, and readers of this book, all preparations are complete. The second act of the tragedy—is officially beginning!"
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