Chapter 165: Doom’s Plan
Darkness ripped across the sky like a black silk curtain, staining everything above in inky shadow. From the dimensional gateway machine, a vast and terrible power surged outward, tearing apart everything in its radius.
Three massive black beams shot up from the columns of the device, piercing into a realm far beyond this one.
A colossal vortex began forming in the air. Within its swirling void, a pair of blood-red eyes emerged, burning with greed as they stared down at this fragile world—like a predator ready to swallow the Earth whole, to extend its dominion over a planet brimming with life.
Doctor Doom, robed in emerald green, stood silently at the base of the machine. The vortex’s dark light reflected against his steel-gray mask, casting his already imposing figure in an even more formidable glow.
Suddenly—golden light flashed.
Doctor Strange and the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj appeared in the streets below. Immediately, they were surrounded by Dormammu’s fanatical followers.
"Attack!" Doctor Strange shouted, unleashing a bolt of magic that blasted the nearest cultist into the pavement.
Kaecilius stepped up beside him, a shimmering blade of semi-transparent energy forming in his hand. With swift precision, he struck down a sorcerer who dared attack him.
"So, you’re the Ancient One’s hand-picked successor?" Kaecilius sneered. "It’s too late for all of you now!"
"No! It’s not too late!" Doctor Strange shouted, conjuring golden mandalas around his hands. "Kaecilius, Dormammu is just using you! You’re still nothing more than a pawn. Wake up now, and we can still stop him together!"
Kaecilius laughed maniacally. "Spare me your sanctimonious speeches. Darkness is coming to this world, and we will all bask in our god’s glory!"