The world within the ring had a diameter of 0.1 light-years.
At its core lay a massive continent, thousands of kilometres long and wide. Around it, numerous planets floated silently in the void, orbiting this central landmass. Beyond that, only endless, silent space stretched in every direction.
Originally, this microcosmic world had been completely dark, only accessible through mental projection. That changed when Malrick placed a star inside—bringing light to the void, though the world still remained lifeless and barren.
Malrick landed with nine unconscious figures on a planet roughly the size of Earth. The continent floated ominously above, its gravity intense and foreboding—far stronger than Earth's pull.
With a simple manipulation of this dimension's energy, Malrick generated breathable oxygen in the atmosphere.
Then, casting a spell, he released the magical paralysis on Kaecilius.
Kaecilius, his long hair tied back in a braid, shuddered as he regained consciousness. He looked around, his eyes passing over his unconscious followers, all pale but alive.
Then his gaze turned outward—toward the alien land of swirling sand and lifeless plains. Finally, his eyes locked onto Malrick, who stood still amidst the dust, his robes untouched by the wind.
Kaecilius had seen this man before—in images and reports. Kamar-Taj's new Sorcerer Supreme. And if rumors were true, he was also something far more terrifying... Superman.
It didn't take him long to realize that after being incapacitated by magic, he had been taken here—some unknown, isolated world.
But Kaecilius didn't panic.
He stood slowly, assessing the space above and around him. Then he focused fully on Malrick.
"A strange dimension," Kaecilius said, his voice calm. "You brought us here... planning to exile us, perhaps?"
With a flick of his wrist, a shimmering spatial spear formed in his hand—transparent and pulsing with unstable energy.
"You're the new Sorcerer Supreme," he continued. "Ancient One's successor. And if the rumors are true... Superman."
Malrick crossed his arms. "Everything else is accurate—but I'm not the Ancient One's disciple. Still thinking about fighting me?"
Kaecilius's dark eyes narrowed. After a long pause, he dismissed the weapon with a sigh.
He could still draw power from the Dark Dimension, but facing someone like Superman—who could tank nuclear blasts and more—was still far beyond his reach.
Still, he didn't feel fear. The Dark Dimension granted him mastery over space itself. He believed he had the upper hand—his trump card. Not even Superman could kill him.
He stepped around Malrick, circling him carefully.
"I don't seek conflict with you, or with Kamar-Taj," Kaecilius said smoothly.
"Then why attack the London Sanctum?" Malrick asked, following the rhythm of the conversation.
"That wasn't an attack," Kaecilius answered, folding his hands behind his back. "It was a salvation."
"Oh?" Malrick played along. "Do explain."
"The Ancient One," Kaecilius began, "has lived for centuries. But not because of the Vishanti. Her longevity comes from the Dark Dimension."
"The Dark Dimension is beyond time. It's eternal. It absorbs worlds like Earth, making them part of its unchanging existence."
He turned sharply toward Malrick. "Life on Earth is too short. All things decay. Even the Sun will eventually die. But within the Dark Dimension... everything becomes eternal. A tree, a fish, even an insect can live forever."
"If Earth merges with the Dark Dimension, it will escape entropy. Humanity can survive in a new form. And we—will gain eternal life."
Kaecilius's eyes burned with fervor. His arms spread wide, as if embracing the invisible universe. "Time is the true enemy. But in transcending it—we transcend everything!"
"I never attacked the Sanctum," he continued. "That was the first step in saving those sorcerers."
Malrick raised an eyebrow. "So trying to kill everyone was just... part of the plan?"
"Exactly," Kaecilius said, completely serious. "It was their liberation. Their path to eternity."
He genuinely believed it. There was no guilt, no shame.
"All sacrifices, before reaching eternity, are insignificant. Like dust scattered in space."
He stared at Malrick, sensing he had his attention. "Join us. You of all people—Superman—deserve eternity. Transcendence. The Dark Dimension is waiting."
Malrick smiled faintly, as if moved. He extended a hand and shook Kaecilius's firmly.
"Sounds amazing. I'm in. So... what now? We sacrifice Earth to Dormammu?"
Kaecilius blinked, surprised at how easy that was.
"Yes... yes! Once we return, we destroy the three Sanctums. That will allow us to offer Earth to Dormammu."
He was delighted. Perhaps this Sorcerer Supreme wasn't as noble as he pretended to be. Maybe he too sought power and immortality.
Kaecilius was about to suggest they return to Earth immediately, but Malrick pointed upward to the floating continent.
"Actually, I have an idea," Malrick said thoughtfully. "This dimension is unclaimed. Why not offer it to Dormammu first?"
Kaecilius's eyes lit up. "You're certain it's unclaimed?"
"Positive," Malrick nodded. "In fact, this is the Sorcerer Supreme's inherited dimension—our final barrier against Dimensional invaders."
He added, "Offering this realm first will surely earn us more favor from Dormammu."
Kaecilius was intrigued.
He asked several probing questions and examined the dimension himself, studying its gravitational balance and magical flow.
Finally, he clapped his hands together. "You're right. This is perfect."
Whether Malrick was sincere or scheming, it didn't matter. Once Dormammu descended, all trickery would be irrelevant. The one who presented the world would be honored—Kaecilius was certain of it.
"We need to cast a summoning spell," Kaecilius said. "Our combined coordinates will act as the beacon. We'll guide Dormammu in."
He used Dimensional energy to awaken his eight unconscious followers. Together, they began carving a ritual circle into the cracked earth.
Kaecilius pulled out a page from the ancient tome The Castle of Cagliostro, which detailed a forbidden rite to summon Dormammu.
He placed it gently in the center and offered Malrick the first verse. When Malrick declined politely, Kaecilius nodded and began the chant himself.
"In the name of loyal servants, as an offering from a world unknown, the great god shall become the one and only..."
Nine figures stood in a circle, chanting softly. Their voices echoed through the empty air as their ritual began.
Malrick stood quietly to the side, arms crossed, watching.
Then, he felt it.
A vast, malevolent presence. It surged toward the dimension, its will oppressive and cold.
The sky darkened slightly. Wisps of dark energy began to seep in through the dimensional barrier—smoky tendrils of the Dark Dimension's essence.
Like smoke creeping through the cracks of a sealed room, the energy grew thicker, heavier.
Dormammu was coming.
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