Ghost Rider, Hellfire at Hand
Xu Mo reiterated his intention to completely exterminate the vampires.
For that, he would need the Darkhold and the magic circle. When that time came, the operation would shake the world. To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, he chose to inform the Ancient One in advance.
She smiled and nodded.
"My duty is to guard the Earth against dimensional invasions. As for other matters, I rarely intervene. This, however, benefits all of humanity."
Xu Mo showed no surprise. He had expected this response. His visit to Kamar-Taj was simply to minimize unexpected complications.
At that moment, a strange fluctuation rippled through the library.
The Ancient One's expression shifted. She rose swiftly and moved in the direction Xu Mo had entered from. After a moment of hesitation, he followed.
---
Moments later, she stood before the Eye of Agamotto. Hanging it around her neck, she formed seals with her hands, and the relic opened.
The green light of the Time Stone pulsed like a living eye.
Several minutes passed before she closed it again with a long breath.
Wong, still chewing the last bite of his sandwich, asked, "What happened?"
"An avatar of Mephisto has arrived," the Ancient One said gravely.
"Mephisto? The Lord of Hell?" Wong nearly choked.
"That's right. But he isn't here for this world—he has come to deal with his rebellious son, Blackheart."
Relieved, Wong asked, "Should we send mages to intervene?"
The Ancient One shook her head. "No. What we must do is notify the three Sanctums and strengthen the barrier against Hell. If Mephisto is enraged, he may try to force his way through."
Her gaze turned toward Xu Mo. "I thought this might interest you."
Xu Mo had already pieced it together. Mephisto, Blackheart… Ghost Rider.
If his guess was right, this was the same conflict shown in the first Ghost Rider story: father and son vying for the San Venganza Contract, a document binding thousands of souls—treasures to demons.
"Yes," Xu Mo said with a nod. "I'm very interested."
The Blackheart Demon alone was worth a fortune in points. And then there was Hellfire—Mephisto's signature flame. Said to burn anything, never extinguishing, though surely exaggerated. If it were absolute, Mephisto would already dominate everything.
Even so, Xu Mo knew this flame would be immensely valuable.
"Where is Blackheart now?" he asked.
"San Venganza," the Ancient One replied.
"Good. Thank you."
Without hesitation, Xu Mo opened a portal and stepped through.
---
Colorado – the town of Salik.
Night was falling. The small cemetery outside town lay quiet. Xu Mo emerged from a glowing space gate and surveyed the surroundings.
Ahead stood a weathered wooden house. Outside, an old man with gray hair was chopping wood. When Xu Mo appeared, his eyes narrowed in vigilance.
"Who are you?" the old man demanded.
Xu Mo didn't answer. Instead, his gaze fell on a shovel leaning against the wall. He already knew what he was looking for.
Before arriving, he had investigated the towns around San Venganza. The contract had been hidden by Carter Slade—the second Ghost Rider. The old rider had concealed it inside a shovel buried here.
Ignoring the old man's protests, Xu Mo picked up the tool, snapped its handle, and withdrew a rolled parchment radiating dark, oppressive energy.
His guess was right. The San Venganza Contract.
He looked at the old man. "You're Carter Slade, the second Ghost Rider, aren't you?"
The old rider stiffened. His hand twitched toward transformation, but he held back. His power remained only for a final change—and once used, it would cost him his life.
"Who are you? How do you know my name—and that I hid the contract here?" Carter demanded.
Xu Mo ignored the question. His eyes shifted to the road, where the roar of a motorcycle grew louder.
"You don't need to worry about that. Just stay here and tend your graves. Live a few more years."
He turned away, walking toward the approaching figure.
The rider braked to a stop. It was Johnny Blaze—the next Ghost Rider.
"Who are you?" Johnny asked warily.
Xu Mo raised his hand. Black energy wrapped around Johnny before he could react. With a sharp tug, Xu Mo drew a flicker of fire from within him—a spark of Hellfire.
The flame sank into the Darkhold, where it began to grow, fed by Xu Mo's abundant dark energy. Johnny staggered, pale and confused.
Xu Mo had been careful. He had replaced the energy he extracted, so Johnny would lose nothing but perhaps a sliver of vitality—no more than a dozen years at most, already replenished.
"Now then," Xu Mo said, his voice calm. "Where is Blackheart?"
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