CHAPTER 30

C30: Russell (Mephisto): "I am here. What are you laughing at?"

Stark Tower, lobby.

Tony's lifeless body lay at the center of the room, surrounded by a somber group. Pepper Potts and Happy Hogan stood on one side, Nick Fury and Natasha Romanoff on the other.

Without warning, a ball of golden flame materialized out of thin air, spinning rapidly as a hole began to form in its center. The hole widened, and a portal gradually took shape, emitting rays of vibrant, swirling colors. Slowly, a figure stepped through the light.

The figure wore a simple yellow robe adorned with chest accessories, with a glowing green gemstone set in the center, radiating an aura of mysterious power.

"Master Russell," the four of them greeted him in their own ways, some with reverence, others with wariness.

Russell smiled, watching them, his aura calming their tension. He then withdrew the mental pressure he had exerted over them, recognizing that sometimes, atmosphere had to be amplified with force.

Tony's soul, still floating nearby, rolled his eyes. "Russell, really? You think I'm impressed by all this? You're just putting on a show."

"Please, help me," Tony's soul said with a sigh.

Russell gave a knowing smile, nodding at Tony's soul as if performing for an audience. Moving toward Tony's lifeless body, Russell made a series of hand gestures, forming an intricate seal in the air. The green gemstone on his chest began to float and slowly rotate. A green beam of light shot from it, striking Tony's body.

In that instant, time seemed to reverse itself within Tony. His body, once lifeless, surged with energy, and he returned to his seat in the living room. The others gasped in awe as they witnessed the miraculous revival.

Tony's soul, however, wasn't impressed. He groaned, "Why wait ten minutes to do something that could be done in seconds? You're just dragging this out."

"Also, the whole seal thing? What, you're a mystic now? You're really just pretending, aren't you?" Tony added, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Russell chuckled softly but remained silent, amused by Tony's typical behavior. He knew the performance was far from over.

Elsewhere, beyond the 404 Universe, in the endless void of dimensions, a pair of eyes burned with resentment, glaring at both Tony and Russell.

Tony, sensing something, shuddered, feeling a strange presence. Russell, however, locked eyes with the source of the gaze. It was unmistakable.

The Demon King. The Lord of Hell. The former supreme ruler of the Demon World.

Mephisto.

Russell's thoughts raced. Was this what Ancient One had warned him about? Was Mephisto the one truly behind this situation?

Before arriving at Stark Tower, Russell had visited Karma Taj. Ancient One had felt the gaze of two entities from beyond the universe when Tony perished—one curious, and the other filled with malevolent greed.

Ancient One had tried to counteract this threat, but Mephisto's power was immense, and Russell had to stall for time while they confirmed his identity. He knew Mephisto wouldn't be a simple adversary.

Mephisto's cruel smile grew as he realized Russell had noticed his presence. The two exchanged a silent, tense stare, each aware of the other's power.

Mephisto smirked, "I remember your face and soul, Russell. When you fall, I'll make sure to cook your soul to perfection."

Russell's smile remained unphased, "Ancient One has already located your coordinates, Mephisto. Even if you can't make a move now, you'll have to deal with me soon enough."

The two of them turned away, each anticipating the inevitable clash to come.

As Tony's soul returned to his body, he began to adjust, feeling the odd sensations of being alive again. Immediately, Pepper rushed to his side, clinging to him and sobbing in relief. Tony, slightly taken aback, comforted her with a mix of affection and slight exasperation.

The others lowered their heads, each processing the overwhelming event in silence, but Tony quickly cut through the atmosphere with a sharp question.

"Russell, what was that back there?"

"Mephisto," Russell answered simply, "a demon who wants your soul."

Tony, ever confident, raised an eyebrow. "My soul? That valuable?"

"Apparently," Russell replied, "He seems to think so."

Tony smirked, clearly amused. "Well, he's got good taste."

His expression shifted to a more serious tone, "Thank you for this, Russell. I'll come visit you later to properly express my gratitude."

Although Tony knew that Russell could easily track down whoever was responsible for his death, he wasn't the type to go begging for answers. His pride wouldn't allow it. He would find the person who had caused this and handle it himself.

Russell was left momentarily stunned. Was Tony trying to send him away? Was this his way of dismissing him? Truly, Tony Stark was something else.

With a nod to the others, Russell made his exit, disappearing without a trace. The portal, which had previously opened, was no longer necessary.

Happy Hogan, ever the curious one, asked, "He just… disappeared like that? Isn't there supposed to be some dramatic portal opening?"

Tony, irritated but resigned, responded, "No, he was just showing off."

Turning to Nick Fury, he added, "Director Fury, we need to talk."

Fury, who had been silently processing the events, glanced at the replay of Tony's death. His expression shifted as he understood the implications. Tony's soul had seen everything clearly.

After a moment's hesitation, Nick Fury finally spoke, "The way that entity attacked you—by invading your mind—it reminds me of something. Someone. Dr. Hank Pym."

"Pym? You think he's behind this?" Tony asked, surprised.

Nick Fury nodded grimly, "Even if it's not Pym directly, it has to be connected to him somehow."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Find him!" Tony urged, his impatience evident.

"We've already sent people to search his residence," Fury assured. "We should have updates soon."

Tony's eyes narrowed, the wheels of his mind already spinning. "Good. And we're going to find whoever did this. I don't care who it is. I'll make them pay."

Meanwhile, back in Mephisto's domain, a sultry succubus approached him, swaying her hips as she whispered, "Your Majesty, have a bite. It's delicious."

Mephisto, distracted momentarily, gave a lazy smile and said, "Alright, if you insist."

The succubus eagerly handed him the offering, and Mephisto bit into it. The sensation was blissful, a rush of satisfaction, as though consuming a rare soul.

But then, his anger flared again. "Aha!" he roared, slamming his palm on the table.

"Your Majesty, please calm down!" the succubus pleaded, trembling.

Mephisto took a deep breath, his rage simmering. "Get up, beauty. It has nothing to do with you."

The succubus stood, still fearful, knowing all too well what Mephisto was capable of. He glared at the thought of Russell, knowing the mage had dared to laugh at him after ruining his plans.

"Aha!" Mephisto slammed his palm on the table again, roaring with fury.

"Your Majesty, please calm down!" The succubus, shaking, knelt once more.

Mephisto, however, began to smile again, as if savoring the tension.

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