Was I the Villain All Along?

In the end, Strange was persuaded by Peter. He first called Illyana over to discuss the matter, and ultimately agreed with Spider-Man's view: Magik might objectively be involved somehow, but subjectively, she was unlikely to be an enemy.

So when Illyana arrived at the reception room, she heard the two of them plotting against her.

"Could it be that Belasco found an evil version of Illyana from some other universe, trained her as his enforcer, and then carried out this whole operation?"

"Use your brain, Spider-Man. Even if a Magik from another universe had never visited ours, she could only travel back and forth within her own universe. How would she get to ours?"

Illyana stood by the door with her greatsword on her back, silently listening as the two coffee-drinkers sitting on the sofas around the fireplace continued their conversation.

"Do you think it's possible that Illyana's demonic form developed some kind of independent personality?"

"That is possible. After Belasco tore apart half her soul, she spent several years growing up in Hell's Border. The void in her soul was filled by Hell's Border's energy. That's why she has limitless potential in black magic and can so easily control the dimension of Hell's Border—half her soul is herself, while the other half is part of Hell's Border itself."

Strange spoke at length to Peter. "As for the other half of the girl's soul? She turned that Bloodstone into her own weapon."

"I'm glad you two are helping me reminisce about my miserable childhood. Is that why you called me here?" Illyana spoke from the doorway. Strange and Peter abruptly turned to look at her. Amid the awkward silence, she continued, "Or has Mephisto's situation stopped being important, and you two have time to chat now?"

"Actually, we are discussing