Searching for the Darkhold

Johnny stared at himself in the mirror, shaken to his core.

He had never imagined that simply signing an agreement with the old man before him would turn him into this.

This was the last thing he wanted. He ran his hands over his head in disbelief. No emotion showed in his hollow eyes.

But inside, he was furious. Mephisto had given him no warning about this change. He had been deceived.

"Why did this happen? This isn't what I wanted! Change me back!"

Johnny seized Mephisto by the throat and lifted him off the ground.

Mephisto remained unruffled in the face of Johnny's anger. With a faint smile, he said, "The contract has been signed. You can't back out.

"Besides, you can change back. You just need to master this power."

As he spoke, Mephisto tapped his cane lightly on the ground. An invisible burst of energy erupted, and Johnny returned to human form in an instant.

"From now on, boy, you're my agent in the human world. Put the power I've given you to good use, and make it worth my while."

Seeing his body back to normal finally calmed Johnny a little.

But when he looked at Mephisto, wariness crept into his eyes.

"Make it worth your while? Is that why you made this deal with me?"

"Of course. Every deal has a purpose, doesn't it?"

Johnny fell silent. Mephisto had a point, but he still felt the old man was up to no good.

"I gave you power and let your father live. In return, you work for me and do my bidding. That's fair!"

"Then tell me what you want me to do. I'll try if it's within my power. If it isn't, there's nothing I can do!"

At Johnny's wary, reluctant demand, a knowing