Old Mephisto, I'm in the Mood for Fish

Mephisto smiled and looked around. The Demons still surging toward them froze in place, as if caught by a spell. Then they turned and fled.

The powerful Demons that ruled their own corners of Hell ran like sheep with a wolf in the pen, each scrambling to get away faster than the last.

They looked terrified that one slow step would get them disposed of by their lord as useless fools who couldn't read the room.

"Ancient One, it's been a long time." Mephisto's voice was warm, with a soothing resonance.

"Welcome to my Hell."

The Ancient One looked at him, a flicker of mockery in her eyes.

"Mephisto, you value your life too much. You came to see me with only an avatar, while your true body hides deep within the Dimension, too afraid to show its face?"

Mephisto's smile did not change.

"Ancient One, I'm not you. Your death is part of a plan, and even if things go wrong, someone will fish you out of the spirit world.

"It's different for me. If my true body dies, I'm dead for good. No one would come to retrieve me, and no one could."

He paused. His gaze shifted from the Ancient One to Russell behind her.

"A little caution is only natural."

The Ancient One's mouth twitched. She wanted to argue, but she couldn't find the words. Mephisto was telling the truth.

Her death was part of the plan, the ending she had chosen for herself after viewing countless Timelines through the Time Stone.

But not everyone could arrange everything that came after their death as she had.

Mephisto's gaze lingered on Russell. He had seen many powerful beings: ones who could destroy Galaxies, ones who could restart universes, and ones who roamed the Multiverse unchecked.

But he