Beyond the multiverse, in the chaotic depths of dimensional rifts.
There is no time, no space, only Eternity Void and the occasional stray specks of light that represent the birth and death of a certain universe.
Two figures faced off here.
"I can agree to cooperate with you."
A figure in a signature dark red suit is elegantly swirling a golden wine glass in his hand, the scarlet liquid swirling within and releasing an alluring aroma.
He was impeccably groomed, and if it weren't for his face, which was covered with hideous lines and resembled that of a demon, anyone would mistake him for an elite member of high society.
This person is none other than Mephisto, the Lord of Hell in Earth-616.
His bloodshot eyes stared at the figure opposite him, a playful smile curving his lips, "After all, this Thor you speak of completely wiped out one of my most capable men."
Standing opposite him was Kang, shrouded in the attire of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh.
He was not made of flesh and blood, but a projection composed of some kind of blue energy, yet the pressure emanating from the end of time was heavier than any physical form.
Just as Pharaoh Kang was about to speak, his brow, formed of energy, suddenly furrowed.
A message traversed countless dimensions and was directly imprinted in his consciousness— Kang the Vanguard, has failed his mission and has been captured.
Mephisto keenly caught the fleeting fluctuation in his energy form. He chuckled and downed his drink in one gulp, "What's wrong? What did Thor do to bother you this time?"
"We've located his stronghold." Pharaoh Kang's voice was emotionless, as flat as stating a given fact. "However, we lost contact as soon as we sent men in."
"Oh?" Mephisto's interest was piqued, and he conjured another glass of wine out of thin air. "Where?"
" The Knowhere, beyond the multiverse."
Upon hearing the name of the place, Mephisto paused for a moment. For the first time, a hint of surprise appeared in his devilish eyes that seemed to see right through people.
He re-examined Pharaoh Kang, his tone turning mocking. "I remember, wasn't that territory ruled by one of your variants? And just like that... it was taken away?"
He deliberately dragged out the tone, making no attempt to hide his sarcasm.
"It seems I need to reconsider the possibility of cooperating with you. If you can't even defend your own territory, I find it hard to believe you're capable of achieving that ambitious goal."
Pharaoh Kang was unconcerned about Mephisto's provocation.
Dealing with a dimensional demon who takes pleasure in manipulating people's hearts is pointless through verbal exchanges.
"You should know that the multiverse was on the verge of collapse some time ago, and someone stepped forward, forcibly sorted out and took over all the timelines."
Pharaoh Kang's voice turned cold, carrying an undeniable authority. "He has acquired power that is not rightfully his. Our purpose is to reclaim what belongs to Kang."
After listening, Mephisto fell into a brief moment of contemplation. He tapped his wine glass lightly with his fingertips, producing a crisp sound.
A moment later, he raised his head, a greedy glint flashing in his eyes.
"Then I want a share of this authority too."
"No," Pharaoh Kang refused outright. "This is the foundation of the Council of Kangs; it cannot be handed over to you. You can propose other conditions."
"Other conditions?" Mephisto scoffed. "What you can offer me, my Masters of Evil Legion can offer me too. My request remains the same: I want authority. That's not an unreasonable request, is it? After all, this concerns a matter of great importance to the entire multiverse."
He stood up and straightened his perfectly wrinkle-free suit.
"I can help you find a way to hold off those troublesome heroes from the Prime Universe, but I must share some of the authority; otherwise, there's no point in discussing it."
After saying this, Mephisto turned around and made as if to step into the void and leave.
Just then, a heavy footstep, so loud it made the entire dimensional rift tremble, came from not far away.
An enormous, green figure emerged step by step from the chaos.
He was wearing a dark red, tight-fitting battle suit that was no longer recognizable as it had been; it was torn in several places, revealing thick, rock-solid muscles.
His right arm was encased in a menacing, gilded metal gauntlet, and his shoulder was inlaid with a metal plate made from a meteorite, gleaming with a dark light.
He wore a leather belt made of the bones of an unknown behemoth tied around his waist, and his lower body was covered by his signature, tattered purple trousers, with the fur of wasteland Beast wrapped around his ankles.
The newcomer was none other than War Master Hulk.
Mephisto stopped, frowning at the uninvited guest, his tone filled with disgust. "Since when have Beast been allowed to participate in our council so freely?"
War Master Hulk grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth, his laughter like rolling thunder. "We have the same goal, don't we?"
His emerald eyes swept over Mephisto, finally settling on Pharaoh Kang's energy projection.
"We... all have a common enemy."
Pharaoh Kang's gaze lingered on War Master Hulk for a few seconds before he finally delivered a cold judgment. "You are not qualified to cooperate with us."
Hahahaha!
War Master Hulk let out a deafening the Batman Who Laughs, the entire dimensional rift trembling with his roar, "Then look at what's on my body!"
He suddenly slapped his chest!
In an instant, an indescribable, pure, and utterly destructive aura erupted from his body!
That is not simple energy, but a concept, a rule, a terrifying will with the ultimate goal of "ending everything"!
Pharaoh Kang's energy projection flickered violently, almost unable to maintain its form!
Mephisto's elegance and composure vanished instantly, and the golden goblet in his hand shattered into Void with a crash!
The two spoke in unison, their voices filled with unprecedented shock and fear:
"Impossible!"
Pharaoh Kang's voice trembled. "This power... it was born to destroy everything! We can't cooperate with you! You madman!"
"It wants to destroy the entire universe." War Master Hulk suppressed his aura, grinned, and pointed to himself, "I'm not."
One sentence froze the atmosphere on the field.
Mephisto was the first to react; the fear in his eyes was quickly replaced by a morbid fanaticism. "You mean..."
Pharaoh Kang immediately understood what War Master Hulk meant.
To dominate, not to be devoured.
He is harnessing that ultimate destructive power, not becoming its slave!
Pharaoh Kang's flickering energy projection finally stabilized. He re-examined the War Master Hulk before him, his tone becoming more serious than ever. "It seems we need some time to have a proper talk."
"That's excellent." War Master Hulk nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Mephisto, who was still in shock. "What do you think, Mephisto?"
"Ha..." Mephisto muttered under his breath, "Two lunatics!"
But he immediately raised his head, his face once again displaying that cynical smile, only this time with a hint of madness and excitement.
"However, I like working with madmen the most."
He opened his arms and gave Pharaoh Kang and War Master Hulk a devilish smile.
"Great collaboration, guys."