Into the Battle Infinite
***
THE DARK DIMENSION
As Strange approached Dormammu, who remained where he was patiently waiting for the Master of the Mystic Arts to come to him, Stephen knew that the odds of him winning this battle were slim.
The demonic being was an Interdimensional entity, composed entirely of mystical energy that among other things allowed him to take on many forms, whether pure energy or as in this case physical matter.
Dormammu was also strongest while in the Dark Dimension, his powers enhanced by his ability to draw upon the powers of those who worshipped him.
After their initial encounter, Stephen had spent a lot of time researching Dormammu in order to discover any weaknesses that the entity had that he could exploit to his advantage.
As Strange came to a halt in front of his adversary, he hoped that what he had uncovered was enough to enable him to get Molly safely out of here.
When Dormammu made no move to instigate their battle, preferring to enjoy the pain and suffering Molly was experiencing, Stephen made certain to get his attention.
“So are we here to do battle?” he asked.
No response.
“Or perhaps you’re worried you’ll lose,” Strange taunted.
Dormammu’s response was immediate, as he swung a flaming sword at the Sorcerer Supreme’s head.
Strange countered the blow by using Tao Mandalas for protection, they shielded him from the initial impact before using them to shove the sword away.
This gave him time to conjure a spell that used the icy blue tendrils of energy of Ikthalon that simultaneously threw Dormammu into the air and slammed him hard into the ground.
An enraged Dormammu, still prostrate sent equally powerful waves of energy Stephen’s way. But thanks to the Cloak of Levitation they were only slightly singed.
*
The battle continued to rage, Dormammu and Strange trading magical blows.
Precarious as her position was, Molly nonetheless couldn’t help but marvel at the spectacle playing out before her.
She watched in avid fascination as Stephen employed a mind blowing array of both attacking and defensive spells, sometimes both at the same time.
Molly didn’t know the correct terms or names of the spells she was witnessing, and as the battle went on and on, whether due to the effects of Mordo’s aging spell, or at the speed the two adversaries moved, she felt herself becoming increasingly dizzy, to the point she was unable to comprehend the intricacy and wonder of the winds of Watoomb, the strength of the crimson bands of Cyttorak, or the resilience of the shield of the Seraphim. Her only concern was that Stephen won the battle in time to reverse the aging spell before it was too late.
*
With Molly, and Mordo’s attention focussed on the battle neither were aware of a portal opening up behind them.
In fact Mordo remained oblivious even as Wong struck him from behind with a mallet, a very heavy mallet that was a gift from Thor, the God of Thunder.
Released from the hold of Mordo’s cruel spell, Molly let out a sigh of relief as her body crumpled.
Thankfully Wong was there to catch her before she hit the ground.
*
Out of the corner of his eye Stephen saw Wong carry Molly through the portal that led straight to the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Their plan had worked.
***
NEW YORK SANCTUM – EARLIER
“We need to have a plan,” Wong stated.
“We do,” Stephen agreed. “But it mustn’t appear as though it is one.”
Wong frowned in confusion.
“Dormammu and Mordo have to believe that I’m operating on emotion alone, that I’ve gone there with no plan of how to get Molly and I back.”
“Which is exactly what you were originally going to do,” Wong reminded him.
Strange hated admitting Wong was right, and hated even more having to admit it aloud. But time was of the essence.
“True. But now I’ve come up with a plan. I just hope it works.”
“And your plan is?” Wong queried.
“I’m going to keep Dormammu busy and Mordo distracted long enough to give you time to rescue Molly.”
Wong nodded. “Then what,” he pressed.
***
THE DARK DIMENSION
The plan was now at the ‘then what’ stage.
Strange and the Cloak of Levitation could only hope that all went well.
Taking a deep breath, Stephen released one spell after another. First he struck the Lord of the Dark Dimension with a lightening attack known as the bolts of Balthakk. Then he used the images of Ikonn in order to produce duplicate copies of himself, with each duplicate performing a different spell.
And then he did the unexpected. One by one the duplicates disappeared making the attack on Dormammu gradually less intense.
As Stephen had anticipated, the move left the entity confused. And in that moment of uncertainty he made his escape through the portal Wong had left open. Once through he closed it behind him.
***