PROLOGUE

In the deepest reaches of outer space, a familiar figure glides across the cosmic vacuum, as if they were waves beneath his sleek, silver board. His shiny metallic skin glows against the sun in the distance behind him, as he maneuvers around a meteor shower, making his way towards the fifth planet in this solar system. His body moves fluidly, and his head pivots, avoiding a meteor that almost struck the back of his head.

The Silver Surfer prepares to bear down on the world before him when an image materializes before him. He stops his board suddenly, as the figure of Loki appears between him and the world that was his destination.

“LOKI!” the Surfer exclaims, defying the vacuum of space, which is not supposed to betray any sound. But, for the Surfer and Loki, such laws do not apply.

“Ah, Surfer,” Loki responds cooly. “Glad I am that thou hath not forgotten me in thy journeys across the cosmos.”

“That day will never come!” Surfer responds sharply, his body tensing in anticipation of an attack, even as a chill runs up his spine, encased though it is in a coating of metal. “Why are you here, Loki?! Do you seek to drag me into some scheme of yours—or are you here to steal my power?!”

“Siphon off thy ‘power’?” the villainous Loki responds with a mocking laugh. “Doth a bull siphon energy from a flea? No, ‘tis not thy illusory ‘power’ that I would seek. I hath need for something else entirely. The only help that thou can provide me is with a better understanding of thy former master’s machinery.”

“Galactus’ machinery?!” the Surfer asks. “I know that he had many different devices, which have apparently impressed you with a way to achieve some goal, but…”

“Nay, Galactus could never impress me,” Loki counters. “He wrought destruction, and is not writhing in his own eternal torment. I know not where he did acquire the device; perhaps from his plunder of a long-forgotten world. That device, and the knowledge of perfecting its use, is what I seek.”

“I do not know which device you speak of,” the Surfer responds, his energy starting to build up with his rage, as he prepares himself for a coming conflict, “nor do I care. I will not partake in any scheme of yours. I will not help you in any way!”

“I do not expect you to go with me willingly, useless one,” Loki replies, raising his hand. A blinding flash of energy explodes from Loki’s outstretched palm, striking the Surfer in the face and upper body, knocking him from his surfboard, and rendering him instantly unconscious. “That is irrelevant. Weak and pathetic though thou art, thou may nonetheless prove useful to me through a study of thy mortal mind.”

Loki raising his hand slightly, and the Surfer’s unconscious body rises. Soon, they are both surrounded by green energy. Another blinding flash fills the sector of space, and Loki disappears with the Surfer.

END OF PROLOGUE

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“This volcano should not be active,” Skada remarks, holding onto her staff with her right hand.

“That is precisely why we are here,” Shamballa returns, as the volcano shimmers at a certain point in the side of its surface. A small circular shape composed of energy grows from a small spot to a larger shape, as she talks. “This is one of the divergent points where such activity has occurred recently. The other is in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Karnilla and the others are seeking there, while our duty lies here.”

“It matters not, Skada,” Hercules remarks. “I hath confidence that this will lead us to where we need to go. Though the others may seek the same objective, the prince of power longs for combat…’gainst foes worthy of his mettle!”

“You will likely find such foes where we are going,” Hermes comments. “A number of demonic forces are at work. The energy emanating from this place reminds me of Hades itself.”

“’Tis true,” Thor agrees. “Odin and Zeus did both say that Mephisto and several other demons are working to use the Blood Crystal for their own evil ends. Whatever those ends may be, they cannot bode well for the citizens of Midgard—nor for the Nine Worlds!”

“A matter of grave import, surely,” Sif adds. “But one that will be overcome, with thee and I working together, my love.”

“Aye,” Thor agrees, running his hand along Sif’s lithe arm, as he looks into her lovely eyes. “I hath not forgotten, either, that we were in the middle of a discussion when we were summoned here, milady. That discussion must needs be concluded upon our return.”

“I am ever at thy service, milord,” Sif returns, smiling up at the powerful god of thunder. “We will have much time to spend once this mission is completed.”

“True, milady,” Thor responds. “A lifetime awaits.”

“The Council hath chosen well,” Hermes remarks, turning to the majestic form of Apollo. “I think there is power enough with us to down a horde of demons!”

Apollo seems to glow with the power of the sun represented in his form. “I do not relish the thought of going deep into darkness,” he comments. “Yet, I am eager to share my light with the demons below…and to teach them to remain in their dark realm where they belong!”

“No one knows their world as well as I,” Skada offers. “The worst thing you can do—any of you—is to be overconfident. These demons assembled are powerful, and natural adversaries.”

“True,” Thor agrees. “They each think themselves rulers of the underworld, and hath a natural enmity for one another. All of the lower demons hath such enmity towards each other—and for all life itself. It is unnatural for them. For them to come together, e’en for an instant, their plans are sinister indeed, and dire enough to put aside their differences.”

“Which is why we are here,” Hermes returns. “And we will stop them, no matter their plans. They must learn quickly that the gods shall do what we have always done—keep them in their own dark domain.”

“The opportunity to test that has arrived,” Shamballa says, as the energy develops into a portal. Although faint, images from the other side of the portal reveal much—smoke, intense heat, and fire. “I have found a way to get through the protective barriers that the demons erected.”

“Let us not tarry then!” Hercules comments, a smile growing across his face. “A battle awaits!

---

“Why are we here?” he asks. “I don’t see anything.”

“Aye,” Karnilla agrees, nodding, as her eyes continue to scan. “The mystic portal is well-hidden from our eyes…but it is here.” She turns to Caber, who is also looking around. “Caber, we will need thy speed. Circle around yon lake in the distance,” she explains, pointing toward a lake that converges at the center of the two mountains, beneath their current location. It is fed from twin streams that come out in a v formation, heading away from them. “Circle around the circumference of the lake, and close in thy circles. I think our answer lies therein.”

Caber’s only answer is the sudden gust of wind that moves them all, when his fleet feet make him disappear in the distance. He moves so fast that he is only a blur before them. He starts at the edge of the lake, moving across so fast that gravity cannot take a hold on him, as he races across the lake, in closer circles, covering the lake in microseconds, and leaving wakes of water splashing against the shoreline from his tremendous velocity!

As he reaches the center of the lake, an electrical charge shoots out from a spot in the lake, sending waves of electricity through the air, striking Caber and sending him flying back to the shore, shooting through the air and heading towards the side of one of the mountains!

“I think he found it,” the Forgotten One remarks, reaching up and grabbing the stunned Caber by the waist, preventing him from striking the side of the mountain.

“As have I,” Karnilla remarks, her eyes focused on the point where the energy emitted a mere moment earlier. She levitates towards the spot, even as the ripples in the lake start to subside, leaving only a hazy, smoky layer hanging low over the lake. She directs her attention and focus downward, towards the center of the lake. “The energy emits from here,” she continues, raising one of her hands, even as Norn energy crackles from her fingertips. “And, ‘tis here that I shall direct my own energy.”

Leir leans down towards Caber, who is even now starting to rise to his elbows. “My friend,” he offers. “That was quite a blow you took. Are you injured?”

“I think not, friend Leir,” Caber responds, managing even a slight smile. “Other than my embarrassment at being caught unawares as I was.”

“That I understand,” Leir. “It’s not every day, after all, that the swiftest of the Celtic Gods is so caught.”

Leir pulls back, reaching out his hand and helping his friend, Caber, to his feet. “Ah, but now we all know the source of the attack. Rest assured, friend, that I will not be so surprised again.”

“Of that I am certain,” Leir acknowledges.

“Friend,” Ikaris says, looking over at the Forgotten One, whose gaze is on the lovely Karnilla, who is even now sending her own sorcery into the energy portal, making it visible to the naked eye. “Many times have you wandered the earth. But, you have been absent for some time. Where have you been?”

“Some time ago, I was not far from here, in the Blue Ridge Mountains,” the Forgotten One explains, turning away from Karnilla for a moment, “when I came across an indigenous people, living deep within the mountains. I fought monsters that were sent against me by the Ghouls that lived there.”*

[*Who you may remember from Marvel Mystery Comics #10.]

“You have a way for finding adventures in unusual places,” Ikaris remarks. “These mountains are known for their beauty.”

“Beauty can mask danger,” the Forgotten One returns, “but seldom stops it.”

“The Ghouls had an interdimensional gate, leading to other worlds,” Forgotten One continues. “When I had defeated their monsters, they sent me to another world…one populated by other super-beings…”

“I know there are other such worlds,” Ikaris responds. “But, tell me, which one?”

“It was a parallel Earth,” Forgotten One responds. “I fought a Monster League of Evil, along with one of the costumed heroes of that world…one with great strength and wisdom. We had many adventures together, on his world and others like it, in fact.”

“It sounds like you have fond memories of those adventures,” Ikaris remarks. “It would explain your lengthy absence…and from this plane as a whole.”

“Yes,” the Forgotten One agrees. “I hope to go back. There are other worlds which I learned about that I would like to explore. And I would have my own guide in Captain…” Before he can complete his sentence, however, a blinding flash of light and surge or energy catches his attention. The magical energy bathes his body, without causing harm. Ikaris, who stands beside him, shields his eyes from the light’s intensity, but is also not harmed.

“Come, my friends!” Karnilla calls out, motioning for the others to come to her. She is hovering over the water, and it appears a large tear has opened in the water, even as the energy shimmers and surges just beneath her feet. “I hath opened the portal. I cannot say how long it will remain so.”

“Say no more!” the Forgotten One remarks, a smile crossing his face, as he and Ikaris rush forward, leaping into the pool of energy. “I suspect there are demons aplenty on the other side of this portal, and I will gladly engage them all!”

They are followed closely behind by Leir, who stands an impressive several feet in height. Caber rushes before him, and Leir is pleased to see his friend fully recovered from the unexpected attack earlier.

When the others have disappeared below, Karnilla places her hands over her head, stretching out her arms, and lowers herself into the portal as well, disappearing from view, even as the water rushes forward, as if with a life of its own, covering the portal once again.

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And the world is dark indeed. There are two torches on opposite cave walls in the dark domain, but otherwise, there is little light. Apollo appears uncomfortable by the absence of light, but offers no comment. Ikaris, Hercules, and the Forgotten One scan the area with their eyes, looking for signs of movement, and a reason to engage an unseen enemy.

“We hath arrived,” Hercules comments jovially. “And no demons hath appeared to greet us! Surely, they plan not to deprive the prince of power of the opportunity to engage them in combat!”

“I feel certain that you will have that opportunity,” Shamballa responds. She and Karnilla look at each other, and nod in silent agreement. “I sense the presence of evil here. We will find our enemies soon enough.”

“Then let us not wait for them!” Hermes offers. “Let us take the battle to them, ‘ere they seek to trap us.”

“This entire domain is trap enough,” Karnilla returns. “But, I agree. We hath much to do here, and we need to get started now.”

As they make their way down a dark corridor, they hear the sounds of sinister laughter. Echoing as it does in the cave, and along the cave walls, it is impossible to ascertain its location, and it seems to be coming from everywhere at once.

Going deeper down the corridor, Thor and Hercules assume the point in a corridor that is wide enough only for their massive forms to walk side by side. “Demonic energy fills this place,” Thor comments. “It reminds me of the times I hath engaged Mephisto in combat.”

“Aye,” Hercules agrees. “The acrid odor puts me in mind of Pluto’s dark domain, but this place is not his. ‘Tis different.”

Before Thor can respond, he and Hercules are beset by a horde of demons. They are crimson in color, with long nails and sharp teeth. Their yellow eyes burn through the darkness, as they try to claw and bite at Hercules and Thor. Their rage is palpable, as is their fury.

However, Hercules and Thor waste no time in responding. The two powerful gods respond with great force. Hercules slams his mace into the face of one of the demons, shattering his canine-like teeth under the fearsome power of his mace! He immediately grabs the stunned demon by the face, his mighty hand crushing the facial structure of the demon, leaving fingerprints merged into its face, as he pushes him back, slamming him into the other demons who pile in behind him, forcing them all back.

“The battle is joined, friend Thor!” Hercules says with glee, as he continues to push the demons forward.

For his part, Thor hits another demon with a massive upper-cut that shatters its jawbone, and sends its head jerking back fiercely! It is replaced by two more demons, who each try to subdue Thor by grabbing at his massive arms. However, Thor’s speed and power prove more than a match for these two demons, who find their arms ripped out of their sockets, as Thor moves his arms forward!

“Aye, friend Hercules!” Thor responds, his face more grim, but he cannot deny that he enjoys the opportunity to fight with Hercules against foes against whom he does not need to restrain himself. “Let us swat away the baying dogs so that we may find their masters!”

Even as Thor and Hercules battle forward, those who manage to avoid the two Avengers find themselves in no better position, as the Forgotten One slams his mighty fists into—and through—their demonic forms. Ikaris, who stands beside him, unleashes his own attack as well, striking them with energy from his eyes!

“You have arrived, I see,” Satannish comments, appearing in a holographic form amid the demons, even as the heroes continue forward. “But you will not be in time to stop us. And, when we have completed our goal, you will all die here in this hellish realm, unable to ever see your worlds again!”

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