"She's not in good condition."
Hamill approached Lianna, the poor little girl still pinned to the wall by tentacles. She had become unresponsive to everything outside, only letting out constant screams and periodically spewing large amounts of blood from her mouth.
"Belasco, how long can you keep it under control?"
Su Ming drew a weapon, digging the girl out from the cluster of tentacles on the wall, but he could only carry her out of the cell without laying her flat; she might choke on her own blood.
Ciri didn't particularly like it here, as the maze-like dark corridors outside the cell were infested with occasional attacks from various tentacle monsters.
The world had revealed its true nature to her that day, beneath the glamorous facade, countless secrets and darkness exceeded her wildest imagination.
She walked ahead to clear the path, while Su Ming carried the Secret Guest in the middle, with Hamill covering the rear, also pulling out a weapon from his sleeve, the standard issue of Kama Taiji mages, a 'Life Court Scepter' akin to a short staff.
"No magic, ever."
Upon hearing Deathstroke's inquiry, Master Hamill replied nonchalantly, knowing that Belasco couldn't recall how to use magic amidst his chaotic mind.
For in the midst of free fall, there was no means to perform a ritual to seek help from the Ancient God, with no option for the brutish non-flyer tossed into a looped dimensional space but to continue falling.
Yet the little girl held by Deathstroke, her body—especially her internal organs—had transformed three-fifths into demonic flesh, the power of the Blood Stone too mighty, rendering the conversion process almost irreversible.
If things continued this way, she would complete her transformation amidst confused consciousness, turning into a mindless beast-like monster.
Removing the Blood Stone wouldn't work either; her current injuries were too severe, losing self-healing ability meant immediate death. Hamill was skilled in magic and Chinese medicine, but reversing demonization was beyond his capability.
In such cases, one would seek out Master Ancient to use the Eye of Agamotto. By reversing the girl's time, one could naturally separate her from the Blood Stone, restoring her health.
But clearly, Deathstroke wouldn't do that, nor would Hamill offer any suggestions—if the master asked, he'd answer; if not, he'd withhold any opinion.
He was like a pine tree on the mountaintop, unshaken by the winds of fortune.
Su Ming naturally wouldn't separate the Secret Guest from the Blood Stone.
Upon reaching behind Belasco, even the Lord of Hell's ritual hadn't commenced, they still had the capability to rescue the girl before she was tortured.
Yet Su Ming showed no intention of intervening, tightly holding onto Ciri and covering her mouth. Only when the demon ritual was halfway done did he signal Hamill to take action.
Because the Secret Guest was useful, Lianna was not.
Without the Blood Stone, a half-demonized girl was of no use to him, nor to any plans or stories.
Su Ming never saved for the sake of saving, only gathering the pieces he needed—even if saving sometimes meant just bending down, picking up something useless held no meaning.
The past and future both needed the Secret Guest, so she had to become who she was meant to be.
Perhaps it was somewhat cruel—after all, she was still a child—but if the world only had light with no darkness, then nothing would need to exist.
"What's the name of that magic to deal with the Defense Dimension Hydras?" Su Ming asked Hamill, knowing of the magic, but unable to recall its specific name.
The magic served to ward off invasions from alternate-dimensional creatures—not just physical and mental invasions, but any other-dimensional energies with chaos attributes would be barred.
The Three Great Temples and Kama Taiji used amplified versions of this magic, which the Ancient One relied on to block all the Outer Dimensional Demon Gods.
The Ancient Gods could contact this place because it's the Hell Border, not situated on Earth.
Hamill did not answer the question, proceeding directly to chant an incantation for a dimensional protection spell on Lianna, and Su Ming only caught the beginning phrase in the name of Emperor Vishanti; the subsequent syllables were so rapid and long he understood none.
However, the magic proved immediately effective; once the blood stone's influence on her mind was isolated, Lianna finally blissfully lost consciousness.
"Time is limited."
Hamill remarked, because although the whispers of the Ancient Gods were barred, as long as the blood stone remained in her body, the conversion process continued on.
"We must find a way to wake her; her willpower is sufficient to maintain her humanity. Now, she is the master of the blood stone within."
Su Ming and the others exited the labyrinth, placing the frail little girl on Belasco's throne; still unconscious, she continued to vomit blood, staining the floor in front of the throne red.
Red flowers bloomed on the black stone surface, the stark contrast making everything particularly glaring.
Hamill immediately began spellcasting, simultaneously taking out silver needles to insert into various acupoints.
Yet the effect was minimal, Lianna furrowed her brows, sweat pouring from her forehead, but she remained unconscious.
Su Ming recognized that the acupoints would induce intense pain, yet Lianna's soul and body seemed disconnected, she felt scarcely any pain.
"No good."
Hamill continued seeking methods, but unfamiliar with Dark Magic, let alone tormenting spells, he could only think of the Seralto Red Belt.
Su Ming thought for a brief moment and immediately assigned a mission to Ciri.
"Go find Geralt and bring a bottle of magic potion from Maribo Forest."
Ciri sighed; everything happening here was so dark, especially the experience of this little girl, which reminded her somewhat of her own past.
Slade could be chillingly ruthless at times.
She pursed her lips, looking at that black-and-yellow mask.
"The magic potion from Maribo Forest is a potent stimulant used by Demon Hunters. It causes a surge in adrenaline, and even I might die if I drink it."
"She has the Blood Stone, she won't die, and the stimulant might awaken her. We have to try."
Ciri dawdled around the throne, looking at Lianna's small face, unwilling to use her ability to find Geralt, which was wasting time.
Su Ming tried to entice her with benefits, like the luxurious interior of a new car, since both she and Geralt were considered special mercenaries who could be lured with profit.
But just then, a strange, elderly voice echoed in the hall, imbued with a calming power that smoothed the ripples here like a warm breeze.
"Let me do it; I'll never forget the taste of potions from the Otherworld."
Below the steps of the throne, a large group of people appeared as if out of thin air. The most conspicuous was the bald man in a wheelchair, who had pressed his index and middle fingers against his temple.
But the X-Men he brought weren't as friendly; they all looked at Su Ming and the others warily, as if regarding them as culprits.
Su Ming merely glanced at them and immediately recognized that this was the first generation X-Men, consisting of Cyclops, Storm, and their group.
Yet Wolverine wasn't among them, indicating Little Rascal hadn't reached enrollment age yet.
Professor X opened his eyes, wiped the nosebleed from himself, and forcefully soothed Lianna's mind with his own, because children's minds are very tender, requiring careful nurturing, which instead injured him.
But soon, a smile appeared on his face, because Lianna had been awakened and regained consciousness, though the severe pain in her body prevented her from speaking.
"Children, relax, this is Mr. Wilson, a friend of mine and Eric's." He turned his wheelchair and spoke to the X-Men behind him.
His voice wasn't loud, but it echoed in the dim palace for a long time.
The X-Men lowered their guard, and Hamill also put down the hand he'd raised to cast a spell.
But the Professor's statement made the crowd more confused. Magnetic King's friend? Doesn't that make him a terrorist? What on earth happened between the Professor and Magnetic King? Why does he always say he's that madman's friend?
Except for the young Jean Grey, who seemed deep in thought, the others were utterly confused. This was their first time carrying out a mission by time traveling, and they were still a bit disoriented.
Even if these thoughts weren't spoken aloud, Professor X knew what they were thinking, but this wasn't the place to explain.
"Charles, you've come after all."
Su Ming checked on the Secret Guest's condition; it seemed that regaining consciousness allowed her to suppress the Blood Stone for now.
This is talent; the Secret Guest's mutant ability is quite average, but her true talent lies in being a genius warlock. In the history of the comic world, she mastered all Dark Magic in six years, including special techniques to borrow power from the Ancient Gods, personally defeating Belasco.
Afterward, she spent another year learning White Magic and then a year studying fighting techniques and swordsmanship from a cat. With these skills, she secured the Hell Border and became the Supreme Mage of this dimension.
Every dimension has a Supreme Mage; currently, the Main Dimension's is the Ancient One, while each of the other dimensions has its own.
Some of them once belonged to the Main Dimension, but due to the lack of opportunities there, they traveled to other dimensions, choosing places where competition wasn't as fierce.
These dimensions are often similar to Hell's small planes, rarely inhabited by intelligent creatures, mostly bizarre beings like Dimensional Worms or Dimension Hydras.
The Professor pushed his wheelchair closer, activating his ability, and everyone except him and Su Ming seemed to be under an invisible shroud, losing response to the outside world, as if time had paused.
"Everything is as you said, the time and place exactly match."
Su Ming patted the Secret Guest's head; what Charles said was intriguing. Could it be that all this was arranged by his future self?
But he didn't give anything away, merely nodding, "Well done, Charles. I'll take care of the Secret Guest now. Did you come through Jean Grey?"
"The Phoenix Power, a terrifying strength, but with my control, sometimes very useful."
The Professor smiled, seemingly genuinely pleased.
It appears that the future Jean is aware of the Phoenix Power's existence, but the last time Su Ming encountered the Black Phoenix dealing with Apocalypse, suggesting something changed during this time, making the story return to its starting point.
But things concerning mutants often involve massive time changes, which can't be guessed just by reasoning.
"Then please use your ability again to cut a ten-year sliver of the Hell Border; I need to cultivate a Supreme Mage here."