Chapter 41: Strange Red Dimension

[Third Person's PoV] 

Due to the Eye of Agamotto, Stephen Strange knew without a doubt that she was being truthful. No lies lingered in her words.

"I'll do my best to get you out of there..." Stephen promised, still reeling from the shock of her situation.

"Thank you..." she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. 

"If you don't mind me asking," Stephen began cautiously, his voice soft so as not to upset her further, "how long have you been trapped in there?"

"More than five hundred years... maybe longer," she replied, her voice tinged with sorrow. "I've lost count... all I know is that centuries have passed."

Stephen's eyes widened in disbelief. "Five hundred years? You've been awake in there for over five hundred years?"

"It's probably been longer, but honestly, I can't remember exactly how long it's been." She hesitated, sounding awkward, as if embarrassed by her inability to recall.

Stephen inhaled deeply, steadying his thoughts. "Let's take this slow. We'll figure it out. For now, let's get to know each other a bit while I search for a solution." He reached for his Grimoire, which had been floating by his side, its pages flickering with a faint glow. "I'm Stephen Strange. What's your name?"

"Wanda... Wanda Maximoff." There was a glimmer of relief in her voice, as if being able to speak her name after so long was a comfort in itself.

Stephen smiled warmly. "It's nice to meet you, Wanda."

"And you, Stephen," she replied softly, her voice laced with joy at the simple act of conversation.

As Stephen opened his Grimoire, he whispered a silent incantation, willing it to reveal information on the Crimson Dimension. His fingers traced the ancient pages, and soon, the text about Cyttorak appeared before him. "This... this is going to be a problem," he muttered under his breath.

Wanda's heart skipped a beat. "What? What's wrong?" Her voice trembled. "Am I... am I stuck here forever?"

Stephen hesitated. "The crystal that holds you... it originates from the Crimson Dimension, a realm ruled by Cyttorak, a being known both as a god and a demon. Anything from his realm is... well, virtually indestructible."

Wanda's breath hitched, her voice soft and filled with despair. "So, I really am stuck here forever..."

"Not necessarily," Stephen interjected, though his tone was laden with weariness. "There is a way to free you, but it's incredibly dangerous." He scratched his head, frowning. "It could get us both killed if we're not careful."

"I'll do it!" Wanda exclaimed, desperation flaring in her voice. "I'll do whatever it takes. If it kills me, then at least I'll be free from this torment. I know I'm asking a lot of you, risking your life for someone you barely know, but... you're my only hope."

Stephen shook his head, determination settling in his eyes. "Don't worry about that. I gave you my word, and as a sorcerer, that means something. A sorcerer's word is sacred. I will get you out of here."

"Thank you, Stephen... truly," Wanda whispered, her gratitude palpable.

"Don't thank me just yet," Stephen replied, his tone dry. "Wait until I get you out of here—and hopefully, without killing us both in the process."

He turned his attention back to his Grimoire, thumbing through more pages before explaining his plan. "We're going to go to the place where the crystal originates: the Crimson Dimension. I'll take us there and... we'll confront Cyttorak himself. He's the only one with the power to free you."

"I see..." Wanda muttered, her voice steady though filled with anxiety. "I understand why you said it's dangerous. But if you believe this will work, then... I trust you."

Stephen nodded. "The thing is... I'm not sure it'll work. It's a gamble. I'll have to appeal to both his godly and demonic sides and hope he's feeling generous. But... we have no other choice."

Moving with purpose, Stephen strode to a small pile of treasure in the corner of the room. He retrieved a handful of ancient gold coins and tossed them to the floor. His hands began to move rapidly, weaving intricate gestures as a small, glowing orb formed between his fingers.

"[Arcane Magic: Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth,]" he chanted, his voice echoing with power.

As the magic washed over the coins, they transformed into red candles and a piece of red chalk. Stephen knelt and began drawing an elaborate pentagram on the floor, setting the candles at each point and lighting them one by one. He closed the curtains, plunging the room into darkness, save for the eerie crimson glow of the flames.

Wanda's voice broke the silence, filled with curiosity. "What are you doing?"

"Preparing a ritual to contact him," Stephen replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "I'm knocking on his dimensional door instead of barging in uninvited. I figure it might earn us some goodwill."

Wanda couldn't help but chuckle, despite the gravity of the situation. "Brownie points with a god-demon?"

Stephen grinned, settling himself in the center of the pentagram, with Wanda's crystal behind him. He began to float as his eyes glowed with magic. "I, Doctor Stephen Strange, call upon Cyttorak, the Destroyer, the Lord of Oblivion, ruler of the Crimson Dimension. I beseech you to open a passage into your realm. I seek an audience."

Silence hung heavy in the air as Stephen floated in place, waiting. The crystal behind him began to pulse, its glow intensifying until a brilliant beam of light shot from its core, illuminating the room. A swirling red portal opened before him, its edges crackling with otherworldly energy.

Stephen smirked and glanced back at Wanda. "Looks like the lord of the house just opened the door for us."

With a confident stride, Stephen moved forward, the crimson crystal following closely behind. As they passed through the portal, it snapped shut, extinguishing the candles with a hiss.

…

On the other side, the Crimson Dimension stretched out before Stephen like a surreal, scarlet-hued dreamscape. The ground was a vast desert of ruby-colored sand, broken by towering, volcano-like structures that spewed rust-colored ash into the air. The sky was locked in an eternal sunset, casting everything in an otherworldly red glow.

In the distance, a colossal throne rose from the ground, and seated upon it was Cyttorak. His hulking, crimson form towered over everything, his presence overwhelming. He was several meters tall, a god-like being of raw power. Stephen had to crane his neck just to look up at him.

"State your purpose, little sorcerer," Cyttorak's voice boomed, echoing through the dimension.

Stephen stood tall, undeterred by the towering figure. "I seek the release of my companion, who is imprisoned within your crystal. As you know, your power makes anything from your dimension indestructible. Only you can free her."

Cyttorak's eyes narrowed. "And why would I do that? What benefit is there for me?"

A confident smile played across Stephen's lips. "We are a sorcerer and a witch, constantly battling powerful forces. When we invoke the power of your dimension, your name will echo across the multiverse. People will tremble at the mere mention of your name, knowing their defeat is inevitable when we wield the might of the Crimson Dimension."

Cyttorak's laughter shook the very ground beneath them. "HAHAHA! I LIKE IT! SPREADING DESTRUCTION IN MY NAME! VERY WELL, SORCERER! I SHALL FREE YOUR WITCH! BUT REMEMBER, YOU BOTH SHALL WREAK HAVOC IN MY NAME!"

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