Odin stood within the halls of flames, awaiting Mephisto with unnerving confidence. He knew the Prince of Flames would be unwilling to aid him, but held the opinion that he should try anyway.

The doors were cracked apart and the tall, unmistakably red figure of Mephisto strode inside.

"What dragged you to Hell, Odin? Hm?"

"The being I brought to you those years ago has escaped."

"What, Dormammu? Oh ho ho, he's been free for quite some time my friend. He found corporeal form many moons ago."

"We had an arrangement!"

"Which ran out years ago, maybe even millennia! I freed the dread, and to my credit kept your other outcast!"

"Where is Dormammu?!"

"I said he was freed...I never said he left."

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Odin was led to a liquid-metal gate, adorned with minute tongues of fire.

"I allow the dread to reside here, as long as he doesn't overthrow me."

Odin gave a sideways glance to Mephisto.

"I did not know of the devil to be so...soft."

"I'm not being soft...there are great evils coming, and so I must reserve an army in case."

"But do thou's eyes deceive thou?! The devil's minions roam Asgard!"

"No. Not necessarily. Rain does not resemble clouds, surely? They are the work of Dormammu."

Mephisto vanished into nothingness, and the gate split into two. Odin stepped through and found himself within an ancient hall. Within its midst was a large stone, which danced with flames.

"Can it be?" a deep and disconcerting voice gasped. A dark, burnt-crimson face emerged into the flame, and smiled wide-mouthed.

"Stay, demon dread!"

"It is! The Lord God, the Allfather. It is Odin! Ha! After all these years, you make yourself known. Oh, we must reminisce!"

"Why do you attack Asgard?"

"WHY DO YOU THINK?! What can you not COMPREHEND about our past?!"

Odin sighed.

"You do not slay me now?"

"I'm confined as it where. The dread has seeped into your throne room, though. One amongst you be a traitor! And yet you do not see! Perhaps your eye deceives you."

"Who is the betrayer?!"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I forget. Just know this, Allfather: I am free to roam the realm that should have, will be, mine!"

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Thor yelled at the sky, and flung himself out into the open. Spears flew at him unexpectedly, which he dodged in fierce anger. Loki just stood and watched. Demons entered and he ushered them away.

"Soon, Dormammu. Soon."

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Down on the fields, the warriors fought. Thor was in their midst, tossing his hammer gracefully through anything that moved against him. Sif stood next to him, swiping ferociously.

"They do not seem to stall! More and more spill out!"

"Spill out of where, Sif?!"

"The wound in the land of flames!"

Suddenly there was a boom of pure sound, and Odin appeared.

"I banish the playthings of Dormammu to his realm, and pray they do not return!"

The demons turned to dirt and drained into the ground. Odin sagged, exhaling painfully as his strength began to fade.

"Get the Allfather to his throne!" Thor screamed.

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Thor went straight to the room he'd left Loki in, and stepped forward. Using the usual method, he recalled the Destroyer. To his confusion, it had cables hanging from it which turned to cinder immediately.

"Protection is needed for Asgard."

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Dormammu swirled as his agent in Asgard entered into view.

"The Allfather has halted my troops. However, he will not find it so easy when the next-"

"Odin has entered the Odinsleep. We need not worry about anyone but Thor. He will not rest until you are destroyed."

"So be it. I trust that the Destroyer has been dispatched."

"Yes, but Thor has recalled it."

"Loki, you must create an illusion. Pre-occupy them so I may be able to conquer!"

"Yes, Dormammu."