American Comics: Multiverse of Madness

498. Barbatos!

"Die, demon!"

The Punisher struck first, charging straight at the unknown Batman-like creature.

Even though he had no idea what this monster truly was or how dangerous it could be, the Punisher trusted Alex and Doctor Strange.

As the scourge of Hell's Kitchen, no one understood close-quarters combat better than the Punisher. Furthermore, he had previously fought against numerous demons, so he wasn't intimidated by this eerie bat-like creature.

With two of the world's most skilled sorcerers backing him up, the Punisher felt confident. No matter what kind of trouble he encountered, he trusted that Alex and Doctor Strange would protect him if necessary.

They did not betray that trust. Just as the Punisher made his move, a golden light and a streak of green fire enveloped him.

Wielding his axe, the Punisher reached the strange Batman's side in an instant. However, before he could attack, the eerie Batman countered with lightning speed, appearing above the Punisher.

The Punisher barely had time to raise his arm to block before the monster's bladed hand aimed for his throat.

A golden light flared, accompanied by a resonant chime in the air.

Doctor Strange's protective magic had activated. The blade on the eerie Batman's arm collided with a golden magic circle, sending sparks flying.

When the first strike failed, the creature retreated swiftly, trying to create some distance and find another opportunity to attack.

However, before it had moved three meters, green flames erupted from the ground, rapidly forming a circle that trapped it inside.

"Got you, Bruce."

Alex extended his hand, and the surging green flames transformed into a net, sealing off all escape routes.

"No… something's off."

As he observed the hunched creature emitting strange chirps, Alex narrowed his eyes slightly.

"What is it?" Doctor Strange asked, stepping closer to Alex. While he kept his golden magic circle ready, he also cast a curious glance at his companion. "Did you notice something?"

Alex frowned deeply. Initially, he had assumed this thing was a cursed variant of Bruce Wayne. After all, in the multiverse, only Batman wore such a suit.

However, while Batman was Bruce Wayne, not all Batmen were Bruce Wayne. The creature before them might not be the person Alex remembered.

"I thought it was some cursed version of Bruce Wayne, but..." Alex licked his dry lips and shook his head slightly.

"But what?" Doctor Strange pressed.

Before Alex could reply, the eerie Batman moved again.

Its hands suddenly grew larger and more claw-like, with sharp, gleaming nails. From its back, its cape transformed into menacing black wings, and its mouth let out a dragon-like roar.

A terrifying aura rose immediately, accompanied by immense pressure. The creature shattered Alex's net of flames and sent the Punisher stumbling back several steps, his gaze cautious as he observed the monster's transformation.

"What a bizarre energy... I've never felt such darkness and distortion before. What is that thing?"

Doctor Strange's hands moved swiftly, forming intricate seals. Massive golden barriers merged to form a sturdy prison, combining with the flames to trap the creature once more.

Hearing Strange's exclamation, Alex didn't waste a moment. He summoned the energy within himself.

"Miss, are you there?"

(Always at your service, my lord!)

Upon reestablishing the connection, the voice of Miss Minutes echoed in Alex's mind.

"Analyze this creature's energy signature, capture its soul imprint, and transfer some stellar energy to me."

(As you wish, my lord.)

With Miss Minutes's acknowledgment, orange light surged from Alex's body, and a third eye opened on his forehead.

"Stephen, lend me a hand!"

At Alex's call, Doctor Strange immediately understood. Despite this being their first time fighting together, the two coordinated seamlessly.

As Alex moved forward and formed a golden seal, a beam of energy shot straight toward the eerie Batman.

"On it."

Doctor Strange reacted instantly. Chains materialized out of thin air, tightly binding the creature's wings and restricting its movements. No matter how fiercely it struggled, it couldn't break free quickly.

At this moment, Alex's magical beam reached the target, hitting the strange Batman squarely in the chest without any obstruction.

Boom!

The collision triggered a massive energy burst that sent Alex's trench coat and Doctor Strange's cloak billowing violently. The Punisher had to crouch and lower his center of gravity to avoid being blown away.

"Aaaahhh!"

Under the golden beam's assault, the strange Batman began to struggle violently. Its entire body swayed as if numerous entities within were battling for control of the body.

Sharp teeth and a gaping maw roared as a grotesque, menacing dragon's head emerged from its neck. Meanwhile, on the other side, a bat-like face also protruded.

Tentacles covered in a black, gel-like substance flailed wildly, dripping onto the floor of the Sanctum Sanctorum and emitting thick black smoke. In the radiant light, the horrifying shadows on the walls twisted and writhed constantly.

"By the Vishanti! What kind of monster is this?"

Doctor Strange's face stiffened as he looked at the creature, thrashing under Alex's powerful energy attack.

Standing beside him, Alex frowned deeply as he gazed at the amalgamation of a black dragon, bat, and octopus, finally identifying its origin.

"That's a creation of Barbatos, the Bat-God, the dragon of the apocalypse that devours the multiverse."

"Barbatos? Isn't that one of Solomon's seventy-two demon gods? I've dealt with it before, and it was nowhere near as bizarre as this thing," Doctor Strange said, turning to Alex.

"It's just a coincidence of names. These two are entirely different entities," Alex replied casually before intensifying his energy beam.

As Alex's assault grew stronger, the eerie Batman let out even more agonized howls.

Within its body, the dragon head and bat face were gradually suppressed, leaving only the nauseating tentacles flailing wildly.

"Now's the time!"

At Alex's shout, the Punisher sprang into action. Like a hunting predator, he swiftly moved to the strange Batman, raising his axe and bringing it down.

This time, the Punisher succeeded in striking the enemy. With a swing imbued with magical power, his enchanted axe severed several of the largest tentacles from the strange Batman.

"Nice work, Frank," Doctor Strange complimented as his hands moved in complex gestures before spreading his arms wide.

In response, metallic rods inscribed with magical runes sprouted from the floor and walls, intersecting both horizontally and vertically to form a cage.

Simultaneously, the walls and floor began shifting, rapidly compressing the space. What had once been the size of a basketball court was now reduced to the dimensions of a small bathroom.

With the metal rods forming a lattice, the strange Batman was confined within a prison.

As Alex and Doctor Strange worked together, over a hundred binding and sealing spells bombarded the creature, locking it firmly in place.

The strange Batman roared and lunged at the cage.

But the moment it made contact with the metallic rods, a burst of multicolored energy blasted it backward, slamming it to the ground. Black smoke rose from its body as it lay motionless for a moment.

Finally, Doctor Strange let out a sigh of relief, wiping sweat from his forehead.

Turning to Alex, he had to admit that if it weren't for Alex's assistance, he and the Punisher would never have subdued the creature so easily.

Fixing his gaze on Alex, who was still staring intently at the subdued Batman, Doctor Strange asked again.

"So, can you explain exactly what this thing is? And what is this 'dragon of the apocalypse'?"

Alex paused, then began, "In another multiverse, there exists something known as the World Forge. Within it, parallel universes are created from the hopes and fears of all living things."

After a brief moment of thought, Alex continued, "Universes born from hope and beauty expand and become part of the bright multiverse. In contrast, those born from distortion, darkness, and despair are meant to serve as sustenance for Barbatos, the dragon of the apocalypse."

"Barbatos' role is to destroy those dark parallel universes, converting them into pure energy to return to the World Forge. However, the crazed Barbatos abandoned its duties, instead letting those dark universes grow, feeding on them for its own power."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"So, what you're saying is, this thing is a scout sent by that Barbatos from the Dark Multiverse?" the Punisher asked, unable to hold back his question.

Beside him, Doctor Strange frowned. "Could the Dark Multiverse be the source of the contamination?"

"Impossible."

Alex immediately dismissed the idea and continued, "The contamination stems from..."

.....

?30 advanced chapters on p@treaon?
For advance chapters: /Uchiha_Itachi007 (replace @ with a)
499. Arthur Arkham.
500. Return.
501. The One-Way Mirror of Reality!!
502. The Identity of the Traveler.
503. I Heard It!