I'm starting a mythology craze at Marvel

Chapter 146 I caught you
In the blazing flames, Hawkeye's body underwent an unprecedented transformation.

Complex emotions such as pain, hatred, anger and guilt act as fuel, fueling the flames.

His muscles, skin, and even his internal organs were turned to ashes one by one under the licking of the flames, leaving only a skeleton that was shining with a faint blue light.

This skeleton is no longer a symbol of fragility, but the embodiment of revenge and strength.

It is Ghost Rider, a warrior driven by dark forces and born out of revenge.

Hawkeye's soul is now closely connected to this skeleton. His consciousness awakens in pain, but he also finds a new direction in his desire for revenge.

"Welcome, my Ghost Rider." Mephisto's voice sounded in Hawkeye's ears again, and this time, it seemed clearer and more direct. There was an indescribable sense of satisfaction in the voice, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

However, for Hawkeye, this transformation brought not only power, but also endless pain and torture.

His body twisted in pain in the flames, and his soul struggled between the desire for revenge and the bondage of sin.

Finally, he could no longer bear the pain, his consciousness gradually faded, and he finally passed out surrounded by flames.

"Very good, the chess pieces have been laid out, and now it all depends on what the gods will do next."

Mephisto muttered to himself, and suddenly, his face changed drastically, and a powerful force was coming across the space.

Mephisto wanted to leave immediately, but it was too late.

A figure appeared in front of him, looking at him with a smile.

"You hid really well, Lord of Hell. If you hadn't shown yourself, it would have been hard for me to find you."

Mephisto frowned and immediately realized what was going on.

He was already so cautious, but he still unexpectedly stepped into the trap.

"who are you?"

Mephisto's voice was low and alert, and his eyes were sharp as he examined the sudden visitor in front of him.

The other party was dressed even more simply than himself, but Mephisto did not dare to be careless at all. Now the huge energy in the other party's body was shining on him like the sun.

If a fight really breaks out, I will most likely be the one to die.

"Me? Didn't they mention it just now? I'm the director they were talking about."

"what?"

Mephisto was suddenly shocked that a powerful man who was stronger than himself actually condescended to serve as an official in the mortal world.

Instead of choosing to become the ruler of the nine realms like Odin?

"I think a strong man like you can definitely rule here. I will definitely support your rule. When the time comes, please allow me to have friendly exchanges with the country you rule."

"Stop, stop, stop."

Xia Ling immediately waved his hand to interrupt his nonsense.

"I have no interest in ruling this place on the surface, and I don't need to be friendly with you."

"So what do you need?"

Mephisto was secretly on guard to prevent such a powerful man from turning against him.

"What I need is for you to serve me."

"what?"

Mephisto laughed out of anger. It had always been others who served him, the Lord of Hell. When had he ever seen him serving others?
"Why, don't you want to?"

Mephisto nodded and shook his head.

"It's not impossible for me to serve you, but it depends on how capable you are."

Xia Ling's lips curled up into a playful smile, his eyes gleaming with confidence and depth. "Weight? You'll know soon."

Before he finished speaking, an indescribable energy wave suddenly surged around Xia Ling. The space seemed to be distorted at this moment, and everything around him became blurry and illusory.

Mephisto felt an unprecedented pressure coming towards him. Even a lord of hell like him couldn't help but take a few steps back, his face extremely solemn.

"Is this... divine power?!" Mephisto was horrified. He had never seen such a pure and powerful fluctuation of divine power. Even those high and mighty gods rarely displayed such amazing power.

Xia Ling smiled lightly and did not answer directly. Instead, he slowly raised his right hand with his palm facing up, as if he wanted to grasp something invisible.

As he moved, the surrounding flames seemed to be summoned and gathered in his hands, forming a dazzling fireball that contained the power of destruction and rebirth.

"Watch out, Mephisto. This is why I want you to serve me." Xia Ling's voice was calm and firm. He waved his hand lightly, and the fireball shot towards Mephisto at an astonishing speed. However, the moment it was about to touch him, it turned into countless tiny fire elves, spinning and dancing around Mephisto without hurting him at all, as if it was conducting a silent judgment.

Mephisto's eyes widened. He could feel the terrifying power contained in these fire spirits. If they really exploded, even he would not be able to bear it. As the Lord of Hell, he could not cast such a powerful flame like Xia Ling.

"What a powerful force." Mephisto swallowed hard, his tone carrying a hint of reluctance and helplessness. "I am willing to serve you, but please promise that my freedom and dignity will not be violated."

Xia Ling smiled slightly and took back the flame spirits. The space returned to peace again. "Of course, as long as we cooperate happily, I will respect your status and rights."

The opponent's power was too strong and he had underestimated him. Mephisto had no choice but to surrender temporarily and wait for changes in the future.

"Then we need to sign a contract?"

Mephisto asked tentatively.

Xia Ling shook his head gently, his eyes deep and mysterious.

"Contract? For you and me, it is just a formal bond. I believe that with our strength and wisdom, a verbal promise is enough."

Mephisto laughed inwardly when he heard this. Was this man out of his mind? He believed in a verbal agreement? Did he really think that anyone would care about the dignity of a strong man?

However, this matter was in his favor, so he nodded to express his acceptance, only to see the other party throwing something to him.

Mephisto reached out to catch it, and looking left and right, it seemed to be an iron hoop.

"this is?"

Mephisto inquired, not knowing what the man in front of him was planning to do.

"Oh, this is just a token. You can just wear it on your head. After all, you have surrendered to me, so you need a proof."

Xia Ling spoke casually, but Mephisto did not believe what he said.

However, no matter how he examined it, the iron hoop was just an ordinary iron hoop and did not look like any kind of restraint.

After seeing the power gradually gathering in Xia Ling's hands, Mephisto could only convince himself that this was the thing the man opposite was using to humiliate him, and then he put on the iron hoop.

"Okay, very good. Now that you have put on this hoop, we are a family."

Xia Ling immediately smiled.

After Mephisto put on the iron hoop, he was unwilling, but he also understood his current situation and had to temporarily submit to Xia Ling's will. He bowed his head slightly, with a hint of caution and tentativeness in his tone: "Sir, I am willing to serve you at my service, but I don't know what specific instructions you have?"

Xia Ling's gaze lingered on Mephisto for a moment, and he said, "Just do as you originally thought."

Xia Ling's words made Mephisto slightly stunned. He originally thought that Xia Ling would have a more specific and complicated plan, but he didn't expect it to be so simple and direct.

"According to my original idea?" Mephisto repeated, with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Xia Ling nodded, with a tone of unquestionable majesty: "That's right, continue to integrate your power of hell, and at the same time, the movements of other gods, I believe this will not be difficult for you."

Mephisto thought to himself that this request was not unexpected and was within his ability.

He bowed slightly to show his acceptance: "Yes, sir, I will do my best."

Xia Ling nodded with satisfaction, and continued, "In addition, the power of Ghost Rider needs to be further developed and guided. As his apparent master, you should know his potential and limitations best.

I hope you can find a way to maximize his strength in the most critical moments."

Having used Ghost Rider for so many years, Mephisto naturally knows very well that although this thing is very useful, it is easy to get out of control. There was a Ghost Rider who escaped from his control.

"Yes, sir, I will do my best." Mephisto once again expressed his loyalty and determination.

Xia Ling looked at Mephisto and knew clearly what this Lord of Hell was thinking.

But, so what?

With that hoop on, Xia Ling can control him at any time. Even if he has some ideas in his mind, what can he do?
Does he think he is the Great Sage? Moreover, even if he is the Great Sage, he can only get rid of the shackles after his death.

Although his hoop is not as powerful as the original one, it is still not something that the Lord of Hell can get rid of.

After giving instructions, Xia Ling left.

Mephisto watched Xia Ling's back gradually go away until he completely disappeared from his sight. He then slowly stood up, and the humility and obedience on his face were instantly replaced by a complicated look.

He gently stroked the seemingly inconspicuous but powerful iron hoop on his head, feeling mixed emotions.

"Hmph, I'll let you be proud for a while." Mephisto muttered to himself, his eyes flashing with unwillingness and calculation. "When the time is right, I will definitely regain my freedom and dignity."

"However, the contract must be completed before that."

A sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth. He slowly raised his hands, and the fire of hell condensed at his fingertips. Mephisto closed his eyes and began to chant the ancient spell.

(End of this chapter)