Chapter 1: The Rift Beyond Reality

The ethereal energies crackled around Doctor Stephen Strange as he stood firm against the looming threat of Knull, the mighty deity of symbiotes. The battlefield was filled with an otherworldly glow, its dimensions twisting and contorting with every surge of power. Strange's cloak, a sentient artifact imbued with ancient magic, fluttered behind him like a banner of defense against the overwhelming darkness.

Knull, an ancient force of unparalleled malevolence, exuded an aura of pure corruption that corrupts the very air around him. His eyes glowed with an otherworldly fervour as he surveyed the chaos unfolding before him. Arrayed behind their dark master, Knull's army of symbiotes writhed and seethed, a relentless tide of black tendrils and twisted forms.

With a grim determination etched upon his features, Doctor Strange raised his hands, channelling the raw power of the mystical energies that flowed through him. Arcane symbols danced in the air around him, weaving intricate patterns of magic as he prepared to unleash his formidable sorcery upon his enemies.

"Come forth, vile creature!" Strange's voice echoed across the battlefield, resonating with an authority born of centuries of study and practice. "Your reign of darkness ends here and now!" 

Knull's response was a deafening roar that shook the very foundations of reality, a primal sound that reverberated through the cosmos like thunder. With a sweeping gesture, he unleashed a torrent of dark energy that surged toward Doctor Strange with unstoppable force.

But Strange was ready. With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a barrier of shimmering light that intercepted Knull's attack, dissipating its destructive power before it could reach him. Sweat beaded upon his brow as he struggled to maintain the shield against the relentless assault, the strain of the battle weighing heavily upon him.

As the clash of titans intensified, Doctor Strange knew that he needed to change tactics if he hoped to emerge victorious. Drawing upon the deepest wells of his mystical knowledge, he began to weave a spell of unparalleled complexity, tapping into the very fabric of the multiverse itself.

The air crackled with energy as Strange's incantations grew in intensity, arcane symbols swirling around him in a dizzying dance. With a final circle, he unleashed the full might of his magic upon Knull and his dark minions, a cascade of mystic bolts that seared through the battlefield like a comet's tail.

For a moment, it seemed as though victory was within Strange's grasp. But Knull was no ordinary foe. With a roar of defiance, he countered Strange's onslaught with a wave of pure darkness that threatened to engulf everything in its path.

Caught off guard by the ferocity of Knull's counterattack, Doctor Strange stumbled backward, his concentration faltering for the briefest of moments. It was all the opening that Knull needed. With a swift and decisive motion, he launched himself at Strange, his form blurring as he closed the distance between them with lightning speed.

The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield, shaking the very foundations of reality. Doctor Strange found himself locked in a fierce struggle with Knull, their powers clashing in a dazzling display of light and darkness.

But even as he fought, Strange could feel the tide of battle turning against him. Knull's strength is inexhaustible, his fury unyielding in the face of Strange's onslaught. With each passing moment, it seemed as though the Sorcerer Supreme is fighting a losing battle against the unstoppable force of the symbiote god.

Desperate to turn the tide of battle in his favour, Doctor Strange cast his gaze inward, seeking guidance from the depths of his own soul. And there, amidst the chaos and turmoil of his innermost thoughts, he found a glimmer of hope, a spark of inspiration that threatened to ignite into a blazing inferno of determination.

With renewed resolve, Doctor Strange drew upon every ounce of strength and courage within him, channelling it into a single, decisive blow. With a primal scream that echoed across the battlefield, he unleashed a burst of pure energy that engulfed Knull in a blinding flash of light.

For a moment, there is silence. And then, slowly but surely, the darkness began to recede, dissipating like fog beneath the morning sun. Doctor Strange stood victorious, his chest heaving with exertion as he surveyed the battlefield.

"I won" 

I used my life force to cast that last spell... 

"I'm dying, so let's try this... 

Dr. Strange drew a circle with his and Knull's blood and sat at the center of the circle.

With a long breath, dr. Strange activated the circle.

And then, in an instant that stretched into eternity, Doctor Strange's consciousness faded, consumed by the overwhelming power of the spell. His vision blurred, and his thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind until there was nothing left but darkness.