Come to think of it, was I actually the key?

The gates leading into the Demon Realm, and the gates of the Ninth Polar Heaven did open despite us doing nothing.

Heart mentioned something about keys but we never even took one along the way. We didn't even open any locks.

...

Fiya and Heart walked over to the small house near the monolith. Leaving me behind to explore this place.

I walked over to a door on the giant wall surrounding the monolith. It's a chained metal door, resembling that of a door that you'd find back in Earth.

I turn the doorknob to open it. Inside, a group of people wearing gas masks and protective gear are working on something.

"Felan, hand me that barrel."

"Fuu..! Sha..!"

As one of them gives a barrel to the other, everyone suddenly looks at me.

Did I accidentally stumble into something dangerous..?

"Huh? Who's that?"

"A new worker? Must be him. Come on in, we're currently fixing the elevators, but remember, one wrong move and this entire place blows up."

Ehh..? What does he mean by that..? Isn't this a-...

IT'S A NUCLEAR SILO?!!!

"Operations operations..."

Why do they even have such technology..? Magic already exists so this world would've relied on it, making scientific advancements later.

Besides, Missiles aren't even that useful around here, since magic users can just shoot them down.

"U-umm... I'm not actually a worker here... Heart brought me to this place and I just accidentally opened the door... So if you don't mind-"

"I can sense the size of your magic energy. No need to be shy, you can help us out by giving our weapon a bit of magic."

Magic..? Well. I'm still waiting for Heart and Fiya to be done harvesting their potatoes so I guess I can help for a while.

"Alright... What are you guys even doing?"

One of them walks up to me as I say that.

"We're making a Magical Hydrogen Bomb. I assume that you already know, since Heart brought you here."

Heart did tell me about the Nightmarish Mortality... So is this bomb made with blueprints from Earth?

"One of the Elites from Earth is our current leader. You could call him our main source of information. I don't like the humans of Earth, but we still have to help them anyways for the sake of our nation... Sigh..."

He then leads me further into the facility, a separate section from the missile silo.

It looks like some generic secret science laboratory from a movie or something.

"This is the Magical Scientific Research facility. I'm Iyan from the Nightmarish Mortality."

"So I assume that the Nightmarish Mortality is an organization huh. It's bigger than what I've expected."

Iyan then takes off his mask, before walking into another room.

"If you want a tour of this place, meet Manta Ray. I'll be back later."

Manta Ray?! Manta..?! I thought Manta was dead..! She's alive?! I must go meet her!

What a huge surprise. Though, Manta is only Manta. She doesn't have a "Ray" on her name. I mustn't let my hopes up, maybe it's not her after all...

Why would she be here in this place anyways? Only Fin, Frelhr and Sting escaped from Keasius.

...

I went down a long hallway before finally walking out into a large chamber with a strange lighting.

"Ah, Vixen... How long has it been..?"

The chamber was dark and extremely huge. Countless amounts of wires were hanging from the ceiling and on the walls. Sitting on the middle is a huge reactor submerged in water and encased behind glass. Perhaps it's a nuclear reactor?

Manta. The real, actual Manta was standing in front of it. Her magical energy was different though.

It's a fake..?

"Manta..? What are you doing here..? What happened..?"

I ask as I walk up to her, standing on the elevated platform surrounding the reactor.

"The Gods have abandoned us. I've escaped through a portal after I got my collarbone chopped through."

"You're still alive though... That's what matters right now. Can you answer my questions first?"

She then walks up to the reactor. Holding her hand out to it.

"Vixen, they lied to us. Let this be a message to them all."

Huh? What does she mean? What is she doing-

......

"Attention. People of Cvvoer. This is the Demon Lord speaking. May you spend your last days living, as your final lives won't matter anymore."

She telepathically spoke.

Even with all of my strength, I still couldn't move. It's as if an immense, invisible force was being pressured throughout my entire body.

"An all-out nuclear doomsday will now commence. I have lived in this world for more than what you could ever imagine, taking in multiple forms as they roamed as another. You monsters, humans, demons, all life forms will perish within 20 years from now. For me, it will merely be a second, but for you however... I hope you pray the best you can, because no one will help you. The Gods have brought this on their selves. I am not sorry."

The girl in front of me suddenly disappeared the moment I opened my eyes after blinking.

What was that?

I take a look around but I can't find Manta anywhere.

The door quickly opens as 5 people enters the chamber.

"What was that?!"

"Who's there?!"

They all look at me as if I caused all of that.

"The guest? Get away from that machine! It's dangerous!"

I step away as they come to check the reactor. Later, I go back to meet Iyan as he leads me into a meeting room.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

I might have gotten into another awkward situation.

"This is the witness. I-I'm sorry that I let them into that chamber..."

Iyan says.

I can see that he looks really stressed out...

A group of people wearing suits are sitting around a long table.

I wonder how I can get out of here without being noticed...

"Heart's guest huh. You're Vixen right? We're the Defense Management team, otherwise known as Lord Tio Fen's personal bodyguards."

"H-huh..? Who's Tio..?"

"Lord Tio Fen is the leader of the Nightmarish Mortality. We've come here to discuss about the Demon Lord's speech... Vixen, how are you even related to Manta Ray?"

In my opinion... That wasn't Manta... That was the Demon Lord.

It was said in the Book of Epitomy, a long chapter talking about how a Demon must go through a ranking system before becoming the Demon Lord.

It's different from becoming a Hero, for they can only be chosen by the Gods.

An odd Demon existed in the past, simply titled as the "Hammerhead Demon". That Demon lived by hiding it's soul inside many different souls. It was almost impossible to guess what that Demon was doing, until now...

"Manta was a friend back in the human realm... I don't know how she even got here. It must be the works of the Demon Lord, I don't know who this Manta Ray even is, I only know Manta."

"I see I see... Write that down, Hurell!"

One of them writes it down.

"Hoh..? That Manta that you know of, is it the same Manta that was killed by one of the Baphomet's agents?"

Baphomet? Keasius? I guess the Demons must be connected with the Baphomet as well huh.

"Yeah. The Tale of the Great White or Keasius... That traitor killed her out of nowhere..!"

"Keasius? The Ocean God? My my. How are you connected to such important figures?"

"Who knows? I was just walking around and then I met them."

"Perhaps you are of the Royal blood as well, am I right?"

Royal blood? People do call me a Vampire, which isn't true. Royal blood however...

"No, why do you think of that?"

"Just a thought. Don't worry about it."

The door, opposite side of the room suddenly opens loudly, silencing everyone.

A woman with silver white hair, long gloves, red eyes, wearing a smooth uniform, only having black and white as it's colors, slowly walks into the room.

Who is she? She looks familiar... It feels like I've seen her before...

"Everyone. I'm sure that you all know why you're here for."

"Yes. To discuss the matters about the doomsday apocalypse. It's happened too quickly, our Magical Hydrogen Bomb won't be done by then. Heart's army will have to stop the Baphomet from invading us, while we work on it."

Heart's army..? Am I part of it? I don't want to fight the Baphomet, those agents are too strong..!

"Her guest here is one of the only people remaining in that army. Vixen, I'm sorry but, most of our forces have been destroyed by the old Hero, it'll only be a matter of time until the Baphomet wipes us out."

Baphomet? Keasius, an agent of Baphomet destroyed the superweapon that we were making, the main purpose of that weapon was to destroy the demons, so why would the Baphomet attack them?

"Ummm... Can you give me more details about the situation here..? I thought the Baphomet was on your side?"

"They were, until they found out about our Magical Hydrogen Bomb. Same day that you, and your friend's Magical Electromagnetic Superweapons Project was destroyed. A connection between the Demons realm and the Mortal realm caught one of their agent's eyes, which directed them to this place."

"So the Ninth Polar Heaven is a nuclear- no... The Nightmarish Mortality's headquarters?"

"Yes. I don't know why you hate us, maybe it's because you just want to end this war, but we'll stop it, and request an alliance with you- the humans, in a way to combat the Baphomet and the Blood God."

I see... It wouldn't be difficult to get the Demons and the Humans on one side, a massive threat, that is the Blood God remains, and our only way to get even a chance of surviving is by working together...

"Alright. What do you need me to do?"

"Get the Baphomet out of here."

Eh..? That's a huge request. The Baphomet has an entire God on their side...

"Guest, the Baphomet is a threat greater than the current Hero, our own army won't be able to stop it. So that's when you come in! Heart is a master of the ?_+?!&+&&+_?, basically, get her to teach you her Soul Nullification techniques and get the Baphomet outta here."

"Excuse me but what did you say? I couldn't hear it properly."

"The ?!+&+_?&+...? I guess you can't understand it huh. Think of it as the 5th dimension. Free also knows about it, you can have her explain it to you, but you can only understand 3rd dimensions. 4th if you're a prodigy but it'll still be more than difficult to even learn."

It's a terrifying thought. The 5th dimension... What is it? It would be impossible for a 3rd dimensional being to understand such concepts.

"Alright. I'll accept I'll accept... By the way, have you seen any of my friends? You guys know about our project, so you should know about where everyone went to as well."

"Nope. It doesn't work like that. We only found out about your project when they transported themselves down the demon realm, it'll be impossible to find them, or reach them now. They don't seem to be in this layer."

I guess I'll just find them later.

The Baphomet needs to leave this place first.

If Keasius couldn't find, or get to everyone, that would mean that the Baphomet will be the only one to come down here. It'll be a 1v1 huh...

Not a 1v1, more like a desperate attempt for survival. The Baphomet is much stronger than me if they're stronger than a God, but then again... Keasius isn't even a true God. Only 8 true Gods exists in this world.

"Heart should be done with her harvest. Meet up with them, the Baphomet has been baited to come down here, in the Ninth Polar Heaven. Don't worry though, Heart, and the Monolith can bring you both to the 5th dimension so anything you do, you can just go free and use your full power."

Full power huh... I have never used my full power before. Who is to say that I won't lose?

I head back outside, where the Monolith awaits.

"Ah, Vampire..! Have you done with the meeting..?"

It's Fiya. She's running up to me holding a basket of vegetables.

"Hah... hah..... H-heart is waiting in the house... Please come with me..."

She leads me into the house next to the vegetable farm. As expected, Heart is waiting with her legs crossed.

"Yo... It's been a long time... Where have you been all this time..?"

"Q-quit it, Heart..!! Vampire here, s-she just experienced her l-long lost friend possessed by a demon..!"

Well. That didn't really annoy me, Heart is already annoying, so anything she does will always be on the same level of annoyance.

"So? How will we deal with the Baphomet here?"

How does Demons even know or predict so much anyways?! Do they have a telepathic communication system or something?

"We're basically in a giant pit. The Monolith here is the only thing besides my house and the Nightmarish Mortality's headquarters, but that's in the walls, not in the pit."

"How does this place work anyways? Is hell in front of the Monolith, and the research facilities inside the walls?"

"Yes, kind of. You may have noticed why the sky is blue, when hell is red, and the surface is red."

"Hmmm... No I didn't. But why is that?"

"It's because the Ninth Polar Heaven is a separate section between Hell and Earth. It's the gateway to Earth, that's why the Nightmarish Mortality's headquarters is here."

So there's a way to get back to Earth? There's not much reason to go back though. I could meet my friends, family, and everyone back there...

But no way that they'd recognize me.

"Think of it as a map. Earth is northwest, on the corner. Cvvoer's surface, the human realm is on the middle. While the Demon Realm is on the southwest. The long road between the northwest and the southwest is called the Ninth Polar Heaven, directly on the west side."

"Hm? Okay, but how will we defeat the Baphomet? We can't just sit here thinking about worlds and maps."

"No no no. I'm explaining our plan here. The Baphomet will go towards the West, where the Ninth Polar Heaven is, this place. That's why, if they can capture this place, they can capture the borders between Hell and Earth. It's effective for their plan so we've already expected it."

"But the Baphomet already knows about your prediction too, right?"

"The Baphomet is strong, confident, and tough. However, they won't expect a 5th dimensional breaker, me. Vixen, I'll pass on to you, the Soul Nullification technique. The last user named Wishbone, was also my master. Don't forget that name as you pass this onto the next successor."

Heh... I'll gladly accept-

"JUST JOKING HAHHAHA!!"

"Kh!"

I clench my teeth.

"Ahahah.. haha... You're funny, Vixen. It's- hmm... No no. Back to my plan, I'll open up a gateway into the 5th dimension, where you will fight the Baphomet. It's an incomprehensible reality. It will be different from the 3rd and the 4th dimensions."

"How will I fight the Baphomet then? As a 3rd dimensional being, the 5th dimension won't even be seen with my eyes."

"Ke-ke-keh..! No need to worry. The 5th dimension interferes with your mind. In short, you'll have the advantage here."

"Hmm? What does that mean? Sigh... Intense Bloodlust's heading towards us. There won't be much time left until the Baphomet arrives."

"I set up a net right below the top of the Monolith. It's the invisible roof of this place, not even the Baphomet will expect it..!"

"I don't think the Baphomet even knows of your existence..... So that net will be the gateway to the 5th dimension, right?"

"Yes... I'll ignore what you've said there... But once we catch the Baphomet, it'll be easier for you to fight them. Only if you're in the 5th dimension okay..? I don't want my home to be torn up in your fight."

The Bloodlust that I've sensed is coming from really far away.

It's extremely strong and it's without a doubt the Baphomet or one of their agents.

Well, whatever they are, I will win.

"First of all. How does the 5th dimension even work?"

"I'll explain to you later, but all you need to know for now, is that my 5th dimensional gates sends conscious beings into a world where their perception of reality becomes shifted along with their entire vision.

"Huh? What does that even mean? What will they see?"

"Who knows. It's indescribable... One of the few side effects gives you major brain damage and nullifies your soul properly."

"Nullify the soul? How? Did you put your Soul Nullification things in it too?"

"No no no. It's simple really. Since your brain will be damaged, the soul will be as well. The consciousness is the soul.... Simply put, most forms of magic will become unusable so you'll have to fight the Baphomet physically."

Eh..? Seems like a lot of trouble to do...

Martial arts may be easy for me, but strength would still be a big part in fighting.

"Don't worry. Some specific forms of magic will work as well..... Blood Magic for example.... And don't forget Abyssal Magic..!"

Abyssal Magic..? The Baphomet and their agents do use a lot of Abyssal Magic...

"Well. Whatever magic there is, it'll still be heavily weakened. Chanting will be extremely important now."

Hmmm... The Baphomet should be here by now...

I can sense the incoming Bloodlust growing stronger each second...

...

A fierce battle between me and the Baphomet was about to start...

"Sigh.... I don't want to fight....."