Nightmare System

"Is this… our destination?"

The outskirts of the mountain range they arrived known as Ancient Mountains seemed to be an abyss with darkness pouring deep within. There was an opening to a cave leading to absolute nothingness before themselves. Albeit being surrounded by the immense jungle encompassing the planet, their surroundings were quiet at this moment. No other creature could be heard nor seen in the vicinity.

"Indeed," Miur confirmed, the oldest vampire in the scene.

"But this is more of a cave still," Hell interjected. He didn't know what he expected, but it wasn't this. He turned to his army of immortal beings and commanded another two to enter the darkness. Once transformation to a vampire was completed, a creature's senses became sharper and their eyes became more adaptable to darkness. Vampires have always been a race of predators, after all.

The lizardmen entered the cave and soon after returned, reporting that nothing seemed to be amiss, so Hell followed.

"As they said, there should be no danger here. Of course, other than the Demon of Pride we are about to meet," Miur commented and suggested leading the path forward. "It is a hard-to-escape labyrinth if you don't know your way around," he added. Miur wondered if Hell would destroy the Demon of Pride inside. There were already butterflies in his stomach just thinking of the possible implications after killing the Demon of Pride.

Annette had soon assumed a defensive position as they entered the cave with Miur leading the path and Hell following right behind. It was harder for him to see, but not impossible. He still didn't have the type of vision available to a vampire, as he was never actually turned. He could only steal their regeneration abilities and claws through his passive ability Devourer which allowed him to strip his enemies of their abilities, which included a portion of mana.

The cave system they entered truly seemed complicated. The walls seemed grimy and ice-cold. Hell was the only one bothered by the temperature. It must have been obvious from the outside as Annette suggested warming her King with her Flaming Hands ability. It was an ability granted to her by her one and only King, after all. Hell was somewhat tempted to accept at first until Jack pointed out the irony in trying to warm up "Hell".

They walked for another hour or so until they reached a vast clearing. It was a floor large enough to hold an entire town. There was also a castle in the distance, its l.u.s.tre dimming next to Pandora's extravagant palace. The place was somewhat lit up with slightly glowing crystals surrounding the place.

"You know," Hell said. "Wouldn't it be easier if we just conversed back then?"

"This place has a symbolic value," Annette said. Even she had heard the place. "I heard that this place belonged to a sub-demon race back then. They were annihilated by the Vampire Lords at the time and it was then this place was first used as a focal point for negotiations."

"Not all of them were killed," Jack interjected. "The royalty escaped."

Miur glanced at Jack in suspicion, but turned his head toward the castle ahead again and quietly continued leading the way.

"Is that so?" Hell asked with a nonchalant attitude. He didn't quite care for the history of this place. But still, with his every step, he could still see the remnants of a battle at the time. Around the castle was indeed a town when one paid closer attention to detail. Not only the damage from the war, but also the passing of time must have taken quite the toll on this place.

The torches on both sides of the road leading into the castle lit up as they got closer, with the dark-skinned traveller waiting for them at the gates.

"Welcome," he said and gestured towards inside the castle. The inside of the castle was well-lit.

Hell, and his Knights followed behind. After walking for some time, they were met with a door of immense size which showed signs of being scorched by fire, but otherwise appeared to be in good shape still. Opening the door, a large hall was revealed with torches lit on both sides. There was a large table in the middle of the hall with various drinks on top. Cain was sitting at the head of the table, drinking and waiting for Hell.

"You really took that nap, didn't you?" Cain laughed and gestured Hell to sit on the other side. Even though Hell's group was bigger, Cain expected them a few hours earlier. The chairs on both sides of the table were quite ornate.

Hell sat on the ornate chair as invited while his Knights took their places on both sides of Hell. Miur also sat down somewhere in the middle after stopping the lizardmen behind the immense doors. He didn't allow them inside the hall. It would be quite rude to bring an army to the negotiation table, after all. At least not until he knew his king's plans.

"I hope you got some good alcohol in here," Hell said and started trying out the drinks. They were each quite delicious. Unknown flavours assaulted Hell's mouth.

"Well, I didn't know what you liked, so I have some of everything here," Cain said.

"This stuff is really good!" Hell exclaimed after trying out a purple drink. "Did you make this…?" Hell asked as he turned to the dark-skinned man still covering his face: "Sir Envoy?"

Cain flashed a half-smile but didn't seem surprised in the least.

"Well, of course, you would be able to tell," Cain said and motioned his man to take off his disguise. "His name is Orvil, my official envoy."

"I gave him quite a beating the other day." Hell grinned.

Cain didn't seem too bothered by Hell's provocation, but Orvil's wings were abruptly unfurled in response, ripping through some of his clothes as he snarled at Hell. "I wasn't beaten," he hissed.

"Sure, Jan," Hell said and turned to Cain the next moment. "I am here, what did you want from me?"

"Is that the way to speak to the only person who could save you?" Cain asked, he wasn't bothered by Hell's insolence still. Many others were executed for far less, but Cain didn't mind Hell's actions.

"I know you don't know the way things are in this world," Cain added before Hell could answer. "After all, aren't you a player?"

"Well," Hell said. "I am a straight-up Casanova." As Hell said that, he was met with the questioning gaze of everyone in the room. The awkward feeling in the room bothered Hell but he waded through it and added. "What are you going to save me from?"

"Medusa." Cain's answer was short and straight to the point.

"I am going to kill her," Hell said truthfully. "That is my goal. I don't think I need your help."

"How?" Cain asked. "With her thousands of vampires at her side, she isn't easy to get to."

"I'll figure it out as I go. But let me ask a question now," Hell said.

"Insolent," Orvil muttered under his breath.

"Are you really the Demon of Pride? I thought Lucifer had the title?"

"Cardinal sins are just titles," Cain explained. "They can be passed onto others carrying cardinal sins in their hearts." Cain slowly shook the liquid remaining in his glass and downed it in one gulp. "My turn, now," he said and followed up with another question. "Why? Why do you want to kill Medusa?"

"Can't I just be a righteous lad wanting to rid the lands of her evil?" Hell sarcastically asked in return.

Cain promptly ignored Hell's sarcasm and asked another question: "Do you know the myths of people making deals with demons? Where you come from?"

"I have heard."

Miur was already suspicious of Hell's whereabouts, but Annette and Jack were utterly stupefied to hear that he was someone quite literally, out of this world.

"King Hell, then…"

"You speak when spoken to," Orvil interjected with a calm tone. His eyes shot daggers at her, suppressing her d.e.s.i.r.e to say anything else.

"Doesn't the same thing apply to you, you two-bit demon?" Hell's gaze along with his Gaze of Pain fell on him, using around 300 mana with the spell. Orvil staggered and forced the words out: "You dare?"

"I dared to destroy Vampire Lords and started building up to Medusa while I was pretty much by myself. What do I dare not do?"

"All right, that's enough," Cain said and waved his hand in the air, immediately dispelling the effects of Hell's Gaze of Pain.

"Now that's interesting," Hell commented, looking at Cain.

"King Hell, I'll cut this short. I would like to make a demonic contract with you similar to the ones you have heard from your world. But I suggest you stop testing my patience with your antics."

Hell's heart started racing with the excitement of a strong foe once more. However, he still asked: "What kind of contract?"

"As you may know, I was cursed by God to roam the lands forever. I ended up here after being cursed and even if I decided to open a portal to return, I couldn't go back. Lucifer wouldn't let me do that, either, he wants me to keep the vampires at bay."

"And where do I factor in?"

"I will have you summon me in your world. Just a few thousand petty souls should be able to break my bonds in this world and summon me there. Fully, without having to go back."

"Is there no other way for you to get there?"

Miur was the one who spoke this time, interjecting the conversation of the two. "Demons lose power If they leave the lands they were created on. One of the reasons they never overtook us," he said as he flashed a smile at Cain. "He will bind himself to Earth. It's not just a summoning spell. Otherwise creating a portal shouldn't be that hard for him to do."

"That is correct," Cain confirmed. "Even though this place isn't where I was truly born, this is where I became a demon."

"Interesting," Hell said and asked a question himself: "You are a king here, why leave?"

"I have made a few deals with some unfortunate human souls in recent years. Your world seems much more comfortable than this one."

"What will you do once you get there?"

Cain leaned back in his chair, sitting in a more relaxed position with his drink in his hand. "Make a life for myself, enjoy my immortality." He then added with a laugh: "Who knows? Maybe I'll be a farmer."

Hell contemplated for a moment, hearing all this. He decided against summoning the Sword of Blood and becoming hostile against Cain for now. He saw an incredible opportunity, one that he should not miss.

"Could you open up a portal at a certain place now?"

"Missed someone from back home?" Cain asked with a giggle, c.a.r.e.s.sing his ragged beard. "I can do that, after we sign the contract."

Hell really wanted to at least have a look at his little brother with this portal or even converse with him, letting him know that everything was all right.

"You know I really am a player, right?" Hell asked.

"Of course, we have had two of you in our dungeons for more than a week now. We have also the record of tens of such 'parties' appearing in this world in the last few decades. You always have some goal and cannot leave until you achieve it. I assume yours is to kill Medusa, from your enthusiasm." Cain took a sip of one blood-red drink this time.

Hell knew it would be impossible for those two in his dungeon to be the siblings, but he still asked: "What are their names?"

"Samuel and Ada, I believe," Orvil replied as Cain prompted him to answer. Cain had more important matters to take care of rather than learning about two insignificant prisoners.

"Why do their names familiar?" Hell asked himself, thinking about anyone with those names.

"Oh, Samuel!" He finally remembered. "And Ada! They are here, too!" Hell said and burst into a laughter.

"You knew them?" Cain asked, raising a brow.

"Somewhat," Hell said after his bout of laughter.

"Do you want them released?"

"Not quite," Hell replied truthfully. "But I'd love to have a chat with them, nonetheless." Hell remembered that bastard Samuel had called the cops on him. Truth be told, the spoils were worth it. He didn't know whether to thank him or kill him for it.

"Who were they trying to kill?" Hell asked Orvil.

"Me," he promptly replied.

"They couldn't even kill you?" Hell teased Orvil and turned to Cain, asking: "Won't Lucifer hunt your a.s.s if his proud little demon leaves this place?"

"I naturally have a candidate or two in mind," Cain said. "Orvil here is one such candidate."

"You also understand I will still have to kill Medusa, right?"

"I can lend you some of the stronger sub-demons, like the one you have with you," Cain said.

Hell was surprised not only Cain could tell his Sword of Blood was extraordinary, but also that there was a demon trapped in it. Hell thought it may have been because demons being able to sense one another.

"Do you know that I have a demon with me?" Hell still asked.

"I thought you didn't," Cain answered. "I will put forth very simple conditions for the agreement and that you will be released from it when the contract is completed, but violating them will result in your instant death, do you understand?"

"Sure, I'm a man of my word," Hell said with a smile. "Excuse me for not shaking your hand, you are all the way at the other side of this table."

The drink Jack has been drinking came out of his nose after laughing at Hell's remark. He quickly composed himself again and stood still quietly. All this was quite entertaining for Annette, as well. She was also mesmerized by how her King stood as tall as one of the most ancient and most powerful figures on this land.

Cain clicked his tongue and started casting a spell, which started isolating this room from the outside world. The barrier covering the room had a green glow to it. It was sparkling.

"Someone must have followed your trail," Cain said, disgruntled. "Must have been easy, too, with 50 newly transformed beasts following you."

Hell had already drawn the Sword of Blood and met with the questioning gaze of both Cain and Orvil when he promptly stabbed himself with it. Jack and Annette were in position to attack at any moment, as well.

Orvil suddenly spoke up, trying to diffuse the situation: "We are not attacking you, you have been followed by a nasty individual. We are protecting you."

Cain continued casting his spell and the barrier became fully formed. Just at that moment, the screams of lizardmen started filling the entire hall. They were being massacred, it was obvious it was no fair fight.

In a few more moments, the screaming stopped and the immense doors which withstood the test of time and a brutal war which almost eradicated an entire race were broken through. The dust had covered the room and two figures appeared at the door.

"The Primogenitor!" Miur's pale face almost looked paler. "He is here!"

Cain then created a portal to his castle and turned to Hell: "If you accept the contract, go inside and I will thwart him. If you don't, I will be the one leaving this place."

Hell felt like things weren't quite in his control at the moment. He didn't like having this feeling. But he couldn't find any reason to reject his proposal, either.

"I accept," Hell said and commanded his three men remaining to go inside. He then stood before the barrier, locking eyes with Ralio. Ralio's tranquil green eyes suggesting a calm before the storm and Hell's cold blue eyes seeing all life as blades of grass to be reaped looked at one another. "But I do want to see what he is made of."

The barrier between them looked to be as thin as a sheet of paper, they were right next to one another. Hell used his Instant Slash ability he plundered from Lirger through the barrier. The sword ripped through the barrier with very little resistance and headed for Ralio's way. Ralio, at the same time, sent a few chains seemed to be made of magic, appearing from underground toward Hell. Both sides clashed at the same time, shredding the barrier put up by Cain.

"Hell, stop!" Cain yelled. He didn't want to take on Ralio, either, especially far from the demonic lands. But he couldn't let him die, either. He commanded Orvil to deal with Uriel and he would help Hell.

Hell's sword stabbed through Ralio and began eating at his insides, but he didn't seem too fazed. Hell, on the other hand, was penetrated by multiple chains and looked to be in worse shape, somewhat immobilized.

Cain moved forward in high speed to shatter the chains covering Hell's body. The Sword of Blood suddenly seemed to explode and even though Ralio moved very speedily, it still seemed to destroy the front side of his c.h.e.s.t, almost down to his heart. Hell's laughter filled the room.

"I should just get rid of you right here!"

"C.o.c.ky brat!" Uriel yelled and tried to lunge toward Hell, only to be stopped in his tracks by Orvil, who proved to be a worthy opponent.

"I bet this ridiculous way of fighting helped you well thus far, child," Ralio spoke with a stern tone. "But seeing you fraternizing with filthy demons, only death awaits you. Even Cain can't save you." In mere moments, the damage Ralio suffered was already healed. "You will fall with the next strike," he added.

"Hell! Go inside the portal already!" Cain yelled. He lamented the fact that any extraordinary individual he would come across would always have a screw missing in his head.

Ralio sent forward tens of chains at him, he would finish this fight the next time Hell was caught. Hell used his Quickening to dodge the multitude of chains following him everywhere with incredible speed. He then used his Short Distance Warping to teleport behind Ralio and activate his Instant Slash in tandem with his Quickening for a decisive strike.

"Parlour tricks," Ralio scoffed, abruptly turned and slashed down vertically with his claws. His claws seemed to have a metallic shine to them. They were a lot longer, more durable, and far sharper. The gashes he suffered almost reminded Hell the time he almost died due to Player Killer's frustration after being damaged by Hell.

It was almost as if Ralio expected this move from Hell. With a smile on his face, he was satisfied, doing good by his promise to finish him by another strike.

Ralio kept Cain at bay with his multitude of chains and picked Hell up from his throat.

"Did you think your end would be this way?" Ralio laughed.

Hell threw up some blood, looking like a lifeless body already. The cuts were too deep, his healing couldn't keep up with the damage sustained in a few moments the way Ralio could.

"I did, actually," Hell said and put his left hand on Ralio's throat and sent a mental command to activate yet another of his brands.

"Brand of Cutting, activate."