CHAPTER III: REALM

Well, as much as I can remember... You have been to Hell twice. No other unannounced visits? Twice, indeed. And you survived both times – I was quite impressed knowing just how weak and pathetic humans are. Impressed ever since you made it out of Dis and did not lose your spirit even after you saw that the Earth was invaded. It was then that I realized that you, humans, were probably stronger than any demon ever suspected. Still, you were mostly flawed – a creation that I could never appreciate.

I am digressing again... the blood loss is weakening me and time is running out. So where were I... ah, yes – I was to tell you about Hell and its former splendid glory. Do not smile! Glory there was, ambition, and the will to go on towards the Great Goal. You know the phrase "demonic frenzy", don't you? More than frenzy – undeniable zeal drove us and gave us strength overcome all obstacles that could emerge on the way...

If we try to look at Hell in terms of your incredibly useless human concepts, it may be perceived as a planet, but a planet trapped within a clearly unique configuration of time–space.

You don't understand? I don't think that you will ever see it as I do, but still – Hell is a dimension, not a planet in a galaxy like your world. It still possesses a spherical form, and beyond our sky lay endless chaos. Beyond the Earth's sky, lies your solar system, right? So Hell is a vast realm under that endless chaos, from which we draw our endless power. In oceans of molten rock and metal lie several smaller and two greater continents. There are also many islands that housed hellish monasteries and decayed reliquaries, containing things locked there by Baphomet, things that even He would not talk about.

One of those great continents you've visited – the first time you descended into my realm. This continent is divided into two, by a great mountain, much higher than your planet's highest peak. This is the Mountain of Agony. To the east from it lies the darker part of the continent as the mountain throws its great cold shadow over the rocky plains. This darker part is called Inferno and it is an important area – the whole plateau and nearby plains and hills are heavily fortified. The area could only be entered through the... Hell Keep. You have been in the Keep – but you passed through it.

Beyond the Keep lay the Pandemonium, home of demonic warriors; the House of Pain, providing fresh blood for our nourishment; the Unholy Cathedral, domain of the Barons of Hell; Mount Erebus, the forge of Hell's armor and weapons; and Dis, the capitol palace of Inferno – about it I will tell you later. Be patient – your patience helped you survive. It makes you different from the others. And it will remain your true friend for many years to come.

To the west of the great Mountains of Agony lay the plains of demonic cities. The Catacombs, the Chasm facility, the Spirits' World were situated close to the Mountain. To the southwest, very close to the south shore of the landmass, lay the Great Obsidian Canyons – deep and vast, with rivers of molten magma flowing through their crags. Who inhabited this place – I'll tell you later. They are creatures you know well, and many times they almost succeeded in killing you. And far to the north of the continent lay a fortified area, where the heavily guarded citadel of Baphomet was built.

Far to the west of the Canyons, near the west shore of the landmass, lay the Monster Condo and its great libraries where I spent two years during my wanderings... The smaller continents – they were less populated and mainly served as building grounds for many temples dedicated to our lord – Baphomet. One more important such place is the landmass where the Mountains and Madness and their dark volcanic temples were situated. I was tutored there in my "youth". And I revisited that place many times, seeking answers during my journeys.

Far to the south, beyond the burning seas and the lower end of Inferno, were the massive Mountains of No Return. As their name implies, no one knew what could be found in that area, and no one really cared. It was said that there were tombs, ancient tombs that were hidden within the smoke–shrouded lands of those mountains. Still, that was not enough to arouse any interest in a demon, and the area remained unexplored and desolate.

I remember... during my journeys, I came across a dark forest, not a forest as you Earthlings know it, but a forest of crystals and bones. In that infernal forest I saw a tower built of iron. Dark and brooding, it sat there – silent and solid. I knew demons were afraid to visit this place. Even I shuddered as I felt the emanation of something really vile, vile enough to scare a demon, from that tower. I dared not approach it, but I remembered its location and promised myself that one day I would return and explore it.

Little did I know what that second visit would bring me.

Hell's magical nature was truly unique – a highly complicated configuration of energy currents, space-time anomalies, deviations in the fabric of existence and focusing of many power channels that siphon dark forces from all other worlds into Hell. The concentrated energy powers an enormous nexus of chaos centered around Baphomet's citadel. That nexus is the source of Hell's power and the starting point for its spreading throughout existence itself. The accumulation of chaos contributed to Hell's unstable and utterly evil nature. The swirling energies raged across the vast scorched plains of the realm and its burning skies.

What is it, your thoughts are disturbed. Sun? What about the sun... Our sun? Hell's sun? Our... ugh, we do not have a "sun" as you, humans, know it. There are many arcane light sources of molten metal in the chaotic sky above us, but they have never been of interest to any of us. They were just there and I roamed under their light and heat. No one seemed to care about them – they were just up there, and that was enough.

I wandered through many places, and spent much time in contemplation as I stayed in some of those locations for longer periods. I remember staying at the Slough of Despair, to the west of the Hell Keep, exchanging thoughts with the tortured souls of creatures I never knew, yet was interested in. I also spent much time in the House of Pain, wasting my time drinking fresh blood and walking around the blasted plains, alone with my thoughts. Indeed – Inferno was my favorite part of Hell and I spent much time there, studying its secrets and peculiarities. It is as if I felt that one day the knowledge I gathered would help me. And Inferno was the place of your first visit to Hell after you descended from Deimos.

You know, Deimos is still there – hovering above Inferno, lifeless and ravaged by demons and your outbursts of plasma gun shooting. You're a... a, how was it, human language is so crude, isn't it? Trigger–happy? Yes – that's what you are. At some places, you inflicted more damages than even our warriors did! It is a wonder how you managed to survive with an unstable psyche like yours.

On your second visit – in the area to the west of Inferno, you saw some places that are not indigenous to Hell. I will tell you later about those places – areas of great evil that hell consumed over the eons.

You are curious about history? Enough with "geography"? Fine – I will go back to the tale of my life, and tell you about my first true battle with another species...