CHAPTER XXII: STRATEGY
I went out on a balcony that was still intact after your assault against the Unholy Cathedral... I gazed upon the shining falls of lava and blood, the smoldering plains where the damned roamed, and the imposing cliffs that rose above it all, separating the continent into two. The burning vista of Hell was magnificent just as before when I did not have such problems on my mind. For the first time in my long life, I was losing my confidence in Hell's inevitable triumph over all creation. The thought that a mere mortal had this demoralizing effect infuriated me. Yet, I calmed down quickly, knowing that it was sober thinking and cunning that could destroy you. For me, it was obvious that you were the unique phenomenon of destiny's path, created millennia ago by the curse of the last of humanity in its purest form. Changing the map of destiny was beyond the power of any Gatekeeper – even a Deity such as Baphomet could not even think of altering the ever–swirling streams of fate and balance. Still, there was a force in the universe that could breach the established scheme and accomplish the purposes of those who would wield it...
Changing destiny could only be done through the very same power that was used to weave fate's elusive streams – the Elder Runes. I was convinced that claiming the runes would give me the power to change the very course of fate and ultimately destroy you, returning the scales to their initial position. The task that I had to accomplish was the claiming of these ancient artifacts that inevitably involved the breaching of the protective shield that kept the Elder Worlds locked for all eternity. How could I devise a spell that could penetrate such a barrier and grant me passage beyond the boundaries of the known Universe? The way I imagined it, I would need a way to puncture the surface of the barrier and then use a force to corrupt the internal fabric of the shield. What could I use as the components for such a manipulation?
First, I would need a tri-polarized spell of teleportation – something that was beyond my power. I could use some of the claimed human technologies – one of their crude but easy to fine tune gates, a quantum accelerator of some kind or any generator of volatile force fields. As for a force that could disrupt the powerful esoteric flows of energy that the shield was reinforced with... I would need a great destructive force – not just any force, the way you know it, human, not a force that inflicted destruction in the physical world, while also fragmenting the very fabric of reality. Something that could be kept stable long enough to do its job. Something that went beyond the limitations of the physical variables of...
A Void Sphere!
That was exactly what I needed. Seconds after this thought came to me, I almost fell on the floor shaking. It was uneasy to even think of Void Spheres. I could hardly imagine using one of them, let alone think about working on it and combining it with other spells or devices. Perhaps the time has come human, to tell you about what the Spheres were and why Gatekeepers were so afraid of them.
As its name implies, a Void Sphere creates emptiness, nothingness. When activated, it instantly corrupts and completely dissolves the very fabric of Time and Space in its area of effect, leaving absolute annihilation in its wake. The unfathomable void that it opens does not contain anything, not even reality itself – it is like a gaping wound in the Universe. You know well, that the physical world cannot contain voids – the hole created by a Void Sphere is quickly filled in, and it is then that terrible destruction takes place. The absolute emptiness causes an implosion of a magnitude that a human cannot even conceive. Let me use an example – a spherical void with a diameter of one meter, causes destruction in a radius of, the way I understand human measures, at least two miles. Yes – a little larger void is capable of demolishing entire planets within seconds! But I have not yet told you why Gatekeepers are so afraid of those artifacts.
We, Gatekeepers, are invariably bound to the streams of reality and the fabric of Time and Space, thus being able to open Gates and wield the power of summoning. Void Spheres are able to annihilate the reality we are connected with, thus inflicting heavy indirect damage on us, as we are suddenly drained of power. What is the feeling? In such situations a Gatekeeper feels exactly like you, human, would feel when you suffer from severe blood loss, for Time and Space are Gatekeepers' lifeblood and driving force. The pain we feel is unlike anything you have ever felt. Therefore, we resent the usage of these artifacts and hope that it would never be necessary to resort to such extreme measures... Yet, the situation with you was desperate and I was willing to use anything that could allow me to achieve my goal. If I had to suffer in order to obtain the Runes, I was ready to endure it.
The last problem was that I could not think of a way to tell my Lord, Baphomet, about my plan without exposing that I knew too much about the Elder Worlds, which would inevitably reveal my unauthorized visit to the Tower. The only strategy I could think of was to wait and hope that Baphomet, a Deity with immense power, would crush you and make the stealing of the runes unnecessary. Planning was essential for survival in the dark situation I had found myself in.
I was curious about the current situation in the city – with a negligent gesture I summoned an observation orb and tried to adjust it carefully. I saw the city and columns of smoke rising above it. The decrepit canned meat factory at the end of the town, which was used by you as an entrance to the city, was burning, as were the Inmost Dens. A battle was going on in the suburbs. I knew you were puzzled by the situation you were in – trapped within the walls that we had erected around the suburban sectors. One of the special reinforcements had already teleported in and they were fighting you, inflicting heavy damage on the buildings. I had serious doubts whether they would succeed. I thought that for you to reach the suburbs, you must have passed through the industrial zone. Indeed, a Hell Knight I secretly contacted told me that you ruined much of the facilities in that area and was lured into the Nazi's castle. There, you wiped them out and returned to the city after destroying their inner sanctum, where the "special relics" were. These wretched humans could not stop you, yet you saved us some effort by killing all of them.
I knew what Baphomet's course of action would be – throw as many minions as possible against you, and, should they fail, lure you into his dark palace where you would undoubtedly meet your doom. I knew I would enjoy watching my Master showing you whole new dimensions of pain. I had hoped that Baphomet could possess the power to override the shackles of destiny and defeat you for good, removing the last barrier to the conquest of Earth that was already deserted by your brethren. Baphomet's strategy would be to make sure you found your way into the palace of the Icon of Sin. And then... your victorious march would be broken as overwhelming legions of the endless servants of Baphomet drowned you in flesh, fire and fury.
I grinned and the light of the lava pits near the Cathedral gave my fangs an eerie glow. Far beyond the thick clouds of smoke of burned flesh and sulphur, I beheld the great Mountains of No Return – standing proud and solid, just as my confidence was restored and was solid once again. It was at that moment that my minions came and reported that the House of Pain and the Hell Keep were repaired and restored to satisfactory condition, as best as it was possible on such short notice. I praised them for the good work and let them have rest for some time – a valuable reward in that time of war.
I decided to establish my command center in the Hell Keep and watch over you and Baphomet's plan of decimating you. The Hell Keep had always been overlooked, standing in the shadow of the famous Pandemonium. I had the opportunity to spend quite some time there and explore it. Its most impressive feature was the mystic Chamber of Records, where the exact record of Hell's damned inhabitants was kept. The keep was also the guardian at the entrance of Inferno and its eternal vigil ensured that no one entered the continent uninvited. Except maybe in your case... The keep's tower provided me with a perfect spot to watch over Inferno and deploy the observation orbs that would allow me to peer into any other place I wished. Again, I sat on my throne and waited to see what would happen and how my Master would bring the war to its end, claiming the Earth for all eternity.
The hours passed slowly, no one contacted me. I spent the time looking through some old records that depicted one of Hell's great wars against some alien civilization – a civilization that existed no more after being consumed by our infernal power. Memories of glory and triumph came to me, and further kindled my hatred towards the mortal marine that dared challenge us. My determination to see you dead was stronger than any determination of destiny that could protect you. I still could not believe that a frail creature with a ridiculously short life, like you, could defeat some of the infernal legions' mightiest generals in battle and survive after the most insidious machinations that Hell employed to kill you. Going back to my early days, I remembered the inherent weakness and clumsiness of humans that was always an asset for us... Did I have the courage to stand against destiny itself? Did I have the strength to accomplish what I had planned? Would all that I have fought for survive?
My thoughts were interrupted by a ghostly image that appeared beside me with a silent crackling sound. Lord Baphomet had news for me. I knew what was going on even before He said a word – I had already felt a familiar presence that was somewhere beyond the mountains that separated the continent. You had passed through the Gate in the city and were in Hell once again – somewhere within the antechamber of the infernal plains, the place known as the "Nirvana". Baphomet's plan of throwing everything, in order to weaken you before the encounter within His palace, was already in motion. The problematic human was on his way to meet the One who could change destiny and bring balance back to the scheme.
The last act of this tragedy had begun, and the victor could only be one.