Hell. That's where Abaguo found himself. His face, etched with deep-seated frustration, was exposed to a heat indescribable. All he could do was gaze at the horror before him, where demons and archdemons inflicted unspeakable torment upon humans.
"You'll pay for this, Ergania..." Abaguo growled.
Hell was a true nightmare, a place of horror and inexpressible pain. There he stood, his face showing signs of intense frustration, facing unbearable heat. Before him, a terrifying scene unfolded where demons and archdemons tormented human souls.
In this infernal abyss, he could only watch in horror as events unfolded before him. Desperate humans tried in vain to escape from pursuing archdemons, who inflicted horrific tortures upon them. Stripped of all dignity, their bodies were scorched by lava poured over them by archdemons, leaving them forever scarred by pain.
The sky was of abyssal darkness, and only one sinister presence glowed with a gloomy light. A massive black hole stood as a dark sun for the inhabitants of Hell. Its pulling power was so great that not even light could escape, forming an orange halo surrounding the horizon, adding to the atmosphere of despair and damnation.
It was a place where horror was the norm, where every moment was filled with unbearable torment, where pain and suffering blended in an infernal symphony. In this never-ending Hell, Abaguo moved forward with clenched fists, driven by instinct towards an uncertain future amidst this eternal damnation. He observed the terrible scenes of torture around him, showing indifference to the cruelty of Hell.
"There's no way I'm staying here for eternity...
"Too bad for you! This is your punishment for breaking demonic laws!"
The voice of the demon who responded was filled with arrogance towards Abaguo's power. With a light step and a subtle tilt of his head, Abaguo noticed about ten archdemons ready to torture him for an unimaginable time. Some flew with wings, others wielded spears, and others displayed significant musculature.
"Do you know who you're talking to?!
"Are you Abaguo? Is that it?"
"My name doesn't ring a bell?! I am the first transcendental archdemon."
The demons burst into laughter, surprising Abaguo.
"Oh yeah, haha! All that just to be cast into Hell a second later!
"You're just an ambitious demon! This is what happens when you go against the rules! Now you're in Hell forever!"
A smirk formed on Abaguo's face. Rolling up his sleeves, he released his reddish mana in the form of an aggressive aura.
"I'm not here to chat! Let's end this.
"You want to rebel?! Even in Hell? This guy's nuts!
"I'll fight if you wish! But know that I won't let weaklings like you torture me," he taunted.
"Weaklings?!"
One of the flying demons charged at Abaguo, fueled by rage. Holding a spear tightly, he shouted:
"You'll regret that, arrogant fool!"
As the demon hurled his spear at Abaguo, he dodged with a mere tilt of his head, smiling arrogantly.
"What?! How?!"
"It's just too predictable..."
The demon's growl grew louder, but Abaguo remained motionless, hands in pockets. With lightning speed, the demon moved to strike Abaguo.
Still too slow...
Abaguo dodged effortlessly, and the demon, taken aback, tried again. Abaguo shifted to his left, eyes closed.
"You mocking me?!" yelled the demon.
The demon continued to attack, over and over, but to no avail. Abaguo dodged every attempt with ease and grace.
"Why can't I hit him?!
"You're too slow and predictable!
"Me?! Slow?!"
"Who else would it be?" Abaguo mocked.
With one hand, Abaguo unleashed a wave of demonic mana, leaving behind only a crimson mist.
"Enough games, weaklings. You can either join me on my quest to return to Trillia, or perish here."
The demons had just witnessed the gargantuan power of Abaguo. They had never imagined what a transcendental archdemon was, but they had just seen an undeniable demonstration of this stage of evolution. Lost, they nonetheless faced a clear choice: they had to abide by the rules of Hell, whatever the cost. But Abaguo's illustrious presence questioned their standing, highlighting their insignificance before this being.
"Listen... we didn't know the extent of your power... Forgive us..."
"Yes, yes... let's move on. I want to know if you're ready to follow me or not! Well?!"
In whispered exchanges, the demons discussed their decision, one they might regret.
"Very well... we accept..."
Abaguo lowered the hand he had been using as a deterrent weapon and gave a slight approving smile.
"Wise choice. First, explain how to get out of Hell without enduring torture."
"Sorry to disappoint, but once in Hell, it's impossible to leave. You must know that, right?"
"Of course, I know, fool! So, there's really no way?"
"I've heard of one way: possession."
"Possession? Elaborate."
"One might possess living beings, but I don't know more than that. Sorry..."
"I see... You were of some small use after all."
Abaguo quickly raised his hand again and obliterated the remaining demons with another energy blast.
"So... am I truly stuck here for eternity?"
He turned on his heel and placed his index and thumb on his chin. Deep in thought, Abaguo sought more information about potential weaknesses in this place beyond any cosmological understanding.
Let's think... With my fight against Ergania, I deduce that she must be the origin of Hell. What's more, Hell is the birthplace of demons. When a demon appears here, it undergoes a series of intense tortures to force it to become fundamentally cruel and wicked. If he is judged as such, then he is allowed to go to Trillia to begin his rise as an archdemon, and bring chaos... But in this case... what should I do? Consider taking possession of a body?
"Why do you ignore me...," lamented an unknown voice.
His deep contemplation was interrupted by a feminine voice behind him. This soft, surprising voice had immobilized Abaguo with shock.
"What the?!"
"Why do you constantly reject me? Why do you deny yourself?"
Frozen in place, terrified by this angelic voice, he exclaimed, "Who are you?! Another representation of Ergania?!"
"You know very well who I am..."
"Stop lying! Your personal power is holding me in place! You must be a demon!"
"But Abaguo, we never had personal power."
Following this statement, the woman approached him, her steps slow and deliberate. Japanese sandals adorned her feet, and floral motifs draped her pink kimono. Her pale complexion, long pink hair tied with a red ribbon, and deep red eyes exuded a unique elegance, contrasting with Hell's apocalyptic backdrop.
"Abaguo... You committed heinous crimes on Trillia and likely caused mass extermination among humans... But know that I forgive you."
A tear slid down Abaguo's face, taken aback by the woman's words.
What is this feeling? Why does it feel like my throat is tightening? It feels like my heart will explode...
The woman then embraced Abaguo, a sensation he'd never felt before. The heat of Hell seemed to fade, replaced by a soothing warmth.
"What did you do to me? What is this feeling?!"
"Abaguo... I ask only one thing of you. Never forget our name."
"Our?"
"Abalina...," she whispered into his ear.
As he grappled with this overwhelming emotion, the woman vanished into a misty haze. Her sudden appearance ignited a faint glimmer of humanity within Abaguo, tinting his demonic soul with a subtle contrast of kindness and cruelty. Wiping away tears, which evaporated in Hell's heat, he pondered.
"What just happened?"
With a determined gaze, he shook his head and clenched his fist, ideas clicking into place. Abaguo intended to return to Trillia in a memorable way.
"Let's go! People of Trillia, brace yourselves, I'm coming!"