When I saw that building, my intuition told me that only I knew exactly what it was. I remembered that in the modern sequel of the second trilogy of The Mayhem, Hellraider visited this building because Mendicore told him the way to defeat Azkerath, namely with a special spear used by their God of War which was stored in this building.
I only then understood the name Archangel Marsiel that I first heard at the central archive was also the God of War of High Heaven.
However, all this time I had not once noticed Hellraider using Mendicore. Did Hellraider not store Mendicore and also the Bous Ball in his "special" place? As far as I knew from the gameplay, It was already present in the modern trilogy.
In the lore I once read, Hellraider obtained It after being bestowed divine power from High Heaven when Grivendal experienced a massive invasion from hell by Azkerath for the second time, yet once again It still managed to escape. Only later did I face him in the original gameplay when Hellraider led the entire Graendall forces against Azkerath's hell legions definitively in that realm.
What would I find this time inside that abandoned High Heaven fortress?
All vehicles and other combat equipment surrounded the building. The shuttles landed behind it. I immediately disembarked to meet Gruzhnil and Hellraider. Coincidentally, Gruzhnil was also looking for me. We walked while staring at the building. Hellraider was already ahead of us, standing still while also gazing at the structure.
"What do you think this building is, Johann? Have you ever seen something like this before in the Realm of Terror?" Gruzhnil asked.
I thought for a moment. Would it be safe if I directly told them this was a former High Heaven fortress? What if they were shocked that the High Heaven forces they revered could not repel the monsters of the Realm of Terror and left it abandoned like this? But if they entered later, some would surely realize this was a High Heaven remnant.
"Yes, Commander, I remember that I once hid in a building of similar style while being chased by monsters. After observing it further, the structure resembles a temple. I wonder whether it is related to High Heaven, which once carried out expeditions to eradicate demons of the Realm of Terror like us and established outposts or bases like this," I said, fabricating the story so as not to mention The Mayhem as the source.
Gruzhnil fell silent again. His face showed a mixture of shock and confusion. I thought he was beginning to struggle to believe that what he was seeing was a relic of High Heaven.
"It seems we will enter that building. I will coordinate with Tiberos to send several elite troops along with Sir Hellraider. You will follow us," said Gruzhnil.
I was quite pleased with that decision. Indeed, we had to find out what was inside that abandoned structure. I felt that the sudden appearance of the super massive portal on Planet Grohn that led directly to this abandoned High Heaven fortress was a sign we had to see.
Several emergency tents were erected on the plain around the fortress to prepare the infiltration equipment. The Graendall elite forces gathered and received instructions from their commander, Gruzhnil, and Tiberos.
I then approached Hellraider, who was still standing.
"What do you think is inside that building? Have you ever entered a similar structure before?" I asked.
"I don't know…" Hellraider replied flatly.
I did not respond further. It was enough that he answered without anger emotion. I had to dismiss my suspicion that Hellraider knew what was inside but refused to tell me.
After a while, the infiltration force was ready. Gruzhnil placed Hellraider beside him at the front, while I was in the middle surrounded by about thirty elite soldiers. I was reminded of the Lazar nuclear plant infiltration in my world. The traumatic memory with Simone flowed back, but I did not feel afraid. None of them would leave me alone in hell.
A rocket launcher vehicle advanced toward the main gate. A rocket was fired and shattered the gate. We entered the abandoned High Heaven fortress in a ready stance. Inside, I saw many monster bones, remnants of the final battle before the angels abandoned it.
We reached the main entrance. Gruzhnil struck the massive door several times with his warhammer until it cracked and collapsed. Inside was dark and chaotic. The soldiers activated their lights and proceeded deeper without a clear direction. Unlike in Lazar, we had no map. Perhaps the mission was to explore the entire fortress.
At a three-way corridor, we stopped.
"It seems we must split into two groups. I will lead the right corridor, Sir Hellraider and Johann lead the left. Maintain communication!" said Gruzhnil.
Hellraider and I advanced through the narrowing corridor. He led with his Obliviator. We entered a vast chamber with balcony corridors rising upward like multi-floor apartments. Suddenly a growl echoed.
"Form a circle!!!" a soldier shouted.
We formed a circle. I stood in the center. I drew my pistol. It reminded me of fighting hellhounds and lizards. I looked upward cautiously.
From multiple doorways and balconies, low-level monsters poured out—hellhounds, humanoids, hell lizards and spectres. Gunfire erupted. Their weapons were lethal. I fired my Starstone pistol at monsters descending from above. I glanced Hellraider that moved to shoot swiftly and precisely.
I looked up again. From higher platforms, a large monster prepared to leap.
Oh no…! it was a Judgementor!!!
"Watch out above!!!" I shouted.
"Run to the wall corners!!!" a soldier yelled after saw it above.
We split and ran. I was separated from Hellraider. The floor shook as the Judgementor landed violently. I was grateful I had warned them.
The soldiers opened fire at its face and chest. When it tried to charge, it was staggered by gunfire.
Suddenly Hellraider switched to his shotgun, ran, and leaped at its head. I remembered the brutal scene from before when I was still in Hell alone.
"Cease fire on the monster!!! Sir Hellraider will defeat it alone!!! Stay alert for other monters!!!" I shouted.
They obeyed. Hellraider punched its face, tore its mouth open, shoved the shotgun barrel inside, and fired. Its head, throat, and chest exploded. The monster collapsed.
The soldiers were stunned after witnessed Hellraider's brutal actions.
Then one of the soldiers' radios started to buzz. When he picked it up, it was Gruzhnil asking if everything was okay. The soldier gave us an update on our situation. Gruzhnil seemed quite relieved and warned us to stay close to the Hellraider.
"Continue the mission!" Shouted that soldier.
We resumed and inspected that the two side doors led to basement corridors. Hellraider glanced toward the largest northern door, then turned toward us.
"Sir Hellraider likely wants us to enter that door first!" I said.
We entered inside and it was a staircase upward. After walking, we reached another massive ornate door. Hellraider slid it open with both hands, assisted by others. It was heavy but opened halfway.
Hellraider entered first. We followed with lights raised. I suspected this was the main control room.
Suddenly most lights in this room turned on, revealing a command center in white and gold futuristic design. I did not understand why it still had power.
Hellraider walked toward an eastern cabinet containing a disc-like device with three golden circles arranged in an inverted triangle. As he approached, the circles lit up and a voice emerged.
"Aaaahhh… Finally I awaken. Eh…??? Where is this…??? Who are you…???"
Everyone was startled. Some aimed weapons. Hellraider raised his hand signaling to lower them.
I recognized it instantly from The Mayhem.
It was Mendicore, High Heaven's most advanced AI. Mendicore became Hellraider's main companion in the modern trilogy, used to create portals and provide mission guidance.
But what shocked me most was why Mendicore was here.
During the catastrophe in my world, how had Hellraider moved between nuclear plants without Mendicore?
This was a great mystery, and I would not dare ask him.
"It seems you are not angels. Are they no longer here? Why was I abandoned?" Mendicore said in a young woman's voice.
I approached it.
"You are in an abandoned High Heaven fortress after the invasion of the Realm of Terror. We infiltrated and found you," I said.
"Ahhh… I didn't expect he would discard me due to that conflict and leave me with demons. I also didn't expect humans would rescue me. Thank you. My name is Mendicore."
I wondered who had discarded it and what conflict it meant.
Hellraider removed Mendicore from the cabinet and handed it to me.
"Hold this…" he said briefly.
I received it with both hands. I did not understand why he gave it to me. Did he truly no longer need his companion? Why had he changed so much since the last time we were in hell? I kept those questions to myself.
"What is your name? You seem different from the others," Mendicore asked.
"My name is Johann. Pleased to meet you, Mendicore," I said with a smile.
"A beautiful name. In return, allow me to accompany you from now on," Mendicore said.
I was shocked and touched. I had not expected High Heaven's greatest tool to side with us. I was curious what conflict had caused it to defect.
Mendicore vibrated and floated from my palms. It flew toward the shattered window and looked outside.
"Ahhh… this place is truly cursed… It is good I was not enslaved by them… I am grateful you found me…" said Mendicore.