During my time as a Primordial, I was conflicted about my existence, the origin of my kind… I asked so many questions within myself, and to find the answers, I dabbled in everything I could.

Only through experimentation and inventions, discoveries are made. After following the path I forged myself, seeking the absolute truth, I found the Answer.

The thing which guided me to the 'Answer' I searched for… Was my discovery of the Nether Essence.

Essence and Aspects work and in hand.

Aspects make up everything that exists, Essence is the level or degree of a person's ability t manipulate the Aspects.

However, the Nether Essence is the opposite. It stands independent from any Aspect, not belonging to one or more. Nether, an otherworldly existence that even I have not fully unraveled, and Essence, the ability to control and manipulate… These two combined are what gave birth to my body, as well as Wrath's and those of the others.

The reason I can live independently from any Aspect is due to this entity.

I absorbed as much of the Nether Essence as I could, forming a core in which I stored its mysterious power. I kept it in this Dungeon, giving it to Wrath to guard it.

Perhaps I already knew my end was near at the time, or it was just on a whim. However, I'm grateful I did that. Because now… I need it more than anything else.

"Wrath… My Nether core, where is it?

" I asked.

"L-Lord, is it finally time?!

" Wrath struggled to speak.

I smiled slightly. It's a little earlier than planned, but…

"Yes, it is

" I replied.

"U-Understood!

" Wrath muttered.

Suddenly, his eyes glowed red, causing his body to throb as a result of the vibration he made. Flashes of energy sparked around him and torrents of crimson force swirled around him.

Slowly, a bright light proceeded from the remnant of his chest, and from it came a golden key. The key floated, rising higher as it neared my waiting hands.

"Excellent!

" I gleamed.

My body throbbed once again, causing me to tightly grip my chest to calm my nerves down. I'm out of time!

I've been using up my Essence to stabilize this dying body, keeping it from breaking down, but even that is only temporary. The time is near.

I hurriedly grabbed the key and resonated with it. My memory fragments synced with the golden object, causing it to emit golden radiance.

Immediately, the key transformed. From its bright color of prominence, it darkened, taking on a grotesque shape and losing its flair.

"Yes… Just a little more...

"

The key turned into a blackened tool, covered by malevolent energy that ate up even the space around it. The area around me started to react, causing the structures everywhere to break down.

The blank ground slowly split apart and crumbled away, revealing a switching pool of endless darkness beneath it.

"I'll be back soon,

" I told Wrath.

He nodded, understanding what I meant perfectly.

I entered the Abyss beneath us, and dived deeper into the murk. As soon as I plunged in, I instantly left the world I knew, venturing into another.

It was an endless space of darkness, nothing to be seen or felt, except for the tingling sensation on my body, like creeping hands all feeling my flesh, intending to integrate my being with the blackness enveloping me.

"I must hurry…

" I muttered.

My body started breaking down. My hands began to disintegrate slowly, merging with the swirling darkness that surrounded me. In a world filled with nothing but the same color of evil, I could feel the center of all that radiated through the vast space.

"I found you!

" I exclaimed.

Desperately navigating my way through the abyss, I lunged for my prize. My legs joined my hands in fading away, fortunately, I was flying, in no urgent need of them.

I stretched my already half-eaten arm toward the core which glowed majestically amidst everything else.

"Almost… There…

" I struggled to reach it.

My bare chest broke apart slowly, followed by my back, my hips, hair, stomach… They evaporated as I stubbornly continued to reach for my only hope of living.

My jaws loosened and I felt my eyeballs pop from their sockets. My ears disjointed from my head and they dissipated as well. Within a moment, this body would cease to exist.

With one final push, I darted to the orb that glowed, sensing its aura as I used it to guide me

Just as I was about to completely fade away… I touched its round and smooth surface.

>ZZZZZZTTZZZZZ<

A buzzing sound came forth, followed by flying sharks of energy.

A smile formed on my face, at least what was left of it and I gave a relieved sigh.

"Let it begin

"

After I said this, the remaining part of my body broke apart instantly, scattering all around the vast emptiness of space, integrating with the darkness.

That was the last thing I remember before losing consciousness.

____________________________

Wrath stared at the gaping abyss, a distance from where his body lay, and didn't take his eyes off it for a second. With longing in his eyes, his face depicted pain, cursing his powerlessness.

"Lord Hexarion… Please be well…

" He muttered.

Should his master fail, he would forever be lost in the endless abyss that liked deep within the hole. Wrath knew Hexarion was aware of this.

He also knew that his master must have weighed the advantages his action would bring if he succeeded.

"My Lord will be reborn once again… Possessing the true power of the Nether Core. Once that happens… Not even I will be a match for him!

" Wrath smiled.

It was time for the second coming of the Demon Lord… Hexarion, in all his glory.

The Fifth Floor: Boss Room

"Huff… Huff…

" Talia let out heavy sighs of frustration.

Shamac and Ana also breathed hard, both glaring at the opponents they faced.

"Impressive. To think you lot have been able to survive this long… You have earned my respect!

" The Executioner said in his dark tone.

The three slaves had a frustrated look, watching the horde of opponents left for them to face.

"They never stop coming… How bothersome!

" Ana commented.

"Yeah, and their boss also attacks us from time to time. We're stuck in-between offense and defense. At this rate, we'll just wear ourselves out!

" Shamac said.

He had thought his plan had a few holes in it. However, Shamac was assured that if they pushed themselves enough, they would be able to overcome the hardships that they encountered.

However, they hadn't even laid a finger on Gratiana yet and they were already this exhausted.

"How much longer can you keep going?

" Shamac asked the women.

"Ten minutes tops!

" Talia said.

"I can keep going for an hour… But that'll be my limit. After that, I probably won't be able to use Grace for a while…

" Ana responded.

"I see… I also have about fifteen to twenty minutes of fight left in me. After that, it's over… At this rate, even if we do manage to defeat the 'Executioner' and his 'Riders', we won't be able to lay a finger on Gratiana

" Shamac said.

Ana and Talia had to agree with his words. If they didn't figure out an efficient way of attack, they would lose the war even if they won the current battle.

"Everyone, I know this sounds crazy… But I have a plan!

" Ana said.

Shamac and Talia looked in her direction simultaneously.

In such a hopeless situation, for her to mention a plan… It sounded more than absurd.

However, they had run out of options. If they didn't handle the situation fast. They would lose badly.

Needless to say, they were desperate.

"What is it?

" Shamac asked.

Ana took a deep breath, prepared to speak her mind. She didn't know how everyone would take it, but she was confident about her idea.

"Why don't I fight Gratiana, while you two take care of the 'Executioner'?

" Ana said.

This statement shocked Talia and Shamac. There weren't expecting such a ridiculous statement from Ana.

"Are you crazy? There's no way you can take her on alone! Besides… It's unlikely that we'll be able to handle this guy by ourselves… We are barely able to take him out together!

" Shamac protested.

Clearly, he was against this plan. It defied logic.

Take a remained silent, unlike her usual nature.

"I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out…

" Ana muttered.

"It is as you said… We aren't getting anywhere. The situation looks hopeless as it is already. If we take this chance, things may end up being different. Besides, with this display, Gratiana seems invincible… Impossible to defeat!

"

"Exactly my point, you can't take her-

" Shamac hammered his point.

"But doesn't that seem strange to you?

" Ana responded, quickly cutting his words short.

"W-What do you mean?

" Shamac stuttered, a realization slowly dawned on him as he let her words sink in.

"It seems you're already getting my point now… I've been thinking about it this whole time too!

" Ana said.

"This whole time… We've been overestimating our opponent!

"