I have learned through bitter experience the one supreme lesson to conserve my anger, and as heat conserved is transmitted into energy, even so our anger controlled can be transmitted into a power that can move the world. -Mahatma Gandhi
I have walked the roads that lead to Hell, I have challenged all but Fate.
I have fought and bled and carried on just to reach this final gate.
And now the task before me looms, this dire deed undone;
I shall make my stand against the Three until the battle's won.
-C. Vincent Metzen
Jack thought of his sister's face and Leah's carefree laugh as the moment of the killing blow presented itself and he filled Diablo's twisted, hulking body with arrows. Even as life left the great beast, he continued to fire until he had emptied his quiver of every bolt he had.
And then there was light.
A sudden voice in his head accompanied by a great vision of countless stars that moved serpentine through a void and glowing eyes of swirling comets. The voice was familiar, yet he knew he had never heard it before.
"Balance... is... preserved..." The voice said in a tone that boomed like rolling thunder.
Then the vision faded like a dream, and it was quiet but for his own breathing.
Diablo's wretched corpse fell from the edge of the silver spire and he watched it plummet, disintegrating as it fell, until only the Black Soulstone remained. He saw the stone land heavily on a balcony far below and knew that they would be able to retrieve it with little difficulty. And after that? He did not know.
The Lord of Terror was dead and all his brothers with him. The nightmare was finally over and the Prime was banished from the world. He held his crossbows tightly in his hands, knuckles white, his fingers refused to obey his mind's command to relax his hold.
Legion was dead. It was done. He released a slow breath that he felt like he'd been holding for days and days.
His heart beat heavily in his chest and the cold sweat on his body was drying in the soft breeze that lifted flakes of corruption and ash from the crystalline floor, and sent it swirling away into the sky. The malevolent storm had passed and the air smelled sweet again. In the peaceful lull, he could almost forget the nightmare he just (barely) lived through in the realm of terror.
Almost.
But it was over now, it didn't matter. He'd done what he set out to do. He'd sought his revenge against all of demonkind and had achieved the ultimate, the death of the great demon lords. He stood there very still for a long time, unsure of what he felt. Happiness? Relief?
Nothing?
Perhaps he was just tired, he reasoned. It was very likely, he had not slept for at least three days that he could remember, after that, everything sort of ran together and he couldn't separate the days. At the moment he couldn't physically feel much of anything. His body was strangely numb, like it was disconnected from his head.
He stood there for many minutes, gazing out into the rapidly lightening sky, before the angels caught up with him.
He felt Auriel's approach before he saw her, the warmth and calm of her presence was immediately discernible.
"The day is won and the light of dawn has come back to us." Auriel's gentle voice said to him. "Mankind is victorious this day."
"Yes." His voice echoed in Heaven's strange atmosphere. It sounded different to him, raw and strange, like he'd forgotten how to speak.
Itherael drifted to his side. "Walk with me Nephalem. There is something I must discuss with you." Itherael said.
Walking and speaking were at the bottom of the list of things he wanted to do at that moment, but he would not deny the angel's request. Then he remembered. "Kormac and Eirena... Lyndon , he's trapped, I have to-" Jack began anxiously.
"He has already been freed and is on his way to find you with your other companions. Tyrael comes as well. Do not be concerned." Was the angel's response. Jack almost forgot that he would be able to see them on his scroll.
A wave of relief, the first thing he'd felt since rage and tiredness in many days. He lurched forward, forcing himself to move. "Very well."
Lyndon hacked viciously with his dagger at the bony, cage-like structure that had trapped him in place, he needed to find Eirena and Kormac so that they could help Jack in the Silver Spire. The blade made little headway, barely carving dust from the steel like protrusions. He kicked at one of the spikes in frustration and nearly fell as he lost his balance when it disintegrated around him.
What had happened?
Then he could see light breaking through the clouds and shining upon the crystal arch, making it sparkle like thousands of diamonds and he knew then, knew that they had won and the world was saved. The relief that came, as he saw rays of sunlight burning away the corruption and healing the angelic structures, was so powerful it was dizzying.
He stared at the crystal walkway, trying to see what was going on in the Spire, but there was so much light and clouds that he couldn't make anything out. "Lyndon!" Someone called. He knew that voice! He spun around quickly, and was overjoyed (for once) to see Kormac running towards him, and Eirena following close behind.
"Still alive I see, well don't just stand there! Let's go!" Kormac shouted as he reached him.
"Pleased to see you too Kormac." Lyndon replied with a smile, nothing could dampen his spirits at this moment. Eirena smiled at him and he grinned back at her, so glad that they both had lived.
They ran together along the crystal walkway and were met with an incredible sight: A great crystalline, structure like the backbone of an immense beast, thrummed with light beneath the path they tread upon.
"What in the Hells is that?" Lyndon breathed, it looked to him to be the largest precious stone in the entire world. A great meteor of a diamond!
"It is said that it is the backbone of Anu, the first and purest being in all the universe. It is from here that angels are born from the song of its light." Eirena explained, eyes wide with wonder.
"I have never seen anything so beautiful." The Templar murmured, awestruck.
Lyndon was speechless. And he continued to be speechless as they entered the Silver Spire. He cast his eyes about frantically for the Demon Hunter, eager to see him and know that he was alive. He spotted him quickly, a black shadow against all the blue and gold and white. He was speaking to the archangel of Fate. Tyrael was there too, he stood with Auriel.
Akarat's mercy , he had done it and he was still alive . He was a Nephalem after all. Truly it boggled the mind. Lyndon had thought when Jack had said goodbye and walked away from him in the cage, after they quickly figured out that they couldn't free the scoundrel and didn't have the time to try, that he might never see him alive again. The joy he felt in seeing that he still lived was overwhelming and he blinked rapidly, trying to hold back tears.
"You truly are the one the prophet spoke of." Eirena shouted, breaking the spell of wonder. "Oh... and you're awfully nice too!" Eirena ran to Jack and embraced him before he could do anything. Tyrael watched their little reunion with amusement.
Surprisingly, Jack briefly returned the embrace and smiled at her before stepping back. "Eirena, I'm glad you're alright." He said to her gently as she wiped at her eyes. "I left everything I knew behind to fight with you." Eirena continued, "It was the best choice I've ever made!"
"Yes." Kormac added, "Many men died to see this day come to pass, and you made certain they did not die in vain. You are a true champion."
"I'm glad I didn't disappoint you." Jack said quietly.
The Demon Hunter turned to Lyndon when the scoundrel got to him and smiled, actually smiled at him. His eyes were blazing with Hellfire and his body emitted a shadowy smoke, but he was smiling.
"Are those tears in your eyes Lyndon?" The demon hunter asked. It was a tease Lyndon realized, about his little emotional slip up yesterday, but there was no malice in it. The scoundrel could only stupidly reply. "N-no! It's raining!"
"It doesn't rain here in the High Heavens." Jack said to him, only adding to his embarrassment.
"Well it does now!" He countered childishly, wiping at his eyes furiously.
Jack was still smiling at him, more than Lyndon had ever seen him do in all the time he'd known him. It was almost unnerving. "I have a gift for you Lyndon." Jack said softly.
"I-Is that so?" Lyndon questioned hesitantly. More than he'd given him already? A whole bloody world to continue living in?
"Yes. It's gold. When the time is right we will go to Kingsport, pay your debts and free your brother." Jack said evenly.
Lyndon felt a wave of gray shock wash over him. He could hardly breathe. Gods, it would fix everything... everything. Jack was... He was doing this for him? No one had ever... He couldn't believe it. "You... you can't be serious." He half whispered.
"I'm extremely serious." Jack answered wryly. "You know me."
"I-I don't know what to say ." Lyndon finally stammered, feeling tears burn in his eyes, again, sweat making them sting.
Jack laughed then, a warm and smoky sound.
"I'm sure you'll think of something." The hunter said, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "You always do." He turned back to Eirena and Kormac."Eirena? I hope you are still staying? You wanted our paths to remain together did you not? Surely some of your sisters still live and we will find them. And Kormac? We must go to your order and set things right." Jack continued, walking away from the balcony where Diablo's corpse had fallen. Eirena and Kormac nodded eagerly, grinning from ear to ear.
"And we must be on the lookout for Adria's next move." Tyrael added, stepping forward to join them. "She cannot be forgotten, as great a triumph as this is."
"Yes. As long as there is a Hell, there will always be evil. Adria has not been forgotten or forgiven. There are many loose ends." The hunter said with traces of weariness creeping into his voice. "There is still much to do."
"We can speak of it later." The former archangel suggested, "I believe you've all, at the very least, earned a long rest, Jack especially. Let us return to Bastion's Keep and bring the good news."
Lyndon was still stunned by what Jack had told him, had given him. He couldn't believe his generosity. Wealth obviously did not matter to the Hunter at all, buying his brother's freedom was not cheap. They said goodbye to the angels and headed back toward the portal.
Jack walked slowly, feeling bouts of dizziness trying to overtake him every few moments. He knew he needed to rest, it would only be a little longer, then he could collapse. He just needed to last a little longer so that no one would see him when he was at his weakest. He couldn't let anyone see him in such a way, it went against his very nature.
Don't let them see. Keep going. Just a bit longer.
He repeated this over and over as a mantra in his head and tried to force himself to stand taller and walk without a limp.
He glanced at his companions again and thought about what Itherael and Auriel had said to him.
"You have faced many challenges and triumphed in the face of certain failure, but you are not the first to have done so." Itherael said. Jack listened as attentively as he could, recalling what information he knew about the great defeat of the Prime Evils.
"Six heroes before you have bested Diablo and his brothers. But neither victory was permanent, nor came without price." The archangel continued.
"What do you mean?" Jack asked.
"The first fell to madness after defeating Diablo twenty years ago and later became his vessel. This... dark wanderer freed Baal from Tal Rasha's tomb and awoke Mephisto beneath Travincal. A group of human heroes with varying abilities banded together to fight them. Diablo and Mephisto were defeated and contained, but Baal, newly freed, marched on Arreat. In the end, he too was banished after a great battle within the chamber of the Worldstone, but at the cost of the stone's destruction. These events, you know of." Itherael explained to him, voice echoing like a spirit's.
Jack nodded, remembering the bits and pieces he had read from Cain's journal.
"I do not know what has become of all of them, some still live, while others have since died, victims of deteriorating minds.
The Demon Hunter listened, tired beyond reason, digesting this information with a bit of dread.
"You are the first Nephalem to be birthed after the destruction of the Worldstone and unique in the way that demonic corruption has no hold over you, but you are weak in another way. This battle has become a burden that you must bear, and now that your task has more or less ended, the emptiness will gnaw at you as it has for so many before you." The archangel explained.
"I see you in the scroll now, but your fate is still uncertain. Unlike most mortals, you have many strings you might follow. Your companions have been gifted with multiple paths as well, but their futures are directly tied to yours." Ithereal said.
"I'm not sure I understand." Jack responded. "Are you telling me... that I'm going to go insane?" Jack asked evenly. "Because I cannot continue without the battles?"
"That is one of many possibilities." Ithereal answered cryptically.
Jack went silent, he had often thought on what he would do should the battles ever stop coming, he had found it best to assume that his foes would come endlessly. That he would fight until his dying breath.
"But all is not lost. For some champions it was only madness and death. For others a slow lingering life consumed by horrors. You are different. There is Hope." Itherael said and Auriel came forward.
"Your companions will help you. Keep them close to you Nephalem. Their strength will help you in more ways than one."
"Eirena and... Kormac?" Jack asked, confused.
"Yes, and the amusing one. The rogue." She continued with a smile in her voice.
"Lyndon?" He said with a bit of disbelief, he hasn't expected Lyndon to have much part in his life beyond this, other than when he would help him free his brother, and possibly finding Adria.
"There are many pages beyond today, many events." Itherael offered.
"I suppose if I ask what they might be you will say that you cannot tell me?" Jack stated knowingly.
"Correct. Sometimes even I do not know all that the future holds. It will reveal itself in time." Ithereal finished.
What did they mean? Eirena and Kormac would stay with him? And what could Lyndon possibly do for him other than the same ridiculous things he'd been doing while they traveled together? He was puzzled and it hurt his head to think and made the dizziness worse so he filed it away to think on later.
"It is alright to trust them, they will keep the light in you kindled." Auriel had told him. "You will not give in to the emptiness of purposelessness if you keep love and hope in your heart. Rest now Jack, you have earned it. We will see each other again." She said gently.
"Thank you angels." Jack said and turned away at the sound of Eirena's voice.
Jack looked a bit peaky and rather strung out, Lyndon noticed. He really needed to sleep.
Lyndon did too, after the initial joy in the wake of their victory wore off, he felt the pull of heavy, numbing exhaustion. It made his legs want to give out. He was afraid that if he stood still for too long he would simply fall over and be unable to get up again. He looked around at the others, Eirena's face also held great weariness and even the proud Templar was practically dragging his heavy shield behind him. Even Tyrael seemed tired, it must have been strange for him to experience it like mortals do.
Lyndon couldn't quite be sure how different it was from being a tired angel, perhaps it was the same? He'd have to remember to ask the archangel when he got a moment.
They really were a rather pathetic looking bunch, shambling toward the portal in not too dissimilar a fashion than the undead they slaughtered en masse. Lyndon would have laughed at the similarity had he not felt so damned tired.
The waypoints they'd set up in Heaven made traveling back to the portal a bit quicker, but that kind of magical transportation always made him feel a bit ill. They stepped through the portal one by one and Lyndon closed his eyes against the light and dizzying effect the portal created. He hoped he'd never have to travel this way again. He opened his eyes again with some difficulty due to stinging wind that sucked all the heat from his body and set the lot of them shivering in their tiredness. He had not missed the weather at Bastion's Keep one bit. It was almost a torture when you compared it to the gentle summertime afternoon warmth of the high heavens.
The cold was miserable, but they were all so disgustingly relieved it didn't even matter. They hurried inside to a group of terrified expectant faces in the heart of the keep all staring at them silently.
Jack stepped forward and addressed them in a soft voice, "We've won."
The noise of cheers and peoples relieved voices that erupted sounded muffled to Jack, like he was hearing it from underwater. He was afraid to move too quickly, lest he lose his balance and collapse. His body felt strange and over heated and he sweat heavily inside the keep, even though that inside, it was still cold enough to see his breath puffing out in clouds in front of him. His heart pounded heavily making his skull pulse in time.
He jumped when people touched him to congratulate or thank him, it took most of his concentration to not point his crossbows or draw a knife reflexively. He needed to maintain control. He wanted to thank them for accepting and supporting him but he could barely speak. The room tilted slightly, almost dangerously, as he moved, but he blinked it away and made his way through the throng to Tyrael with dogged determination.
He could not rest until he knew.
The former archangel had seated himself on an empty crate next to Haedrig's forge, El'Druin resting across his lap as he warmed himself by the heat of the fire.
"You should be resting Nephalem. Even powerful ones such as you have limits." Tyrael said gently as he approached. "Enjoy this great victory, you have won Jack."
"We won, I cannot claim sole credit." Jack answered tiredly.
Tyrael merely smiled and nodded, saying nothing more.
"What will become of the Black Soulstone?" Jack asked wearily. There were many loose ends and he would not abide leaving them untied.
"Auriel relayed to me that I am to speak to the Angiris Council. We will discuss what will be done with it very soon. I expect they will not like to keep it in the High Heavens any longer than necessary." Tyrael explained, dragging a cloth over his blade in smooth motions, polishing any lingering grime away. "I believe you are expected to attend in one way or another. If not by Imperius, then by myself and the other members of the council. Your input is valued, even if Imperius does not think you worth his time."
"And Adria?" Jack asked, glancing toward the stairs that led to the armory.
Where Leah's few possessions still remained.
"We will find her." Tyrael said, face hardening. "Make no mistake about that. For Leah. The witch will show herself again, and when she does-"
Hatred for Adria surged within Jack then, burning away all traces of exhaustion and flooding his veins with burning adrenaline. His eyes burned brightly, he could feel their heat on his cheeks.
"Vengeance will be mine." He muttered darkly. "She will pay for everything ."
Tyrael looked sad for a moment, staring at the Demon Hunter, but Jack did not notice, he was too wrapped up in staying on his feet and staring hatefully into the distance. Jack could not even sit warmly in their great triumph. His heart was too badly burned by what he had lost.
By what they all had lost at Adria's hands.
Leah, the poor girl, how did it all go so wrong?
The demon hunter brought a hand to his face and massaged his eyes with a wince, as if he could rub the Hellfire glow out of them.
"You should sleep now, you look very tired." Tyrael suggested again. It would not do to have the greatest champion of their age collapsing in a heap on the damp floor, Jack was at the end of his impressive endurance.
Jack blinked and his eyes lost the fiery glow to be replaced with a bright blue green. He looked weary beyond measure, drawn thin.
"Yes I... I think I will go rest. Thank you Tyrael. For everything." Jack said softly, turning away from the former Archangel of Justice.
Tyrael worried for the Demon Hunter. Worried that he would succumb, like many heroes before him, to the madness and pain of fighting the denizens of the Burning Hells.
He now called the man friend, strange as it felt. And he wanted him to have a better outcome than those that had fought evil before him.
It had been a trying task, but there were no others who could have taken such a burden. He would admit that he had used Jack's incredible power for what he thought was the correct course of action, but he knew that at the very least, they had wanted the same end. The death of the lords of Hell. An end to the eternal conflict, which they may just have achieved, but it was too early to tell.
Jack walked a fine line, standing on a knife's edge that could send him tumbling into what remained of the realm of Mephisto. His hatred could very well drive him mad. And for one such as he to have conquered his fears but enter the realm of terror? What had he seen there? They might never know.
Yes, Tyrael worried for him. He would keep an eye on him when he could, and prayed that the Nephalem's strange companions would as well. He had a feeling that they would need him again, if not for Adria then for something else.
One thing was for certain, the only future peace had to offer, was war.
As he watched Jack wearily drag himself toward the armory stairs, he saw Lyndon catch up to him, put an arm around him and help him walk carefully. The scoundrel shouted loudly at the crowd of admirers to let Jack be, clearing the way to the armory.
The hunter leaned heavily on the other man and allowed himself to be supported.
Smiling, Tyrael felt the warmth of hope filling his heart. Mortals were endlessly surprising. Auriel's song was loud and clear.
Cheering! For him! Everyone was cheering!
He was considered a hero. They were all heroes. Lyndon was elated at this new experience, he was so used to being in trouble or hated that it felt good to be the good guy for once. There were mothers and children thanking him! Akarat's blood, some of them were even weeping. He basked in the attention like a cat in a patch of sunlight.
There were bags and bags of riches too, he couldn't forget that! He carefully stashed them away with the hunter's few possessions. He'd never had such a haul, not even robbing the merchants guild bank could compare with what he had earned and to what Jack had given him. He could get his brother out! Make things right! The only thing that could make this moment better would be a beautiful girl on each arm to go with the pile of spoils from their little crusade.
And if he wasn't so dog tired. Oh, and also not absolutely, disgustingly, wretchedly filthy. That would be nice too.
He was so happy he was almost giddy, but suspected he was just overtired.
Haedrig appeared beside him and pulled him aside at Shen's caravan, clapping him on the back firmly. His eyes had tears in them and Lyndon smiled wolfishly at him, pleased to see the amiable blacksmith again. They'd become good friends and drinking buddies after a time, and Haedrig frequently purchased items from him that he brought back from his outings with Jack. Lyndon was glad to see him alive.
"You get out of there alright yeh rotten scoundrel? I can' believe yeh made it." The blacksmith said to him.
"Yes, I suppose I did. We all made it out alright. Thanks to Jack." Lyndon replied.
The unspoken 'almost all of us' hung in the air. To think of Leah was still too painful.
"That young man is quite, ehm, remarkable isn't he?" Covetous Shen said from where he was warming himself in front of a great, glinting red fire opal.
"Indeed." Lyndon agreed proudly, eying the gem.
"I knew he could do it, at first I had my doubts, I thought we were all done fer." Haedrig admitted shamefully. "I didn't dare hope." He smiled again. "Did yeh get more gold than yer thievin' paws could carry?" He asked Lyndon with a warm smile.
"I certainly did! And a few pieces of armor and weapons that might interest you, if you'd care to take a look later that is." Lyndon offered slyly.
"Did you find many, ah, jewels Lyndon? Perhaps, eh eh eh, if you don't mind of course, you could show me some of them?" Shen asked hopefully.
"Oh, just you wait, I've got loads." Lyndon said with a grin. "But I'm afraid I'll need a nap before we haggle out the specific prices that I'd be willing to let them go for..." Lyndon continued airily.
"I do eh, eh, appreciate a good thief such as yourself." Shen said with a secretive smile.
"You'll find none better than I!" Lyndon boasted proudly.
"I suspect, I would not." Shen's eyes sparkled knowingly, but Lyndon did not think much of it.
"Aye and none more humble I'd reckon. I'm interested in seeing those weapons, but you go on then, take your nap and a bath too, ya smell like a dead pack beast." Haedrig said.
"How I've missed your kind words." Lyndon said with false sincerity.
"Yes, go enjoy yourself! Haedrig and Shen will find plenty of celebrating to do. I heard some soldier found a store of wine in the depths of the keep!" Shen stated excitedly.
"Sounds like you have the evening all planned out, do try to get Kormac in on it, Akarat knows the man needs to get a little drunk ." Lyndon suggested, peeling his filthy gloves off and stuffing them in his pocket.
"Aye, maybe he'll finally give little Eirena a kiss!" Haedrig laughed.
"HA! That'd be rich!" Lyndon exclaimed, laughing. "And you'd better save some wine for me! In fact... maybe I should just take a bottle or five for myself right now..." Lyndon muttered thoughtfully, looking around for the crate.
"Don't you worry about that! Go on and get cleaned up, give me yer crossbow and I'll tune it for yeh." Haedrig said laughing and Lyndon unshouldered his weighty crossbow gratefully and handed it to the blacksmith. "Has she been working alright? Firing smooth?" Haedrig asked, picking an icicle off the handle.
"As silk. And it doesn't even make my hands cold!" Lyndon answered cheerfully, but then he grew more serious. "Haedrig... thank you, really. I was... really upset when I broke the crossbow my brother gave me, I'm grateful that you were able to salvage the handle from it. It really means a lot to me." He finished awkwardly, staring at the dirty Keep floor. He hadn't been able to properly thank the blacksmith for what he had done, there hadn't been time. He was glad he'd gotten a second chance.
"Think nothing of it lad. It was the least I could do." Haedrig answered warmly. "When ya see Jack, tell him to give me his weapons an' armor, I'll get them cleaned up and combat ready again for 'im."
"Will do. Though I hope we'll be getting a bloody break from combat since Diablo's dead and all. Where is old Jackyboy anyway? I lost him in the crowd when we got inside." Lyndon asked, stretching his shoulders and popping his back, that crossbow did get heavy after a while and it had certainly been a while . He handed over the shoulder armor the blacksmith had tailored for him as well, feeling lighter already.
"He uh, er, he is talking to Tyrael! Yes that's it, I saw him just a moment ago! Or was that yesterday? No! I'm sure it was just now. I think." Shen offered.
"Ah. Clear and helpful as always, thank you." Lyndon said with an exasperated roll of his eyes and went to look for the Demon Hunter.
"You are so welcome Lyndon!"
Kormac made his way wearily to one of the tables set out near the armory stairs. He sat down heavily and breathed out a sigh of relief. His armor had never felt so heavy and oppressing, not even in Caldeum's burning sun. He leaned up his heavy shield, poured himself some water from a pitcher and drank deeply.
As they always did, almost without his permission, when he had a spare moment, his eyes searched out Eirena. He saw her, talking excitedly to a group of widows and their children, giving them a quick version of what had happened in the High Heavens. She waved her arms and moved her hands in an animated fashion while the women gasped and looked at each other in amazement. The children gazed, open mouthed up at her in wonder.
Kormac smiled. Jack's deeds would surely fall into legend. Then he supposed...since he had also been there... that he would be part of the legend as well. This thought awakened a boyish excitement in him he'd not felt for a long time. How he had longed to be one of the heroes in the stories he had always heard as a child. The hero from Yorgie and the giants with his famous Blackfeather cloak, Aughild, the great and just king of Entsteig! And now it had really come true! His mother had always-
His mother .
Kormac's good mood faltered a bit. He wondered then about his Order and what he would do . Jack had agreed to help him and he supposed that they would go to Westmarch to speak with the head of the Templar Order. He had a lot of questions and he would demand the answers. If there was any evil to be found within his beloved Order he would flush it out and crush it!
Feeling a bit better, he gazed at Eirena again, watching her pretty smile and tried very hard not to think about just how pretty it was.
Lyndon spotted Jack quickly, speaking with Tyrael as Shen had said. The talk looked serious and Lyndon moved closer, eavesdropping. The hunter's eyes were wild and he blinked rapidly as if trying to clear his vision. He flinched at the slightest noises, people's voices or any other sudden sounds in the keep. He couldn't hear their conversation over the other soldiers and people talking though, much as he strained to try to.
Lyndon watched him with sharp eyes, observing his posture. The poor bastard didn't even know he was beyond exhausted.
Jack left Tyrael and moved slowly toward the armory stairs, he looked like he might collapse at any moment. Lyndon should help him get downstairs and-
"Lyndon, perhaps you could help Jack downstairs?" Eirena said near his ear, echoing his thoughts and making him start, "He looks very tired. Kormac and I will help everyone get settled, and attend to any remaining wounded."
"I'm way ahead of you, and don't sneak up behind me like that! You could give a man a heart attack!" He hissed in irritation, but then smiled at her, "Though, with a body like yours, I know how we can get our hearts going-" he said slyly before he suddenly spotted Kormac across the room, staring at him with a look that could wilt flowers and spoil food.
"Right then, lots to do!" He said quickly before Eirena could reply and excused himself to go after the Demon Hunter.
Lyndon watched Jack walk on shaking legs toward the armory to presumably disappear into a room somewhere, and caught up to him easily, "Alright now, you look like you're ready to keel over, let me help you." He said only loud enough for Jack to hear. He casually dragged the man's arm over his own shoulders, not missing the hunter's flinch as he touched him, and put a careful arm around his waist to help him walk, there was a low hiss of pain at that.
"Easy, easy." Lyndon murmured. "Are you hurt?" He asked him, concerned. Surely he couldn't have gotten out of that great mess in the sky without at least some bruises. Nephalem or not.
"Thank you Lyndon, but I'm alright." Jack answered curtly, but made no move to get away from him.
"No you're not." Lyndon shot back quickly. Jack did not reply.
The way they walked together made them look more like brothers in arms, it was likely that no one would notice the Demon Hunter's drastic slip in strength. Lyndon thought it good to let everyone continue to see him as an untouchable champion, it could only lift their spirits more. Jack didn't say anything else, but let much of his weight rest against the thief in uncharacteristic weakness. His body felt overly warm and he could feel the man's heart racing, thumping heavily in his chest.
Gods, and Jack smelled wretched, like burning death. Though, Lyndon probably didn't smell much better and he wanted to get clean desperately. It was likely that some of these stains would probably never come out. Then after that? He'd sleep for at least a week. He wished there were more women that weren't burdened with children or grief over dead husbands, he could really use some company in a few hours. But... while the thought was a pleasant one, he reasoned that even if there were such girls around he'd have to at least wait until tomorrow. He was simply too tired right now, much as it pained him to think such a thing.
It was getting difficult to think now, his head was starting to hurt while his heart continued to race. He knew he was calm, but his heart kept beating as if he were running. It made the dizziness worse.
He figured it must have been all the health potions. He really had relied on them too much over the last few days. They were not a common item, but Bastion's keep had a large supply stored to keep the soldiers going. Jack knew that the magic imbued in the ruby liquid was able to heal minor wounds and keep exhaustion at bay for an extended period of time. Which was what Jack had really wanted them for, there simply hadn't been time for him to sleep.
He was certainly paying for it now though, his body was crackling with nervous energy as if he'd had too much coffee. He wasn't sure what would happen now that he had stopped drinking them. A stupid mistake. Would he feel sick? Perhaps crave them like some helpless poppy flower addict? He didn't think so, but the thought was still unpleasant.
As many left as there were, they were no substitute for food. The people in the keep were slowly starving, he needed to help them get some food, but he knew that if went outside now, he would likely collapse and freeze to death. What a pathetic end that would be.
He didn't want Lyndon's help, he wanted to deal with this on his own, but he was afraid that if he pushed him away he would simply fall to the floor. More people were trying to talk to him now, it was too much noise, he couldn't focus.
Lyndon's voice was suddenly loud near his ear, making them ring with his shouts. Gods the man was loud.
"Now now, he needs his beauty rest! His looks don't just happen! Come on now, he saved two worlds, let the man have a little peace and quiet. You can thank him tomorrow." Lyndon shouted over the throng of people.
One of the mothers, the strange fearless one with the two brats tells them they made Leah's old room ready with a hot water bath for Jack to "wash the filthy demon evil off." Jack looked deeply grateful. "Thank you, I've been wanting to... freshen up." He said softly. The woman merely nodded and gave Lyndon a strange look.
Captain Haile's voice came suddenly, booming over Lyndon's and causing heads to turn, "You heard him, clear out! Give our champion some room to bloody breathe for Akarat's sake! You can bloody well chat him up later!"
Jack mumbled thanks, eyes half lidded. They really needed to get downstairs. Lyndon had never seen him so exhausted.
"What are ya lad? How did you manage it?" Captain Haile whispered to the hunter in disbelief, ignoring his own orders.
"Ask me again tomorrow." Jack said with the ghost of a smile.
The captain smiled "Aye."
The admirers and well-wishers went back to their business. Cleaning up and helping the wounded and whatnot. Eirena waved at them from where she sat with a herd of brats, smiling. Lyndon overheard Kormac speaking to Captain Haile about trying to get a group together to go out for food. There might be some from the caravans that had been held up, if they were not completely ransacked there might be enough supplies to feed everyone.
Gods, Lyndon really wanted to eat . It was a toss up between which thing he wanted more, food or sleep. That fat, disgusting wretch in the larder had ruined everything they'd had. Lyndon was surprised everyone had made it this far, there was barely anything left.
"Thank you Lyndon. I don't... take complements very well." Jack whispered thankfully at the top of the armory stairs, interrupting his thoughts. "Of course, of course, we're ah, both tired and filthy. Better to be somewhere quiet I'd say."
Navigating the simple eight steps or so of the staircase was almost like descending a mountain as the hunter quickly started to crash.
Jack clung to Lyndon's arm tightly, panting, while the scoundrel did his level best to hold him up. Both of their legs were shaking as they took every step slowly and carefully. Jack could hardly keep his balance and tightened his grip every few moments. "Gods, you're exhausted." Lyndon murmured worriedly, helping him walk on weak legs. He found he was supporting most of the hunter's weight and helping him stay upright.
"Slowly now, easy, just hold onto me. There's no rush... I told you not to overdo it on those health potions. You can't just drink that many and feel normal when they wear off." Lyndon said, "Haven't you ever been drunk before? Everything in moderation I always say- well, actually I've never said that!" He added with a laugh. Jack merely grunted.
"You should be grateful I'm here. Surely you would have fallen down the stairs already." Lyndon continued., a bit annoyed by Jack trying to play at being fine when he clearly wasn't. The silly idiot!
"And you smell like a corpse pit that someone vomited in then lit on fire just so you know." Lyndon added. "Thank the gods you're getting a bath, pretty soon no one will be able to tell you apart from a bloody cadaver, I wish I-"
"Lyndon." Jack murmured tiredly, interrupting him.
"Mmhm? What is it?" The thief asked.
"Shut up." Jack said evenly.
"Well, alright." Lyndon smiled anyway.
When they'd actually slept, they'd been using rooms that were deeper in the keep, letting Leah sleep in the big room in the armory near the Soulstone and her mother, but now... Neither of them were there anymore and there was no sense letting such a large, warm and private room go unused. Lyndon could see Jack flagging. He probably felt just as upset as Lyndon did about Leah, likely more so, but there was no point in wasting the bed was there?
No one was in the armory when they got down the stairs, they were all celebrating in the main room. They entered the candlelit room Leah kept her belongings in. It made Lyndon feel a strong pang of sadness again and he found himself blinking back tears. He wished he wasn't so tired, then he wouldn't be getting so upset like a girl every other minute!
Adria would pay for this. That cold, wretched bitch.
Lyndon saw the tub in the corner emitting great plumes of steam. He'd never been so glad to see a bathtub in his life. He was suddenly very aware of how cold he was and stared at the hot water with extreme jealousy. Jack was trying to get away from him "I can- I can walk." He said in a soft voice. He made a noise of pain again while Lyndon leaned against the door frame, watching him closely. That bloody liar. He was hurt.
"You're sure you can make it from here?" Lyndon asked seriously.
"Yes, thank you." Jack said, already removing his ravaged cloak. He should probably consider getting a new one...
"I'll come back to check on you in a little while then." Lyndon replied, turning to go back upstairs.
"I'm not a child." Jack said gruffly.
"I know that, I just have no desire to remain as filthy as I am. No woman's going to want to touch this mess, roguish good looks can only take one so far." Lyndon said indicating himself. "I intend to take advantage of the water too!" He countered.
"I doubt the water will be very clean after I'm done, but you're welcome to it." Jack said closing the door. Lyndon heard the lock slide into place. He turned back and climbed the stairs wearily, it took him almost as long as the initial descent did. He weaved around soldiers and deposited himself next to their belongings and Cain's old tome gratefully. It felt good to sit.
He closed his eyes, resting them for just a moment. The book was making low sounds like it sometimes did. Lyndon used to find them disturbing, but now they were a comforting reminder of Deckard Cain, and he found the softly speaking voices almost soothing.
He dropped off to sleep in under a minute, head tipped back against their stash of possessions.
A note on the disembodied voice:
"Trag'Oul a guardian of Sanctuary, by most accounts, aligned with neither the Heavens nor the Hells. Although information is scarce, he reportedly aided Uldyssian and the Edyrem* during the Sin War, intent on keeping our world free from both angelic and demonic influences. The Books of Kalan describes this mysterious entity as a celestial dragon whose body resembles a constellation of stars."
- Deckard Cain
*Normal humans, until their latent abilities were awakened by the Nephalem known as Uldyssian.