Harry Potter and the Great Conflict
« Written by PSBlasius »
Disclaimer: © JKRowling and © Blizzard Entertainment. If I were the owner of Harry Potter™ and Diablo™, then I would not write here for no profit.
Rating: M (though I would put it to NC-17, as this story is highly graphic and intense in every means, NOT FOR CHILDREN!!!)
Genre: AU, Crossover [Diablo-HP], supernatural, adventure (with action, mystery, good bit of humour and of course, romance)
Warnings: Graphic violence, torture, death. Nudity and sex. Foul language.
Era: OotP, but with a little different past. After the events of Diablo II, the start of Diablo III.
Characters: Harry, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, OCs [Cain, Leah, Charsi, Akara, Tyrael, Natalya, Pablo DeSoto, Izual, the Seven heroes from D2, Lilith, Inarius and lots of Big Bad Demons and Angels, involving the Primes.]
Ships: No fun telling... :P
Summary: Harry in one of his worse moments decide to jump after his godfather through the Veil. What they find in the other side is not exactly what they expect. Fire, darkness, smell of sulphur and decay. Talk about clichés, but Hell is Hell. But the real adventure starts only when they escape the Netherworld. Follow our four heroes from the British Wizarding World through their rough path in the foreign world of Sanctuary. Watch them learn the customs and ways of warfare and magic never seen. Watch them joining arms with the heroes of Sanctuary as they decipher mysteries, unveil conspiracies and go into battle that will shake Heaven, Earth and Hell.
Chapter One - Otherside
"Nice hit, James!" called Sirius. I let my guard drop momentarily in surprise. He called me James again.
I turned to him for some reason, probably to correct him, though I doubt anything would have left my throat. He just taunted Bellatrix into a duel.
I watched as he mocked and laughed at her as if it was a game. But surprisingly enough, Bella was doing just the same. And not a single overly harmful spell was exchanged. No Unforgivables, barely any dark curses. Maybe they considered it, indeed, a game.
Dammit, Padfoot! If you screw up and end up injured or heavens forbid, dead...I'll kill you again.
I wondered if Bella really was that hateful towards her cousin. Was she that evil and twisted? There weren't too much Blacks around in the world anymore. In fact, Sirius was the only one capable of sustaining the bloodline. And any true Black's first priority over any dark lord and their war causes was to keep their blood pure and prosperous. So evidently, Bella wouldn't even think about killing Sirius, it was more likely that out of desperation, she'd seduce him and do herself up with him.
I shook my head to clear that insane thought. Good thing, as the moment I opened my eyes, I saw a red beam of light coming my way quite rapidly. I managed to dodge it by a centimetre. I know what Sirius said, to leave the matters to him now and concentrate on securing the prophecy instead. But that order was disobeyed inside my mind the moment he said it. I couldn't, wouldn't leave him behind ever. First off, he was my official godfather, my guardian, my friend, my brother, and also the brother to my father, so actually my uncle. He was like a father to me, in all honesty. Okay, that was a bit muddled. Second, I really loved the man. Padfoot, the Marauder. Third, I had to stay, as he couldn't look after himself evidently. Well, that's not really true, but from his personality, one would easily assume. I always did, just to irk him.
My assailant, who tried to curse me disengaged, because Tonks stepped in. Be however clumsy in civil, she is a deadly and graceful tigress when duelling. I hope nothing happens to her. I like her. I mean...I...not... Aw, man! Why am I elaborating? I'm single, in the age of Hormonal Olympics. I'm allowed to check girls out and like them, am I not? It's true she's a bit older, seven years to be precise, but how about I say, I don't give a shit? Cuz, it'll be the truth. Bill is exactly seven years older than Fleur, and nobody said a thing. Well, except for me. I said nasty things about William under my breath...but that's another story. I bet if I started an innocent little relationship with Tonks, everyone would jump in to tell how improper it is. Pros and Cons of being me...
I saw an opportunity. The Death Eater, who got engaged by Tonks, forgot I was there, and danced around so he showed his defenceless back to me. Joy. To make it more of a challenge, I tried a silent stupefy. And it worked! The red beam connected with his back and he fell like a stack of potatoes. Tonks looked at me, then grinned when I blew a kiss at her. Combat flirting! A new skill I found myself talented in...
Remus appeared behind me and asked for my medical condition. Some scratches, a split lip, at least one bruise on each of my limbs... that's about it. He nodded and turned to search for battle, but the three of us got distracted by Sirius' laughter.
"That's all you got, dearest cousin? I though it took more skill to got into His rummy club..." he taunted with a grin. But to my fright, Bella appeared to see what I saw. A chance to strike!
"Sirius!" I bellowed. And the bloody fool turned to me! I will kill him, next thing! "Don't play!"
"Stupefy!" intoned Bella, affirming my suspicion, that she was far from wanting to kill him. But that didn't mean subduing him.
I watched as the red ray of unconsciousness struck Sirius square in the chest. It wasn't a worrisome thing. But him standing just before the Veil merely one or two feet away was. His face mirrored surprise and but otherwise calm. His left leg bent and his torso started to fall backwards.
I saw it in slow motion. My godfather falling through the curtain separating the land of living and dead. My perception on the world surrounding me disappeared and I just stood there forever, but I knew it was more like three seconds. My mind registered nothing of it. It just told me, that he'll stumble up on the other side. Other side...
That is not here. Not on this plane of existence. My godfather did not fall through a simple curtain, but through the barrier between opposite worlds. I couldn't tell when my legs started to move, I couldn't tell how I managed to shake off Remus' restraining arms. I couldn't tell what I was thinking at the time. Probably nothing and it was an instinctual move, like I always did, when something unimaginable or new happened. My instincts have never betrayed me yet. This, however, doesn't really justify a suicide, does it? Well, like so many said, I'm not a normal guy, try as I might. So, I jumped.
And dragged Remus with myself...
To whom Tonks clung with a death grip...
And the three of us followed Sirius into the unknown abyss.
Whatever I expected, this wasn't among them.
We ended up in a pile of mingled limb upon each other on a hard surface. I'm not really complaining as Tonks was atop of me, her incredible boobs pressing into my face. I would stay this way for a bit more, but we had to examine our situation and surroundings. We just crossed to the Land of the Dead after all.
We laid in a black slightly warm floor. Dirt or some kind of cinder. Our skin started to sweat for it was quite hot and our senses were invaded by a foul, awful stench. Sulphur and the smell of rotting flesh. Darkness surrounded us, bright torches and bonfires were our only beacons that gave us some sense of orientation. Odd wailing, crying noises attacked our ears. They were filled with despair and pain.
I had to admit this whole place scared the shit out of me. And by the looks of others... Remus was staring intently into one direction. Being a werewolf, his eyes were the best among us. But those eyes now had an eerie light in them. Was it...fear? Tonks was on her feet and was spinning around, trailing her wand wherever she heard something. She was obviously frightened. But her Auror instincts were on and were working fine. Sirius' face is just...
Sirius!
I bolted to him and dropped to knees beside his laying, unconscious form. I started to shake him, before I realized that one cannot shake a man from a Stupefy caused stun. After a quick Enervate, his eyes popped open and immediately searched for his opponent, almost cursing me in the process.
"Padfoot, it's me! Easy! The duel is over. It's just me."
"Bloody hell! What happened?"
"You being an arrogant git! That's what happened!" I growled, angry at him out of blue. He just looked at me confused. "You stopped to taunt Bella, you moron, all the while presenting you full bloody undefended body for her! It's no surprise she stunned you!"
"But why are you so angry then? It was just a stunner. I'm fine. And you are too."
"Would you look around?"
He did. And could only gape at the hellish scene. I could see his unease and the immediate caution sitting on his face.
"Are you quite finished?" asked Remus in a quite voice what he meant to be calm, but it was anything but. "I think someone...something is approaching."
We stood and joined him and Tonks, subconsciously forming a half-circle. In the shadows of firelight a dark figure could be seen. It was short and...brief. A big lump. No distinct limb was visible in the dim light. We only heard a low squelching, slurping noise that could only come from the thing.
"What the unholy shit is that?" asked Tonks with noticeable fear and repulsion in her voice.
"Maybe we should ask?" try Sirius. We all look at him momentarily. He just lift his hand in defence. But suddenly the slurping became louder and more...wet. One could have got the impression that the thing was taking a deep breath. "Maybe it's trying to tell us..."
The answer was a big, disgusting looking goo flying towards us.
"DUCK!" I shouted and threw myself at Tonks. Why Tonks? Honestly, do I have to give reasons?
The dripping, stenching...spitball missed her head by inches and caught ground a few feet behind us. A stray drop of the sticky yuck fall on my sweatshirt and it started to sizzle and eat the textile like corrosive acid. I screamed and tore the clothes off me. Lucky, that I had a crimson T-shirt underneath. Panting and in adrenaline high, I turned to the others.
"If this was the welcome, return it in kind," I said in a steely voice with an expression and stance I though would be very macho. Wands drawn we locked on the creature, what started to gather its 'spit' again.
"Sectumsempra!" I bellowed and the invisible swords slashed into its dark greenish skin. The spitting terror squealed and wiggled as disgusting bloody blobs of intestines burped out of the largest slash on its midsection.
The guts seemed to be half-digested human torsos and other parts of humanoid bodies. And apparently, that ball of shit that it had spit on us was some part of one of our kin's deceased corpse too. Utterly disgusting and sick! Thank the Heavens that the thing stayed down after its injuries.
"Harry, that was a Dark Curse," stated Remus warily. I just look at him with emotionless face. We encounter a giant, bloody corpse-vomiting worm and all he can observe is me using a 'dark' spell. "I don't want to know where you learned it, but it's not wise to use them."
"Oh, right, Moony. Next time I see our smelly little friend I'll tickle it to suffocation with a Rictusempra!" A deaf man could pick up the sarcasm in my voice. "We are in Hell, for Merlin's Sake! Who the heck cares what curse I use?"
"I care, for instance," the werewolf said firmly.
"I appreciate it, Remus. But if I ever decide to go evil, it won't be because of a curse. We make the curse dark, with our intention and way of usage. Not the other way around. I can use a sectumsempra to chop firewood or prepare a chicken's breast for roasting. And that thing wasn't really concerned about vomiting fuckin' dead people and their severed parts on us! I consider myself justified."
"You may be right. I'm just worried…"
"I know, Uncle Moonhowler. But you should worry about our current situation for the time being. Look behind you for a start," I advise and nod at the rapidly approaching group of more humanoid like creatures.
If the problem with the previous monster was that it possessed no limbs or tentacles or any protruding flesh on its body, now, these creatures owned one pair too much. Two muscular arms, each holding some long object that glittered in the light. Swords most likely. And they've got wings! Big, bat-like wings. Their height was remarkable, at least two feet higher than Sirius, who was the tallest with his 5"9'. There was four of them, so it'd be a fair, equated battle, if they decide to engage.
And it appeared so, as one of them shot a spray of inferno towards us. It may have been on purpose as we got separated as we jumped aside. The two Marauders on one side, Tonks and I on the other.
"They breathe fire. So consider them dragonkin," diagnosed Tonks from beside me.
"Agreed. Let's see whether their hide is just as thick! Sectumsempra!"
The dark knives curse's invisible energy blades swooshed towards the demon and its skin simply absorbed it.
"Defodio!" tried Tonks, but the cutting curse received the same fate. She glanced at me with fearful eyes. "Ideas?"
"None yet," I fret, backing away quickly, but keeping a tab on the Marauders position. They, apparently, were just as clueless as us.
"Hey! Try conjured projectiles!" she advised, as she magicked out a spear and hurled it towards the monstrosity with some velocity. The spear sliced the ever decreasing distance between them and after an excruciating one second filled with stressed anticipation, the tip of the spear tore into the thick black hide and impaled half its length into the beast's right chest. The demon staggered back and dropped to half knee, howling out in pain, but then with a grunt, broke the snag in its chest off. And struggled to its feet, resuming its approach.
"Shit! Guys, magical resistants! Go for conjured physical objects!" I shouted to the Sirius and Remus, who were now in the attempt to dodge wildly, for the demons reached them and both lifted their swords to strike down. I watched until they successfully avoided being chopped into parts. That was enough, because our situation with Dora wasn't too much better either. She already conjured up a two short swords for herself. "Dora, could you make me one too?"
"You can't?" she screamed back before she lunched herself to the right moments before a giant bastard sword crashed the ground she stood on.
"I'm a freakin' fifth year, Dora!"
"Hardy the average... Same as with a rope!"
"Huh?" I asked as I tried something I thought up just now. These things emitted fear, for I was in the brink of shitting my pants full and Dora was quivering as far as I could see. So maybe… I found Sirius alive… He lives… My face between Dora's tits… That's the one! "Expecto Patronum!" I cried and Spectral Prongs pounced out of my wand in its full silvery incarnated glory. He charged for the demon attacking Dora… And it worked! The demon stopped short and recoiled back, repulsed by the bliss and love Dad's guardian spirit emitted.
Dora got up and looked at me in deep thought. I nodded silently and she closed her eyes and took up a face of utter concentration, than pure happiness softened her angelic face and finally she said clearly, loudly.
"Expecto Patronum!" However, no animal spirit came out from her wand and for a second I thought she messed up, but the thick beam of silvery substance erupted from her wand pointed skywards. And it formed a dome around us, all four of us. I could only stare at wonder. It was beautiful, just like the thing that was its source.
"Whoa, Dora! This is awesome! And just in time…look!" Sirius said as he and Remus ran to us, the dome having scared off their demons too. He pointed forward, and true to his word beyond the wall of the dome, actually in every direction, masses of various demons and horrors waited and stalked impatiently. The lust for their blood was evident in their evil gaze. We appeared to be surrounded.
"Guys…I could use…some help…" Dora breathed. Her face still mirrored bliss as she was smiling contently, but sweat glistened on her forehead and her arm was trembling a little.
"How?" Remus asked.
"Gimme…more! Happy… Love…" she whispered, barely audible above the humming of the dome and the shrieks and roars of the horrors. We looked at each other unsure if we should proceed like we though we should. Sirius just shook his head and backed away. No wonder as they were related. Remus looked at Dora, then at me, then back at her. His eyes were tormented, pleading to me. He didn't wanted to do, what was circulating in both of our minds. And I… Do I? Am I capable and, more so, willing to do something? Apart from any fantasies and playful thoughts, this was Tonks. I was not sure of myself nowadays. I had a few girlfriends…okay three. Two and a half. Cho doesn't count as a full. And that thing with Fleur was really nice, but not overly permanent. Fleur, my beautiful flower, was just lusting after me. Just?! A creature so fucking – uh, sorry – beautiful, that like with a basilisk, you could die by looking at her too long. A Veela, sexy, gorgeous, talented, powerful, sensual, ah...I'm done. And that woman was lusting after me! I'm not an idiot. I took the opportunity in a stride. Funny, that a 'flower' took my innocence away... Unfortunately, she had to go back home. Then she met Bill, and I was shunned away like a...dried bouquet. Sad as I was – and furious at Bill – my self-esteem took a huge boost. I mean, me and a Veela, who lusted after my ass? So I grew confidence, Sirius 'helped' a lot and after a while I started the thing with Katie, who was my second biggest crush after Cho. For some reason, it ended nearly with the end of the world. It was catastrophic. I'm still not sure why or who was to fault... Overall, from the lack of success, I ceased the activity involving women. Two months ago… Alright, I have no idea what I am babbling about or why. Why am I hesitating? I suddenly remembered my family's motto I read in an wizarding etymology lexicon in Hogwarts' library. 'Fortune favours the bold.'
Taking it to heart, I made my decision. We were in Hell, after all, so why not enjoy myself, while I can? I pushed Moony away and walked up to her. I gently took her cheek in my hand, brushing my thumb on her delicate skin. She opened her bright, vivid, currently golden hue eyes and stared into my own green ones. Entranced could be the right word to describe my state of being. I never knew when my lips touched hers, I could only remember the elation and ecstasy of the amorous connection. She was so soft and sweet. I kissed a few times before, but this took the price without doubt. Fleur was precise, aiming for maximal pleasure, but dominating too. Katie was sweeter, but more insistent and needy. Cho…nevermind. Dora felt wonderful and she was so awfully gentle that it was more erotic than a searing, rough kiss. My arm slithered around her slim waist as primal instincts took over and I pressed her frame against mine. Her free hand came up to rest on my chest as she fully realized what was going on. Her head tilted and those delicate rose-petals posing as her lips went to deepen the osculation. My tongue decided to gain independence here and now and licked her upper lip, whilst she suckled on my lower. She responded by devouring my mouth fully and allowing entrance for my rebellious tongue.
We were totally oblivious of the happenings around us. Her outstretched arm stopped trembling as an intense surge of magic shot through it into the dome, strengthening and expanding it multiple times. The horde of demons roared and fled back into their lair, unable to withstand the positive emotions that filled the barrier of the dome.
By the time we were alone in the dark, we somehow managed to get to the ground, her arm still erect and pointing to the dark sky. I was a least bit concerned, all that existed at that time was Dora. So I didn't hear the two marauders stop cheering and starting cursing as a new horror appeared. So I try to tell, what Sirius and Remus told me later.
Beyond the shiny dome a enormous figure emerged from the shadows. It was glowing in dark bluish light. As it neared the border of the light the dome emitted, its features crystallized for them to behold. Its skin seeded to be some kind of dark blue stone. Its wings too were petrified into the dark blue substance. Its head was of a demons with its eyes burning with azure fire and with its three long horns. It wore a shiny golden armour and wielded a beautiful blade that also glowed blue. It simply stepped through the dome and stopped a dozen feet before us.
"Save yourselves!" it roared before raising its blade high and charging for Sirius and Remus.
Sirius hastily conjured a two-handed sword and lifted it rapidly to block the attack. The blow was parried, though he was knocked to the ground by its force. All the while Remus strafed to the side and cast two Impedimena curse at it in rapid succession. Hah, Remus and his faith in light curses… I would have shouted at him, had I been aware of what's going on and had my mouth wasn't all too occupied with Dora's.
Sirius got to his feet and instantly was forced to duck down to preserve his head firmly connected to his neck.
"Guys! So much thanks for your selfless sacrifice in driving the demons away, but we might have a little problem here! SO STOP SNOGGING AND HELP!"
We were totally engrossed in each other, so the message did not reach us. He just grumbled and focused entirely on the beast. He used the demons momentum as it carried the sword far from him to strike. His conjured iron gave a metal clinging sound as it clashed with its hard skin. Apart from a large chunk of rock separating from its knee, the demon didn't look too concerned about the hit. So much so, that it used its left hand to bash Sirius knocking him back full ten feet and into unconsciousness. Remus after try vainly with defensive curses, chose to try another approach.
"Lumos solem!" he shouted and the beam of sunlight erupted from his wand right into the demon, who roared and shielded its eyes, but was otherwise unaffected by the spell.
The demon then got pissed and charged for Remus, who's mind was frozen into the icy stupor of fear. It grabbed him within his claws and stared into the werewolf's eyes.
"You cannot harm me, Mage! But I can you!" it rasped and threw Remus away like a ragdoll. It apparently was just toying with them. But as both Marauders were thrown far away, and Dora and I were much closer, it chose to play with us instead.
My mind still was ensnared in thoughts involving Dora in highly sexual situations, so evidently I couldn't perceive the clawed hand gripping and tearing me off Tonks. My mind crashed back to present the moment I saw the demon's face.
"You possess dirty thoughts, Mage!" it growled. And I suddenly saw Tonks and I. She was tied up in shackles to a standing stone facing it and was completely nude. I was behind her, naked too, and was in the process of violating her anus so roughly that she was screaming. I was gripping her hips so hard that my nails tore into her flesh and now and then I spanked her ass hard causing her the shriek. The scene changed slightly, I was standing further behind and was torturing her backside mercilessly with a spiky whip, disregarding her uncontrollable sobs of anguish and pleas to stop. Her back and her butt-cheeks were now reduced to dripping, shredded, bloody mess. Raw flesh hanging from her bones... HOLY JESUS! These weren't my thoughts! I would never! No! NO!
"NO!" I heard my hoarse voice bellow as I ejected the foreign presence in my mind. "If you touch her with one finger…" I started the empty threat, but I couldn't have finished it if I had wanted to, because the demon laughed out in a thundering and terrifying voice.
"I find your threat amusing. Righteous anger, yes! It is justified, as is your companion's…"
Another vision. This time Dora straddled me, but I was face down. And she was drenched in blood and her flesh was green, purple, deadly, rotten, with big chunks of flesh just missing from places... She was an animated corpse! And she was drowning me in her own pool of blood, plus strangling me with my own ripped out bowels! Holy freakin' shit! What a fucked up nightmare were we in?
I forced myself to grip reality again and return to my own mind. I was screaming. And the cursed demon was laughing and relishing my mental torment. Think quick, Potter! You aren't going to reserve the title 'Boy Who Lived' for long if you don't come up with something! And as always, the help came from the outside.
"Kiddo!"
I looked over the shoulder of the laughing beast and saw my godfather throwing his sword into the air towards me. To give myself some credit, I was always quick on my feet, just as now.
"Accio sword!" I said as I silently thank the Gods that my wand was in my hand and my hand was free from the demon's hold. The sword flew into my grip just as the demon took notice, but now fast enough to close its sulphur smelling mouth. With Quidditch honed speed, my arm thrust forward and pinched the demon's jaws wide open. Almost instantly a put my wand in its orifice and, not having any better ideas, cried the first incantation that I deemed effectual.
"Expecto Patronum!" I used the memory I acquired just a few minutes ago. My heavenly make out with Dora.
I couldn't make out Prongs, but a blinding beam of light poured down the demon's throat as it roared up, then threw me to the ground. I landed hard next to Tonks, who was, though deadly exhausted, watching the entire scene fold out. After steadying me up, we watched as the demon bellowed its anguish into the darkness, while its skin cracked up and from the cracks bright azure light poured out. Its hands groped its head, while roaring and finally after dancing around blindly, it fall down on its knees. The light in canyons of the cracks intensified and finally, when the whole horrific figure was engulfed in light, it went silent and crashed face down into the dirt. And stayed there motionless, apparently, for good…
Tonks grabbed me and drew me into a hug as she softly cried her fears out of her system. Peering into the distance, I saw Sirius checking on Remus. Finally, it seemed all terror was over. At least for now. But maybe I was hasty with such statements…
Tonks gasped and raised her head from my shoulder. I turned to look what could caught her attention to see it was the demon. Its remains, to be certain. The light, that glowed through the skin was still there, but now it was concentrated into a prone figure. The figure was made of some tattered clothes and few rusty pieces of armour. It got a cloak over its head and the face was a mere black, gaping hole. The light encircled it and spread out like wings from its back. If the demon was hellish, this 'reincarnation' of it was definitely angelic. Mostly for the fact that it no longer emitted a menacing, frightening aura. It rose from the ground and hovered a foot above the reamins of its demonic shell.
"Forgive me, noble warriors…" it said. We could just stare at it dumbfounded. "Forgive my sins, for I have many. I have failed. I have fallen." Its voiced was indeed laced with deep sorrow and regret.
"Who are you?" I asked, just to give the impression that we were sentient being, not animated war-machines.
"I once was the Archangel Izual, lieutenant to the Archangel Tyrael, wielder of the sacred blade, Azurewrath, leader of the attack on Hellforge. The mission I was destined to fail. Yet, I have tried and thus have fallen. I was corrupted by the vile influence of the Prime Evils and my spirit was bound within this foul demon's shell for many decades. I thank you for destroying my unholy prison."
"Your welcome…" I said uncertainly. This was starting to get even more insane. "Are you really…an…an angel?"
"I once was the Archangel Izual, lieutenant to the Archangel Tyrael, wielder of the sacred blade, Azurewrath, leader of the…"
"Okay, okay! I get it. Could you tell us, what is this place exactly and how to get out of here?"
"This," Archangel Izual, lieutenant to the Archangel Tyrael, wielder of Azurewrath, etcetera said gesturing widely around, "Is the Plain of Despair. The largest region of the Burning Hells."
"Wait! You mean, we are truly in Hell?" demanded Dora with wide eyes. Ha, where the fuck else we would be?
"Aye. Tell me, mortals, how is it that you are here?" Izual asked.
"Through a Veil. It apparently connected our world with this Burning Hell, or whatever," I replied with a grimace. If this was the afterlife, I could deeply and truly understand Voldemort's desire to avoid death. Of course, maybe there was a Veil that led to the Heavens…
"So you wish to return to Sanctuary? I will help you as a token of my gratitude for freeing my spirit," Izual promised.
"Sanctuary?" Sirius chimed in as he reached us, dragging Remus' still unconscious body with him.
"Your homeland. Didn't you say you desired to return home?"
"Yes, we did. But it's England. In the UK," I elaborated for the angel. However, Sanctuary might be what Earth was called here… I really hoped.
"I do not understand, human. The only plane of existence between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells is Sanctuary. I can only bring you there. You intrigue me, mortals. You speak of distant lands and your attire speak of your foreign nature as well. However, I cannot help you, unless you wish to travel to Sanctuary."
I looked at Dora, who just shrugged, indicating that it didn't matter to her. I could only agree. Any other place would be better that this. Sirius looked at me and I nodded. He addressed Izual this time.
"We wish to travel to this Sanctuary."
"Very well! I shall make you a portal that will lead to Tristram, the place where I have last set my foot on the mortal's plane. But before you go, please, accept there gifts from me, for I have no longer use for them," he said and with that, he lifted an amulet from his 'neck' and gave it to Tonks. Then raised his hand high, like Dora did with the dome-patronus spell.
"Shard of Azurewrath! Come hither, I command you!" Izual boomed in his peculiar voice. In his palm a blue crystal torrent appeared. It was glowing softly with inner brilliance. "My saviour," he addressed me. Cool, now I'm not only the BWL and the Chosen One, but the Saviour of an archangel too! "I present you the last remaining shard, from my blade, Azurewrath. You may find, that it is useless for now, but know, that within this torrent, the spirit of the sword still resides strongly. Find Deckard Cain, he can guide you with his wisdom. Bring the Shard to Charsi, the blacksmith. She is the one, who can imbue this shard into a weapon with the Horadric Malus. Keep it safe, guard it, for this is a priceless gift, not meant for mortals to wield. Accept this along with my eternal gratitude," he said and then gestured with his hand and a with a bright flash of light a fiery portal came to existence before us.
"Now, I bid you farewell, noble warriors. May the Light guide you on your path."
"Wait!" Tonks halted him. "What is this amulet?" she asked, holding it out. It was silvery and consisted of a sword glyph forming a cross before a pair of angel wings.
"That is my symbol. In dire need, when your lives are at stake and you are in need of desperate help, just hold it tight and call for me. And so I shall come and aid you."
"Thanks," breathed Dora, looking in awe at the charm.
"Safe travels, mortals! And please, give a word to Tyrael for me. Tell him, that the Lessers are moving! Tell him, that the consequences of his actions soon will come to light! Tell him!" Izual said last and faded out from the air, like the morning mist in a breeze. Leaving us behind blinking and unmoving. Few good minutes passed before we started to function again.
"Who's Tyrael?" was Sirius' first comment, not belying himself.
"You absolutely lack any observation skill, don't you?" said Dora in a painful tone. "He's Izaul's superior. Guess an Archangel too. When we meet him, we gotta pass the message."
"Do you remember it, dear cousin?" retorted Sirius with dignity. Dora only glared at him.
I didn't really paid any heed to their banter. I was busy staring at the shard of the Azurewrath. It was really beautiful. And it seemed to study me. As if it had a mind of its own. Abruptly, as if catching one of my passing thoughts a silver socket materialized around the shard and was inserted on a silver chain. I just thought about putting it somewhere safe, and it solved my problem in a blink. Great! Without further ado, I hanged it around my neck and tucked it 'safely' behind my shirt.
Turning my awareness towards the cousins and seeing them still on about, I walked to Remus, ignoring them and Enervated him. With a grunt, Moony came back to reality.
"Feeling fine?" I inquired with a cheeky grin.
"Damn… No. I'm not you, you brat. I'm not denying my precise health. My head want to split and I think my wrist is broken," he gritted out, obviously in pain.
"Lemme fix your wrist temporarily, until we can find a proper healer. Ferula!" I said and a splint coiled around his, fortunately, left forearm. He winced, but restrained his agony.
"Thanks," he breathed. "What happened?"
"Uh, it's a long and very weird story…" I started and was interrupted by a high shriek from the distance. It definitely was not human. "But I suggest we leave this cursed place first and chat later."
"Did I tell you how very bright young man you are?"
The demonic cry startled out the bickering pair from their business as well and they were turning around, looking for the source.
"Sirius, help Remus and go through the portal! Now!" I commanded, while rushing to Dora. Why, I didn't know, but it gave me some comfort and good feeling to be near her. "Dora…"
She drew me close and kissed me roughly, but shortly. It was wonderful, though. And with that, she hurled me through the swirling event-horizon of the portal, following me shortly.
If I expected some dimension travelling effect with insane spinning velocity and trailing stars, I'd be disappointed. We just stumbled out on the other side, as if we just stepped through a simple doorstep. Izual, man... Too lazy for some special-effects? No matter.
But I don't know when Izual walked Tristram's streets last time, but the fact that place was not much better then the Plains of Despair, betrayed that it was not in these days. The only difference was the very faint sunlight sifting through the grey clouds above.
Before us laid the sight of a village raised and burnt to the ground with only one structure intact. It stood proudly, but somewhat menacing. Towering towards the Heavens. However, the shadows faulting onto its walls gave an impression anything, but heavenly.
I admit, this gothic Cathedral gave me the creeps…
A/N: There. How did you like it? I made a few alteration in both world's prehistory. Harry is not that naïve and clueless as he was in the books this time - in my opinion. What the changes were are irrelevant, but their affects will become clear as we progress into the story. And some history will probably be revealed. Like his modified relationship with Sirius and the thing with Fleur and Katie. In Sanctuary, I changed the bit with Izual. In the course of event in the game Diablo II, Izual is defeated by the player and he don't possess the Azurewrath. The Shard is my creation as is his demonic form. True, it's based on his appearance in the game, but not entirely. Also, there when killed, only his spirit is freed., not the real guy. The time is approximately the same when the future 3rd sequel of the VG Diablo saga will take place, so almost two decades after the Diablo II. And my plot will develop from the few facts we can know from the trailers, lore and other things revealed involving Diablo III. The story in whole, however, may likely be completely different from the future story of D3. So no spoilers :) And if I guessed something right…oh well!
I'd really like to see your opinions in written form, please! Review!
Till next time, fellas!
PSB