AN: Prologue takes place some years prior to Diablo 3 storyline.
The earth was parched and cracked, glowing with an infernal pallor. The white-haired giant raised his axe and scythed it down, splitting the earth and rending his demonic adversaries; his breaths came in ragged gasps, testament to his exhaustion and signifying his flagging ability to cope with the neverending hordes.
Slash, block, dodge, smash.
The barbarian knew not how long he had fought, only that he could not fall. A hunchbacked beast launched itself over the bodies of its comrades, barelling into the man's muscled body and winding him; With a ragged yell the barbarian smashed his elbow into the monster beating it to the ground before cleaving its head into two and soaking the soil in its blood.
More beasts rampaged towards him. Some of them sported multiple heads, their grotesque mouths lined with sharpened teeth and slobbering tongues, while others had infernal symbols carved into their pale skin, their bones warped and piercing out of their flesh; they charged up the incline, gnashing, crashing and bashing through the weathered barricades, intent on feasting on human flesh.
"Stand fast! Give the women and children time to flee!" Came a booming, imperious voice.
Yes... I must fight! For our future, for the survival of our tribes and families!
I will not die, not yet!
Steeling his resolve, the white-haired barbarian waded forward, through the thick demonic blood that ran like rivers down the mountain. He could see his own friends, roaring and chanting their battle-cries in a stoic refusal to admit defeat; as if by magic, the line of human warriors hacked and slashed at the hordes with renewed vigour.
But for all their strength and fortitude, they were only human.
One by one, the warriors fell, sinews bursting with leeches and plague flies before their flesh hit the ground. Little by little, the line of defenders wavered as they were whittled down by overwhelming numbers
With a final unrepentant yell, the warriors charged into the maw of hell, swinging their wicked blades with frenzied abandon; at the head of the human warriors stood a ebony-haired barbarian, tall even among his people, a giant amongst giants. With unconquerable rage he swung twin poleaxes, cutting a bloody swathe in the beastial tide. His had been the voice that had inspired the defenders to greater ferocity.
"Chieftain Vox fights with us! We cannot fail!" Came the voice of the chieftain's adviser Vakra Tol.
With a combined cheer, the barbarian warriors pushed onward heedless of their wounds. "We fight!"
The white-haired barbarian submerged himself in his berserker fury, eviscerating a snorting goatman and disembowelling another.
The battle dragged on, with the wrathful protectors bearing down upon their adversaries; but just when it seemed they had gotten the upper hand, a deep sense of foreboding welled up in the hearts of every warrior.
At the base of the mountain, the dark portal to hell stood open, with imps, goatmen, devils and harpies flooding from its depths. And deep within, something else stirred.
All of a sudden, the temperature plummeted. Blood instantly coagulated and the sky turned dark. A single foot stepped through the portal, followed by another... and another... and another... until the lion-faced creature finally revealed itself. It sported a multitude of legs and it barked out incomprehensible commands to its legions.
The din of battle ceased, disturbing in its immediacy.
Then it addressed the human warriors, now standing stock-still and breathing raggedly; its voice was deep and rumbling, as though the earth trembled with every word, "Do you not understand that it is futile to resist? You would spare us much difficulty by laying down your weapons and fighting with us."
Growls and spits answered the demon's words.
A sibilant hissing sound escaped from the demon's mouth, as though it were sighing. "As Buer, the 10th Commander of Hell's Legions, you understand that I do what I must."
Before it could finish, Chieftain Vox charged at it, swinging wildly and foaming at his mouth. With a nonchalant snort, Buer gestured at the man, causing him to explode in a shower of gore and slime.
"Complete your task, minions."
With that, the beasts fell upon the barbarians.
The white-haired defender could feel the blood pounding in his ears; as he turned, he a comrade fall, head split by the blade of a one-armed goatman. Showered in brains and blood, he swung at the beast, who blocked the wild swing easily. With bone-shattering force it manoevred the hilt of its axe under the barbarian's guard and smashed him straight in the midsection, flinging him several metres away.
I... cannot fall.
So long as my name is...
Fenix Xo.
With a final breath, he succumbed to the darkness amidst the howling of battle-crazed fanatics.
AN:please review!