The Nephalem Change

by VioletInc

Kyla Adlam began her journey west after sighting a falling star, hoping against hope it was a gift from the Heavens in the Crusader war against Mephisto, Lord of Hatred. Nearly a year later, she discovered it was Tyrael, Archangel of Justice, who had come bearing a warning: The Lords of Hell were ready to begin their assault against the Human Realm. T only for safety.

1. Chapter 1

A/N: Well, I originally had plans for this to be much, much longer (somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 words longer), but I'm quite all right with how this turned out!

So this is going to be a short story mini-series, in which I post every so often, and for the most part, things will be… Relatively close to canon. But do be ready for things to go in a different way than you'd expect, as far as the original story goes.

That said, I do hope you enjoy, and look forward to the next installments soon to come

XXX

Kyla Adlam trotted through the gates of Tristram, her mare carrying her once more to the Slaughtered Calf Inn. Lights from houses around her swallowed her up, all but chasing out the darkness of night. Past dreams of the Cathedral flashed before her eyes, and she shuddered, desperately trying to shake out the images that clung in her mind, to no avail.

She had seen the Stranger fall from the sky (possibly heaven?) nearly a year ago, and had since joined the quest to find the sword that would supposedly restore his memory. One piece of it was already in her possession.

Unfortunately, things had taken a turn for the nightmarish along the way, resulting in a c

The most troublesome bit was the witch she had found guarding it, Maghda.

"Ah, found it already, have you? Nice to see you back so soon, friend." Deckard Cain called from the Inn. Kyla grinned, hopping off of the saddle and moving towards the bag on her horse's flank. She pulled out a brown bundle and handed it to the old man, doing her best to hide her apprehensiveness. As the last Horadric took the things from her, she decided against it.

Kyla sighed.

"Indeed, likewise. I only wish I could have returned with more joyful news." She looked down at the thing in the old man's hands. "The sword is scattered in pieces."

"That is troubling news." He frowned, his face grim for a moment, then smiled politely at Kyla, raising his arm towards the door. "Either way, it would be rude of me not to offer you a place in my inn, after all you have done for Leah and I. Come, friend, and rest."

Kyla stared at him, white eyebrows furrowed.

"I'm not sure what you mean, Deckard?" The old man's smile grew as he led her in.

"That's quite alright. At the very least it will serve as a kind deed for a neighbor."