Chapter 2: Lessons Learned
The sendoff was fairly nondescript considering Marko's reputation, but the familiarity he shared with the rogues and even members of Warriv's caravan made him all the less exalted. Thus when it was time to leave, it became simply the parting of good friends instead of the departure of some great dignitary. Still, dozens of rogues managed to somehow maneuver to the outer cloister to see him off. Quite a few received hugs or shakes of the hand, though all returned Marko's bow. As the wagons slowly rolled out, the paladin exchanged a few final words with the two leaders of the Sisterhood.
"Hopefully a year from now, we'll meet again," Marko said with a smirk.
Akara scowled at that but her face softened quickly. "Yes. We will meet again, Marko Lucious Ramius."
"I will see that your instructions are carried out to the letter," Kashya stated.
Marko bowed his head. "Thank you."
With that he waved to the assembled warriors who all stiffened to attention and offered a salute. Smiling wirily, Marko responded in kind and snapped his hand to his heart. His farewells done, he climbed onto the last wagon as it rolled out the gates. He would miss all of them, for here was a place he would have been more than happy to call home.
Flavie and Kari were already onboard and the assassin gave Marko a look as he entered.
"Something the matter?"
"Just wondering what that last part was about," Kari said.
Marko chuckled. "Your hearing is quite impressive, milady. But remember that we are preparing to confront a dark mage. There are no guarantees when it comes to surviving the engagement."
"Your confidence is inspiring," Kari said dryly.
Again Marko replied with his infuriating smile. "What can I say? I plan for the worst so I do not look the fool when things go bad."
A chuckle escaped Flavie as the rogue made herself as comfortable as possible. Though they had the wagon to themselves, it simply meant they had to cram themselves in between the various boxes. It made for rather awkward seating arrangements but the trio made do.
"Well, now that we have some privacy, perhaps you could elaborate on what you are to Flavie," Marko said to the assassin.
The rogue glanced over expectantly and Kari nodded. "You already know I am not an ordinary mercenary. I am actually a member of the Viz-Jaq'taar, an order of mage slayers dedicated to ensuring no mage attempts to practice demonic magic. Any that do, we kill."
Flavie blinked. "I thought your order was just a rumor, a story used to scare magic users to stay in line."
"Stories and rumors would not be enough," said Kari. "Many mages have immense egos and believe themselves to know best for all. However, the fact that there exists an organization specifically dedicated to bringing them low should they stray from the light tends to make them behave."
"But mages are quite powerful," Flavie pointed out. "While you are definitely a good fighter, martial prowess alone generally isn't enough to defeat a mage, especially one practicing the dark arts."
It was Marko's turn to chuckle. "Martial prowess is all they need, Flavie. What you've seen of the Lady Kari's skill is but a small sample of what she is capable of. And while she does not practice magic herself, I'm sure she has a variety of instruments to aid her on her mission."
Even as Marko offered his explanation, Kari glared at his choice of addressing her. One would think a grown man would grow tired of such games quickly, but if he was so intent on playing, she would not be the first to concede.
"Lord Ramius is correct. We Viz-Jaq'taar have many ways of countering magic and even methods of producing magical effects without ourselves drawing on external forces. At the same time, we draw upon our inner spirit in what is known as the Shadow disciplines. It allows us to cloak ourselves to move unseen and even strike at our opponents using our mind."
"I take back my previous statement," Flavie said. "You probably could defeat a dark mage. No wonder Marko asked you to join this little expedition."
"Indeed, though as you pointed out, anything that would give him pause is worrisome," Kari said, eyeing Marko as she spoke. "Considering you defeated the Lord of Terror, what could possibly instill any fear in you now?"
"We got very lucky when we faced Diablo," Marko said, his tone suddenly shifting. "Even ignoring the swarms of guards protecting him, the Lord of Terror might well have been the most powerful of the Prime Evils. We lost half our number in that battle."
And that half included her comrade, Natalya, Kari thought. It must have been an incredibly fierce fight.
"But as I look back at it," Marko continued, "I can't help but think we were not fighting Diablo at his fullest. The demon lord's true form was destroyed when he was banished from Hell and defeated by the Horadrim. The form we fought was simply a perversion of a human host that Diablo's spirit inhabited. The same goes for Mephisto and Baal."
"But you still succeeded," said Kari. "And now that the Prime Evils have been truly destroyed, we have no need to worry about their former strength."
"Destroyed yes, but evil always finds a way. Who can say what has replaced them?"
"And that is what you are concerned about," Flavie stated.
Marko nodded. "I am but one man, albeit a powerful one. I can only be in one place at a time. To protect the world will require an entire legion of champions. I intend to create that legion so that when my time is past, this world will remain safe. After all, humanity's childhood is at an end. We must either take care of ourselves or be forced to submit to the will of others."
"Are you suggesting that we are to become such champions?" Kari asked incredulously.
While she was confident of her own skill, she found the idea that she could obtain power such as Marko wielded to be ludicrous. Apparently the paladin thought otherwise as he nodded.
"Do not underestimate your heritage, Kari. You have the potential to become much more than what you are now. We humans have a birthright that was denied to us because of a great pride. However, the power within has slowly grown over the generations. Soon enough we shall stand equal to the archangels of Heaven and the demon lords of Hell and bow to no one. We shall choose our own destiny, not have it dictated to us."
"Or die trying?" Kari said dryly.
"Better to die free than live as a slave."
The assassin sighed. It was not that she disagreed with Marko's stance, but the paladin's zeal was a bit bothersome. While he certainly had a right to live his life however he wanted, so did others. Whether Marko's conviction would allow others to bow down in subservience for their own survival was questionable. While the line between bravery and foolishness was thin, the one separating conviction and fanaticism was even thinner. Then again Marko had recruited her knowing full well her duties so perhaps he was using her as a check against him crossing that line. Only time would tell if that was truly necessary.
The Monastery was already two weeks behind them but there was still much land to cover before reaching Lut Gholein. In the meantime, Kari tried to sweat out the heat in the shade of the wagon. Traveling by night allowed them to avoid moving under the blazing sun but sleeping in this scorching heat was a trial of its own. To her annoyance, Marko did not seem at all bothered by the heat. At least Flavie was courteous enough to suffer alongside her companion.
"How is it possible that you are not drowning in your own sweat?" Flavie demanded.
It seemed Kari was not the only one who noticed Marko's condition. The former paladin opened one eye to gaze at them as if he was actually sleeping, though perhaps the heat was simply making them all irritable. Everyone except Marko, of course.
"This armor," he said, pushing aside his cape so the blue color showed. "It is called Tyrael's Might and has some very interesting properties, one of which includes protecting me against the elements. This can be both extreme heat and extreme cold."
For the moment, their annoyance was overshadowed by their awe.
"Where did you find such a wondrous relic?" Kari asked.
"A gift, from the Archangel himself after the defeat of Diablo," said Marko. "This was actually given to a good friend of mine, a Barbarian named Kalos. He and I were the last ones standing in the battle against Baal."
Kari and Flavie fell silent at that. There was no need to ask why Marko now wore it. The trio tried to get some rest as best they could and eventually Kari fell asleep. However, there was no escape from the heat and she hovered on the edge of consciousness as the hot air seemed to burn at her. Perhaps she became used to it, but eventually the temperature became more bearable and Kari could rest in relative peace. At least when she woke she felt refreshed and ready for the evening session.
When the sun began to fall the merchants moved to hitch the wagons together again. The time it took them to ready the caravan provided a brief period where the three could train and not exhaust themselves from the heat. As usual they moved away from the camp to ensure their training would not disturb the others. When Marko first insisted on holding these sessions, Kari had been dubious. As a mage slayer there was a reason she avoided the arcane arts, so she was prepared to decline as Marko explained his wish to teach elemental magic to Flavie. However when he turned to her, he offered to train her in swordsmanship instead. Exactly why, Kari was not sure but she went along with it for the time being. As Flavie was preparing herself mentally, Kari engaged in a duel with Marko.
From her original training, Kari knew the fundamentals of handling almost any kind of weapon. Using one to its full potential was another matter.
"The entire sword is a weapon, not just its blade. Use every part of it, including the hilt." As if to demonstrate, Marko twisted his sword around and hooked Kari's blade with his guard.
The action pulled her inward and a strike to her chest sent her teetering back. Still, Kari remained standing, if only barely. The few seconds she needed to regain her balance was too long and Marko was upon her. Bringing up her sword, Kari deflected the first blow. A kick aimed at her side was also blocked but the one that followed swept aside her legs. Kari landed with a thud but quickly jumped back up. Marko on the other hand simply stood there. Apparently this match was over, as far as he was concerned.
"You knew exactly how to counter my techniques," Kari stated.
"Natalya and I sparred often during our journey," Marko explained. "I took the opportunity to learn some basics."
"Basics?" Kari's eyes narrowed. "How much did she teach you?"
"The martial art she employed was quite interesting and she taught it to me. I'm proficient, but if I were to actually use katars or claws, you would likely defeat me. As for the Shadow arts, well, I may not be able to project a shadow warrior, but my cloak works quite well."
Shaking her head, Kari sighed. "Natalya should have never trained you in the craft."
"That's what she thought at first as well, but after observing me mastering at least the rudimentary skills of elemental magic and necromancy, she became curious as to see whether I could draw upon my inner strength as well."
"If you were ever to become corrupted, then her actions may well prevent any Viz-Jaq'taar from defeating you."
"There is that, isn't there?" Marko said softly. Before Kari could ask him what he meant, he turned towards Flavie. "That should be enough for tonight. I better attend to Flavie's lesson, lest she think I am ignoring her."
While Kari did not participate in the magical tutelage, she did observe. There was definitely something odd about Marko's methods and they were quite unlike any of the craft she had witnessed other mages conduct. No incantations, no waving of the hands. At first Kari thought Marko was teaching Flavie shadow skills but instead of mental attacks blasts of elemental magic were produced. How very strange indeed.
"Phew."
"Tired already?" Marko asked.
"Hmm, not exactly," said Flavie. "The initial drawing upon of power is taxing, but once done it feels like a great weight has been lifted. The strain is also lessening every time."
Marko nodded. "Still, be careful not to burn yourself out. Your body is a container of raw power, and calling too much could kill you."
"Right."
Taking in a deep breath, Flavie focused again and formed a sphere of fire in between her hands. The warmth and light it emanated was almost welcome as the heat of day turned into bitter cold. Then again, Marko probably didn't feel a thing inside that armor of his. Watching Flavie, Kari tried to sense the flows of magic that should have surrounded the Rogue. None of the usual signs of a mage were present in Flavie, even though she was undoubtedly casting a fireball of some sort.
Once Marko was satisfied with its strength and stability he ordered her to unleash it. Projecting her will, Flavie's sphere erupted into a blaze and flared against a singular rock. The flames washed over the rock and lit up the evening sky. The sudden spike of power surprised Kari every time, if only because it always seemed stronger than before.
"Impressive," Marko commented, examining the impact site. "Some of the sand has melted into obsidian."
Following him, Kari gasped. The heat needed to accomplish this was extraordinarily high, yet Flavie had managed to advance this far in just two weeks. On the other hand, Kari was still being defeated by Marko with relative ease. How very vexing.
"Be careful not to burn your own hands," Marko said. "Another reason to maintain absolute control over the fireball."
"Of course. Though this is really different from what we learned from Akara. Takes a bit of unlearning to follow your instructions correctly."
"Are all rogues trained in the arcane arts?" Kari asked.
Flavie nodded. "We learn some basic magic so we can enchant our arrows with fire, ice, lightning, and the like. But none of that prepared me for what Marko's teaching. It was rather hard at the beginning to not do things the old way."
"Just what exactly are you teaching her?" Kari asked.
Marko fell silent for a few seconds as he tried to form an answer. "All humans have great power innately but few are aware of it. Your order has actually been tapping into it for centuries for your shadow disciplines, though whether that is an intentional act or purely accidental I do not know. I have been training Flavie on and off as I pass through the Monastery and this is a simple progression of that training."
Kari looked over at the rogue. "Are you suggesting that I could also do something like that?"
A nod. "Of course. You can already call upon the power, albeit in a limited fashion. It would not be terribly difficult to adjust what you currently do."
"For what purpose?"
"I did say I was trying to establish an order to protect this world," said Marko.
"And yet there are already a dozen orders all seeking the same end," Kari countered. "Why another?"
"Because all those other orders have already failed," Marko stated. "Alone, none of them were able to stand against the might of Hell. Even together, we proved unable to stop the Prime Evils from achieving their objective. Remember that the Companions failed. The destruction of Mt Arreat is ample proof of that failure. We now have a reprieve in which to prepare for the coming storm, but I doubt we'll get another chance if we do not seize that opportunity."
Convincing words, but a pretty speech would not be enough to convince Kari of Marko's vision. There were still too many unanswered questions.
"We had best get back to the caravan," the paladin said, "lest we be left behind. I know you have more questions and I will answer them, but there is much to cover and it will take time."
"That's fine," said Flavie.
While the Rogue seemed to have unwavering faith in Marko, Kari still doubted some of Marco's motives. One did not go to Hell and back unscathed, after all. But for the time being, Marko appeared pure and righteous without the hint of demonic taint. For the time, she would wait and see what his true objective was.
Had the journey been nothing more than traveling by night, training by twilight and sleeping by through the horrendous day, Kari would have likely gone insane from boredom. To keep herself occupied she joined the foraging teams that searched for sand maggot eggs to supplement their stores, though the giant bugs were little trouble to dispatch these days. Marko rarely joined them, but Flavie came along from time to time. It was actually Flavie's first time preparing and eating the paste the eggs produced as during her last trip through Aranoch the corruption of the maggots made them unsuitable for sustenance. Now the maggots were back to their original form, making travel through the desert much easier. Less fear of attacks by the giant bugs and another supply of food certainly increased their chances of making it out alive, even if the paste could at best be considered bland.
"Got it." Flavie didn't even wait for her arrow to hit before proclaiming success.
The adult maggot squirmed a bit as the arrow dug into its flesh and was helpless as the others fell upon it. Widening the initial wound, Kari sliced the creature apart and its movements stopped. A fellow traveler examined the eggs it was guarding and nodded in approval.
"These were only recently laid. They will be easier to crack."
"Good," said Kari. "Let's get them back to camp quickly, before more show up to defend their young."
The man began to stand when suddenly the sand seemed to shift beneath them. Kari immediately jumped back but the collapse happened too quickly. Every step upward was negated as the sand poured downwards. Soon enough she couldn't feel anything beneath her feet and desperately clawed at the ground. Oland had already disappeared under the dunes, his scream cut short.
"Kari!"
Flavie threw a rope to the Assassin and Kari lunged for it. Suddenly, even the sand around her loosened and Kari felt the ground give away. Crying out, she tumbled down the hole into darkness. Mere seconds passed but for her they were still too long. When Kari finally rolled to a stop, she brushed off the sands before opening her eyes. The darkness bothered her little and she could make out the outline of a cave. Another figure was fumbling around, that of the man who fell before her.
"Oland, are you alright?"
"Who's there!" the man cried out in surprise.
"It is I," Kari said, pulling out a flashstick and igniting it.
Sparks fell around her but at least now there was light to see with. Oland looked at her more closely and almost collapsed with relief.
"Oh Lady Kari, thank goodness it is you!"
"Now's not the time for formality," Kari said, silently wanting to strangle Marko. It was his fault everyone called her a Lady, even though she had told him to call her whatever he wanted. "We need to get out of here and rejoin the others."
"Yes yes, of course."
As Kari helped the man to his feet, both paused as a clattering sounded around them.
"What was that?"
Kari didn't answer, instead scanning the surroundings. Bumps were moving on the walls but did not approach the pair, for which she was grateful.
"I think we just fell into their nest," Kari said.
"Oh dear," Oland muttered, his voice growing more shaky with every word.
Suddenly, movement surged throughout the cave. Kari's blades were out in a flash as she threw the flash stick to Oland.
"Stay back if you want to survive this."
Then again, that might well be an empty proclamation.
"Marko!"
The paladin was just finishing his meal when Flavie's shout reached him. Looking up, he saw the foraging party returning, minus Kari and several others. His eyes narrowed at the sight.
"What happened?" he demanded once Flavie reached him.
"Kari and Oland, they fell down into some caves, possibly a maggot nest."
A string of curses was Marko's response to the news. From the wagon, his sword flew to him and Marko turned to Warriv.
"If you wouldn't mind, please wait."
"Of course my friend. I have no doubt you'll find them."
The Marko that stalked off with Flavie as a guide looked nothing like the patient and playful man he often projected. The air almost cracked with energy as Marko began drawing on his powers. When they reached the hole, there was no hesitation as Marko jumped down.
"Drop some rope after," Flavie ordered. "We'll use them to climb out."
"Yes ma'am."
With that taken care of, Flavie followed and was greeted by a light shining around her comrade. That same light revealed corpses of maggots strewed over the cavern floor.
"We should follow the trail of corpses, but searching these tunnels will take time," Flavie said.
"We won't have to search," Marko said.
Stone seemed to ooze out from the walls before solidifying into manlike forms. Nearly a dozen came forth and assembled before the two humans. Clay golems, the most simplistic of artificial creatures, yet the strain of maintaining them was thought to limit any mage to only controlling one at a time. That particular wisdom was apparently no longer valid.
"Find her."
With the order issued, the golems dispersed into the tunnels beyond. Once they disappeared, Marko seemed to shake.
"Easy there," she said. "Creating that many golems is a great exertion, even for you."
"I'll be fine," Marko insisted, using his sword for support. His eyes flashed momentarily and he looked onward. "Kari's leaving quite the bodycount behind."
"Can your golems guide her back?"
"Perhaps. No, wait." A blue light overtook Marko's eyes. "No, these wounds weren't inflicted by her claws. The maggots are running from something else."
Straightening, Marko began walking towards the tunnels.
"Hold it, you're in no shape to go in there," said Flavie.
"I'll be fine," Marko said again, and as if to prove the point, skeletons popped up from the maggot corpses. "But if we linger too long, Kari won't be."
Sighing, Flavie unshouldered her bow. "Well then, I'm not going to let you go off alone."
Without another word, the two went in deeper with their undead escorts. The ranks swelled as they encountered more bodies until a veritable army surrounded them. Despite having fought alongside Necromancers in the past, Flavie still couldn't get used to having the undead march with her. Still, she was more concerned about the lack of any actual enemies. That soon changed quickly enough.
The tightness of the tunnels made it nearly impossible to dodge as bursts of electricity swept through. How fortunate the skeletons ahead absorbed the blasts.
"That what I think it is?" Flavie said.
"Unfortunately."
Neither held pleasant memories of the beetles that called Aranoch home. More bolts zigzagged towards them, marking every hit the golems and skeletons were inflicting. Yet even Marko's constructs began to fall under such bombardment. When Marko moved to raise more, a hand fell on his shoulder.
"Save your strength," Flavie said. "Who knows how many more we must face before reaching Kari?"
"Alright. I'll act as your shield, you snipe them."
A draft brushed past Flavie, but there was nowhere for wind to blow in. Instead, a breeze seemed to surround Marko.
"Another trick you picked up after you left Lut Gholein?"
"Something like that. Shall we?"
"Yes, lets."
Despite the drain from his summonings, Marko broke out into a run with Flavie right behind. Demonstrating her full skills as a rogue, Flavie sent arrow after arrow over Marko's shoulder. No beetle survived long enough to taste Marko's blade, though bolts still scattered from each hit. Whatever spell Marko had cast absorbed each burst of lightning and the paladin seemed completely unfazed. It wasn't long before they could hear the ringing of steel. A small light was in view not long after as they entered a large chamber filled with the creatures. With new prey, some turned to face Marko and Flavie, though there were more than enough to overwhelm Kari and Oland shortly.
Fighting beetles was best done at range but Kari did not have that luxury. Every time she struck one of the creatures she suffered a direct shock and was stunned for a moment. This was a losing battle but one Kari was determined to prolong.
"Stay here," Marko ordered Flavie, as if she had much of a choice.
In a flash, the warrior disappeared and reappeared next to Kari. Teleportation, another trick in his endless bag. Grabbing the two, Marko blinked out again and reappeared behind Flavie.
"Run."
That one word was enough to tear them all away from the battle. The four took off but Oland's slowness eventually prompted Marko to haul the man over his shoulders. Rumbling of the ground nearly threw them off their feet but somehow no one fell. No one looked back except for Oland, who didn't have a choice in the matter.
"Oh dear."
Kari could feel the heat but kept her gaze ahead. She could see the light from where they first fell in. They might well escape, providing the tunnel didn't collapse on them first.
"What did you do?" Flavie demanded as they ran.
"Dropped some explosive potions in the middle of that room," Marko replied. "Hoped it would collapse the roof on those things. Seems to have worked."
Despite herself, Kari couldn't help but gap at Marko. The risk he had taken was enormous and stood a higher chance of killing them than getting them out alive. Shoving her outrage aside, she focused on escaping this wretched place. The ropes were where they should be and Marko dropped Oland. The three grabbed hold and tugged.
"Pull!" Flavie shouted.
From above, the rope tightened and they ascended. Marko disappeared again and suddenly all three were literally thrown upwards. When they emerged, Marko stood with the ropes in his hands. With the help of the others, he continued pulling until the three were well clear of the hole even as more sand flowed down. Once at a safe distance, they stood and brushed off the dust and dirt, or as much as they could. The little sojourn down under had left them with a brown layer over their clothes.
"Thank you, oh thank you, Lord Ramius," Oland said and dropped to his knees before Marko.
The paladin only smiled and raised Oland. "Just don't make this a habit."
The party was greeted with cheers once they returned, though Marko did not bask in it. Instead, after waving to the travelers, he retired to the wagon he shared with Kari and Flavie and collapsed. It was a rather anticlimactic way to end the affair, but no one could blame him for resting after everything he did.
"This is what you get for being so reckless," Flavie chided him. "I don't care how powerful you've become, summoning that many golems and skeletons will drain you to a husk."
"Your concern is duly noted," Marko replied dryly.
"Still, I suppose even you need a few opportunities to act the hero again lest you become rusty," Flavie continued with a grin. "And I'm sure Kari was thrilled to play the damsel in distress for you a second time."
"I am starting to suspect the Companions left you in Lut Gholein not because of your injuries," Kari muttered.
"What was that?" Flavie said, glancing over at her friend.
"Nothing." Turning to face Marko, Kari bowed slightly. "I again owe you my life, Lord Ramius. I thank you."
"No need, Lady Kari," Marko said, not bothering to suppress a grin. "I do not leave friends behind."
More words escaped Kari as a mutter but neither of her companions could make them out, nor did they press her. With the caravan secured once more it quickly resumed its journey and Marko dozed off even before their wagon began rolling off. With the scarcity of water, Kari and Flavie were forced to remain dirt crusted until the next stop. To distract themselves from the discomfort, Flavie told more stories of the Rogues and her own adventures.
"When rumors of Diablo first surfaced, a company of my sisters went to Tristram to investigate. They were led by one of our greatest captains, whom we called Blood Raven."
"You mentioned her before," said Kari, "but why such a name?"
Flavie nodded. "It was said you could always find her by following the crows feasting on the body of her enemies and the blood that flowed from their wounds. Even today, I know of no Rogue that could match her skills with the bow."
"I see."
"Anyways, they met up with many other adventurers, including warriors and mages. Many of my sisters died exploring the areas around Tristram, but eventually they made it all the way down to Hell, or so it is said. Blood Raven accompanied a warrior and another mage to the deepest levels, where this warrior apparently faced Diablo and slew the demon in single combat."
"This was the warrior that became the new host for Diablo?"
"Yes, though none of us suspected this at the time. Our sisters returned to us in triumph, bringing back enchanted weapons and armor unlike anything we had seen before, only to turn on us and split the Sisterhood. Many followed Blood Raven and became corrupted, though we did not truly understand why this was happening. It wasn't until Deckard Cain was rescued that we gained a clearer picture of what was happening."
"Did you also accompany the Companions to Tristram?" Kari asked.
"Indeed I did. We were nearly overwhelmed by the demons that had occupied the town and I recall an incredibly strong zombie. Cain later said it used to be the town's blacksmith and seeing those muscles, I can believe it."
"How many of the Companions had assembled when they first came to your encampment?"
"Well, truth be told, they came separately. Marko arrived with two Necromancers and a Barbarian, while a Sorceress and Amazon had come the day before." A smile crossed Flavie's face. "At first, Kashya and Anjira, the Sorceress, were ready to throw Marko out of the camp."
"Why?"
"Because they thought he was a Hand of Zakarum. Marko may be a paladin and he even trained in Kurast, but originally he served as a Knight of Westmarch."
Kari blinked. "I did not know this."
"Well, a lot of people just assumed Marko was from Kurast since he's a paladin. But I don't think he ever liked being near the heart of Zakarum. In fact, his skin is somewhat lighter than the natives of Kurast."
Looking at the sleeping warrior, Kari found this to be true. "So what other adventures did you share with the Companions?"
Flavie's eyes wandered as she dredged up old memories. "Hmm. Have you ever heard of an evil Countess that lived in the Black Marsh?"
"Yes. She supposedly bathed in the blood of virgins to maintain her beauty."
"Right, that's the one. We actually found her abandoned tower, or what was left of it. Whether it was because of Diablo's dark influence, the place was crawling with demons. On the lowest level of the basement, we actually found the Countess herself. I recall Jeyla, the Amazon, getting her leg badly burned in the fires down there. But when we defeated her, we found a massive pile of gold. It was definitely worth the effort."
"Marko must have accumulated a great deal of riches through his travels."
"Oh definitely," Flavie nodded almost enthusiastically. "Even before leaving for Kurast, each of the Companions had enough to retire to an easy life if they so wished."
"Yourself included?"
"I suppose so, but all the wealth I earned I gave to the Sisterhood to help rebuild. They're the only real family I have, so I intend to help them any way I can."
A selfless person. That was what Kari decided Flavie was. She was someone that could be trusted. With every bump on the trail, Kari learned more about Flavie and Marko, even if the paladin wasn't the one to tell her himself. Kari greatly appreciated Flavie's perspective as another woman, especially one who wasn't head over heels for the man. It probably helped that Flavie fought in some of the same battles that made Marko such a hero.
"Should we move him?" Kari asked.
The caravan was making camp for the new day and Marko was still asleep. Kari was beginning to get worried, but Flavie brushed it off. Still, there was the matter of his sleeping posture, which would likely result in a cramped neck when Marko awakened.
"Just lay him down."
Once the matter was dealt with, the two women made a quick meal and went to bed themselves. No matter how you looked at it, the day had been an exhausting ordeal.
The evening did not start auspiciously. Kari felt something poking her in the side and cracked open one eye to see Marko towering over her. Deciding to respond in kind, Kari twisted about and swiped at Marko with her leg. The paladin blocked it with one leg only to have Kari wrap her leg around it and pull down. Giving in surprisingly easily, Marko toppled, but landed in a very inconvenient position. When Flavie shot up to see what the commotion was, she simply gapped at the sight.
For his height, Marko was surprisingly light as he pressed down on Kari. However, this fact was lost upon the assassin as she stared at Marko. Several seconds of stunned silence passed before she fully realized just why she could see her own reflection in his eyes. The moment she did, Kari shoved the paladin off. Just when she was about to scold Marko, she realized her other comrade was also awake and had seen the entire thing. Or at least enough, if her open mouth was any indication.
"It isn't what you think!" Kari nearly shouted. "He just fell, that's all!"
Looking over at Marko, Flavie received a stiff nod, but it was too late. Her imagination had already taken off.
"I'll leave you two alone for the moment," the Rogue said before quickly sliding out.
"Damn it Flavie, nothing happened!" This time Kari really was shouting.
"I saw nothing!" was the response from outside.
Kari stewed for several seconds, her imagination running wild at what Flavie might have misconstrued from the sight. This line of thought brought her back to the man responsible and she turned to glare at the paladin.
"Speak a word of this to anyone and you will be as dead as night."
Whether Kari was prepared or even capable of carrying out this threat was not something Marko was prepared to test.
"I have no idea to what you are referring to," he said wisely.
"All the better."
With a huff, Kari left Marko alone and stalked off. She avoided him during breakfast but at least rejoined the wagon while on the move, though gave both fellow passengers the silent treatment. Flavie continued sneaking peeks at the two in between working on her bow. Marko just stared blankly out the front of the wagon, faced away from Kari. He didn't need to see her to feel the glare burning into the back of his head.
"So," Flavie finally said, bored of working on her equipment. "Who else are you going to recruit in Lut Gholein? Fara? Or maybe Greiz?"
"Would Geglash not make a fine comrade?" Marko replied.
Flavie gave a disgusted sound. "You're kidding, right? That drunkard can barely see his enemies, much less hit them."
Having spent some time in Lut Gholein, Kari knew all three people mentioned. Deciding to end her silent treatment of Marko, she offered her own thoughts.
"Fara was also a paladin, correct?"
Marko blinked but nodded. "She was actually a Hand of Zakarum, but resigned after seeing the atrocities committed by her comrades. And she's a very competent healer."
Both women nodded, having taken advantage of Fara's services in the past.
"It would be nice to have Fara join us," said Marko. "I would trust her to watch my back anytime."
"You think she would be comfortable trusting her back to Greiz?" Flavie asked.
The hesitation in answering said it all, though Kari did not know why this to be the case.
"Greiz seems to be a capable warrior," she said. "Is there a reason she would not trust him?"
"Greiz is a mercenary," Flavie explained. "Fara respects his abilities certainly, but she does not believe Greiz to have any loyalties that cannot be bought."
That certainly sounded reasonable. After all, to be a mercenary is to fight for wealth. Yet that same thirst for gold would cast suspicions on any man.
"I think Fara underestimates Greiz's ethics," said Marko. "He's a good man at heart."
"So you do intend to invite him?" said Flavie.
The paladin nodded. "As well as Fara."
"More preparations for this battle at Mt Arreat?" Kari asked.
"Indeed, as well as for after. Removing one dark mage from this world will hardly secure it from the coming tribulation."
"That does not sound terribly promising," was Kari's response.
"Yeah, what exactly is this tribulation you speak of?"
"You might not believe this, but humanity has remained relatively untouched by the war between Heaven and Hell," Marko began. "Besides the Sin War, the Mage War, and the First and Second Hunts for the Three, we've been mostly left alone."
"Wait, the Sin War and the Mage War?" said Kari. "Are those not the same?"
Marko shook his head. "The Sin War actually took place before. It was a time when the Heavens were still unaware of this world, though the demons had already begun their infiltration. Only one record exists of its true events and I was able to examine. You could say it is the inspiration for my current quest."
"So what exactly happened in the Sin War?"
A pause was the prelude to a very disappointing answer. "You'll need to wait until we reach the Eastern Jungles. I'm afraid the knowledge was given to me in trust."
"Yet you've told us a difference exists," Flavie pointed out.
"Only because I am preparing you for the full truth later on. Anyway, my main point is during our history, the times when we were left undisturbed are far greater than the times the other powers openly intruded upon our world. Granted those few incidents brought about great change and horrific destruction, the point still stands. But have you ever wondered why?"
While Flavie shook her head, Kari knew enough about the secrets of the world to hazard a guess.
"Mt. Arreat."
At this Marko allowed a grin. "Indeed. Sacred Mt. Arreat, sacred for a very good reason. Sacred, because that was where the Worldstone was planted."
Worldstone. The very name was enough to mark its significance, yet at the same time Kari felt a chill run down her back. According to reports she read, something important to the world had been lost at Mt. Arreat. To think that this artifact was called the Worldstone was even more disturbing.
"The Worldstone acted as a cloak, originally preventing both Heaven and Hell from seeing Sanctuary. Eventually both sides discovered it, but the power of the crystal still kept our world separate from those two realms. Breaching it was certainly possible, but required effort. Alas, the Worldstone is no more. Who knows what the future will bring without it?"
That was a very good question, one the two women pondered in silence as the wagon bumped along. As Marko revealed more and more to them, Kari felt an impatience to learn the rest yet was hesitant to really press Marko. There were obviously even more disturbing secrets hidden in his head. Deciding to chew over the known facts, Kari turned away from the paladin. For now, she would simply prepare herself for whatever revelations Marko was preparing for them. Hopefully it would be survivable.
"I still do not see why we need to take this detour," Kari muttered as she trudged behind Marko.
The paladin chuckled. "Warriv isn't going to leave without us. That watering hole is something of a midway point to Lut Gholein and he'll spend at least two days resting the pack animals and making repairs. We have plenty of time."
"That may be so, but where exactly are we going?" Flavie asked.
"Why, the Canyon of the Magi."
"Oh. Lovely."
Kari blinked, ignoring her friend's flippancy. "Why?"
"To retrieve something I hid in Tal Rasha's tomb. It seemed an appropriate place to make sure no one chanced upon it."
Kari stared at Marko's back for a few moments before deciding to press him. "Lord Ramius, granted I trust you know what you are doing, but it would help things considerably if you would be more straightforward about the various objectives you are out to achieve on this journey."
Marko paused and glanced back, a curious look on his face. A nod followed quickly and he resumed his march.
"You are right, Lady Kari," Marko replied, equally serious. "Though I suppose I retain a rather childish desire to still be able to spring some surprises. The artifact we are setting out to retrieve was something I found while fighting in Hell. It was when the Companions and I sought to seize the Hellforge so as to destroy Mephisto's soulstone. The battle was ferocious and the demons we faced were brutal in their efforts to stop us. We even slew Hell's master armor, the corrupted angel Hephasto. But powerful as Hephasto was, the true threat we faced was in one of the balrog. About all I can say is it must have been one of Hell's champions, for the creature wielded Shadowfang."
The name was enough to send a shiver down Flavie's back, but little more. Kari on the other hand recognized it and flinched.
"I took it, as a trophy of sorts," Marko continued, not even looking back for their reaction. "The demon blade that was rumored to be powerful enough to slay an archangel. I suppose we should have destroyed it then and there. We had control of the Hellforge after all and it would not have taken long to toss the thing into the flames. But I did not."
"You thought you could use it against the demons," Flavie said quietly to Marko's back.
"Indeed, at the time," said Marko. "Now, I'm not so sure. My hatred still burned strong. Perhaps Shadowfang sensed that hatred and stoked it by tempting me with its power."
Kari frowned at that. "You believe the sword had a mind of its own?"
A shrug. "Perhaps not a mind, but certainly a hunger. It sought out darkness and I was the closest it could find. I was on the edge after all and a simple push might have sent me tumbling down. That I did not succumb does not mean I came through unscarred."
Marko's words were frank and disturbing, all the more so because of the missing pieces. That he had nearly fallen was an unpleasant revelation, though not one she could truly consider surprising. The man had gone down to the depths of Hell after all and faced horrors beyond imagining. Marko claimed to still stand in the light and Kari could find nothing to prove otherwise, but corruption could run deep. She would remain vigilant and if the time ever came would not hesitate to end Marko's life. From what she had learned from the paladin, Kari felt certain the true Marko would have gladly accepted her blade rather than become damned. Or at least, that was what she told herself.
The trek turned out to be surprisingly short, not because they were remotely close to their destination, but because of a shortcut Marko had discovered on previous visits. The ancient waypoint still hummed with power and the trio emerged without incident under the shadows of the Canyon. The merest hint of sunlight peeked above the cliffs but otherwise the three stood in relative darkness. Kari tightened her grip, slowly readying her claws. Flavie was equally tense, her hand reaching for her quiver. Their senses did not betray them as Marko's eyes narrowed and the paladin drew his claymore.
"Nothing's ever easy with you, is it," Flavie muttered.
Kari found herself in agreement with the rogue but said nothing, focusing on the encroaching threat. Whatever was out there was quick and quiet, an unfortunately lethal combination. She saw flickers of movement but their would-be assailants seemed content to bide their time instead of charging in. Marko seemed less inclined and a fireball ignited in his hand. However, instead of scorching the circling creatures, Marko tossed it into the air and let it burst. Kari quickly adjusted to the momentary light and caught sight of the cringing creatures. Narrow eyes, pointy ears, and a fur of coat marked them as inhuman. But it had been years since the lacuni had displayed demonic influences and the ones gathered around seemed more frightened than threatening.
"Interesting," Marko muttered. "There were no cats the last time I checked on Shadowfang."
"Do you think they were drawn in by the blade?" Kari asked.
If that was the case, her blades would see action before dawn.
"Possible, though I would not automatically assume that to be the case. Let us proceed. If they leave us be, I see no reason not to return the courtesy."
"And if they do not, we shall have to be equally discourteous," Flavie stated.
Marko nodded, keeping his claymore at the ready and setting off deeper into the canyon. The sheer cliffs seemed to have offered some protection against the elements as relatively large ruins dotted the canyon floor. Here and there intact jars poked out of the sand, but more often than not only shards littered the grounds. The lacuni kept pace with the three but refrained from actually approaching. They seemed to grow tenser as Marko led them closer to the tomb, a not too promising sign in Kari's opinion. The paladin had been right to seal away something as dangerous as Shadowfang, but his effort would be for naught if these creatures had uncovered the weapon and become corrupted by it.
"How did you secure the demonblade?" Kari queried as they hurried towards the tomb.
"Slammed it into the binding stones that were holding Baal prisoner before he was freed," Marko said. "Thought that would be enough to keep it contained."
"Clever," Kari said.
"We shall see," Marko replied.
That they would, assuming the lacuni did not try to stop them. The cats continued to keep their distance though were obviously growing more agitated as they neared the tomb. Kari could barely make out outlines of several other entrances along the cliff but Marko seemed intent on his destination. The paladin had been here before and still recalled with crystal clarity the symbol etched over the tomb's entrance. That was all that distinguished this tomb with the others thanks to the otherwise identical entrances carved into the valley side.
"They're trying to enclose us," Kari said.
"Perhaps," said Marko.
The difference in opinion was not entirely unwarranted as the lacuni did not completely encircle the trio. The lack of weapons in their hands was also in their favor, though that did not mean the lacuni were completely unarmed. After all, the steel in the three's hands were simply to make up for what nature had declined to provide them with.
"Flavie," Marko muttered.
The rogue nodded and shouldered her bow, unsheathing a short sword instead. The lacuni did not seem perturbed by the change and continued tailing them. Kari almost wished that they would attack, though taking on so many beasts would not be trivial. Perhaps Marko's inhuman strength was spurring her on, making her reckless. But that temptation slowly eroded as the cats edged away again even as the hissing became louder.
"We're here," Marko said, stopping before the temple entrance.
"The cats do not appear eager to near this place," Flavie noted.
Marko nodded. "Though knowing why so many are gathered here would be even better."
The hissing slowly gave way to silence but the lacuni held their positions. As Kari's gaze scanned their eyes, she picked up a wide range of anxiety. Fear was obviously present, though there was almost a sense of desperation. Kari's eyes narrowed. The dim light did not help matters, but she was trained to survive in the shadows. That training again repaid the hardships it entailed as Kari realized just what they were seeing.
"Marko," she said. "They're not really here."
"True in a sense," the paladin surprisingly agreed. "But from past experience, just because something is incorporeal does not mean it is harmless."
Kari frowned. "How long were you aware?"
"Not very long," Marko admitted. "I sensed something was wrong, but could not determine what. It seems my senses will never match that of a true priest of Rathma."
"If you two are finished, mind sharing whatever it is you seem to have discovered?" Flavie interrupted.
"Look closely," Kari responded. "Notice how they all seem to overlap?"
Flavie did as instructed and blinked. "They're ghosts."
"Of some manner," Marko said. "I sensed no hunger like with other undead, but that raises the question of what is holding them on this plane."
"Shadowfang?" Kari suggested.
"If so, that is problematic," Marko said. "I have plans for the sword, plans which require I bring it with us. I would prefer not to have a legion of lacuni ghosts in our wake."
"Then talk to them," Flavie said. "You can at least do that much, right?"
The remark surprised Kari and she gave Marko a quick glance. The paladin shrugged slightly in response.
"All necromancers are able to commune with spirits and even bind them to their will if need be. I was never proficient with that set of skills, but perhaps it will be sufficient to figure out what these things want."
Stepping forward, Marko approached the lacuni and raised a hand. A white glow slowly grew around it and the lacuni seemed to perk up, their gaze following Marko's hand. Even as she kept an eye on Marko, Kari made sure that the lacuni made no sudden moves. As fascinating as it was to watch Marko's display of necromancy, she could not risk becoming distracted amidst these apparitions. Flavie seemed likewise cautious, though perhaps to the rogue necromancy was nowhere as exotic or foreign a concept after her adventures with the Companions.
"Why are you here?" Marko asked, his voice calm, steady, and commanding.
The lacuni swayed back and forth as if in a trance but none answered. Marko's hand grew brighter as he stepped closer.
"Why are you here?" the paladin repeated, his voice growing firmer and louder.
The swaying stopped and now all the lacuni had their eyes locked on the paladin. No hisses or growls escaped them even as a few opened their mouths. Slowly, they were falling under Marko's will.
"Why are you here?" the paladin asked for a third time, and this time he was finally answered.
"We cannot leave," came a seemingly collective hiss. "We cannot leave."
"What holds you?" Marko asked.
The cats started swaying again but still replied. "The black fang. The black fang."
"It would seem your suspicions were correct," Flavie said.
"It would seem so," Marko agreed, lowering his hand. "I will have to examine Shadowfang and see exactly why it is binding lacuni spirits. Perhaps I can break its hold afterward. Come."
Paying little heed to the spirits as he turned his back, Marko quickly crossed the threshold into the dank tomb. Flavie followed with little hesitation but Kari cast a parting glance at the gathered lacuni. Their attention was centered squarely on the trio, but Kari felt a remarkable lack of malice from the spirits. Anxiety, fear, and possibly even anger, but none of it was directed at her or her companions. But dealing with Shadowfang came first. If Marko was right and the demonblade was what bound the lacuni spirits, perhaps they could break its hold and the cats would disappear into the beyond. And if not, well, what may be would be.
Kari did not take long to catch up with Marko and Flavie while the paladin had somehow acquired a torch in her absence, lighting the way ahead. The tomb walls were dank and dreary, not a surprising condition for the place to be in. Still, it was only natural for a slight chill to run down her spine. Here Baal had been imprisoned and here Duriel had laid in waiting for any that sought to follow the Three. But despite the apprehension, Kari found her attention drawn to the shapes and symbols decorating the walls. No, decoration was not their purpose. They were runes of binding, safeguards to help strengthen Baal's prison. It was a pity they had ultimately failed, but Kari could almost sense the hope and determination of the magi that had burned them into the walls.
"I can see why you thought this place might be able to hold Shadowfang," Kari said as her pace took her closer to the wall.
"That confidence may have been as misplaced as the belief it could hold Baal," Marko replied.
"Perhaps," Kari conceded. "Though for the Lord of Destruction to break free from all these wards is a remarkable feat. The failure this place represents may still hold some value for man if we could determine why it failed."
Pausing, Marko glanced back at the assassin. "A curious notion, though one I find myself agreeing with. I will have to arrange for some trusted mages t o examine this place."
As they proceeded deeper, the number of runes and carvings increased substantially until the three came to the end of a hall. It was not a true dead end however as a large hole had been blasted through the wall. The circular platform before the hole seemed to have held something but its receptacle was now vacant.
"This was blasted open," Kari noted as she stepped through the hole.
"The tomb was sealed away by the Horadrim," Marko explained. "To unseal it required a Horadric Staff. Getting that stick required far more trudging through the sands than I like to remember."
"You would consider a Horadric Staff a mere stick?" Kari muttered.
A whisper it may have meant to be, but Marko's hearing was equally sharp. "Were it still around for me to use, I might be more reverent, but the blasted thing was vaporized opening the way. And considering what was waiting for us on the other side, I think you would not fault me for being a bit peeved about losing a potential weapon."
Kari conceded the point mentally as she slid down into the chamber, though she did not vocalize that sentiment. She had just planted herself firmly on the ground when a shadow entered the corner of her eye.
"Watch out!"
The assassin had already brought her claws to bear but the impact still threw her into the air. Kicking out, Kari felt some resistance but the presence faded almost immediately. Landing softly, Kari saw the rogue unsheathing her sword. But she was not the next target as something ran into Marko only to seemingly bounce off. The paladin's fist was outstretched, apparently having just slammed into his assailant. The other hand had the massive claymore drawn and suddenly sent it slashing through the air. A sharp cry quickly rewarded the strike.
The splattering of blood was visible even with Marko's torch extinguished and Kari followed the movements of their attacker as more droplets stained the floor. Now that she had something to focus on, her eyes quickly made out an outline of the creature.
"It's a lacuni," she said.
"What?"
While Marko seemed to have already reached that conclusion, Flavie was still unable to catch a glimpse of the cat despite her training. However, the rogue did not need to see to sense whenever it dared approach and her guard remained strong.
"It seems we were wrong," Marko commented almost randomly.
"About what," Kari managed to get out even as she made sure not to lose sight of the darting cat.
"It is not Shadowfang that is holding so many lacuni spirits here."
At that point Kari noticed the gathering of spirits around them, the lacuni they had originally encountered outside now marshaled behind the trio. Gone was the almost dreamlike daze when they first appeared. Now more than one was snarling at their assailant while others looked ready to pounce given the slightest chance. Their lacuni attacker had broken its silence, growling and even barking as it jumped back and forth. From time to time it would start to charge the three before scrambling to a halt and retreat. Kari doubted it feared death at the hands of her or her comrades, as foolish or insane as it was. No, the creature feared the spirits that seemed to be baying for its blood.
"Well, this is rather unexpected," Marko said, sheathing his sword to Kari's surprise.
The paladin stretched out his right hand and it began glowing. Then, one by one, lacuni spirits were pulled toward the hand before coalescing into a shining sphere. The light illuminated the chamber and Kari was forced to shade her eyes as the sudden brightness. Their lacuni attacker's cries grew in pitch until it was a wild shrill. Finally, the creature leapt for Marko, unable to take the light. However, the lunge proved to be its undoing as the paladin threw the sphere at the cat. A screech unlike anything Kari had heard before echoed through the chamber as the blast flew at the cat. Even in its madness, the creature still knew fear and quickly abandoned its advance and tried to dodge. However, the sphere followed its movements and exploded against the creature. Soon enough the lacuni's screams joined in those of the spirits Marko had gathered, the same spirits that now stripped flesh from bone even as they snapped them.
The light faded moments later as the spirits spent their wrath, leaving a bloody mess in their wake. Walking over, Marko knelt next to the broken body and grimaced. The lacuni was somehow still alive despite the rendering of its flesh.
"Requiescat in pace," the paladin muttered before burying a knife in the lacuni's head.
The cat's body twitched for several seconds before falling limp. Standing, Marko glanced over at the remaining lacuni spirits. They were no longer hissing, nor did they return into their former daze. Instead, all looked at him even as they seemed to scatter into the beyond in the stillness of the chamber. When the last spirit faded, Marko let out a sigh.
"Come," he said. "We still have a sword to pick up."
Shaking herself, Kari followed Marko deeper into Baal's former prison. This adventure was turning out to be full of surprises. Now it was not a matter of when the next one would appear, but what darkness came with it.
End of Chapter 2
This chapter was shorter than the previous one, if only because there's only so much I can write about traveling through a bloody desert. Still, I think I achieved my objective and introduced another plot element. I also lied about being finished with Chapter 3. I need to make some adjustments, though getting it out should go faster than finishing Chapter 2. Chapter 4 on the other hand will take much longer since it is only half finished. After that, it's all up in the air since none of it is written except for parts of the very end.
Anyway, it would be nice to see some more reviews. Would like to know what my readers think of this little work.