DISCLAIMER: I do not own Diablo

Summary: If you don't have a buddy in this crazy world where zombies roam, magic resides, and a demon lord wants to kick the world's ass, you might as well get picked up by a pirate ninja.

Warning: Swearing. Blood. Smiles.

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'You want to be really great? Then have the courage to fail big and stick around. Make them wonder why you're still smiling.'- unknown


CHAPTER 3: Flames of Youth


I'm not an animal fan. I'll say that right now, I don't like them and they don't like me. Especially ride able ones. Which includes horses. Which is how I find myself dragging my feet on the back end of a pony. Which hurts, by the way.

"Ah, grow up!" I heard Zink call from ahead, her black stallion walking lazily away where my grumpy pony decided to try and buck me off again, "That thing's almost as tall as you! Haha!"

I scowled and re mounted, carefully pushing the reins forward to get the pony back up to her. Sending a glare up at her that she seemed much to amused about, I pointed at the map in her hands.

"Are you sure we're going the right way?"

"I've been through here and back long before you were even born, kid," She snickered, "I know a thing or two about this area."

I snorted, "Then, how long till we get to the rogue en-back-er whatever it was."

"You're speaking skills," She mourned, "Leave much to be desired."

I bristled, in sighting that obnoxious laughter from her again. We had left Reintof early in the morning, or as soon as the sun was up as Zink put it. When I asked her why she simply did that nose tap thing and laughed. Too many secrets, I mused, then again she is an assassin, even if she doesn't look the part.

She'd given me my own backpack before we left, already clothes (and my old ones) and other materials packed inside. I found the weirdest things too, when she left to get our rides. Red and blue bottles of the strangest liquid, trinkets that glowed, a dagger, and a stick. Yeah, a stick. I was tempted to look in her bag too, just to see if they matched (and then I wondered if I was OCD) but decided not to. Something about her just didn't seem as nice as she acted.

I was proven correct when she gave me the pony.

"It should be up ahead," Zink murmured, urging her horse forward, "Keep an eye out for monsters, by the way. I'd hate to run into some so early in the trip."

I felt my mouth go dry, "Mon-monsters? Here? I thought you got rid of them!"

"Pfft," She rolled her eyes, "Idiot, no way could I kill every monster. That'd be…I'm not even sure. It'd be nicer though."

"But-but-you-and the-wait." I sputtered, "What other things are out here other than zombies?!"

"Ohhhhh," She smirked mischievously, "Do we have a scaredy cat here?"

I flushed, turning my head away as she leaned down from her horse to tease me, "I'm not scared. I just want to know what I'm up against."

She hummed, raking her hand through her horse's mane, "Don't worry you're pretty little head. If anything shows up, I'll handle it."

I grumbled, flinching when she ruffled my hair with a snicker. I was a little self-conscious about people touching me, now that I had my scar. But, when I had changed this morning, I found a mirror to look in and found something so wrong. I had short brown hair, green eyes, and freckles. Something about it though seemed wrong, like it wasn't me, like I was wearing someone else's face. That the real me was wearing a mask.

Maybe, I thought, my appearance changed?

"That's right." Her voice jerked me out of my thoughts, "You still need a name. It's kind of repetitive to call you kid all the time."

I blinked at her thoughtful expression, "Hmmm."

. . .

"Well, all in good time." She clapped her hands with a smile, my head ducking in disappointment. I actually thought she'd come up with one too, I thought crossly.

"Up ahead, do you see it?" I glanced up, following where she was pointing to find a stone bridge. It was large, covering over a rushing river and leading to what seemed to be a long wooden fence. Or blockade. "Over that bridge is the encampment."

I was surprised at the lack of guards there. Once we crossed the bridge (that I nearly toppled over thanks to my dear pony) we were greeted by two women in matching uniform. Some red leather outfits and bows, hair tied up, and arrows at the ready.

"State you're business."

I swallowed thickly at their cold gazes, wondering what the hell we were going to do now that we were here and, crap, what if they killed us. I wasn't sure if I should have been surprised when Zink only smiled.

"Help from Reintof."

"Reintof?" One of them echoed, turning to her partner, "They have warriors?"

"Nope." Zink supplied, eyes twinkling mischievously, "Just me."

"And who are you?"

"Zink Everne, assassin."

I felt my stomach sink when their gazes turned to me, "And who's he?"

I opened my mouth, finding no words coming out, only for Zink to reply for me. "He's just an idiot," She waved off dismissively, "Don't worry about him."

They smirked amusedly at my frown, gesturing for us to continue. We led our horses through the large entrance, greeted by the sight of dozens of tents with women and men (mostly women) wandering around. I noticed the rogues all seemed to have their bows ready, walking around and eyeing anything suspicious (mostly men).

"By the way," I turned to see Zink halted in front of the guards, "How many other travelers have shown up?"

"Not many." She looked both disappointed and angry by this, "Less than a dozen."

"Ah," Zink mused, "Where can I find you're leader?"

They motioned towards one of the tents, this one red and larger than the rest, "She's usually attending to the guests or the injured. She'll give you a tent to stay."

"Thanks."

We moved on, avoiding those passing by if necessary (more her then me, while my pony found it a hell of a lot more entertaining to crash right into them). I was in awe at everything. Sure there weren't a lot of people, but wow. They wore the coolest armor, the deadliest weapons, and some were even- oh wow!

"Is that gold?!" I exclaimed, turning sharply to Zink who looked way too amused, "Why is there so much?"

"It's our currency." She stated simply, "Don't look so surprised. One gold piece is nothing out here. Sixty could buy you a potion, at the least."

My brain went fuzzy for a moment, my mouth opening and closing as I tried to process what I'd just heard. Scents drifted in the air and light conversation fluttered around. It wasn't busy, but every turn we'd see two or three adventurers, as I decided to call them, conversing quietly. Some were even rogues.

As we got closer to the tent, we passed by the strangest thing. It looked like someone had taken a giant stone slab and drawn a bunch of crazy lines all circling around and making it look runic. What caught my attention even more were the twin braziers on each side of it, baring blue flames.

"It's magic," Zink explained at my dumfounded expression, "It powers the waypoint."

"An-er-waypoint?"

"Yup. It's a special magic circle created by wizards for easy travel." She smirked, "Just goes to show how lazy they are."

"How does it work?"

"Well, typically there's a code for it. So far, this is the only one lit. The others were 'put out' so to speak when the demons came."

I groaned, "Demons?! Not just zombies?!"

"You're more focused on that then magic." Zink snickered before we reached the red tent. When we dismounted, a lady came out to greet us. She was cloaked in purple robes from head to toe, a veil covering her face and small bracelets decorating her arms. All I could make out were her blue eyes crinkling warmly at us under her hood.

"Welcome, travelers. We're glad to see more help has come."

Zink bowed and I awkwardly followed, "We come from Reintof. I hear you're the rogue's leader, I presume?"

She nodded solemnly, "Yes. I am Akara, high priestess of the sisterhood of the sightless eye. Come," She motioned for the tent, "I'll explain more inside."

She walked in and I made to follow, only to have a hand on my shoulder drag me back. Zink smirked down at my confused expression, "Mind the mounts."

And she followed Akara in. I huffed, crossing my arms and glaring disdainfully at the ground. No, I wasn't pouting, but I had a right to hear what she had to say too, right? Thinking about it, I wondered why. Maybe it was disrespectful? No, they just let a flipping assassin in with their leader. Obviously disrespect was extinct around here.

Then what? What was she to say?

Not long later, Zink reemerged, an enthusiastic grin on her face. I raised an eyebrow, trying my best to hold back my curiosity, "So, how'd it go?"

"Basically," She began as we got back on the horses, "They've been shoved out of their home by a demoness by the name Andariel, who apparently corrupted a bunch of their sisterhood into doing bad things, and all that's left are the dead and what you see here."

"What does that mean for us?"

"Well," She looked thoughtful, "She's asked me to go to this cave and clean it out of bad guys. Something about a mass attack of epic proportions that will likely wipe this camp out. But, it should be no problem."

I choked, "No-er-problem!? That is a problem! How do you think you're going to take them all on at once?"

"Walk right in?"

I smacked my forehead, "Please tell me we're getting something out of this."

"They're undying loyalty."

Just. Perfect.

We found a place to stable our horses before Zink led us to a small tent, obviously meant for one person but a small cot was set up next to the bed. I frowned at the enclosed space as Zink set her backpack down.

"Alright. I'm going to head out before the sunsets. Whatever you do, don't leave this camp. There are things far worse than the dead to worry about."

"Wait," I back pedaled, "I'm not going with you?"

"Hell no," She laughed, "You'd get creamed."

"Not if you teach me!"

She dug around in her pack before tossing a small parchment to me. I jumped, stumbling to catch it, looking to see her amused expression. She hefted the backpack onto her shoulder, "Remember those lines. It's your homework."

"What?" I unrolled the page to find rows and rows of phrases, all in a language I didn't understand, "What is this?"

"I'll tell you when I get back." She waved off as she started out, "I'm heading to the blacksmith before I go. So, stay safe and all that bull. Memorize that sheet!"

"Don't tell me what to do, you old hag!" I found myself yelling as she walked away from the tent. I could hear her booming laughter as she disappeared into the field of tents. I huffed, glancing down at the sheet with uncertainty.

Just what the hell am I supposed to do with this?

I didn't want to admit I was worried for what'd happen to the assassin. But, she made it sound like she was going to the park instead of a cave infested with monsters. She made it sound so easy. I shook my head. She took care of those zombies just fine, right?

…who am I kidding? She's gonna die.

I moaned, dropping into the cot while throwing my backpack onto the floor. I winced at the sound of the potions jostling each other inside and decided not to do that so carelessly. I don't know what they're for, but they seemed important.

Digging into my backpack, I pulled out the stick, scowling at as I waved it in the air. It looked like she'd just ripped it off a tree and stuffed in the bag. I frowned. A prank? Maybe I'm overthinking this. Maybe she just wrote down a bunch of crap, gave it to me to keep me busy while she becomes the hero?

Or maybe I'm just way to imaginative for my own good.

I glared at the sheet in hand, switching between the stick and the parchment before sighing. Homework. For some reason that one word was enough to make me feel like a lazy slug with too much on his shoulders.

"Might as well do it." I grumbled, eyes raking over the words. It wasn't that I couldn't read them; it was more like I couldn't understand them. Their meaning or how their pronounced. She just said to memorize them. What the heck meaning could that have?

Firnillios

"Fern-nilly-oes." I read, stumbling over the words as I pronounced them. I repeated it again and again, drilling the word into my head, moving onto the next word or phrase down the list before repeating it. I usually ended up with Firnillios, finding it better to pronounce than most. I wasn't sure though. I'd have to ask Zink when she got back.

If she got back, I thought darkly.

She was annoying, laughed too loudly and snored like a flipping elephant-gorilla half breed. But, she was nice, in a weird way. She didn't leave me by myself in Reintof. She saved me from zombies. She even bought me things. She was…nice.

I didn't want her to die.

She was my last hope in getting my memories back, my home back. I didn't want that to go away. What if she never came back? I'd be stuck here? Would they send me back to Reintof? Where would I go then? To Bartle or Macky?

Without her, I realized just how alone I was.

I scowled when my eyes started to tear up.

"Wow, I'm such a pansy," I grumbled, reaching up to wipe them away, only to forget I held the stick in that hand. I ended up poking my eye, yelping and dropping my sheet. I flinched back too, only succeeding in falling off the cot and hitting my head on the other bed. In my frustration, I yelled the first word that came to mind.

"Firnillios!"

Something tugged at the back of my head, something running through my veins responded and something inside me woke up. Something went to my hand and that something went through that stick and then that something glowed.

And set the tent on fire.


Next Chapter: The Bravest of Cowards. Or in which very wimpy people can become beautifully stupid.

XAllX: I'll do my best.

And thanks Epitaph User Haseo for reviewing.

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