Rathma was not willing to wait when it came to the Black Soulstone.
"The Council will want to have a say…" Tyrael had half-heartedly argued. It was honestly more of a warning than an argument.
"I care not what the Council wants." Rathma had sneered. "They had their chance to take care of it, and from what you said, nearly corrupted themselves in the process."
The Neo-Nephalem were looking from one speaker to the other in apparent fascination. All of them were tired, and sore, and still reeling from the events in Pandemonium Fortress. Once they'd gotten possession of the Stone, they had all been prepared to throw themselves at Malthael, and bring him down at any cost.
No one was totally sure how to feel about Imperius's intervention. The Archangel of Valor had made it clear that he wanted no part in taking down his former leader. Yet, at the last moments, it had been he who struck down the Angel of Death. Malthael might have been able to fight through the combined might of the mortals, ragged as they were. He had not been able to stand against a fresh Imperius.
Rathma seemed convinced that Imperius had only acted in order to save Malthael. Afterall, the angel was now in Heaven' custody. There would likely be a trial, according to Tyrael, and he wondered how much of a farce this one would be.
But presently, they had bigger things to worry about: namely, what to do with the Black Soulstone.
"It should be hidden, as we had originally intended." Lorath put forth. "Somewhere it can't be found...somewhere unreachable." There was a chorus of agreements from the assorted Neo-Nephalem, and even Rathma looked thoughtful.
"...I'm not sure hiding it on Sanctuary was the right move." Tyrael quietly admitted. "After all the effort we went through in getting it, the blasted thing was lost almost immediately." One did not need Rathma's empathy to know how frustrated Tyrael was over this. He could feel it more pronounced though, feel the sensations as if they were his own.
"There must be somewhere else!" Someone in the crowd put forth.
"It should be guarded, wherever it goes." Was the low response of the Demon Hunter.
"Could your order protect it?" Lorath asked. There was an exchanging of glances, before the hunter let out a sigh.
"Perhaps, but...I don't know if my order still stands." Everyone stiffened, as though realizing for the first time that it would be the same wherever they went. Who knew how many were left?
"Tyrael is right." Rathma was making a distinctly sour face at agreeing with the man-angel. "It shall not remain upon Sanctuary." And everyone burst out with exclamations and questions at that.
"But it must be protected!"
"You just said the Heavens couldn't have it…"
"Where then? Pandemonium? You're joking!"
Rathma patiently waited for everyone to settle down.
"No, it does not need a guard." He stated, and his glare shut down any immediate arguments. "The less who know of its location, the less likely someone is to learn of it and try and take it. ...I know where it can be hidden. Not upon Sanctuary, not in Pandemonium, and certainly not in the Heavens."
"All that's left is Hell…" Someone muttered, and let out a yelp when they were punched in the arm. Rathma sighed through his nose, and tilted his head up. The sun was starting to rise, but the stars were still visible. The moon was little more than a sliver.
"With your permission," He looked to the group. "I know where I will hide it. It is nearly unreachable, and once hidden I will destroy the means of getting to its location."
More arguments broke out. Fists were shaken, words were shouted. It took them all morning to come to an agreement. Truth of the matter was though, no one else had a good idea of what to do with it, and were eager to be done with the whole matter. They would not admit it, but truthfully having someone else show up to deal with the Black Soulstone was a relief.
Tyrael was the most uncertain, but could not think of a better alternative. And...he was not sure what Rathma would do if he tried to take the Soulstone. They had started warming up to one another over the trials of Pandemonium, but that did not mean the old Nephalem wouldn't change gears if he thought Tyrael was trying to take the stone for himself. A fight with Rathma was not worth possession of the stone.
In the end, everyone, even Tyrael, gave their assent. And Rathma vanished into the rising sun.