Hey people, thanks for the reviews again. A very special THANKS YOU! =P to
my cheese reviewer who keeps catching my tiny mistakes. Really, they're
accidents. ;) I've corrected them so all should be well in the lands of
Sanctuary. =D But I'd be mighty obliged if you would keep up your
vigilance. Those damned typos do like to spring up on me. =)
Disclaimer: Diablo 2 and Lord of Destruction are the property of Blizzard. Please don't sue since I am not making any money from this, and I am a poor poor university student ^_^;;
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For Money or Honor
Chapter Ten: Unlocking the Stones
I listened to the wind rustling through the trees, and concentrated on the light that danced on my face. The air smelled of spring, but it was tinged with the tang of blood. I inhaled even that, just anything to keep my mind away from the pain.
"Are you okay?" Debi asked as she shifted her grip on me.
"I'm fine. Just walk slowly towards the Tree," I muttered, slowing down my breathing into measured slow breathes. It gradually attuned my mind to a semi-meditative state so I could distance myself from the hurting even more. This was an ancient technique all the students in my clan learned very fast. It had allowed us to continue the grueling training our masters had put us through.
We briefly stopped at the Yeti's corpse to retrieve my katar. Debi had to let go of me to pry my weapon loose, and I barely managed to stand by myself. My surroundings kept twisting and dipping nauseatingly. But injured as I was, I saw the damage my katar had wrought. My downward blow had driven the enchanted blade into the Yeti's throat. The bone I felt was probably the collar bone or whatever equivalent their species had. It had been a fatal strike, and the poison on my katar had only hastened the inevitable.
With a final jerk, Debi freed my weapon. More blood welled out of the wound, and tendons peeked out of the flesh like worms. I saw Debi's face turn paler at the sight, but she didn't look away.
"Anything interesting?" I managed to croak out. All this blood running down my throat was really irritating.
She didn't answer me for a few minutes. "No, it's not that. I … know this Yeti and was just saying a prayer for him."
"Oh?"
"His name was Treehead Woodfist. He was the leader of a tribe of Yeti that sometimes traded with the Sisters. He was always so kind and gentle … I hadn't recognized him at all from the beast who attacked you."
"Well … there was nothing much we could do," I shrugged as best I could without falling over. "It was either kill or be killed ourselves. Anyway, I think the real Treehead Woodfist died a while ago, in mind anyway."
"Yes, I guess you're right," Debi shook her head sadly. "But … I wonder how many more friends will become enemies."
I shrugged again before letting her support me once more. "Let's get this over with and get that bark, hmm? There's no use speculating now."
Wordlessly we started back for the Tree of Inifuss. It was a tedious journey that was full of pain for me, and perhaps even Debi as well. But while mine was felt on a physical level, hers was more likely to be emotional.
The journey took us an hour to complete, but eventually we stood at the base of the Tree. Its golden bark shone in the sun, and it gave off a heady smell that cleared my mind a little and eased my aching. We just stood there in awe for a while, basking in its magical aura.
"How has this tree escaped corruption?" I breathed, my eyes running over its trunk for the umpteenth time. It somehow reminded me of the Cairn Stones, even though the two were made of vastly different materials.
"I don't know, but look," Debi pointed to the ground. Following her finger, I saw deep trenches near the roots of the Tree. They were obviously made by the Yeti since their footprints dotted the ground. The end of the trenches closest to the Tree also had bits of golden bark in it. Coinciding with their position were claw marks on the Tree's trunk.
"Were they … trying to push the Tree down?" I frowned. It seemed like it, but I couldn't think of a reason why. "Well I'm just glad they failed. It looks like the Tree will live on for quite some time. Here, take one of my throwing knives and see if you can pry some bark off. Do it where the Yeti have scratched it already. There's no sense in destroying the Tree more."
Taking the offered knife, Debi left me again and went to the Tree. As carefully as she could she began to coax a large piece of golden bark off. I looked up at the Tree and made a mental apology. I had no idea if it could hear me or not, but it felt right nonetheless.
"Got it!" Debi smiled triumphantly, holding out a piece of bark about the size of a scroll. Turning it over, she raised an eyebrow. "Wow, there are runes written on it!"
"Let me see," I held out my hand. Taking it from her, I scrutinized the markings on the bark. Indeed, there were strange scribbles on it that seemed to writhe and move. Or perhaps that was just my vision swimming.
"I can't make this out, " I grunted as I rolled it up and tucked it in my belt. "Come on, let's go see Akara. She can probably make sense of this mess."
Opening a town portal, I was glad to find myself back in the camp. Kashya gave me a questioning look when she saw us, but we passed her by and headed straight for Akara. The High Priestess took one look at me and went into her tent. She quickly came back out, and handed me a potion.
"This will heal you instantly, more so than the regular potions you use."
"If I wagered that this will taste worse than the regular potions also, would I win?" I smiled sardonically.
"That is the balance of things. The bad taste of healing, mana, and rejuvenation potions is the price the drinker must pay for any benefits they receive in return."
"Great," I looked warily at the thick, red potion. The shade of it was deeper than blood, or perhaps more accurately, it resembled clotted blood gone dry.
As I worked up the courage to drink the thing, I had handed the scroll to Akara. She had set to work right away, and was now consulting some ancient texts in order to translate the runes.
"Gods!" I almost spit the potion out. The thing tasted indescribable, and burned a path down my nose, throat, and belly. But that fire coursed through my limbs, and I could feel muscles knitting back together. I even watched a large bruise fade back into healthy flesh. Debi started giggling at my disgusted face, and I gave her my most scathing look. "Stop it, or I'll make YOU drink this slop."
She covered her mouth, but her body kept shaking with suppressed laughter.
I was about to throw the bottle at her when Akara cleared her throat behind me.
"I have translated the runes written on the scroll. Touch the Cairn Stones in the order I have written, and it should activate. Step through the portal, and you shall find yourselves in Tristram. Beware the dangers that lie in wait for you there, and remember that your ultimate goal is to rescue Cain."
"Got it," I nodded, taking the scroll back from her. Written in black ink were the words "Key to the Cairn Stones". Drawn over the runes was an upside down five-pointed star. Surrounding it and coinciding with the five points were circles. They represented the Cairn Stones, and in each circle was a symbol found on a Stone. On top of those, in red ink, were numbers that told me the order to touch the Stones in.
Getting up, I headed to the Waypoint. Debi followed behind, and I could feel eyes watching us. Turning my head back, I saw Kashya, Warriv, and a few of the caravan men. They all nodded at me, which I returned with a lazy wave of my hand.
Taking the Waypoint back to Stony Fields, I surveyed the area. Dark clouds covered the sun intermittently, and I shivered. We were going to Tristram, the town were Diablo, Lord of Terror, had been in. 'Or so they say,' I reminded myself. I still didn't fully believe in the Prime Evils but … well I hadn't believed in zombies, demons, and animated skeletons either.
"Okay," I rolled my shoulders. "Let's do this and save that old guy."
"Right," Debi nodded. "To the Cairn Stones!"
We went in opposite directions.
"It's this way," we said at the same time. We looked at each other.
"No, I'm pretty sure we have to go here," I pointed west.
"Well I'm sure we need to head east," she frowned.
"We're heading west and that is that," I said, turning around and walking away. With an annoyed sigh, Debi gave up and followed me. As we walked through the fields, we chatted a little. Well more precisely, Debi talked and I listened. She mostly spoke of her past, of the training she had, and of the mischief her Sisters and her got into. Debi seemed to relish those 'carefree' days if you could call Rogue training that, but indeed, it did sound better than the present situation. I nodded here and there and made affirming noises as I scanned the area. Where were those Stones anyway? We should have seen them by now.
Making our way through a copse of (unfamiliar) trees, I thought I saw gray stone in between the branches. Hurrying my steps, we broke through to find the ruins of an old building.
"What the … " I muttered in confusion. "I could have sworn the Cairn Stones were this way!"
"Told you so," Debi smirked and ducked as I swung my arm at her playfully.
"Quiet," I growled. "We might as well check this out while we're here anyway. It could hold something useful."
"You mean gold?" she asked.
"Exactly."
"You have plenty of gold back in your chest," she argued as I made my way towards the ivy covered ruins. "You don't need anymore."
"Debi, there is no such thing as too much gold, food, or jewels," I replied as I sifted through the broken stones and mortar. "Remember that." But I was sad to discover no such treasures here, just a musty old book left on a stand.
"Damn, not a single useful thing," I sighed, and then sneezed as a strong gust of wind blew dust in my face. It also blew the tattered old book open onto a particular page. Scanning through the spidery writings, I wasn't expecting to find anything helpful. "Hmmm, a Countess who bathed in virgin blood … buried her alive … ruined tower all that remains of her castle … fortune split among the clergy although …"
"What?" Debi nudged my elbow after a long pause.
" … although some say that more remains unfound, still buried alongside the rotting skulls that bear mute witness to the inhumanity of the human creature," I finished off. "Hidden loot, eh? That sounds like my kind of quest."
"That place sounds familiar. It must be talking about the Forgotten Tower in the Black Marsh," my mercenary said. "That place is evil, and no one has entered there since the Countess' death."
"Debi, this entire region is evil," I shrugged. "Anyway, I won't go there … yet."
"Just … let's go to the Cairn Stones, ok? We'll talk about this more later," she shook her head. "Though honestly, you DON'T need all that extra gold, so why risk yourself in that cursed place?"
"Why risk myself now?" I retorted as we headed east. "And the bigger the pay-offs, the bigger the dangers. Anyway that old tower probably has nothing more dangerous than spiders. It will be easy pickings."
"Why don't I believe that?" she muttered. I couldn't answer her, but I wasn't dissuaded against that treasure finding either.
Eventually after more trekking, we found ourselves back to the Cairn Stones. The day was very still now; not a whisper of wind existed. The grass stood up straight as if they were straining to see what we were doing. No animals could be heard (no surprise there), and even the clouds seemed to hang motionless in the sky.
"Ready?" I whispered. There was no need for me to be quiet, but it just seemed wrong to be loud. Apparently Debi felt the same way too since all she did was nod. Taking out the scroll, I unrolled it. Memorizing the order of the Stones, I held the scroll in one hand while I walked to the centre of the structure.
The gathering power was tangible to me, making my skin want to fall off and crawl away. It was definitely different from the last time I was here. Perhaps the magic of the Tree's bark was the reason why.
"Here goes," I said, and touched the first one.
The Stone instantly started to hum with force. Its symbol, a tear shaped rune, emitted a pale blue light that seemed to intensify the feeling of power. Touching the Stone's surface, I could feel it vibrate underneath my fingertips.
Taking in a deep breath, I touched the next one. The same thing happened, and I kept going. Soon there was only one left, but already the power was buzzing all around us. It was so thick in the air I thought I could grab a handful of it.
Stopping my hand a few inches away from the final Stone, I looked at Debi. Her face was anxious but willing. I knew she would walk through the portal with me, and I vaguely wondered how far she would follow me.
'Yup, getting soft,' I thought sourly as my hand touched the last Stone. Immediately all the gathering power exploded outwards and upward. The sky seemed to instantly change to ink, the clouds so thick and dark that it seemed like an impenetrable shroud. I backed away from the Cairn Stones as I saw lightning start to explode in the heavens. Thunder crashed in our ears, the sounds coming so often anyone would know it couldn't be natural.
The magical powers had come to a fevered pitch, and I was scared. What if the Stones or the Tree HAD been corrupted? What if we would die in an explosion of sheer magic? What if our souls were enslaved to Evil?
These thoughts raced around in my head, but there was no time to do anything about it. Streaks of lightning (or were they mystic forces?) lanced out from the sky. They slammed into the stone, their white brilliance blinding me. I grabbed Debi and threw us to the ground. I brought my small shield up against the onslaught, and I thought I heard her screaming, as the world seemed to fall around us in a blast of light. An end-of-the-world BOOM followed suit, and then nothing.
I'll admit it; I was petrified. I lay prone on the ground, unable and unwilling to face what had happened. Not even my curiosity was enough to stir me. Finally I dared peek around my small shield when Debi had started squirming.
"Stay down," I hissed as I looked. I saw the Cairn Stones again, their symbols still glowing blue. But now in the middle of them all was a portal. Unlike a town portal, this one was bright red in color.
I waited a minute more, and nothing happened. The sky had reverted back to patchy clouds and the sun. Cautiously I got off of her and stood. No demons came, no enemies charged.
"It worked!" Debi exclaimed as she dusted herself off.
"Yeah I guess," I mumbled as I bit my lower lip. I glared at the red portal uneasily, wondering if it would bring us to Tristram or straight to Hell instead.
"Then come on," Debi pushed me from behind. "Let's go rescue Cain."
Numbly I approached the vortex and hoped that it wouldn't be US who would need rescuing.
Disclaimer: Diablo 2 and Lord of Destruction are the property of Blizzard. Please don't sue since I am not making any money from this, and I am a poor poor university student ^_^;;
----------------------------------------
For Money or Honor
Chapter Ten: Unlocking the Stones
I listened to the wind rustling through the trees, and concentrated on the light that danced on my face. The air smelled of spring, but it was tinged with the tang of blood. I inhaled even that, just anything to keep my mind away from the pain.
"Are you okay?" Debi asked as she shifted her grip on me.
"I'm fine. Just walk slowly towards the Tree," I muttered, slowing down my breathing into measured slow breathes. It gradually attuned my mind to a semi-meditative state so I could distance myself from the hurting even more. This was an ancient technique all the students in my clan learned very fast. It had allowed us to continue the grueling training our masters had put us through.
We briefly stopped at the Yeti's corpse to retrieve my katar. Debi had to let go of me to pry my weapon loose, and I barely managed to stand by myself. My surroundings kept twisting and dipping nauseatingly. But injured as I was, I saw the damage my katar had wrought. My downward blow had driven the enchanted blade into the Yeti's throat. The bone I felt was probably the collar bone or whatever equivalent their species had. It had been a fatal strike, and the poison on my katar had only hastened the inevitable.
With a final jerk, Debi freed my weapon. More blood welled out of the wound, and tendons peeked out of the flesh like worms. I saw Debi's face turn paler at the sight, but she didn't look away.
"Anything interesting?" I managed to croak out. All this blood running down my throat was really irritating.
She didn't answer me for a few minutes. "No, it's not that. I … know this Yeti and was just saying a prayer for him."
"Oh?"
"His name was Treehead Woodfist. He was the leader of a tribe of Yeti that sometimes traded with the Sisters. He was always so kind and gentle … I hadn't recognized him at all from the beast who attacked you."
"Well … there was nothing much we could do," I shrugged as best I could without falling over. "It was either kill or be killed ourselves. Anyway, I think the real Treehead Woodfist died a while ago, in mind anyway."
"Yes, I guess you're right," Debi shook her head sadly. "But … I wonder how many more friends will become enemies."
I shrugged again before letting her support me once more. "Let's get this over with and get that bark, hmm? There's no use speculating now."
Wordlessly we started back for the Tree of Inifuss. It was a tedious journey that was full of pain for me, and perhaps even Debi as well. But while mine was felt on a physical level, hers was more likely to be emotional.
The journey took us an hour to complete, but eventually we stood at the base of the Tree. Its golden bark shone in the sun, and it gave off a heady smell that cleared my mind a little and eased my aching. We just stood there in awe for a while, basking in its magical aura.
"How has this tree escaped corruption?" I breathed, my eyes running over its trunk for the umpteenth time. It somehow reminded me of the Cairn Stones, even though the two were made of vastly different materials.
"I don't know, but look," Debi pointed to the ground. Following her finger, I saw deep trenches near the roots of the Tree. They were obviously made by the Yeti since their footprints dotted the ground. The end of the trenches closest to the Tree also had bits of golden bark in it. Coinciding with their position were claw marks on the Tree's trunk.
"Were they … trying to push the Tree down?" I frowned. It seemed like it, but I couldn't think of a reason why. "Well I'm just glad they failed. It looks like the Tree will live on for quite some time. Here, take one of my throwing knives and see if you can pry some bark off. Do it where the Yeti have scratched it already. There's no sense in destroying the Tree more."
Taking the offered knife, Debi left me again and went to the Tree. As carefully as she could she began to coax a large piece of golden bark off. I looked up at the Tree and made a mental apology. I had no idea if it could hear me or not, but it felt right nonetheless.
"Got it!" Debi smiled triumphantly, holding out a piece of bark about the size of a scroll. Turning it over, she raised an eyebrow. "Wow, there are runes written on it!"
"Let me see," I held out my hand. Taking it from her, I scrutinized the markings on the bark. Indeed, there were strange scribbles on it that seemed to writhe and move. Or perhaps that was just my vision swimming.
"I can't make this out, " I grunted as I rolled it up and tucked it in my belt. "Come on, let's go see Akara. She can probably make sense of this mess."
Opening a town portal, I was glad to find myself back in the camp. Kashya gave me a questioning look when she saw us, but we passed her by and headed straight for Akara. The High Priestess took one look at me and went into her tent. She quickly came back out, and handed me a potion.
"This will heal you instantly, more so than the regular potions you use."
"If I wagered that this will taste worse than the regular potions also, would I win?" I smiled sardonically.
"That is the balance of things. The bad taste of healing, mana, and rejuvenation potions is the price the drinker must pay for any benefits they receive in return."
"Great," I looked warily at the thick, red potion. The shade of it was deeper than blood, or perhaps more accurately, it resembled clotted blood gone dry.
As I worked up the courage to drink the thing, I had handed the scroll to Akara. She had set to work right away, and was now consulting some ancient texts in order to translate the runes.
"Gods!" I almost spit the potion out. The thing tasted indescribable, and burned a path down my nose, throat, and belly. But that fire coursed through my limbs, and I could feel muscles knitting back together. I even watched a large bruise fade back into healthy flesh. Debi started giggling at my disgusted face, and I gave her my most scathing look. "Stop it, or I'll make YOU drink this slop."
She covered her mouth, but her body kept shaking with suppressed laughter.
I was about to throw the bottle at her when Akara cleared her throat behind me.
"I have translated the runes written on the scroll. Touch the Cairn Stones in the order I have written, and it should activate. Step through the portal, and you shall find yourselves in Tristram. Beware the dangers that lie in wait for you there, and remember that your ultimate goal is to rescue Cain."
"Got it," I nodded, taking the scroll back from her. Written in black ink were the words "Key to the Cairn Stones". Drawn over the runes was an upside down five-pointed star. Surrounding it and coinciding with the five points were circles. They represented the Cairn Stones, and in each circle was a symbol found on a Stone. On top of those, in red ink, were numbers that told me the order to touch the Stones in.
Getting up, I headed to the Waypoint. Debi followed behind, and I could feel eyes watching us. Turning my head back, I saw Kashya, Warriv, and a few of the caravan men. They all nodded at me, which I returned with a lazy wave of my hand.
Taking the Waypoint back to Stony Fields, I surveyed the area. Dark clouds covered the sun intermittently, and I shivered. We were going to Tristram, the town were Diablo, Lord of Terror, had been in. 'Or so they say,' I reminded myself. I still didn't fully believe in the Prime Evils but … well I hadn't believed in zombies, demons, and animated skeletons either.
"Okay," I rolled my shoulders. "Let's do this and save that old guy."
"Right," Debi nodded. "To the Cairn Stones!"
We went in opposite directions.
"It's this way," we said at the same time. We looked at each other.
"No, I'm pretty sure we have to go here," I pointed west.
"Well I'm sure we need to head east," she frowned.
"We're heading west and that is that," I said, turning around and walking away. With an annoyed sigh, Debi gave up and followed me. As we walked through the fields, we chatted a little. Well more precisely, Debi talked and I listened. She mostly spoke of her past, of the training she had, and of the mischief her Sisters and her got into. Debi seemed to relish those 'carefree' days if you could call Rogue training that, but indeed, it did sound better than the present situation. I nodded here and there and made affirming noises as I scanned the area. Where were those Stones anyway? We should have seen them by now.
Making our way through a copse of (unfamiliar) trees, I thought I saw gray stone in between the branches. Hurrying my steps, we broke through to find the ruins of an old building.
"What the … " I muttered in confusion. "I could have sworn the Cairn Stones were this way!"
"Told you so," Debi smirked and ducked as I swung my arm at her playfully.
"Quiet," I growled. "We might as well check this out while we're here anyway. It could hold something useful."
"You mean gold?" she asked.
"Exactly."
"You have plenty of gold back in your chest," she argued as I made my way towards the ivy covered ruins. "You don't need anymore."
"Debi, there is no such thing as too much gold, food, or jewels," I replied as I sifted through the broken stones and mortar. "Remember that." But I was sad to discover no such treasures here, just a musty old book left on a stand.
"Damn, not a single useful thing," I sighed, and then sneezed as a strong gust of wind blew dust in my face. It also blew the tattered old book open onto a particular page. Scanning through the spidery writings, I wasn't expecting to find anything helpful. "Hmmm, a Countess who bathed in virgin blood … buried her alive … ruined tower all that remains of her castle … fortune split among the clergy although …"
"What?" Debi nudged my elbow after a long pause.
" … although some say that more remains unfound, still buried alongside the rotting skulls that bear mute witness to the inhumanity of the human creature," I finished off. "Hidden loot, eh? That sounds like my kind of quest."
"That place sounds familiar. It must be talking about the Forgotten Tower in the Black Marsh," my mercenary said. "That place is evil, and no one has entered there since the Countess' death."
"Debi, this entire region is evil," I shrugged. "Anyway, I won't go there … yet."
"Just … let's go to the Cairn Stones, ok? We'll talk about this more later," she shook her head. "Though honestly, you DON'T need all that extra gold, so why risk yourself in that cursed place?"
"Why risk myself now?" I retorted as we headed east. "And the bigger the pay-offs, the bigger the dangers. Anyway that old tower probably has nothing more dangerous than spiders. It will be easy pickings."
"Why don't I believe that?" she muttered. I couldn't answer her, but I wasn't dissuaded against that treasure finding either.
Eventually after more trekking, we found ourselves back to the Cairn Stones. The day was very still now; not a whisper of wind existed. The grass stood up straight as if they were straining to see what we were doing. No animals could be heard (no surprise there), and even the clouds seemed to hang motionless in the sky.
"Ready?" I whispered. There was no need for me to be quiet, but it just seemed wrong to be loud. Apparently Debi felt the same way too since all she did was nod. Taking out the scroll, I unrolled it. Memorizing the order of the Stones, I held the scroll in one hand while I walked to the centre of the structure.
The gathering power was tangible to me, making my skin want to fall off and crawl away. It was definitely different from the last time I was here. Perhaps the magic of the Tree's bark was the reason why.
"Here goes," I said, and touched the first one.
The Stone instantly started to hum with force. Its symbol, a tear shaped rune, emitted a pale blue light that seemed to intensify the feeling of power. Touching the Stone's surface, I could feel it vibrate underneath my fingertips.
Taking in a deep breath, I touched the next one. The same thing happened, and I kept going. Soon there was only one left, but already the power was buzzing all around us. It was so thick in the air I thought I could grab a handful of it.
Stopping my hand a few inches away from the final Stone, I looked at Debi. Her face was anxious but willing. I knew she would walk through the portal with me, and I vaguely wondered how far she would follow me.
'Yup, getting soft,' I thought sourly as my hand touched the last Stone. Immediately all the gathering power exploded outwards and upward. The sky seemed to instantly change to ink, the clouds so thick and dark that it seemed like an impenetrable shroud. I backed away from the Cairn Stones as I saw lightning start to explode in the heavens. Thunder crashed in our ears, the sounds coming so often anyone would know it couldn't be natural.
The magical powers had come to a fevered pitch, and I was scared. What if the Stones or the Tree HAD been corrupted? What if we would die in an explosion of sheer magic? What if our souls were enslaved to Evil?
These thoughts raced around in my head, but there was no time to do anything about it. Streaks of lightning (or were they mystic forces?) lanced out from the sky. They slammed into the stone, their white brilliance blinding me. I grabbed Debi and threw us to the ground. I brought my small shield up against the onslaught, and I thought I heard her screaming, as the world seemed to fall around us in a blast of light. An end-of-the-world BOOM followed suit, and then nothing.
I'll admit it; I was petrified. I lay prone on the ground, unable and unwilling to face what had happened. Not even my curiosity was enough to stir me. Finally I dared peek around my small shield when Debi had started squirming.
"Stay down," I hissed as I looked. I saw the Cairn Stones again, their symbols still glowing blue. But now in the middle of them all was a portal. Unlike a town portal, this one was bright red in color.
I waited a minute more, and nothing happened. The sky had reverted back to patchy clouds and the sun. Cautiously I got off of her and stood. No demons came, no enemies charged.
"It worked!" Debi exclaimed as she dusted herself off.
"Yeah I guess," I mumbled as I bit my lower lip. I glared at the red portal uneasily, wondering if it would bring us to Tristram or straight to Hell instead.
"Then come on," Debi pushed me from behind. "Let's go rescue Cain."
Numbly I approached the vortex and hoped that it wouldn't be US who would need rescuing.
