Kiara, and Destiny

Chapter 10

'Why does this always happen to me? It seems like every quest I take on, I end up back here in this tent, on my back, not knowing how, or when, I got here. Let's see, I was looking for Cain, in Tristram… no, wait… I found Cain, sent him through a Portal, killed a lot of demons… I was leaving, going to the Portal to the Stony Field… Griswold was there… I stabbed him, he hit me, Kiara grabbed me… and that's it, all I remember. She's always there, by my side. In fact, I'm sure she's here now, waiting for me to wake. I'll give her a few more minutes to wonder.

'Wait… what is this strange feeling I have? Every time I think about her, my heart beats faster. I get a strange lump in my throat. What could it be? Surely it's not love… not in the "I'm going spend the rest of my life with you" way… is it? I've never felt this way about anyone before. No matter what I do, my thoughts always come back to her. Her chestnut hair, those burning, charcoal grey eyes, staring deep into my soul… Does she feel the same way about me? Is that what that was in her eyes? Love? I'm very confused right now.

'I wish Akara wouldn't give me so many painkillers. I wish I had something else to think about right now. I used to be able to distance myself from those I work with, but I can always see her. I know she is here beside me. I can feel her holding my hand as I think this. It is. I am sure of it now. I am in love. I just hope we both get through this alive. But what about my oath? My responsibilities? I'll talk to Cain about that, when I can. Maybe he can shed some light on my situation. And I want to ask him about Tristram as well. Find out why he went, and how he got caught. God, her lips, they are so beautiful. Enough soul lashing. I'll face the consequences later.'

I slowly open my eyes, and spot Kiara. She was by my side, again.

"Hi there, beautiful lady," I force out, my mouth suddenly dry.

She looks up, alarmed, then smiles. "Xavier! I was so worried about you! I thought I had lost you this time!" The tears began flowing down her cheeks. She collapsed on my chest and began to sob. I wrapped my arms around her, running on hand through her soft, silky hair. "I love you, Xavier."

I move my hands to her shoulders, and push her up, a little bit. Enough that she looks at me. I delve deep into her eyes, searching for her soul. "I love you, too, Kiara." I pull her close, and touch my lips to hers. We kiss, long and deep. We finally break, both panting, but not from exhaustion. Our eyes meet, and time stretches into infinity.

"Kiara, before this goes any farther, will you have Akara come in here? I have to talk to her, and Deckard Cain. I have to find out what's going on."

She kisses me again, only a light kiss, then walks out of the tent. I close my eyes and try to relax, more running through my mind than our recent activities, both outside and inside the tent. 'Will this change us? Will we take fewer risks? Or will we continue as we are? Fighting, and possibly dying together? Will we die in each other's arms, or will we be seperated when it happens? Will I…'

"Xavier?" Akara calls, "are you awake?"

"Yes, Akara. Sorry, I didn't hear you come in."

The seeress looks down at me and smiles. "You were deep in thought. Tell me, what were you thinking?"

I look back up at her. I think she knows already. Yes, she does. Might as well get it out in the open. "I was thinking about Kiara. I pledged my love to her, this morning. How will this affect us? If we are to continue, I don't want her to get hurt. If we don't, then the evil that grips this world will surely crush it. I don't want to lose her, Akara."

"Ah, so the Paladin believes he can love… Stranger things have happened… I have seen this, before you even arrived. I knew one would come, and take a Rogue as a lover. This one would also be the one to save us, to save the world. And she would be with him to the end, and they would be risen on high, made rulers of this fair land. And, at their deaths, they would be made angels, to sit at His side, and be his counsel. Trust me, Paladin, there is not a force on, above, or below, this Earth that can pull you to apart. It is your destiny, and hers.

"Now, surely this is not what you asked me in here to talk about. What else concerns you?"

My mind was reeling. Kiara, and I… will defeat all the evil, be made king and queen of Sanctuary, and then angels? This was to much to handle, right now.

"How… how… how do you know all this?" I asked. "How do you know we will be together, forever?"

"It is fate. I have seen it, and what I see always comes true. Unfortunately, you have a very long road ahead of you. I would recommend you try to return from your quests with less… how should I say… disastrous consequences? This time I almost lost you. The Archangel Tyrael himself stepped in, adding his power to mine and the Horadrim. The three of us together could barely keep you alive. Then Kiara pushed her way under our linked arms, and took your hand. Your color rose, and breaths became even and steady.

"Tyrael boomed, 'As you have seen, so shall it be… His oaths are broken, but made again. He now serves that which is most holy, as does she. They are both in the care of Heaven, and never shall they be parted.' The very camp shook with that announcement. Tyrael rose, and placed his hand upon Kiara's shoulder. She looked up at him, and he said to her, 'Be with him, until he wakes. He must rest. He will rise when he is able. You are now his, as he is now yours. Your lives will be long, and prosperous. But first they will be trying. You will both be victorious. And your young friends, the Rogue and the Sorceress, they will be with you, and each other, always. At all costs, never doubt your love. Love will bind you to him, and the Rogue to the Sorceress. Be safe, be cautious, but most of all, be successful. Nothing will stop you, not even death itself. The very Ones you trail know you are coming.'

"He then looked at me, and added, 'Tell him this, when he awakes. Make him know what is to come. The Ones they will follow and defeat are the Prime Evils themselves. The Lords of Hatred, Terror, and Destruction now walk the surface world. Deckard Cain, as the last surviving Horadrim, you are to assist him in his quests. Make him aware of everything he needs to defeat the evil that has so plagued this land. You alone carry the hope of this world. Pass it on, and assist him when necessary. My information to you is this: Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred, is in Kurast. The Lord of Terror, Diablo himself, is in Hell, on his throne. And Baal, Lord of Destruction, is attempting to take Harrogath. He is in the deepest bowels of Mount Arreat, laying siege to the city of the Barbarians. They must all be defeated, or this world will perish.' At that, he stepped away from your side, and disappeared. You see, now it is all clear. You are the one to save us, and Kiara will be at your side."

"Xavier! I'm sure you were surprised when you found I wasn't here," Deckard Cain exclaimed, from his place by the door. I had not seen him come in.

"Cain? You are right, I was completely surprised. In all the years I've known you, you have never been one to back out on a commitment. You must tell me what happened."

"Before you start, Deckard," Akara said over his response, "the young Paladin has to eat. What would Tyrael say if you talked our future king into starvation?"

She stepped outside, and bade one of the Rogues to get food. Kiara came in, followed by Ravina and Paige.

"Is it true, Xavier?" Ravina asked, her blue eyes alight with happiness. "Kiara told us you two will be King and Queen of all Sanctuary."

"Yes, it is true, Ravina," I said, reaching out for Kiara's hand. "And you and Paige will be at our sides, as our counsel. But first, we must rescue Sanctuary from the Evil that has inhabited it. We have been blessed by the Archangel Tyrael." I saw a Rogue come in, trying to find a place in this small tent, so full of people. "But first, I must eat. Deckard, Ravina, Paige… would you excuse us? I have something to discuss with Kiara while I am eating."

The three edged out, leaving the Rogue standing there. "Just set the platter down, Blaise," Kiara told her, "and thank you for securing it."

The young Rogue smiled, set the food down on a crate, and left. Kiara turned back to me, her grip commanding, yet peaceful, in mine. "Do you believe it will happen?" she asked me, referring to what had so recently happened to us. "I know it was said by Tyrael, but it is so early yet. We have not even faced Andariel. And if I hadn't taken your hand, we would be at your grave… and I would have been lost…"

I raised a finger to her lips, silencing her. I could see tears forming in her eyes again. I forced my self into a seated position, drawing my legs underneath me. She moved onto the cot next to me, and we sat there, holding each other.

"We will succeed, not because of what Tyrael said, but because neither of us can give up. We will stop any who oppose us, and destroy those which seek to destroy our world. Now, could you please hand me some food? I am about to die of starvation."

Kiara laughed as she reached for the platter. She set it on our knees, balancing it between us. We ate, savoring the meats, fruits, and bread we were given.

"I must ask, how many days have been asleep? My stomach has never been this empty," I said, between chunks of beef.

"You were unconscious for fifteen days, this time. According to Tyrael, you were dead for five hours. It took him that long to arrive. He said he was making a deal for you, with his higher command. We will not be allowed to die, until after They are all defeated."

My ears pricked up at this. "I will not be allowed to die? That's good to know… Wait, you said we. Did he deal for both of us?"

"No… all of us. Ravina and Paige are protected as well. He will come, to any of our calls. He will not fight with us, but He will raise us if needed. Although, the thought of being risen from the dead makes me shudder."

I could feel a shiver run down my back as well. "Let's take our minds off of this, and something a little more pleasant." I pulled her closer to me, and lowered the now empty platter to the floor.

"Oh?" she asked. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Us. More accurately, how do you want to handle the situation? Should we wait, until we have a secure world to raise our children in, or should we start now? The problem with starting now is that I won't want you fighting while you are pregnant. The problem with waiting is I have no idea when we will be finished."

"Well…" she replied, a smile growing on her face. "Waiting would be the best answer, but I'm sure we can find something to occupy our time. Besides, Akara has potions that can reduce the risk of me getting pregnant."

"Oh, you are a sly one, aren't you, my dear?" I wrapped my arms around her a kissed her forehead. "I want to talk to Deckard before, though. Could you go out and get him for me?"

She rose. "Ok, but you promised. We will be together tonight."

I smiled at the emphasis she put on together. Watching her walk out the door, I turned my thoughts to what I wanted to talk to the old Horadrim mage about.