Chapter 7: Hope
"Why have you chosen us to watch over the Worldstone?" Herad asked.
"The barbarians of the Highlands were unable to prevent Baal from corrupting their Worldstone," said Marko, "I am giving the Mage Slayers the chance to protect the thing that shields humanity. I suggest that you not fail in the task."
"Yes, of course."
An assassin brought out the Shadow of Courage and Marko gave it to Kari.
"Put it on," he said, "You'll be the one wearing it when I cast the spell."
"But don't you need it?"
"I just need it present."
Kari nodded and put on the cloak. It seemed to wrap her in a shield of warmth and strength. She couldn't help but smile as she wrapped herself in the cloak. Marko seemed to know what she was feeling and smiled with her.
"Let's go," he said.
Herad quickly led them to the chamber. Marko waved him to stay outside and he and Kari went in to finish the mission.
Marko was standing in a massive room as large as the Worldstone Chamber. It was secreted underground and currently every Mage Slayer in the area had been recalled and placed on guard. Kari was wearing the cape and stood at the entrance. Marko walked to the center and dug a small hole. He put the pure fragment of the Worldstone in the hole, with the top barely peeking out. He then walked back to the entrance, turned to face the fragment and started chanting.
"By the power of the Light, under the will of the High Heavens, Stone of this World, grow and prosper. Protect this world and humanity from the corruption of Chaos."
Marko kept repeating the same phrase over and over again. After two hours, the cloak, sword, and shield started glowing. White light came from the shield, blue light from the cloak, and green light from the sword. They struck the Worldstone and slowly it started growing. Finally it stood twice as tall as any man and stopped. Marko sighed and let a smile creep onto his face. Kari took it as a good thing. They walked out of the room and Marko sealed the stone door behind them.
"Allow no one to enter," he ordered, "unless someone has managed to sneak in to do harm. Also, ward this place. Allow no use of magic whatsoever. Set traps for anyone foolish enough to try."
Herad nodded. "Then it is done?"
"It will take centuries before the Worldstone grows to the size that the one on Mt. Arreat was. However, the seed has sprouted and the corruption has stopped seeping into our world."
"We thank you for what you have done," said Herad, "Keep the Shadow of Courage. You have proved yourself the true owner of it."
Kari took it off and handed it to Marko. He took it but immediately put it back on her.
"It's yours," he said, "Consider it as a sign of how much I love you."
Kari smiled and kissed him. The assassins and Marko's companions all cheered. They had gathered around the couple and many patted them on the back. Marko held Kari close to him tightly, not wanting to let her go. However, he knew that not everything had been done yet.
"It's all over," Kari said when they broke.
"No," Marko said quietly, "We must ensure the survival of the Worldstone. Right now it is vulnerable. We must ensure that there is nothing that can destroy it again."
"What do you plan on doing?" Kari asked.
"I plan on going down to Hell and destroying Shadowfang," Marko announced.
A gasp was heard in the crowd. Herad walked up to Marko and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Lord Lyther, your name will be remembered as the man that saved everything. Everything."
"I do not look for glory," said Marko, "However, I am the only one that can do this."
"But Shadowfang took centuries to create," said Kari, "Even if you do get it somehow, even using the Hellforge, how are you going to destroy it?"
"I'll do it," Marko said confidently.
"Then we are going with you," Fara said.
"I cannot ask you do follow me down there," said Marko, "It is far more dangerous than anything that we have ever faced."
"We are going," said Greiz, "We have followed you this far. We intend to see this mission through as much as you."
Marko nodded. "I thank all of you. We can use a waypoint to travel to the Pandemonium Fortress. There, we shall enter Hell."
Herad guided them to the waypoint and all of them stepped on. Marko set the stones in the correct configuration and they disappeared.
"There goes a great man," Herad said out loud, "Let's get to work. We must ensure that no one will ever touch this Worldstone!"
Tyrael was standing before the waypoint when the Companions appeared.
"Tyrael," Marko greeted.
"Marko. It is good to see you succeed. You are even more powerful than I had thought."
"Many people have said that. What brings you to the Fortress?"
"You remembered what happened last time an invasion was attempted to destroy Shadowfang."
"I remember that I've fought my way to the Hellforge and secured it for destroying the Soulstones."
"True," Tyrael admitted, "I hope that you succeed in this venture as well."
Marko nodded and Tyrael disappeared. They stepped down from the waypoint and made their way to the plateau.
"I have enough gold stored here that you can stock up on some supplies," he told them, "but buy just what you need."
The others nodded and went off to speak with Halbu and Jamella.
"Marko, what did those two men say to you that made you so angry?" Kari asked when the others were out of hearing.
"They offered me leadership of the Burning Hell."
Kari gasped. "What? But isn't the Master of Darkness the heir to Hell?"
"The Master of Darkness has not appeared yet," Marko replied, "Hell is without a leader and they needed one to invade the High Heavens."
"But why you?"
"It seems that the forces of Hell are once more preparing to lay siege to the High Heavens. If I led them, they would succeed."
"But that can't be," said Kari, "You've opposed them for so long. You've defeated their most powerful lords and you've ruined their plans for Sanctuary!"
"The plan for Sanctuary was the product of the Prime Evils," said Marko, "They believe that by destroying them, I have shown that I am stronger than they are and can lead Hell to its ultimate victory."
"But that's insane! You'll never fall to Hell!"
"I've been fighting ever since I defeated Baal. I thought if I managed to do one thing for all of humanity, I might be able to defeat Hell's attempts for good. But I still haven't finished."
"We'll finish together," Kari assured him, "I know we will."
Marko gave her a weak smile and nodded. Kari was determined not to let Marko fall to the corruption. He deserved better than that. Far better. If he died uncorrupted, his soul might become an Archangel. His accomplishments were beyond belief, slaying the Prime and Lesser Evils, reseeding the Worldstone, and now preparing to destroy Shadowfang to ensure that the Worldstone remain undisturbed.
"Marko, we're ready," Rikardo informed them.
Marko nodded and everyone rejoined on the waypoint. Marko took them down to the deepest levels of Hell, where the Hellforge resided.
A massive army of demons had gathered and charged the moment the group appeared. Marko unleashed a tidal wave of Apocalypse Spells and seemed to crush half of the demon army immediately. He didn't even faze as he charged out, sword swinging all about him. The others followed him as he cut a massive path through the demons, sending them flying and slicing them to pieces. Kari used her staff to cast more Apocalypse Spells and dispersed more demons that tried to charge at them. Fara's Nova Spells also thinned the ranks of demons. The others easily killed any demon that made it past Marko, Fara, and Kari. Suddenly mirror images of Kari and Natalya appeared. The two had used Shadow Master and the two jumped into battle.
"Hurry," Marko yelled, "We need to get to Shadowfang."
"Where is it?" Kari asked.
"It's guarded near the depths of Hell."
Kari's stomach started turning upside down. The depths of Hell was an abyss that seemed to go down forever. No mortal had ever even dared approach it. Marko continued slicing a path through the demons that tried to stop him, not even slowing down. He then struck the ground with his sword and demons standing around them simply fell to the ground dead. Dozens of fire golems leapt out from the fires of Hell and joined in the attack. Skeletons, mages and warriors, appeared from the dead demon bodies. Marko was using every trick he knew and soon a huge army was fighting the legions of Hell.
"If we keep this up we'll destroy Hell itself," Qual-Kehk said.
They then ran over a rise and saw what laid before them. Legions upon legions of massive demons in large, spiked armor were waiting for them. They were the same ones that had attacked Kurast and what the Companions had encountered on their way to Lut Gholein.
"You spoke too soon," Asheara said.
Marko stopped for a few moments to look at them and then charged. The Companions followed him and they punched a hole in the mass sea of demons. More and more skeleton warriors and mages appeared and more golems came to replace the ones that fell. Golems grew from the weapons of fallen demons and others simply rose out of the ground. The entire army marched forward, Marko sacrificing dozens of skeletons to bring down a single monster and then creating more skeletons from the bodies. Legions of skeletons appeared from behind and joined the ones already fight. Marko was calling upon nearly every skeleton he could summon. They were approaching the abyss.
"We're almost there," he yelled, "A little further. I can see Shadowfang!"
Kari looked up and indeed Shadowfang was being welded by a beast as large as Diablo. Marko had a look of desperation on his face and he charged recklessly ahead. Demons simply vaporized as he cast powerful spells, some Kari had never even thought possible. She followed him and killed any demon that tried to attack him from behind. Marko suddenly fired another black bolt of energy. Kari recognized it immediately as an Unholy Bolt. Marko was losing control.
Hang on, she prayed. Just hang on a little longer.
Marko smashed his sword against the creature but it wasn't fazed. It counterattacked with Shadowfang and nearly knocked Marko into the abyss. Marko suddenly seemed to take flight and moved away from the abyss. A dozen fire golems suddenly converged on the creature and grabbed hold of it. The creature easily sliced through half of them with Shadowfang. Marko was suddenly on it again, slashing away. The creature managed to block most of them with Shadowfang and explosions of opposite energies resounded. Suddenly Marko screamed and unleashed a red lightning bolt. It struck the creature and the creature tried to back away. However, something held it and the lightning bolt fried every part of it. The creature dropped the sword and finally it vaporized. Kari could only look in wonder at what Marko had done. He quickly grabbed Shadowfang and threw it to Kari. It seemed to her that Marko was struggling to even touch Shadowfang.
"Get out of here with it!" he yelled, "I'll cover you!"
"We're leaving together!" Kari screamed.
Marko seemed torn and moved to follow when something started to rise out of the abyss. A massive winged dragon with a sharp beak and spiked teeth visible flew up. Its scales were completely black and the claws on its arms glistened. The arms were separate from the wing and on the tail was a large spike.
"Go!" Marko screamed, "I'm the only one that can hold it off!"
Tears ran down Kari's face as she started running away. The other Companions quickly followed her as the skeletons and golems continued their battles. Marko blasted the creature with a great beam of pure energy. He screamed as all the power erupted out of his body. Kari suddenly spotted a waypoint and ran to it. She quickly configured the stones and the moment everyone was on it she activated it. They reappeared in the Pandemonium Fortress and all collapsed. Kari immediately broke out into sobs. Fara held her and tried to comfort her but it didn't work. Shadowfang dropped from her arms and fell to the stairs. Tyrael suddenly appeared.
"Shadowfang! You have claimed the Demonblade Shadowfang!"
"Marko is still down there!" Kari cried, "Can't you do anything?"
"I am sorry Kailua," Tyrael said, "I am afraid that it is too late. Had he returned, he would have been elevated to the rank of Archangel and his soul would have been saved."
"What's going to happen to him?" Rikardo demanded, "Marko gave everything he had to protect humanity, but none of you in the High Heavens did anything!"
"We are forbidden from helping directly by the Holy Laws," said Tyrael.
"Damn your Holy Laws!" Greiz snarled, "Stop acting so high and mighty! Marko was more honorable than any of you. He shouldn't have to suffer for doing something right while all of you simply sat on the side!"
They suddenly heard a hideous roar. It echoed throughout the Fortress and nearly froze their blood.
"What was that?" Falvie asked.
"The Master of Darkness has risen," said Tyrael, "He has tamed the Dragon of the Abyss and prepares to attack the High Heavens."
Kari started crying again. Marko had failed. He had lost to the corruption of the Burning Hells and he would now lay waste to the High Heavens. She didn't think she had the strength to stop him. Suddenly a sword fell from the sky and landed by them, punching into the ground. It was the Valor of the Light.
"Marko's sword," said Fara, "Why did you drop it?"
"He is trying to help us," Kari said, tears still in her eyes, "He wants us to use it against him."
"How can I fight the man that saved the world?" Falvie said, "It would be killing the one man that gave hope to us."
"And he's giving us hope again," said Kari.
She walked over and pulled out the sword. The shield and cape both started to glow and suddenly she was wearing a dark blue armor.
"He's given us a chance to stop him. He's given us the hope of saving everything. We can't let him down."
The others nodded slowly. They had finally seen the truth to it.
"Marko knew that if he fell to the darkness, if he wielded Shadowfang, he would lay waste to the High Heavens and nothing would be able to stop him. But we now have Shadowfang and we have the Archangel's Set. We can stop him."
"He gave up everything," said Falvie, "Even his soul just to help humanity."
"There is not much time," said Tyrael, "I will take you to the High Heavens. Once we have defeated the forces of Hell, I promise under the oath of Archangels that we will try to save Marko Lyther."
Kari nodded. "I'm sorry Marko. I'm so sorry."
Kailua stood wearing the Archangel's Set. When she had set foot in the High Heavens, her memories had returned. Her heart still throbbed and her soul still pained knowing that she would have to kill the man that she loved. However, she would do everything in her power to bring him back to the light. She just had to.
Anya looked at the sky. Something was horribly wrong. She heard a creature roar. It was not possible that it was a creature of the earth, but it was here. Suddenly three men appeared next to her. She had never seen them before, but she still recognized them. The Three Ancients, guardians of the summit of Mt. Arreat.
"The Last Battle has come to pass," they all said, "The Pandemonium Fortress has fallen."
Jerhyn looked out of his bedroom window. Something was dead wrong. The night sky was turning blood red and the moon was being eclipsed. Shara appeared at his side.
"What is the matter?" she asked her husband.
"Look at the sky."
She did. Then, they both gasped.
Akara nearly wept when she saw the sky. Kashya just stood there, unbelieving. Fires raged in the sky and almost seemed to touch the land.
"It is finally come to this," Akara said quietly, "May the High Heavens remain strong, and repel the Burning Hell."
Kashya only nodded. The final conflict between the Angels and Archangels of the High Heavens and the demons and monsters of the Burning Hell had come. The fate of three realms depended on the outcome of this Last Battle.
Marko stood atop the Dragon of the Abyss. He had seeded the corrupted Worldstone at the bottom of the abyss and it was growing, fed by the powerful corruption and evil that was created and thrived in the abyss. It was even larger than the Worldstone had been on Mt. Arreat. Soon, it would be powerful enough to break the barriers between Heaven and Hell and the final battle would begin. Marko looked upon his legions once more. They were ready to march and destroy everything, and he was ready to lead them. His soul had been damned completely. He was now the Master of Darkness, the Dark Lord of Hell.
Kailua, Archangel of the High Heavens and second only to Tyrael, was standing in front of the Crystal Arch.
"I failed," she said.
It was true. She had been sent to kill the Master of Darkness, yet when she had a chance down in the Burning Hell, she threw it away. Now the High Heavens would be laid under siege and if they lost, humanity would be enslaved forever. She knelt down before the Crystal Arch and asked for forgiveness. She felt something wash over her as she knelt there. It felt like sympathy, concern and love all rolled into one emotion. She hoped it meant the High Heavens had forgiven her. If it had not, she would do what she had been sent to Sanctuary for and earn her redemption. Tears rolled down her eyes. She did not want to kill him, and would do her best to save him.
End of Chapter 7
Yes, this one is shorter, but I wanted to end this chapter dramatically, and this works.
Z98
"Why have you chosen us to watch over the Worldstone?" Herad asked.
"The barbarians of the Highlands were unable to prevent Baal from corrupting their Worldstone," said Marko, "I am giving the Mage Slayers the chance to protect the thing that shields humanity. I suggest that you not fail in the task."
"Yes, of course."
An assassin brought out the Shadow of Courage and Marko gave it to Kari.
"Put it on," he said, "You'll be the one wearing it when I cast the spell."
"But don't you need it?"
"I just need it present."
Kari nodded and put on the cloak. It seemed to wrap her in a shield of warmth and strength. She couldn't help but smile as she wrapped herself in the cloak. Marko seemed to know what she was feeling and smiled with her.
"Let's go," he said.
Herad quickly led them to the chamber. Marko waved him to stay outside and he and Kari went in to finish the mission.
Marko was standing in a massive room as large as the Worldstone Chamber. It was secreted underground and currently every Mage Slayer in the area had been recalled and placed on guard. Kari was wearing the cape and stood at the entrance. Marko walked to the center and dug a small hole. He put the pure fragment of the Worldstone in the hole, with the top barely peeking out. He then walked back to the entrance, turned to face the fragment and started chanting.
"By the power of the Light, under the will of the High Heavens, Stone of this World, grow and prosper. Protect this world and humanity from the corruption of Chaos."
Marko kept repeating the same phrase over and over again. After two hours, the cloak, sword, and shield started glowing. White light came from the shield, blue light from the cloak, and green light from the sword. They struck the Worldstone and slowly it started growing. Finally it stood twice as tall as any man and stopped. Marko sighed and let a smile creep onto his face. Kari took it as a good thing. They walked out of the room and Marko sealed the stone door behind them.
"Allow no one to enter," he ordered, "unless someone has managed to sneak in to do harm. Also, ward this place. Allow no use of magic whatsoever. Set traps for anyone foolish enough to try."
Herad nodded. "Then it is done?"
"It will take centuries before the Worldstone grows to the size that the one on Mt. Arreat was. However, the seed has sprouted and the corruption has stopped seeping into our world."
"We thank you for what you have done," said Herad, "Keep the Shadow of Courage. You have proved yourself the true owner of it."
Kari took it off and handed it to Marko. He took it but immediately put it back on her.
"It's yours," he said, "Consider it as a sign of how much I love you."
Kari smiled and kissed him. The assassins and Marko's companions all cheered. They had gathered around the couple and many patted them on the back. Marko held Kari close to him tightly, not wanting to let her go. However, he knew that not everything had been done yet.
"It's all over," Kari said when they broke.
"No," Marko said quietly, "We must ensure the survival of the Worldstone. Right now it is vulnerable. We must ensure that there is nothing that can destroy it again."
"What do you plan on doing?" Kari asked.
"I plan on going down to Hell and destroying Shadowfang," Marko announced.
A gasp was heard in the crowd. Herad walked up to Marko and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Lord Lyther, your name will be remembered as the man that saved everything. Everything."
"I do not look for glory," said Marko, "However, I am the only one that can do this."
"But Shadowfang took centuries to create," said Kari, "Even if you do get it somehow, even using the Hellforge, how are you going to destroy it?"
"I'll do it," Marko said confidently.
"Then we are going with you," Fara said.
"I cannot ask you do follow me down there," said Marko, "It is far more dangerous than anything that we have ever faced."
"We are going," said Greiz, "We have followed you this far. We intend to see this mission through as much as you."
Marko nodded. "I thank all of you. We can use a waypoint to travel to the Pandemonium Fortress. There, we shall enter Hell."
Herad guided them to the waypoint and all of them stepped on. Marko set the stones in the correct configuration and they disappeared.
"There goes a great man," Herad said out loud, "Let's get to work. We must ensure that no one will ever touch this Worldstone!"
Tyrael was standing before the waypoint when the Companions appeared.
"Tyrael," Marko greeted.
"Marko. It is good to see you succeed. You are even more powerful than I had thought."
"Many people have said that. What brings you to the Fortress?"
"You remembered what happened last time an invasion was attempted to destroy Shadowfang."
"I remember that I've fought my way to the Hellforge and secured it for destroying the Soulstones."
"True," Tyrael admitted, "I hope that you succeed in this venture as well."
Marko nodded and Tyrael disappeared. They stepped down from the waypoint and made their way to the plateau.
"I have enough gold stored here that you can stock up on some supplies," he told them, "but buy just what you need."
The others nodded and went off to speak with Halbu and Jamella.
"Marko, what did those two men say to you that made you so angry?" Kari asked when the others were out of hearing.
"They offered me leadership of the Burning Hell."
Kari gasped. "What? But isn't the Master of Darkness the heir to Hell?"
"The Master of Darkness has not appeared yet," Marko replied, "Hell is without a leader and they needed one to invade the High Heavens."
"But why you?"
"It seems that the forces of Hell are once more preparing to lay siege to the High Heavens. If I led them, they would succeed."
"But that can't be," said Kari, "You've opposed them for so long. You've defeated their most powerful lords and you've ruined their plans for Sanctuary!"
"The plan for Sanctuary was the product of the Prime Evils," said Marko, "They believe that by destroying them, I have shown that I am stronger than they are and can lead Hell to its ultimate victory."
"But that's insane! You'll never fall to Hell!"
"I've been fighting ever since I defeated Baal. I thought if I managed to do one thing for all of humanity, I might be able to defeat Hell's attempts for good. But I still haven't finished."
"We'll finish together," Kari assured him, "I know we will."
Marko gave her a weak smile and nodded. Kari was determined not to let Marko fall to the corruption. He deserved better than that. Far better. If he died uncorrupted, his soul might become an Archangel. His accomplishments were beyond belief, slaying the Prime and Lesser Evils, reseeding the Worldstone, and now preparing to destroy Shadowfang to ensure that the Worldstone remain undisturbed.
"Marko, we're ready," Rikardo informed them.
Marko nodded and everyone rejoined on the waypoint. Marko took them down to the deepest levels of Hell, where the Hellforge resided.
A massive army of demons had gathered and charged the moment the group appeared. Marko unleashed a tidal wave of Apocalypse Spells and seemed to crush half of the demon army immediately. He didn't even faze as he charged out, sword swinging all about him. The others followed him as he cut a massive path through the demons, sending them flying and slicing them to pieces. Kari used her staff to cast more Apocalypse Spells and dispersed more demons that tried to charge at them. Fara's Nova Spells also thinned the ranks of demons. The others easily killed any demon that made it past Marko, Fara, and Kari. Suddenly mirror images of Kari and Natalya appeared. The two had used Shadow Master and the two jumped into battle.
"Hurry," Marko yelled, "We need to get to Shadowfang."
"Where is it?" Kari asked.
"It's guarded near the depths of Hell."
Kari's stomach started turning upside down. The depths of Hell was an abyss that seemed to go down forever. No mortal had ever even dared approach it. Marko continued slicing a path through the demons that tried to stop him, not even slowing down. He then struck the ground with his sword and demons standing around them simply fell to the ground dead. Dozens of fire golems leapt out from the fires of Hell and joined in the attack. Skeletons, mages and warriors, appeared from the dead demon bodies. Marko was using every trick he knew and soon a huge army was fighting the legions of Hell.
"If we keep this up we'll destroy Hell itself," Qual-Kehk said.
They then ran over a rise and saw what laid before them. Legions upon legions of massive demons in large, spiked armor were waiting for them. They were the same ones that had attacked Kurast and what the Companions had encountered on their way to Lut Gholein.
"You spoke too soon," Asheara said.
Marko stopped for a few moments to look at them and then charged. The Companions followed him and they punched a hole in the mass sea of demons. More and more skeleton warriors and mages appeared and more golems came to replace the ones that fell. Golems grew from the weapons of fallen demons and others simply rose out of the ground. The entire army marched forward, Marko sacrificing dozens of skeletons to bring down a single monster and then creating more skeletons from the bodies. Legions of skeletons appeared from behind and joined the ones already fight. Marko was calling upon nearly every skeleton he could summon. They were approaching the abyss.
"We're almost there," he yelled, "A little further. I can see Shadowfang!"
Kari looked up and indeed Shadowfang was being welded by a beast as large as Diablo. Marko had a look of desperation on his face and he charged recklessly ahead. Demons simply vaporized as he cast powerful spells, some Kari had never even thought possible. She followed him and killed any demon that tried to attack him from behind. Marko suddenly fired another black bolt of energy. Kari recognized it immediately as an Unholy Bolt. Marko was losing control.
Hang on, she prayed. Just hang on a little longer.
Marko smashed his sword against the creature but it wasn't fazed. It counterattacked with Shadowfang and nearly knocked Marko into the abyss. Marko suddenly seemed to take flight and moved away from the abyss. A dozen fire golems suddenly converged on the creature and grabbed hold of it. The creature easily sliced through half of them with Shadowfang. Marko was suddenly on it again, slashing away. The creature managed to block most of them with Shadowfang and explosions of opposite energies resounded. Suddenly Marko screamed and unleashed a red lightning bolt. It struck the creature and the creature tried to back away. However, something held it and the lightning bolt fried every part of it. The creature dropped the sword and finally it vaporized. Kari could only look in wonder at what Marko had done. He quickly grabbed Shadowfang and threw it to Kari. It seemed to her that Marko was struggling to even touch Shadowfang.
"Get out of here with it!" he yelled, "I'll cover you!"
"We're leaving together!" Kari screamed.
Marko seemed torn and moved to follow when something started to rise out of the abyss. A massive winged dragon with a sharp beak and spiked teeth visible flew up. Its scales were completely black and the claws on its arms glistened. The arms were separate from the wing and on the tail was a large spike.
"Go!" Marko screamed, "I'm the only one that can hold it off!"
Tears ran down Kari's face as she started running away. The other Companions quickly followed her as the skeletons and golems continued their battles. Marko blasted the creature with a great beam of pure energy. He screamed as all the power erupted out of his body. Kari suddenly spotted a waypoint and ran to it. She quickly configured the stones and the moment everyone was on it she activated it. They reappeared in the Pandemonium Fortress and all collapsed. Kari immediately broke out into sobs. Fara held her and tried to comfort her but it didn't work. Shadowfang dropped from her arms and fell to the stairs. Tyrael suddenly appeared.
"Shadowfang! You have claimed the Demonblade Shadowfang!"
"Marko is still down there!" Kari cried, "Can't you do anything?"
"I am sorry Kailua," Tyrael said, "I am afraid that it is too late. Had he returned, he would have been elevated to the rank of Archangel and his soul would have been saved."
"What's going to happen to him?" Rikardo demanded, "Marko gave everything he had to protect humanity, but none of you in the High Heavens did anything!"
"We are forbidden from helping directly by the Holy Laws," said Tyrael.
"Damn your Holy Laws!" Greiz snarled, "Stop acting so high and mighty! Marko was more honorable than any of you. He shouldn't have to suffer for doing something right while all of you simply sat on the side!"
They suddenly heard a hideous roar. It echoed throughout the Fortress and nearly froze their blood.
"What was that?" Falvie asked.
"The Master of Darkness has risen," said Tyrael, "He has tamed the Dragon of the Abyss and prepares to attack the High Heavens."
Kari started crying again. Marko had failed. He had lost to the corruption of the Burning Hells and he would now lay waste to the High Heavens. She didn't think she had the strength to stop him. Suddenly a sword fell from the sky and landed by them, punching into the ground. It was the Valor of the Light.
"Marko's sword," said Fara, "Why did you drop it?"
"He is trying to help us," Kari said, tears still in her eyes, "He wants us to use it against him."
"How can I fight the man that saved the world?" Falvie said, "It would be killing the one man that gave hope to us."
"And he's giving us hope again," said Kari.
She walked over and pulled out the sword. The shield and cape both started to glow and suddenly she was wearing a dark blue armor.
"He's given us a chance to stop him. He's given us the hope of saving everything. We can't let him down."
The others nodded slowly. They had finally seen the truth to it.
"Marko knew that if he fell to the darkness, if he wielded Shadowfang, he would lay waste to the High Heavens and nothing would be able to stop him. But we now have Shadowfang and we have the Archangel's Set. We can stop him."
"He gave up everything," said Falvie, "Even his soul just to help humanity."
"There is not much time," said Tyrael, "I will take you to the High Heavens. Once we have defeated the forces of Hell, I promise under the oath of Archangels that we will try to save Marko Lyther."
Kari nodded. "I'm sorry Marko. I'm so sorry."
Kailua stood wearing the Archangel's Set. When she had set foot in the High Heavens, her memories had returned. Her heart still throbbed and her soul still pained knowing that she would have to kill the man that she loved. However, she would do everything in her power to bring him back to the light. She just had to.
Anya looked at the sky. Something was horribly wrong. She heard a creature roar. It was not possible that it was a creature of the earth, but it was here. Suddenly three men appeared next to her. She had never seen them before, but she still recognized them. The Three Ancients, guardians of the summit of Mt. Arreat.
"The Last Battle has come to pass," they all said, "The Pandemonium Fortress has fallen."
Jerhyn looked out of his bedroom window. Something was dead wrong. The night sky was turning blood red and the moon was being eclipsed. Shara appeared at his side.
"What is the matter?" she asked her husband.
"Look at the sky."
She did. Then, they both gasped.
Akara nearly wept when she saw the sky. Kashya just stood there, unbelieving. Fires raged in the sky and almost seemed to touch the land.
"It is finally come to this," Akara said quietly, "May the High Heavens remain strong, and repel the Burning Hell."
Kashya only nodded. The final conflict between the Angels and Archangels of the High Heavens and the demons and monsters of the Burning Hell had come. The fate of three realms depended on the outcome of this Last Battle.
Marko stood atop the Dragon of the Abyss. He had seeded the corrupted Worldstone at the bottom of the abyss and it was growing, fed by the powerful corruption and evil that was created and thrived in the abyss. It was even larger than the Worldstone had been on Mt. Arreat. Soon, it would be powerful enough to break the barriers between Heaven and Hell and the final battle would begin. Marko looked upon his legions once more. They were ready to march and destroy everything, and he was ready to lead them. His soul had been damned completely. He was now the Master of Darkness, the Dark Lord of Hell.
Kailua, Archangel of the High Heavens and second only to Tyrael, was standing in front of the Crystal Arch.
"I failed," she said.
It was true. She had been sent to kill the Master of Darkness, yet when she had a chance down in the Burning Hell, she threw it away. Now the High Heavens would be laid under siege and if they lost, humanity would be enslaved forever. She knelt down before the Crystal Arch and asked for forgiveness. She felt something wash over her as she knelt there. It felt like sympathy, concern and love all rolled into one emotion. She hoped it meant the High Heavens had forgiven her. If it had not, she would do what she had been sent to Sanctuary for and earn her redemption. Tears rolled down her eyes. She did not want to kill him, and would do her best to save him.
End of Chapter 7
Yes, this one is shorter, but I wanted to end this chapter dramatically, and this works.
Z98