---------Chapter 3: Alliance.---------
"Allan, it's quiet."
The Druid looked at the trailing Barbarian and nodded. "We should probably head back.come on, the Town Portal is down there."
Riley smiled, then began to jog down the hill when he heard a rumble come from the mountain. "You're kidding me.that rumbling.we better move!" Without waiting, the Barbarian leaped, flying down the mountain to the open Town Portal, Allan following behind him at a full-out run. The earth trembled again and shattered as the Druid dove through the portal, watching it slam shut. "What was that?"
Riley didn't answer, his attention on the form in front of him. "Deckard Cain, what is happening?"
The Horadrim said nothing, walking away briskly. CT and the wounded Assassin walked forward, eyes narrowed as they walked past Cain. "The others didn't find you? Where were you ANYWAYS?"
Allan stepped forward, an odd expression on his face. "We were up higher on the mountain.where is Egwene? And Raven?"
CT shrugged. "Raven is looking for you two with VonKat and that Necromancer. Egwene has left to join them."
Allan shrugged. "OK.and that rumbling was what?"
CT shrugged again. "Cain hasn't said.I do know that Atma arrived here only an hour ago.apparently, Lut Gholein has been destroyed by Hell itself.and an Iron Wolf also arrived.Kurast has fallen to the same fate."
Riley blinked. "What? Hell itself? You mean."
CT smiled. "No no no.they escaped. Except for Elzix and Geglash.they were both killed.Kurast had the Gidbinn after all.they're apparently sailing south to the Amazonian Islands.they weren't involved directly with the war against the Three. I was planning to head to the Pandemonium Fortress.they might need help themselves.they're the cause for Diablo's destruction.well, we are, but Tyrael gave us the damn quest."
Shrugging, the Barbarian looked over at the glowing waypoint. "You know how I feel about those Oblivion Knights."
The Paladin chuckled. "Yeah.we had to pull you out of there several times."
Riley grinned. "Hey, it wasn't MY fault that I'm used as a shield.but Allan makes a MUCH better shield (Allan: "Hey!") than I do."
CT chuckled again. "Werewolves are NOT good shields.if he actually summoned those damn Bears."
Allan snorted and turned away from the Paladin. "Shut up already. I'm not some wimp you can pick on. I can kick your ass just as fast as anyone else, CT."
The Paladin snarled, then turned away and chuckled. "Sure you could.are you two coming or not?"
Riley smiled. "I'll come.how about you, Allan?" The Druid didn't answer, instead walking to the waypoint and vanishing. Riley sighed and turned back to CT. "OK, let's get going.but shouldn't we wait for the others? I think VonKat or Egwene would want to come."
The Paladin hesitated. "VonKat can go straight to Hell and Egwene only cares about how guys react to her blundering. We don't need them."
Riley was surprised at CT's outburst, but said nothing. "Fine. Lead the way."
Meanwhile, VonKat, Raven, Mortis and Egwene were wandering around in another part of Harrogath. VonKat let his head droop, obviously upset about something. Raven sighed before turning to the Paladin. "What's wrong?"
VonKat smiled, looking up. "It's CT.I think there's something wrong.like he allied with Hell. He's been so.mad lately. He blames me for Tina being injured.I told him that it wasn't my fault.no-one could have foreseen what happened.and now I think he's gone running to Hell."
Allan appeared beside them, a grim expression on his face. "And he took Riley."
The Pandemonium Fortress was rocked as another wave of demons crashed into the barriers created by Tyrael himself. Those demons that made it to the long, winding stairs found themselves dead before they could take another step. A Barbarian and an Amazon stood on the stairs, poised to strike.
CT smiled as they appeared inside the Pandemonium Fortress, looking around intently. "Halbu? Jamella?"
Riley started immediately for the long staircase leading into the Outer Steppes, boots crunching small rocks into dust. He spotted a lone Amazon and her Barbarian ally on the stairs and called out. "You two look fine for Heaven's latest recruits."
The Amazon turned her head and smiled. "Naturally, young Riley. How is my dear sister-in-arms, Raven?" She nudged the Barbarian in the ribs, and got a grunt in response. "Oh, and Marlick wants to know how YOU fare."
Riley chuckled coyly. "Raven has fallen for the young Necromancer, Krow, and I fare just fine. A bit annoyed that my friend, CT, dragged me back.but fine."
Krow frowned. "CT is that rude Paladin who tried to kill me, correct?" Marlick grunted again, three daggers piercing the screaming form of a Vile Mother, who dropped like a stone on the stairs. "He isn't very popular with any of us right now.
Riley blinked. He had joined with the others soon after Diablo had been destroyed, and had only known Krow for a few days before her and the scarred Barbarian voted to help prepare defenses. "He tried to kill you?"
Krow nodded, a glowing blue arrow striking a cluster of Doom Knights, sending thousands of icy chunks everywhere. "He said that all were corrupted and he must purge Hell.then he attacked me and Raven. It's a sad day when a.hold on." She paused long enough to pick up a Javelin and throw it into another cluster of enemies, this time Finger Mages, and smiled as the Javelin exploded, becoming a massive bolt of lightning. ".when a Paladin loses his judgement and strikes his own friends."
Riley turned to the Paladin, who had just started down the stairs and hissed. "You tried to kill Raven? Why?"
The Paladin froze, eyes hooded. "I never tried anything of the sort, my friend. In fact, I saved Raven's life last time I was here."
Krow snarled. "Yeah, after you almost killed her, you son of a." the Paladin glared at the Amazon before brushing past Riley and Krow, but froze as Marlick stepped in front of him.
"You go nowhere, little man." Said the Barbarian, crossing thick, scarred arms across a thicker chest. He was close to 7 feet, and despite his bulk, only weighed 250lbs. The shorter Paladin hissed again. Not until Riley know truth."
CT looked back at Riley, blond hair flying into his eyes. His eyes burned with hatred, but he said nothing as he started to move again. "Move it, you brute."
Marlick laughed, the eerie melody echoing through the Fortress. "I'm no Brute.Brutes found near Rogues. Now explain."
CT sighed. "It will do you no good.let me pass, or I'll unleash Hell upon this Fortress." Immediately, Riley and Krow were behind CT, weapons drawn. "Oh crap."
Krow smiled. "I knew it. You drove the Soulstone into your forehead, didn't you? Just like the Wanderer.you bastard! I should kill you now!"
CT said nothing for a minute, then sighed. "Krow, I didn't do that. You saw me destroy it. I was given an option by Mephisto when I first became a Paladin; to serve Hell, or to die. I chose life.but my brother, VonKat, screwed up. He chose to die, then fled. I was forced to flee as well.but not once did I touch the Soulstone, you morons. I was smarter than that.and you have the gall to accuse me of driving the SOULSTONE into my head?" Silence, then; "You're stabbing me in the foot with your spear, girl."
Krow blushed, pulling her spear out of CT's foot and turned to the others. "Told you he was evil."
The two Barbarians said nothing then started to laugh. Krow looked around, confused, then looked down and screamed. "GIVE ME BACK MY ARMOR YOU SON OF A NEUTERED GOAT!"
CT didn't flinch, possibly because he wasn't holding the armor. Riley grinned and ran off, with the naked Krow in pursuit. CT shook his head sadly and brushed past Marlick, into the swarm of Hell-spawned demons. "I've chosen my side.and soon you too will have to choose what side you stand on; the winning side or the side that has always been losing."
"Allan, it's quiet."
The Druid looked at the trailing Barbarian and nodded. "We should probably head back.come on, the Town Portal is down there."
Riley smiled, then began to jog down the hill when he heard a rumble come from the mountain. "You're kidding me.that rumbling.we better move!" Without waiting, the Barbarian leaped, flying down the mountain to the open Town Portal, Allan following behind him at a full-out run. The earth trembled again and shattered as the Druid dove through the portal, watching it slam shut. "What was that?"
Riley didn't answer, his attention on the form in front of him. "Deckard Cain, what is happening?"
The Horadrim said nothing, walking away briskly. CT and the wounded Assassin walked forward, eyes narrowed as they walked past Cain. "The others didn't find you? Where were you ANYWAYS?"
Allan stepped forward, an odd expression on his face. "We were up higher on the mountain.where is Egwene? And Raven?"
CT shrugged. "Raven is looking for you two with VonKat and that Necromancer. Egwene has left to join them."
Allan shrugged. "OK.and that rumbling was what?"
CT shrugged again. "Cain hasn't said.I do know that Atma arrived here only an hour ago.apparently, Lut Gholein has been destroyed by Hell itself.and an Iron Wolf also arrived.Kurast has fallen to the same fate."
Riley blinked. "What? Hell itself? You mean."
CT smiled. "No no no.they escaped. Except for Elzix and Geglash.they were both killed.Kurast had the Gidbinn after all.they're apparently sailing south to the Amazonian Islands.they weren't involved directly with the war against the Three. I was planning to head to the Pandemonium Fortress.they might need help themselves.they're the cause for Diablo's destruction.well, we are, but Tyrael gave us the damn quest."
Shrugging, the Barbarian looked over at the glowing waypoint. "You know how I feel about those Oblivion Knights."
The Paladin chuckled. "Yeah.we had to pull you out of there several times."
Riley grinned. "Hey, it wasn't MY fault that I'm used as a shield.but Allan makes a MUCH better shield (Allan: "Hey!") than I do."
CT chuckled again. "Werewolves are NOT good shields.if he actually summoned those damn Bears."
Allan snorted and turned away from the Paladin. "Shut up already. I'm not some wimp you can pick on. I can kick your ass just as fast as anyone else, CT."
The Paladin snarled, then turned away and chuckled. "Sure you could.are you two coming or not?"
Riley smiled. "I'll come.how about you, Allan?" The Druid didn't answer, instead walking to the waypoint and vanishing. Riley sighed and turned back to CT. "OK, let's get going.but shouldn't we wait for the others? I think VonKat or Egwene would want to come."
The Paladin hesitated. "VonKat can go straight to Hell and Egwene only cares about how guys react to her blundering. We don't need them."
Riley was surprised at CT's outburst, but said nothing. "Fine. Lead the way."
Meanwhile, VonKat, Raven, Mortis and Egwene were wandering around in another part of Harrogath. VonKat let his head droop, obviously upset about something. Raven sighed before turning to the Paladin. "What's wrong?"
VonKat smiled, looking up. "It's CT.I think there's something wrong.like he allied with Hell. He's been so.mad lately. He blames me for Tina being injured.I told him that it wasn't my fault.no-one could have foreseen what happened.and now I think he's gone running to Hell."
Allan appeared beside them, a grim expression on his face. "And he took Riley."
The Pandemonium Fortress was rocked as another wave of demons crashed into the barriers created by Tyrael himself. Those demons that made it to the long, winding stairs found themselves dead before they could take another step. A Barbarian and an Amazon stood on the stairs, poised to strike.
CT smiled as they appeared inside the Pandemonium Fortress, looking around intently. "Halbu? Jamella?"
Riley started immediately for the long staircase leading into the Outer Steppes, boots crunching small rocks into dust. He spotted a lone Amazon and her Barbarian ally on the stairs and called out. "You two look fine for Heaven's latest recruits."
The Amazon turned her head and smiled. "Naturally, young Riley. How is my dear sister-in-arms, Raven?" She nudged the Barbarian in the ribs, and got a grunt in response. "Oh, and Marlick wants to know how YOU fare."
Riley chuckled coyly. "Raven has fallen for the young Necromancer, Krow, and I fare just fine. A bit annoyed that my friend, CT, dragged me back.but fine."
Krow frowned. "CT is that rude Paladin who tried to kill me, correct?" Marlick grunted again, three daggers piercing the screaming form of a Vile Mother, who dropped like a stone on the stairs. "He isn't very popular with any of us right now.
Riley blinked. He had joined with the others soon after Diablo had been destroyed, and had only known Krow for a few days before her and the scarred Barbarian voted to help prepare defenses. "He tried to kill you?"
Krow nodded, a glowing blue arrow striking a cluster of Doom Knights, sending thousands of icy chunks everywhere. "He said that all were corrupted and he must purge Hell.then he attacked me and Raven. It's a sad day when a.hold on." She paused long enough to pick up a Javelin and throw it into another cluster of enemies, this time Finger Mages, and smiled as the Javelin exploded, becoming a massive bolt of lightning. ".when a Paladin loses his judgement and strikes his own friends."
Riley turned to the Paladin, who had just started down the stairs and hissed. "You tried to kill Raven? Why?"
The Paladin froze, eyes hooded. "I never tried anything of the sort, my friend. In fact, I saved Raven's life last time I was here."
Krow snarled. "Yeah, after you almost killed her, you son of a." the Paladin glared at the Amazon before brushing past Riley and Krow, but froze as Marlick stepped in front of him.
"You go nowhere, little man." Said the Barbarian, crossing thick, scarred arms across a thicker chest. He was close to 7 feet, and despite his bulk, only weighed 250lbs. The shorter Paladin hissed again. Not until Riley know truth."
CT looked back at Riley, blond hair flying into his eyes. His eyes burned with hatred, but he said nothing as he started to move again. "Move it, you brute."
Marlick laughed, the eerie melody echoing through the Fortress. "I'm no Brute.Brutes found near Rogues. Now explain."
CT sighed. "It will do you no good.let me pass, or I'll unleash Hell upon this Fortress." Immediately, Riley and Krow were behind CT, weapons drawn. "Oh crap."
Krow smiled. "I knew it. You drove the Soulstone into your forehead, didn't you? Just like the Wanderer.you bastard! I should kill you now!"
CT said nothing for a minute, then sighed. "Krow, I didn't do that. You saw me destroy it. I was given an option by Mephisto when I first became a Paladin; to serve Hell, or to die. I chose life.but my brother, VonKat, screwed up. He chose to die, then fled. I was forced to flee as well.but not once did I touch the Soulstone, you morons. I was smarter than that.and you have the gall to accuse me of driving the SOULSTONE into my head?" Silence, then; "You're stabbing me in the foot with your spear, girl."
Krow blushed, pulling her spear out of CT's foot and turned to the others. "Told you he was evil."
The two Barbarians said nothing then started to laugh. Krow looked around, confused, then looked down and screamed. "GIVE ME BACK MY ARMOR YOU SON OF A NEUTERED GOAT!"
CT didn't flinch, possibly because he wasn't holding the armor. Riley grinned and ran off, with the naked Krow in pursuit. CT shook his head sadly and brushed past Marlick, into the swarm of Hell-spawned demons. "I've chosen my side.and soon you too will have to choose what side you stand on; the winning side or the side that has always been losing."