Once again, onward.
Part 2Firiel was pacing the room again, muttering, and it was getting annoying. In all the time that Rage had known her, she had never acted like this before, and he was getting worried. He stopped sharpening his swords and looked up at her.
"Alright, come on, what's the big problem?" he asked. "Something's been bothering you these past two days, and it's making it very hard to concentrate on anything with you muttering to yourself and wandering around! We just don't have enough space for you to keep doing this! Feel free to wander around town if you need to wander."
"I'm sorry, Rage," said the frustrated sorceress. "It's just that we're running out of time. We have to get to Baal before Diablo does, remember?"
"Yeeeaaahhhhh……and?"
"I've been talking to Drognan and Cain. In order to get to Baal, first we need to get into Tal Rasha's tomb. But to do that, we need a Horadric staff. But to get a staff we need the pieces, and to get the pieces we need to know where to find them, and to know where to find them we need-"
"Damn!"
Firiel's tirade was interrupted by a blinding flash of light, and a curse from Az'Ral. He had been sitting at the small table, but was now standing up, holding a glowing, smoking, and almost flaming piece of parchment.
"Why, why, why couldn't the damned Horadrim write in something legible?! Nooo, they have to have their own little runes and everything!" he stopped waving the scroll and looked at his to staring companions. "Oh, sorry. Keep on with whatever you two were talking about, I didn't mean to inter--"
"Did you say Horadrim?" Firiel interrupted.
"Yeah? So? They can't write. You want to try reading this?" the necromancer asked, tossing the scroll to Firiel." I've tried everything I can think of to translate it, but nothing works. This time the thing flared up, and nearly caught fire."
"Can I have this? Thanks. Bye, people, see you all later." She teleported herself out of the building.
"What the…sure, be my guest. Rage, is she always this…excitable?" asked Az'Ral, slightly bewildered.
"No, she's been acting strange ever since…since we met you, actually." Came the barbarian's reply.
"That's reassuring."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The silent creature who had listened to the trio's conversation was satisfied. She had chosen well. These three showed potential, and if the exchange they had in the sewers was any indication, the other two were just as powerful. Yes, she had chosen well in following this group. The creature slipped off after the sorceress, silent as the shadows around her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Firiel returned several hours later, much happier but no less excited.
"What's happening?" asked Rage. "When you left, you were nowhere near this happy. So what's changed?"
"Weeeeeeelllll," she said, "two things, actually. First, we can finally, after two days of doing nothing we can finally get on with our quest. Az'Ral's scroll is really a Horadric scroll. It tells us where we need to go to collect the staff pieces, as well as the 'cube' used to unite them. First, we need to get the cube. Which means tombs. Looks like we'll be seeing a lot of tombs. I don't like tombs. I'm sure Az'Ral does. Lots of Undead. Ughh...tombs…"
"Uh, Firiel?" Rage broke in. "Sorry to interrupt, but I believe there were two things? I've only heard one."
"Oh, I did get a bit off track, didn't I? Anyway, the second thing is that we cant actually be on our way for three more days." She said, still looking very happy.
"And this is a good thing?" asked Rage incredulously.
"Yes," mumbled Az'Ral from his corner. Rage shot him a funny look, but as the necromancer was busy scribbling something on another piece of parchment, he didn't notice. He looked like he was concentrating on figuring something out.
"What the hell are you doing that is so damn important? Never mind, I don't want to know. Necromancers. Never make any sense--"
"Hey, I resemble that remark!"
"--Please continue, Firiel. Why should we wait for three days before beginning on our quest?"
"Well, in three days, a trade ship is coming in. it will be the last one to come in for a while, and it wont have much in the way of goods for trading. Still, it's worth our while to wait for the ship." She said, wanting to drag it out, mostly because she also wanted to irritate Rage.
"Well, why wait?!? We have all the equipment we'll need, and we can't waste our time on the slim chance that there will be something good! Just tell me!" Rage was definitely irritated.
"Yes, just tell him." Said Az'Ral calmly. "It's rather hard to concentrate on anything with a barbarian yelling. Funny as it may be…"
"Shut up, necromancer."
"Hehe." Az'Ral added, and turned back to his work, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
"Annnyyywwaaaaaayyy…" Rage began again, ignoring the necromancer's snickering. "We should wait for an empty trade ship because?"
Because they're coming back!" Firiel said happily. " Iconnus, Darkangel, and Spirit Wing are coming back! I don't know why, and I'm sure they'll tell us, but they're coming back!!!
Rage replied to this news with a spreading grin across his broad face. Meanwhile, strange gurgling and sputtering sounds seemed to come from Az'Ral. Both Firiel and Rage found this extremely funny. The necromancer didn't.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * *
The dark creature was pleased. Soon, she would have all five of the group together. Six, if one counted the amazon's Valkyrie. Yes, the Valkyrie must not be forgotten, she thought to herself But still, I need a way to test them. I must be sure of their worth. If they do pose as serious a threat to the Three as I think they do…well, one must be sure. Mistakes cannot be tolerated, nor easily fixed. She pulled her long, black cloak around her, then dropped from her hiding place on the roof down to the city's streets. "Three days. In three days, I will return, and then we shall see how strong you truly are." She said quietly, looking up at the group's window. Then, with all the grace of a cat, she quickly sprinted off, to the gates of the city, her concealing cloak billowing behind her. As soon as she was sure that the guards really were sleeping, she hopped up to the roof of a building, and then over the walls of the city. She made no sound.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After three days had passed, the little group of three went out to the docks to meet the new arrivals. Az'Ral was somewhat less than willing. The whole thing went rather well, considering that Iconnus was certainly not expecting, nor pleased, to see that a necromancer had joined them. Naturally, Az'Ral was not exactly thrilled either. There wasn't a single word spoken between the two of them, but it was obvious what they were both thinking. Why me? What have I done to deserve this? In other words, if looks could kill, they would have both died instantly. Introductions took place, for the benefit of Iconnus and Darkangel. Spirit Wing stood to the side, silent. Firiel and Rage held their breaths as Az'Ral and Iconnus approached each other and grimly shook hands in "appropriate greeting".
"Iconnus," said Az'Ral, keeping his voice carefully neutral.
"Necromancer," Iconnus spat, refusing to say Az'Ral's name.
Darkangel looked on with amusement. "Well," she said to Iconnus, suppressing a snicker. "If you are finished with glaring at our newest member, we can get on with the rest of this happy little reunion and doing what we're here to do! Firiel, Rage. Its good to see you two again!" the amazon shifted her throwing spear into her shield hand and gave Firiel a half-hug. Then she pulled away. "But we're going to need to talk. I would like to know how you came across a necromancer, and I'm sure Sir Righteous would agree with me!" she said this quietly, thought she really didn't have to bother, as Iconnus and Az'Ral were still glaring at each other, not paying attention to anything else.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This time, the creature who had been shadowing the group since Firiel and Rage had arrived in the city was not "overseeing" the reunion at the docks. She was out in the open desert, arranging her "test."
"My Lady," she began in her strong, yet feminine voice. "I need your help. My mission is one of great importance, and it cannot be accomplished alone." Only she was aware of the ironic double meaning of this statement, though it was true either way.
"Go on," purred the Huntress, a leader of saber cats. She had this cloaked stranger surrounded by her own feline minions, and she felt she had the advantage in this bargaining. "We may aid you…but first…where is your band? Who is your leader, and why hasn't she come here herself?"
"My lady, who my hunt leader is, is not important. I have my orders, and I must follow them. I have been in the human city of Lut Gholien, and have been following a group of heroes. At first, there were only two, a barbarian from the north, and a powerful sorceress. They soon joined with a necromancer, and today these three will unite with an amazon and rebellious follower of the Zakarum church. The amazon is highly regarded by her gods and has a Valkyrie at her side. No doubt the necromancer is a capable summoner as well. I believe this group poses a serious threat to the Three, and I seek your help. Soon, the group will come this way through the deserts, and I ask that you be ready to meet them. Gather your band; bring in scarabs, lure sand maggots and vulture demons to this spot. Be ready for them. It will be a challenge, and they must be stopped."
"And what of you, and your band? Can you and your leader truly expect us to do your work for you?" she said this to make the stranger more desperate for her help, but in truth she was very interested. She doubted that a few heroes could prove much of a threat to anything. After all, she had single-handedly killed many armed and armored humans out here on the desert. What did she have to fear from six? This cat must be out of her mind to think there was any danger…but still, the promise of a challenge was too good to pass up.
"No my Lady, but there is only me right now. I will come, but I am the only one sent here." She reached up to make sure the hood to her cloak was still up and covering her face, then wrapped the rest more tightly around her, to make it look as though she were merely trying to ward off the flying sand.
The Huntress narrowed her eyes with suspicion. "A lone saber cat? Unlikely. I believe you are lying. That your band was destroyed by these 'heroes', and that you ran away. Weaklings and cowards deserve no better. You are likely no better than a human's housecat." She put an emphasis on this last word, and many of the cat-women around her hissed their disapproval. "Still, I will help you, and so will my band. Nearly forty of us, and myself, will be here tomorrow. And only tomorrow. After that, you will be on your own. We do not need help from scarabs and maggots to kill six would-be heroes. No doubt the carrion birds will show up on their own."
No doubt, she thought. But most likely NOT for the bodies of fallen heroes.
The Huntress finished her generous proclamation with a sneer. "I will see you tomorrow, housecat." In a low growl she privately added, "Now, leave."
"Yes, my Lady. Thank you, my Lady." She turned away with a half-spin and a swirl of her cloak, and sprinted off back towards Lut Gholien. Beneath the hood of her cloak, a smile began to spread.
"We shall see how long you stand up to seven tomorrow, housecat!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The six of them where gathered around the table Az'Ral had been working on, which by now was clear of scrolls and powders. Spirit Wing stood to the side, while the other five sat. Az'Ral and Iconnus were on opposite each other, and seemed to be locked once again in a life-or-death staring contest. Darkangel, Rage, and Firiel looked back and forth between one another and the two "contestants", unable to keep from smiling and struggling not to laugh. Spirit Wing looked to Darkangel. Tempus Fugit. She "said" to the amazon. Darkangel nodded.
"Ahem." She cleared her throat loudly.
Az'Ral broke the stare to look at her. He smirked, turned to Iconnus, and said calmly, "You win." Then he turned back to Darkangel, a look of pure innocence on his face. How he managed it without smiling, no one could ever figure out.
Iconnus didn't seem to think it was as funny as everyone else did.
"Now then..." said Darkangel, wiping her eyes. "Ahh, that was a good one. Hehe. Oh, come on, Holy Man, Lighten up! It wasn't that bad, and you two were pretty funny. Now," she said, suddenly serious. "Back to business. As Spirit Wing has so kindly reminded me, Time does indeed fly. We have very, very little time before Diablo finds Baal, and it cannot be long before Kurast is overrun, like Travincal. Our original plan was to split up, destroying Baal and Mephisto separately, then tracking down Diablo together."
"And yet, you and Iconnus are here, not helping Kurast, or hunting down Mephisto's Soulstone." Put in Rage. "It's not that we're not happy to see you, except for maybe our necromancer friend and Iconnus, but the point is…why are you here, and not there?"
"Yes, I know, and Iconnus is painfully aware of it as well, aren't you?" she asked the disgruntled paladin.
"Rather."
"Yes, well." The amazon resumed talking. "We were going to follow the plan. But Spirit Wing told me that Diablo is dangerously close to finding Baal. You two—sorry, three should not have waited for us. She told me that if Diablo succeeded in freeing his brother before you got to him, he would most likely leave and begin looking for Mephisto, and the…three…of you would never find him."
Darkangel stopped speaking to look at Spirit Wing. "She also says that the Three would most likely re-unite before we could tell you. And that the three of us alone could not take on the Three Brothers at once. The six of us together cannot pull that one off. The six of us may not be enough to take on just one of the Brothers. So our only chance is to get to Baal before Diablo does. After that, we can go back to Kurast, or hunt Diablo down. But if we fail…"
She let the thought hang.
"Then we start tomorrow," said Firiel. "Sleep as much as you can tonight, everyone. And hope we're not too late."
"So now I'm a hero," Az'Ral muttered to himself. And all I wanted to do was look at some tombs…
And so we conclude Part 2. Anyone starting to wonder what this "cloaked creature" is? Or have we all figured it out by now? Ooo, the suspense!! Part 3 coming soon, assuming people still like this after Part 2. Usually the first chapter is the best…oh well. Totally up to you people. To everyone who reviewed the first part, THANK YOU, and I hope the second wasn't too much of a disappointment. And I'm sorry it took me so long to type it up for you! What with vacation and all, and catching up on my Diablo2 playing. Anyway, thank you all once again for the great reviews!! Feel free to E-mail me, Liarel_the_Sorceress@yahoo.com, in case I haven't mentioned it enough. The evil fanfiction police dog doesn't seem to like it when you review twice, so if you have something to say, you may have to resort to E-mail if you want to say it badly enough.
P.S. to KillMagic:
Thank you for your suggestion. I will try to slow down the pace of my story, though I was afraid I was adding too much detail. I had no clue as to what my writing style was, though I guess it's a little fast, huh? Anyway, thanks again, and keep up the good work on your own Diablo2 fic!