Fall of Andariel
How furious Andariel was, nobody could imagine. The news about Blood Raven's death and Cain's escape upset her, but that isn't made her enraged. Someone had broke into Monastery, killed her smith, and stole Horadric Malus. Worse, the intruder also destroyed their armaments. Those warriors easily entered her lair without any resistance. If it had heard by Lord Diablo, she would be punished severely and become a laughing stock at Hell.
Then she summoned her remaining minions. Those present were The Countess, Bone Ash and Pitspawn Fouldog. Bone Ash was an undead mage, while Pitspawn is an ugly-looked, two-horned demon. After all of them gathered, she doesn't waste time to pour her wrath.
"Fools! What have you done? Allowed intruders to broke into our lair?" She screamed loudly. The Devilkins closed their ears, while the undead and wraith were quite undisturbed. Maiden of Anguish stared them with burning eyes, before continued
"From now on, double our defense! Summon our remaining minions here! This time, don't let anything escape your eyes…if all of you failed, I'll personally ensure that Lord Diablo would include you along to my punishment! Understood?" Everyone nodded. After they gone, she summoned The Countess. The undead went to her,
"Yes, my queen?" she asked. Andariel turned to her and watched her with some contempt, then told the Countess.
"It is clear that you're the only one to lead the rogues, after Blood Raven's death…so I put much trust on you," The Countess quite stunned, yet smiled coldly.
"I'll do the best as I can…" She saluted and went out, before the demoness called her again, "Oh, by the way! My pronouncement was applied for you too…so don't disappointed me,"
"So, what do you think?" Charsi asked me. For reward of retrieving Horadric Malus, she offered to imbue any of my weapons with magic. I gave her a low quality spiked club that I found at Monastery. Within 6 hours, she already finished her job. While wiped her sweat, Charsi returned the club to me.
"I called it 'Biter End'!" she said with satisfaction, "It had a chilling effect, when you use it to the enemy. They would be freezing with two strikes; it also effective against undead!"
"I tested it myself, Myrrick!" Griswold added, "Believe it, it is a perfect weapon for you!" I take the club and swung it lightly. There was something different inside. Not only more lighter, but full with magical energy. Then I turned to Charsi and Griswold,
"Thanks! I'll keep it!" Griswold just laughed, "Don't worry! Just kick the demoness back to hell was more than enough!"
Silently, we're trying to sneak into Monastery Gate. I expect a stiff opposition from those demons. Instead, what we had found were corpses strewn everywhere. Those corpses bore slash wounds, but some of them bear stab wounds. I already have seen how Akivsha killed with her weapons. However, the wounds seem produced by a javelin. I wonder if anyone else came here.
When we closed to the lair, there was a sound of fighting. My mind raced quickly. Was Akivsha had arrived first?
"I thought we're the one who wanted Andariel…" Aliza asked me. I can't answer it directly, since we weren't sure who had fighting inside. Then we continue our walk into the lair. When we were looking inside, it was clear who was fighting. It wasn't Akivsha, but a blond haired woman with a spear. The demoness stood in front of her; she was quite taller than an oak tree. Perhaps, her height must be 2 meters above. Her red-colored hair stood rigidly, as her reddish eyes notice her opponent. Her feet wasn't like a human feet, but cloven like a goat. Andariel's arms were long enough to hug a sequoia and each fingers had sharp nails. Not mention, she has 4 spider-like pincers onto her back. Who will win this fighting, I didn't know. Then I saw the woman hold her spear tightly, a determined look was evident in her face. I decided not to interfere her.
Then Andariel pointed the woman-warrior, "I shall kill you!!" She hissed before lunged toward her opponent. The woman dodged perfectly; instead she strikes with multiple attacks. The demoness leaps to avoid further attack. She gritted her teeth, but she smiles suddenly when she watched the woman-warrior charges her. She spews a greenish smoke to her. The woman stopped her track and held her head; her movement was confused and dazed.
Poison! This is the time Andariel waited for. She swung her right arm and sent the woman sprawled to the floor.
"We must help her, Myrrick! If now, the demoness would kill her!" Aliza begged me to act. I didn't need it, because I wanted to act now! Quickly, I commanded my beast to distract Andariel, while Aliza ran toward the woman.
She asked, "Are you all right?" The woman was shrugged her off, "By Athulua! What are you doing…" she asked rudely, "I almost kill her…and both of you screw it!" Surprised, the rogue responded,
"We…we just helped you! You just got poisoned…" The woman snapped, "No thanks to you! I can take care of my self…" After say that, she woozily shakes her head.
The situation becomes bad to worse. The demoness furiously fights my beasts. She managed to slam 2 wolves to the wall, then caught 2 ravens and crushed them with her fist.
The cruelty makes my blood boils. It would be matter of time before she finished off us.
"Aliza! You must bring her out! I'll end this!!" I shouted to them.
The woman protested weakly, "I…want…to…fight…her," Aliza replied," No, I must protect you!" Andariel rips one of my wolves by halves. The poison vine took her arms, but she simply broke it off like a dried vine. I shouted again
" This is too dangerous! She wasn't in good shape to fight! Save yourselves!!" Before Aliza protested again, I hardened my face to let her know my decision. Reluctantly, she brought the woman-warrior to upstairs.
Finally, I withdraw my remaining beasts to keep distance and faced with Andariel alone. She watched me intensely; there is some wonder and insanity within her eyes.
"Well…well, the hero finally had come!" she snapped, her words laced with venom from her breath.
I gathered my courage; so far I never faced an opponent like her after my banishment. But I didn't show my fear either.
"I had come to sent you to where you belong," Suddenly, the demoness laughed uncontrollably.
"Foolish warrior! You are too late! Lord Diablo had gone far away to East…soon he would return with our army from Burning Hell! You think there's a chance to defeat me?"
I grinned, "In that case, the sooner I defeated you the faster you can greet him there,"
Her laugh faded and replaced with a growl, "Not if I had ripped you apart!!"
She jumped to me, however I rolled away from her path. The floor shook when she landed. Before I managed to escape, she threw her left arm and I was tripped. I saw her lifted the cloven leg toward my head. CRASH!! I somersaulted backward and landed in crouch position, away from her stomp.
It is almost a breath away. She frowned; yet continue to pursue me. Sometimes she tried to corner me, but always failed. Her frustration increased as I slammed my Biter End to her body. The chilling effect had taken her! But I wasn't notice that one of her pincers swaps me with such force. Quickly, I bring my Clegclaw shield to absorb the impact. Before I recover, Andariel slapped me very hard and sent me to the wall. She sent her fist, and I managed to avoid it. It broke through the wall! As she turned, she spews poison to me. However, I quickly avoid it and decided to transform into werebear. At least, I had better chance against her.
Growled, I lunged to her and hang at her neck. Furiously, she tried to shake me off. I sank my teeth to her neck, and blood spurted from her jugular. She screamed and tried to pull me off with her arms. Her pincers can't do much, since I attacked her from behind. I hug her windpipe to choke her out. Nobody ever survived from a grizzly bear hug. But I was wrong! She hysterically bashed me over the wall. Damn! I felt something broken within. I had to loosen my hold, then rolled away from her. She coughed as the pressure had been taken away. She also touched her bite wound at left side of her neck, and then stared me.
Her hatred was blazing, as she hissed, "You shall pay for this!!"
I was watching the battle intensely from beginning. The stubborn Amazon had underestimated the demoness, and almost paid the risk. The old druid was fighting quite well; I give him credit for that. I also aware that he might be overwhelmed, had nobody helped him now. Then I pulled a trap from my belt, and turned to the battle again.
I can't count how long the fight has been, but I was get losing for sure. Andariel might be exhausted, but her demonic hatred fueled her to finish off her victims. With a gaping wound at her neck, she triumphantly walked and smiles devilishly to me as her reddish eye glared,
"It is your doom now, warrior!" Then, without warning a wave of fire burst and engulfed her. She was surprised and didn't expect it. Her howl was audible as her face gets burnt. Suddenly I remember Cain's advice that Andariel didn't like fire. This is my last chance! I transformed into werebear again and leaped over the fire. I landed at her body.
As she was surprised, I immediately hold her head again and head-butted her. The impact was very hard that I could hear her neck cracked. I continued to maul her with my paws; her face was bleeding and had burn. She was panicked and unable to think to avoid the fire or me. Her fear was evident in her eyes. The demoness tried to take me off by sunk her nails to my side.
A mistake! I growled and hugged her head tightly. With my remaining strength, I twisted her neck. A bone-breaking sound rang clearly in the lair. Her movement abruptly stopped, and her pincers stopped moving. Her body rigidly stands before fell backward with a thud. I loosen my hold and saw her face in terrible expression. I moved away and waited what happened to her later.
Instantly, the pillar of fire appeared from the ground. It is impaled her abdomen and quickly incarcerated her as she managed to howl desperately for last time. The catacomb shook very hard and the rubbles falls from above. I had to lift my paws to protect me from such phenomenon. Finally, the pillar faded along with the howl and left the surrounding with silence. I was lowered my hand, while returned to my human form. I realized that Maiden of Anguish had returned to Burning Hell again and Monastery had been saved…
"Well done, druid! You just owe me…!" I whispered as he leaves the catacomb.
"Only one more to go…the Countess!"
Outside Monastery, Aliza had waited me. But I didn't see the woman-warrior anywhere. Then I turned to the rogue, "Aliza, where is the woman whom we saved?"
"She's gone…how ungrateful she was! She said that we had screwed her fight with Andariel…I would gladly kick her if not thinking of you!" she muttered, as her face scowled with anger. I only nodded and asked her to return to Rogue Encampment through portal.
After a few hours, we're broke to the Forgotten Tower and finally met face to face with The Countess herself. Her face has everything called beauty, except it was pallid like some undead. Beneath the eyes there was a coldness and contempt to living things. She seems mocked our presence here, believed on her own strength.
"So, you are the one who killed Blood Raven and Andariel?" she asked contemptuously. From the tone, it was clear she already know about her rival and master's fate beforehand. The question was intended to test. I answered,
"If yes, what advantage you had over us? You know you can't defeat us!"
"What a fool! I won't allowed you to go alive after entering my tower…I shall kill you here by my own hand!" After finished her sentence, she screeches and a band of Vile Spearwomen burst into narrow dungeon.
Aliza readied herself by shooting some freeze arrows, while my beasts attacked many as they can. I strode toward the Countess and swung the club. She deflects it with her sword, followed by an axe. Quickly, I crouched to avoid her axe. However, one of her kick met my sides. I fall crashed, but not losing the club.
She swung her sword toward my neck; I rolled to left side. Clanging sound echoed inside the dungeon. She may be skillful, but she was fighting a losing battle. I brought Biter End club to her; she swung her sword to protect. When the weapons contacted, spray of sparks came. The sword flew out from the demoness' hand. Her expression turned into fear. Before she had a chance to recover, I jumped to the air and brought the club downward. Franticly, she shoves her axe toward me. Instead, the weapon crushed as my club impacted furiously to her skull.
CRAC-KKK!! A deafening sound heard along the dungeons. The Countess stumbled and sprawled onto the floor. Ordinary human might be died with such strike, but she managed to crawl with her cracked head. Blood oozing from the wound, even I can saw some of her brain exposed.
"No…it can't…be…true! I…don't…want…to die…now," she hissed desperately.
The corrupted rogues stopped their fight with Aliza. They noticed their leader was defeated.
Calmly, I walked toward her with intention to finish her. She can't be allowed to live…she was evil. Kill her would be a merciful idea I ever done. Instantly, I remembered my Joanna. When Diablo's minion killed her, did they think to give some mercy? Compassion? No! I won't show any mercy to this vileness! She must pay what her Lord did to Joanna!!
The Countess turned her head backward, and saw the druid walked with his club. Fear gripped her, never this thing happened to her before. Suddenly, a noxious vapor appeared. She found out that it was come from her body. Slow but sure, her fingers were disappeared with the vapor. The realization come to her, that she is going to die! She screamed,
"NOOOOOOOO…I…don't…want…to…die," After half of her body gone, the vapor become more intense, "…like…this…" Her scream become muffled, and finally gone with her existence. Nothing left from the Countess, not a bone. I noticed her end with some disappointment and relief. With Andariel and The Countess gone, the way to East had been opened again.
The rogues shrieked and scrambles to avoid our wrath. When Aliza wanted to pursue them, I stopped her,
"No, let them go! Without their leader, they're no more than a mindless beast! As the time passed, I sure someday they would returned as human again…" Aliza nodded,
"Finally, peace had rested again to this land!" Later, I turned to where the Countess died. My eyes can't believe it…stacks of gold, gems scattered everywhere. Expensive jewelry was hanging in every side of the dungeon. Aliza shouted,
"Myrrick! This is…the Countess' treasure…I can't believe it! I thought it was a legend only…!"
"After all, this place really has a charm…"
The Encampment was joyous with cheers and laughter as they celebrated Andariel's downfall. I was feeling happy, yet sad since I must continue my journey to pursue Diablo. Warriv just informed me that he is ready anytime I want to go. Then Kashya walked closer to me. I wonder what she wants to say. Then she spoke,
"Myrrick, I…was misjudged you," Her voice full with note of admiration and regret,
"Your spirit is truly a testament to our courage for many generations…we won't forget it for our life. I hope your journey would be success…Farewell, my friend."
She offered her hand to me; I shook it very firm. "You're the true courage, Kashya! I'm only a wanderer without any means…thank you!"
The Rogue captain only nodded, and left me. Suddenly, Aliza approached her and talked something. I didn't know what they had discussed, but I watched Kashya was smiled and nodded to her. Then Aliza came to me,
"Myrrick, you can't believe this! Kashya give me her permission to follow you! So I'm going out now!" I frowned, "But you know the danger…" She quickly cut my word,
"I don't care! As long as I am going with you, I can endure anything! Besides, this is my chance to see the world!" What I could do was shook my head.
At the caravan, Cain spoke with Griswold. "Are you sure you don't want to join us?" he asked. The burly man answered, "Cain, Tristram is no more…there is no place I can go!
The Sisterhood were rebuilding their Monastery; I believe that they can use some of my help there…"
Then Cain patted his shoulder, "If it was your decision, I can't force you anymore! Take care yourself, Griswold!" Griswold replied,
"You too, Deckard Cain!" As we passed, he managed to say something to me,
"Myrrick, after you had kicked Diablo's ass I'll treat you with a mug of ale!!" I only smiled, "I will!"
Not far from Encampment, I noticed the caravan left. Akara was behind me, and asked, "Are you sure that you didn't want to join them?" I nodded as I turned around.
"No, I must do it by myself!" Then she continued, "Since your friends died for defending Sisterhood, you must not too hard to yourself! Try to accept the past, my daughter."
"I…I can't…" My voice was cold, "It reminded me to my weaknesses…I was failed you and Kashya! I wasn't deserve to be a Rogue…"
"You weren't failed. You had tried everything you had to protect us… when we recovered your sister's bodies, we can't find yours. I believe that you might be survived…return to us, Akivsha! We'll receive your return to Sisterhood…"
I replied, "It is too late for that, I'm no longer a Rogue! I am an Assassin now…and I still had a mission to be done!" With that, I simply vanished from Akara's tent.
The Priestess only sighed, "May the Sightless Eye be with you, warriors."
Notice: Blizzard Entertainment purely owned the characters, I just wrote the story only.
Well, that's the end of Act I! But it is just the beginning, as the another character would joined the quest to pursue Lord of Terror and found out what is his plan…
Just wait and see!
How furious Andariel was, nobody could imagine. The news about Blood Raven's death and Cain's escape upset her, but that isn't made her enraged. Someone had broke into Monastery, killed her smith, and stole Horadric Malus. Worse, the intruder also destroyed their armaments. Those warriors easily entered her lair without any resistance. If it had heard by Lord Diablo, she would be punished severely and become a laughing stock at Hell.
Then she summoned her remaining minions. Those present were The Countess, Bone Ash and Pitspawn Fouldog. Bone Ash was an undead mage, while Pitspawn is an ugly-looked, two-horned demon. After all of them gathered, she doesn't waste time to pour her wrath.
"Fools! What have you done? Allowed intruders to broke into our lair?" She screamed loudly. The Devilkins closed their ears, while the undead and wraith were quite undisturbed. Maiden of Anguish stared them with burning eyes, before continued
"From now on, double our defense! Summon our remaining minions here! This time, don't let anything escape your eyes…if all of you failed, I'll personally ensure that Lord Diablo would include you along to my punishment! Understood?" Everyone nodded. After they gone, she summoned The Countess. The undead went to her,
"Yes, my queen?" she asked. Andariel turned to her and watched her with some contempt, then told the Countess.
"It is clear that you're the only one to lead the rogues, after Blood Raven's death…so I put much trust on you," The Countess quite stunned, yet smiled coldly.
"I'll do the best as I can…" She saluted and went out, before the demoness called her again, "Oh, by the way! My pronouncement was applied for you too…so don't disappointed me,"
"So, what do you think?" Charsi asked me. For reward of retrieving Horadric Malus, she offered to imbue any of my weapons with magic. I gave her a low quality spiked club that I found at Monastery. Within 6 hours, she already finished her job. While wiped her sweat, Charsi returned the club to me.
"I called it 'Biter End'!" she said with satisfaction, "It had a chilling effect, when you use it to the enemy. They would be freezing with two strikes; it also effective against undead!"
"I tested it myself, Myrrick!" Griswold added, "Believe it, it is a perfect weapon for you!" I take the club and swung it lightly. There was something different inside. Not only more lighter, but full with magical energy. Then I turned to Charsi and Griswold,
"Thanks! I'll keep it!" Griswold just laughed, "Don't worry! Just kick the demoness back to hell was more than enough!"
Silently, we're trying to sneak into Monastery Gate. I expect a stiff opposition from those demons. Instead, what we had found were corpses strewn everywhere. Those corpses bore slash wounds, but some of them bear stab wounds. I already have seen how Akivsha killed with her weapons. However, the wounds seem produced by a javelin. I wonder if anyone else came here.
When we closed to the lair, there was a sound of fighting. My mind raced quickly. Was Akivsha had arrived first?
"I thought we're the one who wanted Andariel…" Aliza asked me. I can't answer it directly, since we weren't sure who had fighting inside. Then we continue our walk into the lair. When we were looking inside, it was clear who was fighting. It wasn't Akivsha, but a blond haired woman with a spear. The demoness stood in front of her; she was quite taller than an oak tree. Perhaps, her height must be 2 meters above. Her red-colored hair stood rigidly, as her reddish eyes notice her opponent. Her feet wasn't like a human feet, but cloven like a goat. Andariel's arms were long enough to hug a sequoia and each fingers had sharp nails. Not mention, she has 4 spider-like pincers onto her back. Who will win this fighting, I didn't know. Then I saw the woman hold her spear tightly, a determined look was evident in her face. I decided not to interfere her.
Then Andariel pointed the woman-warrior, "I shall kill you!!" She hissed before lunged toward her opponent. The woman dodged perfectly; instead she strikes with multiple attacks. The demoness leaps to avoid further attack. She gritted her teeth, but she smiles suddenly when she watched the woman-warrior charges her. She spews a greenish smoke to her. The woman stopped her track and held her head; her movement was confused and dazed.
Poison! This is the time Andariel waited for. She swung her right arm and sent the woman sprawled to the floor.
"We must help her, Myrrick! If now, the demoness would kill her!" Aliza begged me to act. I didn't need it, because I wanted to act now! Quickly, I commanded my beast to distract Andariel, while Aliza ran toward the woman.
She asked, "Are you all right?" The woman was shrugged her off, "By Athulua! What are you doing…" she asked rudely, "I almost kill her…and both of you screw it!" Surprised, the rogue responded,
"We…we just helped you! You just got poisoned…" The woman snapped, "No thanks to you! I can take care of my self…" After say that, she woozily shakes her head.
The situation becomes bad to worse. The demoness furiously fights my beasts. She managed to slam 2 wolves to the wall, then caught 2 ravens and crushed them with her fist.
The cruelty makes my blood boils. It would be matter of time before she finished off us.
"Aliza! You must bring her out! I'll end this!!" I shouted to them.
The woman protested weakly, "I…want…to…fight…her," Aliza replied," No, I must protect you!" Andariel rips one of my wolves by halves. The poison vine took her arms, but she simply broke it off like a dried vine. I shouted again
" This is too dangerous! She wasn't in good shape to fight! Save yourselves!!" Before Aliza protested again, I hardened my face to let her know my decision. Reluctantly, she brought the woman-warrior to upstairs.
Finally, I withdraw my remaining beasts to keep distance and faced with Andariel alone. She watched me intensely; there is some wonder and insanity within her eyes.
"Well…well, the hero finally had come!" she snapped, her words laced with venom from her breath.
I gathered my courage; so far I never faced an opponent like her after my banishment. But I didn't show my fear either.
"I had come to sent you to where you belong," Suddenly, the demoness laughed uncontrollably.
"Foolish warrior! You are too late! Lord Diablo had gone far away to East…soon he would return with our army from Burning Hell! You think there's a chance to defeat me?"
I grinned, "In that case, the sooner I defeated you the faster you can greet him there,"
Her laugh faded and replaced with a growl, "Not if I had ripped you apart!!"
She jumped to me, however I rolled away from her path. The floor shook when she landed. Before I managed to escape, she threw her left arm and I was tripped. I saw her lifted the cloven leg toward my head. CRASH!! I somersaulted backward and landed in crouch position, away from her stomp.
It is almost a breath away. She frowned; yet continue to pursue me. Sometimes she tried to corner me, but always failed. Her frustration increased as I slammed my Biter End to her body. The chilling effect had taken her! But I wasn't notice that one of her pincers swaps me with such force. Quickly, I bring my Clegclaw shield to absorb the impact. Before I recover, Andariel slapped me very hard and sent me to the wall. She sent her fist, and I managed to avoid it. It broke through the wall! As she turned, she spews poison to me. However, I quickly avoid it and decided to transform into werebear. At least, I had better chance against her.
Growled, I lunged to her and hang at her neck. Furiously, she tried to shake me off. I sank my teeth to her neck, and blood spurted from her jugular. She screamed and tried to pull me off with her arms. Her pincers can't do much, since I attacked her from behind. I hug her windpipe to choke her out. Nobody ever survived from a grizzly bear hug. But I was wrong! She hysterically bashed me over the wall. Damn! I felt something broken within. I had to loosen my hold, then rolled away from her. She coughed as the pressure had been taken away. She also touched her bite wound at left side of her neck, and then stared me.
Her hatred was blazing, as she hissed, "You shall pay for this!!"
I was watching the battle intensely from beginning. The stubborn Amazon had underestimated the demoness, and almost paid the risk. The old druid was fighting quite well; I give him credit for that. I also aware that he might be overwhelmed, had nobody helped him now. Then I pulled a trap from my belt, and turned to the battle again.
I can't count how long the fight has been, but I was get losing for sure. Andariel might be exhausted, but her demonic hatred fueled her to finish off her victims. With a gaping wound at her neck, she triumphantly walked and smiles devilishly to me as her reddish eye glared,
"It is your doom now, warrior!" Then, without warning a wave of fire burst and engulfed her. She was surprised and didn't expect it. Her howl was audible as her face gets burnt. Suddenly I remember Cain's advice that Andariel didn't like fire. This is my last chance! I transformed into werebear again and leaped over the fire. I landed at her body.
As she was surprised, I immediately hold her head again and head-butted her. The impact was very hard that I could hear her neck cracked. I continued to maul her with my paws; her face was bleeding and had burn. She was panicked and unable to think to avoid the fire or me. Her fear was evident in her eyes. The demoness tried to take me off by sunk her nails to my side.
A mistake! I growled and hugged her head tightly. With my remaining strength, I twisted her neck. A bone-breaking sound rang clearly in the lair. Her movement abruptly stopped, and her pincers stopped moving. Her body rigidly stands before fell backward with a thud. I loosen my hold and saw her face in terrible expression. I moved away and waited what happened to her later.
Instantly, the pillar of fire appeared from the ground. It is impaled her abdomen and quickly incarcerated her as she managed to howl desperately for last time. The catacomb shook very hard and the rubbles falls from above. I had to lift my paws to protect me from such phenomenon. Finally, the pillar faded along with the howl and left the surrounding with silence. I was lowered my hand, while returned to my human form. I realized that Maiden of Anguish had returned to Burning Hell again and Monastery had been saved…
"Well done, druid! You just owe me…!" I whispered as he leaves the catacomb.
"Only one more to go…the Countess!"
Outside Monastery, Aliza had waited me. But I didn't see the woman-warrior anywhere. Then I turned to the rogue, "Aliza, where is the woman whom we saved?"
"She's gone…how ungrateful she was! She said that we had screwed her fight with Andariel…I would gladly kick her if not thinking of you!" she muttered, as her face scowled with anger. I only nodded and asked her to return to Rogue Encampment through portal.
After a few hours, we're broke to the Forgotten Tower and finally met face to face with The Countess herself. Her face has everything called beauty, except it was pallid like some undead. Beneath the eyes there was a coldness and contempt to living things. She seems mocked our presence here, believed on her own strength.
"So, you are the one who killed Blood Raven and Andariel?" she asked contemptuously. From the tone, it was clear she already know about her rival and master's fate beforehand. The question was intended to test. I answered,
"If yes, what advantage you had over us? You know you can't defeat us!"
"What a fool! I won't allowed you to go alive after entering my tower…I shall kill you here by my own hand!" After finished her sentence, she screeches and a band of Vile Spearwomen burst into narrow dungeon.
Aliza readied herself by shooting some freeze arrows, while my beasts attacked many as they can. I strode toward the Countess and swung the club. She deflects it with her sword, followed by an axe. Quickly, I crouched to avoid her axe. However, one of her kick met my sides. I fall crashed, but not losing the club.
She swung her sword toward my neck; I rolled to left side. Clanging sound echoed inside the dungeon. She may be skillful, but she was fighting a losing battle. I brought Biter End club to her; she swung her sword to protect. When the weapons contacted, spray of sparks came. The sword flew out from the demoness' hand. Her expression turned into fear. Before she had a chance to recover, I jumped to the air and brought the club downward. Franticly, she shoves her axe toward me. Instead, the weapon crushed as my club impacted furiously to her skull.
CRAC-KKK!! A deafening sound heard along the dungeons. The Countess stumbled and sprawled onto the floor. Ordinary human might be died with such strike, but she managed to crawl with her cracked head. Blood oozing from the wound, even I can saw some of her brain exposed.
"No…it can't…be…true! I…don't…want…to die…now," she hissed desperately.
The corrupted rogues stopped their fight with Aliza. They noticed their leader was defeated.
Calmly, I walked toward her with intention to finish her. She can't be allowed to live…she was evil. Kill her would be a merciful idea I ever done. Instantly, I remembered my Joanna. When Diablo's minion killed her, did they think to give some mercy? Compassion? No! I won't show any mercy to this vileness! She must pay what her Lord did to Joanna!!
The Countess turned her head backward, and saw the druid walked with his club. Fear gripped her, never this thing happened to her before. Suddenly, a noxious vapor appeared. She found out that it was come from her body. Slow but sure, her fingers were disappeared with the vapor. The realization come to her, that she is going to die! She screamed,
"NOOOOOOOO…I…don't…want…to…die," After half of her body gone, the vapor become more intense, "…like…this…" Her scream become muffled, and finally gone with her existence. Nothing left from the Countess, not a bone. I noticed her end with some disappointment and relief. With Andariel and The Countess gone, the way to East had been opened again.
The rogues shrieked and scrambles to avoid our wrath. When Aliza wanted to pursue them, I stopped her,
"No, let them go! Without their leader, they're no more than a mindless beast! As the time passed, I sure someday they would returned as human again…" Aliza nodded,
"Finally, peace had rested again to this land!" Later, I turned to where the Countess died. My eyes can't believe it…stacks of gold, gems scattered everywhere. Expensive jewelry was hanging in every side of the dungeon. Aliza shouted,
"Myrrick! This is…the Countess' treasure…I can't believe it! I thought it was a legend only…!"
"After all, this place really has a charm…"
The Encampment was joyous with cheers and laughter as they celebrated Andariel's downfall. I was feeling happy, yet sad since I must continue my journey to pursue Diablo. Warriv just informed me that he is ready anytime I want to go. Then Kashya walked closer to me. I wonder what she wants to say. Then she spoke,
"Myrrick, I…was misjudged you," Her voice full with note of admiration and regret,
"Your spirit is truly a testament to our courage for many generations…we won't forget it for our life. I hope your journey would be success…Farewell, my friend."
She offered her hand to me; I shook it very firm. "You're the true courage, Kashya! I'm only a wanderer without any means…thank you!"
The Rogue captain only nodded, and left me. Suddenly, Aliza approached her and talked something. I didn't know what they had discussed, but I watched Kashya was smiled and nodded to her. Then Aliza came to me,
"Myrrick, you can't believe this! Kashya give me her permission to follow you! So I'm going out now!" I frowned, "But you know the danger…" She quickly cut my word,
"I don't care! As long as I am going with you, I can endure anything! Besides, this is my chance to see the world!" What I could do was shook my head.
At the caravan, Cain spoke with Griswold. "Are you sure you don't want to join us?" he asked. The burly man answered, "Cain, Tristram is no more…there is no place I can go!
The Sisterhood were rebuilding their Monastery; I believe that they can use some of my help there…"
Then Cain patted his shoulder, "If it was your decision, I can't force you anymore! Take care yourself, Griswold!" Griswold replied,
"You too, Deckard Cain!" As we passed, he managed to say something to me,
"Myrrick, after you had kicked Diablo's ass I'll treat you with a mug of ale!!" I only smiled, "I will!"
Not far from Encampment, I noticed the caravan left. Akara was behind me, and asked, "Are you sure that you didn't want to join them?" I nodded as I turned around.
"No, I must do it by myself!" Then she continued, "Since your friends died for defending Sisterhood, you must not too hard to yourself! Try to accept the past, my daughter."
"I…I can't…" My voice was cold, "It reminded me to my weaknesses…I was failed you and Kashya! I wasn't deserve to be a Rogue…"
"You weren't failed. You had tried everything you had to protect us… when we recovered your sister's bodies, we can't find yours. I believe that you might be survived…return to us, Akivsha! We'll receive your return to Sisterhood…"
I replied, "It is too late for that, I'm no longer a Rogue! I am an Assassin now…and I still had a mission to be done!" With that, I simply vanished from Akara's tent.
The Priestess only sighed, "May the Sightless Eye be with you, warriors."
Notice: Blizzard Entertainment purely owned the characters, I just wrote the story only.
Well, that's the end of Act I! But it is just the beginning, as the another character would joined the quest to pursue Lord of Terror and found out what is his plan…
Just wait and see!