Lord of Pain
After returned from Arcane Sanctuary, Myrrick and the others went directly to the marketplace. Over there, they told their story to Cain, Drognan and Fara. The Horadric nodded only when heard their story,
"So, that is what happened to those who have learned Demonic Magic. It is a quick path to power, but with a price…" Then Drognan said,
"At least, you were one step closer to the Tomb! You shall face Tal Rasha soon!" Aliza turned to them,
"But there are 2 symbols, Cain!" she said, "And we don't know which one is the right symbol…" Cain sighed again, before facing Myrrick and Zylene. Akivsha stood not far from them.
"I don't know either. I'm afraid you have to check those tombs one by one…" Myrrick replied quickly, his tone full with determination.
"We're going now! We'll find it before Diablo does!" Later, Fara told them,
"Your armors have been damaged during your fight. You cannot fight T'al Rasha or Diablo like this! Come, I'll show you something!" She asked them to come to her shop. Then she was taking the greenish armor and gave it to the druid,
"Take this, the Cathan's Mesh! It is the most durable armor I ever have…I think it is fit for you!" Turned to Akivsha, she pulled out the golden armor:
"You should have this, young girl! Isenhart's Cage!" She also gave her a brand new cestus to replace her old katar. While trying to wear the armor, Akivsha noticed that Myrrick still held the Biter End,
"Druid, are you sure to keep that old club?" she chided him. Quickly, Aliza defended Myrrick, "Do you have a better idea?"
"Oh, why don't you try this one?" Fara took a long sword with jagged part close to the holder. Myrrick received it with some pondering; it seems he was hesitated to replace his club with a sword.
The smith explained, "It is called Isenhart's Lightbrand. Actually, it is supposedly used together with the armor…" She turned to the assassin, "Miss, if you wanted…"
Akivsha tartly cuts her, "I don't need a sword! I'm feel comfortable with my own weapon…" The rogue replied as she was trying a new bow and quiver of arrows, "Well, you should!"
Fara shook her head, as she turned to Myrrick, "Then, it is yours…Isenhart's Lightbrand was not an ordinary sword; it can increase your attack speed! Now, is there anything else you need?" The druid didn't answer, but he was taking a superior spike shield, which had 'Eld' rune inside its socket and Infernal Cranium cap. Meanwhile, Zylene took another orb sphere as a reserve for the Horadric Staff.
Not wasting their time, the four adventurers have arrived at the Valley of the Magi. Then a horde of Sabre Cats, accompanied with Berserkers and Cave Leapers greeted them. All of them quickly took the combat position. Myrrick quickly hacked the nearest enemy, while the sorceress summoned Nova. The crack of lightning spreads out in circular pattern and swept any living things at its radius. Akivsha didn't want to lose. Somersaulted on the air, she threw several traps, which changed the desert into a sea of fire and lightning. She landed close to a leaper, and sweeps her cestus that has been charged with Blade of Ice. The creature was frozen to death before it had time to scream. In other side, Aliza furiously shoot any cats that close to her. After 3 hours to hacking their way, the rest of the enemies finally fled after got the message. Myrrick watches his surrounding. There were 7 tomb carved around the valley. Each of them bore the arcane symbols, which they had seen at the Arcane Sanctuary.
Akivsha walked toward him, "So, what is your plan?" At the same time, Aliza and Zylene had waited nearby. The druid replied back,
"I see those symbols, but I still can't solve the riddle! Do you have any idea?" The sorceress reasoned,
"It means that among the 7 tombs, there only 2 probability of finding the true tomb. The Summoner deliberately intends to confuse those who wanted to find Tomb of T'al Rasha…" Then Aliza spoke her minds,
"So, we have to only to check the tombs that have those symbols! Am I right?" Behind her, Akivsha only shook her head.
Myrrick said, "I think that we should scatter to check those tombs! Aliza and I will check the first 2 tombs, while you and Zylene check the others." The assassin quickly protested,
"I'm sorry! I wasn't used to be with other people when doing something!" When heard the reply, the sorceress looked downcast. Aliza exploded again,
"What is the difference? Are you simply didn't like Zylene or what?" Once again, Myrrick cut them,
"All right! Then you can go by yourself, while Aliza will be with Zylene! Are you agreeing?" Akivsha didn't answer as she started to walk to the nearest tomb. The others also began to check the tombs, left Myrrick thinking,
They didn't make it simple for me…how long I could keep them together until I've found Diablo? Only God knows!
Inside the first tomb, Myrrick was breaking through a swarm of Horrors. His bear form was busy sweeping those creatures back to their grave. Unfortunately, the Raveller kept resurrecting them. Impatient, the druid quickly reverted to human form,
He bellowed, "Molten Boulder!!" Then the ball of molten lava came out from the ground and rolled toward the undead. It also crushed the Horrors along the way. The Raveller quickly prepared to hold the rolling lava. However, the ball explodes in front of the creature. The creature wailed, when Myrrick slashed through his torso.
Meanwhile, Zylene and Aliza have their own problem. They were fought against a band of mummies. Unlike Horrors, those creatures were stronger and harder to kill. The sorceress managed to struck two mummies with Chain Lightning. The rogue tried hard to keep others away, but they kept coming and coming.
"Zylene, it is too much!" Aliza shouted, "We have to get out from here…" Zylene tried to break the crowd, but the mummies kept coming.
"Wait, I know something!" Suddenly, the blinding light enveloped her body. The creatures were stunned for a split second. Before the light faded, Zylene has already held Aliza's shoulder.
"Hold on tightly, it is going to be rough!" As the nearest mummy tried to grab her, the rogue has already gone. Confused, those creatures were looking around the place. At the same time, a wave of fire came upon them…
Not far from the tombs, the light breaks out. Zylene and Aliza came out from it. Aliza can't shake her shock. Then she asked,
"W-what happened?"
Zylene explained, "That was one of our secret arts, Teleport. We often use it only when the situation became dangerous," Stunned, the rogue tried to digest the explanation. The sorceress only stared to the tomb again,
"I don't think it is the right tomb," she said, "If so, I should felt it through Horadric Staff!"
"Perhaps Myrrick or whoever her name is might be lucky…"
Inside another tomb, Akivsha and her clone were just finished their job. The assassin's hawkish eyes surveyed its surrounding, but found none.
"Return!" she gave order to her shadow clone, which quickly merged with her body. She felt that she was whole again. With a disdainful look, she left the tomb, which was filled with the burned and hacked corpses.
As the sun rises high on the sky, the heroes stood in front of the sixth tomb. The gate bore the crescent-moon symbol on top. Then the Zann-Esu broke the silence,
"This is the last tomb…" The rogue remarked again,
"I hope so! If this was not…"
Akivsha mocked, "What would you do if it isn't the right tomb? Were you tired already, rogue?"
"No, if it means to kick your ass to the next afterlife," Before they could continue, Myrrick has growled already,
"Stop, both of you! Let's hope this is the right tomb!!" Without waiting, the druid walked into the tomb, followed by others from behind.
Myrrick and his friend were arrived at the large hall inside the tomb. There was a hole on the floor at the center of the hall. Viz'jerei's runes were inscribed on the floor in a circular fashion. Then the sorceress shouted,
"Zylene? Is there something wrong?" Myrrick asked, while prepare to take out his sword,
"The staff…" Zylene replied, "The staff was vibrating…it looks like it has found its place here,"
Aliza was quick to recognize, "I just saw a hole on the floor, and it must be the socket for the staff! I believe we have to put the staff inside the hole…"
"Nice idea, genius!" Akivsha cuts in, "How do you put the staff if there is a trap?"
Myrrick grunted, "Perhaps, I could transform myself into a werebear and…" His conversation was cut by the sorceress' answer.
"I know the better idea! The only thing you have to do is don't make any noise," she told them,
"I can do it twice only…please, just keep quiet!" As everyone but Akivsha nodded in agreement, Zylene began to sit on the ground in a meditating position and closed her eyes. As she was trying to concentrate, she holds the Horadric Staff in front of her. Suddenly, the staff floated on the air. Slowly, Zylene was letting it off from her hand. The staff floats slowly toward the hole. Aliza can't hold her excitement, while Myrrick watched it intensely. Akivsha looked unimpressed with the event. The sorceress kept her mind focused on the staff. Inch by inch, the staff got closer to the hole until…
"Clunk!" The noise was small, but it seems echoed to the whole hall. In a split second, the Zann-Esu lost her control as the staff fell to the floor. Myrrick and Aliza turned their attention to Akivsha, who kneeled to took her weapon on the ground,
"Sorry…" She said nonchalantly as they showed sour face to what she did. However, Zylene quickly resumed her concentration. As she did, the staff was lifted from the ground and started to move again. This time, she had to put the staff inside the hole. Sweat appeared on her brow as she manipulated the staff to fit inside the hole. After a few turn, the staff was inside the hole.
After put the Horadric Staff inside the socket, Zylene returned to the others. Suddenly, the staff comes to life as it began to whirl. The whirl become more intense and faster, even a light came out from it. The beam of light burst and hit the nearest wall. The wall instantly crumbled, showing a hidden entrance. The heroes went closer to the entrance. Myrrick was the first who examined the entrance. However, it was pitch black inside. So, he asked.
"Aliza, bring me a torch!" The rogue brought a torch to him quickly. Yet, the druid has difficulty to see what is behind the entrance.
"It looks like a tunnel." He said, "Perhaps, I should go first to check any traps around," Suddenly, Akivsha strode forward, ignoring the druid and others.
"Excuse me, disarming traps is my specialty!" the assassin smirked, "So, would you excuse me for going ahead? Beside, it is always the lady first," Then she went forward before them,
Aliza gritted her teeth, "Did she learn about politeness before? If so, where did she learn?" Myrrick only shrugged.
"Perhaps we should follow her. We don't want to lose from Diablo!" Zylene nodded, showing her agreement with him. Then they followed Akivsha, who suddenly stopped not far from them. It made Myrrick suspicious,
"Is there something wrong, Akivsha?" The assassin lifted her hand to keep silent. Slowly, she unsheathed her cestus and katar. Not only her, Zylene also felt something strange on the air. Something moved in front of them, however it was too dark to be seen. When it came into the sight, they couldn't hold their surprise,
It was a huge-beetle like creature. The head almost like a rhino with 2 horns, the arms were huge and scythe-like. It has six legs, and squirming like worm under its bloated belly. The glint of red hue on its body gave it the bloodstained impression. They quickly took the combat position, prepare for any attack.
The creature hissed, "Such an unfortunate souls who have got into Duriel's lair…"
Myrrick growled, "You are not Diablo! Who are you?" The creature replies absentmindedly,
"Diablo? I'm Duriel, Lord of Pain! I believe you must be the people that he told me, those who have looking for T'al Rasha!!" Akivsha shouted,
"We don't have time for him! We must hurry, perhaps Diablo was inside now!!" For the first time, Aliza agreed with the assassin. Then she said to Myrrick,
"Myrrick, let's go!" Duriel turned on them, as his eyes was glittering maliciously,
"Go? I don't think so! You shall die here!!" Instantly, he charged them and swung his scythe-like arms. Myrrick and Akivsha have rolled out from there, while Zylene and Aliza teleported far away to Duriel's left side. Before they have breathed, the demon circled around the cave, in order to keep them from getting out. Aliza quipped,
"I'm afraid we have to finish this problematic demon, if we are going to after Diablo and Baal! The druid nodded as he transformed again into a werebear. His beasts stormed Duriel as they can. But Lord of Pain is not easily defeated. He quickly trashed the Dire Wolves out and broke the vines. Aliza kept shooting to distract the demon. The werebear jumped, mauling him repeatedly. It made Duriel furious. He slashed the werebear's left side, and then the beast started to chill. Myrrick has to revert back to his human form. Then he took the Isenhart's Lightbrand out from the sheath,
"Be careful to his attack! It has a chilling effect!" he warned the others. In a swift movement, Duriel started to chase him. Zylene swept her sphere toward the demon, while she shouted,
"Static Field!!" The electrical field quickly hit the target as the creature writhed. The demon growled as he turned his attention to the sorceress. Akivsha saw her chance to attack. She was trying to concentrate her mind, before she whispers, "Shadow Warrior!"
Suddenly, her shadow separated from her body and followed her movements. Then she somersaulted to Duriel's side. The 'clone' attacked Duriel fiercely, and sometime it gets trashed. However, it can rise up quickly. Akivsha spreads her traps around the demon. Duriel howled in pain as the massive wave of fire swallowed him. He quickly crawls to the roof of the cave to avoid the fire. As he crawled, a band of ravens pecking him. Below, Aliza began to target him. Unable to brush the attack, Duriel was returned to the ground. Myrrick swung his sword repeatedly to him. Meanwhile, Akivsha was attacking from behind,
"Tiger Strike!" she shouted as her katar sank into one of the demon's eyes. Duriel roared and trashed the assassin very hard to the wall. With his only eye, he saw her 'clone' sent a flying kick to his head. Meanwhile, Myrrick has summoned the Dire Wolves and ravens again to attack the demon. Taking his breath deeply, he would show the powerful spell that he kept for a long time ago. He shouted loudly,
"Volcano!!" Then the ground beneath Duriel trembled and cracked as it began to spew fiery lava at him. The demon quickly avoided it, yet he was cornered to the edge. Myrrick and Akivsha charged him together along with the wolves, ravens and 'clone'. From afar, Aliza shot her fire and ice arrows. Finally, Zylene sent her fire spell,
"Meteor!" A rain of smoldering stones fell upon Duriel as the rocks plummeted him. The demon didn't expect this. He was outnumbered one to twelve. When the druid slashed him, Lord of Pain screamed horribly as his body can't take the punishment anymore. He blew in front of them. Because of the explosion, the tomb was shaken from its foundation. Zylene quickly put her Energy Shield to protect them from the rubble.
After a few minutes, the quake ceased. What remained of Duriel was a bloated and disgusting mess. The maggots, from the minute to the pig-sized, was feasted it. The sight was enough to make Zylene turned her face away. Everyone was silent. Myrrick's face turned somber than usual. The thought of the enemy might escaped again, was disturbed him.
Aliza worried, "Myrrick, are you all right?" Akivsha ignored them, as she walks into the tomb. Zylene followed her from behind,
"I'm fine! Just leave me alone…" the druid said hoarsely. Then the Zann-Esu called them,
"Myrrick! Aliza!" Her face was drained from its color and she seems shaken,
"T'al Rasha…was gone…" Myrrick can't hold his anger anymore, while Aliza simply stunned on her place. The assassin returned from inside, her face didn't show anything wrong,
"Perhaps all of you should come inside," she said, "There is someone you should meet,"
Inside the tomb, there is a huge cavern. In the middle of it, the huge rock slab stood and filled with the Viz'jerei's rune. The bridge crossed over the chasm surrounding the slab. However, they can't believe what they saw at the edge of the bridge.
Someone was standing over the rock slab. He wore a hood and armor; the radiance spreads to every corner of the tomb. Myrrick sensed that the light have a soothing and peaceful influence. The tentacle-like wings behind his back move everywhere and help the being floated in the air. Aliza looks shocked,
"Oh, by the Light!" Instantly, she kneeled and gave reverence to the being. Akivsha simply didn't care about it, while Zylene and Myrrick was hesitating. Then the being spoken,
"I am Archangel Tyrael…don't be afraid," Myrrick knew the name, but he hardly believe that a holy being like Tyrael was here. Zylene began to kneel and do the same as Aliza. The angel continues,
"I was hoped you were come faster… Diablo and Baal was escaped three hours ago; they managed to overcome me when I tried to stop them," Silently, the druid walked closer to him,
"Where did they go, Great Tyrael?" he asked him with respect. The archangel nods his hooded, before he answered the question,
"They went to Kurast as we talked now, their eldest brother, Mephisto was imprisoned at the Zakarum Temple there. However, I'm afraid that the Zakarumites have been fallen into Mephisto's corrupting influence. You must stop them before something disastrous to the mortal plane could happen…" While they were speaking, a portal appeared between them.
"You can return to Lut Gholein through this portal," Tyrael told them, "I must go now, but I will wait you after you have defeated Lord of Hatred…May the Light be with you!" With a sudden brightness, the archangel was disappeared from their sight. As everyone were silent, Akivsha asked,
"So, what are you going to do now?" Myrrick turned to other, his face still somber,
"I have to tell Cain, Drognan and Fara about this development, and then find a ship to go to Kurast," Aliza commented,
"I have a bad feeling about this…"
At the beach not far from Lut Gholein, a fisherman prepared to sail. His boat anchored at the beach. Then he saw two figures walked toward him. One of them was wearing dark hood, while his companion…somewhat was bandaged. The hooded man called with a hoarse voice,
"Bring us to Kurast…fast!" His gestures seems like someone gives an order.
The fisherman replied, "I beg you pardon? You must be mistaken; my boat is not taking passengers! Go away!" However, the hooded man and his companion ignored him. Now he spoke in an inhuman tone, almost like a growl,
"I won't repeat myself! Bring us to Kurast…" Feeling something wrong, the fisherman took his club,
"What happened if I wouldn't?" The other figure walked closer, and revealing a pale, emancipated body with bandages around his body. What made the fisherman terrified were the tentacles that came out from the body. It wriggled like a snake. The figure began to spoke in a shrill tone,
"Something bad…very, very bad" The fisherman screamed.
At Lut Gholein, the heroes returned and told others about the bad news. Drognan knocked the ground with his staff nervously,
"This was a serious setback to your effort! Destruction and Terror have been loose, and we don't know what they want for…you must stop them before everything lost to the Burning Hell," Cain tried to keep his composure, despite the news affected him much. Then Fara explained,
"Tyrael was right, the Zakarumites have changed indeed! That is why I left them and become a blacksmith. You should be more careful, druid…those people won't tolerate anything in their path though I don't know if they still serve the Light,"
Zylene said, "We'll try to ask Lord Jerhyn! Perhaps he has a way out…" Others nodded in agreement, though Myrrick's news was quite disturbing.
At the Palace, they have found Jerhyn was talking to a burly man. He saw them quickly enough, and then walked toward them with his companion,
"Thank God, you've returned alive!" Jerhyn called, "Warrior, I want to say thanks for what you have done! You have returned peace to my city, and I believe Zylene could help you more! May the Light shine upon your journey!"
" Oh, may I introduce you to my friend…" Before he finished, the burly man had introduced himself to them,
"My name is Meshif! I had heard your deeds from Warriv, and now Lord Jerhyn had told me more about that!" He offered his hands to Myrrick, who replied it with a firm shake.
"Before you came, Lut Gholein almost looks like a ghost city! Nobody could enter nor get out from here…but since your arrival, everything was changed! Today, I shall set sail to Kurast!" Suddenly, everyone looked bright. Then Myrrick asked,
"Could we join you? We were also going to Kurast!" Meshif surprised; yet he let out a hearty laugh,
"Sure! There is no problem about that! We shall set sail soon after my men finished their job at the port!"
Note: Sorry for some delay and changes. The new characters that I've promised, will appear in the next
Chapter. Anyway, thanks for the reviews! So far, I will try to improve my grammar to make the story
more enjoyable. Just wait for 'Journey to Kurast'
After returned from Arcane Sanctuary, Myrrick and the others went directly to the marketplace. Over there, they told their story to Cain, Drognan and Fara. The Horadric nodded only when heard their story,
"So, that is what happened to those who have learned Demonic Magic. It is a quick path to power, but with a price…" Then Drognan said,
"At least, you were one step closer to the Tomb! You shall face Tal Rasha soon!" Aliza turned to them,
"But there are 2 symbols, Cain!" she said, "And we don't know which one is the right symbol…" Cain sighed again, before facing Myrrick and Zylene. Akivsha stood not far from them.
"I don't know either. I'm afraid you have to check those tombs one by one…" Myrrick replied quickly, his tone full with determination.
"We're going now! We'll find it before Diablo does!" Later, Fara told them,
"Your armors have been damaged during your fight. You cannot fight T'al Rasha or Diablo like this! Come, I'll show you something!" She asked them to come to her shop. Then she was taking the greenish armor and gave it to the druid,
"Take this, the Cathan's Mesh! It is the most durable armor I ever have…I think it is fit for you!" Turned to Akivsha, she pulled out the golden armor:
"You should have this, young girl! Isenhart's Cage!" She also gave her a brand new cestus to replace her old katar. While trying to wear the armor, Akivsha noticed that Myrrick still held the Biter End,
"Druid, are you sure to keep that old club?" she chided him. Quickly, Aliza defended Myrrick, "Do you have a better idea?"
"Oh, why don't you try this one?" Fara took a long sword with jagged part close to the holder. Myrrick received it with some pondering; it seems he was hesitated to replace his club with a sword.
The smith explained, "It is called Isenhart's Lightbrand. Actually, it is supposedly used together with the armor…" She turned to the assassin, "Miss, if you wanted…"
Akivsha tartly cuts her, "I don't need a sword! I'm feel comfortable with my own weapon…" The rogue replied as she was trying a new bow and quiver of arrows, "Well, you should!"
Fara shook her head, as she turned to Myrrick, "Then, it is yours…Isenhart's Lightbrand was not an ordinary sword; it can increase your attack speed! Now, is there anything else you need?" The druid didn't answer, but he was taking a superior spike shield, which had 'Eld' rune inside its socket and Infernal Cranium cap. Meanwhile, Zylene took another orb sphere as a reserve for the Horadric Staff.
Not wasting their time, the four adventurers have arrived at the Valley of the Magi. Then a horde of Sabre Cats, accompanied with Berserkers and Cave Leapers greeted them. All of them quickly took the combat position. Myrrick quickly hacked the nearest enemy, while the sorceress summoned Nova. The crack of lightning spreads out in circular pattern and swept any living things at its radius. Akivsha didn't want to lose. Somersaulted on the air, she threw several traps, which changed the desert into a sea of fire and lightning. She landed close to a leaper, and sweeps her cestus that has been charged with Blade of Ice. The creature was frozen to death before it had time to scream. In other side, Aliza furiously shoot any cats that close to her. After 3 hours to hacking their way, the rest of the enemies finally fled after got the message. Myrrick watches his surrounding. There were 7 tomb carved around the valley. Each of them bore the arcane symbols, which they had seen at the Arcane Sanctuary.
Akivsha walked toward him, "So, what is your plan?" At the same time, Aliza and Zylene had waited nearby. The druid replied back,
"I see those symbols, but I still can't solve the riddle! Do you have any idea?" The sorceress reasoned,
"It means that among the 7 tombs, there only 2 probability of finding the true tomb. The Summoner deliberately intends to confuse those who wanted to find Tomb of T'al Rasha…" Then Aliza spoke her minds,
"So, we have to only to check the tombs that have those symbols! Am I right?" Behind her, Akivsha only shook her head.
Myrrick said, "I think that we should scatter to check those tombs! Aliza and I will check the first 2 tombs, while you and Zylene check the others." The assassin quickly protested,
"I'm sorry! I wasn't used to be with other people when doing something!" When heard the reply, the sorceress looked downcast. Aliza exploded again,
"What is the difference? Are you simply didn't like Zylene or what?" Once again, Myrrick cut them,
"All right! Then you can go by yourself, while Aliza will be with Zylene! Are you agreeing?" Akivsha didn't answer as she started to walk to the nearest tomb. The others also began to check the tombs, left Myrrick thinking,
They didn't make it simple for me…how long I could keep them together until I've found Diablo? Only God knows!
Inside the first tomb, Myrrick was breaking through a swarm of Horrors. His bear form was busy sweeping those creatures back to their grave. Unfortunately, the Raveller kept resurrecting them. Impatient, the druid quickly reverted to human form,
He bellowed, "Molten Boulder!!" Then the ball of molten lava came out from the ground and rolled toward the undead. It also crushed the Horrors along the way. The Raveller quickly prepared to hold the rolling lava. However, the ball explodes in front of the creature. The creature wailed, when Myrrick slashed through his torso.
Meanwhile, Zylene and Aliza have their own problem. They were fought against a band of mummies. Unlike Horrors, those creatures were stronger and harder to kill. The sorceress managed to struck two mummies with Chain Lightning. The rogue tried hard to keep others away, but they kept coming and coming.
"Zylene, it is too much!" Aliza shouted, "We have to get out from here…" Zylene tried to break the crowd, but the mummies kept coming.
"Wait, I know something!" Suddenly, the blinding light enveloped her body. The creatures were stunned for a split second. Before the light faded, Zylene has already held Aliza's shoulder.
"Hold on tightly, it is going to be rough!" As the nearest mummy tried to grab her, the rogue has already gone. Confused, those creatures were looking around the place. At the same time, a wave of fire came upon them…
Not far from the tombs, the light breaks out. Zylene and Aliza came out from it. Aliza can't shake her shock. Then she asked,
"W-what happened?"
Zylene explained, "That was one of our secret arts, Teleport. We often use it only when the situation became dangerous," Stunned, the rogue tried to digest the explanation. The sorceress only stared to the tomb again,
"I don't think it is the right tomb," she said, "If so, I should felt it through Horadric Staff!"
"Perhaps Myrrick or whoever her name is might be lucky…"
Inside another tomb, Akivsha and her clone were just finished their job. The assassin's hawkish eyes surveyed its surrounding, but found none.
"Return!" she gave order to her shadow clone, which quickly merged with her body. She felt that she was whole again. With a disdainful look, she left the tomb, which was filled with the burned and hacked corpses.
As the sun rises high on the sky, the heroes stood in front of the sixth tomb. The gate bore the crescent-moon symbol on top. Then the Zann-Esu broke the silence,
"This is the last tomb…" The rogue remarked again,
"I hope so! If this was not…"
Akivsha mocked, "What would you do if it isn't the right tomb? Were you tired already, rogue?"
"No, if it means to kick your ass to the next afterlife," Before they could continue, Myrrick has growled already,
"Stop, both of you! Let's hope this is the right tomb!!" Without waiting, the druid walked into the tomb, followed by others from behind.
Myrrick and his friend were arrived at the large hall inside the tomb. There was a hole on the floor at the center of the hall. Viz'jerei's runes were inscribed on the floor in a circular fashion. Then the sorceress shouted,
"Zylene? Is there something wrong?" Myrrick asked, while prepare to take out his sword,
"The staff…" Zylene replied, "The staff was vibrating…it looks like it has found its place here,"
Aliza was quick to recognize, "I just saw a hole on the floor, and it must be the socket for the staff! I believe we have to put the staff inside the hole…"
"Nice idea, genius!" Akivsha cuts in, "How do you put the staff if there is a trap?"
Myrrick grunted, "Perhaps, I could transform myself into a werebear and…" His conversation was cut by the sorceress' answer.
"I know the better idea! The only thing you have to do is don't make any noise," she told them,
"I can do it twice only…please, just keep quiet!" As everyone but Akivsha nodded in agreement, Zylene began to sit on the ground in a meditating position and closed her eyes. As she was trying to concentrate, she holds the Horadric Staff in front of her. Suddenly, the staff floated on the air. Slowly, Zylene was letting it off from her hand. The staff floats slowly toward the hole. Aliza can't hold her excitement, while Myrrick watched it intensely. Akivsha looked unimpressed with the event. The sorceress kept her mind focused on the staff. Inch by inch, the staff got closer to the hole until…
"Clunk!" The noise was small, but it seems echoed to the whole hall. In a split second, the Zann-Esu lost her control as the staff fell to the floor. Myrrick and Aliza turned their attention to Akivsha, who kneeled to took her weapon on the ground,
"Sorry…" She said nonchalantly as they showed sour face to what she did. However, Zylene quickly resumed her concentration. As she did, the staff was lifted from the ground and started to move again. This time, she had to put the staff inside the hole. Sweat appeared on her brow as she manipulated the staff to fit inside the hole. After a few turn, the staff was inside the hole.
After put the Horadric Staff inside the socket, Zylene returned to the others. Suddenly, the staff comes to life as it began to whirl. The whirl become more intense and faster, even a light came out from it. The beam of light burst and hit the nearest wall. The wall instantly crumbled, showing a hidden entrance. The heroes went closer to the entrance. Myrrick was the first who examined the entrance. However, it was pitch black inside. So, he asked.
"Aliza, bring me a torch!" The rogue brought a torch to him quickly. Yet, the druid has difficulty to see what is behind the entrance.
"It looks like a tunnel." He said, "Perhaps, I should go first to check any traps around," Suddenly, Akivsha strode forward, ignoring the druid and others.
"Excuse me, disarming traps is my specialty!" the assassin smirked, "So, would you excuse me for going ahead? Beside, it is always the lady first," Then she went forward before them,
Aliza gritted her teeth, "Did she learn about politeness before? If so, where did she learn?" Myrrick only shrugged.
"Perhaps we should follow her. We don't want to lose from Diablo!" Zylene nodded, showing her agreement with him. Then they followed Akivsha, who suddenly stopped not far from them. It made Myrrick suspicious,
"Is there something wrong, Akivsha?" The assassin lifted her hand to keep silent. Slowly, she unsheathed her cestus and katar. Not only her, Zylene also felt something strange on the air. Something moved in front of them, however it was too dark to be seen. When it came into the sight, they couldn't hold their surprise,
It was a huge-beetle like creature. The head almost like a rhino with 2 horns, the arms were huge and scythe-like. It has six legs, and squirming like worm under its bloated belly. The glint of red hue on its body gave it the bloodstained impression. They quickly took the combat position, prepare for any attack.
The creature hissed, "Such an unfortunate souls who have got into Duriel's lair…"
Myrrick growled, "You are not Diablo! Who are you?" The creature replies absentmindedly,
"Diablo? I'm Duriel, Lord of Pain! I believe you must be the people that he told me, those who have looking for T'al Rasha!!" Akivsha shouted,
"We don't have time for him! We must hurry, perhaps Diablo was inside now!!" For the first time, Aliza agreed with the assassin. Then she said to Myrrick,
"Myrrick, let's go!" Duriel turned on them, as his eyes was glittering maliciously,
"Go? I don't think so! You shall die here!!" Instantly, he charged them and swung his scythe-like arms. Myrrick and Akivsha have rolled out from there, while Zylene and Aliza teleported far away to Duriel's left side. Before they have breathed, the demon circled around the cave, in order to keep them from getting out. Aliza quipped,
"I'm afraid we have to finish this problematic demon, if we are going to after Diablo and Baal! The druid nodded as he transformed again into a werebear. His beasts stormed Duriel as they can. But Lord of Pain is not easily defeated. He quickly trashed the Dire Wolves out and broke the vines. Aliza kept shooting to distract the demon. The werebear jumped, mauling him repeatedly. It made Duriel furious. He slashed the werebear's left side, and then the beast started to chill. Myrrick has to revert back to his human form. Then he took the Isenhart's Lightbrand out from the sheath,
"Be careful to his attack! It has a chilling effect!" he warned the others. In a swift movement, Duriel started to chase him. Zylene swept her sphere toward the demon, while she shouted,
"Static Field!!" The electrical field quickly hit the target as the creature writhed. The demon growled as he turned his attention to the sorceress. Akivsha saw her chance to attack. She was trying to concentrate her mind, before she whispers, "Shadow Warrior!"
Suddenly, her shadow separated from her body and followed her movements. Then she somersaulted to Duriel's side. The 'clone' attacked Duriel fiercely, and sometime it gets trashed. However, it can rise up quickly. Akivsha spreads her traps around the demon. Duriel howled in pain as the massive wave of fire swallowed him. He quickly crawls to the roof of the cave to avoid the fire. As he crawled, a band of ravens pecking him. Below, Aliza began to target him. Unable to brush the attack, Duriel was returned to the ground. Myrrick swung his sword repeatedly to him. Meanwhile, Akivsha was attacking from behind,
"Tiger Strike!" she shouted as her katar sank into one of the demon's eyes. Duriel roared and trashed the assassin very hard to the wall. With his only eye, he saw her 'clone' sent a flying kick to his head. Meanwhile, Myrrick has summoned the Dire Wolves and ravens again to attack the demon. Taking his breath deeply, he would show the powerful spell that he kept for a long time ago. He shouted loudly,
"Volcano!!" Then the ground beneath Duriel trembled and cracked as it began to spew fiery lava at him. The demon quickly avoided it, yet he was cornered to the edge. Myrrick and Akivsha charged him together along with the wolves, ravens and 'clone'. From afar, Aliza shot her fire and ice arrows. Finally, Zylene sent her fire spell,
"Meteor!" A rain of smoldering stones fell upon Duriel as the rocks plummeted him. The demon didn't expect this. He was outnumbered one to twelve. When the druid slashed him, Lord of Pain screamed horribly as his body can't take the punishment anymore. He blew in front of them. Because of the explosion, the tomb was shaken from its foundation. Zylene quickly put her Energy Shield to protect them from the rubble.
After a few minutes, the quake ceased. What remained of Duriel was a bloated and disgusting mess. The maggots, from the minute to the pig-sized, was feasted it. The sight was enough to make Zylene turned her face away. Everyone was silent. Myrrick's face turned somber than usual. The thought of the enemy might escaped again, was disturbed him.
Aliza worried, "Myrrick, are you all right?" Akivsha ignored them, as she walks into the tomb. Zylene followed her from behind,
"I'm fine! Just leave me alone…" the druid said hoarsely. Then the Zann-Esu called them,
"Myrrick! Aliza!" Her face was drained from its color and she seems shaken,
"T'al Rasha…was gone…" Myrrick can't hold his anger anymore, while Aliza simply stunned on her place. The assassin returned from inside, her face didn't show anything wrong,
"Perhaps all of you should come inside," she said, "There is someone you should meet,"
Inside the tomb, there is a huge cavern. In the middle of it, the huge rock slab stood and filled with the Viz'jerei's rune. The bridge crossed over the chasm surrounding the slab. However, they can't believe what they saw at the edge of the bridge.
Someone was standing over the rock slab. He wore a hood and armor; the radiance spreads to every corner of the tomb. Myrrick sensed that the light have a soothing and peaceful influence. The tentacle-like wings behind his back move everywhere and help the being floated in the air. Aliza looks shocked,
"Oh, by the Light!" Instantly, she kneeled and gave reverence to the being. Akivsha simply didn't care about it, while Zylene and Myrrick was hesitating. Then the being spoken,
"I am Archangel Tyrael…don't be afraid," Myrrick knew the name, but he hardly believe that a holy being like Tyrael was here. Zylene began to kneel and do the same as Aliza. The angel continues,
"I was hoped you were come faster… Diablo and Baal was escaped three hours ago; they managed to overcome me when I tried to stop them," Silently, the druid walked closer to him,
"Where did they go, Great Tyrael?" he asked him with respect. The archangel nods his hooded, before he answered the question,
"They went to Kurast as we talked now, their eldest brother, Mephisto was imprisoned at the Zakarum Temple there. However, I'm afraid that the Zakarumites have been fallen into Mephisto's corrupting influence. You must stop them before something disastrous to the mortal plane could happen…" While they were speaking, a portal appeared between them.
"You can return to Lut Gholein through this portal," Tyrael told them, "I must go now, but I will wait you after you have defeated Lord of Hatred…May the Light be with you!" With a sudden brightness, the archangel was disappeared from their sight. As everyone were silent, Akivsha asked,
"So, what are you going to do now?" Myrrick turned to other, his face still somber,
"I have to tell Cain, Drognan and Fara about this development, and then find a ship to go to Kurast," Aliza commented,
"I have a bad feeling about this…"
At the beach not far from Lut Gholein, a fisherman prepared to sail. His boat anchored at the beach. Then he saw two figures walked toward him. One of them was wearing dark hood, while his companion…somewhat was bandaged. The hooded man called with a hoarse voice,
"Bring us to Kurast…fast!" His gestures seems like someone gives an order.
The fisherman replied, "I beg you pardon? You must be mistaken; my boat is not taking passengers! Go away!" However, the hooded man and his companion ignored him. Now he spoke in an inhuman tone, almost like a growl,
"I won't repeat myself! Bring us to Kurast…" Feeling something wrong, the fisherman took his club,
"What happened if I wouldn't?" The other figure walked closer, and revealing a pale, emancipated body with bandages around his body. What made the fisherman terrified were the tentacles that came out from the body. It wriggled like a snake. The figure began to spoke in a shrill tone,
"Something bad…very, very bad" The fisherman screamed.
At Lut Gholein, the heroes returned and told others about the bad news. Drognan knocked the ground with his staff nervously,
"This was a serious setback to your effort! Destruction and Terror have been loose, and we don't know what they want for…you must stop them before everything lost to the Burning Hell," Cain tried to keep his composure, despite the news affected him much. Then Fara explained,
"Tyrael was right, the Zakarumites have changed indeed! That is why I left them and become a blacksmith. You should be more careful, druid…those people won't tolerate anything in their path though I don't know if they still serve the Light,"
Zylene said, "We'll try to ask Lord Jerhyn! Perhaps he has a way out…" Others nodded in agreement, though Myrrick's news was quite disturbing.
At the Palace, they have found Jerhyn was talking to a burly man. He saw them quickly enough, and then walked toward them with his companion,
"Thank God, you've returned alive!" Jerhyn called, "Warrior, I want to say thanks for what you have done! You have returned peace to my city, and I believe Zylene could help you more! May the Light shine upon your journey!"
" Oh, may I introduce you to my friend…" Before he finished, the burly man had introduced himself to them,
"My name is Meshif! I had heard your deeds from Warriv, and now Lord Jerhyn had told me more about that!" He offered his hands to Myrrick, who replied it with a firm shake.
"Before you came, Lut Gholein almost looks like a ghost city! Nobody could enter nor get out from here…but since your arrival, everything was changed! Today, I shall set sail to Kurast!" Suddenly, everyone looked bright. Then Myrrick asked,
"Could we join you? We were also going to Kurast!" Meshif surprised; yet he let out a hearty laugh,
"Sure! There is no problem about that! We shall set sail soon after my men finished their job at the port!"
Note: Sorry for some delay and changes. The new characters that I've promised, will appear in the next
Chapter. Anyway, thanks for the reviews! So far, I will try to improve my grammar to make the story
more enjoyable. Just wait for 'Journey to Kurast'