Hatred Within
The mood along the journey was somber; everybody was silent. Perhaps, Tha'el was an exception. He whistled along the way, like enjoying a picnic. The druid was annoyed, but he decided to against his temper. Lest, it would gave the necromancer an excuse to quarrel. Also, he had to keep Akivsha to not follow her 'instinct'. Meanwhile, Aliza's attention was upon the shrunken head, which hanging on Tha'el's waist. The shrunken head has a red hair; it was clear that whoever owns the head before was a woman. She couldn't resist her curiosity. Then she went closer to the necromancer,
She called him, "Eh, can I ask you something?" Tha'el turned with a mild surprise; his ice blue eyes bored deeply to the rogue. Aliza felt that he was staring at her, and that made her uncomfortable. She sighed in relief when she saw the necromancer smiled. It seems he want to disarm her prejudice.
"I'm believe that you want to know how I got my shrunken head," They continued to walk, while Tha'el told his story,
"This was the reminder when I entered the Travincal for the first time. I was inexperienced at that time, and joined the people who wanted to challenge the Lord of Hatred. Unfortunately, the quest was failed and I was taken captive by one of his minions, Battlemaid Sarina!"
"Strangely, the corrupted rogue didn't kill me. Instead, she keeps me as.well, her lover! Funny, ha? Both of us are very close at that time. During that time, I had found out the High Council of Zakarum had given her task to guarding the Lam-Esen Tome, Khalim's heart and flail!" Afterward, he inhaled deeply. Aliza asked,
"Then, what happened?" The necromancer continued, "At midnight, I managed to make my way to Kurast Bazzar where they kept the relics. Too bad, Sarina caught me red-handed. She attacked me furiously; no doubt that she would kill me! I had to defend myself!" Zylene sensed that the necromancer didn't show any emotions, including remorse. Tha'el continued his story like nothing disturbed him,
"After a few rounds, I was able to wound Sarina! Even in her dying, she stared me with anger, hate and.what do you call it? Oh, concern! To remind me about our love, I was taken something precious from her," The necromancer began to show a devilish smile, while played his shrunken head,
Aliza shocked as she realized the implication, "No, you don't mean." Tha'el nodded,
"Yes, you are right! I took her head off, and here is she!" Unable to hold her disgust, the rogue distanced herself from him, only to vomit. Zylene attended her out, while Orb'al stared to the necromancer with dislike.
"What? Don't look at me!" the necromancer protested, "I just told her my story."
"Nice try, wise guy!" Akivsha mocked from a far, "If you have already the Lam-Esen Tome and Khalim's heart, why don't you try to find the rest and storm the Travincal by yourself?"
When heard the statement, Tha'el facefaulted. Yet, he had an answer already,
"Er, I have some problems. Though the ward was successfully buff the zealots, the Council Members are not easily to get rid of!" Suddenly, the paladin asked him,
"How many of them?" Everyone surprised; they never thought Caldash would ask such question,
"Well, plenty of them actually! However, I managed to saw the most prominent when Sarina introduced me. There are six of them, all of them are strong in physical and magic!" Myrrick and Akivsha saw Caldash's face became sullen. Then the druid put his hand at the paladin's shoulder,
"Caldash, is something disturb you?" The paladin put away his hand, while replied,
"I'm sorry, Myrrick! It is my problem alone, not yours!" Then he walked away from them. The druid couldn't help but wonder, Caldash, what are you keeping of?
After a few hours close to sunset, the band had arrived at the gates of Travincal. It was a majestic, Aztec-looking city-temple, but it looked deserted despite the size. Now they entered the Kurast Causeway. Before they had a chance to enter, the necromancer quickly blocked them.
"Wait, let me walk first! Just in case the zealots waited us for ambush, would you not mind?" Tha'el grinned widely, as the druid nodded impatiently. Then Myrrick barked,
"So? Lead us then!" Bowed, the necromancer walked triumphantly into the city. The others followed him like a procession. What Tha'el said was right; the zealots had waited them! When they saw him, they did nothing but watching. Even, some of them were scurrying away. Myrrick was silent, lest, the necromancer would gloat over his success. Akivsha was the most irritated; she was the one who against the necromancer to join them. Not mentioning about his arrogance! Yet, she couldn't let the paladin out of her sight. As far as she concerned, Caldash didn't show anything wrong.
Meanwhile, Zylene and Aliza watched everything with wonder. They couldn't believe that they entered the Travincal without any opposition and the zealots avoided them like a contagious disease.
The rogue said, "Did you see that, Zylene?" The Zann-Esu nodded only, while she was laying her eyes upon the city,
"The elders told me that the Zakarumites are the pious people before. I can see that in this city, it seems they had degenerated a long time until they became prey of Mephisto's sophistry. I'm pity that the zealots were following their leader blindly without realize that the Council had been contaminated already," Solemnly, Caldash continued,
"However, the just shall be avenged today! The retribution shall come upon the wicked." Aliza and Zylene didn't understood what the paladin meant; yet the assassin noted it clearly. Not for long, they had arrived in front of the Guardian Temple, which had kept the Lord of Hatred inside. Now the temple seemed represent the victory over his guardians. There were six peoples stood in front of the temple. They wore the orange robe and hood covered their face. Seeing them, Caldash's face became darkened. Myrrick swore that he could hear his teeth clenched. Akivsha watched the changes warily. She wanted to ensure that Caldash wouldn't lay his sword upon them. Her right hand rested on the katar's handle. Zylene held her staff tightly, while Orb'al took his axes. Tha'el looks calm, yet sweat rolled on his brow. Surrounding them, the zealots and hierophants watched with mixed feelings.
Then one of them spoke, "Well, Rathma! We don't know what brings you back here, but you were mistaken if you think that we had forgotten your treachery and what you have done to our beloved sister, Sarina!"
Tha'el sneered, "At least, I'm not coming alone! As you see, I have new friends to ensure your master's demise! By the way, your sister was safe with me now," The hooded people didn't answer, but one of them fidgeted his colleagues and began to pointing at Caldash. There was a serious discussion, yet it was over quickly when they turned again to the heroes,
"So, you have returned here, Caldash!" One of the hooded people greeted him. His words were rich with infernal excitement. Everyone surprised when the hooded people addressed the paladin with his name. Then his colleague followed, "Why did you took so long? We are missed you so much!" The paladin strode forward; almost collide with the necromancer in process,
"Yes, I have returned! I know who you are, Ismail! Toorc!" he said with subdued voice, yet trying to check the rising anger, "Did Sankekur sent you here?"
Ismail Vilehand smiled, "Yes, he did! Our Que-Hegan and great Lord sent us here to greet you and your friends personally!" Beside Ismail, Toorc Icefist continued,
"Why do you not introduce us to your friends, so we could get acquainted?" At this point, Caldash could barely hold his anger anymore,
"They are not my friends as you were now! You are no longer my friends since you had served Lord of Hatred by killing Khalim and my family along!!" The heroes shocked upon Caldash's statement. Never occurred in their mind, Caldash had a painful secret. One of the hooded people shouted,
"How insolent that you are addressing us like that! I'm going to teach you the lesson!!" However, Ismail held his colleague with his right hand,
"Wait, Geleb! It seemed that our little disciple have forgotten how to be polite.I think it is time to remind him again," Then the Council Member gestured to the zealots to move away and left them alone. Afterward, he turned his attention to Caldash,
"It seems your head has swelled so much after you went to Westmarch, Caldash! Was that the things we teach you?"
Caldash said solemnly, "I never forget them, but I'm lived by the ideals! Not by the teachers!" Ismail nodded sadly,
"I see! There is no other way to convince you back to us! Then, you should know this, Caldash! Your life is forfeited when you stepped again the Travincal! The penalty is death beyond suffering!" Instantly, the Council Members pulled their robes, and behold! The right portion of their body from arm to trunk was full with spike and unnaturally deformed. The reddish right eye stared the paladin with a malicious gleam. Ismail's face looked twisted as he tried to smile. He lifted his disproportionate arm,
"You see, young Caldash! The Light itself never gives the power like we have now! You should join us then!!"
Caldash smiled bitterly, "Now I know what your Lord's reward after you betrayed the Light!" The Council Members took their position, while the heroes was ready to fight.
Toorc mocked, "By the way, Caldash! Why don't you ask your friends to join the fray? Perhaps, they gladly help you out from the trouble! Especially the Rathma!" Myrrick shouted,
"Caldash, let us help you! You can't win against all of them!" The paladin turned to them,
"No! Stay away from this, Myrrick!! They are mine!" The druid strode forward, followed by Akivsha, Zylene and Aliza. Suddenly, Caldash pointed his sword to them,
"I warn you, stay away! Don't force me to do something that I will regret later!!" Before Myrrick can insist, Orb'al held him and looked into his eyes. It seems the barbarian understood what his partner wanted. Slowly, the heroes withdrew from Caldash. At the same time, the demons had surrounded the paladin. Ismail spoke again,
"You know, Caldash! You have thrown the last chance to win. Your friend is right; you couldn't expect to won against us!" The holy knight answered sullenly,
"We'll see about that!" The corrupted Zakarumites howled to their lungs, as they were ready to attack. Caldash lifted his shield, while brought his sword to defensive stance. Geleb Flamefinger charged toward him first. He swipes the paladin with his fire-charged arm. Then Toorc and Bremm Sparkfist followed. Hid himself behind the shield, Caldash quickly increased his Defiance Aura. His decision was correct, as the demons attacked him with ice-enhanced strikes. Bremm leaped and hammered Caldash's shield with his right arm. The paladin's body shook very hard, but he gripped the shield tighter. Then he pushed the attacker with Smite. The Council member avoided it reflexively. Meanwhile, his companions had cast Hydra, surrounding the paladin.
As the fight went, Myrrick and others watched it with tense. Akivsha commented,
"He isn't going to win! Those demons are too many and strong! It's only a matter of time before he overwhelmed." The rogue worriedly said,
"Myrrick, what shall we do?" The Druid didn't answer. Caldash had warned them to not interfere him, strictly! Then the necromancer, who sat on the floor suggested,
"Are you sure that you don't want to help him? Perhaps a little curse might." Before he finished his sentence, everybody gave him a dark, sidelong glance.
"On the second thought, I think he could handle it very well."
Actually, the Council Members couldn't push their wayward pupil out! That frustrated them very much.they didn't want the fight dragged too long. Ismail gestured to two of his companions to move toward the enemy. They immediately gone from the sight.
Zylene shouted, "Two Council members are gone.no, they're teleporting!" The implication became clear in everyone's mind. Aliza quickly warned the paladin,
"Caldash! They were." Suddenly, the demons appeared behind Caldash. The largest hugged him tightly; the paladin felt his bones almost broken. He could hear the demon hissed close to his ear,
"Dear Caldash.you shouldn't fight us then! Now it's too late! We'll bring your blood for offering to Lord Mephisto!" Instead afraid, the paladin gave a cold, cruel smile,
"Too bad, Maffer! The only one who going to die is.you, and I'll be the one who kill you," After said that, a fiery aura came out from the paladin's body. Maffer shocked when the aura burned his body. He immediately released his quarry. Caldash didn't waste any moment; in a split second he distanced himself from the demon. In sudden movement, he slashed the Council Member with seven successions. Maffer didn't have time to cry as his body torn apart by the sword. The others, including Myrrick shocked after watching the event. The paladin didn't stop there. He cut the other demon at the torso, sundering its body.
"Wyand!!" Ismail screamed in fury as he watched the paladin slew his comrade. Finished, the paladin turned to the others. There was an unnatural flame inside his eyes. The remaining Council Members became terrified when they saw the paladin. Toorc opened his mouth in
"How.could you.do.that?" Caldash walked slowly, while wiping the blood at his sword. There is blood splattered at his face; yet he ignored it. He watched them with some amusement,
"That's what I have learned when I left Westmarch! I decided to improve my Conviction, Zeal, Fanaticism and Vengeance Aura, but slowly those aura become one with me! Part of me! Somehow the auras feeds upon my sorrow, and in return, give an untold power! The power to avenge my family and master! Now the day of retribution is at hand!!" The Council Members were visibly shaken after death of their companions. Yet, they refused to acknowledge their defeat,
"For Maffer and Wyand, you shall pay with your life!!" Shrieking, the demons attacked the paladin again. This time, he summoned Concentration. Time became mired in slow motion. Swiftly, he brought himself level at the closest opponent. Then he slashed the demon's abdomen, and continued to cleave its head. As the next demon leaped, Caldash drove his shield forward and slammed it to the ground. He quickly thrust the sword to the throat, severing the head. Ismail charged him with his cursed attack. It hit Caldash squarely, but instead fell down he jumped and drove the sword to the Council Member's chest. The demon's eyes almost bulged out from its socket. Caldash held the demon with his sword, as it wobbly stood on its feet.
"Caldash.why?" Ismail watched him with pained face, "I was.your.teacher.before,"
The paladin answered, "I always followed you during my acolyte time, unfortunately in the end you are the one who strays from the path! Now you must pay for what you have done to Kurast! Farewell, Master." With quick movement, he broke the demon's chest with one horizontal slash. Blackish blood sprayed everywhere. Ismail Vilehand screamed in indescribable agony before he fell to the ground dead. Caldash didn't blink after watching the massacre. Slowly, he turned to the last remaining demon and asked,
"So, how about you, Toorc?" Toorc's body shook like wavering water; he dragged himself to run. The paladin didn't chase him; he merely followed the demon. Realizing there was no way out, the remaining Council Member kneeled and begged,
"Mercy, Caldash! I'm innocent.it was Sankekur who forced me to do this.! Please forgive me." Caldash watched him with a hard, grim look, and then he said, "I hope I could believe your words, Toorc! If Sankekur forced you, then why do you accept his power and serve Mephisto? Your appearance doesn't lie! I ask you now, were my family begs to you for spare them." The demon didn't answered.
"As I thought, goodbye!" The scream barely heard as Caldash prepared to cut the demon instantly. Unable to bear that, Myrrick grabbed the paladin's arm. The attack only managed to sever Toorc's right arm. Immediately, the surviving Council Member ran into the temple. The severed right arm still wriggled, despite it was not attached to body anymore. The druid questioned,
"Caldash, have you gone mad? They already dead.do you think this.atrocity are necessary?" The paladin stared Myrrick intensely. The Druid could see that the Caldash he met at Lut Gholein has completely gone; he faced with a total stranger,
"You don't know what my suffering is! Mephisto is the one who causes this; after he dead, I can rest peacefully!" He pulled his arm and went directly toward the Guardian Tower. Akivsha warned,
"We're better watch out of him! Nobody knows what he's going to do next! For sure, I don't want to end like his 'masters'," They watched the strewn corpses around them. Orb'al managed to retrieve Khalim's Flail from Ismail's cold body.
Somehow, Myrrick couldn't believed that the paladin like Caldash could do such things due to his anger.
Am I like him? Would I end like Caldash? Consumed by anger and hate? Oh, Joanna! Is your death worth of this madness?
Aliza touched his shoulder, "Myrrick, let's go!" Then he followed the others to the Guardian Tower.
Holding his severed part, Toorc entered the first floor of Guardian Temple. Before he went into the Durance of Hate, he turned his attention back to the first floor again and hissed,
"If we can't kill you, Caldash, then your friends will! The Compelling Orb will ensure that! By then, you'll find that you aren't the only one who nurtures hatred inside." Then he went down into the ladder.
The heroes stood in front of Guardian Temple. They waited Myrrick to produce Horadric Cube. He took Khalim's eye, brain and flail yet his face was unpleasant when he turned to the necromancer.
"What?" Tha'el asked innocently. Gritting his teeth, the druid asked him again,
"You know what I mean, the heart," Then the assassin added with sarcasm,
"Or you have a change of mind already? I think it is also good for us then." Everybody stared the Rathma with suspicion, especially Caldash who stood not far from the gate. Suddenly Tha'el said, "Oh, sure! I almost forget it! Here!" When he offered the heart, Myrrick snatched it immediately without say anything. The necromancer complained,
"That's it? Not even saying thanks?" Nobody answered, as Myrrick put those remains into the Horadric Cube and pressed the button. The red light appeared along the lining of the cube. After the light gone, the druid took a large flail out of the cube. Aliza whistled only. Zylene could only whisper in admiration,
"Khalim's Flail." Akivsha and Orb'al seemed did not care at all. Then the paladin demanded,
"Give me the flail, and I'll break the way." However, Myrrick interrupted,
"Caldash, perhaps I'll be the one who keep the flail." Caldash's face turned sour, he quickly said,
"What's happened with you? Are you not trust me anymore?" Once again, Akivsha launched her scathing remarks,
"It's not that we don't trust you. It's just that we don't trust you." The paladin quite irritated with the remarks, before he went verbal, the druid blocked him immediately,
"All right! That's it, Akivsha! Caldash, don't worry! The flail is safe with me, beside all of us are looking for Diablo.so we have a common enemy!" However, the paladin sulked only and went inside without waiting others. Aliza shook her head only,
"I know that someday her words will cost us our heads." As the others followed Caldash, Tha'el slowly walked behind them. He kept whispering,
"Soon, not for long."
As they entered the Temple, the bright light greeted them. Not far from them, a glowing sphere floated on air. It looked beautiful in silvery light. Myrrick asked Zylene,
"Zylene, is it the Compelling Orb?" The sorceress nodded only,
"No doubt, it is exactly like what the Zann-Esu archives describes." Before she finished, the paladin shouted to them,
"Give me the Khalim's flail, and I'll break this s*** immediately, so we could go to kill Mephisto!" The druid halted him,
"Don't too rush, Caldash! We have to careful first, perhaps they have prepared a trap for us," Irated, Caldash answered in rude tone,
"I don't care! Anything can make it, as long as I could kill Mephisto!!" Myrrick frowned after listening the reply.
Meanwhile, Akivsha noticed the necromancer was nowhere to be seen. She turned to the rogue,
"Hey, did you see the necromancer? I don't see him." Aliza replied absent-mindedly, but with tone of resentment,
"Why should I see him? I'm not a baby sitter; it is supposedly your job!" Irritated, the assassin shouted aloud to her,
"Oh, since when you think yourself important?" Disbelieve to what she heard, Aliza turned to the assassin,
"Say again! What is your problem?" Akivsha almost laughed when she heard the question,
"My problem? My problem is you!! You know what? I'm tired to hear your childish remarks every time we go, why don't you go away or dead instead?" Anger instantly bubbled inside Aliza's head. She couldn't let the bitch insulted her like that. Instantly, she pointed her bow to her, while the assassin took her katars already. Akivsha taunted,
"So, what are you doing now? Kill me? Try and you'll be sorry, little girl!"
"Shut up! I don't want to hear that!" The sorceress was alarmed with the development. Immediately, she intervened them,
"Stop it! Aliza! Akivsha! Something is wrong! Can't you see it?" Now the assassin turned her acrid tongue to her,
"Ah, here is the 'know-all-everything' girl! Is that what you wanted? Someone to like you, admire your beauty and brainy head?" Zylene shocked upon hearing the words, before she could say anything, Akivsha continued,
"By the way, did someone tell you that you are quite big-mouthed? Nobody like you for that." The Zann-Esu trembled and fell on her knees; she tried hard to speak,
"No, what you said isn't true! Everyone like.me.not.because.I.I."
"Oh, I remember! Why do your parents give you to Zann-Esu? Do they love you or not? That's why you went overboard last night at the boat.to end your miserable life.unloved." Unable to control her emotion, Zylene broke in a hysterical crying. Aliza shouted to the sorceress,
"Stay back, Zylene! I'll kill this bitch and shut her foul mouth for good!!"
Akivsha spat back, "Be careful to what you have say, little rogue! I won't take it graciously!" The rogue pulled her bow as the assassin charged toward her.
At the same time, the warriors glared each other. The paladin had unsheathed his Sazabi Cobalt Redeemer already, while the druid lifted the Isenhart's Lightbrand. Then Caldash warned,
"Give me the flail, Myrrick! Nobody will stop me from having my vengeance!" Myrrick shouted, "What is wrong with you, Caldash? I am not your enemy!!" The answer he received was a cold one,
"You are now!" With a flash, he charged toward the druid with his sword. Quickly, Myrrick deflected the attack with the flail, and drove the opponent backward. The paladin cobbled awhile, but managed to gain his composure. At the moment, Myrrick felt something boiled inside his head. He couldn't understand how they could turn against each other. Instantly, the realization dawned inside him,
It must be the Compelling Orb! The orb has power to influence and manipulate our emotions! This is Mephisto's trap! If I want to be free, I have to destroy the orb immediately!
He ran toward the orb, but then the paladin blocked his way. He stared blankly to Myrrick,
"Where do you think to go? There is nowhere to go, except death!" The druid felt his patience was wearing thin, then he said,
"Damn, Caldash! How many times I have to say? I'm not your enemy! Mephisto is your enemy!" Instead, Caldash roared,
"Shut up, infidel! You had killed my family and my master.my loved ones! Therefore, you must pay it with your miserable life!!" He brought the sword with blinding speed toward the druid, yet Myrrick swung the Khalim's flail to deflect it. The weapons collided in a shower of fire sparks, and they tangled each other. Myrrick tried to yank it out; instead it was yanked out from his grip. Now he was defenseless. The paladin charged him again.
Outside, the necromancer peeked the hall inside. He predicted that the Compelling Orb has taken over their mind. It won't be long until they would kill each other. Thae'l know it very well, because he had joined various quests to challenge Lord of Hatred. However, most were failed even before meeting Mephisto. The Compelling Orb was able to intensify the simple resentment into a full-blown hatred, and turned them against their own. Silently, he pulled the poisoned dagger before he peeked again. After they finished, he would get rid the survivors, and then claimed the glory for himself,
Success always favored the cunning, not the strong! The only thing I have to do is wait.
As the situation became tense, the barbarian was undisturbed. He watched carefully the fight between Caldash and Myrrick, while Akivsha and Aliza fought each other fiercely. Zylene still cried hysterically. Meanwhile the orb glowed brighter than before.
The rogue shot freeze bolts toward Akivsha, but the assassin blocked it immediately. Before she managed to grab her opponent, Aliza already sidestepped her and prepared to shot again. However, Akivsha shouted,
"Mind Blast!" Instantly, the rogue knocked by something unseen. The bow flew from her grips. Aliza tried to take the bow, but Akivsha kicked it away from her. Then she took Aliza's hair and pulled her to arise, smiling cruelly as her katar closed to the rogue's neck,
"Now who's the bitch now? Do you have anything to say before you die?" Aliza cursed while tried to hold his pain,
"F@*^*^.go to the Burning Hell by yourself!" The assassin grinned only, her hand already twitched to pull the katar.
Myrrick managed to bring his spiked shield to halt Caldash's attack, and then sent a kick to him. As the paladin stumbled, the druid cast his summoning spell, Poison Creeper. Immediately, the vines appeared and tangled Caldash around. However, the knight hissed only,
"Do you believe your twigs can hold me forever? Watch this!" He quickly summoned Concentration Aura, and began to slash his way out with sword. In no time, there were no vines left. Realizing the danger, Myrrick transformed himself into a werebear and ran toward his opponent. Caldash also did the same thing, and summoned Vengeance and Defiance together. Both collided together and wrestled against each other,
Tha'el chuckled as he watched the situation. It seemed everything went well, however his smile vanished when he saw something unbelievable. Orb'al were the only one who didn't affected by the Compelling Orb,
What? It can't be happened! Nobody immune from the influence of the Compelling Orb! W-what are he doing now?
The necromancer watched Orb'al took the Khalim's Flail and walked toward the orb. He gritted his teeth.
No! You'll screw my plan!! I won't let you do this to me!! Wasting no time, Tha'el entered the hall. While the others still busy, the barbarian was the only one who noticed his coming.
Tha'el called, "Hey, can we negotiate? Why don't you give the flail to me?" Orb'al ignored him and continued to walk. Irritated, the necromancer only whispered something. Suddenly, the barbarian stumbled. As he think, Tha'el walked toward him with a sneer,
"Oh, what happened? Are my Decrepify too strong for you, mighty barbarian?" Orb'al turned on him with livid rage, but then he set his attention to the orb again and continued to walk again. Before he was close to his objective, he felt his vision blurred by something. The bright orb slowly vanished from his view. The necromancer commented without any sympathy,
"Oh, my! It must be my Dim Vision.perhaps you need help immediately!" He took his poisoned dagger and went toward the blinded barbarian. He smiled coldly,
"I'll help you from this suffering.release your soul to the Great Cycle," Gritted his teeth, Orb'al continued to walk though he have to touch something. Slowly but sure, he was close to the Compelling Orb, at the same time Tha'el lifted his dagger. Without warning, the barbarian cried his whole lungs. The cry echoed along the temple, and immediately stunned everyone inside. The necromancer was terrified to hear such cry; even he forgot to maintain his curses. Instantly, Orb'al felt his senses returned and he could saw the Compelling Orb clearly. With a loud cry, he lifted the flail.and crushed the orb! The orb exploded into twinkling shards as the impact shattered the artifact.
Then Akivsha and Aliza felt something strange; it seemed they awoke from a dream. The assassin dropped her weapon and released her grip as she arose. The rogue was stunned, as she watched the change. Meanwhile, Zylene stopped crying and noticed her hands were wet with tears.
She asked, "What happened to us?" Nobody answered. At the same time, Caldash stopped his attack to Myrrick and distanced himself. The druid wondered as he reverted to his human form. Everyone stunned when they saw Orb'al dragged the necromancer with him. He still held the Khalim's Flail with his left hand. Myrrick demanded,
"What's going on here? Why do we fight each other?" Then the Zann-Esu explained,
"The Compelling Orb, Myrrick! It is manipulate us to fight each other by using our own resentment." Aliza shocked then turned her attention to the assassin who tried to avoid it. Now it was clear to all of them. Akivsha commented,
"Mephisto's trap." she turned to the barbarian who still held Tha'el, "and I think someone already know this, yet he didn't tell us." Angrily, the druid grabbed the necromancer from the barbarian and lifted him with his bare hands.
"You're creep! You know this all along, ha? Are you Mephisto's agent?" Trembled and flushed with fear, Tha'el answered,
"N-no, you're misunderstood.I-I'm not his agent.about the orb.I was forgot to tell you." Before he finished his words, the assassin already commented with sarcasm,
"You just want to be recognize as the only one who kill Lord of Hatred, am I right? That's why you led us here, hoping that the orb would manipulate us to kill each other, and then you'll get rid the remaining survivor.oh, very simple!" Tha'el's face turned pale. Now Zylene and Aliza looked at him with disgust, it never passed in their mind that he would plan such devious plan. Clenched his teeth, Myrrick roared,
"For this, I might ripped you apart! Damn you!!" However, the rogue called him,
"Myrrick! Caldash is nowhere to be seen!!" Then Orb'al pointed to the ladder at the middle of the hall. Once again, the druid cursed,
"Damn, why can't he wait us for a second?" He threw the necromancer to the ground and inspected the ladder. Akivsha asked him, "Do you want me to finish this one right now?" Tha'el turned pale. Myrrick replied gruffly,
"Forget it, this creep is not worth of it! We still have Mephisto to dealt with, perhaps we should keep our remaining strength for that!" Then he went down to the Durance of Hate, followed by Zylene and Orb'al. Meanwhile, Akivsha and Aliza turned their attention to the cowered necromancer,
The rogue said, "He's yours! I don't want to dirty my hands with this creep." She left them alone; then the young Rathma asked,
"Can I go now? Beside, you don't need me anymore."Instead, the assassin pulled his hand and twisted it to his back, while whispered,
"No, you'll come with us! Do you want to see the Lord of Hatred by yourself? I'll ensure that you won't plan something mischievous for us anymore." After saying that, Akivsha dragged him to the Durance of Hate. Tha'el only moaned,
I wish I were stay at the Kurast Harbor.
Author's note: Sorry for waiting a year, I was very busy in my studies and concentrating to the other fanfic projects. Now the quest almost close to the end, yet the heroes still have to settle the differences between them. What waits them in the Durance of Hate? Will they reach the gate to the Burning Hell? Wait the next chapter second to the last, "Beyond the Burning Hell"
P.S.: Thanks for your review, Tenshi no Akuma! To make Myrrick and Akivsha as the main characters was my actual intention before, yet I found out that everyone made their fanfic with a complete group of Diablo II Heroes. Then I decided to create another characters to make the interaction between the characters more interesting! OK, enjoy the story and see you around!"
The mood along the journey was somber; everybody was silent. Perhaps, Tha'el was an exception. He whistled along the way, like enjoying a picnic. The druid was annoyed, but he decided to against his temper. Lest, it would gave the necromancer an excuse to quarrel. Also, he had to keep Akivsha to not follow her 'instinct'. Meanwhile, Aliza's attention was upon the shrunken head, which hanging on Tha'el's waist. The shrunken head has a red hair; it was clear that whoever owns the head before was a woman. She couldn't resist her curiosity. Then she went closer to the necromancer,
She called him, "Eh, can I ask you something?" Tha'el turned with a mild surprise; his ice blue eyes bored deeply to the rogue. Aliza felt that he was staring at her, and that made her uncomfortable. She sighed in relief when she saw the necromancer smiled. It seems he want to disarm her prejudice.
"I'm believe that you want to know how I got my shrunken head," They continued to walk, while Tha'el told his story,
"This was the reminder when I entered the Travincal for the first time. I was inexperienced at that time, and joined the people who wanted to challenge the Lord of Hatred. Unfortunately, the quest was failed and I was taken captive by one of his minions, Battlemaid Sarina!"
"Strangely, the corrupted rogue didn't kill me. Instead, she keeps me as.well, her lover! Funny, ha? Both of us are very close at that time. During that time, I had found out the High Council of Zakarum had given her task to guarding the Lam-Esen Tome, Khalim's heart and flail!" Afterward, he inhaled deeply. Aliza asked,
"Then, what happened?" The necromancer continued, "At midnight, I managed to make my way to Kurast Bazzar where they kept the relics. Too bad, Sarina caught me red-handed. She attacked me furiously; no doubt that she would kill me! I had to defend myself!" Zylene sensed that the necromancer didn't show any emotions, including remorse. Tha'el continued his story like nothing disturbed him,
"After a few rounds, I was able to wound Sarina! Even in her dying, she stared me with anger, hate and.what do you call it? Oh, concern! To remind me about our love, I was taken something precious from her," The necromancer began to show a devilish smile, while played his shrunken head,
Aliza shocked as she realized the implication, "No, you don't mean." Tha'el nodded,
"Yes, you are right! I took her head off, and here is she!" Unable to hold her disgust, the rogue distanced herself from him, only to vomit. Zylene attended her out, while Orb'al stared to the necromancer with dislike.
"What? Don't look at me!" the necromancer protested, "I just told her my story."
"Nice try, wise guy!" Akivsha mocked from a far, "If you have already the Lam-Esen Tome and Khalim's heart, why don't you try to find the rest and storm the Travincal by yourself?"
When heard the statement, Tha'el facefaulted. Yet, he had an answer already,
"Er, I have some problems. Though the ward was successfully buff the zealots, the Council Members are not easily to get rid of!" Suddenly, the paladin asked him,
"How many of them?" Everyone surprised; they never thought Caldash would ask such question,
"Well, plenty of them actually! However, I managed to saw the most prominent when Sarina introduced me. There are six of them, all of them are strong in physical and magic!" Myrrick and Akivsha saw Caldash's face became sullen. Then the druid put his hand at the paladin's shoulder,
"Caldash, is something disturb you?" The paladin put away his hand, while replied,
"I'm sorry, Myrrick! It is my problem alone, not yours!" Then he walked away from them. The druid couldn't help but wonder, Caldash, what are you keeping of?
After a few hours close to sunset, the band had arrived at the gates of Travincal. It was a majestic, Aztec-looking city-temple, but it looked deserted despite the size. Now they entered the Kurast Causeway. Before they had a chance to enter, the necromancer quickly blocked them.
"Wait, let me walk first! Just in case the zealots waited us for ambush, would you not mind?" Tha'el grinned widely, as the druid nodded impatiently. Then Myrrick barked,
"So? Lead us then!" Bowed, the necromancer walked triumphantly into the city. The others followed him like a procession. What Tha'el said was right; the zealots had waited them! When they saw him, they did nothing but watching. Even, some of them were scurrying away. Myrrick was silent, lest, the necromancer would gloat over his success. Akivsha was the most irritated; she was the one who against the necromancer to join them. Not mentioning about his arrogance! Yet, she couldn't let the paladin out of her sight. As far as she concerned, Caldash didn't show anything wrong.
Meanwhile, Zylene and Aliza watched everything with wonder. They couldn't believe that they entered the Travincal without any opposition and the zealots avoided them like a contagious disease.
The rogue said, "Did you see that, Zylene?" The Zann-Esu nodded only, while she was laying her eyes upon the city,
"The elders told me that the Zakarumites are the pious people before. I can see that in this city, it seems they had degenerated a long time until they became prey of Mephisto's sophistry. I'm pity that the zealots were following their leader blindly without realize that the Council had been contaminated already," Solemnly, Caldash continued,
"However, the just shall be avenged today! The retribution shall come upon the wicked." Aliza and Zylene didn't understood what the paladin meant; yet the assassin noted it clearly. Not for long, they had arrived in front of the Guardian Temple, which had kept the Lord of Hatred inside. Now the temple seemed represent the victory over his guardians. There were six peoples stood in front of the temple. They wore the orange robe and hood covered their face. Seeing them, Caldash's face became darkened. Myrrick swore that he could hear his teeth clenched. Akivsha watched the changes warily. She wanted to ensure that Caldash wouldn't lay his sword upon them. Her right hand rested on the katar's handle. Zylene held her staff tightly, while Orb'al took his axes. Tha'el looks calm, yet sweat rolled on his brow. Surrounding them, the zealots and hierophants watched with mixed feelings.
Then one of them spoke, "Well, Rathma! We don't know what brings you back here, but you were mistaken if you think that we had forgotten your treachery and what you have done to our beloved sister, Sarina!"
Tha'el sneered, "At least, I'm not coming alone! As you see, I have new friends to ensure your master's demise! By the way, your sister was safe with me now," The hooded people didn't answer, but one of them fidgeted his colleagues and began to pointing at Caldash. There was a serious discussion, yet it was over quickly when they turned again to the heroes,
"So, you have returned here, Caldash!" One of the hooded people greeted him. His words were rich with infernal excitement. Everyone surprised when the hooded people addressed the paladin with his name. Then his colleague followed, "Why did you took so long? We are missed you so much!" The paladin strode forward; almost collide with the necromancer in process,
"Yes, I have returned! I know who you are, Ismail! Toorc!" he said with subdued voice, yet trying to check the rising anger, "Did Sankekur sent you here?"
Ismail Vilehand smiled, "Yes, he did! Our Que-Hegan and great Lord sent us here to greet you and your friends personally!" Beside Ismail, Toorc Icefist continued,
"Why do you not introduce us to your friends, so we could get acquainted?" At this point, Caldash could barely hold his anger anymore,
"They are not my friends as you were now! You are no longer my friends since you had served Lord of Hatred by killing Khalim and my family along!!" The heroes shocked upon Caldash's statement. Never occurred in their mind, Caldash had a painful secret. One of the hooded people shouted,
"How insolent that you are addressing us like that! I'm going to teach you the lesson!!" However, Ismail held his colleague with his right hand,
"Wait, Geleb! It seemed that our little disciple have forgotten how to be polite.I think it is time to remind him again," Then the Council Member gestured to the zealots to move away and left them alone. Afterward, he turned his attention to Caldash,
"It seems your head has swelled so much after you went to Westmarch, Caldash! Was that the things we teach you?"
Caldash said solemnly, "I never forget them, but I'm lived by the ideals! Not by the teachers!" Ismail nodded sadly,
"I see! There is no other way to convince you back to us! Then, you should know this, Caldash! Your life is forfeited when you stepped again the Travincal! The penalty is death beyond suffering!" Instantly, the Council Members pulled their robes, and behold! The right portion of their body from arm to trunk was full with spike and unnaturally deformed. The reddish right eye stared the paladin with a malicious gleam. Ismail's face looked twisted as he tried to smile. He lifted his disproportionate arm,
"You see, young Caldash! The Light itself never gives the power like we have now! You should join us then!!"
Caldash smiled bitterly, "Now I know what your Lord's reward after you betrayed the Light!" The Council Members took their position, while the heroes was ready to fight.
Toorc mocked, "By the way, Caldash! Why don't you ask your friends to join the fray? Perhaps, they gladly help you out from the trouble! Especially the Rathma!" Myrrick shouted,
"Caldash, let us help you! You can't win against all of them!" The paladin turned to them,
"No! Stay away from this, Myrrick!! They are mine!" The druid strode forward, followed by Akivsha, Zylene and Aliza. Suddenly, Caldash pointed his sword to them,
"I warn you, stay away! Don't force me to do something that I will regret later!!" Before Myrrick can insist, Orb'al held him and looked into his eyes. It seems the barbarian understood what his partner wanted. Slowly, the heroes withdrew from Caldash. At the same time, the demons had surrounded the paladin. Ismail spoke again,
"You know, Caldash! You have thrown the last chance to win. Your friend is right; you couldn't expect to won against us!" The holy knight answered sullenly,
"We'll see about that!" The corrupted Zakarumites howled to their lungs, as they were ready to attack. Caldash lifted his shield, while brought his sword to defensive stance. Geleb Flamefinger charged toward him first. He swipes the paladin with his fire-charged arm. Then Toorc and Bremm Sparkfist followed. Hid himself behind the shield, Caldash quickly increased his Defiance Aura. His decision was correct, as the demons attacked him with ice-enhanced strikes. Bremm leaped and hammered Caldash's shield with his right arm. The paladin's body shook very hard, but he gripped the shield tighter. Then he pushed the attacker with Smite. The Council member avoided it reflexively. Meanwhile, his companions had cast Hydra, surrounding the paladin.
As the fight went, Myrrick and others watched it with tense. Akivsha commented,
"He isn't going to win! Those demons are too many and strong! It's only a matter of time before he overwhelmed." The rogue worriedly said,
"Myrrick, what shall we do?" The Druid didn't answer. Caldash had warned them to not interfere him, strictly! Then the necromancer, who sat on the floor suggested,
"Are you sure that you don't want to help him? Perhaps a little curse might." Before he finished his sentence, everybody gave him a dark, sidelong glance.
"On the second thought, I think he could handle it very well."
Actually, the Council Members couldn't push their wayward pupil out! That frustrated them very much.they didn't want the fight dragged too long. Ismail gestured to two of his companions to move toward the enemy. They immediately gone from the sight.
Zylene shouted, "Two Council members are gone.no, they're teleporting!" The implication became clear in everyone's mind. Aliza quickly warned the paladin,
"Caldash! They were." Suddenly, the demons appeared behind Caldash. The largest hugged him tightly; the paladin felt his bones almost broken. He could hear the demon hissed close to his ear,
"Dear Caldash.you shouldn't fight us then! Now it's too late! We'll bring your blood for offering to Lord Mephisto!" Instead afraid, the paladin gave a cold, cruel smile,
"Too bad, Maffer! The only one who going to die is.you, and I'll be the one who kill you," After said that, a fiery aura came out from the paladin's body. Maffer shocked when the aura burned his body. He immediately released his quarry. Caldash didn't waste any moment; in a split second he distanced himself from the demon. In sudden movement, he slashed the Council Member with seven successions. Maffer didn't have time to cry as his body torn apart by the sword. The others, including Myrrick shocked after watching the event. The paladin didn't stop there. He cut the other demon at the torso, sundering its body.
"Wyand!!" Ismail screamed in fury as he watched the paladin slew his comrade. Finished, the paladin turned to the others. There was an unnatural flame inside his eyes. The remaining Council Members became terrified when they saw the paladin. Toorc opened his mouth in
"How.could you.do.that?" Caldash walked slowly, while wiping the blood at his sword. There is blood splattered at his face; yet he ignored it. He watched them with some amusement,
"That's what I have learned when I left Westmarch! I decided to improve my Conviction, Zeal, Fanaticism and Vengeance Aura, but slowly those aura become one with me! Part of me! Somehow the auras feeds upon my sorrow, and in return, give an untold power! The power to avenge my family and master! Now the day of retribution is at hand!!" The Council Members were visibly shaken after death of their companions. Yet, they refused to acknowledge their defeat,
"For Maffer and Wyand, you shall pay with your life!!" Shrieking, the demons attacked the paladin again. This time, he summoned Concentration. Time became mired in slow motion. Swiftly, he brought himself level at the closest opponent. Then he slashed the demon's abdomen, and continued to cleave its head. As the next demon leaped, Caldash drove his shield forward and slammed it to the ground. He quickly thrust the sword to the throat, severing the head. Ismail charged him with his cursed attack. It hit Caldash squarely, but instead fell down he jumped and drove the sword to the Council Member's chest. The demon's eyes almost bulged out from its socket. Caldash held the demon with his sword, as it wobbly stood on its feet.
"Caldash.why?" Ismail watched him with pained face, "I was.your.teacher.before,"
The paladin answered, "I always followed you during my acolyte time, unfortunately in the end you are the one who strays from the path! Now you must pay for what you have done to Kurast! Farewell, Master." With quick movement, he broke the demon's chest with one horizontal slash. Blackish blood sprayed everywhere. Ismail Vilehand screamed in indescribable agony before he fell to the ground dead. Caldash didn't blink after watching the massacre. Slowly, he turned to the last remaining demon and asked,
"So, how about you, Toorc?" Toorc's body shook like wavering water; he dragged himself to run. The paladin didn't chase him; he merely followed the demon. Realizing there was no way out, the remaining Council Member kneeled and begged,
"Mercy, Caldash! I'm innocent.it was Sankekur who forced me to do this.! Please forgive me." Caldash watched him with a hard, grim look, and then he said, "I hope I could believe your words, Toorc! If Sankekur forced you, then why do you accept his power and serve Mephisto? Your appearance doesn't lie! I ask you now, were my family begs to you for spare them." The demon didn't answered.
"As I thought, goodbye!" The scream barely heard as Caldash prepared to cut the demon instantly. Unable to bear that, Myrrick grabbed the paladin's arm. The attack only managed to sever Toorc's right arm. Immediately, the surviving Council Member ran into the temple. The severed right arm still wriggled, despite it was not attached to body anymore. The druid questioned,
"Caldash, have you gone mad? They already dead.do you think this.atrocity are necessary?" The paladin stared Myrrick intensely. The Druid could see that the Caldash he met at Lut Gholein has completely gone; he faced with a total stranger,
"You don't know what my suffering is! Mephisto is the one who causes this; after he dead, I can rest peacefully!" He pulled his arm and went directly toward the Guardian Tower. Akivsha warned,
"We're better watch out of him! Nobody knows what he's going to do next! For sure, I don't want to end like his 'masters'," They watched the strewn corpses around them. Orb'al managed to retrieve Khalim's Flail from Ismail's cold body.
Somehow, Myrrick couldn't believed that the paladin like Caldash could do such things due to his anger.
Am I like him? Would I end like Caldash? Consumed by anger and hate? Oh, Joanna! Is your death worth of this madness?
Aliza touched his shoulder, "Myrrick, let's go!" Then he followed the others to the Guardian Tower.
Holding his severed part, Toorc entered the first floor of Guardian Temple. Before he went into the Durance of Hate, he turned his attention back to the first floor again and hissed,
"If we can't kill you, Caldash, then your friends will! The Compelling Orb will ensure that! By then, you'll find that you aren't the only one who nurtures hatred inside." Then he went down into the ladder.
The heroes stood in front of Guardian Temple. They waited Myrrick to produce Horadric Cube. He took Khalim's eye, brain and flail yet his face was unpleasant when he turned to the necromancer.
"What?" Tha'el asked innocently. Gritting his teeth, the druid asked him again,
"You know what I mean, the heart," Then the assassin added with sarcasm,
"Or you have a change of mind already? I think it is also good for us then." Everybody stared the Rathma with suspicion, especially Caldash who stood not far from the gate. Suddenly Tha'el said, "Oh, sure! I almost forget it! Here!" When he offered the heart, Myrrick snatched it immediately without say anything. The necromancer complained,
"That's it? Not even saying thanks?" Nobody answered, as Myrrick put those remains into the Horadric Cube and pressed the button. The red light appeared along the lining of the cube. After the light gone, the druid took a large flail out of the cube. Aliza whistled only. Zylene could only whisper in admiration,
"Khalim's Flail." Akivsha and Orb'al seemed did not care at all. Then the paladin demanded,
"Give me the flail, and I'll break the way." However, Myrrick interrupted,
"Caldash, perhaps I'll be the one who keep the flail." Caldash's face turned sour, he quickly said,
"What's happened with you? Are you not trust me anymore?" Once again, Akivsha launched her scathing remarks,
"It's not that we don't trust you. It's just that we don't trust you." The paladin quite irritated with the remarks, before he went verbal, the druid blocked him immediately,
"All right! That's it, Akivsha! Caldash, don't worry! The flail is safe with me, beside all of us are looking for Diablo.so we have a common enemy!" However, the paladin sulked only and went inside without waiting others. Aliza shook her head only,
"I know that someday her words will cost us our heads." As the others followed Caldash, Tha'el slowly walked behind them. He kept whispering,
"Soon, not for long."
As they entered the Temple, the bright light greeted them. Not far from them, a glowing sphere floated on air. It looked beautiful in silvery light. Myrrick asked Zylene,
"Zylene, is it the Compelling Orb?" The sorceress nodded only,
"No doubt, it is exactly like what the Zann-Esu archives describes." Before she finished, the paladin shouted to them,
"Give me the Khalim's flail, and I'll break this s*** immediately, so we could go to kill Mephisto!" The druid halted him,
"Don't too rush, Caldash! We have to careful first, perhaps they have prepared a trap for us," Irated, Caldash answered in rude tone,
"I don't care! Anything can make it, as long as I could kill Mephisto!!" Myrrick frowned after listening the reply.
Meanwhile, Akivsha noticed the necromancer was nowhere to be seen. She turned to the rogue,
"Hey, did you see the necromancer? I don't see him." Aliza replied absent-mindedly, but with tone of resentment,
"Why should I see him? I'm not a baby sitter; it is supposedly your job!" Irritated, the assassin shouted aloud to her,
"Oh, since when you think yourself important?" Disbelieve to what she heard, Aliza turned to the assassin,
"Say again! What is your problem?" Akivsha almost laughed when she heard the question,
"My problem? My problem is you!! You know what? I'm tired to hear your childish remarks every time we go, why don't you go away or dead instead?" Anger instantly bubbled inside Aliza's head. She couldn't let the bitch insulted her like that. Instantly, she pointed her bow to her, while the assassin took her katars already. Akivsha taunted,
"So, what are you doing now? Kill me? Try and you'll be sorry, little girl!"
"Shut up! I don't want to hear that!" The sorceress was alarmed with the development. Immediately, she intervened them,
"Stop it! Aliza! Akivsha! Something is wrong! Can't you see it?" Now the assassin turned her acrid tongue to her,
"Ah, here is the 'know-all-everything' girl! Is that what you wanted? Someone to like you, admire your beauty and brainy head?" Zylene shocked upon hearing the words, before she could say anything, Akivsha continued,
"By the way, did someone tell you that you are quite big-mouthed? Nobody like you for that." The Zann-Esu trembled and fell on her knees; she tried hard to speak,
"No, what you said isn't true! Everyone like.me.not.because.I.I."
"Oh, I remember! Why do your parents give you to Zann-Esu? Do they love you or not? That's why you went overboard last night at the boat.to end your miserable life.unloved." Unable to control her emotion, Zylene broke in a hysterical crying. Aliza shouted to the sorceress,
"Stay back, Zylene! I'll kill this bitch and shut her foul mouth for good!!"
Akivsha spat back, "Be careful to what you have say, little rogue! I won't take it graciously!" The rogue pulled her bow as the assassin charged toward her.
At the same time, the warriors glared each other. The paladin had unsheathed his Sazabi Cobalt Redeemer already, while the druid lifted the Isenhart's Lightbrand. Then Caldash warned,
"Give me the flail, Myrrick! Nobody will stop me from having my vengeance!" Myrrick shouted, "What is wrong with you, Caldash? I am not your enemy!!" The answer he received was a cold one,
"You are now!" With a flash, he charged toward the druid with his sword. Quickly, Myrrick deflected the attack with the flail, and drove the opponent backward. The paladin cobbled awhile, but managed to gain his composure. At the moment, Myrrick felt something boiled inside his head. He couldn't understand how they could turn against each other. Instantly, the realization dawned inside him,
It must be the Compelling Orb! The orb has power to influence and manipulate our emotions! This is Mephisto's trap! If I want to be free, I have to destroy the orb immediately!
He ran toward the orb, but then the paladin blocked his way. He stared blankly to Myrrick,
"Where do you think to go? There is nowhere to go, except death!" The druid felt his patience was wearing thin, then he said,
"Damn, Caldash! How many times I have to say? I'm not your enemy! Mephisto is your enemy!" Instead, Caldash roared,
"Shut up, infidel! You had killed my family and my master.my loved ones! Therefore, you must pay it with your miserable life!!" He brought the sword with blinding speed toward the druid, yet Myrrick swung the Khalim's flail to deflect it. The weapons collided in a shower of fire sparks, and they tangled each other. Myrrick tried to yank it out; instead it was yanked out from his grip. Now he was defenseless. The paladin charged him again.
Outside, the necromancer peeked the hall inside. He predicted that the Compelling Orb has taken over their mind. It won't be long until they would kill each other. Thae'l know it very well, because he had joined various quests to challenge Lord of Hatred. However, most were failed even before meeting Mephisto. The Compelling Orb was able to intensify the simple resentment into a full-blown hatred, and turned them against their own. Silently, he pulled the poisoned dagger before he peeked again. After they finished, he would get rid the survivors, and then claimed the glory for himself,
Success always favored the cunning, not the strong! The only thing I have to do is wait.
As the situation became tense, the barbarian was undisturbed. He watched carefully the fight between Caldash and Myrrick, while Akivsha and Aliza fought each other fiercely. Zylene still cried hysterically. Meanwhile the orb glowed brighter than before.
The rogue shot freeze bolts toward Akivsha, but the assassin blocked it immediately. Before she managed to grab her opponent, Aliza already sidestepped her and prepared to shot again. However, Akivsha shouted,
"Mind Blast!" Instantly, the rogue knocked by something unseen. The bow flew from her grips. Aliza tried to take the bow, but Akivsha kicked it away from her. Then she took Aliza's hair and pulled her to arise, smiling cruelly as her katar closed to the rogue's neck,
"Now who's the bitch now? Do you have anything to say before you die?" Aliza cursed while tried to hold his pain,
"F@*^*^.go to the Burning Hell by yourself!" The assassin grinned only, her hand already twitched to pull the katar.
Myrrick managed to bring his spiked shield to halt Caldash's attack, and then sent a kick to him. As the paladin stumbled, the druid cast his summoning spell, Poison Creeper. Immediately, the vines appeared and tangled Caldash around. However, the knight hissed only,
"Do you believe your twigs can hold me forever? Watch this!" He quickly summoned Concentration Aura, and began to slash his way out with sword. In no time, there were no vines left. Realizing the danger, Myrrick transformed himself into a werebear and ran toward his opponent. Caldash also did the same thing, and summoned Vengeance and Defiance together. Both collided together and wrestled against each other,
Tha'el chuckled as he watched the situation. It seemed everything went well, however his smile vanished when he saw something unbelievable. Orb'al were the only one who didn't affected by the Compelling Orb,
What? It can't be happened! Nobody immune from the influence of the Compelling Orb! W-what are he doing now?
The necromancer watched Orb'al took the Khalim's Flail and walked toward the orb. He gritted his teeth.
No! You'll screw my plan!! I won't let you do this to me!! Wasting no time, Tha'el entered the hall. While the others still busy, the barbarian was the only one who noticed his coming.
Tha'el called, "Hey, can we negotiate? Why don't you give the flail to me?" Orb'al ignored him and continued to walk. Irritated, the necromancer only whispered something. Suddenly, the barbarian stumbled. As he think, Tha'el walked toward him with a sneer,
"Oh, what happened? Are my Decrepify too strong for you, mighty barbarian?" Orb'al turned on him with livid rage, but then he set his attention to the orb again and continued to walk again. Before he was close to his objective, he felt his vision blurred by something. The bright orb slowly vanished from his view. The necromancer commented without any sympathy,
"Oh, my! It must be my Dim Vision.perhaps you need help immediately!" He took his poisoned dagger and went toward the blinded barbarian. He smiled coldly,
"I'll help you from this suffering.release your soul to the Great Cycle," Gritted his teeth, Orb'al continued to walk though he have to touch something. Slowly but sure, he was close to the Compelling Orb, at the same time Tha'el lifted his dagger. Without warning, the barbarian cried his whole lungs. The cry echoed along the temple, and immediately stunned everyone inside. The necromancer was terrified to hear such cry; even he forgot to maintain his curses. Instantly, Orb'al felt his senses returned and he could saw the Compelling Orb clearly. With a loud cry, he lifted the flail.and crushed the orb! The orb exploded into twinkling shards as the impact shattered the artifact.
Then Akivsha and Aliza felt something strange; it seemed they awoke from a dream. The assassin dropped her weapon and released her grip as she arose. The rogue was stunned, as she watched the change. Meanwhile, Zylene stopped crying and noticed her hands were wet with tears.
She asked, "What happened to us?" Nobody answered. At the same time, Caldash stopped his attack to Myrrick and distanced himself. The druid wondered as he reverted to his human form. Everyone stunned when they saw Orb'al dragged the necromancer with him. He still held the Khalim's Flail with his left hand. Myrrick demanded,
"What's going on here? Why do we fight each other?" Then the Zann-Esu explained,
"The Compelling Orb, Myrrick! It is manipulate us to fight each other by using our own resentment." Aliza shocked then turned her attention to the assassin who tried to avoid it. Now it was clear to all of them. Akivsha commented,
"Mephisto's trap." she turned to the barbarian who still held Tha'el, "and I think someone already know this, yet he didn't tell us." Angrily, the druid grabbed the necromancer from the barbarian and lifted him with his bare hands.
"You're creep! You know this all along, ha? Are you Mephisto's agent?" Trembled and flushed with fear, Tha'el answered,
"N-no, you're misunderstood.I-I'm not his agent.about the orb.I was forgot to tell you." Before he finished his words, the assassin already commented with sarcasm,
"You just want to be recognize as the only one who kill Lord of Hatred, am I right? That's why you led us here, hoping that the orb would manipulate us to kill each other, and then you'll get rid the remaining survivor.oh, very simple!" Tha'el's face turned pale. Now Zylene and Aliza looked at him with disgust, it never passed in their mind that he would plan such devious plan. Clenched his teeth, Myrrick roared,
"For this, I might ripped you apart! Damn you!!" However, the rogue called him,
"Myrrick! Caldash is nowhere to be seen!!" Then Orb'al pointed to the ladder at the middle of the hall. Once again, the druid cursed,
"Damn, why can't he wait us for a second?" He threw the necromancer to the ground and inspected the ladder. Akivsha asked him, "Do you want me to finish this one right now?" Tha'el turned pale. Myrrick replied gruffly,
"Forget it, this creep is not worth of it! We still have Mephisto to dealt with, perhaps we should keep our remaining strength for that!" Then he went down to the Durance of Hate, followed by Zylene and Orb'al. Meanwhile, Akivsha and Aliza turned their attention to the cowered necromancer,
The rogue said, "He's yours! I don't want to dirty my hands with this creep." She left them alone; then the young Rathma asked,
"Can I go now? Beside, you don't need me anymore."Instead, the assassin pulled his hand and twisted it to his back, while whispered,
"No, you'll come with us! Do you want to see the Lord of Hatred by yourself? I'll ensure that you won't plan something mischievous for us anymore." After saying that, Akivsha dragged him to the Durance of Hate. Tha'el only moaned,
I wish I were stay at the Kurast Harbor.
Author's note: Sorry for waiting a year, I was very busy in my studies and concentrating to the other fanfic projects. Now the quest almost close to the end, yet the heroes still have to settle the differences between them. What waits them in the Durance of Hate? Will they reach the gate to the Burning Hell? Wait the next chapter second to the last, "Beyond the Burning Hell"
P.S.: Thanks for your review, Tenshi no Akuma! To make Myrrick and Akivsha as the main characters was my actual intention before, yet I found out that everyone made their fanfic with a complete group of Diablo II Heroes. Then I decided to create another characters to make the interaction between the characters more interesting! OK, enjoy the story and see you around!"