Author's Note: Well, I guess this fanfic will live after all. Thanks to the reviewers, all 2 of you!
Headache-With-Pictures: Thanks for the support.
Cats-Go-Moo: Ditto; If you will list some of your stories later, I will try to read them and review back.
On with the disasterpiece in progress:
Chapter 2
After much argument and the threat of allowing some of Rohaas' Dire Wolves to use him as a chewing toy, Suro agreed to let them try to release the holy seals.
"So, we would just try to open it normally?"
"No Xeo, we have to mumble some hyper-holy mumbo-jumbo over it first."
"Ha, ha. You're a real riot."
"Well, why don't we try it?"
"Fine, I get to do it since it's my stash we're risking here; I REALLY don't want to lose the set items I was collecting."
"Whatever."
As Suro reached for the lid, a loud, booming voice echoed outwards;
"Stop! The magical items contained herin shall not be released for the demons to take back!"
"Aww, nuts! We've set off some kind of car alarm!"
"Wha-? What in Sanctuary is a car, and how would it be set with an alarm!"
"Forget it, satyrical babble."
"Stop showing off your vocabulary and get that nuisance of an arch-angel to let us look at the insides; we aren't going to try to rule the world."
As everyone turned around to try to do what Cyla suggested, they saw a large, almost irridescent form of a man with large wings; he was covered from toe to masked head in bright, shining armor, and wielded a large runed sword.
"How can one be sure? I, Tyreal, did not risk the wrath of the Heavens in stealing those stones just to hand them over to the first Hero that comes along. You must prove yourselves; travel to the Monastery and Andariel, the Maiden of Anguish, who resides in the depths of the Rogue Citadel."
"No prob; where does this charming specimen of demonic evil live?"
"Within the very heart of the sacred catacombs of the Rogue Monastery, there is a large chamber. She coordinates her army of corrupted Rogues from there."
"Pardon me, O great archangel, but wasn't she defeated before? I thought that Diablo would have wanted his tracks covered?"
"What? Diablo has been here? How is that possible? He would not have left without the soulstones."
"Oh, yes, - that – one. Great one for needless and powerful fireworks, but I'm afraid he lacked quite a bit in the department of physical defense."
The Archangel was stunned; although his face was covered, the foursome could tell he was troubled.
"You defeated the Lord of Terror himself?"
"Well, no. We killed the person he had possessed. I suppose that means that he's now back hiding in his Soulstone."
"Actually, mortal Druid, his spirit has returned to Hell, awaiting another vessel 'worthy' enough to contain his evil essence."
"Well, that at least gives us a little time. How… -"
"I must hurry; I feel the ties that bind me to this world are being pulled back; I must return to the gates of Heaven. Fare you well and should you prove yourselves, I will reveal how to open and cleanse the Soulstones."
"Great... Yet another long and drawn-out request. –"
"Suro, if you bring down the wrath of the angels on us because of your miserable sense of humor, so help me…."
Rohaas' threat was not necessary to quiet the irrepressable thief. He was left staring in disbelief at the spot where Tyreal had been moments before; a few feathers, a pair of scorch marks in the shape of boot-prints where the archangel had been standing were the only proof of a visit from the heavens.
Author's Note: As evil and disgusting cliffhangers are, I realize that they are a necessary evil when writer's block rears its ugly head.
I'll post as soon as possible; summer classes are VERY HEAVY READING!
