Trust and Betrayal
(Prison of Ice & Betrayal of Harrogath)
Day Five, Harrogath,
Kashya went out from the boarding to stroll around; she could see some Barbarian sentry standing around. Qual-Kehk stood watch on the wall to the west. She admired the old warrior for that. Inside the boarding, Asheara snored loudly, while her Iron Wolves huddled at the corner. Greiz took another corner with his mercenaries. Then the Rogue captain thought about Aliza and started to go another way, when someone called her,
"Going somewhere, Captain Kashya?" She saw the paladin standing behind,
"Ah, Sir Caldash! I was looking for…Aliza. Do you know where she is?" The knight nodded,
"Yes, she slept with us last night. Don't worry, Xelana was with her now…" Relieved, Kashya replied,
"Thank you, Sir! Do you mind if I accompany you?"
"Why not? I probably can use some company…" Both of them walked together and were silent for a while until she asked,
"Do you have family before, Sir Caldash?" The holy knight stopped and turned to her. He thought deeply and answered,
"Once, I had…I believe Aliza had told you the story…" Kashya smiled,
"I prefer to listen the story from yourself, holy knight,"
In their respective rooms, Myrrick and Orb'al slept soundly with their loved one. Their energies were spent in the passionate love-making last night. However, the necromancer snored loudly without realizing that his summoned creature had wondered around without his knowledge…
At another place, the sound of clanging was heard from Larzuk's smithies. The young smith was working on something, and then he turned to saw a burly man enters his place. Slightly annoyed, he asked,
"Excuse me, you are…" The man introduced himself,
"My name is Griswold. I came with the Rogues…" Larzuk nodded,
"Ah, you are Myrrick's friend and the blacksmith from Tristram. What I can do for you?"
Griswold went closer, "Not much, I just curious what you are doing…do you mind if I can take a look?" The Barbarian smith shrugged his shoulder, as he stepped aside to allow his visitor. Griswold noted a metallic cylindrical thing was lying on the furnace, but it wasn't a mace. It has a hollow hole at the very end of it. He turned to Larzuk,
"What is that?" The young blacksmith sighed,
"Just my wild imagination, this is the weapon that I create to protect the city. Unlike sword, this one doesn't need to be carried, but properly handled. Once you put explosive thing inside, it will belch fire and smoke to the enemy…I already advises Qual-Kehk to use this, but he dismisses me. He says that thing is unthinkable and won't work…oh, don't say that you don't believe such thing," Griswold didn't say anything, only raised his eyebrows,
"Probably I'm old-fashioned, but my view changed when I met Charsi. Now, Larzuk! Tell me how the thing works and I will help you…" The smith looks disbelief,
"You will help me? Why should I believe you?" Griswold raised his eyebrows again,
"I am the greatest smith at Tristram! Now you can shoo me or we could work this thing together…" Larzuk grinned and he did what the burly man said.
When Caldash still conversed with Kashya, he suddenly stopped and turned his eyes toward the heavens. The rogue captain asked,
"Sir Caldash, are you all right?" The paladin didn't answer; his eyes blinked rapidly. Kashya immediately shook him.
"Sir Caldash, wake up!" To her surprise, he woke and instantly unsheathed his broadsword. Before she asked, he whispered,
"Be quiet, Kashya! Something will happen here…" The knight went toward the smith, where Griswold and Larzuk worked. The holy warrior said further,
"Shh, someone or…something moves to our direction; I think it wasn't human," The rogue captain pulled her sword, glancing to the paladin,
"Are you certain, Sir Caldash? Is it the one of Baal's minions?" The dark-skinned knight nodded,
"I'm absolutely sure! Wait, here it comes now!" They saw the wall exploded in front of them and something huge stirred the rubbles. The noise brought the smithies out and surprised with what they saw. Larzuk swore,
"By the name of Bul-Kathos!" Griswold trembled,
"W-what is that?" The huge creature that faced Caldash and Kashya was large as Yeti or Abomination; the skeletal snake-like face adorned its head and bony spikes covered its body. Its body was brackish, ropy tangle of cords, while its eyes were reddish patches inside its socket. They focused immediately on the holy knight. Shouting aloud, Caldash cast Charge and attacked the creature with Doombringer. The creature swiped the attack lazily, throwing him from the path. As the paladin tried to recover, something zoomed toward him.
"Look out, Sir Caldash!" The rogue captain pushed him out of danger as the bone spirit hit nearby target. Instead pursuing, the behemoth lumbered around, forgetful of its victims. The paladin commented,
"I can't kill this creature alone; we might need help!" Kashya said,
"And the help will you get!" Instinctively, she pulled a horn and blew loudly.
Around the vicinity, everyone heard the blow. Qual-Kehk barked to his loyal warriors,
"Follow me, my warriors!" At the same time, Myrrick and Akivsha awoke from their sleep. He said,
"It's Kashya! She needs help; something happened outside!" The assassin nodded,
"Let's found out what that is!" Forgetting their nakedness both of them scrambled and took their armors hurriedly. Meanwhile, Zylene helped the barbarian to wear the armor. Orb'al caressed her hair gently before he kissed her gently,
"Let's go, dear…" The sorceress nodded before she wore her garments again. At the tower, the young rogue rubbed her eyes and found the amazon was already in ready position. She asked,
"What's going on, Xelana?" The blonde-haired warrior answered tersely,
"Trouble…"
In other place, the Rathma woke up lazily, scratching his head,
"What's up? Why so early? It is too cold outside…" He stared a gaping hole upon the wall and the summoned minion was nowhere to seen.
"Damn!" Without thinking further, Tha'el wrapped a loincloth around his waist and went outside.
Few moments later, the Rogues, Desert, Iron Wolves and Barbarians had been surrounded the strange creature. Yet, it didn't fight them at all. Everyone looks uneasily as they watched the creature. Then Myrrick and the others came at Caldash's side. The druid asked,
"Caldash, what is that?" The paladin gave a mock surprise,
"I hoped you could tell me. Where have you been? You looks like gone through the Burning Hell again…"The auburn-haired warrior glanced slightly to the assassin who gave him a look of disapproval. He simply blurted,
"A long story." The paladin glanced to Orb'al and Zylene. The sorceress hair's looks unkempt. He could only sigh in resignation. Qual-Kehk went to them,
"Well, anyone can explain what kind of creature that Baal sends to us this time?" The Zann-Esu shook her head,
"I never have seen this creature before…" Akivsha shrugged,
"Neither does me," Aliza suggested,
"Perhaps Tha'el knows…"Asheara already cut her,
"I think we should kill the creature first, by then we can be open for any discussion!"
The veteran warrior agreed, "I agree with what the good lady says! On my mark, warriors!" The Rogues pulled their bows, while the Iron Wolves ready to unleash their spells of destruction toward the creature. Before they were ready, someone put himself between them and the creature, shouting,
"Stop! Please, don't kill my creature!" Myrrick shouted back,
"Tha'el!" Jota'ala's prophecy echoed again inside his mind,
Harrogath will fall to the treachery of someone you've known…He pointed the necromancer accusingly,
"Is it your doing? What kind of demon you have summoned this time?" Akivsha watched coldly,
"You have five breaths only to give the proper explanations!" Gasping, the Rathma spoke,
"Okay! I'm confessing that I didn't ask your permission to do this!" Turned to the creature, he explained with a tinge of pride,
"It is Infernal Golem, my great-great grandfather's masterpiece…" The sorceress was stammered to hear that,
"I-infernal Golem…I thought it was a myth in the Mage War!" The sorcerer looks annoyed,
"It wasn't, okay? The same creature has served the Three during the War until Lord de Seis betrayed my great-great grandfather by stealing its formula. Unfortunately, he was unable to summon the creature since the other part was kept by my family for generations. Aftermath the war, the Rathmas decided to change their evil ways by dedicating themselves for preserve the balance between good and evil…" The paladin barked impatiently,
"Your point, Tha'el! Get to the point why you summoned this loathsome creature!" Steeple his fingers, the necromancer answered,
"I wish to turn my family legacy to good cause…" Everyone murmured with the explanation, and then Akivsha asked with her icy tone,
"Are you insane, Tha'el? How can we possibly trust that your creature will not turn on us the minute we lie down to sleep? How can I be sure that you will not order this creature to wait until we are engaged in battle with Baal, then attack us from our exposed flanks?" Orb'al muttered,
"Lest, it will give our heads to Lord of Destruction directly!" To this, Tha'el countered argumentatively,
"The golem only obeys my command! I have been together with you quite long and you still don't trust me…" Aliza smirked,
"You forget what happen inside the Durance of Hate at Kurast?" The Rathma gulped before he continued,
"Okay, that's my fault! However I have been trustworthy since then…" He spread his arm, protecting the golem,
"If you want to kill the golem, you'd better kill me as well…" Everyone around were startled with his decision, even Qual-Kehk was unsure. Akivsha never liked the necromancer; her eyes spoke such wish. The paladin turned to Myrrick,
"Well?" The druid was unsure; as far as he concerned, he couldn't sense any trace of evil inside the golem. Its appearance was offense to the eyes, nevertheless he felt it was necessary to get rid the evil. Is it possible to fight evil with evil? Moreover, the looming menace of Baal's army of destruction was more urgent than this creature. He was sure that his decision might cost him. Thinking very hard, he stared the necromancer grimly and finally spoke,
"Tha'el…you have do something bold by asking us to spare this creature! I decide to let you keep this creature for the battle to come!" Everyone was shocked and murmured his decision, however he continued,
"If the creature had inkling to turn against us, I will kill you on the spot!" Feel relieved, Tha'el kissed the druid's hand many times,
"Thank you, Myrrick! I promise to keep the golem well! Thank you very much!" Suddenly, the loincloth fell to the ground as he continued to kiss. Seeing that, the Rogues screamed hysterically and turned their faces away, including Aliza. Orb'al hugged his girlfriend away from the scene. Kashya and Asheara were speechless, while the male Hirelings chuckled. The assassin said uneasily,
"Tha'el, perhaps do you like to take your clothes first?" At first, the necromancer didn't understand with what she said until he saw the loincloth on the ground. Instantly, his pale face blushed like a beet. Quickly covering his crotch, he went hiding behind the golem. Myrrick couldn't help to grin and held his stomach. Xelana commented,
"Eew, what the balls! I wonder why you don't want me…" About the same time, a raucous laugh broke among the crowd, while Tha'el shouted in vain,
"That's not funny at all!"
Finally the crowd dispersed when the necromancer orders the Infernal Golem to take him away. The rest sat nearby Malah's place. Akivsha stared the druid with disappointment,
"Why do you allow Tha'el to keep the creature? You know it well…" Composing himself, Myrrick answered,
"Akivsha, sometimes we have to give Tha'el a chance to prove himself! He might be cowardly and opportunistic, but many times he had helped us. Just say that I give him a token…" Caldash asked,
"Do you not regret your decision, Myrrick?" The old warrior sighed,
"I might be, but it's worth than never make any decision at all!" The others nodded and grunted agreeably. He turned to the assassin,
"Just watch him, if it satisfies you, Akivsha. Yet give him a chance…" She nodded, though Myrrick saw a spark of displeasure in her black eyes. Then Malah came toward them,
"Myrrick, have you seen Anya?" The druid shook his head,
"No, I didn't see her since this morning. What's wrong, Malah?" The old woman looks worried,
"It isn't like Anya to go without telling me or Qual-Kehk first," Akivsha asked,
"Who was the last person who saw her?" At the same time, Nihlathak passed by, when Malah said,
"Nihlathak…" The elder turned to them, scowling,
"Yes, is there anything I can help?" Myrrick asked,
"Elder, Anya wasn't around this morning. Do you have idea where she goes?" The old man answered with measured words,
"I had an argument with her last night about…" he glanced to the Hirelings around, "…these foreigners. Then she left me alone…and I thought she will be back soon. Don't worry! She's already a woman, and high-spirited too…she can take care of herself." Thinking for a while, he added,
"Oh, I saw Black Wolf outside…I don't know what he does, but I won't wait to find out…" Distraught with the news, the druid said,
"Thank you, Elder!" When Nihlathak departed, Akivsha said,
"I don't trust him, if you ask me." Surprised, the druid turned to her,
"Nihlathak is close to me before, and I trust him as my friend. How can you say so?" To this, Malah added,
"Not long enough, Myrrick…since the fall of Sescheron, Nihlathak looks disturbed and depressed. Like Anya said, he doesn't do anything good. Even she told me that he spent time outside Harrogath than her. Sometimes he disappeared suspiciously…" The auburn-haired warrior countered,
"You talk about Ren'nar…" The old woman sighed,
"You should know better, Myrrick. Those who took the Path of the Wolf couldn't mingle with people like what you did…" As he thought deeply, Caldash said his thought,
"Before I encounter Tha'el's summon, I saw a frozen river and someone cries in distress. What I see might be Anya…she might be in danger, Myrrick," Orb'al inquired,
"Did you see anything else?"
"I see a black wolf among us…but I don't know what it means," Zylene and Xelana turned to the druid who still struggled to accept the news. Then Akivsha suggested,
"We should find Black Wolf first, by then we'll know whereabouts of Anya…" Everyone nodded their understanding, including Myrrick.
Few minutes later, the heroes had scoured the Bloody Foothills. Though everyone had their apprehension, Infernal Golem joined them upon Qual-Kehk's insistence. He said the creature was better outside than inside the city, lest his men and the Hirelings tempted to practice their attack skill upon it. Kashya, Greiz and Asheara decided to stay behind in order to beef the security. Tha'el already wore his Trag'Oul set but his visage was far from his cheerful appearance before. He was smug all the time, while the barbarian sometimes chuckled silently. Noting that, the sorcerer fumed,
"What's so funny? I tell you what happen awhile ago isn't funny at all!" Xelana countered,
"Oh, yeah? You look so handsome…without anything!" Upon hearing that, Orb'al let a boisterous laugh. His girlfriend couldn't help to smile. Before the Rathma managed to unleash a verbal attack, the druid commanded,
"Enough for now, Xelana! Tha'el!" When everyone was silent, he turned to them,
"We'd better split up to make the search easier," The paladin spoke,
"I'm agrees! Orb'al, Zylene and I will go to search along the Arreat Plateau," The barbarian and the sorceress nod, as Myrrick continued,
"Good, Akivsha, Tha'el, Xelana and I are going to the Crystalline Passage…perhaps we can find something there." Then he clasped his hand with Caldash, who said,
"Good luck! I hope you can find Anya first. May the Light be with you!"
"You too, Caldash!" Then they separated to their respective party.
Meanwhile, Myrrick's party has entered the Crystalline Passage. The golem entered the cave clumsily. Akivsha noted that the druid didn't speak after they split. His face looks confused and full of distraught. She finally asked,
"Are you believed what Nihlathak says?" Myrrick turned to her,
"I never doubt Elder's words. I know Ren'nar and Nihlathak for my whole life here, but I couldn't think if Ren'nar really betrays his sacred trust to Mt.Arreat," She reminded him gently,
"You haven't been here for twenty years, Myrrick. Everything you've known has changed, including Anya, Ren'nar, Joanna…" She stopped when realizing that she mentioned her name. But the druid didn't show anything upon the mention of Joanna. Sighing, Akivsha continued,
"Don't try to run from the past, Myrrick. It is over and you had paid the consequences…don't punish youself further."
"Like you, Akivsha?" Both of them stopped; instead lashed back, Akivsha answered with calm tone,
"Because of you, I already make peace with my past. What I have now is duty and obligation…" Suddenly the amazon rushed over them and said,
"Shh, someone had overheard both of you!" The warriors pulled their weapons, while Tha'el gestured his creature to be ready. Myrrick asked,
"How many of them, Xelana?"
"Just one, I think!" As they tread the way carefully, a lonely figure blocked the way. The druid almost shouted, yet he frowned only instead,
"Ren'nar!" The Black Wolf grinned,
"Myrrick, I have been waiting for you…" Before Xelana attacked him, the assassin stopped her and gestured to the black druid. They noticed that Ren'nar skin looked sallow, unhealthy. Blood dripped from his fingers. The auburn-haired warrior asked his erstwhile rival,
"What happened to you? You are wounded…" Leaning upon the rock, Ren'nar sighed,
"I guess all of you are looking for Anya…" Akivsha stared him icily,
"How do you know that?" The black-haired druid smiled,
"Lucky guess, I think. Please pass the rejuvenation potion to me…" She turned to Myrrick, who nodded,
"Give him, Akivsha! He has to tell us what happen to Anya. If he's dead, we will never know …"He glanced darkly,
"If he's involved, I will kill him myself," Akivsha threw the rejuvenation potion to the wounded druid. Upon receiving the potion, Black Wolf smirked,
"Like a bargain, huh? I have nothing to hide here, but it is up to you to know the truth. Trust me, it would be bitter…"
"I noted Nihlathak looks agitated when your friends come. I find out its suspicious when he was spared from the carnage at Sescheron. Then he went out from the city last night and I followed him. To my surprise, he met with the demons, minions of Baal outside and…"Without warning, Myrrick snapped and slammed him to the cave wall, bellowing,
"YOU'RE LYING! Elder Nihlathak wouldn't do such thing! I don't believe you!" Despite the mighty clamp upon his windpipe, Ren'nar managed to speak,
"You…want…the…truth…and…I…give…you…! …Are…you…afraid…to…hear…it…" Akivsha quickly held him,
"Myrrick, you will kill him! Stop it!" He didn't listen until she said again,
"You want to help Anya? Let him finish first…" Then something dawned inside the druid's mind, he saw her with a pleading expression. He realized this reminds him when both of them crossed the sea. He let Ren'nar fall to the ground. Xelana quickly pointed her javelin to stop the black druid from running away. Myrrick slumped on the ground, while the assassin said,
"Black Wolf, I'm afraid you have to finish your story," The black druid nodded,
"I couldn't hear their talks, but it seems Nihlathak was promising something to Baal. At that time, Anya appeared. Before she could escape, a winged demoness snatched her. I quickly jumped to save her, but the demons instantly surrounded me and even wounded me…" The auburn-haired one asked hoarsely,
"Why don't you try to save her?" Ren'nar answered with a pained expression,
"I try, but God knows how many those demons! I fight furiously like a rabid wolf, yet I was overwhelmed! If you don't believe me, ask Anya. She will tell you!" Everyone was silent, until Myrrick rose and went toward his rival. His hesitance had cost Joanna's life, while Ren'nar had pushed his limit only to help Anya, their friend. He realized that both of them had lost the woman whom they love. Now he wouldn't let it happen again.
"Ren'nar, I can't help Anya alone, but we can do it together! Please help me!" Myrrick offered his hand, while Ren'nar regarded it suspiciously. Without accepting the hand, he rose and said,
"I do this not because of you, but because of Anya!" The druid sighed,
"Whatever, this is for Anya!"
When they entered the cave, the Yeti and Frozen Horrors greeted them. Myrrick and Ren'nar instantly transformed into werebear and werewolf. The black werewolf tore the enemy's rank viciously, while the huge werebear trashed the remaining foes. The flock of ravens and pack of wolves quickly thinned the enemies. Akivsha threw the Wake of Fire and Lightning Sentry to clear the way, while cut down an unlucky Yeti. Tha'el sent his Infernal Golem to crush his foes left and right. Not for long, shrill shrieks heard. The Stygian Furies and Succubi joined the fray. Ren'nar in werewolf form jumped to a Succubi and sank his fangs upon the demon neck, while tore its body apart. The werebear caught a Stygian Fury and ripped the demon apart. The assassin commented,
"I think our friend is nearby!" Shifting back into his human form, Myrrick commanded,
"Form up! We'll push inside the cave and take the battle to inside!" Positioning the golem to absorb the attacks, the warriors pushed forward. After the grueling hours, they finally pushed through into a small lake with an island in the middle. In the island, Demonia and an albino yeti stood and guarded…
Myrrick and Ren'nar shouted simultaneously, "Anya!" The spirited alchemist was encased half-body inside a block of ice. Shaking and chattering, she called weakly,
"Myrrick…Ren'nar…" The demoness shouted with displeasure,
"Black Wolf? And you? You're beginning to annoy me, but as usual, you are too late! Lord Baal will have what he wants!" Myrrick pointed her,
"Where is Nihlathak? What is your plan?" Demonia shrieked,
"You won't live long enough to find it! Frozenstein, kill them all!" The albino yeti stormed them with a surprising speed. However, the Infernal Golem immediately met him head-to-head. Before the demoness managed to stop the druids, Akivsha leaped in front of her,
"Face me first, demon!" She swung her Suwayyah, which evaded neatly by Demonia. In return, the demoness shouted,
"Blood Mana!" A wracking sensation hit the assassin's body, but she already cast Shadow Master before the curse hit her. The young demoness shocked to see the clone attacked her, while its master tried to recover herself. Unlike the open sky, the cave offered no advantage for the Succubus. She couldn't fly very far inside the narrow cavern. Even worse, she couldn't cast curses to the clone, since it wasn't a real person.
Tha'el simply took care the remaining Horrors; the Infernal Golem could cast Iron Maiden and Bone Spirit to help itself. In other side, Xelana jabbed the multiple enemies at the same time, even gouged some eyes of the Succubi. Her Valkyrie killed the remaining enemy with a ruthless efficiency.
At the same time, Myrrick and Ren'nar broke the block of ice together and helped Anya get out. The black druid quickly carried her out and said,
"Myrrick, she needs help! I will go to Malah!" Turning to the assassin, who nodded, the auburn-haired one answered,
"Go ahead; I will join both of you!" Anya spoke,
"I will…open… a…portal…for us…"
"No, Anya…you're…" The Black Wolf was unable to continue as the reddish portal appeared in front of them and sucked them inside. The Red Bear turned to the fight between the golem and Frozenstein. Despite the strength and speed, the yeti was unable to match the golem. In other hand, Demonia had difficulty in fighting Shadow Master and Akivsha altogether. When the assassin slashed her blades, the Succubus deflected them with her razor-sharp claws until Akivsha shouted,
"Dragon Tail!" She kicked sideways, sending the demoness sprawled. Before leaped on the air, the assassin sent an upward slash. Demonia felt something pricked her face and found out a bleeding thin scar upon her beautiful face. She screamed full of hatred,
"My face! You dared to slice my beautiful face! I want your blood!" Yet, her threat was almost ended when the raven-haired woman sent Blade Sentry toward her. Without waiting any longer, the demoness flew away and escaped the whirling blade.
Amidst the titanic battle between the golem and the yeti, the former finally gained upper hand by trashing Frozenstein out. The necromancer quickly gestured his creature to follow the amazon and the assassin who already left the place through Anya's portal.
Back to Harrogath, Caldash, Orb'al and Zylene had waited them. Malah quickly gave a hot brew to the shaking Anya, while Larzuk covered her with a fur pelt. The Black Wolf leaned nearby. Qual-Kehk and the other Hirelings watched them. The alchemist smiled, when she saw Myrrick,
"Myrrick, thank you for saving me…I'm always indebted to both of you," The druid shook his head,
"No, Anya. Thank to Ren'nar; he has been trying hard to save you…I want to ask you something, Anya…" Her face was fallen, however she said,
"What Ren'nar says is true, Myrrick. Nihlathak has betrayed all of us." Everyone was shocked, but none like Myrrick who felt his head was hit by a hammer. He gripped his fist tightly as Anya continued,
"It seems Baal has spared Nihlathak for the purpose. He seems delirious after the event and believed that what we fighting for are useless. I overheard him when he spoke with those demons. He promised Lord of Destruction by giving our most holy relic of the Ancients!" The Barbarian captain growled,
"That creep! How dare he give our holy token to the enemy of Humanity! Nihlathak must die, I say!" The men shouted their agreement. Anya added,
"I'm agreeing with you, Qual-Kehk! I wish to choke him by myself, had I not too weak from my imprisonment!" She turned to Myrrick again,
"Myrrick, I know you're close to Nihlathak but he has betrayed us. You must kill him in order to stop Baal from dooming Sanctuary…" The druid was struggled inside; he was torn between the sacred duty and his friendship with Nihlathak. It is very hard when you have to kill your own friend. How could he do that? Malah said sympathetically,
"Myrrick, Nihlathak is no longer the one you've known. He has gone in Sescheron for good…" Caldash added,
"I know it is difficult, Myrrick! I experience the same, when Mephisto transformed my teachers into demons. However, we have to move forward…" While Myrrick still didn't answer, Ren'nar shouted,
"Red Bear, are you gone coward again? If you don't want to kill him, let me do it the job!" The druid's eyes wondered to find any support, but he has none. The assassin realized that he had to do something. Myrrick was sinking fast, deep into some hopeless place within himself and they couldn't afford that right now.
"Myrrick, listen"- Akivsha was quiet but urgent- "I don't want to die." That caught his attention.
"They don't want to die…" Myrrick realized that he almost committed the same mistake; Joanna died because of his hesitancy. Now more life is at the stake! He couldn't afford that. This is no longer vengeance, but survival. Gathering his courage, he called Black Wolf,
"Ren'nar, don't!" The black druid turned around, "I'll be the one who do that…"
Few moments later, the heroes came out from Anya's portal to Nihlathak's temple. The strong breeze greeted them. The dilapidated temple looks dark and foreboding danger. Myrrick pondered his past as he walked toward the temple. Nobody spoke for a while until he said,
"Come, let's finish this quickly! I have a friend to kill now…"
They immediately met stiff resistance inside; a band of Reanimated Horde led by Pindleskinhad been waiting them. These undead were hard to kill, since they were able to withstood so many abuses upon their withered bodies. Even Xelana's jab was useless to keep them. She immediately sent her Valkyrie to mow them down. Tha'el's Infernal Golem brushed them away, but they always kept coming. Orb'al had unleashed the whirlwind to cut them, however it was Caldash who found the best way. The nearby Reanimated Horde came to him, but the paladin quickly cut the creature down. As the undead went down, he activated his Redemption aura. When he stepped upon the fallen enemy, they instantly dissolved into nothingness. He shouted to Zylene,
"Zylene, use Blizzard!" The sorceress nodded, and then cast her spell. The furious freezing wind quickly stopped the Reanimated Hordes on their track. Myrrick, Ren'nar, Akivsha and Orb'al charged and shattered the frozen enemies into icecubes. Caldash fought Pindleskin fiercely; he quickly cut the undead from top to below in the middle. He spotted a tunnel,
"Myrrick, look!" The auburn-haired druid turned around,
"This must lead us to Hall of Vaught! Come, we have no time left!" They entered the tunnel carefully. Black Wolf warned them,
"Be careful, Nihlathak's master might have some surprises for us…" As they walked, Zylene felt something liquid creeping upon her shoulder. The amazon shouted,
"Zylene, beside you!" When she turned around she saw the creeping, worm-like demons upon her shoulder. With hysterical shrieks, she wiped them; unaware of the danger above. The sack-like creature fell upon her, however, it was squashed by the Infernal Golem immediately. Orb'al quickly went to help her girlfriend. Akivsha said,
"Putrid defilers! Beware, don't let them put their Pain worms inside you!" To their horror, the ceiling was filled with plenty of such creature. Myrrick and Ren'nar quickly slashed the fallen defilers, though the pain worms rained them. Before they could even moved further, something came toward them. It was a shapeless demon with the snout-like mouth. The myriad of eyes stared them with hunger as the proboscis salivated and showed row of conical teeth.
"Ai, ai!" Xelana wailed, "A Reziarfg! A Reziarfg is come!"
Zylene stared with wide eyes. "By Zann-Esu!" she cried, and letting her staff fall she covered her face. The black druid turned to the assassin, asking,
"What is that thing?" The assassin answered with clenched teeth,
"A Reziarfg! It is spawned by the Stygian Beast from the Abyss. I don't expect that Baal is able to send such disgusting creature!" she turned to Myrrick, "Beware, Reziarfg is quite powerful! We must avoid the creature; fighting it is wasting time!"
"Leave it to my Infernal Golem!" The massive golem quickly hit the Reziarfg with its thorny fist. Yet, the creature merely splashed acrid pus toward the creature. Ren'nar went to join the fight, when the paladin shouted warning,
"Black Wolf, the creature is dangerous!" The black druid answered briefly,
"What harm in the testing, then?" He quickly stabbed his blade to the spawn of the Stygian, but the steel sank into the slimy mucous that covered its body. Black Wolf saw the myriad eyes turned upon him and he was slammed by the proboscis quickly. The creature, moving with astonishing speed, hurled its toothy lips at him. Before the Reziarfg managed to catch him, Caldash slashed the proboscis. It was vibrated in pain. While the knight fends off the demons, Orb'al quickly pulled him. Ren'nar said quietly, "He's right!" The red-haired druid shouted aloud,
"Forget the creature, we must find Nihlathak before it's too late! Tha'el, deal with the creature! We'll go through!"
"I'm on it!"
Pushing toward Hall of Pain and Suffering, Myrrick and the others trailed the endless underground tunnel, while the Reziarfg and the Infernal Golem still fought. The Putrid Defilers still delay their movements. Finally they entered the spacious hall and saw the Barbarian elder sat in the middle. His crevassed face showed a mixture of concern and worry. He surprised them by speaking in a calm, deliberate manner,
"Black Wolf! Red Bear! Have you settled your differences finally?" The black druid pointed him,
"Nihlathak, where is Baal? Where is the relic of the Ancients?" The elder shook his head with a mock regret,
"I'm so sorry; Lord Baal just left a moment ago and yes, I have given him the relic…" Myrrick was shocked to hear that; he said in a shaking voice,
"Elder, how could you do that? You've betrayed our sacred duty…our mission!" Nihlathak continued,
"Myrrick, I do what is necessary! I do this to save Harrogath; not only from certain death but also from the defilement of Mount Arreat by the hands of the infidels…" Orb'al cried aloud,
"Liar! It was you who defiled the holy mount by giving Lord of Destruction the access to reach the Worldstone!" Caldash added,
"Elder Nihlathak, you're making a big mistake by trusting Baal! He won't spare Harrogath, once he gets what he wants!" In response, the wizened man hissed, and they shuddered at the hideous change,
"It was the infidel like you who had become threat to our way of life! It wasn't me, but Qual-Kehk and Anya who had make a big mistake by trusting the people like you!" He stared to Zylene and Orb'al, and spat toward them,
"You have polluted your blood…the blood of a great hero by mingle with the desert harlot like her! I was ashamed to you!" Ren'nar roared,
"Stop your forked tongue, Nihlathak! We're come to kill you for your treachery!"
"Kill me?" Nihlathak mused, as if puzzled, "Try it then! Would you, Myrrick?" Upon the challenge, the druid replied,
"Elder Nihlathak, if you submit yourself to us, I will talk to Grandmaster Jo'taala and Qual-Kehk to give you a lenient penalty…" For a second, the elder hesitated, and no one breathed. Then he spoke, and his voice was shrill and cold. Pride and hate were conquering him.
"Submit? To the cowardly druid who preferred to hid in their forest? Or to the stubborn, foolhardy warrior inside the city, which no longer needs help? I'm not a fool and I don't trust them! I already saved Harrogath! I won't surrender to anyone!" He laughed wildly,
"Lord Baal has been kind enough by sending his servant for my bidding!" Baal's Minions appeared around him from nowhere. Ren'nar glanced darkly to his companion,
"Did I tell you that? I say, we must kill him now!" He charged immediately into the demons, followed by the other heroes. They hacked into the Minions' ranks, as those demons quickly fell to their wrath. However, the traitorous elder had prepared surprise for them. Black Wolf charged toward him, trampling the fallen Minions beneath his boots. Nihlathak lifted his hand…and a thunderous explosion accompanied by putrid gas threw the black druid back. Everyone turned and helped him; the Rathma quickly realized something,
"It's Corpse Explosion!" The paladin, barbarian and sorceress quickly took the distance; the same with the druid and the assassin. Nihlathak said gleefully,
"As I thought; this will coming in handy someday! I learned the spell from Colenzo," Myrrick gritted his teeth in frustration; a pile of dead Minions was between them and Nihlathak. The rest simply barred them. Charging toward was suicidal. They had provided their enemy the ammo. Suddenly, the assassin patted his shoulder, whispering,
"Myrrick, trust to yourself! It isn't over yet…" She instantly threw her gadgets toward those carcasses. To Nihlathak's surprise, the nearby corpse exploded. The druid's face brightened to see that and he commanded the rest,
"Everyone, use your corpse-reducing abilities! We'll bring the battle on him!" With a gesture, he commanded Carrion Vine to absorb the carcasses, while Ren'nar sent Solar Creeper. Orb'al moved forward and cut the unlucky demons that were slow enough to escape his wrath. As they fell on the earth, Caldash summoned Redemption aura and purified them instantly. Tha'el commanded his Infernal Golem to clear the way and sometimes cast Corpse Explosion to deter Nihlathak. Meanwhile, the Zann-Esu had a better way,
"Blizzard!" A stream of breeze quickly freeze the Minions into ice statues; Xelana and her Valkyrie picked them one by one. While throwing her Death Sentries, Akivsha shouted to the druid,
"Go, Myrrick!" Nodding, the auburn-haired warrior strode among the exploding carcasses and shouted loudly,
"NIHLATHAK! Ready or not, I've come for you!" The elder became whitish pale and sent his spell toward the charging druid. Yet, Myrrick managed to jump over the last exploding corpses and landed close to his quarry. The traitor still had a last trick from his sleeves, as he unleashed the breeze toward his pursuer. Gnashing, the druid cast Cyclone Armor to reduce the damage. He rose and lifted the Isenhart Lightbrand. He asked,
"Elder, why are you doing this? Baal lied to you; he won't let Harrogath alone!" Nihlathak spoke vehemently,
"Nonsense! He promised to me, that he would spare Harrogath once he got the Worldstone!" The elder offered his hand,
"Come, Myrrick. I once was your teacher and your friend…Remember, it was me who introduce you to Joanna. This is for your gratitude? Or at least, think that we were friends before…" Myrrick stared the elder; he almost lowered his sword when Joanna's dying word echoed inside,
Save the Highland…Save Sanctuary He steeled himself and hardened his face,
"Elder, I remember that clearly; it looks like yesterday! However, I have promised Joanna to save Highland and…the others to save Sanctuary. What you have done is endangering both of them, and I can't let you do that…" Before the traitor managed to cast another spell, Myrrick instinctively drove the Isenhart Lightbrand into his ribcage, puncturing the lungs. Nihlathak gasped as the cold steel entered his body. With a sudden movement, the druid jerked the sword from its victim. The elder choked and coughed blood profusely, before he knelt on the ground.
"Why? Why, Myrrick? I just…want to…help…I supposedly…died with…Ord…Rekar…and…Aust…but…why…Baal…let…me…live?" Myrrick almost landed another blow, but he couldn't bring himself. The rest have arrived to see the painful scene, as the druid held his estranged friend. Nihlathak coughed again,
"Probably…you're…right…and…I…was…wrong…" He looked to his killer,
"Would…you…forgive…me…Myrrick…?" Teary-eyed, the auburn-haired warrior said with a choked voice,
"Elder, I…have…forgiven…you…I'm…sorry…" Suddenly Nihlathak screamed and his body instantly disintegrated into a misty form, before it was sucked down into the Abyss. The spirit let a mournful wail and finally disappeared. Everyone was silent; Akivsha went to the druid but stopped short. Myrrick punched the ground with his fist, and then he roared loudly as he could,
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The wind breezed sadly upon the abandoned temple,
Author's note: Finally, I have managed to finish this chapter. Due to the constraint, I've decided to put two quests into one story. I hope this won't lessen the fun. If you want to send opinions, reviews, critics (or flames), you are welcome. Expect the next chapter, 'Cry of the Ancients'. See you soon!