Cry of the Ancients
(Rite of Passage)
Day Six, morning,
The entire city was eerily silent; nobody spoke since the warriors returned from Nihlathak's temple. Everyone was sure about the death of the traitorous elder in his hands, but they didn't dare to speak aloud…not in front of the druid. Myrrick has confined himself since then. His friends waited outside, wondering about him. The Hirelings watched them with mixed expression. Qual-Kehk has forbidden anyone to disturb them. Griswold and Larzuk still worked their project, but their attention was turned to the other things. Yet, the people felt uncomfortable tension on the air. They knew for sure that Baal would send his army of destruction to raze Harrogath. With Nihlathak's relic, the town was insignificant now.
The door creaked slowly, as Anya and Akivsha entered the cot. They saw the druid sat motionlessly at the corner, burying his face inside. The assassin gestured the alchemist to come closer.
"Myrrick," Anya called, "I…truly sorry about Nihlathak. I know it must have been hard to you, but…he gave us no choice. Had you not kill him, Qual-Kehk would have…" She touched his shoulder,
"Myrrick, would you forgive me? Would you forgive us?" Myrrick was silent; Joanna's dying voice echoed inside his head,
Save the highland…Then he said resignedly,
"Anya, you doesn't do anything wrong. It was my fault to not suspect Nihlathak beforehand…I trusted him." Slowly, he rose from the floor,
"It was too late now to mourn the loss; however we still can save the Worldstone before Baal gets it! I…I mean we won't fail again this time!" The young alchemist's face beamed as she saw the change. Akivsha smirked with approval. The druid spoke aloud,
"I must fulfill my promise to Joanna! I want to meet Qual-Kehk now!"
Everyone outside hailed Myrrick when he came out and the stout warriors ushered him to Qual-Kehk. The barbarian elder lifted his hand to silence the cheers,
"Myrrick, you have done the boldest thing that the mortals ever did! You have pursued Diablo everywhere, even to the Burning Hell and killed the demon. Now you have proven your worth by deterring Baal's attempt to destroy Harrogath and Scosglen together, and recently eliminated the traitor among us…for that you have earned my respect!" The Hirelings shouted and clapped aloud. The veteran went closer and showed his great sword to the druid. Suddenly, Myrrick stopped him,
"No, Qual-Kehk! You deserve this sword for your selfless devotion to protect Mt. Arreat! That's not for me; I can't accept it!" He turned to his friends, "I couldn't kill Diablo if not because of my friends!"
"Zylene has helped us with her knowledge; Caldash had faithfully helped us with his faith!" The paladin merely nodded, while the sorceress was blushed. Myrrick continued,
"Orb'al is a worthy warrior; he took his oath faithfully and accompanied us everywhere. Tha'el…" Everyone turned to the necromancer and his Golem uneasily,
"He has been a good friend…and Akivsha…she helped me to put everything in focus and show me that the past won't stop us…" Tha'el grinned only. Myrrick paused when he saw Ren'nar who scowled to him. Coughed a bit, he finally said,
"Black Wolf deserves more gratitude than me, since he had proven his courage by attacking the demons by himself! If you want to give the sword, please give it to him!" The black druid was stunned with the declaration; he was speechless for a moment. Everyone clapped again and the elderly warrior nodded in admiration. The druid said,
"Our job is not done yet. Baal must be stopped before he gets to the Worldstone! Qual-Kehk, is there another way to reach the holy mountain?" Qual-Kehk replied grimly,
"Only one, Rite of Passage at the Altar of the Ancients!"
Zylene mused, "Rite of Passage?" Anya explained,
"The barbarian and druid tribes had been given task to guard Mount Arreat and the most courageous among them were chosen to protect the entrance and bar the unworthy! There were only three warriors chosen millennia ago." The warrior added,
"Though we already acknowledge your exceptional deeds, the Ancients don't share the same mind. I'm afraid you have to prove yourself by battling them!" The Rathma quipped,
"That sounds not so difficult…" Qual-Kehk cut him,
"Watch your mouth, sorcerer! The Ancients are not decrepit, old men like you think! The holy mountain had blessed them with supernatural powers. The death and time have no power over them…"
Xelana commented, "It means they are…immortal?"
"Yes, but not invincible; only the worthy ones can overcome them!" While the warriors let those explanation sank, the necromancer asked,
"I'm sorry! How do we know that we are the worthy one?" The big sweatdrop appeared upon everyone's head. Finally, Myrrick shouted,
"I don't know, but we have to try to stop Baal or die trying!" Caldash replied,
"That's the spirit! By the Light, we'll succeed!" Suddenly, Orb'al said with a measured tone,
"What about Baal's army of destruction? Nihlathak was fool to trust him; once we left the city, he would send those demons to do their works…" The rogue captain replied,
"Leave Harrogath to us! The Rogues of the Sightless Eyes shall defend this city until the last drop of blood!" Griez growled,
"The Desert Mercenaries had already protected Lut Gholein from the demons; we won't fail to protect this one!"
Asheara added, "Easy, boys! As long as the Iron Wolves stood, no demons will enter this city!"
Qual-Kehk folded his arms over his broad chest, "Good." Myrrick watched all of them with certainity; his heart swelled with their enthusiasm. The battle ahead of them would be terrible, but they were ready. He shouted aloud,
"Fight on! Fight on until Sanctuary was safe from the Burning Hell's clutches!"
When the gates of Harrogath closed with a clang, the heroes immediately went to the Frigid Highland. They passed the Crystalline Passage and came out at the other end. Few hours later, Tha'el complained,
"How long do we reach the Altar?" Everyone frowned upon the comments, because the Rathma didn't looks tired since he was carried by the Infernal Golem. Orb'al answered him out of irritation,
"You have complained all along the way; perhaps you should get down and I will show you…" A loud shout came from the front,
"Be quiet! It is better to both of you to run faster! Remember, Harrogath and Sanctuary's safety were depended on us!" The barbarian and the necromancer clamped their mouth, while glance to each other. Zylene patted his lover's shoulder, gesturing him to pace faster. Ren'nar turned to Akivsha,
"I think Red Wolf learns this kind of motivation from you…" The assassin smiled,
"No, he does it by himself!"
"I guess so…"
After few hours running the treacherous terrain, they finally arrived at a huge plain covered by stone floors. A small altar stood in the middle of the plain. Three golden statues surrounded the plain in a triangular pattern, distancing itself from the altar. Caldash whispered solemnly,
"The Ancients, protectors of Mount Arreat," The Zann-Esu nodded,
"Talic, Korlic and Madawc, Their deeds were legendary, even to the Aranoch. It was such an honor for me, a Zann-Esu to visit this hallowed place…" The amazon looks unimpressed,
"Hey, we're coming here to save the world, not to recall history…"Myrrick, Orb'al and Ren'nar didn't speak at all, while Akivsha watched the place warily. She said,
"I sensed a foul smell here…Baal just passed this place an hour ago before us…" The druids gritted their teeth. Tha'el turned to the statues with disdain,
"And they didn't do anything to stop him?" The Black Wolf hissed,
"Shut your mouth! Your wish might come true sooner than you think…" After he spoke, a thick mist covered the plain, reducing their vision significantly. The red-haired druid said,
"Use caution, everyone!" They quickly closed their distance and tried to not moving at all.
Back to Harrogath, the Hirelings had manned the wall around the city. Anya and Malah brought the women and children into the safest place, while Griswold was ready. Qual-Kehk inspected the last preparations for the defense. When he met the others, the rogue captain informed,
"Everything is already in place, Qual-Kehk! I had put my girls on the walls close to the gates! The rogue will make sure there will be no demons steps into the threshold of the gate"
Asheara added, "My men will scour the city to insure no demons are able to infiltrate the city!"
With his usual frown, Greiz said, "In any case, you'll find the three of us at your side when you need us,"
"Good," the veteran warrior said. "I'm counting on every one of you…" Suddenly, Larzuk came to them. With panted breath, the young blacksmith said,
"Qual-Kehk, probably this is a good time to try my…" A loud blow echoed along the mountains; everyone turned to the east. The warrior said,
"Not now, Larzuk! There is something pressing now…" He went into the gate with the other Hirelings' commander. Larzuk looks dejected, however the blacksmith from Tristram patted his shoulder,
"Don't worry, our time will come!"
When Qual-Kehk arrived upon the wall, he couldn't believe what he saw. Baal's army of destruction has swarmed all around the city. The plain was dark with their marching companies, and as far as eyes cloud strain in the mirk there sprouted, like a foul fungus growth, all about the beleaguered city great camps of tents. Down from the hills on either side poured the Minions of Destruction innumerable. From the host of demons there went up a jeering yell. The Overseers drove the host toward the city, along with their siege machines. The horde of the Siege Beasts, Greater Mummies and even Council Members pushed their way amidst the cracks of the whip. The Blood Lords formed the vanguard before the gate, while the rest directed the Reziarfgs. The flocks of Succubi, Stygian Furies and Megademons circled above Harrogath, like vultures that expect their fill. The wind blew, but the sun now climbing towards the South was veiled, and through a threatening haze it gleamed, remote, a sullen red, as if it were the ending of the day , or the end maybe of all the world of light. Aliza looked uneasily to the plain; however she saw a grim determination inside Qual-Kehk's eyes. Turning his attention slowly to the Hirelings, he spoke with a booming voice,
"Sons and daughters of Sanctuary, hear me! Today is our destiny! For long time, the Children of Arreat had been protected the holy mountain with their lives. We thought this is our only calling!"
"But we were wrong! Now all of Sanctuary comes to help us! We will not fail! Are you with me?" As one, the assembly rose and thrust their fists into the air, "Yes!" they thundered in unison. The grizzled barbarian warrior said,
"Let them come and we shall show the fury of the Hirelings to them!"
Meanwhile at the Altar of the Ancients, the heroes still unmoved as the mist still surrounded them. When the mist lifted, Myrrick spotted three armor-garbed men came to their direction. One of them wore the flame-colored armor and brandished a flaming broadsword and a kite shield with horse symbol emblazoned. His companion wore the silvery green armor and carried a long polearm. The gruff, grim-eyed one only carried a pair of axes. Akivsha noted the armored men look youthful, unlike the gruff man. Instead engaging them in combat, the mysterious men stopped five steps from them. The silvery-armored man asked them,
"Stay where you are, strangers! You are not allowed to step on the Mount Arreat; we are the Ancients, guardian of the holy mountain! I, Korlic have spoken…" The flame-armored man added,
"I am Talic!" The grim-looked man stared them with wild eyes that can be matched only by Ren'nar. He growled like a beast,
"And I am Madawc!" Then the auburn-haired and the black druid knelt in front of them; the others followed him. Myrrick spoke with utmost respect,
"Elders, I am Myrrick of Scosglen. It is important for us to let us through. Baal, Lord of Destruction has come to take the Worldstone. We have to go to stop him, before he dooms Sanctuary…" The three Ancients looks upon each other, but then Talic argued,
"Impossible, you are wrong! We won't let a demon to pass us!" The druid continued,
"I don't mean to be insolent, Elder Talic! Baal had possession of your relic, that's why he can walk unfettered here…" Korlic merely nodded, until he spoke again,
"I see, but we can't break the rule. As it said, only the worthy ones can enter the Worldstone Chamber and you have to prove it by fight us! We will be the one who picks whom we will fight among you?" Behind, Tha'el quipped,
"Why don't I send my Infernal Golem to bash them? That would be easy!" Xelana cuts him,
"Shut up, do you think it is so easy?" Orb'al hushed them to quiet, as the Ancients stared them deeply. Finally, Talic broke the silence,
"You." He pointed the sorceress, "I will fight against you…" The sorceress shuddered, but then the barbarian intervened,
"No, I'll be the one who fight you, Elder Talic. Zylene aren't ready…" The red-armored Ancient frowned after heard Orb'al's offer. He inquired,
"Who are you, brave warrior?"
"I'm Orb'al of Sescheron, son of Alendor!" Talic nodded,
"Then I accept your offer, O, Orb'al of Sescheron!" The warrior prepared his axes and went forward when the Zann-Esu said,
"Orb'al, be careful…" The barbarian smiled only. Myrrick saw them, when the silver-armored Ancient called him,
"I will fight you. Do you accept that, Myrrick of Scosglen?" The druid was stunned; however he immediately controlled himself and said calmly,
"It is an honor, Elder Korlic! I accept the challenge!" Madawc scanned the band until his sight fell upon the Black Wolf. Both of them traded glance, but none would give up. Finally, 'the Prophet' pointed his finger upon the renegade druid. Ren'nar quipped,
"Well, I guess it is me! I have heard your reputation, and I hope they do your justice…" The black druid pulled his tomahawk, while Madawc spread his arms in open stance. Before the warriors began to fight, Myrrick said,
"Don't do anything to mar this fight; this fight is between the children of Arreat!" Akivsha replied,
"Don't worry, you can trust us…" A smile appeared on the aging druid's lips,
"I know you would!" He pulled the Isenhart Lightbrand, as Korlic held his polearm parallel to his stance. Or'bal took the offensive stance against Talic. Madawc and Ren'nar were locked in a deadly dance.
Then they let their battle cries before storming toward their opponent.
Below, the battle had broken on Harrogath. Before the first wave of demons hit the gate, Kashya cried, "Fire!" The air grew black with the shafts of her rogue's arrows. The demons fell upon the ground, sending their kinds into a rabid frenzy. The Succubi and Stygian Furies dived on the wall, tearing with iron talons and using dark magics to slay whoever they could find. The army of destruction fired arrows of their own. Several rogues next to Kashya fell under the barrage. Nearby, Qual-Kehk pulled a black fletched shaft out of the armor. As more arrows and rocks flew, the warrior called, "Asheara, do something!"
The leader of the Iron Wolves nodded. She directed her men to bolster the defense against the demons' attack. Soon lightning, cold bolt and fire attacks burst up from above as Asheara's men confronted the Succubi and Stygian Furies. Some of them died and fell like fireballs to the earth. Baal's army surged around the gate like a black tide. The bodies of the fighting and the dying demons looked like great mounds of insects squirming before the city gates. The Overseers sent the Minions to carry the iron ladders.
Aliza shouted, "Captain Kashya, the ladders are coming!" The rogue captains shouted,
"Stop them, Aliza!" With a gesture, the young rogue commanded her fellows and pulled their arrows toward the incoming ladders. A rain of arrows poured upon the ladder-carrying demons, stalling them severely. Inside the city, the Desert mercenaries and the Barbarian reinforced the gate. Greiz shouted the command,
"Open your eyes! Keep the gate!" Qual-Kehk turned to the raging battle, whispering silently,
Myrrick, I hope the Ancients blessed you!"
At the Altar, the fight raged on. The barbarian lunged forward to the red Ancient. Talic quickly parried, deflecting his opponent's axes, then took half a step to the right and delivered a precise strike, skillfully diverted by Orb'al. Weapons clattered together, steel skimming steel as the two felt each other out. The barbarian began to fight with the fury of a warrior possessed, yet it was quickly matched by the Ancient. The enemy swung the sword at him, but in a fraction of a second, Orb'al was through his guard to drive his elbow under the enemy's chin. Talic stunned, however he quickly controlled himself. He favored his young opponent with a smile, and Orb'al considered that as a flattery. Then the Ancient quickly unleashed Whirlwind to him. Zylene gasped; she always seen her lover using Whirlwind, but Talic's Whirlwind attack was surrounded by furious blaze. Instead attacking, the barbarian focused himself, aiming his sight to the enemy and then charging…
The sorceress shouted, "Orb'al, no!" The barbarian rammed himself toward the blazing whirlwind, while putting his axes to protect him. The Ancient saw that and immediately slowed himself, but they both knocked out. Before Talic managed to mount an attack, Orb'al attacked again with ferocity until he landed a powerful blow toward his opponent. Stunned, the Ancient thudded to the floor. The warrior knocked his broadsword away and leaped toward him, placing the axes at his opponent's throat.
"You lose…" Orb'al said, "Grandfather…" Talic let aloud a boisterous laugh,
"Magnificent! I have guarded the mountain for eternity, but who knows I was defeated by my own grandson?" The young warrior offered his hand, which refused,
"No, grandson! I'm not old; I still the same age when the Ancient had chosen me…" The flame-armored warrior stared the young warrior; his face beamed with pride. Then he asked,
"How is your father? How about your grandmother?" Orb'al said without any expression,
"Grandmother has died fifteen years ago. After your departure, he promised to train himself so you won't be ashamed! He also taught me…My father was fallen when Baal invaded Sescheron, but he was a great warrior!" Talic was silent, before he said,
"I can see that…you are really the father's son…" He glanced curiously to the Zann-Esu,
"You already know how to choose wife, are you?" The warrior's face blushed red,
"Yes, Grandfather…" He called Zylene to come,
"Grandfather, this is Zylene of Zann-Esu, my wife! Zylene, may I introduce you Talic, my grandfather!" The sorceress surprised, but she quickly offered,
"It is an honor for me to meet you, Elder Talic!" Talic stopped her,
"No, don't say so, my child! Am I looks old for you?"
Meanwhile, the Black Wolf ran forward with a blood-curdling yell, launching himself at his opponent. Grinning wildly, Madawc raised his axes and locked the black druid's tomahawk. Not wanting to be defeated, the black druid grabbed his opponent's right arm and pulled it away. To his surprise, the 'mad prophet' had head-butted him at the forehead. Ren'nar growled ferally, before delivering a sharp kick to send the foe's axe up into the air. Madawc immediately punched his torso, distancing them three steps. The black druid realized that he had to morph into his Werewolf form if he wants to win. Black furs appeared around his body, while his mouth elongated into snout. The mad prophet laughed,
"Now this is what I call a good fight!" Ren'nar's werewolf snarled viciously as he leaped to tear the warrior. Everyone surprised when they saw Madawc threw away his axes and wrestled the werewolf bare-handed. Tha'el exclaimed,
"This is crazy! He will be torn apart!" Caldash merely said,
"Let's see first!" The werewolf tried to bite the opponent's face, but the warrior grabbed the snout and tried to pull it apart. The beast inside the druid panicked; so it scratched Madawc furiously. The mad prophet ignored the attack like nothing. Both of them fell to the ground, while keep struggling and rolling away. The werewolf finally summoned Frenzy and quickly overpowered the warrior. Just before he was about to deliver a lethal strike, he morphed back into the human form. The mad warrior looks pleased,
"Why don't you finish me? With your werewolf form, it was easy to do that…"
Ren'nar panted, "I am not a beast; I am a man…" Madawc raised himself, and then stared him solemnly,
"You will need the beast side for the final fight…do not hesitate! Fate of the world depends on you…" The black druid watched him with puzzled expression.
The seasoned warrior watched the situation outside. Baal's army of destruction seems not stopping their attack. Though Kashya's rogues tried hard, it did little. Even, the captain had lost some of her best archers. Inside Greiz and Asheara already culled the infiltrating demons, but their loss weren't few. Their situation was hopeless, but he wouldn't let these people to suffer anymore. He turned to Kashya and said resignedly,
"Milady, pull your archers back! There is no use to continue this," Aliza surprised to hear that,
"What? Qual-Kehk, are you planning to…" The warrior furrowed his brow upon the question,
"No! We won't give up! It is our fight as the people of Arreat!" Hearing the commotion, Asheara and Greiz went climbing the stairs. The barbarian warrior continued,
"I don't want to put your life in danger anymore. I really appreciate what you have done here…I will let you go to home now…" Suddenly the incensed young rogue said,
"And let you alone to facing those demons?" Kashya warned,
"Aliza!" Yet, the rogue was undeterred, as she continued,
"No, honorable Qual-Kehk! I won't let you alone; I will be here to my end! Deep in the mountain, Myrrick and Akivsha were putting their lives in danger. Had I leave you here, how could I show my face to them? If this city falls, there is no place to run, not even to us! Like you had said before, all of us are parts of Sanctuary. That's why we have to defend this city together, Qual-Kehk! I beg you, please don't send us home! There is still hope!" Everyone was stunned to hear the passionate speech. Then the rogue captain said,
"Honorable one, she is right! We have come this far to know there was others who shared our convictions. As you have guarded Mount Arreat, the Rogues of the Sightless Eyes also had the same duty. Therefore we won't return until we fulfilled this mission, though it might mean our deaths!" Greiz added,
"Right, it doesn't matter about the money! We are known with our reputations, and we won't go empty-handed. It would besmirch our reputations…" Asheara followed,
"Yes, Ormus said that what we doing here is to restore the balance in Sanctuary! We are not coming here to have picnic!" Qual-Kehk laughed as he heard them; it was oblivious that he underestimated their courage and resolution. Smiling wryly, he patted Aliza's shoulder,
"Such brave words, little girl!" He turned to the captain, "Someday you would be a good captain like your captain!" The young girl blushed, while everyone clapped. Then the barbarian said,
"I will be honored if you fight beside me! You have showed that the people from the lowland possess the burning courage like us!" He pulled his broadsword and lifted it high,
"Then let us fight till the end!" Everyone cheered, and at the same time Larzuk and Griswold came toward them. Before the blacksmith spoke, the elderly warrior sighed,
"All right, Larzuk! You can use your invention now; I think it is the better time!" The young blacksmith beamed and said,
"I will bring that, Qual-Kehk! You won't be disappointed!" As they went to the smith, Qual-Kehk turned to the others,
"Lady Kashya, put your remaining archers before the gates. The Iron Wolves will be their backups. When we have beaten the first wave, all of us will charging to the heart of the enemy and hopefully meet a heroic death!" Kashya replied,
"It shall be done, Qual-Kehk!" Asheara pulled his daggers, giggling,
"I will take someone with me…"
Though the battle still raging, Dargash noted that the arrows have stopped and the defenders have pulled from the city's wall. His feeling told him something wrong, but in other hand he saw a golden opportunity. He barked to the nearby Overseers,
"Gather our army of Siege Beasts and the Lords to the gate and break the gate!"
"Yes, Lord Dargash!" The drums rolled louder. Fires leaped out. With a sound that caused the very earth to tremble, Baal's army surged forward. The Siege Beasts and the Moon, Blood and Storm Lords hefted a great battering ram and ran at full speed toward the gate. A deep boom rumbled through Harrogath like thunder running in the clouds. But the doors of iron and posts of steel withstood the stroke. The ram struck again, harder than anything had struck this gate in living memory. It shook the structure from ramparts to the foundation.
"Again!" shouted Dargash.
Thrice the great ram boomed and suddenly upon the last stroke the gate was broken and the doors tumbled in riven fragments to the ground. The demons quickly leaped into the break and found…huge cannon in front of them. The thing was manned by Larzuk and Griswold. The burly blacksmith boomed,
"Fire!" With a powerful rumble and explosion, the cannon fired and struck into the midst of the demons. The demons screeched panicky and flee from the gate. Dargash roared,
"I didn't order you to pull back!" Using the slightest chance, the rogues led by Aliza and Kashya quickly fill the gap and pulled their bows until the captain commanded,
"Fire at will!" A hail of arrows rained from the rogues, silencing the screams on those demons' lips. With the momentum, the Iron Wolves moved forward and Asheara gave order grimly,
"Iron Wolves, destroy them!" Without waiting any longer, the mercenaries threw their bolts of destruction to their foes. Qual-Kehk and Greiz brought their forces outside. The old warrior shouted,
"For Harrogath! For Mount Arreat!" Kashya drew her sword and raised it high next to him.
"For Sanctuary!" Her voice caught the dying echo of Qual-Kehk's words. The Hirelings turned with them, charging the enemy together. Baal's army was taken by surprise. The Desert captain slashed the nearest minion with his scimitar. Asheara whirled her daggers, taking foes with her. Aliza ceaselessly shot the enemy who came to close. Qual-Kehk swung his broadsword mightily, chopping at shoulder and thigh of the Minions who surrounded him. Spurred by the action, the others fought fiercely. It was noted by Dargash himself. Before joining the fray, he shouted,
"They are few! Push them back! The city soon will be ours!" Some demons wanted to withdraw, but blocked by the Overseers who sent them. Slowly, the stalwart defenders were pushed back by the horde of demons. A Reziarfg managed to crush Greiz's men into pulp. Not for long, Qual-Kehk had faced the leader of the demons himself.
"Demon!" he answered, raising himself to his full height. The Moon Lord snorted,
"I have come for your soul," Then they clashed each other until a sound of blowing horn came. Everyone on the battlefield turned and saw the golden banners flying upon the ridge. The columns of the bright-armored warriors stood, watching the battle below. One of them rode a horse and wore a strange insignia. Another band wore fur pelts and brought the brownish banner. The column of the hardened warriors and druids coming from the very corner of the Sanctuary. They were led by no other than Master Jo'taala, who rode a deer.
Kashya beamed, "Knights of Westmarch!" Aliza smiled,
"The druids!" The weary warriors had taken courage again, while the hosts of the Burning Hell were seized with bewilderment, and a black dread fell on them.
The Grandmaster turned with the Westmarch commander, who watched the battlefield grimly. The venerable druid spoke,
"It is a long time to come back here, however the time is right to fulfill the oath of our forefathers, Fiacla-Gear and Bul-Kathos…" The commander smiled wryly,
"And the good time for the Kingdom of Westmarch to end what Diablo has started…are you ready, Elder?"
"I always ready for this moment!" The column prepared to descend to the plain below.
Realized the peril, the Overseers harried their minions toward the incoming force, yet kept the rest to deal with the Hirelings. Like the crashing wave, the whole army of destruction went toward the highland. Jo'taala didn't flinch as he rode toward the horde of evil. The Westmarch forces stayed on the place. While ready to meet with the merciless demons, the Grandmaster spoke with a loud, clear voice,
"People of Harrogath, the time to fulfill our oath have come! We have waited this moment to come…to face Uileloscadh Mór!" The druid's distance with the army of destruction had come closer,
"If we have to end like this, so be it! But if not, let the Light give the sign to know that force of nature and light shall victorious in this battle! Let the evil know that there is hope today! Let them tremble to the fury of the Highland and feel the wrath of the Druids and Barbarians; wrath of Bul-Kathos' and Fiacla-Gear's descendents! This is not Uileloscadh Mór! Come!" The last sentence echoed around the mountains, similar with Baal's when he invaded Sescheron. At the end of that, the forces of Westmarch and Scosglen let out a thunderous hurrah that shook the mountain. The hosts of the Burning Hell trembled, doubt clutched their hearts, their hands shook and their limbs were loosed. Behold, the earth opened its mouth and swallowed one-third of the army back into where they belong. From the mountains, the rolling avalanches swept the remaining demons into their dooms. A Reziarfg wailed helplessly until it vanished beneath the white snow. It was the time that the others had waited; the Knights of Westmarch, Druids of Scosglen and the remaining Barbarian tribes rolled swiftly as swirling waters, charging toward their enemies. Simultaneously, the defenders of Harrogath rose and fought with renewed fury, pinning their enemy with two-pronged attack.
Back to the Altar of the Ancients, the heroes and the Ancients faced each other. Korlic looks pleased with the result of the fight, as he addressed them,
"Well done, mortals! You have defeated the three of us and prove that you are worthy to walk on the holy Mount Arreat…I am proud that I was beaten by the children of Arreat like you…"
Myrrick bowed gently, "It is nothing, Elder Korlic! We don't want to fight you actually, but the situation forces us," The Henknoc warrior nodded grimly,
"Yes, it is unfortunate that we can't stop Baal from entering the Worldstone Chamber since he possessed the relic of the Ancients," he paused. "However, we gives you chance to stop him before he succeed in his plan," Akivsha said,
"You can join us to stop him, Elder!" Talic shook his head regretfully,
"Alas, we can't do that! We had been sworn not to leave the altar; we could give you blessing instead…" Now it's Caldash's turn,
"Elders, what is the Worldstone's secret? Why does Baal pursues it?" Before Korlic answered that, a giggle cut them. Everyone turned above the sky and saw Demonia was floating above them. Along with her, the Succubi and Stygian Furies surrounded the area. She said,
"My dear was right; you would follow him eventually, but your journey is ends here!" Korlic gave a fierce glance toward the demoness, before he said,
"Go! All of you go now! Leave them to us!"
"Elder, we won't leave you alone here!" Talic barked,
"Don't worry for us; as long as the mountain still stands we are always here! Now go!"
Without any hesitation, the heroes left the plain and went into the gate that leads to the Worldstone Chamber. The Ancients turned toward the flock of demons on the air. Demonia chattered in angry tone,
"You mustn't meddle in my master's affair, now you will die for that!" Madawc spoke in a voice as icy as the ice surrounding the mountain,
"You've better worrying your hide, demon! Your master won't save you now…" The Succubi instantly charged toward them; the Ancients were ready for them!
Near Harrogath, Dargash and the remaining demons looks the tiding nervously; they were caught between the hammer and the anvil. The army of destruction was wiped down with a miraculous stroke. The reinforcement was too far. With desperation, they splintered, facing the foes without determination, except to survive…The Moon Lord fought with bloodthirsty ferocity but he finally overtaken by Qual-Kehk who finished him with single strike. The Hirelings cheered with his victory and the elderly warrior lifted high Dargash's decapitated head. The Knights scoured the battlefields. Aliza watched the mountain uneasily; she feared the celebration of this latest victory would be short-lived.
Myrrick! Akivsha! Please return safely!
At the Altar, all but Demonia fell to the wrath of the Ancients. Carnage was everywhere; with blood splashed across the wall, guts and gristle strewn everywhere and bodies laying slumped on the stone floor. The demoness trembled with fear, as she knelt on the ground. Her right wing hung limply, while the left one was cut down. Blood smeared her face. She almost cried as the Ancients went close toward her. The spirit warriors stared her with cold gaze. In the last attempt, the daughter of Andariel tried to use her charm, hoping that they would spare her. In human's eye, she looked like an innocent, young girl, while masking her demonic nature. Korlic and Talic watched her in disgust, before left her. Demonia looked above and saw only Madawc. There was no pity inside the eyes of the mad prophet, only a gleam of insanity. Her only hope was crushed. As the warrior lifted his axes, she howled full of pity and despair. It was echoed along the mountain…
Inside the Throne of Destruction, Baal and his entourage heard the howl. Lister turned to his master, but Lord of Destruction said, dismissing,
"Just a blowing wind…now continue with our plan!" They dismissed that and continued to work the Destruction.
As the mist gone, the Ancients had disappeared from the area. Three statues were seen again, but they left a grim reminder of their presence: Demonia's head upon the Altar. The blackish blood smeared the altar, as it still bleeds profusely…
Author's note: The story is almost near complete. Sorry for not including the fight between Myrrick and Korlic. What waits our heroes inside the Worldstone Chamber? Wait for final chapter of 'The Bear and The Wolf', 'From Here to Eternity'. Thank you for all the reviews that I received and you are free to send opinions, critics and flames. See you soon!