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Hello again. Wow it's been two months since I've posted anything here... I'm sorry, but I haven't really felt like writing lately.... Anyway I've finally written it, and I hope that I'll be able to write faster from now on Enjoy and review please !
"All four stood there, unable to move, horrified by what they saw..."
"Kashya's face turned white with anger and disgust, as she watched what the Barracks had become. The former arsenal of the Sisters was now filled with evil beings running chaotically across the room.
Arcadio grew pale too : he had spotted a pile of what were unmistakably corpses. Facing the revolting sight, he tightened his grip on his scepter, muttering another prayer.
Welfor looked eagerly towards a band of small demons, readying his axes.
As for Melissa....
"AAAHHHH ! A RAT !" ( AN : Valnazzar suggested that I should "add some comedy in the story". If you liked it thank him. If you hated it blame him ^_^ )
Her scream echoed throughout the room, while her startled companions glared furiously at her.
"A rat !?!?! I almost had a heart attack !" shouted Welfor.
"If they heard you, I don't know what..." Kashya began
"Looks like they did...." Arcadio ended.
The most horrible creature any of them had ever seen had just entered the room. Enter was actually a soft way of putting it. It had smashed the door making it fly across the room, and letting the heroes see all of its horrible form. Its immense body seemed unable to contain all the hatred which was in it. Unnaturally enhanced strength and a hellish hammer at hand, it certainly looked like a formidable opponent.\ "Sorry guys... " said Melissa miserably "Couldn't help it."
Even Kashya seemed petrified by the beast, and before she could think of a proper strategy the monster was on them. He seemed particularly focused on Arcadio, and while the Paladin attempted to fight the beast, the three others were being attacked by the hordes of demons coming from the Barracks. Melissa was casting ice bolts, trying to prevent the uncountable devilkins from reaching her. But her magic was running low and she was slowly retreating towards the wall. One of the corrupted Rogues had hurt Welfor in his left wrist, making him drop his axe, and he was now swinging his single axe with his two hands. Kashya was shooting some goatmen, but they were coming too close, and soon she had to use her dagger to dispatch them.
But none was having more trouble than Arcadio. He was afraid to use his shield again : the first time he blocked one of the monster's hammer attacks his arm had almost been broken. While dodging and retreating back to the courtyard he hit the monster with his scepter, but had little effect.
It was only when Welfor killed his last opponent that the battle's tide changed. He immediately ran towards Melissa, who was surrounded by demons in one corner, and helped her dispatch the small creatures. After finishing the last goatmen, the three ran to the courtyard to help Arcadio. He had already received and given a few hits, but despite being hurt the monster seemed as strong as ever. Arcadio on the other hand was having more and more trouble to dodge his opponents attacks. Before the other three could reach him he was hit by the hammer in the chest and fell. The monster was going to strike the final blow, but an ice bolt stopped it. and Welfor jumped in front of Arcadio, and engaged him in melee combat, but the creature seemed made of iron, and no matter how much Welfor hit it, it kept fighting. Kashya shot an arrow in its left eye, making it yell with pain, but it was Melissa who finished it, by sneaking behind the monster and icinerating it with her Inferno spell. With a deafening roar, the monster fell.
After a small silence in which the heroes recovered their breath, Melissa broke the silence.
"What was that ?"
"I don't know." answered Kashya grimly "but if it has been placed here it is surely to guard something. I wonder.....no... it would be too unlikely..." she finished more to herself than to her three companions.
"Well, we'll just have to check the Barracks to find out."
"Right you are. Let's go." said Kashya curtly and they entered again the dark place. They found few demons within it, since most of them had ran to join Andariel in the Catacombs after their boss's death. Kashya was leading them securely through the endless rooms which were almost pitch dark. She was muttering to herself and seemed to be in a hurry. It was only when they reached the forge that the trio understood why.
A golden hammer was hanging on the wall : the power emanating from it was so strong that the heroes thought the room was better lit than the ones they had left behind.
"I can't believe how lucky we are ! The Horadric Malus.... I was afraid we would never recover it. I only hope I'll be able to give it to Charsi..."
"So that monster was guarding a simple smith's hammer ?" asked Welfor puzzled.
"It isn't only a hammer, it is a powerful magical artifact which allows a talented smith to enhance the magic habilities of any object." said Melissa awed.
"How do you know that ?" asked Arcadio surprised.
"The dream of all sorceress is to achieve the magical power that these mages had. We study the Horadrim lore and artifacts during our apprenticeship." she said smiling "Fascinating charm it is, isn't it ? It is a shame that the formulae has been lost...."
"Indeed" said Kashya absent-mindedly "Well this certainly requires some thought. I think one of you should go back to the camp with the hammer. Should we die on this quest, the hammer would certainly fall back to evil's hands, and we cannot afford to lose it again."
"I'm not going back while you fight Andariel !" said Welfor furiously.
"Neither am I. We came here to kill her and we're going to do it." added Melissa.
"None of us will be staying behind." finished Arcadio softly.
"Don't be foolish, this is much more important than your stupid pride ! This hammer can turn the war's tide on our side."
"Then why don't you go back with it while we go fight the demon Queen ?" asked Melissa.
"Fine. But you will at least agree on this. If three of us die, the fourth one must grab the Malus and flee back to the camp without delay, is it understood ?" All nodded. "Good. Let's proceed then."
Welfor had the impression that the events which took place between their fight in the Barracks and their entrance in Andariel's hideout had never happened, as if they were only a dream, and he was only awakening now. SInce their discussion about the Malus, they hadn't spoken a word, and after a long day of fighting against the demons from the jail, the cathedral, the catacombs during the which they didn't sleep at all, they were finally there. Deep down in the maze under the Monastery which Andariel had turned into the most evil place in Khanduras. Before them stood a huge door, and behind it...
"If you want to run, it's now or never. After this door is open, we either kill Andariel or die trying for she won't allow us to escape." said Kashya staring at the door.
"We won't" said Arcadio
"Victory or death." said Welfor.
"Cheers ! " said Melissa happily.
"I didn't think you would.... heroes." said Kashya in a whisper. Then loudly "Stay together and try to eliminate her minions first." And she opened the door. None of them would be walking back through that door
AN : Well, if I were under normal conditions I would leave a cliffhanger here, but as it's been so long since I've posted anything, I don't think I've got the right to do that.... So here it comes.
The place was more crowded than Kurast's Bazaar had ever been. Dark little creatures everywhere were filling the room's floor, and in the far end of it, a throne supported the massive form of the Maiden of Anguish. A horrible red pool near her throne showed that other heroes had already challenged her, without success.
Seeing them enter she smiled, and let her minions charge the heroes first. Hordes of dark ones charged attacked them, but they had come too far to be stopped there. Aware of their legendary cowardly, Welfor used his most terrifying war cry, and jumped in the middle of the mob. Arcadio had already a pile of corpses in front of him, and Melissa and Kashya were side to side shooting arrows and spells.
Even Kashya was surprised that they'd been able to finish the minions so easily, as she'd been expecting a tougher battle before the final fight with Andariel. The Demon Queen was already approaching them and Arcadio and Welfor ran to strike her. Although their weapons and Kashya's arrows seemed unable to penetrate the demon's hard skin, Melissa's fire spells were doing a nice damage. Andariel realized that, and used one of her tentacles to throw Welfor away from her while shooting a cloud of poison at Arcadio. The Barbarian fell in the blood pool with a sickening splash sound, and the Paladin was on his knees choking for air. Andariel advanced towards Melissa, who retreated but was quickly back to the wall. Kashya was relentlessly shooting arrows, trying to prevent the demon from reaching the Sorceress. It was futile however, as the arrows merely bumped against the demon's leathery skin. Only Melissa had managed to open some spots but the demon grabbed her and threw her violently against the wall where she fell unconscious. Welfor yelled with rage and swung his axes at her again, but with little effect, and she hit him hard with her tentacles.
While all of this was happening, Kashya was scanning the room with a strange feeling of lucidity. She saw Melissa unconscious in one corner, Arcadio with his hands on his throat trying to breathe, Welfor wrapped by Andariel's tentacles, but as she was going to strike the final blow, the impossible happened. Kashya grabbed her bow and shot an arrow which inexplicably became surrounded by flames. The fiery shot entered right through one of Andariel's wounds, and then...
"AAAAAAAAARRRGHHHHH !!" With a scream of pain and rage, the demon's body was icinerated by the deadly arrow within it, and as she fell to the ground the catacombs were shaking and rock blocks were falling from the top of the place. A strange looking blue portal opened near Andariel's corpse.
"Quick ! Grab Arcadio and enter it !" yelled Kashya to Welfor as she herself dodged the dangerous falling rocks and carried Melissa's unconscious body. She saw Welfor disappear through the portal and entered it herself before it closed behind her, and the catacombs were definitely destroyed by Andariel's death.
Finally the first act is over ! It took me really long to write this I know, but I've been feeling so lazy . Well now they're going to the desert... I'm not telling you what's happening next, but I've already got idea's on when and how new characters will appear. All I will say is : expect a new character to join them on the next chapter. Until then, farewell !
}
Hello again. Wow it's been two months since I've posted anything here... I'm sorry, but I haven't really felt like writing lately.... Anyway I've finally written it, and I hope that I'll be able to write faster from now on Enjoy and review please !
"All four stood there, unable to move, horrified by what they saw..."
"Kashya's face turned white with anger and disgust, as she watched what the Barracks had become. The former arsenal of the Sisters was now filled with evil beings running chaotically across the room.
Arcadio grew pale too : he had spotted a pile of what were unmistakably corpses. Facing the revolting sight, he tightened his grip on his scepter, muttering another prayer.
Welfor looked eagerly towards a band of small demons, readying his axes.
As for Melissa....
"AAAHHHH ! A RAT !" ( AN : Valnazzar suggested that I should "add some comedy in the story". If you liked it thank him. If you hated it blame him ^_^ )
Her scream echoed throughout the room, while her startled companions glared furiously at her.
"A rat !?!?! I almost had a heart attack !" shouted Welfor.
"If they heard you, I don't know what..." Kashya began
"Looks like they did...." Arcadio ended.
The most horrible creature any of them had ever seen had just entered the room. Enter was actually a soft way of putting it. It had smashed the door making it fly across the room, and letting the heroes see all of its horrible form. Its immense body seemed unable to contain all the hatred which was in it. Unnaturally enhanced strength and a hellish hammer at hand, it certainly looked like a formidable opponent.\ "Sorry guys... " said Melissa miserably "Couldn't help it."
Even Kashya seemed petrified by the beast, and before she could think of a proper strategy the monster was on them. He seemed particularly focused on Arcadio, and while the Paladin attempted to fight the beast, the three others were being attacked by the hordes of demons coming from the Barracks. Melissa was casting ice bolts, trying to prevent the uncountable devilkins from reaching her. But her magic was running low and she was slowly retreating towards the wall. One of the corrupted Rogues had hurt Welfor in his left wrist, making him drop his axe, and he was now swinging his single axe with his two hands. Kashya was shooting some goatmen, but they were coming too close, and soon she had to use her dagger to dispatch them.
But none was having more trouble than Arcadio. He was afraid to use his shield again : the first time he blocked one of the monster's hammer attacks his arm had almost been broken. While dodging and retreating back to the courtyard he hit the monster with his scepter, but had little effect.
It was only when Welfor killed his last opponent that the battle's tide changed. He immediately ran towards Melissa, who was surrounded by demons in one corner, and helped her dispatch the small creatures. After finishing the last goatmen, the three ran to the courtyard to help Arcadio. He had already received and given a few hits, but despite being hurt the monster seemed as strong as ever. Arcadio on the other hand was having more and more trouble to dodge his opponents attacks. Before the other three could reach him he was hit by the hammer in the chest and fell. The monster was going to strike the final blow, but an ice bolt stopped it. and Welfor jumped in front of Arcadio, and engaged him in melee combat, but the creature seemed made of iron, and no matter how much Welfor hit it, it kept fighting. Kashya shot an arrow in its left eye, making it yell with pain, but it was Melissa who finished it, by sneaking behind the monster and icinerating it with her Inferno spell. With a deafening roar, the monster fell.
After a small silence in which the heroes recovered their breath, Melissa broke the silence.
"What was that ?"
"I don't know." answered Kashya grimly "but if it has been placed here it is surely to guard something. I wonder.....no... it would be too unlikely..." she finished more to herself than to her three companions.
"Well, we'll just have to check the Barracks to find out."
"Right you are. Let's go." said Kashya curtly and they entered again the dark place. They found few demons within it, since most of them had ran to join Andariel in the Catacombs after their boss's death. Kashya was leading them securely through the endless rooms which were almost pitch dark. She was muttering to herself and seemed to be in a hurry. It was only when they reached the forge that the trio understood why.
A golden hammer was hanging on the wall : the power emanating from it was so strong that the heroes thought the room was better lit than the ones they had left behind.
"I can't believe how lucky we are ! The Horadric Malus.... I was afraid we would never recover it. I only hope I'll be able to give it to Charsi..."
"So that monster was guarding a simple smith's hammer ?" asked Welfor puzzled.
"It isn't only a hammer, it is a powerful magical artifact which allows a talented smith to enhance the magic habilities of any object." said Melissa awed.
"How do you know that ?" asked Arcadio surprised.
"The dream of all sorceress is to achieve the magical power that these mages had. We study the Horadrim lore and artifacts during our apprenticeship." she said smiling "Fascinating charm it is, isn't it ? It is a shame that the formulae has been lost...."
"Indeed" said Kashya absent-mindedly "Well this certainly requires some thought. I think one of you should go back to the camp with the hammer. Should we die on this quest, the hammer would certainly fall back to evil's hands, and we cannot afford to lose it again."
"I'm not going back while you fight Andariel !" said Welfor furiously.
"Neither am I. We came here to kill her and we're going to do it." added Melissa.
"None of us will be staying behind." finished Arcadio softly.
"Don't be foolish, this is much more important than your stupid pride ! This hammer can turn the war's tide on our side."
"Then why don't you go back with it while we go fight the demon Queen ?" asked Melissa.
"Fine. But you will at least agree on this. If three of us die, the fourth one must grab the Malus and flee back to the camp without delay, is it understood ?" All nodded. "Good. Let's proceed then."
Welfor had the impression that the events which took place between their fight in the Barracks and their entrance in Andariel's hideout had never happened, as if they were only a dream, and he was only awakening now. SInce their discussion about the Malus, they hadn't spoken a word, and after a long day of fighting against the demons from the jail, the cathedral, the catacombs during the which they didn't sleep at all, they were finally there. Deep down in the maze under the Monastery which Andariel had turned into the most evil place in Khanduras. Before them stood a huge door, and behind it...
"If you want to run, it's now or never. After this door is open, we either kill Andariel or die trying for she won't allow us to escape." said Kashya staring at the door.
"We won't" said Arcadio
"Victory or death." said Welfor.
"Cheers ! " said Melissa happily.
"I didn't think you would.... heroes." said Kashya in a whisper. Then loudly "Stay together and try to eliminate her minions first." And she opened the door. None of them would be walking back through that door
AN : Well, if I were under normal conditions I would leave a cliffhanger here, but as it's been so long since I've posted anything, I don't think I've got the right to do that.... So here it comes.
The place was more crowded than Kurast's Bazaar had ever been. Dark little creatures everywhere were filling the room's floor, and in the far end of it, a throne supported the massive form of the Maiden of Anguish. A horrible red pool near her throne showed that other heroes had already challenged her, without success.
Seeing them enter she smiled, and let her minions charge the heroes first. Hordes of dark ones charged attacked them, but they had come too far to be stopped there. Aware of their legendary cowardly, Welfor used his most terrifying war cry, and jumped in the middle of the mob. Arcadio had already a pile of corpses in front of him, and Melissa and Kashya were side to side shooting arrows and spells.
Even Kashya was surprised that they'd been able to finish the minions so easily, as she'd been expecting a tougher battle before the final fight with Andariel. The Demon Queen was already approaching them and Arcadio and Welfor ran to strike her. Although their weapons and Kashya's arrows seemed unable to penetrate the demon's hard skin, Melissa's fire spells were doing a nice damage. Andariel realized that, and used one of her tentacles to throw Welfor away from her while shooting a cloud of poison at Arcadio. The Barbarian fell in the blood pool with a sickening splash sound, and the Paladin was on his knees choking for air. Andariel advanced towards Melissa, who retreated but was quickly back to the wall. Kashya was relentlessly shooting arrows, trying to prevent the demon from reaching the Sorceress. It was futile however, as the arrows merely bumped against the demon's leathery skin. Only Melissa had managed to open some spots but the demon grabbed her and threw her violently against the wall where she fell unconscious. Welfor yelled with rage and swung his axes at her again, but with little effect, and she hit him hard with her tentacles.
While all of this was happening, Kashya was scanning the room with a strange feeling of lucidity. She saw Melissa unconscious in one corner, Arcadio with his hands on his throat trying to breathe, Welfor wrapped by Andariel's tentacles, but as she was going to strike the final blow, the impossible happened. Kashya grabbed her bow and shot an arrow which inexplicably became surrounded by flames. The fiery shot entered right through one of Andariel's wounds, and then...
"AAAAAAAAARRRGHHHHH !!" With a scream of pain and rage, the demon's body was icinerated by the deadly arrow within it, and as she fell to the ground the catacombs were shaking and rock blocks were falling from the top of the place. A strange looking blue portal opened near Andariel's corpse.
"Quick ! Grab Arcadio and enter it !" yelled Kashya to Welfor as she herself dodged the dangerous falling rocks and carried Melissa's unconscious body. She saw Welfor disappear through the portal and entered it herself before it closed behind her, and the catacombs were definitely destroyed by Andariel's death.
Finally the first act is over ! It took me really long to write this I know, but I've been feeling so lazy . Well now they're going to the desert... I'm not telling you what's happening next, but I've already got idea's on when and how new characters will appear. All I will say is : expect a new character to join them on the next chapter. Until then, farewell !
}