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Sorry for the long delay, but here it is at last the 14th chapter. With college and all my life's all messed up, but I should be able to resume writing from now on.
The first thing Welfor noticed was that the room had far more light than any other place he had seen in the Tomb. They were in a square-shaped room, though no exit could be seen other than the hole in the wall from which they came. Suddenly the wall on their left collapsed, and a hideous creature appeared : a huge beast, with long sharp claws instead of arms, and eight bug-like legs under its massive body.
"Looking for Baal ?" it asked with a demonic grin, as it moved with surprising speed, charging Welfor and throwing him across the room. He hit the wall soundly, and fell unconscious. Arcadio was the first to react, charging the monster and hitting it with his scepter. Sela tried to thrust her spear into Duriel's body, but his skin was tougher than iron. Slaylie threw some traps under the monster and Melissa froze it with an ice bolt. However, it was as if Duriel didn't feel the blows, for he didn't even flinch, and attacked Arcadio with his claws. It took all the Paladin's skills, and a bit of magic from the defensive aura he was using to avoid the blows. Sela meanwhile was using her own magic abilities, enchanting her spear with lightning as she hit Duriel. The monster groaned with pain, but turned quickly and attacked the Amazon. She dodged the first slash, but the second claw hit her hard on the chest, cutting through her breast armor. She fell back, but before Duriel could deal the fatal blow, Welfor, who had recovered, jumped between the Amazon and the monster and started hitting it with his axes. Arcadio, desperately seeking a way to damage the demon, for his scepter seemed unable to break through its skin, summoned the blessed hammer, one of the magic skills taught by the Church of Zakarum. Melissa too tried a new spell, as she cast a firewall, which she conjured beneath Duriel. The monster tried to escape the fire, but Welfor blocked his path, and Arcadio joined the Barbarian to prevent the demon from avoiding the fire. When Slaylie threw another lightning trap the monster finally fell to the ground, dead, with a last furious scream.
Arcadio ran to assist Sela, and he murmured a few prayers as he cast his healing aura upon her. She was unconscious and had lost a lot of blood, but she was still breathing. Welfor was only lightly injured, and his armor was in a piteous state, while Arcadio's shield was so damaged that the Paladin feared he would have to get another one, and his scepter was also ruined after he used it to parry a strike from Duriel. After some moment of silence Sela's breathing seemed to get more regular.
"I guess we have to go there." said Melissa, shakily pointing at the collapsed wall from which Duriel had come.
"This thing was tough, but it definitely wasn't Baal... Maybe he is waiting us ahead." said Welfor darkly.
Arcadio took Sela in his arms and slowly started walking toward the passage "It won't do us any good to remain here... If Baal is in here we have to get to him." he said. However it was not Baal that awaited them : tied in a huge stone in the great hall where they now stood, stood a shimmering being. As they approached it, it spoke with an ethereal, deep voice.
"Greeting heroes. I am the Archangel Tyrael." Arcadio immediately fell down to his knees, still carrying Sela's unconscious body, but Tyrael continued softly, sighing wearily. "No, do not kneel. I have failed. I came here to prevent Diablo from releasing Baal, but unfortunately Diablo was far more powerful than I had thought. He defeated me, and after releasing the Lord of Destruction trapped me here. Now, alas, Destruction and Terror are free to roam the world once again. " he concluded bitterly. Welfor and Melissa quickly released the angel, and he started to fade, still speaking warningly. "You have to stop Diablo and Baal before they reach the third Prime Evil, Mephisto in the corrupted Temple City of Kurast." Arcadio finally knew for sure what his former home had become and it showed on his face, for the Angel continud. "Servant of the Light, even though the Church has fallen into corruption, you and your brethren can still avenge it. Take my sword, it will be of no more us to me. Farewell." he said as he disappeared. Arcadio looked incredulously at the sword floating in front of them, and took it, letting Welfor carry Sela. A blue portal had appeared where Tyrael disappeared.
Before they could take it though Slaylie stopped them "I am not going. My quest lies in the other Tombs so I guess it is goodbye." She said and disappeared too in the shadows. So the three friends went through the portal to find themselves in Lut Gholein once again.
The day after, rested and healed, the three friends were summoned early in the morning to Jerhyn's Palace. Sela had been taken to Fara, who was not only a skilled smith but also a learned healer.
"Ah our heroes return." said Jerhyn as the guards took them to the elegant golden-painted room in which he was waiting for them . "I can never repay you for what you did for Lut Gholein, but you will always be welcomed here as friends."
"Thank you your Lordship. Though now our greatest concern is to get to Kurast as soon as possible." said Arcadio respectfully, but coldly. He still had the feeling Jerhyn had taken their haste to go to Kurast to his own advantage.
"Meshif will probably take you as passengers. I daresay he'll be overjoyed to be able to return to his hometown." said the young Sultan dismissing them. Deckard Cain however followed them when the left the Palace"I think I'll be coming with you... I've been wanting to check what's been going on in Kurast for quite some time myself too..." he stated simply. Though politely all of them said they were glad to hear it, Arcadio could tell that he was a companion they'd rather part with. He suddenly realized that he wasn't the only unnerved by the old man's presence. Arcadio told his friends that he'd go to the dock and find Meshif, and asked Welfor and Melissa to find a proper shield for him, since his former one had been broken during the fight with Duriel.
"Why, at last I'll be able to sail. And when do you want to leave, my friends ?" said Meshif, obviously grateful to them.
"As soon as possible." said Arcadio.
"Hmm so soon ? Well my good friend Warriv tells me that a caravan is arriving soon here to Lut Gholein with goods that I would like to trade in Kurast. I'll only ask you to wait till it comes, probably tomorrow morning." said Meshif.
"We'll wait then." said Arcadio sighing. After Tyrael's words he was definitely less hasty to get to Kurast.
Melissa meanwhile had parted ways with Welfor saying that she wanted to check on Sela who was healing in one of the small healing houses, adjacent to Fara's shop. As she entered she asked for Sela and was led to a small room where the Amazon was fast asleep, but awoke when Melissa came into the room.
"Sorry Sela, didn't mean to wake you" said the Sorceress sheepishly.
"Oh, doesn't matter." said the Amazon yawning "I'm feeling much better already anyway... I should be perfectly fine in a couple of days."
"That's great !" said Melissa cheerfully, who then proceeded to tell Sela all about their encounter with the Archangel Tyrael, and their talk with Jerhyn.
"So you're leaving ?" said Sela. She thought for a moment, then continued "I'd like to go with you. I'm fed up with those pathetic losers I have to withstand at the mercenaries headquarters."
Melissa chuckled "Sure. But I don't know if we can pay you..." she said worried that they would have to hire the Amazon as a mercenary.
"Forget it. I've made a lot of gold thanks to you. Jerhyn has paid Greiz a lot of cash for my assisting you, and he dropped by some time ago to give me my part."
"Well I bet the guys will be glad too to hear it. Right now Welfor is buying a new shield to replace Arcadio's old one, which is broken. I'd better join him." she said apologetically.
"Alright see you later. Tell me when to be at the docks for our departure." said Sela.
As soon as Welfor entered, Fara the blacksmith dropped her hammer and approached her customer.
"Hello what can I do for you" she said wiping the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand.
"I'm looking for a shield for my friend." said Welfor, showing her the broken shield.
"I see. Your friend the Paladin, I take it ?" Welfor nodded and Fara excused herself for a moment and left Welfor alone for a moment while she checked what she had. After some time she returned carrying a shield bearing the Zakarum Church's cross. "Take it. It was mine a long time before, but he'll need it more than I will I suppose." said Fara sighing.
"You were a Paladin too ?" asked Welfor astounded.
"I decided that there are other ways to fight evil than with weapons. Ever since I came here I devoted myself to healing and forging, and I hope your friend will be able to restore our corrupted Church." she said softly."I'll give it to him free of charge - as long as he uses it to rid the evil from our land... which I know he will at least attempt."
"Thank you very much." said Welfor but Fara didn't seem to hear. Her eyes had a strange far-away look about them, and were fixed on the sea.
When they met at the "Sand Mug" as usual Arcadio told his friends glumly that they'd have to wait for a trade caravan to get to Lut Gholein before setting sail. Then Welfor gave him the shield Fara had offered him.
"It's a very good shield." remarked Arcadio "Obviously from the Church itself. And she gave it for free ?" he asked amazed.
"I wouldn't have been able to afford such a shield anyway.. and so wouldn't you I suppose." said Welfor simply. Money wasn't usually a theme they discussed as all of them had enough for simple things as food and rooms at the inn. But now that they'd been journeying together for more than a month they decided to put all of their wealth in common.
"At this rate we'll have to start earning some money fast... Or we'll find ourselves without money to afford food." concluded Arcadio.
"Besides we'll need to buy antidotes and healing potions if we're venturing in the jungle... I hear it's become a very dangerous place. And if Sela's coming with us..." added Welfor.
"Oh, she has enough gold to take care of herself. But I suppose it won't do us much good to worry now, we'll think of ways to get money in Kurast." concluded Arcadio sighing.
Meanwhile Sela was reading again the crumpled parchment that she had been given a few hours before by Greiz. It was written by the great spearwoman Karina, who led the Amazon spearwomen in battle. Sela still remembered when at the end of her hard training she had been given her spear by Karina herself, and still remembered how mighty she had seemed - the greatest spearwoman of her time it was told. But now her words bore ill tidings.
To Amazons spread throughout Sanctuary, greetings
My fellow Amazons, your deeds of valour have reached our ears even here in our islands. Though we take much pride in your accomplishments overseas, now we are facing unexpected war in our proud island of Lycander, that no pirate ever conquered. Mount Karcheus, seems to have become the dwelling of an evil presence that has been spawning demons against us. Though we managed to keep them off our towns, they come back with ever greater force. Though it is not usual for us to ask for help, we now summon you back to your homeland, now in danger.
I trust
you will not fail us,
Karina, Mistress of the Spear.
'I can't ignore this summon. Though I feel the true battle will be fought in Kurast...' And wondering what to do she fell asleep.
Later that night Arcadio unable to sleep had found his way to the docks, and sat there by the sea, still fascinated by Tyrael's sword he held, shining in the moonlight, and gazed at the horizon. Suddenly he heard a chuckle and turning he saw Melissa smiling at him.
"Seems like we had the same idea." she stated, sitting beside him. Arcadio didn't know what to say, and just stared at her. Seeing that he wasn't going to say anything, and disturbed by his piercing stare, Melissa felt forced to pursue the conversation "What were you thinking about ?" she asked.
Arcadio was going to say the usual 'worrying about Kurast' excuse he used whenever she asked him what was wrong, but this time was unable to. Instead he said "I'm wondering... if ever I live to see the end of this war, what shall I do then ?"
"I told you.. You're always invited to come with me to my inn... if you want to." she said.
"And what if I want to ?" he asked rhetorically.
"I should be delighted" she said smiling to herself.
Arcadio looked at her and heard himself say, though he couldn't tell what he meant by the words "We're friends aren't we ?"
Melissa turned toward him, so that their foreheads were almost touching "Are we ?" she whispered. Arcadio didn't know what to answer, so he just did what he felt right - and kissed her. Though their kiss didn't last long it was meaningful enough for both of them.
"This isn't the time though..." said Arcadio regretfully.
"I know" agreed Melissa. "But now you won't have to wonder what happens if we live to see the end of this war." Arcadio placed his arm around her shoulders and drew Melissa close, and they stayed that way most of the night, just enjoying a golden moment of peace before going East.
The next morning the three friends were glad to see Sela waiting for them when they came out of their rooms at the inn, already healed. Together they went to the docks, ignoring the festivities of Lut Gholein's townsfolk, where Meshif was waiting for them. Warriv was there too, and bid them heartily farewell. Arcadio and Welfor were glad to see him, for he had always been friendly and good-natured, and they hadn't forgotten how he had saved them from disaster before the Rogue Camp. Cain arrived a few minutes later, and soon enough they set sail.
'I've been delayed, but here I come' thought Arcadio, finally on his way to Kurast.