Diablo
The Awakening of Chaos
Chapter Four
Rogues' War
A baleful moon cast a cold light on the harsh landscape of the Northern Steppes. The highlands had been relatively unmolested since the Heretic War, during the time Baal's minions had laid siege to the city of Harrogoth and ravaged their way to Mount Arreat.
Now, demons had once again returned to the homeland of the barbarians, the majestic warriors of the land. They patrolled the mountains far beyond Arreat. Because here, far from the light of life, existed a strange group of buildings molded into the mountainside. Built like a fortress, no army could ever hope to penetrate the black walls. It was crafted of stone and metal, with the turrets and ramparts crafted of a twisted design. A huge black dome centered this dark place, with four tall obelisks pointing outward from the corners of its base. Undead Oblivion Knights, their gold and purple armor covering their rotting flesh and bones, patrolled the ramparts. Overhead, Succubi swooped and dove, searching for prey. Along the ground outside were Megademons, with their massive muscular frames, horned heads, barbaric features, bat-like wings, and jagged blades, hoping to find unwary visitors, craving fresh blood to feed upon.
Moonlight streamed down on the twisted black fortress, a place where any being of the Light would find their doom. Many, such as the Heroes, already had met their end within these forbidding walls.
This was the Temple of Sorrow. This was the lair of Ziatoch, the Master of Darkness.
Ziatoch strode down through one of the many dark passageways of his lair. Strange tapestries of wars long past lined the black walls. Eventually the hallway began to turn into caverns, somehow melding to the twisted stone of the Temple to the craggy walls of the mountain cavern. Eventually, the cavern began to widen. Stalactites formed in the ceiling, seeming to become the teeth of some monster. Quite suddenly, it widened substantially, becoming a huge room. Shadows blanketed the cavern, but the room was not dark at all. In the very center, a gothic altar had been erected. The Master of Darkness walked up to this altar and gazed at it. A black orb floated in the air, giving off a cold power. This was the only form his master could assume. But his powers were growing. A deep, cold voice that awakened terror in the bravest of men spoke up, emanating from the orb.
"Ziatoch…"
Ziatoch kneeled before it, his head bowed. Instantly the Armor of Hell's Darkness appeared in a flash of dark light. Dark power flooded into him, but Ziatoch kept it restrained. He couldn't use this power against him. He wouldn't dare.
"My lord."
"My minion Ziatoch… how fares the world?"
"It is in chaos, as per your order. The hunt is underway."
"I already know. That boy Dragonheart has already acquired one of the Stones, Ziatoch. I am displeased."
"He is but a boy. He is no real threat. Soon, I will have him right where I want him."
"FOOL!" The blast of anger shot out everywhere, ripping away the tapestries in the hall and shattering the rocks around the altar. Ziatoch's cape billowed back. The dark orb continued in its furious roar.
"He may very well be your counterpart! And if he is, he cannot be allowed to live, him OR his friends! I want them all destroyed, and the Resurrection Stones brought before me! You have my commands, Master of Darkness! Heed them or suffer my wrath!"
Ziatoch's head bowed even lower, a grimace of anger sketched onto his face.
"As you command… master Diablo."
"Please, be seated, young Dragonheart," Akara said, "It is an honor to help the family of Kalia Dragonheart."
Rua sat down into a chair as Relayia perched on his shoulder in the private quarters of Akara, the High Priestess of the Sisters of the Sightless Eye. It was a grand room, and it showed all the signs of a magic-user. Books lined shelves, and potions of various types were all over. Special wards were erected in the corners of the room. Also with her was Kashya, the general of the Rogues. Although they were both the leaders of their people, and followers of the Sightless Eye, they couldn't be more unalike.
Akara was a formal woman, who intones rather than speaks. She was calm and quiet, and a renowned woman. Her demeanor was reflected in her small stature, her long, flowing brown hair and deep blue eyes. She wore a black dress and a long, purple shawl that framed her smiling face. Kashya, on the other hand, was hard as rock. She's a firebrand, and a skilled warrior. Her attitude matched her long, flaming red hair and impetuous green eyes. She wore a chainmail dress over leather armor, with long leather boots and a red cape. A quiver was slung across her chest.
Akara sat down on a chair opposite to Rua as Kashya settled on leaning against one of the walls. The priestess made herself comfortable, then looked at Rua expectantly. The green-eyed warrior sighed.
"Akara, I must find Deckard Cain."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm afraid I must ask why. You must understand, he has be kept safe from the Master of Darkness."
"I know. But this relates to the Master of Darkness. It's urgent that my friends and I find him."
"Rua, I cannot. I am bound by honor."
Rua stood abruptly. Relayia gripped his cape tightly. "You don't understand! This is a matter of life and death!"
"Show some manners, Dragonheart!" snapped Kashya angrily.
Akara held up a hand and stilled Kashya before she could continue. "How is that? Are you saying that Cain is in danger?"
Rua stared coldly at the woman. "Not quite. If I don't find him, everyone will die."
"What?" Kashya exclaimed, "Explain yourself!"
Rua opened up his bag and took out the Stone Tablet and the Green Stone. He handed them both to Akara, and Kashya got up off the wall to read over her shoulder. Their eyes slowly began to widen as they read the inscription, and they both glanced at the Stone with disbelief.
"What… what does this mean, young man?" Akara asked in a shaky voice.
"Ever since Ziatoch surfaced, I think he's been searching for these things," the green-eyed warrior explained, "and he's attacked everywhere to cover his search parties. Travincal, Kingsport, Viz-jun, and yes, even your Monastery."
"So… he wasn't some mad campaigner," the Rogue general growled, "There was a method to his madness. Where did you find this Stone, Dragonheart?"
"Within the Barrier. Ziatoch's had an entire legion of demons in there, looking for them."
Akara and Kashya exchanged glances. Demons had been amassing behind them the entire time. They could've been—and may still be—massacred. The spiritual leader of the Rogues turned her gaze towards Rua again and handed him the tablet and Stone back, then asked a question.
"You wish to find Cain so he may figure out where the rest of the Stones are?"
"Yes. We tried to destroy the Stone using a warhammer, and we only succeeded in destroying the weapon. So until we can find a way to destroy the Stones, we need to find them."
The demure woman sighed. For a long while, she said nothing, contemplating. Kashya looked at her, knowing what she was thinking. Finally, Akara spoke.
"Rua… we do not know where Cain is at. It was for the best. Had Ziatoch come here in person looking for him, he may very well have learned of his location. However, your need is greater than ours. We will send out scouts to search for his whereabouts. You have our word, brother of Kalia."
"I'll have Flavie choose which women will search for him," Kashya said, "So we'll find him in short order. Count on it."
Rua smiled at both women. "Thank you. I'm in your debt."
Jordan opened his eyes. He blinked away his exhaustion, and looked around the room. He was lying in a bed covered with white linens, and there were several shelves housing medical potions and solutions. His clothes were folded up on the bedside cabinet. His sword was propped up at one of the walls. Two torches illuminated the room, and the only window showed that it was nighttime.
The bandit lord pushed himself up in bed and looked at himself. He touched his abdomen, marveling over how it didn't hurt at all. That blonde witch's spell had hurt badly. He also noticed that he was completely unclothed. He rolled out of bed and got dressed, then strapped his sword onto his back. He contemplated on "borrowing" some medical supplies from the Rogues, and thought better of it.
Too many women, and I'm positive they all know how to use a longbow.
Jordan opened the door and stuck his head out. There were no people about in the dimly lit hall. The ladies must've gone to bed. He stepped out and made his way down the hall. He had been in the Monastery before, but he hadn't had any reason to be in the infirmary… well, until now, that is.
Jordan made his way through the halls, looking for an exit from the hallway. He passed a few Rogues, women in leather armor with their hair pulled back into ponytails and bowcases slung behind their backs. These women watched him go by with a subtle wariness. They must know who I am, the bandit lord thought with a little unease.
Gradually Jordan made his way out of the infirmary. Soon, he encountered even more Rogues, each looking at him as if he were a strange animal. It was time to leave, he decided. Find Rua, that strange girl, and the flying cat, and see if how long it would take to be gone from the Monastery. If only he could figure out where they all went!
For some reason, Jordan had an ill feeling about this place. Something was up… he just couldn't figure out what. He walked over to one of the many windows in the corridor he was in. As he gazed outside, the bad feeling grew. There were the usual groups of campfires dotting the temperate forestlands of Khanduras. Each one belonged to demon camps of Goatmen and Fallen. But that wasn't all. It almost seemed like the night had come alive. Was the Master of Darkness' hand working here as well?
After Jordan found his way from the barracks, he entered an unadorned room. At the back was a flight of stairs, and it was walled off with bars, surprisingly enough. There was a metal barred door that gave access to the stairs. The door was partially open, beckoning inquiring minds further in. Jordan glanced around. No Rogue guards. Interesting... He took a cautious step forward, sniffing the chill air coming from wherever those inviting stairs led. He looked around again, then inched the door open a little more. It creaked softly with displeasure.
Ah, what the hell, Jordan thought, and he slipped through the door and down the stairs.
Rayne sighed and stirred her soup as she sat in the mess hall of the Monastery. She had been waiting for her new companions to show up. Rua said he had to speak to Akara, and Rayne declined to go with him. She distrusted magic-users by principle. After all, she was a Mage Slayer. Trained to hunt down corrupted sorcerers, warlocks, witches, and the like. Magic-users tended to get nervous around assassins… especially her mentor, Natalya Demos.
She was bored, actually. Not much was happening, and she was ready for a battle. Natalya sent her to kill Kara Llewelyn, and now she found three others who were against her and her dark master, Ziatoch. But Jordan was recovering, Rua and Relayia were chatting with the leaders of this place, and she was eating soup.
Ho hum.
But… for some reason, something was bugging her. Like it was a bad vibe. She kept feeling that something was gonna happen this evening.
If it was, she hoped it came soon. She was bored out of her mind.
Jordan didn't like this at all. The stench of death was all over the jails. And he kept seeing blood on the floors as he walked through the passages. He distantly realized that this was exactly how the jails must've looked when the Heroes went through here to slay the Lesser Evil Andariel, the Maiden of Anguish.
There were none of the Rogue guards anywhere. He only hoped that they were okay, but things didn't look like they were. Something, or somethings, were lurking the darkness. The bandit lord drew his sword and prepared himself.
Unbeknownst to him, the darkness gathered itself to spring.
Rayne was halfway through her soup when she looked up to the entrance to the Great Hall. The familiar, red-cloaked form of Rua Dragonheart was striding through the halls with a small smile on his face. Relayia was perched on his left shoulder as usual. She guessed he had succeeded and the Rogues would help. Still, his face looked troubled. Did he sense the same feeling she did?
Suddenly the green-eyed warrior sprang forward, drawing his sword. An expression of horror had spread across his face. Relayia took to the air. He shouted something, but it was lost as the first screams erupted all around the assassin. Instincts kicked in as she threw herself from the table as something fell atop it and crushed it. She dived and rolled, unsheathing her katars in the process. As she got up into a ready stance, her face quickly matched Rua's as she gazed upon the enemy.
Jordan flung himself out of the way as another Megademon, this one a Balrog, threw itself at the bandit lord. Jordan's next attack managed to cut off one of the monster's wings, but before he could finish off the beast, a small Leaper jumped up onto his back and sank its fangs into his flesh. He screamed and flung himself backwards, into a wall. The monster's back was broken, and it dropped off of him.
The bandit lord killed the one-winged demon when it lunged at him again, and two undead Oblivion Knights stepped out of the darkness. Their flesh was held together by arcane sorceries, and in their right hands were sturdy bastard swords, while their left hands were glowing with magic. They flung fireballs at the bandit lord. Jordan sidestepped and charged at the undead soldiers. They fought back viciously with their blades, but Jordan's strength soon overwhelmed them and his blade soon severed their spinal cords, along with the spiritual link that kept them alive.
The bandit lord turned around and jumped back in surprise as another Balrog made a downward chop with its sword. Jordan growled and launched his own attack at the demon, which it easily parried. However, before the monster could counter, Jordan followed up with a punch to the monster's face. It felt like punching a brick wall. His fist hurt like hell, but there wasn't any time to complain. The Balrog fell back, and Jordan took the opportunity to gut the foul beast. He whipped around with a slash, striking two Leapers out of the air and killing them both.
Time to get out of here. Jordan wiped his blade off on the cloth hanging from the vanquished Oblivion Knight's armor, and took off through the darkened halls towards the surface. And when he arrived at the surface, he looked around in horror. Dead Rogues were everywhere, as were arrowed demons. There were other demons around, battling the surviving Rogues and occasional mercenaries. Jordan ran in the direction of the Great Hall, killing anything inhuman in his way.
Rua leaped back out of the way of the Oblivion Knight's sword, and used his own blade to sweep its head off its shoulders. Immediately he turned and struck down another demon, and whipped around again and flung a Fire Blast spell directly at Kara.
The dark sorceress easily slapped the spell away with her staff. She laughed cruelly as she flung more spells at him and the other fighters there, raining havoc on them with Blizzard, Chain Lightning, and Chaos Spear spells.
"What do you want with us, Kara?" the green-eyed warrior shouted at his assailant.
"I told you, Dragonheart! Give me the Stone, or I'll destroy everything! I told you I would return, and so I have!"
Rayne charged forward towards Kara, using her katars to leave devastating wounds in the monsters she passed, cutting hamstrings and striking weak points. She fired off a Psychic Hammer at Kara, but the sorceress warded off the blast with a defensive spell of her own. The assassin growled and summoned up a cloak of shadows. The room darkened momentarily, and her speed increased. Kara began flinging more spells at the mage slayer. Finally, a bolt of lightning that lanced out of the sorceress's hand struck the ground before Rayne, causing her to halt her progress. Kara followed up with a telekinesis spell, and sent the assassin sprawling.
Rua fired another Fire Blast at Kara, and since her concentration was elsewhere, it landed a direct hit. However, Kara still had a shield erected, and the attack only caused her to stumble forward. She turned and glared at the warrior.
"You'll pay for that one, brat!" she screamed at him.
She quickly raised the Tormentor and fired a powerful magic bolt at him. Rua flung himself out of the way, and the bolt passed harmlessly by him, striking a small demon and causing it to be flung across the room, finally crashing into the wall and dying instantly. Rua had hardly gotten up before he flung himself away as a lightning bolt shot towards him. A third and fourth lightning bolt lanced out at him, and Rua launched himself into the air at the dark sorceress, using his Driver attack. Kara teleported behind him as he landed sword-first on the spot she had occupied. She swung her staff, crashing it into his back and knocking him down. Before she could stab him with the spiked end of her staff, Rua rolled out of the way.
Rayne picked herself up and looked around wildly for her target. A Blood Lord bowled into her as it went after a pair of Rogues that were rapidly feathering it with arrows. More demons were surrounding her. She lashed out with her katars, attacking any legs that weren't human. Many demons were crippled, leaving them open for the mercenaries and Rogues. A Goatman stopped at her feet, looking around for an opponent. It found one, and was about to plunge its spear into the Rogue's back. Rayne quickly sheathed her katars and reached into a pouch on her belt, and drew out a pair of throwing blades, as she'd only be able to reach the back of the monster's legs, and her katars wouldn't be able to bite through the demon's bones. She flung the razor-sharp blades at the Goatman. The blades sliced through the demon's back and exploded out its throat, nearly tearing its head from its shoulders.
A Blood Lord stepped over the Goatman's corpse as it fell to the ground. Its bovine-like face sniffed the air and then glared down at the fallen assassin, and raised one of its axes into the air. Rayne couldn't get to her katars out in time. The demon swung downward and Rayne screamed.
A large gauntleted hand grabbed the blonde woman by her leather shirt and easily dragged her out of the way, and the Blood Lord's axe imbedded itself in the stone floor.
Jordan yanked the woman up by her shirt and set her on her feet. There were numerous cuts on his arms and chest, and he had his giant sword resting on one shoulder. He grinned at Rayne and spoke.
"Man, can't you people ever stay out of trouble without me?"
Rayne looked at her new companion with wide eyes, still scared about the close call. She gasped.
"Th-thank you! I could kiss you for that!"
"Save it for later, babe, we've got shit to deal with first."
Jordan stepped forward and kicked the struggling demon under its chin. The demon snarled as it fell back, letting go of its weapon in the process. It glared at the bandit lord as he brought his sword up over his head. Jordan swung down and split the demon's head in two. Rayne spun in a deadly dance, her katars and legs flashing out over and over, killing any demon that got near her. Occasionally she'd strike at faraway opponents using her multiple blades.
Rua flung himself out of the way of another Balrog's attack, but the monster's sword managed to bite through the armor on his shoulder and into the flesh beneath. Rua growled and kicked the monster the stomach. It didn't hurt the monster—far from it—but it forced it off of him, long enough for him to slam a Lightning spell in the monster's face and kill it. Rua looked past the demon's corpse and then concentrated. Four points of light appeared around him, and he cast the Pulse Laser spell at Kara. The beam pierced through three other demons before slamming into her shield. The evil woman turned to him and raised the hand that wasn't holding her staff towards him. She muttered an incantation and the bronze-colored spears of energy of the Chaos Spear spell shot towards him.
Rua backed up sharply and tried to dive out of the way, but a demon slammed into him when he tried to move, and prevented him from getting out into the clear. The Spears sped towards him, and he threw up his right hand.
The ring began to glow a fierce red.
The Chaos Spears glanced harmlessly off of a shield that suddenly surrounded the green-eyed warrior. Several of the Spears flew off and struck the walls or other combatants. Rua pulled himself up and growled at Kara. The glow emanating from his ring began to evolve into an azure blue. An incantation for a spell was in his mind.
Kara immediately threw up her arms and began chanting for one of her most powerful spells. A black nimbus was forming above her, drawing in energy. Before she could complete it, Rayne attacked her with a Mind Blast. The psychic force canceled the spell and caused her to reel backwards. The sorceress screamed in rage and turned to attack, but Jordan then slammed into the sorceress, stunning her and sending her flying into an open area of space.
Rua threw his hands upwards, words rolling off of his lips as the sorceress attempted to rise. A blue ball of energy rose up into the air. The orb slammed down into the ground next to Kara, and a blue ring of energy spread out from the impact point. The sorceress looked around in panic, and Rua finished the incantation for the Thunder Blow spell. A wave of eldritch blue fire shot upward with a loud hum. Kara screamed in pain. As the spell dissipated, Kara painfully got to her feet, using her staff to help her stand. She glared darkly at Rua, but she knew she couldn't win, not now. It was all Rua could do to stay up with his sword ready. The strange spell had sapped him of his strength.
"This isn't finished, brat!" she shouted at him over the din of combat, "You can't beat Ziatoch! His power is supreme!"
And with that, Kara fled through a red portal. Quite suddenly, more red portals opened up in all parts of the Great Hall, and the demons began to flee into them to points unknown. It was over. The Rogues were left to tally their losses.
Rua immediately fainted, his energy spent, as his ring's glow faded.
Rua woke up abruptly from his usual nightmare and opened his eyes, blinking as the light struck them. He forced himself up and looked around. He was in a rather ornate guest bedroom in the Monastery. His clothes were sitting at the foot of the bed, and his sword was sheathed and propped up against the wall. He didn't see his armor at all. He pulled himself out of the bed and got dressed, then equipped his weapon and headed out. The green-eyed warrior expertly made his way through the halls. He soon found one Rogue named Flavie, and pulled her off to the side. He distantly remembered that this woman was the one who picked the Rogues who were searching for Cain's whereabouts.
"Do you know where my companions are?" he asked.
"The assassin and your flying cat are having Charsi repair your equipment, and I saw the bandit talking with a sorceress in the mess hall, Master Dragonheart."
"Thank you."
Rua walked off towards the mess hall. He grimaced. Jordan, I thought you knew better than to hit on women who know magic.
As he entered the Hall, he looked around and spotted Jordan. He was indeed talking with a sorceress. The woman was little taller than Rayne, wearing green clothing. She was dressed more modestly than most Zann Esu. She had sun-darknened skin, with long black hair and hazel eyes. The woman seemed to be rather young, but held a stature of dignity and respect. She had laid a staff down next to the table they were sitting at.
Rua walked up and stopped as the two turned to greet him. Before they could say anything, Rua crossed his arms and spoke.
"If I remember correctly, Jordan, the last time you tried to hit on a sorceress, half of your clothes were burned off of you, all of your money was taken, and you had to replace your sword with the one you have right now. I'd have thought you'd learn from that incident."
The sorceress turned a cool eye towards the sandy-haired bandit and raised her eyebrows. The bandit lord glared at Rua for reminding him of that particular disaster.
"Ha-ha, Rua. This is Kaelynn Dai. She wants to join us on the hunt."
This time Rua raised an eyebrow at the thief. He turned to Kaelynn.
"And what are your motives?"
"Simple," she replied in a quiet voice, "It seems you've made enemies with an enemy of my own. I've been hunting the traitor Kara Llewelyn for what she's done."
"Traitor?"
"Yes, traitor. Kara is… was Zann Esu. She betrayed us to the Master of Darkness, and because of that, our order was nearly wiped out. I still remember. And I want to make her pay."
Rua considered. Another enemy of Kara. First Rayne and now Kaelynn Dai. She was a mage, and he could use one of those. He knew magic, but it was far from perfect. He turned to his friend and spoke.
"So now we have two women after the sorceress?"
Kaelynn looked at Rua sharply.
"Seems that way, boss," Jordan replied, "Look's like its going to be one hell of a catfight. Although I hate to think of what our other friend will think of her."
"Do you plan on letting me in on what you're talking about?" the sorceress demanded.
"Certainly," Rua said as he turned and gestured towards the door and the approaching Rayne and Relayia. The assassin had a bundle slung over her shoulder. She quickly walked over to the group.
"Got it all fixed, boys. Although for the price of it all, I was expecting to get a kiss and a cigarette to go with it."
"Welcome back, Rayne," Jordan greeted the girl, "Meet the newest member of the team. She's a sorceress after your quarry."
The assassin set the bundle down and slowly turned to the other woman. They regarded each other like two strange cats eyeing one another in an alley.
This can't be good, Rua thought.
Before the women could go further than glances, Rua spoke up.
"I understand your distrust of each other, ladies, but you're just going to have to deal with it."
The sorceress and assassin turned their cool gazes on him instead. The green-eyed warrior shifted his stance a bit nervously but continued on.
"If you're going to join us, Kaelynn, you're going to need to know just what we're up against. You need to know exactly what you're getting yourself into. Jordan," he said with a grin as he turned towards the bandit lord, "why don't you fill her in on the details?"
Relayia fluttered over and landed on Rua's shoulder as he turned to go purchase horses for Kaelynn and Rayne. The sorceress turned her cool gaze back onto Jordan. He shifted in his seat in discomfort, than began to speak.
Rua had just finished purchasing two horses from Warriv for the women and was headed for the mess hall to acquire some food when a young Rogue apprentice rushed up to him.
"Master Dragonheart… the scouts have returned. Lady Akara requests your presence in her chambers."
Rua thanked the girl and dismissed her, than grimaced. Looked like he wasn't getting any breakfast this particular morning. He veered off and began his way back to Akara's personal chambers, and Relayia took off from his shoulder. He passed several Rogues that were helping the injured to the infirmary, as well as mercenaries and Rogues heading to get equipment repaired by Charsi. He eventually found the personal chambers, and he knocked on the door and waited.
"Enter," a female voice said.
Rua opened the door and entered. Akara was inside, along with Kashya and a couple of scouts. Akara motioned for him to take a seat, and he took one in front of the women. His dragonet friend landed on his shoulder. He folded his hands together in his lap and waited.
"First of all, Rua, I must thank you for your help last night," Akara began, "Your assistance was most helpful, and for that, we are in your debt."
"It was nothing," replied Rua, "Her fight was with me and my friends, not the Rogues."
"Indeed. Well, straight to the core of the matter, I suppose. Our scouts have located Deckard Cain… and we are a little surprised at his current location."
"Where is he at?" Relayia squeaked.
"In the last place anyone would look to find him," Kashya answered her, "New Tristram."
Rua looked up sharply. "I thought that after what happened in Tristram, he wouldn't want to be anywhere near where Diablo returned to power."
"That is what we thought as well. Perhaps the new King has granted him protection. Cain now owns an expansive library in the city."
"I see. Well then, I guess I better get going. Ziatoch apparently knows that I have one of the Stones. Thank you. Farewell, Akara."
"You are most welcome, Rua. Go in the Light, young hero."
Two hours later, the party exited the Monastery and entered the Tamoe Highlands, heading south. They hoped to reach New Tristram before night fell. The Western Kingdoms were dangerous by day… but they were fatal by night. New, never-before-seen monsters have arrived on the mortal plane since the destruction of the Worldstone. Rua had purchased a new kite shield, and Jordan had purchased some decent chainmail.
Along the way, Jordan entertained them by telling them some of the "adventures" he had while looting several cities, his exploits including New Tristram, Kingsport, Entsteig Capitol, Lut Gholien, and Kurast. While Kaelynn and Rayne didn't believe most of it, Rua knew it all to be true… he had witnessed some of it and partook in a few of the excursions. Kaelynn repeatedly asked Rua questions, many of which concerned Ziatoch and the Resurrection Stones.
Rua himself was concerned about his ring. He knew it had created barriers that have helped defend against some powerful spells before, but now it had twice taught him spells that, he was sure, not even the Vizjerei had seen before.
"… and you continually seek out to battle the Master of Darkness? Even when you know that he is unimaginably more powerful than you?" Kaelynn asked, continuing with her conversation with Rua.
"That's correct."
"I can't decide if that can be called bravery or stupidity."
"You're not the only one, Kaelynn. But, you joined us, so you'll be facing him too. Get used to it."
"I'm warning you, Rua Dragonheart, I do not tolerate rudeness from anyone, no matter what kind of enemies they've faced."
"Is that why you're so arrogant?" Rayne butted in.
"At least I don't sneak around in the shadows, assassin!"
Rua sighed as the two women's bickering escalated. Why can't these people just grow up? They had more important work to do. These were the Kingdoms, after all, and anything could happen.
That's when several arrows struck Rua's mount in the side. The beast cried out in pain and fell over, throwing Rua off. The green-eyed warrior swore and rolled to the side, drawing his blade in the process.
Corrupted Rogues, remnants from the beginning of the Heretic War, had ambushed and surrounded them. Their skin had turned an ashy gray, and they didn't just use bows anymore, arming themselves with jagged swords and long pikes. Many of them wore chain and plate over their leather armor, and they now had inhuman skill, granted from Andariel, the Maiden of Anguish.
Two of the spearwomen rushed Jordan's horse, causing the mare to rear back in fear, flinging Jordan off in short order. The bandit lord grunted and rolled away as another corrupt Rogue swung at his head with her sword. He sweep-kicked the woman and bashed her skull in with his fist before getting up and drawing his own huge blade.
Rayne nimbly leapt off her own horse and landed amidst several of the corrupt women, her katars drawn. She fended off the women's swords using her weaponry and martial arts. However, when they threatened to overwhelm the young woman, she blasted them all back using a Mind Blast. The confused women began attacking each other. The assassin quickly took off from the fray to help her friends, using her psychic abilities to deflect the various arrows that were launched at them.
Kaelynn rained death upon the ambushers. She spun in tight circles, chanting constantly and flinging fireballs, ice bolts, and lightning bolts at her opponents. She yelled in fury as she whipped around and cast an Inferno spell, and turned in a slow quarter-circle as a large stream of flame issued from her outstretched hands. She looked over and saw another Rogue leap at the assassin, and her Glacial Spike easily impaled the cursed woman.
Rua and Jordan expertly crossed blades with the women, landing cut after cut with their dangerous swords. Left and right, women died, their tortured souls issuing from their dying bodies, to be dragged back down into Hell. Rua's sword brought fear to the corrupt Rogues, as gouts of flame, fogs of cold, and sparks of lightning blasted out with each strike, and a lethal poison crept into the wounds it left.
Kaelynn brought her staff to the ground, and chanted. Enemies closed in on her, only to be frozen where they stood as she struck out with her Frost Nova spell. As she chanted for more powerful sorceries, another Rogue drew the length of her war bow and let fly with an arrow aimed at the heart. The arrow screamed through the air, only for a leather-clad soft boot to strike it out of the air. Rayne landed from her flying kick and threw a pair of throwing blades at the Rogue. The assassin turned again and started disarming more foes with spinning kicks, rendering them defenseless against her katars.
Kaelynn shouted out to the party, "Hold them off of me! I am preparing a spell that will end this battle!" The sorceress then closed her eyes and began to chant for one of her most powerful spells.
Rua Phase Shifted past another Rogue, easily beheading the woman as she was about to launch a flurry of arrows at the two women. When he exited the Shift, a few arrows pierced his armor and struck his arm and shoulder. The green-eyed warrior screamed and countered with his Pulse Laser spell, killing the Rogue that shot him. Jordan grabbed one corrupted Rogue by the head and flung her away, into another enemy, knocking them both down.
The final words for the spell rolled off of Kaelynn's tongue. Her clothing and hair were ruffled by an unseen wind as she lifted her staff into the air. The jewel in the head of the staff glowed fiercely. Above, a storm cloud formed over the battlefield, unseen by the enemies. Then, quite suddenly, the thunder rolled.
Jagged silver tines lanced out from the cloud, striking down the corrupt Rogues. One by one the women were slain. Some of the bodies simply fell to the ground, lifeless, while others blew apart in sprays of blood and gore. Rayne shrieked and covered her ears, while Jordan looked around, amazed at the display of power. The horses screamed in terror, but were too frightened to run away.
Rua looked over at the sorceress as she casually dusted herself. Jordan walked up over to him and removed the arrows in the green-eyed warrior's arm. Rua gave her an emotionless stare as he asked, "Thunderstorm?"
"Thunder Fury. More violent than Thunderstorm. We Zann Esu are always perfecting new spells to battle the new hordes of demons."
The four warriors quickly set off to gather their mounts and calm them. Rua mounted and drew his sword, and Jordan did the same. "Let's go!" Rua shouted, and his party followed as he galloped down the Highlands.
Deckard Cain laid the book he had been reading down on the table and rubbed his tired eyes. He pushed back his chair and stood up, feeling the stiffness in his joints. He took his walking stick from the table and started walking across the fireplace-lit room to the window, and as he did, he walked past a full-body mirror. He stopped and looked at himself in the mirror.
His thin body was covered in a dark gray robe. His black skin had faded over the long years, and his body had grown weak. There were deep lines in his weathered face, and what gray hair he had left was starting to go, as the top of his head was bald. But his bright gray eyes had yet to lose the light of life. He was old, but far from helplessness or senility. He was, after all, the last sage of the Horadrim, the fabled order that had hunted down the Prime Evils and imprisoned them in the Soulstones.
He sighed and continued on to the window and gazed out over the rooftops of the thriving city of New Tristram. Khanduras was gaining strength since it was rebuilt, and there was peace under the reign of King Meredith. Cain was living in the home that had been crafted above his library, and it was a grand building. Perhaps too grand. But, it was a gift from the king, and he was thankful for it.
Even still, it was a troubling time. News of battles all over the world. News of a great evil emerging. Just who was this Ziatoch, this Master of Darkness? Was he really the minion of the Lord of Terror, as he claimed? It seemed no one could stop him. He had single-handedly destroyed all seven Heroes. Also that young girl, Kalia Dragonheart. Cain smiled softly. Brilliant and powerful, that girl. She even found a piece of the Armor, and had given it to him. She'd said she knew who it would belong to, and that it wasn't her. That she wasn't destined to be the one. And then she had taken her brother with her to battle Ziatoch, and had been killed.
Cain suddenly squinted his eyes as he gazed out above the city, and focused on the forest. There were flashes of light in the trees. Spellcrafting? It must be more demons. Cain sighed. Demons… they seemed to be sprouting like weeds these days. Demons amassed underneath the Monastery of old Tristram as Diablo grew stronger, while inhabiting the body of Prince Albrecht, but they had been slaughtered by the nameless warrior who in turn became the host of the Lord of Terror. And afterwards, minor demons began to reach the mortal plane in droves to battle the Heroes and serve the unholy will of the Three Brothers as Diablo freed Mephisto and Baal. More than a decade ago, demons were considered nothing more than tall tales to frighten children into obeying their parents more readily. But now Ziatoch was here, declaring war on all of Sanctuary. No, in these days, disbelief was gone.
Now there were demons everywhere.
Well, there it is, I'm sorry I took so long in posting this. This story continually fights me to get chapters finished. I also had to wait on my proofreader, but without her you'd have a much more lousy chapter to read.