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Chapter 17

Westmarch. The only city in Creation that can shake off any aftereffect of any kind of disaster in little more than half a year.

That was an achievement not even the High Heavens could claim.

Malthael's terror had left the city's streets covered thickly in corpses like gruesome rugs, but now it almost looked completely normal again. Buildings, the squares and the docks had been repaired. The dead and the ruins were cleaned up. Surviving members of the noble families returned to their estates, most of them quickly getting rid of the mausoleums under their own homes. There was a new king chosen, for better or worse, it was General Edmund Torion who had originally defended the city during the Reaper attack. People came back to live here, merchants, artisans, fishermen, professions of all kinds. New city guard formed.

Lyndon couldn't help but wonder, as they walked down on the of the wider cobblestone streets, that this had to be the one true middle finger of immense proportions in the face of Malthael and his original plans of wiping out humanity. A small part of the scoundrel hoped that the angel had been reborn and was now currently watching this place from afar, fuming with helpless anger at just how little his efforts actually achieved.

Sure, there were signs: more guards were on the streets, most civilians walked with some kind of weapon on them, a good number of houses were still vacant, up for sale or for rent. Some buildings held patches of ash and smoke, or a couple of slashes on their walls. There were a few mad beggars prophesizing the Apocalypse, unfortunate souls who no doubt got too close to a Reaper but somehow survived.

- Big city – Quiet commented, curious eyes constantly darting from one thing to the next.

His energetic behavior was the best testament for the current condition of Westmarch.

- This is largest you have ever been to, that's right – Lyndon smiled down at him as they walked along, hand in hand. – It has been hurt badly not long ago. Do you remember we read about Malthael?

- Archangel of Wisdom – Quiet nodded.

- He had gone bad, very bad, turned into the Angel of Death – Lyndon sighed. – Killed a lot of good people here. He was worse than a demon. But Johanna, me and the others stopped him.

- Malthael dedd?

- I believe so.

I damn hope so.

- AAAAHHH, LYNDON THE SCOUNDREL! – the powerful rang from across the street, causing Lyndon to jump and reflexively push Quiet behind him.

Eyes darting among the crowd, Lyndon finally saw the owner of the strong voice rushing towards them.

- Captain Hansen Haile? – he asked in disbelief.

He only recognized the battle-hardened old man from his scar-covered blind left eye. Instead of his signature armor and sword, he wore nicer civil clothing now. By his side, two children ran along: one was Kyla, Haile's red-haired daughter who had remained absolutely fierce and unwavering in the face of the Reaper attack, even when their home had been overrun while her father was away. The other was the small boy with blonde hair, Kyla's friend, who got stuck with her in the house until Johanna and Lyndon came to rescue them. Thankfully they had reached the Survivor's Enclave where they remained safe throughout the madness.

- Ey, Lyndon, you sly fox, you! – Captain Haile laughed thunderously, smacking the scoundrel in the back so hard he almost fell over. – Still prowling around here, I see! You've met my kids, right? I adopted the little boy, his name is Geralt. Say hello, Geralt!

- Hello – came the meek voice from below.

- Hi there, I remember you as well – Lyndon shook hands with the kid. – You two had been most brave during that attack.

- Bloody Reapers were hardly a match for us, anyway! – Kyla exclaimed proudly, in the exact same style as her father, before turning her attention to the timid Quiet. – Is he your son? Why doesn't he talk?

- So you finally became a responsible adult, Lyndon? Never thought I'd see the bloody day, but you really came through! – Captain Haile grinned widely.

- Oh, this is, uh—

- Quiet – mumbled the little angel.

- 'Ey now, kid, don't be rude – the captain frowned at him, making him hide into the end of Lyndon's coat.

- Wha—No! His name is Quiet – the scoundrel rushed to his charge's aid. – Listen, Haile, can I ask you a couple of questions? Really important.

- Your son has a weird name, Lyndon.

- Yes-yes, I'm aware of that. Okay, so first, do you still work at the city guard?

- Aye, it's my day-off. We were just on our way with the kids to a play!

- So you are still in the thick of things. Do you know if Johanna is here? Or nearby?

- Mh, no, not heard of her since the attack. She must be out there somewhere saving the bloody world again. Why, you want to find her?

- Uhm, kind of. And Tyrael? He still lives here, right?

- Aye, I can even tell you where. We stay in contact all the time. He is reforming the Hore-Hodra—

- Horadrim.

- That, yeah. Bloody fancy words ain't never been my forte – Captain Haile shrugged nonchalantly.

- Awesome! I need to find him, where is he? – Lyndon said in a hurry, instinctively looking down at Quiet.

To his surprise, the little angel was busy speaking in hushed tones with Geralt, the little boy carefully lifting up a few locks of his long hair and marveling at their (to him, golden) color. Quiet patiently let him do it as they talked about things, like "far too loud adults".

- Where's the rush, Lyndon? – Captain Haile smirked at the stunned scoundrel. – You've been away from Westmarch for so long! Let me show you around! The kids clearly don't want to go their separate ways yet.

- Haile, I—look, I just want to see Tyrael as soon as possible, okay? – Lyndon sighed heavily.

- Is tonight too late already, or what?

- Eh, no, but—

- Then let's go! It will be fun – Captain Haile laughed again, quickly grabbing Lyndon and sweeping him away into the city.

oooOOOooo

The little huuman named Jeralt was very soft-spoken, but Quiet kind of liked that. It reminded him of the tone Leendonn always used at night when he was reading that large book to him. The other, slightly larger huuman, Kyla was much louder, much like her faddder, Kapten Heyly. She was very chatty and kept asking things Quiet either did not fully understand, or couldn't really answer, like "where are you from?", "who is your mother?", "is Leendonn really your dad? You look prettier than him". Jeralt spoke much slower and more understandably.

The three of them talked as the adults guided them down the streets. Quiet mostly listened as Kyla as she rambled on about the city around them, the many things that happened here, including some kind of really bad attack by some things called Reeepperz, and how ugly and stupid they all had been. Quiet figured this was that bad thing that Malthael did, the one Lyndon told him about. An angel worse than a demon. Quiet scowled at the thought, steeling his resolve that he would not be like that ever.

- There was this huuuuge Reeepper! Really big! Remember that, Jeralt? It walked down that street, I thought it would fell over it was so fat and slow – Kyla explained in her loud voice, pointing widely at one of the streets. – But Johhana killed it and we could move on and get to the Enclave.

- Those monsters were scary – Jeralt said. – They made scary noises. Some of them even talked.

- Yes! Those ugly lady-things. Johhana said they had been angels once. I thought angels would be nicer than those bloody thin wisps of smoke – Kyla snorted. – They looked so stupid! Even their hair was blue smoke!

- But they carried around large scythes.

- Sure, but they couldn't even use them properly! They were so stupid!

Did these two not know that many people died to those "stuupidd" (whatever that meant) monsters, Quiet mused. Strange. He would need to ask Leendonn about it later, but he decided not to mention that to the children.

- There were ghosts too! – Kyla went on.

- They looked like they were blind-folded – Jeralt added, timing his own comments well with Kyla.

- What is a "gost"? – Quiet asked.

-… Oh you are from abroad, right? You don't speak the language very well – Kyla stared at him. – A ghost is, it's like a spirit!

- What's a "spirit"?

- The grown-up say ghosts are the souls of dead people coming back to haunt bad children – Jeralt explained. – They are like, floaty and see-through and very scary. But those large ghosts attacked adults, not children.

- Johhana killed them all of course. Dad told me how he helped with that in the cemetery, too! All those bloody ghosts were so easy to kill – Kyla laughed.

The three of them didn't really pay attention to their surroundings, they were so engrossed in their conversation. At one point, Kapten Heyly and Leendonn gave them treats, one large apple stuck on a stick and covered in something glossy and brownish to each of them. Quiet uncertainly glanced up at Leendonn.

- Try it – he encouraged the little angel. – It will be sweet. If you don't like it, I will eat it, alright?

Quiet uncertainly stuck his tongue out and licked the strange apple. He blinked at it a few times, then happily began to nibble at it, humming in satisfaction. It was yummy! Almost like those berries had been on that bush he asked to grow fruit long ago. Leendonn smiled at him and patted him on the head. Quiet offered one hand for his friend to grab and they continued their slow walking.

oooOOOooo

- Damn. You sure about that? – Captain Haile asked, in an actually low voice this time, eye full of concern.

- Yes. Please believe me, I have journeyed by her side all across Creation to save it – Lyndon said in an equal low volume, as not to draw the attention of the three children who were clearly having a good time. – I would not say it if I didn't see it with my own eyes. She even tried to kill me twice, intentionally.

- But what the hell has caused this temper of hers?

- Not sure. I just hope it won't get worse.

- Lyndon, you said you almost got decapitated two times already by her! You want me to be okay with that?!

- She seems to only have it out for me – Lyndon shook his head. – I don't know what I did, but she has hurt nobody so far. Like I've said, she even saved Kingsport from a demon.

She wants Quiet. What for, I have no idea.

- Something still ain't right, scoundrel – Haile grumbled anxiously. – I'll keep a lookout for her and keep my guard up, should she come to town.

- Just be careful. All I'm asking is that you warn me so we can move on and avoid her in time.

- Will do, partner. Don't you worry.

- Thanks, Haile. That helps a lot, really – Lyndon exhaled loudly. – You have no idea about the hell we've been through lately because we were on the run from her.

- And… the kid? – Haile glanced down briefly at Quiet. – He's not really your son, huh?

Lyndon took a deep breath, torn about what to say. On one hand, he wished to keep this secret from everybody, especially now that Quiet had some kind of disguise around himself. On the other hand, if he couldn't trust Captain Haile, he wouldn't be able to trust anyone on this world.

-… No, he is not – he finally admitted, voice barely over a whisper. – Although lately he had been like a son to me. He's… an angel, actually.

Haile glanced down at the small child again.

- An angel? – he echoed in disbelief.

- Yes. Although he is pretty strange, even for them. I know you only see his human form, but—

- No, no. Now that you mention it… – Haile squinted, confused – I think I see some light tentacles or what. Those weren't there before.

So the mirage failed the moment the watcher knew Quiet's true nature. Good to know.

- Those are his wings, yes – Lyndon nodded slowly. – I… I think Johanna is after him. That's why she was ready to kill me.

- How did you get him, seriously?!

- It's… a long and complicated story. Honestly, I'm still not sure how it happened. But now I guard him from Johanna and everyone else.

- Why?

-… I don't know.

Haile glared at him so hard, Lyndon wanted to sink into the ground right there and then.

- You are clearly no damn soldier, boy. A soldier must have a clear goal and a clear reason for everything he does!

- Haile, it is not that simple…

- Then discover why the hell you are doing it! How do you expect to serve your role well when you don't even know why you are there?! Are you out of your mind, boy?!

Lyndon rolled his eyes and scowled. He hated it when people lectured him. He really did.

- I mean it, Lyndon – Haile returned the gesture tenfold. – Strangle the answers out of someone. Read into it or something, I don't know, damnit! It's gonna cost your bloody life otherwise.

Lyndon paused.

- Alright, Haile, I see your point, I guess – he surrendered.

- Listen to the words of this old dog, boy – Haile mumbled. – You'll thank me one day.

Suddenly he stopped and gazed at the horizon. Only now did Lyndon notice how close it was to dusk. They really talked the day away, damn.

- Look at the time – the captain sighed. – Guess I'll show you to Tyrael's house on the way home now, okay?

- Thanks – Lyndon nodded. – He probably can help me greatly.

- I pray that he can, boy.

Lyndon hauled up Quiet into his arms who was clearly getting sleepy, tiredly playing with the empty stick. Geralt too looked spent, only Kyla was full of energy like always. The scoundrel pulled the hood over the angel's head and followed Haile, gently rocking him all the way.

- Leendonn? – Quiet asked.

- Yes?

- Why Kyla have—has two names?

- Most people do. "Haile" is her family's name. It helps making a difference between two people when they have the same first name. It also shows what family they belong to.

- What is your…s?

Lyndon sighed heavily.

- I don't have one. I didn't have a family of my own. My big brother, Edlin had his own in time, but I never got one.

Quiet thought for a moment, his gaze lost upon the stick.

- Leendonn Good Friend – he finally said, no doubt smiling.

- That's not exactly how family names work – Lyndon chuckled slightly. – But thank you, Quiet. I really appreciate it.

- We family now?

-… Yes. I think we are – Lyndon said, musing over the words.

They really were one, no denying that.

Quiet fell silent again, before flapping his wings behind his cape.

- Leendonn Liyt—Lightwing – he said then. – Quiet Lightwing.

Lyndon smiled faintly at it, patting him on the head.

- That could be a family name, yes.

- Our…s.

- If you want it to.

Satisfied, Quiet snuggled back into the hug, dropping the stick finally.

- We are going to meet a relative of yours, Quiet – Lyndon cooed to him. – Imagine that, another angel! Won't that be fun? He no longer has his wings anymore, but he is still an angel. He can help us.

- Help is good – Quiet mumbled, rapidly falling asleep from the constant rocking.

Lyndon buried the angel's face into his chest as he carried him along. It was a good thing Quiet still weighted nearly nothing.

- You really do care for him, don't you? – Haile mumbled, glancing at them.

- Yes. He kinda grew on me, I can't help it – Lyndon nodded. – He can be such a sweet child. Although he doesn't know a lot yet, and that can lead to… problems.

- Isn't that the case for every kid? – Haile snorted in humor. – Our job's to teach them right from wrong.

- I'm on it, oh boy, am I on it – Lyndon sighed deeply, recalling the noble's estate. – Hard as hell sometimes.

He still felt bad for slapping Quiet in the heat of the moment, but he knew that probably had been for the best.

- Most important job in the world, bringing a child up. That's why it's hard to do it right – Haile simply said.

- True that – Lyndon glanced at the man. – I didn't even know you were such a wise scholar, captain.

- Don't get uppity with me, boy.

- Sir yes sir.

The two men snickered as they walked down on the main street in the dying light.


Oh boy oh boy, FINALLY Westmarch. Jeesh, that city is sure as shit far away, or what? Anyway, this chapter was a joy to write, mostly because of the MOST BADASS character in all of Diablo lore.

Captain.

Motherfucking.

Hansen Haile.

Now before any of you cupcakes begin arguing against that FACT, allow me to shed some light on the matter. Is Haile a goddamn Prime Evil? No. Is he an Archangel? No. Is he a Nephalem? No. He's a mere human but he gives so few fucks about that small detail, that it's simply beautiful. He is NOT impressed in the slightest by Azmodan's invasion. He doesn't care when demons take over the elevator. He is not impressed by being completely alone and surrounded on a ruined bridge by demons that were bred to take down fortresses. He doesn't give a single SHIT about Malthael's edginess, and he SHITS on the undead and the Reapers sent against him. Even his daughter Kyla Haile is such a freaking badass that she doesn't even get scared when their home gets overrun in the middle of the goddamn Reaper attack. All this and he is a mere human! Not a god-like being with incredible power, he is armed with a fucking shield and a sword and he proceeds to shit on everything in sight that way.

...

Obviously I'm joking, cupcakes. XD You can think other characters are the true badasses of the Diablo lore, of course you can. But you cannot deny that Captain BAMF Hansen Haile is among the top ten (if not five) biggest badasses. And I love the guy so much!