Chapter 37

The punch shook the entire hall so badly that chunks of the ceiling collapsed into the abyss, the iron bridge broke in half and dangled useless from both sides, and everyone present was sent flying.

Malthael smacked against Kanai's limp corpse, while Abd al-Hazir and Luther flattened against the wall behind the throne. Lyndon flew forward onto the main pedestal with the offerings, but he rolled over his head and quickly regained his footing. He skidded to a halt, turning around to take a look at their sudden new enemy.

It was a giant human made out of earth, his torso sticking out of the abyss but his legs invisible. Lumps of ground fell constantly from the edge of his figure, and outside of his yellow blazing eyes, there was little detail on him. It looked like he had a beard, almost.

- WHY YOU?! WHY NOT ME?! – the giant roared again from the top of his lungs, preparing for another punch.

- What the hell are you talking about, monster?! – Lyndon shouted back, mostly so that he would keep the attention on himself, while his friends tried to recover around the throne.

He really had no idea what to do, though. They were beaten and tired, he himself could feel his muscles strain from all this demand. Hazir was clearly barely standing on his feet as it is, and Malthael roasted his own side, that idiot. Only Luther was in any real fighting condition, but he was a treasure goblin against an earth giant.

- WHY YOU, OUT OF EVERYONE?! YOU ARE A WORTHLESS LOWLIFE THIEF! YOU EVEN STOLE THIS FROM US!

Lyndon blinked to the other end of the hall to evade the cliff-sized fist flying at his face. The shockwave still caught him and flung him further backwards and onto his back. Teleportation took a lot out of his already tired body, and it caused a sudden dizziness to descend upon him. He shook his head, trying to regain his bearings.

- What did I steal?! I took nothing from your fortress! Who are you even?! – still, Lyndon shouted at his grossly overpowered opponent.

He scrambled back, one hand flying to one of his pockets. His back hit a wall as he yanked out the first object that his fingers caught. The giant reached out towards him, preparing to crush him. The earthy palm was all Lyndon could see for a horrifying second. It was barreling down on him, waking up a kind of terror in him not even Maluus could. The scoundrel screamed helplessly and slashed blindly before himself with the object as the fingers closed in on around him.

Suddenly he was flying. In a hundred directions all at once, feeling like he was just a fleeting thought of some being. Something was dragging him along in this mad dance.

The next second, Lyndon smacked into the floor with a gasp, meters away from his original spot. The earth giant screamed and jerked his arm back, now covered in a web of angry green cuts from wrist to elbow. The ground was falling in larger lumps from the injured limb.

Lyndon, completely dazed, pushed himself from the floor, leaning on all four. He looked down at his right hand, surprised at the sight. His fingers were clutching Slipka's letter opener, and the richly adorned, sheer iron tool held a slight glimmer in its blade. There was something hidden inside it, a power buried for long, but now… it answered Lyndon's call and was ready to do its master's bidding.

The scoundrel's tired brain could not fully fathom how he even sensed all this coming from a stupid letter opener.

- YOU LITTLE NOTHING! – the giant raged, clutching his injured arm. – ALL THESE CLEAR-SEER TRICKS WILL NOT SAVE YOU, USURPER! I SHALL PROVE THAT YOU WERE THE WRONG CHOICE!

- I do not understand a single word you are saying, monster! – Lyndon forced these words out of himself, still unable to get up from the ground.

He glanced up at his opponent who was winding up another punch. The scoundrel had no idea how to dodge this one, he felt like raising his arm was an impossible feat.

Through the hole opened in the ceiling, a powerful burst of pure light exploded straight into the face of the giant. He roared and reared back, covering his eyes.

Guardian!

- Ytar? – Lyndon asked uncertainly, the voice inside his head jolting him out of his daze slightly.

Run! Save yourself! This fool is blinded by his pride, you cannot reason with him!

- Who even is he?! – the scoundrel struggled to one knee.

- FALL BEFORE THE MIGHT OF BUL-KATHOS, YOU WORM! – the giant bellowed and swiped with his uninjured arm.

Lyndon threw himself onto the ground a moment too soon, thanks to his sixth sense. The ray of light died down and Ytar's voice faded in his head, the god screaming for someone named Zaim and others to "do something already".

Two pairs of hands grabbed his arms and helped him up from the ground. Hazir and Luther looked at him with terrified faces while Malthael heaved a single bolt of ice from his wand at the giant with great effort, doubling over in pain. They somehow crossed the broken bridge, evaded the strike and now they were dragging Lyndon along, out of the hall of the Immortal Throne.

- Bul-Kathos—THE Bul-Kathos?! We are dead, we are so dead! – Hazir panicked.

- The Barbarian forefather? – Lyndon tried to catch up as he struggled to his feet.

- Hae! – Luther screeched as he grabbed the half-unconscious Malthael and lifted him above his head.

Probably not even feeling the angel's laughable weight, the goblin tore off and sped across the main pedestal, shouting strange words that sounded like curses aimed at the earth man. Hazir and Lyndon followed him, both of them dismayingly slower than they wanted to. Lyndon actually had to drag Hazir along, as the scholar was not cut out for such physical demand, and he did blow most of his energy on Maluus back in the courtyard.

- We are going to die! – Hazir cried as he tried his damnest to keep up.

- No, we aren't! We have made it this far, I refuse to have us die to this asshole! – Lyndon shouted, anger giving him a bit of a boost.

He could tolerate a lot of things, he really did! But then comes this bastard and starts flinging accusations and phrases that don't even make sense at him, saying he stole something?! What the hell would Lyndon take away from this dumpster pile, honestly?! They didn't even disturb the offerings, not that they really had the time to do so back there. That didn't matter now, anyway, because Clayman's tantrum smashed most of the treasure to dust. Lyndon absolutely refused to die to this jerk who was supposed to be long dead anyway!

He still had to meet up with Quiet and Tyrael later! Not only that, but Captain Haile's words rang in his head:

"Strangle the answers out of someone. Read into it or something, I don't know, damnit! It's gonna cost your bloody life otherwise."

Bul-Kathos knew something Lyndon didn't, even if his incoherent screeching was impossible to follow. The scoundrel had to take this chance.

While Lyndon was focusing on this rage to get them through this, they tore across the pointless middle bridge and reached the courtyard. Bul-Kathos was nowhere to be seen, but the scoundrel's continuously alarmed sixth sense told him it wouldn't be this easy.

Hazir tripped on some hidden stone, and he dragged Lyndon down with him. The two of them stumbled over the snow and ice before stopping.

- Sorry—hah—I can't—I can't… - Hazir was struggling to breathe, he couldn't push himself up from the ground.

- Luther, over here! – Lyndon called out to the goblin who stopped some meters away.

- Hae!

- Listen carefully! Take Hazir and Malthael and run for it, alright?! This asshole wants me only, he will leave you three alone – Lyndon hurried as he helped the angel off of the goblin's back.

- He is going to kill you – Malthael commented weakly, barely standing on his feet.

- We'll see about that – Lyndon glanced down at the strange letter opener tucked in his belt.

- NA-AA! – snapped Luther angrily at him, shaking his head adamantly.

- Luther, please! None of you are going to make it otherwise! You are the only one who can still cover large distances – the scoundrel answered in equal volume.

- NA-AA!

- Luther!

The ground was shaking madly at this point. From a nearby chasm, Bul-Kathos burst out with a mighty roar, spraying rocks and ground everywhere. Hazir screamed in fear, but his voice was drowned out by an independent pillar of earth that rose right next to the giant, decking him straight in the face.

Greetings, Guardian. Good to finally meet you, came a voice from the earth itself seemingly, much calmer and different than Ytar's royal and commanding tone.

Thank you for the aid… uhm? Lyndon quickly thought but stumbled on the name.

Zaim, God of Mountains. Fear not, I can cover for you for a bit longer than Ytar could. The others are on their way as well. It is time to escape, Guardian!

- Luther! Take them and go! Please! – Lyndon shouted at the goblin.

Luther glared at him angrily, pointing at his own eyes with two fingers than at Lyndon. He then grabbed Malthael and the still crouching Hazir and hauled them along. The scoundrel let out a shaky breath before yanking the letter opener out of his belt and turning around on his heels. He was aware of the fact that he probably looked ridiculous like that, but it honestly did not bother him at this point.

Guardian? I told you to run!

Well, Zaim. I am staying! And I am beating some answers out of this bastard right here!

That is ill-advised, mumbled Zaim surprisingly calmly, while he toppled Bul-Kathos over yet again with a well-aimed whack to the side from his earth pillar.

You said the other gods are on their way. We can take him! Lyndon thought frantically as he took off running, straight at the wobbly ground giant.

Being on the way does not mean they can help greatly, or for long, or at all! We are bound, Guardian, we—

Just please focus on testing those bounds for as long as you can. I have to do this!

Well, Ytar did tell us you are very determined. Not sure what I was expecting, Zaim sighed and renewed his assault.

Lyndon charged at Bul-Kathos with everything his rage could muster. With his mind he reached out to Slipka's letter opener, searching for that hidden power from before. It was still there and it eagerly answered his call. It had to be the very same power Slipka must have used in his story, the scoundrel realized.

Zaim created a few steps of stairs in front of him. Lyndon ran onto them and leaped into the air from the highest one, straight at the confused giant. He slashed in the air, focusing on the chest of the enemy. Once again he disappeared from sight and flew in a hundred different directions. When landing on the frozen ground a second later, he rolled over his head and turned around to observe the result.

Bul-Kathos was shouting unintelligible curses as he struck against the pillar. His neck and shoulders were covered with green cuts on all sides, a bit above the intended mark. Lyndon readied his new superweapon and slashed with it, focusing on the head of the giant…

And fell face first into the snow because he did this with just a bit too much momentum.

Lyndon yanked his head out of the ground, spitting mud and snow everywhere. Unable to understand what just happened, he reached out to the blade, only to find its amazing power retreated and closed up. It needed time to recharge, and until then Slipka's letter opener was just that: a blunt letter opener.

- Oh son of a bitch – Lyndon breathed as dread flooded him.

He frantically grabbed his crossbow on his back but the next second he had to blink out of the way of another stray punch.

He landed some meters away with a loud huff. His body was losing its energy gained from the initial rage, his muscles strained from the unfamiliar demand, and once again, he was left without a reliable melee weapon.

That's it! I am taking you away, Guardian! Hold still, announced Zaim in a no-nonsense tone in his head.

While the earth-pillar kept whacking Bul-Kathos left and right, another part of the frozen ground wrapped itself around Lyndon's ankle and began pulling him under.

The sight of the giant's fingers closing in on around him burst into his mind, and Lyndon screamed from fear. He teleported in his panic, slipping out of the mountain god's grip, and landed closer to the enemy. The next second Bul-Kathos' fist came crushing down a hair's length away from him, a hit that was meant for the earth pillar but missed the target.

The shockwave rattled Lyndon to his core and sent him flying across the courtyard, rolling onto some mostly intact pavement stones.

Guardian! Guardian! Zaim shouted in alarm.

The earth-pillar whacked the enemy one more time but then it crumbled, and Zaim started to lose his connection. Lyndon remained motionless on the pavement, head ringing like a bronze bell, his muscles screaming in protest. He was still conscious, but couldn't really follow the events. He felt like his head would blow up any second, his veins would pop and his back would break in two.

Inna! Ymil! Anyone! Do something! Zaim shrieked, voice growing rapidly distant as he was thrust back into his plane of existence.

- I REMEMBER YOU, MADE-UP GODS – rumbled Bul-Kathos slowly, regaining his bearings. – I SEE NOW JUST HOW FICKLE YOUR ALLIANCE IS.

Zaim screamed something at the giant, but his words were no longer understandable. Lyndon pushed himself up from the stone slightly, turning around to look at his foe. A thin geyser of water erupted from the earth, spraying the giant in the shoulder. A desperate shout accompanying the phenomenon told Lyndon it was probably yet another Sahptev god. However, neither did the deity introduce themselves, nor did their effort do anything of significance. Bul-Kathos merely shook himself slightly and continued to ignore the attack.

- YOU ALREADY RAN OUT OF TRICKS, CLEAR-SEER? YOU ARE A DISAPPOINTMENT EVEN TO YOUR OWN KIND – he cackled.

- If you are truly the forefather of the Barbarians – coughed Lyndon as he struggled to one knee –, then you are the one bringing shame to your kind!

- SILENCE, GNAT!

- What true warrior attacks an unsuspecting opponent and does not even give them the opportunity to prepare themselves?!

- I SAID SILENCE!

- You don't even want to hear my defense! You accuse me of actions I did not do! – shouted Lyndon as loudly as his tired body allowed it. – You just ambushed me and my friends like a lowly demon!

- YOUR COMPLETE IGNORANCE IS THE PERFECT CASE FOR YOUR UNWORTHINESS – Bul-Kathos raised a fist, aiming at the immobilized scoundrel. – I WILL DO THE WHOLE WORLD A FAVOR BY KILLING YOU, USURPER.

- NA-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! – shrieked a new voice from somewhere the main entrance of the fort.

From the wide archway, Luther burst out onto the courtyard… carrying an entire demonic catapult above his head. The broken but massive device brought most of the door with it, but it did not slow down the treasure goblin who ran at Bul-Kathos like an absolute madman.

- WHAT?! – the giant reared back, only to get decked in the face by the machine of war that had sailed across the air in a majestic arc.

- Luther! – Lyndon shouted but his voice was drowned out by the loud crash.

- FFFRIEND! – the goblin performed a hard turn and raced to him, already rummaging in his sack for something.

- Where did you get that—you found it around the fortress?! – Lyndon snapped his head between the struggling giant with the catapult's arm stabbed through his head, and his sudden savior stopping just before him.

- Ffriend! – announced Luther firmly then yanked a small bottle of red liquid out of his bag.

He jammed it against the scoundrel's chest, shattering it in the process. Instead of the sting of broken glass, however, cool healing magic flooded Lyndon's entire body. His headache lessened and his muscles regained some of their strength. He could finally stand up.

- Luther, what— – Lyndon stared down at his now red-colored coat.

- FALL BEFORE US, VILE GIANT! – roared Abd al-Hazir from somewhere above.

He and Malthael raced across the battlements to get as close to Bul-Kathos as possible. They both had red smears on their chests, a clear testament of Luther's rapid medical treatment. Hazir prepared a familiar codex, then the weirdest thing happened: just as they jumped onto an inner bastion's roof, Malthael grabbed Hazir by his left hand then spun around with all of his might, carrying themselves closer to the edge. Using the built-up momentum after a completed spin, Hazir threw the book with all of his might, straight at Bul-Kathos. With this technique, the book actually managed to span the great distance. Obeying the shouts of the Archivist, it burst into a Lorenado mid-air and sailed straight into their enemy.

- You guys are the best – Lyndon whispered in sheer disbelief.

- Ffriend! – Luther jammed a shiny dagger into his hand.

It had no inner magic hidden inside it, but Lyndon was slowly realizing what he was capable of doing. He concentrated on the weapon, pouring his weird Nephalem-power into it. The blade glowed green, and Lyndon knew it would cut through anything he so desired.

- Thank you, Luther – he nodded in gratitude at his friend.

Hazir descended next to them with his Flutter Tome, Malthael dangling from the book as well. The goblin had already equipped the angel with a proper ice wand (which had suspiciously golden-white coloring and angelic symbols), now tucked in his simple belt. He still had the burn mark on his side and the hole in his robes, but the potion Luther threw at him somehow worked and he was in a slightly better shape than he had been against Maluus.

- I am growing really tired of your world, Lyndon – he mumbled, eyeing Bul-Kathos. – Enemies around every corner.

- Do you believe we like it? – Hazir gawked at his companion.

- Guys, focus! – Lyndon snapped, taking up a fighting stance.

The four unlikely heroes lined up, weapons held ready. Bul-Kathos finally rid himself of the clingy demonic catapult and threw it down, shattering it to pieces. He rose out of his abyss where the Lorenado thrusted him back.

- YOU WISH TO STAND AGAINST THE MIGHTY BUL-KATHOS? – he thundered. – THEN COME, WEAKLINGS!

- The mighty Bul-Kathos had a hard time fighting off an object just now! – Lyndon called out sarcastically.

- WHAT?!

- I wish you'd stop doing that that – Malthael grumbled behind him.

- An angry enemy is easier to beat – Lyndon answered.

- Like it had been with Maluus, correct?

- You two are very good at raising morale, aren't you – Hazir offered a weak comment from the side.

- Hae! – Luther nodded.

- I WILL GRIND YOU TO DUST FOR THAT! – Bul-Kathos punched the ground before him as a challenge, leaving a sizeable crater.

- Alright, everyone! Let's bring down this bastard! – Lyndon announced in a strong voice.

Something moved in the air around them, barely noticeable mirages of figures.

- After all, the gods are with us – the scoundrel added, smiling slightly.

The ragtag group charged the mighty giant.

Bul-Kathos swung his left arm in a wide arc. Hazir, Malthael and Luther threw themselves on the ground and skidded across the snow, while Lyndon blinked on the arm and slashed at the wrist. The cut went almost halfway through the limb, rendering the hand effectively useless and dangling. The scoundrel began running on the arm towards the shoulder.

On the ground, Luther grabbed the broken arm of the demonic catapult and wielded it like a club. Malthael shot an ice blast, slipping but somehow keeping his footing. Hazir threw down a Letter Cannon before he grabbed his trusty Mighty Pen and charged into the fray.

Bul-Kathos roared at the opposition. He strongly jerked his left arm, almost throwing off Lyndon, who held on for dear life, while with his right hand he retaliated. Instead of punching, however, he gestured wildly, and suddenly an enormous ghostly battle hammer melted into existence and flew straight at the group.

- SCATTER! – Lyndon screamed at his friends.

Instead of doing just that, Hazir panicked and threw himself straight into the path of the attack, holding his Mighty Pen above his head.

The weapon came crushing down… and rattled Bul-Kathos to his very core so hard the giant fell silent for a brief second. The head of the hammer never reached the ground, instead it was stopped by the Mighty Pen held high by Hazir. The Archivist had his eyes screwed shut and his body trembling. Next to him on the ground, Malthael and Luther stared at the looming mass in utter disbelief. Eventually, Hazir risked cracking an eye open just as the hammer slowly disintegrated.

- I stand corrected in regards of the Mighty Pen – Malthael found his voice as well.

Not even the Barbarian Forefather could recollect himself fast enough:

- WHAT?! THIS IS COMPLETE BULL—!

WHACK!

Luther swung his own catapult arm, straight into the face of Bul-Kathos, cutting his speech short.

Lyndon let out a shaky breath, muttering a half-curse, half-blessing at Hazir as he climbed onto the shoulder. He slashed at the lumps of ground, trying to deal some damage to the inanimate material. Bul-Kathos strongly jerked his shoulder, sending him flying. The scoundrel had no time to cry out when something, or maybe someone, got behind him and stopped his fall. The strange push of wind flung him onto the wide back of the enemy. Glancing back, Lyndon could have sworn he saw the mirage of a strange bird-human hybrid, wearing feathers, leaves and bones as ornaments. It could not have been a Sahptev god, yet it was also most certainly not a demon, and it disappeared just as quickly as it came.

- If I survive this, I'll have to read up on all the gods – the scoundrel grumbled to himself.

Bul-Kathos kept shaking himself, but Lyndon held on firmly now, even if he couldn't ascend. The giant drummed on the ground, which caused shockwaves and an entire earthquake around him. Malthael retreated in a big hurry, occasionally managing to force an ice blast out of his wand. Luther was bouncing all around, helplessly tossed into the air by the ground. Hazir was caught in a shockwave and flew backwards. The Archivist landed into a promptly forming ball of water in mid-air, which quickly spat him out and sucked back whatever droplets it could, leaving the stunned human dry, as if the whole thing never happened. Nex to him, a Sahptev god waved as a "you're welcome" gesture.

A ghostly spear with a chain attached to its peak shot forward from next to the earth giant, straight at Malthael. The angel sprung like a cat, twisting himself around with great agility, which probably surprised even him, and dodged the weapon by a hair's length. He could not stick the landing, though, and fell face-first into the snow, scrambling to get up as fast as possible.

- YOU ARE NOT EVEN PROPER WARRIORS! LOOK AT YOUR FUMBLING! – the Barbarian Forefather scoffed at his opponents.

The earthquake stopped, leaving behind a terribly pissed off Luther. The treasure goblin peeled himself off of the ground, his glare could probably set anything on fire. However, before he could do something he would have regretted a second later, the air filled with ozone and a flash of lightning struck the ground right next to the giant. It left everyone half-blind and with ringing heads for a good second or two, and Lyndon could have sworn he heard distant screeching in his head. It involved sentences like "Not the lightning, you idiot! You can't even aim!", "What if you had hit the Guardian or his friends?!", "Who the hell invited Zato, seriously?!", and "At least I am doing something, Inna!".

- GUYS, FOCUS! AND DON'T KILL US, PLEASE! – he roared at the sky.

Hazir set up another Letter Cannon, but it was cut short when he had to dive from the fist that came crushing down onto the pesky book.

- That contained my copies of Horadric texts, you soulless beast! – the Archivist cried out in despair.

Realizing he could do nothing of substance while dangling from the back of the giant, Lyndon teleported down to his group, missing the mark of course, and ending up next to Malthael. In the meantime, a plantlife god grew weak roots and vines out of the frozen ground to restrain Bul-Kathos. The weeds were sickly and weak in this climate but they did buy the mortals some time to regroup.

- Your world is just the worst – the angel grumbled, still wiping off mud and snow from his tunic.

- Yes, it has its jerks. You are not helping matters, either.

- There is no helping this.

Luther and Hazir ran there as well, former covered in mud and snow from the earthquake he got caught in, but otherwise looking fine.

- Now what? – the Archivist asked, slightly panicking.

- Uhm… projectiles? Putting some distance between us and him might make things easier – Lyndon pulled out his crossbow finally.

- You stole that from the High Heavens – Malthael eyes the weapon disapprovingly.

- The hell do you care, you sent your own men against your home! – Lyndon barked back. – Besides, it was a gift from Luther, I did not steal it.

- Hae! – the treasure goblin straightened out with pride at the accomplishment, before diving into his sack to look for a ranged weapon.

- Scavengers, the lot of you – Malthael grumbled, but flung an ice beam at the recovering giant.

The group began their bombardment. Lyndon shot light bolt after light bolt into the target, faster than any crossbow or bow could manage. Malthael used his wand to somehow force his unstable powers to work to an extent, still some of his attacks missed Bul-Kathos spectacularly. This obviously irritated the angel. Luther dragged out a couple of sources and wands as well, and he was currently busy sending fire balls and ball lightning forward. Hazir remained behind them, he was rummaging in his bag, hopelessly muttering to himself:

- I have something—I'm sure I have something…

- COWARDS! DAMNED COWARDS, ALL OF YOU! COME AND FIGHT LIKE REAL MEN! – Bul-Kathos roared at them, mightily angered by the tactics.

There wasn't much he could do, however. The group was safely out of his reach and it appeared that even great Nephalem had to deal with spell cooldowns, as neither his hammer, nor his spear had made a comeback just yet. Those gods who could do anything at all, kept annoying him with weak attacks of all elements.

- We are not doing anything to him! – Malthael hissed angrily at yet another missed bolt.

- Death by a thousand cuts. Ever heard of it? – Lyndon retorted defiantly.

- YOU'LL NEED MORE THAN THAT TO BRING ME DOWN! – the giant shouted, and suddenly summoned his spearhead.

The weapon flew at them with a screaming sound so fast, none of them had time to do anything, except stumbling back in a futile attempt at evasion.

- PLEASE LET THIS WORK! – Hazir suddenly screamed and threw a thick stack of papers into the ground.

Literally, as the earth sucked up the papers. The next second a wall of text-covered titanic papers sprung up in front of them, shielding them from harm's way. The spearhead stabbed its way through the sudden obstacle but got stuck in it, and disintegrated.

- Nice! – Lyndon stared at the Archivist behind them as the paper-wall slowly shredded itself into nothing.

- I always had trouble summoning the Great Wall of Knowledge – Hazir actually blushed. – What can an emergency do, huh?

Bul-Kathos bellowed in sheer fury at the sight. Lyndon was beginning to hope that the giant would kill himself in his rage, maybe his head explodes or something. Granted, that would mean the loss of information, but at this point—

The giant's roar abruptly twisted into something absolutely horrid. The sheer power of the sound crushed the group into the ground without giving them time to even react, their minds threatening to tear itself apart. Malthael actually screamed and wriggled in agony next to them, his keen hearing making everything worse. The mirages of countless gods shattered and was swept away.

- YOU ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE! – Bul-Kathos pointed at them with his right hand judgingly. – MY PEOPLE HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT THAT!

New shimmering figures began gathering in the courtyard. Lyndon forced himself up onto his knees to look at them. Barbarian ghosts, much like the ones who killed Maluus back in the throne room, were melting out of the air. The scoundrel could feel his blood freeze at the sight as more and more of the warriors appeared at the edges of his vision, closing in on them.

- Are we—dead? – Hazir asked weakly from the ground, blood trickling from his mouth.

Malthael remained completely prone, either he just gave up completely, or was knocked out cold by the scream of the Forefather. Luther, although unable to get up, searched frantically in his bag for anything that could hurt the ghosts.

Lyndon somehow stood up. The Barbarians surrounded them completely at this point, there was no way out of their circle. The scoundrel took a few deep breaths, dread spreading in him.

- Are you looking for me?! – he suddenly shouted, gesturing wildly at himself. – Come and take me then, warriors! Leave my friends untouched and I will face your judgement!

- YOU ARE IN NO POSITION TO NEGOTIATE, WORM! NONE OF YOU LEAVES THIS PLACE ALIVE! – answered Bul-Kathos almost gleefully.

His words sounded quite pointed and order-like, yet none of the gathered ghosts moved. They kept staring at the group of four, with weapons held very loosely in their hands. Confused silence settled onto the courtyard. Lyndon slowly turned around, locking eyes with the crowd.

- I don't know what crime I have committed – he found his voice again, knowing fully well that only desperation fueled him at this point –, but kill me, if you must! The rest had done nothing wrong, however! They were dragged into this mess against their will! They are innocent! Leave them be, please!

- THESE SPINELESS COWARDS HAD STOLEN YOUR SACRED DUTY, MY PEOPLE! KILL THEM! REGAIN YOUR RIGHTFUL DESTINY! – roared Bul-Kathos, making the four battered heroes flinch.

But yet again, nothing happened. The ghosts showed no sign of even hearing their Forefather, they kept their weapons by their sides or legs, none of them held a fighting stance. They most certainly did not make a move to regain their rightful destiny, whatever that meant.

The pause crept uncomfortably long.

- WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! KILL THEM!

Lyndon did not dare to hope. But it honestly looked like the warriors were not agreeing with their god.

Suddenly the gathered army parted in a place and out came an orange-tainted ghost larger than the rest. He had full body armor, and a helm with impressive horns decorating it.

- Kanai? – Lyndon blinked at the newcomer, recognizing him.

- Guardian – the leader nodded his head towards him, his voice distant but still understandable.

- HE IS NO GUARDIAN – spat Bul-Kathos behind them.

- Yet he was chosen, Forefather. We should not go against such a decision, it is beyond our judgement – Kanai pointed out, his voice surprisingly calm and wise for a Barbarian.

- Please, Kanai! I am sorry we had to lure the demon into your throne room, but we were at the end of our ropes – Lyndon hastily defended themselves. – Spare the others, and I promise I go without—

- HE DOES NOT EVEN UNDERSTAND HIS DUTY. LOOK AT HIM!

- What the hell are you even talking about?! – Lyndon turned to Bul-Kathos in rage. – Guess what, asshole, no one handed me a letter or a manual about my "duties"! How does this even connect to the crimes I did not commit?!

- Someone was actually foolish enough to entrust you with anything? – Malthael spoke up weakly from the ground, sounding like he regained consciousness just to deliver this jab.

- Thanks for that, you jerk – Lyndon glared down at him venomously, once again considering burying the angel alive.

- Fear not for yourself or your friends, Guardian. We are not here to pass judgement – Kanai shook his horned head.

- Then what—

- KANAI, ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR WITS?!

- I am not, Forefather. I just understand that we cannot change the decision, no matter how much it hurts our pride.

- WE CAN IF IT'S A MERE MISTAKE! IT CLEARLY IS, JUST GAZE UPON THIS FOOL!

- Ho-oh, slow the hell down, everyone! – Lyndon shouted, grabbing his head and screwing his eyes shut in frustration. – Start from the goddamn beginning, please! Am I guilty or not?! What decision was even made about what?!

- My apologies for all that has transpired here. You have done your job admirably so far, Guardian – Kanai admitted. – We admire that, even if it stings our warrior spirits. Once upon a time we had received clear instructions from the Ambassador of Light for our task, but you needed no such guidance so far, it seems. Clear-seers have always had keen instincts, afterall. You are no different.

- I still have no idea what you are talking about – Lyndon glared daggers at Kanai. – All I have is a baby angel to look after! What does that have to do with you, and what the hell is a "Clear-seer"?!

- You have a what?! – Hazir sat up abruptly, eyes wide.

- HE IS HOPELESS! I TOLD YOU SO! – Bul-Kathos visibly rolled his eyes at this. How he managed that when his eyes were nothing but slits filled with yellow light was anyone's guess.

- Why, Guardian, you are blessed with a most sacred task, indeed! – Kanai seemed to smile. – You are the protector of the Eye of Anu: the Worldstone itself.


Dun-dun-DUUUNNNNN! The twist EVERYONE saw coming is finally here! Whooo! Well, I never claimed I was writing a mystery novel. ;) Now to have some actual answers. Some, at least.

This chapter was an utter BITCH to put together. Hoooly hell, there are certain things in writing that just break my wrist, and this fight scene was no different, if you can even call it that. GAH!

But at least it's out now! Thank you cupcakes for your continued support and patience as I heroically and definitely not at all painfully pathetically fight my way through these obstacles.

Lore & Trivia Corner

- Bul-Kathos the Earth Giant: Unlike most other of his kind, Bul-Kathos was not satisfied with creating the Barbarians, and he chained his soul to Mount Arreat, in order to help monitor and guard the Worldstone, taking up the form of an earth giant. Ages later he had a quick head-butt with the equally headstrong and dumbass Uldyssian Ul-Diomed, but neither came out victorious, since Rathma broke up the fight. And while Mount Arreat is now gone, the center of Barbarian culture and the first line of defense, Sescheron survived the cataclysm, leading me to believe that Bul-Kathos also remained on Sanctuary.

- Bul-Kathos' magical attacks were based on skills of the Barbarian class from D3. These include Hammer of the Ancients, Earthquake, Whirlwind, Threatening Shout and Ancient Spear.

- Slipka's Letter Opener: a legendary Scoundrel Token and a complete BITCH to find in-game. I have based its power on both of its description and the buff it provides for Lyndon:

"Thieves have whispered for centuries of the Grand Vizier Slipka, who could use his letter opener to gut three men, pick two locks, and open the mail, all in the time it took most men to draw their clumsy daggers.

Equip on Follower: Reduce the cooldown of all Follower skills by 50%"

- Inna and Ymil: the other Sahptev gods known by name, outside of Zaim and Ytar. Inna is the Goddess of the Sky, an exceptionally beautiful goddess who offers her protection to exceptional people. Ymil is the god of Rivers (the one with the shitty weak water spray attack) who is said to be indecisive and capricious, as such very few monks choose him as a patron. He has at least one follower, though, called Zhota. The guy's probably a rebel at heart.

- Demonic catapult: demons who failed one too many times get their souls ripped out and turned into actual catapult. They were used by Baal in Diablo2 to lay siege on Sescheron and later on Harrogath, until the hero destroyed them. To be fair, the broken machine you can actually find outside the main gates of Sescheron, is a demonic ballista from Act III and not a catapult, but I figured I'd rectify that helpful asset reuse and correct it to the "historically accurate" version.

- Zato: my creation, a Xianshai god of Lightning and Thunder. He is also a terrible marksman.