+ 8000 views on this fic! Thank you so much, everyone!
www-.-diablo-that-first-spark-.-tumblr-.-com
If you are interested in WIP reports, chapter updates, sketches or brainstorming, or you'd like to ask a question from the cast or from me, go check it out!
Chapter 49
The next couple of days were spent in such peace that Tyrael was honestly getting suspicious. Everything went just a bit too well.
The strange group made their way across the country of Khanduras without much fuss. Thanks to Izba and Ashava, monsters native to this land like the Wood Wraiths did not even bother to mess with them. In return, Tyrael and Adenah had to scout ahead regularly, to make sure they wouldn't run into an unfortunate well-meaning farming family who could die of fright from the demons. This somewhat slowed them down, especially when they had to make a detour, but the mortal angel would rather choose this, than causing a country-wide panic.
One sunset, when they had yet to stop to make camp, Ashava suddenly raised her head, then snuck away from the group, stuck her head into a bush and let out a loud bark. The resulting human screams signaled the retreat of some unlucky bandits. Quiet had no idea what just happened but Tyrael merely sighed tiredly and nodded his head in gratitude to the demoness. If someone had to see them, it had better be those scums of human beings whom nobody will believe.
Hopefully.
- Are you sure you do not wish to return to the earth? – he asked Ashava once.
- I know not what Inarius' return means, Ju—Tyrael – the demoness shook her head. – But I have a strong feeling it will result in something important. This is an event I must take my part in… for as long as possible.
Tyrael nodded half-heartedly, returning his gaze to the pouting Quiet stomping not too far away. The mortal angel insisted not to stay inside Izba, to make the child get used to normal-paced traveling. To take Quiet's mind off of this, Tyrael was pointing out all kinds of animals and plants, telling their names, and even giving him language lessons.
- Berry! – Quiet shouted happily once and ran up to a bush.
As luck would have it, Tyrael kept his eyes on the kid just a moment longer, just enough to spot the small pitch-black fruit. Immediately he threw himself after the child and managed to yank the branch out of his hand.
- Heyy! – Quiet screeched, helplessly jumping for his treasure.
After a careful glance he took his chances and weakly began "hitting" Tyrael's thigh. When nothing bad happened, the little angel continued his assault with great relief.
- This is called a crowberry, Quiet – Tyrael explained, not even registering the attack. – It is poisonous. You see things that aren't even there when you eat it.
It was Leah who had taught him about most of the Khanduras flora while on their way to Caldeum. The poisonous species were the first on her list, the rest Tyrael read about later in Kingsport.
It was… a bit strange now, passing this knowledge on.
- Aaaah, crowberry – Adenah chuckled from the background. – Good stuff! Whenever we need to relax or to forget, it's a useful thing!
- So is it a good thing? – Quiet asked, watching the unassuming berry with wide eyes.
- No! No, it is not a good thing at all! – Tyrael threw the branch away.
- No good then…
- "Not good".
- I said that.
- No, you said "no good". Correctly it is "not good" – Tyrael herded the confused Quiet back to the group.
- But Leendonn ate berries with me long ago – Quiet tried to argue.
- Were they small and black like these?
- N-no? They were dark red.
- Then they were a different breed of berries that was good to eat. Not every plant is poisonous, but we must remember those that are, so we can avoid getting sick.
- Why are they poissonus?
- You know, Boss, it's because they don't want to be eaten by animals so they can grow in peace – Adenah smiled.
- Animals know what is poissonus? – Quiet tilted his head to the side at this.
- They learn, either from their parents or by trial and error. Next time they won't eat it.
This thankfully made Quiet fall silent as he mused on this new information. Tyrael spent these days with this new task: he taught Quiet about the flora and the fauna, taught him new words, and how to properly use negatives. The last one wasn't that easy, but still Tyrael realized this is how they could make it work with Quiet. He was not well-suited for chit-chat or small-talk, not like Lyndon who could probably talk off Quiet's ears with pointless subjects any hour of the day. But if Tyrael had something concrete to say, information to provide, he could work with that. In fact, his patience towards the little angel grew exponentially during that. At one night, he wrote a new letter to Sophie, making sure he thanked her for her advice. It looked like he had indeed managed to find the way to approach the situation from.
Next morning he woke up to something big black and blurry shaking before his nose. Tyrael jumped out of bed with a short shriek, much to Quiet's amusement.
- Crowberry! – the kid proudly stated, lifting the branch full of berries.
- Wha—you put it away?! – Tyrael glared daggers at him, making some order in his clothes.
- No. I grew it! It's funny when you get scared – Quiet chuckled.
Tyrael, with noble simplicity, flung his blanket at Quiet. The resulting offended shriek did indeed sound very humorous, he had to agree.
oooOOOooo
Quiet… did not feel that bad like before, which honestly surprised him.
He still missed Leendonn very much, but the bad bubble that strained him in the inside and caused him to cry a lot, became much smaller. Teeriel was no longer (that) mean and he sometimes talked about very interesting things. Adenah, Izba and Ashava were no longer skerry, especially not after Quiet dreamt with them. These were the first dreams where Inarius was not bad, he only calmly talked with demons, he sounded very brave and kind even. Nothing like what those skerry ghosts showed him in that dark place once.
This completely confused Quiet and so far he couldn't make sense of it.
Adenah was not only kind in his dreams.
- Come on, Boss! It will be fine!
Quiet only shook his head adamantly.
It was morning and Teeriel left to scout the nearby places. and Adenah quickly jumped to Quiet.
- There won't be any problems, you'll see!
- But you will die! – the little angel shook his head again.
- No, I won't! You didn't hurt me before the fight against Perendi, you won't hurt me now, either.
Quiet glanced down at his hands uncertainly. This skerry power hadn't shown up before, that much was true.
- Well, Boss? Please? For my sake? – Adenah reached out with her hands.
Quiet looked at the open palms. And if something does happen? His eyes welled up with tears from fear, but in the end he did reach out as well, sniffling loudly, and gently grabbed the large fingers.
-… See, it wasn't that hard, was it, Boss? – Adenah grinned after nothing bad happened.
Quiet returned the smile sniffling and nodding.
After that morning he was a bit braver when it came to touching others, even though he still avoided it with animals, just in case. Nobody was harmed, much to his relief. Leendonn won't be in danger either, when they meet again.
Even more good news, it seemed that the world was once again listening to him. At least it was listening more closely than before. Animals heard and obeyed his call easier, the ground and plants did as he asked faster. When they ran into a stream, Quiet managed to raise a ground bridge strong enough to bear Izba and Ashava as well.
Another morning Adenah burst out of the bushes onto the clearing they made camp in.
- Hunting party on horseback! Straight this way – she panted.
Izba immediately threw herself onto the ground and took up her hut form, while Ashava tried to retreat among the trees while hissing very bad words, only she was too big to hide. Teeriel got up from his breakfast and quickly made some order in his clothes.
- I will try and send them in a different direction – he stated and started walking towards the bushes.
Meanwhile Quiet reached out with his mind and he found the horses not too far away. They were very nice and healthy. He asked them to go in a different direction. They tried to obey him without question, but their riders managed to rein them in and get them back on track. Angrily humming, Quiet instead asked the trees around them to dish out a well-deserved beating for the humans. This appeared to work, as shouting and bad words reached them soon after from somewhere further away. Teeriel stopped, listened, then turned to Quiet.
- Are they gone? – was all he asked, to which Quiet nodded.
The days went by on the grassy forest-y hilly land and the little angel was beginning to hope that everything will be fine from now on.
- Ashaaava? – he asked one day while walking next to the massive demoness.
- Yes?
- Did you like the hiding places?
-… Come again?
- I dreamt about telling you about hiding places you can hide from… from them? I dunno who they are – Quiet explained, frowning at the hole in the information.
Ashava stopped and looked at him funnily… although she always looked funnily with those many eyes of hers.
- I… did. Yes. They were very useful. Thank you for suggesting them.
- That was Inarius, not… really me. But you are welcome.
- Little One, if you are not Inarius, why do you have his memories?
That was a good question, to be honest.
- I… I do no—not like Inarius – Quiet mused loudly. – He was very mean. Hurt a lot of people. And… his name does no—not sound good.
- "Good"?
- Leendonn named me Quiet, because I didn't know my name – Quiet shook his head. – When Teeriel told me I was called Inarius, it… I didn't think it was my name. I remembered it, but it is no—t good.
- Not fitting, you mean?
- Y-yes, that. I am no Inarius. I am Quiet.
- Well, Little One – Ashava raised her head, looking over the trees. – Sanctuary was the land of new beginnings for many. You are most welcome to try it as well.
- New beginnings are good. I think.
- Whatever you may find in that "grassy place", just remember what you had told me. That you are Quiet… not Inarius.
Quiet had no idea what she was talking about but he dutifully nodded. Ashava could be so confusing at times, and he had gotten used to it, just as he had gotten used to Adenah's grinning and Izba's creaking.
Soon they reached the beginnings of a mountain range.
Quiet had never seen such huge mountains before. He stared at them with open mouth as they made camp. Beyond a few hills the ground suddenly rose high among the clouds, with its very top being white for some reason. Many of these peaks ran as far as the eye could see. Not even buildings could be this big!
- The Tamoe Mountains – Teeriel explained as he joined the staring. – Dangerous place, but thankfully there is a passss through which we can travel relatively easily.
- What is a passss?
- A kind of road. When you travel through a passss, you do not have to climb over the mountains and it makes the journey much easier – Teeriel said, then glanced back to the camp with worry. – In theory, at least.
Quiet did not really understand what the other meant by that last comment, but he followed him back to the fire.
oooOOOooo
Tyrael honestly surprised himself with this, but he realized he did not like the idea of splitting up. No matter their demonic nature, by these last few days he has gotten on pretty good terms with their three unlikely companions. Ashava did not poke at the sensitive subject of regretting decisions (although Tyrael could not truly forget the subject), and Adenah and Izba held the general mood high with their nigh-constant good spirits. But the mountain pass was guarded by the Eastgate Keep, and its residents, the Sisterhood of the Sightless Eye would surely not welcome demons into their walls, especially not after Andariel taking residence there some twenty years ago. The rogues no doubt had scouts among the cliffs along the path, and would report anyone arriving to the keep. If the entire group travels there, Tyrael was absolutely sure they would be welcomed by a rain of arrows instead of open gates.
And that was the best case scenario.
So that night when Quiet went to sleep inside one of Izba's rooms, the adults gathered around the campfire to discuss the matter.
- So… this is it? Really? – Adenah asked crestfallen.
- Unless there is another way through the Tamoe Mountains, I am afraid yes – Tyrael sighed with genuine sadness.
- A shame. I wish we had more time together – Ashava rumbled, peacefully lying on her belly. – The Little One has a long way ahead of him and whatever he may find, well… it will be a turning point, for certain.
- I… have my doubts about that, to be honest – Tyrael massaged his neck. – The Cathedral of Light, as far as I know, is completely gone. Maybe some ruins remain, but those are hardly impactful.
- Don't mind me if I don't take that as bad news – Adenah grimaced. – The less impact on Boss, the better.
She had come to associate this mysterious temple with Inarius' madness, so it was only natural that she hated the idea of him returning there. On some level, she was right toworry, Tyrael mused.
- The Cathedral and the ruins are separate in nature. But yes… we shall see – Ashava answered, cryptic as ever.
Tyrael glanced towards the Tamoe Mountains again. He did not like the look of those mountains, even though he had traversed them multiple times before.
- We would have had to split up around Lut Gholein anyway – Adenah tried to offer a half-hearted consolation.
Nobody agreed, even though everyone knew it was true.
- Well… good night, everyone – Tyrael stood up after a long and uncomfortable pause.
He awkwardly shuffled inside Izba who was humming sadly in her hut form, and retreated into their shared bedroom with Quiet.
oooOOOooo
- I'll miss you, Ashaaava – Quiet sobbed, not letting go of the bony nose.
- Little One… I am glad we could meet again. I will miss you as well – the big demoness rumbled softly, not daring to move, lest she might accidentally yank Quiet up from the ground.
Teeriel was awkwardly patting the side of Izba, murmuring his thanks to the cottage who creaked sadly in return. Quiet somehow pulled away from Ashava, only to rush to Adenah and hug her as well. The fat lady scooped him up with a grin that wasn't as wide as usual.
- Good luck, Boss. Just stay safe, please. Promiss me?
- I promiss – Quiet mumbled into the hug, returning it as tightly as he could.
It was very painful to leave them behind. Teeriel had to gently but firmly pull him along, down on the hillside and towards the big mountains. Quiet refused to turn forward, instead he kept looking behind him and wave at his three friends. Even Teeriel sometimes looked back for a quick wave. Eventually however as they passed over another hill, the three demons disappeared from sight.
The unpleasant bubble burst in him and Quiet couldn't help but cry as he trudged after Teeriel. He didn't want to go among the high and skerry mountains, he wanted to stay on these hills with his new friends, find Leendonn and go home.
The Cathedral of Light…
This doubt quickly went away once he remembered the grassy place with the strange white building. It did not make him happy, but Quiet knew it was important.
- It's… alright, Quiet – Teeriel said softly, still pulling him along gently.
- Is not.
- It is always painful to leave friends behind, I know.
- You sad too?
- Yes… yes, I am. Anu damn me, but I am.
Quiet sniffled and rubbed his eyes.
- Why are you no—not crying? – he asked then.
-… Adults rarely cry, Quiet. It is just how we are.
- Crying is bad?
- No, no, it is not. In fact, it can be very helpful and relieving. It is just that… adults do not cry because of every sad thing. We have grown up and seen enough to be that way. Once you grow up as well, you will be similar.
- Crying does no make me relieved…
Teeriel glanced at him.
- You have a lot on your mind, yes? – he asked.
- On my…? – Quiet sniffled, uncertainly patting the top of his own head.
- I mean, you are thinking about a lot of things lately, yes?
- Ye-yes. I miss Leendonn. That bad demon in the ugly foggy garden was very mean too. And I am skerd – the little angel blurted out, not sure why he told Teeriel all this.
When they left Weztmarch, Quiet was certain Teeriel didn't care about how he felt. But after these days…
Teeriel stopped and crouched down in front of him with a small smile.
- You know, Quiet… there are many types of goodbyes – he explained. – And luckily, this kind of goodbye is not permanent. We can see them again later. We can meet them, and meet Leendonn as well.
- And then we can talk a lot about what happened, and Adenah and Leendonn can say nice bedtime stories, and you can tell them more about plants and animals? – Quiet rubbed his eyes again, the bad bubble slightly retreating.
- Most certainly, we can! – Teeriel smiled wider and he stood up. – Now come on. Tamoe awaits us. With a bit of luck, we will meet some friendly people there who can give us shelter for the night.
- Are they funny like Adenah?
- N—no, I do not think so. I do not know them well, but I know they are serious. But they are also kind to travelers and they will give us bed and food for the night.
- Serious like Ashaaava?
- Yes… just like Ashava. Now… let's go, Quiet. We still have a long road ahead of us.
Quiet dutifully followed Teeriel towards the mountains, he didn't complain, not even when he got tired. The sun was rising on the sky above them. Eventually Teeriel scooped him up and carried him for a bit so he could rest. In return, Quiet retold him one of Adenah's bedtime stories, the one with the hero of Weztmarch and the pretty magical red torch and the people who didn't want to fight. Teeriel looked at him funnily at this but didn't interrupt him so Quiet told the whole thing.
-… So in the end, the hero put the nice torch atop the biggest mountain so it would always shine and keep the people warm. And the people were very happy. The end – he finished as they took their first steps among very high cliff walls.
Quiet looked up at the big rocks, marveling at them.
- Are these the biggest mountains? – he asked Teeriel who was strangely silent this whole time.
- No—I mean, now yes. There had been one mountain much mightier than these. It was called Mount Arreat – Teeriel answered. – It… blew up one day and now it is gone.
- Maybe it was as big as the one in the story! – Quiet exclaimed as he hopped onto the rocky ground and walked besides Teeriel once more.
-… Yes… I think it was just as big.
- Arreat is a very nice name! – Quiet said happily. – It means "guardian light"!
He stopped for a second. Teeriel stared at him.
- I… I think? – Quiet asked then, his strange surety suddenly evaporating.
- It… does mean that. We angels call the lights and fires of the watchtowers, the sentries and the forward camps "arreat", for they guard us from harm – Teeriel nodded after a short pause.
- I knew it good, then! – the little angel beamed with pride.
- You knew it well, then.
- Fine, fine…
It was a bit annoying how Teeriel always corrected him. Then again, Quiet did want to talk like the grownups, so he figured he would learn from them. These "good", "well" and "fine" words were very confusing, though.
They kept walking among the high rock walls, the pebble-covered and upward-tilting path sometimes grew thinner, sometimes widened out. They could barely see the sun, it was very dark in here because of the shadows. It was very very different from what Quiet has gotten used to up to this point, but he was more curious than frightened. He could practically feel the big… big-ness?... of the mountains around them and it somehow made him feel safe in a strange way. The sides of the mountains were still covered in bushes and trees, it wasn't barren at all. He even felt animals, mostly herbeeee-wores who easily climbed the steep cliffs.
As the sun descended, though, the shadows grew deeper and Quiet was losing his sense of safety. He whimpered, drawing closer to Teeriel, who didn't look too worried.
- It is alright. We will reach the fort soon – the bald man promised.
He looked around the rocks and shouted:
- Rogues! Sisterhood of the Saytless Eye! We are two weary travelers, seeking passage across the mountains. I beseech you, please send word to your fort and let us in through your gates! All we require is a single night's stay.
His voice echoed among the rocks for long, but nothing happened. Quiet uncertainly looked up at Teeriel who kept walking as if nothing happened.
- Why you did that? – the little angel asked.
- The fortress we are travelling to gives home to the Sisterhood of the Saytless Eye. I just told their rogues to pass on the news of our arrival to the fort.
-… But… There is no one here.
Teeriel stopped.
- No one? – he repeated.
- I don't sense humans. Only plants and animals – Quiet shook his head, double-checking just to make sure.
-… Perhaps they can mask their presence from you. They are… quite well-verzd in the art of stealth – Teeriel pondered loudly, scratching his head.
- Well-what?
- They know how to sneak around very well.
- Oh – Quiet halfheartedly nodded, not really convinced.
Teeriel probably knew better. Although the bald man didn't look very sure either.
Still, they kept going, until they finally reached a place where the ground evened out and became horizontal again. Thin grass covered most of it, along with yet more pebbles. Right before them a long lake of nice blue water stretched, with a big and wide stone bridge across it. On the other side of the lake, there was a big stone building with thick walls and many many towers. It reminded Quiet a bit of those strange pointy buildings in the ugly stone-slab gardens… and that other building on the river where he… killed people so that Leendonn wouldn't get hurt.
Neither gave him a pleasant feeling about this "fortress" thing. It was also strange how it had one very big and very open gate on its front.
-… Where are they? – Teeriel asked softly, staring at the bridge and the building. – Quiet… d—do you sense anyone in there?
- N-no? It's empty.
Teeriel pursed his lips and took some very careful steps onto the stone bridge. He kept Quiet very close to him. They stopped after a few more meters.
- Sisters! Are you there? Can you give us accommodations for the night?
-… They are not here – Quiet said in a very small voice. – There is something in there… like fog. But no humans.
He didn't want to go in there. Apparently Teeriel had the same idea. He held Quiet's hand tighter and turned around.
- We will find another way – the mortal angel said matter-of-factly.
A thick wall of fog sprung up before them at this.
Not so fasssst!
- You—! – Teeriel shouted and reached for his sword.
A horrible clawed hand grabbed Quiet from behind, tearing up his sides and yanked him backwards. Quiet screamed as he flew through fog and cloud.
I promised and I intend to keep my word to you, cupcakes! Monthly uploads it is, for as long as I can manage!
Also, I have realized my pacing lately have not been the best, and for that, I do apologize. It is a bit difficult to keep the rhythm when you work per chapter. Hence the longer chapter for today, to wrap things up. Next up, some serious Diablo-action! Look forward to it ;)
As always, thank you for your patience, cupcakes! See you back here in May!
Lore & Trivia corner
- Crowberry: funnily enough in Hungarian one of the names of crowberry is… crowberry, in mirror translation :D But we also have another name for it, "mámorka" which translates to "little intoxication". Catchy.
- Arreat: Mount Arreat's name is actually never specified as to what it means, so this is my addition. Taking further the "angels have a fuckton of words for light" vibe, we had "linarian" for a type of dawn, and now we have "arreat" for protection. This is fun to do. –u-
