Chapter 25

Fan-Min was wobbling on the ends of her toes, struggling to keep herself propped up as she hung from the ceiling by her chain shackles. She was beaten and exhausted, but a sudden rumble stirred her to open her weak eyes. It felt like a small earthquake, but it was too rhythmic. Something was unnatural about it.

That's when the door to her locked chamber opened and in walked an all-too-pleased Avator with his demonic fairy sidekick on his shoulder. Both looked like they were very satisfied with something. The large demon man walked straight up to the exhausted wizard and smiled with pride. "Do you know what that is?"

Fan-Min hesitated to speak. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of engaging with her, but her curiosity finally won. She spoke, but her voice was weak and shaky. "What is it?"

"That's my army." Avator bragged. "An army worthy of a Lord of Hell."

"Good for you." She spoke, but her words sounded more sincere than she expected. Something in her attitude changed as Avator's gentle, but dominating eyes stared at her.

"My dear." He said kindly and leaned in and kissed the short wizard passionately. Fan-Min was shocked by the sudden move, but the longer the kiss lingered, the more she didn't mind it. Before she knew it, she actually enjoyed it. He was a handsome guy. He was powerful. She figured he wasn't as bad as she initially thought. He broke the kiss and spoke. "They're prepared for war."

"War?" Fan-Min asked, sounding eager.

"Yes, my dear." He explained. "They'll be overthrowing New Tristram. The cursed village that not even Diablo himself could overthrow." He smiled. "I'll overthrow it."

"You can do it." She encouraged the demon, hoping for another kiss.

"I know." He bragged. "I want you to lead the army. You're an expert in battle and would do well to lead the march against New Tristram, and ultimately any Lords of Hell that stand in my way."

Fan-Min thought about this for a moment, but her thoughts were short and hazy. It seemed like a good plan. Destroy the village and all that lived there and ultimately take a throne in Hell. What more could someone ask for? She smiled eagerly. "I'd love to."

"But you'll need to be careful." He warned her, looking at Rin on his shoulder. "There are those who would stop you." He placed his finger on her forehead and a clear vision of three people was burned into her mind.

The first was of a very tall, hairy man. His chest and upper arms were completely bare, but the rest of him was covered by elegant arcane robes. He had handsome features and well cared-for brown hair. She recognized him, but for some reason she couldn't really figure out why. He was Kazur. "He is a powerful wizard." Avator explained. "He'll know you are coming. He is gifted in prophecy and visions." Fan-Min nodded her understanding. "Attempt not to kill him. He'd be a valuable asset to our army."

The second was of a woman. She had pale skin, but nearly all of her was covered in shades of dark cloth. She wore a hood and leather armor well suited for combat. In each of her hands was a small crossbow. It was clear she was a demon hunter. Fan-Min recognized her as well, but she wasn't sure why. "Kill her." Avator instructed mercilessly. "She is a Demon Hunter named Marina Vale and is quite dangerous. She'll offer you no mercy. Return the favor." Fan-Min nodded her understanding.

The third was of a very short man. He was young and shared a resemblance to Fan-Min herself. He also had much of his torso exposed, but covered the rest of himself in dark-colored arcane robes. His hair was short a brown, like Kazur's, which was quite uncommon for users of the arcane. In his hand was a spellbook. For some reason Fan-Min felt like she knew something about that spellbook, but she couldn't think why. Her thoughts were clouded. They kept going back to Avator and that kiss. She'd do anything for him. Avator spoke. "This is Fan-Huang. He's a wizard like you, but much less powerful. He should be no trouble to destroy. Do it without hesitation." Fan-Min nodded her understanding.

"Will you lead my army for me, Fan-Min?" Avator asked, sounding sincere and kind in his words.

With her eyes glazed over and her thoughts clouded by Avator and his overwhelming presence, both physically and arcanely, she answered slowly. "It would be my honor."