For a brief moment, Anaurael's parents were permitted to linger in Heaven a bit to embrace Auriel and Itherael once again. On learning that they were going to Pandemonium, they were wished the best, and a small get together was planned the moment they got back to Heaven. As her parents now spoke with Auriel, Anaurael was glancing around silently. When she saw Itherael floating alone, she smiled and walked over to him.
"Hello, brother," she waved. He turned to her and nodded his hooded form.
"It is good to see you, too, sister," he nodded. "You plan to head to Pandemonium?"
"Yes. I need to train."
"Training is good. Do not worry, though. You will do fine."
"Good to know," she chuckled. "Oh. Maybe you can answer a question for me that has been on my mind of late. You might know."
"I can see what can be done," he agreed. "I am the Lore Keeper of the Angiris Council."
"The Greed Goblins. Are they truly demons? I mean...I sense no malice from them at all. Imperius calls them demons, but...I don't really get that vibe."
"Ah. Greed is, in fact, a demon lord. So, yes, the Greed Goblins are demons. But, they are harmless in form, save for what they take from us. They specialize in powerful teleportation. It is how they can be wherever they need to be. It is odd that Greed has taken such a liking to you. As much as it is beneficial, I would still be a touch wary. The Greed Goblins are, also, made in Greed's true image. I can only imagine that they are much smaller in size, you would think. Imperius detests them all. Not only from their demonic natures, but also due to their love of gold and items, as well as being spawned by a demon lord. They take much from us."
"Greed told me that he doesn't steal anything. He only finds," she giggled.
"Truly? If that is the case, I may have to see about keeping things from being found," he mused. "It may help us keep track of various items. But, as he is now working with trade, it does make me wonder if better items of value can be gained. I shall have to ponder more on this. His followers are tolerable, to a point, as they do not hold aggression to us. We still try to keep them out of Heaven, though. It is always for the best."
"Gurzick is now Greed's personal messenger. When Imperius first saw him, Gurzick gave over several powerful weapons. I believe the sword, Scourge, and the large axe, Skorn, were two of the items used to pacify Imperius to gain a limited form of trust."
"I will want to see those weapons!" Itherael said. "I have always been curious in the design and make that the Burning Hells use for their own. Yes, I have my own weapon, a sword that was forged here in the High Heavens, but I have been curious of various structural designs. When you come back, please meet with me in my Library of Fate. I will show you Talus'ar, my Scroll of Fate. It is from this that I can see and read the threads of destiny that appear for me."
"One final question," she said.
"For you, of course," he said warmly.
"How did Tyrael come up with the decision to hide the Black Soulstone? Did he not know that Malthael would find it and take it? Imperius told me of this when we were together. He sent me visions, actually, when my soul merged with him."
"Ahh. I can answer that. Malthael, when he was originally our leader in Wisdom, would seek guidance from the Chalice of Wisdom. It will only whisper words of wisdom to the one that bore the mantle. Tyrael consulted the Chalice, and he gained the knowledge to hide away the Soulstone. That it was the best possible idea. Unfortunately, none knew what Malthael had planned. He was going to use the Black Soulstone to rip all of the demonic essence from the humans. As you know, humans are the result of angels and demons breeding together. A half-breed of our races. In the end, it would have killed them all. Yes, the Eternal Conflict would have ended, but it would have resulted in the death of a whole race in Sanctuary. As much as Imperius would not have minded, it would have been too much to bear. At least for Auriel and myself. Even Tyrael."
"What...happened to the Black Soulstone?"
"It is most unfortunate," he sighed. "Malthael consumed it within himself during his last battle. When the Nephalem destroyed him, it freed all of the evil trapped within it. This includes Diablo."
"What?! I was not told of this!" she gasped with horror.
"Do not worry, ward of Imperius. I have seen no misfortune befalling you. Imperius is your true lifeline now. But...I have wondered. He is not of true flesh and blood. None of us are. How did he merge his Song with yours? Can you answer?"
"Oh. Well...he showed me his core. His true being. Then he simply held me close. There was no pain. There was no thirst or hunger. I didn't even feel the need to sleep. I was simply cocooned in his protective wrath, really. I feel more of a part of him than I ever imagined. And, yes, I shared visions with him. Mainly of his long life and some current events. Of course, I refer to him as my husband to shut up many nosy humans now. I let them think of things that may have happened, but it is all false. They do not need to know the truth of my soul merging with Imperius's core."
"Hmm," he thought. "I understand how demons tend to breed. Even humans, though not up close. I am sure that Ilerael and Lilaurael could answer other questions."
"You may want to speak with them on pleasures of the flesh," she agreed with a small blush. "Ah, would you fight with me? At my side in Pandemonium?"
"It has been a long while since I have wielded my sword. As much as I should decline..." he thought. "If Auriel joins you, I shall join you, too."
"Very well," she nodded. They clasped hands fondly, and she moved to find Auriel. At the mention of possibly assisting with her training, the Archangel of Hope was amused.
"Why do you ask?" she chuckled.
"Itherael said he would join if you did," Anaurael smiled.
"Interesting," Auriel said. "Imperius. Would you take offense, if Itherael and I joined the training? It has been a while since we fought."
"You can lure demons to my ward," Imperius nodded. "I can allow that. She needs to do most of the culling. In time, she may be the one doing the hunting with us. For this first training, I accept."
"I look forward to this!" Auriel chuckled with a form of rare excitement. Anaurael's parents were also thrilled that they would be fighting with their ancient brethren once more.
"Too bad Tyrael isn't here," Ilerael grinned. "He'd be jealous."
"Tyrael has other plans," Imperius snorted. "Let him remain where he is."
"Auriel, you should track down a few large demons and chain them. Our daughter can study them and be shown their weak points," Lilaurael said.
"No need, Mother," Anaurael smiled. "On merging my soul with Imperius, I have learned quite a bit of his fighting techniques. You could say that our joining made me an extension of him."
"We'll find out, if that is true or not, won't we?" Ilerael smiled and walked into the portal that Imperius opened for them all.