The place smelled musty and old. It was filled with forgotten sounds from another age. Lorath bore a torch in front of them and lit any old torches along the walls to help. The stairs they found at the end of the small hallway led down. Rats fled from their footsteps. Small insects scurried into any cracks they could find. At the sight of rougher stairs that were warped from time, Izarius had to fall back to the center to lift Anaurael up in his arms.
"What?!" she gasped.
"You are not wearing armor on your feet. Your slippers are no protection. I've got you," he said.
"Good call," Ilerael nodded.
"Should you carry me?" Lilaurael grinned.
"I could!" Lyndon said. "I am very strong!"
"Oh, sure, like that's possible. The way you carry around your stink is just as strong," Greed grumbled loudly. Tyrael had to chuckle. At the small glare Ilerael gave the scoundrel, it was a clear 'no'. The angelic guards all snickered, as they descended with the group. Even Xavian and Lorath were freely giving their small laughs. But, it was when the Nephalem rose a hand for silence that it was given. Malthael seemed to pause. Then he looked behind him. All of the lit torches had gone out...
"Get Anaurael out of here. Now," Malthael muttered.
"The stairs!" Darius shouted when they seemed to sink into themselves to form a wall.
"I can teleport out," she said.
"Do it," Tyrael nodded. Izarius held onto her and focused. Then he realized that nothing happened. They couldn't teleport.
"Why aren't you going?" Lilaurael asked.
"I'm trying!" her daughter said. "I'm blocked!"
"As am I," Izarius growled.
"Is the ground safe?" Darius asked.
"It's level here. She should be fine," Tyrael nodded, and Izarius set her down to keep his weapon ready. "I don't recall any of this."
"Neither do I," Ilerael growled.
"Interesting. I am also blocked from leaving," Greed said when Gurzick tried to leave. However, he was able to bring a few minions in. "Odd. They can come in, but they cannot leave."
"It's a warding," Malthael said, as he sensed the air. "There is a demon here. A strong one."
"A strong demon? Do we know how strong?" Ilerael asked. He had to speak out what Malthael said. No others could hear him save those that had touched Anaurael's mark.
"If there is a demon, then I will kill it," the Nephalem said and drew a weapon.
"Anaurael can't be around death!" Tyrael winced.
"Then we'll maim it until it lets her leave, and then we'll kill it!" Lyndon snorted. "A good demon is a dead demon. That's it."
"True," Darius nodded. Mithus and Azarius had their weapons drawn and ready. At the sight of two glowing red eyes in the distance, it only showed the demon was there. Fire erupted from the walls to reveal it now from a switch it stepped on. It was massive. Two giant, skeletal wings graced its back. A massive tail flicked out to shatter an old pillar in a show of sheer strength. Its face resembled a large lizard, but had oddly human characteristics. It looked like a giant Oppressor, but it was far more bulky in muscle to show off its age. Its size neatly took up a quarter of the chamber they were in when it towered over them. The giant, old, notched sword it carried glinted, but it was covered and crusted with blood from past foes. At the gold armor that decorated its chest and legs, Gurzick pointed at it.
"I know you!" Greed said with surprise. "What happened, Oalfierix? How did you get trapped here? The last time I saw you, you were wandering the Burning Hells trying to figure out what to do with your miserable hide! I think you got cast out for being a simpleton."
"What do you mean?" Tyrael asked with El'druin drawn and ready.
"He abandoned a fight in the Burning Hells. The lords were squabbling, and he decided to turncoat. As much as his leader was pissed, the other wanted nothing to do with him. So he was banished. He must have come here out of curiosity and converted this place into a trap. Likely how all the demons got here, too. He was a servant to Belial. He learned how to lie very well and convince others to join him," Greed sighed. "But, if he dies, I want his armor."
"If it's in one piece," the Nephalem growled.
"So...you know me..." the demon snorted in a gravely, rough voice and rose up tall. "But, you cannot leave! I forbid it! All that come to me belong to me!"
"So," Anaurael mused. "we can't leave, but others can be pulled in..."
"What are you suggesting?" Malthael asked.
"Anaurael?" Lilaurael asked now.
"I'm in a place filled with death," she frowned now. "If you count all the animals and small skeletons around me now..."
"Ah..." Lorath blinked.
"You should let us try to escape first," Izarius said.
"It won't matter. I can't leave. You can't leave. Even Gurzick can't teleport out. None of us can leave. I'll have to witness this violence," she winced. She was clearly worried for her offspring now. When the demon advanced, a sudden golden glow had him reeling back from the strike of a two-handed spear. Solarion struck true when Imperius came down.
"Protect her! Let me handle this demon filth!" Imperius shouted.
"Keep her surrounded with life to balance the death," Malthael suggested.
"All of you! Tight circle formation!" Izarius said quickly.
"He came down?!" Ilerael gaped.
"He's protecting his offspring," Malthael said. "Hmm. Anaurael. Focus on your mind for me."
"Okay," she nodded and closed her eyes. Malthael was now kneeling before the tower in her mind. She was standing a bit of a ways away and watched with complete fascination.
"Anu. Let me champion you," he said reverently. "Let me aid my brother in battle. I will harm no others, save the one that threatens your vessel. I seek to protect her and your growing champion within her soul. You have my vow."
At this, his scythe weapons came back to him, and his wings flared out white. They should have been lavender in color, but Anu was fueling him now, as he did before with Myriam's dream visit. It was always going to be like this now. At her stunned gaze, he moved swiftly to her side to set his weapons down and hug her. He knew she was afraid. She remembered how he came out of the ground that day, and he looked almost exactly like that. She only whispered, "Malthael...?"
"I will never hurt you," he whispered back and kissed her deeply. "I love you too much for that."
She was stunned. Completely stunned. When she opened her eyes, there was shock all around her. Malthael was solid and very much alive. But, it was only for this fight.
"Malthael?!" the Nephalem seethed.
"Be at ease. I am only aiding my brother. Anu gave me the strength to do this," Malthael said.
"He speaks the truth," Anaurael swallowed. Izarius kept her at his side. At the way Malthael's wings flared out to give a touch of Anu's presence, the Nephalem's jaw dropped. It was a feeling of complete Holy Wrath and warm life. Imperius now swerved to look at his brother with complete surprise.
"Imperius," Malthael said, as he stepped over to him. "Shall we...do the usual...?"
"Oh, yes..." Imperius seemed to smirk and ready Solarion at the cowering demon.
"She needs to leave here first," Tyrael reminded them.
"That she does," Malthael muttered and glanced at Oalfierix. The massive demon was clearly outnumbered now. He had no minions. At least that they could tell, but the demon was already wounded by Solarion in such a way that his back leg was maimed. They also knew that Oalfierix still wouldn't let Anaurael, or any others, leave the chamber. There was only one solution to this problem. "So...as you have tormented so many in your life..."
"I will not stoop so low," Imperius muttered.
"I know you will not. Neither can I. But...the Nephalem could help. We are not meant to give torture. But, the Nephalem can. We cannot kill this demon until Anaurael leaves. It is to protect Imperius's offspring," Malthael said over his shoulder to the waiting Nephalem. "If you could...kindly...have us convince this demon filth to let her leave..."
"I get the idea," the Nephalem smirked and brandished a weapon. "But, I do have another one."
"Hmm?" Imperius glanced over.
"If we have another come down here through the stairs..." the champion started.
"Would the stairs come back?!" Lorath finished.
"I think we have our answer," Tyrael mused at the sight of several angelic mortal men activating the stairs to come down quickly with their weapons drawn.
"Myriam woke us up!" Ikarius said. "Get her away from here!"
"Thank you," Tyrael nodded. Anaurael was easily swept up into his arms, and Izarius followed her. Her other brothers would help dispose of the demon. "When that thing is dead, we'll come back."
"Okay..." she murmured.
"Anaurael? What is it, sister?" Izarius asked. He knew something was bothering her.
"Malthael...I saw him ask Anu for assistance by the tower in my mind," she whispered. "And he...said he would never hurt me..."
"That's good," Tyrael nodded.
"But...it was his reason why. He said...he loved me too much..." she shivered.
"What?!" Tyrael now asked when he stopped halfway up the stairs. Izarius shook his head, but at least he knew that his sister was protected.
"Keep moving. We'll talk more later," Izarius said. Tyrael nodded. El'druin was safely strapped to his side, as they moved. When they got to the top of the stairs, she got carried into a chamber to rest. Now that she was far away from the demon, it was safe to kill it. Several minutes later, Malthael appeared at her side in his spiritual state. Imperius was at her side, too, to assess her.
"It is dead," Malthael said.
"It was dead the moment I appeared!" Imperius growled. "No matter. How is she?"
"Safe," Tyrael nodded. Imperius was quick to gather her up in his arms and press a thumb to her mark. He sensed her distress and had to find out why. Then he glared at Malthael. A shrug was given in return. Imperius growled, but then he sighed at the feel of her hand on his cheek. At the loving smile she gave him, he could hold no anger.
"You came down from Heaven," she said.
"I had to," Imperius nodded and squeezed her. "I cannot risk my offspring developing poorly. You will need to come back to Heaven soon. You cannot be on Sanctuary for too long. Tyrael can show you what he needs to show you. Then you must come back. If not, I shall fetch you."
"I shall ensure that she returns," Izarius nodded.
"She has...two hours. Safely," Malthael said. "It was good to fight again."
"As long as your mind is sane, it was good to fight with you, too," Imperius nodded. Then his tone got wary, and he said, "I can understand your affections for my ward, but do remember. She is my ward. Do not forget that."
"I am well aware," Malthael muttered. Tyrael regarded them both calmly, but he was sipping some water. At the sight of a Demon Hunter walking over to ask him a question, Anaurael was turned in Imperius's arms for his back to be presented. As much as she wanted to see what the tall, lanky man looked like in full, it would have to wait. At the sight of others finally walking out of the secret passage, he growled and moved to stand with her in a corner.
"There is no need to do this," she smiled.
"I will not pay attention to them," he muttered in a low tone for only her to hear. At her soft giggle, he squeezed her and continued to cradle her.
"Thank you for coming down to protect me," she whispered softly.
"There is no need to thank me," he replied gently. "It had to be done."
"I was...really worried..." she shivered.
"That was why I came down," he said and lifted her just enough to kiss her. "No other would have so much of my attention. Or my love."
She blushed, and he rose her up to let her wrap her arms around his neck. When she threatened to cry, he began to breathe deeply and evenly to calm her back down. He knew she felt incredibly weak without her armors and weapon. She felt useless when she couldn't help. She was forbidden to fight, and she hated it. When Malthael walked over to them, Imperius gave a snort to show he was seen.
"She should train in Heaven. When she gets a chance," Malthael said calmly. "It will help."
"I shall keep that in mind. Give us another moment. She is distressed," he said. Malthael nodded and turned to see the Vecin seer approaching them. She was leaning heavily on her ornate staff from how fast she had come over to see them. He crossed his arms over his chest to regard her when she regained herself. Imperius completely ignored her.
"She should be shown what needs to be seen now. Or it may be too late," Myriam warned.
"Is that so?" Malthael asked.
"Trust me. I know this," Myriam said. "And the golden one should return to the High Heavens. He will be sought out very soon."
"Hmm," Imperius seemed to grumble. Anaurael was able to kiss him deeply to show that she was well enough now. "I will be watching you."
"I wouldn't expect any less," she murmured and kissed him again. He chuckled softly and set her down. Then he teleported away. She missed him terribly the moment he left, but Tyrael was soon behind her to set his hands on her shoulders to comfort her. When she leaned back into him, he hugged her close to show that he was there for her. Turning in his arms, she rested her head against the cloth that covered his chest armor. Cradling her gently, he sighed with her, and they both chuckled.
"We are running out of time, it seems. Come. Let me show you what I want to show you. I promise, it's worth it," he smiled warmly. She nodded and let him kiss her softly. "I know all of this is stressful. I can see it on your face. We'll have a good meal in Heaven, too, after this. We both need that. This much I do know."
"Oh, I know it, too," she agreed. "There is much that is happening now. At least, it seems to be that way to me. Not much else to say about it."
"I'm aware of that," he nodded and led her back down the stairs. When the steps got treacherous again, Izarius was able to carry her once more.
"Get me some proper shoes," she muttered.
"And they won't go with your gown. It's fine," her brother said with a chuckle.
"Is the demon's body still there?" she frowned.
"No. It is incinerated," Malthael said, as he followed them. "Horadrim members are cleaning the place out now. It is a form of catacombs. Many areas were opened in the demon's wake, but they are being resealed carefully. Locked doors are going to be the main source of entry to them now."
When she looked over at Tyrael, he looked back at her. "Is something wrong?"
"No. I just find it curious that your armor, as a mortal, is gold. As an Archangel, it is silver," she chuckled. That had him chuckling with her.
"Well, I can only believe that it is from the energy that dissipated from me when I removed my wings. It is still my armor. It's just made more for mortal life. There isn't much else for me to say," he shrugged. "Not even I know much of what happens now."
"You may be correct," Izarius nodded. "At least the place feels better."
"That it does," Tyrael smiled and looked at the new candles lit in hanging chandeliers. Darius, Mithus and Azarius worked hard to ensure that every corner had a source of light. When she saw Willis appear with his tools to start checking to where he could work on repairs, she cringed. He saw her and made his way over to greet her. Her molten gold hair would always give her away.
"Ana?" Willis said. Darius was quick to intercept him.
"Imperius's champion is under strict guard. Please keep your distance," he said.
"Give her to me," Tyrael muttered. Izarius was able to carefully hand her over to him. "Hold my sword, please. Thank you."
"Tyrael?" she blinked. He had her hold his sword while he carried her. El'druin seemed to shimmer to show that she was accepted. Even more surprising was when her necklace started to shimmer in response to the blade. They weren't sure what was going on, but no harm was done.
"Interesting..." Malthael mused. "The unworthy one still wishes to approach."
"Fine," Tyrael nodded. When Willis started to walk over again, she found herself kissed rather deeply. This was why he wanted to hold her. The youth paused in his tracks with complete surprise. Then Tyrael looked over at him and said, "What do you want with my wife?"
"Your..." Willis blinked.
"Yes, Imperius watches over her, too. While she is in Heaven, he cares for her. When she is with me, I care for her. It's a delicate truce that we have. Of course, should he come down for her, she will be in his care until he has to go back to Heaven. It is something she cannot ignore, and even I understand her need for Imperius over me. And, don't think that she isn't being watched by him right now," Tyrael warned lightly. "Izarius, her brother here, is also her personal guard. As are Darius, Mithus, and Azarius. They are always with her now."
"We were with her since her days of birth. We are her chosen escorts," Mithus said with pride.
"Sister, we should go soon," Izarius said.
"Right. Get to work, Willis. Lorath can direct you on where to go," Tyrael nodded. "So can Xavian. I have a pressing matter to discuss with her right now."
"A pressing matter?" she rose a brow at him.
"I haven't paid much attention to you for a week. Nor have I really touched you. So, yes. Pressing matters," he said with a slightly wolfish grin at her to have her blush. "Anyways, I'll take you there. And, don't tell me to put you down. There is debris all over the floor, and I won't have your feet step all over it. It isn't far off."
"Of course," she sighed. He smiled warmly at her now and pressed another kiss to her mouth, as he carried her. When she caught a slight glance at Willis, his fists were clenched for control. Even Malthael saw that. He wasn't very pleased.
"Would he be missed, if he was culled?" Malthael mused to her.
"His father would be sore about it," she said.
"A pity. I should have recruited him into my army when I was at peak power," he muttered.
"Hmm?" Tyrael asked.
"The uncouth one is jealous," Malthael smirked.
"Demon filth..." she growled to herself. At Tyrael's look of amusement, she only shrugged with a small smile. "Blame Imperius. I got most of my moods from him."
"And her parents tried hard to remove them," Izarius chuckled.
"Good to know," Tyrael said. "Where are they?"
"They had to retire. Lilaurael began to feel ill again," Darius said. She frowned at this and seemed to look away. Tyrael set her down to gently tilt up her face to look into his.
"The next several days are dedicated to you," he said gently. "You don't have to worry about that any more. You'll be wishing I was back down here before long."
"I will?" she said and found herself laughing softly.
"And you may just join me. But, only after you use your necklace here," Tyrael said and pointed to a small indentation in another stone block. She nodded and pressed the Horadric sigil into the crevice made for it. Another shift of the wall happened, and it pulled aside easily. This time it led to a place with rays of sunshine. And a small retreat.
Her jaw dropped at the sight of something that resembled a compact jungle atrium. Large, sweet smelling, colorful flowers bloomed everywhere here. Dirt and soft moss covered the ground, and strings of harmless vines grew around an old stone bench. The bench faced a small waterfall that fed a small, crystal clear pool. She was surprised that it almost resembled the same place in her mind. It simply lacked the large trees that sheltered it. Stone walls kept the place secluded and protected.
"Is this on the surface area?" she asked.
"No. It's an underground oasis. This place was, originally, built in a cave. When I saw this place, I knew it had to be preserved. It was the only place here that one can meditate or study peacefully. All had agreed that no harm would be done to another here. You see how the sun filters through? It's all jungle above us. Seeds, plants, and other necessary particles filtered in and formed this place. We did widen up the holes, though, to let more sunlight in. As well as rain water to fuel the waterfall better. When that happened, the plant life grew richer," Tyrael said. "When the library was to be sealed, I had ensured that this place would survive against all odds. I'm very glad I did."
"You did well at that," Mithus said.
"There is something else here, though," she said. "My necklace is pulling me again."
"Is it?" Tyrael asked. She nodded before pointing to where they had to go, and he carefully led her to where a moss covered stone wall was in view. Tyrael did have a small dagger on him for emergency purposes and was able to scrape away the soft growth. It was clearly missed by the misting of the waterfall, and he wondered why it was so secret. What they revealed was ancient Horadric writing chiseled into the stone. Tyrael was clearly surprised.
"I can't read this," she frowned.
"But, I can," he said and ran a massive armored hand over it, as he read. "This is a mix of angelic text and Horadric text! Hmm."
"You read the Horadric text. I shall read the angelic text," Malthael said.
"We should get Itherael here," Izarius said. "He can help us."
"That I can," Itherael said when he appeared behind them. "Something tickled in my mind, and I checked Talus'ar. I see that I am needed. Let me study with you."
"Of course," Anaurael smiled. He rested a hand on her shoulder and kept it there, as he gleaned the text before him. Several minutes of silence ensued, as the text was read and mentally translated.
"This talks of Anu's rebirth!" Tyrael gaped.
"Yes. It does," Itherael agreed. "It has been foretold, but the knowledge was ordered to be lost. To be forgotten. After what happened with the Nephalem coming about, it was considered sacrilege to even think of mating in any possible way for the High Heavens. What's this?"
"What's what?" Tyrael asked.
"There," Itherael said and pointed to a set of characters near the base of the stone.
"That's...Ilerael's name!" Tyrael gaped again.
"He chiseled this?! My Father?!" Anaurael gasped. Malthael vanished and reappeared a moment later. Her father came down several minutes later.
"Your mother is resting. I had to see this for myself," he said. "I have never seen this before. But, I can only think of this. Your mother and I were very much in love. There were a few with the sight that saw this. I would not doubt that it was one of them that put this here. It would make the most sense."
"That it would," Tyrael said. "I had never seen this."
"Lilaurael's name is there, too," he sighed. "They knew we would get together. Let me see this."
"It is even foretold how Imperius would become whole here," Itherael pointed out again. "And...it even speaks of Anu's rebirth coming from it."
"Who could have known all of this?" Anaurael asked.
"There were always powerful people back in this time frame. Any number of them could have seen the future. Much like they had with the prophecy of the end of days. This must be what would have happened, if humanity survived the end of days. As Diablo was rebirthed and formed Tathamet with the Black Soulstone for the Burning Hells, Anu would be rebirthed to balance the scale for the High Heavens. The main difference is that it would not be a forced joining.
"With you, Anaurael, it is freely given of choice. No one has ordered Imperius to mark you. Nor has anyone scolded you for being with him in your youth. Even I, willingly, touched your mark with Auriel to ensure that Anu would have a chance to return. We know that Diablo has been set free. We do not know if he still has all of his brethren retained in him. Your safety is a priority to ensure that Anu has a chance to be reborn from you to help us combat this horrible threat," Itherael said calmly.
"To balance the scales...as you say..." Malthael said lightly.
"Exactly. We shall see what happens in the months to come. Until then, there is only speculation that can be given as to what happens next," Itherael nodded. "And, Malthael, I am very grateful that you did touch her mark when you did. Anu may not have been able to come about if you had not. Despite the side effects your touch did, it would have been lost."
"That it would have," Malthael agreed. "Anu...does show me how much I am needed. He granted me flesh to aid in a battle not long ago."
"I know. I watched in the viewing pool with Auriel. Anu knows all," Itherael said in a humble tone and gave a light squeeze to Anaurael's shoulder. He had never removed his hand from her shoulder, and he was secretly elated that she never had him move it. "As for now, Anaurael needs to return to Heaven."
"That she does," Tyrael nodded.
"I'll bring Myriam here to see if she senses anything. I'll continue to study this, too, to see if there is anything else we can find," Ilerael said. He hugged his daughter, kissed her forehead and let her get taken up to Heaven with the others. Then he went to find Lorath, Myriam and whoever else was able to help him decode the vast messages on the wall without damaging the precious atrium that was protected for so many years.