The Nephalem was laughing at what was found out in Heaven with the gold coin. Lyndon could only wonder who was hit. He was hoping it was someone that deserved it. Of course, they all did in that guild. Kormac was even laughing with amusement.
"Causing pain is funny?" Eirena frowned.
"To those you don't care about, yes," Lyndon grinned.
"So, I can do something to you?" Kormac smirked at him.
"What?!" the scoundrel gaped, and the Nephalem started laughing again. "No! We're on the same team. At least, I hope we are. Anyways, what's the plan?"
"Pandemonium," the champion said. "Zayl is going to join us with an escort of angels. We need to infiltrate where Malthael died. We also need to destroy whatever is allowing those things to teleport into Sanctuary. And, most importantly, we cannot mention that Malthael still exists. Heaven could become attacked again. If it is, Anaurael's health would be at risk. I want her to succeed in giving birth to Anu's champion. That is important."
"That it is," Kormac nodded. "The Light will definitely win against all odds!"
"There you all are," Tyrael said when he walked over with Zayl and his angelic escort. "Have you all decided on who is going with you?"
"Don't leave me out!" Humbert said.
"As if I could attempt to," Zayl smirked. The skull scowled at this and paused when Malthael appeared. Zayl looked over at Tyrael.
"Only you and Tyrael can see me," Malthael said to Zayl. "I have a message to inform you both of. Tyrael cannot join you at any time. If he does, the energy pattern of Pandemonium may linger on him and harm Anaurael. Also, I have a small...favor...to ask of the skull. If you accept, just make a small sound. Or simply start it. Make the human thief incredibly uncomfortable in any way possible."
"So, Lyndon," Humbert said. "you did bathe before you got here, right?"
"I am always clean!" Lyndon retorted. "That's not an issue!"
"Maybe he should walk behind us. Or even ahead of us," Humbert mused. Malthael chuckled, nodded, and vanished away. Tyrael now wondered why this was needed. Then his Wisdom put it into complete perspective. Malthael was brilliant.
"Ah! I get it now," Tyrael said. "Distractions."
"Distractions?" Zayl frowned.
"The demons and enemies being encountered are very smart. If there is idle banter, it would throw them off. They would be listening for anything important. So, if Humbert carries on, they'll be focused on him and not the party group. That makes sense," Tyrael grinned.
"You mean I can pick on anyone?!" Humbert seemed to gasp with delight.
"If you pick on me, I'll drop you into the first bottomless hole we find," the Nephalem warned.
"And I'll have Malthael shut you up for an hour, if you attack me," Zayl muttered under his breath. Humbert had already agreed to leave the two of them alone.
"Who else is going with you?" Tyrael asked. Then he blinked at a soft, mental pulse. "Apparently, I won't find out. I'm being called back to Heaven."
"Then go. We'll be fine," Zayl nodded. Tyrael nodded back and vanished away to help comfort his wife. Kormac was already looking over his weapons, and Eirena was refocusing on her spells. When the Demon Hunter, Vincent, appeared with his dual crossbows, Humbert gave a sigh of relief. Zayl glanced down at the floating skull in his hand and asked, "What was that for?"
"We finally have someone here that knows how to hit a target or two!" the skull said.
"I beg your pardon?!" Lyndon gaped. Vincent rose a brow from within his hood and wisely kept quiet on this. Kormac coughed down his laugh. The Nephalem's eyes rolled, but a small chuckle was heard all the same. Eirena pursed her lips with a smile. Zayl only knew that this trip was going to be interesting. Even the angelic guards that escorted him were highly amused.
The Monk soon appeared with the Barbarian from their trip to the Burning Hells. The Wizard appeared next, and, to their surprise, a Witch Doctor made a way over to them. He looked elderly and frail, but his knowledge of the spirits and voodoo arts made him a force to be reckoned with.
"Where do we go?" he asked from within his elaborate mask. It resembled a lizard's face with massive tusks coming out. Large, unknown feathers of a brilliant green with black striping decorated it along the edges. Even as his form wavered, the light cloth armor with bits of steel covered over his legs, chest, and back held firm to his form. Bracers were on his arms, and his feet were barefoot save for some armor on top of them. A dagger with a nasty blade was on his side, and a coiled snake struggled to be free of the pouch it was held in. The snake was a breed that let him commune with the spirits as he fought.
"We need to go to Pandemonium. From what I understand, the place is full of enemies," Zayl explained. At this, the Witch Doctor mused and chanted. A massive, undead beast rose up from the ground and towered over the Barbarian. Smaller undead dogs that seemed to seethe with flames were next to be seen, as they clawed free of the earth. Humbert was impressed.
"I shall help maintain control. They will not hurt you. But, they will feast on any that attempt to harm us," the Witch Doctor nodded. The massive giant looked around and seemed to sigh, as it lumbered for balance in a shifting way.
"I should, too," Vincent mused and whistled for a set of black ferrets to run out to him from the shadows. They both chittered and snuggled into his boots playfully to show they were ready. "If I must, I can call on one other if the battle is too much."
"Which one is that?" Lyndon asked. Vincent let the ferrets dissipate, and a wolf was quick to charge to his side with a seething snarl. "Oh! Well...I guess you're covered."
"You would hope so. If you've lived as long as you have, just stick to what you know," Vincent nodded. He checked Danetta's Spite and Danetta's Revenge. They both held emeralds in them of superb quality to help him focus on dealing far more lethal blows. When Gurzick appeared, the Nephalem nodded to the Greed Goblin.
"We go?" Gurzick asked.
"Yes. To Pandemonium," the champion nodded again.
"Before we go," the Monk said. "I have a question for you, little one."
"Me?" Gurzick asked with a tilt of his head.
"Yes. You work in trade?" the Monk asked and knelt down to regard him.
"Yes! You trade?" he asked. Greed was always skeptical on trades done without the girl with him, but, for important missions like these, he allowed such trades.
"What can you do with these?" the Monk asked and showed off his dual fist weapons.
"Hmm..." Greed now mused from the crown. "I could give you a sister pair. Or another set that could work well together. But, only if you vow to protect the child as the others do."
"Child?" the Monk frowned.
"Anaurael," Zayl chuckled.
"Easily. No more needs to be said," the Monk agreed.
"Are you mainly for attack? Or for control? Or both?" Greed asked, as he thought aloud.
"You could say both. I have been trying to assist in various ways."
"I have something. Let my minions bring them to you," Greed said. Within a few minutes, two other Greed Goblins appeared to give Gurzick a couple items and vanished away. "I had to...ah...find them from other creatures. Not from other humans, of course, but I knew where these were. There are others of their like out there, but these are the best ones. Give over your old ones, if you could."
"Here," the Monk nodded and gave over the worn down weapons. If his eyes could bug out of his head, then they likely would have. The legendary Sledge Fist and another called the Fist of Az'Turrasq were now given over. As the first one would stun, the other would turn the enemy into a ticking time bomb with the proper exploding mantra applied to the monster's aura. "I believe the tides have finally turned for us with these."
"Unfortunately, I could not get gems for them. There are no spots for either. But, I think that large female could help at some point. If you think it would be necessary," Greed said.
"No. This is plenty. I thank you," the Monk nodded and stood up with his new weapons secured.
"Hmm..." the Barbarian frowned and looked down at his axe. "May as well..."
"Oh?" Gurzick asked him now.
"What can you do for this?" the Barbarian said and showed off the two-handed axe.
"Ah!" Gurzick beamed and snapped his fingers. The large axe was easily taken away by another set of Greed Goblins, and a very different axe was dropped down for him.
"Madawc's Sorrow?!" the Barbarian blinked. "Hmm. As much as it looks good, I was thinking of going dual axe. Can you assist?"
"Interesting! Let me see what I can find," Greed said and had the axe taken back. Two weapons were now set down. The Barbarian reached down to pick them up and test them.
"The Burning Axe of Sankis and...did you really give this to me? A sickle from one of the Butcher demons?!" the massive man laughed at the spiked, hook-like axe. It was designed to pull enemies to him. "Very well. I shall test these."
"You know, I could use a new wand," the Wizard mused.
"Is everyone getting upgrades now?" the Nephalem sighed.
"Well, they have to be prepared, right?" Zayl chuckled.
"A question for you," Greed said. "I do have a sister pair available."
"A sister pair?" the Wizard frowned.
"Like my crossbows," Vincent said.
"Oh! Well...I suppose. Ah. You need my wand and source?" she asked.
"Yes. I will trade them out," Greed said with a giggle. He considered all trades as a form of secret loan. The moment they were done using what he gave out, his minions easily got them back for him. Now she received, with complete shock, Chantodo's Will. When she handled her new source, it was Chantodo's Force. She knew there were other better ones out there, but these were a massive upgrade from what she used before.
"I am good with what I have," the Witch Doctor chuckled. Then he went speechless at the sight of a dagger called The Spider Queen's Grasp. He already chucked spider pots at the enemy to slow them down. The offered dagger would create a sticky web to further hinder any that got too close. "Okay. I was wrong. Here is my old weapon."
"How do you find all of these?!" Lyndon asked.
"I have my secrets. You have yours," Greed cackled. "Any other trades before we go?"
"I think we're good. Unless others are assisting. It's doubtful," the Nephalem said.
"I could use a new staff," Eirena smiled.
"Take that gem out first, and we'll see," the champion chuckled.
"It does not have to be right now," she said. "Maybe I will find a better one when we travel."
"You don't want to trade?" Greed seemed to pout.
"Well...I cannot remove this gem without Shen's help," she frowned.
"Give me the staff!" Greed insisted and had Gurzick take it from her. The staff was very basic, and he knew she needed something much better. The Nephalem was actually amused now. Greed took it as an insult, if anyone refused to trade with him. This would be remembered.
A new staff was ready the moment Greed got the old one. When it was presented to her, Eirena's jaw dropped at the red staff that flared out red warning vibes to fear any enemies that saw it. Now the Wizard looked over and said, "Is that Maloth's Focus?!"
"I believe so," Eirena swallowed and took it. "Ah...thank you! Yes! Thank you so much!"
"Of course. And you?" Greed seemed to have Gurzick gesture to Kormac.
"There is no need for me. What you gave me before still works just fine," he chuckled.
"Doubtful," Greed muttered and had a goblin deliver a one-handed sword called Exarian. Kormac cleared his throat and found himself trading out his old sword easily. "And your shield?"
"I think I'm good at that," the older warrior nodded.
"Fine. Now I believe we are ready to go," Greed chuckled.
"Why are you so helpful?" the Monk asked.
"Because of the girl. That's why. Besides, I like to see some of these treasures put to good use! It wouldn't do to see them lounging around in so much dirt. Anyways, shall we go?" Greed asked.
"Yes. Let's go," the Nephalem nodded. One of the angels of Zayl's escort opened a portal for the group to get to Heaven. When they got there, the ones that hadn't been there yet could only look at the sheer wonder of the Diamond Gates. At the sight of who was standing in front of them, Lyndon was about to walk over, but Kormac hauled him back.
"Don't do it," the large man warned. "You're in enough trouble here."
"Not even a friendly hello?" the scoundrel frowned.
"No!" Kormac growled. The Nephalem nodded at this and waved to Tyrael. Anaurael was being cradled by Imperius in his arms. Imperius was going to assist in opening the portal to Pandemonium. As much as the others would do it, he had to ensure that it went well.
"You can stand?" Imperius asked Anaurael gently.
"I can," she nodded. She had her hand on his cheek to help give him the mental focus he needed for this, and he kissed her palm before setting her down on her feet. Those who hadn't fully seen her yet could only pause at the sheer beauty she had in her golden finery. Tyrael moved to let her lean into him, and he placed a hand over her belly.
"I'll see what I can do about your back later, okay?" he soothed.
"Okay," she nodded. Imperius moved to where the portal was and opened it.
"Go. It's open. I did give my warriors with you a mild order to send any other angels they find in the field of battle to come back here. So, if you see any others, you can assist with this," Imperius said with a mild mutter. "I do not know how many are out there."
"If we see them, we will tell them," the champion nodded.
"You cannot fetch them yourself?" the Wizard frowned.
"Even you have your duties," Imperius responded with a small snort. "And I need to protect Anaurael. I cannot linger from Heaven for so long. It can harm her."
"You know, I did see a frozen battle between a group of angels and demons," Greed mused from the crown. "They may not recognize the ones here, save for your escort."
"If you find them, you bring them back," Imperius nodded. "And slaughter the opposition!"
"Why should we take orders from you?" the Barbarian growled.
"If not for him, then for me," Anaurael said softly. "Anu is calling back all of his warriors to strengthen the High Heavens. I do not know why, but this is urgent. If there is a powerful angel lost in Pandemonium, then we must bring this one back. It is imperative."
"For you, we can do this," the Wizard nodded with a smile.
"I know that Imperius is...rather brash," Anaurael chuckled. Then she laughed when Imperius glanced at her with a small grumble. "but he truly does mean well."
"I am not brash!" Imperius growled.
"Love, you know you can be if you let yourself get that way," she smiled warmly. Tyrael was keeping his mouth shut, as he supported her. Zayl could only muse at everything.
"You called him...?" the Monk frowned.
"I'll explain should you get back here," Tyrael chuckled. "It's a delicate situation."
"They should not know anything," Imperius muttered, moved to Anaurael's side and scooped her back up into his arms. She put her hand back on his cheek to feel him tremble with a form of hidden relief. He pressed his thumb to her mark, invisible to the group of Nephalem and mortals, and he said, "You're hungry. I'll take you back to your chambers."
She could only nod with exhaustion and let him teleport her away. Now Tyrael breathed out a sigh and looked at them all. Then he said, "Only she can keep him focused. If she wasn't here, you would see a much different version of him. A very bitter and self-absorbed Archangel."
"I am surprised at how calm he was," the Nephalem admitted. "I was expecting him to get into a tirade of rapports and threats."
"That is what can happen if she isn't with him," Tyrael nodded. "She is the Light that he lost."
"As you have said," Kormac nodded. At the Song that was heard on the wind, Zayl paused in remembrance. Then Kormac realized what it was. "She's Singing again?"
"Yes. It helps calm Imperius that much more," Tyrael smiled.
"Such divine music!" Greed said from the crown. "I will never get tired of hearing such!"
"This song is strange," Vincent mused.
"It's a Song. Her way of showing her joy and happiness. It is such a powerful Song that it can call multiple angels from the Crystal Arch in rapid succession. It can also drain her. As much as she would Sing for more angels to appear, Anu warned her not to. If she Sings to the Arch, then she may be calling forth his champion too soon. So, she Sings for the High Heavens with Imperius," Tyrael explained. "It is safe for her to Sing like this with Imperius. It also keeps him calm and focused."
"So, the low tones are Imperius?" the Wizard asked.
"That's right," Tyrael smiled. The Witch Doctor was simply amazed at what he was hearing. There was a sheer form of power in the tune. Even he knew that the spirits would be unable to try singing with this. But, as the small group listened, they became empowered when the Song reached its highest peak in tone and vibrancy. Even Humbert still found himself in awe whenever he heard this.
"When does she plan to call more angels?" the Monk asked.
"It would be after she gives birth. It would be the only time," Tyrael said.
"I would like to be here to witness such an event," the Barbarian nodded.
"If you do well, then it can be arranged," Itherael said when he appeared. "I am Itherael, Archangel of Fate. It is an honor to meet with you all. My Scroll of Fate has issued a dire warning. When you go through Pandemonium to find Malthael's old retreat, please do so with caution. Do not stray far from each other. Your teamwork will be necessary. Also, when you find our lost brethren in question, do be wary of any other foes that may be lost with them."
"Your warning is noted," the Nephalem nodded. "We were also warned from Greed."
"Tyrael, you need to go to her side. Imperius needs to work with the troops again," Itherael said.
"Fight well and come back alive," Tyrael nodded to the group. Itherael was able to place a hand on his shoulder to teleport them away.
"You heard him! Let's go!" Humbert said. Zayl nodded and looked at his angelic escort. The angels were ready to fight. The group looked at the looming portal before them and walked into it.