Gurzick was upset. He was trying to find that other Greed Goblin, and she kept eluding him. Greed was just amused that Gurzick was a Greed Goblin and trying to find another goblin to see what was going on. It was a rather amusing change.
"This not fair!" Gurzick scowled. "I follow her. I see new stuff. I get new stuff. Then she gone!"
He muttered and went back to his home. He decided to get some help. He called over the best higher scouts he could find and explained who they were looking for. They were all up for the challenge and dispersed. Gurzick sighed and found himself getting called over by Greed.
"Do not worry. She will be found. Just remember that we cannot interfere with her. She has duties to do. Things that need to get done. Do not get in her way. As much as I want her here, she may not be able to leave. I did want her here at first, but now I do not. I just want to know how she puts stuff as she does," Greed said. "It makes me curious."
"Yes. Hard to find, though."
"They are meant to be hard to find. Much like us. Just keep looking!" Greed chuckled and sent him off again. He knew that Gurzick was irritated. He needed his most trusted minion to work this out. For another three hours, Gurzick searched around with no luck. He pouted and plopped on the ground sadly. He didn't know what to do, and the ones he had helping him had already given up and went back.
"Hi! What's wrong?" Gahin said when she plopped down next to him. Now he blinked at her with surprise. He didn't expect this!
"Oh! I was looking for you. Um...I want to see how you put stuff in places," he said.
"I can show you! I thought you were trying to catch me. If you just want to watch what I do, then it's okay!" she beamed and giggled happily. He stood up with her now and followed her. Now Greed saw with fascination how she traced a hand over the rocks for gold veins to appear. He followed her through caves where she refilled chests that were emptied. Crypts were restocked with other treasures and fixed back up to be completely untouched. Her race was the ones that fixed everything that adventurers removed and broke into. He was floored.
"Thank you for showing," Gurzick said. Gahin nodded happily.
"Sure! If you want to see more, just call me. Here!" she said and handed over a small rainbow rock. "Rub it on something, and I'll show up!"
"Thank you!" Gurzick laughed. When she disappeared, he placed his new treasure in a special pouch at his side. It was where he kept all of his personal treasures. He even had the broken farm tool that Anaurael gave him in the very beginning. Greed had allowed him to keep it.
Now that Greed had his information and Gurzick was able to head back home for some relaxation, up in the High Heavens had even more downtime going on. Anaurael was resting on Imperius's chest in his chamber. His helmet was off, and he was monitoring her pregnancies. She had her face resting against his invisible neck with a complete form of comfort. He had one large hand on her back and the other on her belly.
"Mal is doing fine?" Imperius asked.
"I just fed him," she smiled, and he chuckled softly.
"Good," he said and stroked her hair. "That dream was very different. I still didn't like it."
"I know," she nodded and yawned with exhaustion.
"Rest, my ward," he whispered. She closed her eyes and succumbed to his soft massaging to her back. As she dreamt, she found herself back in her mind where Itherael was waiting for her. He pulled her close to cradle her.
"I had to wait for you," he said.
"Is something wrong?" she asked softly.
"Not anymore," he chuckled and kissed her gently.
"You know...you could find a girl for yourself now," she started, and he pressed a finger to her lips to quiet her with a soft sigh.
"I already found her. And she's here with me now," he whispered and traced a finger over her cheek. "I don't want another. There is no need for it."
"I just...feel bad that..." she frowned. Once again, he silenced her with a gentle touch of his finger to her lips. He lifted her in his arms and simply held her.
"Don't worry. I'm fine. Just rest now," he said softly. As she was now fully resting in both physical and mental states, on Sanctuary, Tyrael was going through Kulle's old library. He was not pleased at what he was finding. He also managed to track down the scribe that made the copied notes. Those were quickly confiscated. When the scribe tried to explain the value of the notes, Tyrael could only sigh hard and shake his head. Agrius was told to stay visible for situations like this to show how protected Tyrael was, as well as to play out as being a witness to such things. It was to show that Tyrael was serious in everything involving Zoltun Kulle.
"It was agreed to not make copies!" Tyrael argued. "We had one Zoltun Kulle. We don't need another! You went around our decision by doing this. You are now on trial."
"But...the knowledge..." the scribe simpered. Tyrael scowled and turned to walk away. Then something caught his attention. A small sparkling glint along a wall crevice seemed to reach out to him. He paused at this and went to the wall. Now the scribe paled.
"You...no..." Tyrael whispered. Agrius caught the small shimmering, too, and withdrew his sword to pry the wall apart. A small crystal formation was there. And in it was an angel. "You used an angel to test it with?! This is sacrilege!"
"Oh...I did? I thought it was a demon!" the scribe admitted. Tyrael was furious. He carefully picked up the small, reddish black Soulstone crystal and studied the soul inside. It was, actually, one of Malthael's minions. Tyrael sighed at how the angel could have been mistaken for a demon.
"Do you think that Malthael would know how to free the trapped one?" Agrius asked.
"It's possible. The only problem is that I can't really risk taking it up to Heaven. I don't want Anaurael to become affected by it, if it does something. Ah! If Mal is sleeping, call on Malthael to be here, please," Tyrael said. The scribe was shocked by this news, but other Horadrim members were taking him away now. When Malthael appeared, he was amused at the sight of the crystal.
"Such a thing...brings back so many memories..." Malthael mused, as he studied it. "And it is flawed. A rough design. Ah! Here. If you strike here, it will shatter and free the soul."
Just as Agrius readied to strike down, Myriam appeared to block the strike with her staff, and she said, "Do not do it! You will draw yourself in!"
"What?" Agrius asked and pulled his sword away.
"This stone...it's different," she frowned. "Any that attack it get pulled in."
"What?!" Tyrael gaped. Now Malthael found himself intrigued.
"Give it to the Nephalem to have it tested on a demon or two. I cannot see how much it can hold, but do be wary. If you want it broken, let another do it for you," Myriam advised.
"Very well. I'll find the Nephalem," Tyrael nodded. Then he saw Izual appear.
"Let me fetch the Nephalem," he nodded. Tyrael mildly embraced his best friend and let Izual do his job. The Nephalem was quick to appear to help.
"Where is it?" the champion asked. Tyrael showed off the small crystal. Disgust was quickly given over, as it was taken. "I'll see what happens with demons hitting it."
"Tell the Nephalem to not stand too close," Malthael advised.
"It could be a ticking time bomb. It could explode. Also, one of Malthael's minions is trapped in it. If the minion gets free, I don't know what it will do," Tyrael warned.
"Understood," the Nephalem nodded and walked out swiftly. When the scribe saw the champion with his prized crystal, he shrieked and lunged out. The men holding the scribe were shocked at how fast the older man moved to reclaim his created prize. The champion fought over the crystal at first, but the scribe won and swallowed it. Now Myriam gave a gasp of horror.
"Ready yourselves to fight!" she said and backed away. The scribe screamed, as the Soulstone molded to his body from the inside out and forced him to change. Spine-like wings erupted from his back, and his body elongated into something akin to more demon than angel. He howled with rage and quickly attacked. Malthael called on any from Anaurael's mind to help. Imperius would have appeared, but he was keeping Anaurael safe in Heaven. Itherael and Auriel couldn't go, either, but they were quick to send word to the Host to be prepared if called on. Erelus would have gone, but Elaine needed him. Imperael was quick to come down, though. When Anarius appeared, the battle was over from his intense defensive boosts. He saw this as a direct threat to Heaven.
"I SHALL CRUSH YOU!" Anarius howled with rage and charged over. The poor, corrupted man was ripped apart shortly after.
"Another victim of Kulle," Tyrael muttered and wiped El'druin clean. He was just pissed that the trapped soul within the Soulstone was lost.
"DO NOT WORRY, FATHER. THE ANGEL IS FREE NOW AND AT PEACE," Anarius said and placed a large hand on his shoulder.
"I know. But, now I have to wonder. Each scribe that looked at these notes could have become corrupted. We need to have their quarters searched. Quickly!" Tyrael said. Agrius called forth the scouting angels to do just that. Izual was not happy with what was going on. Four scribes didn't see the notes and were spared. The ones that did see the notes all had copies. And all had Soulstones. None of them wanted to give up their prizes without a fight. They were all swiftly put down.
"There were souls in all of those Soulstones," Malthael said with disdain. "From human, to demon, to more angels. Your brethren were fully corrupted."
"I don't know how many of these Soulstones were made. And I don't know if any were passed out," Tyrael growled. "Search everywhere! We need to make sure that all of them were retrieved!"
"We shall search, Wise One," an angelic scout whispered and moved off. What they didn't know was that Willis had snuck a stone out from one of the rooms. He had no idea of the danger he just put himself into. He had found it while looking for building supplies. It was left unguarded for some strange reason. The stone called to him from the table it was left on. The demon's spirit within was Baal. As to how such a powerful, dark soul was imprisoned in it, no one would ever know. But, Baal sensed that Willis was a special case. And, with the sense of danger coming to mind, he had to act.
A sickeningly sweet voice now filled Willis's mind to keep quiet and to flee. Willis was completely overcome with the sensation. He simply had no choice. Baal knew that he could use this young one to properly free him for possible possession. He didn't know that the stone could be swallowed for instant possession, but he didn't want Willis to be caught. The human was his ticket to possible freedom. The young man was almost free of the area when his father called for him for help.
"Willis! Get over here and help me out!" Harvey shouted.
"I'm busy!" Willis growled. Now his father noticed something odd. My son never argued with me before about work. The man was quick to approach his son only to get punched in the gut. Then he watched his progeny bolt for it. The hit done wasn't a normal one, either. It was far too strong and forced for a normal punch. Several Horadrim members saw the whole thing and were quick to run to Harvey's aid to help him.
"My son...hit me..." Harvey winced.
"He might have one," one of the men whispered.
"Quick! Follow him!" another ordered.
"Have what?" Harvey asked.
"Something evil," a man muttered and helped Harvey to the medical tent. Tyrael was soon informed, and he ran over to where Harvey was to get the full story. At the shock of this outrage, he watched Anarius move swiftly with Imperael to track down Willis. The youth didn't get very far.
"He must be heavily corrupted to attack his own sire!" Imperael grunted as he ran.
"SOMETHING OF INTENSE EVIL YOU WOULD THINK," Anarius agreed. A mental call was sent through to Imperius from him with the help of Anaurael's mind. Imperius was quick to grant permission to have several of the newly born, powerful angels to help assist in the pursuit. The Host was already warned that their aid may be needed. This was definite proof. The Nephalem was soon running along with them with the mercenaries in tow.
"Willis actually struck down his own father," Lyndon muttered with disgust.
"That upsets you?" Kormac grunted in his run.
"You don't strike down blood relatives. You give them a chance to explain themselves first! And Willis was never the one to go against his father. Think about it!" he argued.
"He is right," Eirena said, as she evaluated everything. "He kept trying to prove himself."
"Well, if he doesn't comply, he'll end up buried," the Nephalem said, as they ran.
"But, what would be strong enough to have him do this?!" Kormac asked.
"Don't ask," the Nephalem said wisely. That got Kormac to agree completely.
"There he is!" a warrior angel said when they cornered Willis. He was holding the stone out as though ready to fling it at them. Now they saw the whole reason for his bizarre behavior.
"Willis, put that down," the Nephalem said calmly. "You'll feel better."
"No! It's mine!" Willis seethed.
"As long as he doesn't swallow it," Imperael muttered. Now Willis blinked at him and looked at the stone. The pause was long enough for Lyndon to fire a bolt right into his hand. Willis yelped at the wound, and the stone fell to the ground.
"Don't touch it!" the Nephalem ordered. Willis was just gasping in shock, as his mind cleared. Kormac was quick to haul him away now that the dangerous stone was out of his grasp. One could almost hear the howling screech of anger that came from the stone now. Anarius knelt down to evaluate the stone. He trembled with rage.
"A PRIME EVIL SOUL IS IN THIS STONE! I DO NOT KNOW WHICH ONE, BUT THIS SOUL IS FULLY TRAPPED FOR NOW. WE NEED TO THINK OF WHAT TO DO WITH IT," Anarius said. Malthael was quick to appear to study it. He snorted with amusement.
"It is Baal. I recognize the scent from the soul. If his soul is here, then the others are definitely free and roaming about. It is not safe to free him. He must remain trapped," Malthael said.
"Baal?! He is in that?!" Imperael asked. Now the Nephalem paled at the name.
"Will he get tempted again?" Kormac asked, as he helped bandage up Willis's wounded hand.
"He handled the stone. It's possible," the Nephalem sighed. "We need to tell Tyrael."
"I shall," Malthael nodded and vanished.
"It's being done now. Willis should go back to be treated," Izual said when he appeared. "I was just contacted and informed, as you can see. Tyrael will be here soon."
"What do we do with this?" Imperael asked and pointed his weapon at the stone on the ground.
"IT CANNOT BE HELD IN HEAVEN. IT MAY CAUSE CORRUPTION. IT MAY NEED TO BE CONFINED WITH THE OTHERS. NEPHALEM, DO YOU STILL HAVE THE OTHER?" Anarius asked.
"The original one, no. I don't have it. But, I do have another that was confiscated," the champion nodded. "What should we do?"
"I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE CONFINED AND NOT DESTROYED. SUCH FORMS OF BLASPHEMY AND SACRILEGE NEED TO BE REMOVED AND HIDDEN. POSSIBLY EVEN GUARDED AWAY. SUCH DISGUST CANNOT DO TO REMAIN IN SIGHT."
"But, what of the stones that have angels in them?" Kormac asked.
"Let them know that I can tell which stones hold angels or demons," Malthael said when he reappeared. "I can help."
"MALTHAEL WILL ASSIST IN DISCERNING WHICH STONE WILL BE SAFE TO TRY AND DESTROY," Anarius said. "THESE THINGS CANNOT GET INTO THE WRONG HANDS."
"Agreed," the Nephalem nodded. When Tyrael managed to get to them, he knelt down to study the stone. He got one whiff of the evil that seethed from it, and he grimaced.
"Yes. That's Baal. I know his scent well," he growled at the recollection from the Worldstone chamber. "Get me a stick and bag."
"Here," Lyndon said and handed over one of his own satchels.
"Giving away something freely?" Kormac smirked.
"Who's to say it wasn't yours?" Lyndon smirked back. That got a scowl from the ex-Templar and small chuckles from the others. A stick was soon found, and the stone was carefully pushed into the bag. The Nephalem dropped the other stone being carried into it, and they all paused. The stones merged together. Tyrael was shocked once more.
"Separate bags for them all," Izual said. "We'll see what we can do to free the trapped angels."
"Hand me the stones with the angels in them," the champion said. "I'll get other monsters to break them open for us. I can use the Khazra clans that roam the area."
"That might work," Kormac agreed. Eirena could only nod, too. Willis was still trying to recover from the effects of Baal's influence. It was going to be a very rough night from the nightmares he would be forced to endure. Most of them would deal with the Prime Evil's glory days in battle and long nights of being trapped by Tal Rasha. The only thing the others could hope for was that Willis didn't change from this. He would be watched far more closely than before.