Tyrael was informed of the issue later the next day. He was a touch disturbed about it. He knew the Nephalem was going to help. So were any others that knew they had to assist. Kalgor was already planning on going. So was Salauriel.
"Do we have any ideas on what is happening?" she asked him.
"Not really. Just that the Wizard got a message from her homeland. That something bad happened. We have to see what it is," he said. She nodded back and watched the two Witch Doctors appear with their angelic partners.
"We must go, too," the female Witch Doctor said. "The spirits are restless there."
"Yes. They say we must help," the male Witch Doctor said. Their angelic partners simply hovered silently behind them. Vincent was soon appearing with his angelic female partner. He was glancing at her mildly.
"I'll be fine," she chuckled.
"I hope so," he muttered.
"Hmm?" Kalgor asked.
"Oh. Eh...she's apparently pregnant..." he said with a slight cough. "Not sure how..."
"Do I have to explain how it works again?" she asked. At the small glare of amusement he gave her, she laughed softly at him. "Although, I do prefer the physical explanation better."
"Stop it!" he growled and shook his head. She knew him far too well. As much as the others gave congratulatory chuckles, he just sighed. When the Monk and the Crusader began to walk over, the others noticed their angelic female partners following at a small distance behind them.
"I don't want you hurt," the Crusader said to his female.
"Byden, I'll be fine," she soothed.
"You, too?!" Vincent asked with amazement.
"What?" he asked.
"Ah! Are you also pregnant?" Vincent's angelic female asked.
"I'm...um...just a few days along, apparently..." she chuckled softly.
"I'm slightly further along," the Monk's angelic female said.
"We are lacking..." the Witch Doctor female's angelic male whispered to her.
"It will happen in time," the female Witch Doctor smiled. When the male Witch Doctor's angelic female glanced at him, he put up his hands to give the same answer. When Mai and Tobirael finally appeared, she was being carried by him.
"You can put me down now," she said.
"No," he grunted. "Nothing is touching you."
"Do I say congratulations now? Or later?" the Monk asked. At this news, Tobirael found himself chuckling. Then he learned of the others around them.
"Oh, Kalgor," Salauriel said. "That does remind me..."
"What?" he asked.
"I felt funny earlier today," she started. Now he stared at her with disbelief.
"That's how you know," Vincent's angelic female said.
"She's right," the Monk's angelic female chuckled. Now Kalgor regarded her and cleared his throat with a bit of an over-protective standpoint.
"You will fight if you absolutely must," he growled.
"I understand," she nodded back.
"Well," Byden sighed. "I guess that, if we are all going to be traveling together, names would be in order. What do you all think?"
"It would make sense," Mai nodded. "I'm Mai Ling. Tobirael is carrying me."
"And not letting you down," he said despite her eye roll.
"I go by Moolara," the female Witch Doctor said. "My mate's name is Mirdael."
"I am called Sohar. My mate is Taylauriel," the male Witch Doctor said.
"Well, she already said it, but my name's Byden. Her name is Nikauriel," the Crusader nodded.
"And I can be called by the name Jozin. She is Sylauriel," the Monk said calmly.
"Most know me now as Kalgor. She is Salauriel," the Barbarian grunted.
"Vincent here, as you all know. She's Zynaurael," he said and got his arm squeezed by her.
"Now that we are all on a good name basis," Byden said. "we need to get a move on. Where is our champion? Are we ready to move?"
"We are," Kalgor nodded.
"I am. She's staying put where she is now. I won't have her walk," Tobirael said. Mai just sighed and shook her head. When Izual appeared, they all looked at him questionably.
"Tyrael would like me to accompany you in his stead. He can see what happens through me," Izual explained. That had them all nod. Introductions were made as they walked, and Izual nodded to them all. Azurewrath gave off its chilling aura as a warning to anything that could be around them. When Malthael appeared, Izual slowed up to talk to him.
"I am going to speak with the Vecin woman about Tyrael's dream," he said.
"Good. Please do," Izual agreed. When Malthael managed to approach Myriam, she was already expecting him. And she looked very irritated.
"You should have come to me the moment that dream happened!" she snapped at him.
"So...it's a truth?" Malthael asked.
"No. But it shows that he is getting stronger. When others dream of him, it feeds him. Their fear and terror. Tyrael needs to remove such thoughts now. Any form of terror or fear from powerful figures can easily help him turn the tides in healing. Tyrael needs to remove such thoughts," she said.
"Good to know. I shall report this now," Malthael nodded. "Oh. And this new threat...in the lands of spell crafting..."
"The sooner we fix that place, the better it will be," Myriam said.
"Do you know what lies in wait?" Malthael asked.
"It is nothing that combined forces cannot handle," she said with a small smile.
"I see. Thank you," Malthael nodded. He knew that combined forces could be Xiansai's mages working with the Nephalem, or just what they had working together. It could mean several things. He had studied humans for an exceptionally long time. There was never a straight answer to any solution.
When he reported to Izual with a soft whisper, the massive angel nodded. Then he paused. Malthael was also a touch surprised. Izual felt the small pull again and asked, "What am I feeling?"
"Anaurael is calling you. Go to her," he said. Izual nodded and vanished back up to Heaven. For some odd reason, she was alone in her room. He walked over to her, and she hugged him. Malthael did remain close by, but was soon pulled in by Mal. The baby was a touch active, and he wanted the child to sleep more.
"Thanks for coming," she said. "Everyone had to leave suddenly. I got lonely. I don't know why they all left, either."
"That is odd," Izual nodded. "But, why did you call for me?"
"No others were responding," she whimpered softly. Now he was alarmed. Something had to be wrong. He shook his head and thought.
"I shall remain with you for as long as I must," he said. This is my little sister, after all. She nodded and let him hug her to comfort her. He would easily protect her. After several minutes, Tyrael walked in with an apologetic expression.
"Your parents revealed something to us just a bit ago. Ah, today is a rather special day. None of us knew until they said something. Today is, oh, what? The thirtieth of April?" Tyrael mused.
"Yes. I was born today. Wait...OH!" she gasped with complete shock. "I had completely forgotten! I mean..."
"That you have," Tyrael smiled greatly. "You are now nineteen, right?"
"Yes," she blushed.
"So, that's why you all left?" Izual chuckled.
"Yes. We were planning something for her. We tried to be as quick as we could. Imperius is waiting for you. Come with me," Tyrael said and took her and Izual to the viewing chamber.
"My ward," Imperius said and pulled her into his arms. "My apologies for worrying you. We are setting up a feasting table for you. I want you to watch what happens down below, and, as my gift to you, I would like you to see about what decisions are to be done on assisting them from here. Izual shall tell them what you decide. I want you to help lead them from afar."
"I..." she blinked and couldn't believe the honor he just bestowed on her. "Imperius..."
"I love you," he whispered in her ear and kissed her gently.
"I love you, too," she swallowed.
"Happy birthday," he chuckled and squeezed her. "I'll give you another gift later in my sanctum. After all of this is seen to on Sanctuary."
She blushed at that when he laughed softly in her ear. He shared a passionate kiss with her and set her down in the regal chair that was placed before an elegant table. A roasted suckling pig dish was sent in front of her, and Tyrael eagerly joined her. Then, much to her surprise, her parents appeared with Loremy, Durlin, and her baby sister. She beamed with joy at them at all.
"We have other adopted family members, but we know how hectic it can be with so many. We had adopted in three others. Two boys and a girl. We didn't know if you could handle them here," Ilerael said with a small shrug. At this, Tyrael thought.
"Are they well-behaved?" he asked.
"They behave when I warn them," Ilerael smiled.
"As long as they understand their places," Imperius said. Lilaurael smiled and whispered softly to the baby in her arms. When the other three children arrived, Anaurael greeted them warmly, and they were informed of where they were. The girl had pretty brown eyes and blonde hair. The two boys were identical twin brothers with black hair and intensely green eyes. After they settled down, and gaped at the angels around them, they were quickly fed. Tyrael glanced over at Lilaurael and chuckled at the small infant in her arms. He laughed at the small smile he got in return. She clearly liked angels.
"What is her name? I don't think you have told us yet," Auriel said with a soft laugh. The small girl looked at her and rose up her small arms to get picked up by the powerful Archangel. "Oh! Can I?"
"Sure," Lilaurael smiled and shifted the baby to be held. "Her name is Danyauriel. We call her Dany for short. Isn't that right?"
The baby laughed and happily pat on Auriel's shoulder armor. Itherael was seen next, and a happy baby laugh was given to him, too. Izual placed a hand on Durlin's shoulder with a nod.
"It's good to see you, but I have pressing business in Sanctuary. You can watch what I do from here. Learn what you can," Izual advised.
"I'll do that!" Durlin nodded. Imperael was next to appear, and he gave Loremy his own pat to the head. He squeezed Anaurael's shoulder, and she patted his hand affectionately. When the other three children saw his size, the massive Archangel laughed and introduced himself. Then he turned his attention to Anaurael.
"Anaurael," Imperael said.
"Yes, Imperael?" she smiled.
"I would like to be your personal guard when you are pregnant," he said.
"Aren't you like that, anyways?" Tyrael chuckled. Imperael chuckled back and nodded. Izarius returned with Mal when he woke up and gave him over to Anaurael. He stood in front of her to shield her when she had to nurse him. Itherael also added his form, but Anarius landed to walk over and ensure that all was well. Ilerael gave a mild glare to the three to mind their manners when they stared with awe, but Anarius only nodded. He knew his form was quite a shock to those that hadn't seen him yet.
"MOTHER, I WISH TO SEE THIS, TOO. I MAY NOT HAVE TO GO DOWN TO ASSIST, BUT I WILL IF NEEDED," he said. She smiled warmly at him.
"You're his mom?!" the girl blinked.
"Kalah, what did I say?" Ilerael warned.
"IT IS FINE. YES, SHE HELPED ME BECOME REBORN. I AM ANU, BUT YOU MAY CALL ME ANARIUS. THERE MAY BE TIMES THAT I AM SEEN ON SANCTUARY. OTHERWISE, I AM HERE IN THE HIGH HEAVENS. TRAIN WELL, AND ONE DAY I MAY FIGHT ALONGSIDE YOU," he said with a small nod. She swallowed and smiled. Then, to everyone's surprise, he leaned over to gently pat her on the top of the head to show he saw her as family. She found herself blushing. The twin boys looked at each other and grumbled. They wanted that attention now. This would force them to work hard to earn that, and Ilerael realized why Anarius did what he did to Kalah. Anarius returned his attention to Tyrael at the gesture given.
"If it's Xiansai mages, then I wouldn't go down there at all. They may think of you differently. It's best to remain here and help guide her," Tyrael said. "I met some of those mages. They have...very intricate tastes. And a completely different set of rules of how things should go."
"INTERESTING TO KNOW. I SHALL WATCH WITH YOU," he agreed. He moved now to approach Anaurael and was able to carefully hug her and get a chaste kiss pressed to his invisible mouth. When he didn't let her go, she knew he needed the contact. He had been apart from her for quite a while. He actually found himself amused, though. He was also able to taste what she had just eaten. "MOTHER, CAN YOU TASTE THIS FOR ME?"
"Taste what?" she asked. He pointed at a small dessert tart, and she started laughing softly. She was able to do so and gave him another chaste kiss. Imperius chuckled and gazed down into the viewing pool to see what was going on.
Izual had just returned to Sanctuary in time to catch them before they started to leave. Mai was clearly fretting a bit. He looked at her and asked, "What is wrong?"
"Oh, I don't think we'll get there in time," she admitted. Up in Heaven, Malthael had an idea from what he saw in his mortal body's eyes from what the pool showed. Malthael was able to separate from Mal now, since the baby was preoccupied, and he whispered to Izarius. The mirror was now used.
"Yes?" Gurzick asked when he appeared.
"The ones on Sanctuary need to travel somewhere quickly. Can you help?" Izarius asked.
"Hmm. It's possible!" Greed mused. "To where?"
"Xiansai. The city of mages," Tyrael said.
"Oh! I can see what new things they have for me to find! I can do that," Greed said.
"You know," Anaurael said softly. "I do have a small request. I'll even Sing for you later."
"What is your request, child?" he asked eagerly.
"Actually, before she says something," Tyrael grinned. "today is the day of her birth."
"It is?!" Greed said. "Ah! In that case, I will consider your favor as my gift to you. Ask and it will be done. I insist."
"Oh!" she blushed softly. "Well, I was sort of hoping for a protective charm."
"A charm? What sort of charm?" Greed asked. Imperius was just as curious.
"Something to help safeguard against nasty dreams, really," she said softly.
"Anaurael..." Tyrael said gently and sighed.
"What happened?" Greed asked.
"I dreamt of Diablo. And Anaurael was about to get killed by him. Even Imperius was in danger of falling to the attack. It was...very realistic to me," Tyrael sighed. Gurzick now went completely still at this. Anarius now looked at him with shock. He didn't know about this. He was still holding Anaurael and was a touch disturbed by this. Since it was a dream, he didn't sense it.
"I'll see what I can find," Greed said seriously. He didn't want her to come to any form of harm.
"Thank you," she nodded. Her parents were now staring at Tyrael with their own shock.
"I'll see what I can research, too," Ilerael muttered. "I'm sure the Horadrim has something about this. I'll get our best scribes together. And you should have some angels do some research, too."
"I will assist with that," Itherael said. Auriel was still holding Dany and enjoying the small girl's delightful giggles. "And I see that you have claimed a new friend?"
"She is delightful," Auriel chuckled. They all redirected their attention to the pool when Gurzick appeared on Sanctuary to help.
"Hi! I help!" Gurzick said.
"You can help us get to Xiansai?" Mai blinked.
"That I can," Greed said from the crown. "I need to see what they left out for me to find, too. So, it's all the same to me. When Gurzick makes the portal, everyone should be able to go in."
"Um, I did have a small request," the Wizard said.
"Oh? What request?" Greed asked now.
"In the library that's supposedly infested," she said. "there is a very powerful artifact. I would really like to get it. It, um, used to belong to the ancient Horadric mage, Tal Rasha. He had a number of artifacts in his life, and I'm really hoping to be able to find them. They could help us."
"Ah! Hmm. That would be useful, wouldn't it?" Greed mused. "I'll have to see what my goblins can find in there."
"But, we need to get there first," Jozin said. Gurzick laughed and snapped his fingers for a portal to emerge. The Nephalem was quick to jog over with the mercenaries in tow. The group was ready and quickly went through the portal. When the last one went through, Gurzick jumped in for the portal to close behind them all.