The moment they appeared outside the jungle village, it was around dusk. Both Witch Doctors could feel the corruption in the air. The only problem was how spread out it was. There seemed to be a mix of evils lingering, but many evils were not from the Soulstone. The Witch Doctors were not happy. They couldn't pick out which evil they had to follow. The spirits around them were confused.
"We need to speak to our Elders," Moolara said.
"But...we know they will not listen," Sohar sighed. "Not many of them listen. They are blind."
"Well, there has to be someone that will listen! Something? Maybe?" the Nephalem asked. "There has to be something here that knows where to look! The longer we delay, the worse off we will all be. We have to have some form of help!"
Moolara looked at the others there to support them, and she thought. She whispered to her angelic male partner for him to nod with understanding. She was informing him of who she had to contact. Then she turned to a wide expanse of bare earth and began to chant. Sohar tilted his head at her and found himself chuckling softly. At the sight of several small Fetish warriors digging up from the ground to hoot, holler, and dance around, the others cringed. The way they waved their nasty little daggers was also something they were all quite wary of.
"Remain calm," Moolara said to her companions. She moved to crouch down to one of them to whisper in their guttural tongue. The small, undead warrior with a massive fanged mouth seemed to laugh and dart off. "They will lead us somewhere. Come! We must follow!"
"We're going to get lost in here!" Lyndon grimaced. "And I'm already sweating from the humidity of this fetid jungle..."
"Already found something to complain about?" the Nephalem snorted and gave chase.
"Never takes too long for him," Byden snickered. Lyndon's jaw just dropped at how fast he was put at the center of their jests. Zayl was still with them, and even Humbert was cackling like mad. Gurzick was all too pleased. When a Fetish warrior came up to him to chitter, Gurzick easily started up a conversation. They had a universal language.
"The Big Summoner called us?" the Fetish chittered.
"I guess. Big, bad things happen now. All over. It can hurt all," Gurzick said, as they ran.
"Oh?!" the Fetish seemed fairly concerned.
"But, the girl is special! She will help!" Gurzick beamed.
"Girl? What girl?" the Fetish chittered again and held aloft its crude dagger.
"A girl that has a voice of beauty!" he giggled. The Fetish was clearly awed now. Gurzick reached into his pouch to pull out the broken farm tool she first gave him as a gift. "She is nice! Kind! She gives me things! See? She gave me this! All for me!"
"Oooh..." the creature paused in running to blink at the thought. When it caught back up to Gurzick, it asked, "I can see girl? Yes?"
"Maybe! If you can help us? We are trying to find a Big Evil. Something bad here."
"Something always bad! But, new bad, yes. I know! Um...ah!" the warrior laughed, giggled, and ran up to one of the Fetish shamans in the distance. The group had just come up to one of the old desecrated temples that used to house an old Zakarum sect. Byden seem to shiver from the place. It still reflected Mephisto's hatred here. At the sight of the Fetish warrior talking to the shaman on another warrior's back, Gurzick was pointed to.
"Gurzick?" Jozin asked.
"They help!" the Greed Goblin beamed and trotted over to talk to them.
"You can...talk to them?" Vincent blinked.
"Ah-ha!" Gurzick nodded and made a motion to keep quiet.
"What go on?" the Fetish shaman grunted, as it maintained balance on its follower.
"Big Evil! Here!" the warrior said with a jump of irritation.
"Hmm..." the shaman blinked. At the sight of the Witch Doctors, it started to bark out angrily at them. At the soothing tones it was given now, it seemed to sigh. On looking at Gurzick, it asked, "Big Evil. Which Big Evil? Always more than one."
"This Big Evil kills with wrath," Greed said from the crown. Now the Fetishes seemed to pause at this new voice. "I am Greed. I help those here."
"Greed?!" a Fetish warrior snorted.
"You? You help?!" the shaman asked and started laughing. As if on cue, the other warriors started laughing and rolling on the ground.
"For the girl, I do help," Greed said slyly. Now the Fetish shaman paused and suddenly looked at the crown with interest. "She is special. She will save all. I give her things, and she gives things back. I...share...my treasures with her."
"What?!" another warrior seemed to go slack-jawed with surprise. Now the shaman was taken by surprise. This was unexpected. Something big was definitely happening, if Greed was loaning out treasures. Now the shaman began to commune with any other shamans in the area with a spiritual chant.
"What's going on?" Kormac frowned.
"Not sure," the Nephalem seemed to shrug. "I think they know Gurzick."
"It is Greed they know," Eirena said softly. "When Greed spoke, they laughed."
"That was laughter?!" Lyndon cringed. "The horrible screeching?"
"Better laugh than yours," Humbert snorted. Byden coughed to keep from laughing out. Even the others found themselves struggling to keep quiet.
"I have a wonderful laugh!" Lyndon snapped.
"Sure. For hounds to howl to," Humbert said in a soft mutter. Zayl could only shake his head and laugh softly. As they continued to try and understand what was being spoken of, Anarius was watching everything from the High Heavens. The Fetishes weren't demons at all, but small, undead following. They were spirits given flesh long ago and protectors of the Unformed Lands. He saw no real malice with them at all.
There was one thing that he noticed that seemed to spark an interest for him. The land was slowly changing from day to night. He noticed that, as the light dimmed in the sky, other lights appeared to give a completely different look to the landscape. The lights came from insects. From the glow of torches in the distance. From the dying embers of a campfire on the ground. It seemed to fascinate him on how various shades of light seemed to peek out from other places. On standing tall and looking around him, he noticed that quite a few places in Heaven could look different at night. Musing to himself, he took off and found himself in Anaurael's bedroom.
"MOTHER, I WISH TO ASK SOMETHING OF YOU," he said and walked over to where she was nursing Mal in the rocking chair. Tyrael was in his office, and he peered out to see what was going on.
"Yes, dear?" she smiled. He walked over to her to kneel at her side to regard her.
"WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN, WHAT HAPPENS?" he asked.
"It becomes nightfall on Sanctuary," Tyrael said. "You appeared there at night before, but I'm sure you didn't realize it. But, the moon comes out. The stars come out, too. It sheds a softer light on the land. It can look very pretty in certain places."
"CAN IT?"
"It can," Anaurael chuckled.
"Let me show you a couple places," Tyrael said and walked out of the small workroom. Anarius nodded and took his hand to get led to a viewing pool. He was quite intrigued on what he was being shown now. Tyrael was glanced at to show a question was going to be asked.
"TELL ME. WOULD YOU OBJECT TO NIGHTFALL HAPPENING IN HEAVEN?"
"Nightfall in Heaven? Hmm. The sun should never set in Heaven," Tyrael frowned.
"MAYBE IF IT WAS HIDDEN? TEMPORARILY, MIND YOU. JUST ENOUGH TO SEE IF THE STARS WOULD APPEAR WITH THE MOON?" he asked.
"I don't know. I would discuss this with Imperius," Tyrael said wisely. "If he notices the sky changing oddly, he will think of false thoughts."
"AGREED," Anarius nodded. They found Imperius cradling Anaurael when they got back to her chambers. When Anarius told him of his thoughts, the Archangel of Valor was very perplexed.
"Nightfall? In Heaven?!" Imperius seemed to be in shock.
"I AM ONLY ASKING AS IT MAY LOOK...FAR MORE SPLENDID," he said carefully. At this, Imperius paused. "WE CAN HAVE THE WHOLE HOST WITNESS THIS EVENT. IT MAY NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. WHAT DO YOU THINK?"
"Sometimes, nightfall holds a hidden beauty in itself. Did you not see this with me before?" Anaurael asked. "We stood outside my cottage for hours on end. Did you not notice the stars? Or how the lights appeared around us?"
"Well..." Imperius faltered. "I always watched the sky. I did see the stars. As for the rest of the surrounding...had no reason to notice it..."
"You should see her in the moonlight," Tyrael smiled softly. "When she approached me that one night long ago to ask for my aid with Chalad'ar...she was stunning."
"I..." Imperius paused again. Now he remembered how she looked. He didn't notice it before. He was far too concerned for her safety. But, now he remembered how she appeared in a moonlight setting. He actually trembled with her in his arms.
"Imperius?" she frowned.
"I think...I need to be reminded of how you look..." he muttered softly to her.
"Would you have me go to Sanctuary for this?" she asked.
"No. It would...have to be done here..." he said with a heavy sigh. "I cannot allow you to go to Sanctuary for any reason. Not while Diablo still reigns free somewhere. I cannot risk it."
"So, you would allow for the sun to set in Heaven?" Tyrael asked carefully. At this, Izarius looked over with surprise. Even Imperael glanced over from where he stood by the door.
"The sun will never set," Imperius seemed to growl.
"IT WILL BE HIDDEN FOR A SHORT SPAN OF TIME," Anarius said gently.
"The humans call it a solar eclipse. Where a shadow moves over the sun temporarily. It's a very rare event, but I'm sure something could happen if it was done like that," Izarius said thoughtfully.
"Truly?" Imperael asked.
"Yes. It's a natural event and quite harmless. It tends to last for a couple hours up to a day. It just varies on where it happens in the region for the longest effect," Izarius nodded.
"Tyrael, can you take Mal? I want to speak to Imperius in his sanctum," Anaurael said. Tyrael nodded and took Mal carefully from her. Malthael was clearly intrigued on what was being discussed, but he let Anaurael leave with Imperius.
"What do you wish?" Imperius asked and brought her into the sanctum.
"Seal this place in darkness," she smiled. He nodded and did just that. Then she had him put her down, and she moved to settle among one of the glowing trees in the room. "Does this help you see? The shimmering of the tree does give some effect."
"Hmm..." Imperius thought and gazed at how her skin was softly outlined. "It does. But...it is not strong enough. As much as I detest the thought of darkness in Heaven..."
"It is not a true darkness, though," she said softly. "and it may only happen once."
"As long as the sun does not set."
"It will never truly set."
"Hmm..." he seemed to mull the idea over in his mind. "If Anarius can pull it off, I will allow it. Briefly. It will be the most that I can do."
"Are you sure?" she frowned. At this, he moved to confront her for his form to glow out its fiery colored Light. Now he saw how her form reflected in it. Her hair shimmered with joy in his Light. Even as his large hand moved to gently cup her chin as he always did, he began to notice how her body looked in his radiant glow. He pulled her to him and hugged her tight.
"I've seen you in gold. I love seeing you in gold. But...I think...I need to see you in silver, too," he whispered softly in her ear.
"Should I wear a silver gown?" she chuckled.
"No," he said with a soft chuckle of his own. "You will wear your usual gowns for me."
"I can do that," she said and found herself getting kissed.
"As long as the sun does not set, then I think I will be fine with this," he nodded and proceeded to carry her back out of the sanctum. She smiled at him and nodded. Instead of taking her back to her chambers, though, he moved to look out over the Silver City with her.
"Imperius?" she asked. He squeezed her, as he gazed out over the city.
"I'm just...wondering...how this place would look at night..." he said gently. She looked at him with a small blush. "And I think I know where you need to be when it happens."
"Where do you think I should be?"
"At the Crystal Arch."
"I can see that."
"I also want to see you in other areas, too."
"What are you getting at?" she mused.
"If this is to be a one-time event, then I need to use it wisely. Wherever I think you will look different, I will bring you there," he said. She found herself laughing softly at this. "But, tell me. What do you think will look different?"
"I think all of it will. There will be much that glows around us, Imperius. Just think of how your sanctum is when it is in darkness. Then take that image and think of what else will glow. Almost everything will glow here. I honestly think that it would look rather pretty," she admitted. As he could only wonder what Heaven could possibly look like as a glowing city, back on Sanctuary had the small group being led into one of the ancient temples.
"Where are we going?" Lyndon frowned.
"They know where to travel. Have faith," Moolara smiled softly. Her angelic male partner was still following her. "You should watch me from elsewhere, you know."
"No," he said with a shake of his head. "I fight with you."
"You may give the wrong reaction," she warned.
"I do not care," he muttered. She rose a brow at him. "We are lacking."
She seemed to roll her eyes at him, but he rested a protective, armored hand on her shoulder. "I know we are lacking. After this is done, we shall rest."
"Very well," he nodded. Sohar was laughing quietly with amusement. The small Fetish army in front of them was still leading them. The shaman of the group was still talking to Greed. There was much intrigue about Anaurael now.
"We want to see this one. When?" the shaman asked, as it got carried along.
"You help us. Then you see!" Gurzick giggled. The Fetish minions really didn't like that answer. "Girl in danger. Can't come here. We go to her later."
"Danger?" the first Fetish warrior asked.
"Yes. Big Evil always wants to hurt her," Gurzick sighed. They reached a circular chamber now, and several other Fetish shamans were waiting a touch impatiently. It was a meeting chamber of sorts to them. The group of heroes found themselves swarmed with Fetish warriors that were dancing and hooting with their small daggers waving about on display.
"What's going on here?" Byden whispered.
"I have no idea," the Nephalem muttered softly.
"It is a council for war," Sohar explained gently. "Who better to guide us than the ones that have been here longer than us?"
"True," Kormac seemed to grumble. "I think I'll just wait outside..."
"No. You must stay," Sohar warned. "If you leave, you may be seen as one that cannot be trusted. Just remain with us and keep quiet."
"It will be fine, Kormac," Eirena smiled softly and patted his arm gently.
"If you say so," he nodded to her.
"What are they talking about?" Jozin asked.
"They are trying to see where the evil is greatest," Sohar said. "It can affect them, too."
"Can they work faster?" Kalgor asked.
"They can only go at the speed they know of," Sohar shrugged lightly. Vincent noticed that the air got heavier now. Something was happening. Lou-yu even paused with complete concern at this.
"It would be nice to understand what they're talking about," Byden said.
"I can understand them!" Humbert said.
"Oh?" Zayl asked. "Then...what are they saying?"
"They wanna see Anaurael. Greed was talking about her. They'll help us track down what we need in exchange for visiting her," the skull said. Zayl was frowning now. Lyndon appeared amused at this bit of news. I might be able to go to Heaven again! At the sudden chatter from the shamans, the Fetish warriors encircled Moolara to chitter at her. She responded in kind. Now they seemed agitated.
"What's going on?" the Nephalem asked.
"They want to meet her before helping," Humbert muttered.
"But, she can't come down!" Kormac said.
"Is there a way to have them come with us?" Eirena asked.
"There was once a very famous Witch Doctor by the name of Zunimassa," Moolara said. "She had the ability to let the Fetish linger around her form for as long as needed. Her spirit was one with the Unformed Lands. That was until a wasting plague took her from us to take back what she was borrowing in full. Her armor remains. And it holds her secrets. If it can be found, then these little fighters can travel with us easily. They can bond with the armor, itself."
"Do you know what this armor looks like?" Greed asked from Gurzick's crown.
"Not truly. But, it has been drawn," Moolara said.
"We can call these small warriors and their shamans to our side, but only in short ways. The armor is needed," Sohar said. "Some can stay longer than normal."
"How many pieces is it?" Greed asked.
"It can be up to seven parts to make the whole," Moolara said. "There was her head piece. Her ring. Her gloves. Her skulls that she held in her hand. Her chest plate. Her boots. And her pants."
"We can lack two parts and still be fine. Much like Mai's set that she requires," Sohar said. "But, it is best with all of it."
Gurzick now looked at the Fetish shamans and whispered to them. They grumbled to each other and barked out orders to the warriors. The warriors seemed to cheer, and they scattered. Gurzick hopped over to them and said, "They help! They know!"
"What?" Moolara blinked.
"They were guarding these pieces," Greed explained calmly. Now she found herself speechless at the skull mask with large, golden hooped earrings given over. Even the black stripe of hair was still apparent. For all she knew, it could have been Zunimassa's skull in full. The pants were next to be carefully given over. The small ring was next. At the sight of the skulls that were attached to the spike for her to hold them aloft, she was simply amazed. She examined the gloves before slipping them on to test them. The boots were far too worn from age to be used, but the chest piece was good enough. Haedrig could easily repair what was needed. Moolara wasted no time in donning the ancient and powerful gear.
"Okay. So, how do we get back to Heaven?" Lyndon asked. At this, Gurzick vanished away to appear in Anaurael's chamber. Tyrael glanced over curiously.
"Need help!" the Greed Goblin said. Greed was quick to take over and explain the issue in full.
"I see. So, the Fetish warriors wish to see Anaurael in exchange for their aid. Hmm," Tyrael seemed to frown. "I'm honestly not sure what to think."
"We should allow it," Izual said from where he stood. "If they are assisting in finding what is wrong with the Umbaro Jungles, then we need to let this happen.
"I can get Imperius. Anaurael is still with him," Izarius said.
"Okay. Should they meet in the Council chamber?" Tyrael asked.
"That would be best," Izarius nodded. He left to find Imperius and explain the issue.
"So, I need to be seen for more help to be given?" Anaurael mused. "Then I should be seen."
"Are these demons?" Imperius asked.
"No. Completely different," Izarius chuckled.
"Very well. Let us meet them in the Angiris Council chamber," he nodded. "Izarius, bring them there after we are settled."
"Of course," Izarius nodded. Anaurael hugged him to her and pressed a chaste kiss to his invisible lips. "I'll guard over you the whole time."
"Okay," she smiled and let him squeeze her gently. He waited ten minutes before going back to her chamber to talk to Gurzick.
"I'll help bring them to the Angiris Council chamber. Or do you want to bring them?" he asked.
"I can do that," Greed said. "Give me five minutes."
"It will give us time to settle," Tyrael nodded. Izual and Agrius spread the word. Itherael and Auriel were already waiting with Imperius and Anaurael.
"I am curious of this encounter," Itherael admitted.
"We all are," Auriel agreed. When the small group of heroes appeared, it was inevitable for various angelic partners to make their way over. Even Mai was there with Tobirael. He let her appear for the small meeting, but only when it was in Heaven.
"You should really let me help them," she sighed.
"No. Lou-yu is doing fine in your stead," he muttered and squeezed her, as he held her.
"Let's get this done," Imperius muttered. Anaurael was carefully set down, and now she was examined by the many Fetish that were latched onto Moolara's new armor. There were four shamans, and the rest were warriors. Only so many could come with, but the information would be shared about her in full. Gurzick was just beaming with pride at where he stood with her to answer the questions the undead warriors had.
"Pretty..." a warrior seemed to sigh.
"She have good voice?" a shaman asked.
"Sing?" Gurzick asked her. She nodded with a warm smile and stood up as straight as she could. She began to Sing, and the Fetish around her seemed to be completely spell-bound with her voice. When she finished, the shamans found themselves discussing amongst themselves.
"Big Evil want hurt her?! No! No touch!" the first shaman spat.
"Yes. We help," another shaman nodded.
"Must help! Big Evil hurt all!" the third shaman growled.
"Okay. We help," the fourth one nodded. They turned to regard Moolara to chatter at her.
"They will grant us their aid. We shall leave now. Thank you," Moolara said and gave a nod of deep respect to Anaurael.
"Of course. If they help you accomplish your mission, I will gladly Sing for them again," she beamed. At this news given, there was excited chitters and dancing done by the warriors. Then the Fetish shamans whispered to each other. The Fetish warrior that was talking to Gurzick in the beginning was looked at and barked at with several orders.
"Ahh. It appears that they wish to leave one of their own with you. To assist with your protection. Such a thing is usually not given readily. Do you accept?" Moolara asked. Anaurael actually found herself blushing a bit with the honor. Even her necklace shimmered with delight.
"I do accept," Anaurael nodded. The small warrior danced over to her happily and seemed to swoon at the soft pat to the top of its thinly haired head. At first, Imperius was going to go against it.
"Let it stay," Malthael muttered to him softly from behind him. "This one can help see any malicious souls that try to get close to her. This one and Izarius will become a formidable team."
"Well..." Imperius thought. "if it's put that way, then fine. It can remain."
"Of course," Malthael muttered out again. Then he paused when he noticed that the Fetish folk were looking at him. Being comprised to guard spirits and see them easily, he was not unnoticed. He was actually quite amused at this. He would see if he could speak to them in time.
"Let's waste no more time. We need to get back," the Nephalem said. Lyndon tried hard not to keep glancing at Anaurael, but he knew he was noticed. Right when her Singing duty was done, Imperius had already taken her away. Izarius was able to lead the new Fetish protector to her chamber. Anarius had already made a portal for the others to go back to the jungle.
"FIND THE SOULSTONE. WHEN YOU DO, MALTHAEL WILL INSPECT IT TO SEE WHICH SOUL IS TRAPPED. DO NOT DELAY!" Anarius warned. The Nephalem could only agree, and he watched the party leave quickly. Now he turned to look at the never-ending sun from one of the many windows. He was going to think on how to hide it. He really wanted to see what Heaven looked like at night. He wanted to see how beautiful Heaven was in both sunlight and moonlight.