It took the Fetish warriors several hours, but they finally tracked down where the Soulstone was. Or at least what it came in. It was clearly removed from the box when the small, wooden chest lined with velvet was presented to them. Moolara studied it intensely. It was left where it was for several days, from what she could tell. Mirdael was hovering over her silently to observe what he could.
"Can you tell what lingered?" he asked her.
"I cannot. This was not forced open. It is undamaged. So, it was willingly taken," she muttered.
"Where was it found?" Byden asked.
"It was discarded," Greed said from Gurzick's crown. "There is mud here that's very dried out. This was abandoned for a few days. Whoever found the box knew what held it. Gurzick does not know this scent, either."
"So it's not him," the Nephalem muttered.
"I can see if Malthael can assist in his own way," Mirdael said. "Let me request aid."
"Go," Moolara nodded. Mirdael teleported to Anaurael's chambers and was noticed quickly.
"Mirdael?" Tyrael asked.
"Yes. We need Malthael's assistance," he said. Anaurael frowned at this. "We found the discarded box that contained the Soulstone."
"I can distract Mal," Izarius said and started to do that with the silver rattle. As long as the infant's mind was elsewhere, Malthael was free to assist in his spirit form. Imperael was given the nod to assist to help Malthael's form reach them properly. Malthael could have linked to Humbert, but he needed to make sure that his information was being told properly. The skull had a way to twist words, and this was not one of those times that it was needed. Izual would have gone, but Anaurael didn't want him around the Soulstones at all. She worried for him, and he kept his distance from it all for now. At the nod from Tyrael, Mirdael teleported back down to his mortal mate's side with Malthael and Imperael.
"Hmm..." Malthael mused and bent down to the box.
"He's studying it," Humbert said. Several Fetish warriors and the shamans studied Malthael curiously. The group was very curious as to what sort of demon was found.
"It is as we thought. Zaboul, the Lord of Wrath. But...there is something else here, too," Malthael mused. "A few lesser demons were also trapped with him. This may be why there are so many different evils around. There is more than one scent here."
"So, Zaboul's scent is the main one. But there are others, too," Imperael said to the group.
"What? More than one demon was in that stone?!" the Nephalem said with shock.
"Yes. And they are scattered all over the jungles. An extensive search is needed," Malthael muttered out. Imperael relayed this, and the heroes could only cringe.
"Sure, it looks bad. But, eh...you forget who all is helping us," Humbert said with a chuckle. The Fetish warriors had already scattered. Greed already had his minions searching, too. Within minutes, an elaborate map was already being drawn out on the ground with the surrounding areas.
"I also kept this," Sohar said and took out the map that held the potion ingredients. "Let me compare what they have drawn."
"That's brilliant!" Zayl grinned.
"You need to go back," Malthael said to Imperael.
"I need to return to Heaven. If I am needed, have me summoned by a goblin. Or something," the massive Archangel seemed to shrug. They all agreed to this and watched him retreat.
"I should have one of those mirrors," the Nephalem sighed. Then a blink was given at the small mirror being handed over by Gurzick. "Thanks."
"Ooh! Can I have one?" Lyndon asked. At the middle finger he got as a retort, laughter quickly filled the air. "Well, why not?!"
"No like you," Gurzick grinned.
"And don't think of taking the one that I have," the Nephalem warned.
"You could have Kormac hold it..." Lyndon suggested.
"For you to steal it from him? No thanks," the Nephalem smirked. At the look of supposed shock from Lyndon, Gurzick only cackled. One of the tiny warriors ran up to the Greed Goblin to hoot and click. Gurzick gave a small glance at the scoundrel and responded easily. Now several Fetish warriors had their eyes on Lyndon.
"Oh, look! They want to watch you to make sure you don't steal!" Humbert seemed to giggle.
"I beg your pardon?!" Lyndon gaped. Then a shaman was hauled over to give a warning hiss at him. At this done, Humbert started laughing. "What? What did he say?"
"If you...try to steal...he'll turn you into a...a chicken!" the skull laughed out.
"I think I'll leave my satchel unlocked..." Kormac mused.
"Now see here!" the scoundrel said and suddenly found himself in the body of a clucking white chicken. For five seconds, he squawked, flapped his wings, and went to peck at anything that moved. When he became himself again, he shuddered with a deep breath for control. "That was...unpleasant."
"Do it again!" Humbert cheered. Zayl was coughing to keep from laughing so hard. Kormac was in complete tears. Eirena was trying very, very hard to keep her composure. The Nephalem and Byden were leaning on each other from their own fits of laughter. Kalgor even had a grin hidden by his massive beard. Vincent and Lou-yu were hiding their faces easily. Jozin was rather thoughtful of everything.
"Did you learn anything from this?" the Monk asked.
"What should I have learned?" Lyndon asked irritably.
"Don't beg. Even you are above that," Byden said without skipping a beat. At Lyndon's stunned look of surprise, the Witch Doctors finally gave in to the laughter. The Nephalem was trying incredibly hard to breathe. Eirena was whimpering now and covering her mouth with her hands.
"Can't...breathe...!" Lou-yu gasped and coughed.
"Keep them around you at all times," the Nephalem managed to whisper to Moolara. She was already nodding with agreement. Lyndon was clearly not happy.
"Suck it up!" Kormac smirked at him and rose up to start going over the map.
"Look. Here, here, and here," Sohar said, as he pointed out to several different areas. "These three areas, with the main in the center. They cannot get close to the central area."
"It is true. There appears to be a shielding set up," Greed said from the crown. The scoundrel only glared at them and went to tuning his Manticore when he kept getting odd looks.
"I am not detecting any old magic," Eirena frowned.
"You would not," Moolara sighed. "This is not even magic. It is from the Unformed Lands, themselves. We are...dealing with others. Like us."
"Like...you?" Vincent frowned.
"Yes," Sohar frowned back.
"How close can they get?" Lou-yu asked.
"Hmm..." Moolara thought and looked at one of the Fetish warriors. A small conversation happened and she glanced at the Wizard. "They can approach the three. Not the center."
"It has to be a shielding," Jozin said. "There is no other explanation. It was over two months ago since we assisted Mai with her troubles. This one may have had extra time to prepare. We were lucky with the others. But, we kept this one as last. They are prepared for us now."
"Too much time went by," Vincent frowned in thought. "even though we rushed it. We had no idea about what was going on, until the Khazra attacks hit. That was when we discovered all of it."
"We weren't aware of multiple souls being able to settle in one stone. Not unless they were physically merged. It makes me wonder if that is what happened here," the Nephalem sighed. "Anyways, let's get to work on chipping down those outer controllers."
"It may be difficult. There is no Soulstone to trap them, right?" Eirena asked. "Once we remove them from what vessels they reside in?"
"Just means we have to kill them," Kormac shrugged.
"She does have a point, though," the Nephalem said. "We don't know what souls are helping out the major one. Do we have a temporary way to trap the souls?"
"Hmm. As much as we detest detaining spirits, there was something," Sohar frowned. "But, it was lost long ago. I cannot really remember what it was."
"Oh! Remember that trap we found while looting that cemetery? That jar thing? We broke it, but, eh, well, maybe we can salvage it?" Lyndon said.
"That Jar of Souls! Lyndon, you actually came up with a good idea," the Nephalem grinned.
"Well, I...hey! I come up with good ideas all the time!" he argued.
"What is this?" Sohar frowned.
"It was a trap that we had to destroy. It freed a lot of souls to reanimate the dead in a crypt. We found it while searching for Leoric's crown near Tristram in the cemetery. We smashed the jar to keep it from being reused, but we may be able to salvage what's left of it," the champion explained. The Witch Doctors heavily frowned on this, but they could only agree that it would help.
"I can lead you back to where you must go, but there was something I learned. The cheerful goblin. I watched how she worked. She rebuilds things," Greed said from the crown.
"What?!" the Nephalem gaped.
"Yes. And replaces things," Greed mused. Now Lyndon's eyes lit up at the possibility of raiding a tomb. He even had ideas on how to convince that cheerful goblin to help him get more things.
"That means that every single trap is likely replaced, too!" Kormac groaned.
"As well as that jar we need," Vincent mused.
"And every single treasure chest is refilled!" Lyndon seemed to squeal.
"I should leave you in town," the Nephalem smirked at him. At Lyndon's look of hurt, there was laughter all around. "But, we do need to see about what we can do here while we are securing the jar."
"Leave that to me," Greed said. "Gurzick will need to travel with you, but I'll have my minions checking over any weak points for easy access."
"Good," Jozin nodded. Byden knew that the two Witch Doctors had to stay and evaluate what was going on in the jungles. The small Fetish warriors were already scattering around to do what they could to help. They would have the entire area scouted within the hour.
With the Nephalem traveling back to New Tristram with Gurzick's portal, Mitherael was helping a traveling wagon train move from Westmarch to one of the outlying villages around Bramwell. The large mortal angel was able to divert many raiders to keep supplies safe from theft. As he looked over the three wagons calmly, he realized that he kept directing his gaze to the central one. Something didn't feel right about it. When the animals were stopped to let them rest, he moved close to the wagon in question.
:You can feel me...:
He paused with shock. The sheer terror and horror he got from the voice that invaded his mind almost paralyzed him. It would have in full, if he was human. He didn't know what was talking to him, but he didn't like it. Clearing his throat, he growled, "Yes. I can."
:So...you are a different type of mortal?:
"Maybe..." he grunted. "What are you?"
:You tell me what you are. I'll tell you what I am.:
The voice was very sly and cunning. Mitherael didn't like it. "I will not tell you what you want."
:Then I can find another to get answers.:
He really didn't like that answer one bit. "We are at a stalemate."
:Apparently so.:
"Where are you located?" he asked.
:In a box.:
He blinked at this answer and now found himself moving through the caravan. When he found the small box, he paused. He was never told about the Soulstones. How would he have known? "I think I found you. But...can I trust you?"
:Can you?:
"No," the mortal angel snorted. He did move the box, though. He didn't want anyone else to find it. But, just by touching the box, the object within it was able to glean various thoughts from a distance. And, at what the entity discovered, a rather intricate plan was now being thought out. This was a powerful demonic soul that it held.
:Definitely not a typical human. And...you know who Imperius is. Interesting...:
"Now I definitely don't trust you!" he snapped.
:And you know quite a bit about the High Heavens, too. Ah, yes. You used to live there...:
"I'm done!" he snarled and shoved the box along a wall in the wagon. Despite the laughter he heard, he shivered. I have to report this to Imperius. But, at the same time, he knew he couldn't. The entity in the box was giving a sense of doubt that he wouldn't be believed. The entity also wanted to know more about the strange girl that seemed to haunt the mortal angel's thoughts. A definite interest was piqued now. It needed to know more. Patience was something it didn't like to do, but not much of a choice right now. Of course, the longer it was undiscovered by other forces meant it had more time to get stronger. It needed to get stronger.
With this problem starting to unfold, the Nephalem was busy trying to clear out one of the tombs in the cemetery. Lyndon was battling it out with Gurzick on various items that were being found.
"I saw that first!" Lyndon growled over a necklace.
"I touch first!" Gurzick snarled and quickly tossed the jewelry into a portal for a waiting goblin to snatch up. Lyndon scowled at his loss, and Gurzick giggled and gloated.
"Stop it," the Nephalem glared at them both. "This is too important! We need to find that jar."
"I know," Lyndon seemed to pout. Kormac clucked his tongue and moved forward with Byden to dispose of a few random undead zombies that shuffled at them. Vincent was using his Hallowed Condemnation for quick kills. When they charged through the dungeon, they cleared it quickly to find nothing in it. Byden rolled his eyes at the time wasted.
"If we find the entrance to Leoric's crown, then we know we can rule it out," the Nephalem said.
"I know," Lou-yu nodded. Lyndon was still pouting over the lost necklace, but he was happy again at the sword he found. He was even able to swipe some gold from an opened chest. Kormac just shook his head at him and trudged forward with the others.
"I think it was this one," Kormac said and led them into the crypt.
"It does look familiar," the Nephalem mused. Kalgor and Byden charged in and began to slaughter anything that looked at them with aggression.
"Oh!" Gurzick seemed to giggle and tugged on the Nephalem's leg. "Enemy..."
"Huh?" the champion blinked. There was another Greed Goblin in the distance. "So, we can kill it? It's not a friend of yours?"
"Kill!" Gurzick grinned. Lyndon was quick to jump on the chance for more gold. As this Greed Goblin was pursued and killed off, the Nephalem was deep in thought on something. The champion turned to face Gurzick. "Yes?"
"Tell me. With these Soulstones being gathered, would there be a power issue?" the Nephalem asked. "Would they try to merge?"
"That was dealt with," Greed said with a chuckle. "The stones are hidden separately."
"Okay. Tyrael also mentioned to me at one point...ah...oh! You offered Anaurael a place of safety in your realm. Didn't you?"
"That I have," Greed admitted.
"Would the stones reach out to her, if she was taken there for safety?"
"Ahh..." Greed actually found himself speechless. "You bring up a rather intricate issue."
"Where was she going to be staying?"
"Near my throne room. Where the stones are."
"That will not work."
"I know that now. I will change her room location."
"You will have to do that," the Nephalem nodded. At the sight of Izarius coming down, they regarded him curiously.
"Your conversation was noted by those watching over the ones here. Greed, I would strongly suggest that her room be set up on the opposite end of your domain and away from your throne room. Or, if you insist on keeping her room close, it should be branched out much farther off to keep her safe. Much like how Imperius has her room below his," he said.
"What's this?" Lyndon asked curiously, as he pocketed some gold.
"Not your concern," the Nephalem grunted.
"Lyndon, help me scout ahead," Jozin said. The Monk knew an important conversation was taking place. He was going to help distract the troublesome thief.
"What? Me do work?" Lyndon pouted.
"Well, if you want Gurzick to find more treasure before you..." the Monk smirked.
"I'll be right back! I'm needed!" Lyndon beamed and quickly jogged off.
"Moron," Byden sighed and shook his head.
"I don't bother with a name. I just shake my head," Kormac grinned.
"I like that," Byden grinned back, and they moved to follow him.
"Anyways," Izarius sighed. "it is important for Anaurael to stay far away from the stones. We honestly don't know how she would react to them. Especially while carrying offspring."
"I can agree to that," Greed muttered out in thought. "Gurzick would also show his concern. All of my goblins would. They all adore her."
"Do they?" the Nephalem chuckled.
"Oh, yes! Her Singing is such a complete delight!" Greed seemed to swoon. "I will never get enough of her Singing."
"I wonder how her Song would affect a Soulstone," the Nephalem thought aloud.
"No!" Izarius said quickly to kill the thought. "Her Song is life! Don't think about it!"
"Right..." the Nephalem grimaced. When Imperael came down, Izarius sighed.
"She sensed distress from you. What happened?" he asked. Now the situation was explained. "Hmm. It would not be good for her to Sing around the stones. Even if nothing happens. We don't want the enemy to know about her. I am only disgusted that the vile soul of Lilith found her out."
"She has not yet appeared in the Burning Hells. I've been keeping a few goblins there in case she did decide to become reborn," Greed said. "The moment she appears, you will all be notified."
"We found the jar!" Vincent said.
"Good!" the Nephalem called back. "I have to secure that to see if it will help us with the issue in the jungles. Several souls were in that stone, and not just one."
"As Malthael discovered. This jar may help?" Imperael asked.
"It was used to trap souls. The cheerful goblin that took us to her place brought it back. Her kind rebuilds things, it seems. And replaces things," the Nephalem chuckled.
"Really?" Izarius mused. "I still have yet to see where this place is."
"If another visit is done, I want to go, too," Imperael seemed to snicker with amusement. "I also want to see this jar."
"I have to return to her side, but, Greed, do be cautious on where you place her room," Izarius warned. Greed readily agreed to this. Malthael was able to appear next to Imperael.
"I want to study this...contraption..." Malthael muttered.
"Malthael is with me. He wants to see this jar," Imperael said.
"Okay. Let's go," the Nephalem nodded. As they walked, Malthael felt something seem to tug at him. He realized that, if he wasn't already bound to Anaurael, there was a chance that he could have been drawn into the jar. This was a very dangerous trap to spirits. When they reached the circular room, the first thing noticed was the glowing jar in the center of the room. The next thing seen were the piles of skeletons heaped all around. The spirits, when triggered, would animate the gruesome corpses.
"Do not touch it yet," Malthael ordered.
"Wait," Imperael said. "He wants to look at it first."
The others nodded. Malthael moved close to the jar and studied it intensely. Then he stood up to look at Imperael. The large Archangel showed he was getting ready to talk.
"We cannot trigger this trap. If we do, it will lose its ability to draw in souls. We must remove it," Malthael said. When Imperael reported what was said, they all looked at each other.
"How do we do that?" Kormac asked.
"Hmm," Byden thought and studied how the jar was situated. "It's hard to tell if it can be lifted without touching it. What happened before?"
"I approached it to try and open it. The jar triggered. Then, after it was done, I smashed it. I wanted no one else to have to go through this again. But...if those other goblins simply bring them back..." the Nephalem sighed. Gurzick thought and blinked at an idea. He reached for the rainbow stone in his special pouch and rubbed it on the wall. At the sight of the cheerful Rainbow Greed Goblin, those that didn't see her yet were surprised. And that was Lou-yu. She waved at him, as the others laughed.
"Hi! Gurzick called me. Is everything okay?" Gahin asked.
"We need to move this trap to help us get rid of a very bad evil in the jungles. Can you help us?" the Nephalem asked. Now Gahin thought hard with a pleasant smile on her face.
"All I can do is replace what was damaged. I mean, if you try to move it, and it breaks, I can fix it. If you want to try?" she asked. She wouldn't be giving them anything, so it could be done.
"Okay. Let's try," the Monk nodded. Kalgor readied to attack anything that moved. Vincent kept a wary eye on the piles of bones that littered around them.
"I will leave, but will watch through you. I do not want Anaurael to worry for me around this thing," Malthael muttered to Imperael before vanishing away.
"Malthael will watch from afar. He is a spirit, too," Imperael said. The champion nodded and now carefully began to try and lift the jar. It took several attempts to carefully dislodge it from the base it was molded to. At each failed attempt, they had to destroy the skeletons that rose up. Only after the jar was empty and lost it's dangerous focus was it ready to be repaired. Each time Gahin fixed it, she was able to carefully alter the base a little.
"Perfect!" the Nephalem said with a small grin, as the jar carefully dislodged. "Just don't touch the glass. Okay. We need to get this to the jungles."
"So, what is it trapping?" Gahin asked.
"Demons," Imperael said. "Very nasty ones that like to possess others."
"Oh, no! Hmm. I don't think there is anything I can do," she seemed to sigh.
"What you have done was enough. Thank you," the Nephalem said. At this bit of praise, she beamed and did a twirling dance of gratitude.
"Just have Gurzick call me, if you need my help again! I hope your plan works!" she giggled and left through her prismatic rainbow portal. Imperael was a touch impressed at this particular type of goblin. He would want to learn more about her kind later. Right now, they had a jar to deliver. They could only hope that the plan worked.