Greed was having fun placing items wherever he wanted near Azmodan's realm. Word was quickly spreading of the unique treasures being found, and Azmodan even started to claim a few of them for himself in a small treasury he had. Many of the Baroness's older treasures had intense magical value, and none of it was going to be lounging around for very long. Greed was making careful notes as to where each treasure was taken. Now he pulled out a small knife of gilded gold and gems. The knife had an old property to make the bearer strike true every other time. This was the one the Baroness coveted the most. It was the first item she ever had, and he had found it by pure chance in his younger years as a scout. All this time he had it, and she never knew.

"I need one of you to do something brave. And stupid," Greed said, as he addressed his minions.

"My Greatness of Greats?" a scout asked.

"This needs to be given to the one I have in the realm of the Baroness. Or to one that can give it to her directly. It needs to be taken to her to get her attention. Who is willing to do this?" he asked. There was a shuffling of feet and small whimpers. None of them wanted to. When Gurzick moved to rise up, Greed shook his head. "Not you. You help with the girl. You are too important."

"What are you doing, Greed?" Anaurael asked. She was with Imperius in her chamber there, since he was watching everything that was going on. She saw Greed talking to his minions in the mirror, and Izarius was with her to ensure her protection. She wanted to help him out.

"I need one of them to take this dagger to the Baroness. They don't want to," he smirked.

"Can they understand me?" she smiled. He nodded, and she addressed them. "Whoever is brave enough to do this will get a hug from me when they come back!"

"What?!" Gurzick seemed to mope. She smiled and gestured for him to reach her. He did and got a small hug from her to show he was exempt. That made him happy. At the mob of goblins that now wanted the same hug she gave Gurzick, they began to jump up and down with impatience to be given the dagger. Greed looked over each goblin carefully and picked one of the fastest ones he knew of to do the job. That was one of his higher scouts. After studying the goblin again, he nodded and handed over the dagger.

"Drop the sparkly and come back. Do not get caught," Greed warned.

"Okay!" the higher scout said and quickly portaled out. He was actually quite nervous. He didn't want to be seen by a rival higher scout. He knew what to look for, though, and he started his search quickly. He wanted to make sure that he wasn't seen by anything, and he stuck to heavy shadows.

Sure enough, he entered one of the harder to reach parts of an underground cave system to find a rival goblin there. The higher scout blinked, took the dagger, and carefully launched it to land alongside the goblin. Then he quickly portaled away to get his well-deserved hug.

The other goblin jumped at first from the disturbance, but then it saw the beautiful dagger. It was snatched up, and the goblin was quick to return to report the new find. When the dagger was shown, one of the sentinels grabbed it quickly. The dagger was recognized.

"Who give you?! You say! Now!" it snapped.

"Found! All found!" the goblin whimpered. It got shoved aside, and the sentry moved to the main chamber the Baroness was in. She was busy getting fed grapes by a rather disgusted Mitherael. He had to dress in what she wanted him to wear. And that was practically nothing, save for a golden scarf around his waist. Diablo's Soulstone was encased in a gold chain and was now hanging from a ledge in a rather protective way. He was able to infiltrate the Baroness's thoughts to a point to want to keep his stone protected. He was also filtering out his thoughts to start corrupting the goblins there.

Of course, only Mitherael wanted to handle the stone, but he always used a cloth to shield his flesh to avoid corruption. He didn't want Diablo to possess him, and he knew he would be safe if he didn't touch the stone directly. Diablo was only amused at this, but he was incredibly patient.

At the sight of the dagger, though, the Baroness gave out a shriek of disbelief and rose up to relieve the mortal angel's lap of her unruly weight.

"Was found," the sentry said and gave the treasure over. She snatched it from the sentry quickly.

"FIND OTHERS! NOW!" she screamed at him and waved her mace menacingly. If my dagger came back to me, then this meant my other missing treasures would be found next! After an hour of having Mitherael scrub her skin down with gold coins and treasures with the other goblins, a report was given. One of the treasures was found, and it stank of the Burning Hells. It also stank of something else. It was taken from a certain treasure chamber, and it was taken before it could be hidden away.

:I know that scent!:

"What's that?" Mitherael frowned and looked at the hanging stone.

:It comes from my brother, Azmodan! This means that he is alive! This also means that he may have other treasures, too. I have to wonder now...:

"What does that have to do with us?"

:He knows how to find me. We have to confront him. If he gets stronger, then he will know where to look for us. He will be able to sense me. We need to remove him before this happens.:

"Ah, and how do you suppose we do that?" Mitherael asked. At how the Baroness looked at him, he said, "I know where the other treasures are. They are in the Burning Hells around the realm of Azmodan. But, he lives again. I am not sure what else to say."

"You know? How?" she grunted out harshly.

"The stone speaks to me," he said and pointed to the Soulstone. "The stone knows where they can be. And I wouldn't advise for you to touch it. Only I should work with it. You know this."

She seemed to laugh and simply grabbed the stone. I am the Baroness! Nothing was ever denied to her, and she seriously doubted his warnings. She was going to prove him wrong. It was only a stone! Now she found herself screaming from the pain the moment her fleshy, clawed hand pressed against the blackish-red stone from within the gold chain confinement. Diablo was quick to infiltrate her body. After a moment of silence, the Baroness turned to leer at him. Mitherael knew the inevitable had finally happened. After another moment of silence passed, Mitherael had to ask out loud, "You took her over. Didn't you?"

"That I have. And I will use this new power to my advantage," Diablo snickered. "First course of action, we will infiltrate Azmodan's realm. She has treasures that could prove useful. So, I will have her minions scout for them and map out the grounds. And...as for you..."

"What are you...?!" he gaped and found himself crushed to the ground by the Baroness's heavy bulk. He had always convinced her not to do such a thing to him, but this was Diablo now. His time had officially run out on keeping himself safe.

"This female breeds out other females. Then those females can spread out and create males like nothing. My influence will spread. But, it is unknown on what a mortal will do with a female like this. So, we are going to test a theory..."

"No!" Mitherael hissed. There was only one problem. Diablo had control of the leader of this realm. And her word was the law. The gold chain with the stone was now converted into a necklace for easy maneuvering, and an interesting gaze was given to the mortal angel. It was time to test the theory. Sentries poured in at a voiced command to bind him down. They fed him a special aphrodisiac to arouse him against his will. He wanted to scream.

As this was happening, Greed's hidden scout was watching and witnessing all of this. He was quick to portal away to make his report. Imperius was informed. And, of course, he was not happy.

"The Baroness touched his Soulstone?!" Imperius asked with complete disbelief.

"That she has," Greed sighed. "She was warned not to. Now she is taken over, and he is doing as he likes. He intends to breed out with her body."

"Oh..." Anaurael frowned heavily. Imperius was quick to turn and scoop her up into his arms.

"Easy, my ward. He will not touch you," he vowed. She only nodded with understanding. He consoled her mentally to see her smile. Then he turned to Greed. "How long do you think we have?"

"I have noticed that, with her corruption, there is a lack of focus in her domain. I can send in more minions to infiltrate and find out more," Greed said. "However, Azmodan is now made known. Goblins from her realm are already searching out the Burning Hells."

"Good. I'm over-looking all of this," Imperius nodded.

"Should I tell the others?" Izarius asked.

"Yes! Go to them and inform them!" Imperius said with a strong nod of his head. Izarius nodded back, and he did give Anaurael a tight hug to comfort her before leaving through the mirror. He found Tyrael tending to Mal, and the news was given.

"No!" Tyrael gaped. Then he winced and shuddered. "This bodes ill for all of us."

"I know," Izarius sighed. "But, Azmodan will be sought after."

"And this will be done as Diablo uses the Baroness's body for breeding. Ugh!" Tyrael shook his head. "We need to know what Itherael can tell us. And Myriam, too."

"Imperius is still watching from Greed's realm," Izarius said.

"It's a Council meeting. Oh! Anaurael will talk for him through me. He can see what happens in the mirror. Let's prepare," Tyrael nodded. He kept supporting Mal's sleeping form, though, to take with him. He had a feeling that Malthael was going to require it, and he was quite right.

"This does bode ill..." Malthael muttered out when he reappeared. "We must act."

"What do you think we're doing?" Tyrael asked him, as they walked. Malthael was still very disturbed. He sought out Anaurael's mind.

"Malthael?" she frowned. He found her sitting by the mental waterfall, and he moved to pluck her up and settle her into his lap. She could sense his distress now.

"Diablo...he is a cunning foe..." he muttered. At her sad smile, he squeezed her gently. "As much as he is not one for patience..."

"Sometimes, patience is all one has," she said. "What is time to angels or demons? They can simply do what they need and leave it at that. I'm still unsure what time will do to me. If I grow and age like a normal mortal. I mean..."

"No," Malthael said gently. "Imperius fused so much of his Light within you now, that I have already seen your aging process halt. As much as I...hate to inform you of this...you may outlive your parents. But, they do have their imprints in your mind. So, they could...possibly...come back through you. We have yet to see how it can be done."

"I don't want to think about that," she shivered. He squeezed her again.

"I know. So, we shall speak of something else. Your mental sanctum looks delightful. Yet, I have not seen you within it. Why is that?"

"Oh. I only like to be in there with Imperius," she smiled. "It's a preference."

"Would you...go there with me...?" he asked curiously. At her small smile and nod, he easily rose up with her in his arms to carry her there. He did set her down to let her open the door to admit him in. That was out of respect for her. One could never force another sanctum to open. It had to be done willingly, and it helped her remain calm. Only Imperius had the right to open the door for her.

On glancing around, it truly did resemble much of her cottage home. When she began to lead him into the main bedroom, he stopped her. When she looked at him, he took her into the smaller room that resembled her old childhood room. "I will not go into a space you share with Imperius. So, we shall go into the place that resembles your original space."

"I understand," she nodded. Now she found herself cradled by him on the bed in the room. She sensed his worry. She reached up to caress his invisible cheek. "Talk to me."

"There is too much to say," he whispered and planted his invisible mouth on hers. He needed her for comfort as well as simply being away from her for too long. A short time later had him coming around again to feel her resting against his chest. As much as he wanted her to linger with him, he sensed Imperius ready to call back her thoughts. He gently roused her. "You will be called on soon."

"Oh?" she asked and yawned. He nodded and let her fully wake before carrying her outside her sanctum. When she physically opened her eyes, it was to find Imperius' helm close to her face.

"Where were you?" he asked. "I called for you, and there was no answer."

"Malthael wanted to see my mental sanctum. I let him in," she said. He nodded at that. "He worries over what is happening now."

"We all do," Imperius said lightly. He shifted her to let her rest her face within the space of his helm to get kissed gently. "You will not leave my side. Even after this is over."

"Please don't leave me alone," she shivered. He ran a large, armored hand up her back to soothe her with a small sigh. "I want to go to our sanctum."

"Which one?" he asked. At the look in her eyes, he took one final glance in the mirror. As much as he wanted to see what else was happening, she needed his physical presence even more. "Very well. Can it wait until after the Angiris Council meeting?"

"I already told Tyrael that I would tell him what you thought," she murmured. He kissed her in a feverish way before moving through the mirror to reach his sanctum with her. The moment it sealed up, he became his core form to hold her tight against him. She pressed her face into his glowing neck and sighed with complete relief.

"No one shall touch you!" he growled and continued to cradle her as close as he could against him. :I refuse to allow any thought of you coming to harm to haunt us!:

:Then change your thoughts, love.: She smiled at him and kissed him in a wanting, needy way. When the meeting started, Tyrael could only sigh and chuckle.

"What is amiss?" Itherael asked.

"Oh, not much. Anaurael and Imperius are currently locked away," he said.

"Ah! Good. Let her remain safe with him. I was told that something has happened?" Itherael asked. On learning what was going on now, Itherael had to retrieve Talus'ar to search through it. Auriel was ready to send word to the Host. But, Tyrael rose up his hands to calm them.

"Anaurael has just informed me what Imperius is saying," he said. "We will do a few more Lightsongs. We need far more warriors now than ever. As they are preparing to infiltrate the Burning Hells, we will prepare Heaven for war. The forges will come back to life. The training halls will be widened for more capacity. Also, he would ask for Anarius to do something to confuse the enemy when they manage to breach Heaven. And, yes, he said 'when'. We know it will happen."

"He may be correct in that," Itherael sighed wearily. "But, what shall Anarius do?"

"YES. DO INFORM ME!" Anarius said when he flew in to land heavily in the chamber. At the sight of Mal suddenly waking and reaching for him, the demigod chuckled and took up his brother carefully to let him cling on his shoulder. Tyrael found himself grinning at the sight.

"Well," Tyrael said with a smile. "he wants you to turn Heaven into night again."

"Oh! It would be unexpected!" Itherael said with surprise.

"Yes. When they get overconfident in the dark, Anarius can lift the night," Tyrael said.

"To stun them!" Auriel said with understanding.

"Our wings would give us away, though," Imperael said from where he stood.

"Not if we prepare to ambush with invisibility," Tyrael said. Now Imperael found himself laughing at the idea. "As much as they can sense us, they won't know where we are."

"True," Itherael said. "We should fetch the Vecin female."

"I shall retrieve her," Izarius said. He vanished away to find Myriam already leaving her wagon. At her rushed movement, he knew he was expected. She grabbed his large hand and found herself in the Council chambers. She rose up her hands before any of them could start to talk.

"I know," she said calmly. "We must not give away the upper hand. In time, Heaven will come to attack. But, your Anu is right. If we prepare now, we will have all the power to harness. Those from Sanctuary will also benefit from this. Heaven and Sanctuary will go to war together."

"Will our efforts be in vain?" Imperael asked.

"No. Not if we prepare now," she said. "There is much that you wish to do. I would not delay. Also, I would have all of the fallen ones here to help. They will hide better in darkness."

"Because they lost their wings!" Tyrael said. "They won't glow!"

"Yes," she nodded. "And remember this. The girl will be safest away from both Heaven and Sanctuary. To be between worlds."

"You speak of Greed's realm," Izarius said. At her nod, he nodded back. "I would only ask this of you. Do you know when Heaven may be breached?"

"Ah, celsa! Such is a thing I cannot say," she sighed. "But, I will say this. If the ones in the Burning Hells are a fight to be had, then we will have some time yet."

"And what are we to do of Diablo trying to breed out?" Itherael asked. "My Scroll does not tell me much of this. Only that it may happen."

"Sometimes," she mused. "things only happen, if they are willing."

"So...if Mitherael continues to fight against it..." Auriel said.

"There is a chance that it may never happen!" Imperael finished.

"There is also a chance that Mitherael will be killed if he is not useful," Itherael said lightly. "If he is threatened with that, he may start to become willing."

"That may not be for some time yet," Myriam advised. "He is going to war with his brother. Such a thing is...experimental. Not really taken seriously."

"NOT UNTIL THE WAR IN THE BURNING HELLS IS OVER. THEN SUCH A THING WILL BE TAKEN INTO COMPLETE PERSPECTIVE," Anarius said with a shake of his hooded head.

"It is disgusting," Malthael said when he appeared. "And all we can do is wait. Hmm. I wonder now. Could it happen...?"

"Could what happen?" Tyrael asked.

"I still have following in Pandemonium. Maybe...demons could be lured there to buy us more time," Malthael thought aloud. Now the others looked at each other.

"Ah! It may be useful!" Myriam said as she focused. "Greed has more treasures."

"And I know where to have them placed," Malthael said.

"Can we draw out a map?" Tyrael asked.

"Fetch Agrius. And Telanya. They both can combine their thoughts to make what we need," Malthael advised. Myriam was making plans to go nowhere for now. She knew she was needed to help with plans. "Oh. The Nephalem. Where did...?"

"The Nephalem had to go back to Sanctuary to strategize with others," Izarius said.

"Izual was with them for me," Tyrael said.

"We need a war room here," Myriam said.

"I shall designate a part of my Library for this," Itherael nodded. "All knowledge gained shall be recorded there. It will be kept safe."

"Good!" Myriam nodded her approval.

"Ah. Imperius has just suggested something," Tyrael said. "He will be in constant monitoring with Greed's mirror. Anything that he finds of importance will be brought to attention. And he recalls something else that may be beneficial. Remember how Imperael resembled the statue in the square of Anaurael's town of birth? He wants more statues constructed outside the Diamond Gates. Various warriors can pose as statues while it is nightfall for deceit. To intermingle with them. It will help with ambush. Especially if the glow of Heaven flows from where the wings should be."

"Do it!" Imperael laughed.

"That would be something to take note of," Itherael nodded. "I can have several warriors begin with the construction."

"ALLOW ME TO HANDLE THAT. SUCH A THING WILL BE SIMPLE TO DO. HOWEVER, I DO HAVE AN INTENSE QUESTION TO ASK. FROM WHAT WE KNOW, THE BARONESS CAN ONLY BREED OUT FEMALES. WITH ANOTHER LIKE MITHERAEL, WILL THERE BE MALES?" Anarius asked. At the small frown Myriam gave, heavy sighs were all around.

"If we keep them preoccupied, then such a thing will not be attempted too often," Izarius said. "Also, the mortals here with their angelic halves. Will they need to be moved?"

"Only if the fighting spreads," Myriam nodded. As they continued to talk, Telanya was being confronted by Agrius. Darius had reached Agrius first to tell him what had to happen. Agrius took it upon himself to contact his sister.

"We need to act," Agrius said lightly to her. "Wise Tyrael is in a war council right now."

"For what purpose?" Inarius asked.

"Lilith has been reborn," Agrius said.

"WHAT?!" Inarius fumed.

"She is being held in Azmodan's realm. There is much you need to know. And there is a plot to get another to confront her to conserve our resources. Telanya, you and I must build a map of what we know of Pandemonium. It is to lure the battle there."

"Then let's go," she nodded. "Inarius, promise me this. You won't go after Lilith. Not unless I am at your side. Do you vow?"

"I do," he nodded and kissed her gently. "Let's do what we can."

With maps being drawn out, ambush sections plotted and another Lightsong in the works, the High Heaven's was going to be very busy. It was already proven that, once again, the High Heavens was going to war.