They found themselves arriving at the familiar bridge right before the mainland. Several rogue Khazra were neatly dispatched the moment they rushed at them. Boryak seemed to frown, but his newly freed clan simply moved past the carnage. They wanted to kill off the other one that was controlling their clan, and they set off to scout ahead.
"It is all right," Jozin said softly to Boryak. "Were the ones we killed of your family?"
"No. Still sad," the Khazra youth sighed. "No one trusts."
"That is true. Because of ones like these, it would be hard to trust. Maybe your kind can wear something to show they are trusting?" Eirena asked.
"I wouldn't," Byden said. "Others may catch on and use it for trickery. The only way this would work is if we knew where to meet with them discreetly for assistance."
"That would be something," Lou-yu admitted. "I wonder if I can talk to your shamans. I may be able to help them devise a special meeting spell."
"Yes?" Boryak asked hopefully. Lou-yu was already walking over to the Champion to whisper softly. The Nephalem rose a brow and took out Greed's mirror.
"No need! I here!" Gurzick said and hopped over. He caught the reflecting light and waved.
"What do you need to discuss?" Greed asked from the crown.
"Is there a way we can meet up with the good Khazra without giving them much notice?" Lou-yu asked. "I could try to help them devise a spell of sorts for recognition, but I'm not sure."
"Hmm. I know the Vizjerei mages always had some form of illusion spell that could be locked to an amulet. I may be able to acquire one," Greed mused aloud.
"That would help us. Especially if there is a specific illusion we are looking for," the Nephalem nodded. They all glanced over at Moolara appearing to help them. Her angelic mate was not happy.
"They need me," she said softly.
"You are bearing offspring," Mirdael muttered at her. "You are showing."
"I do not mind," she smiled.
"We don't know if corruption can affect those in the womb," the Nephalem said lightly.
"We are not in the Burning Hells. The spirits told me that I will be fine. We need our guides," she said and gestured to the excited Fetish around her. "I remained in Heaven for the first part. I cannot stand aside for the latter. I am not the only one with these thoughts."
"She is correct," Zynaurael chuckled when she appeared. Her daughter slipped over to her side, and Vincent sighed with a shake of his head.
"You're sure?" Vincent had to ask.
"I'm here. Aren't I?" his mate chuckled softly. Elyaurael crossed her arms over her chest.
"How is your training, Ely?" he asked.
"Well enough. I will be taught some intricate stun bomb techniques next," his daughter replied.
"What?" Vincent frowned. "Not even I was taught that! He always said that he trains that particular skill to...wait..."
"What?" she asked.
"I'm punching him out!" he growled.
"Vincent?" Zynaurael asked.
"He's taking her on as a personal apprentice. Without consulting me. He has a very unique stun bomb attack that is almost like a signature move. If he teaches that to her..." he said with narrowed eyes.
"What if I asked him to teach me?" Elyaurael said calmly.
"You...asked him...?" Vincent now glared at her. "If you like him, I am spanking you."
"What?!" she gasped.
"Elyaurael!" Zynaurael now said to her. "Is this true?!"
"Maybe..." she seemed to shrug.
"We will talk later. All of us," Zynaurael nodded. Vincent only growled, but he calmed down at his mate's squeeze to his shoulders. She understood him more than he knew. Byden only whistled softly from where he stood with his son. At the feel of Nikauriel's hands on his shoulders, he could only sigh with a touch of relief.
"I wanted to tell you this," she said softly in his ear. "Every Crusader found is gaining a mate."
"Are you serious?!" Byden gaped at her.
"Yes. They will all meet with us soon to talk," she nodded. Bediverius found himself chuckling softly. Jozin was soon walking over with his son next.
"Do we have a strategy?" the Monk asked.
"We need to find out where the enchanter is," the Nephalem said. "Boryak, you said you can smell them? The enchanters?"
"Yes. So can clan," the goatman nodded.
"Hmm..." Malthael thought when he appeared near them. Imperael was still with them, too, to guard over Boryak. "I sense...more blood magic..."
"Where does it originate?" Sohar asked.
"Ahead. Some is there. But...it also seems to have shifted...to the west of this place..." Malthael tilted his head slightly in thought. "We must hunt...now..."
"Then let's get started," Bediverius nodded. Malthael nodded back and began to lead them out.
"Good thing he acknowledges them!" Lyndon muttered out.
"Better not let him notice you, then, eh?" Kormac smirked. When a large, massive, charging beast rushed at them, Epinogrius charged forward quickly to punch it in the face. His direct fist stunned the beast so hard that Kalgor was quick to jump onto it and kill it.
"Hmm. We should cut this up," the Barbarian grinned. "We have some good cuts of meat here."
"Is there?" Lamb grinned from where he followed. "Oh! Here. This was in its stomach."
"Gold was in its guts? Interesting!" Kalgor laughed. "We'll wash it off. I can make a small bag out of its hide for it for now."
"Gross..." Lyndon cringed.
"You raid from crypts and cemeteries...and this is gross?" Byden asked.
"For one thing, they are dead and dust. This is fresh, bleeding, and...are you really pulling out the heart of that thing?!" Lyndon gaped at Sohar.
"Yes. It may be used to help us later," the Witch Doctor nodded. The heart was still beating, and there was something carved into it to keep it beating. It was stowed away carefully in a protective sack at his side. Moolara was collecting some blood in a small leather flask. Greed sent his goblins to help carry off the dead beast to the nearest Horadrim butcher shop. This would be done for any charging beast that they encountered and killed.
"Hmm?" Lou-yu looked at the Mimic when it snapped at him for attention. It ran off a bit of a ways and came back with an odd bunch of stones. On realizing that they were coins with mud on them, the Wizard laughed and nodded. Lyndon was just gaping at how effective Lamb and Mimic were.
"Maybe I should do something. Oh, wait. I can," Vincent grinned slightly and called forth his two ferret companions. They were also good at sniffing out gold.
"We are wasting time," Malthael droned out. He saw where the allied Khazra were, and they went down a cave system. Boryak seemed to tremble.
"What is it?" Imperael asked him.
"Some family. Here. Trapped," the goatman said with his ears back in sorrow.
"Where?" Malthael asked in a rather light tone. He was only showing neutrality to this one, because Anaurael was right about the intense Light within him. A Khazra may not be suitable for an angelic mate, but this one was a very valuable ally.
"Not alive. But, can feel. Sense," Boryak tried to explain. Gurzick hopped over to talk to him directly to get more information for them.
"He says he can feel the dead from his family being resurrected to fight us. To the west, from where you felt. But, my minions have found other family of his being held down in the caves. The clan has split from living to dead. What do you think?" Greed asked from the crown.
"I shall handle death. They can handle life," Malthael droned out and began to head west. This was why he felt he was needed. He had to handle any spirits that were to be used against them. He knew exactly how to stop them and cut them down.
"The one that started the mess here is where you are going," Greed hinted.
"And the one in our midst must make the kill. I see. Imperael, escort him," Malthael nodded.
"Come," Imperael nodded to Boryak.
"So, we are going into the cave?" Vincent asked.
"It appears to be that way. I'm sure Malthael can handle the rest up here," the Nephalem seemed to shrug. Durnarael looked at his father with a touch of an amusing shrug, too.
"Then let us dance in the depths!" Jozin grinned and nodded to Sylauriel when she appeared. She wielded her spear to show she was ready to help. Moolara already had the Fetish around her chittering with excitement, as they ran forth to start the charge. As they entered the cave of the Moon Clan, Malthael was approaching the one summoning the dead.
"Pathetic..." Malthael said with amusement at the Coven member. The man was chanting to bring back the souls of the mummified, dead Khazra warriors that were in a circle around him. Imperael nudged Boryak and gestured to another path behind the man. The young goatman nodded and was quick to slink off to prepare the ambush. He was going to go off of his hunting instincts. They never failed.
"You are too late! Bow down to me! The Lord of Goats!" the man shouted. At how Imperael cleared his throat to keep from laughing, the man scowled. "It doesn't matter what I call myself now! These Khazra are now mine to command! Attack, my minions!"
The ghosts of the dead Khazra appeared to bray and rush forward. They were cut in half by Malthael's scythes. All of the man's work was destroyed in less than five seconds.
"I was the Angel of Death!" Malthael seemed to hiss out in a roar. "You...are a pathetic piece of filth...and I am glad to be rid of you!"
"So you think!" the man snorted. Then he found himself staring at the impaled spear that Boryak did from behind that was now right through his gut. The clever goatman waited for just the right moment. Then Malthael lopped off the man's head.
"Well done!" Imperael laughed with mirth and kicked away the rolling head. "We should join the others now. Let us go."
"Yes!" Boryak nodded and was quick to follow him. With them clearing out the cave, Anaurael was being told of what was happening in her room up in the High Heavens.
"It appears that our new ally is able to avenge his family," Itherael said and bent down to rub a hand on her belly. "Is there movement yet?"
"Not yet. Likely not for another month or two. It could be sooner, but I cannot tell," she smiled. She gave a small sigh of relief at his touch, and he paused in thought. He had a small idea.
"I think I know how I can help you further. Let me speak with Imperius. He is training the troops?" Itherael asked gently. At her nod, he nodded back and flew off to the training halls. Izarius was with her, so he knew she was safe.
"Hmm?" Imperius glanced over at him.
"I wish to speak with you," Itherael said.
"Speak then," Imperius nodded. He was still minding the troops as they sparred, but he was also paying close attention to Itherael.
"I have a way to help Anaurael," he said. "Can we build a place that overlaps Valor and Fate?"
"Hmm..." Imperius thought aloud. "You believe this would be needed for her?"
"For all of us to help her," he nodded. "It may ease some stress, should it occur. That and you may come and go freely, as can I. We will not move her bedroom. It will simply be a place to take her to, should the pregnancy become more intense. A temporary retreat. We have witnessed this."
"True. Very well. Oh. Another idea. Just in case you are unable to reach her in time, as much as I want Izarius to do this, it would need to be Imperael. From his...talent. Have Imperael gain much of the essence from your Library of Fate. He can be used to help buffer when you are not there. I may see if he can do the same in my Halls of Valor."
"That is an excellent idea!" Itherael said with a bit of surprise. "I shall contact him the moment he returns. This will be crucial, and he can assist with guarding her."
"Good. Let it be done," Imperius nodded. "Oh...how is she?"
"She rests well enough," Itherael said. As they continued to talk about what was to come, Anaurael was feeling restless. She knew she was overheating, but she felt the need to walk.
"Are you sure?" Izarius asked.
"I do. Tyrael is handling Horadrim matters on Sanctuary. Imperius has to mind the troops. I just...I feel cooped up!" she sighed. "And I'm getting too hot. A nice breeze would be good for me."
"As long as I am with you," he said. He let her squeeze him in a tight hug before letting him teleport her to one of the many bridges in the Silver City. The breeze definitely relieved her.
"I am getting thirsty," she admitted.
"Hmm. I'll take you back," he said.
"No," she smiled and shook her head. "Just a quick trip. I'll be fine. Just go and come back."
"I cannot," Izarius said gently. "Ah! I'll have Darius assist with Mithus and Azarius."
"All right," she said. When he didn't call for them, she frowned. He seemed to go still. He was glad he didn't leave. He sensed that the heroes had come back triumphantly with treasures for Cain to help them sort through. I don't want her to get approached. Imperius wouldn't like it one bit. Being a lesser Aspect of Honor gave him a large benefit. "What is it?"
"They came back. I can't leave your side," he said.
"Who? Oh! The Nephalem and the others? Can we see them?" she smiled.
"Hmm. Well...as long as I remain with you," Izarius sighed. She smiled and let him teleport her to the Angiris Council chamber. The Nephalem was quick to wave at them.
"How did it go?" she asked.
"It went well! Boryak was able to claim the honor of his family. His clan would like to see us, as in me and the others, later on in their camp. To thank us personally. I'm...rather curious of it all," the champion admitted with a small smile.
"That's good to know," she beamed.
"Where is Imperius?" the Nephalem asked now.
"He is training the troops. I'm sure he'll be around shortly," she said and blinked at Lyndon walking over with a small smile and a nod. Izarius tensed, but he knew she wouldn't be touched.
"Hello, my dear! Have you come to hear of my wondrous exploits?" he grinned dashingly.
"No," she smiled. "Everyone worked well enough together."
"You mean, you don't want to know of how I single-handedly lured those brutes out to be saved?" he frowned. "Surely, you must be curious!"
"I am fine. Thank you," she nodded lightly. Izarius was getting irritated now.
"Lyndon. Stop it," the Nephalem warned. Lyndon was about to argue, but Izual was soon present with Azurewrath out to give off its warning chill.
"Back. Down. Now," Izual warned. Lyndon cleared his throat and nodded with agreement. Anarius appeared next and seemed to look at Izual with curiosity. "Yes, Anarius?"
"I MAY HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT YOU SOON. YOU DISPLAYED MUCH JUSTICE JUST NOW. IT DOES MAKE ME WONDER..." the demi-god mused and chuckled. "MOTHER, YOU ARE WELL?"
"Of course, my son," she smiled and let him move to hug her.
"Can we take her back to her chamber?" Izarius asked. Anarius nodded and teleported the three of them away. Izual was still there, and he was puzzled over what Anarius said.
"Are you well, Izual?" Eirena asked him.
"I am only confused with what Anarius said," Izual admitted.
"Well...Tyrael has become Wisdom. Perhaps, if you are to become Justice," she started. At this, he suddenly paused with realization. Now I know what Anarius was talking about! But, wasn't Malthael to take over Justice? I must think on this further...
"I...need to go..." Izual said quickly and teleported away to think over a rather big decision that may just happen for him. It would be a lot to bear, and he'd want to talk to Tyrael over it.
Tyrael, however, was at the Nephalem Temple on Sanctuary. He was watching Zayl, Sohar, and Moolara drawing out an intricate circle in the ground. Alaric was quite curious over it, but he knew they always cleaned up what they had made.
"What do they hope to accomplish?" Alaric asked.
"We hope to find another lost soul. One that was heavily corrupted by Diablo. They are applying specialized blood wardings to help," Tyrael sighed. Alaric wasn't pleased by this news, but he simply watched calmly to bear witness.
"I'm here!" the Nephalem nodded. Anarius was able to teleport the Champion and the mercenaries to where Tyrael was. The moment it was told what was happening, the Nephalem needed to be there to bear witness to the event. Alaric was seen, and a nod of respect was given. The ancient ghost chuckled and nodded back. "Have you heard of one called Orek?"
"Orek?! I have! He is awake now?" Alaric asked with surprise.
"He is. I'll tell him about you," the Nephalem smiled.
"Please do! I'll be happy to catch him up on various events," Alaric chuckled.
"Black magic..." Kormac cringed at what he saw on the ground.
"We were told it was to help find Leah. Do not worry so," Eirena soothed and patted his arm. Lyndon was with them, but he was sorely lost in his thoughts. He was paying attention, though, as it was clear enough at his outburst at what was happening.
"Is that why you carried that thing?!" Lyndon gaped at the large, still-beating beast heart being set carefully in the circle of blood that Moolara had collected.
"Yes," Sohar chuckled.
"You will not remain close?" Mirdael asked his mate.
"For safety, I will not. But, I will let my companions be my guards," Moolara soothed. The Fetish there would clearly make any ghost or demon pause before attacking her. The three Fetish Shamans with her began to chant to activate the powerful searching spell. They were looking for corrupted royalty of the female kind. They already had a lock and were pulling the lock to them.
"What do you think?" Humbert asked Cain when his ghost wavered with them.
"I am unsure," Cain admitted. "but, it's effective! Even I can feel the pull of this spell..."
"Back away," Sohar warned Zayl. The Necromancer nodded and quickly heeded that. A red mist began to envelop the heart, as it beat faster and faster. The smell of sulfur and brimstone was quick to fill the air. A young woman's sharp crying was heard now.
"Leah!" Cain said with a touch of worry. The mist seemed to settle in the form of young girl with short, reddish brown hair that was tied back. She was crouched down in a rather pinned way, but it looked like she was chained up to the floor to keep her from escaping. Zayl wanted to speak out, but Tyrael put a hand on his shoulder to let Cain do the talking. Even the Nephalem was glanced at to remain silent.
"Uncle...Deckard...?!" she gasped and looked up. A spark of hope now reached her tear-stained eyes. She knew she didn't have much time.
"Leah...my dear niece..." he said.
"Uncle...I'm trapped! I..." she gasped with a harsh sob.
"Where? Where are you trapped, my dear?" he asked. "You can tell me."
"In the place...Tyrael fell. Where we...we found him. I...am not alone here! I want to...go to you...but I can't! I'm caged! I..." she tried to speak. Then she screamed at a horrific pain that assaulted her before the spell lost hold. Something kept her from talking, but it was a touch too late. The crucial information was given. Her spirit vanished, and Cain was just beside himself with loss.
"Where I...fell...I see..." Tyrael grimaced hard. "I can't join you for Anaurael's sake."
"Where is she being held?" the Nephalem asked. Eirena, Kormac and Lyndon now watched Tyrael's face. Tyrael was trembling hard, but he swallowed and looked at them all.
"The place where it all started when King Leoric's youngest son went missing. The very place that Aidan had to travel to in order to band together with others to slay his own father's corpse. He had to kill his father's adviser, Lazarus, too. He even had to kill his younger brother, Albrecht, when Diablo corrupted him. The birthplace where this Hell started..." Tyrael said in a rather calm, yet slightly shaky voice.
"The Tristram Cathedral," Cain said and shook his head. "It was inevitable for her to be held captive down there. But...how far down is she held?"
"Only one way to find out. Isn't there?" the Nephalem said grimly. "We'll rescue her."
"You know I have to go with you. Someone has to carry her out," Zayl said. "Right, Humbert?"
"Well..." the skull mused. "At least she's pretty! Okay. I'm in."
"I know you'll also have Cain with you, but it would be the only way," Zayl sighed.
"Yeah, yeah. It's fine. I'll manage!" Humbert said confidently.
"Let's set up an expedition," the Nephalem nodded. Moolara and Sohar began to clean up the floor and remove the now, fully dead heart. It was charred through and turned to ash at their touch. They knew exactly what that meant, and Moolara knew that Mirdael would keep her from going. At the touch of understanding to her shoulder, she could only agree. They didn't want their offspring to fail.
"Very well. I will stay behind," she said. "Sohar, I will gift you with two pieces of my armor. It will be enough to let the guardians of the Unformed Land assist."
"Good. I shall gladly welcome their help," the male Witch Doctor nodded.
"Let's rescue Leah," the Nephalem smiled softly with a stern nod.