Disclaimer: I do not own Diablo 2 or its expansion.

This is my first fan fiction though, and it is based on the new Necromancer character and his adventures. Other characters from other professions might come in sooner or later in time. Please begin to give your votes about which character class should appear next.

Well... so far here are the votes about the other characters that you guys decided on.

Druid 4

Barbarian 1

Paladin 0

Sorceress 1

Assassin 0

Amazon 0

And to answer Avatar of Fyre's question, no, Leoric is not the Paladin in this story, He is considered an Undead Knight of some sort, though he still has some fighting skills of the Paladin. And I thank Lord of Pie for addressing the issue of the Mages and Assassins and the Necromancers.. all I am saying is that the Necromancers were not responsible for the Demon war, merely taking part in it, helping Diablo.

Anyway, onwards to the story.

Chapter 5: Search for Cain part 3

It was a while before Haimler woke up. He winced as he still felt some pain on his shoulder, though the sensation was less intense now, and he could move his arm somewhat more comfortably. He exited the tent and was greeted by the relieved expressions from the two women.

Paige smiled at him and said. "How are you feeling now, big brother?" Haimler smiled and moved over to her and gave her a hug. "I am feeling much better now, little sister... thank you for your concern." His gaze then darted over to where Blood Raven was and said. "And thank you as well, for watching over me as I slept."

She smiled and said. "It is nothing, my love... I merely did my duty to keep you safe."
She then pointed towards the woods and said. "Our objective is now in those woods... I suggest that we stay sharp and guard each other's backs. There are more vicious beasts and demons roaming in this place. Remember, they inhabit this place, and would probably know the place better than us. We should be always prepared for an ambush..."

Haimler nodded and said. "Your point is well noted… I too, do not want to be taken unawares."

They slowly and tentatively approached the edge of the woods and entered it cautiously, the oppressive mood and atmosphere of the woods pressing on them. Only a minimal amount of the sun rays managed to break through the thick leaves of the canopy, making the forest seem more dark and ominous than it originally was.

Still, they pressed on, until the rustle of something made them eye the surroundings warily. Blood Raven then whipped round and then shot a few arrows into a nearby clearing and was rewarded by some shrieks of pain and some gurgles. It was then the woods erupted with movement. A horde of Carvers, led by their shamans began to charge them, brandishing their weapons in fury. Some of the shamans chanted and revived the dead carvers. Haimler hastily summoned some skeletons and drew his blade, while Paige and Blood Raven peppered the enemy with hails of arrows, nailing the Shamans first, to prevent them from reviving their comrades, while Haimler and his skeletons hacked a bloody path through the multitude of enemies. He winced as his shoulder occasionally gave him a stab of pain, as well as the pain he felt of numerous cuts that the Carvers blades were able to inflict upon him.

It was apparent that they had stumbled near a Carver encampment, and with its occupants killed, they would not have to worry about enemies coming in from that Quarter. Haimler took another healing potion from his pack and drank it, and feeling the soothing effect of his cuts healing at a more rapid rate, though his shoulder still bothered him, if only slightly.

They took a short rest, before continuing their trek deeper into the woods. Here, they ran into a group of Quill Rats, but they looked more ferocious and aggressive, hissing at them and firing their quills almost immediately. Haimler also noticed that these rats were of a different coloration from the ones he encountered in the Blood Moor. Once Paige and Blood Raven, with the help of his skeletons dispatched them, he asked them. "Do you two have any idea about what those were? And I am curious, what were those Zombies you raised in the Monastery Graveyard, just before I broke you free from Andariel's control?"

Blood Raven looked at him and smiled sadly. "It is regrettable, of course, no thanks to that demoness, but those Zombies are called Hungry Dead… and these Quill Rats are called Spike Fiends, as you can see, their spines are more sturdy and sharp and they have a bluish purple skin, rather than the normal brown of the Quill Rats."

He nodded and said. "You are right… now let us get moving. We need to get to the Tree of Inifuss and obtain that Scroll, plus, we need to search for the waypoint here back to Camp."

"Agreed…" Both of the women replied as they scoured through the woods. Haimler then raised his Rock Golem, just in case anything big happened about them, and they needed something tough to help them.

Paige then said. "Stop for a moment… listen. I can hear the sounds of battle up ahead."

They did so, and true enough, the enraged roar that was inherent to Gargantuan Beasts were heard in the air, but also the snarl of a... wolf? Haimler looked at Blood Raven and she shrugged. "I do not understand… we have never seen any wolves here, in fact wolves are not natives of Khanduras… why should one be here all of a sudden?"

Haimler nodded and said. "What you say is true... still, someone or something is fighting against Diablo's minions and it is clear that whoever or whatever it was, it needs our help."

They nodded and ran briskly towards the source of the battle, dispatching any enemies that came across their path. They included more Spike Fiends, some more Goat Men and some survivors of the Carver Camp, in particular the Carvers who charged them with vile curses and oaths of revenge, brandishing their blades with murderous fury.

When they arrived in a clearing, they witnessed a battle between stronger versions of the Gargantuan Beasts... Brutes, Paige informed him. They then saw a white furred wolf, which to Haimler did not seem real. In fact, he actually felt it was akin to his skeletons and his golem. Also, there is some sort of vine that repeatedly erupted from the ground, slashing at the Brutes repeatedly, and was amazed that they were soon felled, and spasms were going through their bodies as they fell down. He looked at Blood Raven.

Sensing that he was asking her a question, she replied. "Poison... that vine has poison running in it… and it helped to take down those beasts. But I have heard of this group… their leader is somewhere near… its name is Treehead Woodfist… and it is a guardian of the Tree of Inifuss… our goal for this mission. If his minions was here... he must be nearby, and so is the Tree."

He nodded, and then heard the bestial snarl again. Their gazes went forward and they witnessed a werewolf, or at least a humanoid wolf doing battle with a large grey furred Brute. Blood Raven then said. "That is Treehead… and what is a werewolf doing here?" She then paused for a moment and said. "Or that might not be a true werewolf at all…" She then turned to Haimler and said. "I assume you have knowledge about the Barbarians of Harrogath, correct?" Haimler nodded. She then continued. "Well, I have heard that some of the Barbarians of Harrogath forsook their martial nature, preferring to deal with spirits and the different aspects of nature, as well as its elements. Those Barbarians, more commonly known as Druids now, were exiled from the frozen north. I believe that werewolf…" She pointed at the creature. "… is a druid that has shape shifted into that form, and the wolf and the vine are natural creatures or spirits that are summoned by him, not unlike your skeletons and your golem."

"Hmmm… I have guessed as much... "Haimler said to her. "But I think we are done talking here, let us assist him in his fight!" He then drew his blade, and charged out of the clearing, Paige and Blood Raven taking aim and fired a volley of arrows towards the massive beast.

As the arrows found their mark,Treehead howled in pain, and it whirled around towards Haimler and his party. Haimler could see that the beast was already hurt in many places, gashes and claw marks riddled the beast's body, courtesy of the Druid and its minions who continued to slash and wound the beast. Haimler then charged forward, thrusting and slashing his blade against the beast's body and flanks, while the shape shifted druid tore at the beast's back with its claws.

Soon, it collapsed to the ground with a mighty roar, and a pool of blood welled out from its wounds. Haimler breathed hard, relieved by the swift death of the beast. He could tell that the Brute called Treehead Woodfist was much stronger than its minions. The werewolf eyed them warily, and after watching them for a moment, it relaxed and then shifted. A man clothed in leather pants, boots and a fur tunic looked at them. He was slightly taller than Haimler, and was more muscular. He had a reddish tinge of hair, which reminded Haimler of Charsi, tied in a ponytail. His eyes were brown in color, but contained wildness in them.

The Druid looked at them and then said gruffly. "My name is Fenric… I am a Druid. What are two Rogues, and a Necromancer..." He said the last word with minor disdain. "…doing so far out here?" Blood Raven looked at the man with a cold expression, her eyes narrowing into slits at the way the Druid spoke about Haimler, and said. "Watch your tone, Druid… my love here might be a Necromancer… but he has never done any foul deeds… he has not only rescued me from that demoness Andariel's control, he also helped to quell a major build up in demonic forces that were threatening to assault our Encampment." Paige's expression was similar to Blood Raven's and she notched an arrow to her bow, and wielded it in a warning stance to the druid.

The druid noted all of this for a moment and then relaxed, a friendly grin lit up his face in a friendly expression. They found out that despite his gruff appearance, this man was quite likeable. "I apologize, friend Necromancer... for far too long have I heard many ugly tales regarding your kind… and I reacted as one that has misconceptions and misunderstandings against your kind." Haimler nodded, waving reassuringly to women and then said. "I understand, friend Druid… your apology is accepted." He then paused. "If I may ask… have you seen the Tree of Inifuss? We are looking for something near there…"

Fenric nodded and said. "Call me Fenric, please… and yes, I have seen that ugly tree." He grimaced. He then pointed a finger back at Treehead Woodfist's cooling corpse. "That thing fought tooth and nail to keep me from keeping near, though I do not know why. I mean, it's just an old grotesque piece of wood."

"We will show you the reason... if you agree to lead us to where the Tree is." Haimler said. Fenric nodded and said. "Very well... I suppose I have you all to thank for helping me to kill that beast. He's one of the toughest foes that I have battled so far... I can't believe I enjoyed that... my brother would have reminded me of this for ages if he knew about this." He chuckled at their confused expressions. "This way.. I'll tell you more.."

Haimler, Paige, and Blood Raven looked at one another and shrugged. They followed the druid as he continued to speak. "You see... my brother and I come from the frozen North. The barbarian domain of Harrogath. He is a strong warrior, though we have our differences. I felt more in touch with natural world, the elements and the spirits, rather than the martial disciplines that my brother believed in. In the end... I and my brethren were... exiled." He paused as a sad expression came upon his face. "We were close, my brother and I. He understood why I chose this path... but he was helpless to prevent my exile… though he was quite.. vocal in his displeasure when the decision of the Council was made known to him."

Paige looked at his expression and her heart went out to him. She knew the pain that he felt, being separated from her mother... and all alone in this world, before her aunt took her in. She slipped away from Haimler's side and then touched the Druid's shoulder and said softly. "I am so sorry to hear that... I understand your feelings... if it wasn't for my aunt, and my friends... I would be like you now... alone." Fenric looked at the young Rogue girl and smiled softly. "Indeed... the pain might dim in time... but it can never truly go away."

Haimler looked at his sister and then looked at Blood Raven. She shook her head and said. "They need time together... I know that look on her face. She is beginning to form a connection with him, for they share the same pain. I am not surprised... if they end up together. In a way, both of them are so much alike, just as we share a same past and circumstance."

Haimler nodded and said. "Let us hope that they will be just as happy together, just as we are." He then looked forward and realized that both Paige and Fenric had stopped. Curious as to why they did so, he strode forward and grimaced.

In front of his stood a grotesque thing that barely resembled a tree. It has the structure of a tree, but its structure was one of uneven bumps and twisting branches. He raised an eyebrow and then said in disbelief. "This is the tree that we are looking for? This is the tree of Inifuss?"

Blood Raven nodded and said. "This is it... and I think I see something that we could take."

She then approached the tree and studied it, and then spotted something. She ripped off part of the tree's bark and then walked back to them. She then said. "I believe that I have found something..." She then showed them the piece of bark. She pointed to a series of inscriptions on the bark. "I believe that these are the schematics of the symbols that we might find in the standing stones in the Cold Plains… the ones that Akara mentioned."

Haimler nodded and said. "Hmmm… you might be right... we need to get this translated. Then we shall set off..." He then pulled out a Town Portal scroll from his pack and then read the inscription. Immediately, a flash of light appeared before them, and a familiar blue swirling portal appeared. They stepped into the portal and appeared at the Rogue Encampment.

Kashya looked at them and said. "Welcome back! We were starting to worry when you all did not return." Haimler smiled and said. "We ran into… quite a number of beasts, but it is nothing that we cannot handle." He then gestured to Fenric and said. " Oh yes... Kashya. May I introduce you to our newest travelling companion. His name is Fenric and he is a Druid from Harrogath."

Kashya raised an eyebrow and then smiled. "Well, well... so we have one of the exiles of the frozen North... and is it just me, or is my niece feeling rather… attached to the said druid?" Haimler chuckled and said. " I believe she is... but I will protect her from harm. She is my sister now, dear aunt." Kashya went over and hugged him and whispered. "You have great nerve... I am not that old yet... but I forgive you. And make sure that man does not hurt her... I'll make sure he suffers if he harms her in any way."

Haimler nodded and said. "Don't worry... I'll be one step ahead of you to gut him he does so with my sister." They then looked at Fenric and gave him a sly and maniacal grin, which led the druid to step back, and eyed them warily, a chill coursing through his body. Paige also noticed her aunt and brother's look and she put her hands on her hips and glared at them, pouting and giving them a frown. Blood Raven shook her head and smiled to herself as she over looked the scene, marvelling at the over protectiveness that her best friend and her love exuded.

She cleared her throat, bringing their attention back to the present. "Excuse me... I do not want to be rude, but shouldn't we look for Akara to get that bark translated?" Haimler blinked for a while and said. " I suppose that you are right." He then took the piece of the tree bark, and his three companions followed him. They approached Akara's hut and then they saw Akara going over a few tomes.

She looked up and gave them a weary smile. " Ahh… you have returned... come, drink this..." She said as she drew four bowls of brew from her pot. They took the bowls and drank it and instantly felt invigorated. Haimler then said. " Thank you, Akara... now I would like to pass you this." He took the Bark of Infuss to the old woman and said. "By the way, Akara... we have a new visitor… he is..." Akara raised a hand to stop him and said. "He is a Druid from Harrogath, correct?"

Fenric nodded and said. "Indeed I am..." Akara nodded and said. "I suggest you see our blacksmith, she has your kind's heritage flowing in her veins." She then looked back at Haimler and said. "I suggest you all take a short rest before departing to Tristram. I would need some time to decode this." She indicated the bark and then entered her hut.

Haimler shrugged and then said. "Well then, let's do what the good seer ordered. After all, we need our strength to face whatever perils or horrors that we might face in Tristram." Blood Raven nodded, as well as Paige. But Fenric had a look of disbelief on his face. "Forgive me for being sceptic… but rumours had told the total destruction of Tristram when Diablo's forces stormed out of the bowels of the earth after his flight. There is no telling what lies there. For all we know, no one is alive there... a foolish mission if you ask me."

Haimler sighed and looked at him wearily. " Be that as it may, Fenric, but the man that we are going to rescue might be the only one who might help turn the tide with his knowledge. I assume you have heard of the last surviving Horadrim Sage, Deckard Cain?"

Fenric nodded and said. "He is a wise man, and respected even in the community in Harrogath. But like I said, we still do not know if he is still alive." Blood Raven then gave him a quelling look. "And that is why it is more important to venture there to find out the truth."

Fenric silently pondered their words for a moment and then nodded. "Very well... I shall go with you. The effects of Diablo's wake in this world are too great to ignore, and I have heard from the spirits that even in my homeland, his release again into this world bodes ill. I am also privileged to inform you that the spirits have also told me one piece of good news. It seems that the Council decided to dispatch my brother to meet this incoming threat... and it would boost our strength greatly, though I do not know when will we be able to meet him."

Haimler grinned, his cheeks growing slightly rosy with joy and said. "This is a piece of excellent news indeed... we look forward in meeting him." He then turned his head and then spotted Akara walking towards them, holding a ornate scroll in her hands. He stepped forward and the old woman handed him the scroll. "I have deciphered the runes on the bark... on this scroll is the instruction on the sequence of the runes that are to be touched on the standing stones in order to open the portal to Tristram."

Haimler nodded and then said. "Well, it seems that we are able to move on again.. it would be best that we go to the blacksmith and repair and restock any supplies that we need." They nodded in mutual agreement, and then strode towards the smithy in unison.

Charsi looked up at them and smiled. "Oh, hello... welcome. It's been a while since I have seen you people." She then noticed the newcomer and then said. "Oh, hello... you must be new here. I'm Charsi, the blacksmith."

Fenric nodded and said gruffly. "I am pleased to meet you, Charsi. I was told by Akara that you have the lineage of a Barbarian in you." Charsi nodded and said. "Why yes indeed, my father was a Barbarian. He came from Harrogath, from the far north."

Fenric smiled and said. "Then I am pleased to acknowledge you as a sister kin... though we are distantly related. You see, I am a druid... an offshoot from the Barbarians, which deals with nature and spirits rather than martial disciplines."

Charsi nodded, and then went back to her anvil and then looked up at Haimler. "I am grateful to you, friend... for allowing me to meet someone that comes from my father's homeland. I cannot wait to meet this Druid's brother... perhaps he will know of my father... he left my mother when I was a child... to do battle against Diablo's minions.. he never returned." Her face became crestfallen. Haimler could tell that she felt strongly about her father... and that she was especially close to him,

He was about to speak, but Fenric beat him to the punch. "Do not worry, sister kin... I and my brother come from a good family in Harrogath, and my father have some standing there... finding out about your father's family will not be difficult." Charsi looked at the druid and smiled sadly. "Thank you... though I do not know if they are still alive... or will they accept me... I have heard that half-breeds are not so welcome in Harrogath."

Haimler, Paige and Blood Raven bristled at those words. "Even if those brutes do not accept you, Charsi..." Paige began. "You will never be alone or feel inadequate or unaccepted." Blood Raven continued. "You are our friend..." Haimler added. "You have a family here... one that will remain by your side… no matter what happens." Kashya added, as she walked to the smithy's. Apparently, she heard their conversation and decided to chip in. But the surprise came from Fenric. "Even if your father's family refuses to acknowledge you as their own, I will adopt you as my younger sister... and I am sure that my Barbarian brother would agree with me, if he was here."

The overwhelming love and concern that these people had for her plight moved her, and for the first time, Charsi wept in joy and sadness. Blood Raven and Kashya moved and gave the blacksmith a warm hug, to comfort her, while Paige and Haimler joined in the group hug, to lend their support to their friend.

A throaty cough broke through the silence and heads turned. Akara stood near the smithy, a friendly, yet weary smile creased her features. "I am glad for you, Charsi... that you finally shed the mask and the need to appear strong. All of us are hurt by the corruption of our sisterhood... but I believe you have suffered the most these few years."

Charsi nodded. "Indeed I have, Akara... but no longer. With the support of these friends... and the family ties that we of the Sisterhood possess... I do not feel so bad any longer." Akara nodded and said. "Good..." She then turned to Haimler. " I wish you luck, Haimler... and bring Cain safely back to us. May the Great Eye watch over you all." She then turned and walked towards the direction of her hut.

Haimler nodded and then said. " Well, shall we go?" He looked at his companions and they nodded in unison. Before they left, Charsi stopped them. "Before I forget... I need to inform you of something. If you find any weapons with empty sockets, or depressions that might hold something in them… I suggest you keep them. Also, if you find any gems or jewels, do not throw them away. They might have magical properties that will enhance your battle capabilities. Do take note that shields, armour and head gear such as helms or others might have some of those depressions as well." She then paused for a while and then said. "If you are to go to Tristram and beyond, you need some good armour and weapons... wait here… I will get some for you." She rushed back towards her smithy and browsed through her racks. She then returned, handing a sabre to Haimler, as well as a suit of studded leather armour. Haimler smiled as he gave it a few practice swings, satisfied with its weight and balance. For Paige, Charsi gave her a skullcap, and a composite bow, which the young rogue accepted. And for Fenric, she gave him a mace as well as a small shield, which she also passed one to Haimler. She also gave the two Rogue women more quivers of arrows to replace the ones that they have used up during their battles.

Satisfied with their outfit, the party of four stepped onto the waypoint marker that was in the camp. Haimler, Blood Raven and Paige focused on getting to the Cold Plains. Soon a tingling spread through their bodies as a blue glow enveloped them, and after it dissipated, they found themselves back in the Cold Plains… where a band of Corrupted Rogues charged them. Following them were two bands of Fallen Ones with their Shaman and ten Gargantuan Beasts.

Haimler grinned, drawing his new sabre and raised his shield, nodding to Fenric. The druid muttered a few chants, and the poison vine erupted again from the ground, wildly attacking the band of Fallen Ones, while he himself howled, as he shape shifted back to his werewolf form, and started to tear through the ranks of the Gargantuan Beasts. Blood Raven and Paige peppered the Gargantuan Beasts with arrows, as well as killing the Fallen One Shamans first, while Haimler summoned his rock golem, and then charged at the group of corrupted Rogues. He managed to kill two, while his Golem crushed the other one with its massive fist, sending the Corrupted Rogue flying.

At last they reached the Cairn Stones, a massive array of standing stones, which seemed ancient. It would be even more magnificent if the Carvers were not around it. An impressive looking Carver with azure colored skin eyed them warily. " Soo… you are dem humans that kill Bishiboshi… and many of my kin! Me Rakanishu! You will die, humans!" The Carver called Rakanishu let out a shriek and then charged them, but Haimler's rock golem rushed forward, blocking its creator to shield him from harm, swinging its arm to the side, killing many of the Carvers that charged too close. But Haimler noticed something. Sparks of electricity began to bombard his golem as it struck Rakanishu. He then said. "That thing is somehow enchanted with the ability to emit lightning when it is struck." He then turned to Paige and Blood Raven. " I want two of you to help me. Paige, use an arrow enchanted with ice powers to freeze him. Blood Raven, I want you to use a fire tipped arrow. A sudden change in temperature like that will shatter the ice and that beast with it."

They nodded in agreement. Paige raised her bow and muttered the spell to enchant the tip of her arrow with cold, and it glowed an icy blue colour. She released it, and as it struck Rakanishu, she could see it wince in pain, and then shock as his whole body was encased in ice. Before it could do anything about its current predicament, another whistle of an arrow in flight. The arrow had a fiery colour on its tip and it struck hard against the frozen Rakanishu. The great difference of temperature was too great, and the frozen beast shattered into pieces. The two women grinned at their handiwork, and Haimler walked over to them and said. " Well done, both of you… let us activate the portal now." He then studied the ring of stones and found similar runes etched to the stones, like the ones he saw on the scroll. Slowly, he began to touch them in sequence, according to what Akara instructed. As he touched each one, the rune began to glow and hummed softly in power. When he finished touching them, he stepped back, away from the stones, motioning for the others to do so as well.

Soon the sky grew dark as mystical lightning struck the stones, arching from stone to stone, till a blood red portal was formed. Haimler looked at the portal and then nodded to the rest of the party. Warily, they entered the portal… and as they stepped out on the other side, the burning smell and then view that greeted them was devastating. The once proud town of Tristram was now in ruins, its buildings were now ruined hulks, and some of them were charred. Even now, some of the buildings were burning. But he was surprised to hear the sounds of battle, the ringing of steel weapons hitting each other, as well as some demonic brays. He looked at his companions and said. "It seems that there are other survivors… let us help them!" He then let out a battle cry and charged towards the sounds of battle, followed by his companions. The two women let fly with arrows, injuring the group of Fallen Ones that blocked their path, and killing the Shamans, while the two men hacked their way through the throng of demons and undead that thrived in this place. When they reached the town square, they looked in amazement. A goat demon and a human fought side by side as they repelled other demons, as well as a beefy looking man. They were shielding someone behind them, and they saw a large cage behind the two beings, that was already opened and lowered onto the ground. Haimler did not say anything but pointed towards the group of demons and then rushed forward. More arrows flew from the women's bows, killing many goat demons, while the rest were dispatched by the four men.

Once the battle is over, Haimler and his party approached the man and the goat demon. Haimler took a good look at the two. The man was in his early thirties, garbed in ornate plate armour with many death's head designs on it. He wielded an ornate rune blade, which seemed to be very sharp. The goat man held a wicked looking mace. Blood Raven gasped. "It cannot be... you were supposed to be dead. My sister was one of the three who slain you a few months ago..." She then looked at the goat man and said. "And you as well..." The goat man shrugged as it looked at the man, as if asking him to explain the situation to them.

The man smiled wryly and then nodded. "I assume you speak of Marion? Indeed... you know, I am the former king Leoric... and now, I am a Blood Knight." He then said, pointing to the Goatman. " This is Gharbad... also a former minion of Diablo's. I assume you all would want to know why we are alive once more?" The four adventurers nodded in agreement. Leoric then said. " Well, the last thing I remembered was I was dead… and somehow, two days ago, I awoke in my crypt, my body restored to its prime, albeit, and undead version of it. And then, I met Gharbad here. We both came to the conclusion that Diablo's flight and awakening actually had the side effect of restoring us... even making us stronger now, but free of his control." Gharbad then chipped in. "What Leoric spoke of is true, I too found myself alive after my former master's flight."

They then moved aside to reveal an aged old man, dressed in grey robes and a staff in his hand. The elder moved forward slowly and said. "It was a shock to me to see these two alive again… " He then regarded the group. "But where are my manners… my name is Deckard Cain. I was imprisoned by those horrible minions… and force to see the rest of the townspeople slaughtered. Pepin was first, then Wirt… Griswold was cursed to serve Diablo… and Adria and Ogden were killed as well… and Gillian… she was missing."

Fenric then closed his eyes and said. "Someone… is still alive here, but barely…" He then pointed at the hulking ruin of a building, which might have been an inn or a tavern once. Leoric nodded and then said. "I shall go take a look." He then strode off towards the building. Moments later, he returned, cradling a young brown haired woman in his arms. Cain smiled wearily. "Thank goodness… Gillian is alive."

Haimler then said. "I believe we should return quickly to the Encampment now. Akara is awaiting us." Cain smiled at the name. "So… she is still alive… it is good to hear. I was her lover once, you know… before I chose Adria." He said sadly. " I loved both of them… and yet… I am only met by loss." Haimler smiled sadly. "We all know the pain of losing people we care about Cain…" He then took out a scroll and opened it, reading the words. Soon the familiar blue shimmering portal appeared. They stepped through the portal and found themselves back at the camp.

Kashya strode forward and regarded the two newcomers warily, and glared at the goat man with hostility. She was about to give the order to restrain them, when Haimler explained the situation to her. She soon nodded and backed away. Haimler then said. "Follow me, I will take you three to Akara… Cain and Gillian needs her healing."

The undead king and goat man shrugged, and then followed the young necromancer towards the hut. When Akara got a good look at him, she smiled. "It is good… to see you again, Cain. How fares my sister?"

Cain looked away and said sadly. "She is dead, Akara… Diablo's minions got to her. Gillian and I are the only survivors of the massacre of Tristram. Leoric… and Gharbad as well, in a way." Akara looked crestfallen. "I see… I do not know why you were revived, Your Majesty… or you, demon… but I know somehow, it is to help us win this trial against evil. Leave the young woman with me too, Cain. You both need healing."

They nodded and Leoric placed Gillian on the bed in Akara's hut, where Cain and the old woman entered. With nothing to do, the three men returned to the Campfire, where they conversed with the women and the druid over their next plans on this campaign against evil.

Please read and review