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The Hunter and the Templar	By : BurneHazard Category: +A through F > Diablo III Views: 6471 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Diablo III (3) and all content therein is the property of Blizzard Entertainment. This story is for entertainment purposes only and I make no money from writing it.

Chapter List
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            Parts of the paths leading through the great city were blocked by festering barriers of corruption so foul neither Killashandra nor Kormac could get near. Even when he again blessed her crossbow bolts, they merely struck the barriers and did nothing but cause a tiny hole that did not weaken the blockades one bit. Seeking a way around to follow the airborne form of Itherael as he fought his way toward a set destination.
            Soon, he dropped to rejoin them as they approached a magnificent doorway with amazing blue light emanating from beyond. Although neither of the two below him saw anything, he paused to bring his wings forward. They flashed, illuminating a barrier that had been present. It fell like a curtain of water to leave the way open for them to proceed.
            "This is the Library of Fate. Auriel and Rakanoth are within," the archangel said before he turned to meet another attack from the air and protect their backs.
            The sounds of battle faded into distance behind them after only a few steps. The deeper they moved, the more it was clear the library was something vastly different than anything they had yet seen. It was almost pure blue light. Great columns rose from a point somewhere below the glow of blue. Water poured from the figures of angelic wings but broke apart to sparkle and dissipate into the air more as light would. The mist was not wet, nor were there any signs of any true water anywhere.
            And curiously, there were no books immediately visible. Great tendrils of white edged in blue were constantly rising from the floor to either side of the walkway, swaying and twisting as they rose. Once in a while a tendril would pull away from the rest to caress what appeared to be some manner of jar lining shelves that shimmered behind a thin wall of that water-like light. Only when they were nearly to the heart of the library did either of them see hints of something that looked like books and scrolls upon the shelves.
            "This is unlike any library I've ever seen..."(1) Kormac uttered. "I wonder what sorts of secrets are kept in here. An extraordinary place."(2)
            Suddenly, there was a hissing, bubbling growl from ahead and the hunter broke into a jog. The walkway opened up into a large central platform. What greeted them was a demon unlike anything they had yet seen. Its great arms were longer than its body and they were blades without any visible hands or fingers to be seen. Its head was flattened like an arrowhead without sign of eyes or mouth, only strange wires trailing like a braid down its back to curl and tangle into its body. The ribs were exposed and moved like lungs around a pulsing blue sphere like a heart.
            "You think yourself free from the chains of fate, nephalem, but all will kneel before Lord Diablo!"(3) Rakanoth spat.
            "A challenge?"(4) she asked as another grin spread across her lips.
            Rakanoth rose up with a roar. Kormac charged in instantly to slam into the demon's body. Killa sent the bat forward to attack the demon's head as she opened fire on the giant blades of its arms. Strafing to the side, she looked for a better line of sight to hit the pulsing heart. The templar's shield rang every time the great arms struck it, sending sparks flying. Killa's shots ricocheted off the arms but the force behind each shot prevented some of the blows from hitting their target.
            As she circled, she saw a sight that was only slightly less horrific than the impaled angels from moments before. White shown against black where a female angel was bound to a twisted column of hard black tentacles. It made her look like some strange witch bound at a stake ready to be burned. In fact, that black thing was emitting corrupted magic that had already begun to claw its way up her legs and taint her celestial garments.
            It was too close to what she had seen when she first encountered Kormac, too much like the vision of the tormented angels outside. Rage made the hunter's eyes flash red as she turned her full attention back to Rakanoth and vaulted into the air. Tucking her body to somersault over the demon, she uncurled at the peak of her leap to bring both crossbows in and unleash a hail of bolts straight downward. The templar threw himself backward the moment the first bolts struck the skeletal body and began to eat it away.
            Roaring, the demon twisted away from its current target to swipe one deadly arm toward the hunter. Even if it seemed she was an easy target, Killa was still moving as she twisted her body mid-air. Her boots struck the flat of the blade and she kicked off to alter her direction, letting her momentum carry her over Rakanoth's shoulder to strike his flat head. One of her own arms dropped to fire point-blank down his throat into his chest. Fire exploded from the blue heart as the demon lurched, throwing her away.
            Landing in a crouch on the ground, she snapped her head to her left to watch as Rakanoth's body thrashed and crumbled in death. The light of what had apparently been his heart went dark as he collapsed in on himself and became so much charred ash tumbling over the floor. The currents of whatever strange light or power filling the library moved the air enough that the remains were swept away into nothing.
            "My armies flow through the Hell rifts. Heaven will be destroyed long before you set one foot into the Silver Spire!"(5) Diablo's voice roared in their ears.
            Standing once more, Killa snorted before slowly twisting at the waist. Although she had not immediately noticed, a blow or two had gotten through her guard. Her scarred side felt a little sore as if the skin had pulled too much. But no blood was felt so she chose to ignore it as she crossed to where the angel was trapped.
            Kormac was already there, having taken the hint from before. He was murmuring a prayer as he struck at the black column with his blade. Each strike carved a large chunk away to send it collapsing in a shower like black glass. Moving around, Killa watched before sliding a dagger from her boot to start working higher up on the tendrils that bound the angel's arms behind her back. It was cautious work since some of the wings were snared as well and she did not wish to strike those.
            Then, Itherael swooped down from above, finally finished with the demons outside. His wings flared with light as he brought the scroll up. Light flared as it glowed and took on new form as a great sword. Etchings rested along both sides of the blade like elegant script. The runes were almost familiar when Killa looked up to see them. He phased from one spot to the next, appearing right above the three and simply sliced downward through the pillar Auriel was bound to. It shattered.
            Auriel fell to the floor on her hands and knees. Shuddering, she cast off the corruption that had been working its way over her body in attempt to claim her. Her wings rose, flaring with intense violet light as they reformed full and strong. Rising upward, she righted herself to hover in the air beside Itherael and face both hunter and templar. Already there was a change in the air around them that Kormac felt more than Killa did.
            "Thank you, nephalem. I hoped the Scroll of Fate was wrong, that harmony would once again fill this troubled realm. I see now that all hope lies in you,"(6) came her rich, soothing voice.
            "We must make our own destiny from this day forward,"(7) the hunter said, eyes turning toward the silent Itherael.
            "With my blessing you can now dispel Diablo's corruption. It hides the rifts which bring his cursed servants to this hallowed place. The rifts must be closed."(8)
            "It would be an honor, my lady,"(9) Kormac said with a deep bow.
            Auriel's hands rose as she made a sweeping gesture. Before them formed a pale blue portal shimmering the same way the lights of the library shimmered. Killa sighed and fought back the urge to growl. She was really getting sick of portals and everything about them. Kormac went through before her this time. Just as he vanished, she stepped forward and was halted by Itherael's scroll-blade.
            He said nothing but offered her something with his free hand. Auriel made a sound but did not interfere. Sensing a tension however, the hunter was swift to accept the item and tuck it against her back beneath her belt and the longbow quiver. Then both archangels withdrew and soared toward the ceiling of the library, vanishing into the light as she passed through the portal...

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            "That corruption was strongest to the northeast, as I remember," (10) Kormac said as they emerged onto the first tier of the Gardens of Hope.
            "Then that is the way we shall go," Killa replied and turned that direction.
            Sure enough, when they attacked the barricades, they at last fell as a soft sound filled the air. It was too soft to really be called music but it was present. And it was strong when they attacked the corruption barring their way. Auriel's blessing was strong indeed. And clearly it extended to the demons that attacked them every time one of the corruption barriers fell. For every one they destroyed, the area beyond it was more foul than ever.
            "What is this disgusting bile that covers the floor?"(11) the templar growled as another bit of it stuck to his boot, hindering his progress.
            "It is corruption left by hellspawn. I have sometimes seen its like in other infested places,"(12) she answered.
            "Ugh!" was all Kormac said.
            The next barrier they destroyed revealed that it was no barrier as the path led nowhere. It was a dead end--and the location of a hell rift. The black pit in the floor was edged by a writhing mass of red light and fire spreading corruption away from it like pulsing veins. Nose wrinkling, the hunter moved to jump into the pit as the templar followed. They landed in an all-too-familiar place. The heat was stronger although it was more darkness than light as it had been in the crater. But the ground was once again that leathery, skeletal blend that gave slightly beneath every step.
            "By the Light, I never wanted to see this demon squalor again!"(13)
            "Then let's make sure this is the last time anyone will have to see it!" she said with a grin that made the templar start in surprise.
            A moment later he saw why. Swarms of demons were charging straight for them. He took a breath and moved forward to meet them as the hunter raised her bows and fired a stream of arrows into the air. The bolts split apart to shower fire and hate over the approaching masses. Screams rose and demons fell, impeding their kin's advance enough for the templar to slow them. It was a fight that was somehow different than the ones before. Killa felt exhilarated rather than consumed.
            They pressed on as more and more demons charged. But eventually the numbers thinned and then were gone all together. Only one demon stood between them and a source of burning power. As they neared, Diablo's voice suddenly roared in their ears.
            "If you destroy the oculus, my Hell rift will consume you!"(14)
            Killa laughed and darted forward to attack. Even Kormac felt some of her excitement rubbing off on him as his charge showed renewed strength. He slammed into the great arms of the hammersmith, unbalancing the creature and hacking its nearest leg apart as the hunter dove beneath it, tumbling easily between the legs to fire straight up into its body. Even before it had gotten two blows on the templar, the demon was falling apart, crashing like a discarded toy around them.
            Turning her attention to the oculus, she let one hand fall to her belt. Tugging free one of the devices she rarely used, she pulled the safety pin out and tossed the grenade into the heart of the thing. Aware that Diablo might have been telling the truth, she drew close to Kormac as he brought his shield up to protect them from the blast. The explosion rocked the entire chamber, bringing stone and rubble down toward them. Just as it came close, there was a flash of blue and Auriel appeared.
            Glowing whips rose from her body to strike the falling debris aside and away from them as she spun in a graceful arc to hover near them. Kormac lowered his shield and Killa stepped around it as the archangel of Hope brought her hands up to form another portal before them.
            "Well done, nephalem. Diablo's vile minions can no longer use this rift to find their way into the Silver City. Now, only one rift remains.(15) Allow me to grant you passage back to the Heavens. I must return to my brethren's side to fight!"
            Rather than waste time delaying, both hunter and templar hurried through the portal. They emerged where they had entered the rift. Auriel rose into the air, soaring away from them and using the twin lashes to knock another demon out of the air. Focusing on their own battle, the two pressed onward, destroying any corruption that blocked their way as they looked for the next rift.
            Ahead of them, as they crossed a bridge of that strange water-light, they saw several more angelic warriors battling a horde of demons that easily outnumbered them. With a cry of "Fear me!"(16) the templar charged into the midst of the battle. Coming to an abrupt stop on the bridge, Killa began taking aim and firing, picking off her targets one by one as the surprised angels adapted to the new reinforcements to renew their attacks.
            Demons fell beneath the combined attacks as if they were but insects. Oppressors, subjugators, great beasts bearing riders on their backs, and a new demon that arrived like crashing meteors swarmed them with sudden ferocity. With the holy might of the angels and their own battle-honed skills, it was an extremely short fight. Shorter than any others up to that moment. But it was still violent enough to bring the templar's already-damaged armor into light again as a fearsome blow shattered his shield and struck his chest.
            One of the angels threw themselves between the templar and a fall from the walkway, shoving him away from the edge and using their wings to right themselves. Killa and the other two brought the last demons down and the group had a moment to collect themselves as Kormac sprawled on the ground. Moving over to him, the hunter sank to one knee to reach out and run her hand over the great break in his armor. It exposed the mail beneath and left a point where his heart was unguarded.
            "Kormac, are you all right?" she asked.
            "Just winded," he replied before pushing himself up to look at his armor. "A little more than a scratch, but the armor proved its worth."
            The angelic warriors regrouped and circled them, alert for further attacks. One stepped forward and offered the templar a hand up. After a moment of hesitation, he took it and found himself pulled to his feet so swiftly there could be no mistaking the angel's strength greatly trumped that of the templar. But the angel did not turn away immediately as the other two did. He leaned in closer to examine the broken armor.
            "This won't do," came the angel's voice at last. "Come, let's get that armor replaced."
            It immediately caught the attention of the other warriors and one grabbed the first's shoulder. "No! Leave them. They must make their own way. The law forbids us to help."
            The first turned, knocking his companion's arm away and pointing toward Kormac. "They aided us. It is only right that we return their aid."
            "Imperius and the council will have your wings for this," warned the third.
            "Let them. We've bigger problems right now," the first said and turned back to a very puzzled Kormac and wary Killa.
            "If you're going to fight with us, you'll need better armor. We're near a place that holds some spares. Hurry, we cannot afford to waste much time!"
            The angel did not take to the air but ran along the walkway as his wings flared. After a moment, the two followed. Behind them, a grumble came and suddenly two shadows fell over them as the other two angels flew over them, guarding them from the air. Sure enough, not far from the bridge was a doorway that was cracked open. The first angel pushed the doors open and preceded them into the place.
            It was strangely dark inside but hardly foreboding. In fact, despite the darkness it was calm and peaceful with a definite strength to it. Privacy and peace were prevalent as well as a stronger sense of sanctity.
            "This is one of our chapels. But it also serves as a reserve armory for weapons and armor we are not using," the first angel was saying as he led them through the place and along a narrower walkway down a set of stairs. As the room opened up, various stands and graceful displays were seen lining the rails. Armor and weapons waited, glowing softly in their storage areas. "Here, get that armor off. It will go faster with help."
            Kormac was actually starting to stutter protests. Even Killa could tell the armor and weapons were blessed and holy. But she saw the angel's reasoning. Not letting the templar protest, she holstered her weapons and set to getting the man's armor off. The angel selected several pieces and began re-armoring the still-stunned figure. It took them both a few minutes to finish. By then, Kormac had managed to shake his shock off as he stared down at himself.
            The armor gleamed silver-white edged in magnificent gold. While simple and primarily unadorned, it was lighter than anything he had worn before. Yet every single plate was thick and strong to the eye and to the touch. The angel regarded the awed man before nodding once and turning to head for the weapons on the opposite side. It gave the hunter a chance to give the templar a shove in the same direction.
            "Snap out of it! The faster you thank them for this, the sooner we can catch Diablo," she teased with a touch of seriousness.
            The angel turned back to them, offering Kormac a new shield that was absolutely beautiful in design. It curved gracefully and was reinforced by golden metal sporting multiple sockets for gems--although only one deep turquoise gem was present in the middle. Kormac slowly settled it onto his arm and tested the way it moved, again awed by the lack of clumsy weight and the design.
            "That is a Hallowed Barricade, templar. When you seek to protect that which you hold most dear, you will see it come alive," the angel was saying. He held out a curiously shaped weapon that looked like an axe. "This is a Hallowed Breach. With it comes the blessings of every angel to have wielded it before. Mind you treat it well and it will never fail you or leave your hand in battle."
            Completely awestruck by the armor and armaments he in no way felt remotely entitled to, Kormac could only stare and gape at the warrior before him. The angel shook his head and looked to where the hunter stood near them. She just shrugged and turned to head for the doors.
            "Men," she said over one shoulder.
            "Indeed," the warrior replied before taking his own weapon back in hand to follow. "Take care of those things, templar. If you survive this battle, you will have to return them!"
            That helped to snap Kormac out of his brain-shocked state. Remembering that these were mere loans and there was a war to fight immediately, he hurried after the others. The angel had rejoined his comrades and the three took to the sky to rejoin the fighting. Looking after them, Killa was ready to rejoin the fight herself. The templar followed automatically although he was still following the angels with his eyes.
            "These angels fight for survival as vigorously as the men did at Bastion's Keep. Perhaps we aren't so different after all."(17)
            "What other option do they have? I pity no creature that surrenders to destruction,"(18) she replied as they moved back along the bridge they had encountered the angels on.
            They encountered several more groups of angels on their way. Although they saw the armor the templar wore, not a one made any comment on it. In fact, as with each group before, at least one gave a nod of recognition or thanks for the aid. Especially warriors that were in pairs or alone as there was almost always one angel impaled near them, attesting to the way the battle was currently going. It did not look favorable.
            At last, they found the second hell rift. Killa paused to look up, searching for any signs of Auriel. Nothing but more squads of angelic warriors and swarms of demons battling in the skies. Hoping that the archangel of that very power would be able to find the rift in time to pull them out again, the hunter leapt through the pit. Loyal to the last, Kormac followed with a muttered prayer.
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The Hunter and the Templar