Difference between revisions of "Thaddeus (Chapter 22)"

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Thaddeus (Act III)#Chapter 22

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-I know your many transgressions,
-How great your sins are.
-Do not turn aside at my gate --
-No righteous man shall afflict you.
-I have built a house of hewn stone,
-But you shall dwell in it.
-I have planted vineyards for you;
-You shall drink of the wine.
--- Visions of Akarat, c. 101, v. 1-8
-It was dark in upper Kurast, and the zealous defenders of the city's ruins smeared burnt cork on their skin to blend into the darkness.  At least it looked that way at first; after Thaddeus killed them, he found the sooty black would not come off.  Finding Khalim's heart had brought him joy, but this sobered him again, as he wondered what this physical change might mean.  The Rogues of the pass had changed, but they were possessed.  Perhaps these warriors, closer to the heart of Kurast, were more willing participants in their own downfall than the sad wrecks he had met earlier.  The thought made killing them a little easier.
-The ruins of the upper city held much wealth, and two more temples.  Not for the first time, Thaddeus wondered how the giant skulls on the walls got blood and gore between their teeth.  He was probably better off not knowing.  Nuns were cloistered in the temples.  They used bows and arrows; Thaddeus was reminded even more of the corrupted Rogues.  Other violations in the temples were crowds of slobbery Blunderbores, Vampires, and Claw Vipers.  Thaddeus kept Khalim in mind, to know he was not alone, and not think of the gory altars and bones scattered on the floor.  Above one high temple, the roof had partially collapsed; enough remained for Thaddeus to climb up and look inwards to Travincal.
-Holy Travincal is the city within the city of Kurast.  Zakarum's holiest places, most sacred artifacts, and all the hallowed traditions were kept on an island of stone in the middle of a lake of pure, clear water.  Like the rest of Kurast, the water was black and bubbled with the stench of decay.  White marble was stained a dark, rusty red; the blood of thousands had been poured out there.  The temples were knocked over or gutted.  With some, new buildings stood in their place.  Others were empty pits of slimy water.  Thaddeus hadn't known what to expect of Travincal.  Somehow, he'd thought it would look worse than it did.
-Meanwhile, back on the docks, Natalya went to visit Asheara.  "Hello."
-"Hi there," Asheara regarded her suspiciously.  "Kill anybody yet?"
-"The night's still young."  Natalya tapped her foot nervously.  "Did he come here?"
-"Yeah, about half an hour ago.  He was acting really weird.  What's it to you?"
-"Did he... want anything?"
-"Yeah... I didn't give it to him, if that's what you're thinking."
-"If what is what I'm thinking?"
-Asheara folded her arms.  "What are you talking about?"
-"What are *you* talking about?"
-"Don't get cute.  You know damn well what I meant."
-"I simply wish to know.  It is a perfectly fair question," Natalya responded innocently.
-"Did he... want anything?" Asheara asked coyly.
-"Yes?"
-After regarding the other woman for a moment, Asheara smiled faintly.  "Oh, he was hot and bothered.  Really passionate.  I might consider it."
-Calmly, Natalya replied, "Good.  You could both use it."
-Obviously, this was not the answer Asheara was expecting.  "What?"
-Natalya smiled.  "Yeah.  After he left you he came over to me, and he was oh so sad for you.  You must have been hurt something awful to put up such a front, he was saying.  He's sure you're all warm and tender inside, if only you could trust other people."
-"That is such bullsh!t.  He did not say that.  No, he probably did.  Sh!t."
-"Sure he did!  Let me ask you something personal."
-Frowning, Asheara said, "Go ahead."
-"How long has it been since you've actually been with a man?"
-"WHAT?"
-"You heard me.  You sure put it all out on display... but how long has it been since you've actually done anything with it?"
-Asheara fumed.  "I've got a merc band to run."
-"And that takes how much of your evenings?  Or are you just... nervous?"
-Glaring, Asheara snarled, "I would hand him his balls if he even thinks about threatening me..."  Then she smirked.  "How long has it been since you've done anything with a man?  Besides kill him, I mean."
-"Don't change the subject," Natalya snipped.  "Besides, I'm on duty."
-"Yeah, sure.  Hmm, maybe you're right.  I haven't broken any vows of chastity in years.  Might be fun again.  He sure as hell wouldn't want it out of you."
-"Yes, he would.  He kissed me."
-Asheara laughed.  "How courtly and romantic.  Face facts, sugar: he went to you second.  And all he did was try to kiss you."
-"He could have done more than that, but he didn't.  He's a gentleman.  Probably why he's not interested in you."
-"You should have been here earlier.  Mmmm..."
-"Don't try that act on me.  He only has pity for you.  Oh, she's so defensive, she must be so afraid, you should hear him go on about you."
-"Poor Natty.  A buddy to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, then he comes back to me.  Don't worry, it'd just get in the way of your 'duties': sitting on your skinny, pale ass all day, staring at Ormus."
-Natalya gasped!  "There is nothing wrong with being fit."
-"Someday, you'll learn men like a woman with a little padding on her."  Asheara breathed in deeply, looking down at her chest with approval.
-"Is that why he never comes to see you, then?"
-"He did."
-"Once.  What'd he have to say?"
-"He didn't do much talking..."
-"Then he left.  And you weren't even trying to chase him out, were you?"
-Asheara frowned, "Yeah, all right, he went running off.  But he came to me first!"
-"I knew it!" Natalya cackled.  "A pity mission.  Then, his duty done, his thoughts turned to pleasure..."
-"Quit twisting it!  He likes me best!"
-"No, he doesn't!  He likes me best!"
-While Thaddeus was back on the docks visiting Ormus, he heard a fearful row coming from Asheara's house.  Someone was having a fierce argument in there; he went over to look.
-"Hello?" he said as he walked in the door.
-"What do you want?!" Asheara and Natalya screeched together.
-Thaddeus blinked in surprise.  "Nothing, I suppose."
-Thaddeus left wondering what on earth those two had to argue about so loudly.  As far as he knew, they had as little to do with each other as possible.  Whatever the cause, it would probably be best if he did not get involved.  They were both strong-willed women, and might not accept him meddling in something he had nothing to do with.  Back in Kurast, Thaddeus found the grand causeway, a permanent bridge connecting the upper city with the inner city.  Two more temples rested on the causeway, and a group of the Desert Raiders of Lut Gholein guarded them.  They were no happier in the jungles than any of the other desert dwellers; their morale was so poor that only the leader ever came anywhere near Thaddeus.  After clearing the bridge and temples, he arrived at the gates of Travincal.
-From up close, the corruption of the city was palpably worse.  The salty smell of blood was everywhere; once-white marble was deeply stained with layer upon layer of gore. Entering was easy: the gate towers supported no gates.  Why should they, when the Light's enemy was within?  Even at the entrance, Thaddeus could feel the Orb, pounding at his will from the Guardian Tower on the other side of the city.  He strode towards it; no one opposed him until he reached a central platform where four bloody altars stood.  There, black-skinned zealots charged en masse, with a circle of priests hiding behind them.
-The crowd around him was too great; he couldn't reach the tower without dealing with them first.  He couldn't even get to the priests without striking down the zealots.  For what he hoped would be the last time, he cast Blessed Hammer on a fellow Zakarumite, letting the hammers spin and strike them down.  Several of the priests died in the flurry, and a group of Vampire Lords; the rest he killed by hand.  As the last of the priests fell, one of the High Council of Zakarum came out of the tower.
-By all the Light, Thaddeus hoped never to see such a sight again.  Mephisto had twisted as much of the man's body as could be, wrenching it into bizarre shapes hobbled by deformity.  Yet, exactly as much humanity remained as would assure the viewer that this creature was once human, and a particular man at that.  Of all Zakarum's priests, Ismail, called Puretouch for his blessed power with healing, was always considered the gentlest and kindliest.  His barely recognizable face twisted into a leer of pleasure as he bore down on Thaddeus with a huge, three-headed flail.
-His gorge rising, Thaddeus could not bring himself to hit this thing.  He wanted it dead, but not if it meant touching it.  What remained of Ismail was no concern anymore; Mephisto only left enough of the man to horrify any who saw him.  Thaddeus positioned himself, and cast Blessed Hammer repeatedly, pounding the thing into jelly.  Luckily, the hammers also killed a pair of Tentacle Beasts living in the watery pits near the towers.  As Ismail dropped the flail, it flashed with silvery light, and a voice said, "Return with me.  I bear you good news."
-Thaddeus was not in the habit of ignoring miracles.  He picked up the flail and cast a portal, returning to the docks.  "Cain, do you know what this is?"
-*He does not.  I am the spirit of Khalim.*
-"Ah!" Cain said.  "Khalim did bear a great flail as his favored weapon."
-*My child, you have no idea how long I have waited.  I would that more of my body were here, but there is no time for more searching.  Diablo and Baal have entered Mephisto's Durance of Hate, and you must pursue them with all speed.*
-"Yes, great Khalim!  The Durance lies beneath the Tower, I know."
-*The door is sealed, by Hell's strongest magics.  There is a weakness I know of; Mephisto has worked the spell through his Compelling Orb.  When it is destroyed, the door will open.  I have little to offer you, but do possess the power to destroy the Orb.*
-"This is good news!" Cain said.  "What is to be done?"
-*Place this weapon in the Horadric Cube, with what you have of my body.  My spirit will craft a weapon of power.  Use it to destroy the Orb.*
-This Thaddeus did without hesitation.  When he brought it out again, the flail was golden instead of cold iron, and each ball resembled a human skull.  The flail's appearance was a bit shocking for Thaddeus, until Khalim spoke again.  The skulls mouth's moved in unison with his voice.  *Go into the tower, and smash the Compelling Orb.  Do this, and your compatriots will be free, as will I.  Quickly, now!  There is little time.*
-When Thaddeus returned to Travincal, another councilor was waiting for him.  Geleb, Keeper of the Flame in the holy city, was once a mighty priestess.  Now, she summoned fiery beasts from beneath the earth for her master.  Thaddeus charged right through her, smashing her up and down the length of Travincal until her grotesque body gave out.  When he returned to the tower again, two more councilors came out.  These he did not recognize, but beat them to death as zealously as if he had.  Two more came out; one was Toorc the Avenger, a Paladin of much renown.  At least, he was once.  When they were dead, Thaddeus bowed his head for a moment's prayer.  They had not come all at once; Thaddeus might have died if they had.  Perhaps their jealousy of each other had saved his life.
-Inside the blackened tower, dried blood on the floor crunched beneath Thaddeus' boots.  The whole building seemed to pulse with angry, arrogant energy, demanding his obedience and the surrender of his will.  It felt like his helmet was the only thing keeping Thaddeus' head from bursting with the pressure.  Through a red haze of pain, he looked around the tower; a blinding white Orb sat on a black stone pedestal.  Taking Khalim's flail in hand, Thaddeus struck the Compelling Orb.  There was no sound of breaking glass, or splintering stone -- no sound at all, in fact.  The Orb simply vanished in a puff of smoke.
-The aching pressure in his head suddenly gone, Thaddeus stood gasping.  When he could open his eyes again, he saw that the tower floor had collapsed, tumbling down into a broad set of stairs leading into a pit.  Before going down, he went out into Travincal, and found a group of Zakarumites.  They ran at his approach.  Khalim's flail was gone, vanished along with the Orb.  Thaddeus took up his scepter again, and went down into the Durance.

Difference between revisions of "Thaddeus (Chapter 22)"

Latest revision as of 13:29, 12 February 2017

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