#rakanoth

Later. They had to sound the alarm, though he doubted the sudden demon swell would go unnoticed by the other Nephalem. He cast a concerned glance back towards the tunnels before resuming his sprint to Tristram. Malthael could take care of himself, particularly if Imperius was with him.

What a cockeyed thought. Need to pester the dumbarse later and find out how he caught himself up in all of this.

“Wait, I can help!” Chith had finally found his footing and was jogging alongside them, more an awkward stumble than a true sprint. Ah well, Lyndon thought; the healer wasn’t exactly known for his dexterity. “Just need a moment...”

He drew a gem from a pouch, clasped it between his palms, and pulsed a Lightwave through it. The crystal lit, then keeled; distantly, the sound of other gems resonating could be heard.

Lyndon snickered. If the others hadn’t noticed the demons yet, they would now. “That’s supposed to be for emergencies.”

“This is an emergency!”

“Eh, I’ve seen worse.”

Chith glowered at him, a mannerism clearly borrowed from Malthael.

“Long as you’re ready to sunder some demons, no harm done,” he conceded, as he fired another round into the fiends that were scuttering behind them. “Are you ready?”

————————————————————————————

Malthael’s hearing faded to a high-pitched keening as the cavern exploded, throwing him and Imperius into the dirt. He groaned and pressed his index fingers to his temples, blinking through the disorientation as sound gradually returned.

“My thanks,” he muttered, when he saw the breaks in Imperius’ armor. “And yes, I can--” He was interrupted by Imperius wrapping an arm about him. Confused, Malthael glared at him. “What are you doing--”

--whhhhhhoooooooooomp--

His boots slammed into Tristram’s cobblestones. Beside him, Imperius called forth Solarion. A ream of flames exploded across the square as the spear fell from the sky into his grip.

Malthael exhaled a long-suffering sigh; so much for keeping the Archangel hidden. On cue, panicked shouts went up from around the town. Malthael’s own warning-gem flickered and sounded; Chith, probably.

“By the Light, someone get the arcanists over here, we have a prob--”

“Stop!” He side-stepped around Imperius, raising his blades in defense at Tyrael’s panicked shout, as the Horadric leader approached with his sword drawn. “He is no threat!”

El’druin wavered in the man’s grip, though only slightly. He looked between Malthael and Imperius with enraged incredulity, and more than a touch of confusion. “Brother. What in the Hells is this?”

“Complicated,” Malthael said dryly. Though, Tyrael probably wanted more information. “Demon infestation. Be here soon. Not your brother,” he cocked his head at Imperius. “Long story.”

“And I expect to hear it all later,” Tyrael glowered; his eyes hadn’t left the Archangel, though he did temporarily lower El’druin. “What are we dealing with?”

“Filth demon. Split. Keep the halves apart. Kill everything. Except,” he added, with a trace of resignation, “Rakanoth. Also helping.”

“By Diablo’s taint, why is the Lord of Despair also here?”

“Long story,” Malthael repeated. “Must we debate it now?”

Indeed, it was not the time. He felt the demon swell pulse and writhe towards Tristram. Reaching out into the surrounding essence, he drew from the well of Death and called its chill into his blades. Frost crept along the shotels, stopping just before it reached his fingers. His forearms ached preemptively.

Oh, enough.

The demons were feral, mindless creatures, most of them. But some would recognize him, if given reason. He considered fetching his armor, before deciding there wasn’t enough time. And he had other ways to project his identity.

He snapped a shotel out, tip to the sky, and let Death flow through him. The shroud ran along his flesh and along his back, before snaking out into the form of wispy, skeletal wings. 

If Hamorath were intelligent, he would fear two Archangels.

He absently sipped his coffee and swiped back curly locks from his face. Auriel laid the long vest she fetched in the crook of his elbow and leaned against his side, listening. Imperius, still hard at thinking, pulled his wings close to his back to give her room and propped her some with the closer one.

The name Ira had both of them perk up. Imperius felt the confusion wash over Auriel, the name was unfamiliar. And strange for an angel. Wrath... Hardly a virtue. They looked at eachother. Imperius... he had a suspicion but-

“From the depths I arise to unleash despair once more! Vengeance sneak attack!”

Both archangels jumped up and summoned their arms. Auriel hooked a wing in Imperius' to stop him. His snap back froze in his throat at Tevar's amusement. Fiery wings flared and rose with fury. Imperius forced out a sigh as he felt Al'maiesh twirl around his arm and ground him. This was no time for chatting, he angrily looked at his sister. She was shaking from tension... or coffee. "Stay calm" she resounded in his mind, firmly. It took her a few breaths before she too calmed down enough to stop shivering. Imperius growled.

They watched the video with varying levels of suspicion as they stood down. Imperius was dumbstruck at the familiarly glinting wings. Tyrael was whole and alive in their realm. Auriel, little too preoccupied with her own misgivings and the feed, didn't notice Imperius shaking off her tendrils. He graciously took the opportunity to whisk after his infernal double with a flash, before Tevar even offered it.

Auriel looked up just in time to see her Imperius' wings disappear in the rift too. She slowly sipped her pot of coffee. "Twenty bucks that he gets somehow more tangled in this," said Auriel, motioning toward Solarion and the empty mug her brother left behind. She set the pot down on one of the chairs.

"So young Tevar, tell me. Why do you call the Lord of Despair, Rakanoth... flirty fangs? And why is he -adopting- my little Moni?" Auriel's puzzled squint could be felt through her question. There was an edge to it, but it was clearly directed at the demon, not Tevar.

_____

The strange, new scents of an overgrown swamp flooded Ira's senses. She stood bestridden, head quickly turning about. This was new. Overwhelmingly maybe. Her core raced, flickering her wings with excitement. So many big trees, and water, and new smells and sounds!

She twirled after a passing alien dragonfly. The young girl stared after it, into the gaping shadows and light beams of the wilderness, captivated. When Rakanoth called to her she jumped and whipped back, claws extended in suprise. It took her a moment to process the words. She nodded.

"Not here. Right." She watched him disappear in the water, standing inert for a moment. She lunged toward the big tree's trunk next to her and held herself in place with claws and wings, staring at the water surface. Then jumped down. She paced around in a circle, holding on her spatula, clutching it close. Her wings pulled up and flapped out, once, twice, thrice. This is new, this is new, this is new. And so much more exciting. Concentrate Ira. Breath in. Breath out. She stopped. Then charged back at the massive tree, scaling it with claws and wings like an outlandish feline.

Perched above, she spotted Rakanoth's form slipping in and out of view. Curious. Bit further off, wooden structures and... tents? They speckled the bank near ruined buildings, gravitating around one in practicular. Who lived there? Is this still the Heavens? Could it be? She caught movement in the sky from the corner of her eye. Tyrael landed on a wharf, Moniqa behind him, gently rocking above the water, singing. Nerds. She tucked the spatula in her belt.

Moniqa watched the lights and shadows shift under the surface. Truly, this had to be the Pools of Wisdom. A more primal version of it. Full of life and... ruins? She fell silent and touched down near Tyrael. A pang of sadness came over her at the sight and looked up at the archangel. Did the water do ALL this damage? It couldn’t have. Something was amiss.

Her wings felt oddly bare. On the shore, she noticed, a stern woman stared them down. Panicked, she shrunk to Tyrael's arm. She remembered. They left Ira behind! She was alone! What is she going to do without that spunky moron? Or any of her siblings? Where is her twin-

From behind a familiar chime of a core pounced at her. She yelped in suprise. Ira! The two fledglings glided on wiht the momentum and hit the bank, sqealing, snickering and rolling around in a play fight. Their wings kicked up some broken twigs and dry foilage as they tried to pin the other down, giggling.

Suddenly spooked, Ira exclaimed and jumped back, away from the fight. Following in tow, Moniqa ducked behind her and under her wings. Ira had just noticed Oreliphus. She looked between her and the telephoning Tyrael. Moni peeked out.

"Hell take me, he is ratting us out!" Whispered Ira, alarmed. "Isn't that good right now? I'm starting to miss Migi. And pops is not-" A fearsome swamp monster blasted out the water, shouting. Startled, Moni took off, absconding to the top of the closest building's dome, Malthael's study. She shortly poked her head over the edge, recognising Rakanoth's laughter. Oh, so it was just a game?

Ira flared her wings, but stood calmly in place. Oh right, that was the suprise. Moni was alright too, now enthused about the commotion. She saw her consider diving down to join, but followed Moni's line of sight when she hesitated. The angel Ira recognised as Oreliphus was filming the brawl with a phone. Getting taped in a stranger realm wasn't on either of their lists. Their eyes met. Oh, Moni knew, Ira was planning again something. Alright, she'll entertain her scheme and distract again, but only because she wanted to get the muck out of her hair and play.