"A guide? A beacon? Sonya is far from that. Saving Bul-Kathos? You guys are always dreaming of the impossible." Talic regained his composure, hoisting his blade over his shoulder.
"Is no one going to do anything about Orek and Cassius?" Korlic slapped his own face hard and let out a loud, forced yawn. His eyes were red, filled with moisture as if squeezed out by the yawn.
"They'll stop. No matter how fierce the fight is, they'll stop," Talic said, stepping forward to stand before the demons. He wanted to be ready to continue the slaughter once Bul-Kathos left.
"Because of Bul-Kathos's authority?" Madawc mused.
"Because they understand what this battle represents for each of them," Korlic wiped his face roughly.
"Kanai... you are to become Bul-Kathos's strength," Vorusk said, his voice wavering. He couldn't bear to let Kanai do this, yet he had to.
"A blunt and direct answer. I like that, Vorusk."
Kanai walked to Vorusk's side. The two silhouettes stood together.
"Look, Vorusk. This was once Arreat, and now it is Harrogath. Everything here is worth our cherish, worth our sacrifice. I am honored that an old man who can only strike once or twice can still do something for this sacred mountain."
Kanai looked at the distant scenery. He casually swept his gaze over Baal, who was watching from afar.
"Of course, before I say goodbye, I'll leave a little memento."
Kanai had said all he needed to say. His form began to expand. As the High Elder, Kanai knew magic—a power similar to a Druid's oneness with nature. It was how he had preserved his will and power for so long.
Now, he no longer needed to maintain his existence. His power would manifest in a new form upon Bul-Kathos. But first, he had to fulfill a warrior's duty.
He would crush the threat at its source.
"Forgive me, Kanai. We cannot fight side-by-side this time," Vorusk said, his eyes damp. He refused to look back.
"Boy, are you worried I'll lose?"
Kanai's voice was heroic and grand! He was a powerful ancestor, the mentor who had guided Vorusk until his last breath. His life was full of glory, yet he was content to let it be forgotten.
Baal?
When Kanai was alive, Baal didn't have the guts to even set foot on the lands surrounding the Sacred Mountain.
"I never once thought that."
"Then let me give you—and the young warriors—one last lesson! What is combat! What is sacrifice!"
Kanai's voice thundered across all of Harrogath.
In the city, General Qual-Kehk's face fell.
"What is this? Are we old timers that useless? We have to rely on this ancestor?" Qual-Kehk spoke with frustration. To him, Kanai's appearance meant Vorusk didn't think they could guarantee victory. It was an insult. But before Kanai, he couldn't say a word.
"It is a disgrace. So we'd better remember this feeling!" Karga gritted his teeth, furling his war banner and turning it into a long spear.
"I knew it! Ancestor Kanai was fighting back then too! Vorusk was fighting!" Kor raised Fury of the Vanished Peak high, his voice ecstatic.
He had always harbored doubts about the older ancestors. Kanai and Vorusk existed on the mountain, yet no news of them had surfaced during that infamous battle. Now, his doubts were gone.
"Get ready! Battle is never a solo act! We will ensure this fight ends perfectly!" Qual-Kehk tightened his grip on his Mountain-Splitting Greataxe, his voice rising with fanatical fervor.
"Hah!"
Countless warcries erupted in unison, pushing the pre-battle heat to its limit.
On the city walls, Raekor listened to Kanai's voice, her lips curling into a faint smile. She was alive now. Kanai's words were meant for her, too.
Victory was certain. Bul-Kathos was victory.
"Ancestor Raekor... who... is that?" a young Barbarian asked curiously. Without enough strength, it was hard even to know the names of the nameless legends.
"You should know him. All of you—remember this name. This will be the last time you witness his power."
Raekor pointed to the youths around her.
"Kanai! The High Elder of the Barbarians!"
Raekor spoke with immense pride. She didn't use any flowery titles for him because, from the moment Kanai took that seat, "High Elder" always referred specifically to him. No Barbarian would ever be anything but proud of that name. Aside from Bul-Kathos, Kanai was the most trustworthy existence. Raekor didn't have much respect for Vorusk, but she respected this ancient ancestor. In her eyes, Kanai was more worthy of being the Immortal King than Vorusk ever was.
"Another ancestor I've never heard of," Rumlo shook his head, looking out at the battlefield with a sigh. They were just spectators here. The feeling of powerlessness was gnawing at their hearts.
"Look, it's beginning! The domain of a Great Evil!"
Raekor suddenly straightened up, pointing toward Baal.
The Lord of Destruction had begun to unfurl his domain. While revealing his true demonic form, he unleashed his full power. Torrents of air swept through the surroundings. The space around Baal shattered repeatedly, making the area look unimaginably dangerous.
Unlike Belial's deceptive illusions or Diablo's shroud of terror, Baal's domain was pure Destruction. It annihilated everything that dared enter his vicinity.
Opposing him, Tyrael's body erupted in brilliant azure light. The Archangel of Justice didn't manifest a "Domain of Justice"; instead, he projected the image within his heart. Justice was pale, and hidden beneath it was Tyrael's true strength.
His justice. And Tyrael's justice was Strength. It was the hope countless people placed in the strong.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"