Diablo III Kore

The Initiate 

By: C. Vincent Metzen

Which way is the right path, as I stand upon

this chaotic crossroad of hate...

How many ways are there to roam

on this dark and damned road of Fate...

"There are many ways, my son,
to find where the souls of Demons remain...
But it takes only one second of despair and of doubt
until at last, your soul, they will gain...
Inherit these lands, these things, these dreams
that are yours, forever, to adore...
For there is no life, in the depths of chaos, my son,
for you to explore..."

The Adept (Initiate Part 2)

By: C. Vincent Metzen

"I have walked the paths; the shadowed roads
that led to terror's breast. I have plumbed the depths of
Hatred's womb and scaled Destruction's crest.

For every secret left unveiled, for every power learned,
I'd sell the remnants of my soul, regardless how it burned.
And still I sought a higher wisdom few could have attained.
'Though I found it, it would leave me - broken, damned and drained.

For now I find this power gained is more unto a curse.
My spirit burns with every spell and each irreverent verse.
Despite this strength and knowledge earned, I have paid a heavy toll,
Never should've traded power for my own immortal soul."

Destruction

The third and final brother
Imprisoned within the stones
Was eluding his captors
Searching for a way home

He roamed across the sands
Leaving Destruction in his wake
Being hunted for his soul
Which they dare not take

He sensed the Great Tal-Rasha
Approaching now with haste
Eager for his soul
and Destruction laid to waste

Mages precious Soulstone
Shattered within the fight
How will he be captured?
The embodiment of might

Locked in deadly combat
Magic of the ages
Forced Destruction to his knees
Glorious were Tal-Rasha and his mages

The largest shard of Stone
Could not withstand Destruction
Tal Rasha made the sacrifice
To deny his own salvation

The Great Mage pierced his chest
and sacrificed his body
to make an eternal prison
Too proud to admit his folly

Locked within his eternal tomb
Deep underneath the timeless sands
Tal-Rasha and Baal
Wrestle for eternity, hand in hand

 Segment 1

I was very young when I first began,
The study of death and life.
I learned how to mend flesh and bone,
How to create bone wand and knife.

It was very many years ago,
When I started on this path.
I studied and practiced with the arts,
As the philosophers did with math.

This was the highest calling,
I knew that for sure.
I had the power of healing,
For I was a Necromancer 

- - -

I strode out into the world,
Blinking at the light.
I wondered long and hard,
Was it always this bright?

The deep and dark mausoleums,
That I had studied in so long,
But dimly lit; enough to read.
This strange light seemed wrong.

I realized the light was in a column,
And above my head I heard,
A sound most wondrous,
A phrase most absurd.

“Welcome, hero,” the angel said,
“You have left home at last.
You have many deeds ahead,
Many, many spells to cast.”.

- - -

"To start you on your journey,
I'll give you some trinkets now.
You'll need bone and poison spells,
and this wand will teach you how!"

As the angel said this,
a bone wand appeared to me,
I grasped it in my hand,
And I suddenly felt free.

"A necromancer's curse,
Is always very useful.
Wear this bone helm thus,
But with it never be playful."

I set the bone helm on my skull,
And my brain was anew with knowledge.
"You have enough to get you started,
Go forth, from this collage!"

I went out into the world,
Wondering what might begin.
It wasn't long until I knew,
The scourge known as "Paladin".

- - -

Segment 2

These "holy men" loathed us, as we all knew well,
Insisting we change our ways or else go to hell.
They'd wreck a whole village for one rumor faint
That one of us lived there and gave it our "taint".

These rumors were foolish, since we live apart
From all but each other to practice our art.
This gave them no pause in their "righteous crusade"
And all disagreement they flatly forbade.

Not even Assassins pursue us with such zeal.
(Of course, they respect the powers we wield.)
And so we were taught all Paladins to hate,
And that hatred would save us from a terrible fate

- - -

In my studies I had heard,
Of the “Warriors of the Light”,
But these men weren’t them;
Their acts were never right.

They were not good,
Like the paladins of old,
Who in days long since,
Had only hearts of gold.

Corruption had touched them,
All save ‘Khalim’, who they killed.
Seeing their evil, so I swore:
For all that blood they’d be billed.

- - -

I set out on a journey
To find out my life's plan
I thought I'd find a reason
For all the blood that ran

From swords and bows and hammers
And axes cruel-edged
And spells of evil purpose
That sought the good sides' heads

I knew it was my duty
To search both high and low
The cruel and corrupted
My deadly wrath would know

- - -

Segment 3

I met a demon,
Creature of the night,
A succubus,
Denied her flight.

I heard her first,
Her deadly screech silent,
Sobbing quietly,
Her wings both rent.

I prepared to slay her,
As demons were evil, after all.
Then a small voice reminded me
"To evilness, you fall!" 

- - -

If not all necromancers were evil,
As I surely knew,
Then as for demons,
Couldn't that also be true?

I asked her the matter,
As her broken wings fluttered.
She told me her story,
As I continually shuddered.

Her past complicated,
To say the very least.
After all the hardships she'd been through,
I felt she deserved some peace.

Listening to her speaking,
Was like a mental shove.
But how was I to know,
That I was falling in love?

- - -

She’d been condemned,
Sent to hell, by an Incubus;
A mortal woman,
Damned to be a succubus.

Whips made of fire,
Small scalpels of ice,
Reformed body entire -
Hell doesn’t play nice.

I sobbed to hear of it,
Centuries or torment and pain,
Remembered pain filled the area,
Choking this great plain.

Soon I began to cough,
Feeling as if choked,
As from a small fire,
Drifted a wisp of smoke.

Demonic laughter issued,
From the rift ‘neath flame,
I felt that if they took her,
I would be to blame.

- - -

 Segment 4

I readied my bone shield,
And lifted up my wand;
Whoever came for my friend,
Would face the great beyond.

A paladin emerged from there,
A warrior of light.
He charged us then, and with a scream,
I sent him into eternal night.

The succubus was sobbing,
I knelt to offer her my shoulder.
She flinched as I drew near,
But I assured her I'd be no bolder.

We traveled together, from that point on,
Me as her shinning knight.
How was I supposed to know,
Our happiness would be put to flight?

- - -

She began to hunger,
A deep set need,
On a human soul,
She had to feed.

I asked her, then begged,
“Is there any other way?”
“I must devour a soul,
Within but a single day.”

I railed and cursed,
At her demonic fate,
Then she had an idea,
Almost too late.

She latched to me,
Sucking my soul out,
Wide eyed I trusted,
Without a single doubt.

- - -

THE END

 Segment 1

  I have hunted Hatred's foul slaves wherever they may go,
I have fought Destruction's legions dark with sword and spear and bow.
Terror itself lies fallen, and as I stand at Darkness's door,
I look around, and ask myself, "What are you fighting for?"

A shinning maid then came to me,
Her gown a glimmering white.
Said she, "I can set you free,
If you'll offer me your life."

Taken aback by this offer I was,
Until once more i gave it ponder.
For after all my adventures,
Where else was there to wander?

I nodded my acceptance,
Then she pulled out a dagger,
And plunged it in my heart so deep
It caused me to stagger.

- - -

As I came crashing to my knees,
She revealed to be not divine,
She was truly a demoness, a succubus,
As she screamed, "Your soul is mine!"

I then stood on my feet
Staggering all the way
For I will not accept defeat
This succubus will pay

She saw me rise and take a stance
She laughed and said i am no more
But then I went into a trance
Before my body hit the floor

As I lay there, hurt and dying
I looked over at the witch
I saw catch on fire, frying
My last words were "*****"

I felt cold, and darkness came
To heavan or to hell, was where i was directed
But just then before another frame
I seemed to have been resurected...

I was anew, though barely so,
As I lay gasping in town.
I marked my new primary foe,
It's time to bring that wench down!

My armor gone, my sword vanished,
Whatever was a warrior to do?
I scavenged a suit, though badly tarnished,
And a sword with which to run her through.

Though I had seen her burst to flames,
Her mortality is unknown.
Perhaps I'll ask Deckard Cain,
Why back to town I was throne.

Onward to town i went
Wondering what just took place
I happened to see an old man bent
With a hurt look on his face

I asked the old man what a matter
He said he had just been cursed
Every second he grows fatter
Eventually he will burst

"How can that be? I know not of this"
I said as i gazed upon him
"It was the necro, who did it for his own bliss"
Just then it got very dim

The old man cried out with great pain
As he quickly bloated up
His blood ran out, almost like rain
He howled like a pup

Just then i saw his body explode
Blood, limbs, and bones went flying
I thought surely this did not bode
That man must have been dying

I somehow heard the sound of laughter
As I turned to see who it was
The figure walked away, and i after
Like a curious cat does...

- - -

 Segment 2

My brain was filled with questions,
As I stalked after my prey,
Was this the Necro the man had mentioned,
Or someone of a different way?

I walked as silently as I could,
But felt I was being watched.
For though I saw only wood,
I feared of getting caught.

I heard a russel in the trees,
And the man was there beside me.
Said, I, "That's a trick for sissies!"
He replied, "Worked on you, smarty."

I drew my sword and lifted my shield,
That I had found a while back.
He shrugged and said, "No big deal,"
And I was thrown on the ground flat.

- - -

"Your worthless shield cannot help you"
The necro said with care
What you need is a shield and sword anew
I just plainly gave back a stare

What he was doing I did not know
He slowly turned his back
He raised his hands as they glow
And crafted a sword of black

"This sword shall give you power and Pestilence"
He handed me the sword
What he was doing made absolutely no sense
But i didnt say a word

He then pointed his hand at nearby stone
He made alive what i thought was dead
"This shield will accompany you when your alone"
The shield took a color, of which was red

The shield was given to me by this man
It seemed to move around
"Tells when enemies approach, this shield can"
My eyes gazed upon the ground...

- - -

 Segment 3

Breathing hard, i did look around with my eyes
I thought to myself "This round, someone dies"
Just then i saw him, standing there with glee
For the villan i fought was none other than me...

I charged with my sword,
And he did the same.
Our swords clashed, ringing cord,
As the metal burned with poisonous flame.

I swiped towards my left,
And he mirrored my move.
A scratch to the chest,
Was all that it proved.

We continued to battle,
The fight drawing on time,
For I could not unseat his saddle,
And could not unseat mine.

- - -

At last I broke though,
I found a flaw in his defenses.
To his side my sword flew,
And I was brought to my senses.

I gasped out in shock,
As on my armor appeared,
A very deep chop,
And the flesh it had seared.

My foe fell back, as did I,
For when his sword lashed out,
And struck upon my thigh,
He injured his own, right before my eyes.

We drew back, considering,
We both shared two wounds.
I lunged, as did he,
To see if it was doom.

My sword pierced his flesh,
As his did mine,
Much blood dribbled fresh,
As our wound was inflicted double-time. 

- - -

 I limped back and stared,
And he did the same.
His anger shown bare,
My eyes downcast in shame.

Knowing there to be,
No winner to this match,
I stowed my black sword,
To see if this idea he would catch.

He placed sword in sheath,
And we nodded to each other.
As a voice entered my brain like a thief,
And said, "Well done, my brother."

My other self turned and stared to the sky.
It seemed he had heard the same thing as I.
Then down from the heavens a figure descended,
He beckoned us forward, his white sword extended.

We both scrambled forward and dropped down our arms.
This fair-seeming angel set off no alarms.
We clasped at his feet as he came to the ground;
Then he softly alighted with nary a sound.

- - -

Years after, it seemed, as I looked to his eyes,
The voice spoke again with great words, true and wise.
"The combat is ended, your peace you've declared!
You've proven that you are not simply ensnared.

And now I implore you, set out on a quest
Into danger through darkness, together, the best.
All heaven is waiting for what you will say.
So tell us, Will you two men help us today?"

Me and myself looked at each other
We decided to embrace us as a brother
We nodded our heads and decided to help
For we will have revenge, that necro will whelp

The Angel then said with a mightiest voice
"Discard your weapons if that is your choice"
We threw down our swords full of posion and grief
The next thing we did was change our belief

- - -

Segment 4

The next thing we saw that came into sight
From Heaven it seemed came two swords of light
They were white with light, they were one of a kind
The light if reflected could make some one blind

Next came the shield which was long and tall
But it seemed almost weightless, like nothing at all
This shield had magic, more than any other one
But if wielded by others, it weighed a ton

Then from the sky, it gave us a thrill
Down came some armor made of mithril
When we put it on, we felt super fast
It also prevented from us, any spell cast

- - -

But what was our quest, the prime evils were slayed
Who else could we kill, our thoughts were delayed
"There is a man in these parts, more powerfull than all.
The most powerfull of all necros, his name is Thrall"

The Angel then vanished like a fart in the wind
Then I looked to myself... my new friend
We turned to the east, where we had come from
Soon, this necro will die and our quest will be done.

We searched and we searched, for days and for weeks.
Through trials and mishaps and wounds and lost sleep.
We fought versus foes who were strong as stone towers.
We learned how to augment our fighting with powers.

Alongside each other we were not defeated.
Our enemies all either died or retreated.
Our auras grew stronger and gave us great strength
As we searched all the lands, through the width and the length.

We camped in the forests,
But couldn't rest much at night,
As creatures came for us,
and put up a fight.

Another long day,
another sleepless night,
How long was the way?
Would we get there next day light?

We suddenly smelled smoke,
Right before we made camp,
We rushed right over,
To see a light like a lamp.

- - -

A man was sitting,
All dressed in black.
His fire was roaring,
And crackling with a snap.

"You've been looking for me,"
Smiled the pale necromancer.
"I have powers you see,"
We readied our swords and refused to answer.

He rose and gave shout,
"I'm the most powerful of all!
And you'll be my minions!
For my name is Thrall!"

"I'll be damned if you'll do that!"
My companion exclaimed.
But Thrall moved just one hand
And he lay next to me, maimed.

- - -

  Segment 5

Handing him a stout bottle
With contents of red,
"Drink this all, quick," I told him.
"Act fast or we're dead!"

His arms were both broken,
And it smashed to the ground,
Making dead flowers blossom
For ten yards around.

Thrall stood there, laughing,
But his laughter turned grim
When I took a green bottle
And launched it at him.

It shattered and splattered
A poisonous slurry.
The fresh flowers all died
But Thrall seemed unworried.

- - -

He pointed and laughed.
"What a ridiculous boob!
I'm immune to all poison!
Geez, get a clue, noob!"

My brother lay there dyeing,
But would I that easily yield?
I focused my energies into a light,
That causes humans to be healed.

I shot these holy burts into my twin,
And his body began to restore.
I then turned to Thrall and raised my shield;
If poison didn't work, I'd give him much more!

Before he could gesture,
Or even make a sound,
I charged right into him,
And knocked him to the ground.

He lay there sprawled,
But only for a moment.
With a wave bones began to entrap me,
And keep me from my opponent.

"One lucky shot,
You'll have no more!"
Thrall summoned more bones,
Ready to add to his score.

- - -

- - -

"Your loss is at hand! We will not be denied!"
As fresh lightning spewed forth I was sure he'd be fried.
Then something amazing caused my jaw to drop.
And it seemed as if time just decided to stop...

The jerk disappeared, leaving us in a daze;
No trace left behind but a funny blue haze.
"That freak's teleported!" My rage made me choke -
Or possibly it was that stinky blue smoke.

"But how could he do that?" My buddy was mad.
"He's no sorceress - that skill he should never have had!"
The mystery hung in the air like a cloud,
Unlike the blue smoke, which was more like a shroud.

It seemed inexplicable, to say the least.
But as dawn slowly broke in the east,
I realized something that made us look like dolts -
"He had a charged item - that's how he dodged your bolts!"

My mind was racing,
Reeling with doubt.
I remembered the demons I'd faced,
Of the many lands throughout.

- - -

Segment 6 

I remembered strange legends,
Of beasts called, "Vampires"
Who avoided the sun,
And often proved to be liars.

If vampires are dark,
And so be this necro,
He could invoke their powers...
With this I turned to my bro.

"The necro hasn't gone,
And he isn't invisible.
For if vampires can become mist,
Than Thrall is surely capable."

My bro looked confused. "But if that's what he is,
Was he killed by the sun and dissolved into fizz?
Or is he just here in smoke form, waiting for night?"
I could think of no answer, try as I might.

"I don't think he's a blood sucker,"
I said with much consideration,
"But we'll need sage advice,
This deserves deliberation."

- - -

"For if he's mist, he cannot be harmed!"
Said my twin, his voice filled with alarm.
"Indeed, for if this is not death, and only a feign,
Than the only thing to stop him would be pouring rain!"

We figured we couldn't just leave the mist there.
If Thrall was the mist it just didn't seem fair.
I said, "One should stay here to watch, just in case,
And the other should ask Deckard Cain; and make haste!"

My twin volunteered and, since there was no rain,
He run with all speed and all vigor to Cain.
I waited and watched to safeguard the smoke
In case it so happened that Thrall hadn't croaked.


I watched my twin race across the horizon
As I took a sit beside a tree
I gazed upon the gaseous blue substance
And wondered how it was he.

Evening came, and i grew weary
As my eyelids slowly drop
I started to wonder then
How did he make time stop

Ive heard no legend or story
Of any spell like that
Maybe the angel was right
I thought as I sat

A voice came to me, low and smooth
It said with a voice clear and fine
"You are very good my young hero,
But im afraid you are mine"

Just then i opened my eyes
Which happened to give a little twitch
For the creature standing before me now
Was the foe that killed me, the witch

I knew I was in trouble,
But I smiled a small grin,
"You may have the advantage,
But you have yet to win!"

- - -

I shouted this mantra,
As I dived with my sword,
She side stepped my blow, saying,
"That was a bit overboard."

"You tricked my once,
But never again!"
I shouted in defiance,
I would not repeat my sin.

"Poor little boy,
Don't you see?
When I offered you freedom,
It was freedom to serve me!"

I felt my limbs go numb,
Oh how could this be?
I serve the light,
And the light abandons me?

I felt myself move,
But not at my discretion,
I needed to control myself,
and teach this wench a lesson!

My body was tight
Restrained to the bone
I could not fight
And I was all alone

- - -

Segment 7

 I thought a great length
To the light I did pray
To give me great strength
For this fiend I will slay

Just then all around me
I glowed bright with light
For now she could see
This is no easy fight

My bonds were broke free
I gained power anew
I moved around with glee
One last thing i must do

She shot bolts of lightning
Which i simply ignored
To her it was frightning
As I drew my sword

- - -

As I took my stance
My hind legs reared
I didnt have a chance
Before she disappeared

I was rather suprised, i looked to my side
There stood the necro, with the witch beside
"You are better than her, if it gives you much pride.
But i cannot allow you to kill my dear Bride"

I focused my mind,
And gathered my power,
I'd need all I could get,
to make these demon's cower.

I charged forward,
They both leapt back.
I faked to the right,
But towards the left went my attack.

My sword pierced her ribs,
Splitting bone and sinew.
She screamed and I cheered,
For I had finally run her through.

My glee was short lived,
I was soon thrown back.
The necro kneeled by his wife,
And said to me, "You'll pay for that."

He carefully held her,
as she cried,
And he gently whispered,
"I'm by your side,"

"It's to late for that,"
She whimpered in pain.
"I'm already dead,
Your healing would be in vain."

She went limp then,
As he cried over her corpse.
I knew that he could do nothing,
Not even with his necro force.

He looked up at me then,
His eye's red and starting to swell,
"You have killed my beloved,
Now I send you to Hell!"

He stood up and faced me,
A dagger in hand.
I did what I had to -
I turned tail and ran.

- - -

I ran straight past my buddy,
Who stared as I passed.
"That jerk's angry," I said,
"Let's get our of here - fast!"

He stood up and faced me,
A dagger in hand.
I did what I had to -
I turned tail and ran.

I ran straight past my buddy,
Who stared as I passed.
"That jerk's angry," I said,
"Let's get our of here - fast!"

With powers of dark swirling all round our heads,
We ducked and we weaved to help not end up dead.
Enraged; full of fury; Thrall grunted and growled,
While nearby, with malice, a blood golem prowled.

I saw a quick moment; it came and it passed.
I yelled at myself, and dodged a white blast.
A Bone Spirit shreaked by, I rolled underneath,
And as I came upright I bared all my teeth.

- - -

Segment 8 

With lightning quick movements I whipped out a bow.
I let loose an arrow; my rival too slow.
The blood golem howled; but just then I saw,
My twin being caught by a tooth on the jaw.

The dragon's teeth zipped through the air like fell beasts.
They ripped up the wind and left space and time creased.
My brother fell victim, but yet kept on going,
My prayers through my auras kept his life force flowing.

Neither party gained ground; both fighting a draw.
I resheated my bow and then noticed a flaw.
The Necros technique seemed to pattern itself
After one other foe I had fought in my youth...

- - -

I struggled to remember,
Who was this accursed beast?
How did I fight him?
How could I reenact his defeat?

I grabbed my brother,
and pulled him upright,
"Come on," I told him,
"It's time to take flight!"

We struggled to a cliff,
And threw ourselves over.
Down past brown trees,
And towards green clover.

"That ground looks hard,"
My twin quickly warned me,
"We're heading for the water!"
I pointed so he could see.

The blood golem behind us,
Had jumped off the cliff too,
In trying to destroy us,
His own master he would undo.

We steered ourselves towards the lake,
Screaming in complete fright,
Our aura's flashed around us,
Trying to guide us in our flight.

When a blood golem takes injury,
His master feels it as well.
The force of him landing,
Should send Thrall to hell...

- - -

I fell and I fell, the ground rushing nearer
My twin fell beside, the terror much clearer
The two of us knew, without divine intervention
We soon would be joining the angel convention

And then just before me, I saw bright and sweet
A sight that surprised me; my heart skipped a beat
The thing that I never expected to see
Appeared just the same, and smiled at me

I saw a great fight,
As the earth drew near,
Of good verses evil,
Neither side showing fear.

Would we hit the lake or the ground?
Destiny is sometimes lewd.
We'll find out in a moment,

- - -

TO BE CONTINUED...

Segment 9

The light faded,
My eyes grew dim,
I felt my soul tugged,
To answer hell’s wim.

Then an anchor,
Stopped me short.
My descent to hell,
Had been an abort.

She dragged me back,
From the edge of the cliff!
If I hadn’t trusted,
I would have been miffed.

But instead I smiled,
Remembering the phrase:
“What doesn’t kill you...”
I smiled in praise.

- - -

 It was time, I decided,
To test my new power.
The paladins of course,
Would be the ones to cower.

We traveled to Kurast,
With slow haste yet grate speed.
The holy knights there,
Needed to be punished for their greed.

But upon our arrival,
We were soon displeased.
For retribution had been paid already,
And the Lord of Hatred had been squeezed.

- - -

Annoyance ran rampant, those Knights had been ours
Mephisto, the evil, had stolen our desire
The Paladins all had been ours for the killing
Our thirsting for vengeance still needed some filling

We swept fast through Travincal, and down the great stair
The Durance of Hatred we found under there
And near to the bottom, Lord Hatred himself
Was already dead, had surrendered his wealth

Mephisto was dead, as were most of the Priests
We roared out in anger, with yammers and bleats
I didn't first notice, my blood-thirsty rage
But it grew and it grew: I was consumed with hate

How could these self-absorbed preachers presume
To make fools of us...It would lead to their doom.
The decision was quick and so easy to make.
It was the only way this rage I could slake.

After all, their brethren were Mephisto's own knights,
They were all touched by hatred and demonic blight.
Zakarum had fallen - and Rathma must rise -
I looked all around me and then closed my eyes.

How best to do it - now that was the trick,
For, sadly, to these knights few curses would stick.
"Iron Maiden might do it," I silently thought,
"If it held long enough to be properly wrought..."

No, curses, in this case, were out of the question,
Then my dear succubus put in a suggestion.
"The Lord of All Hatred pretended to be
Submissive and helpful, but as you can see

He had his own interests in mind all the time!"
Somewhere in my head, bells started to chime.
Lure in these poor fools and act like a friend,
While all the time leading them swift to their end...

- - -

I summoned my spirits,
And sent them with haste,
To find he who conquered Mephisto,
And to his kingdom laid waste.

A paladin indeed,
Just as I suspected.
I reached into the ethereal realm,
And made our souls connected.

Now I could sense him,
Wherever he might be.
But though I could follow him thus,
He could not detect me.

There was one last thing,
To insure he wouldn‘t be penitent.
In order to shake his holy devotion,
He must become a revenant.

- - -

Segment 10

We traveled hard and ran all night
For many days we made our flight
For soon, we knew, we'd find our foe
Enslaving him our only goal

We entered a force, and decided to split
We'd have two times the chance of finding the git
And as I crept onward, I knew he was near
Then I heard far-off screaming; a Paladin's fear

I crashed through the bushes, and finally found
The Paladin lying near dead on the ground
My Succubus wife was for some reason burning
I panicked and smothered her, forgetting my yearning

For the death of the Paladin; my love conquered hate
Of more import was my dear wife's mortal fate
And when 'twas extinguished, I turned 'round to see
The Paladin vanished, somehow he had fled.

- - -

We needed a plan,
That much was clear.
To destroy the paladin,
And capture his fear.

I could tell he was in town,
But we could not touch him there.
For it had protective enchantments,
And that’s no way to play unfair.

We needed some bait,
As I healed my dear wife.
To draw the paladin out,
So I could strike him with my knife.

- - -

He was merely a novice, unarmed and half-trained.
A treacherous gift could cause him some pain...
I appeared as a helper, and gave him a blade,
A sword cursed by those whom its master betrayed.

This was the blade that the Warrior had found
While hunting Diablo deep underground.
Indeed, it had cut down the dark Demon lord,
Whose blood had corrupted this heaven-wrought sword.

It called forth the demons that followed his trace
As the Dark Wanderer went forth from the place.
As the witch Adria fell where she stood,
She cursed it, made it thirst for its own master's blood...

He held out his hand to accept the bright blade.
I moved quickly, before he'd know he was betrayed...

- - -

The fool had followed me,
From the poor growing sap.
And he trusted so easily,
He fell right into my trap.

After adding a shield,
From my necromantic wonder,
I summoned some beasts,
And this proved to be my blunder.

He slew the first two,
In spite of his arms.
But his wisdom prevailed,
And did not the clone harm.

The replica I created,
Was to finish him off.
For whoever did win,
Would also himself snuff.

But he sheathed his dark weapon,
And the clone did the same.
My great master trap,
Had been lain to shame.

- - -

And then an Angel came down,
And broke my connection.
Before I could recall the clone,
He was permanently set in this dimension.

I struggled to send him back,
But he was no loner mine.
My Iron Maiden spells,
Would soon fade with time.

Now there were two of them,
Imbued with the light.
And the angel told them then,
That it is I that they must fight.

I had overstepped my bounds,
But I hardly cared.
Heaven’s glory or not,
I had plenty of power to share.

- - -

We both retreated then,
My dear wife and I.
We drew a dark circle,
And to the spirits cried.

If we could not fool this man,
Than perhaps direct was the way to go.
We summoned the darkest of powers,
And added a blood golem in tow.

I brought into myself,
The powers of the night.
From vampires to werewolves,
Anything that caused mortal fright.

My succubus as well did indeed grow stronger,
She swelled and blossomed as the dark spirits found her.
For weeks we did sit, and took up hell’s power.
Then we set out to make the two paladins cower.

- - -

 Segment 11

  We started our search where they last had been seen,
But the two were long gone (seems they weren't that green).
I spent a few moments in thorough inspection.
Old traces, but pointing in a still-clear direction.

We followed this trail for days upon end
Until it disappeared at the road's eastern bend.
Disgusted and frustrated, we stopped to rest
Until daylight would show us which way would be best.

A sudden shock woke me, but still I feigned sleep.
A noise, as if something outside our camp creeped.
I looked up - the Paladins had just walked right in!
I stood up and faced them with my best evil grin...

- - -

"You've been looking for me," I said with a smirk.
"I have powers you see." They prepared for the worst.
I rose and gave shout, "I'm the most powerful of all!
And you'll be my minions! Or my name's not Thrall!"

I sent forth a Bone Spear, and hammered them hard,
One Paladin fell, his armor in shards.
I waited and watched as the other crouched down,
And fed him a potion, then rose with a frown.

- - -

He tried to attack me with lightning bolts bright;
They just bounced off my shield, erasing the night.
He tried throwing a jar full of some toxic brew.
It did him no good; I'm immune to that too.

He whipped out a mighty sword, knocking me flat -
It did no real harm; I'm much tougher than that -
But the aura he made destroyed my defense,
And I thought my best chance was to get myself hence.

- - -

Even my bone prison,
Had been deftly smashed.
I saw with trepidation,
That lightning would soon crack.

I focused my form,
And dissolved into mist.
Their energy burned forward,
And just barely missed.

I was now but blue smoke,
And the twins gasped in wonder.
But though I had escaped death,
My rage was like ominous thunder.

They had gotten lucky, tiss true.
That could not be denied.
But once I retook my form,
They both would be fried.

The sun did burn slightly,
So decided to wait.
In darkness I’d have full strength,
To deal their dark fate.

- - -

THE END