Maximilian, as he was prone to doing as a Wizard, was meditating over the magic tomes he had collected over his many adventures across the world of Sanctuary. He was very unlikely to use any of these as a focusing point for his magic, preferring his Winter Flurry, a small, light blue crystal like structure. He obtained this Legendary source during one of his many travels, and relied on it ever since. While he was at the Yshari Sanctum, where many magic users are sent to hone their skills, he read many books on this particular source, and was incredibly fascinated with it’s properties. Aside from the Flurry, it was here that he also learned of the prophecy that set him on his journey...against the wishes of his masters, naturally. He kept the same appearance he had since he left, his long black hair hanging straight, with some in a small topknot and two braids behind his ears. He was of a fairly athletic build and fair complexion, clearly showing his preference for mental pursuits as opposed to physical.

As Maximilian was returning to his meditations, his companion Bozz was also doing his own form of meditating. Being a Witch Doctor of the Umbaru, he didn’t always need to perform any rituals to make contact with those who reside in what his people called the “Unformed Land”. As he always puts it, “The Spirits are always guiding my actions, always warning me of danger and aiding me when I cannot fight alone.” These Spirits aid him usually by way of assorted undead, from zombie dogs to undead of gargantuan size. It was odd to Maximilian, seeing these rather frightening creatures around a small, almost emaciated, dark skinned figure. The only truly supernatural aspect of him was his pale eyes, appearing almost white. Much like Maximilian, Bozz was born into this power and taught how to harness it by his people, and even to this day is always learning new abilities the more he communes with the Unformed, which the Wizard gave him the utmost respect for. Maximilian saw him as a great friend and asset to their adventures ever since they first arrived in the quiet town of New Tristram those innumerable days ago.

After Maximilian was finished with the final tome, he took a quick survey of their camp site. It was a decent size, enough for a tent and a large fire pit, perfect for the plains they were exploring. Bozz was sitting at the campfire, cooking the meat of the Savage Beasts he hunted that evening. Thankfully, Bozz was taught how to live off of even the most hostile environments in his youth.

“You’re quite sure there is nothing wrong with this meat?”, Maximilian said warily as he sat on a log near the fire. Maximilian, being used to buying food from the inn of whatever town they stopped in, was paranoid that the meat could be diseased. Adding that to the fact that the Witch Doctor usually hunted and fought with poison darts, he felt his paranoia was not without reason.

Bozz looked at him and chuckled, causing the large gold rings on his ears and lower lip to move as he did so, “Worry not my friend. I assure you, it is fit for consumption.”

He took a piece of meat from the spit and offered it to Maximilian. Being hungry from the day’s fighting and plundering through caves and tombs, he took the meat and slowly took a bite. After a moment he stated, “Well, it is...edible. Most certainly edible.”. After a chuckle from the good Doctor, they sat in the silence of the night around them, only hearing the crackle of the fire.

As they were about to enter the tent for the night, Bozz stopped stiff with a grunt. After Maximilian said “Bozz, are you alri-?”, the same feeling surged through him that his friend was experiencing: an immense surge of Divine energy. They looked at each other and nodded, already knowing it’s source.

Shortly after, a portal of blinding white light appeared before them, temporarily blinding the both of them. As the light died down, they see an all too familiar face before them. This face is dark of complexion, dressed in an olive robe with armored body and right arm. In this armored hand, he held his golden hilted great-sword, El’druin. This was Tyrael, Archangel of Justice.

With a warm smile he said in a soft voice, “Greetings, friends. How has the adventuring life fared for you?” It had been a few years since they last met, him and these heroes. He had grown to see them as close friends in that time, following their journey closely.

Maximilian nodded his head and said respectfully, “It has fared well so far, Tyrael.”

Bozz nodded his head and said, “We were just about to rest for the night.”

Tyrael’s smile curiously left, leaving a serious expression in its place. “Unfortunately, you’ll not be able to rest tonight. I need to bring you to the Heavens.” With a motion of his wrists, he opened another portal for them to traverse through.
After a short nod of confirmation, they both walked into the portal, a tingling sensation spreading across both of their bodies as they were transported to the High Heavens.

As they entered the realm, they noticed that they were in the council chambers of the Archangels, with Imperius, Aspect of Valor at the head, and Auriel, Aspect of Hope, at his right. Auriel was dressed in a lightly armored white robe while Imperius was in his full suit of golden armor. She leaned in intently while Imperius leaned onto his arm, seeming bored.

When Tyrael stepped into the chamber, he noticed the bewildered look on the faces of these heroes and said in a more powerful voice, “Nephalem, you two have been called upon to fight another threat to the realm of Sanctuary. Will you answer the call?”

Maximilian gave a glance to Bozz, who gave a small nod of agreement. “Wherever the spirits will me, that is where I will go.”, he said respectfully.

Maximilian looked up to Imperius and nodded his head, saying boldly, “But of course. If we don’t, who will?”

Imperius growled in annoyance at the gall of this insignificant half breed, but the rest of the council was already in favor of the idea. Begrudgingly, he nodded his head and said in an irritated monotone, “All right, then. The decision is final.” With a final rap of the gavel on his part, the council left the chamber, save for him, Auriel, and Itherael, Archangel of Fate, with his massive tome of all that was, is, and will be in hand.

Maximilian gave a look around the chamber and said in a slightly confused tone, “Well, now that we have consented to go on this grand mission, may I inquire as to what in the Hells and Heavens it is for?”

Bozz gave a chuckle at his comrade’s forward nature. As far back as he could remember, Max always had something of an arrogant streak. Even in the face of the highest beings in all of Sanctuary, he was still somehow the biggest presence in the room. Only thing larger than his ego was his immense power in Bozz’s eyes.

With a pat on his comrade’s shoulder, Bozz spoke up and said, “I am in agreement with my comrade. What is the threat you have called upon us to resolve, may we ask?” It had been a great deal of time since they had dealt with the last Diabolic threat, which would be the only type that they would even be called for. The fact that they were not only called, but brought directly to the chamber of the Heavenly Council. Needless to say it must be of utmost importance.

Tyrael gave a small chuckle as he walked toward one of the grand doors of the chamber and said, “I do believe it would be best for them to explain it.”

Maximilian was about to raise a question as to who exactly “they” were when the door’s handles were both encompassed by a different color of aura, which he and Bozz both identified as a magic akin to the angels. The one on the right adopted a sort of golden aura, akin to the sun of eastern Sanctuary, while the one of the left took on a sort of midnight blue. Soon after the doors were thrown open, with what came through eliciting a shocked expression from Max and an intrigued one from Bozz.

“All right...I may need a more thorough explanation now.”, Maximilian said with a cocked eyebrow.

Author's Note

Well, that was certainly fun! This had been an idea rolling around my head since high school. Finished this and I figured, "What the hey? May as well post the blasted thing" XD

By all means leave as much criticism, or even suggestions, as you please. Only way I'll improve, after all.