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Where do I even begin. Okay, first of all, I will start by saying that I have never, ever played Diablo. My only exposure to it has been the commercials and the snippets I have read from a few stories on here. So in a way, this review will be given from an "outsider's" point of view.

I would like to say thank you first for hanging onto this story, especially with so little feedback to move you. I know how slippery those muses can be so for you to hatch out these chapters with this kind of length and no shavings off the quality even after months of being gone is quite a feat. I hope you continue to do so D:

Now for the actual story. The way you have written this definitely makes it friendly for people who are unfamiliar with Diablo lore but great enough to keep the attention of both fans and non-fans. The battle scenes are crazily vivid without depending on excessive gore or flesh-flaying - good, good. Each character's techniques and the details of their movements across the battlefield make for such rich imagery that I could see the actual fighting as if it's an animation before me. No movement is wasted nor is there repetition (although you mentioned "rotten bows" twice, one in Ch.2 and the other in Ch.4 so be careful of repetitive descriptions but since this is such a minor thing, it doesn't really detract from your writing). You have made both - formidable adversaries for their enemies.

The characters outside of the main characters are portrayed perfectly to their roles. Rathma with his understandable detachment from interactions - molded by centuries of living. Acrimox's debut in the first chapter was especially daunting, as it should be. I find it funny how Trag'Oul sounds pretty laid-back when he's not being a serious guardian. Guess that's what happens when all you have is yourself and a void.

Now it seems some readers have been detecting some secret lusting between Zakurah and Rhet which makes me wonder if I've been reading a completely different story? What I see at the most, is friendship that has been forged by dire circumstances and at the least, colleagues that have a common cause. There are some scenes that perhaps could be construed as tender here and there with the tentative smiles but I took those moments more as breaking the ice of the preconceived images these two seem to have about the other person. I'm not sure if you have intended for something more than friendship by this point and I'm not saying I'm opposed to sailing the shipping in the future but if it's romance at this stage, that seems like a rushed move for a number of reasons. Their dialogue has been limited mostly to explaining their techniques, battle tactics, strategy to get from point A to point B, and the occasional comment outside of their quest. Other than that, the two of them are actually pretty reserved... not shy, but not talkative either. Their observations of each other seem to make up most of the development of their bonding time. Which leads me to another question...

Why is Zakurah so surprised every time Rhet shows a moment of compassion (or as she puts it, humanity)? He's never really acted cold or cruel towards her during the course of their journey so I see no reason for her puzzlement. At first, I was thinking, maybe this illustrates her hidden assumptions of necromancer culture: how the people are emotionless and inhuman? But then I later figured, wouldn't that counter her action of stepping in to save him if she thought his people were so inhuman then?

Anyways, I'm not sure when you will return to this story but it is a new year so hopefully you'll check in [at least] once. Again, much gratitude for sharing this piece of your time, patience, and imagination! It definitely deserves more reviews.

Damn, 2 chapters in as many days... Did you hit your head?
Anyways, good chapters, (yes, chapter 7 was a dick move).
Looks like it's heading back towards action too, can't wait to see the new powers.

Cheers! ;)

Thanks for the update ;)

Such a captivating combination of violence, unresolved sexual tension (as Kyn pointed out) and humour...

I love the way both Rhet and Zakurah are developing, as well as the relationship between them. Oh, and the description of the gate is beautiful.

(Wondering: why doesn't Rhet tell Rathma about the spell binding his life to Zakurah?)

Looking forward to more.

Damn, blast from the past, good chapter, but the ending seemed slightly rushed. Looking forward to monthly updates and good luck with that degree!

You still have readers! WOOHOO! Another chapter! More unresolved sexual tension! XD

Much like ! I look forward to the amazing story this is growing into.

Once again you blow my mind. My only complaint is the delay between updates, but you do deliver, and I guess you can't rush perfection. I really do hope you'll be able to post more often, but give me quality over quantity any day.
Cheers! ;]

Ugh, this chapter was just not long enough. So good, and so intense and just... wow. Such amaze.

You have such an amazing gift with words – and it’s awesome the way you can make a scene simultaneously intense and light and funny – without detracting from the suspense and intensity. Your similes work extremely well and you paint an impressive picture.

Also, this thing you have with cliff-hangers is kind of evil.

Just wow. More please.

Good story. Don't give up!

I shall follow this. With great gusto!

a very good story... captures some of the original games flavor from diablo 1 and 2. I wish you could update this more often though.

Apology accepted.

Little bit of semi-criticism here; be careful with healing magic, in some cases it can discredit large parts of a story.
Flesh wounds like the shoulder are fine but it would be a good idea to add limitations, especially for more serious wounds. Keep your characters from being invulnerable without cheapening injury I guess.

on another note: really like the direction of the fight scenes, spells are getting creative, and Zakurah's combat got a lot more interesting.