Diablo IV

Diablo IV is a 2023 action roleplaying game. Dialogue [opening cinematic: A pair of treasure hunters - the rogue Fionn and the Barbarian Gelwa - and the Zakarum curate Symon enter a hidden hall beneath a ruined chapel in Esret in the Hawezar swamps.] Symon: Blessed Akarat, thy eternal Light protects me. Thy eternal wisdom guides me. Though my path is wrought with darkness, guide my soul to thy sacred Light... [begins repeating the prayer] Fionn: Shhh! Quiet! [Symon keeps at it] Shut up! [Inside the vault, the band are running from a horde of monsters; one of them, a one-eyed swordsman, hefts the wounded Symon.] Fionn: Leave him! Swordsman: [to Symon] Just keep running. Fionn: Are you out of your mind?! He's not going to make it! Swordsman: He has to. [Symon begins praying again] Hey! Look at me! [gestures to the door] All the gold we want... is right there. Symon: No, I... I just came here for... knowledge. Swordsman: I know. Fionn: They're coming! Get over here! Swordsman: Now, breach the seal! Get us through that door! [runs to join the others] Symon: [staggers against the door] Oh, Light help me... [begins translating the inscriptions] B-by three they come... by three thy way opens... blood shows... this doesn't make any sense. [sees his blood dropping onto the floor, and coalescing near a hand carved into the floor] Blood. Blood is the key. [to the others] Blood is the key! Fionn: What?! Symon: I need two of you! Now! Swordsman: Go! I'll hold them off! Go! [the others rush to join Symon] Symon: It says "the blood of the willing will..." [Gelwa snarls and pushes her hand down on the carving on the floor] Fionn: You've got to be kidding me! [he and Symon follow suit, and their combined blood activates the lock on the door] Ha! It worked! [As the three go through the door, the swordsman is overwhelmed by the monsters outside] Symon: We have to help him! Fionn: He's dead already! [Gelwa severs the chain, sealing the door, despite Symon's protests. Fionn puts an arm around Symon's shoulders] Fionn: [solemnly] Shame he didn't make it. [cheerfully] Oh well, cheer up! Gold splits better three ways instead of four. Must be hidden here somewhere... [hurls Symon at the base of a pillar] Read this! Symon: [reading the runes on the pillar] "By three they come, by three thy way opens, by the blood of the... willing... hail... hail the... Creator!" [gasps in horror] "Hail the Daughter of..." Oh no. No no no... Fionn: [impatient] What about the coin? What does it say? Symon: This is forbidden. This is a summoning! I cannot speak this! Fionn: [punches Symon in the gut] Don't lie to me! Gelwa: [armlocks across Symon's neck] We came here for treasure! What is this place? Symon: I don't know! [Gelwa tightens her armlock] Maybe it's a temple... or-or a tomb... or... Swordsman: [echoing] It's a gate. [Fionn is pulled out of view. Gelwa looks around fearfully... as blood drips onto her head. Looking up, she sees Fionn, wounds growing across his face, and his bones being shattered by an unseen hand.] Swordsman: And blood is the key. [The swordsman suddenly appears behind Gelwa, who smashes him in the face with her hammer. The swordsman appears unfazed as his jaw resets and he rises to his feet. Gelwa is suddenly hurled into another pillar, as her blood and that of Fionn begin to crawl across the air, seeking to combine. At the same time, mechanisms in the floor activate.] Symon: [panicking] Blessed Akarat, thy eternal Light protects me, thy eternal wisdom guides me, though my path is wrought with darkness, guide my soul to thy sacred Light... Swordsman: From the Abyss we seek thy salvation. By three they come. By three thy way opens. By the blood of the willing... [transforms into a tall, pale, statuesque figure - Elias, a cultist of the Triune] We call thee home. [Symon continues to frantically pray under his breath] Elias: [raises a hand] Come. [brings Symon, eyes closed and still frantically praying, over to him] Open your eyes. Symon: [does so, and begins babbling] Eternal Light protects me, eternal Light protects me, eternal Light protects me... Elias: [gently] There is no Light here. You came to the darkness for knowledge. Symon: [sighs] Yes... Elias: And all the knowledge you seek is here. Surrender. Speak the words. Call her home. Symon: [as he speaks, he is lifted onto the third pillar] By three they come... by three thy way opens... by the blood of the willing, we call thee... home. [Symon lets go of his stomach wound, and blood explodes from him, strands connecting to the blood of the others, creating a web. In his mind, he can see flashes: A demon's glaring eyes, a chained angel, and battlefields in Pandemonium.] Symon: Hail, Daughter of Hatred... Creator of Sanctuary! Hail... Lilith. [As Symon dies, the last thing he witnesses is Lilith tearing through the web, taking Elias' hand, as blood rains like rose petals around her.] Elias: Blessed Mother... save us. [Reverend Mother Prava of the Cathedral of Light walks at the head of an army of Knights Penitent, her bare feet scorched by the burning soil of Hell, chanting a prayer. The army is illuminated by a light from above - the angel Inarius, Father of Sanctuary. Inarius reaches out his hand, illuminating the army of demons ahead of them. The demons rear back for a moment, then charge.] Reverend Mother Prava: May we fight true in His holy name. Blessed be the Light. [Prava kneels in prayer, her head bowing to the ground as the Knights Penitent behind her form a phalanx, using their spears to impale the charging demons. Inarius spots Lilith and charges ahead, the ground cracking beneath his feet as he lands. He hurls his spear towards Lilith, but another demon takes it instead. Cutting his way through the demon horde, he follows Lilith into a demonic spire, its pillars writhing with the souls of the dead.] Lilith: Do you remember them, Inarius? The whispers of the damned? Inarius: Words will not save you. Show yourself! Lilith: So, the soldier returns. And with such purpose. No longer the conflicted soul I left behind. Inarius: You deceived me! [Inarius swings his spear, smashing through a pillar of souls. Outside, Prava and the Knights Penitent continue to face the onslaught of demons.] Lilith: Why, Inarius? What are you truly after? Inarius: My rightful place is in the Heavens. Lilith: Is that why you seek to destroy all that we created? Inarius: Sanctuary is an abomination! [Inarius whirls to stab Lilith, who breaks his spear in two with one of her wings.] Lilith: [sadly] And our son? Inarius: I made it right to satisfy the Heavens. Lilith: [sighs] Tell me... did they rejoice? [Inarius is silent] No? They do not want you. [Inarius roars with rage as he stabs Lilith with the broken haft of his spear. Outside, the fighting continues. Prava looks up at an Oppressor demon as it is brought to its knees by the Knights Penitent.] Prava: In His glory... [steps onto the fallen demon's corpse] See now the work of your faith! [Inside the spire, Lilith is impaled to a pillar by Inarius' spear.] Inarius: It is done. It all ends... with you. [Lilith grasps Inarius' wrist, and blood runs from her mouth as she speaks.] Lilith: No. We made a choice, and that... they can never forgive, no matter what you tell yourself, or who you sacrifice. Silence... is their judgement. [As Lilith's head drops, apparently dead, Inarius steps away from her.] Inarius: But... but I set things right. [looks Heaven-ward] What more would you have me do? Tell me! Please! Tell me! [Lilith removes the spear shaft and comes up behind him.] Lilith: The Heavens do not speak to you anymore! [Lilith runs the broken spear through Inarius' back and pins him to the floor.] Inarius: No! Heavens, protect me! Lilith: No. You belong in Hell! [Lilith tears off Inarius' wings, and the angel screams in agony, echoing across the battlefield. Sensing the tide has turned, the Knights Penitent look to Prava, who looks as confused as they are. The demons pour in with renewed vigor.] Prava: No... no! No! Have faith! Have faith! [is quickly overrun by the demons] Fight! FIGHT! [As Inarius' corpse is consumed by the floor, Lilith walks away, bloodied but unbowed.] [Inside Mephisto's Cathedral of Hatred, Lilith is defeated by the Wanderer (the player character), her blood raining in petals around the room.] Lilith: Sanctuary was meant as an escape from the Eternal Conflict. And yet, here we are... again. I gave you free will... and you've squandered it, wasting it on a crusade you don't understand. You chose tyranny when offered freedom. A poor legacy for my gift. [As she speaks, images of the Prime Evils - Mephisto, Baal, and Diablo - can be seen.] Lilith: Without me, you would have no victory. And its cost will be more... than you can pay. [Lilith turns to stone, as does the pile of blood petals around her, before collapsing into dust.] Vessel of Hatred (2024) Dialogue [Opening cinematic: Sailing down the river into Nahantu, Neyrelle chants a prayer to Akarat as she struggles with the power of Mephisto, trapped within a Soulstone. The boatman looks concerned...] Boatman: Oi, young one. Are you well? [Neyrelle's chanting grows more desperate] Neyrelle? Oh, you're not well... Please, please. Please, my child, let me help you -- Neyrelle: [momentarily possessed] STAY AWAY FROM ME! Vhenard: Neyrelle! [Neyrelle turns sharply, and her eyes return to normal] Is that how I raised you? Neyrelle: No, Mother. But... but I must carry this burden alone. I must get to Akarat's tomb. Vhenard: But look at you. You're killing yourself. Neyrelle: I... I don't know how much longer I can... Vhenard: [rests her hand on Neyrelle's cheek] I'm here, little magpie. Neyrelle: I missed you so much. Vhenard: I'm so proud of you. But now, I need you to give... up. Neyrelle: What? [finds her mother's hand fused to her face] No! No, no! Of course it's you! You monster! LET GO OF ME! Vhenard/Mephisto: Let go? No. You made a choice. And I warned you, little magpie, there would be... consequences. [In her mind, Neyrelle's body is torn and tortured in the heart of a massive demonic form.] Mephisto: Surrender. Neyrelle: No! I control the stone! Mephisto: You hold the stone. You control nothing. [Neyrelle screams in agony before finally returning to consciousness, the Soulstone fused with the hull of the boat...] Neyrelle: Maybe you're right. Maybe I could use some help... [Neyrelle turns to find the boatman dead, impaled by tentacles summoned by the stone. Determined, Neyrelle takes the oar, sailing on...] [The Wanderer (the player character) finds the abandoned boat along the river border between Kehjistan and Nahantu, before hearing footsteps behind them... Urivar, the "Burned Knight", approaches.] Urivar: Even though you traffic with darkness, you have accomplished much good in the eyes of the Cathedral. I can understand why Prava has tolerated you this long. But if the Church is to survive, it must hold tight to its convictions. Either the rules apply to everyone, or they do not actually exist. That builds trust. [Urivar removes his mask, showing his scarred face.] Urivar: The heretic Neyrelle has fled holy judgment... [smokes a smoldering piece of wood like a cigar] wielding the very Soulstone she stole from our brethren as they lay dying in Hell. Where is the girl? The Wanderer: I see no reason to help you find her, knight. [Urivar takes another drag from his wood-cigar before dropping it to the ground.] Urivar: How many lives will you trade to protect Neyrelle? Is her life more than his? [Urivar's knights bring forward Raheir, the mercenary who aided the Wanderer in Gea Kul; he is missing his right arm.] The Wanderer: You bastard! [The Wanderer suddenly hears Neyrelle's chanting, and turns to see her sitting in the boat, holding Mephisto's Soulstone.] The Wanderer: Neyrelle?! [Urivar impales the Wanderer with his sword.] Urivar: No one is above the laws of Heaven. Burn away the Darkness! Burned Knights: Let only Light remain! [Urivar pushes the Wanderer into the river.] [Neyrelle, accompanied by the Wanderer and the Nahantu elder Eru, prepares to release Mephisto's Soulstone within the tomb of Akarat in the Spirit Realm.] The Wanderer: You can let go now. [Neyrelle sets the stone on Akarat's chest, and is released from the corruption of the stone.] Neyrelle: I dreamed of this moment for so long. At last, my mind is quiet. My own. This place will be a far better warden for that stone than I. The Wanderer: Thank you for helping us, Eru. Eru: Don't. [drops a bloody dagger to the ground] I do this for Nahantu. Spirits, forgive me... [Eru opens a gateway, blasting the tomb with the corruption of Hell... as Mephisto's laughter echoes.] Neyrelle: Oh no. No! Where is it? [looks up and sees Eru] He's got the stone! [Eru carries Akarat's corpse and Mephisto's Soulstone, standing before the gate.] The Wanderer: Eru? Eru: You deserved better from me. [to Mephisto] I've done my part. See that you do yours! [As Eru steps through the gate, a monstrous form - Mephisto's Harbinger of Hatred - steps through] Mephisto: This is not the end I wanted for us. The Wanderer: Enough! Damn your games and your lies! Mephisto: Such sweet hatred. One moment of betrayal, and my blood sings in you. Few mortals are so worthy of their birthright. [the Harbinger roars] Come, child of my child. I will give you the violence you long for. [Epilogue: After the defeat of the Harbinger, the Wanderer and Neyrelle regroup at Lorath Nahr's hut near Kyovashad...] Lorath Nahr: [voiceover] We are all villains in someone else's story. The Horadrim know this better than anyone. We've all made hard choices to protect what we love... choices that seem necessary, even righteous at the moment. But the Lord of Hatred excels at turning the blade of righteousness back into our guts, just to hear us scream. The choices we made in Hell had aftershocks we are only now beginning to understand. How would history paint us for the path we'd taken? How would it paint Eru? Eru made his choice out of love and despair. I can hate him and still understand why he did it, and how it made him the devil's perfect tool. Another twist of the blade of righteousness. Perhaps Eru believed it was all worth it. Nahantu and the Spirit Realm were spared from Mephisto's touch. But that only meant they were cursed to watch the rest of the world wither in the Age of Hatred to come. [Within the Temple City of Travincal, the body of Akarat is subsumed by Mephisto's corruption, the Soulstone impaled in his chest...] Mephisto: O Akarat, beloved Shepherd of Light. After eternity of vigilance, you are betrayed. And by your own flock. Pity. Now the wolf shall rise anew. [Akarat's body rises from the pool of corruption, and the statues around it begin to melt...] Mephisto: Wrapped in the guise of man, I shall walk amongst the innocent. And there will be no salvation in the Light. Lord of Hatred (2026) Dialogue [Opening cinematic: Mephisto, Lord of Hatred, rises from a sea of screaming souls to confront Neyrelle...] Mephisto: All those who touch the stone meet the same fate. Neyrelle: No! I just need more time! [Neyrelle awakens, coughing blood, amidst scrolls and tomes in the Yshari Sanctum in Caldeum.] Neyrelle: I just need more time... [Amidst the scrolls paces another - Akarat, possessed by Mephisto's Soulstone.] Akarat: Time? Nothing in those scrolls will save you, Neyrelle. But I can. Neyrelle: I want nothing from you! Akarat: [sighs] You've seen what awaits. You are a part of me. But I can make better use of you. Neyrelle: I have seen what awaits. I will stop you! [Akarat's hand moves, freezing Neyrelle in place.] Akarat: I am untouchable. [Neyrelle is held over a chasm as Mephisto's true form looms over her.] Mephisto: You think you have power here? [Neyrelle is dropped, screaming, into the abyss - and then back inside the sanctum.] Akarat: I can do this for an eternity, Neyrelle. I don't see that you have a choice, but I'd like you to say yes. Neyrelle: [smiles to herself] You're right. I am a part of you. I was trapped in your mind. You dream. [Akarat stops pacing] And when you do, an ocean of twisted horrors floods your mind. I saw the sun blotted from the sky. And the darker it got, the brighter the rage of Man turned. Hatred would reign. I was lost. But in that chaos, I found your greatest fear, and I will tell everyone. Akarat: Oh, child... what could I possibly fear? Neyrelle: "And the weak were made strong. The pack of lambs would feast on their shepherd." Akarat: The prophecy? Oh, be careful, little one. Neyrelle: "Then comes a spear of Light, piercing Hatred's heart! Razed to the ground by a murdered son!" Akarat: Stop. [Neyrelle keeps reciting] Stop! I COMMAND YOU! [Akarat lashes out, holding Neyrelle by the throat, her neck broken.] Akarat: You could have been so much more. [As he drops Neyrelle's body to the floor, Akarat sees the dagger she plunged into his stomach... and begins to read her notes, realizing what she was doing.] Akarat: Oh, what have you done? What have you done? [winces, overwhelmed for a moment... then sobers] Let them come. [Akarat walks through the scrolls, setting them ablaze, leaving Neyrelle's body behind.] Mephisto: Let them rise up, feeding the flames of unrest. It will not matter. [voice merging with Akarat's] For I am the Light and the Way. [In Temis, capital of the Skovos Isles, the Wanderer watches as Adreona, Queen of the Amazons, addresses the crowd of devotees.] Adreona: On this day, a pilgrim comes to our shores. Let him wash in the waters, so that he might prove himself worthy of the sand. [Akarat steps forward.] Akarat: Many of you walked with me through the fires of the mainland. Now, your faith will be rewarded. The Pools of Creation, the path to a better future, is near! And by the grace of Queen Adreona, we will reach it! Lorath Nahr: Adreona! [makes his way towards the Queen] Adreona. Adreona: Lorath? Now of all times? Akarat: It seems a new pilgrim has joined us. Lorath: Listen. He's a demon. The mainland burns because of him. Akarat: Hm. Lies. Lorath: You're in danger. Adreona: I don't understand. The people say he's a saint. What proof do you have? Lorath: You have my word. Adreona: As a Horadrim? Lorath: [takes her hand] As someone you once called friend. Akarat/Mephisto: That will be enough. [Mephisto brings Lorath into a demonic realm.] Lorath: Heh. Afraid I'll spoil your show? Mephisto: Not at all. I barely knew you existed until today. But now you stepped onto my stage, and you thought there would be no consequences? [wraps Lorath in tendrils of hatred] You are but a man. And men are just... so small. [Lorath pulls his dagger and lashes out, slashing Akarat's throat... but Akarat then appears, unharmed, next to him.] Akarat: Oh, Lorath... [Lorath looks down in horror and realizes he has slashed Adreona's throat. She chokes for a moment, then dies.] Lorath: [falls to his knees] No... [the crowd clamors] Akarat: Enough! I have brought blood to this city. Blood... and hate. No more. [Akarat kneels and heals the wound, bringing Adreona back to life.] Adreona: You... you really are what they say. Akarat: Show mercy. [to the crowd] We must all show mercy! My Queen, let him walk free, so that all who look upon him will be reminded of what hate can do. It is in our nature to hate... and that is why I brought you here, to change that nature. [Lorath, despairing at Mephisto's seemingly imminent victory, abandons his Horadric sigil and walks alone, as the crows circle around him...] Lorath: I warned them. Why won't they ever listen? [a trio of crows caw at him] Ah, there you are. I was wondering when the Tree would send you. The Wanderer: [shoos the crows off] Back! Back! Get away from him! Lorath: Don't bother. This is my fate. [Suddenly, a mysterious figure appears in a bright flash of light.] Mysterious Figure: Lorath. Is that you? Lorath: [angry] Mephisto. No more damn tricks! [Lorath moves to attack with his torch, but the other catches it] Mysterious Figure: You have allowed his hate to cloud your eyes, old friend. [A great sword appears in the figure's hands, and remnants of what appear to be angelic wings can be briefly seen. He is the former Archangel of Justice...] Lorath: Tyrael. Tyrael: [pulls back his hood] You once knew a better way. [hands Lorath his Horadric sigil] Lorath: I'm sorry... [Tyrael helps him to his feet, and Lorath embraces him] I've made a mess of things. [The Wanderer is pulled into their own mind, standing under a shelter next to Lilith, whose essence remained within them. Above them, the monstrous form of Mephisto looms.] Lilith: My father is bound to you through me. If you are to live, you must sever the bond. [Lilith holds out her dagger, coated in her blood. As the Wanderer takes it, the tarry substance of Mephisto's hatred seems to overwhelm them, and the Wanderer falls endlessly - just as Lilith swoops down to save them.] Lilith: I gave my children a world, and the strength to make it their own. And all I have to show for it... is you. [grasps their hand, stopping their fall] Fight! Sever the bond! [The Wanderer gives a brief nod and stabs Lilith with the dagger.] Lilith: Take your birthright... and make this Sanctuary yours. [Lilith releases the Wanderer, as she disintegrates into blood petals amidst the storm summoned by Mephisto...] [Within the Pools of Creation, Akarat stands at the waters' edge with his flock.] Akarat: Lay your hatred down, that the waters may bring you into the Light. The Wanderer: Mephisto! That's enough! Akarat/Mephisto: My dear friend, here at last to save them. But they come freely. [brings the Wanderer into his demonic realm] Exactly like you. You're so very human, born to hate. [wraps them in his tendrils] And I... am... Hate. [The Wanderer lashes out with Lilith's dagger, wounding Akarat... who bleeds dark tarry blood.] Mephisto: My daughter's trinket... you impetuous fool! [Akarat submerges into the water... which turns to black tar, as Mephisto's true form rises.] Mephisto: So be it. You want the truth of what I am? Let all illusions burn from your eyes! [Mephisto is finally defeated, left at the Wanderer's mercy.] Mephisto: Here it is. The victory. So much effort, simply to return where we began. You are alone, just as I found you. [The Wanderer steps forward through illusions - first of Mephisto's wolf form, then of Akarat, before standing before Mephisto's heart.] Mephisto: You sacrificed everything, but changed nothing. I will be reborn in Hell, and you will be forgotten. The Wanderer: You're not going back to Hell. [The Wanderer stabs Mephisto's heart with Lilith's dagger, sending the Lord of Hatred screaming into the Void.] [Ending cinematic: The Wanderer, with a torch enchanted by Tyrael, sets fire to the Tree of Whispers, releasing the spirits of the heads hanging from it... including Lorath.] The Wanderer: I keep thinking of that day I walked into his cabin. I brought him into this mess. Tyrael: No one brings Lorath into anything. You know that. He made a choice, despite what it would cost him. Just as all Horadrim do, and I loved them for it. [Lorath's head closes its eyes as the flames embrace it.] Tyrael: They fought for a world that has no right to exist. A world forever trapped between Heaven and Hell. [The Wanderer returns to the cave in the Fractured Peaks where they sheltered from the storm, standing before a statue of Lilith.] Tyrael: She created this Sanctuary, even though she knew that all of it... all of it could be swept away at any moment. But she believed someone would choose to walk in her footsteps. [The Wanderer sails back to Temis, the capital city of Skovos.] Tyrael: Someone would stand in defiance of fate itself, and protect this fragile world. You could call it madness. I call it... hope. External links Diablo IV official webpage Category:2023 video games Category:Role-playing video games Category:Video games about demons Category:Diablo (series)