I wasted no time in finding the true tomb, and used the Horadric Staff to gain entry.

As I entered the chamber, I was confronted with the largest, must frightening demon I had ever encountered--Duriel. The Lords of Hell were 3 steps ahead of us, and I had entered into a trap. With nowhere to escape to, Rozene and I had to fight the Lord of Pain with everything we had. We survived this battle, in large thanks to Rozene's cold arrows, which slowed Duriel down enough for us to loose arrow after arrow into his body until his death.

After slaying Duriel, I took time to observe the story of Tal-Rasha on the walls, who had provided the ultimate sacrifice to be the host for the soulstone that imprisoned Baal. The chamber was large, and as I explored it more I encountered the Arch Angel Tyreal who with great urgency and concern, spoke to me about how Baal had been freed and that the brothers Mephisto, Diablo, and Baal were plotting the destruction of Sanctuary. In order to catch up with brothers, Tyreal implored me to head to Kurast to first stop Mephisto. Tyreal, putting his pride aside, confided in me that his tether to the human world was diminishing and that he was unable to stop Duriel and Mephisto on his own. He needed our help.

The urgency of heading to Kurast was not lost on me, but I knew that Rozene and I would need rest and to have our gear repaired before heading out.

After resting, Meshif took me and Rozene to the great city of Kurast by boat. At least the Rogue Encampment and Lut Gholein were standing despite the nearby corrupting influences, but the same could not be said for Kurast. The people had been pushed out of their homeland, which was now overrun by a voracious jungle, and instead stood a final resistance at the docks.

Not long after arriving, I encountered a wanderer, an ominous figure who was fully-cloaked. Something seemed off about this wanderer, as he did not acknowledge my presence. Strangely, it was as though time seemed to slow down around this wanderer, and just as I felt I was about to make sense of this encounter, he vanished in an unworldly manner, leaving nothing but wretched creatures in his wake. As I reflected on the ruins of Kurast around me, I could not help but shake the feeling that this wanderer was connected to the destruction of these ancient lands.

I knew that the secrets of how to find Mephisto and restore these lands were lost throughout the jungle, but in preparation for exploring I did not anticipate finding anything of exquisite beauty. However, to my surprise, a Jade Figurine, assuredly stolen by demons, had been dropped in the jungle. This land was now bleak, but this Jade Figurine resonated light and was so bright in an otherwise darkened jungle. If anyone were to know more about it, it would be Deckard Cain. I returned to the docks and showed Deckard Cain the Jade Figurine. I quickly learned how knowledgeable the people of Kurast were, beyond just Deckard Cain. There was an appreciation of historical artifacts unlike anything I had experienced before.

As fascinating as these artifacts were, Deckard Cain appropriately reminded me of the urgency and purpose of my entering Kurast. I needed to find the remains of the single Que-Hegan of the Zakarum priests who was incorruptible--Khalim. An eye, a heart, a brain, and a flail. Mephisto thought that scattering Khalim's remains across the jungle would impede anyone seeking to find him. It would only delay me.

How beautiful Kurast must have been before Mephisto decimated the Kingdom....

I would avenge Khalim and restore his spirit if even just for a moment so as to smash the Compelling Orb. Neither Mephisto nor spider could stop me.