"Death comes to call on all mortals, sooner or later."

Diablo III: Storm of Light is now available from Simon & Schuster! Written by Nate Kenyon, author of The Order, this epic new novel serves as bridge between the events of Diablo III and the haunting story that is to come in its first expansion, Reaper of Souls.

Read on for an exclusive excerpt from Storm of Light and to find out what momentous events lie ahead in latest addition to the Diablo universe.

The High Heavens are healing after the fall of the Prime Evil. The Angiris Council has recovered the Black Soulstone and now stands vigil over the cursed artifact deep within the glimmering Silver City.

Amid these momentous events, Tyrael struggles with his position as the new Aspect of Wisdom, feeling out of place as a mortal among his angelic brethren and doubting his ability to fully embody his role. As he searches within himself and the Heavens for reassurance, he senses the Black Soulstone's grim influence on his home. Where harmony of light and sound once reigned, a mounting discord is threatening to shroud the realm in darkness. Imperius and the other archangels vehemently oppose moving or destroying the crystal, leading Tyrael to put Heaven’s fate in the hands of humankind . . . .

Drawing powerful humans to his side from the far ends of Sanctuary, Tyrael reforges the ancient Horadrim and charges the order with an impossible task: to steal the Soulstone from the heart of Heaven. Among the champions entrusted with this burden are Jacob of Staalbreak, former avatar of Justice and guardian of the angelic blade El'druin; Shanar, a wizard with phenomenal powers; Mikulov, a lithe and reverent monk; Gynvir, a fearless and battle-hardened barbarian; and Zayl, a mysterious necromancer. With time and the forces of both good and evil against them, can these heroes unite as one and complete their perilous mission before Heaven falls to ruin?

– Excerpt from Chapter 5, Storm of Light –

"Adria was convinced that the soulstone held the key to destroying the seven Evils from the Hells. I scoured our library for anything I could find on the stone and sent my notes to Caldeum, but they were returned to me. The messenger told me that Leah could not be found. Now you tell us that she…"

Cullen stopped for a moment, carefully removing his spectacles. He slipped a cloth from his satchel and wiped his moist eyes, then returned the spectacles to the bridge of his nose. "All those years wondering about her mother," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "She deserved a better fate."

"She fought against the possession of her soul," Tyrael said. "The fall of the gates was not her doing. The Prime Evil had already overtaken her. I believe her suffering was brief."

Cullen nodded, glancing at his two companions, Thomas and the monk. "Where is the stone now?" he asked.

"It sits in the Heavens, protected by the Luminarei, the Defenders of the Arch."

"A holy guard? Why not leave it in place?"

"The stone is too dangerous. Already it has begun to corrupt the Heavens, and I fear that soon it will be too late to act. But the Angiris Council will never voluntarily choose to hand it over to humans for safekeeping."

"Then what are you suggesting we do?"

Tyrael met the scholar's gaze. "We must invade the Heavens and steal it."

The group erupted into shocked disbelief. "Invade the Heavens?" Cullen said. "From my studies, humans have never set foot there, at least before this battle you describe with the Prime Evil. Mortals cannot comprehend the beauty, the overwhelming scope of them. The dangers inherent in such an attempt…"

You are correct, Tyrael thought. Even I might lose my life in this pursuit. The thought came unbidden and surprised him with its strength. His hand crept toward an inner pocket of his robes as if of its own accord, then dropped. Death comes to call on all mortals, sooner or later.

Prepare for the return of Tyrael and the reformed Horadrim! Pick up your copy of Diablo III: Storm of Light at Simon and Schuster today.