The Cycle Begins

The Cycle Begins is a Westmarch quest in Diablo Immortal. It begins immediately after completing Fragments of the Past for the third time. Completing this quest unlocks the Cycle of Strife, and leads back to Fragments of the Past.

Objectives[]

Read the Mysterious Letter.
Go to Selynne's Basilica.
(The cryptic letter instructed you to head to Selynne's Basilica to learn more. If these "inheritors of the Cycle" can help protect Sanctuary, it certainly seems worth the effort.)
Talk to The Unspoken.
(The Unspoken has appeared before you once more. If you wish to know more: follow, listen, and learn.)
Place the Timeworn Scroll on the Altar (0/1).
(The timeworn scroll in your possession contains secrets once thought lost to the ages. Upon its coiled parchment lies a secret history: the story of an eternal Cycle.)
Talk to The Unspoken.⁽¹⁾
(The Cycle of Strife spans over a thousand years. The wheel of history is turning—talk to the Unspoken to understand your place in it.)
Talk to the Historical Archivist.
(The Immortals: a secretive sect of zealous guardians that has served Westmarch for nearly a century. Could their history truly be as ancient as the Unspoken implied?)
Inspect the Wall of Honor (0/1).
(Gaze upon the Wall of Honor... What secrets could a stone edifice viewed by thousands of travelers possibly be hiding?)
Give the Timeworn Scroll to Kion.
(A vision of Kion, the first Immortal, has appeared before you. Deliver him the timeworn scroll and the long-lost secrets of the Immortals will come to light.)
Wait for Kion to read the Timeworn Scroll.
(Give the Timeworn Scroll to Kion).
Relive Kion's Memory.⁽²⁾
- Approach the Heart and gain the Immortals power.
- Defeat all the Shadows.
- Leave Kion's Memory.
Talk to the Historical Archivist.
Talk to the Mysterious Patron.
(There are two sides to every coin. A mysterious figure awaits you in Wolf City Tavern, one whose perspective on the Cycle of Strife differs from the Immortals.)
Enter the Court of Whispers (0/1).
(Recognizing that you too have been touched by the cycle, the Shadows have given you an opportunity: to enter the Court of Whispers and learn of their terrible burden.)
Talk to the Unspoken in the Court of Whispers.
(Recognizing that you too have been touched by the cycle, the Shadows have given you an opportunity: to enter the Court of Whispers and learn of their terrible burden.)
Touch the Everburning Fount (0/1).
(A simple task: touch the Everburning Fount. Yet, much like with the Immortals, you suspect doing so you will connect you—ever briefly—to the power of the Shadows.)
Give the Timeworn Scroll to Akeba.
(Another spirit appears. This one claims to be Akeba, the founder of the Shadows. She seems eager to share the origin of their purpose, but can she be trusted?)
Wait for Akeba to read the Timeworn Scroll.
(Give the Timeworn Scroll to Akeba)
Relive Akeba's Memory.⁽³⁾
- Speak with Akeba.
- Receive Akeba's Blessing.
- Challenge the Immortal.
- Take the Eternal Crown.
- Return to Akeba.
- Leave Akeba's Memory.
- Leave the Vision.
Talk to the Unspoken.
(The Basilica? Were you under an illusion? Yet, the Unspoken still stands before you, his gaze ever-judgmental. Was this a test?)

Transcript[]

Read the Letter

Mysterious Letter:
When you stop looking for an answer, one is revealed. If you would strengthen Sanctuary against the outsiders, hurry to Selynne's Basilica and hear from the inheritors of the cycle. Their old stories have never been more true. They wait for you to become part of the telling.^[1]

At the entrance to Selynne's Basilica

Unspoken Basilica — The Unspoken appears

The Unspoken: As it has been, so shall it be.

The Unspoken: You are powerful. Filled with a strength only suffering can provide. Place the Timeworn Scroll on the platform inside the cathedral, and learn where your power can be put to use.

Follow the Unspoken into the cathedral and place the Timeworn Scroll on the Altar

Timeworn Light — The scroll emits a dazzling light and smoke

Class: I... I... can't keep my eyes open... (falls asleep)

The player witnesses a vision

Narration:
Standing in the ancient city of Corvus, Daedessa the Builder bestowed the Eternal Crown upon her son, Kion. Fueled by the artifact's power, Kion formed the Immortals and swore to protect Sanctuary from the Burning Hells.

But, he would not do so unwatched. Knowing that power corrupts, Daedessa charged her daughter, Akeba, with a heavy burden. It would be her job to ensure the Immortals were forever worthy of this gift. Should they ever fall to the Burning Hells, Akeba and her Shadows would take their place as the defenders of Sanctuary.^[2]

End of Vision

The Unspoken: This cycle is eternal. Since the time of the Firstborn, Daedessa has done her part to ensure that Sanctuary would be forever protected. For her plan to work, two sides are required.
As you will come to learn, they are the Immortals and the Shadows. The first of which is ready to speak with you.
Visit the Historical Archivist. She is near the Wall of Honor in the northeast of Westmarch. I will meet you there.

Cycle Begin2 — Find the Historical Archivist near the Wall of Honor

Historical Archivist: Welcome. Here for tales of Westmarch's august Immortals? Or are you interested in joining? You've come to the right place in either case.
For you, I can share the deep truths. Firsthand experience, not rumor or speculation. Go ahead, gaze into the Wall of Honor over there.

Gaze at the Wall of Honor

Kion Entrance — A vision of Kion appears

Kion: That scroll is only found by those truly capable of defending Sanctuary. You are no pretender. And I sense great power within you.
But power can lead to corruption or sloth. You must be stronger than that to be one of us. Hand me the scroll and you shall see.
Class: If you know how to fight demons without inviting corruption... I'm listening.

Give Kion the Timeworn Scroll

Kion: Visions of us all, future and past! Bear witness!

A Vision begins

Narration:
The Immortals, bestowed with righteous power by Daedessa the Builder. Their charge. To defend Sanctuary against the Burning Hells... to use their strength to keep the relentless demons at bay... to be a beacon of hope and light.

But victories are temporary, and the Immortals can never relent or yield. Even if all hope seems lost, they must find the courage to stand defiant for all time.^[3]

Kion's Memory[]

Cycle Begin3 — The player appears in a large hall

Kion: (disembodied) This is Corvus of long ago. As I remember it. For all the violence that befell this place... I... miss it.
Do you know now why you were called, <name>? I did not know either, before I bore the crown. Approach the heart. Accept the power of the Immortal.

Approach the Heart and gain the Immortal's power

Immortal Shift — The player is transformed into the Immortal

As the Immortal's power changes the player

Kion: (disembodied) They do not find you worthy of the power—and for that alone, they will kill. But they do not know you, not truly. Show them.
Banish your fear, <name>. You have proven yourself.

Cycle Begin4 — Shadows ambush the player

After defeat the Shadows

Kion: (disembodied) Now, return. End this dream.

Leave Kion's Memory

Cycle Begin5 — Talk to the Historical Archivist

Historical Archivist: Are you back with me? Good. Curiosity is an important first step into a larger world. If you are ready to learn more, I am ready to teach.
Remember, we are but one side of the coin. Stay and read as much of the Immortals as you wish... and when you're done, think about heading to the tavern. I'm told someone from the other side wants to speak with you.

Go to the Wolf City Tavern...

Cycle Begin6 — and talk to the Mysterious Patron

Mysterious Patron: Been chatting with The Unspoken? Doesn't surprise me.
Normally, access to the Court of Whispers is restricted to our members only. But we'll make an exception for you. This time. The Unspoken is waiting for you inside. Go, before you are seen.

Enter the Court of Whispers

Court of Whispers[]

Cycle Begin7 — Meet the Unspoken in the Assembly Hall

The Unspoken: Akeba, daughter of Daedessa, founded the Shadows. Though she is long departed, her spirit is with us always. Touch the Everburning Fount, and let her wisdom mark you.

Touch the Everburning Fount

Akeba: You think you have what it takes to walk this path? You must work unseen, hidden in darkness, as I once was. Always remember we all want the same thing: the protection and safety of Sanctuary.
Class: Many say they want to protect others. How they go about it is what matters.
Akeba: We test the Immortals. We ensure they are worthy of the power they inherited. Hand me that scroll and see the truth.

Give the Timeworn Scroll to Akeba

Akeba: Prepare yourself.

A Vision begins

Narration:
A dark burden given... and a hidden force created. One that could step up should the mightiest Immortal fail. The Shadows, constant challengers to the would-be defenders of Sanctuary. They would test the Immortals, looking for weakness and apathy.

Led by Akeba, the Shadows would overthrow the Immortals when the time was right. But even in victory, she knew her watch had just begun, for this is an eternal cycle.

Akeba's Memory[]

Cycle Begin9 — The player appears in a large hall

Akeba: You recognize this place, don't you? He showed you his vision.
My brother was a great hero. Unlike any before or since. But he still failed. The power he held was more than anyone could bear.
The strongest, the wisest, the most dedicated exiled him. And took up his burden. As it must ever be.

Akeba's Blessings — Akeba gives the player her blessing

Akeba: Bring down the Immortal. Reclaim the Eternal Crown. (disappears)

Cycle Begin10 — Help the Shadows defeat the Immortal

After defeating the Immortal, reclaim the Eternal Crown

Akeba: (disembodied) It had to be done. Good that you did not hesitate.

Exit Akeba's Memory

Basilica Illusion — The player wakes up back in Selynne's Basilica, with the Unspoken at their side

The Unspoken: And now you know the truth. The Immortals are tasked with protecting Sanctuary and have been given great power to do so. The Shadows...
Class
- Standard: ...Are the ones making sure the Immortals never become corrupt or complacent. I understand.
- Tempest: ...Keep watch over the Immortals so they do not fall to darkness. I understand.
The Unspoken: Yes. Though Akeba and Kion are long dead, there are others who can help you decide where to focus your efforts. Those you've met on this journey can be useful advisors. Visit them again when you are ready.
You may simply continue as an Adventurer... as you have. But the cycle swirls ever around us, even if we ignore it.
Listen for rumors to learn how the cycle is faring, then decide.

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Locations[]

Quest Rewards[]

The following are rewarded for completing specific objectives, denoted by the superscript numbers in curved brackets written at the end of the particular objective.