Category: Darksiders I & II

Rating: M

Couples: Azrael/?

Warnings: AU, Yaoi, Character Death, Lemon, Blood

Chapter:1

Copyright: Characters & places © By Appropriate Copyright-holder, Plot & OC´s © by me and Food-for-mind

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Azrael floated alone above the precipice as the Horsemen fell from the sky. It wouldn't be long now, that was for certain. Taking a shuddering breath, he touched down on the ground below him. Stumbling briefly, it seemed his legs had as little strength left as his wings.

Another breath passed his lips as he sat down, hands pushing his hair aside. They were trembling... Why were they trembling? 'When the hour of my judgement comes, I will embrace it.' He had said those words, he had meant them, so why was he afraid now?

Sighing softly as he shifted, neatly folding his legs underneath himself –wincing at the pain that caused him –, he knew why. Swallowing thickly, he opened his robes just enough to reach for a necklace he wore underneath.

It was seemingly a simple thing, two golden wings originating from a lapis lazuli and their wingtips touching lightly above the smooth stone. But each feather was intricately carved with astonishing detail. Looking up at the fortress, it seemed that he still had a little time left. Small mercies, apparently.

Looking down at his necklace, he hesitated briefly before kissing it gently. It'd probably be the last chance he'd get to do this. Relaxing, he folded his hands in his lap, clutching the trinket. His own wings folded neatly behind him, long feathers dragging over the ground.

Above him, angels flew away, heading back to the city in the distance. He should be able to join them, he could still get away. His powers should be sufficient to evade the Horsemen for a long time, perhaps even forever...

"I am surprised you are still here." A heavy voice came from behind him. The angel more sensed than heard the others that were standing there.

"I did say I would embrace my judgment." Still holding the necklace tightly, he rose back to his feet. As he turned, he saw that indeed all four Horsemen were there, War standing slightly in front of his siblings. "I hope you are not insinuating I'd go back on my word."

"Considering keeping your word might mean your demise..." Death softly countered, Harvester hanging in the form of two small scythes on his belt.

Azrael nodded lightly. "I had a hundred years to get used to the thought." He looked at his hand, where the thin chain of the necklace was hanging down between his fingers. Looking up again, he met War's glowing eyes evenly. "I give myself to your judgement, Rider."

"What's that?" The youngest Nephilim instead asked, gesturing to the fist the angel still held at his side. So unlike the scholar...

"A small trinket..." The Archangel lifted the hand, opening it lightly to allow the pendant to dangle freely. "It has brought me some comfort this last century. I hope you do not mind if I draw upon that now..." He smiled weakly as it turned a bit, catching some of the sunlight. The smile faded as he lowered it again to look at his soon-to-be executioner. "Well? I do believe you said you'd kill me."

"You redeemed yourself." Did the Rider actually sound... reluctant?

"Not enough to... to receive mercy of the magnitude of being spared." The angel's jaw trembled lightly as he looked down. "Do your duty."

"You could get a delay at least..." Now Azrael was certain. War did sound reluctant.

"To what end?" White eyes met blue ones surprisingly evenly. "Any things I would want a delay of this over I would never be given enough time for." The scholar looked at the dangling necklace as he moved to put it on once again, tucking it under his robes.

He heard the sound of Chaoseater moving through the air. So the time had arrived. "Such as?" The Horseman was stalling. How Creation had been turned upside down... War unwilling to take a life!?

"See my lover one last time." He cursed himself. The mere mention of the one who had given him the necklace had started the tears. Pathetic... "But as said... if I'd see him again..." He started shaking, hand pressing against the necklace through his robe. "I would not be able to do this..." He tried to catch himself, to force the emotions down but he could not. How long had it been since he had last seen the other? So long... And now, now he would never see him again. He had wanted to say so many things, wanted to just... hear his lover declare his love one more time, but...

Faintly, he realized he had sunk through his knees, tears falling to the ash-covered ground. No. This was not what he intended. He had intended to go dignified, not weeping. Forcing himself to at least sit upright when the end came, he looked at War. "End me, Horseman, before I lose what resolve I have and become a coward who flees." Not caring how it would look, he pulled his robes open roughly, moving to clutch the golden pendant. It had carried him through the Black Throne, it would carry him through this... he hoped.

War stood in front of him, face clearly conflicted as he watched the stoic scholar crumble before him. Said scholar refused to even acknowledge the others with them.

Suddenly, there was Strife between them, Redemption outstretched. Only briefly his eyes could widen at the sight of the barrel, before the sound of a single gunshot heralded nothingness.

"You were just prolonging it." The sleek-armoured Rider stated tonelessly as Azrael's body fell lifelessly to the ground. A single bullet-wound was between the empty eyes, blood and a few last tears streaming down to the ground. The glowing runes faded as the wind caught the long feathers. His hand was still clutching the necklace.