The land of Fiore was one of magic and wonders, many of its local legends baring so much truth, that they were often considered more of fact. One such legend, was the beginning of the land itself. Long ago it is said that many gods roamed the land, each governing a specific sovereign of power. The elements, water, wind, fire, earth, light and dark. The two highest powers of the world, life and death. But none of these gods and goddesses could see the fore coming that was their undoing. A mortal, who's name, and gender were lost to the ages, demanded power over the gods. And they became the one known as Apocalyptica, later to be more commonly known as Apocalypse. At the forefront of this beings' power was their four generals. The Four Riders of the Apocalypse. The four were always sent as a precursor, a warning of the upcoming purge of the world. Conquest the rider of the white horse, was always the first to arrive, ensnaring the minds of men, whispering thoughts of power in their ear. War would follow on a red horse, leaving behind a trail of fire and pain as they led the armies of the world, never choosing a side to stay on. The third and fourth riders came together, Famine and Death, riders of the pale horse and the black. These two signaled great sorrows for those left surviving War but offered a great hope; that the coming apocalypse was over.
Princess Hisui paced around the throne room as she awaited the return of her father. Sighing for what seemed like the hundredth time that day, she looked out the window toward the gray sky. For days now, a storm had fought a war against the walls of the city of Crocus. Almost all travel was closed, and even the guards had retired to their homes. King Toma had left on urgent business after a strange visitor. Hisui remembered it vividly, even though it was 7 days past.
"King Toma, I presume?" A soft silky voice spoke, jerking the old man from his paperwork.
Looking up he eyed the rope figure critically, "How exactly did you get in here? And what pray tell, may I call you?"
"Hmm, I simply walked through the door. As for my name, well you may know me as Ms. White." The hooded figure replied.
King Toma stared at the woman, "Well Ms. White, unfortunately, I am no longer taking appointments for the day so- "
The King froze as the woman appeared behind him speaking directly into his ear, "The balance has been broken King Toma E. Fiore. And Apocalypse is coming. Your only hope is War."
Window howled as the windows shattered and King Toma fell to the floor. Standing quickly, he searched for the hooded woman known as Ms. White. Summoning Arcadious, he told the man to get everything ready for a convoy to the Magic Council. All the mages needed to be warned. The moment that woman left was the moment the storm started. But while her father was headed to the council, Hisui had plans of her own. The moment her father left those seven days ago, she instantly contacted Master Makarov Dreyar of Fairy Tail. And he arrived without fail, even if it took him a week. Now the two sat in one of the rooms of the palace, recounting what must be done.
"Hmm. So, you want me to send my mages to find war?" The small old man sat, stroking his mustache.
Hisui chuckled slightly, "Not war. War. The entity, the horseman. I believe the woman who visited my Father was Conquest."
"That is an old legend. What do you think this Horseman meant?"
"She said that the balance was broken. The Four come in a sequence order. Conquest, War, Famine and Death. If she said to find War, then War has broken the balance."
Makarov looked at the young woman questioningly, "And why do you think War broke the balance as you say?"
"Well I couldn't say for certain," Hisui looked at her feet for a moment, "But can you imagine life in constant war? To forsake whatever life, you had before…it sounds, painful."
"Very well. I'll have my best mages look into it." Master Makarov stood, bowing before he left.
Scene Change
Erza Scarlet stood in front of a large castle, the building ominous and foreboding in the darkest of Fiore's forest. The red-haired woman was slightly concerned when the Master had sent her and Team Natsu after War. At first, she had been confused, wondering how they could find war, until he explained it was one of the Four Horseman of legend. Pushing the doors opening, she led the way inside, with Natsu, Gray and Lucy trailing behind her. The castle was dark for a moment until torches along the walls lit themselves. All around them were decrepit skeletal soldiers, all in matching armor. They all stood in stoic in the frozen picture of death. Red armor with spiked pauldrons adorned their chests, with matching shin guards and gauntlets. A belt held up a metal studded tasset of leather.
Erza continued forward, hand gripping her sword tightly. As she took another step, one of the soldiers' broke formation and barred her way. He wore similar armor; however, his helmet had a mohawk of black horse hair. A commander's cape rested over one shoulder. He spoke, his voice deep like stones grinding against another, "Who are you who comes here unannounced?"
"I am Erza Scarlet of Fairy Tail. And these are my companions Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, and Lucy Heartfilia." Erza replied loudly.
"Hey I'm here too!" Happy shouted from above.
"I care not for your names. You have come unannounced. That is an act of folly," The skeletal being spoke, "You must leave now. This is your only chance."
"We have come for the one called War, we will leave on- "Erza stated calmly, before she was interrupted.
"We have all died 100 times over and will do so again if it means we can protect our Queen. You shall not have her!"
The soldiers moved as one, shields coming to the front forming a near impenetrable barrier. Archers rose from the back and began a storm of arrows as their bows sung a beautiful, rhythmic melody. The Fairy Tail mages sprung into action. Gray quickly stepped up, forming a large wall of ice, shielding them from the arrows. Natsu and Erza rushed forward, attacking the phalanx as ferociously as the could. The arrows continued to rain down, pinning Gray and Lucy from helping their friends. And the phalanx was slowly pushing Erza and Natsu back. Right as Erza was about to call for a retreat, a voice rang out clearly above the noise of battle.
The voice was commanding yet soft, with a caring hint to it, "Halt! Commander Rexus, please return the men to formation."
Standing on the balcony in the room was a lightly tanned woman garbed in armor like the soldiers below, but hers was more barbaric. On her right arm was a spiked red pauldron, going from shoulder to elbow, embolized with a wolfs head. A gauntlet of the same color adorned that arm as well. Her left arm was bare, safe for the black bandages that wrapped around it. Her chest piece was embolized with a wolfs head as well, being simply made, however it stopped just below her breast, in a V shape, revealing the lower portion of her breast. A thick chain held up a simple tasset of furs and leather. Shin guards were strapped to her legs, with fur around the ankles. She wore no shoes, revealing red painted toe nails. Her helmet was the same as her commanders, but a cleaving scar could be scene over the right eye. (Think spartan helmets, except red.)
Jumping to the floor, the woman landed softly and gracefully. Striding purposefully up to Erza, she spoke in a quiet commanding tone, "What is it you want? Are you knights of the realm? You look the part, but your companions however…look less than appealing."
Gesturing for Natsu to remain silent, the scarlet knight spoke, "We seek an audience with the one known as War."
"Hahahaha, well..." the armored woman's voice was slightly scratchy, yet beautiful, "Who are you to want War? Do wagers of honor still appeal to people in this day? Or are such things long since forgotten?"
"I will make a wager on my honor, if this is what you require. But I must speak with War."
"Very well. Tell me, what is your name?"
"I am Erza Scarlet."
"Greetings Erza Scarlet, I am Katerina Redpelt. Defeat me in a trial by arms, and I shall take you to War." The woman now known as Katerina spoke.
Agreeing to her terms, Erza took a stance, readying her sword. Katerina rushed forward, swinging her left arm toward the scarlet knight. Ducking down, Erza swung her sword in an upward slash. Leaning back slightly, Katerina effortlessly dodged the attack. Erza's eyes widened slightly as she realized just how skilled her opponent was based off that move. There was zero room for error, any mistake would result in death. And now Erza realized, that the same rules now applied for her. Jerking out of her thoughts, she rolled underneath a kick, sweeping at the other woman's leg. Pushing up quickly, Katerina spun her body in a flip, quickly switching into an axe kick.
A light momentarily blinded Erza, as the other woman reequipped, much faster than she had ever seen. Now Katerina had a simple circular shield, with a wolf head and a gladius. Surging forward, she placed her sword atop the shield, shooting it forward slightly. Back peddling to avoid the blade, Erza too reequipped her weapon, now wielding her lightning empress spear. Swinging it over her shoulder, she launched it forward with the power from her back arm. Throwing out her arm, Katerina caught the spear between her shield and her chest. Jerking her arm back, she broke the spear. Reequipping another sword, Erza attacked just as ferociously as before. Blow for blow, the two women danced around each other. Erza swung her sword up, knocking Katerina's helmet off, before coming down in a slash. She was met with a jarring pain, and tensed up quickly, as she realized she lost. Katerina was crouched, her shield protectively nestled across her back. And her sword was resting gently against Erza's neck. Standing, she rested the shield on her back, and sheathed her sword before speaking, "Ah, that was wonderful. It has been quite sometime since anyone has given me a battle such as that. Please allow me to re-introduce myself."
Steeping back, Erza finally got a look at the woman before her, without a helmet. She had full lips, and a small scar just above her lip on the left side. Her hair was spiky, and pulled into a messy ponytail, a deep blood red in color. But her eyes drew the attention of the Fairy Tail mages. They were gray, but flashes of blue could be seen, as if small storms were nestled in her eyes.
Bowing, Katerina spoke again, "I am Katerina Redpelt, also known as War, the second rider of the Four Horseman of the Apocolypse. Please, join me at my table. May we eat and dine, and trade tales of conquest and glory!"
The Fairy Tail mages then found themselves seated at a simple table in the elegant dining hall of the castle. Natsu and Gray devoured the food before them, as Lucy daintily picked at hers, worried it may be poisoned or inedible. Katerina sat at the head of the table, chewing on the leg of some animal.
"What brought you to my castle? It is uncustomary to enter someone's home unannounced. And King Ulfric did not send any messengers prior to. Commander Rexus would have told me." Katerina spoke quietly.
Erza paused for a moment before replying, "I'm sorry, I don't know any King Ulfric."
"King Ulfric E. Fiore? He led the armies that conquered this land. Oh, what a glorious conquest that was."
"Um, Miss Redpelt?" Lucy spoke timidly, shrinking into her seat as the red-haired woman turned her gaze on her, "King Ulfric has been dead for several hundred years."
Katerina was silent for several minutes, and when she replied her voice wavered slightly, "Oh I see. Very well. I can only hope he died a warrior's death."
"Hold up." Natsu spoke harshly, "You're old!? You look 18!"
Before Natsu could speak again, Erza slammed a gauntleted fist on top of his head, "Natsu Dragneel, it is rude to ask a woman's age! I apologize for my teammate, please strike me."
"No, it's fine. Well then, it seems I have a King to meet. Tell me, do you ride?"
The Fairy Tail mages found their journey toward Crocus going quickly, mounted on horses provided by the woman known as War. The horses they used were adorned in blood red armor like her and all her soldiers. However, like the soldiers, the horses were skeletal, with flaming red eyes, save one. Katerina's horse, a deep brown pelt, and in the right light it looked blood red. Erza, Lucy and Happy took quite an interest in the woman, learning much from her on the trip. During the day, while they rode, Katerina would tell Lucy how things had changed since the time she's been in her caste. And at night, she would spar with Erza, working on form and technique. And she won Happy over with a fish almost immediately.
However, one day, Katerina managed to win over the boys. While they were riding, the red-haired woman called out to them, "Sir Dragneel, Sir Fullbuster…come up here, and ride beside me."
The two came, albeit slowly and with many grumbles. Once they were on either side of her, she spoke again, "Natsu was it?"
"Ya…what's it to ya?" Natsu grumbled.
"I knew your parents Sir Dragneel," Katerina spoke softly, "They would be very proud of the man you've become."
"And Sir Fullbuster, you come from a long line of warriors if memory serves. Try not to disappoint them."
With those simple words, the woman had turned the two males' opinions almost instantly. And soon, the company had arrived at the city of Crocus. They made their way to the palace quickly. But to their shock, they were met with the Princess, rather than the King. The Fairy Tail mages, along with Katerina, found themselves seated in the dining hall, with Princess Hisui and Arcadious. After the meal, Katerina excused herself with the inquisition if she were able to wander the castle grounds. Before Arcadious could speak, the princess jumped in, "Of course! I'll walk with you."
The two toured the grounds, and every so often Katerina would point out a change or a flaw that she noticed. Before long, the two found themselves sitting on the battlements, looking out at the setting sun. Hisui decided this was as good a time as ever to speak, "So Lady War, did Erza brief you on what's happening?"
Chuckling slightly, Katerina waved Hisui down, "Please your Highness, don't call me Lady War. It sounds rather unfitting, and I haven't taken up the mantle of War in a very long time. Katerina is fine."
"Then you may call me Hisui." The princess smiled.
"Thank you Hisui. As for what I was told…it seems that Conquest has returned. And she is aware that I broke the balance."
"But what does that mean? And why did you do it?"
Katerina stood abruptly, bowing to the princess, "Your Highness, I apologize, but my trivial matters are of no concern to you. I will do what is in my power to protect you and yours. If I may take my leave, your Highness?"
Seeing that the princess signaled she could leave, Katerina made her way to the training rooms within the castle. Shedding her armor, she wore a simple skirt and belt, and bandages over her breast. Reequipping an elegant blade, she stared at it. It appeared to be a simple hand and a half sword. Double-edged with a wolf howling in the cross guard. The blade itself was a deep red. Sighing, she made the blade disappear, replacing it with a normal katana. Slowly but surely, she went through technique after technique. Sweat dripped from her body, as her hair clung to her back. Suddenly she started to switch weapons. Swinging with the katana, it disappeared, and an axe appeared in her opposite hand. The axe then changed to a spear. The spear to a bow, the bow to a staff. Swiftly and with precision the woman reequipped weapon after weapon, never stopping her movements, never breaking her concentration.
The sun had sunk and rose once more before the scarlet haired woman had finished her practice. She stood, barely winded as sweat poured down her body. Shaking her hair, she looked around the barren room. The room began to change, from battlefield to battlefield.
"Are you done hiding?" Whipping around, Katerina searched in desperation for the voice.
"You remember us…don't you?"
"Katerina," One voice sneered, "You have only one name War."
"Yesss a bloody name!"
"An unwanted name for an unwanted person!"
"No one wants you!"
No one will ever want you!"
"Outcast. Warmonger. Liar. Evil. Disgrace. MURDERER!" The voices continued, louder and louder, as the wars around the woman became more and more vivid. Screaming, the red headed woman clutched her head. Falling to her knees, she screamed for the voices to stop. And as quickly as they came, they left. Standing, Katerina hobbled to the showers, silent tears mixing with the sweat on her face. As she left, she didn't notice the door at the end of the room close as well.
Erza sat with Princess Hisui and Lucy, having sent Gray, Natsu and Happy back to Fairy Tail that morning. Before Erza could question what was happening, Hisui spoke, "I saw Katerina in the training room today, she was unwell."
Erza looked at the green haired woman oddly, "You mean she was sick? She seemed fine yesterday."
"No, I mean she was upset," Hisui paused for a moment, "I think she was remembering things she would rather forget. That's why I would like for her to accompany you to Fairy Tail."
"I'm sure the Master wouldn't mind, right Erza? Lucy asked
"That's not all," the princess drew their attention to her once more, "I would also like to accompany you."
"Princess…I'm not sure that's a good idea. Your father would against it, wouldn't he?" Erza asked hesitantly.
"It doesn't matter. I've already spoken to Arcadious. And I'm the person most versed in Fiorian lore, which as much as I hate to say it, Katerina is. Besides, I think she may have known my mother," Hisui spoke the las part quietly looking at her feet.
"Very well. We'll depart in a few hours. Please inform Katerina." Erza said before walking away.
Scene Change
It seemed that Katerina and Hisui adjusted quickly to staying with Fairy Tail, though no one knew where Katerina stayed. She would arrive at the guild early in the morning and depart right when the sun began to sink. The red-haired woman seemed to get along well with Cana and Mirajane. It was the third day since they had left the castle, and Katerina was sitting with Mira and Cana.
"Say Katerina," the red-headed looked at Mira when she spoke, "I don't mean to be rude, but how old are you? And how have you stayed alive for so long?"
Katerina stared at the white-haired woman for several seconds before replying, "My story is not one which has a happy ending. And I fear that telling you that story, would leave more questions than answers Lady Mira."
"Well, we all have stories with endings like that. And I'm sure many more of us would like to know. And I think it would help with the problem we have."
"Very well. I will explain some of it."
Mira nodded, smiling, "Thank you Katerina."
Everyone around stopped and leaned in to listen as War spoke, "The reason I have lived for so long is the origin of my magic. My magic is like Lady Scarlets. But it is the first, made for me by…someone that I once called a friend. But it's main concept, as with that of all the Horsemen, is that it and in turn us, are kept alive by the idea of its existence."
Hisui spoke up from her seat in the back, "What do you mean by the idea?"
"It's idea…" Katerina paused, biting her lip in thought, "I am War, but war, whether the act, thought, teachings, or any concept of war will never leave the history of the world. It is an inevitability; therefore, my death is as inevitable as everlasting peace."
Standing abruptly, Katerina pushed her way to the guild doors, "And my age is a secret."
The voices started as soon as the red-haired woman made it out the doors. Sliding down the wall, she took a deep shuddering breath. Pushing herself up, she headed into the forest. Walking for a while, the woman stopped suddenly. Spinning around, she reequipped a sword, pointing it at a startled Mirajane and Hisui. Sighing, Katerina made her weapon disappear. Looking at the two women she spoke, "What can I do for you your Highness, Lady Mirajane?"
"Master Makarov is back," Mira looked at Katerina with wide eyes, "And someone came with him, that knows you."