Chapter 2

Disclaimer: Don't own ANYTHING of Darksiders 1 or 2. Not a darn thing! I'm sure people have made many kinds of this fic (though maybe not in this wonderful series). Again ratings may go up depending on violence and such. I found a great pic on deviantart of War as a kid by mael-Iikki on Deviantart (if you need the link email me and I can send it to you) Now onward to the fic.

"As you can see, the situation is... an unusual one. I am certain that it had something to do with the skirmish from the previous day with the demons." Death was bowing slightly to the Charred Council, keeping his eyes fixed on his young siblings. He was able to gather his thoughts that morning as he was cooking (1) breakfast (Fury and Strife kept chanting pancakes, where they learned that he didn't want to know).

After a rather messy breakfast (again thanks to Strife and Fury, War joining in at the end) Death made a stop to the Land of the Dead. It had taken a bit longer than Death would have like but seeing as he had the others seated on Despair, he wouldn't take any chances in anything happening to them while on the horse. When they were attacked Death would split his soul, one guarding the others, while the other took care of the undead attackers. Leading Despair through a safe route Death was able to make it to the Lord of Bones 'palace'. In this bleak place it was easy to find the one person he was looking for...the wings gave him away. (2)

Azrael was sitting by the stairs, Draven close by talking to the angel. Upon seeing Death, Azrael excused himself a confuse look on his face.

"Death, it has certainly been awhile." Azrael smiled at the Elder rider.

"Yes it has. I just wish the circumstances were different." They both looked to where Despair was laying down. War was sitting against the wall, the spectral mount resting her head on the young riders lap. Strife and Fury were napping against the saddle, wrapped in a wool blanket. War noticed the two watching them and waved not knowing what else to do.

Waving back Azrael was finding it hard to believe what he was seeing. About to ask Death what had happened, he noticed the new mark on the reapers neck. Hiding a smile behind his sleeve Azrael tried not to sound too smug.

"Took you two long enough." The angel could tell Death was scowling at him from behind the mask just by the way his eyes burned.

"Is this how you show your gratitude? Maybe I should have let the Council clip your wings, instead of just serving here." Death glared down a spirit who was taking his time looking at his resting siblings. Turning to face the angel, Death rubbed the side of his head. Already he could feel the beginning of a headache.

"My apologizes, I'm guessing their condition is why you're here" Azrael followed Death to the others, smiling down at War who nodded back at him.

"Only part of it. I'll explain everything once we reach the Council." Despair moved her head allowing War to stand up, brushing the dirt from his pants. Death knelt by War's side waiting for the youth. Grinning War wasted no time climbing onto his brother's back settling behind Death's head. A flutter of wings and Dust descended onto War's left shoulder, puffing out his chest and settling down. Fury and Strife were rubbing their eyes, waking up from their nap.

Strife was the first to notice Azrael, looking at him from top to bottom with narrowed eyes. Not at all impressed he stretched before climbing onto Despair's back, waiting for his sister to join him. Fury on the other hand smiled and waved at Azrael before joining Strife. The two held on as Despair rose up from the ground shaking the dust from her body. Death mounted Despair with ease even with the added weight of War on him. Looking down he notice Azrael hesitating.

"The last time I appeared in front of the Council was to be banished to this place. I doubt that they..."

"The Council is the least of my worries. With my brothers and sister in this state there is no telling what may happen." Death looked away to the crowd of souls snickering in the center of the courtyard. Seeing Death watching them, they quickly disburse not wanting to anger the rider.

"Besides, there are very few I can trust with them as they are. The Council will have to deal with this as I am."

Still slightly unsure but seeing no other way around them Azrael nodded. It had been a while since he had used his wings, especially in a place like this. Unfurling them a few times the glyphs began to glow and once more he was levitating off the ground.

"Well than, we shouldn't keep them waiting."

This is where they were now. Death explained to them all what had happened, his theories and more importantly Azrael's presence.

"There are few I am willing to trust in this matter. Azrael is one of those. I'll need another pair of eyes around to watch them as I try to find a cure for this."

"What?! How come we have to have an angel babysit us?" Strife grumbled, kicking at the air from his perch on the stairs. He wasn't at all impressed with the scholar from their trip back from the Land of the Dead. Fury rolled her eyes at Strife, smacking him upside the head. War and Azrael laughed, well War laughed Azrael hid his smile behind his hand. This caused the two to get into a bit of a scuffle, falling off the stairs onto the cracked dirt floor. Death sighed, War just smirked and the Council to everyone's surprised actually groaned. Azrael was taken back not at all thinking the Council would react in such a way.

"We see your point Horseman. And seeing as you will be preoccupied with such a situation, we will allow Azrael his freedom from the Land of the Dead to assist you." the middle stone statue voiced. The group watched as Azrael picked up Fury and Strife buy the hem of their shirts, feet dangling in the air, separating them until they calmed down. Fury stuck out her tongue at her brother before turning away from him in a huff. Strife just rolled his eyes folding his arms across his chest.

"Were they always like this?" Azrael asked placing Strife by War and Fury up higher on the stairs. War grabbed Strife by the scuff of the neck putting him in a headlock. The two grinned before tousling on the ground. Azrael groaned trying not to get his robes or even his wings yanked or ripped off.

Death closed his eyes, his patience wearing thin. Slamming the end of Harvester onto the dry dirt floor, the ground split all the way before them. Everyone stopped what they were doing their breaths held, all eyes on Death as he walked toward them.

"That will be enough of that. If you're going to waste energy on rolling around on the ground then it might as well be productive." Death knelt down by the two, eyeing them carefully. Both Strife and War didn't move a muscle, the cold tone in their brother's voice freezing them in place. Eye to eye with their brother, the two watched as the orange gaze narrowed. Strife's eyes looked over to War who looked back at him. Fury looked down at her brothers inching closer until half her body was hanging off the stairs. In an instant all three of them tackled Death; Fury around Death's neck and shoulder, Strife grabbed the waist and the forearm and War at the knees.

Harvester clattered to the ground echoing against unseen walls. Death braced himself ready for the tackle. Moving onto his heels he let himself fall taking the others with him until reaching the ground. Even before he hit the cold ground, his body disappeared, leaving the three young riders sprawled onto each other and the cracked ground.

"Hey! No fair Death." Fury pouted brushing War off her and onto Strife. The two boys cried out in protest at the treatment. Death reappeared by Azrael's side, Harvester returning to his grip.

"Fair? When did I do anything that was fair dear sister?" Death chuckled motioning for them to return to the stairs.

"If that is all than Horseman, you may take your leave with the others." This time it was the right statue that spoke, sounding vaguely amused.

"But keep us posted on a weekly basis. Should this take longer than anticipate, or a need for you to be summoned you will need others to be by your side. Seek out Uriel, General of the Hellguard for any assistance." The middle statue spoke once more eyes dimming.

Bowing slightly once more Death waited for the others to pick themselves off the floor and stand by his side. Reaching the top of the clearing Azrael waited for the young ones to catch up.

"So the Hellguard have returned to heaven." Death shrugged, placing Strife onto Despair's saddle.

"From what I've heard the charges were dropped when the Chronosphere was used to revert time back to normal. Well normal as can be expected for us anyway." Seeing the three safely seated, Death took Harvester and used it to split open a portal back to his and War's home. The group entered a swirling mass of green and blue fog. There was no floor or ceiling yet Death and Despair appeared to be walking on something since they were not falling. Azrael looked to see through the mist, taken in by the strange mode of travel.

"And what if Uriel refuses? She and War have had their differences." Azrael followed into the portal hovering on the other side of Despair. War was looking at the angel not sure what he was taking about. Looking at Death, he was worried when his brother wouldn't look at him. Feeling uneasy War reached to play with the wisp of Despair's mane, enjoying the feel of the cool mist against his warm hand.

Death was watching War out of the corner of his eye, sensing his brother's unease. This was going to be difficult for them that was one thing he knew the moment he figured out what was going on. Strife and Fury would have it a bit easier since it happened to the both of them. They would most likely not remember their more intimate times together.

Death reached for his mark once more closing his eyes.

"Differences yes, but they did have an understanding. I seriously doubt Uriel would try anything with them in this state. Besides," Death moved to stand before Despair, Harvester raised once more to slice through thin air, "She still owes me as well."

Stepping through the portal the group has entered the same room Death had first appeared in. Fury and Strife jumped down onto the stone floor waiting for War. Before he could even jump down, Death picked War up from the saddle holding him against his side. Burying his face in the side of Death's neck War tried hard not to smile. He was worried Death was upset with him for some reason. At least that was what it felt like some of the time when he was around his older brother. Unable to stop himself War tried to hide the yawn against his arm. He scowled when he felt the rumble of laughter coming from Death. The scowl was quickly turned into a smile when Death's hand combed through the soft lock of snowy white hair, massaging the small scalp. War closed his eyes, enjoying the attention. So lost in the feeling he didn't notice the voices growing softer or come to a complete stop. The last thing he did remember was the feel of his sibling's besides him, a firm mattress under him, a warm blanket on top of him and his brother's lips against his ear.

"Sleep well."

End ch 2

1. I couldn't help it. I doubt Death could say no to those three when they look like kids. heheh gotta love emotional blackmail

2. What, I actually like Azrael, both in the book and game. Really not sure who anyone pairs him with (besides Abaddon) hmmm

Please bear with me as even though I thought I got this story figured out ...that is unfortunately not the case anymore. Too many idea seem to have popped into my head and now I'm not sure where to go with it.