Death's Salvation

Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I do not own Darksiders or Darksiders ll. I do own Willow as she is an extension of my own mind. Happy reading.

It had been a long day indeed and Willow was tired as she sank into the tub to stare up at the ceiling above her head. She shot a dirty look up at the ceiling as she heard muted moans floating down from up there. Kora had decided to stay the night with War and of course they were going at it like rabbits.

She dunked her head under the water and closed her eyes to bask in the now muffled silence. She wasn't one to mope around about things. True she had a hard life before all this and now it wasn't exactly easy but in ways it was better but she couldn't help some of the bitterness that creeped in over the past few weeks.

Shortly after the night she had shared with Death and the following day when he had told her the entire tale, including what dangers they were possibly going to be facing, she had withdrew from him somewhat. Their communications and time spent together were awkward. She couldn't seem to stop the bitterness eating at her like a festering wound. He had started training her in using a sword properly and it was so when they traveled he could safely take her with him.

She rose out of the water with a sigh and laid her head back against the side of the tub. He took her with him to keep the voices at bay and nothing more. There didn't seem to be anything deeper developing past that since that night and the following day. Oh certainly he had cared for her every need and he had looked after her but only because she was useful to him. Another throaty moan drifted to her ears and she gave a soft growl before getting out of the tub to get dressed and go lay down.

She still slept in the same room, indeed the same bed, as Death but once again it was of a practical nature she had convinced herself. She pulled on a clean gown and snuggled under the cover. The days and nights were growing warmer but they still had a chilly edge to them. The seasons were changing but they were slow in doing so now as if something was altered forever on Earth after the events of the premature End War. She closed her eyes and it didn't take long for sleep to claim her.

Death moved from the shadows of the bedroom to sit on the bed next to the woman. Her face was marred by a deep frown even in sleep and he laid the back of his hand against her cheek. She groaned in her sleep before getting quiet again. Her withdrawal from him had not gone unnoticed by himself or the others. Kora and War had constantly gotten closer through the passing weeks while they seemed to drift apart no matter how much time they spent together.

He frowned as he looked down at her, something had happened that day he had kissed her at the gates of the city. He wondered if someone had said something to hurt her. Despite her fierceness she still had a gentle nature and could be hurt quite easily. Sighing he tugged the covers higher around her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder before leaving the room.

He was standing outside when his brother came out of the house to get a breath of air. Obviously he had tired out Kora, "I take it that she is asleep?" War chuckled and flashed his brother a grin. "Yes she is sleeping." Death made a soft noise in the back of his throat before War recognized the faraway look on his brother's face as he gazed up at the sky.

"What is bothering you brother?" War asked since he could tell his brother wanted to talk. Death stared up at the sky for several more minutes as if searching for answers there. "It is Willow. I am worried about her; she has withdrawn from me in the past few weeks. I told her everything that happened and what would most likely happen. That the Charred Council would most likely come for her to drive me insane if they found out she can silence the voices."

War was honestly stunned and his face showed it as he held his brother's gaze. "What did she say?" Death shrugged, "She didn't say anything other than she understood but she has acted strangely since then but I fear it was my fault. I scared her."

Death continued when War remained silent, his youngest brother was his favorite because he knew when to talk and when Death just needed someone to talk to. "I grabbed her and pinned her to a tree when I got angry because I realized I needed her like I have never needed anyone before. She knew that and didn't appear to have held a grudge about that. I told her I needed her to keep the voices away and to keep my sanity."

War gave a soft chuckle when Death finished and he shot his youngest brother a sharp look. "What is so funny?" War stopped laughing and turned to his brother, "That is simple, you hurt her feelings brother. She feels that you measure your affections and her worth based on the fact she is useful to you." Death was actually shocked as he looked at his brother in disbelief. "Something so ridiculous?"

"Don't tell them it is ridiculous, they apparently take offense to that. Human women put a lot of…value…to being told your feelings for them." Death watched as War left to go inside to Kora and he was left to ponder his youngest brother's words on the matter. Could that truly be what was troubling Willow? Did she not honestly see his affection for her? He cared for her, protected her, taught her to better defend herself, and had other feelings towards her that he had toward none other.

He shook his head in disbelief that his level headed Willow put so much stock in him actually having to say something particular about his affections for her. He turned to go inside and quietly closed the door behind him. Willow's ebony hair glistened in the dim light in the room and he knew then that she was actually more breathtaking in her own way than any angel he had ever seen.

He settled in the bed next to her and draped his arm over her to pull her closer to him. She murmured softly in her sleep and turned into his arms. Willow blinked her eyes open and stared up into the glowing embers that were Death's eyes. She didn't move as he gently stroked her face with his fingers. "I am sorry Willow." She raised an eyebrow at him, "What are you sorry for?"

She froze as he nuzzled his face against hers, "I am sorry for hurting your feelings. I do care about you and not just because you keep the voices silent." She blinked several times to make sure she was awake. Death had just admitted he cared about her and then it struck her why he said it now.

She pulled away from him and stood up to pace the room. He sat up and watched her. She was angry and he knew she was but he didn't understand why. "You're only saying that because Kora told you to." She hissed out at him and he cocked his head at her as if he was confused. "Don't give me that look; she is the only one I told about why I was upset."

Death was in front of her before she could draw another breath and grabbed her arms gently to stop her pacing. "I say it because I realized why you were so upset not because someone told me to tell you something to appease you." She jerked out of his grasp, even angrier now because she thought he was lying to her. "Damn you and damn them!" She yelled before fleeing from the room.

Death watched her go and listened as she slammed the door downstairs. He took several deep breaths to stop himself from chasing after her right away and so she could calm down a few minutes. Finally he went to go look for her.

He got outside and went to searching for her; surely she wouldn't have gone too far. He thought he saw her standing in the shadows behind the building and moved towards her. She moved towards him and something about the way she moved made him pause and his senses were telling him something wasn't right. It was Lilith that stepped from the shadows with a sickly sweet smile on her lips. "My son, shame on you. You got me in trouble with my Lord when you failed to return the Nephilim but instead brought these silly weak little humans back."

"Lilith, where is the human." She chuckled softly as she continued to move towards him until she was standing in front of him. "She is fine for now but you and I shall talk. My Lord is disappointed that the Nephilim are forever gone, lost in the Well of Souls to resurrect these humans. However four of you remain and more can be…made." She added the last with a smirk and Death realized what she as implying.

"That is madness 'mother', the Nephilim are too great a threat to the balance. No, that will not happen." She sighed and crossed her arms under her chest as she gave him a fake sympathetic look, "That is too bad because the Charred Council is failing in its power now without you and the others as its enforcers. The humans are of little importance now in their failing reign and will be extinguished."

He gave a low warning growl, "Where is the woman? I won't ask again Lilith." She stuck her lip out in a pout as she took a step closer to him and used an entirely fake hurt tone, "Now is that any way to talk to your mother." This earned her another growl from him and she chuckled lustily. "Why is it that you care so much for the human? Could it be because she silences the voices trapped in the shards? Mere memories trapped within?"

He couldn't stop the look of shock that crossed his face at how she had found that out, "Oh yes, I know all about that. I have spies in many places Death." She snapped her fingers and a Phantom Guard appeared from the shadows with a squirming and angry looking Willow struggling in its grasp, trying to pry its filthy hand from her mouth.

She shot Death a pleading look and his gaze blazed red, "Release her this moment!" Lilith smiled at him before waving her hand and his chest burned for several seconds as the shards of the dead amulet were ripped from his flesh. "I have released you from the curse of your brothers and sisters. Now you are free to do as you wish without being bound to this pathetic creature. I will spare her and the humans if you and the others will return to me and help me create more Nephilim. If not she will make for an interesting plaything."

Death lunged at her but she was gone in an instant along with Willow. He was stunned for a moment as he looked at the empty air and realized that the voices truly were not sounding in his head anymore but Willow was gone. He threw his head back and yelled which drew the others from inside.

They approached Death slowly when he turned his red tinted gaze on them. "That bitch took her." He said in a dangerously calm tone. Fury was the first to speak, "Who took who?"

"Lilith took Willow." War was the one that said it and Death nodded his head in acknowledgment. "Her stench is all over this place." Strife said as he wrinkled his nose in disgust. Death looked down at his clenched fists, "She wishes us to return to her and help her breed a new army of Nephilim before the true End War. The Charred Council is falling into ruin and Hell acts with impudence." He snarled the last out as he turned to look at his brothers and sister.

He raised his arms and summoned his scythes and mask to him. They looked at him as he stood before them, "We are going to get her back." He left no room for argument and would have gotten none from any of them anyway as they summoned their weapons as well. They summoned their steeds and the fearsome Four Horsemen once again rode out.