Chapter 12: With Company
The air that was once bristling with energy is now flaccid and quiet. The spores of the Earth settle back into dormancy, nestling into the deep crevices of the land, until the next time Plague would summon them again.
The dark, shell plated Elemental walked between the crowd of weathered metal debris, left behind by the Havocs. Plague was making a good stride towards the great white steed, still lying solemnly in the field. Closing in the distance, the white steed known as Conquest, raised his head and twitched his ears to the faint footsteps of the Elemental approaching him.
Despite the hideous appearance of the creature that was moving towards him, with menacing, glowing eyes, illuminating from behind an ominous mask, Conquest did not flinch. The thick incisors and protruding canines set in between the tusks that bellowed out from the bottom of its mouth, and the long, swaying tendrils that hovered from the back of its head, didn't intimidate the white horse...but to men, the facade of Plague was a force that beckoned humility.
Reminiscing the days of an Mongolian empire that ravaged all of the land known to the Third Kingdom as Asia, Conquest watched from the horizons as an emperor, whom called upon the pagan deities to protect the wealth of his kingdom, raised two, Fu lions, to sit on either side of the gated entrance into his forbidden palace. The wealth of men, however, was worthless against the pestilence that came unto them, and exceeded the death toll of all of mans' wars combined. It was from there, the Black Death spread along the traveling routes between Asia and Europe. But once natural immunity set in, strengthening man's physical design, the pestilence soon weathered off and the remnants of a once thriving empire was left as a reminder of man's mortality, despite the guardian Fu lions that sat in front of the entrance into the Forbidden Palace.
…and now, the façade of Plague is a reminder to the race of men, that there would come a day that their Guardians could no longer aid them.
Carefully moving along the soft grass beneath it's feet, Plague came closer to the steed whom was still lying lame from the attack of Hell's dogs. Plague knelt down carefully next to the massive horse, gazing at his injuries caused from the Hellhound's jagged teeth. In the near distance, Strife could see the dark creature that was knelt down next to his steed as the Commander flew over to join them, flapping his widespread wings a few times before closing them behind his back.
"By what means does that thing insist on touching the white horse?" Strife growled, tightening his grip around the stock of Mercy.
"The Elemental will not harm the steed," the Commander reassured the Nephilim before Ulthane reiterated,
"He's right, lad…Plague will not cause any more harm to yer horse."
"Now why should I place faith in the creature of the pestilence?" Strife sneered as he turned his irritated gaze to War. War could only give Strife a blank glare, but then turned away as he too walked over to the white horse.
With Fury still mounted on Desolate, she moved her horse next to Strife,
"So…is this the Elemental guardian we keep hearing about?" she asked as Ulthane directed his gaze to the horsewoman,
"Aye…well, at least until his day in court."
"…and when will that be, Old One?" she asked of Ulthane.
"For yer sake, and for da sake of da balance, hopefully soon."
Making his way to Strife's stallion, still lying on the field, War could see Plague was still knelt beside the horse despite that the massive beast dwarfed the Eleemntal, even with lying on his side. It wasn't long before another neighing could be heard in the closing distance with Ruin not too far behind, following War.
Plague turned its' head to see War gradually approaching him with Ruin close behind.
"This will only take a few minutes, m'lord," Plague said calmly, placing an exposed, fragile human hand over Conquests' muzzle. Stopping in his tracks to gaze at the injured steed, War scanned the beast from the tip of his nose to the ends of his tail. The white steed was the largest of the Four, with Ruin coming into a close second. The feathery, massive hooves that made up Conquests feet were known to cause the ground to tremble underneath his stride. Strife chose his companion well.
Ruin moved over next to Plague before he lowered his head, shaking his fiery mane before lowering his muzzle to tap Plague's shoulder with his nose,
"He'll be fine, I can assure you," Plague said solemnly while War just turned his bemused gaze to the duo.
"Oh, now I see how it is…" War grumbled as he turned his menacing glare to Ruin, whom just gave out a snort in return, "…take his side why don't you."
Ignoring War's nagging, Plague continued to stroke Conquest's forehead while the white steed continued to lie still and tranquil. War stood over them, taking notice of Plague's exposed hand, stroking the steed's head. Realizing that War was observing them closely, Plague looked up to the horseman,
"I didn't want to expose the horse to anything that would make him sick…" said Plague.
"I can only imagine," said War with a raised brow of suspicion, catching Plague's oxymoron.
"I can control all external pathogens, but I am somewhat limited to the internal one's," Plague responded with qualm, continuing to stroke Conquests' forelock.
"Do you have any control over the pathogen elements in your human form?" War asked, curious as to how the creature worked. He knew that the Elementals' abilities in general were bound to the Earth realm, but he didn't know how they harnessed the Earth's elements to their bidding.
Plague didn't give War an immediate answer, but instead, just turned to gaze at War behind the dark, mask that seemed to be central to Plague's life-force. Although the gaze from such a façade would send chills down anyone's back, War had long become indifferent with it, not finding any malice in Plague's stare at the very least.
Without making any gesture or rebuke, Plague turned back to Conquest, and then spoke in monotone,
"This…shell, grants me immunities my human flesh, otherwise cannot…but with or without it, I can still summon them at a whim."
After Plague's statement, War let the topic go for the time being, knowing that Plague trusted him enough to let him in on Plague's limitations, but not enough to compromise the orders of his master. As the breeze brushed passed them, War noticed the white steed was slowly moving his leg, pulling in his hoof and then flexing the fetlock joint into a slow stretch. Conquest groaned for a moment, carefully extending his back legs one at a time. Ruin raised his head in response to Conquests' moaning, and took a few clops back to give the white horse more room. Plague too stood up to retreat back, along with Ruin as Conquest lifted his head to shake his feathery, white mane.
War moved back to watch the magnificent horse gather himself slowly to prop his legs under his heavy body and then carefully raise himself up. Slowly but surely, the great white steed was back on all fours, still keeping some weight off of his maimed leg. It wasn't long before the others joined them, watching in awe at the massive glowing steed, illuminating once again.
As soon as the others reached their position, Plague slowly approached the apprehensive horseman, Strife.
"Please understand horseman, this remedy is only temporary…" Plague is careful to warn him.
"Then whom should I go to for proper healing?" Strife asked as he walked over to Conquest to pat his cheek. Plague shook his head as the tendrils swayed from side to side, knowing what Strife asked was next to impossible.
"I only know of one whom may have the means of restoring your steed, but he is locked away until judgment. I don't know of any others that can access such means."
War's gaze moved to Strife as he watched his brothers' eyes glisten brightly behind his face plate. Although they may have quarreled in the past, he couldn't help but to sympathize with him this time, knowing that he too would do almost anything for Ruin. They were one; the steed and his rider, and even death itself could not permanently part them. They were the Four, the Riders of the Apocalypse…and all submitted to their authority under the guise of the Charred Council.
"By whom do you speak of Plague…that may be able to heal Conquest?" War asked, despite his own suspicions as to who it could be.
"The Archangel of Death, Azrael, would have the ability to heal him…" Plague responded.
"Could have…as in past tense, Elemental," Strife reiterated.
Gathering Conquests' reins, Strife carefully guided the horse to take a few steps as the others gave the duo some room. The mood that hung heavy in the air was indifferent amongst the rag-tag group. Trust hung delicately on a fine line as the Horsemen kept their distance and the Angels kept theirs. It was then the Commander decided to change the ambiance and moved towards Plague, removing his sword from his sheath to thrust it into the ground.
"I must intervene, Plague…if you mean the horsemen well…" the Commander insisted, taking a few steps backwards, acknowledging his unchastely intentions. Suddenly War's eyes became fixated on the two, wondering how Plague came to know Azrael and his personal guard, the Swords of Eden.
"Commander Haamiah, I am indebted to you and the service you offered my former master, but I no longer have full access to his blessings. The Destroyer made sure of this when Straga took him in chains."
"…the Council cannot hold him forever, Plague," the Commander, Haamiah reminded Plague. Ulthane suddenly entered the conversation as his low, booming voice spliced the comfort zone between them,
"No, they can't…but if they don't condemn da horsman, then they'll carry der sentence out on da Archangel of Death…" Ulthane elaborated, "…and den, they may carry their sentence against me."
"Not if you stay in exile, my dear Ulthane," a singe of insistence flowed from the dark, raspy voice of Plague. As the glowing, green gaze met with Ulthane's, he continued,
"Ack, don't ya be worrying over me, you silly thing! I've lived long enough at know what da meaning of what life was meant at be. Besides, if anybody needs anybody watchin over their sorry, ungrateful ass, it be dat der boy wit da frumpy frown," Ulthane conveniently mocked War with a smug grin. In return, War gave Ulthane the kind of glare that could burn a hole in Ulthane's thick forehead with his piercing gaze.
"…which also brings me to address another issue with the both of you," Plague suddenly spat as the Elemental's demeanor soon changed from apathy, to reproach.
"Uh oh, ya better run in hide boy…before Plague gives us da sniffles…" Ulthane jestered while War stood in place, folding his massive arms over his armored chest. The others could only watch to what was apparently a confrontation that only the most moderate of souls would find amusing.
Plague's eyes was burning with its hands placed firmly on its armored plated hips,
"Do you have anything to say, m'lord Horseman, before I shower any malcontent over whatever hairs you still have on your stubborn head?"
With that said, Plague stood erect with arms folded across the chest and eyes blazing, the bright green light illuminating from the sockets buried deep in the mask that made up the face of Plague. Knowing that War managed to potentially get under this dogmatic Elemental's skin, he stretched out his arms, glaring at the Elemental with a condescending smirk,
"Ok, yes…I've been naughty. So now I suppose you will spank me and send me to my room?"
Dropping the confrontational poise, Plague just gave War a apathetic glare,
"Despite that I seriously find your lack of concern for your own welfare disquieting, m'lord, I am willing to bend the rules for my masters' sake…" Plague said abruptly while standing tranquil in the display of War's mockery. The tendrils that were once hovering furiously were beginning to settle as Plague's mannerisms began to lax, finding composure before the defiant Horseman.
"Yes, yes, let the Heaven's fall and Hell freeze over if you stray from your masters' intentions…I get it" War grumbled sarcastically. Ulthane took a few steps to place himself between the unstoppable force and the immovable object,
"Now, now, kiddie's…don't make me have ta put ya in separate corners…" Ulthane gloated before placing himself in the middle of the fray, "…da last thing we need is making Plague get da ole britches all caught up in a wade, and of course havin' you boy, running wit ya berries in a vice,"
Before Ulthane could finish, Plague raised a finger to the massive Blacksmith,
"The both of you should be thankful that you're not trekking the rest of the way with dysentery…especially you, m'lord Ulthane!"
Fury placed her hand over mouth to refrain herself from laughing out load while Ruin let out a guttural snort that resembled chuckling.
"What? Oh now you're not gonna blame dis on me, are ya? I didn't tell da boy to run off…" Ulthane attempted to play ignorant. Plague resumed,
"No, but you have been a poor influence on m'lord's Horseman's affairs, ever since you've coupled with him..."
Ulthane started to roll his eyes while Plague continued to lecture,
"…and don't even start with me your usual list of ludicrous excuses!"
"Good grief…you're beginning at sound more like my fifth wife," Ulthane griped while everyone's eye's perked up in confusion towards the Old One,
"Wait…what?" Strife blurted out as Ulthane continued.
"Ya know…naggin at me, where ya going, when ya going to be back…why do ya hang out at da pub all da time…"
"How…can…" War started before Ulthane bluntly interrupted,
"Ah come now boy! Old Ulthan's gotta lotta lovin to share. Hehe, the lassies, they come and get their pickle tickle, if ya know what I mean…" Ulthane chortled, slapping his massive hand on War's shoulder, causing War's body to shimmy, "…but, den they get tired of my belly achin and move on to other pastures…"
"Sigh, m'lord Ulthane, can you possibly refrain yourself from defiling the Horseman's head with your rendezvous pastimes," Plague grumbled at Ulthane's bluntness.
"Pfft, is that what yer calling it now? Why don'tcha come out and just say it…I had a grand ole time letting da lassie ride me like a pretty horsy, hehe," Ulthane chortled again, gently nudging War with his massive elbow, "…stick wit me long enough boy and I can hook ya up wit a pretty little girly, and then she might be nice enough to clean the ole pipe…"
"Alright, that's enough…" Plague interrupted before Ulthane could finish expressing his statement and proceeded to walk over to him, "…when this is over, I will seriously consider leveling everything in your garden but the nagweed and brussel sprouts!"
Plague's sudden outburst caught the attention of everyone listening to the conversation, stunning the crowd into an unsettling silence while Ulthane raised a brow to the irritated Elemental. In the near distance, Ruin could be heard chuckling in between grunts, turning his gaze to War, who then turned to sarcastically glare at Ulthane,
"I suppose that is our sign to leave now," Strife broke the silence as he managed to walk Conquest a few steps without a break in stride. Already, Conquests' legs were coming to mend as Strife peered into the distance at the Elemental that cleared some of the steeds' obstacles.
"Yes…I believe Plague has made his intentions clear," War reiterated, watching Plague take a few strides ahead of them, putting distance between them, "…but we need to tend to Conquest first."
"But how?" Fury groaned, "…if the Archangel of Death is not accessible, then how can we..."
"Azrael is not the only one with who has access to such abilities," War began as he too moved over to pat Conquest on the forehead.
Commander Haamiah hovered towards them, flapping his wings a few times before landing on the soft ground,
"Then who else would have access to such healing of this caliber?" Haamiah asked, knowing that the only inhabitants left on the Earth that could even remotely aid them was either the Elementals that have gone feral, or Demons.
"There is someone whom I can go whom will have what we will need to finish Conquest's healing," said War before he turned to his fellow horseman, Strife, "…you'll just have to trust me on this one, brother."
"Indeed…" Strife said with a raised brow that could be slightly seen from under his face plate.
With the mood of uncertainty hovering between the multifaceted group, they continued to move forward, knowing that it would be only a matter of time before Mephistopheles awoken his armies from the deepest depths of Hell's dominions. It was just a question as to who was going to get the upper hand first.
I can only hope that Death has found reliable witnesses to satisfy War's innocence, preferably sooner than later…a thought came to mind as the Raven sat on a tree limb, watching the group from above.
I was debating as to how I was going to compose this, if I should split it between the other events that are going on in the story, but I decided to wrap up some things here as these two groups conjoin. With three out of the four horsemen united, at last, things should start to get a bit more interesting. Again, feedback is welcome.