Darksiders – Death and Nereza – "Strength and Shadows"
"Too much of a good thing is oh so bad for one, Death..."
Location: The Field, Death's Realm
January 31st
It felt almost dreamlike to her just by being here. She had been in this place a thousand times but all those times were simply in her dreams. Almost immediately taking her first step on the field, she felt a connection.
The gleaming moon hung above her in the night sky. She had seen that a thousand times too. Nothing had changed here. And that warmed her heart.
But Melaena Sullivan had this look on her face that said she was shocked. Her lips parted slightly as she gazed at the sky, at the neatly-cut grass and then at the collection of pillars she was at right now. She timidly placed one hand over a vertical pillar, running it ever so slowly over a large crack it had.
"Only after resurrecting Humanity did I think to return here. I did not know why I didn't in the first place after those five centuries had passed. Perhaps I was ashamed. Perhaps I did not want to return to the one place that had once brought me so much joy and have it bring pain this time. I do not truly know my reasons, but I returned anyway," Giving a short pause, he added, "Melaena? Are you contented, my angel?"
Melaena still had her back to him, making it seem like he was invisible or that she simply wasn't listening.
He gave it another go. "Laena?"
"Huh?" She turned her head to him.
"Is there something wrong, my angel?"
She shook her head, keeping a tired smile on her lips. "No. It's just that… I've seen this place so many times… I've seen the best of your relationship with Reza here, but I myself feel like I belong here, you know? I never thought I'd get to be here for real. I look around and…" She finally turned her full body to him, arms around her abdomen. "All I can see are the memories."
Death couldn't help but smile warmly at that.
She let go of a pleased sigh as she sat down on one of the horizontal pillars. "I'm really feeling so happy right now, Death. Thanks so much for letting me enter your realm. You're awesome!"
That however, prompted an arched eyebrow of confusion. "Um… 'Awesome'?"
"Oh. Um… amazing? Incredible?"
"Oh," That he understood perfectly. "Understood, my angel."
She flashed a wide grin at him. Suddenly, she was taken aback by a flying black object zooming past her and to Death's shoulder. "Whoa! What the-?"
"Couldn't you have made a more humble entrance?" If the Rider didn't know better, he could've sworn that Dust had cawed mischievously at him. "Apologizes, Melaena. Dust doesn't really have any manners," Death said, presenting his crow. "Dust, this is Melaena, the mortal I was telling you about. Laena, dearest angel, I would like you to meet Dust."
Melaena blinked at the deadly bird. "Sup?"
Dust gave a soft caw in response.
"Deadly, but he's gorgeous, Death." She said.
"Hold out your hand to him. He's won't bite. Not unless I tell him to."
She narrowed her bright green eyes at him. "Wow, that makes me feel so safe." But Melaena decided to give it a go and shyly held out her arm to the bird.
Instantly, Dust flew off Death's shoulder and onto Melaena's arm. "Whoa!" She wasn't expecting a weight on him though.
"Please do not mock his weight, Melaena. He's very insecure." Death said, his voice tainting with amusement.
Dust gave what sounded like a displeased squawk.
"Come on, Death," She giggled. "Be nice. He is your long-time companion after all." Gently, she stroked Dust's head and back all in one motion. Dust, having been annoyed by his master, suddenly felt the irritation leave him upon Melaena's loving strokes. Dust almost purred under the attention she gave him.
"Well. It appears you know what he likes." Death said, arms folded across his chest.
"Lucky guess, I suppose," She giggled once again. "So this is the ever helpful Dust. When do I get to meet your trusty steed?"
"Right now." A short whistle from the Pale Rider and she heard slow gallops click on the grassy ground.
Melaena gasped in amazement at the sight of Despair. She wasn't frightened. Not one bit. Not even at the sight of Despair's bones partially showing or the rotting skin. Not even the green glow emanating from within his body or his greenish fire mane. She wasn't scared probably because, if Death had a horse, it would most likely look like that. No surprise there.
"Hi, Despair," Melaena sweetly greeted. "My name's Melaena. I hope Death told you nice things about me."
Despair titled his head inquisitively at the mortal and then turned his head to his master, giving him a high-pitched neigh.
Death nodded at the steed. "She's one of us, Despair." He didn't need to say more; he expected the horse to understand.
Despair turned his head back to the smiling Melaena. He gave what was meant to be a nod, as well as a bray to greet her with.
Melaena chuckled softly. "Nice to meet you too, Despair," She said, finding the courage to pat his head. "So. Dust. Despair. Death. Either it's all just a big coincidence or you just like the letter 'D'."
He shrugged his shoulders. "I do not know what to tell you, Melaena."
"You can tell me what's taking it so long for my in-laws to get here."
"Patience, my angel. I have already informed them. They will be here soon." He assured.
But Melaena gave him what appeared to be a displeased look, though he knew it was a playful one, as she continued to give Dust the attention he enjoyed.
Just then, the earth around them quaked softly but it eventually got louder and louder with each passing second. Melaena gazed out into the distance once three black figures on horses caught her eye. At the rate and intensity they were going at, Melaena would not be surprised if the steeds would stamp their footprints into Death's grassy field, desecrating it.
But nonetheless, Death, Despair, Dust and Melaena waited with anticipation for the Riders of the Red, White and Black horses.
Melaena noticed that one of the horses, the black one, was ahead of the rest. When the rider got close enough, the human immediately recognized who it was, and why there was all the rush.
Fury.
Melaena got to her feet, with Dust switching positions and now sitting upon Death's right shoulder. The Black Horse almost skidded to a stop in front of Death and Melaena, but when it did, its rider could only gap at Melaena.
"By the Council…" Fury rushed to get off her steed and meet with Melaena. When she did, the two remaining horsemen, War and Strife arrived as well. "I-I don't believe it…"
If Fury didn't know better, she was going to have tears in her striking yellow eyes just by being in front of the person in front of her. She observed the female who had black hair with an unusual hint of blue, wearing a deep green hoodie jacket and a wide smile on her lips.
"Hi, Fury. It's nice to actually meet you," Fury heard the mortal speak for the first time. Yes, she had Nereza's voice, but without the accent, that was for sure. "Nereza's dreams have told me so much."
"So you… do actually remember me?" Fury asked like an innocent child.
"I may not… actually be Nereza, but I've been through enough to know who I'm really supposed to be," Then Melaena gave her a pleasant smile. "And I know you and I met when you came across me practicing the shadows. And when I created Charna, you uttered the word, 'damn' in shock."
The Rider of the Black Horse nodded. "Yes, that's right. It was the beginning of our friendship. Before… we all…"
"But I'm here now, right?" Melaena politely cut in, knowing full well that Fury had a faction of the guilt Death had.
Though she was fighting back some tears, Fury managed to get a smile out. "Yes," She nodded again. "Yes you are." With that, she took the mortal into a hug, which Melaena was more than willing to accept. "Trust me, Melaena, it doesn't matter if you do not have Reza's powers. You have everything else that makes you her. I know that that is good enough for me."
Melaena could only grin at that. It felt good to be reunited with the Nephilim who was her best friend. She could see that Fury was also carrying the guilt for what had been done to Nereza and she hoped that their embrace could make all those negative feelings disappear.
Melaena then caught sight of the remaining Horsemen, War and Strife. She smiled at the younger one. "War…" Fury and Melaena pulled away so she could greet him. "Wow! You're even bigger in real life!"
Despite his head being hidden behind his red hood, Melaena could see just enough to know that War was still in shock, as evidence by his gaping mouth. His bright white eyes were fixed on her as she walked up to him. "Death was not lying one bit when he said that you looked just like Nereza."
"That's not all, you know," She cocked an eyebrow at him. "I remember that sad look you had on your face when I had to tell you that the shadows didn't exactly like you and you couldn't wield them. You sighed and said 'well, with someone my size, I don't expect to see myself sneaking around without waking the dead'."
Now, War's jaw dropped to the ground. "I said that to Nereza. So it is true. You do have her memories."
Melaena nodded. "So… can I get that hug now?" She playfully asked.
But that was more than enough for War and he placed one arm around her and hugged her tightly, being careful not to squash her. As she embraced War, she had not forgotten about the last Horseman, Strife. And if she remembered correctly, Nereza and Strife did get along, but as long as they were a few feet away from each other.
So as she hugged the youngest Horseman, she said, "Don't worry, Strife, I won't ask you for a hug. I know that you still think I'm a scary woman even though that battle we had was ages ago."
All heads turned to the gaping Strife.
"But in case you hadn't noticed, I'm a mortal. So I can't threaten to tear you in half down the middle, though Death wouldn't mind that happening." She said, keeping her cheeky smile.
Strife flashed a rare half-smile at that, placing one hand on his hip and the other to scratch the back of his spikey, black-haired head. "That's all I need. It's… good to see you again, Reza. The mortal appearance works wonders for you."
"Gee… thanks."
A/N: Anybody else thought it was funny? Death, Dust and Despair - all with the letter D lol