Darker's Desiree: I'm not even fully sure what to say about that... It means a lot to me and I'll do something about the romance. Hope I don't disappoint anyone...
Nina: Haha glad you like it so much =3
I don't own anything... same every time
CH. 27 First mission
"Just now. By the way. You two got the feedback too?" Strife asked as he walked to his siblings, put the helmet back on and turned the screw two times, having the helmet cover his whole face now.
"Yes. I've never felt so weak. No even during the war," Fury answered, remembering her fall.
"Same here. It would seem we need a bit more practice," Death said and started heading towards the camp with the twins behind.
"Thanks Absalom, Raven. I can walk on my own now," War said as the two obliged to his wish.
"Remember anything new?" Absalom asked as they continued to walk.
"Yes… I was transformed… into a… flame Demon. Or something along that line," he explained.
"That sounds… interesting," Raven commented as he tried to imagine that.
By the time they arrived at the camp, the other Horseman were already there. Seems like Death knew a shortcut and they took that rote.
"War what happened?" they asked when they saw their brother.
"I awakened my power… I think," he said.
"More Demons... It's like we're being punished," Cure said.
"You don't think it's the-" Fury wanted to say but he twin cut in.
"There's no way. How could they even know? It's not like they're real."
"And if they are? You can't think this is all a coincidence? You disrespect them and this happens?" Death was suddenly furious.
"Why are you so pissed? It's not like you did anything to stop me. Or anyone else? Don't blame me! And since when do you believe that? Last night you even laughed when we joked! You really kill the joy of everything!"
"That was before War was attacked and they killed an innocent boy! And I've had it with your damn sarcasm!"
"Well sorry that I can't be dead serious like you!"
"Strife!" he said through gritted teeth.
They were now standing inches away from one another, hands already reaching for their weapons. They were fully prepared to fight it out. The others just didn't know what to do. And all the yelling attracted a crowd. Some were even frightened that if they would fight, they'd destroy the camp.
"Guys that's enough! How old are you?! If you want to be mad at anyone be mad at the Demons!" Fury stepped between the two and pushed them apart.
"Death you know how he is. And you can't blame him for what happened. We're all to blame. As for you," she turned to her twin.
"Learn to control your temper. If you keep getting mad at everything he says we might as well live apart."
Both males wanted to say something but just as they opened their mouth the female added: "Now shake hands! I don't want anymore fighting from the two of you!"
No matter how much they hated the idea, neither wanted to be on the whip users bad side. So they did what they were told and literally shook their hands in mid air. The sister let out a sigh and mumbled: "I guess that's close enough..."
"Well I'm done here. If you guys need anything I'll be at the shield creation stop. We finally managed to get enough wizards to create it," the white-eyed male waved his hand and walked off.
"I guess I'll go tell Peace her son was killed…" Cure muttered and went to a tent where crying was heard about two minutes later.
"I'll see you guys around. I have a few things to take care of," the Avatar of Chaos bit farewell and entered a tent where meetings took place.
For a few days, nothing special happened. The Horseman trained apart like before and were getting better at their control. Soon they mastered every skill they could. Both elder males cooled off in the time so there wasn't anymore arguing. Lucky for the other two, otherwise they would have had to get a new tent.
One morning, their training was postponed due to the heavy rain. Thanks to the many trees around them, rain couldn't get to them. They were sitting at the no-yet-lit camp fire as kids played around them.
They were eating and mostly talking about how their training is going. That plus Strife's usually sarcasm, but he tried to keep it at a minimum.
"You're Death right?" came an unfamiliar voice.
Four pairs of eyes looked at a child smiling. Two others joined him as the scythe user said: "Yes I am. Who are you?"
"Joy."
"Hope."
"Love."
"Well ain't those nice names," the helmet wearer muttered in a joke tone and got a light punch in the shoulder by his sister.
"Be nice," she whispered so only he could hear.
"Is there anything you wanted?" Death asked, and when he did, they flinched as his tone was less-than-friendly.
"We just thought you'd like this," the girl by the name of Hope said and handed the eldest one something.
It was a mask with only eye holes and nose recess. It was pear shaped being wider at the top -eyes- and then getting thinner – the mouth. Death took it and eyed it.
"Well now you can really look like 'Death'," Strife laughed.
"He didn't mean that," the female twin apologized and smacked the scarf wearer other the head.
"Actually… that was the idea…" Joy muttered in a low voice, almost embarrassed.
The twins looked shocked until the male laughed and the female flushed.
"You made it yourselves?" War asked when he saw the pale one was still checking it over.
"Yea. We wanted to thank him since he saved our daddy. We even used a bit of magic to make it so it'll never fall off," the boy, Love, smiled.
"Thank you," Death finally said giving a smile.
"I'll use it," he added and put it on.
The mask fit him perfectly and it didn't hinder his eyesight at all.
"How does it look?" he asked, his voice now a bit muffled.
"You look," the sister started.
"Deathl-" the gun user wanted to say but was cut off by his younger brother, putting a hand over his mouth.
"Deadly. That's what he wanted to say," he smiled and whispered: "Stop with the death jokes."
"Uhamdmmdhm," was his answer and a nod so he was released.
A glare from his other siblings made him finally shut up until the kids left.
"You are so rude."
"Not to mention sarcastic about everything."
"Plus impatient."
"Jeez I get it I get it."
"Guys! We need you in here!" came a call from Absalom for all four.
"What's with the mask?" he added when they arrived to the tent.
"Tell you later," was his answer as he moved the curtain.
When they entered, they saw 3 males and 2 females. They were veterans, a couple of middle aged warriors – like their father and uncle.
Their names? Sloth, Envy, Greed, Lust and Gluttony. Also known as 'the 7 deadly sins'. Well 5 now since both Wrath and Pride are dead.
"Good you're here," Greed said.
"We heard you've gotten more control over your powers?" Envy asked.
"True. We have been training," Death said.
"Then we have a mission for you," Lust said.
"Mission?" Fury repeated a bit confused.
"Yes. As you know we plan to take Eden," Sloth started.
"We heard that there is someone living in the mountains not far from here," Gluttony added.
"They want us and a few fighters to go and check it out. They think he has information where to find it," Absalom finished.
"Really? Our first lead?" War asked, excited that he will finally get to fight real monsters.
"Yes but you better be prepared. The weather there is unpredictable, meaning it can change from below 80 to 20 in a second."
"Then I have a request," the mask wearer said, looking at the five veterans.
"What is it?" they asked.
"I want Strife to stay here."
There was a minute of silence as everyone was just stunned.
"What the hell?!" Strife shouted in rage.
"I don't understand."
"Why would you keep him here?"
"Would he now be useful in the thick winter?"
"Brother, why take him off?" Fury asked, just as confused.
"His hearing could lead us to this guy faster," War added.
"I agree with Death on this one," Absalom was the only one that understood why he would do this.
"Well will you tell me? What can I do here? I don't see why not!?"
"It's because of your condition," the pale one started, glaring at his brother.
"What?" 8 out of 10 asked.
"Your immune system was almost fully taken away by Fury. If you would go to that place, you'd die within 10 min," the elder sword user explained.
There was another silence with everyone wide-eyed.
"Your request… is granted," Greed said, breaking the silence.
"Thank you."
Not even a minute later, Strife gritted his teeth and stormed out. Fury wanted to go after him but was stopped by Lust: "Leave him. We have more pressing matters to attend than his tantrum."
That earned her four glares by his friends. No matter what he was still their brother, and had that been anyone else, they'd be dead. In the end, they all stayed and listened to the plan.
"Your immune system was almost fully taken away by Fury. If you would go to that place, you'd die within 10 min."
He couldn't get it out of his head. Even now, when he was sitting in a small cave, not far from the camp.
"So what? I'm useless?" he muttered in anger.
"You are so rude."
"Not to mention sarcastic about everything."
"Plus impatient."
"I can't be like you… I joke to make it through the day… You haven't seen what I did… you didn't feel what I did… How could you understand…?" he whispered and put his head on his knees.
"Everything ready?" Absalom asked as he looked at the other 6 Nephilim that were coming.
They included; Death, Fury, War, Absalom, a male dual sword user – Tiger, a female bow user – Wind and a spear wielder by the name of Pierce.
"Ready," was what they all said as they started to make their way towards the mountains.
"You think Strife will be alright?" Fury asked Absalom with concern in her voice.
"I'm sure he just needs to cool off. By the time we get back, he'll be back to his usual self," he have her a reassuring smile.
"I hope so. Death was… kind of rude… and the other day... It's like he's demanding something from him. He knows how much Strife hates that."
"He's just looking out for his brother. He didn't mean anything by it."
"This better teach you some respect Strife. Things can't be like they used to be…" were Death's thoughts as he sighed.
Yes, yes I know... Changed his name again. Or was it back? anyway, their uncles names was originally 'Pride' it just got changed during the story... a few times.
Death's and Strife's first (verbal) fight. What do you think about a 'little' brother rivalry? And I'll make them fight... some day
Here's a cookie for reading and hope you liked it. Feel free to review =3
