Chapter 10: The Eclipse
The citadel of Corruption (the Shadow realm)
Darksiders 2 OST: Corruption Melody
Oblivio was seen sitting upon a black throne resting his fist under his chin while his eyes were closed but he sensed something and opened his yellow gem eyes and groaned in a tired manner before yawning. Oblivio stood up and walked towards a black pool of corruption and crossed his arms as he stared into the pool which revealed the Kingdom of the dead shrouded in a shadow of a solar eclipse and rubbed his chin in consideration.
Oblivio sighed and said "Fine... I'll see if It can be done, myself."
Oblivio stepped into the pool and sank in it and vanished as the pool ominously kept showing an eclipse as a four gem eyed figure's bald head was reflected off the pool. The Figure's face only comprised the his eyes, lacking a mouth and a nose, even nostrils the figure kept a silent yet mysterious sense to him as he walked away from the pool.
The Breach
Bayonetta and Death entered the temple and not long after they came across a campsite with a campfire, tents as Death crouched down and searched the camp and said "Clearly recent... well... (raise head) Oh damn it!"
Then heavily armored knights dropped down and with near blinding reflexes crossed their blades across both Death and Bayonetta's throats as one ordered Death "Stand up, Rider, slowly."
Death slowly stood up as a single knight dropped down, his black cape tattered and well worn in battle as he stood up revealing a skull helmet as he walked towards both Death and Bayonetta and eyed the two. The Knight remained silent as the others spoke "My lord what is you command?"
The Knight eyed Bayonetta specifically and raised his right hand while Death quietly reached to his scythe as the Skull knight stated "Withdraw your weapons."
The Knights withdrew their blades and sheathed them as the Skull Knight stated "We had wondered if the Umbra Witches survived and that our sacrifice was not in vain."
Bayonetta eyed the knights and noticed the Umbra witch insignia engraved on their armor and said "Umbra Knights... the men of our clan."
The Skull Knight opened his arms out and stated "We are all that remains of the brotherhood of the Umbra Knights, there were plenty of others that died but they soon gave up the fight, to resist being cleansed of our previous lives for even in death... we are bond to our code of honor and remain loyal to our... fallen lovers and sisters."
Bayonetta looked at the Skull Knight and recognized him and widened her eyes in surprise "You're the Black knight... THE Black Knight husband to the Umbra Elder."
The Black Knight eyed Bayonetta and stated "And you are the daughter of Rosa and Balder, the child of prophecy... and my daughter's best friend. One could even say... a surrogate sister figure."
Bayonetta rubbed the back of her head in a awkward manner and said "This is rather awkward... I'm speaking to Jeanne's dead father."
Death eyed the Black Knight who stared at him back and gave a impressed scoff "Hmpf."
The Black Knight bowed his head in respect and asked "Tell me what are the numbers of the clan now?"
Bayonetta looked down and pulled out the Grim Talisman and stated "The souls of your wife and sisters are bound to this talisman. But to answer your question... Jeanne and I are all that remains alive."
Some of the Knights dropped their heads while the Black Knight walked towards Bayonetta and requested "May I... ask you to free them from that?"
Bayonetta looked at the talisman as the Black Knight stated "Those of us who have fought only wish to see those who we fought for at least one last time."
Bayonetta looked at Death who nodded in agreement and crushed the talisman in her palm releasing all the souls of the Umbra witches as some appeared before the knights.
All the Knights bowed in respect as one of the souls who walked up to the Black Knight and rubbed his helmet and said with a loving and tender voice "My love you're look dreadful."
The Black Knight looked up to see the Umbran Elder's soul in the form of her prime, making her look quiet similar to Jeanne and said "You're one to talk milady..."
The Elder raised the Black Knight up and rubbed the right cheek of his helmet and questioned "But yet you still keep your helmet in great condition?"
The Black Knight nodded and reminded "It was a gift from you after all."
Death remained silent as the souls of the Umbra witches hugged their lovers and brothers and walked towards Bayonetta and asked "So... the Umbra Knights... what makes them special to the Umbra witches?"
Bayonetta simply explained while placing her right hand on her hip "They are born from a umbra witch some even have sisters that are witches, though they can't perform magic they are... well gifted in a way. They served the Umbra witches as their protecters, guardians, and even... well as you could guess... lovers. They still had magical blood within them and were often paired with a capable witch."
Death looked at Bayonetta and questioned "Were you capable with any of them?"
Bayonetta turned towards Death with a smug expression and teased "And what if I did?"
Death eyed Bayonetta and claimed "I would like to meet them."
Bayonetta kept a smirk on her face and stated "I wasn't bothered to even be considered a... worthy witch to protect and marry."
Death looked at Bayonetta who seemed slight tensed and shrugged and stated "You've got me."
Bayonetta licked her lips and teased "You smooth talker, you just earned yourself some points."
Death chuckled in amusement and teased "Do I get a prize?"
Bayonetta leaned towards Death and whispered "Oh... you're definitely getting a prize."
The souls of the umbra witches turned to see Bayonetta and they all bowed as the Elder stated "Child... forgive us we were wrong about you, we saw alongside you of your fate and... that it was all apart of the Will of Corruption's plan to return."
Bayonetta waved it off and jokingly reminded "It's not like you hated me for existing and imprisoned my mother."
The souls were silent as the Black Knight nodded in agreement while the Elder leaned her head to look behind Bayonetta said "Speaking of which..."
Bayonetta grunted as a pair of ethereal arms reached out and pulled her into a hug and a womanly voice was heard "My sweet dear child."
Bayonetta turned to see the woman and saw it was her mother, Rosa who gave a gentle happy expression on her face while Bayonetta struggled to speak while Death noticed how out of character she was and raised a brow under his mask.
Bayonetta and Rosa fell to their knees together as Rosa gently rubbed the right side of Bayonetta's face as Bayonetta asked "Mummy?"
Death uncrossed his arms and gave a shocked expression through his eyes and thought to himself "Oh... That wasn't what I had expected."
Rosa turned towards the entire cast of souls and dead knights and requested "I would prefer that you left us alone."
Everyone obliged and began to leave as Death was also about to leave but Rosa snapped her fingers and pointed at Death who turned towards the two while Rosa spoke with a stern tone "Except you."
Death walked towards Rosa and Bayonetta who thought to herself "Oh dear... I hope this doesn't go bad."
Death crossed his arms and eyed the two as Rosa pointed at Death and snapper her fingers and pointed down and ordered "Sit."
Death was unfazed by Rosa who raised a brow in response the two silently glaring at each other while Bayonetta looked back and forth between the two and couldn't even force herself to make a witting remark at the epic stare down.
Death remained unimpressed with Rosa's death glare until Rosa scoffed with a smirk and called "Cereza..."
Bayonetta looked at her mother and asked almost in in a hesitant manner "Yes mummy?"
Rosa smirked and said "I like him."
Death scoffed amusingly as Rosa asked "But please have a seat with us, we do have much to discuss."
Death sighed and sat down while Rosa began "Now... the other witches and I have seen you two's ahem partnership and to you Cereaza I must say... well done my dear you have a very keen eye."
Death closed his eyes while Bayonetta smiled and stated "Oh it was a joy dominating the reaper."
Death sighed and opened his eyes while gesturing his left hand towards Bayonetta and countered "And yet I was doing all the reaping."
Bayonetta stared at Death while Rosa eyed the two and said "It's way too soon for you two to be getting frisky after last night."
Death's darkened while Bayonetta blushed embarrassingly and stuttered "Mu-mummy!"
Rosa shrugged and stated "Can't help it when we're bound to that talisman of yours."
Death remained silent with his eyes still dark under his mask while Bayonetta responded "Ok... but why are we having this conversation?"
Rosa opened her mouth and rubbed the back of her head and struggled to say "Well... it's... kinda..."
But unknown to the three of them the woman was seen down the hall overhearing the entire conversation with her right hand over her mouth while Death whose eyes still remained darkened sarcastically asked "Oh do tell us."
Rosa sighed while leaning towards the two and hesitantly joked "It would seem I don't have to worry about having grandchildren."
Bayonetta and Death gave confused stares until Bayonetta took a moment to realize what Rosa meant and widened her eyes and said "Oh... fuck me."
Death turned towards Bayonetta while Rosa scratched her head and stated "That's what you two have been doing since you two started it, it was only a matter of time."
Death now realizing what was going on grunted in surprise and was eerily quiet while Rosa sighed and stated "Rodin was going to be the one to tell you but... well... it would sound better if it came from me instead."
Bayonetta sighed and asked "How do you know?"
Rosa pointed at Bayonetta and stated "You know that Muria and I were spiritual friends, we had plenty of conversations even when I stuck in that talisman and given away to you my sweet child. The bond was still strong even then... and it was the last thing Muria told me before the bond was... severed."
The woman overhearing the conversation lowered her hooded head while Death remained silent as Bayonetta looked at him and asked "I... Death?"
Death breathed in before his red eyes opened and questioned "How far along is she?"
Rosa placed her right hand on her right knee stated "A few days, it was the second time you two had sex is when you... unintentionally put a baby my daughter."
Bayonetta remembered that she attempted to take Death's mask off the second time and he ejaculated inside her and palmed her face and said "Ohhh shit..."
Death breathed in before standing up and said in a uncertain tone "I... I will go on ahead, clear the way if there are any dead that would stand against us."
Bayonetta watched as Death left and watched as his walk seemed to have lighter steps as if he was uncertain with the news while Rosa noticed and said :You're worried about him."
Bayonetta turned towards her mother and insisted "No, I just... you know..."
Rosa gave a gentle smile and hugged Bayonetta answered "I know, believe me, Cereza... I know."
Bayonetta returned a hug to her mother and admitted "I... feel so... alive around him, he's matches my snark, my wit, my skill and even in bed."
Rosa nodded and answered "Oh trust me... I know. Though admittedly I was scared for you around him. His first task as a Horseman was to destroy the Nephilim. And seeing how you are arguably one yourself, it would be hard to take in the thought of fathering another of his own. You father was similar but he always wanted to be there for you, but the clans would not have it, you and him have that chance, that me and your father couldn't."
The woman rubbed her nose with her thumb and index finger while Bayonetta asked "I'm not even certain I'm ready."
Rosa nodded and said "No one really is Cereza. Not even I."
With Death was seen walking down further into the Breach as a large bone pile was seen as a skeleton erupted from it and roared at Death and charged at him but Death kept walking as the skeleton reeled back it's mace and swung at Death who caught the mace in his bare hand. The skeleton grunted in shock as Death turned towards the skeleton giving one hell of a death stare terrifying the skeleton causing it to relinquish it's weapon and fell back and crawled away back into the bone pile.
Death sighed as he crushed the mace in his palm in half and dropped it at the pile before walking away as the bone pile shook in a frantic manner indicating a sense of fear from the lone skeleton.
Death kept walking further into the breach and stood before a door and placed rubbed his right hand on it as the skulls's eye sockets engraved on the door glowed green as Death sighed and said to himself quietly calling himself "Fool..."
Death placed both palms on the doors and push them open while dust fell down showing that the doors had been shut for a very long time as Detah walked out and saw the bridges that crossed one another. But a shadow slowly loomed over the land in the distance as death noticed and looked up and widened his eyes in shock and awe.
With Bayonetta who decided to go on ahead and catch up to death with Rosa along side her rubbed her head while look down at her belly and tried to make light of the situation "Well... Jeanne did say that it was time for the two of us to start repopulating the Umbra."
Rosa placed her hand on Bayonetta's left shoulder and stated "She is no longer bound to the ways of the Umbra, and neither are you, you choose who are want to be now Cereza."
Bayonetta looked towards her mother and confessed "Mummy, Madama Khepri has shown me glimpses of... what I think is the past and future."
Rosa nodded and stated "I know, she believes you are a worthy successor to her role as Protecter of Time. But not everything she has shown you is... the exact truth. She's shown you how the Will of Corruption was born correct?"
Bayonetta nodded and said "Of course, I couldn't forget that it fought Omne."
Rosa nodded and stated "But what Khepri didn't reveal was the details. What you saw was what she was instructed to let you see."
Bayonetta raised a brow in confusion and asked "But why would she show me anything?"
Rosa scoffed in an amused manner and stated "Khepri likes being cryptic and vague, it keeps her out of getting in trouble with... Omne."
Bayonetta looked at Rosa and asked "But wait... isn't Omne you know... keeper of Balance, or you know this universe's creator?"
Rosa sighed and stated "Yes, but how Omne obtain said Balance and his pathetic reason for keeping it is... selfish. Omne wants to be worshiped as an only deity, the Will of Corruption, though just as dangerous is up front and clear with it's motives, Omne he would have you lit on fire for disagreeing with him."
Bayonetta noticed how vague Rosa was and questioned "There's more to the Will than just mindless destruction is there?"
Rosa nodded and stated "My soul belonged to Khepri when I died, and she showed me what the Will was before being reborn from your hatred."
Bayonetta sigehd and asked "So... what don't I know?"
Rosa nodded and finally stated "Before it was known as the Will of Corruption, it was a deity of Oblivion and nothingness existing long before the very universe itself. It was everything... and yet because it knew only one thing that existed, which was itself, it was also nothing. But something happened BOOM! The Big Bang, the result form the universe and Omne. Though at the time The Will was... well an idiot god knowing nothing more than what used to be before the Big Bang."
Bayonetta payed attention as Rosa continued "Then the two form their Progeny, from Omne's Light was the birth of Jubileus, from the Darkness of the Will came Sheba and what powers were left form their births collided together and formed Aesire. The fives governed each essential part of the first universe, though the Will was unbounded to the laws being a god of nothing he was free to do and be anything which sparked a jealousy in Omne."
Bayonetta and Rosa kept walking as Rosa continued "The Will was given a name by his daughter, a name lost to history which not even Khrepri could find the Will's true name that was given to him by his own daughter. Than tragedy struck, Jubileus was mudered by Omne and with that act he later convinced the other deities that the Will was the one tho murdered her, and with the aid of all beings that existed at the time, they struck the Will their fight caused the first universe to ripple and tear, breaking until Sheba dealt the final blow... slaying her own father."
Bayonetta looked down and said "Revenge... The Will of Corruption wants revenge on existence itself."
Rosa nodded as the two reached the door where Death walked through and stated "And as you know gods do not stay dead forever..."
Bayonetta opened the doors revealing Death stand with his arms down as a solar eclipse was in front of him in far horizon while Bayonetta sighed and show her head and said "Ohhhh blast!"
The eclipse sparked open a portal through the shadow realm as Oblivio in his massive size reached his claws through holding the portal open and roared which caused a massive shockwave.
The shockwave of Oblivio's roar caused storms as he formed two extra arms that clawed at his face and flung his black blood of Corruption into the Kingdom of the dead and announced "Though your world is already dead, I will not grant you a swift end!"
The eclipse began to end as the portal slowly closed on Oblivio who spotted Death and Bayonetta and growled before leaning back and let the portal close without attempting to escape.
Death stared out as the massive blood drops burned through the relay's atmosphere and crashed in random places as Bayonetta shook her head with a shocked look on her face and asked "I thought it couldn't escape the Shadow realm?"
Rosa gestured her hand at the eclipse and stated "Only something with the power of Light and Dark can free the Will from it's prison, but it would seem that not even a solar eclipse can truly free it, it was a being of Light and Dark who trapped it there, perhaps it takes a similar power to free it."
Death stared out at the horizon and turned towards Bayonetta as Despair was summoned behind him and he asked "Need a ride?"
Bayonetta smiled and walked towards Despair and mounted as Rosa walked up to Death and threatened "Now take good care of her... Or I will hunt you down and make you feel the true meaning of a mother's fury."
Death gave an unimpressed stare and countered while mounting on Despair "Then it's good I have a sister named Fury."
Bayonetta dropped her jaw and smacked the back of Death's head and said "Shut it!"
Rosa giggled and sighed while shaking her head and said "I see you two later then."
Bayonetta plavced her hands on death's hips and asked "Wait where are you going?"
Rosa walked away and answered in a teasing way "Rodin may have a room for me, so if you need any baby advice you'll know where to find me."
Rosa vanished as Bayonetta observed and said "God my mum is amazing."
Death turned slightly towards Bayonetta and admitted "Yeah... I can see where you get your looks from."
Bayonetta squinted and teased Death "Death are you attracted to my mother?"
Death laughed "Hahahaha! Ohhhhh... she may have the looks, but you have got that and plus... you're entertaining."
Bayonetta placed her right hand on her belly and teased "And pregnant with your baby, thanks a lot for that."
Death and Bayonetta rode on Despair as Death reminded "I told you, that the mask had to stay on and you refused to listen."
Bayonetta laid her chin on Death's left shoulder and teased some more "Because I want to know what you look like under that mask."
Death sighed as the two rode off towards the direction they were instructed to follow as Bayonetta finally asked "So... what are you going to do about our little one one the way?"
Death was silent as Bayonetta nodded but Death answered "It wouldn't be the first time I disobeyed the Council's orders... I suppose this would be on such an occasion."
Bayonetta smiled and laid her head on Death's back and teased while closing her eyes "How gentlemen like of you."
Serpent's Peek (later)
The two reached a passage towards the bell they needed to reach and dismounted as Bayonetta followed Death and asked in a teasing manner "So I was wondering Death?"
Death sighed and asked "About what?"
Bayonetta smirked and teased "You had fun last night didn't you?"
Death stopped and cleared his throat and quietly countered "I do believe you had the most fun."
Bayonetta gave smirk and admitted in a seductive tone "Ohhhh I;m not one to confess sins, but I did that kiss."
Bayonetta noticed Death had goosebumps on his skin and teased "Death your goosebumps are showing."
Death breathed in and walked away while Bayonetta smirked as a reaction, the two reached the bell that seen placed over a deep circular hole that seemed to have no end while Bayonetta gestured her hand at the bell and said "So... you want to ring it, or shall I?"
Dust and Bright eyes Perched upon a dead tree as their eyes flashed before turning towards each other and began to coo at one another before flying off without the Deadly couple noticing them. Death walked passed Bayonetta and stared at the bell and took stance and began to slowly wiggle his fingers and changed into his reaper form and held up his large scythe before slashing through the bell while also phasing through it and changing back on other side.
The bottom half of the bell fell into the hole and began to hit the sides causing loud "GWOOOOOOONG! DWOOOOOOOONG! BWOOOOOONG!"
Bayonetta scoffed with a smile and said "Ok... breaking it works too."
Bayonetta walked around the bell as a loud high pitched roar was heard "REEHEHEHEHEEEEEEEE!"
Death and Bayonetta turned out towards the misty horizon as two undead leviathans with giant harpoons impaled through their necks which had chains attached. The two massive serpents tugged a massive flying ship in that looked more like a combination between a castle and a sailing ship, the bow had a giant skull made from stone with a door in it's mouth.
Death and Bayonetta turn towards each other whole and the two gave a smug expression before leaping out onto one of the leviathans and landed on it as Death summoned Despair while still on the serpent. Bayonetta and Death mounted on Despair and rode him on the slithering back of the leviathan before the two leaped off it and onto the other one.
Death resummoned Despair and the two rode once again before leaping in the giant skull's mouth and Bayonetta looked back to see the Leviathans flying and said "Death I think I understand why you summon these things."
Death shrugged and stated "They have powerful bites."
Bayonetta snickered and patted Death's neck where she bit him and said "But not like the bite I gave you."
Death rolled his eyes as the two walked but unknown to them the Arbiter was seen standing over a cliff and formed bat-like wings and flew over the Eternal Throne and perched on a wooden beam over the center of the ship. The Arbiter swung his whole body and hung upside down the beam and observed he spotted a some ghastly undead figures most resembled the guards that protected the River of souls as they were being trained by a lone green cloaked figure with swords stabbed into his back and arms.
The figure clashed blades with one of the heavily armored undead and with one arm behind his back he easily disarmed the undead of his weapon and quickly decapitated it's head and shouted "TOO SLOW!"
The undead warriors looked at each other in fear before the figure shouted at them as if he as their drill instructor "YOU CALL YOURSELVES ROYAL GUARDS?! PATHETIC I FOUGHT LIVING HUMANS STRONGER THAN ALL OF YOU! AND YOU'RE THE ROYAL GUARDS OF THE LORD OF BONES!"
Bayonetta and Death walked up as the figure turn dot see them and saw Death and scoffed with an unimpressed expression and stated "So did the Chancellor send you? (Death and Bayonetta give confused stares) You know I beat death once and I can do it again."
Death looked at the figure with a confused stare and said "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Bayonetta stood to the side and decided to watch and thought "Ohhh I need some popcorn for this."
The figure scoffed and said "Of course you don't you still reek of hope. (shakes head) You couldn't have met the Chancellor."
Death scoffed and uncaringly responded "The Chancellor doesn't sound like much."
The figure taking some offense claimed "For ages, his tongue dripped venom into the Dead King's ears! He all but sits upon the Eternal Throne. Demanding... service."
Bayoneted gave a bored yawn as a simple response while Death beginning to grow some respect for the dead man who is daring to even raise his voice at himself and Bayonetta asked "Who are you?"
The figure crossed his arms crossed his chest and stated "I am the Master of Blades. And all that remains of the warrior once called Draven, from the Kingdom of Man. (shakes head in a regretful manner) I should have passed through the Well of Souls... long ago. (places right hand on hip and while gesturing his left out) But I won my freedom in the Arena... only to be fall beneath the Dead King's whip!"
Bayonetta nodded and said "Impressive... I think?"
But unbeknownst to the three the Arbiter of Terror hung upside down from one of the wooden beams above them and stared at Death and Bayoentta, giving a quiet cackle in delight.
The Deadly couple reached the door as one of the guards stated "No one disturbs the Lord of Bones without his Chacnellor's say so."
Then another hooded figure, with spiky armor shoulder guards over his robes arose from a green portal and said "A rider here in the Kingdom of the dead? No, no that will never do. As the Lord's Chancellor you'll need to speak with me first."
Death and Bayonetta turned to see the Chancellor who kept his hands over each other while the two walked towards him and Death stated "We must speak with the Lord of Bones."
The Chancellor gave a sarcastic remorseful response "Ohhhh. That is not possible. My Lord attends his realm. A burden beyond even your ken Horseman and Umbra witch."
Bayonetta grew annoyed with the figure's sarcasm while Death respond with his own sarcasm and asked "And what is your use, as a door-stop?"
Bayonetta snickered and smiled as the Chancellor ignored Death's comment and stated "There is but only one way to draw him out of his slumber. (gestures hand out towards the bow of the ship) The Gilded arena. Here the Mortals are offered a last chance to earn their freedom from the grave... a boon that includes an audience with the King."
Death closed his eyes and breathed clearly annoyed from another errand as the figure stated "Defeat the Arena's Champion, (places right hand over chest) and return here with it's skull. His majesty will grant you an audience."
Bayonetta walked up and asked "And where is this Arena?"
But the ship rumbled as the two leviathans coiled around two massive pillars as the Chancellor assured "Fret not, Witch. We have already arrived."
Bayonetta noticed how the Chancellor knew that she was a witch instantly and playfully questioned "I had no idea that a corpse such as yourself would know what I am."
The Chancellor chuckled with a disturbing grin and stated "Ohohohohoooooooh, you haven't the slightest idea, this realm has been around since the beginning of time, we know all life in the three incarnations of the universe. Though your kind wouldn't know that, you sell your souls to the those we now know as Abyssal Creatures you would never know this realm or even it's existence due to your kind's ignorance and obvious failure."
Bayonettta squinted at the Chancellor and warned "Watch that tone bone head, (sarcastic tone) or I'll really get up set."
Death sighed as he gestured his right hand at the Chancellor and asked "Then your King is not the first to rule here, is here Chancellor?"
The Chancellor was hesitant to say as if he was scared to even say but stated "There... was plenty before, the first King named Zero a small creature with a skull and had decibels called the little devils. Then came our most beloved ruler, Queen Sheba, after the second incarnation of the universe's demise Sheba's body was sent here and took on it's own personality and character."
Bayonetta payed attention as the Chancellor continued "But she would not stay to rule over us and appointed her successor... a Creature called Argul, too mad to be kept at the throne. I helped my Lord be rid of him, and even destroyed a few of his servants. (sarcastic tone) Tsk tsk what would my Lord do without me?"
Bayonetta looked at Death and asked "Why ask about the rulers of the dead, Death?"
Death sighed and stated "Argul was one of the beings Thane asked me to destroy. Counting among Gorewood, Bhetheir and Achinda."
Bayonetta closed her eyes and understood what Death was trying to do and responded in a mournful manner "I see..."
Death turned towards the Chancellor and questioned "And what does Achidna have to do with your kingdom? Last I heard she had one of her own."
The Chancellor gestured his left hand out to Death and answered "The Shadow realm, Ysilik... yes. Where the Sisters Sightless spin their webs. Many of my Lord's foes, the servants of I Argul that I mentioned, escaped there, when his rule was still young. We hunted most of them down. Achidna herself barely escaped along with Artorus the Ice Lord, a notorious criminal of the Kingdom. Perhaps they took shelter here, and my yet weaves their evil..."
Death changed the subject and attempted to intimidate the Chancellor as he pointed at him and demanded "Let us speak with the Lord of Bones, and I will spare your Champion. And perhaps you as well, Chancellor."
Bayonetta looked at Death with a impressed smirk on her face as the Chancellor only laughed at Death "AHAHAHA! You cannot slay that which is already dead. But you're welcome to try... in the Arena."
Death growled in annoyance and stated "Forget what I said about sparing you, Door-Keeper."
Death unsheathed one of his scythes and slashed at the Chancellor who only phased through the attack and laughed amusingly while Bayonetta gave a unamused stare and said "Ohhh that's cheating."
Death sheathe his scythe and questioned "Tell me about the King of the dead."
The Chancellor's smile turned into a frown and answered "His reign is eternal. His word is law. And his Time is... invaluable. I ensure that he need only speak with those who are worthy."
Death gave a smug stare and gestured his right at at the Chancellor and sarcastically insulted "Then you must rarely see him, Chancellor."
Bayonetta gave a smug smile at Death and teased while playfully clawing at Death "Rawr."
The Chancellor raised his hands with an angry expression and growl "Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!"
Death and Bayonetta left the Chancellor as Bayonetta said "That was entertaining to watch."
Death sighed and stated "But... now..."
The Chancellor then tried to make a comeback and said sarcastically "Do take care in the Arena, Horseman. should anything happen to you, I'm not sure if I can live with myself."
Death ignored the Chancellor who growled once more as a reaction to the deadly couple while Death spoke to Draven "You said you fought in the Arena. Did you battle it's champion?"
Draven answered as he held up a dagger "Yes. And if you mean to tangle with that Brute, you must be mad."
Death pointed at the doors and stated "We seek an audience with the King of the Dead."
Draven chuckled and stated "As I thought, Mad. Gnashor will tear you to shreds."
Bayonetta raised a brow and asked "What kind of name is Gnashor?"
Death shrugged but looked at Draven and said "You survived the Arena... well most of parts of you did."
Draven chuckled clearly amused from Death's little jab at him and stated "Since I faced him long agp, Gnashor has grown in power fed on the rage and flesh of those who fall before him. (scared tone) I fought for life... to return and lead a great army that would conquer all. But here I serve... (places left hand ion chest) I, Draven; who never bowed to any man, That the Dead King is something less... is no comfort."
Death nodded and said "Yet you don't seemed to be afraid of him."
Draven scoffed and stated "There have been plenty of petty Kings, and I no longer am surprised that even the afterlife hold a petty king as it's ruler."
Bayonetta gave an impressed stare while placing her hand on her hip "Ok... your starting to grow on me."
With Rodin
Rodin was seen dealing cards to a group of undead as one, a skeleton with a bandana over the top of it's skull gossiped "So heard the rumors that a Rider is here in the Kingdom?"
A Undead general stated "Yes, I saw him with a human woman here last night."
The skeleton looked at the general and said "Get out of here, really?"
Rodin nodded and confirmed "Yeah, the two shared a room together."
Then a wraith waitress appeared and joked "You should've heard them going at it, woof."
The skeleton dropped his jaw and said "No way... a Rider succumbing to such temptations?"
The wraith then gossiped "From I've noticed the woman was partly in charge."
The undead scoffed and said "The woman can't tame the Reaper, if Lilith can't what makes you think that a lowly human can?"
The wraith smirked and stated "Don't underestimate her, I could smell the magic pouring out of her, she a walking talking power house she is."
Rodin confirmed and sat down as the group looked at their cards "Ya, Bayonetta is powerful in the arts of dark magic and can master just about any weapon much like Death himself."
The general looked at the skeleton and asked "You got a seven?"
The skeleton shook his head and said "Go fish."
The general growled before drawing another card as the skeleton said "So Rodin, you know the woman's name, you know don't ya?"
Rodin eyed the skeleton and sighed before placing his cards down and ut a cigar in his mouth before lighting thumb on fire with purple flames and lit his cigar while puffing out smoke and stated "Ain't yo damn business twerp."
Then a soul rose up from the total and Rodin looked at the soul and folded his hand and said "Sorry boys but got some important business to attend to..."
Rodin walked towards the soul snapped his finger sending the two into another realm of grassy planes and clear blue skies, before sitting down and asked "So ya wanted me to come here?"
The soul revealed to be Crowfather nodded and stated "Indeed, an old friend is here."
Then a figure wearing a brown leather cowboy hat with a red tattered shroud with two swords on his back was seen walking towards the two and saw them and sighed in a slightly annoyed manner and said "Of course it's you two..."
The Crowfather turned to see the figure and bowed his head in respect and said "Horsemaster."
The figure now revealed to be the Horsemaster tipped his hat and asked "So what is your business here old man?"
Crowfather gestured his right hand out and stated "The woman Cereza is upon the Kingdom of the dead."
The Horsemaster nodded and said "I see... well you're in luck since the oldest of my Phantom Horses, referred to as a legend throughout the universe, untamable, unstoppable and undeniably fierce, is already there in that wasteland of death and decay."
Rodin placed his right hand on his hip and asked in a cautious tone "Ya don't mean...?"
The Horsemaster gave a smug grin and stated "Oh but I do, I know of the woman Crowfather spoke highly of and because said horse overheard our conversation he roams the universe even through Time itself to find a worthy rider."
Crowfather sighed and gave a shocked expression and questioned "No... you can't possibly mean, the Timesteed, Geryon?!"
The Horsemaster smirked and stated in an almost mocking manner "I do hope your Bayonetta can tame such a Stallion."
The Gilded Arena
A phantom steed with blue flaming hooves, mane and mouth while he blue glowing eyes and nostrils as it stood above the arena's stands and shook his head, while Death and Bayonetta entered the arena catching the steed's attention.
Then statues of undead turned towards the Deadly couple as one spoke in a light raspy tone voice "Behold, two challengers enter the arena."
Another statue with a deeper raspy voice questioned "But what do they seek absolution from death?"
The statue from the far back spoke out with a high pitch raspy voice "No! These two yet live."
The first statue then demanded "QUIET! They will tell us their cause. Speak Challengers."
Death raised his right fist and stated firmly "We are here to defeat your champion!"
The statue from the far back chuckled and sated "And so all challengers boast, but most leave in torment."
Bayonetta over the railing to see wooden posts with skeletons hanging off most had lost limbs from being left to their torment and remain inactive and shuddered in a mocking manner and teased "Too much punishment I'd say."
The deeper voice statue stated "Their souls burned from existence, and our champion all the stronger for it."
Death saved his right hand to the side and demanded "ENOUGH! Bring out your champion!"
The the deep voiced statue sighed and stated while all the statues turned "Ahhh... yes. There is power in these two, power enough to do as they claim."
But the first statue stated "But our champion is no cur to be summoned at will, and only one may face him, alone. The rules of the arena shall not be broken by no dead nor living, but we sense power in the female..."
The statue in the back finished "Yesssss... we can sense her dark magic from her very soul."
Bayonetta held her arms out and taunted "Didn't your mum teach you three any manners?"
The deep voice statue then finished "You shall face a foe that has traveled through space and time to meet you."
Bayonetta gave a confused expression as the horse neighed catching both Death and Bayonetta's attention as Death recognized the beast and said in awe "The Timesteed, Geryon..."
Bayonetta turned towards Death and asked "You seem to know about this one."
Death leaned towards Bayonetta and stated "A Phantom steed that even the Horsemaster could not calm."
Bayonetta placed her hand on her hip and asked "Who now?"
Death shrugged and stated "A being that herds Phantom steeds like Despair."
The statues then instructed Death "The skull alter holds our Champion's power, the souls of all he has slain and consumed, find three Animus Stones and place them on the alter and our Champion will... arise."
Death turned towards Bayoneta and joked "I'll take a wild guess that you don't need any help."
Bayonetta smirked and teased "Oh what gave that away love?"
Death scoffed with a amused look in his eye and walked off and stated "I'll go on ahead and find these Animus stones."
Bayonetta eyed Death and gave a quiet playful roar at him with a seductive expression "Rawr."
Bayonetta hopped over the railing and landed in a crouching position before standing up while Geryon reeled up and kicked his front feet in the air before teleported into the arena and snorted at Bayonetta who summoned her guns and taunted "Bring it!"
Geryon charged at Bayonetta while shaking his head as Bayonetta shot him with rapid fire the bullets merely phased through the Phantom steed who head butted Bayonetta onto the ground while at a wall and ran through a portal. Bayonetta rubbed her head and shook her head before standing up to see Geryon reappearing where he started his charge and neighed in a taunting manner.
Bayonetta raised a brow and felt blood running down her head and near her mouth before she licked it and said "You're a feisty one aren't we?"
Geryon shook his head and charged at Bayonetta again who summoned her sword Shubura and charged at Geryon who neighed loudly before Bayonetta slashed her blade at him but again proved useless as it phased through him once again before he kicked Bayonetta's chest sending her flying into a wooden post and turned around and stared coldly and silently at Bayonetta.
Bayonetta stood up and grabbed on the wooden post with both hands and ripped it from the ground and swung it at Geryon who phased through the attack and squinted at the horse who slowly walked towards Bayonetta.
Bayonetta dropped the wooden post and said "You'r just what Death said, you're like Despair..."
Geryon galloped at Bayonetta once more who tossed her sword aside and opened her arms out and closed her eyes while Geryon neighed loudly before phasing through her and turned around to see Bayonetta dropping her arms and turn to see Geryon. Geryon walked towards Bayonetta who reached her right hand out and rubbed the horse's snout and was allowed by him.
Bayonetta gently petted the horse's head and stared into the beast's eyes and scoffed before mounting on him who neighed while reeling up and kicked his hooves outwards as the statues witnessed and the high pitched statue spoke "Astonishing... none have ever earned Geryon's respect before you."
Bayonetta patted Geryon's neck and said "It just feels like you were meant for me right Geryon?"
Geryon snorted as a response while Bayonetta pointed at him and teased "Oh don't sass me."
Later with Death
Death roamed the deep halls of the Gilded Arena as whispers were heard "You have failed."
Death ignored the whispers and kept walking until his vision abruptly darkened and he look around to see a Absalom before being corrupted with his back turned and held an axe over his shoulder with his right hand and a tattered cape billowing in the wind.
Death froze at the sight as Absalom turned around and kept a stern stoic look on his face and gestured his left hand and stated "Brother, why do you grow tired of our just cause? We fight and conquer for a home our own!"
Death grunted as the vision of Absalom faded away into dust as Death turned to see Absalom laying before him with blood running out of his chest and muttered "Brother... was it worth it?"
Death held up his hands and revealed he wielded his scythes that were bloody from Absalom's blood while Absalom once again vanished into dust while Death looked ahead to see War with a leg over a dead demon with his sword Chaoseater stabbed into the demon's chest.
War rested his hand over his thigh and said "Brother our cause is for naught, brother. Our entire race will be hunted down by all of creation if we do not act now."
Fury and Strife appeared as Fury placed her right hand on her hip and questioned "Than pray tell little brother, what are you proposing?"
War removed his sword from the demon corpse and suggested "I say we ally ourselves with the Charred Council, their cause is just and there is honor in it, and it would ensure that our race will survive... if only by the four of us."
Strife was silent until he crossed his arms and joked "Stay with our brethren, we die and our souls be tormented or worse. Or we side with the Council and be spared and granted power beyond imagining... while the rest of our kin die... the choice obvious."
Fury turned towards Death and asked for his opinion "What are your thoughts Death?"
The vision vanished as it showed Fury and Death speaking as Fury with an enraged expression shouted "HE RODE TO EARTH ALONE AND RUMORS SAY THAT HE HAD AN ACCOMPLICE!"
Death crossed his arms and claimed "You and I both know Fury, that War is bound by his honor and I think you're just bitter towards him due to the fact that he almost killed you which by the way I took the stab for you."
Fury pointed at Death and stated "Death while you stay out of sight and earned the Council's scorn I have worked tirelessly to keep our reputation as the enforcers of the Balance! Heaven and Hell are at each other's throats, the Seven Deadly Sins have escaped and guess who the Council will look to, us!"
Death shook his head and stated "You of all people know that I will not abandon our brother, the Council may have us under their leash but I refuse to allow them to put the blame on the obviously innocent Horsemen who has devoted his life to! Or are you so blinded by your ambitions, that you are so easily manipulated into obeying the Council?"
Fury walked up to Death and placed her right hand on her chest and stated "I know what my duty is Death! And forgive me, brother if I don't bark and bow to your every word and command!"
Fury walked away as Death shook his head and stated "I never expected to anyways Fury, you'll learn the hard way that not all things are black and white."
The vision fades as clenched his fists and turned to see the Arbiter with his cloak fluttering in the wind while his skull was hidden underneath his hood and shrouded in darkness as Death demanded "Who are you?!"
The Arbiter began to grow in size towering over Death before his cloak fell off revealing a slimy skeletal creature with a yellow glowing mouth that dripped Corruption while his eyes beamed bright yellow lights and gave a sinister grin "The one who puts fear in those who are my Master's enemies and potential allies!"
The Arbiter slammed his right hand at death who rolled out of the way as the hand caused a large shove wave sending him flying as the vision changed into the Forge Lands as Death stood up to see the black hole devouring the ancient world.
The Arbiter's laughter was heard "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Death looked all around and saw the black hole blew open and began to swallow the world him along with it as the landscape changed to the citadel of Corruption's throne room as Oblivio sat in it and leaned forward and spoke in the Arbiter's voice "Still resisting? How quaint! This will be the best fun I will ever have ehahahahahahaha!"
With Bayonetta
Bayonetta had decided to go after Death and found him, his back turned towards her and standing eerily still and teased "Oh big bad reaper couldn't find a pebble?"
Death was unresponsive as Bayonetta noticed and walked in front of him and saw strings of Corruption holding him up in his eyes and gasped in shock before smacking Death's neck shouted "DEATH! DEATH! COME ON!"
Death twitched as Bayonetta looked at the strings of Corruption and saw that they led deeper into the chamber and began to dragged Death with her as she grumbled "I leave you for a second and you get caught in a trap... damn it!"
Sitting next to a statue the Arbiter was seen filing his claws while his feet kicked up and his right foot bounced as if he was enjoying having Death face his fears and gave a disturbing chuckle "Ehehehahahahaha!"
In Death's mind he was seen in front of a chained up War who demanded "Brother... why did you leave me to the Council's torments?!"
Death grunted as War shouted "YOU COULD HAVE SAVED ME!"
Bayonetta saw the Arbiter laying on the statue and noticed he was made from Corruption and laid Death down and charged at the Arbiter who stopped filing his claws while he turned his skull towards Bayonetta. Bayonetta jumped at the Arbiter and dropped kicked his into the statue and backflipped off as it crumbled on top of him which the strings of corruption connected to Death snapped freeing Death who gasped loudly catching bayonet's attention while she shoved the statue pieces aside finding that the Arbiter had vanished without a trace.
Bayonetta groaned before running back to Death who breathing heavily as Bayonetta dropped into sliding oner her knees and raised Death head up to her chest and said "It's alright, you're fine... you're fine."
Death raised his right hand as Bayonetta grabbed onto it and Death slowed his breathing and said "Tell no one of this."
Bayonetta chuckled leaned forward and kissed his mask and winked at him afterwards and joked "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Death tightened his grip slightly as Bayonetta felt and the two remained there for a bit longer while Bayonetta's Madama Butterfly shadow changed into forming the Arbiter whose skull reformed into a disturbing grin and chuckled while saying quietly "Ehehehehe! Let the fun begin!"
Hell's gates
Rodin was fixing up a ethereal drink for Rosa who sat at on a stool and held up the drink and said "Cheers you didn't have to deal with telling Bayonetta and Death they're having a baby!"
Rodin held up a glass and said "I'll drink to that."
The two drank their shots as gave sighs of relief as a portal open and a demoness with grey skin walked in, the demoness had skimpy skin tight, black leathery robe and leggings that reached up to her thighs. Her heeled boots had demonic armor just past her knees, her hair was placed in a braided pony while her horns curved around her face, she had demonic yellow eyes and dark grey lips.
The demoness looked at Rodin with a smug expression on her face and spoke in a seductive manner "My, my I was wondering where you were Demon Lord of Greed."
Rodin froze and looked at Lilith and said "Lilith... what bring you down so far south of Hell?"
The demoness now revealed to be Lilith gave a toothy smile and stated "I was curious if you knew anything about the rumors around my son Death and if they were true?"
Rosa eyed Rodin and turn towards Lilith and questioned "What sort of rumors?"
Lilith placed her right hand on her waist and gestured her left hand stating "Rumors about my son having being... hmmm tamed by a human."
Rosa looked at Rodin and offered "I'll tell you if you're willing to drink with me."
Lilith gave a seductive look and licked her lips at Rosa and said "Hmmm don't mind if I do."
Lilith sat next to Rosa as Rodin eyed the two as Rosa pointed at him and said "Rodin aren't you going to get this lovely woman a drink?"
Lilith moaned and teased "Ooof If I knew better I'd say you were trying to take me to bed."
Rosa scoffed and said "No, I'm married, you just look like the kind of woman who needs a friend."
Lilith raised a brow in confusion and said in a unamused manner "A pity, I was hoping you would oh well."
Rodin placed a glass for Lilith and handed the two a bottle and said "I'm not dealing with this creepy ass... whore of Babylon."
Lilith poured herself a drink and said "Oh Rodin you're so business-like too focused on making the money while you could get the pleasure."
Rodin frowned and stated "I know what a night of pleasure with you is like Lilith, and I'll pass."
Rodin walked away as Rosa and Lilith tipped their glasses as Rosa said "So about that human woman... she's my daughter."
Lilith eyed Rosa with a interested look and asked "Really? What's her name?"
Rosa smirked and stated "Cereza, but Bayonetta to most."
Lilith drank another sip of her glass and said "fascinating... it would seem this was a meeting of mothers hmm?"
The two tipped their glass again as Lilith felt light headed and demanded "Wha-what did you do to me?"
Rosa drank her glass and stated "Just putting you to sleep and giving Rodin enough time."
Lilith pointed at Rosa and said "Cheeky... I like you."
Lilith dropped onto the floor unconsious as Rosa sipper he'd rink and again, sighing in relief as the Gates of Hell vanished leaving Lilith in the Dead Plains while relocating to a different part of the Kingdom as Rodin returned to the bar and said "Damn that was close, the Prince of Hell certainly hasn't let go of his grudge of me."
Rosa gestured her right hand at Rodin and asked "So why is he after you?"
Rodin sighed and stated "I kinda got too greedy for my own good and stole a sword from em."
Rosa leaned forward and asked "What kinda of sword?"
Rodin looked at Rosa and stated "The Angel Slayin kind."
To be continued
So I tried to find out if there were any males of the Umbra clan in Bayonetta lore but interestingly enough there was nothing, so I took the liberty of making the Umbra Knights, which are the males among the witches.
They are weaker than their female counter parts in almost every way except for swordplay, they are treated as both guards and potential lovers to the witches, and I also wanted to know if Jeanne had a father which surprisingly there is nothing about that, so I decided to make her father THE Black Knight.
This idea was mentioned in Jeanne as quest to Redeem War but I think I did it better here, what do you think?
And as shown in the Opening an closing this arc will be a darker setting then before, so I wish to express that things will get dark throughout this arc due to the nature of the realm the deadly couple inhabit.
