Hello, readers. I really should stop saying that I'm going to be more frequent with my updates. I'm so sorry you haven't heard from me in awhile. I haven't dropped off the face of the planet, I promise. It's just been very busy. My brother is an Airman now and we took a very long car drive to go see him back in September and then when I came back, I had nothing but work- and there were days where I was so wound up from work that I just didn't want to do much of anything :P Another reason that this is soooo late is because I just finished another, smaller project. If you guys liked 'A Caged Bird's Faith' (which if you're reading this, chances are you did, hopefully), I am also uploading a one shot in honor of this month being the anniversary of the completion of that story. It's a short interlude called 'I Safe Keep Our United Souls'. I hope you have a chance to read that one as well. As for this chapter, I really liked how this one turned out. A few new twists and turns, but still the massive fight with the Guardian and then what my boyfriend and I refer to as the 'Iron Giant moment'... In any case, please enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Darksiders universe; that wonderful creation belongs to the original creators and developers of the games. I merely write for fun. The cover pic of Eleyna was made in the 'Dark Fairy Creator' game on the AzaleasDolls website by the wonderful 'The phantom's girl.
Chapter Eight: The Guardian
The three crossed the steaming obsidian floor now beneath the dormant Guardian's feat, towards one more grated entryway. Karn knew what he had to do and held out an arm for Death. The Horseman landed gracefully on the other side with little effort. After mere moments, the grates came down and he retreated back to the right, where there lay dormant yet another construct. After inserting the key and giving the creation life, he reached for Eleyna.
"Corruption lies in there." he answered to her puzzled look. She gave a nod in understanding and held onto Death as tightly as possible as they entered the corridor together only slightly jostled when he would have the creation swing its mighty arms around, clearing their path of the eerie glowing crystals. When at last they arrived at the room at the end of the corridor, he did not allow her to disembark the large stone golem until the last of the crystals was disposed of.
As Death took to setting the construct where it was needed in the room's center, Eleyna took in the dim room around her- lit only in the eerie green cast off of the Heart Stone overhead. It unnerved her to see it like that, but her nervousness was overcast by a sense of familiarity this room provided.
"I... I feel like I have been here before." she told Karn tentatively. "Yet I cannae recall stepping foot into the Foundry- not for quite some time." Still, there was no mistaking the flickers of different images behind her eyelids- of massive bodies surrounding her, their eyes wide and alert and trained on her. To herself she wondered why.
"Maybe yer age is finally catchin' up with ye." the young giant jested, his laughter only curbed with a sharp look from the young druid. She released her sharp stare and rolled her eyes before groaning. Death had just leapt up the wall and disappeared. It was only another moment before he reappeared in the upper alcove near the Heart Stone. Extending his reach, he pulled himself toward the hooks that held the green glowing stone aloft. Eleyna became slightly startled as Karn pulled her behind him when Death began to chip away and loosen the Heart Stone. It became apparent to her at that moment that Karn felt that same notion that she did- nothing was right about this. It had been far too easy.
When it fell, Karn approached the stone carefully, keeping Eleyna behind him.
"There's something wrong with this one." he pointed out to Death, his voice uncharacteristically grave at this point. All the same, he hefted it onto his shoulder, ready to make the short run back to the main part of the Foundry, followed by the Druid. Death, on the other hand paused, his glowing ember-colored orbs closed in concentration. The sound of stone grinding against stone erupted in the room.
Eleyna turned, frozen in horror at what she saw- the Construct Custodian that had brought her and Death into the room was writhing as tendrils of that same eerie green and black combination tethered around it. The turned creation pulled itself out of the cavity in the floor and then flailed its massive fists in the air.
"I've seen bigger." Death noted aloud, drily. He reached for his twin scythes, but did not get a chance to fully pull them out before the two massive fists of stone were swung directly at him. He moved aside at the last moment before raising his hands and calling the caskets from the ground. The ghouls he called to his aid immediately set upon their prey; the Horseman dodged towards its back, hitting the blind spot uncovered by its defenses and began to carve with well-trained strokes. The only poor thing about this strategy was that the ghouls could only keep it occupied for so long before they faded, flames and all. The construct then attempted to catch Death in between its massive fists, pulling them back so as to swing them in a wide arc forward. The intended prey moved to the side and left it wide open for attack.
That was all Death needed. Holding out his hand, he felt that energy- that dark power that made him everything he was- stir. Combining his twin blades into one, he struck the giant scythe into the ground and allowed the dark energy to take him over. The dark creature left in his place effortlessly pulled the scythe from the ground and began swinging in wide, graceful yet quick arcs against the stone. It only lasted but a few moments before it noted that its energy was at its end and it let go, allowing Death to take back his physical shape. The damage he had done in that other form was extensive enough that the construct was holding itself up by its massive stone arms. Death did not grant it reprieve; he rushed for it.
It saw the assassin approach and attempted to rear back for one last desperate strike, proving, however, to be too slow. The Reaper slashed at the outreaching arm and then leapt out of the way before it fell on top of him, landing on the shoulders of his falling former creation as the limbs began to fall away and then dug the end blade of the larger scythe into the stone of its head. With all of his strength, he pulled back until the head was no longer attached at the shoulders. Black liquid spewed out over the remains of the stone creation, but he paid it no mind, walking toward the now accessible stairs. He ignored the look of horror and pain on Eleyna's features as he passed; what was done was done.
Both Eleyna and Karn looked at each other, both having the same reservations about the stone, and then to the Horseman before following.
Again, they came back to the base of the Guardian's resting place, but this time Karn was not about to let it just go to its intended spot.
"You must place the stone into the Guardian." Death pointed out.
"Yer not serious, are you?" Eleyna asked.
"We've seen its work, Horseman..." Karn added, "Corruption fair weeps from it."
"The other two Heart Stones were pure. I'm wagering that their radiance will cleanse the third."
"Mayhaps."
"Is that a gamble both of ye are willin' to take?" Eleyna questioned.
"The greater risk is to do nothing." Death pointed out.
"Aye." Karn agreed after but a moment of deliberation. Slowly, as if hesitating, Karn stepped forward, situating the stone from his shoulder into his arms to lift over his head. He let go, allowing the stone to move by that once again unseen force up to the indent in the stony head. The trio waited in silence; indeed this was the moment of truth.
Nearly as soon as the stone was imbedded, emitting a flash of blue light, the giant's head moved, followed by its shoulder and arms and pulled away from the scaffolding surrounding it. It looked to the chain holding its right arm in place and pulled at it. At its feet below, the unlikely trio shielded their eyes from the dust that stirred around them. The ground rumbled beneath their feet as the Guardian moved.
"The Corruption has burned off like rain on a hot forge!" Karn shouted in excitement. "You were right!"
But the other two could sense it.
"I was wrong." rasped Death as he drew his blades.
"No..." murmured Eleyna. It was as she- as they all- had feared; the Corruption had been one step ahead of them and had made the tainting of the Makers' last hope absolutely inevitable. She could only stand in shock as the Guardian pulled itself free of its chain and then broke through the ring of scaffolding and stone aquifers surrounding it. Death threw aside one of his blades and grabbed an aghast Eleyna around the middle, before a giant stony foot came down over her head and leapt away. The sudden rough handling was enough to bring her back to her senses almost immediately, which was good, as this time, she herself was able to leap away from the massive gear that nearly fell upon them in the giant's wake. The recovering party could only watch as the Guardian gripped the walls of the caldera of its waking place and with a heavy, earthshaking groan pulled itself out.
Karn was the first on his feet. "What have we done?" he asked in horror.
"Released a monster, that's what!" Eleyna yelled back. "We have nae the time to be thinking about what happened, not with that thing on the rampage!"
"Loathe as I am to admit it, Eleyna is correct." Death rasped, turning for the exit.
"We'll have to divide and conquer." noted Karn. "The Horseman can look for the Guardian and you and I can see to the others."
"Like the blood-soaked levels of Hell am I lettin' him face that thing alone!" she objected.
"You said it yourself, Eleyna; we haven't the time to argue. Help Karn tend to the others." Death said.
"But I can help you!" she argued. Death turned on her so suddenly that she nearly jumped backwards.
"STAY with him!" he hollered, his rasp quite well-defined. To hear Death, who was so usually quiet yell that way made her heart jump up to her throat. "You know as well as I that it is Corrupted, which puts you on its target list. If it spots you, there is not a being in this realm that can protect you from it." He turned away and began marching off.
"Not even you?" she called, causing the Horseman to pause. "Last I checked, that was the main reason I stayed with you."
He didn't answer- didn't even look at her. He just moved on. The Druid groaned, her nerves fraying until the Horseman was out of sight. She didn't even notice Karn come up next to her.
"Eleyna..." he began. His attempts at sympathy were cut short at the sound of her sharp intake of breath between flared nostrils. Eleyna turned to Karn. The young Maker had never, in all his years, seen the young druid so incensed, not that he disagreed. She was the most powerful person in the realm save Eidard right now.
"If that skull-face thinks that he can just dilly-dally-do as he pleases and order me around, he has another bloody thing comin'!" she hissed. For a moment, Karn actually pitied the Horseman; then again, he pitied anyone unfortunate enough to find themselves on the receiving end of Eleyna's wicked fury. Which is why he let her go as she began marching off after the Horseman.
'Please,' he prayed, 'please keep her safe, great Maker.'
Eleyna dashed across the bridge, towards the Warden.
"The earth trembles at the might of the Guardian." the stone entity noted aloud.
"Aye," she agreed with a nod, "it is most troubled. Did the pale one come through?" Slowly did the Warden consider the question.
"Look to the Vale to the north, my lady." it stated. "There, I believe the pale child will stand against the Guardian... but he cannot do so without the weapon."
"Weapon?" Eleyna echoed. "Are ye sayin' that there is a weapon that can defeat the Guardian? How have the Makers not been informed?"
"The weapon has not made itself known- not until now. Long has it and its power lied dormant. It can stand against its brother, at the pale one's side."
"Where can I find it?" she asked impatiently. She watched as the stone shifted and she almost felt suspicious that this was deliberate.
"It is... hidden." it replied suddenly.
"What must I do to unearth it?" she asked. A large rumble put a stop to her suspicions, however. If that was the case, then she would have to wait to unearth this weapon until another time. She took to taking flight in the form of her leaves, letting the wind currents carry her. At times, with different wind currents, it was not the easiest way to travel but it did save her traversal time- and this time, thankfully, the winds were in her favor.
She arrived on the battlefield as Eidard put a field up around the wide, open scope of the Vale and then warped himself to safety, allowing Death a wide range in which to destroy the stone giant.
"He's beyond my help, Horseman!" the battered and slightly bleeding Elder called out. "Do your worst!"
Death took that as an invitation and grasped at the handles of his blades, crossing them behind him as he began to make a running start at the creature. The Guardian noticed this and lifted its hammer, preparing for immediate impact and the hopes of snuffing its prey out instantaneously. Eleyna, however, saw this coming and urged the wind toward the Guardian's face. Her spray of leaves right before it left it secondarily distracted- just long enough for Death to summon Despair and race around the giant's feet in search of a vantage point. The hammer missed its mark by quite some distance, but still caused a shattering tremor on the earth beneath it; spires of earth rose as high as the sparse trees within the area from the impact The golem's attention turned to the mounted Horseman. When it became apparent that it could not be diverted by a head on swarm of the leaves, Eleyna thought quickly, floating away from the battle toward a niche in the rock wall; there she materialized in a flurry of leaves as quickly as she could and then raised her arms. Her lips began moving, voicing her ancient, yet most basic chants.
Below, Death all but paused in almost surprise as he saw thick vines spring and coil from the ground about its ankles, tethering it to that one spot. It only took one second for his near surprise to form into irritation as his eyes picked up on the very individual he hadn't wanted to see here, but he was also not one to waste an opportunity. Thus, he ushered Despair ahead, pulling from his belt Strife's pistol, Redemption. It had been rather poor planning on Corruption's part, he noted, that there were incendiary bombs growing like pustules on the Guardian's right bicep- the arm holding the hammer; all the better for him. He opened fire on the bombs and the resulting explosion was crippling for the Guardian as its right arm crumbled; the right shoulder slumped and fell to the ground some twenty paces away from Death, the Heart Stone still intact in its bed there. Eleyna took the initiative and again formed into her leaves until she reached the ground, getting within range while Death took to his impressive grapple, pulling himself up until he was holding onto the warm blue stone with one hand and using his scythe to hack away at it. The black tendrils of Corruption writhed through the cracks, attempting to hold the stone together, but to no avail.
He felt the rumble as the stone giant recovered, but it was halted as suddenly great branches wove around it, binding it to the earth. From the corner of his eye, Death saw Eleyna standing before the great monster, stiff as a board as she held her arms stretched out to the very fingertips.
"Hurry!" she strained. "He's too strong; I cannae hold him at bay forever!" It was true; she felt her power drain as the Guardian thrashed against her bindings. The wood splintered and she found herself expending energy to try and replenish it. She felt the pressure start from her head down throughout her body. Just as she thought the Nephilim assassin couldn't move fast enough, Death gave himself enough room so as to conjoin the two scythes into his usual massive one and with one great downward swing, the Heart Stone shattered. The Guardian broke through the branches in reaction, staggering to its feet as it let out a deafening roar of pain.
In its anger, it then held out its left arm- which judging from the structure looked to be a giant cannon of sorts. Rather than aim for the Horseman, however, it was aimed directly for the exhausted druid, bent over in the hopes of relieving the strain of such power usage. Along the far wall of the Vale, the terrifying avatar of Corruption let loose an unworldly sound- whether in victory or in anger, it was not clear the type- not that it mattered. Death, thinking quickly, took off to a running start before summoning Despair once more and urging the ghastly mount forward desperately. When he was just within range, and just as the cannon was lighting up and readying itself for a shot, Death extended his reach, the spectral hand clasping her around her small waist and yanking her back like a fishing reel with its catch. He secured her within his grasp before guiding the horse away from the enemy.
"Child," Death growled as he ushered Despair to charge further away, "will you ever learn to do as you are told?"
Eleyna panted against Death's shoulder in immense relief- both physical and emotional- before answering with a recovered confidence. "Not in this lifetime, Horseman." This, in turn, caused him to let out an angered groan. Eleyna, pleased with her answer and the outcome, gazed over his shoulder at the angered Guardian, which had let loose another shot. The ammunition was not a beam like she had initially thought when staring down the barrel of that giant cannon, but rather a giant ball of spikes, much like the bombs. "We have more important things to worry about as it is." she noted allowed. Death afforded a momentary glimpse over his shoulder and agreed instantaneously, especially as it had begun following them. He turned and opened fire on the enormous projectile, still guiding Despair away from it until the pistol stopped firing.
"Damn!" he spat.
"No, look!" Eleyna interjected, pointing back towards the projectile, which was glowing and hovering in midair, spinning at a high speed. He still did not like the look of it and guided his mount away, and just in time, putting on a burst of speed at suddenly the energized projectile lunged toward them.
The Guardian let loose another bomb and the two knew immediately what had to be done.
"As soon as that thing makes impact, I'm going for the Heart Stone." he informed her. "Can you summon your trees to hold him down?"
"I'll try, but I donnae think I possess the strength." she replied wearily. "Ye may only have him for a few seconds!"
"Then I'd better make each one count." he countered before turning to hail Redemption's bullets upon the giant bomb. The much desired effect was achieved just as Death felt the last bullet leave the barrel. He had Despair race ahead, to the feet of the Guardian, but he made sure to avoid its feet as it was kicking up stalagmites with every step it took, but also making sure that it knew just where they were as a means of distraction, circling it while also purchasing a wide berth.
Their plan worked beautifully and again the impact of the explosion that followed caused the Guardian to stumble forward, catching itself on its left arm and knees. With his usual grace and skill, Death scaled the massive forearm before extending his reach to the Heart Stone. The creaking of rapidly growing wood rang through his ears, giving him the signal that Eleyna was indeed pushing her limits; the wood was brittle and dry, moving far less fluidly than it had before. He did not linger, though, favoring instead to hack away at it, rocked and nearly losing his grip when the golem thrashed beneath its holding.
The Corruption, however, was ready this time, as black tendrils began traversing the lines of the tree limbs, down towards where Eleyna stood stiffly, chanting away. Death worked even faster, with harder strokes until again he merged his twin blades into one and gave one mighty swing downwards into the Heart Stone. The stone shattered, and with it, the left arm of the giant.
With no arms to fight or even support itself with, the Guardian began falling apart, crumbling like a house of cards. Eleyna, despite her agonizing fatigue, still managed to dissipate into leaves and pull herself away before her power completely drained and she was forcibly materialized once more, all but conscious. Death noted this and turned his gaze and his tread toward the pile of crumbled stones and stony face that was the last hope of the Makers. As he came up to the head, it began to vibrate angrily and then the beady eyes opened and glowed with a murderous stare towards the Horseman as it began to levitate.
Death, however, had no intention of letting this twisted creation get back up. He ran to and scaled the nearest stone, making a feral leap toward one that was already a few feet off the ground and then making for a third. As he scaled the length of this piece, he summoned his dark energies to become the Reaper once more as he leapt into the air. One mighty swing was all it took before the third Heart Stone, imbedded in the crown upon the Guardian's rocky brow also shattered. The black tendrils of Corruption, with nothing left to feed on, withered within the now-lifeless rock, and the great stone face moved no more.
As Dust took to pecking at the stone- the mangy crow's own way of putting its two cents in- Death looked from the stone to Eidard, who knelt now over the unconscious Eleyna, his giant hand outstretched over her limp frame. She had not been harmed in the fight, making it obvious that it was not healing that the Old One was doing to her, so he had to wonder what it truly was.
When Eidard was finished, signified when a golden radiance was momentarily emitted from Eleyna's chest, he turned to the rider. Death turned back to the Guardian's remains as the Old One hobbled up to him.
"You had no choice but to destroy him, Horseman." Eidard said weakly. Death's response came with a nearly silent sigh of relief and the sheathing of his blades. "Yet if the path to the Tree of Life is to be cleared, I have no choice but to bring him back."
"How many times would you have me kill him?" Death asked.
"The Guardian will be as a newborn, free of Corruption." the Old One answered. Death knew what Eidard's intentions were as soon as the Maker hobbled past him, holding his staff high above his head.
"And Eleyna?" Death questioned, causing the elder to pause. "I was of the belief that she thought very highly of you."
"She always has," answered the elder sadly, "and she always will. It was I who found her within the temple all those years ago. I was so young then- as young as Karn, even- and she was no more than a sprout, a curious lass. My people saw her power as a curse, but I knew it for what it was meant to be. With my passing, I open the bars to her cage; there is nothing left for her here, Horseman. What she seeks is outside this world. Remember what I said: the Tree of Life is a gateway. This is not the end of your journey, merely the beginning. The same rings true for Eleyna so long as she seeks the answers to the questions that have haunted her since she first appeared within this world."
Death then was briefly reminded of what the Warden had said just before he had crossed over into the Foundry. "You cannot possibly mean-"
"Now, stand aside." Eidard interrupted, brandishing his staff once more. "This will take more than a small effort." Once more, he raised his staff over his head before slamming the end of it into the earth with a loud cry. The energy emitting from the resulting shockwave was buckling, and the Pale Horseman had to brace himself against it to keep from being blown away. Dust, angry that he had lost a new perch, fluttered away, an inky mess of molting feathers and angry caws lost in the deafening pulse of energy. The remaining pieces of the Guardian rose and hung suspended, rejoined like the pieces of a giant puzzle. In the center of it all was Eidard, gripping onto his staff.
"You won't survive this." called Death over the ripples of power.
"I am a Maker." replied Eidard, his voice loud and clear over the thunderous call of energy. "That task defines my very purpose, as the reaping of souls defines your own. There is... no escaping it!" At that moment, the Old One faced Death, the blue flames of energy now bursting from where his beady eyes should have been.
The shattered remains of the three Heart Stones floated back up to their respective places, pulling together before lodging into the cavities on either shoulder and in the center of the crown piece. Death shielded his eyes against the light until at last it died down and Eidard collapsed, spread out on the ground, a limp and bloodied mess. Death approached, kneeling at his giant head.
"Get to the Tree now, Horseman. Your journey... is far from over." He took a deep, shuddering breath. "And... take Eleyna with you." This breathy request caused Death's eyes to widen within the eye sockets of the mask. "Eleyna's past is lost to her, and until that path is uncovered, her purpose in this life remains unknown. Her strife will never end... as long as it is kept from her. Only through Death... will Life find principle- only through Death will Life find... peace... at last..." And then the Old Maker moved no more.
The Pale Rider watched the embers of Eidard's life force smolder and then finally die with slight bitterness and a sliver of remorse before standing at his full height, allowing for once for Dust to perch on his shoulder. The crow did not receive much of a reprieve, however, before the Guardian again groaned to life. This time, Death was ready, taking a battle-ready stance, blades flourished as it stepped forward. He jumped back just in time as it stepped forward again, but it ignored him completely and instead knelt forward, looming over Eidard's lifeless remains. With one hand, it seemed to gently reach down and with a giant stone finger, it nudged Eidard's body. When it moved no more than that little push, something registered in those glowing blue eyes before they turned angry and it reared back to let out a deafening, distraught cry.
With the hammer in its grip, the Guardian made for the monstrous creature that still stretched itself over the entrance to the Tree of Life, skulking towards it. The giant green eye appeared to be alarmed- as it should have been, as it was embedded into the rock wall by the roots and had no means of escaping. The rock creature lifted the hammer high and with a fell swing, the hammer came down into the Corruption creature's eye. Death found an odd satisfaction in the sable colored liquid that sprung up around the hammer and the piercing shriek of agony omitted from the creature. After a second critical blow, the Guardian was ready to end it, but the creature of Corruption was desperate- desperate enough to reach out with inky tendrils and attempt once more to take over again. Death grew tense as the Heart Stones began to glow a sickly yellow once more as the stone creation struggled against its hold, but then the Guardian straightened and the stones that made up everything that it was turned back to the sky blue. It would not be Corrupted so easily a second time. With that same thunderous energy seeping from it as it had its Maker, the Guardian grabbed at its intended enemy and reared back with a mighty groan and then slammed its head into the eye of the abomination. There was a blinding flash of light and a massive dust cloud stirred.
The cloud disintegrated as the last rumblings of the great struggle died down, and as the Pale Horseman looked around, he saw that the only evidence remaining were a few stones littered here and there and a giant hammer laying on its side. The pathway was clear, but Death turned back to the Druid girl still laying in the tall grass.
Had things been different, and he been more like War and abided by more of a code of honor, he would've honored the Old One's final wish within moments. But he wasn't and time was of the essence. Still, he lifted the girl into his arms and carried her over to one of the sparse trees, leaning her against its base. No doubt she would wake up soon and discover that her close friend had passed on from this world, but her pain would subside one day. Fauna would return to the wood; flora would replenish themselves in the cleansed earth and she would soon find herself more than busy again. In time, no doubt, she would take that courageous step forward to find what it was that she sought.
"It is my belief that you would abhor being minded like a child as much as I do now." he remarked with an ironic laugh. "You are much more trouble than you are worth, child." He stood at his full height and walked away quietly. It was the closest thing to saying good-bye that he would offer her. She would never have to see him again, and it suited him just fine.
Dust perched on his shoulder, letting loose a soft caw before taking off as Death summoned Despair and the trio made for the Tree of Life.
The path to the tree was quiet, and even in the hallowed feel of the place, the mist swirling about in obscurity, he could sense that Corruption had left its mark here. The fight was not over, not by a long shot. Death guided Despair through this shrouded, serpentine path, mindful as ever of the mount's growing unease. Even as sunlight began to break through the mist and the tunnel over the path began to open once more, he remained ever on his guard. Sooner than he expected, the path opened up and he found that they were traversing one of the Tree's vast roots, twisting and turning until they came up to a stone-paved dais at the very base, where root met trunk and began the ascent. The scent that hung in the air was thick and very strange to Death, merely adding to the looming sense of apprehension, odd for Death. There were two alter-like areas off to his left and to his right, consisting of scaling branches that formed wide circles. Standing before these circles as constant vigils were statues. To the right were a pair of identical statues deeply resembling Muria, the right arm outstretched over her head. To the left, the statues were eerie cloaked figurines. Ahead was a ramp, leading up to the second level of the dais. The path split up to either side, yet again, to two more altars- one watched over by angel statues, the other by demons.
It was at the end of the dais, however, to the very base of the Tree that his attention was drawn. There rested a massive pair of doors, ornate and seemingly made of very precious metals. Depicted upon with great detail on each was a massive mural. The one on his left depicted a full tree with glorious plumage, full roots tangling over each other at the base. Life, the 'beautiful lie' itself, Death surmised. The door on his right was of a tree well past its prime, sick and bare, its roots shriveled and writhing. This was indeed an adequate description of everything he stood for- the 'ugly truth', as it was called. Between the two doors were three depictions- at the top, the wizened face of an older man. In the middle, there sat a skull. At the bottom, between two strange looking motifs Death could only assume were keyholes, there was depicted the face of a beautiful young woman. Closer inspection of this had him coming forward. First from the still eyes, then the mouth, then the forehead- soon followed by everywhere else within this motif, creating a giant black stain- the tendrils began escaping and Death realized too late that he had been caught in a trap as a strong tendril of blackness lashed out and ensnared him.
He struggled against it, pulling back, but the current was simply too strong and grew in said strength with every movement he made against it, especially as more shot out and pulled him further until he was seeping into the inky blackness. His hand, outreaching for some vain hope to find a grip on the outside, was the last thing dragged in.
Darkness was all that greeted him, not that he should expect anything less. There was no pain like he was expecting; he was merely suspended in shadow. He wondered why; if Corruption truly wanted to do away with him, why had it not done so now?
"And so you have come, bearing your sin like a badge of honor." began a voice in the shadows, oddly familiar to Death for reasons he did not know. "What do you seek, Pale Rider?"
"The return of mankind." the mentioned Rider answered honestly. The voice in the shadows laughed cruelly.
"To a barren planet, shorn of life? Humans are weak and simple, they would not survive this resurrection- nor do they deserve it!"
"That is not ours to judge." replied Death. "I do this to spare War from the Council's punishment."
"And what of the nephilim? Would you save but one, and not the rest?"
"The nephilim are a threat to the Balance."
"If we had taken Eden, none of this would have happened. Yet you rode against us- slaughtered our flesh, then bound our souls in your amulet!" the voice accused.
"Who are you?" Death asked, although at this point he was hoping that for once- just for his sake- he was wrong.
"I think you know." the voice accused once again. "Once, you called me Brother."
"Absalom..." Death breathed.
"I have forsaken that name. Now I am Corruption." That, indeed, was what Death had feared. "The day you raised your scythe against us, I was born. And soon, I will be all. The Tree of Life has fallen to my darkness, from withered root to lifeless limb- and even Death himself will not escape it!" There was a pause. "That creation cannot hide from me forever, and when I find it, not even Life itself will hold sway over me. No, I have plans for Eibhlen's last weapon..." The cruel laughter of the being that had once been called his brother rang in his ears as Death slipped further into the shadows.
The carnage was everywhere; weapons lay scattered, blood-smeared upon the ground, some still gripped by their owners in rigor mortis. Off in the distance, he could hear War cry out and the whistle of the infamous blade known only as Chaoseater through the wind as he swung it into his opponent. Strife's pistol shots pierced the heavy air and every so often, his ears also picked up on the cracking of Fury's whip. As for him, he took the silent approach, as per usual, yet all eyes were on him on this day. Arrows embedded themselves into his shoulders, but he didn't feel them. He didn't feel anything now- he could no longer afford to.
'Death!' called out the harsh voice of Absalom, the First of the nephilim, and by creed, Death's former older brother. He was larger and stronger by far than so many of the nephilim, his gate so wide that to lesser creatures he appeared to be a giant. Where as his physique was terrifying, his battleaxe only made him more so. A lesser nephilim would have run and hope he was distracted long enough for a quick escape. Much as with pain, Death felt fear no longer, either, even as he turned his head towards the one he indeed called his elder brother. 'Why do you slay your own?'
'The Nephilim have no claim to Eden.' Death argued as he fully faced the larger Nephilim.
'There are realms for Angels and Demons... why not for us?'
'Eden belongs to Man.' Tired of words, Death lunged at his brother. Absalom was ready and clashed with Death in a standstill.
'It belongs to those who take it!' Absalom cried angrily. Death's eyes widened within the holes of his recently-donned mask.
'You and what army? Eibhlen is gone; you haven't another leg to stand on without her 'children'.'
The three younger Horsemen rode on, continuing to slaughter their kind without remorse. They knew better than to interfere, no matter how they cared for Death- at least in the case of War and Fury. The Reaper- a name that would stain him for the rest of his existence- broke from the deadly lock with the First. Driving the curved blade of the scythe through Absalom's chest was both the easiest and the single most difficult thing Death had ever done or would ever have to do. He watched with every inch of his being drenched in self-loathing as the one he had looked up to so many times was reduced to a bleeding mess on the ground, gasping and retching for air, reaching for the younger.
'Brother..." Absalom gasped as shadows began to overcome him. Death bent down to grasp his arm in support. But the growing Shadow's pull was too strong and the Pale Rider could only watch as Absalom lost his grip and was pulled through, a full cry upon his scarred lips. Death was left there to kneel on the ground, kneel in the middle of that nearly empty field, left to have everything he had just done seared into his memory like a scar. And then came the start of the whispering voices. As they all swarmed around Death and became sucked into the amulet, he could hold back no longer, and he let loose a loud, sorrowful, wretched cry. This bitter victory could not be undone.
The biting cold was a sharp, yet familiar contrast to where Death had previously been. He did not need to see where he was; it was clear even without the use of his eyes where he was- the Plains of the Dead. But why had the Tree led him here?
Moreover, if Absalom truly was the avatar of Corruption, why had he not at least attempted to kill Death when he had the chance. And then an important piece came to his attention, something he had not thought about for quite some time, likely since it took place on that day.
"Eibhlen..." he murmured. He had met her, long ago, even before the annihilation of the Nephilim. Granted, she knew him by another name, one that had long since been forgotten.
It had started out so strangely. At the time, the immortal was still fairly young, just learning under the shaman that would one day become known as the Crowfather. The young Death had become very interested in her remarkable power over life; things had been very different then- very different, indeed. The friendship between her and Death was nothing like the lack of respect she had for Absalom; she could not tolerate his brutish ways, nor the fact that he seemed to be very forward in his advancements towards her. After all, the young immortal was devastatingly beautiful; the mural back in the Forge Lands had done her no justice whatsoever.
The straw that broke that particular camel's back, however, came in the midst of one of Absalom's numerous conquests, as the First was convinced that the 'minor tussles' were not worth the lives of his Nephilim warriors, and he had all but ordered Eibhlen to create for him an army of stone constructs, having had seen her instructing the Makers as to how to create them. Eibhlen outright refused, stating that she would rather suffer a bloody death than let her children be used for such purposes. When the First took exception to that answer and attempted to bludgeon her into submission, it was truly Death that secretly provided a way for the immortal to escape. That was the last time he had seen her; soon after is when he, War, Strife and Fury went to the council to pledge allegiance to them.
Now she was gone, having left behind a weapon of some sorts- and Corruption wanted it. Of course.
"Wrong name, but I appreciate the compliment." rang a familiar voice. Startled, Death turned to find Eleyna standing behind him, crossing her arms and gripping her biceps as she shivered.
"How did you-?" he questioned. Eleyna smirked and pulled from down the front of her shirt a golden necklace. At the end of it was a small bauble that glowed brightly- about as brightly as a miniscule sun- so much so, in fact, that Death had to shield his eyes for a moment before she put it back down the shirt front.
"Eidard made sure I would be taken care of when I went to look for my answers." she answered, her voice slightly tinged with sadness.
"Go back, child." he said simply, causing her to flinch.
"And what do ye mean by that?"
"This is not the sort of place that should be wandered by a child of Life." he answered. "You will not receive a warm welcome here, and look at you now- already shivering."
"Aye, thank ye for remindin' me that I'm cold." she bit back in spite of a wicked breeze brushing past her. "As for people not liking me, I don't give a bloody care in this- or any- world. I'm not here to make people like me. I'm here for my answers."
"I do not have time to mind you like a child." he repeated.
"And I'm not looking to be treated like one." she retorted. "I just... I feel as though goin' with you is ideal for gettin' the answers I seek. It's a pain, but no one said it would be easy."
"You disobeyed me once." began Death, a harsh bite to his tone that did not go unnoticed by the shivering Druid. "What's to stop you from doing it again?"
"That's only if I disagree with what you're orderin' me to do, Horseman."
"I am not negotiating with you, child. There are consequences for insubordination within my brotherhood- and I am the one who deals them. That should tell you my tolerance for your tomfoolery. You are in a land where the denizens will not think twice about killing you as soon as they look at you."
"What are ye tryin' to say, Horseman?"
"What I am trying to say, Eleyna, is that if you are intent on following me, you will do what I say, when I say it- without question or comment. Am I making myself perfectly clear?" Eleyna's delicate brow furrowed as she gazed at him. Death's gaze grew expectant, causing her to full on glare at him.
"Within reason." she hissed in spite of the cold. Death growled, knowing that that was probably the best he was going to get with her- but he would take what he could with her. "Now that we have that past us, where in the bloody universe are we? And why is it so bloody cold?"
"We are now on the Plains of the Dead, Eleyna." he answered.
Alrighty, and onto the Plains of the Dead we go, readers. Fun... BTW, I should also mention that I might be starting up a smaller series of separate chapters that go over the side quests. This is mainly because with what I have planned for this story, it will already be really long- longer than even 'A Caged Bird's Faith'. Also, I haven't played all of the side quests, so to try and play all of them would probably result in me jumbling a whole bunch of stuff up, so I figured I'd be better just keeping it simple and putting the side quests into a story of their own. That will probably happen soon, as well. I just have to figure out chronology with that one, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Thoughts, comments, concerns? I look forward to reading them all. As always, thank you for your patience and I will upload the next chapter when I can.