You know what the hard part about studying is, for me? The hardest part ends up being getting the will to continue on without being distracted by some other shit that's less boring. Unfortunately, this is also compounded by the fact that I have the Horsemen to take care of and hope they don't go wrecking the house while I'm gone for half a second. Good thing they live with me inside of a house I can manage them in, and it's a good thing we're currently studying with each other as well.
Conquest: So you seriously don't get Statistics? It's 100% easy if you gave a shit and decided to actually put some effort into it. If we're starting with the basics by definition, experimental research has the opportunity to draw direct cause and effect conclusions. And there's also post-facto research, which can't prove cause and effect. Following me here? With your attitude currently, there's a 63% chance you may fail the next exam.
Me: I'm following, I'm following. So experimental research can draw conclusions on cause and effect while post-facto research is different and can't do the same.
Conquest: And as you should know, there are quasi and true experiment types for the experimental research. Of course, true experiments are better at providing a connection to causation than quasi experiments, while quasi experiments are better than post-facto research. Therefore, whatever research you might have, you have to take it with a grain of salt.
I'm just going to skip a bunch because having Conquest talk about statistics while I'm trying to get something going here is REALLY going to piss some of you off into wanting to kill me. Of course, I have to suffer through this, but you guys can jump straight to the end.
Conquest: … So in conclusion, Statistics is 50% reading comprehension, and 50% word problems. We'll help you for this.
At this point, I've tuned out the end of the conversation and almost fell asleep. I almost fell down until I noticed War slumped over on the ground snoring. Famine is leaning against the wall, sleeping while standing. And for some reason, I just felt the feeling of Death sleeping against my right shoulder. Great, now I have to stop him before I get stuck standing upright forever.
Me: Okay, I think I studied enough for today. Conquest, let's go for some tactical retraining.
This makes the group shoot up. Unfortunately, the force of Death shooting up ends up hitting my nose, giving me a nosebleed.
Me: Great. No no, it's fine Death. I can get some cotton balls myself.
I shove some in my ears and find the group looking at me, perhaps eager that I throw a bone to them, or perhaps more eager that they can teach me some things. I do need the most training out of the group after all.
Me: So, I was thinking that we can do group combinations and think of some names for them.
We should've done that a while ago, but I had studying, paintball practice, Long Knife asshole, the Horsemen's pasts, and all sorts of in between bullshit. Oh yeah, and I had to help these guys adjust to the Academy so they didn't try anything that made them stand out as anything extraordinary. No time was available.
Me: I was thinking Death and War could be … Annihilation, War and Conquest could be … Onslaught, Conquest and Famine could be … Total War, Death and Conquest could be … Absolute Victory, Death and Famine could be Despair, and War and Famine would be March of Hell.
War: That's a lot of names, and you are not thinking of good ones.
Me: Well, that's what we're going to stick with until you guys find a better combination. And how about this: you've already seen how that DeGiorno bastard got past us?
Famine: Yeah, what's your point?
Me: What other powers have you got?
Famine: Let's see, I've got another one that enables me to detect exactly where one is by allowing roots in the ground to sense out the heartbeat of the person. Unfortunately, DeGiorno didn't have a heartbeat on his clones. So, how would we beat him? Wait, could you use your powers in conjunction with War and spot your targets better? You would have to use Death to carry you up in the sky while cloaking the both of you. You could use your eyesight to see your targets.
Conquest: But how would we get Death to – NO! You wouldn't!
Me: Yes, in order to use that type of combination, I would have to restrict War's powers while lifting Restriction Power Seal 9, enabling Death to carry even more weight.
War: Pipsqueak, leaving some Horsemen depowered is extremely dangerous and can lead to some unwanted consequences.
Death: I agree with War. Pipsqueak, you can't do this. This is dangerous for us. (Good god, she's giving me that stare that screams don't do that. It is her most dangerous power as she is not only very cute, but very attractive when she does that. Must… resist… urge… to refuse… plan)
Me: Couldn't we have Conquest guard you guys by watching out with his spear? Since his ammunition is unlimited since he can regenerate axe/spears after destroying them, he can keep guard and destroy and projectiles that try to harm you guys.
Death: Fine, we can try this. But don't say I didn't warn you if the strategy doesn't work.
She smiles at me and waves goodnight as she takes the room next to me. Famine decides to move into the bedroom across from me. The parents' bedroom is off limits though, as I don't want them to fuck it up too badly.
The next morning (this is 2 days after the talk with War), we all head to school at 8:30. Since we live close, we arrive there fairly quickly and get to homeroom in time for it to start. We took our normal seats and await the beginning of class, but we get a surprise.
Teacher: Hello homeroom, we have a new student today, actually 4 new students. Say hi to Shaunnad, Karsnip, Jaundice, and Alistair.
I don't take mind of them, but Sarvty instantly starts to fidget. Conquest visibly starts shaking, War angrily glares, and Death looks at me with a mixture of "protect us" and "save me."
Me thinking: Death, who are these guys?
Death thinking: These are the infamous Gravedusters. They are our sworn enemies and part of the Organization called the High Priests of Samael. These guys are the antithesis of what we stand for as people and will try any means to destroy us. Please Pip, be very careful around them. They should have their own person to activate them.
They walk by my desk and each of them give me a glare. The second one gives me a light tap on the shoulder, and I glare back with malice.
Karsnip to unknown: This guy ain't scared easy. I look forward to breaking him, to pieces.
By now the teacher has left the homeroom and we get some alone time for half an hour. By now, I could make out the identity of their activator.
Aaron: I always knew you were weird Andrew, but I didn't realize you were the Agnum to my Activator. I am going to look forward to besting you, and after I'm done with you I'm going to find the Rainfall Testament and kill this Trigger person. Just you wait Andrew, I'm going to enjoy breaking you to pieces and putting you back together; except, there won't be much left of you when I complete your puzzle.
I could feel something in my bones shake violently with anger. No, this was worse. For the first time in my life, my mind was completely clouded by an animalistic urge to stab Aaron to death with the pencil across from me. Death grabbed my hand, and pleaded with her eyes to not take any rash actions. So instead of attacking, I simmered in anger. Aaron and I were friends since the beginning; hell, we were supposed to be the best possible friends. Not only did we do everything together, but he even helped stand up for me against some bullies. Was he always a part of these High Priests? Why does he want to kill me? Why would he never tell me about this kind of activity? I always knew his dad's job was a strange one, but I could never have imagined it would be in a cult of super humans designed to kill the Horsemen. I have to find out why he turned out this way and stop him from going through with his plans.
Conquest thinking: This must be their latest incarnation. Every Horseman has a Graveduster designed to kill their Horsemen with that specific power. Every time one bests the other, the victorious one must automatically retire as the victor. The score is roughly 51% to 49% in their favor. The odds don't look good so far.
Death thinking: Shaunnad you bitch. I've had to watch you torture my sister in front of me while I was imprisoned before my execution. You were the one that sent her off. I'm going to eviscerate you.
War thinking: That piece of shit. He's a part of the fuckers that killed stabbed my family over and over. That psychopath, I'll kill that piece of shit Karsnip.
Conquest thinking: I have to kill Karsnip before War gets too angry and fucks up against him. As for Jaundice my immortal foe, even in death we still waged wars against each other on opposite sides of the battlefield. Me, methodical yet caring for my soldiers. You piece of shit with fake compassion and an absolute willingness to sacrifice everyone to meet your goals, I must finally vanquish you.
Famine thinking: You bullying piece of shit, captain of the guard that enjoyed punishing and manhandling anyone that even tried to feed themselves. If there is one person I hate more than my father, it's you who actively and sadistically inflicted torture on the citizens while making me watch as some part of sick humor.
Aaron laughed that laugh I now find absolutely appalling. That annoying hyena laugh caused attention towards him. How dare that piece of shit call me my friend while lying to me about why he hung out with me? He probably knew I was the Agnum all along, and his statement was just for show to fuck with my head. This school year just got much harder.
Me, Death, War, Conquest, and Famine thinking (I'm the one talking here): Okay guys, we're going to talk during lunch, but I'll start this conversation here. We're going to…