Remember how I said War would finally make an appearence be in this chapter?
I lied to you.
Hopefully you can forgive me though. :3 I wanted a little more domestic Horsemen before we get into the nitty gritty. To be honest I'm a lot happier with how this chapter turned out, and I hope you guys like it!
The first words you hear this morning are: "Hey. Human. I thought they gave you your own room?" The Watcher plucks your blanket off, giggling maniacally all the while. You can't bring yourself to reply.
You make a groaning noise instead and bury yourself farther in Strife's pointy embrace in an attempt to keep the warmth. Him and his goddamn armor are definitely a problem though.
"Fuck off." Strife snaps.
"Hmmm, I suppose I can just take (y/n) with me then?" It snickers.
You twist around, squinting blearily at the dark creature. "What are you talking about?"
"War's off the hook. The Council is making its decision today." It cheers happily, clasping its hands together. "You have a few hours to prepare yourself, advisor, you'd best not spend them snuggling our Horseman here."
"What if I want to?" You huff.
"Then we will assume you're forfeiting your role and have to... Terminate you." It tilts its head curiously.
You roll your eyes. "Fine, whatever, you rude... whatever you are."
Wait.
You scramble on all fours to the other side of the bed, demanding, "Did you just say I'm leaving today!? I'm gonna meet War!?" Your voice gets higher as the sentence goes on, becoming a near screech.
"Isn't it grand?" The Watcher says airily.
You spin back around and grab Strife's shoulders. "I'm gonna meet War."
He gives you a wain smile, clearly still annoyed by being awaken, "So I heard."
"Hey, Strife?" You say, unable to contain your excited grin.
He pauses, already knowing you'll wait until he replies, "What?"
"I'm totally gonna mack on your brother." You declare.
This grants you a full fledged smile, Strife shaking his head in mock disapproval. "Are you now? As his older brother, don't you need my approval to do 'mack on' him? I don't remember you making a request."
"Hmph." You grunt, smiling nonetheless. "As if I haven't made it painfully obvious tha-"
The Watcher leans against your back, its fingers caressing your shoulders affectionately although you're frozen with momentary terror. "You're interesting romantically in War? Still?" It giggles. "I thought you would've switched targets by now."
Strife is still quicker than you can even comprehend, although you've now had months of practice. He yanks you against his chest and away from the Watcher in an instant, Mercy trained on it. "Get back."
"Precisely what I'm talking about. You're in his bed, and he's defending you so fiercely." It trills, floating back to the doorway. "I will wait near the portal, great advisor. Make sure to say your... goodbyes."
You pretend you don't notice the purr in goodbyes. "Yeah, sure." Waving it off, you relax back into Strife and try to fight back your anxiety. It's okay, it didn't mean any harm. We're okay. "Why are they so touchy feely?"
"They view us as possessions of the Council rather than beings." Strife snorts. "As if they're above us."
"Well, I mean, they can fly." You offer, trying to lighten the mood.
"You say as if I can't." Strife's lip twitches upward.
You give him an incredulous stare, "What."
"You have yet to see my true form." He reminds you.
"Ohhhh, man, I cannot wait." You nudge his ribs, hiding your face. "Just you wait."
Strife takes a deep breath, tightening his grip on your before letting go. "Come on. We've got to pack your bags, unpry you from me, and make sure you're prepared to deal with my littlest brother."
"My backpack is already packed, and you only have one little brother." You say, getting to your feet.
"I don't see your point." He responds lightly.
He wolf whistles when you stretch, earning him a sound smack. "Ass." You snap.
"I'm kidding." He chortles. "You go take a shower and get dressed. I can manage breakfast."
You flash him a smile before disappearing down the hallway, silently thanking him. You do just as he requests too, and yank on your pre-selected outfit for your journey ahead. You're practically buzzing all the while, although its rather bittersweet. You're aware you won't have Strife to hold your hand, and that thought in and of itself is terrifying.
You practically sprint to the kitchen, finding Strife and Fury bickering over what kind of spread to put on your toast.
"(Y/n)!" Fury cheers as soon as you arrive, smiling. "It's show time, I hear."
"I guess." You say, hopping onto a bar stool. Strife uses her lapse in attention to slather on peanut butter (she doesn't like how it smells) and slide the toast over to you.
"Are you ready?" Fury hums as you take a few bites, looking you over for what feels like the millionth time. You know she just wants to make sure you're ready, but it's nonetheless disconcerting.
You also know what she's seeing. You've got more muscle mass than you've probably ever had, and your skin is marred with lacy, superficial scars from their harsh training. You know the determined glint in your eyes is more prominent than ever, as are the dark circles under them.
The biggest change in your appearance has to be the large burn scars though, which you and Strife decided have to be on display. It's intimidating, if not a bit dangerous to have your midriff un-armored.
You fancy yourself rather badass at this point, but you're completely aware you're still tiny and delicate compared to any of the Horseman. But I'm sure as hell gonna protect War anyway.
"Eat." Strife orders, noticing your expression.
You return to the present with a blink. "Sorry." You take a big bite just to appease him. Chewing quickly, you ask, "You think I'm ready?"
Fury pats the top of your head, "Of course. You're the third kingdom, after all."
God, you really are siblings. You frown, finishing the rest of your breakfast in silence. Strife and Fury fill in the blank with idle chatter, discussing whether or not you're fully packed and if we should find Death before your departure.
This proves unnecessary when the eldest Horseman strides in of his own accord, seeming even grumpier than usual. "Why is there a Watcher harassing my bird?" He demands. On his shoulder, Dust croaks in agreement.
"Game time." Strife answers immediately, surprisingly civil.
Death glares at him in reply, although he does allow you offer your hand to Dust. The bird hops off Death's shoulder and onto your wrist, happy to receive pets.
"Good morning, little one," You giggle, making Strife groan.
"Stop babying the crow. It's probably older than you."
"Yes, but he's tiny and feathered, which makes him a baby. Right, Dust?" Your voice drops into a coo. Dust squawks agreeably, tilting his beak up proudly. "And its not like big brother Death is gonna baby him."
"You are the only one to ever refer to Death as such." Fury remarks, sounding amused. A quick glance confirms she's smiling.
You smile in return. "It's true. All four of you are big compared to me though, which is just ridiculous. Is there even any reason for you to be so big when you're in this form? Like, I understand the whole being giant when you're in chaos form or whatever it's called, but right now?" You huff.
"Most preferred calling it our chaos form." Fury confirms, leaning forward. This is her explaining pose, you know. "And truly, there is no reason in particular for us to be 'so big' in this form. It's a matter of aesthetics, although certain aspects are unchangeable regardless of form. Eye and energy color, for example. Certain markings will carry over also."
"War is red, right?" You hum, thoroughly entranced.
"Indeed. He is also the only one with blue eyes." She motions towards her brothers. "Although there are only four of us now, I suppose that's less than impressive."
You still, pressing your lips into a thin line. It's now or never. "About that..."
"Hm?" Fury raises an eyebrow.
"Lets say... Theoretically, that's not completely true." You begin, biting down on your bottom lip. "Like, I can confirm y'all killed everyone else, but there is a possibility that maybe a pretty strong nephilim still holds a major grudge and therefore lives on in a convoluted sort of way."
"What the hell are talking about?" Strife asks, his face scrunched up in confusion. Death simply watches you with mild interest, while Fury seems to already be trying to put your puzzle pieces together. She knows the drill.
You make a conflicted noise, knowing you'll get in trouble if you say it outright. "What's another word for corruption?" You finally ask, your tone making it clear its rhetorical.
Strife sighs, patting the top of your head. "More cryptic hints?"
"Did you expect any less? That's their selling point." You can always count on Death for sassy, slightly insulting remarks.
"It's my specialty really." You hum, reaching up to capture Strife's hand. He makes a noise when you thread your fingers through his, but otherwise doesn't argue.
You keep his hand for the remainder of your breakfast, eating with one hand while they chat about your journey. At one point Fury rushes out to grab your backpack with a secretive grin. You decide not to worry about it. You've got much better things to worry about after all. Like dying.
You're forced to release Strife's hand to slide on said backpack, much to your displeasure.
"Put our training to good use." Fury solemnly hands over your halberd.
"Y-yeah." You say. The action of holding your weapon is comforting, but her words rattle your fragile confidence. You knew from the get-go you'd have to fight, but... It's still scary. And you'll only have War to rely on now.
"Ready, kid?" Strife asks with a grin.
"Not in the slightest." You answer earnestly, keeping your watery eyes on the halberd. "I..." You start, harshly biting down on your lip. "I'm gonna miss you guys."
The Horseman fall silent, something you would've marveled at yesterday (Death and Strife in the same room without fighting!?). Now it just feels suffocating.
Fury is the first one to break the silence, moving to tilt your face up and properly look at you. She's pouting, her eyebrows pulled together fretfully. "I forget how young you are."
"It's not gonna take that long." Strife adds, oddly uncertain.
"Yeah, but..." You can't quite put your emotions to words. This is what you've been looking forward to, meeting War and beginning this awesome adventure. But now... "I don't... What if I can't do this?" You demand, pretending that if you don't pay any mind to the tears they notice.
"Of course you can!" Fury instantly assures you.
"And if you can't, War will be happy to rip some demons apart." Strife reminds you with an awkward chuckle.
Even Strife is uncomfortable, you realize. This doesn't help your crying situation at all.
"I nearly forgot how much you two suck at comforting people. It's almost comical." Death snorts, shoving both his siblings out of the way. "(Y/N)." He states, waiting until you meet his fiery gaze to continue, "I wouldn't have agreed to assist you if I didn't believe in your ability. Weak human as you are, your determination can and will get your through this."
Death the motivational speaker is not something you expected. ...must be a part of the leader thing, you suppose.
"What about War? What if he doesn't trust me? As an advisor, or as... Me." You finally ask, voicing your biggest fear. If your presence does bring unwanted changes to the storyline, you'll need War's trust to return it to 'canon'.
Death shrugs, "You've won Dust over. War can't be too much of a challenge."
Did he just compare his youngest brother's affections to a crow? You know he's joking (in that weird way he does), but still! Your eyes go wide in shock, "Death! That wasn't nice at all!"
"You act surprised." Strife notes, not so subtly trying to get a rise out of Death.
"Here we to again." Fury huffs, flashing you a grin.
This, at least, you're familiar with.