Pterodactyls of the OMG nature here! First off, copyrights! Don't own Darksiders or The Reason by Hoobastank! Second off, …I forgot… Oh well, enjoy the sucky chapter! I'ma go climb a tree and scare small children!

War

War set the sleeping Briar on his bead, mindful of her injuries. She had fallen asleep not long after they left Strife, mumbling something about healing faster. Unable to find her cave, he took her to the only other safe place he could think of. His home.

It was more of a castle really, one he'd commandeered long ago. Most of the decorations that had adorned the halls and rooms had been torn down. There was no particular reason for this, just that War got angry sometimes. This one room, he'd kept as it was and claimed it as his. Now…he guessed he could share it with his little demon.

The Horseman carefully cleaned and bandaged Briar's shoulder wound the best he could but didn't know how to treat the rip in her wing so he left it as it was. She said that it would eventually heal but still he worried. He knew that her losing her wings would be like him losing Ruin…

"War! Get out here!" The Rider looked out the high window to see a Watcher floating around below, unable to get inside.

He groaned inwardly, a summons from the Charred Council couldn't have come at a worse time. He looked back at the sleeping she demon. He didn't want to leave her here alone, but he couldn't just ignore a summons…

He covered up Briar and went outside. Perhaps if he hurried with whatever they wanted him to do, he could make it back before she woke up.

"It's about time!" the Watcher said when War exited his home, "The Council wants to see you Horseman."

"Another mission?"

"What do you think?" snapped the Watcher, then floated off, expecting the Horseman to follow.

I'ma skip! You know why? *Flips a table over* Because I can! That's why! It's such a great day!

War arrived at his destined location just in time to see angels fighting off the last of a demon horde. Said angels were shouting out their victory as the last demon ran for the hills when they spotted the Horseman waiting patiently nearby.

The Council had sent him here, since Strife was still unconscious somewhere, to deal with the angels who were causing a ruckus over the "attack" in their city.

"How dare you?!" one of the winged nuisances shouted, flying over to meet War, "How dare you murder our friends and family and destroy…"

Your ultimate weapon. War thought finished for him. "It was an order from the Charred Council. They were trying to disrupt the Balance."

"To Hell with your Balance, Horseman! And to Hell with the Council!"

That's when the angels made the mistake of attacking the Horseman. The sounds of halberds firing and screams of pain and anger rang through the air and for the second time that day, blood and feathers flew.

Only one angel was left now, the leader of the little gang of wanna-be misfits. Letting out a battle cry, he tried one last desperate attack at the Horseman's back.

Without even turning around, War stabbed Chaoseater under his arm and into the angel's chest. Blood gushed out of the new wound as the victorious Horseman removed his massive blade from the dying angel.

The angel staggered back until he fell onto the ground which was already saturated with the blood of him and his comrades. As he died, he reached a hand towards the sky, as if in a final farewell to the daylight he would never see again, "We failed you Caedri…"

Now that the foolish angels were gone from this plane of existence, War left to give his report to the Council. After that… to see if he made it back in time…

Whoooo! Skip again cause it's still a great day and I'm hyper for some unknown reason! Also because I still hate the Council! Also, also, why did the random angel get such a descriptive death scene?!

He opened the door to his home and was instantly blasted by a rich, earthy aroma and… singing. So he didn't make… But what was that smell?

"I'm not a perfect person, There's many things I wish I didn't do, But I continue learning, I never meant to do those things to you, And so I have to say before I go, that I just want you to know."

War tried to follow the smell and the sound but Briar's voice was echoing throughout all of the corridors and the smell had permeated the whole castle, making it impossible.

"I've found a reason for me, To change who I used to be, A reason to start over new, And the reason is you."

Naturally, he checked his room first. As expected, she wasn't there but it was worth a try.

"I'm sorry that I hurt you, It's something I must live with everyday, And all the pain I put you through, I wish that I could take it all away, And be the one who catches all your tears, That's why I need you to hear."

He'd open a door, expecting to find the she demon, only to find an empty room with dusty furniture instead.

"I've found a reason for me, To change who I used to be, A reason to start over new, And the reason is you."

By this time, War was growing frustrated. As he walked down one of the many hallways, he noticed the unfamiliar smell getting stronger.

"I'm not a perfect person, I never meant to do those things to you, And so I have to say before I go, that I just want you to know."

He finally found Briar in the dining hall, feet propped up on the long table and a steaming mug in her hands.

"Oh hey War, didn't hear you come in. Quick question: Howand why does a Horseman of the Apocalypse have coffee? What, do you sit here on your mornings off, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper? What's it called, by the way? The Apocalyptic Times?"

"How are your wounds?" he asked, joining her at the empty table and ignoring her questions.

"Eh, shoulder's healed but it'll take my wing a while yet, stupid appendage. So where'd you go off to?"

"The Council summoned me for a mission."

"Oooh, sounds fun but you couldn't leave a note or something?"

"This isn't the first time you've woken up in a strange place."

"It's only the fourth or fifth time… I think. Someone's a bit sour aren't they?"

War chose not to answer and instead stared at the table. He heard a sigh and the next thing he knew, the she demon was flopping into his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck.

"What's wrong with my big, bad, War? Did the other kids make fun of your hair again? Tell Br- Alina who it was and I'll beat them up for you."

He couldn't help but smile at the demon's preposterous suggestion, and the fact that she almost let her name slip. She must still be sleepy.

Suddenly embarrassed, though War couldn't figure out why, Briar let go of him and hung her head, letting her hair obscure her features.

"Look, um, thanks for… saving me from your brother." She mumbled. "And for not trying to kill me yourself since he said it was an order from the Council."

Gripping her chin, War tilted her face up so he could look her in the eyes, "I would never hurt you."

"Not intentionally right? After all, accidents happen."

The Horseman wondered what she was talking about when she made him loose his train of thought.

"Let's fight!" she said out of nowhere.

The Horseman could only look down at the smiling demon is surprise.

"Not like fight fight, but just a little sparring match. I've fought the undead, Makers, angels, demons, and a whole bunch of other things but never a Horseman. Well, besides Strife but he doesn't count since he uses pistols. Plus he always tried to kill me so it technically can't be labeled as sparring."

"I cannot fight you." The Horseman stated, hoping that would end it.

"For the last time, it's not an actual fight, just training. And I would never pick a real fight with you."

"I will not fight you." He amended.

"I will not take no for an answer."

War found himself unable to say no to the smiling demon anyway, "You will regret this."

Briar jumped off his lap and ran out of the dining hall, "I probably will."

*Rolls around in the floor for no discernable reason* I feel I have to admit that I laughed more at that Apocalyptic Times joke than I should have… MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Homicidal vampire priest because why not?!