Let's get this over with. Don't own Darksiders. Don't own Blood Red Roses by C21FX. There. Done. Just… don't hate me… Please?

War

The Watcher never liked the demon girl. Always changing names, never staying in one place, never having to be loyal to anyone but herself. It all ticked her off.

"Maybe you should follow her." She told the Horseman, floating closer. "You've got to wonder what the high and mighty Charred Council want with such a lowly demon." Truthfully, she didn't know herself but could tell that it wasn't anything good. The Watchers had seen the she demon roaming about in the Council's domain a couple of times, even been sent to bring her there before, but never found out what for.

"Alina, was it? You don't know much about her, do you? No one does, besides her brother, of course. Now's your chance to find out."

War was about to tell the insolent Watcher off but found that she was right. Briar kept far too many secrets from him. Besides, this wasn't the first time he had tailed his little demon. So, without a word, he summoned Ruin and went after her.

The Watcher watched the Horseman go and would have been smiling, provided that she had a mouth.

Dun-dun-dun! To the Council's domain! Still hate them!

He found her simply strolling through the Hellish plains, the intense heat not seeming to bother her at all. Not really surprising given the fact that she was a demon. As usual, she sang as she walked.

"A storm is loosed upon the sea, whose eye is stained with tears."

War knew he shouldn't be doing this but had a gut feeling that something was wrong. Over the years and countless battles, he had learned to trust his gut.

"A wretch Hell-bound and bent on blood, the makings of the fearful's fears."

They were getting closer to where the Council waited. War could see the stairs not far off.

"The tide it stole away her grace, the depths, they wouldn't claim her."

Briar was at the base of the steps now, War not far behind.

"A toil begat by father's blood, this path was laid before her."

A quarter of the way up.

"Redemption borne by brigand's blood, a blight upon the darkness."

Halfway.

"The pact embraced, a road unsought, the Maiden of Death won't be unwrought."

Three quarters.

"Her wrath is known throughout the black, the gardens of death she is tending."

I'm just trying to prolong the song because I really like it.

"Vengeance is her only ward, Beware the blood red rose's thorn."

"Cease that infernal singing, demon!" the mean sounding head shouted, spitting fire.

"Eh, I was done anyway. Pardon me if I don't bow. So what do you want Stone-For-Brains?"

"You are proving to be a nuisance-" said the middle.

"Tell me something I haven't heard before."

"You are compromising the Horseman War's missions and are to stay away from him."

"Nope, heard that too, or the second part at least. And is someone jealous? Aw, how cute."

"Be quiet! We are above such petty and human emotions!"

"Mm-hmm… Since you obviously haven't noticed I'll point it out for you. Every time one of your Watchers has come to get him, he's left me to attend to you, or whatever you wanted him to do. I would hardly call that 'compromising'."

"Regardless, there is always a possibility and we cannot afford to take that chance."

"So that's your basis? That there is a 'possibility' that I could somehow screw up his loyalty you corrupted bastards? I don't know about you but I'm pretty sure that his arm being cut off was a pretty good reminder not to go against you."

"Enough!"

"Don't get mad at me. Not my fault you're spewing out shit as well as fire."

"You will stay away from any and all of the Horseman!"

"Or what? You'll have me imprisoned? Tortured? Killed? Bring it on! I'll be waiting." Her challenge thrown in the Council's stone faces, Briar turned to leave but was stopped in her tracks at the leftmost's next words.

"There are more than just physical ways that can be used to make you obey."

"…What do you mean? You have no power over me like you do your dogs and I will not hand over my name to incompetent fools such as yourself."

"Not you, but we know of another who has. As a part of our deal with him, he gave us his name and services in return for protection."

"No…"

"Yes…" War found it disturbing that he could hear an odd note of glee in the rightmost's voice at being able to crush the she demon like this.

"You wouldn't dare hurt him. You need him, he's one of your most powerful clairvoyants. It would just be easier to have me killed."

"You have connections, demon. Important connections. Ending you would risk disturbing the Balance and ensuing a rebellion."

Who could she have connections with? The Horseman found himself wondering.

"So you decided to go with the underhanded method of threatening my brother? That's low, even for you." She said through gritted teeth.

"The Balance must be maintained. No matted the cost."

Briar was trembling with unadulterated hatred now, "Fuck you! Fuck your Balance! You think I give a shit about any of that?! Where's your Balance when the angels kill off innocent demons for no reason other than the fact that were forced to bear a mark of servitude?! Where's your Balance when the demons kill off poor humans for shits and giggles?! Where in the nine rings of Hell is your Balance now?!"

The Charred Council didn't answer. War couldn't tell if it was from a lack of an answer or just by choice.

"…Fine." The she demon spat out, "I'll keep away from the Horseman. But if I find out that you did something, anything, to my brother… I will rip all three of you bastards apart stone by shitty fucking stone until I find whatever creature, entity, or whatever the Hell you really are and I will… Make. You. Suffer."

Not letting the Council get in another word, Briar turned on her heel and stalked away and down the stairs.

War stayed hidden as she passed and soon followed her down. He found her at the bottom of the stairs, eyes closed, head leaned back, hands resting easily on the hilts of her short swords. Waiting. For him.

He joined her at the bottom.

"How long had you been there?" she asked him.

"Since the beginning."

"You really should get that stalking problem checked out. Nasty habit, that is."

"Why?"

"Because it's considered very rude and creepy in the human realm."

"Why did you agree to the Council?"

She hung her head, allowing her hair to hide her face, "I'm sorry… But… brother is the only immediate family I have left. I can't let anything happen to him." Finally looking at him, she gave him a sad smile, "You understand right? Family comes first… I'm sorry."

She started to leave but War grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"War, stop. This is already hard enough."

"You said you would stay."

"Here?"

"With me."

"C'mon now, you're War. Tough, honorable, un-cuddly War who always has a frown on his face, never laughs, and never shows his emotions besides anger, calm, more anger, and surprise. You'll be fine without me."

Reaching up, Briar wrapped her arms around the Horseman's neck and gave him one, final kiss. "I love you." She whispered before letting go and walking away.

"Alina…"

She stopped and turned back to him. War could see her eyes shining with unshed tears.

She let out a nervous laugh, "I must be a complete and total idiot for doing this but… I'll tell you a secret if you promise never to tell…"

He didn't say anything and Briar took it as an agreement.

"Briar. That's my name. My… real name. I just… just wanted you to know before I… Goodbye."

Finally, her tears spilled over and ran down her cheeks as she took to the air and sped away.

Briar. War thought her name over and over again.

He would keep her name a secret and take it to his grave.

He would find her again.

He would get his demon back.

If it was the last thing he did.

If he had to fight the Council itself.

He was War of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.

Fighting is what he did best…

I'm kidding! Go ahead and hate me! I know I'm a horrible person! :D Anyway, enjoy the rest of this story!