Disclaimer: I own nothing. Capcom owns Devil May Cry, while Nordic Games owns Darksiders.

Darksiders May Cry: Series Prologue

In life, there are things that are guaranteed: good and evil, light and darkness, matter and anti-matter. All of these things must exist in perfect harmony. To help ensure this delicate balance, there must be those who's purpose is to maintain it, and so it was by the Creator's hands that the Charred Council, beings as old as the very universe, was formed. Their sole purpose for existence was to maintain and enforce the continued balance of the universe, particular when it came to the on going war between the Angels of Heaven and the Demons of Hell. The armies of these two races had waged a timeless against one another, but eventually the two came an agreement when the Charred Council entered the conflict, if only to survive the Council's ruthless enforcers of the balance. To all, they were known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse; Death, The Reaper, Kinslayer, and Leader of the Horsemen; War, The Conqueror, The Red Rider; Fury, The Black Rider; and Strife, The Outlaw.

These four beings came into existence from the unholy and sacrilegious union of both Angel and Demon essence; Nephilim. The Nephilim once numbered in thousands, and waged a rampage across all existence, burning multiple worlds to the was the four, who having grown tired of the endless slaughter and destruction, turned on their kind, following an agreement with the Council, where for unrivaled power, they would swear loyalty to the Council. Their first task as enforcers of the balance: exterminate all their brother and sister Nephilim, who threatened the continued harmony of existence, and cast their souls into Oblivion.

And so, the Nephilim were annihilated, with the Four being the only ones to survive. Following this victory, a third kingdom emerged, on a world that would come to be known as Earth, a Kingdom of Man. Despite their frail bodies, the Charred Council prophesized that this cunning race would one day play a major role in the Balance, and so a pact was formed. By the order of the Council, a truce between Heaven and Hell was enacted, forged into Seven Seals, that when the time came, and the Kingdom of Man was prepared and ready for the Endwar, the battle that would determine the fate of all three races, and bring peace to all.

However, it wasn't long after the formation of the truce that plots and schemes began to reveal themselves to restart the war early. The primary culprits were the denizens of Hell, who wished to test the extent the Charred Council would enforce the pact. While the dregs of the second kingdom were the ones who had started pushing the limits, the first kingdom was not exempt from such attempts, though were noticeably more subtle compared to the former. It was from one of their Watchers that the Council learned of the most recent scheme of the demons, who intended to invade the third kingdom, this being their most bold test of the Council's resolve to enforce the truce. So, the Four Horsemen were summoned by the Charred Council to take action to deal with this bold faced defiance and violation of the truce.

"The law is clear," the center head of the Charred Council bellowed towards the gathered Horsemen who knelt before the three heads, "But the denizens of Hell already test the truce and invade the Third Kingdom!"

"The demons are arrogant, but even they are not so stupid as to already violate the law while it is still in it's infancy." Replied Death, knowing that while Demons are proud, even they are not so moronic as to already invade the Kingdom of Man.

"Be silent, pale rider! This is a blatant attack on the balance, do well to remember what you serve." Snapped the third head, which was more narrow in comparison to the other two.

"What would you have us do?" Inquired War, not one for politics or the nerve of those who would test the will of the council.

"The law is clear: any defiance from either Angel or Demon is to be dealt with. A lack of enforcement of the truce, will only breed more defiance from both factions." The middle head explained.

"The reports have revealed that the demons have already sent a few advance parties to establish a gateway into the kingdom of man." Informed the second head, which had horns compared to the other two heads.

"So what, we go in, kill the demons responsible for opening a new gateway, take out the head honcho, close the gateway?" Guessed Strife, his tone more flippant and casual.

"This defiance must be quashed, rider! It must also set an example to dissuade any notions of further rebellion from either demon or angel!" The third head ordered.

"Then why are we still waiting here then?" Demanded Fury, her patience having already worn thin, "If we are to make these demons pay for their transgression, just send us out to make an example of them!"

"Very well. Rise, Horsemen... and show the denizens of both Heaven and Hell the price for threatening the Balance!" Declared the middle head.

Suddenly, flames began to envelope the Horsemen, making them groan in pain before they vanish from the realm of the Charred Council. The mission made clear: kill the ones who threaten the balance by invading the Kingdom of Man, and make an example of them. A warning to both the demons and angels alike, that none may live to upset the balance before the Seals have been broken.

Four spheres of fire fell from the heavens, each speeding down to the Earth, towards a forest alongside a mountain range. While there were other ways to the Kingdom of Man, this was the most direct route to the perpetrators who dared incur the wrath of the Charred Council and their feared enforcers. Besides, the Horsemen were ordered to make a statement to both demons and angels, and what better way to begin that statement, then by making a showing of power during their arrival.

The four balls of fire slammed into the ground, sending smoke, fire, and dirt flying from their impact. The echo of the impact sounded through the air, bouncing off the nearby mountains. From the craters, the four Horsemen emerged, their weapons drawn as they walked through smoke and fire.

"Alright: we got the dramatic entrance done," noted Strife, his tone still casual as he drew his twin pistols: Redemption and Mercy, "What's step two?"

"Locate the gateway created by the demons and make them regret their transgression," stated War with blunt honesty, gripping his massive sword: Chaoseater in his right hand.

"You would think the Council would have given us a clear location as to where this gateway," Fury said, her tone conveying annoyance, the handle of her blade whip held tightly in her right hand.

"I do not believe that will be as difficult as you may think, sister," pointed out Death dry as he spotted a massive black tower not far from where they impacted.

"Of course the demons make it a giant black tower," huffed Strife, more than familiar with demonic architecture, "As expected, but you'd think they'd mix things up a little."

"What does it matter how they constructed the gateway," stated War, frowning as he summoned his steed, Ruin, "We will destroy it and kill them regardless."

"I do love your straightforward thinking, little brother," Fury smirked in a playful manner as she summoned her own steed, Rampage.

"Do try to remember that our mission is to kill the demons, not the humans," reminded Death, recalling what happened last time the Horsemen were on Earth. How thanks to Lucifer, humanity had been changed by what he taught them.

"I get the notion that we won't be seeing many of those hairless primates around the tower or gateway," stated Fury, having not much care for humanity, if any.

It was true that many angels and demons tend to look down on humanity as lesser beings. They live very short lives, are extremely fragile, and so easily frightened. The horsemen were no different, at least two of them were that way while the other two didn't outright look down on these beings.

"Still, try to keep in mind that this is humanity's new home," interjected Strife, "let's try not to ruin things for them anymore then the demons already have."

"We will not concern ourselves with the humans, but if they are in league with the demons, then they will be punished as well," declared War as he pulled on the reins of Ruin.

A moment later, Ruin began galloping in the direction of the dark tower, Fury close behind on Rampage. Death and Strife followed after them, summoning their own steeds; Despair and Mayhem. Together, the four rode towards the black tower, mission clear in their minds. What they would find, however, would only raise questions the warriors have not faced before.

The journey to the demonic structure was not a long one, thanks to the speed of the horsemen's steeds. There was also very little on the human's world that posed a threat to them. Unlike the realms of Heaven and Hell, where the former was a series of floating islands in an endless sky while the latter was either a blazing inferno of brimstone or a frigid wasteland of ice and bone, the human world of Earth was much more peaceful.

The peacefulness of this realm hardly influenced the riders as they closed in on the black tower. In fact, the continuous silence actually put the Horsemen on edge, for if there were demons on Earth and they were closing in on their fortress, then there should have been some signs of demonic activity. But, there wasn't. While there had been evidence of demons being in this place, where the demons had gone was a mystery.

This fact was made even more prevalent when the four entered a small human village near the foot of the black tower. What stood out most was the lack of any humans or demons in the village. It appeared to be completely abandoned.

"Alright, I'm gonna say it; it's too quiet," declared Strife, his finger on Mercy's trigger as he got off Mayhem's back, the steed vanishing from sight as the other horsemen dismounted from their own steeds that also vanished.

"For once, brother, I agree with you," stated War as he drew Chaoseater from his back, "the absence of the demons is disconcerting."

"I sincerely doubt those beasts abandoned this place so suddenly," scoffed Fury as she observed the area around them.

It was then the four heard a caw from above. Circling over them was a crow, though this one had orange eyes unlike the crows of earth where their pupils made up the majority of their eyes. The bird circled around a few more times before swooping down to perch itself on Death's shoulder.

"You sent Dust as an early recon, smart," noted Strife, impressed that his eldest brother had the foresight to dispatch his little bird friend.

"You should know me better than that, Strife. I always make sure to know what's ahead," stated Death as he then turned his attention to Dust, "What is it you have found?"

Dust squawked once before the bird's eyes began glowing green. Death's eyes also turned green as images of what the crow saw were transferred into Death's mind. Images that included the signs of battle and bloodshed, however, what stood out was there were no bodies of humans in any of the images.

"Strange, there is evidence of battle, but there are no human corpses," revealed Death, blinking as his eyes returned to their normal color.

"Hold on, are you telling me that the humans faced the demons and forced them to retreat?" Demanded Fury incredulously, refusing to believe that these hairless primates were able to best the dregs of hell.

"Impossible, the humans are no where near capable of such a feat," said War in agreement, having been there with Strife to cull the violent humans when Lucifer taught them his secrets and corrupted them. The humans were fierce, but they were also extremely fragile.

"Maybe we've just been underestimating them?" Strife threw out there, but only received blank gazes from his siblings, "Yeah you're right, if the humans did fight the demons, then we would see a bunch of bodies."

"What ever the case or reason for the absence of the demons, we may find the answers within the tower," stated Death, among the visions from Dust, he saw an entrance into the tower.

Following Dust, the Horsemen made their way to the base of the black tower. They passed through the village, which had been completely abandoned. Many of the homes were empty, deserted by the former occupants, but the enforcers of the Council paid them no mind. Their focus solely on their mission to the tower, which eventually brought them to the edge of the village that was closest to the demonic structure. It was also here that the Horsemen had their first display of demonic presence on Earth.

"Well, looks like we know for sure what happened to the demons," noted Strife dryly as he and his brothers and sister looked across a battlefield littered with corpses of demons.

Sure enough, dozens of bodies of demons were scattered across the battlefield, many of them killed in different ways, ranging from being stabbed or slashed to outright being eviscerated in chunks of bloody meat.

"Humans could not have done this," stated War as he entered the battlefield, clenching his stone fist tightly.

"What was your first hint, brother?" Inquired Fury bluntly, following her youngest brother as they surveyed the dead. Before War could snap back at his sister, Death intervened.

"Enough," Death's commanding voice cut through the air, getting the attention of his siblings. His steely gaze shifted from one sibling to the other, a silent warning that their internal disputes were a distraction from the mission at hand, "We are here to deal with the demons, not engage in petty arguments."

War grunted in acknowledgment, his stone fist unclenching slightly, while Fury rolled her eyes at her eldest brother. Death, undeterred by their reactions, reminded them of the gravity of their purpose on Earth, "Our duty is clear. Let us proceed to the tower and uncover the truth behind this demonic presence."

"Yeah, let's save any anger we have for each other for whatever demons might still be alive," said Strife in agreement, spinning both Redemption and Mercy on his fingers.

The Horsemen resumed their journey, the tension lingering in the air. As they approached the dark tower, the frequency of demonic corpses increased, strewn across the path like macabre decorations. Each lifeless form told a tale of fierce resistance and overwhelming force.

"Well, looks like these demons didn't have an easy time," Strife commented dryly, stepping over the remains of a particularly grotesque demon.

"Clearly," War grumbled, still annoyed from the earlier exchange.

Fury, recognizing the futility of their arguments at the moment, chose to focus on the task at hand. "Let's get to the top of this. The answers lie within that tower."

The Horsemen pressed forward, their determination unwavering. The black tower loomed ahead, a foreboding structure against the backdrop of a desolate landscape. The unsettling quiet persisted, broken only by the occasional caw of Dust, perched on Death's shoulder. Now that they were closer to the tower, there were even more demon corpses to be found. Ranging from demonic creatures like Gholens, Fallens, Phantoms, and even Shadowcasters, to beasts like Traumas, Legion Bolspitters, and other larger creatures of Hell.

"Only heaven is capable of facing hell in such a manner," commented Fury as she passed by the corpse of a Trauma, the beast having been sliced in half length ways from the stomach up.

"Perhaps, but heaven wouldn't dare break the truce so soon after it's formation," countered Death, being familiar with the angels of the white city.

As they ventured deeper into the tower, passing through dimly lit chambers filled with eerie echoes, the siblings continued to exchange theories. Strife, ever the cynic, suggested, "Maybe the demons turned on each other. Hell is no stranger to internal conflicts."

"Unlikely," War grunted, his gaze scanning the ominous surroundings. "The level of destruction suggests an external force."

Fury added, "Or perhaps a power struggle among the demon lords. They've always been power-hungry."

The Horsemen's discussion echoed in the cold corridors, the answers to the mysteries eluding them. They reached an elevator at the heart of the tower, its stone doors opening with a heavy grinding noise. As the elevator descended, Death, his gaze fixed on the elevator's doors, continued the conversation.

"Whatever happened, we must be cautious. The demons' absence doesn't bode well for Earth," Death remarked, his tone grave.

Strife, leaning against the elevator wall, chimed in, "Maybe. We're stepping into a mess of some type."

The elevator came to a sudden halt, the metallic doors sliding open with a haunting screech. The Horsemen exited into a massive circular sacrificial chamber with a mechanism used for rituals. The air was thick with malevolence as they stepped into the main sacrificial chamber. The exchange of theories ceased as their attention turned to the ominous surroundings.

In the heart of the chamber was a demon that was around the size of a human, vaguely insectoid with clawed hands, a scaly hide, a pair of downward-facing ram horns, chiropteran wings with beetle-like wings underneath, hooves for feet, and reptilian spines protruding from his back. Parts of the demon's body appeared to be made of greyscales with accents of red and purple, with gold veins on his hands and arms, chest, shoulders and back. A red diamond eye shaped gem in the center of the demon's forehead, and skull-shaped gold knees and elbow guards with small horns. The demon's slit-like eyes were closed, but on it's hip was a katana while across the back was a large claymore-like sword.

With the demon was a human woman, who appeared to be wearing priestess clothing. She had dark hair and light colored skin, and looked to be praying. Between the two of them, there appeared to be a sort of amulet, floating in the air at the very center of the chamber.

"Well, looks like we found one demon," noted Strife dryly as he and his siblings drew their weapons.

As soon as the horseman spoke, the demon opened his red pupilless eyes and turned to look at the approaching enforcers of the Charred Council. The moment he saw them, his expression shifted to concern.

"I knew the Council would send you four, but not so soon," stated the demon, his tone full of apprehension, "but the ritual is not yet completed."

"What did you expect when you slaughtered your own kind," Fury countered, brandishing her whip as she prepared for battle.

"I am responsible for their slaughter, but you must understand, it is for good reason," Pleaded the demon, stepping towards them, his tone still filled with urgency.

"Deception is a demon's nature. We won't be fooled by your empty words," Declared War as his eyes narrowed and his grip tightening on his sword, "All who threaten the balance shall be punished."

With that said, War charged forward towards the demon, swinging his sword, but given how wide he swung Chaoseater, the horsemen would also hit the woman. The demon immediately sprung into action, putting himself between the sword and the woman. He blocked the strike with his claymore, before retaliating by kicking War in the stomach, sending him sliding back. Fury and Strife were about to attack, until Death spoke up.

"ENOUGH!" Shouted the pale rider as he stood between his siblings and the demon.

"Uh, you get hit in the head?" Gaped Strife as he looked at his older brother.

"I was not," replied Death curtly as he turned to look at the demon, "What reason would you have to protect this human, demon?"

"If you would allow me, I will explain everything," answered the demon as he lowered his sword.

"And why would we listen to you?" Demanded Fury, clearly frustrated from the lack of battle and already fed up with her time on earth.

The demon responded by planting his sword tip in the floor, "My name is Sparda, high general for the legions of Hell, and I have chosen to betray my kind for the sake of humanity's survival."

All the horsemen just looked at Sparda with skepticism. They looked to each other, but ultimately decided to hear the demon out. It wasn't uncommon for demon's to betray their kind for power, but hearing that one was betraying his own for the sake of humanity was unheard of until now. Little did the four know, that Sparda's actions on this day, would come back to haunt them over 2,00 years later.

Fin

Basically, a short prologue for the main series of Darksiders May Cry. I know it's short, but I'm still struggling with my writer's block and my mental health in general. I hate to admit, but I've been using ChatGPT to help supplement my writing by filling in parts I am struggling with. I hope you all can forgive me. In any case, I hope you like the chapter, sorry there wasn't as much action as you all might have wanted, but I'm doing my best.