by Jack Crosby
“If by fine you mean getting your ass handed to you by that brute Darius, then yes you are.”
The divine were like school children. Gossip spread like wildfire. “I was merely caught off guard. The next time, it’ll be he who looks like shit.”
“I wish I could believe you brother, but let’s be honest. You have gone soft from your time here.”
“What do you mean by that?” I was getting pissed.
“Exactly what I said. You were in a fight with a demon general and you were so arrogant to think you could over power him with Leviathan. What happened to the Death that single handily would end entire civilizations?”
I tore another bite off my sandwich. “Times have changed. You can’t just whip up some celestial fire and murder millions of people.”
His eyes lit up. “You can’t conjure the celestial blaze that easily anymore, can you?”
Pssht, what did he know? “Of course I can. Just a few days ago I summoned a chain and reform it into an orb molten goodness.”
“You lie to me and to yourself. When you were in trouble in that pit, you tried to summon the power and it failed to answer the call.”
“Hmpf.” Apparently he knew a lot.
The smile returned to his face. “Brother, I do not mean to scold you but it is time you remember who you are. You are not a human, you are Death. If you have any hope to survive the coming tribulations, you must regain your old form.”
“And how the hell do you expect me to do that?!” Irritated, I tried to stand up to walk away, but my ribs burst with pain. Shit, I fell right back down. Conquest just stared at me with sadness in his eyes.
Roxanne walked over and put her hands on my shoulders. “It will be alright Master. Just rest and continue to listen to your brother.”
“For once a demon who speaks wisely. I must admit I am surprised by your company, but I do sense a change.”
I looked at him. “What do you mean by that?”
“That is a conversation for another time.” He turned back to Roxanne, “Would you like to hear a story?”
She plopped down right beside me, no regard for my physical pain. “I’d love to! What is it about?”
“I am sure you are quite familiar with the Aztec warriors, correct?”
Her eyes got really big. “The natives who tried to reason the demon Quetzalcoatl?”
“The very same. And you are probably familiar with the fact they were wiped from existence without leaving a trace?”
“Everyone is familiar with that. Rumors have it that the Horsemen were responsible.”
Conquest looked at me. I remained silent, just staring at him with annoyance. Waving my hand for him to get it over with, “That is partly true, but only one Horseman was responsible.”
Her eyes went from him to me and back. “Is it who I think it is?”
“Yeah it was me, okay?” Congratulations Conquest, you win.
“Not only did Death bring an end to those people, but he fought the Bird demon… and won.”
I’m not going to lie; this was kinda a big deal. That piece of shit Quetzalcoatl convinced the Aztec priests to bring him to Earth by using human sacrifices. For years this went on until they became successful. We were sent in by the Almighty to cleanse the land.
The look Roxanne gave me was pure ‘I’m in heat’ and I had to start thinking about sad puppy dogs and old ladies before I lost my shit again.
“It is quite the story, especially if told from someone who was there to witness it.”
Petting me now, Roxanne wanted more. “The Bird demon was said to be one of the worst creatures to ever come into existence! How is it you were able to defeat him, but had such issues with Darius?”
“Because Conquest is right. My powers have faded quite a bit since my permanent move to Earth. I no longer can summon the celestial fire at will. I’m nothing but a pathetic shell of myself.”
Saying it out loud brought in a rush of pain and fear. Truthfully against the minor demons I’d been spending centuries sending back to Hell, I’d gotten arrogant, cocky, and lazy. I’m surprise my ass kicking back to reality hadn’t happened sooner.
“But fear not brother that is why I am here today. The world needs Death, the Horseman who inspires fear and terror.”
“How do you plan to accomplish this brother?”
He smiled that damned irritating smile. “First, let me tell your lady friend here the story of the Fall of the Aztecs and then I shall dive into the semantics of getting you back on your feet.”
“Fine, but make it quick. This story pisses me off.”
His white eyes sparkled. “There is only one way to tell the story. War, Famine, and I were sitting on top of a ridge, watching the pale rider gallop across the land…”
Chapter 21 – The Fall of Quetzalcoatl
“Death approaches brothers!”
I could hear War and his loud voice from the valley below. Khloros was galloping as hard as he could, time was of the essence.
When I reached the bottom of the ridge, I signaled for one to come down. Conquest responded to my call and I waited as the white horse made its way down.
As he pulled up beside me, “Death, what news do you bring?”
“It is as the Almighty feared; the natives are too far gone. They worship the Bird demon and bathe in the blood of their own. Judgment shall be cast.”
He tilted his head down in disappointment. “What is decision brother? Shall any be spared?”
Cold anger washed over me. “Death comes to all. None who remember their ways will walk away this day.”
“So be it. I will gather the others.”
I put my hand up. “No, that is not required. I have cast judgment and I shall be the reaper as is my post. Tell War and Famine they may return. Conquest, stay as my witness.”
Without another word, he made his way back up the ridge. In the moments while I waited for his return, my only thoughts were to the acts I was about to commit. Khloros was strangely quiet, offering nothing in ways of an opinion or strategy. He simply stared off into the distance, looking at the Aztec temples.
“It is done brother; War and Famine have return to the Garden. Are you sure you are in no need of my bow?”
“Save your arrows for another time. Today the world will learn why Death is the oldest and most terrifying of us all.”
Without another word, we began our descent.
**Conquest**
I had never seen my brother so hard and cold. Something must have happened while he was in the city. Many sunrises and sunsets had passed before he called. War was looking forward to this, but it seemed only one of us was needed and that was just to bear witness.
Leviathan was strapped to his back, ready to reap the souls of the unsuspecting natives who we were charging towards. My horse Leukos even noticed a distinct change.
“Conquest, this is personal, is it not?”
We were two to three lengths behind and with Death in such a trance; I doubt he could hear us. “It certainly appears so.”
“Do we need to interfere?”
“No, to do so would be a mistake. If true that they are trying to bring the Bird demon to Earth, then the punishment fits the crime.”
He seemed satisfied with that answer. Not long after did we come to the outskirts of the civilization. Death stopped and turned back to me.
“This is a good spot. Stay here and observe only, even if it seems I am in trouble. Do you understand?”
His young face, boyish young, had been replaced with a mask of anger. “Of course brother, I shall do as requested.”
He spurned Khloros forward and brought Leviathan to position. Screams of terror were soon to follow as the massacre began.
**Present**
“That does not sound like the guy sitting beside me. That Death sounds like a fucking badass!”
“I forgot to warn you Conquest, she likes to interrupt.”
He looked at both of us. “It appears so. Quite the
mouth you have to young lady.”
Her red eyes did their thing. “I am probably as old as you, thank you very much.”
That brought up a pretty good point. I didn’t know that much about Roxanne’s lineage. I mean, I knew she was Beelzebub’s mate, but the Arch-Demon probably had millions of those.
Conquest picked up on it too. “Oh due tell then.”
“A lady never tells her age, but I will oblige you with this piece of information. I’m one of Lilith’s daughters.”
Neither one of us responded right away. That answered a lot, as Lilith was the oldest Lust demon we knew about. Depending on what generation she was, Roxanne may even be as old as me.
“No need to think about anything else boys, that’s all I am willing to give you.”
“Then back to your initial assessment,” Conquest looked at me, “my brother was definitely a bad ass as you say. The Aztecs were no match for him. Unfortunately by the time we made it to their main temple, the ritual was complete.”
“So you faced the Bird demon one on one? Conquest, you didn’t help at all?”
He smiled, “As I said, I was just there to serve witness. Now, if you allow me, I will finish the story.”
**Past - Conquest**
The area laid covered in red, bodies of those already reaped strewn about the city. I had agreed to bear witness and this was an event I would never forget. I watched in silence as Death was a whirlwind, Leviathan cutting down the final guards as he ascended to the top of the temple.
“Come Leukos, he is about to enter.”
Dodging the bodies, we followed his wake of destruction. It was only as we got closer to the top than I felt a wave of demonic energy wash over me. “Quetzalcoatl has risen!”
“Conquest, we need to interfere, the Bird demon is not to be trifled with!”
I agreed and I steered Leukos into the temple. In the center, covered in waves of demonic lightning, was Quetzalcoatl. Death was under him, pointing Leviathan in his direction.
“You should have stayed in Hell Bird demon! It would have saved you the pain and suffering that comes with facing me.”
“Horseman,” as he talked, sparks flew off his feathers, “If you think you can challenge me and survive, then please do! It has been so long since I have feasted and you will do nicely.”
I went to move into position beside Death when I noticed Leukos and I had been bond by celestial fire chains. The fool had stopped us from interfering.
“Enough chatter Bird, let us begin!”
Instead of raising Leviathan, Death brought his hand up and created three balls of celestial fire. Tossing them into the air, they surrounded the Bird demon. His black eyes followed the path but then turned their attention back to Death. Flapping his wings, gusts of wind filled the temple.
Death brought Leviathan down into the floor to hold his position. As the gusts flourished, lightning began to crackle around the claws of the bird. Seeing his was about to be struck. Death let go of his scythe and flew backwards away from the blast. The wind carried him into the stone wall, his body shattering it.
The wind died down and the Bird demon laughed at the fallen body of my brother. “Fool, you thought your power was equal to mine. There was a reason Lucifer banished me to the Seventh Circle!”
Death stood up, a smirk appeared on his face. “Your arrogance blinds you.”
“What?”
Quetzalcoatl never saw the attack coming. My brother had focused so much of his energy into the celestial fire that he was willing to give up the initial attack. The orbs blazed to life and quickly turned into chains. One wrapped around his claws, another around his body and wings, and the last wrapped itself around his beak.
No longer able to keep himself airborne, the demon came crashing down to the stone floor. The smell of burning brimstone filled the air as the chains burned brightly.
As my brother walked over to him, grabbing Leviathan on his way over, the Bird’s black eyes radiated hatred. “Do not mistake this as a victory Horseman! One day when you least expect it, Hell will bring you to your knees!”
“Shut up bitch.” He brought Leviathan down, severing the Bird Demon’s head. The body exploded in a burst of demonic lighting, sending Death flying back towards me.
The explosion caused him to lose control of the chains binding myself and Leukos. Jumping off my horse, I was able to catch him. “That was unexpected.”
He looked up at me. “Put me down.” I was amused but decided not to push it. Once firmly on the ground, “The deed is done. None remain and the Bird demon is back in the depths of Hell.”
Even though he was victorious, sadness filled his eyes. “Is everything alright brother?”
“It will be. For now, let us return to Eden, I grow weary of being here.”
That too was odd. Of all the Horsemen, Death spent the most time here, even telling me he preferred to be among the humans. “Very well, let us make our leave.”
Once we were away from the now lifeless city, Death gave one last glance back. Getting down off Khloros and to one knee, I heard him recite a prayer, asking for forgiveness, but not for him. He was asking for someone he had just reaped.
**Present**
“And that is the story of the Fall of the Aztecs.”
As Conquest finished the tale, I remembered why I hated it so much. All the feelings I had buried came back to the surface.
“Master, I saw you use your celestial fire! The power is still in you!”
I gave Roxanne a weak smile. “A flicker of that power is inside me. The Death that defeated Quetzalcoatl is a distant memory.”
“Speaking of memory,” It was Conquest’s turn to grill me, “what happened that day that changed you? We all noticed it, but no one had the spine to ask you.”
I cursed the both of them. “I fell in love with a priestess during my time there. I thought I could change her and bring her to the Almighty. I ran out of time and I killed her during the massacre.”
“So that’s…”
I pushed myself up and silenced Conquest. “That is enough. Right now I wish to be alone.”
And with that I walked out of the living room and to the back bedroom, tears flowing from my eyes.
Chapter 22 – Time to Get Back Up!
There was a soft knock on the door. “Master, are you okay?”
“You don’t have to call me Master, Derrick or piece of shit will do just nicely.”
She opened the door and walked in. Sitting beside me, “It makes sense now why you did not end the mortal’s life. You were trying to heal a very deep wound.”
Stupid sex demon and her insight. “Try as I did, I still ended up making a fucking mess.”
“Your heart was in the right place. True you made a giant mess, but damnit you can’t give up so easily.”
We sat there for a little bit, neither of us said a word. I tried to reason with what she said, that my heart was in the right place and breaking the rule at the time was the right thing to do. Who was I kidding though? The torment Maggie must’ve gone through to have been broken like that would’ve been worse than death.
There was only one thing to do. “You’re right.” I tried to pull myself back together. “All we can do is keep on fighting, huh?”
She looped her arm around mine. “Let’s go see what your brother has to say. He is here to help you.”
When we got back out to the living room, Conquest was on my phone. “I can see why you live here! These devices that allow you to play games are amazing.”
“Okay, you see why I’m here, now why are you here?”
“As I said before, I am here to help.” He opened his hands up and a bow materialized. “I thought for old time’s sake we could spar.”
I laughed. “You just want to kick my ass finally, don’t you?”
“The thought never crossed my mind.” The smile on his face disagreed with his words. “However, that is a positive to what I’m proposing.”
“Huh… yo
u’re on.”
Roxanne had different feelings though. Stomping her foot to the ground, “I can’t let you do that! In the condition you’re in, all you will end up doing is fucking yourself up more!”
“Roxanne…”
She stood in front of me. “If you can get passed me, then you can do whatever you want.”
I looked over at Conquest for help. He offered none. “A fine idea! Death, take the lady up on her challenge!”
“Listen, I don’t want to hurt you.”
She laughed, “Oh really?” With lightning fast reflexes she grabbed my arm and twisted it behind my back. With as much pain as my ribs and shoulder were causing, I dropped in no time. “Beg for mercy! Tell me who the bitch is!”
Her voice had gotten rougher and her eyes were glowing. “Roxanne, let go!”
She twisted it harder. “Come now, I’m just a sex demon! Show me your power Master!”
This wasn’t what I was expecting. If I didn’t do something, she might really rip my arm off. I tried to overcome the pain and concentrate. It was faint, but I felt the celestial power. I tried to call upon it but nothing. Screw this, I can’t call upon it, I must demand it!
“Holy shit, that burns!” Roxanne’s hand dropped my arm like a hot potato.
“Good! Continue to draw from it, command it!”
The feeling was wonderful, my power coming back! Pushing the fire harder, I began to form a chain in my hand. “Hey, I can still do this shit!” Then it disappeared. I was so close and now it was so far away.
“Derrick, what happened?” Roxanne’s hand had a big burn on it from where the fire caught her.
“His anger was replaced with joy. It seems as of right now, Death’s power only comes to you when you are pissed off.” Conquest walked over and looked at the burn mark. “You are lucky Lust demon, had he had more juice behind it, you would be back in the depths of Hell.”
That brought Roxanne down. I got up and walked over, “Hey, I wouldn’t do that to you. I’m sorry that I burned you as bad as I did.”
“No, I’m the dumbass. I should not have pushed you as hard as I did.”
