by Jack Crosby
Pyrrha was injured, at least the last time Famine saw them, so that should be our first target I decided. “We find War and reunite you with Mavros. Then we’ll go get Veronica and Conquest.”
“We should make haste then. Pale horse, would you honor me by allowing me to ride on your back.”
Khloros had let the two of us talk, but now Famine was making a formal request of him. That silly old horse was all about formalities. “Black Rider, it would be my pleasure to assist you.”
“Now that you two are done being all weird and shit, can we get moving?”
Chapter 23 – Of War, not Piece(s)
Khloros rode hard, kicking up the reddish dirt under hoof. Both of us had our hoods down, doing our best to shield of eyes from both the wind and the dust. With an injured horse, we weren’t sure how far War would get and if anything had chased him.
Khloros began to slow down. “I can feel vibrations in the ground. Something big is near, probably in front of us.”
I lifted my hood down and saw a giant dust devil whipping across the landscape. “No shit! It’s called a tornado!”
“Not that you fool! In the windstorm is a monster. Look at its movements; it is not some random occurrence.”
I tried my best to do as the horse told me, and sure enough, the pattern of movements was a bit odd. Then I looked closer at the base and saw two figures zigzagging back of forth. One was a red dot with a blob on its back, while the other was a jet black streak. “Look there! It’s War on Pyrrha and Mavros!”
“Pale Horse, get me in close!”
With barely a chance to get my hood back on, Khloros took off towards the chase. Whatever was inside that storm was going to be a big challenge. I only hoped Famine already had a plan.
As the dust devil grew bigger, Famine got to his feet and leapt off Khloros’s back. He planted his hands on the ground and yelled. “Rise!”
My little brother needs no weapon for he is a weapon. The ground obeyed his call and walls of rock formed blocking the wind storms path. War and the horses saw what was happening and changed course to come back over to us.
I got my first good look at him and Pyrrha. War’s steed had a nasty gash on his back leg, but it looked to have healed as well as it could under these conditions. “Death! Famine! The Tempest found me!”
“Son of a bitch!” It all fell together, of course this was the Tempest.
With nowhere to go due to the rock walls Famine created, the wind slowed down, revealing the features of a massive deranged woman. Easily thirty feet tall, her blue face cracked an awful grin as she spied us. “Three of the four Horsemen! What a treat!”
Each word sent gusts of wind at us, nearly knocking me off Khloros. “Oh man, get a breathe mint please!”
“Brother, do not piss her off anymore!”
“Shut it War, pissing people off is what I do.”
She wasn’t having any of our banter. “Be quiet! How dare you mock me, Tempest, Abaddon’s true love!”
“Ehhhh, do you two actually have sex?” Even in the most deadly of situations, I tend to be me, myself, and I.
Tempest was losing her cool. “Without me, where would my husband get his creatures for his Hunt?! Without me, Tartarus would not be the place where nightmares come true!” Then something must’ve clicked in her monstery brain. “You killed my dire wolves Reaper!”
“Guilty as charged lady. And I’d do it again because it was just so much fun!”
War’s celestial fire blazed red and armor covered his body. “If those horrors are your spawn, then killing you will be doing everyone a favor!”
I found his blowhard proclamations annoying, but War was right. My chains joined the party. “Yeah you ugly old hag! Your little creatures have fucked up our days for the last time!”
Famine, back on top of Mavros joined us, bringing three quarters of the Horsemen together for the first time in eons. Black orbs circled his body; currents of static energy leaping between the three balls of pure magic. This wasn’t going to be pretty.
Tempest stared down at us, hate raging. “Too long has it been since I have had a challenge worthy of my being! Your corpses will rot here forever, a reminder of how badly you fucking failed!”
Above the monster, dark storms clouds formed, lightning crashing into the wasteland floor. Torrential downpours followed, soaking the three of us and our horses as we didn’t move. If she thought this display would shake our confidence, she was sadly mistaken.
War raised his sword high in the air. “For Eden!”
What the hell? My scythe joined his weapon. “For Eden! And Mexican Beaches!”
Wind whipped around Tempest and she renewed her charge towards us. The three of us split into different directions. I guess she wanted to finish her pursuit of War first as she chased the red streak. Khloros made a sharp turn and we took off towards the wind storm.
A black energy ball hurtled by us, disappearing into the storm. The wind didn’t stop, but Famine’s attack must’ve hit as a shriek split the sky. Lightning from the storm struck out of nowhere, but missed me by inches.
“Khloros, we need more speed!”
“I am giving it all I have got rider!”
“Did you just make a joke?”
He ignored me and lowered his head. Pushing his muscles to the max, his thundering hooves began to catch up to the twister. With my chains ready, I leaned forward, ready for my shot.”
“Death, be careful.”
I appreciated my buddy’s concern, as this time it sounded even more heartfelt than I can ever remember him sounding. “Just be ready to catch my sorry ass if I come flying out of that thing!”
The wind was really blowing at our current proximity. Doing quite possibly the stupidest thing I’ve done since I left Hell, I jumped off Khloros, hoping to get sucked up into the storm. As I took air, the wind grabbed my body and rushed me into the cyclone of death (seriously, I should stop saying these things, shouldn’t I?). My body was being flung around like a ragdoll, but it was worth it. In the middle of the storm was Tempest and she didn’t know I was here.
I let her winds do the job of getting me to the sweet spot. As I rotated around, I got really closer to her hair. As I started to pass again, I reached out with my chain and jackpot! I got it tangled up. The force of her wind pulling me caused her hair to get yanked pretty damn hard too. With her concentration lost, the storm stopped.
Without the wind pulling me, I fell straight down in the neck of Tempest. Her skin was ice cold and jolted me into a response. I kicked myself up and tried to run up vertically to the top of her head. Her hand was quicker than me and plucked me off like a bug.
“Puny Horseman! What did you hope to accomplish?” Up this close, her breath was even more rank.
“This.” I pointed up as one of Famine’s black orbs crashed into her eye. She screamed and as predicted, I went flying into the air in a fit of fury.
A grey blur was moving fast towards the spot where my body was attempting land gracefully. I twisted myself enough where I landed on my stomach, safely on Khloros’s back. “You saved me buddy!”
“Thank me by helping War and Famine end this bitch’s life.”
We galloped back to the fight. War was running around the weird windy base of Tempest, slashing through. Droplets of white liquid were falling, telling me the skin was just under cover. Famine was adding more injury to insult, creating barriers, stopping Tempest from fleeing while his orbs continued to skewer her.
Blind in one eye and no longer able to get momentum going for her windstorm, Tempest was at our mercy. I’m not one to toy with a foe, no matter how awful they are. “Famine, can your orbs support my weight?”
Without answering, he sent one my way and I hopped on. “Send me as fast as you can towards her heart!”
On cue, the orb took off right on target. I readied Leviathan, and as we came in hot, the blade ripped an opening in the beast’s chest. The orb never stopped moving, using the blade as a way to te
ar the path open. Covered in goo, I broke out through the back seconds later.
The orb slowed down and brought us back around to where War and Famine were waiting. On the return trip, Tempest’s lifeless body crashed to the ground; another unthinkable creature gone for good.
“Well done brothers! Just like the old days!”
War’s enthusiasm was a bit contagious, even when you’re covered in weird smelly goo. By the way, this has happened to me too many times during this adventure. First the hell worm and now Tempest. Someone was going to pick up my dry cleaning tab!
Famine stroked the back of the black horse’s mane. “I am sorry I could not follow you Mavros. That was the worst decision I ever had to make.”
“Thank nothing of it rider. Survival is paramount in these situations.” The blasted horse’s voice was even deeper than Famine’s already low bass tones.
Well now that we saved War’s sorry ass, let’s go find our fourth brother, Dante, and Veronica shall we?”
Famine and I started going back towards the battleground, ignoring War’s protest that he was never in any danger.
Chapter 24 – Conquest and Consequence
We took a breather just on the other side of the battle field, as far away from the decaying smell as we could. “Well, the Wild Hunt’s days are numbered. No more Mother of all Monsters to make new ones.”
“Our days may be numbered too Death. We have just killed Abaddon’s mistress. Do not think he won’t be out for blood.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “He was always going to try and kill us. I mean really, how much more dangerous can the dude get?”
“You must take this more seriously!” Oh man, here we go again. “Famine, Conquest, and I have not suffered as we have to watch you make light of the situation!”
I cold cocked him right in the jaw. “Don’t talk to me about suffering! I went to Hell and fought Lucifer himself to get us the weapon we need! Don’t think for one minute that my journey was any easier than yours!”
Black rings formed around War and I, restraining us. “Enough of this. We are brothers and everyone has their part to play. War,” my taller brother flinched at his name, “you must stop antagonizing everyone. If we do not work together, this plan will fail.”
I stuck my tongue out at him (juvenile I know), which earned me Famine’s glare. “And you Death. The oldest and strongest of us; Start acting like the leader we need you to be and not the child who uses Earth as a personal playground.”
Letting my brothers down was the last thing I wanted to do and judging by Famine’s expression, I’d done just that. “You’re right. Since leaving Eden, I haven’t been the Horseman you need me to be.”
“Who you are while not on assignment is your business. I actually like this more lighthearted version that has traveled with me so far. But,” and here came the point, “we’ve just killed Tempest. Abaddon is coming for us and the persona you buried so deeply in you is who will lead us to victory.”
The restraints dropped, freeing both of us. I stuck my hand out towards War. “My apologies.”
“And mine as well.”
With that settled, it was time to ride again. “Rest is a premium. Come brothers, we don’t stop until we find our brother and the angels with him.”
The change on my tone, from light to serious, brought a shift in the dynamic. Both War and Famine shifted from equals to followers in that split second. They jumped on top of their horses and joined me. “War, Famine, we ride! Let the thundering hooves of our steeds warn those that stand against us the Horsemen are coming!”
No longer caring who heard us, we stampeded in the direction that Conquest and the angels were last seen. Something had chased them and I got the feeling it was Abaddon. The sheer volume of footprints suggested the entire Wild Hunt was after them.
Khloros, Mavros, and Pyrrha were up to the challenge and not a single one grumbled about the pace we were pushing. For Khloros, running with his brother horses was something I knew he truly missed, even if he pissed and moaned about them. He gave up a lot when I made my decision to leave Eden.
This landscape, I knew it. “The Forest of Eternal Torture approaches!”
The three of us pulled in the reigns, slowing to a trot. “Conquest told us about it, how the three of you slayed the dire wolves.”
“It was a fight you would’ve enjoyed immensely War.” This also brought up a certain challenge. “Do you think they would’ve taken refuge in it?”
It was an open ended question to everyone, but Khloros would be the best one to answer. And he did. “Not knowing what kind of control Abaddon has over the forest itself that may have been the safest play for them.”
“Great.” Trees that are alive and will do everything in their power to kill you, the Forest of Eternal Torture was quite possibly the worst place created, bar none. “We go in, but be on your guard at all times.”
As the forest approached, we didn’t stop to even gather our thoughts. In fact I spurned Khloros on at even greater speeds, those trees be damned! Famine and War copied my movement and like three heat seeking missiles, entered guns ablaze.
The black trees came to life and their branches, sharp and deadly, doing their best to make horseman kabobs out of us. Famine and War followed my lead at a breakneck pace. Speed was our asset and we were going to abuse it greatly.
Our first major test came when roots began springing from the ground, attempting to trip us up and make us easier targets. Khloros almost bit it hard, but by the grace of the Almighty, kept his balance. A branch nicked me, but it wasn’t hard enough to cause me to falter.
In front of us, the branches began forming a black wall. “Well buddy, you got any ideas?”
He let out his battle cry. “Hang on Death! We are going to break that fucking wall down!”
I took my moment to grab on tight to the reigns. I never heard Khloros say fuck before. I braced for impact as the pale horse crashed into the branch wall. Those poor branches never had a chance upon impact; the sheer power Khloros generated probably would’ve taken down a brick wall.
As the three sets of horse and rider passed through, we came to a barreling halt in an open area. Our dramatic entrance also brought out the three people we were looking for. Dante, Veronica and Conquest were standing there, dumbstruck.
“I can’t believe it! Dudes, that was so awesome!”
I smiled at the enthusiasm displayed by my brother. “Conquest, you’re still alive? That’s gotta be a miracle or something!”
“Someone had to keep these two Debbie Downers alive while we waited for reinforcements.”
Dante took offense to this. “We would have been just fine without you Horseman. Remember, it was my idea to seek refuge in this cursed forest.”
Veronica, who looked quite a bit older than I last remembered, stepped between them. “Please both of you, we do not need any more infighting.”
“Did you get the sword boy?”
Not that I appreciated Dante referring to me as a boy, but I let it slide. “Lucifer has given us a way to summon it when the time comes. Once we come across Abaddon, it will appear to me to grant to my champion.” I looked at Veronica when I said it; she seemed resigned to her fate.
“Well that shouldn’t be too much longer. When he left, he proclaimed he would be back with even more monsters in his hunt.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about that Conquest.”
Famine got down from Mavros and stretched. “The three of us killed Tempest. He has no way of creating more of his creatures.”
Dante’s mouth dropped. “You killed his mate? I don’t know if I should be happy or strangle you fools.”
“We had no choice; she was openly attacking War and Mavros. Famine and I joined the fight and slayed the bitch. She deserved nothing less.”
Veronica took offense to that word. “Please do not refer to a mother as a bitch please.” This Veronica was changed. She was no longer the meek and naïve girl from before. �
�You know there will be consequences for such an action, do you not?”
I wasn’t about to back down. “We know. When Abaddon comes back, he’ll be pissed. We have to use that to our advantage.”
“I take it you have a plan?”
That was rich coming from Dante seeing how his plan screwed the pooch royally. “As a matter of fact, I do. How much of his hunt was left?”
Conquest took to counting out loud on his fingers. I loved my brother, but sometimes he was such a nerd. “Less than a dozen creatures brother. Veronica here is quite the skilled swordsman.”
“That’s good to hear Conquest.” I looked over at her and smiled. She returned one, not as large as I would’ve expected, but at least it was still there. “She’s going to be our ringer in the upcoming festivities.”
Chapter 25 – Some Last Minute Advice
I remember closing my eyes, Dante saying it was his turn to take watch. What I don’t remember is waking up, leaning up against a tree. These weird side trips I’d been going on recently were not part of the celestial being manual. I can’t imagine that I was that popular among dead people. And if I was, they could just use social media to say hi.
I reached up to scratch my face and the ruffle of my sleeve tickled my nose. Wait, why was I wearing an old timey girly shirt? “I haven’t worn clothes like this since I went by…”
“Parson Weems.”
Leaning against the same tree, just a tad out of sight could only be one man. “Well well, we meet again George.”
He leaned forward, that ridiculous powder wig firmly on top of his head. “Just because I’m dead, I’m not allowed to visit my friends?”
Hmm, maybe the protocols Upstairs were getting lax. “I’m starting to see you more in the afterlife than when you were a kid George.”
“Someone said you might need a pep talk for the upcoming battles. Granted, Abaddon’s not the British army, but I might be of some use.”
No matter what any person, book, or document says, George Washington is the greatest military mind the new world produced. If you could’ve seen him in his prime, the man was as stubborn and tactical as they came. He willed the Colonies to victory.
