by Jack Crosby
That being said, I wasn’t too shabby myself. “Like you said, this isn’t some human rabble trying to squash a rebellion. This is the toughest son of a bitch out there. Not that I don’t appreciate the offer, but what kinda advice can you give me?”
His large frame shook as he chuckled at my impudence. “Oh Parson, you always thought the highest of yourself, even when you really did need a hand. Well then, answer a few questions for me General?”
“A test? Seriously?”
“You think you know best, so prove it to me. Unless you’re just a giant blowhard and a dick… that could always be the case.”
I wasn’t about to take this lying down. “Fine. I’ll play your stupid damn games.”
He stood up and towered over me like a teacher would a particularly irritating student. “In your adventures in the Downstairs, you were outdueled by Lucifer. If you couldn’t overcome his skill, how do you expect you subdue Abaddon and give the lady angel a chance to deal the killing blow?”
“That was a one-on-one duel. This time I have my brothers and together we are the strongest force the celestials can put together.”
“Ah, team work.” He began pacing back and forth. “So who will take care of the remnants of the Wild Hunt? Surely Dante and Veronica cannot be expected to handle that alone.”
This is where I missed Azrael the most. The muscle bound angel would’ve been the perfect wrecking ball to join them. “They’ll have to be enough. We all knew going into this the chances for casualties was high. We already lost one, and we might lose more.”
I could tell I was failing his little exam already. “We could keep this up, but we both know you’re not going to improve in your tactics. So, are you willing to at least listen to me?”
It was time to put my pride aside. “Sure George, why the hell not?”
“Excellent.” His role in putting me in my place over, he rejoined me up against the tree. “Would it not be more prudent to split the Horsemen up, half help Dante with the Wild Hunt and the other half join Veronica in attempts to kill Abaddon?”
“As a team we’re unbeatable…”
“I know being together with your brothers gives you a feeling of superiority, but was it not that long ago everyone agreed Michael’s protégé, with the Morningstar Blade, would be the best hope?”
Shit, did they have radios up there tuned in to listen to us down on Earth? “Yes, that may’ve been the original plan, but seeing how three of us took down the Tempest, it would be foolish not to use our skills…”
“Foolish is thinking the Tempest is on the same level as Abaddon. You’ve dealt with him before, remember! Don’t be such an idiot and think things have changed. They haven’t.”
Trying to keep my annoyance to a minimum, “What would you suggest? How does this little skirmish play out in your head?”
He picked up a stick and began drawing diagrams in the dirt. “I’d pair Conquest and War with Dante. Having an archer provide cover to two excellent swordsmen will keep the beasties off of them, allowing them to do their work.”
It was hard to find fault in that logic. “Seeing as your schooling me in tactical affairs, what about Famine, me and Veronica? How do we confront Abaddon?”
“Trust Veronica, her skill with a blade will one day be legendary. What she needs is for you two to take the brunt of his attacks, allowing her time to end the fight once and for all.”
“I see.” Basically, he was asking us to be decoys. “With just the two of us, we won’t be able to take fire very long.”
He put his hand on mine. “You are one of my closest and dearest friends. You might be close to full power, but you still are missing the spark that made you a fearsome warrior. Find that and you’ll give her all the time she needs.”
An overriding theme lately was that I still wasn’t quite the old Death, the guy who inspired so much fear. “I don’t really know that I want to be that guy anymore. I like me. I mean I try for my brothers, but I’m old George. The fighting, the killing, all of it, I’m tired.”
“You’re also forever, an entity that must continue on. But I’ll tell you this,” he smiled warmly, “you’re time for being at the epicenter of the hostilities is almost over. Persevere old friend and the treasure at the end of the journey will be worth it.”
How did George know such things? “Who told you that?”
“A good informant never reveals his source. I’m just asking you to keep up the good fight and to never stop believing in yourself.”
His cryptic words still begged further explanation, but I doubted I’d get it. “Well you old fool, thanks for the pep talk and the sliver of hope.”
He lifted himself up and gave me a hand in joining him. “I don’t know when I’ll see you next, but may good fortune and the fighting spirit follow you.”
“Tell Martha I said hi. You never deserved her by the way.”
He couldn’t help but laughing. “Alas, we could not all ignite the fire within the ladies like you could. Maybe think about settling down, would you?”
“I doubt that’ll ever happen, but I’ve got two kids on the way, so you never know.”
He slapped me hard on the back. I’m pretty sure he put all two hundred pounds of pure muscle into it. “Congratulations are in order! I never took you for the father type.”
“Both were kinda oopsies, but what can you do?”
“Be a good father, no matter what your children become.”
****
I was shaken awake firmly. “Death, a creature approaches…”
The hand was attached to War and he looked ready for combat. I got up and joined the forming group as everyone was coming to.
The figure stepped out of the forest, which wasn’t trying to make a pin cushion out of it. The motely looking thing was a gross mixture of snake, wolf, and bird. Its serpentine head, with its beady black eyes, darted from each member of the group.
Dante acted as our spokesperson. “Why should we not kill you now abomination?”
“I come under the truccccce. Abaddon wisssshessss to parlay through me.”
“We have no interest in parlaying with any of you freak!” After talking to George, I was ready for combat.
It didn’t leave, attack, or ever seem to acknowledge my outburst. Instead, its eyes closed and a new voice appeared. “You are surrounded scum. I would listen to my words, because you are at my mercy.”
Abaddon had arrived.
Chapter 26 – Dangerous Propositions
“Which of you is responsible for the death of Tempest? ANSWER ME NOW!”
Even though it was the weird snake thing’s body, the voice was very much that of the Arch-Fiend. The rumble of his voice caused Tartarus to shake. My so called friends looked at me, either for guidance or to sell me out, I wasn’t sure.
Abaddon took that as a sign of guilt. “Of course it would be you. Death, you filthy, fucking bug, I WILL CRUSH YOU!”
“Hey now! I was only defending myself and my brothers. Besides Famine and War did a number on her too, so I can’t get all the credit here.”
My brothers groaned. Hey guys, sorry, I ain’t taking the shit storm by myself. Abaddon wasn’t amused at all. “The Horsemen think they can do as they please, do you? Not in Tartarus, not where I rule supreme…”
Dante stepped in. “You said you wished to parlay. What is it that you want?”
“Dante you fool. Everything that has happened is due to your ignorance and stupidity. To save you even more humiliation, hand me over Death and the location of where the portal to Earth will open. Do that and the rest of you can stay alive, for all eternity here in Tartarus!”
That seemed like a fairly reasonable deal. It was a shame I was in a position to turn it down. “Piss off asshole. We’re not interested in your charity.”
The loud demonic laugh of Abaddon once again shook the very foundation of Tartarus. “You have until the sound of my battle horn to come to your senses. If any of you wish to live and not be tortu
red until there is nothing left of you, now is the time to decide.”
With that, the snakeman opened his eyes and left, without as much as a sound to us. We knew this time would come, but now that it was here, nerves and fear began to show.
Veronica seemed the most shaken. “I know this was what we were brought to do, but it took everything we had not to get killed the first time. How is this time going to be any different?”
I pulled out the smooth red stone I still was holding on to. “When we confront Abaddon, the Morningstar Blade will appear because of this stone. With that in your hand, you’ll have a way to end this, once and for all.”
“Are you sure?”
“Listen, it’s time to make a small change to the plan. Conquest, War, I’ll need you to join Dante and keep that Wild Hunt off of us.”
War’s eyes blazed red. “I will lavish the chance to add more of those creatures’ heads to my trophy collection!”
“Whatever you need bro, I got your back!”
“Famine,” the small Horseman was ready for his fate, “me and you, we take the fight to Abaddon himself. We’ll support Veronica.”
He clapped his hands together. “Going toe to toe with him, tales will be written of us. I do hope people remember I was there.”
I put the stone in Veronica’s hand. “When the blade appears, you follow us. I was told by a very reliable source that one day, you’re going to be a legendary swordsman. Why not start the legend today?”
She flipped the stone between her fingers, still doubt across her face. “I tried last time, to take the attack to the fiend head on. Azrael had to save me.”
“Today’s a new day. You already know what he can do, but he doesn’t know that you’re about to be upgraded. I believe in you and hell, all of these assholes around us believe in you, isn’t that right?”
Dante stepped forward. “I do not speak often enough, but you are the only one here who has the skill to defeat him. With Death and Famine by your side, you will be victorious.”
Hearing it from me was one thing, but for Dante to step up and give her the boost she needed, well that was crucial. What doubt still lingered was replaced by the hard edge I first saw when we found them in the forest. “Thank you, everyone. The time for pity and loathing has passed. I say we do not give him the pleasure of blowing his horn,” that got a snicker out of me, “and we take the fight to him.”
Her newfound passion ignited all of us. Hell, I was really turned on, but now wasn’t the time to say anything. Plus, she’d never go for it and I was in enough trouble with women. Me and my brothers ignited our fires and mounted our horses. Dante and Veronica took to the sky, and we charged from the forest.
The trees seemed to know where we were going. Not a single one tried to do anything. Khloros thought it was because of his bull charging ways and they had developed a respectable fear for him. Either way, I was cool with it.
As we left the forest, Veronica and Dante were already on the ground. Dante had his flaming sword at his side and Veronica had the Morningstar Blade in her grasp. The silver steel burned brightly, like a beacon of pure power. Across the field, it had even gained the attention of the one it was destined to kill.
Abaddon wasn’t in his chariot. Dressed in dark maroon gladiator armor with a sword almost twice my size, the Arch-Fiend’s eyes were on the weapon in Veronica’s hand. “So Lucifer has cast his lot with you fools.”
“You recognize that weapon, do you? You have me to thank for the special delivery.”
His burning embers of eyes found me. “So that is where you hid while your brothers and allies trembled at my feet before. I am surprised you even came back after the last time.”
He was obviously referring to when he chased me out of here like a little bitch. “Sorry bub, I’m not leaving so easily this time. Turns out, I don’t have much reason to be afraid of you. None of us do.”
“HAHAHAHA! How you forget why I was imprisoned here! Everyone fears the might of Abaddon!”
Looking at what was let of his Wild Hunt, the intimidation factor just wasn’t there anymore. The rabble that still stood with him looked rather manageable. “Without your supply of dire wolves and with Tempest dead, you’re the only thing left of clearing Tartarus out. Once the Horsemen start a job, we finish it.”
“Dante,” was he actually going to try and reason with the angel who started this whole campaign? “I give you one last chance to spare your life and step aside.”
“I make my lot with my companions. Abaddon, in the name of the Almighty, I sentence you to death.”
His eyes blazed, engulfing his head in flames. “So be it. Wild Hunt, ATTACK!”
Chapter 27 – The Battle of a Lifetime
Famine and I spurred our horses towards the mammoth monster in the middle. Veronica was flying low, right behind us. “We ride for victory!”
I couldn’t worry about War and Conquest. As much as I wanted to be there and help my brothers, Abaddon was going to need my full concentration. Famine was already on the attack, his orbs of black fire rotating quickly around him.
At full height he was a good two or three feet taller than me. His large broad sword was ready to inflict serious amounts of damage. As we closed in, he swung it hard. We were far enough away where the razor sharp edge of the blade wasn’t a danger, but the gust of wind he generated blew Famine and I off our horses.
“Khloros, keep moving! Follow Mavros!”
The grey and black horse veered off course and began to circle the fiend, kicking up dust. “Famine, let’s move it!”
With us no longer on horseback, our movements were limited. Famine sent an orb towards his head, only for Abaddon to knock it away easily. It was only a distraction technique, as the ground below him began to break apart, forming fissures.
Hot steam erupted from the fissures. Whatever was under Tartarus didn’t seem pleasant at all. Veronica took this as her cue to attack. She flew in like a bullet and the two swords collided. As the Morningstar Blade met Abaddon’s broadsword, both began to shine.
The two of them began their deadly dance. Veronica kept moving in the air, trying to use weird angle to levy her attacks. Abaddon was just too big and powerful for her to break his defense. She needed us.
Leviathan was ready and I swung it at his leg, barely penetrating the guard around his calf. Even while parrying Veronica, he still had the sense to kick out at me. A black orb hit me in the shoulder, getting me out of the way of the monster’s power.
“Thanks Famine!”
“Don’t thank me yet, he still lives!” Another orb shot straight up and hit his helmet loose. He couldn’t do much to readjust it as Veronica was still on the attack, so I pulled all my fire into my right arm, creating an even longer chain. I swung it up and caught it around one of the antlers protruding from the top and pulled.
I jerked his head, but it wouldn’t budge. “Brother, I need your help!”
I felt the little guy slam into me. He grabbed the chain with his hands and began pulling too. Dust was really getting everywhere as the two horses continued to circle us. “C’mon Death, put your back into it!”
Together, with one last burst of strength, we pried the helmet free. The large metal headpiece landed in the ground, the weight opening another fissure. Steam blew up, right towards Veronica.
In the epically stupid category, I tossed my chain up and got it around her waist. The momentum was enough to knock her out of the path and Abaddon got a full blast. Unfortunately, she dragged me into the path of the toxic mist, and there was no helping me.
The mist hit my exposed face and my eyes burned like nothing I ever felt before. “FUCK!!!”
I felt my chain release and I dived backwards to get out before more damage could be done. A hand grabbed my clock and pulled me further back. Famine’s deep voice sounded in my ear, “Brother, stay here. I shall assist the lady angel!”
“Like hell I’m sitting this out!”
“We are in no position
to argue!” I felt him release his grip.
My eyes were useless, but there were other ways. “Khloros, I need you!”
In the dark and the danger paramount, the wait for the horse to get to me was excruciating. Finally, “Death, your eyes!”
“I know, but I can’t do anything! Be my vision old friend!”
I felt his body close and I lifted myself on. “Are you ready?”
“Yes! Let us end this!”
I felt him take off, using my other senses to keep my bearings straight. “Veronica is losing steam. Famine is trying his best, but the two of them are not enough to take the fiend.”
“I’m open to ideas. What do I need to do?”
He galloped faster, causing me to grip the reigns even tighter. “Tether your scythe to the chain!” Without questioning him, I did it. “On my mark, toss it as hard as you can!”
I started spinning the chain in my hand. “On your mark then!”
The chain was going faster and faster in my hand. Khloros wasn’t slowing down either. I could hear the roars of the battle that was taking place within reach of me.
“Now!” I let go of the chain, the throw felt good as it left my hand. A loud bellow of pain told me whatever Khloros had planned worked. “The scythe is buried in the back of his leg! Hold on for your life!”
Then it hit me. We were going to tie up his legs with my chain. The two of us kept going, wrapping the chain tighter and tighter. This also meant we were getting closer to the Arch-Fiend. “DEATH! I WILL PERSONALLY SEE YOU ENTER THE BEYOND!”
I opened my eyes; my vision was still blurry. “Khloros, I don’t think time is on our side!” Even as I said it a large shadow blocked out my view. “What was that?!”
“His fist! Keep pulling or else we die!”
I did as he said. I heard another grunt from above. As my eyes focused, I saw two black orbs battering Abaddon’s head. Then they fell out of the sky. Famine’s body was airborne, maybe from a kick? Either way, my little brother was no longer on the attack.