Terragon City, Hell, Heaven

Famine looked down as Conquest scolded her. Then, SLAP!!! A red handprint laid on Conquest's cheek. She looked up at him with frightning eyes and stood up. "HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO HELP MYSELF!! YOU DON'T WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE HUNGRY, ALL THE TIME!!! DAMMIT! I'VE TAKEN CRAP FROM YOU, WAR, AND DEATH SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME! LITERALLY!!!" she took a breath. "Sorry. I just lost my cool." She patted him on the back. "Sorry." she repeated. Famine walked out to the pourch, sat down, and cried.

Death sighed. "Time to do the first job." He said with a cold voice. He began to chant something archaic. The ground around him began to ooze black aura and he slipped beneath the layer of earth. When he came out he was in horseman form, on the underside of that layer of earth -like he'd been reflected like a mirror. A bunch of people sat in chairs waiting for someone or something to welcome them. A Serial killer, two theives, a rapist, a murderer, a sinner, a denouncer of god, two church goers (trying to convince the athiests there was a god), a handful of atheists, and a priest all sat in chairs. "Stand and form a single file line, ordered by your title given. (these titles were what they were, stapled to their shirts.) All athiests, please come forward." Death called. Four or five people came forward. "All athiests, please come forward." Death repeated, looking at a man trying to cover his 'badge'. He reluctantly stepped forward. "Come with me." Death droned. A portal opened up and they all marched through.

They arrived in a kingdom of gold and marble. Columns filled the air with harps being played on either side. "Where are we?" The athiests asked at once. "Follow me." Death walked up to a man with a look of bliss on his face. "You denounced my existance long ago. This can never be forgiven, to call that I am not there." The big man said. ((Just informing, Death is doing his job. This isnt a work of god.)) "G-god?" The athiests were astounded. A portal opened back in the realm and five screaming athiests emerged, the mark of the beast on their forearms. "Sit." Death told them and they fell to the floor in shame. "You killed tens of people. You never repented or turned toward god for forgiveness. He saw it that you didn't want any. You are damned as well." Death spoke as he put the mark of the beast on the Serial killer's forearm. "Man of god, you are saved." He called, placing a cross on the priest's forehead. "You publically denounced god, trying to get others to fall from faith while you believed. Your sin is unforgiven as well. Recieve the mark of the beast." He said, approaching the man, who'd tried to convince everyone that god was a lie, and placing the mark of the beast on his forearm.

The rapist had been crying ever since he died. He'd arrived crying, and he still was. "You, rapist." Death called. The rapist came forward sobbing and screaming. "A sight of pure repentance has been shown. You are truely sorry for your sin, though you were never forgiven by human, God sees you as forgiven. Recieve the mark of the lamb." A cross was placed on the rapist's forehead. The church goers recieved the mark of the lamb as well. One theif didn't care for god and was damned while the other was spilling his guts as the rapist had. You can guess which went where. Now when it came to the sinner, Death was curious. "Why did you sin against god?" He asked. "God told me he doesn't love me." The man laughed. Death couldn't find out why until an examination. There were marks all over his high forearms. The man was a heroine addict -mid trip. "There's your problem. You destroyed your body unmercifully. You have no reguard for your gift from God, so it is God that has no reguard for what happens to your soul. You are damned." He called, finishing his business. He sent them on their pathes. Some athiests tried to take the path to god but were rejected every attempt. Death left with this sight, chanting again. He returned to the meadow.

((Sorry for a long post, there was a lot to describe.))

"Death I have a question, do you believe the demon from earlier that talked with Lucifer on equal terms should go to heaven or hell?" asked Koganei, the Shadow Reaper as he appeared by Death.

Isaiah saw Lord Death return to the meadow. He was in awe. This was the Master of Isaiah's mother's people. The banshee's admired both Death and God. Isaiah saw a Shadow Reaper and held his breath.
A reaper? Isaiah tried to keep quiet ,but accidently tripped over a branch.

"You are Koganei, are you not?" Death asked. "I myself, believe that the demon can seek redemption. I cant say yet were he is destined to go. The choices he makes from this point will dictate that." He answered, returning to his human form. This was a sight to see. The whisps were absorbed into his body, his sythe turned into his shadow, and the cloak transformed into his human clothes. "What troubles you, Shadow Reaper?" He asked in his 'luke-warm' voice (Luke warm describing the tone as melancholy but welcoming).

"The demon will go to neither place as he has another place destined for him a place that not even Lucifer knows about..." explained Koganei.

"All reapers will know, after he dies." Death said in a calm tone. "Reguardless of where he is destined for, he is in the city now." Death pointed in the cities direction, laying back down in the meadow. "If you pass by the house marked with the stench of soup, do say hello to Famine for me. "You," He yelled as Koganei left, "hybrid, come out of your hiding place." He called to Isaiah.

Isaiah gasped as Death called for him. He was astonished, but nevertheless he transformed into a flock of white crows and appeared intfront of Death, kneeling.
"Greetings Lord Death." Isaiah said looking at the floor. "I am Isaiah Orion, Son of Aislin Nightscream."

"I know who you are." Death said, gesturing for him to stand. "For what business, were you tailing me to this meadow?" He asked, quite -one wouldn't say appalled but more or less baffled, yes- baffled by his action. "What business do you have with me?" He didn't mean to sound harsh, but perhaps, he came off as a naturally crude person? He'd hoped he wasn't brutal toward Famine... or the other horsemen for that matter.

Inhio had left by the time death had returned she had moved to a quite lakeside thinking of how boring this wait was. “Lord Lucifer… I hope this begins soon… the wait is killing me…” She smirked and stifled a giggle at such an exaggeration. “My men thirst for blood… please Lucifer… don’t make us wait much longer.” She said stroking the water with her finger tips.



Umbra smelled the crisp paper deeply the smell of freshly signed contracts… and more importantly what they meant… souls. “I often wonder Malum… how God is still in bussiness… so many souls I’ve collect its not funny… Hell must be flooded.” He said tossing the scroll to Malum whom put it in a large satchel full of other scrolls. “Return to lady Inhio… I have bussiness to attend to.” The giant nodded stomping away towards where he could feel his mistress. Umbra however pulled his hair back stepping through one of his shadow portals.

“No reason to cry my dear…” Umbra said stepping out of a shadow. “They are thick headed and don’t understand half the things they say before they say them. So don’t take it to heart… actually… mayhap this shall bring a grin to your face.” He said moving his hands towards the sky until the darkness took form as if a painting in the sky of a rose. “I give you a flower of coarse… its rather hard to accept… I hope you at least enjoy looking at it.”

Isaiah reluctantly stood. "I-I'm sorry, My Lord. I've just heard that it's a great honor among my mother's people to see Death." he shook his head. "I didn't mean to offend you, if I did. I was curious." Isaiah heard a scream coming from across the meadow. It sounded like a banshee's.

Famine stared up at Umbra in disbelief.Her eyes narrowed at him and the at his flower. She was touched, but would not let it show. "The flower is greatly appreciated, but if you don't mind me asking, what do you want Demon?" Famine wiped her tears and tried not to sound weak. God, she hoped that Conquest wouldn't make any PMS jokes.

The sound breaks the silence of the house, and the neighborhood. As Conquest stares in shock and awe, War slips into his room. He looks behind several layers of clothes. After searching for a few minutes, he finds a scrapbook-esque large book. He grins satanically and throws the book on the bed. He opens it and looks through pages. Along every page were maps of nations long lost and forgotten, and some more familiar maps, such as Italy, Japan, the Middle East. Along each map was lines and notes, along with pictures of soldiers and commanders of each army. War flips though several centuries and finds a map of Europe, dated 1939. He looks through some maps then finds a term he circled several times when he wrote this. War grins even wider and speaks in a cocky tone. "Ah! Blitzkrieg. That Darkness bastard won't know what hit him." After putting the book away, he toys with his hands, some electricity beginning to flow between his fingers. "Taking words literally is very effective. . ."

(All you German fellows and history geeks better be laughing)

“I don’t mind the question… though I do wish I could answer it… is it not funny that they only object that is truly eternal has no true drive no true purpose… water and earth bring and are life, wind and fire both clean the world for future growth… even light grants one vision… yet… what purpose does darkness hold… as for my purpose here… I like to consider myself an art enthusiast… I hate to see such a master piece disturbed by the worries of the world. I apologize if you find my words offensive… I know some do take compliments with ill fervor.”

((OOC: Good job omega. I got a good chuckle out of it.))

Death summoned a raven. "Take this to Famine." He said, handing it a scroll. The raven cawwed and flew off.

Famine

I had always wondered something of you. Do you enjoy what you do? Do you enjoy working for Lucifer? I have questioned myself and my motivations from time-to-time. It also seems that I've talked to you the least out of the horsemen. I would like to talk with you more, if you see it fit. I hope everyone is treating you how you deserve to be treated right now. I hope you get to smile. I hope you're not in pain. I'm sorry that I don't know what to write at this point.

Death

The letter was kind of bashful and clumsily written. Death gave a flustered sigh at the thought of Famine's reply. Either way, he still lay in the meadow. He looked back to Isaiah. "There is no problem here. You have not disturbed me at all. Is there anything you would like to know?" He asked, reverting to his human form once more.

Famine glared at Umbra with her eyes still red from once crying. "The worries of the world. Yes. I pity man. All men have a hole in their hearts, and they try to fill it with material things. Food, Money, Sex, anything." she smiled sadly. "I only exist because of that. I'm made from pain and hunger. If they only could realise that all they need is God and the love of others. That would make their hearts whole again and I could finally be at piece."

A raven cawed and pearched onto Famine's arm. It gave her a note that was in the sloppy writing that could only belong to Death. "Exuse me." she said to Umbra as she quicky read the note and wrote back. The raven flew back with a message. With a look at Umbra, Famine sighed.

Dear Death,
I'm greatly touched by your concern. No, I don't like Lucifer in any sense of the word. I wish I could have changed sides long ago. But then again maybe I'll be forgiven one day. Thank you. I wish you could have just heard what I said to this demon.

Isaiah looked at Death astonished. There was one thing that he wanted to ask.
"What happened to my father?"

“Yet remember man willingly choose to bear you. They who took from the tree they were forbade to take from. They brought despair upon themselves even with faith… even with all their needs meet… they thirsted for more… and lost it all.” He awaited her as she looked over and responded to the letter. “Though in the end… is it not the bad things that give the good meaning? For if all we knew was sweet and never sour nor bitter… sweet would not be anything specially… only another everyday thing which no one would care less for… you despite being a incarnation of one’s hunger which brings pain… you give them reason to enjoy all things good even more. You and all of us whom dwell in dark emotion and misery make their lives eventful and worth living.”

"You are right in the sense that the bad makes the good worth having and striving for, but the tree of which you speak is nothing more then a metaphor used to describe the choice that humanity has been given..." explained Koganei as he appeared, "Now Umbra was it, I believe you should get going to your mistress and I also believe you should not anger Lucifer again as it might make him kill your mistress..." he finished.

Umbra turned to face Koganei “The Subservient spineless fools you think a soldier should be… makes weaker their lords… as for that I could not sit back and allow him to disrespect Lady Inhio and himself by violating the chain of command… now unless you are directly reporting from Lady Inhio I will not obey your demands… I wear not shackles I follow Lady Inhio out of respect… and as such if you deemed that last part as a threat or any play upon it… I will be forced to kill you for threatening Hell’s hierarchy. Now please leave me be I’ve already had one more fight then I prefer today… and as you can see I am speaking to a lady… which you so rudely interrupted. Now take your leave if you will… for I have no collar… I go where I wish for that is who I am…”

"No it is you who doesn't get it in the hierarchy of hell, all obey Lucifer's direct commands except those who are technically above him in that hierarchy like myself. If you were to try to kill me you would be the one to be killed, because for one there is no chain of command in hell, and for two I am mucher older then even the four horsemen..." explained Koganei threateningly.

“So let me get this straight… there is no chain of command…” He said tapping his fingers together. “So in other words your saying Lucifer as complete and utter control… he has to issue every order in the flesh… he has no commanders… no officers… nothing… Now we both know that isn’t true… you see a chain of command is something important… you may not like having an organized and disciplined army but I myself do… you see an army can not work properly if each rank of officer isn’t coordinating with each other… each chain sends its order down so that each rank understands the orders from above so they don’t give contradictory orders… so we don’t end up with something like earlier today… but now that you’ve killed the mood, lit it on fire, and blew it off a cliff with four pounds of c4 I think I’m going to head out before you drone on about being loyal to Lucifer before saying your some how above him… when you’ve said his word is law…” He shook his head at Koganei’s rather hypocritical statement before phasing through one of his shadow portals to stand beside Inhio and Malum. “I miss the good old days… when I could actually have a conversation with out random people popping out of the blue…”

Inhio shrugged. “ Don’t let it bother you Umbra… everything will calm down once Earth falls to us… Malum has informed me my soldiers are in place…”

“They are my lady… we just await the signal… that being if it ever comes…” Umbra said getting quite annoyed by the anticipation.

Koganei followed Umbra, "It is you who doesn't get it I am of the old I guess you could say of what remains of the ancient rule...God and Lucifer are of the new rule, but since you don't understand that should you wish to know what I meant earlier. In actuality you are only half right if you get a command from your higher up its one thing, but your dictator which is what Lucifer is has complete and total override of any orders previously given and besides you could have shown him respect instead of treating him as though he were beneath you!" snapped Koganei.

Death read the note and looked back to Isaiah. "Your father.. What was his name?" He asked in a lucid tone. He wrote back to Famine in this olden day "texting".

Famine,

You didn't answer my other question. Are the others treating you ok? Are they respecting you as I do? I hope they are. Did you give that demon your "Food, Money, Sex" speech? It really does fit you. As to Lucifer... I wish I could've switched sides too. I thought I'd still be collecting souls, nothing more. But, now I'm working for the devil like a puppet. I don't like it too much...

Death

"Sorry about that, now... Again, what was your father's name?" Death asked Isaiah.

"Isaiah, speak up!" Death was a patient man but this was getting rediculous. It was as if his company couldn't find a word in a dictionary. He had work to do anyway. More souls were comming in. His skin was slithering with the shimmering bands and he'd have to let them fill first. He had a job to tend to. Not given by Lucifer or any other legionary of Heaven or Hell. A job nonetheless. "I'm sorry, but if you cant speak, I'll have to leave." He said, readying himself for departure.

Death became aggitated. "Kid! If you cant speak, I'm leaving." Death waited a few more minutes before mirroring to the underworld. He showed the souls their paths and left. Upon mirroring back, he returned to his human from, got in his hearse, and drove back into town, hoping to find the whereabouts of Famine and the others. Mostly Famine though. Death had taken a liking to her since he was appointed horseman along side her. Though she was gaunt, she was beautiful and sincere. The other things she hungered for weren't even neusances in his eyes. He hadn't said a word about his feelings to her, though he'd given hints of his loneliness here and there. He wasn't a guy to make a lot of "moves". Eitherway, his work was over for a while and he was going to make a trip to see the others.