Darksiders: Deathly Aura (Book 1)

Chapter Four Word of a Guardian

The chamber stretched high and wide. At it's centre sat the Maker's forge. Light from above flooded in to provide illumination for those working.
What was strange and wonderful at once, was that on one side, far below the chamber, lava flowed from Death knew not where. To the other side, water poured down.
It was this combination that powered the forge.

Eideard explained this as he led the rider up the stairs to where two other Makers worked.
One of them wore a welding mask to protect his face from the sparks that flew from the anvil.
The other had flowing hair, red as the lava that bubbled to her left.
She looked over at the visitors.

"Elder....Horseman" she greeted, pausing slightly, surprised by Death's presence.

"Alya" Eideard nodded "I need you and your brother's help. Can you craft a Maker's Key?"

"A Maker's Key?" Death repeated, tilting his head a little.

The elder looked back at him. "Yes. If you are to clear the corruption, you must awaken the Guardian"

<<>><<>>

"But what would he be doing here? And if the Tree's blocked, how'd he get here in the first place?"
Carina had proceeded to questioning Thane, almost like a child would. But that was the effect curiosity had on her.

"I don't know lass. Honestly, few ever know the motives of a Horseman, especially the Reaper. Best to stay out of it" Thane answered, as if certain where their conversation was headed.

Carina was pacing the pavement.
"Well what if he's looking for the Tree too?"

"Don't start! I've said it once, I'll say it again. You're not going out there! It's far too dangerous!" the Maker stated, slamming the haft of his hammer on the cobblestone floor.

<<>><<>>

"The Guardian?" Death repeated quizzically.

Alya took over with a nod.
"Right. We may not be warriors, but we're not without our weapons. The Guardian is a mighty construct, a being of soul and stone, built for destruction"

Eideard continued.
"Only he has the power to remove the corruption, but now he resides, unfinished, in the Foundry"

"If you have such a thing at your disposal, why haven't you used it?" the Horseman asked, a hint of annoyance in his tone.

"An earthquake drove us from the Foundry and now, we fear a dark presence lies within" Alya answered.

"Well then, if this Guardian is your work, how am I to complete him?" Death inquired, glancing between the two Makers.

"Scattered inside the Foundry lie three Heart Stones. Find them. Take them back to the Guardian, and he will awaken" Eideard explained.

Perched on a ledge, high above the group, was Soren.
It was clear the Horseman was looking for the Tree. Both the bird and Carina had heard Eideard explain this before. The only difference was that this time the elder intended for this to be heard.

Death folded his arms.
"Heart Stones? Then what in Creation do I need this 'Maker's Key' for?" he asked, patience seemingly wearing thin.

"Simple. To both open the door to the Foundry and activate smaller constructs to aid you" the elder replied, nodding to Alya, who began working at the forge.

Death asked no further questions, but instead watched as the Makers got to work, swiftly creating the Key.
Soren also watched, but with much more awe than the rider.
The sound of ringing metal echoed throughout the chamber. Brilliant blue light sparked with each strike Alya made.

When the Key was finished, Eideard took it from the forge and handed it to Death.
"You should take this before I come to my senses"

"Hmhm, you're more likely to lose them, old one" the rider replied almost jokingly, taking the Key.

"Perhaps. Now, we should get you on your way" the Maker told him as he led the way out of the Forge.

<<>><<>>

"Damn it Thane, I'm not a child!" Carina retorted, fists clenched so tight her cyan gloves threatened to tear.

"Well one would have more sense than ye!" Thane shot back, his grip on the hammer's haft tightening.

"All I want to do is help! But how can I if you won't even give me the chance?" she exclaimed in frustration. "I can hold my own and you know it!"

As Eideard continued on, Death slowed his pace. His attention had been drawn to the small training area that lay beneath the gateway. He could see another Maker, but also someone else.

A young Maker? I highly doubt it.
A human perhaps?..No... Impossible. Mankind is gone. For now anyway. So what are you? the rider mentally asked himself.

Just as something about the girl caught his eye, Eideard spoke.
"I presume you've realised she isn't one of us"

Death offered a slight nod.

"She's been here for about a month now. Strangely, like yourself she arrived through a portal and also seeks the Tree" the elder explained.

"Yet she remains here?" the Horseman questioned, glancing at the Maker.

"We haven't permitted her exit. She's too young to face what lies beyond these walls" Eideard answered, not returning his gaze.

"Age isn't everything" Death stated as he turned his attention to the conversation, or rather argument that went on.

Neither Carina or Thane had noticed their audience, thus continued without pause.

"Carina, ye wouldn't last ten minutes out there" Thane retorted.

"I don't care how long I'd last, as long as I tried to turn things around. Which is more than the rest of you are doing!" Carina shot back.

As the Maker went to speak again, she cut in quickly, her frustration at it's peak.
"I've seen one world fall apart, I don't want the same to happen here!"

It was this statement that really drew Death in. It had also silenced the others.

Nodding to himself, as if confirming a decision, the rider approached them.

"You" he spoke, his gaze clearly fixed on Carina "if you're as strong in power as you claim, and will as you appear" he paused to draw his scythes.

"Show me"