Darksiders: Deathly Aura (Book 1)

Chapter Six The Foundry

The noise, heavy as the stone that made the closing gates, still seemed to echo off the walls; refusing to settle.
Along with the waves of sound, rays of light bounced around the passageway from gaps above. The uneven distribution of it gave way to the casting of eerie shadows which shielded whatever may have hid within them.
This fact however, was of little concern to those that paced through the tunnel. But, the same couldn't be said for what awaited them outside.

As Death, Carina and Soren reached the end of the cave, they received their first glimpse of the plains that made the Forge Lands.
Stone stairs led down into the vale that lay before the three, however they failed to catch their attention.

Looming ahead of them was the gigantic form of the Tree of Life. It's thick roots and limbs spread far and wide. It's top, glowing in places, rivalled passing clouds for the sky's attention.

This is what both the Horseman and Auralin sought, but only now did they truly see what stood in their way.

Barring the only visible route to the Tree was a huge, living, mass of the same black ooze that flowed from the corrupted constructs Death had fought prior to then. At the centre of the corruption was an eye of a sickly yellow hue. It seemed to fix it's gaze on those watching it from across the valley.

"I hope this Guardian of theirs is enough to tear it down" Death stated as he descended the steps.

"No kidding" Carina paused as she glanced between the barricade and the structure once more. Seeing the Tree made something hanging around her neck offer a slight glow. "Mind you, I'm assuming he's pretty big"

"We can't rely on assumptions alone" the rider replied.

"I know, but I'm serious. Eideard said this thing needs three Heart Stones. Most constructs only need a fragment of one" she answered, gesturing the numbers for emphasis.

Death nodded. "Hm. Well first we need to head west to the Foundry and personally, I don't feel like walking"

"Really? What are you going to do? Fly?" the Auralin asked jokingly, brows raised.

"Humph. I'm not called a Horseman for nothing" he retorted, then fell silent as he issued a silent call.

Carina and Soren watched in awe as in seconds a billowing green mist erupted from the ground. When it cleared, Death's mount Despair stood before them. On his saddle sat a crow nearly twice the size of the bird on the girl's shoulder.

Dust and Despair looked the two strangers up and down. But, since they were with Death, the crow and horse took them as alright until proven otherwise.

The rider climbed onto his mount's saddle.
"Now, what are you going to do?" he asked, mocking Carina's earlier comment.

"Tell me you're joking" she replied, shoulders drooping.

Chuckling a bit, Death offered her a hand. As she took it, he pulled her up onto Despair's back before taking the reins.
With a neigh from the horse, they set off.

<<>><<>>

The Foundry was vast. Ancient rock formed it's structure, every block of it save the large sets of doors.
From the main entrance that was opened with the Maker's Key, a long hallway led to the large, open area at the ruins' core. It was here the Guardian resided; silently awaiting completion.

The construct was just as Carina had assumed. It's height was almost enough to challenge that of the walls surrounding it. In one of it's lifeless fists it grasped a hammer. It's other wasn't a hand, but a cannon.
What stood out however, were the three indents in it's forehead and both shoulders. These were for the Heart Stones.

The courtyard itself had four passages spaced out in even intervals. What seemed safe to assume was that somewhere behind each doorway, bar the one they'd entered, a Heart Stone lay in wait.

"Let's head east first" Death suggested as he headed to the door to his right.

Carina and Soren nodded, quickly following suit.
Dust launched from the Horseman's shoulder after he pushed the double doors open. The noise echoed throughout the semi lit hallway.

"Just a word of warning" Death started, walking down the corridor "The Makers say a dark presence now lurks here. Stay alert, don't drop your guard"

Carina nodded. "Understood. Could it be corruption or something similar?"

"It's hard to say. I've seen many things countless times. But this corruption would be a first" the rider replied with an uncertainty that almost went unnoticed.
Humph...keep telling yourself that..

<<>><<>>

The chamber loomed around them on all sides. At its centre, suspended from chains was a large glowing rock of a blue-green hue. It didn't take a genius to figure that this was in fact a Heart Stone.

There was only one problem.

"Any idea on how we're going to get it down? Because there's not a hope in hell or heaven that Soren and Dust will be able to dislodge the thing" Carina stated, folding her arms.

Death looked up at the hanging stone, considering various courses of action.
Hmm...no. I don't have the energy to do that yet...

He glanced around, suddenly noticing the platform that sat behind the Heart Stone. He turned his attention to the other walls nearest to it.
Perfect.

"Stay here" the Horseman ordered as he approached the walls; not waiting for a response.

Carina, Soren and Dust watched as Death quickly climbed the walls. The rider grabbed what he could and ran across what he could not. Jumping from one wall to the other, he landed on the platform.
Death drew a scythe and launched at the stone.
Sparks flew as he slashed the chains which snapped with a shattering sound. A rumble from the falling rock quickly followed.

Returning his blade to his belt, Death released his grip on the remaining chain and dropped to the stone floor.

<<>><<>>

Carina stood aside, holding one of the doors open for Death who, having more trouble than he's let on, was carrying the large Heart Stone. He slowed to a stop as they entered the courtyard. As he looked up at the Guardian, his jaw mentally dropped.

Retrieving the Heart Stone was one thing. Getting it into the indent sitting at least thirty metres above them was by far another.

However, as Death came close to the Guardian's left side, a psychic tug snatched the stone from his grasp. All they could do was watch as it rose up and lodged itself into the hollow of the construct's shoulder.

One down. Two to go.