Darksiders: The Survivors

Chapter 14 - Black Hammer

The Forge Lands: homeworld to the Makers was a vast place with lush forests, colossal mountains of ice and snow, and many creations made of stone by the Makers themselves. They were a proud race, bulky but strong, and never taking part in Heaven and Hell's conflict. It was hard to imagine that their home was not considered part of the three kingdoms. It was here that Azrael travelled at the request of his old friend Ulthane, a Maker that they would meet.

Ulthane was the most infamous of his kind for participating in Abaddon's plan, alongside Azrael, to shatter all but one of the Seven Seals, an act he greatly regretted, this landed him in exile in the Third Kingdom where he began to fight for his own survival, eventually building Haven and partnering with Strife and Fury to round up human survivors. Now, he could not believe he was back in his homeworld the Forge Lands. He did believe, however, that his acts to undo his blunders are what counted as redemption.

Azrael too had his doubt that his Maker friend would land himself back in his home after what had happened, but perhaps he was underestimating them. The angel arrived through the Serpent Hole that Vulgrim had prepared for him, and taking in his surroundings he saw that the Forge Lands looked brand new, like the Corruption never spread, let alone, existed in the first place. The Tree of Life stood in the center beyond one of the mountain passes and Azrael was right in the meadow that divided the area into different places. Great stone structures and arches loomed ahead marking additional paths to the many cliffs and woods inhabited by constructors and massive wardens.

Azrael rose to a higher altitude, searching for any signs of Maker structures that might indicate a settlement. To his Southeast, there it was, a large building of classic Maker work, a great stone face with multiple doorways, and encircling domes with connecting paths. Two large warden statues were on each side of the central one. At their bases, one side spewed water and on the other, lava. The two elements that powered the forges of the Maker world and each of them had its own source further out in the wilderness. Azrael could make out that the structure looked damaged, some spots were also stained black from fire as if there had been an attack, but it didn't look like it was recent. He breathed a sigh of relief and flew towards it.

The structure grew before him as he neared it and down below it was springing with life: Several Makers were toiling away at their work. The male Makers were massive and muscular while the females were slimmer but not without some degree of bulkiness. Among them, Azrael spotted countless humans, many of them were dirty and scruffy like they were wearing the only clothes they own. The angel had never seen any other humans other than Emily and Mathias, these ones looked like they had been through trauma. Many of them were huddled at campfires in broad daylight, while some of them were even helping the Makers with their work. Azrael slowly descended, not wishing to alarm them with his arrival.

To his surprise, there were also glowing lights flickering around the humans, and as the angel drew closer, he realized that these were human ghosts. The souls were released from the Well just as Death had done. Azrael couldn't help but smile, only time now would remove his own guilt for aiding Abaddon. It was disheartening, however, that these humans could not have their physical forms restored, every rose had its thorn, and perhaps those already dead would have a choice to make: remain in the real world to stay in touch with their loved ones who were still alive, or leave to rest in peace. There were still more survivors than Azrael had imagined and they all appeared to be doing well. Perhaps it was enough for humanity to rebuild themselves when this was over, but they still didn't have much of a world to go back to which would take even longer to restore.

Ulthane was visible shepherding a couple of humans to carry wood and other supplies. The Forge Lands were rich with resources, there was no doubt about it and appeared to be thriving since the Corruption was destroyed. The Maker spotted Azrael land furthest away from the great stone face. He was well away for no one to be aware of his presence except his old friend and the angel preferred it be that way, for now,