Darksiders: The Survivors

Chapter 22 - Resurrection

The grassy plains seemed peaceful. It was like being back on Earth again before the Apocalypse to Mathias Dimitrescu as he stepped into the field beside Fury. They had followed Death and the Crowfather to his portal to the Tree of Life. A central hub that connected to all realms made by Creation: Heaven, Hell, Earth, and even the Abyss itself. Then inside the magnificent trunk lay a series of portals. Mathias Dimitrescu was fascinated as he walked hand in hand into the next portal alongside Fury. At the same time, he did wonder where the other portals led, perhaps War, Strife and his best friend were somewhere beyond one of them.

This world, the Far Fields, was home to the Horsemaster, who kept his steeds under close watch—a beautiful grassland with many hills and mountains on the horizon. Death remembered as he stepped into this realm again that he was the first to claim his mount and named him Despair. His siblings, especially War, thought he was just showing off.

But Death knew he had chosen the right steed the moment it was broken by his hands. Instantly, he glimpsed it, grazing like any nearby mammal. The magnificent beast was in indescribable glory. The Horsemaster needn't comment for Death had found the perfect match. He didn't care if his siblings had made their minds up or not. For all he knew was that he was the Horseman who was the first to act.

Swift as the wind, he was in pursuit. The steed reacted to his rapid approach as he mounted it elegantly, and with a quick swing, he was in control, briefly with the reins in his hand as he locked the harness in place. The beast whinnied and struggled, but Death was relentless and soon it was broken and transformed to suit his image.

Fury remembered being irritated at Death's triumphant ordeal. But the only other thing she recalled before she made her attempt was reassuring War that the two of them would show their older brother how to break a steed.

After that, she went for the most fierce-looking black beauty she saw. She couldn't remember how it went, but the Horsemaster seemed impressed. She then paused as they followed the Crowfather through the plains. What if there is no black steed like before? I am Fury, rider of the black horse... or so I thought I was until that day. Even if Rampage's soul truly lies within this flask I hold, what if the body claimed is not truly the Rampage I remember? She thought.

For the first time, she felt vulnerable and did not want anyone to see it. Death was following the Crowfather silently but she had forgotten Mathias next to her until she felt him squeeze her hand gently. She turned to him and he smiled at her, his reassurance was comforting, things would work out, they had to, for she had been through just as enough pain as her brother War did, and for the first time, things were beginning to look up.

The Crowfather halted abruptly in the grasslands. At first, the plains were empty and the wind whistled slightly. "Where is the Horsemaster?" Death inquired, crossing his arms.

"If he's dead, this is for nothing," Fury added,

Dust suddenly flew off of Death's shoulder and headed toward the hills North, Death rushed after him. He always knew when the bird could sense things before anyone else could. The Crowfather also began to follow as Dust had once belonged to him.

"Now now, Fury. Even if that were true, the steeds remain, and so does their master. Though it seems there aren't as many this time, I have never visited this realm before. But, we must trust in sometimes even the smallest of creatures,"

Fury sighed and hurried forward to the wise man's position, nearly dragging Mathias with her as her hand was still linked to his. It was impossible to keep up with them, as Dust flew so far and fast, that Death had mounted Despair to keep up with his companion. The crow took them closer to the mountains and soon they were in another pasture at the very edge and there were indeed a few horses grazing but less than anticipated.