Darksiders: Falling to Grace

Chapter XXII

"Fury," Death began. "I'm going out for a while, okay?" The violet haired Nephilim simply nodded in agreement.

"See you soon, brother." Death created a Serpent Hole near the table and stood on the rune. His body swirled in colours of blue and purple before completely disappearing.

Dropping through the other rune across the vast descent into nothingness, he arrived at his destination. Sticking to the shadows like usual, he had Dust scout the area. With nothing in his way, the Pale Rider pressed on.

She was walking home from dinner with a friend. The way was lit only by broken stray lamps and a hidden moon high in the midnight sky. Her hair was thrown in a messy bun, wearing platform shoes and a mid thigh red dress with long sleeves and a V-neck. Through all her changes over the years, the one thing remaining the same was that golden bird necklace draped carefully around her throat.

She turned a corner into the same alley she used to travel to the top room of her home. Quickly he rushed towards her, pinning her against the cold, brick wall and placing his arm forcibly over her neck.

"Who are you?" Clearly she didn't see him through the darkness surrounding the two. Dust cawed and she definitely knew that. "D-Death? Is-is th-that you?" She stuttered fearing for her life.

"Why are you still alive?!" He unintentionally yelled. Releasing his grip she caught the shine of his mask.

The female didn't speak.

"Answer me, damnit!" The crow landed on the Horseman's shoulder.

"Why have you been following me?"

Anger burned inside him. "I'm asking the questions, Kikyo." Death sneered at her name.

"Fine."

"Good."

Ca-caw.

"Why. Are. You. Still alive?" He asked once more.

She scoffed defiantly. She could risk exposing Strife's lie, or die by withholding the information he desired.

He pulled a scythe from his hip and placed it against her bare skin. "I won't ask again, and if you lie to me. I will end you. Right here, right now."

She jerked a bit before speaking. "Strife allowed me the luxury of living."

"I know that you ignorant woman. I mean why didn't we notice your prolonged existence?"

"Hell if I know." She grabbed the scythe and shoved it away, slicing her index finger in the process. Instantly it healed with nary a bit of blood lost. "What I do know is that you're here harassing me. Now why's that, huh?"

"Fuck you." He retorted.

Kikyo smirked, "ain't that a pity. I was really looking forward to teasing you. Guess it'll have to wait."

Death sighed heavily. "It's where you fled, isn't it? War carries the same stench as you."

She stiffened not responding. Kikyo tilted her head away and stared at the littered pathway. He grabbed her chin forcibly and made her look at him.

"Let me go!" Was her reaction as well as slapping him behind the mask. He did not enjoy that. Grabbing her arms, Death picked her up and slung her into the trash bin at the back of the alley. She dropped to the ground face first and left a major imprint of her body in the metal. The female grunted as her hair fell into her face.

"You son-of-a-bitch!" She hissed.

"Oh please, you and I have the same mother." Death retorted. But listening closer, he heard two very unfamiliar heartbeats. "Did you hear that?" He glanced around seeing if humans were near.

"Hear what?" The Healer scoffed.

Death shushed her, stepping away. The heartbeats dimmed with every step. Suspicions were raised. He began stalking towards Kikyo, stopping right above her. The beats were louder. His orang-ish eyes grew wide with shock. Inhaling sharply he picked her up by her wrists dangling her above him.

"What have you two done?" His voice cracked when he dropped her.

She swallowed hard. "I-"

"Shut it! You know as well as I that you were suppose to die that day, and now you break all the rules that were set long before then. What were you thinking?!"

"I wasn't-"

"Exactly! You didn't think! How long have these... things, been growing inside you?!"

Kikyo tried her best to hold back the tears. When one slipped she quickly wiped it away. "They're not a thi-"

"Hold your tongue!" He demanded. "If the Council learns about this... it will jeopardize everything. You will learn the consequences of your actions, filthy healer." Death spat.

"Please, Death. Don't, for the sake of your kin." She cried. "This is all I ever wanted. I never asked to be created this way." Her voice was slipping in its tones.

Death felt sympathy for her. "Kikyo, what you and Strife have created will never be accepted by the Charred Council. You've damned yourself along with my brother."