#DarksiderWeek2020

[ladybell9095]

Hello there! 

This is an idea I came up with for Darksiders Week Day 1. This is also my first time doing this kind of thing, so I hope this is expectable for Day 1. This involves Strife and Fury going on a mission given to them by the Council. In no way are they being shipped together. This is basically how I interpret how a mission would go for them or at least this is one of the ways. Anyhow...

In the frozen barren tundra, we join our two riders. It was an odd pair, very rare pair as a matter of fact. There was no hate between these two. An overwhelming amount of annoyance, but no hate. Sent by The Council to destroy an artifact used by one of Lucifer’s generals, Strife and Fury prepare themselves for a long mission.

“Climbing the side of a mountain on horseback while during a snowstorm was a great idea brother! I can’t imagine how much time were saving!” Fury shouted sarcastically over her shoulder. Taking on the challenge that was this aggravating snowstorm wasn’t a problem. Putting Rampage through literal frozen Hell was a problem for the female rider. Besides her own voice she constantly heard Rampages heavy breathing. “Come on Rampage. We’ve been through worse. This storm won’t slow you down.” Rampage neighed in response to his rider’s encouragement. He took the storm head on and pushed through the thick blanket of snow.

“This is a way better plan than yours!” Strife yelled back as loud as he could through the icy wind. “Besides your just mad because all you decided to wear was that flimsy cloak!”

“I thought we were going to Hell! Not a desolate frozen wasteland of a realm!”

“I guess it’s just one of those cold days in Hell!” Strife laughed at his humor but was silenced by the red unamused glare casted at him. “Just a little further and we’ll reach the mountains peak! You want to borrow my scarf?!”

“Only if I get to strangle you with it.”, Fury growled.

Two hours had passed before the mountains peak was in sight. The snowy path the two horsemen trailed opened up to an everlasting night sky. There were the decrepit remains of a building lost to the realm’s icy wrath. Mayhem and Rampage were rewarded with a well-deserved rest and took shelter under an old wooden canopy. On foot Fury and Strife explored the mountain top for any unwanted attention.

When everything was cleared the two made their way to the old building. Upon entering Fury identified the structure as an abandon barrack. There were rusted blades and broken axes that laid in some weapon racks that were still intact. With what few racks remained Fury went in search for a weapon for her to use for fun while being on this undetailed mission. Strife went around checking for any signs of life that would call these barracks its home. Giving the building a thorough run through, the barracks were deemed to be the riders base of operations.

The horsemen took some time to rest themselves before traversing back down the mountain to start their job. Fury went outside and went to go check on Rampage. Time with Rampage was possibly the only way to wind down her anger. Rampage lifted his head to his approaching rider and stared at her with tired eyes. Fury apologized to her friend and fed him some apples that she keeps hidden in one of the saddle pouches. Mayhem had smelled the delicious treat and moved closer to the two. While Rampage at his treat Fury pulled out another apple and fed it to Mayhem. When the apples were gone Fury went back to her brother, leaving the horses with a fire to keep them warm.

Fury found her brother lying against a wooden chair with his feet resting on top of a questionable creaky wooden table. She took the stool on the other side of the table and waited for her brother to tell her exactly what it is that they were searching for. At the time she failed to give any attention during the Councils briefing after hearing the word armies. Fury waited and waited, wondering if her brother would ever say a word. Once she heard him give a quick snore, she flipped the table along with Strife.

“Is it me,” Strife spoke with a finger pointed in the air. “or do you hate sleeping? Because I was having the nicest dream.”

“You can sleep when we’ve done our job. Which I still have no idea about.”

“Didn’t you listen to anything the Council said? Oh, wait no you didn’t because someone always jumps the gun at the mentions of any sort of physical confrontation.”

“Shut up and explain already.”

Strife gave a sigh and sat upright. “We’re here to destroy an artifact, that’s it. Council said we’ll know it when we see it.”

“That’s all?”

“And kill a whole bunch of enemies on the way.”

“Perfect. When do we leave?”

“Right now.”

Strife was to lead them on this mission seeing how he was the one who bothered to listen to the pile of rocks. He looked down to the stronghold to try and get a good layout of the area. The stronghold covered a massive area which was walled off by tall stone walls. On the outside of these walls were small groups of enemies acting as guards. On the inside there were several stone iron structures. In the center was the tallest building with heavy security. There was no doubt to that being where the artifact was being held. With the need to know information the two left the horses behind and traversed down the mountain.

At the base of the mountain the two snuck around to find entry into the massive stronghold. Near the back was a hole left by invaders prior to them. Strife was thankful that Fury understood the means of an ambush unlike War who would charge in headfirst. On the way to the obvious holding place of their objective everything went smoothly. Luck seemed to be on their side, but that luck vanished the closer they got to the main building.

There were way more guards there than Strife saw earlier and there were probably twice as more inside. Both horsemen had to up their game now that they were deep inside enemy territory. Sneaking became more of a challenge now that they were closer. There were to many close calls of their location being found out. All they needed was to find a way inside, but there was no entry for them to sneak in undetected.

“Damn they have this placed locked up good.”, Strife whispered keeping his wits about him.

“Sneaking around like rats has been proven useless now. The only way in is through those doors.”

“We can’t go rushing in without us being surrounded by demons. We play it safe and find another way in.”

“The guards. Surely one of those idiots must know another way in.”

“Already looking for the sucker.” Strife navigated his eyes some more and spotted his target. “There. You see the one lounging about and stuffing his face with creator knows what? That’s our target.”

“Good let us go get him.”

“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.” Strife stopped Fury with his arm, but she quickly swatted it away. “This is a delicate matter. Best to let me handle this.”

“Who other than you to handle the delicate work around here.”, Fury smiled to herself.

“Very funny. Alright once I grab him, you create a distraction. Got it?”

“And how can I do that without revealing my location?”

“You’ll figure something out.”

With no help from her brother Fury started looking around for anything to draw the enemy’s attention. She looked around and found some bottles carelessly lying about. She popped open the cork and smelled its contents. The bottles were filled with oil. Fury knew exactly what to do with them. She uncorked a few more bottles and placed them to the side of her.

While Fury was preparing for her part Strife was working on his. He moved through the shadows, unseen and ever silent. When the shadows were no longer an option, he took the high ground, taking out any guards that would cause him trouble. He was now above his target. Before he made another move, he used on of his sabers to signal Fury.

Fury saw a gleam of light and made her move. Without warning Fury chucked one of the bottles of oil to the campfire the demons ate around. The glass shattered and the oil in the bottle covered the ground. Again, Fury threw another bottle of oil, but this time she aimed it at the fire. The bottle exploded once the flames reached the oil. Soon the whole campsite was set a flame.

Strife taking the opportunity, jumped the demon, and beat him until he was unconscious. He slung the demon over his shoulder and headed for the exit. As a good added measure more bottles of oil were thrown and spread to the opposite side of the camp. Fury took a moment to admire her work and enjoy the panic shouts coming from the demons before heading to the exit herself.

Once Fury caught up with her brother, they went back to the old barracks to interrogate their captive. Finding some old but durable chains they chained up the demon tightly. They hung his bound arms over a support beam and proceeded to wake him.

“How is this demon still asleep?”

“Don’t know, but the guy is going to have one rude awakening.” Strife went to one of the torches that gave the room its light, grabbed it, and held it against the demon’s unconscious body. The demon registered its pain with an agonizing cry. “There we go.”

“Nicely done brother.”

The demon focused on the new voices and focused on the sound of his restraints. “Horsemen!”, the demon shouted.

“Demon.”, Strife spoke back. “Now that we know who we all are let’s get down to brass tacks.”

“You’re here for the artifact that powers one of Lord Lucifer’s weapons, aren’t you?”, the demon blurted.

“Good we don’t have to explain ourselves. Now you will tell us how to get into the building that holds this artifact!”, Fury threatened while holding the dimwitted demon by the collar.

“Of course you would ask about the secret tunnel hidden under the crates on the west side of the building.”

Fury let go of the demon and stood with her brother. “He’s not a very bright is he?”, Strife loudly whispered.

“Rather the demon is that stupid or we got unlucky with your pick.”

“Well now we know where a secret tunnel is, we don’t need this guy anymore.”

“Do your worst horseman!”

Fury cracked her knuckles. “With pleasure.”

“Hold up.” Fury stopped.

“You got to hit him now it is my turn.”, Fury complained with her fist held high.

“No one is hitting anyone. We’re letting him go.”

Fury turned with her tightly held fist towards her brother. “What?!”

“When does a horseman grant mercy?”, the demon asked.

“Yes, when do the horsemen grant mercy?”

“Hey, the guy told us what we needed to know and made this job a hundred times easier.” Strife took out his sabers and cut through the chains like butter. “Now go on, get out of here before tall mean and scary chops your head off.”

The demon was cautious as he made his way to the door. Both horsemen kept an eye on him and followed him out the door. They watched him walk to the snow-covered path.

“Strife what the hell has gotten into you?! Are you really going to let that creature live?!”

Strife quickly unholstered Mercy. Two bullets left Mercy’s chamber. The demon had collapsed dead on the snow with a bullet hole through the head and the chest and blood surrounding the fresh corpse. “Nope.”

Fury punched her brother. “Always having to have the last killing with you.”

“This is probably the only demon I’ll get to kill with you around. Had to get some action in.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“Well it’s this idiot who chose the right idiot to tell us some information.”

“False information.”

“It may have been false, but now we know our only way in is through the front doors.”

“And you’re sure this is the correct course of action?”

“This is me we’re talking about. When has your brother ever been wrong?” Fury was about to comment on the question. “Don’t answer that. I’m willing to bet all my gold that there is a trap waiting for us.”

“Trap or not there will finally be some excitement to this mission. We leave when the stronghold isn’t on fire anymore. It may be a while. There were a lot of bottles of oil.”

Having no day or night cycle gave the two a hard time of wondering how much time has passed. While waiting for the distraction to calm down the two kept watch on the stronghold. As useless as demons seemed to be their flailing about finally put out Fury’s fires. Now was the time to move out again and to do what they came here for.

As to be expected there was added security at the hole where the two first made their entry. At this point the two were all out of patience and ran headfirst into the horde. Alarms and various roars rang from the sound of battle. Instinctively the two stuck together and rained hell on their oncoming enemies. In the midst of battle Fury and Strife make a moment of eye contact. Fury was reminded of the times back during her time as a Nephilim. She was pretty sure Strife was too by how familiar his fighting style was becoming. His sabers even made more of an appearance.

Strife shouted, “31!” Fury was confused by the number but caught on when Strife shouted, “40!”

“Are you challenging me?!”

“Not much of a challenge with the points I got! Oh!” A demon fell dead at Strife’s feet. “Make that 41!”

“Better bring your all brother because I started counting once we arrived! I’m up to 54!”

“Only 54?! Your slacking Fury!”

“Taunt all you want, but I will prevail!”

The fighting continued as waves of enemies kept coming. If they stay here playing this competition any longer, they would not succeed in their mission.  When there was some breathing room the two entered the building. Once the doors slammed shut behind them more demons came at them once more.

“As much as I loved to kill all these creatures, we need to find that artifact!”

“No doubt reinforcements will be coming through that door. You go and destroy the artifact. I’ve got your back.”

“Right.”

“And Fury!” Fury slain another poor soul before turning to her brother. “Be careful!”

“When am I not?!”, Fury jested before heading deeper into the building.

She explored every room and found only more to add to her score. When she came across a grand giant door, she kicked it open. On the other side she was immediately greeted by annoying demons. Her whip sliced through the chest of her last foe and fell with its innards lying on the floor. Stepping over the corpse Fury found the artifact, but before she could reach it a giant axe stood in her way.

She dodged the swing of the brute wielding axe demon and readied Scorn. The demon towered above her and bathed Fury in his foul breath. He wore more armor than the rest and brandish the seal of his master in his leathery skin. “You and your brother have caused quite a bit of damage in my stronghold.”

“If it weren’t for my brother this place would’ve been reduced to a pile of ash.”

The demon roared with anger. “My defenses are not easy to take down.”

Fury laughed. “I didn’t see any defenses when we first infiltrated or when I set fire to your pitiful camp.”

The sharpened axe came hurdling towards Fury once again. Fury evaded the slow attack and readied for her own. She whipped Scorn at the demon, but he had caught her attack with his axe. “How fitting it is to give the weakest horseman the useless weapon.”

Fury snarled and tugged Scorn with all her might. The demon grasped the axe no more as it laid on the ground. Fury lunged at the demon and left a long-jagged gash across the demons left eye. “You will learn of my strength and you will learn how I can make any weapon lethal!”

Unlike his weapons strife was running out of juice. Reinforcements kept coming. If this kept going it would put the final nail in his coffin. He put his brain to work and looked around for anything to help out. The answer he found couldn’t have been more obvious. Strife took out some bombs and lines them above the doors entrance and the pillars that were next to it. He shot them setting off a chain reaction that covered the only entrance with rubble.

Time was finally on his side and he used it to go search for the artifact and Fury. To his luck he heard the echoes of a battle cry he knew all too well. As he got closer to the noise it started to lessen and then there was silence. Crazy angry at himself for worrying about his sister to death, Strife ran into the room and found that he worried for nothing. There stood Fury covered in blood, Scorn firmly in her hand, and the massive demon at her feet.

Strife came in with a low whistle. He looked to the demon’s eyes, with both being lashed into from the work of Fury’s whip. “Ouch. Went for the eyes I see.” Fury didn’t respond for she was catching her breath. “Where’s the artifact?”

Fury held out the shattered remains of a crystal. “Destroyed.”

“Well I’d say this was a job well done, but we still need to get out of here. Problem is that I may have blocked the only exit.”

“Then we shall make our own.”

“I’m with you there.” Strife reciprocated the same process with the front entrance and blew a hold in the side of the building. Unfortunately for the horseman, with more noise came more attention. “This is getting ridiculous. How many demons can there be in hell for us to kill? Must’ve gone through half of Hell by now.”

“As much as I would like to continue our competition, I suggest we retreat.”

“Getting tired already sis?”

“After beating that giant oaf, I wouldn’t mind a break. Plus, it will save you the humiliation of me obviously winning the challenge.”

“Bullshit. Whats your score?” Several arrows falling towards the two silenced the horsemen before the reveal. They high tailed it through the strongholds front gates and summoned their horses. Strife gave them some cover fire as they got farther away from the stronghold. When they were far away enough Strife asked once more. “So, what was your score?”

“187.”

“Hate to break it to you sis, but I’ve won. I got 200.”

“That may be so, but I didn’t count the big one yet. With adding the large demon that puts me to about 207.”

“No. no. no. no. no. That’s against the rules.”

“I don’t remember any rules. I only remember a challenge. A challenge I rightly won.” Strife was left speechless and threw a fit while mumbling to himself. “Better luck next time brother.” Fury whipped the reins on Rampage and rode towards her next mission.