#darksiders the abomination vault

[proxis-shattered-expectations]

Darksiders Update!

Had a couple things going on such as my sister's wedding and other life changes, but just coming on and letting you guys know I'm alive and kicking...and finally got myself the abomination vault to officially read! IT WAS SO GOOD! Def solidifies my love for Darksiders, and especially after getting that teaser I am stoked to see what new stuff I can create. In the meantime, made a great display for the Horsemen pins and some pics with the book itself (photo quality is crappy, forgive)

Also have plenty of the Horsemen pins still available on my Ko-fi, feel free to check that out, the more I sell the more stuff I can make for this awesome fandom! Also for those that have bought the pins, feel free to Reblog and show me what/where you put the horsemen!

Proxi-Dreams Art Ko-fi shop

Been prepping for some local cons, but if you guys want to support, I have an Instagram for my official art stuff with all the latest updates. I just hit 500 followers there, so I am holding a Gievaway raffle, with the chance to win 1 DARKSIDERS PIN OF YOUR CHOICE or 25$ worth in stickers or prints! Go ahead and check it out to get a chance at a Free pin or merch!

Proxamina Instagram Giveaway

I'll still be here on Tumblr, no worries there, feel free to ask questions or dm me!

[darkdemeter]

DARK FEATHERS TEASER 3

・@screechinginthevoid another little teaser for Dark Feathers, more centered around reader and Crowdad's relationship. A lot of hurt comfort and some angst in this and more so focused on Death in particular・

There again is that horrible feeling that swells in your chest. A dark and growing pit of utter anguish and betrayal. Your fingers close around the feather and pull it close to your heart, hoping that maybe, you can reach out to Dust. That you can find him and therefore, Death. 

You miss them. You need your Horsemen to save you. But they’re not here this time to do that. You find yourself back in that attic, huddled up with your books and graphic novels, dreaming of your adventurous escape away from a life you now consider distant and not yours.

Legs beginning to quiver, trembling from the loss of will to keep standing, you fight in vain to hold yourself strong. 

“You’re stronger than this,” you keep muttering yourself in a whispered mantra. “Be stronger than this. Be stronger… strong—stronger…”

The feather in your grasp bristles, a sudden death coming over it and like ashes of its remains, it disintegrates before your very eyes. Vivid and sharply cutting into and out of your vision, you see him. Tall pale standing alongside his steed, a hand clasped around the elongated hilt of harvester as it too stands beside him. 

Tears fall steadily down your cheeks and you cannot bring yourself to keep them caged any longer. Your chest feels as if it’s ready to burst from the onslaught of how much you want to scream.

Please… 

Please… come back to me…

Your chest feels as if it’s ready to burst from the onslaught of how much you want to scream.

Come back to me…

Please?

You want to scream out to him. As a mirror shatters into a thousand, useless shards, the vision is lost and the sound finally breaks free; but you’re too late. 

“PLEASE!”

Your breath becomes raggedly and tight in your lungs, forcing you to whimper and gasp aloud. Your strength is defeated yet again and you fall forward, catching yourself with the grazing of your palms against the ground. 

When you raise your head to stare upwards, the moon glowers at you with that similar pale and you want to scream out in anger, to curse it for taunting you so. The bellow of a frosty wind blows through, reminding you of him as you think you can smell the faintest catch of his scent. 

“Why… does everyone leave me behind like this?” 

“I never did,” says your father from behind. The croak of his octave evidently giving away just how tired he had become these past few centuries alone. Your head turns rapidly, a short gasp in your throat as you’re caught red-handed. 

But he doesn’t look down on you with that iron glare, reprimanding you in your grief. His gaze is soft to regard with sympathy, the way his long, ratty and white brows slope down and the creased wrinkle softening in his features. Despite his age, he bends down low and takes hold of your hand that you reach out towards him, only to reconsider and instead throw yourself at him to embrace him. 

His hands move to catch you and take hold, never once faltering and giving you a chance to think he’ll leave you. Not here, not now — not ever. 

“Hush,” he croones lowly as you begin to tremble, crying, “Hush now, my child… I’m here.”

To know that your father is here, right before your very eyes where you’re able to see, touch and know he’s really here is comforting enough. He banishes the horrors of your nightmares and of your sorrows. Just a little, he manages to make that void disappear and make you forget all but the time when it was just the two of you. There were no Horsemen, none of these… feelings that made your heart beat faster and your stomach turn and flutter. It was just you and your father, attending the quietness of the archives together as you learn all there is about inscribing and learning how to communicate with the crows. 

As his hand moves in slow strokes to run through your hair, he remembers the evenings where you would be face down in an opened tome, breath silent and peaceful and sound asleep. He’d brush the strays of your hair from your face, gentle as to not wake you. How lucky he was to have you as his heir; his darling child. How honoured he feels every waking moment when he hears your voice call him ‘Dad’ not as a formality, but because he is the father you needed in your life. Someone you could count on to protect you no matter what, to cheer you up and to assure you that all would be well. 

Your shuddering begins to wane and your cries grow quiet after sometime, reduced into a muted choir of sniffles and stuttered breaths. His hand continues to brush and comb through your hair with tender abandon, the act second nature to him by now. With a final prod that lifts a frame of hair out of your eyes, your gaze meets his and that warm, wrinkled smile. 

“I know you are young and still in love,” he begins, his hand held under your chin and thumb wiping a stray tear, “But never forget that first and most, I will be the one who loves you through. I am the one who will never turn on you.”

You pull yourself closer to him again and your hands hold tightly to him. He chuckles at this, noting just how badly you needed the closeness of someone you love; someone you can trust. 

And you do. Your father has never once turned his back on you. 

“I’m sorry I didn’t see it before, Dad.” Your sigh is remorseful. You’d been so consumed in the blindness of your love that you forgot that your father had been there all along. Watchful over you but silent, like a ghost in the background, awaiting only for when he saw that when all else failed you, you needed him to raise you back up. 

“Love is… dangerous in the way it causes such blindness. But despite the storm in your eyes, I knew that the blizzard would blow over soon and you would see me again.”

Your eyes momentarily meet and the ever faint glisten in his eyes is a secret. You don’t bring any notice to it, but you acknowledge that on the inside, he encounters a battle all his own as he too does battle with the amulet’s influence. But by bit, your father grows weary and a piece of his sanity is stolen. 

“I see you, Dad. You’re the one that’s here for me now.” 

There is a gnawing fear that he too will become lost to you, but with hope, you cling to him like nothing else in this life can keep you afloat. He tuts at you with a shake of his head, pulling you once more into his arms.

“I always shall be, child. Always.”

In the muffle of his cloaked robes, a smile befalls over your lips as you’re held close, so secure and safe. Not another thought turns back towards the shadow of your past whilst you’re here. Your father is all you need in the end. You see that now as he beckons you to follow with him, together you walk out of the aviary and bid the crows a farewell as they all filter out through the aviary’s top and into the realm’s night to scourge secrets.

You feel that the world is finally coming back into order. The world as you know it. The one where it’s just you and him. But like everything good in your life, it comes to a swift execution. Your father stumbles forward slightly and with a shocked gasp, caught unawares, you steep yourself to catch hold of him and to support him. 

“Dad,” you say, eyes tracing him worriedly but he only brushes off your concern with a forced, tired smile that reaches his eyes too harshly. The look of an elderly man who disintegrates before your eyes like the feather in your palms. 

“I am… fine.” His attempt to assure you does little to actually succeed but nevertheless, you help him back through the winding corridors, retreating inside the walls of your dark castle, surrounded by the force of your solitude. 

Death paces the balance of Harvest in his grip with a feverish irate, impatience pronounced in every passing pat that meets his shoulder. He’s stared on for what feels like eons towards the icy fortress, locked inside the lover he left behind.

[doodlesdreaming]

Heya Doodles! Got a wholesome idea for Death. Do ya think he'd be like how Little Creek is for Spirit when it comes to giving affection and playing with Despair? Also I'd like to see Death giving some affection to Dust too. After all, a proper mage cares for and loves their familiars like they would a pet. The novel even showcases how Death would kill anyone who dared to even aim at Dust. Meanwhile, he also checked over Despair as best he could after his first run in with Hadrimon on the bridge. Just figured it might be a wholesome subject.

Even more reason why Death isn't a complete a**hole. XD

I don't know about being playful, but I gave no doubt that Death spends quality time with both Despair and Dust. I can see him having private conversations with Despair to let loose what's on his mind, and Dust is...well, you know how some people talk things over to themselves to get their thoughts together? Yeah, Dust is his thought processor. XP

[charalysis]

Darksiders: Strife

As a third entry into my Darksiders series, let's discuss Strife!

Of the Four, so far, he's the one we know the least about, even with the inclusion of the book and comics as a source. What we do know, however, is that he's the funny one of the gang. He's snarky and cracking jokes, with some snark sprinkled in. He's essentially the rogue of the group, using ranged weapons (ie guns), as well as daggers for melee if needed.

Strife has also been shown to be a bit temperamental, following Fury in quickness of frustration. He's also straight to the point when he has to be and can even be rude. His rudeness and brashness is particularly noticed when interacting with Death in Abomination Vault, in which he points a gun at Death.

Its not the first time he's threatened his brother's either, having threatened to shoot War to death if he didn't calm down after a rampage, resulting in War's arm being cut off.

And finally, Strife is shown to be the most empathetic of the Four. He feels immense remorse for killing his fellow Nephalem, and he cares a great deal for humanity, wanting them saved and Fury to see them as more than what does at first.

Strife's certainly the most emotionally expressive of the Four, which balances out when paired with the brother he's closest to, War. The two often butt heads, especially around the Council and Nephalem, but they help each other very well. Strife listens to War's more thought out advice and Strife helps War learn to joke and relax a little.

He expresses grief and remorse far more often and easier than the others as well, finding the fact that their people were killed by their hands very distressing. It even angers him when War seems dismissive or detached about it. Connection and community actually seem to mean something to him, especially given he chooses to hide amongst humans on Earth.

He seems to have a great respect, even love for mankind, defending them to Fury (as Jones) and living amongst them in Ulthane's tree. He cares for them and wants them to survive the apocalypse deeply.

He may also be the most introspective of the Four.

War doesn't see passed his singular goal of preserving the Balance easily and needs significant guidance to see truths. He almost tries to not see the truth at times.

Fury is egotistical and hot headed, refusing to see her flaws and faults until she's been significantly beaten down. She's blind to her own fragility and weakness.

And Death, whos relationship with Strife I want to inspect more of here, can't see outside himself, his feelings, and how he wants to run things. Death can't conceptualize the future either, too lost in his past and grief.

Strife looks at himself to see where he's messed up and he acknowledges it. He tries to be better than he was and can recognize where he has to improve.

However, he can end up just as lost in the past as Death.

Like Death, he mourns their lost brethren. He regrets destroying them and he also regrets other deaths he caused. In Genesis, he finds an item in Mammon's Hoard that triggers what seems to be a panic response. We later learn the item is tied to his past and tells War there's a lot he's not told him about himself. Strife seems to be pretty impacted by his last, but is unwilling to share it, meaning its too difficult to bring up, or he's worried his brothers won't support him and help him. Its similar to Death's reaction to hearing about the discovery of the Grand Abominations and his need to handle things alone.

Strife also seems to hide these deeper feelings with humor, snark, and by amping up his personality to 100 so others just think he's an idiot or unaffected by things. His openness around War seems to be a product of their bond however, as War frequently tries his best to comfort Strife, specifically trying to reassure him that he isn't who he was and he can change for the better. Strife seems to take this to heart.

Also like Death, he wears a mask to hide himself. In Death's case, the symbolism of his mask his a bit different to Strife's, as Death's is a mask that helps him hide from others and keep him from being vulnerable. Death's mask is as much a piece of his past as the Nephalem.

Strife's mask covers a lot more of his head and face than Death's mask, and his armor completely covers his body too. We don't actually know even what Strife's skin color is. All we know is his eyes seem to be yellow based on the helmet's glow.

Strife's mask to me says, "You can't know me, I won't let you know me". It also shows a lack of trust in others, perhaps related to his past. And I genuinely believe he doesn't trust people. Perhaps he trusts War and Fury, but certainly not Death or the Council.

The Council is an obvious thing to mistrust, but Death... Death seems odd right? Well no.

Death has hidden a lot from his fellows and Strife is aware of that. Death has hidden world ending information from them for his own comfort and hasn't consulted his brothers about it, or even let them in on it so if shit comes up, they can be aware and not caught off guard. Death is also very prone to running off in his own without warning.

To Strife, its possible Death has proven himself to be a liar and very unreliable. His distaste for Death is further shown when Death is telling them to stay behind and let him handle the Abominations. He outright aims his gun at Death (despite knowing it'll do basically nothing) and threatens him and demands an explanation, one Death refuses to give.

Death and Strife are also pretty similar in their handling if grief and emotions. Bury it and hide behind a mask and snark/comedy. And so another reason Strife me be antagonistic with Death is he dislikes seeing the person he could be if he simply released his morals and was more self focused.

Strife genuinely seems to want Fury and War to grow as people, to be happy. And yet from what we have seen so far, he's not too interested in Death's personal growth or if Death is better.

Another thing to note is he seems to be the most progressive in terms of adaptability. This can be noted in his appearance and weapon use. Overall, Strife honestly looks a little out if place next to his armored, melee weapon brothers. He looks a bit more like he fits a bit into a stealth game set in the seminear future, rather than a hack and slash fantasy. Strife uses guns, much more modern weapons than that of a great sword, scythe, and whip. That's not yo say the weapons aren't as impressive as his brothers, oh no.

Mercy alone is fascinating, being a four-barrell, one handed shot gun with auto replenishing ammo (though the presence of shells on Strife's belts implies he can change ammo types).

Strife is also adept at using daggers, as we see in Genesis, though he does prefer his guns, seeming to prefer to maintain distance. From these things about his combat, and how dodgy he is around his past, we can infer Strife was possibly a scout at minimum, or an assassin, or possibly some kind of intelligence agent.

Overall, we know little canonically about Strife and his presentation in the canon is inconsistent at best. I hope to see a game focused on Strife in the future so we can better understand him.

[cynicalraccoon]

This books was truly a insiders look at Death and War. Also their relationship with the Charred Council.

Not to mention their animal companions. Ruin, Despair, and Dust were characters all on their own, and didn't have difficulty expressing exactly what their were thinking.

I was almost shocked when War smiled or argued with Death. Certainly a difference from the fist game. But I guess it just shows that War was...younger than in the first game. And I also think he didn't lose his arm yet.

Death was a delight as always with his sarcastic quips. And he certainly shows his cold side with the way he casually threatened people. And it was abonus to actually see what he's thinking and his subdued emotions. And too see a glimpse of his past as one of the firstborn.

Azrael is best angel. No lie. Wonder if him being the angel of death and Death being well...Death makes them tolerate each other.

Knowing what I know now, some characters I was giving mental side eyes to. *cough* Abaddon*cough* and *cough*the Charred Council *cough* And Panoptos certainly has plans. Don't know of he'll come into play or his "clones" will in any future games.

Not gonna lie, I felt bad for Raciel. Betrayed by her love and then tortured in Hell. I also would've tried to kill Hadrimon if I were her.

Nice to see the Crowfather being sarcastic and not insane. Also nice to him unleash his powers.

I liked the descriptions and the fight scenes. Also liked how we get to see what Heaven and Hell looks like, and their structures. Certainly felt like I was there in the pages along with the Horsemen.

And I forgot to mention Oblivion. An interesting little punishment for immortal creatures. I wonder how the Charred Council managed to find that portal. And how the mysterious Keeper came be in their employment.

Considering that there's no other Darksiders novel, I guess we'll never know more about the Keeper, Berrarris, the Oblivion, and the other details in lore. A shame.

[lorehellsing]

I recently acquired the Darksiders: The Abomination Vault book, and since my dear mother is interested in reading it, but she doesn't understand English and there's no Spanish edition, I'm translating it for her as a surprise gift.

I'm not a professional translator, but I'm doing my best so that she can enjoy this novel too. I hope she likes it 💜

[imagine-darksiders]

We're do you recommend someone starting if they want to get into Darksiders?

Oh man, that's a question.

If you've been following Darksiders on Tumblr, and what you've seen sparks your interest - and if you're not sure you want to commit to buying the games yet, you could always watch cutscene comps on Youtube to get a feel for the story, if you're into the writing and characters.

I'd start with Darksiders 1, but I'm biased because I played it when it came out in 2010, none of the other games existed.

If you prefer to read, Ari Marmell wrote Darksiders: The Abomination Vault, which was a novel centred mostly around Death and War, set eons before any of the games. There are also comic books [Death's Door is my personal favourite]

Darksiders 2 is massive compared to the other games, there are more worlds, quests and weapons, skill trees, armour etc. Also the characters slap. Darksiders 3, I found really charming. The characters felt more fleshed out, the Sins were fantastically designed and the soundtrack was phenomenal and catered to each character. It was the game that featured humanity more than the others, and Fury's personal growth was very wholesome to see.

[moodymisty]

Hello, this is a request only if you are interested, I understand if you don't wanna do it. It's really hurt/comfort stuff with the intention of softness and comfort at the end. It's meant to be a Samael x s/o drabble. So basically, Lilith kidnapps s/o (seeing them as the horsemen's pet) and winds up torturing them so she can give them as a gift to Samael, not knowing how he really feels about s/o. (You don't have to be descriptive of what Lilith does, the overall premise is blood, pain, tears, and stuff. She's a mean bitch). Samael is given his s/o in really bad shape (not dead). It's up to you how it plays out, but I imagined he shows s/o a gentleness that's only for them as he tries to help them and take care of and assess their injuries. Lilith meanwhile is either jealous or disgusted by the show of mercy, (not what she expected). Maybe Samael flies into a rage upon seeing the human in such a pitiful way or he plays it cool and waits for an opening to be alone with them so he can help. It's up to you, I just wanna see Samael be all soft and gentle and show he cares about s/o. Thank you again for your generosity. I also have a different more smutty idea if you don't wanna do this one. Completely separate from this one.

Author's Note: I've never actually written for Samael at all before, I love his character but I'd never considered it, so this was a fun exercise. This is my first time writing Samael, so please excuse anything that may seem a little OOC while I get the hang of his character.

Summary: Samael saves his little songbird from the mouth of a cat.

Relationships: Samael/Fem!Reader

Warnings: Canon typical violence, Bruises, illuding to torture but no actual torture, Stockholm syndrome??? I guess, Fluff, Some brief references towards the Darksiders book 'The Abomination Vault' which is good go read it,

"Well now,"

His voice carries through the stone laden room, a booming deepness that even when he's only speaking casually, sounds almost as if he's addressing a group.

Samael.

You know the name; Lilith has mentioned it more than once when she talks to her servants and lesser demons. Those few snippets pale in comparison to seeing him, seeing how he towers larger than almost every other demon you've seen; Though still maintains a humanoid-esque shape.

You were apparently- in a way- his gift.

Lilith had cooed it to you more than once before, though she'd mostly been talking at you, as if an ornament. Rarely does she give things that don't amuse her the time of day; And simply chattering to a being she considers far inferior without inflicting some sort of suffering doesn't qualify.

It's the better of many other potential outcomes, at least. You'll take it. It isn't as if there's a choice anyhow.

Samael briefly glances in your direction, one large finger presses on the bottom of the cage that confines you as if to stop it's slow swaying, before his eyes turn back to Lilith. You've noticed her watching with intent, clearly focused on his reaction. If you had to guess, she wants something, and is hoping this will be the ticket towards pulling that favor.

"Where did you get this?"

The links of her chain belt 'tink' against each other, as she walks closer, glancing up towards the larger demon for but a moment.

"Just a little bit of sport; I know you've always been interested in Humanities, goings on."

Lilith finds it all dreadfully boring; At least anything that doesn't benefit or at least amuse her in one way or another. The demon lord takes another glance in your direction, the sharp points of the teeth visible behind his just barely parted lips.

Samael would've been quite interested in knowing how she managed such a feat, especially around the Council's watch, but Lilith seems too disinterested in the human she's captured to answer. She's much more interested in his reaction, or whatever she can get out of it. Even as boundary pushing as Samael can be, he isn't too eager to have the Council hot on his back. As well as the Horsemen; They are quite eager to keep Humanity protected, and are more than willing to obliterate anyone who goes against The Council's rulings.

Samael isn't too eager to deal with the mess of that; Particularly if it involves the youngest.

"You can do whatever you wish with it," Lilith says, her tone lightening and stringing the second half of her sentence with an almost singing tone. "Consider it a gift."

Her eyes move from the large openings in the wall revealing the dreadful hellish sky, an unreadable expression on her face. One might assume it's sultry, and that wouldn't be entirely wrong, but there is far more there; And it goes far deeper.

"You should come by more often. I have far more interesting pets than little humans." Samael's gaze turns from you to her.

"That, I am already well aware of." She seems unhappy with his response, though it seems positive on pure words alone. Maybe there's an undertone that exists only between them.

When she's departed, it's impossible not to feel the way your heart drops in your chest when you see Samael's full attention turn to you. It's just his head turned your way at first, before he fully turns and with loud, thundering steps against broken cobblestone, does he make his way towards you. The cuts and scrapes on your hands hurt as you support your weight, but the pain pushed to the back of your mind in place of fear.

The last time you had a demon's full attention was Lilith, and she isn't one who's attention you want.

"Tell me,"

You don't miss the way his tone of voice seems to change a bit now that he's speaking directly to you; Though it's easy to just assume it's purely manipulative.

"Do you sing, little songbird?"

You don't answer, mouth and throat dry. Fear is a permeant emotion to you now, and you feel it rising up more and more as you feel his glowing eyes focus on you. The way your heart hammers on your collarbone, breath short and ragged. Your jaw hurts from how tense it's been for ages, lips split and cracked.

Samael gives the cage a soft 'bonk' with one knuckle, just enough to send it shaking back and forth. It wobbles and forces you to hang on, watching him as he watches you stumble about. He can see the perpetual fear in your eyes, the way your body is slowly giving away to the amount of hazards it's been through. He's not sure how long you've been here, but it couldn't be that long, if you still have your wits about you.

Lilith always did enjoying playing with her toys until they broke.

Samael has never really made sense of it. In all of his centuries he's always operated with a goal in mind, doing whatever he could to get to it. Lilith's motives sometimes seem, short-sighted. Maybe even a little dull.

But this, now this is interesting.

Samael hasn't seen a human in many years, and while the clothing you wear is different, humanity still maintains the form the Creator originally shaped them in.

That form is, soft.

He can see the tops of your hands and wrists are dirty, covered in small bruises, the same sort running along your neck and cheeks. Your eyes are wide, darting over every inch of him in fear.

Samael stops.

Maybe it's boredom. Maybe it's the desire for something a little bit different.

Samael is old. Far older than your realm, and anything that's been built on it. But in all of those years, Earth has remained a tantalizingly forbidden fruit. The Council forbade access centuries ago, and as such, Samael has been restricted to hearing of Humanity's accomplishments and fumbling through stolen artifacts and hushed whispers.

So he's, curious.

Everything he's ever heard of humanity has been what they lack in strength they make up for in ingenuity, and creativity. And depravity; Depending on the demon you ask.

The long, clawed hand that had just rapped against the cage's bars now holds the lock, fiddling with it before he snaps it between his fingers. When the shattered pieces fall to the ground, the cage's door slowly creaks open. You eye the giant demon, as he seems look at you expectantly. There's no shortage of amusement on his face, either.

"What, you think I won't try to run?" Samael laughs, a deep baritone you can feel in your chest.

"By all means, go right ahead. Whatever you run into out there will be far less inviting than myself." He can see the thought run through your little head, until you make a choice.

You move closer towards him, hedging a bet that he'll be better than Lilith, and whatever she had in store for you.

You've seen that throne of Lilith, and her pets. Her creativity knows no bounds. Whatever end you might meet with Samael, is far better than that.

You let the larger demon take you, leaving one unknown for another.

It might've been easy for someone to scold you on not hearing him coming up behind you, but in your defense, it's easy to miss; Especially when one is distracted.

His footfall is softer than one might expect, though one probably wouldn't exactly call it soft at all. It's his voice you end up hearing first anyways, looking over your shoulder the minute it hits your ears.

"So this is where you've been off to."

You turn around, looking up as Samael approaches. His wings are casually half-folded, watching as you fiddle with a large decorative vase.

Samael's palace is huge. Enough so that it's quite easy to get completely lost.

Far better than a cage; At least in your opinion.

You don't know exactly how long it's been since you left Lilith, but it's not been enough time. The improvement has been astronomical, and you no longer feel the constant, heart pounding fear that had been permanent for so long.

Samael is, oddly nice. You'd expected it to be mostly a ploy, but while you know he's a demon, one capable many, many things, he hasn't tried anything yet.

And so you find yourself almost enjoying his company, and the idea of leaving him now almost seems like a negative. You'd miss him.

"I just wanted to take a look around."

You don't think it would qualify as a 'treasure room', but the large open space is littered with a variety of things; From broken weapons to odd pieces of art that seem clearly inhuman. Most seem to be stolen from battlefields judging by the overall wear and tear, but it' hard to be sure. Some seems like it almost hails from Hell itself, much to your surprise.

Who would've thought demons would be so artistic.

"There is far more worth seeing than whatever rubbish you were throwing around. Let me show you." He kneels just enough to gesture towards you with his hand, and you know what he's asking you to do.

As step closer Samael's eyes rake over your body, taking note of the way most of the bruises and cuts have faded away. What's left is a much more fresh face, one that isn't battered and showing of fear and fatigue.

He lets you up onto his shoulders with a gentle boost, and you take roost quickly. He can feel the gentle touch of your hands on his scale-like skin, as you hold on. He'll show you sights that Humanity has yet to see, or hasn't in millennia.

Glancing up towards you he sees the way you're eagerly waiting, and begins walking.

[fiend-streak]

I renewed my courage. And I want to thank everyone that supported this even if they will never read nor see this. AA 4ever. It's soooo good not to be alienated or insulted but actually SEEN and NOT ALONE IN THIS. When I made HUGS post I wasn't sure if I should make it public or keep it private just for myself, I was... idk, scared? I treat tumblr as my personal blog but even admitting out loud in my bedroom that I love AA was too much for me for a long while - thanks to certain people. I thought there was something wrong with me. So... I just found better people. Ah, and the quote. Abomination Vault book. I'm fan of Darksiders, Death in particular.

Also. Gale dissaproves if you kiss Astarion during final battle. Bug or he mad? Only first screenshot is new, rest is old. I'll be picking new soon. Merry xmas btw!

[mortuarywriting]

📚 🧚‍♀️ Just one or both if you'd like 👉👈

I can do both!! These were super neat to think on!! the second one is absolutely why this gets a read more. I went off the shits. So sorry about that.

📚 how do you come up with the fics you write

Hmmm sometimes it's seeing the right prompt, sometimes its seeing ideas being tossed around and thinking on it, sometimes its taking the canon and seeing how a seemingly small but significant shift would impact it and how that would domino effect! I love playing with worldbuilding sandboxes so much that sometimes the fics themselves fall to the wayside ">>

🧚‍♀️ favorite characters of all time

OUGH this is such a hard one!! How do you choose a favorite child!! I'll scoop from the top and be read for filth for it I think but. Worth it i think. Anyway you get them alphabetically

Auron - Final Fantasy X

This is it. This is your story. It all begins here.

I. boy I am really not immune to Dark Knights in the FF franchise the more I think about it but! Auron has always been such a good character and I associate him so much with a song I LOVE... Auron is just one of my favorite companions, I love the insight he brings and how he was a Guardian for Yuna's Father as well as her. He's also one of Two Nickels I realize I'd have for Dark Knights in Final Fantasy Game who [REDACTED].

Death - Darksiders 2

All who live know my name, all who oppose me shall know Death.

Caaan't find a decent pic of him and I don't really wanna go and redownload the whole game for screenshot purposes yet. Aywho-

Darksiders 2 is all about Death, the oldest of the Nephilim/Horsemen of the Apocalypse proving the innocence of his brother War (seen lower in the list) for the crime of allegedly starting the Apocalypse early. Between this game and the Abomination Vault book preceding any of the games I really appreciate these two, Death being a ridiculously smart but also an apathetic asshole who only cares for a small handful, plays things close to his chest... He's a neat character and I appreciate just how far ahead he seems to plan and the lengths he'll go to make sure it all goes as he wants it to. Metal as hell.

Because War has his I also have to show Death's horse so this is Despair

And this is his Reaper Form

Fray Myste - Final Fantasy XIV

Bastard of the Brume, Fray was taken in by Ser Ompagne and became trained in becoming a Dark Knight with Sidurgu. By the time we meet them Ompagne is long dead, and Fray has just been defeated in a duel.

We find Fray, pick up the Dark Knight Soul crystal from where it had fallen beside him, and he becomes your mentor upon your waking up. You touched something that would hurt yourself and others along the way and BOY HOWDY does he have excellent threats of violence. Will follow you around on your job quests and heal you while you're being a dumb tank. He writes your quest journal entries and is such a sassy bloodthirsty shit

Fray is the other of the Two Nickels I realize I'd have for Dark Knights in Final Fantasy Game who [REDACTED].

Jarlaxle Baenre - Forgotten Realms

I am Jarlaxle. I have been everywhere.

Lets start with Jarlaxle was born the third son of the Highest House in Menzoberranzan- a city where the houses are constantly trying to kill the house ahead of them for status and do so to not get caught, their goddess Lolth favoring those who get away with no evidence to damn themselves. To that end there's a firm rule enforced by Lolth- every third son is to be sacrificed to her- two male children are expendable and acceptable but any further are sacrificed after birth.

Jarlaxle's mother, ruler of the highest house and having kept that seat for Ages, went to acquiesce with that upon Jarlaxle's birth.

Lolth told her no. Jarlaxle was to live, he was too interesting.

He has since made this an everyone else problem. Man has connections in the underdark and surface, everything he wears is in some form enchanted, he's proficient with just about everything, and he is so fascinated with various things and just wants to see what happens next and how it can help him get ahead. I love him. I wanna study him under a microscope. Every character that's been in a campaign he's turned up in has vibe checked him and decided they want out of the room right now immediately. Most notably my dude who was sometimes part moose said "I'd like to leave, actually"

Urick - Drakengard 2

A masked man who lives a life haunted by the curse of death. Three years ago, after a tragic incident, he made a pact with the Reaper, although the price he paid for this pact is unknown. At first glance he appears to be a carefree, lively character who could never bear a grudge. However, on rare occasions, his jovial facade can't quite conceal the truth...

To preface the significance of this-

A Pact, also known as a Contract (契約 Keiyaku?) in the Japanese version, is a contract system in the world of Drakengard between a human (or other humanoid race) and a beast. By merging their souls together, the human gains supernatural powers, and both participants gain a second chance in life should either or both be close to death. The human must pay some price for the pact, and if one should be fatally injured, it means death for both unless the pact is broken. Beings who have formed a pact with each other are referred to as "pact-partners".

Urik's pact is his mortality. Straight up he does not have a heart in his chest anymore. He's just a generally chill guy and while I haven't gone through Drakengard 2 in years (thanks playstation for 0 drakengard or drakengard 2 rep) I remember him fondly. I forgot how much I loved him and that his wiki trivia describes him as "Urick is good at playing dead." The game quote they chose for him is "Just because you can't make any friends, doesn't mean you should take it out on the rest of us" which is what he says as he's about to save your character's life.

plus lookit this smile

War - Darksiders

You can look me in the eye when I kill you.

Darksiders is a game about oops, the apocalypse started on earth! Heaven and Hell start duking it out in the streets and humanity suffers for it. Humans die out, earth is in ruins, and all of it is conveniently laid at the feet of War - youngest of the Four Horsemen who has gotten in trouble for fighting with humanity before (please see left arm being fuckoff huge gauntlet. That's a prosthetic. Death cut his arm off for that bullshit in the comics).

Now, War is a man of his word and high code of honor- he said he'd leave humans be and he did. He's been framed and the Council- those in charge of keeping the balance and the bosses of the Horsemen- gives him a shot to prove his innocence and find the actual culprits with a Watcher keeping tabs and reporting back.

This is his horse, Ruin

This is his Chaos Form

War is voiced by Liam O'Brian and the Watcher is voiced by Mark Hamill. so that's fun. Samael in game could also get it but that does not a fav make.

Also fun lore fact: all the horsemen's horses are the same species. The horse just reflects the rider once they've bonded. Fun magic shit.

[randomdarksidersblog27]

Hello, friendly darksiders blog. Could you tell us your favourite darksiders fact? Or maybe your most precious headcanon?

Hello! And I'll do both!

❗❗❗CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR ABOMINATION VAULT!❗❗❗

So,fav fact: That Death IS capable of feeling emotions. We see it in Abomination Vault with how he acts towards Dust and when he realizes War died because of him. And how much guilt he feels over not being able to tell War about his triple fake. My feelings on this is that this is why,in DS2,Death swears he'd protect War above all else. Because he still feels shame and guilt over killing his baby brother.

As for fav Headcannon: That Strife is a collector of trinkets. I imagine,before the Apocalypse happened,that whenever the Four would see one another on a rare occasion,the other three would bring small trinkets for Strife to decorate his home with from their travels and other realms. When he gets to the Third Kingdom,BOY does he have a feild day with collecting a souvenir from EVERY PART of the world. He loves to look back at them and reminisce about his travels and how he aquired them. It's so cute to think of this manly,bloodthirsty killer taking home tiny objects like a crow or Raven would do. Most of his hoard is shiny things as well. Thanks for the ask,please feel free to ask more!

[imagine-darksiders]

Another W for the angel who got knocked out by War as a kid and has been out for vengeance ever since .

Darksiderstober 2025 Day 7+9: Quote and Angel

Had alot of stuff to do, but was able to crank out a digital piece combining two days! A quote from one of my fav angels, Uriel of the hellguard and her last words to Abbadon, someone she once respected and possibly loved...now calling him out for his betrayal. Mayhaps a sticker in the future, in the meantime just showing I'm not dead, just surviving a hurricane, all good😅. Still have some announcements so stay tuned!

Art is mine

Prompts by @imagine-darksiders

Prompts are here

[darkdemeter]

DARK FEATHERS (REQUEST TEASER 2)

────────────────

Horsemen x Crowfather's Heir! GN Reader

↳ a request submitted by @screechinginthevoid here is the second teaser from what I consider the prologue before the present events that take place following the novel The Abomination Vault. WARNING! This teaser is a bit angsty.

“Death,” the Crowfather rasps in greeting, barely hiding his coughing fit. You sit on your knees at his side with a concerned furrow lined in your brows. Hung from the rattling cord of a chain, a lantern of illuminating green glows like a sickly heart against his chest, painting the pale rider’s skin with something unsettling.

“Keeper of Secrets. I require your aid.” Death marches forward with a determined stalk in his step, set on a mission. His eyes barely meet yours as he saunters forward until he reaches the Old One and his bandaged hand unravels the amulet from around his neck.

“Your brethren… the Nephilim… such powerful secrets all contained in one vessel…” Death’s grip clenches hard and flinches the amulet just out of reach of your father’s reach that attempts to snatch with a clawing want. There are secrets that even the Keeper himself is better off not knowing…

Possessed by the need to know the Nephilim secrets, he was willing to hear the pale rider, to hide this all from the Charred Council’s knowing; to keep this secret. A secret you are also privy to. Still, Death refuses to meet your gaze as he regales the battle — the betraying slaughter of his brothers and sisters — and that he cannot bear the thought of casting their imprisoned souls into the Abyss, denying their passing through the well to be reborn.

He just couldn’t. You hear in the subtle delivery of his voice that he is tormented by his grief. By regret.

The Nephilim were known to be a force that’d upheave the balance. They needed to be dealt with. But did it have to come to complete annihilation? At their hands, no less?

His hands?

Yes. The one crowned Kinslayer. The Reaper.

The others would surely arrive after him to seek your comfort, but not Death. No, he sought to run from you. Your father accepted the amulet, the ordeal undertaken by a means of a fracturing counterpart. A one for a one. You admit, it was hard to let go of Dust, but you knew that Death would keep him well.

And just like that, Death promptly turned on his heel, intending to leave. Unsure whether it’d be for the last time you chase him.

“Death!”

You don’t see the uncertainty, the mortified scrutiny of your father’s gaze when you run after Death, hands hoisting and shoving aside the fabrics of your robe in hope of getting to him before he’s gone forever. Your hand meets his. Cold and hardened as the deadness of his black heart, it brings a dreadful blur of tears to bleed into your vision.

“Don’t go… talk to me, please… I’ll keep your secrets, just please, don’t shut me out.” You come around him until your fronts align and your hands run through the trespass of his hairline, uncaring of the oily and thick sensation of grime and blood that covers your fingers while you scratch at his roots, clinging to him tightly.

Your face is buried into his neck to capture his scent, fearful that it will soon be gone. That you will never have the comfort of his presence, the watchful dance of fiery amber keep you in his sights.

“I cannot…”

You crack like the breaking of a dam. Your body shudders with a small, stuffy cry. “Please don’t go… don’t leave me…”

His hands that move to rest on your hips tremble in their feathery touch like he’s scared to hold you close. Instead he moves you aside and continues to walk away from you. You’re left to watch him turn his back on you, uncaring and cold to the way you cry and shout his name, pleading for him as you fall to your knees; imploring him and his siblings to stay.

Did he stop? Did he listen?

No. You’re reminded of the time you watched your biological father storm out with his bags after a heated argument on your fifth birthday. You’re forced to remember all the times someone you thought you trusted, who you blindly believed for a moment loved you, leave you behind.

Now for it to be your first loves. To watch them turn their back on you is the cause of your first and true heartbreak.

[doodlesdreaming]

Writing Idea: The other Horsemen learning Death lost a fiddling contest to some random human kid

(Anyone who has watched my darksiders streams will instantly get this joke. If not...well hope you enjoy anyway. XD)

There are a good handful of words that Strife would use to describe Death. 'Sarcastic', 'Cold', 'Jackass,' to name a few. 'Hoarder', on the other hand, not in a million years... until now,

"God damn...just how much stuff do you need!? Half of these is just junk."

The gunslinger tossed aside what looked to have been an angelic relic of some sort. But the piece was cracked nearly in two, rendering it useless. Grumbling, he continued to sort through a large, self made, pile of various gear and weaponry, much like his other siblings in several spots of Death's bone built abode. The sound of steel unsteathing from leather, turned his attention up to Fury admiring a katanta shaped sword.

"Not everything here is junk, Strife." Fury spoke with a smile curling on her lips. Her eyes, as bright as the rest of the Four, seem to gleam in the light of the blade in her hands, just as the hand of her eldest brother promptly snatched it from her grasp,

"None of it is junk." Death retorted, "And if you looked as fast as you move your mouth, Strife, we would be well on our way by now."

"It would REALLY help if you remembered where you put the damn thing to begin with!" Strife glared, temper ever so slightly beginning to boil.

"How did this mess even come to be anyhow?" War questioned as he joined the rest of his kin in the 'master bedroom' of the house, "Your home, empty as it is, is at most organized. But last I was here, there wasn't much to begin with."

"Vulgrim." Death explained, sighing in annoyance. "Apparently, after I was...indisposed, he dumped all my gear in my house. While keeping some of it to himself, as I've come to learn."

"Like Harvester..." War sneered, "I still wonder how he got his filthy hands on your scythe . Or what else he might be hiding in his void holes, like your golden fiddle, for instance. I do not see it among this horde."

"Woah woah woah, his what now?" Strife froze as he was setting aside a pair of boots to turn fully towards his little brother, "His...golden fiddle? You're joking, right? Death? With any sort of instrument?"

"I would not lie about this, brother." War told him, "I distinctly remember seeing a golden instrument hanging up on his wall when I was here during the Battle of the Abomination Vault. I meant to ask about it, Death, but I had forgotten about it after the fight. And now, it appears to be missing."

Death said nothing. He appeared frozen in place, bent over a set of gear. He slowly stood up, turning to face his siblings, with the most neutral face he could pull behind his bone mask, "I haven't the slightest idea of what you're talking about, War."

"I could've sworn..." War mused, beginning to wonder if maybe he had mis-remembered. It had been over several centuries ago.

"Did you so happen to lose it to some kid with musical talents that far surpassed your own?" Everyone glanced towards Fury, who leaned over a rather large set of armor, smirking up at her eldest like a cherisare cat,

"There so happens to be a popular tune the humans like to sing, of a devil who went to some place called Georgia, looking for souls when he came across a young fiddle player. The devil bet his golden fiddle that he could play better and lost." Fury curled her hands under her chin, smiling oh so sweet and innocent like, "Could perhaps that devil be you?"

The silence that filled the room was nearly deafening. War and Strife looked to Death to see what he would say, only to see the Pale Rider slowly cross his arms and turn to look away from his siblings' stares.

"That brat swore he wouldn't tell a soul..."

War and Fury fought to keep rising snickers in check, but Strife did not even try. He roared into infectious laughter that broke the other two. Growling,Death tossed a leather worn boot at Strife’s head. The White Rider promptly ducked and scrambled to flee as Death gave chase.

[charalysis]

Darksiders: War

So, I may once again reference real world disorders as a launching pad for discussion about behaviors and actions. I will reference both games and book. Thank you!

To begin, let's talk about War's baseline characteristics.

War is certainly more, shall we say, heroic of the Four. He is loyal, lawful, and regularly tries to be by the book, methodical, and overall tries to be good. Maintaining Balance in the universe is his main goal, the thing he strives for. He wants things to maintain order, regardless of who's messing it up. Admittedly he had a bias against demons, but that's not to say he likes angels.

In his efforts to be a lawful individual, he also strives to be a better person overall by trying to be kinder than other Nephalim where he can. He seeks connection and even affection, with Strife in particular.

Throughout Genesis, War and Strife can stop and talk and often these conversations drift towards the emotional and hard to discuss. Charged topics that Strife has genuine difficulty addressing.

But War helps him work through these emotions and topics, giving him his own perspective and trying to ease his mind, even if it fails or they disagree. No matter what, War seems incredibly willing to stay by Strife's side.

This loyalty and desire to help and seek connection is also present in Abomination Vault, when he goes to help Death handle the crisis, despite being told no and even threatened. He is eager to help the eldest Horseman, and he is even angry at himself for nearly dying/dying, thinking he's failed Death some how. He doesn't even question it when he's brought back by Death, he just rambles about his failures and saying Death should have let him die.

And with Fury, he shows he cares for her. When Fury is summoned to handle the Seven Sins, War is already bound by the Council. She's surprised by his state and the accusations, but ultimately is dismissive for the moment. War, on the other hand, speaks to her. He tries to warn her to be cautious, tell her something is acting against them and trying to hurt them, showing he very much cares about her well-being and safety.

War is repeatedly shown to be caring, in his own way, with his brothers. He worries about their safety, tries to assist them as needed, and tries to comfort them in their grief or anger. He is exceptionally loyal to them and doesn't seem eager to betray or harm them.

Loyalty, while being a fantastic virtue, is ultimately one of his biggest flaws too.

From Genesis and a good bit into the first game (canon's timeline wise), we hear him constantly say that he doesn't think he or the others should question the Council. He's the biggest believer in the Balance and is the most eager to maintain it. He is unwaveringly and unquestioningly loyal to the Council, which is ultimately why he doesn't suspect them directly of screwing him over until much much later on in game one. His loyalty blinds him to the notion of betrayal from the Council.

However, whenever he finds out his loyalty has been betrayed, he is far from afraid of going scorched Earth and enacting revenge. He, with Uriel's assistance, kills the Watcher for his treatment and for being a pawn in the clearly corrupt Council's machinations against the Horsemen.

And revenge/vengeance is apparently something War isn't unknown for. He's clearly displayed enough "eye for an eye" behavior over the centuries for the Council to note its a perfect motivator for him. Thus, he became their scapegoat and was thrown to Earth to prove his innocence. And Samael later points out that he "knows a quest for vengeance when he sees one". Samael's semi-Omniscience aside, he isn't wrong in just making the assumption. War was absolutely aiming to make Abbadon, Straga, and anyone else in his way pay for their actions. I do find it interesting that, ultimately, he chooses to spare Ulthane and Azrael.

Granted, Ulthane does help him more than hinder him despite being antagonistic. And in the case of Azrael, War realized he needed the angel's help, then also saw the immense regret within him. Of course, War is also fully aware that Azrael is a powerful archangel, adept in illusions. He also likely wouldn't have risked a fight with Azrael lest he die, or he actually kill the angel and lose out on valuable information. All this to say, War's intelligent and isn't a stranger to variables, despite often acting on emotions.

Despite popular belief, War is not hot headed or temperamental. War is actually extremely level headed and calm. He thinks through his actions and possible causes. He tries to account for all outcomes, and the consequences of his actions. If he can gain a tactical advantage.

Because he is an embodiment of war itself.

Wars are brutal, bloody, violent... But it's not about whos weapon is better that wins. There's strategy, planning, and a lot of luck.

War himself strategizes a fair bit when it comes to who he can keep alive and who he can get away with killing. Who can be his ally and who he can sacrifice as a foe. He measures who he can take on and who's not worth it.

Its why Samael and Vulgrim don't die, despite War's bias against demons.

Samael, even in a weakened state, is too powerful for War to take on alone. Samael, though, offers assistance if he himself is helped first. War isn't stupid enough to reject help from someone he a, can't kill, and b, is offering their powerful assistance.

Vulgrim had the benefit of Council endorsement at first, but War certainly realized the value he got from dealing with the merchant. Vulgrim offers him health shards, weapon and magic upgrades, and of course, Serpent Holes.

The value of these two cannot be understated in the first game, especially since War is utterly alone otherwise. They're who we spend most of the game with, aside from the Watcher.

Now onto my favorite topic! Symbology!

Similar to Death's mask, War's got a hood obscuring most of his face, particularly his eyes. In fact, he often has to adjust how he's looking around to properly see sometimes.

In terms of symbology we can infer this to be representative of his own clouded and obscured view of things. He has to shift the facts into just the right order and perspective to see the truth of what's happening to him and what happened to cause the apocalypse.

Another piece of symbology is which arm of his his prosthetic.

The left.

Biblically speaking there's a few things to address, as Darksiders is heavily based in Christian and Jewish mythology. I am wildly unfamiliar with Judaism and their symbology, despite lengthy research attempts, and thus am uncomfortable addressing the possible symbology on that side if things. However, I am familiar with Christianity.

In the Bible, the hands are referenced a few times, but the right hand is referenced about 100 times, where as the left hand is mentioned maybe 25, all negatively. However I wish to focus on one particular passage.

Matthew 6 says, "Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. [3] But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: [4] That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."

This essentially says, "don't tell everyone when you're being generous. Don't brag about generosity or your righteous deeds, for that's not righteous or virtuous. That needs to stay between you and God".

In the case of War, he doesn't often hide what he's doing when he's been told to do it by the Council, often announcing it to those he deems allies. He's not exactly subtle or easy to miss. Nor is his prosthetic.

He's obviously a Horseman, he's obviously on a mission when he's seen out places he's not normally. Everyone knows something has happened, or going to happen, when War shows up. War isn't keeping his service to the Creator secret in any way.

Outside of Christianity, and into more occult and spiritual circles, the left hand is symbolic of dark magic, darkness, and weakness.

War's left arm is the one he was wielding Chaoseater with when Death cut his arm off.

Since that, hes worn a almost demonic looking, magical prosthetic that basically has a pocket dimension I think.

When his arm was cut off, it was in a moment of emotional weakness, and he just so happened to run Death through, a far stronger opponent. So his weakness was cut from him in a way and replaced with the stronger, and useful, prosthetic gauntlet.

Bad segway: War's also not taken as seriously by the other Horsemen. He's the baby of them, likely the last of an entire generation of young Nephalem. Often it seems the other three don't take him seriously until he proves them right. Strife though seems more willing to hear him out, but that could be because they're pretty close, even able to laugh together.

Tl;Dr: War is intelligent and loyal, even kind, but lacks the ability to see passed his ambition or goals until its almost too late. He's also surprisingly impulsive.