SMASH!

War slices his sword over Lucifer’s head, and a stone angel screams, crumbling to dust.

“War,” Conquest breathes, and I think I see something in their eyes like...fondness? Pride? My heart takes some solace in knowing those two are reunited before the end of all this.

“Sorry I’m late,” he grins.

“Any later and I may have lost my head,” Lucifer grins back.

“Where’s the kid?” War leaps to my side.

“Famine got him out,” I hold out my hand to our youngest. He takes it, grin splitting even wider as his fingers give a squeeze. Mine return the pressure before releasing, and I nod. Well done, I would say.

But the trumpets sound again, and dread settles in my stomach in recognition at that pattern: marching orders. Michael has signalled his attack. Our mounts appear before us, roaring and rearing in anger, in excitement, in that call to arms.

We are Horsemen. We go where we are. We do not choose sides.

We climb atop our steeds, our faithful companions of different colours, and stare down the stone army of Watchers. With the mounts, the space becomes tighter, emphasizing that we are outnumbered, but that did not stop General Eulji when he lured the Sui forces to the River Salsu, and it will not stop us now.

“And I looked, and behold a Pale Horse: and the name that sat on him was Death,” I laugh. I can feel Conquest and War’s eyes upon me. I rear my ghostly steed, and feel the bones of my back rippling in the angelic light. “High ho, Silver.”

Tonight we fight on the side of the Morning Star. Tonight we stand alone, together. With Hell.

I have never before seen angels battle. I was not there for those wars. What a sight it must have been to behold. And the display here is unlike anything we are likely to see again. They pace and circle on both land and up in the air when they leap and fly, gold and white light flashing in the moments they crash together, only to spring apart. One could sink to their knees and weep their inadequacy in shame. Shame that none can achieve such glorious ruin.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

Not even a Horseman.

And we are occupied. We who have turned on our allies -- have we turned now upon God? We hold the arena, dealing with the stone guardians, the Watchers awakened now for this, what feels in the moment like some kind of last stand. I am calm, I am at work. War rejoices in battle, laughing madly and cheering wildly with each swing of his sword. No blood spills as he cuts down guardians, and that hot red, dripping down his face is all that is missing. Anyone not knowing might think him a demon.

Perhaps he is -- perhaps now we all of us are.

“That creature of yours is going to die,” I hear Michael growl to his brother over the singing hits of blessed metal.

Lucifer narrowly escapes a low arc and falls to the side, one hand on the ground, the other still holding the knife Michael had thrown at him. It’s an old landing stance, a place from which to leap up, to fly. And yet Lucifer bears no wings I can see with which to catch the air.

“If you think I will allow any of the children of Heaven to take what is mine, you are sorely mistaken.”

I strike an oncoming guardian and realize that all in our home have gone. And yet the trumpets ring again, and Michael smiles.

“What’re you smiling about?” War demands, taking a step forward, gripping his sword tighter.

“Because, in this situation, I am not achieved alone,” Conquest’s tone is grim, eyes narrowed at the divine general.

“Where are your brothers?” I ask, understanding Conquest’s meaning.

Silence pounds like a heartbeat through the hall. Michael’s smile widens and I realize my mistake. I sent Hyun away to keep him safe.

But I have sent him and Famine straight to the battlefield.

Lucifer screams a language I do not know and fiery shadows burst around him. Michael flings his sword, but it passes straight through as the Prince of Darkness lives up to his name and vanishes. The holy sword lodges into one of the stone columns with a hard thud!

“Death?” War and Conquest look to me.

I am lost. I am not...I do not...there is nothing…

Death!