Carving Out a Kingdom (Open)

[CONQUEST]

Ah, the sights. Liberty Island was the best view New York City had to offer. Not to mention, it had virtue in the company of a certain statue. "Well, hello, Lady Liberty. That's quite a crown you have there. I never really noticed how obnoxiously people place you on a pedestal." The skies were clear, and it was a fairly peaceful night...at the moment.

It was funny..the Statue of Liberty was a symbol of American pride and unity, but it was definitely more like a symbol of elitism. The government looked out for their own wants, and the rest of the country could eat cake. But, no one ever did anything about it. He would take the first step, then. "I think we should call you Marie Antoinette. It's fitting, after all--your father was French. Well...like your counterpart, it's time to face the people. Their judgment? Decapitation!"

Conquest jumped down to the neck of his fair lady, placing his hand there. "It's a shame. I will miss the view." He brought his hand backward, and punched it into her neck, pulling upward as he relieved the area around him of its gravity. Even with his immense strength, it would take a moment for him to complete the coup de grace.

[DEATH]

For the first time in many years Death is happy. War has come back to earth in her physical form, a form that Death has loved and adored as he followed after her through time and around the world setting free the souls who have died. Perhaps because of this love and adoration Death made a selfish decision, he chose a side on this battle between Heaven and Hell, he chose to fight on the side of Lucifer. Fear, love and hate. Maybe all of those emotions are what made him make his decision.

The night air is clean and fresh. Through this pure air a shadow moves, high above the street, twisting and turning to avoid the tops of buildings. This shadow is moving too fast for a cloud. This cloud is actually Death, the ability to change his body into a mist like substance proving very useful to move from place to place quickly. Nearing Liberty Island the shadow stops, Death having sensed a being on par with himself, only three others exist who could emit such an energy and War had already been found.

Moving again Death makes a bee line towards where the energy is coming from. Suddenly he stops near the Statue of Liberty, seeing the head tilting slightly Death moves around to the other side to see someone standing on one of the statue's shoulders and moves to the torch so he can take the form of his human image. "Only three beings could create an energy like that which I sensed. I have found War already so only two remain". Death tilts his head a little and focuses. "Conquest".

[CONQUEST]

He had come a long way throughout world's history--ever since Lucifer's uprising, he had been there to fuel the fires. The desire for greatness, for utter domination and sovereignty was his domain. He couldn't help but reminisce about the Crusades, one of the times where he felt as though he had everyone alongside him.

The sound of metal churning and contorting with Conquest's strength made a dull clangor. The hole in Lady Liberty's neck was starting to rip open as Conquest was interrupted, and he would stop momentarily, a smile flashing across his face. "Ah, Death. I was wondering if you were going to make an appearance. Then again, I'd be a fool to think you weren't skulking around somewhere." He had not seen his comrades in quite some time, actually--Famine had yet to be seen, and he would have liked to see War a little more often, but these things couldn't be helped. There would be a day soon, when they rode together again, and he was looking forward to that day. However, he would fly under no flag but that of the Four Horsemen. They were their own sovereign force, as natural with this world as the four elements, or the Seven Deadly Sins.

He glanced over to the man, likely one of Death's many changing faces. "I wonder, then, what you've been up to. It's always interesting to see what new form you take. Is it because you find someone's death particularly touching, and decide to remember them, or is it something more? You're probably the most honest one of us, with no real reason to deceive. Death goes on, and is timeless. As long as a soul has mortality, you'll live."

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[DEATH]

"You knoW that I am always around, though not always physically. There's always a part if my mind somewhere in the world cutting loose many souls. There are always people dying, I will always be busy, never a moments rest". "And I do not skulk. I don't hang around people waiting for them to die, I come at the moment of their death and give release from their mortal bodies. I fond ways to occupy myself when I am walking on the earth". Death spends most ofhis time walking the earth interacting with humans, learning and observing, facinated with the workings of their minds and emotions. Some would say that he has become to close to humanity, that Death would rather spend more time with humans on earth than with his own kinsmen.

"I take these forms so I can better observe humans. This body once carried a soul, when I released him I could not bring myself to allow this mans body to waste and rott away in he wilderness, so I took it and made it my own". "I remember all who have died, from the first death of a human until the very last I will remember them all and mourn them all". Death watches the statues head continue to tilt wondering why Conquest would destroy it. "I hope I will continue always, though with this war going on I sometimes fear that if the angels win I will no longer be needed. I do not wish to cease existing, I prefere to live". Shifting into a shapeless shadow cloud again Death quickly
moves to stand near Conquest. " I have seen War, she is well. Have you seen Famine?".

[CONQUEST]

"War, hm...? I have not seen either of them, actually. You are the first in quite a while." Conquest straightened his crown as his gaze turned back toward the skyline. "We used to be revered, do you remember? People feared Famine and Death, respected the ways of War and Conquest. What happened? The humans have become so arrogant as to think they hold the world in their hands. It's absurd. One would think they hold themselves higher than the God they worship." While his chest was bare, the wolf cloak helped keep the man comfortable--though not entirely warm at this altitude.

Death's words about his existence startled him momentarily, eyes tracking his expression. Death had never been one to consider his own lifespan, since he embodied the end of the mortal coil. "While that may be true, I don't quite want the demons to win either. While I'm not fond of fading away, I'll not work under Lucifer's boot." His face contorted into an expression of pure disgust. "The majority of Hell's mindless demons forget what true honor in battle means. And what about you? If Lucifer wins, the humans are doomed to eternal torture and slaughter by their demon overlords. You won't be watching much of anything for long."

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[DEATH]

"Yes I remember. They made gods in my image; Hades, Pluto, Shiva and Osiris, each culture revered me enough to make gods set in my image. Now? Now I am nothing more then a costume to wear during Halloween, a skeleton that hangs over the beds of the dying and some force that causes people to die without care for who they are. They have grown arrogant in that they think to try to control me with medicines and machines. But I will come to them in the end eventually, there is no way to evade me".

"I do not make it a habit of getting into battles, I am not like yourself or War, I do not fight unless it is truely neccessary. My scyth is used to cut the souls of the dead from their once living vessels, it should not be used to kill those who are still alive". Death had already made a deal to side with Lucifer, in desperate fear and irrational thinking. "I don't think that, should he win, Lucifer would let the human population get killed off, if he did who would he have to worship him? The demons that come from Hell under his banner will surely die in the battle that is to come and the worship coming from demons alone wont be enough to keep him happy. Lucifer will allow humans to live on earth, if only so there are those to feed his need for power". "It's not just humans I go to, when an angel or demon dies I also go to them. I will be very busy very soon".

[CONQUEST]

"Ah, but there it is. Even if they were to die, they would go to Hell. They wouldn't disappear. That's a fate reserved for us. Lucifer will always have his damned souls to toy with, especially if he wins." Conquest wasn't convinced at all. Even War, in all of her bloodthirsty moments, had to be smarter than to fall for this as well..so what was Death's downfall? "I'm surprised at how easily you prostrate yourself, though I hope for your own sake, it is worth it." He wasn't sure what was ahead, he only knew that he had to come out on top. And that, if need be, he would keep this war going forever, unless a better alternative came to light.

There was so much to think about, and yet, nothing to plan. There was nothing yet--no demonic uprisings, no foolish angels to deal with, nothing at all. So then, it seemed they were definitely taking their time. The thought struck the man as rather amusing---they had ages to plan out their moves on the chess board. Why now did they stall? "It would seem you will, friend. Eventually, that is."

[DEATH]

"Even with the soulds he has to tortour and mistreat he will not get rid of humans. I don't know if he values their worship or he just likes that he would be able to dominate over them, whatever the reason I know that he will keep most of them alive. It makes sense, what would he do if all humans were to become extinct". "I am not laying myself down. I am simply looking at all the outcomes. As much as we are meant to stay out of direct conflict, to not choose sides, I do not want to see mankind totally wiped out.. but at the same time I cannot help but have fear over what will happen should Heaven's forces achieve victory". Death laughs softly to himself. "Perhaps I have become too attached to humans over the thousands of years. You other three distance yourselves from them, you don't mingle within their ranks. While I take human bodies as my own and walk the earth with them, I feel their emotions; pain, sadness, fear... happiness".

The screeching sound of tearing metal has begun to wear on Deaths patience, he been one to prefere most things to be done swiftly. With a slight shimmer Death has taken on his true immortal form, as usual his hood raised up to cover his face from sight. In one hand he holds his weapons, the scyth used to cut millions, billions of souls from their bodies. Sliding down the blade Death raises it slightly then pushes one end against the back of the statue's head. Though he does not have superhuman strength he is able to call on the aide of a few ghosts to give the head that little extra push with enough force to topple the head forwards and send it plummeting towards the hard ground. For a few seconds he watches it fall then turns back to Conquest. "You drew it out too long, people had gathered to see".

Suddenly he is gone and there is a sound, that only the dead and his kin can hear, of something metal been swung. As suddenly as he had disappeared Death materialises near Conquest again. The blade of his scythe shimmering with a pale glow. Ten souls have just been released.

[CONQUEST]

"Not quite what I had planned, though it works to the same effect." He nodded to Death, noting that his little show had an unexpected loss of lives. It was something that he had not intended, to be sure--he merely meant to scare them. "Oh, Death. I agree..I don't want the angels to win. However, we need serve no one but ourselves. Don't you see? We have enough power between the four of us to be more than formidable on our own." It was something that appealed to him far more than any other option. Of course, he was just as inclined to toy with both sides, but that was his desire to prove his own superiority leaking through.

With a flick of his wrist, Lady Liberty's head began to float upward, free from the restraints of gravity. "I'm aware that we could have both sides working against us, which is why reckless fighting is a moot point." He gripped onto the base of the head, wound his arm back, and threw it toward the bay with all his might. Granted, it was a fair distance to the mainland, so it probably wouldn't tumble down, though with the added lack of gravity and his superhuman strength, it would go pretty far. One thing was sure--it would certainly make a magnificent splash. "What do you think, Death? Would you rather heel at command, or be your own force, the way you used to. A force that cannot be manipulated or forestalled. Demons, angels..they would die when you decided, not when others decide to let you off the leash. We are not purely evil..but we are not good, either."

[Arrillia]

Aria readjusted the bag on her shoulder as she crossed the street. Her eyes were trained on the ground before her, which is why she ran into a man. "Oh, sorry," she said, side-stepping him. But he didn't seem to react. He was looking up, his mouth sort of hanging open.

She looked up, squinting. Her brow furrowed as her mouth opened slightly. "Is that who I think it--Oh, that's coming closer. I should probably take a step back." She stepped back a few and sat on the ground. Her eyes closed.

Suddenly she appeared in her demon form. "Excuse me? Mind not trying to take me out with the Statue of Liberty?" She crossed her arms.

[DEATH]

Closing his eyes for a moment Death changes back into his mortal form. "I have often thought about that, that we as four working together could cause just as much damage as the angels or demons could. We are forces that drive mankind, we can inspire them to change their ways. War, Death, Famine and Conquest... we drive humanity forwards to be better, to be more than what they already are". He watches Conquest throw the statues head towards out into the water, this would certainly draw a lot of attention. Already there are reports of a fight in an alleyway between a man and a tiger, obviously a demon having a bit of fun, or at least their idea of fun. Both sides seemed to be becoming reckless in their actions, attacking or showing their powers in the open with no thought of what the repercusions could be.

"I am not controlled, I release souls when it is their time. I do not get told who to cut free, I must do it, if I do not then they will become lost souls forced to wonder the earth until their bones have been destroyed. No one can out run me, no one can hold me". His attention his suddenly caught by someone, a woman, talking to himself and Conquest. At first she appears to be human, but then changes into a demonic form. This demon Death knows, he has taken the souls of many who have had sex under her influence and cheated on their partners in grief and guilt they have killed themselves. He looks at her carefully, not seeing the lines that Death can usually see on someone who is about to die, the lines that connect them with whatever or whoever it is that will cause their deaths. "Don't worry demon, that head was not destined to kill you. I cannot see what is, which probably means your death is far off".

[CONQUEST]

"You're right. We could change humanity. We can change the results of this war in whatever way we see fit. We can do many things. ----" His voice caught momentarily when the horned demoness appeared beside them. "But, think about what I said, Death." Conquest turned to face her, scratching the back of his head. "You don't mean to say such a slow-falling thing nearly got you, do you Aria?" He gave a challenging grin. "I promise, I wasn't aiming for you. Merely marking the start of my campaign. I'll carve out our domain over this city soon enough." Considering what he was, it was natural for him to assume a leadership position. He was hoping he could count on Death's support...what would Famine and War think? That was the only issue present.

The Horsemen would rise up and become their own sovereign force. If they stood together, even Gabriel would give pause! He could see it now, and the thought was grand. If all went well, that was. He did not expect Lucifer to lose such a powerful ally lying down. "What brings you out this far, Aria? Going for an evening stroll?"

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[Arrillia]

"Conquest," she said with a smile. Her astral form landed and stepped towards him. "I haven't seen you in ages. And, Death. You've never looked so alive." She grinned at her own joke.

"What am I doing here, you ask? Well, I was buying some liquor for my bar when the lovely head of Miss Liberty nearly crushed my body." She jerked her arm towards where she still sat, eyes closed as if she was sleeping. "What are you doing here, hm?" Her eyes flashed with anger. She didn't like close calls like that. Especially now.

[DEATH]

Death shakes his head at Arrillia's joke. "I am doing fine Arrillia, still doing the same job that I've been doing for the last... thousands of years, there has been no change". Death steps a little closer towards the astral projection of the demoness, a strange energy about her. Looking down at her physical form Death smiles. "A surprise indeed, I did not think one such as yourself could achieve such a thing. I see no strings on the child's soul, it will live long". He looks at Conquest when he mentions making a domain in the city. "Why would we? I am not like you, I do not wish for power or control for I have nothing to offer those who would follow me. I cannot grant wishes or raise the dead, I have nothing to give except peace and freedom from the mortal world".

"I did not come here looking to behead this statue, though I did give it a gentle nudge. I was travelling and found Conquest and he had severed the lady's neck from her body".

[CONQUEST]

"You misunderstand, Death. Think about what you want for this city. I have more than enough power, as it were. That's not what I want." Of course, he was referring to Death's goal of changing humanity, unless that happened to be words. One could not change humanity if the one desiring their souls were to run rampant. While it was good to see Aria, it was a shame his talk with Death had to become so candid. He mainly spoke as he did for the fact he was not sure how Arillia would take such a thing, and it was not something to be spoken of openly. Maybe he was being too hard on her.

"Like I said, I wasn't aiming for you, Aria. I was merely..enjoying the view, and framing the future, starting with this little lady."