Chapter 2

22 years ago

“Well, are you in?” Silene asked.

“Maybe,” Deceit said, getting up from the park bench and flicking his finished cigar into a nearby garbage can. “We got plenty of time before the hybrids reach maturity. I could change my mind by then.”

“You're far from the easiest person to trust, but we really do need your assistance with this,” Omnipotence said.

“I'm not particularly fond of doing favors for the Horsemen,” Deceit said.

“Neither am I,” Silene said. “But this is too good of an opportunity to pass up.”

“In your opinion,” Deceit said. “I'm still don't see why I should give them any any help.”

“Then don't do it for the Horsemen,” Omnipotence said. “Do it for her.”

“Please don't bring her up right now,” Deceit said, as a tear fell from his eye.

“Are you crying?” Silene asked, chuckling.

Deceit moved impossibly fast, clearing the distance between himself and Silene in a fraction of a second. He grabbed Silene by the throat and pinned him against the wall, squeezing tightly. Silene drew a dagger from his belt and raised it above his head, but Deceit grabbed his wrist with his free hand and twisted it so hard that the bones could be heard breaking.

“Deceit!” Omnipotence shouted. “Release him!”

Deceit hesitated for a moment before dropping Silene to the ground.

“What would she want you to do?” Omnipotence asked.

Present day

Jonathan walked up to the door of his friend's house. A plaque nailed to the door read “The O'Leit Residence”. He knocked and waited for a while. A young boy, about sixteen, came to the door.

“Hey Mike,” Jonathan said. “How's it going?”

“John, do you have any idea how early it is?” Mike said, brushing his black emo hair out of his eyes.

“Yeah, but it's my birthday and I wanna get and early start,” Jonathan said.

“Whatever man,” Mike said. “We still got like, an hour before any good places open. Wanna play some chess?”

“Sure,” John said.

They started playing. John had a secret. Something he had never told anyone before. Every now and then, the world around him seemed to slow down. He had time to analyze everything around him, and figure out every possible action that could be taken. An ability he took advantage of when playing games. He managed to beat Mike in 12 moves.

“Damn, you're good,” Mike said.

“You know I never lose,” John said jokingly. “Wanna play again?”

“Sure,” Mike said.

Before they could get the board set up again, there was a large explosion that blew down one of the walls of Mike's house. The room was engulfed in flames, and a the towering figure of Conquest stepped through the hole in the wall, carrying his great blade in his hand. John fell over, staring at the newcomer in horror. Mike, on the other hand, seemed almost completely unfazed by the newcomer. He stood up, and the room temperature plummeted. Ice formed over the places that were on fire.

“You could have given him time to enjoy his birthday before showing up,” Mike said, staring at Conquest defiantly.

“Ice O'Leit,” Conquest said. “I haven't seen you in a while.”

“What did he just call you?” John asked.

“He called me by my real name,” Mike said. “I'm not who you think I am.”

“What do you mean?” John said.

“Silence!” Conquest shouted.

A ball of fire shot from the end of his sword, flying straight at Mike. A shield of ice appeared in Mike's hand and blocked the fireball.

“Get out of here,” Mike said to John.

“I'm not gonna leave you behind!” John said.

“I can handle myself,” Mike said. As he spoke, his appearance changed. His skin turned deathly pale, and his hair became a dark shade of cyan. A sword of ice formed in his free hand.

“What the hell?” John asked.

“I said go!” Mike snapped. “I've got this!”

Mike and Conquest charged at each other, engulfed in ice and flames. As their swords collided, they created a shockwave that tore the roof off and sent John crashing into the wall behind him. He slumped to the ground. As he attempted to get up, a foot came from no where and stomped into his back, pinning him there. A sword stabbed into the floor a few inches in front of his face. And unfamiliar voice spoke into his ear.

“I trust you can figure out how to use this,” it said.

The man pinning him to the ground suddenly vanished, leaving the sword behind. He stood up and pulled it from the ground, and turned back to the fight. Conquest shattered Mike's sword and shield with a powerful slash, then grabbed him by the throat and lifted him into the air.

“Let him go!” John demanded, lifting the sword.

“I will,” Conquest said. “But only if you come with me quietly.”.

“I have a better idea,” John said. “You let him go, or else I'll kick your ass!”

“Hehe,” Conquest chuckled. “You have your father's spirit.”

“What the fuck do you know about my father!?” John demanded.

“He is War, the second Horseman of the Apocalypse,” Conquest said. “And I am Conquest, the first Horseman.”

“Bullshit!” John shouted. “Just let my friend go already!”

Suddenly, a lightning bolt hit the ground between them, knocking Conquest backwards and causing him to drop Mike. John looked up at the black clouds circling the sky. It had been clear before. Where had those clouds come from?

It was then that John felt a presence behind him, and the same voice that had given him the sword spoke again.

“And even the storm clouds answer to his battle cry,” it said, before vanishing again.

Conquest stood up again, and charged at John. The world slowed down again. John could see exactly how Conquest would swing his sword, and he dodged just in time. Conquest swung again, and John was able to parry. He saw his chance to strike, and he took it. He swung his sword, and as it made contact with Conquest's chest plate, the sound of thunder filled the air, and Conquest was sent flying across the room. He stood up again. His sword transformed into a giant bow, and he fired a flaming arrow at John. Mike appeared between them, and was hit in the chest with the arrow.

“Mike!” John exclaimed.

“Go!” Mike said, turning around and shoving John.

John fell to the ground of his own bedroom, still holding the sword. He had no idea how he got there. All he knew was that he had to get back and help his friend.