Chapter 3

17 years ago

A man sat in a chair, cradling a baby in his arms. The man was a little over six feet, and had crimson hair and brown eyes. He was telling a story to the child.

“And just when it seemed that all hope was lost, the brave knight managed to plunge his blade in between the dragon's toes,” he said. “The beast roared in pain. Seeing his chance, the knight drew his brow and fired an arrow between the dragon's eyes. The beast died died, and the village was safe once again.”

He set the child down in his cradle and tucked him in. He then stepped out onto the porch, where his wife was waiting for him.

“Is he asleep?” she asked him.

“Yes,” he said.

The two of them stood on the porch for several minutes, talking. However, the conversation came to an end when the man spotted something at the end of the street. A young man had pulled up, riding on a solid steel motorcycle. He was dressed in red clothing, with a pentagram emblazoned on his shirt, and a blindfold covering his eyes.

“Mary, you have to get out of here,” the man said.

“Why?” She asked, looking down the street at the strange figure. The motorcycler seemed to be staring straight at them through his blindfold. “Justin, who is that?”

“I'll explain everything later,” he said. “Just take Jonathan and go out through the back.”

The man on the motorcycle parked in front of the house as Mary ran inside to grab the child. The biker's motorcycle melted into liquid and reformed itself into a giant falchion, far too large for a normal person to carry, yet he held it effortlessly in one hand.

“Long time no see, War,” he said.

The man on the porch began to grow, reaching ten feet in height. Black and red armor covered his body, and a horned helmet covered his head. Ten glowing white orbs began circling his body. He grabbed on of the orbs, which transformed into a giant spear. He grabbed another orb in his other hand, which took the form of a huge, circular shield.

“You've come to assassinate me, haven't you, Akuma?” he asked.

“You and that half-blood brat of yours,” the biker said. “Have you said goodbye to the kid yet? Cuz you ain't getting a chance to after this.”

Akuma charged at War, swinging his sword. The world slowed down through War's perspective, allowing him to easily predict Akuma's movements and counter them. He successfully deflected Akuma's attack and disarmed him. He then pinned him to the ground with one foot and pointed his spear at Akuma's throat.

“What part of 'puts the greatest military strategists to shame' don't you get?” War asked.

A giant serpent suddenly burst from beneath the ground and coiled around War, crushing his armor in it's muscular embrace.

“You shouldn't be so quick to underestimate the Terrorspawn,” Akuma said. “It just so happens I didn't come alone.”

A woman rose from the ground. She had black hair, glowing silver eyes, and was dressed in a gown of snake skin.

Glasp,” War said. “You're here as well?”

“That's right,” she said. “Akuma, finish him.”

“With pleasure!” Akuma said, raising his blade.

His swing was cut short as ice formed over his entire body, restricting his movements. The snake wrapped around War froze solid. War saw his chance, and shattered the serpent. He smashed his shield into Akuma, sending him flying. A young man with pale skin and blue hair appeared above Akuma.

“Get the hell out of here,” he said.

A giant violet vortex began swirling in the air above them. The newcomer grabbed Akuma by the throat and threw him through the portal. War grabbed another of the floating orbs, which transformed into a large flail. He swung it so that the chain wrapped itself around Glasp's waist. He swung it again, sending her flying through the portal. The young man snapped his fingers, causing the vortex to vanish.

“I wasn't expecting for you to arrive, Ice,” War said.

“Well, some of us have gotten in their heads that you and your son should be killed,” Ice said. “Lucky you you, I feel differently.”

“Well, that's good to here,” War said.

“You can't keep hiding things from her,” Ice said. “You need to tell her who you really are and what's going on here. Then you need to leave.”

“But what if they're attack while I'm not here?” War asked.

“Trust me,” Ice said. “Things will be a lot worse if you stay with them. If you're really worried, I'll keep and eye on them and make sure nothing happens.”

“Okay,” War said. “I... I have to go speak to her now.”

“Go do what you have to do,” Ice said.

Present day

John ran down the stairs.

“When did you get ba-?” his mom started to say, but she stopped when she saw the sword in his hand.

“I can't talk right now!” John said, running to the door. “I have to go!”

“Wait, we need to talk!” she called after him. But he was already out the front door and running down the street.

He arrived back at Mike's house to find the entire place was gone. The whole place had simply vanished, without a single trace. He stepped into thew empty area, looking for any trace of his friend. All he found was a not.

It read; If you wish to see your friend again, then come find me in Netherworld, and join me, as you were meant to. -Conquest.

A car pulled up on the sidewalk behind him, and John's mom opened the door.”John, come here,” she said. “There's something we need to talk about.”

The ride home felt longer than it should have been.

“Mom, what's going on here?” John asked.

“This is about your father,” she said.

“The man who abandoned us after I was born?” John asked bitterly.

“He did that to protect us,” she said. “Your father wasn't a normal person. He was the second horseman of the Apocalypse.””So, what they gray guy said was true?” John asked.

“Yes,” she said. “That man was your uncle, Conquest. Your father said he would return someday, to bring you to the Netherworld. Ice O'Leit stayed here to protect you.”

“You mean Mike?” John asked.

“That's the name he chose to go by,” she said. “He had to adopt a false identity so that the other Terrorspawn wouldn't know he was protecting you.”

“What's a Terrorspawn?” John asked.

“The more common term for them is Fears,” she said. “They are entities that represent humanity's fear. Ice is the Fear of being cold, and lone.”

Cold and alone, John thought to himself. The same way I've felt my whole life since dad left.

“He was kidnapped,” John said. “Conquest took him. He said I'll never see him again unless I go to Netherworld.”

“You can't go there,” she said. “Netherworld is a dangerous place. You'd have to have a death wish to go there.”

“I don't care,” John said. “I have to save him.”

The car pulled up in front of the house, but neither of them got out.

“Your father said that some day you may be forced to go to war,” she said. “He said that when that day came, you would have to claim your inheritance.”

“My inheritance?” John asked.

“You're father left you something behind,” she said. “It's in a town called Pittsburgh Texas. He said you would need it in order to defeat the forces of darkness.”

“What is it?” John asked.

“He didn't say,” she said. “But if you're serious about saving Ice, then you should go get it. I'm not going to stop you. You have to do what your heart is telling you to.”

Meanwhile, in Netherworld

Conquest waited in a dark building. Another figure entered the room. It was a woman, made completely of wood, with long black hair and a yellow, ballroom dress.

“Why exactly have you summoned me?” she asked.

“I have a problem,” he said. “And I need your assistance with it. But first, where are the others?”

“Right here,” said another voice. Deceit stepped through the door. “I think Krysix will be here in a couple minutes.”

“Then we will wait,” Conquest said.

“But I hate waiting!” the woman said.

“Be patient, Mrs. Kinn,” Conquest said.

“It's not like it'll be that long, Manny,” Deceit said.

Another figure, resembling a mechanical skeleton entered.”Manny Kinn!” it said, delightedly. “Deceit! I hardly ever see you two any more! How have things been?”

“Not bad, Krysix,” Deceit said.

“Boring as hell,” Manny replied.

“Now that we're all here, we can discuss business,” Conquest said. “I had an encounter with Jonathan Calwar earlier today. He didn't seem to want to join me. I've given him some incentive, but I doubt it will be enough.”

“So you want us to bring him here against his will?” Manny asked.

“Well if you want to put it so bluntly, yes, that is what I want you three to do,” Conquest said.

“Sounds simple enough,” Krysix said.

“Don't get too cocky,” Conquest said. “He his inherited his father's lightning thought and weather manipulation. He won't be an easy opponent.”

“I like a challenge,” Manny said.

“So, we have a deal then?” Conquest asked.

“Sure,” Manny said.

“Of course!” Krysix said.

Deceit simply grunted.

“Is there a problem, Deceit?” Conquest asked.

“Look, I like the thought of taking on a Horseman,” Deceit said. “But I don't drag people places. That ain't my style. I'll fight the kid, but I'm not gonna bring him back here. You can do that yourself.”

“Very well,” Conquest said.

“Well, I have some other obligations, so I'll catch up with you clowns later,” Deceit said.He left the building, walking out into the streets of Netherworld's capital city. A woman was waiting for him. Her hair resembled a great conflagration  being multiple shades of red, orange and yellow, with blue and white roots. Her skin was fair, and she was dressed in a tight wedding dress.

“You aren't really going to side with them, are you?” she asked.

“Dunno,” Deceit said, pulling a cigar out of his pocket. “I wanna see what this kid's made of, then I'll decide. Hey, you mind lighting this for me?”

The woman snapped her fingers, and the end of the cigar burst into flames.

“Thanks,” Deceit said. “Anyway, he's probably gonna head over to meet David Dragen soon. I think I'll bump into him on the way there and pt him to the test.”

“Do you think Omnipotence and Silene Stenophylla would agree with this course of action?” she asked.

“Who knows,” Deceit said, taking a puff from his cigar.

“Whatever you do, be careful,” she said.

“Don't worry, Blaze,” he said. “I'll be perfectly fine.”

Pittsburgh, Texas

A 19 year old boy carried a bundle of straw into a stable. He was pretty tall, and had dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, and was dressed in a white T-shirt and blue jeans with cowboy boots. He enter the stable and gave a cheerful hello to the three horses which were kept in there. One of them was pale, and had a thin, black mane. The next one was dark red and was built faster than the others. The third one had dark blue fur, and was the bulkiest of them all. The boy fed them all, then went to brush the blue horse's mane.

“There you go, girl,” he said calmly to her. “You're looking good today.”

Suddenly, the red horse began neighing loudly, startling the boy.

“Something wrong, Myrie?” he asked. But ass he watched the horse, he realized that it wasn't upset. It seemed more like it was excited about something. “It can't be,” the boy thought. “Could he finally be coming here?”

He walked out of the stable and stared off into the distance. He began smiling. He could feel it. The son of War would soon be arriving.