EXT. EDEN
THE LONER scopes out the area as ANGELIC SCOUTS watch from all sides, THE ARK can be seen with ANGELS moving about in haste as ANGELIC HORNS and SONGS can be heard.
THE STRANGER paces back and forth as THE LONER shakes his head.
THE STRANGER
They're beginning the cleansing ceremony.
THE LONER
We've got about an hour, maybe less before they execute him.
THE STRANGER
We don't have time to be wasting standing around then!
THE LONER
We can't just go charging into THE ARK capitol like that, we'll die before we even reach the city.
THE STRANGER
Then what?
THE LONER
I'm working on that.
THE STRANGER
Well hurry the hell up, the longer we stall the closer that DEMON comes to being executed.
THE LONER
Follow me.
THE LONER begins scaling down a RIDGE towards EDEN'S LUSH FIELDS as THE STRANGER quickly follows.
INT. THE ROGUE'S ROOM
THE ROGUE looks out of her WINDOW as she sees the HELLZONE bristling with its smoky air, black sun and desolate wasteland, only LUCIFER'S CASTLE seemed to resemble any form of living.
FAMINE
AMAZING how different the zones are, huh?
THE ROGUE turns as FAMINE comes up beside her, THE ROGUE looking back out as FAMINE examines the land with her.
FAMINE
Never been out this way, to the HELLZONE?
THE ROGUE
No...I've always been in the PURGE...told EDEN was too good for us...that the HELLZONE was...well, like this.
FAMINE
You get used to it.
THE ROGUE
What is it like?
FAMINE
What? Hell?
THE ROGUE
Yeah?
FAMINE
Wouldn't know. DEATH never allowed LUCIFER to have that strong of a hold over us.
THE ROGUE
So where did y'all...?
FAMINE
In a place void of heaven's influence, and close enough to hell that SATAN himself could drop by and pay a little visit. We are tools of the apocalypse, we just happen to be wielded by the arrogant angel brat who fell from grace.
THE ROGUE
Are you scared?
FAMINE
Why should I be? I am a HORSEMEN...Which is quite sexist considering I am a WOMAN..but we won't get into that.
THE ROGUE
I'm terrified.
FAMINE
All you've done is tremble and seem to be in shock since I ran into you, I can say I am not surprised.
THE ROGUE
It's just...THE GAMBLER is endowed with this cosmic power...THE RENEGADE I mean he's an ANGEL...you guys are...THE FOUR HORSEMEN of the APOCALYPSE. And then there's me...A human woman...helping to stop ...whatever we're doing. It just feels a little...no astronomically bigger than someone like me should be involved in.
FAMINE
People involved, people seemingly misplaced in the picture...tend to be the deciding force in both victory or defeat. Now you must ask yourself, young human woman...whether you want to be an asset, or a liability.
FAMINE turns and heads out as THE ROGUE watches her go before looking out back at the CASTLE.
INT. THE RENEGADE'S ROOM
THE RENEGADE sets his clothes down as PESTILENCE was playing with some toys on the ground in his room.
THE RENEGADE
Must you play here?
PESTILENCE
I'm sorry, do I make you uncomfortable?
THE RENEGADE
Why the form of a small child?
PESTILENCE
It's simpler this way.
THE RENEGADE
But you are a being as powerful if not more powerful than I...why...
PESTILENCE
I was created by your father to punish mankind should they need too. Yet DEATH has always watched over us, like a father should. I am truly his child, and this form conveys my true feelings towards how we are to him.
THE RENEGADE
I don't remember much as an ANGEL...only that DEATH was spoken of almost like a myth. No ANGELS had ever seen him, cept MICHAEL and LUCIFER. They say he used to converse with our father every few centuries. Updating him on the universes abound. Standing in his presence today was the closest I've been to my father in...a very long time.
PESTILENCE
I feel sorry for you ANGELS. I really do. I know I shouldn't. WAR tells me all the time that ANGELS, and DEMONS...are both beings with external and internal daddy issues. But I have wept for you.
THE RENEGADE
And I thank you, I may not be able to fully show any real gratification. But it is...
WAR
Odd.
THE RENEGADE turns as WAR enters.
WAR
Time to leave the ANGEL alone, PESTILENCE, maybe he'll let you play in here tomorrow.
PESTILENCE
Alright..
PESTILENCE gathers her things and leaves as WAR turns to leave but THE RENEGADE clears his throat, WAR stopping as he turns to look at him.
THE RENEGADE
You cover your face...why?
WAR
To gaze upon the face of WAR...Is to slip into madness, no matter what you are, ANGEL, DEMON, or MAN. My face will bring thousands of wars that have passed and to come into your soul, rendering you a killing machine nearly unstoppable...and my puppet. My right hand tool.
THE RENEGADE
I see.
WAR
Sleep well, ANGEL. If you can sleep that is.
THE RENEGADE
I will try. The longer one spends in a host's body...the more human one becomes.
WAR
ANGELS have that disadvantage...
THE RENEGADE
So do DEMONS...
WAR
Even battlefields then.
THE RENEGADE
You believe there will be a final battle?
WAR
You don't?
THE RENEGADE doesn't speak up as WAR nods and heads out, shutting his door in the process as THE RENEGADE sits down on his bed.
INT. THE GAMBLER'S ROOM
THE GAMBLER eats some pie as a TABLE in his room was full of sweets and food.
THE GAMBLER takes another bite as he turns and notices DEATH sitting beside, THE GAMBLER seemingly unfazed by his appearance.
THE GAMBLER
What's up, DEATH.
DEATH
So casual, aren't you?
THE GAMBLER
I have seen it all man, you may be the all powerful eternal DEATH, but man, in the end, you're just another being.
DEATH
The blood that flows within you. It gives you a great sense of purpose and power does it now?
THE GAMBLER
You could say that...
DEATH
Then you are the one who must take upon...an ultimate sacrifice.
THE GAMBLER
Come again?
DEATH points behind THE GAMBLER, who turns and notices the SCYTHE in the corner of his room.
DEATH
It was the very first weapon in this realm of time and space. I forged it in the fires and of the streams of rubies and gold and steel allowed in the lands of HEAVEN. GOD was completely against such a creation, but I felt this was needed...in case great reaping of souls should occur. I gave it to my ward, The best of the REAPER'S. GRIM.
THE GAMBLER
Where is he?
DEATH
Amassing my forces.
THE GAMBLER
Why was it taken from him?
DEATH
He could not bear the task nor the power it wielded. I overestimated his readiness. Around this time, HEAVEN and HELL began its army, LUCIFER rebelled, and he sent some of his REBELLIOUS ANGELS to take this weapon from GRIM. I would not allow it, and so I hid it. With CTHULHU, of all beings.
THE GAMBLER
What?!
DEATH
LUCIFER would never suspect that is where I hid such a weapon. He would also never go to try and get it for himself. I knew the weapon had to be hidden, for I knew I would need it to be wielded again, but this time to end a war bigger than the universe itself.
THE GAMBLER
What are you saying...?
DEATH
I have found one...powerful enough to wield its might. That would be you.
THE GAMBLER
I...no...
DEATH
But in doing so...it will take your life. It will kill you.
THE GAMBLER
I will not do such a thing...I will not use a weapon of that...gravity.
DEATH
It is not an option. Whether you choose to accept this task now...or when it's become too dire you will forfeit your life to use it...and you will single handedly change the tide of the battle.
THE GAMBLER
We can handle angels and demons and...
DEATH
This weapon can kill THE DESCENT...
THE GAMBLER
It...
DEATH
Only someone adorned with the power of eternal darkness can dispel eternal darkness. Your might, and my weapon...will end a universal plague that has haunted my eons of existence. It is hard...to learn one must become a martyr. But I trust that you will make the right choices in the end.
DEATH tries to stand but THE GAMBLER must help him up as DEATH taps him on the shoulder.
DEATH
It used to be that in my younger days, I could kill any being with just merely a touch. Power comes with a price, and sometimes you must sacrifice to hold onto the little things.
THE GAMBLER
You gave up the power to wield it didn't you?
DEATH
I have reaped a lot of creatures and deities in my time...a lot by accident, a lot too soon...my past you could never fathom but all you need to know is that I gave up this power, hence why I have my REAPERS who do it for me. And you my dear boy...are the only being in existence I have met that could use it the way I could.
THE GAMBLER
I'm...I don't know what to do.
DEATH
Give it time, son.
THE GAMBLER
But..
DEATH has already VANISHED.
THE GAMBLER looks over at the corner as he comes over towards the SCYTHE, THE GAMBLER going to touch it but stops himself. Sneering, THE GAMBLER grabs his overcoat and hat and storms out of his room.
End of Part 23