Chapter Text
Long before mankind was created there were four men. Originally pure beings of God's creation, Lucifer's fall corrupted them into something sinister and the Lord sealed them away to prevent the further spread of corruption. There they sat in eternal slumber until age wore down the seals enough to crumble four of the seven seals that kept the devil's men at bay. Even then it took many years for the four to break free.
Arisen from the unholy ground first came Pestilence upon a shining white horse. With a cry of joy, the demon pulled the bow from its sheath and fired off an arrow that would soon bring about the plague of Megiddo to the masses of the holy land. In his mind, mankind had grown too large and it was his task to weaken their foundations for his brothers.
Taking his time War appeared next from the ground riding on a horse that looked to be made of fire. The older-looking man wielded a sword already dripping with blood and grinned silently at his freedom. Years spent sealed away were now gone as he was free to destroy mankind in whatever way he pleased. His brother's work in finding the weak would make his job that much easier.
A dark black horse quickly followed carrying on its back, Famine. The bald man let out a dark chuckle as he swept a hand over the lush bushes that surrounded their tomb. One by one the green plants began to wither and die under his presence. The scales in his left hand creaked and teetered as it balanced itself out. A chilling smile played on his lips as he knew his powers could bring humanity to balance. He would judge the souls that would come across their path judging who would live and who would die. It was his job to keep the world in balance.
Finally, an ashen-colored horse trotted from the tomb bringing with it a young man. The man, Death, rubbed his loyal steed’s neck as he laid his eyes upon the world outside his prison. He was still young compared to his brothers but just as dangerous. While Death lacked experience, he carried power with him. While his brothers would begin the Earth’s destruction, he would finish collecting the souls of the dead like a shadow and guide them to their eternal damnation.
“My brothers,” War gestured to the land and creatures the angels claimed were God’s greatest creations, “our release was imminent. We shall spread our influence across this pitiful land and bring about our master’s rise.”
The three other demons cheered at the notion they were finally free. For once in their created lives, they would save this pathetic planet from itself. With powers granted by Satan himself, these men terrorized God’s pathetic treasures for centuries. The four horsemen’s will amongst the human race was so detrimental to the mortals that their cries reached Heaven.
The angels reacted to the cries quickly and took off to protect their worshippers. One by one the four horsemen were hunted down by God’s most powerful archangel, Gabriel. And one by one they were killed, their bodies buried once more, sealed for another eternity. However, their influence, no matter how much the angels tried to cleanse the population, remained. God’s once flawless creatures were now corrupted with Satan’s darkness.
Mankind became obsessed with greed and hate. Pestilence still spread amongst the population terrorizing them with their own mortality. War still persisted with greedy men taking the old demon’s gospel to heart as they killed for more wealth. Famine still sat deep within the minds of those who lived through those troubled times; even in times of plenty they still lived as though the scarcity would reappear. And of course, Death. Death was always lurking over the shoulder of every living thing.
It is said Death was the last to be found and plead to Gabriel for mercy. Stories say the archangel was so moved by the demon's words that he let his soul roam free. Taking pity on the youngest of Hell's horsemen. Now a shadow of a being, he only guided the souls rather than take them himself. Many people deemed him the kindest of the four brothers as he greeted each and every human as an old friend. From this relationship, he listened to their gripes and grief before gently leading them to whatever afterlife they were deemed to land in. His mere presence could calm thousands.
Another few millennia passed before the seals began to crack once more. Soon the brothers would return to the Earth to usher in a new age of evil for their master.
The first to arrive, like always, was Pestilence. This is his story.