Chapter Text
The night sky above Aetolia was beautiful. Princess Helen thought it could possibly be the most beautiful sight in all the world- well, the second most. The most beautiful was reserved for her lover. The woman who lit her heart ablaze and made her the happiest woman in all of Greece.
War- Scarlet, to Helen and other humans- was a Horseperson of the Apocalypse. She had one goal in all of existence, and that was to spread- well, war. War and chaos and strife through the mortal world and not stop until the inevitable Apocalypse would come one day. It was her calling, her purpose. She loved it as much as she loved Helen, her princess.
The two had met in the ordinary way, when Helen had snuck out of the palace and ran into War as she was about to incite a fight between the town shopkeepers- only to be distracted by the gorgeous woman who had accidentally slammed into her as she turned the corner.
The rest was history between them. Together they’d sneak around for over a year, meeting in secret and in the secluded spots of the city and during the dead of night, on Helen’s personal balcony. That was where they were meant to meet tonight.
Helen watched as War climbed up the balcony, each time she did so was quicker than the last. When War made her way over the railing, Helen got a good look at her. The way her long red hair burned against the night sky coupled with her bright blue eyes that were deeper than the ocean and all its glory. Her smile, which grew in size as she caught sight of the princess. She was enchanting.
“Good to see you, lover.” War said. Helen giggled as she shook off the rope stuck to her leg as she hurried over to engulf her in kisses and tender touches.
“Hello to you too, my sweet.” She said, her laughter peppered her words as War planted kiss after kiss on her cheeks and nose and lips. “You’re in a good mood.”
“How can I not be? I’m here with you.” War hummed softly as she ran her fingers through Helen’s inky black hair.
“I.. have something to tell you that might ruin that.” Helen said as she slowly pulled away. Not fully, but just enough so she could look War in the face. Her smile fell and her eyes wet themselves with tears. “I’m.. to be married.”
“Married?” War said, as her hands fell to Helen’s shoulders. She tried her best to console her, though that was nowhere close to her speciality. “Wh- To who?”
“King Menelaus of Sparta.” She said, trying her best to settle down before her sorrows got even worse. “Oh Scarlet, you have no idea what a brute and a bore that man is! I could never love him.”
“Menelaus.. Yes, I know of him.” That was putting it lightly. War had spent many years in Sparta long ago and had worked closely with the royal family. She had left to cause trouble in places far off the coast of Greece more than 80 years ago, but word traveled just as fast as conflict did. Sparta was known the world over, and its leader’s names roamed the tongues of thousands. Menelaus was the most recent one of his line to spread his legacy, along with his brother Agamemnon. Frankly, War thought that the whole family was rather full of themselves.
“I tried to object, Scarlet, really I did.” Helen sighed sadly. “My parents wouldn’t hear it.”
“When are you set to be wed?”
“Soon, in a few days time.”
War tried to think, really of anything. This was awful, worse than awful. War loved Helen so much, and the idea of her being ripped away from her by some- some- blasted humans who had no right to do that to the two of them? It made her angry, furious even.
Helen clung to her tightly, burying her head in her love’s shoulder as she started to sob. Tears ran down her cheeks and soaked War’s chiton like raindrops sliding down a marble pillar onto the day’s weaving. How this crushed her, destroyed her heart and her soul and every ounce of her being.
War exhaled slowly, petting her love’s hair tenderly.
“Helen..” War said. “If.. If you don’t want to go through with it,” If you want to stay with me “Why don’t we.. leave, together?”
“What?” She sniffled, pulling from the embrace.
“Helen, my dearest Helen,” War’s voice hushed as she took her hands in her own. “I love you more than anyone above, below, or in between ever could dream of loving someone. I adore you. Please, if you would have me, we could run away from this place- from any place that could tear us apart- and be together, for as long as we both shall last.” Her words were prayers, spilling from her lips like water through the cracks of a spring wall. “I would do anything to make you happy, no matter where we are.”
“Scarlet..” Helen whispered, curling her fingers tightly around hers. “If.. If I did that.. I’d be letting not just my family down, but my entire kingdom. I have a responsibility to them- as a princess.”
“Don’t you wish to put yourself first- put your happiness first?” She asked. “Would you truly be happy just by virtue of appeasing your kingdom and your family?”
Helen felt her chest tighten at the idea. She had never really put that much thought into it before, only because before it felt as if she had no say in the matter. Could she be happy going against her own wishes only so she could appeal to the masses?
She thought back to the first night of her sister’s wedding party. Clytemnestra had looked so beautiful in her wedding dress, dripping from head to foot in gold and jewels from across the land. The room around her sparkled with gifts and merriment and her new husband Agamemnon laughed and celebrated so heartedly, but Clytemnestra never smiled. Not like she had when they were younger. Back then she had the brightest smile in all of Greece, and yet it was exchanged in favor of a crown and a king at her side. What a bitter trade.
“..No,” Helen shook her head. “No, I don’t think I would be very happy at all.”
“Then come with me.” War said, squeezing her hands so tenderly. “I may not have gold or a palace, but I can make you happy.”
“You’ve made me more happy than any woman has ever been before.” She said. “But- how could we even make it out there in the world, all by ourselves?”
“Trust me, I know my way around.”
“I do trust you. I trust you with my heart, my soul..” Helen said. “But I need to trust you with my life, Scarlet. Can you promise me we’ll be alright?”
“Yes.” She said before closing the gap between them. They kissed under the cool gaze of the moon for what felt like hours, but were really only minutes. “I swear on my own life, I’ll keep you safe. Safer than safe.”
“I’ll make sure you live up to that promise, my dear.” Helen said as she ran her hand up War’s cheek. She could only smile at her, as she made her feel so warm even in the worst of times. “When will we go?”
“At sunset tomorrow. Pack everything you think you’ll need and i’ll return for you.” Scarlet kissed the palm of her hand before letting go. “I love you, my princess.”
“I love you too, my Scarlet.” Helen smiled softly as War waved goodbye to her, descending down the wall of her balcony into the cover of night. It was incredible how easily she could just disappear from sight all together.
As she slid through the darkness, War bumped into a familiar face. There stood Death, as ominous as ever. She felt a pit grow in her stomach- They never just showed up unannounced for social calls.
SCARLET, WE HAVE TO TALK. Their voice boomed, bouncing from one ear to the other like a drum.
“Azrael! You.. heard all of that back there, didn’t you?” She asked.
I HEAR EVERYTHING.
“Right..”
YOU DO REALIZE THE EXTENT TO WHICH YOUR PLAN GOES, DON'T YOU? They asked. IF YOU WERE TO GO THROUGH WITH THIS, RUN OFF WITH HER, YOU’D BE NEGLECTING YOUR HORSEPERSON DUTIES.
“Oh, relax.” She said, waving them off as she walked by, with Death following behind. “Wars won’t just stop because I’m busy with someone else.”
PERHAPS NOT. BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT. They said, trying to get her to actually listen to them for once in her immortal life. IF YOU WERE TO CHOOSE SOMETHING OR SOMEONE ELSE OVER YOUR DUTIES, YOU WOULD EFFECTIVELY BE ROGUE.
“And is that so bad?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m playing hooky. Is that going to cause a collapse in the universe or what?”
IT VERY WELL COULD BRING ABOUT GRAVE CONSEQUENCES.
“Az, look at me.” War said as she turned on her heel to face them. “My purpose is very important- I know that, you know that, we all do. But..” She rubbed her arm slightly, trying to find the right words. “Helen is more than that to me. She’s more than a duty. She’s.. my everything.”
I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND.
“She makes me happy. The happiest I’ve ever been. I love her just as much as I love watching lands fall into chaos during battle and soldiers die among the fields for the pettiest of reasons, maybe even more than all that.” War sighed in a vaguely dreamily way, her lips curling into a smile as she thought about Helen. “She’s worth more than any ol’ eternal purpose! Even if she didn’t agree to go with me, I would’ve stayed at her side, for as long as she’d have me.”
YOU’RE TELLING ME YOU WOULD GLADLY RISK EVERYTHING FOR A MORTAL? Death asked. War lifted her head to meet their gaze.
“Yes. And i’d do it again, and again, if it only meant I could be happy.”
AND IF HEAVEN AND HELL FIND OUT THAT YOU’VE ABADONED YOUR POST?
“Who cares what those idiots think? They can send for me, doesn’t mean I’ll be answering.” She said, her tone laced with bitter annoyance at the reminder that those two offices existed in the first place. “Besides, like I said, wars won’t stop just because I’m not there making them happen. They won’t even notice.”
AND WHAT OF RAVEN AND WYN? WHAT WILL YOU TELL THEM? That was what War hadn’t thought of yet. Heaven and Hell could go sit and pout all they wanted at the thought of War going rogue, but her siblings were another story.
Famine and Pestilence- she hadn’t seen them in awhile, and the two had no idea War was even involved with a human to begin with. Death was different, Death was everywhere all the time, so she knew they had known about her and Helen without even having to explain herself. She wondered what the others would say, though. She had a feeling they’d maybe laugh and tease her- actually, scratch that. Knowing them, they’d definitely tease her. But she felt as if.. maybe, if she was lucky, they’d understand.
“Well.. When I see them next, whenever that’ll be, I’ll just explain the situation.” She said, trying her best to be confident in her words. “I’m sure they will get it. We’re family, after all.”
I SEE. Death’s voice never could give any hints as to what they were thinking. War wasn't sure she wanted to know, anyways. WELL. I WISH YOU LUCK, SCARLET. BUT REMEMBER, YOUR CHOICES HOLD GREAT POWER.
“Yeah, yeah. Free will and all of that.” She nodded. “Thank you, Azrael.”
BE SAFE.
And like that, they were gone. War exhaled from her nose, staring at the empty space where Death had just stood. A million thoughts raced through her head, but she knew what she was going to do. She had her mind made up.
And so, War made the necessary preparations.
Night turned to day as Helen started to prepare her things. She’d need to act normal, at least for today. It was just damn hard to do so as she waited for the biggest moment of her life.
The entire palace seemed to notice Princess Helen’s bright mood that morning. She hummed sweet melodies as she strode through her family’s estate. She inspected every blossom in the garden, tenderly admiring them before moving on to the next. Even her parents took notice.
“So, Helen,” Her mother said as she, her husband, and their children sat down for dinner. The roast pheasant smelt divine. “Are you nervous at all?”
“Nervous?” Helen asked. “Whatever for?”
“Menelaus arrives tomorrow. Your charming husband-to-be.” She said. “Surely you didn’t forget already.”
“Oh, right.” Helen muttered under her breath before clearing her throat and speaking at a normal volume. “Of course not, mother. I only mean I have absolutely no reason to be nervous when meeting him.” Because she wouldn’t be meeting him at all.
“He’s not quite as light-hearted as Agamemnon, you know. Best to be poised around him.” Her father said. Helen hated to think Agamemnon- the most boorish man she had ever had the displeasure of meeting- could have an even more uppity younger brother.
“Yes, father.” Helen said, trying to push the thought of those two from her mind.
“He’s a good man, all the same.” Her elder brother Pollux said. He was the spitting image of his twin brother, Castor, who elbowed him lightly in the side.
“We’ve met him personally before.” Castor bragged, as he did many times whenever mention of the Spartan King came up. “He’s noble and brave. And an amazing fighter. He was the best choice for you.”
“I’m sure he’s wonderful, brother dear.” Helen rolled her eyes, trying her best to mask her apathy towards the king with sweetness.
“Your brother speaks true, Helen.” Her father said. “Out of your many suitors, he was the finest choice. And with Clytemnestra already married to his brother-“
“-It means we would have double the forces to help protect the kingdom if conflicts arose.”
“Smart girl.”
“Well,” Helen said as she pushed out her chair and stood. “Dinner was lovely, but I’m going to retire early tonight. I hardly think I could sleep with anticipation for my fiancé so high.”
“Do try to rest, darling.” Her mother said, barely holding back a giggle at her own joke. “We wouldn’t want Menelaus to be greeted by a bride of Hypnos rather than a future queen of Sparta.”
The entire table roared with laughter, all except for Helen, who only forced out a fake chuckle that could barely be picked out from the rest of theirs.
“Right, of course.” She nodded as she headed off as quickly as her feet could carry her back to her room. As she passed the hall windows, she could feel her excitement grow as she watched the sun go down.
“Almost time..” She muttered to herself as she practically ran to her room, shutting the door behind her quickly.
With a click of her lock, she pulled her escape satchel from underneath her bed. She checked and double checked to make sure she had everything she needed. Clothing, small trinkets from her brothers and sister to remember them by, golden jewelry to trade for goods, and the knife War had given her on their third date. That was everything- at least she hoped it was.
Helen looked at her room one last time. This was where she had grown up, her entire life had been in that room. Her fondest memories were etched into the stone of her walls and her most aching secrets were woven into the rugs that adorned her floor. Her brothers and sister played here with her when they were children.
Times were simpler then.
Helen ruffled through her bag and pulled out two things, a swan’s feather pin that her mother had given her when she was a newborn- she claimed it was a protection charm from Lord Zeus himself- and the small, golden, apple-shaped ring that she had fancied ever since she was a child. It had been a tribute from an old woman who hadn’t much to give, but did as she could. Helen loved that ring, and normally wore it around a chain.
She figured.. if there was any piece of her she could leave for her family to remember her, it would best be those. And so, she set them on her bed and walked away from them without a second thought, closing the doors to her balcony behind her.
Helen paced back and forth, back and forth, waiting for War’s arrival. This was all so crazy- but she knew that it was the right choice. She knew it all when she had seen the smile on War’s face when she said yes. She couldn’t bear to be apart from her, not a day more. Her heart, soul, and entire being was hers and hers alone. Never Menelaus’, only her darling Scarlet’s.
When she saw those bright red locks peek over the stone, her worries melted away.
Helen rushed to the rail and helped heave War up, just enough to where she was able to get up herself. She bounced on her heels as War straightened out her bag.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.” War said as she saw the way Helen’s eyes shined. She couldn't help but smile at her. “You’re ready?”
“More than ready.” Helen said as she kissed her once for good luck, and a second time because they were going to need as much luck as ever.
“I’ll lead you down, just don’t be afraid.” War said as she took Helen’s hand.
She helped show her how to shimmy down the rope, which Helen only yelled at because she felt her foot slip, but War reassured her they’d be ok.
Once they made it to the ground- Helen hoped she’d never have to do that again- War led her through the bushes and over to the palace stables, where she busted open the lock to the horse stalls. Helen was impressed by War’s pure strength, as her fist snapped the wood on the stopper in half with only a couple hits.
“Now, which one of you is the fastest?” War muttered to herself as she looked between the several horses there.
Her eyes fell onto a chestnut stallion that was big and burly and looked as if it could pull thrice its weight 1000 miles before tiring. That was the perfect kind of horse to ride away on.
“Easy, boy.” She shushed it as she touched its muzzle, the horse neighing cautiously as it moved its head away from her hand, but it wasn’t completely startled. “I won’t hurt you.” Those were funny words coming from War herself, but horses had no concept of man-made bloodshed, so it was lost on him. “Helen, can you grab me it’s reins?”
Helen nodded as she picked the reins from the box the stable hands usually kept them in. Growing up royal, she had been a talented rider- it was a necessary thing for women. After all, what man would want a wife who wouldn’t ride with him to show off for the fellow nobility?
War took the reins and set the horse up, which it only resisted slightly before contessing to Helen’s pets and praise. War helped her onto the stallion, petting its mane and neck as she led it out of the stables, not bothering to close the gate as they rode out.
As they made it out, being careful to not be caught by anyone. Thank the lord for War’s special Horseperson ability to not be seen by human eyes unless she wanted to be- which, she hadn’t any idea could cloak Helen as well until right then.
They got through the city limits, seeing the wide open greek roads sprawl far off onto the horizon, lit only by moonlight.
“So, my princess, where to first?” War asked as she turned back to look at Helen, who held onto her by her sides.
“Hm..” She hummed, looking out at every which way, before pointing. “That way.” She said. War smiled softly.
“You heard the lady.” She said to the horse, who whined as she cracked the reins.
They rode off, with only dust trailing after them. By morning, there was no sign of them.
Helen’s family came upon the trinkets- and with no signs of break ins or forced entry, they understood what it meant. As Helen’s mother wept at her daughter's bed with her sons and husband trying to comfort her, their guest shed no tears.
No, infact, Menelaus did not even think of crying. Instead, he turned from the room, and told his personal guards to send a message back to Sparta- a message drenched in bloody words. He’d find Helen, and whoever she had ran off with, even if he had to hack and slash his way through the entire Grecian world.
At the gates of Aetolia, as the sun came over the horizon, hitting the first footprint of the horse that carried War and Helen off, a new being was created in its place.
Their eyes opened to their first view of the world, and yet they already knew exactly who they were, and their entire purpose. A purpose greater than humanity. A purpose to bring about chaos and the steady, destructive conquest of God’s favored creations. A purpose that would be carried out until the end of days.
This being was Conquest. And they were the newest Horseperson of the Apocalypse.