Darksiders II

Darksiders II is a 2012 video game and the sequel to 2010's "Darksiders".

Death

• I have to go alone.
• This is no place for a horse.
• Oh, damn it.

Crowfather

• There can be no life without Order, Good, evil... darkness, light - there must be Balance in the Universe. Such is the decree of the Charred Council, an ancient body charged by the Creator to preserve the very fabric of existence. But the Balance has been broken.
• This has been the journey so far...
• Welcome to Shadow's Edge, Horseman. Now, go as the crow flies. Or your brother is lost.

Kargon

• Ah, I see you got our little invitation? Welcome then to the Crucible. Here, the strongest are tested, and the weak are destroyed.
• You have survived... so far. Is it the prize and freedom you want, or more punishment?
• He chooses to fight on!
• I believe this one may go far.
• A tireless avenger are we?
• I've never witnessed such power. You defeated me, and all creatures imaginable... that is, besides my master. Go to him now.

Others

• Karn: I don't know, I'm just a pup.
• Vulgrim: I have new items, if you have the coin.
• Nathaniel: Not all of Heaven is against you. Just enough to be worried.
• Wicked K: En garde, you boob!

Dialogue

• Crowfather: Voices... always voices... torment without end.

Death: Keeper of Secrets, I need your help.

Crowfather: I helped you once before, Horseman. Look at me now. How I curse that day. How I curse you.

Death: Careful, Crowfather. I'm not here to put you out of your misery. Not yet.

Crowfather: I know why you've come. Your brother, the one called War. He's been imprisoned by the Charred Council and awaits their judgment. For dooming the Earth. For mankind's extinction. Why should I care about your brother's fate?

Death: Because you know the truth. Your secrets can save him.

Crowfather: The Council will condemn War. Strip him of power, let him rot in oblivion... to hide the truth! My secrets cannot prove his innocence, Horseman.

Death: No... but they can help me to erase the crime.

Crowfather: Bring mankind back from extinction? Madness!

Death: If it's madness, then who better to show me the way?

Crowfather: Should a way exist... [Opens a portal to a large tree] you will find it here.

Death: The Tree of Life...

[The Crowfather closes the portal]

Death: Let me pass.

Crowfather: Not yet! That which you gave me... [Holds up a glowing green amulet] you will take it back.

Death: In exchange for its secrets, you agreed to keep the Amulet.

Crowfather: No... the voices, they curse and threaten without end. They cry to return! You must destroy it!

Death: I... cannot.

Crowfather: You annihilated their flesh, why do you guard their souls?

Death: [Draws his scythes] Open the portal.

Crowfather: You will not pass while I live.

Death: So be it.

[The Crowfather blasts death across the arena]

Crowfather: Here your brethren are trapped in eternal torment. Do you wish to join them? And what of War? Would you kill your brother to save your precious balance?

Death: He is innocent.

Crowfather: Are you so certain? [Turns into a copy of War]

• Eideard: Be still, Horseman. You are wounded.

Death: Don't touch me!

Eideard: Your arrival here is a bad omen. Yes... troubles me greatly.

Death: Old one-there's more trouble ahead if you don't start making sense. Where is the Tree of Life?

Eideard: Life? [Chuckles] This world is dying, lad. Choking on chaos and Corruption. We can do little to stop it. Soon the great tree too shall perish and, with it, the last of my people. Is that not what brought you here, pale rider?

Death: I seek the tree. Your "chaos and corruption" don't concern me.

• Eidard: You fight well. But this Corruption can't be beaten with a blade. Seek out the Forge Sister. Ask her about the fire of the Mountain. Help her, and she will help you reach the tree. As for me, I must return to my work.

• Death: And who are you to command a rider?

Eidard: I am a maker. Older than even the Charred Council. These hands have laid the foundations for many worlds. But that was long ago. And now, they but hardly know the touch of stone.

• Alya: Maker's beard, the rumors are true! A Horseman in the Forge Lands! The name's Alya, and that's my brother, Valus. We are the keepers of this forge. Tho' I reckon that means less now than once it did.

Death: This is a Maker's Forge?

Alya: Nay. The Maker's Forge is lost to us. Silenced by the hands of Corruption. But in its depths, we once crafted the Dark Towers of Hell and the Cities of Heaven.

Death: Now you make... trinkets?

Alya: And you - one of the four - now seek the aid of the makers? I guess we have all fallen from high places.

Death: I came here seeking the tree, and your Elder speaks of fire. What is it?

Alya: Aye, the Fire of the Mountain - The Stonefather's Blood - it once flowed into our forge as did the tears. Both imbued our craft with incredible power. The Heart and the Soul of Stone. But Corruption has taken them, and now our forge is silent.

Death: Why does this concern me?

Alya: The way to the tree is lost, barred by Corruption. You can no more leave this place than we. Restore our forge, and the tree can be reached.

Death: I don't follow your reasoning.

Alya: We are Makers, not warriors - but we are not without our weapons. Before the Forge was lost, we crafted a mighty creature of soul and stone... a Colossus to fight this Corruption. But, to awaken him requires a Maker's Key - and we need our Forge to craft one. Will you help us?

• Muria: We've been awaiting your arrival, Horseman. Your shadow has long hovered over this realm.

Death: Many know the Reaper, old one. But I don't know you.

Muria: We are the builders of this world. But Corruption seethes at its heart, and destroys in days what we shaped over eons. Eidard does his best to soothe our pain, but our souls yearn for only one comfort. Death. We are without hope.

• Vulgrim: Greetings, Horseman. And welcome... I've been expecting you.

Death: Vulgrim... what brings you crawling out of the shadows?

Vulgrim: [Chuckles] I wouldn't want to lose my most valuable customer. Not to what lurks at the edge of shadows... So here I am, to offer my wares.

Death: What do you know that I don't? I'm not here by choice, demon.

Vulgrim: I merely followed the trail of carnage. Your blades are as sharp as ever. Even still, I may be able to help you. I carry things others would... frown upon. Go on. Take a look. You won't be disappointed.

• Death: You look different than the others. Less pleasant on the eyes for one.

Karn: Heh, I could say no less for you. Folks around town call me "Pup" or "Lad". But I prefer my own name: Karn.

Death: "Pup" it is, then.

Karn: As you will, matters not to me.

• Karn: Say... if you're headed in there, you mind doing something for me?

Death: Yes I mind... Aren't I doing enough already?

Karn: Perhaps, though it seems to me you're doing right enough for yourself - our benefit being a fortunate side effect. Well, if it ain't much trouble, I... I left an old metal platter in there with the image of two hammers scribed in the center. Not much to look at, but uh, it was my journeyman piece. Last thing I ever forged.

Death: A dish? You want me to bring you a dish?

Karn: Yes, well, it has sentimental value. If you find it, I'll make it worth your while.

• Karn: The mountain has a voice! How did you... No, no, it doesn't matter. You have done what we, what I... failed to do. You must take the good news to Alya as soon as you can!

• Alya: Heh, heh! Horseman! The Fire of the Mountain flows again!

Death: Yes. Freed by my hand... and Karn's.

Alya: Karn? That pup?! He hasn't a clue! And yet... the forge burns once more. You know what awaits you rider. To finish this, you must restore the tears.

Death: I'm not your errand boy, maker.

Alya: Aye, but our fates are now yoked. Help us, and we will help you. In the meantime, take this... it might be of use. [Gives Death Redemption]

Death: I know this pistol... it belongs to my brother, Strife. How came it here?

Alya: I cannot say. But there are other goods you may barter for now as well. Restore the tears, then return to me.

• Blackroot: Oh? Hello, fleshling. Didn't see you there.

Death: I was going to ask who you are. Or rather what.

Blackroot: My name is Blackroot. And I... am hungry.

Death: For what exactly?

Blackroot: Only the finest stones. I have ways of attracting such morsels. But it has been centuries since any were in reach. I must wait here for my master. I will starve if someone doesn't help me.

Death: Your people stand on the brink of destruction. And you ask me to feed you?

Blackroot: If it isn't too much trouble.

• Thane: Out with it, Horseman. I can tell when you've come to boast.

Death: The forge has been restored.

Thane: Aye! And Alya ran 'round the village the moment the waters reached us, giggling like a 2000 year old. Aye, it's a right noble deed for one of the riders. Mayhaps I was wrong about you.

• Eidard: It is finished, then. At long last. Death, this is a Makers' Key, and you had best take it now... before I come to my senses.

Death: [Takes the Makers' Key] You seem more likely to lose them, old one.

Eidard: A problem, aye. But, there is also a solution. The Guardian. Meant to be our greatest weapon, and capable of clearing the forest around the Tree. But an earthquake drove us from the Foundry and, now, I fear something else roams within. The Guardian was never finished.

Death: If the Guardian is your masterwork, how am I to complete him?

Eidard: In the forest lies another construct. One of the few remaining who have not fallen to Corruption. He is not as vast as the Guardian, but his heart is strong. Seek him out, and he will guide you to the Foundry. There, you may activate the Guardian, using the Makers' Key.

• Warden: In my slumber, I have felt the Guardian, reaching to my dreams. He is the strongest of us all. But in his heart, there is a hunger. The Guardian was built to destroy. He has much in common with Corruption... You must speak with Eidard, and make your peace, before we cross over. There may be no crossing back.

• Absalom: And so you have come, bearing your sin like a badge of honor. What do you seek, Pale Rider?

Death: The return of mankind.

Absalom: [Laughs] To a barren planet, shorn of life? Humans are weak and simple, they would not survive this resurrection - nor do they deserve it!

Death: That is not ours to judge. I do this to spare War from the Council's punishment.

Absalom: And what of the Nephilim? Would you save but one, and not the rest?

Death: The Nephilim are a threat to the Balance.

Absalom: If we had taken Eden, none of this would have happened. Yet you rode against us - slaughtered our flesh, then bound our souls in your amulet!

Death: Who are you?

Absalom: I think you know. Once, you called me Brother.

Death: Absalom.

Absalom: I have forsaken that name. Now, I am Corruption. The day you raised your scythe against us, I was born. And soon, I will be all. The Tree of Life has fallen to my darkness, from withered rose to fruitless limb - and even Death himself will not escape it!

• Ostegoth: Ahh, the Pale Rider. Isn't it odd that so many have come here by your hand? [Sighs] And yet you so rarely visit the Dead Kingdom.

Death: I had no plan to visit this wretched place. I sought the Tree of Life. I found it. Now I'm here.

Ostegoth: [Laughs] The tree is no destination, my friend - only a portal to other worlds. If the tree is what you seek, then you have arrived.

Death: Then I have been betrayed.

Ostegoth: Not so hasty. The tree is wise beyond imagining. If it brought you here, then here is where you belong. Perhaps I can help.

Death: I doubt it.

Ostegoth: You would be wise to heed me, I have a merchant's skill to grant your deepest desire. Tell me, rider, what do you seek?

Death: I would redeem my brother. Restore the balance.

Ostegoth: Mmm, yes! I have heard the tale. Your brother rode, though no call was given - and mankind paid the price.

Death: Guard your tongue merchant.

Ostegoth: I give no judgment, friend; only pass on that which I have been told. You were right to seek the tree - but it is only the gateway. What you seek is the Well of Souls.

• Draven: Did the Chancellor send you? Well, Horseman, I've beaten Death once. And I can do it again.

Death: I have no idea what you're talking about.

Draven: Of course not. You still reek of hope. You couldn't have met the Chancellor.

• Chancellor: A rider? In the Kingdom of the Dead? No, no. This will never do!

Death: I must speak with the Lord of Bones.

Chancellor: Ohhhh. That is not possible. My Lord attends his realm. A burden beyond even your ken, Horseman.

Death: And what is your use, as a door-stop?

Chancellor: There is but one way to draw him from his slumber... The Gilded Arena. Here, mortals are offered a last chance to earn freedom from the grave... a boon that includes an audience with the King. Defeat the Arena's Champion - and return here with its skull. His Majesty will grant you an audience.

Death: And where is this arena?

Chancellor: Fret not, Horseman. We have already arrived.

• Death: How did you get here...

Ostegoth: A merchant knows many roads. Not all of them are shared with Horsemen.

• Lord of Bones: You stink of the living, Horseman. Of souls long overdue. You are not welcome here.

Death: Pity. I was starting to enjoy the atmosphere.

Lord of Bones: Then you have not been here long. Billions of souls crowd my kingdom. All of humanity, wailing for vengeance. [Shows Death the souls of humanity] But, I see you are already familiar with such music. What would you have of me, Horseman?

Death: Show me the way to the Well of Souls.

Lord of Bones: And what do you seek there, power over life and death? Or do you hope for absolution, kin-slayer? I wondered where the souls of your brethren had gone, for they never passed through my realm.

Death: Your 'realm' hardly needs more subjects. [Crushes a skull under his foot]

Lord of Bones: True, yet I must face this rabble without the Lords who serve me!

Death: That's not my concern.

Lord of Bones: Make it your concern, and I will grant your request. Find my three Dead Lords, and wake them from their slumber. This will bend them to your will. [Gives Death the Interdiction ability] Return the Lords to me, that they might share my burden.

• Chancellor: Horseman. What did you learn from the Lord of Bones?

Death: I suppose your king lives up to his name, if not his bargains.

Chancellor: The Dead King has granted you passage to the City of the Dead.

Death: Who must I seek in the City of the Dead?

Chancellor: You should worry more about the one who seeks you.

Death: Answer my question, scarecrow.

Chancellor: There is no fun in simply telling you.

Death: Then speak no more!

Chancellor: I'd keep watch on my own neck if I were you.

• Crowfather: Horseman. I believe you called.

Death: Crowfather?

Crowfather: I am the one you seek. And where else would I be, but the City of the Dead? Would you like to ask a question, or just stand there like you've seen a ghost?

Death: Tell me how to reach the Well of Souls.

Crowfather: The Well of Souls is a place of unimaginable power... the key to life and death, of creation itself. And that is why the Well has a key of its own... one that was divided long ago. The Angels keep one half, and the Demons the other. And never shall the two meet. Unless you truly mean to save your brother.

Death: To save War, I would storm the White City.

Crowfather: Of that, I am more than certain. But there is no need. The Angels have realms beyond the white city, as the Demons do, beyond their dark kingdom. All will become clear to you once you reach the tree.

Death: I've already done that, Crowfather.

Crowfather: Nevertheless, you must find the tree again. And go wherever it takes you.

• Crowfather: Not so fast, Horseman.

Death: You're following me.

Crowfather: So I am. I will remain here - at the tree - should you have need of me on your quest. Oh... And Dust has a beak for more than corpses, Horseman. Follow him, and you will find the Key.

Death: Follow Dust, find the Key? Can't be that easy, Crowfather.

Crowfather: You may be right, Death. The future is a secret even I cannot keep.

• Death: I don't recognize this place. Where have you taken me?

Crowfather: This place is called Lostlight. It is an outpost, far beyond the gates of Heaven. And it is here that the angels have hidden the Key to the Well of Souls.

Death: Why here? Why not the White City?

Crowfather: There are some amongst the Angels who would use the key for their own purpose, so it was hidden here to safeguard it from their schemes. Or so they hoped.

Death: The Well has power over all Life?

Crowfather: It does... though I suspect there is more to your question. Go on rider - ask it.

Death: The four never knew of the Well - why was it kept from us?

Crowfather: For fear of what you may have done with that knowledge. The nephilim could not be allowed to ravage creation any longer. They needed to stay dead.

Death: Then the Well can bring them back?

Crowfather: And so we get to the root of it, yes, the Well is the font of all life, angel, demon, mankind... even nephilim. But from their blades they wrought chaos - and from that was born Corruption. You were right to destroy them.

• Nathaniel: Welcome to Lostlight, rider - from one warrior to another.

Death: Do I know you?

Nathaniel: I am Nathaniel. I fought beside you, at the gates of Eden. Would have died, were it not for your blades. But I'm not troubled that you don't recall me. Your thoughts that day were on killing Nephilim.

Death: You're of the Hellguard.

Nathaniel: I was. But I guard the light now. And the Archon. You'll find both in the Crystal Spire. But something tells me you are not here to glory in my master's radiance.

Death: What gave that away?

• Death: I'm looking for a key.

Nathaniel: I would guess that what you seek is no simple key. For that, you should consult the Archon. He sees much, from the peak in his Spire.

• Archon Lucien: Out of the shadows, and into the light. I see you, Horseman.. the things you have done, the lives you have ended. I know why you are here.

Death: Then you will give me the key.

Archon Lucien: I have guarded the key for centuries. It is mine. And I will not part with it lightly. [Teleports behind Death] Not now. Corruption spreads. In our city. In our hearts. Only I remain pure, a beacon against the darkness. Helpless to push it back.

Death: We are not all helpless, Archon.

Archon Lucien: Hmph. Perhaps not. After the seals were broken, and Hell's legions loosed upon the Earth, many divine relics were lost. One, the Rod of Arafel, could help reverse what has happened here. I dare not retrieve the Rod myself. The gates to the White City are closed to any angel who visits Earth. But you are no angel. Acquire the Rod, and I will clear a path into my Citadel. There, you will find the key to the Tree of Life. As for what you will find on Earth... After you face it, even you may curse the name of War.

• Death: If you want the Rod - you'll tell me where to find it.

Archon Lucien: I have seen much, while staring into the deep, but that I cannot tell you. The Kingdom of Man was swallowed by darkness when the armies of Hell invaded. I have seen only glimpses of the Earth since then, but enough to know that the Rod of Arafel is safe. And our only hope of redemption.

• Uriel: I should kill you for what your brother did here. But you saved my life. Consider us even.

Death: What do you know about the Rod of Arafel?

Uriel: A weapon of immense power, brought to Earth by the Archon Hestus to battle the demons in the End War. But Hestus fell and the Rod was shattered. Now the Destroyer uses its pieces to fuel his army of darkness.

Death: What was broken can be reformed. Where are the pieces of the Rod?

Uriel: In the hands of the Destroyer. He has summoned creatures from the abyss, and drawn forth his Chosen - things of blasphemy who even now divide this world into their own hellish domain. The Suffering are one such beast. They feed upon the dead of this world, and twist them into a swarm of flesh and bone that fight as one mind. It was they who attacked us moments ago.

Death: One mind - easily sundered.

Uriel: I will not risk more Hellguard to recapture the Rod of Arafel. But should you wish to undertake this fool's errand - then follow the trail of corpses left by my brethren.

Death: A fool's errand... well, it would not be my first.

• Death: [Advancing on Jamaerah] Where... Is... The key?

Jamaerah: Mercy, Horseman!

Death: [Plants his scythes on either side of Jamaerah's head] Where is it?!

Jamaerah: Please! I'll tell you everything!

Death: [Withdraws his scythes]

Jamaerah: It was... chaos. Even the most noble among us abandoned his senses, and took up his sword. It happened to the Archon. It happened to me.

Death: The Archon.

Jamaerah: It was that damned pool! Their use was forbidden for a reason. Whatever vision he saw within, rent his mind. The Corruption spread from him. He made this city a slaughterhouse, while professing his own purity! Eventually, the Archon fled to the Crystal Spire. He took the key with him.

• Death: The Archon called you "Scribe".

Jamaerah: I am Jamaerah. Once I was chief scrivener, here in the Ivory Citadel. I recorded things past, things present, and the ever-changing future - for mine, is the second sight. To see through the eyes of others... it is a gift few angels tolerate. Even the Hellguard have their secrets. The Archon wished to learn them... but he saw too much.

• Death: This place looks familiar.

Crowfather: As well it should. This is the dark reflection of the Crystal Spire, a realm where Demons rather than Angels keep watch. But Corruption turned their gaze inward, and what they saw there... destroyed them.

Death: What of the key?

Crowfather: It remains within, bound by a powerful master.

• Ostegoth: Welcome to the Dark Kingdom, Horseman.

Death: If you're following me...

Ostegoth: Nothing of the sort. I've come to part demons from their coins - and you, from their souls. Are we so different?

Death: I'm looking for a key.

Ostegoth: But of course. Samael keeps many wonders, in the vaults beneath the Black Stone. I have come to trade, for what few he would part with. But I fear not all is well in the Red Court. Samael would never let his realm slide so far into nothingness. Beware of what you find on Samael's throne. And whom... Rumors are all that escape the vortex. Of a Mad Queen, Lilith, who still clings to rule...

Death: Lilith! Why am I not surprised?

• Samael: So the Charred Council sends only one Horseman... even to the past. No, this visit is... unsanctioned. In fact, no one knows you're here.

Death: Not a soul. Now hand over the key, it can be our little... secret.

[Samael teleports behind Death, then telekinetically lifts him up into the air]

Samael: Pitiful. [Throws Death to the floor] Flawed castings from a perfect mold. Absalom was always stronger than the rest of you... [Teleports in front of Death]

Death: [Blocks Samael's attack] You'll find me... strong enough... Samael! [Pushes Samael backwards]

Samael: Yes. You have overcome many obstacles to stand here before me. [Teleports away from Death] But sometimes, the hero dies in the end. Ask your brother.

Death: Will you surrender the key, or must I take it?

Samael: Horseman. You already know the answer.

• Absalom: Have you ever, wondered, Death, why you are untouched by Corruption while those around you wither and rot in the grip of corruption? Could it be that you are already blackened by the sin of betrayal? How can you defeat that which seethes in your own heart? You cannot stop me, without forever damning your soul! [Descends in front of Death]

Death: [Draws his scythes] Then so be it.

Voice Cast

• Michael Wincott as Death
• Keith Szarabajka as the Crowfather
• James Cosmo as Eidard
• JB Blanc as Thane
• Ella Newlands as Alya
• Claudia Christian as Muria
• Phil LaMarr as Vulgrim
• Andre Sogliuzzo as Karn
• Nick Jameson as Ostegoth
• Troy Baker as Draven
• Barry Dennen as the Chancellor
• Philip Proctor as the Lord of Bones
• Jamieson Price as Nathaniel
• Robin Atkin Downes as Archon Lucien
• Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as Uriel
• Jessica Strauss as Lilith
• Vernon Wells as Samael
• Simon Templeman as Absalom