The Horseman, as an anti-hero, is not a mere construct of the apocalypse; he is the true Horseman, an ancient being who existed long before the concept of the Four Horsemen. His true name is Azrael—the name whispered among the earliest civilizations and passed down through forgotten languages and hidden texts.
Azrael woke up at the dawn of humanity, when the first human took their first breath. His memories, although fragmented at first, began to resurface as the centuries passed. He witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the birth of religions, and the destruction of civilizations. But unlike the gods and mortals around him, Azrael did not age. He was eternal, a being who bore witness to the long, tumultuous history of the world. Over time, the whispers of his name echoed in secret cults and hidden places, a legend that only a few sought to understand.
The Awakening:
Azrael's true nature and powers were unlocked after a cosmic rift shattered the fabric of the universe. The energies of the apocalypse merged with his essence, manifesting the Horseman abilities—War, Death, Famine, and Pestilence—but this merging did not erase his past; it enhanced it. The Horseman now remembers his past lives and the original role he once played. He was not just an agent of death and destruction; he was a force of balance that walked the line between the two, having seen the consequences of unrestrained power.
Powers, Skills, and Abilities:
Mastery of the Four Horsemen:
Azrael doesn't just wield the powers of the Horsemen; he is them. His connection to War, Death, Famine, and Pestilence goes beyond the ordinary abilities. He can draw upon the combined might and wisdom of his previous lives as each of the Horsemen, having lived through countless cycles of destruction and rebirth.He can channel the raw energy of the Horsemen, enhancing his strength, speed, and reflexes to godlike levels. He can also momentarily unlock additional abilities tied to their powers, such as summoning legions of soldiers under his command, bringing about plagues, or even causing wars to erupt with a single thought.
Weapons of the Apocalypse:
Chaoseater: The Horseman's iconic weapon, forged by Azrael's hand, it is a massive blade capable of cutting through almost any material. It can absorb the souls of those it slays and harness their energy, making it more powerful with each victim.
The Reaper's Scythe: A weapon that Azrael learned to wield in his past as Death, this scythe is a tool for harvesting souls and controlling the flow of life and death. He can summon it at will and use it for devastating attacks, both physical and mystical.
Bow of Famine: A long-forgotten weapon that Azrael used in his past as Famine. The bow can fire arrows that steal the very life force of whatever they strike, draining energy and vitality from entire regions.
The Plague Gauntlets: A pair of gauntlets forged in his role as Pestilence, these allow Azrael to manipulate diseases and plagues. He can create toxic environments or unleash deadly viruses on his enemies. The gauntlets can also amplify his physical combat skills.
Immense Mastery of Martial Skills:
Azrael is an unparalleled fighter, having spent eons perfecting hand-to-hand combat, weaponry, and various forms of mystical arts. His martial arts skills come from his memories as the Horseman of War, and he has mastered nearly every style known to humanity—ranging from ancient forms to modern techniques.Telepathic Combat Mastery: As a being who has walked the Earth since the dawn of time, Azrael's fighting instincts are deeply ingrained. He can anticipate his opponent's every move and adapt to any situation.Manticore Strike: A deadly technique learned from his past as War, this involves Azrael's ability to channel destructive force into a single, devastating blow, one that could decimate entire armies or annihilate cities.
Divine and Mortal Knowledge:
Azrael carries the knowledge from his past lives as the Horsemen, including the wisdom of countless wars, battles, and plagues. He is an expert strategist, capable of predicting outcomes before they happen. He can read ancient texts, decipher forgotten languages, and unravel mysteries of magic and the arcane.He has a deep understanding of the moral balance of the world. Where his past selves sought to end entire civilizations, Azrael now walks the fine line of ensuring that chaos and destruction are only used as a tool to maintain cosmic balance.
The Rebirth of Azrael:
When Azrael regained his memories and powers after the rift, the whispers of his name grew louder. He began to spread his legend among those who would listen—mystics, scholars, and conspiracy theorists. They spoke of the "First Horseman," the being who could bring the world to its knees—or save it from itself.Azrael's name became a myth, often spoken in hushed tones by those who feared his wrath or sought his guidance. He is a figure that some see as a harbinger of doom, while others view him as a necessary force of justice—someone who ensures that the cycle of creation and destruction continues without tipping the balance in favor of either extreme.
Personality:
Azrael's ancient wisdom often puts him at odds with the more idealistic heroes of the DC Universe. He recognizes the folly of mortal actions—how greed, fear, and pride lead to cycles of war and death. He believes that true justice can only come through the balance of destruction and creation. His personality is marked by a detached pragmatism—he is not a villain, nor is he a hero. He acts as the cosmic arbiter, ensuring that both good and evil remain in check.
Though his motives may seem cold and calculating, Azrael does have a deep sense of morality. His actions are always aimed at restoring balance, but the methods he uses can often seem brutal, as they are shaped by the lessons of his past lives as the Horsemen. He will not hesitate to bring destruction to those who threaten the balance, even if it means an immense loss of life.
Relationships with DC Characters:
Batman: Azrael and Batman share a mutual understanding of justice, but they have very different methods. Batman sees Azrael as a powerful, necessary force, but he struggles to trust someone who operates outside of his moral code. Azrael, on the other hand, sees Batman as a well-meaning but naïve individual who cannot truly grasp the broader cosmic balance.
Superman: Superman represents the pinnacle of hope, but Azrael sees him as a symbol of naivety in the face of universal entropy. They would clash over the concept of justice, but in times of great crisis, they could find common ground.
Wonder Woman: Like Azrael, Wonder Woman has a deep sense of duty and justice, but their philosophies differ. Azrael believes in the necessity of destruction for the greater good, while Wonder Woman seeks to save all lives. They would be allies in certain circumstances but at odds in others.
Justice League: As a being who has transcended mortal comprehension, Azrael would be both an invaluable ally and a dangerous wildcard. While they may fight together against common threats, the League would always question whether Azrael can be trusted, given his mysterious and volatile nature.
The Awakening of the Horseman:
Azrael rises from the forgotten recesses of time, his previous lives as the Four Horsemen flooding his consciousness. With the wisdom, skills, and weapons of the apocalypse, he emerges as the Horseman of Justice—a being who fought for balance and neutrality in the universe. In his past lives, he was the protector of peace, one who ended wars and violence to restore harmony. Now, in the modern world, he finds himself drawn to Earth once again, to confront the threats that disturb its balance. Azrael's return is felt across the world—his name whispered among the shadows of history. Both heroes and villains sense the weight of his power and the promise of retribution against the forces that threaten peace. His mission is clear: to eliminate the scourge of chaos, beginning with the most dangerous entities that seek to tear the world apart.
War of Souls: The Battle for Balance:
Azrael's return does not go unnoticed by the cosmic forces that once relied on his neutrality. Lucifer Morningstar, The Spectre, and other powerful entities sense his actions as a necessary force to restore equilibrium. However, Darkseid, the dark wizards, and Vandal Savage view Azrael as an obstacle in their quest for ultimate power. As Azrael moves against these malevolent forces, a conflict brews between him and those who would see the world bent to their will. Azrael must face these forces head-on while grappling with his own identity and the memories of his past lives as the Horsemen. His true challenge lies in making difficult decisions—remaining neutral, acting as a force of justice, or risking everything for the greater good of Earth. As the war between these factions intensifies, Azrael finds himself at the center of a struggle to protect the world and its fragile balance.
The Final Reckoning: Eradicating the Corruption:
The final test for Azrael comes as he takes on the greatest threats to Earth's balance—Darkseid, the dark wizards, and Vandal Savage—who seek to plunge the world into darkness and chaos. Azrael's purpose is not to save the world from total destruction but to eliminate the key players who distort its balance. Darkseid's ambition to dominate the universe, the dark wizards' thirst for forbidden power, and Vandal Savage's immortality-driven quest for control must be eradicated, as their very existence poses a threat to the neutrality and peace that Azrael has fought for throughout his many lives. The stakes are higher than ever as Azrael engages in brutal battles, where each enemy he faces represents not only a threat to peace but a force that will destabilize the fragile harmony he seeks to preserve. His actions will shape the future of Earth and potentially the entire universe—either by removing these threats entirely or by setting off a chain reaction that could change the course of history.
In the final conflict, Azrael's resolve will be tested as never before. He is forced to choose between mercy and destruction, weighing the consequences of his decisions on the balance of life and death. The Horseman of Justice will stop at nothing to ensure the peace he has always fought for, even if it means sacrificing parts of himself in the process.