Daniel Matthias Lancaster

Bones (William)

Son of Azrael

Damien Lancaster (Brother)

> "If you think you can kill me, you're sadly mistaken. I'm the Horseman of Death, and it would do you well to remember that I can end your life before you blink."
> ~Daniel to Demetrius
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## Biography

### Early Life

Daniel was the firstborn Lancaster son, and he was expected to inherit his father's money and business when Robert Lancaster passed. He was expected to get an education at Oxford, then his father would teach him his craft after he graduated. When Damien was born, Daniel was extremely excited to have a brother to spend time with after so many years of having to play on his own. And even though there was a considerable age gap, the two brothers were inseparable, doing everything together.

Robert Lancaster was very old fashioned, and Daniel was engaged to Madison Monroe in order to "secure the family reputation." Daniel didn't like Madison that much, since it was clear to him that she only wanted to marry into the Lancaster family for their money, as the Lancasters were far wealthier than the Monroe family. However, he respected his father's wishes and said nothing.

### Becoming a Horseman

> "It's a vision and a voice, a small voice and quick flashes of pictures that shouldn't make sense but they do. It was terrifying to me, but also a bit familiar. Maybe that's what scared me."
> ~Daniel talking about his powers
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Daniel wasn't aware that he was the vessel of the Horseman of Death until his powers began to show a few weeks after Damien turned 21. He began to see how, when and where people would die, describing it as "a vision and a voice." Daniel, at first, didn't understand what was going on, and for a while considered seeing a psychologist. When Azrael appeared to him, he thought he had officially gone crazy, but when Azrael explained that he was the Death Horseman's vessel, it made sense. He asked Azrael if there was a way he could fix it, but Azrael said there wasn't; Daniel could only do what he was meant to do, After some hard thought, Daniel resolved to leave to protect his family from his emerging abilities, fearful that someone who wants Daniel's power would threaten his family. Soon after the conversation with Azrael, he publicly called off the engagement with Madison, told his mother and father privately that he was leaving, but didn't explain why, and decided to take the next flight from London. Damien was confused why Daniel was leaving, but Daniel avoided talking to him for fear of Damien knowing more than was safe for him.

### The Encounter with Dante

Dante hated the Lancasters, especially Damien, as he was the incarnation of the Gatekeeper Zeeviel. When he heard that Daniel was the incarnation of the Death Horseman, he realized that Daniel's power could spell ruin for all his and Samael's plans. On the night before Daniel's flight from London, Dante broke into Daniel's apartment and asked whether Daniel was the Death Horseman or not. Daniel thought Dante was a robber and sounded the alarm, but Dante kicked him in the stomach and sent him flying into the wall. With his sword in hand, Dante held it against Daniel's throat, telling him that if he shouted again, he would slit his throat.

It didn't take long for Daniel to realize that Dante was a demoniac, and was able to fight back. Deciding to put an end to Daniel, Dante set the apartment on fire, managing to escape through a portal, bragging to Damien later on that he "defeated a Horseman." Sadly for Dante, Daniel survived, and fled. It is unknown where he is.

## Appearance

### Human Appearance

Daniel has black hair and green eyes like Damien. He's 6'8, and has an athletic and muscular build. He has a black tattoo of a skull and horse on his right forearm, but he doesn't remember how exactly he got it.

### Horseman Appearance

As the Horseman of Death, Daniel dons a hooded cloak and a scythe with the Greek word for death carved into the handle as well as engravings decorating the blade. Daniel's horse is called Thanatos, after the Greek god of death, and the horse emits a pale glow.

## Personality

> "I just can't understand how he does it."
> ~Daniel about Azrael taking souls of the dead
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Daniel tends to avert from violence, ironic since he is the Death Horseman. He always tries to find the peaceful solution in any situation, but will never hesitate to use force if his friends or family are jeopardized. He hates having to take the souls of the dead, especially the younger children, and has stated on multiple occasions how he can't understand "how Azrael does it." Nevertheless, he understands the importance of his job, and even if he had the chance to give his power up, he wouldn't; he knows that someone else would be forced to bear the burden he bears.

Daniel holds no ill will towards the divine; instead, he acknowledges that no matter what, it is imperative that the demons not take over Earth. He also isn't jealous of Damien being the Chthonian Gatekeeper, though he does regret leaving his brother with no explanation. He also had forgiven his father for acting so harshly towards him and Damien multiple times, and regrets leaving his mother, who loved both her sons and was heartbroken to see them go. Daniel also believes that Dante is a victim of lies and manipulation, and that he could redeem himself if he wanted to.

## Items

* **Scythe:** Daniel's scythe, like Azrael's, can separate souls from bodies, but Daniel's scythe reacts to his emotions. If Daniel is upset or angered, a blow from the scythe blade will hurt way more than if Daniel was calm, and Daniel has admitted to times when he has injured a soul when separating them.

## Powers and Abilities

* **Necrokinesis:** While Azrael cannot get directly involved with a soul and the manner in which they die, Daniel has the ability to decide and determine the cause of death and manipulate it accordingly.
	+ **Lifespan Manipulation:** Daniel can manipulate the lifespan of any particular person.
	+ **Death Sense:** Daniel can determine when a person will die.
* **Immortality:** Daniel, as a Horseman's vessel, could live forever unless the Horseman inhabiting him is removed or Daniel himself is killed.

## Weaknesses

* **Archangel Azrael:** As the Archangel of Death, Azrael is more powerful than Daniel and could defeat him. Daniel could still hold his own, however, but not forever.
	+ **Azrael's Scythe:** Azrael's scythe is a stronger weapon than Daniel's, but Daniel's scythe could still fight back.
* **Archangel Samael:** Since Samael is the original Archangel of Death, he could defeat Daniel, but it would be a tough fight.