Chapter One: Burn The Ashes
"Cas, isn't there anything you can do?!" Cried Sam, hands shaking, lips set in a hard but faltering line as he stared upwards.
"No. Whatever's been done to him, I can't...there's nothing I can do."
Their gazes immediately snapped downwards at the strangled moan that escaped Dean's throat. He was lying on his side tensing and convulsing on the damp concrete of the indoor parking lot floor.
"There's gotta be something, anything." Said Sam, eyes burning.
"I'm afraid all I can do is lessen the pain. I'm sorry." Breathed Cas as he bent to lay a hand gently on Dean's clammy brow. Dean gasped in pain, eyes and jaw clenched tightly shut, causing Sam to cast a nervous glance over at Castiel. After a drawn out couple of minutes, Dean raised his head from the floor looking at the concerned faces hovering over him, squinting in the bright, artificial light, arms still crossed over himself tightly.
"Yeah," said Dean groaning. "you call that lessening?" Cas looked down at him almost apologetically. "Hey, any time you guys wanna help me up and get us outta here, that would be great." Said Dean after a pause. Sam leaned over and locked his arm under and around Dean's lifting him carefully, steadying him as he swayed on his feet and helped him out to the Impala.
Sam half carried Dean over to his bed, which was still unmade, and went to fetch a cloth and water from the motel bathroom. Sitting on the edge of the bed he wiped the cold sweat off his brothers face. Cas just stood near the small table by the door, immobile as ever and watched Sam, deep in thought.
"Quit treating me like a bitch Sammy," Said Dean, swatting weakly at Sam's hand and tried to sit up. "I'll be fine. I just need a cold beer and..." Dean gasped again and gripped his side falling back onto the mattress. "SonofaBITCH!"
"Yeah Dean, you're fine." Gibed Sam, using what Dean could only describe as his, air quote, bitch face. "Dean, you're anything but fine, you just got sliced open by a demon!"
"The wound's closed, there was no blood. What's the problem?"
"What's the prob...Dean, you don't think that a gaping hole in your side that miraculously heals it's self right off the bat is a problem? Look at you man, you can't even sit up." Sam sighed tiredly. "This is like La Grange all over again, you can't always just bounce back."
Dean rolled his eyes and let out a huff of air.
"Ok, ok geez, let's just figure out what the hell just happened, all right."
"There must have been some heavy mojo on that blade." Said Sam deciding to drop the subject for the time being seeing as Dean was a stubborn bastard at the best of times and he clearly wasn't up to an argument.
"You don't say. Cas, what was that thing?"
Cas, who had been typically still and quiet during the brothers' exchange shifted his stance, facing at a right angle to them, hands on hips and flicked a sidelong look at Dean.
"That . . . was the Tardus Mors."
"The Tardis what? Are you saying I got slashed by Doctor Who's most wanted?" Exclaimed Dean, eyebrows raised.
"What...I don't. No. TardUs Mors." Replied Cas, restlessly, emphasizing the u. "It's Latin. It translates as..." He trailed off, apparently unable to finish.
"Translates as what?" Quizzed Sam, brows furrowed, worry evident in the way his voice raised in pitch. Trademark Sam.
Cas just stared back before lowering his eyes to the ground.
"Slow death."
The next few days went by with the Winchesters researching, calling in favours and generally worrying. Cas had disappeared without another word after delivering the great news, much to Sam and Dean's annoyance.
It didn't sit too well with the older brother that they hadn't heard a peep from the angel given the predicament he was in. He'd always been kind of comforted by having a knowledgeable, bad ass celestial being as back up, and now he was back in line for the hellfire at the end of the tunnel, the SOB was gone.
"Hey, I think I found something, check this out." Said Sam picking up the laptop and bringing it over to the bed. "Tadus Mors, ancient knife constructed under the orders of the demon Asmodeus. It is said that it brings about great pain and suffering to allies of The Host of Heaven. This is believed to be because of his anger towards the Archangel Raphael for banishing him to the desert for his sins against humanity. Although this blade wields great power, only those deemed to be truly pure can employ it's devastating magic, to ensure a slow, torturous death upon thine enemies.' It is also universally thought of as having no cure for those afflicted."
"Awesome. 'Slow and torturous' and 'no cure' well that just makes my day. I'm guessing pure means, old and really powerful, huh? Well, I guess we know why Cas took off so quick, this Asmodeus guy seems to have a serious grudge against our friendly neighbourhood angels."
"Yeah." Said Sam, acutely aware that Dean was deliberately not paying more attention to the far more important piece of information. "Why take it out on us though, I mean I know we have Castiel but Raphael had nothing but hate for us and Cas killed him, it's not like they were having picnics together in the park."
"Seems like he just had a bag on for anything feathery. Oh and anyone lucky enough to make friends with said feathery thing. Yay us." Scoffed Dean sarcastically, wincing.
"So, question is what now. As far as I can remember we haven't pissed of any demons that powerful. Well ones that are still up and kicking anyway."
"Really? Sam we've pissed of practically every demon out there, directly or indirectly. There countless evil douche bags out there that would jump on the chance to tear us a new one." There was a pregnant pause as things sank in. "So, I guess this means more research?" Huffed Dean rolling his eyes. "Let's go find ourselves the biggest, baddest dicks out there and go hunt 'em down. 'Cause that can only go well."
Sam's only reply was a slight inclination of his head and loud exhalation. For all Dean's bravado, Sam was really beginning to worry about his brother. It had been just under a week and Dean wasn't looking at all healthy judging by the pallor of his constantly sweat ridden skin. His movements were shaky at best and he couldn't walk for any real distance without help which, of course, he hated and would swear blind that he was fine and that if anyone touched him again he'd start throwing punches.
No change there then.
It had been a week now since Cas had first took off and Dean was getting antsy.
"Cas you dick, get your ass down here!" A second later and a rather ruffled looking angel was standing at the end of Deans bed glaring at him, jaw tight.
"What?"
"What? What do you mean what? We've been calling you for days, you just left, not a damn word. Where've you been?"
"Searching."
"Oh well, that's okay then. Why the radio silence Cas, for all we knew you were dead." Said Dean, not really attempting to keep the anger from his voice.
"I intended to be back much sooner but I became aware of someone watching me. It seems they followed us from the parking lot I wanted to lead him away, make sure I'd completely covered our tracks." Cas walked to the bed next to Dean's and sat down stiffly, hands clasped in his lap. "Sorry for the inconvenience." He added snarkily.
Dean stared at Cas, eyes wide.
"Alright, no need to get pissy. Should of just killed him, saved us all the trouble." Said Dean shifting his gaze lazily around the room.
"That wouldn't have helped if he was reporting back to someone."
There was a long silence in which Dean looked down grinding his jaw, knowing Cas was right.
Cas just, sat.
Sam cleared his throat. "So, you find whatever you were looking for?" He said, shifting forward in his seat at the table.
"Yes. A witch in Minnesota, she's fairly well known for her cleansing and reversal spells. I'm hoping she might know something useful."
"No cure has ever been recorded, surely if cleansing spells worked it would be written somewhere?" Sam said biting his lip.
"This witch is very powerful. Besides, the blade that did this hasn't been used enough to gather sufficient data considering how old the demon using it must be to do real damage."
"So you're saying this might actually be worth a shot?" Dean said, fixing his eyes on Cas's.
"Yes. But this must be handled delicately, she is not the most stable of people."
"When are witches ever 'stable?'" Snorted Dean.
Cas slid his stare from Dean to focus on Sam. "Which is why I could use your help, you have a way with people."
"Uh, well, whatever you need." Sam said eyes flitting between the angel and his brother.
Cas untangled his hands and pushed himself up striding towards Sam who got up and shot a glance over to Dean. "Wish me luck." He said. Cas raised his hand.
Dean blinked and they were gone.
It felt like years since Sam and Cas had left.
Dean had eaten, watched sucky afternoon TV and done all he could to try and keep himself entertained, to no avail. He couldn't help but feel he was wasting his last days, he should be out trying to cram in some last moments of shallow frivolity, not lying in a damp smelling motel room.
Dean heaved himself up and hobbled over to get Sam's laptop from the table deciding to do some more research. He typed and scrolled and clicked for hours, finding nothing more than the same scraps of information he'd read a hundred times over, the same grotesque images searing themselves into his retinas and he felt way to gross and crappy to even consider Busty Asian Beauties.
He finally gave up, rubbing his eyes , and put the computer on the bed stand beside him and lay down, staring at the ceiling until his phone rang.
"Hey, what's taking so long?"
"Ha. Cas wasn't kidding with the whole unstable thing. It took a decade just to convince her to let me in and once I told her about Asmodeus she freaked."
"So, it's a bust then." Said Dean, slouching down further into the mattress.
"No. After we calmed her down she said there might be one thing we can try. She's sorting some stuff out and explaining it to Cas now, just thought I'd check in, figured you'd be climbing the walls by now."
"Almost. You guys just take your sweet time."
"Yeah, yeah, we'll be back soon. Try and relax, 'kay?"
"Oh yeah, I'm so chilled an ice cube would feel the chill."
"Right, bye Dean."
"Bye."
Another half hour later Sam and Cas were back, fussing around a small pile of herbs and oils and bits of paper with scribbled instructions on.
"So, what is all that?" Asked Dean, curiosity getting the better of him.
"Just some of your basic cleansing stuff like Agrimony and African Violet and some more, exotic, things." Replied Sam casting a quick glance over his shoulder at Dean,
"Exotic? Exotic how?" Dean asked trying to get a better look.
"You really don't wanna know. Ashes for one." Said Sam, lips curling slightly.
"Great."
Dean painstakingly slid onto the floor after refusing aid and shuffled round to the end of the bed to sit leaning against it as Sam arranged everything on the carpet in front of him.
It was just getting dark outside as the curtains were drawn and Sam and Cas seated themselves opposite Dean to create a small triangle.
"How's this work then?"
Sam caught Cas's eye then they quickly averted their gazes to the floor.
"You're not gonna like it." Said Sam.
"Oh come on, I'm not a girl. I think I can handle some pain or doing something disgusting. Wouldn't be the first time."
"That's not why. Let's just cross that bridge when we come to it."
"No Sam, what aren't you telling me?" Dean was sitting stock still, head pushed forwards slightly, frowning. A long moment went by in which Sam and Dean locked eyes in a silent battle, neither one wanting to back down.
"The spell cites that someone must give their own life force to replenish what you've lost..." Cas started.
"What? No, you can forget it, no one's dying for me!" Dean cut in.
"Let me finish. This is a spell meant for humans but we discussed it with the witch and she's confident that an angel will work just as well."
"That didn't just apply to Sam, you're not turning out the lights for me either Cas." Dean's face was reddening, temples pulsing.
"I don't plan to. An angel's energy is much more powerful than a human's, it won't kill me."
"Then why not tell me from the start?"
"Because, it will drain me, at least temporarily. I'll be powerless."
"Cas..." Dean voice was low and taut.
"I'll be fine Dean, at least we will all be alive. I will just need time to recover. And if anything tries to kill me during that time, I trust you both kill it first." Cas said eyes crinkling just a little in a smile.
Dean paused, thinking and looked between his brother and Cas.
"Okay then, if you're sure about this."
"I am."
Dean pulled in a breath, filling his lungs and blew it out in a harsh sigh, carding his hand through his hair.
"Let's get this show on the road."
Dean watched as Sam mixed ingredients and burnt the ashes and herbs, and Cas muttered something in a language Dean had never heard, which he was mildly surprised by, and then they simultaneously turned to face Dean.
"Pass me your arm." Sam said pulling a small knife from it's sheath.
"More knives, awesome." Dean remarked.
Sam made a small nick on Dean's arm, making him wince. He looked over to see Cas doing the same thing to himself.
"Blood fusion, I love these things." Dean grumbled
"When I tell you, join the cuts. Oh and hold tight." Sam lit a match and started chanting under his breath. Dean pulled his sleeve up a little more, away from the blood and peeked up at Cas who was already looking at him intently.
"Don't let go, whatever happens Dean." Dean nodded to Sam. "Alright, NOW."
Dean leaned forward and grabbed Cas's arm just below the elbow. Cas copied the movement and Dean could feel the moment the angel's blood combined with his own, felt it spread up his arm and throughout his body. It was an odd sensation. A warm prickling, almost like pins and needles rolling up his veins. Strange shapes were flashing over the image of the motel room making Dean's head spin. He felt nauseous and the slight tingle was now starting to burn white hot as was his vision, filling with white light. Except the light was real, flowing and ebbing from Cas and swirling around Dean in bright ribbons. There was a high, continuous screeching sound. The smell of the charred concoction filling his nostrils. It was too much, sensory overload, he wanted it to stop, to pull away.
No he had to keep going, no point stopping now.
He felt himself being pulled forward and looked to see Cas slumping back towards the floor, face contorted in agony.
Dean moved to pull away, only to hear Cas's mumbled "No." and feel Sam's gigantic hands grip his arm, holding it in place.
"Sam, no. Look at him." Dean could barley speak, wave after wave of searing heat wrapping itself around him. His ears were ringing, he was sweating, his eyes stung.
"Please Sammy, it hurts. Please. Make it stop." Dean didn't care he sounded like a teenage girl in a crappy horror flick, he was sure he was going to pass out any minute. He just hoped that he threw up before that happened, he didn't want to go out choking on his own vomit.
"Cas."
"Just a little longer Dean, it's gonna be okay."
Everything was white now. He couldn't see anything. He felt as though he was actually on fire.
This was it, he thought.
The end.
Blackness.