The Gauntlet
A Supernatural Ficlet
Summary- Because Gabriel was loved, they would not stand by.
It was a small thing, a flair of energy, a signal that ninety-nine point nine nine nine percent of the beings on the planet took no notice. Of those that felt the tiny ripple, some waved it off thinking it was just another solider lost. Some shivered and feared that the end was one step closer. Most that felt it, those that had lived and laughed side-by-side with the dying energy, paused in their day-dreams and fantasy's and shook. Overwhelming grief ripped into their souls and they wailed.
A brother, lover, enemy, rival, and friend. He was so much to so many. Even though they came to realize just what he was, they stopped caring long ago, if ever. What mattered was the work. The talent. The sheer audacity and determination that went into every Trick.
Adopted he may have been, but every last one felt him vanish. To take out one of their own was unthinkable. A transgression that would not, could not, be forgiven. It was a deep and terrible ache in the bones and no amount of sugar could soothe. Only blood had any chance to quench the growing thirst.
In Japan, hundreds of wives vanished from their homes over night leaving befuddled husbands and children. A few were reported to have left wearing wicked smiles and trailing the legendary balls of fox fire.
In Africa, large webs were found containing smoking human bodies drenched in water. A few of the survivors screamed for sanctuary.
In China, in a forgotten cave beneath a water fall, an army burst forth. Villagers would not forget the sounds of animalistic fury for generations as a King led his people out again into the world.
In the south western USA several missing persons from all over the world were found surrounded by a circle of flames that resisted all attempts to be put out. Those within the fire would not respond to calls or lay comatose. The native tribe that found them would only smile grimly and whisper the name Coyote.
And so it went, all over the world, pagan gods long forgotten rose up. They walked the earth before man and they numbered in the thousands. All over the world they crept from their niche's and back into the game. It was not in their nature to fight as such. Most were not particularly strong. They did not have any particular side or cause. They did not have a plan. But they didn't need one. They lived in the now. They did what they had always done; what they were meant to do.
Lucifer had thrown down the gauntlet, and they were going to teach him a lesson. They were going to teach all of them a lesson about what family means.
The Tricksters were going to war.
End.