Chronicles of Absolution: Redemption of the Soul

Chapter 1

Then

She watched as Sam fell in, pulling Michael in with him. They plummeted into the dark cavern that was the entrance to the cage. It was still open. She could feel the power as it swirled around, whipping her hair around.

I want you to do something for yourself, Angie.

It was what she wanted for herself. She walked towards the hole, focusing to keep it open a bit longer. It was then she heard her name. She turned to see Dean, face bloodied and broken. He was hurt but he was alive and he would be fine. That was what encouraged her to smile at him, her big brother, before spreading her arms and leaping in…

I'm sure you'll understand what is going on. Right now you are needed where you belong. It's all about the souls, Angela.

"All about the souls," she muttered frowning…

People were creative. Anyway there is an obscure story about a warrior who caught the attention of the mother goddess. The warrior was known for a few bloody events and pretty much saved the goddess from violation…

Violation that would break the mother goddess and spread the wrath of a husband across the land. Basically this guy saved the goddess from something that would have had Shiva's ass down on earth and being a colossal asshat…

Well their story alone is enough to make you understand why. Anyway, the warrior saved the goddess and from there it gets sketchy. Sources say that the goddess healed the brokenness in the warrior and forgave him for all crimes real and imagined. Others say that the goddess saw greatness and wanted to help. Either way to be called a beloved of Parvati meant great favor…

… "You have a good heart Dean Winchester. When things seem at their worst, it is what comes through. Remember that in the times to come."

… "You remember well. All life stems from energy. It is in everything that exists. It binds the elements together."

… "Energy binds the elements, the glue that holds all things together," Shiva said as he walked beside her.

"Ethereal energy," Angela replied as she went into another posture. "Like all things are composed of matter, that matter is held together by energy."

Shiva nodded as he watched her. On the wire, it made her a head taller than he was but then again the wire was suspended only a foot off the ground. Yet the posture was the same a person suspended a hundred feet above ground. "True. When something changes, it is merely the energy shifting into another form."

"It's too hard."

"No it isn't. Not if it is somebody you truly care for." Gabriel looked down at her and smirked. He took in her pout and sighed. His smirk softened to a smile as he put a hand on her head and rubbed it. "It has to be from the heart, Cat."

"The heart?"

"Yep," Gabriel replied with a nod. "It has to be because that is what everything worth what it is. So no matter what you do in life, every choice, when you practice your spells, powers… it all has to come from the heart. That is you greatest gift… and secret."

… "Hurtled into the chaos you fight and the world trembles at your feet."

Angela looked up sharply, "What did you say?"

"And from the ashes of despair rises Absolution, the warrior princess. Though I must say you hardly look like the princess you should be. It seems that the world has already trembled at your feet twice now. I wonder…"

… He found Angela on the floor passed out but her eyes were open and the pupils were like pinpoints…

… She was a warrior… a protector. That was made very clear after she spent time at Karnak and with Lord Shiva. She was traveling the path that she chose and continued to walk to this day. She fought for those that couldn't protect themselves or taught those that chose the same path to do the same…

Where we have to go and have to do… it is not straightforward. There are things we have to do to prepare ourselves and it won't look pretty. I ask that you trust me…

… "No," Dean replied honestly, "And you know why? It's because she doesn't just protect humans. She protects people. I've seen her defend a witch, make friends with werewolves and even managed to have a civil conversation with the dicks with wings. She doesn't see humans and monsters. She sees people that need help and she does. Only thing that annoys me is that she works so hard she forgets to take care of herself."

"Pretty selfless."

"Enough to make me and Sam felt like ass hats and she doesn't mean to make us feel that way. Only trying to make a point." Dean shifted and stared out of the cave. "It's gotten better since she hooked up with us. Mostly because of Sam."

… "Actually it was five until I got injured. But I got up and did my duty. More than I can say for you." Inola wheeled and looked at Angela. She stared at her long and hard as she continued, "Running away when you were needed the most."

Angela stared back as the memory came back. She knew well what Inola was talking about. She could see flashes of that memory. She could smell the smoke and ash and then the blood… She could smell the blood and hear the screams. She heard the laughter and the shouts and the war cries…

There is a way, Shifa'. And that is to give it to my heir… you.

It was the only way to declare the authority needed to appoint a new shaman. And it came back with her to the land of the living. Engulfed in the golden white flame it followed with her back like it belonged in her hand. She knew what it meant in the long run…

… . "I know that Shifa' travels with the ones know to the Thunder of the Sky. I have one of them right here." She pointed at Sam. She looked at the downed guy and growled in disgust and frustration…

… Angela stiffened slightly when she turned to see Lucifer standing there smirking at her. She gave a stern look and shook her head slightly. "You're not real."

"Oh I'm real."

"You have the potential to be what we haven't seen in a long time."

"I doubt it."

"I mean it, Shifa'. You can be what Sigrid is. And you'll be the greatest that our tribe has ever seen and will see."

Angela looked at the warrior queen that had been ordered to train her. Her expression was somber as she absently twirled the escrima in her hand. "I don't know what you're thinking Inola but… but I'm not what you think I am."

"And you don't know enough about yourself."

I chose you as a second First because I have much to teach but not all can be taught to Izhu. You are the one who can be taught more. She will be shaman but you… you are the one who protects all.

You knew what I was called, would be called…

… "She will fall and it will be all because of you, Sam."

… "You are resilient. I'll give you that," Izhu acknowledged. "But how resilient are you when you have to watch yourself do what is your worst nightmare?"

… "And each has a role to play," Quentin replied as he knew the answer to that. "If you know this, why do you constantly run from it?"

Angela turned to look at Quentin with a raised brow. "I haven't ran from anything. Not for a long time."

"And this?"

… "Well now I didn't expect our first meeting to be like this." The angel turned and looked at her…

… "Balthazar."

… Angela replied, "I'm not okay." She straightened out still wincing. "We need to rethink this. Seems Izhu knows how to make you relieve past demons and not necessarily your own." She panted and looked at the distance. "We're going to have to go in all the way."

Now

Sam sat on the hard ground staring at the toppled over bowl. He had his knees drawn up to his chest and his back ached since he didn't have anything to lean against. He was breathing heavily like he was panting. His head ached and he just saw his worst nightmare come to life. He hadn't spoken of it to anyone but it was the one thing that had him hesitant pursuing anything with Angela and even before it became more.

It was bad enough watching himself but it was made worse by the flashes of memory that were not his but hers. He was made the aggressor and he enacted those memories, a couple he did cause, and he watched her cringe in pain. He had seen the look of disbelief on his brother's face before he was pushed out of view. Dean probably thought that he had lost his soul again and now would probably make good on his threat that he hadn't forgotten about.

You probably wouldn't give me any reason to be that pissed at you.

This one would do it Angie, Sam thought to himself as he worked to control his breathing. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a few relaxing breaths. He pressed his forehead to his knees trying to convince himself that this was only a nightmare. It was then he felt a hand on his head in a touch he was very familiar with.

His were still closed as the hand made its way down the side of his face to just under his chin. He resisted slightly when he felt the tug to lift his chin but the hand was persistent and gentle. Inwardly he chuckled at that since that was what was used to describe him.

"Sam."

Sam let out a breath and let his head be lifted. He didn't open his eyes yet out of fear that it was a dream and he was actually living the nightmare he had witness. It was a complete contradiction to his earlier thoughts but it was playing on very real fears he had and never shared.

"Sam, it's okay."

Sam sighed and slowly opened his eyes. He looked up to see Angela kneeling in front of him, smiling. Her hair was pulled back into a classic Grecian style with a couple of loose locks framing her face. He recognized the blonde highlights so it was the real thing but… "This had got to be a dream."

"Then it is a good one."

Sam couldn't help but burst out a laugh. He studied her and replied, "It's gotta be true since you wouldn't wear that unless you were dressing up for a rendition of Julius Caesar."

Angela smiled at him and stroked his cheek with her hand. "Seemed to be a good idea. Better than the last time."

Sam frowned at that, "I've never seen you in that."

Angela stared at him almost looking puzzled. It had Sam wondering too. Maybe this was a dream. Or a hallucination. He just didn't want to process that his evil double did horrible things to her and she was reliving things from the past. He said, "You know what? Never mind. I'm just glad that you're here."

Sam felt her arms wrap around him in a hug. He sighed in relief since that was her touch but he was still puzzled. Some things were not making sense but at this point he was willing to accept this as a really good dream. He moved his arms up to wrap around hers and leaned into her embrace. "This really has to be a dream."

"Like I said, then it's a good one," Angela replied. She sighed before she said, "It wasn't you, Sam. You didn't hurt me."

"I did."

"No, you didn't."

Sam felt her pull away and he pulled back to look at her. She was definitely a dream but she was being who she was. He said, "It is Angie. It was me…"

"And you know that she was playing with your worst fears. She pulled out the thing you fear the most."

"But I never told you… anyone…" Sam frowned at that. It was strange to him.

Angela sighed and reached over and caressed his hair. She had a knowing look on her face as she played with Sam's locks. "Of only you knew," she murmured in a low voice. Louder she said, "This is a dream Sam. It's all in your head. Remember what I told you about this world?"

"It is how we make it," Sam replied with a slight nod, focusing on her touch. He remembered that and what he had done when he practiced. "What's in my head ends right here. I remember when you were little and we talked to Morpheus." He offered a slight smile and a chuckle. He looked up at her and studied her features. He reached up and stroked her cheek with his fingers.

Angela hummed at that and smiled. "And?"

"I was willing to do anything to keep you safe," Sam admitted. "Still am," he added while giving a small smile. "I love you, Angie."

She smiled and stroked his locks. "And I love you."

Sam breathed as he sat with her. This was a good place to be in. He felt safe here. He then absently said, "I wish I could make you feel safe again."

"Hmm?"

Sam realized what he said and knowing that he wasn't going to get away with saying nothing, he repeated, "I wish I could make you feel safe again. Ever since you've gotten out of hell you've been restless. I've noticed and I know you are trying."

Angela frowned at him like she was confused as she said, "But you do make me feel safe. Why else am I here and not somewhere else?" She gave a reassuring smile.

Sam chuckled at that. "You got a point there." He sighed and looked around. He was still in the cavern where he was being held but at least Izhu wasn't there and his head wasn't aching anymore. He sighed and then looked at Angela, "Any idea when you'll come here and raise havoc?"

Angela smiled and shrugged, "Depends on the obstacles."

Sam nodded at that. He knew that if Izhu was doing what she was doing Angela was going to be extra careful getting there. Especially after what he saw happen. He sighed as he remembered watching her writhe in pain all because of his double, him being there. He looked down at the ground.

"You're doing it again," Angela said.

Sam looked up and saw Angela looking at him with a slightly concerned look. He shook his head slightly, "Angie… it was me. My personal fear…"

"And my memories," Angela cut in. She sat back on her heels and sighed as she looked around. She looked up at the ceiling and then back at Sam. She then said, "Sam, there are things going on that are from a time that… it was pretty dark and… may seem strange."

"I think I figured that out," Sam replied after a dry chuckle. He gestured with his brows all around. He studied Angela and noted her expression. He asked, "So is it some sort of necromancer type of thing?"

Angela was quiet for a moment. She looked around as if she wasn't sure what to say. She then turned to look at Sam and replied, "Do you trust me?"

Sam frowned at that. "Always."

That was the last thing he said when a noise caught his attention. He jerked and his eyes opened. He looked around and found himself back in the cavern and he was awake. He knew that because that viewing bowl was still there on the ground. It seemed that Izhu was still not a happy camper because Angela managed to get out of her trap faster than she wanted. He sighed a bit wearily. So it was a dream after all.

Slowly he stood up to stretch. He had been sitting like that for some time. At least he felt a bit refreshed from that nap or whatever it was. At least he got to see and speak to Angela. Better in a dream if it wasn't in person. She would know he was okay and maybe she wouldn't go too crazy trying to find him. He took in a breath and looked around.

The ward he was trapped in was still up so there was little option for him of breaking out on his own anytime soon. The only chance he had was if something broke the ward from the outside like that bowl cutting across it. He could try and do it from his side but when he got too close he felt the buzz and if he tried to cross… He wasn't anxious to feel that again.

There was a loud thump and Sam looked up. Izhu had come in dragging in something and it looked like an animal of sorts. And it was still alive and putting up a good fight. He swallowed, not sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. He watched as Izhu dragged it in and left it there. He realized it was a deer and he looked at her.

Izhu noticed Sam was watching and grinned at him. "Awake I see. Finally come to terms with your part in reminding Shifa' what she is getting herself into?"

"That was a low blow," Sam retorted, narrowing his eyes.

"And do you always expect your quarry to play fair when you hunt them?" Izhu gave a mocking look at Sam.

The woman had a point and Sam resented that. He gritted his teeth to control his temper since he felt like he did when he suspected someone was getting fresh with Angela. He retorted through gritted teeth, "That was still a low blow. You used something that I didn't even tell my brother and now…" He clammed up. He was very angry.

"And now I made him angry," Izhu mocked, having fun that Sam was getting pissed. It told her that he had more backbone than she initially thought. She thought his refusal to try and fight his way out was a sign of weakness but watching him, it showed that he was pretty intelligent. He knew that he wasn't going to be able to get out unless he had help and he learned quickly what the wards she had put him in did when you attempted to escape.

Izhu walked up towards the barrier and leaned forward and asked in a mocking tone, "Do you want to hit me?"

Sam glared at Izhu, "I want to rip your heart out."

Izhu chuckled, "And you wonder why it was so easy to pull the worst thing you fear." She studied Sam as he fumed behind her barrier. "You are so angry, so in love and it's got you all messed up inside."

"What?"

"Oh please. It's not that hard. I'm surprised you haven't been called out more on it," Izhu replied with a cackle. She watched with amusement as Sam's face flexed with anger, panic and confusion. She also gestured at her neck to indicate what she meant as she said, "Besides you have…"

Sam choked back a protest. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Don't even," Izu waved her hand. She walked towards her fire pit. "You can lie to your brother and the world but you seem to forget the fundamental principles when you are dealing with the spirit realm or more astutely, the dream realm."

Sam stiffened at that. "What do you mean?"

"You really think you have it all figured out? How dreams, reality works? You are a mere child." Izhu laughed at him. "And you actually thought that was her in your dreams."

"You were in my dreams?" Sam frowned at Izhu, panic starting to settle in. He thought about what he just experienced and he gave a narrowed frown at Izhu. "Did you… did you…"

"Please. Like I'd want to be her." Izhu snorted at him like he was stupid. "You can't imagine how easy it is to just take a look."

"You were spying on me?"

"I have to admit you really have a way of convincing yourself of what's real or not."

Sam took a step back and took a couple of deep breaths. It had him wondering how much she had seen. He remained silent as he stared at Izhu.

Izhu smiled at him as she noted his expression. "You do know that she can go anywhere in the world in dreams."

Sam knew that. Angela was the one that was teaching him that. And he and Dean had a brief stint when they went to talk to Morpheus. So it was nothing new to him. He gave a shrug of his shoulders to indicate that it was no big deal.

Izhu watched the movement. She smiled, "I see that you know this but have you ever wondered who or what she sees when she's not saying hi to you?"

Sam recognized it as a pitting against her tactic. It wasn't the first time. He had come up against people who had a beef with Angela and always tried to make him and Dean see her in the worst light possible with little to no success. He straightened up and warned, "Don't you start. Angie's entitled to her secrets. None of our business unless she makes it so."

Izhu chuckled as she walked up towards Sam. "I like you Sam. Very honorable. A very attractable trait for someone like Shifa'." She leaned in close and almost whispered, "But how sure are you about her?"


A/N: Continuing from Sins of the Soul, Sam is trying to negotiate the fact that he was witnessing his worst nightmare and Izhu is trying to cause a divide. More next time on Redemption of the Soul...