Most angels consider them to be nothing more then a myth, a story told by the older angels to keep the fledglings away from the edge, but Castiel knows now that most stories should be considered true until proven otherwise.
Ridwan, while rarely seen, was the one he had met. Gabriel had been his chior leader, commander, and he had been the one to introduce them. Ridwan was, bright, not like Lucifer had been, but bright.
His skin was pale, like a china dolls (or an albino human), he seemed to glow in the dark.
Though he rarely spoke a word, Gabriel had called him quite the talker.
And he was tall, almost as tall as Michael (who could stand on the Earth and reach all the way out to the neighboring galaxy's furthest planet if he so chose to), and though he had never made any verbal threat the message had been clear, 'Do not Touch the gate'.
Sam had tried to find what he could on the two, and though Dean tried to appear unconcerned it was obvious he was happy that his brother was taking the time to do so, Castiel was trying to think of a way he could convince them that what he was doing was right.
Father would want the Earth to be protected.
...
"Cas, are they...I mean...There's nothing about them in any of..."
He nodded, "They are very much real Sam."
"Why can't I find them anywhere?"
Castiel took a breath, "They are not recognized by most religions."
"Do you know them?"
There was a pause that fell between the question and the answering of it, something that did go noticed by both hunters.
"I have met one, briefly, Ridwan."
"How?"
"It was an accident, I had followed Gabriel when I shouldn't have, and he had been talking to him."
"About what?"
"Lucifer."
...
He knew that something had happened when time started to slow. Dean and Sam moved in slow motion as they packed up their bags after their latest hunt, and Castiel looked around in alarm when it all stopped.
"You have decided to ignore my warning."
There was a voice in the angels head, and while it didn't appear to be threatening, he had learned long enough to be more cautious. He turned, and his grace, like a heart beat under his skin, froze to a stop.
He had changed a day since he'd last met him. Castiel met eye to eye with bright silver.
"Please, you have to understa-"
"I'm afraid that you are mistaken."
"The gates must be shut!"
Castiel held his breath, but stood his ground, when he leaned down into his face.
"That is not your decision. And I am not one you want to have as your enemy."
Ridwan stood back up, his face softening once more. Looking around he examined the two humans, moving across the room so lightly it was almost like he was floating.
Perhaps he was.
Castiel followed his every move closely.
"Surely you wish to protect our Father's last gift."
Ridwan did not look over at him from where he was examining one of Deans knives, the other felt his grace roll at it, at the sight of him touching it. But he held his tongue.
"Of course."
"Then you must see why it is imperative to close the Gates. Earth should be left alone, protected from the angels and demons."
Ridwan put the knife down, turning silver eyes on his brother, "So little you know Castiel. Angels have been on Earth since its creation, and on Earth they will remain, you are not the one who makes decisions concerning the angels nor Earth."
He clenches his fists, a light bulb bursts on the other side of the room, and Ridwan turns to look at it in amusement.
"Someone has to! It is what's right! The Winchesters are doing your job since you seem to refuse to!"
"They have been making my job more difficult then it should be, Castiel,", He stood up straighter, above Castiel's head, and his eyes were blazing with fury, "You tell me to do my job? Remember yours Castiel. You are no commander, no Guardian, nothing more then a foot soldier. And what do you know about doing the 'right' thing? This is a war you will not win Little Angel, do not make us your enemies, this will be your last warning. Leave the Gates be."
He turned an eye on the hunters, "Or they will suffer for your mistakes. Munkir and Nakir are not fond of you nor your choices, and the host is not fond of them. Should you fail to heed my final warning, you are an angel, eternal, but they are not."
Castiel felt his eyes narrow at the other, percieving the threat that was passed, "Are you threatening them?"
Ridwan chuckled, water thundering over a waterfall, "No, Little Angel, I am threatening you."
And he was gone.
