A/N: My chapters appear to be getting longer. But that's a good thing. Despite no reviews, I still updated this chapter pretty quickly to my surprise (given my history of updating ^^;). This is the second chapter in the series. I'm actually proud of how this has come out. The next chapter is the final chapter, the conclusion/epilogue. So enjoy!
Oh yeah-Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural. If I did, Castiel would be a regular star in Season 8.
To say that the air in the car was tense was an understatement. It only took Dean ten minutes to drive to the empty field. They got out quickly; Dean and Sam held guns in their hands as they walked onto the field.
"Okay, so you're here. Now what?" Sam asked. "We can go, right?"
"In minute," the semi-human said. "I just need you to help me with one other thing."
"No," Dean hissed. "You said for us to drive you here only, not to do your bidding. We're out of here."
"I don't think you understand the situation here," it growled.
"I don't think you understand my situation!" Dean growled back, shoving the semi-human.
"Dean!" Sam yelled, pushing his brother away.
The semi-human flicked its pointed tail. "This field is my safety-but tonight is a special night. This field doesn't give protection of the thirteenth of every month."
"So why the hell are we supposed to solve your problem?" Dean snapped. "You can survive your own for a day. You forced me to watch my best friend get stabbed because you wanted him to die! Why the hell should we help you?" Dean raised his gun at the semi-human. "I should kill you right now."
"Then you won't get a hint on what the Leviathan are planning. In fact, I'm helping you defeats these beats."
"How?" Sam asked tentatively.
"Sam, we don't have time for this," Dean said, glaring at his brother. "Cas is dying and we're wasting our time standing here with a half-demon who spites false facts!"
"If we help you, will you tell us?" Sam asked, ignoring his brother.
"Sam!" Dean snapped, exasperated. He wanted to leave right now and get back to Castiel, but he wouldn't leave his brother with a half-demon.
"Just help me set a place that's protected," it said.
"Sam, get on it," Dean quipped, putting his gun away, glaring at the semi-human. "I don't trust it."
Dean knew he was being a jerk to his brother, but he couldn't think. He watched as Sam set up a large circle for protection. As Dean watched, he felt his shoulder with the handprint start to burn; his thoughts immediately went to Castiel.
"Sam, hurry up!" Dean yelled.
"I'm almost done!" Sam yelled back.
Dean ground his teeth, pacing. "You have fifteen seconds or I'm leaving you!"
Dean watched as Sam spoke a few words and then ran to Dean. They jumped in the car and sped off. During the drive, the pain in Dean's shoulder only seemed to burn more. Dean stepped on the gas and Sam glanced at his brother quizzically. When they got to the sanctuary, the pain in Dean's shoulder was nearly unbearable; He clamped his mouth shut and forced himself to ignore it. They ran out of the car and toward the platform. There was only one problem. Castiel was gone.
"Cas!" Dean called, looking around frantically.
"Dean!" Sam yelled, pointing to a blood trail.
"Son of a bitch," Dean muttered, and then followed the trail.
The trail led to a cave like entrance; inside was a large pool of water with a waterfall.
"You don't think…" Dean started, feeling panic rise up.
"No," Sam said, shaking his head. "There's probably a hidden cave behind the waterfall, like there almost always is."
"I bet that damn half-demon was behind this!"Dean growled. "I'll friggin' kill it!"
"We won't know until we check," Sam said, and then started to look around the waterfall. Sam immediately found an entrance and called Dean over. They pulled out their flashlight and headed through. A sudden piercing scream filled the cave.
"Cas," Dean whispered and darted forward, leaving Sam by himself; yet Sam caught up easily. They came to a large chamber, light coming from above. In the middle there was a long stone table, almost like something used to sacrifice. Dean stared in horror at the scene. The shadow from before was standing above Cas who was on the stone table.
"Dean.." Sam whispered, but was cut off by this brother.
"I know," Dean replied. He didn't know why, but they could see Castiel's wings. They were messy, unkempt and bloodied. Now Dean understood why Castiel had scream.
"Son of a bitch messed with his wings," Dean growled, his lips curling. He took out a knife and step forward. "Hey, shadow!"
"Dean!" Sam yelled, horrified.
"You leave him alone!" Dean yelled. "Fight me you coward!"
The shadow looked up quickly. Its red eyes recognized Dean and it seemed to take interest.
"Dean, no," the angel ground out, lifting his head.
Dean stared at the shadow fearlessly. "I'll teach you to mess with my best friend," Dean growled.
"Dean, you don't even know how to fight this!" Sam yelled.
"Sure I do," Dean replied, taking out his gun. "I'll send it back to friggin' Hell where it belongs."
The shadow took on a human shape with long claws. "Kill," it whispered.
Dean put his knife away and then raised the gun. He aimed it at the shadow and fired. The shadow vanished momentarily before reappearing. Dean fired again and watched it disappear. He didn't know how to actually kill it, but he could stall time until Sam got Castiel out.
"Sam!" Dean called to his brother. "Get Cas out of here!"
Sam nodded and ran toward Castiel while Dean glanced around for the shadow. Every time it appeared Dean shot at it. Mentally Dean cursed. That stupid semi-human was in control of the shadow; he just knew it. He stole a glance to see how far Sam had gotten with Castiel. They had gotten half-way; Sam was being careful not to step on the angel's wings.
"Dean!" Sam yelled suddenly. Dean whipped around to see the shadow appear right in front of him. It gave a hiss and lashed out with its claws. Dean felt himself fall to the ground and looked up to see Castiel in front of him, wings, spread out.
"Cas," Dean choked, getting up.
The angel raised his hand and yelled, "Close your eyes!"
Both Sam and Dean closed their eyes as a bright light filled the room. A piercing scream sounded from the shadow. When the light faded both opened their eyes.
"Did you kill it?" Sam asked, looking around.
"Yes," Castiel replied curtly, swaying.
"Cas," Dean said and rushed to the angel. Castiel collapses in Dean arms and Dean was surprised at how light the angel was.
Sam ran over to help Dean and they laid the angel on the ground gently.
"Cas?" Dean asked, his voice wavering. The pain in his shoulders was fading away-which terrified Dean. If what he thought the pain meant was actually true, then the pain receding could only mean one thing. "Cas, please, don't die." It came out as a whisper. He glanced at Castiel's wings; one was terrible shredded and Dean shuddered at the torture Castiel must have been put through.
"Dean," Castiel said softly. "It's over."
"What?" Dean asked, terrified. His heart started to beat faster. "No, Cas."
"I'm sorry, Dean," Castiel sighed. "I tried."
"God!" Dean yelled. "You son a bitch, why don't you do something!"
"Dean," Sam started but Dean turned to his brother.
"Don't even start," Dean snapped. "Just help me, please!"
Sam stared sadly at his brother.
"Sam!" Dean yelled. "Help me, please."
Sam shook his head. "I would, but let's face it."
Dean gritted his teeth and looked down at Castiel. The pain in his shoulder was nearly gone. "I hate you, God," Dean whispered. "I don't care, I friggin' hate you."
A sudden force slammed into Sam and Dean, forcing them to the wall.
"What the hell?" Dean yelled, looking around.
The chamber suddenly became windy, which was odd because there was no way there could even be a breeze. A bright light, in the shape of a human stood in front of them.
"So you hate me, do you, Dean?" a voice said calmly.
Dean had to squint his eyes against the blinding light. "God?"
The pain in his shoulder was gone, and Dean glanced at Castiel. He didn't even try to stop the tears from falling.
A/N: Sorry for another cliffhanger-what can I say? I like leaving stories hanging of a cliff :P
If you can guess what the deal with Dean's shoulder is, I'll give you a cookie :D (It's easy to figure out, really). Until next time!