Chapter 9
The air in the Fifth Realm was almost too much to bear. Dean covered his eyes initially because it stung so badly. He coughed as the sulfur-like air around them surrounded their bodies and almost engulfed them. Castiel hacked, but he, Titan, and Gabriel all seemed to have a higher tolerance. Crowley was basically immune. There was a terrible noise, screeching and yowling. Dean tried desperately to uncover his stinging eyes and look around for the source, but every time he removed his arm the sulfuric air hit him like a brick to the face.
"Try to crawl forward!" Crowley yelled over the blasts of air. "It should die down once the portal closes!"
Dean nodded and kept a tight hold on Castiel's hand. Titan crawled nearby him, his fur shimmering in the wind and he let out a few whines. Gabriel had a hold on Sam as the pair climbed forward away from the tunnel-like portal. Kevin coughed, but he relentlessly crawled forward as well. Jimmy hadn't made a sound, but he too moved forward. The portal shut closed with a snap and just like that the air was bearable once again. Dean sucked in a breath to test it and once he noticed it no longer burned his throat and chest, he opened his bleary eyes. They were at the foot of a rather large temple. Dean studied the intricate, ornate designs and decorations all over it. It was made of marble and other precious minerals and stones. It certainly looked expensive.
"Prime real estate in Hell," Dean joked as he pushed himself to his feet. "Who would've known? Sold!"
"I've seen these markings before…" Castiel trailed off and touched one of the pillars with his fingers. He seemed deep in thought, but unable to recall the memory. Crowley huffed and dusted off his clothes before standing. Everyone else stood up one by one. Titan shook his head and whined, pawing his ears to rid them of the soot and sulfur. He sneezed once and then barked.
"I don't know Titan," Dean said. "I have no flipping idea where we are."
"Well then you obviously aren't the most cultured of humans…" an unfamiliar, and slightly flamboyant, voice said from the front of the temple's doors. Dean looked up, almost ready to unsheathe his knife. The man that stood there was a shaggy black haired, almost orange eyed man. He looked about thirty years old and he was deathly pale, but not in the sickly way. He wore a tight black t-shirt to match his hair with nothing but skull and crossbones on it. He had tight dark blue skinny jeans to match and black shiny Dr. Martins on his feet. He donned various chains around his neck and between both of his hands he had three rings. One was a skull, the other a silver one with a ruby in the center, and the third just another silver band with no distinct features.
"Scuse me?" Sam asked, a bit put off by that comment.
"Forgive me, my people skills are rusty," the man strolled down the marble steps and stopped in front of the group. "I don't get visitors all that often. Hello Crowley."
"Hello Hades." Crowley smirked and shook the man's hand.
"Wait a second," Kevin exclaimed. "Hades?! Like Greek God!"
"You have your God," Hades replied. "And my people have my Gods. Loki? What are you doing here? I'd think as a Pagan God you'd be above these humans and demons none the less."
"It's the archangel Gabriel actually," Gabriel sighed. "I-I lied about being a Pagan."
"Hon I'm not judging anybody," Hades smiled and gave a little flick of his wrist, the torches leading up to the temple all lit at once. "Well what are you all waiting for? C'mon in why don't you."
-8-8-8-8-8-8-
The inside of the temple was even more breathtaking than the outside. Its ceilings were high and despite the dark corners being overrun with tiny cobwebs, the place was clean. It was covered head to toe by marble and fine stained glass donned the windows. To one side of the room was a table covered with an elaborate feast of various foods that looked good enough to eat. A golden throne like chair sat against the wall at the front of the room. Hades walked over to the table and mojoed up some wine out of smoke. He poured it into a wine glass and took a sip as his guests filed through the front doors and they shut behind them.
"I heard pray tell that you all were headed this way," Hades said before taking a seat in the throne-chair. "And you Castiel, baby you've been the talk of the town down here for years!"
"Um," Castiel didn't know how to respond. "Thank you I suppose…"
Dean suddenly heard a low growl and he spun his head around to see Titan, his rear end being violated by the big black muzzle of another dog.
"This is so degrading…" Titan whined and then spun around, growling at the all black dog that had assaulted his backside with its sniffer. The slightly bigger black dog with matching orange eyes with Hades whined and bowed its head.
"Cerberus is harmless," Hades commented with a chuckle. "Unless you piss me off."
Titan growled once more and flicked his tail in Cerberus' face causing the other dog to sniffle and whine once more. Dean laughed as he eyed the tantalizing food on the long table. Sam had been studying the ancient paintings and manuscripts framed and hung on the walls.
"It is quite amazing you know," Hades walked over towards the younger Winchester and pointing to a particular manuscript. "How far you humans have come."
"Even after all the horrible and annoying things we've done?" Sam chuckled.
"Yes," Hades smirked. "Even after all that."
Dean grabbed a plate of food and was about to take a bite when he felt pressure against his legs. He looked down to see Titan pressed in between his legs.
"What is it Titan," Dean asked with a small laugh. "Cat got your tongue?"
"Very funny wise guy," Titan whined. "No, this soot covered mutt won't leave my behind alone!"
Dean's eyes went to Cerberus' who seemed confused and hurt that Titan had run away.
"I think he likes you." Dean laughed.
"Oh Heaven no," Titan stepped out and faced him, his eyes shone once. "You ever heard of personal space buddy? Well this is off limits."
Titan motioned to his whole body with his paw and his head. Cerberus still seemed confused, a little drool dripping from his muzzle and onto the floor. Suddenly a small ray of light shot out and Titan changed into his human form.
"No touchy compadre," Titan huffed and motioned to his whole body with his hands. "I don't swing that way!"
Cerberus now seemed scared and backed away a little. Titan changed back into his Angelhound form and huffed.
"Good riddance." He said.
Hades let out a hoot of laughter and drank the rest of his wine. Castiel stared silently off into space and Crowley remained silent as well. Dean could tell Crowley was anxious, he just wanted this all to be over. This hurry up and wait was not comforting to him in any way. Dean walked over closer to him.
"Good eats huh?" he commented, putting another roll on his plate.
"Yes Hades did always know how to throw a party," Crowley replied. "And put on a show."
"You nervous?" Dean asked he didn't even have to mention why.
"Nervous, I don't get nervous," Crowley replied, looking around at the others. "Anxious and impatient though, I do."
"Look none of them have ever been this deep before," Dean said, referring to Hell. "Not even me, we're all a little spooked. I mean there's a chance none of us will make it out of this alive."
"I know," Crowley sighed and looked over at everyone conversing again, they were laughing sure, but there was this hint of fear in all of their eyes. "Dean if I tell you something, will you tell no one else?"
"Sure Crowley." This sure sounded familiar, hadn't those words come out of Castiel's mouth so many years ago?
"I never intended to make it this far," Crowley lowered his voice to a whisper. "There's a price on my head Dean. A very high price. I never intended to drag you all into this mess. I was actually going to take out Abbadon alone."
"Crowley she would've killed you." Dean said.
"That's the point," Crowley said. "This is my war; she has convinced every demon that I'm the next target. I'm a walking radar signal just being down here with all of you. I guess what I'm trying to say is, when the time comes I want all of you to go for the exit and don't worry about me."
"Dammit Crowley," Dean cursed under his breath and glared at the ex-demon. "Look you may be the biggest pain in my ass to ever exist, but you are not going in guns blazing suicidal you hear me? Whether you like it or not we're all in this together. Whether you like it or not this affects all of us and all of humanity as well. This isn't just your war anymore. You called me for help and that's what I intend to bring with me and I did. So, whatever happens in that next Realm we're ALL going to make it through this one way or another alive!"
"You don't give yourself enough credit Winchester," Crowley chuckled a small smile broke through. "You are a good man."
"It's kind of my job." Dean found himself smiling too. "So do we have a deal? And no kissing this time."
"No kissing," Crowley laughed. "And yes, we have a deal."
"Good." Dean nodded.
-8-8-8-8-8-8-
A few glasses clinking were heard here and there, but much conversation ensued. Hades, it turns out was also quite the storyteller. He had a wealth of information and ancient tales to tell and the group listened intently as he regaled each one. Ron had showed up out of the blue, claiming his shift was over and it was time for his "old man" to take over. Dean watched Kevin's face light up when the teenage boat pusher entered the room and hugged him, giving him a pat on the back and remarking on how alive he looked in this place. Dean didn't comment, but the smirk on his face would've given away enough.
"Ok well I got to level three hundred and five!" Kevin argued and Ron laughed.
"Ok well I'm on level five hundred, beat that." Ron smirked.
"Dude that one boss is impossible with a capital I," Kevin whined. "How in the hell did you get past it?"
"It gets boring down here," Ron replied. "And one day when I have the time I'll show you."
"That sounds great." Kevin smiled.
Suddenly the giant clock on the wall chimed eerily and loudly throughout the whole temple. Hades looked up at it and sighed heavily. He stood from the table and started rummaging through the drawers on the dresser near the door.
"What is it?" Sam asked.
"That bitch Abbadon," Hades said, pulling out a small brown bag that looked as if it was glowing. "She claimed she'd attack all opposing forces on the fifth Sunday of this year. Four hours ago it was Saturday. You all don't have much time."
"Great." Dean muttered.
"These," Hades opened the bag and several blue, glowing orbs rolled out onto the table. "Will help get you out of here once you reach the epicenter of Hell. I have no control over what happens in the epicenter at least not right now. Persephone uses these to bring suitors to our temple behind my back, like I care. All I wanted was for her to swap those tits for…anyway. Throw them on the ground, a beam of light will come up and you have to visualize in your head where you'd like to go and they'll take you there."
"Sweet." Kevin exclaimed and grabbed one, pocketing it.
Everyone picked one off of the table and put it in their pockets.
"I have enough power to transport you into the Sixth Realm," Hades said, tossing the bag aside. "But I have no control of what happens to you once you get there."
Dean and the others gathered at the center of the room where Hades had conjured up a portal to the next Realm. Everyone was filled with an overwhelming feeling of dread.
"Wait!" Ron called out and stood with them. "I'm going too!"
"Ron," Kevin protested. "Dude you're gonna get yourself killed!"
"Rule number one," Ron patted Kevin on the shoulder. "A bro never leaves another bro during his death match."
"Gee thanks you make it seem so…deadly." Kevin gulped.
"Do not fret K-dog," Ron smiled and winked at him. "I've got your six."
"We can do this Sammy." Gabriel reassured his hunter and Sam nodded.
Titan stood stoically and stared up at Crowley with a reassuring look. Crowley returned the gaze.
Dean looked at Castiel. Castiel looked at Dean. The pair locked hands tightly and Castiel's gate went from doting sidekick to Warrior angel in two point five seconds. He smiled at Dean.
"We've done worse before Cas," Dean said. "We got this."
"That we do Dean." Castiel nodded and looked forward.
With that, Hades flicked his wrist and they were gone in a cloud of smoke and ash.
Read and Reviews are encouraged and appreciated a lot! :D
So Sixth and final Realm? DUN, DUN, DUN! What will happen to Team Free Will and friends?
Ron decided to fight too, devotion much? Haha
How did everyone like Hades? I know I was inspired by Percy Jackson when it came to Persephone's orbs, but it actually works in this story.
More to come soon guys!
