(Disclaimer: Don't own anything; the following story and characters of Jay and Zeke are all mine)
(A/N: Well this chapter turned out to be much longer than I anticipated so I've broken it into two parts. Just tying up some loose ends in the second part, so please enjoy part one. Part two will be up soon. Thanks for sticking with it!)
Armageddon.
Chapter Twenty-One.
Armageddon. The Apocalypse. Final Judgement. End Times. Good vs Evil. Day of Reckoning. Call it what you will. It was what it was. And when it came right down to it, it amounted to the same thing. War. The war to end all wars? Maybe. The war that would define a new world? Absolutely.
There are countless players in this war…the numbers innumerable. Everyone plays a part, no matter how small and each one will fight their own battle. There are no fence-sitters during The Apocalypse. During this war, there is only black and white. Good versus Evil. Pick a side.
But there are those whose lives have been destined from the minute they drew first breath, to wage the war and be drowned in the blood of battle. Their lives placed on paths that would ultimately bring them together and could forever tear them apart. It is them we will follow into battle.
Faith…courage…determination…love ….sacrifice; the weapons of the righteous.
Impiety…corruption…hatred…depravity…sinfulness; the weapons of the demonic.
Each weapon as powerful as the other. Each wielded with the same unshakeable belief that their dogma was the way, that they would be the victor in this war. The spoils of battle? The realm and all in it.
The weight of the world literally placed on the shoulders of the chosen few.
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The order had been given.
Armageddon had begun.
The armies charged; the sound of thousands of horses thundering towards each other, shaking the ground beneath almost drowned out the battle cries from both sides. Two giant waves, one black, one white, racing towards each other in what could only be a cataclysmic explosion when they met.
The adrenalin was rushing through the bodies of all on the battle field; a natural drug that coursed through veins, raced hearts, tingled nerves, tensed muscles and burst from throats in rancorous roars. Swords were held high; reins held tight as the horses streaked forward, their flanks white with sweat as they snorted their intent. The adrenalin from their riders transferring to them as they picked up their speed. Any minute now they would be in the midst of battle…
Dean galloped towards the advancing army, his sword held high, his roar of 'CHARGE' still echoing round the battlefield. The stallions hooves rumbled underneath him; the horse's mane like wisps of smoke on the wind, its whinny a scream on the air. Dean's eyes never left those of his brother as they charged towards each other. Sammy. He couldn't hide his smile this time. Sammy on a brilliant white stallion; his sword held aloft leading God's Army into battle; he'd never been prouder.
Jay raced forward; her horse thundering underneath her; her attention focussed solely on her brother who was racing forward from the other side of the battlefield. His enormous form unmistakeable on the pristine white stallion; the Holy Army, a white ocean behind him as he led them into battle. Zeke. She didn't bother hiding her smile this time and she grinned as Zeke smiled at her. Her brother was here and everything was going to be okay.
Sam's eyes hadn't left his brother from the moment he'd entered the valley; and as he raced towards him he let the smile he'd been holding in, rise to the surface and he laughed as he saw Dean grin at him. A grin he hadn't seen for far too long. He kicked at his steed, urging it forward; two brothers fighting from different sides but two brothers who would always be on the same side and nothing was going to stop him from ensuring Dean made it through this battle. Nothing.
Zeke could see nothing but his sister galloping towards him. He didn't see the sea of demons at her back. He didn't see the monstrous hellion that charged towards the incoming Angels; he didn't even see Dean. His sister…Jay…Jay was here and although she raced towards him, her sword held high as she led the Infernal Army against him…he'd never loved her more. She would live through this, he'd make sure of it. No one would harm his sister.
The battle roars increased in fervour as the mile that had separated the two armies shrank. The combatants closing in on each other…each legion taking their designated position; each soldier picking their first target and charging forward.
And as the wall of warriors met, crashed against one another; the battlefield burst to life. The air was charged with the sounds of battle. It was electric. It made the hair on your arms stand on end and every sense come alive. A cacophony of sound; sword clanging against sword, sword striking against armour; the war-cries of the living and those cut short by the blade; the thundering of thousands of feet as demon fought mortal and Angel alike. Horse hooves rattled the ground as their snorting and whinnies carried on the wind, mixing with the roar of thousands of voices screaming their fury and venting their wrath. Blood soaked the ground beneath their feet, collecting in great pools around the fallen, turning the earth into a quagmire of sand, blood and sweat. The smell of the dead and the dying hung heavily in the air, cloying the nostrils and catching in the back of the throat. The conflict assaulted every sense. It was seen and smelled, heard, felt and tasted by every combatant. It was an all-encompassing battle and no-one would be the same afterwards.
Dean, Jay, Sam and Zeke crashed into one another; fighting with feigned fury. Their powerful swords, blessed by God and the Devil themselves clanged louder than those of the others around them; sparks flying with every strike made. They circled each other; their horses were battle trained and moved without instruction, giving their rider the best position from which to strike.
Demons and mortals fought around them; the squad selected by Sam and Zeke making sure no-one made a strike at Dean or Jay. Agares and the other demon protecting their Generals as they fought against their brothers.
Dean bought his sword down hard against Sam's "You feel that one, little brother?" he grinned.
"Not even close, Dean" yelled Sam, grinning in return as they kept up the pretence of battle "You made the wrong choice, dude. You're fighting on a losing side"
Dean laughed "Oh, Sammy…always the optimist" he swung his sword up, blocking a slice from Sam "We are gonna tear this army apart and the Dark Lord will rule!" and he struck out again.
"Over my dead body" said Sam, blocking Dean's next strike.
Dean grinned "Okay" and he and Sam locked horns.
Jay swung again and again at Zeke "Well this is fun!" she said with a grin "Finally getting to put my gigantic brother on his arse!"
Zeke blocked another strike from Jay and struck back "Ain't gonna happen, Jay" he swung again as their horses fought for the best position on the field "I will take you down. You chose the wrong side"
Jay laughed "I chose the winning side, Zeke. This realm will be ours. You mark my words!" she swung out at him again as she heard Zeke in her head.
I know you have a plan, sis. I know you put the protection over Dean, he's safe. But you watch your back. I can only do so much and if one of us doesn't take the other out soon, they'll start to wonder. So get organised! Too much blood has been spilled already.
Jay smiled "Won't be long til you feel my sword drive through you. Soon, Zeke" and the two, brother and sister, fought with renewed vigour.
Love you, sis. said Zeke as he struck out hard at her.
Jay smiled and hacked at her brother "Backatchya"
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Sam surveyed the carnage around him; demon, mortal and horse lying dead and dying on the ground. The ground that was now thick with the blood of the fallen. The stench of death hung heavily in the air; blood soaked warriors picking up swords of the fallen and fighting with unmitigated fury. Swords flew through the air, arcs of blood following them as they found their mark. No ground was given; the gladiators were an unmoveable force, pushing against the other as they fought for dominance. It was time. He turned quickly, blocking a strike from Dean "NOW BOBBY!" he yelled and struck back at his brother.
Bobby nodded and charged across the battleground; hacking left and right as he took out demon after demon; his sword and extension of himself as raced towards the left flank, issuing the command. The left flank turned and galloped after Bobby, crashing into the middle of the Infernal Army. The demons that had been fighting the fleeing army hesitated; their eyes slowly rising as they saw, too late, the thousand of arrows spearing towards them. They fell by the hundreds as the legions that lined the crags rose from their position and shot arrow after arrow, taking out the right flank of the Infernal Army.
"GUS!" yelled Zeke and Gus raced towards the right flank mirroring Bobby as the right flank changed direction, following Gus as the arrows flew into the left flank of the Infernal Army. Zeke turned to Jay "Surprise" he grinned.
Jay turned to the demon at her side "Get the Infantry to reinforce the holes!" he hesitated "NOW!" she yelled, blocking a strike from Zeke as the demon turned and raced back into the army.
"Losing the battle, General?" queried Gabriel as he circled the squad, taking out the demons that tried to make their way through.
"I'm coming for YOU next, Angel!" she yelled back; trying not to laugh as he winked at her.
"You see our Warriors are making short work of your so-called 'shadow demons'" said Gabe.
"Your brothers, you mean!" laughed Jay.
Gabe's face darkened "Surrender! Go back to your HELL!"
"NEVER!" yelled Dean "THIS REALM IS OURS!"
"Hardly" laughed Sam "You'll NEVER get it!" he slashed at his brother, catching him across the arm and Dean roared as he felt the skin burn. But the protection Jay had placed over him kicked in and the wound healed immediately.
"You'll PAY for that!" yelled Dean, giving Sam a subtle nod to let him know he was okay.
Jay…come ON, sis. Turn the army…do what you have to to make them turn NOW! I got your back.
Jay laughed at her brother "I'm a little bored, Zeke. Time to …" she stopped and looked down, wondering why there was an arrowhead poking through her chest. That wasn't supposed to be there. Oh look, another one…and another. How'd that happen? She raised her eyes to Zeke's, confusion on her face as she dropped her sword and fell from her horse.
"JAY!" yelled Zeke.
"STAY ON YOUR HORSE!" yelled Raphael as he grabbed Zeke "You stay on your horse…now we battle. She'll be fine. She heals remember?" whispered Raphael into Zeke's ear.
Dean turned as if in slow motion and stared disbelievingly at the arrow that had pierced Jay's back; he yelled as another drove itself through her…then another. "NO!" he roared as she fell from her horse. He galloped towards her and yelled again as he saw Kasdaya run forward, hesitate briefly before picking up Jay's sword, screaming in agony as the power of the sword burnt into him. He raised it high and drove it through Jay's chest.
Jay screamed; her body convulsing around the sword that pinned her to the earth; she looked round frantically for Dean as she tried to pull the sword out, her hands slipping on the blood-coated blade. "Out…gotta…get…it out…" she stammered; and then Dean was there.
"Jay…no..."
"S'alright" she whispered as blood trickled from her mouth "Wasn't quite how ...we planned it but…works the same ...way"
"No, no…it was supposed to be me" he brushed her hair from her face "Not you, baby. Not you"
"Dean…it's time…turn them…now, babe"
"I can't leave you. Not here, not like this" he said and gently removed the sword from her chest and Jay gasped as blinding pain ripped through her "Shhh, baby" said Dean as he held her "I got you"
"I …know…be fine. You know …I will" she used the last of her strength to push him gently away "Now… kiss me …and ….go" she said; her eyes starting to close.
"Don't you die on me!" he yelled.
Jay opened her eyes and smiled sadly at him "Babe..."
He leant down and brushed his lips across hers, holding her tight and telling her he loved her before laying her down gently "You wait for me"
"Always" she smiled; closing her eyes as she heard Zeke screaming her name.
Dean kissed her one last time, his forehead resting against hers as she took her last breath. She would never take another. He turned, a rage burning so deep it engulfed every part of him.
Kasdeya fell to his knees in front of Dean; blood pouring from his mouth, ears and nose. He looked at Dean, a bloodied smile on his lips "She can't rise from that mortal!" he laughed, blood flying from his lips "I told you I would make you pay! I would have my revenge! Your beloved is dead! AND I WILL DESTROY THIS ARMY BEFORE I ALLOW IT TO BE LED BY YOU!!"
He yelled as the poison from Jay's sword starting to burn into him but it wasn't that poison that killed him; it was the three swords that were driven into him with such force; he was torn apart. Dean, Zeke and Sam hacking into Kasdeya until there was nothing left but scattered body parts.
Dean felt nothing but a white, hot fury fill him. They'd killed Jay; they'd killed his wife and they would pay. Everyone would pay. No one would be left standing. He would fight until they killed him; that was how it was going to end. "Agares! My legions!" he yelled as he strode towards horse.
"At your command, General!" he said, his face filled with rage "We will avenge our Generals' murder!"
Sam came over with six men "Guard her" he ordered, pointing to Jay. "No one touches her"
"LEGIONS!" yelled Dean addressing his army "WE HAVE BEEN BETRAYED FROM WITHIN!" he pointed his sword to the legions at Kasdeya's and Malphas' command "THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR GENERAL! THEY HAVE BETRAYED THE DARK LORD! PUNISHMENT IS DEATH!"
His legions roared, they had seen the murder of their General, heard the words issued by Kasdeya and they were consumed with rage as they realised they'd been betrayed. They would follow their General into battle against their own.
Dean charged through the army, his legions clearing a path as he and Agares galloped towards the middle of the Infernal Army. Dean turned to Agares "Where the fuck was that asshole that was supposed to be protecting her?" he seethed.
"She sent him back with orders" said Agares "Here he comes now" he pointed.
Dean raised his sword, determined to kill the demon that had left Jay vulnerable. He turned as Agares placed a hand on his arm "I'd strongly advise against that"
"You don't…." Dean stopped as the demons eyes changed from the black pits he was used to seeing, to that of a brilliant blue, before returning to black again.
"I have been your protector since you arrived. He is on our side, trust me" said Agares with a smile "Now lets take this army down"
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The Dark Lord stood high on the rocky outcropping, surveying the battle below, a malevolent smile on his lips as his army battled with the holy ones for dominance…for the right to take the realm as his own. His Generals had led the Army into the battle formations that would effect the most casualties and he smiled as the smell of death and blood floated towards him. Breathing in the sweet stench and laughing as he saw Gods soldiers fall under his demons swords.
He turned and watched as the Angels and the Fallen Ones met in a mighty clash. The explosion of the righteous against the damned reverberating around the valley and over the dunes; echoing deeply in all those that inhabited this realm. The war between the blessed and the forever cursed resounding through the souls of all as the Angels battled against those that had once been their brothers.
He stroked himself as he watched Angels fall to the dark swords of their enemy; the death of his warriors nothing more than a casualty of war. He didn't care if he lost all of the Fallen One's …they'd have served the purpose for which they were destined. Killing those that thought them better than he. He would destroy the rest….no, he'd enslave the remaining Angels once he took his rightful place as ruler of all creation.
His eyes were drawn left as he heard the sound of arrows in flight; then right as the sound rushed in again…his left and right flanks falling to the poisoned tipped missiles that had been launched from the rocky crags that encircled the battlefield.
He roared as he watched his army fall; looking towards his Generals and smiling as he saw one give an order to her subordinate; an order that was carried through as his army was spread wide to combat the Holy Army that was trying to push through. They were still in control…his judgement had been correct when he'd selected these two. They were fighting a strenuous battle with their brothers, the swords they carried a match for the ones he'd bestowed on his Generals. He smiled; he would relish the moment his Generals bought them down.
The smile vanished as he saw one of his Generals taken in the back; he scanned the area below him, looking for the traitor. He roared as he saw the General fall, his other General forgetting the battle as his beloved had been felled. But none of that mattered as he saw his saw pure fury on his face as he galloped towards his other. Now the man would destroy all those that fought against him. He threw his head back and roared for the triumph that was to come; ecstasy flooding through him as he felt his dominance rise over the one that had cast him from the Heavens.
He lowered his head in time to see Kasdeya deliver a strike that ensured the General would not rise. He stared in disbelief as one of his most trusted demons, turned against him and killed his General, effectively killing himself. He shook his head…as he watched the brothers tear Kasdeya apart before …before….no…no….his General had snapped. Betrayed…that was he word he heard yelled from his General's lips…and he roared in rage as he saw his army turned against itself.
His General was leading an attack against the Infernal Army…the legions…his legions following their General; taking their cues from a leader that was now betraying HIM. He roared again; the guttural language spewing from his lips; and he raised a taloned-hand, directing it towards his General. He watched, a sneer on his malformed lips as the dark light shot from his hand, flying over the army and towards the man...
To REALLY be finalised…