By the time Sam was able to calm down it was past midnight, and all was quiet in the bunker. He'd stopped hugging the amulet to his chest a while ago and had placed it around his neck, but now he lifted it up to study it. It felt different, and Sam didn't like it. Had the work Castiel and Rowena done lessened the power he had? If so, wouldn't he have felt it?
He shrugged the thought aside as he got out of bed and started getting dressed. It was ideal that Rowena and Dean would be asleep. That meant less people he'd have to explain himself to. Sam was going to test his power. He had to, especially after the nightmare he'd had. He had to know that he was safe. A plan was already forming in his mind. A plan that might be really stupid, or maybe it wasn't. Either way, Sam was going to follow through with it.
He crept out of his room, walking as quietly as possible. Making his way out of the hallway showed him that Cas wasn't around, meaning he was probably spending his time in one of the guest bedrooms. Sam idly wondered if he got bored at night, and what it was that he did. But then he drew his focus back to the task at hand.
What he was going to do was dangerous – he'd need a weapon. But a gun would be too loud. Sam eyed the rack of swords in the library, thinking that maybe they could finally come in handy. He hadn't been taught to fight with a sword, but he could fight with a machete, so surely it wouldn't be thatdifferent. He went over to the rack and picked one that seemed ideal, a rapier with a gilded hilt. After looking it over and deeming that it was sharp enough Sam made his way into the war room, and then up the stairs.
He looked around one last time, just to make sure no one was there to witness what he was doing, and seeing no one, he opened the door and stepped outside. With the amulet tucked into his shirt to hide the light it emitted, Sam was only a dark figure against the deep shadows of the night, and if he moved slowly, he could remain unseen for quite some time.
Just as he'd expected, the demons were still there. They sat in three groups with each group forming a circle around a fire they'd made like it was some sort of camping trip. Laughter and the cracks of burning wood met Sam's ears. For a second, Sam worried that the rapier might reflect the firelight and give him away, but the demons seemed too preoccupied with other things to notice. A few of them were making out, and being rather annoying about it. Upon realizing there was some groping going on as well, Sam averted his gaze. Some of the other demons had apparently left to get some food for their companions. They were eating large quantities of fries, and dipping them into something that at a first glance Sam thought was ketchup. But watching the way it dripped, acting much more like a liquid than ketchup ever would, Sam realized that he was very wrong. The firelight revealed that there was more than just fries, and what was probably blood. There were chunks of flesh, human flesh, and the demons ate it with relish.
Huh. I didn't realize demons had such a versatile diet.
Another group was finding amusement in whacking one of their companions with branches. The demon who was on the ground, receiving the blows, was letting out moans that spoke of pleasure more than pain.
Should've expected demons to be masochists, Sam thought wryly.
He made his way up the steps, going as quietly as possible. Leaves crunched underfoot, but the laughter and talking from the demons, along with the crackling of the fire, drowned it out. Still, Sam found himself wishing he could move as silently as Dean. As he crouched down some more once he'd cleared the steps he also began to wish that he were a few inches shorter… at least for this moment. Though the demons showed no signs of noticing him he felt very exposed.
He got as close as he dared – about five feet away – and hid himself behind a tree. Sam took in a deep breath, and attempted to focus, to feel the power within him. It surged awake, like cold, roiling waves amidst a storm. Startled by just how much power he truly had Sam almost accidently released it in a violent wave. He grit his teeth from the exertion of taming it, holding it at bay. And then, much like Ivan did when he used his powers, Sam imagined a focal point within him. The magic calmed and centered. He was still a little rusty on how this precisely worked, but he drew on his previous knowledge of wielding forces that surpassed normal human command. That led to thoughts of demon blood, and without noticing it, Sam licked his lips.
In a swift motion he was out from behind the tree and directed the energy built up within him at the closest group of demons, a cluster of eight. The results were instant. Flesh and blood was turning to stone, starting at their feet and working its way up. A few of them managed to cry out in alarm before they were completely turned. Instantly, the other two groups reacted, turning their heads towards him. Sam stepped around the fire, making sure they could fully see him.
They began to laugh loudly at him, no doubt thinking this was some sort of joke. After all, it was just him against all of them. But when he started coming forward, determination in his eyes, they faltered. And then they saw what had become of their companions. The remaining twelve demons were unsure of what to do. Many stayed where they were, attempting to work through their confusion about what was going on. Two of them charged at Sam, and he ran to meet them, closing the space between them swiftly. Not having the time to focus his powers, Sam raised his sword. As he swung the blade in a horizontal slash, he stepped forward with his right foot, so that he pivoted on the spot. The demon he'd aimed at jumped back just in time, and the end of the blade merely grazed her. However, the wound in her abdomen began to release steam, and she hugged her arms to herself, letting out a pained scream. If Sam didn't know any better he'd think she'd had holy water thrown at her.
He stored that observation away, telling himself he'd research it later.
The other demon who'd charged at him was now unsure of herself, and Sam took advantage of that. He reined in the energy within him, once more thinking of the focal point. He feinted a backhanded stroke to the left, and as the demon shifted to avoid it, Sam lunged at her. He reached out to touch her forehead, and instantly, her movements stilled. Her flesh transformed to stone in a second. The other demon was coming at him again, but Sam switched to holding the rapier with his left hand, held out his right, and directed the energy towards her. Before she could even reach him she was a statue.
Ten demons remained. They'd watched what had proceeded with morbid fascination, but now they were rallying together, thinking that attacking at once would better their odds. Sam ducked the first blow aimed at him, sidestepped and then whacked the hilt of the rapier against the demon's back, causing him to stumble. He twirled, aiming an overhand downward cut at the demon that was now on his left. Blood flew and the blade lodged where their neck attached to their shoulders. Releasing a grunt of exertion, Sam pulled the blade free. Steam rose from the wound as blood began to seep from it. He turned, sensing movement behind him, but he had reacted too late. A fist connected with his jaw, and he stumbled backwards. In hindsight, Sam realized that turning around completely as he had done had been a foolish move. It had made it so that he faced away from the main group of the demons.
Before he could regain his balance, the demon in front of him kicked him fiercely in the abdomen. The air left Sam and he crashed to the ground, the sword falling from his grip. In a matter of seconds he'd be surrounded. Reacting quickly, Sam rolled, just managing to avoid a kick to his face, and grabbed the rapier. He leapt to his feet. There was an almost imperceptible whooshto his left, and he swung his blade out to meet it. The clang of metal startled Sam, and he found himself facing down a demon wielding a wickedly curved blade. The weapon appeared aggressive, meant more for chopping and mangling, than even, graceful strokes.
He drove Sam back, closer to his other adversaries. A fist connected with his back, and he stumbled forward, just as the demon before him raised his weapon, intending to have it come down on Sam's head.
He dropped to the ground in a roll, and then came to his feet once more. Sam let out a cry and charged forward, holding the rapier horizontally, so as to stab straight into his enemies. He skewered one demon, and they dropped to the ground, steam hissing from them, their blood staining their clothes. He dodged a blow aimed at him, and swung out his sword. But it never reached its target. The demon with the blade had blocked his attack. In the second that took to register, Sam dropped the rapier, thinking that might throw them off guard. It did, and he leapt at the nearest demon, causing them to crash to the ground with him on top of them.
A slight tap to their forehead was all it took before they were a statue. There were now only five left in fighting condition, and they looked around them. Sam had taken out fifteen of their number. They weren't sure continuing this fight was a good idea. One worked up the courage to grab a branch, run towards one of the fires, and set the end alight. She came running at Sam, releasing a battle cry. She swept downward and he sidestepped, the burning branch meeting the air just centimeters from him. He could feel the heat radiating off of it.
Now Sam attempted something similar to what he'd done the other night to slow down the police officers. But he quickly learned that using ice magic to put out a fire was much more difficult than freezing part of the ground, so he ended up having to dodge the flaming branch once more. The demon was now getting frustrated, and she growled at him, swinging again. Not really sure what he was doing, Sam stepped forward, and grabbed the branch, stopping its motion. He could feel the heat of the fire, so close to his skin, but now that he held the branch, he was able to command the magic to freeze it. The ice quickly crept up the wood, and the fire was then snuffed out. Forcefully, Sam wrenched the branch out of the demon's hands and tossed it aside.
The demon before him stood utterly still, her eyes wide with terror. Before she could make another move, Sam turned her to stone.
Four demons left in fighting condition. He stepped towards them, and they backed up. Their fear gave Sam time, and he took advantage of it, inhaling deeply in order to focus his power. Then he thrust his hands out, and he released a yell as energy flowed forth from his fingertips into the air and towards the remaining demons. They screamed as their skin began to turn gray and harden. In a matter of moments all was silent save for the crackling of the fires, and Sam stood amidst statues.
Now that the battle was over Sam weakened his hold over his powers and they settled once more. The fighting had been exhausting, and he wanted to drop to the ground. And now that his adrenaline rush seemed to be ending the cut on his left leg twinged, and his body began to throb from the punches and the kick he'd received. But his work wasn't done yet.
Panting, sweat pouring down his face despite the cold air, Sam made his way over to where he'd dropped the rapier. He picked it up, and studied the blood that coated the metal. It'd been such a long time since Sam had really thought about demon blood, but now, here it was, right in front of him. There was no painful need for it as he'd felt years ago, but rather a curiosity. The powers the amulet had granted him with worked splendidly, and they'd held up against twenty demons. But would they be enough? There was much more out there than demons. Sam stood there for a good ten minutes, arguing with himself about whether he should have some of the blood or not. Images from his nightmares, from his life, filled his mind. Pain, screaming, blood, torment. It all flashed through him, nearly overwhelming him. Sam had to lean his arm against a tree just to remain standing. Tears blurred his vision. One fell, dripped onto the sword, and his decision was made. He would have the blood. So he righted himself, swiped some of it off with his thumb and sucked it into his mouth. A contented moan left him instantly, and he closed his eyes in bliss. Oh, it'd been too long since he'd tasted something as satisfying as this. There was nothing else like it. And it wasn't just the succulent flavor, or the warmth that he enjoyed; it was the power. Even just from those few drops he could feel strength pouring into him.
Somehow, Sam was able to limit himself to just those few drops for now, and he cleaned the remaining blood from the blade with his shirt, before making his way into the bunker. He placed the rapier back in its spot on the rack, and then went to one of the storage rooms where they kept their tools. Sam remained undisturbed as he grabbed a sledgehammer and went back outside.
He stopped, standing in front of the closest demon-turned-statue. His face was frozen in a look of surprise. Gathering his strength, Sam hefted the sledgehammer, and then swung it down.
Crack!
He took to the statues with a vengeance, and the stone crumbled and broke beneath his mighty blows. He yelled his hatred for the demons into the night air, yelled his distress, his pain, his fear. And he took all of that, all of those emotions, and put them behind every swing.
Nearly an hour later the statues had been essentially reduced to dust. Sam had fragments of stone caught in his hair, and rock dust coated him. He stood there, letting himself catch his breath.
He nearly jumped when lightning flashed through the sky in a brilliant electric blue. There was a boomof thunder, and then rain began to fall.
At least I don't have to put the fires out.
Feeling satisfied, and utterly spent, Sam made his way back into the bunker. Despite his low energy he felt elated. It'd worked. His powers had worked. He'd been able to protect himself, hold his own against twenty demons. And he'd gotten to have demon blood again. A smile lit his face, and paired with his disheveled state, he did not look entirely sane.
Once inside he placed the sledgehammer on the table in the war room. There was a clang,which must have alerted Castiel, because within seconds the angel was there. He eyed Sam with worry and great curiosity.
"What have you done?" he asked him.
"Took care of the demons outside," Sam answered as he brushed past him, heading for his room. "You're welcome."