The first tremor was barely felt.
By the humans, the sudden shake of the ground made them as individuals merely turn to eachother in puzzlement. Nothing seemed to follow it so they went on their merry way, acting as though nothing happened.
But then it happened again.
The very ground began to splinter, the buildings began to quake so violently, that pieces began to crack off the buildings. The people below were alarmed now, grabbing onto whatever was close by for support. Their vehicles, their walls inside their homes, eachother. It didn't matter. Because it was impossible. This was Manhattan. There were fault lines in different parts of the city, but how could it be that an Earthquake was happening now? They had the technology to detect this sort of thing before it happened.
Because it wasn't an earthquake.
The streets were abuzz with activity. Murmurs and shouts of asking what was going on. Why did every piece of technology go down? A blackout maybe?
The answer to the question didn't take long to be answered. Within minutes after the second quake, the earth erupted with a massive volcanic like rock that impaled through the Chrysler Building, killing hundreds of people on each floor. Too late they ran before the black rock began to spread, seeming to absolve them into the rock itself. The screams were deafening before being silenced completely.
The people below began to run from the sight of it: a huge mountain with a tiny eye-like opening at the tip where indistinguishably, two figures stood.
"Look at them run," said Lucifer with a manic smile, watching the scattering humans from the top. "Every nightmare they've ever faced is about to come to light. Every doubt they had in God and Angels is about to be destroyed. Let them witness true power in the face of Hell."
Dean didn't say a thing. The entire sky seemed to blacken with Lucifer's power even though it had only been morning to these lives below just moments before.
Lucifer frowned, his back still to Dean. He stuck his sword into the rock and stepped forward towards the rock's opening. "It's not enough...Where's the heroic crusade? Is this not what they were waiting for? Hahaha...Look, son. The cowardice of Heaven."
He didn't have to look to know that he was right. Not a single Celestial had come...yet.
"We just have to get their attention, don't we? Run while you can, little monkeys...No one eludes me for long," Lucifer raised his hands level to the ground. It gave a violent tremor before twin blades of Noctis rock erupted from within directly underneath his palms. He didn't even hesitate for a moment, taking a hold of both of them. A burst of power surged through Lucifer in the form of black fire and surrounded himself and the entire rock formation.
Dean covered his eyes when that power came to close and stepped back. There was too limited space to walk and he found himself close to the edge when he dropped his arm. But it was not Lucifer he looked upon. It was the horror that he had manifested. It was that terrble power he was using and what for. The entire city was on fire in the next second. He could hear them screaming as Lucifer absolved their souls into the Noctis, drawing upon their energy and life into himself. Beams of gold and white began to slowly find their way towards the King's heart.
It all seemed to happen so slow, when the bodies slowly rose off the ground, lifeless, drained. There was no chance of escape. Not now when another volley of power unleashed from the mountain itself and created an enormous sphere barrier around the entire city, trapping the souls that Lucifer was harvesting within.
And then they dropped from the sky like rainfall. It was a sickening sight. Men, women, children. It didn't matter to the king. These trivial things never did. The innocence of life, the rules he had fought to live by were thrown out the window. They never mattered to him. He was as evil as they had said.
Lucifer was the nucleus of the blast, drawing the power into himself. Black holes began to form in the concrete below, hundreds of shadows, of demons began to rise from the depths of hell. Lucifer's army.
And all Dean could think of in that moment was his own demon child. Among them? No, he would sense her. But it was her safety that was a concern. And it was this that made Dean stagger back a few steps in hesitance. He had to get to Carmen. He had to get her away from all this. Call it the parental instinct. Call it what you want.
He turned his back on Lucifer. Turned his back on all of it and took the plummet to the ground where he felt a shock of pain run up his legs. A minor irritation compared to what might have happened if he had been human. He rushed through the swarm of demons who completely ignored him in their shadow forms, not yet embodying physical forms inside the dead humans that Lucifer had laid out for them. He wouldn't be missed. At least not for now. Not while Lucifer continued to drain the very life essence out of Manhattan.
But it was through one of the black holes that Dean jumped through. It closed up as soon as he has come through the other side. Hell was an empty realm when he entered, and the castle was far from him. It wasn't a pretty sight where he had landed, right in the middle of the chainlinks that connected one soul to the next. Blood, bone and organ littered the mud where Dean found himself knee deep in it all. Gabriel was right. He wasn't ready to look upon his kingdom and see it for what it really was. He had never been a saint. He had killed many. But behind the walls of the castle, he was saved the vision of burning stakes and torturous cries.
He was a lost teenager again, with a giant hole in his past that he could not touch or comprehend.
Dean shook his head. This wasn't the time. There was no time.
How could he miss the castle from here? The castle had a huge mountain going through it all the way up to the sky where Lucifer was heading the damn thing. As he watched, the rock seemed to expand in size, twinkling bright from the crystals inside. Mesmerizing. Deceiving to the human eye as it was meant to be.
Mustering up all his strength, Dean jumped. As soon as he was clear of the torture zone, he stepped lightly onto the steps leading up to the castle, praying internally that Carmen was still inside. No Imperial was here. They were upstairs with the rest of them. This castle was completely open to attack. But who would attack when the leader was right where he needed to be for a counter attack?
Faster than the speed of light, beams of golden radiance shot out of the black sky surrounding the ruined city where black demons were pouring out of the ground inside a semi-transparent barrier. It was still just an island. And each angel that had appeared was just barely a foot away from Lucifer's magic barrier, hovering above disturbed waters, yet untainted by hellspawn.
At the head, stood a being of immense power, clad head to toe in golden armor. An angel taller than the rest of them. He wore a helmet with metal wings engraved on each side, covering most of his facial features except a sharp nose and a stern mouth beset by pale white skin.
Balthazar, uncovered and dressed in his silver plated armor rushed to his side while the rest of the angels gathered. Hundreds in number, all forming a line behind the General.
The General's voice was deep, laced with centuries of command and authority as he raised two fingers to his temple beneath the metal. "Set up a perimeter around this barrier. Focus all your power into a single attack to bring it down."
"Is this wise, General? What if there are still people still within the city?" Balthazar asked.
"There are no life forms," said the General slowly as the legion rushed to obey the direct command. Only Balthazar remained by his side as he stepped away. They were merely one island away from the city where the barrier would stave off a direct assault, where Hell was literally contained on Earth. "Not any we need be concerned with."
"General, if we wipe out the barrier, there's no telling what could be unleashed once it's down!" Balthazar shouted over the sudden cries of his men utilizing Will against the sphere.
"Commander. I suggest you rally your men,"
"But General-"
"It's no good!" Another commander shouted over the link between them.
Another cry followed suit." We're barely making a scratch on this barrier!"
"General, the barrier! It's too strong!"
The General crossed his arms and deliberated for a short second. It was not like the evidence wasn't before him plain as day. The barrier that Lucifer had set was too strong and he should have sensed that...but it was worth a shot. He wouldn't have erected such a barrier if he didn't have the utmost confidence that it was going to work. "Then I have no choice."
He stepped ahead of Balthazar, drawing a golden sword from it's sheath. "I have no choice but to use Holy Bolt."
"General, you cannot be serious," said Balthazar, scandalized. "You'll destroy the entire city! You'll wipe it from the map!"
"That's a risk I must take. The surrounding cities will be affected once the humans come to investigate through their means...We do not have long before they arrive and witness this atrocity... This barrier is created from Noctis. It cannot be taken down unless the core is destroyed. If I know my brother, the core of the Dark Element is not within the city itself...We have to destroy it. We have to destroy it all," The General placed his fingers back on his temple. "Cease fire on the barrier, soldiers. Fall back in line. Prepare to retake the city."
"General!" Balthazar shouted, but The General had already extended two enormous white wings and taken flight. From below, he looked like a shooting star in the sky.
Stopping just atop the center of Lucifer's enormous sphere, The General raised his hand towards the heavens. "Father, give me strength."
The General's armored body took on a bright yellow glow, an impenetrable aura that immortalized his form. The skies seemed to open above him to reveal the bright light of God himself shining down upon his lone soldier. Light waves of electricity surrounded him and what looked like a bright orb of light energy hovered just above his outstretched palm.
"WAIT!"
The single word caught the General off guard. He nearly staggered from throwing the blast down and stopping last second. It was a voice he had not heard in some time, and certainly not one he expected to hear now.
"Castiel?" The General spoke out loud, connecting with Castiel, he received a brief flash of his location standing close to a place where many angels had tired themselves out trying to disrupt the shield near a long bridge uncovered by the barrier.
"General, you have to wait! Do not release the Holy Bolt! There is still something we can do!"
"Where have you been?" All hostility returned to his voice that he shook off. "Never mind. Fall back to the line. I'm about to take the city back."
"General, there is someone within the city that is on our side. He's going to take down the barrier for us. You have to trust me. He's still there. If you release the Holy Bolt, you will wipe out everything within. Even the souls we may have yet to save!"
"There is no one, Castiel," said the General. "This city is in ruins. Only the demons run amok. If I do not destroy it, they will destroy the surrounding cities and take this planet...within a matter of hours. Lucifer has taken every life within. We have them where they are contained...this is our only chance," Some remorse entered his voice. "I'm sorry, Castiel...But I have to do this."
"Always talking about what you have to do. Was this another order you conjured out of nowhere or are you actually thinking for yourself this time?"
This voice was not Castiel's...But it was enough to run a shocking tremor up the General's body. Now this was a voice he had definitely not heard in ages. He spoke in a low whisper. "...Gabriel?"
Unlike with Castiel, he caught no glimpse of Gabriel's location. Of course not. He had been unable to find Gabriel for years; why would it be easy now?
"Listen to what he's saying, Michael. If you're not going to listen to him, listen to me. Even if you bolt up the city, you won't destroy that rock. Lucifer's drained the city of all it's Will. And I wager in a heavily populated city like this, that's quite a lot. He'll still be alive. Don't you see this is what he wants you to do? He wants to draw you out."
Michael's jaw locked beneath the helmet but he curled his fingers into a fist and held fast onto that power above his head. "These demons must be destroyed, brother."
"Where's your compassion, Michael? Dad raised you better than that. There are still people alive down there. You remember what he taught us...Remember that? He told us to love them above everyone else... Isn't even one life worth that? You want to destroy it?"
Slowly, the clouds began to reform above Michael and the light began to fade. The power itself did not go into Michael like it might have for a demon. Instead it returned to it's source in the clouds above. The angels below him stood vigil, tiny pieces of light surrounding the darkness. "What are you asking of me, then? While we wait, he gathers strength. While we wait, he continues to kill and sire every human within the city for his army."
"I'm asking you for time. Just believe, will you? For once. Believe in me. You can trust Castiel is telling the truth. There is someone yet still on our side in there."
"And just who am I supposed to put this blind faith in?"
He didn't have to search long to find Carmen. As soon as Dean was clear of the castle gates, a strong set of arms squeezed his waist and cut off his breathing very briefly.
"Where were you?" Carmen cried. "Never mind. What's happening? All I remember is the ground shaking and waking up and you weren't there! Everyone starting shouting something about the 'Calling' when I got out and they were all running away!"
"They're up there. They've created temporary doors...black holes leading into the mortal plane," said Dean, disentangling himself from her iron grip and taking her face. "But you have no need to worry about that, do you understand me? We don't have a lot of time...and you need to get out of here as fast as possible."
" But Dean-" She began.
"Don't question me," said Dean sharply. "You have to get yourself to safety. Take the caves back to the dimensional door we came through. Do you remember where I'm talking about?"
Carmen just seemed to tremble and Dean gave her a hard shake by the shoulders. "Carmen! Focus. Do you remember the way we came in?"
"I...I remember," said Carmen, nodding and speaking in a shaking voice. "I remember."
"Good," said Dean, brushing a stray lock of hair from the side of her face. "Take the way back. You can still save yourself."
"No," She began to shake her head in his grip. Adamantly with tears streaming down her cheeks. "No. I won't leave you here. I can take you with me."
"I can't go with you," Gently, Dean pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"Why?" She cried.
"You are my legacy. My only legacy. If I can ensure one life makes it out alive. It's you, Carmen...Now, get out of here," said Dean, turning away from her. "That's an order."
He didn't wait for her to obey. Just faced what he had postponed for long enough. The towering Noctis rock had went through the entire castle like it had been impaled. Swirling energy. The closer Dean came, the more his own Will began to falter. It targeted him instantly, surrounding him with a dark red light similar to the power that Lucifer had used to weaken him and take his crown before.
Walking became a struggle. He could feel the burning sensation begin low in his belly and start to creep up towards his chest, attacking his lungs, cutting off his air. It was too much for anyone to bear. But he had to keep going. He had to destroy it. There was no other choice.
It seemed like an eternity passed when Dean finally made it to the heart of the throne room. Where it all began...and where it would end. He had no doubt Lucifer would come for him when he realized what Dean had done. He had no doubt that Lucifer would see this through. One way or another.
Hands made a grab for the rock, leaning against it. Touching it was like touching fire. His palms began to steam and burn. What was he thinking? How could he possibly destroy this rock?
"Your Highness," The voice made him jump, but Dean snapped his head in Crowley's direction, looming behind Lucifer's seat of power.
"Crowley," Dean said in a slightly cracked voice. "What are you doing here?"
"Doing what I was ordered to do," said Crowley. "Your father's orders take priority over your own, I'm afraid. He told me to stand here and remain wary of any approaching...Imagine how I felt when I find you to be the intruder...My, Dean...You've certainly topped Lucifer's list of treacherous scum in the span of a few minutes...Very...shocking, I must say."
But he didn't sound surprised. He sounded amused. And Dean didn't give a damn.
"Give me your sword," Dean held out his hand. "As your Prince, I command you to relinquish your weapon."
"No need to issue out the command, Your Highness," said Crowley coolly, pulling out a long silver blade from his belt beneath the trenchcoat. He didn't wear it on his back like a proud Imperial. Like Dean did, like Merrick once did. He wore it like the angels did by his waist. Crowley handed the sword to Dean without hesitance.
Gripping it firmly, Dean took it in both hands and stepped closer to the rock, both hands prepped for the swing.
"That won't do you any good, just saying. Nothing can cut through the Dark Element but the Sword of the King," said Crowley when Dean's blade was inches away from hitting its mark.
"I don't care," Dean growled, preparing to strike again.
Crowley placed his hands behind his back and began to circle Dean until he reached his other side."Do you know what it takes to become a King, Dean? Do you know what it took your Father to secure his position in a realm such as this? All that anger and vengeance...What does it come down to?"
"Power," said Dean through his teeth, annoyed as his eyes followed Crowley's every movement. " I get it. He's stronger than me. He always has been. There's nothing I can do to change that."
"You're wrong," Crowley said the words so low that Dean almost didn't catch it over the sudden sound of a power ripple through the Noctis all the way to the top. "It's not about power. It's never been about power. Lucifer secured that crown for one reason. Before you were born, before you even entered his mind. Because there is only one thing that unites this realm under such a ruler."
Dean breathed hard through his nose and lowered his weapon. "And what is that?"
"The realization of one's loneliness can be a barren path, my Prince...Your Father always knew he was alone. Betrayed and beaten beneath the heels of those who claimed to love him. Cast out of his home. Friendless. Alone...Betrayed. Broken," said Crowley. "And then he had you...And even you...his beloved son, does not love him as much as he loves you. His own son hates him to the point of creating this." The demon held a long finger to his face. "But I'm not judging you, Dean. I just want you to understand."
"What? The answer to your stupid recount of tales? There is no answer. If you're here to berate my choices, you can go back up to the surface and inform your King of what I'm doing. I will not be swayed otherwise,"
"You had the crown in the palm of your hand," To emphasize, Crowley curled his hand into a fist and brought it close to Dean's ear. "It was always meant to be yours after Lucifer because you shared something you still cannot comprehend. But deep down you knew. You held that power once, you can do it again...You took it the moment they killed Lucifer before your eyes...Think back. What was it that called your power that day? What was it truly that made the sword choose you?"
It was like talking to a talking wall. It didn't really matter what it said if it could talk because no one really cared anyway. But as Dean stared at him...everything seemed to piece together in his mind, despite himself.
The reality of his words slowly began to sink in. Dean felt the inner corners of his eyes sting and he struggled to restrain the emotion in his voice. "Despair."
"It was your despair that called the sword to you. It was despair even when the Celestial purified your heart that kept you our King...Because deep down, you knew...You always knew,"
A single tear coursed down Dean's cheek. "How do you know all this?"
"Because despair is what this throne is built upon. Despair is what rings through this realm. The sorrow of a broken child whose melodies haunt the fabric of its walls. And now...You come to this realm in hopes of undoing your Father's work here...But who's fault is it truly, your highness? Who's to blame for these countless lives that have been given to the Will of Lucifer?" Crowley gestured all around them, then his dark eyes were softened upon Dean once more. " You entered this realm, a careless king with thoughts to save this place from destruction by killing a child born to hold Lucifer's power. It was you who entered his life. Where would Sam be if you never found him? Where would Sam be if you never swore your life to him? Just a boy...oblivious to the world that you introduced him to. Oblivious to the pain that you have caused. Never reaching that altar where his body gave way to...this."
"Now tell me...Say it...Who is to blame for the death of the mortal plane?"
It felt like Dean's heart had cracked in two. Human emotion was such a bane...but it overwhelmed. It consumed. "I am."
He was right. Sam would have never been apart of this...never made it to the altar. Never suffered because of Dean. And now countless lives hung on Dean's conscience like a weight he couldn't lift. His body began to tremble and he wanted to break down. Only once before had he felt such pain and that was when Lucifer had died. His whole entire world had shattered right there and then. Everything he knew. Everything he had become to that point meant nothing without his Father.
Dean didn't even feel it at first. A weight in his heart became the weight around his head. He didn't feel it immediately when there was a sudden click in his back where there had once been an empty sheath.
But he saw it, reflected a thousand times back at him through the crystal fixtures inside the Noctis. A crown made of bone and teeth. The black hilt strapped to his back.
Crowley backed away from Dean, a slight smile on his lips as he melted into the shadows like he had never been.
Dean dropped Crowley's useless blade with a loud clatter and reached behind him in amazement. The sword felt light in his grip when he pulled it out and held it before him. Shining silver and red. It had chosen him once more. He gazed at it for a long moment as though mesmerized. So this was what it took...So this was what this blade had wanted from him all along...The truth..the dawning. It was never about power. It was never about the stronger...It was what this realm was built on.
One look at the Noctis...His reflection staring back at him, brought Dean back to reality.
It wasn't too late yet.
It could still be undone.
"Fuck your plan," Dean growled. "Fuck your forever. Fuck staying with you for eternity...but most of all, Lucifer. Fuck you.
The Noctis seemed to have a will and mind of it's own. The rock spread away internally, and the power dispersing from it began to die away. He had control of it. Power tingled at the edges of his fingers. The Dark Element was part of him now. He found himself looking at the core; the mysterious shape in the darkness that so resembled an eye in the storm. He took the blade with both hands tight and plunged it as deep as it could go into the foundation. He didn't have to look to see that all the Will that it had collected was being released in an explosion that went all the way to the peak.
