Epilogue
The Gospel of Castiel and the Righteous Man
When the Angels fell from Heaven, their Father did forsake them. In delirious pain at their banishment, and suckered by the tongues of the befouled, they did forsake him too, falling to animal ruin and despair.
On the twisting roads of the earthly realm, they laid siege to humanity with sharp claws and angry mouths, destroying what once they had esteemed beyond measure – what their Father had proclaimed to be the greatest good.
God, for all that he had created, missed the sign of darkness that encroached. He saw not how illness spread through his children until they were lost to him, and he found himself abandoned with naught but one last standing child – of utmost tenacity. Castiel – the Angel of Thursday – was no longer loyal to him, for he too was forsaken to ruin. But to love, he was loyal, and in the City of Ardus, which housed the maker of ruin, he found its bastion.
In the murky shadows and contained, rumbling quiet of Ardus' forest, Castiel and the Righteous Man Dean Winchester breached the boundaries of their relative humanity and divinity, discerning first friendship and then more, beneath the starry skies of their Father's creation.
Said Castiel to his beloved: "Before my Father, wherever he is, but more importantly before you I promise I would have given my life to you, and I would have kept the faith with you. I will never stop loving you." And as he bestowed upon him a token of his affection, Dean replied: "I swear before God that I'd have done anything for you, Cas. And what I am doing, it's all for you – to keep you safe. I would have loved you till I die. I will. I will."
It was in unity that Castiel met his undoing, at the hands of a blade wielded by a human hand in the streets of Ardus, as his brothers and sisters laid siege to the kingdom. He died with his eyes to the sky and the name of the Righteous Man on his lips, that he could live aside with his brother and benefit from the realm of his Father's wonderful creation.
Within the tomb where he was thrown, Castiel awoke with renewed Grace, by divine miracle. Where his brothers and sisters had failed, it was he that had truly loved humanity to its core, and sacrificed all to spare it from suffering, even when his Father promised that in any event. In such purity and such devotion, the plight of his brothers and sisters was broken, and the fall of Lucifer was redeemed, and across the earth, his brothers and sisters arose to the heavenly realm. Imbued with knowledge of his sacrifice, and his model of divinity, they were renewed and awashed of their sins, and in a chorus of repentance, spread goodness throughout the world.
Castiel was granted the life of the human, despite the deal he had made in distortion of nature to return to his lover, in exchange for his Father's life. To Death his Father willingly went, as reprieve for his mistakes, and with a word to his sons: "love better than I have loved you, now and always".
Dean Winchester endured until his hair was grey and his body destroyed, and when he fell upon the Earth, Castiel returned him to Heaven on a steed of light. In the throne room of Heaven's halls, two thrones were erected to the side of Jesus Christ for Heaven to bear witness to the Holy Ghost and the Righteous Man. But the Righteous Man, of modesty and courage, stepped back from his place and recoiled from leadership.
"I can't lead, I can't Cas!" he proclaimed, with force and certainty, "I'm just a man!" Castiel did comfort him and allow him to refrain, and installed him in a most worthy heaven to befit his needs – alongside those souls that had borne his sacrifice with him, in everlasting contentment. Before Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost plead to be installed with him, and was granted his salvation. And so, before Heaven, the Gospel was sealed, as Castiel – Angel of Thursday – did forsake glory for a human and so showed his brothers and sisters how his Father's message endured.
And at that, the Angels did rejoice, and sing of his message throughout the world. Their hymns, even in the denizens of Lucifer's darkness, brought joy and light. And while, in Heaven, their maker did rest with contentment, his word was spread and it was good.
AN: I had to include this here as this was simply no place in the notes to house the enormity of thanks I have to give. I am utterly devastated that this fic is finished.
I started writing this story at a new chapter of my life. I was writing my dissertation, I had finished University, and I embarked on adulthood. Things weren't quite fitting then, and every day, after hours of dreary legal textbooks and poring over a 20,000 word document that would make a dullard weep tears of boredom, I would sit down and plot this out in a little notebook, never really imagining it would turn into anything. Then adulthood came and hit like a brick wall, and I encountered the mess of broken promises that will define the experience of our generation. I plotted out more, because I was so desperate for something to look forward to. Still, even when I had a timeline in place and an ending to write to, I scarcely even bothered to put pen to paper for any substantial writing. The first chapter, even, was almost more of an attempt to get this story out of my system. To remind myself that I couldn't write, and the endeavour was a foolhardy one. I imagined I would abandon it a few chapters in, and lose the documents in a mass of files on my computer.
The sole reason that this fic is finished is the overwhelmingly generous and dedicated support I have received from my readers. I whinge a lot in my notes – it's my thing, these days – so I am utterly certain you are all tired of reading this, and wince at each turn of the cliché. But truly, your words have meant so much more to me than a writer's delight at having their story receive an audience. Even better, a positive one. That has mattered a great deal too. I'm inspired now. I want to practise this. Every day I can't work at these words due to extraneous commitments, I curse the meagre supply of time that I have to work with. I love doing this, because of you all. You've made me feel like I could, and that's opened the floodgates. I've been telling stories since I was four years old. But I have never written one down, or told it to completion.
But more than that, I have been dulled by so many things about my life the last year. I'm told that I've grown tireder and crueller and that I'm becoming foreign to people I care about. Reading your reviews, and watching the hits and kudos to this story climb, has been a shard of sanity in what has otherwise been a life overhaul. I had hoped by the time this story was finished that I would have escaped my current circumstance. I haven't yet, but I'm working on it. And having your encouragement in this story has given me courage in other endeavours.
I hope by the time I have another story for you all, I can spin a better narrative for my life too.
But, that's heavy stuff, and I have much to be grateful for. There are so many particular thanks to give, and they are listed below. If you have left any kind of comment on this fic, even just the one, I have written to you below. Please accept my most sincere thanks. If, somehow, I didn't offer personal thanks, please know that I am just as grateful for your following me to the completion of this project. Every viewer, commenter, kudos-er or otherwise has been part of this experience for me. I love you all.
My next project, I hope, will be a story called "The Supernatural Edification of Dean Winchester". I am hoping that this will be completed in time to post in the DeanCas Big Bang. Regardless, it will be uploaded here some time soon. It is essentially a retelling of the remarkable series "Afterlife", in which Dean is a medium haunted by his abilities, and Castiel is a psychology professor who makes a study of him. While Castiel is initially sceptical of Dean's abilities, given his academic propensity to disprove and denigrate the notion of psychics, Dean's unusual skill and earnest sweetness turn the tables and eventually force him to question the academic framework upon which he has staked his entire belief system. There will be Destiel, and snuggling, and a very sweet and caring Dean – if that sounds like your thing.
Otherwise, if you want to keep up generally with what I'm writing, please follow me on tumblr at .com. I follow everyone back, and I adore new friends!
I also have a separate blog, in which I navigate my way through an existential crisis/sometimes get a little drunk and write bad philosophy. You can find that at .com. Particular highlights include sarcastic jibes at the lawyer life, feeble attempts at poetry and rants about stupid boys. Also, there are depressing quotes. Since I never went through an emo phase as a 14 year old, I've decided to revert and do it now. Don't judge me.
Thank you all, once again.I cannot believe this is my final sign off for this story.
Love and admiration to you all, with sincerest thanks,
-Liffe
On AO3 (in order of the earliest chapter you reviewed on)
ALICE! I know you are lurking here. Obviously I will talk to you about this, but thank you so much for your support, my dear! Who knew that 8am law tutorials would lead to you reading my Destiel fanfic and AHBL adventures? It might have been one of the most fortuitous things that has ever happened to me, and I am so privileged to call you my friend now.
Ashitanoyuki, I don't know if you are still with this story, but you are my first review on A03. I wouldn't have completed this fic without you. As I have already said, how did such a well-regarded writer come by my work? I can't comprehend it.
LucifersHitman, thank you for your sweet reviews. Your kindness is remarkable!
CasIsMyPie, my inbox has been bursting with your kindness recently. I am utterly overwhelmed. As I have already said, the fact that you have reviewed, like, every freaking chapter, is incredible! You are so sweet, and I love the witticisms in your comments. You make me smile a lot these days
Pyro42x, you have my utter gratitude for your comments. Even if I twitch with jealousy every time I see your glorious profile picture!
Caron, for your enthusiastic review so early in the piece. You are so wonderful to have taken a chance on such a new work. I know how easy it is to see a fic that's scarcely off the ground and ignore it. You are so generous for taking the time to read.
Artemis, thank you for your review. I can't believe you kept up chapter by chapter. I certainly lack the patience for that. You are majestic!
Nirame, you were the first person to rec me! I know this because it is actually a formative moment in my life. I have a bucket list. Getting recc'd was one of my dreamy-dream items (as in, Charlotte, you hilarious creature, good luck with that). I am so so honoured by your kind review of this story, and it is now forever enshrined in my jar of happy things and bucket list scrapbook.
Chaostheorem, you know how much I love When Life Rains Roses. I am still holding out for more, and I will most certainly hold you to your promise to supply it. Your reviews have been so kind, and I am so grateful. Also, how had I not see Spiral Turnyet? As a ballroom and latin competitor myself, this is only my dream incarnate! *becomes distracted from illustrious thank you list and rushes to read/squee*
Liz, your reviews have been so immensely dedicated. I cannot believe your kindness – the volume alone is immense! As I stated before, this past year has been really hard, and this story and its reviews have been lifelines. In these past two weeks, things have become supremely worse. Waking up in the mornings and reading a choca-block inbox of your reviews has been a real light. Thank you so much. I've got your fics open in some tabs, and I'll most definitely be reading them soon. Don't despair if I don't actually get there for a few weeks. It just means the corporate machine has me in its strangehold.
SoHoldMeTight, who must certainly be my most dedicated reviewer. Your mini-essays on this fic have been mind-boggling. You know this already. I swear, you must have written a small fic yourself in all the words you have used. I honestly don't know how I can repay your kindness. I don't have the words. I just stare at my computer screen and flail pointlessly. I will literally never be able to repay you, my dear. But you have my friendship – I hope that's something I have loved talking with you, and I look forward to doing so in the future, particularly in relation to Break Me Out. Thank you so much.
Jade_maiden_33, thank you so much for your reviews! I'm so glad you took the chance on this story. Your words were so kind. Also, I am still incredulous that you appreciated my chapter titling poetry! I hope this has the happy ending you were hoping for. I am indebted to you
Lila, your review was one of the sweetest I received, and I've cherished it. I hope you got some sleep post your marathoning efforts. It was an utter pleasure to receive your review.
Sykurri, thank you so much for your review. I actually have this strangely vivid memory of reading it, where I was sitting, and how I was feeling. Obviously that means it made an impact! You are so wonderful, and thank you so much!
Saph, thank you so much for your review. In reading through comments, I clicked in your profile and noted (despairingly late) that there are now a massive number of new chapters to your fic Broken Halos and Bloody Crowns. In corporate nightmare, I had quite lost track of the fics I had been reading and enjoying (yes, I have only just understood and begun to use the bookmark function). Your new fic also looks fascinating – I love some good alpha/omega dynamics. I'm in! Your comments meant a lot to me, because I think you are really talented. Looking forward to repaying the favour on your fics.
Cocomademoiselle, thank you so much for reviewing this story! I am so grateful. Honestly, I can't describe it.
Jazzy2may, your review was so sweet (and utterly too kind). I have all the hugs for you. Allll the hugs!
WinJennster, oh my gosh, where do I start with you? My heart honest to goodness dropped when I realized that you, the author of Cooking with Gas had read and recc'd my story. For a moment, I genuinely contemplated the possibility that I had unconsciously sold Crowley my soul, and that was my reward. Seriously, that is how much I admire your work. I am certain a solid majority of my readers happened upon this story because of your rec. I am so grateful to you. Congratulations on finishing Painted Angels (yet another delight to add to my personal favs list, which is still very restrictive at around 25 fics). I am certain that you will publish, and your popularity here will only be the beginning of what you will achieve with your writing.
Rhetta, you are a star. Thank you so much for your review. It was such a delight to read (and your profile picture is adorable!)
Aqua1999, thank you so much for your wonderful reviews. I am so glad you came out of stalking and left me a comment, as now I can send you all the lovely vibes and happy thoughts. Your reviews were absolutely wonders to receive. They might be the sincerest compliments that have been paid to e – I was floored by them. Thank you.
OctoberSkyfall, your reviews have been both hilariously witty and tears-inducing (on my part, at least). I am so honored to have had you as a reviewer in this fic. There have been so many days, at my desk, where I have thought fondly of your (very sexy – frickin' Misha) profile picture and been so thankful for your taking the time to write such kind words. They'll stay with me long after this fic is over, I promise you.
SlynkieMynx, your review meant the world to me. Even if I can never quite believe the kind comments paid to me, I do draw on them in times of trouble. Your words have meant a lot. Thank you.
Holyackles, I'm still so delighted by your review. Because Greg! He needed some love so desperately! I hope this was the kind of ending you were hoping for with him. I've genuinely ended up caring for him so much by the end of this story, and the fact that you cared about him too was so elating. Thank you so much.
Maeleene, thank you so much for taking the time to write me. Your doing so genuinely had an impact, far beyond what you probably intended. But I thank you for all of it. You are wonderful! And I'm also so grateful that you took the time (and the initiative – I appreciate how tricky it can be) to offer me some constructive feedback. I genuinely do want to become a better writer, and I appreciate the learning experience that feedback from my readers offers. Thank you so much for that.
Typewrittentragedian96, first I must say I haven't forgotten that I promised to read and review your story! Between the corporate nightmare, and the monstrous size of this story, I haven't read as much as I would like to lately. I promise though, you are absolutely top of the list. And I'm excited, because I will have so many chapters to read at once! I can positively gorge myself! Thank you so much for your reviews. I am genuinely unable to respond to them properly, because I am so floored by the compliments you have paid me. While I remain in disbelief, I thank you most sincerely.
Nixdragoon, I cannot believe you cried in this fic. Now I am crying. Look what has happened.
Dinkydog, I am so glad that you found your way here from WinJennster. Your reviews have meant so much. In particular, thank you so much for taking the time to offer constructive feedback on the story. I really do appreciate it. I am here to learn, and welcome any comments you have, now and in the future! Your reviews have been so enthusiastic, I cannot quite believe it. Thank you so much.
Gem, your comments to be were so kind. So so kind. And just so sweet. Obviously we have never met, but I think they say a lot about who you are as a person. They are so sincere, and I cried when I read them. I just… you are so sweet. Thank you for being such a wonderful person. And I am so glad to have made you laugh with the thought of Bobby being forced to endure Cas' steamy descriptions of his time with Dean. You have made me so happy, and I am glad to have done the same
Vaelentine, thank you so much for review. I am so utterly grateful for it. You are such a star, and I hope the happy ending I've given Cas with Greg makes up for taking Barachiel away from him in 1425
Lavinia_kalamack, thank you so much for your review. It truly made my day. I am utterly incredulous at your kindness. Seriously, I appreciate it so much.
Sanreir, thank you so much for your review. Thank you so much for taking the chance on this fic. Seriously, just all the thank yous. I am without words otherwise
Hannah, you are so sweet and so kind. Your review meant a lot to me, especially because you are a Greg fan! Greg is my darling, and I want the world to coddle him and protect him and shroud him in love and rainbows. So you are now a favourite of mine because of this. This story is not kick ass. But you – YOU- are kick ass. Thank you so much.
Ayyyyylmao, I do hope this is the happy ending you were hoping for! I wrote it with you in mind
YellowPanda96, I am so glad that this fic has helped you through work too. Why does work suck, right? And your review, in turn, has helped me immensely. In a dingy grey cubicle, it's easy to forget the good things. But I hang on to your review while I'm there, and it really helps. Thank you so much!
Dean_wants_the_casbutt, how did you read for 24 hours straight? How?! I cannot believe this! Please, do take care of yourself! This fic is not worth it, oh my goodness! But, wow, your review. Thank you so much. I'm floored. Genuinely floored. You are a wonder.
Yuukilover, you were the first review I ever received on this fic. You are the reason that this fic exists. I am utterly serious here. 300,000 + because of you, my friend. Literally, you have changed my life. I don't know how else to describe it. Thank you thank you thank you xx
Vitoria Esewer, thank you so much for your reviews. I'm so glad that I managed to pull you into the delights of AU stories. They make my life exciting and I hope that they do the same for you.
TheDeathMaiden, you are too amazing. Honestly, your reviews are so sweet. Just wow. Wow. You are one of the reasons this story exists. Without your early reviews, it never would have come to fruition. I am indebted to you.
Totallytwistedwords, I am still so glad you took the time on this story. Your review inspired me to keep going. I wouldn't have been able to do it otherwise. Thank you!
Deathb4beauty, thank you so much for your reviews. They have been amongst the kindest I have received. And thank you so much for being so kind as to offer constructive feedback too on the story. I know it can be difficult to do so, and I appreciate that you put it out there, because I learned from it. Thank you so much.
MistressInk, thank you so much for your review. It's one of the ones I really hold close, because I was so scared about writing Cas' character. He's such a tricky one, and it only became apparent to me around 8 chapters in that I had gotten myself into a bit of a pickle with writing from his POV! Your compliments kept me going.
DemonicAngel363, thank you for your sweet reviews. As one of the first people to tell me they loved Greg, you have a special place in my heart. And your suggestion that I lock Cas and Greg in a bedroom together until they worked it out gave me many hilarious hours of fantasy-chapter writing.
LoverDean, thank you so much for your review. You are such a sweetheart. You make me warm and gooey inside. Thank you thank you thank you.
Faby, you were so kind to leave me a review. And your compliments were so lovely. Your words made me feel more emotions than this story ever made you feel, I am positive (I burst into tears!)
Noben, yours was one of the reviews that really stuck with me, because it's inspired me to do more. Maybe not as a writer (I'm still like, uuuuuuh, what am I doing?), but I remember reading it and thinking, "you know what, I can do what I put my mind to!" It's been very inspiring in contemplating a career change. Thank you for that.
Ellie, you minx. I am so glad to have met you, my dear. Imagine if you had never wrote me, and we never went to AHBL, and taken that magnificent selfie and been retweeted by Corrin? Girl, I have so much to be thankful for because of you. You're so bright and wonderful, and I look forward to many more exciting snapchats, and partying it up at AHBL next year. What do you say to "Somebody to Love" by Queen for karaoke next year? I think we (well, mostly you, I could do backing vocals/embarrassing dancing) would rock it.
Big Empty, thank you so much for taking the time to read this story! I was absolutely not offended that you weren't sure about it. It only made me more delighted and more grateful to you that you had taken the time to read it. Your review utterly made my day.
TsonSA, thank you so much for your reviews! I am so so grateful. Your encouragement has meant a lot and has really buttressed my confidence. I am so thankful for you.
S.K.Y cyrus, your words were so sweet and sincere. Your review made me cry. I am serious. Thank you so much.
Sara-hold-the-h, I cried at your reviews. Seriously, they have been so wonderful. I cannot believe the kindnesses you have paid me. I treasure them most earnestly. Truly, as I said above, they have meant such an incredible amount to me. I can't even begin to describe how much.
Shanhons, I am so excited to have drawn you into the fanfic web! Your reviews have been so sweet, and I have been a little overwhelmed with your kindness. Thank you so very very much.
Meshelle, YOU are amazing! Not this story. This is just a story. Thank you so so much. It was such a delight to receive your review. It's so annoying on fanfiction that we can't send messages to people without accounts, and therefore offer thanks, but I hope you scroll down and read this! Thank you so much!
Powerfulweak, thank you so much for your review! I hope this is the happy ending you were hoping for! (If not, I shall just have to write fluffy heaven timestamps of Cas and Dean/Greg in heaven until you are satisfied )
Lesipiratecat, thank you so much for your reviews. I hope this is how you hoped things would go, or at least that you liked how they went Thank you so much.
CrossroadsLovely, I hope this happy ending made up for what I put you through! It was an honor to receive your review.