Warnings see chapter 1

Chapter 207 Grace

Cain looked at Dean. "Care to help out?" He pointed his blade at the wall.
Dean moved to the wall and touched the tip of the purgatory sword to the wall. To his surprise the blade went through the wall and stopped with the hilt sticking out. It was hard to pull out but it came out clean.
"It's time to open that grace, Dean. It could be our only chance at getting through." Cain stepped up to Dean and drew the demon knife from Dean's belt and held up his left arm.
"Okay, if you're sure." Dean looked Cain in the eye.
"He obviously knows we are here. Time to fight." Cain held the knife over the bulge in Dean's forearm.

Dean nodded and the knight cut deftly with the blade. The small vial dropped into Dean's right hand and Cain started healing Dean's arm. After a few seconds it was clear there was something wrong. Cain could only heal the wound a little. He had taken the pain away but the blood still flowed.
Cain frowned apologizing. "Sorry Dean, it wouldn't heal. Must have something to do with how it was healed before."
Ramiel stepped up with cloth cut from a shirt he was wearing and wrapped the wound so well it looked like he had it done in a hospital.
"I'll keep an eye on that bleeding." Ramiel stated with a pat to the bandage. "Inhaling that grace might help." He raised the vial of grace to Dean's face and popped the top. "Breathe in."
Dean took a big breath in and the silver stream flowed into his mouth. He instantly felt better realizing how ordinary he had been feeling before that.
"Right," he breathed. "Let's do this." He felt invigorated.
"Try the sword again." Asmodeus suggested.

Dean lifted the sword above his head and slashed the wall. Again the sword went through the wall and out.
"Okay, try punching with your fist." Ramiel encouraged.
Dean punched, it was like hitting a pillow. The wall wavered and made a crackling noise.
"We're close." Cain was back next to Dean. "How about smiting? You were made to take Michael so the ability should be in there. Since you have a small amount of grace you will have to channel it. Let's try your left hand since that arm carried the grace. Now, concentrate on pushing the grace from your body to your left fist."
Dean thought this would be hard so took a deep breath but his hand lit up as soon as he thought of pushing the grace there.
"Great start." Cain encouraged. "Have you seen Castiel smite anything?"
"Yes."
"So the power runs out of his hand when he touches it. Think explosion or the wall cracking. We don't need much room to get through."

Dean took the two steps to the wall and thought of Cas as he placed his hand on the wall and thought 'explode you bastard.' Instead of the wall exploding it disappeared altogether and Dean fell down across where the wall had been. Cain and Ramiel were quickly picking him up and dusting him off with big grins on their faces.
"Excellent." Said Ramiel. "We just have to find the next Enochian."
"And avoid getting bitten and spiked." Dean pointed at the Mandragora running towards them. "The wall must have come down in the middle of their territory." Dean raised his sword as he ran straight at the creatures, slashing with the sword.

They fought for the next hour on what was a northerly direction. Cain used his powers as well as Ramiel and Asmodeus with Dean clearing up anything they left behind that still had an appetite for their flesh. Eventually they stopped running but kept walking in the same direction. The group was quiet waiting for the next attack. Dean noticed the ground getting warmer and the vegetation thinning out.
"Ah, fellas. I think the areas changing again. It's getting hotter."
Over the next mile the ground changed so there were hot pools of what looked like pale red lava around which was extremely hot, black sand. There was fire in spots all over ,even where there was only sand to burn. It didn't bother the others in the group but Dean found it hard even though he had a little grace helping him out. The other desert had been oppressive in feel but this was more so with the fire stealing the air from the sky. Dean resolved to keep moving as the ground was so hot he could feel it though his boots and worried about them melting.
"Okay," Cain commanded, "Spread out and look for the Enochian. Stands to reason it will be here somewhere. Dean led the way."

They checked the sky, sand and lava puddles as they walked north. Dean sweated freely, annoyed that the others of the group walked along in their heavy coats like it was a summers day.
"Here, Dean." Asmodeus was at his elbow holding a cloth.
"Thanks." Dean went to take it knowing exactly what it was for but Asmodeus wrapped the cloth around his nose and mouth efficiently.
"You think me strange?"
"No." Dean was surprised he was talking to him. They hadn't exchanged many words.
"Ramiel says I look strange, in this suit." Asmodeus had dark skin and a sharp angular face that was free of hair on his head and face. He wore more armour protection than the others, having layers of leather all over his body reminding Dean of a gladiator, but looking more like Morpheus from the Matrix, although he wasn't telling Asmodeus that.
"Maybe, but it suits you. You're strong and don't take shit from anyone." Dean's voice was muffled behind the cloth so he had to speak up.
Asmodeus grinned. "You should see my true shelf: I have 4 heads, 6 wings and play a magic harp."
"Nice." Dean didn't know what else to say.
"Your suit suits you too." Asmodeus slapped Dean on the back and propelled him forward leaving Dean with a stunned look. 'What the hell does that mean?'

TBC