Chapter Fifteen
Kingsword
December 17, 2009
Crowley heard the ultimatum and shut his eyes. It hung in the air like poison, and no one spoke for several moments. He knew if nothing else, Azrial was good for her word. So this was how he'd die? That was disappointing, but he knew his death would see Azrial slaughtering Lucifer in retaliation. He was still under her protection, but it had been a long time since they'd had a formal agreement like the one that now existed between Azrial and the Winchesters. So he'd take that small win and simply deny Lucifer the pleasure of seeing how much he was suffering. The bastard could slowly purify him until nothing was left, and at this point, he'd bite his tongue off out of spite.
"You ain't coming near my brother, you bastard! Leave us out of your damn family feud, we could care less what happens to Crowley."
Dean's voice held nothing but contempt, and Crowley wished he had the energy to roll his eyes. As a sharp burst of grace viciously snapped through his body though, all he could do was bite his tongue to stop from screaming again. Couldn't the bastard just mutilate him like a normal person?
"Well that makes two of us, doesn't it Dean? I want a vessel, Azrial, or I'm going to splatter the worst choice you've ever made all over Hell's throne room."
Great, now he was being reduced to a choice? Not even vermin? How insulting. He lifted his gaze to see Azrial's reaction and was surprised at how defeated she looked. Her eyes shut for a moment and seemed lost in thought. After a moment she spread her arms and opened her eyes speaking quietly, "Then take mine."
What?
Crowley couldn't comprehend what Azrial had just offered, and given the strangled sound from Castiel neither could anyone else. He even felt Lucifer's grip loosen slightly at the confidence in Azrial's voice.
"Sister, no demon is-"
"Bite your tongue, Castiel," Azrial snapped, and Crowley could practically feel the anger dripping off her voice. "and remember your place."
Azrial asked Lucifer again and this time it was colder,
"Do we have a deal?"
"Now why would I want your soiled vessel when Sam is standing right there?"
Azrial sighed, and she gave Lucifer a look that clearly showed how little she thought of him for asking that question.
"It's a soulless vessel, Lucifer."
Several seconds of silence followed her words, and Lucifer gave a sharp laugh.
"And all this for him?" Crowley growled slightly as his jaw was yanked so he was forced to look directly at Azrial.
"Do we have a deal?"
The question was repeated once more, but Lucifer just hummed and for the first time spoke directly to him.
"You must feel special, puppy."
Crowley wanted to rip Lucifer's vocal cords out in retaliation for that comment, but remained silent at the inflammatory question. Azrial's stance was relaxed, as if she'd suddenly come up with some grand idea to get them all out of here in one piece. It wasn't likely, but one could hope.
"Going once."
Azrial's voice was harsher, and Crowley wondered if Lucifer was actually going to consider it.
"It's a bit," Lucifer paused and Crowley could hear the disgust in his voice, "dirty."
"Going twice."
Now there was a bit of annoyance in Azrial's voice. Lucifer hummed and continued to voice his thoughts. "Then again, I could still start this lovely apocalypse on a high note."
"Final offer."
Lucifer sighed dramatically, and his grip loosened even more as he spoke, "Well, you drive a hard bargain. This is your eviction notice, Azrial. Scat and I'll let the traitor go."
A strange smile lit up Azrial's face, and Crowley swore he should know why it looked so familiar.
"Well, seems I'll have to pass on that drink."
Those words had Crowley locking eyes with Azrial, and there was a knowing look in her cobalt eyes. Suddenly he could hear the slightest whisper in his mind as he watched her lips move silently, Do I have your permission?
Permission? Why the bloody hell would she need-?
It hit him like a well-aimed flask of holy water just as Lucifer asked, "Did you say something Azrial?"
"Yes."
Crowley's one-word answer had a predatory smile filling Azrial's features and she fled her vessel without any warning. Lucifer's hand almost loosened completely in surprise and Crowley swore this may be the stupidest thing he'd ever done as Azrial's grace slammed into his body.
Line Break
It was strange, how time inside your head could run slower than that in the real world. Crowley looked around the area curiously. He stood near a moonlit lake surrounded by lush green grass in every direction. A mess of silver and black shadow stood in the middle of the water, floating there and causing soft ripples on the water's surface. There were two distinct silver orbs staring back at him, and despite himself, Crowley relaxed slightly.
Azrial's voice spoke softly after a few moments, "I must look ridiculous."
The mess of light seemed to be trying to take a more distinct form, but the most it could do was look vaguely like a woman with a distinct curve to its form. Azrial gave an aggravated sigh and added, "My form can't seem to settle in your mind. For a human, I'd look like my vessel, but I guess you had to be special didn't you?"
Crowley snorted, but could admit this was an interesting development. He'd half expected her to burn him out by jumping in his vessel, but instead her power seemed to settle around his own like a curtain.
Or a shield, he realized in a moment of clarity.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do more."
Her voice sounded strangely sad, and for a moment Crowley could feel her emotions. It was gone a second later, and Crowley finally thought to respond.
"It doesn't matter."
Azrial hummed, and soon their attention turned outward, the moment lost as they faced-off with an absolutely livid archangel.
Line Break
For a moment, there was pure chaos in the clearing. No one understood what had just happened, and then six wings tore open the back of Crowley's suit and sent Lucifer skidding back in shock. The demon vanished and then appeared in front of the humans with an easy smirk directed at Lucifer. The smirk was a mix of the two beings in the body as it moved flawlessly between the two. The wings stretched slightly as if to shield the humans behind Crowley without having to exert a lot of effort.
"Oh, your face," Crowley's voice held more amusement than it would have a moment ago, "You look shocked, Lucifer."
The direct address caused the archangel to glower, and Crowley's smirk never faltered. His red eyes were tinged with silver as he didn't look away from Lucifer's furious gaze,
"You lying bitch! We had a deal!"
Crowley, no Azrial, shrugged as Crowley pulled his lips into a predatory smile. Lucifer watched the synchronization with disgust as the being gave a dismissive wave toward the now kneeling and empty vessel.
"And a deal's a deal. Please enjoy your new vessel."
Lucifer scowled at the being, who simply raised an eyebrow as the archangel began throwing a tantrum.
"How could you, Azrial? He's a demon, where is your pride?"
The demands were practically screeched, and the being chuckled as black wings settled against their torn suit. Their? Yes, for now, that sounded right. The body was going back and forth at such a rapid pace it was hard to say where one began and another ended without pulling more control.
"It doesn't matter," they began. "You wouldn't have kept your word, so I simply guaranteed you had to."
Lucifer scowled, and for a moment silver tinted red eyes were devoured by the angelic color and it was clear Azrial was at the surface. Their voice dropped to a venomous whisper.
"Now why don't you take your new vessel, and get the hell out of my sight, Lucifer?"
The threat hung in the air as the eyes once more became a mix of colors, and Lucifer growled in anger. They weren't sure if Lucifer would choose to fight more, but suddenly the archangel fled his rotting vessel in favor of the one kneeling on the ground.
"What the hell have you done? He's going to kill all of us the moment he's on his feet!"
They chuckled at Sam's terrified question, and simply gestured toward the vessel in a clear indication to watch. Lucifer's grace tried to enter the vessel only for it to ricochet off. It was as if a barrier was around it and the fallen angel couldn't penetrate it. Lucifer fled back to his original vessel. The moment Lucifer's eyes opened they were the color of a burning sun.
"Didn't I mention my vessel had a strict height requirement? What a silly angel I am. Turns out it's just as picky as one with a soul." They simpered, grinning at Lucifer.
Lucifer got to his feet and looked murderously at them. It was clear the Fallen angel would give anything to kill them in that moment. Somehow that wasn't as concerning as it may have been had they been standing alone. For now, there was a strange sense of invincibility. Like nothing could touch them if they didn't allow it.
After all, how did you handle the strength of both a powerful demon and an archangel?
"You brought this on yourself, Azrial. I always thought you were smart enough to stay out of this."
Lucifer's snarled words had Crowley pushing Azrial aside for a moment. The demon's red eyes started hatefully back at the archangel as he cooly responded.
"Azrial can't come to the phone right now, can I take a message?"
The condescending response caused the furious archangel to growl back, "Yeah, tell my slut of a sister I hope this fucks up dear old Dad's agreement with Death."
Fuck.
The single word was the last thing to go through their connected mind as Azrial fled his body. Crowley could barely process what was going on as Azrial's grace ripped itself from his body. He could feel small parts remain behind as his demonic aura stubbornly clung to the power source that had been protecting it. He stumbled as the weight of the wings disappeared with the archangel. His mouth went dry when he lifted his head to see what caused her to jump ship.
Lucifer's arm was outstretched, a glowing angel blade flying through the air.
Azrial's grace slammed into her kneeling vessel, and in what felt like slow motion the blade embedded dead center into her chest at the same time.
All Crowley could do was stare as the sound of metal shattering filled the air. For a moment nothing moved in the clearing as the snow continued to fall around them. Lucifer looked shocked, and Crowley realized numbly the bastard hadn't expected this outcome.
Azrial fell to the side her body sprawled against the snow as her form curled in on itself in pain. Crowley couldn't get his body to move as blood drenched through the back of her white shirt, turning the already ruined piece of fabric into a sickening brownish-red color. The snow around her was quickly soaking up the copious amount of blood as Lucifer took several steps back.
"No. That wasn't- she wasn't there- this wasn't what I wanted."
Lucifer's voice sounded slightly crazed, yet somehow apologetic, but Crowley couldn't pull his eyes away from the sight in front of him. Why did it feel like he couldn't breathe? Azrial was fine.
Angels died flashy after all.
But angels can die slowly, a voice whispered poisonously in the back of his head. It almost sounded like Alister, and Crowley swallowed thickly at the thought. He could still feel parts of Azrial's grace thrumming through his body as Lucifer's voice went from dementedly apologetic to murderous as he shouted,
"This is your fault! I'll kill you for this Crowley!"
Crowley didn't respond, but he heard the sound of wings that signaled an angel leaving the area. He barely processed the threat to his life as he rushed forward to the body lying in the snow. There was arguing behind him, but he couldn't make out a word of it as he knelt down to check on the archangel.
There was so much blood.
He'd never been so worried about blood before.
A/N: There is artwork for this chapter! Check out the chapter on Ao3 under the name CassandraRose to check it out.
