Chapter 10

Slowly blinking his eyes Raph turned around trying to get his bearing. He was nothing but his plastron and shell and the wound he gave himself was gone. He could still speak and breath like he did normally but he was in no pain. Looking around there was nothing but light. Something Raph didn't want he needed to be in the underworld where he would be face to face with Death to try and talk to him about the release of Leonardo but he would also be faced with the sins of his past. Raph wondered though with all the blood that stained his hands why was he standing in the light when he has taken many lives in his past thirty-four years on planet earth and on other planets in the universe.

"Hello Raphael."

Raph turned to see Castiel walking towards him.

"What gives I thought I would be in the underworld." Raph said.

"The man in charge doesn't think you belong there." Castiel said.

"But I did so many terrible things. The lives I have taken and the abuse I caused Leo that lead to all of this. Why would he think that I should be saved?" Raph asked.

"Because you know the difference between saying and feeling the sorrow and devastation you have brought. The moment you found out that pain and abuse you were giving towards Leo you fixed your ways. The lives you took during your time alive saved hundreds if not thousands. Yes it was done in ways that one should not do again but we also believe in forgiveness. You have punished yourself too much Raphael just as Leo did and that's something we need to stop." Castiel said.

"What do you need me to do?" Raph asked.

"Help us get Leonardo back." Castiel said.

"How? I've tried to go against these people in the past only to get my shell beaten." Raph explained.

"But you have been there and that is all that matters. We need your help to guide us through the maze of darkness and Shadow Men. We will give you tools to use to combat the powers you will face down there but only if you agree to help us get Leonardo and stop Shabriri from using him as a transference of power." Castiel said.

Raph nodded his head.

"My oldest brother died seventeen years ago I have to save my other brothers from the same fate." Raph said.

Castiel nodded his head, placing a hand on Raph's shoulder Raph glowed with a faint blue light that grew and grew until his body was completely engulf. Castiel stepped aside and nodded his head with a smile.


Looking down Raph saw he looked like he was dressed in the same armor he wore when he was transported to the future with his brothers but instead of sais he was carrying tow sheaths with just two handles and hilts stand out on either side. Raph pulled the one of his right out revealing it was a hilt and handle but was pure light with a sapphire set in the middle. The other blade was completely black with a ruby set in the middle instead.

"Light and darkness." Raph muttered.

"The blades will appear when the times comes for battle but for now it is time to rest. These are two treasures of the heavens and I hope you used them with great responsibility and care." Castiel said.

"Leo was the best at sword wielding but I think I can manage." Raph said replacing the handle back into the sheath.

"We are leaving soon. A team has been made and soon we will be departing to the underworld. Take time to process everything." Castiel said.

Castiel turned and reached out into thin air. The sound of a knob turning and then the creaking of a door opening told Raph that everything he knew was changing.

Looking around Raph grabbed the handle of both swords he was gifted. Looking down he smiled a bit looking at the gems inside the hilt. Red and blue two blades forged of two different materials to be used by one person.

"I'm coming for you Leo." Raph said staring into the air.

Ten minutes later the same door Castiel walked through opened showing a hallway with many different doors just like his own. Raph walked out and looked around, there was no one here and the door themselves have no door knobs just blank white doors each with a name on them.

"Let's go." Castiel said appearing behind Raph.

"Where's my father's door?" Raph asked.

"Not here he's in a different section of heaven but you need to focus because we are about to depart." Castiel said.

"Understood." Raph said.

Following Castiel Raph looked at each name on the doors walking past his own door Raph stared at the three beside his own but they had no name. written on them.

"Are they for my brothers?" Raph asked.

Castiel nodded.

"Since Leo stayed in the underworld his soul never reached here. Maybe one day he will come and join you." Castiel said.

"I hope so too." Raph said staring at the door right next to his own.

Walking for a while Raph was greeted by other people Castiel explained were other angels that were coming with them to the underworld.

It was going to be a team of four other including himself and Raph. Zachriel would be coming as well but he would be in his adult form and one other person they called Ariel would be coming as well. Ariel was the leader in the team and was talking with the boss about the plan. Castiel reminded everyone that they would be entering the enemy's world with no way back. If they died there then they would never return back to heaven to be restored to their original forms. They would be lucky if they died a painless death. Raph explained who each king was to the team when Ariel finished her meeting. Ariel looked a bit like April but she had long brown hair pulled back into a loose ponytail that she was currently tying up. She was wearing a pale grey business suit. Zachriel was the same just taller and shorted hair.


"Let's go." Castiel said.

"How do we get there?" Raph asked.

"Through the gates then we will be on our own. Let the light within never diminish when we get there. That will be our only saving grace if we want to get out of there alive." Ariel said.

"Through the gates? But only souls needed for judgement can pass through them." Raph said.

"Bribing the ferry boat captain can help as well." Zachriel said.

"How do you do that?" Raph asked.

Out of thin air Castiel opened his hand and handed Raph eight golden drachma.

"What are these?" Raph asked.

"Charon only accepts drachma to cross without the need of a soul or bargain with one of the kings." Castiel explained.

"Charon?" Raph asked.

"The man you saw ferrying you across the sea of lost souls." Zachriel explained.

"Hold on and close your eyes. You'll get a headache if you don't." Castiel said placing a hand on Raph's shoulder.

The moment Raph felt Castiel's hand on his shoulder and closed his eyes. The light atmosphere turned heavy. Blinking his eyes a few times he turned to see he was standing on the edge of a cliff with the ferry captain he faced before.

"Hello Charon." Castiel said.

"What brings people from the land of above here today?" Charon asked.

"We need safe passage across the sea." Ariel explained.

"Why would I bring angels and a soul into the underworld without your souls covered in sins?" Charon asked.

Zachriel motioned his head for Raph towards Charon.

Raph nodded his head and walked over dropping the drachma into Charon's hand.

Charon looked at the coins then nodded his head motioning to his boat.

Once everyone was in the boat Charon handed Ariel the lantern then used his wood pole to push off the ledge.

Just like his first journey to the underworld the sea of the dead tried to climb onto the boat. Only the lantern's light stopped and burned the hands and faces of those that tried to board. Once brought to shore Ariel handed the lantern back to Charon. Charon nodded his head then turned to stare back into the sea.

"He will be here when we return." Zachriel stated placing a hand on Raph's shoulder and ushering him into the city.

"How do we get to the throne room?" Castiel asked.

"The twins brought us after talking to Diablo and meeting the Shadow Men." Raph explained.

"So, you are telling me that you know nothing about how to confront Death?" Ariel asked trying to hold her voice back.

"Yes, I never once told you I knew the way through the city I just came here with my family and we were guided by the twins." Raph explained.

"But you never denied it!" Ariel stated getting angrier and angrier.

"Ariel please." Castiel pleaded

"No Castiel I had to talk father into letting us take him with us. I had to beg on my hands and knees to negotiate his soul to be placed in heaven and bypass all the others that needed to be sorted and placed. I thought we needed him to stop the worlds from being ripped opened but I guess we didn't. This is on you Castiel for believing in this creature instead of your own kind." Ariel yelled.


The sound of growling caught everyone's attention.

"Great the hell hounds know we are here." Raph said.

Pulling out their weapons Raph reached for one of the swords handles when Castiel stopped him.

"Not the time let us fight them." Castiel stated.

Each angel pulled up blades tinted with silver and blue, long elegant blades with no design but basic handles.

"Here they come." Zachriel said as the growling grew louder and louder.

Pushing Raph towards the back Zachriel, Ariel, and Castiel readied themselves for an assault from the underworld. The ground under their feet trembled and vibrated as five hell hounds ran towards the ground, fire grew stronger and bigger in their mouths. Behind them was someone Raph knew all to well.

"Kei." Raph muttered.

"Hello Raphael." Kei said pushing her hair back.

"Thought you would still be recovering." Raph said.

"Well father was very upset when his men returned covered in burns and was even more upset when Kage and I returned like that as well so he made sure we got the full treatment to recover our bodies first." Kei explained smiling ear to ear.

The hell hounds just three feet from the group jumping and nipping at the air stared down the group.

"What do you want?" Ariel asked.

"Beyond your eternal suffering. I actually need your help with something for once. You're lucky that my hounds found you first instead of Rapha and his men." Kei said.

"Where's your brother he's never far from you." Castiel said.

Kei placed her hand on her chest.

"We were always one person split into two." Kei stated.

"So, Death bonded the two of you together again. Why?" Ariel asked.

Kei shrugged her shoulders.

"Don't know didn't ask. Anyway, want to help the child of Death or not?" Kei asked.

"What do you want now?" Raph asked.

"Help. The seal has been coming undone and everyone has been battling those that are being corrupt with the unspoken one's power. We need people that can't be turned by his aura to fight those that are trying to stop the ritual to reseal his power." Kei said.

"Where's the boy?" Castiel asked.

"Resting with Shabriri they need to be at full strength to become one as well." Kei answered.

Raph went to reply but was stopped by a strong hand of Zachriel on his chest shaking no.

"We came to help with the problem of the underworld anyway. We want Yoake to remained sealed as well. We agree to your proposition if you allow us safe passage from here on until we leave to go back to heaven once we cross the sea of the dead." Ariel said.

"A very detailed agreement nothing less from one of the top commanders of heaven but so be it. Come and let it be done that you will not be harmed so long as you help with the resealing of Yoake." Kei said walking over and reaching out her hand.

Ariel grasped it as chains appeared wrapping their forearms together. Ariel and Kei released their grip on each other. Two locks appeared on the palm of their hand.

"A deal has been broker now let us go." Kei said.

With Kei leading and the hellhounds behind her the team of Ariel, Zachriel, Castiel, and Raph walked into the city. Raph fuming with anger at the possibility that Leonardo would become a sacrifice to stopping the return of Yoake. Wondering why Castiel is as calm as he is about his own son becoming nothing but a power conduit to help Shabriri reseal the door.


Raph reached out to tug on Castiel's shoulder when the group stopped at the opening of the throne room. Everyone except Shabriri was there presiding over the court. The court room that once was a place of judgement was a war room. A shadow man representing Rapha was there while Diablo with Black Dog sat listening to Death dictate what is to come. Turning towards the opening where everyone was standing Death motioned over with Kei dismissing the hell hounds.

"Hello daughter due tell me why have you brought beings from above here." Death asked.

"A deal was broker and they are here to stop the unsealing so Master Shabriri can reseal it." Kei said.

"I see." Diablo said fixing his suit and his hat.

"Well at least we don't have to keep throwing Shadow Men into the fight now." Diablo said.

"Now do we know you aren't just here for the boy?" Death asked.

Kei showed Death her hand placing his boney finger on the lock everyone turned as Ariel uttered a sound of pain as she fell to her knees clutching the hand that was engraved with the lock.

"That's how I know they won't interfere." Kei said.

Zachriel helped Ariel up still supporting her in his arms.

Every stared as the kings went back to discussion.

"When is Rapha coming?" Castiel asked.

"He's not. Can't leave his home only we can go to him. This Shadow Man is connected to him so he knows what we are doing and can put is input on the plan for now we must delay the door from opening so Shabriri and Leonardo can become one." Death said.

"Where is Shabriri and Leonardo?" Castiel asked.

"Resting that's all you need to know." Death answered.

Looking up Raph could see a raven with its eyes the same as Shabriri. As Raph made eye contact with the bird it flew away. Raph tapped Castiel on the shoulder then pointed to the bird. Castiel nodded his head.

"We will leave you to your business then." Castiel said.

"Don't worry no harm will come to you since you made an agreement with my child." Death said.

"Understood." Castiel said.

Helping Zachriel everyone exited the throne room placing Ariel down onto the floor.

"What happened?" Castiel asked.

Ariel pulling her shirt apart showed the chains that once were attached to her arm were now layer across her chest.

"It felt like my wings were being slowly pulled apart." Ariel said.

"Is this why you choose to take the deal?" Zachriel whispered.

Ariel chuckled.

"I was never going to make it back. We need to get the boy out of here." Ariel said.

"We can't leave you here." Raph said.

"Not your call. I've already been corrupted by this world I doubt father will take me back." Ariel said.

Raph shook his head.

"You're coming back with us whether I have to carry you or not out of here." Raph said.

"Just try to." Ariel joked.

Standing up on shaky feet Ariel breathed in and out before looking a bit better than before.

"Why are we here?" Castiel asked.

"Shabriri is watching us. If we follow the raven it might lead us to him and to Leonardo." Raph said.

"Then let's get going." Zachriel said.


With Raph leading and scanning the sky above the group followed the raven. After what felt like twenty minutes the group stopped at the edge of a building. Staring out towards where the raven was sitting perched on a tree underneath the leafless tree sat Shabriri leaning his back against the tree with both eyes closed. Laying on Shabriri's lap was Leonardo still asleep as he was after talking with Castiel.

"How do we get him?" Raph asked.

"Not with those birds near they'll alert everyone we are here." Ariel said.

"I'll go." Raph said.

Castiel grabbed Raph by the arm and held him with most of his strength.

"Why you? Any one of us should go you are the only one that needs to get out of here alive." Castiel whispered in an urgent tone.

"Because he is my brother and this is between family." Raph said.

"Your brother died years ago. This creature isn't him." Zachriel stated.

Raph shook his head.

"I wasn't talking about Shabriri." Raph said.

Castiel let go of Raph's arm and nodded his head.

"Just be careful we know the poison that is killing your younger brothers can destroy your soul as well." Castiel said.

"Just stay here so I don't have to worry." Raph said.

Walking out of the alleyway Raph pulled out the two sword handles and placed them into each hand. The ravens on the tree flew away as Shabriri opened his eye and turned towards Raph. Placing the boy against the tree Shabriri summoned his weapon from the shadows themselves and pointed it towards Raph.

"This has to stop Shabriri. It is going to be you or me." Raph said.

Shabriri turned his head looking at the boy then back at Raph.

"This ends now." Raph yelled getting into his battle stance.

As he did two blades appeared from the hilts. An elegant black blade emerged from the black handle the shadows that once didn't want to come near someone as pure and light as Raph gravitated and grew into the blade. The shadows poured off as darkness created and fell off the blade. On the other side emerged a blade that shined like the sun itself. The darkness of the underworld fled as quickly as it could to get away from the orange yellow blade.

Shabriri lowered his head and walked closer to Raph taking his blade into two hands. Nodding their heads, the two warriors charged at each other. Never one stopping from their goal, Raph to save Leonardo from becoming nothing but a power conduit and Shabriri, who was trying to stop the unsealing of a mad man who would destroy each world to get his revenge.