The Supernatural mummy – Part IIb
Ooo Moments earlier ooo
Sam was happy to say he and Cas were going along rather well. Both intellectual they threw ideas at each other and progressed really well this way. It was strange however to have Cas watch over him as Dean would.
"You don't have to do that you know," finally mentioned Sam.
Cas had just taken it upon himself to retrieve a book that Sam had requested from one of the museum's worker's hands. He didn't let anyone but himself and his brethren near Sam.
"Dean cares about you," simply replied Cas.
Well, if Sam wondered what Dean felt about Cas, it was clear Cas' feelings for Dean went beyond friendship. He wasn't sure the Madjai had noticed, but it seemed pretty obvious to Sam. He wished him good luck. Dean could be thickheaded when he wanted to and he had a feeling Dean wasn't going to want to notice anything anytime soon.
Then came the question of how Dean would react. He was always running after skirts but Sam knew for a fact he was also quite partial to men. He remembered a guy Dean had been rather close to at one of the few schools they had stayed long enough at to make links. They had been close buddy, Dean even bringing him to their motel a few times. That's when he had walked on them kissing. Dean had made him swear not to say a word to Dad. When they had left a few days later, Dean had sulked for a while. Ever since Sam didn't know of any men.
Dean was obviously bi, liking both women and men. Still, he wondered sometimes if Dean wasn't courting only girls because it was easier for him to sleep and ditch. As if being with a man was more intimate and harder to dismiss for him. As if with a man he was scared of growing attached, after all his strongest emotional relationship had been with men. Of course a few girls had been exception, leaving Dean a bit scared. That tended to happen when one was bi.
As he shook those thoughts away and went back to his reading, his eyes widened. There! This looked like a very promising lead on how to send Lucifer back to his previous state of sleeping undead.
"Cas!" he called a bit excitedly.
Cas had barely time to skim over the book that the door slammed open. Gordon, looking dirty, launched at Sam only to have Cas stepping calmly in his path.
"Move! It's all that little shit's fault!" yelled Gordon.
Anna and the other Madjai present gathered behind Gordon, curious.
"What happened?" asked Sam.
"Where are my brethren," wondered Cas.
"Dead! Only Virgil made it! Brady is fucking dead sucked up by that walking nightmare!" explained Gordon, on the verge of hysteric.
Sam noticed the barely there tremor that passed through Cas as he heard of his brethren death. Guilt crushed him heavily. Shoulders slumping he put his hand on Cas's shoulder, as much in support for his lost, as to tell him to let Gordon be. Cas didn't move an inch.
Uriel entered the room, all eyes going to him. He looked between Sam and Gordon, noticing the tension. His mouthed thinned as he noticed Castiel obviously on Sam's side. Shaking his head in irritation, he strolled in.
"We know why Lucifer wants Sam," he informed.
Sam felt hope and dread soar at the same time in him. Finally they had a break through! And with his lead maybe the situation would finally be hopeful!
"If Lucifer, once fully regenerated, is to consume the one that who woke him, he will become truly and forever immortal. Not even the power of the Gods will be able to stop him. Thus is the curse of the one to wake Lucifer, it was made so that no one would think of raising him since it meant their death," he explained.
Sam sucked in a breath as he saw Gordon's eyes narrow on him, murderous intent clear there. He was in deep. But he might have the solution.
"That's bad news," he agreed, "but I think we just found how to stop Lucifer. They say here the book of Amon-Ra can make him mortal again!"
"It will be too late; there are only two of us left. We have to kill him," stated Gordon, suddenly eerily calm.
"This won't stop Lucifer from consuming him," argued Cas, once again stepping in front of Sam.
It was kinda nice knowing he wasn't all alone in this. Already Sam was looking for the nearest exist and way to contact Dean. Even if Cas managed to change their mind, it was now far too risky to stay. He watched Anna leave and hoped that she was going for help to calm this explosive situation down.
"At least it will buy us time. I say we kill, burn him and scatter his remains," requested Gordon, looking righteous in his belief.
"I will not allow that," growled Cas, his voice dangerous.
From behind his back, Cas gave him a sign, telling him to get out. Sam wanted to protest but he couldn't refuse such an opportunity. He had to get away and get Dean.
"Castiel!" reprimand Uriel, "why are you taking his side? Gordon's plan could work."
"It is an unnecessary casualty. We should concentrate on finding the book of Amon-Ra," reasoned Cas.
Furry flitted on Uriel's face at those words. Sam used the distraction for their quarrel to grab the book speaking of the golden book. This was their sole hope. Slowly he made his way to the door at the back.
"Castiel, nothing is more important than our mission, don't you have faith anymore?" pleaded Uriel.
He reached for his brethren, his arms open in invitation, in request for Castiel to see sense and come back to them. It was heartbreaking to see Castiel hesitate visibly torn, looking at Uriel with the affection one would have for a brother, before slowly, deliberately shaking his head. As his decision was made Castiel whole posture changed, he stood straighter and ready to fight. Uriel face distorted in anger and pain before, he too, erased all feelings.
"So be it," he snapped.
Then they were fighting. The other Madjai didn't move. Uriel got Castiel in the face opening a gash on his nose and busting his lower lip. He was far more assured than his brethren, it was clear Castiel didn't want to fight him, was still doubting his choice. Yet he pushed him violently on the chest, sending him flying backward. He didn't pursuit the attack however and that was his mistake, Uriel was on him again, knowing the breath out of his lungs with a knee to the stomach. Castiel collapsed on his knees, blood tickled from his nose and lip, blue-eyes wide, unbelieving it had all come to that.
"Uriel," he gasped as the latter grabbed his hair and yanked his head back.
His hold became almost soft in Castiel's hair as he poised his other fist to punch. Sam cursed, ready to bolt and help Cas when a hand closed on his shoulder, almost crushing the bone there. Zachariah had just entered from the only exit possible. They were so fucked.
"That is unbefitting of you Castiel to be so attached to those mongrels," he tusked, "take him, I believe our brethren needs a little reminding of what exactly is our mission," he ordered the Madjai present in the room.
They took an unresisting Castiel by the arms. Sam briefly closed his eyes.
"Uriel, secure Dean Winchester," requested Zachariah before turning to Gordon, "as for your idea, I do believe we need to buy some time."
ooo Now ooo
Dean woke up with a headache worth any hangover. He grunted as he picked himself up from the floor. He had been locked in a bare room with no windows. Wonderful. But there was a door. And a chair. And his brother on it. Reading a book.
"Sam?" he called, despite the pounding in his head.
"Yeah, how's your head?" asked Sam without lifting his gaze from his book.
"Fine," mumbled Dean, "what happened?"
"They decided to roast me?"
"What?"
Once the situation explained to him, it was even clearer they had to get out. Fast. He wouldn't let one of those son of bitches kill his little brother damnit! Slowly but surely Dean began to map the room, knocking on all the walls to see if there was a place softer, or a secret passage or something. No such luck. Then he began trying to pick the lock with anything he had, then he tried to force the door open to no avail.
Finally he kicked Sam of his chair, Letting him read his book to try and locate the golden one of Amon-Ra on the floor. Armed with it he was taking momentum to smash it as hard as possible against the door, when said door opened. He cursed as he barely managed to stop himself. He tumbled a bit, managed to gather himself and was met with Cas' calm gaze.
Cas looked at him then at the chair. His lips didn't even twitch; Dean gave him a crooked smile. He wouldn't admit to the relief that washed over him at knowing he was mostly safe. Cas had obviously taken a beating, his nose had a red mark on it and was slightly puffed. His lower lip was still bleeding, the wound certainly opening each time he so much as breathed.
"Man… what happened?" he asked.
He let Cas enter and close the door behind him. Maybe it was safer this way? A warning bell rang in his head but he chose to ignore it.
"I was shown my place," replied Cas.
"Oh… that sucks man, I'm sorry, but we don't have time, Sam here has an idea on where the Amon-Ra book is, we have to get going," urged Dean.
Blue-eyes stared at him but they lacked the usual wonder and intensity they had during their usual staring. Dean resisted the urge to grab Cas and use a tissue to press on his wounds. Something was wrong. Why wasn't he helping them? He had stood by Sam earlier, he was Dean's friend… he wasn't going to turn on them because of a reprimand from his boss right?
"You're not to leave this room."
Or maybe he was.
"God damnit Cas!" exclaimed Dean, furious, "get your pretty head right and help us get out!" he growled.
"Why should I?" asked Cas, his voice barely defiant.
"Are you seriously telling me you're buying your brethren's crap now?"
Dean was rolling his eyes. His hands were clenching and unclenching on the chair, to calm himself or maybe in anticipation to slamming it on Cas' head.
"This is the only way to stop Lucifer," assured the Madjai.
"Oh yeah sure, so let's kill Sammy for it just to buy time! You said yourself it wasn't going to change much!"
"Some sacrifices are necessary"
Dean grabbed Cas by his black outfit, they were now nose to nose. He saw the flinch in Cas' tense, but didn't relent. Cas gripped his wrists and lowered his hands forcefully, before stepping away.
"We will come for Sam in an hour. I suggest you say your goodbyes"
At that Dean became white as a sheet. Briefly he glanced to Sam, trying to stomp on his panic to let Sam know that everything would be ok, that he would make Cas see sense. Sam gazed back at him with calm, silently telling him everything would work out, that he trusted him.
When he reported his attention on Cas, the latter had his back to him, ready to leave but Dean yanked him by the shoulder, forcing him to turn back, facing him. That only gave him hope. Cas had allowed it, Dean wasn't stupid, he knew that Cas wouldn't have bulged otherwise. It meant he was ready to listen, ready to have Dean talk him out of this.
"Don't give me that crap, that's not you! When Andy was attacked you brought Gordon, Brady and Crowley to safety then you fucking came back! You didn't have but you did! You told me you valued people life! You know right and wrong Cas and this is wrong!"
Dean looked adamantly in Cas' eyes, searching them to see if his feelings had made it through. He was met with a dark unreadable blue. They stared at each other for a few minutes and finally Cas spun around and left without another word.
"You son of a bitch!" yelled Dean, kicking the door in frustration.
ooo
Sam closed his book. He would learn nothing more here. But at least now he knew where to look. There was a big stone in the Museum carved with antique text that described where the books were. The Bembridge scholars said the golden book of Amun-Ra was inside the statue of Anubis. But that's where they had found the black book, so that meant they mixed the books up. Now they had to go read it to know the truth.
If they managed to leave this room that is.
Dean was still cursing under his breath. Using remains of the chair, which had shattered long ago after being restlessly slammed against a door that wouldn't break, to try and pick the lock. You had to give him credit for his perseverance. But then Dean was nothing but stubborn.
And Sam was nothing if hopeful. He had a feeling Castiel was coming back for them. It was impossible Dean's words hadn't reached him. Whatever had been done to him wouldn't keep him from Dean long. Especially since Dean shared his feelings, at least partly. He had rarely seen Dean take to someone so easily. He seemed to trust him, sometimes without even meaning to. And he was forgiving, which was unprecedented. That was usually reserved for family. Cheery on the cake? Dean hadn't even tried to beat him to a pulp, no, he had taken time to talk, actually talk, to the guy.
He had seen that passive aggressiveness Dean had been exhibiting toward Cas. That could only be explained by deeper feelings that his brother would admit. He was so pissed because he was attracted to Cas, because he trusted and liked him. Which made the betrayal even more biting, and hope even more painful.
"Damnit Cas, you ass," grumbled Dean, banging his head on the door, eyes closed.
Did Sam mention just how obsessed Dean was with the guy? If he wasn't certain he would be punched for it, Sam would joke about Dean's boyfriend coming back for them. As if on cue the door opened and Cas entered.
Dean was opening his mouth to yell but Cas slammed his hand on it, shaking his head. It didn't even take a second for Dean to nod his understanding. Sam smiled; he knew Dean had believed in Cas coming back. And here they were eye-fucking each other.
"Cas," called Sam, clearing his throat, "we need to go at the 3rd floor. There is a stone there that will tell us where Amun-Ra's book is located."
"I understand"
Dean manly patted Cas on the shoulder, approving. Slowly they crept out of the room. At the door two Madjai guards were laying motionless. Sam felt bad about that, Cas had just betrayed his own people for them, maybe even killed them to help. He had to be feeling like shit. Sam knew the feeling; lately he hadn't been the poster boy for happy feelings either.
As they passed through a deserted room where a banquet was visibly to be held, Sam narrowed his eyes at his brother as he stuffed himself with food. Dean mouthed a "what?" full of food and Sam had to resisted facepalming. He nearly lost it as Dean snatched a glass of wine and drank… only to spat it out immediately.
"Oh fuck that tasted like blood," he hissed.
Cas froze on the spot, took a glass, tasted it, made a face. Sam immediately did the same and indeed it was blood. It was one of the first Egyptian plagues. This meant Lucifer was here. They hurried up the stairs, meeting no-one which was a bad sign since their escape must have been noticed by now… excepted if they were busy with something else.
He had spoken too soon. In front of them were two Madjai, one of them being Uriel. Cas tensed, his blade sliding easily in his hand.
"Please, I do not wish to fight you. Let us pass. We are trying to stop this madness," begged Cas.
"Castiel, you brought this upon yourself," replied Uriel before drawing his sword too.
Sam and Dean were powerless as the two Madjai started circling Cas. Visibly they weren't worth attention. Not that they were wrong, they had no weapons and didn't have the training. Still they were ready to jump in if necessary, to at least buy Cas some time. Dean was so tense next to him, Sam could only sympathize.
Cas evaded a blade aimed to his stomach and knocked the lower part of his palm against Uriel's chin. The latter toppled, cursing. In a gracious movement Cas was behind him, using his body to shield himself from his other opponent. Uriel hissed as there brethren's sword dug sharply into his side. Cas let him go, throwing him into the other man, and used that opportunity to pierce them both with his sword. The blade passed first through Uriel's throat then continued forward and got the other one in the lung.
"Forgive me," whispered Cas.
Gently he pulled his sword out, wiped it on his clothes and turned to Sam and Dean.
"Let's get going."
They both did so without a word. Sam didn't even dare look at the two bodies. Dean better appreciate what Cas was doing for them. Sam felt awful but this was Cas' choice. Sam was going to do his best to stop Lucifer to repay that dedication.
As they reached the stone, loud noise coming from outside, suspiciously sounding like "Lucifer, Lucifer" said in loop, made them peek out. Sam gulped. A huge crowd of people had gathered, looking brainwashed and full of sores. The last plague. That really couldn't be good. All those poor people in this state all because of him. If only he hadn't listened to Ruby, this could have been avoided. Why did he have to be so stupid.
"Sam," called Dean, his hand resting on his shoulder in comfort.
Right. Focusing. He had started it, he would end it. The stone was right under his nose, he had to decipher it then they would have to get the book. He hoped the Madjai were doing ok at protecting Gordon and Crowley. Cas was helping him read, starting for the bottom and other side of the stone.
"Er guys, they broke the door and they are coming," urged Dean.
He had to be feeling naked without weapons. Sam felt it too. He lifted an eyebrow as he saw Dean bent over Cas, their body fully touching, steal one of his blade then retreat. Cas didn't even blink, his eyes still skimming through the text. Wherever they stopped next, Sam was getting a room, alone, far far far from those two.
"Hurry up God damnit!" hissed Dean, as they heard sounds of fighting and people running in the stairs.
"Patience is a virtue," reminded Cas, now crouched as he was at the middle of his part.
"Not right now it isn't," argued Dean, voice tensed and ready to snap.
Sam made sure to keep his eyes on the stone as Cas very slowly turned to Dean, his blue-eyes certainly pinning Dean on the spot. Lover spat time.
"I killed two Madjai today. My brethrens. I'm hunted. I rebelled and I did it, all of it, for you. I lost everything. So keep your opinions to yourself. And concentrate on saving the world you doomed."
Sam bit his lips. That stung. Dean clamped his mouth shut. Well it was good to know Cas wouldn't let Dean walk all over him, at least not too much. It was good, Dean had finally found someone that could stand all his crap, still stand by him, and sometimes even call it on him. They were brother and Dean leaned on him all the time but in a way never fully, still too stuck in his big brother role. It was like Dean didn't get he didn't have to bear all the weight. He always helped carry Sam's one, but never let Sam do the same for him. They were brother, it didn't go one way, but Dean wouldn't let it be otherwise. At least with Cas it wouldn't be like that.
"Got it! It's in Hamunaptra's statue of Horus!"
"Ok let's ditch!"
ooo
Without further precautions they ran down the stairs, turning sharply whenever they encountered a mass of "Lucifer" invoking people. After a few detours they saw the exit and came to a stop as Crowley stepped in front of them, looking perfectly calm and impeccable.
"Going somewhere boys?" he purred.
"What do you want?" growled Dean, clutching his borrowed sword.
"To come with you of course"
"What?" asked Dean flabbergasted.
What the hell was this English dude planning?
"Isn't it safer to stay with the Madjai?" asked Sam, puzzled.
"And risk them deciding I need to be turned to dust to gain time? No thank you. I prefer staying with you yahoos."
"What makes you believe we want you?" asked Dean.
Sam glared at him, clearly conveying he was against leaving him behind when he requested their help. Softy. Cas seemed to be on his side on that one too. Intellectual people teaming up against him, of course.
"Because it's partly your fault I have a mummy wanting to suck me dry?" answered Crowley his voice hard silk, "no pun intended," he added with a smirk.
Ok he had a good sense of humor. But that didn't mean Dean should trust him.
"Dean," requested Cas, his voice stern.
For good measure Sam sent his brother a pitiful look. Dean rolled his eyes and shrugged, going back to running. Sam did it on purpose, the jerk. Soon they were out on the streets, a bit at a lost for what to do.
"Don't tell me you morons didn't plan this ahead?" hissed Crowley, already looking around for a car.
That's when one zoomed past them, coming to a stop with a loud screech just a bit later. A familiar grey beard man with a cap, turned to them.
"Need a ride ya Idjits?"
"Bobby!" exclaimed Sam, relief coursing through him.
They hurried to the waiting car. Sam jumping in first then helping Crowley and Cas until finally Dean threw himself in. He had wanted to make sure everyone got in safely.
"Lucifer!" screamed a woman's voice from the stairs.
Sam and Dean's head snapped to it. Bella! Freaking Bella! Again! That girl just couldn't let them be? He should have shot her. Why couldn't he fucking shot her? Even Sam who rarely wanted to hit women, found slapping her tempting!
"Shut your trap!" bellowed Dean.
He would have gotten out of the car hadn't Cas grabbed him by the cuff to stop him. Bobby was already speeding away but it was too late. Bella's screams had reached their target. From an upper window they could see Lucifer, looking even more fleshy. He opened his rotting mouth wide and called his slaves. In seconds the brainwashed people were flowing to them.
Bobby didn't embarrass himself with them, simply running them over. Crowley was shooting on the one getting too close. Dean punched and kicked all he could while Cas cut them down. Sam ducked and smiled as, there were weapons in the car, ready for them. Thank Bobby! He gave them to Dean and Crowley and joined the defense of the car.
"We can't continue like that," suddenly deadpanned Cas.
Without further warnings, he took the wheel from Bobby, looked around. He seemed to find what he was looking for, even if Dean couldn't for the life of him guess what.
"Brace yourselves."
Sam barely had time to clutch a side of the car that Cas sent them into a wall. Dean went flying on him while Crowley and Bobby grunted.
"What the fuck are you doing?" yelled Dean, grabbing Cas by his black outfit once again.
"Get into the sewer," simply ordered Cas, his eyes darting to the manhole right next to the car.
Crowley didn't need to be told twice, he didn't even crunch his nose. Survival really was his strong suit. Bobby went after him, grumbling. Sam hesitated but Dean gave him a push so he went, sending a strange look Dean's way. At an insistent shove from Cas, he started going down. As he had only the head emerging, Dean noticed how the sorts of zombies were closing on him. Damn it! It would be really tight… in fact they couldn't make it excepted if…
"Cas," he said, voice taut.
"Dean," so much devotion in this one word, "I will hold them off," assured Cas, already pushing the manhole back to place.
Cas kept eye contact a while longer before standing up, sword drawn. The last thing Dean saw was his back as he started fighting an impossible number of opponents. He closed his fist, almost drawing blood, and joined the other as they escaped.
"You ok?" whispered Sam, worried written all over his face.
Dean didn't reply. Because he wasn't.
ooo To be continued or not? ooo