A/N: I have read and edited this until i think i caught all the mistakes in verb tense, spelling and content. I don't have a beta, so all the mistakes are mine. I hope if you see some, you'l let me know. If you don't care to leave the corrections in a review, please feel free to PM.
All the usual disclaimers apply. I don't get a cent for my transformative work of fiction based on characters that aren't mine.
Thank you, Ccase13! I love getting notes!
******************************Part Four*****************************************
Excerpt of the Prophesy of the "Fire in the Middle of the World" regarding the "Sword of Hell"
"It was meant to last forever. The Cage was built in the fires of the Third Realm of indestructible metals and enchanted by the gods. There was no escape from it and it was secured by many locks with keys so various and diverse as to make the opening of it impossible…
"The creatures corrupted from the realms above had been cast down for the eternal torment they earned in life after their souls were taken from them in death. They surround the mount into which the Cage was built but they had no knowledge of its existence…
"The Beast was caged by the hands of his brothers and sisters with the intent to keep the corrupted in their prison. The Beast wanted to let loose the powers of the Infernal and claim the realm as his own, to subjugate the beings above, and to bend all others including his kin to his will.
"It is seen that the Beast will rise one day for he had a vision that revealed to him a name. The name sings within his bones as he sleeps or paces the confines of the Cage. He is without friendship or comfort except for the hope of a single name. He is afforded no companionship and he is granted no visitation. He has only himself for company until one day a clever demon will find his way to whisper through the wall.
"Find me a Sword, my servant. It will be strong and bright and it will bear a Name."
"What Name shall it bear, my lord, and where shall I seek it?"
"Find it hidden in the Western Reaches of the Empire of Silver Dragons in the Midrealm. It will have carved upon it in bright glittering script of the Infernal Language the name "Shama-El". You must open the locks and chant the spell that will bring me to my Sword. There shall I wrest the Powers of the Realms from my siblings and bring forth perfect paradise that I will rule."
"It will be as you have commanded, my Lord."
********************************Page Break****************************************
We sat in our quarters well after the sun had dipped down beyond the horizon. Master was reading a large tome at a table, his back hunched as he peered through the spidery text, candlelight played across his face. Samuel was leaning his back against the wall near the fireplace with a book in his lap. He wore a studious expression and his bright eyes scanned from left to right in quick fluid movements. I wrapped myself up in blankets in a makeshift nest in the corner watching the humans in blissful contentment. We had cleaned out a nest of twenty demons today and we came away with minor injuries. One of Dean's Rangers was killed and the Silver Arrow was somewhere in the camp writing a letter of condolence to the man's family.
There was a presence approaching. I growled a warning deep in my chest, but as I recognized the woman approaching, I didn't rise from my warm wrappings. The weather had grown so cold that the mornings revealed the shimmer of frozen dust on the ground. Thin sheets of ice covered shallow water collected in basins and barrels. After sunset, the temperatures plummeted and all I wished to do is remain in my cocoon.
There came a knock at the door, but Master was already moving before the echo of the sound disappeared. He opened the door and gestured to allow Dean's aide-de-camp over the threshold. She stood in her green and tan uniform that would camouflage her well on the forest floor, her blonde hair pulled into a pony-tail that made her otherwise soft features angular and severe. Her mannerisms reminded me a lot of Samuel and I watched in amusement at how quickly the young man rose from his position on the floor to move closer when he saw who it was. I didn't miss the look on either of their faces, nor did I miss the spike in human pheromones. I grinned into my blankets as the two men gathered near the female.
"The patrol just checked in and there is news. The Silver Arrow has sent me to bring you to the council room." She spoke to both of them but her worried eyes were on the younger warlock.
"Thank you, Jessica. Will you tell Dean we will be there shortly?" The amused smile on my Master's face revealed that he hadn't missed the meaningful looks the two young people cast at one another. He likely hadn't missed the purported long walks to "get some air" from which his apprentice returned with a stunned goofy grin on his face, either. He didn't seem to be particularly concerned about the worry in the woman's countenance.
Jessica left and Master instructed me to help Samuel bring some books with him to the briefing. Apparently, Master finally decided to do a little briefing of his own.
"But, I'm warm!" I complained. Samuel went to the table and began gathering books. "Besides, Samuel is such a giant moose, what do you need me for?" I wormed down into the covers.
Master stared at me until he walked over and yanked back the blankets. I gasped at him as a rush of cooler air made my reddish skin pimple with goosebumps. He smirked at the responding grimace on my face. Master is not often in as playful a mood, however, and I did not voice my discontent too loudly. Instead, I grumbled in protest but I did as he asked of me. Since I was out from under the covers it was unlikely he would let me return to their warm embrace, anyway.
We moved through the camp and I was able to sense the feelings of anger, apprehension and adrenaline as we neared the officers' barracks and administration buildings. It was pretty contagious and I felt my own level of energy rise with the emotions running so high. I think Samuel must have felt it as well. His gait was uneven but purposeful and the muscle in his jaw clenched and unclenched as we moved closer to our destination. I looked into the young human's eyes to find the pupils wide and moving rapidly around him, taking in his environment. I couldn't help thinking how the young man's behavior was like a hunter instead of a warlock. I had seen the same shift in personality in his brother when we went on forays into the Reach. Dean, however, always had the aura of the hunter about him, even at rest. Samuel was mostly at rest when he was at rest. Something usually had to activate this in him.
Humans typically avoid demons, even bound-demons, and they definitely don't hide their distain in their body language. Dean was never thrilled to see me when I walked in with Master and Samuel, but he tolerated me because I am part of a package. I set the books down on the briefing table, ignoring the grumbling older humans that crowded the room. I looked up once to see green eyes focused on me and I tightened my wings closer to my back and hurried myself into an inconspicuous corner. Samuel came to sit next to me. Somehow, even in these very uncomfortable situations, Samuel was empathetic enough to understand that I do actually have feelings. It's nice to know.
Dean held himself with complete control of the situation. He was an Alpha wolf in that room. Even surrounded by men older and more experienced than he, they looked to him with the eyes and movements of subordinates eager to follow his commands. I watched with the interest of one who is an outsider. I assessed the moods and facial expressions, body language and scents to determine what each of them thought of their leader, this man who stood at the head of the table who looked like he could be any of their son. I scanned my eyes among them. Master stood near Dean, though not too close. He wrapped himself in a cloak and remained quite still. The other men barely made notice of him. There was a grizzled dark-skinned man to Dean's immediate left. He was speaking in low tones I could barely hear. Dean made imperceptible head movements in acknowledgement of the words being spoken. Dean's green eyes flicked around the room assessing his men in much the same way I was.
Apparently, all the people he expected to arrive were present, so Dean made a quick movement and barked a sound that calmed the room. The near instantaneous attention he earned in response was impressive. I felt the movement next to me as Samuel leaned forward and focused his entire being on his brother. It was as if he was studying Dean, watching his movements, his gestures and expressions. I wondered if this was a typical sibling behavior among humans.
I found myself often comparing Samuel and Dean to Master and Gabriel. I had viewed Master and his brother as a fairly atypical relationship, though in an entirely different way than I observed in the Winchester brothers. Master and Gabriel are so different and their relationship so complex, I was told not to base any human relationships on observations between them. There was a familiarity in their banter and exasperation in their tolerance of one another. From the outside it may have appeared that they rarely liked each other let alone cared for one another. The truth is I had seen and heard in Gabriel's voice the level of dedication to his younger brother. I knew how much Master's older brother loved him and wished for Master to be protected. I sometimes wonder if Master missed the clues. I did not. Sometimes, Master would speak unkindly of his older brother, but I would see the love or hurt in his eyes that belied the aggravation in his voice. I was also able to feel the warmth Master felt for his brother along the link between us.
Samuel and Dean were very complex as well. They often moved like a single organism when in the field. There was a fluidity with which they worked that told of a common upbringing and training often only found in shield-mates. But, there was another element I observed. Dean watched his brother with the protectiveness I had rarely seen in another human being. Even mothers rarely had the fierce attention to every soul that approached their offspring I had observed when someone approached Samuel. There was warmth in Dean's voice when speaking to his brother that I don't think I could identify in others outside of true lovers. Likewise, Samuel's eyes watched the commanding presence of his brother during the briefing that day with nothing short of hero-worship. This was a behavior of a younger sibling that had been practiced for decades and honed to a fine art.
Dean began speaking about previous information which Master and I already knew. He informed his men and women about the increase in demonic activity and the nests they had already eliminated. I pulled my wings around my body as armor from the increase in hostility in the room. Samuel placed his hand near me to comfort me. It seemed to work.
"I have been in touch with the Spire." Dean continued. I felt the jolt the information gave to both Master and Samuel. This was information neither knew. Dean continued without acknowledging any discomfort from the warlocks in the room. "Master Gabriel has instructed us to watch for certain signs which all of you have been doing. The patrol coming in found some of the more disturbing signs and we need to discuss what we will do now. We have two magic-users here and I have been given assurances that we should expect more.
"Now, though…" Dean swiped his hand over his face and held still as emotions swirled around him. "Now, we had one member of a patrol return in a scouting party of four. Jo came back with vital information, but she was badly injured and may not make it through the night." Dean swallowed hard and his voice barely registered the tightness I imagined he must feel inside. "There is a powerful force in the Reach and it is connected to something called a Prophesy of the Swords."
Dean turned to look at my Master. Without a word or further ado, Master stood forward. Dean sat down as he gave the floor to the warlock. Master had a presence when he chose to present himself with authority. He commanded with voice, mind, power and words and I leaned forward in respect for him. These are the tools that my Master uses when he moves to compel a demon. These same tools work on the minds of humans as well. It is a subtle thing, but one he wields with such grace and confidence. Yes, I recognize I am biased. He is my Master and I have been bound to him for a very long while. But, it doesn't make my observations less true.
"In the time of Stars, the gods created a Cage to house the Beast. This is a story we all know. The Beast was imprisoned in an indestructible Cage in the middle of a mountain in a pit at the center of the Third Realm. None of the Corrupted knew it was there, and they were the unwitting guardians to keep visitors and the unwary away.
"One of the minions of the Beast scoured the Realms, tortured information from Celestials and Infernals until he, at last, discovered the location of the Beast's prison. He went to the place in Midrealm where the veil was particularly thin and he whispered across the gate. It was said that the creature divined the location of the door and also discovered what the keys were to unlock the Cage. There are many signs that allow us to see the Time of the Coming and we are able to make ready.
"The problem is, there are fewer new magic-users than the Prophesy indicated would happen prior to the Time. I have a theory that the Beast's minion has been seeking out the children showing potential and killing them before the power manifests. I think that he searches for the Sword of Hell which bears a Name at the heart of the Beast. I think that what is happening here in the Reach is a clue as to where the Sword is. I also think," Master sounded a bit tired as he continued, "I also think we will need to find the brother of the Sword in order to battle the intentions of the Beast."
Master is good at many things. He is good at finding information, in discovering secrets, in creating new spells, rituals and potions from a theory… Master is good at many things. Lying is not one of them, not when he is lying in front of me. He can lie to people who don't know him. He can obfuscate with the King of Lies and make the demon believe his words are spoken in earnest. But, Master cannot lie to people he cares for and he cannot lie to me. I can see the minute shifts in his posture he does when he is speaking to Gabriel and doesn't wish his brother to worry. I can see it as if he wrote it in my own language across the ceiling of the room and pointed to make sure I saw it. I have been with Master a great number of his years and I am bound to him. He cannot lie to me. And he made eye contact with me in the moment he felt me suspect him. His bright blue eyes held mine in a silent communication. He pressed his lips and shook his head. He did this in so small a gesture, I was sure no one else in the room had seen. I thought that until I looked into the gleaming green eyes of Dean Winchester, Silver Arrow of the West, and Garrison Commander of Wyrmfire Crag. I knew in that moment that Dean knew Master was lying, too.
*********************************Page Break*****************************************
Excerpt of the Prophesy of the "Fire in the Middle of the World" regarding the "Sword of Heaven"
"The Great Creator watched as twin stars fell from the sky and came crashing to land between the Prime and Mid Realms. In the space Between did the Creator know the true essence of the stars and he began to fashion them into Swords of Power. In the one He saw the truth of the Law. He saw how it would ring out and command an army of Believers. They would not be judges over their fellow man, but adhere to the Word contained in the weapon he would forge. He formed the Blade, and spoke to it as he sharpened its edges, for truth has two edges and cuts both ways. The Law was lovingly worked into its essence and it was given Purpose. It would defend the Realms with its Powers.
"The Second Star had listened as the Creator whispered. It had no form yet but it thirsted for the knowledge the Creator imparted unto it. It believed it knew what to do with the Laws spoken to its brother and knew how to judge the truth of it. The Creator spoke to the Listening Star as he had its brother. The Creator had seen the destiny of the Listener and knew that the Sword could become a tool with which the Corrupt might reign since the Listener would only see the potential Paradise and not the harm and destruction coming from the way to bring about that Harmony. The Creator admonished the Listener and told it that the ends do not justify the means. He told the Listener to heed the words of Law and gather not the forces of the Hosts and Infernals in an attempt to create a forced Peace, for it would not last.
"The Creator saw the Listener had agreed, but later realized that His words were fallen on stubborn and self-important ears. So, the Creator went to the Sword Law and informed him that he should watch and advise his brother, and that Listener would need a strong place to go when he realized that he was wrong. Listener would need protection even from himself. Creator admonished Law to be careful not to judge his brother but instead to lead by example and love. Law agreed and the Creator, finding his work was finished, released them unto Midrealm."
**********************************Page Break***********************************
Journal Entry (Silver Arrow of Western Reach, Garrison Commander of Wyrmfire Crag)
Jo was brought in by the change of patrol. When her unit failed to respond, I sent the next out on alert. I'm glad that I listened to my gut on this one, but I'm sad that I was proven right. I have seen the signs Gabriel told me to watch for and I can tell you that it scares me right out of my skin.
At first it was the abductions. We get a few run-aways who decide that they know better than their parents and end up falling to the dangers of the Reach. That doesn't usually end up being more than one or two a year. There was a run of five to ten disappearances in as many months. When Gabriel asked if they were virgins, I sent my guys back out to investigate and, sure enough, each and every one…
Then, the minor magic users started turning up missing. Gabriel asked if there was sulfur. I sent my guys and… give the geek a friggen cupie doll. There was sulfur residue in the last known location of enough of the missing magic –users that I sent a letter to Gabe.
The next thing I had to look for was the mutation of the natural creatures in the area. Enough people in my garrison know that I have an "affinity" for the creatures of the Reach that no one asks questions when I come back out of the forest and can say with authority if something is wrong with the critters. There are only two people outside the Spire who know why I have an "affinity" in the first place. So, when I came out of the forest after speaking with the allies, I sent a letter to Gabriel telling him that there were changeling creatures all over the Reach. The demons are shifting the most fearsome creatures into some kind of Dire Beasts. I don't know if even my allies and I can stand against them.
Then, Jo comes back ripped to friggen shreds. I swear to all that's holy I nearly left the Infirmary right then ready to do battle. But, I have responsibilities to these people. They depend on me. I can't just run off because I'm pissed as Hell and want to find these dicks. I know Gabe said he's sending reinforcements, but I can feel something coming. It hums in the back of my mind and Sam feels it too.
Jo was lucid enough to tell me that there were demons… lots of demons. And they have some sort of alter set up in the forest. There is a large pit where last week there was a stand of trees. There is the smell of blood on her that I can tell isn't hers. It might have been the blood of the men in her unit, but I can't be sure. There aren't any animals in that quadrant any more. They have fled South and East. I can't convince even allies to remain. They are so frightened of the harnessing of Power here.
Jo said one last thing before the clerics told me in no uncertain terms to get the fuck out… she told me that they were waiting for a weapon. They found a sword but they can't go get it yet. They want to steal it, but they are biding their time. I still don't know how she got out of there. Maybe I will ask Castiel or Sam to take a look at her. Maybe they can give me some insight.