"Exciting." Jeeves said clapping his hands together and walking away from the window.
"I've heard stories of you Winchesters. I am not disappointed." he continued talking to the room. At least Cas assumed he was talking to the room since he was not bothering to pay attention to him. He had come to the very quick conclusion that not only were these tasks a game to Jeeves but every time they acknowledged what he was saying he was gaining a satisfaction from their reactions. Well practiced in stoic matters Cas kept his eyes on Dean and did not respond to the obvious ploys. Out of his peripheral Cas saw Sam turn. He was facing Cas but he could clearly see Jeeves.
"I think" Jeeves paused dramatically before continuing "it may be time for an intermission."
The room in front of Cas began to disappear. He watched as Dean turned in circles as things dematerialized in front of him. After the room was gone all that surrounded Dean was darkness and then Dean disappeared. Cas let out a small gasp and peered harder into the darkness. An unease crept over him. He turned around.
"Where did you..." was all he managed to demand before noticing that Dean was now in the room with them. Sam quickly crossed the room and pulled his brother into a large hug. Cas waited and watched Jeeves very closely. He wasn't sure but this felt like a trap. Sam let go of Dean.
"Good job." he said and clapped his shoulder. Dean smirked before responding "Easy as pie." Cas noticed a small trickle of blood around Dean's mouth. This did not stop him from crossing the room and planting a large kiss on him. Cas heard Sam sigh next to them but found he did not care. Dean pulled away before he did and moved his eyes quickly to Sam and back again. Cas rolled his eyes and backed away. Despite the life and death nature of these tasks Dean was still private about his affections. Shamelessly flirt with some girl he didn't care about in public, no problem, but be affectionate with someone he loved in front of strangers, problem. Cas felt affronted for a moment before noticing that Jeeves was eyeing them both curiously. Perhaps Dean had a point.
"A short ten minute intermission then back to the action." Jeeves said quickly when he noticed Cas staring at him. He picked himself out of the chair he was lounging in and walked out a door that was certainly not there before.
Dean broke the silence first. "So what do we know about tall, dark, and annoying over there" he jerked his thumb in the direction of the door. Curiously, but with little hope of it actually working, Cas crossed the room and opened the door. The door swung open and revealed nothing but darkness. Cas stared into it for a moment lost in thought before he closed the door and walked back over to Sam and Dean.
"Other than the fact that he is a snarky ass who can make things materialize and seems to be running things around here, nothing" Sam answered.
"Alright" Dean sounded disappointed "any idea what the next task might be? Or how many of them there are?"
Cas and Sam did not answer. Sam offered an unhelpful shrug of his shoulders and looked at the ground.
"Am I the only one doing any real work around here?" Dean asked
"There hasn't been much we can do. Other than sit here and watch you. In case you hadn't noticed there is no escape from this room." Sam answered.
"Let's just think this through" Cas intervened noticing the scowl that worked its way onto Dean's face.
"Jeeves said that the task are designed to test your strength, wisdom, and courage. Right?" Cas continued.
"Jeeves?" Dean interrupted him with a confused look.
"Hey, you named him not us." Sam replied. Dean rolled his eyes.
"Anyway, the first task wasn't really about any of those things. He said it was designed to test your commitment. The second task was clearly strength." Cas said.
"Right. So wisdom or courage comes next." Dean finished the thought.
"Want to take bets?" Sam asked. Before Dean or Cas could speculate further the lights in the room began to flicker.
"What's happening?" Dean asked.
"End of intermission?" Sam replied questioningly. The door against the back wall swung open. Jeeves walked through and shut the door behind him. Distracted by the showmanship Cas did not notice that Dean had disappeared from his side. Cas turned in a quick circle searching the room for Dean. Sam simply pointed to the window they had vacated. Cas walked over and peered into the other room. Dean was once again the center piece.
"Don't look so glum Castiel. I brought back snacks." Jeeves said while waving his hand. Popcorn materialized in Cas' hands. Cas had to resist the urge to throw the bag across the room.
"Now Dean we return once more to the tasks at hand." Jeeves chuckled to himself before continuing " This task will test your wisdom."
The second that Jeeves finished instructing the room around Dean began to shake. Dean switched the weight between his legs to keep his balance.
"If you ask me this is the task we'll get him on." Jeeves said with a satisfied grin.
"We didn't ask." Cas bit back. Cas watched as walls began to shoot from the ground. The ground seemed to be raising up everywhere but in a very particular pattern that Cas could almost trace.
"Oh." Sam said quietly. Cas shifted his gaze to the younger Winchester.
"What?" he asked.
"It's a maze." Sam answered. Cas looked back through the window into the room. Sam was right. Dean was standing at the edge of a giant brick maze. The walls towered over his head and wove intricately throughout the entire room. Cas searched for the end of the maze but as far as he could tell it went on forever.
Dean placed his hand on the wall nearest him. He was a few feet from the entrance. Whether he had guessed what was currently in front of him or not Cas did not know. Strangely Cas was not worried about this task. Jeeves may have a low opinion of Dean's intelligence but Cas knew Dean was much smarter than he let people know. Similar to the way he guarded his emotions Dean seemed very weary of trusting people with the knowledge that he was rather smart. Perhaps it was easier if people's expectations for him were lower. Cas shook his head and focused on what was happening in the other room.
Dean was peering around the edge of the entrance to the maze. Cas could see beyond the start of the maze because their room was apparently higher up though during the earlier tasks they were nearly even with Dean. The entrance to the maze was clear. Dean had nothing to worry about but Cas could not blame him for hesitating. This task was designed to test his wisdom. It would make sense to set a trap in the very beginning for the headstrong. Dean peered around the corner once more before giving a very dramatic shoulder shrug and stepping into the maze.
Dean stood just passed the entrance and waited expectantly. Cas did not notice he was holding his breath until Dean took another step forward without harm. Cas let out a small huff of breath and relaxed the tension that was growing in his shoulders. Dean was smart. He could handle this Cas reminded himself. Seeing no immediate danger Dean continued to walk through the maze. He pulled his right hand away from his chest reluctantly to run it against the wall. Cas tilted his head to the side as he watched his hunter brush his fingertips against the wall. Cas turned to Sam.
"What is he doing?" Cas asked. Sam looked over at Cas and then turned his attention to Jeeves.
"I don't know" Sam answered shrugging his shoulders. Cas squinted his eyes and looked at the younger Winchester. It was unlike Sam to not have some guess about his brother's behavior. He must know but doesn't want to say anything in front of Jeeves Cas reasoned.
"Oh you can tell him what you think Sam. I am impartial merely a spectator of an unfolding stage." Jeeves said from Cas' left.
"I don't believe you." Sam answered.
"Well I will just tell poor Castiel what you are thinking then, hmm?" Jeeves mocked. Cas turned to face Jeeves. He had a large smile on his face and was staring mischievously at Sam. He waited a moment for Sam to respond. Sam did not. Instead he continued to stare through the window at his brother.
"Sam thinks that Dean is trying a trick he's heard. That if he puts his right hand against the wall and follows it he can find his way out of the maze." Jeeves almost sang. Cas looked over at Sam.
"Is that true?" he asked. Sam gave a tight nod. Suddenly Cas was more worried about the fact that Jeeves seemed to be able to read their minds than Dean surviving in the maze.
"I wouldn't worry about that." Jeeves said making eye contact with Cas. "Dean won't survive this maze. The walls move."
Cas scowled before replying "Why are you telling us this?"
"Oh I thought it would be obvious. I want to prepare you for the inevitability of Dean's defeat and death" Jeeves replied. The urge to smite the being in front of him rose inside Cas' once more.
"I want you to know that if I can find a way to kill you, I will." Cas threatened before he could calm the rage brewing inside. Jeeves let out a small chuckle and Cas could not think because of the blinding rage.
"You can't kill me Castiel, not anymore. You will be dead long before me. But you will have time to mourn Dean." Jeeves replied. Cas took a step forward before an arm wrapped around his chest and he was dragged back.
"Don't. He's playing you." Sam whispered in his ear.
"I can hear you and that is just rude." Jeeves said in the same sing song tone he used earlier.
Dean had rounded the first corner without any obstacles. Cas noticed that Dean slowed his pace. He was continuing to walk but reluctantly. Cas assumed that the obvious lack of obstacles was worrying Dean. If he was honest it was worrying him as well. There was no way that this was just a maze. Cas could see one row beyond where Dean was currently standing. The way forward seemed to be clear. Perhaps Dean was worrying for no reason. Cas brought his eyes back to the hunter. He looked strange without a leather jacket wrapped around him. Dean took a step back and paused. He must be listening for something. Cas squinted and focused on the parts of the maze he could see. There was nothing there. Still Dean did not move forward. Instead he flattened himself against the right wall and waited. Cas barely registered the pain he was causing himself by chewing on the inside of his lip.
Suddenly ten feet in front of Dean the wall began to shimmer. A large stone creature stepped out of the wall and turned to face Dean. It took a giant resounding step. Cas could have swore he heard it though all he could actually hear was Sam's small intake of breath next to him.
"What is that?" he whispered to Cas.
"I have no idea." Cas answered.
"Did you see where it came from?" Sam asked.
"The wall" Cas answered. The stone creature had walked a few more steps towards Dean who had not moved. Cas did not understand his tactic. It was possible that Dean was hoping the stone creature wouldn't see him if he didn't move. Cas thought that was a very vain hope. Dean in his plaid shirt and light pants stood out very plainly against the dark walls of the maze. To Cas' utter amazement the giant stone creature walked right past Dean without any acknowledgment. Dean waited until the creature took another two steps before he unglued himself from the wall and put as much distance as he could between himself and the creature.
"Clever." Jeeves sounded impressed in spite of himself. Cas was not sure what had just happened but did not want to give Jeeves any satisfaction so he did not ask. He settled on being relieved for the time that Dean was doing better than Jeeves thought he would.
Dean continued through the maze making left turns followed by right turns. He kept his right hand against the wall and moved quickly and quietly. Cas watched as Dean found himself at multiple dead ends. He did not seem frustrated by this. He simply dragged his hand along the wall until he was out of the dead end and back where he came from. Another ten minutes passed with Dean searching for a way out of the maze before he was forced to another stop. Once again Cas could not see what was causing Dean to stop.
"Why is he stopping?" He asked aloud. Thankfully it was Sam who answered.
"There is a hole. Can't you see it?"
Cas focused on the floor. A large chasm was placed where brick should have been. It was short enough that Dean could jump over it with a running start easily enough. He took a few steps back and braced himself. Cas watched as he pushed off from the ground and ran at the hole. At the edge he leapt. Cas let out a gasp as a large fanged creature rose up from the hole and grabbed ahold of Dean's leg with his jagged teeth. Dean's torso hit the other side of the hole and he hung from the ledge desperately clawing at the floor of the maze trying to regain his ground. He lifted himself up but something dragged him back down. Whatever was living inside that hole must have not let go. It was intent on dragging Dean into the dark depths. Cas felt his heartbeat quicken. Forgetting for a moment that he could not break the glass in front of him he slammed his fists against it trying to find a way into the room to help Dean.
Dean flailed as much as could against the wall. Twice he managed to pull himself almost out of the hole only to be dragged back down once again. Cas could not see the lower half of Dean's body but he seemed to be kicking the creature with his other leg.
"Let's get a little closer." Jeeves said. Cas watched as their view of the maze shifted. It was as if Jeeves had moved the entire viewing room so that it was down inside the maze. They were directly across from Dean. They could see the terror etched into every line of his face. Blood was pooling at his fingertips as he clawed at the stone trying to gain ground. This was it. Dean was going to die and there was nothing Cas or Sam could do but watch. Watch as Dean was sucked into a deep dark chasm full of a monster that wanted to eat him. Cas wanted to look away but he wouldn't. Knowing full well the memory of Dean falling would haunt him he would not look away.
"Come on Dean." Sam muttered beside him. Suddenly Cas heard a faint howl of pain and Dean hauled himself over the edge. He rolled away from the hole and lay panting on the maze floor. His right hand was laid across his chest and left against the floor. Cas could see long gashes running down his forearm. The left leg of Dean's jeans had turned almost completely red from soaking up his blood. There were large holes were the monster had bit into him. How Dean was going to walk on that leg Cas could not imagine. After another minute of trying to slow his breathing Dean sat up and began to examine his leg. He winced when he tried to move it closer to him. Dean slipped the plaid shirt away from his shoulders. He began tying the shirt around his leg.
Dean dragged himself to the wall and leaned against it. He let out a deep shuddering breath. He looked down at his leg still trickling small amounts of blood. The color that was still in his face left. Cas was sure that Dean was about to faint. He was still too close to the chasm for comfort. What if the creature in an act of revenge climbed its way out of the pit and came looking for Dean, Cas wondered. Dean let out a few more steadying breaths before looking to his left to gauge how far from the hole he was. Apparently he had the same thought process Cas had. Very slowly he picked himself off the ground. He kept most of his weight on his right leg and used the wall for support. Gingerly he put more weight on his left leg. It trembled violently beneath him. Cas noticed the look of determination that was planted on Dean's face. He would not take weakness from his body. He evened out the weight on his legs and winced terribly at the pain. Cas looked around the area of the maze he could see, searching for some tool that Dean could use to relieve some of the burden from his leg. Cas only remembered even if he found something he could not help Dean find it when the room shifted their perspective once more. They were now staring at Dean's back though they were still at eye level with him. It reminded Cas of games he had seen the Winchesters play when they weren't working cases.
"That was disappointing. I was certain he was going to be eaten. Still the anticipation..." Jeeves trailed off. Cas and Sam continued their silent agreement about ignoring any commentary from the being next to them. Cas kept his eyes glued to Dean's back. His black undershirt clung to him. He was hobbling down the maze. Every few seconds he had to stop and lean his back against the wall. Cas wasn't sure how Dean was going to complete this maze let alone any of the other trials.
"How many trials are there?" Cas demanded taking his eyes away from Dean to stare daggers at Jeeves.
"Won't that ruin the mystery?" Jeeves asked as he grinned.
"Tell me." Cas demanded once again.
"Hmm" Jeeves brought his hand up to stroke a fake beard. Cas assumed it was his attempt at dramatic flair. He felt a muscle in his cheek twitch from restraining the anger he felt. After a theatric pause Jeeves said
"If Dean manages to finish the maze, which he might the middle is around here somewhere..." Jeeves moved his hand in a circle and looked out of the glass. Cas thought he was going to drag this moment out as long as he could.
"Then there is only one more task." Jeeves finished. Cas let air out of his nose and turned away from Jeeves to watch Dean. One more task was not so bad Cas reasoned. Though these tasks had increased in difficulty and it was likely that the last was bound to be the hardest.
"The last task is courage then?" Sam asked. Cas had not thought about it that way. What task could they possibly set to test Dean's courage. Fighting a goliath bare handed and working his way through a maze that literally wanted to eat him seemed enough of a courageous test.
"No wonder they say you are the smart one." Jeeves responded.
"What's in the middle of the maze?" Sam asked in response.
"Come on now! You don't want to ruin all of the surprises." Jeeves answered.
Cas stopped watching Dean who had managed to make three successful right turns without pausing to rest.
"What's in the middle of the maze?" Cas repeated the question.
"Oh alright. A puzzle and spell if you must know" Jeeves answered with an air of annoyance.
"A spell that does what?" Cas asked. Jeeves stared at him for an uncomfortable amount of time before answering "It unlocks the fourth task and I don't think you're going to like it."
"Why?" Cas asked but before Jeeves could answer Sam grabbed Cas' arm. Cas turned to look out the glass. Dean had rounded another corner and was facing a square room like area. As far as Cas could tell there were two breaks in the wall right across from another. Dean was staring into the area. Cas could see the other side of the maze through the other break. Dean walked into the pseudo room slowly. The area was not very big. Barely large enough for Dean to take more than three steps before leaving. If he had not been walking so slowly because of his injured leg he might have missed it. Dean turned to his left to face a small wooden table pushed against the wall. On top of the table there was a tea set with three tiny tea cups that appeared to be filled. Dean did not touch anything instead he backed away and scanned the rest of the room searching for instructions. He turned in a half circle slowly. When he reached the left side of the room he paused.
Cas saw what had made him pause. Engraved on the wall was one line of instructions. Dean moved closer so he could read them and as he did they became clearer to Cas.
One is poison, one is tea, one will set you free.
"How is he supposed to figure it out?" Sam asked incredulously.
"Did we forget that this is a test of wisdom?" Jeeves asked.
"This is a test of luck." Sam responded.
Dean had walked back over to the table and was staring at the three cups on the table. As far as Cas could tell there was no way to discern between them. The cups were solid black and the liquid inside of them was clear. Dean reached over and picked up the cup nearest to him. He turned it slightly in his hand and peered at it closer. Slowly he brought the cup up to his nose and sniffed. Expressionless he returned the cup to the table and reached for the second. He repeated the same process for the second cup. He crinkled his nose before returning the cup to the table. Could the solution be that easy? Would smelling the liquid give him a clear answer Cas wondered. Dean picked up the third cup.
"What happens if he drinks from more than one?" Sam asked. Cas turned to face Jeeves curious about the answer.
Jeeves gave a large shrug of his shoulders and smirked back at Sam. When Cas turned back Dean had replaced the third cup and was staring down at them again. Apparently his initial observations had not given him adequate information.
Dean crossed his arms. He was concentrating on the cups in front of him without moving. The task had given him a momentary distraction from the pain in his leg. Cas wanted to reread the inscription on the wall but couldn't see it because of the position Dean was in. Thinking along the same lines Dean turned and looked over the inscription again. He did not look long as there was no new information. He turned back to face the cups. After another moment's consideration he shrugged his shoulders and took a small step so that he was right next to the table. He reached down and fingered the edge of the first cup. Quickly he dipped his pinky into the liquid. He pulled his hand up to his mouth and sucked on the digit he had just placed in the cup. Cas imagined Dean running his tongue slowly across the fingers in his mouth and had to remind himself that Dean's life was on the line. Now was not the time for erotic fantasies. Being human was strange Cas thought as he shook the sex from his brain.
Dean contemplated the taste in his mouth. He waited a moment expectantly. Nothing happened. He reached down and moved the cup to the side before grabbing the second cup. Slowly he dipped his ring finger into the cup. Slowly he placed his ring finger into his mouth and tasted the liquid. Again he waited for something to happen but nothing did. He replaced the second cup and repeated the process for a third time. After waiting to see if he died he replaced the third cup and stared at them for a long time. Cas ran his fingers through his hair waiting for Dean to make a decision.
"Don't worry. He's got this." Sam placated at his side.
Tentatively Dean picked up the second cup. Knowing this could very well be the last thing he ever did he hesitated. He let out a small breath of air and brought the cup to his lips. He tipped it back and swallowed the liquid in one gulp. He waited. Cas could feel the tension of the moment pass between Sam and himself.
"Hmmm" Jeeves said cutting the tension in the room. Cas turned to look at the being but he was no longer in the room. He had appeared next to Dean and caused the potentially poisoned man to jump. The quick movement reminded Dean of his injury and he backed himself against the wall to help support his weight.
"Very good Dean. I would be lying if I said I wasn't impressed." Jeeves congratulated. His voice echoed as though he were standing right next to Cas. Apparently whatever he had to say to Dean was important enough that he thought Sam and Cas needed to hear it in surround sound.
"I'm not dying then?" Dean questioned.
"No. I am here to set you free" Jeeves answered. The emphasis that he placed on the last word gave Cas a chill.
"But first let me fix that leg for you. You can't very well complete the final task with that extensive of an injury" Jeeves continued. He waved his hand. Feeling instantly relieved Dean squared himself up to his full height.
"Good." Jeeves paused and put his hand on Dean's shoulder "Onto the final task."
Dean and Jeeves disappeared. Cas and Sam were stuck staring at the empty maze. .
"What now?" Sam asked turning to face Cas.
"No idea but look the maze is gone." Cas pointed out the window. Instead of staring into an empty maze they were looking into complete darkness. It made Cas uncomfortable. He turned to face Sam instead.
"I suppose we just wait until Jeeves comes back. I imagine he wants us to watch Dean complete the fourth task." Cas said
"Probably. What do you think it is?" Sam asked. Cas shrugged his shoulders. He was more nervous about this task than all of the others. Something Jeeves said had struck him.
"It's about courage and he said I especially would not enjoy it. But I have not enjoyed any of these really." Cas voiced what he was thinking aloud.
"Me neither" Sam said. Silence spread between them while they waited for Jeeves to return. Ten minutes passed. Cas considered sitting on the couch behind them. He had not realized how tired all of these life and death situations were making him. If he was being honest had had a headache the entire time Dean was in the maze but repressed it well enough that it had not bothered him too intensely. Just as he was about to turn and sit down Jeeves appeared between him and the sofa.
"Don't quit now Castiel. The show is about to start." Jeeves said with a note of condescension. He waved his hand and the darkness of the room through the window was replaced with an image of Dean sleeping comfortably in a bed.
"What is this?" Cas asked. He watched Dean's still form.
Jeeves chuckled darkly before answering "It's Dean's life." The door of the room Dean was sleeping in flew open in ran a small blonde child. He climbed onto the bed and jumped on top of Dean. Dean woke with a start and wrapped his arms around the child. Cas did not understand what was happening. He looked over at Sam to see the same bewildered expression on his face.
"Oh! I should clarify. It is Dean's life without you." Jeeves said. Cas turned to face him.
"This is the fourth task?" He asked. Jeeves smiled.
"No. He has to remember you. That's the fourth task." Jeeves answered.