Chapter 2: Salvation
The three men before the self proclaimed God closed or shielded their eyes from the blinding damnation about to befall them. Each of their hearts sending out silent 'good-byes' to the loved ones they nobly stood by.
Dean, perhaps out of pride, or maybe even defiance, lowered his arm to watch oblivion barrel at him. His resolution rewarded with the first view of their salvation.
The luminescence was dimmed by a hand not belonging to any of them while another gripped Castiel's wrist.
A woman, just slightly shorter than Cass, checked his power with a pleading face. Dark blue eyes bored into his lighter ones from under a camo bandana, wet to the point of tears.
"Castiel, no! Please don't!"
Death diminished from his up-lifted fist even as he glared at the new arrival.
"You forget your place." Cass growled at her. "Is your first act as lieutenant to be one of defiance?"
Mahogany hair swayed to and fro and eyes dropped to the hand she held. But the hold wasn't released.
"No, Lord! Not defiance, deliverance."
"Speak plainly."
"I know you, Castiel. Better than anyone. You don't want to do this. Not to them."
A sigh escaped her soul as she fleetingly took in the perplexed humans who silently awaited an outcome.
"They chose this!"
"No one chooses to die, Lord!" she rebuked quickly. "It's always that something compels them. What they chose was to not live without someone they care deeply for. They'd rather die on their feet against you then live on their knees for you. To not have to watch what they believe to be your destruction by all the souls you've absorbed. They fear for YOUR safety. "
Cass took in the sight of the brothers and their surrogate father just feet past his clenched hand before studying the floor in contemplation.
"You've also more pressing matters at hand. Besides. They're of no threat to you. You're a God now. They're only humans." She pulled Cass's hand to her heart beseechingly.
"Lord?" He ignored her to gaze up deeply into Dean's, charge, friend, ally, brother's , eyes.
"Castiel?" He looked over to his fist held tight to her chest.
"Brother?", she barely whispered leaning toward him, finally drawing a narrowed gaze to her. The woman didn't know if it was the familial title that won his attention or the intimate gesture.
With a tired groan, Castiel pulled away from the imploring face. He straightened and pointed a single finger at her.
"For your plea, I will leave them go. For now. They will NOT disrupt my plans though. They must be watched and their actions accounted for. And that task will fall on your shoulders. Sister." He stepped back to view the woman and men as one then turned away, giving a last warning before blinking out of their sight.
"Your failure in this, Bithiel, will spell all of your damnations."