Chapter 13
Gabriel wanted to turn his eyes away as he could feel the icy gaze of his little brother on his body, but he didn't want to show weakness, because that would be fatal in a situation like this.
It wasn't only his life which was in danger right now.
"C-Cas? Is that…you?"
Dean dared to step forward two steps, but immediately Gabriel's piercing gaze stopped him.
"Quiet Dean! Stand back!" Gabriel warned the human and his eyes looked back at his brother, who still stood there and looked at him emotionless.
"We have been looking for you everywhere Castiel..." Gabriel tried to start the conversation, but it seemed to have no effect, because the angel before him did not react, his gaze remained still ice cold and piercing.
"Oh yes? Did you do that Gabriel?"
The Archangel shivered.
He could hear the darkness which was hidden in the words of his brother.
"Yes, we have. We were worried about you."
Gabriel saw how Castiel clenched his hands into fists and if he knew no better, he could have sworn that the temperature would have fallen by a few degrees at this moment...
"You were worried about me? Is that really the truth brother?"
Castiel tried to preserve the peace, trying to stay calm, but Gabriel could feel the dark presence clearly, but he also tried to preserve the peace.
"Yes, we have. What happened to you? You look...different."
The Seraph narrowed his eyes, glared at him darkly and Gabriel could see the feathers lined up on his night-black wings. A sign that the anger slowly but surely gained the upper hand over the angel.
The archangel had to act quickly and come up with something before the situation escalated, because against the fury of a seraphim himself he could do nothing. Moreover, the lives of Sam, Dean and Bobby were at danger. He wanted to protect them at all costs from the wrath of his brother. It wasn't their fault after all...
"Isn't it obvious what happened to me?" the cold voice of the seraphim brought him back from his thoughts and he shivered again.
"My big brother has revealed the truth to me. He showed me what I really am. And he showed me how wrong my brothers and sisters were and what they did to me in all these millennia. You knew it too, right Gabriel? As one of the seven great Archangels you know well what I am and what happened to me."
Gabriel bowed his head and that was answer enough for Castiel.
"Yes, I knew it brother. But you have to understand, I wanted to protect you from yourself."
"By conceal my origin?!"
Castiel had raised his voice and Gabriel could see from the corners of his eyes, as how the humans among them took a few steps backwards.
"Try to understand Cas. I had no choice..."
Again his brother gave him this piercing look, making him take back a few steps himself now.
"Since our father is gone each of us has a choice."
"And what is your choice? You are now on Lucifer's side and together with him you want to destroy this planet? Is this what you want?"
Now the Archangel had raised his voice as well and Sam, Dean and Bobby flinched when two powerful, golden wings suddenly spread behind his back.
"No. I want retribution and punish those who did this to me."
"And what do you want here?"
Again Castiel narrowed his eyes and Gabriel did the same.
"I'm not here to kill you."
"Oh no? What is it then?"
"I'm here because I want to make my big brother a gift. He was the one who told me the truth."
Castiel's eyes met those of his brother, and his eyes burned into the Archangel's.
"Give me Sam Winchester and I'll leave you alive. If you refuse, then I will kill you and take what I want."
Gabriel was silent and the others did the same.
In their eyes, the pure horror was to be seen, and even the usually quiet and mocking acting Trickster among them could not believe his ears.
Was this really his little brother whom he had raised so lovingly?
Gabriel almost automatically went into a fighting position and spread his wings out. His feathers fluttered and in his golden eyes anger began to sparkle and he let his angel blade glide into his right hand.
"No. I will not let you do this Castiel," he said, and he tried to keep his voice calm.
"Then you leave me no choice..."
His opponent pulled a sword from his scabbard, which he wore on his left side and he also got ready for a fight.
"Gabriel, no!" Dean tried to stop the Archangel, but Gabriel pushed him back.
"Stand back Dean. This is a fight I have to fight out alone. Take your brother and Bobby and get out of here. I will try to give you as much time as I can."
Gabriel turned to them again and gave them an almost meek smile that never reached his eyes.
"Farewell, my friends..."
And shortly thereafter swords met each other...