Chapter Four

'But why?' Dean asked for probably the hundredth time.

'Stop questioning me' Gabriel said simply.

'No way, is this going to get me in trouble? Are you in trouble and you're dragging me into it?' Dean asked. 'Why would someone as powerful as you need to learn how to hide their true nature away? That doesn't make sense! Everyone tries to show off how big and strong they are and you want to look… weaker?'

Dean really had a bad feeling about this whole thing and it really seemed like being cryptic was an angelic or just plainly a Gabriel characteristic. The archangel radiated power even wrapped up in the human body. To mortals he probably looked human, but Dean knew that every supernatural creature no matter if they were gods, spirits, fairies or anything else would see the brilliant golden light under his skin and feel his power in his presence. Which was good, they would know immediately not to mess with him, it would give him such an authority and respect around here that would outshine even the strongest gods of the mountains, which would just maybe give Dean some long overdue recognition as a god too with knowing the guy… not that he actually cared what those arrogant fly-bitten bastards thought of him or anything like that.

'I requested your assistance to shorten the amount of time it takes to acquire some skills you seem to have experience with, not to ask me questions' Gabriel said firmly.

'Well I am not your bloody servant, so you either speak up or you can forget my help, scamp' Dean retorted.

'Well you either do what I tell you or you can forget your life, brat' Gabriel told him with a hard look.

'Again with the barking' Dean rolled his eyes. Gabriel took a step closer and Dean could feel his power washing over his body in a second. His mind screamed at him to run instinctively, but he stood his ground. He looked defiantly into Gabriel's almost golden eyes.

'Your childish behavior ends here' the archangel said in a low tone. 'My patience is not endless. So you will stop asking questions and do what I tell you. You are in no way in a position to demand anything from me and I am not obliged to yield to your wishes. Did I make myself clear?'

Well damn. This was turning into a delightful experience.

'Sure scamp' he answered, because what else in the stinking troll bog was he supposed to say to that.

'And you will address me with some respect from now on' Gabriel added then he turned on his heels and they continued their walk down from the hill. Dean also didn't know what they couldn't just fly down.

'Oh, but of course sir giant terrible archangel, whatever you wish' he grimaced.

'I won't warn you again' Gabriel said without turning back and Dean bit back his snarky reply with great effort. He was not stupid and knew when to shut his mouth. He had no idea what got the angel's wings in a bunch all of a sudden, but he was much more fun to tease when he didn't go all mighty-smitey on his arse.

Oh Creide was so right he should've left the damn big canary alone, he wouldn't hear the end of this one that was for sure.

'Fine, but you still have to give me something to work with' he said deciding on a new approach. 'I have to know what you want to be hidden from, it's easier to fool spirits than gods for example, and fairies see everything completely differently again… and I have no idea how angels see' he waited for a few moments to see if that got out any reaction from the archangel or not, but no such luck so he continued. 'So I'm just saying… I need information to know what you want from me.'

'No one on Earth should know what I am' Gabriel said.

'Well I already know' Dean pointed it out.

'Stop being deliberately difficult' the archangel said and he stopped again and turned around to glare at the demigod, who just barely managed to hold back a chuckle. Yes, the angel was terrifying if he wanted to be, but he was still five inches shorter that could never stop being hilarious.

'Stop being so dictatorial and I might' Dean told him as he crossed his arms over his chest.

'You… you're insufferable!'

'Been called worse' the demigod replied immediately. They kept staring at each other for long seconds, Gabriel in obvious anger, Dean in stubborn defiance.

'I will answer your questions, but only the ones that are relevant' Gabriel said finally. Dean knew he wouldn't get a better deal, but still even if he was kept mostly in the dark there were some really huge advantages in being on the good side of an archangel. Not being incinerated by said archangel being one of the main ones.

'So you want to be hidden from everything? Not sure I know how to hide from angels' the god asked.

'I can hide myself from angels I don't need your help with that' Gabriel told him. Dean thought about it for a second looking at the archangel.

'Fine, first of all can you turn the light down?' he asked, but Gabriel just frowned at him. 'This body of yours is glowing like a firefly, pretty sure most humans won't pick up on it, but some would, not to mention everything else that's not human.'

Gabriel looked down onto his body for a second then the light dimmed a little.

'I can still see it, but then again I'm a god-'

'You're no god' Gabriel interrupted immediately.

'I might not be one of the mightiest deities but a little mutual respect would really do some good for our freshly blooming friendship, scamp' Dean replied.

'I was stating a fact and not disrespecting you' Gabriel told him with certain words.

'I fail to see the difference' Dean countered with a frown of his own.

'You are no "god" because none of you are' the archangel told him firmly. 'Even the ones you call "old" or "mighty" are just insignificant dots on the great scale of things. There is only one true God and that is my Father who created this world.'

'Way to be arrogant' Dean remarked.

'Again I am merely stating a fact. I am only a creation of His myself and not even the most powerful one, but even I could tear this world – that is younger than I – apart easily. All the things you know and see in this world, time and space, life and death are all under my control and I am able to influence them to my liking. There are only few beings in creation who wield a greater power than I and none of the creatures you call "gods" is among them.'

'Then what do you need me for?' Dean asked. 'I'm just a little insect to you then, one of the many that crawl around down in this place, what could someone like you possible need from me?'

'To achieve my goal I need to limit myself and that is not something I am familiar with. I need to be "one of the many" as you just said.'

Dean looked at the archangel again. This really was going to be troublesome.

'Fine, than lesson one. If anyone calls us little insignificant dots "gods" then you stay quiet, because like it or not we are the gods of this world and everyone calls us as such, mortals and immortals alike. If you start preaching about the greatness of your Father every time you can forget being "one of the many".' Gabriel kept his golden eyes on his face for a long moment.

'Understood' he nodded firmly then.

'Good, so like I started before I can still see you glowing with power under your skin, but I am god' he waited a second, but Gabriel stayed quiet as promised. 'So I can see even more than spirits.'

'I don't think it's possible to hide my presence to an ever greater extent' Gabriel said.

'Considering that in reality you're bigger than this hill I say you are making a really good job with it.'

'But my true nature is not hidden from… gods like this' he looked like it caused him physical discomfort to phrase his words this way.

'No, not even sure you're hidden from spirits, but one step at a time. Humans won't see you now, average humans I mean, but there are some who are more perceptive than the rest so first we're going to see how you look to them.'

x~x~x

It took Creide one look and a few heartbeats time to realize that the man with Dean was Gabriel.

'This is going to be harder than I first thought it would be' Dean concluded immediately.

'Why the bloody bugbear did ye bring this one here?' she asked incredulously while she eyed the archangel with unrestrained suspicion.

'Settle down, he ain't gonna be trouble, I promise' he turned towards Gabriel. 'You won't be trouble, right?'

'Oh ye dim trickster, he's bags of trouble' Creide said. 'Aren't ye giving me enough headaches on your own?' she did left the door open as she turned back inside despite her angry words.

'She's a handful, you get used to it' Dean remarked to the angel as he started to follow the witch inside.

'Oh ye just shut your cake-hole, Deandalon' she pointed a finger at his face. 'I will be effin' and blindin' in my own home as much as I please when ye keep bringing your mess here.'

It's been a while since Dean managed to get her this irritated.

'I'm telling you he won't be trouble' Dean said. Creide just shook her head disapprovingly.

'I'm warning ye, if ye dare to drag Patrick into this-'

'Quiet down now woman, I always keep an eye on your boy, you know that' Dean told her firmly. She was mad enough without starting to act all mother hen on his arse.

'Oh fine already. Sit down' she huffed out a breath. 'What d'ye need?' Dean sat down, but Gabriel just stood still at random spot like a stick in mud.

'Nothing but your unique wisdom and incomparable insight' Dean said.

'No sweet talking, out with it' she replied.

'How did you know who I was?' Gabriel asked.

'You're no human and not a spirit either. Deandalon doesn't meddle with other gods, so it was not that hard to figure it out, and ye reek of power the pure kind, not the magic we use around here.'

'Any way to hide that?' Dean asked. Because if Creide could sense Gabriel's power than all spirits and gods would as well. And he just knew of no way to cover up his presence completely, so he would need a spell or some other magical help and he was no expert in that. Creide's eyes narrowed and she looked at Dean first then she shifted her eyes on Gabriel.

'Now why would ye hide his power?' she asked and Dean chuckled, because that was his first question too.

'That is not relevant' Gabriel answered.

'He won't say' Dean added. 'But he doesn't want anything to notice what he is.'

'Impossible' Creide said. 'So much power can't be just' she made a vague motion with her hand. 'spirited away. No matter what, his presence will be noticed.'

'Fine, so if it can't be gone' Dean started. 'How about making it… look different?'

'How different?' Creide asked. Gabriel kept observing their interaction quietly.

'When he showed up in the sky I thought he was a sun god' Dean explained. 'You said he reeks of pure power and I can feel some of that too, but what if his power felt like a god's instead?'

'That's preposterous' Gabriel spoke up. 'You suggest I pose as a… god of this world? That's blasphemy. An outrageous disrespect towards my Father, a dreadful sin to commit, a-'

'Hey, slow down scamp' Dean interrupted him. 'You're the one wanting to be hidden we are just giving you the options, if you don't like it forget it, but you asked for a way and I am giving you a way, but if you think you're too superior and holy for it then you chose to wrong world to hide in.'

'But-'

'One of the many, you said. It's either this or nothing, take it or leave it' Dean said with conviction. He just had enough of listening to what worthless little scum the angel thinks they were compared to his Father. Gabriel fell silent at his words and his face darkened but not in anger but something resembling desperation and Dean almost regretted his harsh terms looking at the angel, but he held his ground with the ultimatum.

'So be it' the angel said in a quiet tone after a very long pause. Dean looked at him for another moment then he turned back to Creide.

'What do we need to do then?' he asked.

'Hold your horses, I never said I will help' she said and Dean frowned. 'I am in your dept Deandalon, but I owe you nothing angel' she looked at Gabriel, her dark eyes leveling on him. 'So if ye want something from me it won't be for free. Why ye need to hide your wings I don't know, but it is very important, isn't it? So this favor will be pricey.'

'You dare to set such terms?' Gabriel asked.

'I dare, and if ye don't like it, good luck with finding another witch with my knowledge and power' she said as she tilted her chin up challengingly. Gabriel looked at her for a few moments with narrowed eyes.

'Fine. Whatever you want in return you will have it' he said.

'A swear… angel. Give your word' Creide told him.

'I swear to my Father, you will get your reward' Gabriel answered.

'Good' Creide smiled. 'Now let's make a god out of ye.'