Chapter 10
Castiel stood with Chuck, watching the light of the archangel grow brighter. The house around them trembled as it approached. He felt Chuck put his hand on his shoulder and he couldn't help but shoot him a look that caused the man to withdraw it.
He didn't want comfort. He deserved no comfort.
He had set Dean free. Had disobeyed Zachariah's orders and sent Dean to try and save Sam. He didn't know if it was too late. He prayed that it wasn't. But he could stand here and try to buy Dean as much time as he could. It was suicide. Castiel was well aware of that fact. Zachariah and the other angels would not stand by and allow him to go unpunished. Not this time. But he didn't care anymore.
He thought of Dean as the archangel drew closer. Thought of how warm he had felt in Castiel's arms as the angel pinned him against the wall. How soft his lips felt under Castiel's hand. How he wanted nothing more than to kiss Dean on those lips and confess everything to him. Confess all his secrets and beg for Dean's forgiveness…
But that was all over now. When he had touched Dean's head to send him to Sam he knew it would be the last time he would ever see the hunter again. It was time to answer for his sins.
The archangel appeared in the room carrying a long sword in his right hand. He was tall with dark hair and dark eyes. He was dressed in a long robe and he radiated a brilliant light that caused Chuck to squint and shield his eyes. Castiel stood tall and faced the archangel.
"Simiel," Castiel said quietly.
Simiel looked at Castiel, his face unreadable in a stoic mask.
"Where is Dean Winchester?" Simiel demanded calmly.
Castiel shook his head. "He's not here."
"What have you done with him?"
"I sent him away. To be with his brother as it should be."
Simiel narrowed his eyes. "Do not presume to know how things should be, Castiel. You are only a soldier of the Lord, nothing more."
"I know what Zachariah has allowed to transpire is wrong and I will no longer stand by and do nothing," Castiel retorted determinedly.
The archangel glared at him and raised his empty hand. He shot out a blast of energy, slamming Castiel against the wall with a crash and pinning him in place. Chuck let out a yelp of fear and dove behind a chair. Simiel ignored him and walked over to Castiel, looking him over carefully. He then delivered a hard blow to Castiel's rib cage, the sound of the ribs cracking echoed in the otherwise now-silent room. Castiel grunted with pain and Simiel punched him in the face, knocking his head to one side.
"Follow your orders, Castiel," Simiel growled furiously. "Tell me where Dean Winchester is and I will be merciful and end this quickly for you."
Castiel's head lolled to one side as he looked at Simiel.
"I would rather die than betray Dean Winchester again," Castiel gasped out. His determined eyes locked on the archangel's face. "Do as you like, but I will not tell you."
Simiel growled furiously. He then reached into his robe and pulled out a small dagger inscribed with glowing blue markings. He held it up before Castiel's face as he delivered another blow to Castiel's side.
"Do you know what this is?" Simiel demanded, pressing the blade into the angel's cheek.
A flash of fear shot through Castiel, but he forced it aside. "Yes."
"You have sinned greatly, Castiel. You have developed emotions. You value the life of a human above that of your brethren. You have betrayed the orders of our Father and have desecrated the prophecy that has been long foretold. You betrayed your leader, Zachariah. And I am sure you have done more that I have not been told of. You should be destroyed already, but Zachariah insisted that I give you a chance to repent. Admit your wrongdoings and tell me where Dean Winchester is. Do so and I will spare your grace and let you die with it intact. Remain silent and I will cut it out of you with this blade and allow you to die without it. You die slowly… painfully… and you will suffer immensely… and there will be no one to save you… so tell me, Castiel, is that what you really want? To die with dishonor and shame?"
Castiel swallowed hard. He closed his eyes and could feel his vessel's heart pound in his chest. The thought of losing his grace… of falling… terrified him. But the thought of hurting Dean… again… No. Castiel slowly opened his eyes and met Simiel's gaze.
"I would rather die painfully and slowly at your hand," Castiel said quietly, "Knowing that I did everything in my powers to stop this atrocity, than die quickly knowing I betrayed the one person who has meant more to me than anything before."
The room fell completely silent. Chuck peeked out from behind his chair, his eyes wide from hearing Castiel's words. Simiel looked at Castiel solemnly as if waiting for him to change his mind. Castiel didn't avert his gaze. He didn't try to struggle. Finally, Simiel nodded slowly.
"So be it."
He raised the dagger in the air and began to chant.
"Vos es haud diutius dignus vestri venia. Vos proditor vestri brethren quod nostrum Abbas. EGO aufero vestri venia iussu Zachariah. May vos peto venia pro vestri sins quod may nostrum Abbas have misericordia super vos, Castiel…"
Castiel couldn't help but close his eyes. His breath hitched in his throat as he tensed, bracing himself for what was coming.
Then he heard a cheer.
He heard every angel in the heavens cry out, some with cheers of sheer joy, others in horror. Their cries echoed in Castiel's mind and his heart sunk as he realized what that meant.
Lucifer has been freed.
He felt blade press against his gut and Simiel tense behind it, obviously reacting to the cries of their brethren.
"Hey!"
Castiel's eyes flew open and even Simiel turned to see Chuck had jumped up to his feet.
"Hey! I'm gonna go run into the road and get hit by a Mack truck! Try and stop me!" He yelled and then took off and bolted out the front door before either stunned angel could respond.
Simiel was obviously startled and he moved to go after his charge…
And the edge of the blade sliced a thin line across Castiel's stomach, sending blood trickling out and blooding the white dress shirt he was wearing.
There was no pain at first, just a slight sting. Castiel looked down and his eyes widened when he saw the wound. It wasn't very large or deep. But it was enough. Enough to complete the incantation Simiel had spoke.
Simiel released his hold on the angel and Castiel collapsed to the floor in a heap. And then the pain shot through him, causing him to cry out weakly and him tried to slow the bleeding by wrapping his arm over the wound. Simiel watched him on the floor, his face devoid of emotion.
"I'm sorry it had to end this way, Castiel," He said quietly and disappeared.
The room was empty and silent. Castiel let out a painful whimper as he looked down at his wound. He could see now that mixed with the blood there were small streaks of a bluish glowing light. His grace. He watched desperately as it slowly seeped away into a puddle on the floor where the light flickered and then went dark. His body throbbed with pain, pain he had never even conceived of before. He struggled to breathe and tried to think. Deep inside of him he still had the desire to survive. The desire to keep fighting.
Dean. He had to find Dean.
He closed his eyes and tried to focus despite the pain. To his amazement he was able to have a vision of Dean with Sam. They were in a car driving somewhere. They were both alive.
Castiel took a deep breath and unfurled his wings with great difficulty. He might have enough of his grace to reach Dean. He had to try. He had to see Dean one last time. Even if it was to say good-bye.
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Translation of the Latin: You are no longer worthy of your grace. You betrayed your brethren and our Father. I remove your grace by order of Zachariah. May you seek forgiveness for your sins and may our Father have mercy upon you, Castiel.
