Disclaimer: I dont own Supernatural/Devil May Cry/ Lucifer franchise.
Episode 3: The End begins...Again!
Sam and Dean were driving the Impala as Sam was watching the news in his phone.
"Sudden lightning storms have been raging across the continent! Meteorologists are unable to explain this phenomenon!"
"Forest fires started all of a sudden in USA, Mexico, Brazil, Central Europe, Asia and Australia! No one knows what started this, but climate experts say its associated with the sudden lightnings"
"A Richter 8.0 earthquake has struck Papua New Guinea region and lithospheric scan done by world space agencies shows the pacific ring of fire has lightened up"
"Huge locust swarms have ravaged, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Libya! Crops failures are being reported on a
"Reporter: What do you think about all these climate changes!"
Public person: This is a trial from the God! This is the end of days! Humanity is doomed! We are all-..."
Sam decided to stop listening to the news as he shut down the phone display. He turned to look at his brother.
"What the hell was that!? This is mad apocalypse all over again! I mean Lucifer level of madness!" Dean asked as he glanced at the rainfall that suddenly appeared with thunder and lightning. Sam was running the possibilities on what could cause chaos in this scale. But it all narrowed down to only one candidate, the prime evil.
"Its gotta be Diablo!" Sam said.
"But he cant come back until the spell from Necronomicon is complete" Dean replied wondering whats true and what not.
"But what if he is awakened!? C'mon Dean! Thats the only way all this could be happening! That demon statue, that was stolen from the museum, it definitely gotta have something to do with this!" Sam said.
"Okay, one thing at a time! We are almost in Kansas. We'll go back to the bunker and summon Billy and find this talisman!" Dean said glancing at his brother.
'Fair enough!" Sam replied with a nod as they drove the car fast to their place.
...
Castiel and Dante rode the bike towards the heaven's gateway. Cas was leading the devil hunter in hopes to communicate with the other angels to get an idea of where the spear of storms could be.
"Are you sure, your winged buddies could help with this weapon?" Dante asked. Dante stopped the bike and they both got out. It was a children's park but it was already night time, so just winds were blowing and moving the equipment.
"We can only hope, let go" Cas replied as they walked towards the big sand area.
"This is Castiel! If you can hear me, I need to talk! Someone answer the call!" Castiel called out. There was a 20 second silence.
"Hope your pals got some big ears-..." Dante quipped as they both saw the sand started the swirling.
The sand started to glow and swirl as it rose in the air. Then they were both greeted by 3 angels one in human male in tux and two in their original form covered in golden armor with wings capped in standing tall and broad. Their eyes were glowing the same color as their armor and the face was full black with no hint of face. They were holding their glaive in their hands.
"Hello Castiel, its been a while!" The angel at the centre greeted him with a warm smile.
"Nathaniel!" Castiel called out his name. The angel then turned to look at Dante with a little bit of worried look on his face. He knows about him and always been wary of him and his brother. They are two of the most formidable forces that all of heaven and hell never dared to cross.
"Son of Sparda! Its been decades since we met face to face" Nathaniel spoke with grim face.
"What can I say!? I like to work alone" Dante smirked at him.
"Back to the matter at hand, why did you summon us?" Nathaniel asked.
"We need to know where is the Spear of Storms?" Castiel asked.
"Zadkiel's old weapon!? Why would you want that? If your memory serves you any better, that weapon was lost and reforged and lost again" the angel said feeling suspicious on why their angel would be interested in the lost spear after millennia.
"Nathaniel, you know what is happening now! The prime evil, The lord of terror, Al'Diabolos, is coming back! We all heard his roar! Some witch is conspiring with demons to summon Diablo and they are collecting the conduits and the Necronomicon to create a spell that will bring him back to full power!" Castiel said stressing the words trying to make Nathaniel realize the gravity of situation.
"I know *SIGH*-...We knew this day would come sooner or later. But we dont know where the spear is" he replied.
"Then who would know!? Who can help!?" Dante asked to which Nathaniel took a brief pause before he answered.
"There is a way to get it. After Azazel died near the devil's gate, the weapon was moved to a different location. A vault in the safe keeping of another prince of hell as the rumors came by, Ramiel" Nathaniel explained.
"Ramiel!? That name rings a bell" Castiel said trying hard to recall.
"Yeah, he is in Oklahoma. We have been keeping tabs on every known hell lords that are residing on earth and hasnt caused a scene, so far yet! Ramiel, according to my sources, he is kinda satisfied with secluding himself from the underworld" Dante said.
"Good, then thats where you need to go! But you have to hurry!" Nathaniel said in worry.
"If you holy cows truly cared about that, why wouldnt you help along!?" Dante asked raising his eyebrows.
"Amenadiel has tied our hands! We cant do anything! Even if we tried to help, the one trying to bring Diablo is so well hidden from our sights. Only someone who has total mastery over black magic can actually hide from the sights of Archon himself! So I'm sorry if we dont lend our hands. Its all upto you now!" Nathaniel said defending himself and his people. Dante simply gave dry smirk.
"Why is Amenadiel not helping? What's happening up there!?" Castiel asked wondering why the new God is hesitant to help when the very existence is at threat.
"Amenadiel is not at the silver city! He is somewhere in the distant part of the universe. Also he dont want to meddle with human affairs anymore, especially given the fact on what happened these last 12 years" Nathaniel said to which Cas sighed as he knew all well about that. Besides Earth is not left unprotected. It has monster hunter all over the world, Dante, Vergil, Nero and other devil hunters. They can handle the threats that come to Earth.
"We dont blame you for anything. You have helped us a lot now. Thanks!" Castiel said with a nod of approval. Thats when they all heard another growling voice from their behind.
"Ofcourse, no one will blame you! Thanks for helping us out too, with the location of the spear!"
Everyone turned to look at the source of the voice.
It was several demons, the traumas, huge elephant sized demons with thick hide, huge bone claws in the wrist,. Then there were also furies, Riots and some green slimy Hell Antenora with huge meat cleavers.
At the center of them was a man with yellow eyes. Dante immediately recognized him.
"Ha hah ha! That meat suit really suits you well, Dagon! Considering how ugly you are in actual!" Dante let a sarcastic comment.
"Well well well! Look who it is! The legendary devil hunter Dante! You think you can stop Diablo's arising!? What a joke! You need to worry about getting the spear before me when you all will be fighting these demons!"
"And you need to worry about leaving this place first hand, jackass!" Dante said as he summoned his devil sword Dante. Castiel readied his angel blade. Nathaniel summoned his sword as the two guards readied their glaives.
"FINISH THEM!" Dagon yelled as all the demons charged in. It was furies at first.
Dante instantly impaled one of it and threw it away. Then another fury lunged at him from his right as one trauma was charging at him like a bulldozer. Dante did a huge back flip as threw his sword in the air and pulled out his pistols and rained the bullets on them as it hurt the truama. The fury was rammed by the big demon on accident. Dante then instantly shot two other Riots that were rolling towards him from left and right. As they closed in, Dante leapt upside down and spun his body and rained bullets down and it pierced the Riot hides and died bloody.
Nathaniel fought a couple of Hell Antenoras, a trauma and fury as he kept dodging their attacks with his angelic reflex. Natheniel spread his wings as he flew around them and cut their heads. The guards used their glaives to fight Riots, a trauma. One of the trauma managed to pierce an angel soldier with its bone claws. Castiel came to rescue as he pierced the truama in its neck with the angel blade. He then was tackling a fury and Hell antenora. Cas managed to time the dodge as the antenora accidentally hit the fury with its cleaver. Cas then used this to stab both the demons.
Dante was slashing the demons left and right cutting them in half. But then a huge explosive round was sent his way as Dante blocked it with his sword. But the force pushed him a few feet back.
As the smoke cleared, Dagon was in his true demon form. A grizzly pale face with huge upper and lower fangs and glowing blue eyes. He was stocky, covered with torn hell cloth and broken armor. Other angels were still fighting the demons as they keep popping up even after killing them.
"DANTE!" Dagon growled.
"Now you're pretty! By the way, A prince of hell dont want to rule hell, instead trying to summon the worst son of a b**ch! Why may I ask!?" Dante asked sarcastically questioned him.
"Al'Diabolos will usher the hell in a new era. No more weaklings like Crowley or any other demons! He was mightiest of us all! Even as of now, Lucifer himself pales in comparison" Dagon spoke in anger.
"What does Mundus think about your little plan!?" Dante asked to which Dagon snorted.
"Mundus doesnt care anymore about our circle, so we are on our own. Besides-...with you and your brother around, we need Diablo to first extinguish the cambions!" Dagon said in sinister tone.
"And you think he can stop us!?" Dante asked with a smirk.
"The last time he was sealed away, not even Lucifer could stop him! Of the 3 brothers, Diablo is the only immortal! That is why he was sealed away by separating his body, essence and his powers. His essence has been awakened now!" Dagon said to which Dante deduced how that happened.
"So that beast head statue's power. That brought his essence back!" Dante concluded.
"YES! Soon his powers will return too and not a damn thing you can do-...ha hah!" Dagon said grinning as he instantly summoned a flaming sword and swung right at him. Dante effortlessly blocked it with his sword.
Dagon didnt waste time as he used his left arm to shoot bolts of hell fire which he dodged left and right and kicked a couple of shots away. Dagon then aggressively swung his blade left and right as Dante parried it continuously. Dagon then sent a flurry of spiked chains that grabbed Dante as the devil hunter was trying to get out. But Dagon was sending him on a ragdoll and smashed him through multiple trees. But Dante then broke the chains as he dropped to the ground. Though he was only with few minor bruises and he was casually knocking the dust from his hands as he summoned his sword again.
Dagon without wasting time, charged at him. Dante was running towards the demon. Dagon leapt high and stomped the ground. Dante did a back flip and then jumped high and swung the devil sword that clashed with Dagon's sword and created a shockwave.
*BOOOM*
"RRRAAAAAAHHH!" Dagon angrily growled and vanished. Dante was cautiously looking for him. But then Dagon got so huge suddenly and stomped Dante out of nowhere.
"DANTE!" Castiel who finished fighting the other demons saw what happened and yelled his name out.
"Well, you missed it out by the mark!" Dante said laughing who was in the side perfectly alright.
"WHAT!?" Dagon was confused to see Dante as he knew and felt him crush under his feet. He took his feet out only to see another Dante there who then turned pitch black and the body changing into a demonic form with glowing blood red eyes that was oozing black mist. It vanished into thin air. Dagon was fooled by Dante's doppelganger.
Dante then immediately summoned Balrog as the devil arm wrapped him with burning hell fire. He instantly did a divine uppercut with full force.
*WHACK*
"AAAHH!" Dagon was hurt by the gauntlet's sheer force. Dagon dropped down to his normal size. Dante immediate delivered a Capoeira hook kick followed by a 540 crescent kick. Then a powerful back kick to his abdomen.
*THAM*
Dagon then swung his long blade with his left hand. Dante dodged them left and right like a boxer and delivered a double hook punch to his liver and face and series of jab and cross.
"RRRR-...I"LL KILL YOU!" Dagon roared as he sent a blast wave which Dante evaded with a cartwheel dodge to the right. Dante then delivered another back kick followed by series of hook kicks, a butterfly kick and then another hook and then a 540 hook kick that send Dagon flying back as he fell back onto the ground. The hell fire was blazing in the air with every punch and kick.
The prince of hell was struggling to get back on his feet. Dante picked up his devil sword and pierced Dagon's abdomen so deep. Demon blood was spewing out of the wound. Dante then took the sword out as the blade was dripping the blood. Dante then rested the sword upside down on the ground.
"*GASP* -...RRRHH-...UHH-...You-...You think you've won!?" Dagon asked in death's throes. Castiel, Nathaniel and the remaining one guard stood besides Dante.
"You're the one dying, Dagon. We could've done this the easy way if you had walked away!" Castiel said.
"Huh-...HA HAH HA! Righteous FOOLS! This was only a distraction! Belphegor has already obtained the spear from Ramiel!" Dagon said laughing at their predicament. Dante and the other angels cast a glance at one another with seriousness.
"Shit! I should have seen that one coming. But still feels good to kick your ass!" Dante smirked and said.
"Diablo's arrival is inevitable, you puny bastards! Every demon in the underworld will hear your screams when he suck your souls-..." Dagon finished his dying words as he vanished by turning into ashes slowly.
"Well thats one hell of a speech!" Dante quipped.
"The demons are one step ahead of us! This is not a good sign" Castiel said worried about the ramifications of their failure.
"Then the best you can hope is to make sure they dont get the full set to unleash the terror lord! As long as they miss even a single piece of conduit, their summoning ritual wont work!" Nathaniel said.
"And if worst comes to worst!?" Castiel asked in a grim tone.
"If a threat reaches the gates of silver city, heaven's full host led by Archon will take a stand against the prime evil! I need to report back in. You both, good luck on your path. Besides, you have killed a prince of hell and one of the most powerful one too. All of hell will be alerted now! The coven will hasten their activities" Nathaniel said looking at the son of Sparda.
"Well, let them keep comin!" Dante said nodding. Nathaniel gazed at the devil hunter for a while as memories of the battles and wars against demon kings and gods that he fought keep mankind safe, rolled out.
"Maybe you-...you can stop him if he steps into this world. And possibly your brother if he is even interested! I have to say, we made a lot of mistakes back then. Sparda was one of the most feared demon in all of Heaven and the underworld. You and your brother have exceeded him. We could have let you help the Winchesters fight against Lucifer and instead we held your hands! And-...Amara-...your grandmother, if not for Vergil, you both could have helped and we lost lots of angels, demons and humans to her" Nathaniel confessed with face that expressed guilt and regret. Dante chuckled at that.
"My brother escaped the underworld because of the crack that formed with granny Amara's rise. Besides, why does that apology sound so cynical!? C'mon, savour it for the thousands that died because the pencil pushers up there couldnt do their job properly! Huh-...anyways thanks for the help!" Dante said with a hand wave. Nathaniel sighed in mild guilt. Castiel who was listening to the whole conversation was silent all the time. He agreed with Dante's statements.
"But dwelling on those past mistakes is not gonna stop Diablo. We'll get back to work. Take care brother!" Castiel said with a smile.
"You too brother Castiel! I see you have lost some of your grace when Metatron used it to send us crashing down. Maybe I will see what I can to restore you fully" Nathaniel said with a warm smile. He then left with the guard back to heaven through the sand portal.
"Hmm, that was one heck of meeting we had!" Dante said as he drew a breath.
"We have lost Zadkiel's weapon. Lets hope Sam and Dean has got the grim talisman. Lets go!" Castiel said.
"No arguments there, this place stinks now!" Dante said as they moved towards the cavaliere motorcycle.
...
Sam and Dean reached the Men of letters bunker.
"Alright sammy, lets summon the reaper and get this over with" Dean said as he began helping with getting the ingredients for reaper summoning ritual.
"Hope, its Billy that answers the call. There are thousands of reapers out there" Sam said as he drew the reaper sigil with the chalk on the table. He then took a bowl and placed all the ingredients inside and then he took a knife and cut his palm as blood dripped in.
"Messorum evovo qui me tetigit"
As Dean lit a matchstick and burned the ingredients. As the smoke cleared out they saw a black woman in brown leather jacket and blue jeans gazing at them.
"Hello boys! Been a while" the woman said with a smile.
...
"Why did you call me? Besides, you have pissed every reaper off in the arena-...after that fiasco with getting the mark of Cain out of you!" Billy said glaring at Dean. Dean and Sam glanced at each other in mild guilt.
"Listen uhh-...I am sorry what I did to death and all-..." Dean started to talk before being cut off
"You didnt do squat!-...to Death. He is angry on his last encounter with you two!" Billy said which confused the two.
"Wait, you sound like he's alive! But Dean stabbed him with his own scythe!"Sam said to which Billy gave a disappointing look.
"You actually thought you killed death!? Are you that dumb, Winchester!? You cant kill Death!" Billy berated the brothers.
"Then what about him being dust in the wind!?" Dean asked confused.
"Death is the oldest of the Endless and the most powerful one too!" Billy said to which Sam asked.
"Endless!?" Sam asked shrinking his temples.
"The 7 abstract beings in the universe that are as old and older than Chuck. Death is the second oldest and the most powerful of them. You only killed his physical body. He is still out there!" Billy said to which Sam and Dean trembled at the fact. They both know Death is calm cold and collected. But now that he's still out there, they are a bit terrified of him coming for them.
"But dont worry, he doesnt hold grudges! He's not petty!" Billy said to which the brothers sighed in relief.
"So, what do you want?" Billy asked finally getting to the point.
"What do you know about the grim talisman?" Dean asked to which Billy looked at them suspicious.
"I know enough, why do you ask?" Billy questioned them.
"We want it! Listen, there is another party that needs the talisman to bring the demon Diablo back! We need to know where it is to safeguard it!" Dean said trying to convince the reaper. Billy took a time to process that as her face turned grim.
"*SIGH*-...I dont know where it is-...But-..." Billy said with a lengthy pause to which the brothers were gazing at her for further answers.
"But-...my master may know it. Get to the nearest graveyard, now! I will call him there" Billy said and vanished.
"Well, that was fast! Lets get to the grave site and see what happens" Sam said to which Dean nodded in approval.
...
Sam and Dean took the Impala and reached the nearest graveyard. They walked past the grave stones and reached the middle ground.
"Alright Billy, we are here!" Dean said loud. Billy appeared instantly to their side.
"Now let me do my work!" she said as he raised arms and closed her eyes as the graveyard started to be filled with echoes. Then after 30 seconds, Billy opened her eyes. There was eerie silence as the three were looking around and there was no one.
Then all of a sudden everyone heard a distant sound, a sound of a horse neigh and riding towards them.
"There he comes!" Billy said as they all looked front. Sam and Dean were terrified at the sight. They saw a pale horse with green ethereal flames over it riding towards them. Then it stopped near them. The horse looked demonic with a crest under the neck. Then they saw the Grim reaper in a black cloak with silver armor parts over it. Its face was totally covered and appeared black. Then it had a huge scythe in its hand. On its back, there were small poles with human and demon skulls staked.
The being then teleported before them, hovering tall above them. The being moved forward like a ghost and stopped. Then it changed form from the grim reaper form to the human appearance of a skinny old man with the scythe turning into a cane.
"Hello Sam, Dean!" Death greeted them neutrally. Sam and Dean stared at Death in fear, ironic that they were gazing at their own demise.
"Please, dont be afraid-...not yet!" Death said calmly.
"Listen-...I uhh-...I'm sorry for last time-..." Sam said as he stumbled with words, as he kinda felt shame and fear to speak out.
"Stow that crap to yourself and cut to the chase! What do you want with the grim talisman!?" Death asked plain and cold. Sam and Dean once again shared an awkward glance.
"The talisman is being sought by some magical hillybilly douchesbags to bring back Diablo. Its one of the 6 conduits needed-..." Dean said once again cut off by the grim reaper.
"I know that! What do you want to do with the Talisman!? Do you even know what that is?" Death asked as he slowly pulled the talisman hidden from the jacket to their visibility. Dean and Sam looked at the talisman tied to a silver chain, tear drop shaped that had skulled demon face etched in it with mouth wide open.
"Is that the one!?" Sam asked a bit scared at the sight. Death nodded in acknowledgement.
"All we needed to know is that its required to bring back Diablo. You give it to us and we will secure it in the men of letters bunker away from anyone's reach, will all wardings" Dean said with confidence. Death sighed in exasperation.
"Why would I entrust a ridiculously powerful necromantic artifact to you two!?" Death asked glaring at them.
"You dont trust us, we get it! We screw things half of the time! But, there is a spell that can bind you and make you do things for the time being, like Lucifer did! What if you were forced to give away the talisman?" Dean said trying to reason with the cosmic entity.
"We know the talisman contains the souls of demons and that it makes a person immune to death" Sam said to which Death simply smirked.
"Is that what Crowley told you!?" Death asked to which the brothers were stunned to hear. They realized Death knew it all along.
"That talisman is a two way magical binding object. The one who wears it and start slaying as many demons as possible, the souls instead of being tossed into the empty, becomes raw necromantic energy. Like a battery, the talisman gets charged with that energy and when its full, the said person can impersonate-..me, for sometime" Death said to which the brothers were shocked.
"Wait, they become death?" Sam asked wide eyed.
"Not only that, the more powerful the demons that are slayed, the more longer they can play god! Till it becomes permanent. Now you understand how this one object is a complete affront to the laws of the universe!?" Death asked in all seriousness.
"Who even made such a thing!?" Sam asked.
"Ancient demon weaponsmith, Machiavelli. The one who ordered to do it was Mundus himself! That was a long time ago" Death said to which the brothers were stunned.
"Then what do we do? Just walk away knowing that its safe!?" Dean asked as he was perplexed about what Death just told them.
"No. As you wanted, you can safeguard it and the fact that the earthly matters are none of my concern-.." Death said to which Sam interrupted.
"None of your concern!? Sam asked surprised by his admittance.
"Yes, it isn't! I am not a soldier. I am the anti-life! My role here is much bigger than what is happening here" Death said firmly to which Sam replied nothing.
"So-...will you give it to us?" Dean asked with half hope that he may help.
"Yes" Death said as he removed the talisman and hand it over to Sam. Sam took it and immediately sensed a huge surge into his mind as if his soul was overwhelmed and ripped apart for a moment. Sam's breath was rapid as Dean was trying to calm him down but Sam gained control as he turned normal again.
"That overwhelming feeling you had is the tormented screams of demon souls. Keep an eye on it! I will take my leave now and hope-...to never see you both again" Death said. Sam and Dean nodded and they left the graveyard in their Impala back to their bunker.
"Why did you lie!? I mean the talisman is not one of the artifacts needed for bringing Diablo!" Billy asked confused.
"Lets us sit back and watch the show, dear!" Death said calmly with smug on his face.
...
Sam and Dean reached the bunker as they were gazing at the talisman.
"So this is it! We have the talisman! Only 4 more to go!" Sam said.
"Let's call Cas and Dante and see if all's good in their end" Dean said as he phoned Cas.
"Hello Dean!" Cas spoke over the line.
"We are at the bunker and got the talisman. So, whats the status on the spear? You guys got it!?" Dean asked.
"No Dean! I uhh-...We will come to the bunker and explain everything!" Cas said and he cut the call to which Sam and Dean were confused.
"What happened? Did they lose it or-...!?" Sam asked wide eyed.
"We need to wait till they get back" Dean said frustratingly.
...
Dante and Cas finally reached the place where the men of letters bunker is. Cas gave him directions while he rode the Cavaliere.
"So this is the place huh? You secret nest for supernatural ops!" Dante asked as he got out of the motorcycle and walked slowly towards the building. Dante saw the black Chevy Impala parked nearby.
"Yes, lets go inside!" Cas said as he and Dante walked inside and opened the main door that had a warding.
"Enochian wardings! Keep the pigeons and hounds of demonsville away, I guess!" Dante said to which Cas nodded.
They both then walked down the stairs and opened another door that led to the bunker. Cas closed the door and they both walked further down the stairs.
"CAS! Finally!" Dean called out and the bothers instantly spotted the devil hunter walking behind him and stood up in wariness.
"Cas!? Are you sure its wise to bring him here!?" Sam asked glancing between Cas and Dante.
"This is some hellhole you got here!" Dante said as he looked around seein lots of ancient artifacts, blades and lots of books, some advanced equipments too.
"By the way, thanks for the invite!" Dante said raising his eyebrows with a smirk.
"Well, we didnt actually!" Dean said with a dry smile.
"Listen man, I have a place of my own and I prefer that over this-...dungeon!" Dante said to which Sam and Dean felt a bit offended.
"Lets talk about what happened" Cas said.
"You tell us! Where is the spear?" Sam asked seeing them both empty handed.
"We spoke to Nathaniel and he provided us the location of the spear. But unknown to us, Dagon, the prince of hell and his demons were eavesdropping on us and he relayed the info to Belphagor. And he managed to secure it from Ramiel, another prince of hell!" Cas summarized the entire events in his stoic tone.
"What the-...! So where is Dagon?" Dean asked wide eyed.
"Dead! I killed him-...but what a waste, huh!" Dante said casually to which Sam and Dean were stunned and left speechless.
"You killed a prince of hell!?" Sam stumbled. The last time they fought Azazel, the prince of hell, they lot a lost of people and Dean died once. But then again, its no surprise
"Yup. But like I said, it didnt change a thing. They still got the spear and we have 4 more to go. You guys got the talisman?" Cas asked.
"Yeah we do. Although, Death-...for some odd reasons gave it away, just like that!" Sam said still being confused about how the whole encounter with death went away. Dean then placed the talisman upon the table. Dante took a peek at that.
"That thing-...its radiating power on an astronomical scale!" Cas said sensing the power emanating from the talisman.
Dante walked close to it and he could feel the demon souls screaming in agony. He went to grab it, but Dean interrupted.
"Whoa whoa! Easy there! Dont touch it! Its too-..." Dean said as Dante ignored and took the talisman in his hand.
"And he touched it" Sam said though they saw Dante didnt even flinch. But then, they know he's a cambion and the most powerful too, so maybe he could be handling this kind of power like cup cake.
Dante was looking at it for few seconds and he sensed something, more like he was searching for something. But then he chuckled.
"Ohh poor bastards! May their souls rest in agony!" Dante said sarcastically as he threw the talisman at Sam which he catched and immediately dropped on to the table. Dean waved his hands in fear.
"So whats next?" Cas asked.
"I'll tell you whats next. And you folks need to ward this place again against the likes of me" a voice came from behind as they all turned to look at the source. It was none other than the king of hell Crowley.
"Crowley! Wonderful timing!" Dante said to which Crowley smirked.
"Alright, we got the first two items. Now give up the rest" Sam said. Crowley let an evil smile.
"About that-..." Crowley said to which Sam and Dean's face changed to disappointment to mild anger. Every time they heard the 'About that' words, there was always a catch.
"Right-...you need something in return-...again!" Dean said with a flat faced expression.
"Crowley, whats with you always bargaining at the time of existential crisis!?" Sam asked a rhetorical question.
"What can I say, moose!? I am an self made opportunist. I live for moments like this!" Crowley replied.
"What do you want?" Cas asked irate at the king of hell's gesture.
"The talisman!" Crowley said to which others were confused.
"What!? NO!" Sam outright rejected.
"Huh, you dont have a choice in the matter, moose! If you want the next set of ingredients, you need to handover the talisman. If not-..." Crowley said to which Dean interrupted.
"Or what!? You'll walk away!? Fine, walk away! We dont need you and Diablo can kick your ass for all we care! We would rather not give something to you that turns into death itself" Dean said with a snarkiness in his voice.
"And you think he's gonna stop with downstairs? He will blow this planet up, so do us all a favor! My offer stands, give me the talisman or I go. And dont burst your bubble, without me, no ones got the knowledge of the conduits. Even Lucifer knows only how to split Diablo and his powers and keep him imprisoned. Only I know what those fanatical witch and his demons even the other prince of hells are looking for unleash the terror lord" Crowley said with pride.
"And why is that!?" Cas asked glaring at the demon.
"Coz I've got an insider among them. She has been feeding information to me through ravens. Thats how I keep you posted" Crowley said to which Sam and Dean were a bit shocked though they gave it to his cunningness.
" And my source have also managed to sneak in and get information on what they are looking for next" Crowley said.
"And why exactly these 6 conduits are required, specifically?" Sam asked suspiciously.
"Because the last time Lucifer used the spell from Necronomicon, Diablo's powers were split into 6 and were imbued into each powerful item later, like the spear of storms, the talisman...so you put all those items back together-...thats one big recipe for the hell lord" Crowley said which now made sense though something didnt sit well with Dante.
"So why do you want the talisman?" Dante asked since he felt something was off but didnt want to bite till they all got the task at hand completed.
"Because thats the most dangerous item of the 6. I cannot have something like that floating around without protection. I will hide it in the Lucifer's old crypt in hell where no one can enter. Now-...the talisman" Crowley said lending his arm.
Sam and Dean glanced at each other in doubt and then handed over the talisman to him. Once Crowley touched the item, for a moment even he too felt overwhelmed as the necromantic energic radiating from it was too much even for him. Only Dante didnt flinch since his powers far eclipses it.
Crowley then put it in his pocket and then spoke.
"Good, I see the spear of storms in their hand. But the news of Dagon's death has sent a strong message and those cult has hastened their search for the rest. They have witches and demons looking for the others items around the world and the book of the dead. The next item every demon and demon generals are looking for is the 'Heart of the chosen one'" Crowley finished.
"Heart of the chosen one!?" Sam asked shrinking his temples.
"Yes, But the problem is neither party knows what or where the heart is!"
"Chosen!? Is it some monster's heart we are talking about!?" Dean asked wondering what that was.
"Well, you asked for the information and I am giving it to you! Now I'll be on my way-...and fix those wardings!" Crowley said as he vanished into thin air.
"I too dont know what exactly that is. I need to look for information I can get on that. Let me see to it from my side.
"Not sure, its pretty much new to me either. Let me call my friend!" Dante said as he called Trish in his cell phone.
"Who!? That Nico chick!?" Dean asked raising his eyebrows.
"Nope, another one. More of an expert in this arena!" Dante said the phone call was picked up.
"Hey Trish! I hope you're up to speed on what we are up against?" Dante said as he turned on the speaker for everyone to hear.
"Yes-...Diablo! A real deadly nasty piece of a demon! Sources close to me revealed that they are digging out the 6 pieces of his powers and already got hands on one" Trish said.
"Yep, the spear of storms. But hey! Atleast I got a piece of Dagon. He's kicked the bucket!" Dante said with a smirk.
"Huh, right! And for that there has been a bounty placed on your head!" Trish said that got the brothers and Castiel's attention.
"A bounty!? Well looks like someone's got their hands full!" Dean said with a smile.
"I'm sorry, who was that!?" Trish asked not recognizing the voice.
"Its Dean Winchester, You're welcome!" Dean said casually.
"Dean!? Really!? Your brother Sam with you!? Gotta say, you boys pissed off every demon in the Lucifer's circle of hell! Killing Azazel, locking the devil even your stint with the Purgatory! Anyways nice to hear your voices!" Trish spoke a little enthused.
"Thanks, I guess!" Sam replied with a smile.
"Anyways, Trish, those witch cultists have rounded up the demons to look for something called the 'Heart of the chosen'. One of the 6 source of Diablo's power! Do you know anything about it?" Dante asked to which there was a 5 second silence.
"Heart of the chosen!? That rings a bell! I am in Argentina now and 3 days ago I was on this demon hunting job. One of them before dying was talking about this Heart with the others. Even before that I've heard about that but not much intel. It must be the one! I will see what I can find and keep you guys posted. But its gonna be a while, you know!" Trish said.
"Sure, take you time, but not too much! Thanks!" Dante said with a nod.
"I'll call you when I have something, bye!" Trish said as she cut the call.
"Well, looks like I've gotta wait till then! Besides, Morrison just called me about another demonic case, so gotta look into that. Meanwhile, if you boys find anything let me know!" Dante said as he saluted them and walked away from the premises.
"Then I'll take my leave too. I need to search for the heart and get it before Damien and his demons does" Castiel said and was about to leave before stopped by the brothers.
"Cas wait!" Sam said to which Cas turned around.
"Even the prince of hell are backing Damien to bring Diablo? I mean they can rule hell by themselves, why do they need a prime evil?" Sam asked. Cas agreed it was logical question as he knows the answer to that since he's been following up on this.
"Why do you think!? You locked away Lucifer, then was tortured and mutilated by Amara. When that was all over, Lucifer gave up hell, went to LA and finally settled up with a family of his own and fathered-...an archangel nephilim for a son" Castiel said.
"But Crowley is here, he's running hell fine. I mean, He's keeping his subjects in line!" Dean supplemented.
"Yes, But Hell has gone haywire recently with all the screw ups, as you would put it, Purgatory, Abaddon, Darkness and him becoming a bit softer on you two-...or so his demons think" Cas said to which Sam and Dean were visibly confused. But it was true, since Sam injected lots of blessed human blood into Crowley, the king of hell started to show shifts in personality. He actually helped the boys out of the gutter many times even though he always castigated them. Actually, even Sam and Dean cant deny that.
"The demons realized he's not getting his priorities straight and becoming weaker, So they are looking for a new one. Besides, the other prince of hells, they already made a pact that they wont take hell's throne. But something has changed. These prince must have decided to restore it to former glory! Diablo the most dangerous of the prime evil, an immortal one. After Lucifer, he is the only one who put fear on everyone's mind!" Cas finished saying as Sam and Dean glanced at each other. Cas has a point, the demons want Crowley gone, so they want someone insanely powerful
"But then, the demons and the all prince of hell can work by themselves to bring Diablo, why this Damien, the witch!?" Sam asked confused as still why they need a human to bring a hell lord.
"Because if what Rowena said is true, Damien is the only one who can read the Necronomicon. The book is as old as the book of the damned and even more complicated, so the demons need him to use its spell. Besides, Rowena also said that Damien is more dangerous and more ambitious than she thought, it scared her" Castiel explained.
"Wait, Rowena was scared of another witch!? Huh, thats a first!" Dean jested.
"That's why we need to work fast! Our clocks ticking! I'll be on my way. Let me know if you find anything!" Cas said.
"Sure, we will check the lore books here and see if the men of letters have any intel on that and keep you posted" Dean said to which the angel nodded in agreement as Castiel left the building.
Sam and Dean then glanced at each other again and chuckled.
"Great! So its getting bigger and bigger! Remember the old days!? We thought Azazel was the big bad, then came Lucifer, Michael and all the others, the leviathans...now Diablo!" Dean said as he took a bottle of beer, pop it open and drink.
"Story of our lives, Dean. Lets get to work...!" Sam replied sarcastically.
"Besides, Dante seems to be really helpful, for now. I mean for a cambion, he doesnt give any crooked vibes, but I dont know if we can still trust him!" Dean said still feeling wary of the situation.
"I agree, between him and Diablo, not sure who is a threat! I mean he said he killed a prince of hell like nothing, hell! We even saw him how he fought those red tall demons! Like they were nothing!" Sam agreed with his brother.
"You know what!? Lets not play balls for now! We've a lot on our hands now! Cant have our legs everywhere! So lets dig on the books here and see if we can learn about the heart" Dean said to which Sam nodded as they got to work.
...
In a ruined chapel..
Undisclosed location...
Damien was there sitting on a big chair as there were other demons. The spear of storms on the table as the witch was glaring at it. He didnt look happy, in actual, he was quite pissed off.
A demon came walking down, it was not in its original form, but a possessed human.
"What happened near the heaven's gate? Where is Dagon? I got the spear, but Dagon is nowhere to be seen after he tipped the intel to Belphagor!" Damien asked in anger.
"Dagon-...is dead! I'm sorry!" the demon was scared. Damien was a powerful witch, centuries old and he was part of the cult that worshipped and brought Argosax at Dumary island before Sparda sealed the demon god away. So the demons are aware that this witch can do anything to them.
Damien took few seconds to process the information.
"Who was it!? I know its a rhetorical question! But I want you to say the name!" Damien said.
"Its Dante!" the demon said to which Damien clenched his fists and raised his arm all of sudden towards the demon.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH-...!" The demon screamed in pain as it caught fire and died.
He then got up from his chair and walked a few steps forward.
"Dante!-...I knew the risks once I learned he's involved. Sacrifices have to be made, even the mighty prince of hells. But all this only until the lord of terror is back. Once he is back, may be the son of Sparda can fight him, blast him, but can never kill him. Eventually, he will give up and Diablo will take his place! Its inevitable!" Damien said.
"Our legions are searching for the heart of the chosen and other items, the book included. We believe the book is somewhere in the middle eastern desert, after the Akkadians hid it. But-...the heart-...do we even know what that is?" the demon asked.
"I am studying some of the old texts. If we had Machiavelli, we would know all by now. But he wont help, the demon weaponsmith will burn us all down. So its up to us to figure that part out. But you all keep razing the planet and report if you find anything!" Damien ordered.
"Sure, we will" the demon left the place as Damien smirked.
"Remember, with Dante, its going to be tough. So have different parties, look for other items at the same time, cover more grounds!"
"As Diablo comes back, I will be his lieutenant, the most trusted one! The others think they can finish me off, keep me till I am needed! But I've got a surprise for them. I was once a servant of a demon god! He gave me a lot of power. I will show them what I can do if they double cross me!" Damien thought, amused.
...
A/N: With that this chapter is over, hope you enjoyed it. Will see you all in next chapter.