Chapter Fifty-Five
Unearthed
Northern Ireland: August 19, 2010 – Sunset
The late day sun cast the area in a soft glow. Dean ignored the soreness in his knees as he trudged after Azrial. Most of the hike was up hill, if only subtly. Somehow that was worse than it being a straight climb. He also had to be careful of each footstep the last hour or so, or risk twisting his ankle on any number of rocks and holes. Azrial made it look easy, but her footsteps were just as cautious. They hadn't seen anyone since losing the Men of Letters guy. Then again, there wasn't really anything out here. He did expect some hikers given the comfortable summer breeze blowing over the land. It was beautiful, serene. He almost felt bad for anyone not enjoying the weather.
"You doing okay?" Azrial asked.
Dean hummed, stepping gingerly around a jutting rock. "Yeah, doing fine. You?"
"Wondering what I actually hope to find," she muttered tiredly.
"That tracks," he said.
Azrial didn't say anything else, continuing her careful trek forward. She took a deep breath, shifting her shoulders to adjust the backpack. The sound of the ground crunching made Dean pause. It wasn't coming from in front of him, and the sound continued a split second after he came to a stop. Just enough to make him think he'd misheard. He glanced behind him, but the sloping incline meant he could only see so far. Maybe Juliet was still following them? He hadn't heard any movement up until now though and the hound had no reason to stay out of Azrial's sight.
"What's wrong?" Azrial asked, stopping to look back at him.
"It's nothing," Dean said as he turned to face her. "Probably just a rabbit."
He couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Hopefully he was just being paranoid. If not? Well, he and Azrial could handle just about anything thrown their way.
Line Break
The sun was setting when they reached a craggily gap in the ground, almost at the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. Azrial kneeled and looked at the hole with a thoughtful frown.
"Looks big enough for animals to get in and out of," Dean observed.
Azrial hummed and Dean looked around. He still felt like they were being watched, but the only living beings around were a few black birds circling above them.
"I think we've found something," Azrial said.
Dean walked toward her, squatting to follow her gaze. Something sparkled just out of sight at the bottom of the hole.
"What's that?" he asked, leaning forward to try and get a closer look.
"I really hope it's not what I think," she mumbled. "But I think I can..." Azrial reached her hand into the hole, visibly stretching her fingers.
The feeling of being watched returned with a vengeance and Dean frowned. He looked up at the sky and noticed the black birds from earlier were circling like vultures.
"Azrial," he whispered, trying to get her attention.
"Almost," Azrial hissed.
Dean could hear her arm creaking with how far she was straining it. A dark, heavy, growl filled the air and Dean felt Azrial go stiff next to him. Dean slowly turned and came face to face with a snarling grey wolf the size of a small fucking horse.
"Fuck," he breathed, shifting back and putting an arm out to block Azrial. "So much for no wolves in Ireland."
"Dean, get in the hole," Azrial ordered.
"I'm not leaving you up here alone," he growled.
"Fine, you stubborn bastard."
Dean felt a firm hand on his shoulder. Suddenly he was falling backwards, just as the grey wolf lunged. He grunted as his body hit the ground, blinking his eyes open. A body shifted at his side with an uncomfortable groan.
"That may have been a dumb idea," Azrial said, her voice echoing around them.
Dean grunted in agreement. He rolled to the right, allowing Azrial to push herself off the ground. She immediately shifted to stand in front of him, keeping him safely tucked against the wall. There was growling echoing around them, but Dean couldn't pin down how many wolves there may be in the dark. It may just be the one and the cave was making the situation seem worse than it was. Not that facing down a massive wolf was a good time. He felt his back hit the wall vertical to where they'd fallen from, the sun having set during their scuffle with the grey wolf. It left a narrow stream of moonlight leaking down into the hole that barely allowed him to see Azrial. The scrapping of claws against gravel above them sent dirt falling into his vision. There was a loud thump, and now the growling was significantly louder and a hell of a lot closer.
"Azrial," Dean whispered. "Should I call for Cas?"
The growling in front of them halted for a moment. Sharp snuffles filled the air, the wolf seemingly trying to scent something. Azrial stiffened, though Dean wasn't sure why.
Then white teeth and claws were lunging toward them. The moonlight caught on the massive wolf, illuminating every inch of the creature that seemed intent on killing shifted before he fully understood what was happening - a collision of black and grey fur filling his vision.
He could barely follow the animalistic scrap. What little he saw wasn't encouraging, either. The grey wolf was a good head taller than Azrial. The two wolves snapped and snarled, teeth and claws clashing furiously. Dean inched to the right, trying desperately to figure out what to do. He couldn't get between them without losing a limb. Azrial was doing her damn best to keep the grey wolf away. A yelp broke the fight and Dean cursed as the grey wolf finally pinned Azrial. It's sheer size had finally outdone Azrial's speed. Even if he called for Castiel, he wasn't sure what the angel could do. Castiel couldn't shift like the archangels anyway, and no human form was getting between the fighting wolves. Dean's eyes widened, and idea sparking as Azrial did her best to flip the grey wolf.
Gabriel, Gabe! Get here before we become wolf food!
Azrial managed to push the grey wolf off with her hind legs and a fierce paw to the face. The she-wolf staggered to her feet, standing in front of Dean and snarling at the grey wolf. The larger wolf took a threatening step forward, maw pulled back in a growl. It looked like the wolves were going to start round two, but suddenly the sound of feathers filled the underground cave. The grey wolf took several steps back, ears pinned against its head. There was other growling now. And chattering? He wasn't sure how to describe it, but it was like a dozen voices trying to be heard over the chaos.
"The hell did you two get mixed up in?"
Dean sighed at Gabriel's question. Azrial still didn't relax though, her body hunched and ready to launch into action. Gabriel opened his palm, allowing a small ball of golden light to drift toward the ceiling. It bathed the dark cave in a soft glow and caused the wolf to scoot back another few paces. Dean's eyes widened when he saw a slightly smaller, though still massive compared to normal, brown wolf behind the grey one. It held a small wolf pup in it's mouth, who was squirming and whining to get free. It seemed the small creature was trying to look toward the commotion. Above him, half a dozen, give or take, ravens stared down at them from perches around the cave.
"What the hell?" Dean breathed, trying to take it all in.
Another two wolf pups popped their head out from behind the brown wolf, but a warning growl from the grey wolf halted them from approaching. The pups still looked unbothered, staring curiously at Azrial.
"They don't have souls," Gabriel said softly. "I don't know what they are."
"Animals have souls?" Dean asked, noticing Azrial slowly pawing forward to peer around Gabriel.
"Ya," Gabriel said. "All sentient beings do. Except angels since we were the blueprint for soul creation."
The grey wolf swung its head toward Gabriel, staring at the archangel with something akin to surprise. The wolf sniffed the air and it's head swung back toward Azrial. She cocked her head, staring back at the grey wolf. It sniffed the air again and pressed its body tight to the ground. It slowly padded forward and to Dean's amused confusion Azrial did the same. The two wolves now looked more like dogs, and the brown one watched on with the same confusion Dean felt. One of the wolf pups batted at the grey wolf's flat tail, electing an annoyed growl. Azrial sat up and tapped her front paws against the ground. It almost looked like she was trying to use Morse code. The grey wolf slowly sat up and used one paw to scrap at the ground.
Suddenly, like kids the world over, one of the pups bolted into the space between the two older wolves without a care. It fell over itself to get close to Azrial who cocked her head in confusion. She leaned down, sniffing the pup.
"Should we...?" Dean asked, trailing off as he looked at the wolves in confusion.
The pup bumped it's nose against Azrial's. The effect was instantaneous; she shifted back to human form, falling to her ass and staring at the wolf pup in horror.
"No way," she whispered and reached out to gently touch the pup's head. "You're my flock."
Dean jolted forward, shock burning through his tired body.
"That would explain the lack of souls," Gabriel said. He glanced toward the grey wolf. "Samael?"
The grew wolf turned away from Azrial and the pup, eyeing Gabriel for a long moment before slowly nodding. Azrial let out a sound that was more akin to a wounded animal than her human form and stumbled toward the grey wolf. To Samael, Dean corrected himself. The former angel moved forward, using his large body to stop Azrial from hitting the ground.
"Who did this to you?" Azrial gasped, sounding like someone was choking her.
Her fingers gripped at Samael's fur, and he let a soft growl rumble from his chest. He nuzzled Azrial's head in an attempt at comfort. She didn't let go and Dean could hear her quite sobs despite them being muffled by Samael's course fur. The brown wolf moved forward after setting the pup on the ground. Gabriel turned toward it, tilting his head with a sad smile.
"Mora?" Gabriel asked.
The wolf snuffled and bobbed its head. Mora rested her head on Azrial's shoulder, trying to offer the sobbing archangel support.
"I thought only archangels could shift like this?" Dean asked Gabriel, reluctant to interrupt the cuddle puddle to ask Azrial.
"That's true," Gabriel said. "It takes too much power for a normal angel to alter their vessel beyond something human, wings non-withstanding." He paused, frowning as he looked around the cave. "Honestly, this feels more like a curse."
"Who could have done this? Crowley made it clear there was no trace of demons when we found Cassiel. Have there been any here?"
Gabriel shutting his eyes and Dean figured he was trying to get a sense of his surroundings. The silence made Azrial's sobs cut clear through the small space and echo around them. Gabriel opened his eyes and gave a final glance around the cave.
"This whole place feels oppressive, but I can't find a trace of demons. It's more like a heavy weight that's pressed down the space; almost like how a tomb is sealed shut."
"So, then we know who did this?" Dean whispered, hoping Azrial didn't hear him.
Gabriel grunted in agreement and Dean saw his eyes flash gold. "Only one of us could force angels into an animal form like this."
Samael's ears twitched and he glanced at them. Gabriel hummed and shook his head at the angel. Thankfully Samael understood the silent communication. Dean really didn't want to be buried alive in this cave if Azrial had a repeat of Iceland.
"So, how do we get this gaggle of angels to the safe house?" he asked.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "Gaggle?"
"What else should I call them?" Dean asked a touch defensively.
"A flock, a murder, a pack," Gabriel listed off on his fingers.
"But they ain't all crows or wolves," Dean pointed out. "And they aren't all angel-ly so does flock even apply?"
Mora turned to give him and Gabriel a dry look. He'd never seen such a blatant, really now?look from an animal in his life. Gabriel opened his mouth, then shut it with a shake of his head.
"You know what? Fine, gaggle."
Mora just stared at them like the barely had one braincell between them before turning back to Azrial. She nuzzled Azrial's head, drawing her attention from Samael. Azrial wiped her eyes and took a shaky breath.
"We need to get them out of here." She was looking directly at Gabriel, her eyes shining with tears. "Please, Gabe. Get them out."
Gabriel stepped forward and helped Azrial to her feet. Samael used his massive body to support her right side when it became clear she was unsteady on her feet.
"We will," Gabriel promised. "I should be able to break the radius spell tying them here without trouble. There's an issue though."
"What is it?" Dean asked.
"It will alert who ever set it. We need to be ready to run or the whole plan falls apart."
Azrial frowned, her brows scrunched in thought. She turned around and began taking stock of the animals.
"Only twelve," she whispered butted against her with a soft whine and Azrial sighed. "Dean, call for Castiel and have him bring Balthazar and Crowley."
"Can do," Dean said and pushed off a quick prayer to the angel.
"There will be a demon coming here," Azrial explained to the cave inhabitants. "He isn't a threat. He's actually been helping me look for you and prepare for the apocalypse."
Mora tilted her head by way of acknowledgement and Samael nuzzled Azrial's hand. He turned to gently pick up one of the wolf pups in his mouth and placed it in a makeshift nest of furs and debris. Mora followed with another, and soon there were four wolf pups in the nest. The six ravens swooped down, perching around the four pups who settled into sleepy fluffy loafs.
"Well can't get much more compact then that," Gabriel said thoughtfully. "ETA on Cassie-boy?"
"Twenty minutes max," Dean said when he heard his mate's words whisper in his mind. "Has to track down Crowley."
Azrial was shifting some of the ravens around, making sure none of her flock would get hurt during transport. There was a large amount of animal chatter from the nest. Azrial was cooing and running her fingers through feathers and fur. The tone and cadence of the cooing changed continuously, so Dean figured she was communicating with the animal-bound angels. The sound of feathers had Dean turning toward the back of the cave. Castiel and Balthazar looked horrified at what greeted them. Crowley breezed past him with two large baskets. He knelt next to Azrial and Dean turned away to give them some semblance of privacy. He approached Castiel, trying to force his shoulders to relax.
"Thanks for getting everyone," Dean said softly.
Castiel shook his head before turning to him. "I'm sorry it took so long." Castiel's gaze darted toward the nest. "How many survived?"
Dean hesitated, but noticed Balthazar was waiting for a response as well. "Azrial said 12."
Castiel openly winced and Dean reached down to squeeze his hand. Balthazar had blown past sadness, though, and right to anger.
"I want Raphael dead," Balthazar snarled.
"I think you need to get in line," Dean half joked to stop any emotional blowouts while they were still underground.
Balthazar snorted and whistled a few notes. There was a happy caw and one of the ravens shot between Azrial and Crowley. It landed on Balthazar's outstretched arm and some of the tension left the angel's shoulders. He leaned forward to let the raven nuzzle his forehead with a weak smile.
"It's good to see you, Dina," Balthazar whispered.
Dina made cooing noises and Dean realized the trapped angel was mimicking what Azrial had done for them earlier.
"Dina?" Dean whispered to Castiel as he watched the interaction.
"The angel of beauty," Castiel explained. "Don't let their moniker fool you. Dina is as fierce as the rest of us."
Dean hummed, watching Dina walk up Balthazar's arm and settle on his shoulder. They began preening Balthazar's hair, making the tense angel smile. Azrial and Crowley walked over, each holding a basket of angels turned animals. Balthazar took the basket of ravens and Gabriel gently took the basket of sleeping wolf pups.
"Okay, who's taking Mora and Samael?"
Samael snuffled loudly, tapping his front paws. Aziral raised an eyebrow but pulled out her blade. She cut her palm, smearing blood on Mora and Samael's scruff.
"Follow Balthazar and Castiel closely once we're out of the cave. Stay with them until I arrive."
"Alright," Gabriel said. "Everyone up and out, but don't go more than a few yards from the entrance since we don't know the range of the spell. Once we're all outside, I'm going to shatter whatever BS Raphael cast."
Azrial was leaning against Crowley at this point and Dean tried to give her a reassuring smile. She attempted returning it, but it didn't become more then a slight lift of her lips. Castiel helped him out of the cave and once everyone was topside Gabriel cleared his throat.
"The moment this shit comes down, run, got me? I have a feeling we're gonna have company pretty damn quick."
Dean shifted uncomfortably, feeling the tension in the air. Azrial's eyes flashed, the moon casting her face in shadow. Dread was starting to coil in his stomach, but he couldn't quite place why. All things considered, this entire situation could have gone much worse.
"Also, it will probably cause a cave in," Gabriel added as an afterthought. "So, expect the ground to shake."
"Lovely," Balthazar said drily. Dina mimicked a laugh, making Gabriel chuckle.
"Alright then, on three," Gabriel said.
Castiel used his free arm to pull him closer. The air was slowly feeling with ozone, something Dean was coming to expect anytime one of the archangels decided to really flex their muscles.
"One, two, three!"
Whatever angelic bullshit Raphael had used came down with an ear shattering bang. It caused Castiel to stumble. Dean cursed and made sure to keep a tight grip on Castiel. Balthazar left in the tell-tale sound of feathers as Gabriel rushed over to them. Samael and Mora bolted into a run, aiming for a heavily shadowed area and vanishing.
"Castiel, snap out of it," Gabriel hissed.
Then there were the defining sound multiple sets of wings and Azrial screamed in rage. Dean saw her break free of Crowley's grip, the demon yelling something at her.
"Crowley, go! I'll get her!" Gabriel shouted over his shoulder as he shoved the basket of wolf pups into Castiel's arms.
Castiel cursed and the world around them spun as they vanished from the area.