Asmodeus's grin broadened as he savored Castiel's shock and hatred. He knew she'd never attack him, not while he possessed the body of Vice President Paul Landon. The demon's presence in such a high-ranking official was a stroke of genius, granting him unparalleled access and protection.
President Harrington's voice rose in alarm as she took in the scene. "Paul, what in the name of God is going on here?" She gestured to the army of mindless drones standing behind him, their eyes vacant, their weapons at the ready.
Asmodeus ignored her, his focus fixed on Castiel. He drew his weapon, advancing on her with an unnerving calm. "Stand down, Paul, now!" Carolyn ordered, her voice firm but laced with fear.
Castiel's response was a deep, rich laugh that sent a shiver down the president's spine. The angel's eyes gleamed with a fierce light, her gaze locked on Asmodeus. "You think you're clever, don't you, demon?" she said, her voice dripping with contempt. "But you're just a parasite, hiding in a human shell. You're no match for me."
"What is going on, Paul? Stop this madness at once!"
"Honey, Paul doesn't answer the door anymore. That's Asmodeus, the archdemon," Castiel said, her Southern accent thick with amusement.
Asmodeus's grin grew wider, his red eyes fixed intently on Castiel. "As much as I love hearing you inform her of my name, Azrael, I have a message from Lucifer. He says he misses his sister, and you're coming with me to Hell. Literally."
Castiel's expression turned defiant, her hand on her chest. "Tell Samael I appreciate his offer, I'm flattered, but I've got a date with trillions of dollars. I work for myself, not for the devil. Capisce?"
Asmodeus's face contorted in rage. "Well, fuck you, bitch!" He drew his Asakha, a dangerous double-edged ancient sword rumored to kill angels and demons alike, just like Azrael's sword. With a swift motion, he attacked, swinging the sword toward Castiel's neck.
Castiel's eyes widened as she dodged the sword at the last second, her heart racing with the close call. The blade was one of the few weapons capable of killing her, and she knew she had to act fast. With a swift motion, she spread her wings and summoned twin Khopesh swords, their curved blades gleaming in the light.
As the possessed soldiers attacked with ferocity, Castiel threw up a barrier to protect the president, her swords flashing as she fought off the demons. She dodged and parried, her movements swift and deadly, but the demons kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless.
Just when she thought she was gaining ground, a dark and chilling aura descended, turning the bright sky to midnight darkness. But instead of hindering her, the sudden change brought a new wave of allies: a flock of ravens that descended like a river, their touches bringing death to the possessed soldiers.
As the ravens shifted into their human forms, they attacked with a ferocity that shook the demons, weakening their resolve. Castiel took advantage of the distraction, pressing forward with renewed strength, her swords slicing through the demons with deadly precision. Her eyes locked onto Asmodeus, her ultimate target, and she charged forward, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Castiel charged forward, her swords slicing through the remaining demons as she zeroed in on Asmodeus. The two enemies clashed in a flurry of steel and fury, their blades meeting in a shower of sparks. Asmodeus unleashed a mighty war cry and struck with the Askha, but Castiel parried the blow with her Khopesh, countering with a swift kick that sent the archdemon crashing to the ground.
As Asmodeus struggled to rise, Castiel seized the opportunity to strike, her swords flashing in the light. But the demon dodged at the last second, avoiding the fatal blow by a hair's breadth. Enraged, Castiel unleashed a barrage of swift punches, one of which connected with Asmodeus's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground once more.
The ravens continued their relentless assault, annihilating the remaining demons until the battlefield lay empty. Asmodeus, defeated and humiliated, gazed up at Castiel with a mixture of anger and despair. With a snarl, he opened a portal and leapt into it just as Castiel closed in for the kill, the Askha slipping from his grasp. The portal snapped shut mere seconds before Castiel's swords could strike, leaving her standing victorious but frustrated, the Askha now in her possession. Though Asmodeus had escaped, Castiel knew this was far from the last she'd seen of him.
*