Two hours earlier.
Emily and her mom, Maurie, were enjoying a fantastic time in London, a vibrant city steeped in history and culture. They had visited the iconic Big Ben (the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster), a majestic landmark that towered over the city. They strolled along the Thames River, which wound its way through the heart of London, offering picturesque views of the city. They even stopped by Paddington Station, a bustling transportation hub famous for its associations with the beloved children's book character, Paddington Bear.
Next, they explored Hyde Park, one of London's largest green spaces, offering a peaceful escape from the city's hustle and bustle. They also visited Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch, a grandiose building with a rich history and stunning architecture. Although they didn't spot any royals, Emily didn't mind, as she was having a blast with her mom. She was captivated by the city's charm and wished she could stay forever.
As they sat on a bench in Hyde Park, Emily munched on a cookie - or "biscuit," as she learned the locals called it - and shared some with a friendly duck swimming in the Serpentine Lake. But when Maurie suggested it was time to head back to their apartment, Emily protested.
"Aww, Mom, do we have to go? Can't we stay a bit longer?" Emily pleaded, looking up at her mom with big, hopeful eyes.
Maurie hugged her daughter reassuringly. "We'll come back tomorrow, I promise. But it's getting late, and we need to get some rest."
Emily shrugged off her mom's embrace, still sulking. "We're not coming back tomorrow, so please can I stay a little longer?" she asked, her voice laced with longing. But Maurie remained firm, insisting they had to return to their apartment, located in a cozy neighborhood nestled in the heart of the city.
As the clock struck 7 P.M., Emily's room was bathed in an eerie twilight glow, the shadows cast by the fading light dancing on the walls like restless spirits. The air was heavy with the scent of impending storm, and Emily's heart felt like a fragile leaf trembling in the face of an impending gale.
Suddenly, the silence was shattered by Castiel's voice, her tone as sharp as a razor's edge. "Hey Emily, why are you still up, kid?" The words hung in the air like a challenge, a gauntlet thrown down in a dare.
Emily's face lit up with a smile as bright as a supernova, her eyes shining like stars in the darkness. She flung herself at Castiel with the abandon of a shipwrecked sailor clinging to a lifeline, her arms wrapping around the angel's waist like a vice.
But Castiel's response was as cold as a glacier, her body stiffening like a statue, her eyes flashing with a light that seemed almost... malevolent. "Listen, kid, where's Rafael?" she growled, her voice low and menacing, like thunder on the horizon.
Emily's smile faltered, her heart skipping a beat as she stepped back, her eyes fixed on Castiel's face like a rabbit mesmerized by a snake. "He's out, I guess," she stammered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart.
Castiel's expression twisted into a macabre grin, her eyes blazing with an otherworldly light that seemed to pierce the very soul of Emily. "Aww, I wanted to play with him too... but how about I play with you instead?" she crooned, her voice dripping with a sinister sweetness, like honey laced with poison.
As Castiel's eyes flashed from blue to ruby, the air seemed to vibrate with an unholy energy, the shadows in the room deepening and twisting like living things. Emily's heart raced like a wild animal, her feet rooted to the spot as Castiel summoned a scythe that materialized with a sound like a thousand whispers, its blade gleaming with an eerie light that seemed to drink in the darkness around it.
Castiel's eyes gleamed with an otherworldly intensity as she grasped Emily's leg, teleporting them to the top of Big Ben. Rafael soared towards them, his face contorted in a mix of fear and determination. Castiel's scythe flashed in the moonlight, striking Emily with precision. The young girl's eyes widened in shock, her body crumpling as Castiel extracted her heart.
Rafael's anguished cry echoed through the night as he rushed to Emily's side, cradling her lifeless body. Castiel descended, her wings beating gracefully, her gaze fixed on Rafael's futile attempt to revive Emily. The clock tower's chimes tolled ominously, a haunting backdrop to the tragic scene.
With a calculating gaze, Castiel observed Rafael's desperation, her expression a chilling blend of curiosity and cruelty. The wind howled, whispers of the city's secrets swirling around them as Rafael's tears fell upon Emily's pale face.
Castiel rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with disdain. "It's no use, Rafael. The brat is long dead, probably already enjoying the pleasures of Paradise." She savored the words, her satisfaction palpable.
Rafael's gaze fell upon Emily's lifeless body, his eyes widening in horror as he took in the sight of her crushed heart in Castiel's fist. "What have you done, Castiel?" he whispered, his voice trembling with rage and grief.
Castiel shrugged, her indifference a stark contrast to Rafael's anguish. "Just eliminated a liability, brother. You know how much I hate liabilities."
Rafael's face contorted in disgust and anger, his weapon materializing in his hand. "You're a monster, Castiel," he spat, his voice venomous.
Castiel's eyes narrowed, her face darkening with anger. "You dare call me a monster?" she hissed, her voice low and menacing. "I'll show you what a monster does to inferior beings." With a fierce cry, she charged at Rafael, her scythe flashing in the moonlight.
With a fierce battle cry, she clashed with Rafael in the middle of the rooftop, her scythe meeting his weapon in a shower of sparks. The two enemies danced in a flurry of steel and fury, their movements lightning-fast as they exchanged blow after blow. The sound of clashing metal and their heavy breathing filled the air, a symphony of combat that seemed to shake the very foundations of Big Ben itself.
Castiel's scythe sliced through the darkness, its blade gleaming with an otherworldly light, as she unleashed her full fury upon Rafael. But the latter stood firm, his weapon flashing in the moonlight as he parried each blow with a determination that bordered on desperation. The outcome of this battle was far from certain, as these two former allies turned deadly enemies clashed in a struggle that would only end in death.
***