The night air resounded with the clang of metal on metal as the two angels clashed in a fierce duel. Rafael parried each stroke, his movements precise but labored, as he struggled to keep pace with his opponent's relentless onslaught. He had never been Castiel's equal in swordplay, and it showed. Mikhael's teachings had honed Castiel's skills to perfection, leaving Rafael at a disadvantage.
As the fight wore on, Rafael's arm throbbed with fatigue, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Castiel, on the other hand, seemed to be gaining strength, her blows landing with increasing precision. Rafael's mind raced with doubts, his insecurity threatening to overwhelm him. But he knew he had to focus, to push aside his fears and trust in his own abilities.
With a fierce cry, Rafael launched himself forward, his sword aimed straight for Castiel's heart. But she was too quick, dodging the blow with ease. Rafael froze, his eyes wide with shock, as Castiel's wings unfolded from her back, their pure white feathers glistening in the moonlight.
"Who the hell are you?" Rafael demanded, his voice laced with confusion and disbelief.
Castiel's eyes flashed with contempt as she snarled, "I am Cariel, Castiel's twin. The rightful angel of death."
Rafael's hesitation was all the opening Cariel needed. With a swift and deadly motion, she dove towards him, her scythe slicing through the air to strike Rafael's heart.
—_—
EIGHTEEN MINUTES TO PRESENT TIME.
Castiel extended her hand, sealing the deal with Uriel. "So, you'll go after the President, and I'll take care of Rafael. Agreed?"
Uriel nodded, his eyes gleaming with a hint of respect. "Deal."
As Uriel departed for Mallorca, Castiel set her sights on London, the last known location of Rafael. She didn't question how Uriel had obtained this information; she knew better than to underestimate the Angel of Wisdom. Castiel's own intellect was formidable, but Uriel's was unparalleled.
As she flew over Rome, Castiel's gaze drifted to St. Peter's Basilica, its grandeur evoking memories of the Archangels' Cathedral in the Golden City. She had visited this city countless times, and yet, it still held a special place in her heart.
With a determined focus, Castiel winged her way towards the Strait of Dover, her sights set on London. But suddenly, a searing pain pierced her chest, as if a part of her heart had been torn away. The angel plummeted from the sky, her descent as swift as a fallen star. She landed hard on a cruise ship, the impact jolting her back to reality.
—_—
Don Leonardo Del Piero, a self-proclaimed connoisseur of women, revelled in their diversity. His sixtieth birthday celebration was a testament to his eclectic taste, with sixty naked women adorned in various icing sugars, dancing and smoking for his pleasure. The atmosphere was electric, with some women entwined in passionate embraces, while others lavished attention on the Don's son, Lorenzo.
The extravaganza was Enzo's brainchild, and he had spared no detail in ensuring its success. The guest list included esteemed allies, such as Don Alberto Alvarez of the Spanish crime syndicate. The venue, one of Enzo's luxurious cruise ships, sailed through the Strait of Dover, providing a picturesque backdrop for the debauchery.
As the night wore on, the Don's indulgences only intensified, his appetite for beauty and excess seemingly insatiable.
"Alright people, it's time to wish Don Leon a happy sixtieth birthday!" Francesco Cannavaro, Enzo's best friend and right-hand man, yells into the microphone as the DJ plays a lively Italian birthday song. Don Leon, a portly and diminutive man, pulls out a cigar and motions to a young woman, who lights it for him. He takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Suddenly, a commotion breaks out as someone crashes to the ground from above. Don Leon's eyes widen in surprise as he recognizes the fallen figure - a pale blonde-haired woman in black clothing, with wings as black as coal. He rushes towards her, a look of desire on his face, having wanted her for a long time since their first meeting two years prior.
Don Leon's men train their weapons on the winged intruder, Castiel. Leon himself approaches her, his eyes leering with desire.
"Ah, Bella, you're as lovely as a dream come true, Castiel," he says, his voice dripping with lust. Castiel's gaze meets his, her expression disdainful. "Leon, close your fly. I'd rather not see...that." Her words strike a nerve, and Leon's face flushes with embarrassment.
"You'll find my...junior...quite persuasive," he boasts, trying to regain his composure. Castiel's smirk is unforgiving. "Spare me the boasts, Leon. Just point me towards London, and I might spare your life." Her words are laced with sarcasm, and Enzo's anger ignites. How dare she insult his father and Don? He's determined to take her down.
Leon's anger boils over, and he yells, "If I let you live, Cagna, I'll enjoy breaking you!" He motions to his men, ordering them to attack. But Castiel anticipates this move and summons Amelia, who appears instantly, dressed in pink PJ shorts and a white loose T-shirt. The men, taken aback by her sudden arrival, blanch with fear. "Amelia, this is your first training as a reaper," Castiel instructs, preparing for flight. "Get rid of everyone except the women. Understand?" Amelia nods, "Yes, Boss."
The moment Castiel left, Amelia materializes, her presence is met with a mix of shock and terror. The men, frozen in fear, are unable to move or speak.
With a flick of her wrist, Amelia summons a shimmering aura that envelops the men. They begin to wither away, their bodies dissolving into nothingness. The sound of their screams echoes through the air, but they are swiftly silenced as they disappear into the ether.
The women, however, are spared. They watch in awe as Amelia works her magic, their eyes fixed on the spectacle. Some of them cross themselves, whispering prayers, while others simply stare in wonder.
Amelia approached the father and son duo, her eyes blazing with a fierce determination.
"Men like you are the ones I despise most. You have brought suffering to many innocent lives," she declared, her voice steady and strong. "It is time for you to face the consequences of your actions."
—_—
The sky above was dark and foreboding, with clouds that seemed to swirl with a malevolent energy. The wind carried the stench of death and smoke, and the ground trembled with the distant rumble of thunder.
Landing at the Foot of the big Ben, In the midst of this devastation, Castiel's eyes were drawn to the lifeless body Emily, her once-vibrant spirit now extinguished, leaving behind only a sense of loss and despair.
The worst part was even her reapers had thought Castiel had been the one to kill Emily, according to them she looked the same, only there was something wrong, something strange, and they hadn't been able to communicate with her (the one they met); it had felt like they had been dealing with someone else. Her only consolation was Em was now in heaven.
"Who the hell are you?" Rafa asked, confusion etched on his face.
Castiel edged closer quietly and was shocked by the resemblance between her and the other woman; the clear difference was she had white wings, which contradicts with Castiel's black ones. "Samael must have cloned her or something," Castiel thought angrily, all the pent-up resentment rearing its ugly head. She'd tear him apart the next time she saw him.
The next line from her clone stops her still: " "I am Cariel, Castiel's twin" Castiel heard her snarl as if she was disgusted by her, "the rightful angel of death". Like a bad movie, Castiel watched Cariel dive, her scythe aiming for Rafael's heart, she felt herself move with a speed she never knew she had, she blocks the scythe with her twin blades, the impact breaking the tip of the scythe and Caz landed with a grace she hadn't known she possessed.
***