Fic: Uncharted Territories (13/14) (SPN, Gen)
Chapter Twelve: Trials, Part Four: Odysseus Climbing
Chapter Word Count: 2,118
Total Fic Word Count: 29,210
|| Chapter One || Chapter Two || Chapter Three || Chapter Four || Chapter Five || Chapter Six || Chapter Seven ||
|| Chapter Eight || Chapter Nine || Chapter Ten || Chapter Eleven || Chapter Twelve ||
~~~
Dean paused to wipe the sweat from his eyes, stopping halfway up a steep scree-covered slope to catch his breath. He leaned back against a small boulder, seeking a little shelter from the harsh sun overhead. Dean took a small drink from one of his last containers of water, clearing the dust and grit from his mouth. He sighed and then tilted his head up to see how much climbing he had left. He figured he was at least two-thirds of the way up the mountain, but thanks to the heat haze and dust in the air, the remaining distance was annoyingly vague.
Dean stayed where he was for five more minutes and then resumed his climb, scrambling up the loose gravel and dirt. He lost his grip several times, sliding back meters at a time. The hunter didn't give up though, gritting his teeth and pushing through the failures, soreness, and pain. His hands were torn raw and bleeding by the time he made it to the top. Dean paid little mind to them, already searching for the next section of the path.
His only way forward was a narrow ledge that followed the curve of the mountain. Dean winced at the thought of having to traverse that, his fear of heights rushing forward. The amulet he wore hung heavy on his neck, the fine silver chain a constant presence. Dean took hold of the amulet, gripping it through his shirt. Right. He could do this; Sam and Cas were counting on him, after all.
With a deep breath to steady himself, Dean edged out onto the narrow path, keeping his gaze fixed resolutely on the path and not on the open air a few scant inches to his left. He managed to reach the halfway point without faltering, but a patch of loose dirt and gravel slipped under his boot, sending him hard down to one knee. Dean swore sharply, the bright pain in his knee quickly eclipsed by the sharp wave of vertigo that passed over him. He leaned against the solid rock wall to his right, his eyes screwed shut as he took in several deep, steadying breaths, letting them out slowly as he regained his sense of balance.
Once he felt confident that he wouldn't trip and fall to his death thanks to being unbalanced, Dean opened his eyes and carefully rose to his full height, going slowly over the loose gravel and dirt. He breathed a sigh of relief when he reached the end of the path and found himself on more solid ground. The path sloped upwards, twisting in and back on itself as it switchbacked up the mountain. Dean forged on, keeping an eye out for any pitfalls or loose dirt as he went. He traveled for two hours more, slowly making his way up the long and winding path.
The path dead-ended at a sheer wall that went up forty feet and then terminated in a flat edge. Dean looked up, breathing out a curse of disbelief. How the hell was he supposed to get up that? As he studied the rock face, he noticed crude hand holds that had been carved out of the living rock. It made a rough vertical path upwards. Dean sighed and then used his knife to tear off strips of his shirt to use as makeshift bandages for his hands. He wrapped his hands up, using his teeth to tie the knots. Once he was sure he was ready, Dean began to climb, going slowly to keep the chances of slipping to a minimum. His movements were measured and his grip as tight as possible given his injuries.
It took Dean an hour to inch his way up the wall, and when he finally reached the top and hauled himself up onto the wind-swept top of the mountain, he rolled over on his back and caught his breath, his eyes slipping shut momentarily as his breathing returned to normal. His hands were numb and the makeshift bandages were tinged heavily with red. Dean lay there for several minutes, but the sound of approaching footsteps made him open his eyes and reach for his gun as he slowly sat up.
“There is no need for weapons.” Dean turned his head to see an elderly woman dressed in dark green silk robes approaching him; she had a gnarled staff in her left hand that reached a good foot above her head. The staff had an emerald the size of Dean's fist set into its top, and the gem seemed to glow with an internal light.
“Are you the last Guardian?”
The woman nodded in response to Dean's question. “I am,” she said. “My name is Tabitha. You've come a long way for the final piece of the key home.”
Dean smiled wryly. “Yeah, I have,” he responded, “and I have the evidence to prove it.” He held up his hands to show off the stained bandages. Tabitha didn't comment; instead, she carefully reached out and took hold of one of Dean's hands, placing the last quarter-disc onto his palm. It was made of beaten copper, and looked like it would fit perfectly with the others.
“What, exactly, am I supposed to do with these, anyways?” Dean asked, carefully putting the quarter-disc in the same pocket as the others.
“Place them in the receptacle in front of the arch that you used to begin the trials,” Tabitha told him. “The Guardian of the Path will show you.”
“You mean Rekasiel?”
Tabitha nodded. “Yes. Now, in order to return to the Haven of the Eldest, you simply need to step through that Gate.” She pointed at a stone arch that mirrored the one back in Purgatory, though this one had a large amber-hued gem set into its keystone rather than a green one.
“Any special phrase?”
Tabitha shook her head. “No. Merely approach it. The matching Gate on the other side will activate, signaling your Anchor of your imminent arrival.”
“Will it hurt him in any way?” Dean asked, remembering the sharp tug he'd felt in his chest when the Gate of the Souls in Purgatory had activated.
“No. The gem will flash and the portal will form. That is all.”
Dean slowly got to his feet, Tabitha reaching out and taking hold of one of his forearms in a surprisingly strong grip to help him up. Dean found his footing, though it was shaky for several long moments. Tabitha escorted him to the arch, her staff making heavy thumps every time it made contact with the hard ground. The Gate activated as they drew near, the amber gem flashing three times in rapid succession. A pale gold curtain of light formed in the archway, and Dean could have sworn he heard it humming.
“Congratulations,” Tabitha said with a serene smile. “You have completed all four Trials. You may return to the world you have left. May He who watches over all bless you in all your endeavors.”
“Thanks,” Dean replied. He looked over at the Gate, took a deep breath, and then walked into the curtain of light.
~/~
Dean stumbled through the Gate of Souls in the Elders' Haven, his exhaustion getting the better of him and making his knees give out. He sank down to the ground, a surprised grunt escaping him when he felt a pair of strong arms catch him and then gently lower him the rest of the way down.
“Welcome back, Dean. I've been waiting for you, my friend.”
Dean opened his eyes, unaware that he'd even closed them, and turned his head to see Castiel kneeling behind him, a welcoming smile on his face.
“Hey, Cas. How long have I been gone?”
“One year, ten months, and thirteen days,” Castiel replied promptly, his voice rumbling against Dean's back. “We have been away from Earth for two years Purgatory-time in total.”
“So, that's what, three months Earth-time?” Dean asked wearily, going to rub a hand over his face and then abruptly remembering that his hands were injured.
Castiel nodded. “Yes. Are you able to get up? Rekasiel has gone to go tell the others you're here.”
“Might as well try,” he said.
“All right. Up we go.” Castiel started lifting Dean, who got his legs underneath him and then pushed to his feet. Dean turned when he was fully on his feet, giving Castiel a triumphant grin.
“I did it,” he said as they made their way back to the main cavern. “I got the key home.”
“Well done, Dean.” Rekasiel came down the tunnel, Gabriel and Tesaviel hurrying along behind her. Tesaviel immediately went over to Dean and laid two fingers on his forehead, sending a wave of healing Grace through him. His aches and pains evaporated, and Dean breathed a sigh of relief, his posture straightening up a little.
“Thanks,” he said. Tesaviel nodded.
“Don't worry about it,” she replied. Dean began to remove his makeshift bandages from his hands, noting that Tesaviel had removed the blood from his newly-healed skin as well. He looked over at Castiel.
“How soon do you want to leave, Cas?” he asked. Castiel shrugged.
“I don't know. Whenever you're ready, I suppose,” he said.
Dean nodded and then looked over at Rekasiel. “Where do I put the pieces of the key?”
“In the pedestal next to the Gate,” the shade told him. “Place them in the order you received them, going clockwise from the top left.”
“All right.” Dean glanced over at Gabriel and Tesaviel, an idea coming to him. “Hey, Rekasiel, can angels go through the Trials?”
“Yes, of course; just about anyone can,” Rekasiel replied, “though I have yet to see one complete them.”
“Good.” Dean looked squarely at Gabriel and Tesaviel. “Think we'll see you guys on the other side?”
Gabriel shrugged. “I don't know; we've got a lot of work to do here still,” he said. “It might take a while.”
“Well, if you guys come back while Sam and I are still kickin', look us up. Just leave the tricks out of it, okay, man?”
Gabriel nodded and then held out his hand. “You guys take care of one another, okay? I don't want to see you two down here again any time soon. You got it?”
“Yeah, we got it,” Dean said with a grin, shaking Gabriel's hand firmly. “You take care of yourself as well. Don't let the assholes get you down.” He paused as he let go of Gabriel's hand. “And thanks for keepin' an eye on Cas while I was gone.”
“Of course,” Tesaviel said. “He's family. Too many of our kind seem to have forgotten what that means. It's the least we could do for you.”
Dean smiled. “Thanks. Oh, and before I forget...” He took off his pack and then set it down on the floor in front of Gabriel. “This is yours.”
“I'd say keep it, but I don't think you'll need it,” Gabriel said, taking the pack. “Say hi to Sam for me when you get back.”
“Will do.” Dean looked back at Castiel. “Ready?”
“One moment.” Castiel stepped forward and embraced both Tesaviel and Gabriel, both of whom gladly returned the hugs; Tesaviel pressed a gentle kiss on Castiel's forehead before releasing him.
“Stay safe, brother,” she said. Castiel nodded.
“I'll do my best.”
“You'd better,” Gabriel said firmly.
Castiel smiled indulgently. “Goodbye, Gabriel, Tesaviel.” He looked at Rekasiel. “Goodbye, Rekasiel.”
“Fare well, Castiel.” Rekasiel inclined her head in farewell. “And you, Dean.”
Dean nodded and then took a deep breath. “Right, okay. We're going to head out, then,” he said. “Cas?”
“I'm coming.”
The two of them turned toward the Gate and then approached it, heading over to the waist-high pedestal that stood to the left of the Gate. Dean took out the quarter-discs from his pocket and then carefully set them into the indentations on top of the pedestal, starting with the silver one Eli had given him and then ending with the copper one Tabitha had presented him. The second that the final quarter-disc was put into place, the Gate activated once more, this time coming to life with a brilliant blue-white flare that settled back into the arch, the end result looking like standing water that would ripple occasionally.
Castiel glanced back one more time before he stepped through the arch, disappearing from sight. Dean followed after him, bracing himself for whatever lay on the other side.
Chapter Word Count: 2,118
Total Fic Word Count: 29,210
|| Chapter One || Chapter Two || Chapter Three || Chapter Four || Chapter Five || Chapter Six || Chapter Seven ||
|| Chapter Eight || Chapter Nine || Chapter Ten || Chapter Eleven || Chapter Twelve ||
~~~
Dean paused to wipe the sweat from his eyes, stopping halfway up a steep scree-covered slope to catch his breath. He leaned back against a small boulder, seeking a little shelter from the harsh sun overhead. Dean took a small drink from one of his last containers of water, clearing the dust and grit from his mouth. He sighed and then tilted his head up to see how much climbing he had left. He figured he was at least two-thirds of the way up the mountain, but thanks to the heat haze and dust in the air, the remaining distance was annoyingly vague.
Dean stayed where he was for five more minutes and then resumed his climb, scrambling up the loose gravel and dirt. He lost his grip several times, sliding back meters at a time. The hunter didn't give up though, gritting his teeth and pushing through the failures, soreness, and pain. His hands were torn raw and bleeding by the time he made it to the top. Dean paid little mind to them, already searching for the next section of the path.
His only way forward was a narrow ledge that followed the curve of the mountain. Dean winced at the thought of having to traverse that, his fear of heights rushing forward. The amulet he wore hung heavy on his neck, the fine silver chain a constant presence. Dean took hold of the amulet, gripping it through his shirt. Right. He could do this; Sam and Cas were counting on him, after all.
With a deep breath to steady himself, Dean edged out onto the narrow path, keeping his gaze fixed resolutely on the path and not on the open air a few scant inches to his left. He managed to reach the halfway point without faltering, but a patch of loose dirt and gravel slipped under his boot, sending him hard down to one knee. Dean swore sharply, the bright pain in his knee quickly eclipsed by the sharp wave of vertigo that passed over him. He leaned against the solid rock wall to his right, his eyes screwed shut as he took in several deep, steadying breaths, letting them out slowly as he regained his sense of balance.
Once he felt confident that he wouldn't trip and fall to his death thanks to being unbalanced, Dean opened his eyes and carefully rose to his full height, going slowly over the loose gravel and dirt. He breathed a sigh of relief when he reached the end of the path and found himself on more solid ground. The path sloped upwards, twisting in and back on itself as it switchbacked up the mountain. Dean forged on, keeping an eye out for any pitfalls or loose dirt as he went. He traveled for two hours more, slowly making his way up the long and winding path.
The path dead-ended at a sheer wall that went up forty feet and then terminated in a flat edge. Dean looked up, breathing out a curse of disbelief. How the hell was he supposed to get up that? As he studied the rock face, he noticed crude hand holds that had been carved out of the living rock. It made a rough vertical path upwards. Dean sighed and then used his knife to tear off strips of his shirt to use as makeshift bandages for his hands. He wrapped his hands up, using his teeth to tie the knots. Once he was sure he was ready, Dean began to climb, going slowly to keep the chances of slipping to a minimum. His movements were measured and his grip as tight as possible given his injuries.
It took Dean an hour to inch his way up the wall, and when he finally reached the top and hauled himself up onto the wind-swept top of the mountain, he rolled over on his back and caught his breath, his eyes slipping shut momentarily as his breathing returned to normal. His hands were numb and the makeshift bandages were tinged heavily with red. Dean lay there for several minutes, but the sound of approaching footsteps made him open his eyes and reach for his gun as he slowly sat up.
“There is no need for weapons.” Dean turned his head to see an elderly woman dressed in dark green silk robes approaching him; she had a gnarled staff in her left hand that reached a good foot above her head. The staff had an emerald the size of Dean's fist set into its top, and the gem seemed to glow with an internal light.
“Are you the last Guardian?”
The woman nodded in response to Dean's question. “I am,” she said. “My name is Tabitha. You've come a long way for the final piece of the key home.”
Dean smiled wryly. “Yeah, I have,” he responded, “and I have the evidence to prove it.” He held up his hands to show off the stained bandages. Tabitha didn't comment; instead, she carefully reached out and took hold of one of Dean's hands, placing the last quarter-disc onto his palm. It was made of beaten copper, and looked like it would fit perfectly with the others.
“What, exactly, am I supposed to do with these, anyways?” Dean asked, carefully putting the quarter-disc in the same pocket as the others.
“Place them in the receptacle in front of the arch that you used to begin the trials,” Tabitha told him. “The Guardian of the Path will show you.”
“You mean Rekasiel?”
Tabitha nodded. “Yes. Now, in order to return to the Haven of the Eldest, you simply need to step through that Gate.” She pointed at a stone arch that mirrored the one back in Purgatory, though this one had a large amber-hued gem set into its keystone rather than a green one.
“Any special phrase?”
Tabitha shook her head. “No. Merely approach it. The matching Gate on the other side will activate, signaling your Anchor of your imminent arrival.”
“Will it hurt him in any way?” Dean asked, remembering the sharp tug he'd felt in his chest when the Gate of the Souls in Purgatory had activated.
“No. The gem will flash and the portal will form. That is all.”
Dean slowly got to his feet, Tabitha reaching out and taking hold of one of his forearms in a surprisingly strong grip to help him up. Dean found his footing, though it was shaky for several long moments. Tabitha escorted him to the arch, her staff making heavy thumps every time it made contact with the hard ground. The Gate activated as they drew near, the amber gem flashing three times in rapid succession. A pale gold curtain of light formed in the archway, and Dean could have sworn he heard it humming.
“Congratulations,” Tabitha said with a serene smile. “You have completed all four Trials. You may return to the world you have left. May He who watches over all bless you in all your endeavors.”
“Thanks,” Dean replied. He looked over at the Gate, took a deep breath, and then walked into the curtain of light.
~/~
Dean stumbled through the Gate of Souls in the Elders' Haven, his exhaustion getting the better of him and making his knees give out. He sank down to the ground, a surprised grunt escaping him when he felt a pair of strong arms catch him and then gently lower him the rest of the way down.
“Welcome back, Dean. I've been waiting for you, my friend.”
Dean opened his eyes, unaware that he'd even closed them, and turned his head to see Castiel kneeling behind him, a welcoming smile on his face.
“Hey, Cas. How long have I been gone?”
“One year, ten months, and thirteen days,” Castiel replied promptly, his voice rumbling against Dean's back. “We have been away from Earth for two years Purgatory-time in total.”
“So, that's what, three months Earth-time?” Dean asked wearily, going to rub a hand over his face and then abruptly remembering that his hands were injured.
Castiel nodded. “Yes. Are you able to get up? Rekasiel has gone to go tell the others you're here.”
“Might as well try,” he said.
“All right. Up we go.” Castiel started lifting Dean, who got his legs underneath him and then pushed to his feet. Dean turned when he was fully on his feet, giving Castiel a triumphant grin.
“I did it,” he said as they made their way back to the main cavern. “I got the key home.”
“Well done, Dean.” Rekasiel came down the tunnel, Gabriel and Tesaviel hurrying along behind her. Tesaviel immediately went over to Dean and laid two fingers on his forehead, sending a wave of healing Grace through him. His aches and pains evaporated, and Dean breathed a sigh of relief, his posture straightening up a little.
“Thanks,” he said. Tesaviel nodded.
“Don't worry about it,” she replied. Dean began to remove his makeshift bandages from his hands, noting that Tesaviel had removed the blood from his newly-healed skin as well. He looked over at Castiel.
“How soon do you want to leave, Cas?” he asked. Castiel shrugged.
“I don't know. Whenever you're ready, I suppose,” he said.
Dean nodded and then looked over at Rekasiel. “Where do I put the pieces of the key?”
“In the pedestal next to the Gate,” the shade told him. “Place them in the order you received them, going clockwise from the top left.”
“All right.” Dean glanced over at Gabriel and Tesaviel, an idea coming to him. “Hey, Rekasiel, can angels go through the Trials?”
“Yes, of course; just about anyone can,” Rekasiel replied, “though I have yet to see one complete them.”
“Good.” Dean looked squarely at Gabriel and Tesaviel. “Think we'll see you guys on the other side?”
Gabriel shrugged. “I don't know; we've got a lot of work to do here still,” he said. “It might take a while.”
“Well, if you guys come back while Sam and I are still kickin', look us up. Just leave the tricks out of it, okay, man?”
Gabriel nodded and then held out his hand. “You guys take care of one another, okay? I don't want to see you two down here again any time soon. You got it?”
“Yeah, we got it,” Dean said with a grin, shaking Gabriel's hand firmly. “You take care of yourself as well. Don't let the assholes get you down.” He paused as he let go of Gabriel's hand. “And thanks for keepin' an eye on Cas while I was gone.”
“Of course,” Tesaviel said. “He's family. Too many of our kind seem to have forgotten what that means. It's the least we could do for you.”
Dean smiled. “Thanks. Oh, and before I forget...” He took off his pack and then set it down on the floor in front of Gabriel. “This is yours.”
“I'd say keep it, but I don't think you'll need it,” Gabriel said, taking the pack. “Say hi to Sam for me when you get back.”
“Will do.” Dean looked back at Castiel. “Ready?”
“One moment.” Castiel stepped forward and embraced both Tesaviel and Gabriel, both of whom gladly returned the hugs; Tesaviel pressed a gentle kiss on Castiel's forehead before releasing him.
“Stay safe, brother,” she said. Castiel nodded.
“I'll do my best.”
“You'd better,” Gabriel said firmly.
Castiel smiled indulgently. “Goodbye, Gabriel, Tesaviel.” He looked at Rekasiel. “Goodbye, Rekasiel.”
“Fare well, Castiel.” Rekasiel inclined her head in farewell. “And you, Dean.”
Dean nodded and then took a deep breath. “Right, okay. We're going to head out, then,” he said. “Cas?”
“I'm coming.”
The two of them turned toward the Gate and then approached it, heading over to the waist-high pedestal that stood to the left of the Gate. Dean took out the quarter-discs from his pocket and then carefully set them into the indentations on top of the pedestal, starting with the silver one Eli had given him and then ending with the copper one Tabitha had presented him. The second that the final quarter-disc was put into place, the Gate activated once more, this time coming to life with a brilliant blue-white flare that settled back into the arch, the end result looking like standing water that would ripple occasionally.
Castiel glanced back one more time before he stepped through the arch, disappearing from sight. Dean followed after him, bracing himself for whatever lay on the other side.