In these Waters, Part II
Early the next morning, Castiel awoke to sharp rapping on his chamber door. As he sat up, groggy and discontent, a familiar (albeit nervous) voice called through the door, “Castiel? Are you awake, Lord?”
“I seem to be now, yes,” Castiel sighed. “Enter!”
Samandriel entered the room hastily but stopped at the foot of the bed. “There is a guest waiting for you. Someone by the name of Euanthe?”
Castiel groaned and fell back onto the bed. “Tell him I’m dead. Tell him to go home.”
“But you’re not…you’re not dead, my Lord.”
“….Yes, I know. I was attempting humor. Sarcasm, if you will.”
“Of course,” Samandriel remarked. “It was a valiant effort. What should I do about him?”
Castiel sighed once more and rolled over. It was far too early for his taste. He waved his hand at Samandriel in dismissal and muttered, “I’ll be out shortly.”
Samandriel gave a quick nod, bowed, and then exited the room. He knew better than anyone that Castiel did not enjoy being disturbed on days when he chose to sleep in.
When he returned to the large front room of the castle, he found the pale-skinned God waiting patiently.
“I do apologize for my Lord’s lateness,” he said. “Are you certain he agreed to meet you at such an early point in the day?”
“He did say in the morning,” Euanthe replied. Samandriel refrained from saying anything more. He had no plans to offend the Moon God so soon. Euanthe was bound to learn Castiel’s ways sooner or later. After all, the Moon God and Sea God always worked closely together.
When Castiel entered the main chamber several minutes later, Euanthe was momentarily taken aback.
Castiel’s dark hair - which had been well maintained the previous day - was now wild. He was dressed only in a pair of loose-fitting pants that hung low on his hips. Silver jewelry dangled from his ears and jangled on his wrists. (Euanthe was certain the God had also worn those earrings the day before, which meant he slept in his jewelry, a fact that Euanthe tucked away to smile about later.) Without a shirt on, bold black markings were visible on his upper body. They trailed along his sides and snaked up to the tops of his shoulder. When he let out a yawn and stretched his body, the muscles in his shoulders shifted the markings around. Euanthe was enthralled.
“Nice markings,” he remarked. “Are they natural?”
Castiel gave a self-conscious laugh. “No. In my youth, I asked one of the Fire Sirens to scorch my body with a spell that would leave dark marks of protection. I thought it would make me different.”
“I certainly would have noticed you first in a crowded room.” Euanthe gave Castiel a wink. Samandriel rolled his eyes as he walked back into the room, slippers and a robe in his hands. He nudged them against Castiel’s arm.
“My Lords, if you desire it, we have breakfast prepared in the dining hall,” he stated. Euanthe’s eyes lit up.
“Might you join me for breakfast, Lord of Moonlight?” Castiel requested, pulling the robe on.
“It would be my pleasure.”
What Samandriel called breakfast, Euanthe considered a feast. There were large platters of fruits, and even larger platters of various meats. Breads of all sorts - from thick and savory to soft and sweet - were stacked in the middle of the table. Castiel motioned for Euanthe to sit in the chair across from him. Samandriel set down a glass of juice in front of each ruler and, with a courteous bow, departed.
Castiel sipped his drink in silence, watching Euanthe decide where to start first.
“You should try the sticky bread,” he eventually offered. “My chef is very skilled at that particular sweet. I gave him my personal recipe to use.”
“You have your own recipes for things? That is impressive.”
Castiel chuckled as he bit into a fruit. “Is it surprising to you that I know how to cook?”
“I find it mildly surprising, yes. It’s not often a God knows how to cook for himself.” Euanthe paused and reached for the plate of sticky bread. He raised a piece of it to his mouth and tasted it gingerly. There was an explosion of flavor in his mouth. Without warning, he let slip a small moan.
“Shall I tell my chef that the great Euanthe approves of his food?” Castiel grinned. Euanthe nodded in affirmation.
After he was done chewing, Euanthe leaned back in his chair. “Can I ask something of you?” Castiel nodded. “Would you…call me by my preferred name? I know it seems strange but Euanthe is only the name my father insisted I use. The one my mother gave me…It’s Dean. My name is Dean.”
When Euanthe (Dean, Castiel corrected himself) mentioned his mother, Castiel noticed a flicker of emotion pass over his face. His face seemed to soften for a moment before quickly hardening into a mask. Castiel, whose own mother had been murdered when he was young, understood the mask he wore.
“Dean,” Castiel repeated, testing out the word. The sound of his name on Castiel’s tongue made Dean’s stomach flip. “I think I can manage that. Dean.”
Dean found himself grinning. “No one has called me by that name in a long time. Not since my mother…” Again, his green eyes became cloudy. Castiel reached a hand across the table and squeezed Dean’s fingers.
“I am happy to address you by whatever name makes your heart content,” he said simply. “It is my honor to meet you, Dean.”
---
By the time the two Gods set off for the day, Castiel found himself thoroughly enjoying Dean’s company. The carefree ruler made Castiel feel at ease and nervous simultaneously. He had never before known anyone that made him feel so odd.
It wasn’t as if he had never noticed anyone nice before. His Father had frequently tried to get him to procreate and continue on their blood line. He had never been interested. It just…didn’t appeal to him. But this one he definitely found appealing.
They departed from the Castle of the Sea by boat. It was a small, quaint boat. Despite how manageable it was, Samandriel had vigorously offered to accompany his Lord. Castiel had assured him that things would be fine. He gave his loyal apprentice a soft pat on the back before climbing into the boat.
When they set off, Dean noted aloud that the water was particularly clear. Castiel smiled at that and replied, “Clear, calm waters are the best for everyone. It seems to be easier for the fishermen to make several catches. It is less likely that anyone will drown due to unruly waters. It makes people happy.”
“Aren’t the fish also under your protection? Does it bother you that the humans consume them?” Dean questioned.
“It is not nearly as bothersome as some think. It is the way things must be. From my sea comes nourishment. It is my responsibility to provide them with the means to care for themselves. In return, I am given loyalty. If that means I give a few of my own to appease them, so be it.”
Dean grew quiet as he listened to Castiel’s response. It seemed the Sea God had a purpose. Dean couldn’t help but wonder what his own purpose was. What could he possibly have to offer anyone?
As they sailed onward, Dean watched the way the boat flew over the water. He watched the way the water parted to make room for the boat. It did not refuse to yield. It did not fight back. It only flowed.
They came to a stop when they reached a tiny island which housed a single, unsteady looking barn. After securing the boat, Castiel motioned for Dean to follow him. They walked a ways and stopped at the doors of the barn.
“This is your first test,” Castiel stated. “Inside this barn is the Noble Steed of the Moon. He served my sister faithfully for many millennia. He is yours to command if you can get him to submit to you.”
“If I can get him to submit?” Dean said.
“Yes, if. He has not submitted to anyone since my sister left.” Dean noticed that both times Castiel had mentioned his sister, he cringed slightly. “Gabriel has, in the past, been desperate enough that he was willing to overlook any failure to subdue Impalus. He seems confident that he will not need to overlook anything when it comes to you.”
“Good to know he has faith in me, right?”
“If it matters, I have faith in you, too.”
Castiel smiled reassuringly before throwing open the doors to the barn. He made no movement to follow Dean inside. Instead, he waited just outside.
Dean walked through the dark barn cautiously. It smelled of old wood and long-abandoned stalls. From the back of the barn, he could hear snorting and the sound of hooves stomping the ground.
When Dean was a foot away from the last stall, something rammed into the wall and made the entire barn shake. Frowning, Dean inched forward, trying to get a good look at this “noble steed.”
Impalus was impossibly large. His coat was black as coal; his wings, also black, were dipped in a brilliant shade of copper at the tips; his purple eyes locked onto Dean. When he snorted a moment later, steam was blown from his nostrils. Dean had barely registered how breathtaking the creature was before he lunged backwards; Impalus had brought his hooves down inches away from Dean’s body.
A Pegasus, Dean thought. I’m supposed to tame an unruly Pegasus.
Dean’s eyes searched the barn for anything he could use to his advantage. There wasn’t much - a stick to one side, an old hammer by the opening of an empty stall. Then he noticed a large chain hanging over the occupied stall.
With more speed than he knew he possessed, Dean ran into the vacant stall next to Impalus. He jumped up the wall and, clinging desperately to the beam overhead, grasped the chain with his free hand. As Dean took a moment to celebrate his small victory, Impalus kicked down the wall that separated the two stalls. Dean went crashing down, landing on the ground with an “Oof!”
As he tried to regain his breath, Dean rolled over. Impalus let out a rumble and a snort. He stood outside the stall, staring at Dean menacingly. Dean got to his feet, chain in hand.
For a second, neither of them moved. They only stared at one another, each one sizing up the other, each one trying to proclaim that he was not going to back down. Dean wasn’t sure what propelled him forward but, before he knew it, he had thrown himself on top of the Pegasus, dragging the chain with him. He threw it around the giant wings that threatened to bat him in the face and pinned them to Impalus’ body.
Dean yanked on the chain, causing Impalus’ knees to buckle as his wings were painfully squeezed. He situated himself on top of the angry steed, who it seemed was out of patience.
Impalus leapt up quickly, catching Dean by surprise; he had barely a moment to wrap his arms around the beast’s neck. With that accomplished, and with his knees sitting heavy at the base of Impalus’ wings, he pulled his arms toward his body, forcing Impalus into an awkward and uncomfortable position. The beast began to still.
Just a little longer, he told himself. This is doable.
Finally - after minutes that felt like years had come to pass - Impalus sank to his knees. As he felt Impalus’ body relax underneath him, Dean’s arms went slack. He breathed a sigh of relief.
He reached down and untangled the chain from around his newfound companion. The Pegasus unfurled his great wings and resumed standing. After another long moment, Impalus lowered his head in servitude.
Dean paused for a moment, in awe of the large creature before him. He patted Impalus’ face gently, the hint of a smile playing on his lips.
“We okay?” he said breathlessly. “You think it would be okay if you served by my side?” The Pegasus gave a snort in response.
Dean - head held high and face covered with a grin of pride - guided his steed out of the barn.
Castiel had not seen anyone atop this particular beast in many centuries. It looked…magnificent.
“You have proven yourself far worthier than any that have come before you,” he announced happily. “Impalus has not bowed down to anyone but the Gods that ascended this throne by birth right. On this day, you have become the first to calm him. Well done, Dean.”
Dean let loose a hearty laugh. Castiel gazed at him with soft eyes; Dean gazed back with fierce ones.
“Join me, if you would be so kind,” he said, patting the free space behind him. Castiel obliged by climbing atop the noble steed and wrapping his arms tightly around Dean’s waist.
They rose into the evening sky, higher and higher, until it seemed the moon was just out of reach.
“I have not been this close to the moon in so long,” Castiel muttered to himself. Dean thought that perhaps Castiel had not intended for him to hear the comment. Dean’s heart clenched for a moment. He took Castiel’s hand in his own and, raising it to his lips, kissed his palm. Castiel pressed himself more against Dean’s back and hummed with contentment.
With the beat of wings in front of him, the sky surrounding him, and the feel of the Ocean God against him, Dean’s soul hummed with the same contentment.
Titanium
The Castle of the Moon was visible only at night. Its reflection on the water was a comfort to many of the mortals on Earth. In their prayers to the Moon God, they would often ask to be blessed with the honor of visiting the castle before they passed on to the next world. No human had ever set foot in any God’s castle, but it did not stop their fervent prayers.
When the new Moon God stepped foot into his castle, and he heard the anguished cries of many people - he knew that he would never be able to ignore them
---
Castiel had not expected Dean to collapse when they first entered the castle. They had only been in there for a moment when Dean had said in a perplexed tone, “Where are those voices coming from?” Castiel had turned to face him, prepared to ask if perhaps the struggle with Impalus had drained him of the ability to make sense, only to see him fainting.
“Dean!” he shouted, hurriedly grabbing Dean and trying to support him.
Loud footsteps made their way to the front of the castle. When Castiel looked up, he recognized him immediately. Truthfully, it would have been hard not to recognize him. With long red hair and maroon colored, vertical markings high on his cheeks, Somerled was hard to forget.
“It has been too long since I last saw you, Castiel,” he said, a small smile on his tan face. He took in the sight of the Oceanic God before paying attention to the silver-skinned lad in his arms. “Is your companion alright?”
“I’m…not sure,” Castiel replied. “Could I trouble you to help me move him to a bed?”
Somerled nodded obligingly and helped Castiel carry Dean to the safety of the nearest guest bedroom. Castiel thanked Somerled for the assistance but declined to leave Dean by himself.
“It can’t be pleasant to awaken in a strange place, alone,” he said somberly. “Somerled…before he fainted, he said something about hearing voices. Did my sister ever…did she hear such things?”
Somerled looked at him with understanding and replied, “She heard the voices of mortals. Prayers. She heard their prayers. If he is able to hear them without the assistance of the chalice…Gabriel may have been right. He is meant to take over this role.”
“You have spoken with Gabriel?”
“Recently, yes. He sought my counsel before he approached Euanthe about it. He said that he had not known anyone to be more right for this than Anna.”
“Do you miss her?” Castiel whispered, his eyes bright.
Somerled’s expression turned to one of sadness. “I have not known a day in over seven hundred years when I did not.” He gave Castiel’s shoulder a gentle squeeze before leaving the room.
Castiel sat at the edge of the bed, back turned to Dean. He stared at the painting on the wall. It was simple: the moon high in the sky, illuminating the waters and ground below it. The moon did not apologize for its presence. It did not do anything but bestow kindness to the world.
I picked out that painting, he recalled. I told her it would look beautiful in this room. I was right.
Suddenly overcome with regret, Castiel retired to the chair in the corner of the room. It was large and made of soft cloth. Its scent was pleasant; it reminded him of being home.
Dean had not dreamed much as a child. The only dreams he could remember were dreams of his mother. It was always after a particularly long day of forging weapons when she would appear to him in dreams and soothe him with kind words. “I need you to keep working, Dean. You are going to do many great things. You are meant for a greater purpose.”
He always woke from those dreams with wet eyes and a burning sensation in his chest.
As a mature God, Dean did not dream at all. Gods did not need to sleep, so he avoided it as often as possible. Anything to avoid giving himself even the possibility of dreaming.
The day that Dean fainted, he dreamed for the first time in seven hundred years.
He wasn’t aware it was a dream at first. He awoke to find himself in a clearing, late in the evening. Judging by the moonlight, he was able to see that the clearing appeared to be empty. He had started to stand up when a soft voice asked, “Are you the one that is destined to change everything?”
Startled, Dean whirled around and came face to face with a beautiful Goddess. Her skin was a gentle tint of rose, and her hair was as red as the flames in every fire Dean had ever seen. He had heard stories of her beauty, but to gaze upon her was entirely different. Anna looked at him with her silvery eyes and asked again, “Are you the one?”
“I don’t - I don’t know,” he answered truthfully.
“I cannot be certain either,” she laughed. “Years ago, I would have been able to tell. Tell me…are my brothers well?”
“They seem to be okay. Cas definitely - I mean, Castiel misses you fiercely.”
“Cas?” she teased, her smile growing. Dean’s face grew warm. He hadn’t meant to let it slip. “That’s something. No one has ever called him by such a name. Gabriel called him Cassy when we were children. It drove him to wish unpleasant things upon Gabriel.”
Dean stared at her, a dozen questions burning his mind. He opened his mouth as though to speak but found that none of his questions would really matter.
“Do you know why I’m in your dream?” she asked after some time.
Dean looked around the clearing. “Is that what’s happening here? A dream?” She nodded. “Huh…well then, I can’t be sure. I just remember walking into the castle and hearing…so many voices.”
Her eyes widened. “You hear them too?” she asked, clutching his arm. “I have never known any other Gods to receive the prayers of the mortals in that manner. All of the others use a chalice. At first, I thought my mind had become broken.”
“Does it just come with the duty of being Moon God?”
“So it would seem. I am no expert, of course. I have only my own experiences to go off of.” She stepped away from him. “I think that I have been waiting for you all this time.”
“Waiting? For what reason?”
“You know, I am not entirely aware. I only know that my soul did not pass on as other mortal souls do. I became stuck in this place. Maybe to ensure that you’re the One.”
Dean’s expression darkened. “You keep referencing that I’m the One. What does that mean?”
She shrugged her shoulders and replied, “I do not have the knowledge you seek. Though I will make a request, if I am permitted.” Dean nodded. “Whatever choices you make as Moon Deity, do so with confidence. Do not apologize for your actions. Only you will ever know the burden of carrying so many prayers at once. They will pray to you seeking comfort, seeking asylum, seeking to be purified, and seeking to be healed. Do not be cruel. Offer them whatever comfort you can.”
“Have the ones before me been cruel?”
“I cannot say. You are the only one I’ve met.” She leaned close to him again and kissed his cheek softly. “Remind my brother to be gentle. Remind him that he is worthy.”
Dean suddenly found that he could say nothing. She smiled again and turned away. As she walked away, the clearing was abruptly lit up by a bright light. It was overwhelming. As abruptly as it appeared, it disappeared with a loud BOOM. The force of it knocked all the air from Dean’s lungs and sent him flying.