The screech ripped through the room unrelentlessly, scaring the life out of Castiel. He fell backwards, and hit his head against the already closed door, before a voice called out to him from the blinding light.
"Ahahahaha! My old friend! Please forgive me for my rudeness- Hahaha!" A voice rang in Castiel's ears. He looked towards the noise to find it's owner, Count Devvon.
"Hah… That's a new one, I knew something was up when I entered the room, you've really gotten better at this Dev," Castiel sighed before shooting a smirk at the man in his desk.
"I've been practicing ever since we were boy's, you know? That was the Second Stage Magic [Greater Flash]" Castiel's eyes readjusted from the darkness to the shimmering light around the room. He finally got a good look at his own friend.
Similar dirty blonde hair rested on his head, though much longer and in a ponytail. His glasses couldn't hide his tired puffy eyes. He wore a red coat with high collar, almost extending past his ears. There was a white dress shirt underneath it. He sat in his chair with his gloved fingers interlocked propping up his head. He had quite the wide smile.
Castiel stood himself back up and brushed off his ragged clothes with his gloved hands.
"Second Stage huh? I hear that the upper level a regular person like us could reach- Impressive my friend," He sighed before acknowledging his friend. Castiel took a quick spin around the room.
There was another chandelier in this room. It would seem it was the main source of light. It was decorated handsomely, glittering several different colors from the magic that emanated off of it. The furniture varied around the room from pelts and leathers to colorful cloths with unique designs.
Many paintings lined the walls, each seemed to have a great amount of creativity and love poured into each one. They each had handsome frames, glinting with the silver they contained.
Castiel took a closer look at some of the items on his second spin and noticed something he didn't before. A neatly dressed man balled up in a chair. Castiel was taken aback for not noticing him. He immediately knew who the man was- his face gave him away.
A trio of horns sprouted from his forehead, the middle most one being the largest. They were considerably large, which was one was to discern a demon's level of ability. The Imp averted his gaze, and fiddled with a ring on his finger.
"The imp huh? You were always drawn to the demons." Castiel heard Devvon's voice from behind him. Castiel walked up to the demon prompting Devvon to get up and follow. He stopped abruptly at the base of the chair and squatted in front of him.
"What's up with him?" Castiel titled his head.
"Hmm... I'm not sure. He hasn't done this before. Normally he just stares at me until I tell him to do something." Devvon answered.
"Beelze, I must ask of you- What is your problem? Will you not show respect to our guest?" Devvon's tone made the demon quick to start shivering.
"It's no problem, I'll uh... leave him be. Shall we take a walk Devvon? I'd love to see and new designs you've implemented onto your estate." Castiel stood and suggested something straying from the demon.
"You are honestly just a leech." Devvon sighed. "But at least you're honest... The tour starts at the kitchen, meet me there. I haven't moved it from the last time you were here." He made for the door. Castiel turned to follow him but hesitated for a second. He turned back Beelzebub.
"I'm sorry for troubling you, Beelze. Excuse me."
The words struck a chord in the demon. He stopped shaking and looked up to make eye contact with Castiel. Castiel had already turned away leaving Beelzebub alone in the room. The demon stared at the door long after he closed it.
Castiel followed Devvon around the estate and he showed him the many rooms and renovations he was proud of. He was guided through many rooms and floors containing various luxuries that one man could not hope to enjoy by himself.
There was the dining hall, that served the poor out of the rear end of the estate that served all kinds of food. The kitchen looked fantastic as well. He had a personal gymnasium and an armory assorted with all kinds of weapons and armors. A whole floor was dedicated for the rooms of all the maids and butlers that worked hard to keep the property clean and orderly. Another for the orphaned kids that were commonly found throughout the city.
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"It's a shame Emelia didn't wish to enjoy this place for the night, you two would be guaranteed a free stay for the night." Devvon sighed. He let his wrinkles show for a moment.
"She doesn't like fancy places like this… Makes her jealous she wasn't given this kind of stuff from god or her parents." Castiel spoke from memory. The girl liked to pretend, but anything more would get to her head and she knew it.
"We'll, it's getting late, I don't want to keep you from your companion. That Emelia Marks cause a scene again like last time. It's been good seeing you again Castiel," Devvon opened his arms. Castiel did the same and they hugged tightly.
"Yes, it has been. I'll look forward to seeing you again my friend." Castiel released his arms from Devvon.
"I'll have Cain pull up the wagon for you. I'll escort you to the courtyard, I can't let you go fooling around and getting lost again now can I?" Devvon grinned.
"Hey! This place is too big, I couldn't help getting lost in this big maze of yours!" Castiel yelled back, embarrassed of the old memory the two shared.
They walked out of the estate and Devvon ordered the wagon be brought out. Shortly thereafter, it came. Cain and a maid rested on the seats. The horses looked to have been fed, cleaned, and brushed. They seemed pretty happy.
"Your wagon is ready Master Sol, though it brings me sadness to see you go so soon." Cain told Castiel as he stepped down off the wagon.
"You have no need feel sad Cain. I am glad I even got to come today. I wish you a good time while I am gone, keep Devvon in check for me until I get back please." Castiel smirked at Devvon in a quick glance before returning his gaze to Cain.
"The same to you Master Sol. And I will keep my eye on him like always." Cain smiled.
Castiel stepped up onto the wagon and he waved at the the three as his horses led him through the gate back into town. A chill ran down his spine as he passed the iron gates. It was slightly colder in town than it was at the estate.
He thought to himself for a while. His slow uneventful days, all leading up to an annual visit to sell the goods he worked for. Quite uneventful in his opinion. It's not that he persay disliked it, but he felt bored most of the time, doing the same thing every day. He resumed his focus to the road in front of him. Hed return to the thought at a later date.
The streets were empty, with the flickering lights of the street lamps every so often. An abandoned weathered cart lied off to the side of road, damaged and seemingly unusable. Castiel paid no heed to it as he shook the reins, making sure the horses kept pace. Before he could pass it, the horses suddenly stopped. It became colder, as his vision was fuzzy.
His brought his hands to head as a pain grew in his head. He grimaced and put pressure on his skull.
"Funny, isn't it…" A voice in front of Castiel spoke. He looked up and tried to make out the figure. He realized it immediately, his most obvious feature being the horns on his head.
"Your Grandfather killed my father, yet here you are so powerless in front of me. Granted my father had four horns, and was the only of the imps to have such a great power. Yet here you are so much weaker than my father's 'righteous' murderer. God only knows what he did to my brother- he's been missing for a long time now." Beelzebub spoke his mind as he walked around the cart.
"What are you doing… What is this?" Castiel managed to get the words out despite the massive migraine emanating through his skull.
"Oh this? This is the Final Stage spell [Time Stop]. It's forbidden among demons, not that I care however. It's a surprise that it doesn't affect you much in the first place. I suppose it's the after affect of being the blood of a holy sword wielder." He explained. "I despise the humans you see… but you keep the world running at a pace. It would be a shame to kill you all off. So I live in a sort off... selfish harmony with your kind."
"Why are you here…? Talking to me like this?" Castiel was confused, the demon kept rattling on for no reason.
"Oh yes, you remind me. My elder brother Lucifer intends on a demonic revolt. Seeing as you are a pest to my time with my 'master'," He moved his fingers in unison quoting himself. "I need you to put an end to his armies. To recover Ascalon, which is… or at least should be in the Elves forest, like your great grandfather once did." He continued. He began to walk away in the direction of the manor.
"Why should I?" Castiel asked one last confused question with a grunt. His hands had slowly been putting on more and more pressure to ease the pain through Beelzebub's monologue.
"Because they just burned and slaughtered your village- the first in their path. Maybe they had some fun with the women, perhaps some that you knew well? I'm not sure of the tiny details like that though, of course."
Castiel fell off the cart and struggled to get up to run, but collapsed.
"Sorry, but I can't let you do that~. It would be a nuisance to my plans." Beelzebub silently casted another spell, forcing Castiel unconsious.
"You'll remember my words when you figure out why you see smoke in the distance on your way back. Allow me to take you back to your inn- and last but not least, sleep well my friend. You'll need it,"