@redeyedking
It wasn’t the first time Castiel had heard this demon scream, but he wanted it to be the last.
There weren’t that many demons left in the world, anyway. Two dozen or so, just enough for the Host to play with. Used as servants or slaves or taken apart to vent frustrations on, the small contingent consisted almost entirely of black-eyed demons and one single red-eyed demon, and it was the latter that was screaming as Naomi took him apart again.
Castiel was nearby only because he had been ordered to observe from this vantage, and watch Paradise as it moved. The Earth below, Father’s finest jewel, green and blue and clean. There were no big cities anymore. No disease. No automobiles. Everything was pristine. Nature and humankind alike, the chosen who didn’t ascend in the rapture, living like their fore-bearers did long before.
Castiel knew, too, how thin that veneer of perfection was. Knew that Gabriel was gathering angels from the outskirts of the ranks of the Host in the hopes of returning free will to humans. He even had an invitation himself, but so far, Castiel had measured the risk versus the potential reward. He was exhausted and frightened, and that would add more.
But listening to that demon scream--
It was only ten years ago when Crowley was King of the Crossroads, and then when the Apocalypse happened right as planned, he was one of the few spared his life. Now, ten years later, having caught glimpses of what was once a proud creature (opposite realm or no) as he was broken further and further, Castiel did wonder if death would have been more mercy.
There was nothing he could do right now, but wait. Wait for the screaming to stop. But for the first time, the needle measuring risk versus reward crossed that center line. If Castiel had any means, this would be the last time that demon screamed.