//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 Shadows: Mortality // Story: Supernatural: Day, Night, and Shadows // by BioQuillFiction //------------------------------// Crowley was many things. Egotistical, Petty, ruthless, vengeful, but worried. That was a rare one. Whatever magic was in those bullets and blades the hunters were using had shown a similar magical signature to Sombra's. This meant a creature like him, or more exact, like Fluttershy, who could use magic, enchanted those bullets and swords. The thought pissed Crowley off even more just thinking about it. He always figured Hunters were the shoot first ask questions later type so he imagined most Creatures like Sombra and Fluttershy would have been killed by them. Today proved otherwise. Hunters were an annoyance to demons for centuries, but this… this has officially made them a threat. Demons died today and Sombra is on the line of life and Death. Fluttershy has not left his bedside since. They need a medic… a doctor… a Demon Doctor. But who? Sombra was not the average demon, he was barely Equine. Me needed something… what Sombra needed.most at this moment was blood. He lost a lot of it and his body is his own, Crowley doesn't even know if his soul can exist outside of it… there was one option, and he hated it, but it might be the only way to save his son. "Kennel Keeper!" Crowley shouted upon re entering Hell. In a flash of black smoke the Kennel Keeper appeared.  "Crowley. Come to buy another hound?" "I need Ramsey." "Woah there hot shot! No can do, that's Lucifer's bitch, even though he is locked away I touch that dog and I'm dead." "Sombra is dying! Ramsey managed to care for them and keep them alive she can heal him!" "I am not risking my hide for your little freak- gah!" Looking down, the Kennel Keeper saw Crowley had stabbing him with what looked like a normal blade. "H-how is this… killing me?" "It's one of the same blades a band of hunters used when raiding my base, killing a lot of my employees and nearly killing Sombra." Crowley said, taking it out of the Kennel Keeper and then thrusting it in harder and deeper. "Personally I wanted them destroyed but… they may prove useful yet."  The Kennel Keeper fell limp, Crowley slicing off their hands before rushing to the kennels. Upon reaching Ramsey's door, he placed the severed hands of the Kennel Keepers on them, the magical locks beginning to open. Once the last one was opened Crowley threw the doors open, Ramsey seeing him and growling loudly before charging full speed.  Acting quick, he raised a cloth with blood, and Ramsey stopped dead in front of Crowley, smelling the blood, then, to Crowley's surprise, and hopes, began whimpering. "It's Sombra. You remember Sombra? He's hurt. Bad. You cared for him and kept him alive. You care for him." Crowley said, Ramsey still sniffing the blood sadly. "He needs you Ramsey, you are the only chance I have at saving him. We… we both care about him. Please, save his life." Ramsey barked, giving a nod to Crowley's shock as she followed him out of hell. Ramsey's mere presence kept every demon who saw her away, making them flee or hide for fear of their lives, and all who saw Crowley walking next to her, without fear nor she attacking him began speaking silently about what this all meant. Whatever was going on with them, Crowley would learn later. Arriving at the base, Ramsey walked up to Fluttershy, seeing her worry and care for Sombra made the old hound feel happy. She then carefully rested her head on his chest, Sombra wincing in his sleep as suddenly his chest began to glow where Ramsey was resting. It's wasn't bright and it was not holy, but it was… comforting, to all around. Crowley saw that it was easing Sombra, and took leave. Taking a seat at his throne and pondering what came next. "Sir?" Asked one of his still remaining demons.  "Find… find where these bullets and blades came from. Do not engage if detected just make a report, pictures if you can then get back here." Crowley said as the demon nodded and left.  Sighing, Crowley looked over the blade that was still in his hand, the Kennel Keeper blood still on it as he rolled his eyes, cleaning it off. Crowley had never cared for anything before in his life, yet to the killed a high ranked demon, all for Sombra… his son. He never even cared for his son when he was a human… what made Sombra so different? Thinking back, Crowley felt something new to him. Regret. Sombra awoke late in the night, happy to see his mother there and his wounds near completely healed. As the next few days went along Ramsey stayed by Sombra, becoming protective and motherly to him. She seemed to have also taken a liking to Fluttershy. Things went about normal around the base, no news on the blades and bullets, which was worrying. As the days went along Crowley wondered if someone from hell would come to reprimand him for killing the Kennel Keeper. It was only a matter of- "Hello Crowley." Time… "Lilith." Crowley spoke up, seeing the first Demon herself before him, and he stood up. "I take it this intrusion is due to the Kennel Keepers death?" "That's right." She answered. "Countless demons all saw you waltz back into Hell, kill the Kennel Keeper, then waltz out next to Ramsey like you owned her. Tell me, was it a spell that tamed that Savage bitch or what?" "It was a… common interest. She doesn't seem like she will be leaving soon." "I figured." Lilith said, a smirk across her face as she walked away from Crowley a bit, back facing him. "I have to say, you have surprised me. The Kennel Keeper was one of the first souls to be become a demon and you killed them in two stabs. I understand you have the weapon in question?" "Among… others…" Crowley said, his men in the room armed with said weapons. "What's the point?" "Oh, nothing. Just curious." She said, still grinning. "For killing the Kennel Keeper, punishment must be delivered. Starting today that demonic mule shall be the new Keeper of the Kennels. I understand they speak Hell Hound, and Ramsey clearly cares for them… seems a fitting position." Mule… Crowley hid their growl. "Understood." Crowley said. "Is that all?" "No. I have an assignment for you. The others and I want you to find a few artifacts for us." "Artifacts?" "Yes. The Crown of Thorns that was placed on Jesus's head, The Horn of Gabriel, and The Heart of Adam." "Those are some… rather high profile artifacts." "Got big plans Crowley, I'll need the firepower." She said, turning back to Crowley. "Can I count on you to locate and acquire them?" "Yes Lilith… it shall be done." "Good boy. By by." She said, vanishing. "Bitch." Crowley finally spoke once she was gone. "Sir, what are our orders then?" Another demon asked. "These weapons are useful but even Lilith can't die from just one hit, they can hurt her yes, but kill, no. For now we'll play her game." Crowley said sighing. "Okay but where do we start? The Crown of Jesus and The Horn of Gabriel have been lost for centuries and The Heart of Adam is just a legend." "All legends have root somewhere, find that root we find the heart. As well as Adam and Eve's resting place. As for the Crown and Horn check in with our old friends at the Vatican, there has to be something there. Report to me any findings and rumors. Get to it."