As Archer stared at the young woman before him, his brows furrowed in suspicion, and he couldn't help but ask, "What are you?"
Then, with a calm yet powerful voice that echoed with authority, Castiel answered, "I am Castiel… and I am an angel of the Lord."
At that, Archer's composure cracked slightly. His eyes widened and he muttered under his breath, "Oh shit," before immediately dropping into a battle stance, instincts screaming at him that this was no ordinary opponent.
Realizing she was about to attack, he wasted no time and launched several explosive swords from his Reality Marble. The blades screamed through the air and detonated on contact, filling the area with violent bursts of flame and thick smoke. The explosions kicked up dust and debris, obscuring his vision completely.
But as the smoke cleared, there was no sign of her.
Then his instincts flared—danger, behind him!
He twisted around just in time to avoid a radiant spear of light aimed at his back, leaping to the side as the spear blasted into the earth with holy force.
"Good instincts," Castiel said calmly, her tone void of mockery—just simple acknowledgment. "Allow me to return the favor for your attack from earlier."
"Shit," Archer muttered again, eyes narrowing as several glowing orbs of light formed around her and launched at him like artillery fire.
He moved swiftly, dodging with precision, each orb exploding upon impact behind him as he weaved through the blasts. The shockwaves shook the ground and rattled the air, but he kept moving until he finally escaped the barrage.
Once clear, he retaliated with another rain of swords, his brow slick with sweat and jaw clenched tight.
But they never landed.
A shimmering light shield appeared before Castiel, absorbing the swords effortlessly. Then, in a move he hadn't expected at all, she suddenly kicked the light barrier—and sent it flying at him like a speeding discus.
His eyes widened.
The barrier widened mid-air, stretching out like a glowing net, and though he tried to leap away—
It was too late.
The barrier collided with him, wrapping tightly around his body in bands of luminous energy. He thrashed, trying to tear himself free, but quickly realized it was futile.
Breathing heavily, trapped and beaten, he slumped slightly in the glowing cage as Castiel calmly walked toward him.
Looking up at her with a lopsided smirk that barely masked his resignation, Archer said, "I never stood a chance, did I?"
Castiel's blue eyes were unreadable, her expression still and solemn. "If it helps," she said softly, "from what I've been told… I'm stronger than the majority of the beings in this world."
Archer raised a brow, tilting his head slightly. "From what you've been told?" he echoed. Then he gave a dry, weary chuckle. "Well… whatever. I guess it's just my rotten luck to run into an angel of all things."
He sighed, his expression softening. "Let's meet under better circumstances next time."
Castiel nodded, her tone gentle. "Likewise."
She reached out and placed a hand atop Archer's head, fingers glowing with celestial energy.
"Be at peace," she said, as a warm light enveloped him.
As the divine energy flowed through him, calming his spirit and easing his pain, Archer closed his eyes. A serene smile graced his lips—something rare for him—as his body began to dissolve into golden particles, his soul passing on peacefully.
Once he was gone, Castiel lowered her hand and turned, her voice quiet but resolute.
"We should quickly return to the others."
Castiel arrived in the cave just in time to see Saber being grabbed by the wicker man—and shortly after, the wicker man erupted into a massive pillar of flame. Even then, Saber remained strong—still standing, defiant.
Castiel tensed, ready to fight—it couldn't be over yet. But the moment passed.
Saber crumbled. Her form dispersed into particles of golden light. Castiel approached, heart pounding, but she didn't catch it all. She only heard Saber say, "The Grand Order has only just begun."
Inside Castiel's mind, Olga whispered urgently, How does she know about that? She shouldn't know.
Castiel replied inside her mind, We'll worry about that later. And how do we return to Chaldea?
Olga said , Oh, with the mission complete, Romani and the others should just be able to summon us back.
Castiel nodded and joined the others. Then she saw Caster—Cu Chulainn—still standing. She walked over, relief and curiosity mixing in her tone.
He said, "Hey—you didn't die... who the hell are you?"
Castiel nodded, calm and resolute. "If you're ever summoned again, I shall tell you… Child of Light. Farewell."
Cu Chulainn offered a faint nod of respect. "That's fair, I guess."
Then, in a shower of golden particles, he disappeared.
Mash, her eyes bright with joy, threw her arms around Castiel.
"Director—I'm so glad you're okay!"
Ritsuka, voice shaky: "Me too! I thought for sure he would kill you."
Castiel offered a gentle smile. "It was no problem. More importantly… be on guard, you two. We have company."
A creepy laugh echoed through the cavern:
"Well done, Master Candidate 48—and you as well, Mash. I never expected you two to be victorious."
From the shadows stepped a tall man with sharp teeth, long curly chestnut hair, and a green fur-lined suit jacket over a white shirt and purple tie, topped with a green top hat. His eyes glowed—and his presence radiated malice.
Castiel heard Olga think, It's Lev… Castiel, let me have control—I need to speak with him.
But Castiel firmly interrupted, No.
Olga pressed, internally, Why not?
Because that man is a demon—and a strong one at that.
Olga's voice trembled, No—you must be mistaken. Lev can't be a—
Castiel cut her off, tone sharp and unwavering: I know the difference between an ugly human and a demon. Even if he were not a demon, his very being oozes malice and hatred. You're connected to me now—you should be able to sense it.
After a moment, Olga admitted in her mind, You're right. Oh God… have I been working with a demon all these years...?
At that moment, Dr. Romani's voice echoed through the communicator: "How is Lev there?"
Lev barked back:
"I have a better question, Roman—why weren't you at the briefing? You were supposed to die with everyone else! And you, Olga? You should have died in that explosion! The bomb was right at your feet! But… maybe your soul just hasn't realized you're dead yet."
He opened a portal. Through it, they saw Chaldea—its massive sphere glowing like the sun.
Olga stared, dread in her eyes. That isn't good at all.
Lev sneered, Before you disappear, I'll let you touch your treasure—but know that it's basically a black hole. Once you touch it, you'll experience living infinite death.
He raised a hand toward Castiel—commanding her to levitate.
Ritsuka and Mash panicked, shouting, "No, Director!"
But Castiel didn't budge.
Lev's brow furrowed. What's going on?
Suddenly, Olga vanished—and reappeared directly in front of Lev.
He gasped, stunned. That's impossible... what—
Then Lev nervously backed away, sensing something was terribly wrong, and stammered, "You shouldn't be able to do things like that... And since when do your eyes glow blue?" His voice wavered, eyes wide with growing dread. "Are you even Olga?"
Then Castiel loudly proclaimed, her voice echoing with divine authority, "No. I am Castiel, Angel of the Lord and Warrior of Heaven!"
Then Castiel's blue eyes flared with righteous fury, glowing intensely as her wings unfurled behind her—massive and white, holy in their radiance. A golden halo appeared above her head.
The power she emanated silenced the cave.
Lev reeled backward. Oh fuck no… you feathered fucks were supposed to be long gone.
He fired bolts of demonic energy.
Castiel dismissed them easily, each strike disintegrating on contact. She advanced slowly, terrifyingly calm.
Lev turned to flee—but Castiel appeared before him, sword made of radiant light piercing his heart.
Lev spat blood and whispered, This isn't fair… nothing about this mission went correctly... and now—an angel of all things—is here. Fuck me.
Castiel's voice was steady, cold: Who are you working for?
Lev laughed weakly and flipped her off.
Angered, Castiel ripped the sword free—and executed him with one swift motion.
She vanished, teleporting back to Mash and Ritsuka—both mouths agape at the sight of a real angel before them.
Castiel spoke quietly: Doctor—bring us back.
Romani snapped out of his shock. Right away.
The trio glowed, rays surrounding them as they were summoned back to Chaldea.
Once home, Romani waited anxiously and asked castiel. Is the Director okay?
Castiel answered softly, She is.
In Castiel's mind, Olga spoke, sounding dazed: Yeah… about that—I just got betrayed by someone who's basically been my mentor for years. Why am I not freaking out?
Castiel replied gently, It's likely due to my presence. We are in a semi-merged state. My personality is influencing yours a little.
Olga retorted dryly, Oh—I knew that.
Castiel sighed internally. Please... it is only us in here. You need not pretend.
Olga snapped back aloud, Shut up—let me have control.
Castiel relented, softly: As you wish.
Olga reacquired control, crossed her arms, and hissed under her breath, Stupid angel.
Romani cleared his throat, scratching his cheek. I can't help feeling the rest of us are missing context—but is that you, Director?
Olga exhaled and said, Yes—it's me. We'll talk later about the fact I've got an angel sharing my headspace. For now, come with me to check Chaldea over. We need a full status report—ASAP.
Turning to Ritsuka and Mash, she added, You two get some rest—we have a lot of work ahead, and I need you both in peak condition.
All three snapped to attention and chorused, Yes, Director.
Olga nodded, satisfied, then strode off to begin inspecting the facility.