There wasn't hope anymore. In fact, there wasn't nothing anymore. Nothing but sadness and anger. This tale is about two brothers, who tried to save the world from everything; monsters, angels and demons... And even themselves.

When they released the Darkness, at least there was a bit of hope. Hope that they would be okay. That they would defeat it. But all the odds seemed to go against them. Everyone was against them. Every monsters wanted them dead. They had only one lead. It was surely a risky one, but at least they had one. Dean didn't agree of course but Sam, desperate to clean up his mess, decided, alone, to risk it. The older brother was right. It wasn't a good idea...

-Sam's POV-

I knew that Dean would be furious at me for doing this. Oh how I knew. But I knew as well that I at least had to try. Our only lead... I believed that it was God himself that was commanding me to do it. Only I believed it though. My older brother was strongly against this opinion. If there was a slight chance that it would solve our problem, the world's problem, right now... It might be our only hope. The only question I had right now was... How was I going to do this? How was I going to return there? I looked around me. I was in some field. But it wasn't a plain field with no importance... No. It was the field. The place where it was all decided. The place where the Apocalypse ended. The place where I threw myself in the gap on the ground that the 4 rings of the 4 horsemen created. The place where I gripped Adam and we both fell in the gap. Yes, it seemed only logical. If there was one place in the whole world that could lead to the cage, it was here. I started walking toward the place where the gap has been opened. Maybe there was some sort of door that would take me there once I find it. I knew exactly where it was. In fact, I remembered like it was yesterday. But when I reached it, there was some odd bush there. I tilted my head as one of my brows raised by itself in confusion. That wasn't here last time. It was an abandoned place, so that would be weird if someone just came and dropped a bush here.

"Oh c'mon.", I mumbled under my breath. But it had to be here! So I had no choice. I was going to remove the bush from its emplacement, put it somewhere else and try to find an entrance to Lucifer's cage. I lowered my body to the ground and reached out my arms to dig out the bush... But at the exact moment I was going to touch the dirt, the plant lit up in a beautiful fire.

"What the-", I let out as I pulled away and instantly got back up, clearly surprised and confused. When I finally calmed down from the sudden weird happening, because it sure wasn't the first time I was seeing something not natural, I lowered my body a bit again, to look at it closer. Surely, the fire was alive and blazing, but the bush remained well and untouched. No doubt, it was exactly like in the Bible. It must be a sign! I was at the good place! But I didn't had the time to rejoice, since, when I was going to smile, everything seemed to twist and disappear around me. I closed my eyes and when I opened then again, I was in a dark place... I could head roaring thunders all over the place. Before I could figure what was going on, and where I was, I heard a soft and melodious voice resonating right behind me.

"Oh if it isn't Sammy that is paying me a visit! How sweet of you, really, I appreciate it!"

Lucifer.

-Dean's POV-

"Where is he?!", I shouted as I was looking everywhere for my little brother. He wasn't in his room, he wasn't in the kitchen... He was nowhere to be found! I climbed up the stairs that lead to the entrance of the bunker and threw the door open. Without a car, he couldn't go far, so I intended to go fetch him. But...

"Son of a bitch! He even took the car!", I shouted and angrily went back inside. I let myself slide on the stairs and I brushed a hand against my messy hair. My green eyes glanced around once again, in a desperate attempt to see my little brother emerge from somewhere I didn't looked up. But really, I doubted he was here. The car was gone, so was Sammy. The bunker was a big place, and, so, it took almost all the afternoon to try and find him. Maybe I was just stupid, or I don't know, because there were places it would be obvious he wasn't there. But I had to look out the entire place... Twice. I sighed heavily. I was all alone.

"Damn it Samuel! It's clearly not the time to hide things from me and disappear on me!", I shouted, as if he could hear me.

I had no idea where he could be, outside of the bunker, outside in the world. I didn't know what to do.

A flap of wings.

"Hello, Dean.", a raspy voice said behind me.

I jumped from my spot in the stairs and straighten up instantly, looking at the person, rather the angel, in front of me.

"Jesus Christ, Cas! Can't you call before appearing on me?!"

Cas looked down, dipping his head before looking back at me. He looked sad. Maybe I was too harsh with him? Not that I would admit it.

"I'm sorry Dean.", he said.

"-It's alright Cas, I'm just... A bit on the edge right now. Anyway, why are you here for?

- Oh I see. Well, it's just been a long time since, you know, we spoke to each other so I figured I'll come by and say hi to you and Sam. Where is he by the way?

- Little Sammy decided to run away from home and now I have no idea where he is, or what he's up to.

- This wasn't a good idea. I'm sorry about that, Dean. Do you want me to go and look up for him?

- Don't force yourself for me Cas, but it would help, I guess. I don't have my car since my little brother decided to take it as well when he ran away so I can't do much.

- I'll go for you, Dean. I'll be back then."

Another flap of wings and he was gone. Gosh, somehow Cas was just what I needed. He was just the help I needed. I sighed in relief, I was sure that angel would come back with good news. I waited here in silence, a beer in hand, for Cas to come back, hopefully, with Sam.

After a few hours, the door opened up behind me and I looked immediately to see who it was, ready to attack if it was an enemy. But it wasn't. My younger brother was looking down at me, a small smile appearing on his face, but a sad one. He looked devastated. I took a deep breath and stood up. He was taller than me but it didn't stopped me from giving him a punch in the face. He grunted and looked at me for answers about it.

"This... Is for worrying me. It was also for leaving me alone at the worst time possible.", I answered.

At the same time, a flap of wings was heard.

"I didn't-", Cas said then he saw Sam. "Where were you? I searched the entire continent."

Sam just shrugged and started walking down the stairs. I looked at him. I couldn't believe it.

"Wait, so you're gone for the entire day and you don't even tell me where you were?! I can't believe it Sam, you cannot hide things from me anymore. I'm tired of this so you're going to tell me where you were, right now."

He stopped right in his tracks for a second. He was probably thinking. But then, he continued walking, not saying anything.

"Do you need another punch in the face Sammy? Because right now you're acting like a son of a bitch! You left without even telling me where you were going, hell you didn't even said you were leaving, you take my car and you're expecting me to pretend like nothing happened? I can't Sammy!"

I climbed down the stairs as well, with a quiet Cas right behind me. He wanted to know too, I was sure of it. My younger brother sat down in one of the chairs in the kitchen and avoided me with his gaze. This was really irritating. I was going to run at him and beat him up when he finally spoke up.

"Dean, I messed up.", he simply said.

I raised a brow. Why would he messed up? This was annoying. Couldn't he get straight to the point? What in hell did my little brother do? I continued walking toward him then I pulled a chair next to him and sat down, my green eyes looking straight to his avoiding hazel ones. He knew I was waiting for him to continue so I stayed quiet.

"I... You know how you told me to forget about my plan to go at Lucifer's cage?" He paused. "Well I didn't listened Dean... I went there." I looked at him with these eyes that were telling 'And?' So he continued. "Lucifer... He's free from the cage."

I backed away from his face. I didn't know what to feel; Anger, sadness, desperation... A mix of all these things? But if I was sure of one thing, it's that I didn't felt one positive feeling.

"Sam, you must be kidding. You freed Lucifer from the cage? We had no hope left but you had to go and make it worse?! Can't you listen to one damn thing I say! Sam, you son of a bitch! What now, huh?!", I shouted at him, then I felt a hand on my shoulder. Cas.

"Let him continue, Dean. He's not done."

Sam dipped his head then went on. "I know you must be angry at me Dean... But I had no other choice. This was my hope, our only hope that everything would go right. I was wrong, of course but I had to try. Now, listen to me. We have to leave this place. Lucifer will go after us. He's not with Amara, or God, or on anyone's side. He's with himself. He wants us dead so we won't ruin his plan again. He told me he gave us our chance last time, and he ended up in the cage. He's mad, Dean, and he won't stop until we're dead. We have to hide. We'll end up dead!"

Now that was great; Not did he only freed Lucifer from the cage, but he freed someone you don't want to have against you.

"Guess it's both of us against the world, Sammy. Good job.", I said then stood up from my chair, gave him a bitch face then took my coat before heading toward the entrance, giving a tap on Castiel's shoulder.

"Wait where are you going, Dean?", Sam asked me. I didn't stopped walking. I needed to go out and, if I didn't... I would snap. And it wouldn't be pretty, not at all. It was one trouble after another and I was doubting we were strong enough to fight them all at once. This was madness.

"I'm going to get a drink.", I snapped then pulled open the door before going out. Before I closed the door, I heard Sam starting to say: "Wait you can't leave!-" But that's all I allowed him to say before I slammed the door closed. I didn't cared anymore.

We will end up dead anyway.

-Castiel's POV-

I watched as Dean slammed the door closed in anger. He was clearly pissed at what Sam did. After all the trouble they went to lock Lucifer in the cage, he messed up everything and freed him. Now he was going after them to kill them. Now Dean looked desperate and he seemed to have give up all hope to survive. I understood why he felt that way but I don't think he should give up without trying. I gave a glance at Sam who wasn't even trying to stop his older brother anymore. As soon as he closed the door, he stopped talking and now, he was just looking down at the table, hopeless. I couldn't stand there. I had to stop Dean and convince him to try.

"I will get him back.", I simply told the youngest Winchester before, in a flap of wings, I was gone from the bunker. I found myself instantly in the passenger's seat of the Impala, next to Dean's driver seat. He wasn't driving yet, the car wasn't even started. His head was resting on the wheel of the car and for a moment, I thought he was crying. But he wouldn't be Dean if he was crying. I never saw this man cried, not even once.

"What do you want Cas?", he said in his deep voice. I stayed quiet for a moment, before he lose his patience and lifted his head from the wheel, looking at me in a menacing way. I was sure he didn't meant it. He was already 'on his edge' even before Sam came back. Now, it could only be worse. I couldn't blame him for looking so cold and angry. He had all the reasons in the world to be... But, I couldn't let him give up just like that. I was going to stop him from running away from his problems with alcohol. He will, instead, face them.

"Dean, I don't think you should leave and give up. We already came this far and you should really give a fight worth dying for.", I simply told him and I think it was enough to make him understand what I wanted. The Dean I know would never give up. Never. He wouldn't back down, and he would do whatever he can to solve the problem. Because that's what he always did, and I thought that's what he would always do. Was I wrong?

"I know Cas..." His voice broke down as he said my name. "But it's just so hard, man. You know how we had to give up everything to lock Lucifer in the cage and now he's back and swinging again? We already have to deal with the Darkness, and now this? Dude, are we really strong enough to defeat the Darkness AND Lucifer at the same time? Without any help? I don't think so..."

He was right. This would be difficult to overcome both beings at once but we could try and find help. Thinking we're not strong enough without trying would lead to nothing. I know we had to try.

"I'm here. I will find help, or I will fight by your side. You know I always will."

Dean nodded. "Thanks Cas. It's not that I don't appreciate it, but I'm not sure your help alone will be enough. Amara is already damn strong, and now we got Lucifer too. God's sister and Heaven's most powerful archangel, now known as the Devil. Son of a bitch! Just by thinking about it... But you're right, we should try and give them a good fight. At the same time though, haven't we already lost?"

I placed a hand on his shoulder and glue my deep blue gaze on his deep green one. "No, not yet. This fight hasn't started yet and it will only start on the battlefield. Don't give up just yet, Dean, and do what you're good at; Give these 'son of a bitch' what they deserve. Because that's what you always did. It's either you're going to deal with them and save the world, or you're going to die trying, but at least you would have give everything before finally giving in."

I saw a new hope gleaming in Dean's eyes. A thing I never thought I could have been the reason of this happening. For a moment, I thought he could do anything. But he was human. He was a strong one, but he would eventually die. The life of a hunter is dangerous. He has been doing this all his life, and what he do, he was good at it. He had a chance of winning this war. A slight, very small, hope of winning. But it was there and he would take it, he had to. He glanced at me and smiled slightly.

"Thanks, Cas.", he told me honestly. I nodded. That's all I was able to do at the moment so I had to take my leave.

"I will try to find some help. If you need me, you know how to reach me."

He nodded back and, in a blink of an eye, he was alone again in the Impala.