Cold was everywhere. It seeped through his clothes, through his skin, and then through to his bones. Dean shivered on the stone floor before his eyes blinked open. He stared up at the ceiling for a moment and studied the devil worship symbols painted on. This couldn't be good. Dean rolled over onto his side and caught sight of Sam standing not too far off. He had an absolute miserable look on his face. His eyes were a mixture of scarlet and black, the usual blue-green not to be found. His face conveyed the message: "Get me out of here" and "I really don't want to be here.". Dean wished he could help his brother, but he had bigger fish to fry at the moment and he was still wary of Sam. He wasn't going to bust him out and have Sam drag him right back into the frying pan.

He made eye contact with his little brother briefly and the message written across his face changed from miserable to ashamed. Dean took that as a silent apology as he got to his feet. His boots against the stone floor made an echoing sound in the otherwise silent room which made Sam visibly cringe. Dean lifted an eyebrow and studied the room. It was like a cavern in a cathedral. It was massive and ominous, just the place Dean didn't want to be. How the Hell was he going to get out of this mess?

Dean Winchester rang a deep voice that reverberated off the walls and cast menacing hisses through the cavern.

"Dean Winchester isn't here right now, leave a message after the beep," Dean responded nervously.

Humor won't save you.

"I've been told that before, but it really is a good strategy," Dean answered while attempting to locate the source of the voice.

You cannot find me, Dean, I am everywhere you cannot see.

"Right," Dean snorted, "Cut the badass mofo crap and show yourself you son of a bitch!"

He saw Sam shift on his feet and heard him whisper, "Dean, don't."

Dean wished he could reassure him that everything was under control, but that was impossible. He had no idea what he was doing since this was far out of his league. Sure, they had faced some bad mojo in the past, but nothing this large-scale. Dean was just making things up as he went since he really had no clue what was going to happen. All he knew was that this was a bad situation and he needed to get out. Every instinct told him to run, but that wasn't much of an option either since Lucifer could just as well sic Sammy on him. That kid could outrun him since he had long legs and Dean wouldn't stand a chance if Sam tackled him and then proceeded to sit on him. That would be even worse.

I wouldn't make him sit on you the voice of Lucifer, the devil, sounded almost humorous just for a moment.

"That's nice to know," Dean replied without any emotion, "So. . .let's cut to the chase. What do you want with me?"

I want you, Dean. You're special. Your so-called Angels wanted you for a higher purpose, but couldn't get to you. I know how to get to you though.

"Oh yeah?" Dean's mouth felt as dry as the desert, "And how's that?"

Several years in Hell will break you into the perfect soldier I need.

Dean's heart nearly stopped. Hell. He would do anything to stay away from that place. He would give his life, but that would just make the trip downstairs one heck of a lot faster. Dean knew that Hell would tear him to pieces like the thirty years he resisted. He knew that if he was imprisoned in Hell, he would become the torturer he used to be in far less time. Hell was a place a being could only experience once and hopefully not at all in the first place.

Dean spoke a new voice.

THIS IS NOT A GOOD TIME, CAS!

Calm yourself.

That's a little impossible right now since I'm about to go back to HELL!

Dean, there is another way.

Can Lucifer hear this?

No.

Okay, go on then.

Kill Sam and you can save both of you from the depths of perdition.

You're guaranteeing us a room in Heaven?

Yes, for the ultimate deed you will have redeemed yourself in the eyes of the Lord.

You. . .you promise?

Yes, Dean. Angels don't lie.

Dean looked up at Sam and felt the tears shining in his eyes. Could he kill Sam to save them both?

There was one way to find out.

How do I kill him?

The knife, the one Ruby possessed, can kill Sam if you stab him through his throat.

The throat?

That is the most vulnerable area for demons.

Dean studied Sam's throat for a moment. It was pulsing with life and also fear. Could he wrench a blade through there and end his brother's life?

Where is the knife?

It is in Sam's right coat pocket.

How the Hell am I going to get to it?

Be creative.

Dean sighed and gathered his courage. This was going to take everything that he had and everything that Sam ever did give him.

"Perfect soldier, huh?" Dean addressed Lucifer, "Keep talkin'."