Book One
Chapter One
When the cage seals were finally broken, Lucifer was quick to evacuate the confined area and head to earth. He had several objectives he needed to accomplish, but perhaps the most pressing was finding his vessel. Samuel Winchester was invisible to him, likely some angel had carved sigils into their bones to prevent this. An unusually forward thinking angel must have decided to go against the plan, because Lucifer knew that heaven had been manipulating the events – they were ready for the apocalypse to begin.
Being unable to find his true vessel, the only one that would be able to fully contain him, left the devil with a small dilemma. No other vessel would last long, but he could find a suitable temporary one. To that end he scoured the entirety of the planet and was able to find a good second choice in America.
The human was a broken man, he had recently lost both his wife and infant child to murder. He remained in the home he had shared with them, surrounded by memories and objects of his late family.
It did not take much prompting, some well placed visions and appearing in the guise of the man's deceased wife. Explaining his side of the story, although perhaps omitting some details, and a little cajoling and the man finally consented.
Despite the differences in the details, the parallels between his temporary vessel and himself were not lost on the devil.
The first thing Lucifer did was organize his priorities, and he quickly came to one conclusion. Everything he needed to accomplish could only be done by starting the apocalypse. After he won, the rest would quickly fall into place. There were several things he needed to do in order to guarantee his success and start the war.
Stretching his wings for the first time in millennia, he flew away to begin preparations for the coming apocalypse.
Although he remained unable to find his true vessel, he was able to infiltrate Samuel Winchester's dreams. He stated his case and remained calmly convinced that eventually Sam would say yes, just as his brother Dean would consent to Michael. Sam remained stubborn though, convinced that he and his brother could stop the inevitable.
One thing that intrigued him was the information returned to him by his demons. The angel who was helping the human brother's was Castiel, the youngest angel of all. Castiel had apparently turned his back on heaven and rebelled, all to prevent the apocalypse, to protect humanity. While he could appreciate the rebellion, he was less thrilled about the love for humans that the young angel displayed.
The young angel was good at remaining in hiding, the heavenly host remained unable to locate him and even Lucifer was finding tracking him elusive. Perhaps he would be able to draw him out with the next stage, for raising Death in Carthage would be perhaps the best chance to meet the small group working to prevent the apocalypse. If they were able to figure out that stage of course.
After almost a week of waiting, the time had come to raise Death. His demons had taken over the town, and everything was going to plan. The devil was not surprised when a demon brought the information that the rag-tag team had arrived in the town. He was surprised when the young Castiel split from the rest of the group, it was an unusually risky move for the young angel. This would be his best chance to speak with the younger angel, before the ceremony where he expected to meet the Winchester's. The devil quickly laid his trap and waited.
The curiosity of the young angel proved to be useful, as Castiel followed the apparent reaper in the building. As soon as Castiel entered the room, Lucifer was quick to ignite the holy oil, trapping the younger angel where he was. Silently the devil watched the younger angel's reaction. Castiel did not even appear to notice him in the darkened corner at first, instead looking around, searching for a way out most likely.
Finally the younger angel noticed him, and turned to face him, speaking with a deep, gruff voice.
"Lucifer," Castiel stated.
The young angel was brave, but Lucifer could feel the undercurrent of fear running through the angel. He couldn't help the twinge that went through him, but kept his neutral expression and tone. Before he divulged too much, he needed to know what Castiel had been told.
"So, I take it you came with the Winchester's," the devil spoke, slowly circling the fire.
"No, I came alone," lied Castiel.
"Loyalty such a nice quality to see this day and age." Continuing in his unexpectedly soft tone, "Castiel, I'm told you came here in an automobile."
"…Yes," answered the dark haired angel, unsure where this was going.
"What was that like?"
"Um…slow…confining," Castiel looked around.
"What a peculiar one you've become."
Both were quite for several long moments.
"I remember when you were just a fledgling," Lucifer spoke, reminiscently.
Castiel rocked back a little bit, startled by the turn of conversation.
"The only fledgling created from the grace of two angels," the devil continued, "You were very special."
Castiel was surprised that the older angel would remember him specifically, despite the unusual circumstances of his creation.
"Tell me, whatever happened to your parents? I always was fond of them," questioned the devil, choosing his words carefully.
"My sire died fighting you," Castiel answered in a gravelly tone, his angel blade slipping into his palm. "And I will do the same if I must."
Castiel purposely did not answer what happened to his mother. A fact that did not escape Lucifer.
"What's wrong with your vessel?" the younger angel blatantly attempted to change the conversation.
"Yes, um," Lucifer allowed the change, he may not have gotten all the information he wanted but he also knew not to push to hard on this. "Nick is wearing a bit thin, he can't contain me forever so…" the devil shrugged, choosing his words carefully.
Castiel actually steps forward angrily, almost as if he intends to attack, but is stopped at the last minute by the ring of fire. Although he shows no reaction, Lucifer is impressed by the bravery of the younger angel.
"You are not taking Sam Winchester," vows Castiel, with conviction. "I won't let you."
"Cassi…Castiel, I really don't understand why you're fighting me, of all the angels," Lucifer speaks calmly. Although he can not bring up his true reason for not wanting to fight the younger angel, he has another thread he can still pull at.
"You really have to ask?" Castiel deadpans.
Inwardly the devil is excited to see that spark in the younger angel, the rebellion and courage. Outwardly he continues his speech, "I rebelled, I was cast out. You rebelled, you've been cast out. All of heaven wants to see me dead, and if they succeed, you're their new enemy. We're on the same side, like it or not, so… Why not serve your own best interests? Which in this case just happen to be mine as well," he finishes. There is so much more he wishes he could say, but he know the younger angel would not believe him. For now it is better to keep those cards closer to the chest, so to speak.
"I'll die first," Castiel stands firm in his convictions.
"I don't think you will," Lucifer replies calmly, as he walks away. He knows eventually the flames will die out and Castiel will escape. But for now it is better he remain out of the way. He has a job to do, Death to raise, and some Winchester's to meet. Tonight won't be the night, but it will be a chance to show the human brothers the futility of this fight.