A/N: This story will mirror the episode "In the Beginning" for symmetry's sake and takes place soon after Dean discovers and rejects the destiny of being Michael's vessel.
Disclaimer: All credit goes to Kripke and crew
Everything is determined, the beginning as well as the end, by forces over which we have no control. It is determined for the insect, as well as for the star. Human beings, vegetables, or cosmic dust, we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper.
~Albert Einstein
Chap 1
Red tinted light flashed, creating distorted images amidst the blackness of the pit. Dean gasped, whimpered and shrieked as the white-eyed Alastair did unthinkable, grotesque and unnatural things to his body. But these guttings were not the worst. The torture and mutilation of his body and mind was one thing; another was the pit of despair contained in his own soul. There was no escape. There was no goodness. There was no family, no love, no anything—just the never-ending void filled only with torment and despair. He found himself welcoming the touch of Alastair's knife. The sensations, however surreal, made him aware that he existed—at least in some form.
Decades of desolation drove Dean to welcome the bloody embrace bestowed by his torturer. He wept on Alastair's shoulder as he would on a loving brother. He breathed words of gratitude to the demon for his company.
"Third stage: distorted love," Alastair whispered softly into Dean's ear. The next step towards Dean's transformation from man to demon.
Dean awoke. He did not shout out. True terror does not provoke noise, but horrified silence. He lay in complete stillness and quiet while his cold, clammy skin dripped with sweat.
"What were you dreaming about?"
Dean jerked around. Cas. Still fresh from the horrors of hell, Dean didn't comment on the angel's abrupt arrival, nor did he dare answer the question.
"What do you want, Cas?" Dean rubbed his face with his hand, which trembled imperceptibly.
"I told you, God commanded you be raised from the pit for a purpose."
Dean inwardly scoffed. Raised, indeed. Sure, Hell was a place; but it was also a state, and Dean's soul was still a void. He carried it with him everywhere he went.
Cas continued, "I showed you the truth about your brother's destiny, long in the making. Now it is time I showed you your purpose, designed while you were being formed in your mother's womb."
Before Dean could respond, the angel touched his forehead and transported him into the past.
A/N: Is this something you guys would be interested in if I developed this? I just re-watched "In the Beginning" and wanted to read a fic exploring those themes, and I couldn't find one that suited it. I was so juiced up with muses from this episode and its dynamic that I just decided I had to write my own if there weren't any others. Please let me know if you liked it and would like more!