The Adventures of Mary Grace and Jessica Winchester

Raise a little hell

Castiel stood at the edge of the Pit, gazing down into the dark expanse. Bordering Earth to an entire separate dimension, it was more akin to standing halfway between reality and hellfire than, say, over a cliff. His brother, Samael, stood beside him, the fires of Hell reflecting in his steely eyes. Both angels were occupying their vessels, although they could have changed to their true forms easily. Castiel supposed they were both too attached to want to.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Samael murmured, gazing almost reverently at the Pit. Castiel cocked an eyebrow.

"You'd call such a thing beautiful?" Samael laughed softly.

"Brother, you fail to see it for what it is."

"And what would that be?"

The angel thought for a moment. "Pure," Samael finally said. "Fire, fury, and the brooding maliciousness of countless billions... it's poetic."

"Why did you bring me here, Samael?" Castiel asked bluntly. His brother blinked, raising his eyebrows a little. Then he relaxed and he gave Castiel a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"I suppose there's no point in further small talk. You have had an angelic child, Castiel. The garrison have all sensed it." Castiel bit his lip, debating whether to deny it. He eventually nodded solemnly.

"You are correct, brother. However, I fail to see how it's any of your concern."

Samael looked indignant. "'How it's any of my concern'?" he echoed incredulously.

"Castiel, the Nephilim have always posed a threat. The raw power of an angel and the free will of a human were never meant to be combined. They are abhorrent. Abominations."

Castiel felt anger bubble up in his throat. He took a step towards Samael, careful to avoid the edge of the Pit.

"Brother, I don't want to quarrel with you," he began slowly, "but Mary-Grace is my daughter and I do not appreciate the way you're talking about her."

Samael frowned. "You are attached to the child?"

"Of course." Castiel's brother considered this, contempt evident on his features.

"You... you fathered a Nephilim, through means of angelic grace, with Dean Winchester. And you do not see it as an abomination?" Samael shook his head. "Brother, this is why you were cast from Heaven. You are becoming one of them."

"One of what, Samael?" Castiel asked, a calm threat brimming on his voice. The smaller part of Castiel even noted the sudden emotion. He had never been quick to anger, but this did not stop Samael from continuing his tirade.

"Of the humans, of course. Those... brainless, war-mongering apes our father calls 'perfection'? You have adopted their weaknesses, their ineptitude of grace, their... crude methods! You have even resorted to love with a man. Such a thing is..." Samael caught himself before saying anything that could sever the bond. "Lucifer had the right idea. We should have all opposed Father. He was wrong."

"What you're saying could get you cast out as well, Samael," Castiel replied quietly.

"It's the truth. Most of the garrison agrees with me, too. We all think you need to get back in line, or perish with the rest of them."

Now it was Castiel's turn to frown.

"Perish? The apocalypse has ended, Samael. It ended long ago. Lucifer is in the Cage, as is Michael. The Leviathans and The Darkness have been defeated. What are you saying?"

Samael shook his head sadly. "Oh, Castiel. There is so much more to come. The forces of Hell and Heaven are rising. You, your child, the Winchesters... you think you will be safe? We will unleash the true End. And you will be powerless to stop it."