“Time to get up, Castiel.”

The angel’s eyes opened to find himself outside in the dark, next to a body of water that seemed vaguely familiar. He glanced up to see the man who had spoke watching him, and he sat up to try and get a better look at him. “Who are you?”

“Annoyed, that is who I am, or is that what? Nonetheless, you’ve done quite a bit of damage up here.” The stranger’s voice was distantly deadpan, and there was a ring to it that Castiel knew, but could not place.

Suddenly, the angel’s eyes widened. “Are you God?”

The other man laughed, with no humour to it whatsoever. “You were dead for too long. I’m not God.” He sat down, looking around idly. “I’ll give you a hint. I’m the only other creature in existence besides our Father that could bring you back from the nothing the Leviathan left you as.”

Castiel studied him for a moment longer, watching his behaviour, before speaking. “Azrael.” Azrael smiled, and the younger angel stared. “Why would you bring me back? What do you want?”

Azrael stood back up, walking toward the water and observed it in some odd fascination. “I want you to clean up your messes, little brother. I’m going to help you in trying to earn your redemption.” He turned around again to smirk, another expression which showed no feeling. “We should get started then, hmm?”