Sam Winchester

After Lucifer's release from the cage, a confrontation between him and the Winchesters began. It turned out that Sam was Lucifer's true vessel, and Dean was the vessel of the archangel Michael. Lucifer and Michael were destined to clash in a battle that would result in the destruction of half the planet. Now, both angels and demons were trying to convince Sam and Dean to say "yes" to the archangels, as they couldn't possess a human without their consent. Meanwhile, Gabriel told them about the key to Lucifer's cage – the Rider's Rings. Castiel rebelled against Heaven, unwilling to put the Winchesters in further danger.

Sam and Dean still didn't trust each other after the Apocalypse and Sam's preference for Ruby and her demon blood over his brother. Sam was haunted by immense guilt, but he had to pull himself together and help gather the Rider's Rings. After the resurrected Castiel carved the Enochian sigil onto their ribs, shielding them from angels, the heavenly host largely ceased their pursuit and pleas for Sam to say "yes" to Lucifer and Dean to Michael.

One evening, after a hunt, a tired and wounded Dean asked Sam to run to the store for groceries. Sam had to remain vigilant, even in the store, wary of a sudden attack from an angel or demon. Having bought the essentials – beer, salad, pie, and other groceries – Winchester left the store and walked down a dark, nighttime street. Turning into an alleyway, he heard the rustle of wings behind him. An angel.