"A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape."

Proverbs 19:5

Knock. Knock. Knock. The sounds rang from the door again. There was a touch of desperation and anger with each pound against the door. Knock. Knock. Knock. With each knock heard, Husk felt a shiver be sent up his spine. The knocks reminded him of the King's arrival to the hotel. Gently, Husk shook where he stood with his drink spilling over the rim of his glass. However, though the bartender was in a state of panic, none of the other resident's seemed to notice as the attention was drawn to the door. Ever the eager to see who it was knocking at the gates of redemption, Charlie went on over with joy in her step. The Cat Demon looked up at the princess as she went over to answer the door. His soul screamed for the drunkard to shout not to open the door. It begged for Husk to rush over and block Charlie from opening the door. But the King's presence still lingered on him. The feeling of despair and hopelessness remained within Husk at the memory and all the Cat Demon was remain silent and silently mutter whatever prayer would help him survive an ordeal with the King. Fortunately for the Cat Demon, there was no need to cry for help as it had arrived in the form of a loving mother.

Lilith was cast aside by God for deciding on not wedding Adam at the moment of creation. From her casting, she found love with the King of Hell, Lucifer. The two would become married and rule over the dominion from the start of it all, overseeing the damned souls that would arrive daily and applying the proper punishment for those souls that would arrive. This was not just her job, but a joint effort with her beloved husband. The King and Queen both were at the top of the hierarchy of Hell, taking any challenger that would come before them and reminding the souls every now and then that they were at the top for a reason. For Lilith, she supported her husband's decisions and never wavered in the actions made. There was no excuse for what was done, no lying that needed to be said; what happened happened for a reason and Lilith knew this. Then the two took a new step in their lives: becoming parents.

Princess Charlotte Magne was born at an unknown time and date as the souls cared not for this useless information. The souls that seemed to care for the birth of the child were the parents of said child. Lucifer and Lilith both were present at the birth of Charlie and felt a sense of joy and love at the sight of their newborn daughter. The two raised Charlie with love and care, staying by her side as she grew up in this dark inferno. Lucifer was there to teach Charlotte what her role was in the years to come, the capability of her power, and what the citizens of Hell were. Lilith taught her to be just and swift with her judgement, finding compassion for those damned that were not as heinous as others, and ensuring to hold a strong hold on the kingdom she was to inherit. Together, the two raised their daughter as well as they possibly could. When Charlie became older and she became more aware of her surroundings, the relationship between the King and Princess began to change drastically.

Once always standing by the side of his daughter, Lucifer began to feel a sense of disappointment with how his daughter became. As the future ruler of the inferno, Lucifer wanted Charlie to be as he was: ruthless, powerful, and firm on the populace. However, one day, as the royal family dined, the princess began to discuss how cruel the Cleansing was and how no soul should be wiped from existence. Charlie talked about how anyone should be given a second chance and that perhaps redemption was possible even in a place like Hell. Though Lucifer was unaware as to how Charlotte came up with such an idea, the discussion of redemption made him begin to feel some disappointment with how his daughter was becoming. The King of Hell referred to the idea as ludicrous and pointless, but Charlotte was set on her idea of redemption for the damned. Lucifer scoffed slightly at Charlie and simply left the room, leaving Lilith to discuss Charlie's idea with the princess. Though Lucifer still loved his daughter dearly, it was still difficult that the future Queen of Hell, the heir to the inferno, was talking about such a thing. It was concerning and, to the King who knew the truth, a tad worrisome. While Lucifer may have been opposed to the idea, Lilith supported what her daughter chose to do, never wanting to cast aside Charlie's dreams and giving her the support needed.

There was no choice in the matter at hand. Lilith was given a scenario where she had to make a decision: remain loyal to her husband and support his plan or step in and protect her daughter in the fight to come. If these were strangers, Lilith would have supported her husband's choice. However, Lilith could not stand by as Lucifer sent his minions to do his bidding and hurt Charlie's friends. The past few days were wasted in trying to convince the King of Hell to find an alternative route, but Lucifer appeared determined in the choices made. When it became clear that there was no way of changing Lucifer's mind, Lilith left the tower and went to alert her daughter. On her way, she looked around to check if there were any potential threats that could harm her daughter and the others. While there were a few lackeys that Lilith dismissed with ease, the Queen of Hell stopped when she saw the Overlord Rosie standing across the street from the hotel. Before the queen could act, Rosie hung her head and began to walk away. It seemed the Overlord had changed her mind on whatever it was she had planned on doing originally. With all potential threats gone from the area, Lilith walked to the stained-glass door that decorated the entrance and knocked. A mixture of anger towards her husband and desperation for her daughter filled the queen. Now, she stood in front of the door of opportunity and waited for the door to open. The queen was greeted by the wide smile of her daughter. When Charlie saw who it was, it turned into a loving one as she jumped towards her mother and wrapped her arms around the queen.

"Mom," Charlie exclaimed. "I'm so happy that you're here!"

"Hello, my little fire sprout," Lilith giggled as she wrapped her arms around Charlie. "How have you been darling?"

"Oh, fantastic! Please, come in! I have so much to tell you, mom!"

The queen nearly forgotten why she had arrived when she saw the joyous smile on her daughter. Then again, as long as the group were within the confines of the hotel, they would hopefully be safe. A funny thing to feel, but Lilith only cared for the safety and wellbeing of her daughter. The queen entered the lobby and those in attendance stared at Lilith's arrival. The emotions felt different towards the queen than with Lucifer. Lucifer had became known for being cruel, ruthless, and powerful. Lilith was powerful and was more than willing to help her husband with whatever may be needed, but she never was one to actively search for a soul to torment. The feeling of fear had withdrawn from Husk, but only slightly. This was still a member of the royal family as well as the wife to the King of Hell. The Cat Demon served himself something stronger to find any courage for a chance encounter with the Queen of Hell.

"So, this is your hotel," Lilith asked skeptically. "It's… very lovely, dear. The colors are warming and soothing to look at."

"Yeah, Vaggie here suggested the color, and I chose the design!"

"That's wonderful to hear, dearie," Lilith chuckled. "Unfortunately, my dear… I have other matters that I need to talk with you about. It involves… well, Charlie, it involves everything about this hotel and you, my dear."

"What? W-What about it?"

Lilith gently placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder and guided her to the couch in the lobby. The two sat next to each other and Lilith kept her hands clasped over one another. It felt odd. For many centuries, Lilith was always by her husband's side. Even when Lucifer purged that one soul from escaping, Lilith still fought by his side. Never before did she think of standing against him. Now, she felt she had to in order to protect her daughter.

"Charlotte… Your father and I love you very much," Lilith explained. "From the moment you were born into this world, we made it our goal to make sure that you had a loving environment where you can be as you please, love who you so choose, and grow, not just as the Princess of Hell, but as Charlotte Magne. Even if recent years have been hard to show that, your father and I do love you dearly, Charlie. But…"

"But?"

"There are things in motion now, dear," Lilith sighed. "Things that I fear cannot be undone and it all leads back to this place. I… Damn it, you'd think this would be easier, but I-I just can't seem to find it properly in me to say what is really happening."

Tears began to fall from the corner of Lilith's eyes and Charlie reached out to put a hand on her mother's shoulder.

"I-I'm fine, my dear… I'm fine," Lilith shakily exhaled. "Y-Your hotel, daughter, is working. There are signs already that there are some souls that are on the path of redemption. And… it is because that your hotel is working that your father feels the need to intervene."

"'Intervene?' M-Mom, what's dad going to do?"

Lilith took a deep breath before continuing her explanation.

"Your father is keen on breaking the souls that are close to being saved. He excused it as a way to keep balance between life and death. However, I've been married to that, that man from the creation of Eden. I know what bothers your father and he could care less about balance. But I'm not here to excuse my husband for what he is planning; I'm here to warn you all about what was going to happen… Charlotte, he summoned the Overlord's to ensure that these souls are all broken. Not just those that are being saved, but all the one's that are here are in danger."

"What," Charlie shouted, standing up in rage. "Dad… Dad can't do that! He promised me that he wouldn't interfere!"

"Did he say with the hotel or with your goals?"

Charlie paused for a moment and thought back to when she explained to her father what she was planning to do. Lucifer did agree to not get involved with the hotel, but thinking back to his words…

"He… He meant the building, didn't he," Charlie softly spoke. "My own father… tricked me."

Charlie sat back down and rested her face in her palms as she felt the betrayal rush through her. Silently, she sobbed and Vaggie went over to console her beloved while Lilith scooted in closer to do the same.

"If that's the case," Angel spoke up. "If Lucy is trying to stop us from leaving, is that why he came by before?"

"W-What," Charlie asked.

"Y-Yeah, like three days ago," Angel answered. "He came by and talked with Alastor."

"Yes, he had inquired about my recent change in behavior," Alastor continued. "It was questions about my behavior and my status as an Overlord of Hell. It had made me… think rather unsavory thoughts, but I knew truly that fulfilling those thoughts would bring no satisfaction to any of us. Especially to the one's that I care for."

Angel smiled at Alastor.

"Wait, if my dad was here before, why didn't you guys tell me," Charlie demanded.

"We had been in my room all day that day, princess," Angel responded. "In all honesty, we thought you had let him in!"

"I couldn't have because I've been out and about with Vaggie these past days! The only one who was here to answer anything was—"

Husk slammed his glass against the counter and he felt himself shake. The room looked at the frightened Cat Demon and all Husk could do was just let out a shaky breath.

"Your dad did come here, princess," Husk spoke. "Yeah, he came. He came and he reminded me of my place in this damned inferno! What, am I supposed to say no to the King of Hell? To someone who can fuck me up in any way he see's fit? That's fucking stupid if I had went against him!"

"I didn't say to tell my dad 'no'! I asked why did you not tell me," Charlie shouted as she charged over to the bar area.

"Because I was fucking scared of what would happen if I did! He clearly didn't come here for you, so if I told you anything, I'd be the decoration of his floor! What the fuck do you want me to do, huh?"

"Enough," Lilith shouted, commanding the room's attention. "What's done is done and we cannot change the past. However, it's clear that your father seems to be going to any length to stop anyone from leaving this place, my dear."

"Well, your highness, what's the plan," Angel asked. "Go back to our sinning ways and save our hide from whatever the fuck Lucy had in plan for us?"

"No," Charlie interrupted. "No, you and Al have started to make progress and that is all because of you. You two have done what others have laughed at. You shouldn't have to stop now because someone wants to bring you down for their own reason. But something does need to be done."

Charlie sighed and turned to her mother and looked up at her.

"Where's dad now?"