"In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old."

Isaiah 63:9

The church stood for many things among the living, but for many, it was a safe haven. A sanctuary where shelter was had and protection was given under the watchful eyes of the church. Those who escaped to these stoned buildings remained there under the protection of the church. However, those who sought freedom found imprisonment. The church was all that could be explored. A simple building that would become a prison for those confined to the stonewalls. This was now the role of the hotel. It no longer served as a simple path of redemption, but also was all that protected the inhabitants. The threat was greater than expected. The King of Hell and those who were his knights at the waiting, all threats to the residents of the Happy Hotel. None of the inhabitants left the lobby, finding some discomfort with being alone in a room. The Radio Demon stood beside Angel Dust. Unknowingly, the Radio Demon held on to the left lower arm of the Spider Demon while Angel held himself close. Angel could put up a fight and was good at it, too, but even he knew the hopelessness of fighting against the King of Hell, let alone the Overlords by his side. Husk sat on the couch, shaking his leg anxiously as he awaited the news from Charlotte while Niffty distracted her mind with some cleaning. However, there was nothing to clean anymore in her stressed induced state and she just kept scrubbing at the front desk counter in hopes that this situation would quicken. Time slowed around them and all the group could think is if life would return to how it was before. The front door opened up and they each readied themselves for what was to happen, but relaxed once the Princess of Hell entered through the stained door.

Charlotte delivered the news to the others once she and her mother returned. There was no reaction given aside from the anger Vaggie felt from the news that Lucifer struck his daughter. Other than that, there was no contesting, no desperate pleas; nothing was said from anyone except for Alastor. The Radio Demon stepped up to Charlie and let go of Angel's hand, the Spider Demon noticing immediately once he felt a sudden cold in his palm. Alastor blinked once and his teeth hid behind his lips as he smiled softly at the Princess of Hell.

"Ms. Charlie," Alastor said. "This entire hotel started from a foolish dream, one that was mocked by many in this damned inferno, including myself. And ever since, you endured the mockery of others while remaining true to your cause. Never once did you falter with this hotel, no matter how hopeless we all have been until recently. Now, it would seem we are at a crossroad of an inevitable torment or eternal salvation."

The Radio Demon gave a slight scoff at the word. Salvation. Nothing in life ever made him believe that there was a chance in being saved. Now it presented itself to him within the burning inferno of the afterlife.

"Ms. Charlie, you have done more for all of us than what could be asked from anyone in either life. However, I do believe there is no mere alternative from here on."

"Wh-What are you suggesting, Alastor," Charlie questioned.

"This entire situation arose because of me. Albeit, Angel does have a hand in the matter, but that is beside the point. The point being is that unless your father gets what he wants, we are prisoners within this building. We have no chance of redemption within these walls nor do we get to live the afterlife as desired. So… we shall give your father what he wants! I will go out there and endure whatever punishment seen fit for a damned soul such as myself," Alastor declared.

The entire group looked shocked at the avouchment made by the Radio Demon. Still rare to see the Overlord act in such a manner, the others did not know what to make of the statement made by Alastor. However, the Radio Demon knew why he made the statement: he was worried. Worried for the safety and wellbeing of those around him. Worried of the unjust imprisonment for these poor souls who had done nothing in the life after. With Alastor, the Radio Demon knew his punishment was justified and expected. Alive and dead, the Radio Demon was continuously heinous with the acts committed against others. In lieu of rape, the Radio Demon committed nearly every horrendous act against his fellow man to satisfy his own need. Punishment was expected and deserved for a damned soul like Alastor. This was the truth that the Radio Demon knew to be, so there should be no avoiding it any further. Before the Radio Demon could take a step outside, his friends interfered with his selfless, yet perceived selfish, act.

"What, are you out of your damn mind," Husk shouted as his hand shot out to hold back Alastor. "They ain't gonna throw you a damn party just because you've given up, you know!"

"Unfortunately, my dear Husker, there seems to be no other welcome for us," Alastor sighed as he slowly pulled himself away from Husk. "While I understand that this might be difficult for you all, there are no other options present at the moment. What good is redeeming ourselves if we cannot be ourselves? Imprisoned within a place that is built on hope, it will only serve as a mockery to the very meaning of this hotel."

"The Radio Demon is right, my dear," Lilith agreed as she approached her daughter.

"Mom," Charlie shouted as her mother approached the princess, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

"The Radio Demon is the target of your father's rage. Forcing him into submission will quell it until we can find another way to safely redeem souls without any further interference."

"But it's a death sentence!"

"We are already dead, Charlie," Alastor scoffed out a laugh. "What more could be done? Besides, for myself at the very least, I know I don't deserve a chance at redemption. The souls that were cast here whose only sins were living life are those that should be saved before myself. As horrible an idea this may be, Charlie, I do not see any other alternative to escaping the mess we have found ourselves in."

"And you fucking think we're just going to let you out the door," Angel shouted as the eight-foot-tall demon blocked the Radio Demon's path, towering over the much shorter Overlord. "Fucking, all that smug attitude, that 'smarter than thou' bullshit, and you mean to tell us that you have no idea how to get out of this other than throwing yourself to the fuckers out there?"

"Angel," Alastor said before being quickly silenced by the Spider Demon.

"Oh, shut it, you pompous prick! All that talk about hope you said before… Was all of that more lies? Is that all you ever do, bitch? Just lie to make yourself better? No! Your ass is going to stay here and you're going to find a way just like you always do!"

The towering demon glared sadly down upon the Radio Demon. With each word spoken, the pain was evident and it was clear to anyone that the time spent together made some more genuine feelings grow within Angel Dust. Whether the feelings were possibly reciprocated were unknown as Alastor remained unwavering in his choice of sacrifice. The fallen Overlord looked down at the floor and contemplated if there were any other actions to be done or was this a selfish move by the Radio Demon.

It was an odd feeling, being selfless. There was no reward to be given. No warmth within that blossomed. For Alastor, it felt like a tickle going up his body. And as he thought of a plan to have all involved escape unscathed, that feeling did change and all he could feel was dread. The Radio Demon and the staff could go out and fight against the Overlords and King, but would surely be defeated due to the sizable power difference, even if Charlie and Lilith were on the hotel's side. The group could remain prisoners within this building, fully failing at the goal of the Happy Hotel. As the options began to diminish, it was becoming clear that there was no alternative to escaping this place. At the moment, two people had already begun to accept this: Alastor and Lilith. The two were not one to deny the reality of a situation, thus the two had an unspoken agreement when the Radio Demon turned to face the Queen of Hell. From the look in his eyes, Lilith understood what had to be done and approached her daughter from behind.

"They say a person dies twice: once when their body leaves the world above and once their names are muttered for the last time," Alastor spoke. "In a place like this, it's clear that that's a lie and a soul could die many times over. But… in the time I had spent in this building, I have never felt more alive than when I was breathing in the world above!"

"Don't you start with this self-sacrifice bullshit, Al," Angel choked out. "I-I can't afford to lose someone I care about! P-Please…"

The Radio Demon looked towards the Spider Demon's hands as the lower limbs held each other while the upper ones still held onto Alastor's shoulders. There had been no action to remove the soft touch of Angel Dust from his body until now. The Overlord slowly reached up and grasped gently at the gloved hands of Angel.

"You have been through so much in your entire existence, mon ange. I know that I haven't been the greatest of saints to you, but… I truly meant the words I said on the roof those nights ago. I… I am sorry for adding on to your burden, dear. Truly, I am."

"P-Please…," Angel whimpered out.

"Detain," the Radio Demon shouted out.

From the ground, Alastor's tentacles were around Husk, Nifty, and Angel Dust, pulling them both to the ground. Bound to the ground, the three began to writhe where they laid, trying desperately to free themselves from their bonds. Before Charlie and Vaggie could react, Lilith swiftly turned to face them both, spawning her wings to block the path and view of Charlie losing a friend.

"Mom," Charlie shouted, her demon form emerging as her mother stood in the way of Alastor.

Lilith gave no response. There was no ill-intent behind her actions. As Charlie looked into her mother's eyes, the princess saw the pain from Lilith as she had to hurt her daughter in such a manner. Though the plan was the only option, Charlie was not keen on accepting it as fact. Yet, despite her denial, the reality came to be as Alastor now stood before the stained-glass door. Charlie managed to sneak underneath her mother's wing, but was held on by her mother. All the princess could do now was stare at her friend as he accepted his fate. The Radio Demon hesitated for a moment before turning back to his friends. His patented smile had appeared across his face, but the look in his eyes was of sadness.

"Smile, my dears," he spoke. "You know, you're never fully dressed without one!"

"Alastor," Charlie cried out.

"Thank you… for everything," he whispered for the last time before stepping out of the sanctuary.

Opposite of him stood the Overlord's who took to their King's call. All looked eager to claim the head of the Radio Demon, but only one could not bear to look her friend in the eyes. The betrayal should not have come as a surprise considering the place, but Alastor could not help but feel slightly hurt by one of the people he had respected. Nevertheless, the Radio Demon could not help but find some admiration in her action. Besides, better to die at the hands of your bestest friend than your worst enemy.

"I should feel honored that my presence is that much a threat that you all feel the need to target me all by my lonesome," Alastor chuckled. "My dear Val, are you still sore after our last bout?"

"I should be asking you the same thing," the Lustful Demon snarled as he glared at Alastor. "But we are only here to make sure that your ass is reminded of your place here. So, while I can't have my own fun with you for that, I'll be sure to take back what is mine and remind him of who got him into this mess in the first place!"

The threat towards Angel did not go unnoticed. It was fine if he was the one threatened, but threatening those close to him always irked him so and he would not stand while he had some life in him. Though this may be his final battle, the Radio Demon would be damned if he were to go down without a fight. With the tap of his microphone, with the last use of his powers he possessed, Alastor spawned his minions and tentacles to prepare for his upcoming battle. While most of the other Overlord's prepared themselves as well, it was only Rosie that had shown a sign of hesitance in the action. Regardless, this was not paid any attention by those about to fight. Silence fell. Alastor looked at all of his foes, thinking to himself how many would fall with him? The Radio Demon slowly closed his eyes in thought. No. No, he was growing tired of the fighting already. What good would that do now? Nothing but anger the damned souls who were out on a mission already. With much hesitance, but not going against reason, Alastor withdrew his minions and left himself open to any attack. With this action, those imprisoned inside were now free to move. All had assumed the worst already and booked it towards the door, Lilith and Vaggie both staying close to protect the one person they cared for the most.

The move surprised the other Overlord's, but only one saw the action as a chance of opportunity. While in thought, Velvet sought first to attack the Radio Demon. Being the subject of Lucifer's powers, Velvet feared what would be done if she were not the one to take down the Radio Demon. With the spin of her knife, Velvet gleefully, yet fearfully, laughed as she charged at the Radio Demon. Some praise would be given, some powers might be enhanced, but all that mattered to her was that she would never go back to feeling hopeless and powerless to anyone that went against her! To start off the upcoming fight, horns began to blast loudly around them. The sounds were audible to all, but none of the others paid any mind to it aside from Alastor, who had grown accustomed to the noise.

As Velvet grew closer to the Radio Demon, through the pentagram in the sky, a beam of light broke through and shined down before the Radio Demon. Velvet had been the unfortunate soul close enough to the beam and lost the hand that held the knife in the process. Writhing back in pain, Velvet screamed as she held on to her missing appendage. Smoke came from the seared limb. The power from the beam scattered the dust and blew through the hair of Alastor as he stepped back from the force.

From the impact, the beam let out a thunderous boom that rivaled the sound of many explosions all detonating at once. Those inside the hotel had just managed to run outside the door and bore witness to what was occurring. All raised an arm to shield themselves from the blinding light, failing to notice the two bodies descending from above. Landing gracefully and shielding the hotel members, the angel's Uriel and Raphael stood within the inferno. Both radiated a holy light that had blinded the wicked that gazed upon them. Even Lilith was not immune to the blinding purity that came from the archangels. Uriel dawned armor lined with holy sigils and wielding his blade of fire. Upon Raphael was a robe that rivaled the brightness of the sun, carrying his staff to fend off any threat to may come to be. The battle had now changed as these new guardians stood between the wicked and the redeemed and it was unclear who would emerge victorious.