Gabriel, one of the creator's children, a divine being who became an archangel and assumed the role of creation's judge to uphold justice. He is known by everyone both divine and corrupt, his dedication to maintaining the balance and rooting out those who would do harm to all is inspiring. Yet even more amazing is his ability to maintain his composure, in the face of countless heretics and villains he had never wavered, never allowed his emotions to surface nor for those who sought to agitate him to get what they wanted. In conclusion Gabriel is a soul that all should aspire to be, as he embodies the better qualities we all are capable of having.
"GOD FUCKING DAMN YOU SLAYER!" The archangel shouted with vigor as he kicked a pile of ash, "OF COURSE YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS! DIDN'T THINK TO INFORM ME AND ALLOW ME TO HELP YOU AT ALL! YOU FUCKING
BASTARD!" He carried on while kicking more ash.
Putting his hands on the back of his hood covered head out of frustration, the truth was that half of him was angry while the other sad. Even though it was no effort for him because it's him, the Slayer still went out of his way to save Gabriel from his torment and from Doom. Of course he tried to get back to Doom by opening his own portal, but unknown to him his father had separated it from the rest of creation, thus adding to his frustration. Now some might wonder how a machine was able to access the other realms when an archangel of all people could not, or perhaps say Lucifer and Azrael as well weren't capable of doing so.
It had to do with the design of the Slipgate, for you see so long as you had the exact coordinates of a destination set, then no matter where it was it could form a connection. These coordinates however were not similar to those used to determine a geographical position, these were far more complicated and couldn't be labeled with simple numbers. This is what made it possible while also explaining why he and his siblings couldn't do the same, for their ability to open portals had to do with whether or not they were allowed. Much like how a secure facility requires codes and keycards to move through it, if a place in creation had some kind of barrier or roadblock to repel their power they were left incapable of doing anything.
Yet this was something that never happened, as the only beings more powerful than them were their father and the Dark One. So with the former having gone to such lengths and then some to ensure Doom was isolated, in addition to the Slipgate relying on technology rather than just power, it all combined perfectly to create this unfortunate situation.
"Think Gabriel think!" He exclaimed as he paced back and forth, "I can't access the circle which in of itself is strange, yet if there is something preventing anyone including those who are as powerful as I, then how could that device manage to access this circle?..." He asked himself doing his best to find an answer, "Unfortunately I know very little about technology, then there is the added complication that this was made by the only demon the Slayer saw as an ally, before he went to Lucifer's circle that is, yet they were nowhere to be found which leads me to assume that they abandoned their home and master..." He reasoned as a thought slowly came to mind, "If that is true...they would need a place they could hide from the Dark One...a place no one would ever think to look for them...it would also need to be somewhere that they wouldn't be persecuted for what they were...and since this of all possible destinations was what the Slayer chose...it could mean that this is where they escaped
to..." He determined.
When he said that a sudden strong gust of wind blew passed him from the front, powerful enough to bring down his hood. However he wasn't surprised or bothered by this at all, if anything he expected this to happen if he was on the right track.
"So, I was correct." He spoke as he slowly turned around, "The Slayer's ally, the only demon in Doom's entire history to become a traitor, he came here and you harbored him in secret Abaddon." He said.
Standing just a few feet away from was an entity that was rather difficult to describe, for unlike him or most of their siblings Abaddon's visage was very unorthodox. To any who may ever see them they could be described as sentient wind, an apparition like creature that had no color or tangible part to its form. But on closer inspection they'd begin to see what made Abaddon so complex, for it wasn't air that swirled around to make some kind of appearance, but rather a maelstrom of chaotic energy. What made this especially interesting was how different it was from how they were before the war, for when there was no Hell and they all lived side by side Abaddon was a dazzling assortment of every possible color that could exist.
Sadly after their family's falling out, the aforementioned war, and the tense treaty brought it to an end these colors all faded, burdened with regret and sadness they became muted and cold, which explained both the appearance of their circle and why everything that entered it was turned to ash. No longer were they outgoing and full of life, no longer did they care about creating things of wonder and beauty as they had before, Abaddon was a tortured soul plagued by many things and wanted only to be left alone. Which unknown to Gabriel was the only thing that had changed since he last saw them, for after the Slayer's ally arrived they finally found something that gave them joy. Unfortunately this is why they appeared before him now, for after bearing witness to their friend's suffering and departure, they wanted to be the only one here as they were before.
Problem was even after all this time Abaddon knew their brother was still stubborn, so he wouldn't grant them that peace until he got what he wanted.
"It's good to see you again." He told them after a near full minute of silence, "Of all our kin you are the only one who truly disappeared after the war, every time I looked in on this circle I could never see you, though I suppose that is what you wanted correct?" He asked.
Being responded only with the eyeless stare of the other, while not surprised by the lack of words he still felt bad for this tension.
"I'm sorry." He apologized followed by a sigh, "I of all people have no right to act so casual towards you, both for my part in causing this discord in our family and for my sudden appearance in your domain, but you know that the reason for my presence is not of choice but as a result of a much bigger ongoing problem, one that I hope even with our history and lack of speaking to each other will not keep you from helping me with." He said.
Once again all he received in return at first was a silent stare, but after a few moments of thinking it over Abaddon agreed with him. This was conveyed by what they offered as aid, which was a portal the led out of their circle to another within Hell, as still neither they nor any of the other fallen could form a connection with their former home. Thankfully the circle they had chosen was the one both knew would be the most helpful, though given they had never opened a rift to this circle or any for that matter, they couldn't precisely determine where he'd arrive at. But out of every complication and issue Gabriel was having to deal with at the moment this was BY FAR the least concerning, which he showed with a smile that stretched across his face.
"Thank you Abaddon." He said as he approached the portal, "Again I know that must mean little to you, but I am truly grateful for your assistance." He assured before then taking his leave.
Watching him depart Abaddon closed the portal the moment he was through, disappearing themselves just as quickly for they no longer had a reason to be in any form.
Meanwhile, Happening At The Same Time...
"Whenever you're ready." Vega said while looking to Katie.
After it was decided they were going to at least try to rip off this band aid, everyone went ahead and got their food which amazingly hadn't lost its heat or freshness. Admittedly this was entirely thanks to Vega who kept it that way, as he didn't want it to spoil or get stale while they talked things out. So now as everyone was settled back in their seats with plates in hand and lap, they ate though quietly and respectfully as they waited for Katie to kick things off.
"Okay, here goes." She spoke with a slowly released breath from her lungs, "I swear though if any of you crack any jokes or try to be an ass I will fucking kill you." She warned.
"I'd offer to shoot them for you but SOMEONE'S playing keep away with my pistol." Blitzo said before taking a bite of his food.
"I appreciate that." She replied sincerely with a small smile, "I started getting comfortable around Will before any feelings formed." She began as she closed her eyes to remember, "Honestly it happened a lot sooner than I figured it would, when he led me out of the cell I was in and I saw what I could in his fortress, it showed me that while he was still the single scariest person I've ever seen in my entire life that wasn't all there was to him." She explained as a frown came to her face, "But then when we arrived at some kind of hub, I saw through glass on the other side of the room his home, and from what Vega said it was an Earth no different from the one most of us here come from, which didn't make sense to me since even though we have some fucked up people in our circle no one was like him, so how could someone who came from a place like ours be the way he was?" She continued as her frown worsened, "Eventually though as I spent more time with him and especially after we all saw the documentary, I realized that he wasn't like that because it was a choice or because he was some sick bastard who liked to be terrifying, which not only made me see him differently but made me realize how shitty I had been as a person." She revealed as she opened her eyes, "Even though I don't regret everything I did when I was alive because some of it I HAD to do, all the times I was a needless bitch to those around me just because I could which got worse once I came here, showed that even with my life on earth in the past deep down I was just a natural piece of shit, yet despite this he gave me a second chance and was willing to put up with me, that's when my feelings for him developed and when I felt like we were getting close, which also made me want to be a better person and that's why this hurts so fucking much..." She admitted as tears came to her eyes.
Taking a moment to make sure she wasn't about to start crying, she felt Angel Dust and Cherri's hands touch her shoulder again, both ready to comfort her if she needed it.
"What exactly do you mean Katie?" Vega inquired as he wanted her to go further.
"I didn't deserve the chance he gave me...I really fucking didn't...I was a horrible bitch and in a lot of ways I still am...to make things even worse I would have killed Millie and Moxxie if he hadn't been there...and even though they've told me that it's in the past it still bothers me because they've
been so nice to me since then...they've become a family to me just like Angel, Cherri, and the others all have...if it wasn't for Will I would have murdered them and back then I wouldn't have thought twice about it, or ever felt bad afterwards at all...that's how much of a cold hearted monster I was...and even after all this time...I still feel that I am..." She replied as her tears started falling down her cheeks.
"Don't say that!" Millie exclaimed as she got up from her chair, "You're not a monster Katie! And if you remember WE had gone to the studio to kill you! In fact if Will hadn't been there we might've actually pulled it off, and knowing that makes me sick to my stomach cause I'd never think of hurting you now!" She told her.
"She's right! We're just as bad if not worse because we used to be professional killers!" Moxxie added.
"Yeah...but the only reason you were even hired to kill me is because of how I treated Lilith..." Katie responded before looking towards her, "I pulled no punches in treating you like shit...I insulted you and your family and did everything I could to belittle you...out of everyone here who should still hate me and want to see me suffer it should be you three..." She said.
"You're right, you did go out of you way to make me feel one inch tall and to show how superior you were to us, but that is the only thing you said that's correct." Lilith replied as a frown came to her face as well, "While both me and Lucifer were angry to see you again, it was anger that only mattered in the moment and not because we actually hated you, yes the things you said were hurtful but what does it say about me that I reacted the way I did? I am the queen of this circle and have endured far worse treatment and insults than that over the course of my life, so the fact that I hired assassins to kill you is only a reflection of my poor decision making, not yours" She explained.
"Furthermore all of this happened because of me." Lucifer spoke up as he put a hand to his chest, "The fact is when Will began to fight against Doom and its demons me and the rest of the Devils should have changed how we managed our circles, but instead we just assumed that the Dark One would eventually kill him or even if he were successful he'd let us be, everything that happened the moment he came here is as Lilith said a reflection of my poor choices, for if I had been a better leader than maybe what Charlie set out to accomplish with the hotel would have already been in place, even you might've sought to redeem yourself or just be a better person, these however are things we'll never know for certain and to focus on them so much will only drive us insane." He told her.
"He's right." Vega said rejoining the conversation, "That's the very reason why we're here, if we focus on what cannot be changed or fixed then we as people won't improve, which is why we shouldn't focus on our mistakes nor should we avoid acknowledging them, and in your case Katie you shouldn't feel like this second chance you've been given was unearned, or that you have yet to prove that it was an error in Will's judgement, if at any point in time you said or did anything that made him doubtful you would've been put back in your cell, but with every day that passed you only showed progress, and if he were here with us I know he'd be proud of how hard you've worked at being better." He assured.
Hearing all of them say these things to her wore down any restraint Katie had left, causing her to hide her face in her hands as she began to sob. She didn't know what she expected from this, but now that she knew none of them hated her for what she had done or said back then, it truly did lift a heavy weight from her mind. For as she said the members of Slayer Studios had become a family to her, while the others were the only people she felt were her actual friends. So for the first time in her life she had people whose opinions of her she cared about, she didn't want them to still be angry
with her or for them to see her for who she once was.
As for Will and the feelings she had for him those could be discussed further when she was ready, as right now she had made the first big step into dealing with her issues.
"See? This is what I was hoping we would achieve." Vega told them as he put his hands behind his back, "Not to undermine or insult the skills and methods of the counselors employed here, but I think the best way we can deal with our problems is with each other, sharing how we feel while surrounded by those closest to us." He explained.
Sadly just as it seemed like the wheels were finally turning their meeting was interrupted, as the doors that led into the room were flung open by a frantic member of the hotel staff.
"MISS MAGNE!" The male demon shouted out while breathing heavily, showing that he had run all the way here.
"Is something wrong?" She asked as everyone turned to look at him, Katie having to do her best to stop crying so she could do the same.
"Y-Yes...you...have a visitor..." He answered through his panting.
"Seriously? You interrupted us because someone's here to see her?" Vagatha questioned as she crossed her arms, "It better be someone important then." She told him.
"It...it is...it's...your uncle..." He replied.
Surprisingly no one not even Vega reacted to this, as everyone believed that whoever was claiming to be her uncle was just lying out of their ass. And if you think that is rather odd remember this, the only uncle of hers that she has met is Gabriel who is sealed away forever in Doom, with the rest of her aunts and uncles having yet to meet her. Adding onto this was two major facts, the first was her relatives in Hell that were ignoring both her family and her grandfather, while the second was that if any of her relatives from Heaven showed up this would be a REALLY random time to do so.
This is why even with the employee clearly being panicked, they thought that he was either a dumbass or he was lying through his teeth, both of which bought him a one way ticket to fuckedville.
"I swear this isn't my doing." Vega immediately said as he didn't want to be blamed for this. "Do you think he's telling the truth?" Lilith whispered to her husband.
"I doubt it, if any of my siblings wanted to show up they'd reach out to us first." He replied before then speaking to him, "Excuse me." He called to get his attention.
"Yes sir?" He responded with his breathing back to normal.
"How are you certain that this man is in fact her uncle? Did he provide any actual proof?" Lucifer asked.
"No sir, but he didn't really have to." He answered. "Why not?" Lucifer inquired.
"Because I recognize him from the party." He replied.
Unlike before this time he got a reaction from all of them, in the form of their eyes widening and
their faces going pale.
"The...the party?..." Lucifer repeated in turn receiving a nod.
"Yeah, I was one of the new staff members that were given by the noble class, and I remember seeing him as I went around the room making sure everyone's drinks were full along with a few others, he was standing near the check in desk with most of you." He told them.
Hearing that sent a chill down their spines and made a pit form in their stomachs, because it was clear now that he wasn't lying since he remembered such a specific detail. And if was the case, then the person who had arrived saying they were Charlie's uncle...it...it actually was...
"GABRIEL?!" Lucifer shouted as loud as he could while bolting from his chair.
Doing the same as he did everyone got up from their seats and rushed out of the room, forcing the employee to quickly dodge to avoid getting trampled. Within a matter of seconds they ran through the halls on the ground floor and reached the lobby, where standing in the middle of the room was a figure they never thought they'd see again.
"Ah, there you all are." Gabriel spoke as he turned around to meet them, having heard their approach the moment they started running, "It's wonderful to see all of you again." He told them with a smile.