BROKEN SOUL - A Rekindled Flame

He never thought that killing people would have brought him to this point, he killed about 280-something Demons during his time in Hell, he would have killed more but he didn't find a purpose in doing so. Sure, it was Hell, there were no rules. He could kill everyone he wanted, and no one could stop him. He just didn't find the same joy in it anymore.

During all this time, he made some allies and some enemies. He even witnessed the rise of the Radio Demon, and became friends with them… kinda. As long as they didn't have conflicting ideas, they got along somewhat well.

James was currently sitting down on a couch boredly in the apartment he rented, messing around with the knife that he kept with him from the mortal world. He turned on the TV in his room, flicking through it for a bit and quickly ended up on 666 News. Tom Trench and Katie Killjoy again were being obnoxious in his opinion, but there wasn't much he could do about it, after all 666 News was the most popular and watched news station. If there was anything big happening, 666 News usually covered it.

His interest was piqued when the Princess of Hell was said to be up next. That sounded interesting. He hadn't heard too much about the Princess, he usually distanced himself from politics and all that shit. He even kept out of the Overlord Turf-war stuff, he really didn't need to involve himself with that. He was already given a name as the Soul or Shifter Demon anyways.

He got up while the news station went on break, making himself a mesmerizing meal with his powers. He was sure glad he had all these powers at his disposal, food in Hell typically ended up tasting like actual shit in his opinion… though he didn't actually know what shit tasted like, he had a feeling Hell's food actually tasted like that. Thankfully he could manipulate the rules and laws of reality (to an extent), and such made his food taste way better. Still not as good as it was on Earth, but good enough to taste like it was made in a 3 or 4-Star Earth restraunt.

Taking his pancakes and chocolate bread with him, he walked back over to the couch just in time to catch the news resume. When he saw the Princess, his purple-red eyes stared for a bit, before he switched back to paying attention to Princess Charlotte's words. He was somewhat shocked (and slightly disturbed) when she burst into song, wincing sympathetically. It was clear from how Katie spoke to Charlotte that the Princess had no respect from the denizens of Hell, and this would just damage her rep even more. He found the idea absolutely ridiculous, how could someone be changed? This was Hell, eternal damnation! Why would anyone-

…

'Oh fuck.' James facepalmed as he felt his 'guardian' Shadow Rukh, or SR for short, form next to him. SR was a small black wolf pup with red eyes like rubies, and they were also a hellhound-like 'pet' linked to his soul. 90% of the time, if SR had an opinion, it meant he agreed with it internally. He looked at the wolf, who was now in a larger young adult form, which it used most of the time to keep James safe from others (or was it the other way around?)

"What now, Shadow?" James leaned into his seat, finishing his food quickly. He really hoped SR wasn't considering the idea of going to the Hotel, for his own sake.

'Go. To. The. Hotel.' SR's tone was one to leave no argument, her eyes narrowed. James groaned, getting up.

"Fine, fine, jeez." He snapped his fingers, all of his stuff being packed into suitcases, before putting said stuff in his pocket dimension. He motioned for SR to follow him, as the wolf jumped off the couch and followed her charge out of the apartment.

_LINE BREAK_

It was official, he was definitely insane. James was about to risk his reputation as the terrifying Soul Demon for a rare chance of "redemption". James glared at SR, blaming them for this, but the wolf only glared back with more ferocity. James looked away, Shadow always managed to scare him somehow.

He stood in front of the 'Happy Hotel', this entire situation was crazy, but it was basically too late for him to back down. He looked up at the red sky, hopes of going to Heaven in his mind. His mom… she should be up there, right? And his father, older brother, and little sister too. That thought was enough for him to steel his nerves and knock on the door briefly. A small 'Coming!' came from inside the Hotel and the door was opened by the Princess herself. She stared for a bit, seemingly about to speak up, but James spoke first.

"Pardon me, Princess Charlotte, but I saw what happened on the News. Is this Hotel for real?" The Princess nodded somewhat hesitantly, before narrowing her eyes at him.

"Yeah, but why do you ask? Are you here to mock and ridicule me like the rest?" James shook his head, bowing slightly to the Princess.

"Far from it, Princess Charlotte." James then stood up straight after a few seconds. "I'm here to see if its even possible."

"O-oh! Well then, come right in!" Charlotte seemed to cheer up almost instantly, opening the doors to the Hotel wide for James, as he bowed his head in respect and entered the Hotel. He took note of his surroundings, before a familiar feeling made him grin slightly.

"Princess-"

Charlotte quickly cut him off, raising a hand to silence the Soul Demon. "Charlie is fine enough in here, thanks."

James hesitantly nodded, but the grin didn't leave. "Alright, well you can call me James in that case." The Soul Demon decided to ask the question that was on his mind. "Tell me, Charlie, does The Deer happen to be here?"

Charlie blinked at the strange question, as she motioned for James to follow her to get him a room. "The Deer? Oh, do you mean Al? Yeah, he's somewhere around here. Why do you ask?" James' grin slowly shifted into something akin to a smirk.

"Oh, no reason. Just wondered if my old friend truly was here." Charlie seemed to like that response, smiling slightly.

"Friends! That's great! That means you two won't get into fights, right?" James nodded at the question, his eyes looking ahead of him and staring into the shadows before looking back at Charlie.

"We normally wouldn't, unless we have something to fight over. It's rare, but it happens. Then again, not even the best of friendships can go without a few fights here and there right?"

"He's right!" A familiar radio-like voice called out right next to James, as the Soul Demon and Charlie turned to see Alastor standing behind them. James wasn't surprised whatsoever, Alastor did tend to mess around with him by teleporting around. Alastor's smiled grimly at the sight of SR, his dislike of dogs evident. He could tolerate and sometimes even enjoy James' presence, but SR was way too dog-like for him to handle, even if she was sentient. Alastor then looked back at James, outstretching his hand for a handshake. "James my old friend, nice to see you again, how have you been?"

James took Alastor's hand and quickly shook it, his grip was firm, before letting go again. "Ah, well I've been as good as I can be while in Hell I suppose." Both Alastor and James shared a little laugh, enjoying their short talks.

"Well James, that's the best anyone can ask for down here. What brings you to this establishment?" Alastor was definitely curious on what his fellow serial killer was up to being in a Hotel for rehabilitation.

"I'm here for redemption I suppose." Those words froze Alastor in place, as he stared at James, blinking a few times before speaking up.

"Care to repeat that, James?" James shrugged before scratching his head and ruffling up his dark silver hair slightly.

"You heard me. I want to see if redemption is possible, and if it is I want to grasp it." Alastor hummed, before nodding to himself.

"Well then, I hope to see you Heaven-bound and flying amongst the rest of the feathered flock, if you can even make it that is." James and SR stared at Alastor, smirking confidently.

"Alastor, is that a challenge?" Alastor seemed to grin, a glint in his eyes.

"Perhaps."

"Well then, old friend… Consider this challenge accepted. I'll end up in Heaven one way or another." Alastor and James shook hands yet again, and the Radio Demon left to do… something. James turned back to Charlie, who was somewhat confused about Alastor and James' interaction, but she shook it off and showed James his new room and gave him the key.

"Well, we have a few ground rules here-" She began, but James cut her off again, a small smile on his face.

"I'm assuming its something along the lines of no fighting, no swearing, no drugs… etc." Charlie blinked, nodding again. James swung the key to his new room around a finger, a bit bored. "Well, then expect me to be on my best behavior, or at least I'll try my best, Princess."

"Uh huh… Well, while that's great to hear, you don't have to be so formal, James. Charlie's just fine, remember?" James nodded, opening the door to his room and entering, taking note of the size and the pre-installed stuff.

"Alright, fine, Charlie." He seemed a bit uncomfortable calling her such an unformal name, but bid her farewell as he told her he had to unpack. She nodded and left, James stared at her retreating form, rolling his eyes in an amused manner with a smile on his face. Charlie had an aura of positivity around her that made him wonder if she even was meant to be in Hell, he would have doubted her status as the daughter of Lucifer if he met her earlier in his afterlife. "Oh well." James turned, closing the door and beginning to unpack as SR jumped onto his bed.

_LINE BREAK_

In Heaven, a tall golden-haired angel smiled, his light blue eyes filled with happiness.

"...So, my little brother's already begun his path of redemption? Father'll be pleased about this… and so will God." The angel left, flapping his wings and disappearing.