Chapter 41: The Twilight
On the twilight of the purge, the Sacrificers were preparing to don their armors. Holy iron shrouded their angelic pastel colors. Hell probably viewed them as the real demons. Their commander treated them like crap. Their superiors reassured them that what they did was for the greater good.
The Sacrificers felt like crap.
Well, some of them, especially the legacies, did like the whole 'killing really horrible people'. But for Sacrificers? Sacrificing your life for an honorable cause, ascend as a hero, only to be rewarded with the title of an eternal executioner? It was fine when it was a bunch of murderers, but jaywalkers? Victims? Some high school dropouts?
On such twilights, when they had to start putting up their armors in the gathering spot, the Sacrificers tried to make quick lists of priorities. Who should really be killed. Who should be spared. Most importantly, which relative in Hell can be spared and be blessed with a quick reunion. On his knees, Martin Coeurdor helped Psyche tighten her belt. Her wings struggled to flap in the holy iron protective tarp. He understood her stress. Martin lifted her chainmail's collar, properly hiding the burn scars.
Souvenirs of her death.
A terrible life on Earth rewarded with a terrible title in Heaven. The only positive aspect of Psyche's career was being a ward in the Coeurdor household. An ascended minor in Heaven required older angels to volunteer to foster. And when the minor is automatically labeled a Sacrificer, the guardian must be a Sacrificer.
And it was to be Psyche's first purge.
"When's Prim coming in with the results?" One of the male Sacrificers worriedly rubbed his hands. "I wanna know if I made the cut."
"Cut to spare and see your brother?" Another Sacrificer sympathetically asked. "I hope you do. I won't be able to see my mother." The Sacrificer started crying.
The doors opened. They all tensed, expecting either Prim with the results or Adam with his insults. They sighed when it was just one of their Sacrificers, Ximena, coming in with a pot of hot atole. She still hadn't put her armor on, letting her marigold colors shine around the room.
"Sorry I'm late, amigos y amigas. I still had plenty of offerings left in my ofrenda, so I thought we could eat some before we have to go."
Solemn 'thank you' murmurs were said.
"Anyone have anything good to drink with that? We only have sacramental wine here!" Somebody complained.
"Not to worry, I also brought agua fresca."
"Ximena, I need to remember how many living cousins you have."
"I know I got seven of them in Hell." Ximena summoned hundreds of silver bowls and golden cups, equally serving her compatriots. "Anybody want to say anything?"
If silence were a choir…
Martin quietly gave Psyche a cup.
"OK…" Ximena sighed, raising her cup. "For us, and for the souls we'll sacrifice and spare. Mercy on our loved ones down there. Definitely a lot of mercy for Psyche Jackson here." Ximena motioned to Psyche. "First purge ever for her."
There were no merry clapping or praises. More 'sucks to be one of us' murmurs going around.
"And…" Ximena sadly sighed. "I'm not gonna lie, I feel like crap. Frankly, I'd rather be a soldaderas like I was when I died in the revolution… Nearly I get on my ofrenda are from my cousins in Hell, so there's that! Now…" She gave Martin a sympathetic look. "The ONE guy we hoped to never witness this happening to… You know, Martin's only been with us for a few years now… Carrying his family's tradition while his predecessors are retired… Fucking legacies privileges… And he has to deal with the first-ever-case a Coeurdor lands in Hell! His granddaughter! How is this job a reward?"
The doors burst open. The Sacrificers tensed, expecting Adam to put an end to their feast.
It was only their fellow Sacrificer Prim. She hadn't put her helmet on, exposing her flowing locks of blue and gold like primrose petals under a spring breeze. A smile was beaming on her.
"Guys! I did I got the results!"
Everyone rushed to her.
"OK, but before anything else!" Prim presented a silver envelope with a golden seal. "You must understand that after going through weeks of paperwork, presenting to the superiors, and begging to Lady Eleos, I must dedicate the next 333 days of the year…" The angel gagged. "…blessing and guarding the Kids Wish Network."
The others, except Martin and Psyche, gasped in horror.
"Miércoles!" Ximena shuddered.
"The worst!"
"Couldn't they have you do those 333 days of community service elsewhere? Like, I don't know, Ukraine?"
"OK, can we stop talking about my community service?" Prim scowled. She cleared her throat. "OK… I did manage to convince them to spare… 45% of our loved ones."
"Hey, that's better than 150 years ago!" One of the Sacrificers commented. "We were stuck on 20% since the Civil War!"
"Well, props to you all! Hell is still overpopulated and Earth is a mess, but despite all of that, you all did an AMAZING job on Earth! Guarding humans, blessing lives, encouraging proper activism, gender-neutral bathrooms, and need I go on…"
They made way for Prim to float towards Martin. Smiling, she presented the envelope to him. "But I want to kick this off by praising Martin Coeurdor. World War II veteran. Legacy of the ever-altruistic Coeurdor family. Still lovingly married to Augustina. A fantastic father, grandfather, and guardian."
Psyche held Martin's hand in comfort.
"A misfortune this year will have a bit of sunlight in it. We begged, we prayed, we volunteered, we saved so many pets from euthanizing… I'm pleased to tell you that the superiors and Lady Eleos listened to your case. They've determined that no harm should befall your granddaughter. Ines is permitted to survive the Extermination."
A flash of happiness shined in Martin's eyes. The other Sacrificers began to
"Way to go, Martin!"
"Congratulations!"
"We're happy for you!"
"Oh, Prim!" Martin sniffed. He held out his hand for Prim to hand the envelope. "Je te dois ça! I don't know… Oh, Ines…"
Black gloves snatched the envelope before Martin could take it.
In their joy for their compatriot's blessing, the Sacrificers had failed to notice the discreet arrival of their heartless commander and his merciless second in command. The First Man sliced the enveloped open with one finger.
"Hey!" Psyche pointed at Adam. "That's Martin's, not yours! That's stealing!"
"It isn't stealing if a leader verifies his subordinates' documents." Lute slapped Psyche's hand away. Martin quickly pulled Psyche behind him.
"I apologize for my ward's behavior, Lieutenant," Martin said calmly. "She's just a little nervous…"
"She should go back to being a he." Adam read the permit. Several angels snarled at Adam's comment. Even the Sacrificer who had made a comment about the Civil War was unpleased.
"SHE earned the title the way we all did, Lord Adam." Martin lowered his head. "Sacrificing ourselves for the best of others. Risking our lives for loved ones. Facing danger for even the sake of strangers."
"Yes, and all the current Exterminators will end up as softies." Adam snorted, finishing his reading. "A permit from the superiors and the Virtue of Kindness herself? How sentimental!"
"Indeed. Lady Eleos…" Prim began.
"BUT!" Adam snapped his fingers. A yellow halo shined overall, a triangle at the center. The triangle opened its eye and projected a chart.
Heavens' ranks (excluding OUR LORD, for OUR LORD surpasses us all)
#1 Archangels and Seraphim
#2 Virtues and Authorities of Power
#3 Dominions and Principalities
#4 Human-born Angels
#5 Guardian Angels
#6 Cherubs
"I fear that since no Archangel approved of this permit…" Adam crunched the paper in his hand. The others gasped. "And I am the Authority of Power in charge of the Extermination, this permit is revoked."
"WAIT!" Prim reached out. Lute pushed her away.
"Adam's orders are final, Soldier Primrose!" Lute said.
"Lieutenant, this isn't the right thing! A Virtue validated an unfortunate soul's situation!" Psyche protested. Martin and Ximena helped Prim stand up.
"And if Lady Eleos herself gave a permit for a new sinner, that means…" Another Sacrificer commented. "We could see… Our loved ones…"
"You losers actually believe in the fantasy of my ex's worthless offspring?" Adam burned the crunched paper.
"Why not? YOU'RE literally the First Redeemed Sinner. On paper." Psyche pointed out.
"Yes, like how on paper, you should be a boy." Adam poked his finger on Psyche's pale pink skin. "Stick to the script of what we've been doing since the dawn of time. Heaven is good. Hell is bad."
Martin noted mentally that the next time he'd go to a confession box, he'd confess his desire to chop off Adam's dick. And this was coming from the guy who'd seen plenty of shit in his French army years.
Adam scoffed. "This why I don't why I like it when my soldiers get diverse. They go astray. Always thinking of grey matters rather than the obvious black-and-white. Or did you forget about that treacherous Anqa?"
"That was back in the crusades!" Ximena protested.
"Lord Adam." Preferring the humble approach, Martin knelt down and put his hands together. "I pray you… My granddaughter doesn't deserve this… She didn't deserve to be killed… I don't want her gone, when there could be a chance she could be here with Augustina and me."
"And believe me, I wouldn't mind having another Coeurdor joined our ranks." Adam pouted, patting Martin's head as if the old angel were a dog. "Believe me, I'm sure your granddaughter would make a nice addition to the angels of chastity…"
Martin inhaled, feigning patience. Along with cutting off Adam's dick, he wanted to rip his liver out for still not getting the concept that asexuality didn't mean celibacy.
"But that would have only worked if your son had gone through protocols. And if she'd given her answer as protocols dictated. She'd totally be under our protection then. But… by not deciding her options and because she's dead… An abomination of demonic and angelic capacities. Powerful enough to crush Lucifer if she had the motivation. You do realize that if she lives and her OTHER grandfather gets his scaly hands on her before the Celestial Eclipse… The destruction of all three realms would be YOUR fault?"
Meanwhile, in Hell
Indigo could still access the Apocatombs through the Radio Tower. Feigning the decision to take a nap and stuffing her bed to match her form under the covers, she managed to summon a trapdoor to take her right to the bunker.
She found the Exterminator bending down by the grate, scooping Envy Water with a ladle before shoving it in a cauldron.
"Well! I was wondering when you'd pay me a visit." Anqa looked over her shoulder. Indigo's bouquet got her attention.
Queenie had dropped off a bouquet made from the hotel garden's plants at the Radio Tower earlier in the morning. She had run as quickly as she could back to the hotel. Perhaps to get there before the protective shields went on full power.
Anqa lifted the cauldron and brought it up on a large table she'd repurposed from a rock. "A meal… How thoughtful of you! New Year's feast, or you're apologizing for making me starve two more weeks?"
"Kinda the last one." Indigo put the flowers down.
"Ooh! Balm!" Anqa plucked off some leaves and quickly chewed on them. "Yum! I can make tonics and tea with this!" Her fingers explored the azaleas and speedwells. "You bring speedwells? How ironic."
"Why?"
"Speedwells repel the envious by draining their envy. They used to say on Heaven that Leviathan himself as an ugly allergy of speedwells, just sniffing one will make him sneeze up a storm. They're also the flowers of Lady Eleos, the Virtue of Kindness."
Without a care, Anqa individually tore the speedwells' leaves and petals, tossing it all into the cauldron. The natural amethyst colors of the Envy water shifted into a pastel purple. Indigo looked over the cauldron.
The envy looked… weaker.
Anqa gave the concoction an extra stir with the ladle. On the last dip, she lifted the ladle, perfectly filled with liquid and pressed it against Indigo's face. Out of surprise, the demon opened her mouth.
The envy was tasted, but Indigo wasn't tempted into shoving the cauldron's remaining content down her throat. She didn't have Husk's durability.
"You see? Envy water on its own, from the ocean of the Envy Ring, naturally soaks on demons' envious hearts. But by weakening it, the speedwells might as well feed you with envious livers. And livers don't have the same effect as hearts."
"So I've heard…" Indigo scooped the ladle into the cauldron herself. She drank the next serving a bit slower. "It's getting bad, Anqa. Just by skipping ONE day on sin-devouring, I got hungrier for envy! I couldn't eat my usual proportions until I had some fugu fish hearts."
Anqa grimaced. "Eesh. I may have only been in Heaven for a couple years and 800 years unconscious underneath the Pride Ring, but even I know how expensive those fish are. But I'm guessing centuries have worsened the economy."
"And then Monday, I had my Demon Physiology lesson with Alastor…"
"That cannibal Overlord you fraternize with? You have some high tastes in friends, sin-devourer."
"Whatever. But in the lesson, he was dissecting a cow heart to explain the transmission of sins throughout the body, and he let me eat the envy in the cow heart because it wasn't a demon heart."
"Naturally not. Feasting on animal flesh is different than feasting on your own species." Just as Indigo finished drinking, Anqa grabbed the ladle and poked Indigo's chest with it. "If you were an ordinary demon, it would just be cannibalism. But a sin-devouring demon in Hell? The consumption of an envious heart would not only enlarge your hunger, but decay your morality! Enemies or friends would mean nothing to you. Only your preys would matter. Even if Lucifer sent his armies to execute you, you'd only listen to the hunger. Unless they kill you first, you'd either kill them for not meeting your needs or kill them to eat their hearts." Anqa shoved more of the concoction right into Indigo's mouth. "So keep your end of the deal and I can do mine! Eat more of those fugu hearts, whatever regular food can satiate you, and listen to your demon friends! No! Eating! Envious! Hearts!"
She force-fed Indigo again.
"And what do I do for… moments when I LITERALLY see envy in someone and I'm about to attack? I nearly strangled Angel Dust's brother, for f…" Indigo coughed to avoid cursing. "I don't want to be a predator."
"Everyone's a predator." Seeing that Indigo had enough, Anqa tossed the remaining concoction through the grate. "And when are you and your fowl friend going to bring some form of containment for your concoctions? I know I can reuse it, but I'd rather keep my prepared concoctions in bottles."
Indigo sighed. "Alright. After tomorrow, I'll take some empty bottles from Husk's…"
"Husk?"
"The bartender upstairs at the hotel." Indigo pointed upward. "He's cool. Drunk a lot, but cool. We speak French or Spanish sometimes and knows the coolest card tricks!" She looked upward, thinking about the hotel above. Then she thought of the lamb's blood barrier. "Anqa, if they forgot about you… Why not cross the barrier even if it means losing your angelism? Don't get me wrong, you're the first angel I know… But are you OK with being confined underground forever? You already missed out on 800 years."
Anqa tilted her head. "Me? Upstairs? And how would you explain to others the sudden presence of a woman who died in the 13th century? With no knowledge of the world's changes? Who hasn't had her first taste of ice cream until last week?"
"Uh… Drunk forgetfulness? Husk barely remembers the good parts of his afterlife from all that drinking… He mostly remembers whatever he does with Alastor, his human years, the last jackpot he got, and the last time he had a 'fun' time with another demon." Indigo air-quoted. "Besides, crucifixion is like a hobby in Hell! I bet some demons suffered a lot, they got memory loss while being nailed for years."
"Punishment is a hobby…" Anqa enunciated.
"And if we switched your name, nobody would recognize you! I mean, it's Hell, and not what you died for, but… It's still SOME form of life! Right?"
"I'll think of that temptation AFTER tomorrow." Anqa led Indigo towards the stone stage. "Your payment before you go?"
Meanwhile
Gusion was a better liar than Paimon.
She had no intention of letting Octavia and the Goetia Darling spend Extermination Day at her palace. Stolas was far too overprotective of his daughter, spending the purge elsewhere than his palace was an immediate no. From past knowledge, Gusion knew that Indigo wasn't staying in the Hazbin Hotel. The Radio Tower had a powerful security system.
Her limousine cruised casually through the suburbs of Pentagram City. It was always funny to watch sinners desperately board their windows, spread bear traps over their lawns, and frame their rooftops with barbed wires. Once in a decade or so, somebody had actually paid enough attention in Sunday school to paint their doorways and windowsills with lamb's blood. Talk about foolishness. At least the ones painting with lamb's blood would survive.
The limousine stopped. Three streets away, the Richest Cup's billboard stood out. One street away, a sinner was hammering spikes on a fence. Two streets away, her target was scaring away bystanders.
"I'll get off here, Bernard." Gusion stepped out of the vehicle. "You know what to do."
Her chauffeur nodded. Gusion watched him drive off towards the Richest Cup. She straightened her navy blue dress and adjusted her monkey fur trimmings. Intentionally wearing her least favorite dress. It was expendable. She strutted her way.
The sinner was still focused on hammering. Alastor was approaching the crosswalk. Gusion pointed at her dress. Claw-like rips appeared on her skirt, specifically right above her left buttock. The fabric conveniently darkened to make out a sweaty handprint. She was now just behind the sinner.
"How dare you?" She screamed at the sinner.
The horned sinner turned to yell a 'WHAT' at her.
"What? Is that your excuse? What audacity do you have to grope an Ars Goetia?"
"Lady, you're fucking drunk!" The sinner must have been too much in a hurry to care that he was yelling at a Goetia. "Scram! I got bigger shit to deal with!"
"Greater than violating the fair gender and disrespecting the royalty?"
Gusion masked her smugness with surprise. Alastor was far too predictable. It was annoying, though, that the sinner feared the Overlord faster than the Goetia. The lowlife ran for refuge in his house. The shadows made a quick meal out of him. Gusion quickly checked her compact mirror. The mirror showed her Bernard's arrival at the Richest Cup. She summoned the trinket away when Alastor turned to her direction.
"Terrible apologies, My Duke." Alastor humbly bowed before her. "I didn't fancy demons to lose their manners with such distaste. The eve of Extermination Day doesn't justify bad behaviors."
"Oh, well it's always a pleasure to punish the poorly behaved." Gusion nodded her head. On instinct, the Radio Demon elegantly placed a kiss on her hand. Ever the gentleman. She snapped her fingers, dissolving the mess on her skirt. "I apologize. You can imagine, I must keep my image as a Goetia."
"We must all put on good images, My Duke. Though I can't speak for the less appealing." Alastor's head looked around. "Pardon me, My Duke, but where is your entourage? Or at the very least, your bodyguards?"
"Worried I can't take care of myself? A high-ranked Ars Goetia duke like myself?" Gusion crossed her arms. "Are you suggesting that I am weak?"
A small radio static scratched.
"I toy with you, Radio Demon!" Gusion laughed. "You did toy with my feelings, though…"
"It… wasn't my intention." Alastor quickly bowed again. "How may I make up for my rudeness, My Duke?"
Gusion faked pondering while her mind chuckled in delight. The Overlords were prideful, but not prideful enough to offend the hierarchy.
"Well…" She hesitated. "This is actually embarrassing… I was going to meet up with my son at the Richest Cup. Last teatime of the year… And he cowardly calls at the last minute, telling me he doesn't want to come! Already safely sealed up in his room! What kind of disrespect does a mother get from her son?"
"Would you require me to escort you, My Duke?"
Hook, line, and sinker.
And it took only a few minutes of walking to reach the Richest Cup. The shop was still open, but they were the only customers present, and the staff was limited. The things peasants would do for money from one Ars Goetia Duke to keep away the lesser-ranked aristocrats or any potential witness.
Alastor pulled a chair for Gusion.
"I feel awfully pampered, Radio Demon," she genuinely giggled. "You do know how to treat a woman."
"I treat anyone as such. Except my enemies and my next meal." He sat across from her. The waiter quickly took in their orders: black tea for Gusion and perfectly dark coffee.
Under the napkin resting on her lap, Gusion checked the compact mirror. Aside from the cooks and the waiter, no other staff members were present. Bernard put a spoonful of 4-hydroxybutanoic acid in the cup meant for the Radio Demon. She shut it.
"So, Alastor, what will you do tomorrow? Hide in your tower? Perhaps the princess' sanctuary? Or will you torment the lowlifes with the broadcast of their neighbors dying?"
"Well, My Duke, I can assure you that no matter what I do, you'll still hear me broadcasting next year."
"I should hope so. You're one of the rare Overlords we Goetia respect."
"You flatter me, My Duke. But the respect should come from me to you. A principle of hierarchy. It is a mere duty to assist the superiors."
The waiter came in with the drinks. The demons shared a toast for the New Year. Gusion drank her tea with tranquility, cautiously watching Alastor's sips. She had to hide her frown.
"Any resolutions on your end, Radio Demon?"
"Oh, the usual. Broadcasting. Tormenting Vox. Amusing myself with the inevitable failure of the princess' hotel. I do my charity for strict entertainment, My Duke."
The man was a perfect sadist. Why wasn't the drug reacting? Alastor finished his cup so quickly, he asked for another. Gusion discreetly checked her compact again. Seeing as one spoonful didn't work, Bernard wisely put three spoonsful in the refill.
"Speaking of the princess' hotel, I hope the Goetia Darling is safe there. Is Charlotte sure that the sweet thing wouldn't be best protected for tomorrow in a Goetia property?" Gusion asked.
The coffee refill came.
"As nonsensical as her project is, Charlie still is the Princess of Hell!" Alastor laughed. "Her security surpasses our own."
"So I understand…" Gusion finished her tea. Alastor drank again his coffee. Gusion's eyes twitched.
What the fuck? Did Angel Dust give him drug immunity or some shit? Gusion mentally screamed.
"I hope for Charlotte's sake the Goetia Darling is safe. If even a scratch appeared on her skin, Paimon would deem it as an assault. I'm afraid that there could be a possibility that Paimon convinces Lucifer to revoke Indigo's sanctuary at the hotel… To be replaced with a new domicile among the Goetia."
"My Duke, you are far too kind!" Alastor finished his tea. "And your appreciation for the lowlife who mock the lesser ranked than you is relatable! You know what else I find entertaining in your humor?"
"What?" Gusion faked a smile.
Alastor put down the cup. The static is gone.
"The idea that you thought drugging me would work." Alastor dropped the politeness. "I've been getting into violation drug antidotes after some foul encounters recently. Can't afford to lose consciousness. I may not have the paperwork or the blood, but I viewed Indigo as my own for a long time. You can understand as a mother."
He got up. "I'll take care of the bill, as a general courtesy…"
A cattle prod struck him on the back. An animalistic shriek scratched out from all the radios in Hell. A second strike and he fell on the ground.
The prod in Bernard's hands still zapped.
Gusion got up from her seat and knelt down. From all the pain he forced himself through to stay awake, Alastor's smile faded.
"How similar to death it must feel for you, Alastor…" Gusion hummed.
The Overlord's eyes shut.
"Bernard. After you load him in the limo, let's talk about your raise."
Meanwhile
From his tower, Leviathan watched the commotion unfold.
Ines leaving Anqa in the Apocatombs.
Angel Dust preparing to leave the Radio Tower.
Gusion's slave dragging Alastor in her limousine.
Leviathan's slaves spreading lamb's blood around the Pride Ring.
Cain staying with August in Envy-Carlo.
The Hazbin Hotel officially setting up their protections.
The Exterminators getting ready.
"Finally. Halfway there… Still seven more months to go."
He jumped into the pool at the tower's bottom. Hell's oceans thundered up a storm.
Leviathan: This ring, this Hell, this realm soaking in sins.
All for one, all for me, spread Hell my envy.
Underdweller, Leviathan is my name.
Glory sealed to circus trick, revenge's my game.
My goal? Put myself on top of those bitches!
Escape the net, drown jailors, soldiers, in my riches.
Envied or envious, my hurricane is the way of life!
Eternal number one, that's how you live in my world of strife!
Thanks Invidia, I now got my own golden ticket.
Give hunger the time, I know Ines is gonna lose it.
Small cambion, Hell's gonna be envious!
My monsters will make Earth so venomous.
Ines, the twilight's coming down on you.
Lotsa people will die, but kid, my dream is coming true.
The twilight is coming down.
The twilight is coming down.
Favorite granddaughter, I will rise above your destruction.
Ragnarök, Rapture, my elation!
My checkmate, lost mate, I'll pierce that dome.
Resist then succumb, and then come home.
Ouroboros around the Earth, goodbye Heaven!
I'll be the only sin. Never needed seven.
The past million years weren't that bad,
But they'll all remember why I was mad!
The twilight is coming down.
The twilight is coming down.
The twilight is coming down…
The twilight is coming down…
The twilight is coming down…
Leviathan floated in the water, before finally swimming to the bottom, curling himself to camouflage with the rocks.
"Just 6 more hours until they come."
