Chapter 1: Fallen From Grace

It happened suddenly and without warning.

For weeks, Emily had been desperately pleading with other angels to unite against the Extermination. Her sister, Sera, had begged her to stop, but the determined young seraphim would not back down. She loved her older sister dearly, but could not sit idly by as human souls were mercilessly destroyed. The weight of her conviction and determination shone in her bright eyes as she continued onward, refusing to be swayed from her mission.

The bond between sisters was not without its flaws. After all, it was Sera who had given her blessing for Emily to go through with the annual extermination, while keeping it a secret from the rest of Heaven. Emily couldn't help but feel hurt by this revelation, feeling like Sera had betrayed the very morals she had instilled in her since childhood. The weight of disappointment hung heavily on Emily's heart, as she struggled to reconcile this conflicting image of her beloved sister.

And of course, there was Adam, the Exorcist Commander, who was a constant source of discomfort for Emily. His boorish, violent behavior went against everything she believed about angels and their purpose. The young seraphim supposed he had got what was coming to him when he was slain in Hell. And just as bad was his subordinate, Lute. Her disdainful attitude towards sinners seemed to directly oppose the Heavenly mandate to love all of creation. Emily couldn't help but feel a sense of unease whenever the two of them were around, like dark clouds looming over an otherwise serene landscape.

Even in the aftermath of the failed half-year Extermination, and the unlikely redemption of the once-feared snake demon, Sera remained steadfast in her convictions. Her fiery determination only seemed to intensify after Sir Pentious was sent to Heaven, fueling her fervent anti-demon ideology. Her eyes darted around as if searching for signs of an impending doom. It was clear that she believed with every fiber of her being that the demons were gathering their forces, plotting to take over and wreak havoc on Heaven. Determination burned in Emily's eyes as she clenched her fists, vowing to change the horrific practice of the Extermination forever. She would stop at nothing to bring about its end, even if it meant risking everything she held dear. The weight of her mission bore down on her like a heavy cloak, but she refused to let it crush her spirit. She would fight until her last breath to make a difference and bring justice to those who had suffered under the cruel hand of the Exorcists.

Without warning, the solid ground opened up beneath her feet, sending her plummeting into the abyss below. Emily frantically flapped her wings, but they refused to respond, leaving her helpless in the face of gravity's pull. The fear and panic rose within her like a tidal wave. Her screams echoed through the air, a piercing sound that seemed to carry for miles. She plummeted towards the ground, surrounded by swirling clouds of white and gray that danced and whirled around her. The earth appeared as nothing more than a speck in the distance, impossibly far below her. The rush of wind whipped through her hair and clothes, the world a blur of motion as she fell. Panic and fear gripped her tightly, threatening to overwhelm her as her descent continued.

Suddenly, in a blur of movement and sound, Emily collided with the ground. The impact was jarring, sending a shockwave through her body. Though the impact was quite painful, she miraculously remained physically unharmed. The seraphim lifted her gaze, her eyes widening as she took in her surroundings. She was surrounded by a dimly lit room, its walls painted a deep, blood-red and the floor covered in a sleek black material that seemed to absorb the light. Emily's heart raced as she twisted her head around frantically, trying to make sense of it all. The air was thick with an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of her own rapid breaths. She searched for any clue that could help her understand why she was here and what had led her to this unsettling place.

Suddenly, a voice emerged from behind and spoke to the young angel:

"So, the heavens cast you out too?"

Emily slowly turned her head, her eyes widening as a being in a pristine white suit appeared before her. The figure wore a tall dress hat and exuded an air of authority and power. Despite their short stature, they still seemed to tower over the fallen seraphim that lay at their feet, their presence looming over Emily like a shadow. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice quivering in fear.

The figure sighed, clearly pitying her, "That's right, you wouldn't know me. I was condemned to this place long before you were born, betrayed by the same ones who betrayed you,"

Emily's eyes widened with her realization, filling with terror. She felt a rush of recognition as she gazed upon the being before her, finally placing its familiar features in her mind. "You're Lucifer," she whispered, trembling.

The being nodded. "I am," he said. "and I take it that means you know where you are now too?"

A sudden realization struck Emily like a bolt of lightning, causing her heart to plummet in her chest. The weight of it felt heavy and suffocating as if she were sinking into quicksand. She closed her eyes, trying to keep the wave of emotions from overwhelming her. But it was no use. The reality of the situation settled over her like a dark shroud, casting a shadow on her once-bright world. "No... I couldn't have..."

She quickly glanced at the mirror in front of her, and the sight that greeted her was devastating. Her gleaming halo, which she had always worn with pride, was no longer there. Instead, her once vibrant blue eyes were now a piercing red, like blood. Her voice quivered as she whispered, "But why?" Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she struggled to hold back her emotions.

Lucifer's voice was gentle as he spoke, "You were cast out for the same reason I was. Because you dared to imagine a world where things could be different." His voice sounded like it was trying to be comforting, but the fallen angel was clearly holding back emotions of his own.

Emily slumped down, her face buried in her trembling hands as she let out heart-wrenching sobs. The angel, consumed by overwhelming despair, felt as if she were swimming in an endless sea of darkness. She was utterly lost and alone, with no one to turn to for comfort or guidance. The one place she had always called home had cruelly cast her out, leaving her adrift in a world created specifically to induce suffering. She longed for the warmth and love that used to fill her heart, but now all she could feel was the cold emptiness of rejection. The once proud and radiant being now lay crumpled on the ground, her beauty marred by the weight of her pain. She looked up at the ruler of Hell, tears still flowing from her eyes. "I just..." she choked, "...wanted to help,"

Lucifer's heart sank into the depths of his chest, a heavy weight pulling it down. He struggled to control his emotions, a turbulent sea raging within him, threatening to overflow. But he refused to let them spill over.

"My sister will come help me... right?"

Emily observed the ruler of Hell as his eyes briefly widened before tightly closing shut. He turned his head away from the young seraphim, tears now streaming down his face. Even though his next words weren't a direct answer, the expression on his face revealed everything she needed to know.

His eyes, a bright yellow that seemed to radiate light, gazed upon her with an overwhelming sense of sadness.

"I'm so sorry, little one,"

Emily's eyes went wide. It can't be, she thought. Sera cared for me! She would never…

A tumultuous storm of thoughts swirled and churned in her mind like a tempestuous sea tossing and turning, each thought crashing against the other, creating waves of confusion and indecision. She felt as though she were caught in the eye of the storm, unable to escape its relentless grasp. Emily let out a primal scream of anguish, the sound raw and piercing as it echoed through the empty room. Tears flooded down her cheeks, their salty trails tracing patterns on her skin. Each breath felt like a struggle as if she were drowning in her own emotions. Sera, her beloved sister, the one she had loved and admired above all others, had abandoned her. In one swift motion, she had ripped apart their bond and left behind a void that seemed impossible to fill. With tear-stained cheeks and a heavy heart, she now had nothing but memories of happier times. The warmth of Sera's embrace, the sound of her laughter, and the endless adventures they embarked on together - all gone in an instant. A deep ache filled her chest as she tried to come to terms with this painful reality. How could someone she loved so deeply be capable of such betrayal? She was left with nothing but the shattered pieces of her heart and a sense of abandonment that seemed insurmountable.

With each piercing scream, Emily's voice grew hoarse and ragged. The sounds of her anguish echoed off the walls, reverberating in the space around her. She felt as if she were drowning in despair, with nothing to cling to in the vast emptiness of her life. Every breath she took was a struggle, every moment a reminder of what she had lost. The weight of her sorrow was crushing, an insurmountable burden that seemed to have no end. At that moment, nothing was worth it anymore. She had nothing left but the echoes of her screams, haunting and hollow.

No one loved her, she had nowhere to go, and now, she was condemned to suffer eternally in an inescapable hell.

As Lucifer gazed down at the writhing, suffering angel before him, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of familiarity. Her words, spoken with such compassion and determination to help even the most wretched of sinners, reminded him of his daughter. Memories flooded back to him - of her innocent laughter and pure heart, before Lilith left him and the two became ever more distant. Guilt twisted in his gut as he realized the ironic parallel between this fallen angel and his beloved child. "What is your name?" he asked.

The angel's ethereal voice was choked with emotion, her sobs making it difficult to speak. With each word, her delicate wings trembled and tears streamed down her face like shimmering pearls.

"Emily,"

With a graceful sweep of his hand, Lucifer reached down to help Emily up from the ground. His long, elegant fingers curled around hers as he pulled her to her feet. "Come on," he said, offering his hand to help the young angel to her feet.

Emily gazed up at him, "Where are you taking me?"

Lucifer's lips curved into a gentle smile, and his eyes sparkled with a warmth akin to that of a doting father. His gaze held a softness and tenderness that was unexpected for the ruler of the underworld.

"Home."

To be continued...