Charlie was humming happily as she skipped through her new hallways. It's been about a week since the fight, but even though not a single new sinner had arrived yet, Charlie was still happy. Her father was on her side, Alastor survived, her hotel was better than ever, and best of all, Emily sent her a spell that could let the two talk pretty much whenever they wanted.
Though, this was the very first time Charlie had ever tried to perform the spell.
She went into her and Vaggie's room, sitting in front of the mirror, and looked at the paper. "Okay, so, draw these characters," Charlie began as she traced the characters onto her mirror. "Add some of my magic into it until it glows." Charlie did as the instructions said. "Ooh, there we go." She looked at the paper. "And then start to imagine-"
"CHARLIE," Nifty went excitedly as she slammed open Charlie's doors.
"WHA!" Charlie's spell then went haywire. "WHAT IN THE-"
Charlie's mirror then became a vacuum.
"CHARLIE," Nifty yelled in concern.
"NIFTY, STAY BACK! I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING-" Charlie was then sucked into the portal, screaming as she fell into who knows where, the portal closing behind her.
"Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh no, oh no, oh no! MR. LUCIFER," Nifty yelled as she zipped through the hotel.
Charlie opened her eyes and realized she was falling. When she looked around, she realized others were falling, too, all of them screaming. However, as she fell, she saw something catch some of the falling people. They looked like demons... but somehow worse. They roared at the people they caught before tearing the screaming victims apart.
Before Charlie could react, she slammed onto the ground. She groaned as she got up, looking around to see a nightmare. It looked even worse than the Exterminations, people running away from huge demons that crushed them beneath their feet, tore them apart with blades, or even ate them alive and screaming.
Then, Charlie was tackled, looking to see a woman. The woman then tried to strangle Charlie, rage in her eyes. "I'll spoon out your kidneys and feed them to you!"
The woman was then struck. Charlie looked to see it was a man holding... a severed arm. The man stepped over Charlie and proceeded to beat the woman to death with the arm. "DIE! DIE! DIE," the man chanted.
The man was then grabbed by a flying demon, screaming in defiance before more flying demons came and tore the man apart.
Charlie then stood back up, looking to see the place she as in. She had seen nearly every bit of Hell, had been to all of the Overlord's territories, but NOTHING could compare to what she was seeing now.
"Help... me." Charlie looked down, seeing a boy so skinny that his vertebrae were visible. "I beg of you. End my agony," he said with tears in his eyes. Charlie tried to reach for the boy, only for his eyes to widen. "Please, no." He was then dragged away, screaming before it was replaced by gurgling and tearing sounds.
"W-What is this," Charlie asks in horror.
SOUL BLACKENED WITH SIN.
Charlie looked behind her to see a horrifying, shadowy demon.
YOUR BLOOD IS TAINTED WITH THE SINS OF LUST, PRIDE, AND HERESY. YOU SHALL BURN FOR ETERNITY.
"D-Don't you dare! I am the Princess of Hell!"
The demon exploded with power, terrifying Charlie.
THOU HATH COMMITTED TRUE HERESY BEFORE ME. IN THIS REALM OF SUFFERING AND SORROW, THERE IS NO PRINCESS.
"I-I'm the Daughter of L-Lucifer and Lilith.
Even more power erupted from the demon.
ONCE MORE, YOU HAVE COMMITTED HERESY. WHAT'S MORE, YOU INSULT ME.
Charlie's eyes widen. "W-What?"
COWER, SINNER. BEFORE YOU STANDS LUCIFER, HIGHEST LORD OF HELL. FOR YOUR SINS, YOU WILL SUFFER.
"W-Wait! I really am your daughter! Dad!"
YEE WHO HATH ENTERED THIS REALM OF WOE, ABANDON ALL OF THY HOPE.
"WAIT!" Before anything happened to Charlie, a portal opened behind her, Lucifer grabbing her with worry in his eyes. "DAD?!"
Lucifer then looked up at the REAL Lucifer, looking terrified. "What... IS that?"
YEE WHO ENTERS THIS REALM OF SORROW AND WOE, YOU SHALL KNOW SUFFERING, Lucifer says as he reaches towards his far weaker counterpart.
Lucifer then yanked Charlie back into the hotel. Charlie was actually hyperventilating.
"CHARLIE," Vaggie screamed as she ran over and tried to comfort her girlfriend.
"W-What WAS that," Charlie asked. "That was... That was... That was Hell."
"Uh, Charlie, we're IN Hell," Angel Dust said with a nervous smile as he tried to comfort his friend.
"NO, WE'RE NOT," Charlie screamed. "No, we're not," she sobbed. "This isn't Hell. That. That was actual Hell. That was ACTUAL Hell," she said as she cried in her dad and girlfriend's embraces.
INDEED.
Charlie and the hotel staff jumped at the voice. They all looked to see a being surrounded by horrifying locusts.
"Who are you," Lucifer yelled.
BE SILENT PRETENDER AND KNEEL.
When the being said that, Lucifer groveled so quickly that his head smashed into the ground.
"DAD!" Charlie looked up, feeling terror again. "Who... ARE you?"
BEFORE YOU STANDS ONE OF THE ONE OF THE TRUE RULERS OF HELL. HE WHO WILL BRING ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD IN THE TIME OF REVELATION. I AM THE LORD OF THE LOCUSTS AND THE DEMON OF THE ABYSS. I AM ABADDON.
Vaggie looked horrified. "Abaddon?! THE Abaddon?!"
"Look, pal, I don't care who you are," Angel began as he took out his Tommy gun. "But get the FUCK outta my-" Angel was slammed into the ground by Locust, the monstrous insects roaring at Angel with such power that he was literally scared stiff.
Charlie was hyperventilating again, almost feeling her heart stop when Abaddon looked at her.
YOU HAD THE GALL TO CALL YOURSELF THE PRINCESS OF HELL WHEN YOU ARE NO DEMON. YOU ARE NOT EVEN ABOVE THE STATION OF MY LOCUST. BEFORE YOU, GIRL, IS A TRUE DEMON. KNOW. YOUR. PLACE.
When Abaddon said that, his locusts surrounded him before flying out with a roar. Then, everything went black.
"Charlie, are you sure about this," Vaggie asked in fear.
"Yeah, Charls," Angel Dust begins. "We were almost axed by one guy. The angels were bitches compared to Locust Boy, and you're going back to his home turf?"
"Abaddon is among the most powerful demons to ever exist. Not even the Sins can compare to him," Vaggie said. "The only reason he didn't kill us all is because this isn't his Hell. Not his world, not his problem type deal."
"I'm not going for Abaddon," Charlie says.
"Listen, kid," Husker began. "We're having problems in OUR Hell. Now you want to go to a totally different one and talk to a version of your old man that's scarier, stronger, and far less merciful?"
"Well... we don't KNOW that he's stronger," Charlie giggled nervously.
"Honey, you WET yourself," Vaggie stated.
"DON'T MENTION THAT," Charlie went in embarrassment. She then sighed. "Look, I just want to talk to my da- er, Lucifer. When I was in that Hell... it was... it was just plain awful. I can't let those souls suffer. What our people are going through is NOTHING compared to what they're experiencing. Our Hell might as well be Heaven in comparison."
"Oof," Angel Dust went. "Damn. Where's Al when you need him, eh?"
"Ooh! Ooh! I know! He's at an Overlord meeting to talk about those GIANT BUGS that did more damage than the Angels ever did," Nifty went.
"What if you run into Abaddon while over there," Vaggie went in worry.
"Vaggie, I'll be fine," Charlie said with a reassuring smile. She then took a deep breath and looked at the wall. She then began to concentrate, turning full Princess of Hell. When she opened her eyes, she tried to recreate the spell.
Last time, she just wanted to make a portal to talk to Emily but was surprised by Nifty.
Now...She was trying to have an audience with the True Devil himself.
Charlie walked through the portal. When she did, she felt... cold.
"It's... freezing," Charlie said as she rubbed her arms, looking around. "Where am I? I thought this was the same spell I used to go to the other Hell."
YOU AGAIN.
Charlie's eyes shot open as she felt a wave of terror wash over her. She then looked behind her, her eyes widening at the sight of the... BEING.
YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO ESCAPE THIS REALM OF PUNISHMENT, YET YOU CHOSE TO RETURN. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER TO COMMEND YOUR BRAVERY OR CHASTISE YOUR STUPIDITY, said the massive, chained entity looking down at Charlie.
She had NEVER seen a demon even as big as the horns on the Devil's head. Even the Sins couldn't compare to his size. She felt like an ant compared to it.
Charlie then gulped. "L-Lucifer?"
It did not respond.
"Are you... Lucifer?"
I AM.
Charlie was shaking. She could tell that the Lucifer she saw before and the one before her were the same. The previous one was his avatar. This was his true form. What's more, even the avatar was far more powerful than her father. This Lucifer... even chained... would destroy her Hell.
Charlie took a deep breath. "Lucifer, I came to speak with you!"
A FOOLISH ENDEAVOR. YOU ENTERED THE REALM OF WOE TO HAVE AN AUDIENCE WITH THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS? YOU MUST TRULY DESIRE YOUR JUST PUNISHMENTS.
"J-Just punishments?"
YOU ARE SINFUL, CHILD. YOUR BLOOD REEKS OF LUST, PRIDE, AND VANITY. YOU DESIRE THE LOVE OF A WOMAN, A BLATANT DISREGARD FOR THE LAWS OF GOD. YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN CLEANSE THE SOULS OF THE DAMNED, A FOOLISH SHOW OF PRIDE. AND NOW, YOU BELIEVE THAT AS THE SO-CALLED PRINCESS OF HELL, YOU MAY SPEAK TO ONE SUCH AS I. HOW VAIN. YOU ARE TO STAY IN THE INFERNO TO KNOW SUFFERING FOR ALL ETERNITY.
"Inferno? What part of this is an inferno," Charlie asked as she looked around.
THAT IS ONE WAY YOU ARE BLESSED, GIRL. YOU ARE NOT A TRAITOR. THIS IS THE LOWEST REALM IN ALL OF HELL, FARTHEST FROM THE LIGHT OF GOD, WITH NO FORM OF WARMTH TO EVER BE KNOWN. THIS IS WHERE THE TRAITORS GO. THOSE WHO HAVE BETRAYED BOTH THEIR SIBLINGS OF MAN... AND THE LOVE OF GOD. HERE RESIDE THE HORRID TRAITORS OF THE WORLD.
"And they have to suffer this cold forever?!"
YES.
"Lucifer, this isn't fair!"
OH, BUT IT IS, SINNER. I GAVE HUMANITY THE GIFT OF CHOICE. THIS IS THEIR JUST REWARD FOR THEIR ACTIONS.
"But sinners can be rehabilitated! I know it!"
DO YOU BELIEVE HELL IS A PLACE OF REHABILITATION?
"It can be!"
THEN TRULY, YOU ARE A FOOL.
Charlie's eyes widened.
HELL ISN'T A PLACE FOR SOULS TO BE REDEEMED. IT IS WHERE THEY ARE PUNISHED FOR THEIR LIFE OF SIN. TRUE, ON THE FINAL DAY, THEY CAN BE JUDGED ONCE MORE, AND SHOULD THEY HAVE TRULY REPENTED, THEY MAY ENTER HEAVEN. UNTIL THE HORN IS BLOWN, AND THE END OF DAYS BEGINS, FOREVER SHALL THEY KNOW TORMENT IN THIS SORROWFUL EXISTENCE.
"Wait, they can be judged!? You just said they can be judged a second time!"
IT MATTERS NOT.
"IT DOES! LUCIFER, I WANT TO MAKE A DEAL WITH YOU!"
Lucifer leaned down toward Charlie, the act alone creating a gale that nearly blew Charlie away.
YOU WISH TO MAKE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL? VERY WELL, BLASPHEMER. YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION.
Vaggie was pacing back and forth, waiting for Charlie to arrive.
"Vagg, calm down," Angel said as he sat at Husker's bar.
"Calm down?! Charlie is by herself in Hell! A Hell with monsters that make the angels look like one of Nifty's roaches! Look at her!"
Nifty was desperately dusting. "G-Giant locust. B-Big. Bad. Scary. Too strong. Too strong. Too strong."
"Admit it, kid." Angel looked at Husker. "We were all scared shitless by one demon. Adam and his bitch army was nothing compared to Abaddon and his bugs. Bastard only had the hotel deal with one big one while the rest went into the Pentagram to raise hell. If it weren't for the Overlords and the Sins, we'd be worse off."
"Yeah. We got our asses kicked. Pretty sure Alastor did a lot of the heavy liftin', and having Charlie's pops save our asses was sure useful," Angel sighed. "What is Charlie hoping to do anyway?"
"I... don't know," Vaggie said.
A portal then opened. Out walked Charlie, shivering as she rubbed her shoulders. "F-Finally o-out," she chattered.
"CHARLIE," Vaggie went as she hugged Charlie.
Charlie sighed. "You have no idea how good this feels, Vaggie."
Vaggie then realized it. "Shit, honey, you're freezing. Wait, you're FREEZING. How? I thought you went to Hell. It's NEVER been cold in Hell."
"Then it is no true Hell."
Vaggie looked at the portal to see a man about as tall as Angel Dust walk out of the portal. Even Vaggie had to admit that he was handsome, with crimson eyes as red as blood, hair as black as the night, yet skin as fair as snow. He was also muscular and had features that would make anyone swoon, yet a cold gaze that was judgmental.
But since he came out of the portal to the other Hell, Vaggie didn't hesitate to take out and point her spear at the man. "Who the hell are you, asshole?!"
"Vaggie, no!"
The man's gaze hardened as he looked down at the spear. "You would threaten me with what is essentially a stick? Pathetic." The man then held his hand at the tip of the spear... and flicked it away. Everyone was shocked when the blade of the spear was sent flying, becoming a devastating missile as it rushed through the Pentagram, destroying buildings, killing sinners, and eradicating hell-born demons.
Vaggie just stood there in shock and horror. Her spear was Heaven-made, capable of killing angels and demons alike. It was supposed to be able to kill even the Sins, yet this man just flicked it away like it really was just a stick.
"These are one of your rehabilitators? Her blood reeks of even more sins than your own. Lust towards you, wrath towards all, and even the blood of a traitor run through her veins. And I can tell she hasn't been punished truly in the least. This deal is going poorly for you already, girl," the man said to Charlie.
"Wait, it isn't that bad! Please, try to give us a chance, Lucifer."
"Lucifer," Vaggie began. She then looked up at the man, whose cold gaze terrified her, as it all came together. "Wait a moment... HE'S the other Lucifer?! THAT'S the ruler of the other Hell?!"
"Goddamn, he's a stud," Angel Dust said.
"Charlie, what the hell is going on?! Why is HE here?! Wait, DID HE FUCKING SAY DEAL," Vaggie asked as she grabbed Charlie's shoulders.
"Um, yeah."
Vaggie glared at Lucifer. "What the FUCK did you do to her you sonofa-" Vaggie began as she stomped toward the Devil.
SILENCE, Lucifer spoke in his actual, ethereal voice, Vaggie stopping in her tracks out of pure terror.
KNEEL.
Vaggie didn't just merely fall to her knees. She slammed her face into the floor, breaking it. 'W-What is this? None of the Sins have power like this,' Vaggie thought.
YOU OVERESTIMATE YOURSELF, SINNER. NEVER FORGET YOUR PLACE IN THE AFTERLIFE. NOW RISE.
Against her will, Vaggie stood up. She then felt something. Her blood flowing down her forehead. 'What the hell?! I thought only Heaven Steel could make me bleed!' She looked at Lucifer. 'Is he so powerful that the force of his words alone can hurt me?!'
Lucifer then glared at Vaggie before reaching for her, scaring her. She then closed her eye, bracing for what came next, when she felt something rub against her forehead. She looked to see Lucifer staring at his thumb, her blood on it.
"Ichor? What is the meaning of this," Lucifer asked.
"Ya made Vaggie bleed, dickhead," Angel yelled angrily. He quickly covered his mouth when Lucifer merely glanced at him.
"Why... are you confused," Charlie asked. "Have you... have you never bled before?"
"Of course I haven't. The First Creations, the Angels of God, do not bleed, let alone bleed Ichor."
Vaggie's eyes widened. "Don't ble-... are you saying the Angels of your world are so powerful that they can't bleed?!"
"Is this so difficult to understand, Pagan?"
"Pagan," Vaggie asked.
"Only Pagans bleed Ichor. Since the beginning of creation itself, they've been trying to end the reign of Heaven. True, they made themselves known before even us, but they have never been able to totally overtake the World of Man. The same can't be said of this world, it seems. No wonder it feels so... Godless."
Vaggie stared at Lucifer, unable to comprehend him until she remembered something. "Charlie, what was the deal you made with him?"
"Huh? Oh. . . Uh, his Hell is... well... it's a terrifying nightmare. It made our Hell look like our Heaven in comparison."
"THAT BAD," Angel yelled.
"Shit," Husker went.
"So... I BEGGED him to let me rehabilitate some of his sinners."
"You asked for a TRADE," Vaggie yelled.
"Mhm. I have to convince him that the Hotel can rehabilitate sinners, including the sinners of his Hell. He admitted that the souls in his Hell are waiting for something called the Second Judgement, but I think they can be judged sooner. So, if I can convince him that we can rehabilitate souls, he'll allow the sinners in his Hell to be redeemed through rehabilitation," Charlie went nervously.
"What's the catch," Vaggie asked with a glare.
"Uh... if I can't convince him... or if he thinks we're too sinful... or thinks Heaven is too similar to Hell-"
"Wait, he's gonna judge Heaven, too," Husker asked.
"Y-Yeah."
"Huh. Kinda badass, honestly," Angel Dust said.
"What if we fail," Vaggie asks impatiently.
"Uh... he'll send his demons into our Hell... and punish us 'properly'. . . And my soul will belong to him," she muttered at the end.
The room was quiet for a bit. Then...
"WHAT," Vaggie, Angel Dust, and Husker yelled in unison.
"YOU PROMISED HIM YOUR SOUL?! CHARLIE, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING," Vaggie cried as she shook her girlfriend.
"That... if I just left things alone he or Abaddon would have come and killed us all," Charlie answered nervously.
"I mean, she's got us there."
"NOT HELPING, ANGEL," Vaggie yelled.
"Is it, though," Husker asked.
"What's that supposed to mean," Vaggie growled.
"Let's face it. We got our asses handed to us by one demon. We had a fighting chance against Adam and his angels, but that guy," he began as he pointed at Lucifer. "No way. I feel like I have a better chance of beating Charlie's dad."
"Adam," Lucifer asked.
"Oh, hey, Lucy," Angel called. When Lucifer looked at him, he shrunk. "Um, Lucifer, sir, what's the First Man like from YOUR world?"
"Ah, it is that Adam. It was cathartic, using him and his wife to bring about sin in the world and prove to God humans were flawed. It would be even better if they both fell into Hell. Still, even after hundreds of years, his devotion to God and Eve prevented his soul from falling into the Abyss with me and my demons. I couldn't even claim either of his sons. Abel resides in Heaven while Cain is cursed with immortality and won't be judged until the End Times."
"So... Adam ISN'T an asshole," Vaggie asked.
"What are you on about, sinner?"
"Uh... forget I said anything."
Before Vaggie could react, Lucifer placed his hand on her head. She felt a surge rush through her mind, all of her memories of Adam flashing before in her mind in a split second. When it was over, she felt exhausted. She then looked up and saw a disappointed Lucifer.
"Mm. I was correct. You're no angel. None of them were. In fact... your Heaven... would have followed me into the Rebellion." He then looked at Charlie. "Girl, your soul might as well be mine already. There is no redeeming these souls, either in Hell or in Heaven."
"Wait! Wait. I get you're not impressed, sir, but there's someone I know who can help us in Heaven. She's a friend who sees the importance of the Hotel and the good in the souls of sinners. If I can just talk to her, maybe get us an appointment in Heaven, we can talk with her."
"You believe this friend of yours can help plead your case?"
"I do."
"Very well." Lucifer held out his hand. Charlie nervously looked at it, gulped, then reached out and grabbed Lucifer's hand.
"Charlie, WAIT," Vaggie went. However, the moment Charlie grabbed the True Devil's hand, she was engulfed in darkness.
Then, she saw a familiar light. She looked to see Heaven. "S-So fast."
"Mm, it ALMOST resembles home."
"Almost," Charlie asked.
"It's missing something." Lucifer's gaze hardened. "Why don't I feel the Love of God?"
"What?"
"A holy essence that cleanses the soul. Even when I came to Heaven to make a wager with Father, it healed even me, to an extent, anyway. I feel no such love or warmth here. If anything..." Lucifer sniffed. "I smell... sin."
"In Heaven," Charlie yelled in surprise.
"Vanity, pride... heresy. What is the meaning of this? Sin should be cleansed the moment a soul passes the Pearled Gates. You call THIS abomination Heaven?!"
"Lucifer, please! Just let me talk to Emily! We can show you it's not that bad."
"Hmph. You are trying my patience, sinner. Behold." Charlie looked down and noticed her hand. It looked like it was becoming... human. "W-What's going on?!"
"You're losing your powers, girl. Your demonic essence is slowly being drained, showing you are failing your side of the deal. The moment you become fully human, your immortal soul will belong to me, and you will be damned in the Inferno for all eternity, paying your wages of sin, with only God himself being able to relinquish your soul. I suggest you succeed in changing my mind should you wish to avoid such a fate," he said as he walked toward the Gates.
"You..." Lucifer stopped. "You... can make me human?"
Lucifer looked back at Charlie before looking back at the gates. "Do not underestimate the power of the Devil, girl. You have no idea what I am capable of."
"No. No, I don't think I do. . . But I do know one thing."
"And that is?"
"You're amazing."
". . . Mm. Come. Your judgment continues."
"Yes."
The two reached the Gates.
"Wait. There should be souls here," Lucifer said.
"Hm?"
"Every second of every minute of every hour of every day, a mortal life is extinguished. Yet I see none here. Not even innocent unborn souls or deceased infants are here."
"Wait, innocent unborn souls? Are you talking about abortions?!"
"Humans may be born to sin, but newborns are brought into the world sinless. Not even Hell accepts the souls of a babe. Only when a child commits its first true sin are we able to drag them into the Inferno."
"Wow. That's... both terrifying and admirable."
"And what of your Heaven, girl?"
"Uh. I... I don't know."
". . . Disappointing." Charlie shrunk when she realized how much worse she was looking in Lucifer's eyes. It didn't help that she felt her entire arm become human.
"Hi-ya! Welcome to Heaven! Can I get your name, please," a smiling angel said.
"Hey, Peter," Charlie waved.
"Oh! Charlie. We weren't expecting you," he said nervously.
"Who is this," Lucifer asked.
"Oh, right. Um, this is our world's St. Peter."
Lucifer looked at Charlie before looking at Peter... and sighed. "It's one disappointment after another."
Peter jolted, a single tear going down his cheek. "Why does it feel worse than when my dad said it to me?"
"St. Peter." Everyone looked up to see Sera and Emily flying down in their base forms before transforming. "We can take it from here."
"CHARLIE!" Emily flew over and hugged her friend. "Ooh, it's so good to see you! I wasn't expecting you at all!"
"None of us were," Sera said. "Do you mind explaining?"
"Yes, well, sorry for dropping in unannounced. But... um, well... Emily?"
"Hm?"
"We... have a bit of a problem."
"Oh? Oh, no, did something happen to the hotel?"
"No! No. It's... well... when I tried to call using that spell you taught me, Nifty kinda surprised me, and I called someone by accident."
"Who?"
"Yeah. Um, somehow, that spell sent me to... another Hell."
"Sent you to what," Sera asked.
"Yeah. Turns out there's a whole different universe or something and I found it."
Emily was shocked. "You mean... you mean there's a whole different Hell?"
"And a whole different Heaven."
"WHAT," the angels yelled.
"But that's not the shocking bit."
"What's more shocking than that," Emily asked.
"Um... you see... the Devil in the other Hell... the Lucifer of the other universe... My dad but NOT my dad... he's here to judge us," Charlie said as she pointed at Lucifer, the angels looking at him, all of their eyes widening when they finally noticed him. "And so far... we're failing. . . Badly."
"Mm," Lucifer went.