...What...just...happened? The Exterminators, they...left? But...that's never happened. Why were Heaven's enforcers being called back before any Sinners could be purged for the first time in history?
These questions, and SO many more, were currently exploding within Lucifer's mind as he stared through his window. None of this made sense. Not a single part or piece of it was logical. Yet, as the ruler of Hell, it would fall onto his shoulders to try and explain it to his people, even if he had no explanation to give.
Which, unfortunately, left the devil in a dazed state. He was shocked to his soul by what unfolded before his eyes, to such a degree that he wasn't entirely present on a mental level. The world around him began to fade as Lucifer was pulled deeper into his thoughts...
...
...
...Lu...
...
...
...Luci...
...
...
...LUCIFER!
A voice, sharp and loud, came from the devil's right side. Slowly, he turned towards it, his face unchanging all the while. Standing next to him was his wife, Lilith. She looked worried, maybe even scared.
"Lucifer, honey, snap out of it," Lilith said in a low volume as she gently placed her hands on his face.
"...Lilith?..." Lucifer responded after a few seconds, his mind steadily returning to normal.
"Mhm. It's me. I'm right here." Lilith confirmed, continuing to speak quietly. "I need you to start taking in deep breaths, okay? In and out until your head feels clear." She instructed.
Lucifer did nothing but breathe for a few minutes as he was told. Eventually, to his wife's relief, he was back to himself.
"I'm sorry." Lucifer apologized once he felt normal. "I...didn't mean to space out like that." He added.
"It's okay. I had the same reaction." Lilith replied, making him smile.
"Thank you," Lucifer said before looking back to the window. "How long do you think it'll take for Hell to be in an uproar?" He asked.
"Truthfully, I think we have a fair bit of time. Possibly a few hours." Lilith answered, looking out the window as well. "No one's going to take the chance of leaving their homes and hiding places until they're sure the Exterminators aren't coming back. So, during that time, I will handle things here and get us ready while you go to Heaven and speak with your siblings." She told him.
"What? No. I can't leave you here to deal with this alone. The media frenzy and public insanity from this will be unprecedented." Lucifer objected, wanting to help his spouse.
"Hon, you forget I've been doing this for as long as you. I have all the experience I need to maintain order while you're gone for a while." Lilith assured, followed by a kiss. "Now, do what a king must and figure out what's going on." She said.
Although still hesitant about leaving her alone with this, Lucifer did agree that he needed to speak with his kin ASAP. Also, the goodbye kiss did help to incentivize his departure.
"Alright. I'll be as quick as I can." Lucifer vowed before walking away from his wife. "And be sure to call Charlie! With her in the capital, every reporter and journalist will go to her first for answers!" He exclaimed before he was out of earshot.
"On it!" Lilith responded, swiftly leaving afterward to get her phone.
Elsewhere, At The Happy Hotel...
"...So...has the bell ever rang twice?" Vagatha asked, looking to the others for an answer.
On the morning of the Extermination, everyone within the hotel gathered in the lobby. Each got something for breakfast and was ready to spend the day together. Their usual differences and disagreements wouldn't be an issue because this was a time of solidarity. To be grateful that everyone was here, safe, and would live to see another year.
Yet as they ate their food, eventually cleaning their bowls and plates, they noticed a lack of...anything. There were no screams, sounds of violence, the occasional silhouette of an Exterminator flying past the windows, nothing. Then, something suddenly happened; it sounded like the clock tower was going off for a second time. Which, as expressed by Vagatha, didn't seem like a normal occurrence.
"Only when the killing's done, to my knowledge," Alastor said as he looked at Charlie. "Is that correct?" He inquired for confirmation.
"I...don't think that was the clock tower," Charlie responded while putting a hand to her chin. "It sounded...different. But in a way that I can't quite describe..." She said.
"Nah, I picked up on that. Kinda hard not to when it rang WAY more than the clock tower ever has." Husk replied.
"Oh!" Nifty exclaimed as an idea came to her. "Maybe it was Heaven? Do they have a bell?" She suggested.
"Ey, guys." Angel Dust spoke up with a hand raised, getting all eyes on him. "I think we're focusing on the wrong detail here. It's unimportant if the clock tower rang twice or if there was a second bell. We need to focus on the saintly sociopaths who should be chopping people up but are nowhere to be seen. Where the fuck are they?" He asked.
"Well, let's work through this step-by-step." Vagatha began, taking the lead. "The clock tower was undeniably the first bell to go off. Somewhere between five and fifteen minutes passed before the second bell rang. During that period, the Exterminators had to have already descended and were beginning their hunt for Sinners. But then something happened, causing the second bell to ring. If we're to assume it came from Heaven, then I'd be willing to guess that was a signal to either hold off on the killing or retreat." She stated before looking at her girlfriend. "Charlie, you're older than all of us combined. Has Heaven ever held off or even called back the Exterminators?" She asked.
"Um...I...think dad told me a story once about how a group of Overlords tried to fight back. But the Exterminators killed them without any issue. So, no. There's never been an actual disruption to the Extermination." Charlie answered.
"Whelp. That must mean the end times are nigh." Husk decided.
"You're just saying that so you can drink," Nifty said with an eye roll, knowing him too well to take that seriously.
"No. I'm being legit here. This is some when pigs fly type shit. If Charlie has never seen this before, it has to be a sign of the impending apocalypse." Husk insisted, receiving another eye roll from the mono-eyed redhead.
Suddenly, interrupting their conversation was the sound of Charlie's phone ringing. Everyone knew instantly that it was hers due to the liveliness of the jingle.
"...Oh. It's mom." Charlie informed the group when she saw the caller ID. "Hey, mom. What's up?" She greeted her as she accepted the call. "...Uh, no. I'm in the lobby with everyone. Do you need me to go somewhere private?" She asked. "...Okay. I'll go to my office." She said, putting her hand on the receiver afterward. "Sorry, guys. My mom needs to speak to me alone. I'll be back in a second." She told them before walking away.
"I'm telling ya, it's doomsday. Everything's coming to an end." Husk carried on.
"Husk, I swear, if you don't stop, I'm going to have to slap you," Nifty warned with a raised hand.
"...Oh. That wasn't a joke." Husk realized after a few seconds of thinking about it, earning him a glare.
Watching as the unlikely pair began to go back and forth, Angel Dust decided this was the perfect time to make himself scarce like Charlie.
"Where are you going?" Vagatha inquired, noticing his departure.
"If there aren't any unhinged toga-wearing assassins coming to kill us, I'm going back to bed." Angel Dust replied.
"Unbelievable. He's going to sleep during THIS?" Vagatha questioned with a scoff. "Al, please tell me you're not as crazy." She requested while looking at the Radio Demon.
"Don't worry. I'll be here to keep you company until Charlie returns." Alastor promised with sincerity. "But even if you didn't ask, I wouldn't miss this verbal boxing match between Husk and Nifty." He said, making her chuckle.
"Yeah, you wouldn't," Vagatha responded, knowing that was the perfect entertainment for him.
As Vagatha and Alastor began to spectate the humorous exchange between the Hellcat and cyclops, Angel Dust walked through the ground floor hallway to get to his room. After he went inside, ensuring that no one could hear him now, he went over to his bed and landed on it with a loud THUMP.
"There's no way this has nothing to do with Samuel and his friend..." Angel Dust said with a sigh, now staring at the ceiling. "But I don't have a way to contact them. So, I just gotta wait and hope that-"
FWOOM
Amid his vocalized train of thought, an unfamiliar noise occurred at the foot of Angel Dust's bed. When he moved his gaze down from above, he saw a circular blue portal, which didn't surprise him as he had gone through one just like it a few days ago.
"Alright, these guys have perfect fucking timing, I guess." Angel Dust decided as he sat up, beginning to expect this shit. "First, they save my ass, and now they send for me when I need clarity. They must be able to see into the future from their universe or something." He continued to rattle on while getting up from the bed, followed by a casual stroll to the portal.
However, before entering the rift, Angel Dust had a moment of brilliance, causing him to rush to his room's door.
Click
"There. That should do it." Angel Dust stated, having locked it. "Now, if they come for me, they'll either think I'm snoozing or fucking myself." He added before hurrying back to and through the portal.
Meanwhile, In Heaven...
Pandemonium. A word never once used to describe the state of the Divine realm. But hey, as the saying goes: "There's a first time for everything".
Angels of every sort were moving and flying all over the place. The Exterminators, who had returned from Hell, were either in shock or being told what had happened. Everyone else, such as the souls from Earth, was being swept up in a frenzy, equally confused and panicked. Even God's children, who oversaw Heaven, struggled to keep up with this madness. All the while sharing one thought.
WHERE. BY THEIR FATHER'S NAME. WAS. GABRIEL?!
Meanwhile, In A Different Realm...
Darkness. No better word could be used to describe the domain of Azrael. Otherwise known as the "Angel of Death".
But did it have to be so...lacking in illumination? None of Azrael's siblings ever understood why her realm was so dramatic. Even now, with everything going on, the trio of Lucifer, Michael, and Gabriel couldn't help but ponder that as they were guided to their sister by one of her acolytes. The appearance of whom was hidden by or perhaps was a blackened mass of tattered cloth.
"She should have some candles," Michael commented as he looked around at the literal nothing surrounding them. "I think that would liven the place, don't you?" He asked his brothers.
"I think she needs to quit with the theatrics. We get it. You're the embodiment of death. It stopped being special a long time ago." Gabriel answered.
"Agreed," Lucifer said. "Also, do we ALWAYS have to make this needlessly long trek? Why can't we just open a portal inside her room and see her immediately?" He questioned.
"No one is allowed to enter the mistress's domicile without invitation or permission." The acolyte responded. Its voice, the same as its maker's, was like a ghostly wind blowing into one's ears.
"Not even when Heaven and Hell are figuratively on fire?" Lucifer challenged with a raised brow.
"No." The acolyte replied. Short, simple, and straight to the point.
"Remind me that we're here to talk when we get there. Otherwise, I might forget and attempt to strangle her." Lucifer requested as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Not in the mood for any of this nonsense.
"There, there, everything will be okay," Michael said, attempting to comfort him. "Think of all the times something like this has happened. Before you get snippy with me, I mean regarding the severity of the situation. Not the situation itself." He clarified.
"Admittedly, Michael makes a good point." Gabriel began as his fiery eyes dimmed, an indication he was thinking. "I remember when Lucifer rebelled against father. It was eons before either Heaven or the newly formed Hell were straight again." He recalled, making the devil chuckle.
"Heh, yeah. That was a hectic time." Lucifer responded with a temporary smile. "But still, this is far different. First, it was the Sinners. Now, it's angels. Something is killing people from both realms, and their souls are not returning." He told them. "Gabriel, before we reach Azrael, do you have ANY theories now? Because I am truly lost." He asked.
"Regarding the Sinners, their deaths could've been explained by Divine weaponry. As shameful as it is, some Exterminators have been known to deal with demons in exchange for Hell-only goods. With their offering, of course, being their weapons. But as for how a Sinner could kill an angel, assuming this isn't a Noble gone rogue, I too am at a loss." Gabriel answered.
"And even with the explanation for the Sinners' deaths, I assume there isn't a single weapon in Heaven's arsenal capable of the devastation we've witnessed?" Lucifer inquired.
"That, unfortunately, is correct," Gabriel confirmed with a nod and sigh.
With those words, the brothers' conversation was at its end. Because finally, they arrived at their destination. The Angel of Death's private abode resembled a mausoleum. Yet another pointless effort to make herself and her realm seem intimidating when it was just absurdly dark.
But before any of them could step towards the structure, its doors DRAMATICALLY opened. Complete with slowed movement and the sound of stone grinding against more stone as they moved.
"She has welcomed you." The acolyte informed before taking their leave.
"No. Really? I could've sworn she was opening her doors to let in some fresh." Lucifer sarcastically replied. The acolyte, who continued moving, was not affected by that comment.
"Come...come...let time not waste..." A voice beckoned from within the building.
"By father's fucking name, Azrael..." Lucifer muttered, once again pinching the bridge of his nose while also shutting his eyes.
"Come on. We need to indulge her." Gabriel said. Yet from his tone, you could tell he felt the same as his brother.
Proceeding past the doors and into the room that lay beyond, the doors closed behind them in the same manner as before once they were inside. Enveloped in darkness, which was SUCH a surprise, soon the ONLY light source in this place would appear. Several eyes, too many to count, would begin to shine with a purple glow.
However, it wasn't all at once. Starting near the tip of a tail, revealed as the eyes were lit, they went in sequential order along the body of a serpent-like entity. This ended as the final ones, which were on the creature's head, became illuminated.
"Ah, my brothers, so nice to see you~" The entity greeted, a smile formed with its fang-filled mouth. "And Gabriel, so soon. As your last visit was but day's ago. Tell me, what brings you-"
"Nope. I can't stand it anymore." Lucifer interrupted, catching it by surprise. "Azrael, please, as your brother, I implore you to cut the bullshit." He begged.
"Oh. Okay. I see how it is." Azrael began. Her elegance and mystical demeanor disappeared in an instant. "Whenever I need to go to Heaven or Hell for something, YOU guys get to put on a show. But when you come to MY home, OH NO, I can't even get five minutes! Unbelievable!" Azrael exclaimed.
"That's because I know how to do it properly," Lucifer replied, causing her to gasp.
"And I never do it. I'm just tired of your one-woman shows after an ageless lifetime of having to deal with them." Gabriel stated.
"OH. REALLY? Are you going to try and lie to me? In my realm of all places?" Azrael challenged while pointing her finger at him. "Remind me again, mister justice, WHOSE home looks like it belongs in a black and white movie?" She asked.
"At least I have more than one color so people can see me while I'm working in my office." Gabriel countered.
"Ha! Oh, that was good." Lucifer said, amused by his brother's comeback.
CLAP
Startled by that sudden sound, the arguing siblings looked to the source of the noise and saw Michael with his hands clasped together.
"Guys. You have the rest of eternity for vicious personal attacks. Let's not forget why we're here." Michael told them, having to be the voice of reason.
"Thank you, Michael." Gabriel praised, which did make him smile. "As our brother stated, our gathering is not for family bonding. Let us focus on the chaos unfolding across the realms." He said.
"Allow me to go first, then. What I have to say is short." Azrael requested before continuing. "My acolytes and I have been unable to locate the souls of the Sinners, whose absence you brought to my attention, Gabriel. They are nowhere in all of Creation.
Additionally, before you mention it, we are aware of the Exterminators who've died. As part of the cleansing, we expected to receive Sinners, hence how we knew about these deaths. But while we felt their lives end, we only saw their souls within Hell for the briefest of seconds. At the same moment they were killed, something or someone claimed them. Unfortunately, like the three of you, we have no idea what has caused this mess." She informed.
"So, as we've been worried from the start, something unnatural is unfolding," Lucifer responded. "Should we go and see Father? Surely he should be involved in this." He asked.
"If his assistance were necessary, he would've intervened by now. You know he doesn't wait for us to figure that out." Gabriel answered, causing his brother to sigh.
"Great. That's just super duper. We're left standing here with our hands in our pockets while good old Papa is sitting comfy because it's still within our ability to handle it. GREAT parenting, Dad." Lucifer complained.
"Luci, calm down." Michael said out of concern, knowing his Brother had a temper.
"OH. That'd be amazing! I'm venting about a problem his all-knowing ass could help us with! And in response, he punishes me! Dad of the FUCKING century, folks!" Lucifer exclaimed, progressively losing his composure.
"Lucifer, please, calm down." Gabriel requested, speaking with a compassionate tone rather than commanding. "I understand your frustration. But speaking logically, if our Father is staying out of this, it must be far simpler than we're assuming. We're allowing ourselves to lose focus due to the hysteria that has and will come from this. And it's beginning to affect our thinking." He said.
"I agree with Gabriel," Azrael stated. "As of now, we know nothing. We can stay here as long as we want, which will not change that. So, I believe the best thing we can do as a plan is to have Gabriel and Michael return to Heaven, and I go with Lucifer back to Hell." She suggested.
"Wait, why would you need to come with me?" Lucifer questioned, confused only by that part.
"As I said earlier, whatever's causing this phenomenon takes a soul the moment a life is ended. Although my ability to see these deaths, as more are sure to happen, will not improve by being closer to them. What it will allow me to do is be near your people and begin to familiarize myself with every person. After enough time, I'll know every sentience that resides in Hell. And, by extension, I can detect their movements and actions." Azrael explained.
"Ah. That...is a brilliant plan, Azrael." Lucifer complimented her, making his sister smile.
"Aw, thank you, Lucifer. That's very sweet." Azrael replied, flattered by her brother's kind words.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, Lucifer. But haven't these deaths all been in the same general location?" Gabriel asked.
"Yes. Pentagram City. The capital of my realm." Lucifer answered.
"Hm, then that should make Azrael's plan all the easier. We must put her in a location as close to the city's center as possible. This will hasten her coverage of the murder sites and make it more likely that she'll find the culprit sooner." Gabriel said.
"Hold on, does Luci even have a place he can use for this?" Michael inquired. "Think about it. If the king of Hell suddenly appears in the middle of the city amidst this crisis or claims a random building that would serve the plan, it'll make things more difficult for us." He pointed out.
"...Oh...fucking...shit..." Lucifer cursed under his breath while throwing his head back, eyes shut tighter than ever.
"Lucifer? What's wrong?" Azrael asked as they all looked at him.
"...I...know...a place...you can stay..." Lucifer revealed through gritted teeth, accompanied by a horrid migraine.