Technology. As strange as it may sound, Charlie was immensely fascinated by it. But not because she was an inventor or an expert in that subject. Her curiosity and desire to learn more about technology came from her life as the Devil's daughter and a member of God's family.
Even though Lucifer and Lilith were no strangers to inventions and machines, like the rest of Charlie's kin, they didn't need to rely on them as humans would. When Charlie scraped her knee as a child, Lucifer could snap his fingers, and it'd be healed. When the Magnes wanted to go somewhere and not waste time by driving, they could open a portal ANYWHERE in Hell and arrive there instantaneously.
Who needs technology when you have both magic AND powers inherited by your father, who is quite literally the ultimate being, at your disposal? Nevertheless, some contraptions did offer conveniences and luxuries, such as cell phones or television. However, with that said, Charlie's abilities were nowhere close to either her mother or father. Regarding healing magic, she could only tackle small cuts and bruises at her skill level.
That limited range might've been enough to address the wound the armored man gave himself, yet Charlie didn't offer it because she felt it would be inappropriate. Despite her still limited knowledge of who these people were and what was going on, one thing had been made abundantly clear due to the recent demonstration. The silent man did not care for Demons. Of course, that Baron was much different from the people of Charlie's Hell, but it was safer to assume the armored man's hatred extended to more than just it and the other creatures in...Doom?
That detail, among countless others, Charlie would need to commit to memory. With the most pressing being to learn the armored man's name. But first, before that, her focus was on the wonderful technologic marvels surrounding her. Each one filled her mind with a plethora of questions and an abundance of excitement because it was so indescribably amazing.
"I've never seen anything like this..." Charlie said aloud as she examined an apparatus. "I can't even tell what it does. I...think it's a blood pressure checker?" She guessed.
The device in question was mounted on the wall. It had a screen and a mechanical component that suggested one would need to put their arm inside. However, to answer her inquiry, the armored man shook his head. Unfortunately, without a better communication method, Charlie would have to ask again later when a proper response was possible.
"Huh, okay," Charlie said as she spent a few more seconds trying to figure it out before getting back on track. "I'll figure it out later. Right now, we need to fix your hand. So, where are the medical supplies?" She asked.
In reaction, the armored man walked past her to a nearby cabinet. Opening one of its drawers and reaching inside, he'd extract a handheld device with a trigger mechanism, a spray nozzle, and a cartridge/tube of an unknown substance. Walking back to Charlie, he gave her the object. Afterward, with his non-injured hand, he'd demonstrate that she was meant to spray it slowly over his wound by moving the item above the palm from one side to the other.
"Ah. It's sort of like an anti-bacterial spray." Charlie guessed, understanding the application. "Alright. Take off your glove." She ordered, ready to get started.
In reply, the armored man nodded and proceeded to do just that. With a twist and light tug, the glove and the armor covering the forearm were free from the suit. Yet as he began to remove it, Charlie had to keep herself from gasping or showing any other signs of surprise. However, it wasn't because he was human; Samuel revealed that information earlier during his first explanation in his office.
It was the state of the armored man's hand and forearm. Both parts were covered in many scars. Some were old, having faded and healed to the point they blended quite well with the skin. But the others were far more recent, a few to a concerning degree.
If Charlie hadn't seen that fight between this man and the Baron, which hinted at a past filled with combat, this would've been that indicator. Of course, this led to a new question forming in her thoughts. If such a plentiful amount of marks received from conflict were on ONE hand and forearm, what did the rest of the armored man look like under his suit? How physically damaged was he?
Snap
With a blink, Charlie refocused on the world around her. She'd been temporarily distracted by the history of battle on the armored man's appendage. Resulting in her staring at it while holding it as he stood there waiting for her to do something.
"Sorry." Charlie apologized with a blush, realizing what had happened.
In response, the armored man shrugged, hopefully conveying that it wasn't a big deal. Thankfully, Charlie received the message. She showed this by giving him a friendly smile. With that bit of awkwardness out of the way, she got on with his healing his hand.
The wound was peculiar, which made sense, given how it came to be. A perfect line of impressions of his gloved fingertips was in the palm. Even after the travel time to the medical room, it still had a decent blood flow.
"Here we go..." Charlie whispered to herself as she squeezed the device's trigger. Hoping that she didn't mess this up somehow.
Moving it from one side of the hand to the other as she was instructed, Charlie was met with yet another astounding sight. The unknown substance, visually, was like a spider's webbing. It left the nozzle and attached itself to the armored man's skin, flawlessly filling in the impressions. When it was done, the substance, which was light blue, appeared to be drying instantly.
"What is this stuff?" Charlie asked with amazement while watching the substance do...whatever it was meant to.
"Synthetic skin cells." A female voice answered, coming from behind her.
The unexpectedness of a new voice made Charlie jump, followed by her swiftly turning around to see who had spoken. Standing there, at a distance of roughly a foot or two, was the female Sinner that had been with Samuel and the armored man this entire time.
"Forgive me. I didn't mean to startle you." The Sinner apologized before she put a hand on her chest. "Samuel sent me to check in with you two since we saw you leave the chamber together, yet you didn't return to the observation room." She explained.
"Oh. Yeah, that makes sense." Charlie said, only now realizing how odd it must've been that she and the armored man suddenly disappeared somewhere. "I'm sorry, too. I should've told you what we were doing." She apologized.
"It's quite alright. You were with Doomguy. So, we knew you were safe and in good hands." The Sinner replied with an assuring smile.
"...Doomguy?..." Charlie questioned as she turned back to the armored man. "That's...your name?" She asked.
To answer her, the armored man nodded.
"If I may." The Sinner interjected, regaining her attention. "Doomguy received that name from the former employees of Samuel. It was what they called him as there were no items or objects recovered from Doom that told them what his actual name is." She informed.
"And he hasn't told it to you either?" Charlie inquired.
"No. Doomguy doesn't want to share his past, even with us. Which, as you'll hopefully learn soon, is understandable." The Sinner responded.
"Hopefully?" Charlie questioned, as that word choice was strange.
"To be blunt, even I've yet to become aware of everything that's happened. But that isn't due to Samuel or Doomguy keeping me out of the loop. After expressing my desire to help them, Samuel gifted me a considerable pile of codexes to study. Digital records, so you're aware. During the last two weeks, I've managed to get through most of them. I know fully why the UAC, the organization Samuel is the leader of, is on Mars. I've also come to understand a LOT about Doom. However, I'm still learning about each unique species of Demon native to the realm, and I've yet to start on the Codex containing the information of what transpired before I arrived. At the request of Samuel that it be the last one I examine." The Sinner explained.
"...Wait," Charlie said after a few seconds of processing her words. "Did...you say we're on Mars? Isn't that a planet in the same solar system as Earth?" She asked.
"Yes. But it's not the Mars of OUR solar system. Which, I assume, you already figured out when I said it." The Sinner confirmed with a nod.
"Hoo. There's still so much to learn, isn't there?" Charlie asked with a somewhat exhausted-looking expression. Making the Sinner chuckle.
"I'm afraid so." The Sinner answered. "But I promise, it will be easier than it seems, especially with Samuel explaining everything. He takes great care to ensure everyone understands, not just those of his or a similar intellect." She vowed.
"I hope so," Charlie said, followed by a smile. "So, should we get going? I don't think we need to do more to patch up Doomguy's hand." She inquired.
"Well...just a moment." The Sinner replied as she looked at Doomguy. "Would...it be alright if I looked at it? Or would that make you uncomfortable?" She requested.
In response, Doomguy shook his head, much to her relief. However, he and Charlie quickly noticed that the Sinner's intention was not to study the wound but the countless scars on his hand and forearm. Yet, just like with Charlie, Doomguy didn't mind. Ignoring the mystery of his appearance and that anyone would want to see more of him if given the opportunity, having people be surprised by his past injuries was entirely expected.
"Do...they still hurt?..." The Sinner quietly asked, almost seeming scared to voice her question. "There's just...so many on this arm alone..." She noted.
To answer her, Doomguy did something that Charlie wasn't expecting. Although she'd been told by Samuel earlier, she had forgotten Doomguy knew sign language. Apparently, the Sinner knew it too, as that is how he answered her question.
"What is he saying?" Charlie inquired, unable to interpret the gestures he performed.
"...He...says he doesn't know." The Sinner hesitantly informed her, keeping her eyes on Doomguy's hands. "His entire body used to be in pain...all the time...but now...he's not sure if it has faded...or if it's just become so normal...he can't feel it anymore..." She told her.
Hearing that floored Charlie. Despite barely knowing this man, such a statement caused her heart to sink into her stomach. However, it also raised a very concerning question. One that she needed immediate clarity on.
"Doomguy," Charlie spoke up, getting him to look at her. "Is...that why you didn't stop squeezing your hand? Did it not hurt?" She asked.
For that inquiry, Doomguy didn't need to use more sign language. All he did was nod. Giving both women the saddening truth they already suspected. But before either of them could say more on this topic, Doomguy signed something to the Sinner, which would change the subject of the conversation.
"Oh! You're right." The Sinner exclaimed as she moved her gaze to Charlie. "I've yet to introduce myself to you properly. My apologies." She said before bowing her head slightly. "My name is Olivia Mayberry. It's a pleasure to meet you as myself finally." She introduced.
"Charlie Magne. Although, that's already been established." Charlie replied with another smile, feeling it was only polite to also give an introduction.
During that brief exchange, Doomguy reattached his glove to his suit. When the women noticed this, they assumed that was his way of telling them they should get going.
"Right. We do need to return to Samuel. I'm sure he's wondering what's taking so long." Olivia agreed.
"Oh! Yeah. I almost forgot about that..." Charlie admitted with an awkward smile.
With Doomguy's hand treated and their current fixation on the state of his body put aside (for now), the trio left the infirmary and headed for the tram. Olivia explained in transit that Samuel had taken Angel Dust and Cherri back to his office to wait. After about eight minutes of travel, including their departure from the tram when they reached the building, the trio were back at the office's door.
"Ah. There you are." Samuel greeted them when it opened.
"Hey, Charlie." Angel Dust greeted her as well. "Where'd you and the big guy get off to?" He asked immediately, having been curious about it this entire time.
"Well...uh...Doomguy...hurt himself...so I wanted to treat the injury..." Charlie nervously answered, unsure how they'd react when they heard this.
"Whoa. So you CAN get hurt." Cherri said with genuine surprise. "But how'd you hurt yourself? It didn't seem like anything happened while you two were talking." She inquired.
To answer her, Doomguy repeated the action of squeezing his fist. He even did so fairly tightly to indicate the level of strength that he used. However, he made sure not to go as far as before, just enough to get the message across.
"Damn. You're hardcore, dude." Cherri complimented him with a grin. "You know, there's someone back home that I'd LOVE you to meet." She mentioned, only to receive a swift smack upside her head from her bestie. "OW!" She exclaimed.
"Cher, while I'd LOVE to see Pentious scared shitless, the big guy's not a gun. We can't just point him at things and say shoot." Angel Dust scolded.
"I don't know. That worked for me quite well." Samuel confessed with a chuckle. "But we can discuss that at a later time. I think it would be best to resume our conversation regarding our situation." He said.
"Likewise. Now that my head's not spinning and I can see straight, I'd like to hear everything else you have to say." Charlie replied. "Oh. And also, I'm sorry for the way I acted. I've already apologized to Doomguy, but not to you. I was needlessly rude." She told him.
"Charlie, you have nothing to be regretful of. This meeting of our realities is an unprecedented event for all of us." Samuel assured. "However, before anything else, I'd like to talk more about the Grimoire and what I've discovered through my experiments. Do you object?" He asked.
"Not at all. After what you said in the observation room, I'd also like to know more about that." Charlie said as she got closer to hear him better.
"Yeah, like how the book's power is the same as Doom's or whatever," Cherri recalled. "What does that fully mean, exactly?" She inquired.
"Sadly, I cannot provide any clarity on that. Although the tests conducted did yield many results, each was perplexing in its own right. With that said, I have reached a theory. Should it prove true, I'm not certain what we'll do with the realization." Samuel started.
"Geez, must be a Hell of a theory." Angel Dust commented, only to have his eyes widen a second later. "And that wasn't a pun! I swear!" He quickly exclaimed afterward.
"Indeed, it is," Samuel confirmed before continuing. "But to explain it in a way that all present can follow, I'll use the objects on my desk as a visual aid. Please, direct your attention there." He requested.
As all eyes fell onto the desktop, they saw four items. Two glass coverings, the kind that would be used to preserve and display scientific specimens. Then, beneath them were similarly identical metal spheres the size of large marbles.
"Before we acquired the Grimoire and I began studying it, my perception of our universes was that they are isolated. The glass coverings represent two different realities, and the spheres are meant to be viewed as the universes within them. The one on the left encompasses ours and Doom. The second is the same; it is yours and the Hell you know. Now, as I stated, I was under the assumption that these universes were completely different. Although having similarities, the overall function and natural laws in place are not the same. The mere existence of Doom and your Hell is enough to reach this conclusion.
But when unknown forces from within Doom attempted to form a connection with the Grimoire, revealing that it was possible, it drastically changed everything. Furthermore, only two explanations can exist to make sense of what transpired. The powers of both Hells are almost identical. Or, the more shocking of the two, they are. Regardless of which, this completely re-contextualized our universes. They do not exist in entirely separate spaces. Instead, they share one far larger than we could have ever conceived." Samuel explained.
For a brief moment, Samuel stopped speaking. He did so as he lifted the glass coverings from the spheres.
"If this theory proves true, that would mean the realities, represented by the glasses, were created to keep us apart. Who made them? What was their reasoning? Did anyone do it, or was it a natural occurrence? These, along with countless more questions, must be asked. However, of all of them, one demands investigation more than any other. The nature of Doom and your Hell. Both have Demons, are sources of Sin, and are a manifestation of evil itself. But unlike your Hell, Doom has no counterpart. There are no Angels. No gods. No Divine realm where the innocent are sent when their lives end. And, if I am to be fully transparent, neither myself nor my partner knows what happens when we die in our universe. So, as horrid as it might be to consider, all death within it may send souls to Doom. Regardless of whether or not any of the Demons are directly responsible.
This brings us back to your universe and the existence of both Heaven and Hell. If my theory is correct, both are smaller than they seem. Rather than being the space surrounding the sphere, they are contained within it. This would make sense, given the amount of control Charlie's father, Lucifer, has over Hell. But how and where did he get this power? The answer is the entity you all refer to as God. Yet as our universe lacks such a being, apart from the master of Doom, what precisely is your God? Is he aware of us? If so, why has he not told Charlie or any other member of her family? If he's unaware, then is he truly God? How can he be Omniscient if he knows nothing of us? Only your God would be capable of addressing these questions.
However, there is still one thing left to ponder. Doom. Is it the same as your Hell and Heaven? Contained within our sphere, no greater than it appears? I'm doubtful. Based on everything my partner and I have learned about Doom, its existence predates history. Texts and other records kept by Doom's inhabitants describe witnessing universes and worlds appear from nothing that they would then invade. Unless your Hell and Heaven are close to the same age, this implies they came to be long after Doom. And if that's true, that means the space both of our universes inhabit is Doom itself. It IS the one true reality that we all unknowingly share." Samuel concluded.
Everyone, even Doomguy, was shocked by that lecture. What was assumed to be, up until this point, two different realities was not. At least if Samuel's theory was true. But given everything they knew or had recently learned, that possibility was probable.
Of course, as Samuel had said, there were still FAR too many unknowns and confusions. And again, just as he had stated, there was ultimately only ONE entity who could help clear it all up. But...no one knew anything about Charlie's grandfather, not even her! Whenever she asked her father or another family member for her entire life, they all told Charlie that God was EXTREMELY private.
Even when it came to his children, God never appeared before them as himself. He always projected an image, always varying, to his offspring or anyone else he reached out to. As for where God was, physically or otherwise, it was an Ivory Tower. Lucifer and his siblings have always assumed he was at the top so that he could see out unto all of Creation.
But if that was true, then Samuel's inquiries regarding his knowledge of Doom were all the more pressing. Why would God not mention Doom's existence if he knew about it? The key word there is IF. Because if he didn't, then...was God truly God?
All-powerful. All-knowing. All-present. That is what God was meant to be. Yet the only way ANY of that remained true is IF he deliberately lied and was secretive. Because if it was the opposite, then everything Charlie and the others from her reality knew was a lie.
That, more than anything else, made Charlie feel sick. So much so that she was concerned she might vomit. Thankfully, before that could happen, Doomguy helped her again. After getting her attention, he made the same up-and-down gesture with his hand in front of his abdomen, telling her to breathe in and out.
"Charlie, are you alright?" Samuel asked as they all noticed this.
"...No..." Charlie slowly answered. Her eyes were closed as she focused on her breathing, trying desperately to keep her body from succumbing to her frantic emotions. "It's...all so much to process...because no matter what the truth ultimately is...it's...upsetting..." She said.
"I'm sorry that what I've shared has caused such a reaction from you. It was never my intention to create so much discomfort." Samuel apologized.
"It's not your fault...none of this is..." Charlie replied, barely opening her eyes so she could look at him. "You and Doomguy are just trying to make sense of it all. You haven't been telling and showing me these things to upset me. I'm sure of that now, beyond any doubt." She told him.
"Even so, there's one part that's REALLY fucking with my head." Angel Dust interjected. "But not because I'm not following like before. If Samuel's theory is right, then...everything is inside Doom. Like, it's the REAL afterlife. But...what does that mean for our Hell and Heaven? Are they not the afterlife too? Or are they some specific type of thing I don't know the name of?" He questioned.
"If we were to categorize them, it might be accurate to say that they are dimensions. Perhaps, even of the pocket variety. A smaller space or layer within a universe which has different properties than the universe in which it exists." Samuel responded.
"...Ah. So...it's like the glasses and spheres you just got done explaining, but on a slightly smaller scale." Angel Dust pieced together.
"Yes. Very good, Angel." Samuel praised him, causing the Spider Demon to grin.
"Thanks, Sammy." Angel Dust said, proud he didn't need another separate explanation like last time.
"Question," Cherri spoke up, even going so far as to raise her hand. "If the powers both Hells use are the same, shouldn't Lucifer have some awareness of Doom? Because isn't the Devil supposed to be Hell itself, in a way?" She asked.
"I'm...not sure..." Charlie answered instead of Samuel. Which made sense, given it was her father they were talking about. "I know that my Aunt is in-tune with her realm. Dad can manipulate Hell in whatever way he wants. But maybe he only has that kind of connection and awareness concerning OUR Hell. How that works out, we'd need Samuel to explain it." She told her.
"Can you?" Cherri challenged, eager to hear it if he had it.
"I can. Fortunately, it's very simple." Samuel assured as he picked up the glass coverings again. "Using these as a visual aid once more, controlling a space or reality is entirely dependent on the power of an individual. However, if said person were to create the domain, regardless of ability, they'd have complete control. I assume your Father, Charlie, created your Hell?" He asked.
"After Dad and Grandpa had their fight, it was Grandpa who created the realm for my Dad and Mom to inhabit. From there, Dad would turn it into Hell. As for how it changed over time, that was due to the appearance and arrival of Hellspawn and Sinners. Their actions and wants would influence the state of Hell over time. Even so, Dad always has the final say on any alterations made. He IS its ruler, after all." Charlie answered.
"So then, it IS possible that despite the power similarities, Lucifer would have no idea that Doom exists." Olivia chimed in, a hand placed on her chin as she thought. "But what about Doom? Wouldn't they be able to, in a sense, feel Lucifer's existence? Just as they did with the Grimoire when it got within a certain distance of the Helix Stone?" She inquired.
"If the mysterious powers at play didn't exist, then yes. But remember, everyone, that all of this has happened purely by chance. Rifts caused by remaining Hell energy from Doom after our altercation with them managed to tear through whatever separates our universes. It is likely that because the power is the same, the portal led to your Hell and not your Earth or elsewhere within your universe. But that would need to be verified when we have more information. That also applies to the aforementioned unknown forces. Is it nature? Is it someone's influence and action? We won't know until we confront your God. Which will undoubtedly take a very long time." Samuel explained.
"You know, I'm calling it right now; God's full of shit." Angel Dust commented as he folded his arms. "As you said, Sammy. He's supposed to be all-knowing. And yet, here we are, talking about him and all this other crap. He's nowhere to be found. If he DOES know we're chatting about this stuff, why isn't he showing up to set the record straight? Because he'd also know we'll be looking into this." He pointed out.
"Yeah, I'd like to know that too." Cherri agreed. "But it's not like we can suddenly DEMAND to see God of all people. Plus, we'd have to get into Heaven, which is NEVER happening." She added.
Suddenly, Doomguy stepped forward. Without any further actions or gestures, it was clear what he was trying to say.
"Easy, now," Samuel told him with a hand raised. "I know you're quick to use the direct method to accomplish our goals. But I don't think storming the Gates of Heaven would send the right message." He said.
"Samuel's right." Charlie agreed. "If we're going to try and solve all of these mysteries and answer all our questions, we need to be civil. And, since I AM the princess of Hell and a member of God's family, I can easily arrange a meeting with my Dad. Once we show him everything you've shown us and explain everything, I'm certain he'll help us. So will my other relatives." She offered. "However, if we do that, things will get even crazier than they already are back home." She added.
"Are you referring to the investigation you're conducting? About the missing Demons and Angels?" Samuel inquired.
"..."
"..."
"...WAIT!" Charlie shouted after a few seconds as her eyes shot open. "YOU! IT WAS YOU, WASN'T IT!?" She asked with an accusatory finger pointed at both Samuel and Doomguy. The realization struck her like a runaway freight train.
"Holy fucking shit, Charlie." Angel Dust said with a dumbfounded expression. "Did you JUST figure out that these guys are responsible for that?" He inquired.
"Now, now. There's no need to get so excited." Samuel intervened to keep things under control. "I'm sure that the missing persons weren't on Charlie's mind at any point before now. Her shock at this discovery is entirely understandable." He suggested in her defense.
"Still, you think she would've put two and two together by now." Angel Dust argued, still amazed it took her this long.
"Where are they?" Charlie asked, now focused on the souls. "Are they okay? You've been treating them well, right? Do they know what's going on?" She pressed at a rapid rate.
"Slow your roll, girl." Angel Dust stepped in, fielding this for Samuel. "They haven't been torturing them if that's what you're worried about. Even though about half of'em deserve it..." He answered, muttering that last bit.
"Why? What did they do?" Charlie inquired, noticing the obvious animosity the Spider Demon had.
"Angel can fill you in on all the details," Samuel replied, getting their attention back on him. "Additionally, as I assume you'd want to, Olivia could take you to where the souls are being kept. So that you may see for yourself that they are in fine condition." He offered.
"Yes. I'd greatly appreciate that." Charlie accepted with an enthusiastic nod.
"What about me?" Cherri asked while pointing to herself. "I don't care about some halo-wearing feather dusters and a bunch of random fuckheads. So, will I sit here in your office or?..." She added.
"If you'd prefer, my associate can show you some more species from Doom we couldn't bring to my office due to their size. Although I must warn you, they are quite ghastly." Samuel suggested.
"Pfft. Dude, I blow people up. It'll take a LOT to make me squeamish." Cherri assured with a scoff and a dismissive hand gesture.
"I see. Then there are no issues. Unless you have any objections?" Samuel said, voicing that question to his partner.
In reply, Doomguy shook his head.
"Well then, off you go," Samuel told them. "When both parties are done, return here again. We'll choose how best to move forward once everyone's curiosity has been fully sated for the time being." He decided.
Having no issues or problems with that, the two groups left the room. Leaving Samuel to prepare for whatever their course of action would be.