Heaven is a Paradise of fantastical description. Every mortal soul envisioned their version of the perfect eternity, a realm in which they could spend all their time feeling joy while experiencing anything their souls desired. However, whether we examine the true version of Heaven or those conceived by mortal minds, there is one consistency across them all: dictations of conduct that determine whether or not a mortal has earned a place within the endless splendor that Heaven provides.
Yet, there is an important distinction between the true Heaven and those formed within mortal imaginations. Opinions or preferences did not define Heaven's decree of what is good or evil. There was no subjectivity to be had when it came to passing judgment on souls. Unlike mortals, whose values and morality were as concrete as the wind, those of Divine origin possessed the ability to see every aspect of a soul's essence. Simply put, these entities could view the exact quantities of Purity and Corruption.
During their lives, mortals toiled at what they believed to be concepts: Right & Wrong, Good & Evil, Sin & Virtue. Yet, Purity and Corruption, their true designations, were tangible forces brought into being with the emergence of the Almighty Ones. Their very existence defined Creation and its components, which included those already mentioned.
Thus, when mortal souls arrived upon their deaths, there was no room for error or a miscarriage of a fair and just ruling. If somehow the Heavenborns assigned to the task ever felt uncertain, they could easily consult the Almighty Ones. Of course, that statement is only meant to address that hypothetical rather than acknowledge its legitimate possibility. Never had there been any issues with Heaven or Hell, and never had there been a soul who received an undeserved outcome.
Charlotte Magne, the Princess of Inferno, was no less knowledgeable about any of this information than her family. Whether we examine her Father, Mother, or Grandparents, everyone knows everything about the history of Creation and its many operations. So, if that's all true, why does Charlotte find herself where she is at present? In a waiting room that led to the office of a beloved and trusted family friend.
Not only that, but Charlotte does not sit alone in this space. Beside her on a beautifully carved bench was a Sinful soul, commonly referred to as a Sinner. The soul in question took on the appearance of an anthropomorphic spider, a sight that would startle any mortal, clad in white fur with speckles of pink throughout. Additionally, this arachnid is dressed in a mixture of formal wear and sensual clothing. More specifically, it was a suit jacket with a skirt that left little to the imagination.
Charlotte wore the more traditional version of her companion's attire: a full-body suit with pants that concealed her legs topped off with finely polished shoes. In stark contrast, the spider's legs were covered in stockings, while the footwear was nothing. That isn't to suggest the arachnid's feet were bare, mind you. The shape of the Sinner's legs from the knees down was meant to serve the function of shoes, meaning they didn't have to wear any.
Returning to the larger scene at play, this unlikely duo is waiting with bated breath for their meeting with a high Angel named Sera. As stated, she's a close friend of the Magne family, who were the leaders of Hell. She's also among the first Heavenborn crafted by the Almighty Ones, making her one of the most important and respected people within the Divine realm. Relevant to this situation, Sera was responsible for a group known as "Exorcists".
Originally proposed by the first mortal man, the idea was approved by the High Angels and the Almighty Ones. Exorcists, as their name suggests, conduct Exorcisms during a yearly event that possesses the same name, only without the "s" at the end. The purpose of this practice is to deal with the "wastes" that inhabit Hell.
The quotations are used because that is how Sinners were commonly addressed by everyone else, including the King and Queen of Inferno. Naturally, "wastes" was not the only descriptor in circulation, but the complete list would run far too long to transcribe. Those who were judged unworthy refused to do anything to better themselves. Hell was meant to be a punishment and a forceful reflection of one's self. But, as time went on, the Sinners persisted in their refusal to acknowledge their faults and work towards betterment and would rather wallow in their lowly lives.
However, that brings us back to the original question: Why is Princess Charlotte Magne in Heaven with a Sinner? Did she object to the Exorcism? Was she opposed to the perception that Sinners were disgusting degenerates? Was she at odds with her kin over conflicting emotions and opinions?
No. Only a fool would think that. As the Princess of Hell, Charlotte knew what Sinners were and why they were there. She did not gaze upon a population of misunderstood rejects or falsely accused innocents. Murderers, rapists, pedophiles, warmongers, slavers, abusers, criminals, and so many more wretched kinds of souls comprised the Sinners. Every single individual earned their Damnation. On that matter, Charlotte's stance was no different than anyone else's.
The meeting with Sera was not requested to try and end the Exorcism. The process showed immediate results when it was put into action and has only found continued success with time's passage. The motivation behind all of this sat beside Charlotte on the bench. The Sinner, whose name was Angel Dust.
"Breathe, Angel," Charlotte advised with a comforting smile. Her hand rested on her companion's right thigh to hopefully ease his disturbed soul further.
"That's easy for you to say, Charlie..." Angel Dust whispered, referring to her by a nickname she offered to improve their familiarity. "You've probably been through here hundreds of times. Me? I've only pictured this place in my dreams..." He told her.
"Does it live up to them?" Charlotte asked.
"Charlie, having clean air is enough to make the real thing better. Everything else I'm seeing goes beyond it." Angel Dust answered, making her chuckle.
"Then you don't dream very big," Charlotte remarked. "Angel, when we get you up here, you'll be able to do whatever you want." She promised.
"IF, Charlie. IF. IF." Angel Dust countered, still overcome with stress. "What if the lady we're meeting takes one look at me and rejects the idea right then and there?" He inquired.
"That won't happen. I know Sera, and I mean that," Charlotte assured him. "Sera can be stern when needed, but that is not her attitude all the time. She's reasonable and courteous." She insisted.
"So, the exact opposite of me, then." Angel Dust said.
"Hey, don't do that," Charlotte ordered with a serious expression. "You're doing more than ANY Sinner before you. That alone has proven to Sera and others that this isn't a stupid joke or a waste of time." She stated.
"Others? Like who?" Angel Dust questioned.
"For starters, my Mom and Dad," Charlotte revealed, surprising her companion. "Then, you have my Grandma and Grandpa. Although they've left the decision-making to Sera, they're still informed about what we're trying to do. If it were impossible or they believed that you somehow tricked me, we wouldn't be sitting here right now," She went on.
"...Seriously?..." Angel Dust muttered, barely audible. "The...The big ones...the...very first souls...they...know about me?..." He asked.
"Mhm. My Grandparents likely know everything about you by now, as do my folks. Again, it's not as if you COULD deceive me, but my family wanted to be sure regardless. If they found anything that concerned them, no matter how small, we would've been confronted." Charlotte answered.
"By confronted, I assume you mean subjected to unfathomable torture for trying to pull a con job on the Devil's Daughter..." Angel Dust corrected, feeling indescribable dread at the thought.
"I mean, I didn't want to say that. You've got enough on your mind," Charlotte replied with a sympathetic smile as he sighed.
click
That was the sound of the office doors' handles moving. Instantly, Angel Dust straightened his posture and checked his hair. Mainly, he ensured that his plentiful bangs didn't hide his face. As for Charlotte, she only turned to look at the doors with her companion while keeping her hand on his lap. When they stood, she'd hold his hand to continue affirming that they were in this together.
When the doors were open, revealing who was on the other side, Angel Dust entered a trance. The flawless beauty of a Heavenborn soul was amazing. No amount of drawings, paintings, or photographs could capture what it was like to be in the presence of such an entity. As this figure moved forward, he slowly returned to his senses and comprehended their appearance.
Sera easily towered Angel Dust and Charlotte. Yet, her height did not make her intimidating. From the natural shine that emanated from her soul to the warmth of her expression, Sera presented an image of grace that carried an aura of sincerity. In summary, she was the ideal Heavenborn.
The most notable finer details of Sera's visage were her gorgeously smooth ebony skin and the massive wave of long curled silver hair on her backside. Angel Dust felt an irresistible desire to be held by this woman, but not in a lecherous way. Sera's natural state enticed any soul to feel calm and give themselves to her so that she could aid them. All Heavenborns possessed this ability, but it became more potent as their souls grew in power. For an Angel such as Sera, who was nearly as old as the Almighty Ones, she had few equals in that measurement.
"Greetings, Charlotte & Guest," Sera stated when she was but a few feet away. Her lips were curved in a gentle smile.
"Guest? Don't you know who he is?" Charlotte inquired, pointing at the Sinner next to her.
"Your Grandparents have only assured me that this soul is not a trickster. Both they and I believed it would be better for this person to tell me about themselves rather than read about them from a carefully written description." Sera said.
"Oh! That's perfect!" Charlotte exclaimed, surprised yet delighted by this revelation. "Once you see and hear Angel for yourself, you'll be on board." She vowed.
"Angel?" Sera questioned.
"Angel Dust is his full name. It's easier to say the first part in conversation," Charlotte explained.
"Ah, of course." Sera responded, now looking at the Sinner. "Tis a pleasure, Angel." She greeted.
"..." Angel Dust stared wide-eyed at the Seraph with an open jaw. "...You're...incredible..." He whispered, making her giggle.
"Why, thank you," Sera said. She was used to these reactions, but it never failed to amuse her. "Shall we go inside to continue?" She suggested, gesturing to her office.
Charlotte nodded in reply. Afterward, she and Sera walked into the room. Angel Dust stumbled behind the Princess as she needed to pull him along by the hand. The poor man was too lost in his daze, which persisted until he sat down.
But before that, Charlotte was abruptly halted by a discovery she made. Sneakily, Sera had brought along two more faces to this conference. One was hidden and a stranger to Charlotte, while the other was just as familiar and loved as Sera.
"Charlie!" A woman resembling Sera squealed with joy when she saw the Royal from Hell. Immediately, she hurried over to her so that they could hug.
This overwhelmingly zestful soul was Emily. Just like her Sister, she was a Seraph. Appearance-wise, there were very few differences. Emily was short, had straighter hair, and appeared more youthful for obvious reasons. She and Charlotte were born around the same time, and due to Sera's association with the Princess's family, they essentially grew up together as childhood friends. If asked, both Emily and Charlotte may say that they perceived each other as siblings. That's how deep their bond was.
"Emily!" Charlotte greeted with a grin, welcoming the embrace. "What're you doing here?" She asked.
"Sorry, I can't tell you, Sis made me swear to secrecy," Emily answered while squeezing the woman. "But I PROMISE that it's nothing bad or serious. Well, serious in a negative way." She added.
"Ahem," Sera cleared her throat. "I'm sorry to interrupt, girls, but we do need to get to business." She reminded them.
"Right! Sorry." Emily apologized, feeling responsible.
"It's alright. I'd be doing the same if this were a casual encounter," Sera replied, making her Sister smile.
A minute of silence followed. Charlotte and Angel Dust, who was back to normal, took their seats. Sera sat behind her desk while Emily rejoined the company of the second unexpected guest. Charlotte didn't comment on this person since they were Emily's bodyguard and attendant. Fittingly, for the topic at hand, this individual was an Exorcist as well. Nothing could be discerned about their appearance since they were dressed in uniform, which concealed them entirely.
"We have all gathered for the same purpose. Princess Charlotte Magne of Inferno has come here with a proposal. Myself and Emily, who are Seraphim, have been tasked with listening to the idea. The Exorcist standing beside Emily must also be present as it is their duty. They've been briefed on the matter and have vowed to keep this information to themselves and the involved parties.
To start, we will hear from the Sinner who has accompanied Princess Charlotte. They will introduce themselves, provide a summary of their past, and enlighten us on what has compelled them to be the first Sinner in history to seek Redemption actively. During this period, none of us will interrupt them with questions or commentary. Afterward, I will act as the main speaker and will only permit others to do so should they be addressed directly." Sera stated as she placed her arms atop her desk with her hands intertwined at the fingers. "Sinner, you may begin." She told them.
"Uh, th-thank you, your Divineness," Angel Dust responded, having to gulp as there was a lump in his throat.
Everyone watched Angel Dust take a moment to steady his soul and prepare for his speech. After a few breaths, he looked directly into Sera's eyes so she would know she had his full attention.
"To prevent any suspicion, my real name isn't Angel Dust. It's Anthony. However, I've been called Angel Dust ever since I became the property of another Sinner by the name of Valentino. When I use the word property, I mean it literally. To save us all some time, Valentino's a predator. He knows how to find prey and how to trap'em. Val, as I'll refer to him from now, was the first decent person I met in Hell. During my life, I had a short list of skills, one of which was using my body. Val, given his profession, could see that even without me doing anything. From there, things were great. We went on dates, we had sex, and it felt like I had finally found something good for the first time. I was happy. Genuinely happy. Then, Val suggested I show all of Hell what I could do, which involved me signing a contract. I trusted him. I really did. Val said it was necessary, but that was a lie. Once I signed my name, it was like a switch had been flipped.
Again, to save you the sob story, I'll just list all the things Val made me do after he got me on a leash. Prostitution, stripping, porn, personal sex toy, personal stress toy, and whatever specific thing he thought of that day. As you'd assume, I wasn't happy anymore. But, of course, I was screwed. Soul contracts can only be broken in three ways. One, you fulfill the written agreement. Two, the contractor lets you go. Three, someone with an even greater amount of power breaks the contract for you. I had no conditions to complete. Val would never release me. My only friend is a woman named Cherri Bomb, and she was nowhere close to Val's level. So, that was my eternity. I just had to grit my teeth and accept it. I wouldn't even be able to rely on the Exorcisms because Val always kept me close when those happened. There was no way out.
Then, my luck changed. Val was on a bad trip. Er, for those who may not know, when I say trip, I mean he was under the effects of VERY strong drugs. When Val gets like that, his mind comes up with all kinds of sick and twisted crap that he can put his employees through. Despite being his favorite, I wasn't exempt from that. Several hours later, I'm walking out of the studio, covered in bruises, can't feel my legs, and I'm barely staying conscious. I made it to the center of Lust's capital before I hit the pavement. I knew no one would care, even though I was famous. All I wanted was to be ignored for just a while, long enough for me to have a nap before I dragged myself to my apartment. To my surprise, I see a set of shoes stop in front of me. When I saw who they were carrying, I nearly had a heart attack.
Very few people in Hell are pretty. Depending on your preference, maybe those of you here would say I'm attractive. Yet, there are a handful of faces that everyone agrees are stunning: the Nobility, the Sins, and the Royals. The person looking down at me with pity in her eyes was the Princess. There could be no mistaking it since she had that beautifully pristine porcelain skin. From my perspective, I thought I had a stroke or a seizure. There was no way one of the Royals was with me at that moment. That would've been too good to be true.
Before I knew it, I was sitting in the back of a car with a luxurious interior. In my hands was some tea with honey. Beside me was the Princess, who was casually sipping from a teacup. This was one of those expensive automobiles that were made to be a sitting room on wheels. The tea had been prepared by the staff, who were also in the vehicle and driving it around. The Princess had taken off her jacket and put it around my shoulders before we got in. Even though all of this sounds like something I made up, it isn't. It really happened. The Princess of Hell was giving me a soothing beverage before we started a conversation. Thus, we arrive at now.
Charlie, as she's allowed me to call her, has been getting me set up in a new building. This structure's supposed to be the first-ever rehab facility in Hell. It's also going to double as a hotel, so its guests are comfortable. During all of that, we've been talking more and working on the project that's brought us to this point: The Happy Hotel. It's a way for Sinners to achieve Redemption without it being at the hand of an Exorcist. Of course, it won't be easy. But if my story's told you anything, it's that nothing awaiting me on the road ahead could be worse than what I've been dealing with ever since I died. I know a Sinner's word has no value, but still, I swear that I'm going to do my best to-"
THUMP
"EMILY!"
What just transpired is that Emily, who'd been fighting back her emotions throughout Angel Dust's speech, finally gave in to them. The Seraph threw herself at the Sinner, tightly holding him in her arms as she cried without restraint. Regarding the shouting of her name, Sera was responsible.
"YOU POOR THING!" Emily cried, pushing Angel Dust's face into her chest as though she were his Mother. If these two were standing, Emily's face would only reach Angel Dust's midsection. "I PROMISE! WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOU!" She carried on.
"We?" Charlotte questioned. She remained composed, as she'd been around Emily her entire life. This behavior wasn't anything new.
"Yes, we..." Sera confirmed with a sigh while closing her eyes. She loved her Sister, but even now, the younger Seraph struggled with emotional control. "Viola, could you please intervene?" She requested.
Obeying in silence, the Exorcist wrapped her arms around Emily's waist. Then, with no issue, they were able to remove her from Angel Dust and return her to her original position.
"My deepest apologies, Angel," Sera said, restoring her vision so she could look at the Sinner.
"..." Angel Dust was stunned, but not for the reasons Sera thought. "...Is...it all over?" He inquired.
"Pardon?" Sera replied, unsure of his meaning.
"I...I...touched a Heavenborn..." Angel Dust muttered in horror, looking down at himself. "And...my face...I...I didn't...I...I'm so..."
Before Angel Dust could continue, he was interrupted by the sound of stifled laughter. He traced it to its origin, and he saw an amused Sera covering her mouth with one hand.
"Angel, that's so sweet of you," Sera praised him with a smile. "You were willing to take the blame for something my Sister did." She clarified to prevent miscommunication.
"W-Well, I...uh...I just...I'm a Sinner, so...it'd make sense if I got punished..." Angel Dust explained, averting his gaze as a faint blush emerged through the fur on his face.
"Maybe, among other Sinners, but not Heavenborns," Sera assured. "Furthermore, Charlotte would not associate with anyone who'd tried to take advantage of that interaction. Her judge of character is as good as those who've lived far longer. All that is to say that I am confident you would do nothing displeasing while in civilized company." She stated.
"..." Angel Dust stared silently at Sera, as he had when he first saw her. This woman truly was a Divine being. An embodiment of the values and principles that made Heaven what it was.
"Oh, look at me, allowing us to become distracted," Sera remarked, letting loose another sigh. "Again, I am sorry for the disruption caused by my younger Sister. If you are ready, I'd like us to resume the meeting." She requested.
"O-Of course!" Angel Dust exclaimed.
"Wonderful," Sera said before continuing. "Let us address what Emily preemptively revealed. Although I wanted to learn about Angel Dust from himself, I've already agreed with Charlotte's family that this experiment is worth pursuing. However, after seeing and hearing you, I hold no doubts that you are committed to this venture, Angel. Yet, resolve alone isn't enough. To prove that there are those willing to endure atonement, there must be an official from Heaven overseeing the project. Emily, due to many factors, is going to serve that role. The Exorcist sworn to her side will also be there." She told them.
"That's amazing!" Charlotte cheered, much to Sera's elation.
"I'm sure Emily would agree," Sera responded as she turned to look at her sibling. "If she weren't still sniffling," She added with an amused smirk.
"I...I'm okay..." Emily said as the Exorcist gently rubbed her back to soothe her.
"Regarding Emily's responsibilities..." Sera started while turning back toward Angel Dust and Charlotte. "She'll receive messages from me and your Grandfather that provide a list of objectives. We don't expect all of them to be completed before your report deadline, but we are looking for an impressive display of effort." She informed.
"We figured as much," Charlotte shared, accompanied by a nod from Angel Dust. "I also assumed that our deadline is being set for next year's Exorcism." She said.
"That is correct. It'd be cruel of us to make the impending Exorcism your first report." Sera confirmed. "Upon the clock striking midnight after this year's cleansing, your timer is set in motion. You will need to meet with me on the final day before the next event commences. If what you provide is compelling, then a conference will be held among my fellow High Angels to discuss a delay. Your Grandparents may become involved, but I dare not offer any promises or speak on their behalf." She stated.
"Understood," Charlotte replied, once again accompanied by a nod from her companion. "Is there anything else we need to talk about?" She inquired.
"A question for Angel," Sera began, focusing solely on the Sinner. "Have you been told what happens to souls claimed during the Exorcisms?" She asked.
"No, Mam. That's the most common topic of discussion and debate among the Sinners. Even Overlords, like Val, can't keep from thinking about it all the time." Angel Dust answered.
"Then, as Emily's first task, she will sit down with you and reveal those details in full. You've earned the trust of Charlotte, myself, and many other notable figures. The least you deserve is that knowledge." Sera decided.
"..." Slowly, Angel Dust looked at his lap. "...Mam, I...I shouldn't...you shouldn't...it's not a good-"
Before Angel Dust could finish that, Charlotte interrupted him by putting her hand on top of his. As she hoped, that caused him to look at her.
"Angel, it's okay," Charlotte assured him, smiling as she usually did. "Trust and transparency are two-way streets. We wouldn't expect everything from you without giving back." She promised.
Automatically, tears formed in Angel Dust's eyes. Just like that night, he found himself in the presence of truly kind souls. Yet, he wouldn't allow himself to break down sobbing at a time like this.
"Thank you. All of you." Angel Dust whispered, wiping away the moisture in his eyes. Seeing him like this made the others smile, excluding the Exorcist.
"Does anyone else have something they'd like to say?" Sera inquired, looking at each person, only to be met with silence. "Then, this meeting is adjourned. Go with the Divine's blessings and be met with only good fortune." She declared.