Rapture - The Slow Fall

by Uros Osium

With the truth of Extermination brought to bear the youngest Seraphim makes a choice; if her sister thinks Sinners and the overpopulation in Hell is a danger, then let's solve it. She concocts a plan in record time through desperation and hope. But said plan is mostly good intentions and a wish. And we all know where good intentions lead...

12. Chapter VII (II)

Chapter VII - Part II

Second part of the chapter, and finally things get going as a few people get to see a little bit of what is beyond the veil… Which includes a couple of individuals that will make things more interesting in the future, for good or ill. Not that much is truly said, for reasons you'll all see, but it is a start! Sorry by the late upload by the way, I spent all day working a few kinks on this one.

Also Lucifer is slightly ominous at one point, because that is his job. With a few snippets of other people and situations all mixed in!

As a side note: Ouroboros will suffer ANOTHER delay. Partly due to the temporary loss of my PC after the power supply went tits up, partly for every other reason mentioned in the previous part. As such I may not update The Slow Fall next month since I DO Want to get everything in order and get Ouroboros back on track. I'll try my best, tho o3o/

*** G.L City - Mayberry Residence - Emily ***

Emily was looking at the door with some level of apprehension. She feared not for what Alastor would do, but there was a little bit of distrust towards that particular Sinner. Sarah had shared a lot of things she knew about the man, and while Emily didn't want to think bad thoughts of those helping her with this endeavor, she would openly admit that she knew Alastor just enough to be worried. Partly because the idea of getting to know someone with his reputation more than at surface level made her queasy, partly because there had been no time for it.

Though primarily? She didn't know if dealing with a cannibal on the regular was something she could do. She was understanding and all, but just like she shared with her new friends, she was not a saint.

She highly doubted Alastor would try to eat anyone in her presence, but even she would retaliate if that was the case.

…

Unless it was necessary? The idea made her stomach churn and today's meal almost made it back up.

"Emily, dear?" The voice of Sarah was somewhat comforting after such thoughts swam in her head. The woman's hand on her shoulder was akin to Sera in a way. When Emily turned she could see the bespectacled woman looking at her in concern. "It is fine. Jack will come out in a moment."

"Oh, I know, I know." Emily tried to offer a reassuring smile at the worried woman. "I just began to think about… something."

Sarah nodded in understanding. "Hard to trust Alastor, is it?"

"More like I am worried about what he could do to help, and why it would be needed." Emily decided to admit her worries. "I know violence in Hell is commonplace, but…"

"It is not so uncommon on Earth." Sarah chuckled, a memory of what she saw on the TV crossing her mind, not that Emily knew of course. "But I understand. Him dismembering or eating someone may be… excessive, to put it mildly."

The fact that Sarah had the power to call it just 'excessive' spoke of what the young teacher had seen during her stay in Hell. Emily decided asking was probably not a good idea. Besides, Sarah had already shared a good bit, and she didn't want to know the whole list of details that would make a possible live show of gutting something to be considered 'a bit much' in the mortal world.

Luckily for her, her sanity, and the possible idea of accepting such outcome, Lucien was quick to distract her.

"So… we got a bit of pressure on us." The young man spoke from his seat. He was looking at his own PC and hitting key after key at a frantic pace. Today he wore a simple dress and had been trying to look dignified, but the more time he spent in front of that computer screen the more Emily saw him get stressed and/or angry. "Bluetube is trying to fuck us over."

"Better than Hitch." Dominic growled from his own seat opposite to his brother. The man had taken his shirt off a while ago, mostly because… well… the shirt was no more. Before Alastor came over he had been in a voice call and some of the words he spoke had Emily blushing. "Those pieces of shit just laughed at us even after we told them we'd scrub the channel on their fucking platform."

Dominic could be a very sweet, lazy, gentle and generally shy man… But today had everyone either in high spirits, or borderline insane with how nervous they were. The brothers were going hard on the latter.

"We have ten minutes, tops, to start the stream on Bluetube, or we are out." Lucien turned his chair to face Emily and Sarah. "I couldn't get us more time. The only reason we managed to get this done is because some of the people working there are friendly with us, and not even important people. We just got lucky with them having a few other contacts."

Emily couldn't help but grimace. "Well, Charlie and the others shouldn't take long, I don't think."

"She better." Lucien frowned in return. "I doubt we are going to have another chance like this. I mean, we can start with Sarah and you being here, but we are going to have people from the platform watching our ass. If this doesn't impress? Then I doubt any of us is going to be able to help at all. We'd be lucky to have any kind of presence online, and that is what we are banking on to get this going."

Dominic took the headset he was using and resisted a clear urge to throw it away. Instead he took a deep breath and looked in shame at his dead shirt. Legend of Zelda, we'll miss you… Though Emily was sure the man had at least five more of the same shirt.

Okay, that is too much. He at least had two, though.

"Jack better get here soon." He looked done with everything. Was this how talking with people online felt? "That they didn't take us seriously when we tried to tell them 'It would be a unique stream and we need extra coverage' was already vague enough. To also tell them 'It is going to be VERY viewer and likely sponsor unfriendly' didn't help. I don't know how much swearing is going to be here, but I highly doubt the public at large is going to be happy with any of this."

Emily pursed her lips for a moment. They were right, though. She knew little of how this worked, but Jack had been telling her about it before Alastor came. Losing credibility after this, if it all went well, was impossible. If somehow it bombed?

Gone. That is what his audience would be. No one would trust Jack with this, either because his viewers would be displeased or the sites would screw him over. It wasn't an end all kind of scenario, but Emily did not want to harm someone that helped her, even if 'harm' only meant one of his multiple forms of acquiring an income.

Plus, Emily was sure she hadn't been lied to when it came to the big news companies and channels. Two days of TV and she had an instinctual hatred for people REPEATING THE SAME SHIT IN A MILLION DIFFERENT CHANNELS.

It was like a motherfucking virus.

She even said so out loud.

… Sera would flip if she heard her.

"Jack will be done soon and Charlie will bring everyone in no time, Alastor said so." Sarah took Emily away from her idle thoughts as she toyed with her lighter. No smokes this time, just a distraction. It was clear she, too, was nervous now that the time had come. "He wouldn't lie about this, not today at least. It is an important event for everyone involved."

Dominic didn't look so sure. "That guy, Alastor… Didn't you say he was not to be trusted, aunt Sarah?"

"Yeah, and he shouldn't." With a flick of her wrist Sarah almost lost her lighter at the disdain for the Overlord was made apparent. It was a bit of a comedic moment, but Sarah regained her bearings quickly enough to keep the ball rolling. "And I mean it: Don't trust him. Don't make a deal with him if he offers either. Real demons are the ones usually making any kind of pact, deal, contract or whatever with living souls, mostly because Sinners shouldn't be up here, but none of us should test it and see if regular old humans and Sinners can do that kind of thing. Okay?"

Lucien snorted. "What? You think we'd just gamble our souls-?"

"This is not about what I think." Sarah cut the young man sort with a heated glare. "Perhaps Alastor won't offer any of you a thing. Perhaps he is more interested in the long term and wishes not to fuck around. I don't care. Don't trust Sinners when they propose you something IF they offer you to sign something or to shake hands for it."

There was a moment of silence before Lucien, ever ready, made a simple question. "We'll talk about this during the stream or…?"

"Fuck if I know. It is not like we are going to have a population of Sinners come over overnight." Sarah made a pause there. That idea made her shudder. "Shit, that MAY be a possibility. Well, we'll see." Sarah took her glasses off and began to rub the space between her eyes. She managed to frustrate herself with that idea alone.

Sarah so missed having a nose sometimes. She had confessed that to Emily the other day as a curiosity and for some reason she had been feeling as if she had a 'phantom limb' again, like she did with her legs and feet, then transformed after her death.

This wasn't an idle thought, mind you. This was something Emily had shelved for later use. She had an idea there, but she'd need more time to see if she could do it. Technically this wasn't against any kind of rules, buuuuut just in case.

Though it would make things much easier for everyone. Right now she just had one simple test she wanted to do, but that could wait until the stream began, if everything went well that is.

The sudden echo of footsteps made it clear that she wouldn't need to wait too long for her little test either! It also meant time was up. She was quick to turn around and give a gentle knock on the door, not to pressure, but to make sure Jack would come out soon if possible. Meanwhile Sarah went upstairs to guide the new group.

Jack didn't make her wait long. In fact he was out, giving everyone a quick nod, then hurried to his seat to make sure everything was ready on his end the moment he heard everyone coming down the stairs.

Charlie and Sarah came first, then Lucifer and Vaggie, finally adding two new figures. Two young women; an Imp and a Succubus, both wearing mostly formal attire. Surprising, but hopefully not concerning or a problem. Emily was sure Charlie wouldn't bring a dangerous person here.

Then came the last one, Blitzo, humming some kind of tune as he walked.

Okay, so perhaps someone dangerous was going to be over here. But that particular Imp was already expected.

"Hey, Charlie." Jack was quick to turn around and welcome the group as his friends stared at the newcomers. Emily had seen that one coming, to be honest. "I see you brought new people with you."

Charlie seemed to brighten up. Emily had noticed her smile was slightly strained as she came in, but as she quickly got to introduce everyone, starting with herself, then her father, then Blitzo (Who flipped Dominic and Lucien off as a greeting gesture. Emily just let it go as the brothers returned the gesture).

It was obvious that, despite being warned, there was little you could do but have at least a level of awe added into an event, at least for the first time, when literal Lucifer was presented to you. It was plenty obvious the two wanted to say or ask things, but they managed to push that down. Dom seemed perfectly fine, if somewhat respectful, while Lucien was beyond surprised that the DEVIL himself was, well… so short. He made no comment of course, and he was far more fixated on everyone than his brother, but this didn't deter Charlie's act.

At least until she got to the newcomers, leaving Vaggie from last.

"These are Claudia and Gina." Charlie prompted the two, first standing behind the Imp. "Claudia will be my secretary from now on. She'll take care of most paperwork, keeping things in order and any and all calls."

"Speaking of which." The small demon produced what looked like a regular old phone from Earth, handing it to Sarah. "Master acquired this one for you, Miss Mayberry. It has the Mistress' number as well as the Master. I will ensure Mistress Charlie has this number added the moment we are done and back to Hell." She made a pause to produce her own phone. "It also has mine. If you were to call, first consider mine. Only direct a message to the Mistress or the Master if absolutely necessary."

Sarah looked at the phone. It looked slightly outdated, partly because it was larger than usual. A good squeeze told her all she needed to. "Sturdy, yet light." She hummed. "I guess it also has some kind of tracking means, like a spell perhaps?"

Lucifer nodded. "Carry it with you at all times, or give it to Jack if you want him monitored in case he is going somewhere and you have second thoughts. Though I plan on making another for him later on. I just have no time for it at the moment." He simply shrugged. "It takes some time to make a spell that won't run out while on Earth right now."

Carlos and Sarah shared a glance before Mayberry pocketed the phone for later use. "Thank you, Lucifer."

Before her father could say anything else, and before anyone could make questions, Charlie was on her second new companion. "Pushing on! Gina will help us with designs, clothes and the like. I also hear she has a knack for acting and loves Earth culture in general."

The young Succubus was only able to offer a shy smile to the group. "Hello yo you all." She tried, and failed, to look professional as she spoke. There were even hearts in her eyes, Emily could swear there were. Whether it was her nature or just her happiness at being here, that she couldn't tell. "I'll help make sure nothing clashes when it comes to any big event. And the princess is right: We can even rehearse some things if you guys want. I have experience with roleplaying games and performing!" Though after saying that the poor thing became frantic. "But n-not like that! I am not like most Succubi, I promise!" And Emily had to admit the shyness from what would otherwise be known as an overly sexual (as expected for someone from Lust) demon was, without a shadow of a doubt, damn cute.

Unsurprisingly, all humans' eyes were quick on the woman. While Jack's gaze was one of curiosity more than anything (his focus still locked on what was going on behind him on that screen, as he checked it every few seconds), Lucien seemed to be far more obvious with a wide smirk and a clear hint of lust Emily didn't need any power to see. Dom? He was looking at Gina with some kind of recognition.

Gina saw this as the more unnerving of the three. "I-is something wrong?"

"Just realized something." Dominic spoke with a humm, though it was now that he looked at least slightly ashamed about his partial nudity. "Sorry if I am distracting, by the way." He did point at the shirt though. "Had a bit of an episode after dealing with some idiots."

Vaggie at least had the good nature of laughing, though she clearly looked uncomfortable at the young man. Emily saw this as a quick way to avoid anyone else making a comment. "I have to manage a small crew of deviants. I know how it is to want to destroy everything in sight."

"And finally, this is Vaggie, my girlfriend." Charlie got closer to the former Exterminator, a smile on her lips.

Emily saw how clearly strained their expressions were, though. Both Vaggie and Charlie were happy to be close, but Emily didn't need to see beyond the pale to know how their relationship was likely shaken after Vaggie's reveal during the meeting in Heaven. It is the kind of secret that may not destroy a relationship or all trust you put on a person, but it sure has to hurt.

"She was my first supporter when it came to redemption." Charlie went on, this time offering a much more sincere smile, though there was still some hurt there. "And while there have been a few… hiccups… She has been my rock for these past three years."

Vaggie was quick to speak the moment she saw one of the trio, Emily didn't see who, opening their mouth. "My real name is 'Vagatha', if you were wondering. Vagatha Arroyo Rivera." She deadpanned at the trio. "The name 'Vaggie' was… given to me shortly after I died. It has been a good ten years, so I got used to it."

"Fair enough." Jack made sure neither of his friends brought up any possibly sensible questions to bear. Now was not the time. "On my side you have me, Jack. My mom over there." Sarah offered a small wave at the group, specifically the two newcomers. "This muscle mountain is Dominic." A thumb pointed at the larger younger man, who just nodded. "And this piece of work is Lucien. And yes, he is a guy." Lucien flipped Jack off with a small frown. At least Jack didn't let 'everything' spill this time. "I'd like for us to have more time, buuuuuut…"

Lucien was sneering at his friend before he checked the computer. His frantic words got the others to scramble. "Time? We have barely a minute!"

"Don't worry, don't worry." Jack nonetheless turned around to get something else ready. "Is our Order channel informed?"

"Yeah." Dom checked a few messages. "'Retro-Tard's Hub' has a few of our regulars waiting and foaming at the mouth. Most have said they wouldn't be able to check in live."

"Of course not. Not like this was a regular stream." Jack seemed disappointed, but he had told Emily that this was likely to happen. People have lives outside of the internet after all, even if the stereotype had yet to die. "How many are waiting?"

Lucien checked before calling. "Just shy of a hundred fifty. We have some of the usual commenters; wAyOfThEdOdO, DEEZtructor, xXFatalFrameXx and EarTheEarglove." He frowned and quickly clicked a few times. "So one less viewer and commenter. We have a few retards and bots already waiting. If we aren't quick enough when reacting some of the people in Bluetube may get pissy."

"Then get Frame to help you two out on this one." Jack hurried to get the last few things ready. "We need this to go perfect and if she is here, then we at least have one of our Order server mods just in case."

"We have more people coming in." Dom hummed as he saw the number rising. "It appears that not being able to have this on our other channel has pissed off some of the regulars on the other platform. Don't know if they are coming in just to complain or to watch for real."

"Well, they better not create a ruckus!" Jack was getting slightly nervous. He had had a lot more people during some of his streams, but never had it been really important. Hell, you could say there was some kind of danger if he messed up.

It was clear he was getting overwhelmed, even if he had been itching for this all day. Emily could see it in how he was acting and how Sarah was growing more worried by the second. So she did what came to mind, simply as it was.

Emily walked to his side and bent over as she placed a hand on his shoulder. A simple smile as he turned around and a few quick assurance lined words was everything he needed. It didn't just dissipate every worry he had, but it clearly made Jack relax a bit. Perhaps the enthusiasm had hit him a bit too hard and fears were starting a coup on his mind, but Emily was sure Jack would be okay.

She stayed there when Carlos got back to work. There was no need to move, only a few seconds left and she was going to want to command everyone's attention for a couple moments anyway. Though a little 'aww' made her look behind for a second.

And she saw more than a few pair of eyes looking her way in a manner she hadn't ever seen anyone do. Had she done something wrong? She just mouthed a 'What?' without saying a word, though the reactions she received were mixed, only with Sarah offering her a lopsided smirk that should've told her something, but Emily didn't catch the meaning.

If there was going to be any comment directed her way it died in everyone else's throats the moment Lucien shouted. "We are live in three!"

It was as if they were on a TV set, almost.

Emily turned to face the computer in front of Jack, but not before seeing a shadow of some kind hover around the group, primarily Charlie. There was a strange… something… about it. Emily didn't worry too much though. It likely was something from Alastor. Sarah had told her that the man had, on top of everything else, shadow minions. Because why not?

At least he was somewhat present for this.

"Are we live?" Jack checked Bluetube. As it was usually the case, it was trying to dick him over. "Shit, we should be, but this is making us beg or it. Check the mics real quick everyone!"

Dom got up and went for a microphone stand right next to his seat. He sent Lucien a look as he said a couple words, his brother giving him a nod as he looked at a display on his screen while making sure the headphones were doing okay. Apparently it wouldn't have been the first time some of their equipment decided to, as Jack put it, 'troll them' at any point during the stream.

"Fine, that is oka-Hey! We are live!"

This got everyone to move. It was also far too late for Jack and everyone here to do something about the lack of one very important feature: Seats. The group had never done this kind of broadcast, or interview, or whatever you want to call it. At best any stream that had to do with someone else other than those in this small group had been over the internet, through some cam or just with voice chat. As it stood everyone here, from Charlie to Lucifer and everyone in between, was just there, standing.

It made for an interesting opener the moment the cameras caught everyone live, no gaming or anything going on.

EarlTheEarglove

What the hell? Why so many people?

Well… It was a start?

M0nk3yBu71n37

So many women! What happened here? And why is that one so small? Is she a dwarf?

DorkladyAugrah

Why are you focusing on that? Earl got it right, though. Why so many people?

Nerdroider

Aren't we going to get a gameshow? I WAS PROMISED SOMETHING INCREDIBLE TODAY! I don't want women, I want pixelated brutality my good sir.

Oh… and it quickly devolved from there. Most posters weren't so articulate, some going down with leet speak even. Though most of those just left one comment and that was that. A good number of those with passable writing skill. With many commenters asking a variation of the question posted by this one individual.

ArcheoJennisarius

Wait, is she your girlfriend? Is that her family or something? Are you going to leave?

Which ended up being asked so many times that both Emily and Jack exploded at the same time.

"She/He is not my girlfriend/boyfriend!"

Though for different reasons, reasons that still left them both with a blush. While Emily knew it was a bit childish, and probably cute from the outside, this was going to stop being funny soon enough if it kept repeating.

"Look, everyone! Chill the fuck out." Jack managed to growl through the mic, managing to slow down the chat to a trickle. "Everyone, there is not going to be a game today. This stream is far more important."

Again the chat erupted in nonsense. It was mostly rambling, complaining and enough of a headache that some of those behind Emily and Jack either sighed alongside the poor young man, or could only look at him in understanding.

"You know, this is much like ruling Hell." Lucifer said as he approached the man, offering his own support alongside Emily. "Not the same kind, and not as traumatic. But it is like herding sheep, isn't it?"

"Eh." Jack made a 'so-so' hand gesture. "I mean, you may be Lucifer, but I don't know if you'd prefer to be a tard wrangler here or down there."

Lucifer at least got a chuckle out of that. "The only difference, I fear, is the volume."

This little exchange got the chat to stop.

wAyOfThEdOdO

Is that man's name really Lucifer?

DEEZtructor

Dfuk y mean abt Hell?

More questions like that followed. Most commenters were very quick to call bullshit, some even left. But Emily was here and ready exactly to solve this problem.

But first, warnings had to be issued.

"Everyone, please! I need your attention." This got a minute, and I mean MINUTE, pause on the chat. "Hello everyone, my name is Emily." This got a load of 'Hi Emily', alongside far less… pleasant… or normal… comments. Emily opted to ignore some of those. "I know this will sound insane, but I am a Seraphim."

Predictably, this got her laughed out of the room, figuratively.

But as the jeers and laughter in the comment mounted, Emily did not despair, instead, she did what she had planned. Or at least, part of it. She extended her arm and created light.

This made everyone stop. Thing is: They could not SEE the light. Perhaps some could, don't get me wrong. Emily knew there were more than a hundred people here. The chance of someone being sensitive enough to magic for them to see WAS there. Was it possible? Likely not, but the chance existed.

No, they likely saw nothing. But their senses told them that there WAS something. It was hypnotic and strange, a miracle in a way. It was like the effect of light, or flame, to a moth; attracting, but dangerous. All viewers just knew there was something to watch out for.

They were aware of the danger.

"Did I get your attention now?" Emily wasn't being condescending, but she was also unwilling to let this derail, or for those watching to leave. This had to start small, yes, but they needed to attract eyes. "Now, I know none of you can see it… At least I am sure about it." Emily cleared her throat. "But whether you can, or not, let me tell you: I am creating light right now."

There were dozens of comments with the simple words of 'oooooh' and 'wow'. Again, likely no one saw it, but the attention and curiosity was there.

"This light is a spell I already have used to help Dominic and Lucien here." She nodded towards the other two who, taking a second from their monitors, waved at the camera. Though it wasn't easy seeing them with the small group taking so much space. "Only, I have modified it. This version is a permanent magic spell that will be kept in this recording. Don't ask how it works, this is literally something I learned by chance." And because, as much as she loved Heaven, sometimes she was so DAMN BORED! But she wouldn't admit it, of course. "I know that I can put a little bit of myself within the spell. Think about a very, very, very small part of your soul. This way unless I break it, the spell will keep on going forever so anyone watching this video, the moment I cast the spell, will suffer the effects."

Now, this was obviously a lot for most people, she knew. There were a lot of small comments and questions that basically resumed themselves to an easy 'what?'. At least until a particular viewer asked the right question, with others joining after.

xXFatalFrameXx

What would that spell do?

wAyOfThEdOdO

Will this 'magic' hurt us?

longlivebomberman

Is it a curse!? Will we explode!?

After that, eh, 'bomberman' guy, a lot more outlandish questions came through. Emily could only look at Jack, as if begging for help, but both him and Lucifer, still at their side, could do little. She had dug her own hole here.

Emily resigned herself to her fate. Was this how Sera felt when she had to speak to some people that were… not all there?

Whatever, she offered her answer. "It has a small risk, but it is nothing severe." That she admitted there was a danger posed by this was enough to silence the chat once more. "Magic, as you may have guessed, is real." The 'No duh!' comments, and those similar, quickly proliferated. This did not stop Emily. "Humans were more sensible to it back in the day. Now? Many of you may not be, but some CAN have a sensibility to it. But since there is very little ambient magic left in the world, and you are almost never exposed, having this spell come through could… knock you out for a moment." Another horde of comments came through as people furiously typed on their keyboards. "It will just be for a minute at most! But there MAY be someone far more sensible to magic than most, and with how things are, it may be dangerous. Not because the magic itself may *hurt* you, this spell is not made with that intention. But you may fall down, or you may hit something, or pass out for too long."

That explanation was probably not the best, but it was enough to make things clear. Having too many things around, sitting like a damn neanderthal, or many other simple things, like having stuff lying around in a clutter, could be dangerous if the magic hit someone hard.

There would be those that didn't believe her, of course. That the magic had an effect that called to attention did not mean that everyone watching was taking her seriously. Yes, they could 'sense' something, as any normal person would. It is why something like a Succubus with enough power singing to a crowd, like Verosika Mayday, would take an effect on humans even if they did not know what was going on. Magic was there and taking effect, much easier thanks to a magical entity emitting the effect.

People did not think Verosika's music was making them do all the horny and debauched shit they did during her concerts. Partly because people going to her concerts were likely predisposed, partly because they didn't know better. And even if they did? They likely wouldn't believe it. In this case, even being told, there were those that did not trust Emily.

"With this spell you will see the world as you should." Emily opted not to ignore the possibility, but she accepted it could happen. This was every person watching having a chance to prepare. Free will and all that. If they chose not to, then that was that. "For most of you it will need just seconds to happen. You'll see a more colorful world, you see me as I am, you will see Lucifer-" She pointed at Lucifer. "-as he is, as well as everyone here." With a quick motion to everyone else so they got ready. The questions would swarm everyone after. "So… can we add some kind of message to guide people back when I start talking about this in the video?"

Dom was quick to give her a thumbs up from his seat. "Give us a minute and we'll place a notification in the corner of the stream!"

"Okay! So all of you have a minute to prepare. And remember: This spell is meant to let you 'see'. Nothing else will happen after." Emily offered Lucifer a look. "I hope to show all of you a different spell effect after, if I have volunteers."

Lucifer shrugged. "Sure, why not?" He looked at his daughter. "Anyone else?"

Emily got a few nods and 'yeahs', even Blitzo seemed up for it. This was a clown show already anyway.

"Then everyone get ready! After Dom says it is ready, you will all see the world in a new light." And while Emily knew it sounded perhaps a bit creepy, it wasn't a lie. "And after that? I'll let everyone see something neat."

As the chat devolved into comments and discussions, perhaps even a fight or two between the chatters, Emily went to talk with the group. It was fine if the people present didn't trust her word. That would change soon.

She just needed half a minute to tell Charlie and the others what she wanted to do. It wasn't much, or all that surprising, much less intrusive, so there were no complaints. Only Blitzo seemed to sigh and accept ruefully, but his resignation was expected.

Jack snapped his fingers soon after Emily was done discussing things, catching her attention. A simple look to him made it clear that he was pointing at something. Emily saw that there indeed had been a little note (well, more than just 'little') on the stream's corner. Now, if anyone joined late, they'd be directed to start from the beginning no matter what. It would make things easier, hopefully.

Though humans weren't all that fond of instructions, that much was something Emily knew for a fact. At least the precautions made sure it wouldn't be her fault if someone ignored her. She had warned, she had said what needed to be said, and her hand still held that spell in place.

So, with all that said, she offered a few last words. "Everyone ready? At the count of three this will go off. If anyone wants to back off, I'll understand, but everything that comes after has to do with you guys seeing the world as it is. So, again, at the count of three:" It was the final warning before things changed for a lot of people. Not that many, true, but it was the start. "Three, two, one…"

And then Emily let it go.

It felt as if someone pinched her within. A strange sensation, despite having practiced it before. Though she had done it a long time ago, partly because this sensation was… uncomfortable. It was not painful, not for her, but she had heard of many old magic users telling her how, even a spell as simple as this, could be harmful for a human. For her it was a small drain and a sensation similar to having a finger asleep all the time, or the spot of a finger could be a better description; the feeling of ants crawling on a small spot, constantly.

The effect was immediate. Chat had been working overtime once more, but the comments sure as all heck stopped the moment the flash of light on Emily's hand expanded, then disappeared. Everyone present in the room saw it as nothing; the spell did not have any effect on those of magical nature or that had already been granted the ability to 'see'.

It took a hot minute for the first comments to start rolling in, and the very first one made Emily feel bad.

IceSkrapper

Fell down, hit my head… BUT NOW THE WORLD IS A CARTOON! Wtf!?

Though, granted, the person seemed happy enough. Similar shocked comments came soon after.

Kodiakenstein

Wait… The short dude is literally white?

TheGREAT!Emmolutor

Short he may be, but fuck! See those chompers!? Guy has knives in his mouth!

xXFatalFrameXx

Look at Emily! That skin color? A halo!? She wasn't joking? Or is this some kind of act?

wAyOfThEdOdO

Wait. So does this mean Hell is real? Is that short man really Lucifer?

EarlTheEarglove

The fuck am I seeing? Why is this happening in a gaming channel?

While the last one almost made Emily chuckle, this meant that a lot of people had followed her instructions. Some had gotten hurt apparently. Was it a coincidence that so many seemed to get such reactions? Far more than she thought were posting about being knocked out for a moment or two. There shouldn't be that many that were sensitive to magic in such a small sample…

The young Seraphim chalked it down to chance, or perhaps a natural occurrence in a way. This particular group had to do with old school things, a particular outlier of people with more 'old time views' in some senses of the word. Conservative, if in the gaming sense. And that kind of person, to her knowledge, was usually more attuned to things. But it usually had to do with conservatism in the historical sense, like preferring medieval times, ancient history and disliking technology to a degree. That, in part, had to do with Alastor's own affinity.

Such ponderings were bet important later, if ever. Right now she had part of what she wanted: People were now truly paying attention. People were SEEING.

So she turned around and made a gesture towards Sarah.

"Come here!" Emily was excited, if afraid. She began to channel magic into her hands again as Sarah approached. She had done her best to hide behind everyone else, but now it seemed like her time was up. "I am going to make you look like you were when alive, okay?"

Sarah looked at the screen and the camera in apprehension. There were a few questions being typed while she gathered courage. Emily wished she could do something to help, but this was one of the many things Sarah had to tackle on her own.

She managed to not disappoint both Emily and herself. "Okay. Hit me with it."

Unlike the previous spell, this was easy. Not Emily's cup of tea, considering it wasn't useful in Heaven (or encouraged), but it was one of the many things she tested while learning of her powers. It was absurdly easy with her being a Seraphim and all, but complex enough that either you had the ability built within you (for Hellhounds, for example), or you had to practice magic a lot, and even then it could be complicated.

The results weren't anything to sneeze at, though. Because with a wave of her hands, spreading the spell's effect all over and, as if a wind gust blew through the room, Sarah Mayberry went from looking like her Sinner form after death, to the peppy teacher she once was.

Well, not quite. She still didn't have the usual old smile and gentle demeanor, looking slightly more aggressive and, right now, insecure, but that didn't have anything to do with Emily's magic. Spending two years in Hell truly does change you.

The effect was immediate with the chat.

PedrosnicusLordofPedros

Hey, ain't that th boss' mom?

xXFatalFrameXx

Yeah. AncientEncoder, isn't that your mother?

wAyOfThEdOdO

So Hell MUST be real.

DorkladyAugrah

Dude, his mom committed self deletion.

wAyOfThEdOdO

Shod off with that talk. She committed suicide. She also committed murder. I doubt you get in Heaven with that rep sheet.

longlivebomberman

I mean, he is not lying. But bruh!

As the comments piled up Emily felt compelled to look at her side and ask Jack, partly out of curiosity, partly to calm down Sarah as her expression became downtrodden. "AncientEncoder?"

"Hey, no one (that has at least two working brain cells) uses their real data on the internet!" Jack huffed in a defensive tone. "That includes your name. So yeah, my nick is 'AncientEncoder'."

"You will always be such a dork." Sarah chuckled, some of her dark mood leaving. It was enough for her to take a deep breath and confirm everyone's suspicions. "But yes. Hello everyone, it is… Well, it is me, Sarah." She smiled ruefully as she saw many names she had seen way back when, when she sometimes interrupted Jack mid-stream to remind him of the time, of food, or many other events. "I see I haven't been forgotten…"

It surprised Emily that a lot of people began to say hello and various welcomes. A few people were very quick to turn hostile, but Sarah didn't seem to mind. She came to terms with how it could play out and, admittedly, Emily had to say this was being a lot less painful than expected.

"Everyone! Please, calm down." Emily allowed her wings to unfurl and partially cover Sarah as more and more comments went through. While it had very little hate, the amount was overwhelming the woman. "Sarah is here to help with something very important. But before that, let me work my magic with everyone else. I told you that you'd see something interesting and I'll keep my word. You can see everyone as they are, but we will have to be out and about in the future, and I am sure most would be a little bit intimidated. So how about disguising everyone? Now you will see how all of those present would look in disguise." She went so far as to offer Lucifer a lopsided smirk. "So who wants to see the archangel Lucifer go through a makeover?"

Emily really wanted to get this show on the road, but she also accepted this had to go through the usual 'bread and circus' kind of thing. Jack had talked with her about it all. Simply put?

You had to get the viewers interested and on the edge of their seats. But you do not want to overwhelm if at all possible. Solution? Make them curious, but not nervous. And since they were seeing a lot of very powerful people in a short time, with a lot of information dropped on their heads, this not only helped Emily practice, but would make it easier for the normal person to digest.

Or, well, that was her plan. She didn't know if it would work, so fingers crossed.

Whatever! People were commenting and apparently eager to see. Either they truly were interested, or this was so bizarre and alien that it was making all of them irrational in ways that, hopefully, would be helpful later. Emily just hoped no one did anything stupid after this.

Like, you know. Try to go to Hell. Or summon a demon.

…

She let those thoughts go and started channeling her magic as Lucifer walked away from Jack to give her and everyone else some space. Yes, let's do magic, that would get those idle and intrusive thoughts away from Emily's head.

If nothing else, the change was pleasant, but not surprising, so Emily pated herself on the back

Lucifer hadn't changed height wise, much like Sarah and, most likely, the same would happen with everyone else. The 'disguise' was, as previously mentioned, something natural to Hellhounds and, as they could tell you and Emily had learned, it was very much 'real' in a way. It didn't change your SPECIES, and disguised Hellhounds still shed hair despite the magic, so all species would have their own little quirks about them go unchanged despite their physical appearance being, for all intents and purposes, morphed into this other being.

For Lucifer the change was very much cosmetic and minimal. For one? He had a nose. For two? His disarming smile was pearly white and normal as it should be for a human. The claws were all gone of course. But everything else? No real change.

Arcadeconnoisseur

A bit underwhelming, tho.

Emily puffed her cheeks, making the otherwise stuffy atmosphere a bit lighter as a few laughs reached her ears. Many other messages voiced similar thoughts. "It is not like Lucifer has a lot to change."

"Not quite true though." Lucifer offered Emily a smile as he ushered everyone around him away. "Of course, I need to show off a bit for that."

He did, and he did not. There wasn't enough space for it, but Lucifer at least showed off a bit the moment he unmade Emily's spell without even trying, only to show his wings of beautiful alabaster white and vibrant red. A fiery eye materialized between his red horns as they grew to give him a massive growth spurt in a sense. A tail like a whip, claws that could rend flesh, eyes glowing what one could define as the archetypal 'demonic red' color.

It lasted for a few moments before he returned to normal, though his disguise remained gone. Emily knew it wasn't all that Lucifer could show, but this was a quick show and tell in a sense, not a full display.

Arcadeconnoisseur

Ok, that is better.

"Thank you." Lucifer chuckled as he retracted the last of his wings while more comments kept coming. "Now, how about you, Charlie? No need to transform, but do you want Emily to disguise you?"

A few comments came through, though the most common was a simple:

DorkladyAugrah

Who is Charlie? Is she an angel too?

Lucifer didn't seem to mind answering that one. "Charlotte is my daughter." Lucifer said with a big smile, though it died quickly on his lips as Emily heard his hurt when speaking further. "Mine and Lilith's. Lilith, the first woman, my… my ex-wife."

This brought a new wave of comments. Apparently some of those attending right now knew the bibble and their religion quite well. Mentions about Eve, about Judaism and an almost literal call for Deus Vult (though this was likely made in jest. Emily hoped it was the case anyway) went around. In the end everyone relaxed when Charlie stepped forth after some consideration.

She first twirled around, making a bit of a spectacle of it all. Emily knew Charlie was as used as she was when it came to entertainment. Her job as a Seraphim was fulfilling, or it had been for a long time, but it required a bit of theatrics. As for Charlie? Her love for song and music had a lot to do with her skillset, though the magic of song was not uncommon in most angels, and the acting and emotion that went along with the act clearly came naturally. Here it just appeared as Charlie allowing everyone to see her figure, including the fact that, despite appearances, she indeed had a bit of a muzzle on her face.

These details brought a few comments, but everyone held their breath as Emily unleashed her simple spell to… Unsurprising changes.

I mean, no one expected her to change much, and there were no surprises on this front.

Charlie was as fair as her father when the change came through. Muzzle? Gone, in fact she had a bit of a button nose. Teeth? Again, perfect, with perhaps slightly larger fangs. There was something in her that made Emily fumble the details. Claws and everything else? Gone, of course.

A particular change that no one could see, but Emily could feel, were Charlie's hooves: They were gone. Much like with Sarah (who had been more than happy to walk on nude feet and with normal legs once again, even if she stumbled a bit), Charlie's legs were now completely human. However, unlike Sarah, it was clear that Charlie found it slightly uncomfortable.

"I never really liked my hooves." She hummed as she lifted one of her legs to check on her feet. Emily would bet, and win, if she said Charlie was of two minds on this one. "It… They always made it a bit weird, you know?" Charlie looked at her dad with a rueful smile. "I mean, you and mom have normal, human looking feet. It always made me self conscious."

Lucifer could understand as he nodded. "You were born in Hell, my dear. We are lucky that alone is what changed from our forms to yours."

This was probably a bad idea, because, FOR SOME FUCKING REASON, the chat had a dozen or two people asking to see Charlie's hooves. Clearly mortified, and with Vaggie quickly covering her girlfriend as best as she could (Claudia clearly glowering at the chatters typing some truly lewd things all the while) before Lucien began to, as he put it under his breath, bring the BAN HAMMER on people.

He only muted them though. These people were here to see and perhaps spread the word.

"V-Vaggie, hon, how about you?" Charlie offered with a bit of a stammer. She had clearly never thought someone would find the idea of her hooves to be appealing that way. Emily, having been told far too much about the internet in too short a timespan, would've told her to prepare.

Hindsight and all that.

Vaggie seemed surprised and thoughtful, but she quickly nodded, if only to cover for Charlie.

"Okay." The latina grunted, clearly not all that on board. "Hit me with it. It has been a long time since I last saw my living body anyway."

While the chat began to ask more questions, some that apparently made Vaggie grit her teeth, Emily again issued a good dose of camouflage. Only this time the spell was much easier and simpler to cast. Was it because Vaggie was an angel and former human despite having 'fallen'? Because she was, vitriol and all, inherently a good person that was guided to do bad things in the end? There could be many reasons, but Emily didn't have enough time to ponder, not such a level of mastery and knowledge of magic strong enough to understand the reasons why.

But she had to admit that Vaggie was quite pretty, no matter if she was human or a soul.

Her form barely changed, as is the case with the most human souls that make it to Heaven. Her skin color was different, of course; as a latina she was beyond sun kissed, with a coppery skin that clearly hinted at her heritage. Her hair changed color too, being raven colored, while her eye was a deep and rich chocolate in color. Everything else, much like Charlie and Lucifer, meaning claws turning to nails and her teeth, suffered simple changes too. Overall? A greater change than those that came before, but not by much.

EarlTheEarglove

Wait a second. I know you!

Apparently enough to get a reaction that went beyond surprising.

Vaggie blinked her single eye in surprise at the comment. "Wait… you… You do?"

The commenter was quick to answer.

EarlTheEarglove

Fuck yeah I do! I was a reporter that went from war to war before I got myself shot and got a chunk of shrapnel on me! I was retired by the time I got this from a friend, but I do have a photo of a particular young woman reported missing ten years ago…

Everyone looked at Vaggie, with Emily, being so close after she used her magic, clearly seeing her gulping down, lips trembling. "Is… that girl's name Vagatha? Vagatha Arroyo Rivera?"

EarlTheEarglove

Yeah! But… she has been dead for more than ten years now.

"Just ten, shy of eleven now." Vaggie shook her head, clearly looking away in shame. "I… I went to Heaven after surviving my mother for a few more years. I suppose it would be too much to ask if you remember the details you were given?"

There was a moment of pause in the chat. Everyone watching the video was either already convinced, dubious, or thinking this was some bullshit. But seeing this interaction clearly had a lot of people ready to use a search engine for data. Curiosity was a great tool after all.

Emily felt bad thinking about this, but Vaggie was going to help sell all of this to those still doubting. At least she hoped so. Either way, this 'Earl' left another comment after a hot minute.

EarlTheEarglove

I could write it down, but I don't think this should be public, if this all IS really real. I will just tell everyone to search for the name you gave us, Vagatha Arroyo River, and her mother, Graciela Rivera Aguilar.

EarlTheEarglove

You are clearly older than in the photos, and this new… perspective is making it confusing. But I brought out the old notes and images my friend sent me. You are damn close, minus the long hair and clearly missing eye.

Vaggie took a shaky breath before turning to Emily. "Can you dispel this? Please? I… I think I… I need a moment for myself. I will go upstairs." She looked ready to burst to tears. "I am sorry about this."

For a second it looked like most people in the room wanted to say otherwise, especially Charlie, but Vaggie looked ready to cry. Perhaps a moment or two alone was what she needed, so Emily undid her spell and allowed the fallen angel to leave. Charlie almost made an attempt to go, but the Princess of Hell reasoned, or Emily thought she probably did, that it was more important for everyone that she stayed and did what she had to.

A shame, and a painful one too. Emily hadn't wanted for anyone to get hurt here. It was basically a first contact. It was supposed to perhaps even be fun, if awkward.

Well, not likely for plans to survive encountering the enemy and all that.

She wondered if she should keep going with the spell and change the three hellborn left or if she should push forward to explain things and get on with it. It wasn't until Blitzo moved to poke her that Emily decided.

This was practice for something important, and it would help immensely in the future if she was right. At the very least it would aid Sarah, so she wouldn't complain. Though she had to ask.

"Are you really up for it?" Emily asked the Imp, to which Blitzo shrugged.

"Eh, why not? We lost the diversity hire, so we should at least get the show on the road, right?" Luckily for Blitzo, Charlie was one of the nicest people ever. That did not mean the angry gaze fired at his back was any less dangerous. "So come on, hit me. I am curious now."

Emily did as requested, partly to indeed test something out and partly to ensure Charlie didn't allow her temptations to 'do something' to go through. On the former, she was right: Demons were very easy to disguise, more so than Sinners or Winners. It was as if they were surprisingly malleable for some reason.

The latter? Well, let's say Charlie had a vengeful smile when the comments started rolling in.

chaotic_blubbin

Isn't that Brennon Ragers?

Tronak_The_Blobarian

Didn't he die in a fire or some shit?

mothafuckingT-REX!

Guys, if Hell is real, and we had two dead chicks to prove it. Why would this be surprising?

"I am not that fucker!" Blitzo yelled at the screen, grabbing the camera from Jack's computer while pointing a very human finger at it. "That fucker got me in a load of shit WHILE I was wearing a fucking wig like his! How can you humans be these massively retarded pieces of-!?"

Luckily for everyone involved, Dom and Charlie both removed Blitzo from the camera and a few steps away so he huffed and puffed on his own. It did bring a small smile to Charlie, though. Emily didn't know if it was good or bad that she was this vengeful, but then again everyone else seemed happy with the resolution, so it was fine. Was it? Probably.

Though it was true; Blitzo's human disguise DID look like Brennon Ragers. Jack pulled out an image on his second monitor to see a caucasian man with bright chesnut hair and general features very much alike to Blitzo in human form. The differences had to do with attire more than anything physical.

Huh, that was a funny coincidence. Perhaps more demons had human counterparts? Perhaps angels did too. That was another thing to look for, if out of curiosity more than anything.

Right now she had two more subjects, subjects that were actually interested and curious. Claudia seemed intrigued to see this, probably because Imps rarely, if ever, got such magic used on them. Disguises for Imps were… a waste. Emily could understand the feeling of being seen as inferior, even if it was something she had been feeling only after that mess. As for Gina? Well, Emily could feel very little magic from her, and the young woman was giddy. Clearly, this particular Succubus had never ever perfected transformation.

That'd be an interesting test. Would she be easier or harder? Emily chose to begin with Claudia, just for comparison with Blitzo before going for the young Succubus.

Huh, okay. That was slightly different.

"Hm… I am a bit taller." Claudia hummed as she tried to move, making her hiss slightly. "The clothes… haven't grown with me." In fact the sound of stretching, probably tearing, could be heard. "I… I may need to revert… Please?"

Claudia HAD grown. It wasn't a huge thing, but a couple inches is far too much when your clothes are made to be a tight, but very comfortable, fit. Her hair had turned platinium blonde, close to the former white, while her eyes were now normal and human like indeed, much like Blitzo's disguise, only hers had turned a very vibrant green that seemed to sparkle with the light. Most likely the chaotic bit that made this spell so easily used on her. But other than that? She looked like a perfectly normal woman with a perky nose and a no nonsense expression, though the tightness of her clothes, everywhere, made some things… obvious.

M0nk3yBu71n37

It is a trap!

DEEZtructor

Chick with dick.

More comments came through, most of them eerily similar.

Humans had one track mind sometimes.

Emily did her best to take this seriously and not chuckle as she dismissed the spell. At least for now Claudia would have to go without. Emily was going to need to practice this some more in the end.

So she aimed her magic at Gina as Claudia retreated a few steps, clearly happy to be back in her own body.

And you know what? A Succubus had absolutely zero resistance here.

Gina didn't change very much at all. Beyond having her ears more human like, missing the horns, her hair being solid black with no gray nor silver in sight. Ironically, her curves got more pronounced. Partly this had to do with her looking more 'filled', as in she didn't look like she was going to starve in two seconds. With some more meat on her bones, at least apparently, everything on her became BIGGER. Not much, granted, but Gina was anything *but* modest before. Now she looked beyond obscene and the comments…

Emily would ignore the chat on this one.

So many horny adults, young or not, was not a good thing. For Gina? Oh she was blushing up a storm, probably happy. For Emily? She was learning a bit too much about some people.

"EJEM!" So let's cut to the chase. It was time to do the real reveal. Or, well, you know what she means! "Anyway! I did this to prove a point, and to show you the forms of most of those that will be here regularly from now on. Because there is something very important to discuss."

It took exactly four seconds for a question to be typed.

TheGREAT!Emmolutor

Seeing angels and demons and knowing Hell and Heaven is real is not the important thing?

"Yes." Charlie finally stepped forward to get behind Jack and catch the attention of everyone watching. "Let me introduce myself formally: I am Charlotte Morningstar, the Princess of Hell. But I'd prefer it if you called me Charlie." A good number of 'Hello Charlie', or 'Hello princess' came through. Alongside a few others that Charlie expertly ignored. "I am here on behalf of a project that Jack's mom is now helping me with."

Understandably, curiosity fueled a very rapid question.

xXFatalFrameXx

What project?

"I am trying to get redeemed." Sarah spoke again as she came back into the limelight. "Princess Charlie, her father, Emily and that dick over there." She pointed at Blitzo, still very much in disguise, and very much flipping Sarah the bird. "They came to tell me that I could help everyone if I did so."

Another question came through, followed by similar ones soon after.

PedrosnicusLordofPedros

Weren't there supposed to be a place for that? Purgatory or somesuch?

"Eh, at one point." Lucifer grimaced. "That is not the case anymore. I also tried to help humanity back in the day, but it didn't exactly work out." He frowned at this. "You know about free will? That thing God supposedly gave you? Well, that is a big fat lie. Humans have free will because 'I' handed it to you lot. Although, credit where credit is due, the idea was my ex-wife's."

This made the chat go into a frenzy. No one found this surprising, but it sure as heck wasn't helpful, so Jack got everyone's attention back on him.

"Hey people! Stop spamming the chat. We aren't done here." When the chat relaxed (at least somewhat) Jack nodded to Charlie. "Tell them the rest."

"Yes, thank you." Charlie offered Jack a small smile, though the topic, Emily knew, was anything but happy or worth smiling about. So when she took air and the chat stopped spamming completely, she knew this would hit hard. "I have been trying to help Sinners redeem themselves for a while now. It was… something my mother wanted me to do, I think. It is something my dad tried a long time ago, but I didn't know about that one until not too long ago."

"Not like I made it easy to speak with me for a long time." Lucifer admitted with a clear frown. "And being estranged for nearly two hundred years makes it a lot worse."

While a few in the chat commented about Charlie's age, the Princess of Hell kept talking. "Perhaps… but I suppose I didn't try much either, and mom may not have pushed me away from you actively, but she did recommend I do my own thing." Charlie let out a low rumbling sound. This was something not for others to see, Emily just hoped they'd talk about everything soon. "In any case, I wished to help others, because humans that fall into Hell, named Sinners, are being killed."

Questions began to flood again, but this time it was a slower trickle. Most questions were concise, surprising, and wondering. While there were a few motormouths and a number of watchers that were asking at one time, one of the regulars asked a pertinent question soon enough.

wAyOfThEdOdO

How can a soul be 'killed', and why?

Charlie grimaced. "First, the why: Overpopulation." Though the answer was somewhat funny, now that both Emily and Charlie thought about it. "Or so Heaven says."

"Truth is…" Emily took this chance to add her two cents. "I have live in Heaven all my life, but I never checked on an important detail: How and why does a soul get to Heaven? Apparently, as I discovered not long ago, no one does. Not even those in the Council, like my sister, Sera, the High Seraphim that is the voice of the council."

"Meanwhile most people nowadays end up in Hell." Blitzo spoke from his resting place, next to Dom after his outburst. The Imp was looking at his hands dejectedly for some reason. "Not complaining. Most of you lot will likely pay me to work my magic in the future. But it is the buttload of Sinners in Hell that attract the Exterminators."

Emily frowned at this, and the moment someone asked, she answered. "Exterminators, or Exorcists. They are, well, modern 'angels of vengeance', from what I learned before helping Charlie with her plan." The young Seraphim could still hardly believe her sister went along with this. "They are closely tied to Adam, the First Man. All of them are women, warriors, and their task is to go to Hell once a year, during the new year, to do away with sometimes a hundred souls per angel, sometimes even more!" Emily felt the desire to bite her nails for some reason. Admitting to this was still so painful. It begged her to clarify something. "Or… well… better say not 'angels'. Like Sinners aren't demons, even if they get some demonic powers, Winners, or human souls that end in Heaven, also do the same with angelic energies."

The same user that asked the previous question was as scathing as Emily expected for someone to be with this new knowledge.

wAyOfThEdOdO

Heavenborn or not, they are angels. I don't think semantics help your point here.

"I know that!" Emily almost yelled the moment she read the message, catching her, barely, in the last second. "But we didn't know about this! Only a few angels in Heaven knew. I didn't learn of this until Charlie came to ask for help."

Charlie held the now trembling Emily in a gentle hug. She couldn't help it, Emily just hated this topic and the fact that she had been fed a lie for so long that it hurt more than any physical pain she could imagine. Even the chat itself seemed taken aback.

After all, if you live for nearly as long as creation, only to find out your task has been made impossible from the beginning, for you cannot make people happy when they aren't allowed to live… What do you do? Emily didn't know, but even if her task had been a smokescreen, having Winners always given all they needed to be happy without Emily doing a thing, it had been her life. At least until so many people began to beg for explanations, to understand why her family members and loved ones would never, ever, be seen again.

It broke Emily's heart and trust all at once.

Charlie did her a solid by taking over. "I learned that my father spoke the truth: Heaven is beautiful, it has so many great things… But those at the top don't listen. I don't know how it works, but it clearly ignores the desire to become better from those in Hell. BUT!" She made sure to stop those that were already typing comments. "I believe in redemption! I know, KNOW, it can work. That is why we approached Sarah. It is possible for her to make amends, to show true regret, to 'heal'."

Emily recovered from her upset enough to share her own bit. "If we prove redemption can be achieved, that souls can reach Heaven after being in Hell, then the Exterminations will stop." Hope again filled her breast. "And we have motivation. If we fail there will be more Exterminations per year to control the overflow of Sinners in Hell." Though, to be fair, more than hope it was sheer, brutal and bullheaded determination to do what was right. "I refuse for that to happen. I will help Charlie and the many innocents in Hell, even if Heaven is not happy with that." Then she looked at Sarah, offering her a hand to put her in front. "And indeed Sarah will be the first."

Sarah looked abashed. "Look, I intend to become a better person, I promised… But I am just human, you know? I have limits."

"And in the meantime we can also help everyone alive!" Charlie didn't allow Sarah's somewhat down to earth attitude (or slightly pessimistic, depending on your point of view) to ground her hope. "We not only want to bring knowledge of Heaven and Hell existing out, but maybe help all of you understand that being a better person IS rewarded."

"Of course, you guys will do whatever you want." Lucifer interjected with a sarcastic smile on his lips. He was clearly not so sold in the belief of humans doing their best after all. "So we also have 'guests' as it were; Claudia and Blitzo here for Imps, Gloria for the Succubi. Representatives for the hellborn so you all learn a little bit in case you DO end up in Hell." He chuckled at the reaction of the chat. "And stop being perverts, all of you. Despite what you may think, you CAN scare a Succubus off. The point is to let you know about the denizens of Hell. If Heaven takes that huge stick out of its ass, then maybe they'll send some representatives to do the same on their end."

Well, this wasn't how she had envisioned it going, and in the end the humans present had done less than she thought they would, but Emily wasn't angry or disappointed. She wished, dearly wished, for them all to end up with a happy life and afterlife.

But why would all of humanity do what was 'good' and 'happy'? The meaning of those words was different from person to person. So no, while she hoped, she knew it wouldn't happen. But that would not change her decision and determination. She was here, with people that supported her desires and Charlie's dream.

They could do it.

Mike_Poolside [Site Admin]

The stream ends now.

At least until that comment made it through.

Jack was the first to react. "What!? Why?!"

Mike_Poolside [Site Admin]

I have been watching, as have some of my companions. When certain members of our staff came through with your request… We became suspicious. Other Blutubers have done stunts to try and get more attention before. Many have been banned for certain acts.

Mike_Poolside [Site Admin]

This stream is not illegal, as I highly doubt there are rules that involve beings that are not from Earth. We have people here that are watching without seeing Miss Emily's little trick, and they swear they only see normal people, while those like me, that have watched through it all, see something different.

Mike_Poolside [Site Admin]

But as said: The stream is breaking no big rules, but this is clearly in need of more supervision, perhaps some preplanned questioning on the viewers' part so we get some… clarity. As such we have decided to ask for this stream to be postponed until tomorrow 15:30 hours. Is that doable?

Emily bit her lip as she looked at Jack, who was clearly mulling it over. A quick look at Lucien and Dom gave her no further details, though Dom was more relaxed than the very nervous Lucien. This likely was not a normal situation and could spell disaster. Sarah herself seemed to think so if her eyes and trembling hands were any indication. The woman didn't want for her son or her friends to be in trouble, or for this opportunity to slip them by.

Or perhaps this situation could help them out?

Charlie seemed unsure of what to say, and Lucifer, while the King of Hell, looked very put off by this interruption. Considering he was only going to be able to be here today before having his duties all but kidnap him, this was, in Emily's humble opinion, like a kick to the balls.

As for Blitzo, Claudia and Gina? The assassin was complaining about 'Those on top always fucking shit up', though Emily wouldn't disagree this time. Claudia seemed pissed, but remained quite about it. She probably took this as an insult to her boss, and that kind of thing would've been answered with more than words back in Hell despite the Imp being extremely mellow otherwise. Gina herself looked disappointed, though she seemed to be working some kind of ideas in her head.

All in all, no one seemed to know what to do. The best answer would be just to accept, or so Emily guessed in the end.

"We accept." Jack called out after a moment of silence. Whether the others agreed that this was the correct way or not, it felt like the better option. "If the regular viewers and everyone else can watch, perhaps forward a few questions for you guys to veto forward or to be discarded that is."

Mike_Poolside [Site Admin]

We won't have professional commentators here. The board has decided to see this through with a popular view. Bringing people whose livelihood has to do with debating and such is not going to help with this kind of topic.

Mike_Poolside [Site Admin]

For once we are convinced the average viewer may have more to say than 'experts' or those with a lot of mileage dissecting videos or making commentary. The boss himself is a very pious man and he has been called to watch after certain revelations.

Mike_Poolside [Site Admin]

He… hasn't been taking it well. We expect clarifications tomorrow. For now, we will be closing this stream. We'll leave a link to forward questions for tomorrow's stream. That stream will be heavily monitored.

Mike_Poolside [Site Admin]

If everything goes well we'll allow more relaxed streams like this one today. We just need answers and to confirm this has been no trick. If we have doubts about your validity, a ban from the site will be the least of your problems.

Mike_Poolside [Site Admin]

For now we will be closing this stream. We are sorry for the inconvenience, but this is a very sensitive topic to many and must be treated as such. Do not worry: This video will remain online. Good day to you all.

With that last message the stream ended.

The like and dislike numbers began to climb.

Comments on the video page began to pile.

Emily didn't know if this was a win, but it was the first day of many.

"Well, that is disappointing." Lucifer sighed after the fact. "I suppose there are many interesting things in our future. Perhaps even taking place in this very city."

*** G.L City - Outskirts ***

A beautiful car sat a long ways away from. The glass windows were tinted, the car itself was clearly modified, probably reinforced, and only the driver's window was down, with the man on the driving seat having sunglasses as he hummed a little tune.

It wasn't until he heard his phone go off that he stoped and checked it.

The message read [So this is the place. Are you sure?]

The man chuckled. [Yeah boss. This is where that crazy story took place. Green Leaves is a bit… meh, isn't it?]

Another message cam through. [Perhaps it is not impressive, but it tells me that rumor was right. I see possibilities here.]

The driver nodded. Of course he did. The boss saw gold where others saw silver, or just copper. It was a surprise that his father and his siblings disliked the man so much. He had made great decision after great decision.

Even if he was eccentric and a danger to himself sometimes.

[Then we shall go down there and start something?] The driver asked through the phone.

[Not today.] Was the first answer he got. [I need to confirm a few things and check the supply. It was fine last time I called, but that was more than two months ago. I won't commit without being sure of things.]

Well, that was more care than he usually put. It also meant he was going to stockpile if he wanted to do his usual shtick. The driver just shrugged. That meant less trouble, hopefully.

[Do we go back, then?] The only problem now was a boring drive home, but that is why he was paid well enough to ignore boredom and get his little boss anywhere he wanted.

[Yes, please Murphy. Take your time. I'll enjoy the view and you can enjoy your music.]

The driver didn't need to be told twice. Today was going to be a relaxing day and, if the young boss got another success coming, it also meant more cash in his pocket.

Good things were soon to come, that was for sure.

*** Back at the Mayberry residence ***

"But I suppose we are done for now." Lucifer seemed resigned. Perhaps in other circumstances Emily would've said he was wrong, but right now their plan had been stopped. He turned to Charlie. "I hope you'll be back tomorrow and ready for whatever they throw at you?"

Charlie had a steely gaze. "Of course I'll be here, dad."

"Good, good." He then turned to Blitzo and the others. "You all?"

"You paid for my time, so I'll be here." Blitzo shrugged, hardly caring. "By the way, dispel this shit if ya will, lady."

As Emily dispelled her spell Claudia bowed to the King of Hell. "I'll be ready whenever I am needed, Master."

Gina was less servile, but she gave a nod as her disguise fell. "I will always be ready to help the princess, of course."

"As expected." Lucifer seemed pleased, or as pleased as someone who more or less had the door slammed in their face could be. Essentially that was what happened after all. "Everyone else will be here, of course."

Jack answered for everyone, and he clearly had the same convictions held on everyone else's faces, Emily included. "Of course. We'll be ready in time, and we'll get a better setup, I promise."

With a nod, Lucifer sighed. "Shame I have enough paperwork to cover a mountain then." He groaned, a clear headache developing. "I would prefer to be here, but that isn't going to happen for a while. At least I would've loved to see some reactions to my powers or creations. You know, flaunt a bit before having to go back to work."

"Dad." Charlie used a warning tone that seemed to molify Lucifer in a second. "You have spent enough time making duckies." And those words made the ancient entity blush. Emily wanted to chuckle, but the moment was too serious. "But that aside, we should go. If you guys want to prepare this room, then go ahead. I have to check on Vaggie and make sure if she wants to come back tomorrow or not." This made Charlie take on a saddened look. "I am sorry for leaving this quickly, but I'd prefer to make sure everything is okay."

Sarah was, no surprise, far quicker than anyone else. "You love the girl, so go with her." She had a look in her eyes, even after Emily's spell was broken alongside the disguise for everyone else, that spoke of how important this was to her. "Make sure she is okay."

That more or less was the end of it. While Dom and Lucien got up and walked away with the denizens of Hell, asking a few questions on the way, Lucien and Emily stood behind. This was mostly so Emily would be there when Jack opened the door that should've lead to Alastor.

Only the man wasn't there.

A simple note, in remarkable penmanship, read 'We'll talk tomorrow'.

There was no damage, there was no show of anger or anything else, and the camera was intact in the room.

The TV was also on.

And a creature, the player, was there, about to land on what, to Emily, looked like the top of a flesh shredding machine.

A shudder ran down her spine while Jack just hummed and nodded, as if he had expected something like that.

What a day. And it was only the first real day of this! For how short an event it was, her heart sure was racing. Hopefully no one else was going through the same thing as her mind went a mile a second with everything she was afraid could go wrong tomorrow.

*** User - wAyOfThEdOdO ***

Bartolomeu Jenkins sat on his chair, an old companion from times long gone. He hummed as he toyed with the mouse and keyboard in a room where such things were out of place.

Victorian. Ancient. Just like the man.

You wouldn't say he was, but the large black man should've been dead a long time ago. In fact, despite looking like he just hit thirty, he had wanted to die for nearly a hundred years now. But he didn't.

He would continue.

He would make everything he could, right.

In the room of a bygone era Bart looked and felt at home. A picture of two people always sat near him. To many it looked like Bart's ancestor, for the younger man in the picture was very like him. In reality? That black and white picture was of him. A perfectly preserved memento.

A magically preserved memento.

He had been one of the few to see things as they were from the start.

And now, as he looked at key parts of the video, Bart could only wonder and hope. Regret clear in his voice as he spoke.

"Will I see you again? I know you are there. I know what we did was wrong in their eyes… But you did not deserve that. You never did."

But regret did not stop him as he looked at the picture. The other figure was a beautiful woman in that perfect dress she loved, with that even more perfect smile.

Both of them were covered in blood. Blood of those that deserved their fate.

Blood of those that were going to feed the hungry.

*** User - xXFatalFrameXx ***

Mavis Clawthorne couldn't stop herself. She was bringing her old gear out of retirement. Photographing models had been stale for so long, and she had stopped working for three months now. She just couldn't take it.

Early forties, three children, all of them adult and independent. She was a good mother, even if her husband died shortly after their third child. Mavis had been a power mom from day one and it never stopped for her. But if there was one thing she missed, was the chance to heed the call and go photograph dangerous animals and environments. That had always been her dream.

Instead the woman choose to be a mother. Conservative parents, conservative beliefs. She did not regret it, but she wished to have lived more than she did.

Perhaps she could.

Fear was long gone now. Her legacy was assured. She had a family, her blood would live on. She made sure her children weren't as incompetent as many of the new generation. They'd be fine.

Now Mavis craved change.

She would contact AncientEncoder soon. If this was real, if this had not been a trick, she had a craving for the possibility of going to Hell.

It was stupid, she knew. This was likely all a damn ploy. But you know, she had known the young man for many years now. She was there to comfort him when his mom died. Jack wouldn't do anything like this.

So strange, calling AncientEncoder by his name. But perhaps it was better that way. If he accepted she'd be moving to his side of the country in the blink of an eye.

Mavis was going to live her dream, even if it ended with her staying in Hell permanently.

If you let go of your dreams, they become fantasies. If you fulfill them, they become legends. And Mavis was not willing to live a fantasy any longer.

*** User - DEEZtructor ***

Tobias Greenglow stretched as he got up from his seat. The young man was yet to become an adult, still needing a few months. But today sure as shit had made him feel older.

Hell. Heaven. Real? This had to be a joke, right? But he couldn't believe Dominic would do something like that.

Tobias was like Dom, you know? He had the same 'afliction', if becoming STRONK could be called an affliction. But, much like Dominic, Tobias found it more a hassle than anything else. He had been in worse shape than Dom when he found the channel these three friends share. It was thanks to Dom that he didn't do something stupid.

You may think having such a 'superpower' was cool, but not everyone was of the same mind.

Many made Tobias' life impossible.

But now he knew that a world of magic could be real. A world of fantasy and mysteries and strange creatures! Tobias was not as much of a geek or a nerd as Dom and his friends, but the idea of a world with more than just humans…

It intrigued him for some reason.

It also made him thirsty. He had yelled bloody murder when the site administration came to spoil it all.

So, with a sore throat he went to the kitchen for some water.

"Stream's over, honey?" Her mother, and head of the house despite 'just being a housewife', called from the kitchen as she heard him walking down the stairs. "I thought it would go on for hours as always."

Tobias snickered. His mother was always so attentive. Electra Greenglow had perhaps babied her son far too much, but since she had been unable to have more children despite wanting a trong of them, it was to be expected.

"Yeah, the administrators shut it down." Tobias spoke moments before making it to the kitchen. "Do you know the guy I follow, AncientEncoder, probably just broke the internet?"

Tobias heard his mother giggle. "Why is that, honey? Do I need to pay him a visit? He just lives on the other side of the city, far as I know."

True, they were locals. Tobias could've visited the person that made him rethink his near stupidity. But for how big he was, Tobias was a coward.

"Well, get this." Tobias smirked as he made it to the kitchen. "He had this girl named Emily today and…"

Then he stopped.

Instead of the usual figure of her mother, there was something else there.

"Hmm?" And when she turned his way, despite having a totally different appearance, she had the same caring and loving eyes Tobias' mother had. "What is the matter, honey? What is this about a girl called Emily?"

Tobias felt his mouth go dry for a moment. He gulped down. Tried to get air. Finally, he calmed down.

The woman in front of him looked very much like two figures that were becoming very famous in hell. A pair of clownfish demon sisters. The only difference? She was older, not that Tobias knew, not that Electra would share.

So Tobias had to ask.

"Mom…" By now Electra was looking concerned. Her eyes widened when her son asked the question. "Are you… are you a fish demon?"

The plate she had been cleaning fell to the ground and shattered.

*** User - EarlTheEarglove ***

Uther Crogner puffed on his pipe like a stunty, angry dwarf that had tobacco but no alcohol nor did he have gold nearby. Meaning: Very irritated. The retired reported could only tap his good foot on the wooden floor.

A belly full of shrapnel. A shattered knee. A botched operation that got his insides to twist and turn every so often. All those things bothered him.

But nothing bothered him more than someone being slow to answer the fucking phone!

"Yes?"

"At fucking last you damn slowpoke!" Uther growled into the phone, making the poor woman on the other end flinch. "Where were you, Cyntia?"

"On another call with a more pleasant man than you, Uther." Cynthia, Uther knew, was trying to regain hearing on that poor abused ear. "What got your undies in a twist this time?"

"I need two things. But first, remind me." Uther grumbled as he chewed his pipe. "You did end up moving to Green Leaves, right?"

Cynthia snorted. She wouldn't do it otherwise. Only Uther had seen her outside of her 'prim and proper' persona. The two of them had no family outside the ones they paired with, so few saw the real person under the facade.

"Yes, I moved to a boring town in the North. How is Texas treating you by the way?" Cynthia was ever so vitriolic. That is how you forge strong friendships.

"Like shit, as always. That is why I love it here." And while funny, nothing that Uther said was untrue. "But hear me out. I need you to pay attention to our Order conversations, you twat. Check that video I sent you."

Cynthia mumbled something but did as told. A moment after she checked, she spoke again. "A stream of that local guy, the one whose mother went into a mini fucking rampage. What about him?"

"His mom is on that video." Uther spoke in a grim manner, serious enough to make Cynthia unable to speak. "Alive."

But the surprise waas far too much to remain silent. "You are shitting me, right?"

"Nope. Check the video. The last few minutes. Tell me what you see."

Cynthia did as instructed. She told who she saw: Dominique, Lucien and Jack were all okay. The others? Cynthia was asked to describe them in detail, and she did. She only did it because she remembered Sarah Mayberry. She only did as asked because this was IMPOSSIBLE.

"This is AI generated somehow, right?" Cynthia mumbled through the phone. "This is impossible. That woman blew her own brains out in front of children, Uther!"

"Oh, she is very much dead." Uther chuckled. "I remember the reporting your people did. I hope you fired that bitch of yours, by the way. So damn unprofessional."

Cynthia sighed. "I told you and I'll tell you again: Amanda was new and far too emotional. She has matured since then. And she better remember to act professional. I only give one warning before canning people."

"Good enough." Uther grumbled. "Now, see that notification on the corner?" After an affirmative answer, Uther was oh so kind to say. "Watch the video from there. Tell me what you see."

Minutes afterwards, Uther heard Cynthia's voice again.

"We need to interview these people. They may get a few days of this, but I want them in my building, Uther."

Uther grew a toothy grin, his beard and mustache making it perhaps a bit too menacing for a normal person's taste. "Let me 'ave at the kid. I am sure I can get him to agree. He doesn't exactly like mainstream after your girl tore his mom a new one, but I have been watching him for a while. I am sure I can have some of my old charm work its magic."

*** Somewhere else. Site Unknown. Focus Unknown ***

Darkness would've been expected, but instead there was light, far too much light. Nothing could be seen but an opposing source, a screen. In there the figure of Charlotte Morningstar, gently embracing Emily, was highlighted.

"The Antichrist has acted."

A voice from the vast, impossible to see, room echoed within. It was deep, masculine, and had a rumbling to it.

"The words of God must be upheld."

Another, softer, more feminine voice came next. It was older, wiser, but also clearly angry and filed with rancor.

"His messenger spoke true. She dared go against His will."

A third voice, younger, male again, but no less experienced, was the third to speak.

"We must now bide our time." A fourth voice, another mine. This one was throaty, harsh, as if something made it hard to breathe. "This is no mere cannibal family worshiping evil itself. Not even I can go and unmake it."

"His messenger told us to wait." The second voice growled. "I disapprove. But His will binds us."

The first agreed. "Action should be taken. Only His warning to see, to monitor, commands us otherwise."

"The time of ascension is near." The third seemed unsure. Not of the plan, but for the people. "Not many may be ready for it."

"His will shall be carried. There is nothing more important than the Words of God." A golden crucifix was produced from the light, followed by three more. "We will do as commanded. We will guide our people. We will fight the unclean and the perverting powers of the Devil. We will be the shield, no matter the cost." The crucifixes began to glow, soon absorbing all, even the previously blinding light. "Divus Imperator!"

The other three voices agreed. "Divus Imperator!"