As the ominous chimes echoed across the Greed Ring, Charlie clutched her phone tightly, panic edging into her voice. "Dad! What's going on? Why is the Extermination countdown suddenly active again? And why is it showing up in every ring? It's only ever been in Pentagram City!"
On the other end, Lucifer's tone was measured but firm. "I'll explain everything soon, Charlie, but right now, there's no time for details."
"That's not good enough!" Charlie exclaimed. "People are panicking! I need answers!"
Lucifer sighed, his usual aloofness giving way to an unusual seriousness. "What you need is to go back to the hotel. Keep the sinners calm, both there and in Pentagram City. The last thing we need is chaos on top of this."
Charlie opened her mouth to argue, but Lucifer cut her off. "This is bigger than you, Charlie. Right now, I need Spawn to meet me at my palace. And only Spawn."
Charlie's eyes widened as she glanced at Spawn. "What? No! If this involves him, I need to—"
"No," Lucifer said sharply, the weight of his authority clear in his tone. "You have your role in this, and it's just as important as his. Stay at the hotel and do what you do best. Keep people together."
Charlie's protests faltered. She knew her father well enough to recognize when he wouldn't budge. "Fine," she said reluctantly, her shoulders slumping. "But you'd better explain everything soon."
Lucifer's voice softened slightly. "I will. You have my word. Now, send Spawn to me."
Charlie hung up, her expression a mixture of frustration and worry as she turned to Spawn. "Looks like you're being summoned. Please… be careful."
Spawn nodded, his face unreadable as he prepared to leave. "I'll handle it."
Vaggie stepped forward, placing a hand on Charlie's shoulder. "We'll keep things under control here. Go see what he wants."
With a flash of his necroplasmic energy, Spawn disappeared, leaving Charlie and Vaggie to face the growing chaos of the Extermination countdown.
The moment Spawn appeared in Lucifer's opulent palace, he immediately sensed that something was amiss. The usual air of aloofness and whimsy that accompanied the King of Hell was absent. Instead, Lucifer was pacing the floor, his wings partially unfurled, his face set in an expression Spawn had never seen before: worry.
Spawn's voice cut through the silence. "What's going on? You don't look like someone who's got everything under control."
Lucifer stopped pacing, his piercing gaze locking onto Spawn. "You remember what I told you when I made you my enforcer? About only calling on you if all of Hell was at risk?"
Spawn nodded slowly. "Yeah. You said it would have to be something big. So what is it?"
Lucifer let out a slow breath, stepping closer to Spawn. "This is one of those moments. Heaven has sent an ultimatum."
Spawn narrowed his eyes. "Heaven? What kind of ultimatum?"
Lucifer's expression darkened, his usual flamboyance replaced by an intensity that seemed to fill the room as he recalled the holo-call he had mere moments ago.
Lucifer is seated at his ornate desk, leaning back in his chair with his usual air of confidence. But his relaxed demeanor contrasts with the tension crackling in the air as a holographic projection flickers in front of him.
The projection displays a female Exorcist sergeant, her stern face framed by a glowing hood. Her armor glints with divine light, and her piercing eyes are locked on Lucifer, radiating disdain.
Lucifer's voice is calm but sharp, his tone betraying the irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "Sergeant, let's cut the theatrics. This is nothing more than a power play. Call it off before you make things worse."
The Exorcist's voice is as cold and unyielding as steel. "This is not a negotiation, Lucifer. You've had your fun playing king of the damned, but your little circus is spiraling out of control. Your enforcer is a threat to the natural order."
Lucifer's eyes narrowed. "Spawn hasn't done anything to warrant this level of overreaction. He's handled Hell's problems, and frankly, you should be thanking him. The chaos he's cleaning up benefits both sides."
The Exorcist's expression hardened further. "The divine mandate is clear. The soul known as Spawn has disrupted the balance of Hell and Heaven. His very existence is a violation. If you do not hand him over within 24 hours, the next Extermination will extend beyond Pentagram City."
Lucifer sat up straight, his smile vanishing. "You're seriously suggesting wiping out Hellborn? Most of them have done nothing to earn your wrath. Punishing them for sins they never committed is unjust, even by your standards."
The Exorcist's's tone turned icy. "Justice is not yours to define, Morningstar. You forfeited that right the day you fell. This is not about right or wrong. It's about restoring order, and we will not wait any longer."
Lucifer leaned forward, his voice lowering to a dangerous edge. "You know exactly how this will end if you push me. Do you think Heaven can handle the fallout of a war with Hell? You don't have the numbers, and you certainly don't have the stomach for it."
She didn't flinch. "I suggest you think carefully about your position, Lucifer. You have 24 hours to decide. Hand over Spawn, or we will make the decision for you. And when we do, there will be no mercy."
With that, the hologram flickered out, leaving Lucifer sitting alone in the dimly lit room. He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair as the weight of the ultimatum settled on his shoulders.
"They've given me a choice. Either I hand you over to them, or the Extermination begins tomorrow. And this time, it won't be confined to Pentagram City. No one, not even Hellborn, will be safe."
The words hit Spawn like a blow. "So that's why the countdown is showing up in every ring."
Lucifer nodded grimly. "Exactly. They've raised the stakes. This isn't just about cleansing sinners anymore. It's about a full-scale purge of Hell itself."
Lucifer paced back and forth, his wings twitching slightly as he muttered to himself. "Damn them. They think they can dictate the terms. But if I fight back, what happens to everyone here? Charlie, the Sins, every Hellborn who didn't ask for this..."
Spawn stood silently, his mind racing. Once, he would have dismissed everyone here as unworthy of his concern. But those days were long gone. Images flashed in his mind: Angel's chaotic energy, Vaggie's fierce loyalty, Husk's gruff wisdom, and Niffty's relentless cheer.
He thought of Moxxie and Millie, who had shown him what a real partnership could look like, and Loona, who reminded him of what it meant to want to protect the younger and more vulnerable. Even Blitzo, with his unorthodox antics, had wormed his way into Spawn's guarded sense of camaraderie.
But most of all, he thought of Charlie—her unyielding optimism, her belief in redemption, and the way she fought so hard to bring a semblance of hope to a place where there was none. The thought of her being hurt because of him was something he couldn't bear.
"Enough," Spawn said, his gravelly voice cutting through Lucifer's rambling.
Lucifer stopped mid-pace, turning to Spawn with a raised brow. "What's enough?"
"I'll go," Spawn said, his tone firm.
Lucifer's eyes widened. "You'll what?"
"I'll give myself up," Spawn repeated, stepping forward. "If Heaven wants me so badly, then fine. But I'm not letting anyone else suffer because of me."
Lucifer's expression darkened, his usually confident demeanor replaced by genuine anger. "No. I won't let you do this. Do you have any idea what they'll do to you? Spawn, this isn't surrender. It's a death sentence."
"And letting them carry out their Extermination isn't?" Spawn shot back. "You said it yourself—they're willing to kill everyone in Hell to get to me. I can't let that happen."
Lucifer shook his head, his fists clenching. "This isn't just about you. You've fought against tyrants, angels, and devils alike. You're a symbol now, Spawn. If you give in, they'll take it as a sign of Hell's weakness."
Spawn's eyes burned as he stepped closer. "This isn't about pride, Lucifer. It's about people. The people who live here, who don't deserve to pay the price for what I've done. Charlie, Vaggie, Angel, Moxxie, Millie... even you. I can't let them suffer because of me."
Lucifer stared at him, struggling to find the right words. For all his power and cunning, he found himself speechless in the face of Spawn's unwavering resolve.
Spawn's gaze didn't waver as he spoke. "I'm not afraid of Heaven, Lucifer. Whatever they think they can do to me, I've faced worse. And if they're capable of listening, maybe they'll see what I've really been doing."
Lucifer let out a sharp laugh, though there was no humor in it. "Don't get your hopes up. Heaven doesn't listen. They never have, not to me, not to anyone down here. They only see what they want to see."
Spawn crossed his arms. "I don't care what they see. I care about what's right. And this is the right thing to do."
Lucifer stared at him, his eyes studying Spawn with something bordering on admiration. "You're either the bravest man I've ever met or the most stubborn fool in existence," he said softly.
Spawn smirked faintly. "Maybe a little of both."
After a long moment, Lucifer sighed. "Fine. I'll tell them you're surrendering willingly. But you'd better be back here before the clock runs out. I can't hold them off if you're late."
Spawn nodded. "I'll be back. But there's one last thing I need to do before I go."
Lucifer tilted his head. "And what's that?"
"I need to tell Charlie," Spawn said. His voice was steady, but there was a weight to his words that even Lucifer could feel.
Lucifer's expression softened, and he gave a single nod. "She deserves to know... But you'd better be back here before the clock runs out. I can't hold them off if you're late."
Without another word, Spawn turned and disappeared in a flash of green light, leaving Lucifer alone in the grand hall. Lucifer watched the fading glow with a mix of respect and sorrow. "Don't let them break you, Spawn," he muttered to himself. "For all our sakes."
The Hazbin Hotel was in chaos. Panic spread like wildfire as the news of the countdown echoed in everyone's minds. Some of the new guests were already packing their things, convinced the hotel was a death trap given what happened during the last extermination.
"I'm not staying here! If the Exorcists are coming for all of Hell, this is the worst place to be!" one sinner shouted, dragging a bag behind them as they made their way to the lobby doors.
"You're an idiot!" another sinner retorted. "This is the safest place! Spawn is here! Did you see what he did to Satan? To that angel-looking guy?"
"You think one guy can protect all of us? Against Heaven? You're delusional!"
The voices of dozens of sinners filled the lobby, rising in tension and fear.
At the center of it all, Charlie and Vaggie were working tirelessly to keep order.
"Everyone, please! Just calm down!" Charlie called, holding up her hands. Her usual optimistic tone was tinged with urgency, but it remained steady.
"We understand that you're scared," Vaggie added, her spear in hand, though she kept it lowered to avoid escalating the situation. "But panicking isn't going to help anyone. We're all in this together."
"Together?" someone scoffed from the crowd. "Easy for you to say! You're safe! What about us?"
Charlie stepped forward, her voice firm yet compassionate. "No one here is safe if we don't stand together. Running will only make you vulnerable out there. Here, we can protect each other."
"But what about the Exorcists? What about the countdown?" another sinner demanded.
"I'm already working on finding answers," Charlie assured them. "My father and I are trying to figure out what's going on. And you're right—Al is here. He's never let us down before, and I don't think he ever will."
The mention of Spawn brought a murmur through the crowd, some nodding in agreement while others remained skeptical.
Vaggie stepped beside Charlie, her voice sharper but equally resolute. "If you want to leave, no one's stopping you. But don't blame us if you regret it later. For those who stay, we'll do everything we can to protect you. That's a promise."
The room began to settle slightly, though tension still hung heavy in the air. Just as it seemed things were calming down, a flash of green light illuminated the lobby.
Spawn stood in the center of the room, his imposing figure immediately drawing everyone's attention.
"Al!" Charlie exclaimed, relief washing over her as she rushed to him. "What's going on? Do you know what's happening?"
Spawn's gaze swept over the panicked crowd before landing on Charlie. He let out a small sigh. "We need to talk," he said, his voice low but commanding.
Charlie glanced at Vaggie, who nodded and took over calming the remaining crowd. "Let's go," Charlie said, leading Spawn to a quieter part of the hotel.
In one of the quieter rooms of the hotel, far from the prying eyes and ears of the panicked crowd, Spawn leaned against the wall, his usual stoic demeanor unwavering as he looked down at Charlie.
Her hands were clasped together tightly, her expression a mix of worry and determination. "What's going on, Al? What did my father say?"
Spawn exhaled, his voice calm but heavy. "Heaven has delivered an ultimatum. They want me. And they're threatening to wipe out all of Hell if Lucifer doesn't hand me over."
Charlie's face went pale as the weight of his words sank in. "What? But… why? What could they possibly want with you?"
"They see me as a threat," Spawn said bluntly. "They think I'm disrupting the natural order of things here. And they're willing to kill everyone—hellborn, sinners, all of them—just to get to me."
Charlie's mind raced, already trying to piece together a solution. "No, no, no. There has to be another way. Maybe if we—"
"Stop." Spawn's voice cut through her thoughts like a blade, firm and unwavering.
She froze, looking up at him as he straightened from the wall.
"I've already decided," he said. "I'm giving myself up."
For a moment, Charlie was speechless, staring at him as if she hadn't heard him correctly. "You're… what? Why would you do that?"
"No one deserves to be hurt because of me," Spawn said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Not you. Not the people in this hotel. Not anyone in this place."
Charlie's eyes welled with tears as she stepped closer, shaking her head. "No. No, I'm not letting you do this. There has to be another way."
"Charlie—"
"No!" she shouted, her voice breaking as tears started to fall. "You don't get to just throw your life away like that! You've done so much good here. For me, for the hotel, for everyone! How can you even think about leaving now?"
Spawn sighed, his tone softening. "This isn't about throwing my life away. It's about saving others. That's all that matters."
"It matters to me," Charlie said, her voice trembling. "You matter to me."
The hallway fell silent, the only sound the muffled chaos of the hotel beyond them. Spawn looked down at Charlie, her words hanging heavily in the air. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
Spawn's decision was resolute. "My mind's made up, Charlie. I'm giving myself up, with or without your approval."
Charlie's hands gripped the edges of her pants, trembling as tears continued to stream down her face. "You don't have to do this! Please, Al, there has to be another way. We can fight this, together. You don't have to—"
"I do," Spawn interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind. "Too many people here matter to me now. Too many people you care about. I can't stand by and let them die because of me."
Charlie stepped forward, her hands reaching out to him but stopping just short of touching his chest. Her voice cracked as she pleaded, "But we need you here. I need you here. Don't you understand that?"
Spawn looked at her, his face unreadable as the weight of her words settled on him. He let out a slow breath, his voice quieter this time. "Charlie, you're stronger than you think. You've built something incredible here. You've given these people hope. You don't need me for that. You'll keep fighting, no matter what happens to me."
Charlie shook her head violently, her tears falling harder. "That's not true! You've been a part of this for the longest time! You've been there for me, for everyone. You've shown us what it means to fight, to stand for something. How am I supposed to do this without you?"
Spawn hesitated, the vulnerability in her voice piercing through his usual stoicism. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his clawed fingers surprisingly careful. "You'll do it the same way you always have—with that relentless optimism that makes you who you are. And you'll succeed. You're more capable than anyone else in this place."
Charlie's voice broke as she whispered, "Please, don't go. Please."
For the first time, Spawn's gaze softened. He gently stepped back, his hand falling away from her shoulder. "I have to."
Charlie collapsed to her knees, her sobs echoing through the room. "Don't leave. Please…"
Seeing Charlie's tears tugged hard at Spawn's heart, a rare ache that he hadn't felt in years. For the briefest of moments, he considered staying. It would have been easy to abandon the decision, to remain by her side, where he knew he was needed. But he knew he couldn't.
This wasn't about him—it never had been.
Gently, Spawn placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her to her feet. His green eyes softened as they locked onto hers. "Charlie," he said, his deep voice gentler than she'd ever heard it, "you deserve to know who I really am."
Charlie blinked, her trembling hands clutching at his cape. "What do you mean? I already know who you are," she pleaded, her voice breaking.
He shook his head. "No. You don't. I've never lied to you, but I've kept things from you. The whole story of who I am, where I came from, and what made me this… thing." He paused, his gaze searching hers for a moment. "You, of all people, who've shown me nothing but kindness and understanding… you deserve to know the truth."
Charlie's breath hitched as she stared at him, unsure of what he meant.
Spawn stepped back slightly and flexed his fingers. The sound of claws piercing flesh broke the silence, and his palm began to ooze glowing, green necroplasm. The otherworldly substance pulsed faintly, radiating an eerie light.
Charlie stared, her eyes wide. "What… what are you doing?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion and fear.
Holding out his glowing hand, Spawn's voice was calm but firm. "Touch it," he said. "If you do, I'll show you everything—my past, my world, and how I became what I am. No walls, no secrets. You'll see it all."
Charlie hesitated, her gaze flickering between his hand and his face. "Al… I don't know if—"
"I owe you this, Charlie," he interrupted, his tone unwavering. "You need to understand why I have to do this. It's the least I can give you."
Her hand trembled as she reached toward his palm, her tears still falling. "I don't want to lose you," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotion.
"You won't," Spawn replied softly. "I promise, you won't."
With that, her fingers brushed against the glowing necroplasm, and her world was consumed by light.
