Chapter Text
Ever since the beginning of time, good and evil was a concept that was ingrained in the minds of humans from the day they were born. And for those who believed in an existence after death, good and evil had team players propping these ideals up, which were Heaven and Hell themselves. If this were true, then the forces from both sides were in a state of perpetual war, fighting to reign supreme and establish their dominance over the other for their own means, gains, and wishes.
However, that belief was only half right. The animosity that the denizens of Heaven and Hell had for each other persisted despite the amount of time which had passed since those initial fights. But as for an actual war that had their armies dueling to the bitter end? Such a thing had not occurred for several centuries.
Rather, an agreement between the two realms had them declare a shaky truce to their hostilities. As long as either side did not do anything to interfere in the business or interests of the other side, they would keep to themselves and not attack the other side, lest they restart the hostilities.
While the hardliners on both sides wanted total annihilation to put the other out to pasture for good, they were overruled by their respective leaders, as the cost to keep it going would have been too great to justify. It was hardly perfect but much like any temporary solution, it was one which seemed to persist past the point of its existence.
In the meantime, the human population went through a population boom. This meant that for every person brought into the world, the amount of sinners that would end up in Hell once they had met their untimely end increased as well. Seeing this concerned those up in Heaven about the possible impact overpopulation could have on the spirit world and if it would spill over onto the land of the living.
Negotiation was soon held with Lucifer to explain why this situation would be bad for the both of them. After a bit of bartering and compromises from both sides, they came to an agreement to deal with the issue.
Even though the Prince of Darkness had many issues with Heaven and those who ran it, he also held little to no concern about the wellbeing of his subjects. It was his expected duty to punish them for their sins after all.
The offer he received would allow him to accomplish this duty while leaving the entirety of the grunt work to Heaven, which in eyes counted as killing two birds with one stone.
In the end, the solution they came up with would be the creation of Extermination Day. On a yearly basis, angels dubbed Exterminators would descend from Heaven and lay waste to the population. Peasant, commoner, noble, it didn’t matter. If anyone was caught in their sights, death by their blades was certain.
Once the expected quota of demons killed was reached, the Exterminators would leave, death and destruction being left in their wake. Afterwards, life would continue for the residents of Hell as things would get back to normal. The deceased would be disposed of or cannibalized, any leftover weapons were snatched up to be sold or for personal use, and the cycle would repeat.
In hindsight, the yearly Exterminations did more harm than good for both realms.
The main goal Heaven hoped to achieve every year was that during the slaughter of the demons below, the evilest and most depraved sinners and Hellborn would get caught in the crossfire. They would achieve their goal of staving off overpopulation for a bit longer while ensuring that these malicious individuals were dealt with before they do serious harm, whether on Earth or up in Heaven.
Despite this intention, said malicious individuals figured out pretty quickly that the Exterminators would be gunning for them on that day. To counteract the attempts on their lives, they would go underground and hide until the all clear was given, with the Angels none the wiser. As long as they reached their quota, they declared each instance of Extermination Day a mission complete.
Ultimately, the only ones who truly died on that day were the unlucky, homeless, destitute, stupid, or suicidal. The ones who could’ve been considered the victims of their circumstances rather than the sources of Hell’s great evils. Meanwhile, those who should have met their ends at the end of an Angel’s blade were instead free to plan and scheme once it was safe once again.
And the plans they made proved to be harmful to both Heaven and Hell.
But for the longest time, this was just how things were. Nobody had a choice but to accept it as such. Any attempts to actually do so or at least offer an alternative fizzled out almost immediately, as many demons resisted the concept of change purely on principle alone.
Then one day, Hell’s own Princess, Charlotte Magne, showed up on 666 News with a proposition. A rehabilitation hotel specifically designed to help sinners overcome their temptations and short sighted desires and instead abstaining from the habits that got them there. Little by little, these demons and fallen souls would inch further and further away from an endless cycle of violence, sex, drugs, and general debauchery. Eventually, they would redeem themselves and ascend to Heaven.
Of course, from the moment the Princess opened her mouth, nobody took the idea seriously. Between her clear unpreparedness, a lack of explanation on how demons would redeem themselves, and impromptu song and dance number, the idea of the Hotel was cemented as a joke.
To make matters worse, Katie Killjoy happily revealed that Charlie’s very first and so-called “behaved, clean, and out of trouble for two weeks” patient, Angel Dust, was busy having the time of his life partaking in one of Hell’s many turf wars. With a live feed showing Hell’s well known pornstar gunning down Sir Pentious’ Egg Bois alongside the “spunky powerhouse” Cherri Bomb, it pretty much discredited her plan as an outright failure before it even had a chance to take off.
Charlie didn’t take this insult sitting down and began a fight in the studio but ultimately left it disheartened and disappointed by how the demons there received it.
The rest of Hell certainly saw it as a dumb idea and weren’t shy about it. To them, the concept behind the Hotel was dead in the water and within the month, it would be forgotten.
That was until Alastor, the infamous Radio Demon, showed up to their doorstep offering his help and support. While he was only interested in the entertainment seeing demons try and fail to redeem themselves could bring, he helped give the Hotel what it needed for long term sustainment. The Hotel additionally got some independent backers and supportive individuals that sought to turn the Princess’ dream into a reality.
While the concept behind the Hotel remained as a joke among the general populace, the staff were hard at work looking for a candidate who would genuinely be interested in redeeming themselves and atoning for their wrongdoings while alive, rather than faking interest for an all expenses paid room.
They eventually found one. A former soldier of fortune/merc named Angelo, who charitably went through Hell on Earth prior to his embrace with death and eternal damnation. On a job where he was merely supposed to keep surveillance on a newly wed couple for some shadowy organization, things got out of hand when the wife discovered him bugging their home. In an act of short sightedness, Angelo was forced to silence her and staged her murder as a suicide.
Since that wasn’t the assignment granted to him, those behind the organization had him silenced. He was shot, burned, then thrown into a sewer not too far away from where he committed the murder. Angelo managed to survive this attempt on his life and attempted to find his way out from where he was. Despite his efforts, a combination of his injuries and the growing mental instability from his lack of success resulted in him going crazy, ending up with him wandering the sewers begging for forgiveness for what he did.
At least until the husband of the woman he killed overheard him, found him, and paid him back for what he did by sticking his head in the sewer water and drowning him.
As someone deeply regretful of his actions and choices while alive, Angelo saw the Happy Hotel as his last resort to gain redemption and obtain forgiveness for what he did. And unlike their first patient, he took to the advice and instructions of becoming a better person and abstaining from the easy to do sins of Hell pretty religiously. All the while, he and those at the Hotel hoped it worked.
Then one day, Angelo achieved the redemption he desired so much and was lifted off to Heaven. Everyone in Hell were stunned that such a thing was even possible. Even in Heaven, there were those who were concerned about the intentions of the Hotel.
God’s own Archangels decided to head down and check it out for themselves. While they were initially suspicious due to Alastor’s involvement, once they saw Charlie’s passion and desire to help her people be redeemed, they left convinced. After sharing their findings with God, they notified those at the Hotel that they had his approval. And so, they got to work redeeming more people who desired it.
But along with this success came with problems and unwanted attention. Namely, from the Overlords and members of Hell’s nobility. The former saw the Hotel’s efforts as something that ate into their bottom lines. The latter group saw the Hotel’s success and continued existence as evidence that Lucifer was becoming more and more unfit to rule and that Hell was becoming even more subservient to Heaven than they already were.
As those at the Hotel attempted to redeem more sinners, they also had to deal with hit-pieces from 666 News, bribery, slander, and outright attempts on their lives from Overlords, and certain members of Hell’s nobility sending highly-trained hit squads to remove what they considered to be a blemish on their realm’s landscape. Even among all this, the staff pressed on and were able to continue redeeming sinners, no matter how hard or how long it took. Later on, the more moderate and progressive members of Hell’s nobility eventually voiced their support and endorsed it, Prince Stolas being one of them.
Meanwhile, the success of the Happy Hotel had the effect of making Heaven’s leadership question their own methods. The whole purpose of Extermination Day was to remove those they deemed to be a threat to both of the realms. However, from what they were able to witness from the skies, those individuals were able to escape their wrath time and time again and be free to spread their brand of violence and death against those they had it out for.
And then Charlie, with her idea of rehabilitation through the Hotel, managed to come up with an alternative to the violence that defined her region when nobody else would. Her effort to succeed and continue succeeding for years made those in Heaven realize something about themselves.
Namely, that in their haste to ensure no harm came to them, they probably just made things more complicated for themselves.
Because of Extermination Day, many in Hell hated Heaven for what they have been doing for centuries. These individuals wanted an all out war against them for payback. On a flipside, the outright failure of this day to eradicate those who they deemed dangerous had the aftereffect of a sizable number of individuals in Heaven fearing that retaliation from the demons was inevitable. Some even advocated taking them all out for good to avoid this outcome.
However, once again, those in leadership positions overruled them once again, since more violence would not accomplish anything.
Rather, they would take a page out of Princess Magne’s playbook and try to find an alternative to their current situation, one which would allow them to come to a more permanent agreement this time.
And it was all happening in Lucifer’s domain, the Ring of Pride.
***Lucifer’s Tower***
Usually, if Heaven needed to send a message to Lucifer himself, it would end up in the hands of his staff, who would then deliver it to him to receive.
Whether he bothered to check and read whatever they sent to him instead of chucking it into the fireplace the first moment he got it was another story altogether.
So it was kind of important when Heaven’s very own Archangels took the time to come down and enter his domain in order to discuss matters that would serve to either benefit or impact both of their realms.
The Seven Archangels consisted of Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Saraqael, Raguel, and Remiel. While they all had their moments of entering Hell for various reasons throughout the years, all of them showing up for the sole purpose of seeing their fallen brother Lucifer meant it was some important business they were attending to.
The last time they descended from Heaven for the sole purpose of visiting Lucifer’s lair was when Charlotte Magne was brought into the world.
In that instance, it was an act of goodwill to welcome their niece into the world, even if their father was Fallen.
This time, the matter was a serious one and they made it clear by their demeanor. As of now, Michael was seated across Lucifer while the rest stood behind the former.
Of course, Lucifer, out of spite for his former brothers, was treating the entire meeting like a joke. As of now, while the Archangels were waiting and having their patience tested to limits previously thought impossible, their former brother was obnoxiously munching on some of the apples he had in a bowl on the table.
“Care for some refreshment, brothers?” He asked through his chomping, “You must be famished from your trip!”
The Archangels had varying levels of annoyance present on their faces. Those native to Heaven couldn’t consume anything from Hell, lest it corrupts them to sin. Lucifer, who witnessed many of their kind to do so and end up banished, possibly gave the offer to mock them.
Undeterred, Michael merely narrowed his glare and crossed his fingers as he leaned back with a sigh.
“Lucifer.” Michael said simply as straightened himself out, “We had come down here to discuss some important matters. Not to deal with shenanigans that will waste both our time and your own!”
Of course that even after all this time, Michael had to act all posh and pristine despite currently being amongst the grime and filth that was Hell itself.
Makes him glad he got kicked out, if this was what he would have to deal with for the rest of his existence.
“We know you don’t want us here for longer than necessary and we feel the same way. So why don’t we get on with it?!”
Lucifer glared at the Archangel for a good few seconds before rolling his eyes and tossing the apple he was eating behind him.
“If you’re so insistent, Michael, then I shall oblige.” He replied, straightening up, “What is the business you had all come down to discuss.”
The Archangels all shared glances with each other, as if silently agreeing to continue with what they came for. With a quick clearing of his throat, Michael began to speak.
“As you know, Lucifer. Many of our subjects and many of yours were casualties in the battles that have been fought.”
“Some more than others…” He interjected with a matter of fact tone.
“Nevertheless, after recent events and some recollection on our part, we come to you with a proposition.”
Lucifer raised an eyebrow. As of late, Heaven had been making agreements to end the previous policies they had made with Hell centuries ago, starting with the yearly Extermination Day. He wasn’t sure what was going on up there in their heads when they changed their tunes but he would deny that seeing these high and mighty Angels crawl to him to cement these changes always brought a smile to his face.
“It differs from the previous agreements we had forged centuries ago and may require that we-”
“Get on with it. I’m dozing off here.” Lucifer spoke up, interrupting Michael’s explanation.
With a quick glare, Michael decided to just get to the main point.
“We propose a peace treaty. One that would end the hostilities between Heaven and Hell.” He said, “From then on, unless intervention is necessary, we shall remain out of each other’s business. Any future conflicts will be dealt with through talks instead of violence. And most importantly, open communication will serve to assure that conflict will not arise from any future misunderstandings.”
Lucifer blinked in indignation before laughing in the faces of his former brothers. Once he had exhausted the breath in his lungs, the Prince of Darkness hit them with an expression that questioned if they truly thought bringing that to the table in this meeting of theirs was something that would have them taken seriously.
“Now why would I agree to a thing like that?”
“Because it means we can finally move past petty disagreements. Unless you’re content with holding on to your bitterness over something that was a direct consequence of your actions.” Uriel said.
“Uriel!” Raphael scolded.
“Just saying.”
Lucifer scoffed and leaned back in his chair.
“Well, a peace treaty sounds good and all…” He started to say, “But these things only work if both sides have something to bring to the table.”
“Like what?”
“Do I have to spell it out?” He asked them, “Think about this idea from the perspective of my subjects.”
“As if you ever cared for them.” Gabriel snarked.
“Regardless, they won’t take so kindly to Heaven shrugging their shoulders and asking for all those years of having their kind killed by your hands to be forgiven, now would they?”
As much as they hated to admit it, he was right. They could come up with the most heartfelt and genuine statement for mutual peace that they could but it wouldn’t register amongst masses that held feelings of great animosity towards them.
“He has a point.” Remiel spoke, “Goodwill and agreements only go so far. More needs to be done to prove our effort is genuine.”
“Then what do you propose?” Michael asked.
“Why, the perfect method to force two warring factions to get along!” Lucifer grinned, “An arranged marriage!”
The jaws of all the Archangels dropped.
“Y-You’re not serious, are you?”
Lucifer leaned onto the table with a sharp smile.
“Well, was your idea of a simple signing of a sheet of paper and verbal agreement any better?”
Thinking for a second, the Archangels gave the idea some thought. While it was an out there suggestion, it did ensure that this peace of theirs would be taken seriously even from the most adamant of naysayers.
“It has merit, I’ll give it that.” Saraqael said, “Having one of our own and a subject of yours would ensure to remove any doubt of our peace treaty being a farce.”
“But having a mere commoner be the representative for either side would also send the wrong message as well.” Raguel added.
“Then whoever we pick has to be someone belonging to nobility.” Remiel finished, “Preferably of the younger generation.”
Lucifer began to awkwardly chuckle before pulling on his bowtie when he heard the word “nobility” and “younger generation”.
“Before we continue, I just want to make something clear.”
Lucifer paused as his expression turned serious and his eyes inverted into their demonic coloring.
“Charlotte is off limits. Understand?”
“Of course.” Michael replied.
The Archangels never would have thought of having Lucifer’s daughter be the one to be they would use to secure the peace. Aside from the knowledge that Lucifer would have their heads if they even thought of using his baby girl to achieve the peace they wanted, it never even crossed their minds. Those years back when they investigated the Hotel, they saw that Charlie was and still is in a happy relationship with a woman named Vaggie. As she was their niece, they didn’t want to tear that love apart for the sake of ensuring peace between Heaven and hell.
But then that brought the question. Who would represent Hell in this marriage and would they be appropriate or even willing enough to go through with it?
As if reading their minds, Lucifer had a response ready.
“If you’re worried about who’d represent Hell’s side of the marriage, leave that to me.” He smiled, “I have that covered.”
With a snap, he summoned a lottery box in his hands and placed it on the table, much to the confusion of those across from him.
“What is… this?”
“Lottery box. The names of Hell’s younger nobility will go right here and when the time comes, I’ll pull one out! Whoever gets their name pulled will be picked to get married to the individual you pick from your side!”
They all raised their eyebrows in concern at Lucifer’s way of determining his choice. This was to be a very important decision to ensure that their eventual peace would be secured and the method he decided to choose was not only childish but based entirely on chance?!
Sometimes, they wondered if their fallen brother even matured as an individual despite the years that passed.
“Just one question.” Michael said, “Are you certain they would ultimately agree to it?”
“That’s the thing. They have no choice." Lucifer smirked, "Down here, what I say, goes."
That didn’t help their confidence in the slightest. It’d be bad enough that the individual he picked was such a bad choice. Having them outright be forced to become the wife of who they choose would make things so much worse, outright threatening the peace that they so desired.
But who were they to overrule what Lucifer did? This was his domain and they were only visitors.
“Now, who you choose to represent your side and how you do it… well, that is up to you.” Lucifer said, leaning back, “As for Hell, there are quite the number of folks I could pick from! It could be one of the Von Eldritch twins, the daughter of Belial, those two sons of Sparda, the Vesper children. Ooh! And there’s also Baal with his-”
“Okay! Okay! We get it.” Raphael interrupted, “There’s no need to list them all.”
“In that case, is our business settled?” He responded, wishing to get this meeting over with, “Are we at an agreement, as they would say?”
Michael stood up from his seat and pushed in his chair, before straightening his tie.
“There is still the matter of discussing this with Father.” He told Lucifer, “Once we receive his response, we shall notify you.”
With no more left to discuss, the Archangels turned to leave the premises, with Lucifer following behind to see them off. Not that he cared really, just so he could have confirmation. Once they were outside, they gave him cordial farewells before spreading their wings and taking to the air.
Lucifer watched with a hateful glare as the Archangels returned to Heaven, flying up to the bright white dot in Hell’s sky. With a scoff, he turned and re-entered his home, wondering if this arranged marriage proposal for peace would even fly by Him.
Within the next few days, Lucifer got his answer. After consulting with the Archangels and what they discussed during their meeting, God had given his full approval for both the peace treaty and for the wedding to take place.
Now, all both sides needed now was their representative.