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Chapter Text

Time had taught Lucifer many things, and one of the most important was that there is no place for the weak in Hell. These people only cause trouble, especially when they act like martyrs and sacrifice themselves without considering the consequences or whether their foolish sacrifice will actually serve the cause they defend.

So when he saw that "noble" act by that snake, he couldn't help but think it was completely idiotic. His death did nothing for his daughter's hotel (a project his wife never stopped talking about, insisting he visit it). Even worse, the sacrifice only made Adam laugh. Lucifer knew exactly what would come next: the death of his friend and the mockery from the first man would ignite unimaginable rage in Charlie. His little daughter, as impulsive as ever, wouldn’t hesitate to charge at Adam without a plan.

Lucifer trusted Charlie. She had received complete training in the art of war. He himself had made sure she mastered both the theory and the practice. But what good were those skills if she acted impulsively?

He knew how it would end if she acted that way: Charlie would lose. He was sure of it. So he mentally prepared himself to intervene as soon as she was in danger. He quickly sent a message to the group of the rest of the Sins, apologizing for not being able to attend the trial that would take place that same day (a trial against an imp, if he remembered correctly, accused of an assassination attempt on a goetia or something like that). Then he approached his wife, who was looking out the window with a thoughtful expression, probably reflecting on the exterminations (God knows how much that stupid treaty had ruined their marriage). He kissed her deeply, and her sweet lips received his kiss in return; she surely already knew where he was headed, often wondering how his wife seemed to know him better than he knew himself.

Sitting on the balcony railing, an old habit from his time in Heaven, he waited calmly. There was no need to rush or feel anxious; he knew his moment would come. Patience, after all, was a virtue taught to him by an old being, someone Lucifer had to seal deep in Hell. Though he disagreed with many of her teachings, he still respected several of the lessons she had left him.

As he waited, he hummed an old lullaby, a melody that always comforted him in moments of tension. Until he felt a sharp pang. The ancient treaty he had been forced to sign with Sera centuries ago had dissolved. He was now free. Free to act in defense of his daughter and protect his people, even if he found that people detestable at times.

Without hesitation, he spread his wings and flew toward the hotel as fast as he could. However, he couldn't silence that annoying voice in his head whispering that the one who had died was probably his daughter. Lucifer refused to accept that possibility. He clung to the hope that maybe the victim had been Kee Kee or one of Charlie’s guards. Now, the only thing that mattered was getting there in time.

He arrived just in time to stop Adam from striking his daughter, throwing him aside with a punch—maybe unnecessarily stronger than it needed to be.

“Sorry I’m late, princess. I had a few things to take care of,” he apologized to his daughter. He was sure she’d understand, but he felt the need to say it anyway. However, judging by her clearly distressed expression, Lucifer knew his sudden appearance was unsettling. He couldn’t blame her; Charlie knew he was strictly forbidden from interfering in exterminations. He’d never felt the need to do so… until now.

He looked her over from head to toe. Her dress was completely ruined, her hair—usually tied back in a braid—now hung in disarray. He noticed several bruises, scratches, and bloodstains on her body, though fortunately, none of the blood appeared to be hers. Rage burned within him. Adam would pay for this

“Be patient. The strongest or the fastest never win. Only those who know how to wait can savor victory, my devil.”

The memory of his old mentor’s words echoed in his mind, accompanied by her characteristic sickly laughter. She was right: losing control would only lead him to make mistakes. He took a deep breath and turned his gaze toward Adam, who now seemed to have recovered and was disrespecting the Fallen Angel with evident rage.

“How many stupid demons do I have to fight?” Adam spat.

Lucifer smirked disdainfully.

“Well, I’m certainly the only one you should actually worry about.”

He was toying with him, fully aware of how much Adam hated being provoked. Lucifer would take every opportunity to irritate him.

“You dare mess with my daughter, and now I’m going to fuck you.”

An awkward silence followed his words. Lucifer noticed the stares from those present, and he realized his mistake. Ozzie and Satan will definitely mock me for days, he thought. And Lilith… she’ll give me those teasing looks I secretly enjoy.

Before Charlie could correct him, Adam had already shoved him against the wall. Of course, Lucifer escaped with ease. Adam was out of shape; his attacks were sloppy, clumsy, not even grazing him. Still, Lucifer gave him credit for thinking he could face him, the Devil himself.

The fight in the sky lasted a few more minutes, and tired of failing to land a blow, Adam changed targets, heading toward the hotel where Charlie was. Lucifer could only watch as his daughter fell. For an eternal-feeling moment, he was paralyzed, but he recovered and flew toward her.

Adam, determined to continue his assault, launched another attack on Charlie. Luckily, she managed to block it, her demonic traits once again on full display. But Lucifer, having had enough, let his fury take over and unleashed all his own demonic features.

He’d love to say he remembers everything that happened next. But his memory has never been reliable—especially in that state. All he knows is that, at some point, Charlie stopped him, and he only saw the aftermath of Adam’s defeat. Not long after, a heavenly lightning bolt struck down from the sky, whisking Adam and his angels back to Paradise.

Now he was with Charlie and her group, helping them repair the hotel. At some point, Lilith had joined them, looking at him with more sparkle in her eyes than ever before. Probably because he’d finally put an end to the celestial nonsense.

Everything was going well—it could have been a storybook ending… until, well, Heaven was never known for leaving him in peace during moments of happiness. Before him, a letter appeared, unmistakably celestial. Lucifer sighed wearily.

“Oh, God… When sera leave me in peace?”

Chapter Text

He stood in the bar of the newly renovated hotel, holding a glass of whiskey offered to him by a cat who was part of his daughter's team. Although the alcohol was no longer working for him at this point, Lucifer still enjoyed it for the taste.

Everything was going well. He was enjoying a moment of calm, accompanied only by his thoughts and the occasional laughter coming from the living room a few meters away.

Everything was perfect, clear, until suddenly a soft, barely perceptible sound crept into his head: trumpets. He barely had time to react when an intense light enveloped him. From that light fell a letter, sealed with the unmistakable emblem of the Divine Council.

Luckily, the cat that had been accompanying him had left a few minutes ago, because otherwise he would have seen him having a crisis right there. Although Lucifer was sure of himself, he could not deny that this letter meant trouble. He felt how distrust and fear began to arrive quickly, darkening his thoughts and making his eyes shine with a deep red.

"Focus, Lucifer, this is not the time to lose your mind!" he scolded himself. He took several deep breaths, until he slowly managed to return to normal. Once he had recomposed himself, he narrowed his eyes in irritation as he reached out to take the cursed letter. He didn't even need to read it to know that it would only bring complications.

"Dear Lucifer Morningstar,

In light of the recent events that occurred during the last extermination, the Celestial Embassy requests your presence at a mandatory meeting.

Your attendance will be considered a gesture of good faith in the relations between the realms.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sera, High Seraph."

Lucifer let out a mocking laugh.

“Mandatory”? Hah…” he muttered sarcastically.

It was amazing how a single word could bring him back to memories of Heaven, memories he would rather forget. He squeezed the paper tightly, almost tearing it. While he hated a silly word with great fervor there was something he hated even more: condescension. That way of speaking to him as if he were still one of them, as if they had the power and authority to manipulate him as they pleased, seemed insulting to him.

At some point, perhaps when the light had illuminated the entire bar, Lilith had arrived, accompanied by Charlie and his entourage of sinners. They all looked at him with concern or doubt, but it was Charlie who broke the silence.

“Dad, is something wrong?” she asked, approaching with an expression that Lucifer could not decipher, although it seemed mainly distressed.

Lucifer sighed and looked away. He didn't want to worry her more than necessary, but he couldn't ignore the seriousness of the situation either. He searched for the right words.

"Nothing, darling. It just seems that even after millennia, Heaven is still hell-bent on bothering me," he replied with apparent calm.

Charlie frowned, her eyes drifting to the letter on the table.

"And are you going to tell me what that says?" she pressed, clearly worried.

Lucifer forced a smile, trying to downplay the seriousness of the matter.

"Nothing to worry about, ducky. Just a lovely invitation from Heaven for a 'fun get-together'!" she replied in an ironic, theatrical tone. He knew no one would believe him. He continued before they could insist: "Don't worry, I've got everything under control. But I think I'll go out for a walk a bit... The air here feels too stifling."

Okay, he lied that he had everything under control, but not the last! Although he was used to the hellish heat, the atmosphere felt heavy, stuffy, almost unbearable. Maybe the summer contributed, but in reality what bothered him was the letter and what it represented.

He hurried towards the exit, not forgetting to take the letter with him. He heard how Charlie seemed to want to stop him, but he decided to ignore it. He didn't want to deal with more questions. He just needed to be alone.

However, before crossing the threshold of the door, he felt familiar hands rest on his shoulders.

"Where do you think you're going, darling?" Lilith asked in a soft voice, although full of that mischief that characterized her.

Lucifer didn't need to look at her to know that she was watching him with that mischievous expression that he knew so well.

—I'm just going for a walk, love. I need some air and some time to think about all this —he replied in a somewhat nervous tone. He paused and added:— You don't have to follow me. I promise I'll just take a walk around the city. I'll be back sooner than you think!

Lilith slowly let go of him, but not before caressing his face, as if she wanted to remind him that he wasn't alone. Lucifer was grateful for the gesture, but he needed space. He headed towards the streets of the pentagram, with the letter still in his hand and a ball of thoughts spinning in his head

***

As he walked through the streets filled with sounds of people screaming, explosions and other noises, Lucifer was still absorbed in his own thoughts. The letter from the celestials still weighed on his mind, its contents floating like a storm cloud. What could the celestials want now? After the disaster of the extermination, it was obvious that they weren't looking for reparations: they were looking for control. The idea brought a wry smile to his face. Heaven always disguised its orders with nice words, but at the end of the day, it only wanted to impose its authority.

He definitely wasn't afraid of the meeting or the celestials, but he knew that dealing with them always ended up being a game of chess, one where he always ended up exhausted and increasingly fed up with heaven. Besides, heaven would definitely want to talk about his daughter's hotel and would surely force him to end it all.

His gaze was lost in a group of demons fighting over a piece of something that wasn't even worth it. His daughter, on the other hand, was fighting for something bigger, something noble and definitely stupid. You see, he knew very well about his daughter's ideas, she herself had taken it upon herself to make all hell know about them, her opinion regarding redemption was the same as her opinion regarding exterminations, it sounded nice on paper, but in practice it didn't work and much less fix the original problem

While he remained in a clear negative, Lilith, on the other hand, remained more impartial. They had argued more than once about her daughter's ideas, Lilith understood the risks of misplaced hope. "All that glitters is not gold," she had once told him, and Lucifer knew that his wife was right. Charlie could be looking for something that wasn't possible, something that would only bring more destruction. And boy were they right

Charlie was an optimist, and only wanted the best for his people, he knew that, but that idea would only put her at risk and there was already proof of that. Still, Lucifer couldn't help but feel a certain respect for his daughter's determination. Not many times in his life had he seen someone fight with such fervor for what they believed in, his fight with Adam had led him to the same time that he himself had fought with the same determination and had ended up here. That strength of will, that conviction, was something to be admired, even if his goal was an impossible dream.

After a long sigh he allowed his head to turn his attention to the recent events; the failed extermination and Adam's departure had come to a chaotic end. The consequences of those events were varied, but there was one in particular that kept catching his attention: his relationship with Charlie.

¡They had talked more in the last few weeks than they had in the last three years! Although they were still walking on thin ice and their interactions were awkward, the change was noticeable. He had even introduced her to his current girlfriend.

He and Lilith had come to a consensus: that girl, Maggie or Vaggie, was still not completely trustworthy. But they were both grateful to her. It was undeniable that she defended Charlie and his ideas with unwavering loyalty. Lucifer hoped that more circumstances would arise that would allow them to get to know her better. And now, while Vaggie could earn his trust and even his esteem over time, there was someone he definitely did not want near him, much less his daughter.

Alastor.

The radio demon.

This sinner, fortunately, had not been present when Lucifer arrived at the hotel during the extermination. According to the information provided by that pink spider—what was its name? Angel?—, Alastor had been attacked by Adam after a fight and did not reappear until the hotel was almost finished.

Normally, Lucifer would not have taken someone like him into account. After all, he was just another overlord, one of those that appear and disappear with the passing of decades. But there was something about Alastor that deeply disturbed him and that led him to deliberately ignore him.

It was a feeling, a dark and oppressive feeling. He would have loved to be able to pinpoint exactly what it was that bothered him so much about this sinner, but he couldn't (although he did feel quite familiar) And that ignorance scared him more than anything else.

Lucifer let out a long sigh as he continued his walk. Sinners and their constant intrigues weren't something that interested him much, but Alastor... he was different. Was it just baseless paranoia? Or was there really something darker behind that radio demon?

He didn't know for sure, but one thing was clear: he would keep an eye on that sinner.

But of course, now he has to worry about another little problem, he should send a response to heaven soon, they are not mainly patient, but he will do it later, now he just wants to go back to his wife and maybe cry a bit.

Chapter Text

Sera would just like to be with her sister right now, talk to her about her plans to continue bringing happiness to everyone, fulfill her purpose, and Sera would share with her the difficulties that the council was bringing her lately. However, Emily had not wanted to talk to her. "I'll talk to her," Sera told herself. Her little sister was just too stressed with everything that had happened recently like everyone else. 

But unfortunately, now Sera found herself in another council meeting. Since the exterminations came to light, the council members, who always seemed to agree on everything, were divided. Some believed that the exterminations were necessary and should continue, while others were totally against it. 

She gave a long sigh as she listened to how the other elders discussed the steps for the future. Meanwhile, she reorganized all the information in her head. 

It had all started with the last extermination, when Adam approached her with a shocking proposal. "You want exterminations to happen every six months? Our relations with Hell are already strained enough, and that would only make them worse. No way, Adam," he replied firmly, accompanying his words with a stern look to make it clear that he needed to be careful what he said.

"Sera, please listen to me. The forces of Hell are starting to gain ground. They've already killed one of my girls!" Adam replied forcefully, his desperation evident. "What's next, Sera? My head? Yours? We must take drastic measures! The next move has to be ours if we want to keep the upper hand."

Adam's confession was a shock to Sera. "An exorcist has died? How long have you known, Adam?" he demanded, revealing his purest angelic features. These kinds of things should not be kept from him.

Adam lowered his gaze, uncomfortable. “Yesterday. I noticed when one of them didn’t show up for her medical exam. Investigating the rubble, I confirmed it.” He paused before adding intensely, “That’s why I’m here, Sera. Trust me! We must take the lead again.”

That memory continued to weigh on his mind. After his talk with Adam, Sera had arranged an emergency meeting with Lucifer. However, due to his responsibilities, he was unable to attend personally, so he sent Adam in his place.

Later, Adam told him that Lucifer also failed to show up for the meeting, instead sending his daughter, Charlie. Adam, of course, didn’t miss the opportunity to talk about the young girl’s naive idea of redemption. The recklessness of that idealism continued to haunt Sera as she tried to find a way to calm the growing chaos. At that moment it didn't matter, since she herself had agreed to the advance of the exterminations

Here is the revised text with corrections for spelling, grammar and continuity:

Now, everything they had done was hitting them in the face. They mistakenly thought that, after the theatrical scene that Adam gave her, she would give up on her plans, but it only seemed to motivate her even more. So much so that she demanded a meeting with Sera, which she clearly refused. She was a seraph! Why should she give in to the whims of a spoiled princess? 

"Sera!" She looked up hastily; it seemed she had gotten carried away for too long.

"Umm, I'm sorry. Tell me, what's wrong, please?" she asked anxiously.

"We were just asking your opinion," the second generation angel continued. What was his name? Before she could remember it, the angel continued, "Do you think we should start the exterminations again?" he asked firmly. "Cruel or not, we must use everything in our power to defend our Lord's kingdom from the hands of Lucifer Morningstar. It is our duty!"

Oh, our Lord. God and his children had left a few months after Samael's banishment, arguing that they would take it upon themselves to protect and care for the souls on Earth from sin and temptation. Before they left, they entrusted her with the protection of Heaven and the care of the souls that arrived there. Despite their claims that they would maintain contact, no one had heard from the Lord or his princes for over 10,000 years, save for the occasional letter from Gabriel, informing them that they would be taking certain actions on Earth.

Despite their claims, Sera knew well that they were only still mourning the fall of the youngest of their family. She still remembered Michael's shaky words after passing the verdict against her younger brother, stripping him of his angelhood, and Jophiel's loud cries as he watched him fall. Those memories still haunted her mind even today 

"How can you justify such a cruel and heartless act in the name of our Lord!" another angel protested.

"We must do everything in our power to stay ahead of Hell!" another continued. .

The angel seemed to have more arguments to defend his point, but before he could say anything, another voice was heard, a very familiar one.

"Council, please remember that they were just sinners. Souls that were already condemned to eternal suffering!" said Adam firmly, who was accompanied by his lieutenant, Lute. It seemed that, thank God, the prosthesis that was given to him was working perfectly.

"Have you forgotten the danger that Lucifer represents? Yes, he seems docile and even kind now, but we all know that he is nothing more than a facade to get his hands on our beloved Paradise," Adam protested firmly. His words seemed to reaffirm the idea of several members of the council to continue with the exterminations. 

"Tell me, Adam, are you God to know who deserves punishment and who doesn't?" another voice echoed. Before Adam could answer, Sera decided to end it all at once.

"Enough!" she said forcefully. "I can see that we still can't come to a consensus regarding our status with Hell. It would be best to end this meeting." She finished speaking. She didn't want to continue listening to discussions that led nowhere; she was quite stressed and needed all her concentration for the meeting she would have with Lucifer in a few hours.

"Everyone is dismissed, except you, Adam. I need you to stay and accompany me to the meeting with the Morningstar."

Adam nodded at her order, and little by little the room began to empty. 

But before the same angel who was going to start an argument with Adam left, he said one more thing:

"Lucifer Morningstar, for his crimes against Heaven, who had believed himself to have the same power as God, was banished. But tell me, aren't you committing the same sin?"

And before anyone could answer, he left.

Sins? Everything he did was to protect his kingdom from Lucifer's temptations. How could he even compare this to what happened with Lucifer? Looking at Adam and Lute, he could see that they also agreed with that comparison.

He would talk to that angel another time; it was not his priority now. For now, he had to focus on Lucifer and his current problems.

"Let's go. We'll surely find Lucifer at the embassy."

☆★☆★☆★

The embassy was a pristine place, pure white and adorned with intricate gold designs and marble sculptures that seemed to want to tell the story of Heaven itself. It stood in stark contrast to the Hell that stretched out around it, a chaotic landscape of intense colors ranging from red to black, littered with rubble and trash everywhere. 

Sera watched it all with distaste. Hell was an unpleasant place, both in its surroundings and by those who inhabited it. A bastion of depravity and despair. How could an angel of Lucifer’s stature, or even the rest of the fallen, find anything of value here? It was beyond her comprehension, and she knew she would never understand it. 

The door to the room closed behind them with a heavy echo, as if the structure itself wanted to underline the importance of what was about to happen. Sera moved forward with a firm step, while Adam followed close behind her. However, the stiffness in her posture betrayed the nervousness she tried to hide. She had no idea how this meeting would play out, much less how Lucifer would react. 

Entering the main room, she saw him waiting for them. Lucifer was sitting at the head of the table, dressed impeccably in his signature suit. His staff rested on the table, a subtle but constant reminder of his position as the first among the fallen. 

“Sera.” —Lucifer bowed his head slightly in a greeting that seemed more calculated than sincere. Then he turned to Adam, his expression turning indifferent. —monkey. —

Adam opened his mouth, ready to respond, but Sera held up a hand, stopping him before he could make things worse. 

—Lucifer, there's no need to argue like this. We have much to discuss and little time. Why don't we start right away? —Her tone was firm, but she tried to remain calm. —First of all, I appreciate your assistance Lucifer —

Lucifer shrugged disdainfully, although his eyes shone with a contained tension. —Of course. But, well, your letter didn't seem very open to rejection, did it? —he answered mockingly, even letting out a chuckle. 

—And Lilith? —Adam interrupted abruptly—. She usually accompanies you, doesn't she? Has she abandoned you too? 

Sera felt her patience crumble. Why had she brought Adam? The only reason was because she thought it was only fair that he was present, given that he had been unfairly attacked. But now he seemed more of a hindrance than a help.

Lucifer smirked. “She’s busy helping our daughter regroup. But of course, she sends you her best wishes and complete love.”

Before Adam could retort, Sera stepped in. “Enough! We have much more important things to deal with.” She turned her attention to Lucifer, pointedly ignoring the provocation. “Let’s talk about extermination, Lucifer.” 

The fallen man narrowed his eyes, the slight smile disappearing from his face. “Ah, yes, the failed extermination. Tell me, Sera, are you here to hear both versions or just to blame my kingdom as usual?”

“Blame you ‘as usual’?” Sera replied calmly, though her voice was heavy with authority. “I have reasons to do so, especially now. You attacked Adam, when you were strictly forbidden to interfere with the exterminations.”

“And I am the only one forbidden from doing things?” Lucifer raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile appearing again. “And wasn’t it Adam’s lieutenant who killed a Hellborn? Wasn’t it you who directly attacked my daughter, Adam? Do you forget that you were forbidden to approach the Hellborn?” 

Adam stepped forward, unable to contain himself. “Your daughter is defying Heaven! Does it run in the family? First you, then Lilith, and now her.” His words were accompanied by a loud laugh.

Sera sighed deeply. This is going nowhere. “Lucifer, your daughter’s hotel is a clear defiance against Heaven. You must stop this now.”

“No.”

The simple, direct refusal hit the room like a bolt of lightning.

“Excuse me?” Sera’s voice hardened. “Lucifer, the council is already upset about what happened with Adam. They see it as a hint of war. And now you refuse a direct request?” 

—“I’ve never been good at obeying, have I?” Lucifer replied with an annoyed smile. “Listen, Sera, I won’t be like you two. I won’t crush my daughter’s dreams like Heaven does. If her idea is destined to fail, let her find out for herself. I won’t interfere.”

“Lucif—!” Adam took a step forward, his fury evident, but suddenly stopped.

The light in the room began to fade, leaving everything in semi-darkness. An unnatural chill took over the environment, making even Lucifer look uncomfortable.

“What is this, Lucifer?” Sera demanded, her eyes fixed on him.

“I… I’m not doing this.” For the first time, Lucifer looked genuinely puzzled. 

Then it was heard. A laugh. Soft at first, almost imperceptible, but it quickly grew until it filled the entire room. It was a cruel laugh, as if it came from the abyss itself.

“Lucifer, stop this now!” Adam ordered, though his voice trembled.

But Lucifer did not respond. His posture tensed, and a shadow crossed his face. It was not fear… it was something deeper, as if he had recognized something he would rather forget.

Finally, the darkness began to dissipate, and the laughter faded, leaving a deathly silence.

“You must leave now.” Lucifer’s voice was sharp, more severe than usual. “The meeting is over.” 

Sera stepped forward, furious. “Finished? We haven’t even begun to talk about solutions.”

“Well, I’m finished.” And with that, Lucifer disappeared in a red cloud.

Silence filled the room again.

“Sera, how do we proceed? Do you want me to look for him?” Adam asked, his voice unusually low.

Sera remained still for a moment. What the hell just happened? And why did Lucifer look so… scared? 

“No. Let’s go back to Heaven. I’ll talk to Lucifer later.” Her voice was barely a murmur as she began to walk toward the exit. She didn’t even make sure Adam followed her; her mind was too busy trying to process what had happened.

Something had changed. Something dark was coming closer, stalking them. 

Chapter Text

—Why did you do it, Michael? Didn't you always promise to protect me? —

His brother's voice echoed in his head like a constant reminder of his failures as a brother.

—Michael, help me! —

It was the last thing he heard before he woke up panting, drenched in a cold sweat.

That damn nightmare again. He was fed up. He wasn't sure how much longer he could bear it. The grief, the rage, and above all, the guilt had been with him for too long. But what could he do?

For years he had told himself that he hadn't done anything wrong, that he had only done his duty. Anyone in his place would have done the same. His Father even assured him that he hadn't made any mistakes. However, those words never managed to ease the weight on his heart. He could never erase from his mind the pleading look of his younger brother or the heartbreaking screams that still echoed in his dreams. And even less could he wash the blood from his hands, no matter how hard he tried.

 He slumped back onto his pillow, trying to calm his breathing. He glanced at the clock on the bedside table. The red lights flickered: 3:58.

“Ugh…” he groaned, annoyed. What an ungodly hour to wake up at.

He stared at the ceiling of his room as his breathing finally steadied. The weight on his chest didn’t let up, though. The clock ticked forward, relentless. It was now 4:02. He knew he wouldn’t fall asleep again, not after this.

With a heavy sigh, he got out of bed. The cold marble beneath his feet reminded him how far away he was from the warmth of times past, when everything was… different. Before the trial. Before the fall. Before the love he felt for his younger brother was replaced by betrayal and duty.

He walked to the common room, in that home where he lived with his brothers and his Father, far from heaven. He slumped down on the central couch, trying to ignore the memories that insisted on invading his mind.

But the more he tried to calm down, the more insistent those thoughts became. This time, it wasn't his brother's voice he heard, but his own, speaking the words that had sealed both of their fates:

—Samael, for your crimes against our kingdom and humanity, you will be sentenced to live among what you have caused.

His tone had been firm, but he remembered the subtle tremors in his voice, those that only those closest to him would have noticed.

—Because of your pride you will fall, and you will be stripped of all your celestialness.

After those words, the sound of heavenly cheers surrounded him. Everyone was celebrating the expulsion of evil. But Michael remembered something different: Jophiel's heartbreaking cry.

Ah, Jophiel... She had been the one who had reacted the worst to Samael's exile. Among his six brothers, all had felt some mix of resentment and pain at the betrayal, although they tried to console him. But not Jophiel.

She could not even look at him. She spent her days avoiding any contact with him, taking refuge with Azrael or seeking long conversations with her Father.

That would have continued, had not his Father insisted that they talk, arguing that ignoring each other would do them no good. Michael would always thank him for that. He had already lost a younger brother; he would not have been able to bear losing another.

Over time, and after many conversations, first with the mediation of Azrael and his Father, and then just between them, Jophiel began to look at him again. It was a slow process, but they finally started talking again, willingly. Their relationship was more stable now. He knew it would never be the same, but he was grateful for what she was able to give him.

Michael sighed and leaned back against the couch, letting his gaze wander to the ceiling, though he ended up closing his eyes. It was too bright for four in the morning.

His family was broken, and that would never change. They all carried that grief, especially during meals, when his Father insisted on bringing them together. There was always an empty seat between Ariel and Uriel.

Before his mind could attack him any further, he felt gentle hands on his shoulders and a calm voice calling out to him.

“Son…”

Michael looked up and met his Father’s serene eyes. That warmth and unconditional love was disarming, even in the darkest of times. Still, guilt and shame stirred within him again.

 “Father…” His tone tried to be firm, but tiredness betrayed him.

“The nightmare again?” his Father asked softly, sitting down beside him.

Michael sighed, looking away. He knew there was no point in hiding anything from him. His Father always knew the truth.

“Yes… the same as always.”

His Father nodded, gently squeezing his shoulders.

“You know you can’t carry this with you forever. What happened wasn’t your fault.”

“It wasn’t?” Michael let out a bitter laugh. His hands shook slightly as he tried to hold back his tears.

“I sentenced him. I cut his wings. I banished him. How can I not be guilty when I was the one who killed him?”

His Father watched him silently for a moment before wiping away his tears with his thumb.

“Samael chose his own path. No one forced him to do what he did.”

Michael shook his head, fighting the comforting words he had heard so many times.

 “I miss him so much…” he murmured, more to himself than to his Father.

“I know, son. Me too.”

Michael leaned his head into his Father’s chest, seeking refuge in that embrace. He closed his eyes as the memories continued to haunt him. He looked at his hands and, once again, saw only blood.

“Did you come just to comfort me?” he finally asked, his voice choked.

His Father shook his head softly.

“No, son. I could feel Roo. I was coming to wake them up to talk about it, but I saw you…”

“At four in the morning?” Michael raised an eyebrow.

His Father smiled slightly.

“Son, it’s already seven.”

Michael blinked, confused, and checked the clock. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice how time had passed.

“Sometimes time seems to stop when you carry too much weight,” his Father said, caressing his face before continuing.

“Go rest.” We'll talk about this later.

Michael nodded, though he wasn't sure he'd be able to go back to sleep.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

God continued down the hall, pondering what he'd felt a few hours earlier. He considered waking the rest of his children, but decided to let them sleep a little longer. He'd need them strong and alert for what was to come.

Reaching his bedroom, he sat down and sank into his thoughts, pondering what was happening and what might happen.

The entity he'd sensed earlier was no stranger to him. He knew it all too well. After all, long before creation, even before the birth of his children, there had only been the two of them.

In a universe where everything changed and perished, his sister was the only constant in his existence. She needed him as much as he needed her. Light and darkness, good and evil: they were inseparable opposites, two halves of the same whole.

 However, what had once been an unbreakable relationship ended up breaking down. Initially, it was her refusal when he began to create heaven and her children. To her sister it seemed like a senseless act, a transgression against the eternal balance that they both represented.

Over time, that discontent turned to anger. The anger led to open confrontation, a war in which he and his sons were forced to fight her. Only after centuries of conflict did they manage to defeat her and seal her in a tree, a seal that was meant to be eternal.

But that seal was broken millennia later, when her youngest and most beloved son, Samael, freed her. That led to the destruction of all the order she had created with her children and the rest of heaven, the entry of sin into the new world she had created, and the banishment of her son to the territory he himself had caused with his actions. Although the presence of Roo, as her children called her, remained for a time after her release, she eventually vanished, as if she had never been there.

And now, abruptly, she had returned. Not to him, but to her son and the angel who watched over heaven in her absence.

Why would she do it now? What was she looking for?

His sister had always been unpredictable. If he knew anything about her, it was that she did not act without purpose. She was cunning, immensely intelligent, and her return could mean nothing other than a growing threat. He had to find a way to contain her again, and his son could be the answer.

But that brought with it another question: Would his son, his star, be willing to listen to him or even help him?

The mere thought filled him with uncertainty. He had kept a certain distance from his son's life, mostly because grief consumed him every time he thought of him. Watching him move on and build a new family away from him broke his heart.

And then there was that foolish deal Samael had made with Roo. That act only made the situation worse. Did his son really prefer her over him?

Samael was created millennia after Roo's defeat, an angel made of light to light his path and that of all creation. But, even though he loved his son more than anything or anyone, the truth was that he couldn't fully understand him. Samael had always been very different compared to his brothers, so raising him was a challenge for him. But luckily, he had the support of his other children.

Maybe that's why he couldn't avoid his fall, maybe if they had tried a little harder to understand him, none of this would have happened, the truth is that he lied to Miguel, if no one had been guilty of what happened, no one except him.

God sighed deeply, trying to calm his thoughts. Whenever he thought about Samael, sadness invaded him. Now he couldn't allow himself to be tired, he needed to be as present as possible.

He decided that the best thing would be to rest a little. First, he needed to tell his children everything he knew. Then, together they would decide how to move forward.

☆☆☆☆☆

Chapter Text

Lucifer left the embassy as quickly as he could, questions relentlessly invading his mind.

What had that been?
A trick by Sera to get on his nerves? A simple illusion…?

Yes! It was definitely an illusion. He hadn't been sleeping well lately; surely his mind was playing tricks on him. But then he remembered: Sera had seen it too… and heard it.

So what had it been?

It couldn't be her. He himself had taken it upon himself to seal it years ago. Years.

He stopped near the entrance of his old palace, a majestic and solemn structure, as imposing as it was gloomy. Its tall, pointed towers seemed to scratch the perpetually dark sky of Hell, while the sharp arches and multi-colored stained glass windows told stories of his own past.

The place, abandoned for so long, gave off a strong smell of old and dust. The candles lit as she made her way through the halls were the only source of light, casting dancing shadows on the stone walls. .

It had been years since he had visited his palace, even though he loved this place for its personal significance and because it was the first place he and Lilith shared. He no longer used it as a home; its only function now was to serve as an occasional meeting place with his siblings, even though they usually used his more current palace. Still, he sometimes found some comfort in walking through its lonely halls, losing himself in the immensity of his own thoughts.

However, this time he was not there to think. He had come to use a particular artifact, one that could confirm or dispel his fears.

He walked quickly to the farthest room in the palace, stopping as he crossed a cobwebbed threshold. There it was.

The Eye.

A unique and extremely important artifact. Only he and Lilith were authorized to use it. The Sins knew of its existence, but they had never used it personally, let alone Charlie. At first glance, it was not very different from the orb that was in the Court of Heaven, although this one was designed exclusively to watch over Hell compared to the celestial one that had eyes in heaven, earth and its ring

They had used it quite a bit in the past, especially when the number of sinners was smaller and control was more manageable. But with the exponential growth of sinners, together with Lucifer's progressive lack of interest in them, the artifact was forgotten and by the 18th century, it had stopped being used completely.

But now, instead of using it to watch or control, Lucifer was using it to search.

Search for what?

Not even he knew for sure. He just wanted a clue, a trace, however small. He wanted to confirm that his fears were stupid, that what happened at the embassy had been nothing more than a coincidence.

With a fluid movement of his hands, he activated the Eye, and it began to travel through Hell, starting with the Ring of Sloth.

What he saw there was no different from what always happened: Belfegor and its inhabitants slept in every possible corner. Lucifer let out a dry laugh at the monotony.
"Is it hibernation season?" he muttered to himself. .

The Eye then turned to the Ring of Envy. Everything seemed calm. From there he moved on to Lust and then Greed. Nothing out of the ordinary. His brothers, it seemed, were doing a good job of keeping everything in order.

Lucifer frowned at the thought of them. He definitely wouldn't tell them anything. If he told them they were doing well, it would surely go to their heads and they wouldn't leave him alone.

After a long sigh, the Eye continued on to the Ring of Wrath. Despite being vast, it was mostly a scorching desert with very few structures where anyone could hide. He didn't expect to find anything there.

But Gluttony… Ah, Gluttony.

That Ring would be a challenge. Although it was smaller compared to his or Satan's, its chaotic geography made it difficult to inspect. There was too much flora everywhere and too many small, dark places that would make perfect hiding spots.

And then there was Pride.

The thought alone made him purse his lips. Pentagram City alone would take him nearly two hours to search, and that wasn't counting the rest of the cities. Pride was the largest and most densely populated Ring in Hell. Searching it would be a nightmare, even with the Eye.

What if he found nothing?

Lucifer swallowed hard, feeling a stab of frustration in his chest. What if there was nothing to find? Or worse, what if he really was losing control? ?

The Eye continued its journey, relentless and silent. Each Ring it inspected without finding anything tangible only increased the tension it felt.

But then, a fleeting shadow crossed the Eye's field of vision.

Lucifer leaned forward, trying to focus his gaze as much as possible. Who was that? Charlie's servant?

He shouldn't take it into account, he was just a sinner, he meant nothing to his search, but if that was the case then why couldn't he look away?

He moved quickly, manipulating the artifact to follow the shadow, but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

"Damn it... where did this idiot go?" he whispered, the echo of his voice getting lost in the walls of the empty palace.

But he noticed something, fast and fleeting, something that anyone else wouldn't have noticed but he did. He stood still in front of the Eye, staring at its shiny surface. He breathed heavily, trying to calm himself. It wasn't real. It wasn't real. It wasn't real.

Right there, in front of his eyes he saw her, heading to the same place Alastor had gone, it was just a shadow but he would recognize her anyway, he tried to ignore it but deep in his mind and heart he knew the truth.

She was back.

And Hell, as he had built it, was in danger. ..

★★★★★★★

Alastor walked carefully but quickly; he could feel someone watching him, but he couldn't see who or where they were watching him from.

Was it her? Why would she do that if they were going to meet soon anyway?

Roo was quite playful. Maybe she was just teasing him, teasing him, trying to make him nervous before the meeting. She knew exactly how to do it. During these seven years away from the public eye, Alastor had been under her control, trained by this strange entity that had claimed him as her own.

She was cruel, disguising her taste for the suffering of others behind a flirtatious smile. A smile that, from a distance, might seem friendly, but upon closer inspection or getting to know her well, revealed her true nature: crooked, eager to prove her superiority.

Oh, how he had mocked her when he first met her, long before he was aware of the power he possessed. How he regretted it now... doomed to wear that same smile on his face for all eternity.

But could he really complain? After all, Roo had saved him. And, as if that weren't enough, she had even been "kind" enough to let him keep his power and a small retinue of six souls. Nifty and Husk were the ones he cared about the most. Husk, because of the long history they shared, and Nifty, because she was simply his favorite.

He turned one last corner, and little by little the uncomfortable feeling of being watched began to fade. He finally arrived at the meeting place: a garbage dump, far from the eyes of nosy sinners (cough, cough, Vox, cough, cough!). He stood there for a few moments, holding his staff tightly. His hands betrayed a slight tension, although, who could blame him? Roo always made him nervous.

Just when he thought she had stood him up again and considered returning to his normal activities, he could feel it, the air had become heavy, charged with an energy that would scare any beast in this dump. The shadows around Alastor seemed to come to life, mocking him and making his own shadow retreat and suddenly, a soft but firm but gentle voice broke the silence

Cold fingers rested on Alastor's shoulders, an action even affectionate if you see it from the outside, but if you were inside his mind you could hear how his long cat claws gently dug into his skin

"How are you, my little servant? Is everything okay?" he asked softly.

Roo was a tall entity, very tall, with dark hair that faded into a deep red. Her skin was pale, almost like porcelain, but she was surrounded by black roots that coiled around her legs and arms, as if she were part of a cursed tree. She would even be defined as beautiful in the full meaning of the word if it weren't for her twisted mind. !

—Oh! But it's you, my dear companion. Everything has gone well with me, how about with you? —Alastor answered with feigned enthusiasm. He had to pretend to be calm, maybe then his fears wouldn't come true.

—Does that even matter? Tell me, how is the princess? —he asked in a carefree tone, rubbing around him, the tickling of hair on his face only making him want to run away and vomit despite knowing he couldn't. But then the woman's voice hardened, although without losing its mocking touch in it —. I could see what happened with Adam... and with you.

The last sentence was said with such firmness that it made Alastor tighten his grip on the staff even more. The defeat at the hands of Adam had been humiliating.

—Oh, come on! It was just a slip on my part, something that won't happen again, I assure you! —he said while twirling his cane with exaggerated confidence, trying to appear carefree.

The flirtatious smile that had been accompanying the woman's face suddenly disappeared out of nowhere, and in its place there was nothing but a cold and empty look, and her eyes... oh in her eyes there was nothing, like seeing two empty holes and suddenly the air felt much heavier and the place where they were, which was already quite gloomy, became even darker and colder, he felt like out of nowhere some roots held him firmly to the ground, and the shadows around him only mocked and laughed at him

—I hope the same, because, after all, you wouldn't be of much use to me if even an angel of Adam's category can defeat you so easily.

She said slowly approaching Alastor, with each step echoing where they were located, and with a quick movement she grabbed the sinner's face tightly, forcing him to look into her eyes, to recognize her as his owner...

— How much do you plan to disappoint me Alastor...

Her grip tightened, becoming stronger and stronger that she did not receive an answer, even if she wanted to she could not look away from his eyes, so penetrating, as if within them there were only the souls of those who disrespected her or failed her. She could feel the sweat on her forehead and how her permanent smile faded, although of course it always remained high

He preferred her smiling, he definitely preferred her that way .

—But it's obvious that it was just an accident, one that will NEVER happen again, right? —she continued, floating towards him with gentle but threatening movements. In an instant, everything seemed to return to normal, the air felt breathable again and Roo's smile had returned, but the previous image would never be erased from his mind

—Y-yes, ma'am... —Alastor stammered.

She nodded, apparently satisfied with his answer.

—Besides your pathetic fight and flight, what else happened? —she asked, resuming her usual tone as she let him go. Her smile returned, yes of course, but Alastor knew that beneath that playful expression her true nature was still hidden.

—I could see that someone saved the hotel... someone who, definitely, was not you or the princess.

—It was Lucifer. He arrived a few moments after I disappeared and finished the job.

Lucifer's sudden appearance had surprised everyone, even Adam, or so Husk had told him. From what he knew, his demonic appearance was majestic, although that had only given Angel Dust material for more inappropriate jokes. What an atrocity! !

—Well, if you want something done right, do it yourself. I'm glad to know that my pupil still proves his place — Roo's smile had widened in a way that bordered on the disturbing, as if the mere mention of Lucifer awakened something deep within her

"Ah, my dear pupil... always so perfect, so majestic." Roo let out a soft laugh, completely ignoring Alastor. But there was something else in her tone: admiration, yes, but also a hint of nostalgia, of something that could perhaps be called longing.

Alastor swallowed hard. It wasn't the first time Roo had spoken of Lucifer in that way, almost as if he were her masterpiece, a treasure she had molded with her own hands and had now lost.

It wasn't the first time Roo had spoken of Lucifer in that way, in fact she always spoke of him with an unimaginable esteem for an entity like her! She always stressed that, no matter how hard she tried, Alastor would never be at her level. What a comparison! At least he didn't leave his duties aside .

—Well! I hope you don't forget your task, Bambi. Your duty in that hotel is nothing more than to keep that brat at bay, nothing more! —he concluded, stroking his head as if he were a dog.

"Don't forget, Alastor! I'm always watching you..."

Then, he vanished into the shadows, just as he had appeared.

Alastor stood still in the darkness, the echoes of Roo's voice resonating in his mind. He knew well that Roo would never leave him alone

Years ago he had given his power to Roo, being nothing more than a puppet in his twisted plan

Oh how much he longed for the freedom he achieved years ago. Is this his karma for all the souls he made run the same fate? What a pity..

☆☆☆☆☆☆★

Chapter Text

Lilith walked slowly through the palace halls, her mind teeming with questions. It had been a few days since Lucifer’s meeting with Sera, and he still hadn’t said a word about it. She knew something had happened, but Lucifer refused to talk.

When he returned from the meeting, he had looked visibly upset and exhausted. Lilith and Charlie had tried to get him to open up, insisting he confide in them, but he dodged their questions. Hours later, he announced he was going back to his palace, citing exhaustion and the need to return to Hell. He claimed he couldn’t leave it unattended for too long.

Charlie, understandably upset, said nothing as she saw him off, though her frustration was written all over her face. Lucifer had promised to stay for at least a month to observe the hotel’s operations and get to know its residents better. His sudden departure broke that promise, and Lilith was well aware of it.

She had wanted to follow him then and there, to force him to keep his word and apologize to their daughter. But something in her husband’s eyes stopped her. There was a darkness in them—a mix of exhaustion and something deeper she couldn’t quite place. She thought it best to give him a day to gather his thoughts and return with an apology for Charlie.

But a day turned into two, then three, and eventually four days of complete silence. No messages, no apologies, no explanations. Lilith, as proud as ever, refused to take the first step. “If he doesn’t want to talk to his wife, so be it,” she told herself, though a part of her knew she was being unfair.

To make matters worse, dealing with the hotel’s residents had been a nightmare. She endured their constant, invasive questions about her personal life and sarcastic jabs about Lucifer’s absence from Charlie’s life—all for her daughter’s sake. The ever-grinning sinner with his endless insolent remarks particularly grated on her nerves. And then there was that small, hyperactive creature that kept rushing at her with sharp objects while shouting, “Supreme bad girl!”

Every day, she reminded herself, “For Charlie, Lilith. You can endure this.” But even her patience had its limits. “Be grateful you’re not here, Lucifer, because I’d have dealt with you myself,” she thought constantly.

Finally, after five days of silence and mounting frustration, she decided enough was enough. She would confront Lucifer herself and find out what was going on.

As she approached his office, she noticed how quiet the palace was. The servants were nowhere to be found; Lucifer must have sent them away to be alone. Reaching the door, she swung it open with all her strength and froze at the sight before her. Lucifer was slumped in his chair, staring at a distant point. He didn’t even glance at her despite the noise. A pencil hung limply in his hand, and in front of him was a letter with barely two lines written on it.

This only filled her mind with more questions. “What could have been so severe to leave Lucifer in this state?” “Are we in danger, or is this just Sera being insufferable?” “Did Adam say something to him?”

Lucifer had a habit of dissociating, especially when something weighed heavily on him. If no one was around, nothing could pull him out of it. “How long has he been like this?” Lilith wondered as she walked slowly toward him.

The state of his office was a reflection of his current mindset: chaos. Papers were piled in every corner, unfinished projects lay scattered across the floor, and untouched trays of food had accumulated in the room’s corners. The only clean spot was a small table with an elephant-shaped tea set—a gift from her and the Sins centuries ago. The tea was warm, not cold, indicating it hadn’t been there long. “I’m getting this place cleaned, whether he complains or not. This is unacceptable.”

Standing behind him, she leaned in to see what he was writing, only to grow even more concerned. It was an imperial letter—red parchment with golden ink, used exclusively for emergencies. In four millennia, it had only been used two or three times. “What is happening?”

“Luci? Love, it’s me,” she said softly, placing her hands on his shoulders and giving them a gentle squeeze. This seemed to pull him back to the present. He tilted his head back to look at her, his eyes more tired than usual—which was saying a lot.

“Lily… What are you doing here? Weren’t you with Charlie?”

This bastard, Lilith thought, glaring at him. Without answering, she turned to the tea table. The conversation would likely be a long one, so they’d need something to drink.

“You haven’t spoken to me in five damned days, Lucifer. I don’t think you’re in a position to be asking questions,” she said as she reheated the tea with a wave of her hand. Seeing him approach, she added, “You’re going to tell me what happened at that meeting. Now.”

Lucifer sighed, his expression heavy with the weight of what he was about to say.

“The meeting didn’t happen. Something interrupted us,” he admitted, sinking into the chair across from her and pouring tea for them both.

“And what was that something?” Lilith asked, struggling to keep her composure. Why was he being so cryptic?

“Something dangerous. This… thing shouldn’t be here, and I don’t want to talk about it right now,” Lucifer said, looking away. Whatever it was clearly disturbed him deeply.

He kept staring at his teacup, focusing on the rising steam. He was still avoiding her. How can he not explain? If it was truly this dangerous, their entire kingdom, their home, and their family were at risk.

“I don’t care if you don’t want to talk about it. If this thing is so dangerous, I deserve to know what it is, and you’re going to tell me,” Lilith demanded, her brow furrowing as she made it clear she wouldn’t back down. Lucifer was being an idiot, and she had no patience for it.

“It’s complicated, and you wouldn’t understand…” he insisted, meeting her gaze with a mix of frustration and resistance.

“I don’t care if it’s complicated, Lucifer. You’re hiding things from me—things that could end up affecting me, Charlie, and all of Hell!” she snapped, raising her voice just enough to drive her point home. She slammed her teacup onto the table for emphasis.

He narrowed his eyes at her, clearly debating whether to push back. But Lilith only crossed her arms and shot him an even sterner look. She wouldn’t relent. The last time he’d kept something like this from her, the consequences had been catastrophic. Exterminations, hundreds of souls lost in mere hours…

How she had hated him for that. How she had tried to force herself to leave him and never return, as she had done with Adam so many years ago. But she had loved Lucifer too much to go through with it. Without Bee and Ozzie’s help, their relationship might never have healed.

“Listen to me, Lucifer. We’ve been through this before. The last time you hid something and made decisions on your own, you made our lives worse. I’m warning you—I won’t be so forgiving this time,” she said firmly, making him look down at the floor in defeat. She had won.

“It’s someone I know… someone I know very well,” he admitted at last, his voice tired. “It’s my former mentor and… my aunt. Her name is Roo. She appeared at the meeting—or rather, her… essence.”

He stared into his now-cold tea. When Lilith didn’t respond, he continued.

“You need to understand she’s dangerous. All she wants is chaos and revenge against my father. Love, I didn’t want to hide this from you, I swear. I’m just… scared.”

Lilith fell silent, processing the revelation.

“What does she want now?”

“I don’t know. But I have some ideas.”

“And do those ideas involve you?”

Lucifer didn’t answer.

“Lucifer.”

“All of them…” he finally admitted, still not meeting her gaze.

Lucifer didn’t look at her, but she could tell he was on the verge of breaking by the way his fists clenched tightly. Lilith approached him carefully.

Yes, she was angry that he had kept such vital information from her. But that didn’t mean she would leave him alone to bear this burden.

“Listen to me, darling,” she said, taking his hands gently and speaking with as much compassion as she could muster. “This is… a lot. But I promise I won’t abandon you in this.”

“What if she attacks Charlie? I know she would…” he said, closing his eyes tightly.

Lucifer held Lilith’s hand with the same intensity as he tried to keep himself composed. She pulled him into a firm embrace.

“She won’t. We won’t let her. But we need to discuss this with the Sins and Charlie,” she said, running her fingers through his hair to soothe him.

“I’ve already started writing the letters. Tomorrow, we’ll talk to everyone, including… Charlie,” Lucifer said, his head resting on her shoulder. “And together, we’ll get through this. I promise,” Lilith reassured him.

“Lilith…”

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

“I know. I love you too.”

They had been together long before the Fall. Lucifer hadn’t abandoned her in Eden, and when she chose to leave everything behind, he never judged her. He had always been by her side.

When the idea of the apple took root and they were both condemned, they had never left each other’s side.

When they arrived in Hell, they endured. Together. They had never

___________________________________

Sera leaned back in her chair, feeling the weight of recent events pressing down on her: the extermination, the deaths of countless angels, her strange experience during the meeting with Lucifer, and now, a more recent problem—a snake.

“It’s funny how all my most complicated problems seem to involve these creatures…” she thought, letting out a sigh.

A day earlier, a new soul had arrived. While the arrival of souls wasn’t unusual, this one claimed to be a denizen of Hell—a sinner. 

“A sinner, in Heaven, in my home!” she thought, feeling a mix of disbelief and concern.

If she had been alone, she would’ve sent the soul back to Lucifer’s realm, avoiding the headache altogether. But her younger sister, Emily, had been present. When Sera suggested returning the sinner, Emily had vehemently protested.

“A soul is a soul! It deserves our respect!” Emily had exclaimed, her eyes shining with determination.

Emily had always been kind, perhaps excessively so, especially toward beings that, in Sera’s view, didn’t belong there. Emily argued that if the soul had made it to Heaven, it must have earned its place, and denying it the Lord’s gift out of prejudice would be unjust.

After what felt like an eternal debate, Sera reluctantly gave in to Emily’s demands, allowing the soul to remain in Heaven—but under Adam’s strict supervision. 

Although Emily had shown some annoyance, she knew she couldn’t push the matter further and accepted the compromise with resignation.

Now, Sera found herself in the vast celestial library, surrounded by ancient sacred texts. Towering shelves filled with scrolls and manuscripts loomed around her as she searched for information on redemption—anything that could explain the presence of a sinner in Heaven—and praying that the princess’s theory wasn’t correct.

In the past, she would have turned to the archangels for guidance, but they had grown distant. Once her confidants and advisors, they now limited their involvement to essential matters: ensuring the exterminations continued “peacefully” and that the souls in Heaven were cared for. Ever since that fateful day, everything had changed, and they were rarely seen in Heaven anymore.

“How I wish my Lord were here…” Sera thought, a pang of nostalgia hitting her. She needed His wisdom more than ever, but it had been years since she had felt His presence as strongly as before.

—Even when clouds cover the sky, the sun still shines behind them. So do I, ever present, even if unseen.— 

The voice, so achingly familiar, echoed behind her. Startled, Sera turned quickly.  

“My Lord!” she exclaimed, bowing deeply in reverence, displaying the utmost respect.

—Come now, no need for formalities. Though I do appreciate the gesture, daughter,— God said, His radiant smile and shining eyes filled with joy.

“Sera, it seems the arrival of this new soul has placed you in a… less-than-ideal situation. I wish I could tell you why it’s here, but, truthfully, even I am unsure,” He admitted, shrugging playfully.

How could that be? If even her Lord didn’t know why this had happened, what hope did she have?

—Well, you see, I follow the most likely and righteous paths, but, as you know, things can sometimes take unexpected turns. Souls have a way of surprising me, as if they’re playing a game to see who can astonish me the most,— God chuckled softly, though the gleam in His eyes hinted at something deeper.

—Snakes, in particular, have a habit of slipping outside the frame I expect of them. I think they give me more headaches than Adam in his prime days.—

Sera allowed herself a small smile, though she soon noticed her Lord’s tone had softened, His gaze fixed on an invisible point.

—Sometimes, even those we love most take paths we never imagined…— His voice grew quiet, heavy with a sadness that needed no explanation. Though He didn’t say Lucifer’s name, Sera understood perfectly whom He meant.

—But enough about snakes.— He clapped his hands, the brightness returning to His expression. —I’m here because I need your help!

“My help, Lord?” Sera asked, straightening up slightly.

—Exactly!— He said enthusiastically, pointing at her as if she had just won an award. —I need you to organize a meeting. I’ve already spoken to my children, but I want you to notify the elders as well—and Adam, of course.—

Sera frowned slightly, confused. “A meeting with everyone? Why, Lord?”

God’s expression grew more serious, though His comforting smile remained like a steady anchor. 

—It’s about what you saw—or rather, felt—at the embassy. Oh, that reminds me! One more thing.— He paused dramatically before continuing. —I also need you to speak with Samael. His presence is of great importance.—

Sera blinked repeatedly, trying to process what she had just heard. A meeting… with Lucifer? She opened and closed her mouth, struggling to form the right words, though without much success.

“Uh, Lord, with all due respect, I must ask you to reconsider your last request. We can’t bring Lucifer here,” she finally said, silently praying He would listen.

—Why not?—

“Because it wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Silence filled the room, heavy and unyielding, until God spoke again.

—Do it anyway. This is too important,— He said with a smile, one that seemed far too wide for such a request.

“Lord, Samael barely tolerates me. I don’t think he would agree to a meeting with the elders, let alone with Your children… or with You,” Sera argued. Lucifer was not an easy person to deal with. The sweet child he had once been was long gone, leaving behind a being who would do anything to maintain his power.

God let out a sigh that seemed to carry millennia of sorrow. 

—I know, Sera. I know it won’t be easy.— For a moment, His energy seemed to dim, as if a shadow from the past reflected in His expression. The temperature in the room seemed to drop with each word. —But this is something that must be done. Tell him it’ll only be you. I’ll handle the rest. Don’t worry about that.—

For a brief moment, Sera saw something she hadn’t seen in millennia: her Lord’s face, usually full of light and smiles, turned somber. An unfathomable sadness filled His eyes, and she knew He was thinking of Samael.

“I’ll do as You ask, my Lord,” Sera said, bowing her head solemnly.

—Thank you, child— Said before disappearing in a golden flash.

Moments after He vanished, Sera found herself staring blankly ahead, utterly disconnected from reality. 

How would she even do this? Lucifer would never agree to a meeting with her after so little time had passed. And if he did, just seeing the elders and his true family would make him even more insufferable than he already was.

Besides, how could she even trick him into coming to Heaven? Lucifer was many things, but never a fool. He would see through any kind of deception she tried.

She let out a long sigh, pushing her hair back and rising heavily to her feet. There was much to do; she had to find each elder and start organizing the meeting as soon as possible.  

She’d figure out later how to lie a the King of Lies. 

Chapter Text

Belfegor was lying in her bed, suffering from the horrible task she had been assigned: getting up from her comfortable refuge and attending a meeting.

Lucifer had sent her a letter less than an hour ago, informing her of an emergency meeting she was required to attend. The message had taken her by surprise; after all, her brother had her phone number, so sending a letter was unnecessarily formal. Also, although Lucifer could sometimes be an idiot, he rarely forced her to attend. Usually, if she missed something, he or Lilith would summarize everything the next day.

But the most alarming detail wasn't the insistence; it was the use of the Imperial Letter. Belfegor couldn't remember the last time one had been sent, let alone the reason behind it. The only thing clear was that its use meant serious trouble. Hell was in danger.

With a grunt, she buried her head in the pillows. This would end up in a lot of work, something she preferred to avoid. Maybe a short nap would help her face whatever was going on. Plus, the letter hadn't specified that the meeting would be today, only to wait for the signal: a message in the family chat. Determined, she set an alarm and closed her eyes, hoping a few more hours of sleep would prepare her for whatever was coming.

----

In another ring of Hell, the queen of the Hell Hounds and grutonny was seeing off the last guests from her most recent party. Her parties usually lasted days, but this time she needed privacy—except for the company of her boyfriend—to read a letter that had arrived unexpectedly.

An Imperial Letter, sealed by Lucifer.

She let out a long sigh before opening it. These letters always brought problems... and too much work. The last time one had been sent, Hell had been plunged into a war that lasted nearly sixty years. All because of a group of revolutionaries against her brother's reign. Sure, she agreed with some of their points, but she'd never admit it.

The content of the letter was brief and to the point:

"Dear Sin, I will hold an emergency meeting, and your presence is of the utmost importance and mandatory.

Our kingdom faces an imminent danger. I urge you to take this matter seriously and not to disclose the location of the meeting.

A signal will be given when the time comes.

May prosperity and power always be present in our kingdom, Lucifer Morningstar."

An imminent danger... what was Lucifer talking about? His cryptic tone only made her more uneasy.

The possibilities crossed her mind quickly, narrowing down to just two:

The revolutionaries, though sealed in Pentagram City, couldn't pose a serious threat; Lucifer could easily handle them.
Heaven, perhaps, declaring open war after the failed extermination and Charlie's ideas.
However, both options seemed unlikely. If it were a celestial threat, her brother would have said so outright, and if it were something in Pride, he'd handle it himself without needing her help. This seemed like something much bigger, much more complicated.

Maybe she should call him and demand explanations... but she knew she wouldn't get anything. She would have to wait.

-----

Meanwhile, in Heaven, a discussion was taking place between two leaders already too tired of each other. Thank God it was a holographic call; otherwise, the exchange would have escalated into something much worse.

"Lucifer, your presence is important. We really need you here." Sera's voice resonated firmly from the hologram filling her office.

"I told you, Sera. No." Lucifer casually twirled his cane as he walked towards an armchair near the window. "I don't understand why you insist I go personally. We never do! You don't tolerate me, and I don't tolerate you. That's what makes our relationship perfect: mutual feelings."

"We don't even have a relationship!"

"And I feel the same!" Lucifer smiled as he picked up a violin and began tuning it carefully. "But, you know what's even stranger? That you now want this 'meeting' in Heaven. So spare me the runaround and tell me why you need me there."

Sera sighed, visibly frustrated.

"It's... complicated. I just need you here for something."

"Really? You haven't wanted me here in over ten thousand years. What changed?" Lucifer stopped abruptly and eyed her suspiciously. "Wait... don't tell me you discovered how much you love me. I'm sorry, Sera, but I'm happily married."

"What?! Lucifer, could you take this seriously?"

"Oh, trust me, I am. But you're the one dodging my questions."

"Could you at least give me one reason why you can't come?"

"Because I don't want to, that's it. It's a long trip, and I get motion sickness easily. And you're still not answering." Lucifer added, playfully enjoying Sera's irritation.

Sera pressed her lips together, trying to remain calm.

"If you don't start talking, I'll end this conversation right now." Lucifer moved the orb with an impatient gesture.

"Wait! Fine. The reason I want you to come is because... the meeting will be about what we recently went through." Sera crossed her arms, watching Lucifer look up with interest. Great, she had his attention.

"It will be a meeting with the rest of the higher-ups. You could benefit from being present."

Lucifer raised an eyebrow. "How could I benefit from this, Sera? Heaven has nothing to offer that would even catch my attention."

Sera stared directly into his eyes, without hesitation. "How about the protection of your daughter?"

The atmosphere immediately tensed. "Don't you dare bring my daughter into this, Seraphim." Lucifer's voice turned into a chilling whisper, full of threat, as he pointed the bow of his violin at her.

"I'm just stating facts, Lucifer. Do you really think you would be enough to protect her? Her and Lilith."

The silence that followed was overwhelming, heavy like a storm ready to break. Sera realized she may have crossed a dangerous line. Just when she thought Lucifer would end the call, he spoke again.

"I can't have a meeting today. I already have one scheduled with the rest of the sins. You'll have to reschedule."

"They're busy people, Lucifer. I can't just reschedule; it has to be today." Sera threw her hair back, an automatic gesture she made whenever she was frustrated.

"And my brothers and I aren't busy people?" Lucifer replied sarcastically.

Finally, Lucifer let out a sigh, as if he were considering Sera's words more than he wanted to admit.

"Alright, Sera. I'll go, but only if my wife accompanies me." Sera opened her mouth to argue, but Lucifer raised a finger, signaling her to remain silent. "And if this turns out to be a waste of time or a trap, I'll leave immediately, and we'll never speak again."

"Lucifer, I made it clear that only your presence is required, not..." But before she could start arguing and insist that he drop the idea, the devil started playing his violin. The pace was hurried, almost out of tune, clearly with the sole purpose of irritating her.

"Lucifer, listen to me: only you are required." She raised her voice a bit more, but as expected, Lucifer seemed not to care. He kept playing that nonsensical tune, glancing at her sideways with a mischievous grin.

"Fine! You win, Lilith can come, but you’ll behave with the others." As if he had accomplished exactly what he wanted, the melody suddenly changed, becoming more organized and harmonious. If anyone else were behind the violin, Sera would admit they were a virtuoso, but she would never say that about him. She’d see how she would explain Lilith’s presence to her lord later.

"Great! Send me the time later when we meet at the embassy." Lucifer continued playing beautifully as he ended the call abruptly.

Sera let out a long, heavy sigh. Talking to Lucifer was always emotionally exhausting, like trying to negotiate with a capricious storm. At least storms didn’t respond with insults and blackmail. Now she had to hurry and inform God that Lucifer would attend and warn him of the not-so-pleasant addition.

"Oh, don't worry, Sera. Having Lilith there will be a strange but curious experience in our meetings." God's deep, calm voice echoed behind her, making her jump. She immediately turned, finding him just a few steps away.

"Lord!" she exclaimed as she bowed. She wished with all her might that he would stop appearing behind her like that. He only gave a soft, elegant, almost playful laugh in response.

"I'm sorry, I'll try not to scare you again... though I must admit, it’s terribly fun." He closed his four eyes with a light smile as he walked over to the armchairs by the side of the office.

"You know, Sera, sometimes tolerating the intolerable is like holding a hot iron: painful, but necessary to forge something stronger and more durable." His voice was serene, almost melancholic, as he sat down.

Sera listened attentively. Yes, her lord was right. Lilith wouldn’t be a problem, especially considering the real problem that lay ahead.

"Exactly, my dear daughter. I'm glad you've understood." God smiled again, with that unwavering warmth that always bewildered her.

"Lord, may I know why you’re here?" Sera asked finally, still in reverence.

"Oh, yes, of course." God leaned slightly in his armchair, joining his hands in front of him. "I wanted to inform you that the meeting has already been organized by my son Gabriel. It will be in four hours at the Celestial Office. You can inform Lucifer now."

"Yes, my lord." Sera nodded with a slight bow, feeling a strange relief that everything was set, although a growing unease was building for what was to come.

----

The day had passed relatively normally, nothing much different from any other day at the hotel. Screams here, chaos there, and the usual mess all around.

However, today things seemed to have gotten out of control.

Although Charlie had already gotten used to her new hotel reality, it was still hard for her to concentrate with all the noise and commotion surrounding her. No one listened to her, and she was starting to get frustrated.

It had all started with a simple idea. A few days ago, while browsing a human website, she saw some games for friends and thought it would be a good way to entertain the hotel residents. So, she decided to try Monopoly with them. At first, it was fun, full of laughter and jokes, especially when Angel tried to sell himself to other players to get more money (an idea that was utterly rejected). But everything went downhill when they started buying houses and couldn’t pay. Some simply refused to pay, while Husk threw money in their faces. By then, Vaggie, trying to maintain order, suggested switching to another game.

So now they were playing UNO. This, of course, ended in disaster. What initially seemed like a harmless activity turned into a brutal fight, and after receiving over five +2 and +4 cards, Angel was "killed" in the process. Vaggie, who had been trying to restore calm, was now fully absorbed by the chaos, aggressively demanding that the color be changed in a very graphic manner.

Charlie, who had lost all hope of enjoying a peaceful activity, was about to give up when her phone rang, pulling her out of her trance. Seeing the name on the screen, she realized it was her mom. Surely, she was on her way with her dad!

She decided to step away for a moment to speak in private.

—"Hi, Mom, what's up?"

—"Hi, Charlie, honey, I’ll be staying with your father at the palace, I’m so sorry."

—"What? But… weren’t you supposed to bring dad back to the hotel?"

—"Yes, I know, honey, but some things came up. I also wanted to call and let you know about an important meeting that will happen anytime soon. So, please, stay alert for any messages from me or your father."

—"An important meeting? With my uncles and the Goetia leader? Why? What happened?"

—"Yes, it’s a meeting with them. Don’t worry, everything will be discussed there. But you must keep it a secret, understood?"

—"Yes, yes, I understand, but… please, why is this meeting happening?"

—"I’m sorry, honey, I just want you to know that it’s something very important… and dangerous. Well, I have to go now, your father is calling me. I love you."

—"What? Mom, wait! Tell me what’s going on!" —But the call was cut off. And once again, no one listened to her. No matter how much she yelled, it always seemed like no one took her seriously.

—"Ugh, it’s so frustrating!" —she grumbled, feeling the helplessness take over her.

—"Oh, dear Charlie, for being a princess, you’re not very modest, are you?" —Alastor’s smooth voice made her jump. Alastor!

—"Alastor! How long have you been listening?" —she asked nervously, feeling like her mom had left her with a huge secret to carry.

—"Mmh, long enough, dear. Is this meeting really worrying you that much?"

—"What? What meeting are you talking about, Alastor? There’s no meeting! HAHAHAHA!" —She forced a fake laugh that made her throat hurt.

—"Oh come on, Charlie. Why would you lie to your faithful administrator? You know you can count on me." —He smiled kindly while taking her hands and holding them.

—"I…" —she hesitated for a moment, feeling like her insides were falling apart. —"The truth is, there is a meeting, but you can’t know the reason. It’s just a meeting with my uncles and parents, nothing more."

She gripped her hands tightly, hugging herself as the nerves gnawed at her from the inside.

—"Whatever makes you feel comfortable, dear. But there’s nothing to worry about. The hotel and I will always be here, even if your family is the first to abandon you." —He said with a strange smile as he walked away, vanishing into the shadows.

Charlie stood frozen. What had he just said? Why did he leave so quickly? Alastor had no idea how to console anyone.

Before she could continue thinking about his strange behavior, a loud noise pulled her out of her thoughts. She quickly ran toward the source of the commotion, making sure everyone was alright.

Chapter Text

A long, long time ago.

An eternity. An entire eternity had passed, trapped beneath that heavy tree.

Her brother had found a way to keep her away, to seal her without needing her role in creation.

Roo was definitely angry. Every day beneath that tree was a reminder of her defeat, of her own brother's betrayal. But Roo wasn’t impulsive; she knew time was her ally. As the roots sank deeper into her grayish skin, she meticulously planned every detail of her revenge. She could vividly imagine the scenarios where she destroyed everything he loved: she would kill his children, one by one, before his very eyes. What better way to break him than to destroy the one thing that seemed to matter more than her?

From her prison beneath the tree, the shadows offered her a window into the world she had been denied. She couldn’t touch it, but she could see it all: the laughter, the lights, the perfection. All those wretched beings carried on with their lives, building a perfect heaven while she sank into oblivion.

And then she saw him. A new child, created by her brother. A certain Samael. He seemed to adore this one more than the rest of creation. The other children also looked at him with reverence, as if he were a perfect reflection of their father.

Everyone loved him deeply, and from what she heard through the shadows, he was God’s most cherished angel, the center of his attention and affection. He was perfect. They loved him so much that Roo knew she had found her first target.

She would flood his little mind with sorrows and fears, make him suffer with every step, every breath, every thought or blink. She would turn him into her tool, corrupt him, and God would lose everything.

One night, when she finally decided to begin her plan, she found him. A tiny baby. His skin was as white as his father’s, and his hair was golden like the sun. He had red marks on his chubby cheeks. But what stopped her were his eyes: two bright sapphires looking directly at her.

It was disgusting. And yet, she couldn’t look away. Those eyes were hypnotic. Suddenly, she realized that the child wasn’t just awake but was staring at her.

He laughed. A soft, energetic laugh that echoed in the darkness. Without knowing why, Roo raised her hand and gave a small wave.

“He’s just a baby,” she thought. “It will be easy to break him.” But when Samael responded with a gentle laugh, something inside her faltered.

“I’ll do it tomorrow,” she told herself, but every night, she returned. Every night, she watched him sleep, unable to disrupt his peaceful rest.

“Maybe tormenting a child while he sleeps is too much, even for me,” she eventually thought. So she began visiting him during the day. When he cried for the attention he didn’t receive, Roo appeared. She told stories from the shadows, and when he wasn’t crying, she simply watched him play, tripping him whenever he tried to take a step or amusing herself by hiding his things.

She convinced herself she wasn’t getting attached, that Samael was just a piece in her plans, that everything she did was to further her goals. But every time the little one cried, she was the first to come to him.

No, she didn’t see him as anything more than a nuisance. Or so she kept telling herself.

And then the days turned into weeks, the weeks into months, and the months into years, always postponing her plan. Still, she witnessed every stage of his growth. She saw his first attempts to speak, listening to him babble sounds that eventually formed her name. Though she pretended not to care, that clumsy, poorly pronounced “Roo” was etched into her mind. She watched as, with his first steps, he tried to reach the corners where she hid from the light, laughing every time he fell.

Over time, Samael learned to seek her out. In the darkest corners of his heavenly home, in the shadows everyone else ignored. He began calling her whenever he felt lonely or restless, or just wanted to be with her. She was always there, hidden but present. Telling him stories only she and her brother knew, teaching him secrets about the shadows no one else could understand.

They were happy together. Samael didn’t fear her or avoid her, as others did. Instead, he sought her out in the shadows with a radiant smile. Roo couldn’t help it; though she refused to admit it, she saw him almost like a son. Perhaps, for the first time, she began to understand what her brother saw in those creatures.

But, of course, to her, Samael was very different from the other angels in that stupid kingdom. He had something, something that called to her. Maybe it was the way he looked at her—truly looked at her—without fear or rejection, only affection. Every laugh they shared, every secret exchanged in the darkest corners, brought her a strange comfort.

And then Samael started to notice something.

“Why don’t you come around when Dad is here?” he asked one day, his sapphire eyes shining with curiosity. Roo didn’t answer; she simply looked away.

Every time Roo was near Samael, she felt God’s presence. More than once, she saw him at the end of the halls, slowly approaching, subtly warning her to leave. God’s light filled the space, forcing her to retreat as if trying to erase her from existence. His presence wouldn’t let her stay for long.

She couldn’t stand it. Every moment God spent with Samael, every shared smile, every tender moment she couldn’t erase from her mind reminded her of everything she had been denied. He chose to appear in every little moment they had, driving her away from Samael, opening the curtains, or simply expanding his light.

He was taking him away! Just like he had taken everything else! But this time, she wouldn’t allow it. This time, she wouldn’t share Samael as she had been forced to share creation. He was hers.

That’s when she understood. If her brother was driving her away, it was because he feared Samael might care for her. And that would be her true revenge. She wouldn’t destroy him. She wouldn’t turn him into her weapon. She would win him over.

But, of course, God wouldn’t allow it. And very soon, he taught Samael to expand his own light. Guided by his father’s light, Samael began to see less of her. At first, he still sought her out, calling her in his moments of sadness. But over time, those calls grew less frequent until they stopped altogether.

God had taught Samael to ignore her, to expand his own light, to believe she was nothing more than an illusion. And Samael believed it. He forgot her.

The void Samael left was worse than the roots keeping her trapped. But it wouldn’t be the end. One day, when the time was right, she would reclaim him.

Roo would wait. She always did. Perhaps, when an apple fell, her time would come. And this time, no one would stop her.