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Seven years have passed—Seven long years since the exterminations in Hell began. With each year that passes, more and more sinners are lost, their fates sealed.
However in this seventh year, a change stirs. A proposal for redemption was presented to Heaven’s council brought forth by the princess of Hell, Charlotte Morningstar, known to most as Charlie.
Adam relayed the news to you during a sparring match with Lute, his second-in-command, you scoffed at the idea of redeeming sinners as you pushed Lute off her strike.
“I think it’s time for a break,” You wipe sweat from your brow with a towel. Then turning back to Adam and adding, “Heaven’s council isn’t really taking that seriously, right?”
Adam laughs, a sharp edge to his amusement, “Seriously? Talk less about taking it seriously, the council considers it impossible.”
“Imagine those vile, disgusting creatures coming up here?” Adam adds, retching at the thought.
“Exactly,” You add, a dark edge creeping in your voice, “I will not let even a single one of those sinners try to claw their way up here.”
Adam pats your back approvingly. “That’s my girl.”
-
You, along with the rest of the exorcist army continue to prepare for the next extermination. You and Lute enforce stricter regulations, weeding out the weak from the strong.
Progress was going well until you saw Charlie Morningstar in Heaven’s promenade. You, Adam and Lute freeze, glaring at each other in disbelief, before angrily asking each other how she could have possibly gotten up here.
As Adam attempts to talk about the extermination, Lute cuts him off, reminding him about the Seraphim’s condition that only those involved are allowed to have knowledge about the extermination.
Adam opens his mouth to complain further, but Sera, who heard their passing conversation steps in immediately to reprimand him.
-
It isn’t until you are summoned to Heaven’s council that your once unshakable conviction about the impossibility of redemption begins to waver.
You were blinded by anger. Angry at Charlie. Angry at the fact that she is Lucifer's daughter. Angry at the fact that he had made a family that isn't with you. Angry at Lucifer—
“You don’t know what gets a soul in Heaven?”
Charlie’s voice cuts through your haze of fury, sharp and unyielding.
‘What?’
You turn your attention back to the orb, now showing one of Charlie’s patrons. Angel Dust.
You knew of him—a famous porn star in Hell. A sinner unworthy of redemption, given his indulgence in sinful acts, Lust being his predominant vice.
And yet, your thoughts can’t help but return to Charlie’s words.
‘You don’t know what gets a soul in Heaven?’
You stare down at the orb, watching Angel Dust perform the very acts Adam listed down as necessary to be worthy of being in Heaven. Confusion churns in your mind, growing heavier with each passing moment.
Your puzzlement is interrupted by Charlie’s—questioning now accompanied by Emily—just as Adam and Lute revealed the existence of the extermination.
“Enough!” Sera’s voice thundered across Heaven’s council. “We know when a soul arrives. It is our duty to make sure they are safe.”
“But Sera—” Emily begins, only to be cut off by Sera’s firm authority.
The council is quickly dismissed after Adam abruptly sends Charlie and Vaggie back to Hell.
-
Back in your house, you pace in an endless loop. Your mind relentlessly replaying the earlier events.
‘Is it true? Could what we have been doing been wrong?’
‘But redemption is impossible.’
‘But what if it is?’
‘What if all those souls we killed could have been redeemed?’
‘Then doesn’t that mean…’
‘... Doesn’t that mean I chose the wrong side?’
Slowly, your mind clears, your posture stiffens.
‘I became a tool that killed human souls that could have been redeemed.’
The realization crashes over you with suffocating force.
Your breath catches in your throat.
“No…”
The word escapes your lips as little more than a whisper.
Your knees buckle beneath you, hitting the polished floor with a painful crack. You barely feel it.
Faces flash through your mind.
Countless sinners.
Some angry. Some terrified.
Some begging for mercy.
Some who never even saw your blade coming.
For seven years, you had convinced yourself it was necessary. That it was your duty. That Heaven would never ask you to do something unjust.
You had never questioned it.
Not truly.
Because questioning it would mean questioning everything you believed.
Everything you were.
A sob tears its way from your chest.
Your hands clutch at your robes as though trying to hold yourself together.
“Please…” you whisper to no one. “Please tell me this isn’t true.”
But Charlie’s voice echoes mercilessly in your mind.
‘You don’t know what gets a soul into Heaven.’
You don’t.
You never did.
None of you did.
Not Adam.
Not Lute.
Not even the Seraphim.
Yet year after year, you descended into Hell with your spear raised high, deciding who deserved another chance and who didn’t.
A hundred faces become thousands.
Thousands become countless.
The weight of them presses down on your chest until you can barely breathe.
You stagger to your feet and rush toward the washroom, gripping the edge of the sink so tightly your knuckles turn white.
The angel staring back at you in the mirror is unrecognizable.
Golden eyes red-rimmed with tears.
Wings trembling.
Hands stained crimson.
Not truly.
Not physically.
But you see it all the same.
Blood.
More blood than you could ever wash away.
You jerk your hands back as if burned.
A broken sound escapes your lips.
“No…”
You slide down the wall, burying your face in your hands.
For the first time in your existence, you allow yourself to grieve.
Not for yourself.
For them.
For every soul that begged.
For every soul that screamed.
For every soul that never got the chance to become better.
And for Lucifer.
A fresh wave of anguish crashes over you.
Lucifer, who had once stood before Heaven and believed humanity could rise above its flaws.
Lucifer, who had fallen because he chose hope over obedience.
Lucifer, whom you abandoned.
Whom you blamed.
Whom you punished for leaving you behind.
A memory surfaces unbidden.
His hand reaching for yours.
His voice pleading with you.
“Please, just listen to me."
And your own voice, cold and furious.
"You chose them over us."
Tears spill freely down your cheeks.
How many times had you replayed that moment over the centuries, convincing yourself you were right?
How many times had you turned your pain into anger because it hurt less than admitting you missed him?
You curl inward, your wings wrapping tightly around yourself.
“I was wrong.”
The words are barely audible.
Yet speaking them aloud makes your heart ache in a way you didn’t think possible.
You were wrong.
About Hell.
About redemption.
About Lucifer.
About yourself.
A sharp knock echoes through your home.
You don’t answer.
Another knock.
Then the door swings open.
Lute steps inside without waiting for permission, Adam following behind her.
“There you are,” Adam says casually. “Thought you’d vanished.”
His grin falters when he sees your expression.
“You look like shit.”
You slowly rise to your feet.
“Lute. Adam.”
Something in your voice makes them both go still.
Lute narrows her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
You look between them.
Your comrades.
Your friends.
The people you fought beside for years.
“We killed them.”
Adam frowns.
“What?”
“The sinners.”
Your voice cracks.
“We killed them.”
Lute’s expression hardens immediately.
“They’re damned souls.”
You shake your head desperately.
“They were people.”
Silence falls over the room.
Adam lets out a sharp laugh.
“You’re seriously letting that princess get into your head?”
Your gaze drops to your trembling hands.
“What if she was right?”
Neither of them answers.
“What if redemption isn’t impossible?” you whisper.
Lute steps forward.
“It is impossible.”
“But you don’t know that.”
Her jaw clenches.
“We do.”
“No,” you say, tears spilling faster now. “We don’t.”
Adam crosses his arms, his expression darkening.
“We know enough.”
“No, we don’t,” you reply quietly. “Not Adam. Not you. Not me.”
Your wings shift uneasily behind you.
“We don’t know what gets a soul into Heaven.”
Lute’s jaw tightens.
“Forget what that demon said.”
“But I can’t.”
Adam laughs sharply.
“Seriously? You’re letting Lucifer’s brat get into your head?”
“Didn’t you see the orb?” you ask, your voice trembling. “Angel Dust did everything you listed. He protected someone. He made sacrifices. He cared about others.”
Adam scoffs.
“He’s still a sinner.”
“But what if they can change?”
Lute grips her spear tighter.
“You sound ridiculous.”
“Do I?” Your voice cracks. “Because if redemption is possible, then what we’ve been doing—”
“Stop.”
Adam’s command cuts through the room like a blade.
You look at him.
For the first time in years, you aren’t looking at your commander.
You’re looking at someone desperately refusing to question himself.
His expression twists into anger.
“We did what Heaven asked of us.”
“Did Heaven ask?” you challenge. “Or did we decide for them?”
Lute steps closer.
“Watch yourself.”
You take a shaky breath.
“We killed human souls.”
Adam’s face hardens.
“We killed sinners.”
“Who were once human.”
“Who made their choices.”
“And what if they could have changed?”
Neither of them answers.
The silence says enough.
Lute looks away first.
Adam’s jaw tightens.
You finally understand.
Not because they know the answer.
But because they don’t.
None of you do.
And yet you kept killing anyway.
Your stomach churns.
You close your eyes and whisper the words you never thought you would say.
“Maybe I should have listened to Lucifer.”
The room falls silent.
Adam recoils as though you had struck him.
Lute stares at you as if she has never seen you before.
“You can’t mean that,” she says quietly.
You open your eyes, tears slipping freely down your face.
“I do.”
For so long, you had blamed Lucifer for leaving.
For choosing humanity over you.
For believing in souls you deemed unworthy.
But now… Now you wonder how lonely he must have been.
How much it must have hurt to watch you become the very thing he feared Heaven would become.
A weapon.
An executioner.
A fresh sob escapes you.
“I can’t do this anymore.”
Adam stares at you in disbelief.
“What are you saying?”
You reach behind your back and unfasten your spear.
The familiar weight leaves your hands.
For years, it had been an extension of yourself.
Now, it feels unbearable.
You set it carefully against the wall.
Then, with trembling fingers, you remove your exorcist mask.
You stare at it for a long moment.
At the face you hid behind.
At the soldier you had become.
Then you place it beside your spear.
Lute’s eyes widened.
Adam takes an involuntary step forward.
“You swore an oath.”
You look at him, tears streaming openly down your face.
“I know.”
Your voice breaks.
“And I broke something far more important.”
His expression shifts.
For a moment, hurt flashes across his face before anger buries it.
“You’re choosing Hell over Heaven?”
You shake your head.
“I’m choosing what’s right.”
Lute steps forward.
“You don’t know what’s right.”
“No,” you whisper. “But I know what we’ve been doing feels wrong.”
Adam turns away from you.
“Fine.”
His voice is cold.
“You think you’re guilty? Then report yourself to the Seraphim.”
The challenge hangs in the air.
He expects you to back down.
To reconsider.
To fall back into line.
Instead, you straighten your shoulders.
For the first time in centuries, the weight pressing against your chest eases, if only slightly.
You move toward the door.
Adam’s voice stops you.
“If you leave now, there’s no coming back.”
You pause, your hand resting against the frame.
Your gaze drifts upward toward Heaven’s endless golden sky.
Then beyond it.
To a place far below.
To someone you haven’t seen in centuries.
Someone you hurt.
Someone who had been right all along.
You close your eyes.
“I know.”
When you look back, your expression is heartbroken but resolute.
“I have to face what I’ve done.”
Without another word, you leave.
The walk to the Seraphim chambers feels longer than any battlefield.
Each step is heavy.
Each step hurts.
But for the first time in your life, each step is your own choice.
When you finally stand before the towering doors of the council chamber, your hand hovers over the entrance.
Fear claws at your chest.
Once you walk through these doors, there will be no turning back.
Your wings fold tightly against your back.
You think of Charlie.
Of Emily.
Of every soul who never had the chance to change.
And of Lucifer.
The angel you loved.
The angel you betrayed.
The angel who held so much hope for humanity's potential.
You open your eyes.
And push the doors wide.
Sera looks up from her work in surprise.
Emily rises from her seat.
You lower yourself to one knee.
Your voice trembles, but you force the words out.
“I request formal judgment.”
Emily’s hand flies to her mouth.
Sera’s face pales.
You bow your head.
“I stand before Heaven to confess my part in the exterminations.”
A tear slips from your eyes and falls to the pristine floor below.
“And I accept whatever punishment follows.”
-
Days later, Heaven's Council summons their witnesses and Hell's representatives, Lucifer and Charlie.
In the beginning, Lucifer and Charlie look around, confused to the reason as to why their presence is necessary to Heaven's court trial.
Their questions weren't answered even when you walked in, with Powers standing in each of your sides, your hands and wings in chains as you were being led to the stand. Adam and Lute smirking as they sit beside Sera and Emily.
Lucifer's eyes widen and his wings spread behind him as a mix of intense emotions run through him. Confusion, fear, and the dawning understanding of what was happening.
Charlie does her best to hold him back, reminding him where they are, and reluctantly, Lucifer forces himself to listen even when his body wants to do otherwise.
“The Heaven’s Council deems the angel [Y/N]... guilty.”
The gavel strikes, signalling the final sentence. Your wings relax from behind you as if finally, the burden you have been carrying is off your shoulders. You look towards Lucifer who is standing behind you as a pair of Powers move to restrain your wings.
“Wait! You can’t!”
Lucifer protests. He cannot simply stand still as he watches you be punished.
You smile sadly at him and gesture for the Powers to give you a moment with him. They take a step back, keeping an eye on both of you.
“Lucifer… It’s okay. I’ll be okay.”
“But you don’t deserve this! You made a mistake!”
“Yes. I made a mistake. Which is exactly why this needs to happen. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I let anger blind me.” You take a step closer to him, “Which is why… I am sorry.”
You cup his cheek and gently wipe away the tears starting to fall from his eyes.
“I am sorry for everything. For hurting you-”
He cuts you off, shaking his head, “No! I- I am sorry. I shouldn’t have… I…”
“Luci…” You softly start to sing.
“I'm limited, because of what I have done… I'm limited”
“But your daughter and you, you can do all I couldn't do, Luci…”
“So now it's up to you,” I nod, “For both of us and all of Hell. Now it's up to you.”
Lucifer sniffles and wipes away his tears, “I've heard it said… That people come into our lives for a reason. Bringing something we must learn. And we are led, to those who help us most to grow if we let them. And we help them in return.”
Lucifer looks down, remembering all the mistakes he made and how he tried to help his daughter after seeing you fly across Hell’s skies, killing sinners, “Well, I don't know if I believe that's true.”
He pauses before looking up at you finally with determination, taking your hands in his. “But I know I'm who I am today. Because I knew you.”
The courtroom seems to glow brighter as Lucifer strengthens his resolve, and you smile.
“Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood”
Wind softly blows from the windows and the sun casts its warm rays over the two of you.
“Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good”
You look at him sadly before continuing,
“It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime..”
Lucifer shakes his head desperately, but you cut him off, your hand raising before he could protest, giving him your best smile despite the tears starting to fall from your eyes..
“So let me say before we part. So much of me is made of what I learned from you.”
“You'll be with me,” You place a hand over your heart, “like a handprint on my heart,”
“And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend”
You let him go and follow the pair of Powers as they lead you to your detention room, you don’t look behind you, but Lucifer’s hand hangs reaching for you as you both continue to sing as your paths start to part.
“Like a ship blown from its mooring”
You stay inside your detainment unit.
“By a wind off the sea”
You hear about the first sinner redeemed.
“Like a seed dropped by a skybird,”
Weeks pass.
“In a distant wood”
Slowly, weeks turn to months.
“Who can say if I'll be changed for the better?” You murmur as you look into the horizon, ”But because I knew you…”
“Because I knew you...” You repeat.
-
Years pass, Lucifer starts to take an active role in helping Charlie and Vaggie run the hotel. Slowly his and Charlie’s relationship heals as he takes an active part in her life and in her dream. Together, they redeem sinners. At first, the numbers stay in the single digits, until it slowly grows over the year up until it reaches the triple digits.
During this time, you are detained in Heaven’s detention unit. At times you are let out to serve your sentence by assisting the Seraphims. You are kept under guard and only interact with Sera and Emily who give you your tasks. Sorting documents, helping Emily prepare the things she needs to keep the winners happy and slowly processing the dissolution of the angelic army.
After a hundred years, finally you are being tried once more to determine if you are worthy of redemption for your mistakes.
As you stand on the podium, you keep your gaze lowered. Years of regret and pondering over your actions lead you to doubt whether you are even worth redeeming. However, a small part of you continues to stay hopeful.
“The angel [Y/N] has been sent to Heaven’s detention for a hundred years.”
“Throughout this time, she has been observed. Today we are here to judge if she is to be deemed worthy of redemption.”
The council lists all that you have done for the past century. From your mistakes to all you have done during your time in detention under the guidance of Emily and Sera.
“Today, the council deems her… forgiven.”
Your gaze snaps up as you look at Sera and Emily in the stand in front of you, they nod, confirming that what you have heard is true.
Tears fall from your eyes as the council continues to announce the rest of their judgement. “[Y/N] shall continue to serve Heaven by helping in the Hazbin Hotel.”
The gavel strikes.
-
Lucifer hears of the development from Emily during her weekly visit to Hell. As he stares at the angel in disbelief, he feels it. A new presence in his kingdom.
Quickly, he rushes out of the room leaving Charlie and Emily to run after him, his wings spreading wide behind him as he weaves through the hallways of the hotel to reach any balcony.
When he finally reaches one, his gaze darts frantically, looking for you.
“Looking for something?” A playful voice asks from behind him, followed by the soft, unmistakable flapping of wings.
He whirls around and lets out a tearful laugh from his chest.
“It’s true,” He whispers, “You’re here.”
“I am.” You reply, your voice filled with deep emotion.
“I…” Lucifer falters, his eyes looking at your form as if trying to reassure himself that you are really there.
You let out a soft chuckle before settling down on the balcony. Lucifer’s gaze follows you and when you take a step closer, he mirrors your actions.
A pause settles between you, heavy and quiet, before your voice breaks it.
“I know it has been a hundred years,” You begin, “And I know it won’t change things, but I want to apologize—”
Lucifer blinks and his mouth opens to interrupt, but you raise a hand to stop him.
“Lu, please…” You plead, “Let me do this.”
Lucifer takes a step back and nods.
You exhale softly. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry for everything. For the lives I took, for not listening when there was a better option right in front of me…”
You shake your head, your shoulders tense, your eyes fixed on him with unmistakable regret..
It was then that Lucifer realized that Heaven may have granted you forgiveness, but you have not forgiven yourself. Not yet at least. But he can see it in your eyes that you want to change, for good.
Without hesitation, he takes a step forward. Then another, and another until he reaches you.
You look at him with a mix of confusion and surprise. Just as you are about to ask, he pulls you into a tight, unwavering hug.
“It has been a hundred years,” he utters quietly before pulling away to look at you, “And I have tried to be better. But truthfully…”
“Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?” He sings softly.
“But, because I knew you…” His hand moves to cup your cheek, encouraging you to follow his head.
“Because… I knew you.” You exhaled.
“I have (will) be changed for good.” You sing together, voices blending as one.
Tearfully, you cup his hand and continue, “And just to clear the air, I ask forgiveness for the things I've done you blamed me for”
Lucifer shakes his head, “But now I know there's blame to share,” instead taking your hand in his, leading you inside the hotel.
“And none of it seems to matter anymore”
Lucifer introduces you to the rest of the hotel, Charlie and Emily immediately welcoming you in open arms while the rest of the staff remain cautious, observing quietly.
Slowly, you integrate into the hotel through Lucifer’s steady support and Charlie’s patient mentorship.
“Like a comet pulled from orbit (Like a ship blown from its mooring)”
You assist Charlie in forming programs for the hotel’s residents’ rehabilitation.
“As it passes a sun (By a wind off the sea)”
You attend sessions with the hotel’s guests, listening, learning and offering comfort.
“Like a stream that meets a boulder (Like a seed dropped by a bird)”
You start forming bonds, making friends with Hell’s residents.
“Halfway through the wood (In the wood)”
Until one evening, you join Lucifer on the balcony, watching the night fall on Hell’s landscape.
You talk about everything, and you realize—slowly and quietly—that you are healed.
Softly, you murmur, “Who can say if I've been changed for the better?”
Lucifer smiles softly, and takes your hand, “I do believe we have been changed for the better. And because I knew you”
You return his smile, giving his hand a gentle squeeze, “Because I knew you…”
Then together, your voices blend in quiet harmony,
“Because I knew you…
I have been changed
For good.”