Seraphim Sisters: The Series

 

Meet Vivziepop's brand new angel characters: two Seraphim sisters from Heaven who serve under the mysterious Speaker of God. These princesses even outrank Adam and his Amazon-like Exorcists. They both do their best to serve their kingdom and help new souls into Heaven, but these sisters are as different as night and day. Eagar Emily is ever upbeat and desires harmony in all the realms, while the stressed Sera vows to follow the rules. Like Charlie, Emily dreams of the day that demons can be redeemed and enter Heaven; reuniting families and spreading love and song. Though Sera dislikes Adam and the exterminations, she feels it's the only option to keep Heaven safe. After all, God allowed it to happen and everything will be fine as long as Adam doesn't get too into his egotistical head.

But Emily longs to do more than just "smile and wave." She wants to be responsible and taken more seriously, though Sera thinks she'll never be ready. Emily supports Charlie's hotel idea, Sera, less so. Being so high-ranking is no picnic, not even in paradise. Can they find a way to understand each other and keep Heaven in order?

Inspired by the "Journey to the Light" Hazbin fanfiction story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prologue: “Seraphim Sera”

 

Seraphim, “the burning ones,” are the highest ranking type of angel in Christian angelology and fifth in the Jewish hierarchy. In Islam, they are the highest, followed by spirit, archangels, and cherubim. Sometimes they are depicted as an eagle, a bull, a lion, and a human; other times they have four faces and six wings. In the Book of Isaiah, they are fiery beings with six wings which fly around God’s throne, singing “Holy, Holy, Holy, God is the Lord of hosts, the Earth is full of His glory!” They are the caretakers of God’s throne. The six wings would have eyes on them, two covering their face, two covering their feet and two used to fly. Seraphim have a fiery passion for doing God’s work, not resting day and night. Like fire, they are eternal and can bring enlightenment to others. One Seraphim placed a hot coal to prophet Isiash’s lips and said, “See this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sins are atoned for.” The choir is ruled by Archangel Metatron in “Meteorologica Cosmica” by Robert Fludd; the archangels each rule over a specific choir of angels. The Shem HaMephorash Seraphim members are Vehuiah, Lelial, Sitael, Elemiah, Mahasiah, Iehahel, Achaiah, and Cahethel.  

 

In Hazbin Hotel, the Seraphim are the third-highest ranking below the mysterious Speaker of God and God Himself. They are above or equal to the Archangels and also above Adam, the Exorcists and the Powers.

 

Seraphiel is one notable Seraphim, said to be the protector of Metatron. In Enoch three, he is tall as the seven heavens with the face of an angel and the body of an eagle. He is called the chief of the Seraphim, a judge angel, and a prince of the Merkabah and guide to Enoch/Metatron. He teaches songs to sing for the glorification of God. Jehoel is his servant, often associated with Michael, charged to restrain Leviathan, and destroy idolaters. He commanded the choir of Seraphim with Lucifer and rivaled him in beauty.

 

Metatron is a likely candidate for the Speaker of God, since Seraphiel protects him/works under him and Metatron is said to act like a vessel for God. Every command by Metatron must be fulfilled by the other angels. Seraphiel is called the Angel of Silence or the Angel of Purification because he emanates the fire of God that burns away sin.

 

Emily

 

Appearance: Emily is a bird-like seraphim woman with long spiky white hair, a black/gray face and large teal eyes. She has a white halo over her head.

She has six white wings and wears a long periwinkle dress with small diamond crystal designs near the bottom and a dark purple trim. She has a black star-like crystal design on her chest and wears black boots.

 

"Emily is the Glinda of Heaven, flitting around and bringing hope and cheer to the denizens of Heaven. She is the face of the Angel hierarchy in charge, and she adores her people. Doing everything in her power to do right by her kingdom and take on the responsibilities, she is a bit unaware of what goes on, being deliberately kept out of things. She wants to take on more responsibility and is determined, passionate, upbeat and kind.

Emily is playful, with a bright voice, and cheerful energy.”

 

0 0 0

 

Sera

 

Appearance: Sera is an avian-like Seraphim woman princess with a gray face with white freckles, thick extended eyelashes, and large teal eyes. She wears a glowing white/teal five-pointed crown on her head with teal crystals in it. In the trailer for Hazbin Hotel, she is seen grinning widely with flames in her eyes. Her hair is white/gray styled in long thick tubes or curls. She wears a long gray/teal with diamond crystal designs similar to Emily's.

 

"The eldest of the Seraphim Sisters, who work directly under the Speaker of God.

Sera is calm and responsible, carrying the weight of her leadership in Heaven, and feeling constant state of pressure to do right by her people. She is constantly under stress but hides it well with her controlled demeanor. She is overly serious and rarely eases up. Strict and orderly.”

 

0 0 0

 

 

King Seraphiel and Queen Seraphina were the ancient, royal Seraphim in Heaven, who worked under the Speaker of God. They were passionately devoted to God and would sing praises for Him and teach others to do the same. They were similar to the Ars Goetia in Hell; as the Ars Goetia were alternate rulers alongside the Seven Deadly Sins demon kings who ruled the Rings, the Seraphim ruled alongside the Archangels or the Seven Heavenly Virtues who ruled the Halos. Along with singing praises to God, they also interpreted messages from the Speaker of God and carried out His divine instructions. They often had meetings with Metatron, Jesus, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, and other elite angels to make sure things were running smoothly.

 

 

King Seraphiel had been around since the dawn of creation. He and Lucifer rivaled each other in light, song, and beauty. Seraphiel and Lucifer were called the “Morningstar Twins,” though Archangel Michael was often called “Lucifer’s more obedient twin.” Lucifer was the oldest of the angel siblings, a little older than Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Camael, Jophiel, and Zadkiel. Seraphiel was a different kind of angel, born from divine flames.

 

Like many angels, Seraphiel was upset when Lucifer and his angels rebelled and were later banished to Hell. Michael was soon put in charge of Heaven’s military (Before Adam was turned into an angel Exorcist and took over), while Seraphiel was now solely in charge of the Seraphim choir. Seraphiel had no more competition but was often lonely at the same time.

 

The universe must have sensed his loneliness, for before long, he had met his soon-to-be wife, Seraphina. Seraphina loved singing and spreading divinity as much as he did; it was a literal match made in Heaven. In human terms, they had the demeanors of African American performers. The royal couple had two beautiful daughters, the first one around ten years older than the second.

 

The parents smiled down at their first-born daughter. She lay in a golden crib in the palace, a ray of light touching down on her through a circular window in the ceiling. She had a dark gray face with large bright teal eyes and whisps of white curly hair beginning to sprout on her head. The downy white feathers of her six wings were poking out from her back.

 

“Oh Seraphiel, she’s perfect,” smiled Seraphina. “And she looks like you, too!”

 

Sure enough, their daughter did match Seraphiel, with his dark gray face, white freckles under his eyes and teal eyes. Seraphiel had a white beard, thick short white hair, and wore a glowing white crown on his head.  His robes were often fiery red and orange. Though his six wings were usually white, they could change color to yellows, oranges, reds, and hot blues, with flaring eyes all over them in his Angel Form.

 

“Well-behaved, too,” Seraphiel said with a nod. “Not a sob to be heard.”

 

Seraphina picked up her daughter and cuddled her close. The baby laughed and reached out to tug Seraphina’s curly white hair that hung slightly past her ears. Seraphina also had teal eyes and a dark gray face with white freckles. Unlike Seraphiel who was passionate about work, she was more inclined to spending free time doing art, poetry and composing her own songs. “They don’t have to be about God all the time,” she mentioned to Seraphiel. The baby tried to flap her little wings, staring down at the ground as if afraid she’d fall. Seraphina danced with her baby in her arms, wearing a stunning long purple dress with light purple crystal patterns near the trim.

 

The baby tried again, flapping her small wings, but barely getting an inch off her mother’s hands.

 

“Don’t worry, you’ll be flying in no time,” said Seraphina with a chuckle. She turned to her husband. “Shall we keep up with our family name traditions?”

 

“Oh yes,” said Seraphiel. “And I have the perfect name for her: Sera.”

 

Seraphina gently placed Sera in her crib and sang her a lullaby to sleep.

 

“Once there was a way

To get back homeward

Once there was a way

To get back home

 

Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry

And I will sing a lullaby

 

Golden slumbers fill your eyes

Smiles await you when you rise

 

Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry

And I will sing a lullaby.”

 

Sera soon grew up fast. As the first-born, she would be the next heir to the Seraphim choir. Seraphiel trained her in singing, fire magic, angelic weapon use, Enochian, Latin, flight, music, and other divine duties from the very start. Sera soon became one of the greatest muses in Heaven, having an angelic voice that all the Archangels and other Seraphim admired. Even the Speaker of God was most impressed with her progress. Seraphiel decreed that she would formally be included in the political council meetings to help make decisions once she became a teen. The more Sera grew up, the more stress she began to feel. If she wasn’t pleasing her parents, she was trying to please the other Seraphim. And then after getting through all that, she would eventually have to please the whole kingdom of Heaven!

 

Oh, how she longed for peaceful Golden Slumbers!

 

Sera buried her stress under piano lessons, studying, lectures, poetry, art, and any activity that could try and numb her thoughts. The few times she could relax and hang out with her fellow friends was a blessing. Sera would often pray to God to not force her into any arranged marriages. Fortunately, she was safe from that for the time being. Though that didn’t stop some Seraphim males from gazing intently at her beauty from afar.

 

Seraphiel conducted the fiery Seraphim choir; Sera flying around for hours in performances that stunned the adoring crowd below.

 

“Holy, holy, holy, God is the Lord Almighty!” Sera chanted, memorizing the words by heart. Five other Seraphim women flew with her, harmonizing as she led the choir. Her six wings glowed in stunning rainbow colors and fireworks boomed in the heavenly blue sky. They sang songs and hymns for more than an hour, vowing to “not rest day and night” until it was over. Sera posed with the five other Seraphim women as the crowd applauded, their feet and faces covered by their wings. They were Serenity, Serabella, Serena, Serastella, and Serendipity. They weren’t her sisters but part of the greater Seraphim devotee family. Sera was dressed in blue and purple, contrasting the golds and the reds of the other young angel women. They were, in human terms, a variety of different races, all with six white wings that could burst into harmless flames with eyes blinking on them.

 

“Don’t be afraid to create something original,” her mother said. Sera did create her own songs, but only in the privacy of her large bedroom. She didn’t want her father to think she was straying too far from traditional music.  Sera remembered all the fun times when she and her mother would travel around Heaven and make up their own music as they went. They would sing songs together and not have to worry about anyone watching them. It was one of the only times where Sera truly felt free.

 

“No matter what you have to do,” Seraphina said as they sat near a lake of golden water. “Know there’s always a shining star in you. Muzzled in work or happy in play, my eternal love is here to stay.” Mother and daughter embraced as Heavenly music played in the background.

 

Sera belted out as she played on her piano:

 

“Somebody (somebody)

Oh somebody (somebody)

Can anybody find me

Somebody to love?

 

I work hard

Everyday of my life

I work ‘til I ache in my bones

At the end (at the end of the day)

I take home my hard earned pay on my own

 

I get down (down) on my knees (knees) and I start to pray

‘Til the tears run down from my eyes, Lord!

 

I have spent all my years believing in you

But I just can’t get no relief, Lord!”

 

Tears flew from her eyes, the music a catharsis for her ever-nagging weary feelings. Was all her hard work and fading childhood worth it in the eyes of God? Why was she destined to be the center of Seraphim attention, while many souls in Heaven would stroll around, oblivious to Heaven’s intricate workings?

 

“Hmm…I-I think I should create something more unique than that mortal song I like…”

 

But she was soon tired and out of ideas.  

 

0 0 0

 

Once Sera became of age (still ancient in human years and terms), Seraphiel invited her to the first meeting.

 

“I know we have hidden some things from you,” he mentioned. “But we wanted to make sure you were ready. You see, the worlds outside Heaven are very dangerous places.”

 

“I have heard of Earth,” Sera said, smoothing out her teal-gray dress. A white crown glowed on her head. “That’s where humans are born and then they die and are sent to Heaven or Hell.”

 

“That’s right,” he said. He led Sera inside to a spacious room where some archangels and other Seraphim waited. The council members stood and bowed to the royals as they sat down. Sera sat next to her father at the round table as Michael discussed angelic weapons, military strategies, politics, charities, and the occasional music festival. Sera flinched as a large eye surrounded by six wings with smaller eyes on them casually discussed economics in a seat across from her. Blue fan-like designs decorated the walls and gold pillars held the ceiling decorated with Christian religious art. Stained-glass windows depicted fiery Seraphim, and a trio of Metatron, Jesus, and Seraphiel standing before God’s light. (Although the Speaker of God was implied to be Metatron, no one knew exactly who it was.)

 

Sera yawned in boredom, favoring scribbles over her previous notes on a scroll in front of her, until Michael mentioned something that made her hair and feathers stand up.

 

“As many of you know, Heaven is not one hundred percent foolproof, even though we’d like it to be.” Michael stood proud wearing blue robes and a golden sword sheathed by his side. “Ever since Lucifer fell to Hell, there has been an increased need for security. At first, we thought that Lucifer and his army would perish in the dark, never to be seen again. Alas, they soon formed their own kingdom of chaos, growing ever stronger. As soon as Lucifer tricked Adam and Eve into eating the Forbidden Fruit, and were banished from the Garden of Eden, God ordered us angels to step in. We realized that humanity was in danger of falling to sin. And if that sin ever reached our abode, it would infect us with it’s vengeful evil and suffering.”

 

“Lucifer would want nothing more than to kick us out of our own paradise,” Gabriel mentioned, his robes white. “All because he thought that humans were all evil and that God was unwise in favoring them over him. Still, I miss him.”

 

“Some wounds cannot be healed,” Raphael somberly added, his green robes shimmering in the sunlight coming from the stained-glass windows. “We tried allowing as many souls into Heaven as we could. But as the population grew, so did sin. More souls had to be banished from Heaven when they dared to question God in Heaven. Angels became like humans, getting into petty quarrels and arguments.”

 

Uriel fanned a flame in his hand, wearing robes of ruby red. “Something had to be done. Michael’s army alone was not enough to keep the demons at bay. Soon we had to deal with a new problem. The humans who had been banished to Hell somehow remained immortal in the Pride Ring. If was like they had to re-spawn and deal with suffering with not even death sparing them. Hell’s population grew and soon the overpopulation led to more chaos and more thoughts of rebellion.”

 

 Metatron added. “If Hell became more overcrowded, it would inevitably lead to a second Heaven/Hell War, with poor Earth in the middle. More demons roaming around would put Earth in danger. Many of the noble demons and the Sin Kings started to send their minions to Earth to spread lust, disease, war, and sin. Our Archangel Virtues send angels to counteract them, but it’s never been enough.”

 

“It was a drastic decision. A decision not many of us liked,” said Seraphiel. “Samael and Adina approved it right away. Michael and I were more apprehensive. How could we trust a former human to suddenly become an angel and take on such a crucial role? But then we remembered how God turned Enoch and Elijah, two former men into Metatron and Sandalphon respectfully. And we knew that all we could really do was trust in God’s plan.”

 

Sera looked worried. “What happened then?”

 

Seraphiel continued. “Adam, the first man, was one God entrusted to rule the New Earth, a place where humanity all bowed to their Lord. Since Adam soon died after nearly a thousand years on Earth, God turned him into an angel to reward him for his faith. Lilith was banished from the garden for her disobedience and Eve…well her fate was lost to time. Adam was the pinnacle of masculinity and strength. God then promoted him as the ruler of the Exorcists, a group of angels sent to protect Heaven from sinners and invading demons. Originally, they were sent down to Hell to try and purge the former humans of their sins. But since sinners could only redeem themselves on their own (and they didn’t, of course) the Exorcists had a new job…”

 

Seraphiel’s eyes glowed darkly. “…to exterminate and purge sinners in Hell once every year.”

 

Sera couldn’t help but gasp. “You mean…our own people kill the demons…and people who were formerly human?”

 

“Yes,” Seraphiel explained. “Adam and the Exorcists soon grew more demonic themselves, relishing in their bloodlust and killing as many as they could: men, women, children, didn’t matter who. The victims of murders on Earth got their revenge against those who had killed them, when they became Exorcists. The angelic weapons erased the sinner from existence and their remaining energy became part of Hell’s infrastructure. That energy also powered the Overlords in Hell, keeping their hierarchical systems running. Lucifer, too, approved of the exterminations of his own people. He didn’t care for the ex-human sinners and he did it to ensure the safety of his own royal family and his rule.”

 

“That’s…that’s terrible,” Sera breathed.

 

“I know,” Seraphiel said. “But we have no other choice. Once a human goes to Hell, all is lost for them.”

 

“Can’t God cure them?” Sera asked.

 

“Sinners must cure themselves,” Seraphiel said. “The whole point of sending them to Hell is for them to be reminded of their misdeeds on Earth. They have to work extra hard to prove themselves to God. Without the suffering leading to redemption and repentance, there’s no real faith.”

 

“But still…our own people, killing members of their own kind…hardly any soul can get to Heaven now!”

 

Seraphiel put a hand on Sera’s shoulder. “That’s the point, unfortunately. To keep the universe in order, we cannot take any risks letting random foreigners inside. Saint Peter is in charge of all the background checks and making sure the souls go through their Purgatory in the divine Courtroom of Judgement before going through the golden gates and receiving their heavenly identity.”

 

“But can’t they just be banished back to Hell?” Sera asked her father.

 

“We have too much work to do as it is. God expects perfection here. Souls working on their perfection go to Earth. Those who fail have no place in any world but Hell. Our kingdom needs to set an example for our Lord and to the rest of the universe.”

 

He looked at his daughter again. “One day, you will fully understand, Sera. Demons have no second chances…all they do is spread evil and suffering onto themselves and to the rest of their kind. Demons turning into angels is a one percent chance at best. Not impossible, but highly unlikely. If we let them in, they’ll only unleash the same suffering onto us. And if our kingdom crumbles, God might…” he choked, “Leave us behind, too.”

 

There were low murmurs spreading throughout the council. Sera, too, suddenly grew afraid of the demons and sinners.

 

The proud blonde Samael waved his hand, and a large orb of light showed a scene of Hell. Buildings were burning in flames under a crimson sky. Adam was playing his guitar and using it to magically blast citizens away. Lute and her fellow Amazon-like warriors flew through the sky, black halos with three black crystals hovering over their heads. The warrior women dived down and slashed and stabbed the animal-like demons on the streets with harpoon weapons, grinning evilly behind their black LED screen masks. Their Xs were over their right eyes. Lute was laughing manically in the air, licking demon blood off her curved swords. Sera was instantly appalled at Lute’s cutthroat methods and Adam’s sinister sexualization of the females.

 

“Sera, my daughter,” Seraphiel. “The time has come to learn your role. The Seraphim royals serve under the Speaker of God and collaborate with the Archangels. But we also have a duty to preserve our kingdom and watch over the incoming souls. And you, specifically…”

 

Sera waited with bated breath…

 

“One of your main duties is to watch over Adam and his Exorcist army.”

 

Sera’s eyes grew wide with fear, and she gulped. “Adam? I’m in charge of him?!”

 

“Yes,” Seraphiel said. “I know it’s a big, unexpected responsibility. But I know how strong and dependable you are, already. Your mother and I have instilled great leadership in you. I know you have what it takes to keep him in line. He’s been behaving recklessly for a while.”

 

“I can’t stop the exterminations…”

 

“No.”

 

“But…” she pondered. “As long as that creep leaves me alone…I suppose it could be enjoyable to make sure things go smoothly.” She grinned. “At least I can tell him off if he decides to make trouble.” Seraphiel nodded in approval.

 

Metatron and Seraphiel moved toward Sera who stood up. “Get ready,” Seraphiel whispered to her. Sera took a deep breath, remembering all the practices leading up to this. They moved to the center of the vast council room.

 

“Riase your right hand,” Metatron said. Sera did so. Sera knew she was being filmed to the denizens of Heaven the moment Metatron’s cell phone glowed purple and hovered next to him.

 

“I, Princess Sera of the Seraphim Royal Family…”

 

Sera repeated. “I, Princess Sera of the Seraphim Royal Family…”

 

“…hereby pledge my allegiance to God and the Speaker of God…”

 

“…hereby pledge my allegiance to God and the Speaker of God…”

 

“…carrying out His will and bringing order to my kingdom…”

 

“…carrying out His will and bringing order to my kingdom…”

 

“I shall exemplify courage, confidence, and compassion to my people…”

 

“I shall exemplify courage, confidence, and compassion to my people…”

 

“Ensuring the safety of souls and the competence of our armies…”

 

“Ensuring the safety of souls and the competence of our armies…”

 

“To aid in legislation and decision making for the greater good of all…”

 

“To aid in legislation and decision making for the greater good of all…”

 

“I accept all terms and consequences henceforth…”

 

“I accept all terms and consequences henceforth…”

 

“By God’s will, it is done. Amen.”

 

“By God’s will, it is done. Amen.”

 

Sera’s hands shook as she signed the line on the bottom of a piece of paper. Seraphiel’s royal golden eye seal burned onto the page.

 

“All hail Princess Sera!” Metatron announced.

 

The archangels and Seraphim clapped respectfully. Seraphiel walked over and placed a large glowing white crown on her head. It had five glowing points and teal gems in the front. The other crown was taken by Seraphiel. Sera’s white hair was in thick tube-shaped braids. She suddenly looked more womanly. Sera walked out to a balcony, where a crowd of denizens cheered for her below, following the conclusion of the meeting. Several Exorcists banged the ends of their spears and harpoons onto the ground in salute. Sera’s parents stood proudly behind her. Holographic images flashed in the sky of demons burning in flames at the mercy of the Exorcists. Adam winked at her from a hovering golden throne, making her squirm inside.

 

Sera stared hard at the flames before her eyes, her thick eyelashes extending past her dark colored face. The flames danced in her eyes…and she forced a wide beaming smile.

 

0 0 0

 

The day Sera’s younger sister was born was quite a unique one. Seraphiel and Seraphina were delighted by the baby’s constant laughs and cute dark face. She also had white hair, teal eyes, a dark face, and freckles. With a happy squeal, the baby zoomed across the room, Seraphina chasing her around the palace.

 

“This baby sure is hyperactive!” Seraphina called.

 

“Mom, are you sure she’ll be a good little sister for me?”

 

“Yes,” she called. “Of course, you’ll be expected to watch her.”

 

Sera groaned as the baby let out some loud cries and squeals, nearly knocking over a vase.

 

“Flying time is over,” chuckled Seraphina, catching her breath and holding her baby. The baby flapped her sprouting six small wings. All the family members had white halos over their heads.

 

“Right, now her name,” said Seraphiel. “Sera is perfect.”

 

“We already have a Sera,” Seraphina said.

 

“Seraph!” he called.

 

Seraphina giggled. “No. Seraph is over there.”

 

Sera smiled as a beautiful red fiery phoenix flew over and landed on Sera’s shoulder. She pet her feathery friend and he nuzzled his head into her hand.

 

“Your mom sure has her hands full,” Seraph mentioned.

 

“Tell me about it,” Sera communicated back telepathically. “I’m guessing my sister will be so passionate about redeeming demons that she’ll be a real thorn in my side for a while. I sure hope not.”

 

“Remember you were once more sympathetic to demons and sinners too,” Seraph reminded her.

 

Sera sighed sadly. “Those days are over. I can no longer focus on a fantasy dream. Especially with my crazy little sister flying through the palace!” She rolled her eyes, her crown heavy on her head.

 

The baby stared into her mother’s teal eyes.

 

“Mama!”

 

“Wow! She just talked in my mind! She said ‘Mama!’”

 

“Wow, that was fast,” Seraphiel said. “Usually takes a week or so to learn telepathy before the babbling regular speech. She’s only a few days old!”

 

The baby spotted a crude drawing of a sad demon with a spear in its heart on a fridge. “Poor guy, poor guy,” she said into their heads.

 

Sera tore down the piece of paper and crumpled up the drawing. “No, not ‘poor guy,’” she sighed. “Demons are evil!”

 

Seraph flew over to his perch and slowly burst into flames. He was soon a pile of ash on his small bed. The baby spotted it and started wailing.

 

“Birdy gone! Birdy gone!”

 

“It’s okay, Serenity,” said Seraphina. “Our phoenix is immortal and rebirths itself from the ashes.”

 

“Not my name! Not my name!”

 

Seraphina looked taken aback. “What? What do you mean ‘not my name?’”

 

“New name! New name!”

 

The two royal parents and Sera stared at each other. With a baby so eager and hyper to spread cheer…could Sera’s daughter be so bold as to change family tradition already at such a young age?

 

This child was not ‘Serenity’…for a name popped into each of their heads that made her more like…

 

“Emily!” all three said at once. Emily laughed in approval.

 

0 0 0

 

Seraphina smiled at Emily. “This one will be the smiling face for Heaven. I bet she’ll do a splendid job greeting new souls in Heaven! She already looks like a great future performer, like me!”

 

“I believe you’re right,” Seraphiel said with a smile of his own.

 

Sera was worried. “I don’t think she’ll be ready for my responsibilities when she’s grown up,” she said. “Already, she’s causing trouble from day one.”

 

“I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you girls are safe,” said Seraphiel. “In the meanwhile, perhaps you can show Emily the way of an angel. With her positivity, she’ll help new souls adjust to Heaven while you continue your duties. We are immortal and essentially ageless, so there’s not much to worry about. If she tries to get in trouble, you can help change things for the better.”

 

Emily landed in Sera’s lap and let out a loud fart. Sera scrunched her nose. “I’ll sure be changing things alright,” she grumbled as she picked her up and walked off to change her sister’s diaper. When she was done, Emily was staring in awe at rainbow light reflecting off a stained-glass window in the palace.

 

“Yep, definitely an odd one,” Sera thought. “I only hope our family can do what’s right for everyone.”

 

Sera stared at Emily again and smiled warmly. She decided to sing her favorite lullaby she remembered when her mother sang it to her years before:

 

“Once there was a way

To get back homeward

Once there was a way

To get back home

 

Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry

And I will sing a lullaby

 

Golden slumbers fill your eyes

Smiles await you when you rise

 

Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry

And I will sing a lullaby.”

 

Emily soon drifted into a peaceful sleep.

 

Emily, despite her quirkiness…as a sister, she really was Somebody to Love. 

0 0 0 0 0

 

 

Dazzling rays of sunlight reflected off the tall, golden buildings in Heaven. Pastel-colored buildings shaped like hearts were on top of clouds as sheep cherubs flittered around Cherub Towne. Angels flew around all the cities and streets: Holy City, New Jerusalem, Yeshua City, Eden Avenue, Aaru Avenue, Valhalla Valley, Elysium, Vaikuntha, and others.

 

Princess Emily, the younger Seraphim sister, wore a lavender colored dress, with purple crystal designs on it, a black crystal near her chest and a white glowing crown on her head, slightly smaller than Sera’s. She was now a young adult. Her face was dark gray/black like Sera’s, with teal eyes and white freckles and spiky white hair, messier than Sera’s neat white curls. Black boots were on her feet and her thick eyelashes extended past her face. She flew on six white wings, passing out flowers to a group of children. A white halo was above her head. A rainbow shone in the background and a heavenly choir joined Emily as she led the music.

 

Emily flittered happily around Heaven, singing about how she longed to help as many denizens as she could. Incoming souls gazed at her in awe as she smiled, waved, and sang. A few doves harmonized with her.

 

“Welcome one and all, to paradise! (Paradise)

With peace and joy, you’ll find it’s quite nice (Quite nice!)”

 

Emily twirled in the blue sky and spread out her wings.

 

“You lived on Earth once, now you live again twice! (Nice!)”

You’re now a saint; there’s no complaint! (A saint!)”

 

“Whoa,” called the new souls, people who glowed with heavenly light. Some of them had animal features. They slowly filed through the golden gates as they opened.

 

“No need to worry about your changed form.

Whether you’re a human, a sheep, a lion, I assure you, it’s our norm.”

 

Emily flew next to a soul with a swan head and tapped her beak, much to her surprise. She fluffed a bipedal lion’s mane and straightened the halo of a small sheep angel. A few bee angels buzzed by, tossing golden honey to the denizens for a sweet treat. The new souls eagerly ate the honey and followed Emily as she sang.

 

“Everyone is welcome here!

Now flap your wings for a cheer!

Hallelujah!”

 

“Hallelujah!” the crowd answered.

 

“I’m Emily, the Seraphim princess, and I’ll be your guide

I’ll take you on a tour of your new home.

Follow me!

There are so many things you’ll love to see!”

 

She led them down a golden path, past trees bearing glowing fruit.

 

“This is our Garden of Eden, not the original, of course.

These fruits won’t get you banished.

Just pick one and you’ll be endowed

With temporary knowledge and healing.”

 

Emily tossed some to the newcomers, who licked their lips.

 

“Sweet to eat, what a treat!”

 

“Oh my, this is wonderful!” one said.

 

“This tastes like Mom’s strawberry pie!” a young girl called.

 

“Like ambrosia from the gods!” a man exclaimed.

 

“And best of all, the fruit keeps growing, so no hunger here,” Emily added.

 

“Wait, are you sure there is absolutely no hunger or homelessness or strife like on Earth?” asked an ancient looking man with an eagle’s head.

 

“Umm…” Emily blinked. “As far as I know, yes. Now let’s move along.”

 

She continued her song as they flew over to Cherub Towne.

 

“If you’re ever feeling down,

Just fly right over to Cherub Towne.”

 

Cherubs waved as they peered outside their homes to get a closer look at the new saints.

 

“These guys will send messages to the ones you love

So they know you all are doing fine up above.

What they do best is protecting the living.

They are also super cute and giving!”

 

Emily picked up one of the cherub sheep and spun them in a circular dance. Several cherubs flew over to Emily and sang “la, la, la, la, la,” in a Kumbaya-style spin. Bees, birds, and various animals danced and frolicked with the princess.

 

“So many things are free!

There is joy for you and me!

Eternal fun times for every family!

I exist to sing and spread good cheer!

I know I can change things around here!

I will do what I must to face another day.

I’m a Seraphim in paradise

Trying to find my way!”

 

The animals and souls cheered and swayed to the heavenly beat. Various bands played in the background: “The Judas Brothers,” “Mind, Body, And Spirit,” “Opulent Ophanim,” and “Lion and Lamb,” were just a few.  

 

Emily flew back to the group.

 

“Now, let’s head on over to our main destination: Holy City!”

 

“Halo City?” asked a woman, pointing at a group of tall crystal-like buildings with a glowing Halo on top.

 

“Close. It’s Holy City,” Emily mused. “Isn’t it pretty? All lonely kids get a free kitty!”

 

Two child souls beamed as Emily created two heavenly kitties from nearby pink clouds and handing them their new pets.

 

“Oh, do a unicorn, next!” called a girl.

 

Emily smiled and with her hands, she magically created a white unicorn from the clouds. The creature reared on its hind legs and lifted the girl onto its back. “Wheee!” she squealed in delight as the unicorn took her for a ride. “Thank you, Princess!” she called as she flew down from the unicorn and greeted her parents in the distance.

 

They went through another set of golden gates, the ones with Seraphiel’s golden eye sigil on top. They reached the bustling city, filled with golden roads, chariots, and angels of all shapes and sizes going about their daily lives and afterlives.

 

“Your main home is here in the Halo of Humility!” Emily called. “The district closest to the golden gates, the Exorcist areas and just above the purgatory-transition center, which is above Earth. Each Halo is ruled by the Archangels, or the Seven Heavenly Virtues as we call them! Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Jophiel, Camael, and Zadkiel. That’s a whole lotta Ls! Special permission is needed to travel to the other Halos. But I know you’re gonna LOVE IT HERE!” Hearts flashed in her eyes at the souls; some were excited, others nervous and overwhelmed. Several higher angels rolled their eyes at Emily’s wild childish antics.

 

“The lights! The sights! The megalithic mights!”

 

She gestured to a circle of stones in a park where a large slab of stone in front of a cave read, “Jesus was here.”

 

“C.H.E.R.U.B. headquarters is there!” Emily pointed at a large office building shaped like a giant golden harp.

 

“Burger of the Three Kings is there,” Emily added in song as angels waited in line for the divine food. “Golden Arches is next door. Wanna see more?”

 

She took them through the city.

 

“Oh, there’s my dad!” called a young boy. “Gotta run!”

 

“Text me on Gracebook!” Emily called out with a wave at another saint woman who flew off from the group to see her husband.

 

“Juda/Buddha hub, for the religiously diverse. Dozens of temples, mosques, and churches for those who read in verse! Flesh, scales or feather, Heaven brings all branches of faith together!”

 

Emily glanced at a poster of a sneering Adam that read, “Nonbelievers, sinners, and rebels beware! Pure of blood, pure of heart shall stamp out the miserly!” She stood in front of the poster, grinning nervously as the saints continued on their way. Several angels knelt by a marble statue of the Virgin Mary.

 

“There’s the Empyrean,” Emily breathed as she and the group stopped by a hill. On top of the hill toward the sky was a grand building that resembled Mount Olympus.

 

“Only Metatron and a few select angels get to go up there. That’s where God supposedly lives. Seraphiel goes there, too. And close by is the Panangelorium and the gold Embassy buildings. That’s where council members and warrior angels travel and meet up to discuss important matters. There is an Embassy building in the underworld, too.” She scrunched her face. “Man, I wish I could head over there and suggest better ways to help Heaven!”

 

“Isn’t Heaven perfect?” asked a woman saint.

 

“Yes and no,” Emily said. “Hell exists and demons seem to die there a lot by dark beings, but that’s all I know.”

 

A brief silence.

 

Emily continued her tour, spreading hope, cheer, and love to all who came near.

 

“Hi Molly!” she called at a white spider-like lady with many arms and wearing pink. Her white spider-like mother was next to her.

 

“Hello, your majesty!” she called, helping her mother with various art projects and cooking. White halos danced over their heads.

 

Emily noticed that this part of the saint town was much quieter than the previous areas. There was hardly any music or dancing or public rituals. Just ordinary people doing ordinary things; some praying in the silence of their heavenly homes.

 

“You still miss your family?” Emily asked.

 

“Haven’t seen my twin bro in years,” Molly replied, fiddling with her gloved fingers. “It’s not easy being born in a mob family. I thankfully wasn’t included in any of the dealings and missions, but sadly got killed by rival gang members. My older brother and father weren’t accepting of Anthony’s orientation, and I doubt they are tolerant of him now, even beyond our graves.” Molly and her mother hugged, eyes closed, heads lowered.

 

“I miss my son every day,” said the former New York/Italian mother. “I heard he goes by Angel Dust down below.”

 

“My dad and my older brother,” Molly sighed. “I miss them too, but they got too involved in the wrong crowd.”

 

Emily’s heart started to shudder as she glanced at more mothers waiting for their families to arrive. She saw a red doe-like angel in 1920’s garb sadly holding a picture of her son, Alastor. A Hispanic couple with butterfly wings prayed in Spanish for the safety of their daughter Vaggie. Several siblings were also gathered around. They were muttering about how Heaven could never heal their memory of their daughter becoming an Exorcist and falling to Hell, forever lost. They all seemed certain that they would never see their family members again. Everyone was too afraid to talk to the authorities about trying to help get their loved ones back.

 

“I…I can’t believe it,” Emily thought, briefly snapping out of her Disney daze. “Not everyone is happy here! How can this be?”

 

Emily continued on her way, singing some more to distract herself from the gnawing feelings of disbelief. She saw more posters of Adam and commercials for Exorcist recruitments.

 

“Hope you all are enjoying your stay!” Emily sang again.  “You finding your families along the way?”

 

“I…I don’t have any family,” whimpered a sad blonde boy. Worry grew in Emily’s eyes. He was the last one in her tour group. They had stopped by the Seraphim city and not too far away from the golden fiery palace. Guards stood by the doors of the palace, eyes unblinking on their six red wings. More Seraphim gathered in the city square, where a statue of Seraphiel glowed in gold and garnet. The Seraphiel statue spouted fire instead of water into the basin below. Nearby stores sold a variety of musical instruments, ritual robes, candles, and spicy foods on fire.

 

“Well…uh…” Emily began, unsure of where to start. “They should be coming any moment.”

 

“No, they’re not here. They won’t be coming back.”

 

“What do you mean? Are they still on Earth?”

 

“N-no,” said the boy. “Saint Peter told me that I’m the only one in my family who’s been g-good. The rest are…”

 

The boy began to sob and Emily wrapped him in a hug with her wings. “Down there? I’m so sorry…” Tears of her own began to spill from her eyes.

 

“Your mother?”

 

“Was a sex worker.”

 

“Your father?”

 

“Killed a man in self-defense.”

 

“Your siblings?”

 

“Got addicted to drugs.”

 

“Grand parents? Aunts? Uncles?”

 

The boy gulped. “They decided to join their children down there instead of leaving them behind. My older brother…” He laughed a bit as he choked and stepped back from Emily. “He flipped a finger at one of the Exorcists and guards and said, ‘You’ll be sorry you arrogant a**h**** tore my family apart!’ He then fell!”

 

The boy wailed again. Emily gasped with a hand over her mouth.

 

“I wish I could help you,” Emily said. “But my sister, she’d never let strangers into the palace. She’s so bogged down with work, and she hardly hangs out with me. It’s like she’s a zombie who follows the rules all the time.”

 

“At least there are no monsters here,” the boy said, before flinching at one of the Seraphim guards.

 

“How did you get to Heaven, then?”

 

“I died very young. I-I tried to follow my Mom and Dad but Saint Peter said I could come in. Said that my ‘young fresh mind could be purified and molded for our Savior.”

 

Emily bore a look of horror and disgust. Her eye twitched as she glanced back and forth between the palace and other buildings.

 

“Are you alright, princess?” the boy asked.

 

“Yes, I’m fine, totally fine!” Emily said in a sing-song voice. “We have plenty of church homes where kids can be raised in a greater family.”

 

“An orphanage?”

 

“Not…really?” Emily asked, unsure.

 

A kindly woman spotted the boy and took him by the hand. He briefly looked back at the princess before being led away to a silver building with “Lost Soul Rehab” appearing on the arch way above the gate. “Good luck,” she called before flying at high speed up to the palace.

 

Emily burst through the door and spotted Sera using a feather pen to write documents for legislation, rules for the lower classes and more restraining orders against Adam.

 

“Sera!” Emily cried in song. “You’ve been here for hours!”

 

“What do you want, Emily?” she asked, without looking up.

 

“A poor young boy, lost without his family! He’s not well! He said his family went down to…”

 

“Do tell,” Sera replied, not fully listening.

 

Emily flew closer.

“I cannot comprehend

Why these families are brought to an end.

Innocent people not allowed in? Just because of bad luck or sin?”

 

Sera sighed and paused, replying in a lower somber song. “We’ve discussed this many times before. Stop your ranting and close the door.”

 

“Close the door? Like we do for how many more?

Is it true that our own kind

Attacks demons in Hell and pays them no mind?”

 

Sera responded.

“Not for you to know it all

Precautions are made so less people will fall.”

 

“Let me help you with your important work!”

 

“You’re not ready, Emily, now quit being a jerk.”

 

“Adam’s a jerk! Can’t you see? Stuck in your tower all day, you must be lonely.”

 

“I do not have time for your games. I have to memorize all these names…”

 

“Why are you always the same?” Emily asked. Sera stood up and faced her.

 

“Sera, my duty is to make sure everyone is happy here. But it breaks my heart to see other people so lost. Now only a few lucky souls can become saints and live in safety.”

 

“That’s just the way it works,” Sera said. “If killing sinners will stop them from attacking this place…”

 

“What a disgrace!” Emily bellowed in song. “I’ve seen the posters. Adam kills his own race!”

 

“Demons are not of our kind. They kill and possess and pollute anyone they can find. For the greater good, some former humans have to get left behind. Now, back to my duty, sis, if you don’t mind…”

 

Emily slapped Sera’s arm away from the table and spilled the small pot of ink onto the floor. Sera glared at her, smoke blowing from her nostrils.

 

“Listen to me for once,” Emily called. “I’m tired of being seen as a child. The sameness here is boring; can’t we go a little wild?”

 

“Heaven is not your playground, Emily. Grow up!” Sera barked, picking up the ink and cleaning up the mess. “You’re hyperactive, immature, and nowhere near ready to truly rule. You’re a fool. Let me do my job in peace. Perhaps in the future, the sinners can find their release.”

 

Emily folded her arms.

 

“Boring and stuffy, that’s who you are! Don’t you think all these rules are bizarre? The ignorant racist ones get a free pass? But the innocent victims are tossed to the fiery mass?! All these centuries, nothing has changed. The majority of humanity are suffering, restrained. Stop trying to hide things, too!”

 

Sera examined herself in the mirror, straightening out her thick curls.

 

“Father and I only do so to protect you! God knows what is best, we are all put to the test. Stop moaning and groaning and give it a rest. Adam does his job and I do mine. Even dirty jobs are the will of the divine.”

 

“No! I cannot rest. I figure something is up. Our warriors are killing hundreds! Enough is enough! You and father are hiding more stuff from me!”

 

“Because, like I said, you’re far from ready.”

 

“Perhaps with both of us, the council will listen to what we say…”

 

Sera turned around, her crown glowing. “Our roles are already set, go away. I’m a Seraphim in paradise, trying to find my way.”

 

Sera continued. “You think I like what is happening to this realm? Burdened by stress and taking the helm? One bad move will cost me my position. I hardly have time to be a musician.”

 

“I will make a change,” Emily declared. “I have to try. Even God’s not with us and I want to know why!”

 

Sera sat back down at her desk. “I’m falling behind schedule because of you. If you think you can change Heaven or father’s mind, you haven’t a clue!”

 

“I will find a way,” Emily sang as Sera added at the same time,

(“Your way is not my way.”)

“You never want to play with me, try, today!”

(“Fly away! Fly away, I say!”)

“Dimmish the fire in your eyes, for the lost, I pray!”

(“I watch every day, with their sinful lives they pay!”)

“Listening to Dad’s rules day after day?”

(“Your childish words are not okay!”)

“This crushing guilt just won’t go away,”

(“For our safety, the Exorcists must slay,”)

“What if we could give demons a chance and let them…”

(“STAY?”)

“Sinners saved from their fate, turned into angels and celebrate…”

(“NO WAY!”)

 

A somber pause. Both sisters stared downcast and briefly looked away. They caught their breath after their argument.

 

“Sera, listen…”

 

Sera raised her hand up dismissively. “Go, Emily. There’s too much to do. I’ll escort you out if I have to.”

 

“I’m in Heaven, Sera. Why can’t you help me make my dreams come truuuee?”

 

“The final decision is not up to yooouuu.”

 

Emily briefly turned away. Her shoulders sagged and she was already tired. There was simply no way she was going to change her stubborn sister’s mind. She hated conflict but even more, she hated being stuck with no way to fully express her concerns. “I’ll find a way to help those sinners. By myself, I’ll go, I’ll go.”

 

After Emily left, Sera sighed, a few tears falling from her eyes. “I’m sorry, Emily, it’s just not so. No, no. You cannot help those down below.”

 

Seraph the phoenix flew down and rested on Sera’s shoulders. She stared at a framed portrait of her, Emily, and their father during her coronation. Off to the left, a lone picture of Seraphina smiled down at Sera, silently encouraging her onward. Sera soon steered her stare back to her studies.

 

Emily folded her six wings and sadly sat on her balcony as the sun set. Emily had always felt different from her family…her name itself was a deviation from tradition. It wasn’t her cheerful, do-good personality that set her apart, however…it was the outward sympathy she made herself feel for the foreigners hidden down below, something very uncommon to those in Heaven. Most were either outright against sinners or too resigned to the harsh reality which they pretended to ignore. For all the talk about generosity and charity in Heaven, divine grace still missed its mark. Even the treatment of the homeless on Earth was preferable to the infinite methods of suffering in Hell. People had chances on Earth…but hardly any in the afterlife. She somberly sang:

 

“Something is missing from my life.

I should be happy and content,

But our hands are stained with blood and strife

No chances for them to repent

Can it really be that hard

For sinners to redeem?

The Exorcists on guard

Not really what they seem.”

 

Emily glanced at the grinning Exorcist guards out in the distance with a worried look.

 

“The forgotten, erased from history

For a few mistakes, mortals shrouded in mystery

I pray and I say

‘Please let more souls stay,’

But nothing seems to go my way

I want to do more than smile and wave

I’m sick of sis telling me how to behave!

Way up in the sky,

I can’t keep living this lie.”

 

Tears trailed from her eyes.

 

“I have a wish, I’d like to say

About a world of peace and harmony today,

I feel like something’s missing

(Oh! I see two angels kissing!)”

 

Emily briefly brightened as two blonde angels briefly glanced up at her after kissing each other on a bench below.

 

“Sorry!” Emily called, before becoming somber again. Her purple satin curtains blew softly in the breeze. Frankincense and lavender wafted pleasingly across her nostrils. The night breeze gently ruffled her feathers. She trailed the last word of her song, and it echoed across the twilight sky.

 

“I wonder why, why are so called sinners kept at bay

Sent far, far away

As we pretend everything’s okay?

I’m a Seraphim in paradise

Trying to find my waaaayy.”

 

A shooting star zoomed in the night sky. Emily closed her eyes. “Somebody, anybody, please help all the innocent people in Hell, on Earth, in Heaven, anywhere. Help spread the hope that redemption and reunion can be possible for anyone. Perhaps there’s a princess like me out there with the same dream…” 

Vaggie and Charlie had arrived in Heaven via a portal, thanks to Lucifer. Charlie gazed at the bright-pastel colored sky in amazement. The sky was filled with puffy clouds and the sky shone in blue, yellow, orange, and pink.

 

“Vaggie, look at this place! It’s sooo clean! Isn’t that amazing?”

 

Vaggie slouched and replied sarcastically, “Yup, super cool. Heaven. Wow.”

 

They walked down a golden path up to the large golden gates. Three golden glowing eyes were at the top of the gates, one large eye in the middle. Standing behind a raised golden square podium was a jovial angel with short blond hair in a curl to the side, blue eyes, white skin, a pink bowtie, long yellow robe sleeves and a light blue robe with a cross at the bottom. He had a halo and white wings. There was Saint Peter, the one who checked off the names of souls entering Heaven. He was also one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.

 

“Hiya!” Saint Peter greeted. “Welcome to Heaven! Can I get your name, please?” He opened up a large golden book.

 

“Oh! Uhm, uh, Charlie Morningstar!”

 

“Charlie Morningstar, hmm…” He mumbled names from a list, moving his finger down: Morraco, Morcillo Santos, Morzerty, Mormington, Morningbreakfast, Mornan Vaigh, Morney Lewis… “I’m not seeing you on my list here, that’s so odd.”

 

“Uh, uhm, my dad got me this meeting so maybe try Lucifer Morningstar?” Charlie asked.

 

“Oh f***!” Saint Peter gasped as he slammed the book shut. He laughed nervously. “Yeah, hoooo, hehe, yikes, am I right?” He flew down from the podium. “Are you sure you’re in the right place? Because I think you might be a little lost.”

 

“Oh, here we go,” Vaggie sighed.

 

“No…uh, we’re here for a meeting,” Charlie explained.

 

“Saint Peter,” called a voice from above. “We can take it from here.”

 

Saint Peter turned around and all three looked up.

 

Descending down toward them were none other than the Seraphim Sisters themselves. Sera was the taller of the two, flying regally on six white wings. She was in her Angelic form, her face dark and pointed like a bird. Her eyelashes extended upward in curves from her eyes and her tall five-pointed crown glowed white and teal, with a halo above it. The front rim of her crown was covered with glowing teal eyes. An extra third eye was on her forehead. Her long light gray dress was decorated with light blue eyes: eyes on the pointed light gray ends of her dress, more eyes near her dark gray waistline part of her dress, eyes on her wings and one on each of her shoulders. Her gray hair was long and feathery, going past her waist.

 

In contrast, her younger sister Emily flew next to her, much shorter but also in Angelic form. Her face was round and gray with a third eye over her blue ones. She had a smaller white crown on her head, the points shorter than her sister’s and a halo on top. A large light blue eye blinked on her chest and more dark blue eyes peered from the royal purple trim on the lower part of her dress. A few more eyes made up the blue diamonds on her dress. Her dress was more lavender toward the top. Her six white wings were all up surrounding her face.

 

In a flash of white light, the sisters changed into more humanoid forms. Sera’s face appeared to have dark brown skin like an African woman, with light gray dots under her light blue eyes. Her hair morphed into her long thick tube-shaped gray curls and her eyes on her dress disappeared, leaving faint diamonds. Emily’s skin also turned dark brown, her wings in more natural positions along her back and her eyes vanished from her dress as well. Her hair was now long, gray and feathery, going past her waist. She also had small gray dots near her eyes. Her chest showed a purple star where her eye was.

 

The Seraphim landed in front of them. Emily beamed an excited smile.

 

“Greetings, daughter of the Morningstar,” Sera said to Charlie. “I am Sera, the High Seraphim of Heaven. You are gifted to be here.”

 

Emily squealed happily, raised a hand and walked over. “Hi! I’m Emily, the other Seraphim, though you can call me Em! Emmy, E, whatever you want, I go by whatever.” She giggled like a child. “Welcome to Heaven!”

 

Saint Peter smiled and flew upwards as a church organ played. “Dearly beloved, it is my pleasure to say unto thee…”

 

The golden gates opened and Saint Peter sang: “Welcome to Heaven, oh, oh!”

 

Charlie was bedazzled at the sight of the gleaming city before her, while Vaggie was not pleased. A large building was decorated with a pointed golden eye at the front and the tower stretched upward with lilac and white designs on the windows; a column of white diamonds. The building frames were gold and halos glowed at the top spires of the buildings. Denizens happily flew over the city against the orange sunset-like sky. The citizens had wings and halos and had a variety of appearances like those in Hell. Some were bipedal animals, while others had wheels with eyes on them for faces.

 

The golden brick roads were so clean that they reflected the buildings and sky.

 

“…where the virtuous reside 24/7, oh, oh!”

 

Up on a balcony, two angels were taking a selfie: a dark gray bug-like angel with four wings from his face and wearing a navy blue suit with big sleeves…and a black female hound with a black and gold halo and a black dress with a white fur collar. A few human-like angels were sitting at round tables on a balcony decorated with orbs of light. Walking along the street was a purple jester angel, and a light orange angel with large ears and four red and white eyes on them. Two pink female angels with antennae and curly hair like sheep happily talked at a table.

 

“People are happy that they died, cause here we got no worries, got no burglaries, no strife…it’s the perfect afterlife!” Saint Peter did a happy flip in the air.

 

An angel with white hair like Vaggie drank tea with a white robed angel with a purple feathery face with two wings from their head and white eyes on a gold crown.

 

“Welcome to Heaven, oh, oh!”

 

Saint Peter stood in the center with a group of dancers on a gold structure shaped like an eye. He danced with a green bird wearing a magenta suit, an alligator wearing a pink suit and top hat, a female llama wearing a purple dress, and a bear wearing a striped blue and white suit and hat. Behind them were large screens showing a blue sky, white clouds and “HEAVEN!” in gold letters with a halo over the H. Yellow smiley faces with wings and halos floated in prayer positions on the other screens. More denizens danced on the golden street; a doll, a lion wearing a blue robe, a white bear, a shrimp with a top hat and robe with eye designs, a light blue canine, a sheep wearing pink, a thin white bird…

 

There was a sign that read “LIVIN’, LAUGHIN,’ LOVIN,’ HEVAH!” and “EVERYTHING IS AWESOME SAUCE!” Most noticeable down below was the dancing figure of Angel Dust’s sister Molly. Molly had white fur, red dots on her cheeks, a pink and red dress and four long legs with pink stripes and black high heels. She had a halo and wings and was happily having fun, oblivious of her twin brother in Hell.

 

Saint Peter happily dived down and high-fived the bear and the lion before swooping back up.

 

“Check out our sweet décor! The spirits leaven, oh!”

 

He swept black rocks off the gold street in front of Charlie and Vaggie.

 

“Please keep your brimstone off the floor…”

 

“We’ve got the best and the brightest, the politest of the lot!”

 

Saint Peter mentioned to a large advertisement sign that read “SCIENCE” in pink letters with a glassy gleam to them. A white bird wore yellow and had three small eyes along her furry neck. A black hound with yellow eyes, a black dress and white fur collar stood happily next to her. They both wore gloves, safety goggles and stood in a lab. The bird held a beaker with red liquid and the hound held a cylinder beaker with yellow liquid. Colorful pink, magenta and purple animal angels danced in front of the sign.

 

Saint Peter then mentioned to another advertisement billboard the read “POLITENESS” in white cursive against a blue background. It showed a one-eyed Ophanim with gray wings from his head with teal tips and a crossed gold crown of wheels with eyes on it. He wore a white robe and helped an elderly old lady angel across the street. A yellow owl angel with red and white eyes on his extended feathery ears did a pose in the corner. More angels danced in front of the sign, including a mouse.

 

Saint Peter swooped down and cheering denizens lifted him up and moved him along. Next to a giraffe, a woman with three red eyes and orange hair smiled as she lifted him up.

 

“…and everyone is hoooot!”

 

Saint Peter smiled as he lay in the arms of a muscular woman with short red hair, white skin, a spiky eye-brow, a red tank top and long purple tights. A muscular man wearing black underwear and a short black sleeve-less jacket lay down in a pose. Another man had lavender skin, shirtless, and had a black bowtie and brown pants. On the man’s arm sat a sexy woman model with long blond hair, blue eyes,   a short hot pink dress and long teal pants. There was a taller white-skinned man with red hair and a torn light orange shirt flexing his muscles. A woman with dark skin, long white/periwinkle hair, a pink heart in her hair and a black and purple dress posed with her hands on her hips. A grinning male orange fox also did a pose off to the side, wearing a sleeveless red jacket, fingerless gloves, black pants and pink high heel boots. Even Angel Dust’s sister Molly posed on the ground.

 

Emily beamed in excitement as she led Vaggie and Charlie around. “Gosh, I’m so pleased to show some outsiders around,” she sang. “After you see our realm, you’ll never wanna go back down!”

 

Vaggie fumed as Charlie and Emily held hands in front of her. Sera placed a hand on Charlie’s shoulder.

 

“Of course, it is just temporary, I’m sorry you can’t stay…” Sera added in song.

 

Saint Peter and Emily flew into the air and happily sang in a duet. They held hands and flew near a tall glass building with a gold halo on top. Gold rays of sunlight beautified the orange sky even more. “Cause every single day in Heaven is a happy daaaaay! Welcome to Heaven!” Emily and Saint Peter smiled at each other and flipped down to the ground. Saint Peter, Emily, Molly, and the other good-looking angels posed on the stage in a grand finish. Saint Peter caught his breath out loud after the song ended.

 

0 0 0

 

Meanwhile, Adam and Lute stood off to the side. Lute had her helmet off her face, revealing a white face, short sharp white hair, and intense yellow eyes. Adam was casually slurping a drink with a straw from a purple and white cup. Lute wore her short gray dress, arm bands, and combat boots. A black halo hovered above Lute’s head. Lute’s wings where white with black trim, with two black stripes in the center. Adam stood proud with a golden halo above his black face with yellow teeth, yellow eyes, and pointed curved horns with gold tips. He had his usual feathery robes of white, yellow, and gold, with diamond designs near the trim. An “A” design was on the front. He recalled playing his golden guitar, the bottom and top shaped like golden harps.

 

As Charlie and Vaggie raced past them, Adam and Lute scowled in surprise.

 

“Holy f***ing s*** balls, am I seeing who I think I’m seeing?” Adam began.

 

Lute scowled while looking at the back of Vaggie. “What is she doing here?! How did she even get up here?” She then thought, “I killed that filthy traitor years ago! She didn’t deserve her vagina name and she certainly didn’t deserve my Adam!”

 

Adam merely shrugged. “Who cares? I’m handling this s*** right now!”

 

He began to stomp forward, but Lute held him back. “Wait! You want to start a fight on the promenade in front of everyone?”

 

“Better than waiting for the f***ing extermination!”

 

“Shhh, sir!” Lute shushed him, grabbing his collar and looking around. “What was the Seraphim’s one rule?”

 

Adam sighed. “Uuugh! ‘No one but the Exorcists can know about the exterminations.’ I know, fine.” He slurped his drink and glared. “Don’t f***ing shush me, b****.”

 

“You should listen to your lieutenant, Adam,” said a voice. Sera appeared before them in a flash of light.

 

Adam was briefly startled. “F**k! Sera! You can’t sneak up on a guy like that, jeez.”

 

“And be mindful of your swearing. It is censored in Heaven, after all.”

 

“Your highness, forgive me,” Lute began, “But what are the hell spawn doing here?”

 

“Well, you failed to control the demons’ unrest and now Lucifer’s involved, setting up an audience for his misguided daughter,” Sera replied. She stared out the window, while computer screens glowed off to the side. “I never would’ve agreed to your yearly activities if I thought it would bring trouble to our doorstep. Keeping Heaven safe was my only reason for allowing it.” She turned back around.

 

“What do you want from me? I’m just one guy,” said Adam.

 

“I want you to do whatever you need to do to keep this problem from getting any worse.” She leaned in closer to his face with a narrowing of her eyes. “Are we clear?”

 

“Yeah, got it,” Adam replied with a sigh. Sera vanished in light.

 

Lute then mentioned for Adam to follow Emily, Charlie, and Vaggie. Emily stiffened as she heard hushed voices behind her mention something about the exterminations and the Exorcists. The only time she heard about that was from Sera talking to herself in private. She had wondered if that was a real event and why Sera never wanted to talk about it to her. She had claimed that evil demons were exterminated by each other and that brave angels went off to watch over Heaven to protect it. When she had asked why some souls go to Heaven and others are banished to Hell, Sera had said, “You’re not ready to know. Now go spread your joy.”

 

Charlie, Vaggie, and Emily did not see the Exorcists behind them and soon made it to the hotel room. Adam and Lute hid in the shadows against the wall, waiting for Vaggie to be alone. Lute wished she could kill Vaggie then and there, but Adam had other ideas. They watched the trio enter their hotel room, the golden door closing.

 

“Okay, I love Heaven!” Charlie exclaimed as she fell down onto a comfy bed with white sheets and a golden headboard. The wallpaper was blue and the designs were Egyptian style royal fans. There was a bedside table and a light on it. The luggage was in a pile off to the side near a golden leaf plant. The light fixtures were golden star designs and the top glowed with teal crystals on the walls. A glowing teal chandelier was hanging from the ceiling.

 

“Vaggie, did you see the ice cream shop? They had sprinkles made of rainbows!” Charlie squealed. Emily giggled.

 

“Those are just rainbow sprinkles,” Vaggie deadpanned.

 

Charlie stood up. “Emily’s going to take me to a zoo where all the animals are actually soft! You coming?”

 

The last thing Vaggie needed was to be noticed by anyone in her former home, not to mention having to listen to Charlie and her new friend talk about their lofty dreams. Charlie was her girlfriend and all she wanted was to be back safe in Hell.

 

“Uh, I need a break.” She sat down. “But hug a koala for me.”

 

“O.M.G. Can you imagine an actual koala?” beamed Charlie, her eyes wide with joy. “Ahh! See you later!”  Emily waved happily. Charlie slammed the golden door and headed off with Emily. Vaggie sighed and collapsed onto the bed.

 

Adam and Lute grinned as they watched Charlie and Emily go. Adam’s yellow smile glowed menacingly as he and Lute crept closer to the unlocked door.

 

Vaggie heard a knock on the door. Vaggie sighed and stood up. She barely made it to the door when Adam shoved it open.

 

“Hey there, Vag-asaurus!” Adam smirked.

 

“Charlie will be back soon,” Vaggie glared. “You need to get out, now.”

 

“I’m not looking for the blonde babe, I’m looking for you.” Adam raised an eyebrow.

 

“Why?”

 

Adam swaggered into the room, followed by Lute. “Maybe ‘cuz you left the band, you tried for a solo career, or I guess it’s more of a…duet!”

 

Vaggie folded her arms. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

 

“Do you really think I wouldn’t recognize one of my top girls just cuz you’re out of uniform? You were on the front lines. I wouldn’t forget a bad b**** like you. It’s why I named you after the best thing ever. Vaj-ee!”

 

“Actually it’s pronounced Vag-ee.”

 

“Mmmm, no!” Adam denied.

 

“You should’ve called me P*ssy, at least,” Lute muttered. “At least I didn’t betray the flock.”

 

“I did what I had to do,” Vaggie seethed. “He was just a kid.”

 

“Anyway, you sure f***ed up, didn’t you?” Adam smirked. “Removing your mask and letting a demon go. Such weakness, such incompetence.”

 

Vaggie could remember flying in Hell through the Exorcist-filled red sky, stabbing a green female demon with long brown-red hair, boots, and torn clothing through her back. Her LED mask had an X over the left eye and a frown on the face. She wore her short gray dress, long white gloves, black leggings, and high white metal combat boots. She had a black halo and white wings with a black stripe on them. She removed her mask, revealing her face with short white hair, an angry snarl, and both light orange eyes. She flew with a spear in hand and spied a crying boy child from the Cannibal Town. He had short red hair, a pink bowtie, a red shirt, red hat, and striped pants. She had him backed against the wall, her winged shadow towering over him, an x on the shadow’s left eye. She then paused, her face falling, hands lowering her spear. She would never harm a child…even a demon one. It would be against everything that Heaven stood for.

 

“Go, Run! Now!” Vaggie hissed at the boy, who ran off.

 

No sooner had Vaggie turned around when Lute slashed her across the face with her blade. Vaggie’s scream echoed across the city as her eye spilled out from her socket. Lute stabbed the fallen eye and golden blood flowed down Vaggie’s face. Lute added insult to injury by placing a foot hard on the back of her neck. “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out…” Lute recited. “Adam may have seen you as the perfect vagina girl, but I know that he doesn’t deserve a fucking weak-willed whore like you.”

 

Lute then proceeded to rip off Vaggie’s white and black wings, causing her to scream in more pain. She collapsed to the ground in agony, golden blood flowing down her face.

 

“Sinful filth like you has no place in Heaven,” Lute finished. Adam then confiscated Vaggie’s black halo and the two Exorcists walked away, leaving Vaggie to die.

 

Vaggie stumbled through the alleyway before collapsing against the wall. Where her left eye had been was a gaping black hole. She now only had a white shirt on with two black Xs on it…any traces of her uniform or Exorcist features were gone…discarded into a nearby trash can. She left behind a trail of golden blood.

 

Charlie bent down and extended her hand, thinking Vaggie was a lost Sinner. Charlie wore her suit from the Pilot. She knelt down to Vaggie’s level and wrapped a bandage over Vaggie’s eye. Vaggie smiled weakly as Charlie carried her back to the hotel. Vaggie’s body got used to the Hell environment and gradually adapted more demonic features. Vaggie then swore to protect Charlie and make her dreams come true. An ex demon hunter and a demon royal had fallen in love…and nothing was going to change that.

 

“To think someone as worthless as you landed Lilith’s little hottie. ‘Grats on that, I guess,” Adam mocked.

 

“Their love is vile and blasphemous,” Lute seethed, marching forward.

 

“Like you’re master/sex slave relationship with Adam is any better,” Vaggie retorted.

 

“Their love is hot as f**k, though,” Adam added. “But I wonder what your b**** would think if she found out you were actually one of us? Hmmm?” He leaned his face in.

 

“What do you want?” Vaggie asked. “Want me to join you again?”

 

“F*** no,” Adam scoffed. “Way too late for that. But at the hearing, you’re gonna help me shut this kindergarten snowflake bulls**t down for good. Say that her hotel plan is a joke, and I’ll spare you.”

 

“Never!”

 

Adam shrugged. “Oh yeah, you know, that’s totally cool. I guess I’ll just tell little Miss butterflies and rainbows that she’s been…” He leaned in close to her face with an evil grin,  “…f***ing someone who’s killed thousands of her people. I’m sure your relationship will be fine. See you in court!”

 

Adam laughed menacingly as he and Lute strolled out of the room and slammed the door, leaving Vaggie shaken.

 

 

0 0 0

 

Charlie did actually get to hug a koala, an angel one with small white wings and a few eyes on its fur. In fact, all of the zoo animals had wings, little halos, extra eyes and were very friendly. Giraffes, elephants, lions, doves, bears, and any kind of animal you could think of, were joyfully inside their habitats, being able to freely fly around. Charlie hugged her koala, while Emily fed a baby panda. They also enjoyed snacks of golden cotton candy, meatless burgers, sparkling golden drinks and deluxe chocolate. They explored shopping malls, restaurants, theaters, and several parks.

 

“This really is a wonderful place,” Charlie awed, as she and Emily walked back toward the hotel. “Thank you for showing me around.”

 

“No problem,” said Emily. “It’s not very often we get visitors from…your home. But I’m honored to meet the princess of Hell!”

 

“And I never thought Heaven had a princess.”

 

“Well actually two. Sera is the higher one. She does all the royal duties and I’m here to spread joy to those in Heaven.”

 

“Well you certainly do a great job,” Charlie said with a smile. “My world could use your kind of cheer.”

 

“Don’t you spread cheer of your own down there?”

 

Charlie and Emily kept walking.

 

“Well, yes, but not many people appreciate my ideas. Nor my dad’s.”

 

Emily sighed. “From what Sera told me, she and the elders didn’t like Lucifer’s ideas for creation, either. He tried to give free will to humanity, but instead fell to Hell.”

 

Charlie glanced off to the side, parting her hair. “My dad said that Heaven has a lot of rules and that going to Heaven would be a bad idea. But yet, he was willing to help me in the end. I guess…he wanted me to try and achieve my dream…because he could not. But sometimes I think he doesn’t always listen. And don’t get me started on my mom. She’s been missing for years. She cares about her kingdom…but perhaps she doesn’t agree with dad’s ideas about humans. I…I still don’t know why she left.”

 

“I feel you. It seems like Sera and the council never listen to what I have to say. I’ve been giving the people of Heaven hope and happiness, but when I talk about reuniting souls from Hell into Heaven, Sera tells me that it’s impossible. She says that she knows how souls are judged and that it’s not my place to know.” Emily folded her arms. “She treats me like a child half the time!”

 

“Being royalty sure isn’t easy,” Charlie added. “But with all the madness going on in Hell, I feel like I have to do something.”

 

Emily paused. “What? What kind of madness?”

 

“My people killing each other and getting killed by these horrible angel beings every year. And my dad allows it.”

 

“The…exterminations?” Emily asked, wide eyed.

 

“Yeah,” Charlie somberly answered.

 

“You mean…that the event that I’ve heard my sister talk about behind closed doors…that it’s actually 100% real?”

 

“Yes. Wait…no one else knows?”

 

“Only Sera and the Exorcists know about what goes on each year. Sera always said to me that some angels go off on special missions to protect Heaven from invaders. She never told me who exactly the invaders were. But I think they’re…demons?”

 

Charlie glanced around. “The demons are not invaders. And it’s not just Hellborn demons…Sinners get killed down there, too.”

 

Emily gasped. “H-human souls? No, no, that’s impossible! T-that’s just a myth from Sera. Ex-human and Heavenborn souls from here killing demons and Sinners?! Led by the first man?!” Tears welled in her eyes.

 

Charlie lowered her head. “It’s true, though. So…you’re certain that no one else in Heaven knows?”

 

Emily shook her head sadly. “If they knew that their ex-human family members were killed by our own kind…or their own ex-human kind…”

 

“…that could start a war,” Charlie growled, eyes briefly flaring red.

 

“Maybe that’s why Sera stays so silent all the time,” Emily pondered.

 

There was a brief silence as they made it back to the hotel.

 

“So…what can we do?” Emily asked.

 

“Well, I’ve come here because I’m running a hotel to try and rehabilitate Sinners. If I can show Heaven that my people can be redeemed, then maybe they’ll let them into Heaven.”

 

Emily beamed. “And I could spread more joy and celebrate the souls getting back to their families! What a brilliant idea!” Then her face fell. “But…have you saved anyone yet?”

 

Charlie sighed. “Not yet. But I’m really close. My two residents, Angel Dust and Sir Pentious have started doing nicer things for their friends. They haven’t left, so I think there’s still hope for them.”

 

Emily shuddered. “Good luck getting Sera to listen…she’s the head of the whole council.”

 

“I’ll think of something,” Charlie said. She held out note cards of drawings and dictionary definitions. “I hope…”

 

 They arrived back to the room and opened the door. Vaggie was visibly shaken up.

 

“Vaggie? Are you alright?” Charlie asked.

 

“I-I’m fine,” she muttered, eyes downcast. “Come on, we’d better head to the courtroom.”

 

Charlie and Emily looked at each other in concern before following Vaggie. 

 

 

0 0 0

 

 

 

The heavenly courtroom was vast and tall, the walls were lavender and the ceiling was round and gold with a center circle for light to shine through. On raised podiums were various angels with different appearances. On the lowest podium off to the side were a row of seven bird-like angels (perhaps the Shem Hamephorash), many with black antennae on their heads. The row above them had seven angels…some were blue and purple bird-like beings like Hell’s Ars Goetia and several were Ophanim: angels with flaming gold wheels within wheels dotted with eyes for their faces. One was just an eye with six blue tentacles from its top with eyes on them. At the very top podium stood Sera and Emily. Adam and Lute got their own podium: the trim was gold and an eye design was at the bottom. The light fixtures in the wall were in a slanted white diamond shape with gold trim that looked like wings. A gold structure of a smiling Sera holding a weapon and grinning with slanted teal eyes stood against the wall behind Charlie and Vaggie. Charlie and Vaggie sat in blue chairs with three rectangular shapes behind them with their small table in front of them.

 

Charlie put her head in her hands and groaned out loud. “Oh no, not him again!”

 

“What up baby?” Adam sang with a pose and flew up next to Lute on the raised podium. “Saw that you went to my manager. Low blow, Karen.”

 

Sera began the proceeding. “We are gathered here today to determine whether or not a soul in Hell can be redeemed into the heavenly realm via means of this ‘Hazbin Hotel.’  She closed her eyes and nodded. “Princess Morningstar?”

 

Charlie sighed.  “Thank you, Seraphim.” She stood up and cleared her throat. “Webster’s dictionary defines redemption as…”

 

 “Objection!” Adam interrupted. “Lame and unoriginal.”

 

Sera glared. “Sustained.” She mentioned to Charlie. “No further dictionary references, please.”

 

Charlie smiled nervously. “Right. Okay, uh, uh…ummm…” She flipped through her cards that had drawings and definitions of various words like “Redemption,” “Salvation,” “Forgiveness,” and “Love.”

 

Adam crossed his arms. “If you have actual evidence, then show it already.”

 

Charlie began. “We have a patron right now who is making incredible progress!”

 

“Who?” Adam asked.

 

“Angel Dust.”

 

Adam spoke sarcastically. “Oh yeah, the porn demon. He’s totally worth being redeemed.” He blew a raspberry with his yellow tongue.

 

 

 

Charlie posed with her hands on her hips. “Well, if you know so much, what do you think it takes to get into Heaven?” She pointed a finger at Adam.

 

Adam stuttered nervously, touching two of his black fingers together several times. “Uh, well, uh…” The council members looked at each other.

 

“Is everything okay, Adam?” Sera asked.

 

Adam yelled, “Give me a f***ing minute, okay?” He muttered as he scribbled on a golden piece of paper with a gold feather pen. Adam then smiled and sent the piece of paper to Vaggie with his hand, where it materialized in front of her. 

 

Vaggie held the paper and read. “‘Act selfless, don’t steal, stick it to the man.’ Are you f***ing serious?”

 

Adam waved his hand. “Uh, yeah. Sure got me here, didn’t it?” He laughed nervously. “Right, Sera?”

 

“He was the first human soul in Heaven,” Sera stated.

 

“Well, I bet Angel is doing all of those things right now!” Charlie declared proudly.

 

Adam bared his fangs. “Then let’s f***ing see it, brah!” He snapped his fingers and a glowing white orb appeared, swirling and appearing in the center of the room.

 

Charlie walked around the orb and looked at Sera. “Your Honor, may I present, Exhibit A.”

 

 

 

The orb morphed to show Angel Dust, Husk, Cherri Bomb, Niffty, and Sir Pentious at a nightclub.

 

“Heavenly people,” Adam scoffed as the orb showed Angel Dust and Cherri Bomb taking shots of alcohol. “What more do you need to see? The porn star chose a night of debauchery. That’s not a soul worthy of being in Heaven! And look here…”

 

The orb showed Angel Dust acting in his porn videos and then showed Angel Dust firing his guns at a rival gang. Many council members muttered in disapproval.

 

“Um, objection!” Charlie called. “Are you really telling me that you’ve never had a drink with friends after a hard day?”

 

Adam raised an eyebrow. “Uh, we don’t have hard days? It’s f***ing Heaven, b****. Are you seriously gonna sit there and pretend like getting drunk, killing people, and doing porn is okay?”

 

“What do you think?” Adam smirked at Vaggie.

 

“First of all, I think you should shut your mouth,” Vaggie remarked, which earned her a glare from Lute. “And second of all, I still think there’s a chance that Angel Dust can be redeemed. He just needs more time to prove himself. Like Charlie said, he’s making progress.”

 

Charlie added, (thankful that Vaggie stayed and didn’t run away) “Angel will make good decisions, come on! We have to keep watching. Please?”

 

Sera sighed dishearteningly. “Yeah, I don’t know.”

 

Emily pleaded to her sister. “Come on, let’s give him a chance.”

 

Sera conceded. “Very well. The court will allow it.”

 

 “F**k yes!” Charlie cheered. The higher ups gave her looks. Charlie smiled in apology. “I mean…heh…thank you.”

 

The orb showed more scenes from Angel Dust’s life, including him bonding with Husk during their “Loser Baby” song.

 

“Angel Dust is talking to a friend and starting to create some bonds,” Charlie explained. “He even has a pet pig, Fat Nuggets, he’s just the cutest little thing…”

 

“Yeah, no one cares,” Adam said.

 

“Oh and look at this…” Charlie said. The orb shifted back to the nightclub scenes. Angel Dust was shown holding a crying drunk Niffty after stopping her from stealing bleach and drinks. The council members nodded in approval after watching Angel Dust stand up for his friends, facing his boss Valentino.

 

Charlie then proceeded to show scenes of Sir Pentious, before and after his arrival to the Hazbin Hotel.

 

“Sir Pentious is my newer resident. He may have been menacing in the past, but now, he’s getting to be very sweet. Deep down, he just wants admiration from those he looks up to. And did I mention he has his Egg Boi minions? Very interesting fellows.”

 

The council members shrugged, weirded out by the eggs but still considering Sir Pentious after he had apologized to Charlie in song.

 

“See!” Charlie said, recalling Angel Dust. “He did everything on your checklist! He was selfless, he stopped Niffty from stealing, and he stuck it to that moth man!” Charlie waved her arm with a fisted hand.

 

Adam briefly stuttered, then barked. “Then, then why isn’t he and that other guy here, then? Hmm?”

 

Emily looked concerned as well. She turned to Sera: “Yeah, why isn’t he here?” Sera looked away.

 

Charlie’s eyes widened. “Wait. None of you know what gets someone into Heaven either?”

 

Sera narrowed her eyes. “This questioning stops now. We know when a soul arrives. We know when they pass divine judgment. It is our job to ensure these souls are safe.”

 

 

 

“But she was right, Sera!” Emily sang. She held up Adam’s piece of paper to Sera, with his three quotes crossed out in red. Adam had drawn his face and some money signs on the paper.

 

 

“She showed us a soul can improve!

“He saw the light, Sera!”

 

Emily flew up next to the orb, which showed Angel Dust defending Niffty, trying to break free from Valentino’s pink chain of magic.

 

“He did everything he could.

Checked all the boxes like you said he would.

Proved a person deserves a second chance…”

 

She flew down to face the council members.

 

“Now we turn our backs with no second glance?”

 

Sera sang to her sister.

“It’s not as simple as you think,

Not everything is spelled in ink.”

 

 She held Emily’s hands in hers.

 

“There is much you don’t understand

For I, too, am under someone’s command.”

 

Charlie joined in as well, singing.

“It’s not fair, Sera!”

 

Vaggie placed a hand on Charlie’s shoulder.

 

“Careful Charlie, keep a cool head…”

 

Charlie shoved Vaggie off and marched forward.

“No! Don’t you care, Sera?”

 

“That just because someone is dead

It doesn’t mean they can’t resolve to change their ways

Turn the page and see their days,

Escape infernal blaze!”

 

Charlie walked around the flaming orb, waving her hand over it and it changed to scenes of a smiling Angel Dust, Angel Dust and Cherri Bomb drinking from their shot glasses, Angel Dust tenderly holding Niffty in his arms, Angel Dust and Husk firing their guns…

 

…and then to Charlie’s favorite image, a book page showing Niffty, Angel Dust, Husk, and Sir Pentious smiling together.

 

Sera shook her head.

“I’m sure you wish it could be so

But there’s a lot that you don’t know…”

 

Lute scoffed in annoyance as she saw the orb show Angel Dust wearing his pink robe, blood dripping from his mouth.

 

“What are we even talking about?

Some crack-wh**re who f***ed up, no doubt

Killing people and strip-dancing for clout

He blew his shot like the c**ks in his mouth!

He should be double dead, already!

This discussion is senseless and petty!”

 

Adam flipped the bird and Lute put her LED mask back on.

 

Adam and Lute then flew together and sang their duet in Charlie’s face.

 

“There’s no question, he ain’t ready!

“There’s nothing left to disclose

No question to be posed

He’s unholy, case closed!

Did you forget that Hell is forever?!”

 

They flew and stood on top of the orb, which now showed glowing hellish flames and shadows of screaming demons. Adam belted out:

 

“A man only lives once

We’ll see you in one month!”

 

He lowered himself to the ground, grinning evilly at Charlie. Charlie’s horns pointed out from her hair and her eyes glowed red in anger, her blonde hair waving frantically. Adam bragged some more.

 

“Gotta say I can wait to

Come down and exterminate you!”

 

“Adam!” warned Sera.

 

Emily and Lute both called to Adam,

“Wait!”

 

“S***!” Adam swore, realizing his mistake too late.

 

 

“What are you saying?” sang a concerned Emily, who lowered herself.

 

“Let me get this straight

You go down there and kill those poor souls

So you don’t just try to protect our world?

You think it’s fine

To step out of line?”

 

Charlie looked sadly at Emily.

“I told you, Emily. It’s been going on so long…”

 

Emily gasped.

“You were right all along!”

 

Emily then turned to face her sister.

“I thought the killings were just stories

You told me of our warriors’ glories

But what you claimed was only half-true

You never spoke specifically of Sinner souls, too!”

 

“And we all didn’t have a clue!” the council chorused.

 

Sera flew down toward Emily.

“I only did so to protect this world and you!”

 

Emily had tears in her eyes and an angry look on her face.

“I looked up to you! I can’t believe you knew!”

 

Sera sighed.

“I thought since I’m older

It’s my load to shoulder…”

 

“No!” Emily shouted, before Sera continued.

“You have to listen

It was such a hard decision

I helped create Earth

I watched your birth

I saw humanity rise and fall

And when Lucifer lost it all

I wanted to save you

The anguish it takes to

Do what was required.”

 

Sera smiled with a strained look as the flames glowed in her eyes.

 

Emily flew up, backing away from Sera.

“And you who I admired!”

 

Sera gave her a disapproving look.

“I don’t need your condescension…”

 

“…and demons don’t need more pension!” Emily vocalized.

 

Emily put her hands on her hips, flapping her six white wings furiously. Her crown had a new purple eye in the center and another eye appeared on her chest.

 

“You do not get

I’m not a child to protect

Was talk of virtue just pretension?

Was I too naïve to expect you

To heed the morals you’re purveying?”

 

Charlie turned to Emily as she flew down to join her.

“That’s what the f**k I’ve been saying…”

 

Adam and Lute yelled at the women.

“Don’t forget Hell is forever!”

 

Charlie and Emily jumped up onto the orb and sang side by side in defiance together, facing Sera, Adam, and Lute.

 

“If Hell is forever, then Heaven must be a lie!”

 

“Emily!” Sera cried, fear in her eyes.

 

Emily and Charlie continued.

“If angels can do whatever and remain in the sky…

The rules are shades of gray, when you don’t do as you say…

When you make the wretched suffer just to kill them again!”

 

The orb then showed Lute’s menacing grin as she slashed her bloodstained curved sword against a background of flames. Charlie and Emily jumped off the orb.

 

Charlie then sang in a somber voice.

“I was told not to trust in angels...”

 

“By her?” Adam laughed, mentioning to Vaggie with his outstretched arms.

 

Lute joined in, standing next to Vaggie, hands on her hips.

“Ha! She should know.”

 

Fear laced Vaggie’s face.

“We should go.”

 

“No!” Charlie countered, holding Vaggie’s hands. “Don’t you see, we’ve come so close!”

 

“Look at them fighting. They’re confused the most.”

 

Adam scowled at the women.

 

“You think that only Lute and I conspire?

Did you ever think your little girlfriend might be a liar?”

He grinned and waved his fingers.

 

“Don’t Adam, please!” Vaggie begged.

 

Adam smirked, turning his head to Vaggie. “What’s the fuss? You were one of us!”

 

He pulled Vaggie hard by the arm toward the orb and cupped her chin. He made Vaggie face Charlie and smiled, Lute grinning next to Vaggie. Adam and Lute finished:

 

“There’s no need for strife. Why hide the fact that you were an angel in your past lifeeee?!”

 

Charlie froze in shock and horror at what she saw next. The orb showed an Exorcist killing a bunch of demons…taking off her mask…and sure enough, there was the face of Vaggie’s past self: short white hair, both eyes intact. Vaggie’s shadow morphed into a towering angel with outstretched wings and a halo, covering Charlie standing frightened against the golden Sera statue.

 

Sera held up a hand. She sighed and took a deep breath. Sadness flashed in her eyes.

 

Sera gasped softly as a horrific vision flashed before her eyes: Sera watching Lilith run from the garden, Lucifer and Lilith falling to Hell, Adam being promoted to his Exorcist status…

 

Worst of all was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil…Eve eating a glowing red apple, her eyes rolling over and her gasping for breath. Lucifer and Lilith watching in surprise as black tendrils branched off from inside the tree…entering into Eve’s mouth. The Earth being split as Sera and the angel elders watched the black tendrils snake across the Earth’s surface, spreading shadows and darkness. Red eyes appearing everywhere and a dark being morphing into a familiar pentagram planet.

 

Sera caught a glimpse of Eve’s face, hair obscuring her eyes. Then, her hair parted, revealing unnaturally large orange-red eyes, sharp teeth, and more black tendrils coming out of the eye sockets and mouth. The creature grinned and put a finger to her lips.

 

Just as quickly, it was gone. Sera shook as eyes appeared on her hair, dress, and teal blue ones on her crown. She breathed again and the eyes disappeared. She moved her hands over her eyes for a moment, letting out a soft choked gasp.

 

“I’m sorry…but this court finds that there is no evidence that souls in Heaven can be redeemed.”

 

Charlie and Vaggie gasped in disbelief.

 

Adam posed and did rocker hand gestures. “Oh f**k yes! I win!” He pointed at Charlie and Vaggie. “Suck it b*****s!” He flipped the bird with both fingers. Charlie and Vaggie backed up in fear as Adam advanced. “You better save the date, c***s! ‘Cuz we’re coming to your hotel…FIRST.”

 

Lute winked through her mask and Adam showed a demonic smile of yellow teeth before he snapped his fingers.

 

A glowing swirling golden portal appeared behind Charlie and Vaggie, sucking them back to Hell.

 

“You mother fu…” Vaggie began, as Charlie yelled a desperate, “What? No!” The women screamed as they vanished through the portal. The portal soon vanished and Adam waved.

 

Emily cried, “Charlie! Don’t give up on this! I’ll figure something out! I promise!”

 

Sera was not pleased. “That was uncalled for, Adam!”

 

Adam merely swaggered and laughed. “Yeah, but did you see the looks on their f***ing faces?! It was d-d…”  He paused in embarrassment at the council giving him looks. “Ahem, sorry.”

 

Adam, Lute, and the council then flew off, leaving the Seraphim sisters alone up top.

 

Emily turned away from Sera, tears in her eyes. “Extermination…of human souls?!” She turned around. “Demon or not, there is no reason to be doing this!”

 

More eyes appeared on Sera’s hair, dress, and crown before blinking away. “They were uprising, Emily. It is my position as the Head Seraphim to protect our people at all costs.” She held Emily’s hands in hers. “And it’s your position to keep them happy and joyful.”

 

Emily pulled away. “How can I bring joy when I now know we are bringing misery to thousands of innocent people?”

 

Sera explained. “Heaven needs us, Emily. Everyone looks to us. And we can’t doubt ourselves or worry about the fates of demons when we have our own souls to protect.”

 

Sera then looked at Emily in the eyes, hiding a deep fear. “Please…if you start to question, you could end up like Lucifer: FALLEN. I couldn’t bear to see you suffer that fate. So please, let me worry about this, okay?”

 

Sera lightly kissed Emily on the head, cupping her cheeks before sadly muttering, “I’m sorry.”

 

Sera left. Emily glanced down at Adam’s gold piece of paper and put her hand on it. She hoped that Charlie and her friends could help figure things out.