Hazbin Hotel Reimagined

Showstopper

Charlie

There once was a realm protected by beautiful, golden gates, called Heaven. It was ruled by beings of light who worshipped good above all. Angels protected all from evil. Lucifer, an archangel, was of the highest rank of these protectors. He was a dreamer who had whimsical ideas for creation. But, the other elders of Heaven saw his ideas as dangerous to the order they maintained over their world.

So, he watched as the elders expanded the universe in their dull ways. From the dust of Earth, they created Adam and Lilith. Made as equals, Adam insisted on control over Lilith. Lilith refused to submit to his will and fled the Garden of Eden, the birthplace of mankind. Her fierce independence drew Lucifer in, and the two rebellious dreamers fell in love.

Lucifer and Lilith celebrated the warmth of free will and wished to share it with the creation of Heaven. They offered the fruit of knowledge to Adam's new bride, Eve. She gladly accepted the gift, but the lovers had not considered the curse of free will. The world was now susceptible to evil and sin. The world became dark, and the order that Heaven worked to maintain shattered.

This act of disobedience enraged the other elders. As punishment for their reckless act, Heaven cast Lucifer and Lilith into the pit of evil they had opened up. It was deemed the Hell of their creation. The cruelest of mankind returned to Hell after their short lives on Earth. Lucifer lost his will to dream after watching over the wretched he had created.

Lilith, on the other hand, embraced her demonic power. She became a voice of unity over the demons of Hell. As Heaven witnessed the demons coming together, they made a heartless decision. Every year they would send down a massive army of exorcists to cleanse Hell. These Exterminations would guarantee that Hell and its sinners could never rise against Heaven's power. Lilith's hope for unity among demons was not lost but passed down to her daughter, the Princess of Hell.

I closed the heavy book and sat it on the bed next to me, brushing the cover with my hand.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll make you proud," I mumbled to myself. I turned and looked out the window of the hotel. I watched as my land burned and lost count of the souls that were lost. Fire raged across buildings and sinners and hell-born alike sprinted through town. It stunk of death and ash, nauseating enough to stir the worst sinner's stomach.

"Charlie?" The voice took me out of my daze, Vaggie was standing in the doorway.

"Shit, did you hear all of that?' My face felt hot and embarrassment sent my heart into a panic.

"Uh, yeah. I've been here a minute," she crossed her arms on her chest and smiled at me. She was so cute in her skirt and top. She even wore a bow in her hair that matched her red top.

"Man, sorry. I get pretty worked up after an extermination happens," I looked at the book. "The story helps though."

"It's okay, I think your theatrics are adorable," she chuckled and moved toward me to sit down on the bed. "Are you okay, Babe?" She put her hand on my shoulder.

"Uh.. you know, I'm fine. Just thinkin' bout family stuff," I nervously shoved my hands under my thighs.

"Did you hear from your mom?" Vaggie always asked the hard questions.

I shook my head and felt the pang of imminent sobbing. I haven't seen my mom in a long time.

"Oof, how long has it been?" She rubbed my shoulders to comfort me.

"Not that long, only... seven... years. She's surely off doing something super important. But, while she's gone this kingdom needs me. I still care about it," I felt the dam starting to break.