"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.' "
- Luke 2:10
Everyone's huddled around the fireplace. Charlie has just finished giving Emily a quick tour and prepared her the armchair beside the crackling fire. Looking at her now, it seems the seraphim's bright presence diminishes the flames' light.
The others, however, have all squeezed on the couch, their chosen weapons barely hidden. Only Charlie and Vaggie stand friendly between the angel and the sinners. Well, Charlie.
"This is even more beautiful than I've imagined!" Emily breaks the silence with a reassuring smile.
"Ah, yes!" Charlie chuckles modestly. "The hotel's been renovated... well, not exactly. More like built anew after..."" She stops mid-sentence, realizing the unwelcome turn the conversation was taking.
Emily blushes lightly as she tucks a strand of hair. "I'm so sorry about that, Charlie! I truly tried to dissuade them!"
Vaggie scoffs and mutters "Yeah, sure." Charlie shoots her a look, but Emily replies: "I did! You don't know this, but ever since you left ..."
"Ever since we were banished, that is," Vaggie corrects her.
Emily winces: "Yes, when you were thrown away, there have been protests! Some of us have seen potential in your cause. Myself included. Not enough to stop the awful Extermination fueled by that spiteful misogynistic..."
"You sound like you don't miss Adam," Charlie points out in hopes of lightening the mood.
Emily looks away. "Well, I wouldn't say that ..." she stammers. "He was the first man, after all. His death, and the reason behind it, couldn't be ignored."
An awkward silence fills the room as everyone contemplates her words. Finally, Vaggie breaks the stillness: "Heaven knows about the Exterminations."
"Indeed," Emily confirms. "Sera has been working to maintain harmony, but when the news leaked, the angels... they split. One camp believes the Exterminations never should have happened, the other fully supports continuing them. Well, not multiple Exterminations. Just one."
The warmth seems to drain from the fire as the gravity of the news settles in. Husk, who hasn't touched his drink since Emily's arrival, clears his throat. "Are you saying Heaven's planning to kill all of us?"
"They seek revenge for Adam," she tries to explain. "Some are already recruiting exterminators."
"Lute." Vaggie's voice her voice dripping with contempt.
"You don't understand," Emily eyes Charlie with desperate intent. "For centuries, Heaven ensured harmony and balance. Now, everything's on the verge of collapse! If they win, the exterminators... they'll deny sinners any chance of an afterlife!"
Charlie's mind drifts back to her childhood...
☽
Little Charlie was exploring her father's atelier, completely absorbed in his new invention, Druck. It was unclear what it was supposed to be – a fountain or a water bottle? But Charlie enjoyed the mystery of figuring it out.
She heard her father in the distance, talking to someone, and she caught his last words: "This became sport for them: killing sinners."
When he stepped into the atelier, abandoned her toy and ran to him with her little legs. "Daddy, what's happening?"
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The Moon in Hell
FanfictionDiana's life was hell before Hell became Diana's afterlife. Her sole, solitary wish was to live peacefully alone. Unexpected circumstances, however, bring her to the Hazbin Hotel. She must learn to adapt to her new dynamic surroundings and her new c...
