Mid-morning in Heaven was like every other mid-morning.
Soft, fluffy clouds drifted across the bright sun, casting moving shadows on the grounds and buildings, offering respite from the intense rays.
Though the temperatures in Heaven were always comfortable, the shadows would bring with them whispers of breezes that always felt extra good.
Eryn flew steadily along with the rays of the sun, which masked her from prying eyes below.
It was a battle tactic that she always practiced, in which you used the sun to blind your diving assault.
Ever since she started training the Exorcist army, Eryn found herself constantly keeping those same tactics at the forefront of her mind.
Something constantly nagged at her that these battles would ultimately come back to haunt Heaven, and after what Lute had told her, her suspicions seemed confirmed.
With a final thrust of her wings to steady her landing, Eryn set alight on the balcony outside one of the council rooms in the court tower and stepped inside.
With Lute’s reveal of what happened in Hell, she wanted to view the footage firsthand before it was released to the general populace.
Reaching the monitor, she flicked it on and scrolled through the data files.
It didn’t take long to find the file, and she clicked play.
She only watched about twenty seconds before she could tell this version was the redacted one, and the cuts were choppy, which caused her great concern.
Stopping the playback, she decided to access the private server that only those of her station, or higher, could use.
It was why she came to the courts, for it was the only place where she could find this version.
Indeed, after a few swipes through the folders, she found the unredacted file.
Clicking play, Eryn stood back to watch the events unfold.
On the monitor, two demonic newscasters from a station called Studio 666 recapped the events of Adam’s attack on the Hazbin Hotel and its outcome.
“Good evening!
I’m Katie Killjoy!” Said the taller blonde demon with red eyes, blonde hair, and a very frail form, dressed in a red business suit.
“And I’m—” The other demon wore a gray suit with a gas mask over his face, but was shoved off the screen by Katie.
“No one gives a shit who you are, Tom!” Katie grinned wickedly and took over sole coverage.
“Breaking news!
Extermination Day is canceled!”
Eryn took a deep breath, listening closely as Katie kept going.
“Charlie Morningstar managed to fend off the angelic attack with more than just nice words.
In an unseen turn of events, our demonic head honcho, Lucifer, stepped in to save his daughter’s ass at the last moment.” Katie seemed to be eating the words as she spoke them: “We’re also hearing reports that Adam, leader of the angelic legions, first man, and totally fuckable bad boy, has been slain by a filthy janitor.”
Eryn blinked at those words.
“The janitor said, quote, ‘Charlie told me to stab, so I did’.” Katie said the last words in a clipped tone, then turned to the final details: “And the most shocking turn of events is that it seems one of the Exorcist angels turned against Heaven, and video caught the bold, handsome-looking traitor kissing Charlie Morningstar after the battle.
Our intrepid crews are racing to the scene to try to get interviews with the Exorcist on why he turned his back on Heaven and made such advances on the Princess of Hell!”
Covering her mouth with her hand, Eryn gasped.
Katie wrapped it up.
“Anyway, congrats to Charlie and her group for not being totally fucking useless for once.”
Shaking her head, Eryn’s eyes filled with sadness.
Her sadness was not attributed to Adam’s death or the failure of the Exorcist army to eliminate the sinners she’d trained them to target, but to the discovery that Angel had stayed behind.
Lute’s accusations were accurate.
It became clear that he had intended this all along.
She shook her head in frustration as she realized he had actually lied to her, and she didn’t sense it.
That had never happened in all of her existence!
In fact, Eryn was certain it was impossible to lie to her unless—
Another sharp gasp hit Eryn.
She knew for certain that the only way any soul could lie to her was if it were ordained, and only one could do such a thing.
As that realization came to her, a slight smile appeared.
She had always known Angel to be remarkable.
Unique.
Destined.
Whatever he was meant for, what he did was a part of it, and the sadness left her as if it had been drained through the soles of her feet.
It also freed her from feeling as if she’d failed at the very thing she was created for.
With the weight off her shoulders, Eryn turned away from the replay and gasped again as Sera came up behind her, unheard.
“Seraphim.” Eryn bowed respectfully.
Her eyes looked past Sera to see Lute, who held her gaze with defiant rage.
What had she told Sera?
“Eryn.” Sera’s voice held a chill, and Eryn looked up with worry. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
“I see you are aware of Angel’s betrayal?”
“I watched the replay.” Eryn was careful with her words.
She could detect lies, but she also could not tell a lie.
The less said, the better.
“Did you know of Angel’s intent?”
“I did not, Seraphim.
I asked him why he wanted to train with the Exorcist army.
His answers were truthful.” Eryn knew it required the explicit use of words to tell the truth.
She didn’t know what he had planned.
Sera’s question was specific, and so she answered it in exact words.
Lute scoffed from the doorway but stifled it when Sera raised her hand in warning.
“Interesting.” Sera peered over Eryn’s head to watch the replay, with the focus on Niffty, Adam’s killer.
“Angel has betrayed Heaven.
List the charges.”
“Seraphim?” Eryn responded in surprise.
“Do your job.” Sera’s eyes burned with command.
“List.
The.
Charges!”
No.
She didn’t want to.
Not on Angel!
But a command from the Seraphim was never disobeyed.
Eryn closed her eyes for a moment to steady herself.
When she opened them, she stood at attention and did her job.
“Kevin Angelus Collins is accused of treason against Heaven.
His crimes involve conspiring with Hell to betray the Exorcist army to its ruin.
He also abandoned his post and joined the Morningstar.”
“Not only that,” Sera added.
“He broke the contract between Heaven and Lucifer, allowing Lucifer to interfere, which directly led to Adam’s death.”
“What!?” Eryn spun to look at the replay, which was now paused on Angel kissing Charlie; her eyes widened.
“How?”
“As a High Angel, he held the power to cancel it.
He did so when he called on Lucifer to aid his misguided daughter.
Those events led to Adam’s death, and I hold him responsible for it!”
Eryn swallowed hard before continuing.
“He is also charged with Adam’s death.” Oh, God, please.
Help him!
“Final judgment, Eryn?” Sera prompted with eyes that seemed to burn with eagerness.
“Kevin Angelus Collins is guilty of all the charges listed.
Punishment is as follows: He is stripped of his position as a High Angel, and he is exiled to Hell for all eternity, with no possibility of redemption outside of God’s word itself.”
“Very good.” Sera’s smile held no warmth.
“You have done your job perfectly.
I may call upon you soon.
For now, go and meditate and find peace with yourself.
I do know this was not an easy judgment to pass.
I know Angel was your friend, and I truly sympathize with your loss.”
No, you don’t!
Eryn thought to herself, but she said aloud, “I will do as you command, Seraphim.
Meditation will be most welcome.”
Sera turned and stepped through the door, motioned for Lute to follow her, and flew off.
“Sera let you off lightly.
If I had my way, you’d be joining that traitor in hell!” Lute turned and launched into the air, following Sera.
Eryn waited until she was out of sight before she bowed her head.
With a whisper under her breath, she added, “However, you are not stripped of any of your powers, Kevin Angelus Collins.
May they protect you from what is to come.”
Eryn’s eyes blazed as she sealed the judgment as an official declaration.
A point that Sera had forgotten to stay for, and she was silently grateful that she could give Angel this one last gift.
With one last look at the monitor and the frozen picture of Angel kissing Charlie, she turned and walked out the door, shutting it behind her.
In the air, Sera stopped to wait for Lute, who flew up and gave Sera a stern look.
“Tell me you saw it?
Eryn is a sympathizer!”
Sera bowed her head.
“I did.
As you have suggested, I will convince the court that we need an advisor sent to Hell to task Eryn with the mission.
This will effectively exile her without having to go through due process.”
Yes!
“How long do you think it will take?” Lute prodded.
“I am going to the courts immediately.” That part was a lie, as Sera needed to speak to someone else entirely.
She looked at Lute.
“But this isn’t about bringing Angel back, Lute, but assigning Eryn the task of analyzing the Hazbin Hotel and if the Morningstar’s plan has merit.
Do you understand?”
Lute glared at Sera, but inside, she was gleeful.
Had Angel been brought back to face trial, the courts’ tendency toward leniency would have meant that Angel would end up living a comfortable life, and even Lute would never be able to touch him.
But, stuck in Hell?
Stripped of his position?
And Eryn, forced to Hell for eternity, since she knew redemption was impossible, was perfect.
What she had planned would be so much easier to carry out now.
So, outwardly, she looked pissed and stated, “This isn’t what I wanted, though!
Angel needs to answer for his crimes.”
“He’s been exiled,” Sera answered.
“Forever bound to Hell.
That is a far greater punishment than the courts would carry out.”
“Death should be his appropriate punishment,” Lute growled, but calmed her expression to placate Sera.
“But…I suppose you’re right.” Lute feigned compliance.
“Will you allow me to privately escort Eryn to the portal once it’s decided she will be sent to Hell?
As a favor for Adam’s loss?”
“I suppose that will be fine.” Sera sighed.
“But until we determine the role of the Exorcist army, I am placing you and them on extended administrative leave.
You will escort Eryn, and then I expect you to take a very long vacation and dispel your rage.
Before you lose yourself and risk your own fall.”
“I promise you.” Lute smiled thinly.
“Once I send Eryn to Hell, you won’t see me for quite some time.”
Misunderstanding Lute’s intent, Sera nodded.
“Good.
Now, go back to your friend.
I will inform you of the court’s decision as soon as I receive it.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Lute saluted, turned, and flew off, leaving Sera to float there, her eyes haunted by all the events that had unfolded in the last few days, the threats that hung over her head, and all of Heaven.
Hopefully, a meeting with the one who had helped plan these Executions would provide the support she needed.
It was time to have a talk with the Queen of Hell herself.