Sera sat quietly in her office, gazing out the window, though her focus was not fixed on anything.
Instead, her mind drifted through a storm of thoughts.
The weight of so many lies had accumulated within her, leaving her with a profound sense of despair, as if, should she face death again, she would awaken in Hell as a broken sinner.
But the lies, necessary as they were, begged the question: were they truly justified?
They aimed to protect Heaven and, unbeknownst to most, to save Hell, as well.
Yet, should the mission of protection demand the ultimate sacrifice, Adam’s life, as the price of secrecy?
And the lie to Angel when he’d confronted her after the court hearing, where she told him it had been Adam’s idea for the executions, was especially egregious.
But she needed to deflect attention, and Adam, for all his boisterousness, made for a good scapegoat.
The lies piled up, layer after layer, and only she and two others held the truth close to their hearts.
And what about Angel?
His choice to summon Lucifer in a desperate bid to save his beloved, the King’s daughter, now cast a shadow of uncertainty over all their plans.
Continuing with the executions felt impossible.
Reducing Hell’s population had once seemed the only viable option.
Still, now Sera couldn’t help but worry that all the years filled with violence and loss might end up being for nothing, and that her involvement would be harshly scrutinized.
Which made her next task even more unbearable.
Sending Eryn, one of God’s own creations, to Hell on the false pretense of an inspection to mask the truth, removing her from Heaven before she discovered the reasons for the Execution’s existence.
A truth that needed to be retained in secret among only three.
For the truth would create pandemonium, both in Heaven and Hell.
So, she followed Lute’s suggestion after they confronted Eryn in the courthouse, where she had been watching the released news feed and learned of Angel’s betrayal.
They immediately demanded that Eryn pass judgment on Angel for his actions.
While Eryn complied with their request, both could sense her regret.
After they left, Lute accused Eryn of being a sympathizer and blamed her for Adam’s death.
Since they wouldn’t bring Angel up for sentencing, Lute insisted that Eryn be exiled to Hell as punishment.
Sera knew she was in a difficult situation, so she lied to Lute.
It was yet another deception.
She told Lute she was going to the courts, but in reality, she was visiting the only other person in Heaven who knew the whole truth.
Lilith, the Queen of Hell.
She had left Hell shortly after Charlie Morningstar had returned from her accidental exile to Earth, coming to Sera in fear of what lay within Charlie’s very soul.
A seed of pure evil.
How it got there and for what purpose was something neither of them had ever thought possible.
Lilith desperately wanted to know how to extract it without killing Charlie, and it did not take long for Sera and Lilith to discover that both of their problems were intricately linked.
The meeting had been enlightening.
“Lilith.” Sera addressed the Queen of Hell with polite reverence as she entered Sera’s private chambers.
Though Lilith had been banished millennia ago alongside Lucifer, she had been granted entrance back into Heaven to assist with a series of devastating problems that risked both Heaven and Hell.
Her time in Heaven also had an unexpected side effect.
It fostered a bond between the Seraphim and the Queen.
In a way, the two had become friends.
“Sera.” Lilith greeted her with the same polite reverence as she entered.
“I expected your call.
It seems we have a great deal to discuss.”
“We do.
But I asked you here for a singular reason.
Once I get your advice, I will complete what I need to do, and then we can sit down to dinner and discuss everything that has happened.”
“Before we do, are you aware that Lute came to me after the battle?
She demanded I return to Hell to ‘put my daughter in place.’ I was not pleased with her insubordination.
I will not tolerate her trying to harm my daughter or her lovers.”
“I have ordered her to take time to meditate and to calm herself.
She will not disobey me.” Sera said with complete confidence.
“See to it that she does not.” Lilith’s eyes pulsed a dark crimson red, but she quickly regained her composure.
“What is it you wanted to see me about, then?”
“You know Eryn, of course.”
Again, Lilith’s disposition darkened, and the air around her chilled.
“You know I do.
She was one of the judges who banished my dear Lucifer and me, and I have never forgiven her.”
Sera explained Eryn’s actions.
“I know.
But it appears she gave a bit of her soul to give Angel the means to protect Charlie.
And she took liberties with her duties so she would not know his plans.
Had she not, Angel would not have been in Hell during the Execution and not been able to defend Miss Morningstar.”
Lilith paused.
Her usual confidence was now slightly rattled.
“She played a part in saving my daughter’s life?”
“Yes,” Sera affirmed.
“I understand this is difficult, Lilith, but Lute has demanded her exile to Hell for her dereliction of duty.
According to Heaven’s law, Lute’s request is valid.”
“My love will not be happy seeing her.” Lilith’s lips quirked up a bit, thinking of Lucifer.
“I’ll need you to contact him secretly and inform him of her impending arrival.
Explain what we have learned about Sir Pentious, and we may have an alternative way to save our realms.
If we can stop killing souls en masse to prevent the uprising we fear, we can find a way to stop the impending apocalypse without resorting to genocide.
I believe sending Eryn to the Hotel under the guise of proving its worth will both satisfy our need to keep our secret from getting out and put Eryn in close proximity to help protect your daughter.”
“I see.” Moving to sit in a chair, Lilith shed her portrait of royalty and gave Sera a fearful look.
“We have not been able to come up with another way to prevent what is destined to occur, and I still cannot find a way to extract the demon seed from my daughter’s soul.”
“Every idea we’ve had thus far would kill your daughter.” Sera’s eyes cast downward, failure eating at her core.
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re doing your best.” Lilith shook her head.
“I am at a loss, as well.
But…” She looked up with a shaky smile.
“Having Eryn, with her incredible power, near Charlie in case she loses control again, is strategically sound.”
“This seems to be the only way to placate Lute’s legit prosecution and the court’s curiosity,” Sera stated.
“I agree with your assessment.
Send the Heaven-born to Hell, with my blessing and my hopes.” With that, Lilith stood up and left.
Now that Lilith had agreed that Eryn needed to go to Hell, it was clear that Eryn would be in a better position to protect Charlie and Angel by living at the hotel.
The pretense of an inspection would satisfy the counsel’s concerns, maintaining the appearance that Heaven was monitoring Hell to prevent an uprising.
Another lie to add to the growing stack.
A stack that was growing larger by the moment.
The pretense for which she intended to send Eryn to Hell had already been answered.
The Snake Demon, Sir Pentious, had appeared before her and Emily sometime after the events at the hotel, and all three of them were shocked by his arrival.
Sera recalled that day vividly.
The evening after Execution Day
With a quiet nervousness, Emily leaned against the large round table, watching Sera review a document on a tablet.
This document, drafted by the smaller Seraphim, outlined the requirements for a sinner’s soul to achieve redemption.
Emily knew she had taken some liberties with the wording, but as a High Seraphim, it was well within her rights, and she was ready to defend her decisions if necessary.
Strike that.
With Sera, it would be when, not if.
Sera’s eyes moved slowly as she absorbed every line of the document, and with each passing second, her forehead crinkled further.
Finally, she looked up with a stern expression.
“Emily, you should have sought my counsel before approving this.
You’ve pushed the limits of your authority.”
“Pushed, but didn’t break,” Emily said calmly, her voice soft and steady.
“This matter falls within my purview, and it is only suggested that I seek your counsel.
After all, we are both High Seraphim capable of making our own decisions, are we not?” Emily narrowed her eyes, making her meaning clear without saying as much.
Sera sighed deeply.
Emily’s unspoken intent was abundantly clear.
“I didn’t want to burden you with the difficulties involved with the executions.
Your task is to ensure the happiness of our people.
Knowing about our army’s missions would have weighed heavily on you, and it would have shown.”
“Don’t condescend to me, Sera.” Emily’s calm tone conveyed more intensity than a shout, putting Sera on edge.
“Don’t pretend you know how I would have reacted.
I understand my responsibilities, and by keeping this from me, you judged me unworthy of my position.”
“That wasn’t my intent.” Sera pleaded, placing the tablet on the table.
“Please don’t think so lowly of me.
I only ever wish to protect you.”
“I don’t need protection; I need information!” Emily’s voice rose slightly.
“If I am to succeed you and become the Prime High Seraphim when my time comes, I need to be included in everything.”
Not everything.
Not yet.
Sera thought sorrowfully.
If you knew what was to come, I fear you would break.
Aloud, she said, “I promise you, from this point on, I will include you in everything.”
Well, look at that; it’s another lie.
You may yet wake up in Hell one day, Sera.
“Good.” Emily seemed to accept the promise.
“Now, about the proclamation?
Adam declared it in court, making it official.
Surely you agree with Adam’s words.
Sera could not disagree without undermining her entire position of supporting Adam’s decision to attack the hotel.
Instead, she shrugged and said, “I understand your perspective, and you have every right to ordain law.
However, Emily, aren’t these principles—act selflessly, don’t steal, and ‘stick it to the man’—ambiguous at best?
And what about this last one you added: ‘sacrifice for the greater good’?
What does that mean?”
Emily paused.
She couldn’t tell Sera the reason she added that fourth commandment.
Now it was her turn to lie.
“I watched Angel Dust risk himself to protect his friend, and he got hurt because of it.
You’re right that ‘stick it to the man’ is ambiguous, but sacrificing oneself to save another is much clearer.
I felt it needed clarification.”
“I see.” Sera seemed to accept the explanation.
“But honestly, Emily… this is ridiculous.
No sinner is going to fulfill any of these obligations to ascend.
Even that one demon, with what he did, did not arrive here because of it.”
“I know, but…”
Suddenly, a bright flash of light illuminated the room, causing both of them to turn towards the source, their eyes wide in surprise.
As the light dimmed, they saw Sir Pentious, the snake sinner, whom they recognized from the bar with Angel Dust, standing before them.
“Uh.
How—what?
What?
Where am I?” Sir Pentious’s head darted around the room, confused.
His eyes then focused on Emily and Sera.
He held up his hand tentatively in greeting.
“Oh!
Hello.”
Sera’s eyes looked like they were about to fall out of her head.
On the other hand, Emily squealed her patented rubber ducky sound and ran forward.
“Oh, my gosh!
Oh, my gosh!
Hello!
Hello!”
“How… how did I get here?” Sir Pentious blinked in confusion.
“The last thing I remember is getting blasted with holy light.”
Emily’s eyes darted back to Sera, who was as white as a ghost.
She shook her head as she turned back.
“We’ll figure that out, okay.
What’s your name?”
“Sir Pentious.” The snake demon bowed serenely.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, missss?”
“Emily!” Emily beamed.
“Or, Em.
Emmy.
It’s whatever you want!
I go by whatever.
Welcome to Heaven!”
“Heaven?
I’m in Heaven?”
“Yes!” Emily bounced on the balls of her feet.
“I remember seeing you in the bar with Angel Dust and your friends!
You helped defend the hotel, didn’t you?”
“I…” Everything was overwhelming the snake winner.
“I mean, yes.
Yes, of course.
We were losing.
I took my ship to confront Adam directly.
But before I could get a shot off, he fired his holy light and…” Stopping, it hit Pentious hard.
“I died.”
Emily gripped his hands in support.
“You sacrificed yourself to protect your friends!
You showed Heaven you belong here, and ascended!”
“The hotel!
My friends.” Sir Pentious squeezed back, a bit harder than he’d intended, and desperately asked, “Are they safe?”
“They’re fine.” Emily didn’t seem affected by his strength, her smile widening.
“All of them.
The execution ended a few hours ago.
We’ve put a pause on them for the future as well.
You helped turn the tide.”
“Thank Sata…” Blushing, Sir Pentious licked his lips.
“God?”
“Don’t worry if you slip up, Pentious!” Emily giggled, then her eyes widened as she realized what this meant.
“This is awesome!
We need to tell Charlie right away!”
“No!”
Sera’s voice interrupted Emily’s moment of euphoria, causing her to turn sharply toward the taller Seraphim.
Anger colored her tone as she exclaimed, “What do you mean, ‘No’?
We were just discussing what it would take to get into Heaven.
We have proof now!
Why are you so opposed to this?”
Sera stood firm and floated above Emily and Sir Pentious.
Her gaze at Sir Pentious was neither cruel nor welcoming.
When her eyes turned to Emily, they softened significantly.
“Let’s discuss this in private,” she said.
“No!” Emily parroted Sera.
“If this will affect Sir Pentious, he has a right to hear it.
We’re Heaven, not Hell.
We care for all our own.
Why are you against me going to Charlie and informing her that her dream can work?”
“Because,” Sera sighed as she dropped to the floor, “how do you think she would feel if she learns that the only way to get into Heaven is to die, again?”
This made Emily pause.
She looked at Sir Pentious, her face blanching.
Sera continued, “And what if this is a fluke?
We need time to investigate in depth why this sinner was granted passage into Heaven.”
“I…” Emily looked conflicted.
“But Charlie should know her friend is okay!
She’s probably devastated.”
“Miss Emily?” Sir Pentious spoke up.
“If I may?
Your friend…”
“Sera.” With forced politeness, the taller Seraphim offered a bland smile.
“My name is Sera.”
Offering a bow of his head, Sir Pentious continued.
“Miss Sera may be correct.
I did not believe in Miss Charlie’s ideals when I first moved into the Hazbin Hotel.
When we began planning our defenses, I did so out of friendship and loyalty, to be sure, but I never believed I would find redemption.
I honestly was not making any conscious attempt at it.
I sacrificed myself to protect my friends, and Miss Cherri, especially Miss Cherri.”
“You don’t think we should tell Charlie?” Emily frowned.
“But this Miss Cherri?
She’s someone special to you?”
“She is, yes.” Sir Pentious blushed brightly.
“And you’d be okay keeping this a secret for now?” Emily asked.
“Scientifically speaking, Miss Emily, one has to repeat the same experiment hundreds of times to deduce if the same result will occur.
I do not think Miss Charlie would want to kill off all of her friends just in the hope they wind up here in Heaven.
We must investigate whether my sacrifice was the sole reason for my ascension, or if there is more to it, and more importantly, if other ways can be discovered to help Charlie fulfill her dream to save her people.”
Sera listened and admired Sir Pentious’s common sense, so a genuine smile accompanied her following words.
“I concur with your assessment, Mr.
Pentious.” She placed a hand on Emily’s shoulder.
“If a soul can be redeemed by the means of the Hazbin Hotel and Charlie’s efforts, please believe me that I will do everything to see that it happens.
I know it may be hard to believe, but I was never happy with any of our execution parties.”
Shoulders lowered in resignation, Emily nodded solemnly.
“I would never want to get Charlie’s hopes up.
I promise to keep this between us.”
“Thank you, Emily.” Sera then opened her arms wide and addressed Sir Pentious.
“It is my honor, Sir Pentious, to welcome you into Heaven.
Emily is our envoy and guide, and I know she is quite eager to show you around and get you acclimated.
Anything you desire is yours, here in Heaven.”
“But all I desire remains in Hell.
Would you allow me to assist in the investigation?
I would very much like to see Miss Cherri again, someday.”
It was then that something hit Sera.
“You remember everything, don’t you?”
“Why, yes, of course.” Sir Pentious looked to each of them, confused.
“Should I not?”
“It is customary,” Sera began, her thoughts filled with worry, “for new arrivals to lose many of their memories, especially those who may have been burdened in life, so they can live freely in Heaven without past ties.
It’s curious that you have retained yours.”
“Perhaps,” Sir Pentious pondered, “because I was already dead, a sinner?
I will include this information in my investigation.
Would it be possible to have a laboratory?
I am an inventor, you see.
I may be able to use my talents along with this investigation.”
“I will see to it!” Emily announced with a firm voice, preventing Sera from arguing.
“Come, Sir Pentious, let’s get you settled.”
“Thank you, Miss Emily.” With a bow to Sera, the snake winner followed Emily out of the room.
Sera watched them go, and despite her words and warnings, a slight sense of hope began to bloom in her heart.
The Present
Shaking her head of the memories, Sera had to bring her mind back into focus, which muted her hopes as she thought of Lute.
The Exorcist lieutenant’s rage had been rising since her return, and if Sera hadn’t acquiesced to her demand to send Eryn to Hell, Lute may have broken completely.
Sera was also worried that Lute wouldn’t accept Angel’s banishment to Hell as punishment enough, and she would have to keep a close eye on her.
Sighing deeply, Sera recognized that a whole night of meditation would be necessary to prepare for the challenges ahead.
However, that would have to wait.
Eryn was due to receive her assignment any moment, and Sera understood that the Heaven-born angel of God would not be pleased.
To make matters worse, Sera had stripped Eryn of her higher powers—the ability to discern when someone was lying.
By doing so, Sera had also enabled Eryn to do something she had never been able to do before: tell lies herself.
This ability was essential for survival in Hell, where truths could get you killed.
Sera’s actions were precisely why she had not permitted Emily to attend the meeting, which was usually customary.
Emily had not been pleased, either.
The chime announcing Eryn’s arrival startled Sera out of her thoughts.
She turned in her chair and quickly adjusted her uniform, molding her face into a stoic administrative appearance.
“Enter,” she called out.
The door swung open, and Eryn stepped over the threshold.
She bowed her head in reverence to the Seraphim, though Sera could sense some tension in the angel’s movements.
Their last meeting had not gone well.
“Great Seraphim.
I am here as instructed at the appointed time.” Eryn spoke with a calm, even tone.
“Thank you, Eryn of the Heaven-born.” Sera formally addressed her in response as she stood.
Walking around the desk, Sera clasped her hands together, watching Eryn approach to stand before her.
Sera got down to business.
“I have spoken to the courts.” Lie!
“We have determined that, despite Lute’s accusations, you did not knowingly assist Kevin Angelus Collins in the death of Adam.”
Eryn’s face betrayed her thoughts as her eyes locked with Sera’s.
“Great Seraphim?”
“While you took unusual liberties, avoiding your sworn duty to seek out liars, you did so because you had unwavering faith in Angel.
We can’t, as angels, denounce a soul’s desire to have faith in someone they care for.” Finally, a truth.
“I’m sorry, Great Seraphim.” Eryn bowed her head again.
“I allowed my friendship with Angel to take precedence, and I know I have failed you and God because of it.”
“Why did you?” Sera needed to know.
Eryn looked back up.
“For all my existence, I have never known a soul like Angel’s.
His request swayed me because I did not want to know his intentions.
I did this out of friendship.
Something I never had before.” It was the first time Eryn had spoken the thoughts that had lingered in her mind about what had happened.
Angel had reminded her that she had a heart and could feel love, that she had emotions.
She loved Angel as a dear friend, and because of that, she’d agreed not to ask what she did not want to know.
And now, she would pay for it, one way or another.
Sera nodded in understanding.
“Friendship is priceless, Eryn.
It takes a lot to earn it and almost nothing to lose it.
Unfortunately, your position and very existence could not allow such luxuries, as they could threaten your ability to do your job.
This incident has proven it.”
“Yes, Great Seraphim.” Eryn’s eyes were glued to the floor, her shame radiating from her skin.
“Lute wanted me to exile you for this, Eryn of the Heaven-born.
But after deliberation with the courts, I have concluded that you are needed for a much different mission.”
With this, Eryn looked up, a mix of concern and hope on her face.
“I am not exiled?”
“No.
I am sending you to Hell.
Not to be exiled but to carry out a specific task.” This was less a lie and more a bending of the truth.
The exile was necessary for another reason.
“I need you to access the hotel, interview all who enter, and get to know them well.
I want to know, from your firsthand experience, if this Hazbin Hotel can carry out the Morningstar’s intentions: the rehabilitation of sinners.
While you are there, we can directly monitor your every move and every word you speak and hear.
You are to be our eyes and ears inside the hotel.”
“Angel will not allow me to enter once he knows why I am there.”
“You will inform him that if he does not grant you access, Heaven will pass summary judgment and destroy the hotel outright.”
“You wouldn’t!” Eryn glared up at Sera.
“In truth, we could not.” Sera sighed.
“But the threat of destruction should be enough to agree to your demands.”
“I can’t lie to him, though.” Eryn reminded Sera.
“About that.
An angel who cannot lie would not last long in Hell.
Sin is as natural as breathing down there, and to survive, you will need to be able to withhold information, lie, and make pretenses.
Because of that, I have been authorized to grant you the ability to lie, but in doing so, it will also eliminate your ability to tell when others are lying.” What Eryn did not realize was that Sera had already carried out the task of removing Eryn’s power.
It was the only reason that Eryn could not tell that Sera had been lying to her already.
“You are stripping me of my powers?” Eryn scoffed.
“This feels like exile to me.”
Sera disagreed.
“You will retain much of your power, Eryn, enough to protect yourself should you need to.
You will be safe.”
“So,” Eryn asked, “I am to go to Hell, take up residence in the Morningstar’s hotel, and deduce through interview and interrogation if the hotel is capable of the Morningstar’s claims?
And I have to do so under the guise that Heaven will summarily destroy the hotel if I find no evidence, which will put me at odds with Angel.
Am I clearly understanding your orders?”
“Perfectly.”
“I wish to go on record that I am against this in every way imaginable.
You are stripping me of the very reason for my existence, putting me at odds with the only soul I call a friend, and possibly creating a greater rift between Heaven and Hell, and for what purpose, exactly?”
“It’s best if you do not know that until you return.
But you must carry this mission out.” Sera paused.
“As you have been ordered.”
Eryn was furious, an emotion she rarely experienced, having felt it only a few times in her life; ironically, both were because of Angel himself.
The irony was not lost on the Heaven-born.
Suppressing a sigh, Eryn straightened and nodded sharply.
“I understand my orders.
File my protest, Great Seraphim, but I will carry out your commands as required.
When am I to go?”
“You will be sent down once they have completed the hotel’s reconstruction.
I have been informed that it should take no more than a month.
In the meantime, prepare yourself by learning as much as possible about those currently residing at the hotel,” Sera instructed.
“I understand.”
“When the day comes, Lute will accompany you to the portal herself.”
“So that she sees her desire for my exile come true?”
“Yes.
I hope this will be enough to sate her rage for now.
Adam’s death has taken its toll on her, and I fear she will break if we do not at least grant a variation of her request.”
“Her demands of me were beyond her rights,” Eryn groused.
“And yet now I am sent to Hell to placate her emotional turmoil?”
“Yes.” Sera was tired and wanted this meeting over.
“Go and prepare yourself.
I will call upon you when it is time.”
“Great Seraphim.” Eryn’s tone betrayed any respect for Sera, and she turned on her heels and walked out the door, slamming it behind her.
Falling into her chair, Sera rubbed her eyes and did something very uncharacteristic for her.
She swore under her breath.
“Fuck.
What else can go wrong?”