Hours had passed since she’d left Sera’s chambers, yet meditation did little to calm Eryn’s racing thoughts.
Doubt and regret consumed her for the first time, making her question the true purpose of her mission.
She struggled to accept Sera’s reasoning for evaluating the Hazbin Hotel.
To Eryn, it seemed like a futile effort by Princess Charlie Morningstar to redeem sinners.
She had mocked this idea during the trial, and her feelings on the matter had not changed.
She also harbored self-doubt.
She had never been able to lie before, and while she understood how others could do so, she questioned whether she could maintain her facade, especially with Lute and Sera constantly watching her.
Then there was a sense of regret.
She had never regretted any of her decisions; every choice and judgment had felt ordained and legitimate.
Yet now, she regretted agreeing to Angel’s request.
She should have asked him to clearly explain why he wanted to lead the Exorcist Army into Hell.
She had been curious, so why hadn’t she pursued the question?
“Yes, Great Eryn of the Heaven-born,” she murmured, her fists tightening around the balcony railing.
“Why didn’t you ask him?” After a moment, the corner of her lip twitched upward.
“It’s simple: you trusted him.
You trusted him more than any other soul in Heaven.”
Eryn grasped the railing and let out an exasperated sigh.
“And you let that trust blind you to your duty!” Pushing away from the railing, she turned and strode into her room, slamming the sliding door shut behind her.
“Now, despite what Sera said, I’m being punished with this mission.
A ridiculous mission to determine whether a fucking hotel in Hell could actually help sinners redeem themselves.”
Eryn stopped in her tracks and covered her mouth.
With wide eyes, she looked up and whispered, “Please forgive me, my Lord.
I have stumbled and spoken a sinner’s word.”
With a soft scream of frustration, Eryn tucked her wings in and fell backward onto her bed, slamming her fists into the plush quilt.
She felt overwhelmed by doubt and regret.
Was she really throwing a temper tantrum?
The very thought of having to live in Hell felt like a mortal soul facing judgment.
Was this how Lucifer had felt, knowing his fate?
Eryn closed her eyes again, attempting to find solace in meditation, calm her spirit, and discover her inner peace.
Then the door chimed.
Are you kidding me?
Eryn pushed herself up and huffed.
Struggling to keep her tone steady, she called out, “Who is it?”
“It’s Emily,” the soft, melodious voice of the young Seraphim called from the other side.
“I hope I’m not intruding?”
Eryn waved her hand to open the suite’s door, allowing the smaller Seraphim to enter.
She bowed her head slightly, not so inclined to show fealty at that moment, even to the gentler Seraphim.
“Unfortunately, Emily, you are not intruding.
Meditation has not granted me its company this evening.”
Emily’s gentle, warm smile faded.
“I heard about your assignment and came to see how you’re doing.”
“Why?” Eryn hadn’t intended for her tone to come off as abrupt, so she quickly added, “I apologize.
I’m just on edge.”
“Don’t be sorry.” Emily lowered her head slightly.
“If I had been allowed to attend your meeting, I would have strongly opposed Sera’s ruling.
I believe the Hazbin Hotel can succeed, and we should support Charlie in her quest to redeem as many lost souls as possible.”
“Sera’s decision isn’t just about vetting the hotel, Emily.
I am being sent down there to placate Lute.
She believes I am just as much to blame for Adam’s death as Angel is.”
“Absurd,” Emily declared.
“Adam and Lute gave Angel control of the Exorcist army’s strategies, and all you did was provide him with a way to protect himself.
How can she blame you for following orders?”
“Because,” Eryn fell back onto the bed and looked up at the ceiling, “I let my friendship with him stop me from doing my duty to vet him for the job.”
“You let him lie,” Emily stated confidently.
“I did.” Eryn sighed.
Emily approached the bed and slid onto it, tucking one leg beneath her while allowing the other to hang over the side.
“Did you know who he really was when you did?”
“Who he was?” Eryn turned to look at Emily, her expression confused.
“You didn’t?” The sly smile on Emily’s lips accompanied her voice of amused surprise.
“Why, my dear Eryn of the Heaven-born, do I ever have a story to share with you!”
An hour later, Eryn and Emily sat at a small round table on Eryn’s balcony, sharing a carafe of juice and a plate of cinnamon buns.
Eryn’s eyes were wide, reflecting her astonishment from the story she had just heard.
Kevin’s success was aided by a very special partner: Charlie Morningstar herself.
“What?
How!?
The Morningstar was on Earth?”
“She was.”
“How do you know all of this?” Eryn’s stunned expression would not leave her face.
“When Charlie and her friend attended the court hearing, Adam clearly stated what it takes to get into Heaven, and to everyone’s surprise, a sinner named Angel Dust completed the checklist.
Yet, Adam insisted it didn’t matter and made his threat to Charlie very clear.” Emily’s smile faded at the memory.
“I was unhappy to learn Sera herself knew about the executions.”
“A lot of subterfuge happened among the elite,” Eryn groused.
“The hypocrisy of those who judged Lucifer for having unusual ideas sickens me.”
“As it does for me, too,” Emily agreed.
“Anyway, after the hearing, I wanted to learn more about the hotel and what it would take to fulfill Charlie’s dream.
I locked myself away for a whole month in the Heavenly archives and set to work finding any indication that a soul could be redeemed.”
Eryn nodded.
“You found something?”
“Oh, did I!” Emily’s eyes gleamed.
“I found Angel’s scroll!”
“Wait!” Eryn gasped.
“You opened the secret vault of souls?
I know you’re a Great Seraphim, but I thought it took a unanimous vote from the high council to open that vault.”
“Well,” Emily blushed, “after Sera lied to me about knowing about the executions, I wasn’t feeling very gracious about following counsel rules.
I strongly believed that Charlie’s idea could come true, so I wanted to explore Angel Dust’s life on Earth to understand why he had ended up in Hell.
I swiped the key when Sera wasn’t looking, unlocked it, and returned it before going on sabbatical.”
“Theft is a sin, Miss Emily,” Eryn said, her eyes crinkling.
“Says the one who shirked her duty for a friend,” Emily replied gently, maintaining her smile.
Eryn sighed.
“Carry on.”
“Right.
So, I found Anthony’s scroll and…”
“Anthony?” Eryn interrupted.
“Sorry.
That’s Angel Dust’s real name.
I read his scroll, and it was tragic.
But every indication suggested that what he did at the trial demonstrated that he’d truly progressed, showed real concern for others, prevented Niffty from stealing, and stood up for her against the tall moth man.
I strongly believed such actions should be considered when determining where a soul ends up, so I took action.”
“What… what did you do?” Eryn saw where this was going.
“I am a Seraphim, and therefore I can create policy.
I can derive law from any scripture presented in court by a member.
Adam established the checklist during an official court hearing and clearly articulated those as lawful grounds for a sinner’s redemption.
Additionally, I possess the authority to append an addendum to such court-issued declarations if I deem them necessary.”
“What did you add?”
“To answer that, I need to explain An… Kevin,” Emily smiled.
“I admit my curiosity got the better of me, and I looked up his scroll as well.
I wanted to know what got him into Heaven and why he had been granted such an unusual position for a human soul.
What I found astonished me; he was not only a hero on Earth but was also dating Charlie Morningstar.”
Eryn still couldn’t believe it when Emily revealed the shocking news for the second time, but she didn’t want to interrupt, so she nodded silently.
“His scroll doesn’t detail how Charlie was with him, only that she used her powers to aid him in rescuing kidnapped children and helped him come to terms with his own tragic past.” Emily paused.
She had read the entire scroll and cried for nearly two hours after learning what had happened to Kevin, what had driven him to become the man who would one day become a High Angel.
The memory brought a fresh tear to her eye.
She wiped it away as she continued.
“What he did was selfless; he sacrificed part of himself for those in need of saving.
I believed such a sacrifice—to protect the innocent, those you love, and those in need—was as valid a reason to ascend as anything on Adam’s checklist.
So, I added ‘sacrifice for the greater good’ to his list and then ordained it.”
Eryn leaned back in her chair.
“My, you have been busy.”
“I can’t explain it.” Emily looked conflicted.
“But I need you to believe me when I say you will succeed in your mission to find the hotel worthy.”
“I admire your confidence, Miss Emily.” Eryn didn’t share in it. This story is hosted at g.com.
“But knowing about Angel’s past and why he asked me to trust him gives me a sense of relief.
That maybe what I did was somehow ordained, and he was meant to find his love again.
If I, in some way, helped him with that, I can shed this painful feeling of regret.”
“Please,” Emily reached out and took Eryn’s hands in hers, “what you did was lead with your heart, and isn’t that what we, as angels, should be doing?
Not executing sinful souls, but actively seeking ways to redeem them?
I’m actually angry with myself for not realizing this long ago.
It’s Charlie’s dream because she loves her people.
She’s more of an angel than some of us, it seems.”
“I still have to play the part that Sera expects of me.
I need to maintain an atmosphere of threat over the hotel.
I don’t like it.
But if I don’t, Sera might really exile me.” Eryn squeezed Emily’s hands.
“And as much as I love Angel, I can’t live in Hell.”
Emily understood Eryn’s fear.
“In time, I may be able to help you.
But for now, follow the orders you’ve been given, knowing in your heart that you did what’s right.
I will fight with all that I am to prevent Sera from exiling you.”
“Thank you, Emily.
I just hope Angel will forgive me in time.” Eryn’s eyes glistened.
“But I sincerely thank you for everything you’ve shared with me.
It makes what I have to do a little easier.”
“Then I’ll leave you to meditate.
I think it will be easier now.
From what I’ve learned, it will be at least a month before you’re called to duty.
Spend your time in peace so you’ll have a clear mind when you go.”
“Miss Emily,” Eryn stood and bowed.
“Most of the time, you display such energy and happiness.
But you’ve also always been a woman of eternal faith, immeasurable wisdom, and strength of character.
I have always been in awe of you.”
“I put on a cheerful expression,” Emily smiled, “because I love Heaven, all human souls, and guiding them to peace and happiness.
I squeal with delight when we receive a new soul that has earned its way to us, and it brings me joy to spread laughter to everyone.” Then her smile faded.
“But I’m no pushover.
I’m no child, and I am not naive.
I have lived for millennia and witnessed great evil as well.
If I had known about the executions in Hell long ago, you would have seen a very different version of me.”
Standing, Emily fluffed out her dress, her smile returning in full force as she took a deep breath.
“Because of that, I will be going to Sera soon, armed with all the information I know and what I have done, and I will demand to be informed of the reasons for these executions and to have a voice in the next step we take.
No longer will I sit in darkness.”
“I would love to see Sera’s expression when you do that.” Eryn’s lips curled into a smile.
With a giggle, Emily picked up one of the snack cakes as a prop.
“I’d prefer you only see me as the cheerful, cinnamon-bun ray of sunshine I present to everyone.
My mean side would rival Satan, I’m sure.”
Eryn chuckled softly.
Emily’s humor was infectious, and Eryn felt at ease for the first time in days.
Perhaps she could meditate now.
As this thought crossed her mind, she felt Emily’s arms wrap around her, and she froze.
“Emily?” Eryn asked tentatively.
“Give this hug to Kevin for me?” Emily nuzzled her nose on Eryn’s shoulder.
“Tell him I miss him and I love him.”
Eryn sighed with a slight smile and returned the hug.
“You have my word.”
Stepping back, Emily bowed.
“Great Eryn of the Heaven-born.
May your journey bring you illumination.”
“Miss Emily,” Eryn replied with a bow.
“I hope yours will be as well.”
With a nod, Emily left the suite, leaving Eryn standing there for a full minute, lost in thought about their conversation.
Angel and Charlie had been lovers on Earth.
Due to their deep connection and Kevin’s heroic sacrifice—giving up his soul to save innocent children—he was granted a special place in Heaven.
This led Eryn to believe that everything that had occurred thus far was somehow destined, and perhaps her mission was just as significant.
She was determined to fulfill her role as instructed, but now she was resolved to support Angel in any way possible, even if it meant telling some lies to do so.