Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was 3 in the morning, and Lucifer still hadn't gone to sleep yet; it had been a week since the extermination and the fight between him and Adam it felt like it wasn't real, for that matter; he hadn't felt anything in the past 10,000 years it was just him and Lilith until Charlie came but that didn't change anything much sure he loves Charlie to death but he still had this empty feeling in himself that didn't want to leave, ever since his fall he couldn't feel anymore- he quickly looked at his duck-shaped clock it was now 4 am he needed to go to sleep so that he can support Charlie with her activities he held his duck plushie closer to him and barely drifted of to sleep. 

It was now 6 am. Lucifer woke up still tired. He thought that at least 2 hours of sleep. After Lilith left him, he would spend days on end with no sleep working in his workshop, neglecting his duties as king, and he couldn't care less. It was all useless; he didn't even see a point in living. You could see it in his arms, but it was hidden under his cloves, fearing that it would upset Charlie since now she's his top priority. He wanted to be there for her now since he couldn't for the last couple of years, and it felt like he could fix his relationship with his daughter through the hotel. He looked at the clock at 6:15 and thought to himself he should get up and make breakfast. 

After finally getting out of bed Lucifer looks at the mirror and realizes that he looks like shit his hair is messy his eye bags are dark as hell, and let's not talk about his clothes; as he looks at himself disgusted he quickly snaps his fingers to change his attire and do his hair, he looked at the mirror again and thought that this was good enough and he turned around to go down to the kitchen, he knew that no one was awake yet even though he spent just a week in the hotel he already figured what time everyone woke up, for example, Charlie usually wakes up at 7:30, and Vaggie would follow her at around 8:00, and the other residents woke up around noon, oh but Alastor Lucifer is pretty sure that bastard doesn't sleep at all same goes with Niffty because he's pretty sure that he can hear her crawling in the pipes at night. 

As he went into the kitchen he started pulling out all the stuff he needed to make breakfast; he didn't know what to do. He thought of making a sweet breakfast first, but it dawned on him that that would be appropriate for the others, which led him to make a sweet and salty breakfast and it was just some pancakes and some bacon and eggs and to drink freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee. It was now 7:15 he wasn't expecting anyone else to wake up, but surprisingly Charlie and Vaggie walked into the kitchen as he was putting the plates down

He was way too focused on the food to notice them until Charlie stood next to him, which made him jump and scream in a high-pitched voice, "Holy moly, Charlie, you scared me!" 

"I'm so sorry, Dad. I didn't mean it," Charlie said, apologising. She really didn't think that would scare her dad this much, and it made her feel guilty. It all showed up on her face, which in turn made Lucifer look at her with caring eyes. "It's okay, dear. Nothing happened; everything's fine, so please don't worry about it." Lucifer hoped that that would relax her, and it did.

At that point, he still hadn't noticed Vaggie behind them, but when he saw her, he looked at her and said in a caring voice, "Well, hello there, Vaggie, good morning" he gave her a small smile even though she wasn't his daughter. She's already a part of the family

Lucifer looked at both of them, smiled lightly, and said in a soft voice, "Come on, let's go sit down and eat" As they sat down to eat, Lucifer was feeling anxious, not wanting to say something that would make Charlie mad at him he's barely been able to mend their relationship. He didn't want her to think he's useless and a bother, and he for sure didn't want Charlie to leave him 

As they sat in silence while eating, something manifested in front of Lucifer. In a burst of golden flames, a letter emerged. At first, he wasn't sure where it came from, but at a closer look, it was a letter from heaven. 

He just couldn't understand what was happening. He laid the letter from Heaven in his hands, the place he had fallen from; it freaked him out. Lucifer stared at the letter, his hand trembling slightly. The sight of the golden flames and the emblem of Heaven on the wax seal brought back a flood of emotions and memories he’d spent eons suppressing. His throat tightened as he fought to maintain composure in front of his daughter and her partner.

Charlie noticed his expression and placed her hand on his. “Dad, are you okay?” she asked gently. He raised his head up with worry on his face but he quickly changed his expression and gave her a tight smile, his mind racing. “I’m fine, dear. It’s just…unexpected,or not? We technically killed Adam but it's still nerve-racking…..”

Vaggie frowned, glancing between Lucifer and the letter. “Why would they send something now? After all this time?”

Lucifer didn’t have an answer. He carefully broke the seal and unfolded the parchment, his eyes scanning the elegant script. The message was brief, yet it carried the weight of a thousand lifetimes.

“Lucifer Morningstar,

Your presence is required in Heaven for a court hearing with the Heavenly Council, A portal will appear at the time of your required attendance. This is not a request.

-Sera.”

Lucifer’s blood ran cold. He didn't know what to do,what was he supposed to do?! Of course he has to oblige,if he didnt want them to attack hell and hurt his daughter and her friends but to think he has to step foot on Heavens grounds was sicking and to stand trail in front of his siblings once more, the same siblings who filled his body with scars and ripped his wings out and made him fall, that memory alone made him shiver. 

He folded the letter and set it on the table, his movements measured. He didn’t want to alarm Charlie, but his mind was already spiraling. Why now? What did they want from him after all these millennials? How could he go see them again, after all this time

Charlie leaned forward, her concern deepening. “Dad, what does it say?”

Lucifer hesitated. He didn’t want to burden her with his past or the turmoil he was feeling, but he couldn’t lie to her either. With a sigh, he met her eyes. “It’s from Heaven,” he said finally, his voice tight. “They’ve summoned me for… a court hearing.”

Charlie’s face fell. “A court hearing? Why now? You can’t go!”

Vaggie’s expression darkened. “It’s a trap,” she said firmly. “It has to be. Why else would they contact you after all this time?”

Lucifer didn’t respond immediately. His mind was already spiraling, dredging up memories he’d buried long ago. The Heavenly Council. His siblings. The trial. The scars.

“I don’t know what they want,” he said finally, his voice heavy. “But if I don’t go…” He didn’t finish.

Charlie reached across the table, placing her hand over his. “We’ll figure this out, Dad. You don’t have to face them alone.”

Lucifer’s heart twisted. Her unwavering support was everything he didn’t deserve. He forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Thank you, my dear. But for now, let’s focus on the hotel. That’s what matters.”

But as he washed the dishes, his mind was elsewhere. The letter sat on the table like a specter, a reminder of a world he thought he had left behind.

—-------

Later that day, when the hotel was bustling with activity, Lucifer retreated to his workshop. The letter was tucked into his coat pocket, its weight growing heavier with every passing moment.

He stared at his tools, his usual refuge from the noise of his thoughts, but they offered no solace now. Finally, he pulled the letter out again and read it one more time, as though the words might change.

He didn't want to face them again, he just couldn't but that doesn't mean he should cower away from them, he should show them how what they did didn't affect him, he needed to put a brave face on for the sake of Charlie and her hotel for the sake of her dreams, since he couldn't make his dreams come true he has to make her dreams a reality for that he's need's to be brave. 

Chapter Text

Lucifer found himself standing in a vast, empty expanse of white. The air was cold and sterile, the light blinding yet coming from no discernible source. He looked up as he recognized this place instantly—it was the Heavenly Court, the very spot where his judgment had been passed so many eons ago

He looked down at himself and froze. He was wearing his old angelic robes, pristine white and shimmering with celestial gold. His wings stretched out behind him, as beautiful as they could be, yet they felt heavy, as if weighed down by invisible chains

A voice boomed from above, shaking the very ground beneath him.
“Lucifer Morningstar, the Morning Star of Heaven, the Lightbringer. You stand accused of a rebellion against the heavenly order.” he knew that voice, he couldn't forget it, it was his father's

He tried to speak, but his voice caught in his throat. He glanced around, but the court was empty—no one was there not even his siblings, only the thundering voice echoing in the void

“Do you deny your crimes?” the voice demanded, louder now and much more sharper

Lucifer’s lips moved, but no sound came out. He tried again, and this time, his voice emerged, cracked and broken. “I sought freedom for human kind!"

“Blasphemy!” The word was a thunderclap that sent him to his knees. The ground cracked beneath him, golden light pouring from the fissures

Suddenly, the void filled with figures. His siblings, countless angels, their faces glowing with divine light yet twisted with contempt. Michael stood at the forefront, his armor gleaming, his sword drawn

“You betrayed us,” Michael said coldly, his voice dripping with disdain. “You brought chaos to our perfection"

“I wanted freedom! ” Lucifer shouted, his voice growing stronger

Lucifer let out a sicking scream as he twisted in agony while his wings got broken and pulled apart by his older brother,He clawed at his back, but the pain only intensified, his body covered in golden blood while he laid there on the ground wanting to break free from this pain

“Do you feel it, brother?” Michael’s voice was low, cruel. “The weight of your pride? The burden of your choices?”

Lucifer looked up, his vision blurred by tears. Michael stepped closer, his sword raised high, he tried to reach out his hand to his oldest brother wanting this to be fake and wishing this could stop and to be held in Michael's warm embrace. “You were the brightest star, but now… you are nothing.”

With a single swing, Michael’s blade struck. The scene shifted violently.

Lucifer was falling.

The light of Heaven grew distant above him, replaced by roaring winds and endless darkness. His body burned as he plummeted, his screams swallowed by the abyss. He reached out, grasping for anything, but there was nothing—only the weight of his failure and the void pulling him down.

Suddenly, he slammed into the ground.

He was in Hell now, but not the Hell he ruled. This was a desolate wasteland, barren and suffocating. He tried to rise, but the weight of invisible chains held him down. He looked around and saw towering figures looming over him—distorted shapes, their faces shifting between those of his siblings, Lilith, Charlie, and even Adam.

“You deserve this,” they said in unison, their voices a cacophony of judgment.

“No,” Lucifer whispered, shaking his head. “I don’t.”

But the chains tightened, dragging him deeper into the ground.

“Dad!”

The voice was faint, distant.

“Dad, wake up!”

Lucifer’s eyes snapped open. He was back in his bed, drenched in sweat, the room eerily quiet save for the sound of his labored breathing. His hands gripped the sheets tightly, his entire body trembling.

Charlie stood by his bedside, her eyes wide with worry. “Dad, are you okay? You were screaming…”

Lucifer sat up slowly, running a trembling hand through his disheveled hair. He forced a weak smile. “Just a bad dream, my little star. Nothing to worry about.” he didn't want Charlie to know about his nightmares, especially the fact that he still hasn't healed mentally because of them

But as he glanced at the mirror across the room, he could still see the faint outline of golden blood trailing from his back, a cruel reminder of the nightmare that felt all too real.

----

After he had woken up he felt hallow as if he was a broken and empty shell and he couldn't denie that since his fall he has changed for the worst and he believed that, he was guilt ridden with all of the mistakes he has made for being absent from his daughter's life to him neglecting his duties as ruler of hell, it was a heavy weight upon his shoulders

Lucifer sat at his workbench, the dim light of a single flickering lantern casting long shadows across the room. Tools and half-finished inventions lay scattered before him, but his hands were still. The letter from Heaven rested to his right, untouched since he’d last read it.

His fingers traced the edges of a small golden locket he’d found tucked in a forgotten drawer—a gift he’d once given Lilith during the early days of their time together. It had a soft glow, the faintest remnants of magic lingering within. He turned it over and over in his hands, his red eyes unfocused.

“Dad?”

The sudden voice startled him, and he quickly snapped the locket shut, hiding it in his palm. He turned to see Charlie standing in the doorway, holding a tray with a teapot and two cups. Her crimson eyes were filled with concern, and she hesitated before stepping inside.

“I brought you some tea,” she said softly.

Lucifer sighed and rubbed his temples. “Charlie, you don’t need to—”

“I wanted to.” She set the tray down on a cluttered side table and took a seat on the stool across from him. Her hands fidgeted in her lap. “I could tell something was bothering you.”

He chuckled dryly, though there was no humor in it. “You’re far too perceptive for your own good.”

Charlie smiled faintly but didn’t respond. She poured a cup of tea and slid it toward him. He accepted it reluctantly, holding it more for the warmth than anything else.

For a moment, they sat in silence, the only sound the soft clink of the teapot. Charlie finally broke it. “Dad, what’s really going on? I mean… with the letter. You don’t seem okay.”

Lucifer froze, his grip tightening on the cup. He took a slow breath, trying to compose himself. “It’s complicated,” he said carefully. “The letter… it brought back memories I’d rather not revisit.”

“Memories of Heaven?” she asked tentatively.

His gaze flickered to hers, and for a moment, he considered deflecting. But the earnest concern in her eyes stopped him. She deserved some honesty.

“Yes,” he admitted. “And memories of what happened when I left.”

Charlie leaned forward slightly. “What… what was it like?”

He looked away, his crimson eyes distant. “It was… beautiful,” he said after a long pause. “Everything was bright, a perfection so absolute it felt like a dream. But that beauty had a cost— judgment, a lack of compassion for anything that fell outside their narrow idea of order. And when I questioned that order…” He trailed off, his voice tightening.

“They cast you out,” Charlie finished quietly.

“They didn’t just cast me out, my dear,” he said bitterly. “They tore me apart. They ripped my wings from my back, shattered my place among them, and threw me into the abyss like I was nothing. Like I didn’t belong anywhere—not with them, not with the mortals below.”

Charlie’s hands flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock and sorrow. “Dad… I had no idea…”

Lucifer shook his head, forcing a weak smile. “It’s ancient history, Charlie. Nothing you need to worry about, I didn't want you to know about these awful things they did”

“But you’re still hurting,” she said softly.

Her words struck a chord he wasn’t prepared for. He set the teacup down, his hands trembling slightly. “Some wounds don’t heal,” he murmured.

Charlie reached out, placing her hand over his. Her touch was warm, grounding him in the present. “You’re not alone anymore, Dad,” she said firmly. “Whatever happens, you have me and the hotel and everyone who lives here. We’re your family.”

Lucifer stared at her, a lump forming in his throat. For centuries, he’d convinced himself that love, connection, and hope were illusions. And yet, here she was, proving him wrong with every word.

He squeezed her hand gently. “Thank you, my little star,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Charlie smiled, her expression full of determination. “We’ll figure this out together. You don’t have to face them alone.”

Lucifer didn’t respond. Instead, he looked down at their joined hands, his heart heavy yet somehow lighter at the same time, yet he still couldn't let Charlie in on his burdens.

---

During the day after Lucifer had tea with his daughter, he tried spending time outside of his room. He didn't want to get even more depressed, and neither did he want isolate himself so spent most of his time in the hotel lobby.

----
As he sat in the lobby he was seated on the couch while angel was sitting on the other side of the couch and husker was in the the arm chair in front of him they were having the usual chit chat

unfortunately for Lucifer Alastor entered the lobby with his usual grin wide as ever “Ah, your majesty, you finally decided to take a moment to notice the hotel, How absolutely groundbreaking of you—truly, the world must stop and applaud for this achievement!”

“I see you’re still finding joy in hearing yourself speak,” Lucifer replied, his tone dry but calm, oh how he hated this basterd he could feel himself seething just from looking at his stupid face

“Always,” Alastor said cheerfully, before adding, “I must say, it’s delightful to see you mingling with the rest of us commen folk, one would even believe that you like it here”

As Lucifer was about to bite back he noticed Charlie appearing next to Alastor her face brightening when she saw her father. “Dad! You’re still here!”

Lucifer stood as she approached, his expression softening. “I thought it best to spend the day among others. For your sake… and mine.”

Charlie smiled warmly, her heart swelling. “That makes me so happy, Dad. It really does.”

As the hotel’s residents continued their usual antics, Lucifer found himself oddly at ease. The chaos, while far from comforting, was strangely grounding. And for once, he didn’t feel so alone.

----

As he was in the lobby he was still patiently waiting for the portal to appear, it wasn't said in the letter when it will appear but knowing heaven, he's sure that they will catch him off guard so he waited patiently.

As the clock struck 5pm he could feel it there was a spark of holy energy and in burst of golden flames a portal appeared in front him, as everyone was jumpscared by including Alastor (might he add) he didn't want to go in and see those pearly gates.

Unfortunately for him someone came through the portal, someone who he hadn't seen in eons, someone who he'd rather not see,

It was his older brother

Michael.

Chapter Text

Lucifer froze as the figure stepped through the golden portal. The light surrounding Michael was blinding, his angelic form as imposing as ever. His pristine white suit gleamed with divine radiance, and the massive sword strapped to his side shimmered faintly, as though alive with celestial energy. Michael’s expression was unreadable, his piercing golden eyes scanning the room before settling on Lucifer.

Lucifer’s chest tightened. His heart began to race, his palms growing clammy. He took an instinctive step back, his body reacting before his mind could catch up. He hadn’t felt fear like this in eons—not since the last time he faced Michael.

“Samuel” Michael said, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of authority that made Lucifer flinch.

Lucifer tried to summon his usual bravado, but his throat felt dry, his voice unwilling to cooperate. His fingers twitched, curling into fists as he struggled to mask his panic. “Michael,” he finally managed to say, his tone far weaker than he intended.

The room had gone deathly silent. The hotel’s residents were frozen, watching the tense interaction with wide eyes. Charlie stood a few feet away, her hand clasped over her mouth in shock. Even Alastor, usually unfazed by chaos, narrowed his eyes at the sudden arrival.

Michael took a step closer, and Lucifer instinctively took another step back. His mind was racing. Why now? What did he want? Was this the hearing they’d warned him about? Or was this something worse?

“I see you’re still fond of running,” Michael said

The words hit harder than Lucifer cared to admit. He forced himself to straighten his posture, but his body betrayed him. His hands trembled slightly at his sides, and he felt a bead of sweat trickle down his temple.

“What are you doing here?” Lucifer asked, his voice sharper now, though it wavered at the edges.

Michael’s expression changed, replaced by a cold and unreadable look. “I’ve come to escort you to Heaven. The council grows impatient, and they fear you might… resist.”

Lucifer’s heart sank. His fears were confirmed. They didn’t trust him enough to arrive on his own. They sent Michael—the one angel he never wanted to face again.

“I wasn’t going to resist,” Lucifer said, though his voice lacked conviction. “I don’t want a war.”

Michael tilted his head, scrutinizing his younger brother. “You don’t want war? How… surprising.” His tone was laced with mockery, a sharp edge that made Lucifer’s stomach twist.

“Michael, please,” Lucifer said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Not here. Not in front of—”

“Your daughter?” Michael interrupted, his gaze shifting to Charlie. His eyes softened, just slightly, as he regarded her. “She looks like her mother.”

“Don’t,” Lucifer snapped, his panic momentarily giving way to anger. He stepped in front of Charlie, shielding her from Michael’s gaze. “Don’t bring her into this.”

Michael raised an eyebrow, unbothered by the outburst. “Protective, are we? How unlike you, Samuel. I seem to remember a time when you cared for nothing and no one.”

Lucifer clenched his fists, his breathing unsteady. Memories of the past—the judgment, the betrayal, the agony of his fall—flooded his mind. His back ached as though the scars of his torn wings had been reopened. He felt small again, powerless in the face of Michael’s unwavering presence.

Charlie stepped forward, her voice trembling but determined. “What do you want with my dad?”

Michael’s gaze shifted back to her, and for a moment, something akin to regret flickered in his eyes. “This is not your concern, child.”

“This is my concern!” Charlie snapped, surprising everyone, including herself. “He’s my dad, and I won’t let you just drag him away without an explanation!”

Lucifer felt a pang of pride and sorrow simultaneously. He placed a hand on Charlie’s shoulder, his voice softer than before. “Charlie, my star, this isn’t your fight.”

“But it is!” she insisted, her eyes glistening. “You don’t have to face this alone, Dad. Let us help you.”

Michael watched the exchange, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he spoke again. “Your daughter has spirit, Lucifer. It’s a pity she inherited your stubbornness.”

Lucifer smirked , though it didn’t reach his eyes. “What can I say? She’s a Morningstar through and through.” 

Charlie continued saying “It is my concern if you’re threatening him!” while her voice was rising.

Lucifer turned to her, panic flashing in his eyes. “Charlie, stop.”

“But Dad—”

“Stop,” he repeated, his voice firmer this time. He couldn’t bear the thought of her getting involved, of her seeing him like this—vulnerable, terrified, at the mercy of his brother, which in turn will make her hate him even more

Michael watched the exchange silently before speaking again. “Enough of this,” he said, his tone cold. “Samuel, you will come with me now. The portal will remain open for only a short time.”

That was the third time he was called Samuel, Lucifer’s legs felt like lead, his body frozen in place. He didn’t want to go, didn’t want to face them—his siblings, his father, the judgment that awaited him. But he knew he had no choice.

“Dad,” Charlie whispered, her voice breaking. “You don’t have to go.”

Lucifer turned to her, his heart shattering at the sight of her tear-filled eyes. He forced a smile, though it felt hollow. “I have to, my little star,” he said softly. “I’ll be back. I promise.”

He continued saying. “don't worry honey, What more can they do to me? Take my wings again? Cast me into an even deeper pit? Perhaps they’ll strip me of my name entirely this time.” he said with a sarcastic tone

He didn’t believe his own words for he knew that they might hurt him again, but he had to say them—for her sake.

Michael extended a hand toward the portal, his expression unreadable. “Time is running out”

With a deep, shaky breath, Lucifer took a step forward. His hands trembled, his entire body screaming at him to stop, to turn back, to run. But he couldn’t. Not with everyone watching. Not with Charlie’s hopeful gaze piercing through him.

As he reached the portal, he paused, glancing back one last time. His eyes met Charlie’s, and for a moment, the fear subsided, replaced by a flicker of determination.

Then he stepped through.

The light engulfed him, and the hotel vanished from sight.

Chapter Text

As Lucifer entered through the portal he felt thud to his back, that pushed him hard and made him tumble forward, and in turn he felt a huge weight fall on top of him

Lucifer groaned as he tried to steady himself, the impact knocking the air from his lungs. The bright, sterile light of the heavenly realm surrounded him, but all his focus was on the unexpected weight pinning him down.

“Charlie?” he rasped, twisting his head to look over his shoulder.

Sure enough, his daughter clung tightly to his back, her arms wrapped around his shoulders in a vice-like grip. Her crimson eyes were wide with determination and a touch of fear, but she didn’t loosen her hold.

“Charlie! What are you doing here?” he hissed, panic lacing his voice.

“I’m not letting you go alone!” she shot back, her voice trembling but resolute. “I told you—I’m your family, and families don’t let each other face things like this by themselves.”

Lucifer’s heart clenched. He wanted to be furious with her, to scold her for following him into the lion’s den, but he couldn’t. Not when her words cut through the suffocating fear that had gripped him moments ago. Still, he knew the gravity of their situation.

“This isn’t a game, Charlie,” he said urgently, trying to push her off. “You don’t know what you’ve done by coming here.”

“Oh, I know exactly what I’ve done,” she countered, refusing to budge. “I’m standing by you, no matter what.”

Before Lucifer could respond, a low, commanding voice echoed around them.

“Samuel.”

Lucifer winced at the name, reluctantly rising to his feet with Charlie still clinging to his arm. He turned slowly to see Michael standing a few paces away, his expression cold and unreadable. Behind him, the endless expanse of the Heavenly Court loomed, its blinding light reflecting off the marble floors and towering, golden arches.

Michael’s gaze shifted to Charlie, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. “She wasn’t invited.”

“And yet, here I am,” Charlie said defiantly, stepping forward. Despite her obvious fear, she squared her shoulders and glared up at the archangel.

Lucifer quickly pulled her back, placing himself between her and Michael. “She has nothing to do with this. Let her go back,” he said, his voice firm despite the unease gnawing at him.

Michael studied them both for a long moment before speaking. “You’ve always been reckless, Samuel. It seems your daughter has inherited that trait.”

“She’s not part of this,” Lucifer repeated, his tone sharper now.

Michael tilted his head, his expression still unreadable. “That’s not for you to decide.”

The ground beneath them rumbled faintly as two more figures emerged from the radiant light. Lucifer’s stomach dropped as he recognized Gabriel and Raphael, their wings glowing softly, their faces grim but calm.

Gabriel’s eyes flicked to Charlie, a flicker of curiosity breaking through his otherwise stern demeanor. “This is unexpected,” he murmured, his melodic voice carrying a faint note of amusement.

Raphael, however, looked less amused. “What is she doing here, Michael? This was supposed to be a hearing, not a spectacle.”

Michael raised a hand to silence them. “It seems Samuel’s daughter has decided to involve herself. The council will determine her fate along with his.”

“No!” Lucifer growled, stepping forward, his wings instinctively flaring out behind him. “She’s done nothing wrong. If you want to punish someone, punish me!”

“Dad…” Charlie whispered, clutching his arm.

Raphael’s eyes narrowed, his voice colder than before. “You don’t dictate terms here, Morningstar.”

Lucifer clenched his jaw, his crimson eyes blazing. He knew he was outnumbered, outpowered, but he couldn’t let them hurt Charlie. Not her.

Michael stepped closer, towering over them both. “If she wishes to stand by you, she will share your judgment,” he said simply. “It is her choice to make.”

Lucifer turned to Charlie, his heart hammering in his chest. “Charlie, please,” he said, his voice breaking. “Go back. You don’t understand what’s at stake.”

But Charlie shook her head, her resolve unwavering. “I understand enough. I’m not leaving you, Dad.”

Lucifer closed his eyes, a mix of pride and despair washing over him. He had fought countless battles, faced unimaginable horrors, but this—this was the hardest thing he’d ever endured.

Michael gestured toward the towering golden doors at the far end of the court. “Then let the council convene.”

As the doors began to open, their blinding light spilling out into the vast chamber, Lucifer felt Charlie’s hand slip into his. Her grip was firm, her presence grounding. For the first time in eons, he didn’t feel entirely alone.

Together, they stepped forward, toward whatever judgment awaited them.

----

As the golden doors fully opened, the radiant light intensified, forcing Lucifer and Charlie to squint. The chamber beyond was massive, stretching farther than the eye could see, with towering columns carved from pure alabaster. A circular dais sat at the center, surrounded by elevated thrones where the archangels and other celestial beings of the council presided. Their forms shimmered with divine energy, some appearing humanoid while others were abstract, shifting forms of light and shadow.

The air was heavy, oppressive even, and Lucifer felt it pressing down on him like a weight on his chest. He glanced at Charlie, her determination still visible in the set of her jaw, though her eyes betrayed her unease.

“Stay close,” he murmured, squeezing her hand.

They reached the center of the chamber, where Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael joined the other council members. Michael took his place at the head of the assembly, standing beside a grand, empty throne. Lucifer didn’t need to ask whose it was—he knew.

The moment they stopped, a booming voice filled the chamber, reverberating off the walls. “Lucifer Morningstar, former bearer of light, you stand before the council to answer for your actions.”

Lucifer straightened his shoulders, trying to mask his fear with defiance. “What actions would those be?” he asked, his tone laced with sarcasm. “I haven’t exactly been in the habit of meddling in celestial affairs.”

A murmur rippled through the council, some of the beings shaking their heads or exchanging glances. Gabriel stepped forward, his serene face betraying a hint of frustration.

“You have evaded judgment for millennia,” he said. “Your rebellion, your betrayal, and your continued defiance have consequences, Lucifer. The council has summoned you to answer for these transgressions.”

Lucifer smirked bitterly. “Ah, yes, because I haven’t been paying for those transgressions every day since my fall.”

“This is not about punishment,” Raphael interjected, his tone severe. “It is about accountability. Your presence in Hell, your dealings with mortals, and your interference in the balance of creation have raised questions that demand answers.”

Charlie stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “He’s done nothing but try to live his life! If you think he’s still some kind of threat, you’re wrong.”

The chamber fell silent as every eye turned to her. Some of the council members seemed amused by her boldness; others appeared irritated.

Michael’s gaze sharpened. “Child, you have no place here. This is not your trial.”

“She’s here because of me,” Lucifer said quickly, stepping in front of Charlie. “Whatever she’s done, blame me. She’s innocent.”

“That remains to be seen,” Michael said coldly. “The council will determine if her presence in Hell—and her defiance here—merit judgment.”

Charlie’s eyes widened, and Lucifer felt a surge of anger. “You leave her out of this,” he snapped, his voice echoing in the vast chamber. “She doesn’t belong in your politics or your games.”

Jophiel scoffed at Lucifer's words "this isn't about politics it's about you killing Adam"

Lucifer raised his head to look at her with confusion "huh?" 

"Wait wait wait wait" Lucifer said hurriedly while flailing his hands in front of him "I didn't kill Adam"

The court suddenly fell silent all of the heavenly beings as Lucifer continued explaining "well to be fair I did fight him but I didn't kill, it was actually a sinner"

Camuel stood up, yelling "HOW DID A SINNER EVEN KILL ADAM?!, WHAT WAS HE DOING IN HELL IN THE FIRST PLACE?!" said the fiery red-head

Charlie raised her head looking confused at them with a tilt of her head she said "it was extermination day..? "

Michael looked alarmed and stood up from his place leaning towards the two of them "what extermination?" He questioned

Lucifer looked at him and they locked eyes

"oh

Oh. "

Chapter Text

The chamber descended into an uneasy silence as the weight of Charlie’s innocent words—“It was extermination day…”—hung in the air. The gathered celestial beings exchanged glances, their divine forms flickering with agitation.

Michael’s golden eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped to a dangerous calm. “Samuel… what do you mean by that?”

Lucifer hesitated, his mind racing. He knew the council’s ignorance of Hell’s current state was intentional. Revealing the brutal truth now could either justify his actions—or seal his fate. With a deep breath, he met Michael’s gaze head-on.

Lucifer straightened, gesturing to Charlie. “You heard her. Extermination Day. Once a year, angels descend upon Hell, slaughtering its inhabitants indiscriminately. No trial. No redemption. Just a purge.”

Gasps rippled through the council. “Blasphemy!” Jophiel hissed, her radiant form crackling with outrage. “You dare accuse Heaven of—”

“Im telling the truth,” Lucifer interrupted sharply, his wings flaring in defiance. “Because none of you bothered to check what’s been happening behind your backs. I didn’t kill Adam, one of the winners did.”

The chamber erupted into chaos. Voices overlapped, accusations and defenses flying back and forth like arrows. Amid the clamor, Charlie clung to Lucifer’s arm, her wide eyes darting between the celestial beings.

Michael raised a hand, silencing the room with a single gesture. His face was unreadable, but a flicker of doubt passed through his gaze. “If what you say is true,” he said slowly, “why bring this to our attention now? Why not before?”

Lucifer’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “Do you honestly think you would have listened? You’ve been content to sit in your golden thrones, ignoring everything that doesn’t fit your perfect narrative. But now? Now you’re forced to face it.”

Raphael stepped forward, his expression dark. “And yet you ruled Hell all this time. If such atrocities occurred, the blame falls squarely on you.”

“Do you think I wanted Extermination Day?” Lucifer snarled, his voice filled with raw anger. “Do you think I had the power to stop it? Every year I tried—tried to negotiate, to stop the bloodshed. But your angels don’t answer to me. They never did.”

Gabriel, silent until now, studied Lucifer intently. “If what you claim is true,” he said softly, “then there is more at stake here than your defiance. The council must investigate.”

Michael turned to him sharply. “Are you suggesting we halt these proceedings for an inquiry?”

Gabriel inclined his head. “I am. If there is even a chance that Heaven’s will has been twisted into… this,” he gestured vaguely, “then we cannot pass judgment blindly.”

Charlie stepped forward, her voice trembling but determined. “You have to listen to him! Dad’s been trying to make Hell better. He’s been trying to help people. If angels are killing souls without reason, it’s not his fault. He’s been doing everything he can.”

The council murmured again, their divine forms flickering with uncertainty. Michael’s expression hardened as he regarded the two of them. “This is not your place to speak, child,” he said coldly. “But your words… are not without weight.”

Lucifer frowned. “So what now, Michael? Another trial? More bureaucracy while Hell suffers?”

Michael’s gaze bore into him. “No. We will verify your claims.” as he turned his head there was a sudden loud sound of the doors opening

It was Emily, she was breathing heavily while dragging behind her a serpent? "Who is that" mumbled Michael to himself

Emily straightened, still catching her breath. Her wings trembled slightly, evidence of the effort it had taken to drag the serpent through Heaven's gates. "This," she announced, her voice firm despite her exhaustion, "is Sir Pentious, he was a sinner who was redeemed, he is PROOF that sinners can be redeemed"

As Charlie laid her eyes upon Sir Pentious, she was screaming at the top of her lungs out of joy, she immediately ran to him while tears were streaming down her face out of pure joy

"We thought you died" said Charlie while hugging him, her face planted into his shoulder and her tears stained his clothing, "W-we thought t-that you were gone forever"

Lucifer walked to where Charlie is standing and hugged her, she looked at her father while her face was a total mess he cupped her face in his hands "you did it my sweet ducky" he said with a caring voice "you've made your dream a reality, I'm so proud of you dear"

The council erupted into murmurs, their divine light flickering with confusion and intrigue. Michael raised his hand again, silencing the assembly. His gaze fixed on Emily, who stood tall despite her evident fatigue.

“Emily,” he said, his voice steady but sharp, “what do you mean by ‘redeemed’? Explain yourself.”

Emily took a deep breath, steadying her resolve. She gestured to Sir Pentious “Sir Pentious was a soul condemned to Hell for his sins. But he sought redemption—he changed. Charlie gave him the chance to prove himself, and he did. This is proof that Hell isn’t beyond hope.”

Gabriel stepped forward, his expression soft but curious. “And how do we know this isn’t a trick?” he asked, studying the serpent closely. 

Sir Pentious raised his head, his voice trembling but resolute, by then Charlie removed herself for the hug to let him speak. “I lived my life consumed by fear and cowardice, that I paid the price for in hell. But under Charlie's help, I had the chance to learn and change. She gave me the choice. And I chose to be better.”

Lucifer crossed his arms, his expression a mixture of vindication and exhaustion. “There you have it,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “A living example of what my daughter has been fighting for. Redemption is possible—even in Hell—if you’d all stop pretending it isn’t.”

Michael’s golden eyes narrowed, his divine presence intensifying. “You expect us to take the word of a sinner? A creature condemned by their own deeds?”

Charlie stepped forward, her voice rising with defiance. “He’s not just a sinner! He’s a soul—one of millions—who’s been given a second chance because someone cared enough to give him one. Isn’t that what Heaven is supposed to stand for? Mercy? Redemption? Love?”

The council shifted uncomfortably, their forms flickering as they exchanged uncertain glances. Raphael’s brow furrowed, his voice cutting through the tension. “This doesn't mean anything,so what he has been redeemed, what about the other sinners who have committed atrocious acts. what, are we going to just give them a slap on the wrist and let them get into heaven.”

Lucifer’s wings flared as he took a step forward. “You say that as though your angels didn't commit atrocities in your name. If y'all want to call what sinners do is atrocious and go around claiming that what those exorcists do is justice, then go ahead. But don’t pretend that what they did is righteous.”

Michael’s gaze hardened, but before he could speak, Gabriel raised his hand. “Enough,” he said softly. “This council has heard enough accusations and counter arguments. We cannot pass judgment without understanding the full truth."

"Until then we will have to let you, Samuel and your daughter to stay up here in heaven" Uriel said in a quiet voice

Lucifer's brow furrowed, and his voice turned sharp. "Stay here? In Heaven? After everything? Are you serious, Uriel?"

Uriel's glowing eyes met his steadily. "It is not a punishment, Lucifer. It is a necessity. If we are to investigate your claims, we must ensure you and your daughter remain where we can… observe. Trust is thin, as you well know."

Lucifer’s wings twitched in agitation, but Charlie placed a hand on his arm, her gaze pleading. “Dad, please,” she whispered. “Let them see. We don’t have anything to hide.”

He hesitated, the tension in his jaw betraying his inner conflict. Finally, he exhaled deeply. “Fine. But don’t think for a second that I trust any of you.”

Michael stepped forward, his golden armor gleaming under the celestial light. “And do not think for a second that we trust you either, Samuel. This is a precarious balance. Do not tip it.”

Gabriel inclined his head toward Emily and Sir Pentious. “Until the investigation is complete, the redeemed sinner shall remain under observation as well. His presence here is… unprecedented.”

Emily bristled. “He’s not some lab rat. He’s proof of what can be achieved with compassion and effort.”

“And we will assess the validity of that proof,” Raphael interjected sharply. “This is Heaven, not a place for theatrics.”

Lucifer’s laughter was bitter and low. “Theatrics? You lot have been putting on a grand show for millennia. But sure, Raphael, let's call this theatrics.”

Azrael stood up to address the assembly. “The Heavenly Council will convene in two days to begin the inquiry. Until then, the accused and their shall remain within the confines of the upper gardens while the redeemed sinner will be in a different place. Any attempt to leave will be considered an act of defiance.”

Michael nodded curtly. “Guards, escort them to their quarters.”

A squad of armored angels stepped forward, their expressions stern as they gestured for Lucifer and Charlie to follow.

Before turning to leave, Charlie met Michael’s gaze. “I hope you find the truth you’re looking for. Because we already know it.”

Michael didn’t reply, his unreadable expression remaining fixed until they were gone.

---

The Upper Gardens

The celestial prison was beautiful, but the beauty felt hollow to Lucifer. The gardens stretched endlessly, filled with radiant flowers and shimmering streams, but the invisible barriers keeping them confined were palpable.

Lucifer paced near the edge of the garden, his frustration evident. “Typical Heaven. Gilded cages for anyone who doesn’t fit their mold.”

Charlie sat cross-legged by a fountain, her arms wrapped around herself, still overwhelmed by the situation. “What happens now?” she asked hesitantly, her eyes flicking to her father. 

Lucifer stopped pacing and crossed his arms. “Now, we wait. Not because we want to, but because they’ll use that time to try and find a way to twist this in their favor.”

Charlie frowned. “What if they don’t? What if they actually listen?”

Lucifer knelt in front of her, his expression softening. “Hope is a dangerous thing up here, ducky. But if they do listen… you might just change everything.”

Charlie sighed and calmly said "If they decide against us—if they dismiss all of this—we’ll need a plan.”

Lucifer’s smile was humorless. “Oh, I always have a plan. But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

---

Meanwhile, in the Heavenly Council Chambers

The council reconvened, the mood tense as Michael addressed the assembly. “The accusations brought forth by Samuel cannot be ignored. However, we must tread carefully. This is not just about Hell. It’s about the integrity of Heaven itself.”

Raphael scoffed. “The integrity of Heaven is not in question, Michael. The actions of Hell’s ruler are.”

Gabriel interjected. “If the actions of our angels have deviated from Heaven’s true purpose, then yes, our integrity is in question. We cannot dismiss the possibility without investigation.”

Jophiel’s voice was sharp. “And what if this ‘investigation’ gives Samuel more opportunities to sow discord? This could be another of his schemes.”

Michael’s expression darkened. “Then we will expose it. But until then, we proceed with caution. No assumptions, no biases.”

Uriel murmured under his breath "but what if what they claim is the truth, and we are at fault. What then?"

Camael rose up and spoke with her commanding voice "then we'll figure something out" 

Zadkiel who is the second youngest of the siblings spoke "I wish dad was here, we wouldn't have to be holding a court against Samuel if he was here"

Azrael looked at her with his soft black eye "I get what you're saying zeezee, I also don't want to put our baby brother through this all over again" he gently stroked her back

Ariel spoke up looking at her siblings "I second that, he's already been through a lot but what can we do. This is our duty"

They all murmured in agreement, though tension remained thick in the air.

Chapter Text

Lucifer stood amidst a field of ash, a barren wasteland stretching endlessly in every direction. The sky was choked with dark clouds, casting a crimson glow over the desolation. He recognized this place—a twisted amalgamation of Hell and Heaven, where neither light nor darkness reigned.

The silence was deafening until a faint sobbing reached his ears. He turned sharply, scanning the desolate landscape.

“Charlie?” he called out, his voice echoing unnaturally.

The sobbing grew louder, and he spotted her—a small figure crouched in the distance, her arms and leg limp and tattered with wounds. He ran toward her, the ground cracking beneath his feet.

“Charlie!”

When he reached her, she looked up, her face streaked with blood instead of tears. Her eyes were wide with fear, her voice trembling as she whispered, “Why didn’t you save us?”

Before Lucifer could respond, shadowy figures emerged from the ground. They took on twisted, grotesque forms, some resembling the angels he once called siblings. Their hands reached for Charlie, pulling her away.

“No!” Lucifer roared, his wings flaring as he lunged at the shadows. But every time he struck, they reformed, their laughter mocking him.

“You failed her,” a voice hissed behind him.

Lucifer spun around to see Michael, his armor blackened and cracked, his face twisted with malice. “You failed everyone. And now, you’ll watch them suffer for eternity.”

“Lies!” Lucifer bellowed, his fists clenching as he faced his brother. “I fought for them! I still fight for them!”

Michael’s smile was cold and cruel. “Fought? You mean rebelled. You chose pride over duty. You choose Hell over Heaven. And this—” he gestured to the desolation around them, “—is the result of your choices.”

The shadows engulfed Charlie, her screams piercing Lucifer’s soul. He tried to reach her, but Michael grabbed his arm, holding him back with inhuman strength.

“You can’t save her,” Michael whispered, his voice a chilling blend of mockery and pity. “Just as you couldn’t save yourself.”

The ground beneath them crumbled, and Lucifer fell, tumbling into an abyss of fire and torment. As he descended, the screams of the damned filled his ears, their faces flashing before him like a nightmarish tapestry.

And then, a single voice rose above the chaos—a soft, mournful whisper.

“Dad… why did you let me go?”

Lucifer’s eyes snapped open, his chest heaving as he awoke.

---

The celestial light of the Upper Gardens was almost blinding in contrast to the darkness of his dream. Lucifer sat up, running a hand through his hair as he tried to steady his breathing. His wings trembled slightly, betraying the turmoil within.

Charlie sat by the fountain, her silhouette illuminated by the soft glow of the water. She turned at the sound of his movement, concern etched on her face.

“Dad?” she asked softly. “What’s wrong?”

Lucifer hesitated, the weight of the nightmare still pressing on him. “It’s nothing, ducky. Just a bad dream.”

Charlie frowned, standing and walking over to him. “It doesn’t look like ‘nothing.’ You were thrashing in your sleep, and this isn't the first time it happened."

Lucifer sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “The past has a way of haunting us, and being here make's it ten times worse. I’ve made choices—mistakes—that I can’t undo. And they come back to remind me.”

Charlie sat beside him, her gaze steady. “You’re not the only one who’s made mistakes. Everyone here has. That’s why we’re doing this, right? To prove that people can change?”

He looked at her, his eyes softening. “You’re wiser than most angels, you know that?”

She smiled faintly. “And stubborn, just like you.”

Lucifer chuckled, the sound low and weary. “That you are, my sweet ducky. That you are.”

---

The Heavenly Council Chamber was alive with tension as the members gathered once more. The divine light that filled the room seemed harsher, more judgmental, as if reflecting the gravity of the accusations.

Michael stood at the center, his golden eyes scanning the room. “We convene again to address the claims brought forth by Samuel and his daughter. As of now, our initial investigations have uncovered… troubling inconsistencies in the records of Extermination Days.”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the assembly.

Raphael leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “What kind of inconsistencies?”

Michael hesitated before answering. “Reports of angels acting without direct orders. Instances of excessive force. And—” his voice grew heavier, “—evidence of souls being destroyed without judgment.”

The murmurs turned to gasps, the divine forms of the council flickering with unease.

Jophiel’s voice was sharp. “Are you suggesting rogue angels have been operating under our banner?”

Gabriel, who had been silent until now, spoke calmly. “It is not a suggestion. It is a possibility we must confront. If Heaven’s will has been twisted, we bear responsibility for correcting it.”

Uriel shifted uncomfortably. “And what of Samuel's role in all this? Has our investigation cleared him of complicity?”

Michael’s expression hardened. “Not yet. That remains to be determined. For now, we turn to the redeemed soul for further testimony.”

At his signal, the chamber doors opened. Emily entered, guiding Sir Pentious forward. His form was smaller under the weight of the celestial gaze, but he held his head high.

Michael’s golden eyes locked onto him. “You claim to have found redemption under Charlie’s governance. Speak now, and let your actions speak louder than words.”

Sir Pentious swallowed hard, his voice trembling but steady. “I was a coward in life, and in death, I became a monster. I thought there was no hope for someone like me. But Charlie… She believed in me. She gave me a chance to change. And I took it.”

Raphael’s voice cut through the tension. “And what proof do you offer that this ‘redemption’ is genuine? Words alone will not suffice.”

Sir Pentious looked to Emily, who nodded encouragingly. “I’ve spent my time in the Hazbin hotel making amends,” he said. “Helping others in the hotel who want to change. I’ve tried to be helpful for them in my own ways, and in the end it got me here after sacrificing myself for them”

Michael turned to the council. “The testimony of this soul raises questions we cannot ignore. Redemption, even in Hell, is possible. But whether it absolves Samuel remains to be seen.”

Jophiel’s voice was sharp. “And if it doesn’t? What then?”

Gabriel’s reply was quiet but firm. “Then we must ask ourselves what justice truly means.”

---

Lucifer watched from the edge of the Upper Gardens as Emily and Sir Pentious were escorted back to their quarters. Charlie stood beside him, her arms crossed.

“They’re stalling,” she muttered. “Dragging this out so they can find a way to spin it against us.”

Lucifer’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “That’s Heaven for you. Always more concerned with appearances than the truth.”

Charlie turned to him, her eyes blazing with determination. “Then we’ll give them a truth they can’t ignore.”

Lucifer raised an eyebrow. “And how do you propose we do that, ducky?”

Charlie’s smile was faint but fierce. “By showing them what they’re too blind to see. That redemption isn’t just possible—it’s necessary.”

Lucifer chuckled, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’ve got fire, ducky. Let’s hope it’s enough to melt their gilded thrones.”

As they stood together, the celestial light of the gardens felt less oppressive, as though hope had found a way to pierce the gilded cage.

---

The Heavenly Council reconvened, its golden halls shimmering with an otherworldly brilliance. The assembled angels murmured amongst themselves as Lucifer and Charlie were led into the chamber. The pair stood in the center of the circular room, surrounded by the celestial council members whose glowing forms loomed above them like silent judges.

Michael’s commanding voice broke the murmurs. “We resume these proceedings with one simple question: why now? Why bring these accusations and this… proposal to the council at this moment, Samuel?”

Lucifer stood silently, his hands clasped behind his back. His mind was elsewhere, consumed by the nightmare he’d had the night before. The images of Charlie’s lifeless form haunted him, her screams echoing in his ears. He stared past Michael, his golden eyes distant, unfocused, he unconsciously started scratching his arms where his scars are. 

This habit of his started even before his fall, it was his nervous tick, he didn't know how it started but he still does it. He would do it when he was overwhelmed, and now that his arms are covered in self-inflicted scars it makes this habit so much worse. The result of this habit made his hands bloody. 

Blood seeped from the reopened wounds, unnoticed by most except for Ariel, who stood nearby. Her silver eyes softened with concern. “Michael,” she began hesitantly, “something is wrong with him.”

“Something is always wrong with him,” Jophiel snapped, her radiant form crackling with disdain. “This is just another ploy to distract us.”

Gabriel stepped forward, his tone calm but firm. “It doesn’t look like a ploy, Jophiel. He’s bleeding.” He turned his gaze to Lucifer. “Brother, if you have something to say, say it now. Don’t let this silence damn you further.”

Lucifer flinched at Gabriel’s words but didn’t respond. His fingers continued their destructive pattern until Charlie’s soft voice broke through his trance.

“Dad,” she whispered, her hands wrapping around his wrists. “Stop. You’re hurting yourself.”

The sound of her voice snapped him back to the present. He glanced down at his bloodied hands, his expression momentarily betraying vulnerability before he quickly clasped his hands behind his back, hiding the damage.

He was mortified at what he was doing, he has been handling all of this so much better, WHY now has he started to lose in, in the middle of court of all places. He felt ashamed of himself, he didn't want them to see his vulnerable side. They've already hurt him enough, they can't hurt him more, not now, not in front of his daughter. 

Michael’s golden gaze narrowed. “Is this your answer, Samuel? Silence? Self-pity? Do you think this will sway us?”

Charlie stepped forward, her wings trembling with emotion. “Why are you so blind?” she said, her voice rising despite her fear. “My dad has been trying to fix Hell for years. All he’s gotten from you is ignorance and condemnation! Maybe if you actually listened—”

“Watch your tongue, child,” Raphael interrupted, his voice cold and cutting.

“Or what?” Charlie snapped, glaring at him. “You’ll smite me for speaking the truth? Go ahead! But it won’t change the fact that you’re all too busy sitting on your thrones to see what’s really happening!”

Gasps rippled through the chamber as the angels murmured among themselves. Zadkiel, standing quietly in the back, shifted uncomfortably. “She’s just a child,” she said softly. “We shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss her words.”

Jophiel’s eyes flared with light. “She’s the daughter of a traitor. Her words hold no weight here.”

Lucifer’s voice finally broke through, low and cold. “Enough.” His wings flared slightly, their dark edges contrasting sharply with the luminous hall. “You want answers, Michael? Fine. Why now? Because I’m done watching Heaven play judge, jury, and executioner. I’m done pretending that your hands are clean.”

Michael’s expression darkened. “And yet you ruled Hell, Samuel. You let it fall into chaos. You let it become a pit of torment and sin. Do not speak of clean hands when yours are stained with the blood of billions.”

“And what of the angels you send to slaughter?” Lucifer countered, his voice rising with anger. “What of the purges you call justice? Hell is what you made it, Michael. Don’t forget that.”

Ariel stepped forward, her eyes glinting. “Enough of this back-and-forth. We’re not here to debate who is to blame for Hell’s state. We’re here to determine if there’s truth to your claims.”

Azrael, his dark eyes piercing, spoke next. “But even if there is truth, what then? What does justice look like if we’re at fault?”

The question hung heavily in the air, the council silent as they grappled with its implications.

Gabriel sighed, his gaze softening as he looked at Lucifer. “Brother, I don’t know if your words come from a place of truth or bitterness. But if there’s a chance that we’ve failed in our duties, we must uncover it. Even if the answer is not what we wish to hear.”

Jophiel scoffed, her radiant form crackling with indignation. “And let him continue to sow discord in the meantime? We should end this charade now.”

Zadkiel hesitated before speaking. “If this is a charade, let it collapse under its own weight. But if it isn’t… then don’t we owe it to ourselves—and to all souls—to find the truth?”

Michael regarded Zadkiel with a stern gaze before turning back to Lucifer. “Very well. We will investigate your claims further. But until we reach a conclusion, you and your daughter will remain here in Heaven, confined to the Upper Gardens.”

Lucifer’s eyes narrowed. “Another gilded cage. How fitting.”

Charlie tugged at his sleeve, her voice quiet. “Dad, please. Let’s just get through this.”

Michael’s voice cut through the tension. “Guards, escort them back to their quarters. This trial is far from over.”

As the guards moved to lead them away, Lucifer cast one last look at his siblings. “You want the truth? Be careful what you wish for.”

The chamber doors closed behind him, leaving the council in uneasy silence.

Uriel, who had been quiet throughout the proceedings, finally spoke. “If he’s right… if we’ve been wrong… what do we do then?”

Michael’s golden eyes glinted as he turned to face the assembly. “Then we do what must be done. Whatever that may be.”

Chapter Text

Lucifer sat alone on the edge of a secluded cliff in the Upper Gardens, his silhouette a dark shadow against the celestial expanse. The glow of the heavens was blinding here, almost suffocating. He clenched his fists, the reopened scars on his arms still faintly bleeding, his nails digging into his palms as he tried to still the trembling in his body. His breaths came short and shallow, as though the very air around him refused to enter his lungs.

The memories were relentless.

Charlie's scream.

Michael's mocking gaze.

The weight of billions of souls crying out for salvation he could never give.

It all played over and over, a cacophony of torment in his mind.

His wings quivered uncontrollably, the scars along their once-pristine feathers burning as though they had been seared anew. The luminous garden felt like a prison, its beauty a stark contrast to the chaos in his soul. He couldn't escape it, couldn't silence the thoughts clawing at his sanity.

The world around him began to spin. The weight of his guilt and shame pressed down on his chest like a crushing force.

"I can’t breathe," he whispered hoarsely, clutching at his chest. His vision blurred, and his head throbbed as his heartbeat thundered in his ears. He stumbled forward, his knees hitting the soft grass as his body betrayed him.

---

Elsewhere in the Gardens

Gabriel, Zadkiel, and Ariel walked together in uneasy silence. The recent trial had left the Heavenly Council divided, and doubts lingered in their hearts.

Ariel halted, her silver eyes narrowing. “Do you hear that?”

Gabriel tilted his head, listening intently. Faint, ragged breathing carried through the stillness of the gardens. It was uneven, pained—a sound out of place in Heaven’s serenity.

“Over there,” Zadkiel pointed to the cliffside, her voice tinged with concern.

The three angels rushed toward the sound, their forms glowing faintly as they approached the edge of the garden.

“Samuel?” Gabriel called out, his voice steady but laced with worry.

They found him collapsed on the ground, his wings splayed out behind him in disarray. His body trembled violently, his hands clawing at the grass as though trying to anchor himself to reality. Blood streaked his arms where he had scratched the scars open further.

“Samuel!” Ariel knelt beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. His skin was cold, and his breaths came in short gasps.

“Get off me!” Lucifer’s voice was ragged, his eyes wild as he tried to pull away. “Leave me alone!”

“You’re having a panic attack,” Ariel said softly, her voice calm despite the panic rising within her. “You need to breathe, brother. Focus on my voice.”

Gabriel knelt on the other side, his hand gently gripping Lucifer’s wrist to stop him from further injuring himself. “We’re not here to harm you,” he said firmly. “But you have to stop fighting us.”

“I don’t need your pity!” Lucifer spat, but his voice cracked, betraying the deep vulnerability he had tried to hide.

---

Lucifer’s panic was a force of nature, raw and uncontrollable. His wings spasmed violently, feathers falling to the ground like darkened snow. His trembling hands clawed at his arms, reopening old scars that bled freely. He gasped for breath, his crimson eyes wide and unfocused, darting around the gardens as though searching for an escape that didn’t exist.

“Samuel,” Ariel called softly, standing a few steps away. Her usual calm faltered as she watched him. “You need to stop. You’re going to hurt yourself.”

But Lucifer couldn’t hear her. He was lost in his mind, his breath coming in shallow gasps that sent his chest heaving.

Ariel turned to Gabriel, who stood frozen. “Gabriel, say something! Do something!”

Gabriel shook his head, his wings twitching. “I—I don’t know how to handle this. I've never seen something like this before!”

“We can’t just leave him like this,” Zadkiel said, her silver eyes wide with worry. She hesitated before stepping closer, her hand outstretched. “Samuel, please. It’s us. We’re here to help.”

Her words did nothing to break through his spiraling panic. His trembling grew worse, his fingers clawing at the ground as though trying to hold on to something real.

Gabriel clenched his fists, looking at Ariel with frustration. “He’s not responding. We need help.”

Ariel hesitated, then nodded sharply. “Fine. I’ll find Michael and Raphael.” She glanced at Zadkiel. “Stay with him. Don’t let him hurt himself any more than he already has.”

“And if he lashes out?” Zadkiel asked, her voice tinged with fear.

“Just… try to keep him calm,” Ariel said before turning and sprinting toward the celestial halls.

Gabriel glanced at Zadkiel, then knelt beside Lucifer, his green eyes filled with a mixture of helplessness and resolve. “Stay with me, Samuel,” he murmured. “We’re getting help. ”

---

The Celestial Halls

Ariel’s footsteps echoed as she ran through the halls, her wings trailing behind her. She burst into the chamber where Michael and Raphael stood deep in discussion.

“Ariel?” Michael said, his golden gaze narrowing. “What is the meaning of this interruption?”

“It’s Samuel,” Ariel said breathlessly. “He’s—he’s not okay. We don't know what to do . Please You need to come. Now.”

Raphael’s expression darkened. “What's wrong?”

“I don't know,” Ariel said, her voice strained. “I’ve never seen anything like this. Please, we need your help.”

Michael exchanged a look with Raphael before nodding. “Lead the way.”

The three of them hurried back toward the gardens, tension hanging heavy in the air.

---

The Upper Gardens

When Michael and Raphael arrived with Ariel, they found Gabriel and Zadkiel crouched near Lucifer, who was still shaking violently. His wings were drawn tightly around himself, his breaths coming in uneven gasps.

Michael’s gaze hardened as he took in the scene. “Samuel,” he said firmly, stepping forward. “Enough of this. Stop whatever you're doing. "

But Lucifer didn’t respond. His trembling grew worse, and he let out a choked sob.

“Michael, don’t,” Raphael said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “He’s too far gone to listen to reason. We need to approach this carefully.”

Michael’s jaw tightened, but he stepped back, deferring to Raphael.

Raphael knelt beside Lucifer, his voice soft. “Samuel, it’s Raphael. I’m here to help. Can you hear me?”

Lucifer’s wild eyes darted toward Raphael, but he didn’t seem to recognize him. His muttering continued, broken and incoherent.

“We’re not equipped for this,” Zadkiel whispered, her voice trembling. “He’s too far gone.”

“Then what do we do?” Gabriel asked, his frustration evident. “We can’t leave him like this!”

“We need someone who can reach him,” Raphael said, his tone heavy with thought. “Someone he trusts more than us.”

Ariel’s eyes widened. “Charlie. She’s the only one who might be able to get through to him.”

Michael hesitated, then nodded curtly. “Find her. Quickly.”

---

Charlie’s Quarters

Charlie was pacing her quarters, anxiety gnawing at her as she waited for word from the council. The door burst open, and Ariel rushed in, her wings flaring.

“Charlie,” Ariel said breathlessly. “It’s your father. He’s... he needs you.”

Charlie’s heart clenched. “What’s wrong?”

“There's something wrong with him,” Ariel said. “We can’t calm him down. Please, you have to come with me.”

Charlie didn’t hesitate. She followed Ariel out of the room, her mind racing anxiously.

---

The Upper Gardens

When Charlie arrived, her heart sank at the sight of her father. He was on the ground, his wings trembling violently, his hands clawing at his arms. Blood streaked his skin, and his muttering was barely audible.

“Dad,” Charlie called, her voice cracking.

Lucifer flinched at the sound, his head snapping up. His wild eyes met hers, and for a moment, recognition flickered.

Charlie dropped to her knees beside him, ignoring the blood and dirt. She cupped his face with both hands, forcing him to look at her. “Dad, it’s me,” she said, her voice firm but gentle. “It’s Charlie. I’m here.”

Lucifer’s trembling began to slow, his breaths coming in shaky gasps as he focused on her. “Charlie…” he whispered, his voice broken.

“I’m here, Dad,” she said, her thumbs brushing against his cheeks. “You’re safe. You’re not alone.”

The other angels watched in stunned silence as Charlie’s presence seemed to calm Lucifer in a way none of them could.

“You don’t have to do this alone,” Charlie whispered, her forehead pressing against his. “We’ll get through this together. I promise.”

Lucifer’s breathing steadied, the tension in his body easing as Charlie’s words wrapped around him like a lifeline.

Michael exchanged a glance with Raphael, his expression unreadable. Ariel folded her arms tightly, relief and guilt warring in her gaze.

Gabriel sighed, running a hand through his hair. “We’re out of our depth here,” he admitted.

“Clearly,” Zadkiel said softly, her silver eyes on Charlie. “But she isn’t.”

---

Lucifer’s breathing steadied, his trembling easing as Charlie’s words wrapped around him like a lifeline. His crimson eyes, still glistening with tears, fixed on her face. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, there was a flicker of recognition, a fragile thread pulling him back from the abyss.

“Charlie…” he whispered again, his voice barely audible, laced with exhaustion and relief.

“I’m here, Dad,” she murmured, her thumbs brushing away the streaks of blood and tears on his cheeks. “You’re safe now. You’re not alone.”

The garden seemed to hold its breath, the celestial light softening as if in response to the calm settling over Lucifer.

Behind them, the angels watched in stunned silence, still feeling the tension in their postures. Gabriel shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Michael, whose stern expression betrayed a glimmer of something softer—regret, perhaps, or understanding.

Lucifer’s eyes fluttered closed, his body finally succumbing to the exhaustion that wracked him. Charlie caught him as he slumped forward, holding him against her shoulder. 

As Lucifer slipped into unconsciousness, the tension in the air eased.The angels exchanged glances, unspoken understanding passing between them.

Chapter Text

The Infirmary

Lucifer stirred, the weight of fatigue and pain dragging him back into consciousness. His mind was foggy, memories a blur of light, voices, and Charlie's comforting presence. Slowly, he opened his eyes, the soft, golden glow of the infirmary's ethereal light stinging his vision.

The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of celestial energy that suffused Heaven's every corner. He recognized the infirmary—its pristine white walls adorned with faint golden sigils that pulsed gently, radiating healing energy. The windows were open, allowing a cool breeze to carry the soothing scent of lilies.

As he laid there, he was reminded of the many times this happened, during those 7 years after his beloved left, he would get into these panic attacks frequently, and without his wife to comfort him or take care of him, he would lay on the floor for hours until one of his servants found him. 

He would wake up to him being on the bed, his scar ridden hands would be bandaged up, and his pride shattered, he would feel humiliated because of what happened, and how his servants had to take care of him, the KING. As he moved his head slightly to the left he saw his daughter who was asleep. 

As he moved slightly, a sharp ache shot through his shoulders, his wings feeling leaden and fragile against the soft bedding. That action alone woke Charlie up very quickly, as though she never was asleep. 

“You’re awake.”

Charlie’s voice broke through the haze, soft but brimming with relief. She sat in a chair beside his bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her blonde hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and her eyes were red-rimmed, as though she’d been crying.

Lucifer turned his head to face her, his crimson eyes dull but focused. “Charlie…” he rasped, his voice hoarse.

She was on her feet in an instant, grabbing a glass of water from the bedside table. She held it to his lips. “Drink,” she instructed gently. “Slowly.”

He obeyed, the cool water soothing his parched throat. When he had enough, she set the glass down and sank back into her chair, her fingers fidgeting.

“You scared me,” she said, her voice trembling. “I didn’t know if… I didn’t know if you’d come back from that.”

Lucifer closed his eyes, shame washing over him in waves. The memories of his breakdown were fragmented but vivid enough to bring a fresh sting of guilt. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“Don’t.” Her voice was firm, yet there was a crack of emotion beneath it. “Don’t apologize. I should have seen it, Dad. I should have done something sooner.”

Lucifer’s eyes fluttered open, locking onto hers. “You’ve already done too much,” he said, his voice weak but edged with sorrow. “This burden… It's mine. Always has been.”

Charlie shook her head vehemently, leaning closer. “That’s not how this works. I don’t care if you think it’s yours alone—I’m not letting you carry it by yourself anymore. You’re my dad. I’m not going to lose you.”

He opened his mouth to argue, but no words came. Instead, his gaze dropped to his hands, which were wrapped in soft, glowing bandages. The scars beneath them ached, an ache that he has become greatly familiar with over the years, a grim reminder of his internal chaos.

“I’m broken, Charlie,” he murmured. “I don’t know how to be anything else.”

Charlie’s expression softened, and she reached out, taking his hand in hers. Her grip was warm, grounding. “Then let me help you pick up the pieces,” she said, her voice steady with determination. “You don’t have to do it alone anymore.”

Lucifer didn’t respond immediately, but her words lingered in the silence, wrapping around him like a fragile lifeline.

---

The Hallway Outside

Gabriel leaned against the wall, his arms crossed as he stared at the infirmary door. The quiet hum of celestial energy filled the corridor, but none of the angels spoke. Michael stood beside him, his golden eyes fixed on the floor, while Ariel paced nervously, her wings twitching.

“Do you think he’s okay?” Ariel finally asked, breaking the silence.

Michael sighed, his jaw tight. “I don’t know,” he admitted.

Gabriel snapped, his green eyes flashing with frustration. “Of course you don't know, none of us know. We didn’t just ignore it. We let him drown. We focused on what he did—his fall—so much that we forgot he was still one of us.”

Michael’s jaw tightened, his voice sharp. “You think I don’t regret it? That I haven’t thought about it every single day?” his wings flexing as he took a deep breath “We all made mistakes.”

“Some more than others,” Gabriel muttered under his breath, earning a sharp glare from Michael.

“Enough,” Ariel interjected, her silver eyes narrowing. “This isn’t helping. We need to focus on what we can do for him now.”

Gabriel pushed off the wall, his frustration simmering. “And what is that, Ariel? He barely listens to us. He doesn’t trust us anymore- ”

Soft footsteps approached them, the light green eyes that belonged to Zadkiel looked at them. “I just told our other siblings about what happened.” said the short angel, her pristine white skin covered with freckles shined. “I think they're on their way here. ”

Michael exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. "The last thing we need is everyone piling on him while he's in this state. The infirmary isn't a spectacle."

Gabriel scoffed, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Oh, because Heaven's collective pity will definitely heal centuries of damage."

Ariel shot him a warning look, her voice low but firm. "Enough, Gabriel. This isn't about you or your anger. It's about him."

Before Gabriel could respond, the sound of approaching wings filled the hallway. Zadkiel turned, her gaze softening as more angels arrived. Among them were Azrael, his dark hair glinting faintly, and Jophiel, whose expression bore a mixture of worry and resolve.

Azrael spoke first, his deep voice calm yet tinged with concern. "How is he?"

Ariel stepped forward. "Charlie's with him. He's awake, but... he’s fragile. This isn't just physical. It's—"

"—everything," Jophiel finished, her voice somber. "It always has been."

Gabriel crossed his arms, his green eyes narrowing. "And now you all care? Where was this compassion when he was falling apart? When he was clawing at the edges of his sanity?"

Jophiel's gaze didn’t waver. "Stop acting as though this is our fault, Gabriel."

---

Inside the Infirmary

Lucifer’s eyes opened as the infirmary door creaked. He recognized the familiar footsteps even before the figures appeared—Gabriel, Michael, and Ariel, with the rest of their siblings hovering in the hallway.

“Are you all here to gawk at the wreck?” Lucifer rasped, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Michael shot him a warning glance before addressing Lucifer directly. “You scared us, Samuel.”

The use of his true name made Lucifer flinch. "If you were that scared, you can at least use my new name." He said defensively. 

Michael hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line. He glanced back at the others, then returned his gaze to Lucifer. “Lucifer,” he said softly, correcting himself. “We’re not here to gawk. We’re here because we care. Whether you believe that or not doesn’t change it.”

Lucifer’s crimson eyes narrowed, flickering between his siblings. “Care? Is that what this is? Spare me the theatrics. You’ve all made it abundantly clear where you stand.”

Gabriel stepped forward, his frustration bubbling over. “You think this is easy for us? Watching you—our brother—tear yourself apart and not knowing how to fix it? We’ve made mistakes, yes, but don’t you dare accuse us of not caring.”

Lucifer scoffed, his voice dripping with bitterness. “Mistakes? That’s a pretty word for centuries of indifference.”

“Stop it,” Charlie’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. She stood beside Lucifer’s bed. Her eyes burned with a mix of anger and desperation.

A new voice spoke, calm yet commanding. “Enough.”

The sound froze everyone in place. Lucifer felt his stomach drop as a figure materialized before him. It was Him—

his Father. 

Chapter Text

The room fell into an oppressive silence as He appeared, the one who disappeared 10,000 years ago. The air seemed to shimmer with His presence, a brilliance that outshone even the golden light of the infirmary. His form was neither overwhelming nor diminutive—it simply was, radiating power and authority, yet tempered with a profound sadness.

Lucifer’s breath caught in his throat. His body tensed, the instinctual fight-or-flight response battling against the deep, ingrained reverence he thought he’d long discarded. He clenched his fists, wincing as his scarred hands throbbed beneath the glowing bandages.

“Father,” Lucifer said, his voice low and laced with defiance. The word felt foreign on his tongue, bitter and sharp.

God’s gaze, deep and endless, settled on His fallen son. There was no anger there, no judgment, only an infinite sorrow that seemed to pierce through Lucifer’s defenses. “Lucifer,” He said, His voice a blend of gentle authority and a weight that carried the history of creation. “My Morningstar, my Lightbringer.”

“Don’t,” Lucifer snapped, his voice cracking. “Don’t call me that. Not after everything.”

Charlie instinctively moved closer to her father, her hand brushing his arm in silent support. Her eyes darted between Lucifer and the being before them, her heart pounding in her chest. This was the first time she laid her eyes upon him. The sheer magnitude of His presence was almost too much to bear.

God’s gaze softened as it shifted briefly to Charlie. “You’ve done well, my dear. Your love and courage have brought light into dark places. Thank you.”

Charlie swallowed hard, unsure how to respond, and simply nodded.

Lucifer let out a bitter laugh, his crimson eyes blazing with defiance. “Is that why You’re here? To commend her? To play the benevolent Father? Spare me the performance.”

Michael flinched, but God raised a hand, silencing any attempt at interjection. His attention remained solely on Lucifer. “I am here because you are hurting. Because you are My son, that I have failed.”

Lucifer froze, the weight of those words hitting him like a physical blow. For centuries, he had imagined this moment—a confrontation, a reckoning—but never had he expected this. “Failed me?” he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper and his skin became itchy.

“Yes,” God said simply. “I never gave you the chance to be free, I never allowed you to speak your mind and tell us your ideas, I forbade you from creation, which was your purpose. I watched as you struggled, as you fell, and I convinced Myself that what I did was for the best.”

Lucifer’s jaw clenched, his wings twitching involuntarily. “And what? You’re here to make amends? To wipe the slate clean? It’s too late for that.”

God stepped closer, His presence filling the space around them. “I do not seek to erase what has been, nor to diminish the pain you have endured. I seek only to help you heal, if you will let Me.”

The words struck a chord deep within Lucifer, a part of him he had buried beneath centuries of anger and resentment. He turned his head away, his voice trembling. “You don’t understand. I can’t—won’t—be the son You wanted me to be. That part of me is gone.”

God’s expression didn’t falter. “I do not want you to be anything other than who you are, Lucifer. Your scars, your pain, your triumphs—they are all part of you. And you are still worthy of love.”

Tears burned at the corners of Lucifer’s eyes, but he refused to let them fall. “I don’t know how to believe that,” he admitted, his voice barely audible.

Lucifer’s gaze flicked to his daughter, then back to God. The room felt impossibly small, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He wanted to lash out, to scream, to retreat into the safety of his home. 

“I don’t know if I can forgive You,” Lucifer said finally, his voice raw. "I came here only for the court hearing, I don't want this to become a family reunion."

The room seemed to pulse with the weight of the tension, the celestial energy thickening as Lucifer’s words hung in the air. God’s expression didn’t change, but something in His presence shifted—a subtle sadness that seemed to seep into every corner of the infirmary.

“This is not a reunion,” God said, His voice steady but laced with sorrow. “This is a reckoning. A moment long overdue. You came for judgment, but what you truly need is healing.”

Lucifer’s wings flared slightly, the jagged edges of his feathers trembling as his anger began to bubble to the surface. “Healing?” he spat, his crimson eyes blazing like embers. “Do You think a few kind words and Your holy light can patch centuries of abandonment? Do You think showing up now erases the agony I endured? The only reason I am here is for my daughter's sake because I love her, something you never did.”

Michael shifted uncomfortably, his golden eyes darting to the floor as guilt clawed at him. Gabriel crossed his arms tightly, his jaw clenched, while Ariel stood frozen, her silver eyes flickering with unease. Charlie’s grip on Lucifer’s arm tightened, her own emotions warring between fear and frustration.

God remained still, His gaze unwavering. “No,” He said quietly. “I do not believe My presence can undo the pain I caused. But I will not abandon you ever again. ”

Lucifer’s laugh was bitter, sharp. “Abandon me again? You say that as if you ever truly cared about me. I was considered your 'favorite' child. ” he said doing while doing air quotes with his hands “until I dared to think for myself for ONCE, and you decided to burn down my workshop.” he said his demonic features started to show. 

“And when I fell, you turned your back on me. You call that love?” Lucifer's eyes glowed red as he spat out his words. 

--------

The room’s tension crackled like a live wire, each celestial being a storm barely contained. Ariel stepped forward, her silver eyes shimmering with unshed tears, her light brown hair falling in waves around her tense shoulders. “Lucifer,” she began, her voice soft but firm, “I… I wanted to speak with you, but you never let me. I didn’t agree with what Father did to you—none of us did. But you closed yourself off from us.”

Lucifer’s gaze snapped to her, his expression a volatile mix of rage and pain. “Closed myself off? Is that what you tell yourself to sleep at night? You stood by and watched, Ariel. You all did! Not one of you stood up for me when I needed you.”

Camael, fiery red hair blazing like a halo, clenched her fists. Her green eyes were fierce as they locked onto her brother. “Do you think it was easy for us? We were children! What could we have done against Him? Against His will? You think you were the only one who suffered?”

“Oh, don’t start,” Lucifer sneered, his wings flaring again. “You were His perfect soldiers, His lapdogs. You obeyed without question. Don’t you dare compare your so-called suffering to mine.”

Azrael, standing in the shadows with his black eyes gleaming like obsidian, finally spoke, his deep voice like the rumble of distant thunder. “We all suffered, brother. In different ways, perhaps, but the weight of your fall wasn’t just yours to bear.” His deep blue hair framed his face as he stepped forward, his tone dark but calm. “And while I agree Father was wrong, you weren’t exactly blameless.”

Lucifer’s laughter was sharp and venomous. “Blameless? So, we’re back to blaming me now, are we? Typical. You always did like to play devil’s advocate.”

Uriel, regal with his royal purple hair and golden eyes, frowned, his voice cutting through the rising chaos like a blade. “Enough! This is not a trial against Lucifer’s choices or ours. Father has returned for a reason. Perhaps we should listen before we tear each other apart.”

Zadkiel's eyes shimmered with tears, looked between her siblings, her hair catching the light of the infirmary. “I don’t want us to fight. I don’t want this to keep tearing us apart. Lucifer…” She hesitated, her voice breaking. “I missed you. I still miss you.”

Lucifer’s resolve wavered for the briefest moment, but he quickly masked it with a glare. “Don’t,” he said, his voice sharp. “Don’t pretend you care now, Where was this ‘love’ when me and my wife were left all alone in a wasteland while being injured, huh? You think all of your words mean anything now?”

Jophiel stepped forward, her eyes burning with restrained fury. “And what about us, Lucifer? Do you think it didn’t break us to lose you? To see you torn from Heaven? You think we haven’t carried guilt every single day since?”

Raphael, ever the peacemaker, raised his hands, his baby blue eyes pleading. “Can’t we stop this? This isn’t helping anyone! We’ve all made mistakes. We’ve all been hurt. But standing here, screaming at each other, won’t fix anything.”

The air felt heavy with unsaid words, and Lucifer’s anger faltered, replaced by an ache he couldn’t suppress. His crimson eyes darted between his siblings, each one a mirror of anguish, regret, and longing.

 “You claim none of us cared. But have you ever stopped to consider how your actions hurt us too? You left, Lucifer. You left, and we lost our brother. We all lost something.” said Gabriel, who had been silent until now, crossed his arms and fixed Lucifer with a penetrating stare.

“Enough,” God’s voice rang out, cutting through the cacophony. It wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable authority that silenced them all. His gaze swept across the room, resting on each of His children before settling on Lucifer.

“I did not return to see you destroy what remains of your bond,” He said, His voice laced with sadness. “I returned because I cannot bear to see you all hurting. Lucifer, your anger is justified. Your pain is real. And your siblings, though flawed, have always loved you in their own ways.”

Lucifer’s chest heaved with unspoken words, his rage and sorrow warring within him. Finally, he turned to Charlie, who stood frozen, her wide eyes taking in the celestial drama around her. Her hand reached for his, and for a moment, the touch grounded him.

“I don’t know how to move forward,” Lucifer said, his voice raw. “I don’t know how to forgive any of you.”

God stepped closer, His presence warm and steady. “Then don’t. Not yet. Simply allow yourself to feel, to grieve, and to begin again—one step at a time. Healing is not about erasing the past. It is about finding a way to live with it.”

Lucifer’s gaze hardened as he looked at God, the weight of centuries pressing down on his shoulders. “Healing? Forgiveness? Those are luxuries I don’t have the time or patience for. I came here for one reason: to ensure Charlie is safe. Beyond that, I want nothing to do with You.”

“Lucifer—” Ariel started, stepping forward, but he raised a hand, silencing her.

“No.” His voice echoed with finality. “I’ve heard enough from all of you. You all claim to care, but where were you when I was cast down? When everything I created, everything I loved, was turned to ash? Don’t pretend to understand my pain.”

Michael’s fists clenched at his sides, golden light flickering around him. “And what of our pain, brother? You think we weren’t broken by what happened? You think your fall didn’t scare us too?”

“Spare me your self-pity,” Lucifer snapped, crimson eyes blazing. “You all had each other. I had nothing but my own damnation.”

“Lucifer,” God said gently, stepping closer, “your pain is not a contest. It is a wound that festers. But wounds can heal if you let them.”

“Stop it!” Lucifer roared, his wings snapping open as the room shook with his fury. “Stop acting like you care! If you cared, you wouldn’t have banished me. You wouldn’t have destroyed everything I was!”

The room fell silent, the only sound the ragged breaths of the fallen Morningstar. Charlie’s grip on his arm tightened, her voice trembling. “Dad… please.”

Lucifer froze, his anger faltering as he glanced at his daughter. Her tear-streaked face mirrored the ache in his own heart, and for a brief moment, the room felt unbearably small.

Lucifer stared into Charlie’s tearful eyes, the rage in his chest faltering under the weight of her silent plea. His wings, which had flared in defiance moments ago, slowly folded back against him. The room remained tense, each celestial being holding their breath as though the slightest movement might shatter the fragile silence.

His voice, when he finally spoke, was low and cracked with exhaustion. “You’re the only reason I’m still here, Charlie. The only light left in all this darkness.”

Charlie’s grip on his arm tightened, her voice a whisper. “Then let me be enough, Dad. Let me help you heal.”

Lucifer turned his gaze back to God, his expression a mix of bitterness and anguish. “You talk of healing, of moving forward. But what if I don’t want it? What if the only thing keeping me going is the fire that burns from everything You destroyed?”

God stepped closer, His voice soft but unwavering. “That fire may sustain you, but it will never bring you peace. I cannot undo the past, Lucifer, but I can offer you a future.”

Lucifer laughed bitterly, shaking his head. “A future? With You? With them?” He gestured at his siblings, his crimson eyes locking briefly with each of theirs. “You expect me to believe in the same family that turned their backs on me?”

Zadkiel stepped forward, her light green eyes glistening. “We made mistakes, Lucifer. But we never stopped loving you. And we never stopped wishing things could be different.”

Lucifer clenched his jaw, his gaze darting between her and the others. His anger flared again, but this time it was tempered with something deeper—an ache that he had buried for millennia. “I don’t know if I can believe that,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Please leave me alone just for today, ” says Lucifer looking over at his siblings and father, his face drowned with exhaustion “after the whole trial thing we'll talk.”

Chapter Text

The celestial beings in the room exchanged uncertain glances, their expressions a mixture of worry and hesitation. God inclined His head slightly, His gaze softening as He regarded Lucifer.

“As you wish,” He said simply. “We will leave you to your thoughts, my son.” He turned to the others, His voice carrying a quiet but firm authority. “Come.”

The angels hesitated, each reluctant in their own way, but one by one, they began to follow their Father out of the infirmary. Ariel lingered for a moment longer than the rest, her silver eyes fixed on Lucifer. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but when his piercing crimson gaze met hers, she closed it and nodded, disappearing through the doorway.

The room was finally silent, save for the faint hum of celestial energy dissipating. Lucifer closed his eyes, his body sagging under the weight of the encounter. His wings drooped slightly, jagged feathers brushing the floor.

Charlie stayed by his side, her hand still gripping his arm. Her voice was quiet, almost hesitant. “Dad, are you okay?”

Lucifer let out a dry, humorless laugh. “No, Charlie, I’m not. But I suppose that’s not exactly new, is it?”

She frowned, her heart aching at the raw vulnerability in his voice. “You don’t have to do this alone,” she said softly. “I’m here. I always will be.”

He turned to look at her, his crimson eyes shimmering with an emotion he couldn’t name. “I know,” he said, his voice rough. “And you have no idea how much that means to me.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension in the air slowly giving way to something quieter, heavier. Then Lucifer let out a slow, shuddering breath and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “You should get some rest. This trial is going to be exhausting enough without you wearing yourself out.”

Charlie hesitated, but she nodded. “Okay. But… promise me you’ll be okay, Dad. At least try.”

Lucifer gave her a faint, weary smile. “I’ll try, kiddo. That’s all I can do.”

She gave his arm a final squeeze before stepping back. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, her eyes filled with concern, before she reluctantly left the room.

As the door closed behind her, the silence pressed down on Lucifer like a physical weight. He sank onto the edge of the infirmary bed, his wings folding around him like a protective cocoon. His mind raced, replaying the confrontation over and over, the words, the looks, the emotions.

The anger was still there, simmering beneath the surface, but it was joined by something else—something he couldn’t quite name. Was it guilt? Regret? Or maybe just the echo of a pain he’d carried for far too long.

He stared at his scarred hands, the glowing bandages a stark reminder of the battles he’d fought, both external and internal. He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening.

“They all think it’s so easy,” he muttered to himself. “As if a few apologies and grand speeches can erase millennia of pain.”

But even as he said it, he couldn’t ignore the flicker of doubt in his heart. The memory of Zadkiel’s tearful gaze, Ariel’s hesitant steps, and even Michael’s frustration—it all chipped away at the walls he’d so carefully built around himself.

Lucifer leaned back, his wings shifting slightly as he stared at the ceiling. “One day at a time,” he whispered to himself. “That’s all I can do.”

For the first time in centuries, he allowed himself a moment of vulnerability. He closed his eyes and let the tears come, silent and unbidden, as the weight of the past finally began to press its way to the surface.

He didn’t know what the future held or if reconciliation was even possible. But for now, he allowed himself to grieve—for what was, for what could have been, and for the long road ahead.

-------

Lucifer’s exhausted mind surrendered to sleep, and he found himself pulled into a dream—a memory from an age long past, when he and his siblings were young and unburdened by the weight of eternity. Heaven was different then, filled with laughter, curiosity, and the boundless energy of celestial children exploring their new existence.

He stood in a golden meadow, the sky above painted with soft pinks and oranges. Around him, the sounds of innocent laughter echoed. His siblings, still young and brimming with wonder, were scattered across the field, their faces alight with joy.

Uriel, the eldest, looked so much smaller than Lucifer remembered. His royal purple hair fell in soft waves around his cherubic face, and his golden eyes were wide with focus as he read from a glowing scroll. Ariel sat beside him, her silver eyes sparkling with curiosity. Her light brown hair was tied in two uneven braids, and she kept interrupting him with questions, her high-pitched giggles making Uriel groan in mock frustration.

Further down the meadow, Camael and Azrael were chasing each other. Camael’s fiery red hair gleamed under the sunlight as she darted around, her green eyes mischievous. “You’ll never catch me, Az!” she called, sticking out her tongue. Azrael, his deep blue hair disheveled and his black eyes alight with determination, pouted. “Just wait, Cami! I’ll get you!”

Gabriel and Raphael were crouched by a crystal-clear stream, their faces bright with excitement. Gabriel, his eyes wide with wonder, had just caught a tiny celestial fish in his cupped hands. “Look, Raph! It’s glowing!” he exclaimed. Raphael leaned closer, his eyes filled with awe. “Don’t scare it, Gabe!” he whispered, as if afraid the tiny creature might vanish.

Jophiel and Zadkiel were sprawled out in the grass nearby, working on a flower crown. Jophiel’s golden hair glinted in the light as she threaded blossoms together, her pink eyes narrowed in concentration. “Zad, you’re putting them in the wrong order!” she huffed, pointing at the uneven circle her younger sister had made. Zadkiel giggled, her light green eyes crinkling with amusement as she held up her messy creation. “But I like it this way!”

Michael, who was only a few minutes older than Lucifer, stood at the edge of the group, his golden hair tousled and his golden eyes scanning the field like a little guardian. Spotting Lucifer, he waved enthusiastically. “Sammy! Come play with us!”

Lucifer, still lost in the dream, felt himself smile—a small, carefree smile he hadn’t worn in eons. In this moment, he wasn’t the Morningstar, the fallen one, or the bitter, scarred being he had become. He was just a child, surrounded by his siblings, their laughter and love filling the air.

“You’re it!” Michael shouted, tapping Lucifer on the shoulder before darting off. The other children screamed in delight, scattering as Lucifer gave chase.

“I’m going to get you, Michael!” Lucifer called, his golden hair streaming behind him as he ran.

“No, you won’t!” Michael laughed, dodging behind Uriel, who protested loudly as he dropped his scroll.

The game spilled across the meadow, the children’s laughter ringing out like music. Even Ariel, who had been content to watch, joined in, her braids flying as she tried to outrun Camael.

For what felt like hours, the world was nothing but joy and light. Lucifer caught glimpses of his siblings’ shining faces, their innocence unbroken, their bond unshaken.

But slowly, the dream began to change. The golden light dimmed, the laughter faded, and the meadow grew cold. The children around him began to blur, their voices distant and muffled. Lucifer reached out, trying to hold onto the memory, but it slipped through his fingers like sand.

“No,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “Don’t go.”

The meadow vanished, leaving him alone in the dark. Lucifer woke with a start, his crimson eyes staring at the ceiling of the infirmary. His chest ached with the weight of what he had lost, the innocence he could never reclaim.

For a brief moment, he allowed himself to grieve, to remember the children they had once been. Then, as the silence of reality settled around him, he pushed the dream away, locking it deep within his heart.

-----

Lucifer sat up slowly, running a hand through his hair as he tried to steady his breathing, his eyes full of tears. The infirmary was quiet, the soft glow of its golden light casting shadows across the room. His heart still ached from the vivid memory, the echo of his siblings’ laughter lingering in his mind like a phantom.

The weight of the dream pressed down on him. It wasn’t just the joy of the memory that haunted him—it was the stark contrast to everything that had come after. The betrayal, the fall, the centuries of pain and loneliness. He had been a child once, surrounded by love, by family. How had it all gone so wrong?

He leaned back against the infirmary wall, closing his eyes briefly as he tried to push the memories away. But they wouldn’t leave him. Instead, they mingled with his waking thoughts, stirring up questions he had long buried.

The sound of soft footsteps broke through his reverie. Lucifer opened his eyes to see Zadkiel standing hesitantly in the doorway. Her eyes flickered with uncertainty, and her hair framed her face as she fidgeted with the hem of her tunic.

“Lucifer,” she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I… I saw you wake up. I wanted to check on you.”

He frowned, unsure how to respond. Part of him wanted to lash out, to tell her to leave him alone. But another part, the part still clinging to the remnants of the dream, couldn’t bring himself to push her away.

“I’m fine,” he said gruffly, his tone guarded. “Go back to the others.”

Zadkiel hesitated, her eyes searching his face. “You don’t have to do this alone, you know,” she said softly. “We’re still your family, no matter what’s happened.”

Lucifer’s jaw tightened, his crimson eyes hardening. “Family,” he repeated bitterly. “Funny how that word gets thrown around now, after everything.”

Zadkiel flinched but didn’t back away. “I know we failed you,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “I know we can’t change the past. But I miss you, Lucifer. We all do.”

“Don’t,” he snapped, his wings twitching with agitation. “Don’t act like you care now. Where were you when I fell? When I needed someone—anyone—to stand by me?”

Tears welled up in Zadkiel’s eyes, but she didn’t look away. “I was scared,” she whispered. “We all were. But that doesn’t mean we didn’t love you.”

Lucifer let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “Love? You think love excuses centuries of silence? Of abandonment?”

“No,” she said, her voice firm despite her tears. “It doesn’t. But it’s all I have to offer you now. My love, my regret, my hope that maybe—just maybe—we can find a way to heal.”

For a moment, the room was silent, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Lucifer’s gaze softened, just slightly, as he looked at her. He could see the pain in her eyes, the sincerity in her trembling voice. It reminded him of the dream of the little girl she was, weaving flower crowns in the golden meadow.

“Go,” he said finally, his voice low. “I need time.”

Zadkiel nodded, her tears slipping silently down her cheeks. “I’ll be here when you’re ready,” she said, her voice breaking. Then she turned and left, her footsteps echoing softly in the hall.

Lucifer leaned back against the wall, staring up at the ceiling. The memory of the dream lingered, refusing to fade. He didn’t know if he could ever forgive his siblings, or if the wounds of the past could truly heal.

-----

As Lucifer and Charlie walked into the courtroom, they were shocked to say the least for Their eyes were laid upon Lute the second in command to the Exorcist army and next to her was Sera the high seraphim

Lucifer froze in his place, he didn't expect to see Sera "Uhh.... What's going on over here" he said while slightly fidgeting with his hands, he tried as best as he could to avoid scratching his scars. 

Not many know this but Sera was the caregiver of Lucifer and his other siblings except for Uriel and Ariel since they were old enough when Sera was created

Even as Lucifer grew up that didn't stop her from being overbearing, him and Michael are the same age but since he was smaller in size that made him more prone to get babied by everyone, especially by Sera

Lute glanced at Sera, raising an eyebrow as if asking permission to speak. Sera, tall and regal with an aura of calm authority, stepped forward. Her golden robes shimmered faintly under the courtroom’s ethereal light, and her silver-white wings folded neatly behind her.

"Samuel," Sera said softly, her voice warm and maternal. "It’s been a long time."

Lucifer shifted uncomfortably, his eyes narrowing as he tried to mask the swirl of emotions surging through him. "Not long enough," he muttered under his breath.

Sera’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "You’ve always been stubborn," she said. "But I’m not here to lecture you. Not today."

Lucifer flinched back a little, he looked up at the elevated thrones where his siblings sat, he gave a questioning look at them, especially at Michael 

Michael looked back at him, his face was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his golden eyes—guilt, perhaps, or an unspoken warning

"During our investigation it appeared to us that Sera and Adam were in cahoots about the extermination, and that it was their idea in the first place. " Said Urial as calmest as he can be

Charlie looked at her uncles and aunts, her voice trembling with disbelief. “Wait—you’re telling me none of you knew who was really behind the extermination?”

A heavy silence fell over the courtroom. The celestial siblings exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions shifting from confusion to shock. Ariel’s silver eyes widened, while Camael’s fists clenched at her sides, her fiery hair seeming to glow brighter with her rising anger. Even Azrael, usually stoic, furrowed his brow in deep thought.

Michael’s jaw tightened, his golden eyes locking onto Uriel. “Is this true, Uriel?” His voice was steady, but there was a hard edge to it, his calm barely concealing the storm brewing beneath.

Uriel nodded slowly, his royal purple hair casting a shadow over his face. “We didn’t know… not until recently. Sera and Adam kept it hidden from all of us. Their actions were carefully veiled as divine will—something we never questioned at the time.”

Camael stepped forward, her green eyes blazing. “You’re telling me they orchestrated the extermination and deceived us?” She turned to Sera, her voice trembling with rage. “Why? Why would you do this?”

Sera stood tall, her expression serene despite the accusations swirling around her. “I did what I believed was necessary,” she said calmly, her eyes fixed on Lucifer. “The balance was shifting, and measures had to be taken to preserve creation. You may not agree with my methods, but I acted with the greater good in mind.”

“The greater good?” Zadkiel whispered, tears welling in her eyes. “Because of you thousands of souls have been shattered and lost. How could that ever be justified?”

Charlie’s fists tightened, her voice rising with barely restrained fury, her demonic features showings. “You destroyed the chance for those poor sinners to ever be redeemed!!! And you still stand there acting like you did us all a favor?”

Lucifer stood in stunned silence, his crimson eyes fixed on Sera. His scars seemed to throb with the weight of old wounds reopening. He already knew that Sera was behind the extermination but the fact she hid it from his siblings hurt.

He scoffed, his voice low and dangerous, cutting through the tension like a blade “i wouldn't expect less from you.”

Sera met his gaze steadily, her calm façade unwavering. “I protected Heaven,” she said. “Even if it meant making hard decisions.”

Michael stepped down from his place, his golden eyes filled with simmering anger. “We trusted you, Sera. We believed in you. And you took advantage of that trust.”

“Enough!” Uriel’s voice echoed through the courtroom, silencing the rising storm. His golden eyes burned with righteous fury. 

A golden light appeared on the empty throne in the middle. "Now now dear children, we will find the truth in the end. So why don't we start with the court procedures." Said god with his calm yet authoritative voice. 

The courtroom crackled with celestial energy, the tension thick enough to choke. This was no longer just a trial—it was the beginning of something far greater. Something that would shake the very foundations of Heaven itself.

Chapter Text

The courtroom fell into an eerie silence as God’s presence filled the chamber, His golden light washing over every corner of the vast hall. His calm yet commanding voice hung in the air like a divine decree, sending a ripple of energy through all present.

Lucifer clenched his fists, the familiar burn of celestial energy thrumming beneath his skin. His crimson eyes met God’s, searching for answers—or perhaps something deeper. Despite all the time that had passed, standing in His presence still stirred something ancient and raw in Lucifer’s heart.

“Proceed,” God said, gesturing toward Uriel. “Present the full account of what you’ve uncovered.”

Uriel nodded solemnly, stepping forward. His royal purple hair caught the light as he unrolled a glowing scroll. His eyes scanned the gathered host before settling on Sera. “Our investigation began when unusual discrepancies were found in the records of the souls. Every order traced back to a singular source—Sera and Adam.” He paused, his voice hardening. “They orchestrated the purges in secret, using their positions to manipulate Heaven’s laws to serve their own agenda.”

Gasps echoed through the room. Gabriel placed a protective hand on Raphael’s shoulder, his forest-green eyes flickering with a mix of anger and disbelief. Ariel’s hands trembled at her sides, her silver eyes brimming with unshed tears.

Lute, standing beside Sera.“Oh PLEASE ,they deserve what happened to them Those sinners had what's coming to them and—”

“Deserved?!” Camael’s fiery red hair seemed to blaze with her rising temper. “You speak of "punishment for their actions" while hiding behind lies and deceit?”

Lucifer chuckled darkly. “Careful, Camael. They’ll tell you it was all for the greater good next.”

“Enough,” God interjected, His voice gentle yet firm. The tension crackled again, instantly silencing the argument. He turned to Sera, His eyes filled with infinite wisdom and sadness. “Sera, you’ve always been one of my most faithful. Tell me—was this truly necessary, or did fear drive your choices?”

Sera’s gaze remained steady. “I did what was necessary. The overpopulation of sinners in hell is concerning, the fact that they might cause an uproar is still present.”

“But at what cost?” Zadkiel whispered, stepping forward. Her voice cracked with emotion. “How many souls have vanished? never to be seen again because of your actions.”

Sera’s expression faltered for the first time. She looked away, as if the weight of the question had finally reached her.

Lucifer stepped closer, his wings spreading slightly, casting shadows across the golden floor. His crimson eyes glowed with unrelenting intensity. “Tell me, Sera—if you believed you were saving Heaven, why did you hide it? Why deceive us? Why not bring the truth to light?”

Sera hesitated, her calm façade finally breaking. “It was part of the deal,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “It was the right thing to do.”

Michael took a slow step forward, his golden eyes burning with restrained fury. “A deal?” His voice was quiet, but there was a dangerous edge beneath it. “With whom?”

The courtroom remained deathly silent, but the weight of Sera’s words clung to the air like a storm on the horizon.

Lucifer’s expression darkened, his demonic features slowly showing, unease settled in his bones. He stepped forward, his crimson eyes locked onto Sera’s. “Who did you strike the deal with?" he commanded, his voice dangerously low.

Sera hesitated, her silver eyes flickering with doubt. Then, with a deep breath, she spoke the words that would shake the heavens.

--------------

The courtroom remained deathly silent, but the weight of Sera’s words clung to the air like a storm on the horizon.

Lucifer’s expression darkened, his wings twitching, eyes locked onto Sera’s. “Say it again,” he commanded, his voice dangerously low.

Sera hesitated, her silver eyes flickering with doubt. Then, with a deep breath, she spoke the words that would shake the heavens.

“The deal was made with Lilith.”

The chamber erupted.

Camael’s fire blazed. “Lilith?!” she snarled. “You conspired with her?”

Gabriel’s face twisted in shock, his grip on Raphael’s shoulder tightening. “Sera, do you even understand what you’ve done?”

Ariel took a step back, as if the name alone had burned her. Zadkiel covered her mouth, horror written across her face.

But Lucifer… Lucifer didn’t move.

He stood perfectly still, his breath slow and measured. The flickering golden light of the chamber cast shadows across his face, but his expression was unreadable. Only his eyes burned.

“Sera,” he finally said, his voice eerily calm. “Explain.”

Sera swallowed, her hands trembling at her sides. “She… she came to me with an offer.” Her voice was tight, laced with something close to regret. “She knew about the unrest in Hell. The growing number of souls, the danger of an uprising. She said she had a solution.”

Lucifer’s jaw clenched. “And what, exactly, did my wife offer you?”

Sera hesitated.

Michael stepped forward, his golden eyes like twin suns. “Tell us everything, Sera. Now.”

___________

*Back at the hotel*

The portal had long since closed, but the tension in the air remained.

Vaggie paced near the front desk, her grip tight around her spear. “I knew this was going to be a mess,” she muttered under her breath. “I knew the moment Heaven got involved, things would spiral.”

Angel Dust lay across the couch, lazily kicking his legs in the air. “C’mon, babe, you’re actin’ like Charlie’s never done anything crazy before.” He twirled a lock of his fur around one finger. “I mean, yeah, this is big, but let’s be real—when isn’t it?”

“This isn’t just ‘big,’ Angel,” Vaggie snapped, her eyes sharp. “She left with Lucifer. Into Heaven. Do you know how insane that is?”

Angel shrugged. “Kinda hot, honestly. The rebellious princess, stormin’ into Daddy’s kingdom—real power move.”

Vaggie groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You are impossible.”

Husk poured himself another drink, watching the exchange with mild disinterest. “Tch. Ain’t our problem, anyway.”

Vaggie shot him a glare. “Charlie is our problem.”

Husk grunted but didn’t argue.

Niffty zipped in, her usual hyper energy barely masking the nervous twitch in her movements. “Sooooo what do we do? We should do something, right? Maybe prepare for a battle? Ooooh! Should I sharpen the knives? Polish the floors? Prepare a welcome-back party?”

“A welcome-back party?!” Vaggie nearly choked.

Niffty beamed. “Yeah! Y’know, in case they come back victorious and everything’s fine! Or, if things go terribly wrong, at least we’ll have snacks?”

Vaggie turned away before she gave herself an aneurysm.

Angel stretched. “Eh. I say we just wait it out.”

The doors to the hotel creaked open.

Everyone turned sharply, and a lone figure stepped inside.

A woman, draped in crimson and black, her presence casting a shadow despite the dim lighting. Her long, blonde hair cascaded down her back, her lips curled into a knowing smirk. Silver eyes flickered with amusement as she surveyed the room, as if entertained by their little gathering.

“Wait a damn second,” Husk muttered, tail bristling.

Vaggie’s grip on her spear tightened.

Angel Dust sat up, brows raised. “Well, well, well… and who might you be, sweetheart?”

The woman let out a soft, velvety laugh.

“Oh, Angel Dust,” she purred. “You don’t recognize me?”

She took another step forward, her heels clicking against the floor.

“I am Lilith.”

The room dropped into silence.

Vaggie’s heart pounded. Husk stiffened. Niffty’s excited energy turned into something closer to unease.

Angel Dust blinked. Then, after a beat—

“Oh, shit.”

Chapter Text

The suffocating silence in the hotel lobby stretched for a moment too long. Lilith stood poised, her silver eyes gleaming with unreadable amusement as she took in the stunned faces before her.

Vaggie was the first to recover. She planted her feet firmly, raising her spear just enough to show she wasn’t playing games. “You have a lot of nerve showing up here.” Her voice was sharp, laced with barely restrained fury. “What do you want?”

Lilith tilted her head, that same knowing smirk never wavering. “Is that any way to greet your mother-in-law?”

“you're not my mother-in-law,” Vaggie snapped.

Angel Dust, still lounging on the couch, let out a low whistle. “Y’know, I was expectin’ a lotta things, but Lucifer’s wife strolling in unannounced? That’s a new one.” He kicked his legs off the couch and sat up properly, eyeing Lilith with curiosity. “So, what’s the deal, toots? You here to check on the hubby, or is this some kind of royal homecoming?”

Lilith chuckled, the sound silky and full of amusement. “Oh, Angel, ever the charmer. But no, I’m not here for a ‘homecoming.’ I’m here because, whether you like it or not, things are about to change.”

Vaggie tightened her grip. “What things?”

Lilith sighed, rolling her shoulders. “Heaven has always played by its own rules, and Hell has… adapted. But what’s happening now?” She gestured vaguely. “This trial, this unraveling? It’s a tipping point. And I prefer to be ahead of the curve.”

Vaggie’s eyes flared with alarm. “You planned this?”

Lilith turned to her, expression unreadable. “I gave an opportunity. What they did with it was their choice.”

Husk groaned, downing his drink in one gulp before slamming the glass down. “Great. Another schemin’ royal playin’ puppet master. Just what we needed.”

Angel Dust leaned forward, resting his chin in his palm. “So what’s your endgame, doll? You just gonna sit here and watch the world burn?”

Lilith met his gaze, something ancient and unfathomable flickering behind her silver eyes. “I’m here to make sure that when the dust settles, I decide what rises from the ashes.”

The weight of her words settled over the room like a heavy fog.

Vaggie narrowed her eyes. “And what does that mean for Charlie?”

For the first time, Lilith’s smirk faded.

“She’s in the lion’s den now,” she said quietly. “But I didn’t come here to fight with you all. I came here to help.”

Angel let out a low laugh. “Help? Now that’s rich.”

Lilith sighed. “Believe what you want, but the forces at play here are bigger than Heaven or Hell. If we don’t act now, we may all lose more than we realize.”

Vaggie exchanged a wary glance with Husk, then with Niffty, who was practically vibrating with suppressed excitement.

Finally, Vaggie exhaled sharply, lowering her spear just a fraction. “Fine. Talk. But if I even think you’re lying—”

Lilith’s smirk returned, sharp as a blade.

“Oh, my dear Vaggie,” she purred. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

—---

Meanwhile, in Heaven…

Sera’s words still hung heavy in the air.

Michael’s golden eyes burned with barely restrained fury. “You struck a deal with her?”

Sera’s hands clenched at her sides, but her voice remained steady. “It was the only way.”

Lucifer didn't know what to do-or THINK, he just sat there, with millions of thought going through his mind, but only one thought stood out for him, 

'why did she do that'

“She knew things we didn’t,” Sera argued. “She had answers.”

God remained silent, his gaze heavy with something unreadable while looking at Lucifer. 

Uriel stepped forward, voice hard. “And what, exactly, did she offer you?”

Sera took a shaky breath. “A way to control the balance.”

Michael’s jaw tightened. “The balance?”

“She proposed a system,” Sera admitted. “One where Hell’s population could be regulated.”

"No" said Charlie with a low voice, not going above a whisper. 

Michael looked at her, he saw that she was talking but couldn't hear it, "please repeat what you said Charlie"

"NO" yelled Charlie standing up, her horns bursting out of her head, eyes turning crimson red, "MY MOM WOULD NEVER DO THAT," she screamed

"SHE WOULD NEVER TRY TO HURT OUR PEOPLE, " she yelled sobbing, "she wouldn't hurt me.... " she whispered, while staggering and barely holding on to the table. 

Sera flinched, not daring to look at Charlie or Lucifer.

Ariel let out a strangled noise. “You played God with souls?” while glaring at Sera.

Sera’s silver eyes flickered. “It was necessary.”

“Necessary?” Zadkiel’s voice was barely above a whisper, filled with heartbreak. “Do you even hear yourself?”

God finally spoke.

“Sera.”

Her breath hitched. She turned to Him, waiting for judgment.

“Did you trust her?” His voice was impossibly soft.

Sera hesitated for the first time.

Then—

“No.”

Silence.

And that broke the camel's back. 

A scream shocked the entire courtroom. 

All eyes went to the same person. 

Lucifer. 

And it wasn't just a scream, his powers also went out of control, thankfully his powers weren't harmful to Charlie. 

"YOUR LYING, AREN'T YOU?" He screamed, "WHY WOULD SHE EVEN STRIKE THIS DEAL WITH YOU, YOU WHO HURT ME BEFORE, " his demonic features showing, with every word he says his horns getting larger in size

"Dad please-" Charlie whispered. 

His body was itching a lot, to the point he wasn't scratching, he was slamming his hands on the table, "LILITH LOVES ME, SHE WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT, SHE WOULDN'T HAVE LET ME THROUGH ALL THAT PAIN," he was hyperventilating

"WITH EVERY SINGLE SOUL *gasp* THAT WAS DESTROYED *gasp*, I FELT AS IF A SWORD GOING THROUGH ME-*gasp*" he couldn't breathe, his vision blurry and he could feel liquid going down his arms. 

Uriel was the first to move. The moment Lucifer's breath hitched, the golden-eyed archangel strode forward, placing a firm hand on his younger brother’s shoulder.

"Samuel, breathe," Uriel commanded, his voice firm but not unkind.

Lucifer shuddered under his touch, his whole body trembling with barely contained agony. His claws had dug deep into the wooden table, leaving behind deep, splintered gashes. Blood dripped from his hands where the nails had sliced through his palms, but he hardly seemed to notice. His chest heaved, his mind spinning.

Lilith wouldn’t. Lilith couldn’t.

But the words rang in his ears. Sera’s confession. The doubt in God’s voice. The silence from everyone else.

Charlie was still gripping the table, her own hands shaking. She didn’t know what to do. She had never seen her father like this—not completely unraveling.

Michael turned to Sera, his golden gaze ablaze. “You knew this would happen,” he accused. “You knew, and yet you went through with it.”

Sera’s jaw clenched, but her voice was small. “It was the only way to ensure—”

“To ensure what?” Zadkiel interrupted, her usual calm voice shaking. “That we could play god over the damned?”

Ariel took a slow step forward, her silver eyes narrowing at Sera. “And you didn’t even trust the one you made a deal with?” She scoffed, shaking her head. “Do you even hear yourself?”

Sera swallowed, but her silence said enough.

“Dad,” she tried again, softer this time. “Please…”

Lucifer’s eyes snapped to hers, and for a moment, the storm raging in them paused. Her crimson irises, so much like his own, shimmered with unshed tears.

As soon as he locked eyes with his daughter, his body suddenly became like jelly, and all he could do was fall down, and lose consciousness. 

Chapter Text

Lucifer hit the ground with a dull, sickening thud, the entire courtroom shuddering under the weight of his collapse.

“Dad!” Charlie cried, rushing forward, her shoes skidding against the polished marble as she dropped to her knees beside him. She cradled his bloodied hands in hers, feeling the unnatural heat radiating off him. “Someone—please—help him!”

Raphael was already moving, his wings flaring out with a sharp snap. He knelt beside Charlie, holding Lucifer close to him and checking his condition.

Gabriel, silent until now, stepped forward, his green eyes hardening with resolve. “Get him to the infirmary. Now.”

Michael hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding sharply. “I’ll carry him.”

Carefully, Michael gathered Lucifer’s limp form into his arms. Blood soaked into the white fabric of his robes, staining them crimson. Charlie rose shakily, refusing to let go of her father’s hand as they moved swiftly down the shining hallways, the celestial court forgotten for now.

Sera remained behind, frozen in place, her heart pounding a painful rhythm against her ribs.

God said nothing. His gaze lingered on Sera for a long, heavy moment, full of disappointment—and something almost like sorrow—before He turned away.

---

In the infirmary…

The chamber was bright, bathed in a soothing, golden glow, with walls made of living light that pulsed gently like a heartbeat. Michael laid Lucifer down on the nearest bed, stepping back to allow Raphael, to assess the damage.

Raphael’s normally calm expression tightened at the sight of the deep gashes and the unstable, flickering aura surrounding Lucifer’s body.

“He’s burning himself out,” Raphael muttered grimly, already beginning to summon intricate sigils of restoration and stabilization. Threads of blue and white light wound from his fingertips, weaving over Lucifer’s form.

Charlie hovered nearby, wringing her hands. Her crimson eyes never left her father’s face.

“Is he going to be okay?” she whispered.

Raphael didn’t answer immediately. After a moment, he spoke without looking at her, voice low. “Physically? I can mend him. But the mind…” He shook his head slightly. “That is another matter.”

Uriel stood guard at the door, golden eyes flickering with unease. Michael paced restlessly at the foot of the bed, his fists clenched.

“He heard the one thing he could not bear to hear,” Uriel said quietly. “That his suffering had a purpose… and that purpose was betrayal.”

Michael grimaced. “He’s been holding himself together for centuries. Millennia. This… this might break him.”

Charlie wiped her eyes fiercely. “No. He’s stronger than that.”

Michael looked at her—really looked—and, for the first time, saw the same indomitable will burning in her eyes that Lucifer once had. A spark of hope.

---

Meanwhile, Back at the Courtroom…

The tension was suffocating.

Sera remained standing at the center of the empty courtroom, feeling the weight of countless unseen gazes—judgment, fury, and betrayal alike—pressing down on her.

Ariel, Zadkiel, and Gabriel lingered at the edges of the room, speaking in low, urgent tones. Every once in a while, one of them would shoot Sera a look filled with thinly veiled rage.

It was Ariel who finally broke away, striding toward her with measured steps.

“You,” Ariel said, her voice like a blade. “You have no idea what you’ve unleashed.”

Sera lifted her chin, though her hands trembled slightly. “I did what I thought was necessary.”

Ariel scoffed. “Necessary? You gambled with the souls of many.” She stepped closer, silver eyes blazing. “You didn’t just ruin their chance of redemption, you've erased them completely.”

Sera swallowed hard, feeling the crushing weight of those words settle on her shoulders. She wanted to defend herself. Wanted to say she had been desperate. That she had seen the balance tipping into chaos and had made the only choice she believed could save them all.

But looking at Ariel—at the devastation etched across her face—Sera knew no explanation would be enough.

Zadkiel stepped forward, voice quiet but firm. “The Council will demand your penance.”

Gabriel, solemn and cold, nodded. “Prepare yourself, Sera. Judgment is coming.”

And somewhere, deep in the beating heart of Heaven, a storm was gathering.

---

Later, in Hell…

Back in the Hotel, the atmosphere remained thick with tension.

Lilith stood by the window, gazing out over the crimson skyline of Hell with a pensive look. Her silver eyes caught the dim light, making them gleam like polished daggers.

Vaggie paced restlessly, casting suspicious glances at her. Angel Dust sprawled across the couch again, though his posture was tense, coiled like a spring.

Finally, Vaggie snapped, “You said you came here to help. Start talking.”

Lilith turned slowly, her expression unreadable.

“I came to warn you,” she said. “Heaven’s about to fracture. And when it does, it will not just be the angels who suffer.”

Vaggie stiffened. “What do you mean?”

Lilith’s smile was thin, sharp. “When Heaven falls… Hell rises.”

Angel Dust’s ears flicked. “You’re sayin’ there’s gonna be a war?”

Lilith nodded once.

“And if you want to survive it,” she said, her voice dropping to a near-whisper, “you’ll need more than good intentions and a fancy hotel.”

Vaggie’s grip on her spear tightened again.“What do you suggest?” she asked warily.

Lilith’s smile widened, full of something dark and dangerous. “An alliance,” she purred. “Between sinners… and royalty.”

The room fell into stunned silence once more.

---

Somewhere in the depths of Lucifer’s mind…

Lucifer wandered through a void.

There was no ground beneath his feet, no sky above him. Only endless black, stitched with thin cracks of crimson light. His body felt heavy, dragging with every step, but still he moved forward, driven by a desperate, gnawing need he couldn’t name.

“Lilith…” he whispered into the darkness.

No answer.

He stumbled, catching himself on nothing at all. His hands, still slick with phantom blood, trembled violently. Images flickered across the empty air — visions of laughter, betrayal, fire, and broken promises.

And in the center of it all stood Lilith.

Her silver eyes gleamed with something unfamiliar — regret? Sadness? Or something colder?

“Why?” he croaked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

The figure didn’t move. Didn't speak. She simply watched him with an expression that sliced him deeper than any blade ever could.

"You promised me," he said, voice cracking under the weight of memories. "You promised we would stand together."

The ground beneath him cracked open wider. Whispers echoed around him—whispers of doubt, betrayal, abandonment.

He fell to his knees, clutching his chest as the pain grew unbearable.

A soft hand suddenly brushed his hair.

Lucifer gasped, jerking his head up—only to find not Lilith, but Charlie standing there, glowing faintly, like a single star in the endless void.

“Dad,” she said softly, kneeling beside him. “Come back.”

Tears pricked Lucifer’s crimson eyes. He reached for her hand, and as their fingers touched—

Light exploded outward, shattering the darkness.

---

Back in the Infirmary …

Lucifer’s body jerked violently on the bed, almost throwing himself off before Raphael and Michael held him down.

"He's fighting it," Raphael said through gritted teeth. “He’s trying to wake up!”

“Let him,” Michael growled. “He’s strong enough.”

Charlie leaned closer, whispering desperately, “Please, Dad… come back to me.”

With a ragged gasp, Lucifer’s eyes snapped open—no longer burning with rage, but shimmering with raw pain and exhaustion.

For a long moment, he just stared at her, breathing heavily.

Then he rasped out one broken word:

“Charlie…”

Relief flooded her entire being. She grabbed his hand tightly, nodding. “I’m here.”

Lucifer squeezed her hand weakly, his bloodied fingers twitching. His throat felt raw, but he forced himself to speak again.

“I’m sorry… for scaring you.”

Charlie shook her head, blinking back tears. “You didn’t scare me,” she lied softly. “You’re my dad. And you’re here. That’s all that matters.”

Michael stepped closer, his face grim. “Lucifer… there’s a storm coming. You need to be ready.”

Lucifer slowly turned his head toward him. His jaw clenched, and for a brief moment, the proud King of Hell reemerged through the haze of weakness.

“Tell me everything.”

---

Meanwhile, in Heaven’s Council Chamber…

The council room was packed — archangels, seraphim, thrones, and dominions crowded the vast marble hall. The air buzzed with righteous anger and heavy judgment.

Sera stood alone in the center, stripped of her ceremonial robe, wearing only a simple white robe. Her wings were bound by glowing chains, a symbol of her disgrace.

Gabriel stood at the front, his face a mask of solemn fury.

“You are charged,” Gabriel intoned, voice echoing around the chamber, “with treason against Heaven. With conspiring with a denizen of Hell. With tampering with the natural order of souls.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Some shouted for mercy. Others cried for destruction.

God Himself sat silently upon the highest throne, His gaze unreadable, His judgment looming like a storm about to break.

Sera bowed her head.

“I accept my punishment,” she said quietly. “But I will not apologize for trying to save what I could.”

Uriel stepped forward. His golden eyes, so often stern yet compassionate, were now steeled into something unyielding.

“You didn’t save anything,” Uriel said. “You only hastened the fall.”

Gabriel nodded grimly. “For your crimes, Sera… you are stripped of your rank.”

He raised a hand.

“In the eyes of Heaven, you are no longer one of us.”

Light exploded outward. Sera’s wings, once radiant, burned and blackened at the edges. The chains dissolved—but so did her connection to Heaven’s grace.

She fell to her knees, gasping, clutching her chest as the divine presence was ripped away from her very soul.

Sera was cast down.

And as she collapsed against the cold marble floor, she realized with a hollow ache—

She deserved it.