P.2 HH Lucifer-centric AU 27/27
STORY 1, PART 1, PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, PART 8, PART 9, PART 10, PART 11, PART 12, PART 13, PART 14, PART 14.5, PART 15, PART 16, PART 17, PART 18, PART 19, PART 20, PART 21, PART 22, PART 23, PART 24, PART 25, PART 26, UPDATE
I debated which POV should I use for this. It was either Vaggie or Charlie.
But then I didn't think I was ready yet to dive into Charlie's inner thoughts after the events of the last chapter.
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Satan: When the death of the King was announced to us yesterday morning,
Vaggie darted through the palace halls, her steps nearly floating as her wings fluttered slightly, reducing her weight. She could have flown, which would have been faster, but there was a strict rule against flying inside the palace to protect the many precious things that belonged to-
Satan: there struck a deep and somber note in our lives
Anyway, Charlie had banned any kind of flying altogether after a priceless vase was accidentally shattered.
Satan: which resounded far and wide.
As she zoomed past, the servant imps bowed and greeted her politely. She usually returned their greetings, a blend of kindness and a dash of guilt compelling her to do so. Despite the fact that none of the exorcists had killed any Hellborn during their exterminations, it didn't ease her conscience.
Satan: It stilled the clatter and traffic of all hellish life
She wondered where he was now, after taking off with Lute and setting off the bomb that had essentially turned everything to shit, disappearing into the buildings of Pride.
Even she wasn't sure if Charlie could grant that kind of forgiveness.
Vaggie cursed at yet another empty room, soon finding herself at a dead end.
Her movements halted when she caught a glimpse of something flying past the window. She gripped her spear tighter.
Satan: and made countless millions of demon kind throughout the seven rings...
She must have looked pathetic because one of the butlers in the room (Azaeloth, Your Grace) took pity on her and pointed up.
Satan: ...pause and look around them.
Vaggie thanked the imp before turning on her heels and heading toward the rooftop.
She probably opened the door a little harder than necessary, the heavy thud echoing in the quiet space, but Charlie didn’t so much as flinch. Instead, her expression remained unreadable against the backdrop of Hell's red sky.
Satan: The late King, who assumed the heavy burden of the crown when he was cast out of the Heavens,
The rooftop balcony overlooking all of Hell is one of the places Charlie often frequents when it all gets a bit too much. It ranks third only to the Hotel and a secret room whose location even Vaggie doesn't know.
Vaggie takes in the sight of Charlie, and it's the same thing she has been seeing for the last two years.
Satan: lived through every minute of this struggle
The former exorcist stays by the door. Despite her earlier rush, she just waits. Waits. And waits.
She waits until Charlie releases a sigh and makes a motion with her hand, granting permission to come closer.
Not once does Charlie turn to look at her. The weight of the world seems to press down on her shoulders, gaze fixed on the landscape below.
Satan: with a heart that have faltered but a spirit never broken.
They were still together, and Vaggie liked to think that their love was as strong as ever.
Ever since then, an invisible wall had manifested itself between them. And she understood, really she did. It didn't make it hurt any less.
Vaggie missed the old Charlie.
Satan: In the end, death came as a friend.
Vaggie greets Charlie, moving to stand beside her to overlook Pride. The Ring doesn’t look as good as it did back then, but everything was fixed relatively quickly, thanks to their experience with turf wars and the destruction that came with them.
Charlie still doesn’t look at her, but there’s a twitch in her clasped hands.
Satan: And after a gruesome battle of bloodshed,
Vaggie bites the inside of her cheek at the stillness of the moment.
Vaggie: How long have you been here? You'll catch something in this cold.
Oh if the humans who keep saying 'when Hell freezes over' could see it now.
Satan: and after a sacrifice for those who look up to him,
Charlie: I'm fine, Vaggie. Is something wrong?
Yes! Vaggie wants to yell at her. Yes, of course there's something wrong! Their home is wrong. Their whole life is wrong!
But she can't. God knows they've had that conversation too many times before. It always ended ugly.
So she stills herself and chooses her words carefully.
Vaggie: No-uh, not at the moment. But I got word from Angel that it looks like they caught a few intruders south of the Pentagram. They wouldn't tell me anything yet but..
Charlie finally turns her head to her, a raised eyebrow prompting Vaggie to continue.
Vaggie: I caught a glimpse of a feather and I have a pretty good guess it's the same reason why they are being as discreet as possible.
Satan: as every soul, human or demon, who strives to be free and nothing else in the world, may hope to do.
It was a massacre, and she participated in the exterminations. She knows what killings look like, but what she witnessed then still makes her stomach twist with discomfort to this day.
Only a few managed to escape to Heaven, while some opted to hide deep underground in Pride, afraid and perhaps forgotten.
Those brave enough to venture outside went straight to the palace or hotel, hoping to find a way back to Heaven.
Satan: Now, we must leave the treasures of the past and turn to the future.
But there is no more Heaven.
Satan: Resilience have been the reigns of the late Majesty.
At least, that's what they think. No rescue missions, no communication, no nothing.
Heaven has been silent, and the only indication they have of its still-beating existence is the glowing white sphere up in the far sky.
That's why angels still take the risk to go to them.
Satan: All of the greatest periods in our history unfolded upon his hands .
But none of them ever make it.
Satan: This new age comes at a time when demonkind stands uncertainly poised..
At the corner of her eye, Vaggie sees the flying figure circle around the city again like a dog guarding their home.
Like a predator looking for its prey.
She reaches out to take Charlie's hand, squeezing it for comfort. For her or for Charlie she's not sure.
Vaggie: Let's go inside. I don't like being outside with that... thing.
Satan: …on the age of catastrophe.
Charlie eyes the flying entity with an expression of cold, hard anger mixed with devastation. The look is gone as soon as it came.
Vaggie would have that look too if it had the face of her dead father.
Satan: I, whose existence was passed in the noble, unchallenged, and tranquil glories of the Luciferian era
She gave Charlie another squeeze but the other doesn't reciprocate.
Vaggie feels like Charlie's slipping from her hold. Her hand tightens just a bit more around her lover's, afraid that if she loosens then Charlie would be gone.
And she can't let that happen.
Satan: may well feel the thrill in invoking once more,
Charlie, who no longer shies away from judgemental eyes.
Charlie, who stands straight and tall, like a beacon of demon hope.
Who looks too small in her royal mantle.
Satan: Long live Charlotte Morningstar,
Who looks imposing as the original Devil with the crown sitting on her head.
Her former self tucked far away inside.
There's a screech of a car down below and a cacophony of distressed voices.
Satan: The Queen of Hell.
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Lucifer is truly dead here guys. Or is he? 👀
The Satan parts is the speech said at Charlie's coronation. Just like in The Crown, she became queen as soon as the former King died.
Fates of Alastor, the Sins, and the others will be addressed in Story 3 of this series!
Yes you read that right. There will be one more story for this. And it will still be Lucifer centric, but the POVs will bounce from character to character.
A trilogy! Wow, I can't believe this.
Thank you all for reading! To those who have supported this story from the very beginning, you were all my motivation and inspiration. I love hearing your theories, your critiques, and your fanarts.
And if you have any questions, my asks and DMs are open! I'd be happy to answer anything to the best of my abilities without spoiler <3
This work is my pride and joy and you guys loving it made me even more proud of myself.
This story is dedicated to the me that couldn't find the fanfic I'm looking for and said fuck it I'll do it myself. And of course, to our dear Lucifer Morningstar.