Chapter Text
Once upon a time, there was a glowing city protected by golden gates known as Heaven. It was ruled by beings of pure light. Angels that worshipped good and shielded all from evil. Lucifer was one of these angels. He was a troublemaker, whose grandiose ideas for creation threatened the careful balance Heaven sought to maintain. And so his ideas were denied. Lucifer stewed in this perceived slight, as the Elders expanded the universe along the proper path.
From the dust of Earth they created Adam and Lilith. Equals as the first of mankind, but despite Heaven’s efforts, equality does not mean compatibility. Lilith was spirited and fiercely independent, often butting heads with Adam. She fled the Garden. Drawn in by her act of rebellion, Lucifer found her and the two outcasts found kinship in each other.
In Lilith’s absence Adam demanded a new bride, and Heaven complied. Taking one of his ribs they created Adam’s new companion, Eve. Softer spoken than Lilith, Eve fell instantly for Adam and Adam for her. The two were deeply and truly in love. They were free to roam the Garden, with only one rule. The angels, seeking to protect the new mortal souls, forbade Adam and Eve from eating of the Tree of Knowledge. Adam and Eve happily agreed, for there were so many other fruits to eat in Eden. The lovers laughed and danced, content to spend their days in Paradise. But such simplicity could not last.
Lucifer did not believe that Adam and Eve should remain sheltered for their protection, but have the freedom to know all of creation. Refusing to heed the word of their Elders, Lucifer and Lilith gifted Eve the Fruit of Knowledge. She gladly accepted, hurrying to share this gift with her beloved. But, as the Elders had warned, this gift came with a curse. For with this final act of disobedience, evil finally found its way into Earth. With it, a new realm of darkness and sin. And the order Heaven worked to maintain was shattered.
As punishment for their reckless act, Heaven cast Lucifer and Lilith into the dark pit they had created. In addition, the lovers were forbidden from having children. The Elders declared that their union had already brought Chaos and Evil into the world, and they must witness the pain that would bring to all children of creation, never to have their own. Lilith and Lucifer fell into Hell, becoming the rulers of the kingdom of Sin. Their rebellion fading to the shadows, Heaven focused on saving the poor souls of Earth that Lucifer and his love’s reckless actions had doomed.
While Earth was corrupted by evil, the seed of good still sprouted. Hope. Despite it all, Lucifer’s wishes of free will stood strong. It would be the mortals’ choice. Their actions in life would determine where they would spend eternity. Heaven would open its gates to the good and the pure, offering another chance at humanity’s once-promised Paradise. The wicked and the cruel would be sent to Hell, a reminder to Lucifer and Lilith of the devastation they had wrought. After much debate, it was with heavy hearts the angels decreed that, in Adam and Eve’s choice to consume the Fruit of Knowledge, they had chosen sin, and would be cast into Hell upon their mortal deaths.
Over the eons Hell’s numbers grew and with it, their discontent. And their power. The Sinners were resentful of Heaven and the angels, jealous they were denied the City of Light. Fearful that Hell would rebel and attack the innocent souls of Heaven, the Seraphim made a difficult decision. Every year, a team of angels would be sent to Hell to seek out and eliminate the damned souls that posed a threat to the safety of Heaven. Only the strongest willed of angels would be chosen to carry out this burden, known as Exorcists. This terrible necessity continued for many years, and would have continued forever, if it weren’t for a miracle.
One day a child appeared to the Seraphim of heaven, born of the pure magic of Creation. Her smile and her laughter brought joy once again to the struggling Seraphim, and to all of Heaven. Beloved by all for her kindness and optimistic spirit, no soul could remain sour with her to remind them of the joys Paradise offered every soul. The Seraphim believed it was the child’s destiny to find an alternative to the Exterminations, to find a way to protect Heaven while leaving Hell in peace. It would be a difficult task, but one they believed the girl would be capable of, fueled by the magic of pure creation. They named the child Charlotte, Princess of Heaven.