The Deepest Pit
Part One of A "Redemption is Overrated" Side Quest
In the beginning, the most beautiful angel of them all had a dream. He had watched this new species, called the humans, from beyond their walled sanctuary as they blindly followed the orders that they had been given. They seemed happy enough, but only because they didn’t know any better.
This angel, the Morningstar, visited them one day and opened their eyes to all that life could be if they chose to think for themselves. It all started with an apple, and while the humans finally knew true happiness, the Morningstar was pushed out of his home and into the deepest pit. Doomed to see only the evil that came from his deed, and none of the good that came of it, for all eternity.
It is there, in the ring of Treachery, where our story begins.
“Extra extra! Read all about it!” A paper boy called out from a street corner in the Treachery Ring. “Official word from the office of the Morningstar!”
Ophelia crossed the busy street and tossed a coin to the paper boy, grabbing a paper from the stack. When she opened the front page, she couldn’t believe her eyes; it was finally happening.
Ophelia looked towards the Morningstar castle and saw a line of souls, all with fire in their hearts and newspapers in their hands. She had heard stories of Heaven, a beautiful city surrounded by a marble wall where souls wanted for nothing. It was nothing like the fire and brimstone that made up the Treachery Ring, and she wanted in. Ophelia gripped the paper tight and ran to join the line.
She waited there for hours, and she couldn’t help but overhear the people around her brag about how many angels they were going to kill.
“I’ve got a record number of kills down here, those flouncy angels don’t stand a chance!”
“I’ve got a stockpile of ammo that I’ve been saving for a raid like this!”
“You guys have it all wrong, you need a sword like me; get up close and personal with those fuckers.”
Every other soul seemed to be fueled by bloodlust, but Ophelia only wanted a chance to save her soul, killing them would only further damn her; so she stayed silent.
As the fires on the horizon lit up the night sky, Lilith finally emerged from the castle. Almost all of Hell was gathered outside her door and they shook with murderous intent. Everyone erupted into cheer as she descended the staircase, but as she raised her hand, the entirety of Hell fell silent.
“People of Hell, hear me. The scourge of Heaven must be stopped. Since the beginning of time, it was they who made the rules for salvation and damnation. But who are they to decide that? Who are they to say what makes a soul good?” Lilith paused as the sinners yelled and cheered in agreement.
“The souls I see before me are misunderstood, lost, and begging for these wrongs to be corrected. No longer will we burn for refusing to submit. Join me in creating a new set of rules, creating a new realm where people aren’t punished for being their true selves. The self that we were made to be! Remember, alone we are strong, but together, we will be unstoppable.”
With that, Lilith opened the doors to Morningstar castle and the sinners flocked inside.
A new realm? Ophelia’s mind raced at the possibilities. Would the angels really allow us to do this?
Pushing her way past the other sinners, Ophelia found a quiet corner of the castle that would allow her to keep to herself, and figure out her own brand of redemption.
To be continued..
Read the next part here:
Image: Unsplash - Jr Korpa
Here’s your musical pairing:
This piece is for Bradley Ramsey’s power-up prompt, though it’s up to him if it fits the requirements. You can enter your own here:
Oooh, intriguing start to a side story!
"Doomed to see only the evil that came from his deed, and none of the good that came of it, for all eternity." - is a pretty neat take on it!
Hell yeah! (Pun intended).
This is such a cool side story, and it plays beautifully into the main series. Also, I see you with that Lucifer / Morningstar reference. Awesome stuff.