My new life in Hell

(Stygian POV)

I was currently in our room, sleeping with Charlie and Vaggie. Today had been really busy for all of us.

Vaggie had spent the whole day making sure the new tenants followed the rules and didn't break anything.

Charlie had given tours to all the new arrivals, explaining how things worked around here and making sure they had a great time at the hotel.

As for me, I did the work no one liked: the paperwork. The hotel's expenses could fluctuate depending on how many souls we catered to, and it was my job to keep track of every detail. On paper, my job sounded simple, but in practice, it required my full attention to ensure every document was properly sorted and filed with accurate information.

When the day finally ended, and everyone went to sleep, we got a break. We headed inside our room, washed up, and collapsed onto the large bed we had commissioned for the three of us.

Lying there, feeling the warmth of each other's bodies and the soft sheets, we dozed off, completely relaxed.

But as I drifted into sleep, something felt off.

I shot up in bed—Charlie and Vaggie were gone.

I looked around. The room had changed. The pictures on the walls were missing, but oddly enough, there were still photos of Charlie and Vaggie on the side tables.

I got up and went to the closet to grab some clothes—but to my surprise, all the clothes inside belonged to Charlie and Vaggie.

I closed the closet and activated my Ring. Shadows coiled around me, shaping into my usual attire.

Once dressed, I stepped out into the hallway—and quickly noticed the hotel was in shambles.

Everything was unkempt. The floorboards were cracked, the wallpaper peeled, and the lights flickered ominously.

As I made my way toward the lobby, I spotted Charlie in a bright red and white suit. That wasn't like her. She usually wore deeper shades of red with black accents.

"Hey, Charlie!" I called out.

She flinched and looked over her shoulder at me, confusion spreading across her face.

"Um… who are you?"

I stopped walking, completely taken aback.

"I'm your boyfriend?"

She tilted her head, clearly puzzled, then burst out laughing.

"Okay, that's funny! Did Angel put you up to this? Because if so, that's hilarious!"

My heart sank. Was this some kind of elaborate prank?

"Hehe, sorry, mister, but Vaggie's my girlfriend. And I've never met you in my life."

What? No… how?

"Charlie, this isn't funny," I said, approaching her and trying to take her hand—

—but before I could, Vaggie stepped between us, spear pointed at my throat.

"Back off cabron," she snapped. "Unless you want a spear through your neck, I suggest you back away."

I raised my hands and took a step back.

"Vaggie, it's me. Can't you remember?"

"I don't know what sick game you're playing, but you better start talking. How the hell did you get in here?"

I kept my hands up and sighed. "This isn't a prank… is it?"

"No. So start talking," she growled, still not lowering the spear.

"Uh, Vaggie, maybe we should calm down a bit," Charlie said gently. "He doesn't seem that dangerous."

"No can do, hun," Vaggie replied. "We don't know what this guy is or how he got in the hotel. Unless he starts talking, the spear stays up."

I understood her caution. If a stranger suddenly showed up claiming to be your girlfriend's partner… I'd be mad too.

"My name is Stygian of the Ars Goetia. Son of Paimon."

Charlie frowned. "You're lying. Paimon never had a son named Stygian. Not in all of Hell's recorded history."

"So I don't even exist in this place, huh…" I muttered under my breath.

"What was that?" Vaggie asked, tightening her grip on the spear.

I looked at her and smiled. "Still the same Vaggie."

"Alright, pal. I've had enough of your games. Either answer our questions—or leave."

I nodded. "Alright. Watch this."

I conjured a projection beside me. Vaggie stepped forward, alarmed, raising her spear. I quickly explained it was just a projection of my memories. She lowered the spear slightly but stayed guarded.

Charlie, meanwhile, watched in awe as flashes of my past played out. Some things were familiar. Others… different.

Then she suddenly gasped in horror.

The projection displayed a version of herself in gothic clothing. She quickly covered Vaggie's eyes—causing her to drop the spear—and they both tumbled to the floor.

I calmly picked up the spear.

Vaggie scrambled to her feet, preparing to fight again, but I gently handed it back to her and sat down. The projection continued to play.

---

A few minutes passed. I let the memory fade before it reached the more… intimate parts.

Charlie got up from her chair with a gigantic smile on her face.

"Oh my! That was amazing! Is the hotel really that popular in your world? Did Angel really change for the better!?"

"To answer all that: yes, yes, and yes."

Charlie's grin widened. She grabbed Vaggie and hugged her tightly.

"Did you hear that, Vaggie? Our hotel succeeded! I mean, in another world, but still!"

"I saw it, hun," Vaggie said with a small smile, then turned to me with a more serious look. "So… is it true? You're really dating Charlie in your world?"

"It's true. I'm dating Charlie… and another girl."

Vaggie's eye twitched. "Another girl?"

"That other girl… is you."

Her eyes widened. Her face turned bright red.

"What!? How!?"

"Well, at first, I was only dating Charlie. But then she suggested I date you too. I was against it at first, but she insisted it could work. And… she was right. It did work."

"Wait… I suggested that?" Charlie asked, clearly baffled.

"Yup."

"...huh."

We stood there in silence for a full minute.

Then I decided to break it.

"We also had three kids."

"I'm a mom?!" Vaggie screamed.

"I got pregnant!?" Charlie exclaimed, blushing furiously.

I chuckled at their reactions. "Well… sort of. Actually, I got pregnant."

They both stared at me, absolutely stunned.

---

(Night time.)

I was lying on the hotel's couch. They couldn't prepare a room for me—most of them were filthy—so I settled here.

Staring at the ceiling, it finally hit me: Was I stuck here? Could I ever go back? What would happen to my family?

I shook the thought away and turned to my side.

No. They'll be fine. As long as Charlie and Vaggie are there, the kids are safe.

I closed my eyes and drifted off once more.

---

The next morning…

I stretched—and realized something strange.

I was back. Back in my room. Back on our bed.

I sat up, my head swimming with questions.

Was that a dream?

It felt real.

I tried not to dwell on it and went to get up—only to feel something soft beneath my hand.

I looked down.

Charlie and Vaggie were sleeping beside me.

I smiled at the sight of my beautiful girls—the ones I loved.

Gently, I slid my hand away from where it had landed on their chests, kissed them both on the forehead, and got out of bed to start the day.