2 days later
The Circle of Pride pulsed with artificial lights, flooded with giant screens and distorted sounds. Vox felt at home there: a kingdom where image mattered more than truth. But nothing would ever be the same again since the arrival of the Foundation had shaken the world—and he fully intended to take part in it.
So, he arranged a meeting with Velvet. Valentino, for his part, had already received instructions for the plan.
Vox: "My dear Velvet… I need to use your app."
Velvet: "And may I ask why?"
Vox: "It's simple. I'll use my hypnotic power and implant it in the minds of countless demons, creating sleeper agents. All I need is a single keyword, and the effect of my power will trigger instantly at any time."
Velvet (snickering): "You do realize other Overlords and even the Seven Deadly Sins use my app? You think they won't notice your hypnotic message looping through the feed? Ordinary demons might not see the difference between a simple ad and mind control, but the powerful ones will catch on immediately. They won't be affected—but they'll discover your little scheme."
Vox: "Don't worry. I've thought it through. Only lower-level demons will have access to your app, and they'll stumble upon my hypnotic message without ever realizing its effect."
She agreed, and instantly her platform began looping the messages. Among the flood of words, one kept repeating:
"I beg you come…"
"I beg you buy…"
"I beg you take…"
"I beg you…"
"I beg you…"
—static crackling through the screen—
"I BEG YOU."
(^ー^) Recognize the reference?
After the meeting, Vox retreated to his vision and broadcast chamber. He moved through the electrical network of the building to get there, activated his second plan, and didn't forget to flip off Alastor, whom he spied on through his hidden cameras.
But this time, Vox wasn't planning to use his hypnotic powers through commercials. He couldn't risk it. Even if he managed to prevent every powerful being in Hell from watching his programs, suspicion would inevitably rise. It was easy to keep them away from an app, but keeping them from TV—no matter how rarely they watched—was much harder. Instead, he decided to spread something just as powerful: rumors.
> "Hell's rulers are deceiving you."
"The Seven Deadly Sins… they want all the power for themselves."
"Wake up, demons—Hell is not their toy."
The rumors swelled, spreading like a digital infection. Soon, sinners began to doubt, whisper, grow restless.
Vox wasn't afraid of being confronted. After all, this was simply his job as a presenter: planting doubt in people's hearts, manipulating them, pushing them toward revolt. And to strengthen his grip, he had another method—pacts. He would gather souls, even if it meant trespassing in another Overlord's territory… anyone's, except Zestial's… and maybe Alastor's.
Vox descended into the streets, seeking out fragile souls one by one.
Vox: "Make a pact with me, and I'll grant you glory, immortality, power. In exchange… just your soul. Nothing more."
That was the kind of promise he used to seduce the vulnerable and the foolish. Every pact signed swelled his energy. Every soul consumed expanded his aura. Vox was edging dangerously close to completing his plan.
---
Meanwhile, in Heaven, Adam was trailing after Sera like an annoying shadow. He kept calling to her insistently:
Adam: "Mom! Hey, mom! Show me another one of your divine powers! Come on, don't be stingy!"
Sera, already exasperated, tried to stay calm, though her brows furrowed.
Sera: "Adam… You are supposed to be the first man. Your coarse manners were certainly irritating, but not enough for me to hold it against you. But now you act like a spoiled child, begging for magic tricks. And why are you calling me 'mom'?"
Adam (smiling): "You created me, so that makes you my mother. That's how it is. So, mom, show me your powers so I can copy them!"
An awkward silence followed. Lute, who was walking with them, barely held back laughter.
Sera (sighing): "If we follow your logic… yes, I had a hand in your existence. So, in a way, I am your mother. But when I told you this thirty million years ago, you screamed that you were the 'original male organ' and owed your existence to no one."
Adam (grinning): "Yeah… no doubt about it, my dear Sera, you're exhausting. Can't you just show me your powers?"
Sera: "No, Adam. I know you too well. You'd abuse them—and probably cause a disaster. I can't take that risk."
Adam: "Fine, but know this: I'll call you 'mom' for eternity. My sweet mom, my beloved mom, whom I adore."
Sera's expression wavered between exasperation and anger. At last, she relented—showing him a few abilities. For her, it was also a way to gauge just how powerful his replication truly was.
(Temp before appearance of the next anomaly 5 days)