As the moon cast its solitary glow into the dimly lit office, a mysterious figure seated by the window gazed intently at Manuel across the desk.
“Have you completed the task I assigned to you?’ he questioned, his voice shrouded in mystery.
“Forgive us, but we’re struggling to persuade our colleagues in Congress. Nearly 75% of the congressmen are aligned with the president and oppose our goal of ousting him,” Manuel replied, his voice trembling with fear and sweat dripping down his face.
“Are you truly doing your job?” the mysterious man retorted, rising from his chair and reaching for the gun resting on his desk.
“I can’t recall a single instance where you’ve successfully carried out my orders; everything has been a failure!” With that, he aimed the gun at Manuel’s head, sending shivers of terror down Manuel’s spine.
“Only a simple task I ask of you, to replace the president with someone we can control. Is that too difficult a task for you, Manuel?” The mysterious figure whispered into Manuel’s ear.
“I’ve squandered billions, yet nothing seems to change?” the mysterious figure added, frustration lacing his voice. Turning away and facing the window, the mysterious figure continued,
“Why don’t we just assassinate that useless president of yours, so I can fulfill my purpose, no, our purpose.” His words dripped with a dark intent.
“That’s not feasible,” Manuel’s companion interjected abruptly, “and there are too many surrounding him, his bodyguards. Even engaging with him directly would be difficult. Most likely, suspicion would fall on us immediately if we were to eliminate the president.”
The mysterious man did not take kindly to the sudden response from Manuel’s companion. In a swift motion, he drew his weapon and shot him dead.
“You’re not the one I’m talking to!” the mysterious figure declared.
Manuel was taken aback by what had just transpired. Fear gripped him, fearing he might be next. He dropped to his knees, trembling.
“We will plan the next move carefully. We will do everything in our power to fulfill your desires,” Manuel stammered, his voice quivering with fear.
“You’re smart,” a mysterious figure uttered with a smile, “That’s why you’re my favorite, Manuel. Leave now and make sure to fulfill my orders properly,” he said as he sat down in his chair. “And I hope that when you return, you bring good news, Manuel.”
“Yes, sir,” Manuel replied, his eyes fixed on the floor.
Manuel turned around and walked out of the room where the mysterious figure sat, glancing back at the lifeless body of his companion.
As Manuel exited, a tall creature suddenly appeared in the dark corner of the room, with wings and horns.
“You look quite handsome in your form, Tho’mad. You’re quite captivating,” Belul teased with a mischievous laugh.
“But your chosen name, Joma? It’s so ugly,” Belul continued, laughing at Tho’mad’s expense.
“What are you doing here, Belul?” Tho’mad inquired.
“Nothing, just paying you a visit. Pu-ha-ha-ha,” Belul replied.
“I don’t have time to chat with you, Belul. Leave, I need to rest,” Tho’mad retorted as he headed to his room.
“You’re resting again! Pu-ha-ha-ha, you’re so lazy, Tho’mad. You didn’t do anything but sit here all day. Pu-ha-ha-ha,” Belul remarked.
“I am the Sloth Demon, what more do you expect,” Tho’mad replied. “Leave!”.
“Why do you bother assigning the task of assassinating their worthless president to others? You should just do it yourself and take care of those weak creatures yourself; we both know you can do it quickly,” Belul suggested.
“Mind your own business, Belul. Leave and do what the Lord Saytan has tasked you with,” Tho’mad replied to Belul.
“Let me use this person, so they can be of use,” Tho’mad added with a grin.
“Pu-he-he,” Belul grinned at Tho’mad’s words.
“Why don’t we go out instead, Tho’mad, and take a stroll? The world is too beautiful to sleep through, and it’s amusing to toy with humans. Pu-ha-ha-ha,” Belul teased.
“I don’t care,” Tho’mad replied, closing his door.
“You’re always so aloof, Tho’mad, always. Pu-ha-ha-ha,” Belul muttered as he picked up the lifeless body and slowly disappeared into the darkness.
In the secluded confines of Tho’mad’s darkened chamber, where the only source of illumination was the ethereal glow of the moon filtering through the curtains, he strode purposefully towards his meticulously arranged desk, a faint smirk playing across his lips.
Shadows danced and flickered across the room, casting an eerie ambiance that mirrored the depths of his twisted intentions.
“I eagerly waiting for your return, Bagani” whispered Tho’mad with a grin in his face.
With a calculated air, he reached out and plucked a photograph from the desk’s surface, revealing a mysterious woman whose features remained shrouded in darkness. Tho’mad looked at the image intently, his gaze lingering on the obscured face.
As the silence of the room enveloped him like a suffocating cloak, he reached for the telephone resting nearby.
With practiced ease, he dialed a number, the mechanical clicks resonating through the stillness of the chamber.
…Ring, ring, ring… Clack!
“Hello, boss,” came the gravelly voice of his trusted subordinate from the other end of the line, punctuated by the distant sounds of activity and the faint haze of cigarette smoke lingering in the air.
A motley crew of armed men, their faces obscured by the shadows, stood sentinel in the abandoned building, their presence a testament to Tho’mad’s influence and power.
“Execute the task I’ve assigned to you,” Tho’mad commanded, his tone brooking no argument.
“Consider it done, boss,” the voice responded obediently before the line fell silent once more, leaving Tho’mad alone with his thoughts and machinations.
Leaning back in his ornate chair, its velvet upholstery providing a stark contrast to the coldness of the room, Tho’mad’s lips curled into a predatory smile.
“I will be the one to apprehend you, Bagani,” he murmured softly, his words laced with a chilling promise of retribution.