Suman, undeterred by the lack of enthusiasm from his friends, continued to share the details of his extraordinary expedition. He described the breathtaking landscapes he had encountered, the challenges he had overcome, and the ingenious farce that he had orchestrated for everyone's amusement.
As he spoke, Calguas remained skeptical, rolling his eyes and challenging Suman's claim that this was anything other than another one of his mischievous escapades. Ixartxist, still fixated on the wall, seemed uninterested in the unfolding tale.
Undeterred, Suman decided to paint a vivid picture of the adventure, hoping to capture their attention. He delved into the intricacies of his expedition, the hidden treasures he had discovered, and the unexpected friendships he had formed along the way.
Ixartxist, seemingly lost in his thoughts, finally broke his silence, questioning the sincerity of Suman's intentions. "Is this another one of your chaotic schemes, Suman?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow.
Suman, now determined to prove the authenticity of his story, offered evidence and anecdotes to support his claims. However, Calguas remained unconvinced, arguing that Suman had a penchant for creating messes rather than genuine experiences.
As Suman observed Ixartxist's unwavering gaze at the wall, curiosity got the better of him. He couldn't fathom what could be so captivating about a simple wall. With a mixture of intrigue and impatience, he decided to investigate further.
Approaching the wall, Suman studied it intently, searching for any hidden details or peculiarities that might have captured Ixartxist's attention. However, after a mere ten seconds, he grew bored with the fruitless endeavor. Realizing that he needed to divert Ixartxist's focus, he gently tapped his friend's arm and implored him to listen to his story.
Ixartxist, clearly irritated by the interruption, glowered at Suman and adamantly refused to lend an ear. "Go away and leave me be," he grumbled, his voice laced with annoyance. But Suman, known for his persistence, was undeterred by Ixartxist's dismissive response.
In a bold move, Suman rose from his seat and perched himself on Ixartxist's desk. Placing a hand on his own head, a remarkable transformation began to unfold. His once ordinary hair gradually morphed into a radiant shade of golden yellow. With a deliberate swipe of his face, his features underwent a stunning metamorphosis, resembling the enchanting visage of Tassa.
With a seductive flutter of his eyes, Suman gazed at Ixartxist, his transformed appearance exuding an irresistible allure. In a voice that echoed the sweetness of Tassa, he softly spoke, "Will you listen to me, when I talk to you, Ixart-xist?"
As the tension in the room escalated, Ixartxist, infuriated by Suman's attempt to emulate Tassa, yanked at his own collar and confronted Suman. The atmosphere crackled with the potential for a heated confrontation, but before things could escalate further, Calguas intervened, stepping in to prevent another foolish brawl between the friends.
"Suman! I told you, not to, and don't ever copy her again!" Ixartxist's words dripped with anger as he admonished his friend. In response, Suman swiftly reversed his transformation, returning to his normal appearance. He casually adjusted his clothes, attempting to downplay the situation while addressing Ixartxist.
"Come on, no harm done. Besides, are you still haunted by the events of yesterday?" Suman retorted, his tone light and dismissive. Ixartxist, however, remained resolute, pointing an accusatory finger at Suman.
"Afraid never, angry yes," Ixartxist declared vehemently. "And don't ever talk about it. I hate you, no, I loathe you. Now go away!" His words were a clear dismissal, a final command for Suman to leave.
As Calguas attempted to calm the disgruntled Ixartxist, the latter remained unresponsive, displaying a clear reluctance to be touched or consoled. With a sullen demeanor, Ixartxist slumped into his chair, radiating an air of discontent. Calguas, disapproving of his friend's attitude, shot him a glare before choosing to address the situation.
"What is it about?" Calguas inquired, his tone a mix of concern and frustration. Suman, seemingly unfazed by the tension, looked at Calguas with a cheerful expression, ready to share his perspective.
"Gladly, someone asks. I made people go crazy on me—" Suman began, but Calguas, rolling his eyes, cut him off with impatience. "That is one of the reasons why we all got sent to hell, Suman," Calguas stated bluntly.
Undeterred, Suman shook his head with a playful smile. "No, no, no... It's just you, my friend. And another no... no... no... is for the shenanigans, because what I just did is gonna make you laugh."
However, Xart and Calguas, unamused by the prospect of hearing about Suman's mischievous exploits again, exchanged bored glances. As Suman sensed the growing disinterest in his friends, he couldn't help but notice the emptiness in their spirits. Their distant stares and lack of response prompted him to question whether they wanted him to continue his story. The room hung in a peculiar silence, each member of the trio seemingly lost in their thoughts.
After a prolonged period of quiet, Ixartxist finally broke the stillness. His gaze shifted between Calguas, who stared at his shoes, and Suman, who idly tapped the desk. The unspoken tension lingered, and Ixartxist, perhaps hoping for a graceful exit, interrupted Suman's finger-tapping.
"You two can leave now. Especially you Sum—"
But Suman, with a hint of defiance, interjected before Ixartxist could finish. "Ok, I'll say it anyway. I was walking down town, observing some foolish people."
Xart turned his chair back towards them, resting his head on his hand. Calguas, unimpressed, remarked, "You mean tempting those ignorant humans again."
As Suman shared his mischievous encounter with the crying saint, he couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. However, his friends, Ixartxist and Calguas, remained uninterested and dismissive of his story.
"We don't care," Ixartxist curtly responded, clearly unimpressed by Suman's antics. Undeterred, Suman continued, recounting how a girl had witnessed the saint's tears and called others to witness the phenomenon. He explained how these people began praying and praising the image.
Calguas, intrigued by the gullibility of the believers, responded with a serious expression, his hand resting on his chin. "They believe in that so easily? Why would they praise a graven image? Isn't it clear that they are not supposed to praise such things? I could have sworn that Heaven wrote it on a stone when he made the Ten Commandments."
Ixartxist turned his chair to face them, joining the conversation. "Because he did. It was written in the first and second commandments: 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me' and 'Thou shalt not worship any graven image.'"
Calguas pointed out that by blindly believing in such miracles, people could unknowingly commit two crimes according to the Ten Commandments.
"They know it, they read it, and they've probably heard about it. But humans simply don't believe it," Calguas remarked, expressing his frustration with the human tendency to overlook the commandments. He found it foolish for people to place their faith in small, seemingly insignificant miracles they may have witnessed. Calguas further questioned why humans wouldn't extend their praise to other extraordinary occurrences, such as when Suman playfully moved kitchenware with his abilities.
Suman chimed in, highlighting the fact that miracles are not exclusive to heavenly forces. Even demons, like himself, possess the power to perform extraordinary feats. He used the example of a moving mug to illustrate his point. Suman wondered why people wouldn't extend their praise to such occurrences as well.
Ixartxist, reflecting on human nature, added his perspective. "Humans are always seeking miracles, yet they can be so foolish to believe in them," he mused. He believed that humans' thirst for miracles often clouded their judgment, leading them to embrace beliefs without critical examination.
In this era, miracles and angelic encouragement are deemed unnecessary for belief, according to Calguas. With access to the Bible and the ability to communicate with God, he questions why people stray from the established path. He emphasizes the importance of following the generations-old guidance.
Ixartxist, critical of modern humans, observes their inclination to believe in what they hear and see, even if it's fraudulent. He laments their departure from the old path, leading them toward undesirable consequences.
Suman, acknowledging his past association with those praising Satan, adds a personal touch to the discussion. He hints at the awareness of the consequences of embracing such beliefs, invoking Ixartxist's acknowledgment of their shared fallen angel status.
Ixartxist, visibly annoyed by Suman's comment, looked away and rolled his eyes. Sensing the tension, Calguas intervened by pushing Suman away from Ixartxist, preventing a potential fight from breaking out.
Suman, seemingly oblivious to the situation, continued his line of questioning. "Don't they know that?" he asked, seeking validation for his viewpoint. Calguas, however, silenced him by placing a finger on his lips, signaling him to be quiet.
To Calguas' surprise, Ixartxist responded to Suman's query, expressing his understanding of why some people believe in the promise of eternal life. He acknowledged that there are those who believe in the righteousness of their faith, while others may find it appealing or "cool." Despite his comprehension of these perspectives, Ixartxist admitted his inability to fully grasp the thought processes of humans, finding them foolish and stupid. Suman's laughter echoed annoyingly in the room as he confidently leaned on the desk, responding to Ixartxist's explanation. "Cool, huh? They think going to hell is just a joke! Demons beg and strive to return to heaven, asking for forgiveness. Meanwhile, humans waste their time on foolish pursuits, wanting to be Satanists because they think it's cool. If demons can't save themselves, how do they believe we can save them? When we possess humans and claim to be their family, it's to save ourselves. We seek blessings from priests, hoping they can open the door to heaven for us. Satanists are impossible to believe in, even Satan himself couldn't deny the fact that our eternal God is real. As a demon, I'm just laughing at how foolish they all are."
Ixartxist, with a hint of cynicism, added to the conversation, "Because of their ignorance, and that ignorance is what leads them to us."
Calguas, observing the papers on Ixartxist's desk, couldn't help but inquire about the numerous names listed. Ixartxist, wearing a smirk, confirmed that they were indeed contracts from gullible humans.
Accusing Ixartxist of both pitying and fooling them, Calguas pointed out the irony. However, Ixartxist retorted, claiming that those humans were already fools before he deceived them. He asserted that those who signed the contracts were unworthy of reaching "Heaven," reveling in the abundance of humans easily fooled by simple things.
Ixartxist, taking a seat and adopting a relaxed posture, drew the attention of Calguas and Suman. With a smirk, he hinted at impending revelations, leaving the room in suspense. Suman, curious, prompted Ixartxist to share the big news, setting the stage for the next chapter in their intriguing conversation.
Ixartxist responded with an air of calmness and contentment on his face. "What's news? You tell me," he replied, maintaining an enigmatic composure.
Suman, feeling uneasy, urged Ixartxist to stop, expressing his discomfort. "Quit it, Ixartxist. You're starting to creep the hell out of me."
Rather than offering a direct response, Ixartxist simply tilted his head, wearing a deadly smile that sent shivers down their spines. In that moment of silence, Suman and Calguas exchanged glances, a silent acknowledgment of the eerie atmosphere that had enveloped the room.