The grand halls of Silver Plains' presidential estate were eerily quiet. A golden chandelier hung above the polished marble floors, casting long shadows over the mahogany desk where President Vinay sat. He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled, his sharp eyes staring at the man before him—his loyal butler, Garin.
Garin adjusted his pristine white gloves and bowed slightly. "Sir, I bring urgent news. Manav has succeeded."
Vinay's lips curled into a smirk, though his eyes burned with cold calculation. "So, the prodigy of Goodie Hunters has done the impossible."
Garin nodded. "Yes, sir. The cure is real. The virus has been neutralized."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then Vinay chuckled, low and deep. "And do you know what this means, Garin?"
Garin straightened his posture. "If he presents the cure at the Global Parliament, his influence will surpass that of any world leader. People will see him as a savior."
Vinay's smirk faded. He rose from his chair, walking toward the massive window that overlooked the Silver Plains skyline. "If Manav presents the cure, he won't just be a hero—he'll be a god in the eyes of the world."
Garin hesitated before speaking. "Sir, I believe he will become the next official World President. The Parliament will have no choice but to grant him absolute authority."
Vinay's fingers clenched into a fist. "Not so soon." He turned to face Garin, his voice laced with venom. "I will not allow a single man to wield such power. Goodie Hunters has ruled unchecked for five centuries. That ends now."
Garin studied his master carefully. "And how do you plan to stop him?"
Vinay's smile returned—this time, cruel and confident. "I have a plan to crush Manav and his Goodie Hunters once and for all. Soon, the world will witness the fall of his empire."
Garin inclined his head slightly. "I shall prepare accordingly."
Vinay returned to his desk, tapping his fingers against the wood. "Leak the news. Stir the world's doubts. Manav may have the cure, but soon, no one will trust him enough to use it."
---
Meanwhile, in the heart of Goodie Hunters' headquarters, the air was thick with tension. Scientists, strategists, and officials bustled through the corridors, their eyes glancing at screens filled with flashing reports. At the command center, Moreau, Solis, and Voss stood before a massive holographic display, watching as news feeds from around the world lit up with discussions about the cure.
"This is happening faster than we expected," Solis muttered, scrolling through the headlines.
Voss sighed. "It was inevitable. The moment we succeeded, the world was going to react."
Moreau clenched her fists. "We should have prepared for this."
A soft chime rang through the room, signaling an incoming transmission. The screen flickered, revealing the stern face of the World Vice President.
"Manav," the Vice President began, addressing the unseen figure off-screen. "Your discovery is… unprecedented."
Manav's voice, calm and unwavering, responded. "And the world deserves to benefit from it immediately."
The Vice President's expression remained unreadable. "Indeed. However, with the Global Parliament's next session two days away, we must be cautious in how we proceed. The cure must be handled with utmost care."
"Care or control?" Moreau whispered under her breath.
The Vice President continued, "Given the urgency of the situation, the Global Parliament has decided to shift its discussions to an online format. This will allow for immediate deliberations without delay."
Solis exhaled sharply. "They're afraid."
Manav, unseen on the call, replied, "Understood. The cure will be shared in accordance with the Parliament's decision."
The Vice President nodded. "We will convene in six hours. Prepare your case, Manav."
With that, the transmission ended.
Moreau turned to Voss and Solis. "This is bigger than we thought."
Solis ran a hand through his hair. "It's not just about the cure. It's about power."
Voss cracked his knuckles. "And we're walking right into the storm."
In the distance, Manav stood by the window, gazing out at the city. He had seen this coming. He had prepared for every outcome.
But even he knew… this was just the beginning.