28: The Cult

"Oh! Thank the Primordial Sovereign! We've made it!" He shouts, his voice echoing off far behind us.

Thank… the Primordial Sovereign?

Uhh… That's probably not the way to go, buddy.

From what little I've learned from Struan about this cult, they worship the Primordial Sovereign — me — in hopes that they will be spared from the destruction. Not much is known about this group yet, as they are quite secretive and require a referral to get in. Which makes sense, since they would be prime targets for a watchlist or lose their jobs if others found out about their little club. However, rumor has it that they preemptively perform ritual sacrifices and other various nefarious deeds to appease their deity.

Given all this, it would make sense for Struan to be mad at me if he thought I founded this cult, as then I would technically be going against the spirit of our promise… not that I think that sort of thing should count, since I'm not doing the deeds directly. Though, I'm a bit insulted that he thinks I crave attention so much that I would want people to worship me

On a similar note, some cities have built temples housing dedicated to doves, pigeons, and the like — likely influenced by my livestreams — but those are separate from the cult I'm currently investigating. Some citizens of the cities decried this, claiming that the officials care more about some birds than their homeless populations… but most were too fearful of me and did their best to shut down the dissenters.

Hmm… Maybe I should take those into consideration for where to not have my fun next… no — I need to refrain in the entirety. I did promise Struan, after all.

Argh! I shouldn't have done that… or rather I wouldn't have if it was for anyone other than Struan.

Meanwhile, some mainstream groups are gaining traction, but those are trying to push their own agenda. They're claiming that the Primordial Sovereign is the world's punishment from mother nature for global warming and ruining the earth. Which…. No. I honestly can't care less about what humans do. Still, they aren't directly claiming to know my will or doing actions for the sake of my name, so for now I'll give them a pass.

Not only that, but quite a few henotheistic and polytheistic religions have sprung up or gained more followers as of late, as people have taken to worshiping nature, animals, and various deities of civilizations of old under the umbrella of my name.

Regardless, whoever thought up my supervillain name didn't do a good job of thinking about future implications.

"Hurry! We can't afford to miss it!"

Miss what now?

"Hurry! We can't afford to miss it!"

Miss what now?

My buddy here — I decided to call him Steve — seems like he has high potential to become a fanatic if he isn't already. He also isn't the brightest.

At the end of the tunnel, Steve flings open a comically flimsy door, illuminated by a single lightbulb hanging low from a wire. The door is so thin it might as well have been made of a single piece of cardboard.

With a metallic bang, the doorknob slams against the stone wall from the force of his jerk, sending a wave of echoes down the tunnel like ripples on a pond.

Now full on running, we dash through the doorway. I crane my head until I'm nearly running backwards to get a better look at the door as I pass by, hardly believing my eyes. A miracle just occurred.

The door… is somehow still attached to its hinges?? And the doorknob, which seems way too heavy for the build of the door, hasn't flown off? …Where did they even get such a door?

The door slowly flops shut, and I stare in awe for a bit longer until it is too uncomfortable to keep looking. I'm not sure which part I'm more surprised at.

But, that isn't the only thing I gawk at. Past the door is a giant, underground chamber with many distant tunnels branching off in various directions. I'm not exactly sure how this cult managed to find all this underneath a city and why it isn't more known…

This group is considered the most fringe and extreme of them all, but given by the crowd here… I'm not sure how well 'niche' holds up.

"So, Steve, I musta missed something… but, what's got you so excited?"

"Wha!? How'd you know?"

"Know what?"

"That my name is Steve."

Whoops, I guess I said that out lou— "Wait, really?"

"Yeah?"

"I just made that up…"

"Oh, and here I thought someone recognized me… a new friend who I didn't know was also a believer…"

We slow to a walk and join some sort of short line… like some sort of check in or payment station?

A table is staffed by two people wearing all white, with gray dove pins on their leather jackets. Their gray, feather-patterned masks cover most of their face, but leave their mouth and chin exposed; the nose area is pointed into a small beak.

They actually look quite good, and I'm glad they're not directly copying my aesthetic.

"Oh! This is what they warned me about!" Steve excitedly flings off and neatly folds his black cloak, revealing a white coat, pants, and tennis shoes.