True Good comes from within…
Jason's grin grew and grew as he prepared himself to do something crazy. He had heard the God's speech and noted the effects of the plague, but personally, he didn't mind the fact that he had five pimples now. Just a few years ago, Jason and his friends had faces full of acne, yet no one seemed to care one bit — though, thinking back, that may have been why girls never really approached him.
With nothing to lose, Jason decided to try his plan once and for all. Noticing a window of opportunity to earn some money and gain a few supporters, the gears in Jason's mind began to turn. Normally, he was quiet, shy, and reserved but in the face of such a favorable moment, he felt that it would be a waste not to reap the rewards.
Jason cleared his throat twice and flashed his award-winning smile, one befitting of a scammer:
*ehem* *ehem*
"I understand that many of you are panicking and believe that you have made a grave mistake going against the God of Skin Lotion. You may think that this is a horrendous plague," he began.
"But in reality, I believe that this is a wonderful harvest. It is a chance for us humans, vampires, and beastkin to better ourselves and to better comprehend our daily struggle between good and evil," he continued.
"This is OUR CHANCE to take back control of our bodies, our lives, and our spirits. Now I see that some of you may be a bit skeptical. What exactly do I mean?"
"Well, let's view it like this. If the pimple symbolizes a body's natural resistance against evil, then naturally those with the most pimples have the highest resistance to evil and are the closest to God. Isn't that right, Eve?"
"Ya! Exactly what Big Brother says!" Eve nodded.
"Great, so then why should we use cream to help us remove pimples?" he loudly questioned the group.
"Isn't that the same as using Google to cheat on your exams? The same as buying frozen food, microwaving it, and then saying that you cooked it when your in-laws ask? The same as getting bailed out of jail every time you mess up?"
"My point is…that using pimple cream is like taking advantage of unnatural and unnecessary measures to fight against a natural evil," Jason said with a widening smile, about to close in on his punch line.
"TRUE GOOD COMES FROM WITHIN…AND SIMILARLY TRUE EVIL MUST BE EXPELLED FROM WITHIN. If we, the young warriors chosen by the Gods, are unable to face the TINIEST of our fears naturally, then what other forms of compensation will we resort to when push comes to shove?!" he roared.
"THAT WHICH BEGETS MORE SUFFERING IS NOT EVIL ITSELF BUT RATHER THE INABILITY TO FACE EVIL...BY YOURSELF" he boldly stated.
Jason nodded to his servants, who quickly understood and begun clapping. "All Hail the Messiah" chants and "Kill this Heretic" death threats slowly spread throughout the city center as the residents' minds opened up to and rejected the wisdom of Jason.
"All Hail the Messiah!"
"All Hail the Messiah!"
"Grab the heretic!"
"Make his face ugly!"
"Kill him!"
This duality of clapping, irritation, praise, and insults continued across Butterpond as Jason concluded,
"This new age of Enlightment, of Understanding, and of Truth...we shall call it…The Pimple Clan! Those who wish to see the light, come with us. Those who don't, may stay as they please."
Turning 180 degrees, Jason grabbed Eve firmly and placed her on his shoulders.
"Let's go, Eve," he whispered. "Before the angry ones try to attack us."
"Mmm okay," she laughed. "Hehe, they seem so mad brother."
Worried that he might lose more lives to the angry God of Skin Lotion followers, Jason walked hastily back toward the alley. Seeing that he was safe, he released a sigh of relief and thanked his mom for sending him to public speaking classes in high-school. Jason had been worried that he might stutter, but as he turned around, silently counting the number of followers he had acquired, the number shocked even Jason himself.
He had expected maybe five people to follow his lead, but as he glanced back for a clearer picture, the hate reader saw fifty residents across different races, staring back at him with admiration and blind faith.
Some believed him for his defiance against the Gods; others believed him for his eye-opening speech on self-preservation; and others simply followed him for the cute girl that stayed by his side.
Unbeknownst to Jason himself, the young black-haired teenager single-handedly changed the history of the Isles on that day. His speech had been recorded through wind magic and would soon be sent around the world for others to hear and worship.
Though no one knew it at the time, and certainly not even Jason himself, his Pimple Clan would soon overturn the long-lasting religion of the God of Skin Lotion in just a couple of years and become the most powerful and widespread group of believers ever recorded in the history of the Isles of the Gods.
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