Damien lurked invisibly in the corner of the office, watching his target intently. The man - what was his name again? - sat hunched over his desk, scribbling notes and muttering to himself. Damien crept forward, peering over the man's shoulder at the documents laid out before him. Portal exploration permits, corporate applications, and personnel files on those teenagers who had developed strange abilities.

A slow, cruel smile spread across Damien's face. This insignificant human was in charge of approving missions into the portals, giving the demon access to untold realms teeming with energies waiting to be harnessed. With the right... persuasion, this bureaucrat could become a useful pawn indeed.

A knock at the door made the man jump in his seat. "Come in," he called out nervously.

A severe-looking woman entered, her heels clicking on the tile floor. "Thompson, I need those permit approvals on my desk by 5 PM today. John Masters is breathing down my neck about getting his new exploration team into the Cerberus portal ASAP."

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Thompson shifted anxiously. "Of course, Ms. Blackburn, I'm working on them now. There are some safety concerns-"

"Just get it done," she cut him off. "Masters has powerful friends, so don't screw this up." With that, she turned on her heel and departed.

Thompson sagged back in his chair, running a hand down his face. Damien's smile widened. The man's despair was palpable, as was his fear of displeasing those in power. Time to provide an alternative, one that would suit Damien's own ends.

"Poor, troubled man," Damien growled, allowing his invisibility to fade away. Thompson jerked upright with a strangled gasp.

"Wh-who are you?" he stammered, eyes bulging.

Damien sat casually on the edge of Thompson's desk. "A friend. I

couldn't help overhearing your troubles. You wish to do what's right,

yet they force you into dubious choices, no?"

Thompson seemed too shocked to even respond.

Damien leaned forward. "I can help you free yourself of their control. Grant power to those who serve your own vision instead."

The man simply stared, sweat beading his brow. Damien grinned. "I will take that as a yes."

This mortal would serve as his pawn well. The gates between worlds would soon open wide for demon-kind.