The council of shadows

In a dark, hidden corner of the world, far from the eyes and conscience of humanity, seven agents of evil — Pride, Greed, Lust, Wrath, Envy, Gluttony, and Sloth — gather to discuss the fate of planet Earth.

The air is thick, motionless. Twisted shadows dance along the walls of that timeless hall, while an ominous silence precedes the beginning of the meeting.

“Colleagues,” declares Pride, his voice firm and arrogant, “even on this gloomy night we are here, assembled beyond humanity’s awareness. The time is near: the fulfillment of the prophecies approaches. No one will be able to defeat us. Our forces are powerful, and we have deployed every possible scheme to bring down these silly deluded creatures. Yet it is not enough, and that is why we are gathered here once more.”

“I despise them,” Envy interjects, her gaze filled with malice. “Seeing them rejoice, even for a moment, is unbearable to me. They are still so fortunate: they can experience moments of light, of hope, even something that nourishes their souls.”

Pride smiles — a cold smile.

“And that is precisely what we must erase completely: the idea that there is something eternal, something spiritual within them. What would our mission be for otherwise, if not to defeat the forces of Good and tear away as many souls as possible to our side? They will come to believe that everything ends here, that nothing exists beyond this life. And when they lose hope… they will fall into the deepest abyss.”

A cavernous laughter echoes through the hall.

“You’re right, Pride,” adds Greed, symbolically clutching in his hands what he does not yet possess. “But we must go further. I will accumulate everything: money, precious stones, oil, resources. Everything will be mine. I will leave nothing to those fools. I will make them slaughter one another for a piece of paper, for a fragment of land, for a barrel of crude oil. They are capable of wars and genocides for so little, unaware that soon everything will belong to us.”

“And they are even willing to sell their own bodies,” Lust bursts out laughing. “For money, for pleasure. By remaining prisoners of bodily desires, they forget the soul. Abortions, obscene acts, corruption of bodies and minds — even of children… it is essential to capture them from early childhood.”

Then she turns toward Wrath, who is trembling with rage.

“Still, Wrath, I see you’re about to explode.”

“If it were up to me,” snarls Wrath, “I would wipe them off the face of the Earth. Destruction, suffering, annihilation — that is what I desire. There is only one solution: a world war. Driving them mad until they unleash the most destructive weapons. Erasing them.”

“Calm yourself,” Pride interrupts. “Before the final blow, we must bring as many souls as possible to ruin. We dared to challenge the One who calls Himself Almighty, and we will continue to do so. Even those who pursue Good must fall.”

A new wave of collective laughter spreads through the chamber.

“Let us not forget the mind,” Gluttony interjects, his voice slick and heavy. “Not just the body. APart from food waste, famine and junk food, let us think about drugs, alcohol, and other substances that can destroy especially the brain, dulling them to the point where they become incapable of using reason. Confused and numbed, they will no longer be able to focus on their souls and spirits. And when the mind is clouded and deprived of clarity, every possibility of elevation vanishes. That is when they become ours for good.”

Pride nods.

“Excellent plan, Gluttony. But Sloth… you have remained silent.”

Sloth yawns, bored, with a faint smile.

“You all strive too hard. My method is simpler, and precisely for that reason effective: stealing their time. Wasting it on useless activities, extreme technology, constant distractions, idleness, depression, anxiety. Minutes, hours, days, and years thrown away. Precious time they could use to awaken, to question themselves, to elevate themselves, to do good deeds.”

He pauses, observing the others with an air of superiority.

“And the most amusing thing is that while you exhaust yourselves with your diabolical actions, my plan unfolds anyway. Every war, every addiction, every uncontrolled desire, every clouded mind contributes to keeping them motionless, tired, emptied. Stuck. No great effort is required — it is enough that they remain busy, confused, exhausted. Until they no longer even realise they are losing what is most precious to them. And when time is consumed, so too is the soul.”

“We truly are diabolical,” they all laugh.

“That’s not enough for me,” Envy hisses. “I want to divide them. Slander, distrust, mutual hatred. The more separated they are, the stronger we become.”

“They are fools,” Wrath growls. “They fight their own brothers and sisters for land and resources. Isn’t that right, Greed?”

“You’re right. The times are ripe,” Greed confirms. “The prophecies speak clearly, and those at risk of being lost are the majority. But it is not enough for us. We must want more.”

“They will be our slaves,” Pride concludes. “Microchips, robots, control. No one will be able to stop us.”

“And those who stand on the side of That One? They might hinder us,” Envy asks with contempt.

“They will suffer more,” Pride replies. “Unless they are protected. Unfortunately.”

“But then,” Envy reflects, “we might even make them stronger, more elevated…”

The chamber darkens further.

“It doesn’t matter,” Pride concludes. “We are unstoppable, and you know well that we never cease plotting against That One, His messengers, and His creation. Everything must be ours. We will meet again to devise something even more diabolical.”

The meeting comes to an end.

Aware of the little time remaining, the agents of evil depart, ready to reap as many souls as possible. What they still do not realise, however, is that the hatred and division they fuel will consume them. Soon they will turn against one another, along with their own legions.

For where destruction and discord reign, Love and Harmony cannot exist. And even their power, like every illusion, is destined to fade — especially where humans experience Love, Unity, and Virtue.

(09/01/2026)