Chapter 135

In the wake of Chinedu Eze's fiery takeover of Nigeria, a tremor of shock and excitement rippled across Africa and beyond. His swift rise to power echoed like a seismic shock, stirring ambitions and fears alike. For some, his conquest was a call to action, an invitation to challenge the status quo; for others, it was a wake-up call to the fragility of order in an age of emerging abilities.

The Online Community Ignites

Across social media and virtual forums, voices clashed as people tried to make sense of the unfolding chaos. Posts, comments, and live streams swarmed across the internet, igniting debates that erupted like a wildfire.

"Finally! Eze is standing up against a corrupt system. We need someone like him in South Africa!" one commenter proclaimed, their excitement mirrored by others.

Meanwhile, a cautious voice from Egypt warned, "This is dangerous. Eze may have powers, but absolute power corrupts absolutely. He's no hero—he's just a new kind of dictator."

Within moments, threads filled with conflicting sentiments, each one reflecting a unique perspective. "Why not bring someone like Eze to Ghana?" asked an aspiring activist. "The youth have waited too long—we need real change, and he's showing us how it can be done."

But a Nigerian voice, both skeptical and weary, countered, "Be careful. Eze's power may move mountains, but he could just as easily bury us. Overthrowing a government doesn't promise a better future."

Modern Weapons, Modern Fears

Among the discussions, some turned to analyzing Eze's remarkable strength, especially his power over earth, and the seeming impotence of modern weapons against it. Videos circulated of Eze tearing apart tanks and overturning armored vehicles with a mere flick of his wrist.

"It's as if he's untouchable," noted a user from the UK. "When guns can't stop him, what's left?"

"He's the earth incarnate," one excited follower from Tanzania commented, awe in their words. "What defense can stand against a man who can shatter the ground with a thought?"

But not everyone shared this admiration. A voice from Brazil interjected, "It's a comic book come to life, sure—but when reality catches up, it won't be pretty. We're not prepared for what might come next."

A Wave of Wannabe Kings

As the news spread, Eze's conquest inspired more than just online chatter. Across Africa, figures rose, claiming to follow his example. A young man in Ghana calling himself the Flame Prince donned a bright red cloak and began rallying youth to "ignite a new future." In Kenya, a woman with minor earth manipulation abilities declared herself the Queen of Stone, calling for her followers to "build a new world order."

This spreading unrest did not go unnoticed by local governments, who scrambled to assess these emerging threats and the growing popularity of Eze-inspired leaders. Security agencies were put on high alert, tracking social media activity, but the numbers of self-proclaimed "kings" and "queens" continued to rise.

Amid this upheaval, Dr. Richard Carlisle's research gained renewed urgency. His headband device, designed to suppress abilities, had been a fringe project but now attracted intense government interest as officials sought methods to contain the growing tide of empowered individuals.

"Dr. Carlisle's device might be our last line of defense," a government official stated in a tense meeting, reviewing the potential to equip soldiers with the headbands.

Behind the scenes, whispers surfaced of ability users willing to work for the government, individuals who hoped to counterbalance figures like Eze. Some were motivated by patriotism, while others sought protection or feared what Eze's actions might unleash.