The pressure filling that deep layer of the Abyss remained overwhelming, but something began to change the instant Victoria realized that her influence was no longer producing the desired effect.
The purple energy spreading through the environment still tried to penetrate the emotions of the three, fueling impulses, desires, obsessions, and everything that normally served as fuel for her conceptual dominion. That was the nature of the Ruler of Lust. She didn't need to attack directly. Simply existing was enough. Her presence transformed emotions into invisible currents, and these currents slowly weakened any resistance.
For a few seconds, it seemed that it would continue to work.
Then it stopped working.
Victoria was the first to notice.
Her smile gradually disappeared as she observed the three figures before her.
