"Wow! You actually defeated my shadow dragon! Oh man, that's so amazing! Not like I haven't seen it before, though..." The man said sarcastically.
He wore a different outfit than the generals. A dark gray shirt with a low-cut collar. There was light armor on his right shoulder going down his arm. He had on black pants and metallic boots. I could see dark metallic plates on his legs as well. Over his shoulders, he wore a cloak with a black and purple ornate design. He had an earring with a dark purple crystal hanging from his left ear.
He did not possess a mask or a hood to cover his face.
The man had white hair just like the Attendants and his eyes burned with a dark purple energy.
And yet...
This guy looked lot like...
"Cain...? Is that you...?" I asked.
"You get one warning. Do not call me Cain, Mizik. Just call me Difar. I prefer that name, you know?"
"Fine...Difar..." I said confusingly.
"Mizik...do you know this man?" Isabella said.
"Yeah, he's the piece of shit that evicted me from my house. He...turned into a monster right in front of me. You never got to see his face, but...this is him. Without a doubt...somehow..." I said.
I turned to Difar and he just looked at me like I was stupid.
"Difar...did the Black Ooze make you into a General or something?" I said.
"No, you idiot. What you killed back then was a fragment. A clone of my original body. Although I suppose I can't blame you for being ignorant, can I? It was a false Source that I use to scout the area and spread Corruption in my absence. Did you like my acting?" Difar said.
Clone...? That means...is Difar really...?
"So you're the real Cain Difar. And what I killed wasn't really you. What are you, exactly?" I asked hesitantly.
"I'm glad you asked! Allow me to properly introduce myself, Mizik Iratus," Difar said. He spread his arms out wide and smiled. "I AM CAIN DIFAR!!! DEVOURER OF WORLDS, KING OF THE ABYSS, AND SOURCE OF THE CORRUPTION!!!" He roared.
That word again...
"Corruption? You mean the Black Ooze?" I said.
Difar's expression turned sour.
"STOP CALLING IT THAT STUPID NAME! IT'S CALLED CORRUPTION, YOU IDIOT!" He yelled.
"Master...eliminate...?" Valtheim said as she looked at Difar and tilted her head.
"Ah...no. Not yet. Down, girl," he said.
Valtheim politely bowed her head and stepped back.
"Mizik...that man is a monster among monsters. I don't think I can remember seeing someone so strong before. It's like standing before a roaring star of ultimate power..." Johann said.
That really doesn't inspire confidence...
"Oh, right! I almost forgot!" Difar said.
He snapped his fingers and Corruption spread across the ground behind him and his retinue.
The Corruption completely covered the shadow dragon's smouldering remains and started rising out of the ground again.
"No way...come on, man..." Jallah said in horror.
The shape reformed into the shadow dragon and she looked at us...then smiled.
"GRRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"
"Yes, that's very annoying when you do it so close. Please stop, Kel," Difar said.
"MY BELOVED LORD DIFAR SAYS TO CEASE. I SHALL OBEY."
Difar smiled at us and waved his hand at the dragon.
"You've done enough for now, Kel. Go sleep."
The shadow dragon sank into the ground and completely disappeared.
After that, Michael and Gavin stepped forward.
"So you're the shithead that wrecked our world?" Gavin said.
"Haha...guilty! But that's pretty damn rude, don't you think?" Difar said.
"Alright Cain, how about this...you turn around and leave or face the wrath of the Enforcers!" Michael said angrily.
"My name is Cain Difar. But you can call me Difar. Or Lord Difar. Only my clones are called Cain. This is your only warning."
"Whatever you say, Cain," Michael said with a mocking smile.
Difar clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"You really want to die, don't you?" Difar said.
The two immediately prepared do battle.
At once, Michael's hands became enveloped in shadowy claws as light shimmered all around him. Wind crackling with sparks swirled around Gavin as well.
They both shot towards Difar at blinding speed and he smiled.
"Valtheim," Difar simply said.
Instantly she appeared in front of the two and they stopped in their tracks. Before they could react, Valtheim's hands expanded and shifted into two mouths...then clamped down over the two Enforcers.
The shadows retracted and there was nothing left.
"MICHAEL!!! GAVIN!!!" Leiso screamed.
"Well...I warned him, didn't I?" Difar said.
"YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!!" Leiso screamed as water filled with metal shards flared up out of the ground around her.
Difar held up his hand.
"Unless you want to visit the Void, I suggest you calm down, psycho woman," Difar said.
At once, Leiso ceased her attacks.
As much as she wanted to kill Difar, that was no hollow threat... Valtheim had just devoured two Enforcers in an instant... One more would be simple.
"Very nice. Now then, introductions! I've been looking forward to this! It's my favorite part, you know? AND I INTEND TO ENJOY IT!!! Now, since she's so eager, I'd like you to meet my dear sweet horror named Valtheim. Take off the mask and hood, Valtheim," Difar said.
"Yes..." she said. Valtheim pulled her hood down and removed the mask. What I saw genuinely surprised me.
She was actually quite beautiful. Her hair was long and fully dark gray. She looked to be young. The pupils in her eyes were pitch black, but...
Then she looked directly at me.
As she stared at me, I saw her pupils expand... It was as if I was gazing into a black chasm... It was...calling for me...
I felt like I was being pulled into absolute nothingness. It made me feel faint...as if I were beginning to fade from reality.
I shook my head and stepped back.
Instinctively, I felt the urge to run away.
"GAHAHAHAHA!!!! I LOVE IT WHEN SHE DOES THAT!" Difar laughed.
"What...what the hell is that thing!?" Johann said.
"My own personal bodyguard. This is Valtheim, Avatar of the Void and Envoy of Nothingness. She is my ultimate creation. My trump card," Difar said.
"Avatar...of the Void!? How!?" Johann said.
"With the power of Corruption, the Void was given form. It was given a purpose and a mind. Thus, Valtheim came to be. Ain't she just the cutest little terror you've ever laid eyes on!?" Difar said with a sadistic smile.
"Lord Difar..." Tyras said.
Difar stopped and looked over at Tyras.
"Yeah? What do you want? Can't you see that I'm enjoying myself? Do you know how long I have to wait every time to get to this part!?" He said.
"Y-yes Lord Difar...but shouldn't we deal with the Chosen Hero?" Tyras said.
"Ah...you're no fun. Is your grudge really that severe?" Difar asked.
"Yes...I want to kill Mizik with my own hands. I hate him for what he did to me!" Tyras said.
"Me too! I want to tear him apart!!!" Axiom said angrily.
"Uhh...kill him...?" Difar mumbled.
"What!? I don't know you people! I haven't done anything to you!" I said.
"Oh? Have you?" Difar said with a slight tilt of his head.
He snapped his fingers. Then Tyras and Axiom stepped forward and removed their masks.
I could hardly believe my eyes.
Tyras and Axiom...were actually Tyranus and Arvild.
"Surprised? I thought the names were a little close, but I still can't believe you didn't figure it out, Mizik," Tyranus said.
Both of them looked exactly as they did before, except that their eyes had turned dark purple.
"Why is this happening...? What did we do to deserve this...?" Isabella said fearfully.
"Sweet Isabella my dear, you have grown so beautiful... I'm going to make you wish you were never born for rejecting me..." Arvild said menacingly as he stepped towards her.
Tyranus stepped towards me.
"Umm...what do you two think you're doing?" Difar said suddenly.
"Lord Difar, we were just going to kill these two, and-"
"Did I say you could attack yet?" Difar said as he cut Tyranus off.
"I-I apologize, Lord Difar... That was my mistake... I got ahead of myself..." Tyranus said fearfully.
"Same here! I'm sorry Lord Difar!" Arvild said with terror in his eyes.
It was entertaining to watch these two, but I almost felt bad for them...
Almost.
"Right. Well, you two can sit this one out. I have other plans to deal with them. Plans that don't include killing Mizik."
Both Tyranus and Arvild looked at Difar in shock.
"B-but...Lord Difar! You promised that we could-"
"Did I promise you something? I don't seem to remember." He said as he cut Tyranus off again.
"Y-yes, Lord Difar... You said that Axiom and I could have Mizik and Isabella when the time came. If I recall correctly..." Tyranus said meekly.
"Really? I don't remember that at all. I don't think it happened. Are you going to call me a liar?" Difar asked with a sinister smile.
Both Tyranus' and Arvild's eyes went wide in terror and they dropped to their knees.
"WE'RE SORRY! YOU'RE RIGHT! HOW COULD WE BE SO STUPID!?" Tyranus yelled as he lowered his head of the ground.
"OUR APOLOGIES, LORD DIFAR!!! WE WERE MISTAKEN!!!" Arvild shouted as he did the same.
Difar began to stomp on and kick the two of them.
"Oh...that's nice. In that case, why don't you let Kyriel take care of Isabella? You know...LIKE IT'S HER DAMN JOB TO DO!? YOU IDIOTS!!! WHY DO YOU THINK I MADE HER IN THE FIRST PLACE!? IT SURE AS HELL WASN'T BECAUSE OF HER GREAT PERSONALITY!!! YOU MORONS!!! DUMBASSES!!! HOW MANY DAMN TIMES TO I HAVE TO TELL YOU NOT TO KILL MIZIK!?!? I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO LORELEI, YOU FUCKING IDIOTS!!!" Difar screamed as he continued kicking and stomping the two pathetic men.
"Lord Difar...eliminate...?" Valtheim said as she pointed to Tyranus and Arvild.
It seemed like she was just sensing the hostile intent and trying to serve Difar.
"No, sweetie. When I give the word, you'll keep the dragon god busy. The one with the red hair and horn...crystal thingy. You know how to deal with gods, so I expect the best from you. We have to make sure this lot doesn't escape. That would be bad. Yes. Very bad."
"Yes...Lord Difar... I...obey..." Valtheim said as she turned to Johann.
"Ah...that's really scary..." Johann said.
After that, Kyriel stepped forward and shyly waved at me.
"Last but certainly not least, we should wrap up our introductions. Ugh...this is gonna get weird... Kyriel here, was made specifically to deal with Isabella's nearly unbreakable defense. You might be familiar with her as well...unfortunately..." Difar said.
He hesitantly snapped his fingers and Kyriel slowly removed her mask.
As she lowered her mask, I saw the familiar pink hair and beautiful face of my own wife. It was my sister-in-law...Cassandra Victoria Albatross...
This can't be happening!
Her breathing was heavy as she looked at me with pure desire and adoration in her eyes...which had gone from an icy blue to a dark purple.
I looked at her and was suddenly creeped out by how she'd been acting before.
"Ahn...Mizik can see my face... H-how embarrassing... H-hello, Mizik...it's n-nice to see you again...ah... I missed you so much, my darling Mizik!!!" Cassandra said as her face turned bright red.
"Yeah...she was made to beat Isabella, but...she had some kind of strange obsession with Mizik...and she's kind of a wierdo..." Difar said.
"What...WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE TO MY SISTER!?" Isabella said.
"Wait...that's the crazy girl who tortured you, Mizik!?" Jallah said.
I slowly nodded and suddenly Cassandra covered her ears and screamed.
"NOOOO!! I...I DIDN'T... I DIDN'T HURT MY DARLING MIZIK!!! NOOOOO!!! I COULD NEVER!!! I'M...I'M SO SORRYYYYYYY!!! MIZIK I'M SORRY!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Cassandra screamed as she cried hysterically.
"Really...? Just calm down, sheesh... You freak of nature..." Difar said.
I could feel an intense panic and confusion rising within me as I looked on at Cassandra.
Cassandra went completely insane...and is now madly in love with me...?
Cassandra slowly stood up and looked at me hesitantly.
"P-please forgive me, M-mizik darling...but I have to...d-defeat Isabella... It's okay! I-I won't kill her! I was told not to! And then...w-we can share you, darling! As we always should have done! And I can finally rest in your wonderful, strong arms again!" Cassandra said with a loving smile
She looked at me with eyes full of desperation.
I backed away and Isabella stepped in front of me.
"Sister...I don't know what happened to you, but you cannot have Mizik. I really never thought I would be saying this to you of all people... Mizik is mine, Cassandra."
"That's okay! I won't take your place, dear sister! That would upset Mizik! I only want to make Mizik happy!" Cassandra said as she glanced shyly at me.
Then she stared at me she started breathing heavily again.
"Yeah, this is getting weird... Totally ruining the mood. How about we get things started?" Difar said.
Cassandra smiled and stepped forward.
"Yes, Lord Difar. I won't kill her. Just like you asked me to. I'll do everything exactly as you instructed, unlike those idiot subordinates of mine!" Cassandra said. "And then..."
Cassandra looked at Difar hopefully.
"Eh...yeah...sure. You can have him when I'm done... As long as you don't kill him, let anyone else kill him, or let him kill himself...freak..." Difar said as he looked away uncomfortably.
Cassandra shifted her gaze to me and smiled sweetly. I felt a shiver run up my spine...
"I'll just subdue Isabella... Then Mizik and I can be together and we'll be happy! Mizik will hug me lots and shower me in love and praise! And Mizik will...forgive the suffering I caused him...forgive me for being so despicable... Bad...bad Cassandra...evil bitch...how dare you hurt him... I'll kill you...I'll erase you!!!" Cassandra's smile slowly turned into an angry frown as she shakily pointed her dagger at her own throat.
"GET ON WITH IT, KYRIEL!" Difar said angrily.
Cassandra stood up straight and smiled cheerfully.
"Yes, Lord Difar!" She said happily.
I looked fearfully at Isabella.
"Hey...Isabella? I'm counting on you here... Please help me..." I said desperately.
"You can trust me, my love. I'll deal with Cassandra, then we can both fight Difar," Isabella said.
Difar burst out laughing.
"Yeah, not likely. Unless my eyes deceived me, you just barely managed to beat Kel. That makes you really powerful, but...nowhere near my level. I'm not just some random guy with crazy powers, you know? I AM THE GOD OF CORRUPTION! THE KING OF THE ABYSS! YOU IDIOTS DON'T STAND A CHANCE!"
"Maybe not...but I can still try. I'll kill you if it's the last thing I do! I'LL AVENGE-"
"OH MY GOD, JUST SHUT UP! I'VE HEARD IT LIKE A THOUSAND TIMES! LET'S JUST FIGHT ALREADY!!!" Difar yelled.
"Fine then...so be it!" I growled.
I readied Vengeance and let my energy surge.