When she fell into the hole that opened up underneath her, Cassandra's life became a waking nightmare.
"WH-WHAT!? MIZIK! ISABELLA! HELP ME!! PLEASE!!!" Cassandra screamed after it closed.
"It's no use, Cassandra. They can't hear you anymore. You're mine now!" Difar's voice said.
I recognized it immediately and just hearing him made me angry.
"Who...who are you!? Where am I!?"
"I am the King of the Abyss. I am Corruption. And I AM YOUR NEW GOD!!!" Difar said.
"NOO!!! LET ME GO!!! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO-"
"Shut up! I HAVE EVERY RIGHT! YOUR WORLD IS ALREADY MINE!"
"No...nooooo! Everything was finally getting better! WHY!? WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY!?"
"I SAID SHUT UP!!! STOP CRYING!!!"
Before she could speak again, she began to lose consciousness as the Corruption was injected into her body and mind.
She was stabbed by purple tendrils all over her back.
Soon, her eyes turned dark purple... Then her veins turned black.
"N-noo...please...someone...save me...! M-mizik...please...don't let me...die...! I'm...so sorry..." She whimpered.
When all was said and done, she melted into the Corruption and became one with it.
* * *
All around Cassandra, were the screaming souls of everyone who had been devoured.
Everyone cried out in agony as their bodies were slowly converted into food and reinforcements for the Corruption.
Once they broke, they could no longer resist Difar's power. Their bodies changed into abominations and they were used on the field of battle.
Their souls were torn from their bodies and cast into the Abyss as well.
The remnants were leftover creatures...vestiges of their former selves with only fragments of their memories.
Some people, however...were stronger.
They did not break easily. Their bodies were made better. Their minds could handle nightmarish torture and they withstood Difar's power.
These people attracted his attention.
He did not require their assistance, but it brought him sick pleasure to enslave others.
The individuals who could withstand the worst of it were the elite. They were made into separate false Sources capable of spreading and controlling Corruption.
They were the strong. The mighty.
The Generals of The Dark Army.
These are the things I learned from watching and listening to Cassandra speak.
Tyranus, Arvild, and Cassandra were such strong individuals.
The other two escaped the pit before she did...
And while she was in there, Cassandra screamed in agony.
She was repeatedly dissected and stabbed over and over all over her body...then put back together as the Corruption was injected onto her.
Since her body was strong, it took a long time to fully convert it and the process would repeat over and over...
It made me sick to watch. I truly felt bad for her at this point...
Even the current Cassandra had covered her eyes she was shaking in fear at these memories. She was down on her knees and whimpering.
"Make it stop...make the screaming stop...please...no more... It hurts...why did this happen...? I don't want to go back to the pit..." She cried.
I was speechless.
How much suffering was a person capable of taking before they broke?
As I thought about this, something else happened.
While Cassandra's body underwent horrific abuse, Difar entered her mind.
"Hmmm...let's see here... You really are one demented Princess, aren't you? Such hatred for your sister! And, of course, Mizik... THAT PIECE OF SHIT!!!" Difar shouted.
"UNHAND ME!! LET ME GO!!! PLEASE I BEG YOU!!! MAKE IT STOP!!!! AAAHHHHHHHH!!!!" Cassandra screamed.
"Umm...okay, yeah. Sure. You're free to go just because you asked... Not really, of course. I seem to be lacking a certain sister of yours thanks to the efforts of that boy you have a crush on. So I've decided to use you this time around."
"Don't be...don't be ridiculous! I don't have a...a crush on Mizik!!! He's...a commoner...! I could never...!"
"By the Void, do you just really enjoy lying to yourself or what? You fell madly in love with him as soon as he put those filthy arms of his on you. ADMIT IT!"
"I DON'T LOVE HIM!!! I COULD NEVER!!! YOU'RE LYING TO ME!"
"GAHAHAHAHAHA!!! THIS'LL BE FUN THEN! LOOK AT YOUR OWN INNER THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES, DUMBASS!"
At once, Cassandra was assaulted by the innermost thoughts and feelings she had for me all along.
"NO!!! I...Mizik... Why Do I..."
"Man...wouldn't it be great if that guy you love so much came and rescued you!? You'd probably do anything for him, right? WOW! YOU COULD MARRY HIM AND ENJOY IT! YOU COULD MAKE SWEET DISGUSTING LOVE TO HIM EVERY NIGHT!!!" Difar mocked.
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at his strange words...
At the same time...
"I...Mizik! I...I LOVE YOU!!! PLEASE SAVE ME!!!"
"Isn't that just so sweet!? True love is so pure and delightful! Now then...aren't we forgetting something? This boy you love... You got so angry with yourself for liking him that you put him through some of the most horrific torture imaginable! YOU'RE A DEMENTED PSYCHOPATH! A MURDERER! AND THAT'S COMING FROM ME OF ALL PEOPLE!"
Suddenly, Cassandra's eyes went wide in horror.
"What are you...what are you talking about!? I COULD NEVER HURT HIM! I LOVE HIM TOO MUCH! Ever since I first felt his embrace...I couldn't stop thinking about him! His eyes...his face...all of him...I love him!!! PLEASE SAVE ME, MIZIK!!! I'll DO ANYTHING!!!!" Cassandra screamed as tears fell down her face.
"He doesn't care about you. He HATES you. All because you hurt him for no good reason... He's never coming to save you, dear. You. Are. DOOMED!"
Then Difar forced the memories to come flooding back to her. All the horrific things she did to her beloved Mizik.
From then on...her screams were not because of her own pain...
But because of the guilt and regret that began eating her alive.
* * *
"Ahh...it's done! She finally finished conversion and has now been reformed perfectly!" Difar said.
The room we saw at this point was dark. The walls were an ornate mixture of black and dark purple. The lanterns hanging from the ceiling in the room were kept lit by black flames.
In the middle of the room, was an absurdly complex magic circle with a young woman lying face down and naked in the middle of it.
This girl was unconscious. It was Cassandra.
"Hmm...wakey wakey! Difar said as he nudged Cassandra with his foot.
She didn't budge at all.
"I SAID WAKE UP!!!" He said as he kicked Cassandra hard in the side.
"Ngh...."
She rolled to her side and grunted in pain.
She slowly opened her eyes.
I also...averted mine...
She wasn't wearing anything and...it felt weird since she was also standing right next to me...
I looked over to her and she blushed while occasionally glancing at me.
"Ah...Mizik can see everything..." She said.
"You're really weird."
"Please look as much as you like, darling!"
Meanwhile...
"Good morning! You sure slept like a corpse! Welcome to The Dark Army. You are my newest General. I am Lord Cain Difar, Source of the Corruption, King of the Abyss, etcetera. You will call me Lord Difar and nothing else. If you fail to follow this rule, you get to spend time in the pit until you get it right. Uh, that's the place you just came from, by the way," Difar said.
"Dark...Army...General... Lord Difar..." Cassandra mumbled in a voice that completely lacked any and all emotion.
"Are you braindead or something?"
"..."
"Right. Since I can tell you aren't really braindead, I have a proposal for you."
Difar snapped his fingers and a black tentacle emerged from the ground. It was clutching a black dagger.
Difar took the dagger and the tentacle melted back into the floor. Then he offered it to Cassandra.
"This is for you. Take it," Difar aaid.
Cassandra's eyes slowly looked up at him and she weakly grabbed the dagger after sitting up.
Immediately, a dark aura emerged from it and burned her hand.
She didn't even react except for dropping the dagger and staring at it.
"That dagger is a Corrupted form of Intelligence. The dagger from Avernia. It's called 'Deception'. Fitting for you, yes?"
"Deception... Dagger from...Avernia..."
"Yep. That's what I said. I have a proposal for you, Cassandra. Serve me willingly, or go back to the pit forever. Your choice."
Cassandra's eyes showed a mild terror as she looked at Difar.
"I...will serve...!"
"Excellent! Now then, I made you specifically to deal with Isabella and her ridiculous defense. She somehow survived, so I want to make sure she hasn't become an Enforcer or anything. Your dagger should be able to counter Bravery in every way possible."
"Y-yes..."
"And...if you manage to subdue her... Once I'm done with Mizik Iratus, I'll give him to you forever. Deal?"
Cassandra's eyes lit up suddenly at hearing my name.
"M-mizik!? MIZIK! MY DARLING MIZIK!! MY BELOVED!!! WHERE IS HE!? I WANT TO HOLD HIM IN MY ARMS!!! I MUST PROTECT HIM!!!" Cassandra shouted loudly with an expression of pure happiness.
"Damn, you're really weird. Yeah, you can have him. And I have to ask...why did you torture him if you love him so much? Isn't that like...a really shitty way to show affection?" Difar said.
At that moment, the memories flooded back to Cassandra again and she had the same reaction as when I met her recently.
She held her hands over her ears and screamed.
"AHHHHHHHH!!! I DIDN'T HURT HIM!!! I'M SO SORRY, MIZIK!!! PLEASE FORGIVE ME, MY BELOVED!!!"
She started crying and curled up on the floor as she clutched the dagger she had been given.
"Awesome. You're completely insane. I like it. From now on, your name is Kyriel. General Kyriel.
"I-I'm...K-kyriel...General Kyriel..." She said shakily.
"Good. Now put some damn clothes on already," Difar said as he snapped his fingers.
Kyriel was completely enveloped in Corruption and a moment later, she wore her dark armored robes from before. She had a mask attached to her hip.
"Oh yeah, there's one other thing. I'll tell the other Generals later, but we're going to attack a world called Daser. After that, we're going to a place called Ignitus. Mizik is on Ignitus. Listen to me VERY carefully. Once we get to Ignitus, you are not permitted to remove your mask for any reason at all unless I tell you to. Additionally, you are not allowed to speak to Mizik. Don't talk to him. Don't reveal anything about who or what I am. Lastly, you are not allowed to fight him in battle. If you fight him, you will die. He is more than capable of killing you at this point. Plain and simple. You are equipped to fight Isabella. NOT MIZIK! Understood?"
Kyriel smiled widely with eyes full of desire at the mention of seeing Mizik and nodded.
"Awesome. I'll reiterate later but for now, go meet the other Generals. Their names are Tyras and Axiom. They used to be Tyranus and Arvild respectively. I'm sure you'll get along swimmingly! ...Maybe... Anyway, bye now! I have work to do," Difar said.
Then a void eye opened behind him and he backed into it. The eye closed and he disappeared.
"Heheheh...follow Lord Difar's orders... Then I'll have Mizik... I must atone... I will make him happy this time... My beloved Mizik..." Kyriel mumbled to herself.
Then she pressed the tip of Deception against her throat and her expression changed to one of horrifying despair.
"I won't hurt him again... That evil me is gone... I have to cherish him...protect him from all of the bad things... Darling needs me to protect him... I hate that evil me... That evil witch... Die die die... I hate you... Evil Cassandra... Bad... You sick monster... It's all your fault! I must have Mizik. No matter the cost... I'll treat him so much better now! I'll love him and hold him in my arms! I'll protect him like Isabella does...then...then he'll love me... Mizik will forgive me... He'll...s-save me... Please...help me...save me...!" She said.
She cried quietly as desperate thoughts of forgiveness and salvation danced in her mind.
Shortly after her episode, she got up and went to meet the other Generals.
"Cassandra! It's good to see you!" Arvild said as she approached.
"Hello, Axiom. I see Lord Difar consumed you as well," Kyriel said without feeling.
"Yes, I was consumed. He gave me a sword called Hatred. Now tell me...since you're here, why not enjoy your new body a bit? By letting me enjoy it...?"
Kyriel held her hand over her mouth and gagged.
"You are a vile creature to even suggest such a thing. I will never allow you to even come close to touching me. Begone, vermin," she said with a condescending look.
As if she were looking at something truly inhuman and revolting.
"Harsh...but expected..."
"Axiom, you are a fool. Her name is Kyriel now. That's the name Lord Difar said he would give her. Also, Kyriel once said in the past that I was closer to her ideal type. Obviously, she and I will storm the battlefield together as husband and wife under the banner of The Dark Army. Kyriel, I was once Tyranus, but I am reborn. I am Tyras, wielding the blade: Hopelessness!" Tyras said.
Kyriel's expression changed to one of complete and utter disgust as she gagged again...then of searing rage.
"You...YOU!!! YOU EVIL BASTARD!!!" Kyriel screamed.
Tyras took a step back, but...
Kyriel stabbed Tyras in the throat with her dagger and tackled him down in rage.
She continued stabbing him while screaming at him.
"DIE!!! JUST DIE FOR ME!!! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!!! IF YOU HADN'T BETRAYED ME, I COULD HAVE ESCAPED!!! I HATE YOU!!!!"
"AAAHHHH!!!! STOP STABBING ME!!! WE'RE ON THE SAME...GAH!!! THE SAME SIDE!!!"
Axiom stepped back as Kyriel finally finished and stood up.
Tyras regenerated and eventually sat up.
He grited his teeth and unsheathed his sword.
Before he could strike her down, he was stabbed in the back of the neck and fell down.
Then Kyriel paralyzed him by stabbing him in his spine.
"Gah...How...!?" He managed.
"Ehehe...HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I'M STRONGER THAN YOU NOW, TYRAS!!! I'LL MAKE YOU SUFFER IF YOU ATTACK ME AGAIN!!!" Kyriel laughed.
"Eh...K-kyriel? He's on our side! He's an ally! Even if he is still a bastard... Why don't you calm yourself. I promise that I won't betray you like he did, my dear," Axiom said.
Kyriel walked over to Axiom and held her dagger to his throat. At the same time, Tyras had finally recovered and stood at his feet. He seemed like he was in a daze.
"I hate you, Axiom. Even more than Tyras. If you continue speaking to me, I'll torture you. You'll almost prefer the pit when I'm done with you."
Axiom stepped back with his eyes wide.
"I will never love either of you. Ever! Besides...I am in love with another. A man so far above both of you that neither could comprehend it!" Kyriel said with a smile.
"Ah...Lord Difar, right? I suppose that's understandable," Tyras said as he recovered himself.
"Do not be ridiculous. I could never love such a man."
"Then...who?" Axiom said.
"Here it comes again..." I said aloud.
The current Cassandra puffed out her chest, proudly...as if her weird obsession was a badge of honor.
"Mizk Iratus, of course! Who else!? I could never love someone as much as my sweet darling Mizik! He is everything to me! More important than life itself! Haaah...he's so amazing!" Kyriel said as a look of pure madness mixed with adoration creeped onto her face.
"Umm...seriously? HE'S THE ENEMY!" Tyras shouted.
"SILENCE, TYRAS! IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU, THAT I CAN'T BE WITH HIM RIGHT NOW!!!" Kyriel screamed.
"So you love that pile of trash, lowborn maggot, Mizik Iratus? Didn't you torture-"
A series of daggers shot towards Axiom and found their home in his chest, eyes, and throat.
"AAHHHHHHH!!!!"
Kyriel stomped on his head.
"HOW DARE YOU INSULT HIM!!! IT'S YOUR FAULT THAT HE WAS LURED TO MY ROOM IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!"
"TH-THAT WAS BECAUSE YOU ORDERED ME TO-"
Kyriel continued stomping his head unto it was just a puddle of black ooze.
When she finished, he regenerated.
After she stood up, Tyras hesitantly approached her.
"You've clearly gone insane, Kyriel!" He said.
"Ah...perhaps. Who can say? But from now on, we answer to Lord Difar. And you two will also answer to me. Unless...you want to be my next victims..."
The two of then looked terrified and nodded.
Kyriel smiled and walked away with a sinister laugh.
* * *
Next, Cassandra showed me what happened when she entered Ignitus.
Difar wanted everyone to greet me, so he broadcast his and everyone else's distorted voices through a Corruption insect that spoke via telepathy.
Then the day came when I entered the city.
Cassandra had been instructed not to speak a single word to me at all. Difar modified the deal and said that if she broke any of her agreements, Difar would kill me and reset everything. To Cassnadra, having everything go back to how it was originally, just so I could end up being tortured by her again was a fate worse than death. She decided she would subdue Isabella and fight against me in order to protect me...
She had also been ordered to ensure that Tyras and Axiom didn't kill me on purpose or by accident.
It began with the assault on Sector 8-N. The Generals led their forces into the city against the Nexian-Arcadian military forces.
We saw the battle unfold before our eyes and I found myself impressed by her lethality. Though, also a little angry that she was killing our soldiers...
"I'm so sorry! I was just following orders... I didn't want my beloved-"
"Yeah, okay. I get it. You're in love with me... That's fine..."
Cassandra smiled at me and leaned on my arm.
This is the girl that tortured me. I can't let myself forget... Why won't she just leave me alone...?
Eventually, we saw her standing on the street corner and thinking to herself.
"Follow orders... Complete Lord Difar's will...everyone calls him Master... Don't say the word 'Corruption'. Don't talk to Mizik. Don't fight Mizik. Maybe I should just not speak? Then no one will know... I'll be extra good, Lord Difar! Then I can have...haah...Miziiiiik~!"
She stood there and looked at her surroundings...then down at the ground.
With the illusion, I was able to see her face despite her constantly wearing a mask.
She started silently weeping to herself...
"Difar is...a monster... Much worse than I am...or was... An evil, insane monster! I don't want to serve him, anymore... I just want to hold my Mizik... Oh Isabella...why couldn't it have been me...? Why couldn't I have just been honest with myself like you? I...must be careful of what I do... Lord Difar will know as soon as I break any rules. Mizik...please save me...I'm so sorry... I shouldn't have hurt you..."
Just then...she looked up in confusion.
"Someone is...using illusion magic nearby...? Another soldier? Or..."
Kyriel looked around and her eyes stopped on my former self's silhouette as he approached her.
Kyriel stared for a moment before her face lit up with desperation.
"H-huh...? M-mizik...? Is that really you...? You have the hair and face... The eyes...and even that horrible scar I gave you... Your power is so different here and your clothes are strange. But...yes...it smells like Mizik... My beloved...my sweet Mizik...! YOU CAME TO SAVE ME!!!"
I watched as my silhouette moved and Kyriel followed it with her head.
"Ehehe...hehe...Miziiiik~! I see you, darling! Illusions don't affect me, dear! Ah...wait! Tyras and Axiom are coming. No! I must warn him!!! I can't let him be discovered! They'll hurt my darling! Don't worry darling, I'll protect you!"
Kyriel quickly crouched down with her hands on her face as she adoringly looked at my younger self.
She tried to motion her head towards the doorway.
"Just go in there...please! Before they bump into you! You'll be safe with me! I promise! I won't hurt you!"
The younger me still seemed confused.
"Ah there isn't any time, darling! Forgive me, but I need to show you an illusion!"
Suddenly, a clone appeared in the nearby open doorway and beckoned Mizik in.
He glanced over and saw it...then also noticed the two generals.
He immediately ran inside and got back.
The two tried to speak to Kyriel, but she simply refused to cooperate.
Once their interaction has finished, they left and Kyriel allowed a look of incredible joy to cross her face.
"I HAVE HIM!!! I FINALLY GET TO BE NEAR HIM!!! MY DARLING!!!"
She immediately ran into the building and blocked the younger me from escaping.
"Yes! Yes yes yes!!! He's still here!!! I love you, darling!!! You'll be safe with me!!!"
"Can you see me?" My younger self whispered.
Kyriel nodded.
"Yes, my darling. I see you! You're so cute! Those clothes are strange, but they look so amazing on you! I just want to...tear them off of you...ahh..."
I simply glanced at Cassandra and she was blushing as she stared at me.
To say that I was creeped out at this point was an understatement.
"Are you...helping me...?"
She nodded.
"As much as I can! But I must still follow orders..."
"Can you speak?"
She nodded and then placed a hand over where her mouth is.
"I want to tell him so badly...! I need him to know how I feel!!! He must hear of my love!!!"
Mizik paused for a moment as he contacted Isabella through telepathy and then looked back Kyriel.
"Can you tell me your name?" He whispered.
She shook her head fervently.
"It's me! Cassandra! Although I'm called Kyriel by Difar and the other Generals... But you can call me whatever you want! Maybe even...your lover...? Kyaaaa! So embarrassing!"
"Can I ask why?"
Kyriel turned and pointed to one of the Corrupted behemoths patrolling the streets. Then she pointed to her head.
"Difar will sense if I've broken the rules... I cannot touch you... I cannot speak. But soon, we'll be together! I promise!"
Then Kyriel stepped towards Mizik and leaned close to his face. She was breathing really hard in excitement...
"I'm...so close to Mizik! I can almost touch him!"
"Umm...do you want something from me...?"
Kyriel continued staring at Mizik, then started squirming and fidgeting as she occasionally looked away shyly.
Then she pointed at him and made a heart with her fingers.
"I want you, darling! Ah...his voice is so manly!!! Isabella is so lucky!!! I feel so warm!!!"
"Look...I'm here to stop the Black Ooze from destroying our world. I have to scout this city and report the situation to my superior. I would appreciate it if you didn't stand in my way."
She immediately stood up straight and stepped aside.
"I won't impede you! I'm on your side, Mizik! Although...I'm so sorry... This world is already doomed... Please forgive me! I would change everything if I could!"
Mizik put his weapons away and walked outside. Kyriel followed closely and...started smelling my younger self as he walked.
"His scent! Amazing! It makes me feel so warm and happy!!! Mizik smells so good!"
I took the opportunity to look at the current Cassandra and narrowed my eyes at her in mild disgust.
She blushed again and looked away shyly.
Don't act cute about it, you stalker! What the hell is wrong with you!?
I was seriously at my limit with her right now. I had never felt so violated in my life!
I'd had stalkers in the past on Ignitus, but none of them were even HALF as weird as Cassandra!
Turning back to the illusion, I saw my younger self nearly fall over as Kyriel's presence scared him half to death.
"Gah...are you just going to follow me around or something...?" He whispered.
She nodded fervently.
"Of course, darling! I must ensure your protection! Those idiotic subordinates of mine harbor secret desires to kill you and that is unacceptable."
He seemed conflicted for a moment, but sighed quietly.
"Fine...but if possible, I need you to keep the enemy's attention off of us. Can you do that?"
Kyriel froze in place for a moment.
"Darling...said he needs me...? Darling needs me!? HE NEEDS ME!!! MIZIK SAID HE NEEDS ME!!! I'LL DO ANYTHING FOR YOU, DARLING!!!"
She nodded once as she tried to contain herself. The younger me just sighed and kept walking.
Shortly after that...
Kyriel stopped and looked around at her surroundings. She saw his hand and reached for it.
Her hand immediately went back to her side as she decided not to do anything.
"I want to touch you so badly! I...I need to hold you in my arms... But I must resist. I'm sorry! I have my orders!"
At that moment, a Corrupted behemoth arrived and bowed down to Kyriel.
She raised her hand to signal it to stand and pointed for it to leave.
"No. You mustn't be here. My darling Mizik wouldn't approve."
After it left, Mizik gave her a thumbs up and she perked up greatly.
She was literally shaking with happiness.
"M-mizik told me I...did a good job!? YES! Thank you! Please praise me more!"
Mizik and Kyriel walked for a short while longer until Arvild and Tyranus arrived again.
They all saluted each other and the two men spoke to Kyriel.
They questioned her about my presence, and she once again denied everything.
While also getting incredibly violent...
Then, she approached Mizik with a hopeful look after they left.
"Umm...good job," he whispered.
"Thank you so much, darling! I am yours to command!"
Eventually, Kyriel stopped and nearly started crying as she felt the oppressive force of Difar connect with her mind.
"You're getting dangerously close to breaking the rules, Kyriel. Get away from him at once!" He said telepathically to her.
"Y-yes...Lord Difar... Please forgive me..."
"You haven't actually broken any rules. Technically speaking, you haven't really done anything wrong at all. It's fine as long as you listen to me," Difar said.
Then Kyriel waved at Mizik to leave at that point.