As Cassandra sat quietly on the small couch within Iris' apartment in Excelsis, she noticed her hands were shaking slightly.
"Hmm...that's odd. Why am I so nervous right now?" She mumbled to herself.
Currently, Johann was out getting food for the two of them.
Cassandra told him to grab extra for Mizik when they went back to the Abyss.
After all, Cassandra couldn't be happy if her beloved Mizik was forced to eat the strange substances they had for nourishment in the Abyss.
She knew he would be overjoyed to have real food again... And the thought of making Mizik smile caused Cassandra to shiver in excitement.
Although for the past several days, she had noticed strange things.
Cassandra was having trouble focusing on the mission because she could only think of Mizik most of the time. This was bad because she knew he was counting on her...
At the same time, she began to feel increasingly nervous and her hands wouldn't stop shaking.
Johann also noticed, but Cassandra told him she was fine.
This was a lie.
Cassandra wasn't fine at all.
She missed Mizik so much that it almost hurt.
She had spent so much time in his presence that she began to take it for granted. Assuming she would always remain by his side.
But that was unrealistic. Mizik was a busy man and required Cassandra to work hard.
Sometimes, this meant asking her to go somewhere by herself.
The thoughts were painful for Cassandra, but she knew as soon as it was over, everything would be so much better.
Mizik would be proud of her. She would be praised and adored by him.
That was enough for Cassandra to do whatever Mizik wanted.
Eventually, Cassandra heard a knock on the door.
The rhythmic sound of the code the two of them had come up with.
Cassandra multiplied herself and ordered the clone to unlock the door. All while, several other clones were currently cleaning up around the apartment.
Johann walked in and started blankly.
"Well, that's handy. I'm a little envious of that power..." He said.
Johann walked into the apartment and quickly shut the door.
He locked it and sat down at the small table in the kitchen area.
Johann had been carrying a few bags of food that he placed there and Cassandra moved over to sit across from him.
The two of them ate in relative silence and once they had finished, Cassandra stored the portion for Mizik safely in her inventory.
It would remain fresh in the frozen space.
Cassandra blushed to herself as she imagined feeding Mizik.
This, of course, caused her hands to shake even more.
"Are you okay? You've really been off for the past few days," Johann said.
"I miss my darling Mizik... I want to get this over with. The drone still hasn't returned, unfortunately... The port device says it's still scanning."
"How about we take a walk, then. Maybe it'll help you clear your head. You've been cooped up in here ever since we arrived."
"No reason to. Mizik isn't out there. And if I ran into Rose, she would just make me angry... That stupid Mizik-hater..." Cassandra said.
Before Johann could respond, the port device began making a beeping sound.
An invisible shape flew in through the window and connected itself to the device.
One of Cassandra's clones quickly grabbed it and presented it to her.
She looked over it and smiled.
"Speaking of Mizik...it's finished! Haaah... Soon we'll be done here! Then I'll finally be reunited with my love!" Cassandra said happily.
"You're a little too obsessed, Cassandra."
"I won't deny it, but I also don't expect you to understand. I choose to be this way because there is nothing else worth living for. And aren't you obsessed with Iris?"
"N-no I'm not! I'm not obsessed! What would make you think that!?" Johann said.
"Because you constantly stare at her longingly. Why else would I think it? It reminds me of how I look at Mizik..."
"The way I act is nothing compared to you!"
"Of course I'm obsessed with Mizik. He's the only thing I could possibly value in life!" Cassandra said happily.
"No...you just choose not to value anything else worth living for."
"Huh? Those things are all pointless. Mizik is all I could ever want and need."
"Think about going out on a picnic or watching the sunset. Nice things like that. Don't those sound great?" Johann said
"Will Mizik be there?"
"No. He won't."
"Then it sounds like a waste of time, Johann. Why would I go watch the sun set? It does that every day whether I see it or not. Mizik, however, is so much more wonderful and interesting."
"I think you're missing the point..."
"I am not missing any point, Johann. I understand what you're saying, I'm just choosing to ignore it. It sounds meaningless when I could just spend time with my Mizik."
"Just forget I said anything, then. Let's get ready to go. We should try to locate the barrier generator," Johann said.
"For that, I will go outside. Sabotaging the generator means I get to see my darling again!" Cassandra said.
"Ah...yeah. Right."
* * *
Cassandra put a cloak over her head and the two of them left the apartment. Johann made sure to lock it tightly for Iris.
As they walked, Johann took the lead so that he drew the attention of any gods or Excelsis guards and soldiers that went by. Since Cassandra had an identical resemblance to Rose, she would likely stick out like a sore thumb.
Because Cassandra was conserving her strength, she wouldn't use illusions yet.
At the same time...a lot of female goddesses would occasionally approach Johann.
He would be friendly to them, but ignored their advances.
Eventually, Johann began to walk beside Cassandra.
"Which direction?" He asked.
Cassandra pulled out the small port device and looked at the finished map.
She pointed towards the temple of the Oracle.
"Dammit..." Johann said.
"I will require a distraction. After it is finished, we can leave immediately. And do not worry, the facility is only in the direction of the temple. It isn't within or below the temple, it is simply nearby," Cassandra said.
"Alright. Just make sure that no one spots you when you move into position," Johann said.
"How rude! Who do you think I am? I am a master of illusions, Johann. I am more worried about you... Rose will likely attack as soon as you seek to create a distraction," Cassandra said.
"I can handle myself. I don't expect to kill her, but I can fight her off."
"Good. It would be a shame for you to be hurt or killed."
"You almost sound like you care about me or something. Do you?"
Cassandra thought for a moment.
She was really awkward around most people, but after having been forced to spend time around Johann, she found him to not be so bad.
He didn't hit on her and treated her like a proper lady. He was friendly and never belittled her for any reason.
"Hmm...I think I could tolerate you more than most people. Perhaps I could call you a friend, even..."
"That's unexpected. But I appreciate it. You're pretty nice as well in your own way."
Cassandra felt somewhat content upon hearing his words.
She would have preferred to hear a compliment from Mizik, but...
Johann wasn't so bad.
"I think...we are friends... Although, I do not understand the concept..." Cassandra said.
Johann sighed.
"I guess that's a start?"
Cassandra checked the port device again to be sure of the direction and two began walking again.
And as they started walking, Rose turned a corner and approached them.
"Damn it all..." Cassandra mumbled.
Johann raised an eyebrow at Rose and she stopped in front of the two.
"Hello again, Johann and...sister? What are you doing out and about?" Rose asked.
"Minding my own business, Rose. That is what I'm doing," Cassandra said with a haughty tone.
"I know I said my name is Rose, now... But you can still call me Isabella, sister," Rose said.
"I think not. Isabella is dead to me. You are Rose. You said so yourself."
"Yes, but... Ah...you are just as harsh as I remember... I can safely say that you've been released from that abominable Mizik. That wicked bastard..." Rose said.
Cassandra paused to compose herself and Johann stepped up.
"What do you want, Rose?" He asked.
She smiled as she looked at Johann.
"Well, I..."
Rose paused for a moment as she clutched her head in pain.
"Ugh...why... No...I can't talk to him... That's not who I... What am I saying...?" She mumbled.
Cassandra finally calmed down and spoke again.
"Are you still experiencing the headaches?" She asked.
Rose gritted her teeth and glared at Cassandra.
"How could you do this!? He trusted you!!! Why would you do this to me!? Why, Cassandra!?" Rose shouted.
Cassandra was taken back by the statement.
Then Rose suddenly looked around. She seemed disoriented.
"What happened...? Where am I...?"
"You started saying some strange things, sister. What were you talking about?" Cassandra asked.
Rose shook her head.
"I can't remember. In fact, I don't even remember why I came to see you. Or if I meant to come see you at all... Although...I still believe you should speak to Grandma Oracle," Rose said.
"Shut up! I have had it with you calling that vile woman your Grandmother! She is a liar and a murderer!!!" Cassandra said angrily.
"What!? G-grandma Oracle would never lie! And there's no way she could hurt anyone! Is that...something that abominable Demon Lord Mizik said!?"
Before Cassandra could respond, Johann spoke up again.
It seemed like he could tell that Cassandra was losing her cool.
"Why did you assume it had anything to do with Mizik? Didn't the Oracle order you to destroy three worlds, including your own? Isn't that basically mass murder? And you're just as guilty. You chose to carry it out," he said.
Rose opened her mouth to speak and stopped.
Then she clutched her head again.
"What...? I...I see. Very well..." Rose said.
She looked at the two of them and smiled.
"I'll allow your comments to slide for now. But I have to go. The Demon Lord has finally shown himself. I'm going to execute him and save everyone now. You'll finally understand once everything goes back to normal, Cassandra! I promise everything will be okay!" Rose said triumphantly.
Then she placed her hand on the sword at her side. She unsheathed it and slashed the air in front of her.
A portal opened and she walked into it. After the disappeared, Cassandra started shaking again.
"Wha...? Mizik? N-noo...nooooo!!! Johann! We have to-"
He held his hand up with a deadly serious look on his face.
"Mizik has created a distraction for us. Whatever he's doing, I'm sure it's for our benefit. Let's move!" He said.
Cassandra breathed deeply and looked at her hands.
They were shaking so much.
She had so much anxiety...but she knew that Johann was right.
"V-very well! Let's go!" She said.
Then Johann knelt down.
"Get on my back, it'll be quicker if we fly," he said.
Cassandra hesitantly climbed onto his back and he flared his wings out.
The two of then shot into the air and flew in the direction of the facility.
"Why are you so...needlessly warm!? I feel like I'm burning up!" Cassandra complained.
"Umm...I'm a fire dragon...?" Johann said.
"Can't you control your own body temperature!?"
Johann sighed and reached up to tap her on the forehead.
Suddenly, Cassandra stopped feeling the immense heat.
"Oh...much better! Thank you, Johann!"
"Yeah yeah...no problem..."
After flying for another minute or so, Cassandra tapped Johann on the head.
"Let me off, here. That's the facility straight ahead. Remember to not cause any damage to it so that they don't become suspicious. Otherwise, create as much chaos as possible," she said.
"Will do," Johann said.
He dived down close to a building and Cassandra leaped off of his back.
She used channeled power to access her full strength, then turned invisible.
At the same time...Cassandra saw Johann fly high into the air.
There was a burst of light and a wave of fire.
Cassandra smiled to herself as Johann emerged in his full-fledged dragon form.
"YOU BASTARDS LET IGNITUS BE DESTROYED!!! NOW YOU'LL FACE MY WRATH!!!" He roared.
As Johann began destroying everything in sight, Cassandra jumped from building to building and sprinted at full speed on the rooftops towards the barrier facility.
The guards were terrified of Johann's rampage and wanted to get inside.
As they did, Cassandra slipped in behind them.
She only needed to remain undetected.
And Cassandra knew for a fact that her illusions would make it far too easy to do so...
Soon, she would be reunited with Mizik.