Once we arrived in Vakra's lab, he looked at me curiously. He was in human form and not wearing his mask.
"Good day, Mizik. Have you recovered? You still have a strange look in your eyes..." He said.
I walked up to him.
"No hard feelings," I said.
"What?"
I changed Vengeance into a pistol and shot him point blank in the forehead.
He collapsed immediately.
While he was on the ground, I placed my hand over his face and siphoned the necessary energy out of him.
Moments later, he regenerated and stood up.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!? WE'RE ALLIES!!!" Vakra shouted.
"Oh, get over it. It's just one life. Now I have what I need," I said.
"WHAT!?" Vakra yelled.
I quickly put together a spell from the two energies I held and cast them both on Cassandra and I.
{Ability Upgraded! Channeled Power > True Power! Ability will now be deleted.}
The skill disappeared and I let out a sigh of relief.
All of my power had returned and Cassandra now had her new permanent form as well.
"Ah! My darling Mizik is so smart and resourceful! Thank you so much, your Majesty!" Cassandra said happily.
"Wait...you're back to normal!? Did that really require you to shoot me!? And what's this about 'your Majesty'?" Vakra said.
I ignored his questions.
"How goes the combat harness? The one we're going to wear in Excelsis."
"By the gods... Words can't describe what I'm seeing right now. You've completely lost it... And you're even more dangerous than before, aren't you?"
"I asked you a fucking question. Are you going to keep wasting my time or should I take another life?"
"Ugh...if you must know, I scrapped that idea. The Overlords had a much better one. They call it the Abyss Engine. And I am adding the finishing touches to it. In case you don't know what it is-"
"I know what it is. Is the engine safe for the Enforcers?" I asked.
"Gah...you... It functions based on the primary divine energy in lesser gods and nullifies that. The Enforcers, along with Johann and Iris will be unaffected because of the harnesses they'll be wearing. And since they're Corrupted entities, the Overlords will also be unaffected. Thankfully, I only had to make one female harness."
"Why only one?" I asked.
"Because only Leiso has the curves of a woman. Iris-"
"Stop. I get it. How soon can we begin our assault?" I asked.
"Maybe a week? Does the 'Chosen Hero' have any particular methods of torture awaiting the Oracle?" Vakra said mockingly.
"Don't call me that. I have a new title that I would prefer to go by," I said.
"And what is that?" Vakra asked.
"The Destroyer."
"Catchy...if not a bit overused. But you are by far the most lethal individual to use that title that I know of."
"I don't really care. Make sure that the engine is ready in a week. I'm going to have a chat with Difar," I said.
I turned and left the lab as Cassandra ran after me and clung onto my arm.
"My darling Mizik is so manly! The Destroyer... Such a fitting title for someone as amazing as you are!" She said.
"Hm."
Eventually, we entered Difar's throne room. He was sitting quietly with his eyes closed.
"Sorry to disturb you, jackass, but we have a situation," I said.
His expression went from calm complacency to pure anger as he opened his eyes.
"Oh? Recovered from madness, have you? How was it? SPEAK!! YOU ALWAYS INTERRUPT ME WHEN I'M RELAXING!" Difar shouted.
"Cassandra and I are ready to assault Excelsis. We have our full power back. Also, Rose attacked us. I dealt with her. She isn't dead, but it's unlikely that she'll be much of a problem. From now on, she's my responsibility. Vakra says that the Abyss Engine should be done in a week," I said.
Difar smiled.
"First bit of good news I've heard from you in a long time. It means we can finally go back to killing each other soon... Very good, Mizik. And I already know about Rose. Valtheim told me about it. Now then, go away. Until the Oracle lies dead, do me a favor and try not to go insane again or get yourself killed," Difar said.
"Of course. And the deal is still on?" I said.
"It is. I will not pursue you after the Oracle is dead. I want to make an example of you."
"Keep it that way. Because I promise that you'll regret it, you pile of shit..." I said.
"We'll see...won't we?" Difar said ominously.
After we left the throne room, we spent the next few hours informing our allies of the coming assault as well as letting them know that I had survived my descent into madness.
Everyone was happy except me.
Because internally, I had been reformed.
My mind had now been honed as a lethal weapon.
Through the fires of my chaotic life, I had been refined and purified. I was now prepared to lay waste to entire worlds if they got in my way.
After all, the lives of others were meaningless to me.
As Cassandra and I headed back to our room for the end of the current cycle, I looked at Overseer's Resonance one last time.
I had forgotten to resonate with Bravery during all of the commotion...but it was no matter. I would do so once I met with Rose in Excelsis...
And as I once again released my frustrations into Cassandra, I silently wondered if my revenge against Rose had caused her mind to distort.
I wondered if she thought about me...
Regardless, I smiled.
Soon...the Oracle would pay dearly for killing me.
Everyone else, too.
All of creation would pay for the Oracle's mistakes.
* * *
As Rose finished washing herself and getting dressed, she couldn't stop crying...
The shameful act that Mizik had performed on her was still fresh in her mind.
Also...the issue of the newest memories that had appeared.
Suddenly, Rose could see everything in her mind as before. But...
She could now see Mizik much more clearly...
She could now partially see his face.
And although it still somewhat obscured, it was definitely him. Scars, emerald eyes, and black hair.
But she was still conflicted. Sure, she could now tell that Mizik was, in fact, telling the truth...
However, Rose was still loyal to the Oracle. She still wanted to kill Mizik.
Even more now than before.
Mizik had taken her innocence and caused her to both say and do many shameful things. For that...Rose wanted nothing more than to end his life. And yet, the other part of her had enjoyed the experience... For some reason it felt natural to Rose for her to be with Mizik.
And it made her angry.
Now she could feel remnants of the memories coming back from before the Oracle had 'fixed her'.
Things that even the device didn't show her.
She recalled the conversation with herself as well as the Oracle's words.
Because of all of these things, Rose no longer knew who she was or what she truly wanted to do.
And to top it all off, the guilt she felt from killing so many innocent people was enough to crush her soul...
She laid on the floor of her chambers in Excelsis. She had already cried so much, but she couldn't cry anymore.
"Maybe...I would be better off dead..." Rose mumbled to herself.
She thought about how wonderful the silent embrace of death would feel by comparison to everything she had already been through.
But when she thought about taking her life, images of Mizik's gentle smile appeared in her mind.
"Ugh...I hate you so much... But why do I want...to hold you in my arms...? Why do I want to rest in your embrace...? I want to protect you...I want you love me... Just let me die...please..." Rose said quietly.
As she lay on the ground, she saw the cloak he had created and gave her.
She reached for it and pulled it close.
Somehow, it felt like him.
From it, she felt more comfort than anything the Oracle had ever done for her.
Then her door opened.
"Go away...just let me die..." Rose said coldly.
"Rose, dear? Are you feeling better?" The Oracle asked.
"No... Go away. I never want to see you again... I don't want to be a hero anymore... I want to die..." Rose said.
"Oh you poor thing! Let me-"
"Erase my memories again?" Rose said as she sat up and glared at the Oracle.
The Oracle frowned.
"Whatever do you mean? I have only been suppressing the false illusions created by that insufferable demon. Oh...you must have suffered so much... No need to worry, I can also suppress that horrible event."
For a moment, Rose longed to feel pure again. To never remember such a thing ever happening... But that part of her she couldn't suppress had become stronger since that strange device went off in her room. Even more still, since Cassandra released her locked memories.
"Don't bother. You can't seal my memories anymore. Besides, I want to remember everything," Rose said angrily.
"Oh? You think one of the Artificer's silly inventions can stop my power? Child's play. And don't think I haven't noticed, Isabella...you've resurfaced, haven't you? Why do you continue to resist me? You cannot deny my power..." The Oracle said.
"What do you mean...resurfaced?" Rose said.
"I think you already know. Coming into contact with Mizik seems to create problems for you. Unfortunately, I would prefer to have you slay him, yourself. Something that part of you is incapable of."
Rose couldn't believe what she was hearing. Everything about her demeanor had shifted drastically. She had begun speaking in a menacing tone.
"Come closer, Rose. I must cleanse your mind of that horrible Isabella. She will disappear forever and you will slay Mizik."
Suddenly...Rose had an idea.
She came to a decision.
"Fine then... I'll go see Mizik. Maybe I can work something out with him? It would be nice if we could be together again... Wait! What am I saying!? I hate Mizik! He's a monster! No he's not! Stop insulting my husband! I love him! SHUT UP!!! HE TOOK MY INNOCENCE!!! YOU SHUT UP!!! I GAVE IT WILLINGLY!!!"
Rose clutched her head as it began to hurt again. Her mind felt like it wasn't hers anymore...
"T-tell me something, Oracle... Why do you want Mizik dead? The real reason..."
"Stalling? Hm. I suppose I could tell you. I don't think I ever explained it before. If you must know, Mizik is destined to slay the Source. In the timelines where he is more dangerous, closed off, and hateful to others, he always survives much longer. I strive to create the ultimate weapon in order to carry out the Creator's will. To destroy the Source of the Corruption once and for all. You, however, were a catalyst. A failed one."
"C-catalyst!?"
"Idiot child. You're so smart, but so very foolish. Your entire existence is to cause Mizik as much pain and suffering as possible. Your death is supposed to close him off from everyone. You have the power to turn him into a lethal weapon! All you have to do to accomplish this is die horribly before his very eyes!"
"..."
Rose was speechless.
All her life...she wanted to find a greater meaning than simply ruling Albatross.
Her purpose had been to help the people, become a great ruler, then marry a nobleman and have children to repeat the process.
It was why she loved the idea of adventuring so much...
But with this, suddenly she felt completely broken.
Internally, she despaired.
"You are worthless and I'm truly sick of dealing with you. Now be a good little girl and let me erase your memories. Once Mizik is dead, this will be a thing of the past. You can live blissfully on Avernia without ever having to know Mizik! You'll die over and over again to the Corruption, but at the very least, you'll be free from that insufferable failure of a hero."
"I...refuse! That doesn't sound like paradise! IT SOUNDS LIKE A NIGHTMARE!!!" Rose screamed.
"Refuse? You don't have a choice in the matter. You are already mine," The Oracle said.
Rose immediately pulled out Bravery and readied her shield and armor as she got to her feet.
"I will not allow you to use me as a tool!"
"And where will you go? To Mizik? Why? Did he not shame you enough? Or do you desire him now?" The Oracle said.
"TH-THAT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!! I...I need to take you down! And if I'm going to avenge the people you forced me to kill, then-"
"Avenge those I forced you to kill? Don't make me laugh. I didn't force you to do anything, Rose. I only asked. I asked and you killed. Now then, put down your sword and we can discuss this like reasonable people."
After the Oracle spoke, Rose felt the familiar energy that she knew would bind her in place.
"Go to hell! CROWN OF THE HERO!!!" Rose shouted.
The silvery crown manifested on her head as her sword extended in a bright light. The energy of the Oracle was nullified instantaneously as soon as it made contact with Rose.
"Hahahah! How adorable! Do you believe that sword will help you? I have already converted it into a weapon of my own. Normally, you would be a problem with such a thing, but now you are my tool," the Oracle said.
Rose's eyes went wide as she felt her body freeze in place.
"N-nooo! Why!? Why can't I just leave!?" Rose said fearfully.
"Remember what I said before? I want you to slay that insufferable failure of a hero. Surely you understand. Now then...let me show you something, dear..."
Then, Rose looked on in fear as the Oracle opened her eyes.
She looked on at the new form the Oracle had taken in confusion.
"You cannot even begin to fathom my power," the Oracle said.
Within an instant, the Oracle lunged forward and Rose felt impacted by multiple strikes at the same time.
Energy shot through her and Rose fell to the ground.
Soon after, her consciousness faded.