While waiting on the final shipment of heart stones, I stood outside the Cursebreaker with Cassandra.
We were also waiting on...the body for Virtus.
The AI for our ship was a shy girl that had trouble talking to people. Unfortunately, I didn't know enough about computer programming to change her behavior. And Vakra refused even under the threat of death. So...we were stuck with her...
A hour passed and Cassandra affectionately held onto my arm while humming.
"Having fun...?" I asked.
"Of course! I get to be with my darling Mizik!" Cassandra said happily.
Then I looked forward and saw an eye staring at me in mid air a few feet away.
"Oh...damn it all..." I mumbled.
It opened wider and Valtheim stood quietly with her mask on.
"Valtheim!? What are you doing here!?" Cassandra said as she readied herself.
"..."
Then I felt that suffocating impending doom I had grown quite used to...
Difar rose out of Valtheim's shadow and looked at the ship behind us.
He whistled.
"Woooow. Is that pile of scrap your ride? Mine's stronger, by the way. And cuter! GAHAHAHA!!!" Difar laughed.
"Did you seriously come all the way here to gawk at my ship? Dont you have anything better to do, you shitty fucking asshole?" I Fowler.
He glared at me.
"Actually I-...dammit... I had a speech prepared and everything. I was just going to talk, but... EVERY TIME I LOOK AT THAT STUPID FACE OF YOURS, IT JUST PISSES ME OFF!!!" He yelled.
"What the hell do you want!? Come to break your agreement!?" I said angrily.
"No. I came to confirm it. The Devourer ended up still being alive when Vakra...did whatever the hell he did. But, he was still located in the same place. I simply killed him and decided to let the contract stay in place on our words," Difar said.
"Surprisingly honorable for an abomination..." I mumbled.
"Also! I came to deliver another message," Difar said.
He walked up and looked down at me.
He was at least five inches taller than I was, so I found him to be somewhat imposing.
Then he stepped back and slugged me across the face so hard that I momentarily blacked out.
When I opened my eyes, I realized that my skull had imploded and I was sent back a few feet.
"THERE!!! THAT'S FOR ALL OF THOSE DAMNED INSULTS YOU THREW AT ME, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!!!" He screamed.
Cassandra held me in her arms as she worredly looked at me.
"Darling! Are you okay!? Please be okay!" She said.
I mouthed the words for fury form and activated Arms of Asura, Overdrive, Limit Break, and Blast Radius.
"Good...now that I have that out of my system-"
I shot towards Difar and punched him multiple times within an instant.
His upper body was obliterated by the impacts and I manifested Honor as a battle-ax.
I increased the size of the weapon and used dragon's ferocity on his body.
Once I had finished, there was an explosion of Corrupted energy and I was blown back.
Difar rose back out of the crater as he regenerated his flesh and bones.
"Ah...I expected that. By the Abyss, that hurt..." He said as he shook himself off.
"Bastard...IF YOU CAME FOR A FIGHT, I'LL GIVE YOU ONE!!!" I roared.
He frowned.
"Look, as much as I'd love to do that, are you sure you're ready for it? I mean...the deal is still on, after all. If you're prepared, I'll execute you like a dog here and now. Are you willing to throw caution to the wind? I'm willing to forget about my ultimate satisfaction and step on you like the bug you are," he said.
Right after he spoke, he unleashed a wave of pressure. The feeling of impending doom became so intense that I couldn't breathe as I nearly dropped to my knees from the might of his power.
"Oh? That's a sample, by the way. Seventy percent of my full power. Your choice, Mizik. I could really use the stress relief right now," he said.
I glared at him and activated Cloak of the Mastermind.
I used the analysis ability to get a read on his true strength.
The result wasn't good...
He was still far above what I was capable of...
At this point, I believed that the Blessing of the Creator existed to grant me more power. Enough to bridge the gap between Difar and I.
If the Oracle was to be believed, Vengeance in its fourth form along with the Blessing would be enough to finish the job. My Ultra Aspects were supplementary for the ability to use Vengeance properly. On top of granting additional power.
Unfortunately...I wasn't able to use the blessing right now to its fullest.
"I'll...pass..." I said angrily.
"Fantastic. I'll just ignore the attempt on my life a moment ago, then. If you want to find me, just come looking. You'll get exactly what you wanted. GAHAHAHAHA!!!!"
"I'll destroy you, Difar. Even it its the last thing I do, I'll make you regret letting me live. You hear me? I'm going to make you suffer," I said.
"I've heard it all before. I'll get you! I won't forgive you, Difar! I'll make you pay! Yeah, it's annoying," Difar said.
"Enemy...eliminate...?" Valtheim said.
"No. I want to savor the day I finally kill him, myself. Also, I'm bored with your current attire. Change into your new robes, Valtheim," Difar said.
"I...obey..."
Valtheim raised her hands and I flinched.
Likely because I was preparing for her to strip...
But she was covered by a dark shadow just before emerging.
The new robe she had on was also well-armored, but it was far less bulky and hugged her...technically non-existent body, very well. This outfit still had a hood with a mask, however.
Valtheim had a similar figure to Isabella and Cassandra.
"Much better. Since the maddening resets will no longer be a problem, I plan to change a lot of things. I'm going to have so much fun destroying creation! GAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! BYE, MIZIK! AND DON'T YOU DARE LET YOURSELF GET KILLED!"
He snapped his fingers and Valtheim took the two of them away.
"He's actually much stronger than I anticipated..." Isabella said.
"I guess that means we'll have to destroy even more worlds to gain strength, then," I said.
"Of course, Master. We'll do everything necessary to ensure that the Corruption is stopped. No exceptions," Isabella saif.
Before I could respond, Cassandra hugged my arm tightly.
"Darling! Are you okay!? That awful Difar hurt you... It made me so angry!" She said.
"I'm fine. The Heart of the World gives me physical regeneration, remember? As long as it remains intact, I should be okay."
"If...if you say so, darling..." Cassandra said worriedly.
* * *
After waiting a while longer, Vakra finally delivered the last shipment of heart stones. Also...there was an elven woman with dark skin and white hair standing next to him. She had red eyes and a black battle suit.
She was blushing and fidgeting.
"Introduce yourself..." Vakra said.
"I-I-I'm..V-virtus! Pleasure to...umm...it's a pleasure to meet you again, sir!!!" She said.
"What is this?" I asked.
"This is the new and improved Virtus. She'll be your onboard AI to help with system diagnostics, complex manuvers, and the like," Vakra said.
"Like hell. Do you enjoy making life miserable for me?" I said.
"Y-you...don't like me!? I-I'm so sorry... I've never been good enough! Please forgive me!!! Uwaaaaaa!!!!!!"
Virus suddenly started crying loudly.
It was so lifelike...
"Look at that! Don't you feel terrible? Apologize!" Vakra said angrily.
"Ugh...Virtus, please stop crying. I'm...sorry. We would love you have you onboard..." I said.
"R-really!? Then...I don't have to live in a box in the woods!?" She said.
"Who told you something so ridiculous!?" I said.
I looked over at Vakra, but he was no longer around.
"That bastard..."
"S-sir...?" Virtus said.
"Get on the ship. We have work to do. We have to go to the infernal realms and...pick up that insufferable demon... Ugh...maybe I'll do that later, actually..." I said.
"Th-thank you so much sir! I'll do my best!" Virtus said.
I reached out my hand to welcome her and she flinched.
"Is something wrong?" I asked curiously.
"W-well...u-umm... I can't do it! I can't hold your hand! It's indecent!" Virtus said while covering her face.
"I'm just trying to welcome you. It's only a handshake," I said.
"N-noooo! Holding hands is too indecent! I might get pregnant!!!" Virtus said.
"That's not how that-"
"YOU CAN GET PREGNANT BY HOLDING MIZIK'S HAND!?!? MIZIK!!! DARLING!!! PLEASE TAKE BOTH OF MY HANDS!!!" Cassandra shouted.
She started breathing heavily.
"THAT ISN'T HOW THAT WORKS, SISTER!!! B-but...would it be mine or yours if that happened...?" Isabella said.
"DO NOT ENABLE HER! NO ONE IS GETTING PREGNANT BY HOLDING MY HAND! AND VIRTUS ISN'T EVEN ALIVE! SHE CAN'T GET PREGNANT!!!" I shouted angrily.
"That is an excellent question, sister! It would be both of ours because we share him, now!" Cassandra said proudly.
"Sh-share!? As in...both of you...and him...t-together!?!? THAT'S WAY TOO LEWD!!!!" Virtus shouted.
"VAKRA, YOU BASTARD!!!" I yelled.
"Of course we share him, Virtus. Isn't he amazing!?" Cassandra said.
Virtus looked panicked and ran away crying towards the ship.
"This isn't happening... That thing is going to drive me crazy..." I mumbled.
Regardless, I went to the ship. It was almost time to go.
* * *
A short while later, I stood on the bridge of the ship, waiting for a report from Rune, who was working with the soldiers to store the heart stones away.
Then, Virtus entered the room and avoided eye contact with me.
"Huh? Who's that? It kind of reminds me of the girl that appears on the monitors from time to time," Rastair said.
"That's Virtus. Vakra made her an android body... She's kind of weird," I said.
"Oh. Yeah, she seems a bit shy, right? Kind of weird of you ask me. Hey, Mizik, are you in the mood to get laid?" Rastair said.
"No."
Suddenly...
"WH-WHAT DID YOU SAY!?!? YOU CAN'T DO THAT! THAT'S INDECENT!!!" Virus shouted.
"What...? Of course it is. Who cares? I'm just trying to get some action with the captain...heh..." Rastair said.
"A-action!? W-why would you want to do that!?"
"Why not? It's pretty great! Don't tell me you've never done it! Have you ever been with a man? Kissed anyone?" Rastair said.
"K-k-kissed!?!? NO WAY!!! THAT'S LEWD!!! I COULD GET PREGNANT!!!" Virtus shouted.
"Can we please stop shouting...?" I said.
"Umm... That's not how that works. You don't get pregnant by kissing. When a man puts his-"
"ST-STOP!!! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT!!!"
"Why not!? You're an artificial intelligence, right? How do you not know this!?" Rastair said.
"WAAAAHHHH!!! MY EARS!!!" Virtus wailed.
She ran away crying again.
"Mizik. What's wrong with her?" Rastair asked calmly.
"Vakra is an asshole."
"I see...please don't tell me that this-"
"This is permanent, I don't know how to fix her, and you'll just have to live with it, Rastair."
"Ugh...how annoying... I could really use a drink...and maybe a handsome man. Right, Mizik?" Rastair said.
"I might join you for a drink, but I'm not having sex with you. You would probably die," I said.
"What!? Come ooooon! I can take it! At least let me try!"
"No. Not interested."
"Awww... Well, about the booze, we can stock up in Excelsis, right? Hey, shouldn't we have them build an anchor platform for us there? It might make for a good base of operations, you know?" Rastair said.
"..."
"Eh? Eh? Good idea, right?"
"I feel like I should give you some kind of reward for having such a good idea," I said.
"Meet me in my room in five minutes, and we can-"
"Pass. I'll get you something to drink."
"Dammit!"
"Darling~! What about me?" Cassandra asked.
"Probably later. For now, let's set a course for Excelsis," I said.
"Yaaay!" Cassandra said.
"No fair! What about me!?" Rastair protested.
"No. You might be pretty in your own way, but you aren't my type. Perverted giant woman..."
"I'M NOT A GIANT!!! I'M JUST TALL!!!"
"Sure..."
"Ahhh...FINE!!! I'll set a course for Excelsis...jerk... You're still really hot, though..." Rastair said.
I just rolled my eyes.
As we were speaking, Rune entered the bridge.
"Umm...who was that crying girl? She looked like Virtus..." Rune said.
"It IS Virtus. Vakra made her a body, but she's an idiot. Rastair made her cry because she wouldn't stop talking about sex," I said.
"Oh. Perfectly understandable. You know she thinks it's possible to get pregnant by holding hands, right? What was Vakra thinking?" Rune said.
"No idea, but it's probably a prank... I spoke with her before, but I never got the impression that she was so..."
"Overly pure? She's been like that the entire time. I would know, because I've interacted with her on numerous occasions while running diagnostics. Anyway, before we take off, I just want you to know that all systems are still green," Rune said.
"Good. Do we need to go get Virtus back?" I asked.
"I'll go get her. Rastair, can you take us to Excelsis?" Rune said.
"I was wondering when you'd ask! I don't need that crybaby to fly this thing!" Rastair said.
She placed her glaive into the control console and the ship lurched forward.
Then, Rastair tapped a few buttons on the screen in front of her chair and a portal opened.
Once we flew into it, the Firmament spread out before us.
After that...I simply left to go lay down in my quarters.