A man in a mask stood before the woman with long white hair surrounded by a pitch-black desert.
In the sky, a red moon shone brightly and brilliantly against the black sky.
And since it was the only form of light within the dark realm, the black sand, which extended as far as the eyes could see, was bathed in crimson light.
"Leave this realm at once, monster. If you refuse, I'll show you what I'm really capable of!" The woman said.
She wore a military uniform with an admiral's cap. A royal cloak hung from her back. Her left eye blazed with a pitch-black flame.
"Tch...you're a pain to deal with..." The man said.
He wore the attire of a Dark Army General. At his side, a black shortsword hung from his waist.
He reached for the sword and the woman smiled.
"Gonna fight, huh? Good...entertain me. I haven't destroyed anything today, so this should be a BLAST!!!" She said with a great smile.
The ground began to shake and energy exploded from all around her.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! SHOW ME A GOOD FIGHT!!!! ENTERTAIN ME!!!!" She roared.
The man pulled out his sword and charged her.
She caught the blade in her hand...or rather...
Black energy had condensed around her hands, creating a set of massive clawed gauntlets.
She clenched her hand and the blade shattered. Then she slashed the man across his abdomen...creating an explosion that sent him flying back.
Instantly, she was upon him. She punched him before he could land and blasted him into the ground.
Then she landed and stood over him. She poised herself to attack and let loose with a rapid barrage of explosive punches.
Over and over, she beat the life out of him.
Eventually, he melted into the ground and reformed nearby...breathing heavily. His mask had shattered, revealing the blonde-haired man with purple eyes beneath. He looked curiously at the broken sword in his hand.
"What kind of fucking monster could break Hatred...?" He said.
"Monster? Hahaha...MONSTERS HAVE NIGHTMARES ABOUT ME!!! I AM ERIS, THE AVATAR OF DESTRUCTION!!! I AM CALAMITY PERSONIFIED!!! I AM THE END INCARNATE!!! AND YOU HAVE INVADED MY HOME, ABOMINATION!!!" She laughed.
"Ugh...and I'm Exo-General Axiom of the Dark Army. Any chance you'd be willing to talk? We could be allies. I-"
A wave of destructive energy flared out from Eris' body and knocked Axiom to the ground. It nearly blew out his eardrums as it passed by. His head hurt terribly and his ears were ringing loudly.
"Work together with a pathetic whelp who can't even remain standing from a tiny sound wave attack? Laughable. And you call yourself a General? Your army must be full of weaklings," Eris said.
Just then, another shadow rose from the ground and a second man walked out of it.
"Oi...what is it, Jack? Did you come to give me backup?" Axiom said.
"No...I came to inform you that the Destroyer has arrived. We should move out. We need Lord Difar to deal with this world," Jack said.
"Damn him...DAMN THAT BASTARD MIZIK!!!" Axiom screamed.
"Did you say...Destroyer...?" Eris said curiously.
"I did. What's it to you, monster-woman?" Jack said.
"Hahaha...the famed Destroyer came to Tanavol...? I've waited so long for this day... I've DREAMED OF THIS MOMENT! THE DESTROYER OF WORLDS, MIZIK IRATUS!!! AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"
"Hm...? Maybe we have a similar goal? If you want to kill Mizik, maybe we can help each other?" Axiom said.
Eris glared at Axiom. She stepped forward, seething with primal fury.
"Kill...the Destroyer? You want to kill Mizik Iratus!?"
"Yes. That is part of the reason we're here. Our lord has grown tired of his constant meddling-"
Eris shot forward and obliterated Axiom's skull with her fist. She turned to Jack and stepped forward.
Jack stepped back with his hands in the air.
"I concede! I won't bother you. I'm not inviting that kind of disaster."
"RRRAAAAAAAAHH!!!!! NO ONE FIGHTS THE DESTROYER BUT ME!!!! NO ONE!!! I FORBID IT!!! ANY WHO OPPOSE HIM WILL BE OBLITERATED!!! I'LL DESTROY YOU ALL!!! HE'S MINE!!!! ONLY I GET THE HONOR OF CHALLENGING HIM!!!" Eris screamed.
Axiom regenerated and got to his feet.
"Retreat...move back to the Death Realm... Valtheim!" Axiom said.
Valtheim appeared and Eris threw out her hand. She grabbed Valtheim by the throat.
Axiom's eyes went wide as Eris managed to actually touch Valtheim without being harmed.
"Oh? What a cute little Void entity you have here...mind if I play with her?" She said.
She slammed Valtheim into the ground...and was confused by the fact that the ground was simply obliterated instead. Then Eris laughed.
"THAT'S SO COOL!!! HOW DOES SHE DO THAT!?" Eris said.
"Danger...retreat... Cannot erase...destruction incarnate..." Valtheim said.
"Uhh...V-valtheim said to...retreat...!?" Axiom said fearfully.
Eris blasted Valtheim multiple times to no avail. Eventually, Valtheim dispersed and reappeared next to Axiom.
"Danger...retreat... Cannot harm...destruction incarnate... Tanavol atmosphere...full of creation magic..." Valtheim said.
Her form flickered as she spoke. A sound like static could be heard between her words.
"This is bad...who knew something like that was possible!? Valtheim! Get us out of here!" Axiom said.
"I will...attempt to move..."
The two were enveloped in shadows and disappeared.
Eris laughed as they ran away.
"Wonderful...BEAUTIFUL! SO AMAZING!!! THE DESTROYER IS HERE!!! AHAHAHAHAHA!!! I'LL FIND YOU, MIZIK! AND WHEN I DO, WE'LL SEE WHO THE REAL DESTROYER IS!!!"
* * *
As Masina arrived in the realm residing above Tanavol, she had a content smile on her face. The area was a great temple with an open sky. Above her head, she could see Tanavol below.
This particular divine space seemed to be upside down...
Either that, or it was below Tanavol instead of above...
Although when one thought about it, wasn't it technically below someone anyways?
Regardless, Masina strode forward. And soon, several armored knights with angelic wings turned towards her.
"Oh, hello. Where are the gods of Tanavol, currently?" Masina said.
The one appearing to be their leader stepped forward.
"They have evacuated due to the presence of Corruption and the Destroyer. All except one, so that we may oversee the events to come," he said.
"Hmm...that won't do... I need to speak with someone in charge to let them know that their world might be destroyed..." Masina said sadly.
The leading knight turned to one of his allies.
"Mazok, go get Abbadon. Let him know that Tanavol is about to become a hellish warzone," he said.
"Sir."
The knight named Mazok walked away.
Masina could've sworn she had heard that name somewhere before...
And Abbadon? He was definitely someone Mizik had mentioned...
Moments later, the knight returned with another man wielding a lance.
He had black armor, blonde hair, and red eyes.
"So that cursed ship has finally arrived...the one carrying that murderer..." The man, presumably Abbadon said.
After he spoke, the lance disappeared.
"Excuse me, I am an envoy of the Cursebreaker. You should be careful with what you say to me, lest I deem you hostile to his Majesty. It sounds as if you might already be acquainted, however," Masina said.
"Sort of. He killed my Queen, the Oracle. I hope you can understand that I'm not particularly fond of him...but...ugh..."
"Yes? Did you want to say something?"
"I hate to admit it, but I would rather you didn't destroy Tanavol. Please...we need your help..." Abbadon said.
"We are here primarily to assist. But our actions are mainly for our own benefit. Or rather, for the benefit of all of creation. The Destroyer's primary duty is the complete eradication of the Corruption and the extermination of the Source thereof."
"I know, dammit! By the gods, I am a fool... But I'm not so much a fool to think that we would stand a chance against you. Please tell Mizik that I will be fully cooperative. The Oracle's Faithful stand ready to assist as well."
"Sir...? We serve only the Oracle. There is no longer an Oracle. Since you are the closest thing-"
"Silence, Savir! Do you think we would survive the Destroyer's wrath if he directed it at us? Excelsis fell to his might and that was before he had the rest of his crew. Mizik Iratus is no longer something we can handle. Why not accept his help, instead...?" Abbadon said.
Savir, the knight he spoke to, seemed sad for a moment. Then Masina spoke.
"The old Oracle is most definitely dead. However, a new Oracle has been elected. If you lot claim to serve the Oracle, you should probably let him know you're still around. If not...well...that isn't really my problem..." Masina said.
They seemed surprised.
Savir stepped forward.
"Truly...? Does this Oracle have a name? Or are they just called Oracle?" He asked.
"I believe his name is Johann? He is formerly a dragon god."
"That Johann!? They made him the Oracle!? Dammit... Would he even accept us...?" Abbadon said.
"Absolutely not! I refuse to swear fealty to such a-"
"MAZOK!!! SILENCE!!!" Savir roared.
"But sir, I-"
"I don't care! Our purpose is to serve the Oracle. Whoever that may be is of no importance. Forget about your grudge. If we have a new lord, we serve them no matter the cost."
"Yes sir..." Mazok said.
"Are we quite through? Splendid. I will let his Majesty know at once. The Oracle's Faithful and Abbadon, god of destruction, are allies," Masina said.
"Yes...this is true... But please break the news to him gently? I have a feeling that he still wants us dead..." Abbadon said.
"I shall do just that! Thank you for your cooperation. We will do everything in our power to save Tanavol. If we are unable to assist, this world will be used as fodder for increasing the Destroyer's ever-growing power. All of this is courtesy of the previous Oracle. If you have any complaints, take it up with the Artificer...er...the new Oracle. Sorry! I messed up the new script... Anyway, I'll be going now!" Masina said.
She was cloaked in silvery light and disappeared.
* * *
After the interrogation finished, I went back to my chambers with Isabella and Cassandra. Nirani followed as well and requested to use the shower in our personal bathroom.
I agreed and she said that it was okay if I filmed or took pictures of her...
I was definitely convinced that she was some kind of degenerate. Apparently, her boring life gave birth to some startlingly perverse fantasies that never got to see the light of day until recently.
Regardless, I had no intention of feeding into them.
Not that I needed to... My harsh words were enough.
I laid back on the bed and Cassandra cuddled up to me.
"Hnnn...darling is so warm!" Cassandra said happily.
"Mizik, my love, would you like something to eat? You haven't had breakfast today..." Isabella said.
"Please don't cook..." I said.
Isabella's cooking was terrifying. She hadn't improved even after twenty years. If anything, it had only gotten worse.
She seemed to pout at my words.
"Oh...I wanted to see if I had improved..." She said.
"Sister, please do not try to cook for his Majesty. Cooking is my duty! And I don't appreciate having my jobs taken away!" Cassandra said.
"Hmm...no fair!" Isabella said.
I didn't even try to intervene. I didn't want to upset Isabella, but I silently cheered for Cassandra here.
Just then, a light flashed in the room and Masina appeared.
"Fwaaa..." She sighed.
"Oh, welcome back, Masina. How did it go?" Isabella said.
"Following procedure is so tiring... I would adore being held by big brother Mizik to relax! Ohh...goodness, that sounds wonderful!" Masina said.
I'm not your brother.
"Please give a status update before anything, Masina," I said as I sat up.
"Certainly. The gods of this world have evacuated...all except one. The god of destruction, Abbadon and the Oracle's Faithful are currently in the divine space above or below Tanavol. Whichever is more relevant."
"Abbadon!?" I said in surprise.
"Yes. Apparently, he is part of the pantheon of gods over Tanavol."
"Well? What happened? Did he try anything?"
"Please, calm yourself, big brother. There is no cause for alarm. Would you feel better if I held you against my chest?" Masina said.
"We can do that later. Please just tell me what happened."
"Very well..."
Masina explained in detail the events that occurred in the divine space.
I was surprised to learn that Abbadon planned to cooperate with us.
However...I didn't really want his help.
If he was an ally, that was fine. But I didn't need him or the Oracle's Faithful to do my job.
As soon as Masina finished speaking, Nirani walked out of the bathroom in a towel.
"Huh? Ahh! Oh no! My clothes are missing and all I have on is a towel!" She said.
"Nirani what are you doing...?" I asked.
"Trying to set the mood! Hey...who's she?"
"My name is Masina, goddess of moons. I am the patron goddess of the Iratus clan."
"Oh wow. A goddess? Say...was she always like this?" Nirani said with a sly look.
"I have always served his Majesty!"
"Masina, go to the bridge. See if Rastair needs anything," I said.
"Yes. I will go. Please let me know if I may be of assistance."
Masina left the room and I turned to Nirani.
"Listen...Masina was a very troublesome person before I rewrote her memories. I would prefer it if you didn't approach that subject with her in the room. She was a truly awful woman in the past," I said.
"I heard her call you big brother. Is that a fetish?"
"Ugh...this unruly woman..." Cassandra said angrily.
"Please do not insult Mizik like that, Nirani," Isabella said.
"It's okay, you two. And no, Nirani. I don't know why she calls me big brother. I've never understood it, myself. I never added that to her mind, she does it on her own. I have a long-standing theory that it might have been a hidden fetish of hers," I said.
"I see. Well then, I'll just go ahead and get-...kyaaa!!!" Nirani said as she allowed her towel to fall off.
She made very little effort to cover herself.
I was impressed, but not in the mood to deal with this. I could only roll my eyes.
"Cassandra, help her get dressed, would you? It looks like she can't even remember where she put her clothes... Much less how to secure a towel..." I said dismissively.
"Yes, darling. It will be done. Alright, you lewd woman... Where did you put your clothes!?" Cassandra said.
"Ahn...so brutal... He didn't even acknowledge me! I've never been so insulted in my life! Haaah...so amazing...this feeling!" Nirani said.
As the commotion began, I decided to rest for a bit. I laid down and closed my eyes.