The return to Excelsis wasn't as easy as Isabella would have hoped.
After the Cursebreaker was pulled through the portal, it fell straight down and badly damaged the anchor platform.
Luckily, no one was hurt.
But this encouraged the many repair drones on standby that the Artificer had commissioned to immediately begin work. Isabella knew for certain that it would likely take quite some time.
And then...Cassandra woke up.
She threw a tantrum and had to be physically restrained by Isabella.
It took several hours for her to calm down after learning that Mizik had been abducted. She spewed numerous obscenities at Isabella and the rest of the crew for not sacrificing their lives to save him.
Isabella was the one to talk some sense into her. All it took was a long explanation of why that would have been more insulting.
To disobey a direct order. And even more so, to inconvenience him further still. Such things were considered taboo on the Cursebreaker.
Finally, after several hours of back and forth, Cassandra relented. She fell into an inconsolable state of deep depression and shut herself away in a personal room prepared by the Oracle's guards.
With Cassandra out of the way, another problem regarding the Avatars, which consisted of Aldaril and Nirani, arose.
Their powers had exponentially decreased to the point where they were now a liability.
And Isabella still had even more headaches deal with later...
As in...informing the Artificer of their recent failure. Since Mizik wasn't here, that duty fell on her shoulders.
She dreaded it, but it would have to be done. And as Isabella mentally prepared herself to go, Leiso sat down next to her.
"Hello, Isabella," she said with a smile.
"Ah...it is good to see you again, Leiso..."
Leiso looked on at the wreckage of the ship as the drones continued to make repairs. Isabella was certain a full repair would take months...
"That person really did a number on the ship... It makes me sad to see it this way. I truly wish I could have been there..." Leiso said.
"No... Nothing would have changed. The Avatar of Destruction was likely on the same level as Difar. We would not have been able to overcome something like that."
"Perhaps not..."
"Your sentiment is not wasted, Leiso. All of us know how much the Enforcers would gladly leap into battle even to help just a little."
"Thank you, Isabella. You've always been so kind... I just wish there was something I could say here. I want to help, but I don't know how..." Leiso said sadly.
"I hate to say it, but this might be out of your hands. All we can do is wait for the ship to be repaired... Once that happens, we can attempt to rescue Mizik from Eris."
"...Do you believe he might be in danger?" Leiso asked.
"It is hard to say... I doubt she wants to kill him. That could have easily been accomplished... But speculating only makes me anxious..."
"Then I will cease. Instead, would you permit me to help with repairs? Iris and Johann have been very...touchy lately. I feel uncomfortable being around them."
Isabella gave a weak smile.
"You may assist. I also need to deliver a report to the Artificer. And Leiso...thank you for everything. You and the others have always been like family to us. We cherish the four of you like no other."
"That warms my heart, Isabella. I'll be cheering you on from here. We believe you can finish this war. Just have hope, okay?"
Isabella nodded and stood up. Then she went to go see the Artificer.
* * *
After arriving at the temple, Isabella made her way to the east wing. This was the Artificer's workshop on Excelsis.
Since Johann took the position as Oracle, the Artificer was no longer to be seen in the throne room. And thus, Isabella went to the east wing that was constructed a few years ago.
At this point, the Artificer would only rarely come to Excelsis...but it was still possible to call him.
Isabella entered the workshop and pressed a button on a keypad located next to the teleporter in the center of the room.
It lit up and the platform shone brightly.
A rift opened and the Artificer appeared on the other side of it.
"Greetings, Artificer," Isabella said.
"Ah, hello there. What has prompted you to visit me? How are things on Tanavol?" He said.
"Not good, sadly... The Corruption was sighted there, but that is not our main concern. The Avatar of Creation is missing and no one seems to know exactly where he is. Lastly...we were attacked by the Avatar of Destruction..."
"Do tell... Were you successful in repelling them?"
"We were not. Her objective was to capture Mizik... She succeeded after severely damaging the Cursebreaker. We did, however, manage to ally ourselves with three other Avatars. One of them was killed in the battle, one stayed behind, and the last returned with us."
"This is unfortunate..." He said.
He seemed to look off to the side and nod. Isabella could hear the sounds of movement, but had no way of knowing who had made the noise.
"Is everything alright?" Isabella asked.
"Quite so... But I have prepared countermeasures in case you are unable to overcome the Source. I'm sure you understand...*
"I do. But Difar was not-"
"I know. He wasn't there. And yet, the Cursebreaker lost to a single enemy. The Destroyer, defeated and captured... Utterly ridiculous..."
"Why is he acting this way...?" Isabella thought to herself.
"We could not stand against something like that. Her power was more than what the Deus Arms could handle. Even with all of our strength, we were pushed back."
"Come again...? More than what the Deus Arms could handle? That sounds highly improbable."
"I know that it is difficult to believe, but it is the truth. Still, we think she might be on the same level of power as Difar. If we can defeat her-"
"But Mizik is gone, yes? The Chosen-...erm...the Destroyer is dead?"
"Mizik is still alive. Even if he's too far away to detect...somehow, I just know it to be true..."
"I see. And how much longer do you all plan to continue destroying worlds?"
"Excuse me...?"
"My question was clear. I want to know how many more worlds need to perish before you feel ready to fight the Source."
"Artificer, that is not a question that I can simply-"
"I do not care! Trillions upon trillions of people have perished as a result of that psychopath's actions! How many more need to die in order to feed his monstrous power!? How much longer should I allow this great disaster to continue causing chaos? By the Creator... The damage he's caused already rivals the Source..."
Isabella was stunned silent. She had never seen the Artificer act this way.
Suddenly, he regained his composure.
"My apologies. I know the lot of you are working hard... Regardless, I cannot help but think this would go more smoothly if we simply...used someone without such a crippling disability."
"We were under the impression that you had accepted this as a necessary evil."
"I have received numerous complaints from every divine realm that the Destroyer is out of control. Hundreds, if not thousands of worlds have ceased to be. How am I meant to accept this? As a Guardian, one of my primary directives is the protection of all worlds. Mizik's actions are in direct opposition to our goals!"
Isabella was tired of this. Her anger had been building for a while now.
"DO YOU BELIEVE FOR A SECOND THAT WE WANT TO KILL INNOCENTS FOR THE GREATER GOOD!?" She shouted.
He seemed taken back by her tone.
"We have worked tirelessly to prepare ourselves for the upcoming battle. We have pushed back the Corruption and saved many worlds from a fate worse than death! Those worlds we destroyed were unable to be saved. We had no choice!" She continued.
The Artificer went silent.
Then...
"I see. I will be keeping an eye on you and expecting a progress update. Expect your ship to be repaired soon. In the meantime, I suggest finding a way to strengthen yourself for the upcoming battle. However you choose to do this is none of my concern. Good day."
The device in the center of the room flickered and shut off. Immediately, Isabella clenched her hands and gritted her teeth in rage.
"How in Avernia's name am I meant to become stronger? That was the purpose of destroying worlds! Ugh...Mizik...please be alright..."
Isabella turned and left the room shortly after.
* * *
As Aldaril sat in his room with Nasuria at his side, he stared across the table at his former idol, Nirani.
Both of them were weakened significantly after leaving Tanavol, but Aldaril had already become accustomed to the feeling. Nirani seemed utterly exhausted.
On the small table between them, they had placed their respective weapons to show a truce. A tradition among Avatars.
For Aldaril, his lantern called Thanatos.
And for Nirani, her gun-sword called Silver Peacemaker.
In his hand, he allowed the Eye of Order to float freely as he glanced up at his new ally.
"So...what is it that you were suggesting we do with this?" Aldaril asked calmly.
Nirani allowed a sly smile to cross her lips.
"First...let me say that I believe the Vice-Captain to be a great woman. But I'm sure you've noticed something about the three in charge, yes?"
"You mean Mizik and the twins?"
"Precisely."
"I have no idea what you mean."
"Think carefully, Aldaril. They are strong, yes...but quite imperfect. They are simple humans with incredible amounts of power grafted onto themselves. Perfectly imperfect."
"And what does the Eye of Order have to do with that? Are you suggesting we graft yet another piece of power onto them? Anything else could destroy them..." Aldaril said.
Nirani smiled again. This time, it seemed far more sinister.
"I am appalled. You have no idea what these Eyes are capable of, do you? They are perfect creations made to exist in harmony with their hosts under the strength of the Elder Core. They allow zero imperfections to exist within us. As such, each Avatar is a perfect extension of their attribute. We are exactly as they intend us to be."
"In other words..."
"If something like this found its way into dear Isabella...her grafted imperfections would merge into one perfect power. She would be the ultimate Avatar of Order. The only one capable of saving Master Mizik."
Aldaril stared at the Eye of Order.
As much as he hated the idea of parting with it...he couldn't help but relax at the thought of Isabella holding onto it.
It seemed to make perfect sense...
Isabella Iratus...The Avatar of Order.
Aldaril smiled.