It didn't take long for me to realize how much of a hassle all of this had been...
Sure, I now had the power of a Guardian. I was the new Artificer.
But that also meant that I couldn't just abandon this realm and burn it down.
So...we spent a single day trying to get everything settled down. I truly did not have the time to deal with all of this, so I asked Vakra to take care of the specifics.
In return for helping me fix Dominus, he would be allowed to join our crew permanently. And I certainly wouldn't create a death machine, stick him in it, and watch him slowly lose all of his lives until he ceased to be.
I was more than happy with how all of this had turned out, after all.
Since I had the ability to create pretty much whatever I pleased, I started with condensing all of my abilities into a single super-passive called: 'DEUS ARMA'.
Since I was essentially a weapon created to slay gods and destroy threats to creation, it seemed fitting that my main ability would reflect that.
And of course, I didn't forget to re-instate my Blessing of the Creator. I would need this to kill Difar.
I ensured that the twins received ample amounts of ability modification and strengthening.
Being the new Artificer came with many perks. As a Guardian, I had an entire realm of subjects to call to my aid if I wished. I had a permanent place to rest my ship and crew.
I could also build worlds if I saw fit...
Which gave me ideas for the aftermath of all of this, of course.
Because there would be an aftermath. I was very much assured of my victory at this point. I still had a few worries, but I would handle that later.
My main concern was still Valtheim.
Now with the ability to use creation magic, I could also stand against her.
That didn't assure our victory, more that it would just be very useful.
I had a pretty good idea of how to handle her, actually...
And earlier, I had adjusted the status of our crew members. I couldn't stop the Void from devouring us whole, but I could at the very least make it harder to accomplish.
With my power, we could now survive for a very short period of time in the Void.
I hoped that would he enough...
Because the fate of every living being across creation now hinged on whether or not we could destroy that abomination for good.
"Mizik? Are you alright?" Isabella asked.
I had been dozing off due to lack of sleep.
"Mostly...I'm still getting used to this whole 'Artificer' thing... I preferred being called Destroyer. And there's also the subject of our next battle..."
"Try not to stress too much about it, okay? We know it will be a difficult fight. No one has ever managed to battle Valtheim and survive for more than a short period of time. If we're talking about killing her, that is certain to be a difficult task. We can still plan for victory, however!"
"Thank you, Isabella. I'll make sure we all get the rest we need when this is over."
"Of course, my love. Uh...m-may I...please see your smile again...? If it's not too much trouble..." Isabella said shyly.
"Yes! I want to see darling's beautiful smile again too! Please! Please!!!" Cassandra begged.
Since they were so persistent, I couldn't help but smile.
"I love you both. I don't know what I'd do without you and I never want to find out. Thank you for everything."
They both lunged forward and hugged me tightly.
I felt another presence appear before me as I placed my arms around the two of them.
"Am I interrupting something?" Vakra said.
"Not really. But a knock would be appreciated," I said.
"And also very unlikely coming from me. Now then, the realm is stable. I've sent a swarm of repair drones to fix everything in the realm that your storm broke. Luckily, the central island seems mostly inhabited by machines. The people have been informed and they will surely come to accept you very soon," Vakra said.
"I don't really care what the people of this blasted realm think. I didn't take this title because I wanted it. My power acted on its own after I killed him. But...I won't complain. It should help immensely."
"Indeed. And quite humorous that the late Artificer could have fixed your plight from the start. Perhaps he didn't know? Regardless, that is irrelevant. I want to know how you plan to kill the abomination that ruined my world."
"By killing her?"
"Kill Valtheim by killing her!? Of course! It's so bloody simple! NO! I want a plan, you bastard! With all due respect, of course."
"Vakra. You want me to come up with a concrete strategy for dealing with Valtheim? What are you expecting? A flanking maneuver? An ambush? How do you fight something like that?" I asked impatiently.
"How did you do it the first time?"
"By accident. We used the Eye of Creation to repel Valtheim in a very desperate situation. The energy release from the Eye combining with Stella managed to harm Valtheim-"
"Well, there you go! Just do that!" Vakra said angrily.
"Stupid skeleton! You dare interrupt his Majesty!?" Cassandra hissed.
"Let me finish, Vakra! And thank you, Cassandra. See, Valtheim did something abnormal in that battle. She showed her true form by trying to funnel the power stored in the Abyss into him directly. The energy burst happened to hit her real body and caused actual damage."
"So all we have to do is attack her real body?"
"Yes. Do you know where Valtheim's real body is, Vakra?"
"..."
"Go on. Guess. You get one."
"Ugh...yes. It's in the Void and no one can survive in there! I understand that! But surely there's a way to make it possible to survive for more than a few seconds while being slowly erased by the notingness...yes?"
"I've made headway into this. As you know already, I modified everyone's status from here. You should be able to survive at most thirty seconds in the Void before it starts devouring you."
"That will be enough. Now then...how much longer will we have to endure this nonsense?"
"Until tomorrow. We will begin the assault then."
"Hmph...I'll be getting my lab on the ship ready. And...rest well. You will need it."
Vakra disappeared.
"Perhaps we should get you some sleep, my love? You look like you need rest..." Isabella said.
"Yes! I need to sleep in darling's arms too..." Cassandra said.
"Alright alright...I'll sleep. I don't want tomorrow to come, but I suppose I have no other choice..."
I transported myself and the twins to our room on the Cursebreaker. We bathed together and laid down to sleep.
As we drifted off to sleep, I could only think of one thing...
Valtheim...finally, I'll have my revenge on you too.