As I surveyed the forces taking part in the assault on Excelsis, I couldn't help but smile.Not a gentle smile...but the smile of a maniac before he kills a large number of people."You're kind of creeping me out, Mizik. You've truly gone mad, haven't you? Off the deep end?" Difar said."When a man is pushed to the brink, it's only natural for something to come apart. But just imagining the destruction that Excelsis is about to endure excites me," I said."You've lost your damn mind. Huh. I guess I should be grateful that my enemy isn't some justice-spouting goody-two-shoes wielding friendship like a cleaver. It should make things so much more interesting when we finally do fight again..." Difar said."I half expected you to invite me to join you. Are you going to pass up the opportunity?" I said."Of course I am. I hate you, Mizik. I would rather see you die screaming than 'hang out' like a couple of chums. I was willing before, because I had no idea if that would stop the time loop.
The fully armored knight stepped out of the crater and turned to face me.Moments later, three more landed near him.The first had two swords crossed on his back. His wings were massive and had armored plates covering the tops of them.Of the remaining three, one was female and the others were male."I am Savir The Tornado, number one of the Oracle's Faithful, prepare to-"Savir fell over dead.Blood oozed from his helmet and he lay limp."How dare you threaten his Majesty with your presence. Begone with you!" Cassandra hissed."By the gods, I love you so much, Cassandra," I said."Haaaaah! My darling! I love you too!" Cassandra said happily as she squirmed in place."C-captain...Savir!? CAPTAIN!!!" One of the men shouted."You seem to be under the impression that we are mere fodder... You are sorely mistaken," Vakra said.Vakra stepped forward and stopped in place."Ugh...magic it is, then..." He said.His voice had become raspy due to changing his form.The remaining three readied t
This was absolutely wonderful.The Abyss Engine was such a fantastic device that allowed us to completely destroy divine beings with great ease.The soldiers and elites that raised their weapons against us were dealt with swiftly as well.I couldn't have asked for a better scenario!And I couldn't help but smile as we utterly decimated the enemy forces.Every time I watched Cassandra slit the throats of our enemies, poison them, impale them with daggers, or shatter their minds, I fell more in love with her.She was so perfect...the most perfect killing machine I had ever seen! I made a mental note to reward her greatly for her hard work.I absolutely adored her loyalty...even a small praise was enough to satisfy her.And as she stabbed someone in the throat and threw them to the ground, she smiled at me as the blood dripped from her blade."You're doing an amazing job, Cassandra. Keep it up and your reward will be even greater," I said.Her face lit up with excitement."YES! I WILL WO
After we got away from the effective range of the Abyss Engine, I noticed a great increase in the power of the Excelsis soldiers.Unfortunately, they were too preoccupied with the ever-increasing hordes of Corrupted monsters overwhelming them from all angles.In fact, they were still falling from the sky in droves.Because of this, approaching the temple was a quick and simple ordeal.Interestingly enough, I had yet to actually see Difar.The Corrupted soldiers completely ignored us as we passed by, regardless. Even going as far as to protect us from enemy fire.When we approached the temple, the Corrupted soldiers parted and we blasted the doors down.Immediately, we were attacked by large numbers of Excelsis soldiers and golem constructs waiting within.But...Several super-charged Corrupted soldiers appeared in front of us and overwhelmed them.Fighting a behemoth variant in close quarters was something I never wanted to do.Especially if I didn't have the power to kill it instantl
As I destroyed the doors at the top of the steps, I felt the Oracle's power. The strange energy from before that caused me to freeze in place.It locked my steps and Rose fired several streams of light at me.However, I had already planned for this.The power I stole from Rose was something I used to augment my Archmage Aspect.The magic that resulted......made me immune to such tricks.I dodged Rose's attacks and reflected them back at her.She shielded herself from the blasts and stepped forward."Vile monster... I will pay you back in kind for what you did to me!" Rose growled."Really? You enjoyed it so much, though. Or do you mean to say that you're going to ask for more again?" I said.Rose glared daggers at me."You are truly despicable, Mizik Iratus!" the Oracle said."I'm despicable? What about you? You're an inhuman monster that has sat back and watched me die a thousand times! And when I finally got myself together, you killed me with your own hands! You're a failure as a c
The Oracle changed her physical form completely as she opened her eyes.She went from a disgusting and ancient old hag to a vibrant and beautiful young woman. Her eyes were dark green and so was her hair. It was long and held up in a ponytail.She grabbed her robe and pulled it off, revealing a set of normal clothing. She wore black pants with a white shirt. Over it, there was a very short cloak."Surprised? I would think so. Not many people know that this is what I truly look like. My eyes see everything when closed or opened. It matters not. But now I can more clearly see your form. You are dangerous... Far more dangerous than I would like to admit.""Why do you hide your appearence?" I asked curiously."Because it does not command the respect that a person with age possesses. A young woman is seen as inexperienced, weak, and easily broken. But an old woman commands wisdom and authority. Now then, I have had enough of this idle chatter. I will finally be rid of you." The Oracle pla
"M-mizik! Darling!!? I'm trapped in her body again!!! PLEASE HELP ME!!! I DON'T WANT THIS!!!" Cassandra cried."How do you think I feel!? Gah...my head is killing me... Oh gods...what have I done...!?" Rose said.I immediately turned and grabbed Rose by the throat.She had been holding Bravery.As I touched her, the blade crumbled to dust and the hilt fell from her hand."M-mizik!! Wait! Please! It's me...Isabella! I...I think..." She said."ARE YOU FRIEND OR FOE!?" I yelled."F-friend...probably...!" She said.I released my grip on her and she dropped to her knees.Then I picked up Bravery.The sword had completely abandoned her."Let Cassandra take over. I need you to figure out what's going on," I said."Y-yes...I'm so sorry..." She said."Don't worry about it. We'll discuss it later.""What the hell was that about!? Where did the Oracle go!? Why do I remember dying!?" Aldaril said."It's a long story..." I said."Mizik! I'm so sorry! I had no idea she would do something like that!
The two...or rather, three of us walked into a room specially prepared for our group. We sat down on the bed together and I looked over at Cassandra."Would you like me to let her take control, your Majesty?" Cassandra said with a smile."Do it. And don't interrupt us unless I ask for your input," I said.Cassandra nodded and her eyes changed back to the icy blue of Isabella.She frowned and cast her face downward."Mizik...""Let me speak first. Then we can discuss what happened. I'm going to just get this out in the open...I no longer have the ability or desire to remain completely faithful to only you. As much as I still want you by my side, things have become far too complicated. I am a new person. A new man. Things will change, whether you want them to or not.""I...I know... I've already accepted that as part of my punishment...""Good. Now then...you were always so smart, Isabella. What happened back in Albatross castle? I want to hear the thoughts of the one known as Rose.""W