Chapter 222: An Eternal Ally

A week later...at least we think it was a week...

Vakra approached us with exciting news.

He cured the Enforcers of their magic sickness again and finished the heart devices.

They were ready to be implemented as soon as possible.

Oh joy...

But before they could be implemented, he wanted our Aspects to awaken.

So we had that to look forward to.

Next, Iris made preparations to infiltrate Excelsis.

The plan was simple. She would enter and locate the barrier's power source.

Breaking it was too risky right now, however.

If she managed to actually destroy it, the Oracle would notice immediately and trap her.

Then she would likely have Iris executed without a trial. If that happened, we would lose six of our allies instantly, and the seventh, being Rune, would begin to die of natural causes again while losing her powers.

Not to mention, Cassandra and I losing our ability to awaken our Aspects naturally. We would only be able to rely on Channeled Power.

Unfortunately, there was another fairly large issue at hand as well...

"Since I don't actually know where the barrier generator is located, I'll have to think of a way to search quickly without being noticed," Iris said.

"Do you have anyone willing to help? Any other gods in Excelsis that might be willing to overthrow the Oracle?" I asked.

"I have someone in mind, yes. But I think I might go ahead and make my way there. There's no telling how long I'll be gone and I don't know how differently time flows. Tell Valtheim to try and keep an eye on me, alright?" Iris said.

"Understood. Valtheim, come here," I said.

A shadow appeared and Valtheim rose from it.

"I...come..." She said.

"That could really be taken out of context..." Iris said.

Let's not talk about it.

After Ignoring Iris' comment, I commanded Valtheim to take her to the edge of Excelsis and keep an eye on Iris.

Valtheim would now periodically report in and tell us of her progress.

Once that was taken care of, we resumed our daily training routine until Iris returned.

* * *

As Iris rose through the Void within Valtheim's shadow, she felt somewhat nervous.

Also incredibly angry that the Oracle would allow her precious world to be destroyed for such a petty reason...

"Guilt by association in a previous timeline...? Bullshit!!! That evil old bitch will pay for her crimes..."

Regardless, Valtheim released Iris from her shadow. After she had been freed, Iris entered Excelsis.

She deliberately chose not to use the transit station because that would be too obvious.

Currently, Iris wore a hood and cloak over her usual attire.

She appeared in her old apartment and found it in the usual state.

That is to say, it was very tidy. There wasn't even any dust on anything.

"Hm. I guess Johann was here, recently. I'm glad he keeps the place clean for me."

Iris immediately got to work on finding the barrier generator. She chose to avoid as many of the guards and other gods as possible while she slipped between the buildings using narrow alleyways and the like.

Eventually, she heard a voice behind her.

The voice of a familiar man called out to her quietly from behind.

"Iris? Is that you? Why are you hiding?"

Iris jumped in fright and turned to see Johann, her only friend in the divine realms standing there and eying her curiously.

"Geez, Johann! You scared the crap out of me!" Iris whispered angrily.

"Ah, sorry about that. What's going on here?" He asked.

Suddenly, Iris had an idea.

She reached forward and grabbed his hand.

"Come with me and don't ask any questions. Okay?" She said.

Johann looked away as he answered.

"S-sure... No problem!" He said.

Then Iris entered the divine transit with Johann.

Moments later, the two arrived in a small world near Excelsis and Valtheim also appeared.

Before Iris could speak, Johann backed away from Valtheim with a look of disgust on his face.

"What the hell is that!?" He said.

He put his arm in front of Iris.

"Eh? Oh, right... This is Valtheim. She's an...ally? Don't worry about her, she was just told to keep watch over me. I need to talk to you, Johann," Iris said.

"Danger...?" Valtheim said.

"No. No danger. You can leave for now," Iris said.

"No danger... I...will go..." Valtheim said.

Then she disappeared again.

Johann relaxed and looked curiously at Iris.

"So what's going on? The Oracle told me you went crazy or something a couple months ago. I tried to go to Ignitus, but I couldn't find it anywhere," he said.

Just then, Iris felt a weight in her heart at hearing those words. She hugged Johann and started crying on his chest.

"It's gone...! That evil Oracle! She had it destroyed!" Iris sobbed.

As Iris continued crying, Johann gently hugged her.

Eventually he kissed the top of her head and Iris looked up at him.

"W-what was that for!?" She asked.

"U-umm...you know... It's just that way of comforting people that dragons do! Yeah!" Johann said quickly.

Iris backed away and dried her tears.

"You dragons are weird... Also...I'm sorry that I sort of lost my cool there... I've just been a wreck for a while. To me, it's only been a few weeks. Has it really been months over here?" She asked.

"It has. I'm just glad that you're okay, Iris."

Iris smiled wearily at him.

"Thank you for that, Johann..."

"Anyway, where have you been? You just suddenly dropped off the grid! They've been looking everywhere for you and the Oracle wanted me to bring you in. I didn't plan to, of course. We're friends, after all and I don't trust her... I really don't trust her zealot of a warrior, either."

"You mean Rose? She's the one who destroyed Ignitus. And I was in the Abyss," Iris said.

"That bitch... I'll help you in any way I can to make her pay. Also...the what? Where is that?" Johann said.

"I can't remember the last time you spoke like that... You're really passionate about my world, huh?"

"It's below the Void. It's the only place safe from the Oracle and her warrior."

"How the hell did you go into the Void and survive!?" Johann asked.

"That would be Valtheim. She's the one who helped me do that. Actually, I really need your help, Johann. Really badly. Can you please come with me to the Abyss? You can trust me."

"Of course I trust you. I always have and I always will. I'll follow you anywhere, Iris. Even beyond the edges of creation!" Johann said.

Iris wondered why he seemed to be so quickly on board with it, but didn't pay it any mind.

"Good. Now then...Valtheim, take us back to Difar's castle. Bring us to Mizik if possible," Iris said.

Valtheim appeared again.

"I...obey..." She said.

The two of them were then wrapped in shadows and immediately dragged down.

* * *

A few minutes after Cassandra and I made it to the training area, my mother arrived to watch us practice.

She saw my older form as well.

"Wow! Is that how you'll look when you're older? Why do you have a scar on your face? And...are there scars on your hands, too!?" Karia said.

Cassandra tried not to make eye contact with my mother, but I handled it.

"I've been through a lot of battles. This is from when I was locked underneath the Iratus estate by my cousin Tyranus. They did terrible things to me, but I escaped thanks to Cassandra," I lied.

"Awww! She protected my sweet baby boy from that horrible man! Cassandra, you must absolutely never leave his side!" Karia said.

"Y-yes... I'll never leave his side. Not ever!" Cassandra said.

She was trying to hide it, but I saw her wipe away her tears.

It's all in the past, Cassandra. And...sorry, mom!

"Wait...didn't you tell me a different story on how you two met?" Karia asked as she narrowed her eyes.

Ugh...this gaze of hers is seriously scary... Am I like that!?

"It's complicated... But it has to do with multiple timelines of life..." I said meekly.

"Oh! I remember now! You mentioned having died before, right?" She said.

"Y-yeah, mom... That's what I meant... Cassandra kept her memories and helped me get mine back."

"Ah! True love breaks the boundaries of time and space! It reminds me of your father... He was such a strong and heroic man... Oh, I wish he were here..." Karia said.

"My love for Mizik gives me strength! I won't lose to anyone as long as I have him in my heart!" Cassandra said.

That's really weird to say. But whatever makes you happy, I guess.

As we talked, Valtheim appeared with Iris and Johann.

Then Iris immediately approached me.

"Hey, I brought a friend. Is that okay?" She asked.

"It's fine. I've worked with Johann before. He helped us get through some seriously tough battles and even saved my life more than once. Although he probably won't remember me," I said.

"Oh, that's...fun. Then you're familiar with him. Good. I plan to enlist his help in dealing with the barrier. I need someone good with stealth as well... Johann can work to distract everyone while this person gets the information they need," Iris said.

"Were you able to locate the barrier generator?" I asked.

"Ehm...no. I didn't try. I ran into Johann before I got close and had a better idea. See...I'm not suited for these kinds of operations. Also, I doubt I could get close to it before being caught. That's where Johann comes in," Iris said.

"They think I'm still working for them, so I can use that to my advantage. I can make a distraction, but I need someone to find the generator while I'm working," Johann said.

"Who is the least likely to arouse suspicion if caught, then?" I asked.

"Hmm...what about her?" Iris said as she looked at Cassandra.

"M-me!?" Cassandra said.

When I thought about it, it made the most sense...but...

"I really don't feel comfortable with this," I said.

"If Rose finds Cassandra, she's not likely to attack immediately. For anyone else, she would. Especially you. If you recall, she seemed to want to save her from your grasp," Iris said.

"But what should Cassandra tell Rose if she's found?" I asked.

"Tell her that she broke free from your demonic control or something and arrived with Johann. The exact words she wants to hear. Anything else she probably won't listen to," Iris said.

Ugh...she's right. But I really don't want her to go... I like being around her too much and also, it's dangerous... Damn it all!

I looked at Cassandra and she bowed her head.

"If Mizik requests it...I will go. Even if it is very unpleasant..." Cassandra said.

I really love you and your loyalty...

"Fine. Just give us a few days to prepare," I said.

"No, we'll need longer than that. Maybe a week or so. In the meantime, Cassandra should get to know Johann more. He will be her guide in Excelsis," Iris said.

"Umm...I already do... Kind of..." Cassandra said.

It was then that I remembered something...

The only time Cassandra actually spent near Johann was in battle against him and nearby during my fight with Difar.

"You do? Iris already explained this...uh...reset thing. She said it was possible that some of you knew me. Did we meet before?" Johann asked.

Cassandra nodded.

"It wasn't a friendly meeting... But I hope we can get along better this time," she said.

"I hope so too. Now...are you comfortable riding on my back while in human form?" He asked.

Weirdo...

"I...am not," She said.

"Am I allowed to take your hand to bring you in and out of Excelsis?" He asked.

"You may not hold my hand, either. I do not permit men other than Mizik to touch me."

"Okay...eh... Well, we need to compromise, somehow. I have to be in physical contact to move you in and out of Excelsis," Johann said.

"Cassandra, let him take your hand. I know he doesn't mean anything by it, anyway," I said.

"B-but...only Mizik may hold my hand..." She said.

"Please don't argue," I said.

Suddenly she stiffened and dropped to her knees.

She bowed her head to the ground.

"I...I am a fool! How could I refuse or even question an order from my darling Mizik!? Please forgive me, darling! I will do as you say!" Cassandra said.

"Umm...is she okay?' Iris asked.

"She's fine. She just gets this way sometimes. Cassandra, I'm not upset. I just want you to do what's necessary for the completion of our mission," I said.

"Yes! I shall do everything necessary! Even if I must ride on Johann's back or have him take my hand. As...as long as he thinks nothing of me touching him..." She said.

Cassandra glanced at Johann.

"Don't worry, I won't think anything of it! I'm a dragon! We have morals too, you know!"

"Awesome. Johann, Cassandra fights with a dagger and uses magic. She can clone herself and is capable of casting powerful illusions. Cassandra knows how you fight already," I said.

"Good. No need to explain, then. Hopefully, she won't have to fight at all," Johann said.

"I have to say I'm a bit shocked... Cassandra truly is devoted to you, isn't she?" Karia said.

I had almost forgotten she was here.

"Of course! There is no one else I seek to please other than my darling Mizik!" Cassandra said.

"Mhm mhm. Who could be more worth it than my sweet baby boy? I love you so much, Mizzy!" Karia said.

"Mom...please... Don't call me Mizzy. Difar calls me that to make fun of my name..." I said.

"Huh!? But it's so cute! Oh, I love your name so much! Fine, I'll call you Mizik. Is that okay? Hmmm~?" She said.

"Yeah...I guess..." I mumbled.

My mother ran over and hugged me tightly.

"Awwww!!!! You're so cute, my little Mizik!" She said happily.

"I'm not little... I'm not cute..." I mumbled.

"Darling! Your mother is so nice! Although, I guess she's our mother now, right?" Cassandra said sweetly.

"Well then... This is getting a bit awkward... I'll just go see how my Enforcers are doing..." Iris said.

"We should probably find a place to sleep, right?" Johann said.

"Yeah. We'll talk again," I said.

Once everything had finished, Cassandra and I got ready to resume our training.

She readied herself and I pulled out Vengeance again.

Just then...I heard him speak.

[I have proclaimed you worthy of my power. As of this moment, I will enable you to complete the final step of unlocking it.]

And that is?

[This.]

I saw a message flash across my status menu before my eyes.

{Skill Unlocked: Overseer's Resonance.}