“Hurry! While the humans are fighting against one another!” Agnox cried out to his lesser Imps. He was starting to regret this whole ordeal. If Morthrus Ky'Kegthellen just joined them for the fight, it would be easy. Yet she had to be lazy and sit safely in her room. They lost Pitrudix! He was second in power in this place!

He had no clue how the humans suddenly turned this around, but he didn’t want to be around when Morthrus found out. He could only hope that the fact they obtained the Hearth Crystal for her could be enough to prevent his death.

He was after all, the only one left she could risk going outside the Dungeon. She couldn’t send the mad summoner, nor her two personal guards. That would put her at risk including their own Dungeon Crystal.

Agnox took a glance back and saw several projectiles being fired in their direction but they were all way too low. He realized they were aiming at someone else below them. Agnox looked down just in time to see a [Mana Bolt] smash into the Imps carrying the Hearth Crystal..

The Imps, not being very strong, lost their grip and it started to fall to the ground. “You idiots! Go get it, I’ll take care of the human! Get it to our Mistress or she will really kill us!” He barked his orders and readied himself.

Agnox kept his height advantage and readied a flaming ball to throw. “I would have thought you went back to your family and hid away Human.”

“Sure, but I had other plans,” Mathew said with a hint of smugness. “You have something of mine by the way.” The human wasn’t hard to miss, the entire battlefield was empty. He stood with several wounds on his body, and single wisp and that blasted tratrious dog not far behind him.

The human was sporting a wound in his shoulder. “Just how strong is he to walk around with that thing and not be worried of losing a fight?” Agnox looked down and smiled. “Yours? This belongs to the humans at that base, the same ones attacking you right now.” Agnox said, but something clicked. “Why were they attacking you? Wait, no.” Agnox glanced back down at the crystal. If he was close enough, he could touch it and see who the owner was. Yet, the evidence at hand was enough.

“Well you sly bastard. How’d you manage to sneak that away from them? You really should reconsider the offer of alliance with my Clan.”

The human had a charged staff with a spell at the ready, with more humans quickly coming after him from behind. There was also a small group around Pitrudix’s body, but they looked as if they were out of the fight. Agnox quickly calculated a plan. The Crystal was directly below him, with the imps hovering just above it.

The Human’s silent threat was obvious, touch the crystal and they would get blasted away. But he couldn’t attack too early, or the Imps could dodge out of the way. His wolf couldn’t reach them unless they came close to the ground as well. Thus it was a stalemate. That is, until the other humans reached him in time.

Agnox smiled, “you are on a short timer friend. How about you let us take this, and we will give you sanctuary in our Dungeon. I’m sure my Mistress would love to have you as a...guest.”

Mathew glanced behind him. “Maybe, but I have other plans. Instead I’ll offer you a deal of my own. Become my familiar, or rather your Mistress if she is willing, and I’ll work with you all. There must be some benefit to working with me. I’m sure your Mistress would love to have an ally that obtained a Hearth Crystal and has such a powerful family as I do. Imagine how many more we could get together.”

Agnox rolled his eyes, “An empty promise, you can’t make me your familiar, not now anyways. It would take too long. My Mistress wouldn’t want it either, she is a free spirit, not the type of woman to be on bottom. If you know what I mean.”

Mathew quickly glanced back, and decided to make another really dumb but desperate choice. “I have a spell, I can make you my familiar here and now. Join me, and you won’t have to work for her, you can work with me. All I ask for in return, is you don’t betray me, and truly work with me. You seem smart, and I’m sure your talents are wasted here. However, if I die or if you leave me here and take that crystal, your only chance of freedom is gone. When was the last time you were able to do what you wanted to do? I have no mistress or master. I’m a free man, and with me, you can be free too. I’m sure Infernals like yourself don’t take kindly to failure or thoughts of betrayal just like humans do. What will your Mistress think when she knows you and I have been talking and suddenly it seems all her plans to destroy the military base and us humans failed?” Mathew was slightly talking out of his ass, stories Zack shared came to his mind right now. He was going to bullshit his way through this with half truths.

Agnox blinked and glanced behind Mathew. he had him figured out more or less. Agnox did live in fear of Morthrus. If this Human, Mathew, if he recalled his name properly, was telling the truth, then just maybe…

Agnox looked at the Imps below him then at the wisp and wolf. “Fuck it, what do I have to lose? I’m dead if I go back to her, and if he kills me here, at least it’s one last fuck you to the bitch queen. Plus, there is something about him and the other humans on this planet. Our plan was fool proof yet it was somehow thwarted. Was this his doing? If he can do this much, just how much more could I grow if I attached myself to him? The Bitch Princess just uses me as a puppet to carry out orders. Yet, even so…” One last look at Mathew was all he needed. Standing there with a look on his face. He had a face only those who held all the cards could have. Pure and utter confidence. “Do it”

Those two words were all that Mathew needed. He was about to cast the spell with his off hand, when an idea came across him. The staff lost the charged mana for a [Mana Bolt] and started to charge with [Bind Familiar].

Bullets rained down around them both as the spell released from the staff and collided with Agnox. At first, he was worried he was tricked and it was an attack spell, but when no pain was felt, he began to relax.

Time slowed once again for Mathew, just like when he used it on the Pack Leader and when he talked to the Gods. Mathew felt a connection with Agnox, a mental one.

“Well color me surprised Human, you do have something that could work.” Agnox said.

Mathew looked up at the Imp and smiled, “Told you so. Now, let’s make an official deal.” Again Mathew couldn’t really move, but so far it went way better than when he used it on the Pack Leader. Firstly Agnox isn’t screaming in his mind about eating him. Secondly, he was doing this with a much more level head. He had no clue if the mental state of when you casted spells mattered, it was something to figure out later.

Before Mathew could continue the conversation a figure walked out of the Infernal Portal. Mathew was heavily confused since he thought only himself and Agnox would be involved, not a third person.

The humanoid figure was easily taller than Mathew. Standing upwards to seven feet tall, with a slim body. She wore leather armor that seemed to show off more skin than actually cover anything important up. In her hand was a whip, which hung loosely at her side. Each step left behind a slight sindge of fire on the ground.

Two horns curved upward from her forehead, nearly touching each other at the tips. She had a heavy layer of makeup on her face, somehow promoting her selfishness. All that time and effort to ensure she looked her best.

“To think I can get rid of two problems so easily, I might just need to thank you human.” Her voice had a slight resonance to it.

Mathew looked up at her, “I take it you are the Infernal Dungeon leader, is that right? Why are you here?”

She smiled, “you are attempting to steal what is mine through a contest of wills. I wanted to witness your suffering personally.” The way she ended the sentence sent a shiver down Mathew’s spine. She really wanted to watch him suffer. Her eyes seemed to almost undress him as she looked him over, “You seem a little weak. This will be quick.”

Mathew crossed his arms, “Sorry, but I need a familiar and Agnox offered himself up. Maybe you should treat your subjects better. And if I am so weak, why hide inside your dungeon and not fight out here against us all? Afraid you would lose a fair fight?”

“Oh if only you knew how the real world works, humans. You were so obviously protected from the truths, my subjects live to die for me and my Clan. Their sacrifices are not for nothing. Soon that Hearth Crystal will be mine, and your blood will be the perfect shade of red to wear on my lips when I return home to tell of our victory.”

“Your Clan? And you are who exactly?” Mathew asked, pretending he didn't know nor care about her.

“I am Morthrus Ky'Kegthellen. Daughter of Tordius Ky’Kegthellen. Heir to the Ky’ clan. Does knowing my name matter so much when you are about to die?”

Mathew shrugged, “Nah, just needed to know what to put on your grave.” Mathew attempted to cast a [Mana Bolt] but the mana just didn’t move in his body. His eyebrows bunched up as he tried again, this time without using his staff. Again nothing happened.

Morthrus cackled loudly, “You are truly an idiot. This is the person you betrayed me for, Agnox?”

The Imp was shaking his head disappointedly.

“Well I almost feel sorry for you Human, luckily for you, I have other things to get done.” At those words a pressure started to form around Mathew. It started off warm, like the heat emanating off a campfire.

Mathew looked puzzled, trying to figure out what it was and glanced at Agnox. A faint shimmer of red and grey surrounded him now. His face was frozen in an expression of pain. As for Morthrus, a red glow surrounded her.

Then suddenly he was forced to his knees as the burning sensation increased more. Mathew tried everything to move mana or somehow fight it. His eyes widened with fear. “Did I somehow bite off more than I can chew? After my second chance it’s just gone because I didn’t know something? How could I have planned for this? The spell didn’t mention this, nothing did!”

Morthrus walked up to Mathew and bent down over him, “Just give up. It will end quicker for you that way. Once I finish you off, this Crystal is all mine. The oh so rare titles will be the final push for me to rank up properly, and I can slaughter your kind. I’ll start here, then move on to other small groups of your kind. Even moving toward other Dungeons, taking what is theirs for myself.”

Mathew gritted his teeth, “You think I care about other people? Goading me into despair so you can beat me with words?!” He couldn’t really look up and see, but the silence made him think she shrugged or didn’t care enough to answer. The heat continued to build up around him. “I do everything because I want to. I don’t give a damn about other people so long as in the end, my goals are reached. I would rather work with people to obtain my goals than walk over them like you do. You will find the people here are a bit more resilient than you assume.”

A glance to his side showed the glow around Agnox was mostly red, less than a third had a grey color.

“Oh, so you are a selfish asshole too? Well you just take the fun out of gloating. I wanted to dangle the lost hope of failure in front of you. Although, I guess this is still all your fault. You were the one who casted the spell. So just like how you don’t care about others, you will die without them caring about you. All alone with nobody to dig a grave for you. Don’t worry, it wont’ be a total waste. I’ll feed you to any prisoners I decide to keep.”

Mathew’s sight started to fade, and he realized she was right. He had nobody to care for him but himself. It’s how it always was. Just himself and his own two hands. Everything he had done was just for himself.

Sure, he had Leo and started to be chummy with the others here at the base, but what would happen if they died? Would he cry and cry out for vengeance like Leo did for his sister? Or would he pity them, thinking they were weak?

Was he weak? Everything he has done since defeating that wolf these past two weeks was to train and get stronger. Yet, he was nothing. A nobody. All alone without anyone to care for him.

“Awww, did I strike a nerve?” Her condescending voice echoed around Mathew. “I guess when one realizes they failed, despair quickly follows.”

Failure, the one thing Mathew hated most was to fuck something up. Even when he was outcasted by his family, he didn’t let that slow him down. No, he dusted himself off and continued to live life. He made a name for himself. He became a lawyer and became rich. Using both his inside sources and legal knowledge to not only win cases, but help those who depend upon him to win.

It was nothing to write home about, but he did it against all odds. Then the world went to shit. Magic became real, and at first he just wanted to survive. Ever since he slew that wolf the feeling of power is all he craved. Never giving up even when death and doom were the only option that seemed to be available.

Mathew looked up at Morthrus and sneered, “I’m not going to lose here. I’ve come too far to let some bitch use a cheap tactic to defeat me. Oh it’s a smart one, and I’ll be sure to remember it for my own future. However, there is something you haven't realized.”

“Oh? And do tell.”

“I’m fucking Mathew McGonald, and a McGonald doesn’t lose.” Mathew stopped caring about the heat building around him and pulled his mental energy around him. “I have come so far to be where I am, and if I’m going to let Satan's daughter take that from me, you can guess again.”

He didn’t think this would work, but he was going to brute force this with everything he had. It was similar to building up his largest [Mana Bolt]. Instead of the energy flowing to his staff, it building up inside him.

Sheer willpower surged forward and he slowly stood up. “If you could have harmed me, you would have now, so you are reduced to using a mental game to defeat me. You said it yourself, it’s a struggle of will powers. That whip doesn’t look like a decoration item.”

Morthrus sneered, “And you think just trying and some ‘power of determination’ will help you beat me?” The flames around Mathew grew, but he ignored them, now almost standing all the way up. He continued gathering every bit of power inside of him. Mana, Stamina, everything. He noticed the gray color around Agnox started to come back.

“Funny, there is a phrase close to that. A buddy of mine jokes about it all the time saying ‘The Power of Friendship’ will prevail against all odds. However, this time I think I’ll help prove him right. I might not have any friends, but I have my own power. Power that I aquired myself. I don’t need any handouts of free power. I refuse to let you win over me. You depend upon petty games to win, while all I need is absolute raw power.”

Mathew started to pull the energy toward him, using it as a shield against the energy coming off Morthrus. Who cared how much she dished out if he shrugged it off with his own. He had the stats to survive more things than others of his level. Fast enough to those just slightly weaker than him that focused on speed. He has the power to do this, he just needed to put maximum effort into something. No longer being lazy or doing things just enough.

“You? Stronger than me? Impossible. Your own kind couldn’t even kill Pitrudix without a severe number advantage.” Morthrus took a step back, and a glance toward Agnox showed he was back to an even color of red and gray.

Mathew shrugged, “I wasn’t there, but I have a talent for doing things on my own.” His mental energy rose, and he felt something wet run down his chin. He ignored it, and the pain building in his body. Victory was close.

“Human, you seem to misunderstand the situation, I can feel your self start to wane in power. Give up, and I’ll let you live. You can become my new personal slave. You won’t have freedom, but it’s better than me ending you here and now.”

Mathew paused for a moment, “It’s funny, I was going to offer you a similar offer. Yet, I realized you are more trouble than that.” Mathew’s own metal energy hardened into a wall of force and he grunted as he felt something run down the left side of his face as soon as he lost vision from that eye.

The energy around Agnox was primarily gray, while the red side continued to fade to nothing. Morthrus glanced at her previous familiar and her eyes went wide in shock.

“Fine, I yield! You can have the pesky Imp.”

“No, I don’t think I’ll let you get away. I origionally planned to wipe out your Dungeon on my own. Sucks I couldn’t do that, but I’ll settle on killing you myself.” Mathew gritted his teeth and took a single step forward, the mental wall of energy was heavy but he found a way to push it forward. It was solid, a representation of himself to a degree. Himself towering over everything. With a final mental push, it slowly started to fall toward Morthrus.

“No! You idiot, you really think you can kill me this way?” Morthrus turned and ran. The wall continued to fall, one by one the flames started to die as he smothered them out. The battle ended as he felt all the energy fall around him smothering the flames. He watched as she literally jumped into the portal narrowly avoiding the falling energy.

Time slowly continued forward and Mathew remained standing, and unmoving. The bullets that were mid flight continued forward but no more followed.

Agnox fell to the ground, his soul scorched. Something he only felt when his previous master died and he was forced out of a connection with him. Yet that burning soon faded and was replaced with the feeling of a protective force. Stronger than any chain that bound him before. Agnox came to two conclusions then and there. Firstly, he was stuck with Mathew unless he found someone much stronger to help him out of it. Secondly, Mathew was more than he claimed and pretended to be.

During the battle of wills over who claimed him, he was exposed to the raw power of both their souls. The previous chains of fire that connected him to Morthrus, and the stronger than cold steel ones that now connect him to Mathew. Something deep in his new master refused to lose. A conviction that was the core of who he was.