The Viceroy's words jolted the dragoness awake. The startled girl looked at Zenos with sleepy eyes and yawned.
"Sorry... Did you want to say something?"
"Not quite. But it is time for me to make my move. I plan to don a new outfit, something less cumbersome for the upcoming battle. As for you, it's time you return to your rabbit."
"I suspect he has something he needs to share with you," said the Viceroy, slowly releasing Mavislin from his hold.
The dragoness bid farewell to the blonde and walked towards Matt's quarters.
"So, about that letter that Abyss has given you... Is it alright if I know about the contents?" asked Mattheos, sitting on his new bed.
Though the rabbit wasn't fond of his new circumstances, he couldn't deny the comfort of the soft bed beneath him. It was far superior to anything he'd ever rested on before, and he settled into the plush surface with reluctant contentment.
Nearby, Mavislin sat in a cozy chair, her expression blank, watching the bunny in silence.
"I don't see why not, though allow me to read it first since it was addressed to me..." replied the dragoness, breaking open the purple wax seal.
Worry and fear were etched clearly across his superior's face; no words or gestures were needed to convey her emotions. A simple frown from Mavislin spoke volumes, revealing the turmoil beneath her calm exterior.
Mattheos lay sprawled out on the bed, remaining silent as he watched her from his place of rest.
"I'm not going to force you to tell me-"
"The First Seats have been alerted about my rushed alliance with the Viceroy. Raven is particularly unhappy while Venom is overjoyed. The rest have remained silent and neutral," said the dragoness, folding the letter.
"Is that... Bad? Will they send a group to come after us?" questioned Matt, with a hint of worry.
"I highly doubt so, maybe you'd see an occasional Crow coming to check on us but definitely not to pick a fight with us. If they visit you, I'm sure you know what to do," answered the dragoness, getting up to sit beside the rabbit.
Matt scooted a bit to accommodate the girl, turning over to his side to face her.
"I do. I'm just worried about you... About what Zenos has done to you. Because I know when your cage has been rattled and this time it has been rocked," said Mattheos, reaching out to grab the girl's hand.
"Do you feel forced to travel with me?"
The rabbit froze, his hand hesitating in mid-air, too afraid to touch the dragoness before him. She kept her back turned, but her voice trembled with a mix of fear and regret that he couldn't ignore.
"Do you still think of yourself as my prisoner? And if so, then I must know... Why did you not run away?"
"You're second-guessing yourself? That's a first... What happened to your words of 'swearing loyalty' to you?" joked Matt, sitting up straight.
"Swearing loyalty to me doesn't mean anything if it was forced. It was true that I own your life since I have you by the neck. I spared your life instead of killing you, in exchange you had to be my younglings and join the Syndicate."
"But for the past two years, things have gradually changed..."
Mavislin closed her eyes, clenching her fists as she tried to steady her breathing. A storm of conflicting emotions swirled within her, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and unanchored.
Her thoughts drifted to the countless missions she and the rabbit had endured together, each more perilous than the last. In recent months, they had faced an array of formidable foes, their latest victory against the fearsome Tarasque still fresh in her mind.
Mattheos had given everything in that fight, pushing himself to his limits against a mere second-class entity, while Mavislin barely needed to tap into her Alter form.
Yet despite his prowess, Mattheos had a weakness that often hindered them: his reluctance to kill entities that showed any trace of emotion. If a creature could beg for its life, Mattheos found it impossible to send them to their ancestors, no matter the threat they posed.
As Mavislin wrestled with the Viceroy's words and her own tangled feelings, a resolution formed within her. She turned to the rabbit, her decision clear—there was another command she needed to give.
"Mattheos Sin Rosenberg, Fifth Seat of the Covert Ops Division. As my authority as the First Seat of your department, I hereby rescind our initial agreement. You are granted permission to leave my side."
"Why?" squeaked the poor rabbit, confused.
"The next few missions are dangerous and the stakes are even higher as time goes on. I have made up my mind to release you before your life gets lost because of me."