The Corrupted Syndicate

The Viceroy's stride was confident and deliberate as he made his way toward the exit, leaving Mavislin to grapple with the lingering effects of their encounter.

The flushed dragoness then followed the Viceroy, completely satisfied with the outcome of the game she had set into motion. Now comes the next problem…

"I am going to kill you if you don't hand her back!" growled Mattheos as he pointed his blade right at the Viceroy, surrounded by the bodies that he had just freshly subdued.

A guard on the floor tried to grab his ankle but the angered rabbit quickly slammed his foot onto the guard's wrist, crushing the bones.

"Matt!" called out Mavislin, her voice filled with excitement as she dashed past the stunned blonde. 

She enveloped her bunny companion in a tight embrace, her arms wrapping around him with a mixture of joy and worry. Meanwhile, Matt returned the embrace, inhaling his partner's scent deeply.

Mavislin shivered as she remembered the bunny's uncanny knack for detecting her scent, no matter how faint or obscured. The bunny muttered a few words of gratitude, his voice soft and soothing. With a gentle touch, he cast a light healing spell, mending any bruises.

"Don't worry; the Viceroy did not maim me at all… In fact, I've got news to tell you!" exclaimed the dragoness, breaking the hug.

"I hope you haven't killed all of the guards… I still need them to guard Valokia and its citizens," noted Zenos, glancing around the room.

"Are you sure you are alright? I sense that you had to fight something or someone that needed you to use your Arcane Sight…" said Matt, his voice deepening to a growl as he looked over to the Viceroy.

"I'm thrilled! I got to battle him just like I wanted, and it was incredible. But that's not all—I'm excited to announce that we're forging an alliance with the Northern Cartel!"

"More specifically, the Covert Ops Division of the Syndicate has agreed to join forces with the Allatrinity," exclaimed Mavislin, her smile wide and genuine. 

Her enthusiasm was palpable, and her eyes sparkled with the promise of new beginnings. All Mattheos could do was process what he had heard before turning to the blonde.

"Have you drugged her by any chance?" quizzed the bunny, trying to figure out if his boss was joking.

"Do I look like an apothecary?" shot back the Viceroy, sky-blue eyes piercing the bunny's soul.

Mattheos then shook his head and grabbed the happy dragoness' shoulders, before shaking the sense out of her.

"What. Were. You. Thinking?! There's no way Beast would ever go for a rushed alliance like this! And never mind him—there's no way I'm going to stand for it! I refuse to let either of us be dictated by a monster like Zenos!"

"Mav, you can't seriously be considering putting your trust in someone like him. It's madness!" exclaimed Matt, his voice trembling with frustration.

The dragoness's radiant smile faded, replaced by a steely, serious gaze as her eyes darkened. She lowered her head, casting a shadow over her face. Matt felt a shiver crawl down his spine, his fur bristling as if pricked by a thousand needles.

The sudden shift in Mavislin's demeanor was palpable, a stark reminder of why defying her was a mistake. The bunny had underestimated the weight of his words, realizing too late that challenging his superior came with consequences.

He backed away, fearing his tongue might be the death of him.

"And who are you to question me about my choices, Sin?" gutturalled Mavislin, causing Matt's ears to tremble.

"I…"

Before anyone could react, the dragoness vanished from her spot, reappearing in an instant before Matt. With a swift motion, she seized him by the neck and hurled him against a nearby wall.

The rabbit coughed upon impact and even Zenos was in position to stop the girl before she could send the bunny to the cookout in the clouds. 

"Lest you forget, I am the one who calls the shots for my own Division. And I have you by the neck so don't make me snap it. I am not asking you to be friends with Zenos Galvus, I am ordering you to work with him."

The rabbit nodded hastily, hoping that he wouldn't be joining his ancestors anytime soon.

"Until we can quell the issue with the Legion because it takes more precedence as compared to a small quest," explained the dragoness, releasing her grip from the rabbit's neck.

Matt slumped to the ground, gasping for breath as he clawed at the dirt beneath him. His chest heaved with rapid, shallow breaths as he struggled to regain his composure.

Each inhale was a desperate gulp of air, and his hands dug into the earth, seeking stability in the midst of his disorientation.