Unhand Her!

In that moment, as he grappled with his faltering resolve, the cat-man had to confront a painful truth: failure, while devastating, was not the end. It was a crucible that could forge new strength or break him entirely.

The path forward was uncertain, but he had to decide if he would allow his failure to define him or if he would find a way to rise from the ashes of his disillusionment.

"Typically, I avoid invoking the Mad King's power, primarily because Mavislin was always close by, and I preferred not to risk her ire or influence."

"But now that circumstances have shifted, and with Mavislin no longer a concern, I find myself free to harness this power without restraint," said Mattheos, as his blade slashed across Kyle's torso, like a heated knife through butter.

Kyle said nothing his body fell limp onto the ground, splashing in his own pool of blood. Matt wasted no time in burning the body into ashes, flicking his flame minion towards the body and setting it ablaze.

"Had we met under different circumstances then maybe we could have a nice beer together. Sorry, I never did expect it to be a curb-stomp battle…" monologued the rabbit as he quickly flushed out his Alter form. 

Another resounding bang reverberated through the empty streets, causing Mattheos to jerk his head around in alarm. The sound had come from the Palace?! Panic surged through him as he realized the gravity of the situation.

With no time to waste, the rabbit sprinted toward the Arcadia, his heart pounding with the urgency to assist his partner. Each powerful stride was fueled by the hope that he could turn the tide of the battle unfolding within the Palace walls.

"Please be okay…" muttered Mattheos, his voice barely a whisper as he dashed through the gaping hole in the fortress walls.

Each step felt like a desperate prayer as Mattheos plunged into the chaotic scene within the fortress, his heart pounding with fear and urgency for his partner and the looming danger.

His blood turned to ice when he saw her limp body ensnared in the Viceroy's merciless embrace. The blonde stood motionless with a cold, unreadable expression, his eyes meeting Mattheos's with an unsettling calm.

Matt's rage flared as he took in the sight of his fallen ally. Every fiber of his being was focused on one singular purpose: to fight. His fists clenched, his breath came in sharp, steadying inhales, and his gaze hardened with resolve.

The rabbit's muscles tensed as he prepared to confront the Viceroy, ready to unleash his fury and desperation of both trying to save his partner and also taking the Prince of Darkness down once and for all.

"Unhand her!" bellowed Matt as he held up his blade to prepare for an attack.

"I think not, little bunny. I had hoped that Teemo would occupy your attention long enough for me to savor my prize a bit longer. But it seems I was mistaken. The Legion boasts of nothing but ineffectual heroes."

"While the past cannot be altered, the present can still be reshaped. Apologies, little Mattheos, but your partner has offered herself to me in exchange for aid against the Legion."

"Fear not; I have no intention of harming the trophy of my hunt. I shall return her to you in a few days, alive and well. Until then, farewell."

Zenos turned his back on the rabbit, shifting his hold on the dragoness to cradle her in a bridal style. With a fluid motion, the Viceroy sidestepped a furious blast of mana from Mattheos, his movements smooth and deliberate.

He then tilted his head, casting a sidelong glance at the enraged bunny, his expression one of calculated calm. No, it wasn't calculated calm.

To Mattheos, it seemed more like profound boredom—an air of disinterest akin to Mavislin's demeanor when she toyed with opponents she could effortlessly defeat.

"I urge you not to attempt any more surprise attacks, lest you forget that your partner is in my grasp. Rest assured, it takes every ounce of my restraint to refrain from dropping her and dealing with you here and now."

"However, I made a promise to Mavislin that I would not harm you, and I am not one to break my word. Consider this a courtesy, as I am not inclined to make a habit of it."

"I find it hard to believe that Mavislin would strike a bargain with the likes of you."

"Now that's just unkind. And make sure not to follow, because it will nullify our promise," replied Zenos as he walked towards the main hall.

Mattheos seethed with frustration, his mind racing with the thought of hurling a bomb straight into the Viceroy's smug face. But reality quickly set in—he had no choice but to flee before Zenos' men could apprehend him.