Nobody had yet noticed Mathew other than a few prisoners who belonged to Mark’s people. Their armbands made it easy to tell who was friend and possible foe.

One of the armband people ran off toward the base camp. His speed was at full throttle. He was not holding back and would get there as quickly as he could.

The source of the booming voice, a large bald man, rubbed his face as he watched the runner leave. It seemed he was agitated. He had no visible weapons, which to Mathew, meant he was far more dangerous than if he had one.

Someone with a gun near where Mathew had appeared shouted in shock. His raised gun was pointed at Mathew, shaking slightly. “Who are you?!”

Mathew raised his hands up slowly. “Hello there. I’m someone who just completed that Crafting Challenge. It seems I came out at the wrong time.”

Someone came behind Mathew, but Jeffery growled at the man. Mathew didn’t turn to look at him. “I suggest not making my pet here angry. He is very protective of me.”

“I’ll kill 'em too. Who the bloody hell are ya punk?” A British accented person from behind Mathew said.

“Like I said, someone at the wrong place and wrong time.” Mathew kept his voice cool and collected. No need to cause a scene.

Yet, to his unluck, the bald headed man looked in Mathew’s direction. “What’s the ruckus over there Doland?”

“Got someone who came out of the portal. Probably belongs to the same group. Want me to tie him up?” Doland said from behind Mathew.

“I would rather not be tied up.” Mathew said. “Plus, I’m not with them. I was in the Challenge for a long time. I wouldn’t want to be caught up in something that doesn't involve me. If you let me go, I can get on my way. I’m sure my own people are curious as to where I’m at.”

Mathew didn’t look at the prisoners. Yet, he hoped they all kept their mouths shut and didn’t tip off these guys he was technically with them all. On a truthful level, he wasn’t. He never joined Mark in any capacity other than to help out.

The large guy walked over to Mathew. “Huh, just a random guy aye? Nothing to do with them?” He got close to Mathew’s face. “What’s up with Clifford there?”

“His name is Jeffery. He is a very loyal pet. I am a random guy. However, I can be somebody if you want me to be. Or I can be nobody. Just a whisper in the wind, never here.”

“You have a name, Nobody?”

Mathew thought it over for a moment. “Val. What about yourself?”

“You can call me Mr. Harrison.” Harrison smiled a toothy grin as he looked down at Mathew. “Show a bit of respect to your betters, will ya, Val?”

“Okay, Now I am going to help Mark take care of you. I was being honest is just leaving this shitty situation to help Mark out a little on the back end, but now? Well, he might not have to hurry as quickly.”

Mathew could only see ten people that weren't tied up. There were at least two behind him as well. Plus whoever else he couldn’t see or hear. “How about I call you Harry? We don’t need to see who is better, instead, we can walk away as simple passersby. You wouldn’t want to cause a scene would you? If you know you are better than I am, why show off?”

Harrison laughed at Mathew. Spit flew and hit him in the face. “Of course I am better than you. You are all alone. A Nobody! You said so yourself. If you were stronger than me, you wouldn’t be in this situation. Now, I was going to let you go, but I might need to make an example. To show what will happen when Mark doesn’t show up to pay for his sins.”

Mathew raised an eyebrow. “Sins? Someone wronged you?”

A big hand rested on Mathew’s shoulder. Jeffery kept up to bite him, but his other arm blocked the bite with a shield that showed up out of nowhere. “You best tell your mutt to sit, or I’ll add dog meat to my dinner.”

“Jeffery, it’s fine buddy. I got this taken care of.” Mathew said.

Jeffery glanced at Mathew. A face of concern across the canine face. Yet, he didn’t attack again. He remained poised to help Mathew when it was needed.

“He can summon a shield. It’s physical, probably a skill. He barely budged when Jeffery attacked him, so he isn’t physically weak. A leader persona. Probably an Axiom, maybe two. I wonder how quick witted he is?”

“See? You aren't dumb. I knew you would be a smart guy.” Harrison said. “Now, You asked about the man who wronged me. He killed my brother a couple days ago. My boys here told me what happened. Forced everyone to pay a fine or be killed themselves. Drained them of all their hard earned currency. Even killed a few extras to make a point, the entire time proclaiming himself as the new voice of laws.”

“Damn, if I wasn’t there to see it, or have met him before now, I would almost believe it. Before our reunion, that’s something I would 100% expect from Mark.”

Mathew nodded, as if he started to understand the situation more. “So you want justice. He wronged you, and your brother. Eye for an Eye. Tooth for a Tooth. Blood for Blood.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Harrisons eyes lit up, “Exactly! These are his people here. And that young lady over there,” He pointed at Beth. “Is his daughter! So, once he arrives here. I’m going to kill them both. Then half the prisoners. I’m merciful enough to not kill them all. It will send a message to those who are left. Do not mess with me.”

“It seems like a smart plan. However, what if he doesn’t show up alone? If he is that cold hearted, then he would show up to gain an advantage.”

Harrison wrapped an arm around Mathew. “Right you are. However, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. It will be a bloody battle. But, I’ll come out on top in the end. If that happens, I’ll kill everyone. The System should be able to bring my Brother back. Maybe not today, but one day. All those kills, all that UC, it can go to funding bringing him back.” Harrison’s voice turned angrier and louder.

Mathew could hear the hurt in his voice. “If I’m a betting man, which I am, Mark is not coming alone. Yet, not obviously with people. Jon is a rouge, so he is obviously coming. Maybe a few more stealthy others. He is probably going to plan on freeing the prisoners to help them. However, he won’t make it in time if he wants to avoid casualties..”

Mathew recalled he went into a Golem Dungeon. That alone was almost a day’s travel away. He left with a large group. Even if I was inside for four days, there is no way he is going to make it in less than fifteen minutes. Base Camp is five hours away when traveling in a giant group.

It was safe to say Mark could make it in two hours at the absolute fastest if he was at the base camp. The question was whether or not Mathew did anything. He could play it safe, not do anything and let a few people die. The other option was to try and save them.

Mathew could do it, but not alone. He needed time. A plan started to brew inside his mind.

“Mr. Harrison, I have a proposition for you.”

He looked down at Mathew, pity on his face. “Do you now? Plan to beg for your life?”

“Actually, I want to help you. This Mark fellow sounds like a bad guy. Someone who wouldn’t want to save his people. If he fights dirty, then you can expect a dirty response. Let me help you. In exchange, you let me go. You keep the UC, you get revenge, and I walk away with nothing gained.”

Harrison smirked. “You take me a fool? You will just run away at the first sign of battle.”

Mathew glanced around at all of Marks’ people. “Can we talk out of prying ears? I don’t want a murderers people to listen in on what I am going to say. I promise it’s a deal you want to hear.”

“Sure, I can do that. No funny business. You might think you can hurt me, but you won’t get away alive.”

Mathew was led to the side of the large cavern. He spoke softly to Harrison, praying his plan will work.

“You mentioned Justice. Before The System took over, I was a Lawyer. I have the power to create a contract between the two of us. You know how Lawyers work, right? I have to not only represent you in the court of law, but also help you win in any matters of legality. Punishing Mark for murder sounds like that. I can twist the words and meaning, so I am bound to help you punish a murderer. Someone who did exactly what you said deserves to be punished.”

The bald head didn’t nod or shake for a long moment. A smile grew. “Well well well, that sounds like a mighty interesting power you have there. How does it work exactly?”

“Have you heard of The Council? It’s an entity that works in tandem with The System. It keeps any and all deals and agreements legally binding. It’s why The System can’t go back on its promised rewards. I can invoke them to officiate a signed contract. Making it legally binding. Just like how our old world works, but a bit more sudden on the punishment side of things if one side breaks the contract.” Mathew was being truthful for a reason. He needed Harrison to trust him. He won't be alive long enough to spoil the details of his power.

Harrison said nothing, but Mathew could see the thinking behind his eyes. “What if I want you to fight for me?”

“Then I fight for you. Everything in the contract, every word, every sentence, has to be followed to the letter. If I try, then a punishment is invoked.”

“What sort of punishment? Is there a guide?”

Mathew shook his head. “I can make it something simple. The punishment has to match the crime. It’s pointless to have someone die instantly for whistling a tune. However, you can do the same punishment for an attempt on your life. Contracts are weighed upon your soul. You do know that Souls are real right?”

Harrison nodded, “Aye that I do. Learned about them a few weeks ago. A bit freaky, but what you say so far seems to be truthful. How do we go about doing this? Can you add others? What about my own boys?”

Mathew saw it now. That twinkle of control and power in his eyes. Just like Payne had. Mathew wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. Mr. Harrison here will be the one making a mistake.

“It takes time to create a contract, the more words and people involved, the more time. Give me an hour. Also don’t kill any of the prisoners, we can have them sign some as well so they can’t try to fight to help Mark when he comes to kill you.”

Harrison just smiled. “You got half an hour.”

Mathew nodded and pulled out papers. Harrison walked away, leaving Mathew alone. He had no exit. Between him and the closest tunnel were three guards. There was thirty minutes to get a contract, and the other plan he had in mind.

Whispering to himself, “Agnox, no clue if you can hear me, but you can at least feel my emotions. Get ready, here in a little bit, you might be coming out for a bit of fun.”