I wasn't used to dealing with life at such brisk intensity. Even the normal effort left me exhausted and in a grim mood afterward. I didn't know exactly how long I had spent in the cavern, but my stay had to have lasted more than half a day. Add in the previous day, and I hadn't slept for over 24 hours.

Mentally I was spent; physically I felt sore all over. Drained, exhausted, and overall in need of some serious rest. And now I had to deal with the fact that I could summon sentient creatures.

If it was only monsters, I might've just de-summoned them right after culling the goblins. While the alternative remained open for Amara, even the thought of it just felt... wrong.

She wasn't an animal, and I wasn't an emotionless megalomaniac with only one purpose to my existence. I couldn't do that to her; I wouldn't.

However, there were complications to suddenly being saddled with a cognizant entity who was a complete and utter stranger. Complications like lack of communication and trust.

Personally, I kind of liked Amara and felt relieved that I had gotten the support of such a powerful ally. And I wouldn't deny the feeling of attraction I harbored toward her. But the same couldn't be said for the crimson-eyed vampire.

If her entire existence depended on my whims, the whims of a human precipitously weaker than her, then it was understandable the situation grated at her nerves overwhelmingly. I didn't know whether she was afraid; the existence of Immortal basically negated that, but I did know she detested the absurdity of her situation.

Ironically, the very same nature that despised her current predicament also made her more accepting of her situation. Why? Because she was a lazy-ass vampire. In simple terms, she couldn't be bothered to deal with it.

Of course that didn't mean she liked me or anything. I noted it after she had taken my blood; the Favorability increased from 26 to 29, yet was still determined as being Friendly.

The most she had opened up about her feelings was when she expressed her grieving over our bond. And even then it was only because she truly felt sorry at being blunt. Not that I would call it insulting, but then again I had no idea what went through her head.

That was progress. And then the teleportation happened.

Amara was determined to find civilization, if only to confine herself to creature comforts. She was being selfish, and she knew that. And it had almost resulted in her losing her arm.

While a summon couldn't be permanently killed, I would've absolutely hated to see her gone. However, it was different for Amara. Her selfishness hadn't just resulted in her incurring injuries but also nearly putting my life at risk.

Again, the lack of communication.

However, laying all the blame at her feet would be unbefitting of a summoner like me. Especially if I was going to have to care for others of her variety in the future.

I sighed.

"It's not your fault," I said. "Mistakes happen."

Mistakes were a part of life, unless one lived under a constant spell of paranoia. Even then one can only keep a limited control over everything.

"I know, but if I hadn't intercepted the mana blast, your life could've been in danger." I could see the exasperation warring on her face, and for the first time, I understood what she was feeling.

Guilt.

Not just at the fact that she had nearly risked my life, but probably because she was distrustful of one person who simply wanted to become friends with her.

I smiled, relief coursing through me. I didn't want to helm a group of reluctant slaves. I didn't want to force someone against their will. And even if forced, I wasn't willing to accept a bunch of intelligent creatures as mere statistics. A number to throw against my enemies. I simply couldn't.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

But I was apprehensive. Anxious at the fact that my summons would never accept me. That they would harbor resentment and think of me as a unsympathetic fiend. So, it came as a relief that Amara was at least willing to accept me.

"Thank you for the concern; I really appreciate it." I spoke with a soft tone, unable to keep the tiredness from seeping into my voice. I paused, unable to form further words. What should I say? What could I say? I knew I had to put her worries at rest, but I didn't know how.

"Listen, Amara." I began. "I am not very good at speeches, so I will spare you the burden. But I want to make something very clear. I don't know what our future holds, but I want it to be better than my present. Life isn't easy; I know that. We can't become friends overnight, and that's alright. But I want us to work together. If not as a summon and master, then as friends."

Amara looked down with her arms crossed. She let out a soft sigh and closed her eyes. When she opened them, I could see a firm resolve flickering in her eyes.

She walked forward and crouched before my lounging form. From this distance I could see her eyes with startling clarity. The crimson iris and darker pupil; they seemed to glow slightly. She held her open palm forward and gestured at it. I felt confused but brought my own hand forward nonetheless.

As my fingers touched the soft skin of her hand, I could feel the heat radiating from it. Amara grasped my hand in a vice grip and looked me straight in the eye.

"I only have one question for you; answer it." I nodded, and she continued, "What do you see me as?"

A tool to be exploited? A beauty to be violated? A summon to serve her master?

"A companion." I answered in a firm voice. "Because a bond meant to last forever cannot be built on top of a lie." Because everything else would be.

Amara stared at me for a long moment, then loosened her grip. She stood up, dusted her cloak, and looked toward the only entrance from where we could hear the sound of rain pelting hard against the ground.

"Get some rest; I will bring something to eat." Saying so, she left without another glance.

I was left speechless once more by her behavior. Was that all she needed to hear? Did she have nothing else to say in return? She seemed more insufferable than that dragon bastard.

I shook my head and rested it against the cold, hard, rocky surface. I was so utterly exhausted that I could feel an almost physical weight pressing on my eyelids. Before that, though, I removed the mana crystals from my belt and neatly stacked them beside myself.

Hmm?

Didn't my dagger fall near the door in that cavern?

As the thought took root in my head, I nearly facepalmed. If Amara hadn't acted so impulsively, I might have remembered my fallen weapon.

Oh, well, it simply wasn't meant to be.

Maybe leaving a relic of my past in the past was a better start toward my new life.

That said, there was one thing I would need to wrap up to commence my plans for the future. My former teammates. Who so callously had pushed me to my death as if it was the most natural thing to do.

I still felt no anger toward them or their actions, but a burning desire to repay their favor. And honestly, the thought felt somewhat comforting.

I rested my hand against my chest, feeling the beat of my dragon heart, and felt all my worries evaporate. I was in a better position than before, and even if a bit late, I was confident in overtaking others.

Supreme tier Origin. Which the Amara had claimed to be the highest known to exist. This was an SSS-Rank existence that reigned at the peak. My rise wasn't a matter of if, but when. It was inevitable.

I called up my Soul Record.

Name: Markus White

Race: Human [Awakened] (Dragon Heart: Compatibility at 72%)

Age: 19

Origin: Celestial Archive [Supreme???]

Level: 4 | XP: 12.45%

Rank: E

Attributes

* Strength: 45

* Agility: 45

* Vitality: 58

* Intelligence: 70

* Perception: 39

* Spirit: 115

* Free Stat Points: 5

Talents

* [Summon - D]

* [Talent Copy - N/A]

* [Blood Monarch - SSS]

Summons (1/2)

[Amara - SSS]

* Favorability: 29% (Friendly)

* Power Sync: -98.35%

My compatibility was rising faster than I had expected, but it didn't deter me in any way. On the other hand, it was a delight to see my progress. I had long since left my past self in the dust, despite boosting half my previous level.

I now had somewhat of an elementary understanding toward the Power Sync also. It seemed to be a limiting factor that grew with the increase in my spirit. The more it was, the higher Amara's attributes.

Name: Amara

Race: Vampire [Ascended]

Age: 2,198

Origin: Night Queen [Divine]

Rank: ???

Attributes

* Strength: 57

* Agility: 113

* Vitality: 77

* Intelligence: 90

* Perception: 46

Satisfied, I closed the window and let sleep take hold of me.