The troop of dungeon guardians spotted them and attacked.
They couldn't get out and they also couldn't let the monsters behind get in.
They were trapped.
Suddenly, a voice blared. "Stop!"
The rocky soldiers immediately obeyed the command and halted their assault.
Deeper into the cave was a sculptured throne and sitted on that throne was a young girl.
She had black long hair and distinctive red eyes. The scepter she held in her arms depicted royalty followed by the alluring robes casted over her.
"My soldiers almost skewed you like a boar and yet I told them to stand down. Curious isn't it?"
"It depends on what you find curious your majesty. Mercy...or interest," he said as he bowed.
"Why not both. You don't seem like someone use to bowing. It suit you...almost."
"..."
She chortled.
"I like you. My name is Olivia. The daughter of Hades. The dungeon queen."
"You are the daughter of Hades?"
She nodded slightly.
It was only them that he just peered into her status – something he always did with everyone his eyes met and her stats didn't betray her words.
A demigod and with an immortality trait.
"I'm Max. And this is Melfina, the goddess of reality."
"I know. You must be wondering why I saved you?"
"Your 'mercy' didn't exactly come with a thank-you speech?"
She giggled and suddenly vanished.
"You know, I have been watching you, from the very second you came in here," she spoke alluringly as she pranced her fingers over his body from behind. "I didn't just save you just because of mercy. I saved you because I need you."
"I know what you want, your deepest desire."
"My desire?"
"Ya. And I can give it to you."
"You rule this dungeon. What could you possibly need from us?" Mel butt in.
"Oh I do love it when the girl speaks, but I was talking to him, dear."
"I am sorry I'm not fond of taking orders from people."
"That's sad but I'm sorry. There'll be no exception this time."
She vanished again.
"If you don't comply, I'll collapse this dungeon killing you, her and every other person within."
He stood firm, his demeanour undiminished by her threatening words. He didn't even blink or furrow his brows. He actually even purposely pit in his hand in his pocket to state his affirmity.
Did he not hear her.
"You drop the roof, you better hope it buries all you regret along with it."
"What do you know about regrets? All you do is enjoy lives and flaunt your power. I'm almost glad that you are that way you are?"
Her words cracked a piece of him he hadn't given a thought since he arrived.
Her.
"You knew her, didn't you?"
Tears welled up behind her eyes and trickled down, failing miserably in shielding them.
"She died a while ago and after that I was crowned queen in her place. After a while, dad cast me here to govern his prison and I am bound forever to the throne."
More tears fell and soon sobs followed.
"I just want my freedom that all. Is that too much tk ask for."
She went on barely able to control herself.
"I get it. Your mum gave me everything. Life, a second chance and more. She was a good person and for her sake, I'll help you."
She turned slowly to him unconcerned about the sight of her tears.
"You will?"
"Definitely. Besides if you dropped the roof, I'll suggest you started praying before I reached you."
She laughed, wiping away her tears as she vanished oncemore and reapeared before Max, laeping onto him with a hearty hug.
"Okay, we are looking for an artifact. The crimson core. Another reason this oblivion was built, not only to imprison immortals but also to protect wonderful artifacts."
"Ya, but why do you need me? You are powerful, can't you just go there and grab it?"
"So you really think the great monarch of death is that daft. The core is sealer with a spirit barrier. Anyone who tries to get through immediately meets their maker, even me. But you, can easily disable the the mechanism and free me at last."
"Okay sounds dangerous. Can we bring any of them?", he pointed towards the army that stationed over there.
"No, we don't need them. We'll just breeze in and out in no time and besides if they come along we wouldn't have any alone time."
She clenched onto his left arm and pulled her self closer before Mel drew her our of her fantasy.
Olivia waved her arm and a wall on the other end of the room shifted and revaeled a secret passage way.
"It is over there. Shall we?"