Cole pushed his body upwards with a confident ease. With his fists pressing firmly against the ground he continued to do pushups in the strong gravitational chamber. Deep down he wished he would have rest when Maddox told him to, but there was just so much to think about…so much to consider for the next phase of this war.

He felt so empty now, as if a chunk of his humanity had been drained from him. He gritted his teeth at the thought of what was waiting for him back in the city. With this anger fueling his veins he managed to push himself up with his right hand alone.

His eyes bulged as sweat dropped to the earth as an anchor does in the ocean. He was without a doubt in the best shape of his life. He released the tension from his arm and sat for a quick rest.

He observed his biceps; they were just so much bulkier than they had ever been in his life. Out of curiosity his slid his drenched undershirt over his body. It tore as if it were paper. Cole looked down at his body; his abdominal muscles were so much more defined than he remembered them being, the progression of his body from Sirix to this point in time was astounding.

He could hardly recognize his own skin anymore. His calves were raw with pain, but they were almost beautiful…his entire appearance made him think back to a Greek sculpture he had seen once. He felt intimidated by himself, yet he was waiting for this moment where he could live up to his potential whenever the world was in danger. With a grin he silently hoped for danger. He rolled onto his stomach and began pushups with his left hand.

Against Maddox's orders, Matt put a halt to his physical training and took a moment to meditate. He closed his eyes and began to relax his body while mechanically chanting a foreign phrase.

He couldn't help but to think how powerful the women were, not only did they have pure strength and warrior like precision, but they tended to have other—more mystical abilities about them.

"Give me the answers that I need…", Matt moaned.

He could see Christie…how odd she was acting in the woods; she was nothing like herself…yet she knew so much. How could that be?

He was now looking directly into the eyes of Arodice. She and those other amazons must have something to do with it…but how?

The room was filled with scents and colors that enshrouded Matt in their fragrances. Perhaps they have powers that they haven't revealed quite yet…

The colors rapidly faded. Matt's eyes shot wide open.

He pulled on the small tube on his bronze chain and glanced at it with horror. Quickly he untwisted the cap and attempted to tug the contents out. But it was to no avail. Whatever was in the tiny cylinder was now missing. Chills were sent down his spine and he stormed towards the exit of his private chamber.

Blindly, he ran directly into Maddox and was thrust backwards onto his rear.

"I need out, Maddox," Matt demanded.

"Why are you so tense? I do not understand your emotions?" Maddox reasoned calmly. He held his hand out to Matt, but he rose on his own.

"NOW!" he roared.

Maddox remained tranquil. "I really would not recommend that. Not only are you in an unstable mental state…but also, you may find what lies on the other side of this dimensional barrier quite shocking."

Matt ignored every word Maddox uttered. "Let me go now, Maddox. I am dead serious."

"I refuse to level with such barbaric com—What are you doing?" Maddox asked tensely as Matt held his scepter threateningly at his throat.

"I asked you nicely." Matt growled. "Now give me what I want."

Maddox looked down in disgust as Matt and looked at him with a powerful, but peculiar glare. "Your training is not complete, Matthew. You do not stand a living chance against anyone right now, this is your last chance to maintain my respect for you."

"I don't give a damn about your respect, or you for that matter." Matt leered.

Maddox lifted his palm ominously at Matt.

A blinding light formed within his fingers and coldly he sent it towards Matt. A loud jolt sounded and a white haze devoured the scene.

Matt opened his eyes to an open, large sliver door. All he could see was Maddox's dark silhouette. He lowered his scepter.

"Do what you must then. Your training ends now, Matt. If you close that door, you are never to come back here."

Matt nodded solemnly and walked slowly into the blackness of the door.

Maddox walked away as the door shut behind him and a strong blaze formed around the entrance. In the blink of an eye, the door burst into nothing and Matt was gone.

Maddox mumbled quietly to himself.

"Matt, you are lucky that Silver has more faith in you than I ever will."

And he exited.