Max opened his eyes in anew place. He was lying on a soft bed and facing the ceiling. His upper body was covered in bandages, and felt pain in his chest, albeit slightly. Max sighed and realised that this was after the battle with Dreacon. He was so used to being unconscious and waking up to people recently. In the last 1 day itself it had happened four times.
He slowly got up and sat up on the bed, grunting in pain and fatigue, as if he were asleep for a long time. The coldness ran through his feet as he stepped on the stone floor.
He looked around to see that he was in a normal looking house anybody would find in a village during the medieval times. The stone walls, a tiny fireplace, with books above it. Almost green plants and unlit candles filled the room. Max presumed he was in one of the houses in the village.
He walked towards the door, limping, in his topless but bandaged fashion. He was scared that he was abandoned but he heard a cheerful voice outside.
Max stepped into the sunlight and squinted hard to look around. In the middle of the town was Melissa, who was lighting a few branches on fire on the floor. Chuck was beside her and cheered when she finally got it right. As the firewood was lit, they turned to look at their left when they saw Albert and Lin walking together (still maintaining their distance) and carrying tons of fish.
Max smiled and walked towards them. Chuck immediately smiled and ran towards him. He jumped and hugged Max. It caused immense pain for Max, but he welcomed the gesture.
Twenty minutes passed, and they all sat around the fire, roasting their fish. Max had started eating it as he felt hungry. Apparently, Max slept for two days straight after that battle and he awoke the third day. Melissa had healed him and they were just taking refugee in this village just to be safe until Max woke up. They had initially planned to leave him alone, although their conscience didn't agree with it. Chuck was smiling while eating his fish and Max noticed that.
Max: You seem...better...
Chuck looked at him confused and then smiled to himself. It was a sad smile.
Lin: Well..he did cry for an entire day...
Chuck: SHUT UP!!
But then Chuck smiled and looked at Max.
Chuck: I was sad. A lot. But my uncle did tell me...to live. I will always be sad about this...but I should try to move on. I should live for them. For myself.
Albert: Are you really eleven years old..??
Albert was shocked at the sheer maturity that Chuck possessed.
Chuck: So...I have to say something...to you..!!
Chuck got up from his seat and looked at the seated Max. Max was in the middle of gobbling his food and he was confused too.
Chuck: You told me that you are on a journey to find your parents right..?? Can you....take me with you??
Lin was shocked at his request, and so was Max.
Chuck: I'm sure...I'll be helpful. I can locate them maybe with my Tomes. And..and...I have a dream to fulfill...I wanna do what my uncle wanted to- collect all the Eternal Tomes. I also have nowhere to go...just...like just...
Chuck was nervous, but he stuttered. Max u understood his sentiment.
Max: Alright. You can come with me....it'll be lonely all alone any way...
Max smiled at the gleaming Chuck.
Max: Besides...your uncle did ask me to take care of you..if I didn't, it will leave a bad taste in my mouth..
Chuck smiled very happily and thanked him. Albert was silent right beside him. He then spoke up.
Albert: Riding on that topic, allow me to ask you of something too...
Max turned to his right and looked at the Samurai. He got up and bowed on his one knee. It was like an honorable gesture.
Albert: Can you, Maximus, take me with you too. I served your previous Avatar. And he was a hero. I see him in you..I would love to help you in anything you need and find your kinsmen. My Mater did say...that his next...would save the world. I want to see...where you would go...in this world.
Max was shocked at this, but it wasn't really a surprising outcome.
Max: I see. I would be happy if you lend me your assistance....Albert.
Albert proudly smiled and raised his head.
Max: I can't believe that the first time I met you...you were trying to kill me.
Albert: Well...I like making a great first impression...
Max frowned and shook his head.
Max: I was saying that it was a terrible first impression.
They both smiled again and turned towards Lin and Melissa.
Lin: What? We aren't swearing our fealty to you!!
Max: Oh come on man! We are friends aren't we??
Lin immediately became angry.
Lin: Do not call us that!!!
Melissa: I'm sorry...he is a bit sensitive about that f-word.
Max: "Bit" is an understatement!!
Max then sighed knowing that they would never follow him.
Lin: Listen up. We have our own goals. Our own journey. We are going our separate ways. I do indeed feel that you are honourable..and I wish you a pleasant journey. I hope you find your family. Genuinely.
This was the most kind Lin was towards Max. Max appreciated it.
Max: Well...we can atleast travel together until then right. We don't know where to go anyway..we will split up when we have a specific destination to go to. How's that sound??
Lin scowled at that suggestion.
Lin: I think you didn't get what I said. I said-
Melissa: I think that's a wonderful idea, Max!!
Melissa interrupted Lin and said her wish. Lin was about to throw hands with her, but she gave him a smile, and for some reason Lin sat back.
Melissa: It would be really difficult to travel alone in here anyway. Lin protects me all the time, but it isn't enough in a harsh world like this. Plus...I'm always protected...and I'm weak.
Melissa said her reasons, and frowned at her own weakness. But Lin was closely watching her, as if seeing lies in her words, which concerned Chuck. Max was oblivious to that though.
Max: So...it's decided. Let's go!!
***
Three hours later, Max had dressed back up. They had packed everything they needed. They found clothes that fit, food that wouldn't rot for some time, and utensils they might need. Chuck packed a few books in his bag too. Even the bags they had were of the villagers.
Max: You know...it kinda feels bad. This feels like we are desecrating the dead.
Chuck: It's okay..Max. I'm sure...my villagers would want us to have it.
Lin: It would anyway just be a waste of food if we left it here.
Max and Melissa nodded at this. And soon, they were near the exit for the village. Everyone stepped out, and Max was about to leave too. He turned around to see Chuck staring at his hometown that he grew up in. Chuck's eyes were sad, but hopeful.
Chuck: I'll be leaving. Goodbye....everyone....!
Chuck said his last words and joined Max. Max felt terrible thinking about the tragedy of Chuck's life, but was responsible now. He patted his back and walked with him.
All of them entered the forest and were walking together. Max ran up to the front and pointed ahead of him, and shouted.
Max: Follow me, my Paradox Troupe!!
Lin: The what now??
Albert: Paradox Troupe?? Interesting...
Chuck: What is a Paradox??
Melissa: I don't know...but I think I've heard that word before...
Max: It's cool right. It's our name going forth!!
Lin: Who said you can decide that??! And we are NOT a group!!
Max chuckled as he walked, followed by an angry Lin. Melissa and Chuck were smiling, with Albert in the back looking out for wild beasts.
Max: I feel like...I'm forgetting something incredibly important.....hmmm...
Max put his Universe palm on his chin thinking. Then he eventually gave up and smiled.
Max: Well...whatever it is...I'll remember sometime anyway!!
Max laughed and the five members of the newly formed group, the Paradox Troupe, made their way through the trees on a legendary journey.
But there was one thing Max had forgotten..
[Maximus Augilleris Steefan: 68 Days Till Erasure]
(END OF A2: ARC 2: THE ABANDONED VILLAGE ARC)
(ARC 3 STARTS NEXT CHAPTER!!)