Appraisal of the item

Max became restless after that incident. If the shield had such effect on him who knows what it might be able to do if he was ever to distance himself from it.

Two days passed by since Max was called for the first time by the shield. During these two days he had heard multiple times voices and had a craving into going inside the room where the shield was supposed to be and in only two days Max's appearance changed alongside his behavior.

His father wasn't along for the weekend so the only person that was there for him was his mother. The poor lady has been alongside Max as both of them tried to prevent him from going in.

It was Monday morning and Max was still awake, the black bags situated under his eyes could be seen from quite the distance, he looked tired and his sloppy movements emphasized that fact. The door to his room creaked open as his mother poked her head out.

"Max, let's go, your father and a man are waiting for you" Amaya said with an agitated voice, she would at least know how to help him after the appraisal.

A light in Max's dull eyes began burning once more. For two days straight he had to be mindful of every action he took, to distract himself from the callings of the items. Ever since he tried to sleep the first night he was afraid of doing so as when he was awoken by his mother he was again in front of the door, his clothes drenched in water.

His mother saw him getting closer to the door and because he wasn't responding in any way to her voice she threw a huge bowl of water on him, trying to get him awake in which she succeeded.

Max got off from his bed. He made his way out of the door where he was able to see his father standing tall but with worry in his expression, alongside an old man.

The old man had a hunched back, holding a staff with his right arm while the other was caressing his bushy beard. He was clad in a white robe meant for magicians on which light danced around. Max looked at this man, inspecting him while the man did the same to Max.

"He has it rough! This is one of the worst types I ever saw!" The man blatantly told Igor "It is obviously a cursed item! How are you so blind Igor? It's your own son for good heavens!" He spoke with a voice of annoyance.

"I am sorry Elder Hans I was not around for the time.." As he admitted Igor felt pressure on his surroundings and himself. Elder Hans swung his staff and it hit Igor right on the center of his forehead.

"Just shut up already and bring me the shield!" He turned around once again, looking at Max. His eyes were filled with sympathy for the poor boy in front of him. "You've not to worry now Max, I will help you with this" He paused looking towards Igor and began caressing his long beard once again. 'Poor child, I'll show that Igor later..'

Igor entered the room. The room was cold and there wasn't a trace of light inside other than the illumination the opened door was giving. 'Here it is..' Igor thought to himself as he was grabbing the shield.

Igor left the room holding the shield. As he came back, walking towards Max and the others, Hans spoke "Stop right there for now!".

Alerted, Igor did as told, he was really obedient for some reason and both Max and his lover could see that he no longer had the spunk to fight back or even the dignity of the man he was before.

"Max, how do you feel right now?" Hans asked curiously, he confirmed the fact that this item was, even without appraising it, a cursed one, and a strong one at that.

"Uh..." Max looked around strangely, observing his surroundings. He no longer felt any compelling to find the shield, he was feeling a lot more clear-minded. "I'm... feeling alright?" He answered, unsure of himself.

Hans nodded, signaling that he had acknowledged Max's answer. "You have contracted the shield already" He again said blatantly, it didn't seem like this old man knew how to hold things to himself.

Everyone except Hans had a dumbfounded expression, but Max was a bit different, the color of his face drained in a second as he heard those words and stumbled backward, not able to stand on his feet. His eyes became shiny and as the first tear was about to fall from his soon-to-be red eyes Hans spoke once again.

"Do not cry like a baby now! You have such an exaggerated expression on your face. All you have to do is tame the cursed soul inside of the item, otherwise you are bound to die a horrible death! Crying is not an option now Max' Hans said with anger while forwarding towards Igor and snatching the shield from his hand. It wasn't hard to do so as the shield was already almost falling out of his hands, Igor deep into thought was jolted awake as Hans began closing in on Max.

He wiped Max's face with his robe and placed the shield forcefully into his arms. "Have you ever talked to it before?" Hans knelled in front of Max as he was trying to meet his eye level.

"I never talked to it..." Max stopped being so sensitive about what was happening, he wasn't like this, what was happening? "... the shield talked to me a lot of times before though" Color slowly filled Max's face as he began telling them of everything he had experienced so far.

"Huh, quite interesting. Alright Max, hear me closely. If you want to not be burdened by this you will have to subdue or break the contract. I can break the contract but it will most probably burden you more than not subduing it and living along with it. If you subdue it and change the nature of the soul then not only will both you and the shield become stronger but also there will be no drawbacks. If you can't then I will forcefully break the contract then destroy the item. Do you understand me?" Hans explained as fast as he could.

"I understand" Max said with a determined face, he had a chance and was willing to try it.

"Then I will not explain it once again, the faster you confront the corrupted soul the better the chances so pay attention..." Hans coached Max on what he was supposed to do and Max listened attentively to his words.

"Did you get all that?" Hans asked Max for confirmation, and as Max nodded he continued ".. Then good luck to you Max!"

Hans distanced himself from Max while pulling his mother and father to the side, they weren't let to interfere.