Chapter 8: The Seven Deadly Sins

As Max and Avery hurried into the magic class, Avery couldn't help but notice how late they were. She instinctively grabbed Max's hand and dashed for the door. Upon their arrival, they were met with a stern yet strikingly beautiful elven lady, their potions teacher for the day.

Professor Elara: Mr. Avery, do you have any idea how reckless it was to disrupt the class like that?

Avery (flushing with embarrassment): I-I'm sorry, Professor. It won't happen again, I promise.

Professor Elara (frowning): It better not. We have rules for a reason, young man.

Max (chiming in with a smirk) Ah, come on, Professor. He was just excited to get to potions class.

Professor Elara (turning to Max, her expression stern): Excitement is no excuse for disregarding the rules, Mr. Maximus. You should know better.

Max (shrugging nonchalantly): Yeah, yeah, I know. My bad, Professor. Won't happen again.

Professor Elara (sighing): Let's hope not. Please take your seat, Mr. Maximus, and let's try to salvage what's left of this class.

Max (grinning as he takes his seat): Will do, Professor. Thanks for being so understanding.

Avery (whispering to Max as they sit): You're incorrigible, you know that?

Max (whispering back with a wink): Guilty as charged.

Max and Avery then make their way to the ground where they even meet the second-years, among the huge group of students Max sees a familiar face.

Ronald: "Alright, everyone! We'll begin with a speed test today. Line up!"

Max and Avery stand among the other students, anticipation coursing through them.

Max (spotting Liam): Liam! Good to see you again.

Liam (grinning): Max, you still owe me that rematch!

They exchange a hearty handshake before the speed test begins, eager to prove themselves once more.

After the race Max suddenly felt a shortage of breath on the track, Max's condition worsened quickly, Ronald's concern grew evident. Beads of sweat formed on Max's forehead, his breathing labored and erratic. Liam rushed to Max's side, supporting him as he struggled to remain upright. Max's coughing fit sent shivers down Liam's spine, the sight of blood staining his lips filling Liam with dread.

Ronald's voice cut through the tension, sharp and urgent. "Avery, quickly! Take Max to the infirmary."

With adrenaline coursing through her veins, Avery guided Max with gentle urgency, her hands trembling as she steadied him. Each step felt like an eternity as they made their way to the infirmary, the weight of Max's weakening body pressing heavily on Avery's shoulders.

As Avery rushed Max to the infirmary, Liam's worry was palpable. "Max, hang in there," he urged, his voice tinged with concern. "We're almost there."

Max's strained breaths punctuated the tense silence, each one a struggle against the darkness threatening to consume him. Despite his efforts to remain composed, Liam's facade cracked, his usual stoicism giving way to raw emotion.

"Stay with us, brother," Liam pleaded, his voice thick with emotion. "We need you."

Max managed a weak nod, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pain and determination. As they reached the infirmary, Liam's heart clenched at the sight of the empty room. "Avery, we need to find help," he urged, his voice trembling with urgency. "Max's life depends on it."

As Max finally lost consciousness, Avery's heart pounded with fear. She felt a surge of panic, unsure of what to do next. Liam's face mirrored her apprehension, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a sense of urgency.

"We need to act fast," Liam said, his voice tinged with worry. "There's no time to waste."

Avery nodded, her mind racing as she tried to think of a solution. She knew they needed to find help, but the infirmary was empty, and time was running out. With a determined expression, she turned to Liam.

"We have to get him to a healer," she said, her voice firm despite her fear. "Let's take him to the nearest town."

Liam nodded in agreement, his mind already calculating the fastest route. Together, they carefully lifted Max and hurried out of the academy, their footsteps echoing in the empty corridors.

As they emerged into the crisp night air, Avery's heart clenched with worry. She knew that Max's life hung in the balance, and they needed to find help before it was too late. With determination fueling their steps, they set off into the darkness, their only goal to save their friend's life.

As Max woke up he was no longer in the academy, he was in a void with nothing but white as far as the eye could see; knowing that his plan had worked Max couldn't help but laugh, and after his dramatic laugh he stood there taking a deep breath and the shouting "Lucifer!", Max's voice echoed into the void. He called out again, louder this time, his words carrying with them a mix of determination and urgency.

He knew that Lucifer was the key to unlocking the mysteries of this strange place. As a wave of calm washed over him, Max focused his thoughts, reaching out with his mind to connect with the powerful entity.

"Lucifer, show yourself!" he called once more, his voice carrying a note of command. He waited, his senses heightened, ready for whatever response awaited him in the depths of the void.

As Max's command echoed through the empty world, the air seemed to stir with unseen energy. Suddenly, before him materialized six of seven figures, each embodying one of the deadly sins.

Mammon - Representing greed, his insatiable desire for wealth and power makes him a formidable force.

Asmodeus - The demon of lust, his allure is irresistible and his influence far-reaching.

Satan - Known for his wrathful nature, his fury knows no bounds, making him a force to be reckoned with.

Beelzebub - The embodiment of gluttony, her insatiable appetite making her a relentless adversary.

Leviathan - Representing envy, her jealousy knows no bounds, driving her to seek destruction.

Belphegor - The demon of sloth, his lethargy belies his cunning, making him a deceptive foe.

As they materialized, each sin emanated a palpable aura of power, their presence filling the void with an oppressive energy. Max stood before them, his resolve unwavering, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The sins' mocking laughter echoed through the empty void, their sinister amusement palpable. Beelzebub, with a wicked grin, spoke first, her voice dripping with contempt. "Seems the mortal thinks he can command us."

Asmodeus, twirling a lock of his hair, added with a sly smirk, "How amusing. Perhaps he seeks a favor from the Lord of Hell himself?"

Mammon, his eyes gleaming with greed, chuckled darkly. "Or maybe he's just a foolish mortal grasping at power beyond his comprehension."

The other sins joined in the mockery, their taunts filling the empty space with derision. Max stood firm, undeterred by their jeers, his gaze fixed on the looming figures before him. He knew that facing the sins would test his strength and resolve like never before.

Max met their collective gaze with unwavering resolve. "You may be powerful, but you couldn't escape a realm like this" he taunted, "not even Lucifer your so-called master could escape."

"Bold words for a mere mortal," Leviathan hissed, her voice like icy venom. 

As the sins prepared to unleash their fury, Max stood firm, his aura blazing with defiance. "Come then," he challenged, his eyes flashing with determination. "Let's see what you're truly capable of."

As Max unleashed his formidable aura once more, the sins, already weakened and humiliated, fell to their knees in abject terror. Their pleas for mercy echoed through the void, their voices trembling with fear as they begged for forgiveness.

In that moment of vulnerability, Lucifer's imposing presence materialized before them, a chilling embodiment of authority and power. His eyes, glowing with an otherworldly intensity, bore into Max with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

"You have proven yourself to be quite the enemy," Lucifer remarked, his voice echoing with a regal resonance. "Few mortals possess the strength to even venture into the void let alone challenge the might of the seven deadly sins."

Max met Lucifer's gaze with unwavering determination, his resolve burning bright even in the face of such overwhelming power. "I have only just begun," he declared, his voice ringing with conviction. "There are greater challenges ahead, and I will not rest until I have overcome them all."

Lucifer's lips curled into a faint smile, a gesture that held both admiration and intrigue. "You possess a rare fire, young Oritsu," as quickly as Lucifer said these words, Max began to fade away, his form scattering into the void. "Until we meet again," Lucifer intoned, his voice echoing into the emptiness as Max's spirit body dematerialized.

As Max's consciousness gradually returned, he found himself greeted by the tear-streaked face of Avery and the concerned expression of Liam. Relief flooded through him as he saw their familiar faces, a small smile tugging at Liam's lips as he realized Max was alright. Unable to contain his emotions, Liam excused himself, leaving the room to collect his thoughts. Avery on the other hand finally broke into tears of joy seeing Maximus awake.

Avery (tearfully): You scared us, Max. You collapsed after that race, and we couldn't wake you up. I thought... I thought...

Max (gently) Hey, I'm alright now, Avery. No need for tears.

Avery (squeezing him tightly): You idiot! Do you have any idea how worried we were? I thought I was going to lose you...

Max (softly): I'm sorry, Avery. I didn't mean to scare you like that. But hey, I'm back, aren't I?

Avery (sniffling): Yeah, you are... Just promise me you won't do something like that again.

Max (smirking): No promises, but I'll try my best to stay in one piece.

Avery (chuckling through her tears) You better, or else I'll have to knock some sense into you.

Max (grinning) Wouldn't want to mess with you, Avery. You're even scarier than Professor Elara on a bad day.

Avery (playfully swatting his arm): Shut up, Max.

Their laughter echoed through the infirmary, a moment of shared relief and joy amidst the lingering worry.

Max (feeling Avery's weight against his shoulder notices Asmodeus's presence): Alright, spill it. What's on your mind?

Asmodeus (emerging with an air of casualness): "Hey, man, I just wanted to come clear. Sorry if we came off as a bit harsh earlier. You know how it is with us demons, always trying to intimidate mortals. No hard feelings, right?"

Max (meeting Asmodeus's gaze, a faint smile tugs at his lips): Yeah, I get it. No worries. We all have our roles to play. Just try not to scare anyone too much next time, alright?

Asmodeus (grinning): Great! Glad we're cool, Max. Oh, by the way, you can call me Asmo. Short and sweet, right? And if you ever need a hand—or a little demonic advice—just give me a shout. I'll be there in a jiffy.

Max (nods): Got it, Asmo. Thanks.

With that, Asmodeus's misty form dissipated, leaving Max to ponder the unexpected turn of events. Their exchange, though brief, held an unspoken understanding between them. Max appreciated the unexpected apology, and Asmodeus seemed to acknowledge the importance of maintaining a balance, even in the realm of demons.