Chapter 15: The Escape Part 2
Max touches Zachariah's head making him go berserk, Zachariah launches a couple of attacks, which Max easily dodges, and with a swift strike he slices off Zachariah's head and dashes off; he then finds Louis and does the same, one by one he finds every single one of his friends until only Avery is left, Max dashes off even quicker to find her before it's too late; he finally finds Avery but before that, is stopped by a shiver runs down his spine.
Avery
How long has it been? The surrounding area had gotten ever colder, the chains all over my body got even tighter, just then I felt warmth, warmth from someone's aura, I just couldn't trace it to the present, I'd never felt this presence before but it felt familiar, maybe in the past; just then I felt the aura slowly disappearing, what was going on?
Max
It's not possible, how could he break the spell that fast, well, I didn't want to use this but I guess I have no choice — I began channeling in mana from the air, bracing myself as I was about to use this much amount for the first time — just then, something miraculous happened, something that would truly shock the both of us; going back I remembered a conversation between me and gramps, while still in training.
Momentarily, Max finds himself in the throne room of his grandfather's floating fortress, this was the first time his grandfather talks to him after he finds him — from the slave auction—
Alistair: Hello child, my name is Alistair Van Oritsu, you may call me whatever you like.
Max, who was eight years old at that time puts a finger on his chin and exclaims.
Max: How about, Old Man!
Alistair: ...You may.
Max: No, I guess you don't look that old; how about uncle?
Alistair: I said, whatever you like.
Max: Nah, you're not that young
The statement slightly irritated Alistair, but he hid his frustration under a stoic expression. Max then exclaims with a big grin on his face.
Max: Oh!! I got it, how about I call you Gramps?
Alistair: Very well.
Max extended his hand to the unreachable, Alistair — a tall, well-built, war veteran clad in royal black armor and a long red cap; he had neck-length wavy white hair and a clean, crisp white beard — picked Max up, shocked to see that the boy isn't scared of him, he extends his index finger and Max shakes it with both his hands, Alistair then tries to place Max down, but to no avail, Max doesn't let go, Alistair finally gives up and places Max on his lap; he then speaks in a serious voice.
Alistair: Max, a time will come when you meet the incarnation of Lilith, when you do, I want you to snatch her power from her, is that clear?
Max: But won't that kill her?
Alistair: Her?
Max: Yes! Since Lilith was abandoned by everyone she loved, she sought solace in the betterment of women and does so by choosing one, whom she blesses with her powers.
Alistair smiles slightly and then speaks after clearing his throat.
Alistair: It is essential for you to tame both rulers of hell, once you tame both of em, you'll be unstoppable.
Max (tilts his head in confusion): Huh
Alistair (ruffles Max's hair): You'll know, when the time comes, follow the choice of your heart.
Switching back to the present, Max finds Avery completely free, the spell binding him, completely broken, transporting both Avery and Max back to the real world.
Luke (acting disappointed): Aww shucks, that dream took me a week to make.
Max: You still have time, surrender now and none of us have to get hurt.
Luke (smiles): See ya later, Agent Brains.
Luke dashes off, as Louis prepares to follow him, Max stops him and looks back at Avery, she is still unconscious from her sudden outburst of mana.
Vernon: What do you want us to do, Max.
Max (smiles): Everyone!! Please leave, I'll tend to my patient alone.
They all oblige to Max's wishes, Max releases all the seven deadly sins to stand guard and touches Avery's head, soon a green light emits from Max's hand which slowly covers Avery's whole body, the light soon fades, yet Max receives a small burn on his hand which slowly faded when his gaze fell upon it. Avery soon wakes up, still nauseous from the earlier outburst, she tries to get up but Max stops her, insisting she rest, as she lies down again, she speaks, in a whisper.
Avery: I…I remember
Max (smiles): Pardon?
Avery: Max…you were the…the boy that saved me?
Max (smiles): Rest now.
Max touches Avery's head again which puts her to sleep, he then presses on further only to find Lilith.
Lilith: What were you trying to do, boy
Max (smiles): An unexpected visit from the Queen of Demons herself, what an honor.
Lilith: You did not answer my question, boy, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
The sudden outburst of aura was enough for Max to be taken aback momentarily, he hid his weakness under his usual smile and spoke.
Max: It's simple, really, something that interests you, what you want is your revenge on Lucifer, and what I want is to know where the fragments of Lucifer are, once I summon Lucifer, you can have your battle with him and become the true ruler of Hell.
Lilith stares at Max and then thinks for a bit, she then spoke in her usual authoritative voice.
Lilith: Very well, but, if you harm the girl in any way, I will make sure to end you, you will receive the most gruesome death known to mankind or hell-kind.
Max smiles in response and waves her goodbye, back in the real world Avery finally wakes up after a full day of rest, as she does, she looks at Max and then looks back down at her bed.
Max: What's the matter, ya hungry?
Avery: It's because of me, isn't it?
Max: hmm?
Avery tightens her grip on her blankets, Max silently observes as she takes out all her frustrations.
Avery (cries): I'm sorry Max…I'm sorry…I'm just weak…Please just leave me to die here…Please…just release this demon and…and kill me…please.
Max looks at Avery, this time he did not carry his usual smile, but now a serious expression, his hands, clenched into fists which shook, he took his right hand and placed it on Avery's shoulder, who now sealed her eyes shut, preparing herself to whatever Max might do, instead Max takes his other hand — still clenched into a fist — and comically ruffles Avery's hair with his fist, Avery, still shocked by the sudden gesture of kindness remains stoic, her eyes still widened with shock and disbelief, she finally gets a hold of herself and pushes Max off the bed.
Avery: Why won't you listen?
Max: What's the point if you're just lying.
Avery
Max's statement hit me like a bullet, it made me realize how shameless I truly was, do I even deserve the right to live after being so incompetent, after being so dangerous, before I could realise, tears trickled down my eyes.
Avery: Please…I wanna…live…I wanna see the world…make new friends…please save me…please.
I finally said it, the first time I spoke the bitter truth, a shameless and stupid request, yet, as I looked up, the only thing I saw was a smile, a heartwarming smile on Max's face, he lent me his shoulder to cry on and spoke in a soft whisper.
Max: Silly girl, I was gonna do it even if you didn't ask.
I wailed at his statement, I was finally needed, these were the kindest words anyone has ever said to me, I hugged him tightly, know not what I ever did to deserve this warmth, knowing not how long this moment would last, for now, I wanted this moment to last forever, in the arms of someone who truly needed me.
The two finally leave, hand in hand, Max smiles at Avery and she returns it with a kiss on his cheek; realising what she has done she avoids his gaze.
Avery: Th-Thank you for everything, Max.
Max: …
Avery: But, promise me one thing, If I ever lose control over myself again…
Avery looks back at Max, and continues with a smile on her face.
Avery: Please kill me…I don't want to hurt anyone…never again.
To her bold statement, Max smiles and then says in a soft whisper; "I promise." To which Avery smiles.
Avery: C'mon now, I'll race you till the school!!
Avery exclaims as she dashes in front of Max, Max smiles and dashes down the mountain, racing Avery.