October 19th, 1807 C.X.
Sachika was walking downstairs, searching for a workshop that Max had directed her towards. Apparently, the workshop had everything that a weapons maker might need. Lots of steel and jarred goods of metals. Max had noticed it on his first tour of the Dome. Sachika finally found the room she was looking for and smiled when she opened the door. It was just as Max had said. It was a treasure trove for anyone into machines. She found all sorts of materials lying around. Although it didn't have explosives and other stuff needed, Sachika didn't worry as she had everything required in her bag.
Sachika began working as she recounted what happened a few minutes ago. The young boy, Chuck, had woken up finally and Max had immediately used his white hole powers to fly to him. Albert and Lin were shocked to see his new power, as Sachika had already witnessed it and thought it was normal. Since Max was busy taking care of the injured kid, Albert and Lin bad decided to train in the Combat Room. Sachika was confused why it existed on a life raft, but she was confused on a lot of stuff anyway, so she ignored it.
Hershel was piloting the Dome and according to his estimates they would reach this Kingdom of Hibiscus in about over a day. And if they were lucky enough, they'd reach the place before the three Floral Knights do, and save both her husband and Melissa.
Sachika: Soon, my love. I'll have you back, soon!!
And Sachika continued her work, by wearing the goggles she had, and started hammering the sheet of steel.
****
Max sat next to Chuck on his bed, which was in his room adjacent to the library. His bed was in the corner, on which he was lying motionless about an hour ago. Now he was seated with Max, holding his head as it pulsated in pain. Right next to his bed was a small bookshelf, with three books occupying the space. Three Eternal Tomes that Chuck had collected. The Fireflies, the Levitation and the Space Manipulation. All three books in different colors, with the black one being responsible for the Dome appearing to be of two different sizes at the same time.
Chuck: *cough, cough*
Chuck's cough was filled with pain, and he immediately held his head. His nose started bleeding again, which was a recurring visual for the last ten minutes. Max was beside him with tissues, helping him.
Chuck: It hurts so bad, Max....
Max: I know.
Chuck: That big man kicked me in the face so many times....I thought I was gonna die..
Max: I know...I'm sorry I wasn't there...
Max wiped his nose with the tissue, gettingvrid of the blood and crumpled the paper and tossed it to the bin next to them. He saw tears flowing out of Chuck's eyes, as he was going through a lot of pain. Thankfully the doctors at Seaside Edge had stated that Chuck bad only mild concussions and he would recover soon, but it didn't look mild anymore. If Chuck hadn't joined Max , he probably would never have dealt with fearsome foes.
Chuck: I'm sorry...I tried saving Melissa, Max...but I wasn't able to! I'm sorry.
Max smiled faintly, unable to process it. He wanted to apologise but the kid was ahead of him.
Max: It isn't your fault kid.....those were grown men. You are literally eleven years old. I'm just happy that you survived. That's all that matters...
Max rubbed Chuck's hair, comforting him, but Chuck co tongued to cry.
Max: Don't worry...we will save her. That's why we are going there! We WILL save her.
Chuck stopped his tears by wiping it away. His eyes were still red and his nose bleeding again. Max handed him another tissue and Chuck asked him a question.
Chuck: Max....are we the good guys??
Max's eyes widened. He believed he was the good guy. But that's what everybody do. He was not special. He knew better. Even though he considered himself a "good human being", was he ever really?
Max: Why would you bring that up?
Chuck: Because I....saw. I saw Melissa smiling like a maniac when she got that guy. She could've won if i hadn't come there...
Max simply lowered his head. Lin had warned Max that Melissa is two faced. And that she is "evil". Max didn't know what to believe in. The very same Lin that warned him was preparing to save her. There was just a lot of stuff that didn't make sense to Max. He needed to mnkw more.
Chuck: I was terrified when I saw her smile. I wanted to run away from HER. But then again, she immediately got scared that I saw her that way...it didn't feel like she was scared that we figured her out....it was like...she didn't want us to be scared of her. Like she...I don't know how to put it. Maybe I just don't want to believe what those Knights said about her. Maybe I'm delusional...but..
Max: Don't worry. We will have our answers. We will ask all of them ....AFTER we save her...and my brother.
Chuck nodded in response. But then his head hurt again and he continued pulling his own hair to calm the pain down. Max asked him to lie down.
Max: You need to rest. If I could, I would've left you somewhere else. Made you sure you weren't part of the upcoming fight. I don't want you to suffer...
Chuck: Stop it Max. Don't feel bad about me. I know you'd probably blame yourself if I die...but I chose this too. I want to help! I want to be better. Don't worry...I'll keep myself away from danger from now on...
Max smiled as Chuck lied down on the bed slowly. Max had to go and train his stamina too. Max started walking towards the door, when Chuck called him back.
Chuck: You said that you can now read and write any language, right?
Max: I mean I understand every language yes....but to be able to write it, I need to see all the letters atleast once...or else I can't.
Chuck smiled and picked the Book of Levitation from beside him.
Chuck: Then can you translate and write it in a language that I can understand. I want to master all these books. Please??
Max smiled.
Max: Of course!
Max and Chuck spent the entire night deciding the words in the Tome and translating it into paper.
And as the sun set, a hooded person stood inside the Dome looking at Max. She then grinned.
???: You need to see me now, Maximus Augilleris Steefan!!