October 18th 1807 C.X., Age of Creation (IV)
Max had waited an entire day to see if Chuck would wake up but he didn't. The little boy had major head injuries and was basically motionless. Sachika had basically created a tube-like thing that allowed Chuck to eat food and he was strapped up to a bed to keep his blood flowing. It was mechanisms that was beyond the scope of the new-worlders. And even Max. He didn't understand all that she did.
Sachika was no doctor. All she knew was basic science needed to help Chuck. She did say that she didn't know how to make a MRI machine and she didn't even know what use that would be. Her medical knowledge was not that polished. But with the way Chuck looked, all she could say was that Chuck could wake up anytime. He was responsive to a few pen stabs, which alarmed Max a lot. Chuck's eyes were shut tight, but was still twitching. Fighting to regain his consciousness.
Max felt a lot of guilt for the kid. It was him that brought him to the outside world when he could've been safer in his village. But it was just a desolate graveyard without bodies now. Max HAD to bring him away. But Max's nature, as both a God and a human being, made it difficult for their group to traverse this new world without picking fights. As much as Max blamed himself, this wasn't a damage done by Sarzar, in any way. It was the actions of these Floral Knights. Especially the Sideburns guy that Lin called 'Olaf'.
Soon enough everybody opted to go after Melissa and David, even though Chuck had not regained his consciousness. Time was not on their side. They HAD to reach before the Floral Knights did.
It was the afternoon where everyone packed everything. Hershel had been taken back by Sachika to recharge at the Dome. Max wore his brand new outfit that he had found in their flying aircraft. He wore a brand new light blue shirt, which had a huge blue X on it's centre. He wore a black leather jacket with fur hood. The jacket had blue lines all over it, matching with Max's Blue ringed eyes. He had rolled his sleeves to show that he had an abnormal left arm, which resembled a starry night sky.
Lin had worn a brand new olive green undersuit, but his armour on it was pretty much the same. He had both his Kukri blades on his back, at the hip area. Albert came out of the Library pushing Chuck's bed, which had wheels attached to it, courtesy of Higurama, Sachika's grandfather. Albert was in a white Japanese traditional wear with purple flowers as designs on it. He wore his regular purples hash as the belt, and had his eyes blindfolded.
Max: Okay..as soon as Sachika gets back, let's go!!
Max and the other started walking towards the lighthouse. A lot of kids had gathered there thanks to the appearance of the Dome. Hershel had parked it on the beach, which was ordered by Max. The kids tried throwing stones and sticks at it, and the moment they saw Max's group approaching, they fled. Lin called them annoying, and Max agreed with him.
Sachika had gone off to say her goodbye to her grandfather. She did say that she would come back with her husband and continue her life in the same house, although. Max didn't really know where her optimism came from, but Max loved it. They stood at the entrance of the Dome and saw Sachika running towards them.
She had a black sleeveless T-shirt on. And over it she wore a pink leather jacket. She wore grey track pants, which completed her look. She had a bag which had so many 'materials' that she needed.
Sachika: All set??
Max nodded in response.
Max: We are set to leave now.
Sachika nodded saluting to him and took over from Albert. She started pushing the bed and made it inside. Her entire body was engulfed by the black mist around the entrance which disfigured her and changed her size to fit into the entrance. Chuck's Spatial Distortion was still completely active.
Max and the duo was about to follow her when they sensed a person approaching from behind. Max smiled looking at a very short grandma, who had something that resembled a bulb in her hand. The old woman, Knightley, snickered in her witch-y way, that Max had gotten used to.
Knightely: So you leaving without giving me a hug?
Max: Sorry grandma, I'm not really a hug person.
Knightely just smiled at his response. Max noticed that she had changed a lot in the last two days. It was like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She was smiling more and actively trying to help everyone.
Max: You are in an awfully good mood today, granny. What happened? Lil ol' Abner pay you a visit in your dreams?
Knightley stomped on his foot as Max screamed in pain. But it was totally visible that Knightley was flustered after listening to that name.
Max: I can't believe a thousand year old someone still acts like a teenager when she listens to her crush's name!!
Knightely: Hey, it wasn't a mere crush. It was very mutual.
She was happy to state it in the open but there was also a sadness behind those words. She had relief knowing that Abner did actually love her, but it was also bittersweet because she could no longer see him anymore. Max didn't know how to deal with that situation, but he could relate. His girlfriend, Vaishaali, was probably dead about a thousand years ago, and he had this sense of incompleteness to himself.
Lin noticed her carrying the bulb, and curiosity got the better of him as he finally spoke up.
Lin: What is that in your hand..?
Knightely: Oh...this....
Knightley lifted her arm up to reveal to the boys, something that resembled a lightbulb, that wasn't lit. It was slender and more oval compared to actual lightbulbs and didn't even have the Filament in it.
Knightley: This is the Codex.
Max: A Codex?
Knightley handed the Codex to Max and continued her explanation, as Max examined the device
Knightley: A Codex is basically something every Ameliorate has. It's the thing responsible for our immortality. That one specifically belonged to Sarzar. I found it after the battle.
Albert: what?? Why do you have that with you??!?
Knightley: Wait!! Let me explain!!
Albert had lost his cool slightly and both Lin and Max were on guard. Max had the Codex in his hand and his anger was rising. But Knightley continued with her explanation.
Knightley: We Ameliorates can regenerate. But after a serious amount of damage it would be impossible to gather the energy to create our very own atoms. That's why we have multiple clone bodies that are compatible only with our Codices. As long as the Codex exists, Sarzar can be put back into another body and he would retain his memories. But also why I have it is-
Knightley's eyes widened as Max raised the Codex qnd crushed it with his left palm into pieces.
Knightley: What the HELL are you doing, you MORON!!
Max: What you shouldve done the moment you saw it. The world doesn't need more of him.
Knightley palmed her face in absolute anger.
Knightley: Oh my God, you and Abner are sooooo ignorant. Idiots! ABSOLUTE IDIOTS!
Max pouted at her statements and was confused on why she was this furious.
Albert: Why would you be that pissed off at that?
Knightley: BECAUSE... the Codex acts like a beacon, showing the location of every Ameliorate. That's the reason I never left Seaside Edge. They can track us. And if the Codex doesn't move a lot, other Ameliorates will find it and restore the destroyed one. If the Codex is destroyed they will face the wrath of the General Puppis Naos!! But somehow this God of your Troupe is incapable of patience!!!
Max scratched his head being completely dumbfounded at her valid crashout.
Max: Um....I'm sorry...?
Knightley was so furious that she couldn't even shout at him. She just yelled internally and stomped on the ground with her tiny legs and the sighed. Lin bad another doubt.
Lin: Wait...aren't you like immortal too? Why do you look old? Whatever happened to your clone body where you can put your Codex?
Max nodded understanding the question that had been gnawing at him. Max was aware that Knightley was shunned by the people of the Tower and was a special case, but he didn't know about the Codex.
Knightley: Well...that is something that is kinda special to me. I'm not really like the others....and the clones system were created way after I was. My Codex just acts like a beacon....that's it!
Max nodded. It felt like he gained more knowledge.
Knightely: I hope you guys get what you want on your journey. Just stay vigilant. Watch your backs. Because your stupid ass destroyed the Codex other Ameliorates might try hunting you down.
Max: Fine, fine....stop calling me stupid already...I get it. We will be careful. .
Max waved a bye at her and smiled at her. Albert and Lin entered the Dome, their silhouettes distorting the moment they did. Max turned back one last time.
Max: Well...see you around, bag of bones.
Knightley: You too, dumbass of a God.
Max smiled and vanished into the entrance. And soon....they took off. Into the skies.
MISSION: RESCUE MELISSA THORNE AND DAVID MERCURIUS STEEFAN.
[MAXIMUS AUGILLERIS STEEFAN: 64 DAYS TILL ERASURE]