Max did not allow anyone to know where he was taking Light. He flew fast and high, traveling back to Stonehollow, the place where he had first met them all. It took him a few hours, but when he finally drew close, he saw the familiar desolate land beneath him, the product of his endless testing, drained of mana until almost nothing remained.
He allowed mana to escape his body, nurturing the broken place below. Slowly, faint greenery began to grow from the dead soil, thin and fragile, like the land itself was trying to breathe again. Only then did he land beside the hut that had long since been claimed by wind, rain, and his own magic. Only a few planks still remained buried in the ground.
Max extended his hand, carving a deep hole before rushing down and laying Light inside with more care than his trembling hands could hide.
