Maximus walked towards the library, seeing all the destruction around him. Sarzar had been merciless burning down the trees. The ground was roughed up due to continuous lightning strikes. The library itself was in a sorry state thanks to the destruction caused by the three unknown men who were there to capture Melissa. Max didn't know anything about them, but was pissed off.
He walked into the library hoping to see any familiar face. The bookshelves were broken on the floor and there were sharp wood shrapnel that could cut anyone. Lots of books were damaged in the process and needed a lot of time to be back together again. The damage was unimaginable. He saw an old woman in glasses cleaning the floor, trying to put everything back.
Max: Umm...excuse me....hello?? Do you know anyone named Lin or Albert??
Max slowly raised his hand, calling to her.
Max: or Sachika?
The old woman, who happened to be the librarian turned her head, wearing her glasses. She looked at the weird man at the front door when no one was even trying to get inside. The librarian, Isabella answered him.
Isabella: Whose asking? What are you to Sachika?
Max was astounded with her interrogating him. But he sighed and answered her politely.
Max: Umm...I'm her brother in law. Her husband David, is my brother...
Max answered humbly and Isabella gave a snort. She walked up to him and pointed upstairs.
Isabella: I knew I recognized that face. You do look like David. Your sister in law is out, but the spiky haired dude is upstairs with the lil boy.
Max thanked her and turned to clarify.
Max: You said I looked like David. But....we are not blood related. We are adoptive brothers.
Isabella felt embarrassed as she lowered her head, acting as if she resumed her cleaning, unable to hear what he said. Max climbed up the stairs to the second floor of the library. In the corner among the books, he saw a familiar face, seated facing the window.
Max: Hey Lin!!!
Max waved at the spiky haired warrior who still had his armour on. Lin turned his head slowly to look at the limping Max. Max was still tired but uninjured. His super regeneration was helping him just fine. Lin on the other hand had bandages all over his body. He had a burn scar on the right side of his face, a courtesy of Sarzar.
Lin: Hey...
Lin didn't really seem that enthusiastic with his replies, as usual. But that didn't stop Max.
Max: Are you okay..?
Lin: Ya...I'm fine. If anything....the one who might be in pain is the lil boy.
Lin closed his fist only leaving out his thumb to point behind him, to a bed. On that bed lay Chuck, motionless, bandaged up. His eyes were tightly shut, and Max could barely see any breathing.
Max: Is he...
Lin: He is just unconscious. That sideburns guy kicked him almost to death. We tend to forget that he is still an eleven year old boy.
Max clenched his fists. He had anger. Too much rage in him. He wanted to make them pay. He wanted to ask more about these dudes and what they were planning to do with Melissa and Dave. But he could see that Lin was hurt too. If not physically....atleast mentally.
Max: What kind of monsters kick a child??
Lin: I don't know. If anything.....we did bring him out to this world. We are to blame too.
Max knew that statement was false, but undeniably there was a string of truth to it too. Lin had seen Chuck's memories and knew basically everything about him, thanks to the ability of Savanta. Chuck had once told him about how Lin had saved him. Max wondered if Lin just felt guilty of letting Chuck suffer.
Max: It's not OUR fault. It's theirs. No matter what. They are going to pay. Where did they take Melissa and my brother?
Lin: All I know is that they are going back to their kingdom in a cart. That sideburns guy hated that your brother bested him in combat. So he kidnapped him and he wants to torture him..
Max: WHAT???++ I don't know who that guy is, but that sideburns guy is really pissing me off. He is gonna get it one day.
Lin just lowered his eyes, looking at his wounds. He remembered how Rose easily dominated him. He was reminded of how weak he was.
Max: Get ready. We are going after them once Chuck wakes up!! Where's Albert and Sachika?
Lin: I don't know....they just walked out. Albert went with her to protect her while leaving me in charge of taking care of Chuck.
Max nodded at his statement. He thanked him and started walking away, intending to search them. But Lin called him back for one last statement.
Lin: Max!!
As soon as Max turned Lin apologised.
Lin: I'm sorry I couldn't save your brother....
Max gave a sad smile.
Max: It's okay. I'm sorry I couldn't save Melissa too. Which is why we both are gonna save them .....we are bringing them back. No matter what.
Max gave him a thumbs up and started walking away. Lin smiled and looked out of the window. He slowly removed his armour and placed it beside him, while putting on his bandages.
And Max walked out.