Eyesight is really important for swordsmanship. That's what Max believed. But he was always deeply obsessed with Blind Swordsmen in fictional stories. But whenever he saw a character like that in the enemy's team he would feel annoyed. Cause if they were a swordsman even when the can't use their vision means they were the most powerful at what they do. What he was witnessing right now was pretty much the same, but Max hadn't expected it to actually happen to him in his life.
The Blind Samurai attacked at an unbelievable speed leaving Max unable to react to it. He felt his entire body tense up. He knew he couldn't move a single muscle, yet it felt like he was watching everything in slow motion. He could clearly see the Samurai right in front of him about to slash his throat. Max wondered if this is what "our entire life flashing before our very eyes" was. But oddly enough he didn't think of any memories. With a small glance towards his left hand, he was surprised to see it slowly coming to stop the blade. He didn't know he was that fast. But it was still too late.
The sword touched his throat. He could feel it. He thought it was blood trickling down . He thought he had died. But before he could pass away from his mortal shell, he felt something on his neck and shoulders. Unable to comprehend, he was left astounded when he suddenly started flying upwards. He was pulled by Melissa using her strings in a haphazard rescue attempt. He landed right beside her, but it still hurt. Softly while kneeling he turned towards her, who seemed desperate, but her expression showed that of achievement.
Max: Thanks fo-
Before Max could properly thank her for her aid , he was cut short by Lin's voice. They both had started running already, and Max decided he should run too.
Lin: You can thank us after we escape from here.
Max heard him crystal clear. But somehow it was unsettling. Even in this situation he couldn't let it slide knowing Lin was fully prepared to abandon him.
Max: Us? I'm not thanking you mister! Melissa is the only one who deserves that.!!
Snapping back at him. All three turned towards the back. And what they saw was nightmare fuel. The samurai had leapt up in somewhat an easy manner and landed on the same floor they were in. He pulled the sword out and started running towards them at breakneck speed. He wasn't aiming for Melissa or Lin. This time he was coming for Max. Why?...he wondered.
Lin: Looks like we can't go out without a fight.
Saying that Lin pulled out both his blades ready to engage in combat with what looked like a hungry beast in human clothing. The Samurai jumped higher once more and almost cut Lin. But Lin avoided it with a clash of his own blades, swiftly blocking it in one go. Lin had a creepily evil smile after noticing his own feat.
The Samurai who was still midair, flipped and landed near Melissa who was running with Max in the back. Max was sure he was about to cut Melissa.
But before his voice could reach her..
Lin: Melisssssaaaaaaa!!!
Screaming on top of his lungs was Lin. He was scared for her. He did say they weren't friends, but looked like he cared for her an awful lot. And without wasting a single moment Lin started rushing towards her. But he was too slow. Melissa heard his scream and turned back but she was as helpless as an ant. For the Samurai had already reached her. But before his sword could cut her, there was a silent yet weird thud.
The Samurai's sword had clashed with Max's left hand, which was filled with stars of the night sky. The Samurai looked visibly confused even though half his face was covered with a blindfold. Lin who was already pretty worked up slowly halted his pace unable to comprehend what just happened. Max had jumped in between them hoping he would help her, but this was better than he imagined. The sword didn't hurt him at all. It felt like something had hit a piece of iron more than empty space. But still Max was pushed back a bit, but he still landed.
Samurai: WHAT are you?
The samurai asked a question. But Max was in no mood to answer. He looked at Melissa who had almost tripped and then at Lin who still looked shaken to the core. He knew this was the perfect time, so Max smiled as he looked at Lin.
Max: You can thank me after we escape here.
Lin: HK-
Max came with a comeback and Lin snorted in displeasure. He surely didn't want to be indebted to Max. But leaving that, in the split second that Max had taken his eyes off the Samurai, he had jumped into the air and landed on the floor with his sword tip making first contact. With that single showcase of power the entire floor beneath their feet started cracking up and eventually broke into hundreds of pieces.
With nothing to hold on to all of them started falling down. Max midair tried to catch Melissa but was too far away. Eventually he fell down head first losing his consciousness.
***********
"Can we go out on a date?"
There was this woman who asked Max out. Her face was somewhat blurred out to him. But he remembered those words. He was still in his school uniform and absolutely shocked she asked him that. His jaw dropped as he saw this absolute beauty asking that to him in such a straightforward way.
********
"Liv...." Max muttered as he woke up. What he just remembered felt like a fever dream. And this unbelievable circumstances that he was a part of right now felt much much real.
???: So..you are awake right now?
Max suddenly startled by the unfamiliar voice turned around in a frenzy. He should stop being woken up by strange people, he thought to himself.
He turned around to see the mysterious person standing beside him. But unlike the his last few times the person he saw here didn't even resemble a human. He was large, almost seven feet tall. He was still thin. He was wearing a huge green cloak with strange patterns around it. His hand and legs were not visible but one if his hands which came out of the cloak was holding a huge spectre like thing. And he wore a sea green mask which covered his entire head, not even leaving out traces of hair. Maybe he was bald, Max thought. The mask itself had patterns..but only one eyehole which was dark black, as if signifying nothing exists in there.
Max: Who are you?
The figure had taken aback with Max's words. It seemed like he was sort of hurt with Max's words. Max hurt his brain as if wondering who this man is. Was he someone he is supposed to remember? Max was sure, forgetting someone this bizzare is not something he could.
The Figure slowly brought his second arm from inside the cloak and started rubbing his chin, as if wondering about something.
???: I see....your memories must be in a haze after being back from the Temple. Worry not, they will eventually return..
Max: Or you can just tell me now...?
Listening the man giving his assurance that he will remember soon left a bad taste in his mouth. Max was sure he hadn't visited this so called Temple. And someone not saying stuff even though they knew was annoying to him. So he had snapped back.
Once more taken back by Max's retort, this guy revealed a third arm from his cloak, making Max wonder how many arms he had. At this point nothing could shock him anymore.
???: I am Time. Pleased to meet you.
The guy called Time did a curtsey pose as he bowed, with two of his arms in a pose of introducing himself, while another arm holding the scepter. And his name was Time.....Time? That was a weird name.
Max: I'm Maximus Augilerris Steefan. Pleasured to be your acquaintance. Actually on second thought I'm not pleasured at all.
Again snapping back Max raised his head.
Time: Oh my, I see, you still have a sharp tongue even though I'm not using the Sumra 287. I wonder how you are calm...
Max had no idea what he meant. Maybe this was related to their earlier meeting which he had no recollection of.
Max: Am I in an alternate world?
Max went and asked the most important question first. Knowing how stories like this go, he wanted to make sure of this fact first.
Time: Nope. This is the very Planet you grew up in, but in the far future.
That was easier than expected. Max thought this guy would speak in riddles, but he was a better person to talk to than Lin.
Max wanted to ask another question, but before he could Time said something else.
Time: And by the way you are a God now..
Max: Huh?
Wait what? Max wanted to ask if his family was alive. He wanted to ask what happened to his body, especially his left arm. He wanted to ask why he looked older. He wanted to ask where exactly he was. But before he could ask something Time had said something that just gave rise to more questions instead of answers.
Max: Wait, wait wait wait. What do you mean I'm God? Like are you serious? Are you sure you are not lying? But since you are straight with me, maybe that's true. Like why though? Make it make sense. Tell me everything.
Max somewhat believed that he will get all his answers now like a rapid fire. He wanted to know that and he hoped he was right in hopeful. But, Time said something contrary to his belief.
Time: It doesn't matter if I tell you what happened or not. You will remember it anyway. And you are not important enough for me to waste explaining a second time. You have 71 more days to live anyway.
Wait. What did he mean, not important enough. Didnt he just call me God? Max had this question in his head. Like what was this guys motive. And did he just say he is gonna die in 71 days? Should he be scared of his own demise? What was happening? But before he could continue..
Melissa: Max!!
Turning around he caught Melissa in his new blue eyes. She was here holding her own arms with her other palm. She was bleeding, but looked like she made it out pretty fine. Lin wasn't anywhere near her though. She was limping and she was about fifteen meters away when she stopped and asked him.
Melissa: Who were you talking to?
Max went Oh no. He has seen this happen sometimes. He quickly turned to see that the mysterious figure called Time had vanished. He was nowhere to be seen. And Max felt a gut punch cause he didn't get the answers of the real questions he wanted. All he knew was that he was in the future. That explained the scientific technology all around him. But what didn't make sense was that his family was here for some reason. And Melissa and Lin, who look like people who live in this era, didn't even recognize this place.
Max: Oh it's good you seem fine, Melissa. But are you really okay?
Max asked that after noticing her wounds.
Melissa: Yes I'm fine...I luckily fell on a bunch of clothes which broke my fall.
She assured him that she was okay, but Max wasn't convinced because be had seen her limping about a minute ago. But he didn't want to be overbearing so he kept quiet. He slowly stood up, and walked towards her. And before he could say what he saw, a voice interrupted.
???: So sis...you are here.
Max turned around along with Melissa to see a young boy who looked like he was ten or twelve. He was half as tall as Max and still shorter than Melissa. He was a bit chubby and wore ragged clothes. His face was filled with soot as if he had been rolling in the dirt for hours. Max thought Melissa might know him.
Melissa: Oh, it's you, ...the boy from earlier...who are you?
So...even she doesnt know who he is huh?....Max thought out loud.
The boy just pointed to his right which was a pathway still filled with ton of debris. He then turned to Melissa and spoke.
Boy: If you follow this road you can go out. The other big bro is also out there fighting the hat guy.
The young lad said that with a plain face and then immediately started running away. He for his size, sure could run. Max wondered about the things he mentioned. It seemed like the boy knew how to get out of this place. Which was good enough. He also mentioned big bro and the hat guy, which must be referring to Lin and the Samurai. He was kinda weirdly happy that Lin survived, but the Samurai still out there means they were going right into the claws of a predator. Melissa looked at him as if looking for his advice on what to do next, which felt like she must have been someone who grew up in a household where everyone else did the work for her. The allegations that Max had that she must've been a princess only grew stronger.
Max faintly smiled at her and supported her with his shoulder as they walked through the debris following the route that the young boy showed. But the lad was nowhere to be seen. He wanted to ask Melissa who that boy was but something caught his eye. He had just realised how cold this place is, and saw the bunch of clothes that had fallen down in a complete mess. This was fashion from his time. This must have been the place Melissa said she fell. Stopping immediately, Max turned towards her and let go of her shoulder slowly. He then moved towards the clothes and then smiled to himself.
Max: Bingo
*********
Outside Lin was struggling to fight. He could barely keep up with the Samurai. The Samurai had a distance of about twenty meters between him and Lin. Still he kicked back the land and as if flying through the air, he whirled in the wind and tried to cut down Lin. Lin used every ounce of his strength, clearly struggling, to block it.
Samurai: Where is the baby?
Lin: Why would we have a baby? I told you already, I don't know!!
Samurai had shouted the question mid-fight, with Lin answering in an equally loud shout. They both broke free of their contact for about a second and landed on opposite sides of each other, still facing each other. Lin was panting hard, and the Samurai was quiet. He honestly looked impressed that he kept up until now.
Samurai: Not bad for a kid.
Lin: You don't look that old. Stop messing with me.
The Samurai was done with chit chat. He straightened his sword and pointed the tip towards Lin, he declared.
Samurai: Today will be your last day villain. You who have destroyed the village in this place.
Lin: HK-
Lin was left speechless but he didn't argue at all. He just used both his Kukris ready to battle him. He honestly was in no shape ready to defend himself verbally, so he prepared for the oncoming assault.
Samurai: And don't tell me that woman is also part of your little battle plan in eradicating innocents? She didn't look like a combatant. But she was in the reports.
Lin: Honestly, I don't care what you think about me. Or her.
Samurai: Then what about the other guy? He was pretty strong. I have nothing about him in my report..
Lin: That guy huh? Even I don't know who he is. You can kill him for all I care. That blue eyed freak decided to help us on his own accord.
Snapping back at every question the Samurai spat at him, Lin displayed his true feelings. But his last sentence kind of struck the Samurai.
Samurai: Blue...eyes...?
He was silently absorbed in his own thoughts. Lin thought it was the best time to escape but he looked around to not see Melissa. Should he just run away? He wondered.
But before they both could make a single move, they heard a voice. Lin recognized that hat annoying voice.
??: Yo Lin!! I rescued your girlfriend by the way.
Turning back, Lin saw Max, the guy was now sporting a Black jacket over his blue T Shirt. He had rolled up the sleeves of the jacket to his elbow reveling his left arm and the universe. The jacket reached upto his knees making it fashionable. And the part where there is supposed to be a hood, was a thick coating of fur-like thing giving him a cool feature. Not to lie, he looked cool. And behind him was Melissa.
Max: Hey Samurai guy, eyes up here.
Max called out directly to the Samurai. The Samurai lifted his chin to listen to the sound. He could instinctively say that Max was mentally strong.
Max: Or maybe I shouldn't have said eyes up here. That sounds offensive for a blind person. But you did try to kill us, so that makes you my enemy. I don't wanna give you any sympathy!
Max declared that holding his hands forward, taking a fighting stance as if ready to fight the Samurai. The Samurai paused for a second and then jumped ready to kill Max he ran so fast in the blink of an eye and immediately was in front of him. He tried using his same slash that he used again and again, aiming for Max's abdomen this time. Max tried to block it with his left arm, barely managing it. Max was taken aback with the sheer force of the sword which sent him flying. He fell to the ground about fifteen times in a painful way , tumbing again and again on the solid ground unable to stop himself. He finally stopped, but he still didn't have any injuries, although he felt the pain.
Max: Ouch..
Max muttered to himself. But he knew that this level of brutality on his body would've killed him normally. He wouldn't even say the pain he felt matched the damage he took. He should be screaming for his life but all he could let out was an ouch. He immediately got up, ready for a counterattack. The Samurai was standing in front of him, a few meters away. Then the Samurai started walking towards him. Max still on his one knee straightened himself. He didn't know why, but his instincts told him to show the face of his left palm to the Samurai.
Max: Okay...time to try this...
Max let out a slight scream, when he braced for it. He had no idea why his brain wanted him to do this, but he believed it. Suddenly out of his palm came a small spherical object. It looked like it was shining the brightest. It looked like it was filled with flames even thought it didn't look like flames. It was ...
Max: A star....
Max had seen pictures or stars when he was a kid. The Sun itself was a star. When he got out of the place that he was in until now, he was kinda surprised seeing the sun for the first time, as it had glared his eyes. Maybe he was in the darkness for too long. The entire surroundings were full of grassy plain lands. But now...an entire star came out of his palm, although it was smaller than his palms itself. Max had believed that the gravity even a star that small would hold would be immense, but strangely he didn't feel anything of that sort with this miniature version.
This mini star suddenly picked up its pace eventually faster than the Samurai's movements shocking both Max and the guy who the star was going towards. Before the Samurai had any chance to react the star struck his stomach and exploded into a blue supernova , sending the Samurai flying away at an incredible speed. There were a bunch of trees a few hundred meters away, and the Samurai violently crashed between them, blood spewing out of his mouth. Yet he didn't scream.
Lin: Now!! Melissa!!
Seeing this chance Lin started running with Melissa. Max wanted to run behind them, but instead he turned around to see the Samurai standing back on his feet, still bleeding.
Max: Oh you gotta be kidding me..
Why doesn't this guy lose? Max thought. Max didn't even wanna fight him. And honestly, he didn't even know how he used this attack just now. He wanted to run away, but he braced for impact again, thinking the Samurai would attack. Instead, the Samurai did the unthinkable.
Samurai: Is it true you have blue eyes? Blue ringed eyes..?
Samurai asked in a soft voice. Max didn't expect him to talk in such a soft manner. The Samurai had dropped his sword and walked a few meters back.
Max: Ya, but please don't ask me why. Even I'm not aware why..
The Samurai immediately stopped about a few feet away after hearing that response. He shaked a bit, and then slowly removed his blindfold. He had perfectly tied it up and it came undone with a few nudges from his fingers. He then redirected his eyes to Max. He could see his reflection in the blue ringed eyes of Max. The Samurai himself had black normal eyes.
Max: Wait, you are not even blind? You wear the blindfold as an aesthetic? That's seriously messed up bro.
Max acknowledged that. And he couldn't comprehend how much stronger he is than what he was showcasing. But the Samurai didn't answer, his gaze still fixed on Max's blue ringed eye. He slowly teared up looking at Max, confusing the latter with this expression. Then the Samuari wiped his tears off and then bent down to pick his blindfold back and wore it in somewhat an easier manner.
Samurai: I'm sorry, I need some time. I'll be back...
Max: Huh?
With an unexpected response once more from the legendary Samurai, Max went a step back. He again expected the Samurai to attack him, but instead the Samurai started running in the opposite direction in a superhuman showing of speed. Were all humans in the future this fast? Max had no way to confirm that immediately but he hoped it weren't the case. He surely wouldn't survive against them. But he was also a superhuman currently, which he still didn't understand. Also he was curios on why the Samuari cried as if he found a long lost relative looking at Max.
Max turned to check on Lin and Melissa who should've been right there waiting for him. But they also weren't there anymore.
Max: Did they just abandon me?
Max wondered. He wasn't particularly close with both of them, but he didn't think they were the type to leave someone behind. Atleast Melissa wasn't. But looked like they were very adamant on surviving, which could explain their actions. Max could understand their circumstance, but it did hurt him a bit.
He turned towards the huge building he came out of. It was about the size of a three storey building but it looked like it was half buried. It was black, and looked out of place in this green land. It was in circular shape, which made it seem almost like an UFO. Max wished he wasn't an alien now. But what amazed him the most was above the building. There was a huge symbol of light just floating in the air. It was shaped like an eye, a ringed eye, just like the one Max possessed now.
Max: I have no idea what's going on anymore...
Max stating the obvious started walking to the other side of the building, trying to get far away from that place. He turned and noticed, that the Excalibur that had fallen to the ground was no longer there. Maybe the Samurai picked it up while he ran. Max kept walking, his head filled with many question. Unanswered questions.
Why was he older? Why did he have blue eyes? Why was his family here? What the hell happened to his arm? Why was he able to create a star? Where was he? What was that UFO looking place.? What happened to the terrorists that killed him? What happened to Liv? What did Mr. Time mean by this is the future? Who was Time anyway? What was the temple? Why doesn't he have memories? Was he really a God? Who were Melissa and Xi Fei Lin? Who was the Samurai? Why did he cry looking at him? Who was the little kid?
Things like this exploded in his head asking for an answer, hoping his lost memory would return..but it didn't. Then Max suddenly stopped as he came out of the trees to a plainer region.
Max: What the hell..?
He muttered to himself and started walking toward what he saw. The land was fully empty with a few trees all around him but in the distance, he could see something. Something very inhuman and huge. He saw a huge tower like structure, red and black in colour, reaching upto the sky. It was very far away from where he was standing, and yet it looked huge. It must be as big as a small city, Max thought. He silently walked towards that tower, while the tower unmoving was struck by lightning again and again and the red glow making it seem like the entrance to Hell.