Don't Starve

Maxwell's Story

I sit on my throne over looking a kingdom I never wished to have. The pain I have caused to so many over the years will never equal my own. They have given me everything I ever desired. They gave me the ability to perform great feats at my own whim. Gave me dominion over mortals and monsters alike. They even allowed me to keep my love. All this power and control, but all for what. I have grown tired of these games, or maybe they have grown tired of me. I have know for quite some time that my time was coming to an end. There will be no escape for me. Not until they have what they want.

I can feel Charlie's eyes on me, silently watching me. The things this world had to offer all came at a price. The memories of that first night still haunt me to this day. The things I did for the power is something I will never forgive myself for.

***

They always had a way of giving you everything you had ever wanted whether it be fame, fortune,love or strength. I glanced at the calendar on the wall, tearing my eyes away from Charlie's hat. Being caught in the glory of the spotlight blinded me from seeing the hurt it was bringing her. Over the past year she had become the love and light of my life, yet I had become too corrupted by the powers of the Codex Umbra. It hadn't dawned on me of the dangers I was putting Charlie into by continuing to dabble in the dark arts. They were growing steadily stronger and containing them within their realm was straining me. I knew it wasn't too much longer and they would over power even me. I had to put a stop to this.

I dropped Charlie's hat and slipped through the fire place and into my hidden study. The words scratched into the walls glowed in the dim light of the lantern. I forced myself to look away, to disregard the demons screaming inside my head. The shadows I had welcomed in fought at my thoughts. The darkness had consumed my thoughts and actions, begging me to obey it. I pulled my mind away from the temptations they offered me. Fame and fortune were worth nothing if it meant I had to lose her. As I turn on the small light, I am greeted with my face plastered on the wall in front of me. I had changed so much over the past year. The man I was had faded into a whisper as I accepted my fate with the Codex Umbra. Infuriated at what the accursed book had turned me into, I ripped the poster off the wall and crumbled it in my hands. I was done being a slave to the shadow realm.

Tonight was my last performance in San Francisco. The screams and scratches of the shadows that still inhabited my brain were more prominent now more then ever. They were angry at me. I tried to ignore them as I made my way to the theater. How long had it been since I last showed up for a practice? How long had they trapped me within their realm of darkness, tempting me with a kingdom of my own?

I walked past the theater twice before gaining the confidence to enter and face Charlie. This would be my last performance, then I was done with the Codex forever. I took a deep breath and entered through the backstage door. I made my way to my dressing room without picking up too much attention. Inside was my costume along with the rest of my on stage props. I had the Codex with me, refusing to let it leave my side. I set the book down on a dresser and picked up my coat from off the chair.

"Maxy?" came a soft voice from my doorway. I turned around quickly, stunned by the expression on Charlie's face. I couldn't bring myself to speak.

"Char-" I began, the rest of the words getting stuck in my throat. Her note was burning a hole through my front pocket, itching for me to take it out again. She was already in costume and I hadn't realized how late I was until I saw her.

"It's okay. I'm just glad you're okay." she said, her voice so soft and kind "hurry up and get dressed, we are about to go on." I stood dumbfounded as she quickly shut the door and left it at that.