Awakened: The Story of Maxwell Cain

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Welcome Home

Max woke up to find himself lying in his bed back at his home in the hideout.  The last thing he remembered was his father dying in his arms.  He also remembered killing Shota in an astonishing expression of power.  “What was it Malachi had told me before?” Max thought to himself.  “Some say Merlin was able to disintegrate people merely by thought.”  Well, it appears the story might have some truth to it.

Max felt the wound on his chest and was briefly reminded of his father.  Max saw Malachi sitting in a chair at the end of his bed with his chin on his chest, fast asleep.  Max groaned as he pulled his body up so he was sitting upright with his back against the pillow.  Malachi heard him stirring and woke up with a jolt.  A loving smile crept onto his face.  “Welcome home, Max.  You have successfully completed your mission and saved Damon.”

Max didn’t feel joyful at his success; he felt heartbroken from losing his father.  Malachi saw the distressed look on his face and spoke comfortingly.  “I loved my son-in-law nearly as much as my daughter did.  And Max, you have turned out to be a blessing I never expected.  I am so sorry I was not able to tell you anything.  The Wraithgillien wanted to kill you right from the start, and the only way to keep them from doing so was to keep you in the dark.  I want you to know that I never knew it was Merlin you were up against.”

Max looked up at his grandfather.  “Is the prophecy over?  How do we know if it is completed?”

Malachi thought for a bit stroking his beard and then replied, “I believe so Max, but there really is no way to tell.  You see, I believe you led your group to the end, and that fulfilled the line of the prophecy.”  Malachi coughed nervously and continued his explanation.  “From what I understand, you wanted to open your father’s door at first, but Chloe was able to convince you not to and bring you out of your anger.”

Max blushed when Malachi winked at him.  His feelings for Chloe were not something he wanted to talk about right now.  “I ended up choosing that door anyway.  The last line ‘in the end he will choose.’”

Malachi nodded.  “Yes, you did make your choice, and as we both know, ‘the closest to him he will lose.’  I can’t thank Mariah enough for the truth she showed you.  I don’t know what you saw, but from the stories I have heard about the seeker, they can be quite powerful.”

Max muttered, “I can’t believe I wanted to kill him.  After what she showed me, I don’t know how I could ever feel that way.”

“Just be glad that in the end you knew the truth and you will now remember your father as you should have all along.”

Max sighed in relief, “So it’s done then.  No more prophecy.”

Malachi smiled.  “I believe so, Max, but it certainly isn’t over.  After hundreds of years, Merlin is not one to quit.  I never knew for sure it was him behind the source of the entire Corporation until Isaac brought it to my attention just the other night.”

Max suddenly remembered what Damon had told him.  “Damon said Isaac was a traitor.  He has been giving information to Merlin for years now!”

Malachi looked downwards.  “Yes.  I feared as much.  He fled the day you arrived back here, especially when he saw Damon accompanying you.  Damon later told me the whole thing.  This is a tragedy, and I do not know what this will do to the Wraithgillien now that they have lost their leader.  I will be keeping in constant contact with the remaining members of the Wraithgillien council.”

Malachi jumped to his feet.  “Now I will not hold your friends up any longer.  They have been waiting quite patiently outside to see you, but I told them I wanted to have the first talk with you.  I’m sure they are waiting right outside the door eavesdropping on every word we say, but at least they have the courtesy to make me think I still have the authority.”