The World According to Max

Chapter 03: Skeletons and Slimes

Chapter 03: Skeletons and Slimes 

Cadaver grunted as he ducked downwards barely dodging the sword that sliced the air above him. He quickly extended his right arm and jabbed straight into the skeletal body in front of him causing it to get thrown back and knocked down on the floor. Another skeleton flew overhead landing on the skeleton he had previously knocked down. He turned around and a smirk flashed on his face. 

“You’re late.” 

Emily stood next to a large fist shaped rock that sprouted from the ground. “Its not my fault. You ran too fast.” She tapped the fist and it eroded back into the earth. “How many have you gotten so far?” She asked, counting her fingers for her own kill count. 

“Just three. Unlike you, I actually have to use brute force to take them out.” Cadaver knew how powerful Emily’s power was. Even though she was only ten, her powers were top notch. Among the other kids and teenagers in the Mansion, Emily was top-class. 

“And you?” He continued rubbing his bloodied shoulder; a minor cut that he didn’t really need to worry about. 

Emily raised eight fingers and focused on them with an intense look. “Wait, does killing them twice count?” Cadaver nodded and Emily raised another two fingers. “Yeah! My earth fists of fury can’t be escaped!”

Cadaver enjoyed making Emily happy. He treated her like a little sister and among everyone else, she seemed to cling to Cadaver everywhere he went. Emily ran up to Cadaver and took out a roll of wrapping towel. “Geez, just cause you’re immortal, doesn’t mean you can go around getting yourself hurt.” She unrolled the towel and carefully wrapped it around Cadaver’s shoulder. 

Cadaver looked around. Black forest-that’s what the others decided to call it since it was always black-had been flooded today. He could hear shouts in the distance other hunters who had joined the raid. Skeleton soldiers had been appearing more and more and it was up to those who could fight to fend them off from the mansion. 

“I wonder why there’s been more of them lately.”

“Beats me. I wonder why we even have to deal with them.” She tied the towel up and started to stuff the extra towels in her bag. “All done.” 

Cadaver looked down towards Emily. He wasn’t that tall but neither was Emily. “You can still go on right?” 

Emily looked back up at Cadaver after she had finished repacking her bag. She faintly looked at Cadaver and twitched. “No...I don’t think I can.” She placed her palm on her head and quivered in place. “I think. I think I’m-” She suddenly collapsed and tapped the ground with her fist. Suddenly, a few spaces from where she tapped the ground rose and formed into a fist. A smile formed on Emily’s face as the fist punched an approaching skeletal body up high into the sky before collapsing elsewhere. 

“Geez. You could’ve just told me.” Cadaver crossed his arms. “Something could have happened you know?”

Emily just sat in place laughing. “Geez, you’re such a worrywart. Nothing’ll happen.”

But that wasn’t true. Cadaver knew that. During the last seven days he’d been here, he’d seen people die. Other kids who thought their powers were enough eventually went to wherever you go after dying twice. The sad part was he knew he was one of those who would never die. 

Emily stood up and brushed her shorts. “Come on, let’s go meet up with the others. They’re probably up ahead already.” 

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