The Plagued World: The Story of Maximus

Episode Five - Ancient Bonds

Maximus sits in his bedroom alone, reading up on the history of war. He observes the bonds that tied together the many countries in their time of battle. Suddenly, there was a gentle knock at his door.

"Come in," he says softly, closing the book. There stood Charlotte, her classy, yet elegant, style brings a smile to Maximus. "Good morning, my good sir," she says jokingly, bowing to him. Maximus chuckles softly, standing up, bowing in return, "madam..."

The two sit downstairs and chat for awhile. Sarah walks in on the two talking, "oh! Oh my! I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here Charlotte!" Maximus blushes slightly, looking into his book rather than his mother.

Charlotte giggles a slight bit, "why, that's just fine ma'am. Me and Maximus here were just studying before the finals next week." Sarah nods, "is that right? I do hope your studies are going well!" Maximus cups his face in his hands, shaking his head.

Sarah grabs a bottle of water before leaving the room. Maximus sighs, "I guess I can be glad about one thing..." Charlotte looks at him, "and what's that?" "My parents don't seem to care I invite people over without asking," he replies, closing his book. Charlotte nods, "yeah, consider yourself lucky. I have to triple check with my parents in order for me to voice chat with some."

The two share a laugh, returning to their research.

The day ends just as it began, the two give eachother a hug before Charlotte leaves. "She's a keeper," Sarah says from the living room. Maximus blushes slightly, "don't- we're just friends." Sarah laughs, "just friends. Sure, buddy. Get some sleep, you've got school in the morning!" Maximus shakes his head, retreating to his bedroom.

The next morning Maximus prepares himself for school. He grabs his bag and checks everything. He notices something off. He digs around for a book...the book of The Founders. He pulls it out. His ears ring sharply, causing him to drop the book. He groans in pain, backing away.

"The...book? Wh- what is it doing here? I thought only To had it..." he says to himself, standing back up. He walks over, grabbing his bag, zipping it up before rushing down the stairs. As he exits the house, he calls To.

It rings for a solid ten seconds to no answer. "Damnit To, answer!" He says to his phone, shaking his head in frustration as he puts the phone away. He runs from his house, and to school.

He waits anxiously all day, the school day ends, leaving Maximus outside behind the school. "Damnit To, where the hell are you?" Maximus says to himself, pressing the dial buttons on his phone with frustration.

He sighs, shaking his head, his call yet again is ignored. He puts his phone away. Charlotte, who noticed Maximus from afar, walks over to him. "Hey, hey, study buddy, what's up?" She asks kindly. Maximus shakes his head, "it's personal..." Charlotte frowns, nodding, "don't worry, I understand."

"What do you do when you feel trauma? Childhood induced trauma..." Maximus asks, looking at Charlotte. She stammers trying to find an answer, "w-well...I don't know, I'm sorry." Maximus nods, "I figured..." His energy erupts, he looks at Charlotte before giving her a slight wave. He flies off, leaving Charlotte to watch.

Maximus flies around for a good few hours before returning home. Sarah, who was outside, waiting for him, runs up to him as he lands. "Maximus! Where in the world were you?!" She asks sternly. "Not now Mom..." he rejects, walking past her, and into the house.

He rushes upstairs to his bedroom, opening and slamming his bedroom door behind him. He checks his phone, three missed calls from Sarah, and one from To.

He sits down on his bed, calling To. He answers quickly. "To, why did you ignore my calls-" he starts, but is interrupted by a panicked To. "Maximus, do you have the book?!" He asks. Maximus looks over to the book, which was lying on the ground, not moved since Maximus discovered it this morning. "Y-Yeah. I found it in my bookbag this morning...I tried to take it out, but it-...it hurt me," he answers, staring the book down.

"Good, good. Now, I need you to seal the book away as soon as you can...there is an unspoken even within the pages...you must hurr-" To is cut off, the dial tone scares Maximus into action.

He stands, running over to the book. With this, he feels an uncomfortable sensation that stops him. A chill goes down his back, but he fights off the feelings, grabbing the book, encapsulating it in a field of energy. He gasps as if he ran out of breath, letting the trapped book fall to the ground.

He feels his throat, shaking his head. He stands, raising the book into the air. He sits it down on his lamp-table. He sits down on a chair, letting out a deep breath, "damn..."

Minutes later, To arrives. "Maximus!" He says, walking in. "To..." Maximus says gently, "...the voices are back..."