The Plagued World: The Story of Maximus

Episode Twenty - The Funeral

"Kevin, my father, our savior, the savior...of Earth, the Human Race, and so much more...he sacrificed himself in the heart of battle," Maximus begins. It was no more than a week later than the fight with Exodus. The cure was recreated and distributed, and the world was finally at peace again.

A week before, Maximus walked home. He stood in front his house, putting his father down. He got on his knees, hugging him. To walks up behind him, hugging him. The two sat in silence. No words needed to be said.

"My father...he was a legend. I won't ever compare to his will, his strength, his endurance. In the years that he was a part of my life, I loved him. He tought me courage, determination...and to never give up hope."

Sarah and Charlotte ran outside, joining in on the hug. The family was at peace...but their family would never be the same. Maximus broke down, reverting back to base, squeezing his father. He allowed himself to cry...he allowed himself to be vulnerable.

Maximus got down from the pedestal, Sarah steps up. "My husband...from the first plague, and the second, and even a week ago, he defended Earth with his life...he never felt secure without assuring our lives would be safe..."

Services from around the country came and collected Kevin. It was a graceful moment.

"Something that Kevin always told me, and my son, is that...no matter the struggle, there is always a way...always...an answer. I feel that he knew what he had to do in the end of it all."

Sarah steps down, and To enters. "Kevin, my greatest friend, my rival...he out paced me, he showed me my true potential, and that much I have to thank him for. There is no words that I can use to describe my gratitude to his soul, his work...it all made the world so much better."

The funeral ended, and Kevin was buried. Maximus tears up, saying his final goodbyes. Charlotte held his arm, rubbing it softly. Sarah cried, hugging Maximus's other arm. To stood in silence. Sarah, Charlotte, and To left, leaving only Maximus.

He lays down flowers, rain begins to flood the grave. He sighs, looking down at his lost father. He clinches his fist, holding it out to the grave, smiling slightly. "I love you, Dad," he says softly. He turns to walk away, but is stopped by a robbed figure.

"You..." he says softly. The robbed figure pulls his hood off, revealing...a future Maximus?! Maximus's eyes widen, "what the...?"

"Your father, To, they made a sacrifice for your future. Our future," he says softly. Maximus shakes his head, "I don't understand.

"I came to the past to assure your reawakening," his future self answers. He walks up to him, "and it worked." "You mean...what you whispered to him...was that he had to die?" His future self nods.

Maximus looks down to his feet, "I understand..." His future self puts a hand on his shoulder, "don't blame yourself. The same happened to me, and I won in the end, and in his name. I'm sorry you had to lose him like I did, but there was no way we could lose everyone else, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so..." he says, his breath shakes. "This power you obtained...I call it the Resurrection Ability. It has immense healing abilities. However...it can't heal wounds like your father's," his future self says. Maximus nods, "got it."

The two share a conversation about what happens next.

Months later, Maximus was standing in an empty field. He kicks out, then throws a punch. He takes a deep breath, letting it out. He closes his eyes. He erupts into his Resurrection Form. He looks at his hands, a slight smile spreads across his face. He clinches his fist, holding it to the sky.

"To you, father."

To walks into his tent, pulling out the ancient book, blowing dust from it. He lays it on a desk, opening it. He takes a peak, and...a new chapter was mysteriously written.

"With the final piece set in place, the world is now at peace. The universe, at peace. The prophet's long journey is now finished, and with that, he can live in peace with his family. Kevin is now a part of the legendary warriors, his sacrifice for the universe will not be taken in vain."

To closes the book, smiling. He puts it away, walking out of the room. Maximus flies into the sky, and into the atmosphere. He lets himself fall. He smiles, finally feeling at peace.

To joins in a community cook out, also feeling at peace. He hands out food, along with a new partner of his.

Maximus gently lands in the empty field, closing his eyes. His surroundings begin to grow flowers, samplings, much more. He sighs, relaxing into the ground.

It was over. Nearly a century of experience, of battles, of wars. Ended here, with that sigh. His journey was over, and with that, concludes his story. As well as To's, and of course, Kevin's.

The world was at peace. Forever ever...after.

||4/8/2018 -- 11/10/2020||