Maximus Thatcher

by Robert Miller

The sunrise beamed over the horizon, revealing the landscape and Max realised that he was on a remote island surrounded by sea. On one side of the island was a hill that climbed high, leading to a cliff, which dropped off to the sea.

  Max’s gaze rested on a beach. It had been a long time since he had viewed the sea, living as he had in the large, landlocked city.

  The view was breathtaking: trees blooming with pollen drifting past, sea a pure blue with hints of yellow reflections from the sun. Max had never seen grass so green as he stood feeling the breeze blow past.

  “When do we begin?” asked Max.

  “Right now,” replied Bill.

  Chris sighed. He knew exactly what to do. He sprinted off at pace, leaving Max to catch up to him. The beach came closer and closer, but his body began to fatigue. Chris crashed into the small waves, and Max followed him into the freezing water, inhaling sharply as the sea took its grip and leaving him shivering as he crawled quickly back onto the sand.

  “To the buoy!” shouted Chris from the water.

  Max hesitated, but finally turned around to swim the long distance, his weakened body struggling.

  Each day was the same; swim and run, slowly rebuilding his body strength. Bill brought Max up to speed with his fighting, now his instructor as he fought on a par with Chris.

  “Don’t stop.” He spurred Max on pushing him to his limits.

  Finally, a break, which was well needed, and both boys ate on top of the hill.

  “Why aren’t you in school?” asked Max.

  “Grandfather said this was more important,” he replied.

  “Have you heard from Hilary?”

  Chris shot Max a sideways glance as he finished the last bite of his sandwich.

  “She didn’t take it well. Jimmy has been her little bodyguard since his return.”

  Max reached into his pocket, pulling out the other half of the pair of necklaces he had used to get Jimmy back and handing it to Chris, who nodded.

  “Could you give this to her with a message?” he smiled.

  “Sure,” Chris replied, pocketing the necklace.

  Bill could sense the growing strength returning to Maximus, although he still worried about the lack of performance. He had been teaching students for some years now and was enjoying his new student.

  “Men, I’m not impressed. Do the circuit,” Bill ordered, not satisfied with their work.

  “Follow me,” said Chris with a frown.

  They ran to the top of the hill, jumped off the low cliff, then made their way to the buoy before running back to the house.

  “Too slow,” scowled Bill.

  The adrenalin rushed through Max’s body as he followed Chris once again to the edge of the cliff. The water temperature was cold and he shivered as he tried to regain his lost heat. The best part of the circuit was the body surfing back to the beach, when he used the waves to overtake Chris.

  “Another thirty,” Bill growled, as they entered the house.

  The circuit was draining, the sprint finally slowing to a light jog as both boys hung on through sheer determination. Two-and-a-half hours passed in blood, sweat and energy and both boys finished by collapsing in front of the door.

  The sun was replaced by darkness and lights illuminated the porch. Chris’s sister passed hot soup around, trying to lift the boys’ spirits.

  Max knelt breathlessly on the floor, embracing Chris as they laughed the pain away.

  “You owe me,” gritted Chris, patting Max on the back.

  “It’s different to Dozer’s training,” agreed Max.

  Sleep came quickly to their sore bodies, after they struggled to jump into bed. Max’s mind shifted to the school, with Hilary’s face filling his dreams. He woke to the smell of breakfast and the link to her was cut.

  It was a pleasure waking up to Lena’s meals, providing as they did variety from the school food.

  “You know the whole school was on full alert when you left?” said Chris.

  Max turned and sighed. “Jimmy wouldn’t be alive if I hadn’t gone,” he replied, forcing away the flashbacks.

  “What happened?”

  “I got beaten badly,” he admitted.

  “Was he like all the stories?” Chris asked eagerly, awaiting Max’s reply with raised eyebrows.

  “Worse.”

  “How did you survive?”

  Max sat in silence, asking himself that very question, not knowing the answer. He had been on top of most things, but cluelessness crept into him now as he realised he knew nothing about the Dark Lord. He did know that he didn’t compare, mentally, physically or emotionally.

  “I don’t know,” he shrugged.

  Bill finished his breakfast, sending Chris off on his morning chores. He drew his blind, white gaze to Max, studying his life force.

  “Come take a walk, Maximus,” he said, rising and settling into a stroll.

  Max followed him, unsure what to say as they crossed the field.

  “What is it that’s holding you back?” the old man queried, slowing his pace. Max was speechless. He didn’t know himself: was he holding back?

  “Well, open your mouth and speak, boy!” barked Bill.

  “I don’t know what to do,” replied Max, truthfully.

  “Stop worrying about your future and focus on the present; that was the mistake I made when I was young.”

  “It is something deep down. I feel scared for the first time in my life, beaten to almost to the point of no return. I can never face someone like him, even with my power. I am useless, there’s no comparison. The thought of him has twisted my head,” admitted Maximus.

  Bill stilled for a moment, gathering his thoughts. This morning he had finally determined the rope holding Max back.

  “It is what you do when you get knocked down that defines a true man,” said Bill.

  The inspiration was there to guide him, not mislead him, and Bill searched his power.

  “The generations before you have come and gone, sacrificing their lives to put you into the position you now hold. You are the one to defeat this demon,” said Bill, trying to ignite some confidence in the boy.

  “Why me?”

  “It has been one hundred years since anyone has defied the Dark Lord. But here you stand giving hope to everyone who has heard your story.”

  Max dropped his head, losing concentration as he swayed.

  “Chris!” called Bill in alarm. Chris ran to Max’s side, listening as Bill whispered instructions into his ear.

  “Control it,” Bill firmly said as he approached Max. He cut the restrictive ring to a quarter, releasing Max’s power.

  Max could feel it swallow him, allowing him to access seventy five percent of his power. The flow of electricity twitched in every nerve of his body, vibrating as lightning shot from him. Bill stumbled back, holding Chris’s arm, as they both watched powerlessly.

  Max dropped to his knees. He was overwhelmed by the thought of the limitless opportunities that could be reached. His eyes flashed with lightning and he almost choked on the sheer amount of power.

  “Calm down,” Bill ordered shakily, overwhelmed.

  The area around him became hot, but he was unaware of the melting grass catching fire.

  “Now!” shouted Bill.

  Chris threw a metal ball at Max, which exploded on impact. The ball sucked Max into a portal, teleporting him away from the island. Max could sense darkness around him, as he continued to lose control. The sparks scattered through the emptiness.

  “To the Network door,” said Bill. Chris took off, jumping the porch as he followed Bill. There was a single door here which they could use to teleport them anywhere they needed without bothering to call Stuart. They arrived and walked through to Max’s position. He was inside a huge mountain, far away from anything he could destroy.

  “Mount Rift,” said Chris. He had been here many times before, walking around the mountain with his grandfather, but had never been inside.

  He had listene
d to all the tales Bill had told him while they camped here, about how Great Philo created this mountain so he could train undisturbed. Many tales had described this mount as a dormant volcano, erupting with power as Philo trained.

  “When will he finish?” asked Chris, taking in the tropical landscape. The beaches here had golden sand that burnt red hot in the mid-afternoon sun. The water was crystal blue, the coconut trees high and ripe. He had enjoyed this place, but had not been back for many years, due to school commitments.

  “Whenever the sparks stop,” Bill replied, indicating the lightning trickling off the mountain. The electricity continued to boom over the surface and the ground rumbled.

  Chapter 24

  Family Reunion

  “Maximus, my boy,” said a distant voice.

  Max stood still, holding his breath as he tried to source the location of the voice. His vision came in waves of light as his electricity sparked. He extended his line of sight, pushing electric particles further. A body became clear and he jumped.

  “Who’s there?” he yelled.

  The body shone with electricity. Max questioned whether this was real or an illusion, utterly taken aback by the sight of another electric user. He spontaneously shot a bolt at the figure, but his attack was useless, the man flicking away his electricity with a wave of his hand.

  “You already know who I am,” said the voice.

  Max stepped back, standing on the hilt of a sword and half tripping. He picked up the weapon, holding it out in front of him as he stared, wide-eyed, at the figure.

  “You’re not real,” he whispered.

  Three lightning bodies stepped out from the original man, each with swords, and they jolted towards Max. He scrambled to the side, trying to avoid the fury of strikes. He didn’t stand a chance and screamed from the pain of the cuts now forming because of his missed blocks.

  These figures were pure electricity. They had no bodies and, as each of his strikes passed right through, he cursed loudly.

  “You need to do better,” said the man watching, “How do you expect to survive the next time you face the Dark Lord?”

  Max couldn’t focus, frantic to rid himself of this danger. He tried his electrical power, but this only added to the size of the creatures.

  “Change your current,” called the man.

  Maximus had no idea what he was talking about, catching his breath as the creatures surrounded him. He caught a glimpse of the man using blue lightning, who indicated for Max to do the same.

  He had never willingly used the blue lightning, only once in his pure rage as he attacked the Dark Lord. The three creatures closed in on Max for the final attack. He held out both hands to his sides and released his energy. The blue, pure energy pushed the creatures back and they disappeared.

  “Well done,” said the man, clapping.

  Max tried to regain his breath, feeling his power draining his life force. The man approached, revealing his face as he drew close.

  “Philo,” Max gasped.

  He looked exactly like the statue back at school, the features that overpowered the posters. What was a God doing here? Now it all made sense. There was no other who could use electricity, especially that kind of display.

  “I don’t understand…” Max bowed his head in respect.

  “It is time you knew who and what you are,” said Philo.

  He looked upon Max for the first time since delivering him to Uncle Jade so many years ago. Max had inherited his mother’s looks, gaining his body shape from his father. He smiled for the first time, drawing Max into full view.

  “You are my son,” he said.

  Max’s mind swirled with emotion as Philo’s words rang in his ears. His parents had always been a mystery, all of his questions leading to dead ends. He was speechless, but reached out to embrace Philo as he wept.

  “Father!” Max cried, trying to control his tears.

  “Sit,” said Philo, crafting a table out of wood. His power was amazing, thought Max, as he watched him forming two chairs from nothing and sitting down with him. Philo had to press on. He didn’t have long on Earth, having to return to the Great Halls as soon as he was done with Maximus.

  “Every electric user who has lived has been my child, half-Gods with a human mother. Every single one has lived in mystery, not knowing their true father.”

  “What makes me different?” Max questioned.

  “Your mother was not human. She was the Goddess who created the Great Halls,” spoke Philo.

  “Vita.” Max remembered the poster in history class. She was so beautiful and he recalled her smile as he sighed.

  “You are the first God in a thousand years.”

  “We haven’t put him to the test yet,” said another figure behind Philo.

  Max’s reactions took over and he threw his sword as hard as he could at the shadow. The sword vibrated past Philo and passed right through the shadow that Max had aimed at. The man turned to smoke, reforming just in time for Max’s follow-up attack. He was surprised at the boy’s speed, unable to counter his first punch. The blue electricity flowed through Max’s fist and he sent the man sprawling into the rock. The mountain rumbled with shock and Chris and Bill shared a concerned look from their vigil on the outside.

  “Creator’s sword,” spat the shadow man, gripping his jaw. “Like father, like son.”

  “May I introduce Cleon.”

  Another God well known for acquiring every power, except the elements. Max silently complimented the artist who had designed the posters; Cleon’s was also spot on. Max shook his head in denial.

  “Now I know this cannot be real,” he muttered, blown away.

  “Listen carefully, boy,” said Cleon, thumping Philo on the back.

  “The Dark Lord is becoming too powerful. He was once my friend, someone who did not live for power,” said Philo.

  “What happened?” Max listened intently to the reply.

  “His thirst for every single power eventually consumed him. We gave up our lives believing that someone would stand up to him, releasing all the powers that every user has now,” said Cleon.

  “So the stories are true?” Max whispered.

  “You are our last hope. If the Dark Lord gains this new power he is searching for he will be able to enter the Great Halls.”

  Philo grabbed his shoulders, making sure he had Max’s complete attention.

  “He must never enter. His greed will poison our system, leaving this world in his hands,” he continued. His words hit Max like gravity, weighing heavily on him as his thoughts shifted to his friends.

  “You will need your full strength,” said Philo, tearing off all restriction to Max’s ring. The full ring was now revealed in black ink which surrounded his lightning bolt scar.

  The Power swirled around his body like it had back at the park, finally freed, and his energy skyrocketed. His spirit shook the mountain once again as the two Gods marvelled at his energy.

  “May glory flow within you, Maximus son of Philo,” said Cleon, fiercely grabbing his neck. Max could feel his scar glow as Cleon gifted him a vessel for his power.

  “This power will become clear in time,” said Cleon, standing back to examine the second ring he had created on Max’s neck. This was the first time the Gods had come together for one cause, the common danger outweighing their pride. Cleon flashed bright as he vanished back to the Great Halls.

  “Your mother has already gifted her power on your back,” said Philo pointing to the golden scroll. He stood as he embraced his boy for the last time.

  “Be strong. We will always be watching,” he said, pointing up.

  Light filled the centre of the mountain as Philo returned, looking down at the boy who would one day also enter the Great Halls.

  Even with all his new power, Max felt empty as the sudden darkness consumed him. He bent and picked up the small metal ball that had been dropped by Philo. He squeezed it as he reflected over the truth, before teleporting back to where it h
ad all begun; the dojo.

  Chapter 25

  The Long Awaited Return

  Max’s mind was torn. He had finally learned about his true parents, but also about the hardships to come. Only a split second ago he was talking to the two Gods and now here he was, standing in a different location that he remembered very well. The sight, smell and feelings lingered in his thoughts.

  The dojo had been boarded shut, the main gate locked by chains. The rain had controlled of most of the fire, leaving half of the dojo intact. Max inspected the area, noting everything the fire had taken.

  The main training area had been burnt black, leaving the rooms and his uncle’s office untouched. The kitchen and dining area had been removed and burnt wood and furniture littered the floor.

  “I have returned, Uncle,” said Max as he imagined the dojo in its glory days, with polished wooden floors and thick walls.

  He traced his steps to Jade’s office. The room had been cleared out, with documents scattered thoughtlessly throughout. Max studied the room for the first time, allowing his thoughts to take control. He sifted through the paperwork, hoping to find answers to some of his questions.

  He needed to know what to do next and he found that thoughts of rebuilding the dojo grew in his mind as he searched. He shifted his feet in his frustration, picking up the feel of a slight crack in the ground as he moved. He tore back the rug, revealing a hidden door. His heart beat with excitement as he pulled it open, finding himself at the top of a stairwell that led down into complete darkness.

  Light gradually seeped in from the office, penetrating the gloom and showing him a hallway at the base of the stairs. He descended into the hallway, and his attention was drawn to engravings on the walls; detailed symbols of the elements, running down the hallway with historical markings on each side.

  He slowly made his way to the end, stopping in front of two large doors, noting that the electrical symbol was the most dominant of the door carvings.

  He laid his hand to the stone imprint. Sparks flashed as an electrical current ran the length of the doors and they opened with a groan.

  It took a moment for Max’s vision to adjust as he stood shivering in the draft of old air dispersing from the room.