Maxwell's heart raced as he slowly opened his eyes, his surroundings coming into focus with a jolt of confusion and disbelief. He found himself lying in his bed, the familiar sight of his room greeting him in the dim light of dawn.
Blinking in bewilderment, Maxwell sat up slowly, his mind swirling with fragmented memories of the surreal events that had unfolded just moments before. The cat, the monsters, the mysterious bracelet—each detail flashed before his eyes in a dizzying whirlwind of confusion.
"What... what happened?" Maxwell murmured aloud, his voice barely above a whisper as he struggled to make sense of the surreal experience that still lingered in his mind like a half-remembered dream.
As he reached up to rub his forehead, his fingers brushed against something cold and metallic on his left arm. With a start, Maxwell looked down to find the strange bracelet still fastened securely around his wrist, its presence a tangible reminder of the extraordinary events that had transpired.
And with that simple touch, the floodgates of memory were thrown open, and Maxwell's mind was flooded with the vivid recollection of the night's events—the cat's cryptic message, the terrifying monsters, and the sudden surge of power that had coursed through his veins.
Maxwell's jaw dropped in disbelief as the cat, now sitting casually beside him on the bed, spoke with a cocky confidence that defied all logic.
"W-what..." Maxwell stammered, his mind reeling from the sheer absurdity of the situation.
"Before you ask your next question, let's get one thing straight. My name is Sensei Akuro, and yes, I'm a cat."
Maxwell could only stare in stunned silence, his mind struggling to process the surreal reality unfolding before him. This was beyond anything he had ever imagined, a bizarre twist of fate that defied all rational explanation.
As Sensei Akuro let out an exasperated grunt, Maxwell finally found his voice, though it emerged as little more than a hoarse whisper. "...What..."
Sensei Akuro sighed, a flicker of annoyance crossing his feline features. "This is your third 'what'," he remarked dryly, as if he had anticipated Maxwell's reaction before it even occurred.
Maxwell: O-okay but what the heck do you want?
Sensei Akuro let out a weary sigh, his feline features softening slightly as he regarded Maxwell with a knowing gaze. "Look, kid, I know this is a lot to take in, but bear with me and listen to this story."
Maxwell nodded slowly, his mind still reeling from the surreal events of the night. With a sense of resignation, he settled back against the pillows, ready to hear whatever explanation Sensei Akuro had to offer.
"In this world," Sensei Akuro began, his voice grave, "humans are creatures that cannot see death. They go about their lives, oblivious to the dangers that lurk in the shadows, unaware of the creatures and monsters that seek to prey upon them."
Maxwell's brow furrowed in confusion as he tried to make sense of Sensei Akuro's words. "But... what does that have to do with me?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Sensei Akuro fixed him with a solemn gaze. "You see, Maxwell, there are those among us known as hollows. We are the guardians, the protectors of humanity, tasked with defending them from the forces of evil that threaten to consume them."
Maxwell's eyes widened in astonishment at the revelation. "So... you're saying that I'm one of these hollows?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper as he struggled to comprehend the magnitude of what Sensei Akuro was telling him.
Sensei Akuro nodded solemnly. "Yes, Maxwell. You possess a rare gift—a power that allows you to see the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of the world. And now, as a hollow, it is your duty to wield that power and protect humanity from the threats that seek to destroy them."
Maxwell's eyes widened in astonishment at Sensei Akuro's revelation. "But... what exactly are you..?"
Sensei Akuro chuckled proudly, his demeanor shifting from cocky to regal in an instant. "Let's just say... I was a former king."
"A... king?" Maxwell repeated, disbelief coloring his voice.
Sensei Akuro nodded solemnly. "Yes, Maxwell. I am one of the Ten Blooded Sin—a powerful and ancient lineage of hollows with abilities far beyond those of ordinary beings."
Maxwell couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the revelation. To think that the seemingly ordinary cat before him was actually a member of such a prestigious and powerful lineage was beyond comprehension.
But his thoughts were interrupted as Sensei Akuro's tone turned sharp, a hint of menace creeping into his voice. "And let me make one thing clear, Maxwell," he hissed, his eyes narrowing in warning. "I may appear small and harmless, but underestimate me at your own peril. I was cursed to remain in this form because my true form was deemed 'too much' by those who sought to control me."
Maxwell swallowed nervously, a sense of unease settling over him at the thought of facing the true power of Sensei Akuro's former self.
"Er... right," he muttered, his gaze darting nervously away from Sensei Akuro's piercing stare.
Sensei Akuro seemed to sense his discomfort and softened slightly, a hint of amusement twinkling in his eyes. "Now then, enough of that. You wanted to know how I managed to find you, didn't you?"
Maxwell nodded eagerly, grateful for the change of subject. "Yes, please. How did you find me?"
Sensei Akuro's expression grew serious once more as he explained, "As a member of the Ten Blooded Sins, I possess certain abilities that allow me to sense and track other unordinary. When I sensed your awakening, I knew that I had to find you and guide you on your path."
Maxwell listened intently, his curiosity piqued by the revelation of Sensei Akuro's extraordinary abilities. With each word, he realized that the world he thought he knew was far more complex and mysterious than he could have ever imagined
Maxwell stared down at the bracelet in disbelief, his mind reeling from Sensei Akuro's revelation. "And... what is this?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sensei Akuro regarded the bracelet with a cool detachment. "Your weapon," he replied bluntly.
Maxwell's eyes widened in shock. "W-what?!" he exclaimed, his voice rising with panic.
Sensei Akuro nodded solemnly. "This is Ashes Insanity—a cursed weapon that has the power to transform your blood and form into a monstrous entity. It is said to drive its wielder to insanity, their very essence consumed by the dark forces within until their mind is reduced to ash."
Maxwell's hands trembled as he stared at the bracelet, a sense of dread settling over him at the thought of wielding such a dangerous artifact. "You... you gave me a cursed weapon?!" he sputtered, his voice tinged with disbelief and anger.
Sensei Akuro merely shrugged, a hint of indifference in his demeanor. "What about it?" he asked casually, as if Maxwell's concern was of little consequence.
Maxwell's mind raced with a thousand questions, his thoughts spiraling into a whirlwind of confusion and fear. "But... but this weapon could kill me!" he protested, his voice rising with panic.
Sensei Akuro's expression remained impassive, though a flicker of uncertainty crossed his features for a brief moment. "But it didn't, did it?" he mused aloud, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Which is... strange."
Maxwell's eyes narrowed in frustration at Sensei Akuro's nonchalant response. "Strange?! You call this strange?!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with incredulity.
Sensei Akuro tilted his head inquisitively, his gaze fixed on Maxwell with a penetrating intensity. "Indeed," he murmured thoughtfully, his mind whirring with possibilities. "Those weapons are extremely rare and notoriously difficult to master. And yet... here you are, an amateur, wielding one without consequence."
Maxwell rolled his eyes in exasperation at Sensei Akuro's bland honesty. "Well, thank you for the bland honesty about me," he muttered sarcastically, his frustration boiling over as he struggled to come to terms with the dangerous artifact now strapped to his wrist.
Maxwell's eyes widened in horror as he realized the gravity of his situation. "Why can't I remove it?" he asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
Sensei Akuro sighed heavily, his expression grave. "I said cursed, you know," he replied bluntly, his tone laced with a hint of resignation.
Maxwell's heart sank as the weight of Sensei Akuro's words settled over him. "Cursed..." he repeated, the word hanging heavy in the air like a dark cloud of uncertainty.
Sensei Akuro nodded solemnly. "Indeed. Ashes Insanity is a weapon of great power, but also of great danger. Once it has claimed a wielder, it cannot be easily removed. The curse binds it to your very essence, trapping you in its grasp until the end of your days."
A sense of dread washed over Maxwell as he realized the implications of what Sensei Akuro was telling him. Trapped with a cursed weapon that threatened to consume him from within, he knew that he was facing a battle for survival unlike any he had ever encountered before.
"But... there must be a way to break the curse, right?" Maxwell asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty.
Sensei Akuro shook his head solemnly. "I'm afraid not, Maxwell. The curse is ancient and powerful, its origins lost to the mists of time. Once it has claimed a soul, there is no escape."
Maxwell's shoulders slumped in defeat as he came to terms with the reality of his situation. Trapped with a cursed weapon that threatened to devour him from within, he knew that he would need all the strength and courage he could muster to face the trials that lay ahead.
Maxwell stared at Sensei Akuro with a mixture of disbelief and frustration. "But you seem okay to me, so I assume the weapon likes you," the cat remarked, a smug expression crossing his face.
Maxwell couldn't help but feel a surge of anger rise within him at Sensei Akuro's casual dismissal of his concerns. "I hate you," he muttered, his voice tinged with bitterness.
Sensei Akuro merely shrugged, his expression unrepentant. "Suit yourself," he replied nonchalantly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "But consider this—this weapon could have killed you since yesterday... which it didn't."
Maxwell's eyes widened in realization at Sensei Akuro's words. "So you mean I won't turn insane and die?" he asked, a glimmer of hope flickering within him.
Sensei Akuro nodded confidently. "Nope," he replied simply, his tone filled with certainty.
A sense of relief washed over Maxwell as he absorbed Sensei Akuro's assurance.
Maxwell's eyes widened in shock at Sensei Akuro's words. "But... what was I yesterday..." he whispered, his voice tinged with uncertainty and dread.
As he struggled to recall the events of the previous night, Maxwell's mind was filled with fragmented memories of the monstrous creature he had become—a being of pure rage and destruction, consumed by a primal urge to unleash havoc upon the world.
Sensei Akuro regarded him solemnly, his gaze piercing as he spoke. "You were... Wulmar, the Monster of the Damned."
Maxwell's breath caught in his throat at the mention of the name, a shiver running down his spine at the raw power and ferocity it invoked.
"Wulmar..." he repeated, the name feeling foreign and unfamiliar on his tongue.
Sensei Akuro nodded gravely. "Yes. Wulmar is a creature of untold strength and devastation—a monster with fists that can shatter mountains and tear through steel as if it were paper."
Maxwell felt a chill run down his spine at the thought of the destructive power he had wielded as Wulmar. The mere mention of the name sent a wave of fear coursing through him, a reminder of the darkness that lurked within him, waiting to be unleashed at a moment's notice.
Maxwell's eyes widened in shock as he felt a sudden surge of pain shoot through his right hand, his fingers contorting and stretching into a monstrous, muscled arm—blackened and adorned with glowing white lines. "W-what is that?!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with fear and confusion.
Sensei Akuro's tail wagged with amusement as he regarded Maxwell's transformed limb with a sense of pride. "It's Wulmar, of course," he replied casually, as if Maxwell's distress were of little consequence.
Maxwell watched in horror as his monstrous arm swung out on its own accord, lashing out with a powerful punch that sent a nearby chair flying across the room. "What is it doing?!" he cried, his voice filled with panic.
Sensei Akuro merely shrugged, his expression nonchalant. "I presume he has also awakened," he remarked, his tone tinged with amusement.
Maxwell's heart raced with fear as he struggled to control his rampaging limb, the sensation of being trapped within his own body overwhelming him with a sense of helplessness. "Can you make it stop?!" he pleaded, his voice frantic with desperation.
Sensei Akuro regarded him with a calm gaze, his tail swaying lazily behind him. "It seems like you are panicking, Maxwell," he observed. "Try to calm down."
Maxwell took a deep breath, willing himself to find a sense of calm amidst the chaos that threatened to consume him. As he focused on controlling his fear, he felt a strange sensation wash over him—a soothing presence that seemed to emanate from within.
And then, as suddenly as it had appeared, Maxwell's monstrous arm began to dissipate, its form fading away until only his normal hand remained.
"It... it went away..." Maxwell murmured in astonishment, his eyes wide with wonder.
Sensei Akuro nodded in approval. "Indeed," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "It seems that Wulmar felt your panic and thought you were in danger."
Maxwell's eyes widened in realization at Sensei Akuro's words. "He... he wanted to protect me...?" he whispered, his voice filled with awe and wonder.
Sensei Akuro chuckled softly, a twinkle of amusement dancing in his eyes. "That's the point of the bracelet, Maxwell," he remarked, his tone filled with quiet satisfaction. "To harness the power of Wulmar and wield it in defense of those you hold dear."
"But it's quite strange... Wulmar isn't exactly known for being a protective type of monster."
Maxwell sighed heavily, a mixture of exhaustion and disbelief weighing heavily on his shoulders. "As long as he listens..." he murmured, his voice tinged with resignation.
Sensei Akuro regarded him with a knowing look, understanding the weight of Maxwell's burden all too well. "Anyways..." he began, changing the subject, "So, Maxwell, what do you think of all this...?"
Maxwell hesitated for a moment, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts and emotions. "I... it's strange and creepy... and almost bullshit," he admitted, his voice filled with uncertainty.
Sensei Akuro chuckled softly, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "I can understand why you might feel that way," he remarked casually. "But trust me, Maxwell, there is more to this world than meets the eye. And sometimes, the truth can be stranger than fiction."
Maxwell nodded slowly, his mind still reeling from the whirlwind of events that had unfolded since he first encountered Sensei Akuro. Despite his doubts and fears, he knew that he would have to embrace the reality of his situation and face whatever challenges lay ahead with courage.
Maxwell let out a resigned sigh, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Fine... I believe you," he conceded, his voice laced with reluctant acceptance.
Sensei Akuro's tail flicked with satisfaction at Maxwell's admission. "Great!" he exclaimed, hopping down from the bed. "Again, my name is Akuro, but it's better if you call me Sensei Akuro..."
Maxwell raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Why is that?" he asked, curious about the sudden formality.
Sensei Akuro grinned mischievously, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Because I am, and will stay... your personal trainer!" he declared proudly, his tail swishing back and forth with excitement.
Maxwell's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation. "My personal trainer?" he echoed, his mind reeling at the unexpected turn of events.
Sensei Akuro nodded enthusiastically. "That's right! As a hollow, it's my duty to guide you, train you, and help you harness the power within you," he explained, his tone serious despite the playful gleam in his eyes. "And with my expertise and your potential, there's no telling what we can accomplish together!"
Maxwell let out another resigned sigh, his expression reflecting a mix of annoyance and resignation. "Fine..." he muttered under his breath, knowing that arguing with Sensei Akuro would be futile.
Sensei Akuro's cheerful voice broke the silence, interrupting Maxwell's thoughts. "That's the spirit! Now, let's go to the kitchen!"
Maxwell furrowed his brow in confusion. "Why?" he asked, puzzled by Sensei Akuro's sudden urgency.
Sensei Akuro grinned mischievously, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You will... make me... FOOD!" he declared, his tone brimming with excitement.
Before Maxwell could protest, Sensei Akuro darted out of the room, leaving Maxwell alone with his thoughts. As he watched Sensei Akuro disappear down the hallway, Maxwell couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief.
He look down his hand.
"What the hell did i got myself into..."