"And when are you going?" Rakia asked, her face covered with grease as she took another bite.
"In 3 days or so," Max replied. "Why?"
Max sat at a small wooden table in the corner of the tavern, surrounded by the people he actually cared about in this strange world. The smell of roasted meat and spiced ale filled the air, and the loud noise of people around them talking gave them a good cover to talk in secrecy.
Across Max sat Maya, her sharp eyes looking all over the place for anyone who might be eavesdropping. To his right, Boorg occupied two chairs, hunched over with a cup of ale that seemed, again, laughably small in his massive hands. And on his left was Raki—no longer Piggy— sipping her drink now.
"Max," Maya looked him in the eyes, "you're telling us that you're going away with Merlin? What's going on? What did X say?"
Max glanced around the room nervously. He hadn't wanted to worry his friends with the truth, at least not yet. But, there was no avoiding it. They deserved to know what he was getting into—what they were all getting into. It is their world at the end of the day.
"Yeah," Rakia added. "You've been acting a little off since you came out of X's office. What's happening?"
Boorg, oblivious to the tension, was happily munching on a plate of roasted chicken. "Boorg ready for next fight. What we fight next? Dragons? Big rats? Boorg likes rats. Fast and crunchy."
Max couldn't help but chuckle at Boorg's words. He took a deep breath and met their gazes one by one.
"It's more than just another quest," Max began quietly. "We're on the verge of war."
"What kind of war, Max? Between who?" Maya narrowed her eyes.
"Between everyone," Max admitted, lowering his voice even more. "The non-human nations, they are preparing to invade. They're being manipulated by the Demon Lord, and they're planning to take over the portals. If they succeed, they'll have control over our entire continent. We won't stand a chance. Or so they say."
The table fell silent, everyone looked at each other. Boorg, for once, stopped eating, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"War? Against non-humans?" Boorg scratched his head. "But Boorg have friends who are not human."
"It is not all of them," Max clarified. "There are factions on both sides who don't want this. But the ones that do… they're dangerous. And if we don't stop them, they'll help the Demon Lord when he rises again."
"And you're leaving in three days?" Rakia asked once again.
"Yes," Max confirmed.
"And… us?" Rakia asked. "What about us? Do we come with you?"
Max hesitated for a second. He had been scared of this part of the conversation, the part where he had to admit to himself that this might be a journey he couldn't take them on. He clenched his fists under the table, fighting back the guilt that drowned him.
"I… I don't know. I don't think you can, but they didn't tell me anything," Max said quietly. "This mission… is too dangerous. I don't know what we're going to face out there, but it is something I don't want to drag you into."
Boorg frowned. "Boorg not scared. Boorg fight with Max. We smash enemies, like always."
"I know, Boorg," Max said, forming a weak smile on the corner of his lips. "But this isn't the same as before. This isn't just about fighting monsters. We're going into enemy territory. We'll be in against forces bigger than anything we've dealt with. I'm not sure myself if I'll survive this."
"So, what?" Maya looked mad. "You expect us to sit here and wait while you run off to save the world?"
"No," Max replied quickly. "I don't expect you to just sit here and wait. I need you all here because I might need your help. If this war does break out, we'll need every ally we can get. And the three of you," he pointed at each one of them, "are my friends. I know I can count on you guys."
Rakia looked uncertain. "But what if you don't come back? What if this war…?"
"I'll come back," Max said. "I'm the hero after all. I have to."
Maya crossed her arms staring at Max before finally speaking. "You know, you're terrible at keeping secrets."
Max laughed a little. "Yeah, well, I'm not exactly a master spy."
"Just promise you won't get yourself killed, idiot," Maya said.
"I promise," Max said, though deep down, he knew he was making a promise he might not be able to keep.
"Boorg stay here, smash everyone, protect friends," Boorg said.
"Thanks, Boorg. I'll count on you," Max said. It was easier to smile now.
"Just… be careful," Rakia said. She looked sad. She had just begun to rediscover herself, and now her closest friend was leaving.
"I will," Max assured her. "I'll be back before you know it. And when I get back, maybe the three of us can go on a less… life-threatening adventure."
They all laughed.
"I'll hold you to that," Rakia said.
The rest of the night passed in silence. They continued to talk, their voices low. But for the moment, they were together, and that was enough.
For now.
The morning sun made its way through the windows of the adventurer's guild, and a soft light lay on the quiet table where Max, Boorg, Rakia, and Maya sat. The drinking from the previous night was visible on all of their faces.
Max kept shifting uncomfortably in his seat, his mind still occupied with Merlin's upcoming quest. He knew that he only had two days left before leaving, and his friends would stay behind, which still bothered him a bit. He glanced at Rakia, who was tracing the rim of her cup. She still didn't remember everything, and that worried him even more.
Boorg broke the silence. "Boorg tired. Boorg still sleepy. Boorg happy Piggy… Rakia safe."
Maya chuckled softly. "It's going to take some time for all of us to get used to your new name, Rakia."
Rakia smiled, but it didn't reflect in her eyes. "I'm still getting used to it too. It's strange… I should remember more, right? But everything before the curse is a blur. I feel like there is something I'm missing—something important."
Max leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "Do you remember anything about who cursed you or why?"
"I just remember being hidden, like I was trapped in my own mind. But there is nothing there. No face, no name. Just… darkness," Rakia said, concentrating while digging into her memories. "It is like… something was watching me. Waiting. Even now, I feel like I'm not alone."
"I'm leaving in two days," Max said. "I wish I could help you more, but this isn't something I can delay, you know it, right?"
"Boorg stay with Rakia. Boorg protect," the giant warrior said with a big, wide, smile on his face.
"I know you'll keep her safe, Boorg," Max said. He looked at Rakia, who stared into her drink. "I'll try and figure out more about your curse while I'm with Merlin. Maybe there's more to it than we thought."
Rakia nodded. "Thanks Max… I know you'll find something."
"I'll do my best," Max said quietly, then forced a smile. "Besides, if I don't come up with some answers, Boorg will probably smash something— and I'd like to avoid that."
Maya sighed. "Just… be smart about it. Don't try to be a hero."
"I was literally summoned here, in this world, to be a hero. Didn't we already tell you that, Maya? Come on, try and remember," Max was now laughing.
"Yeah," Maya muttered, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. "I know."
Two days. Two days before he walked into the unknown.