As Maxwell had anticipated, the mere mention of the Forbidden incited panic among the people. Chaos erupted almost instantly, with frantic voices and footsteps filling the streets. However, Maxwell remained focused, working alongside officers to restore some semblance of order amongst the mayhem. Through coordination and relentless effort, he made sure that all civilians were safely evacuated from the immediate area, reducing the risk of casualties or injuries.
In the back of Maxwell's mind, a lingering thought refused to be silenced. He couldn't shake the feeling that leaving the battle to Sidgroth and The White Crusader was a cowardly decision, even though he understood all too well that he was hopelessly outmatched by Forbidden Power and the others. The logical side of him knew he was making the right choice by ensuring the safety of the people, but his pride and remnants of his past life whispered otherwise.
Maxwell let out a sigh, looking around at the chaos unfolding. "Gladiolus, we have to keep moving. We can't let anyone else get caught in this madness—not while I'm here," he said firmly.
Gladiolus responded with a nod, his movements becoming more urgent as he kept pace with Maxwell. Together, they ran through each street, guiding panicked civilians to safety.
After thoroughly checking each street in the immediate area, Maxwell finally allowed himself a moment to rest. He slumped onto a nearby bench. The thought of watching Sidgroth and The White Crusader battle against the Forbidden lingered in his mind, an almost irresistible pull to watch the battle of the heroes of the Void War. Yet, he knew better.
Sidgroth's orders were clear, and Maxwell couldn't let his curiosity or his pride, override his duty. The people of Calla Lily still needed protection, and abandoning them now would betray everything he'd promised himself to uphold. He let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Priorities," he muttered under his breath. "This is where I'm needed."
"Alright, Gladiolus, let's go see if the officers need any help—" Maxwell began to speak, but his words trailed off as his eyes caught sight of a large humanoid figure soaring through the skies above. The creature had to be nearly seven feet tall, its presence almost otherworldly.
"W-What the hell is that...?" Maxwell muttered, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. Its body seemed to be composed entirely of a dark, inky substance. But what truly unsettled him was the faint aura surrounding it, a sign of Void energy.
Without hesitation, Maxwell began to chase after it. "Gladiolus, stay close! This might be trouble," he called out, his instincts telling him that this was no ordinary encounter.
As Maxwell pursued the humanoid figure, a sudden volley of gunfire from nearby officers shot the creature in midair, it began to spiral out of control before crashing violently into a nearby building. Their bullets infused with their elemental Ornament. Dust and debris filled the air as the impact shook the surroundings.
Emerging from the rubble, the creature rose to its full height, standing even more imposing than Maxwell had initially thought. As he cautiously approached, Maxwell's eyes narrowed, taking in the details of the being.
It was at least seven feet tall, with an unnaturally dark, almost void-like skin that seemed to absorb the light around it. Long, white hair undulated like ethereal flames, flickering and vanishing at the tips. Its arms were unnaturally long, its body marked with glowing blue patterns that pulsed almost rhythmically, as if they were alive. The creature had a presence that felt alien.
"Is that... Void energy? But how—?" Maxwell whispered, Gladiolus growled lowly beside him, sensing the danger.
That's when the creature opened its mouth, "if you wish to stand against me, be prepared to offer your life. I do not seek violence for its own sake, but if you threaten me, I will not hesitate to defend myself." Its words a clear warning that there would be no mercy for anyone foolish enough to challenge it.
Without hesitation, the officers reacted, their weapons firing. Bullets fired rapidly, making contact with the creature's body, but it barely flinched. Its skin seemed to absorb the projectiles, the darkness that surrounded it distorting the air around it like a shield. The officers' fire was futile, the creature's response was swift and brutal.
In an instant, it extended one of its long arms, as it reached out and grabbed one of the officers by the neck. It yanked the officer closer, lifting him off the ground with ease. The officer struggled, gasping for breath, but before he could do anything, the creature opened its mouth wide, a gaping abyss that seemed to swallow the light around it, and sank its teeth into the officer's neck.
The officer's scream was cut short as blood gushed from the wound, staining the creature's teeth in an instant. It tore into him with savagely, draining the life from his body. The officer went limp in its grasp, his body hanging motionless as the creature casually discarded him onto the ground.
The remaining two officers, scrambled behind whatever cover they could find. They raised their weapons, firing in a useless attempt to stop the beast.
Without warning, it opened its mouth again, but this time, it wasn't a bite. A violent surge of dark energy erupted from its throat, shooting blasts of void-infused fireballs into the air. The fireballs were not of flame, but of pure destruction black streaks of energy. As they slammed into buildings, the walls crumbled and shattered, leaving deep craters and a rain of debris.
The officers were forced to dive for cover, their hearts racing in fear. Every shot they fired seemed to bounce off the creature's aura, their weapons ineffective against such raw power.
Maxwell, watching from a distance, felt a cold sweat dripping from his head. Adrenaline coursing through his veins. He knew he had to act. The officers were clearly outmatched, and this creature was a force unlike anything he had encountered. His legs felt heavy, his resolve wavering, but there was no choice. He couldn't stand by and watch more lives be taken.
"Gladiolus," Maxwell muttered under his breath, "we can't let this continue."
The beast's destructive display made him feel small, insignificant in comparison, but he pushed the fear aside. He had a duty to protect the people of Calla Lily. And if this creature meant to harm them, he would stop it, no matter the cost.
Maxwell's grip tightened around the handle of his mace, the weight of it a comforting reminder of his resolve. He wasn't going to run. Not now. Not when lives were at stake. He glanced at Gladiolus, the massive creature by his side, who let out a low growl in response to the threat.
But just as Maxwell took a step forward, the creature's eyes locked onto him, its gaze cold and piercing. The air around them seemed to freeze.
"Run away," the creature's voice was a deep growl that sent a shiver down Maxwell's spine. "Unless both of you plan on becoming my next meal..."
Maxwell's heart raced, but his feet remained planted. The warning was clear, but it wasn't enough to make him falter. He raised his mace, feeling the blood pump in his veins as the adrenaline surged. He couldn't back down now.
"We don't run from monsters like you," Maxwell said, Gladiolus bared his teeth, his muscles tensing as if in preparation for battle. The creature's eyes flicked to the massive beast.
"I see," the creature's voice almost mocking. "Then prepare for the consequences."
In the blink of an eye, the creature moved—faster than Maxwell could track. Its arm shot out, aiming to strike, but Maxwell was already in motion, sidestepping to avoid the blow. Gladiolus lunged forward, slamming into the creature with a force that shook the ground beneath them.
But the creature wasn't fazed. It twisted its body with unnatural agility, grabbing hold of Gladiolus' massive body and slamming him into the ground. The impact was great, but Gladiolus recovered quickly, roaring as he scrambled to his feet.
Maxwell's heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't hesitate. He rushed forward, swinging his mace toward the creature's side. The blow landed with a heavy thud, but the creature only grunted, its body seeming to absorb the impact with ease.
With a flash of dark energy, the creature retaliated, sending a wave of void energy surging toward Maxwell. He barely managed to jump out of the way, feeling the air shift with the deadly power.
It was clear now that this battle was unlike anything Maxwell had ever faced.
Maxwell watched Gladiolus struggle to find a way to use his Ornament. The massive creature's power was overwhelming, and the lack of shadows made it impossible for Gladiolus to teleport or disappear into. Maxwell knew that brute force alone wouldn't win this fight. The creature was far too strong, and they were outmatched in every way.
He felt a familiar feeling with his Ornament, the latent power it held within him. Sidgroth had told him, "Your Ornament doesn't bend the world to your will, Maxwell. It amplifies what you already have. It increases your luck, but remember, luck doesn't always make things easy. It makes the impossible possible."
Maxwell closed his eyes for a brief moment, steadying his breath. If he was going to survive this, if they were going to stand a chance, he had to trust in the power of his Ornament.
"Please, work now," Maxwell whispered under his breath. He didn't know how it worked, or what would happen, but he had to believe.
"Everyone in Calla Lily will be my meal until I become human again!" the creature roared, its voice echoing through the streets.
Maxwell stood his ground, there was no backing down now...