Silent Goodbye

After everything that had happened Max felt exhausted from the accidental explosion and woke up to find Thax's lips against his own. He grumbled as he was going to have to nip that in the tail later but now wasn't the time. He wanted to be back in the treetops away from the soupy mess that surrounded him, if he has to be stuck in this marsh any longer he is going to develop Trench Foot. With a slow groan, he began to sit up, body aching from the concussive force of the blast, and even with Thax's poison causing Vice to activate he could practically hear the bruised muscle repair itself.

"M-Max is awake! Thax thought friend was dead, was scared that only friend was dead and wouldn't wake up!. I-I was sad... Didn't want Max to die because of Thax's stupid idea..."

As Thax looked at Max he saw those puppy dog eyes again, all be it more reptilian. The boy just let out a sigh as he looked over Thax quickly and noticed a few wounds, none of them serious. If Max tended to them now he could preserve those pretty scales that adorned the Lizardfolk. With apprehension and exhaustion, Max reached over and tended to the wounds with magic.

"Stay still. You took a few bumps and bruises not to mention a few cuts. When I'm done you'll be right as rain. But this secret stays between us buddy ok?"

Thax had wide eyes as he stared, watching as the wounds closed up, the bleeding stopped and every semblance of damage was undone. Sure healing magic was useful but throwing it around was the equivalent of playing Tennis with a hand grenade. After a few minutes, Max and Thax were back to moderate strength considering the drawn-out battle with the ever recovering Zombies. Soon after reprising themselves, the duo went back to the site, Thax mentioning that they needed evidence of the slaughter and victory. Their wounds that no longer existed wouldn't be evidence enough, they had to produce something from the creatures to lay claim to their food, payment, and right in the village.

The act of gathering the remains was easier said than done due to the unfortunate fact of Max's little stunt, scattering, charring, and almost fully erasing the evidence of their bout. Thax was skilled at finding pieces of remains to take back since Max's 'Animal Instincts' didn't take into account for a stupid stunt like that even if instincts willed him to do so.

"Thax, what's your favorite food? Also, thank you for saving my life but please don't think that our lips locking meant anything. But thanks for saving my life... I just don't feel that way about you?"

"M-Max isn't friend? B-But Thax likes Max as friend and fighting! I save your life and because our lips touched you not want to be friends?!"

Well, that went badly as Max groaned and shook his head, rubbing his temples as he takes a deep breath and sighs.

"No, I meant I think of us as friends but nothing more than friends, honestly you're the first person I've fought so closely with and I think you're fun! But beyond that I think isn't gonna work..."

Max wasn't really sure what the Lizardfolk word was or anything similar. Sure Max had thought of finding that special someone and getting married, settling down, and all of that but now? He didn't want all of that now...

"Mates? N-No, Thax likes Max as friends but Thax not know you like that. Am flattered! Sure I like your warmth and it's weird hearing such a loud heartbeat but for now, Max is friend."

Did Max just get friend-zoned? He was so confused as his head ached and he simply just huffed as he slowly kept walking since Thax had caused him to question his own abilities to socially interact with people when not making a sale.

"Chicken, Thax's favorite kind of meat is chickens..."

Max noted the comment as he nodded. As of now Max lacked a favorite food as he huffed and continued on. After an hour or so they made their way to the village, going up the ramps and slipping past the gates. Max once again saw all of the people, each of them doing something different as each had a different job to tend to.

"Max, we need to talk about your stay here. Thax, go get food and armor for Max, keep your hands off people and what not please."

Max saw the Dragon Tortise and nodded, walking towards the massive man who carried age. He was the elder of this village and seemed that his word was law, but just what law was he about to speak? Max was standing before the Tortise as a large hand gently was placed on his shoulder.

"You best leave this place. Some of the villagers are getting restless, talking about how they hear your heart whilst sleeping, swearing that hunger is swelling in them. I know what I ask is much but for your safety is what I seek, your being is beyond this world and destined for great things."

Max gulped, looking at the hand then the Tortise. He felt his ears ring and his sight shifted from one of kindness but rage. He was enjoying his time here and now asked to leave due to the hunger within the Lizardfolk. They lacked the strength and resolve to fight their instincts unlike Max who used his own but didn't always let them overpower him.

The Tortise seemed a bit shaken by the glare, gulping as his wise eyes seemed to fear something within the boy. Max pushed the hand off him as he gave a bestial growl, jaw clenched as his hands clenched into fists as his knuckles popped.

"My friend, one of your own is capable of controlling their instincts and aiding me in combat. From looks alone, you're a fearsome beast who like metal has turned to rust from former glory. I will leave but know I will advise all those I cross to avoid this place due to the gnashing fangs of beasts incapable of keeping their maws from devouring flesh!"

Max pushed past the elder, not caring one bit about the damn warning but he knew his time here was limited. He could feel sets of reptilian eyes on him as he quickly began to gather his things, not stopping by Thax to say goodbye. He saddled up Midnight and threw everything together before saddling up.

Thax was approaching the stables where grandpa had said he watched Max go. He did his best to dodge as many people as possible, not wanting to make the people who already despised him angy. He had always been viewed as a nuisance by the village, his parents passing shortly after his birth due to his curse but the elder had raised him, taught him and that was his grandfather. Thax's only family was the old Dragon Tortise that had taken him under his shell, promising that he'd be the burrow of safety for the young snake.

The stables came into view as Thax held a plate of food and two sets of armor, deciding to actually clothe himself for once in the name of comradery with Max seeing as the two would have a matching set. Suddenly the blur of black seemingly jumped the gate of the stable as Thax watched, recognizing the purple cloak of Max atop the back of the horse as it sped down the ramp and off into the distance. Before his very eyes Thax watched as the only thing he had in the world suddenly sped off without a word. His first and only friend, leaving without so much as a goodbye or a note.

Max's escape had not gone unnoticed as everyone had witnessed the blur of black as anger began to rise within the village as Thax clutched the spare set of armor, eyes full of tears as he sobbed out in pain and ache as the scaled hand of the elder embraced the serpent into a loving hug as he gently hushed the boy the best he could. Inver's heart ached for his pupil, sorrow overwhelming him as he pulled away and looked to Thax.

"Thax, there was nothing we could do to keep him here. That boy has greatness to him like you that has yet been realized and staying here was a death sentence to not only himself but that destiny..."

Thax pulled from his grandfather and ran towards his hut, unable to catch his breath as he was once again alone in the village full of hate and a glimmer of hope had escaped his grasp. Well into the night he sobbed and all was well in the village, all but the hungry beasts full of outrage that their prey had escaped and they had a person to blame. Inver.