Chapter 8

As dawn's light crept over Bear Island, the stark reality of the night's battle became painfully clear. Eddard Stark stood amidst the ruins, surveying the scene with a heavy heart. Smoke curled upwards from smoldering buildings, and the air was thick with the acrid stench of burning wood and flesh. The once-proud keep of House Mormont lay in shambles, its defenses shattered, and its courtyards littered with the fallen.

Men moved through the wreckage, their faces grim and pale. Stark's forces, though victorious, were not unscathed. Bodies of friends and foes alike lay strewn across the blood-soaked ground. The northern lords moved among the dead, the weight of their losses pressing down upon them.

"My lord," called out a voice, breaking Eddard's somber reverie. It was Lord Karstark, his armor battered and stained. "The devastation is immense. Our men fought bravely, but the toll was high."

Eddard nodded, his eyes lingering on the shattered remains of Mormont Keep. "We did what we had to, for the North," he said, though his voice was heavy with regret. "But we cannot ignore the destruction we have wrought. Bear Island will take years to recover from this."

"The boy, Maximus," Karstark continued, "they say he escaped with some of his kin. They rode a beast of bone and shadow, summoned by dark magic."

Eddard's expression hardened. "I do not believe he survived. Send word to the other houses. Maximus Mormont is now dead."

 .......

The flight continued through the night, the Kaithe guided by Ordis's unwavering precision. The horizon began to lighten with the first rays of dawn, bringing with it the promise of a new beginning.

Maximus stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open. "Ordis... are we safe?"

"Yes, Operator. We are on course. You need to rest and recover," Ordis replied.

Maximus nodded weakly, feeling a sense of relief. Despite the horrors they had witnessed and the losses they had suffered, they were alive. And as long as they lived, there was hope for the future.

As the sun rose higher, casting its warm light on their journey, Maximus tightened his grip on the reins. The path ahead was uncertain, but he was determined to face it. With Dacey and Lyanna at his side, and Ordis as his guide, they would find a way to rebuild and reclaim their future.

Maximus was lost in thought, the rhythmic flight of the Kaithe providing a momentary respite from the chaos that had engulfed his life. His mind wandered over the events of the past hours, the devastation he had witnessed, and the weight of responsibility now resting on his young shoulders.

"Maximus," Ordis interrupted his musings, "I have a call from ROB."

 ......

The scene around Maximus changed abruptly. He found himself back in the study, the same high seat and form of ROB seated before him. The air was thick with an unsettling presence.

With a snap of ROB's fingers, Maximus was suddenly sitting in a chair, a large screen materializing in front of him. ROB now took on a form composed of female void energy, swirling and shimmering. "Well, well, well," ROB began, her tone casual yet laced with an edge. "You thought you could just play this game without consequences, didn't you? Life isn't a game, Maximus. It's a lot messier."

Maximus felt a shiver of anger and fear run down his spine. ROB leaned back, a smirk playing on her face. "Looks like you need a little push. Motivation, ambition, drive—you're lacking, kid."

ROB snapped her fingers again, and the screen flickered to life. "Watch. You might like it."

Maximus watched as a world resembling Pokémon appeared on the screen, bustling with life in a huge city. Children and adults moved about, Pokémon battles took place, and life seemed vibrant and full. Suddenly, cracks began to appear in the ground and buildings, spreading rapidly.

Panic erupted as people and Pokémon alike screamed and tried to flee. The ground split open, swallowing entire streets. Skyscrapers toppled, crushing those below. Maximus could feel their fear, their desperation. It was as if their emotions were bleeding through the screen, reaching out to him.

Within minutes, the entire world started to fall apart, breaking into fragments in a dramatic cascade of destruction. People clung to each other, their faces twisted in terror. Pokémon roared in confusion and fear, unable to save their human companions. The sky darkened as the very fabric of the world unraveled.

Just as abruptly, ROB poked a vacuum cleaner into the screen. The device started sucking the fragments in, the world being swallowed piece by piece. Maximus could feel the lingering echoes of their fear and helplessness, a haunting reminder of what was at stake.

ROB then pulled out an orb from the machine, labeling it "Pokémon-69." Endless shelves materialized around them, filled with orbs. ROB placed the Pokémon orb on a shelf next to others labeled with various names: a blue Jupiter-looking planet with moons labeled "Blue Monkeys-18," another resembling Earth labeled "H-0-G." Maximus strained to read more, but the shelves seemed endless and incomprehensible.

"Well," ROB began, her tone shifting to a more serious note, "the initial form of the universe is a blank void. But chaos was born, bringing in worlds and beings. Slowly, the universe tries to revert to void, and we strive to prevent that by ensuring chaos."

ROB's void form glowed brighter. "I sent someone to that Pokémon world. She was too much of a goody two-shoes to ensure chaos, and the world paid the price. You too, Max. I was in your place eons ago, heard the same speech after my first failure. I don't think you would make it to my place, or maybe you would surpass me—who knows?"

She opened her palm, revealing three faint, indistinct figures. Maximus squinted, his heart skipping a beat as he began to recognize them. His family.

"Recognize them?" ROB asked, her voice almost playful. "You want them back? Impress me, and maybe—just maybe—I'll send them to you in one piece. Not only your family, even the world is at stake. Those half-bright fools are playing a dangerous game."

Maximus's mind reeled, the weight of ROB's words pressing down on him.

"But I'm feeling generous today. Here's another deal," ROB continued, her tone lightening just a bit. "This will be the second and last time we talk for a while. Bring me the faith of the world. I'll stop those fools and make it interesting along the way, with some spices dropped in. Can't make it too easy for you now can I?"

Maximus's eyes widened. "And what's the catch?"

"The catch?" ROB laughed. "The catch is simple. You'll be promoting the void god Sthira. Ensure the faith shifts, and I'll throw in your old orbiter. Stationary, of course, with a card and maybe a surprise in your inventory. Drop it, and you'll see a ship there, part of the deal."

Maximus felt a mixture of hope and dread. The stakes were higher than he had ever imagined.

"Remember, Maximus," ROB said, her voice softening but still carrying a menacing undertone, "use this wisely. You're playing a high-stakes game now."

With that, the vision faded, and Maximus found himself back on the Kaithe, the wind whipping around him. His resolve hardened. The path ahead was fraught with peril, but he had been given the tools to navigate it. He would reclaim his home, protect his family, and face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Maximus sat in silence, his mind reeling from the message from ROB. He felt a mix of hope and dread, realizing the gravity of the deal he had just been offered.

"Ordis," Maximus began, trying to steady his voice, "what's in my inventory now?"

"Operator, you have two new items in your inventory," Ordis responded. "One is a card for the orbiter, and the other is for some unknown magic that I cannot analyze."

His thoughts briefly turned to the drones he had sent out to map Westeros. He had been caught off guard during the attack, with his surveillance network stretched thin, leaving him vulnerable and unprepared for the ambush.

Maximus nodded, taking a deep breath. "Alright, Ordis. What's the status on the drones? How's our progress?"

"The mapping is complete," Ordis replied. "There is a plotted path to the Skagos islands. Given the current circumstances, it may be wise to consider heading there. It could serve as a base to rebuild and perhaps even hide your orbiter."

Maximus considered this. "Display the map, Ordis."

A holographic map appeared before him, detailing the known regions of Westeros. Maximus studied it intently. Rather than heading directly south, he decided to take a detour towards Skagos. It was remote enough to offer safety and a fresh start.

"Ordis, plot the route to Skagos," Maximus commanded.

"Calculating route," Ordis responded. After a few moments, he continued, "Based on current food reserves, we will need to make a stop near Karhold, the seat of House Karstark, to restock supplies."

Maximus agreed. "Alright, we'll head to Karhold first."

.....

The journey through the Wolfswood was grueling. They traveled by night to avoid detection and rested during the day. The dense forest provided some cover, but the constant vigilance wore on them. Maximus kept a close watch on Dacey and Lyanna, ensuring their safety and well-being. Ordis guided the Kaithe with unerring precision, plotting a course through the most secluded paths.

Days turned into nights, and the nights stretched into an unending journey. The children, though resilient, were weary and frightened. Maximus did his best to comfort them, though his own heart was heavy with worry and sorrow. The thought of Maege's death haunted him, driving him forward with a grim determination.

As they continued their journey, Dacey broke the silence. "Maximus, you never told us about the gifts. How did you come by such power?"

Maximus glanced at the children, their wide eyes filled with curiosity. He decided it was time to reveal more about his past. "The Void God,Sthira" he began, "is a being of immense power, one who brings balance to the worlds. It offers gifts to those who seek to restore equilibrium."

Lyanna, her voice small and trembling, asked, "What kind of balance?"

Maximus thought for a moment. "Imagine a world teetering on the brink of destruction. The Void God steps in to set things right. Sometimes, this means great sacrifices. There was a man once, named Thanos. He believed that to save his world, half of its population needed to be sacrificed. It was a terrible choice, but he did it to save the rest."

Dacey looked intrigued. "And did it work?"

Maximus nodded. "In a way, it did. The world flourished, resources were abundant, and there was peace. But it came at a great cost. Thanos was both a hero and a villain, misunderstood by many, yet his actions saved countless lives."

The children were silent for a moment, absorbing the tale. Then Lyanna whispered, "Will we see Mother again?"

Dacey, trying to comfort her, said, "Of course, Lyanna. She's watching over us."

Maximus knelt down, looking Lyanna in the eyes. "Your mother fought bravely. She died protecting us. But she will always be with you, watching over you from the Void."

Lyanna's eyes filled with tears, but she nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. Maximus hugged her tightly, feeling the weight of his promise to protect them.

Eventually, they neared the outskirts of Karhold. Maximus found a secluded cave to hide Dacey and Lyanna. "Stay here," he instructed them. "I'll be back soon with food and supplies."

He made his way to a nearby village, hoping to blend in and gather what they needed. The inn was bustling with activity, and Maximus slipped inside, pulling his hood low over his face.

As he approached the bar, he heard the bard strumming a lute, preparing to sing. The room quieted as the bard began:

"In the shadow of the North,

where the ice winds blow,

A tale of treachery and dark magic flows.

A boy of Bear Island,

lost in madness and despair,

Summoned dark forces,

the truth laid bare.

The noble Starks stood strong and true,

Against the Mormont's darkened hue.

With courage and honor,

they fought the blight,

While shadows danced in the pale moonlight.

A deal with devils,

a pact with the night,

The boy's wrath unleashed a terrible sight.

Though many fell to his cursed hand,

The brave Starks held fast, defended their land.

Golgotha's aid brought the dawn,

As Mormont's forces were overdrawn.

Though the child sought vengeance with desperate might,

The North prevailed,

restoring the light.

And so we sing of the brave and the bold,

Of Stark men whose hearts were cold.

The Mormont boy,

now gone and dead,

His dark ambition stained in red."

The room erupted in applause, but Maximus felt a cold dread settle in his chest. The song painted him as a monster, a boy who had forsaken honor and family for dark power. It claimed he was dead, his forces eradicated, leaving only the noble Starks standing victorious.

Maximus clenched his fists, the words stinging like a thousand blades. He knew now how the North saw him, and the magnitude of the challenge he faced. But he also knew he had to survive, for Dacey, for Lyanna, and for his family.

With a renewed sense of purpose, he quietly gathered the supplies he needed and slipped out of the inn, determined to continue his journey. The path ahead was fraught with peril, but Maximus vowed he would find a way to rebuild and reclaim what was his.