Mourning for the Lost

Max woke up after a peaceful sleep. He looked around the room, feeling a strange feeling inside his heart but he paid it no mind after a while as he knew what he had to do today,

He got up from his comfortable bed and refreshed himself. He went back into his room and looked at the corner of his room where a silver spear could be seen. It was Jericho's spear which he took with him after clearing the dungeon two days ago, the one that helped him kill the mutated Ghoul that acted as the Boss of the Low-Tiered Dungeon.

On Max's face could be seen sadness as he recalled the events. He didn't want anyone to die and even though life was unpredictable he thought that his comrades losing their lives would be just pointless. If only he would've been stronger. He wouldn't have a reason to die then.

He took the spear and inspected it for a while, remembering Jericho for the past few years. It was truly a shame, a talented person to die because of the incompetence of others.

He lowered the spear. he wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. He got out of his house, passing his mother and his father which was saying his goodbyes to his family. He also had to go back to the academy for now.

Igor saw his son distracted, or better to call it.. focused on something else, so he did not want to interrupt him, he was happy that at least he wasn't searching for the shield from yesterday.

His mother, Amaya, stopped by her husband didn't stop Max or didn't even talk to him. She could see it on his face. He was sad, but he was disappointed at the same time, disappointment which filled rage inside him. She wanted to help him but she wasn't allowed to, she could only stay put and watch.

"I-I'm going out..." Max said with a gloomy voice as he saw his parents staring at him while he was closing the door.

Outside it was warm as always, a perfect day as Max would describe it, but as Max took a different route than before he wasn't feeling happy and cheerful as always... he wasn't looking around the village, checking on the children that were currently playing around.

He finally reached what seemed to be his destination. He examined the door, and above the wooden house, two words on a wooden board could be read. 'William Family'

Sniffing could be picked up by Max which was concentrating on his hearing. His eyes reddened. He was so sorry... With shaky hands, he knocked on the door after placing Jerichos Spear right in front of the door.

He ran as a final tear fell down from his pale face. The wails of grief stopped as soon as the sound of knocking was heard. Stumbling could be heard as a mother, red-eyed and obviously tired, opened the door. She looked around and as she spotted no one she broke down crying once again. She thought that her Jericho came back, he was just a little late than the others.

She began sobbing, not bothering to close the door or even move from the spot she kneeled on. After a few seconds a thick arm softly appeared on her shoulder, it massaged her as in trying to comfort the broken mother. It was Jericho's father, which could also be seen possessing a pair of red eyes. He embraced his lover that was kneeling on the ground, and at that moment he saw what was placed on their doorstep.

He instantly got up, a bit startled by his finding, even stumbling backward a few steps. "Em! L-look! On the doorstep!" He said while pointing a shaky finger towards the doorstep.

Emily, or Em as her husband called her, began settling down and as she looked towards the doorstep where a well-known item was placed.

***

Max began walking towards his home one again. He heard the cries of the mother when she opened the door but her son wasn't there. He felt sad but didn't glance back.

While walking he glanced around, inspecting his surroundings which brightened his mood by a little. He heard birds chirping and the wind flowing along the treetops, the atmosphere around him was calm but he felt sad. He didn't want this to happen, but he couldn't stop it either.

He clenched his teeth in anger, both for the idiocy Eric presented and both for him thinking that his powers were enough.

Walking towards his home he felt unquestionably angry inside but he didn't let it show it on the outside. All you could see that could signify his anger would be the resolute face he had along with his clenched fists.

He reached the doorstep of his house, he inhaled and exhaled deeply as he was starting to calm himself. He didn't want to show his anger to his mother, which would only get worried as she wouldn't understand her son.

He opened the door after a while of staring at the door, and as he entered an alluring feeling crept into his mind. He remembered this feeling when he had woken up but it was suppressed by what he had already decided to do when he woke up, but now, amplified by his anger and need for strength, he felt a strange feeling a lot more clear, as if he was called by someone... by something.

He looked around his house, and as he approached a specific door he felt the feeling getting stronger. 'Power!' Max thought and as he put his hand on the doorknob an alarmed and demanding voice was heard.

"MAX!" His mother called for him panicked as she saw him. 'How does he know where it is?' He couldn't understand it but Max didn't stop. He grabbed the knob and as he almost opened the door his mother ran to him and grabbed both of his arms.

"Max, please stop" Max heard his mother's low voice. He jerked his head towards his right and saw his mother almost crying.

"Wh-What is happening?" Max confused asked his mother.