It appeared as of time had stopped. Nobody moved an inch from where they were. Everyone was completely still. Everyone except the trio at the table that is. Sigurd slowly turned his head go see the confused costumers and gently placed his hand on Max's shoulder.
Sigurd: Please...don't move...
The three of them didn't get it, but obliged their host's request that he uttered in a slow whisper. That was probably to make sure the lightning guy to not notice.
Max slowly tilted his head to the right and looked out of the huge glass window. Directly ahead was the man in black and yellow outfit. He had huge silver metallic gloves and could see yellow coloured electric signals passing through it. He had incredibly short hair and had a stern look in his eye. He had a round face, marked with a horizontal scar on his right cheek. He wore what appeared to be black armour, over his yellow cloth undersuit.
Unbeknownst to the trio, this man was an Ameliorate. His name was Sarzar. And he was here only for one thing.
Sarzar: Well, well, well.....look at the obedience.
He walked to the nearest person, who was a man in his thirties. The man appeared frozen, but not due to the stoppage of time, but of fear. Every single person in the town were struck with fear and dared not go move in his presence.
Max: Who is he...??
Sigurd: That is Sarzar. Do not worry...he will be gone soon...just please do not move
Max asked him with a quiet whisper, matching Sigurd's earlier tone.
The man beside Sarzar was sweating immensely, trying so hard to maintain his composure. He big his teeth tightly together, and clenched himself. As he stood still, Sarzar checked him out, walking around him.
Sarzar: Brilliant!!! Last year, you were very inefficient...but look at you NOW!!! You've grown up in such a short time!!
Sarzar looked genuinely proud at his motionless partner. He patted his back twice and changed his direction. He looked at everyone at the street and appeared disappointed.
Sarzar: Well...looks like all of you are shocked...did I interrupt something?? Well...sorry for that...I somehow woke up earlier than scheduled...hahahahhahaahah
Sarzar's laughed echoed through the silent street. Max clenched his fist, knowing that the man outside was evil. He wanted to get over there and act, but his wounds hadn't healed. Albert was the same. Lin however was alright, but Max didn't know if he could handle a guy who came at the speed of light. So, Max decided in his mind that they would sit still until the man would go away.
Sigurd bent slightly to whisper to Max.
Sigurd: I know you want to move, but trust me please don't. That man is an Ameliorate. Even though you are outsiders, you know what that means right? I don't want you to die...
As soon as Max found out that Sarzar was an Ameliorate, he clenched his fists. He wanted to punch that man to death. The tension in the air was recognized by both Lin and Albert, who had overheard the whispers.
Sarzar was still outside looking at all the people around him. He looked even more disappointed than he already was.
Sarzar: Maannn...no good catches bere lately..
He slowly walked to the restaurant they were seated at. He then looked at the sign that said "Sigurd's Delicacies".
Sarzar: Sigurd...Sigurd....hmm...I feel like I remember him..
He placed his palm on the glass door and electricity shot out through his palms, destroying the door. Sarzar walked into the restaurant and looked around until his eyes met that if Sigurd's.
Sarzar: Ooooh!! Sigurd!! The chef!!! I remember you now!! You opened this last year..right??
Sigurd stood silently, a single drop of sweat falling to the floor.
Sarzar: Speak! When you are spoken to!
Sarzar commanded him angrily. Sarzar bowed again, scared for his life.
Sigurd: Yes....Master.
Sarzar smiled and looked around. He then pulled out a sheet of paper hiding in his armour. It was a lost of names.
Sarzar; You!! Chef! This year it will be your job to get me everyone. I need to see every single person from last year...and you know what's gonna happen if you don't, right??
Sigurd: Y'yes, Master...but many have also perished in the last year.
Sarzar: K don't care...get me the proofs of their death...or you will pay...
Sarzar looked annoyed and he threw the papers on Sigurd's face. Sigurd bent down to pick up the papers, while he still looked full of himself.
Sarzar: And while you are at it, get me something to eat!!
Sigurd: Yes, M-Master...!
Sigurd stuttered as he collected the pages of names hurriedly, while Sarzar just looked around, until he saw the table to his right. His eyes' widened.
Sarzar: Ob my!! Such a beauty!!
Sarzar looked directly at the eight year old girl seated across Max and the duo. She was with her parents, silently abiding what Sarzar bad stated. But her face instantly changed when she realized that Sarzar kneeled, right next to her. His breath was now felt by the little girl.
Sarzar: Oh my, how cute...if I remember right, you are Milly right??
Milly, the girl, silently nodded, still struck with absolute fear. Sarzar just smiled at her.
Sarzar: I see....you've become so pretty!! How about it!! You just became my new wife!!
Lin squinted his eye, extremely grossed out by his words. Max's mind was thrown in a frenzy. He was desperately controlling himself from going into a fight, that would injure him more. After all, he was a selfish person. But he had a moral compass.
Sarzar just grabbed Milly's arm and dragged her out of her chair. Milly immediately started crying and tried grabbing on to the table. Her mom immediately teared up and moved. Sarzar was about to leave with the screaming child, but was stopped by the mom falling to his feet, grabbing it.
Sarzar, still annoyed, looked down at the adult mom..
Mom: Please...please let go of her..I humbly beg you please...she is just eight!!
Sarzar: So..? I'm about eight hundred years old...why would I care??
Sarzar had a plain expression on his face. He tightened his grip on Milly's wrist and the poor helpless girl screamed in pain, tears falling off her cheeks.
Sarzar: And...did i ask you to move...woman??!
Sarzar was immediately angry at her. Sigurd saw it from the kitchen. He started moving towards the Ameliorate, but then a glass shattered on the floor. Sarzar heard the sound and looked ahead. There was a man, wearing gloves, with long, black hair, with a white patch, staring back at him. Max was pissed, his blue eyes glowing with rage.
Sarzar: Oh my, my!! You look new!! Damn, i guess no one taught you the rules...do not worry, child...i will give you one chance..
Sarzar shut his eyes, continuing his speech.
Sarzar: I'm just afraid to say that you are hereby not allowed to leave this town ever. Please state me your name. And also let me -
Before Sarzar could finish his sentence, time stopped for him. He felt a huge impact on his right cheek and as soon as he opened his eyes, he saw a black fist filled with stars punching his jaw.
The force of the punch was so immense that it knocked Sarzar's teeth off. Blood spewed out from his mouth as he let go of the girl's wrist. The punch knocked him out of the restaurant and broke the window and fell on the concrete floor outside.
Sarzar grunted in pain, blood still overflowing from the huge bruise on his face. He was dumbfounded and even though he was lightning itself, he didn't know what had happened to him. He turned to look at the restaurant's huge broken glass window. Max appeared from the huge hole in the wall, brushing aside the glass.
Sarzar: Wh- what..? Who...are...
Max: Oh shut up, insect!! I'm done worrying about my safety..
Max was angry. The entire town was shocked to see their captor getting hit. Sigurd dropped the papers again, in complete shock. Milly bad stopped crying and stared in awe at the man who just saved her.
Someone gently patted her head. She immediately turned to look at the man in a hat, wearing a blindfold. He walked towards Max, followed by Lin.
Max: I'm sorry..but we are taking him down...any objections??
Lin pulled out both his Kukri blades out and stood beside him on the right. On his left, Albert unsheathed the Excalibur. The Blessed Artifact shined with the sunlight hitting it.
Lin: I don't have any objections with that. This guy is creepy, even for me.
Albert: But we need to be careful....he is still an Ameliorate.
Max: Do not worry. I ain't some honorable guy to go one on one. All three of us are fighting him. It's not about power. We need to finish this quick. I'm still starving..
Sarzar coughed up some blood and looked absolutely shocked at the men before him.
Sarzar: I am an Amleiorate!! And you said what??
Max: I guess you didn't hear me the first time. So let me make it clear. We are gonna kill you. Just like what I did to the last Ameliorate we came across.