Lin had fallen. Sarzar was up. And the entire town feared what would happen if Sarzar won the encounter.
Sarzar was blue lightning now. His entire body, was shining, emitting a large amount of light. His eyes were glowing red, ready to literally charge at them.
Sarzar stepped his foot once, and the entire Earth under him felt the force. Max noticed this and braced for impact. But instead, Sarzar stopped in his tracks.
Sarzar: No...it can't be!! I lost power this fast?? No..no..nooooooooooo!!!!
Sarzar screamed on top of his voice, desperately trying to hold on to himself. His arms clenched around his own body, as if he were trying to hold himself down. The electricity of his body was more shapeless than before, as it had an unstable effect on his body. With each and every cackle, he was losing his power. And with one final scream, Sarzar exploded.
The sonic boom due to that, shattered nearby windows. The smoke made it hard for anyone to see. Milly would've been pierced by a bunch of shards if not for Sigurd, who protected her. Her parents came to her rush too.
Sarzar was gone. Max and Albert stood back to back, with Albert raising his sword. Max clenched his left arm and activated his eyes. A slight breeze complimented the tension in the air. The duo stood there, anticipating an attack out of nowhere. Yet, nothing happened.
Max and Albert waited for more than thirty seconds, but Sarzar never returned.
Max: Wait....did we just win?? That easily..?
Albert was confused too. The crowd around them were still terrified, but seeing them slightly lowering their guards, the crowd couldn't hold it back anymore. Everyone started cheering and laughing. Some were even crying out of hapiness. Some thanked them from afar, some even bowed down to show their respect.
Albert then suddenly heard a man coughing. Albert immediately recognized that hurt cough. Both Max and Albert turned to Lin who was still ok the ground. Ma had assumed that he would still make it, since he had insane durability. He also thought Lin could somehow tank a lightning bolt. But unfortunately, he was wrong. The Lin he thought would get up, was still on the ground, his mouth filled with bubbles, his eyes shut, and his body shaking with pain. He was going through palpitations.
Max: Quick!! Make him hold some metal!!
Albert: What?
Max: Fast!!
They both ran to their fallen comrade and Albert gave the hilt of his Kukri blade to Lin. He forced Lin to hold it tightly. Lin continued shaking, as Max gave him the metallic Transponder to his other hand. Eventually Lin, stopped his fits and the gurgling in his mouth stopped.
Max: Oh my God!! Did he just die..???
Max was freaked out that Lin passed away, but Albert shook his head.
Albert: No...I can still hear his heartbeat...it's coming back to normalcy...slowly.
Max sighed in relief.
Albert: Why did you ask me to put something metallic to him..?
Max: It's a little trick I learnt from someone back in my day.
That someone was Vaishaali. She used to say that making a person going through fits hold iron or metal stuff can stop it. Although she did say she saw it in a movie, and personally hadn't tested it out. Max was glad it worked.
Lin coughed again, spewing out blood, alarming both Max and his trustworthy Samurai.
Max then noticed the severe burns on his body, due to him eating that lightning attack from up close. He had lots of cuts and was bleeding. He was still burnt to the heat, and Max and Albert carried him to the ocean water and dipped him, thinking it would ease him. But Lin just screamed.
Lin: Ooowwwww...What the hell are you guys doing?? Ow ow ow.!!
Max immediately pulled him out. Smoke still came out of him, due to being submerged in water earlier, and he looked like he was in even more pain. He was still bleeding.
Lin: Salt just went into my wounds dumbasses!! Ow ow..
Lin was struggling to maintain his balance, while Max realised that their decision to dip him in the ocean was stupid.
Max: Still we need to patch you up...we need to go to Melissa!!
Lin: What...no!! I'm fine...!
Lin continued talking yet started losing consciousness. As he was about hit the floor, Albert caught him and Lin returned to reality.
Albert: You shouldn't really lie about that...you will die...
Lin: As if....you care...nobody cares...no one will..
Lin was in a half dazed state, having no control over his words. Albert immediately carried him on his back and got up. Max took the Transponder and switched it on.
Max: Melissa!! Come in, Melissa!!
Melissa's voice came out from the other end after a few seconds.
Melissa: Max? Anything happened?
Max: You are still at Old Man Higurashi's house right??
Melissa: Yes...I am..we are just standing out though..so they won't be able to hear us...why...what happened??
Max: I'll let you know as soon as I get there. Stay there! Don't go anywhere...Lin needs some emergency treatment! Albert and Max started running to them.
Chuck then talked over the Transponder.
Chuck: Alright guys. You don't know the route to the house from where we split. I'll have my fireflies guide you!
Max: Thanks, Chuck!! I owe you one!
Max and Albert were running, with the Samurai carrying the almost unconscious Lin. He ws mumbling something in a drunken state.
Lin: I ...am..strong....dad knows it...you....no...do not kill my mom..please! Please..!! Oh...
Max: What is he even talking about??!
Albert: Looks like our friend here has a sad story..
As they ran past Sigurd's delicacies, they saw the Chef standing in front of it. Max stopped next to him, and even though he was in an hurry he met the chef, and handed him the Transponder.
Sigurd: What..?
Max: If that guy ever comes back...press this thing and say it! It will let me know, and I will come back to make sure he is gone..
Sigurd nodded. Milly stood next to him too. Max looked at her and gave her a warm smile, and patted her head. And then took off, meeting Albert on the way.
They both finally reached the place where they had split up. When they entered the area, they saw a huge amount of fireflies leading them inside, as if making a way. Max and Albert followed it and finally found a house, hundred meters away from them. Melissa and Chuck were waiting for them. Upon seeing them Chuck closed his book. Albert went directly to Melissa and slowly dropped Lin down, and Melissa quickly went to stitch his wounds.
Chuck ran to Max.
Chuck: You have three sisters, right?
Max was astounded, that he asked that. He was expecting him to ask about what happened but Chuck did something unexpected.
Max: Yeah...I have three..
Chuck: Can you tell me their first and middle names..??
Max: Why ??
Chuck: Just say it!!
Max: Umm...Alicia Janus, Katherine Terra and Denise Venuvian...we all share the last name Steefan.
Chuck: Then who is Sachika Uedo Steefan..?
Max: Who..?