BLOOD SAMURAI

THE STORY OF THE BANDIT KING PART 3 (THE BIRTH OF A KING)

"Maxwell," John called out to Maxwell as he leave. Maxwell turned to face John. "Go to the center of the forest. There is an old tree stump. There, I left something for you." remarked John. "For me?" replied Maxwell. "Yes, I think you will need it," remarked John. "Thank you," replied Maxwell as he left. I Maxwell reached the center of the forest. He saw the stump with something wrapped in cloth on top of it. Maxwell picked up the item and unwrapped it. It was a sword, a unique one at that. The blade of the sword was black and silver. Curved in design, with the base of the blade being its widest point as it narrows down to the tip of the blade.

The handle of the sword was iron with gold wrapped around it. The gold had animals engraved in it. Maxwell only recognized the animals from the stories John told him about his homeland. He can recognize the lion, elephant, and zebra. As Maxwell examined the sword, he saw a piece of paper attached to it. Opening the paper, he saw a note which read:" To you, Maxie, you have come so far from when I found you. You grew into such a fine warrior and young man and for that, I give you this sword which was given to me when I became chief of my village and now it. Is yours, my son. Reading this, tears began running down Maxwell's face and fall on the paper, causing the ink to run. Maxwell quickly wiped his face, more determined than ever, and continued with his mission.

For the next sixty days and nights, Maxwell traveled across the lands, encountering and fighting many creatures. From swamp goblins with their red eyes and slime green skin and aggressive personalities.To monstrous Trolls in blizzard storms who hate a craving for human meat, and use their ability to mimic human speak to lure people to their deaths. He even encounters the rare and even more so powerful desert cyclops whose piercing black eye can turn people into sand. But even with all those encounters and battles on the sixty-first day, he arrived at the base of the mountain where the weapon was, according to the map.

The only problem is that the weapon was in a cave at the peak of the mountain, which was so tall it looked like the mountain pierced the heavens. Maxwell made a deep sigh and proceed up the mountain. After a week off, climbing, he had reached the peak of the mountain and saw the cave. As he walked through the cave, he saw a massive door with two handprints engraved on it. Maxwell tried to push them open, but it was too heavy. Confused about how to enter, he placed his on the engraved handprints. A sharp and piercing pain shot through his two hands as he pulled away from his hand. Blood started dripping from them. As he looked at the doors he can see his blood travel through the doors in some sort of pattern then vanish. Suddenly a loud bang could be heard throughout the mountain and the doors opened. Still confused but very determined to complete his mission Maxwell wrapped up his hands and entered through the doors. On the other side of the cave, Maxwell was in shock, the was beautiful with rare gemstones littering the entire cave from top to bottom.

Walking through the cave Maxwell continued to look around with excitement and joy as he saw things he was sure no one saw people. Rare weapons and tools as far as the eye can see. He even passed a giant statue of a dragon with wings. At the end of the cave, he saw two statues of men and in the hands of the statues, he found what he was looking for all these years. In one of the statues was a pair of gauntlets and in the other statues hands was a giant ax. Just by looking and the weapons something in Maxwell's heart told him these were what he was looking for. As he walked towards his goal he step on a floor panel that sank to the ground. Behind he could the rumbling of something huge. Maxwell turned around to his what was once a statue of a dragon turned into a living one. As the stone fell over the dragon Maxwell could see that the dragon had blue scales and dark green eyes.

Its claws were long and gold in color and it had a silver crown-like structure on its head. The dragon finished shook off the remaining rumble and turned to Maxwell. "What are you doing here?" asked the dragon. "I came to claim what belongs to me" replied Maxwell as he points to the direction of the two statues. "You may be of his blood but your heart is not pure, it is filled with revenge and hatred you can not have those weapons." remarked the dragon." And who going to stop me?" asked Maxwell. "I Domonmo will not allow you to take anything here leave now or die." proclaimed the dragon furiously trying to get Maxwell to leave.

"I am not going anywhere without those weapons" replied Maxwell. The dragon shook his head, "There you have chosen death, my child" replied the dragon as it began attacking Maxwell as it breathe fire towards him. The flames of the dragon were beautiful as it was purplish-red in color but it was deadly to the touch as they instantly melted the statues holding the weapons. Maxwell dodge the flames and drew the sword John had given him. The dragon roared with such might that it shook the entire mountain as if the mountain was at the mercy of the dragon. The dragon continued its attacks as Maxwell hide behind a rock. As the rock began melting Maxwell pulled out a knife and threw it at the dragon which only caused the blade of the knife to break as the dragon's scale was tough.

The dragon laughed, "You have taken my offer when you had the chance, boy" proclaimed the dragon as Maxwell ran around frantically as he dodged flames and looked for an opening to attack. Out powered Maxwell, decided to run headfirst into the dragon and try to stab him with his sword. Maxwell took off with blazing speeding dodging the flames of the dragon, Maxwell then thrust his sword into the dragon's stomach stabbing him. The dragon roared in pain and pinned down Maxwell with his claws. Maxwell used his sword, cutting off one of the dragon's claws to escape. The dragon cursed loudly as he began bleeding. The dragon launched a variety of bites towards Maxwell as it switch up its offensive. Maxwell ran to a small space, which the dragon tried to chase him through and got stuck.

Maxwell now, seeing his chance, came from behind and stabbed the dragon in the head. The dragon shook violently, throwing Maxwell off and causing the roof of the cave to collapse. After the dust settle, Maxwell broke through the rumble he was buried under. As he dust himself off, he looked for the dragon, only to see it dead from being buried in too much rumble. The ax was too heavy for Maxwell to pick it up. Maxwell turned and saw the gauntlets and concluded that they must be used in order to lift the ax. Maxwell strapped on the gauntlets the dragon and lion markings on them glowed a bright reddish color. Maxwell walked towards the ax and picked it up with ease. As looked at the ax, he felt saddened that he had caused all this destruction and even killed the dragon as all he wanted was to free his people. But he had come too far to stop now. As he walked out of the cave, he looked at it one more time, shook his head, and left.

When Maxwell arrived home, he realized his master was not around. Shocked, he walked to the backyard to look for him. As he entire that backyard, he saw his master tending to the garden. Maxwell walked over to his master, bowed, and presented the ax to him. John in with excited hugged Maxwell ignoring the ax. "Am so glad you're safe". remarked John. "But I brought back the ax," replied Maxwell. "I saw that but an ax no who made it can never replace you, my son," answered John. After sitting and talking for a while, Maxwell presents the gauntlets for John to try on. "I know it was your dream master to wield this weapon am happy I could make it a reality," stated Maxwell. His master looks at the gauntlets with such awww as if they couldn't be real. John stuck his hands into the gauntlets and try to lift the ax. But before he could do such a thing, the gauntlets began smoking and John cried out in pain. Maxwell quickly ran over and removed them from his master's hands.

As he looked at them, he realized his master's hands were burnt badly. John laughed. "Am guessing these weapons were made just for people with his blood," remarked John as he placed his burnt hand in a bucket of water. "Am so sorry master, I didn't know," remarked Maxwell. "It's ok Maxie, am just glad you found them," replied John. "Before you go get your people, check me in the kitchen, ok," remarked John as he walked inside. A few moments later, Maxwell met John in the Kitchen. "Sit," remarked John. Maxwell took a sit and John began losing out his hair. "You had those cornrows, even his. You were a boy," remarked John." Time for a new hairstyle. After his hair was out, John grab a sharp rock and began shaving Maxwell's hair. He shaved it until Maxwell's hair formed a Mohawk. Maxwell turned to John, "Now you look like a warrior". remarked John. "Thank you, master," replied Maxwell as he leaves to go back to his old village. "Please be safe and give them hell," proclaimed John. Maxwell smiled and shook his head and left. At the break of dawn the next morning, Maxwell arrived at the roadway heading to his village. As he walked down, he remembered what had happened the last time he was here. That he ran away scared, confused, and that he left everyone behind. Now he was back, determined to conquer those who did him wrong and to free his people. Maxwell then climbed up a cliff. He remembered when he was a kid that at the top he could see the entire village and the mine from there. When Maxwell reached the top of the cliff, he could see everything. He saw the village was empty, and that everyone was in the mine. He decided the best course of action will be to wait at his old house till everyone got home and he could get their help.

Maxwell sneaked into the village and went up into his old bedroom to await his mother's return, he wondered if she would recognize him even if she had more children than him. But all he knew was that he missed his mother and couldn't await her return. As the sunset, Maxwell could hear someone entering the house. he flew down the stair with amazing speed. Reaching the living room he saw an old lady. In shock, the old lady fell screaming " please don't kill me please don't". Maxwell looked at the woman confused as to who she was until he saw her eyes it was his mother but how. Her beautiful skin was now marked and bruised. Her hair was completely grey and as she walked she dragged one of her legs but it was his mother. As she scream Maxwell walked over to her, "It's me maaaa it's me" proclaimed Maxwell. The woman stopped screaming and looked into his face, she took her hand and rubbed it gently against his face. "Maxie is that one you?" she replied as tears began streaming down her face. "Yes, it is me" answered Maxwell. The woman darted over to him and hugged him as tight as she could." I have missed you so much my child" she remarked crying. "And so did I mother" replied maxwell as they headed into the kitchen.

Maxwell's mother tells him what happen after he left the village. "After you left, they killed all the men who played a part in the coup, but they burned their sons alive and mercilessly beat their wives and daughters, hence the marks on my skin". As Maxwell listened to his mother, he grew more and more bloodthirsty. "How could they touch my mother?" Maxwell thought to himself as he continued to listen to his mother's story." They sold half of the remaining sons and as not allow of numbers to become too big and plentiful. remarked his mother. His mother sighed and asked, "Why did you return? There is nothing left here for you."

Maxwell walked out of the kitchen for a moment and when he returned, he brought back the ax. "I've come back for you, mother, and everyone else here." replied Maxwell. His mother's eyes open widely and she didn't believe what she saw." It's really real. I thought your father was just daydreaming and too caught up in made-up legends, but it's real" proclaimed his mother." And am using it to free everyone," replied Maxwell. "But how you are still outnumbered" remarked his mother." I need to find where the rest of men are quick to get my plan in motion." replied Maxwell. "The men in village sneaked out and hide in the back of the swamp to drink. They should be there now," remarked his mother. "Thanks, ma," replied Maxwell as he kissed his mother goodbye and proceed to leave. At the back of the swamp, Maxwell found the men now began drinking. "Good. They now started. Drinking. They should still be in a frame of mind. To listen, Maxwell thought to himself and he walked down to meet, the men. The men took notice of Maxwell's presence and approached him."

What are you doing here stranger asked one man? Maxwell looked and noticed who it was." Samuel" Maxwell asked. The man confused took a step back and yield "How the fuck do you know my name? Answer me before I kill you." Maxwell laughed and replied," I know I was gone a while, but you will kill me, Samie". The more confused how this stranger knows him grew increasingly angrier and remarked that if he didn't answer him soon, he would be dead. Maxwell continued laughing and stated," It me, you fool it Maxwell". "Maxwell," remarked the man, still confused." If You're Maxwell, then you can tell me who I had a crush on when we were kids,". the man shouted. Maxwell smiled and whispered something in the man's ear. The man turned to Maxwell and hugged "it's you, Maxie, I thought you dead". The rest of the men, realizing who it was, ran off and hugged him as well. After a few moments of catching up, Maxwell relieved his plan to the men. "You think it can work", asked Samuel. "It will" answered Maxwell with confidence." Well once you say it will work it will" shouted the group of men. Maxwell got up and left the group remarking they all have a part to play and they but this time tomorrow that they would be free. The men rejoiced and Maxwell headed home to sleep.

The next morning as the villagers salved in the mine, Maxwell walked into the mine like he own the place with his ax in hand and with limitless confidence. The guards were confused as to who this stranger was that walked past them like he own the place surrounded Maxwell as he reached the center of the mine. Maxwell over at the watchtower at the far end of the mine and called out to Mr. Welson as he pointed his ax into the sky. Inside the tower, Mr. Welson can hear someone calling out to him as he looked forward he saw the strange man with a massive ax in hand. "Who the fuck are you" shouted Mr. Welson. "It's me Maxie boy don't you remember me you had your guards kill my father in front of me" replied Maxwell. "Maxwell that you," remarked Mr. Welson. "So what you found some legendary weapon and you come to kill is that it?" asked Mr. Welson "exactly" Maxwell replied. "You do realize you are surrounded by my guards" laughed Mr. Welson, unfazed Maxwell just smiled which enraged Mr. Welson shouted to his men to kill him. As the guards rushed forwards towards Maxwell, he drew his mighty ax and swung it into the ground causing a shock wave so strong it instantly killed the guards in front of Maxwell and blew away the rest of them. The shock waved travel and as it did so it hit the near C4 with was placed near the watchtower by the mean causing it to explode. With the explosion, the watchtower collapsed and fell to the ground. As the tower fell Maxwell swung his ax in all different directions causing massive shock waves to destroy the mine. In the chaos, the village men drew their weapons and began overthrowing the guards. With the battle in full effect, Maxwell could see Mr. Welson escaping, he signals to Samuel that was going after him and began giving chase.

Mr. Welson runs frantically down the roadway with Maxwell slowly walking behind with a devilish grin on his face and a whip in his hand. As Mr.Welson ran Maxwell snap the whip causing it to rip away the back of Mr.Welson's head clean. Mr. Welson dropped to the ground and began screaming in pain. Maxwell enjoying himself removed the clothes off of Mr. Welson and began whipping across his body. "Remember this, I think you said forty for each of us right?" laughed Maxwell as he counted from one to forty. After all forty strokes were done Maxwell tied the whip around Mr. Welson's neck and began choking him as the man cried and begged for his life. As Maxwell continued choking the man, he could hear the voice of Domonmo speaking to him "you are full of revenge and hatred your heart is not pure". Remembering these words Maxwell released the man and walked after, "you're free never return here again" remarked Maxwell as he walked off. Mr. Welson gathering himself pulled a gun out of his pocket and fired it behind Maxwell whose back was turned. Maxwell with his quick reflexes blocked the bullet with his gauntlet.

"Even when you were granted mercies you didn't deserve you still try to take advantage of people" proclaimed Maxwell furiously. Mr. Welson tried to reload but before he could do so Maxwell with all his might punched him in the crown of his head causing his head to sink into his body killing him instantly. Maxwell shook his head and returned to the battlefield, a few moments later and they won. The villagers were finally free, as they rejoiced they proclaimed they Maxwell was their leader as without him they would be slaves forever. Six months later with their defenses built Maxwell headed over to his old home to retrieve his master. As he entered the home he realized that it was in even worst condition than usually concerned Maxwell quickly ran into the bedroom to look for his master. Entering the bedroom he saw his master laying in bed barely clinging on to life. Maxwell rushed over to his master. "Master are you ok?" asked Maxwell, John who was barely awaked looked at Maxwell and replied "Am dying kiddo" Maxwell in shock began crying with his head down. John raised Maxwell's head and looked at him. "You can't be dying I came back for you" proclaimed Maxwell. "It's ok I finally done what I had to do in life so now my body and soul are done with this place" replied John.

Confused Maxwell asked what he meant by that and John smiled at him and stated "Before you came into my life I always wondered why I was still alive but now I know, It was to raise a great warrior and not become one and I have done look at you, you're beautiful" remarked John. Maxwell continued crying "It's not fair you finally have the chance at a good life and your dying" shouted Maxwell overwhelmed with grief. "But I did have a good life" replied John as Maxwell looked at him "I had you did I?" continued John as Maxwell looked on in shock. "I love you my son take care of yourself, take of your people, and most important ever forget who you are, Safaei I ready to come home" and with that John was gone. As Maxwell cried on top of his master he whispered" I never got to show you that I learned your true name, farewell Amhaselassie". Maxwell composed himself and as he left the house carrying his master's body he could feel someone looking down at him with joy. Maxwell smiled and continued on his journey, he walked until he was in front of a cave and began laying his master's body to rest. When the task was done Maxwell could hear loud footsteps coming out of the cave it was Gustave and his clubs that were grown now. Maxwell looked at Gustave and remarked " Take care of him make sure no one wakes him up ok" Gustave shook his head as Maxwell walked into the forest with a smile on his face.