The Dawn of the New World

The merman threw him a dirty look before turning away.

Max leaned even closer towards Hao Xuan and whispered, "Oh, do you think they don't understand our language? What language do the fish people usually speak?"

"Oh, I know!" the little boy exclaimed while looking in the merman's direction, "BlOoOoOp bLoOp! BloOoOooOoP blOoP!"

Shocked, Max's eyes widened, "Wha-What's that???"

"That's what it sounds like when I try to talk in water stupid!"

"Ohh! You're right! Mr. Fishman, did you understand that? Bloop bloop?? No?"

"Hmm," rubbing his chin in contemplation the little boy shook his head despondently, "I think he is too stupid. He doesn't know how to speak at all!"

"No no I think he does speak. He probably just doesn't like you."

"You go to HELL! EVERYONE LIKES ME!" the boy screamed at the top of his lungs before lunging at Max like a lemur.

Watching the stupendous scene play out in front of him Hao Xuan quickly remembered where he had seen it before, and with it came the realization of the truth.

[You can stop now]

"Huh? Waht dho yu meaan?!" Max looked over at him while the little boy tried to rip off his cheeks.

[No one will take the bait. There is no need to continue]

Max glanced over to the others who weren't even looking at him anymore and suddenly his expression changed. That jovial playfulness was immediately replaced by an empty void.

"Did you not find it amusing? I was certain you would," he said in a flat voice.

Hao Xuan moved back towards the door he had exited from and leaned against it, closing his eyes to rest while he had the chance.

The little boy jumped down from Max's shoulder and ran up right next to Hao Xuan, squatting beside him cutely.

[Do not interrupt me. I haven't the time for your games] he warned.

Max strolled over with measured steps, careful but still nonchalant in his demeanor.

"Do you not want to be my friend?" he asked curiously.

[I did not come here to make friends]

"But I did. And I think we would be great friends! After all, we have so much in common."

[We have nothing in common. In fact, I would say we couldn't be more different]

"Really?? How?"

With a deep sigh Hao Xuan opened his eyes momentarily, [For starters, I would never sacrifice my kin for a shred of power] before glancing towards the little boy, [You have already killed the child, why use his memory for your games?]

Max burst out laughing, "SEE?! I knew we were similar, so very similar!"

There were tears in his eyes and by the time he stopped the entire room was focused on him. But he couldn't care in the slightest, "You and I, we will be great friends, mister!"

The little boy's figure began to turn into a red mist that was absorbed into Max's body. Hao Xuan's expression couldn't help but turn sour upon seeing that same vibrant color so soon after the events of the castle.

[You are a servant of the King in Red? I'm surprised he managed to find someone so quickly]

"Mhm, you're right. It was a real surprise for both of us. I don't even believe in gods really, so of course I would never accept such an offer...but I couldn't help it when I heard what he had to say."

[And what did the Mad King offer you? Riches? Immortality? A chance to have your vengeance? Whatever it was, it wouldn't be worth the price you have to pay. These things are what you th-]

Max began crawling over to Hao Xuan on all fours, stopping just a foot away from him.

"Death," he said smilingly, "He said I would meet the person who would grant me a death worthy of the life I have lived. And that person is you, I knew it the moment I laid my eyes on you."

Hao Xuan looked into his eyes but could not find a shred of sanity anywhere. This man, this BOY was crazier than the god he served. A danger to everyone including himself.

[What makes you think he was talking about me? Why not any of the others?]

"The others?"

Frowning, he turned towards the merman first.

"Strong but his ego far exceeds his reach. I knew how to destroy him the moment we met. It would be the easiest...and most boring thing ever, hahaha."

Then he turned towards the pale man in the other corner, "Him, he is a monster. Probably the strongest one here but he has no will to fight. It wouldn't be any fun you know?"

And then finally he looked back at Hao Xuan, "But you, you are different. I can't figure you out at all. Sometimes you are weak and other times you are so strong that it makes my heart skip a beat. You are so many things and yet none of them at the same time. You...don't make any sense."