MLSB- Part 7

This is the seventh and penultimate Part of "ML:SB".
It was released on 14.04.2024.
== Plot ==
Max and the group plan to infiltrate their way into Sage's fortress. However, while brute force is an acceptable option, dealing with such a powerful leader requires a little bit of discretion. Thus, they decide to take a more peaceful approach, in the hopes that they will be able to eliminate him without causing a nationwide rebellion.
Meanwhile, a familiar figure has finally provided a mysterious entity with all the information that he needs. And yet, she does not consider her job done until all of her enemies have been taken care of. Apparently, Max is one of those poor unfortunates.
Will Max endure the heat and emerge victorious once again?
== Story ==
As Max and his group rest peacefully in the Kaos household, a mysterious figure emerges from the nearby swamps. As it turns out, she was inspecting the local wildlife and planning to use it against the unsuspecting citizens of the world. However, the truth is different. She is much more dangerous than she seems to be.
Hours later, the woman arrives in a secluded hut in the middle of nowhere. She swipes a hidden panel with a green keycard, and watches as the panel flashes green for a brief moment. But, before she enters, she makes sure that nobody followed her all the way here.
Sure enough, she manages to discover two scouts- experienced rogues from a nearby settlement who found her by chance. Thinking that she is very suspicious (and being right about it), they decided to watch what she does. Before they can discover her, she hides behind a pillar and pulls out a small whistle. She blows a small tune, alerting something in the distance.
Once the two scouts discover the entrance to the secret lair, they decide that they want to see if there is something useful in there. Unfortunately for them, this proves to be a fatal mistake. Not long after, a pair of powerful golems emerges from the hidden realm, violently pushing the duo back with little effort. One of them is made of fire, and the other- of ice. Even though their elements oppose each other, their teamwork is nearly flawless.
Combining their powers, the two golems manage to form a single giant punch of fire and ice, striking the unfortunate scout in the front square in the chest. The blow is strong enough to turn him into a pile of ashes and make them vanish.
Seeing that this enemy is too strong to engage in battle, the scout takes the wise course to run away and inform his employer about the monstrosity. Unfortunately for him, the golem does not want to leave any survivors behind. As he runs away, the ice golem raises his hand and casts a powerful spell on the unfortunate soul. A rain of icicles rains down from the sky, forcing the scout to avoid them all. Or die trying to do so.
As the man continues to jump from place to place, he completely forgets about the creatures behind him. And then, he grows tired and falls to his knees. When he looks up, he immediately sees one of the golems standing in front of him. Unfortunately for him, it is the ice one- the frozen titan that has laid waste to many unlucky victims.
Much to his surprise, the stone cold creature forms a tiny, yet terrifying smile on its face. And that is no trick of the light- the creature is actually smiling. It is the visage of a pure nightmare come alive- the last thing that he will ever see.
And then, before he can even think about taking a step back, the ice golem freezes him in place. Then, the fire golem approaches and shatters his entire body with a single, burning blow. The two of them perform a brief fistbump as the frozen remains of the scout instantly evaporate into the night sky.
The woman smiles as the golems return to their original place, in the lair. She knows that the government won't be able to trace those murders back to this location, no matter how hard they try. She knows it well, and is certain that they know nothing about dealing with such sudden treats.
At this moment, the woman lifts her hood. Immediately, it is revealed that she is GA Hannah- the same woman who serves as the superior of Max and Ben. The person who has been a faithful ally of the army for a very long time. And, for some reason, she came all the way here. 
But why would she do so? What are her motives? Is she actually deserting the army and going to work with someone else? Unfortunately, those questions are answered as soon as she enters the secret lair. She is planning to abandon her units to whatever horrible fate awaits them. And she has a new, powerful ally to back her up.
When the golem guards at the entrance as her for her entry card, she waves her green keycard at them and smiles, knowing that the leader of this hidden settlement is expecting her. After the golems move aside, she enters a large, spacious throne room. It is not complete yet, but when it finally is, it will be a sight to behold. Obsidian chandeliers. Onyx walls. Even a dark altar, carefully positioned in the middle of the room.
On the throne sits one of the most malevolent figures the world has ever seen. His eyes burn with barely restrained malice, ready to be unleashed on everything and everyone. His hatred for the human race can be felt from afar, and those unlucky enough to be marked by him shall face a world of torture and pain. His name is Monarch and he is the true leader of the dark world, the mysterious figure that turns the gears of darkness. Though many villains act on their own accord, many tend to listen to his advice and heed his words, unwise as they may be.
"ill met, sorceress. Your actions have been noted and your abilities evaluated."- He croaks, his voice filled with eternal darkness- "The results have been most amusing. You never disappoint, and you show how a true servant of darkness should act."
Hannah bows her head.
"I would never want it otherwise."- She says- "So. I believe you wanted info about the new threat."
Monarch chuckles.
"I need no introduction to the one that the world worships. I have already witnessed his strength firsthand."- He says- "However, I still appreciate your words. Go ahead, tell me."
Hannah nods.
"Of course, your darkest majesty."- She says- "The young boy in question- William Kaos- has been a true nuisance for many years. His actions have caused many villains to doubt the ways of the darkness. He is one of the world's brightest, purest guardians, and is a descendant of a legendary family. Guarded by his allies left and right, he has won many battles against the world's criminal masterminds. His most recent victory was against Owen Olson- a talented scientist and a creator of this century's most terrifying mutant race. When I paid him a visit, his laboratory was torn to pieces by the rogues and his scientists were reanimated. I had to take 'em down, to ensure that the infection stays where the source is supposed to be. Can't risk having something worse than an omnipotent hero running around."
Monarch stares at something in the corner of the room.
"Speaking of mutants, my stone servants have managed to tie up one of those dangerous beasts."- He says- "While the transmission serum that they used to spread the mutants around the globe is long gone, the vile substance inside of them might prove to be useful to us. Be a dear and extract some of it for further use, shall you?"
Hannah smiles mischievously.
"I know what you mean, sir. And I like it."- She says- "Fear not. This serum shall be used to for the good of our humble society."
As Hannah turns away and approaches the large gate, she chuckles.
"Heh. For the good."- She says to herself- "How ironic. We're doing something good, to unleash the bad aura into the world. But that good won't reach William and his friends, oh no. He'll see what it means to left behind."
When the gate opens, a large mutant jumps out and roars at Hannah. It is much larger than the mutants created by Owen when he was still around, indicating that Monarch's studies managed to find a new genetic mutation- a powerful trait in the world of evil. When it attempts to whack her into the ground, like a loose nail on a big board, she grabs its hand and violently twists it.
Despite the fact that Hannah is noticably smaller than the mutant, her unusual amount of strength manages to cause it a lot of pain. When it roars once again, she slaps it in the face, leaving behind a vicious red mark.
"Do you really want to be absorbed back into raw essence, creature?"- She says and watches, amused, as the huge beast shakes his head and shies away from her- "Hmph. I thought so. Now stand still and let me do this. We're not paying you to do nothing of importance and pick your nose every day. You've got a debt to pay."
Coincidentally, the mutant was thinking to pick its own nose, to remove a small feather stuck in its nose. However, when it hears Hannah's harsh words, it thinks better of it, allowing her to harvest its infected blood with minimal trouble.
Sadly, the dry atmosphere of the secret lair seems to be having a noticable effect on the beast. It goes into a coughing fit, then sneezes at Hannah's chest, utterly disgusting her.
"Great. Now my new outfit's the one that needs help."- She says- "Thanks a bunch, big guy. You really outdid yourself."
The mutant shakes his head, as if to say sorry. Although Hannah seems to accept its apology, deep inside, she still feels annoyed by the creature's lack of basic manners.
"There we go."- She says moments later, staring at the sacred vaccine in her hands- "This should give those benevolent heroes a taste of our lovely medicine. There won't be an escape from this one."
Monarch nods.
"Wonderful. I see potential in you, young Hannah."- He says- "Now, it's time for you to test the substance on an actual hero."
Hannah raises her eyebrow, surprised.
"What? No way."- She says- "You don't mean it, do you?"
Monarch chuckles. Then, he stares at her, the shadows in his eyes darker than ever. A simple glance at them instills a strong feeling of fear inside of her. She is helpless in the presence of this mighty force of darkness.
"Do you really think that I am joking, young one?"
Hannah looks down and shakes her head.
"N-no, sir."- She says- "You're the boss here. I won't object."
Monarch smiles.
"Here's a piece of advice- try to tell the Truth from the Lie."- He says to her- "Sometimes, you might find out that this task may be an impossible one. Even the good people are capable of lying, and even the evil ones are capable of telling the truth. No person in this world is a true liar. Or truly honest. And, no matter how many years pass, they will never be."
Hannah bows her head.
"Of course, sir."- She says- "Truth or lie, I shall learn about the intentions of our enemies."
Monarch nods.
"You're confident, determined and unstoppable. Your spirit's just as strong as that of a hero."- He says- "Maybe there's a reason why those weak goverment slaves wanted to get rid of you. As much as I can see, you've been a liability in their eyes for a long time. But then again, no one has the right amount of authority over you, other than the president himself."
Hannah grins mischievously.
"Oh, sir. I assure you one thing."- She says to him- "The president may be a powerful and influential figure, known and feared by the entire world. But, without the help of those loyal to him, he is just as harmless and helpless as a fly in a jar."
Monarch nods again.
"Indeed."- He says- "And the first step to keep him that way is to unleash our ideas into the world. Are you ready for it?"
Hannah nods.
"Bring it."- She says- "I'll show those lawful stupid fools how it feels when the sword of betrayal hits them back!"
When the pod holding the test subject opens, Hannah can't help but feel surprised. The person that she has to experiment on... is the same one who has been standing by her side for a long time.
"Johnson?"- She says- "What in the name of the thousand guns are you doing here?"
Johnson looks up, severely weakened by his stay in the pod. However, it takes him a very short time to recognize his ex-employer.
"Miss Hannah, I... can't believe you turned against us."- He says- "We... thought that you were working for the good of this world. Cleaning our planet for the good of everyone. Well, I guess that I was wrong. You're just as bad as everyone else."
For once, Hannah actually breaks character. Her tough exterior is broken by the sight of someone who is truly dear to her. The fact that Monarch is using her own loved ones as challenges for her is truly unforgivable, but she can't stop working for him either.
With tears in her eyes, Hannah raises the syringe.
"I'm so sorry, Johnny."- She says to him- "I'll try to make it as painless as possible."
Johnson shakes his head. From the looks of it, he refuses to believe her.
"The most painful thing shall always be your betrayal."- He says to her- "No kind of physical pain shall ever rival that."
Johnson's words continue to shake Hannah to the core. The emotions inside of her heart resonate with those of her hands and she starts to shake, suddenly and unexpectedly.
"What are you doing, young Hannah?"- Monarch says- "It's just another worthless human. Don't get distracted."
Hannah shakes her head.
"Just another... worthless human."- She says to herself- "But that's not true. I'm the one who's truly worthless. I caused all that pain, all that destruction. All of my former comrades perished because I refused to believe in their ways. I want to change. I want to change. I want to-- "
Before she even knows it, her hand involuntarily plunges the syringe into Johnson's shoulder. From there, the solution quickly makes it way into Johnson's bloodstream, swiftly weakening and exposing him to the outer elements.
Hannah watches, horrified, as her secretary withers before her very eyes. Mere seconds is the amount of time that it takes to finalize the process.
"We'll never... forgive you."- He says- "When Mr. Maxwell and the others find you... you're going to wish that you stayed behind."
Hannah realizes that Monarch used her trust to develop a powerful weapon. The substance inside the syringe was actual venom- powerful, fresh and almost certainly lethal. Since Johnson's body is not immune against vile substances such as this one, it is very easy for it to put an end to him. And right now, she can do nothing but watch as he slowly loses his energy and will to keep existing.
"The flames of vengeance... will burn brighter than your betrayal."- Johnson mutters- "The rivers... shall run red... with the blood of sinners.,. like you. You won't escape... Miss Hannah... "
As Johnson's entire body starts to give out, Hannah decides that this procedure is far too painful for him. Unsheathing a hidden knife on her belt, she stabs him in the chin, sparing him from minutes of extreme pain. She picks up his lifeless body and gently lays it on the ground, as if he were her own younger sibling.
"Young Hannah, I thought you were better than this."- Monarch says, genuinely annoyed- "Emotions like those were once your drive to success, but they are now your worst enemies. The chains of regret are dragging you down. Stop feeling pity for those fools."
Hannah looks up and shakes her head.
"You know what they say sir."- She says- "We all pity the fools. But we don't know if they will pity us back."
Monarch nods.
"Exactly, my dear."- He says- "And that's why we'll show them that we pity no one. You have to be strong to survive in this world. Just like William, Maxwell, and all of those people you once called your friends."
Hannah raises her eyebrow.
"Am I strong enough, sir?"
Monarch smiles.
"Well, my dear. There is only one way to determine your loyalty to the cause."- He says- "You see, there is this young lady who's been investigating cases of evil deeds. This journalist girl thinks that she can expose the true motives of those villains to the general public and make them wake up from whatever trance they're in right now. While this should not be concerning at all, the girl has proven herself to be quite a nuisance. She's capable of teaming up with more experienced journalists and, with their help, cause actual damage to the world of evil. We can't have that in here, Hannah. She must be eliminated. No mercy. No pointless tears. Just a quick, painless job for you."
Hannah instantly recognizes the description of her good friend and friendly rival- Abigail Wilson. The same girl who is the sister of her most trusted general. During his years of service in the army, Hannah managed to meet her in person and easily warmed up to her. She even started to like her, to a certain extent.
And yet, her desire to prove herself to the evil part of the world is even greater. After all the tears that she may shed, the girl remains her rival. Normally, she would simply scare her away, but Abigail might expose her crimes to the people of the world without even knowing it. Thus, she quickly realizes that Monarch is right- when a person proves to be a threat to the law (or, in this case, the dark law), they must be taken care of.
"It shall be done, your darkest majesty."
Monarch laughs, amused by her determination.
"I like your style, fair maiden. Few are capable of showing such a wide palette of emotions like you do."- He says to her- "But keep in mind. Those emotions may be good for you, but every coin has a second side. And you might not like it."
Hannah sighs.
"I'm always ready for the spice, sir. It makes me feel alive."- She says- "I won't fail you. I promise."
Monarch nods.
"Just don't dwell too much in the past. Keep your head afloat and you shall be fine."- He says- "Now, get going. Those heroes aren't going to get rid of themselves."
Hannah smiles and bows her head.
"Of course, sir."- She says- "In the name of the mighty Monarch, I shall win this fight."
----Elsewhere, Max and his group evaluate the evidence that they found in the HQ. They come to the conclusion that Sage is, indeed, behind the murders of many innocents. However, something seems to be off. What Kaiden tells them about the mysterious figure that he saw before he passed out for the first time contradicts the description that Max and Ben were given by GA Hannah. In fact, it almost seems like the person involved bears a strong resemblance to Hannah herself.
"I don't like where this is going."- Abigail says- "Can't we just catch the bad guy and go home? I yearn for the comfort of our bedsheets."
Max nods.
"We will, sis. I assure you."- He says- "But this ain't no simple criminal case. Whoever Sage may be, it is clear that he might have allies. Dangerous ones, too."
Meanwhile, Kira arrives with a refined drink plate. She smiles.
"Father, I brought the drinks that you desire."
Kaiden looks at his daughter and smiles back.
"Excellent work, love."- He says- "Please leave them on the table."
As Kira does so, one of the drinks starts to slip from the plate. She attempts to catch it, but trips. As she is about to fall down, however, Max leaps to his feet and catches both her and the drink. This impresses Kaiden, who secretly starts to consider marriage plans for his beloved daughter.
As Max holds Kira in his hands, Kira looks at him. She smiles and blushes slightly.
"My mighty hero."
Then, she kisses him and lays her head on Max's chest, making him blush as well. The two of them place the drinks on the table as Abigail checks Kira for potential injuries.
"She's clear."- She says to her brother- "Nothing bad happened."
Max lets out a sigh of relief.
"That's good to know."
As Kira sets down the last drink, she turns and bows to the group.
"Well, I guess that my work here's done. For now."- She says- "Now. If you'll excuse me, mother wants me to take care of the goblins in the garden. See ya!"
With a final, graceful bow, she leaves the group alone in the basement.
Ben sighs.
"Doesn't it feel weird, though?"- He says- "I mean, to suspect our own superior. This ain't no guessing game- it is a potential case of major treachery and treason."
Max nods again.
"Indeed."- He says- "And that is why we, as esteemed members of the army, are tasked to arrest her and bring her to justice."
Ben looks away.
"But what if she resists?"- He asks- "What if she gives us no choice in this matter?"
Max looks at him.
"That is up to us."- He says- "Right now, we are like the council. We decide what should be done. And, if need be, we must try to be blunt."
He shakes his head.
"But that doesn't mean that we should succumb to our own emotions. That's not what true heroes do."- He says- "Remember how Geralt Kaos stood tall against the emperor and burned him without betraying any of his true emotions? How he did it because it was his duty? Well, my friend, this case is a similar one. We shall be like him- selfless and resolute. Unbreakable, even in a total state of chaos."
The mention of Geralt's name immediately makes Kaiden very nervous. Not long after, the image of the current Geralt appears, staring at him as if he were some sort of an alien. It is almost as if his brother is standing in front of him, right here and right now. And, even though it is just a hallucination, the emotions that he feels inside of his heart.... are very much real.
"Geralt! What a surprise!"- Kaiden says nervously- "W-what are you doing here?"
Geralt stares into his eyes. A cold, piercing gaze makes its way into Kaiden's heart, terrifying him. And then, Geralt turns away, visibly disgusted.
"Once, I used to see my brother everywhere. I dared to believe that he was out there. But when I finally got to see him again, he was not the same person anymore."- He says- "My brother Kaiden died long ago, on top of that dark mountain. The heavens took him, far away from this wicked land. What I see in front of me... are the deeds of a monster that took over his body when he perished. The way it left our family behind. The way it started over again, ignoring the ones that it already had. Those were the deeds of someone else. My brother is gone."
And then, he starts to fade away.
"Geralt!"- Kaiden says- "Wait! Don't leave me!"
But Geralt does not listen. Moments later, he is gone.
As his vision finally clears, Kaiden falls to his knees. The knowledge of his brother condemning him is too much for his troubled heart. Right now, he is truly heartbroken.
"Mr. Kaos? Is everything pale?"- Abigail says- "Goodness, you look so pale... "
Kaiden looks at her and smiles.
"I'm just reminiscing the golden years."- He says- "We'll bring them back. I promise."
Aware of his true feelings, Max approaches Kaiden. He helps him to his feet and places his hand on his shoulder.
"The golden future is still far ahead, sir. But... I know how it feels."- He says- "If it makes you feel better, you should know that we'll always be on your side. And, sooner or later, we shall find the person who matters the most to you."
Kaiden nods.
"Of course. I am glad."- He says- "Just... try not to think too much about it. The time we have to think about is right now. To keep the world safe and sound, right?"
Max nods.
"Aye. And keep it safe we shall."- He responds- "According to the maps, the hideout is somewhere within Black Heart Mountain. He won't escape from us this time."
Abigail grins.
"And the best thing is- there'll be a party there soon!"- She exclaims- "Ooh! I can't wait to enjoy life for a little bit!"
Kaiden sighs.
"Yes. I know that it's a good thing to relax, from time to time."- He says- "But don't get distracted. If we slip up, even a little bit, this means that even more people are going to suffer. We can't let ourselves lose our focus."
Abigail sighs.
"You're just like our father. Blah, blah, and more blah."- She says- "We know it, Mr. Kaos. We're always ready. Don't think we're going there clueless and helpless."
Kaiden smiles.
"And that's why you are some of our finest units."- He says- "The army rarely hires fools. Be content that you are not any of them, and you will never be."
Abigail stands close to Max and hugs him.
"Mama didn't raise any fools!"- She exclaims- "Me and my big bro are always very serious!"
Kaiden nods.
"Yes, brave warriors. I can see that."- He says- "Now, are you ready to execute our plan? Time is of the essence, and we must be there soon."
Max nods.
"If GA Hannah is truly behind those murders, I can't forgive her. What she did to our friends, our mighty brothers and sisters, the innocents who simply wanted to live their lives. This is unacceptable. I don't want to kill again, but I can't allow those freaks to kill anyone."- He says- "Alright. Let's bring justice to the world once again."
Ben shakes his head.
"All my life, I've been taught to believe in order. I have learned how to respect the government and be thankful for its hard work. However, I can see that all is not well in there. There are people who are willing to betray their allies, to get what they want. We're tasked to hunt those deserters down, but I still have my doubts."- He says- "But... if it means that we'll be doing good, I'm in."
Kaiden smiles.
"Excellent."- He says- "Prepare yourselves. This is going to be a long night... "
The group arrives at the so-called party on Black Heart Mountain, but not before taking their time to put on the most effective villain costumes they could find. Much to their surprise, the actual villains attending the party barely acknowledge them. This gives them a good chance to sneak further into the compound.
Suddenly, one of the villains gets between Ben and Abigail and starts to flirt with Abi. Ben is shocked by this troublemaker's persistence- one that even Abigail herself cannot extinguish. He considers pushing him away, possibly starting a fight, but soon remembers his place. At this very party, the attendants are more likely to help the perpetrator than to assist him. So, instead of thinking about some elaborate scheme to pull Abigail out, he decides to do something simple. Grabbing a towel and a large plate, Ben approaches the two, excuses himself and says to Abigail that the drinks are ready. The annoying villain offers to keep Abigail company, but she quickly says that she prefers to stay alone. Ben quickly adds that "Lady Injustice" has the tendency to make so-called admirers "very crispy". Thus, the villain is too terrified to follow them, leaving them to join Max and Kai successfully.
"I like how you turned the heat."- Abigail says and kisses Ben on the cheek- "Well done, hun. This one ain't comin' back."
Ben smiles.
"I'm just here to help you out, m'lady."- He says- "Your happiness is my priority."
Abigail's flirty attitude makes a few of the male guests very jealous. However, they decide to keep their mouths shut, knowing that they might get in a lot of trouble otherwise.
"You surely have a lot of admirers, sis."- Max says as she stands by his side- "Have you chosen your future husband yet?"
Abigail sighs and shakes her head.
"I'm writing a long article once we're done."- She says- "Those freaks ain't getting any mercy from me."
Max nods.
"And that's how it should be."- He says- "I suggest that we should keep going. I think that we're very close."
The group soon approaches a golden door. As mentioned by a butler earlier, this is the same door that leads to Sage's office.
"I think that I should go alone. I'm sure you understand why."- Max says- "You should wait here. If I don't come back in an hour or so, make sure to run far, far away into the woods behind this chapel. Things are not going to be pretty either way, so expect a lot of chaos to unfold."
Ben raises his eyebrow.
"What if our cover is blown?"- He asks- "Are we just going to stay here?"
Max smiles slightly.
"Then use the ground to your advantage."- He responds- "Those villains have more than just some fancy drinks in here. If the need arises, keep your eyes open. Even the smallest of details can lead to the greatest of victories."
Ben nods.
"As you wish, my friend."
And so, Max enters the room where Sage is staying. Amused that another guest has arrived to visit him, the leader motions for him to sit. Max is on the edge of allowing his anger to take control of his body, but decides to let it rest for the time being. Learning more about his enemy is more important than attacking him immediately.
"Ah. I see that you made it out alive."- Sage says- "You're a smart man, mister. I have to give you that."
Max nods.
"Nice to see you, too."- He says- "So, you're the Sage I've heard so much about."
Sage smiles.
"The one and only."- He says- "Normally, I'm not really fond of visitors. But you seem like a nice one, so I shall make an exception. Just this once."
Sage stands up and offers Max a glass of wine. Max refuses, but says that he is simply not thirsty. Sage understands and pulls it back, seemingly content with his initial response.
"First, I would like to ask you one thing."- Max says- "People claim that you're a savior. That you're the voice of a new world. Are you truly that powerful?"
Sage smiles.
"But what if I told you that I'm much less than that?"
Max shakes his head.
"I'm not sure if I want to believe you or not."- He says- "I just want the fair share of supplies for my village that you promised. Time will tell if you're being honest or not."
Sage raises his eyebrow.
"Why are you so pensive?"- He asks him- "Don't you have better things to do? Like hunting for the people who hurt your family?"
Max smirks. A little bit.
"I could ask you the same thing, Mr. Nice Villain."
Sage turns around and stares at him. His eyes slowly fill with rage, and his mind is on the fritz. However, just like a professional gambler, he refuses to go all in at the beginning. Instead, he plans to lenghten the conversation as much as he possibly can.
"And if I decided to do that, what would you offer me?"- He asks- "I'm not just some foolish bureaucrat, mind you. I need more than the average ruffian."
Max smiles.
"Then how about this?"
A butler brings him a large piece of paper and a pen. Max leans forward and furiously writes something. Then he gives it to Sage, still smiling.
"IOU 1000 Human Souls? How could you possibly do that? Wait..."- Sage says and smiles- "Ah, I see. You're much smarter than I thought. Your persistence is truly outstanding."
Max sighs.
"So."- He says- "Now that my terms have been met, I wish to ask you a question."
Sage raises his eyebrow.
"I'm all ears, friend."- He says- "What do you wish to know?"
Max raises his eyebrow.
"Are you really what you claim to be?"- He asks- "Is the person standing in front of me the same Sage that I spoke with at the docks?"
Sage is slightly surprised by the question. Somehow, he understands that Max has figured out the involvement of another fugure. He knows that something is very fishy. Though he wishes to stand relentless, something inside of him says that this is not right. And by staring at Max's face, he knows why.
Defeated, he decides that Max deserves to know the truth. He turns back to the window and sighs.
"So this is how it has to be, huh?"- He says- "There's no reason to hide it, Max. We're both murderers, in our own ways."
Max raises his eyebrow.
"Well, I guess the tables have turned after all."
Sage nods.
"Indeed, my friend."- He says- "But I am not the one you're hunting for. Far from it- I am the one who tried to stop this madness."
Max leans back, surprised, nearly falling from his chair in the process.
"What are you trying to hide?"
Sage looks back.
"That's the point. I built this puzzle so you could solve it. I wanted you to arrive at the docks. I wanted you to help those Sholai. But when you refused to run back to he HQ and help the people at the besieged fort instead, that was the most selfless thing I've ever seen."- He admits- "The villains that I sent against you, they were a bunch of convicted murderers. They were on a death row and were going to meet their end, sooner or later. The reason why I sent them against you was to see if you have the skill to take down the true mastermind. The one who caused me so much pain."
Max raises his eyebrow, still shocked.
"What are you talking about, Sage?!"- He says- "Are you saying that... ?!"
Sage sighs.
"I'm afraid so, my friend."- He says- "You see, once I was a trusted ally of your beloved GA Hannah. That was back when everything was normal, when the whole world still had its precious balance. A time that I deeply miss nowadays. Your leader once forced me to do some very horrible things, ranging from sabotaging meetings to destroying evidence that could have helped the government. That is why the world was so helpless when the Dark Angel arrived- we were just not strong enough to withstand his presence. But Hannah, she did not wish to stop there. When I expressed my desire to retire and go back to my family, she threatened that she would take them all down. One by one, right in front of me. So, to see whether I was truly loyal or not, she forced me to order the attack of an entire town. And her main target... was none other than your beloved future wife, Leah."
Max is left speechless by this revelation for a little bit.
"Leah?"- He asks- "But... why?"
Sage shakes his head.
"I won't feign innocence. I'm just as guilty as she is for allowing this to happen."- He says- "Hannah and Leah, they always had a little bit of rivalry. But when Leah allowed an entire group of refugees to enter the town, Hannah was truly outraged. And then... "
Max shakes his head.
"N-no way."- He says- "So, you're saying that she is responsible? But how? Where is your evidence of that?"
Sage sighs.
"You want it?"- He says- "It's yours, my friend."
Sage has one of his butlers bring a certain object to Max. It is a tattered red banner.
"That's a banner from our destroyed household."- Max says- "How did you find it?"
Sage nods.
"I was there when the attack occurred. Hannah, she wanted me to set your home on fire, but I secretly took one of the banners instead and refused to do the job. Hannah punished me for my disobedience and sent a group of firestarters to "put everyone out of their misery", as she often liked to say. Wretched woman, she is."- He says- "At that time, she had already left her initials on it. She wanted everyone to know that she was responsible. And that's how I got to know- never mess with a villain who acts so openly. Only a madman would want the world to know what she did."
Max looks at him, surprised that he would say such a thing.
"But we at the HQ never knew what she did to my hometown. We assumed that it was just another villain assault, dangerous and unstoppable."- He says- "How did she manage to hide her true persona so well? How did the rest of the world know, but we were left clueless?"
Sage shakes his head.
"Hannah knew that Leah was your fiancee. She was aware that, should you hear the news of her demise, you would go crazy. And, eventually, you were going to deduce that her killer was actually Hannah herself. So, she hid all of the evidence until the discovery of Leah's demise was unavoidable. And then, she hid herself. You didn't suspect a thing, and it's all that she wanted."- He says- "As for good, old me, I regretfully stayed in her employment. Like it or not, I had no other choice. I was shocked by what she did, but I was no fool."
Max is beyond himself. His heart is filled with barely restrained fury. Still, he decides to let it subside, at least for the time being. Like his sister said when they were younger, there's no point to be angry about something that already happened. A harsh decision, but a necessary one nonetheless.
"If what you say is true, then why didn't you leave right away?"
Sage shakes his head.
"Despite the fact that she isn't much of a fighter, Hannah is still a powerful figure. Backed by both the hero and villain world, she could have sent everyone against me. Both heroes and villains would have tried to chase me down. And I didn't want to go down, not until I found the right person to inform."- He says- "And that's why I'm doing this, Maxwell. I am risking everything to tell you what I know. I swear- before all of this happened, I knew nothing of you or your family."
One look at his eyes convinced Max that he is telling the truth.
"Suppose I were to trust you, what could you do for me?"
Sage shakes his head.
"No matter what happens to us after this, Hannah's gonna get what she deserves."- He says- "If it's not you or me, then it'll definitely be someone else. There's no getting out of this one for her. Mark my words."
He extends his hand and smiles nervously.
"Friends?"
Max shakes his hand and smiles back.
"For the time being."- He says- "But, once we're done, I'll make sure to bring you to justice."
Sage sighs,
"Fine by me."- He says- "As long as my mistakes aren't repeated by someone else, I shall surrender myself."
Max nods.
"I cannot promise such a thing, but I'll try to honor your wish."- He says- "Let's do this, friend."
Once the two of them emerge from the room, the group that is camped nearby leaps to their feet and aims their guns at Sage. They assume that the villain leader managed to capture Max and is going to use his kindness against them. But, when Max stands between them and explains that Sage is now one of them, they reluctantly lower them.
"Max. I'm not sure what kind of hypnosis pill you've taken, but I think you're wrong."- Ben says- "Sage is the person that we're supposed to execute. And now, you're allying yourself with the enemy, Is this supposed to be some kind of a trick, or have you really become desperate?"
Sage sighs.
"You don't need to worry about that."- He says- "Once this is all over, I shall make sure to stay behind. Execute me if you desire- I won't resist. Either way, I will trouble you no longer."
Ben nods.
"I understand. Pressure must have gotten into your brain. We sometimes feel the same way."- He says- "But... we can't just go find GA Hannah yet. There's one thing that needs to be done, and I fear that we can't go anywhere until this question has been answered."
Max raises his eyebrow.
"Speaking of problems, I can't see Abigail."- He says- "Where is she? Where is my sister?"
Ben looks down.
"Ah. I-I'm afraid that's what we're trying to find out."- He says- "Some masked dudes came along and tried to apprehend us. We managed to murder most of them, but two managed to take Abi away. We tried to cut off their escape route, but those freaks were too smart. A few smoke bombs, wire traps and a final wave of fire spinners was all that it took for them to escape. I'm so sorry- there was nothing we could do to stop them."
Max shakes his head.
"As long as we manage to bring her back, everything will be fine."- He says- "So. Any idea where those fiends took her?"
Sage thinks about this situation. Something in the method of capture seems to turn the gears of his mind. Finally, he comes to a decision- the criminals were commanded by someone else.
"It seems like the bandits were being influenced by the authority of a leader."- He says- "The evidence is all around us. The supplies that they had, the methods that they used. All of this work can only be governed by one selfish person... "
Max sighs.
"Hannah."
Sage shakes his head.
"I fear that she's far more dangerous than you think."- He says- "If she's allowed to get what she wants, she'll destroy everything and everyone around her. And, believe me, she'll go to great lengths to have it all. Your sister's just another tool in her hands, an expendable unit."
Kaiden sighs.
"Boys, we're talking about a woman that fooled the entire army for years and got hundreds of people killed in the blink of an eye."- He says- "Hannah's spirit burns bright. And it burns for no one else, but her. Manipulation is part of her nature, and her greatest tool is the government itself."
Sage nods.
"And the criminal world, as well."- He adds- "The villains of this world also answer to her. And, with her high authority on both sides of the spectrum, let's just say that she's close to becoming one of the most dangerous overlords the world has ever known. And the worst thing is- she's just another human being, indistinguishable from the rest of the world's residents. She's cruel, manipulative, and determined to win."
Ben shakes his head.
"For what she did to all of our comrades, I'll never forgive her."- He says- "No matter where, when, or how, I'll make sure to bring her to justice. No matter what I have to do."
Sage chuckles.
"You sound awfully shrewd, Mr. Nice Guy."- He says- "Careful, though. This selflessness is bound to backfire if you don't know your limits."
Ben sighs.
"I've already come to terms with that."- He says- "I'm a nice guy, but I won't forgive anyone who harms my friends. Even if that lawbreaker was once an ally of mine. Regardless of what the law says, evildoers have to pay. Somehow."
Max shakes his head.
"Just try to stay within the boundaries of the law, my friend."- He says- "Breaking it's not worth it. I assure you."
Ben sighs again.
"Yeah."- He says- "I know."
Kaiden analyzes the ground using one of the military's trackers. The laser manages to discover a pair of footsteps, once hidden from plain sight. Upon closer inspection, Kaiden discovers that they are the same size as the feet of the villains who kidnapped Abigail. The reason for that is- he remembers seeing the two criminals in the HQ's database. And that alone is enough proof of where they went after performing the heinous deed.
"I... don't know what will happen if those fiends do anything to Abi."- Max says to himself- "After our parents started neglecting us, I took Abi under my wing. Ever since we fled from their home, we've always been on the run. And in those rare occasions when we had a roof over our heads, we were on the run from our own emotions. Abi is my little sister, and she's always meant everything to me. I hope that we can being her back."
Then, he makes sure that his gun is fully loaded. He consults the algorithm that he and the team are going to use with Kaiden, listening to his advice. According to him, Abigail may have willingly decided to be taken away by the bandits, and that whoever ordered her capture is someone very close to the army. A frontal assault will be very dangerous, but it will exploit the flaws in the enemy defenses, if they are any in the first place.
With a new plan in mind, the group heads out into the wilds. Once outside, they are intercepted by a large group of bandits. They blame Sage for betraying them and vow to the group that they shall reign supreme in the end. Assembling two large lines, they manage to trap the team right where they want them to be. But the heroes are prepare for such a risky predicament- they manage to kill two bandits on each side, they manage to plant two nano grenades. Using a portable nano shield to protect themselves from the impact, they manage to reroute the blast toward the bandits themselves. And then, once the effect wears off, they watch the results of their counterattack- a total party wipeout. 
They are surprised by this sudden outcome. They thought that the bandits had enough time to run away. And yet, the outlaws continued to attack them, even though their fate was sealed if they stayed where they are. Even though they were their enemies, one thing was clear- they were very brave, and that is the sole trait that they admire in those bandits.
Eventually, the evidence that they discovered leads them to a large checkpoint. Once the guards take a good look at them, they draw their guns. Just like the bandits from before, they are about to open fire. However, thanks to Max's diplomatic skills, they manage to convince them that they mean no harm. Thanks to the questioning that they perform, the group manages to find that Hannah came through the checkpoint recently, with two shady-looking individuals carrying a young lady. The description that the militiamen give seems to match that of Abigail. This information alone is enough to convince Maxwell of one thing- Regardless of Hannah's motives at the time, her captive was Abigail herself.
After getting past the checkpoint, they watch as the two guards question a group of suspicious-looking people. From the looks of it, they seem to regret attempting to fight against members of the army itself- their own allies. Listening to Hannah almost got them in serious trouble, and they seem to think of new ways to redeem themselves.
Eventually, the group manages to get to the rendezvous point where Hannah and her team decided to camp. The place is located in the middle of some sort of an evil, dark shrine. From the looks of it, the dark land seems to be dedicated to some malevolent god, one who is both powerful and influential. Max himself has heard of a god like being, who goes by the strange name known as Monarch. He is not a god, and he will likely never become one, but one thing is clear- whoever he may be, he is far more dangerous than the world thinks. And if he is not stopped in time, he might become more dangerous than the Dark Angel himself.
And in the middle of it, he sees the person he feared to see in a place like this- Abigail herself.
"Abi! There you are!"- Max says and runs forward- "Goodness, I've been looking everywhere for you! Did Hannah hurt you? Why did she bring you here in the first place? Please, little sis. Tell me."
However, Abigail simply rests her head on Max's shoulders. Tears fall from her eyes as they watch the man who risked everything to make her happy. Memories slowly flow through her mind, but she still says nothing. It is almost as if she is a mage's apprentice- quiet and reserved, dedicated to whatever task she has in mind. 
"I understand how you're feeling. Such a kidnapping is capable of shocking everyone, especially someone as sweet as you."- Max continues- "Once we get back home, I'll make sure to help you write an article that will expose Hannah and finally bring her to justice. Me and Ben will not rest until that backstabbing traitor pays for killing all of our brothers and sisters. She won't escape this one, I give you my word."
Somewhere in the distance, a lone figure watches the group. And, from the looks of it, she seems to be shocked by this revelation. Does Hannah actually know that Max discovered her involvement in the HQ raid? Is she going to retaliate? Either way, her response shall be known to the world soon enough.
And yet, there is still no response. Abigail is like a mute person- wishing to say everything that her heart wants to say, but is completely unable to do so. Slowly, Max starts to feel the same way as her- his eyes fill with tears and he can't help, but watch her in a similar way.
"Abi, please. Say something."- Max says, more tears falling from his eyes with each passing second- "Please. I can't afford to lose you. I don't want to see you suffer."
Abigail looks down. She hugs her brother tight, as if it would be her last time. And then, as if in a fairytale, she vanishes. No drama. No pointless speeches. No empty promises. Just the rise of a pure soul, free from the darkness of this world.
"W-wait! No! Don't leave me!"- Max exclaims, frantically attempting to catch the particles of stardust and reassemble them- "Please! You're the only person I have left! Please, Abi! Don't do this to me!"
After all the dangerous challenges that they endured together, seeing Max begging for his sister not to leave him proves to be Benjamin's last straw. He grabs his best friend by the shirt, visibly angry. He is like a hot furnace- steaming, mercurial, passionate. A wall of fire, burning with a light that can't be put out easily.
"Max, stop blaming yourself for every mistake that we make! Snap back to reality!"- He yells- "Abigail is not gone! That was just a hologram of her! A vision of her true self, with all of her emotions included! This means that she's still nearby, so stop whining like a little baby and get moving! We have to find her now!"
Kaiden approaches the two of them and attempts to pull Ben away.
"Ben, that's enough."- He says to him- "Max is facing severe depression. I know that you want to help, but the only way to do so is to threat carefully. We're walking on thin ice, my boy. This is not the right way to make him wake up."
Ben looks back. At this moment, he instantly forgets that Kaiden is actually his superior. Right now, he cares about Max. He wants to bring Abigail back. And if yelling at him is what makes him reconsider how to express his emotions, so it be.
"I can't afford being cautious right now! The life of a human being is on the line!"- He exclaims- "So stop yapping and stand out of my way! I won't give up on my friend!"
While watching Ben attempting to convince Max to let go of his feelings, Kaiden reminds himself of the person that he used to be decades ago. Back then, he used to speak in a similar way to his little brother Geralt- the person whom he saw (and, to this day, still sees) as his best friend.
"When we were children, Geralt meant the world to me. After Kia died while protecting him from those freaks, we were both heartbroken."- He says to himself- "Every day, I felt like he was about to give up. The guilt that he expressed was immeasurable. At one time, I felt like the darkness would have overwhelmed him- just like it almost overwhelmed me. However, even though I was harsh and rarely forgiving to him, he still managed to move on for good. But that was with the help of our family's kind words, not my constant yelling. At that moment, I saw the truth- yelling at someone and being mean to them won't motivate them to make a change. But... combining kindness with advice seems to do wonders. I wish I knew that before I left them behind. I miss them so much... "
Unwilling to give up on both boys, Kaiden decides to take more drastic measures. While Ben is yelling at him, he pushes him away instead of trying to convince him with kind words.
"This is the attitude of a heartless brute, Ben. You should take note of Max's feelings before going out of your way to shatter them. So, please, stand back here and let me do the talking."- He says to him, then turns to Max- "Look, kid. I know what you're going through. But your sister's not gone. Sure, this might have been a trap that's supposed to mess with your emotions. But I know that you, comrade, a better than this. So stand up and show them all that you're a strong and capable person."
Sage nods.
"Listen to your boss, kid."- He says- "The people in the army are more than just excellent instructors. Being a true warrior doesn't mean that you have to fight well- you also have to become the master of your own emotions. Fear, anger, vengeance- they shouldn't be a problem for someone as mighty as you. Your sister's trying to show you the right way. Are you ready for it?"
Max sighs.
"I... wish I could be as brave and determined as all of you. My life would be so much better."- He says- "But... I'll try my best not to repeat the mistake that I made with Leah. I won't allow another innocent life to be taken away by a cold maniac."
Then, he stands back to his feet.
"We shall prevail."
The group turns their sight to the nearby hill, the same place where the mysterious woman was not too long ago. Without a doubt, that seems to be the next place to go. As they climb on the hill, they see another lonely figure. But this time, she seems to be rather familiar.
"Wait!"- Ben exclaims- "Isn't that-- "
Max pushes his way forward. He attempts to reach the girl ahead.
"Abigail! At last!"- He exclaims- "Don't worry, little sis. I'm right here. I'll protect you from-- "
And then, his face hits a magical barrier. The slight electrocution forces him to pull himself back. He attempts to find a way to dispel it, but it is almost as if it was made to last. There is no way for him to break it.
"What in the name of the army is happening here?"- He says- "Abigail! Explain yourself!"
However, Abigail does not respond. Max thinks that he is seeing another hologram, meant to break his soul for good. And yet, the Abigail in front of him seems to be very real. Even though she is far away from him, she has never been closer.
"Try reaching out to her with your words, Max."- Kaiden suggests- "Abigail can still listen to the voice of reason. Don't give up on her."
Max turns to his sister.
"Abi, if this is some kind of a joke, you should know that it hurts me. A lot."- He says- "All these years, we've always been wanderers. We fought for our lives, yet we also fought to make the lives of other people better. But we were strong enough to overcome our fears, and we'll be strong enough to beat this game. So come on, Abi. Make your big brother happy again. Come back with us. Hannah's not the right person to trust- you might think that she's a good person, deep inside, but she is a monster through and through."
He looks up, as if knowing that Hannah is watching them.
"That's right, Hannah! I know everything about you!"- He yells- "I know about your treachery! I know what kind of a monster you are! So come here and fight me like the warrior that you are! Or are you just as pathetic and desperate as the false god that you worship?!"
Max's words finally manage to snap Abigail out of the hypnosis that is controlling her mind. She looks back at her brother, terribly regretful. However, from the looks of it, she made a pact. And she's not willing to break her promise, even if her brother is trying to stop her.
"I'm so sorry, big bro."- She says, her eyes filled with tears- "See you on the other side... "
Then, she looks up. She sees a large helicopter in the sky and nods.
"Hannah, I'm ready."- She says- "No matter what happens next, I forgive you. What you did was truly unforgivable, but you'll always be my friend. Thank you for choosing me for this task. At least no one else will have to suffer... "
Max is shocked by Hannah's words.
"Abi?! What are you saying?!"- He yells- "No! Stop!"
This time, Max's attempt to break through the magical barrier is successful. The magic is strong, but his will is much stronger. As he pushes his way through the magical mess, Abigail looks back at her brother. The two of them can't help, but remember all of the pleasant memories that they had. 
Abigail wants to make more of them, but she knows that her sacrifice is more important than living a life of sadness and misery. Life beyond the azure sky is going to be just as great as that on the planet below. She will also watch her brother from afar, never truly apart from him.
"Abigail! I won't let you die!"- Max yells- "I'll protect you!"
Abigail shakes her head.
"It's too late, Max."- She says- "I love you. Please, take care of yourself."
However, Max refuses to let his sister go. Against her wishes, he gets in the way of the blast and prepares to shield her from the inevitable, hugging her as he defiantly prepares to foil Hannah's abominable plans. Abigail is utterly shocked by her brother's decision, but can't do anything to stop him.
And then, the giant neo missile strikes the ground, decimating everything that is not protected by the cube-shaped barrier...