Black Dragon

Maxus awoke to the sound of drums being beaten by what he could only assume was an abused orangutan. As he looked over to the window, he saw the sun just starting to rise. Groaning like he was sucker punched, Maxus rolled over on the small cot he owned and covered his head with the other side of the cloak that he used as a pillow. As he tried to ignore the sounds, he could only hope that there was a god out there who would take a tiny sprinkle of pity on him.

When Maxus woke up the second time, the sound of drums was gone, and yet Maxus was still not relieved. Getting up from his cot, Maxus began to pull on his gray jeans and black boots before he walked across the tiny room to grab his shirt from the chair that he had thrown it on last night. However, before putting it on he removed the bandages that covered his chest before buttoning the wrinkled black shirt. As he tried to smooth out the wrinkles, he noticed that there was a new stain on his right knee. “Crap. I told that bastard not to bleed on my pants.” Sighing, Maxus looked over into the small mirror to fix his dark hair. Satisfied with the results, he grabbed his cloak from the cot before he left, not knowing that this would be the last time his eyes ever saw the small closet that he called home.

“Well, aren’t we honored that His Homelessness decided to grace us with his presence.” Maxus chuckled as he heard the deep voice of his only friend comment on his untimely arrival. “Hey, I’m still earlier than Jorgen and Vic hasn’t even noticed me yet. So, how bout you shut the hell up Baxter before I come over there and smack you around.” Maxus then jabbed the air with his fist, causing Baxter to put his hands up in surrender as he chuckled. “Oh, quit puffing your chest like your important and give me a hand.” Maxus laughed as he helped the man, who was previously moving crates from the ground up to his vehicle. “Damnit, Baxter. You know I hate lifting these damn things.” Maxus complained as he finally lifted the box just high enough to clear the lip and place it into the vehicle. “Oh you sound like an old woman. Not my fault that you weren’t blessed with my bulbous muscles and godlike strength.” Baxter laughed as he lifted two crates, one in each hand. “More like your using your magic to help make this easier.” Maxus remarked. “Touche.” was all Baxter said as he slid the boxes back and picked up the last three, balancing a smaller package between his shoulder and head while his hands were full. Finished with his work, Baxter stretched his neck and rolled his shoulders before he closed the vehicle up. “Wonderful. So, did Vic leave me a list of shit to do, or is there a chance of me going home early?” Maxus asked his friend. “On the counter. Better hurry, cause if he doesn’t hear that your already ahead of schedule, he may actually fire you.” “Oh please. He can’t lose the help.” With that, Maxus went into the shop to grab his supply list, and as he grabbed the company bike, he began making his rounds through the city.

Maxus parked his car just a block away from his delivery. He had to use the car for this job, as the package was too large for the bike. However, it was to his favorite customer. As he grabbed the several packages from the back and began to carry them, he groaned as the muscles in his arms were threatening to quit on him. However, once he crossed the threshold of the building, his entire attitude had changed. Maxus had found himself inside a magician’s shop, where magical gear, weapons, potions, and ingredients were all sold. But it was the shopkeep and his two employees that made Maxus smile. “Yo, Regi! Where, you want this crap?” Maxus shouted his question, knowing that the store never had customers at this time. “Quiet down, dumbass, and put it over in the back. Mari, give him a hand before he breaks something.” Regi asked the girl from his spot at the counter. The girl sighed, then muttered “You would think that he’d ask the boy, but no. C’mon Maxus.” Mari grabbed a few boxes from the top of the stack Maxus held in his arms. As she led Maxus, he couldn’t help but look her over, just as he does everyday. She wasn’t a supermodel, but she definitely was beautiful. Her ocean blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair framed a sweet face. Her body definitely attracted attention, but in a good way. In fact, Maxus swore that had Regi not hired his daughter as his lead sales person, he’d probably would have closed up shop years ago. However, since the store really only functioned as a front, Maxus knew it wouldn’t be going anywhere soon. “Thanks, Mari.” Maxus said as they finished putting the boxes in the corner of the back room the store used for storage. “At least nothing made an inherently bad growl when I dropped it this time.” Mari giggled as she remembered the incident. “Yeah, well, at least you were in the know then, otherwise things would have been completely awkward.”

Mari began twirling her hair as she looked over to Maxus with a look in her eyes and a smile on her lip. “So tough guy, when do you plan on taking me out?” Maxus was dumbfounded upon hearing it and as he scrambled to pick up his jaw, Mari laughed “I’m dead! Your face has me crying!” she shrieked as she wiped away a tear. “Yeah well, what did you think was gonna happen when you pull that out of thin freaking air? Not like I have a ring burning a hole in my pocket...this time at least.” Maxus defensive tone had Mari calm down a bit. “Aww. Poor baby Maxy. Must be tough being you.” Mari placed a hand on her hip and winking at Maxus, who scowled. “Lighten up. Hey get it?” Mari laughed again at her own joke. “Shut up before you see why I earned my other nickname.” Maxus began leaving, Mari’s laughter following behind him along with Mari. Regi and his other employee Alex, a mountain of muscle with a thick handlebar mustache, looked towards the two as they stopped their conversation. “What’s so funny?” Alex asked, his thick accent showing, a common occurance whenever he spoke, though he hated it. “She made a joke, which for her is hilarious.” Maxus dryly answered. “Shut up, girls can be funny.” Mari answered defensively. “Oh, no I agree. Girls are funny.

Your

joke however is only funny to people under the age of six.” “Ha ha.” Mari said sarcastically. “So, what were you two old timers talking about before we popped up?” Maxus asked the two men. “Well, Alex was telling me that the venue for your next fight has finally been decided.” Regi then produced a black envelope. “Starts at eight tomorrow. You’re fighting against some new Earth mage. Kid isn’t that special, but his opponents haven’t been either.” Maxus then nodded his head respectfully at Regi before responding “Well, time for the Black Dragon to roar then.”