Maximus Apollo's Arc

Chapter 1 of 1

Maximus Apollo crouched beside the moss-covered enclosure wall, his visor glowing as he sketched the three-headed serpent coiled in the shadows. He had one dream: to complete the legendary field guide by tracking down every rare beast in existence. The serpent hissed and shifted, revealing scales that shimmered like oil on water. Maximus added another detail to his notes. But this cramped workspace wouldn't do anymore. He needed somewhere permanent to house his growing collection of sketches, specimens, and data. The House that Moro Built rose before him three days later, a sprawling castle-like estate with towers that pierced the gray sky. The architecture twisted in unusual ways, macabre yet strangely beautiful. Inside, the halls stretched wide enough for cages of every size. The walls gleamed with a strange shimmer, as if the building itself was alive. Maximus walked through the empty chambers, his boots echoing on stone floors. This place would hold everything. Every sketch, every specimen jar, every captured beast. Here, he would build the most legendary field guide the world had ever seen. He pulled the Track-o-Beast Portable Hand Scanner from his belt and ran it along the stone doorway. The sleek device hummed to life, its dark surface gleaming. A concealed blade laser extended from the side with a soft click. Maximus swept the scanner across a streak of dried slime on the floor. The screen lit up with data about the creature that had passed through. With this tool, he could study every trace the beasts left behind. He could document things no one else had ever recorded. The castle was ready. His equipment was ready. Now the real work could begin. Maximus moved deeper into the estate, testing each room for its purpose. One chamber would hold live specimens. Another would store preserved samples in glass jars. The largest hall would become his study hall, lined with shelves for his sketches and notes. He unclipped the Moreau Stealth Pen from his pack and set it on the floor. The sleek enclosure expanded with a soft hiss, jet thrusters glowing at its base. The cage would keep any creature safe during observation. He could activate the stealth mode to calm nervous beasts. Everything was falling into place. His base was built. His tools were tested. Tomorrow, he would hunt his first rare beast for the guide.