[ A humorless smile crosses Max's face as he reaches up to rub the back of his neck. ]

So I'm a hero back home, too. Or, well, I'm supposed to be. Everyone keeps telling me I am.

And, you know, I guess I am. I've helped a lot of people. But my main thing is -

[ His fingertips brush the back clasp of the Cap, and he sighs, bringing his arm down and shoving his hands in his pockets. He keeps his gaze rooted to a shell off to the side, watching as the waves wash over it. ]

There's this... ancient artifact that I was charged with protecting, and one specific guy I really needed to keep it from, which, you know, I thought it'd be a cinch because he was trapped in this underground Hell... thing. Like, inhabited by people who are literally made of lava. Not exactly prime real estate, let me tell you.

[ Max's palm finds his way to his mouth, and he taps his chin thoughtfully. ]

So... long story short, it wasn't a cinch. He had all kinds of tricks up his sleeve to send minions out to get me and my — my artifact. Because it was the only way he could escape his prison; He needed it to make a portal out of there.

So we... had to take the fight to him. We got down there and destroyed the source of his power, so no more legions of the undead stalking me. So that was good.

[ It doesn't sound good, considering the way Max sounds like he's choking up. He pauses to take a breather, hoping to calm down before he keeps going. ]