Maxwell wasn't surprised by Wilson's reaction. He almost looked pleased with it, which immediately set Wilson off. He wasn't upset or even vaguely surprised, so what did he know that the scientist didn't?

"I figured you'd call me a liar, but you have to think about the circumstances, former God. Charlie disappeared before many of the other gods went missing, as you know. But I didn't consider her a threat to me. If you hadn't told her about your theory about me, she would have joined me in a heartbeat." Maxwell explained, his tone similar to that of a parent telling their child what was going on lightly.

Now that he thought about it, Charlie had been acting strangely ever since he told her about this thoughts on the disappearance of the Cotex and Maxwell at about the same time. He had thought it was important for her to know, but he also remembered her reaction. And his regret.

"I didn't make Charlie disappear. You did," Maxwell growled, growing more hostile.

"N-no I didn't!" Wilson cried, scolding himself for sounding like a child. But that's what he felt like. A child standing in the almost literal shadow of its fear, helpless and afraid, denying they did any wrong when he knows deep inside that he had done a terrible thing.

"Yes, you did. You know you did. You regret telling Charlie about what you thought happened to the Cotex. You were the one to make her disappear. You were the one that cost everyone everything that they lost. And you know why. Because of your selfish desires. Your Grue," Maxwell laughed, as though Wilson's suffering was hilarious.

Wilson wanted to laugh too. Not a joyful laughter, but hysterical, insane laughter. Maxwell could always see through people, but now, he felt like the world was falling apart around him. Maxwell could see into his very soul, into his Grue. One could not change who they were. No one could ever change their Grue.

"You are a pitiful man, Wilson. But your soul's desires are far more powerful than you." "Shut up..." "Your friends don't care for you, they only pity you." "Shut up." "They don't care, so why are you even here?" "Shut up!"

Wilson picked up a nearby stick and took a powerful swing. Maxwell caught the makeshift weapon, gripping it tightly. Wilson tried to pull the stick out of the Shadow King's grip to no avail.

"Don't try that at your lowest, Wilson. You cannot defeat me while you have no real power." Maxwell hissed menacingly. "You could never beat me while you have no one to help you."