The Ancient Genes

"You got a death wish! Trying to attract its attention.."

A voice rang in Blinken\'s ear with his face pressed against the ground. He couldn\'t move an inch of his body. The person had clearly overpowered him in every manner.

\'Damn! Who is this guy now?! One trouble hasn\'t ended yet, and another pops up!\' Blinken cursed inward, before slowly turning his eyes towards the Shadow Leopards hoping that these guys would act to help in some manner.

But to his surprise, they just sat at their places like cute little kittens.

\'What the hell..\'

As Blinken was wondering what was going on, how he was supposed to make out of this situation, a different voice rang out this time.

"Let go of him now.."

The Old Chief too seemed to realize that he had pressed Blinken a bit too hard against the surface, and immediately released his grip on him.

With the pressure gone, Blinken finally took a deep breath feeling a relief wash over him. He really felt death was close a second ago.

"What the hell is going on?" Blinken turned his head as he spoke, and sure enough, Max was there. He hadn\'t heard wrong.

"Well, a few things happened. But, for now, where is Chief.." Max asked with a serious face. He knew what was of the utmost importance now. Even the Old Chief seemed to be in a hurry.

Blinken gave Max a look before glancing at the man beside him. One look was enough for him to tell that this Viking looking man had some connection with the guy he fought.

"They are in the cave there.." Blinken spoke as he pointed towards the place.

The Old Chief seemed to be waiting for that, and he immediately turned around before moving with hurried steps while Max and Blinken slowly followed behind.

"It looks like you ended up needing my help.." Max smiled as the Shadow Leopards moved towards him, and after a little pats entered his shadow.

"Tsk.." Blinken clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction. He wanted to say that he didn\'t need help and could have handled the situation alone well enough. But, that really wasn\'t the case actually. Hence, he could only shut his mouth and swallow his complaints.

"Anyway, what\'s going on with the Old man.." Blinken asked in confusion.

"Well, it seems he is the guy Chief is looking for.." Max replied with a weird smile.

Blinken\'s face changed in surprise, "He is still alive?"

Max shrugged.

What could he say?

When the Chief had told them about his search, they indeed had thought that he was being delusional. The chances of people who disappeared a few years ago to be still alive was slim. Almost close to none.

And, yet here they were..

"Well, things are not that simple actually.." Max further spoke as he explained things to Blinken. He knew that even though it had been years for Chief since his father\'s disappearance, that wasn\'t so for the Old Chief and his fellow companions.

"I thought I had seen enough bizarreness already.." Blinken spoke with a little laugh.

"Well, can\'t deny that. This trial really seems to be bizarre.." Max spoke as a little frown appeared on his face. He still could remember the incident when he just entered the center area and came across that Undead Dragon.

The illusion was really real.

But, it wasn\'t the illusion which made him frown. It was the feeling he got from the creature.

Max felt its strength, might and pride. A desire to destroy and continue to exist. But, this desire of destruction was not targeted towards him. And, even its existence didn\'t seem to give out an evil presence.

The concept of evil was really vague. But, it was instinct which could differ good from bad. And, Max didn\'t feel anything bad from that creature.

Nothing seemed to be making sense here.

"And what\'s with that giant turtle..what in hell was that?" Blinken suddenly asked and even Max\'s face changed upon hearing it.

"No idea about it.." Max shook his head, "Let\'s go, we will ask him about it. I am sure he knows more than just a thing or two about it.."

As Max and Blinken entered the cave, they saw the Old Chief kneeling on one knee between the two people who were lying on his either side on dry leaves. There was fire lit in the cave as well to create a warm environment.

Both of these people seemed to be badly injured.

"We need to move them from here.." The Old Chief spoke with a serious look on his face.

Max nodded.

These places couldn\'t exactly be called safe. Not to mention, it was not a good place to stay. And, they needed someone to look after these two people.

After all, Max didn\'t plan to stop here. He was planning to find the source which was sucking all the life energy. He knew there were important things waiting for him out in the real world. Hence, he couldn\'t afford to delay things here even if the time here moved slower.

"Let me get some people from the settlement to come for help.." The Chief spoke with a frown. He had strength in his hands, but that was no use when it came to carrying these two people delicately.

"I will help in moving them.." Max spoke as he looked at the Old Chief, and used his telekinesis ability to quietly lift the two people up.

Both the Old man and Blinken\'s face changed a little in surprise upon seeing that.

The Old man was surprised at Max\'s varying range of ability. Blinken 23:00

on the other hand was confused. He knew Max could use all the The Old man was surprised at Max\'s varying range of ability. Blinken on the other hand was confused. He knew Max could use all the elements after remaining with him for a while. But, he couldn\'t understand how the current thing was working.

He suspected that it was done using the wind, but he himself was a master at it. Yet he couldn\'t sense anything. It could only mean that some different kind of ability was being used here.

\'Just how many things is this guy hiding..\' Blinken\'s face twitched thinking about it. He had accepted Max as a rival and it sure didn\'t feel good when your rival turned out to be stronger and stronger, revealing a new ability each day.