The Ancient Genes

Crimson Dimension, Ocien.

Erina had just arrived at this place once again. And, it still was as shocking as her first time to see an entirely new world hidden within a mountain.

"You are back, my dear.." Aunt Kel's voice rang across the hallway, and Erina raised her head to see Kel walking towards her.

Erina nodded at her with a smile.

"Well, shall we go on our way then. I don't think we have much time. After all, you have to return as well. It's too bad that you can't have a night over," Kel replied with a sigh.

"Where are we going?" Erina asked as Aunt Kel led the way.

"We are going to meet the Matriarch," Aunt Kel replied with a smile.

"Great Grandmother?" Erina asked, and Kel nodded.

The two of them went deeper into the Crimson State, and as they proceeded further ahead. The place seemed to become quieter with less and less people around.

The mansion was really large, it seemed to be almost never ending.

"We are here.." Aunt Kel stopped in her tracks, and turned around to look at Erina.

Erina on the other hand looked around. They were still in the hallway, but soon her eyes caught the ending of the hallway, it looked to be a bright exit. It was lighting up the gloomy and dark hallway.

"Go ahead, I will be back to take you later." Aunt Kel cheered Erina up.

Erina looked at her and nodded before heading towards the bright exit. She could hear the sound of running water coming from the place, and there was also the sweet smell of nature wafting her nostrils.

It only took her a few seconds to walk out of the place. Once she was out of the hallway, her eyes immediately widened as she found herself standing on a rocky floor. To her either side were huge streams of water gushing down before crashing in the basin with a thunderous noise.

'What is this?' Erina looked around with a dumbfounded face. She had no idea how she was supposed to get down.

She contemplated there for a while, and even tried to scream to check if someone was around, but it was useless. The Waterfall consumed every word of her with its sound.

In the end, she could only helplessly turn around to leave. But, the moment she did that, her eyes immediately turned wide.

The Exit was gone…

"How is this possible?! It was right here!" Erina walked ahead, and touched the rock wall for some kind of hidden mechanism but it was of no use. There was nothing around.

It was now only her on this small protruding rock in the middle of the waterfall.

…

It was slowly starting to get dark outside. The Sun was almost down the horizon, and the city of Ocien would soon be buzzing with its night activity.

A guy with dark skin, and an average build walked down the street. He didn't look handsome, but wasn't bad either. He was average in all manner.

This person was actually Max in disguise.

He walked around the streets looking around the bustle with a calm look on his face. This kind of thing once in a while wasn't bad. It kind of had a soothing effect. This peace and happiness, even though there were selfish reasons behind his actions as well, he wouldn't deny that this peace was the result of it as well.

But, unfortunately, he wasn't here to enjoy the peace today.

"There is nothing suspicious around here.."

A transmitter was currently passing voices into Max's ear.

"Same here.." Rihanna's voice sounded.

"No need to specifically look for them. They would come to us, just be prepared for it.." Max replied in a calm tone.

They were currently spread around the northern districts in Ocien. All of them were in disguise as one of the low ranking members who were here in Ocien for the mission from the Ancient Families.

Max continued to calmly move around, but didn't feel odd at all.

Only time would say whether they would find anything tonight.

…

On the other side..

Preston had returned to the hotel in which he was staying. And, his face which had always remained pleasant wasn't so anymore. One could easily tell that he was pissed from that ugly look on his face.

"That guy…" He muttered with a heavy frown on his face before taking out a transmitter and passing onto the message of his failure.

A second later, a message came back.

It was a simple direction asking him to move to a certain location in order to meet with an important guest.

This matter had come very abrupt. But, this seemed to have come at the right time, and it even made his stay in Ocien even more important.

…

Scarlet Mansion, Ocien.

"What's the matter?" Talia calmly asked as she raised her head to look at Travis. This guy had been very upset recently and hadn't shown his face to her in a while.

Travis's face was still not good. It was evident that his rage was still not totally gone.

"The Elder is here, he has entered Ocien," Travis said and then continued with a questioning look on his face, "Should I go to welcome him?"

"No need, we won't associate with him in public." Talia shook her head, but she also seemed to be relieved at the arrival of this person.

"Besides, we already have the meeting planned. I will move when it's darker." Talia calmly stated.

"Mom.."

"What now?" Talia asked.

"That guy has gone out again, I trailed him for a while. But, he disappeared afterwards. I think he is doing something suspicious. I don't think we should trust him," Travis said with a serious look on his face.

"If you have time to trail someone, you should put it to better use.." Talia shook her head.

To her it only looks like Max was deliberately leading her son, and fooling him. After all, with the blood control, she didn't think Max could do anything to her.

Travis clenched his fist while looking at the indifference of Talia to this matter, before turning around and leaving in anger.

'Just you wait…I will definitely prove it….' He steeled in his heart.