The Ancient Genes

"Whoosh!"

Max's figure appeared in the empty patch of land which had been burned to pitch black from the explosion earlier. Everything in the vicinity had been wiped clear, and the forest covered had really pushed into the distance opening up a big field in the middle of nowhere.

"They sure did go out flashy here.." Max muttered with a frown as he spread his domain, and tried to see if he could locate anyone around.

"There doesn't seem to be any sign of anyone around.." A voice rang into Max' ears, and he slightly turned his head to look at the figure of the Viking-like man who seemed to have followed after him.

Max had immediately left the settlement after witnessing that blast here. He knew that the situation must have been much more dire than he could probably imagine. Hence, he left his clone behind with the hostage that he had held.

If these people really tried to do anything funny, he really didn't mind going eye for an eye.

"Don't look at me like that? It's not only your people who are in trouble here.." The Old man seemed to understand Max's gaze.

Max was indeed curious as to why the Old man had shown up when he had already sent out a subordinate in the first place.

"There..let's move.." The Old man suddenly spoke as he grabbed Max's shoulder, and the next instant, he took a strong step and his body shot through the sky.

"Whoosh!"

The wind came tearing at Max's face. He had experienced flight, but this was the first time that he had experienced a flight which was not actually one, but was just a leap with pure brute force.

Max immediately prepared himself when he saw the ground nearing to them, and there seemed to be a person around as well.

'Is he planning to crash?' Max had no idea how the man planned to land.

But, what came next was a surprise to him, the man kicked out his feet in mid air if he was pushing it against the air, and used the air propelled to slowly walk down the sky. To people who had no idea what the Old man was capable of, it would really seem that he had walked down a bunch of invisible stairs floating in mid air.

"Big Brother!" A voice sounded, and Max turned his head to see a bulky looking man, quite similar to the Old man looking at them. And, from his appearance, he sure seemed to be a man who had made out of a gigantic explosion.

After all, he was covered in smoke dust from head to toe.

As the man came closer, his eyes fell on Max who was by the Leader's Side.

"Who is he?" The Bulky man asked as he looked at his older brother.

"He is a person who has recently entered the place just like us to search. And, it seems the people you have been fighting are his companions.." The Old man explained to him.

The words made the Bulky man frown, and he immediately took a stance, while warning the Old man, "Get away from him! He is lying! He is nothing but a fake as well.."

His actions made the Old Viking-like man frown a bit.

"Calm down, I have confirmed there is nothing wrong with him.."

"You don't understand Big Brother, there is definitely something wrong with him! This guy says he is from outside, but if that's the case, then why did the one who appeared as his team was Achilles!!" The Bulky man roared as his body pumped up and he was almost ready to begin the fight. The only thing he needed was his brother to get away from his path.

"What did you say?! How is this possible?!!" The Old man's face immediately changed upon hearing that. "How can my son get here, he is just a child! Are you out of your mind?!"

"Of course, I am not. That's why I am saying he is a fake!" The Bulky man insisted, and this time, even the Old man had to turn his head to look at Max with suspicion.

There was no reason for his brother to lie like this.

"Are you sure he has not gone insane from some head injury? Does a guy a year or two older than me look like a child to you?" Max asked with a frown as he shifted his gaze to the Bulky man.

"I admit, he indeed looked older. But, he recognized me and called me Uncle. There is definitely something up brother." The Bulky man explained with his fierce gaze fixed on Max, "Just let me get my hands on him, brother. We will know if he is a fake or not.."

The Old Man stood there with a frown on his face. Even he was unable to make sense of this situation.

"Wait a minute! You are saying to me that you are the Chief's father?" Max asked as he looked at the old man.

"Chief?" The Old man frowned, "I am the Chief.."

"No, you were years ago. He is the Chief now.." Max spoke with a serious look on his face.

"What do you mean years ago? It's only been three months. Don't try to fool us.." The Bulky man spoke.

Max on the other hand just maintained his look on the Old man who too seemed to have realized the oddness of this situation as he spoke, "I am afraid it has been more than just three months.."

Those words made both the man's face turn dark. They were fully aware of the seriousness that those words conveyed to them.

"How can this happen.." The Old man slowly clenched his fist with a little anger, confusion and helplessness in his face.

"It must have something to do with the time flow here. I can't think of anything else.." Max spoke with a calm voice. He knew that the trial seemed to have broken around. And, that surely had the ability to mess the flow of time even for these people it seems.

"In that case, did I really fight to kill my own nephew?" The bulky man spoke with wide eyes, and his hands shaking.