The Ancient Genes

Recycling District, Capital.

Flames continued to burn as smoke rose in the sky. The dark clouds finally couldn't seem to bear anymore as drops of rain began to trickle down.

"Crackle!"

In a minute, the weather had gone worse. It poured heavily yet, it seems that it still couldn't put a stop to the fire raging or the one which was about to rage.

Max looked glared at the old man, he didn't hide any intention to kill. If someone were to come in his way, he would definitely slaughter them today.

"Are you still the same person? Have you lost your path? Depending on your answer, I will take responsibility for the situation…" the old man said as the mana around him began to vibrate.

Max obviously couldn't speak, he had no way of speaking. His tongue had disintegrated into nothingness…..he didn't have time to go in about a round way to explain things to this old man….besides, he knew that the old man wouldn't let him kill the Grand Elder no matter what. He was that kind of man after all…..Besides, his mom had called him Uncle which clearly showed a close relationship…..this wouldn't be easy…

Max didn't think any further, he was running out of time. He raised his hand and the old man's expression changed. He suddenly felt that the mana around him slipping out of his control. Before he knew, several different colored orbs began to rotate around Max.

"Zmmn!"

Max waved his zombie-like hand and a dozen of beams were simultaneously released by the orbs.

Fire, Water, Earth, Wind…

It seems Max had unleashed every kind of elemental ability that existed in the plane.

'What is this?' The old man frowned as he forcefully pulled mana towards him and with a sudden burst of light, a white sword took shape in his hands.

The old man single handedly swung his sword and without a doubt, he immediately blew away everything moving towards him.

But the attacks still didn't show any signs of stopping. It only took a few seconds for the old man to notice that Max had left the orbs to assault him while he had begun to move towards the Grand Elder….

The old man's expression changed for the worse and he immediately rushed forward taking in a few attacks head on, his white blade sliced through the orbs.

The old man immediately felt the strange energy from the orbs, it was an extremely dominating one…..it was something practically screaming itself to be the king….

The old man immediately pulled away after slicing the orb only to notice his blade had been half gone as well. He then turned his head towards Max and raised his hand shooting out a thin white light which immediately sent Max flying over the Grand Elder.

Max tried to get back onto his feet but his fears came true, his wings and feet had both fallen off, there was not much left. He had lost his ability to move.

'I can't give up now…'

Max desperately tried to crawl towards the Grand Elder who seemed to be conscious, yet injured.

Max's Grandfather walked towards Max, he already seemed to have noticed a few heads lying around which seemed to belong to his own family members.

He sighed as the broken blade restored itself to its glory. The old man didn't know what had happened exactly….but he could guess a bit…. But Max's condition….he had no idea what it was…..just how could he wield so much power.....but one thing was clear….Max didn't seem to have any chances to make it alive looking how his body was falling apart at a rapid pace. He seemed to be paying the price....

The old man guessed that the Grand Elder must have done something to incur this suicidal wrath, but he couldn't imagine him being the kind of person to do that…..unless he somehow deemed it to be for the beneficial for the family.

He couldn't just let this man die, he was his one brother as well one of the main cornerstones of the family. The family would take a strong hit with him gone....

The old man's hand trembled, he had realised that his life had been an utter failure…..he was here watching his grandson die, there was nothing he could do…..the last thing he could allow him was to claim the Grand Elder's life to let his should rest in peace…..but that wasn't an option….

No one was at fault…...no maybe he was the one….

Suddenly, the old man felt a grasp on his shoulder and noticed the Grand Elder standing on his feet….

"Is it true, he shares the same blood as mine…." The Grand Elder asked. He had always been looking at his brother for a long time, he couldn't possibly fail to see the look of despair on his face.

The old man slightly nodded. This was the first time he had acknowledged it to anyone else in the family.

"It seems I have committed a grave crime then….." The Grand Elder said with a self depreciating look. He never believed that he would have been betrayed by the person he trusted so much….he had raised him like his own child….and yet…

'Well, he has grown...well....he could scheme and control people...' the Grand Elder thought, but he didn't blame him. This was how things had always been, someone with a kind heart was not fit to be leader.....that's the reason he wasn't one.... he has cowered away because he couldn't see his family getting hurt....he had seen how deadly the fight for previous generation was.

No one would have thought that this person would survive till the end and become the Lord...but he did.....and took responsibility for every drop of blood that had been spilled....

It was the that the Grand Elder decided to take this position....he knew what his brother was like before...how much he had changed or at least he was trying to change.....

The Grand Elder looked at his brother one last Tim before turning his head towards Max.

"I will atone for this sin….''

Grand Elder's words shook the old man and he immediately tried to reach to him. But before he could say anything, the Grand Elder continued, "I can't just live my life after violating my only principle…..besides I have done him wrong….if I could have exchanged my life for his, I would have done it without hesitation..."

"But even if I couldn't do it, I should at least accompany him and try to atone for it…." The Grand Elder said as he ignored the old man's gaze and hand in the mid air as he moved towards Max.

The Grand Elder of Edwinson House, A hot headed, but kind hearted man….even though he struck fear in everyone's heart….he would do things behind the scenes which people couldn't even imagine about….a man who dedicated his entire life for the sole purpose of serving the family.

He had decided to live a life without regrets, and today he would be choosing death because he finally had finally accumulated one regret....

Max seemed to be losing consciousness, he had heard it half the way but the rest seemed to be hazy. His arms and legs had fallen off including his eyes which had melted away…he was one step away from becoming a lich.

'Don't give in! Open a way! We still have got this….'

The voice continued to ring in Max's mind but Max was already falling apart. A few regrets still continue to linger in his heart...….the one which felt the heaviest was…..

"I don't regret it…."

Sera's soothing voice immediately brought Max back for a second…

"Give me a pathway!!"

The lady's excited voice sounded again and Max immediately brought himself together and allowed the spirit energy out as he desperately tried to hold onto last bit of his consciousness.