The Ancient Genes

Auditorium, Roxley House.

Ander stood up from his seat, and looked at Omen before speaking, "If we go by your logic, how many of us do you think will be left at the end of it?"

His voice was loud, and it clearly rang across all the corners of the hall even without the help of a microphone. And, he didn't say anything wrong. After all, the saying was true, an eye for an eye will make the world blind.

Ander then turned towards the crowd, and spoke, "I know there is a lot of hatred hidden there. And, it is perfectly justified. But, I would like you to put all those feelings away for a second and just think about it rationally."

"It isn't only you people, who have lost your family and friends over the years. It is the same for us."

"But, what for? Can any of us even remember what this fight began for? Did it even begin in our generations?"

"...."

There was a pin drop silence in the auditorium. No one had any idea why the feud began in the first place. But, over the years, they had carried on the hatred and clashed over dozens of times.

"It's time we end this. We don't need to carry on our grudges and pass it to the next generations like the ones before us did."

"Aren't you people tired of it? Because, I definitely am. Let's not shed anymore blood."

"You really could say it so easily, Lord Barnes." Omen intervened, and got up from his seat. "What are we supposed to say to those who have passed before us in the afterlife? That we let their deaths in vain.."

"Hahaha!!" Ander laughed at the guy, and then shook his head. "And, here I thought that you had something important to talk about.."

Omen's face twitched when he was put down like that.

"Isn't that very simple, you just need to say to them, 'I made sure that no more of our brethren's would die anymore'."

A few people erupted in cheers as soon as Ander said that. There were definitely people around, who shared the same mindset.

"Aren't those just fancy words…" Omen snorted.

"Fancy words?" Ander looked at him, and frowned. "You really make me laugh?"

He shook his head with a mocking gaze on his face.

"What have you been fighting for until now?" Ander asked in a loud voice before turning towards the crowd, and continuing, "We, the Barnes, have been fighting to save each and every life possible! This is the reason that I am here today to end this feud!"

"I am willing to bow down, and apologize for everything that happened till date. Because, I don't want to lose any other members of my family."

"Do the Roxley's not share the same sentiment?" The voice shook people's hearts. It really touched the bottom part which was tired of all the battles and losses.

"No! We share the same sentiment! We too had enough of it. We don't want to lose anyone as well!" Roman finally got up when Melinda nudged him to.

"My Lord, y-" Omen was about to retort, but couldn't do so.

"Enough Omen! Is revenge the only thing you have in mind?" Roman asked in a loud voice, "How many more people do you wanna sacrifice to take your revenge? And, then you will have to take revenge for the people whom you sacrificed?"

"Just when do you think will this cycle end?" He further added. "Until one of us is left?"

Roman shook head with a laugh.

"We have been fighting to protect all along. Those people, who have died, all did so while hoping for peace in the future. Hoping that their sacrifice would protect someone else's life."

"And, today is the day to make their wish come true. This pointless feud has to end today!"

The crowd immediately began to chant 'Yes' in approval and there were also those who screamed 'End the Feud'.

These chants were all started by Melinda's people. And, with the crowd effect and the moving speech from the two Lords, the people were soon on the same boat before they knew it.

Omen's face turned extremely ugly, and he turned to look at Melinda menacingly. He knew it was all that women's fault. He had never been her match in planning and plotting. If it was not for her, he would have plotted Roman to death long ago. It would then be very easy for him to obtain the position of the Lord.

But, unfortunately, this woman was here. She had stopped him time and time again. She could somehow just beat him every time. She was always a couple of steps ahead of him.

But today, he couldn't accept a loss. Or else, he wouldn't be able to recover from it. He immediately turned his eyes towards the elders on his side, and a few on the neutral side.

All of these people were profiting from the feud.

They all had shady deals going along with the feud as a cover. They had stolen resources and killed competitors. And, the blame was put on Barnes saying they assassinated and looted the treasury. Hence, most of their followers were the ones with deep hatred against Barnes as they had 'apparently' suffered a lot of losses from them. So, if they allowed the peace to take place, they would be troubled for sure.

There were even chances that their actions would come out in light if peace was made. So, they had better make sure that this never happened if they wanted to save their asses.

Ander and Roman glanced at each other seeing that the crowd was finally on their side. This was something that was a must for them. After all, the problem with the Elders wasn't anything serious.

Now, their job was half done. They just needed Max to arrive and it would be solved. There shouldn't be much problem in that department.

But, Max was still nowhere to be seen. It seemed they had to hold the fort down for a while.