The Ancient Genes

"Chirp!"

"Chirp!"

The chirping of birds rang around as the sun rose up the horizon bringing along the start of a new day. It was also the time when the two guests who had been staying in the remote village of the Trial had gotten up to leave.

"I won't accompany you ahead.." The guard spoke as he looked at Max and Blinken. There was still some hostility in the villagers regarding the two of them. If it was not for the fact that the village chief had declared them innocent, the people would have thrown stones at them.

But, what could one say? The villagers had suffered recently with the strange change in climate. And, somehow the rumours had spread that these strangers were responsible for it. This came at the perfect moment when the villagers needed someone to take their anger out on.

Some of these people had even demanded public execution of the criminals on the very day they were arrested. But, later on the Village Chief pardoned them, and it was informed that they were not criminals.

This was all fine, but the lack of a public hearing had indeed left people a bit unsatisfied, and resulted in this lasting hostility.

"Yeah, sure..didn't need you to walk us till here as well.." Blinken snorted looking at the guard. He really didn't like these people's attitude to begin with. If it was not for the fact that they were going to work with the village chief, he would really have smacked some sense into these rude people.

"Let's go.." Max nudged Blinken who was still exchanging glares with the guard, and the two finally set off on their journey.

"Hmph..I can't believe they were allowed to leave just like that. No matter how you look at them, they were suspicious.." The guard muttered with a frown on his face. "Thankfully, the Elder is wise…unlike the young chief.."

On the other side…

Village Chief's home..

A commotion was currently about to go down at this place.

The Village Chief's assistant had come down to get him up for the morning assembly. But, surprisingly, the Chief wasn't up yet. This was one of the first incidents of its kind.

The man decided to wait for a little while, but when he realised that it was getting late, he couldn't help but ask the servant in the house to check on the Chief and wake him up for the meeting.

But, it only took a little while before the servant came running down with sweat covering his face and a letter in his hand.

"What's wrong?" The Assistant asked with a frown.

"I can't find Chief anywhere. He is not in his room, and there was this letter left behind on his desk.." The Servant handed over the piece of paper.

The Assistant took it over with a frown and the next instant his eyes widened in surprise. The letter stated that the Village Chief had left in search for his father and the missing village members.

"This is bad…" The Assistant's face turned dark, and he hurried left to contact the oldest elders in the Village.

….

Elder's Residence..

"They have left the village.." The guard who had gone out to leave Max and Blinken earlier was in the Elder's residence, and reporting to an aged looking man who was sitting on a chair.

"Did you send people after them?" the Old man asked with a calm look on his face.

"Yes, Sir. A group of four has been dispatched. They are tailing them and should be reporting to us soon.." The guard politely replied, and as soon as he did, a hawk's cry rang from outside, and the next instant, a hawk descended on the window pane of the room.

The bird actually had a piece of paper attached to its claws. It was very likely a messenger carrier.

The Elder gave the guard a look, and he nodded before hurrying up to take out the message. A few seconds later, his expression changed.

"What's the matter?" The Old man asked with an unfazed expression.

"T-This.." The guard looked at the old man with a dumbfounded face before finally speaking, "It says that Village Chief had met up with the Intruders a few kilometers away.."

"Hmmn.."

Finally, the Old man's expression changed.

At this moment, hurried footsteps sounded and the next instant, a servant barged into the room informing the Elder about the arrival of the Village Chief's assistant.

Soon, the entire thing became clear to the Elder.

"Don't worry, I will organize a group to bring back the Chief. Let's keep this matter a secret for now. Until then, handle the Chief's job, and bring anything important to me if required."

"Yes, Elder.." The Assistant nodded with a heavy face.

As the guy slowly left the place, the Old man's face changed to reveal an evil smile.

"It couldn't have been any better. The brat has finally left the nest…hahaha!!"

The guard who was standing beside the Old man frowned a little upon hearing that.

"Arrange a team. He shouldn't return alive.." The Elder spoke in a decisive manner.

"T-This.." The guard immediately broke out in cold sweat, obviously hesitant about the matter.

"Don't you see how immature the brat is. We can't let someone like him lead the Village. The Village is already heading towards demise with the current situation. Yet the brat keeps insisting on sticking around, and holding out. Even trying to search for the cause of this and fix it. But, even after he said all of that, he allowed those suspicious people to go. And, on top of that, he is now joining them to search for his father. Do you really think he is fit to lead us?" The Elders once again asked in a dominant tone and the guard finally put out the conflict in his head and nodded.

….

On the other side…

Max and Blinken were waiting at a distance from the village for their new companion to join them. And, it indeed didn't take long for that to happen.

The Village Chief soon arrived in front of them.

"Finally here?" Blinken asked as he looked at the guy, "Good, now tell me what should I do with the bunch from your village who had been tailing us?"

Max shook his head with a sigh. They had long since noticed them, and just hadn't done anything out of respect for their cooperation.