" Sister Ruby? " Max asked in a shaky voice, he had not seen Ruby since he played Omega many years ago.
Anna had told Max about Ruby before the two entered the dungeon. The two of them had even planned to make Rudra meet with Ruby after the dungeon run, but due to his training Max never came back out and the matter about his elvish sister in law slipped out of his mind.
" Hey Max " Ruby said as she smiled in the same gentle way that Max remembered making his stomach do a happy roll.
With Naomi letting Max go, Max walked up to his other sister in law as he intently looked into the blue eyes of the baby in her hands.
" Hey buddy " Max said in a calm voice as one could make out the oozing love behind those words when he said them, however, the small baby who was sucking his thumb only turned away from Max shyly as he put his head over his mother's shoulders.
" Wha- What's his name " Max asked happily as Ruby replied " His name is Kartikeya Rajput "
" Kartikeya, what a beautiful name " Max chuckled as Ruby carefully handed the baby to his uncle as Kartikeya instantly began squirming and struggling to be left back with his mother.
" Haha, he's strong " Max commented as he realised that although he was holding a few months old baby it was unusually heavy and strong for a child.
Max felt his arms tickle when Kartikeya tried to flap his small wings in order to break free from Max's embrace but when that failed he quietly surrendered as he stared into Max's blood red eyes with a frustrated gaze.
" Haha, brother looks at me the same way " Max said as he found the expression on little Kartikeya's face to be exactly like his brothers as he gave the cute little wingball back to Ruby.
" It's good to see you, big sister Ruby " Max said as Ruby smiled a sad smile in response.
" Jake! Amy! " Max said as he spread his arms inviting his other nephew and niece to hug him as the two kids did so happily.
" Uncle Max! " They said as they flew into Max's embrace much to the surprise of Max.
" I did not think they would recognise me " Max said as he hugged them both tightly while throwing a confused expression on his face while looking at Naomi.
" Oh, I show them pictures and tell them bedtime stories about your adventures". Naomi said as Max finally understood why they recognised him.
Max laughed a hearty laugh, the last time he saw these brats they had not learnt how to speak yet, however, now that heard them speak words it felt oddly satisfying.
" Where is brother and Asiva? " Max asked as he saw the smiles evaporate from everyone's faces.
Anna looked towards Naomi and Ruby for help, but Ruby avoided eye contact with Anna while Naomi looked like she was about to burst into tears again.
Trying to maintain the happy atmosphere of Max's return for a bit longer, Anna ditched Sebastian and ran up to Max as she hugged him tight.
" Max! " Anna exclaimed as Max gave his friend a big fat hug.
Anna had changed a lot since Max had last seen her, she was at least 4 inches taller and her boobs went from B cups to D cups, it was like she had undergone the last growth spurt of puberty and was now more of a ' Woman ' than a girl.
" You're tall and smell nice for some reason " Max commented awkwardly as Anna punched him in the stomach for the sly remark.
" I always smelled nice, okay? " Anna said as Max and Sebastian broke into a laugh.
" No but seriously, where is Asiva? " Sebastian asked as Anna turned to give him the death glare.
She had worked so hard to divert the topic but stupid Sebastian would not get the cue.
" What? Why are you looking at me like that? I'm just a coward ". Sebastian said as Anna sighed, she knew she had to reveal the details sooner or later hence she said " Asiva, she should be with Severus "
" Okay, where are Asiva and Severus? " Asked Max
" Together " replied Anna as she felt Max and Sebastian's sceptical gaze peering through her skin
" Anna, stop going round and round in circles, give it to me straight, where are Anna and Severus? " Max asked authoritatively as Anna began to sweat.
Eventually she sighed and gave up as she realised that there was no comfortable words for her to soften the blow for Max and Sebastian.
" In prison, detained by the Kingsman clan, chained in a cell naked, tortured everyday" Anna replied as Max subconsciously created fire in his palms from the anger of listening to this statement.
" Then what the hell are you doing here? Are we preparing a response team to go save them? " Max asked as he gazed straight into Anna's eyes with a murderous expression.
" If I could, I would have saved her already, But I can't.
Patricia Won Knight is trying out for a prisoner swap deal and the talks are in progress but it will take at least 3-4 months before any breakthrough is made.
" Bullshit! I'm not letting my Asiva suffer for 3-4 months at the hands of the Kingsman bastards, I'll burn that kingdom to ashes if they so dare touch her skin!
Where is brother? I need to talk to him! ". Max snapped back at Anna as he waited for the answer as to where Rudra was?
" Where is brother? " Max asked again, this time a little louder
" He is not here Max ". Anna replied in a muddled voice
" Okay, so where is he? " Max asked again, his voice now inching towards madness
" He is dead Max, the universal queen eliminated him ". Ruby replied finally, as Max felt his heart crack into a million pieces.
" No- you're lying! " Max said as he felt the strength under his legs dissipate, making him fall to his knees.
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/// A/N - Chapter 5/5 for the day, hope you all enjoyed the mass release!
Thankyou for the consistent support you have shown for my work!
Let's maintain our 10th position for next week! ///