Barkley recovered some strength from exhaustion, but his heart was still full of doubts and uneasiness. He knew that he had just experienced a crucial test, but this was only the beginning of revealing the tip of the iceberg of his destiny. The air near the altar gradually became fresher, and the sound of birds in the forest resounded. The mysterious woman stood in front of him, looking at him calmly, with an unfathomable wisdom in her eyes.
"Who are we going to see next?" Barkley raised his head, with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
"She is an old friend of your mother, who once took on the responsibility of protecting you after your parents disappeared. Although she has not had direct contact with you over the years, she has been observing you in secret." The woman's low and gentle voice was mysterious, "She knows your life experience and the secrets in your body. After meeting her, you will understand more."
"Why didn't she show up earlier?" Barkley frowned slightly. Although he vaguely felt the sincerity in the woman's words, he was wary of his mother's so-called "friend". The disappearance of his parents, the genetic code in his body, all of these are full of unexplainable mysteries, and he seems to have been led towards an unknown future.
"Because the timing is wrong," the woman replied calmly, "you didn't have enough ability to face these when you were a child. Now, you have passed the initial test and awakened the power in part of the genetic code, so you are qualified to contact her."
Barkley was silent for a few seconds, and the conflicting emotions in his heart made it impossible for him to make a judgment immediately. He always thought that he was just struggling to survive, but now he found that his fate had been arranged very precisely.
Finally, he took a deep breath and decided to move on. "Okay, take me to see her."
The woman nodded gently and led Buckley into the depths of the forest. The thick fog in the forest gradually spread, blocking their sight, as if entering another world. The shadows of the trees were mottled, the road under their feet became tortuous, and the birdsong around them gradually disappeared, replaced by a quiet and mysterious.
Barkley realized that they were no longer walking in the ordinary real world. The woman seemed to lead him through some invisible barrier and into a place between reality and fantasy. This feeling made him both excited and uneasy.
"Your mother once told me that time and space are not linear," the woman suddenly said, as if she noticed Barkley's confusion, "We are now traveling on a special path that can shorten the distance between us and her. This road does not belong to any planet or dimension, but is a connection between multiple time and space."
Barkley nodded. Although he could not fully understand what the woman said, he had seen too many things that could not be explained by common sense and gradually got used to this unreal environment.
The two continued to move forward until the fog became so thick that they could hardly see the road ahead. Suddenly, an ancient building appeared in front of them, hidden under the cover of fog. The building looked like some kind of ancient temple, with broken stone pillars supporting the roof, covered with vines and moss, and seemed to have been abandoned for a long time.
"We're here," the woman said softly, with a hint of awe.
Barkley stood in front of the temple and felt an indescribable power emanating from the building. This power was not oppressive, but rather a familiar call that made him feel his heartbeat resonate with it.
"She's waiting for you inside." The woman turned around and motioned for Barkley to enter alone.
Barkley hesitated, but he knew he had to go into this mysterious place. He took a deep breath, pushed open the heavy stone door of the temple, and walked in.
The interior of the temple was unexpectedly empty and solemn. The walls around were engraved with ancient runes. In the center was a huge stone statue, shaped like a woman in a robe. The statue's eyes were slightly closed, as if she was sleeping, and as if she was watching everything.
Barkley's eyes were attracted by an old man under the statue. She was wearing a dark purple robe, with her back to Barkley, as if she was concentrating on observing certain symbols on the statue. Barkley felt a familiar breath emanating from her, as if her existence resonated with a part of him deep inside.
"You're finally here, Barkley." The old man's voice was calm and deep, as if it penetrated the limitations of time and space and directly entered Barkley's heart. She didn't look back, but she obviously knew that Barkley was coming.
"You are...?" Barkley asked vigilantly. Although the woman told him that the old man was his mother's friend, he still remained on guard.
The old woman turned around slowly, and Barkley finally saw her face clearly. Although her face was marked by the years, the wisdom and strength in her eyes could not be ignored. She smiled slightly, her eyes were kind and firm.
"I am Maraia, your mother's best friend, and also the guardian of your parents' research." She said calmly.
Barkley's heart was shocked. He had seen this name in his mother's notes. Maraia is a legendary figure in the scientific and metaphysical circles. Her research involves genes, time and space, and the nature of human consciousness. It is rumored that her wisdom transcends the times and even masters some unknown powers.
"Your parents designed all this for you. They knew you would come here at the right time." Mariya's voice was gentle with a little sadness. "They left the genetic code in your body, and I am responsible for ensuring that you awaken at the right time."
"I... why?" Barkley felt the questions in his heart surge like a tide, "Why did they disappear? Why did they implant this power in my body?"
"This is not their choice, but the situation forced them." Mariya sighed lightly, "Your parents discovered some ancient and powerful power, which is sealed in the genetic code in your body. You are the carrier of that power, but at the same time, you are also its protector."
"Protector?" Barkley felt puzzled, "What exactly am I protecting? What? "
"The genetic code in your body is not just a product of science, it is the carrier of some more ancient power in the universe. Your parents once discovered the remains of an ancient civilization in a distant galaxy, and the remains contain the power to change time and space. In order to prevent this power from falling into the wrong hands, they sealed it in your genes, and you can only master it when you are fully awakened. "
Maria slowly walked to Barkley and stared into his eyes, "This is what you are facing now. Those who are chasing you are not just for you, but for the power in your body. If it is abused, the entire universe will fall into chaos. "
Barkley felt a strong sense of responsibility pressing on his heart, and this pressure made it almost difficult for him to breathe. He always thought that he was just fleeing and looking for the truth, but now he understood that what he shouldered was far beyond his imagination.
"You must learn how to control this power," Mariya's voice was firm, "otherwise, it will bite you back and even destroy everything around you. "
At this moment, the stone statue of the temple suddenly emitted a faint light. Barkley looked up subconsciously and found that the eyes of the stone statue slowly opened, which seemed to contain endless wisdom and power.
Marleya smiled slightly, turned to face the stone statue, and whispered: "This is the last inheritance left by your mother. Only through it can you fully awaken and master that power."
Barkley took a deep breath and felt that he was standing at the crossroads of fate. He knew that no matter what he chose, it would completely change the future. He had to make a decision, and this decision was not only about himself, but also about the fate of the entire universe.
"I'm ready." Barkley
whispered, with a flash of determination in his eyes.
Marley nodded, turned and walked towards the stone statue, and gently placed his palm on the chest of the stone statue. Suddenly, the light in the temple gradually increased, as if the entire space was responding to the call of this power.