Caelan gasped for air.

  He kneeled and collapsed towards the ground when the first years left him alone. His internal organs started bleeding as he coughed loudly.

  He struggled to grasp his breath, trying to get his thoughts together.

  "That was close," he thought as his body vibrated on the ground.

  Zorian was strong. Stronger than he had thought. He knew he wasn't going to win the fight easily. He never imagined he would be injured to this level.

  If it wasn't for Caelan's mark, he would have lost easily without even grazing a finger at Zorian. He had to learn more about its properties. However, this did show him something. His mark had power beyond imagination, and that was the only thing saving him. This wasn't the last encounter he was going to face. He had to learn more about his mark's properties and train himself to survive in this school.

  Normally, he wouldn't care about such things, but now he had a purpose to live for. If they were hiding the mark he possessed, what other mysteries was the Dominion concealing from them? His curiosity was the sole factor of his ambition to survive. Even if he did die, his body would have been thrown away or burnt without anyone caring, since he wasn't from royalty.

  He slowly got up to his knees, his body bruised and rashed. His legs ached, his heart pounding out his chest. He was exhausted from both the battle and overuse of his marked power. He slowly headed back to the academy.

  The light was dim, lightly shading the room. Orion sat in his decorated chair, his legs against the wooden, polished desk. He sat with a dull expression, reading a letter from his little brother.

  "Tusk," he smacked his lips.

  His face turned into a disappointed frown.

  "Pathetic," he said to himself under his breath as he read the letter.

  The letter was a cry for help. His little brother, Zorian, explained the situation carefully.

  "Caelan Merrow."

  "Attacked."

  "Vengeance for the Whitlock family."

  "What a disgraceful loser," Orion sighed.

  He ripped the letter and threw it in the bin. He got up from his chair and slowly walked through the door. He was met with vibrant white light as he walked into the living room. The room was spaced out, decorated with paintings and shelves with tiny statues sitting on them. It was the type of room for the highest of the upper class. The Whitlock family was one of the highly regarded families in the Dominion. Their prestige and elegance made them become idolised amongst the middle and even high class.

  To read such a letter disgraced their entire name, but Orion wasn't surprised. His little brother had been a whiny brat, always complaining since he was young.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  In the living room was Orion's bigger sister sitting on the couch, reading a book. She was only one year older than him, but much more mature. She was in charge of the house when her father was away. Hence, all decisions landed on her.

  "What is it this time?" she asked as she folded her legs, her eyes fixated on the pages.

  She had long curly black hair and green eyes, which she got from her mom, unlike Orion, who had blonde hair that he got from his dad. Their mom unfortunately passed, giving birth to Zorian.

  "You know what it is. It is our loser brother," Orion walked over to her.

  "Don't say that. It isn't nice to talk about your brother in such a manner," she said disinterested.

  She had the mirror mark on her left arm. The mirror mark appeared to be a simple oval at first, but the longer one stared at it, the more detail it had. Within the oval were thin reflective lines that stretched inwards like cracks on a mirror. They shifted subtly with movement, catching light differently at each angle, glistening with light as the bearer turned.

  Orion himself had the branch mark running down his left leg.

  "What does he want this time?" She refused to take her eyes off her book.

  "He needs help. Apparently he was beaten up by some Caelan Merrow," Orion paced the room.

  "You know him?" he asked.

  "No. Is he royalty?"

  "Unlikely."

  Although they were only one year apart, his sister Elira was much stronger than him. She always bested him in battle since they were young.

  "What do we do, sis?" Orion sat beside her.

  Elira closed her book, putting it on the glass table in front of them. She sighed.

  "He's pathetic but he's"

  "Family," Orion cut her off.

  Elira nodded.

  They both looked at each other, their eyes meeting and then forward. Their faces were expressionless.

  "He's so weak. Why is he so weak?" Orion asked, putting his hands on his face.

  "Did we do something wrong, sis? Is it our fault? He single handedly disgraces our family."

  Elira didn't reply. She couldn't be bothered listening to her brother's tantrum. It was true. Zorian was truly pathetic. However, this was something else. Never before had he asked for help because he got beaten up. Even if he was the weakest in the family, he should still be the strongest in the first year by a major amount. Royalty was trained to be leaders, captains to the soldiers and guards. Just who was this Caelan Merrow?

  "Well, I guess we have to teach him a lesson. There is no other way around it," she said, not standing up.

  She crossed her arms and slowly paced the room.

  "How bad should we injure this man?" asked Orion.

  "Just enough so he doesn't do this again," she eyed the floor.

  "Maybe break his limbs. That should do it."

  Orion nodded. He poured a glass of water from the jug on the table.

  At that moment, the door to the living room bolted open with a large noise. Heavy footsteps were heard, and out stepped an old man. He had very little blond hair, giving way to white. He walked with a limp, and his skin was wrinkled. He appeared to be in his mid 60s. The Ember mark was embedded on his left shoulder.

  "Dad?" said Elira.

  "What are you doing here? Aren't you meant to be supervising the armies?"

  "Enough of that. I have heard enough!" he shouted as he spat mucus, his voice shaky.

  "He thinks he can dishonour our family. I have had enough."

  "Dad, calm down?"

  "Shut up. He needs to be taught a lesson."

  Both siblings eyed each other. They couldn't speak when their father was in his fits of rage. They had long figured out that he was dealing with anger issues. At these times, it was best to just keep your mouth shut.

  He limped over towards Orion and stood over him. Their father was a small man, but right now he towered over Orion like a creature stalking its prey. He looked dangerous.

  "And as for the man who did this damage, this Caelan." He placed his hands on Orion's shoulder.

  Orion eyed his father, uncertain of what he would say next.

  "I want you to kill him."

  Silence.

  What did he say again? Did he mean him? Was he out of his mind? Killing someone over such a small matter?

  "But Father"

  "No need to bring Elira," he spat, cutting his daughter off.

  "You go alone, Orion, and make sure his body is unrecognisable."

  Orion swallowed and looked at Elira. Her eyes were dismissive. She didn't know what to say. She stood there stagnant. He had no choice but to agree.

  He nodded his head.

  "As you wish, father."