1 The Twins

"The Madam is about to give birth again!"

Elias stopped in his tracks and glanced up from the tray of desserts he was carrying to see the housemaids and midwives running towards the main courtyard in a hurry.

Give...birth?

He blinked, fixed to the spot he was standing on. He looked back down and released a breath. He couldn't help but feel the bitter resentment crawling up his chest once more. He scoffed.

So many years have already passed, and yet he was still affected by these things. How stupid of him.

He shook his head and continued down the path to the smaller courtyard towards the back of the family property. He pushed open the wooden doors to the little residence he and his elder twin sister shared and placed the snacks down on the table.

"'Ryn...did you know Mother is pregnant?" he asked, sitting down at the table. He plucked a rice cake from the dishes and took a bite.

Eryn looked up from the book she was reading and set it aside. "Really?" she said, with absolutely no hint of interest in her voice. She got up from her bed and went to sit down next to her brother, raising her eyebrows at the tray of desserts.

Elias brushed his powdery fingers with a handkerchief. "I heard she's giving birth on the way back," he continued disdainfully.

Eryn only shrugged, twirling a lock of her long, dark hair in her fingers. "Well, it's not a surprise they 'forgot' to tell us again," she mumbled. "We're both seventeen now, Elias. We only need ourselves to worry about."

Elias pursed his lips at his sister's words.

He always wondered, will their lives just continue on like this? Alone and ignored?

Even if they were born with inferior souls, they both still were the firstborn children of the head of the respected Bai Family. The entire household had prepared so much in advance of their birth, why throw them away after so much effort?

"Do you still not understand?" Eryn suddenly spoke up, looking at him as if she'd just read his thoughts.

"Understand?" he repeated. "Understand what?"

"Oh, don't be so surprised. It's written all over your face," she said as she examined her nails. "The eldest child of each family is meant to be the most powerful of their generation. We were born with nothing, so they threw us aside, not even wanting to show us to the public even if they already know about us. They think it's shameful."

Elias wrinkled his nose. "And what about Edison? Will he continue to play our role as the eldest child for the rest of our lives?"

Eryn smiled wryly. "You don't have to worry about Edison. He's thirteen and is a respectful child. He was born with an eagle spirit anyways. They are training him with their best to keep up the family reputation."

She glanced over at her brother's uncertain expression and softened. "We only need to keep quiet for a while longer, then maybe I can find a way where we can both leave this place."

Elias nodded in defeat. The only person he could trust in this place was his twin, and he didn't want to argue with her. He was always on edge, especially with the fact that Eryn seemed completely fine with their fate.

He cast a sidelong glance at her.

At least that what it seems like...

Suddenly, Eryn pushed her seat back and stood up, brushing down her white, woven silk skirt that dragged behind her feet as she walked towards the doors. "I'll be back in a bit, I'm going to the library."

"Okay," was all Elias said.

Then he was alone again.

His eyes wandered about the wooden walls, eyeing the few decorations they had that hung on little hooks. He rested his chin on his palms as he looked around at their desks, papers, accessory boxes...

His eyes fell on the book Eryn was reading earlier. He didn't mean to pry, but he got up out of curiosity and reached for the book that lay on the nightstand. He glanced at the cover.

'Worldly Spirits', it read.

He flipped through the pages. Inside, there was information about every animal spirit that existed in the world, ranging from rabbits to tigers to serpents and unicorns. He noticed the little fold made on the page towards the end and flipped to it.

He held his breath. "The Dragons," he whispered. He ran his hand down the page, reading the descriptions.

"They are quite rare...but are the most powerful...respected...and their strength is unfathomable."

Elias paused, looking at the contents of the page bitterly. He closed the book shut and placed it back where he found it, shaking his head and walking towards the doors.

It was stupid to have such high hopes...what was he thinking? There had been no recorded people born with the dragon spirit in decades. Besides...he and Eryn had been born with worthless souls...

He stepped out into their little courtyard and sat down on the grass with his back against a tree, his head inclined towards the sky.

In this world, people were set into different categories.

There were the commoners; they are born with either no spirit animal or could only produce a weak portion of strength from their animal. Most of them have a harder time making a living, and Elias wondered what would happen to him and his sister if they were ever thrown out from the family.

Then there were people who were considered normal. They are born with their spirit animals and train until they are able to use their powers efficiently. Some of them are even able to train so much they become really powerful...and it becomes their privilege to get through life easier.

At the top are the handful of people who are born with powerful beasts. Their strength is at least double of a normal spirit animal, and with training, they may even become unstoppable...

Elias shielded his eyes from the sunlight that peeped through the cracks between the leaves and sat calmly as he heard the servants shouting at each other mixed with his mother's screams.

Those who are powerful can only receive the respect everyone should have and many act as if they can do anything in the world...it would be nice if there people who appreciate their fellow humans instead of flaunting their power all day long, trying to make the people fear them.

Elias sighed.

His sister is right. They should just remain in the shadows and keep quiet so that they wouldn't attract any trouble.

Suddenly, an ear-piercing shriek ripped through the sky, half-startling him.

Elias leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees, listening for the news.

The newborn baby's cries echoed moments after, reminding Elias the times when he heard the cries of his other siblings after they were born. It was dreadfully annoying.

Then it happened. The sky turned a faint orange and black above the main estate, taking the form of a four-legged beast.

Oh, no...

The excited shouts could be heard all around.

"It's a young master with a tiger spirit!"