2 - The Orphanage

"Marcus, wake up!"

Marcus slowly opened his eyes.

He had been alive for 12 years. In that time, he had only ever had one dream.

He would write a letter, then have a weird conversation.

Upon waking, he could remember scraps of the dream. Over time he had managed to piece it together, but struggled to find any meaning in it.

"Marcus, come on!"

"It's graduation day!"

He looked up at the owners of the voices and smiled.

Born to a lifeless whore, Marcus was forced to live in the Cranbrow Orphanage from birth. It was here he met his childhood trio.

Eleanor Loxley was a smart and academic girl. Despite the nature of her arrival, she had always seemed positive. Truthfully, she was a godsend for Marcus who struggled with motivation to complete his studies. Her tidy appearance was like a mirror to her personality. Her blue eyes and brown hair glistened down at Marcus.

Conversely, Branhen Tarno was a scourge, both to the Orphanage and Marcus. He'd often drag Marcus along, at the detriment of his studies, to his various practical jokes which usually resulted in the two being scolded. Not that Marcus minded. Bran was a good friend, and one that Marcus trusted dearly.

Again, his outward appearance suited him fine. He wore his black hair messy. His clothes were always impossibly dirty, even on days he didn't leave the building. His eyes had a unique mischievous quality that could unnerve anyone who looked at them.

Marcus smiled as he thought about the time he had spent with them, as a wave of melancholy surged over him, threatening to drown him in his bed.

"What's with that face, you look like a pervert."

"Maybe I am. And maybe, Bran, you're in trouble," Marcus said as he hurriedly clambered out of bed to tackle Bran.

"Boys," Elanor muttered while rolling her eyes.

"Shut it, Lox."

"Yeah, lighten up Lox."

"Honestly, you two are lucky you're still here at Twelve. If you had been adopted you'd have no hope. Not an intelligent bone in either body."

"Actually, Lox," Marcus said as he released Bran. "Bones don't have intelligence. The brain does. Who's stupid now?"

"Honestly, still you."

The trio fell silent momentarily, before bursting into laughter.

"Marcus, let's go and practice our magic." Bran grabbed his arm as he spoke and began to lead him out of the door.

"Do we have time?"

"We should. The guard aren't due for another few hours."

"Lox, you coming?"

Marcus turned around to find Elanor hadn't followed them into the corridor.

"Yeah, I've gotta keep an eye on you two. Just thinking about our time here."

The sun poked through windows opposite the door, splashing light on the brown wooden walls of the corridor.

The orphanage had been converted from a hospital, meaning each child conveniently had their own room.

The trio raced down the corridor, down the stairs at the end of the hall and out of the front door.

"So once we're there, what are you doing in the guards Bran?" Marcus asked as he entered the sunlight outside.

"I'm going right to the top!" he declared in response. "My magic will rid the world of evil!"

Marcus laughed. "You'll never reach the top. Because I'll be there!"

Bran laughed in response. "Keep dreaming."

He raised his hand and shot a jet of water from the fountain at Marcus.

Seeing it hit, he did it again.

And again.

And again. This time it missed, and sailed straight towards Elanor. The girl was oblivious, opting instead to read some book on a nearby bench.

Marcus snapped his fingers. A wall of Earth slowly grew out of the ground at his command, completely blocking Elanor from the water.

"Ah! Come on Marcus! That would have been funny!"

"If she had seen it. That could have been dangerous."

"It would have been fine. See, she still hasn't noticed."

"What is the meaning of this!" were the words spoken by a shrill voice from the door of the orphanage.

Out stepped Madam Williams.

She was a short, overweight woman. She wasn't much taller than the two boys, her short hair falling level with them.

She was the senior carer at the facility. With decades of experience, she had been there far longer than Marcus and Bran had existed on the world.

"Marcus and Branhen. As if I expected any different. Look at the mess! And today of all days. Can't you behave just for today? The guard will be here soon."

"Sorry Madam Williams," the boys said in unison.

"Either of you care to explain yourselves?"

"We wanted to practice," Bran began. "The guard are coming today, and we need to be ready."

"This little time won't do anything but wear you out. You're better off just resting until the Exam. Now run along, back inside. Yes, you too, Miss Loxley."

"Thank you Madam Williams," the boys shouted as they ran inside.

Once inside, Marcus snapped his fingers. He summoned a ball of fire into his hand, one that burned with immense heat.

Holding his hand close, he was able to dry himself from the water.

"So, what are you going to show the guard when they come?" Bran asked Marcus. "Your Earth or your Fire?"

"Why not both?"

"Both? Do you want to be taken away somewhere? You know how rare a dual elemental is," Elanor spoke in a concerned tone.

Marcus had always doubted the established rarity. After all, there were plenty of elements to call upon.

You had your basic 4 of Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. Lightning was slightly less common. The ability to wield multiple of these powers was known, but rare.

Then, light and dark powers were even rarer.

'At least, if they exist.'

At the top of the rankings, allegedly, stood the sun and moon powers.

In 3000 years of recorded history, there had been only 5 wielders, and they were followed around by calamity.

During their time at the academy, they had focused their studies in the history of magic. Therefore, Marcus was aware of his gift.

"I know. But it can't be bad, surely."

"You'd take a chance at it being bad?"

"I might have to. I'll see how I feel at the exam."

"Ah well," Bran chimed in. "Since we can't practice, we should probably go and get some food before they arrive. Come on." He ran off towards the right.

"Hey, wait," Marcus shouted after him.

Elanor shook her head before calmly walking after the two.