Orders Are Not to Be Broken”
Harsh panting filled the dusty training yard. Marcus lay collapsed on the ground, bruises painting his skin shades of purple and blue. Sweat dripped onto the sun-scorched soil.
Towering above him stood Darius Kain, arms folded, his black eyes cold and unmoved.
Marcus, his voice trembling, managed to say:
"W-Why… Why train us at all? Aren't you afraid we might turn against you?"
Darius let out a cold, humorless chuckle.
"Turn against us? You can't even stand in your strongest state."
Marcus clenched his fists. He wasn't angry at Darius—he was furious with himself. Furious for being so weak.
But Darius didn't let him rest.
"One hundred laps around the yard."
"One hundred?! I can barely stand!"
"Then run until you collapse."
He turned and left, without glancing back.
⸻
Minutes passed. Marcus lay on the ground, breath ragged, pain crawling through every limb like fire.
Footsteps approached.
A girl appeared before him—tall, poised. Raven-black hair framed a strong face, and her eyes, pitch-dark, sparkled with boldness.
She knelt beside Marcus and studied him.
"Hmm… Looks like you're about to die."
Marcus glared at her, breathless and annoyed.
"What now? You here to mock me too?"
She chuckled.
"You don't have to go through this ridiculous training. Come on, let's ditch it. Let's sneak out for a bit."
He flinched.
"What?! I-I can't disobey! He'll kill me!"
She leaned closer.
"Don't be a chicken… Only losers follow rules. Besides, he won't find out."
After a moment of hesitation, Marcus stood up.
And followed her.
"I'm ravina"
She said with a smirks.
"Marcus".
⸻
Outside the compound, the world felt freer. The wind was cool, and the sky glowed with the colors of sunset.
They walked narrow paths overgrown with wild grass.
Ravina grinned and said:
"You walk like you're expecting a dagger in your back."
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
"I just don't get why you'd even talk to me."
"Because I'm bored of everything that follows rules. You broke them. That's fun."
He blinked, unsure if he should feel insulted or flattered.
They bickered about who's stronger, who'll get punished worse, who'll regret this later.
And somehow… Marcus smiled. A real smile. A strange and warm feeling crept into his chest.
⸻
But the warmth vanished the moment he stepped back inside.
WHAM!!
A brutal punch knocked him down.
"Are you planning to kidnap my daughter?!" Darius's voice thundered.
"Y-Your daughter??!"
Ravina jumped in between them.
"Enough! I made that decision myself! He didn't force me!"
She turned to her father, defiant:
"If you want to punish someone, punish me too. You're fair, aren't you?"
Darius stared at her. Then at Marcus. Then back at her.
He exhaled slowly.
"Go to your room," he ordered Marcus.
Darius then grabbed Ravina gently but firmly by the arm, and spoke in a voice heavy with warning:
"We will talk… about your behavior. Now."
And with that, the sparks of rebellion… met the fire of control.