Growing up, Marcus and his twin brother, Hubert, were famous prodigies full of ambition that were praised for their ideas and creations. Their names spread across the continent with their inventions.
They were also born into a rich family. Thus, they never were short on essentials and resources.
At an early age, they had an unbelievable amount of knowledge.
Later, Marcus, as a kid, graduated school and started a career in engineering while his brother became a scientist. He quickly grew to be a reliable welder for others and would even get contracted by other countries in the continent. Marcus created tools that would revolutionize the world.
The twins sought to make the world a better place. It caught the attention of their home country's top scientist, Dr. Charles.
Their country, Stribora, being the most advanced, Dr. Charles was one of the greatest in the continent.
Soon, the prodigy twins were hired and worked under him. They worked for a company named Neo Tech.
One day, Dr. Charles looked at data from Hubert and Marcus. His eyes widened, and he exclaimed that the data showed incredible potential. He declared that with the data, they would achieve the greatest feats. He fixed his lab coat and continued that it would be a new era for Stribora.
In his lab, Dr. Charles met with the prodigy twins. He explained that he wanted to talk about their theory of energy.
As they listened, Marcus and Hubert exchanged looks.
Hubert claimed that it was not a theory.
Marcus alleged that they had seen it with their own eyes. He remembered how a cloaked figure wielded energy to help others. The cloak had an interesting design of an eye. Now, he recalled that no one ever believed him.
Hubert nodded and solemnly affirmed that no one believed in them.
Dr. Charles smiled and paced around his lab. He proclaimed that he believed them.
Hubert and Marcus were stunned.
Dr. Charles revealed that he was raised in an underground city. He continued that when he escaped, everyone saw him as a poor and crippled outsider. He elaborated that they never cared for him.
However, Dr. Charles asserted that he simply believed in himself. He concluded that his ambition drove him, and he made a name for himself. He encouraged them to not let others dictate their lives.
Marcus and Hubert nodded, and they were grateful.
Dr. Charles continued to work with the twins and learned more about energy. He entered their lab.
Hubert worked on blueprints while Marcus completed the manual handiwork.
Dr. Charles noted how his assistants had grown accustomed to him. He smiled and informed the twins that he had great news. He murmured that they built the world's greatest invention.
Marcus and Hubert looked at him.
Dr. Charles announced that their theories were proven correct, and Octavius, ruler of Stribora, was going to invest in their research.
Hubert and Marcus were elated and excited. They shook his hands.
The trio smiled at each other.
A few days later, Dr. Charles brought his assistants to a big, open room.
On a stage. their inventions were on display.
Dr. Charles stood on stage and introduced them to Octavius and his council, The Union.
Many political figures were also in the audience. Some of them carried Neo Tech's newest weapons, guns.
Dr. Charles proudly declared that Neo Tech planned to change the world with energy and their ancient.
Someone in the audience questioned what an ancient was.
Dr. Charles pointed to a cage and revealed that it was one of his experiments.
In the cage, a woman, in tattered clothes and with pointy ears, sat. Her grey hair flowed down her back. She had a collar around her neck. She was in a broken state.
Hubert and Marcus exchanged looks. They did not know of her, and they were taken aback.
Dr. Charles proclaimed that she was their key to unlocking the secrets of energy. He divulged that after years of research, they were finally able to harness her energy thanks to him and his assistants.
The Union were surprised.
Dr. Charles presented a small box with a switch.
The audience leaned forward on their seats.
Octavius was intrigued.
Dr. Charles grinned and flicked the switch, and a hum emanated from the small box.
In a flash, a bright light burst out and enveloped the room. Energy radiated everywhere in its vicinity. Everyone's eyes widened. They were baffled. The audience, Octavius, and The Union were amazed. Awe struck their faces, and they clapped.
Dr. Charles smiled and asserted that the device was an energy reactor. He gestured to their ancient.
Their ancient had an empty look in her eyes.
Dr. Charles proclaimed that her energy could be used to create the future with bigger energy reactors.
The audience cheered.
Octavius approved the project. He asserted that Stribora would change the world for the better.
After returning from the presentation, Dr. Charles invited the prodigy twins to his lab. He motioned for them to sit down.
Marcus and Hubert sat, and they noticed the woman in her cage.
The woman seemed frail and weak. She glanced at them and quickly turned away.
Dr. Charles informed them that Octavius was impressed.
Hubert interjected and questioned why.
Marcus asked why the ancient was in that condition.
Dr. Charles was perplexed, and he inquired what he meant.
Marcus stuttered that she looked unhealthy and sick. He demanded to know what they did to her.
Dr. Charles scoffed. He harshly coughed and reassured the twins that their research had potential, and he wanted to help them.
Marcus and Hubert were hesitant, and they did not want the ancient to suffer.
Dr. Charles added that there was a cost, and sacrifices must be made. Still, he refuted that their dream of energy could be realized soon, and the world would become a better place for it.
Marcus suggested that maybe they could find a different way.
Dr. Charles snapped and threw the papers in his hand. He glared at the twins and exclaimed that there was no time. He demanded that they should be proud of what they've accomplished. Blood oozed out of his mouth, and his hair was messy.
Hubert and Marcus flinched.
Dr. Charles' eyes widened, and his expression softened. He quickly calmed down and wiped the blood on his face.
Hubert inquired if he was dying.
Dr. Charles stumbled and leaned on a desk. He muttered that the medication was useless, but his time was not up, yet.
Marcus questioned his disease.
Dr. Charles turned to them and sighed. He admitted that he would not get better.
Hubert urged that they would find a cure.
Marcus nodded and reassured him that they would help him.
Dr. Charles smiled and appreciated their kindness. He retorted that it was not his dream to die so soon, anyways. He revealed that he partnered with a secret organization of cloaked figures, and they would help, as well. He remembered how he met with the leader.
It was not The Exalted One nor Sabre.
Dr. Charles sighed and requested the twins to look more into the original elemental weapons as they were connected to their theory of energy.
Marcus and Hubert nodded.
Soon, Dr. Charles died, and his laboratories, including the twins', were confiscated by Stribora.
The twins were devastated, and they were left without a job. They were not able to access Dr. Charles' labs, and their research was seemingly lost.
Even so, Stribora did not want their talents to be wasted.
Thus, Marcus and Hubert were recruited by the Striboran Military during a time of war.
The whole continent was involved in Stribora's War for Unification, a war for conquest.