*bam*

Damion trust slammed his fist down onto the table, "another year without any advancement" , he muttered to himself, while examining his physical prowess exam results from the comittee. Damion scanned the ramshackle room he and his father had shared for the last 5 years. besides the table their was also a couch and a sleeping bag in this room. but otherwise it was bare no windows on either wall and the only light came from the dim glow of a chi candle Damion maintained in his right hand. Chi candles are common household items for most people in his town but Damion still considered this his familys most valuable asset. Damion and his father lived in the east commune of plateau city, a relatively large port city located at the very bottom of the lotus empire. In Plateau city the citizens are assigned housing, food and water rations, and these are all decided by your standing, influence, and most importantly power. The Lotus empire is one of 5 Empires and is revered for its Chi masters, these legends stand at the top of the pyramid and with a snap of their finger they can bend mountains. The most powerful chi masters lived at the top of the empire close to the Emporer. Damion and his Father were far from chi masters, neither of them had ever been lucky enough to train under a master and though Damion has always dreamed of climbing the ladder, he , like many others of his world has yet to awaken any chi. As Damion glared at the mocking reminder from the comittee he thought to himself.

*I have one more year to awaken or finding a mentor will be out of the question, noone will want to train me*

*yawn*

*shuffle*

Damion turned around, His Father was slowly rolling over eyes squinting in the low light.

*Good morning dad*

Damion said bitterly, tucking the exam results under his legs.

*How many houses are you working today?*

Damion asked his father.

*5*

Damions father mumbled.

Damions father was a surly old man in his late 40's. His name, William trust, was known all over town as the cheapest garden work around.

Damion didnt hate that his father was a gardener but he had dreams of life outside the poor ramshackles theyd been wallowing in.

He Hadnt told his father yet about the committee, his father wouldnt understand, william had always lived in his means and didnt see the point in taking on the hassle that came with cultivation, his whole life was spent around the "common folk" and he had a distrust in the fairness of giving the strong more power.

This wouldnt stop Damion from dreaming of a better life though so he continued to train and hone his body outside his fathers knowledge and had contacted the committee multiple times now for a (p.p.e)(physical prowess exam).

As Damions father stood up to stretch Damion gathered together his papers and left the room. as he entered the next room Damion carefully slipped the paper regarding his results into the trash before his dad could find them. Then he began making his dad lunch for the day.

William took his time to come out and as he looked at the clock a wave of fear could be seen washing over his face

*IM LATE!*

his father roared, throwing on his boots.

suddenly there was a knock at the door,

*knock, knock*

Damion and his dad made eye contact, neither of them were expecting someone at the door this early.

after another brief pause there it was again,

*knock, knock*

this time far harder than the first.

Damions father walked over to the door unlocked it carefully and cracked it open.

His dad blocked his view but Damion could tell by the stiffness in his shoulders that whoever was at the door couldnt be good news.

*Good morning william*

Came the drawl of the large man

*Im sure you know why im here*

Damions father stood in complete silence for a moment.

*Im afraid not*

said william slowly

the man focused his gaze on william and sound in a proud affirmative voice,

*William trust you are hereby detained and charged with the kidnapping and possible murder of the city lords son.*