Making choices

On his way home Cillian kept thinking about the reason behind his parents sudden visit .

Usually they would be off planet somewhere and rarely comes home .cillian barely see them normally because for then duty was above family. Cillian lived in the Republic of Aria a faction that was fromed less than 100 years ago within the human alliance after it broke from New Terra Empire in rebellion lead by the former administrator of the Aria star system. Normally such a rebellion would have been crushed by the empire but the Aria system bordered the earth federation and as a rival of the empire the federation eagerly supported the formation of the new faction. but what really cemented the Republic's position is the support of the 9 planets alliance and surprisingly the independent states coalition which stays neutral in every conflict. With the odds against them the empire had to give in but it never recognised the republic as Independent. so the military is always on alert aginst the empire.

cillians thought was interrupted when the he heard the chime that indicated that he had reached his destination. he exited the unmanned taxi and it quickly sped away .

Cillian slowly made his way to the door and as he was about to open it someone else opend it.

" hey Cillian "

the one who opened the door was ciliians brother Brian Ruth . Cillian was surprised " why are you here? shouldn't you be in the academy? "

Brian was also a talented potentiate like Cillian and unlike him Brian was more diligent. Brian joined military academy a year ago and was supposed to be on a different planet .

" I will explain latter mom and dad are waiting for you "

Cillian decided to leave it at that and went inside to meet his parents . Mr and Ms Ruth where sitting in the sofa and when they saw Cillian they stood up and went up to hug him

" we missed you "

" I missed you too " Cillian gave a flat reply

he felt something suspicious was afoot

the family stared silently at each other for a minute before Brian broke the tension

" so how is school "

" it's alright "

Cillian replied

" how is the academy "

" it's good "

the awkward silence fell again

this time it was Cillian who broke the silence

" so what brings all of you here so suddenly?"

The answer surprisingly came from his father " let me get straight to the point . we want you to join the military academy . I have made all the arrangements and you will have to leave with Brian in 2 days "

Cillian was surprised at the words of his father and after a a few seconds of contemplation he said

" No I have already told you I have no interest in the military I want to be a pioneer "

" you can be one in the military "

his father coldly said

" I want to be real pioneer not some lackey who mindlessly follow superiors order"

Cillian retorted

" I told you to forget about being a mercenary who fights only for fame and wealth , you are a Ruth , we have served in protection of people for generations and I will not let you tarnish it for your nonsense"

Cillian was dumbfounded by his father's reply.

his father had always been aginst his goal of becoming a pioneer but he hadn't openly reprimanded him like this before. Cillian was never the calm type he was quick to anger and even quicker to start fights . He had a record of seriously injuring his opponents and even got locked up before for breaking an older boys leg even over an argument . But he didn't have a criminal record yet because of his family name and father's influence. This is also one of the reasons why ciliian's father wanted him to join the military . As if to prove his father's point Cillian replied angrily " I Don't care about your family name and traditions it's my life I Make my own decisions "

cillians mother and brother stayed silent throughout the conversation as if they planned it beforehand.

" I Don't care if you agree or not you are going either way "

Cillians father bluntly said

" how are you going to make me go ? "

cillian was boiling with anger at this point .

the parents he barely see comes unannounced just to make him do something he clearly said many times he didn't want to do against his will . cilian started to rage

" what will you do ? order me ? like you order your soldiers? all you cared about is your duty you never cared about me so why are you imposing your dreams on me now ?

" so you want to waste your potential chasing after wealth and fame ? you are a part of the Ruth family start acting like one . I have tolerated your shenanigans long enough time for you to take responsibility in life"

cillians father shouted to his face

" who gave you the right to decide my li"

< pah>

before Cillian could finish his father slapped him across the room . cillians father was a D grade pioneer while his ability was not combat related he was still many times stronger than an unawakened like Cillian. Both Cillians mother and Brian seen surprised by this sudden aggression by cillians father so much so that it took a few seconds to process what happend . As they realised the gravity of what happened Brian rushed toward Cillian laying on the floor and his mother went to calm down his father

Cillian couldn't comprehend what was happening. The only this he saw was his father's palm and the next second he was flying across the room . he could feel his consciousness fading and his brother calling out his name . suddenly a high pith sound pierced through his ear giving him immense pain and he fainted