Chapter 2: The Dance of Shadows

"Astraea, how are you?"

Astraea offered a sweet smile as her regular customers gathered around the fruit and vegetable stand, eager to engage in conversation with her.

"Madam Lea, you look absolutely divine today. Is that a new handkerchief I see?"

"Why, yes, Astraea! Oh, only you would notice. The weather is splendid, don't you think?"

Astraea's lips twitched slightly at the comment. Their modest stand existed in one of Kingdom Eura's poorest towns, perpetually shrouded in the shadows. Only struggling merchants and destitute beggars roamed the streets openly. Those of wealth and nobility never set foot in this forsaken place.

"The sun shines brightly, but not as brightly as the twinkle in your eyes, madam."

"Astraea... you are positively delightful! Oh, a bag of apples, please! And make it quick!"

Astraea's thoughts drifted momentarily. Her face when I address her as madam... it's something a mere maid never hears in this lifetime.

Lea impatiently snapped at the trader, urging him to hasten the bagging of her goods. He barely concealed his exasperation, quickly retrieving the bag and ushering her out of sight.

“Why are you always so nice to ‘em?” he asked roughly. “They’re developing attitude now.”

"What do you mean?" Astraea responded innocently. "Our aim is to make our customers feel good when they purchase our goods."

"Right?"

She approached him, placing her hand delicately on his shoulder. Her slender fingers trailed towards his collarbone, gently scratching the surface of his skin.

"We want Auntie Helen to be happy... don't we?" She exerted a slight pressure on his collarbone, her warm breath brushing against his ear.

"Of... of course..." the trader stuttered, his ears burning from the sudden touch. He quickly disengaged, stumbling away to sort the produce into their designated places.

How amusing, she thought, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Astraea had been abandoned in the slums as a young child. Even after being taken in by Auntie Helen, she quickly realized that their struggling farm offered no prospects for her future. Though her long golden white tresses were coarse, her skin rough, and her stature petite, they couldn't conceal the depth of her red eyes that framed her small, almond-shaped face. As she walked, a few stray gazes lingered a moment longer, appreciating the glimmer of beauty that existed within the town.

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"Ah..." Astraea murmured. "I mustn't toe the line. This place will consume me if I'm not careful."

In the Kingdom of Eura, lineage and wealth held the most importance. Possessing either of these qualities marked one as well-off while having both granted power and influence over the realm's politics. But for those with neither... Well, a life of perpetual struggle, pain, and hunger awaited.

Survival at the bottom required strength and Astraea swiftly learned that using her appearance and wit was her way of clawing her way out from the ceaseless waves of suffering that engulfed the townsfolk. While others fought with brawn, she fought with her intellect.

Lost in her thoughts, Astraea began to pace. The scenery around her blurred as she continued, makeshift stalls lining the narrow alley, offering meager goods amidst dilapidated buildings. Desperate and hungry, the locals haggled for basic necessities throughout the town.

"And yet, Lea spoke of the sun," Astraea chuckled, recalling their earlier conversation.

Truly a blissful fool...

"STOP RIGHT THERE!" a voice suddenly screamed. Astraea instinctively flinched.

One of the merchants pointed towards a young boy fleeing from a stall, a small loaf of bread clenched tightly in his hands. Barefoot, the boy sprinted from the scene, fear etched on his face.

He began devouring the bread ferociously, tears streaming down his cheeks. Eventually, he stopped running and trembled with fear, his cheeks still bulging from the chunks of bread he ripped off.

The merchant he had stolen from made no move, instead clicking her tongue in annoyance. Others gathered around him, their faces filled with sadistic glee as the boy's eyes widened.

Astraea turned away, closing her eyes.

"Ahhhh... AHHH!" the boy cried out in pain, clutching his hands and dropping the bread. It landed on the ground, crumbling into pieces. His hands slowly turned dark purple, then black. Writhing in agony, he desperately tried to contain the transformation, but each finger grew longer and thinner, morphing into claw-like appendages. Black nails sprouted from the tips, and small scales etched themselves onto his skin.

"The goddess is here!"

The crowd erupted in cheers as the boy looked on in horror.

"The goddess is here!" they chanted, their voices growing louder.

"Help me!" he pleaded. "Please, Goddess, have mercy... I was so hungry..." He crawled on all fours, his claws digging into the dirt.

"Goddess of Light, we accept your judgment," the crowd echoed, pushing the boy to the outskirts of town, jeering as he disappeared into the darkness. His anguished cries echoed until they were finally silenced.

"We accepted your judgment," Astraea whispered, her eyes finally opening.

Her gaze meandered in the direction the boy had hastily retreated, tracing a path fraught with twists and turns, leading him dangerously closer to the gaping maw of the Abyss. Everyone knew the Daemon was banished to that realm, and Astraea understood with a heavy heart that the boy's fate was sealed. He would not make it back home alive.

. . .

The Goddess's judgment had been delivered that day.