Chapter 31

Those who walk in the Light must acknowledge Shadow, the two Classes are constantly in opposition to one another. When the conflict started has been lost to time for most, however the animosity the two possess for the other is apparent to all. No exceptions are made when it comes to ridding the world of the other, thus within a small village, not on any map, away from everything this tradition was continuing as it did ever say.

“Please don’t do this!”

The voice that screamed was that of a child, he came from a poor family, his brown tunic and pants were hand me downs from his older sibling, worn and patches over the many seasons, but it was a gift he cherished. His blonde hair which matched his mothers was filled with dirt after she had thrown him to the ground.

His dark green eyes that matched his fathers tried to find their matching color, only to find a look filled with disgust and rage.

Tears streamed down the child’s pale skin, covered in dirt as he struggled in his bonds, rope tied around his whole body…which was tied to another piece of wood.

He stood shoeless on a large pyre that had yet to be lit, surrounded by the people of his village, all of them dressed in clergy robes, one person in front was dressed in red clergy robes. The color for those who passed judgement, holding a torch as the boy screamed for someone to help him, his cries falling on deaf ears.

“Why are you doing this? What have I done to deserve this?!”

“You have the audacity to ask that,” the red robed man said. “You Percieved your magic…and it’s coated in Shadow! You made a deal with those who dwell in the dark!”

“I-I didn’t! I swear it was just like that. Mom, Dad please stop him!”

The two adults behind the mage didn’t move from their spot, they only observed in silence, their faces stoic. Next them stood a young man, who glared at the boy, his older and once loving brother.

“Only fire will cleanse you of this sin,” the boy’s mother said.

“Let him serve as an example,” the father added.

“That we follow the Celestial faitfully,” the brother said folding his hands together.

The torchbearer walked forward and causing the boy to struggle harder in his binds.

“Wait! Please! Someone! Anyone! Please help me!”

The red clergyman bent down the fire approaching the wood only for it suddenly get snuffed out.

“Huh?”

The man looked at torch and missed his own shadow rising up and impaling him through the chest.

Gasps and screams escaped the crowd as the man fell to the ground, red pooling under him as the shadow caught the torch, the darkness at some point formed into a hand and when the crowd looked back at the body, they saw a raven haired woman standing where the priest had been.

There were many rumors about the Shade Empress, too many stories to name but one thing that always stood out among them.

“The Despot of Dusk…” the mother whispered.

Was that Kasia tended to arrive in a whisper.

“Run and you won’t be killed,” Kasia said glancing back at the crowd, a half-lidded and uninterested gaze resting on them.

The crowd looked at each other and seemed to actually contemplate her offer, the boy’s brother however pointed forward.

“If we rush her we can take her! She can’t stop all of us! The Celestial guides our hands”

The crowd looked at each other and some drawing their swords pointed them at Kasia, the woman turned to fully face them tossing the torch to the side before the crowd ran towards her.

She silently raised her hand towards the crew as their bloodshot eyes focused fully on her.

“You’re free now.”

The ropes fell off the child but he didn’t move from his spot, he could only stare ahead at the horror before him. Darkness that resembled Stalamites had risen form the ground with a speed he couldn’t follow. With one movement of her hand the world around them fell silent, every person in the village were now broken ornaments on her dark handiwork.

“Don’t blame yourself, the moment the Shadows chose you your fate was sealed.”

“You…you killed them,” the boy managed to say.

“I gave them their choice,” Kasia responded with a coldness that made him shiver. “Though once again there was no point in giving them a choice. No one ever runs.”

Kasia turned and walked away from the boy, with a wave of her hand the shadows retreated and the bodies fell, splattering against the ground, mangled, distorted and unmoving.

The boy stared at the bodies of his family, his fists cleanching at his side before he looked at Kasia, turning he ran after her.

“W-wait! Lady Kasia!”

Kasia came to a stop hearing the boy’s voice and turned halfway to face him, stopping behind her he froze up meeting the red eyes of the woman. He swallowed his fear and gripping his clothes spoke to her.

“C-can I come with you?”

Kasia’s eyes seemed to narrow a bit causing the boy to step back, instead of responding she instead walked over to him and knelt down.

“What’s your name?”

“Alir.”

“Alir. You understand who I am correct?”

“The really scary Goddess.”

“...Yes I am the really scary Goddess so why do you want to come with me.”

“I…I want to know why everyone…tried to kill me. Before my magic everyone was so kind to me and my family…we loved each other, the moment I gained my magic everyone looked at me with such hatred. I feel like…you know what happened. You said something about my fate being sealed.”

“I won’t go out of my way to protect you.”

“That’s fine! I have magic I can…do something.”

“...I’l at least teach you how to wield it,” she said standing up. “If you follow my orders exactly. No questions.”

“Of course! Thank you Lady Kasia! I’ll do whatever you say.”

“...then let’s go.”