Twin Stars I: Twin Stars Burn Bright

It is believed that all stars are born as twins,

They grow apart over time,

As will these two…

The world is often a cruel place to those who have done nothing. Some parents would do anything to make sure they survived, even at the cost of their kids. But some parents would do everything they could so their kids survived, even if it cost them their lives. Astar was 12 when loan sharks unjustly killed her parents, she was forced to pay the debt left behind. They didn’t care if she was a kid, as long as they got their money. She was left alone with her twin sister, Astra. Their mother thought it would be funny if the names were almost identical, with just a small difference. Astar took great care of her sister, the two were very different from each other. One was brave and outgoing, like their mother, while the other was scared and withdrawn, like their father. But they were almost always together, the only time they were apart was when Astar was out doing whatever jobs she could find as a kid, making sure to bring back something to eat, even if there wasn’t enough for two, she would always make sure her sister ate. There was one young restaurant owner who took pity on young Astar and offered her work and any leftover food he could spare. They managed to get by this way, but things wouldn’t last. The loan sharks were part of a bigger gang, and it seems they’ve lost their patience. While Astra was out, they dropped by, seeing as the elder wasn’t here, they ransacked the place and planned on selling the youngest for money, if Astar hadn’t arrived in time.

“ I still have a few days,” the young Astar says, standing in the doorway. Two of the three thugs stood over Astra, one of them had their foot on her head. The third stood to the side, counting what money he could find, Johan. He had a specific grudge against the twins since their parents were under his branch of supervision, and when they were killed, his boss often beat him because young Astar couldn't make the payments, he would sometimes show up with bruises. Twirling the cigarette around in his mouth before inhaling, the spark glows as it's used.

“ Things change, seems we’ve run out of patience,” He says, smoke curling out as he spoke, smirking down at Astar. She clenched her fist as she kept herself composed, “ I don’t have the full amount. I need more time,” Astar said, making sure the tone of her voice wasn’t too hostile, as these people tend to nitpick over little things like that, using them as excuses to exert violence. Johan places the money into an envelope before putting it into his coat pocket. He strokes his chin, “ A shame, well. There are always other ways to make money. I know a few nobles who would pay a hefty price for someone like…that." Johan's eyes held not an ounce of sympathy, the man was driven purely by greed. His want to have money, even if it means dragging his morals to hell, although they’ve been down there for a while now. One of the thugs picked up Astra by the collar. Astar's eyes shot wide with anger. 

She didn’t care what happened to herself, as long as her sister lived, she was fine. Astar's malice grew as she forgot every rule she told herself when dealing with thugs. A dark malice enveloped her as she struck the thug standing on the side. The man fell over as Astar drove her knife into the man's chest. Having been caught off guard, he wasn’t prepared for her or what was to follow. Johan and the other thug watch in horror as their companion's flesh is melted where the knife made contact, and a dark substance is devouring the human. " Hey, what the hell is this! Help, get this-" The devouring stopped, the thug had lost his entire upper half, all that remained was the flesh on his back and the bones that lay on the floor, the thug holding Astra gave no thought into running as he dropped the girl and ran, Johan looked pissed but he too was afraid of what might happen to him, so he left without saying anything. Astar was left in awe, not by the fact that she had killed someone, but by the fact that she had the power to kill someone. She immediately checked up on Astra, who also seemed unfazed by the whole thing. She simply hugged her sister tightly, the two sat like that for a bit. Astar decided. She would use her power to bring herself and her sister up. She began by killing the gang members and made her way to the higher-ups in the gang who would threaten her and her sister. The sudden awakening of power within Astar left her with an incredible reserve, one which she spared no ounce of using. They continued to grow until eventually they would go their separate ways, but not by choice.