The stars twinkled faintly with the approach of morning twilight as Astraea walked along the shore. The rest of her companions were still fast asleep, wrapped within the comforts and warmth of their beds. But for Astraea, the night is over and day had begun. She wanted to see the sun rise and hear the first song the birds sing. She sat by the shore and looked over the horizon.
For years she wondered what lay over the other side. She dreamed to see if there were also people who live across the sea other than monsters and demons. At least that's what her mother and the elders told her and all the other children. They told her that their island, Deria, was the only safe place in the world; the rest was inhabited by fearful monsters that prey on humanity and demons that prey on their souls. She wanted to know what was behind those stories she found so enthralling.
In her solitude she felt a presence behind her. She did not move, though her instincts told her to, but waited to see if what or who was watching her will attack or not. She looked over her shoulder and saw a shadow through the trees. It was still, very still, something that should've relieved Astraea but she felt the contrary. A sudden perturbation swept through her, leaving her cold all over. As she looked into the creatures eyes, she felt a presence behind her.
"Someone woke up early."
Astraea gasped. She turned her head to where the voice came from and saw that it was Livaeus. When she looked back the creature was gone, although she thought she heard a whisper come from it.
"What are you looking at?" said Livaeus.
"It was nothing. What are you doing here?"
"I had a nightmare. I couldn't sleep so I went here."
Astraea tried to suppress a chuckle, "I thought grown-ups are not spooked by nightmares."
"Don't be silly. I never said I was afraid nor was I spooked," he sighed, "But this is a dire one. I saw creatures with I couldn't describe. Only they were of tremendous size and height, almost as if they could touch the sky. And all of them had blazing red eyes."
Astraea paused. She remembered the creature she saw a while ago; its blood red eyes that seemed as though it was looking deep within her soul, searching for a weakness. Astraea felt a chill run down her spine.
"What else did you see?" asked Astraea.
"It was an obscure dream. The more I try to remember the more I forget. But I could have sworn that before I woke up, they were saying something, only I could not tell what it was. Besides, the dream felt so real"
"It sounds like the ones from the elders' stories. The demons that once haunted our island."
"They do. Only they were both fanciful."
"You don't believe the stories?"
"I do not, Astraea. And they shall remain stories unless I see them with my own eyes."
Astraea looked at him with disbelief, "We've been training to fend them once they reveal themselves once again. How can you train tirelessly and not believe?"
"I don't remember being asked what I believe when they compelled me to train, Astraea. And neither were you, I presume?'
Astraea shook her head. Her father was the island chief, and he proclaimed that anyone who turns 12 will be trained in swordsmanship and other necessary skills in battle. The council of elders unanimously agreed to this resolution. Astraea's mother, Genaine, only told her when she was ten that it cannot be avoided. For the next few years she could only endlessly ask her mother.
When Astraea turned 12, Genaine finally yielded and told her her father's grounds. For thousands of years the creatures of the dark, the demons, tormented their island whenever night fell. They were abnormally tall with blood red eyes. It was also said that these demons also live across the sea. But one night they mysteriously vanished. They no longer appeared, nor terrorized the people. The elders said that those demons probably left their island, either they all just disappeared or they found the people tedious, and deemed that Deria was the only safe place left on Earth.
"Aren't you afraid that they might show themselves once more?" asked Astraea, "They might just be lurking in the shadows." Then she remembered the creature with red eyes.
"Be that as it may, I'd like to think that they won't. That would be very unpleasant." Said Livaeus, "Let them be gone for good. Do you not know how long it has been since everyone last saw them?"
"For something so popular and unpleasant, I'm surprised I don't."
"It's how long you've walked this Earth, Astraea. They were not seen since 20 years ago."
He motioned for her to return home as he walked away. Astraea lapsed back into thought. Like her friend, she didn't want to believe her mother's tale when she first heard of it. She merely dismissed it as a children's story and their training was meant to protect them in case of invaders. However, with passing of the years and the constant warning of her parents, she found herself believing in the veracity of her mother's story. On the contrary, Astraea had observed that it was not only Livaeus who took the old beliefs with casual disregard, but most of the youths who was fortunate enough to live in bliss.
As she stood up and prepared to leave, something moving in the horizon. It appeared to be of insignificant size, or so Astraea thought. With every passing minute the 'thing' grew larger and bigger. Astraea stood frozen in place, awed by the peculiar sight. She wondered what it was before realizing that the thing was drawing nearer and nearer to their island. And whatever it was, it was growing in numbers.
Instinctively Astraea ran with all the speed she could muster into her father's house. She found him talking and eating breakfast with her mother at the dining table. They did not notice her presence and it took her a moment to catch her breath. She looked over them with anxious eyes and spoke.
"Father, I beg your pardon for disturbing you at such an early hour." She said, "But what I am about to tell you cannot be delayed. I saw something moving over the sea. It looked like a very large boat, though I cannot really tell because of the distance. But it was not alone. They were many."
After she finished speaking, her father quickly got up on his foot and walked over the window. Their house was elevated and looked over the sea. By this time the large boats multiplied its sizes compared to what Astraea last saw, which greatly distressed her father for it was something unknown to them.
"Ragan, perhaps we should not act impetuously. They look nothing more than demons." Said Genaine, trying to provide her husband with wisdom - but with conspicuous anxiousness written in her eyes.
"I recognize the sensibility in your advice. But we must be cautious. We don't know what is in there or what that is. We cannot risk our peace being shattered once more." Ragan replied as he hurriedly grabbed his sword and spoke to his daughter.
"Astraea, I know this will be very disappointing for you, but you must stay here and protect your mother and everyone that will be left. Should anything unfortunate happen, run to the woods."
Astraea tried to protest, but her father was already gone before she could utter a word. She watched him gather the warriors, which included Livaeus and anyone who could fight. The summoned warriors swiftly drew their weapons and marched towards the shore.
Genaine patted her daughter's shoulder. "I understand if you are cross, but it is also for your safety. Apart from that, we need our best warrior to protect the lesser ones"
"I am not mad. I do understand my father's intentions. But it's such a pity I will not be able to assess my skills as warrior in this harrowing situation."
"It is not wise to wish for that, Astraea. You might find what you seek unfold in unspeakable means."
Astraea nodded, but she could not hide the disappointment in her eyes. It was no secret that Astraea always longed to engage herself in an actual battle. To satisfy her, Ragan would always hold contests and various games among their people and most of the time, Astraea won.
For a time Astraea indulged herself in the games. She delighted in her continuous victory. Defeat was very uncommon. Her competitors knew that challenging Astraea would only lead to their loss.
And so when the time came for her to prove her skills, she was denied, and deep in her heart she was unhappy.
Astraea watched as the thing grew closer and closer. From her window she could see her father preparing everyone in case of an attack. She couldn't hear what they were discussing, but soon enough they positioned themselves in defense. The archers were placed in higher places. The men that Astraea knew that were good in swordsmanship were placed at the front and last lines. Those who were inferior were placed in the middle.
"Do you think it will be a bloody battle?" said Astraea.
"We can only hope for the better. Have faith in your father and in our people. They will not fail us, and we to them." Her mother replied, looking over the window.
As the thing grew nearer, Astraea could sense the danger hovering in the air. She only knew one thing: whatever it is that is coming will do them no good.