Capital city of stars, Astria:
In the cold yet eerie night I walked alone in silence, the cobbled pathway filled with drunkards and prostitutes.
My heavy armour drew some attention but it was quickly dispelled when their eyes landed on the claymore I carried.
'Finally.'
My face hidden by the great helm showed joy upon seeing the end of the alleyway, I can finally enter the main streets.
'If that guy is right I will reach the guild in a moment.'
The guild, a haven for people looking for opportunities or so was said.
There have been stories of adventurers being knighted for their accomplishments during wars against other races.
The continent of Ellil was carved into history through wars and death.
Most of these wars were caused by humans who was described as ruthless and under the influence of an unknown evil force.
It was said in ancient times, the god who ruled over the continent of Ellil released a massive flood which wiped of most of humanity.
The other races were protected by him and they all watched the humans die out in silence.
But some persevered and survived which impressed the god and in which he granted them extended lifespan so humanity could thrive again.
Even though this was a children's story, the hate between the different races still continued.
'But the guild doesn't care who you are, they only care about who you can be.'
I as a child always thought of being like the heroes from the stories I heard.
But growing up, my mind matured and thought that it was a stupid idea to be following that dream.
'And here I am following that exact stupid dream.'
I chuckled under my helm, I have to thank my brother for getting me this armour.
Speaking of my brother he is a squire for a rather famous knight.
He was taken in as a page by him when he discovered us begging on road.
Those times are etched into my mind, those drunkards constantly beating is, my father dying due to a mistake caused by the gate guards who was under the influence of alcohol,
My mom trying to be a prostitute so food can be on the table.
Long story short, she was killed by some drunkard who exceeded the time limit and wanted some more fun but she refused which caused him to go completely ballistic.
Funnily enough I developed a disgust for alcohol.
I have congratulate myself from holding back my anger during my walk through the alleyway.
As I was walking with my head low focusing on the road, someone collided into me.
My heavy armour kept my balance as the culprit fell to the floor.
'I am pretty sure the streets aren't cleaned properly.'
The smell was a giveaway.
"You okay?"
I reached my hand out to him, seemingly from a well off family, the tunic he wore seems to be of good quality.
Now I felt bad for ruining his clothes but it wasn't really my fault to be honest.
He took my arm and immediately stood up, the energy radiating from him threatening to end the depressing mood around these parts of the city.
"Thank you sir! I'm sorry for bumping into you.'
He had soft auburn hair and some freckles were present on his face, but that heartwarming smile on his face was so huge it made me wonder how his cheeks aren't split apart.
And God was he loud but he seemed like a good kid.
"Why are you in such a hurry?"
I asked the question that lingered inside my mind, I have never seen a peasant being so urgent other than for his job and I am pretty sure they don't look this joyous when that happens.
"A case of insania striked the old blacksmith's daughter and the church is doing a public exorcism."
Before I could even ask him any further he stormed off to the direction he pointed at.
'Insania? In the city of starmother?'
It was hard to believe insania would pry it's way into the domain of the goddess of stars, Asteria.
Insania had been causing some problems recently but it was in the outskirts of the kingdom of Astreaea, it had not reached the inner parts where the goddess's divinity is present the most.
'Those cultists are at it again....'
I sighed, it wasn't a rare occasion to see occult practices and there wasn't any lack of evil gods.
The cult that causes insania was known to worship the goddess called Manea.
Not much is known about them but they have caused a lot of atrocities in history.
Their main weopon of choice is insania, a curse so deadly it causes a painful death in a matter of days.
Yeah it doesn't seem fast but it isn't used for quick kills but torture.
'And it spreads what more can you ask for.'
The lives of people are a joke, gods could end them in a matter of seconds and there is also their followers which they shower in blessings.
'I genuinely hate them.'
From the bottom of his heart he hated them, but what can he do?
Defeat a god? Impossible.
'I should probably check out the public execution.'
Calling it an exorcism was a joke, all they did was make sure it didn't spread.
I turned around and started walking towards the path that boy ran off to.
*********
In the city square a raised platform was present with three seats of honour already being occupied by the church members.
It was a standard crucified execution with a crowd gathered around the platform waiting for it to start.
A huge wooden stake, in the form of human with spread out limbs stood out.
A fair adult woman in a long gown was tied to it.
She had long black hair with a silky texture and she was really pretty.
Poor girl.....
I sighed knowing what will happen to her in a few moments as this was something my brother kept on retelling me when I was young.
As being a pretty tall man I had my perks and I could just stand at the back and didn't need to squeeze in.
Yeah during these executions there had been extra deaths due to suffocation.
"Hey!"
I heard a shout from behind me and even though we only had met for a few minutes I could already tell apart his voice.
I turned and saw him looking up at me with a smile.
"What is it?"
I asked while looking out for announcement of the execution.
"Nice to see you again."
He answered and stood by my side waiting for the trial.
'That's it?...'
I was confused so I let it be and continued watching.
"Soo, what's your name?"
The question came from the side and I answered without turning towards him.
"Cassian."
I didn't ask about his because my full focus was on the girl.
Especially on her chest where a demonic face was present which could be seen through her dress.
It's mouth was wide open and it's horns ripped through her gown, revealing the sharp yet beautiful horns.
It was trying to scream, it was how it spread but the church had prepared and the screams were muted.
The only scream present was from the blacksmith who was crying for her daughter's date.
Did I forget to mention women nowadays were encouraged by the ruler to have a job?
The king felt like making the men work wasn't efficient so he made the woman work too and also the slaves.
Especially those from other races.
The process continued, the church members praying and using their blessings to counter the insania.
'A fireball could finish the job but that would release the insania from her body so this has to be done...'
He sighed upon seeing the blacksmith break down seeing her daughter suffer, no one willing to offer her a hand.
'From today onwards she will be deemed untouchable.'
I had seen a lot of untouchables throughout my life, the superstition that cursed and diseases could also be spread from family members were still believed to this day.
The exorcism continued and more and more heads turned and people left as it was reaching the final stages.
I could see the horror present in that boy's eyes as he left not even saying a goodbye to me.
'I have to ask what satisfaction would they gain from this?'
He looked towards the sky, where heaven the place where gods reside was said to be present.
'Why won't they stop this?'
This was something I would never get the answer to, maybe I will get one in the future.
'She is roughed up.'
The girl was a gory mess, her limbs mangled up and deep cuts formed all over her body.
A demonic face hung down from her open chest with the support of some remaining flesh.
Her mother sat on the road with an empty gaze, she knew what her future would be now.
Even though it wasn't something a mother should be thinking right after her daughter's death, she had no choice.
She could only accept it, she now cared about her more than anyone.
Living in these times were a struggle for everyone.
'Everyone except the gods.'
My hate for them runs deep.
I turned around and left, not towards the guild but towards my home.
The guild could wait for tomorrow.
Even if you see these horrors for several times,
There's no getting used to it.
'Atleast for me.'
I walked towards my home under the guide of the starlight, the starmother seems exceptionally angry today.