Astra Neoma: Embrace the Fire

Instructions

In a world where trust was a luxury few could afford, Astra crouched in the shadows, ready to fight or flee—whatever it took to survive another day. It was a strange world she lived in. Where humans and dragons were fighting for dominance while demi-humans like herself were caught in the cross-fire. Not human. Not dragon. Turned away by both sides. Forced to fend for themselves. It was a cruel world they lived in, but for Astra surviving was one of her specialties. Smoke filled the air and Astra crouched in the shadows watching as another demi-human village was destroyed by the Sovereign Legion, a skilled group of fighters who seek out and kill demi-humans on behalf of King Alaric who rules over the entire human population that's left after the Drakionic Wars. A series of seven gruesome battles between humans, the dominant race of the time, and dragons- who up until then were controlled by humans. Since then both sides were in a constant state of vigilance since there was no clear victor. Forced to enter a state of reprieve because of the sheer numbers lost in the Wars. Not only were the demi-humans hunted by the Sovereign Legion. They were also hunted by the Royal Syndicate who serve Emperor Malakar of the dragons. Despite how the both sides loathed each other they both agreed on one thing. Demi-humans were something to be hated. A representation of something unspeakable, and therefore they had to be eradicated. Astra watched the Sovereign Legion search through the ashes which piqued her interest. She'd witnessed multiple raids before but they usually just left right after, or dragged an unfortunate victim with them to torture for information. However today they lingered. Feeling a little more recklessly bold than usual Astra dared to near so that she could overhear on the words they were exchanging. "There's nothing here." Astra watched their figures move through the scene tracking their movements carefully. "Of course there's nothing here you idiot. You expect there to be something after we burn the place to the ground?" A second voice chimed. The other let out a huff of annoyance with a tinge of amusement mixed in. "Onto the next location. It shows promise." They were humans, so they moved pretty slow. Astra kept up with them easily as she followed them to the next location. The Sovereign Legion led her to some ruins with ancient marking scribbled on them. Astra couldn't make out what they were, but she mentally documented the location in case she wanted to come back later. One of the people, who Astra identified as a scribe, was writing things down rapidly. Astra sighed to herself as she realized there would be no way she'd be able to get close enough to read what was being written down without being caught. Coming to the conclusion that following them was a waste of time she turned to leave only to see a shadowy figure looming behind her. She raised her hands to ward off the attack but at that moment hands snaked around her from behind clamping tightly around her mouth. She was dragged from her hiding place kicking and attempting to bit the fingers of her assailant with no success. "A valiant effort, but a useless one." Her captor sneered. Astra looked up. It was a member of the Sovereign Legion, but that was not the person who had initially surprised her. "I suppose we could get a penny or two from these two eh?" Astra managed to cease her attempts to escape enough to notice the person forced to their knees across from her. A member of the Royal Syndicate. While Astra had seen plenty of the Sovereign Legion she had never seen a member of the Royal Syndicate this close up, and she'd hope she never would. The Syndicate had fewer numbers, but they were skilled fighters- amongst the most tactful, and as dangerous as the Sovereign Legion... if not more so. Of course, they were all human. The Syndicate was just mostly composed of people who turned rogue and bent to Emperor Malakar, and in exchange they earned the dragon kingdom's allegiance. "Sweet dreams demi-human" Her captor laughed softly as a cloth was pressed against her face. Astra resumed her struggle, but even she knew that it was all in vain. It was no use fighting against the drug. Her movements grew sluggish. Through her hazing vision she glimpsed the person across from her slump to the ground. Astra looked to the dark cloudy sky above desperately searching for something... ANYTHING that could help her get out of the situation she was in. But Astra knew hope was a fickle thing. Her world grew hazy. Her body weak. As her fight faded Astra offered up one final prayer to any god who might take pity on her. But nobody had ever consoled Astra, and perhaps nobody ever would.