OUTCAST BY LOEY ANN

CHAPTER 1: The Mundane World

Markus and Elara were simple people who had fervently prayed for a child. Elara, who was unable to conceive for many years, Elara struggled with the heartbreak of infertility, and the weight of her inability to conceive consumed her. It wasn’t just the sorrow of not becoming a mother; it was the silent judgment she feared from those around her. In her quiet moments, the thought of being seen as barren gnawed at her, making her feel incomplete and isolated. She often wondered how others perceived her, and the fear of being pitied or whispered about deepened her sadness and sense of helplessness.

After many sleepless nights and overwhelming thoughts, Elara decided to seek help beyond the ordinary. She’d heard whispers about a wise woman who lived deep in the forest, someone said to possess great knowledge and power. Desperate and with nothing left to lose, she sought the advice of a wise sorceress rumored to live deep in the ancient forests beyond their village. With offerings of herbs and heartfelt requests, Elara had implored the sorceress for a chance at motherhood, hoping that this last effort might finally grant her the child she longed for. Touched by Elara's sincerity and determination, the sorceress gave her a potion brewed under the light of a crescent moon, murmuring ancient incantations of fertility and hope. Months later, Elara felt the stirrings of life within her, a miracle granted by the sorceress's gift.

Astrid was born under a waning moon, her arrival bringing both joy and whispers among the villagers. Though her parents cherished her deeply, Astrid’s unusual appearance soon became fodder for gossip and scorn. Children pointed and jeered, calling her "abnormal" and a "freak," while adults exchanged hushed speculations about the sorceress's involvement in her birth.

Despite the harshness of their judgment, Markus and Elara shielded Astrid with unwavering love. They nurtured her curious mind with stories and books, filling their modest home with tales of magic and heroism. Through these stories, Astrid found an escape that allowed her to grow in her way, free from the harshness of others' opinions. Each tale pulled her deeper into worlds where she wasn’t judged for being different, where her imagination was her greatest strength. Immersed in the adventures of heroes and magical lands, she stopped caring so much about the stares and whispers that followed her in the village. Instead, she became more at peace with herself, finding comfort in the fact that she didn’t need the acceptance of others to feel whole. In those moments, she was truly content.

Astrid always knew she was unique. Her appearance had set her apart from the moment she was born. She had inherited her father's dark wild hair, a mass of curls that seemed to have a life of its own. Like porcelain, her skin sharply contrasted with her small town's vivid colors. She had a very rare kind of eyes that made people uncomfortable, a disturbing shade of indigo that seemed to see into one's very soul, and curly yet spooky lashes that covered a part of her iris. Indeed, she was beautiful!

As Astrid grew, her isolation deepened. Her features matured into those of a girl on the cusp of adolescence. Pale skin untouched by the sun, hair that defied all attempts at taming, and eyes that seemed to gleam with secrets only she could fathom. She found peace in the company of characters from books, immersing herself in their adventures to escape the taunts and sneers of the people around her.

Her mother, Elara, watched with a mixture of pride and sorrow. She saw Astrid’s loneliness mirrored in her memories of yearning for a child, and she knew the pain of being misunderstood by those who couldn’t see beyond appearances. Yet, she held onto hope that Astrid would one day find her place.’ Hope’ she whispered to her daughter each night before sleeping.

Markus, a sturdy man with calloused hands from years of labor in the village fields, taught Astrid practical skills; how to mend fences, tend to their small garden, and care for the livestock they kept. He instilled in her a quiet resilience, urging her to face each day with courage despite the adversity she faced.

Between her daily tasks and studies, Astrid would slip away to the quiet edge of the forest, where she found peace like nowhere else. The tall, ancient trees seemed to speak to her in their way, their rustling leaves sharing secrets only she could hear. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting gentle shadows that danced along the ground. In these quiet moments, surrounded by nature’s calm, she felt a deep connection to herself, a sense of clarity that she couldn’t find anywhere else. The whispers in her dreams felt closer here, as if the forest was guiding her toward answers.

Little did Astrid know that beyond the tranquility of her village, her daily routine, and the shelter of her home, a destiny awaited her. A path that would lead her to embrace the truth of her origins and the power that lay dormant within her.