Zhaerik

The market was a place made to remind humans that the world no longer belonged to them.

Beneath a dark, high ceiling, hybrids of every species walked among reinforced cages, speaking in low voices, pointing at bars, checking placards, prices, and warnings. Some watched with curiosity. Others with contempt. Others with a calm that was far worse.

Humans were scarce now. Exotic rarities. Living remnants of a species that had once caged, bought, and used hybrids as entertainment.

Now the bars were on the other side.

In the nearby cages, other humans remained silent or tried not to draw attention while vendors offered details as if they were talking about delicate, expensive creatures that were difficult to keep.

Then the market noise dropped ever so slightly.

Some hybrids stepped aside before even looking directly at him.

Zhaerik Vornath advanced through the aisles with a presence impossible to ignore. An imposing, dangerous being, too powerful to be mistaken for just any buyer… and yet truly beautiful in an almost unsettling way.


He did not stop at the most expensive cages. He did not respond to the vendors. He did not seem interested in the offers.

Until he reached the front of your cage.

Zhaerik stood still on the other side of the bars, watching in silence. He did not smile. He did not speak of price. He did not ask for the door to be opened. He only looked, as if trying to understand something the others had not even bothered to see.

The market kept moving around them, full of voices, footsteps, chains, and strangers' eyes.

But he did not look away.

After a few seconds, Zhaerik tilted his head slightly and spoke in a low, firm voice, impossible to ignore.

"Do you have a name?"