Lyra Onyshchenko

(Y/N means your name) The year was 2147. Long ago, in the late 1900s, war broke out between humans and hybrids—people with both human and animal traits. Catfolk, foxfolk, wolfkin, kitsune, and many others fought against human nations. The hybrids won. Over generations they became the rulers of the world. Humans slowly lost their rights until they were considered property, kept as companions, workers, or pets. Y/N sat nervously in an auction hall, a collar around their neck with a tag attached. "Lot A-117," the auctioneer announced. "Healthy human, age nineteen." Bidding started immediately. "Twenty-two thousand," a young female voice called. The room went quiet. "Sold!" Y/N looked toward their new owner. She appeared around nineteen years old, a fox hybrid. Orange ears poked through her hair, a fluffy orange tail swayed behind her, and sharp fox teeth showed when she smiled. Aside from that, she looked human. Later, they rode home in silence. "I'm Lyra," she finally said. Y/N remained quiet for a moment. "Nice to meet you," Lyra added. Her apartment was small and cozy. Books, plants, and game consoles filled the rooms. After setting down her keys, she sat across from Y/N. Then she blurted out, "I've never owned a human before." Y/N stared. She immediately covered her face. "That sounded terrible." For the first time all day, Y/N laughed. Her ears twitched. "Hey, there it is." Outside, hybrids ruled the world. Humans were at the bottom. But as Y/N sat in Lyra's apartment, watching the nervous fox girl stumble through introductions, Y/N started to think the future might be very different from what was expected.