DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

~ • ~

"Let us play!" That tender excited little voice that came out from him made my eyebrows rise.

I looked up at his back and the head that slowly turned with a sweet and innocent smile.

"Again? Do you know what time it is already to play?" I asked.

It's already 5:00 PM and the sky is now being filled with darkness. It is an ordinary day like yesterday, and the other day, and like the last week, month and year.

I shook my head and smiled at him. Looking how he pout his lips at me is quiet tempting even for a boy like me.

"Let's play! And if you defeated me, I will tell you a secret~" He chirped.

'A secret? Of him?'

I got excited and smiled widely unconsciously.

As I looked back at him, he is also smiling brightly to me. My heart cannot help but flutter at that sight of him.

'I will definitely defeat you because I also have a secret to tell you.'

That's what I thought.

But that ordinary day where we will play that game turned out different. And that smile I saw that moment, who would have known it will be my last time I see it?

Because that day is the start of the 'extraordinary days' of the humanity.

I startled as I realized that the memories of my childhood just lingered again in my head.

It's been 20 years since that day. It's also been 20 years since I last saw Khyle— my childhood best friend. That is also the starting point of the extraordinary happenings and changes in humanity took place. And it is also the starting point of my endless search for the cure of my longing and regrets.

I looked up at the gray sky. It's already 11 AM, but it looks so dark already.

Well, it is not normal anyways... Starting that day.

I didn't have any chance to see the bright sky like before. And if so, it will never be the same without 'him' by my side.

I entered military and then the intelligence unit of the policemen in the Z City.

It is different from each other, right?

Well, if you are also eager to protect someone and also to find him, you must be well-connected in those fields.

Yes! I still believe that he is still alive and I can find him.

I don't have evidence, yes! But I believe in my instincts.

It's really laughable but, it is the only reason I breath everyday. Because he is my... everything.

When I said that the "humanity changes", it means literally.

Only 15% of the population belongs to the humanity while the others are non-humans— artificially and not. And it started, 20 years ago, when Khyle was 'taken' away.

"Troii! Can you run some errands for me at the hospital?" Sir Elias Sarmienta— my supervisor called out.

He seemed unwell and anxious. I made my way to him and received his order.

"Can you take this card and prescription for me? Also look for the doctor that's the name was written at the back of the paper for me and give this USB to him? This is important, Troii. Can you do it for me?" He asked, sweating and his face that is reddish.

Is he sick?

I nodded my head and then received the items. I grabbed my jacket, wallet, my car keys and mobile phone because the way to the hospital is a bit far from here.

Unlike the other cities, the Z city is more prosperous than the others unlike its name.

Modern technology, strict and tight security, and also the denser population of rich and noble non-human also resides here.

We, who are the original last human beings are being accepted here despite the discrimination because we are capable by name, honour, money and strength. And fortunately, I am one of them.

Humans sometimes are being treated here as slaves, and sometimes toys for various activities. And what is more surprising here is that even the same sex couples can have their own blood and flesh's offsprings.

But the noblest blood amongst them have this distinct characteristics that can make the all humanity and non humanity society upside down— out of this world beauty and the strongest pheromones of all.

And in this city, there is a handful of people like that who are strangely into the inter'family' marriages.

I opened the door of my car after I parked it. I can clearly sniff the stench of those insatiable people who can do their business literally everywhere.

My face crumpled at the thought of that and I hastily entered the door that will lead me in the hospital.

The stench of medicines are everywhere. Well, I prefer this than the odour I smelled earlier.

I looked down the paper and went to the pharmacy to buy the things in the prescription. The nurse is a non-human. She actually scoffed in front of me after seeing me.

'How rude!'

Well, no one can blame her, right?

I immediately look behind the paper and found my way to the doctor's office after paying the bill by my superior's card.

I knocked at the door thrice before hearing a voice saying, "come in!"

I can't explain why, but after hearing it, my heart started to beat faster than usual.

I got nervous yet I still opened the door.

Inside of it is a dark gray and white motif of office that is comparable to— no! It is more likely to be more elegant and grand than our Chief's office. And a man in black, a girl in beige and a longhaired person are inside of it.

The man looked at me with his sharp gaze. His strict looking face made me gasp. I feel like I was about to meet a prince or something.

The woman in beige looked at me with curiousity. Her big brown eyes are shining yet still hold her position in front of the longhaired person's desk.

And at last, the silver haired one who is busy with his notes finally took a glance at me. I gasped once again with his ethereal golden eyes that are looking at me.

"What can I do for you?" That man asked directly.

I was about to speak up when I noticed that the other two looked at him and me in surprised face.

"U-uhm. My supervisor, Sir Sarmienta asked me to run an urgent errand. To give you..." I was about to step forward near him when the man in black blocked me.

"Rye, stop it! You know Mr. Sarmienta, right? This must be important so please stand down." The doctor's every words are soft and tender while making his order. It feels like this Rye is being coaxed and not ordered.

Rye's face slightly soften and bowed his head a bit before returning back to his position.

"Sally, please move forward to receive Mister..?"

He looked at me with a brow slightly raised.

"Ah! Uhmm! Troii! Just call me that." Why am I stuttering nonstop?

Okay! I admit that his face is so heavenly! But— heavenly? No way!

"Dr. Aetherius Curtis." He said.

'Is that... his name?'

It literally means 'ethereal'! Then he must be those noble blooded non-human?

But why do I feel a hint of familiarity with him? Am I mistaken?

I handed over the USB to the woman named Sally and bid my farewell as I also received a message crystal from him.

"Please send him and his family my regards." Aetherius said with a smile.

I nodded my head and then left the room. One thing popped out from my mind, 'I do not belong in that room!'!

I just shrugged my shoulders as I fixed up the mess in my head and return to the office with the message meant to Sir Sarmienta.

'What is the important thing in this that makes the supervisor act like that?'

I am curious but one thing needs to be done here. And I have no time to be entangled with other's business especially to a noble non-human like Aetherius Curtis.

~ • ~

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone...