In a world known as Earth B, formed after the collapse of Earth A, time had marched forward into the year 4030. Evolution had taken an unexpected turn.
Earth B was now a place far removed from the world we once knew, where new genders and roles had emerged from the ashes of the old.
Women, no longer able to give birth, watched as society grappled with the slow decline of humanity's population.
The solution came, though not through science or invention, but through something far more mysterious.
A virus ...they called it the Macbus Virus. When it first struck, it was silent, almost gentle. Every human fell into a deep sleep, and when they woke, they felt unchanged, unaware of the quiet chaos that had been sown within them.
It was only 30 days later that the world began to notice something was wrong .... or rather, different.
People's appearances had begun to shift, their personalities evolving in unexpected ways.
Men, once strong and grounded, became delicate, their features softening into something undeniably beautiful.
They grew more feminine, and most stunning of all ... some men found they could carry life within them. These men became known as Senirips , the bearers of children, the new hope for a declining race.
With women no longer able to give birth, the Senirips were seen as a blessing. Their ability to naturally conceive and carry children made them the most cherished members of society.
But the changes brought by the Macbus Virus were not uniform.
While Senirips became the pride of Earth B, others underwent equally drastic but less revered transformations. The Solé, emotionless and detached from the world, became a source of disdain.
They worked without passion or feeling, becoming the laborers of society, devoid of joy or sorrow. Despite their critical roles in maintaining Earth B's industries,
they were not well-liked. Feared for their lack of humanity and understanding, they were useful but unwanted, making them the most disliked of all the new genders.
Then there were the Lala , those who seemed untouched by the darkness of the virus.
They were radiant, like the sun at its brightest, always smiling, always cheerful. These humans embodied pure happiness, their laughter contagious, their warmth ever-present.
They filled the world with light, often becoming government officials, entertainers, or public figures, spreading their joy wherever they went.
Despite the virus' unpredictable effects, one thing became clear: Earth B's social structure had been completely upended. Senirips were now revered, precious beyond measure.
They became the centerpiece of society, living in relative luxury, protected and adored by all.
The rest of humanity revolved around them and with the Solé serving as the backbone of the economy, the Lala offering leadership and hope.
In the heart of this strange new world stood Ravenhill, the beating core of Earth B. Known as the "Main City," Ravenhill was a sprawling metropolis where Senirips lived under constant protection. It was the Omega of all cities, the source of life and power. It was here that the fate of Earth B was decided. The city's influence stretched far beyond its borders, shaping the future of the entire planet.
But Ravenhill was not without its challenges. Despite the harmonious image it projected, tensions simmered beneath the surface. Not everyone celebrated the rise of the Senirips or the dominance of the Lala.
Among the Solé, a quiet resentment grew. They were the heart workers, the ones who kept the world running, yet they received little in return. Despite their emotionless nature, they were the most disliked group, feared and despised for their lack of passion and warmth.
Even their eyes, once vibrant with life, now carried only a dull, empty stare.
The car moves quietly past the tall buildings, the glass windows shining in the fading light. I sit in the backseat, my hands shaking a little in my lap. My heart is beating so fast, and I don't know what to say. Or if I should say anything at all.
Thoughts are running wild in my head. I've heard so many things such as rumors about how cold and cruel he can be. I don't want to believe them, but the fear is still there.
What if I say the wrong thing? What if it's all true? I sneak a look at him, trying to figure out what he's thinking, but he's just sitting there, silent.
I look down again, not sure what to do. The air feels heavy, and I feel so small next to him. Should I say something? But I'm scared anything I say might make things worse.
From the car mirror, I see his cold, deep sea eyes.
I feel his eyes on me before I even look up. Slowly, I lift my head, and sure enough, he's staring right at me. My heart skips a beat. He caught me looking.
For a second, I freeze, unsure of what to do next. My mind races with thoughts, but nothing comes out. Then I quickly look away, pretending like I wasn't just watching him. I focus on the blurred buildings outside the window, trying to ground myself in something safe and familiar,
but I can still feel his gaze on me as it was heavy and sharp, like a spotlight cutting through the dark interior of the car.
Play it cool, I tell myself, taking a deep breath. I force a smile, hoping he won't see how nervous I am.
I glance back at him for a split second, and he seems unfazed, his expression unreadable. Maybe he doesn't mind that I was staring, or maybe he's just waiting for me to say something.
My hands fidget in my lap, the tension in the air thickening. I can't help but wonder what he thinks of me.
Does he find me attractive? Does he even care? The questions swirl in my mind, each one making it harder to breathe. I can't shake the feeling that I'm on display, like some fragile piece of art he can judge at any moment.
The silence stretches between us, and I try to fill it with thoughts of what I might say. But every idea feels weak and silly.
Should I compliment him? Ask him about his day? I glance back at him, and he's still looking away, his eyes fixed out the window now. I can't tell if he's just bored or if he's really not interested in me at all.
What if I say something stupid? Anxiety creeps back in, tightening its grip. I decide to keep quiet, hoping he'll break the silence. I wish I could read him better, figure out what he's really thinking.
I feel his eyes on me before I even look up.
The car rolls to a stop, and my husband turns to me. "Why are you staring at me?"
"I wasn't… I mean, I thought you weren't looking," I say, turning my head away.
"I despise my identity as a crown senirips," I think. The title feels like a cage. My father wanted his senirips son to marry a man labeled as the devil by everyone.
I glance at my husband again. I don't even know his name. It's strange to be bound to someone yet remain a complete stranger.
He speaks again. "You can call me Kris," he says.
The name sounds simple. I want to say it but hesitate. Calling him by his name seems too personal. As a senirips, I've been taught to maintain a certain reserve.
I glance outside the window. The familiar sights of home flash through my mind. I already miss Rosewood City...the sun-drenched streets and the comfort of my quiet room.
Thoughts of my little senirips brother come to mind. I remember the way he would tug at my long green hair and our afternoons spent together.
The car comes to a halt. I reach for the door handle, but my long green hair gets tangled in the seatbelt. I struggle to free myself.
Before I can untangle myself, Kris leans over and helps me, releasing the hair from the grip of the belt.
As I step out of the car, I see the heavy bodyguards surrounding the massive mansion. I instinctively shrink back at the sight of their figures.
Kris stands a few steps ahead, surveying the scene. "I hate people who are scared," he says.
I bite my lip and try to steady myself. I catch the eye of one of the bodyguards, and I take a breath.