A cold, heavy darkness settled around Juliana. Her limbs felt as though they were smothered with crushing weights. Her breaths were faint, her blood sluggish. Distant singing called to her from the edge of her consciousness. Music both haunting and hopeful, with a notes of desperate frenzy. It became louder and louder.

Juliana’s head throbbed as though someone decided to play a tattoo in her brain. She squinted her eyes against the bright red light. What was this? Was she in an emergency vehicle? Did she have an accident at the park?

Blinking her brown eyes, she looked up and sucked in a large breath. The air burned her lungs. Coughing, she wondered when was the last time she breathed clean air? She hacked again. A sudden cheer came from above. She felt a woman lift her up to sitting position as she wrapped her in a hug. Juliana’s lips were dry. Her throat burned.

With a parched voice she called, “Water.”

A ball of water floated in the air.

“Drink woman,” an elderly elf-like being said.

Awkwardly, Juliana pressed her lips on the floating sphere and sucked. It was water—wet, temperate, crisp and pure. There wasn’t any taste of the chlorine she was used to from her city’s faucets. It was unlike any water she drank before. The woman who supported Juliana released her. As she pulled back, Juliana saw her tear-stained face. What had she gotten into? Were they kidnapped? She was instantly on guard.

Looking around the hall, Juliana studied the creatures around her. They were intelligent beings, but not of Earth. The androgynous beings had long ears, reminiscent of elves. However, their skin had the texture of smooth plastic which shone pearlescent in the same color of their hair. And their hair—every elf gathered had bold, pastel, or bright hair. Those on the ground floor had the purest of colors. The floor above had duller locks. Most of them wore long hair with braids, beading or tied in materials. A few wore circlets on their heads.

An elf with yellow hair knelt beside her. From their hands a warm glow emanated. Soon, Juliana felt stronger. “I am a healer. They call me Eirian. You are safe here.” Thanking them, she shift away.

She took in those around her. There were 41 humans seated on the floor, stared at by the elves from above. It felt like the women were on the stage being studied. She didn’t like it. That was not a good position to be in. Why weren’t they given a place to sit or at least a cushion?

The large muscular elf sat on the throne. Their features were sharp. Their bright red hair was brushed back. A similar and younger looking elf stood next to them. They had medium hair with a few random small, beaded braids. Their tilted their face up as though they were the pride of the assembly.

“Asa Dominion, tonight is a glorious night!”

Cheers erupted in mass around us.

“For the last twenty years we have been dried of new life. The dimensions haven’t met leaving us to only populate with our energies. This desert has been too long. The war with our neighbors, the Gongres and Lysarans have made us even less.”

Boos came from the crowd. Juliana noticed one nearby elf winced. Their clothing appeared different from the rest. More robe-like. It matched their medium length royal deep purple hair that was combed back from their face. The sides of their hair had been cut shorter than the rest. They looked to be in their mid-forties.

The king continued, “Now we rejoice. Women have come among us!”

The crowd responded enthusiastically.

“Once more, we have met with the international assembly. Our situation is unique. As you all know, any women who lands in a country is raised by them. But thanks to the war, and the tributaries relinquishing their rights for the next harvest, we can raise them all here. Furthermore, providence has surprised us. We have an odd number this year.”

The words this elven king used did not bode well. Raised? Harvest? She didn’t want to be cooked as their dinner. She tried to move, but a fierce pang struck her head. It was difficult to think with being dehydrated and having a migraine. She had to be careful and pay attention to what was going on. Her life would depend on it.

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Murmuring scattered throughout the assembly.

“Yes, yes, one happens to be male, but fear not, I the Red King, promise he will be cared for with the same stipend all the women shall receive. As per tradition, these young souls will be raised by a patron. All funds raised in the Welcoming will be used for the Asa Women Training Center’s yearly expenses.”

Juliana had studied people since she was a young lady in politics. Already she knew that this was a military-focused state with a monarch. She wouldn’t have been surprised if they had absolute power over their people. Just in a friendly speech the pressure coming from them was immense. The anticipation from the audience grew.

However, a woman with wavy dark hair, large eyes, and medium colored skin next to Juliana caught something in their wording.

“How are they going to raise funds?”

As if answering her whispered question, the king continued, “As per tradition, we shall bid.” They motioned to someone in a robed uniform.

Anxiety grabbed Juliana. Bidding? They weren’t property! How barbaric!

An elf with pink hair and translucent robes approached. They held a device with a crystal embedded into it. They addressed the humans. “I will measure your capability for mana flow. The letters from lowest to highest are Do, Re, Mi, Fa, and Sol class. If any of you are Sol class, you’ll automatically be sent to live here in the palace.” Their voice raised with each note they named.

A nervous chuckle came from Juliana’s lips. They weren’t serious were they? Not only were they to be bid on, but ranked? This was a cruel joke.

Realization struck Juliana. She was understanding them in their native language! Their words were of this planet. Whatever translation spell they used made her understand it in English. Their voices, their language, everything was tied back into music. Their sentences had a lilting tone and reminded Juliana of something akin to Italian, except it had an occasional hard sounding K and a different melody.

“What is the rate for classes?” The woman who spoke before asked.

They smiled, “While Re is extremely rare for women, this rating is common among us Adasians. Those outside these walls are Do or Re rated. If a Re woman appears she can be later paired with multiple of them in a clan unit in hopes to produce the next Mi class. Most of the women here will most likely be Mi class. Oh—” he looked at the women’s faces of shock and disgust, “I almost forgot, I’ve done this ceremony so many times. Ladies of Earth, do not fear. What we desire is not your flesh, your death, nor your sexual capabilities. What we seek is your ability to process mana. In due time you’ll learn what that means. After assigning you a patron, they will eventually help you to find a clan. The clan you choose to adopt with be your new family on the planet. We won’t have unsituated immigrants loose, running around and risk them being tricked into moving to another country. There is no obligation to them. It is more of a status thing for us. Patrons with strong women can form alliances with whichever clan she chooses.”

“And what about him?” the earlier woman asked.

“My name is Royce,” the blonde man said.

“Well, he will be given a government stipend to live, but he may also work as he wishes. If he can find a job. I’m sorry, it’s just hard for us to hire the powerless. So many jobs depend on some level of mana usage.”

A pained expression flashed across Royce’s face.

The elf continued, “We don’t know why one or two men come with the women each Welcoming. We view it as a test of generosity. It is seen as bad luck to harm them, so I wouldn’t be worried about his safety. He is more likely to be ignored.”

“Can we continue with the ceremony?” Prince Hirote called.

“Yes, yes, of course, prince!”

A blonde woman was the first to be tested. Waves of calm radiated from him he held the device to her, “She has the potential for Fa class.” She was given a tile to hold as the elves on the ground floor cheered.

The elf explained, “This tile is to prevent anyone of the Mi class or lower from bidding to be your patron.”

She gawked, “What—we must be bid on? I’m not property!”

“It’s symbolic. You are not seen as property. It’s all for a good cause, it helps pay your stipend on this planet.”

She quieted quickly.

The woman Ambassador with the painted face commented, “Do not judge them on their culture. However distasteful or foreign it may seem to us. The Elves are aliens, dear. I am Ambassador Constance Derupe of Una’Ta. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to take any of you with me to my country. We gather women who reject their system. And men. However, our neutral stance during the last war lost our ability to recruit. I can, however, offer you all citizenship if you decide later not to join any country. Remember that.”

The humans gathered nodded their head. Some smiled, a slight signal that they were considering the offer.

The Red King visibly tensed.

Surprisingly it was Ambassador Zarvik who defended the ceremony, “Despite my dislike for the Dominion of Asa as of this moment, I would be remiss if I didn’t warn you that Una’Ta has the harshest weather of the whole continent. They live on the cliffs north. The land is frozen for half of the year. Little mana is found there. It is almost a dead-zone for us. However, they also face monsters who wander that way. With women unable to use song-spells, they struggle as they fight physically against these beasts. To live there is almost like living exiled. You would be very far from trade and all comforts of civilization.” Zarvik straightened their purple robes.

“That may be, Ambassador Zarvik, but my women are warriors. It is a harsh life, but it is one that suits us,” she responded.

The warming up from the humans gathered at the hall quickly chilled. Juliana assumed they were like her, accustomed to the comforts of modern life.