In a highly advanced world, characterized by its floating cities and advanced transportation, is where it all began.

Within one of these technological cities, aliens with barely any human features strolled the streets. Some held technical dog-like chains fastened around the necks of humans, trailing behind them as though the aliens were their masters and the humans, their pets.

That was indeed the case. The humans following their alien masters appeared akin to lifeless dolls, each genetically modified for a specific purpose. 

Three restraints adorned their bodies, preventing them from resisting or attacking their masters - one secured to their heads, and two more encircling their wrists.

A very young girl hurried down the street, her face concealed beneath a thick, long hoodie.

In her attempt to avoid the aliens, she accidentally bumped into one and fell backward. Yet, her hood still shielded her face.

"Sorry, mister!" she apologized in a language that wasn't one known from Earth, the new language spoken by humans now.

"How annoying!" spat an alien man with a large, bulb shaped body supported by tentacle-like legs. Gruesome was the word to describe him, his face was bloated and was the colour green and his eyes were wide as an owl. His face was far from pleasing. However, the girl didn't flinch, already used to such behaviors, and swiftly dashed away.

"Heh, thanks for that pocket change," she smirked to herself as she retrieved a technological wallet and a debit card from her pocket.

She immediately dropped the wallet off and shattered the card, causing the blue light that was continuously blinking to stop.

Looking up at the sky, she saw nothing pleasing but endless stars and dark clouds, through her hood one could see her face showing that she is a human. Her dark, lifeless eyes, not a look a child should have at such an age, but that was the reality.

The story her mother kept on telling her when she was a child played in her mind like a story book as she walked on.

In the year 2050, a great war unfolded - one that didn't end as expected. Despite humanity's history of always overcoming bad times and wars, this time, they fell to aliens who attacked Earth.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Why did they attack? What was their purpose?

To them, humans were exotic beings, fascinating in their appearance. They didn't look weird like them and they were absolutely beautiful in their eyes. Like when a human sees a cat or dog, they must make them their pet when they find them cute. The aliens as well felt compelled to claim humans for themselves.

Humanity fought hard, but they were no match for the aliens' advanced technology. Comparing both of them, Humanity lacked the technological knowledge to fight back against the aliens and they were too busy fighting amongst themselves, creating unnecessary problems instead of addressing the serious issue. Inner conflicts, hatred, distrust, selfishness, and greed, which all made the fall of the human race more easier. That was because they were so divided.

As countries crumbled and escape became futile, the children of captured humans were reduced to nothing more than pets or display items for their alien captors. 

The new generations were all genetically modified to serve as attractive dolls for the aliens. As for the defects, their fate remained unknown. After all, who would desire an ugly pet? Most humans prefer any kind of pets, but since the aliens lacked attractiveness, humans had to make up for it.

Chips were implanted into the brains of humans to prevent them from escaping their masters. Additionally, restraints on their heads and hands were in place to punish or torture them if they attempted to flee.

Asami, a twelve-year-old Japanese girl, gazed at a sci-fi display shop where young adults stood in tubes like mannequins, adorned in flamboyant attire while aliens gathered to observe them.

"Do you think I should buy this human?" one alien asked his friend.

"You should. I've heard some of them can cook well and serve as excellent servants," his friend replied, prompting a nod of agreement.

Hearing their conversation, Asami adjusted her hood before stealthily walking away to avoid getting noticed by them.

Passing through some alleys, Asami arrived in a small town filled with humans who looked ordinary, not having the celebrity-like appearance enforced by genetic modification. She then reached a small rusty door at the corner.

"Mum, I'm home," Asami announced upon opening the door to their home in the alleys, finding her middle-aged mother lying on the bed with a dead gaze. She didn't even acknowledge Asami’s return and just remained silent.

Asami, who was used to her mother's indifference, proceeded to a small table beside the bed and opened a packet of fried meat.

Offering a portion to her mother, who greedily consumed it, Asami's mother then took Asami's portion as well before retreating to bed, as she continued to cry. 

"I'll bring more food, Mum. Please take care of yourself," Asami said, unfazed, before leaving.

Her stomach was growling as she walked through the streets, Asami rubbed it in discomfort.

Arriving at a tall blue building, Asami entered and approached the front desk.

"Oh, it's you. Have you finished fulfilling your master's requests?" the receptionist asked as her three snail-like eyes fixed on Asami, who remained hooded.

"Yes," Asami affirmed with a nod.

"Let me scan your chip, and you'll be on your way," the woman said, as a floating robot moved toward Asami and scanned her, its light turning green.

"You're free to go," the receptionist announced politely.