John was a farmer. He didn't live the sedentary life that came with wealth, power, and generational stability.

No.

John was a farmer.

He woke up at 3:00 in the morning, and was down again at 10:00 in the evening after feeding the obsidian hogs for the final time of the day.

It wasn't a pleasant, nor a terrible life. He woke up, started the early morning chores, greeted his wife and children with the first sun behind him, then moved on to the afternoon ones. His only clock, the one he could afford, kept him busy no matter how often he glared at it. The hogs called, and that was his families sustenance, so he performed his work. It was a simple life that his family had done for several generations. Work hard, and enjoy time with the family when you can. Just like they had always done.

On a third day, he received a visitor. The man spoke and dressed well, his fashionable clothing telling the tale of his wealth and status. His accent spoke of lands far away, and he had a tendency to cross one leg over another while speaking. He said his name was inconsequential, but upon pressing, gave only his first name. Ozymandias. Both his name and mannerisms made John's back stiffen as they sat in his living room, speaking of what life on a farm is like. John tried not to think of what chores he should be doing, or of what his family must be thinking in the side room nearby. He also tried not to think about how little value the man likely placed upon his family. Every word he spoke had to be measured and contained, lest he offend the stranger.

They spoke some more about the farm, but John could see from the man's eyes that he cared not a bit about what they were speaking of. There was only so many ways John could speak about how to feed and water obsidian hogs. Never enter the pen. Never make eye contact. Only gather the droppings when they've moved away. Simple chores.

The man uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. He looked John square in the eyes and made an offer. Give him one of his newest hogs, a rare male at that, and he would give one of his children a wonderful gift. Something the poor and destitute dream of on a daily basis. An evolution. A trade that would take his child to a new life and potentially to a better place.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

John didn't take him seriously. A male obsidian hog was rare. He'd only birthed three in his lifetime and that was after over two decades of working on the farm. Each male hog could sell for more than enough to bring a builder out for a whole new addition to the family home, or he could trade for a different genetic line with one of his neighbors, potentially setting up a bonding for Tajo or Alma's future. They wouldn't have to be farmers waking up before the sun kisses the sky.

Not to mention they were strategic resources for his country, and could only be sold to the government or traded within the village after first reporting their birth. John hadn't gone to town as of yet, as that was a chore for the fifth day, when his son would watch after the hogs rather than focusing on his schooling. He hadn't visited the village tracker or reported the birth yet. Nobody knew. But still, John didn't take him seriously, and while he was far from happy with the life his Creator had given him, he wouldn't violate his countries faith in its farmers for the promise of something which couldn't possibly exist.

But then, the man removed something from within his robe. A bright blue gem, glowing from within. Every facet shined so brightly that John, even with his eyes well experienced to the sharp contrast of a double sunrise, had to squint to look at. It was an evolution gem, and a powerful one at that based upon the strength of the ambience shining out of it.

He blocked his overlay from recording anything, a lesson passed on early in life from his father, and shushed the man from speaking, having him place the gem back within his robe. John quickly dragged the man away from his home and the too inquisitive looks from his wife and children, and began speaking to him in a terse and quiet voice, "What are you doing bringing that here! They could kill us all just for knowing they actually exist!"

"Ahhh" said the too smooth voice in response, Ozymandias leaning back ever so much, "but dear John, now you know they do exist. So I'm here to make a deal. One male obsidian hog, newly born, for one advanced evolution gem. You know what they say about evolutions do you not? The first is the most important."

John shook his head in denial, "No, I don't, and you know I don't. We're not taught anything like that here. We're farmers on the outskirts of the city."

The man smiled, knowing he already had a hook into the farmer, "Well then, lucky you John. An advanced evolution is quite the boon. It can help a newly evolved reach heights reserved only for the noble of birth." He licked his lips. "What do you say? One great leap for your family, and one quiet mouth from me." Having said so, he removed the gem from within his robe again, John's small barn lighting up with a blue light.

The farmer stared at the man, wondering if he, or any of this was real. It couldn't possibly be. But, intrusive thoughts wormed their way in. His father's words, just before his death, coming back to haunt him. They'll never let us leave here.

And just like that, John made his choice.