"Yes... I need to know." I answered. Grav sat down and began to speak.

"Okay, here goes..."

3000 Years Ago:

World Population: 10 Billion

Human Population: 10 Billion

The world was in a prosperous era, and leading its charge as the planetary apex, was Humanity.

On an unknown date, hundreds of thousands of orbs began to emerge from the crust of the planet at varying points. They were small, just a few inches in diameter, and had a strange glow. These would later be known as the Primal manakyte stones in legends.

Shortly after their emergence, these orbs began to explode into what is now known as mana. During this time, the entirety of the surface became covered in a thick magical haze. People found that if they went into this vibrant fog, they would lose consciousness, regardless of preventative measures taken. This included buildings, as everyone on the planet soon fell victim to this 'mana storm'.

After a week of waiting, the haze began to condense into solid form, this was the birth of manakyte. This manakyte became one with life on the planet, showing a keen aptitude with humans and their blood. But for everything it gave, it took twice over. The majority of those in the haze had lost their memories, and were forcefully changed into an entirely different race, unbeknownst to the victim.

World Population: 10 Billion

Human Population: 1 Million

The few that kept their human form were able to escape this mass amnesia. A worldwide effort began for humans to regroup, and over time, this effort showed results. During this, the new intelligent races established the beginnings of civilization. The discovery of magic showed promise in these processes.

The major races that emerged after the mana storm were:

Demons, who bore significance resemblance to humans, but were slightly smaller and weaker, with unique red eyes.

Elves, who were visibly different from humans in a number a ways, including pale skin and pointed ears, and had exceptional speed and magic.

Dwarves, a short and strong race who made up for low magic amount with precise control.

Beastkin, a race of animalistic humanoids who vary significantly, from fur and a snout, to feathers and a beak. Their magic tends to be as unique as their appearance.

Lastly, Humans, after the mana storm, unaltered humans became very rare. Manakyte took a unique liking to them specifically, allowing them to perform feats many others would consider impossible, even by this new age's standards.

The relationship between races were shaky at best. Primarily between Humans and any others. This was around the time blood translation was discovered. English grew to be a dominant language. There were diplomatic attempts, but over time humans grew disgust and contempt for other races. Under the impression that the planet was rightfully theirs, they began a largescale ethnic cleanse.

The early days of this purge are largely unknown, this is believed to be due to little survivors escaping humanity's wrath.

Eventually, the other races banded together, creating a world-wide army, nearly 10 billion strong. But it only stalled the advance.

Humans had an intense desire for dominance. The magic they commanded made this achievable.

Outnumbered ten thousand to one, humans were unshaken, and only stopped to search for more victims. This war was bloody and quick.

Continents sank into the oceans, fires ravaged kingdoms, plants being used as living weapons. For humans, nothing was too far.

Without doubt, all past infrastructure was lost, but the humans didn't care. They had the memories of what was. They could rebuild. A new planet where their iron grip was tempered by magic.

Human deaths were rare. They lost limbs, and were injured, but they almost always came back, with renewed fury pushing them onwards. within months, humans had nearly wiped out everyone.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

World Population: 5 million

Human Population: 0.96 Million

Requests for peace were ignored. Gifts repaid in hellfire and mass graves. There was no hope.

But as the new races waited for their lights of life to be extinguished... There was silence.

Humans had disappeared. Leaving no sign of them ever being there. Except for the world they had molded to their liking.

The races picked up the pieces. For a time, demons were shunned because of their resemblance to humans. But this animosity is only held by a few groups today.

Memories of this time were slowly forgotten as generations passed. But, among the new races, dwarves were especially long lived, and when one is around for so long, they learn.

So today, although rare, completed memories do exist and are shared among the population. But whether or not they are aware of the reason why, one thing persists between all races, and will persist into the foreseeable future.

An Intense, deeply seeded fear.

A fear... For those who were here first...

…

…

"However, whether or not it has been realized yet... New history has been made..."

…

…

"h- huh...?" My eyes were heavy, and my head was throbbing.

"Kid, you okay?" Grav said to me.

I had fallen asleep. That's strange, I thought Octavia said I didn't need to do that anymore.

"How... How long was I out?" I asked him.

"Not long, a few minutes at most. I was just about done, ya didn't miss anything." He told me.

He's right, I remembered most of what he told me. But, I can't help but feel like I missed something at the end...

Grav dropped something into my lap. It was a bag, filled with bronze and silver colored coins.

"What's this for?" I asked him.

"It's yer pay. You earned it after that cave fiasco. Go buy yerself some clothes or something. Wear this so you aren't out there all exposed." He told me. Handing me a sleeveless shirt.

That was probably a good idea. It feels like I haven't been able to wear the same set of clothes more than twice since I've left that elf village.

Nodding, I set out of the workshop and began to wander around the city.

It was the dead of night, Grav's story took a few hours at least.

Other than a few people walking around near the gates, the city was silent.

I just followed the roads, occasionally looking at signs, seeing if any of them led to a shop that sold some clothes.

I crossed my arms and stared up at the night sky as I walked. My thoughts were filled with what Grav had told me not long before. To think humans nearly destroyed the world... I'm glad nobody took me seriously when I said I was a human.

Then there's that voice... Was it always listening? Or does it just tune in when it has something to say? I guess I wouldn't be able to find out right now anyways.

The stars were beautiful. I could see nebulae, even while in the heart of the city. Something like this wasn't possible back home.

I continued to walk for a bit, staring up at the stars, but was interrupted when I felt something bump into my chest.

I looked down to see what it was. It was a person. They were wearing a mask that covered most of their head, save their eyes, which were sharp, and glaring at me.

They pushed themselves off of me and continued walking past, speaking up as they did.

"Watch where you're walking, Demon." It was a woman's voice.

"Oh, sorry about that." Before my I could fully apologize, she had already walked off.

Well, not much I can do about it. I just have to keep walking.

I did just that, and as I rounded a corner, I saw something that looked promising. It was a sign with a shirt on it, pointing towards a door nearby. I followed the sign and went in.

It was a nice shop, lamps and lanterns lit up the interior, primarily around a front desk, who had a beastkin behind it. They had scales instead of skin, and had a head shaped like a snake.

I gave them a slight smile and wave as I began to look around the shelves. After a short while, I had a collection of items that would work. I went over to the desk to pay.

"How much would it be for these?" I asked the clerk.

"Two silver and nine copper coins please." They told me. I rummaged around in the bag Grav had given me and handed them the coins.

"Thank you." They said, putting on a service smile.

"Is there anywhere I can change into these?" I asked.

"Oh of course. Right back there." They pointed to a door near the back of the store. I nodded and walked into the back room.

There was a mirror inside. I looked over myself for the first time in a while. My body was covered in cuts and scars. Arms, legs, torso, all of it. I guess it would be expected though, I hadn't exactly had an easy time here.

Sighing, I put on the new clothes I had bought, and looked at myself again.

The shirt was made of a dark brown padded leather and was long sleeved. Despite the look, it was extremely easy to move around in, and wasn't stuffy in the slightest.

A pair of gloves that matched the color of the shirt. I got these mainly so I wouldn't absorb the mana of everything I touched.

The pants were lighter in material and color. But they were also surprisingly sturdy.

The boots I had gotten were odd. I wasn't expecting to find something like this in a clothing store, but they were closer to armor than everyday boots. They were primarily a thick leather, but had thin strips of metal on the front, covering the shin and above the toe.

I also made sure to get an apron that was actually my size.

Satisfied with everything I had gotten, I walked out of the store. I spent more time than I thought wandering the city, as the sun was now rising above the top of the city walls, shining light into my eyes.

I made my way back to Grav's workshop. Opening the door hit me with a wave of heat. I guess Grav had already started.

"Hey, Kid. Damn, looks like ya really went and got some duds." Grav said, turning back towards me.

"Yeah, It wasn't too expensive either. Just a little over two silver." I told him. He looked at me for a second before responding.

"Kid... I don't know how to tell ya this..." He solemnly said.

"W- What's wrong?" I asked him, slightly worried.

"Ya got scammed kid... What you have on, it wouldn't be worth more than a few copper." As Grav said this, I dropped my head in shame. I had just wasted my first paycheck...

"Well, no use crying over spilt blood, put on yer apron, let's get to work." Grav told me. That is... Not how that saying is supposed to go.

Rolling up my sleeves, I tied the apron around me and went up to Grav, who was working with those manakyte stones I had gotten.

"Findal said this was an expensive order right? Who's it for?" I asked him.

"Someone special that's for sure... Captain of the city's guard." He replied.

"Wow." I simply said. I wasn't sure about the details for positions of power here, but it sounded rather impressive.

"Ya bet yer ass 'wow'. Ain't every day you get to deliver to the upper echelon." Grav told me, solidifying my impressed assumption.

"Kid, grab me those tongs over there." He told me. I did as he asked, and we continued to take my notes during down time.

We continued this back and forth of commands and answers, working many hours into the day on the special order.