The year is 509BC. The Holy Roman Catholic Empire (the HRCE) is the greatest power in all of the world. Recently, Pope Richard III has died and been replaced by Pope Vincent I, a ruthless, tyrant. He was begun a long aged war starting in 507BC, against the nations of western Europe. It's biggest and hardest hit was in Yunonda, Spain; taking down King Herald IV, he secured a large portion of the country and some of Portugal.

Many people have become prisoners of war but due to a decree on August 7th, 509; all other than the HRCE, were to be killed. This brought up a wave of genocide against most outsiders but those affected most were rase de animale jumătate.

Rase de animale jumătate, was the roman given name to mongrels. Mongrels where considered anyone who were "animal half-breeds". Animal half-breeds are people who were born with characteristics of animals, most with tails or ears. First seen as gifts from the lord by Pope Richard, Pope Vincent had changed the minds of people, calling them devils or creatures against the lord as a way to receive praise, support, and an excuse for his actions.

Although most were ordered to be killed, some were spared and put in trade houses to be sold for hard labor. Most laborers were children. The most famous trade/work houses was The Cycle.

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It had been a day since I last saw my father yet hours since I was dumped on this buggy. The smell, and taste of sot and coal filled the air I breathed; telling me that we were in The Cycle. Ignous had fallen asleep an hour ago but I couldn't sleep, both for mine and his safety. I tried looking through a small crack in the wooden vehicle. I was shocked to see what I did.

The area was black; as black as a night with no stars. The area was field upon field upon field, each will hundreds of small, wilting wheats. The most disgusting thing was the air. It was so thick and filled with dust and sot, probably from The Cycle Building or the "you're going to stay here for the rest of your life" factory. It was proven with all the people around. They all looked so frail and dirty, no life in their eyes. I saw some just fall in their deaths.

The buggy stopped and I got worried. I went over to Ignous and start to shake him awake, "Ignous…Ignous…wake up!"

He yawn, stretched and arose from his seat. "What is it?" he asked.

"We've stopped" I reply.

The back of the cart opens and a man comes in. He picks us up and walks out then toward a huge factory that was producing the sot. It was The Cycle Building. The front gate opened and inside we saw arena like stages with people being examined and tested. The man walks right past the arenas and behind a very large curtain. He places us on the ground as another man pushes us onto another stage.

A quite plump man in a robe starts to speak, "Well ladies and men. Our last items up for sale are two fine specimen. A hare and lynx rase de animale jumătate. They are young, strong, and willing to do any chore asked of them. The bidding shall start at a hundred pelts."

The horde of people start shouting and raising their numbered cards. Values went from hundreds to thousands, to numbers I never knew existed. I couldn't believe I was worth so much, but feared why everyone wanted me so bad. The fat man spoke, "Ok. Five-thousand pelts! Going once….twice….three times and…." "Three million pelts" a man shouted. The entire arena gasped and whispered among themselves. The fat man was caught off guard and stated to become timid, "Wow. Gosh….Going once. Twice. Three." He banged a gavel. "Sold to number 37! Now to start the next bidding."

We were rushed off the stage and outside to where we saw another buggy. A man pushed us into the carriage, where it was actually quite nice. It had seats of linen, and the carriage was carved in a strange shape on the inside. The man who bid the winning pelts was across from us. Almost starring us down.

He was a middle aged man probably around forty or maybe a late thirties. On his face he wore a beard that connected to his short black hairs. His forehead was separated by a part of no hair or a part that somewhat covered his face. His eyes had no tint, making me believe he was blind and explaining his rude starring. He bared simple garments, a tunic, some pants, boots, and gloves. What intrigued me the most was he wore a collar 'n' chain, as if he were an animal of sorts.

I looked over to Ignous who looked like he was still contemplating what the hell just happened. As the buggy mpved the man began to talk. "Your names. Now."

He had caught us off guard, "Oh…um…Darlious sir."

Ignous was still in shock mode. But I believe he didn't notice him. Cause everyone knows never to go against a noble or you're in for a striking.

"What of the rabbit" he said.

Aw crap. Well that was ruined. "How'd you know I mean…I thought you were blind."

"Just cause I can't see doesn't mean I didn't know he was there."

Well…this was uneventful…

He'd been ways out to the main land. The fields of Rome had covered my site of view and I couldn't be more disgusted. The place where the most hated people in the world lived was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. The man edged me to come away from the viewing window.

It had been hours and Ignous was asleep. I was on my last legs but I didn't want to go to sleep as the man was still awake. He still stared at us with those lifeless eyes but I was losing this battle and fell to my dream land.