As the velvet curtains swept open, the audience held their breaths. A shadowed figure approached from behind the stage, an ominous aura about them. Their hair peaked through their hat- only a few messy strings of black hair visible. The suit the person wore was obsidian black- shoes shining and polished perfectly. Sweeping their hands in a wide arc, the figure called out in a booming voice- melodic yet melancholy.
'My fine fellows.'
The crowd stayed quiet- some holding their breaths- others leaning forward in anticipation.
'I am greatly pleasured to announce to you, ladies and gentlemen.' The figure fell silent as the lights in the entire auction house switched off. After a great deal of the eerie darkness, the figure spoke once more in that alluring voice, 'The Auction for Lives has officially begun.'
A cage was then drawn in, a shivering man behind the cold silver bars. Elves tilted their heads for the creature had pointed ears. Werewolves snarled as the monster had their tail. Humans were amused as the man had their skin.
'What is this?' A werewolf noble demanded, skin flushed red in fury, 'How dare you bring this abomination in front of us? Have you no shame?'
Soon after, many of the audience followed, claiming their eyes stained by the mixed monster that lay in their sight. However, the shadowed announcer simply smiled. It was no warm smile. Their mouth stretched their skin to the very tips- sending shivers down the spines of all the spectators.
'My dear patrons, I dare say that I haven't stained your precious eyes today- I have blessed them.'
'What-'
'THIS is no abomination!' the mysterious announcer gestured wildly at the cage in which the beast shivered, 'he is a MASTERPIECE.'
'Containing all the traits of all the species- a living being of all of us here at this magnificent auction today!' The laughter from the shadowed person was proud yet hysterical. 'This... CREATION,' they cried, 'is MAGICAL- truly MARVELOUS. The work and research put into this- this specimen-'
The announcer paused, letting his words sink in, 'This man- ladies and gentlemen- is something that cannot be created without trillions of vreskens- say even quadrillions!'
Slowly the bids were called out- one by one. Drawn by the shadowed figure's sweet words, the fact that the creature was extremely RARE made it all the more appealing.
'A million vreskens!' a human called out, wavy blonde hair resting behind a golden mask.
'Ten million!' a noble called out.
'Thirty!'
'Are we talking millions my dear audience?' the announcer's voice hissed, drowning out the bidders and their desperate calls. 'Now may let me tell you that the beginning bid for this masterpiece shall start at a trillion vreskens.'
The bidders did not waste a second on the news.
'Ten trillion!'
'Now I shall bid forty!'
The auction fell silent and just as the elven bidder reached for her money in celebration, a screech sounded the room as a human stood up from one of the high chairs.
'A hundred trillion vresken.'
The elf's lips turned pale and her mask could not hide the widening of her eyes.
Through the shade of his hat, few of the bidders in the front seats could see the host of the auction smirk.
'AND SOLD,' the announcer twirled and bowed, 'now may number four approach the stage for their new specimen.'
The man stepped up to the auction host, head high, his steps poised. 'My pleasure in gaining this beautiful masterpiece,' the human claimed, mouth curling into a chilling smile, lips bloody red.
'MY pleasure in selling to you this exclusive specimen!' the host answered, voice sly yet joyous.
The man in the cage remained shivering, eyes blank as he was dragged off into the darkness as the curtains fell back.
'Goodbye my wonderful audience!' the figure practically danced, 'I shall look forward to seeing you next time.'
As the patrons left, adrenaline still high from what they had just witnessed, the lights of the auction house blinked on and off. The night drew closer as behind the curtains, more and more 'masterpieces of life' were prepared to be sold off- their lives of high value.
Sitting behind the stage, sipping their coffee and indulging in the bitter taste that filled their mouth, the ominous host of the Auction for Lives sat on his leather sofa. Servants rushed back and forth in chaotic order, in the knowledge that a single spilled drop of their master's precious liquid could mean their lives.
Sighing, the announcer stood up, eyes tired behind the shadows of their hat. 'That was quite tiring- the people were DESPERATE,' they drew out the last word as their servants nodded violently in agreement.
'They would do anything for something RARE- EXCLUSIVE- LIMITED,' they continued, stirring their black coffee, lost in thought.
'Soon, the entire world will be after my specimen,' they mused, 'and I shall become rich and powerful.'
Malice filled their voice and all drowsiness seeped out as the host let his head fall back in laughter, 'AND THEN THEY SHALL BE THE ONES WHOSE LIVES SHALL BE FOR SALE!'
Wiping their eyes of the tears of laughter, the mysterious person whispered to themself, 'And soon I shall be the puppeteer of all behind the curtains- and in pure greed they shall be blindly buying EACH OTHER! And in truth- they will all be of MY possesion'
Heart beating from excitement and anticipation as adrenaline rushed in from the mere thought of their future power, the puppeteer of souls drifted off into sleep as visions of their future commodities filled their twisted mind.