“On this planet used to live a race of people called the Ranturs. They were as similar to a human as one could be, living on another planet. One day, the head of these people called them in a meeting. He said there was a war raging on in neighbouring planets, and that invaders were liable to attack them soon. So they set up an army, and prepared for attack. Sure enough, a couple of days later they were swarmed, and fought hard during a long blood filled battle. It lasted 3 years. After those 3 years, the invaders, named Saketh, won. They took over and ruled the entire planet, including the others it had colonized. However, the Saketh were not completely human. They were also part animal, and had fur, or claws, or cats ears, or horns, or sharp teeth, each distinguishing them as a human version of a particular animal. For several centuries they lived together, and slowly, peace settled, and they mixed. However, the new-borns had a special ability. They were able to turn themselves into an animal. Say, a dog, or an elephant, or a butterfly, or even a flea. Anything. And those new-borns are the people who live on this planet. We are called Mutatios. And so are you. Yes, you two dear girls.”
The old man let that sink in in silence.
“I don’t believe you.”
“I wasn’t expecting you to. But I swear that it is all quite true.”
“But, er, we’re not on Earth then?”
He smiled softly.
“No, you are not on Earth. You are on Darnnis.”
“Earlier you talked about the Haay. What is is exactly?”
“The Haay is a great book, that contains the names of all of the Mutatios. To keep track of who’s who and who can turn into what, if you want. A person Encyclopedia.”
“I still don’t believe you.”
“You don’t have to now, but you’ll believe me soon enough.”
“I want to see Mum and Dad.”
“Your parents aren’t here. They’re on Earth.”
“But they’re wondering where we are! I don’t even believe you! Let me out! Let me out of here! You’re all mad! Let me out!” Lyra was screaming now, and she slammed herself onto the door, bursting it open. Luna quickly hurried after her sister. They both ran down a corridor with paintings and tapestries hanging off the walls. They turned a corner and kept doing so until they reached an open door opening onto… the outside. Everything was so beautiful. The lawn outside was long and green, well kept. There were beautiful plants everywhere, and trees with all kinds of fruits and flowers growing on them. It went on it seemed for ever. It was full of running children, or resting teenagers, or just simply strolling people. And animals. There were so many kinds of animals it was hard to think it was real. A lion, a frog, a monkey, a mouse, so many. They were everywhere, with humans. It was so strange and yet so beautiful. They had never seen anything like it. It was like magic.
“Wow.” breathed Luna.
“Yeah.” agreed Lyra.