Fast-forward to 2021, and nothing is the same. Nothing has been from 2015. You want to know what happened in 2015? It's simple, war happened. From peace talks and everything else, the world went to war with each other. Nations betrayed each other and countries' toppled. Perhaps it was mother nature's way of setting things right again.

Until the punishment started.

The world was now corrupted in a way it never was before. Previous leaders died and disappeared, the world bowing to new leaders and corruption. There are laws, but these laws are made for others. Not for the people. The rich enter politics and the fame previously given helps them climb the political stairway as they buy and haggle their way. The poor are labourers, slaving away and living in barracks, building projects and ridiculous things that the rich can afford. Medicine is scarce and the world seems to be turning back in time, to the medival days as the rich become lords and ladies in courts that look after each of their own city.

The middle-income are left with two choices. They could go with the poor, work and shrivel and die, a hard life, or they could sell themselves as toys. Toys are in the market, and it's no dirty secret. Parties are thrown and every rich lord would have at least one toy. A toy, dressed to the finest robes of silk, hand-crafted jewellry donning them, adoration from their masters; it is a good life. A better life. If you pass the dealers' choosing of course, and after that, the breaking; moulding you into a perfect pet to obey every whim and order without thinking.

Every eligible lord must have a toy, and with themselves climbing the political ladder, Exo naturally reaches out for one. It's not as though they couldn't affiord the best pedigree of toys. It was in fashion, it was a must. Kyungsoo knows this, and is hardly surprised when Suho hyung gives him a self-bought birthday present. One that he could choose himself, at any price.

But in this world, there are rules, and everyone knows them. A toy obeys their master, a toy was at the expense of it's master's command, and a toy must never, ever, fall in love with it's master. Because how could you love someone lower than you, or higher? How could you compare? A master is brave, fearless, strong. A toy is all but a shadow hidden away, only to displayed at their master's will.

And love is so far gone, an idea so ludicrious in this world of desires, lust and greed. But perhaps it's the only pure thing that can turn back the world to the way it was. Turn it back to serenity and innocence. Maybe it's mother nature's way of healing.

If you don't die first.