PS: AI and computers will have seizures from trying to spurn something they don’t comprehend. Trying to synthesize it takes too long. The only resources they have left to make an FTL device is a water fowl

Original Prompt by u/mjr5260

The first warning sign was years ago, when something in the trees changed. No one knew what it was, or why, but the scant remaining forests in the world suddenly felt... off. Animal attacks on people happened more and more often, but the animals themselves were suddenly harder and harder to find, especially those out at sea. Cameras that were set up to keep track of wild animals in forests and around mines started picking up things no human could hear, slowly tuning itself like a radio until something coherent began to be heard, again and again, nonstop for seven days and seven nights: The wild will call them. The wild will call them. The wild will call them.

No one really thought much of it. Some weird internet-planned prank, maybe. For years, that was all that anyone knew. But then their children started changing. Scales, fur, horns, tails, extra arms, wings! Every trait you could think of that didn't belong on a human being would suddenly turn up on a child. Attempts at analyzing this pandemic of mutations yielded one sure result: every child conceived after the beginning of all of this had a highly unstable third helix in their DNA, that would only stabilize during puberty and match the DNA signature of an entirely different animal, slowly creating these animal traits.

Chaos began to erupt across most of the world. Adults began to truly turn on their own children as monsters to eradicate. A war that claimed countless lives in hopes of preventing the inevitable. But in response, the children only fought back. They proved their ability to direct the already rogue wild animals; commanders in their own right, organizing to force nature to take its course on their selfish elders. Only those who refused to join the battle alongside the last humans would be spared, taken and hidden away from harm caused by their own.

But even with every species showcasing its true dangers with a human mind behind them, none were quite so terrifying as what resulted from the otherwise humble order of Lepidoptera. When the third helix matched with a butterfly or moth, the mutations from intertwining with human genetics made an entirely different class of beasts more akin to reptiles, with a gland that produced pyrophoric liquid to let the children breathe fire and live immune to smoke and heat, joined by unnatural strength in every arm, leg, tail, bite, and scaly, bat-like wing. A juggernaut species straight out of fantasy, armed in horned, spiked, clawed, fiery perfection to lead Mother Nature's charge: dragons.

Dragons weren't the only fantastical species, either. Two others were documented. There were also fae, those who bore the wings of insects but could command not only animals but the winds and waves and nature itself. There were angels, who bore even grander power over the elements matched only by their proud, blinding white feathered wings.

There was nothing that could be done. Homo Sapiens as a species was doomed to be usurped by its successors: Homo Semifera. Those who were unwilling to accept it fled from their changing, growing children. Others tried (and often failed) to sacrifice the "monsters" to their gods. You can't destroy them without destroying the entire world with no one left to claim the victory. The last have formed a stronghold in the most remote place they could find, but it's only a matter of time before this war of attrition is won by the beastly youth of the world. The dragons are already on their way, and they would likely burn everything down before too long.

Those of the last humans who refused to fight would likely be the only ones to see the fallout, alongside the children who will inherit, and hopefully fix, this broken world.

Unfortunately the post was deleted very quickly, I had been wondering about writing a story for it since, I've decided I will! Original Post

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Our party was hired by the king personally to escort the princess. Usually she'd travel by carriage to the neighbouring kingdom. When asked why she should be escorted on foot, the king responded simply "it's at her request". Of course the king and queen themselves chose to travel in a carriage.

Over the course of the journey, however, we began to wonder if she even needed an escort... we've been attacked by goblins, ogres, all manner of fae, and even one very pissed off dragon for travelling through his turf, yet this princess always kept calm, closed her eyes in concentration, and even though we'd have to keep the enemy distracted, she'd always cast a spell that was perfect for the situation - goblin hordes washed away, ogres running and screaming in terror at an illusion, fae distracted by something from elsewhere, and the mighty, angry dragon simply calmed. It was super impressive to see!

I am the leader of the party, and as we neared the kingdom where her husband resided, I had an idea. "Princess."

"Yes, Malrick?"

"I was wondering, you are a very capable mage. We could use you in our party. Not that our own wizard isn't great, but-"

"Oh, don't try to patronise me, Malrick" Kameer, the elven wizard, snorts. "She's leaps and bounds above my capabilities! My only advantage is that my spells are much faster, but that's because they're so much weaker!"

The tiefling warlock, Shamaar, nods, a mischievous smile on her face. "He's right, your highness. You're way more than just a princess. You didn't choose to be born a princess, but you can choose to join us."

"Oh, well, thanks for such a kind offer, but..." princess Delia darts her eyes away. "I can't. I have a responsibility. Yes I have a choice, but I want to do it for my kingdom."

"Screw your kingdom!" the dwarven rogue, Murba, states gruffly. "Have they ever asked what you wanted?"

Delia sighs, though smiling. "Not technically, but I've never wanted another life. This is my life, and it's what I'm destined for."

I approach her. "If you want to do this... then why did you want to travel with us? Why did you train to be so powerful?"

"I want to be a reliable and fierce but kind queen one day. I asked my father to allow me to train my innate powers all royalty have so I could be effective as a ruler. I asked my father to have a party escort me so I knew I was ready for the next step. If I can't even handle a simple journey like this, how can I trust that I'm ready to rule?"

We all look at each other, the same thought clearly on our minds: this is one badass princess, and will be a formidable queen.

She continues. "I will say, I am impressed with your own abilities, all of you. I would like to hire you all to be the royal squad. You will be allowed to adventure as normal, but you will have a home in the palace, and of course, if I need your services, you will answer the call. The details can be worked out later. I do not expect an answer right now, but I hope you will consider. For now, if you want the reward from my father, come with me to the palace."

As she turns and walks, we follow. The offer is very tempting... to work directly with the royal family of a kingdom is such an honour! Of course, I'll need to discuss this with the others, but for now, we need to complete our current task.