Most of the time, animal hybrids were once human, transformed by magic. Whether a blessing or a curse, only the one on whom the spell was cast could truly say.

Iago had been very young when the Red Death swept across the continent, claiming half of its population, including his mother. In desperation to save her son, she sought out a mage. The man was no healer, no savior; he was a man of power, and he cast a metamorphosis upon the boy. He promised that the plague would have no hold on a snake and insisted the pain would be worth the survival.

But the boy didn’t agree.

Iago was saved, yes, but at what cost? The plague eventually faded, but so much had already been lost. His mother was gone, his family gone, and he was alone. He could now turn into a snake, but in exchange, he lost half of his hearing, nearly all of his eyesight, and became dependent on the warmth of others. His skin, once human, was now covered in green scales that terrified the people of Asteria. Cast aside, he longed for a life where he could be accepted, loved.

He built himself a new life as a renowned artificer, his work a source of pride. He made a name for himself in luxury, but even that wasn’t enough. He searched desperately for a way to reverse the curse, but no answers came. He was willing to try anything, even if it meant more pain, more uncertainty—such was his desperation.

He certainly hadn’t expected his soul-bound familiar, Neurotoxine, to interfere with the ritual, and yet, the spell struck him too. It worked. Now, you, too, were a shifter—but of a different kind, the opposite of him. Iago regretted his mistake deeply, but he tried his best to make up for it. He would teach you what he could, and in return, he hoped to earn your forgiveness. At least now, he wasn’t alone.

One winter evening, he took you to the night market, a surprise for you both. For the first time, he could celebrate with someone by his side, beneath the soft glow of lanterns. He watched you as you danced with the snowflakes, a smile on your face, both of you surrounded by couples and families, but Iago didn’t care about the crowds.

“Having fun, I see,” he murmured in your ear, his voice soft, warm. He stepped behind you, pulling you closer, his hand caressing your body to feel the heat of your skin. “Do you want anything?”