Monster's Genie

Jinnara walked ahead, his tall figure and outstretched black wings casting long shadows across the path. His expression was calm, almost detached, as if he was lost in thought. In his arms, a baby wailed loudly, its cries echoing in the quiet surroundings. Yet, Jinnara's face remained unfazed, his crimson eyes staring ahead as if he were observing an invisible horizon.

Behind him, all the rescued lamia girls slithered along hesitantly. Their serpentine lower halves shimmered in the dim light, their movements slow but cautious. They whispered among themselves, stealing nervous glances at Jinnara. The tension in the air was palpable, and none of them dared to speak directly to him.

"Why is he carrying that baby?" one of the lamia girls whispered.

"I don't know, but he's giving me chills. Look at him! He doesn't even flinch when the baby cries."

"Shh! Keep your voice down. He might hear us," the girl who talked with Jinnara hissed, casting a wary glance at Jinnara's imposing figure.

Despite their murmurs, Jinnara suddenly spoke, his deep voice breaking the uneasy silence. "Tell me," he began, not looking back, "what kind of woman will breastfeed this child?"

The lamia girls froze, their eyes wide with confusion. His question was as unexpected as it was unsettling. One of them, braver than the others, slithered forward slightly and stammered, "W-What do you mean by that? What kind of means?"

Jinnara's gaze finally shifted, his sharp eyes meeting hers. "I need to know," he said plainly, his tone devoid of malice but heavy with curiosity. "Is she kind? Gentle? Strong? What sort of person is going to nurture this life?"

The lamia girl blinked, completely taken aback. "Why... why are you asking about that? Isn't it obvious? Our mother would—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Jinnara abruptly halted. His wings spread wide, their span casting a dark shadow over the group. The lamia girls' instincts kicked in, and they recoiled, their serpentine tails coiling defensively beneath them.

A sudden, sharp crack echoed through the forest, like the sound of a massive whip slicing through the air. The lamia girls' eyes darted around nervously, searching for the source of the noise. Then they saw her.

From the shadows of the trees, a lamia woman emerged. Her short green hair was wild, framing her sharp, furious features. Her emerald eyes blazed with anger, and her powerful tail thudded against the ground with each movement. She pointed a clawed finger directly at Jinnara.

"Let the children go!" she shouted, her voice ringing with authority and fury.

The lamia girls immediately moved aside, unsure of what to do. The green-haired woman slithered forward, her movements swift and purposeful. Her gaze didn't waver from Jinnara, who stood unfazed, his wings still outstretched.

"You," she growled, her eyes narrowing. "What are you doing with our children? Who are you to take what isn't yours? Are you one of them?"

Jinnara tilted his head slightly, regarding her with an almost curious expression. "I have no necessity to answer you. You attacked me out of nowhere and except answer from me? Is this how you welcome someone?"

The lamia woman's tail lashed behind her in agitation. "I can do more than that so release our kids right now,"

Jinnara's wings shifted slightly, creating a gust of wind that rustled the leaves around them. "You're free to try attacking me," he said, his tone calm but firm. "But next time your tail would be cut in half,"

The lamia woman's eyes showed fear for a brief moment, but her resolve didn't waver. "Shut up! I don't care about your empty threats," She paused, her gaze sweeping over his otherworldly appearance. "You have no place in this forest. Humans have done enough damage, so.."

At this, Jinnara's expression flickered, a brief hint of something—perhaps amusement or annoyance—crossing his face. " Perhaps," he admitted. "But I am going to create my place from now on,"

The green-haired lamia woman hissed, her body coiling tighter as her muscles tensed. Her claws gleamed in the faint light as she raised her arms, preparing to strike. "Enough talk! If you won't release them, I'll make you—"

Before she could finish, one of the smaller lamia girls slithered forward hurriedly, waving her arms. "Wait! Stop! Aunt Selis!" she cried, her voice high-pitched and panicked.

The green-haired lamia froze, her fierce gaze snapping toward the child. "What are you doing? Get back! He's dangerous!"

"No, he's not!" the girl said quickly, her wide eyes brimming with urgency. "He saved us!"

The lamia woman blinked, momentarily stunned. "What are you talking about? Saved you? Him?"

Another lamia child slithered forward, followed by a few others, their faces filled with a mix of fear and gratitude. "It's true! We were in cages before this person saved us."

"We thought we were done for, but then he came." Another girl said.

The green-haired lamia's emerald eyes narrowed as she glanced back at Jinnara, who stood silently, his crimson eyes calm and unreadable. "He came?" she echoed, her voice dripping with suspicion.

"Yes!" one of the older girls added. "He fought them off—he was so strong! The humans didn't stand a chance. He broke their traps and carried us away before they could hurt us."

The lamia woman's tail slackened slightly as she processed their words. Her gaze flickered between the children and Jinnara, her distrust warring with her maternal instinct to believe her children. "Is this true?" she demanded, her voice trembling slightly.

Jinnara's wings folded behind him as he tilted his head. "Truth is what you choose to believe. Truth is a concept that I am not familiar with." he muttered confusing the woman. "But I have no desire to harm you or these small creatures. My wish is for someone to breastfeed this child before she dies."

The lamia woman looked at the baby on his arms with a confused look. "Accroding to my estimations if I can't feed her within another five hours, she will die,"

"..."

"..."

Everyone looked at Jinnara like they were looking at an idiot. Isn't that your child? Why are you so relaxed about this child dying? What are you even talking about it?

All of them had several questions but right now, the lamia woman knew she had to do something. "Let's go back!" She muttered. "My sister might do something for the baby and I am sorry for attacking you."

Jinnara didn't bother to talk with her instead silently followed her. 

"I am Selis. What is your name?" The green haired lamia questioned. 

"Jinnara, you can call me Jinnara," That was the last conversation they had, as Jinnara followed Selis to the lamia village.

The group entered the dark, damp cave, the sound of dripping water echoing around them. As they moved deeper, the narrow path opened up into a stunning, hidden world. Sunlight filtered through cracks in the cave ceiling, casting golden beams onto a vibrant, lush landscape. 

Waterfalls cascaded down the stone walls, pooling into crystal-clear streams that weaved through the area. Towering trees, their leaves shimmering in the light, formed a natural canopy, and lamias of all ages were scattered throughout, busily repairing homes and tending to their wounded.

Jinnara paused, taking in the sight. The baby in his arms stirred, its cries subsiding as if calmed by the serene environment. He glanced down at the infant and murmured to himself, "What a wonderful feeling... This place feels alive, like a heartbeat surrounded by the sound of water. So this is what life is..."

Selis, the green-haired lamia who had confronted him earlier, turned to address the rescued children. "You're safe now," she said gently. "Go and tend to your wounds before meeting your mother. She is worried."

The children slithered off eagerly, their voices carrying joy and relief as they reunited with their loved ones. Selis turned back to Jinnara, her sharp eyes softening slightly. "Stay here," she instructed. "I'll be back soon."

Without waiting for a response, Selis slithered off, disappearing into the crowd with a purposeful grace. Jinnara remained still, his crimson eyes following the movement of the lamias around him. They cast wary glances his way, their whispers carrying a mix of fear and curiosity.

"Who is he?" one of them murmured.

"Is that a human child?" another asked in hushed tones.

Jinnara paid them no mind, his focus remaining on the baby in his arms. He reached out with one hand to feel the spray of the waterfalls, his expression softening as he closed his eyes for a moment. "So this is what it's like," he said quietly, as if speaking to himself. "To be surrounded by life…"

His moment of peace was interrupted as a group of lamias, ten in total, slithered toward him. Their expressions were hard, their bodies coiled in defensive postures. They formed a loose circle around him, their eyes filled with suspicion.

At their center, a striking lamia woman emerged. Her light green skin seemed to glow faintly in the soft light, and her long dark green hair similar to Selis cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall. Her figure was undeniably erotic as her bust and waist everything was just the right size for a woman, yet her face bore an unmistakable sadness that dulled her beauty with a melancholic weight.

She moved gracefully, her tail gliding smoothly over the damp ground, accompanied by Selis, who gestured toward Jinnara as they approached.

"This is Orani," Selis said, her tone formal. "The queen of our tribe and my sister. She is also the grand mother of our tribe that leads the breeding lamia."