The restaurant was opulent, the kind of place where chandeliers glimmered with an otherworldly glow and soft jazz played in the background. The clientele were the wealthy and powerful, enjoying their evening behind glasses of the finest vintages and expertly prepared cocktails.
On the stage, a dancer moved erotically, her every motion holding the crowd's rapt attention. Among them was Darrel Sanchez, the original son of the Sanchez merchant family, lounging at a table near the bar, sipping a golden-hued drink. His eyes, half-lidded, were fixed on the dancer, his smile lazy but appreciative.
A dark haired young man stepped into the restaurant, a figure of poise and purpose. His attire, a perfectly tailored ensemble of dark silk with intricate embroidery, drew eyes but not suspicion. He moved with confidence, his gaze sweeping the room before locking onto Sanchez. Without hesitation, he approached the bar, sliding onto the stool beside the young merchant heir.
Jinnara caught the bartender's attention and gestured subtly toward Sanchez's drink. "I'll have what he's having," he said, his voice smooth and composed.
Sanchez, noticing the newcomer, turned his head to inspect him. His gaze flicked over Jinnara's attire—the rich fabric, the polished accessories—before a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Great choice," he remarked, lifting his glass slightly in acknowledgment.
Jinnara smirked, his response immediate. "I always make great choices." He paused, his eyes meeting Sanchez's with an intensity that was both disarming and intriguing. "You, for example, are one of them."
Sanchez raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly in his chair. "Oh? And what exactly do you mean by that?"
"Well," Jinnara said as the bartender placed his drink before him. He picked up the glass and swirled the liquid, taking a moment to savor the aroma. "You're someone worth knowing, aren't you? A man of ambition, power, and...influence." He sipped his drink, his eyes never leaving Sanchez.
Sanchez chuckled, clearly amused. "You're not wrong. But you still haven't answered my question."
Jinnara set his glass down, tilting his head slightly as if considering his words. "Let's just say I'm someone who appreciates the finer things in life, and I see the potential for us to have...mutual interests."
"Mutual interests?" Sanchez repeated, his curiosity piqued. He gestured for Jinnara to continue.
"Business," Jinnara said simply. "It's always about business, isn't it? Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Jinnara, son of a merchant family. Perhaps you've heard of us?"
Sanchez's eyes flicked over Jinnara's attire once more, his mind already making calculations. "Considering how well you're dressed, I'd wager your family isn't just any merchant family. Must be one of the prominent ones."
Jinnara smiled, neither confirming nor denying. "And you, Sanchez…a noble merchant family with quite the reputation. I've heard many things about you."
Sanchez's smile widened, his pride evident. "Then you know we don't just trade. We dominate markets."
Jinnara leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering just enough to draw Sanchez in. "Was it fun?" he asked, his tone laced with intrigue.
Sanchez blinked, confused. "What?"
"Taking down rival families. Manipulating them, outmaneuvering them, controlling the market until you became the greatest. Was it fun?" Jinnara's eyes gleamed, and for a moment, there was an unspoken challenge in them.
Sanchez's expression shifted. His eyes went wide, his mind racing. But before he could respond, Jinnara's gaze seemed to pierce through him, holding him in place. "Tell me," Jinnara repeated, his voice almost hypnotic. "Was it fun to manipulate them?"
Without realizing it, Sanchez's lips parted, and the words spilled out. "The most fun thing in the world," he admitted, his voice carrying a mix of exhilaration and shame. He blinked as if waking from a trance, looking at Jinnara with a mix of confusion and suspicion. "Why…why did I say that?"
Jinnara smiled, a knowing, enigmatic smile that left Sanchez both intrigued and unsettled. He stood, adjusting his cuffs with a casual elegance. "It's been a pleasure, Sanchez. I'll see you around. I need to find more about this thing called fun."
And with that, Jinnara walked away, leaving Sanchez staring after him, his mind a whirl of thoughts and emotions he couldn't quite place.
"What a weird and interesting man!"
After few days after Sanchez and Jinnara's encounter, Sanchez sat in his dimly lit study, the warm glow of a single candle casting shadows on the walls. He had just finished packing his satchel, ready to head out for an important business discussion with Count Percival.
His whole purpose of visiting this County to establish a bigger piece of profit for his family and show his father that he was indeed the most suitable person to become the next Duke.
News of his recent "accomplishment" — clearing the nearby forest of monsters — had reached the noble circles, and he planned to leverage that to secure a profitable deal. A sly smile played on his lips. Everything was falling into place, just as he had planned.
Suddenly, the muffled chatter and occasional laughter from the servants downstairs fell eerily silent. Sanchez froze, his instincts kicking in. Something was wrong. He grabbed his sword, always kept within reach, and made his way down the creaking staircase.
As he descended, the air grew heavier, almost suffocating. When he reached the bottom floor, his heart sank. Standing in the center of the room was Jinnara, the enigmatic figure he had heard whispers of but hoped never to encounter. Around him, the servants stood motionless, their faces blank and their bodies rigid like statues.
Beside Jinnara stood a woman — or rather, something resembling one. Her upper body was human, elegant and deadly beautiful, but from the waist down, she was a coiled serpent. A lamia. Sanchez tightened his grip on his sword.
"Jinnara," Sanchez called out, his voice steady despite the unease creeping into his chest. "What is the meaning of this?"
Jinnara turned to him, a smirk curling his lips. "Ah, Sanchez. The master manipulator himself. How fun it must be for you, sitting back and letting others fall into your carefully laid traps."
Sanchez narrowed his eyes, taking a cautious step forward. "I don't know what you're talking about," he lied, though he knew it was futile. "What did you do with my people. Release them. Now."
Jinnara chuckled, a sound that sent chills down Sanchez's spine. "What are you going to do when you are met with power that you cannot manipulate? Do you just give up?"
Sanchez's lips curled into a grin, his confidence returning. "It feels fantastic," he said. "To see something I cannot beat, but I have to try nevertheless,"
Jinnara's smile widened. "I thought you might say that." He gestured around the room. "Take a good look, Sanchez. These people, frozen in time, helpless. You're no different. A pawn. Just like them."
Sanchez glanced around the room, his mind racing. Something about Jinnara's presence set off every warning bell in his head. He couldn't win this fight. Not here. Not now. His instincts screamed at him to run. Without another word, he spun on his heel and bolted toward the nearest window.
But before he could reach it, a gust of wind slammed into him, knocking him off his feet. Jinnara stood over him, moving with an unnatural swiftness, as if he were the wind itself.
"Good response. If I were you, I would run away too." Jinnara said, crouching down. "You've given me some great information tonight, Sanchez. And I must say, I like your style." He grabbed Sanchez by the collar and dragged him across the floor, tossing him effortlessly in front of the lamia.
The lamia, Selis, loomed over Sanchez, her piercing eyes glowing with a strange, unearthly light. Sanchez scrambled to his feet, raising his sword defensively, but Jinnara stepped behind her, his voice low and taunting.
"Selis," Jinnara whispered into her ear. "Do you see this man? Do you know what he is? A human. A deceiver. Like all of them. They've hunted your kind for sport. Burned your forests. Stolen your kin. And he's no different. Look into his eyes. Do you see his lies?"
Selis's body trembled, her grip tightening on her staff. Sanchez could feel the room's temperature drop, the air crackling with latent energy.
"Get away from that monster!" Sanchez shouted, desperation creeping into his voice. "Let me go! Jinnara, I will give you all the money you want."
But Selis's eyes darkened, her emotions overtaken by a surge of anger. Jinnara continued, his voice a venomous hiss.
"They've wronged you, Selis. Every last one of them. This man thinks himself a god, pulling strings, playing with lives. Show him what it means to be powerless."
With a guttural scream, Selis lunged forward. Sanchez raised his sword, but it was no use. Her serpent tail coiled around him, squeezing the air from his lungs. His sword clattered to the ground as he struggled in vain.
"Wait! No!" Sanchez choked out, his voice barely audible. But Selis didn't hesitate. With one swift motion, she plunged her claws into his chest, ending his life in an instant.
Jinnara watched with a satisfied grin, stretching his arms lazily. "Well done, Selis," he said, his tone almost playful. "Now, the real fun begins."
Selis released Sanchez's lifeless body, her breathing heavy. She looked at her hands, bloodied and trembling, as if coming out of a trance.
"What... what have I done?" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Jinnara stepped in front of her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You've done what needed to be done. Don't let guilt cloud your mind. See...this is what you desire to see. All humans bleeding and dying like livestock animal. Don't act hypocritic! Kill and destroy because that's when you will get your real freedom,"
Selis shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "But... I... he..."
Jinnara silenced her with a finger to her lips. "Hush now. There's no need for tears. This is only the beginning. Together, we can shape this world. Mold it into something better for what humans call monsters. And to do that, I'll take on his role. From now on, I am Sanchez."
Selis looked at him, confusion and fear etched on her face. "You... you're taking his place?"
Jinnara nodded, his grin widening. "Of course. Someone needs to continue his games, after all. And who better than me? Rest easy, Selis. I'll ensure his wish to control others lives on. But under my terms."
With that, Jinnara turned, his cloak billowing behind him as he strode out of the room.