"Miss Jaya?" What is that building over there? Harry asked his guardian, pointing to a fairly large building with a sign reading 'The House of Lust and Pleasure'.
Turning her head to look at what he was pointing, a mad blush soon appeared on her face as she turned tail to walk away from there, still carrying Harry in her arms. The night before, she had promised him to give him a tour of the city and so far, the young boy was nothing but a perfect listener.
They left their home at the sunrise so the area wouldn't be as crowded as the it was the night before. Jaya knew that Harry was still a shy little thing and didn't wanted to make the first visit… uncomfortable. The Jinko decided to go through the different levels (as they were pretty different from one another) and logically started with the first one.
The first one was ,in a way, the level of artisans and merchants. You could find items from every part of Mysteria: from the hot and arid deserts of the South to the snowy landscapes of the North or from the forests of the West to the luxurious jungles and landscapes of the East … there were event things from the Volcanic and Aquatic worlds !
Some of the merchants came from different parts of Mysteria and he had been curious about some of them. He got to see a Yeti, an Inari ( a humanoid Mamono with fluffy fox ears poking out in between long, straight blonde hair and a singular fox tail sticking along with with green eyes), a Shirohebi (a type of Lamia from the East), An Anubis from the Desert, and so much more.
The second level was in short filled with hotels and inns which welcomed travelers of all sort, were Humans or Mamonos. The buildings were among the largest of the city.
The third level was… in short the part of the city Jaya was reluctant to show Harry as it was the level where people usually go for some 'fun'. It was the area where brothels and bars could be found in abundance.
One they just escaped one of them.
"I will tell you when you are older …but let's just say it is not a place for cuties like you~" the Jinko answered to Harry as she rushed toward the fourth level of the city.
The black haired child nodded his head in acceptance of her words before opening his mouth to ask something that had been bothering him for a while
"Miss Jaya ?"
"Yes dear ?"
"I know we are not on Earth but why is there Humans here ?"
The Jinko stopped her walk for a moment before sighing "Well sweetie, there are Humans here because, like you, they were sent here in the hope of a better life or because they died in their world after or for doing something honorable...However, only males are permitted here…and they are usually older than you… "
"Really ? How come ?" Harry asked her with confusion while thinking about it.
Now that he thought about it, he didn't remember about seeing human girls in the village of Paradise… nor did he saw some so far in this city.
"I'm sorry sweetie but you are too young to comprehend the full story… However, I can tell you that us, Mamonos, needs Human males..." the Jinko answered in a calm tone after a moment of thoughts.
Harry wanted to ask her but the look in her fiery eyes told him that he must satisfy himself with her current answer. Reluctantly, he nodded his head in acceptance. Jaya sighed after saying the upset look he had on his face and gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead.
"I know sweetie… its not fair… but like I said, you are too young…"
"I understand Miss Jaya..." Harry replied in a soft tone as he looked at her with a thin smile on his face.
"And that's why you are a good boy~" the Jinko cooed as she nuzzled his cheek lovingly
Harry giggled and hugged her head… He literally HUGGED her head. THAT'S THE CUTEST THING SHE HAD EVER SEEN ! However, she managed to keep her composure as to not look like a fangirl. While Harry hugged her, Jaya smiled warmly at the child and gave him a kiss on the nose
"Now dear… How about we resume our tour ?~" the Jinko asked him with a grin.
"YES !"
A laugh escaped Jaya's mouth at his answer but she did start walking again while still carrying the adorable child in her arms. A child who arbored a bright smile on his face.
/00(Time Skip)/00
"Honey ? what do you think of the city so far ?~" Jaya asked Harry as she prepared lunch.
A few minutes ago, the two of them returned from their little tour. The black haired child had been amazed by everything so far and the people were kinda friendly to him. After leaving the third level, they went to visit the fourth one, the one they lived in. Apparently, the people living in this part of the city were bureaucrats, members of the guards or nobles.
Sadly, they couldn't go to the fifth level as it was where the High Council resided. Curious, Harry had asked about them and was amazed to her that this valley (along with some others around) were under the control of the High Council who were consisted of the strongest Mamonos of Mysteria.
They were the ones who made sure that no conflicts could erupt between the different regions. Harry, then, had asked his caretaker about the members themselves and was even more amazed by the answer.
Apparently, each member of the councils represented a regions and its government :
-The North and its sovereign (an Ice Queen ironically) were represented by a Glacies whose named was apparently Kalda.
-The South, under the leadership of a Pharaoh, was represented by an Anubis (a type of Mamonos who looked human but with canine features) named Asenath.
-The West, under the sovereignty of a Dragon, was represented by a friend of hers : Greyfia the Griffin. Harry was amazed to hear that part and had looked at his caretaker with admiration, which amused her greatly.
-The East and its sovereign were represent by the sister of its ruler : a Ryu. Harry was curious about her and so asked questions to the Jinko who answered as best as possible.
Apparently Ryus were a type of Dragons but they were distinguished by having a long lower body like that of a lamia instead of scaly legs. They also didn't have wings but that didn't stopped them from being able to fly ! Harry internally hoped to meet one one day !
Then he heard about the guards : they mostly consisted of powerful creatures such as Dragons, Griffins, Chimaeras, Wyverns, Wurms etc. He was amazed to hear that Jaya was formerly a guard but choose to become a trainer. But she was still friend with her former comrades in the guard… like the two Dragon girls he met the day before.
"AWESOME !" he managed to respond after a full of minute of searching for the perfect answer, his gorgeous emerald green eyes were shining brightly.
The Jinko giggled in amusement at his response as she stopped cooking to look at him him for second.
"I'm glad to hear that sweetie~" Jaya retorted gently to her charge before going back to her food with Harry watching her in silence.
After they returned, the black haired little boy had offered his caretaker to make lunch for them and needless to say that the Jinko CATEGORICALLY refused by saying gently but yet sternly
"Little boys like you are too young to be cooking !"
However, Harry had protested saying that he liked cooking (even if it was forced on him by his previous caretakers). After several minutes of debating, Jaya reluctantly agreed to continue letting him cook... as long as he always did it when she was around.
But not today…
Today, he will just laid down and relax while she did all the work. After all, his body was still recovering from years of abuse and starvation… and let's not forget about the lack of sleep !
Noticing him looking at her, Jaya sighed deeply before slightly turning her head to glance at him
"Honey ? Do you like books ?" she inquired him in her usual sweet and motherly tone.
"Yes Miss Jaya… Books are nice !" he responded with a bright smile.
"Oh ?"
"Yes ! I love reading ! I used to hide in the library a lot when Dudley wanted to play 'Harry-Hunting'..." Harry answered in a somewhat bit tone at the last part.
Blinking at the words and the tone, the Jinko turned her head further to look at him with narrowed eyes.
"Harry-Hunting ?" Jaya asked him curiously but with an undertone of anger.
"It is a game Dudley and his friends love to play… I have to escape them and if I get caught… I was beaten..." the black haired child responded in a soft tone… to the point it became a whisper.
But thanks to her tiger-ears, Jaya could hear every single words. The Jinko clenched her teeth in anger as a soft growl escaped her throat. The more she heard about Harry's past, the angrier she get.
However, no wanting to scare her charge, the Jinko took several deep breathes before approaching him
"You poor thing..." she whispered with a coo as she picking him up before hugging him gently.
Now used to this mark of affection, Harry wholeheartedly returned it with a tiny smile on his own. He had another reason for returning the embrace as a part of him felt guilty for making her sad. Seeing this, Jaya tightened her hold a bit before giving him a loving kiss on the cheek, earning herself a giggle from the little one in her arms.
"You're such a good boy~"she whispered into his ears before giggling in amusement as he turned his head shyly in embarrassment, his face as red as a tomato.
Putting him down, she gently used a paw to push him gently toward another room
"Go Harry… The books are waiting for you~" the Jinko told him with a playful smirk.
The black haired little boy smiled at her before nodding and rushing toward the room where the Library was. Chuckling in amusement, Jaya then returned into the kitchen to finish her cooking.
A hour later, the Jinko smiled as she set the table. On today's menu, pork ribs !
"Harry sweetie ! Come here ! Lunch is ready !" she called out for the child who upon hearing this, abandoned the book he was reading to approach her.
Thanks to his small size, he couldn't reach his chair but thankfully, Jaya helped by picking him up before setting him down on the chair.
"Bon appetit little one !~" Jaya said to her charge with a warm smile.
"You too Miss Jaya !" Harry replied back with a smile on his own as he picked up his utensils.
However, before they could dig in, something unexpected happened…
Suddenly, a ringtone rang through the air, startling them both at once. Glancing at one another for a moment, Jaya then shook her head to regain her composure before slowly making her way back to the front door.
Who could it be ? Last time she checked, she didn't expect visits…
Curious…
Still sitting on his chair, Harry was curious about who it was and listened closely as he heard his caretaker opening the front door.
"Greyfia..." Jaya said respectfully to the newcomer but a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Jaya…" the newcomer greeted back in a gentle but still firm tone. It reminded him of the only kind teacher he had back at Private Drive who always looked stern but inside was nothing but a gentle woman.
"I wasn't expected you but please come in !" the Jinko inquired while stepping aside to allow her friend to enter.
"I know my visit was… unannounced. But I needed to talk to you..."
"Of course ! If you want, we can talk over a nice meal ?"
"It would be our pleasure...Thank you..."
" 'our' ?"
"Hi Auntie !" a young feminine tone echoed in the air along with a giggle.
"Hello there Gaby ! How are you little one ?" Harry heard Jaya said to this Gaby person who answered.
"I'm fine auntie !"
"Gabrielle..." the first unknown voice echoed again in a stern tone that sent shivers down Harry's spines.
"Sorry Mom..."
So the newcomers were mother and daughter ? Intriguing… But the way the younger visitor called Miss Jaya 'Auntie' surely meant that they were family. For a second, he felt out of place… but his thoughts were broken by the return of the voices.
"Greyfia… Gaby… I want to present you someone dear to me..."
"Oh ? Have you finally found a husband ?" Greyfia's voice echoed again in a tone that betrayed her surprise and… happiness ?
"Sadly no… but I do have a boy in my life now~" Jaya responded with a giggle.
"Can we meet him ?" Gabby's voice echoed again in a tone filled with excitement and curiosity.
"Of course follow me~" Jaya's voice echoed in response before the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard.
Soon, the familiar silhouette of the Jinko appeared in the 'dining-room'... along with two others. Harry's eyes widened at the sight of the newcomers and couldn't help but staring in amazement as he studied them.
The more mature of the two newcomers was taller than Miss Jaya and was really muscular in appearance as well as really pretty. Her upper body was mostly humanoid in appearance : she had long dark brown hair with white streaks, large breasts and yellow eyes with red markings underneath them.
Then, that's where things became interesting : Harry saw large dark brown feathery wings behind her back as her arms were covered with white feathers. Then he saw that its hands looked like Eagle's talons with four clawed fingers.
Her lower body was, without contest, everything but human. In fact, much to Harry's fascination, it looked feline-like in appearance and covered in yellowish-brown fur. Her feet looked equally cat-like and he could see a tail wagging lazily behind her. It looked strangely like a Lion's tail.
She wore what looked like some sort of armor but only covered her modesty.
Seeing that the Mamono was looking at him, Harry turned his head to look at the other stranger… only to blink in shock as he found her standing right in front of him with her face inches away from his !
"Hi !" she greeted him in a friendly tone and an eye-closed smile.
She looked to be around his age and, he had to admit, was kinda cute. She looked like a carbon copy of her mother except that she had white hair and light brown wings. Along with that, she seemed to be wearing normal clothes instead of an armor.
"I'm Gabrielle ! But I prefer to be called Gaby !" the young Monster girl said to our young hero with a bright smile while extending a hand forward.
Nervously, Harry shot a hesitant look toward Jaya who gestured for him to go on while giving him a comforting smile. At her side, Gabby's mother looked at him with interest. Extending his own hand (the right one), he and her exchanged a brief handshake as he introduced himself shyly
"H-hi… I'm Harry… Nice to meet you… Gabrielle..."
"I told you to call me Gaby !" the young Mamono childishly pouted at him as she narrowed her eyes at him.
"Sorry..." Harry whispered softly while looking at the floor, his hands behind his back.
"It's okay ! Wanna play with me ?!" Gaby asked him with shining eyes.
"Huh..." Harry mumbled in hesitation and uneasiness as he shot a glance toward Jaya… who seemed amused by his shy behavior as she shot him a soft smile.
At her side, Gaby's mother, Greyfia, looked at him with a straight face but by the look in her eyes, he could tell that she was studying him. Looking back at the young Mamono in front of him, Harry saw the look of hope she was shooting him and he had to admit that she looked even cuter now.
"I would love to ?" he responded in an unsure tone.
Gaby seemed to have caught it and narrowed her eyes at him for some reason and he tensed visibly in slight fear. After years of abuse and loneliness, he didn't know how to act around people of his age as he was always busy in dealing with...how to survive the Dursleys.
Seeing the look in his emerald eyes, the Jinko internally sighed in pity and sadness. She should haven seen this coming after all… Once again cursing the name of his previous caretakers, Jaya then put a smile on her face as she said those words
"You will have all the time in the world to play together after lunch… Come on~"
As she finished talking, she lead everyone toward the table before she left to the kitchen to make two other plates for her unexpected guests. Harry, him, was trying his best to not look at anyone at the moment and instead, looked at his plate in silence. A part of him felt stupid for acting like this while the other part felt a bit... well... worried.
He didn't know how those strangers would react to his little behavior so far and may pretty be thinking that he was stupid. He didn't know it but it was far from the truth. The two Mamonos were looking at him, sure, but not in scorn or disgust… but pity and intrigue.
Greyfia, the second she looked at the boy, (apart of being shocked to see a MALE Human child) instantly knew that something must have happened him… something traumatic and his entire behavior so far reinforced her thoughts.
That and the fact he looked much younger than how he was. At first, she thought he was only 3 years old but when he spoke… she understood that he must have been underfed… which had disturbed his growth. She swore to ask her friend later about it and maybe get some answers.
Looking at the child now, Greyfia had to admit that this little one was… cute. That and he had the most beautiful green eyes she had ever seen in her life. Not only that he was cute and all, but his entire behavior made him look even more adorable.
What about her daughter ? She was also looking at Harry with inquisitive eyes. Gabrielle could easily tell that something must have happened to him to be this shy… but herself had to admit that it made him look cute. But what had really caught her attention were his eyes : they were in short gorgeous and were the greenest she ever seen before and seemed to shine like pure emeralds.
The second her yellow eyes locked on his, she felt a shiver passing through her body… and didn't know what this meant.
However, her little trance was broken by the arrival of Jaya who carried two large plates of pork ribs in her paws. Drooling at the sight, Gaby thanked her 'auntie' and waited until everyone was served before starting eating… while shooting secretive glances toward the black haired child sitting nearby.
Which was noticed by not only her mother but Jaya as well. The two adults shared a look and a smirk before resuming their meals. Nothing was said as they all ate in silence but the Jinko could tell that her two guests… and Harry had questions. She might guest what was Harry's : what type of Mamonos Greyfia and Gaby were ?
However, she decided to wait until they all finished their plates before making her move, knowing that her charge was a bit shy in front of strangers.
"Harry ? Do you have something to say, dear ?" Jaya called him out gently as she picked up the plates.
The dark haired young Wizard blinked at the question as a bit of red appeared on his cheek as he saw the other two looking at him expectantly.
"I-I" Harry mumbled shyly at first before being stopped by Greyfia who said gently
"Speak child… We won't eat you..." there was a hint of humor in her tone and Gabrielle giggled in amusement at this but nodded in agreement to her mom's words.
A bit galvanized by those words, Harry took a deep breath, gathering all his courage, before looking back at the still patiently waiting duo of feathered Mamonos.
"I-I wanted to ask what type of Monsters are you ? If that's okay for you I mean..." the dark haired child said the last part in a quick tone, filled with worry.
Greyfia looked at him for a second before smiling a bit as she opened her mouth to respond… only for her daughter to do it instead.
"We are Griffins !"
"Gabrielle !" her mother hissed at her sternly.
"Sorry Mom..."
"I'm sorry for my daughter's… exuberance… but indeed we are Griffins..." Greyfia said calmly while looking at the boy… whose eyes were locked on both her and her daughter with amazement.
"Wow really ? I heard about Griffins ! I read a book that said that Griffins represent power and majesty as the ruler of all creatures !" Harry said with pure amazement as he looked back and forth between the two Griffins.
While Gabrielle puffed her chest with pride, Greyfia raised an amused eyebrow. Behind them, Jaya couldn't retain herself from snorted in amusement, rolling her eyes.
"Really now ?" Gaby's mother asked him with amusement.
Griffins, Mamonos or not, were all prideful creatures so they GREATLY enjoyed receiving praises.
"Yes, after all Eagle is known as the King of Birds and the Lion as the King of Beasts so it make sense..." Harry said next with shyness as his index fingers touched one another.
Greyfia nodded her head in understanding while her daughter once again beamed at the praises, her yellow eyes shining like gold. Jaya, for her part, released a dramatic sigh as she muttered to herself
"You had to tickle their ego, hadn't you ?"
"Did you say something Jaya ?" Greyfia asked her friend with a raisebrow, having heard her muttering something.
"Nope !" the Jinko replied with an innocent smile that caused the adult Griffin to narrow her eyes at her.
A minute later, the two children climbed down their chairs and were now facing the adults.
"Aunt Jaya? Mom ? Can Harry and I go play now?" Gabrielle asked her cheerfully, wrapping her arm around Harry's shoulders, leaning her head against his.
The action caused him to blush madly but did nothing to pull himself out of the young Griffon's grip. Jaya and Greyfia shared another look… a knowing look to be precise. She might not know it yet, but young Gabrielle had already found and claimed her future husband in young Harry.
But then Greyfia shot her a serious look and the Jinko instantly understood the meaning : 'We need to talk now'.
" Yes you can, little ones~" Jaya cooed at them with a warm smile while Greyfia merely nodded at her daughter in acceptance.
"Yeah ! Follow me Harry !" Gabrielle cried out in joy before rushing toward another room, pulling Harry by the hand.
The poor boy barely had the time to yelp before he was 'carried' away by the excited young Griffon, leaving behind two amused adults. Once the children disappeared, Greyfia turned her head to stare at Jaya with a dead serious expression on her face.
Seeing this, the Jinko sighed deeply, knowing that she had a lot to answer for.
"Alright… What do you want to know ?" Jaya asked her in a soft tone and a sigh.
"Everything : where did you find him ? What happened to him ? Why is he so thin ?" Greyfia asked her friend with a straight face but we could clearly see the maternal concern shining in her eyes.
Sighing once again, Jaya took a deep breath before looking back at the Griffon "Alright, it all started when I was walking in the forest..."
At the same time, Gabrielle and Harry were sitting on a couch in the Library. Instead of reading books or playing, they just sat there with the young Griffon looked expectantly at Harry.
"So ? What do you want to play ?" she finally asked him after a moment of awkward silence.
"I… I don't know… I never played games before..." the young boy admitted in a soft tone and a little shrug of his shoulders.
"Really ? How come ?" Gabrielle asked him in surprise while titled her head to the side in confusion.
Harry stared at her with hesitation, unsure if he should tell her or not. Seeing his internal conflict, the young Griffon gently wrapped him into a hug and thanks to the size difference (she was a few inches taller), his head was at the crook of her neck. The dark haired child blushed madly at the action but didn't try to escape as she slowly whispered into his ears.
"Its okay if you don't want to tell me… I'm not mad..."
She was a bit disappointed, yes, but not at all surprised. After all, they barely met. It was understandable that he wouldn't tell her anything… at least yet.
"How about I teach you how to play ?" she offered him with a smile after pulling herself away from him.
"You would do that ?" Harry looked at her with hope and surprise.
"Of course ! That's what friends are for !"
Her answer shocked him to the core.
Friends ?
He never had friends before…
Trying his best not to cry, Harry looked back at the young Griffon with a smile before nodding his head.
"Great ! Here our first lesson : How to play play guessing games !" Gabrielle began to say with a bright smile, especially when she saw the stars in Harry's emerald eyes.
Meanwhile, in another room, Greyfia and Jaya were still discussing. But, unlike before, they were now sitting back on the chairs.
"… and this morning I took him to a tour of the city. The rest is history..." the Jinko finished with a deep sigh.
The adult Gryphon in front of her looked angry, sad, impressed and frustrated. Why ? Because Jaya had just told him about Harry's terrible past… Greyfia, being a mother, was horrified by how Harry was treated by his relatives and looked ready to find his relatives to tear them apart, slowly and painfully.
"No wonder he is so shy and thin..." the Griffon growled in anger as her talons scratched the table.
The Jinko merely nodded her head in agreement, not saying anything. Even if she knew the story by heart now, it still angered her. She couldn't fault her friend for being just as angry as her as no children should suffer like Harry did.
"He is braver than anyone I know…and if what this annoying Succubus said is accurate, his magic will be powerful... He will make a worthy husband one day..." Greyfia commented with a hint of respect in her tone.
After all, someone who managed to survive YEARS of abuse, starvation and sufferings must have a really strong willpower.
"You mean… a worthy husband for a certain daughter of yours ?~" Jaya asked her playfully.
Greyfia shot her a little glare but then sighed as she answered calmly "Maybe… from what I saw this little one's reserved and thoughtful nature perfectly balance with Gabrielle's … exuberance..."
"Indeed… they would make a lovely couple in the future..."Jaya said while releasing a dreamy sigh.
"Maybe..." Greyfia answered with a straight face but there was a strange glint in her eyes as she glanced toward where the children were.
"But it won't be before a while… now I have a little service to ask you..."
At the Jinko's words, the Griffon narrowed her eyes but gestured for her friend to go on.
"I would love if you can become one of Harry's teachers…" Jaya told her with a serious expression on her face.
(To be continue…)