Ethernal Bounds: Love in the Beastmen's Domain

Chapter 8 New Tattoo

In the soft glow of the morning sun, Samaya decided to wash herself in a nearby river. As the rippling water mirrored the sunlight, she undressed, and her curious gaze trailed over her body. It was then that she discovered a mysterious white snake tattoo adorning her breast. Intrigued and perplexed, Samaya examined the intricate details of the tattoo, her fingers tracing its sinuous curves. The etching was unlike the other tattoos she proudly bore-a dragon, a fairy, and a cat-all chosen and inked consciously. The snake tattoo, however, held an elusive quality, as if woven into the fabric of her being without her conscious participation. Samaya couldn't recall getting a snake tattoo, especially not in such a personal location. Attempting to cleanse herself of this newfound mark proved futile, leaving her with more questions than answers.

Returning to the shore, she found Leviathan, perched on a rock, seemingly having observed her morning ritual with quiet contemplation the whole time. Unconcerned about being seen naked by him, Samaya gestured toward the snake tattoo, seeking an explanation. "Levi, look, I've got a snake tattoo here," she pointed with her finger, a mix of confusion and curiosity in her eyes. Leviathan, looking equally puzzled, inquired about her understanding of what a animal tattoo signifies. Samaya, thinking he was referring to the conventional inked tattoos, assured him of her awareness. "Of course, I know what a tattoo is. Look, I've got some more. But it's my first time seeing this snake tattoo."

Realizing she misunderstood, Leviathan started to explain, "This kind of tattoo appears when you mate with a beastmen. Every beastmen has its own tattoo pattern. Because I'm a snake beastmen, your tattoo is a snake." The revelation echoed through the air, leaving Samaya in a state of bewildered amazement. Samaya, still grappling with the newfound knowledge, looked at him with bewildered eyes and questioned the implications. "So, if you sleep with a girl, she gets your tattoo?" Leviathan, delving into the intricacies of beastmen society, pondered her question and then asked, "What's a girl?" "A female, like me," clarified Samaya.

Leviathan clarified, "Every male will have just one female his entire life. But the ratio of females to males is 1:1000, so every female has many spouses to choose from, and the males compete to woo a female. The weaker males might not be chosen by the females." The complexity of beastmen mating rituals unfolded before Samaya, painting a vivid picture of a society governed by unique dynamics.

Samaya, still absorbing the information, expressed skepticism about Leviathan's snake-like features. "You said you're a snake beastman, but you don't look like a snake at all. It's difficult to believe you." Leviathan chuckled, amused by her skepticism. "I might not look like a snake in my humanoid form, but our true forms are revealed when we unleash our full strength. In those moments, you would see the serpent's features more clearly." Curiosity sparked in Samaya's eyes as she processed Leviathan's explanation. "So, you can transform into a snake?"

Leviathan nodded. "Yes, beastmen have the ability to shift between their humanoid and true forms, each representing the essence of the animal they are connected to." Samaya contemplated this revelation, her mind trying to grasp the complexities of Leviathan's nature, inquired about the purpose of the mating tattoo. "And this mating tattoo... does it serve any purpose besides marking the connection?"

Leviathan explained, "The tattoo signifies a deep bond, not just a physical connection. It enhances our understanding and communication. It's a symbol of the commitment we make to each other. In our society, it's a special bond, binding two people together forever."
Intrigued and captivated by the cultural nuances of beastmen, Samaya nodded thoughtfully. The encounter with Leviathan had thrust her into a world she never knew existed.