Half snake, half human hybrids that live beneath the waves and upon the land have to fight without rest for their very right to exist in the world of man. Like all of my backburner series, Serpentine was not set on Okanu, but rather it was a story that took place on Earth. It tells the tale of two races of divergent species of nagas called, serpentines. One race of serpentines are aquatic while the others are terrestrial. 

The aquatic serpentines are similar to mermaids. However, since serpentines are half snake, not half fish, they cannot breathe under water. They can hold their beaths for extended periods of time, but they do not have the ability to utilize cutaneous respiration, neither to they have gills. By comparison, the aqueous serpentines are more delicate than their heartier, land-dwelling cousins. Their bodies are designed for life underwater. They are streamlined and have lighter bones that make them more buoyant. Their tails flare out at the end, forming a fin that propels them through the water with ease. Socially, they are dignified and adhere very strongly to decorum and tradition. One might even call them, dainty. Though they eat fish, a staple of their diet is made up of plants like kelp and water fruit.

Terrestrial serpentines are generally more violent and are equipped with various, offensive and defensive capabilities. They are venomous, combative, and very strong. Unlike their freshwater kin, the weight of gravity itself has tempered their bodies, giving them strength that easily surpasses their more delicate aquatic brethren. Their tails are tipped with a poison stinger and they have fangs that can inject venom into their prey or an enemy. They are carnivores and exist on an exclusively all-meat diet.

The story followed the life of a girl named, Arimi. She was unique in that her father was a terrestrial serpentine, while her mother is an aquatic serpentine. Her father was killed and so she was raised mostly by her mother, alone. Her mother was devastated after the death of her mate. Her fear consumed her and she vowed to protect their daughter from harm at all costs. As such, she raised her child as a water serpentine and prevented Arimi from exploring the other half of herself. Whenever she shows signs of her warrior blood, her mother forced her to suppress it and to deny that part of who she was. Even so, the thrill of the fight of the hunt still calls to Arimi. It makes her something of an outcast among the other children in the village, but though her friends are limited, the ones she does have are dedicated and true.