Just a little idea I've been toying with for a while. May not continue it, might continue it, we'll see.

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I was a bird and a butterfly, a candle and a star all at once. I sailed on a breeze I could not feel and soared with my fellow souls.

Rukh, they called to me when I asked our name. We fluttered as once, quivering as we grew nearer to our destination.

We are the will, the way and we follow the path we know.

We are lost souls found.

We are the guiding lights of the world.

Who do we guide? I inquired.

We guide the Kings, we guide the blessed, we guide those watched over by Solomon, for we are his will.

Solomon.

I latched onto the name, feeling my light shine just a little brighter. Yes. Great King Solomon, whose will we follow. We are his lambs saved from slaughter, the fruits of his labour. We are his subjects. He is our King.

We arrived and there he was, amongst a garden of jewels and gold, of blossoming treasures and gleaming gold roots.

We circled him in joy and he smiled. I watched as he reached out a finger and a lucky Rukh perched upon his hand delicately, quivering happily.

Yes, we followed our King Solomon and guided his subjects down his path.

What subjects? I wondered.

But I already knew. We were filled with wisdom, just waiting to be tapped into.

Faces, names, places, emotions flooded my mind. Djinn. Light. Gleaming steel. Beautiful prisons. A red jewel. Kind eyes. A purple-haired boy.

Sorrow. Pain. Fear. Wrath.

So. Much. Hardship.

This is the path? I questioned. These are the challenges they must face?

Tears. Blood. Ache. War.

This is the path we must lead them down?

My King glanced at me curiously.

Ignorant soul, they told me. We are Solomon's Will. This is the path we must guide them down. This is our purpose.

Why?

We are saved by our King. We are raised from the mist, given meaning, blessed by him. We are his Will.

I faltered. My wings dimmed.

A boy with a sword. A braid and a flute. Red hair and thick armour. A charismatic grin.

I want to fight.

The Rukh rushed to me.

Foolish, they said. We are guides. We lead them forward and never interfere. We watch, we shine, we follow the path. Foolish soul, do not disown your King.

I want to fight, I insisted. I want to fight with them.

Foolish. Ignorant. Insolent. Traitor.

I want to fight!

A hint of grey, like a wisp of smoke, flashed across my wings and faded.

I want to fight.

Darker grey, like fresh ash, swirled in my core and sent the rest of the Rukh into a flurry.

Black, they called out. Dark. There is darkness in your light.

I want to fight.

Like a sunshine through fog, Solomon reached out and parted the Rukh, holding his hand out to me.

Beckoned, I landed on his fingers and gazed up at him in awe.

"Little Rukh," he spoke, "what ails you so?"

I wish to fight, I answered.

"Why?" He lifted me to eye level.

I do not want to guide them down this path, I exclaimed. I want to fight alongside them, to help them overcome it.

The edges of Solomon's eyes crinkled softly as he beamed. "You have a rare sort of determination, little lost one."

Does that mean I can fight? I was hopeful.

"How about this? If you grant my wish, I shall grant yours," he proposed. The Rukh around him shivered in excitement.

Wish?

"Yes, a wish. And in return, I shall give you a suitable form. I shall grant you passage to their world and I shall give you power to fight for them with."

My light shimmered.

Yes, I cried. Let me fight. What is my King's wish? I shall do whatever he desires.

"Protect my son," Solomon requested.

Son.

Solomon's Son.

Images and knowledge raced through my head.

Son of Solomon. Fourth Magi. Boy of Blue.

Aladdin.

"Yes," Solomon confirmed. "You see his path is a difficult one and friends will benefit him greatly. I cannot go to him yet but if I can send you, little lost one, perhaps my concern will be eased a bit. Protect him as a friend, little lost one, and I will grant your wish.

Oh, how kind our King is, the other Rukh praised, flittering about us. How generous he is, how blessed we are to bear his will.

As my King wishes, I acquiesced.

He grinned.

I drifted off his fingers as he summoned a staff.

"My apologies," he added sheepishly, "but it seems I am not as strong as I used to be. As such, I cannot give you a perfect body. But I can give you power. You'll be like a Djinn but you will not be bound to any dungeon. If there comes a time when you need more power and are beside someone you undoubtedly trust, you may form a bond with them and unleash your true power but I cannot grant you the power to change back once this bond is formed."

He paused. "Hopefully you will never need to commit such an act. I'd much prefer you stay my son's companion, to be able to talk and laugh and cry with those you deem precious. So please, be prudent with this power. Emergencies only."

Yes, I agreed. I wished to fight for this cause, not die for it.

"What power would you like?"

I hesitated, unsure. But as I looked upon the glinting white of the other Rukh, an idea flashed through my head and Solomon nodded. "A splendid idea."

Then his brow creased as he thought hard. "Now then, where should I send you to?"

I waited patiently.

"Perhaps," he decided, "oh yes, I shall send you to the true beginning of this story. The first dungeon. Yes, that should do just fine."

He looked directly at me, something unknown brimming in his gaze. "Are you ready, little lost soul?"

Always.

"Then I wish you luck. Remember, you are my will, one of the Rukh. If you ever need help, do not shy away from asking me for it. I will always answer you."

Kind king, I told him.

He smiled mirthfully and waved his staff.

And, without my shining wings, I fell.

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When I awoke, I was greeted by a stone ceiling. Columns lined the walls and a musky scent of dust hung in the air.

There were four arches before me, light spilling through them harsh enough to make me shield my eyes.

'Where am I?'

I took a deep breath and steeled myself. This is the start. This is where I begin.

Solomon, lend me your guidance and protection. I'm going to need it.

Suddenly, a silent hum filled the air. Something within me stirred, like an ancient beast intrigued, and I turned.

A simple magic circle glowed on the ground behind me, amidst broken pillars. It lit up the back of the room and pulsed once, twice, thrice.

I quickly threw my arms in front of my face and squeezed my eyes shut as it gave off a final, blinding flash and settled.

I breathed heavily as my blood pumped in excitement.

'Now is when you start moving forward, little lost one,' I heard Solomon's voice murmur. 'Stay true to the path and you will not stray. I wish you luck.'

The light faded and I waited a few moments before lowering my arms.

There, in the centre of the circle, was a figure, perhaps the same size as me, I judged, climbing to its feet.

A human.

My eyes widened in shock as the purple-haired boy stood and stared back at me, my surprise clearly reflected in his golden eyes.

Sinbad, my mind whispered.

I met his gaze and my lips parted.

"Uh... what?"

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Boom. Story. Enjoy. Pretty please review, I'd love any feedback you could offer. I don't actually have anyone to beta my stories, so any feedback or reviews would really help me make this story enjoyable for you.

Until next time then,

- Dragon