I do not own Magi.
Enigma
Chapter Four:
The Sword and the Dagger
"Ah, the rain won't deliver this year, will it?" One of the villagers glanced upwards, a frown touching his lips. "Even though that dungeon disappeared..."
"Guess we can only hope." Another man sighed, slumping to the ground in defeat.
"But we need these crops for winter!"
"What can we do? We can't control the rain."
Kali blinked, glancing up from where she stood knee deep in mud, helping the others gather whatever they could. The young girl blinked at the barren fields, and Camio grew warm against her chest. She watched them argue for a moment, and she clutched the necklace, shutting her eyes.
This could be her chance.
She would no longer be the orphan with missing parents—it was her chance to finally help! She could do something for them; after all they'd done for her. She'd been practicing, it could work.
"My king," Kali paused, glancing down to the necklace. "I...I have to advise against it."
"Why?" Kali's eyes shone, and she slugged through the mud, towards the other villagers. "This is it, Cam. We can do something!"
"My king, I fear that these people... Your village... They aren't—"
"We can make it work." The young girl's eyes shone, and the Rukh flew towards her, hovering about her radiance. "It will! I know you can do it—I have enough magoi right?"
"More than enough, but my king—"
"Let's do it!"
"...as you wish."
Kali stood before the villagers, and they glanced to her. "What is it, girl? Do you guys need help?"
"I can help." Kali placed her hands to the barren fields, digging them deep into the ground. "Could you all move for a moment?"
"Crazy kid..." One of the villagers frowned, and another shook his head, motioning for him to be silent.
"She's the one..."
"What happened to them?"
"No one knows, but they think they were—"
"Spirit of life and death, he who grants powers to kings," Kali's eyes shone, and her necklace grew, roots shooting out from vines and swirling down her arms and into the earth. "Lend me your power—Camio!"
The vines glowed golden, and the villager's eyes grew wide as plants grew from the earth, sprouting upwards healthy and alive. The men paused, frozen stiff as Kali narrowed her eyes in concentrating, maneuvering her magoi into the earth to make them grow.
"Done." Camio whispered softly, and Kali beamed, standing up straight, vines entwined around her and curling as she grinned at the villagers. "There!"
Silence greeted her, and she smiled sheepishly. Perhaps it was too much? Should they be taller?
"Monster."
Kali blinked, confusion filling her eyes, but there was something that had changed within the villagers. The young girl frowned, opening her mouth to question, but before she could utter a word, a rock struck her face, and she staggered, shocked. "Monster."
She looked up and froze, legs shaking as the villagers stared at her with wide eyes, fear filling them as rocks were clutched in their hands. "Monster!"
Kali's eyes filled with tears, and she took a step back. "Why?"
Vines whipped out and knocked rocks out of the air before they could hit her, and Camio was wrapping a protective encasing of vines around her. "W-Why?"
"We should leave." Camio murmured, and Kali was running as the villagers shouted and cursed at her as she left, feet digging into the earth as tears fell from her eyes.
Why?
Awhile had passed since her last meeting with Sinbad, and Kali had never been happier.
She'd not only managed to finally master Seere's equip, but her travels had gone wonderfully, with one place better than the next—the world truly was amazing! Country after country had come to her, and she'd spent endless days teleporting to one after another, enjoying them all.
But what made all of this wonderful was that she didn't have to deal with Sinbad.
As fond as she was of the charismatic dungeon capturer, she was also wary, and albeit annoyed at him. Sinbad was a great man, but he was persistent, and any day where she didn't have to worry about him hunting her down was a good day.
And now, knowing two equips out of three of her Djinns, Kali was in a good mood.
Camio had to school her through most of it, teaching her how to use her magoi and the powers of the Djinn. Though she had to go through countless trial and errors on her own, and after one to many gusts of wind, she'd been able to do it.
While Camio had only taken a day, (seeing as he'd been with her since she was a child, he knew her best) Seere had gone and taken months, close to a half year.
She was going to toss her sword if Raum took longer.
And she'd somehow found herself in a new country.
What was it again? Lem? Lin? Rem? No, no, she knew the name somewhere...
Whatever it was, it sounded familiar, and it also made her think of a certain someone.
"Didn't he tell us to try and avoid this place?" Camio murmured, and Kali blinked, looking up from where she'd been examining fruit stands. "Why?"
"I wouldn't know. He's a strange man."
True. Kali bought a few apples and a couple pears and stuffed them into her bag, eating one of the apples. But he was pretty helpful when he helped teach us a bit. He seemed to like talking to you.
"Simply because he knew our predicament the best. He's...neutral almost. He was the best person who could help you with this."
You're all I need. Kali took a bite of the apple, savoring the sweetness. Besides, Yunan is just as strange as we are—he's always headed off someplace.
"I think that man has something else on his mind."
Well, I'm going to explore this place to the fullest like the rest—
"Move along! You can't hold up traffic! Useless trash..." Kali paused, bare foot tapping against the earth as she listened in.
"We should be at the market by morning! You all move like snails!" Kali frowned this time, wondering who on earth was getting yelled at so bad.
Clink. Clink.
The girl froze, apple in hand as she listened to the familiar noise of chains clinking together. Gray eyes stared straight before her as she listened, and they grew closer and closer, and by now, she knew they were behind her.
Camio was silent, and slowly, Kali turned, meeting the backs of hunched over figures trudging through the streets. The slave train continued on, bruised and bare feet walking over the rough ground, chains around their necks and hands and ankles.
Slaves.
Kali watched quietly as they trudged on—one after another, looks of despair and weariness. A child followed after a mother and Kali's fingers twitched.
She knew all to well what chains felt like.
A small smile touched her lips and she reached forward, halting one of the slaves. The woman jerked, looking at her fearfully, and Kali simply clasped one of her hands in her own, offering her a warm smile. "Could you wait one moment?"
The slave woman looked ready to protest, eyes fearful, but Kali had already drawn her sword, and without a second's hesitation, she dug it through the woman's chains, cutting them with ease.
A golden flame flickered out and ran along the rest of the chains, burning and snapping them in half. The slaves looked around in surprise and shock, and the woman stared at her with wide eyes, disbelief and confusion swimming in her gaze as her face turned almost fearful. Kali's chest twisted at the thought, but she continued to smile. "It's alright; I'm not here to hurt you."
"Hey! What's the meaning of this?" Kali blinked, feeling herself lifted up a few feet in the air as she was turned to meet the slave master's gaze—a brute of a man with a thick brown beard and beady little eyes. "Stealing slaves is a serious offense, woman! I'll have you thrown into the coliseum—"
"Oh, I'm not stealing." Kali motioned to all the slaves, and she was sickened to spot several children and elders among them. "I'm buying them."
"You little—" The man broke off, brows furrowing as he stared at Kali. "What?"
"I want to buy them. All of them."
The slave owner stared at her for a moment, beady little eyes widening to the size of saucers as his mouth grew slack. And when Kali thought he finally realized what she was talking about, he bellowed out a loud laugh, causing her to cringe at the sudden intake of alcohol on his breath. "You? What would you want with a bunch of slaves girl?"
"I didn't know I had to give my whole life story when buying things." Kali mused aloud, observing the man before her coolly. "If it's money you're worried about, I have plenty."
"The price for all of these slaves is hefty," The man smirked, revealing rows of yellowed teeth as he gestured to the line of slaves, all looking about fearfully, rubbing their wrists where the chains once were. "How do you expect to pay for them all?"
Kali blinked, reaching over and pulling her leather bag out. Shuffling inside, she grasped the heavy sack of gold coins she'd kept for buying souvenirs and tossed it to the man. The slave owner narrowed his eyes, pulling the drawstring open.
His beady little eyes enlarged and his mouth fell agape at the number of gold coins. Kali offered a small smile, though she'd rather never have to associate with such awful people, sacrifices had to be made she supposed. The salve owner suddenly grinned, tucking the sack into his pocket as he leaned forward.
His calloused hand brushed along her slim shoulder, and Kali blinked, small smile still on her face as she felt Camio cringe in disgust as he leered over her, wine on his breath. "How about you forget the trash and spend the night with a real man, eh?"
His fingers tugged the corner of her tunic sleeves over her shoulders, and she felt her eye twitch and Camio seethed, the vines on her necklace pulsing rapidly.
"Should I, my king?"
Kali tilted her head upwards, gripping the man's hands in her own, smiling up at him brightly as she leaned forward. His eyes glittered darkly and a smirk touched his lips as he leaned in as well.
"I'd rather be a slave." Hair a sooty black framed her face as her gray eyes turned steely, and the man froze as he felt a dagger tip pressed to his burly chest, barely pricking the skin. "And I loathe slavery."
His eyes grew wide in anger and his arm swung out, a foolish move, Kali noted, since she had a dagger to his chest. Then again, he did seem somewhat drunk, so she'd expect no less. "You little whore—"
But before she could retaliate, a firm and muscular arm shot out, catching the man's fist before it could even strike. Kali's eyes widened and she slipped her dagger into its sheath by her chest, taking a wary step back at the new comer.
"Now, now," Crimson hair, bright and catching sunlight reflected off her eyes, and she blinked in surprise at the black line following after his eyes, a bright smile on his face. "That's no way to treat a lady, is it?"
Fanalis, right? Kali recalled the special group of people and their famous strength, she'd even visited the Dark Continent before and met a few, but he looked like the more civilized version of them, not the friendly and burly beasts on the other side of the rift. What is he...
"Perhaps feeling heroic?" Camio proposed, and Kali frowned, turning her gaze back to the matter at hand, and the strange Fanalis man had the slave driver by the fist, smiling charmingly at him. "How about we let this all blow over and let bygones be bygones?"
"He seems friendly." Kali watched warily as the slave driver whipped his head around, glaring hard at the male. "And let this whore have her way? What are you going to do—"
The slave driver halted, catching sight of his red hair, and he smirked, using his height to tower over the Fanalis. "You slave."
Kali flinched at the term, eyes narrowing as she placed a hand on Raum's hilt, but the strange man held a hand out to her, smile wiped off his face as he sighed, shaking his head at the man. "I was raised much better than you think you know."
He jerked, swinging the man along and smashing him into the ground, several craters cracking the hardened floor from the impact. The slave driver's eyes grew wide, his eyes rolling into the back of his head as he slumped. Kali blinked carefully at the scene and the Fanalis man smiled, wiping his hands together. "But I don't appreciate comments like that from low lives like you."
Kali blinked, watching as the man suddenly turned, offering her a bright smile. "He didn't harm you, did he? I apologize if he did, some people have no manners—"
"I'm fine." Kali waved him off, inclining her head to him she added. "Thank you." Didn't need it though...
The man opened his mouth to speak, but Kali was already walking around him and he blinked, registering that the sooty haired girl was no longer in front of him.
"Be grateful." Camio reminded, and Kali rolled her eyes, bending over and searching through the slave driver's pockets.
Her fingers clasped the sack from before and she tossed a handful of coins out to the man, turning around to face the fearful slaves. "Now that that's over with... Could you all come up one by one? I'll try to give this out as evenly as possible."
Their eyes grew wide and they cast her wary glances, unsure as to what she meant. Kali smiled and bent down to the youngest child, clasping small hands in her own as she dropped a handful of coins into her hands. "You're all free now. Free to do whatever it is you wish."
The child's eyes grew wide and the girl carefully cupped the gold coins, looking at Kali with wide eyes as the older girl ruffled her matted locks, grinning. "No one can call you slaves any longer."
Some regarded her with suspicion, but several others began to tear as they staggered forward, and Kali handed each of them as much as they could hold. Her smile was warm and she noted the fluttering of Rukh about them, white and warm as it clouded the area and she felt her shoulders relax.
Another downfall prevented it seems.
"Excuse me miss," A firm hand tapped her shoulder and Kali turned, blinking at the friendly eyes of the Fanalis man. "If I may ask... what are you doing?"
"Liberating slaves." Kali answered, she wanted to get this done and go on to exploring. And despite his friendly demeanor, she couldn't help but be reminded of Sinbad when she gazed at this man.
He blinked, opening his mouth to continue, but Kali had already turned, handing the last bit of gold to the last of the slaves, a bit of a stubborn one though. "Stay safe!"
"An interesting past time for a woman such as yourself." The man observed, and Kali turned on her heel, regarding him with cool curiosity.
"Tell me then, dear stranger, what is a man as noble as yourself doing with a simple traveler?" Kali quipped, and the man's eyes sparkled, and Kali suddenly felt wary, remembering a similar look in Sinbad's eyes.
"A traveler..." The man looked amused and slightly pleased, and Kali wanted to leave. "I had a feeling you weren't from around here, what brings you to Reim, my fair lady?"
Reim? Kali blinked in realization. That was the name... Huh, well, now I know. "Exploring."
His lips curled upwards. "I would be honored to be graced with your name."
"I actually must be going." Kali glanced up at the sun, as if it would tell her the time. "Well, good day to you."
The man blinked in surprise and Kali turned, hurrying down the street so she could disappear without causing a ruckus. But before she had even gotten far, a hand clasped her wrist, gently but firmly, and she halted, turning around with wide eyes as the man let out a breath, gazing at her. "You couldn't be leaving yet are you?"
"Does it matter?" Kali wondered curiously, and the man blinked, looking slightly embarrassed as Kali wondered if it'd be rude to yank her hand away... "Can I help you?"
"I'm afraid it would eat at me for the rest of my life if I didn't have a name to your face." The man continued, smiling slightly as he refused to relinquish his hold. "I'm Muu Alexius, at your service."
Kali eyes dropped down from his golden armor to the sword at his side, and realizing that he wasn't a dungeon conqueror, she relaxed slightly. "Kali."
"Kali." Muu mused, and Kali's ears perked at the strange way her name rolled off his lips. "If you don't mind, you're exploring, right?"
"...I am." Kali eyed him a moment longer before she added. "Why?"
"I would love to show you around if you'd like." Muu proposed, a warm smile on his face as Kali blinked in surprise. "It would be an honor to get to know such a beautiful woman better."
Kali stared at him for a few seconds. "...I'm not sure if you can do that with me around, they might get the wrong idea."
Muu blinked, looking puzzled before realization dawned on him and he let out a hearty laugh, one that seemed to come from him earnestly, Kali realized. "You are a charming one, Kali. Where do you—"
Muu blinked once, twice, thrice, turning his head from left right hurriedly, but catching no sight of the soot haired girl. "What on earth...? I would've noticed if she ran off..." His brows furrowed and he gazed about curiously, body thrumming to life with the strange girl that had wandered into his midst.
A bright grin touched his lips and he set off, hoping to find her again.
"Perhaps we should leave?" Camio suggested. Kali frowned slightly, rubbing her head and gazing up at the beautiful blue sky, stretching out across the Reim Empire and giving the area a jolt of life.
I thought about it. But I want to explore this place a bit. Kali glanced about, a smile gracing her lips as people moved too and fro, whether stopping into tavern-like buildings or chatting amiably off the road. It's interesting since Yunan advised us to not spend much time here...
"Yunan already is a strange man."
True. But this is one of the largest countries! Kali hopped up onto a stone wall, walking across it as she gazed over the hundreds of people and grinned. Might as well enjoy, right?
"It's beginning!"
"We'll be late, c'mon!"
Gray eyes watched as a herd of people surged forward, slightly disrupting the flow of people. Kali watched curiously as they ran, excited looks on their faces, and she followed their direction to a massive building standing tall overall the others.
Kali's eyes widened slightly at the magnificent structure, and she let out a low whistle, gazing at it in awe. It was massive and the air it gave off was one of importance and power, and Kali felt her lips twitch upwards.
Shall we explore then? She heard Camio chuckle and Kali blinked, feeling herself flicker and then she was gone one moment. Her feet touched dry ground, hard packed, and she gazed around her curiously.
On one side of the corridor were long hallways of cells, some opened and some empty, others filled. There was the scent of metal and the tang of blood and prudent odors. Kali blinked, gazing around thoughtfully.
"It seems like we're in the holding place of the coliseum." Camio murmured, and Kali blinked in awe, looking up at the arch walls within the dark and dampened place.
"Is that what this is called?"
"Forms of...entertainment are held here, my king."
"Fascinating." Kali grinned, walking over on bare feet as she peered into the empty cells, avoiding glancing at the chains and collars as she turned in a full circle. "Where were all the people headed?"
"To the stands. There are rows upon rows, and people gather to watch gladiators fight."
"Gladiators?"
"...warriors or sorts. Usually made of slaves or fighters wishing to test their luck."
"Fighting for entertainment?" Kali let out another low whistle. "Strange country."
Her gaze landed on rows of helmets, some golden in color, others rusted and dented—and she was pretty sure there was blood on a few. Swiping a lesser dented one, she placed it over her head, finding it a little large but a reasonable fit. "Who do they fight against?"
"Beasts or each other usually." Camio seemed thoughtful. "We should head to the stands and see what sort of fight is going on—"
"You there—what are you doing?" Kali stiffened, turning around curiously as a burly man came towards her, heavy boots stomping along the floor as he appeared before her. "The fight is about to begin! You better not be thinking about running out."
"Oh." Kali blinked. "I'm sorry, I'm not—"
"Damn better be." The man spat on the floor, grabbing her arm and giving her a once over of disgust. "Sending out a little toothpick—you won't last a minute with that beast."
Toothpick? Kali opened her mouth to protest, but her entire body froze in horror as she heard the familiar click around her ankles. Petrified, her eyes shot downwards and she held a breath, unable to breathe at the sight of the loose shackles on her ankles.
"My king—"
No.
"Get a move on!" Rough hands shoved her from behind and her face turned ashen white, her chest rising with labored breathes as she began to shake, Camio's words being blocked from her mind as fear took over.
No.
A blinding light appeared before her and she was shoved forward, her feet skimming over hot sand as the sun bore down on her, once a peaceful ray now a red hot beam. Gray eyes remained unable to leave the shackles on her ankles, and she felt the irrational fear bubbling up in her throat.
Never again!
"Look—he's afraid!"
"What a little thing, how could they be so cruel?"
"Ah, just a warm up for the real show it seems. This is just the appetizer!"
No. No. I won't. I won't. I refuse. Never again. Never again. The crowds jeers and taunts were nothing to her as she felt her walls collapse, her whole world beginning to spin out of control from the simple touch of the cold metal on her feet. Never ever—
Afraid.
She was afraid.
"Kali."
She froze, her inner turmoil halting for a moment as the voice dominated her mind, her being, sending waves of calm and peace throughout her body. "Never again. It is over. It is the past. We live in the present. No one can do such a thing to you ever again so long as I am by your side."
...no more?
"Never again." Camio repeated, his words soothing, warming as Kali's eyes became focused and she began to hear what was going on about her. "No one can ever take it from you. You have power now."
Your freedom.
Kali blinked, sucking in a deep breath and releasing it. She felt her shoulders slide back and everything around her calmed. Her hand slid to her hilt, feeling Raum hum beneath her, and she gazed around the coliseum carefully, eyeing the masses of people and spectators.
Letting out a sigh as she realized she'd been roped into more drama, her gaze searched the arena, finding the only possible exits to be the wooden doors which had closed on her. Walking to the center of the arena she eyed the rows upon rows of spectators and realized she was the only one in the arena.
"So he lives!"
"Get on with it then!"
"Show him no mercy!"
"People these days," Kali frowned. "This is why I seclude myself from the world."
"New experiences teach valuable lessons?"
Because I will always need to know how to appease hundreds of blood thirsty Reim citizens.
"Welcoming the crowd favorite, this unlucky fellow is about to meet a horrific fate!" Kali watched in disbelief as the crowd roared with approval, and she heard gears turning as one of the doors rose. "The man of a hundred deaths—the beast in a human body—the beast gladiator Fang!"
Awful name. Kali tensed, watching calmly as the sand before her shifted as heavy footsteps made their way towards her. It's probably just an oversized...
Her stomach dropped when the monstrous figure appeared, indeed resembling a human, but with the bulging muscles and scars lining his entire body, Kali cringed. Thick hair, coarse and mangled fell down his back in a sloppy braid, and bloodshot eyes glared at her from beneath a rusted helmet, blood staining the sides.
Measuring up, she found that she only came up to a little above his stomach, and Kali winced, realizing she wasn't going to get out of this that easy.
I could teleport... Her feet tapped the ground as the cheering grew wild, and her grip on Raum tightened. But I can't reveal such a sight to all these people... that means the metal vessels are out of the question as well.
"I am with you." Camio breathed, and she grinned, sliding Raum from her sash and baring the silver—near golden blade as light shone off, illuminating the dragon running along the blade. A relief, my friend.
"So he'll fight?"
"I give it a minute!"
"Thirty seconds!"
"People really are terrible," Kali mused, tilting her head back to face the beast she called. "Are you really putting up with all of this?"
Her response was a grunt, followed by the resounding shock of his spiked hammer hitting the packed ground. Kali whistled at the small crater, scrunching her nose up at the bloodstains on the weapon. "I guess we can't talk our way out of it."
"Fight!"
"Fight!"
"Fight!"
"I'm a pacifist at heart," Kali sighed longingly, and her grip on Raum tightened and she turned her sword downwards, and in one swift blow her shackles fell to pieces around her. But I guess we have no choice.
"Let the battle begin!"
Before Kali could move, Fang was charging, all hundreds of pounds shaking the earth as he released a brutal bellow. His hammer swung behind him and Kali blinked, gray eyes widening in surprise as he brought the massive weapon over his shoulder and towards her.
"It didn't even last twenty seconds!"
The young girl leapt to the side, using the dusty dirt to slide her off a few more paces before she braced herself by the towering walls, Raum clutched in her left hand. Fang blinked at the destroyed bit of ground him where she should have been and bellowed once more, clearly angered. The crowd cheered wildly as he came charging toward her once more.
If this is all he can do, then this'll be easy. Kali smirked, leaning forward on the tip of her toes before she ducked under another swing and shot her arm up, her sword running through his leg before she pivoted, turning back to face him.
To her dismay, the sword hadn't made too much of an impact, but it did cut deep. But the blood flowing from the wound seemed to be of no bother for the beast of a man simply turned and came running towards her again.
He'll go in for another swing. Kali pushed back against the wall, ready to use it to propel herself forward, hoping it would make a deeper cut. Then I'll swing in from behind—
"My king!"
Kali's eyes widened and she ducked, but not fast enough. The impact of the hammer beside her head grazed her, and she felt a cut appear along her cheek from on of the spikes. The wall crumpled and Kali tumbled forward, picking up her speed and darting around Fang. He's faster than I thought...
The cheers increased and Kali spat on the ground, narrowing her eyes as Fang heaved his hammer from the wall, turning around and glaring at her with wide eyes.
Who would want to fight like this? Kali grit her teeth and staggered back as he surged forward, a crater appearing a few feet before her. Why?
"Some people have no choice." Camio murmured, and Kali eyes narrowed as she ducked to the side. Fang fainted her way and she cursed as the hammer came crashing down beside her, knocking her off to the side and into the wall.
Her body jerked with the impact and Kali grit her teeth, feeling her form rattle from the force of the throw. The crowd erupted into roars and she glanced up through hazy eyes to find Fang lumbering toward her, spiked hammer glinting in the light.
"My king..." Camio began, and Kali smirked, rolling her shoulders. Though her body ached, she let out a deep breath, using the debris from the wall to push herself upwards. If I can conquer dungeons, I can beat this oversized man with a sword.
"But you had the aid of your Djinns..."
"All the more reason why I should be able to do this!" Kali smirked, rushing forward and bringing her sword up in a large arch. Fang's eyes narrowed and he swung his hammer with frightening speed, but she slid across the dirt and under him, swinging her sword around and slashing across his calf.
He let out a loud bellow and she narrowed her eyes at the cut, turning around and charging once more.
"He's fighting back!"
"I'm surprised; it should've been over minutes ago!"
"Crush the ant!"
My king... Kali blinked, skidding across the dirt and dodging a heavy blow. She wasn't quite familiar with the voice, but after a moment, she recognized the warmth flowing through her veins—the fiery passion.
Raum. Kali watched the sword in her hands as she leapt off an upturned statue and brought her sword down across Fang's shoulder, ripping through the tough leather.
"Use me." Kali narrowed her eyes and winced as Fang's foot shot out and caught her, knocking her across the arena. "You asked for my power—use it!"
Not now. The black haired girl launched herself upwards, feeling a spike strike her leg, but her sword swung down on his arm, and she watched as the cut grew deeper. There are too many people around.
"Then we can leave! It doesn't matter—"
Wouldn't that be cheating? Kali felt a flicker of amusement, tempted as she was, some stubborn part of her refused to give in. She would win this battle on her own without relying on any outside help. What's the use of power if I'm not strong enough to stand on my own?
Raum was silent and she smiled, eyeing the cuts she'd already made across Fang. Both arms, his back, and a few on his legs so far. Almost there.
Feeling the sword grow hot in her hands Kali glanced back to the curved blade. Her gaze lingered on it for a moment and she gripped it with both hands, leathery hilt warming her palms almost dangerously fast. Thankful for a moment she brought the blade to her lips and pressed it close, feeling the sword thrum with life and power.
"You granted me the power of a king," Kali's eyes snapped open and she shot forward as Fang let out a loud cry, swinging his hammer down upon her. "Then let me prove my worth!"
She felt several spikes slash through her side like ribbons, but she surged forward and brought her sword up in a final arch, feeling the metal slide through his calves, behind the knees.
There was a moment of silence throughout the coliseum. She could only hear her ragged breathes before Fang shifted, blood hitting the floor. The floor shook when his body hit the ground, hammer slipping from his grip and falling beside him with a thump. The arena was silent, and Kali shut her eyes, propping Raum into the ground to keep her upright.
And then the crowd erupted into cheers. Gray eyes blinked at the ground in front of her tiredly before she glanced upwards, scanning over the hundreds of Reim citizens standing from their seats, pumping their hands into the air as they cheered.
"...agon! ...ack... Dra..."
Kali rubbed her eyes and blinked, focusing on the cheers.
"Black Dragon!"
"Black Dragon!"
How cliché. The girl frowned and paused when Fang's massive body shuddered. She turned to face the fallen body and realized with a breath of relief that he was still alive. Then again, I only cut his tendons... He just won't be able to move for awhile.
"I don't believe it!" Kali allowed herself to pull Raum for the ground, releasing a relieved sigh. "The beast has been defeated! By a newcomer no less! Reim citizens—do you accept your victor?"
Gray eyes snapped open and Kali frowned as hands jutted out, and all of the thumbs turned upwards. Her shoulders relaxed, but it was short lived as a new chant reached her ears.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
"Finish him!"
That's terrible. Kali blew air through her lips, shaking her head as the cheering grew louder. Face impassive she raised her sword, and the cheering grew louder, a chant followed by her new nickname as she hobbled over towards Fang.
The gladiator's eyes met her own and Kali stood before his neck, the tough skin vulnerable to Raum's blade. The bloodshot eyes gazed at her a moment before fluttering close, accepting the fate of defeat.
This world is sickening.
Kali let out a loud and tired sigh, hearing it bounce of the arena as the chants stilled and she slumped to the floor, arms thrown around her sword. Kali gazed around the arena before simply settling back against the heavy gladiator's body and remaining unmoving.
"...fool." She glanced over to Fang, whose eyes gazed elsewhere. "Kill me."
"I don't really feel like it."
"I...see." His chest rose with a heavy breath. "Then they will...kill us both..."
"Won't let it happen." Kali rolled her shoulders, fingers drumming along Raum's blade fondly. Camio had told her of that moment—the one she'd felt when she'd fought just now—when the Djinn truly recognizes you as a king. It was this moment that led to the unleashing of great power. "Promise."
Fang was silent, the great man-beast's ragged breathes were all she could hear until he finally spoke, voice a deep rumble.
"Why?"
Kali paused, her fingers halting their movements as she gazed up at the sky. Evening was creeping in like colors spilled across the blue canvas, a small smile touched her lips and she grinned.
"Why not?"
Armor clinking and chains shuffled reached her ears and Kali's eyes narrowed as soldiers filled the arena, forming a tight knit formation around them. Raum grew hot in her hands and she kept her grip relaxed but ready. The soldiers were silent, spears pointed towards them as the formation closed in.
You lose, you die. Kali sighed, tired of this arena business. You win, you die.
She could hear mix chants through the crowd, some to live, and others to die. Kali knew if push came to shove, she could get her and Fang out of here. It would take a toll on her body, but she could do it. She wouldn't let him die here.
The spears drew a foot nearer and she tensed, coiled and ready to strike.
"Now, now, that's no way to treat our victor here is it?"
You've got to be kidding me. Kali watched in disbelief as the soldiers parted like grass and a single man strode forward. Crimson hair shining in the light, golden armor adorning battle worn muscles, followed by bright eyes and silly grin. "We should be congratulating them!"
"With all due respect," A soldier took a knee and Muu glanced over curiously. "The crowd's wishes should be met."
The Fanalis looked thoughtful, rubbing his chin. "Yes, I suppose they should. But the wishes of our Lady Scheherazade should be met first, no?"
In an instant the soldiers backed down and Kali blinked in faint respect at the man standing before her. She hadn't been wrong with the Sinbad-aura she'd gotten from him it seemed. This man held power.
"You have guts making such a statement here," Muu held out a hand to Kali and she blinked, realizing he hadn't recognized her with the helmet. "But a victor is a victor none the less. Your name sir?"
Kali blinked at the hand owlishly before using her sword to pull herself upwards. Muu blinked, looking faintly surprised by the action and Kali waved him off. "I'd just like someone to point the way out for me, please."
"You're leaving?" Muu looked faintly baffled. "You just won though, surely you'll stay for a bit—who are you again?"
"It's fine." Kali shook her head and took a step back. "I should be going—"
She heard a crack and the rusted helmet above her head snapped, falling clean off her face. Kali blinked as the rusted metal fell about her, black locks tumbling from their confines and around her as she stood.
Muu blinked once, twice, thrice, and then his eyes grew wide like saucers. Kali cursed under her breath and glanced about, trying to see if one of the doors had opened.
"It's a woman!"
"A woman?"
"How can this be?"
"Kali!" Muu's eyes grew wide and a look of excitement came over his face. "What an unexpected twist of fate—to meet you again here!"
"Nice to see you again too." Kali felt her shoulders slump, and she ignored Camio's laughter in the back of her head. "Um... Muu."
"I'm honored to have such a fair maiden remember my name." His eyes shone brightly, and Kali frowned, wondering if she could still make it out of here. "I never would've expected such a fight from a woman such as yourself."
"I never expected to see a man such as yourself again." Kali agreed, and Muu's lips quirked upwards, a look of pleasure crossing his face.
Before anymore thoughts of fleeing could make their way into her mind, a firm hand clasped hers and Kali blinked, looking up through messy bangs as Muu held her hand upwards victoriously. "A cheer for our victor!"
Sure enough, the crowd grew wild, but Kali's gaze remained fixed on the man before her as he smiled, charmingly so as he brought her hand to his lips. She blinked, watching him warily as Muu beamed.
"A victor deserves a reward," Muu's grip was warm, but she sensed the firmness to it—the finality. With a sense of dread she realized she wouldn't be getting away from him that easily, not if he had anything to say about it. "And if you would do me the honor..."
Muu's eyes shone and Kali's relief simpered into despair.
"Allow me to treat you to dinner tonight!"
...She should've headed to some remote island after all.
Even though I plan to focus more using Kouen and Sinbad, I can't help but throw Muu in a little bit. I mean, not only do I love his character, but how can I not? He's right up there when it comes to the powerhouses for their countries. :D
Anyways! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Next one will be the beginning of our adventures in Balbadd, and to Kali's dismay, an unexpected reunion with a certain king, eh?
Hope you enjoyed!
Marshmellow-
-OUT!