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*** Note I – A big thank you to those reading, favouring, following and reviewing my fanfic; it really makes me happyyy~ =') You people are awesome, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter~! =D ***
*** Note II – Disclaimer: All canonical work is under the ownership of their respective creators. All fanworks posted are intended for personal, entertainment and non-commercial use. No copyright infringement is intended. *** I only own the following: My OCs, non-canon places; ideas, events, storylines and plots that are my own and not in the original canon; and, my imagination~ :3 ***
*** Note III – This chapter's title is borrowed from an original soundtrack piece by Audiomachine. Though the actual music itself is a little too epic for this sort of chapter, I found the title, 'Fate's Compass,' to be very fitting for its' contents. =3 ***
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~ 008 – Fate's Compass ~
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"We're all puppets. I'm just a puppet who can see the strings."
~ Doctor Manhattan
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From her perching atop the stairs of the patriarch's abode, Emilia's eyes swept over the vast snowy yard and the fence and gate of pristine white bone surrounding the property. Flames illuminated the snow amidst the early night sky. It was now into the fifth day of June, which meant that Emilia had thus far been gallivanting in this world for five months and five days; five long, eventful months wherein felt as though she had been here for much longer. Today had also been a bit of an eventful day as most of the morning and afternoon were spent with her, Sinbad and Lërynia being given a tour of the entire Imuchakk settlement by Hinahoho and Pipirika. Not long after that, Emilia was somehow roped into the presence of a group of ten young children, who wanted her to tell them a story to satiate their curiosity on what stories were like beyond the borders of Imuchakk's lands. To her own amusement, the girl had settled with regaling the tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. It was a rather appropriate story to share considering this world, after all.
"Emilia!" Boots softy crunching in the snow, Sinbad emerged from the gate with a satisfied grin and light red cheeks from the cold air.
She adjusted the hood from her cloak to see him proper. "Oh, you were exploring the village again just now?"
"I was!" Clearly, the boy was in an ecstatic mood. Jogging up the stairs, he sat a few centimetres by her side on the porch. "I can't get enough of it: The people are a merry bunch; this place is just so effortlessly tranquil; everyone gets along so well in a sense that there are no worries about going to war or those in higher positions betraying the peoples' trust or sense of security . . ." Voice trailing into silence, his smile barely became noticeable.
Holding a small smile, the girl's eyes softened while she watched him. "You're not used to something like this, aren't you, Sinbad?"
His response was a mere gander upon the snow, accompanied by an expression of intense pondering. "You said that you aim to rebuild your life into a better one than the one you had before you were banished from your country, right?" he inquired after a long and silent minute; turning to her once more. "Where do you plan on going?"
Blinking at this sudden change in topic, the girl held this half-sheepish smile. "Well . . . Actually, I haven't really made any detailed, concrete plans about that. However, I do know that I want to go to Reim because, according to Yunan, it's currently at the top of the world with regards to military, technology and economic status, and so it'll give me ample opportunity to start over." Not to mention that it was under the protection of a Magi. "And then once I've got myself sorted out, I'd love to explore the world for a bit. Why the sudden question?"
"Because I aim to do the same thing, only . . . I have a larger goal." The manner of which he was now staring at her abruptly became so bold, so confident. "One so big that I definitely need help with turning it into a reality. And seeing that you no longer have a home, like me, I wonder if you'd like to join me?"
Ah . . . Knowing what was about to come next, she inclined her head to the side in faux confusion. "Do tell me this goal of yours," she encouraged.
Shifting his body to fully face her, he leant his back against the cold, wooden railing. "To change the world. Right its' wrongs; to create a happier world without suffering or corruption. Actually, this has been a dream of mine for a while, but I couldn't act on anything nor did I have a clear path on how to make this happen until Yunan invited me to capture Baal's Dungeon – and it wasn't until we came to Imuchakk and experienced their way of life that my ambitions completely solidified. I aim to create a country to change the world and to become the king of it; a country that connects all others and to bring about a world where all kingdoms and people of different backgrounds are willing to get along and help each other. That way, there'll be no need for things like war."
"Saying something like that so easily – such a naïve little idealist you are," was what Emilia would have admittedly blurted out if she had known nothing of this person, if she had not at all indulged herself with the world of Magi back on Earth. But she did, and so she kept the comment hidden within the deep crevices of her mind. She procured a wide and innocent smile after letting out a light and airy sigh. "Ah, well, doesn't that sound like quite the challenge?"
Sinbad met her expression with a brief chuckle. "Which is why I'm in need of the assistance of different types of people with many skills! And I plan to overcome every obstacle that crosses my path."
"I see." Though her face remained pleasant, her gaze turned firm and daring. "I do wonder if you've considered this, Sinbad: The negatives of the world are, unfortunately, intrinsic to humanity, thus eradicating all wrongs is almost like eradicating humanity itself. So, do you really know what you're doing?" Emilia almost felt bad for uttering that due to Sinbad's visage suddenly morphing into stark shock mixed with this frustrating and desperate anguish swimming within those expressive eyes of his.
"I know. I realize this." He had to admit that he had not at all expected for her to say something as insanely cynical and real as that, but for some odd reason, he liked that she did question him in that regard. "But with the way I've envisioned this, that drastic outcome won't happen. It won't," he emphasized with ardour, more so to himself like some sort of reminder to not lose himself. A near-quiet sigh escaped his mouth and, relaxing his body, he smiled with a fresh wave of determination washing over his being. "Besides, most people strive to do good, anyway. Helping others is much easier to do than fighting against each other."
Smirking, the Otherworlder shrugged nonchalantly. "I guess that's true."
"And I do agree: Eradicating all negativity is sadly not possible, but what is possible is for everyone – especially those in power – to get along so that there won't have to be conflicts. Of course, I don't expect this to happen so quickly. It will take time, effort and many other things, but I will endeavour to see my ambition come true."
"Challenging what people deem 'the unattainable' . . . I don't know; there's something about that which I like," she murmured candidly with both uncertainty and peculiar eagerness.
He smirked; evidently pleased with her straightforwardness despite her seeming mixed feelings that he had sensed from her throughout the conversation. "What say you, little cutie?" he added cheekily.
Mulling over this discussion, Emilia recalled the manga once again and, more specifically, what had happened after that three-year time-skip during the final stage. I'm almost afraid – turning into this god-complexed idiot and brainwashing the entirety of humanity to commit suicide in this "Become one with Rukh" bullshit? Good lord, I really don't want to deal with that! And it really wasn't fair that many people had lost their lives because of it. Although . . . It didn't necessarily help that Arba was hanging around him, nor at the fact that David had resonated with his black Rukh and would have somehow been influencing him to a certain extent, from what I'm trying to remember. And then his desperation was building up and he took this destiny fuckery a little too seriously . . . Hmmm.
Fluffy white flakes proceeded to fall from the night sky; gentle, wispy, and few in number. Tired and a little stressed, the girl pinched the bridge of her nose. "Alright. I'll join you and help out."
Naturally, Emilia had her own reasons for accepting Sinbad's offer: Seeing as he was going to venture into entrepreneurship with his upcoming plans for a trading company, that would indeed be a fabulous opportunity for the girl to build up her way of life in this world. Business, finance and accounting, especially accounting – these were things wherein she held tangible experience in; these were subjects from which she had spent years in school focusing on and studying into depth with, and she would be absolutely damned if she did not take advantage of this opportunity to not only put her career-related skills into great use, but to also build upon them further and grow into more of a professional. Then having a consistent workplace, she would be able to achieve some semblance of her past life with working for Sinbad; she would have a proper place to live and full, well-balanced meals; she need not worry about the lack of a steady flow of income, and she would no longer have to rely on Yunan to the same extent as she had done so when she first came into this world. Joining the young Parthevian's company would also offer her a certain level of protection as well as a plethora of amazing resources, especially when said company will grow over the years. Withal, adventuring to various countries would be a more straightforward process when under the banner of a reputable company. . . Not to mention that the process in searching for Tio's missing son might just become a little easier for her to do.
Upon her answer, Sinbad's face lit up. "I half-expected you to reject my offer, but I'm happy to hear otherwise." He then sniggered in amusement. "But you look so annoyed! What's wrong?"
"Ha, no, I'm just sleepy." She stood up with a yawn. "I was just thinking about things . . ."
He followed suit with a mirthful smirk. "Anything worrisome?"
"No, not really. Anyhow, considering that I've officially joined you, it's only fair that I tell you this now rather than waiting it out." Flinging back the hood from her head, Emilia brought her hand over her shoulder to grip the hilt of her elven-like sword, pulling it free in one fluid motion before hovering the centre of the flat of the obsidian black blade at Sinbad's eye-level. "I am also a Dungeon Conqueror."
"Huh?" Mouth hanging ajar on a blank face, the boy scrutinized the eight-pointed star that was etched into the metal of her weapon. "Wait, what?!" he shouted.
It was then that Baal's star glowed softly, to which Sinbad came to the realization that all of the previous times wherein his Djinn's star mysteriously glowed was because said blue being had sensed the presence of another fellow Djinn. The boy shook his head incredulously whilst the girl's Djinn's star proceeded to glow as a greeting to Baal. "You were a Dungeon Conqueror this whole time?! Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" he demanded with this weirdly impressed feeling.
Finding his reaction kind of cute, Emilia tittered. "And why would I reveal such an important secret so easily to people I didn't know that well at the time?"
"What's wrong, you two? I heard shouting!" Pipirika hollered after opening the front door of her father's house and stepping foot outside.
Jeez, thank you, Sinbad. Emilia had to supress an eye-roll.
"Emilia's a Dungeon Conqueror as well!" Sinbad said; clearly, his brain was still trying to process the fact that he was no longer the only person in the entire world who captured a Dungeon and wielded the power of a Djinn.
Hinahoho's head poked out from the left side of the doorway, and his brows were raised in silent astonishment. "You too, huh?" He seemed to be contemplating something . . .
"When was this?" a sparkly-eyed Pipirika shoved her face in front of the girl's.
Emilia recoiled her head back slightly. "Oh! Uh, shortly after Sinbad conquered Baal."
The boy's thick eyebrows furrowed in suspicion. "That is weirdly specific."
"I mentioned that I lived with Yunan, remember? He tells me things that happen when he's off travelling."
"Who's Yunan?" the Imuchakk siblings queried in sync.
"YUNAN IS A MEANIE!" came Lërynia's screech from deep inside of the house.
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Warming sunlight of a new morning shone on fresh blankets of snow, perceiving the sparkling whites as countless diamonds embedded into ivory fluff.
Emilia woke in the comfort of warm and thick white blankets upon a giant bedding of fur within the bedroom in which Hinahoho shared with all of his siblings (and temporarily Emilia, Lërynia and Sinbad by invitation of his father and sister). Tufts of pretty bright blue hair obscured most of her vision as Hinahoho's slumbering little brothers were cuddled against her chest. Rapidly blinking thrice, she carefully rose her torso and gently ran a hand through her hair.
Good morning, Emi; good morning, Emi, the Rukh chirruped. No more danger; no more danger.
"And what do you mean by that?" she murmured with pursed lips.
Crawling out from under the covers, Lërynia lightly rubbed at her eyes. "Ne, that was a really good sleep . . . Oh yeah, Sinbad talked to me last night after you fell asleep about the conversation you two had."
"You did?" And then she gasped. "Oh, I'm sorry! I made the decision to join him before talking to you about it."
Silvery eyes gleaming, the faerie shook her head with a wide grin. "No, it's fine! It sounds like a lot of fun. Don't worry about asking me about your decisions; I'm the one who decided to follow you around without asking, and I'm only here to see the world beyond the Great Rift."
"But how can you know for sure, Sinbad?" Pipirika's worried voice trailed into the bedroom from beyond the threshold of the doorway.
"I just do. It is hard to explain, but I know for a fact that I won't be dying in a place like this."
The duo sauntered into the room, to which Emilia saluted them with an innocently girlish smile. "Morning!"
"I can't believe you!" the Imuchakk girl fired with her hands planted at her hips, and the little twin boys stirred in their sleep.
The Otherworlder vaguely tilted her head. "Eh, what do you mean?"
"Sinbad was attacked by an assassin from his home country in this very room! He's gone now, but Hinahoho and I were also thrown into the fray. The fact that you and the faerie and my little brothers stayed fast asleep throughout all of that is very confusing."
Tempted to laugh, Emilia merely blinked whilst her mind trailed towards a young ten-year-old Ja'far for a second. "Oh wow, yeah, Lërynia, how did we even sleep through all of that?" she queried airily with a cavalier shrug.
The faerie giggled cheekily. "Ne, but we didn't get hurt or anything, so does it really matter?"
Shaking her head incredulously with closed eyes, Pipirika sighed in irritancy. "Unbelievable. Come on, little brothers!" She kneeled atop the blankets and shook the boys. "You have your schooling."
"But, but, I don't want to!" the groggy older twin groused.
The younger twin stuck out his tongue in disgust. "I want Emi to tell us another story . . ."
"She will after you're done for the day. Let's go!" And Pipirika scooped her reluctant brothers into her arms and carried them out of the room.
"Ne, I smell some good food." Lërynia fluttered after the Imuchakks.
"Don't eat everything!" Emilia warned.
"I won't!"
A humoured Sinbad moved over the blankets. "So, Emilia –"
"No." She narrowed her eyes. "Sinbad, the answer is still 'no'; absolutely, positively no."
"Aw . . ." Pouting, he squatted before her. "But I told you the tale of my Dungeon-conquering adventure. It's only fair that you tell me yours."
She rose an unimpressed brow. "Oh, please, you'd have somehow weeded that into a conversation even if you weren't asked about it. And anyways, you actually loved the whole escapade of capturing Baal's tower."
"And you didn't with your Djinn?"
She did not answer. He held neither smile nor frown, and he was disbelieved at the fact that a person had not felt the overwhelming joy of exploring a mysterious and magical tower like he had. "May I at least know his name? Or is your Djinn a beautiful lady?"
Emilia half-smirked. "Mephistopheles, but he prefers being called 'Mephisto.' He is from the Unnumbered Dungeon."
Intrigued, Sinbad cocked his head to the side. "'Unnumbered?'"
She shrugged. "According to Yunan, each Dungeon has a number. There are only supposed to be seventy-two of them, one Djinn reigning supreme in each of them; but apparently, there's a 'secret' seventy-third with mine."
"Is that so?" Sitting on the bedding, he seemed to be studying her. "You looked a little sad just now."
Not realizing this, she turned her face slightly. "Really? It's nothing. I was thinking about our discussion last night."
"You're not changing your mind about joining me, are you?" he asked; alarmed.
"No, it's not that," she clarified amiably. "I was pondering over your grand ambition and, well, it sounds like it'll be lonely for you."
"What do you mean?" Bamboozled and caught off of his guard with her comment, Sinbad shook his head. "I'll be making many friends, comrades and allies as we turn my plans into a reality – surrounded by people! I won't be lonely."
That's not necessarily the type of loneliness I was referring to. A weak and near-silent laugh flew out of her mouth, and she managed a small and calm smile. "Fine, whatever you say," she faked conceding. "Now could you please get out? I need to change."
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Hmmm, was the horn at its' forehead, or was it a little further down its' muzzle? Contemplating intensely at her drawing of the rampaging unicorn, Emilia bit her lip and twirled the stick of lead between her fingers.
The morning's sun was abruptly blocked out for a couple of moments, and a curious, faintly smiling Hinahoho trudged up the steps of his house. "I believe the horn should be at its' forehead, right between the eyes."
"Well, thank you!" she expressed pleasantly.
"No problem." He sat by her side. "Where is everyone else?"
"Your brothers are already at the village school; your father said something about attending a meeting with the village elders, and Pipirika, Sinbad and Lërynia are still at the marketplace."
The man was silent for the longest five seconds ever. "You didn't want to join them?"
"Ah, no, not this time. I just wanted to be alone; I need to be alone sometimes," she responded with a smile; albeit, she did feel a little defensive. "Is there a problem with that?"
"No, of course not! I'm the same way and I do understand your need for solitude."
"Speaking of which –" She closed her sketchbook. "– I haven't seen you at all until now. Is something wrong?"
Holding a composed visage, the young man shook his head. "N-not wrong, per se . . . I was deeply contemplating something, and I've just decided that I will do it." Determination gleaming in his eyes, he stood whilst pulling out what looked be a letter and ran inside.
With a blank face, Emilia watched him disappear. Was he about to run at full speed towards the Sixth Dungeon, Valefor right now? As soon as she stood upon the porch, Hinahoho made himself known once again; only, his hair had covered his eyes due to his turban being taken off, and his grip around his red rampaging unicorn horn was taut and unwavering. Dropping her sketchbook inside of the house, she scampered after him; her warm cloak lapping at her heels.
Hinahoho ceased his movements once they reached the outskirts of his village. "Sinbad was the one who had defeated that creature. I pretended not to care at first because I couldn't bear to return to my prior life of being at the contempt of others, yet I find that I will be unable to live with myself knowing that my ceremony is undoubtedly a false claim. Conquering this Dungeon myself will give me the opportunity to regain my honour and to truly become a warrior and real man of the Imuchakk Tribe. It's all in a letter that I've left for my father. Emilia, I don't care that you have the power of a Djinn at your disposal – I will go to the Dungeon no matter what and I won't let you stop me," he uttered in a low and dangerously firm tone.
Feigning offense, the girl happily smiled as a sudden feeling of pride for the man swelled within her. "Hinahoho, I have no intention on doing that! Rather, I just want to join you on the journey there."
Relief, so abrupt in this chilly late-morning air, washed over him. Glancing upon her with surprise and gratitude at her understanding, Hinahoho's lips turned upwards. "Thank you."
Emilia jogged after him as he moved quickly along the white earth and in between massive hills. The thick, high snow was no match for his effortless running, and it was easily shoved aside with his movements. Taking advantage of the cleared path, she ran right behind him, yet found that her legs were no match for his longer and more powerful ones. She would have eventually lost him except for the fact that he had spun around absent warning and, jogging back towards her, lifted her up in his strong left arm. "I hope you don't mind? It will be faster this way," he said; barely breaking a sweat.
Time flew as Hinahoho sprinted non-stop. The land seemed like it was getting higher; their ears discerned the hum of a massive waterfall; the Rukh chirped about the Dungeon being close by, and the Imuchakk skidded to a halt when he reached a massive cliff. Emilia bore witness to the wintry, white-and-blue simple yet picturesque sight below them: A waterfall snuggly hugged around the sides and back of a tiny, snow-filled island, the water sparkling akin to the shiniest of crystals; and laying obnoxiously atop said island were a collection of four white buildings that were touched with the palest of blues, their architecture being very Greek-like. It was the complete opposite of the rather fancy and gargantuan towers that were owned by Mephisto and Baal.
It felt like a thousand millipedes were crawling through every crevice of the insides of Emilia's body. The very sight of another Dungeon filled her with overwhelming revulsion and she desired to use Mephisto's power to try and destroy that structure –
"Emilia, you're very tense," the Imuchakk's voice sounded.
Blinking twice, this eerie sense of calm renewed her mind, and she relaxed her grip around his shoulders, her fingernails no longer uncontrollably digging into the man's skin. "Oh . . . Oh my gosh, I'm sorry about that!"
"It's fine. I didn't feel it at all." Holding a friendly face, he turned to his left and half-slid, half-jogged down the hill into a little slip of a path in between a long myriad of massive, cliff-like hills.
The girl bit her lip. "Say, Hina I wonder if you've the right mindset for this Dungeon-capturing business?"
Half-confused, he regarded her for a second. "What do you mean?"
"These places test who you are as person and whether or not you'll actually be able to survive, not how strong of a physical fighter someone is."
"Yes, I . . . I got that impression after finding out that you've captured a Djinn. You and Sinbad aren't warriors and you're mostly still children, but you've managed to succeed in this endeavour. I have good reasons for entering this Dungeon – I think I'll be able to win it."
Hinahoho lowered Emilia to her feet when they reached a slender bridge that stretched across the water, and she lackadaisically followed him to the largest of the four buildings, where a white glow was emitting. Still feeling sick and sneering at Valefor's entrance, she leant her right side against one of the outer pillars as he continued forwards. "Well, may the odds be ever in your favour," she quoted casually.
"Thank you– wait." The man spun around with half-widened eyes. "You aren't coming in with me?"
Smiling joylessly, she loosely crossed her arms. To be honest, the main reason why she had decided to follow Hinahoho was because, from what she could recall from the anime, Yunan had made a quick appearance right by this Dungeon. She really wanted to see Yunan again. "No, I don't see why I'd have to enter in one of those things again. I will not be of much help, anyways. You'll do just fine."
Silently nodding in understanding, an adamant and sweating Hinahoho disappeared through the white glow of the labyrinth's entrance.
Emi is sad; Emi is sad, a few Rukh peeped and landed in her hair. Don't be, don't be!
Her eyes languidly swept the area for Yunan, and the following thirty minutes felt like an odious and uncomfortable eternity. Panting and the harsh crunching of snow suddenly assaulted her ears, along with Sinbad's voice calling out her name. Barely turning herself, he reached her side and took in a deep, relaxing breath. "Hinahoho already went in," he concluded aloud and with some worry. "You didn't want to join him?"
Fuck no. Procuring a half-nervous smile Emilia dispassionately shrugged. "No, I'm allergic to Dungeons."
The boy chuckled. "What? You weird girl."
"I mean, being concerned for Hinahoho and not wanting to miss out on another adventure, I knew you were going to follow us. So, I didn't see the point in me offering my assistance with my Djinn's power knowing that you'd for sure be going in."
He smirked lightheartedly. "True, but are you really that alright with missing out on another fun journey? Aren't you curious about how different this Dungeon is compared to Mephisto's?"
"No," she said flatly; her queasiness growing. "All Dungeons are the same: Dangerous."
"Yes, but . . . You have a Djinn. You have the protection, and I'll be there too. For sure the two of us won't be in any real danger. Admittedly, though, Baal's Dungeon was surprisingly easy for me."
Annoyance began to grow within her. "Thank you but I'm f-fine. I'll just return to the village and wait for you two to come back."
"And where's the fun in that?" Sinbad smiled stubbornly and, snatching her wrist, he started towards the white glow. "Come on!"
"Let go!"
"I'm sure Hina will be thrilled to have two experienced individuals helping him out."
"Sinbad, please –"
"It'll just be a fascinating, fun breeze for u–"
"Well, lucky for you that Baal's fun experience wasn't a traumatic murder-fest!" Emilia yelled lividly.
That had finally caught his attention.
"I told you that I won't be going inside that damn thing, so why are you ignoring my stance, here?!" She managed to twist her wrist free from his grasp. "I never even wanted Mephisto, but my circumstances forced me to capture him. But after that? I've absolutely no intention on setting one foot inside another one of those fucking disgusting, accursed and ugly cesspools of death and false hope! I can't even stand the sight of one, so why did I even follow Hina here? I must be insane!" She let out a brief and harsh laugh. "To hell with all of it!"
Disquieted and shocked, Sinbad frowned when he softly scrutinized her anguished face, her eyes filled with such anger and unbridled fear – a look he had never seen on her before. She had taken a step back and turned her body to the side, but her face she had lowered and turned completely away from him. Her uttering a "No" to swimming and then reluctantly agreeing to Pipirika's instructions was one thing, but this was utterly different. Adventure was one of the Parthevian's long-time and greatest loves and so he was unable to fully understand why someone would not be interested in it; he merely assumed that Emilia's prior disinterest in anything related to Dungeons was nothing serious, and he did not like the feeling of excluding a friend in these otherworldly escapades. Clearly, however, her vision on a Dungeon was the complete opposite of his due to their varying experiences, and his elation blinded him from fully paying attention to her. He felt silly for himself.
Tentative, he rose a hand; her hair barely tickling it as he brought it to her shoulder, but he immediately retracted it when she spun right around and half-whispered, "I'm sorry."
Clearing her throat, she repeated her apology in a clearer tone. Though her eyes held no tears, she sniffled, and her cheeks were tinted with pink. "I apologize for screaming at you like that. I feel terrible, I don't like doing that."
"No . . . No, it's fine." A bit incredulous at her apologizing first even though he had started it, Sinbad scratched the back of his head. "Seeing how I behaved, it was a necessary action. I'm sorry for forcing you to come with me; I should have payed attention instead of having my excitement take over me." Admittedly, this did further pique his intrigue on the girl's Djinn-capturing exploit. "I'll go find Hinahoho now."
"Sinbad?" her voice sounded after he took three steps, and he pivoted around.
"What is it?"
Emilia held an encouraging smirk. "Go conquer the fluffy puppy."
"'Fluffy puppy?'" Rolling his eyes, an amused half-smile donned his lips.
"You'll see!" Her smirk dropped as soon as the boy disappeared into the white light, and she leant her body against the pillar once again.
For the first time in a little over a week, Mephisto made himself known within the forefront of her mindscape. Hahaha, 'Fluffy Puppy' was my nickname for Valefor back on Alma Torran! he exclaimed with such glee.
Emilia was startled at his unexpected return to her consciousness. Hey, you. It's been some time.
Indeed it has, and I am utterly embarrassed at myself for my mongrel toddler behaviour, her usually-haughty Djinn confessed in a respectful yet irritated tone. I angrily complained about being summoned in an era wherein currently had two people who owned abilities that reminded me of David's, and I had expressed it in such a way that I was blaming you and Yunan for it. Ha, as if the two of you have control over these matters! But you do not and that was quite asinine of me. I must offer my apologies.
I forgive you. Her chest felt a happy warmth. It was an interesting feeling at listening to her Djinn speaking in this humbling sort of way. I mean, yes, you didn't have to go that far, but I do understand why you had felt that way.
As I understand why my little King is unsettled at my uncanny resemblance to David. To put you at ease, I shall inform you that 'Mephistopheles Jehoahaz Abraham' is my full name.
Her eyes widened. Was it in alarm? Was it in eagerness to know more? You are David's brother, then? she surmised.
Yes. And no. He sounded to be in longing, swimming deep into his memories. Tell me, what do you know of Arba's birth?
Uh . . . David created her . . . I don't know how. Super-advanced magic, I assume?
That is not important, Mephisto brushed off curtly, to which Emilia pouted. But it is satisfying to hear that you are aware of at least a slight modicum of that method of life-creation.
David created you, then?
Yes; hundreds of years prior Arba's existence, when he was still young. Unlike that mongrel traitor, however, David created me in his very own image. A pause. "Ah, is this what it is like to have a brother? I shan't be lonely anymore, I don't think," was the very first thing he had said to me as soon as I gained a consciousness and became aware of my surroundings and existence. His voice became firm. But you need not worry. I am not David . . . At least, I try not to be. It works most of the time.
Inwardly processing this information, the Otherworlder's pupils caught a black Rukh flittering as though it were in a teasing dance. Flapping across her eyes and to the side of her shoulder, it trailed to the Parthevian Empire's robed court magician, who stood a mere ten feet away from her with a shiny golden magician's staff in hand. The entirety of the newcomer's head and body was covered, save for the tips of her fingers that can barely be seen from under the hem of her long and wide sleeves as well as a pair of light grass-green eyes that were framed by long and luxuriously thick dark lashes.
"Your Rukh are exquisite . . . Foreign . . . Odd; somewhat like the Wandering Magi's, but not quite," the mysterious woman murmured gently as she glued her pupils into Emilia's; staring and staring and staring so very fixedly into what felt like her soul akin to a lioness ready to pounce –
"Lady Falan!" a deep voice resonated and Drakon in his military garb stepped beneath the roof of the building, his golden armoured boots procuring quite a bit of noise. "Please, let us not tarry– you." He narrowed his yellow-golden eyes in the girl's direction.
Releasing an anxious breath that she had been subconsciously holding, the sight of the dark green-haired boy had Emilia smirking for no reason. From the distance, she discerned little Ja'far and the other two assassins from Sham Lash (whose names she had forgotten) making their way over the bridge and onto the miniature island. "Good day, Lord Dragul of Many Names. You look much better than before."
He did not appreciate how her voice seemed to have an undertone of mockery; and whether it really was mockery, or it was actually a light tease, he cared not. "My Princess told me of you," he said flatly with straightened lips.
"I hope she mentioned the part where I explained multiple times that I'm not a Reiman spy? Or the fact that I've never been to Reim in my entire life thus far?"
Judging by his expression, Drakon seemed like there was quite a bit in which he would like to say. Instead, he settled with: "All foreigners running around in a country at war are suspicious to a certain extent. You could have come quietly and specified your situation in court. You mostly look Reiman, and I believe that the higher officials would have included you in an exchange of prisoners with Reim."
She almost snorted out a laugh. "No. That's what they would publically say, but at least one of them would have used their influence to lock me up. Steal my valuables and maybe give away the items that wouldn't be worth much to them. I most likely would have been made a rape slave, too," she breathed out distastefully.
Hand lazily resting upon the gold pommel of his somewhat slender sword, Drakon's face contorted in shock, revulsion and anger. He clearly had more to express, but he once again kept his response short: "You deign to question the honour of my fellow nobles, especially the higher lords and ladies?" he demanded pompously with a strained expression.
Procuring a faint shrug, a wry smirk claimed Emilia's lips. "Not questioning their honour – I'm denying its' existence until I see proof otherwise."
Signaling the arrival of the assassin trio, a harsh and cruel laugh sounded from Ja'far's mouth, which had tattered white bandages wrapped around it. Black at first glance, the bright sunlight revealed that his irises were just a very, very dark grey, and his short silver-white hair was dirty, shaggy and unkempt. Freckles decorated his cheekbones and his paler skin made him look like more of an albino compared to Emilia. "Ha! Of course you can never trust those rich fucking pigs! Useless wastes of space," he spat with this crazed gleam in eyes that were dulled with murderous intent.
Drakon's lips twitched downwards. "You will do well to watch your words, assassin."
"Shut up! I don't take orders from you. Magician, are we killing this girl? We saw her with that damn Sinbad in your crystal ball."
Biting her lip, Emilia felt a chill uncomfortably stabbing her spinal cord, and her gaze fell on the other two assassins for a moment: They were both tall, but one was even more so with scars along his torso and arms; his body built like a tank. Thick black hair trailed down to just below his buttocks, his eyes were white, and the rest of his face was hidden. The other young man owned a long scar that snaked across his cheeks and over the bridge of his nose; and though his body was of slender build, well-toned muscle accentuated it from the long years of working as an assassin. His slanted eyes were a piercing dark red, and his short and messy hair held a unique and rather lovely shade of pale purple.
Daintily, the court magician shook her head at Ja'far's question and spoke in a very soothing voice wherein contrasted with an undertone of absolute command, "No. She is nothing and we mustn't waste any more time."
Drakon gaped. "But she –!"
"She is nothing, boy," the woman repeated menacingly before proceeding towards the Dungeon's entrance with an exasperated Drakon then speed-walking after her and was immediately followed by a voiceless and eager Ja'far.
"Don't accept anything she gives you," Emilia found herself uttering as soon as the older assassins walked after the group, and the fair-haired man spared her a curious yet blank gander.
"Huh? Whatever."
Supressing the childish desire to stick out her tongue, she released a shaky breath whilst the last of the group was consumed into the entrance's light. Jeez, how rude. Not like they'll actually consider my warning, anyways . . . Hmm, Falan, Falan, Falan . . . Wait, is this the very same Falan from Alma Torran?
Yes, mongrel, the one and only Falan from Al-Thamen, an unimpressed Mephisto seethed.
Not expecting this, she touched an index finger to her lower lip. Falan was not in Solomon's New World during Labyrinth of Magic, so how exactly was she killed and when did it happen? A gasp soon escaped from her mouth when a warm and tender hand abruptly took her wrist and, before long, she was standing upon the snowy cliff that overlooked the island with Valefor's Dungeon. "Yunan!"
Hello, Yunan; hello, Yunan, her Rukh chirped jubilantly, to which his ethereal spirit birds replied in kind.
"Hello, little one," a peppy Yunan greeted, although there was a solemn glaze within his light blue irises. "Hmm, I should have snatched you away before that Al-Thamen magician approached you. I'm sorry for the wait."
Politely, she waved his apology away, and her prior disgust and queasiness at standing before a Dungeon slowly began to dissipate because such was the nature of Yunan's tranquil and sane presence. "It's alright! Nothing really happened. She still doesn't know anything about my origins."
A ghost of a frown marred the Magi's lips. "Let us hope it stays that way."
She crossed her arms. "I'm sure it will if you don't throw me into the heart of Al-Thamen-controlled territory again," the girl commented with only a mere hint of sardonicism.
"Ah, I must apologize – I thought that I used enough power to have you land in Reim, yet it seemed to have fallen short. But you are alive and well here, and that's all that matters!" he finished cheerily, accompanied with an audaciously playful grin. And then touching her Metal Vessel, a Djinn began to materialize.
Mephisto glowered superciliously towards Yunan. "Must you make a habit of summoning me in disgraceful weather?" he complained. "This cold is too much; my skin will dry up considerably!"
With a wide smirk, Emilia rolled her eyes. "It won't since you're not going to be out here for long, my good diva."
The platinum blond-haired man laughed airily. "But do you not miss this? I remember from a long time ago that you absolutely loved it whenever I had let you free to be able to physically take in all the airs and sights of the world's wonders."
A hint of pleasant surprise flashed across the blue being's handsome face, a small smile threatening to form; and sticking his chin up a little too arrogantly, his pupils focused beyond the mountain-filled horizon. "I thank you for remembering, young one." Shrinking his size down to a mere eight or nine feet in height, he began to float across the snow to indulge his eyes with more sceneries.
"Say, Yunan," Emilia began curiously after a silent minute. "Where are you from? I know you said that you're not really up to sharing much about your personal life for now, but may I at least know where you're from? Is your birth kingdom still around?"
"It is alright, little one." Wistfulness took his countenance and his lips stabilized at neither smile nor frown. "The land still very much exists, but the empire has long faded." After an inaudible sigh, he suddenly turned to her; filled with energy. "Once, there was a young man!"
The girl blinked.
"He hailed from a great empire, one of world's earliest, but he was one day framed for the murder of a nobleman's eldest son. Tragic as he had no proof of his innocence, he managed to flee before he could be imprisoned –"
"What about his family?"
"All had died before then to natural causes. Of the man's friends, only a select few believed that he was not guilty, and so one of them gifted him with a little boat. Taking it, he escaped across the ocean, but was soon caught in a violent and raging storm. He lost consciousness; he thought he had died, but then he later opened his eyes to a completely unfamiliar land filled with different types of people. There was a beautiful young women gazing down at him, for she had been tending to his wounds . . ."
"Wait, is this how your father met your mother for the first time?" Emilia smiled in inkling.
"It is!" he replied cheerily with nostalgia written all over his young face. "The framed man, my father, hailed from the Empire of Babylic. The woman who found him, my mother, came from the neighboring Maledonyan Kingdom, which would soon later become the Empire of Maledonya. I was born there."
Sheer fascination claimed Emilia's spirit. She had known of this 'Empire of Babylic' due to a few historical scrolls that the Magi had kept within his library at his cozy yet somewhat cramped abode. Upon reading said writings a few months ago, she had concluded that the Babylican Empire was Magi's equivalent of the Babylonian Empire. However, this was the very first time that she had heard of an 'Empire of Maledonya' – either Yunan did not own any scrolls or books detailing that civilization, or he did but kept them hidden for no one to read. 'Maledonya' did sound like 'Macedonia,' though . . .
"Well, you have certainly captured my attention," the Otherworlder confessed.
Yunan tittered; his eyes still holding onto a stark yearning. "I am glad! But that shall be it for the time being."
"Yes, that was indeed a fairly intriguing tale," Mephisto commented smoothly with a smirk and raised eyebrows; only just sneaking up behind the duo. He seemed like there was a lot on his mind . . . "Now send me away, Magi! This offensive cold is becoming too distasteful for my great self."
Emilia rolled her eyes with a faint scowl whilst a smirking Yunan dematerialized the demanding Djinn. A few seconds later, her visage softened, and she wrapped her arms around the man's waist and leant the left side of her face against his chest. "Don't look puzzled like that, Nan. You looked like you needed a hug; therefore, I will give you a hug."
With a tender and grateful gaze, Yunan felt at peace. Wrapping an arm around her torso, he wove the slim fingers from his other hand through her light tresses. "I shall return you to the village," he murmured lightly.
A flurry of Rukh twittered; the calming Magi was gone, and Emilia stood before the stairs to the Village Patriarch's house.
Pipirika – who had her back to her and was about to cross the threshold of her home – caught sound of the girl's boots and turned around. Lërynia was settled atop her bright blue head. "You're back! You didn't go inside the Dungeon with them?"
"No; with Sinbad with your brother, they'll be perfectly alright." She sauntered up the stairs. "You don't seem as worried?"
The Imuchakk weakly chuckled. "I was considerably so earlier, but my father talked to me about it, so I feel a lot better now. Mostly."
The faerie's wings flapped happily. "Ne, that's the spirit!"
"It's strange, though . . ."
"Which part?" Emilia queried.
"Sinbad's behaviour. Right before he left, he looked so . . . So resolute and determined and confident about his decision to go help Hinahoho; his eyes were so intense, hard, and it unsettled me for a moment." Eyes sparkling and softly smiling, a pale pink blush tinted Pipirika's cheeks. "It's hard to believe that he's only one year older than me – he's already such a strong man!"
Oh my god, she's going through her 'I-have-a-crush-on-Sinbad' phase right now! About to laugh, Emilia smacked a hand against her mouth to prevent her from doing as such.
Snapping out of her daze, the Imuchakk narrowed her eyes slightly. "Hey, Emi, why are you smirking like that?!"
"Ohhhh, nothiiiiiiiing," Emilia singsonged mischievously with a casual bounce in her step. A shared glance with a smirking Lërynia told her that the humanoid was thinking the same thing.
"Fine, keep your secrets." Pipirika pouted. "Now let's go swimming. That should clear my mind a little more."
Emilia's heart skipped a beat. "You can swim, Rika, but Lërynia and I will have to sit it out."
"Why– oh." Crossing her arms, Pipirika had nearly forgotten that the girl and the faerie did not have bodies that would be able to tolerate chilly water, like an Imuchakk's body would. "AHA!" she exclaimed so very loudly absent any warming, which had the girl and the faerie recoil back. "Let's go to the hot springs, instead!"
". . . You have hot springs?" the former asked with obvious interest.
"Yes, they are very beautiful hot springs! And then you can tell Lërynia and me another story. I enjoyed that one the other day with the man and those thieves, but I really liked that Morgiana character!"
Emilia only tittered in amusement.
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*** After Note I – I MISSED WRITING YUNAN SO MUCH! *cries a river* Anyways, feel free to drop a review and let me know what you think~! :D ***
*** After Note II – Just some quick notes about the scene with Yunan: Of course, I couldn't resist incorporating a bit of worldbuilding to the more ancient years of Solomon's New World, especially as it pertains to Yunan since I have him as a major character and he has been around for hundreds of years considering that he's currently living his ninth life. So yeah, as it was mentioned in the narrative, I have added the Empire of Maledonya (Macedonia) and the Empire of Babylic (Babylonia) as two of the earliest empires and earlier world superpowers of Solomon's New World. Now, there will undoubtedly be some historical inaccuracies (when you compare them to our earth) that I'll choose to write/not to write and, in true DeLacus fashion, I will be perfectly honest with everyone: I don't care. =D *chuckles* Now I feel bad for sounding like that just now. xD What I mean is that I don't see the point of being completely historically accurate considering that Magi takes place in a fictional fantasy world that also just happens to be greatly inspired by our earth's history. Besides, not even Ohtaka Shinobu herself is 100% historically accurate with everything and, honestly speaking, why would she want to be? It's a fictional fantasy world, after all, have fun! (~*O*)~ ***
*** After Note III – Sooooo . . . I mentioned that I'm having Babylic be one of Solomon's New World's earliest empires, but I haven't said anything about creating a Magi equivalent to the Sumerian (or Akkadian) Empire or even the Assyrian Empire since they became empires in Mesopotamia before Babylonia had its' turn to become one (although the City of Babylon had already been around for quite a long-ass time). This is because that due to the manner of which Ohtaka had presented Alma Torran, I am basically interpreting its' human civilization up until David's defeat as being a "magic-infested Sumerian Empire," and then Solomon becoming a king up until Al-Thamen pulling their shit as being a "magic-infested Assyrian Empire." But yeah, that's just the way I'm seeing Alma Torran when I'm trying to determine which of Earth's earliest major civilizations it could somewhat be. \(OwO)/ ***
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