"Ra, stay still please." I pleaded to Laura as she grumbled on a stretcher, since her ribs were broken there was a huge chance she might have another attack, but we can't afford one right now.

"I can't, Ithnan is still out there. Who knows what else he might be planning?" the way she spoke about the masked magician made me want to ask a bunch of questions, especially her outburst earlier but right now we had pressing matters to deal with. Like some kind of death curse for example.

But the magic of this world is composed of formulas, like some kind of science experiment so it was almost impossible for 'curses' to exist.

"You spoke to Ithnan like you knew him." Sinbad's voice silenced everyone's chattering as we all waited for Laura to reply.

"And if I did? Would you send me far, far away from your kingdom? Why don't you just kick me and Ethan out of Sindria? After all there's a whole lot of reasons! Ethan has Judal for a brother, I'm acquainted to Ithan and the both of them are connected to Al-thamen. Or are you going to keep us since we're both connected to the two? Ethan could convince Judar to fight for your side! I could provide information about Ithnan! Well?"

The silence after her outburst was sickening, I couldn't blame the others looking at us warily but I just wished Laura wouldn't always be so blunt all the time. She had a point though, everyone except Alibaba and Aladdin knew that.

I glanced at Sinbad, his look darkened and the supposed curse at the side of his face just made him more intimidating than ever.

"What should we do about this?" I was thankful for Alibaba's breaking the ice and changing the subject as he gestured to his arm where the 'curse' was at. The other generals crowded around him and inspected his arm, I could see how Sharkkan was frustrated and a bit angry at the background along with Spartos.

"What a shame to allow this to happen in our presence.." the other generals looks darkened.

"Don't panic." We all looked at the King in surprise whose look has changed into a calm one and I could only notice how Laura's lips pursed below me.

" 'Curses' don't exist. This is most likely some sort of magic, right Yamuraiha?" I knew it! Yamuraiaha who was holding his cursed arm agreed.

"Yes, this is magic. This black bruise it works because of magic, if this is magic then I'm sure there is a way to cancel it."

"That's great!" but I didn't rejoice as I silenced them.

"Problem is, do you even know what kind of magic is this?" because if she didn't then she can't even at least guess the formula for this magic.

"I've never seen such magic like this, it's a magic that attacks other people's magoi! I have no idea what orders of formula that made this magic work. For a magic complex as this, only the person who cast it would know how to undo it."

"Its still magic though, there must be a way to undo it." We all looked at Laura in concern, even speaking looked like a burden for her.

"Since you're certain that this is magic, there must be a way to undo it, right?" I glanced at Aladdin, a bit worried on how determined his eyes looked.

"Y-yes."

"Then I will undo it, I won't let you two die from such a tragic magic!" No one's dying here kid, not on our watch.

Sinbad started to stand up and faced Yamuraiha

"In any case, Yamuraiha suppress the magic on Alibaba for the moment."

"Bu-"

"How about you? You think you can handle this 'curse'" though Laura's tone was a bit sharp and bitter it was obvious she was also concerned.

"Yeah, well….I'm alright." How can you be alright? Your rukh might turn black any moment, but why does it look like half of the generals didn't have a clue what he was saying while the other half just stared at him, as if knowing exactly what was he talking about.

"Well then, there's only one thing for me to do. Yamuraiha."

"Yes?"

"Prepare the teleportation magic circle."

Was he planning on following Ithnan? We all watched in silence as Yamuraiha and Sinbad disappeared in a room. After a few moments Yamuraiha came back and Aladdin immediately asked questions.

"Eh? Where's mister Sinbad?" Yamuraiha smiled as he gestured for me and Aladdin to follow, I obliged but not before I sent a smile towards Laura who just nodded as if telling me to go on. The room we entered was pretty wide, it was a bit dark but the large magic circle on the floor lit the room up a bit.

"This is a transfer magic circle." She pointed to the circle composed of triangles and circles.

"Transfer magic circle?"

"That's right. You asked me where King Sinbad disappeared to, this is the answer." But where the hell would this thing take him?

"There are two kind of barriers that cover this country." My ears perked up at that, after I heard something about a barrier covering the country I was kind of curios on how it worked.

"One is used to identify and hinder our enemies, that is the defensive barriers."

The barrier let us in, so that means me and Laura weren't enemies. Did freckles know about this, because I would be pissed as hell if he did.

"And the other one is a barrier that tracks the position of an enemy that was able to trespass into our kingdom. It can also transfer anyone to the enemy's location within a range of 200 kilometers around the main island. That's the transfer magic circle."

Me and Aladdin stared at her in amazement.

"Is something like that even possible?!" Aladdin exclaimed

"It's something the king and I completed to protect Sindria, it is a magic I take great pride in!"

"You really are a genius magician Yamuraiha!" I couldn't help but compliment as she blushed, but really I was amazed. She could do magic tools that could store magoi, and a huge barrier that can protect the country.

But, doesn't that take a whole lot of magoi? Sure she may have a huge amount of magoi but the barrier also needs a huge amount of magoi. At this rate….

Although he had been confidently smiling in front of Ithnan, the 'curse' was spreading across his body he had managed to endure it in front of the others but right now he couldn't help but grunt in pain.

Ithnan who was floating just in front of him was laughing maniacally

"From the moment you were given that curse, you became a doll I can manipulate at will! Watch! The black rukh that propagate in that bruise are my servants!"

His rukh was having a battle, he clutched his head in pain, well that may be what Ithnan may view him as. Suffering from his 'curse'.

"Let's see…how much black rukh were raised inside your body?"

He hid his smirk as the restless rukh around him were slowly calming down, he really didn't want to do this, or use it for that matter. But he reminded himself that this man had almost tried killing Laura and the others twice. If it weren't for him then Alibaba wouldn't have the same 'curse' and Laura wouldn't be wounded and maybe continued as a whiny drunk.

The dark rukh was being absorbed as his bruise was starting to disappear, he looked at Ithnan in a mocking smile as the magician looked at him in shock and also perhaps panic.

Half of his Djinn equip was shrouded by a dark mist

"So that was the 'curse' huh? Unfortunately this body is already cursed. Your curse wasn't as strong enough to take over."

He raised both of his arms as wind magi began to materialize on both of his palms making huge tornadoes as it began to push Ithnan a little bit farther.

"You're already halfway fallen?!"

Ah really if Ithnan wasn't busy stating the obvious then he would at least think of escaping, not that he would allow it to happen.

"I didn't want to use power of this side but." He raised both of his arms and clasped it above his head, the words of magic leaving his tongue.

"Foraz Zora!"

The force of the two tornadoes had hit Ithnan full on destroying a part of an island just below them, he dropped down on a beach releasing his equip as he glared at the doll lying on the sand. Picking it up memories of Laura being hit by the magician's magic resurfaced.

Honestly he couldn't do anything about what Laura just said about him. 'Protecting my country' wasn't enough to justify for his actions, he knew that, Ja'far knew that heck even Ethan agrees. But defeating Al-thamen was a goal ever since he encountered them in his youth, ever since that incident… But it had hurt coming from her.

"No one in Al-thamen will be spared." He crushed the doll in his hands, smiling a bit. "You are not needed in the future of this world." The fragments of the doll spilled from his hands.

"Aren't you no better than Al-thamen?"

It wasn't the first time he would encounter someone who didn't agree with his methods, most of the generals knew what his true nature had become through the years, but its just as Ja'far says, he chose this path and he had no choice but to continue forward even if it meant hurting himself.

"Hey Laura, are you sure you want to watch this?"

The glare I gave Sharkkan was enough for him to know what my answer is. My palms were getting cold and sweaty as I stared at Alibaba who was placed in a magic circle, but no matter how Yamuraiha and Ethan try to suppress the 'curse' spreading it had already covered most of Alibaba's body.

Alibaba had been writhing in pain for the past hour and I couldn't help but bite my lip harder than intended.

"This is bad, the magoi of the caster took shape and is going wild inside his body." The more Alibaba writhed, the more Yamuraiha and Ethan held onto their staffs

"Can't we do anything?!"

"It's difficult, the magoi from Ithnan is spreading into every corner of his vital organs." Ethan explained as he let out a huff

"If we aren't skilled enough when we make our move, he could die! There isn't a way to remove just the enemy's rukh from his body!"

Dread was hitting me and Sharkkan who was supporting me tried rubbing my back in comfort but I could see how much he clenched his fists, worried about his student.

"It would be different if we could enter directly into his body.." Yamuraiha trailed off and I could notice how Aladdin and Ethan shared a look.

I could already feel a tear trying to make it's way out. Alibaba might not be the best King candidate around but….he was the reason I picked up the sword, I've learned to believe in myself a bit and not be that anxious of Ethan's talents. He spent weeks patiently teaching me and he had even called me a part of his family. The thought of him dying was something I couldn't stand.

"What's Alibaba's situation?" a booming voice made us all look up

"Sinbad.." It was supposed to be a whisper but the room we were in was wide and almost bare making my voice echo. The 'curse' was absent on his body as he cast a glance at me but immediately passed over me and kneeled in front of Alibaba's body.

"I see…but the advancement of the 'curse' is slow, is it because the both of you are supressing it?"

"Ethan is providing some magoi…..but that's not the only thing, Alibaba's own body…his resistance to this 'curse' is stronger than normal. I wonder what it is?"

Strong resistance or not, his body was already close to be covered completely.

"But if the situation continues like this, things will get bad. The curse grows by drawing from Alibaba's magoi. If we aren't careful, that man could be revived by feasting on his body."

I could already taste metal on my tongue, as Sharkkan hissed for me to stop biting my lip.

"Aladdin, you can help Alibaba right?" Sinbad asked as Aladdin's look was hesitant. "You are a magi, you have special power when it comes to things regarding the rukh."

But he didn't use it, was he wary?

"You still have a mysterious power you haven't shown us, right?" That look, why haven't I noticed it before?

"Use it to save your friend!" Aladdin looked at Ethan who just exhaled, as if he didn't know what to to do either. But when he cast a look on Alibaba his eyes were determined.

"I understand." Standing up he raised the both of his arms.

"SOLOMON'S WISDOM!"

The rukh was noisy as it swept all over the room, there were all chattering and the room was lit up by a torrent of pure white rukh. It was blinding to say the least.

"What the heck is happening?!" Sharkkan was shouting and staring at Alibaba's slightly floating body, wide eyed. The only one who didn't seem to be surprised was Ethan who was just trying his best to keep his hair down.

Suddenly the rukh had calmed down and Aladdin fainted as Sinbad caught him.

"His consciousness has been completely transferred into the rukh's world." Yamuraiha said as she stared at Aladdin in shock.

"Ra? Your lip is bleeding.." Ethan called out as he stared at me exasperated, rubbing a thumb over them, it was indeed bleeding as smudged blood was on my thumb. I looked at it with an indifferent expression.

I've already broken my ribs twice, what could a bleeding lip even compare to that?

"Take care of yourself more won't you?" I wanted to snap at Sinbad but seeing him holding Aladdin in his lap I didn't have the will to do so.

Suddenly the magic circle brightened up as we all took a look, Alibaba's face was getting clearer and the curse was getting weaker. A little bit of hope and relief washed over me, whatever Aladdin was doing I could only hope that it would save Alibaba.

The rukh was manifesting once again, as Sharkkan tried his best to shield me from it. My breathing was already uneven and my head was starting to hurt more than ever. It was a miracle I managed to stay conscious at this point.

"The bruise vanished…"

"Did Aladdin succeed?!"

Pushing Sharkkan aside I couldn't help but drop down in relief, fainting completely.

The wound on my shoulder was healing fast thanks to some kind balm that freckles had sent through one of the maids. It's not that he avoids me nowadays, he actually greets me whenever we cross paths but this time he wouldn't even look at me in the eye.

Laura was unconscious through the week and according to Yamuraiha she would only manage to stay awake for a few minutes, she also had an attack yesterday which caused me to feel a bit restless last night since Yamuraiha advised that I should try to recover as well and sent me early to bed.

I let out a sigh and rewrapped my bandages.

"Ooh I didn't know you had a fit body." I dropped the bandages in accident as it plopped down on the floor, slowly I turned around just to see Judar inviting himself through the window of my room.

"What are you doing here?" my hands were itching for my staff but it was leaning just by the window, six feet from where I was standing. Judar, smiled and plopped down my bed.

"Relax, I just want to know more about you, nii-san~" I crossed my arms, giving him a sceptical look.

"Like hell I'd believe that, you just waged war with this country but you still had the guts to come here." But then again you're my relative so I won't be surprised.

"I'm serious!" he grabbed a peach from the fruit bowl placed on my nightstand. "You're a pretty interesting guy! Your magoi isn't that bad and from your staff it seems like you're a swordsman too. But are you really serving that idiot king?" He chewed on the peach

"Not by choice" I mumbled just loud enough for him to hear

"Why don't you join my empire then? You're a pretty strong guy, I'm sure Kouen and those geezers won't mind since you're my brother."

I could tell he was serious, the glint of those eyes were just like mine.

"Yeah sure, go straight to the heart of the group that fucked up my life." Instead of getting angry like I expected him to be, his smile got wider.

"Eh~ so you're going to take revenge is that it? That can cause you to fall you know! But if you come to my empire then it'll be easier you know~ I'll even help you."

Ah, damn. I couldn't tell if he wants to help me to create chaos or because we had the same reasons.

"Still no, go back to Kou. I can do my revenge on my own, you just have to sit back, relax and wait for your nii-san to save your ass." I grabbed a breastplate and some gauntlets.

"Pfft! You really are my brother! Save me? I don't want to be saved nii-san~ I'm not like you who still can't get over from the past, exacting revenge won't bring them back you know."

"You haven't met them so I won't be surprised if you don't hold any attachments to them, but believe me when I say that I will save you. People may paint you as cruel and merciless but I do know that you still have some humanity left there." His look changed as he raised a brow at me.

"Will you really think of that after you knew all the things I've done?" his tone was the same from earlier, I looked at him straight in those red eyes.

"Yes, even if you destroyed a country." And I wouldn't be surprised if you did. "I won't blame you, Al-thamen did this to you, if they haven't interfered with fate then you might end up being a great magi."

He let out a laugh

"And here I thought that you would be interesting, you sound just like that chibi! Always preaching about fate and destiny." He suddenly raised his wand and for a second I thought he was going to attack but he just floated out of my room.

"Well, my offer still stands, but if you insist then I guess I'm gonna end up killing you too nii-san~" he disappeared and I bet a whole lot of people would panic if they found out he breached the barrier twice.

He sure was a twisted person, but I can't blame him. He experienced something much, much worse than I've endured, I bet he was also forced to fall. Which just makes me determined to destroy that organization, even if I die for it.

Damn, what am I even thinking? Grabbing the rest of the armour I strode outside of my room, I shouldn't keep a lady, especially a princess wait.

"Bilqis, don't you remember that those creatures treated us as cattle in the past? They're uncivilised! It's up to us to control them! Its of higher honor to be in the presence of the divine stave, let alone touch it!" the little girl with pink hair straight hair scolded the girl who was identified as Bilqis. Bilqis had the same features as the girl who was scolding her except her pink hair wasn't as long or straight, it was wavy and just reached her shoulders.

"But Sheba, how can we know that? We aren't even allowed to go outside…" Bilqis trailed off as Sheba glared at her.

"Why else would we be kept inside? It's to protect us of course! Now stop being so stubborn and let's get back to sleep, we're getting moved to one of the towers tomorrow. We could finally be useful to the church!" Sheba forced Bilqis's head down, Bilqis still looked unsure but she didn't want to anger her sister anymore so she just followed.

The next morning made Bilqis nervous while Sheba exited, going outside of the church was a rare occasion and the both made sure to carve the memory on their heads. Several children of the same age followed as two elders escorted them to the tower, suddenly a roar was heard as a wolf like creature with scales attacked the group.

They were sheltered children so they haven't realized danger before it hit them, one wolf turned to dozens and blood was everywhere. The escorts were nowhere to be found as bloody corpses decorated the brick road. Bilqis and Sheba could only watch as a massacre was happening around them, blood and screams were all around.

"Everyone, let's stick together! Run towards the tower!" Bilqis despite the bloodshed happening had still managed to lead the remaining children to the tower, upon arriving they were immediately greeted by elders as they exterminated the wolf like creatures, only less than a dozen children survived.

"This is why you are needed by the divine staves, without you then the other races would end up like that and history would repeat itself!" an elder lectured, that was the day the two vowed to never trust the other races and devote themselves to the church.

"Come on eat up! Everyone was worried you know!" Yamuraiha forced some sort of soup on me as Sharkkan watched in amusement.

"I'll eat ok, you don't have to force it on me." I pouted and grabbed the bowl from her hand and continued to drink the soup. It was just chicken soup, but I admit it does taste delicious.

"How is everyone?" I asked while gobbling up the soup

"Slow down will ya? Alibaba's fine, alive and kicking! Mor too, I don't know much about the Kou prince but Ethan is back to training." I smiled at that, it does sound like everyone was doing well. But a part of me was nagging to ask about a certain purple haired ki- wait what the hell…

"What this idiot swordsman mean is, Alibaba recovered quickly after the curse and Morgianna would occasionally train with Prince Hakuryuu-"

"How is his hand?" I felt guilty on worrying on Alibaba alone and if I remember Hakuryuu's hand was literally cut off from him. Yamuraiha too looked down.

"I could tell that every day is getting difficult for him..I would sometimes spot him trying to train with his left arm." My mood was clearly showed on my face as Sharkkan scolded the magician.

"You just had to dampen her mood.." Yamuraiha immediately apologized as I brushed it off

"Anyway, who made this soup? It's really tasty." I changed the subject as the two for some reason shared a smile, I don't know if I should be freaked out by how they smiled in sync or should I be happy that my ship is slowly sailing.

"You wanna meet who made it?" Sharkkan who was still smiling asked

"That would be great…" maybe I'll try cheering Hakuryuu up after learning the recipe. But the way these two are acting were starting to get suspicious, I might be overthinking things though.

Suddenly Sharkkan grabbed Yamuraiha's shoulder "Come on, we should give them privacy." Yamuraiha who I expected to slap Sharkkan's hands away just nodded as the both of them began to make their way outside of my room.

"Hey wait! You two!" but the two must've pretended to not hear me as they began to actually talk properly, shit Ethan should be here, being one of the dedicated shipper of this ship.

Before I knew it they were already out of the door, I let out a sigh and dunked the soup in one gulp. Even if they were acting suspicious I didn't have the strength to do anything since my bones were healing, not to mention the attack earlier had left me a bit fatigued.

A knock was on the door but whoever the knocker was refused to speak up, so just called for them to get in, after all I was at a pretty impotant wing of the castle, I'm pretty sure security here was top notch.

The minute I saw a strand of purple I panicked, after all I said to him I really don't know if I could face him properly from now on. Sinbad peeked from the door, but what surprised me was his hair was in a high ponytail, the same style I tried on him weeks ago. Most of his metal vessels were gone except for his sword strapped to his side.

Awkward silence filled the room (at least to me it was) as I refused look at him and instead stared at his clothes, come to think of it he wears a skirt..

He took slow and silent steps by the chair to my side, previously used by Yamuraiha, were his shoes always this pointed?

"How are you feeling?" Damn…I couldn't resist to take a look at his face, he was as usual smiling as if nothing happened between us. "Sorry if I visited this late."

"Not like I asked for you." AAAAAAH what the hell am I even saying?!

"Was the soup to your liking?" I hid my annoyance on how he just changed the subject and wasn't even affected by my previous statement.

"Why, did you make it?" the tone of my voice was getting haughty and I almost dropped the spoon I was playing with when I heard his answer.

"Yes, I do know how to cook simple dishes. This is something I often cook if Ja'far ends up fainting because of all those all-nighters he's been doing" And who's fault do you think is that? "It's a good energy booster."

I don't know if I should be amazed or shocked that the High King of the Seven Seas could actually cook a decent meal. Sure it's just chicken soup but still it does taste good.

"Could use more salt." No don't believe me it's fine as it is.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Another silence, since I hate awkward situations I again forced myself to face him.

"Why are you here?" he looked a bit confused at my question

"Yamuraiha and Sharkkan said you wanted to meet me….is there some kind of misunderstanding? Because you don't look comfortable with me here."

Those two sure were sly, I swear I'll get back to them one of these days.

"How can I be comfortable? I crossed the line and sad some pretty awful things.." suddenly could feel a tug on my hair as I looked at Sinbad with rage. Other people touching my hair was a pet peeve of mine and I would only allow a handful of people to actually touch it. But the guy wasn't the least affected as he started to touch my hair in various places. Slapping his hand away I glared more intensely.

"What the hell are you doing?" I growled as his face seemed shocked for a second, he cleared his throat and placed both of his hands in front of him.

"Apologies, I just wanted to do your hair since you did mine before." He pointed to his ponytail, I couldn't help but be confused, why the hell is he acting like this? It's as if he's ignoring the elephant in the room.

"Sinbad let's get straight to the point please, no fooling around." He seemed to know that it was coming as his smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Alright then, if you are worried about what you said about me then don't be. I already forgive you, some people had called me worse."

"Still, I mean what I said about you and Kougyoku. There might be a time that I'll end up stopping you." The words had been rapidly spilling from my mouth and I couldn't help but feel my heart tighten.

"I know….knowing the type of person you are. But for now let us enjoy our time together, for now I am not a king but a friend attending to your needs, so why don't I fix your hair for the time being?"

I let him fix my hair into a similar style that he wearing and I couldn't help but plead for this time to last longer, we both knew the minute he stepped out of doors things will never be the same between us.

"I brought these for you." From the folds of his robe he handed me gold hoop earrings identical to the ones he seem to wear every time.

"Eh?" he then helped me stand up to my vanity table where he pressed his face next to mine.

"Look! We're a match!" we both laughed, but we both knew that this happiness wouldn't last long.

"Hey Sinbad, what exactly are you fighting for?" We were both sitting on my bed and eating some dates.

"A world without conflict, no wars, poverty…"

"It sounds-"

"Impossible? Naïve?"

"No, it sounds hard." I smiled as he looked at me confused.

"Most people would call me a fool.."

"I mean the world is a big place you know, and you're just one guy." He shook his head.

"There are others who are realizing this dream of mine, it isn't me alone."

"I've been spending a lot of time with you in the past, you think that it's only you who has the capability to do it, I always wondered why are you the only metal vessel user in Sindria." I plopped down my bed, my back was beginning to hurt.

"I'm different from most people." I know

"I know, Aladdin and Ethan tells me the rukh flood to you, but then Sinbad everyone is different as well. Appearance, thoughts, ideals, goals, you and me are no exception."

Instead of answering he plopped down beside me and propped his head on his hand as he grinned.

"This…makes me remember our first meeting." Warmth flooded my cheeks as I slapped his face.

"Fuking pervert, get the hell away from me." Scooting away from him was impossible as my body still hurt and the idiot just laughed, ahh Sinbad, what the hell are you doing to me?

I was already at the end of the bed and relaxed a bit, just small actions made me tired. I closed me eyes, not really sleeping as I felt the weight of the bed shift, for a moment I thought he would already leave and the thought was for some reason too painful to bear. But then the weight dropped down next to me as I cracked one eye open, Sinbad's face was too close and I couldn't help but hold my breath.

Why is he leaning in?! What is happening?!

For some reason I couldn't help but keep my eyes open, I wanted to fully remember this, Our noses were already close to touching as his breath ghosted over my lips, his intense amber eyes were staring straight at me, just when I thought our lips would meet, he moved as a pressure was felt on my forehead, my breath hitched.

"Goodbye Laura." He leaned away, the weight on the bed disappearing as he made his way over to the door and cast one last look at me before disappearing.

A tear had rolled out of my eye, goodbye indeed…habibi.

Kudos to you people if you get the last word she said ;) anyway why do I like my poor OC's to suffer? I sure am a horrible author to them. And I'm sorry this was supposed to be posted yesterday but I ended up falling asleep XD

Leave a review and for guest reviewers please state your name so i could address you guys properly!

Erin:

Heehee boi you got that right ;)

Sophie:

Yup I just noticed that I didn't have enough scenes for Ethan and Ja'far, I wanted it to be at least romantic but it ended up being funny damn it, but I like it either way XD. Now as for Laura, I did state in some chapters that she's blunt and wants to get straight to the point immediately, I really wanted her interactions with Sinbad to not be so cliche, hell I've been trying to avoid cliches while typing this. (at least the overused ones) Thanks for your review! And I have other plans for where Ethan might go next, but sorry Kou isn't the first of the list.

animefreak112097 and LADY SILVERFOX aka charita rai:

Here you guys go! thanks!

Nawal:

Yes nothing but a good old fashioned love triangle to spice things up a bit.