Hooray!
We are finally on our twentieth chapter!
Hip Hip Hooray!
...But unfortunately, due to the great, oppressive heat in my neighborhood this, this chapter will be a little shorter than usual. Sorry for all of you who thought this would be longer.
Hopefully, you love for this story will override your anger at this poor, poor author who desperately wishes she is a better writer.
Ah, well. One can dream.
So without further ado, Here Chapter 20 of White Phoenix!
As I followed Jafar down the hall, I thought about the late King Sinbad.
Almost everyone I knew who had known him while he was still alive had praised him, given him worship.
He had been the first dungeon conqueror at the tender age of 14, united more than seven countries together in an alliance that spanned the seven seas, and had developed a way for almost the entire world to enjoy peace without war or monetary issues.
Even my father, King Alibaba, had spoken fondly of him. I didn't understand how a man like that could have, deep down, have held so much darkness in him.
Then I remembered how Father and Uncle often had a sad face when they talked about him. At the time, I'd assumed that it was a look of nostalgia, of them missing their dear benefactor-but had it actually been a look of disappointment, of how low their hero had sunk towards the end of his days? And Aunt Kougyoku-she never did participate in any good talk about him.
And then there was Kouha's reaction. Hadn't he acted hostile to both King Arafi and Statheri because they had been from Sindria? The very place that Sinbad had founded as his very own domain?
Poor Arafi. If everything was true, then I could not imagine the disappointment on his face if he ever learned what kind of person his father had actually been. No wonder Father always looked out for him. No wonder Jafar worried about him so.
"We're here," Jafar announced, and I realized he had stopped. He had led us to an unfamiliar place; the air was dry and cool, and the surroundings were a little dim.
"We are down below the building, so no one will disturb us while I show you this," said Jafar.
"Show me what, Jafar?" I asked.
He opened the doors, unveiling what was behind it.
And I saw it.
It was a big crystal ball. No, big is not the appropriate word for it.
No word in history could describe how immense the crystal orb stood in front of me. It swallowed almost the entire space in the room, leaving very little to stand in. Both Jafar and I, as it was, could barely fit in that room with the orb in our way.
"Jafar…what is this thing?" my voice might have come out a little shaky. And maybe quiet.
But perhaps that was because, in spite of its unassuming appearance, the crystal sphere sent a sense of foreboding to me.
It was dangerous. That much I could tell.
But why?
"This," he gestured at the crystal, "is what Sin and Arba had planned on using to dominate the world." His voice came out a little quiet too. I guess he also felt the signs of danger as well.
"Right now, only magicians can use it to its full potential. But," Jafar paused a little here, "Sinbad had planned on turning it into a magic tool."
"A magic tool? What kind?"
To be honest, I was a little afraid to hear the answer. But I knew that, like it or not, I would know.
"It's a little tricky to explain." Jafar admitted. "But to use it, you must infuse a portion of your magoi in it. Then you must envision what it is you wish to see."
"So-it's like a Space-Time Portal?"
"Yes and no."
Jafar's voice was calm. It made me wonder-what on earth happened when he tried to use the magic tool himself?
For his voice held the tone of one who tried and failed to understand the mind of another-the mind of a friend who once aspired to govern the world.
"Perhaps it's better if you try to use it yourself. Then you might understand."
I was confused. "But you just said that only magicians can use it."
"I said that only magicians can use it to its full potential. That doesn't mean you can't use. You must simply infuse your magoi in it, like you would in any other magic tool."
"Try it. You might even consider this is as a test trial."
Before I knew it, I was standing before the orb.
I pressed my palm against the sphere.
Swallowed all my sudden fear.
And infused my magoi.
At first, I saw nothing. Nothing but pure black emptiness.
I could only hear my heart beating.
Ba-thump.
Ba-thump.
Ba-thump.
Then…
It started out as a tiny spark of light peering out of the edge of the world.
A tiny spark that erupted into blinding light. And within that light were so many windows.
And within those windows, I saw so many things.
Alibaba. Aladdin. Arafi. Kouwa. A village woman. The Torran nation.
And more.
It was awe-inspiring. No, more than awe-inspiring.
It was breathtaking.
Somehow, I managed to find my voice.
"This…this is…"
"I understand." His tone was gentle. Quiet, even. "No words can truly explain what just happened, can it?" it wasn't a question. Not really.
I nodded, still floored by what had occurred. "it's hard to believe-how can anyone maintain their sanity like this?" a thought occurred to me. "wait-how does this help one control the world?"
Jafar had an answer ready. "when used correctly and to its fullest potential, you can find yourself empathizing, even synchronizing your emotions and thoughts with whomever and whatever you chose. So long as you manage to focus long enough o your target, no matter how big or small it is."
"In other words, it basically gives one omniscience."
Omniscience. My stomach curled at that word.
"So then…"
"Right now, it's only a spell," Jafar interrupts, "so only magicians could use it. But if you were to turn it into a magic tool…"
I could see it in my head now-anyone who had this could influence the actions of another, manipulating them even to their heart's desires.
Everyone would be nothing more than mere puppets dancing to the whims of the puppeteer's dangling stings.
Sinbad. Sinbad, the greatest man to live on Earth had been the one to create this plan.
But he abandoned it.
Did he realize just how terrible his ideals were so close to completion? Or did he…
I froze. My eyes-or rather, my mind had sensed a small girl with a bright feel, so similar to my father and brother!
Mariam! It was Mariam! She was-
And then the darkness faded. My vision returned.
I saw my hand still placed against the orb. I tried to infuse my magoi again, willing, for just one moment longer, to find my little sister again-
But it didn't work. It wouldn't work.
"Time's up." Jafar spoke up behind me. "This spell is still incomplete, so it won't work again for the next few days. I hope you managed to use it while you could."
I didn't speak. No did I move for the next few minutes, even after Jafar left me there.
I still couldn't see Mariam. But I could sense her. She's alive. And she's afraid.
I longed to see her, to console her, even to embrace her. But the moment I tried, the spell had ended.
But now I knew what I had to do.
Now that I knew my sister was still alive-alive and well, but terrified-I knew there was still a chance of finding her. Of saving her.
And that was what I was going to do.
I was going to save my little sister.
Well, did you all enjoy?
(Hopefully you guys did, because, well, I do want to live through this summer...)
In case this chapter did not satisfy you, I will definitely (though there is no guarantee) try to make the next chapter past 2,000 words next time.)
Until then, please enjoy these quotes that I will tentatively place in the next chapter!
Enjoy! And Review!
"Dhabyanqa, I'd like to introduce you to my wonderful niece and nephew!"
"where will you go now?"
"I think I will go to Reim. Lord Titus might have some clue as to how to use this spell."
"Who are you?"
"I am a bounty hunter."