Some of you guys were speculating about what it would be like to see something like this and I was super surprised because it's actually been sitting on my mind and I figured might as well! :)

P.S- If you really want to hate yourselves, once you get to Koumei's scene and onwards, listen to either "One more time, one more chance" from 5cm per second, "One Summer's Day" from Spirited Away, "Nandemonaiya", "Forty-Seven" by Rib, or "Our Let it Be" Itou Kashitarou ver. Some of the songs I listened to while writing this and any of 'em will do the job.

I do not own Magi.


Enigma

A Side Story

The World Without Her I


After several failed excursions to the many different worlds, Kali's world-leaping didn't cease and she was unable to keep herself rooted to her world for too long without visiting a new world. Of the thousands of worlds Kali visited and lives she lived, as well as memories and experiences gained, there were still several worlds in which Kali could not travel.

For she no longer existed in them.


"...Li."

Kali shut her eyes, burrowing deeper into the satiny sheets below her. Solomon, she loved silk.

"...Li you have to wake up now."

I don't want to wake up now. Kali's brows furrowed and she felt a small noise in the back of her throat, willing her eyes to remain shut and for the voice pestering her to leave her be. If she awoke then the dream would end. I don't want it to end.

A voice by her ear and warmth, a hand tangling through sooty locks and Kali felt her heart surge.

"Kali."

"If you don't wake up, I'm going to leave you here and you're not going to eat and when En finds out he's not going to be happy and someone's going to get fired."

Kali let out a low groan, rumbling and thick with sleep. She sluggishly rolled over in the wide bed, the other half of it empty and cool for its occupant had long since left her side. Kali squinted, slits of sunlight where streaming through the windows pressed to the side of the room and through the half open screen door. Kali was always adamant about having a window cracked or the door open a bit—it drew Kouen quietly mad at times, but he seemed to find it somewhere in him to understand, even if the chilly breeze that slipped through some winters had him considering otherwise.

"I will consider another alternative," he'd said perhaps a week ago when a bird had somehow managed to slip into their room and landed amidst the bed sheets. He'd watched Kali roll around in pure and utter joy because it was a bird of all things. "I would prefer less guests in our home."

The sunlight hit her eyes at an angle and she sluggishly propped herself up on her arms. Kouha looked unimpressed, which meant she must've looked light quite the sight. Kali absently ran a hand through her hair, tangled and growing out longer than she normally kept it so that it swayed below her shoulder blades now. She blinked once, let out a loud yawn and then flopped onto her stomach, tugging a pillow closer as she grinned up at Kouha.

"What's going on now?"

Kouha rolled his eyes, taking a seat on their too large bed and reaching for her hair. Kali didn't move as he swiftly ran nimble fingers through them, combing out any knots and tangles. "I guess you two had a fun night."

Kali let out a bark of laughter. "That war council had him pouring over maps so long the moon called it quits before he did. I always look like this."

Kouha rolled his eyes and Kali let out a sigh of pleasure as he swiftly redid the small braid she had on the side and knotted it off with a small band. "There's a group of nobles from one of the other houses who would like to have tea with you in the gardens. The first prince of Kou's elusive lover is spoken of as though she were some other-worldly spirit roaming the palace."

Kali hummed, running a hand through her now smoothed over locks and sitting up on her knees. Loose silk robes pooled around her shoulders, her bare legs folded beneath her and scattered with the occasional scar. "What are the odds of ditching that?"

"Not high," Kouha lamented. "Stuff like this is much more Mei's area of expertise. I hate them as much as you do."

"I don't hate them," Kali idly reached for a vase of flowers by the bedside. She curled her fingers and they burst with new life, spilling from their container. "They just like talking about things that fly over my head."

Kouen hadn't been very pleased at first with constantly finding vines curling around the walls or flowers peeking between the wooden floorboards. Kali had feigned innocence and said it lightened up his dark and foreboding bedroom anyway, just like having the door opened a bit so she could always feel the breeze or sense the world just a step away.

"The purpose of our room," Kouen had said low and quiet by her ear, a rumble that didn't match the warmth in his eyes. "Is to escape from the rest of the world, not invite it in."

Our. Kali absently let her eyes drift around the wide room. It was larger than any room she'd ever let herself inhabit, with a desk pushed to the far side and several doors that led to other side rooms. Their bed took up a massive part of it, with crimson silk sheets and downy blankets, but Kali had weaseled for it to be pushed closer to the sliding door that opened up to a courtyard.

"You could pretend to be a devil with them," Kouha suggested. "They can say whatever they want but since you and En are a pair they can't lay a hand on you no matter how weird you decide to be."

"But then that just gives Kouen a headache and then it gives me a headache," Kali grimaced.

Kouha leaned against her, head resting on her shoulder and Kali reached a hand up to quietly ruffle his head. "How bad is it?"

"Looking better," Kouha admitted. "The eastern front has made minimal progress, but progress is progress. The West is ours but the only hard part about that is keeping it ours."

Kali was silent, fingers weaving through Kouha's silky tresses. Her friend was silent for a moment before he reached a hand up and patted her cheek. "Nothing for you to be worrying about."

"I'm always supposed to be worried," Kali protested. "I've spent this long worrying about the whole world, what's wrong with worrying about one country?"

Kouha snorted, rising to stand and tugging Kali along with him. "Because it's not just one country you should be worried about anymore."

Kali shot Kouha a mindful look and Kouha merely looked innocent, resting his hands behind his head as he whistled. "If I can figure it out, I doubt you can keep it to yourself for long, you know~"

"That's because you're you," Kali grinned cheekily, silk cloth following after her as she padded step for step with Kouha so they could dress and face the rest of the court. "That man can notice the slightest shift on the battlefield and still can't figure anything else out."

"You know, I thought the newly wed life would change the two of you for the better but it really hasn't."

"Come on, now you have two power hungry fools who don't know when to stop to worry about."

"And the number only keeps rising."

"Keep it up and I'll ditch you in the middle of the next royal dinner."

"Keep it up and I'll set you up with those court ladies you love so much."

"You wouldn't."


"My, Lady Kali, those silks are simply divine. Did you have one of the palace seamstresses design it?"

"It's lovely," another woman praised, elaborate golden pieces sitting atop her head. She swayed slightly under their weight but remained refined enough to bring a cup of tea daintily to her lips. "You simply must recommend us sometime."

"Mm," Kali slid her fingers deftly around a cup of tea herself. Her eyes remained on the flower petals floating around in her cup and she made a mental note to remind herself to thank Kouen again for having them stock up with her favorite. It's like he knew there were more of these to come and it's the only way to get me through this.

Kali snorted, a noblewoman from the Han group—one of the many noble houses who resided within the Kou Empire—spared her a startled glance. I should bring him those crispy skewers he likes for the next war meeting.

The idea of Kouen eating meat skewers amidst rows of old men and battle hardened soldiers brought a smile to her lips and she mindfully took another long drag of tea as one of the women across from her smiled meaningfully. Red paint adorned her lips and curved around her delicately slanted eyes—the head lady of the Shin-hei family.

Several women were gathered before and around Kali, adorned in fine, silken robes and elaborate head dresses. Their faces were coated softly with fine make-up and paints, and they sat with the poise and grace of people who'd been bred to sit in Kali's very spot their entire lives. Perhaps because they were. The group of them were located toward one of the outer courtyards, the one the siblings usually designated for these kinds of things. The flowers were readying themselves to bloom in the thick trees above them, heavy with buds and promises of a good spring.

Normally such sights would have Kali disappearing and reappearing throughout the palace to round up the Ren siblings and have them keep watch, but she's scheduled to play politics today—the thought of such a thing coming from her own mind makes her want to stab herself with Raum and Camio's laughing somewhere in the back of her mind—and the heavy weight to Kouen's shoulders is enough to urge her to at least try.

"The seam work is simply divine," another noblewoman gushed, looking longingly at Kali's simple robes. They're a soft shade of white with layers of pale blue and birds are stitched into the ends of the train.

"Thank you," Kali said calmly. "They're hand made by a kind old woman who lives on the outskirts of the western providence."

One noble woman with hair done up so tight Kali can't help but wince, looked intrigued, "A rare designer?"

"A simple and kind old lady who knows what she's doing," Kali replied breezily.

"K-Kali always has such an eye for these things," Kougyoku quickly gushed. Kali quietly praised every deity to exist that the girl is sitting there beside her in Koumei's poor way of trying to throw her some aid. "We insisted on nicer designs but she thinks simplicity is best!"

"Because you fit those things much nicer," Kali said warmly, peeking at Kougyoku over the rim of her cup and Kougyoku beamed back at her. "Kougyoku's the one who can look elegant and hold herself in battle."

"What a pair of fierce warriors you are," a noblewoman commented with a smile that didn't meet her eyes.

Kali felt heat beneath her skin but she carefully tucked it away. She'll take whatever it is that these women are willing to dish at her because to a degree, Kali can't help but admit that perhaps she deserves it. These women were preparing their entire lives to be the ones to stand beside Kouen and an outsider comes sweeping through their palace and the spot they'd had their eyes on since they were born.

Gray eyes flickered back to the heavy trees and a light tug in the corner of her heart sent thoughts of shining gold and the ocean flickering through her mind. She took another long sip of tea and the woman in front of her from the Shin-hei family adjusted her robes and peeked at Kali coyly beneath long and filled lashes.

"How long has it been since you and Lord Kouen have been together now?" She mused thoughtfully, and Kali carefully kept her eyes on her own cup, watching the floral tea begin to dwindle down.

"Time flies during war," Kali mused, turning her gaze upwards with a crooked smile. "We haven't really kept count."

"But it looks like they've been together for lifetimes," Kougyoku murmured warmly, twiddling her fingers with a touch of shyness and casting her eyes downwards.

Some of the women let out wistful sighs while the others remained silent. Kali wondered how bad it would be if she snatched Kougyoku and disappeared right now to the private gardens so they could watch the buds grow when Shin-hei spoke up once more.

"And still no news of an heir? I wonder how Lord Kouen will be deciding what family to have serve first as the royal concubine."

Kougyoku froze and Kali remained silent. She curved a finger gently over the rim of the teacup and the older woman swept on, painted nails clacking softly against the fine ceramic. "I must commend you, Lady Kali, to have so much resolve and pride to head out on the battlefield and still play the role as wife. Lord Kouen has implemented such massive changes to our structure—the gradual change of our servant caste system for one! Some hear there's talk of a foreign witch working magic on our great prince."

Kali grinned, meeting Shin-hei's gaze. "He's never really been one for superstitions." He leaves all that up to me anyway.

"What are you doing?"

"Making a charm for you to have a safe campaign. Unless you'd like to come back with one less limb."

"I'm sure having a concubine or two will make things much easier for both of you."

Koumei. Kali thought quietly, draining the last of her tea and setting the cup down. I'm trusting you to clean up this mess.

"Perhaps," Kali said breezily, her eyes caught the straying sunlight and glinted almost feral. Shin-hei merely looked as though she'd proven whatever it was she wanted to say and Kali didn't care for whether or not she was taking the bait—she'd tear it from her hands. "But—"

"The two of us have found that we rather admire a good challenge," low and rumbling, his voice broke through the clearing and Kali quietly marveled at how stealthily he'd managed to approach without causing an uproar to begin with. "As such, with our focus drawn toward the western subjugation efforts, we've come to the belief that an heir can always wait."

The women gathered quickly rose and steeped into low bows, faces flushing and eyes peering up shyly as Kouen stood before them. His arms were crossed over his chest and he was decked in the finer robes he was required to wear during higher council meetings and war strategizing. Smoldering crimson irises and hair curling at his neck like a ring of flames, he looked every part of the king's candidate he was. "L-Lord Kouen, we were not expecting your presence—"

"You finished early," Kali murmured softly. Eyes shot upwards toward the two and Shin-hei kept her eyes focused hazardously as their feet. Kali merely disappeared from her seat and reappeared by Kouen's side, a small smile curled at her lips and she reached a hand up to tangle halfway through his hair.

Kouen tilted his head slightly to his cheek was cradled in the palm of her hand. His eyes drew in every inch of her before he blinked once and turned his focus back to the women before them. "Forgive my intrusion."

"Y-You weren't intruding!" Kougyoku offered eagerly. "It's nice to see you, Brother!"

"You as well," his eyes drifted back to a coy looking Kali and his gaze flickered, warm and searing. "I thought you didn't play politics."

Kali's lips widened and she allowed herself to press closer and Kouen remained calm but his eyes spoke enough. "I don't."

Kali's hand shot outwards and she snagged Kougyoku's wrist, the princess looking up in sharp surprise and Kouen's gaze flattened with practiced ease. "Which is why I'm leaving this mess to you—I'll make it up to you tonight!"

Without another word the two disappeared and Kouen quietly reminded himself that he needed to discuss a few things with Koumei about his lover's schedule.


A steaming mug clacked onto the top of the desk.

Koumei let out a low groan, rubbing his fingers into his temples as he squinted against the candlelight of the dim study. A sigh left his lips and he grimaced, head pounding and swimming with the latest war meetings and the fact that he still needed to finish the final write up—Solomon he was tired. "Brother, I promise I'll finish it soon—"

"How terrifying," Kali mused. Koumei looked up curiously to find not his brother this time, but the mirth filled eyes of his lover instead as Kali offered him a wry grin. "If I'm mistaken for Kouen now then I think there's a problem."

"You're not entirely unalike," Koumei sighed, reaching forward and curling his fingers around the steaming mug. He gingerly brought it closer to his lips and blew on it, blinking sleep from his eyes and peering up at Kali. "I'm just grateful it's heads you two clash with and not swords."

Kali hummed, eyes twinkling in and out of darkness with the flickering candlelight. "That did happen before, didn't it?"

"It did," Koumei grimaced. "You destroyed half the eastern courtyard—what did you two even fight about again?"

Kali pursed her lips, rubbing her chin in thought before she snapped her fingers. "That was the whole 'I'm going to conquer the world are you with me or not' thing, wasn't it?"

"Ah, yes," Koumei took a long sip of the tea and winced. "Your tea skills are still subpar."

"I'm learning, aren't I?"

"And then you went on and started screaming obscenities about him being, what was it? A thick-headed flaming ball of—"

"Yes, yes, but look at us now," Kali grinned, setting her hands on her hips with pride. "Last time we fought the village fields were overflowing with produce—I think that's a fair trade off."

"Perhaps," Koumei took a moment to take in her attire. One of Kouen's looser coats was draped over her shoulders, a loose fitting shirt covering her top half with baggy pants that tightened at her ankles. A thoughtful look crossed over his face. "You're dressing as you did when you first started staying here."

"Kou robes are fine," Kali looked thoughtful, idly playing with the edge of Kouen's cloak and her hand drifted down to the loose shirt, fingers sliding over the fabric and something flickered across her face before it flitted away. "But I find I've always been at my best in the clothes I knew my whole life."

Koumei considered the words that lingered on the edge of his mind, but figured somethings were perhaps better left unsaid after all. He'd mentioned such a thing once and the air had plummeted, that far off gaze returned, and he'd only been able to tell because he'd been beside his brother since the beginning that Kouen's own eyes hinted tension and a quietness that unnerved him as they watched Kali stare out at the passing ships in the harbor.

A soft hand reached out and landed atop his head. Koumei was silent, staring at the papers and maps strewn out before him. Kali leaned over the desk and pressed her forehead to his, shutting her eyes and he watched her shoulders slump with a tension that didn't belong there.

"Take care of yourself, Koumei."

The memory of Kali and the look on her face whenever they passed the ocean and a particularly stronger breeze tugged at her hair flashed through his mind, followed by the way only Kouen's soft, rumbling voice could pull her back to them.

"You as well, sister." Koumei whispered.

Kali's grip slid to his shoulder, tightening slightly before she merely nodded in silence.


"What are you doing?"

Kali frowned, keeping her gaze focused intently on the heavy buds that sagged from their own weight. The branches attached to the tree only several feet away from their room in the courtyard beside them hung dangerously low from what Kali had seen before.

"I'm worried about that tree."

Kouen stared at the book in his hands for several moments longer before his eyes drifted to the empty space beside him in their bed. He stared at that for a little while longer too before he finally settled his gaze on Kali's slender figure wedged between the sliding screen door and the wall.

"The tree." Kouen echoed, low and thoughtful and he set his book down at their bedside.

"I don't want to mess with it," Kali responded distractedly. Her eyes narrowed in thought and she grimaced, leaning a little further over the ledge of wood that served as a sort of patio before the courtyard grass. "But I'm worried—doesn't it look like the branches might break?"

Kouen turned his eyes toward the ceiling above him for a brief moment before he rose from their bed. His footsteps were even against the wooden flooring until he finally drew to a halt beside her. He reached a hand above her and pushed the door open with little effort, shifting to lean against it and crossing his arms over his chest.

Kali shuffled closer, pressing against the side of his legs and she frowned. "I think it might break—it looks like it'll break, doesn't it?"

Kouen examined the tree in front of them. True enough, the branches were heavy with buds, swelling and ready to bloom any moment. The woman beside him had been expressing increased concern for their well-being and a desire to seem them bloom since—"These flowers don't grow anywhere else so I'm excited."

"Why not help it then?" Kouen drawled, his voice a deep rumble and Kali scowled.

"I can't just go making things grow whenever I like," Kali protested, though that was usually exactly what she did. "I'm rooting for this guy to make it without any outside interference."

Kouen made a low noise in the back of his throat. He took a seat beside her, his arm coming to rest behind her and he gazed quietly at the tree.

"We could bind the branches so they won't snap." He said finally. His eyes strayed from the tree and landed on Kali, his hand rising upwards and tangling itself in her hair.

"Maybe," Kali's brows furrowed. "You think there's a chance they'll bloom tomorrow and it'll be perfectly fine?"

Kouen turned her head to face him and he pressed his forehead to hers. "Kali."

Her eyes swiveled from the tree and to him at her name. Warmth blossomed in his chest at the way then that those gray irises stained with bits of blue flickered and then softened and he saw only himself and their future.

"You didn't need to pretend to be interested," Kali's lips curled into that crooked grin of hers and he brushed hair out of her eyes and tucked it behind her ear.

"We'll have the gardener set wooden casts along the side of the branches so they won't break." Kouen vowed against her lips.

"Can we do it ourselves tomorrow?"

Red mingled with black, fire with soot and the answer Kali needed was in the warmth in those red eyes and she smiled, reaching a hand up to intertwine with his.

Kouen kissed her.


"How bad is it honestly?"

"Bad," Judal said flatly, biting down into the peach in his hand. Juice dribbled down the corner of his chin but his eyes were glaring daggers into some unseen enemy.

Kali was sitting quietly beside him, the two had their backs pressed to each other, stretched out across the wooden patio that stretched out above the ground and further into the courtyard. Kali had a strange sense of familiarity sitting in a place like this, but her mind was trained hard on the thoughts that flashed through her now. A breeze tugged at Judal's darker locks and Kali let out a small, quiet sigh.

"I thought so," Kali murmured and Judal scoffed.

"Don't forget I chose them all for a reason," Judal reminded snidely, jostling her shoulder with his and Kali allowed a small smile to touch her lips, but her gaze was murky. "Didn't say they were the smartest though, especially if they think they can keep you out of this war."

"I doubt it's a they and more of a him," Kali mused.

"He doesn't think you're weak," Judal agreed, biting harder into his peach and he half turned his head, a single crimson iris pinning Kali into place. "But he knows you're weak."

Kali would've normally tackled Judal to the ground and demanded some sort of proof, but she knew exactly what he meant. Salty air and moisture pressed at her mind and Kali shut her eyes for a moment.

"What's it look like out there?"

"The west is ours." Judal said simply. "Kouen's new way of linking forces instead of conquering left and right is leaving a better impression on those people than we thought. I ain't the one to be asking, Kitten."

"You're the only one who'll be honest with me," Kali replied quietly.

Judal grunted, looking annoyed but he continued anyway, "Since all you ever talk about is 'freedom' this 'do what I want' that, his style's changed a little. Only problem is that idiot across the ocean isn't going to roll over and die with a nice smile and papers."

Kali's gut twisted sharply. "He doesn't need to die. No one needs to die, Peaches."

Judal bit into his peach, mercilessly digging his fingers in and ripping the core from the dripping flesh. He held it in his fingers for a moment, twisting it this way and that before he crushed it with ease in his palm.

"You're the one who's going to die if you think like that."

"It doesn't have to be like this though."

"The time for peace treaties and you stay on your side and I stay on mine is long over. You're an idiot if you think otherwise. The two of them can't exist together in a world like this."

Kali's head knocked softly back into Judal's and he let the broken pieces of core fall to the floor in front of him.

"Why not?" Kali whispered brokenly.

Judal glanced upwards, watching Rukh flutter in front of him. They wove together, brushing wings and banking as the curled around the two of them and coasted toward him lovingly. Black filled edges of his vision and he watched the black and white work in perfect tandem for the briefest moments before clashing and falling apart.

"That's just how it is."

Kali's hand absently settled over her stomach, a scar from long, long ago stretching across warm skin.

"What should I do?"

Judal paused in his chewing. "What do you want to do?"

"Everything."

Judal barked out a laugh, shaking his head and his braid hit Kali on the side of the face. She grimaced, reaching over and smoothing his hair out so that it curved around them. "That's going to get you killed too ya know."

"...Hakuryuu?"

Judal bit harder into the peach. "'Course he's going to work with that idiot. He's his best shot at killing that hag."

"Kouen's made it so that she can't move as freely as she'd like—"

"You think that's going to be the end of it?"

Kali shut her eyes, heart sinking low into the earth and Camio's presence filled her mind.

"No."

Judal examined the last bit of peach in his hands and promptly chucked it out across the courtyard. The two of them were silent for several beats before he idly reached over, fingers and palm sticky with the fruit but he settled them over Kali's hand nonetheless.

"You could always curse your destiny."

Kali's lips twitched at that and she leaned back against him, her head sliding down to his shoulder. "Think that could really work?"

Judal snorted. "It'd be one hell of a sight to see."

Kali laughed, breezy and fading as wind tugged at their hair. Night black and soot mingled and Kali turned her hand upwards to grip his sticky palm tightly. "What do you want, Judal?"

Judal rested his arm over a knee, cocking his head to the side as he gazed out at the swaying trees beside them. The branches were drooping, heavy with the buds that threatened to bloom any day now and he watched them sway.

"I just want to watch the world burn."


"We aren't having this discussion."

Kali's lips curved slightly at the corners, but her eyes shone with a tired shine. Her expression was worn and battle hardened, and it only fueled the sharpness in Kouen's own eyes.

"You're right," Kali said softly. "Because we both know there's no discussion to be had."

Kouen's hands which had been gripping the bed sheets below him relaxed. He drew his hands together, setting them in his lap and fixing the woman before him with a stare that pinned her in place and left no room for her to leave elsewhere.

"You think me weak?"

Her eyes sparkled and Kali had the effort to look faintly amused. "Those war councils must really be taking more out of you than I thought if that's the argument you're going for."

The faint light of their room came solely from the candle pressed to the bedside. Darkness and shadows licked at their heels, curved around every corner save for the swathe of light bathing the both of them in its warm glow. Kouen shut his eyes and opened them slowly, his face impassive and Kali saw within that a thousand different words that would never leave his lips.

"You and I both knew this battle was unavoidable," Kali said quietly. "You promised me that day I took your hand that you would never break my wings."

For once Kouen's face contorted slightly, expressed only in the faint downwards curve of his lips. His brows furrowed and he looked up at Kali with an expression that any other time would have had her wrapped her arms around him and dropping whatever they'd been fighting about. "I have wondered, as of late, if I should have thought otherwise after all."

There was no sadness in Kali's eyes, a quiet, gentle understanding as she drifted toward him. Her hand reached outwards and settled on his knee. His hand reached out and clasped hers in its warm, heavy grip. "Ren Kouen was never really a man to have regrets though, was he?"

The candle casted half their faces in shadows and Kouen did not take his gaze from her once. Kali's eyes grew warm. "You don't think me weak now, do you?"

A low rumble in the back of his throat and Kouen's hand reached up to cup her cheek. "You think me such a fool?"

"No," Kali whispered. "Which is why I know how this will end."

Kouen's hand moved to pull away from her cheek and Kali reached up to keep it there. Her gaze settled on his, bright and shining and filled with love, love, love. It was the kind of expression Kouen had fought and fought so furiously to turn his way and he'd strived with every ounce of his being until the moment she turned her back to the ocean and grasped his hand so tightly in her own.

It was the only expression Kouen, Ren Kouen, first prince of Kou, great subjugator of the eastern front—king's candidate and more, feared could be taken away from this world without a single thought otherwise.

"You asked me," Kali said softly, voice thick with kindness and heavy with strength. "To stay by your side, no matter where you will go."

Kouen shut his eyes, gripping her hand so tightly it was bound to bruise, but Kali's eyes merely shone brighter and she cupped his face in her hand, peering up at him and he saw himself and his entire world and their future shining in her eyes.

"By your side is where I will stay."

A moment, a beat, and Kouen pulled her to him. Their arms curved tight around each other and he pressed his head to her shoulder, holding her so, so tight.

"When the fighting begins," Kouen said gruffly, voice thick and heavy and strong and Kali shut her eyes, carding her fingers through his hair. "Do not leave my side."

"I've got your back," Kali whispered softly.

"Tell him," Camio said gently, urging and quiet and loving and Kali shut her eyes. "Tell him, my king. He deserves to know."

"Your side," Kali murmured, and Camio grew silent and she whispered the softest of apologies to her friend.

"I'll stay."


"The alliance is marching forward on all fronts!"

"Who leads the skies?"

"The queen of Artemyra herself!"

"The land?"

"Heliophat, Sassan and the Imuchakk!"

"The ocean?"

"K-King Sinbad himself, sir."

Koumei's face went grim. Fire licked across the battlefield, ash and smoke filling the air as craters in the earth were blown sky high. The clang of metal echoed every inch of the battlefield and people were shouting left and right, magic and power and magoi twisting and curling so furiously in the air.

His own equip hummed with life around him as he snapped his fingers, teleporting another group of soldiers toward the sidelines as he shifted the injured back. Kouha and Kougyoku were battling it out across the skies while Hakuei took to the ground with her own tribes riding at her side.

He inhaled and exhaled, energy and life and the very threads of what bound them all together fraying and straining as each person fought to be alive.

"Lord Koumei?"

Koumei opened his eyes and faced the carnage in front of him, turning to the soldier at his side. "What of the frontlines?"

"W-Well, sir—"

A thundering explosion rattled the entire earth below them. Koumei glanced upwards, observing in quiet silence as a thick pillar from the middle of the earth began to rise, higher and higher and higher until it toppled over and crumbled to the ground. Magma poured forth from the opening, flooding the land and burning all it touched and dividing a fine line between the enemy forces and their own.

Hot blue-white flames seared across the sky, crimson red mingling in its shadow and like stars shooting across the sky the two of them shot forward. A gaping serpent opened massive jaws and red curved tight around its body, granting it wings of flame as a furious roar shook the earth and it surged forward, colliding head on with several other enemies.

"Paimon's user is holding well for now," Camio reported back hurriedly and Kali curved Raum in an arch across her body, flames licking outwards as Kouen surged forward beside her and slammed so hard into the earth it crumbled beneath him. "Kougyoku and Kouha are holding them back, but once he arrives—"

We'll worry about that when it comes. Kali thought fiercely, pressing forward as heat licked at her hands and around her body and she shot like a comet after Kouen and they created another wall of flames to protect the line of soldiers behind them. Kouen doesn't have a water djinn. Kougyoku and I can take to the ocean and fend off whatever we can of the ships so they can't make it here.

"My king—"

Before thousands of vines could pierce her body, a serpent of flames curved tight around her, blue licking at the edges of her vision and Kali's heart thudded loudly in her chest as she gazed back at a familiar face. Pain shot through her chest and Kouen was at her side in an instant, readying his blade with no expression across his face.

"Hakuryuu," Kali said softly.

"You picked the wrong side, Kali," Hakuryuu narrowed his eyes.

"This isn't our fight." Camio reminded softly and Kali bowed her head as Kouen pressed close to her side.

"The time for all of this to end has come, Brother," Hakuryuu said quietly, eyes burning sharply amidst the flicker of flames and Zagan's equip curled tighter around his body. "Yield."

"You make high demands for someone who abandoned his home," Kouen drew his sword before him and he took a step forward beside Kali, flames licking around his shoulders.

"I haven't abandoned it," Hakuryuu raised his spear. "I'm going to save Kou."

"Brother!" Kali's head snapped below where Koumei was surging toward Hakuei's aid. "His forces have arrived on the harbor—"

Kali's heart surged and her head snapped toward the ocean. Kouen kept his eyes focused on the boy whose own blood ran through his veins as well. He reached out with his other hand, gripping Kali's wrist with a searing hot grip.

"By my side."

"Kali, Kouen," Hakuryuu raised his spear upwards and creatures of Zagan's creation littered the air, roaring and snarling. "It ends here."

"Kali," Kouen warned.

She turned her hand in his grip, clutching his burning palm as tightly as she could muster. Love flashed in her eyes and Kouen turned with a roar and her fingers slipped through his and she disappeared.

"My king," Camio whispered, pain and sadness flooding her mind and she surged forward, dropping her equip as she reappeared amidst the waves crashing roughly into each other.

Stay with me, Cam. Kali begged, gripping her chest tightly as she shut her eyes and let the salty wind batter her face, rough and unforgiving. Stay with me.

"Always."

"Hello, Kali."

His voice flooded her mind like waves crashing over her head. Kali opened her eyes, gazing first at the water that lapped furiously beneath them and then she turned her head upwards.

Gold and silver met across an expanse of blue. Electricity crackled against the bright blue of his scales and his sword hung at his side, loose in his hand as he simply gazed ever so quietly at her. Kali felt her heart twist, felt her chest fill with ash and smoke and her eyes took in every inch of him.

"Sinbad."

Sinbad's eyes flickered and a small smile touched his lips. "You look well."

"As well as I can be," Kali murmured. "You look strong."

"As strong as I've worked to become."

Chaos and carnage ripped the air around them and for a moment all Kali felt was calm. A quiet, lulling calm that came with the soft waves that always tugged at her feet and coaxed her closer to their depths. Golden eyes never left her gaze and she felt a small smile curve at the corner of her lips. "How do we go about this?"

"I've considered it," Sinbad said softly, lulling and tugging and Kali felt her heart twist tighter and tighter in her chest. Across the battlefield flames seared the sky and she felt Kouen roar as he clashed with Hakuryuu. "Ja'far had no patience for such discussions. I soon came to realize there was no way to ever know."

Kali's face contorted into one of pain. "Does it have to be like this?"

A breeze tugged at their hair, curling and playing before it died down. Sinbad's eyes flickered, and there she saw a world of grief and loneliness and pain that she wondered how much had been because of her.

Sinbad's smile faltered and his sword hung limp at his side. "You always had your eyes set on such a larger picture... you never could really spare a moment to think about the destiny right in front of us, could you?"

Kali reached a hand up and clutched her chest, twisting the fabric over her heart. "It was never just about one person—it's worlds, Sinbad. Worlds upon worlds."

His eyes shone and he never looked more far away. "We all have a destiny, Kali."

Her name was like a song on his lips and she felt a bitter, watery laugh leave her throat as he smiled at her so soft and loving. "I can't turn away from mine any longer."

Kali shut her eyes against the ocean breeze. Her mouth opened and no words came out. Pain. Her chest constricted and she felt a sob rack her body as she forced a shaky, agonized smile over her lips. Her eyes opened and Sinbad gazed at her with such a quiet tenderness she wanted the entire world to swallow her whole in this very moment.

Slowly, shakily, she brought her arms upwards. Metal glinted in the faint light and she tipped her head to the side, eyes pooling with tears. "Take your pick."

A small, pained smile touched Sinbad's lips. He inclined his head softly, hair curling around his chin and over his eyes. "You know which one."

"Spirit of passion and destruction," Kali choked, tears falling freely from her eyes now as her entire body began to glow red and the sword at her side sang with life. How long has it been since I cried? How long has it been, how long has it been—

"Raum." Sinbad whispered the words and Kali shut her eyes as flames enveloped her whole.

The world quieted and the water below them seemed to still.

"Come with me."

"You have a name, don't you?"

"Kali—I like that."

Red clashed with blue and the entire world trembled.


"B-Brother..." Kougyoku whispered and Kouha grunted, surging forward as he drew his sword wide above his head and then expanded the blade, smashing into several forces as they continued to lunge toward them. "Is that...?"

Kouha paused briefly, snapping his gaze to across the horizon. Lightning split the skies and illuminated the entire battlefield in a shattering, blinding sheen. Kouha's eyes widened, horror and fear spiking his blood as his eyes snapped toward the other side of the battlefield and he saw bright blue flames licking across the sky, burning through vines and roaring creatures as brother clashed with brother. He searched desperately for a lick of crimson and ice ran through his veins when he spotted a blinding flare of it halfway across the battlefield as electricity and fire clashed with one another.

"Oh, no," Kouha let out a furious cry, swiping his sword across the battlefield and Kougyoku spurred into action, water rising above the cliffs and flooding the fields. "Stupid idiot, leaving his side and going off on her own—stupid, stupid, stupid—where the hell is Mei?"

A mountain appeared above several troops and crashed into the earth, splitting the ground beneath it as people cried out and Kouha winced. Tornadoes surged forth and he turned back to the wings and household members in his way. "Kougyoku, we can't let this go on, we need to finish this, now!"

"Kali can hold her own!" Kougyoku said fiercely, belief and hope shining desperately in her eyes. "She can't beat him alone, but for now at least—"

"Everyone!" Kouha shouted, and his companions below him snapped to his attention, staffs waved to help the soldiers around them. "Link me up to En—now!"

"Yes!"

Rukh fluttered fiercely in the air and Kouha twirled his sword in his hands. "En! Leave Hakuryuu to us, I don't care what happens! You need to get to Li!"

"I know," Kouen said fiercely, his sword smashing into Hakuryuu's spear and he forced his brother down, down, down—"I know."

"Brother!" Koumei's voice split the air and Kouen snapped his burning gaze across the battlefield where Koumei raised his hand.

"What's the name of that flower?"

Hakuryuu's spear snapped in two beneath his blade and Kouen remained in a flurry of flames as they licked hotly at his arms.

"The Torran word for fire... I like it. It sounds fierce. Maybe a little too rough though, huh?"

Her hand splaying flat over her stomach, that faraway gaze and the scar he knew stretched across. He knew all the scars littered over her body by heart now, traced them with his own fingers and thought a thousand times how he vowed not to let there be any more.

"Make fun of me if you want or call me naïve... I just want this to end."

The entire air grew tight and Kouen stiffened, watching as Koumei's eyes grimly met his as he mouthed her name and he slowly pressed his hand to his stomach.

"Kouen."

That shy, crooked smile and soft eyes.

"I'd make a terrible mother, you know."

Constellations appeared before him and Kouen saw red, red, red.


"My king, you can't win."

Kali heaved, a broken, breathy laugh trickling past her lips as blood seeped down her right arm. It hung limp at her side, slashed and bleeding fast. She gripped Raum tight in her left. "I thought you were always rooting for me, Cam."

"Kali." Camio breathed, agony and worry and power all in her name. "Kali, we could never win against him."

I know. Kali thought bitterly, unable to stop the wry smile on her lips despite herself. I know.

"Drop your equip, my king." Camio pleaded. "Drop it."

The battle is lost if that's the case.

"Fight with me."

Cam. Kali weakly raised her right arm, bleeding and bruised and beaten and she loosely gripped the metal and glass feather hot against her neck, blood smearing the vines and slipping over the smooth surface. Cam.

I love you.

"As I, you, my king."

Blood dripped over gold. It poured from Sinbad's head and over half his face. The man before her breathed heavily, gripping the sword in his hands like a vice. Energy crackled weakly up and down his arms, fizzling in the air and whistling past them as fire and earth rained down around them. The ocean roared beneath them and Sinbad shook his head, gripping his sword tighter.

"I liked your father's sword better," Kali said hoarsely.

"I always thought so too," Sinbad mused quietly, peering up at her with tired eyes, but they were clear as the sky.

"Are they well?"

"I had them protect the island," Sinbad answered. "I couldn't do this to them. I've asked enough."

"Good," Kali whispered. "I'm glad." She doubted she could stomach seeing their broken faces and Ja'far's quiet, pained face.

"I think those three are on their way," Sinbad turned his eyes skywards. "They could never sit still and let something like this happen."

Kali's lips curled upwards, tears had stopped falling from her eyes and blood now stained her cheeks.

"They won't make it."

"Is it for him?" Sinbad questioned softly, and Kali felt her heart shatter at the pain and longing in his tone.

"Not just him," Kali shook her head, hair matting against her cheeks and she stared so fiercely into Sinbad's eyes. "Never just for him."

Sinbad's sword fell to his side and he stared at her then, quiet and broken and so far, far away and Kali's heart reached out for him. "Then why did you go?"

She thought of the ocean. She thought of the salty breeze and the sun on her cheeks. She thought of silk sheets and stories upon stories and the laughter that rang through palace walls. She thought about those golden eyes and his smile, the hand that reached out to her in that deep hole she'd fallen into after finding Seere—thought about them and their adventures and gold and—

"Come with me."

"I couldn't watch you fall apart," Kali said quietly, and sadness laced every part of the words.

"My king." Camio whispered and Kali shook her head.

Raum lowered at her side, his roar loud and pounding and it thrashed in her mind. She slid it back into her tattered sash—the sash he had given her himself so he could always find her—and she looked up weakly at Sinbad as her equip flashed golden and left her defenseless before him.

"I want Sin," Kali's voice broke, pain and longing as her eyes filled with tears. "I want him. I don't want this—this entity of a man reaching for a seat high above the clouds—I want my friend. I want the man who opened my eyes and showed me a world I chose to be blind to."

Kali weakly took a step toward him, wind buffeting her hair and she saw pain flash so clear in those golden pools. She gripped her heart over her chest and Kali felt tears stream over her cheeks. "Sin, come back to me."

Rukh fluttered between them. Wings beat against the flow of the world around them, banked and brushed as golden white filled the air. Sinbad's entire form flashed gold and there he stood, paused in the air before her and his hands hung limp at his sides. Sinbad looked at her then, looked at her with the face of a man who'd climbed so far and sacrificed so much to stand where he stood today, to have what he had in his hands and to have been able to show the world that he was here.

But his face was worn and his eyes showed the world they'd seen together falling apart.

"I loved you." Sinbad offered quietly, a bare wisp of that boyish smile on his lips.

Kali felt her heart shatter into a thousand pieces and she didn't know if she could ever pick them back up. "I loved you too."

Sinbad's eyes drifted over her shoulder. "It wasn't enough though... was it?"

A sob racked her body and Kali bowed her head. "I couldn't be there for you."

She disappeared and Sinbad turned to look in front of him as she reappeared. Tears streaked hot and wet down her cheeks, smearing blood and ash and she weakly reached for his hand. Sinbad found hers, wet with blood and growing colder and Kali looked up at him with so much warmth. "But I'm here now, Sin. I'm here."

She brought his hand up to her chest, pressing it over her heart where he felt it pulsing and thudding weakly against her chest. Kali laughed, a pain, wistful laugh of longing and hope and she cradled his hand to her heart. "I'm here, Sin. Just come back to me."

Sinbad's fingers twitched against her chest and they curled, barely brushing against the vines that curved around her neck.

Gold met gray. "Fisherman's son to a king."

Kali choked on a sob. "Traveler to a queen."

Sinbad shut his eyes and pressed his forehead to hers. Kali reached up with her free hand, cradling his cheek and he leaned into her touch, eyes fluttering open to stare so lovingly into her own. They shone with complete and utter clarity, and Kali heard Camio roar, loud and piercing in her mind—

"KALI—"

I love you, Cam.

Sinbad's fingers hooked around the sturdy vines that curved around her neck and tore them loose.

Kali imagined someone carving her heart out from her chest and gently pulling it free, holding it in their hands and brandishing it before her so she could see.

"This," they would say. "This is what I'm taking from you."

Tears filled her eyes and Kali sobbed freely then, broken and filled with despair as Sinbad held the metal and glass feather between his fingertips. Her mind was silent, quiet and cold and void of the familiar warmth she'd known almost her entire life.

"If it was any consolation," Sinbad murmured, in his voice but with a spirit that wasn't his and Kali clutched weakly at his clothes. "I knew he could never have the strength to kill you."

The glass and metal feather between his fingers shattered with a gentle press. Kali imagined her heart in its place and she bowed her head, sob after sob racking her entire body.

I'm so sorry, Sin.

A hand cupped her cheek and Kali had the little ounce of energy in her to pin him with a look of pure and raw hatred and he smiled, Sinbad's soft, gentle smile and she gripped his arms so hard she drew blood beneath her fingertips.

"He really does love you," he said softly.

Pain exploded in her abdomen, blossoming like the flowers she wanted to see open up in the courtyard. Blood dripped down into the ocean below them and he calmly pushed his sword further into her, clean and swift and Kali coughed, blood filling her mouth as it trickled down the side. Magoi channeled through the blade and she lurched, hacking and clutching weakly at the blade. It slit her palms and her entire body flickered, warped, and she urged it to stay.

"But you aren't needed for this world."

Kouen, I love you, I'm so sorry.

He pulled the sword free and Kali weakly reached a hand up as she wavered in the air, her body flickering and she cradled Sinbad's cheek and offered him a watery, bloody smile.

"I'm sorry, Sin."

And then she was falling.

The ocean rushed to meet her, waves lapping and crashing into each other and she vaguely remembered somewhere in the back of her head how she'd thought once it would've been nice, to disappear into the ocean. To become one with the earth and simply cease to exist.

Constellations shot through the air, curving in an arch around her and Kali felt coolness envelop her and the ocean disappeared, the earth rushing to meet her instead and then searing hands were cradling her body as they collapsed together to the floor.

This is fine too. Her eyes sluggishly trailed upwards and a crooked smile touched her lips. Red, bright, searing red—she loved this red. It held her in place and commanded her to remain, to remain and to exist and to live.

"You're a fool," Kouen snarled, his voice was raw and searing and Kali felt so warm hearing it beside her. "You're a fool. I told you to stay by my side."

"Here now," Kali mumbled, blood spilled past her lips and she stared up at him. Her broken, shattered heart felt full in the pieces that remained, the little pieces she kept just for him. "Here now..."

Kouen's eyes snapped to her bare neck and he nearly snarled at the nearest soldier. "Bring me a piece of metal—"

Kali's bloody hand weakly touched his and he snatched it into his grip. It burned and warmed the cool skin beneath and she sighed softly, smiling up at him as she turned her head slightly.

I love you so much, Cam. I wish you were here with me. I feel so alone. I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm—

Kouen jerked his sword free at his side. His equip flashed and he raised the ornament dangling from the bottom. "Phenex—"

"Can't," Kali whispered hoarsely. His eyes shot to her, daring her to contradict him in this very moment and she managed a weak smile, eyes taking in nothing but him, him, him. "Magoi... can't..."

"Phenex!" Kouen snarled, and a soft pink glow began to bathe the two of them. Wings stretched outwards and feathers reached out to brush against Kali's cheek. Kouen's grip on her hand became strained when they slipped past her form, her entire body flickering for a moment and becoming near transparent before Kali urged herself to stay. Stay. For a little longer let me stay.

"Fool," Kouen whispered, rough and filled with fury. His grip on her body tightened in a way that should've been painful, but all Kali could feel was a gentle, coaxing pull and she let him pull her as close as possible. "You fool—you are not allowed to die."

"Since when..." Kali slurred, her tone flooding with fondness and longing. "Have I... listened to you?"

"Brother!"

"En—"

"Kouen—"

Voices filled the air and broke off with strangled gasps and stilled bodies. Kali's eyes lazily traced over each familiar figure, smiling softly as tears spilled down Kougyoku's face. Hakuei had a hand pressed to her mouth in horror and Kouha's knees hit the floor. Koumei's face was shadowed and he staggered a step forward before his hands fell to his sides.

The air twisted and black wings fluttered in the air. Kali slid her gaze to the side and her smile widened as crimson irises regarded her coolly. Blood splashed the side of his cheek and his wand hung at his side.

"Should've listened to me," Judal said hoarsely and Kali let out a strained laugh, wispy and fading.

"Stay." Kouen ordered roughly, holding her so painfully tight and Kali let her gaze focus on him and him alone. "I'm not done with you yet."

Kali's heart surged then. Emotions flashed through her mind, fear and loneliness, pain, so much pain and agony and love—love and warmth and affection so fierce for the man in front of her and—oh.

Tears spilled down the corners of Kali's eyes and she choked on a sob, a hand sliding to her stomach and she gripped it tightly. Blood was pouring from the wound and she shut her eyes in pure, utter despair. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I took this away from you, forgive me.

Kouen's hand slid over hers, crushing it in his warm grip. "You absolute fool."

"Sorry," Kali whispered brokenly, blinking back tears and turning her hand upwards so she could slide her wet fingers through his and he gripped her hand so kindly. "I'm so...sorry."

"Cease," Kouen breathed raggedly, pulling her closer and closer. "You do not end here. You have a world to see by my side—you have a duty as a mother to bring our child into this world."

"I wanted to," Kali sobbed, clutching at his hand desperately as her body flickered, nearly slipping through his grip and she ground her teeth as she steadied herself. "I wanted to—wanted to try—wanted to try with you—"

She let out a breathy gasp and Kouen's grip tightened, nearly crushing her to him. "I-I'd make a terrible...mother, y'know? Always thought—but maybe, maybe, maybe, with you—"

"I will be with you every step of the way," Kouen vowed, voice raw with pain and anger and Kougyoku's sobs broke freely past her hands, crumpling to the floor and Hakuei wrapped her arms tight around her. "You will not die here, Kali—you will not die here."

"Mm," Kali nodded, tears dripping onto the floor and becoming lost in the pool of blood beneath her. "I-I, Kouen—"

"Cease."

"Kouen, please—"

"CEASE."

"I love you," Kali slurred, reaching weakly with her free hand for his face and he snatched it with his other hand as well, bringing it close to his chest. "Love you... En... thank you... for loving... me."

"Stay." His voice was thick with agony and Kali took in the sight of him above her, face contorted into one of pure pain and she realized with a quietness she'd never seen him look like this before. "Stay, Kali."

"Okay," Kali rasped. "Kouen."

His face hardened, fierce and filled with that fiery, searing passion—love, love and so much warmth and an intent that could swallow her whole. Kali's lips curled up at that and she inhaled a shuddering breath. "Love you."

"You have a world to see by my side."

"Love... you."

"Kali."

Camio. Kali chanted, forcing a smile onto her lips and she felt Kouen's heart thudding loud beneath her fingertips. Camio, I'm so scared. I'm so scared, Cam. I don't—

I don't want to die.

"Kali!" Kouen roared.

Okay. Kali inhaled and exhaled, legs growing numb and her mind growing hazy. She kept them focused on those shining, shining red eyes filled with so much love and she smiled then, crooked and bloody and she grinned. Okay.

"I love you."

Kouen's lips parted but no words slipped through her ears. Kali's eyes fluttered once, her heart surging loud in her chest and then—

Air escaped her lips and her eyes slid shut.

Silence.

Her heart stuttered and then ceased.

"Kali." Kouen rasped.

Her entire body flickered and he clutched it fiercely to him. "Kali."

Her body flashed, transparent amidst the ground and then—

A burst of light, a flutter of Rukh, and then Kali's body faded from existence.

Kouen's fingers slipped through air and he stared hard at the pool of blood below him, staining his hands and bits of metal hit the floor with dull thuds. Feathers clipped to the top of a dragon hairpiece soaking the blood below.

Agony pierced the sky and Judal stared quietly at the emptiness in front of them and the earth trembled as a roar split the air.

"Couldn't even leave a body behind to bury," Judal turned his eyes skywards and blinked once. "That's cruel, you know."

The world shattered.


Just, you know, some nice angst on a Saturday night for ya guys, haha..ha...

:')

This idea's been floating in my head for the longest time, and with everything that's coming up, I felt like it would provide a little bit of insight on the things that could happen/what might've happened in other worlds Kali couldn't see because she didn't exist in them anymore. I actually have Sinbad's scene written out too, but after I put this one out I realized it would be absolute cruelty to have both of them in the same chapter, so look forward to the other another time ;)

I thought long and hard about these little side stories and kinda just sat there like hmm, what would be the absolute best way to completely shatter these powerful, fearsome men. I really feel like for Kouen it'd hit him so much harder with a child because though brutal as he can be, his blood and his family come first to him and he does what he can to protect them. Sinbad's hurts me a little more in a way I can't say cause it'll spoil it for you guys, but, yikes, figured one sad story was enough for today.

Hopefully at least this chapter was a fairly nice read! KouLi shippers might've had more fun (or been in absolute agony) with this one. Sorry it's not plot/the next chapter, but it's been sticking to me so long I had to get this one out. I've got the newest chapter halfway done and it's got some of my favorite scenes to write so I hope you all have fun with that in the next update!

And with some of those scenes coming up that I'm excited to write, I'd love to know what are your guys' favorite scenes so far from the story! I've had a lot of fun writing many of them (the last chapter of the Kou Arc, SinKali in the office, and some of the fights scenes too) so I'd love to hear which ones you guys enjoyed the most. :)

And I know I say it every time but thank you so damn much for being such wonderful and amazing people. The love and support for this story always slaps me in the face in the best way possible and the time you guys take to write out these reviews and offer bits and pieces or just share ideas is amazing and I love you all, a lot.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed! (Much love to y'all reading Of Heroes, Blood, and Boba and freaking out about the blurbs I left in here and the anxious wait to see them in the story ;))

Marshmellow-

-OUT!