Disclaimer: I do not own Magi

Chapter 36

Sinbad down with his wife, holding her in his arms. They sat under the warm weather of Sindria as the Eight Generals gathered around. Althea lay onto Sinbad's chest and held their children. It had been 4 months since Althea had given birth to Sindria's prince and princess and were growing healthy.

Masrur stood by Althea and Sinbad's side, smiling at the babies as they stared at their surroundings in awe. Ja'far appeared with a tray of food and Sinbad smiled at him, "Thank you Ja'far" he said quietly as Althea had fallen asleep in his arms.

"How is Althea?" asked Ja'far as Sinbad carefully pulled the blanket over Althea; slowly waking up.

"She's fine. Her health is improving faster than the healers thought and they said within a few weeks, she'll be back to normal" said Sinbad as Althea woke up, blinking sleepily.

"That's good to hear" said Ja'far before Sinbad gently took his children from Althea's arms. They cried for a moment as Sinbad grinned at them, "Shhh...your mother needs to eat now" he reasoned with them. Almost instantly, his children started to die down their cries.
Althea takes the nutritious food that was essential for a woman who had just given birth and slowly ate the food. Ja'far helped Sinbad take care his other child, carrying it in his arms and carefully rocked Esra.

Sinbad held Badr, his son, and smiled.

He hadn't thought of naming his son after his father but Althea smiled at him when she held Esra.

"You loved your father as much your mother, Sin. You named your daughter in the memory of your mother, why not do the same for your son?" said Althea as she brought the head of her daughter close to her face and smiled, "This way, the two of them can be together…even if it's just in name"

Sinbad smiled as his son yawned and held his hand while Althea cleaned herself and the remaining food.
Although Badr and Esra were only a few months old, they were already mistaken for a year old. They both inherited their father's hair and they already had tuffs of hair when they were born.

They had seen their children's eyes and sometimes, they would change colour but they primarily stayed brown for Amber brown for Esra and Golden brown eyes for Badr. The colours of their eyes didn't look too different from each other but only Sinbad, Althea, and the Eight Generals could tell the difference.

Ja'far had become the older brother of both Esra and Badr; a smile plastered on his face. Masrur carefully held Badr; worried that his fanalis strength would kill them. However, both Althea and Sinbad encouraged him to hold them at least once every day.

Althea gave a sigh of relief and Sinbad kissed Althea's cheek, smiling at her. His arms were wrapped around her waist as he nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck.

"Thank you" he said.

Althea hummed and ran her hands through his indigo hair, "About what?" she asked.

Sinbad smiled, "For giving birth to our wonderful children" he said.

Althea smiled and kissed Sinbad's lips, before settling herself into his hold. She watched her other 'children' take care Esra and Badr, slowly closing her eyes. "

Months flew by and Althea could feel a battle approaching. Esra and Badr had grown very quickly and were already crawling on the floor. The Eight Generals dropped by to see them at least once and Althea smiled but quickly turned serious when no one else was around.

Althea knew there was a battle coming and it would only be the first. She also noticed a slow change in Sinbad and she had to strengthen her body so she could handle whatever came. Not just for Sindria and herself… for her children as well.

Not to mention, she would wake up in the middle of the night and saw the growing mass of Black Rukh. This worried her and she looked into the rukh as it was growing in two places. One place was in the Kou Empire where Althea knew Al Thamen had situated themselves at. The other was at Magnostadt where Aladdin was.

"Althea" called out Sinbad as his wife turned to him. Their children were placed in the care of Shael and a few others, allowing the couple some time alone. "What's bothering you?" he asked, his arms wrapped around her waist.

Althea was silent before she looked at him, "A battle is coming Sinbad" she stated as Sinbad widened his eyes and turned serious. "I can feel it. The mass of black Rukh are increasing day by day; both originating in two places. One is the Kou Empire where Al Thamen are…and other is where Aladdin is; Magnostadt."

Sinbad widened his eyes and guided Althea to sit down, kneeling before her so their eyes were level with each other. Althea gripped her sword that held her Djiin, "I know I shouldn't but when the time comes, I will have to be there at the front line…"

Sinbad widened his eyes, "Althea…you can't be serious."

Althea looked at Sinbad and had sad smile, "I don't want to, Sinbad. I want to live like a normal human being. I'm happy that I've met you Sinbad and along the way, many others. I even have two children that I gave birth to this world. However, Sinbad…. I'm still the Guardian of the Rukh. My job is to ensure this world doesn't end and the balance between the White Rukh and the Black rukh are equal. However, right now, as we speak, things are becoming out of hand. I have a role to do in this world and if I don't….I'm afraid the world end and I could've stopped it. Sinbad, when you first met me and you allowed me to stay by your side still Baal's dungeon, you've realized it haven't you?"

Sinbad stared at her with down cast eyes as Althea continued on, "My life is not a long one and is growing short. I would be very lucky if I made to the age of 50. That's why I must do everything in my power to do what I can for this world" she said, earnestly with a small smile on her face.

Sinbad stared at Althea and gripped her hands, afraid she was going to disappear. "Do you have to?"

Althea thinned her lips, "To ensure that the world doesn't end and the people living in this world, our children, continue to live in this world…I will do anything so that this world doesn't end" she said seriously.

Sinbad widened his eyes and was silent. He thought to himself before he reached to kiss Althea's lips. The two simply sat there, their lips locked with other before Sinbad parted away from her and smiled, rubbing Althea's shoulder. "Then I will be by your side" he said.

Althea smiled, "As will I." she said, before she took in a deep breath. "I love you, Sinbad"

Sinbad smiled, kissing Althea's lips once more. "And I love you, Althea"

A few months passed and Althea was currently having insomnia. Sinbad and the others had to calm her down when she woke up screaming in the middle of the night and crying; flashes of Alma Torran going through mind and the countless dead bodies. She imagined everyone she ever knew lying motionless in a very dark and silent world with a black sun casting over them. She couldn't tell them even if she wanted to since when they finally got her to calm down, her mind was blank of the nightmares.

It was if someone was doing it purposely. Althea didn't know if it was a seal that Ugo had placed over many life times ago but even in day, her mind would flash with the dead bodies. Althea would wince and often people would look at her worriedly.

The only chance she could sleep peacefully was in Sinbad's arms, under the sunlight, or her children were within arms.

Ja'far stood in front of the Eight Generals and Sinbad, as they had a meeting on Althea's current status. "How is she, Ja'far?" asked Sinbad, his fingers looped together and placed in front of his mouth.

Ja'far grimanced and everyone knew it wasn't going to be good news. "The healers had given me the current situation on Althea. I don't know any way else how to see it but…"

Everyone waited as Ja'far had a down casted look and the ex-assassin looked at them, "She's dying"

Everyone hitched their breath as Sinbad looked down. It was as they feared.

"There should be some time left right?" asked Drakon, frowning.

Ja'far thinned his lips as Yamuraiha looked down, "Yamuraiha?" asked Sinbad flatly.

The magician gripped her staff, "The rukh around Althea seem fairly weak now. That's why there's so many of them now; they're trying to prolong her life. However, the signs were there when Althea gave birth to Badr and Esra. At this rate…"

Hinahoho frowned to himself. First was Rurumu; his dear wife and soon, Althea was departing from this world. They were both strong and none think they would die so easily, but in truth…women were both weak and strong.

"Is there anything we can do?" gritted Sharrkan as he pounded his fist on the table.

Yamuraiha shook her head, "We can only slow down the process with magic but her body will still keep on dying. Since Althea is not exactly part of this world and if it is true that she has died several times, I'm sure Althea will know we are slowing down the inevitable and cause her even more pain"

Sinbad closed his eyes and he leaned his forehead against his hands. He didn't want to but he knew. He knew Althea would die long before they would and she was hesitant to stay several times. Sinbad was selfish and wanted her to stay. She knew this would hurt them for the rest of her life but Sinbad had used Ja'far, Spartos, Masrur, Pisti, Yamuraiha, and Sharrkan…Aladdin, Alibaba, and Morgiana…. So Althea would feel compelled to stay.

Even with his children, he was selfish.

Sinbad knew when he first tried to stop Althea from dying, it was only avoiding the inevitable.

"Sinbad" said Althea as she lay on her bed weakly. Her hand reached out to him and Sinbad took it firmly. A reassuring smile was on her face and Sinbad tried not to cry. It was like watching his mother slowly die all over again. "Sin…" whispered Althea as she cupped his face and wiped his stray tears away. Sinbad choked back a sob and placed his face into her chest, allowing Althea to brush her hands onto his head.

If Althea died before him, he was going to miss the feeling of her touches. The warmth radiating from her body, the soft singing she would sing, and so much more. "Sin…" said Althea as she stared at the wall, a canopy curtain placed above her. "I still a few more years to live but you have to know, that I will die long before all of you. That's why I will enjoy the days I have left." She said as Sinbad lifted his head and looked Althea through glazed golden eyes, "However, you have to accept this fact or you will end cursing yourself, Sinbad. You need to live when I depart from this world and I need you to know, that I love you."

Silence fell between them and Althea brushed his cheeks, "Sinbad, in order to make my death less painful, I will leave..."

"Don't leave" said Sinbad with his throat clogging up. He gripped Althea's body to his own and breathed in her lingering scent. "You promised me…you promised me that you'll always be by my side"

Althea's eyes softened and she placed a hand on his head and shuddering body. "I did and I intend to keep that promise. You are aware the Rukh work and when I depart from this world, I will either choose to follow the path of the Rukh; allowing me to be by your side in a non-physical form or I will enter re-birth. "

"I don't want you to leave. I want you to be here, by my side. I want to touch your hands, your body, and your lips. I want to see your face every day as long as I live, Althea. I want to hear you sing more and I want to hear your voice in my ears. I want you by my side"

Althea lifted Sinbad's face as their foreheads' touched, "I know…I want to do the same, Sinbad but you have to accept somethings. My body isn't meant to last. You have to know, Sinbad, that when I choose to stay by your side, you have to let me go when the time comes."

Sinbad brushed Althea's lips with his thumb as his wife lay on his lap. Since the lack of sleep and the inevitable was approaching, Sinbad got a couch to be placed at his desk. He wanted her to be by side as much as possible and his children were in Althea's arms; sleeping peacefully.
He smiled at the three faces of the people he loved, Esra opening her eyes and looking at him.

She begun to mumble words that had no meaning as Sinbad held out his finger, his daughter gripping it. Althea slowly opened her eyes when the rukh flew past her ears as she made a passive face. "What's wrong, Althea?" asked Sinbad as he watched Althea get up. Her face turned to the nearby window and her eyes turned red as he widened his eyes.

"Althea." He said as Althea turned to him, her face serious. "War is about to happen" she said.

Sinbad widened his eyes as the door opened, revealing Ja'far. "King Sinbad. Queen Althea. A report from Magnostadt has come in. Magnostadt has declared war on Reim today. They've broken off all diplomatic negotiations and sealed off their borders. In response, Reim has deployed their troops. War has broken out." Said Ja'far.

Althea and Sinbad looked at him with passive looks and then looked at each other. A war between Reim and Magnostadt… this was the first of the waves.

"What shall we do?" asked Ja'far as he waited for further orders.

Sinbad looked at Althea as she spoke, "If war does break out between Reim and Magnostadt, I'm afraid that will only be the first that will happen. More tragedies will follow and not to mention, Aladdin is now aware of the situation more clearly…." She said.

Sinbad nodded and looked at Ja'far, "For now, we should be prepared for what will come" said Sinbad as Ja'far bowed and left the room. When the doors closed, Althea took Badr into her arms and Sinbad held Esra. The two stood up and walked together a bit, enjoying the peace between the two.

"Will you go off to battle?" asked Sinbad, quietly so he wouldn't wake up Ersa and Badr.

Althea simply nodded, "Whatever is coming Sinbad, it is my job to do. For you, for Sindria…for Esra and Badr…I have to do it, Sin" she said seriously.

Sinbad looked at her as golden eyes and multi-coloured eyes bored into each other before Sinbad took a deep breath and leaned down, "Remember to come back to me…to Esra and Badr" he said.

"I will…" whispered Althea before their lips were locked together. Sinbad wrapped an arm around Althea's waist, pulling her closer as she was caged with a pillar behind her and Sinbad in front. Sinbad lifted Althea's chins closer and while their parents were absorbed into each other, Esra and Badr slept on peacefully with their tiny hands holding each other.

A day had passed and Althea, Sinbad, and the Eight Generals were together. They were simply enjoying each other's company and Althea was laughing at Yamuraiha and Sharrkan. It was if nothing would happen until…

Althea felt a rush of rukh and it knocked her back, her body screaming in pain. "AAAAHHHH!"
Everyone stopped what they were doing as Esra and Badr could feel it as well and started crying. "Althea?!" yelled Sinbad as he rushed to her side. Althea held her head as scenes flashed in her head.

She saw Aladdin floating in the air and the rukh were giving him as much magoi as possible. Three giants made out sand appeared behind him and they looked similar to Ugo. She heard Aladdin scream and Althea felt herself black out and suddenly she felt herself appearing in the middle of the battle, the rukh going past her.

"I don't believe you're fit to be the king of the world, Mr. Director" said Aladdin, "But I also know the magicians of this country are people who are living their lives with all their might. If you put your heads together, you should be able to find a better way… This country, Magnostadt can't become one with the world as long as everyone's hearts are consumed by hatred. If that ever happens, it will surely spin out of control. I'm going to stop that from happening… "

Althea also found herself with Scheherazade and she saw her, "He is…a true magi…" said Scheherazade.

Althea folded her arms and looked at Aladdin, "He is more than that" she said.

Aladdin looked at Althea as he smiled, "Althea nee-san…"

Althea raised the palm of her hand and had a small smile before her body was thrown back. Althea gasped as she was surrounded by Sinbad and the others. Her face covered with sweat as she slowly got up from fetal position.

"Althea, are you sure you're okay to stand up?" asked Sinbad as he helped her up. Althea took a deep breath and placed a hand on her children's head, calming them down. She smiled at them and the others, "Don't worry. I'm tougher than I look, Sin." She said, before she placed a hand on her weapon. "However, I think I need to talk with Aladdin and Scheherazade…" she said.

Note: Hi, hi, everyone~

So first things first. For the mature scenes and sexual content between Althea and Sinbad, I've decided I will put it on a separate story. Not sure when but it'll probably happen. Chapter 34 will remain on this fan-fiction.

Second of all, thanks to one of you guys who reviewed this story, a Guest reviewers, I wouldn't be surprised if someone wrote and named Sinbad's child either Esra or Badr. It would seem like Sinbad would do. Although, I'm not sure if the author is directly copying Althea but I don't know. :P

Thirdly, this fanfiction will not be written to the latest chapter for several reasons. I already did a major manga follow up with my other fanfiction which is a Kuroko no Basuke fanfiction: The Sister between Two Bond Brothers and it took me 2 and 1/2 years. I would write it until the latest chapters and finish till the end but unfortunately, I am entering University so my time will be limited to my fanfiction passion.

I guess that's all for now. As always, thank you for reading this chapter, reviewing, those who pressed the favorite buttons, and those who are following this fanfiction! I greatly appreciate it!