Sorry for the delay. This whole part of AoS is super interesting to me, so I'm really excited, but I wanted to make sure Leila fit without ruining the whole arc. Hopefully, it turns out okay.
I do not own magi or the characters. I do own my oc.
Chapter 53
I stand next to Salena and Maat looking up at the block pyramid structure, that was once the Royal Tomb. It makes me wonder where my family is buried. Did anyone even bother with Vartan? Would I be allowed to go pay my respects to Keket and my brother?
"Leila," says Salena quietly, shattering the spiral I was going down. "What's wrong?"
I study the young girl, surprised to this day that she's still traveling with me. With her dark hair and pale skin tone, she almost look like she could be related to Sahel. Her bright purple-blue eyes show every emotion she feels, from the sadness of losing her sister to excitement for every new adventure. In this short time we've become kind of like family. Yeah we have the Sindria group, but there's always going to be this divide between us. We're used to having our guard up, and that's something that a lot of them don't really understand. Around strangers we have to hide, but around each other we can be honest and vulnerable and sarcastic.
"I think I want to find where Keket and Halim are laid to rest," I say quietly so no one else hears. She looks up at me clearly shocked by this sudden decision. "I just…in a way I want to feel like…it's weird."
"Its okay," says Salena offering me a smile. "I'll go with you if you want."
"I'd appreciate that. Thanks, Salena. I hope you know how much I really appreciate you."
"I know," she says earning a short snort from me. "Maybe you should ask Sin or Ja'far. It would mean a lot to them."
"I don't know," I say noticing Sinbad keeps glancing at me. "It's a little weird. Speaking of weird, why's Sinbad acting like this? He was fine this morning."
"I don't know," she says waving at him. He spots this and immediately turns away. "Maybe Ja'far threatened him."
"I don't think so," I remark as Ja'far and Sinbad have this silent conversation. "He had a conversation with Mystras. Maybe he know what's going on?"
"Yeah, but you'll never ask him. He's too loud for you."
"He probably wouldn't tell me anyways," I muse. "We'll figure it out once we come back."
"Who do you think will capture it," asks Salena excitedly as Maat looks at me confused.
"Only one person can capture a dungeon," I explain with a shrug. "Most likely it will be either Sinbad or I who do so since we each have multiple Djinn."
"So no one else could claim it other than one of you two?"
"Not necessarily," I say calmly looking around the group. "Anyone who isn't a Household Member or Magician can in theory. Sin and I are just the most likely candidates."
"So Salena, Sahel, Drakon, and Ja'far can't," she continues looking at me suspiciously. "Why are they even coming ?"
"Sin's their household. Sahel goes where Serendine goes and Salena goes with me."
"Yep," says Salena happily. I can't help but roll my eyes ignoring the speech Gafra is giving the others. "I'm kind of like a Household Member, but without some limits."
"You're nine," I point out, smiling as she pouts. "Don't go declaring yourself the equivalent of a Household Member yet."
"How do you become a Household Member," asks Maat.
"I have no idea," I reply as she seems to get frustrated with me. "I never really thought about it. The idea that I could have Household Members is strange to me. I've always kind of been a lone wolf."
"That's sort of sad," speaks up Salena.
"Not really," I say feeling optimistic for once. "I have a reason to think about those things now. The fact that I can is a really good sign."
"You look at everything so backwards," sighs Salena. I must look confused because she starts to laugh. "It's kind of entertaining."
"I aim to please," I reply smiling as the girl laughs.
"Let's go," says Sinbad catching our attention.
We start up the steps, but I pause seeing Babu not coming.
"I can't do this," he says as the group stops behind me. "This…I can't follow the group of you to this. My place isn't with all of you. It's here on the ground protecting the home my brother and I know."
"You don't have to explain," I say calmly. I can see Maat wants to argue. "It's your decision how you want to honor your family. We'll see you when we finish this."
"Be careful, Maat," he says as she looks down. "Dad can't lose his little girl. You are his favorite."
I look at her as she nods, but doesn't say anything. In a lot of ways, she wanted her older brother there. This is scary for everyone.
"I'll make sure she comes back," I say catching both of their attention. "If I have any say about it, everyone's coming home."
"Come on," says Salena grabbing Maat's hand as well as mine. "Lets conquer this dungeon."
"You're excited," says Sinbad as Salena lets go running next to him. She smiles up at him as he ruffles her hair.
"It's a new adventure," she says happily. "I know that this is serious and we need to work hard, but it's a chance to do something new. And it's not just an adventure with Leila, but everyone."
"Out of everything the two of you have done, how much is getting Leila out of trouble," asks Hinahoho.
"HEY!"
"Most of them," remarks Salena smiling as I frown. "She's really good at getting into trouble."
"She is," Sinbad says turning to smile at me. "It's part of her charm."
"Don't be mean," I say pouting noticing Maat smile a little bit.
At least them making fun of me makes her feel better.
"Never," says Sinbad as Salena giggles. "I merely tease you to see that cute look on your face."
"Shut up," I say rushed hiding behind Maat. It fails miserable as I can feel myself blushing without an end in sight.
I look away from him as we continue forward, Salena coming back down next to me. I glance back as Sinbad as see him and Mystras arguing about something quietly. It gets to the point that even Ja'far butts in, quickly silencing the other two.
"Do you know what's going on with them," I ask Sahel, which results in Serendine hearing me as well.
"Not a clue," responds Sahel, before turning to Serendine. "Has Drakon said anything to you?"
"Even if he did why would I tell her," she says barely glancing at me. I lightly smack Salena's shoulder as she mutters bitch under her breath. I kind of agree, but still. "In actuality though, I don't know what's going on with the three of them."
"I think I might know what's going on with Ja'far, but the other two…I'm just lost."
I listen to Serendine scoff. She must be trying to listen to Drakon and stop arguing with me. Maybe I should try to be a little nicer too.
"I owe you an apology," I say plainly looking at Serendine out of the corner of my eye. She turns and regards me suspiciously. "I haven't been particularly nice to you. Partevia and Sham Lash are the objects of my anger, and I shouldn't be taking that out on you."
"I should have looking into what you told me when you were exiled," she say now refusing to look at me. I feel kind of bad for Sahel being stuck in between us for the conversation. "I'm sorry for that. Knowing what I know now…I wonder if a lot of this could have been avoided if I had."
"I'd have probably still been in Partevia for that bull shit Barbarossa pulled," I say with a shrug. "I can't guarantee a changed outcome, but an ally in the fight against him. He's an ass."
"Calling him an ass is much nicer than the insults running through my head," she says as we make eye contact.
"Same here, but I don't want to teach Salena those insults yet," I reply smirking. I smile as Serendine looks forward trying not to laugh, Salena whining beside me to stop treating her like a kid. "Your brother's still in Partevia correct?"
"He is," she says sounding far more upset than I could imagine, but at the same time I relate to it deeply.
"Tell me when you go to rescue him if he's alive," I say with a shrug going to move ahead of her and Sahel. "I'll help get him out of there."
"Why help me when I didn't help Ja'far?"
"Cause Ja'far meeting Sinbad was probably better for him than being stuck with me," I say casually. "If anyone else asks-"
"This conversation never happened," finishes Serendine. "I still don't like you."
"I get that a lot," I reply sarcastically, rolling my eyes.
"You're so nice," says Salena but I don't pay attention.
She's still a bitch. Of course she would apologize for any of the other shit she did. Just the one thing that she relates to.
"Uh…Leila," says Salena apparently noticing my darkening mood. "I take it back. You have to be a demon."
"Wait…what?!"
I watch Salena goes into the dungeon laughing at me, following close behind. I pause at the familiar flash of lights and sounds, relaxing and connecting with my Djinns. At this point it's useless to struggle against the sensation and use it to center myself for the battle.
"Glad you finally made it," says Hinahoho from behind me. I turn seeing everyone standing there, watching me. "At least it didn't take you long to get here. You're the last one."
"But I wasn't the last one in," I groan. "Why do dungeons like to mess with me?"
"All right then," says Sinbad clapping his hands together, smiling. "We're all here. I'm glad we all arrived at the same time. Sometimes there's a time variation when you enter."
"So this is a dungeon," exclaims Mystras excitedly as I look around the room. We're standing on a pathway surrounded by water and small fountains.
I run fingers along my necklace feeling uneasy about this place. Something's off, but I can't place it. It's like we're being watched.
"We'd better be cautious as we move forward," starts Serendine looking around.
"No," remarks Sinbad and I can't help but smirk as he looks at me. I grab my Buer Metal Vessel, a bit excited. "Time is precious. Our priority is to conquer the dungeon and return the Royal Tomb to its former state."
"Huh," starts Ja'far looking a bit worried.
"Leila, what are you doing," asks Salena panic clear in her voice.
"Let's cut out the exploration and take a shortcut straight to the treasury," says Sinbad looking oh so confident.
"Is there really a way to do that," asks Ja'far on the verge of being angry and a bit scared.
"Don't doubt us," I say pouting a little as he looks at me suspiciously.
"What," says Sinbad grabbing his sword. "That's easy."
We both activate our Djinn, completing the full equip. I glance at Sinbad, very much liking what I see.
"Nice equip," I say as he turns to me.
"Same to you," he says with a slightly primal smirk.
My gods I want him…
"It would be faster to cut a path straight through to the treasure," exclaims Sinbad as I ready my attack.
"Are you two stupid," yells Salena hiding behind Ja'far.
"That's so reckless," yell Ja'far loudly. "SIN! LEILA!"
"Bararq Sai/ Buertlala Tai," we yell ready to unleash our respective attacks.
I pause as suddenly we aren't in the same room. I jump up from floor holding my dagger out once again facing the Djinn as the others try to orient themselves.
"Where are we," asks Sinbad rubbing his head. "My Djinn Equip is gone."
"This is the treasury," says the Imp Like Djinn looking at me, trying to size me up. "I'm rather attached to this dungeon, and I'd prefer if you didn't destroy it so I transported you here."
I watch as the others get up, Salena hiding behind me a little. She looks excited, but nervous as Maat comes next to me, gripping her sword hilt tightly, but not drawing it.
"I am the Djinn of this Dungeon," continues the creature as Sinbad and the rest of the group look on shocked. "I am the Djinn if Spirt and Puppetry…Zepar." He pauses, smiling at everyone. "Welcome, humans."
I watch as the Djinn pauses, studying Sinbad and me.
"You," he says directed at Sinbad. "You're unusual, aren't you? You've brought several Djinns with you…just like that King…"
I watch Sinbad as he looks up, confused and intrigued. I just watch the Djinn who seems to still be studying Sinbad. For what reason I don't know.
"But instead of that King, you're more like…," Zepar pauses, on the verge of saying something he shouldn't. "No, never mind…"
"Umm…this is the end of the dungeon, right," asks Ja'far as the Djinn turns towards me.
"It is," says the Djinn smiling at me. "You're even more odd. You have the eyes of a magi I knew long ago. That being said she passed-"
"40 years ago," I finish for the Djinn. Everyone turns to look at me, the Djinn smiling like he's onto something. "Her other form passed about…5 years ago if I recall correctly. I have yet to meet the newest Magi."
"Where did you get your information," he asks still smiling.
"I have people," I remark with a shrug. I glance over seeing Sinbad look concerned while Ja'far looks pissed I still have secrets.
"His ally," muses the Djinn watching my stance. I smile, as he pauses, a bit taken aback. "Without question. I hated that woman."
"I know of that one," I remark realizing who he's referring to. Vartan wrote about them in the journal when researching his family's past. "How perfect," I say sarcastically, pointing my dagger at him casually. "There's a lot of people who hate me."
"I like you better," muses the Djinn much to my surprise. "You can comment back. She just got angry. Couldn't even tease her without causing a fight."
"If you don't mind," I begin crossing my arm casually. "We'd like to get started with your trial."
"Of course," says the Djinn smiling a bit to viciously for my liking. "It seems like among all of you, there's already two who have their mind set on being King…"
"One," I say calmly earning another questioning glance. "I'm not all that invested in it."
"Then why have you captured multiple dungeons," asks the Djinn, a mix of curiosity and disdain in his voice.
"I have a whole list, that you don't need to know," I chirp back.
"Regardless you're still here and a King Candidate," snaps the Djinn. I don't even flinch, but Salena does. "Sinbad you posses a rare type of magic power. As you already possess numerous household vessels, you are undoubtedly the King Vessel. And you Leila, have a number of Djinns as well and a Household ready to form, but there's a different power to you. If I didn't know better I'd say-"
"Our powers compliment each other," I remark cutting off the Djinn. "The traveling Magi told me that."
"Interrupt again and I'll kill you," says the Djinn calmly. I shiver a bit out of excitement, not having faced an enemy like this in quite a while.
"The two of you," he says pulling all of our undivided attention towards him. "It's my your strength, but the strength of your allies I'll be testing. As a King and Queen just how well do your allies obey you…? That will be your trial."
We never told him our names…could it be that it reads minds. Puppetry…could means he's a sound Djinn. That would explain a lot.
"Slow down, Leila," says the Djinn smirking. "You will go first. If your followers pass, you pass. Are they ready to begin?"
"A apologize for being blunt," I say sizing the Djinn up. "But what the fuck makes you think I have followers?"
"Those two," he says calmly. I turn surprised as Salena and Maat are transported to another platform. "I want to see their strength."
"Salena's just a child and practically family," I argue glaring at the Djinn ready to equip and attack him. "I've only know a few days, and consider a friend. They aren't follower."
"Tell them that," says the Djinn as I look over at them. I'm surprised to see how determined they look. "They look ready to go."
"I don't care," I say feeling Sinbad grip my arm. "Sin, What are you-"
"See what he wants them to do," says Sinbad calmly. "If it goes bad, you can step in. If they aren't willing to give up, you can't either.
"Sin…but after…"
"I know, but this will be different," he says moving to hold my hand.
I take a deep breath nodding, before turning back to the two. I can see that both look scared, but have this fire saying that they won't give up. I squeeze Sinbad's hand a little feeling him trace his thumb across the back of mine.
"Well then," speaks up Zepar. "Let me explain the rules."
Why the hell did I let them come?!
