In looks alone, Quishan doesn't change in five years. Everything looked the same from what Alibaba remembered of the city. Luckily the old place Alibaba had lived in was open now like before. He and Kassim made that their headquarters in quick fashion. Kassim didn't waste time in getting to know the local gangs. He made a map of the city and marked all the different turfs and where to avoid and who was least likely to kill them for fun.
Alibaba hit the markets and worked when possible, doing almost anything that was asked to keep a steady income and to gather as much gossip on the Dungeon as possible. It was pretty much what he did the first time, only he was more picky about what jobs he took and he avoided a certain overweight merchant like the plague. The Dungeon was a common topic for all the tourists and wishful adventurers so Alibaba had no trouble in getting his info. Luckily Amon's Dungeon was not guarded or closed to the public. It was warned against trying though from how many haven't come back. This was good news. It made it less of a hassle for Alibaba and Kassim later on.
Kassim did not have good news for the Morgiana half of the mission. Jamil was currently in Quishan thankfully, and he did have his own set of slaves according to the street talk. The street talk also said that he was a right bastard who held no care for lives beneath his 'station'. Alibaba was not surprised by this description.
The bad news was that the place Jamil was currently staying with his parents was being heavily guarded and no one knew where they kept their slaves when not on their person. They'd be outnumbered if they tried a frontal attack, and they couldn't sneak her out unless they knew where the slaves were housed.
It left them with only one option. Conquer the Dungeon, use the gold from the Dungeon's inner sanctum to buy out all the slaves, and free them all; Thus getting Morgiana out of Jamil's claws. Simple. It still frustrated him that they couldn't get Morgiana out of there immediately.
Alibaba and Kassim were in the market the morning of the day they were going to enter the Dungeon. They were looking for any last minute items they would need for the Dungeon. Alibaba was keeping an eye out for a sword that was more to the style of the one Sinbad had given him since he was still having trouble getting used to his dagger again. He wasn't really expecting anything to catch his interest though, knowing that the likelihood of a good quality sword like that one being in Quishan was very slim.
Alibaba was standing at a stall with a weapons merchant when Kassim stepped neatly to his right. He leaned against the stand facing the crowds with annoyed disinterest. The merchant turned to grab a sword he kept back to show Alibaba and Kassim leaned closer to Alibaba's ear.
"Don't look now but we got company." Alibaba aborted his instinctive movement to ignore Kassim's order and look. He frowned at his friend who was giving off a familiar aura. Kassim was mad, no furious. Just who was it that he saw?
"Ah, here is the blade Most Wonderous and Kind Customer." Alibaba thanked the merchant, feeling his eye twitch at the titles. He would never get used to Quishan's weird habits when it came to trading. Why it was necessary for the buyer and the seller to giving flattering titles that only got more elaborate as the deal went on was a mystery to Alibaba.
The sword was good, Alibaba would admit. It was a short sword, more to his liking than a large broadsword. It wasn't anything fancy with a small crossguard and leather wrappings for a hilt. It kinda reminded Alibaba of a bandit sword if he was honest. A really nice bandit sword, but one nonetheless. He lifted the sword up to inspect the blade and turned just so slightly to the general area that Kassim was glaring at.
He almost dropped the sword on his face when he saw it. Reflected on the freshly polished steel was none other than Ithnan himself. Al-Tharmen were here, staring right at Alibaba and Kassim. After fumbling the sword he handed it back to the merchant and spat out a quick gratitude and goodbye before carefully leaving the stall. Kassim followed at a leisure pace, forcing Alibaba to slow down so that he didn't leave Kassim behind; which would risk an all-out fight between the older boy and Ithnan. He knew what Kassim was doing, keeping Alibaba from running like a demented chicken with its head missing. Because that was exactly what Alibaba wanted to do. Ithnan was in Quishan. Why was he there? What did Al Tharmen want in the city? He didn't remember them having any interest in it or Amon's Dungeon. What did his presence mean on the greater scale? Alibaba hadn't done anything to change things too much yet, so why were they here? Did they know he was from the future?
Alibaba fretted within his mind the whole way back to their temporary home in the city. Kassim had taken the led at one point, weaving them through the streets to ward off any would-be followers. Alibaba was grateful, with the state he was in Alibaba wouldn't have been able to do so. He'd have just walked straight back to the house, leading the enemy to where he slept and then would get horrifically murdered during the night.
Alibaba needed to sit down and breathe.
"What the fuck are they doing here?" Kassim roared, kicking the blankets and pillows on the floor across the room. He stormed around the room and threw more things to expel his energy, anger rolling off him in waves. Alibaba for his part just sat on the ground with his back to the door, head in his hands. He was trying to shut his brain down from the vivid images that were terrible answers to Kassim's question.
"You never said that bastard would be here!" Kassim turned to Alibaba snarling, eyes wild. He was beyond furious. "You're supposed to be the smart one so tell me why that fuck is here!" Alibaba swallowed the bile that was at the back of his throat. He knew that Kassim was angrier that he couldn't kill Ithnan for what he did, what he tried to do. There was nothing Kassim hated more than running away. Even if it was the right thing to do.
Alibaba breathed deeply and wet his lips. He needed to gather his thoughts. Al-Tharmen was in Quishan. They saw Alibaba and Kassim. Ithnan might not have recognized Alibaba but he was sure to know who Kassim was. They'd see him and immediately know that he was no longer their pawn in Balbadd's destruction. Kassim's Rukh wasn't the purest but it's a far cry from what it was before. There was no way Ithnan wouldn't notice. With Kassim free from depravity and obviously not in Balbadd rising in power within the slums, Al-Tharman will want to investigate their hold in Balbadd. Ithnan will be sent back out, will discover the fate of the tainted weapons he gave Kassim, and then will most likely choose a different candidate to replace Kassim.
Al-Tharman was going to be in Balbadd.
Al-Tharman was going to step foot in Balbadd and try to set up its demise once more.
Alibaba's heart stuttered, and he thought he was going to die. He saw it all over again. Balbadd in ruins, people dying, children starving, the ports empty, houses crumbling and the all the while the nobles will be partying away without a care. The palace will go up in flames and his father will die and Alibaba wouldn't be able to stop it.
"Oi!" Alibaba snapped back at Kassim's bark. He was crouched in front of Alibaba, body still tense with anger but his eyes not looking like sharp glass anymore. He was worried. Alibaba forced his body to breath and banished the images from his head. He wasn't going to let that happen again. Balbadd will not fall. Not without a fight. Alibaba won't let it.
"I don't know why they're here." His heart was thundering in his chest, drowning out the rest of the world around him. He looked Kassim in the eye, a heady determination and dark knowledge burning inside him. Kassim physically recoiled, staring at Alibaba in shock. Alibaba barely noticed it, already speaking his next sentence.
"I don't know why," He repeated, voice shaking with an emotion he was unfamiliar with. "But whatever time limit we had just got smaller." There was fear, a large dose of it trembling in his vocal cords as he locked away images of a damaged Balbadd. But there was also a steel in the words, not quite anger but in no way passive. Alibaba didn't know how to describe it, but he could feel it soaking into his body. Filling him up until he was ready to burst into a ball of combustion and flames. His fingers itched for Amon's metal vessel.
"We don't have time, Al-Tharmen will be on the move and we're five steps behind." Alibaba stood up and started to sort through the mess that Kassim had made from his fit of anger. He was looking for the maps they made and the notes Alibaba created on the Dungeon. He had written down all that he remembered of the Dungeon to give them a better advantage. He had no idea how they were going to get past the slime bugs, especially when they formed into one being. Last time he had Aladdin and his power to call on Ugo. There would be no friendly help of the Djinn this time.
"Tch, it's about time." Alibaba paused and looked at Kassim. He was staring at Alibaba with a considering look, a smile almost curling on his face. Alibaba frowned and went to ask just what he was talking about but Kassim turned away before he could. He started to pack up their things, leaving behind anything unimportant. Alibaba pursed his lips but didn't comment. Kassim would be weird sometimes, he'd just chalk it up to that.
They left the home silently and raced through the streets to the steps that led up to the towering Dungeon. Alibaba mournfully wished for Aladdin's flying turban as he and Kassim ran up the endless amount of stairs. He took his friend's magic for granted and he was being punished. It was unfair. They were winded by the time they reached the doors, sweat pouring from every pore.
"Who the fuck," Kassim panted. "Put in all those stairs?" Alibaba didn't have the heart to tell him that the Djinn they were after, Amon, was the one to do so. He didn't think Kassim would appreciate it. The two boys took a moment to breathe and to feel life in their legs again. When ready, they didn't hesitate to put their hands on the door.
Any time he entered a Dungeon, which was only twice, Alibaba was always amazed at the sight of the world shining in the great expanse around him. The golden light that shined, pulling him into its embrace and pulling him down further and further at an impossible speed that would temporarily knock him out. The passing between outside and inside the Dungeon was brief, but wonderous every single time.
Still, he'd appreciate not landing face down in a pool of water. Alibaba flailed, almost drowning, and sat up with a gasp. As he was coughing water out of his mouth and lungs he looked for Kassim. The other boy was beside him in a similar state as Alibaba.
Once knowing where Kassim was Alibaba looked around the chamber they landed in. It was a dark and dank area with a crystalized ceiling and rock formations for walls. They were sitting in a dark pool of water and ahead was a giant wall with tunneled entryways. It was exactly as Alibaba remembered. The skellingtons in the water were even in the same places as they were last time.
Wait.
"Run!" Alibaba grabbed Kassim's arm and hauled him out of the water, running as fast as he could to get out of the water. Kassim cursed and tried to get free but Alibaba wouldn't let go intent on getting out of there. When they touched dry land flames from above shot down onto the water, the liquid catching fire and forcing them to jump back at the ferocity of the heat.
"I forgot about that." Alibaba chuckled nervously. Kassim glared at him and slapped the back of his head, making Alibaba yelp.
"Don't forget important things like that idiot!" He growled darkly. Alibaba quickly stuttered out apologies because Kassim was right. He shouldn't have forgotten the first death trap that was at the start of the Dungeon. It could have gotten them killed, and Alibaba didn't think he'd be sent back in time again if that happened. He had no clue as to why he was in the past, but he had a hunch that it had to do with his fight against Hakuryuu somehow. An accident to be sure because Hakuryuu wanted to kill Alibaba, not this.
Alibaba owed Hakuryuu thanks, however, even with the attempt of murder. Because of Hakuryuu, Alibaba had Kassim back. He had Kassim, Balbadd was alive and well, his relationship with his father was better than before, and he had a chance to get a leg up on Al Tharmen. Alibaba owed Hakuryuu a lot. Enough to forgive him trying, and pretty much succeeding, to kill Alibaba.
Kassim and Alibaba walked further into the Dungeon. It was hit and miss when trying to find the correct path, and more than once the two were back-peddling in fright. Eventually, they found a path that Alibaba vaguely remembered. Their hands were near their weapons, ready to be drawn at a moment's notice. A good thing, because it wasn't long before the slime monsters showed up. Alibaba and Kassim fought in tandem, weaving around each other and striking the monsters with quick efficiently.
Alibaba was hoping to kill the monsters at a fast enough rate that they wouldn't merge into the ultra monster. He was sadly mistaken in that. They still converged into the large form, leaving Kassim and Alibaba to stand shoulder to shoulder at its feet. Alibaba liked to think he had a better look on his face this time around than he did before. Less terrified shock and more...anything else really. It was pointless though. He probably looked like Kassim who was staring up in disgusted horror. Alibaba tried to warn him about the slimes, but seeing the real deal was another thing.
The slime tilted back, eyes dilating and mouth opening wide. Alibaba's breathed hitched and a sudden torrent of fire was being breathed on them. Alibaba and Kassim both dived out of the way, but it didn't deter the monster in the slightest. He continued to spew fire at them and stomped around throwing punches that made craters in the ground when they got too close.
Alibaba cursed under his breath as he took cover behind a cluster of crystals. Hopefully, they didn't turn into eggs like the rest had before. The slime was breathing fire at him, making the crystals heat up and singe his back. Alibaba hissed in pain and pulled his body away from the crystals. They were slowly melting under the heat pressure, meaning that Alibaba didn't have long. They needed a plan now.
The fire disappeared with a screech and Alibaba risked a look around his shield. Kassim had approached from behind and slashed its leg. The slime roared in pain and spat fire at him, making Kassim retreat. The slime ended up hitting itself in the foot with the fires instead and screamed even louder. The foot was now bubbling puddle of goo. The slime didn't take long to regenerate a new foot, but Alibaba's mind was beyond that.
The slime was flammable, more than that, it just couldn't handle the fire at all. It was weak to its own element. Alibaba knew that they couldn't get it to fry its own self. It wasn't a complete idiot and wouldn't let them pull another trick like Kassim did. Not only that but it would need to be doused with so many flames at once it couldn't regenerate.
The starting point of the Dungeon flashed in Alibaba's head.
"Kassim!" Alibaba shouted, darting out from his hiding spot. "I have a plan!" He got in the slime's line of sight and threw a rock at its head, managing to hit it square in the eye.
"Come and get me you weak excuse for pudding!" Alibaba was sure that Kassim was wanting to strangle him at the moment. The slime took offense to the insult and charged, fire roaring from its mouth. Alibaba didn't waste any time and started running as fast as his legs would go. He led the slime on a merry chase through the first half of the Dungeon. He didn't know where Kassim was, but he didn't have time to dwell on it too much. Alibaba had to focus on not tripping and getting brutally killed by the slime.
They ended up at the starting point quickly, the maze of tunnels and the pool of water still there. Just before Alibaba reached the water it was set on fire, resetting whatever clock the flames from above were set on. It took longer than he liked for the water to stop burning, long enough for the slime to catch up.
Alibaba gasped in pain when he was punched back into the water by the slime. He tasted blood in his mouth from where he bit his cheek. The slime followed, wading into the pool without a second thought. Alibaba struggled to stand up, stomach clenching from the pain. He was going to be bruised to hell tomorrow. The slime stopped just before Alibaba, fury in its eyes. It tilted back, preparing to shoot fire at Alibaba one last time. Around him, the air heated up. He didn't have long, Alibaba needed to move. There was nowhere to go however, Alibaba realized when standing up. The slime was blocking the only exit. He had trapped himself. He was going to die.
"Alibaba!" Kassim's shout came from above. He was hanging onto the rock wall for dear life with one hand, the other reaching out to Alibaba. He didn't hesitate and reached up, scrambling up the wall with Kassim's help. It was just in time, because the flames from above and from the slime hit the water all at once, exploding into a wildfire that consumed the slime at a rate quicker than it could regenerate. Alibaba felt a little sorry for the creature as it burned. It had to be a painful death. It was the only thing Alibaba could think to do, however.
"That was your plan?" Kassim deadpanned after the fire died out and it was safe to cross the water. Kassim had been behind Alibaba and the slime, chasing after them since they left the slime's chamber. He had seen where Alibaba was heading for and guessed what he was trying to do, but had thought of what Alibaba hadn't when the slime entered the pool. He jumped up to the rocky wall and climbed at a dangerously fast pace to reach Alibaba in time.
"Did you have something better?" He grumbled, ringing out the water from his clothes. Kassim snorted with a shake of his head.
"Something that didn't get you torched to death would have been nice." Well, Alibaba couldn't fault that. He would have liked a plan like that too. Burning to death was not on the top of his fancies. He liked being alive.
"Thank you for saving me." Kassim pushed Alibaba roughly at the words. Alibaba didn't let it get him down. He truly was thankful. Without Kassim, he would have died. Like that time before with Aladdin. He couldn't defeat that slime by himself, he needed the help of his friends beside him. Alibaba was nothing without his allies, and he couldn't afford to forget that.
It was one of the reasons why he didn't think he'd be a good king actually. He wasn't strong like Sinbad or Kouen. He couldn't really do anything by himself without screwing up in some fashion. Kings needed to be strong and independent. Alibaba was weak and the most dependent person he knew. He wouldn't make it on the throne.
Alibaba looked at Kassim out of the corner of his eye. Kassim was a better leader than Alibaba. He always was. As kids in the slums, and as adults in the Fog Troupe. He was able to hold a person's attention, rally them to a cause and make them want to follow him. In a way, he was a King himself.
Alibaba wondered what he'd do if Amon picked Kassim over him? He hadn't considered it before, the thought never occurred to him. Amon was his after all. Being in the Dungeon reminded Alibaba though, that the rules in this place were different from the world outside. Everything was controlled by the Djinn, and if he preferred Kassim he wouldn't even spare Alibaba a glance. Especially if he had no memories of Alibaba.
It'd hurt, he knew. Amon had become a part of him, a friend and ally who fused with his soul and magoi. Alibaba had worked so hard to get stronger with Amon, to master his Djinn Equip and get control of his powers. He felt like a part was missing without Amon's presence at his side. He felt incomplete.
But he wouldn't begrudge Amon for thinking Kassim the better King candidate. Kassim was stronger and more confident than Alibaba. While he had no idea how he'd cope if it happened, Alibaba silently vowed that he wouldn't be angry if Amon chose Kassim. He'd bite back the pain and help his friend because it would be the right thing to do. He wouldn't let something like that ruin their friendship. He refused.
He'd miss Amon though, to be honest.
They came into the chamber with the riddle and the pathway of fire. They stopped at the entrance, surprised. Ahead of them was another group of people. Three of them were finely dressed, two adults the third a child. Alibaba recoiled at the sight of the kid who couldn't even be fourteen. What were they thinking to bring him inside?
Alibaba conveniently forgot that he was technically only twelve now.
Standing dutifully to the side of them was another small group in more ragged clothing. Amongst them was a familiar shade of red. Morgiana. Morgiana was there, younger and with shorter hair but she was there. If she was there, then the kid in the noble clothes was Jamil. What was he doing here? Were those his parents and their slaves? Why were they there?
As Alibaba's mind broke down Jamil looked behind him and saw them. He smiled wide, showing his teeth. "Mamma, Pappa look! Some Peasants are here." Jamil's parents turned and looked at Kassim and Alibaba with scorn.
Jamil took after his mother in looks. She had a soft face with silky hair that was passed down to her son. She had a few wrinkles but looked young for the most part. She'd be beautiful if it wasn't for the cold look in her eyes. His father was a tall man with black hair, a beard trimmed neatly on his face. His lip was pulled back in thinly veiled disgust as he looked them over.
"Do you think they're who Ithnan was talking about?" The woman asked her husband thoughtfully, ignoring Alibaba and Kassim's presence in the room. Alibaba jolted at the sentence. That answered it. Ithnan sent them in here, but why? Because he saw Kassim? What good would that do? The man hummed under his breath before answering.
"I doubt it. He said the two would be strong individuals who could complete the Dungeon. They look like street rats who followed our trail inside." He waved a hand to one of the people standing to the side, and Alibaba could see the chains now. Slaves.
"They likely only made it this far by letting us do all the work. Kill them." The slave, a tall man with shaved hair and a burned face, didn't even blink at the order. He ran at Alibaba and Kassim with blank eyes and a raised sword.
Kassim stepped in front of Alibaba and blocked the downward swing with his left sword and raised the other to the slave's neck. Molten eyes narrowed up at the slave with a promise of pain.
"Back off." He punctuated the order with a swift kick to the slave's stomach, sending him to the ground. Jamil and his parents watched with bored eyes, taking in the defeat of their slave with little interest.
"I suppose rats do have some teeth." The man said loftily. Kassim grinned toothily in response, more than willing to show just how much bite he had to the stuck up couple. Alibaba grabbed Kassim's arm and subtly shook his head. He then turned to the group ahead of them.
"My name is Alibaba and this is my friend Kassim." He will be forever grateful that his mother gave him a common name. It made things easier when he was supposed to be laying low. This way he didn't need to worry too much about using a fake name. Since he was only the third Prince of Balbadd his identity wasn't as widely known as his brothers. Also, as Jamil's parents had pointed out, he looked nothing like royalty at the moment.
"We should work together to reach the end." Nobody liked the sound of that. Kassim was even giving Alibaba a nasty glare. Still, he pushed on. There was no way he and Kassim could take them all on. It would be hard enough without Morgiana to consider. With her it was impossible. Her Fanalis heritage was strong and Alibaba knew that there was no way they could beat her. He didn't want to fight her anyhow. "This way we all make it out of the Dungeon alive. We don't get to choose who claims the Djinn anyway. The Djinn chooses us."
They considered Alibaba's words. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt." The woman said. "It's not like it would choose things as lowly as you two. And we can always use more servants." Alibaba had to tighten his grip on Kassim to keep him from speaking. It wasn't what Alibaba had meant, but he'd take it if it kept a fight from breaking out.
"They can replace the dead one at least." Alibaba frowned at the man's words. Dead one? The man snapped his fingers and all of a sudden one of the other slaves stepped out and in the blink of an eye, he shot an arrow into the throat of the slave that Kassim knocked down. Kassim and Alibaba jumped back in surprise. Two more arrows were shot, hitting the slave in the chest. Alibaba's eyes widened and his mouth dried as a cry was trapped in his throat.
Alibaba couldn't believe what he just saw. Young Jamil laughed and asked the man to shoot another. He did. Two more arrows struck the dead body at the child's behest. Jamil's mother told him to stop playing. The father was back to trying to read the riddle for the next portion of the Dungeon.
"Alibaba." Kassim took his arm and led Alibaba away from the body. Alibaba tore his eyes away and looked at his killer. The slave was back in line, bow tucked away and quiver hanging at his waist. He had no shirt, just pants, and was barefoot. The chains that shackled his feet were rusty as if flecked with blood. He had brown hair and dead eyes, no expression on his face.
"Why did you kill him?" Alibaba asked Jamil's father, knowing that the slave wouldn't answer. The man glanced at Alibaba and rolled his eyes. He went back to the riddle.
"He failed to kill you, making him worthless. I don't keep worthless tools." Alibaba's hand curled into a fist and he bit his lip. He didn't even call the man a human. To him, they weren't humans, worth nothing more than a good hammer was to a builder. It made Alibaba sick to his stomach.
"This writing is Torran, a dead language only the highly educated would understand." Jamil's father frowned at the plaque. "I know Torran, but this is some variant or dialect I don't know. As expected of a Dungeon, but it complicates things for us." He turned to his wife.
"Cera, which one would you be willing to part with?" Cera, who was Jamil's mother, sighed with a pout. She looked at the line of slaves with a critical eye. Alibaba didn't understand at first why, but then he realized. They were going to send one of the slaves through the tunnel where the fire was blazing at random intervals. They were going to kill or severely injure another slave.
"My father taught me some of Torran. May I try?" Kassim tried to pull Alibaba back but he ignored him. He wasn't going to let them hurt another person like that. Not if he could help it. Jamil's father looked down at Alibaba with a raised eyebrow.
"By all means." He drawled, stepping back. Alibaba knew that he was doing it only in amusement. He thought that Alibaba was bluffing, putting up a front to look better than what he was. Alibaba walked to the plaque and read the words. They rang familiar to him from before. He never remembered the exact words but it was coming to him now. Still...
"Dance around the fire sprouts, the truth is within the dragon's jaws. Everything will be found after the dragon's tail." Alibaba leaned back and scratched his cheek sheepishly. "..I think." Cera and her husband stared at Alibaba suspiciously. Alibaba let out a nervous chuckle and scooted closer to Kassim to avoid being stabbed like Jamil had done the last time.
"Not rats." The man drawled carefully. "Thieving weasels who try to impersonate their betters." Alibaba practically felt Kassim bristle at the condescending tone. He jabbed his elbow into Kassim's stomach to stop anything drastic from happening.
"We aren't going to actually trust his word?" Cera questioned with a glare in Alibaba's direction. "For all we know, he read the thing wrong and will get us all killed." She looked over their line of slaves once more with purpose. Alibaba's mind panicked. This wasn't what he wanted!
"Then we'll go first." Kassim stepped forward, making sure to stomp on Alibaba's foot on the way. Alibaba hissed out a curse at the boy's retaliation. Kassim walked to the corridor and studied the pathway passively.
"I'll go first." Alibaba bit his lip. That was not what he wanted. Kassim didn't know the real translation! Alibaba couldn't say anything, however, because Kassim didn't wait to do as he said. All Alibaba could do was hope that his friend remembered Alibaba's retelling of the Dungeon.