DISCLAIMER: Magi and other discernible characters/quotes/citations belong to their respective authors. I do not own original content, Magi. No profits were made.
COVER CREDITS: MAGI THE LABYRINTH OF MAGIC BY SHINOBU OHTAKA (c). Cover Credits: Original Fan Character by Aladdin.
Cited: magi. Fandom wiki
A/N: Only 2 more chapters to edit before I can publish NEW CONTENT! Thank you for sticking around even though I'm so slow to update. There were a lot of edits in this chapter, I inserted a whole new scene with a Sindrian servant to show more of Samara's character development.
A/N: On a happier note, I have started the process to take my NCLEX exam, you guys! Super crazy~ I'll be busy studying for 6-8 weeks, but I will try my best to update Ch. 11-12 so we can move on to FRESH NEW CONTENT! I'm so excited! o
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Magi
Chapter X: Malice in Magnostadt
The morning after the Mahrajan festival…
Ja'Far barged into the King's office in the White Capricorn Tower. "King Sinbad, reports came in from Magnostadt—" He stopped at the sight of Samara, standing to the right side of the King. The General could not seem to catch Sinbad alone. It seems Samara was always lurking around him, making it impossible to have private conversations about matters of domestic affairs.
The couple was looking at maps of Magnostadt, getting ready for their voyage to see Aladdin. Samara took her hands away from the table and turned to Ja'Far. "I can return later if you need to talk about urgent matters with Sinbad."
The King held up his hand to stop Samara from packing up and leaving the room, "It's alright, Ja'Far. You may proceed."
The general unwillingly cleared his throat to continue, "I-It seems Magnostadt has officially declared war on the Rem empire today. They have called off all diplomatic negotiations and sealed off their borders. In response, the Rem have deployed their troops. War has broken out between the two countries."
"You were right, Samara." The King reaffirmed, his fingers interlaced beneath his eyes.
"Right about what…?" Ja'Far asked, his tone filled with skepticism, leaning in closer to grant Sinbad his undivided attention.
"I woke up today with a heavy feeling weighing on my chest." Samara clarified. "A premonition, perhaps. There is a darkness in this world that has been growing for some time now. It has the same malicious energy as the entity of the Black Rukh that destroyed our Old World. The reason why Aladdin's fate led him to Magnostadt, I believe something bad is bound to happen there if we don't help him stop it," she further explained, her voice quivering in distress.
Sinbad asked Ja'Far to call for a meeting with all of his generals and his officials in the White Capricorn Tower's strategy room. There was a big round table that displayed a carved, topographic map of Sindria. Everyone was seated when the King and Samara came in. Sinbad pulled a chair out for Samara next to him. While they exchanged brief, stolen glances with each other, the rest of the room could not possibly comprehend the depth they saw in each others' eyes.
"Thank you for coming in so early after the festival, everyone." The King addressed his court of administrators.
"Why have you called us here, my King?" One of the officials asked, propping an elbow on the table.
"I plan to travel again with Samara, to accompany her in Magnostadt."
"Is this about Aladdin? What is their relationship?" Another official asked, flaring his hands inquisitively toward Sinbad.
"It is not a matter for us to discuss here," Yamraiha interjected, correcting the track of the conversation. "The King called us here to assign duties while he's gone for this voyage."
"There is an ominous power growing stronger and stronger in Magnostadt, further proving Al-Tharmen's existence. We will need the force of the Metal Vessel Users of the Seven Seas Alliance to stop it." The King explained, vaguely. "Each of my generals will travel and gather the Alliance to meet us in Magnostadt. Ja'Far and Masrur will stay here in Sindria to represent the King's Court and to ensure safety while the rest of the generals are away."
The meeting was brief as they have protocols for when Sinbad travels, something he does quite often. The civil officials went on to attend their daily duties, while Masrur arranged for their transport to Magnostadt.
"I have to finish writing some letters to the leaders of the Seven Seas Alliance. I'll find you in a bit." The King kissed Samara's forehead.
She smiled awkwardly, emotions ranging from elation to panic. "I'll see you in a bit…"
The King smiled back and watched her walk away, hanging onto her fading scent, barely able to wait until the next moment he held her in his arms again.
Samara smiled and bowed to everyone she came across on the way to her bed chambers. Once she got there, she had an important task to complete. She needed to speak with Lian…
Once again, she cast a clairvoyance spell on her mirror. This time it was the Samarian Holy Priest that greeted her.
"Priestess Samara," Lian called out, "I received your urgent message. I gathered the previous Spiritual Leaders and the current students. How can we help?"
"Greetings, everyone." She said, ominously as she sat down, "Solomon's Wisdom revealed to me over the last few days… There is a grave danger looming over Magnostadt. Al-Tharmen—they will make their attempt to manifest Il Ilah into this world tomorrow."
"Ugo's plan…" One of the older Spiritual Leaders muttered, "We must put it into action."
"Yes, our destiny calls…" Another Spiritual Leader agreed with firm resolution, but also sadness in her tone.
Lian, being the most current Priest, was still confused, "Please, tell the rest of us how we can help."
Samara started to explain, rubbing her forehead, not knowing where to begin, "Ugo knew this day would come, which is precisely why he installed a failsafe into the mechanism of the staff. All of the previous Spiritual Leaders must descend in the pool and travel to the Great Rift so that the key to the Sacred Palace may be removed momentarily. You all must find strength in numbers and act as the replacements of the staff, so the barrier in the Great Rift does not collapse, and to ensure that magoi is not depleted from one single person. Lian, you must travel through the dimensional tunnels to remove the staff and deliver it safely to this world. Once you have done so, you will use a Magic Transfer Circle to transport the staff right into my hands. I will then use it to seal Il Ilah in the Sacred Palace." She took a moment to make peace with her next statement, "If I fail… Aladdin must continue the task and ensure the staff is returned to Lian so that he may put it back as a vital foundation of the Rift. Thus, ensuring that you may all return safely."
Everyone in Samaria had been preparing their entire lives for this moment. However, even when this moment has arrived, they all still fell silent, unable to root their resolve firmly. It is a heavy burden to be a Samarian Priest and Priestess. Yet, these brave souls are willing to risk it all for the safety and betterment of humanity.
"We will be ready, Priestess…" Lian reaffirmed.
"Yes, you can count on us, Samara." The same older Priest reassured.
"Thank you for your sacrifice, everyone." Samara broke the spell once more.
As she stood, she picked up the ring hanging around her neck, and tears started falling from her eyes. She was so close… so close to meeting her brothers in this lifetime, so close to actually believing she can have a life after the chaos settles, so close to allowing Sinbad to see all of her. She was so close… yet, so far.
She allowed herself to fall apart today, right now. Then, she picked herself back up and remained strong. One more day… She had one more day, and she was not going to give up on that one sliver of a chance.
After a few moments…
A servant knocked on the door to serve the first meal of the day. "Your breakfast, Priestess Samara."
Samara quickly opened the door after wiping her tears. A young woman darted a glare up at her. The servant girl was wearing the same floral headband and showy midriff that all the female servants wore. "Where would you like to eat this morning, Priestess?" She asked snootily as she shoved her way into the bedroom across from the King's.
Samara couldn't help but notice how beautiful all of the servants were in Sinbad's castle. She couldn't help but wonder if they have all spent a night with their King. She shook the jealous thoughts away since she had no business judging him for his past. After all, he accepted her for who she is and all of the familial complications she came with. She shut the door behind them and replied, "I think it would be nice to eat on the balcony and sit in the sunshine for a bit."
The servant rolled her eyes so far back into her head that the motion almost brought her to a different dimension. She angrily slammed the tray on the table in the balcony. "Enjoy, Priestess." She had begun to depart when Samara stopped her.
"Excuse me, what's your name?" Samara voiced out softly, stopping the servant in her tracks.
"Uh—I—" The servant girl clenched her fists, afraid that her childish actions drawn out by her own jealousy might cost her employment. No royals or nobles ask for a servant's name unless they want to complain about their service. She turned briskly, "I'm sorry, Priestess. I didn't mean to be rude."
"I—I didn't think you were rude." Samara clarified, bringing her hands to her chest. "I just thought—I thought it would be nice to have a conversation with you."
"Please… Please, don't tell King Sinbad!" The servant pleaded on her knees, which confused Samara.
"Please stand." She reached out to the servant, touching her arms to guide her back into a standing position. "Don't tell him what?" Samara asked with concern because the servant was exhibiting bizarre behavior. She might have grown up as a King's daughter herself, but living through the Alma Torran resistance proved unkind to many, even royals. Her childhood taught her to be independent and brave. They did not have servants to coddle to their every whim. Even in Samaria, she is used to serving the children as she raised them. She worked with the guards and scholars of the castle to better their country. She was a leader who collaborated with her citizens, admirals, and ministers to ease their lives and solve their problems.
The servant girl was severely perplexed. All of the royalty she served were never… kind. "I-I was being childish because I was jealous of you."
"Jealous of me?" Samara found her statement ironic, making her press her hand on her chest, thinking, What's so special about me? "You might find it funny, but I felt the same way about you when you walked in. You're beautiful, like all the servants in this castle. Not only that, you—" She looked down, trying to hide her rose-tinged cheeks, after realizing her embarrassing thought. "You… probably have spent… a night or two with Sinbad."
The servant girl was in awe at the kindness and grace the King's love interest showed her. "Priestess…" Before she even realized it, she was holding Samara's hand, "King Sinbad has never once looked at any one of us the same way he looks at you. He sees us as a means to an end, an object to satisfy a fleeting desire. He looks at you and sees his whole world, the potential of his future, and everything that gives his life meaning and happiness."
"I've never thought about it that way…" Samara's facial expression changed completely. Her brows lifted, her frown relaxed. The servant could see the wonders running through her mind. She smiled so genuinely that it made it hard to dislike her. "Thank you…" Samara trailed off, looking for a name to call her new friend.
"Tamina." The servant girl smiled back. She started to walk towards the door, "Well, I need to go back to my duties. Thank you, Priestess."
"Tamina," Samara called out, making her turn back, "will you be my friend?"
"I would love that, Priestess." She smiled wider and continued walking. Her perspective of the Priestess completely flipped.
Sinbad was about to knock on the door when Tamina opened it.
"My King." Tamina gave a small bow as she moved aside, her smile still plastered on her face.
He found it odd that she was in such a good mood after leaving the Priestess's room. He also found it a bit sinister – women bonding together usually works against him. He kept walking inside. "Samara, are you okay?"
Samara made her way to the balcony and plucked a juicy grape from the breakfast tray. Her voice warbled as she chewed, "Yes, of course. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason. I just saw a servant smiling mischievously on my way in, and I wanted to make sure she wasn't picking on you." Sinbad's arms made their way around her body, and her arms found their way around his hips – a wonderful habit they picked up.
"Not at all." Samara leaned away a bit, confused why everyone seems to jump to the worst conclusions. "I made a new friend. Her name is Tamina."
"Friend?!" The King leaned further away, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. "You are incredible. I thought these girls would certainly gang up on you, but you—you're turning them to your side one by one." Admittedly, Samara's charm made him fall just a little bit more.
He kissed her softly, still unaware of the burdens she carries. It wasn't his fault, however. She hid them well behind her smile – it was more masking than the veil she wore. Or maybe, her happiness was just so genuine that no darkness in the world could taint her. It sure would explain why no matter the burdens on her shoulders, she is still able to focus on the fleeting joys in her life.
He smiled a sly and accomplished smile, finally returning by her side after finishing his duties and errands. "I haven't had a chance to greet you good morning yet."
She wore a gentle smile across her face, "Good morning, Sin. Have you had anything to eat yet?"
"No, I would love to join you." He said, taking a step into the balcony and giving her a delicate kiss on the cheek after pushing her chair in as she sat down. "Masrur is readying the ships as we speak, getting a crew together to travel with us to Magnostadt." The King reported.
She took a bite out of a juicy strawberry. Her fingers shook gently at the thought, her face tensed, "…to meet Aladdin."
The King noticed her uneasiness and assumed the obvious – that she was nervous and anxious to meet Aladdin. "There's no need for concern, although it's normal to feel that way. I will be with you every step of the way." He reached for her hand across the table. His touch was magic, making her feel secure and assuring her that everything will be all right.
"Say, are you afraid at all?" She asked as the King started to pile food on his plate.
The King took a bite of the omelet. "Yes, every day. However, you give me strength and courage… loving you – it makes me strong enough to fight for my little dreams."
They caught each other's eyes. Neither has ever felt the meaning of purposeful silence like this before. One more day… one more chance…
"Promise me, Sinbad." Samara reached her hand out for Sinbad to grasp, "Promise me you'll live to hear my answer to your proposal."
The King locked his gaze deep within her blue eyes as he interlaced his fingers with hers, bringing them up to press against his lips, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
They were interrupted once again by a knock on the door. Masrur's voice echoed, "King Sinbad, the ship will be ready at the next toll of the bell, about an hour and a half from now. Please be prepared to set sail."
Samara looked at the bedroom door, and then back at Sinbad. She is so close… yet, so far.
Sinbad smiled to try to ease her worries, "Well, can I help you pack?"
She smiled back at him, and her spirits lifted even just a little bit.
After they have packed their belongings, the bells tolled shortly after. They walked to the docks and boarded the smaller ship with a merchant's flag. Sinbad did not want to raise any suspicions or endanger anyone if the Rem forces spot a Sindrian flag approaching.
"Set sail!" The captain exclaimed to the crew from the helm, and the ship started slow but smoothly picked up speed as it got away from land. The air was crisp and telling about the forthcoming events.
Samara settled in on the deck, behind the Captain. "How far away is Magnostadt from here?"
The King stood by her, overlooking the ocean with his arms crossed against his chest.
The captain at the helm responded to her question, "We should be there this time tomorrow morning."
"We should keep our distance first; in case the Rem troops arrive before us." The King advised.
"That is a good strategy. We can watch from afar using my clairvoyance magic." Samara agreed.
The King and Samara roamed in and out of the cabin and the deck to pass the time. In the afternoon, Sinbad taught Samara how to fish using a pole that he crafted himself. It was a good distraction as they laughed and hauled in quite the catch for dinner. They served it for the entire crew.
"We are cruising at a faster pace, thanks to the winds." The captain relayed. "We should be in Magnostadt waters by the time the sun is up."
The King rolled out a smaller map, pointing at an inlet at the bottom of the Rem Empire, "Good, the dawn should give us enough time to find coverage around this piece of land so that we can stay hidden from the battle. It will be troublesome if they find the King of Sindria lurking about in the middle of their war."
"It should be enough distance for me not to get detected while using the minimum amount of magoi needed for clairvoyance," Samara confirmed.
"It is set, then. It should be a smooth plan with little to no hiccups." The captain reassured, almost taunting to jinx a bad omen.
They ate the wonderful meal made by the King and Samara, and then they slept on hammocks in the main cabin, while the crew slept below deck.
The next morning, Samara walked out onto the deck first. The captain pointed to the sun rising in the west, right over the mountains of Magnostadt. "Welcome, miss. We have arrived."
She took his hand and said, "Thank you, Captain, for delivering us safely."
"You're very welcome, miss. It was my pleasure."
Samara walked out onto the bow and said a little prayer with her eyes closed. The King walked up to her shortly after.
"Are you ready to make one of your little dreams come true, Samara?" The King asked, placing a hand across the small of her back.
"In truth, I feel afraid." Samara placed a hand on the King's chest. "What if he doesn't even recognize me?"
"Aladdin is smart and strong. He will sense in you the same Rukh flowing within him, your father's Rukh." He placed the other hand gently under her chin and gave her a light rub before hugging her. Her head fit perfectly underneath his chin, and her head pressed against his chest. She could hear his steady heartbeat, calming her.
When the sun rose fully, they saw Rem empire flags waving on a fleet of at least fifty ships from afar. Samara's heartbeat quickened a bit. She has seen the flags before in her visions. Her déjà vu made her feel anxious but also calm at the same time. It was strange.
The King collapsed his telescope after confirming. "My generals should be well on their way here now."
"Then, it will begin soon…" Samara drew a circle on the deck with symbols around it using some white chalk. She held out her hand and lifted water from the sea onto the ring, strangely enough, the seawater did not spill across the white lines. She knelt and put her hands a couple of inches away from her drawings. "I will use clairvoyance magic by focusing on Aladdin's Rukh. We will be able to see what he sees reflected in the water."
"Understood…" Sinbad knelt next to her.
She closed her eyes, and the seawater in the ring started to glow in yellow, "Solomon's Wisdom!" Samara sat upright, still kneeling in front of the clairvoyance loop.
[[ A/N: For further imagery, and a refresher on the Shinobu Ohtaka plot, please watch Magi: The Kingdom of Magic: Ep. 19-25. This is where my fanfic timeline collides with the original story by Ohtaka-san. ]]
Everyone on the merchant ship tuned into the events unfolding before them. Aladdin had just taken off the stone from his arm. Yamraiha gave it to him to block his powers as a Magi – a sorcerer of creation. After a few moments, an abundant amount of magoi started flowing inside of his body. The Fanalis troop were still trying to break through the barrier protecting Magnostadt using Black Radiance, a Type 7 Strength Magic. Three of the Fanalis Corps were almost through the shield when three giant Ugos emerged from the earth. Evidently, they were wielded by Aladdin, as evidenced by the visible wings of the magoi flushed into him by the White Rukh. Nobody could comprehend the extent of his powers until he raised his wooden staff and pointed it toward the Fanalis troops while he was floating mid-air.
"Harlharl Infigare!" He exclaimed, pushing out an intimidation fire attack from the three giants' hands that reached the shore. "I will bring this war to an end, without sending a single soul back to the Great White Flow." He pointed the giants toward the Rem fleet and marched them towards the invaders.
The Rem forces charged with their entire battalion on land only to be swept back to shore by the sand avalanche effect used by the Ugo giants. Aladdin was also able to mend the damage to the barrier and restore it to its former glory.
"Look around you! Despite your efforts, you're back at square one. Conquering Magnostadt would mean starting your offense over and over again because I will only continue to use my power to push your forces back again and again and again!" Aladdin declared, effectively killing their fighting spirit. "Even if your troops manage to get through me, your troops will be met by the Magicians of Magnostadt – they will fight for their country to the bitter end. You can't take their home away from them! Soldiers of Rem, I beg you to return home!"
Watching from afar, Samara could not help but smile proudly at the impressive person her brother has grown to be. "He truly is the embodiment of our father and Sheba…"
After witnessing Muu deplete all of his magoi against Aladdin, Scheherezade withdrew her forces back.
"I cannot let you drive these people to the ground, Lady. Many dark triggers dwell in the lands of Magnostadt. They stem from the Magicians' hatred, the magoi accumulation furnace, their connection to a secret organization called Al-Tharmen – they all fuel Black Rukh that can be summoned into our world and obliterate everything it touches! We cannot let that happen all over again." Aladdin informed Scheherezade, bringing the war to a temporary cease-fire so that they may speak in private on neutral waters.
During this time, the Lady revealed that she is a clone of the real Scheherezade. She also divulges that she is, in fact, 268 years old and that her real body is unable to take even a single step. She told her secrets to Aladdin in hopes of building trust, "Now, tell me, Aladdin. What is it that you're so afraid of?"
Meanwhile, on the merchant ship…
Samara and Sinbad are still watching through Aladdin's eyes. The crew opted to hide below deck to avoid the fight, safely surrounded by a borg that Samara created around them.
"Samara…" The King had some suspicions before, but he wanted to bury them in a place where they would never materialize. However, after hearing the conversation that unfolded before him, he had a firmness of resolve in his tone. "Please tell me the reason why even as the first Magi ever to be created, even being King Solomon's daughter, you seem to be physically weaker than Aladdin? Please tell me the reason you are unable to give me an answer to my marriage proposal."
"Oh, Sinbad, I can't get anything past your keen instincts…" Samara smiled nostalgically, " Ugo intended for us to be the Original Three Magi from Solomon's bloodline… He sent us out into this world in hopes of preventing the tragedy of Alma Torran from happening again. My brother, Jedidiah's soul, was implanted into a human body compatible with reincarnating into this world as a Magi. My brother, Aladdin, was still in his fetus form, and in the thousand years we spent in the Sacred Palace, Ugo was able to perform magic to allow his young, versatile, and pliable body to be compatible with this world. Unfortunately for me, I retain my original Magician body from Alma Torran."
"How long?" The King asked. He couldn't even look at the woman he loves. He was just angry at the situation and the cards they were dealt with. It was as if looking at her, knowing they were on borrowed time, was too heartbreaking for him.
Samara remained quiet. Instead, she swung her legs in front of her and hugged her knees. Turning away from her love, she buried her face in the crevices of her arms; a tear fell from her left eye.
"How long," The King's voice cracked a bit, finally finding the courage to look at his fleeting treasure, "How long before your Magician's body from the Old World deteriorates?"
"No one really knows as I am an aberration in this world's natural order, just as much as Scheherezade's clones." Samara turned and held the King's cheek. "There is a way, Sinbad…" Samara looked down, contemplating the choice, "…a way for me to live out my days in a body that is compatible with this world."
"Tell me! Tell me, and I'll make it happen." The King declared. His firm resolution seen in the glimmer of his eyes.
Samara smiled, "It doesn't work like that, Sinbad. Only Ugo can grant me such a request, and it is something I chose not to do."
"Why, not…?" The King felt defeated. He felt afraid that their time together was slipping right out of his control.
"It is an impossible choice, Sinbad. For me to have a human lifespan, I will have to revoke everything that ties me to the Old World. Everything that makes me my father's daughter, all of his magic running through my blood, Solomon's Wisdom, they will have to be stripped away entirely for Ugo to be able to turn me into a human being of this world. It is the same choice he presented to the other sentient beings of Alma Torran." Samara had a helpless look in her eyes that broke the King's heart. He felt incapable of helping the woman he loves. "It is not something I want… At least, not until the threat of Al-Tharmen is gone, and I no longer need the power of Solomon. Defeating my mother's organization using my father's magic – that is my purpose in this world."
"I can't lose you…" The King took her hand away from his cheek and held it next to his heart.
Samara pondered whether to let him hear her thoughts out loud, "It is not something I wanted… until I met you." She decided against it because she knew she wouldn't have the strength to refuse his next proposal thereafter. She wanted to be with him, more than anything in the New World. However, this cruel world needed her more.
Sinbad sought a more reassuring answer as he gripped her hand tighter. "There has to be another way, Samara. Fate is too cruel – we've only just met."
"Don't let yourself be distracted from the war we have to fight. It will not be today, Sin. I have seen the same vision Aladdin has seen using Solomon's Wisdom," Samara said confidently, "As long as Al-Tharmen doesn't succeed today, we will have time to at least figure things out."
"Then, we have to ensure their failure." The King made a promise of commitment to his love.
They returned to watching Aladdin through clairvoyance…
Aladdin looked down with sadness at Lady Scheherazade's question, "I am afraid that Director Mogamett will play a big part in making Al-Tharmen's wish to fruition – to recreate the destruction in Alma Torran. They are very close to achieving that wish. At this point, they only lack one thing – The Dark Void – a hole in this world created from vast quantities of magoi from Black Rukh, an incarnation of evil that will consume all of the White Rukh it touches. I have never told anyone about this vision that I saw that day in Balbadd because I didn't want to add to anyone's worries."
Alibaba yelled at him for not telling him sooner and carrying such a heavy burden on his own. Alibaba offered that they were supposed to think of a solution together, as friends.
All this time, he felt the same way as I did… Samara thought upon hearing her brother's confession. It's a good thing he has great friends to lean on. Now, I have such friends as well. She smiled at this notion.