WNW #5

Ahhh, I decided since it was soooo many words, that I would cut it in half, making this an intro to the jam packed fun in the next chapter.

And please review as this is probably going to be the intro into one of the biggest chapters for this entire fanfiction.

(Note: this contains spoilers for Adventures of Sinbad and what happened to the first Sindria Kingdom)

The celebration that Masrur was talking about last night did indeed start the next morning. I was surprised to see the majority of its citizens moving about despite the large amount of alcohol consumed. The Sindrian folks sure do know how to handle their liquor.

Rubbing my eyes from the large amount of sunlight coming through the window, looking at the high sun that signaled that I overslept. I looked around my room, seeing the mask I wore for the majority of the night. I lightly touched it with my fingertips as I attempted to flip my bangs out of my eyes with a simple head flick, sounding off a bell. Instinctively, I reached for my throat, feeling the coldness of the metal bell that Sinbad gave me the day before, the one that I sold him a few weeks back. I sneakered at the thought that something I sold him he would give to me back to me.

I squinted to my parent's room, wondering if they returned as late as I had last night and if they would want to join the celebration if they hadn't drank too much. Also, if they enjoyed their time with that womanizer. I instantly grinded the back of my teeth in anger at the image of Sinbad surrounded by women as I got ready for the day, already aware that it was going to be a big one. I mean, when Sindria celebrates, they celebrate hard.

I decided that I would leave my parent's to their own bidding, knowing that they themselves are known for partying hard, probably one of the reasons why they wished to come here.

Rolling out of bed I dully looked on the ground for my clothing, choosing something less extravagant than the night before. A simple low v-neck off-white dress with large sleeves, reaching past my elbows. I adjusted the slits on the skirt to fully hide my twin blades, as was natural to carry them every day now.

Feeling my silver bell necklace once more, I picked up a sleepy Tipu, surprisingly with no complaints, placing him on my shoulders as I made my way towards the door.

I grinned from ear to ear at the citizens, a few remaining as they had every morning but the majority making their way for Sinbad's celebration in becoming king after a year of running Sindria.

Gongs sounded throughout the streets as children ran around throwing something similar to confetti. Large as well as small flags of the Sindrian symbol flew on buildings, showing the pride in this newly established country, I was impressed at how much Sinbad had accomplished in such a short time.

After paying for my usual breakfast from a stall owner for bread and meat, he gratefully gave me extra due to the good moods of those around us. I nodded my thanks, not being much of a talker.

Nibbling on the bread I followed the crowd, unsure of what the protocol was, if there was any.

I eyed those around me, eavesdropping on parts of their conversations as I walked through the streets.

"Is it going to begin soon?"

"It'll be okay. He's our king now, after all."

"I wonder what his first speech will be."

I felt Tipu stir, looking towards my shoulder, he muttered "I didn't think that person was going to be here…"

I looked at him, noting his eyes were sharpened to where Sinbad was supposed to appear from a patio that the crowd was gathered underneath. Before I could question him, I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning slightly, I noticed Masrur staring down at me.

"Sinbad had requested that you join us for the ceremony." His red eyes looking directly into mine as I allowed him to lead me around the crowd.

Everybody that saw Masrur parted ways for him, almost knowing that he was someone you shouldn't mess with. I wondered if that ever bothered him? I mean, he was about my age after all, and I always felt uncomfortable when that happened. I hated to see the fear in their eyes despite not even knowing Masrur.

While pondering over my own thoughts, time seemed to pass quickly as Masrur led me through impossibly tiny back alleys till reaching behind the palace. I looked around for a backdoor but wasn't able to find any. As I was about to turn to Masrur, I felt his hands lift me up, bridal style. I gripped the front of his Sindrian Company outfit in surprise, afraid of being dropped. I opened my mouth to question him but all that came out was a scream as he jumped upwards, swiftly landing on the sill of a window. I felt my hands shaking on his clothing while my stomach still felt like it was dropping.

Masrur set me down lightly on my feet on the marble floors before joining beside me, continuing to walk in one direction. I jogged my shaky legs to his side as I marveled at the palace, it was my first time seeing inside after all.

Looking around, I stared at the high ceilings and wide windows as we followed a long elaborate carpet before a question crossed my mind.

"Masrur," catching his attention, he turned slightly towards me as we continued to walk forward, "How did you know where I was throughout the crowd?"

"I smelled you," he commented quietly, a small blush appearing on his cheeks as he looked down at my neck before quickly adding, "I also heard that." Nodding towards the bell around my neck as my hand instantly went up to feel the now familiar coldness.

"Because you are Fanalis?" I asked. I remember him telling me about his race once, that they were of honorable linage causing them to be hunted down for their strength.

A nod answered the question quickly.

Huh. I wonder if I'll ever be able to see his full potential. Knowing well that he was holding back when training me.

I caught the hook of his elbow with my hand, feeling the muscles under my fingertips tense as we continued to walk in silence. I smiled warmly at his reddening face.

After a few more hallways we reached the remaining generals, standing in a cluster near a patio, commenting on the crowds below. I sorely noticed that Sharrkan wasn't at attendance as I didn't see his brightened face welcoming me.

As soon as Masrur and I arrived, a man in the typical Sindrian Company clothing with black hair and a thick scar on his cheek called out, "King Sinbad is ready!"

The generals went into attention while I let go of Masrur's elbow, going towards the side of the generals near Masrur, coping their form, as Sinbad strutted in. I eyed him up and down, smiling as he finally looked like a king, wearing more jewels and expensive clothing rather than his merchant clothing. I dared say he looked handsome.

He looked me in the eyes before waving towards his generals, "Guys, you've done your best up until today. With this ceremony we are taking a big step towards changing the world."

With the general's voices in unison, they all barked out, "Yes!"

In that moment a tall man with slit eyes and green hair accompanied a young boy with golden hair and a sickly appearance with a large staff walked casually towards Sinbad.

Turning away from his generals, Sinbad noticed the newcomers, "King Ceylan! Barbarossa too." Sinbad addressed them both welcomingly. I bowed towards them, consciously aware of my social standing.

I stared in awe at those before me. I knew of Barbarossa well, everyone did who lived in Parthevia. One of the men who favored war, a general even before the Parthevian Empire turned republican who controlled entire armies. His own Four Heavenly Generals known throughout the Empire. He hadn't backed down in the face of politics when the Empire became republican, quickly becoming the head of his own party, later taking control with the majority of the people by his side. He seemed unstoppable. King Ceylan, on the other hand, was but a frail child due to his illnesses taken after his father, if only his sister hadn't been killed, she would have made a fine queen.

With narrowed eyes, Barbarossa glared outside, commenting, "As expected. There's 'inferior species' all over this place. None of them are worthy of our Parthevia. At this rate, the opposition forces will walk in."

I looked up quickly at his unexpected comments from my bowed position. Was he referring to the rebellions? The rebellions had been plaguing Parthevia's new government, opposing that they controlled all aspects of life. Including food. One of the reasons father chose to leave, predicting this was going to happen sooner or later.

I stared at him for a moment, taken aback that someone would say such crude things of Sindrian citizens.

It seemed I wasn't the only one as Ja'far questioned, "Inferior species?"

Barbarossa stared back at the generals, "Yes. Inferior and filthy species. Ugly and lacking intelligence. I cannot even call them humans."

Raising my head in shock, I stared at him, how could he refer to them as such? Even within the generals there were different races. He basically told them to their face that they themselves were inferior. I continued to glare at him from my slightly bowed position as he seemed like a hypocrite, dully noting his own generals were of different races.

Shakily, Sinbad spoke out, "I mean no disrespect, Barbarossa, but these people are effectively my citizens. I'll ask you to stop speaking of them that way. The kingdom of Sindria accepts anybody."

I nodded, even within the few weeks that I was in Sindria, I quickly became aware of their policies to those in need. Taking in everybody who needed their help.

Barbarossa tsked at him, turning his back, "One day you're going to have to obey Parthevia. Remember what position you're in." With that, he continued to walk away from Sinbad. At that moment, I felt Tipu's nails digging into my shoulder, "So she is here after all…"

I stared at him as he hissed in the direction that Barbarossa went, leaving king Ceylan behind.

I ignored him once again, turning towards Sinbad as he made his way to the edge of the patio, to begin his speech, seemingly forgetting what had transpired behind him.

"I am Sinbad, known for having sailed the seven seas in the past. But thanks to king Ceylan's blessing, I was gifted these lands and could build the kingdom of Sindria." Sinbad held king Ceylan by his side, "This country is unique for having been independently created through a company. This is a country revolving around trade. Thus, the social status of its citizens is irrelevant." Meaning there were no slaves in sight. That we could build up from a low class. I smiled, knowing fully well that this was capable in Sindria only.

Sinbad continued, "Everyone here is free. Free to choose your own paths! It's aimed at everyone. A country where we can all coexist with no conflicts." My smile deepened. Sinbad once told me of his plans to change the world with no conflicts. This was his first step towards achieving his goal. A seemingly impossible goal but one he demanded to follow.

Sinbad's speech instantly turned, sounding unlike himself, "But, how well will that really go? Think about it. No matter how much this country insists on preaching for equality and freedom, nothing will change as long as there is an existence that threatens the world. What if, by chance, it was in Parthevia? That person for his own selfish desires, assassinated the emperor. And that person has power in his hands now…" I stared at Sinbad's back unsure of what he was doing, dragging Parthevia in his ceremony. I watched as Ja'far attempted to stop him as Sinbad continued, "And that person is the president of the National Independence Party, Barbarossa!"

Sinbad directed a finger towards where Barbarossa sat, surrounded by his men as he yelled out, "You are the source of all evil. And a foul enemy of my country."

Moving towards Sinbad quickly, I gripped his wrist, attempting to pull him into the shadows of the palace before he pushed me backwards away from him. I stared in horror as Sinbad continued his speech, grabbing King Ceylan's shoulder, "So now I'm making a declaration. The legitimate heir of Parthevia is the last person in the royal family's lineage. So king Ceylan and I will defeat the traitor Barbarossa, bringing a new Parthevian Empire!"

I stared over the railing at the commotion while Tipu jumped off my shoulders to walk along the rails, as the scene played out below.

Men in Sindrian armor yelled out, "Hail the new Parthevia!" In response to Sinbad's speech.

My mouth dropped as the men encircled Barbarossa and his generals, pointing their axe headed spears towards them.

One of Barbarossa's generals, that reminded me of Sharrkan's race, called out to Sinbad, "This is an affront against your majesty not only that, it's an act of rebellion against Parthevia! Yet you still intend to betray us after all we have done for you?" I could see the disgust in his eyes, even from this height. I gripped one of the swords on my hip tightly. It became a security blanket for me in a sense.

The men surrounding Barbarossa parted to reveal three woman, one in particular stood apart from her lack of clothing and demanding presence.

Barbarossa glared, "Serendine."

Serendine? I looked at the generals faces surrounding me, their eyes widened as they too stared at the scene below, they seemed to know her personally from their looks of concern for her. How could they know a Parthevian princess? Let alone one that was rumored to have been killed?

I focused back on the scene below straining my ears to hear what Serendine was saying to Barbarossa. Suddenly, her voice ranged out, yelling, "Attack!"

At that signal, the men encircling Barbarossa charged, axe headed spears raised. Nearly leaning over the railing, I stared, mouth gaping. Before I could yell at someone to do something, the general that spoke up towards Sinbad sliced through the men, followed by the other generals around Barbarossa, leaving a trail of men behind them.

Barbarossa seemed to be talking once more to Serendine. The only words I could catch were hers as she raised her voice, in declaration, "Without leaving a single trace, I will erase you."

I turned slightly at the movement beside me only to notice Sinbad wasn't near me anymore, leaving only King Ceylan staring at the sky. Following his gaze, I saw Sinbad's djinn equip for the second time. His back was towards me, only allowing me to stare in shock along with the rest of Sindria at his thick dragon tail and the tip of his sword raised.

Sinbad rose his sword, pointing to the sky as it gathered lightning around him, "Bararaq," I looked at those below him, in horror at the deaths that would fall upon the citizens only to see orbs surrounding groups of men. Directing his sword downward, Sinbad yelled out, "Saiqa!" Finishing his orders to his djinn as a gigantic bolt shot out.

My eyes widened at the smoke lifting. I knew this was going to mean war, pitting Sindria against Parthevia, so how could Sinbad ever do such a thing for a country that didn't own an army?

Once the smoke cleared, a lone man in armor stood with a thick shield. A gasp escaped my mouth as I noticed movement from behind him, the other two around Barbarossa carrying him with an arm slung around their shoulder. I was solely impressed that someone survived such a large bolt. As Sinbad raised his sword for the last time, I thought it was going to be the end for them, and war for Sindria.

Before Sinbad was allowed to summon his djinn once more, a smoke bomb exploded. I didn't have to see the end result to know that they vanished.

So had Sinbad from his location in the sky. I blinked, looking for him. A soft pat sounded behind me as he landed lightly back on the patio. I turned around quick enough to see him raise a weak hand towards me. I attempted to grab it as he mouthed my name before he collapsed on the ground.

Everything after that seemed to be a blur. I watched as the generals hurriedly grabbed Sinbad, carrying him to his room while a few employees scurried around, calling for the royal palace doctors. Masrur was the only one that stayed behind with me. From my downward gaze, I noticed him walking towards me. Gently, he took me by the shoulder and led me away from the edge of the patio, following where the other generals disappeared off to. I noted the soft patter of Tipu's paw steps on the marble behind us.

What was going to happen to Sinbad?

What was going to happen to Sindria? My home? My new friends? My family? My breathing became ragged. Remembering Ugo and Tipu giving me a second chance to save this world. How was I supposed to save it if I can't even save a little country that I loved? I realized then that I had fallen in love with what Sinbad had created, the people that seemed to gravitate towards him, everything. I would do anything to protect it, all of it. I needed to gain more power in order to do so, however. Climbing my way through the ranks of society, competing for the world's attention from dungeon conquerors. I clenched one of my swords tighter in reassurance in my resolution.

I looked up at Masrur as he looked down towards me, his usual indifferent demeanor washed away, his gentle red eyes coated in a worried glaze as we entered Sinbad's room. Sinbad's eyes were beginning to open slightly at the sound of the door. I numbly clung to the edge of the room, unsure of what to do with myself. Looking down, I hadn't realized that I had yet to let go of the sword on my hip, which was turning my knuckles white.

Sinbad shot up, sitting up in his bed, asking Ja'far what had. I looked questioningly at him, he didn't remember?

My attention turned when a woman I didn't know entered the room. I looked at her, up and down, noting her breast armor that covered her torso. Looking more down, it looked like she was wearing just underwear with sheer fabric on her hips, though thankfully she hid behind a black cloak. A small smile played on my lips due to remembering that pink hair. She was Serendine, princess of the Parthevian Empire. I was only able to see her in paintings glorifying the royal family around Parthevia.

Her voice was serious, "You're wondering what happened to you?" Her question directed towards Sinbad.

I turned fully to her, along with the other generals as she explained what happened to Sinbad, what he declared on Parthevia and what her djinn was capable of. I looked at Tipu at my feet, silently asking him if such a powerful thing was true. How was a djinn able to give one powers such as mind control through sound waves? Tipu sat on his hunches, silently staring forward. I knew that she was telling the truth. Following his gaze, I continued to listen.

Sinbad clenched his bedsheets, "You knew... about everyone's feelings as we were creating this country, all the hardships we had to go through, our wishes, our confidence. You stepped all over them! Do you really think nothing of all that?" Sinbad was shouting out the question, desperate for an answer.

"Yes. I have no feelings like that anymore." I narrowed my eyes at her nonchalant manner. Besides, what did she mean she had no feelings like that? No hope for the future? No consideration for others?

Movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention, in an instant, Sinbad was by her side, clenching her cloak in a tightened fist. Serendine showed no fear, no emotion.

"As a merchant nation, Sindria does not possess an army." I clenched a jaw as I listened intently, everyone was well aware of this, there was no use for one till now. "So are you really going to send away valuable military power like me? Or will you kill me and try to make amends with Barbarossa by bringing him my head? However, that too is impossible." At that instant, Serendine grabbed her sword and pieced her own chest. My eyes widened in shock as she spit up blood. Blackened blood. Pulling out her sword, I expected her to fall on the ground, bleeding to death. Instead, she stood tall as the fresh wound on her chest disappeared without so much as a scar left behind.

In horror, she explained quickly, "I am not human anymore. In order to make my deepest desire come true, I even gave up on my human body."

I looked at Tipu once again in confusion, was this why I was given a second chance? To stop those similar to her? How could someone discard their own bodies for power? I rethought through this. Anyone would be willing to save those they loved, even myself.

While lost in my own thoughts, a woman burst through the door, in a similar attire to Serendine but with weird red glasses on as well, "Excuse me, Miss Serendine! Barbarossa has official declared war against the Sindrian Kingdom! Right now, the Parthevian army is marching and they're headed this way a lot faster than we had expected, the first army will get here soon!" She sweated as those in the room stared in utter shock at today's turn of events, a celebration turning into a war declaration.

How was Sindria, a merchant country with no strong fighting force, supposed to fight a well-trained and experienced army? We basically stood no chance.

Gripping my swords underneath my skirt, I looked outside at the remaining citizens, unaware that there was going to be a war. Grinding my teeth, I reminded myself of those that I also had to protect. My family.

Ahhhhh, a war on Sindria?

So far, this is the longest chapter at 3,804 words. The next chapter? I am predicting about 5,000... so much work but worth it.

So a huge shout out to those that have commented on each chapter so far, thanks Animeisheaven (Completely agree with your username), Dark Rose Charm, and ThatOneAuthoress.

Love you all, have a great Christmas or Hanukkah, or whatever you guys celebrate, just enjoy time with your family! See ya~