WNW #6

Well guys, I did it!

Hope you enjoy~~

CAUTION: This contains spoilers for the ending of Sinbad's Adventures and what happened to the first Sindria country.

I stared in utter shock at the news of war against Parthevia, as did everyone else. Blood rushed to my ears, creating a pounding sound as I attempted to refocus on the conversations happening around me.

Sinbad's face looked downward, considering his options before deciding on fighting. I continued to stare, though unsurprised. If we hadn't, we would simply just be massacred.

Tipu's hiss brought me out of my thoughts. Turning towards him, I noticed his hackles were on end and he was baring his fangs towards the open doors, "Now you come to see me."

I turned at the sound of running footsteps at the door as a childish voice sounded throughout the hallways, "Are you finally done talking, Serendine? For real, that was way too long, I was getting bored." I paid little attention to the child, instead looking towards the woman behind him. She had loops in her head that framed her face. With a low cut v-neck and shorts while covering her back with a clock. In her hands she carried a golden staff with an integrate design on top.

Sinbad addressed them both, "Judar and Falan, why are you here?"

Judar looked irritated as his long black braid moved with him, "Why? Because I became Serendine's magi and I decided to come here with her."

Falan spoke with more indifference, "We are simply collaborators who are in favor of this change. Barbarossa's tyranny has turned Parthevia into a horrible country. I am a royal court mage."

I now understood her position, but that wouldn't explain Tipu's hate for her. Tipu didn't seem to be the only one cautious of her either, I saw Ja'far's and Drakon's expressions when she entered. I noted her eyes flicker quickly towards Tipu before her lip curved upwards slightly. Directing her attention back towards Sinbad, it disappeared to her usual indifference.

"Sin," Everyone's attention turned towards the generals, clustered together once more with their hands in front of them as Ja'far spoke, "We decided to follow you. We, the eight generals, are loyal subjects of our king. Whatever we do next, will be what our king decides."

I clutched my sword with my right hand before following their example, nodding as Sinbad's eyes glanced over mine before nodding.

My hand never left my sword, with a lighter grip this time, I nervously looked over my shoulder as commotion soon erupted outside as the citizens were made aware. My attention focused back towards the center of the room as the generals cluttered around a table with a map on it as Drakon pointed a long clawed finger, "It seems about ten thousand soldiers await us around this area. But that's just from the first wave of troops. They'll send even more soldiers later." I peeked over Ja'far's shoulder, noting that they would be using one of the two bridges that connects Sindria to Parthevia.

"More than ten thousand soldiers…" I looked at Mystras as he breathed out the words in awe. I understood his feelings on the matter, that many troops for a merchant island that held no standing army to call its own.

I nodded, fully aware of the ways Parthevia fights. Only to win. I stared on as Drakon continued, "If they use their army's full potential in the war, we do not have the slightest chance of victory," My lips tightened into a thin line, I knew the odds were slim, but be at least a little positive. Drakon offered more to his statement, "But our battle is different. Our strategy will be a defensive battle consisting of a blockade."

I nodded, made sense. They only ways onto the island was through the two bridges that connected Sindria to Parthevia. "So, your plan is to use the two bridges as our defensive position while the citizens escaped from boats?"

Drakon looked at me meaningfully and everyone turned in surprise as he nodded, "Correct." It was the only way that Sindria had a chance. To hold them at bay.

Hinahoho looked up from the map, "So, you're saying that guarding the bridges and the port should be enough to keep the country safe?"

Drakon nodded, "Right. It doesn't matter how big their army is, they'll end up restricted in the same place. Then we can defeat all of them one by one. Meanwhile, we need to find Barbarossa where the enemy generals are. If we defeat him, then the battle ends there. If we use the land, we can minimize this pointless war as much as possible. This is the only plan we can use."

I nodded, thinking of any other options but was disappointed. I looked up at the surprising encouragement coming from those around the table.

"We're not fighting a losing battle." I blinked, attempting to engrave the words within my mind.

It didn't take much time for Sinbad and Serendine to take flight in their djinn forms while the childish Judar hung tightly to Sinbad's dragon tail. I mumbled about Judar being allowed to go, but he explained proudly that he would be able to locate Barbarossa with his 'Magi powers'. I huffed as I stared at them against the sky, the three forms floating effortlessly. They all stared below them, towards our coast. From my advantage point I could see what they were staring at. The impressive army of the first wave. Ten thousand men, ready for war.

I went over our plan again in my head, mumbling to myself, "Okay, the revolutionary army's mage unit is at the two bridges… The household vessel users are in the central part of the city as well as the coast… while the rest help find shelter and evacuate the citizens…"

I nodded to myself in reassurance.

My attention was caught off guard as a tiny pebble bounced up and down. Scrunching my eyebrows in confusion towards it, I understood only a moment later when someone yelled, "Extreme Magic!" My mouth dropped open at the gigantic pentagon in the sky, causing an earthquake.

I yelled behind me at the remaining generals from my seat on the window silling, "The Island's sinking!"

Other Sindrian Company employees begun yelling at Drakon.

"This isn't good! The Kingdom of Sindria is falling apart!"

"The buildings are crumbling down and a lot of citizens are injured. What do we do?"

"Fires are beginning to form!"

"I have a report! The enemy troops are invading the bridge areas! It seems that the mage army isn't able to stop them!"

Once the rumbling stopped I stared at Drakon looking down at his plans, his voice distressed, "It was all so we'd fortify this place… and get inside this island so we'd end up going down with it!"

Drakon looked as if he was going to kill someone as his scaly fist hit the table before rising his head and looking down at those around him, "However, this doesn't mean that this is over. There's still a ton of people in this country. If this goes on, we'll really end up going down with this island. This isn't the time to let our sorrow get the best of us. We need to free as many citizens as we can. As long as we're here, this country will maintain itself. The Kingdom of Sindria shall never perish!"

I thumbed the hilt of my sword, I thought that my parents would be alright if I were to stay here but now I was uncertain. Visibly shaking, a few tears dropped from my overflowing eyes as I thought about my parents. Biting my lip to not drag any attention towards me, I failed.

Masrur slapped a firm hand on my back, shocking me. I stared at him with wide eyes, his eyes were wide from his youth, not from fear. He hovered over my form as I laid my head on his shoulder, withholding gasps for air as the air around us seemed to be getting thicker from my silent crying. I snuffled a few times before staring ahead, still placing my head on Masrur's shoulder. I knew he wouldn't be good at comforting, but I silently thanked him for his silence.

There was determination in everyone's faces around us at Drakon's inspirational speech. I turned towards Rurumu as she ordered ships to take the citizens. Drakon re-devised his plan to destroy the bridges, entrusting Pipirika to tell those protecting them.

"I entrust the citizens to you." Drakon nodded towards the employees throughout the room. All young. All having their own stories. All owing Sinbad their lives.

I lifted my head off of Masrur's shoulder allowing him to rise to his full height.

Tipu knew I was moving to leave, jumping onto my shoulder before slipping his lower body into the back of my dress, placing his back paws on the belt around my waist while using his front paws to secure himself on my shoulders.

I nodded towards Masrur and Rurumu, "Don't hold up." I tried to smile as brightly as I could, though it never reached my face before I begun to run.

Other than the sound of my bell necklace, nothing reached my ears. The rhythmic pattern allowing me to keep a single pace.

I was thankful, being able to run as long as I had thanks to Masrur and Sharrkan's constant training. Ignoring the claws that were digging deeply into my shoulders, panting as I continued. Leaping over a few fallen trees and dodging a few loose bricks that fell from buildings, I avoid the worst parts. Instead taking back alleys before reaching my house. I stared at it, aside from a few large cracks going along the sides of the building, it seemed alright. I burst through the door, to see my parents pacing.

Simultaneously they rushed towards me, hugging me and checking if everything was alright. A few tears fell as my mother gripped my face, rubbing the two red strips under my eyes as she whispered, "I was so worried… my little miracle." I leaned into her soft hands against my face.

I nodded, not trusting my voice to not break, taking in their scents as they leaned in. The sweet honey of my mother and dusted scrolls of my educated father. I pushed them away slightly as I frantically explained what was going on.

They nodded, though probably didn't fully understand, they knew we were in danger as long as we continued to stand around. I rushed out of the building first, checking up and down the streets before tugging them along from behind me. I pushed through the pain of breathing in as we ran through the empty streets. I held myself back from running at my full pace, knowing my parents wouldn't be able to handle the strain. I turn my head slightly to check on them but with a sickening crack, I turned around fully to see father's ankle at an odd angle, then I noticed the arrow sticking through his calf.

Looking upwards for the shooter, I clenched my jaw as the buildings were filling with men in long white robes and fabrics over their faces.

Taking out both of my swords, I attempted to cover my parents with my smaller form. A few more arrows shot but none reached their destination as I cut them in half swiftly.

Growling from the back of my throat, "Who are you?" I yelled at the men on top the buildings.

One stood out among the others, with what seemed like pointed horns coming from his head, "We are the extermination unit, Sham Lash."

Extermination unit?

I squinted against the sun as I stared at them, "Cowards, is more like it. Shooting arrows instead of a fair fight."

I didn't understand what I was saying. It seemed as if I was encouraging them to attack us. Out of the corner of my eye, I looked at mother stroking father's hair away from his sweat covered forehead, soothing him from his pain, as he lay on the ground holding his twisted ankle and calf. Mother remained calm as she soothed him. But I knew better. They were both terrified. As was I.

A crude laugh sounded throughout the alley, I looked up to see who was laughing only to see the man wave his hand in disinterest. Widening my eyes, I stared as he turned his back on us.

Mother's scream reached my ears first. Spinning upon my heels I gasped as the same man struck her with an arrow from behind. He dug the arrow deeper. With one look downwards at her wound, mother held the point of the arrow lightly. I could see she was trying to stop him from pushing it in any further.

Father attempted to hit him with one of the arrow heads on the ground I had cut apart. The man gripped his arm as if he was nothing, standing up from his squatting position before kicking father in the face with the crunch of breaking bones.

He turned to me as I was frozen, staring at my parents. Mother folded over, the arrow butt sticking out from her back, staining her white dress red. Too much blood… Dragging my eyes towards my father as he groaned while his eyes were rolling to the back of his skull, a thick gash now shining red on his forehead as the whites of his skull were exposed.

The man begun to walk away from me as I looked in horror at the scene before me. Tears blurred my vision as I slowly raised my swords. My fingernails dug within the leather of the hilts as I ran towards him, tears flowed through from my eyes.

He turned before I could strike him down, stopping my swords with his hands. In shock, I looked at them, but instead of flesh, there was bone. His hands were skeletons. I looked into his face at this closer position, meeting the hollowed face of a skeleton with dried blackened skin stretched over it. With his remaining hand, he used his palm as it burned with magoi before he punched me in the gut. I dropped one of my swords as I attempted to breathe in as the impact forced me away from him.

Gasping for air as I rolled away towards the other side of the alley, I instantly reached for Tipu, relived to find out I hadn't landed on him, or had and he refused to move. I wiped my nose clean of blood with the back of my hand so I could breathe better. Using the wall with my spare hand I slowly crept my way to a standing position.

Looking around, the man disappeared, leaving behind his minions. All of them were wearing the same clothes, signifying they were of the same organization. I took a deep breath from my mouth as my nose begun to overflow with blood, making it difficult to breathe.

When one of the Sham Lash stepped on my father's stomach, he gasped. Rolling on his side, seeing me surrounded by them. He mouthed the words "I love you." I reached a hand out for him as one of the assassins split his skull open with a heavy axe. I noticed the contours of a wide smile as the veins in his eyes shone beneath his thin white cloth that worked as a mask.

My stomach clenched tightly before a scream escaped my lips. Wiping my nose one last time as I noticed the blood beginning to stop dripping, I looked downward, standing straighter. Twisting my sword, feeling the familiar leather hilt against my now callused fingertips, it comforted me in a strange way.

Looking upwards towards the man with the axe, I glared as no more tears fell. In a blur, I felt my feet leave the ground as I leaped towards him, striking him through the soft skin of his stomach upwards towards his heart. In surprise, he gripped the edges of my swords, attempting to pull them out himself. A satisfying thud sounded as he fell around my feet.

A yellow orb surrounded me, blocking the other's attacks. Tipu rubbed his head against my check reassuringly and I understood instantly. Tipu's borg only lasted what seemed like a few more seconds before it disappeared and I was left to fight the remaining assassins.

After that, I wasn't sure what happened. I only remembered that first kill. Everything else became a blur as they swarmed me, their colors and faces mixing together as I alone stood among the body count.

Numbly, my legs dragged me to my other sword, placing it in its sheath.

Crouching in front of mother and father, I kissed each on their hands, feeling the coldness of their skin beneath my lips.

Callously walking away, I dragged my sword on the ground having no more strength in my arms other than to hold it, making a strange shrieking noise. I refused to look back at the bloodied mess I left in my wake.

I walked towards the pier, aware that the others would be protecting the citizens there as they ushered them to the shore on their ships. A single tear fell as I thought of my parents, thinking that only if they hadn't waited for me, they'd still be alive.

Shaking my head, I continued as a few more stray tears fell on the ground.

The edges of my vision was turning black when I heard a scream. I looked towards one of the bridges, noticing the man I fought with in the beginning touch the nose of a monster. I moved towards them. Only wishing to attack the skeleton man. Only to revenge my parents. Only for his death by my hand.

Another scream caught me off guard as I blinked away the black spots, staring instead at Pipirika staring upwards towards the sky as Mystras' face appears from the light to turn towards her and smile before the light disperses into rukh.

Pipirika sobs reached my ears quickly, clearing my thoughts. I lifted my hand to comfort her, thinking I was closer than I was. I fell with a thud from exhaustion near the entrance of the bridge, slowly drifting away as rushed footsteps came.

When I opened my eyes, I was moving. I looked around to see Sinbad's purple hair in front of me. I felt his warm back on my chest as he shuffled me on his back.

Hinahoho regarded me with a smile that didn't entirely reach his face. A white tuft of hair hung on his back and upon craning my neck, I noticed that it was Ja'far. Probably passed out from exhaustion, just like me.

Sinbad shifted me downwards, steadying me as I stumbled forward, my weak legs struggling to hold up my weight. His smile was warm but sadness clouded his eyes. It seemed to cloud everyone's eyes.

I looked at Pipirika to see how she was, and from what I saw, worse than me. Dark circles underneath her eyes and a single day made her age beyond her years. I looked at her arms, within them was Tipu curled up, purring as she stroked his white fur, smearing the blood already there and adding more. I looked away quickly before she could notice I was staring.

We walked in silence before Ja'far woke up on Hinahoho's shoulders.

"You have woken up, Ja'far." Hinahoho's voice spoke gently as Ja'far looked between him and Sin.

"Sin… I- Vittel and Mahad…" Ja'far stuttered before Sinbad cut him off.

"Ja'far, you don't need to say it. We saw inside the warehouse. And what happened there."

Ja'far's lip quivered before his yell rang out throughout the empty city, heavy tears rolling down his plump cheeks.

I didn't understand what was inside the warehouse since I had passed out, but I could guess. I mean, since I wasn't with my parents when they came to me they probably knew as well without seeing them.

I gazed at Ja'far before I quickly looked downward, not wanting to see Ja'far in his vulnerable state, only used to him being collected, the most organized one of us all.

The stench reached my nose before the sight. The smell of death. Bodies piled up on top of each other, forming flesh mountains as we entered what used to be the harbor.

My hand twitched towards my sword, prepared. As we were walking through Hinahoho pointed out Saher. I narrowed my eyes at her small form in the distance, she was exhausted. Even from this distance, it was obvious. Her hunched over form heavy in her cloaks.

I noticed movement coming from behind one of the body piles. Moving quicker than I anticipated, racing to meet the assassin before he had the chance to get to Saher. As the assassin was about to throw a lost harpoon from behind her, I leaped on his back, digging both of my swords simultaneously between his collarbone and his shoulder blade. His scream was piercing before I twisted my sword with a crunch, ending him.

I moved off of his back, showing no remorse, pulling my swords out, pleased with the results. Looking up, I saw Sinbad's horrified face.

"A lot has changed today," I murmured, answering his unspoken question as I moved past him.

Sinbad turned his attention towards Saher, "Sorry we kept you waiting."

Saher moved to greet Sinbad, standing up straighter. Before she could finish, Sinbad flicked his hand, "Forget the greetings, and please tell me about the current situation, Saher."

"The harbor has already suffered enemy invasion and it's almost destroyed." I looked around, kind of obvious, is it not? She continued, "The last ship is the only one remaining on the coast, and people were told to get on board. The one who gave that command was Lord Dragul. Those who could fight, stayed." She pointed a delicate finger deeper within the bodies, "Miss Rurumu should be coming out of that place."

At the mention of his wife's name, Hinahoho straightened his back, "Is Rurumu there?"

A simple nod was all it took for him to run. I began to run after him before I quickly realized my legs wouldn't be able to handle the movement, resulting in a walk while Sinbad talked to Saher.

The deeper we went towards the harbor, the more bodies laid abandoned. I walked lamely, following Hinahoho while the others stayed behind.

"Mr. Hinahoho? Sage?" I looked up at the sound of my name, spotting a silhouette of a boy atop one of the largest piles.

"Masrur?" I questioned. With a swift jump, he landed near me.

I smiled numbly, wobbling over towards him as he met me half-way. I pulled him into a hug, "Thank the gods…" I murmured against his shoulder as I rubbed my cheek on his neck, to know he was really before me.

Pulling him away, I looked him up and down. He didn't seem injured in the slightest, expect emotionally. His wide eyes had dark circles underneath them and a frown adorned his face. I attempted another smile at him before I spotted that behind Masrur was another familiar silhouette where Hinahoho seemed to stop.

"Rurumu!" I called out, glad that she also survived this ordeal.

Masrur didn't follow me as I lamely struggled over to her form. I stopped short as Sinbad rushed over to Masrur.

"Hinahoho and Marur are here too!" Sinbad looked proud at their forms together.

Masrur moved towards him, "Mr. Sin."

"I heard the story from Saher. You can stop fighting. Go to the coast area quickly." He smiled warmly at Masrur before turning towards the silhouette, "Rurumu, you return to. Even those who are safe must hurry to the ship," Sinbad paused for a second, "Rurumu?" With realization, Sinbad moved towards her form.

Rurumu's body was stiffened in a standing position. Arrows protruded from her body, making her unmoving. I began to shake, why? Why even Rurumu?

"Ms. Rurumu fought all along in order to protect us." I looked at Masrur, I knew he loved her as a mother. Every employee did, everyone was her child.

Sinbad looked down at Masrur in a new respect, "And then, you stayed here all this time in her place."

Masrur shook his head, "I could not save them."

Sinbad comforted Masrur, that he did the right thing. But I stared at Hinahoho. His harpoon Raging Unicorn's horn in his hands, resting it on the ground, tears rolled down his face. I stepped back as he slammed his harpoon on the ground as rukh begun fluttering rapidly around him.

Ja'far explained quickly, "His household assimilation is starting. This is bad. If he stays like this he will be swallowed in anger!"

I stared at Hinahoho as he was being consumed by the white light as it seemed like a beacon, shooting out into the sky. He was being lifted up from within the light, his feet transformed into wolf's paws as did his hands. I lifted up my hand to block the light as I was about to move towards him before Drakon came from behind him, holding onto his arms. I couldn't fully make out what Drakon was whispering to Hinahoho but it seemed to calm him near the end.

Hinahoho's harpoon shook a little in his hand as he looked up towards the sky. I noticed he seemed as if it were glass as it had a large crack on his face as he looked out to the sea, towards the Parthevian fleet of ships.

"Give me the honor..." Hinahoho murmured numbly to Drakon as he nodded.

I watched in amazement at the two forms beneath the sea, before they attacked the fleet. Destroying it more likely. Hinahoho just needed to redirect his anger, I suppose.

It wasn't long till the pair came back towards us, to tell us of their success.

Ja'far turned towards Sinbad, "Sin, the preparations for our departure are concluded. The ship will go towards Reim's harbor. Is it okay to take shelter at Sindria's trading company?"

Sinbad nodded, "Yes. If you go out to as far as Reim's ocean area, as one would expect, you won't be able to come to Parthevia afterwards. To take everyone to a safe place, that is our last duty."

The party bowed towards their lord while I stood on the sidelines, watching the scene before me. "Sin, I can't agree with this. Are you truly going to remain by yourself in this island? This is the last ship, you know?" Ja'far attempted to reason with him, "This island will sink before long, so why?"

Sinbad didn't seemed to be paying attention as his clouded over eyes looked in different directions, anywhere but Ja'far.

"There's still something I must do on this island. I don't know what it is but I just know. I'm saying I can't afford to leave this island yet."

Ja'far gripped his clothes in his clutches but Sinbad simply turned away anyway, moving back towards the burning building and bodies that laid waste.

As Sinbad disappeared from view, I looked at Ja'far, touching him lightly on his shoulder, "It's ok." I smiled at him, I knew he cared for Sinbad, "I will look after him." Ja'far gripped my wrist firmly, shaking his head, I picked at his fingers on my wrist, "Ja'far, I have nothing left to lose in my life. I may as well babysit your lord." I emphasized the 'your' part.

Purring soon sounded off as I looked at my feet, seeing Tipu rubbing his head along my legs, "This has been some day, hasn't it?" I nodded in Tipu's direction as I refocused on Ja'far.

Ja'far nodded solemnly, releasing me, "Please protect him, Sage."

I nodded as I picked up Tipu, placing him in his usual spot on my shoulders. I gave one curt nod towards the other generals before turning towards Sinbad.

Making my way after Sinbad was no trouble. And staying close to him seemed even easier as his attention was elsewhere. He ignored the burning buildings just as easily as I had. Sinbad made his way towards his palace that seemed to be the only place not on fire on top of the hill. I nodded, marble was hard to burn let alone fire had difficulties traveling upwards on the hill.

Once Sinbad made his way within the palace, I crept along the walls, pressing myself against the cool marble.

I could hear Sinbad speaking to someone, but I couldn't see them nor make out their words. I moved closer, choosing to hide behind a large fern tree as I watched through the leaves at Sinbad, moving a little through the leaves to see the other person, Falan.

Sinbad spoke first, "Serendine?"

"Even if you speak to her, it's futile. That woman is not herself anymore." I moved slightly once more to spot the monster behind Falan. It looked like a black blob with its mouth vertical that continued to open and close its fanged gaping mouth, rows of teeth going in circles throughout its throat.

"Serendine is the 'black vessel' I made." Falan further explained what a black vessel did, and it's purpose, "With this, 'God' will finally be able to come forth."

Sinbad questioned her, "What do you mean by 'God'?"

Falan smiled, "God. That is our great father, the creator of this world. They are also the origin of Rukh, 'Ill Ilah.'" She continued, "Feeling that the Rukh is dominated by someone… this world, 'destiny,' it was all overwritten by 'Solomon's arrogance!'"

Falan waved her hand dramatically, "I got into the country's central figure, and incited a war to take place, I brought this," She waved towards the whole of the island on fire, the stench of burning flesh overtaking the usual cheerful scent of the sea, "to this place and, the hopeful newly born country of Sindira falls tragically in order to bring forth a massive quantity of black rukh. The citizens of your country came to become great black rukh." I clenched my fists. She used us. She made us curse our own destiny.

"And so it begins!" From my anger, I failed to notice that the monster was changing form, dragging down a dark spot from the sky.

The monster struggled to speak, "I'm… so-sorry… Sin-bad…"

The dark spot's tentacles reached out for Sinbad slowly, at first, until it got closer to him, wrapping it's tentacles around his arm firmly, pulling on him.

Sinbad called out to the monster, "Serendine!"

I felt frozen to the spot, unsure of what to do. A white spot went across my vision quickly. I stared as Tipu began running towards Sinbad. I went after Tipu. Yes, I know, I promised to protect Sinbad and I froze, but when it comes to my pet, I'd murder anyone who would do harm to him.

As Tipu took off beyond Sinbad, I stopped to attempt to pull him back from Serendine. Sinbad was being dragged towards the dark spot, despite me. I hung on, however, Sinbad was beginning to be sucked into the monster, and me after him. I looked back behind me to find Tipu, only seeing him talking aggressively at Falan as they argued.

Then everything was black. I blinked, beginning to walk in the emptiness. A light appeared in the distance that I was walking towards. In a sprint, I rushed over to see if it was because of Sinbad. I stopped short when I saw Sinbad trying to reason with a pale colored Serendine as she wept on the floor, head in her hands. While a second Serendine, one of duller colors argued next to her, telling her spiteful things. I approached gently, before I could get any closer, the light colored Serendine looked up at Sinbad while he held out his hand. Taking it lightly, she stood up. As a small smile played out on her lips, Sinbad smiled back, "Everything is going to be ok." He promised her.

The black rukh at first gently swarmed around him as he took them inside his body. It only then occurred to me what Sinbad was doing. He was taking in the black rukh. From Serendine, from the citizens, from the dark spot itself. I yelled at him to stop as the rukh sped up, eager to be in Sinbad. He turned towards me with a small smile as a portion of his skin became blackened. I yelled at him more to stop as I approached him at a run, leaping towards him as I penetrated the center of the black rukh around him. A shiver climbed my back at the contact with the rukh.

Sinbad stared at me in shock, "You shouldn't be here!" As he gripped me by my shoulders.

"Neither should you!" I retorted back, having to yell over the thunderous fluttering.

Sinbad seemed to regard me in a new light before a smile appeared on his lips, pulling me into his arms as if to protect me from the rukh.

Relentlessly, the black rukh forced themselves within both of us. Having blacked out a few times during the ordeal, I wasn't surprised once Sinbad and I fell back onto the marble floor. I noted that I may have screamed a few times as well from my voice was hoarse.

Shivers wreaked havoc on my body. Trembling, I felt as if I couldn't stand as Sinbad pulled me closer to him defensively. Looking up lamely, only to noticing the silhouette of Falan pointing her staff towards us, Tipu placing himself between Falan and Sinbad and myself. My focused went in and out as spots cornered the edges of my sight once more.

Falan looked over her shoulder at someone shouting before making her leave. In my upright position, everything went numb. Sinbad moved to a burned, blackened body, holding the fragile form as he stared at it in disbelief.

In his diverted attention, I picked up Tipu on shaky legs, stumbling away from the palace. Making my way down to the backdoors, I coughed as the air filled with smoke. I made my way for the large hill at the back of the palace. The hill was the worst struggle as I face-planted a few times as my legs gave out beneath me, refusing to have a firm grip on the gravel. Finally reaching the top, I chose one of the largest fern leaves I could find in my short time before I sat on it, pulling up the front end of it as Tipu and I slid quickly down the side of the hill. I could feel on my bum that the leaf was beginning to fall apart from the friction on the rocks, but I didn't care. Only a few more feet before – Splash.

The coldness of the ocean water felt nice against my sore body. I hissed as the salt seeped through the open wounds but as I floated with Tipu on my stomach. I didn't mind once the salt filled every cut on my body, placing it back in a numb feeling. I looked towards where I was floating, glad that the gentle waves were pushing me towards the Parthevian coast. I looked back from where I was, surprised that the waves made Sindria into a speck floating on the sea once more as smoke rose upwards.

The curves of my lips went upwards as the coast came closer as I floated with Tipu. Sure, it was enemy territory, but it was land. And with the island sinking, it was the only solid ground around. I closed my eyes gently as the ground brushed against my bare back, the waves pushing me further up the coast as I drifted into sleep.

Well guys, what do you think?

Yes, I know that it technically still hasn't changed the story line. But that is because, what would've happened if Sinbad had fully fallen into depravity instead of only half-way? That was my thinking as Sage took the other half of the medium.

Anyway, please review your thoughts!

Hope you enjoyed as always~ See ya 3 (Ps. Happy New Year)

{Ahhhh, over 6,200 words. My largest chapter ever?}