WNW #7
Goes without saying, I do not own Magi! Only OC(s)
Hope you enjoy it!
Ja'far stood at the railings of the ship he boarded only an hour ago as he watched his home alit in flames along with the rest of the Sindrian citizens.
His hands were clenching on the railings, praying for Sinbad's safety. He stared intently on the sky before Hinahoho placed a hand on his shoulder, "Sinbad is fine. He will meet us when he is done."
Ja'far didn't respond. He knew Sage would keep her word. He hardly knew her but from what he heard from Sinbad and the other generals, she was trustworthy. And with everything that has recently happened, she was probably one of the most changed. She looked empty as she told him that she'd protect Sinbad since she had nothing left to her life…
Ja'far sighed as he turned around before someone yelled out that there was something in the sky. Twisting around straining to see against the setting sun, he noticed they were right. Sinbad's djinn form floated effortlessly in the sky. There was chaos on the ship, celebrating that their king has returned. When Sinbad landed lightly on the deck, he noticed that something was amiss.
"Where's Sage?"
Sinbad looked away towards the island on the fire.
Following his gaze, Ja'far stared. She couldn't have died. She had to be alive.
Looking questioningly at Sinbad, he moved towards one of the cabin doors, ignoring everyone he passed. Staring back at the island, I wished for her safe return to the Sindrian Company. Ja'far was well aware of everyone's thoughts towards her, she was family now.
The sound of metal hitting metal woke me up. Forcing my eyelids open, I squinted. The cold metal flooring underneath me felt refreshing against the soreness of my body. My hand instantly went for my hip, where my swords typically rested only to feel my skin.
Fully awake, I registered my surroundings as I struggled to sit up while I leaned on the wall.
A hearty laugh turned my attention to a fat men with a long beard riding next to another… man? I looked closer at him to see he was wearing red lipstick and furs that would suit a woman better.
"Finally up? We were beginning to worry you had died on us." His sneer was enough for me to know. He was a slave trader, if it wasn't obvious of the other dozen children in the cage and adults strung out in a line behind his horse with collars around their necks as well as the line behind the cage.
I opened my mouth to retort back but met the hollowed eyes with one of the lead adults in the slave line. His wrinkled face shaking was enough to enlighten me that I shouldn't anger this man.
I continued to stare at the slave trader, however, just as he stared back at me. Only breaking eye contact when Tipu rubbed his head on my lower back causing new pain I hadn't realized I had. Smiling as I acknowledged him, placing him within my lap. Looking back up, the man was gone. Replaced by the fat bastard that laughed before. His eyes full of lust as they racked over my body. Instinctively, I pulled Tipu closer, attempting to hide from his gaze with the white fluffy cat. I glared, before spotting my Gemini swords on the rear of his horse. Following my gaze, the man's smile twisted into a smirk. "Don't even think about it."
I growled, frustrated. Placing my hand on my neck I panicked, eyes widening as my fingers brushed against the metal collars the other slaves wore. I tried to look downwards at it. Banging on the bars, I yelled out, "Where's my necklace!" With no response, I refused to back down as I banged a few more times on the bars till I looked back when I heard the whimpers of children, to see them cowering in the opposite corner in fear.
With a sigh, I sat back down in a comfortable position, holding my bloodied hands in my lap.
The man sneered once more before riding off to follow his master, leaving me alone as the children in the cage stared at me. They were all clearly younger than me by a couple of years. I inched my way back to the corner, attempting to give them more space.
It wasn't long before their curiosity turned into questions
"Why are your eyes different colors?"
"I was born with them." I answered lightly. My eyes no longer bothered me from my time in Sindria. I learned to live with them.
"Where are you from?"
"Parthevia." I gazed at them, a few moving closer.
"What happened to you?"
"Sindria was attacked." I looked down at my own battered body, noting that I must have been out for a while from the healing of a few cuts.
"Is this your cat?"
My attention turning back towards a darker male with light colored hair holding up Tipu from under his armpits.
I smiled, nodding. The children surrounding him all went to pet Tipu gently enticing a loud purr.
Before another child could question me further, I asked my own question, "Where are we going?"
"Wherever we are deemed most valuable." An adult from the side of the cage answered instead.
Turning towards the aging man, "And where would that be?"
"For you? Anywhere." My shoulders drooped in disappointment, that was a very general answer.
"Unless you know how to use those swords they found with you." Turning towards him more, he continued, "You will go to Reim to fight in the colosseum."
Scrunching my eyebrows, I frowned. I had heard of the colosseums in Reim. About the gladiators. When I asked my parents, they simply said it was a barbarian's way of showing strength. Reim liked the death that followed, betting on human lives.
"I thought they refused women to fight?" I questioned him honestly, most valued it a man's sport.
"They allow anyone. If the underdog wins, the house wins." I understood his metaphor. The house being the colosseum themselves. When someone bet against the underdog, and the underdog wins, they win. "And you'd be the underdog."
I clenched my jaw, he seemed sure where I was going. But the rest of them? I glanced over the kids, their feet all wearing the matching chains.
Over the next few days, the slave traders hardly stopped. They continued down the rocky roads, bouncing the kids and I as the wheels hit particularly large rocks. Given food through the bars of dried out bread and rotting vegetables. Water, only when it rained.
The few times we did stop was to allow the horses rest. The night breeze soothing as it washed away the stench of unwashed humans. Relaxing against the metal walls, I dozed off for a few moments before the fat man blind sighted me when he ran one of my swords across the bars. Creating a shrieking nose against the metals.
Jumping slightly, I stared at him.
"You wish to use these swords?" His smile unflattering against his face.
"You wish to arm a slave?" I retorted as a warning.
With a shake of his head, the man with red lips came forth, "Only to know your talents. You were found with them so we only hope you can put them to good use."
A shadow came for the door. A click sounding off as it opened to reveal another man working for the slave trader. He motioned for me to come. Stiffly, I stayed in my spot.
The fat man slammed his fist against the bars, spooking me enough to jump up, following his motion to exit.
Upon touching the ground, the fat man threw my swords on the ground. I refused to take the bait, worried they would accuse me of fighting back, only to give them a reason to kill me. Staring at their leader, he waved his hand lazily towards the swords, knowing that it was going to be okay. Weakly, I handled them off the ground as the chains clank together around my hands. My muscles felt unused from the days of sitting, hardly eating, rather wishing to feed the children I rode with. I looked up questioningly. Who was I to fight?
The fat man walked up, that stupid smile still placed on his face as he looked over my body.
"You will fight me."
I turned slightly, eyeing the young man who proudly stood in the moonlight. I felt like sneering, the young man looked exactly like his father without the excessive weight. I looked back at the man as he nodded towards him, "You can do it, Saner." I rolled my eyes before I heard, "Kill your first slave," added near the end. Sure, I lost weight on this dumb journey from barely any food but that didn't mean he should underestimate me so much, even if I was in chains. I looked back at Saner, testing the weight of my swords in my hand by flipping it over in my palm.
Saner started it as he ran towards me, sword drawn. I stood still, curious at his random form. His sword was raised above his head, going for a wide blow. Patiently waiting I sidestepped his sword as he used gravity to push it downward where I had been. Flipping the sword in my hand, I used the hilt as I punched him in the side, hearing the satisfying crack of a couple of ribs.
Bending over, coughing up blood, I looked lazily at the slave trader leader while I raised a single sword over his neck, temptingly.
"Wasn't much of a challenge, was he?" Raising my sword with a heave a sigh escaped my lips.
"No. He wasn't." The slave trader's voice was the last thing I remembered before a black bird appeared, cutting my upper cheek. Touching lightly on the cut, dizziness overtook me as I fell on the frosted ground.
My heartbeat was racing as I woke with a start, seeing one of the children poke me. I blinked at them before I looked at the grim man in the lead behind the cage, "We're here."
I stumbled upwards before I gripped onto the bars of the cage, staring at those who passed. Only a few chose to look at the cage, others ignoring it completely since it seemed to be a normal thing for them.
I held my chin high, my dignity not entirely lost as a few of them pointed their fingers at me in awe. Taking my forehead in my hand from last night's dizziness causing a headache now. Looking lazily around, I noticed the structures approaching us.
First came the walls. From what I could see from within the cage, the walls were endless. And I couldn't see the tops of it because of the ceiling.
It seemed like separate worlds existed on the different sides of the walls. On one, forest. On the other, buildings that carried on beyond my sight.
Then I saw it… the slave market. I stared in disgust as a large man held his slaves in line, all female. They stood naked in front of the men who whistled, a few daring to come up and squeeze their breasts. The women remained looking downwards, a few crying silently as the men continued to probe their bodies.
I looked back at the children who refused to look at the scene before them, a few sniffling back a cry, knowing that that was their fate as well. I clenched the bars, too angry to even move as I shook with unspoken anger. I leaned back into my normal position, attempting to comfort a particularly distraught young girl.
I touched her tangled hair, petting it soothingly, attempting to do it like my mother as I cooed at her. She looked up at me with tears filling her eyes as her head hit my chest as she gripped my sides, pulling herself closer to me. I hugged her defensively as the cage door opened. I glared as the man with red lips used his whip to make a deafening crack. The children cowered around me, trying to hide themselves from view.
I glared as he went into the cage. A smirk played on his lips as he lifted up my metal collar from the center of the children. Obediently, I rose. Allowing him to lead me out of the cage.
"No!" The girl I was comforting rose up, tears still falling along her cheeks. As well as a few other children I spoke to on our journey to Reim.
I rose a single finger to my lips, silencing them. "It's okay." I smiled reassuringly. I was aware of my fate and didn't fear it, "Everything is going to be alright." I lied.
When the door closed firmly, Tipu slipped through the bars, following me as I was led through to an impressive building. I gazed upwards, finally finding the top of the colosseum. Thunderous cheers echoed from within as the slave trader led me through an entrance, leading to a strange clearing containing mostly men. They were from various backgrounds if their race was no indicator then their clothing was, all working to improve in different ways. I stared at them training just as a few stopped to stare back at me. Then I noticed they mostly trained with each other, ignoring the dummies standing lifeless at the corners, a few scratches on them.
With a tough tug on my neck to gain back my attention, the man led me further away from the clearing before coming in front of a heavy man. Not fat heavy, but muscularly heavy. He towered over the feminine slave traders as he stated proudly, "I wish to enter this slave."
The man looked behind him to meet my raised chin, challenging his gaze.
With a laugh he spoke honestly to the man, "Do you really believe she can survive a single fight?"
A smirk played on his lips, "Try her." He challenged. Passing a heavy sack of coins that jingled when moved.
With a nod, "You're entered."
Simply dropping my chain, he turned to leave, before turning back around and opening up his cloak, throwing my swords that I thought I had lost in front of the man and making his leave. I looked questionably at them before I gazed back up challengingly at the man. His height was impressive as he towered over my young form. He laughed again at the sight in front of him, using a pair of keys to unlock the collar around my neck.
Rubbing the places where the metal rubbed against my skin too often, the man reguarded me again, "What's your name?"
"Sage." I answered simply, not allowing my guard down.
"Alright, Sage." He gently led me to the clearing I just passed, "These," Waving towards the men as they turned towards his booming voice, "Are your new acquaintances." A few whistles sounded throughout the clearing as the men looked me up and down for the second time.
With my chin still raised, I walked to where a few men lingered around a weapons container.
"What some of this, babe?" With a rude gesture of his pelvis, he laughed along with his buddies.
"I came for a sword." I stated flatly, not taking the bait.
"Aww, come on. I just want some fun." He reached out to touch my hair with a scarred hand, "Such beautiful hair…"
Dodging his stretched out hand, I sidestepped it, grabbing a medium sword length, similar to my Geminis. Raising it, it fell down heavily with a cutting scream across the clearing. The man's hand fell with a thud, splattering my legs with droplets of blood.
The man fell on his knees as he stared at his hand in shock on the ground, clutching his nub with his remaining hand as he looked up at me towering over his lowered body.
"Try to touch me again and it won't be just your hand getting cut off," Making my point, I placed the tip of my sword near his pelvis before raising it to his neck.
Walking away as his screams deafened my ears, I focused solely on the dummy in front of me as the others stared intently on me. I grinded my teeth, dare underestimate me I thought threateningly.
~Different POV~
Shuffling a yawn, I raised my hands above my head making my armor clink together. Pushing the familiar doors open I was surprised who beat me to my seat.
"Scheherazade," I greeted her with a slight bow. Her golden long braids flowing over the edge of the chair overlooking the colosseum. "It's rare to see you watch the gladiators."
It was, she refused to. She never forbid it, just disliked the idea of it. She was a gentle soul, however. Only interested in protecting her citizens and country.
"I should associate myself with what the citizens are entertained with as well." I nodded, standing in my usual place to the right of her as we gazed over the colosseum center.
I wasn't sure why I enjoyed the colosseum as much as I did. I supposed it was because this is where most of Fanalis' end up due to their strength. I suppose I want to experience what they went through.
I smiled, thinking of the few Fanalis' that I have already found around Reim, collecting them for my Fanalis Corps, giving them a home, freeing them from such horrid scenes.
I was distracted from thoughts as an announcer shouted out, not expecting it as I hadn't come for a couple of months due to work, "Sage," The crowds cheered as a young girl exited from the opposite side of the colosseum, dragging two medium swords along the ground with her head bowed. Her white ragged dress signified that she was a slave just as much as the iron collar around her neck, fighting for a master, not for herself. I grimaced. From her size she seemed as if she couldn't do much damage but from the cheers, I knew I was wrong. Reim only cheered for the winners.
When she looked up finally, the colosseum rumbled from the observers. Even from such a distance, I noticed her eyes. One light brown eye while the other was a bright blue hue, framed with long wavy white hair. In other words, she was simply beautiful. I now understood why the crowds screamed for her. I got closer to the edge, placing my hands on the railing to get a better look at her.
Her eyes swept the crowd before landing on me, seemingly staring as the announcer continued, "Vs. those scary men!" Motioning a hand to the side opposite of her, a handful of men about twice her size stepping into the sunlight carrying menacing weapons of their own. The crowd booed at them, even throwing a few objects into the arena.
"Don't forget to place your bets as this is the last time Sage will appear!" The announcer added quickly. The crowd booed in disappointment at the news but soon transferred to cheers when the bell rang, singling the beginning of the match.
I leaned forward, intrigued instantly. Mostly because of Sage, but I was curious as to how she would fight.
Scheherazade seemed uninterested however as she remained in her chair, looking onward in the arena.
I remained leaning inward as one of the men rushed forward, a too long of a sword raising upwards. Sage walked unphased towards him without raising one of her swords. From behind them, the other men begun running forward as well, closing the distance between her and them quickly.
As the first man's sword swung forward, she rushed in, running her sword against his while he panicked and forcibly raised the sword again but failed before she slit his stomach. I frowned, that's why you shouldn't swing around such a long sword.
As the man fell to his knees she stared at him, not looking at her surroundings. Is she getting distracted? I thought in horror as she didn't move. From behind her, two men rushed forward. I clenched the railings as it seemed she wasn't going to move when one man raised his heavy axe, aiming for her head.
Her head turned slightly before she turned quickly raising both of her swords in a cross to stop the axe from falling onto her. In a crackling noise, I stared at her as she struggled against the man's weight as he leaned in, attempting to force her down.
Her eyebrows scrunched up in distress. The other man that was near him was closing in quickly from behind them as they struggled for power.
I gazed at the other remaining men closing in as well. The lead raising a spear above his head and the other stopping short to nock an arrow.
I opened my mouth to yell along with the crowd but was cut short by Scheherazade, "Just watch."
I turned my gaze back upon the scene, refusing to blink at the scene in front of me. This had to be one of the most interesting battles yet. I forgot how much I loved gladiators.
The man's spear left his hands with a thrust as it pierced through the air. Sage moved her head quickly to the side as the spear grazed her face, instead hitting the man with the axe through his chest, freeing her of her swords.
Swiftly, raising to her full height, she twisted one of her swords in her hand as a yellow film went over the sword. Magoi Manipulation. I noted in surprise, knowing that only a few knew how to use it. A smile played on my lips as I thought of the Yambala Gladiators that would teach her.
She raised her sword pulsing with magoi above her shoulder, preparing to throw it. It seemed counter-productive as I watched intently.
She threw her sword just as the arrow nock released, cutting through the arrow with ease as it hit its target of the archer through the skull. He fell with a thud. Leaving only two remaining against Sage. A roar of cheers went over the crowd.
Changing stances, she gripped both of her hands on her remaining hilt as she eyed both of the men coming towards her, one empty handed and the other was a regular sword.
The one with the sword reached her first as he aimed for her side, attempting to split her in half. She met his sword lightly, encasing her sword with magoi once more as she placed it perpendicular against his, effectively stopping it. Using her furthest foot, she leaped over to the other side of his sword without hers as it hung in its place. Crouching deeply as she used her furthest foot to side sweep him from underneath, making him fall on the ground with her. She quickly took the advantage, climbing on top of him, using her knees to pin his arms as she placed both hands on either side of his face. With a snap, she broke his neck.
The remaining man finally reached her, tackling her as she was about to stand. The two rolled along in the dirt before they separated. Sage distanced herself by crawling away frantically as she gained her wits again. The man was the first up as he raced towards her once more without a weapon. Sage stood up as well, meeting him head-on as they engaged in a fist fight. The man did powerful, yet inaccurate, wide throws as Sage hit him lightly in quick intervals. I thought a few of his punches connected but as Sage refused to move, I thought otherwise. Frustrated, the man gripped both of his hands together, aiming above her as he threw his body towards her from above. Stepping inwards, Sage crouched before leaping upwards, using the momentum to punch him in the ribcage.
The man bent over forward as she jumped slightly to reach his height to kick him with her shin in the air. One of her slender legs still raised for the unpredictable, he fell with a thud.
Silenced hushed over the crowd as she looked around from her positon. Cheers erupted as she placed her legs shakily on the ground. When she stood fully and stared at where I stood, I noticed the gash on her cheek from the spear, her bloodied nose and bruised face, probably from the man that tackled her. I nodded at her in respect.
Returning my nod she when to grab her swords before bowing towards the crowd as cheers continued to reach for the sky.
"She's been winning." I turned towards Scheherazade as she rose to leave. Confused, I followed her. I looked down at her small form. Had she been visiting the colosseum more often than I thought? To watch Sage?
"I'm surprised she did." I spoke truthfully.
"As was I, everyone is." I nodded, understanding.
~Back to Sage's POV~
"Congratulations." I looked up dully to the man I now considered a friend. His graying hair tied on one side white his bangs hung unbrushed. I tried to point my attention anywhere but him, "Sage, its ok. This is a gladiator's life." I nodded. I understood that but did that truly mean they have to die? I attempted to wipe the blood off my hands after placing my Gemini swords in their sheaths.
With a swift slap on my back he remarked, "At least now you have bought your freedom in such a short time. Most don't make it this far," I looked up at him as he gazed back down at me with gentleness, a single golden circle catching the light as he continued, "They all loved you." The faint sound of cheers making his point.
"Because I killed someone." I stated flatly.
"True but only so they wouldn't kill you." He gently led me by the shoulder to his office that I quickly became acquainted with. I nodded to his three sons younger than me by a few years. It always spooked me how they could wear masks. Never once seeing them without those dark masks. I smiled warmly at the younger girl next to them carrying Tipu, her black dreads falling into her face with a golden circle similar to her father in her hair. She smiled back as I moved to stand in front of her father as he went behind his desk.
Shambal grabbed a heavy key as he fitted it into its position and with a twist, the collar was off. I rubbed my neck, feeling the familiar indents.
"You're free," he sounded disappointed. I offered him a warm smile before bowing, "Thank you for making me a disciple of the Yambala tribe." He nodded as he turned his back towards me.
Straightening my back, I gave one last nod before turning to make my leave as Tipu leaped out of the girl's arms to my shoulder.
When I entered the clearing, the now familiar scarred faces turned towards me. I placed a hand on one of my swords as I got to the middle of the clearing, unsure of what to expect.
A thick hand landed on one of my shoulders as congratulations sounded throughout. My eyes widened as they offered encouragement to going to the outside world. I wasn't expecting a goodbye party to form as a few of them began chanting my name, proud to say that I was the greatest woman gladiator around. A wide grin plastered on face as I pushed my way through them, a few more hard slaps finding there way on my body.
Finally exiting the clearing, the chants died down. A heavy sigh escaped my lips. I didn't know that I would be able to call this place home. I turned one last time, trying to remember every last detail.
"Sage!" I looked down at the door I just exited as Shambal's daughter came running, her dreads bouncing.
I stopped, allowing her to catch her breath before she held something up to my face.
"Shambal gives gift." Her words were simple as she held up a pouch full of coins from the way it jingled. "Shambal is no good with goodbyes." Making an indication that he was crying in his office.
I laughed as I grabbed it thankfully. Pulling her into a hug, she continued, "Toto gives gift too." Before I could see it, she pulled a few strands of my hair, braiding it. I looked down at the end of the braid. A golden circle staring back at me.
I felt like laughing, the golden circle symbolizing that I was now a part of the Yambala Tribe.
Standing up, I ruffled her hair watching as she bounced her way back into the clearing.
When I turned around once more, I spotted the young man that was staring intently at me in the arena. His long flaming red hair shinning in the sunlight as her helped a woman into a carriage by the hand. With a shut of the door, the woman motioned for him to lean in, whispering something into his ear that made him smile. Leaning back out of the carriage, he signaled with a wave that she was ready, the horses neighing before galloping away at a steady pace. As I stood there he seemed to noticing my own staring as he locked eyes with me. Masrur... A few tears dared to fall as his red eyes and hair reminded me of my dear friend.
My shoulders sank a little as I thought of the generals. They hardly crossed my mind while in the arena, even if my nightmares still haunted me of Sindria, my parents, and my friends.
I shook my head as if I could force the memories out as the young man began to approach me.
"Where did you learn that move?" His voice was friendly enough as he stared at my bruises and cuts on my face.
My head tilted slightly, confused at what he was referring to.
"With the last man," He insisted.
With a pause, I looked him up and down, noting his golden breastplate and adjoining golden plates covering his knees and sword on his hip. Definitely a military man. "Masrur," I responded finally, knowing he wouldn't know who I was referring to.
"Wait, Masrur? As in the gladiator?" I narrowed my eyes at him as he continued, "He was here only a couple years ago." He waved his hand at the colosseum behind me. He rubbed his chin for a moment as if struggling to remember, "I knew I saw those moves before…" He murmured to himself.
"Anyway," He looked up suddenly to me, "It isn't gentlemen-like to not introduce myself," He took my calloused hand into his as he bowed slightly. I blushed as his lips grazed my skin, "I'm Muu Alexius."
I nodded, hoping that the bruises on my face was enough to cover the heat rising towards my cheeks, "Sage."
Muu nodded, his long red hair seeming like a mane as he turned, my hand still in his as he gripped it lightly, "Care to join me?"
Ahhhh, Muu! Literally, my second favorite Fanalis after Musrur. (Sorry Morgiana)
So, Sage is separated from Sinbad and everyone else... sadness. But at least she gets to meet everyone else! (Don't worry, they all meet up again)
As always, please review, hope you enjoyed!
(Man, I am just pumping these chapters out, aren't I? *Pats self on back*)