And another one! Ta-da~!
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Sinbad.
Conqueror. King. Fated.
He looks as confused as I am.
"Who are you?" The boy questioned, shaking off his initial shock.
Yeah, a warning would've been nice...
I said nothing, still considering how I wanted to play this. Aloof and mysterious? Innocent and ignorant? Lost?
Could I fool a man like him so easily?
I didn't get the chance to answer him anyway. Within a few seconds, his eyes widened and, in a flash, he had darted straight past me and through the lit arches.
I spluttered in surprised and turned to sprint after him, using my arm to shield my eyes against the light as I burst out behind him. "Oi, wait just a se-!"
I could blame it on a few things. I could blame it on the light, blinding me briefly as I emerged from the little cave. I could blame it on the shock from seeing the future king without prior warning. I could even blame it on the fucking cliff itself for ending so quickly and suddenly just outside the little cave.
I could blame any of those factors, but the truth was that my body didn't react to my senses fast enough. I saw the edge of the cliff and I couldn't stop myself in time.
The ground disappeared from beneath my feet and I yelped as I shot straight over the edge.
Well, it's good to know your limits in a new body, I suppose...
"Hey!"
Firm arms shot out and wrapped around my torso, yanking me back with enough force to knock the breath out of me for a few moments. Purple flashed in my peripheral and I landed on Sinbad with a grunt.
He moaned and I gaped.
Holy shit, that was way too much action for the first 30 seconds of my existence.
I hadn't been able to stop in time. This body was still new and I was still adjusting a bit. My King may have given me a strong, fast body, but I was still settling in it.
I grit my teeth. I suppose this dungeon would be a good exercise then. If I wanted to properly own this body, to move as freely as I needed, then I had to move around more in the initial stages. Like breaking in new shoes.
And if I was going to do so, it might as well be in a place as grand as this.
The dungeon took a beautiful form, an area of risen blocks of land, a light mist in the air, old thick vines up the sides of the dome-like room, waterfalls trickling from the landforms like overflowing wine glasses. The air was warm.
I briefly wondered where the light streamed from.
"Hey, not that I mind accomodating such a beautiful girl, but do you think you could get off me now?" Sinbad piped up from beneath me, snapping me out of my stupor.
Oh yeah.
I pushed off his stomach - wow, abs - ignoring his little pained 'oof' in response, and stood. I quickly offered him a hand too, and he took it hesitantly.
"Man, that could've been real bad," I grinned. "Thanks for the save."
"Don't mention it," Sinbad muttered curiously, taking a moment to look me over. He looked like he was gonna ask me something but was interrupted by the sounds of mens' screams somewhere below.
He stopped to look over the edge and I observed the way his face paled a bit. It's his first time in a dungeon, I realised quickly. That's what Solomon meant by the beginning.
Wait.
How many years would I have to wait for Aladdin then?!
I huddled over my hands, counting on my fingers and frantically tried to recall facts that would tell me how long until the fourth Magi would appear. 10 years? 20? 30? It seemed I no longer possessed all the knowledge available to the Rukh. I knew enough about the path I must follow but trivial things like age escaped me.
I sighed gloomily, rising to my feet. Man, I'm gonna have to get some patience real soon 'cause I'm not sure I can wait that long.
A small trail of White Rukh floated about me, some alighting on my shoulders and hair. I glanced at them. "Has he sent you to watch me?"
They did not answer.
"Get down," Sinbad called, grabbing my arm and yanking me down. The White Rukh fluttered away and a great red dragon swooped overhead. I gasped and settled into a low crouch once more, my hands clutched tight into fists.
My gaze tracked the winged creature as it flew down and crashed through a crowd of men on a lower cliff, kicking up a huge cloud of dust. I gaped.
Then I grinned.
The men were scattered and gone and I felt sorry for them, truly, but the thrill of battle raced through my veins and I tensed up in anticipation. It was an instant, a mere moment, but I wanted more of that feeling.
I want to fight.
"I don't know what you're doing here," Sinbad called as he leapt past me, "but be more careful!"
"Shut up, ponytail!" I gleefully yelled, straightening up. But I didn't jump, not yet. A quick survey of my surroundings formed a smirk on my face. Stepping forward, unnoticed by others, I waited for the right moment.
... Now.
With a quick whoop, I bared my teeth and leapt over the edge.
~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~
Far below, Sinbad hefted a discarded spear in his hands, perched on a broken pillar, and glared down his target in determination. A single movement resulted in the spear blasting straight through the head of a dragon and he thought the look on the green-haired idiot's face priceless.
"You..." the soldier recognised him.
They were interrupted by a loud howl of joy from the sky.
Sinbad hadn't thought much of the girl he found in that room on the cliff. He was curious, yes, and he definitely wanted to know how she ended up here, but he'd placed the Dungeon as his priority. He figured that she'd at least be smart enough to take cover and protect herself.
He was so very wrong.
And he acknowledged his so-very-wrongness as he gazed up in amazement at the girl presenting herself again, this time clinging to the back of a very agitated baby dragon.
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"Woooo-hoooo!" I howled as the dragon blazed past, one hand holding tight to its head and the other waving at them. The dragon bucked and spun and looped in an attempt to throw me but my grip was iron. I never wavered.
Nothing better than a death-defying ride to reinforce proper motor control in a brand new body.
Sure, this wasn't exactly what I was planning when I said 'move around' but it was working a peach.
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"Who is that?" The soldier mumbled in shock.
"I don't know," Sinbad grinned, "but I'd love to meet her."
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I was having the time of my life.
'Ha! I love this world!' I exclaimed to myself as I wrapped my arms around the dragon's neck and pulled. The dragon reared in response and crashed into another dragon, sending me flying.
I laughed at the thrill and flipped in midair, stretching my arm out. A small knife glinted in my hand and I dug it into the back of another dragon flying past, pushing it deep for a grip as the new dragon's momentum tugged me harshly in a new direction. It caterwauled in pain and faltered, dipping closer to the ground as I aimed for the two boys staring openly at me now.
Finally, I plunged another knife through its eye and leapt off mere seconds before it hit the ground. I took the brunt of the impact on my shoulder as I dive-rolled and came to a slow stop at their feet.
"Whew!" I puffed happily, rolling my shoulders to relieve tension. It seemed this body was pretty durable and flexible, if not very strong in the physical strength department. I cracked my neck and beamed.
"That was fun."
Sinbad burst into laughter. I blinked and looked at the Parthevian soldier, who didn't seem to know what to make of me.
"You're insane!" The green-haired boy burst out. I looked at him curiously. Ah, I think he looks much nicer as a man. Still, he'll be brilliant in the future as a dragon.
Another dragon roared nearby and I perked up at the prospect of another ride but Sinbad reached out and took my hand before I could dart off again.
"We'd best move along," he told me with a smile, tugging me to my feet. I didn't argue and neither did the soldier as we fled the scene.
~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~
"So, how did you get into this Dungeon before I did? I'm sure I was ahead of you," Sinbad questioned the green-haired boy - Dragul, Drakon, my mind supplied - as they moved.
Do I know stuff or don't I? I frowned. Make up your mind, stupid head.
I stayed quiet now and drifted behind them, my excitement having died down a bit. Drakon eyed him.
"You're that pacifist from before," he observed. "Go mind your own business. I am a solider, remember? I will not accept help from a traitor such as yourself."
"Hmm, this traitor saved your ass," Sinbad rebutted, "and hasn't gotten so much as a thank you. Childish, if you ask me?"
"Just who are you calling childish?!" Drakon erupted. An arrogant shine appeared in his eyes and I resisted the urge to groan. "Very well then, I'll introduce myself in such a way that even a commoner like you will understand. Take note of my noble name. A general of Parthevia, the youngest of the Dragul family, son of General Draguliel Henrius Nomidus Pertegomidus, Commander of the Western Region military unit, my noble name is Dragul Nol Henrius Govius Menudias Partenuv-"
"Bored!" I interrupted blatantly.
"Way too long," Sinbad deadpanned. "Let's call you Drakon instead."
Drakon froze. "Wait, what?"
"From now on, you're Drakon," Sinbad nodded, pleased. I stifled a laugh as they launched themselves at each other, fighting like children in the street.
"How rude!"
"Your name's too freakin' long! My name's only 6 letters! S-I-N-B-A-D!"
"How dare you insult the name of Dragul! I'll kill you!"
A shadow fell over them and the fighting ceased as they all looked up to see a great white dragon passing overhead.
Huge...
"Shelter," I announced promptly, heading for a nearby crevasse. I patted them on the shoulder once they'd joined me in the shadows.
"Maybe you should save the nonsensical fighting until a bit later, you know, when we get out of here," I suggested dryly.
"Agreed," the boys chorused.
"Who are you anyway?" Sinbad asked, taking my hand, his smile turning charmingly charismatic. "Do you have a name to go with your lovely appearance, miss?"
I scowled. "Let go of me or I'll rip off your arm and beat you with it."
"Duly noted," Sinbad grimaced and let go. I hesitated.
"You can call me... Aisha," I decided, punctuating my declaration with a firm nod.
"Are you from Parthevia, Aisha?" Drakon questioned, suspicion flickering across his stony face.
"Why not?" I shrugged. He growled at the obvious lie but I really didn't care. I was too preoccupied with the memories, images flowing in my mind. Sinbad and a shield, Drakon watching, a dragon's roar.
Frustration bubbled up inside of me. I could not interfere with this fight. I could not fight alongside them this time.
'Soon,' a whispered promise drifted to my ears and I bit my lip in disappointment, but conceded.
It was with great reluctance that, as Drakon got offended once again at one of Sinbad's offhand jokes, I slipped away from them.
I had only just arrived and already, there was something I couldn't do.
'Pity', I mused. I think I would have liked to try my hand against a king of dragons. Though, that door it's guarding likely leads somewhere.
The ground turned muddy beneath my feet and I found myself trudging along a watery ditch, grimacing at the feel beneath my toes. I'd already decided I liked the feel of bare feet but a watery ditch is a bit much, shoes or not.
"Ewwww," I whined as I made my way to the door as quickly as possible, skirting wide to avoid the white dragon that lounged in the middle of the clearing. Any time a smaller dragon got near, a swift throw sent a knife deep into its throat and it would fall long before reaching me.
'Pests,' I grumbled to myself. Still, it was pretty convenient for Solomon to include all these little throwing daggers and kunai with the clothes. I kept finding them everywhere, tucked in my belt, lining my sleeves, in my boots. If only I had a hidden compartment with a sandwich or something, I'd be set. I reached the door with little trouble.
I leant against it and traced one of the round indents. It was smooth, smooth as... polished crystal.
"Baal," I whispered to the Djinn of the Dungeon, "let me in."
When I lifted my head, there was a sword at my throat.
"I don't know who you are," Drakon growled, "but I will not let you trick the Parthevian Empire out of this Dungeon's treasure."
"Oh?" I purred in amusement and leaned closer. Drakon seemed a little unsettled as his blade nicked the side of my neck. A pearl of blood welled up and fell down my skin.
This body must've looked like a ghost, with the long white hair, pale skin and seemingly translucent silvery-grey eyes. White as Rukh wings. The red stood out against my pale complexion.
"Don't insult me, boy," I crooned. I forced my temper down and smirked. "Besides, I'm probably not the enemy you want to face right now."
Drakon blanched as I reached out and spun him around to look at the giant white dragon who had noticed us.
As I turned to leave, understanding that this door would not open for me, I briefly caught Sinbad's eye. His expression was unreadable and I blew him a quick kiss cheekily before darting away.
'Hmph, wimp,' I concluded as I left the Parthevian's pleas far behind.
~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~
"Kill me."
"What the hell's so bad about not wanting to die anyway?"
"A country that abandons its people is worthless!"
Blue lightning. Gold rain. Green orbs.
It seems the closer I am to the event, time-wise, the more I will be bombarded with these memories. I huffed in irritation and shoved the images down, powering ahead.
"Who am I? That's simple. You can call me Sinbad the Sailor!"
"Drama queen," I grumbled.
'Little Rukh, are you sent by my King?' I stopped short as an unfamiliar voice bombarded my thoughts. It sounded like an old guy.
"You must be Baal." My lips quirked upwards. "Took you long enough. I knocked."
'Are you sent by my King?'
I sighed. "No fun. Yes, I am sent by our King."
'Then by all means-' Is that amusement I hear in his voice? '-come on in.'
I don't feel good abo-
The ground opened beneath me and I dropped into darkness. I screamed and swore like a pirate all the way down.
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Pretty please review. I'd really love some feedback!
Until next time,
- Dragon