I am quickly realising that I am so very bad at planning out my stories. I am 100% feeling my way through this. (Yeah, almost definitely expect a rewrite once I get more practice and advice)

Anyway, the next chapter! Onwards!

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I may or may not have let out a... somewhat unhealthy string of unfavourable words upon landing. I also thanked my lucky stars that this body really was more endurable than most otherwise that might've hurt a whole lot more.

"Baal!" I bellowed, grinding my teeth in annoyance. "What the fuck?!"

"My apologies, Little Rukh, I feel that those other two candidates will reach me soon so I opted for the more... speedy route to get you here. They've already slain the dragon king," Baal responded, his great blue figure leaning over me. I was in a church or something, with white rock and stone treasures. Baal loomed above a lamp on a pedestal.

And she thought Sinbad was a drama queen. At least he didn't put himself on a literal fucking pedestal.

"I could have died," I stressed, shoving an accusing finger in his direction.

Ok, so maybe we were all drama queens here.

Baal chuckled, deep and throaty. "Little Rukh, I am the Djinn of Wrath and Heroism, Baal. If that was enough to kill you, then you would be unworthy of my time anyway."

"Fine, fine, fussy Djinn, I get it," I muttered irritably, choosing to glance around the room curiously than meet his gaze. "What's with all the rocks anyway? Isn't there supposed to be treasure or something?"

"The treasure will be granted to those who are worthy. And those who are worthy, must prove it by fighting their way through my dungeon to this room."

"So no treasure until then," I grouched, "got it."

Solomon hadn't exactly stuffed my pockets with gold coins. I could use a little treasure around now.

Baal's brow furrowed. "You're a greedy Little Rukh. But my King sees something in you that perhaps I do not. Thus, you are welcome here, at least until this dungeon is no more."

I scratched my head and grinned. "Thanks old man! I should probably warn you though, that's not exactly a very long wait."

There was a heavy pause while I examined my dirt-covered feet in disgust. I need a bath or something.

"You know what is to come."

It wasn't a question but it almost felt like one. I slowly dragged my gaze to his and smiled. "Sometimes."

"I wonder, Little Rukh, were you blessed or burdened?"

I felt like laughing.

Instead, I answered, "I was chosen."

"For virtue or sin?"

That prompted a pause. I know I must've looked blank as I recalled my wish and the grey smoke that had forced into my light. My cause was a just one, but was my reason?

"For being different," was all I said.

Baal seemed to accept this answer as he drew himself upwards, folding his arms across his chest. "I am not blessed in the same way as you, Little Rukh, and I am not to know what is yet to take place. Let me ask this, and this alone. Is the road ahead a hard one?"

I snorted, forcing the severe atmosphere from my thoughts. "When was it ever easy?"

Baal dipped his head a bit in acknowledgement. "I see. Wise words, though perhaps a bit bitter. But words aside, my challengers are here."

"Eh? Already?" I jolted. That prompted thought. Was time equally distributed in a dungeon? Was it entirely linear? Did it perhaps change according to Baal's will? I could've sworn they were to take at least a few hours or so...

He lowered a hand to me, like a big, blue platform. "If you would please," he requested.

I hoisted myself onto his palm and crouched, keeping a low centre of gravity as he lifted me into the air. He cupped his hands a little, but I think that was less to keep me from tumbling off and more a natural body movement.

I had just gotten back on my feet, facing Baal still, when the door was pushed open and two familiar faces stopped short at the sight. I stifled another snort as Sinbad and Drakon gaped at me, then at the giant, blue hulk that was Baal.

"Hello, boys," I cooed. "You sure took your time."

Baal appraised the two as they quickly recovered.

"Aisha," Sinbad greeted smoothly, his suave tone countered by the excitement and thrill practically gleaming in his expression. A kid, through and through. "Care to introduce us to your friend?"

"My friend can introduce himself," I chuckled as Baal straightened up.

"I am known as Baal, Djinn of Wrath and Heroism," he boomed. I resisted the urge to wince at the sheer volume of his voice. "Tell me, who is the one that wishes to become King?"

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"Is this really necessary?" I questioned. Currently, I was lounging on my back on Baal's palm, my head hanging off the edge so that my hair fell like a snowy waterfall straight down and I could observe Sinbad and Drakon's fight quite clearly, albeit upside-down. "I mean, you knew there were two of them coming and that neither would give up the claim to your power. You had ages to judge them individually, evaluate them, compare prices, blah, blah, blah. You totally could've made a decision by now and saved us all the trouble."

"They are both fine warriors," Baal replied, watching the battle intently. "As I said, this will be a test of my future master's skills. They both deserve to fight to the end for the honour of conquering my dungeon."

I rolled my eyes and continued watching.

Sword. Sword. Slash. Catch. Punch. Punch. A lot of stumbling and swelling and some bleeding. Punch. Punch. Dramatic yelling. Another punch.

I groaned and jumped to my feet, pacing back and forth impatiently. "This is so boring."

"From what I've seen of your character, Little Rukh, I'd have thought you'd enjoy a fight," Baal remarked, still not sparing me a glance.

"Not when I can't join in," I exclaimed, waving a hand at the two clashing figures. "It's no fun just watching them beat the crap out of each other for no reason. Sure, maybe if one of them was a bit more annoying but they're both alright too."

The pacing wasn't helping. I collapsed exasperatedly and glared at the ceiling. "This sucks."

"Be patient, Little Rukh," Baal rumbled. "It seems we are nearing the end now."

"I don't think I'm the patient type," I muttered to myself. Still, I sat up with an intrigued expression in time to watch Sinbad land the final blow. I sniffed as Drakon teetered and went down, securing the victory of the future king.

"Finally."

Baal nodded. "I have seen all I need. You have my approval. As proof of this-" the Djinn waved his hand and the stone treasures turned to god, silver and gemstones "-the power and wealth you so desire is now yours to command."

Neat trick.

I lightly tapped his fingers and he lowered me to the ground. I still had to jump a few metres though. Landing softly, I jogged over to Sinbad, but his attention was still on Baal.

"Little Rukh." Baal's voice made me pause halfway to the boy. "I wish you fortunate travels. No doubt your path shares the stones and burdens of the rest of us now."

I smiled and shot a cheeky smirk over my shoulder. "It was never the smoothest of paths in the first place anyway."

Baal dipped his head respectfully and magic circles lit up beneath us, littering the floor like luminescent paint. I met his eyes and my lips quirked upwards.

"See you on the other side, old man."

A flash of white and we were gone.

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It was a short meeting, not a lot of time for us to converse with two morons competing for the dungeon's power in the background, but I decided that I liked Baal.

No, not liked. Respected. I respected that Djinn because it was harder not to. Besides, as the Djinn of Wrath and Heroism, he was a fighter. I'm still learning about myself as I go, but I can already tell that I root for the fighters.

It was why I was a little bummed when we reappeared in the crater where the dungeon once stood. I was still a bit bummed when I leant down and started scooping some of the smaller treasures into the pockets of my billowing pants.

Hey, a girl's gotta eat. Or in this case, be just a little bit rich after risking her life and thus very existence in a dragon-filled dungeon. It was for a good cause. (I mean, I was helping with a good cause on Solomon's behalf and this was helping me, so really it was indirectly for a good cause.)

I did falter a bit though when I looked up and realised that we were surrounded by an army.

That's right. Sinbad was kind of wanted for treason or something, wasn't he?

I pursed my lips and slowly edged away from the purple-haired boy, who was only just climbing to his feet.

A Parthevian soldier stepped forward, a wide grin on his face as he took in the sight of glittering treasure. "Young capturers! You are applauded o-"

"Aisha!" Sinbad screeched, cutting him off entirely as the sailor pointed accusingly at me. I paused, jewels and gold spilling from my clothes and a completely unaware look on my face.

Yeah, I was kind of done with Parthevian soldiers by now so I'd resumed filling my pockets while the others were supposed to be distracted.

"What?" I acted dumb.

"I'm the Dungeon Capturer, that's my treasure!" Sinbad yelled, crossing his arms like a disappointed, kind of angry father. That thought almost made me chuckle. Almost.

I scowled. "What? I helped, didn't I?"

"You just stood and watched!"

"Don't be so stingy. It's kinda your fault I'm here, no money, no food, no shelter. It's the least you could do to share a small portion of your treasure with me."

"Don't just decide that on your own!"

The Parthevian soldier interrupted quite forcefully, seemingly unhappy with the diversion. "Young capturers! You are applauded on your achievements as valued citizens of Parthevia."

I eyed him warily. Were all Parthevians so pesky?

"Now," the soldier stepped forward, "kindly hand over the treasure and power and we may discuss rewa-"

"Not gonna happen." I scoffed as Sinbad shot the man down rather bluntly. "I earned this treasure and power with my own hands and I won't hand it over to you."

The Parthevian spluttered. I chuckled and shoved one last gold chalice in my pocket.

"This is treason!" He exclaimed. "Men, restrain him at once!"

A presence swirled into existence behind us and I blinked. Then I sighed.

A new voice cut into the conversation and images immediately flickered, strong enough to blind me to the world for a moment.

"I'm surprised you aren't using your newfound powers, Sinbad."

Green and gold. A little hut in the bottom of a valley.

A goddamned barrel.

I buried my face into my hands and wailed. "Not this moron."

Sinbad seemed a bit more surprised. "Yunan!" He followed his exclamation with an odd glance in my direction.

I ignored him, instead looked around frantically for an opportunity to escape. However, before I could make a run for it, Yunan firmly grasped the back of my top, keeping a gentle smile firmly plastered on his smile.

"Sinbad," he greeted warmly. Slowly, he looked down at me as well. I granted a sheepish smile in return. "And who might this be?"

Yep, this wasn't going to end well.

"Aisha," Sinbad answered for me. "She's strange."

"Oi!"

"I see."

I growled but stayed put. He was a Magi, there was no way I was getting out of this without an explanation for my literal existence in the world.

Magi were beloved by the Rukh, could see them, interact with them, even use their power but I don't think I was still quite Rukh. Something less or something more, I didn't know but Yunan would most certainly have questions.

"As for your newfound powers, Sinbad," Yunan mused, choosing to deal with Sinbad first. "It seems you don't know how to awaken them yet. Let me help."

I gaped as Yunan decided to summon Baal, a giant blue Djinn, amidst this crowd.

"Isn't it a bit soon to be needing my power, Master?"

Yes! Yes it is! I wanted to yell. Get back in your goddamn lamp before these Parthevian imbeciles decide to spear you!

I remained silent though because, for all my knowledge, I was still new at this and Yunan may act like a moron but a majority of the time, he knew what he was doing.

Kind traveller. Beloved Magi. Yunan the Ageless.

Nonetheless, the soldiers were shocked to say the least. Yunan paid them no mind, focusing on Sinbad and Sinbad alone. "Go," he told the sailor, "follow the voice within your heart."

Cheesy.

I raised an eyebrow when Sinbad turned to look at me quizzically. "What? Is your heart saying something about me? What's with the staring?"

Sinbad's eyebrows shot up and he held his hands up in mock-surrender at my attitude. Well, hand up. His other hand rose after he'd turned away from me, listing the sword inscribed with Baal's power to the sky.

Funny. I don't remember him being this weird when he becomes-

A gaggle of thieves, a leaf, several missing Djinn.

Never mind. He becomes a fucking weirdo.

I suddenly whimpered, my head whipping back and forth between my two companions, Sinbad and Yunan. I've barely been here a day and I'm already becoming surrounded by weirdos!

"Oh Djinn of Wrath and Heroism, I order you and your messengers," Sinbad started. I watched the white Rukh - brothers, sisters, fellow blessed, no longer - as they swirled about him. "Use my magoi as your source and bestow my will with great power. Come forth, Baal!"

I blinked at the sparking, blue sphere forming around Baal, who simply chuckles.

"Wow."

I peered up at Yunan while Baal struck down soldier after soldier. "Hey, Magi, who do you think is the strongest Djinn?"

Yunan blinked at me, a bright smile slowly spreading across his face. "Why, I don't know. They're all so strong, you see, and each in their own ways."

"Yeah, but like, if I were to fight them all," I pressed, throwing a few mock punches in the air, "which one would I have the most difficulty with?"

Yunan beamed at me. "Well, that depends on you, doesn't it?"

"Urgh," I rolled my eyes and slumped. There was no getting a straight answer out of this guy.

"Say, little one," Yunan started, "how old are you?"

I paused to think about it. "Uh, no idea... which age do you mean?"

"Are there many?" Yunan didn't seem fazed by my odd wording, only curious.

"Well, do you mean physically? Or like, mentally? Or do you mean how old is my soul? Or maybe how many memories do I have? How do you define alive, because then you could be asking how long I've been alive or maybe how long I've existed?" I rambled. I stopped to think it over. "So yes, I suppose there are quite a few."

"Oh my, you're quite a complex being, aren't you?" He exclaimed.

"And your hat is green and pointy. What of it?" I sniped, sniffing indignantly.

"I have so many questions," Yunan mused. "But first..."

I stared wide-eyed as Yunan waved his staff and Sinbad started levitating, along with the treasure. "Uh... Yunan?"

Sinbad yelped. "Yunan! What the-?!"

"Be off Sinbad! This is a gift from me to you!" Yunan called and with a flourish, Sinbad and the treasure vanished. I gaped.

The last the soldiers saw of the ordeal was Yunan placing a hand on my shoulder and waving his staff again while I flailed excitedly, pointing at the spot in the air formerly occupied by Sinbad and yelling, "Magi, teach me that!"

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I should really be taking more time between chapters to sit and edit some more, but I'm so very busy. So this is what I end up with. Karma.

Well, until next time then,

- Dragon