Hello again~! Who's ready for the next chapter?! I am! It's also like 4am here and I should really be sleeping but fuck it, I just wanted to get this uploaded first. But also, it's 4am girl, go to sleeeeeep.

Ok, let's do this.

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Valefor was already fully formed in all his blue, wolf-like glory when I reached the main chamber. I was also surprised to find him alone.

"Weren't the brats supposed to have reached you by now? What's the hold up?" I wondered as I moved towards him.

I still felt a bit weak but I hadn't expended so much power that I couldn't recover quickly enough. It was more the shock of losing that much so quickly. My body relied on magoi, after all. Even over the course of the short walk to get here, I'd begun to feel stronger again.

If Valefor noticed my sluggish movements, he didn't let it show. "If you mean the soldier, the assassins and the abomination outside the door, then that would be because I've locked them out."

I smiled. "You can do that?"

Valefor sniffed proudly. "It's my dungeon, I can do as I please. Of course, I can't lock them out forever but I can keep those doors shut for a time."

He peered closer at her. "And I wanted to talk with you first."

I slumped to the floor lazily. "Go nuts. I'm just gonna sit here."

"Lazy little Rukh."

I frowned. "Are you going to wear that thing the entire time?"

"Hmm?"

"Ya know, that face." I indicated to my own to illustrate my meaning. "I mean, I can feel your magoi being used, I know that's not how you really look like. Bonus points for effort though."

"No, not lazy," Valefor appraised me. "A pest."

I scrunched my nose up at him in response as he poofed back into his usual state. "Happy?" Smaller, chubbier, fluffier, even his voice had gone up a few octaves.

"Much cuter," I smiled.

"Were you sent by our King simply to punish me?" Valefor commented drolly.

"I wish," I moaned. "Nah, I'm here to watch over the Fourth Magi."

"The what?" Valefor frowned.

"Nothing, nothing," I waved him off. "I mean, he's not even around yet. For now, I'm just tagging along with Ponytail - he's some future king or somethin' - until things pick up."

"I saw your response when you defended against the abomination," Valefor remarked. "Our King has gifted you with a well of power."

"Yeah, I'm still learning to control it though," I glowered at my hands in frustrations. Light just barely flickered at the tips of my fingers in response. "He didn't exactly debrief everything to me about this body and it's capabilities before he sent me off."

Valefor raised a furry eyebrow.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, he is a kind King and I am grateful, but I also wish he'd installed like an outline or an instruction manual for how this all works."

"Seems like you have a tough road ahead," Valefor said. I pretended not to hear the mocking undertone at my complaining.

"Well, at least you'll be all studied up on your power before the Fourth Magi comes along. Imagine if you were still learning then. Ha! We'd all be screwed."

That made me pause.

'Wait, was Sinbad just... practice? Like a trial run before Aladdin? A way to hone my powers before I really had to use them? Man, that would be shit. I could screw up so much if I stuffed up here. No, my King was probably smarter than that... right?

'Right?'

"I have a headache now because of you," I glared at the djinn who smirked cheekily back at me.

"Hmph, well, pull yourself together, little Rukh. I've heard all I need. I'm opening the doors."

"Whatever."

I looked over my shoulder as the doors began to creak open. By the time I glanced back, Valefor was wearing his grown-up wolf skin.

I snickered. "Princess."

"Thorn in my side."

Oh, it was worth every goddamn shiver in this dungeon to see the sheer shock on those faces as the brats entered.

Drakon immediately muttered something along the lines of "not again..." while Assassin-Brat instantly pointed at me in rage.

"What're you doing in here?! How'd you get ahead of us?!"

I stuck my tongue out childishly and refused to answer. Contorted-Limbs and Bulging-Muscles seemed an odd combination of amused and befuddled.

Both Valefor and I quickly locked on to Falan though.

I learned that it was actually rather disturbing to see a person with closed eyes looking at you.

"Hmm, I thought I'd left you behind us," she said.

I frowned. "Valefor."

"Already ahead of you. Don't think you can hide from my in that fake vessel of yours," Valefor snarled. "I smell it, that vile stench from the other world."

It with no little satisfaction that I watched Valefor wrap his magoi around Falan and squeeze.

"Vanish."

She disappeared and a doll clattered to the floor. I narrowed my eyes. Something lingered. Falan lingered. Valefor drew himself up to his full height.

"Now, I am Valefor, Djinn of Falsehood and Prestige," the djinn rumbled, baring his teeth and claws. "Which of you shall be the next king?"

Drakon recovered from the surprise of Falan's disappearance at those words and stepped forward. "I will. I shall form a pact with you."

Valefor was not so easy as Baal though. "And if it is granted to you, what shall you do with the king's power?"

"I will return to Parthevia to serve his majesty."

Valefor huffed and shrank. I stifled a chuckle as Valefor reduced to his real form again in disappointment. "Augh, really? You gotta be kidding me, how disappointing. And I wasted so much energy transforming again for this."

The looks on their faces-

"Man, rejected twice in a row," I teased. "How saddening."

"I'm asking what you want to do when you obtain the king's power," Valefor complained, taking a second to halfheartedly flick the back of my head. "If you have no desires, then you're not worthy."

The words hit Drakon hard.

"We finally made it. Hey Drakon!" Sinbad raced into the chamber, Hinahoho following closely behind.

They both skidded to a halt.

"Huh?" Sinbad blinked. "Aatiq?"

"Took you long enough," I beamed, realising that I'm still sprawled out on the floor. "You're always making me wait, Ponytail."

"We were looking for you," he protested, pointing an accusing finger at her.

"How sweet," I crooned. "Though the tone of your voice could use a little work."

"Finally, it seems like we're all here," Valefor perked up a bit. "The challengers of the Dungeon."

Valefor offered a paw to me as he began to rise. Quickly, I hoisted myself up and splayed out on my stomach, laying starfish-style across the available space with a tired huff.

"I'm in a lazy mood," was my explanation at Valefor's annoyed glance. He opted to ignore me and I knew he was only carrying me to keep me out of the way of what was happening next.

"I'd like to give everyone a fair chance so let's say the one who passes my next test will be crowned king. The king's power is almighty. In one night, it'll destroy an entire country and grant you enough wealth to rebuild another one from scratch. Now, who will be the next king?"

I peered idly over the edge of his paw as basically everyone in the room volunteered. Sinbad surprised them the most.

Valefor chuckled, squeezing his other paw tight. Magoi dripped from it, pooling on the ground. "This is getting better, I can see the ambition burning in your eyes."

The magoi began to swirl and take shape. "Here's your final enemy."

I scrambled to my feet.

"Say hi to my offspring, Minifor."

I pounded Valefor's paw to get his attention before frantically pointing at the drowsy little monster.

"Cute!" I exclaimed excitedly. "Make me one, Princess!"

Everyone on the ground sweatdropped at my excitement while Valefor frowned. "Is that going to be a permanent nickname?"

I shrugged. "Well, you got the tiara and the attitude."

Valefor feigned dropping me and I yelped, clinging tighter to his fur and dropping back to my stomach.

"Alright, alright," I grumbled, settling down.

"This is Minifor. The final test is to catch him."

They didn't seem very impressed. Valefor merely chuckled.

"The first one to catch him obtains the power of the king." I pressed my lips together firmly to keep from laughing as their cries of disbelief echoed throughout the room. "If nobody's able to catch him before the time is up, you'll be trapped inside the Dungeon forever."

Valefor conjured an hourglass containing water instead of sand and flipped it, starting the test.

Chaos ensued as Valefor and I sat back to enjoy it.

"Humans never change," I smirked as they all scrambled over each other.

"That they don't," Valefor agreed, lounging in the air like a napping cat.

"Did humans exist in the other world?" I asked to pass the time.

Valefor blinked at me. "What did you think Solomon was? Or many of his followers? Sheba? Ugo? Even," he spoke the last word like a curse, "Arba."

"I was a Rukh before I was this. I will always think Solomon is something greater," I said. My gaze slid to the side. "Though I see what you mean about his followers. Even Arba must've been human once. Though, from what I've seen of her, she's not a human now. She's evil incarnate."

I felt my face distort in disgust at the thought of that creature and the djinn eyed me cautiously. "It is a pity you cannot pact with a djinn, little Rukh. I am most curious to see the road you take in the future."

The sound of Sinbad's voice caught our interest and that conversation died out before I could respond..

"Oh? I think he's trying to inspire some teamwork?" I stated, quirking an eyebrow. "Either that or he's got a plan."

"Is he perhaps the future king you are following?"

"That's him alright," I nodded with a resigned expression.

"He's cunning," Valefor commented, almost approvingly.

I glanced up at him curiously. "Can Kings be anything but?"

The djinn didn't answer.

And when Sinbad revealed his trick, snatching the little beast out of the air just in time, I tipped my head back and laughed. My cackles echoed around the cavern as the others protested.

I missed a bit of Sinbad's speech just trying to calm down, wiping tears from my eyes as I gasped for breath.

"Ponytail... ha," I wheezed, rolling about on Valefor's paw. The djinn was listening to Sinbad's words carefully but the amusement in his eyes was apparent.

The ache in my gut easing, I looked up in time to see the rush of White Rukh, sailing on winds they could not feel. I smiled as one brushed past me and my gaze followed it up to reach Sinbad on his ledge, so very high up. Above the world.

"I ask all of you to create that country with me. And in order to make that a reality, I need support. Talented merchants, diplomats and of couse, spies. All those willing to join me in this adventure and explore the world."

How inspiring, I thought idly, counting the Rukh to pass the time. So many speeches, so many pretty words...

"That even includes you, Aatiq."

I choked on my own air.

"W-What?!" I coughed, pounding my chest as I stared up at him in surprise. Valefor shifted until I had a better view.

"Everyone," Sinbad repeated, firmly.

Ah, I realised. Those eyes are dangerous. He is dangerous.

"I still have some way to go to fulfil my dream. I want more power, support and everything else. So, all of you, gather around me!"

I felt my eyes glow white as the dungeon snow as I met Sinbad's gaze.

How cunning indeed.

Sinbad leapt down from his ledge, talking to the others and I looked up to see how Valefor was reacting. He seemed content, intrigued even.

"Future king, hmm?" He purred.

"As greedy as ever," I responded, unable to resist another quick glance.

Black flickered in the corner of my eye and I froze.

Falan lingered.

I whipped around and threw myself to the edge of Valefor's paw to see the three assassin bleeding magoi, Black Rukh filtering in amongst the white.

"Valefor," I commanded, my body tense. Valefor lowered his paw enough for me to leap off and I sprinted to the group. Sinbad was closest so I pushed between him and the assassins.

"Sinbad, get back! You too, Hinahoho!" I yelled, my eyes flashing and I watched the boys cry Black Rukh.

"I'm not allowing this in my dungeon," Valefor declared. "At this rate, the demon will become whole. Sinbad, use your-"

"Don't bother," I interrupted the djinn, seeing the expression on Sinbad's face. "He won't do it."

Black wings, dark magic, the death of worlds, entire worlds-

"Aatiq," Sinbad seemed genuinely surprised. I guess he thought I'd be the first to leap into this fight. (He'd be right)

"Don't think I agree with you," I snapped. "Those boys are in pain and that... thing is more dangerous than you can understand right now. It's reckless to delay it's destruction for you and your bloody human morals."

Sinbad shut right up. I wasn't finished.

White hair. Freckles. Advisor to a King.

"But I don't dare argue with the future king."

Red string. Soft smiles. Advisor to a King.

My eyes darted to the rapidly disappearing figure of the kid. Assassin-Brat. He was important in the future. And if he was important, than he had to live.

"Besides, these are your precious allies. You'll need them soon enough."

That's right.

That means there's a way to save him. Not only that, but saving him is necessary. He is needed.

He is needed and Black Rukh are taking him and this is what you are here for so think, you nameless moron, think! No way to save him? Bullshit! You are constantly lacking knowledge until the moment you need it so why should right now be any different?!

I called to the visions, the voices who kept bugging me with slips of the future, the part of my mind that knew things. I called for something that would help. Images flashed past in a blur.

"It's a dark magic. A terribly potent spell that turns people into demons using Black Rukh."

Ah, I'd missed Sinbad's question in my concentration. That's not good. I needed to stay alert. (the demon's existence was horribly loud)

"Aatiq," Sinbad frowned at me.

He looked like he realised something and great Solomon, I hoped that something was useful because I was coming up with zilch over h-

"Valefor, and Baal before that, they both called you 'little Rukh'," he remembered and was that accusation in his eyes or curiosity?

"Not the time," I snapped, my skull throbbing with every new image.

I was taking too long and I was so full of bullshit but there was so many images, so much knowing, I was still sorting-

Was that concern in Valefor's eyes? No. Focus.

Oh, I thought, licking my lips and tasting the metallic tang of blood. My nose is bleeding. That's why.

I was quickly reminded of how strong yet how fragile this body was. It would hold in a fight but it was so complex and unbalanced, like a broken china doll held together with strings and twine.

An exception of nature, a broken rule.

Solomon had saved me but he couldn't fix me.

"Aatiq, any suggestions yet?" Sinbad called. He'd moved between Drakon and the assassins (the rapidly disappearing assassins).

"What, do you need me to change your diapers too?" I snarled, a headache steadily pounding away at my patience. The demon was already taking form and I was useless. "You're the King's Vessel here, you won that stupid little contest and you've survived multiple years before I came along. Figure it out."

Sinbad jerked back in surprise at my outburst and harsh tone and I knew I would have to apologise for that later. Not now though. My hands were full (my head too, so many images, so many voices- I know now why no human could possibly hold the wisdom of the Rukh. There was too much)

"There may be a way," Valefor pondered.

I breathed out harshly and let the images ease up. "Well spit it out already, Princess, there's a bloody demon about to be unleashed if you hadn't noticed. And why haven't you mentioned this sooner?"

The wolf djinn frowned. "Well, I'd much rather you'd destroy the djinn now before you risk letting it take form but if Sinbad refuses to risk his comrades lives, then this way might suffice."

I wiped the blood from my face, images still flickering on the inside of my eyelids every time I blinked.

"That demon keeps the humans alive in its core and sucks the energy out of them. Destroy the core in one shot and you can save all of them," Valefor chimed in. "Destroying the demon now still holds the best chance though."

"Not gonna happen," Sinbad instantly refused.

"Then destroy the core."

I peered at him irritably then did a double-take. "Did you get a haircut or something? What's with the size downgrade?!"

Valefor, now the same size as Minifor, shrugged. "Hmm? I'm capable of this much at least."

"Not what I asked, midget puppy!"

"Incoming!" Blue suddenly shouted.

The demon slammed into the ground, throwing us all back. We'd stalled too much. It was fully formed and angry.

Hmph. I was angrier.

I pushed myself to my feet and scowled.

"I won't kill them," was all I offered Sinbad as I took off towards the beast. I heard the sound of his voice behind me but I didn't stop, instead pulling up the information I'd already gathered about the demon.

Firstly, a creature like this absorbed the strength of those it consumed. Those three assassin were trained and reasonably strong. My eyes flickered down its form, analysing it as my right arm lit up in blinding white light.

"Aim for the chest."

"I know!"

Strong arms, should probably avoid those. Razor blades, should probably avoid those too.

You know what? Let's just chuck everything into evasion until I get past its defences.

"Aatiq, what-" Sinbad managed before the beast roared and swiped a razor hand at us. I ducked beneath the swing, feeling the rush of air as it passed over me and looked back to check on the other three.

They'd leapt back in time. That's all I needed, turning back towards the demon and focusing my magoi, feeling it run down through my arm and pool in the palm of my hand, which consequently lit up like a small, white stars. White as Rukh wings.

"I couldn't help with the Dungeon, that was their path to walk." The light sparked and grew, stretching like a staff and shining brighter. I slipped through the demon's defences.

"I couldn't help with the Djinn, that was their challenge to overcome." It enlarged and I raised my arm.

The light turned to steel as I grinned.

"But a demon? Black Rukh?" I laughed boisterously at their stunned faces, brandishing a huge warhammer over my head. "Like hell I won't join in on that fight!"

I smashed it hard into the djinn's head with a cackle. It roared until it's face met the stone floor, fracturing the ground and sending chunks of rock flying.

Twirling the warhammer like it was as light and even-weighted as a mere staff, I landed lightly, using my shining, white magoi to soften the landing.

Sinbad and Blue ran to my side and I greeted them cheerily.

"Where did that thing come from?!" Blue shouted, pointing at my huge weapon.

"Oh this? Probably nowhere," I speculated, examining it. It was a little perk I'd discovered during my months with Yunan, a gift from my King. It took a lot of magoi to summon but I quickly learned that Solomon had also given me an abundance so it was rather handy.

Almost like a metal vessel, I suppose. My King had said that I had an existence similar to a djinn of sorts, though not quite the same. Perhaps this was just another similarities, a metal object through which I could channel power.

Or perhaps he just thought I'd like a giant metal warhammer to crush my enemies with.

I don't pretend to know how he thinks.

I just know how much I like my new toy.

"Don't worry Sinbad, if your puny little sword snaps like a twig, I'll probably swoop in to save your ass with this baby," I couldn't resist teasing, stroking my weapon lovingly.

Sinbad's jaw dropped. "My sword is not puny, you little-"

"Heads up," I interrupted, hopping back at the sight of a big black fist heading straight for us. We all leapt back and it hit the floor, smashing the rock where we had been standing.

"Ok, bad timing," I admitted. "That was probably my fault. So, anyone got a plan?"

I pursed my lips in annoyance as Sinbad charged forward, his sword crackling. "Destroy the core!"

I bit my lip. "Uh, is that it? Sure you don't want to flesh that out a bit more, huh Ponytail? Blue?"

Hinahoho rushed the demons, swiping at its sharp arm while Sinbad dodged one of the strong fists.

I sighed. "Idiots. I'm surrounded by idiots."

I guess that didn't stop me though as I sprinted in to join the fight.

Sinbad blocked a blow from a strong fist with his sword and I took the chance, jumping over his head to run up the demon's arm. Before I could reach its head though, a sharp arm moved to intercept me.

I swung my warhammer, parrying it but the force of the hit knocked me clean off. I flipped and landed on my feet, skidding a few metres. Quickly, I licked my left thumb and ran it over the scratch it had left on the flat side of my hammer. Light glowed in my thumb's wake and when it faded, the scratch was gone.

I scrunched up my nose. This was a bit tougher than I'd anticipated.

Its skin was thick and its defence pretty solid. Sinbad's sword was too small to pierce through it and reach the core and if it was as simple as 'blast a lightning attack through the beast', he would've done it by now. Sinbad wasn't that adept at his power just yet.

I could crush the core if it weren't encased in that false suit of flesh and bone. My warhammer could definitely cause damage but it couldn't pierce through to reach the core and it definitely wasn't guaranteed to miss the assassins still trapped there, the blunt weapon it was.

That left Hinahoho's spear. I paused. That could actually work.

Much to my distaste, however, I looked over just in time to see a strong arm reach for the Imuchakk.

Stifling a groan of sheer vexation, I darted forward, knocking Blue out of the way as the hand clamped down around my arms and torso.

Ow.

Lots and lots of ow.

I dropped my warhammer and screeched as the pressure increased. I counted three snapped bones in total, one of my ribs, one of my wrists and the matching forearm. If this body were any less endurable, they probably would've been absolutely crushed alongside more.

"Son of a bitch!"

"Aatiq!" Sinbad called. Oh, was that worry I hear? He does care.

"Spear!" I managed. "I'm fine! Use the spear!"

I redirected magoi to reinforce my body but I couldn't start fixing my bones until it let go or at least stopped trying to crush me.

"It'll kill her if this keeps up!" Oh yeah, Drakon's here too. Totally forgot about him to be honest. Where's he been at?

Another rib gave way and I tasted blood pooling on my tongue. Ah, shit.

Were they regrouping? Oh yeah, sure, just have a nice little team meeting while I'm getting crushed over here. Don't mind me, really. No wait, that's just Sinbad and Drakon.

Hinahoho was rushing at the legs.

"I said," he bellowed, "you guys have done enough!"

He struck the demon's legs, seemingly angry about something again. Sinbad and Drakon had to rush in and get him out of there and oh, look at them exchanging meaningful words. Yay. Friends forever.

Is that my bones creaking or am I groaning in pain? I really don't know anymore.

"Hurry the fuck up!" I howled. They split, Sinbad and Drakon approaching from either side while Hinahoho stayed back.

Better, better, looks like a plan to me.

The demon loosened its grip a little at the sight of the others attacking and I sucked in a sharp breath as the pressure eased. Oh yeah, much better.

Drakon reached it first and, dodging a sharp arm, hacked into its leg with his sword. The demon focused on him angrily, leaving room for Sinbad to leap up and drive his sword into the wrist of the hand holding me. A flash of blue lightning was all it took for the demon to release me, crying out in pain and rage.

I dropped to the floor and moved to scoop up my hammer from where I'd left it.

"My baby, I'm so sorry, I'll never leave you again," I purred, rubbing my cheek against the cold metal soothingly.

"Attack the djinn, Hina will do the rest once he's ready!" Sinbad called to me as he darted past, sparing no more than a strange look for my behaviour.

"With pleasure," I smiled grimly and channeled more magoi to my weapon. The metal shimmering with light and I leapt back into the fray, smashing the demon's leg out from under it. It didn't fall but it stumbled, allowing Sinbad to slash his sword across its abdomen.

"Oh my, this just won't do." The voice still sent shivers up my spine as Falan appeared at the demon's feet. "I really should have dealt with you lot myself."

I scanned her up and down. "Another double..."

"That's right," she turned to me, eyes closed and that creepy aura persisting. "My real body is still in Parthevia. I am here under the direct command of Lord Barbossa, General of the Left. I have a message for Captain Dragul. No, not captain, I've been informed you have been promoted two ranks to lieutenant."

I channeled more and more magoi into my weapon as she exchanged words with Drakon. Those were some real love life issues, really.

"Die like a man."

Sinbad and Hinahoho regrouped in front of me, looking pretty irritated as Drakon fell to his knees.

"She pisses me off."

"Ditto."

I plunged between them with a hard expression. "Hands off boys. That bitch is mine."

I lifted my warhammer and brought it down, the metal gleaming intensely with power. She flickered and vanished and I worked to keep the power in the hammer as it connected with the ground.

I lost some of it on contact but it stayed glinting with magoi when I hoisted it up again. My gaze quickly found the sorceress again and I glared.

"Oi, stay still, bitch. This'll only take a moment."

"I refuse to be bested by a monstrosity like you," Falan said, pointing her staff in my direction. (I could feel the others' confusion at the statement from across the room but refused to acknowledge it. They'd always have questions I couldn't - wouldn't answer) I closed the distance between us before she could utter another syllable.

"Uh-uh, I'm not falling for the same trick twice," I growled. She was forced to teleport again as my hammer plunged through the space she had previously occupied.

"You guys deal with big and ugly over there," I called over my shoulder. "And I'll deal with pink and creepy, 'kay?"

"Be careful," was Sinbad's response.

"I take offence to that," I replied, unsure of whether he'd heard me as I began a pesky game of cat and mouse with the sorceress. Side note, the stamina in this body was remarkable, I should start doing laps just to show off...

"Urgh, stop. Fucking. Moving. You witch!" I cried with each time I landed a blow.

She kept teleporting out of the way just in time and, while I was fast enough that she couldn't get a spell in, it was really starting to bug me.

"It's about time, right Hina?!" Sinbad exclaimed and my head snapped to the right where Blue was preparing to throw his spear. The bitch took the opportunity to escape my grasp. I cursed and darted back to the others just as Drakon created an opening, digging his sword into the creature's head.

It reared back and Hinahoho threw the spear.

I swore louder as the beast just moved slightly too much. The spear lodged in its chest but didn't make it all the way through.

Not good.

Very not good.

I ran through the images in my head. Did I miscalculate? Was this not how they were supposed to defeat it? Or Solomon forbid, did I change something?

"Aatiq!" Sinbad called and I drove those thoughts from my mind, nodding to him as he skirted around the back of the beast. Unaware of me approaching once more, it tried to follow him, throwing Drakon off.

It wasn't quite fast enough as Sinbad bounded past it and unleashed a large, electricity-filled swipe right across its back.

It bellowed in pain and arched, thrusting out its chest.

With one last burst of speed, I leapt up, raising my hammer above me one last time, still glowing strongly from all the magoi I'd stored specially for Falan. But she wasn't in sight right now and, goddamn it, this thing needed to die.

The light streaked as I swung, mimicking the tail of shooting star and I connected it with the end of Blue's spear, driving it home like a hammer on a nail. My built up magoi burst in a giant blaze of pure white light.

Even I had to slam my eyes closed against it.

When I was able to look, Black Rukh was bursting forth and the sound of the beast dying was deafening.

I'd blasted a giant hole through its torso, obliterating the core.

Oh shit, hope I didn't kill those assassins... Sinbad would be pissed...

"Noooo!" Falan's enraged voice broke through as I plummeted back to the ground. White light engulfed my bare, scratched up feet and I cushioned my landing like always. Maybe I put a bit too much oomph into it this time though, in all my disorientation, 'cause I had to hop twice upon reaching the ground lest my own power rebound and shatter my ankles.

I lurched as the sudden loss of all that magoi hit me and an arm wrapped around me for support. I have to admit, I was a little surprised to see it was Drakon of all people, but I welcomed the volunteered help nonetheless with half-lidded eyes.

"That much magoi..." Falan flickered back into view and pointed her staff in my direction in both fury and disbelief.

"Yeah, I used way more than necessary," I sighed. "It was meant for you but I guess it's better I used too much magoi than too little in this situation."

"But it's impossible," she screeched. "With all the magoi you used up earlier and how you're still standing... That much magoi would kill you!"

Well, it probably would if I were human.

I felt Drakon stiffen at her words but I merely sneered at her. "I'm a rulebreaker at heart. Now, fuck off, you witch."

Sinbad flew in from behind her and slashed his sword through her form, taking advantage of her surprise.

Two halves of a doll clattered to the ground and I breathed in relief as I felt Falan's lingering presence finally dissipate.

Still, I forced Drakon to help me wobble over to the doll and dropped my warhammer on it for good measure. Then I let the weapon disperse in a soft flash of light, revealing the doll shards.

I smiled. "Huh. I think it's an improvement."

"Are you ok?" Sinbad asked, eyes running over my drooping frame.

"Just tired," I dismissed. "Give me ten and I'll be good to go."

Drakon abruptly let me go as he noticed the three assassins' bodies nearby. (Cool, I didn't kill them, this is good) I sank to the floor gratefully, taking a deep breath.

I smiled as I locked gazes with a concerned Hinahoho.

"Well, that was tedious, wasn't it Blue?"

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Ok, so I'm thinking, this story is going to be so big. Like, we're looking at so many chapters, decently sized chapters too, right now. (Dammit Magi, even your prequel is super long) So, I might actually split it into two stories. We'll have to see how we go but at this rate, I'd probably finish Adventures of Sinbad and then post the actual major storyline with Aladdin, Alibaba, Mor, etc. as a sequel of sorts to, uh, Aatiq's adventures.

Lol, she's gonna change names so much, that is literally the second major reason I decided to do this story in first person. I didn't want to confuse any readers because her name changes every few chapters. She's only gonna have Arabic names but I'm actually choosing them based on their meanings. I'll probably start giving you their meanings in these little author notes, if and when I remember to. For instance, Aisha means 'one who is characterised by success' or in some cases, it can also mean 'living'. And Aatiq means a 'very young woman', and for boys, it means 'liberated' or 'free'. I like to think they fit my girl pretty well during the time she goes by them. Some meanings are just for fun but some meanings will be a bit of a clue in to her mental state so it's up to you whether you wanna keep checking for the meanings. Also, if you want to know the meaning of any of her names and I forget and you don't wanna go look it up, you can always pm me or leave a review.

Ok, I'm rambling again so I'll end it there.

Until next time,

- Dragon