Enigma

Chapter Five:

The Kingdom and the People


Never.

Dull eyes watched the scene before her, lifeless, gone. The kingdom before her burst into flames, the bright red licking out to the skies and engulfing whatever it touched.

Gone.

Streaks of ash dusted her cheeks, along with scrapes and cuts of the battles that had been lost. A trail of blood dripped down her arm, but she paid it no heed, having forgotten if it was hers or another's.

Again.

There were screams and shouts and cries, and she flicked her gaze to the left, where a house came tumbling down. The scent of smoke filled her, engulfed her, and her ears rang as the organization's chants rang out amongst the chaos, triumphant.

Her gaze landed on the lifeless body in front of her, and her fingers clenched onto the hilt of the sword at her side, the once clean blade stained with copper and ash. The familiar face left an ache in her chest, but it was numbed, gone.

Something similar had happened before after all.

"We should go." She blinked at the familiar voice, and fumbled around for the necklace at her chest, clutching it tightly to her as she gazed at the world before her.

There was nothing left of this world anyway.

Her eyes glistened, and before she realized it, a single tear leaked from the corner of her eye, trailing down her face and smearing the streaks of ash and blood.

"We lost again."


The kingdom of Balbadd was alive.

Gray eyes stained blue glanced about, curious and thoughtful as she took in the new land before her. Sights and things she had seen and not seen before filling her gaze.

The bazaar's were alive with the day's sales, people moving in and out of the crowd, weaving through and going about their daily lives. Kali stood amidst the throng of people, a rock against the current as she took in the sound, the life around her.

A strange place Balbadd was.

The country was alive, but it was lifeless. The people about her moved with a weary air, shoulders heavy with an unseen burden. Eyes were lowered to the floor; frowns were etched onto the skin. Some seemed unaffected, happy, but they looked well off, and carried a sword at their side.

"This is it," Camio murmured, and Kali nodded in conformation, memorizing the area around her and giving herself a moment.

"Then we've no time to waste," A small smile touched her lips and she weaved in and out of the people. Her bare feet came to a halt before one stand, blankets and fabrics lining the walls. Food of all kinds were laid out, fresh and ready to be caught.

The merchant glanced upwards, gave Kali a once over and then offered her a bright grin. "What may I offer to you, miss?"

Kali smiled in return. "Everything, please."

The merchant continued to smile, staring at her. "Excuse me?"

Kali beamed, gesturing to all items the stall had to offer. "I'll take it all please."

The merchant stuttered, looking surprised. He gazed around at his shop and then looked at Kali in disbelief. "Miss, that's quite the large order—and these things don't come cheap—"

Undeterred, the blackette shuffled around her bag and tugged out a bag. Kali tossed it to the merchant who caught it with shaky hands. He pulled the drawstring and his eyes grew round as saucers at the gold coins that poured out. Kali offered him another smile, leaning back with glimmering eyes. "I assume that'll be enough?"

"Y-Yes, miss!" The merchant began to hurry about, piling things together and wrapping them up. "Is there anyway I can help you take this all?"

"A cart would be nice," Kali mused, and he hastily nodded, rushing about and trying to get things in order for her. She was normally one to live day to day with whatever she had, but having money lying around from dungeons did come in handy.

"It's lucky for you I still take gold!" The merchant flashed her a gaping grin as he tugged together a crate of apples. "Nowadays, everyone's switching over to Huang."

Kali's ears perked at the familiar word, and she gazed at the merchant curiously, taking a pear from one of the fruit crates and biting into it. "You mean the money from Kou?"

The merchant nodded, looking pleased. "Of course someone like you would know of it. Most of the people of this country are terribly inept, and can't even afford a single Huang."

Kali's eyes flickered. As much as she preferred to keep thoughts of the Kou Empire off of her mind, the fact that it's currency was circulating around a kingdom like Balbadd was a frightening thought. But perhaps not as frightening as the leaders of Kou themselves.

"Particularly the first prince, eh?"

Ignoring her Djinn, Kali offered the man a small smile. "Would you mind trading a few coins for some Huang for me?"

"Of course!" Kali handed him a handful of coins, and he returned with a stack of paper money. Kali felt the familiar paper in her hands and silently stuffed it into her bag, turning around to the now full cart.

"Is that all?" Kali questioned, and the merchant nodded eagerly, folding his hand together.

"The entire shop! Is there anything else I can get for you miss?"

"That'll be all." Kali offered him a wave and gave the horse pulling the cart a pat, offering it an apple before gripping its harness and leading it down the street.

She had work to do.


"There you are," Kali offered the frail woman a smile, handing her a pile of blankets and a bag of food. "Stay warm."

"T-Thank you!" The woman bowed her head, scurrying off in a flurry of rags to the two children that stood behind, waiting for her.

Kali watched them disappear and turned to the next person in line, a smile on her face. "Here you are."

The slums of Balbadd were most definitely alive as well. But the stark contrast to the bazaar was clear, as well as the state of the people.

Hungry eyes and worn faces were all that she saw, and each step sent a familiar sense of dread into Kali's heart as she pulled the cart to a stop and made her stand in a particularly worse off section of the area.

Some had eyed her hatefully, others with hope, as she began setting down the various foods and items she had purchased, offering them to whoever came by.

It was small, but it was all she could do for now.

The Rukh of the people was white, but she could see the shadows of black, flickering here and there. This country was on the edge of losing itself to the darkness the world had to offer, and with the way it was being run, the peoples' lives would not improve.

Would it be wrong if I killed their king? Kali frowned at the thought, handing an elderly couple and extra pile of blankets and sending them off with a few coins. Killing isn't exactly my forte but...

"You haven't even met him yet," Camio mused, and Kali rolled her eyes, offering a small child a smile as she handed her a bag of bread. But any king who'd let his people starve like this isn't hardly worth his title.

Sinbad wouldn't let anything like happen. Kali paused at this, thinking back to the thriving country. Rather, I'd knock some sense into him if he did.

"Why...?" Kali blinked, turning around and facing a small crowd of people huddled behind her.

The group was made up of men and women, wearing rags and clutching the ripped clothing to themselves. One of the women held a limp baby to her chest, and Kali's fingers twitched, feeling sickened by how bad the situation was.

"Why what?" Kali reached into the cart and pulled out a few blankets, handing them to another man.

"Why are you doing this?" The woman blurted, eyes wide with fear and suspicion as she shook, frail and malnourished. "No one gives a damn about the people of the slums, so why—"

"Why not?" Kali's eyes softened, and she set a calfskin jug in her hands, and the woman's eyes widened at the familiar milky liquid. "That'll be good for the baby."

Her eyes filled with tears and her hands shook. A man standing beside her put a hand on her shoulder, and he gave Kali a long look, eyes searching her face for any ulterior motive. "The people here can offer nothing in return."

"That's fine," Kali tossed a loaf of bread to a young boy behind him. "I've just got all this and I'm not sure what to do with it."

The man paused, and then nodded, taking a bag of bread and water and looking at her gratefully. "Then you have our thanks."

The woman nodded, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to Kali's cheek. The other woman blinked, cheeks flushing at the kind gesture as she simply smiled, waving them off as she leaned against the cart, surveying the smiles and bright eyes in front of her.

She had learned over the years that hope was a powerful thing, used right. She would always be but one person within the flow of fate, but it could be one person that saved at least a few lives.

Kali couldn't change the country—that was something that wasn't in her power. But she could at least try to help the people survive.


"Help! Help! Someone please!"

Gray eyes turned silver in the moonlight shot open, and Kali was on her feet, Raum drawn in front of her instinctively. Her eyes darted from left to right wildly for a moment, registering the fact that she wasn't the one being harmed. Her shoulders relaxed and as the cries continued, Kali was out the small hut the people had offered her and running through the streets.

"Make haste, but be cautious my king." Camio warned, his presence besides her comforting the dead of the night as the cries and wails intensified. "You know this by now..."

After all those attacks? Kali smirked, thinking about the scars running down her back and body. Have faith in me, Camio.

A large crowd began to appear in front of her, torches illuminating the area. But her eyes were drawn to the small hut that had caught on fire as well, and the people rushing about to keep the houses nearby safe.

She slid her sword back through her sash and kept a hand on the leathery hilt. "What's wrong?"

A man from before turned to her and something akin to relief filled his fear lined face. "It's the castle guards—you'd do best not to get involved, miss. This is simply what happens."

"Where'd you get all the gold, huh?" Kali suppressed a sigh at the cocky tone, realizing this was probably but a poor case of soldiers mistreating the people. "People like you could only get it from thievery!"

Where does this not happen? Nodding to the man she maneuvered her way through the crowd, keeping to the shadows of the torchlight as two soldiers leered over a woman on the ground. Kali's eyes narrowed distastefully as one grabbed the woman's matted hair, jerking her upwards. "So tell us, where did you get it from? If you do, perhaps we won't hurt you to bad. The punishment for thieves is high you know."

"I-It was given to me," The woman pleaded, tears streaming down her dirtied face. "I tell the truth—"

"Lying makes it worse!" Kali's eyes narrowed into slits and she felt Raum burn in her palm in response. The solider shoved the woman's head to the ground, keeping his foot atop her head. "Even begging might not save you now."

"Leave her alone!" Kali's eyes snapped forward to where a young boy ran forward, bracing himself beside his mother. "She didn't do anything wrong!"

"Liars," The second shoulder landed a low blow to the boy's gut with his spear and Kali shut her eyes, willing herself to grow calm. "What did you expect from people from the slums?"

"We'll be collecting the gold then." The solider kicked the woman aside and the son's head shot up with a furious glare, brown eyes that should've been soft and full of life were dull and burning. "And whatever else you have as compensation for wasting our time."

"P-Please..." The woman reached forward on her hands and knees. "I-It's all I-I have—"

"All you have?" A foot came down on her hand and she let out a pained cry and the son lunged, but didn't make it a foot as the solider came down on his back with a swift blow. "I doubt that—should I take you back to the castle and have your body sold off to pay up?"

The woman looked up through tear stained eyes, and the solider leaned forward, a sneer on his lips. Kali decided that she'd given them enough time to try and turn back.

"Perhaps we should make you into a slave."

"My king wait—"

"F-F-Fire!" The first solider let out a screech of pain, the lower part of his tunic bursting to life in bright golden flames. The people backed away with wide eyes and the woman shook from her place as he darted back and forth, fear on his face as he swatted at himself. "I'm burning!"

"Hold still—ah!" The second soldier's helmet plume came to life in a flicker of gold, and he struggled to pull the thing off as the metal began to melt, searing over him. "Who did this? Someone help! Water! Water!"

The people of the slums remained frozen, eyes wide and faces impassive as the soldiers ran about, the smell of smoke rising into the air. Gray eyes were cold chips of metal as golden flames, bordering silver danced along her fingertips.

"My king..." Kali was silent; face stone cold as she tilted her head and the flames grew, threatening to engulf the soldiers.

You don't joke about slavery. Kali watched as the flames increased, and the screams of pain pierced the air.

"And you don't give into despair."

As if slapped, Kali recoiled and stumbled backwards, nearly dropping Raum to the floor as her eyes grew wide. The flames vanished within seconds and the soldiers were left as panting masses, the armor melted down and their skin blotchy and pink from the flames.

But they were alive.

Would I have killed them?

"Perhaps in another time... But you are beyond that now."

"Scum!" Gray eyes snapped back to one of the soldiers, and sending her one last glare they ran off, limping the way as the people parted to let them pass. Kali felt her shoulders slump and she muttered an apology to Raum and Camio, slipping the sword back into her sash. Some people just don't change...

"You should've killed them." Kali blinked, turning around in faint surprise as the son glared up from where he crouched, hunched over his bruised mother. Tears leaked from his eyes and he looked up at her, face clouded in rage. "They deserved it!"

Kali regarded the boy thoughtfully, drumming her fingers along Raum's hilt before she crouched down beside the boy, a small smile on her face. "That's not something a kid should be saying."

"They'd do it!" His honey eyes turned dark and Kali watched as the Rukh about him turned dark, bit by little bit. "They should all die! Every single one! You should've done it!"

"And you would have that burden on my hands?" The boy froze, and Kali regarded him with a small smile, her eyes sad as she crossed her legs together and sat before him. "Taking someone's life is a heavy burden to bear."

The boy suddenly looked smaller, his eyes growing wide, and Kali watched with satisfaction as the Rukh about him ceased turning black and resorted to white. Grinning faintly, Kali reached for the metal feather on her chest, clasping it in her hands.

Dark green vines began to sprout from the ground, and the two watched as they crawled over the fallen woman, growing a warm light as they wrapped about her. The young boy's eyes went wide as his mother let out a cough, her eyes fluttering open. Instantly he was at her side and Kali stepped back, watching with faint fondness as he gently lifted her head into his lap.

"When should I stop?"

When she's completely healed. Kali gazed up at the dark sky with a tired sigh. This place is worse off than I thought.

"We were prepared for that though." Kali smirked, inclining her head to the Djinn. She felt Camio smile and she felt a stab of guilt for having made him worry before—she'd let her emotions get a hold of her.

She didn't doubt the idea that she would've killed those men.

In another time perhaps...

"Soldiers and noble people alike, neither deserves mercy."

Kali paused, and the crowd before her began to break into excited murmurs. Though some were fearful, most were laced with awe and obvious respect. The black haired girl waited till the woman was fully healed before turning her head to face the newcomers.

It was a group of them—obvious members of the slums, made of a mix of people from young to old. Gray eyes watched them silently, and Kali watched the erratic flutter of the Rukh about them, so powerful and insistent.

"Found them."

"That's a bit harsh." The young woman stood, crossing her arms over her chest and locking eyes with the one in the midst of the crowd, despite the fact that he hadn't spoken. "To what do I owe the pleasure, mysterious masked people?"

The leader smirked, moving from the back of the group to the front. Dark black dread locks fell around his shoulders, and Kali mulled over how old he was—a few years younger than her, most likely. Since she was only twenty-one, he must've been in his late teens. Too young for something like this.

"Are you one to talk?"

I guess not. Kali offered the leader of this group a smile. The boy's face remained cool, the people behind him regarding her with undisguised suspicion. "Who are you?"

"It's not polite to ask someone's name before you introduce yourself." Kali quipped, and there was the sound of metal and she found herself surrounded by pointed sword tips, along with a few strange looking weapons. Her gaze lingered on the weapons belonging to a woman and a man for a moment before moving on. She'd worry about it later. "Neither is pointing swords at a simple traveler."

"You never know." His eyes narrowed and he regarded her with an air of authority, clearly he believed he had the advantage in this case. Kali blinked lazily at him, noting the boy at his side, a knife held ready. "You can't trust anyone these days."

"Shall we give them a taste of our power?" Kali smirked, tempted, but she chose to wait it out for the moment. "I go by... Free. Is that enough for you?"

His eyes narrowed and the tension in the air was thick. Assuming from the group beside him, they were some group of thieves—seemingly good, with the way the people responded to them. They wouldn't be too much trouble to her.

Hopefully.

"She's alright." Kali blinked in surprise, glancing back to the young boy, his mother cradled in his lap as he met the leader's eyes. "She saved us."

As if a dam had been broken, similar comments flooded through. "She fed us."

"She gave us clothes."

"An angel."

"She's good, Kassim—she saved that woman and her son!"

The leader's face remained cool, and Kali gave him a silent applause at his ability to lead so well, despite his age. But she noticed that the boy beside him had relaxed at the words of the people, and she inwardly smiled. These are good kids, I'm sure.

The people holding swords at her clearly began to look doubtful, but they awaited the orders from their leader. He blinked once, and the supposed Kassim nodded, and the swords were lowered and Kali watched him curiously. "Any one who'd treat these people well is a friend to the Fog Troupe."

Fog Troupe? Kali blinked at them with wide eyes, and Kassim's tense shoulders slackened, if only a little bit. "You can't trust many people nowadays. You said you're a traveler? Where do you come from?"

"No where really." Kali watched members of the group lower sacks to the ground, and the people fell into line and began receiving food. "I'm not one to stay anywhere long."

"Shady." Kassim commented, and Kali grinned sheepishly while the boy crossed his arms over his chest. "What brings you here? As you can see, there isn't much."

"I just came to see what it was like here." Kali glanced around the slums before meeting Kassim's gaze again. "Slums will be the slums wherever you go, but if I may, what happened here?"

"The government." He spat the words out like poison, and Kali sighed, of course. "That's all there is to it. Greedy, power hungry bastards who don't give a damn about the people, and now we are the ones who have to suffer."

"Ain't that the truth." Kali plopped down onto the dirt floor beside a few kids, who at first froze at her presence. The young woman smiled and clicked her ankles together, the circlets on her ankles jingling in response. There was a glimmer and a glass-like fish appeared, flapping through the air and around the awed children.

Kassim regarded this trick carefully. "You're one of them. A Metal Vessel user."

Kali glanced up, blinking simply back at him as the children chased the glass fish, which morphed into a dog. "I am."

The boy that had been beside him froze, and Kali turned her attention away from Kassim and to him, offering him a cheeky grin as she gazed at his knife. "You are too, aren't you?"

He seemed shocked at first, and with a glance to Kassim, who nodded, he lowered the turban tied around his face. Kali offered the blonde haired boy a bright smile, and he glanced away, not saying anything in return, bright golden eyes refusing to meet her gaze.

I like him. Kali decided to stand, and surging forward she clasped his hand in hers. The young boy shot back, startled, and a light blush dusted over his cheeks as she smiled warmly at him. "It's nice to meet you..."

"Alibaba the Wonder!" A child beside her supplied, and Kali blinked, face scrunching up at the mouthful of a name.

"Alibaba it is then!"

"He's amazing, miss." Another child tugged at her tunic, eyes wide with admiration. "He has magical powers—just like you!"

"It's thanks to him and the Fog Troupe that we've all lasted this long..."

"With them we have a chance!"

"You seemed to be well loved." Alibaba glanced away, looking uncertain as Kali simply beamed at the boy, ruffling his blonde locks affectionately. "Don't abuse it, eh?"

"T-Thanks." Alibaba rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, gazing at the floor with a small smile, but Kali detected the heaviness to it. There was a weight on his shoulders. "Free, right? Thank you for helping everyone."

"Ah, don't mention it." Kali waved the teen off, pleased with his character. "You seem like to good of a kid to be wishing death to soldiers you know."

"The Fog Troupe is more than that." Kassim spoke up; standing beside Alibaba, and Kali glanced between the two, wondering if they were closer than she thought. "We fight for the people. A few soldiers' lives are enough to spare."

Is anyone's? "That kind of thinking is dangerous." Kali hummed thoughtfully, drumming her fingers along her hilt. "Traitorous even."

"That's fine." Kassim's eyes burned with a passion she couldn't match, and Kali watched with faint curiosity as the people seemed to band behind him. "We'd fight the whole world if it meant getting what it is we deserve—true justice."

There was a rumble in her stomach and Kali frowned, realizing that she was far hungrier than she realized. Kassim took a step forward and she returned her attention to him. "Tell me, which side do you fight for? It's obvious you're not like those bastard pigs, but who do you side with?"

Kassim's eyes shone, and the Rukh about him burst forced powerfully. "I hope you're true to your name, Free."

Kali felt her mouth twist downwards. She never liked siding with one thing particularly, unless her opinions were firm, she preferred to stay out of things. Especially politics. Kali's brows furrowed and a thoughtful look came across her face, and the members of the Fog Troupe waited.

"...Well, what they're doing here is wrong." Kali sighed, ruffling her hair before continuing. "And as much as I am for rights and equality, you can't go about it killing though."

"Wise words, my king."

Alibaba gazed at her with a look of curiosity, slightly mixed with awe, and Kassim regarded her coolly, clearing noting that she'd drawn the line between her belief and theirs. Kali gazed back at the two with a small smile, the glass-like dog standing still so the children could pet it.

"You got any place to stay?" Kali blinked, looking up in surprise, and Kassim regarded her simply, no look of hostility or suspicion, simply a question.

Kali offered him a small grin. "The people here were nice enough to lend me a place."

"If you've got nowhere to go though," Kassim took a step forward, and Kali was slightly saddened by the realization that he was perhaps an inch or two taller than her. "Why not join us?"

"K-Kassim!" A woman with long dreadlocks and a tattered dress stepped forward, the one with the odd weapon. "Are you sure?"

"We can't just recruit anyone." A large, muscular man added, the other odd weapon barer.

"She obviously isn't just anyone." Kassim replied smoothly, his gaze never leaving hers. "Trust me, Zaynab, Hassan, she's a metal vessel user—it'd be good to have someone like that on our side."

"Isn't Alibaba enough—"

"I think it's a good idea as well." Alibaba spoke up, the grip on his knife tightening and Kali eyed the two curiously.

"You want a stranger like me to be apart of the..."

"Fog Troupe."

"Fog Troupe?"

"You seem pretty good." Kassim shrugged, crossing his arms over his chest. "If you've got nothing better to do, might as well right?"

"I might disappear any moment." Kali warned.

"No one will hold you back."

"I can't promise any loyalty to you."

"I never expected anything in return."

Kali gazed at Kassim for a moment, a determined look on the boy's face gazing back at her.

I like him, but he's a bit rough around the edges.

"Such ambitious children..." Camio murmured, and Kali smiled slightly, her eyes growing soft, despite the lingering sadness.

They're not children anymore. Kali looked thoughtful, and a resounding growl echoing from her stomach made everyone blink at her in surprise.

"Hand me a loaf of bread," Kali pointed to the sack behind him, where the other members had been giving out food. "And I think we can work something out."


"Free?"

Kali continued to walk down the sunlit streamed hallways of the Fog Troupe's base.

"Free!"

The black haired girl hummed lightly, circlets on her ankles clanking together.

"Hey!"

Kali paused, one foot mid step as she turned on her heel, blinking owlishly at a haggard looking Alibaba as he panted, hands on his knees from trying to keep up with her. "Jeez—did you go deaf?"

"Oh," She'd forgotten she was using an alias here. "My bad, Alibaba, what do you need?"

The blonde teen stood, rubbing the back of his head for a moment before answering. "I-I was wondering if you could... help me train."

Kali blinked. "Hmm?"

"Y-You seem to be a lot more experienced with your metal vessels." Alibaba gestured to the sword at her side and her anklets, unaware that the girl still harbored more on her person. "I can use mine to some extent, but I want to get better—"

"You want me?" Kali pointed to herself, eyes wide with surprise, and Camio laughed beside her. "Are you sure about that?"

Alibaba blinked. "...Should I not be?"

"Nah," Kali waved the notion off, smiling brightly at the blonde. "I'd be happy to help you, Alibaba. Though, I can't promise I'll be of much help."

"But you've conquered two dungeons!" Alibaba blurted, and Kali blinked at the boy in surprise as he lowered his gaze to the ground. "Conquering one is still amazing, but I couldn't even do it alone."

A strange look came onto the boy's face, one of longing and wistfulness as he seemed to be remembering those times. Kali eyed him for a moment before tilting her head to the side. "Say, Ali, are you happy here?"

"Huh?" The teen glanced up, eyes wide in surprise. "Of course I am! Everyone here is nice, and we're working to do something good—"

"You just seem kind of sad." Kali explained, and Alibaba paused, looking down, and Kali realized that perhaps she was treading on grounds he wasn't quite ready with yet. "Well, when would you like to start?"

"As soon as possible." Alibaba's head shot up, a look of determination on his face. "Is that a problem for you?"

"Mmm, I guess not." Kali blinked once before a wide grin split her lips. She was getting a bit bored anyway. "Alright then—first lesson!"

Alibaba stiffened, reaching for his knife when Kali simply grinned, leaning closer as a look of mischief flickered through her eyes.

"Catch me."

Alibaba blinked in confusion, and before he could register what was happening though, Kali was waving over her shoulder, and with a grin, she'd disappeared. Alibaba's eyes grew wide in disbelief and he glanced about, wondering if he'd simply missed her. "F-Free? How am I supposed to find you?"

Kali reappeared behind him and Alibaba jumped, letting out a cry of surprise. "I dunno. You tell me."

With that, the girl disappeared once more. The blonde ex-prince gazed at the spot with wide eyes, suddenly doubting his choice of seeking help from the strange person.

"We don't have all day~"

"I-I'm coming!"


"Not bad, not bad." Kali praised, swinging her feet back and forth along the broken wall as she chomped down on the bread with butter and sugar in her hands. "You're a lot better at this than a king I know." Wonder how Sinbad would feel knowing a guy like Alibaba can catch me and he can't.

"You know..." Alibaba panted, taking in deep, shuddering breathes as he leaned against the wall. "A... king?"

"Perhaps." Kali replied, and Alibaba groaned, not rested enough to deal with her tricky words. "You did pretty well, Ali, I'm proud of you!"

The clever boy had realized that pursuit on foot would be futile, and using a few of the people, had managed to lure Kali out with food. The girl had easily fallen for the bait, and using his sword, Amon, Kali learned, he'd somehow managed to at least singe her tunic.

"Amon is nothing compared to Raum though." Alibaba gazed down at his knife, and Kali frowned, tapping the boy on the head.

"Not yet." Alibaba frowned and Kali grinned. "I didn't want Raum when I first got him—still don't actually."

"My king—"

"It just takes time." Kali advised sagely, crossing her arms over her chest with a nod. "Hard training and bonding with your Djinn will take you to places, kid. Whether you have one or seven, you have a power unrivaled by any other."

Alibaba was silent, running his finger over the blade almost comfortingly. "I don't think I have much time."

Kali blinked, glancing to him in surprise. "You don't have some sort of disease do you? Camio can heal you up—"

"Not like that." Alibaba chuckled lightly, but even then it was half hearted. "I just... There are things I need to do, and I need to have power to accomplish it."

Power...

"Again and again—why, why, why? I don't want this anymore!"

"Then become stronger. Gain strength, so that it will never happen again."

"Power, huh?" Kali gazed up thoughtfully. "Must be nice..."

Kali suddenly slapped Alibaba on the back, offering him a warm smile as he staggered, looking up at her in surprise. "Cheer up, Alibaba. Whatever it is you need to do, I think you can do it, you're a good person."

The blonde froze, looking up at those words, and a small smile touched his lips. "I had a friend who used to say the same thing."

There it is. Weeks after having semi-joined the Fog Troupe, Kali continuously noticed the sad, almost forlorn look Alibaba tended to get from time to time, like he was carrying a heavy burden on his shoulders.

"Had or have?" Kali inquired, and Alibaba frowned.

"...Had." Alibaba replied finally, clasping his fingers together. "I don't know if I can still call him my friend yet... But hopefully when all this is over, I can keep the promise I made to him."

"Hmm, be sure you do." Kali advised, looking up thoughtfully. "I try not to make promises too often."

After all, I couldn't even keep one.

"Free... You're a kind of loose person aren't you?"

"Hahaha, I just go with the flow, Alibaba. It tends to keep you out of trouble."

"Thank you." Kali blinked, glancing back to Alibaba, and warm golden eyes met her gray ones easily. "I think I kind of needed that."

"Whatever you need," Kali grinned, ruffling the boy on the head, much to his dislike. "Just think of me like you're older sister, eh?"

"I-I'd rather not..."

"Hey! Alibaba! Free!" The two glanced up to where Zaynab stood, waving them over. "Kassim wants you two on tonight's raid!"

"Coming!" Alibaba stood, turning back he added. "Free... There's something I'd like to tell you about later... About Kassim... and me."

Kali gazed back at the golden eyed boy and smiled. "I'll be waiting."

Alibaba nodded, looking slightly more relieved, and as he disappeared from her view, Kali let out a loud sigh, falling back onto the ground.

"I've gotten myself wrapped up in something bigger than me, Camio."

"It would seem so, my king."


"Another day, another raid..." Kali sighed, teleporting from one roof to the other as she kept an eye out on the streets below, watching where the guards were and where they were headed.

"Is this alright?"

"What is?"

"Doing things like this... Working with these people. After what Alibaba told you, you still would?"

"I guess I just want to see what happens." Kali half admitted, pausing on one roof and squinting at a few figures down below. "Besides, I feel like I can't leave Alibaba behind."

"Have you grown to care for him?"

"I just don't want to see them walk down that path."

"No one can escape fate, my king."

"It seems all clear here, let's go." Kali froze mid step, and Camio flickered in amusement as Kali paled, slowly turning her head at the sound of the voice. I'm imagining things right?

"Didn't they say they would be headed here?"

"Let's go, Masrur."

Shit! Kali froze in horror, jerking her head around to gaze at the two figures down below, spotting a familiar head of purple and red. What're they doing here? Now of all times?

"As I said... It's to be expected..."

I've got to go! Kali froze as Masrur suddenly paused, glancing about him, and Sinbad came to a halt. "What's wrong?"

Quickly Kali teleported away, back to her original post, and Masrur's brows furrowed as he blinked. "...nothing."

I don't have the mental ability to deal with him right now! Kali inwardly wept, sluggishly moving over the roofs and back to where the raid was going on. Damn Sinbad and his awful timing... Why is that he's everywhere I go?

"Fate?"

Coincidence. You're starting to sound like him.

"Fire!" Somebody—help!"

Kali's eyes instantly shot forward and she was teleporting from roof to roof until she came upon the site of the raid. Gray eyes widened in surprise as Amon's flames rose upwards, licking at the sky with a furious roar. The dragon hairpiece entwined with the thin braid on her hair glowed, and Kali was enveloped in a bubble of water, shielding her from the blast.

Alibaba? Kali's eyes darted left to right, trying to peer through the flames as she made her way through them, Ose's water shielding her from any flames. He's using Amon—did things get bad?

The bubble burst and Kali thanked Ose, touching the hairpiece before she reached for her dagger, drawing Seere. "Spirit of happiness and freedom, grant me the power of kings, Seere!"

The wing patterns unfurled from the hilt, wrapping around her arms, and a gust of wind propelled her forward as Kali found herself on the ground, gaze darting about in search of the blonde. There was a cough and Kali turned, eyes widening at the sight of a young boy, with long blue hair pulled back into a braid, surrounded by a borg, a young girl—a Fanalis?—beside him as he protected them from the flames.

Alibaba wouldn't hurt anyone. Kali frowned and soared forward, the Fanalis girl shot up, eyes narrowed before widening at the sight of Kali. The young woman managed to snatch the back of their clothes, and the boy's eyes shot up in surprise. Kali shut her eyes and teleported to a rooftop a few houses down, breathing a sigh of relief as the three fell to the foot with a loud thud.

"Aladdin!" The Fanalis girl was at the young boy's side, and Kali winced, rubbing the back of her neck from the tough landing. "Are you alright?"

"I am, thanks, Morg." This Aladdin paused, turning to look at Kali with wide eyes. "Thank you, miss."

"Don't..." Kali sucked in a deep breath with an unlady-like heave, sitting up and brushing ash off her tunic. "Mention it. Are you alright?"

"Yes." Aladdin smiled, and Kali paused, looking up to him with wide eyes as the Rukh fluttered about him wildly—lovingly, and she suddenly realized that this was no ordinary kid. Is he like the other three? Is he... "Thank you, big sister!"

"Sister?" Kali echoed, and Aladdin's eyes grew wide as he gazed at her. The blue haired boy paused, eyes widening in an almost mystified way as he stared at her, something like recognition flashing through his soft eyes.

"Big sister... Who are you?" Aladdin questioned curiously, and Kali paused, glancing about her where the Rukh fluttered around.

"So you can see them." Kali rubbed the back of her head and smiled slightly. "The Rukh, right?"

"You can too?" Aladdin's eyes widened and he stood, a look of surprise and hope on his face. "Are you a magi too?"

"Magi?" Kali's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, no—I'm nothing that amazing. I just can see them too; I can't use them like you guys." So he is a magi. I thought there were only three...

"Oh," Aladdin looked slightly saddened, but then his face quickly lit up. "That's amazing though...um..."

"Kali." Kali offered a hand to the boy, a small smile on her face. "It's nice to meet you, Aladdin right?"

"Yes! And this is Morgiana." Aladdin gestured to the Fanalis girl beside him and she froze, glancing away and then back to her.

"...hello."

"Hello, Morg." Kali offered her hand to the girl as well, smiling when she tentatively shook it in return. "You're a Fanalis, right?"

"Yes." She looked faintly surprised, and then embarrassed that she was surprised as she glanced away, standing beside Aladdin as the young boy gazed at her with undisguised curiosity.

"I've never met anyone else who could see the Rukh," Aladdin came up to her with wide eyes, adoring eyes, and Kali felt smothered by the warmth the boy seemed to give off. "This is truly amazing! And you're a dungeon capturer too, aren't you?"

"Ah, well, yeah...I guess..."

"What are you doing here in Balbadd, Kali?"

That's right. Kali blinked standing up and feeling Seere curl around her arms as she gazed about. "I'm sorry, but have either of you seen a boy with blonde hair—he wears a red scarf around his neck—"

"Alibaba?" Aladdin questioned, eyes growing wide, and Kali paused, looking at the boy in surprise.

"Yeah, how'd you know—"

"You know Alibaba?" Morgiana's eyes were wide with surprise as well, and Kali glanced between the two.

"Are you two... friends of his?"

"Yes—" Aladdin broke off, a slightly downtrodden look coming over his features. "Well, to me, he still is..."

"I don't know if I can call him my friend still."

Is he... Kali's eyes widened in disbelief, and she suddenly realized that she truly had gotten herself wrapped up in something much bigger than she realized. "I'm sorry, it's been nice meeting you but I have to go—"

Kali let out a cry of surprise as wires wrapped around her body, pulling her legs out from under her and sending her tumbling to the floor. Kali let out a groan, opening her eyes and paling as she found herself face to face with pointed tips. Then that means...

"Just where do you think you're going." White haired gleamed silver in the moonlight, and Ja'far regarded the girl with metallic gray eyes as she shuddered under his gaze, a nervous smile twitching at her lips.

"J-Ja'far! What're you doing here?"

"Work." With a tug, the former assassin had the girl at his feet and Kali blanched at his cold face, looking down at her with the eyes of an assassin. "What I would like to know though, is why you are involved with a group of thieves causing trouble not only for the country but for Sindria as well."

"Um... it's a long story?"

"Well, it's a good thing we have plenty of time."

"Y-Yeah..."

"Be strong, my king."


"You decided to leave Sindria, being gone for several months with only one contact to Yamraiha, and now you show up again, working with a band of thieves?" Sinbad leaned back in the velvet plush couch, eyeing the girl before him coolly.

"I like to explore things; I'm allowed to make my own choices." Kali shrugged through Ja'far's wires, the white haired assassin standing dutifully beside her with an impassive look on his face.

"You do realize that they're a problem to this country, as well as ours right?"

"I didn't say I made good choices." Kali quipped, turning her head to the side stubbornly. "And your country, not mine."

"Are you implying that if Sindria's people were to suffer because of this, you would feel nothing?" Sinbad inquired, and Kali flinched, turning around and gazing flatly at the king before her.

"That's dirty."

"And I'm quiet stunned that you would be running around with thieves." Sinbad replied, and Kali frowned, leaning back into the couch across from Sinbad.

"What were you thinking?" Ja'far turned to the girl, clearly fed up with trying to be calm. "I know you do as you like—but honestly! These people aren't exactly do-gooders, you must understand that!"

"More importantly," Sinbad turned around, his face serious, and Kali, Ja'far, and Masrur all turned back to him.

"I offer you a place in my kingdom, as one of my generals, and you constantly reject me, only to join a bunch of thieves?" Sinbad exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief and indignant, causing the other three to blink at him blankly.

"Sin!"

"Chivalrous thieves." Kali corrected, and Sinbad leaned forward, nearly pinning the girl to the couch.

"What did they offer you that I couldn't?"

"They fed me."

"Sindria's done that as well!" Sinbad exclaimed, eyes wide and filled to the brim with hurt. "Far better than what they can offer!"

"One of the old ladies in the slums makes really good bread with butter and sugar." Kali answered simply and Sinbad blinked, staring at the girl before him in complete and utter disbelief.

"Of all things..." Sinbad fell back to the couch, a dazed look on his face as he stared depressingly up into the ceiling. "I've been bested by thieves..."

"That's the least of our worries!" Ja'far snapped, turning back to Kali he added. "What possessed you to join them?"

"I didn't join them." Kali sighed, shaking her head as she slumped against the couch. "I had nothing better to do, so I helped them out—they're fighting for the people, I'm sure you're aware. Even if they've started to do it wrong, I know you know they started off right, and I was just trying to keep it that way."

"Fighting for the people is fine." Ja'far's eyes narrowed. "But not when lives are being taken."

"And theirs aren't?"

Sinbad laced his fingers together, staring at the girl before him thoughtfully. "I didn't take you for the type to partake in a rebellion."

"It hasn't gone that far." With the way things are, it soon will. "And I'm more of a pacifist at heart, it just that they offered and I agreed." Kali stood, Ja'far's wires falling from her and the white haired man blinked in disbelief, while Sinbad never took his gaze away from hers. "What'd I like to know though, is how you've gotten yourself involved with a magi."

"Aladdin?" Sinbad smiled good naturedly, and Kali paused. "We met up due to...circumstances. He's quite the nice kid, isn't he?"

"He is." I want to talk with him more. Kali gazed down at her hand, watching it flicker for a moment. He's different... "A very nice kid."

Sinbad raised a brow, looking offended. "Are you implying something?"

"Take it as you will." Kali paused once more, frowning as she gazed hard at Sinbad. The king secretly reveled under her gaze, basking in her attention as he smirked.

"See something you like?"

"You're not glittering." Kali's brows furrowed and Sinbad paused, looking confused before Kali blinked in realization. "What happened to all your metal vessels?"

"I've set them aside—"

"He was robbed and lost them all."

"Ja'far!" Sinbad gazed at his vizier in disbelief. "I thought we were supposed to keep it confidential—"

"Y-You were robbed?" Kali landed back onto the couch as she let out a howl of laughter, body shaking as tears sprung in the corner of her eyes. "N-N-No way! You've got to be kidding me!"

"I'm not." Ja'far turned back to Sinbad. "And what good will Kali do with it? You trust her enough to be one of your generals, no?"

Sinbad glowered and Kali laughed harder, clutching her stomach. "I-It hurts! I can't believe this! Way to go, Sinbad."

"Wonderful you still have all of yours." Sinbad muttered, looking irritated as Kali wiped at her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm herself down. "How many were there again?"

"Six—" Kali clamped her mouth shut, a dark look coming over her face as Sinbad smirked victoriously. "You play foul."

"You never said there were any rules." Sinbad shrugged, though inwardly he was surprised. Six? That many...

"Six?" Ja'far questioned aloud, looking at the girl before him in disbelief. That's a tremendous amount of power... We're lucky she isn't allied to someone like Kou...

"You shouldn't be surprised when you have seven." Kali answered simply. I have a reason for my need of power too.

"Our mission."

We need all the power we can get.

"Now that that's all settled," Sinbad stared at the girl, a bright smile on his face. "Where is the Fog Troupe's hide out?"

"As if I'd tell you." Kali replied brightly, and Sinbad's brow twitched as he leaned forward, towering over the girl with his height.

"I don't think you understand the situation, Kali."

"Then enlighten me." Kali's eyes met his unwaveringly, and this was when Sinbad cursed the fact that he had so little control over her. He'd always did. No matter how hard he tried, how much he struggled, the girl would never succumb to him.

But he'd admit that it was something that drew him to her all the more.

"The situation is growing worse, Kali." Ja'far murmured, and the girl paused, a frown touching her lips at his voice. "Balbadd's economy is going up in flames, and the king is at the beck and call of the Kou Empire."

Kali flinched at the name, paling for a moment before shaking it off. "I noticed when I arrived. They're using Kou currency."

"Exactly." Ja'far slipped the familiar Huang out and onto the table. "And as we've learned, the king is engaged to one of the princesses."

Engaged? Kali's eyes widened and she turned to Ja'far. Who... "Which one?"

"We're not sure." Ja'far shook his head and Kali frowned, despite the bad...er, experience, she hoped it wasn't who she feared it was.

Relax. Kali took a deep breath, ignoring Camio's laughter. Kou is all the way on the other side of the sea... You're fine.

Oh, how wrong she was.


Can anyone guess who's about to show up next? :D

And after the next chapter and maybe one more, the mystery behind the events that occurred in Kou will be revealed! Look forward to it!

I'm really happy with how much you all like the story so far, and I'm honored that so many of you enjoy Kali's character and feel so fondly about her—thank you very much!

As to pairings, I have not decided who I want Kali to be with yet. Though this story will focus between Sinbad and Kouen, and for the heck of it, I'll kick poor Muu in there too. :) Everybody loves Muu right?

Either way, I hope you've all enjoyed that chapter! Thanks for reading!

Marshmellow-

-OUT!