I do not own Magi.
Enigma
Chapter Fourteen:
The Land and the Lost
"We should go now, my king."
Gray eyes blinked, the glint of hope that had flickered, if even for a moment, disappeared as she gazed down at the ground before her, silent.
The scene before her had sadly become a familiar one. And to her bitter pain, there were some moments where she wasn't even able to give a proper burial, only able to watch as the world fell apart before her, whether to storm or fire or blood—always blood.
There was no rain this time, and for that, she could only be somewhat grateful as it wouldn't make her wet. But it wouldn't wash away the ash, the stench of all the death and despair and everything that had fallen apart before her as she ran and ran and ran, unable to do a single thing no matter how hard she fought.
She'd lost this time too.
"But there is still hope." Camio whispered, vines wrapping tightly around her hand as if it were his own, and she gripped it in return. "There is always hope."
"I know." Kali shut her eyes, breathing in deeply, the sharp tang of smoke and fire hitting her as she shook her head. "I'm beginning to really hate this smell."
Camio was silent, and a small, sad little smile pulled at the woman's lips as she stood, unable to offer any words whatsoever to the dearly departed before her.
Despite the barren earth, Kali bent down and ran her finger along the broken, ash stained earth. Gently, small little flowers began to appear, shooting upwards with what little strength they had and coating the small beds of dirt, all that remained.
"I'm sorry everyone."
She gazed down at the sight before her, drinking it in for the near hundredth time; then again, she'd really lost count now, hadn't she? Her heart tightened and then relaxed, and Kali bent her head, pressing it against the makeshift wooden posts she'd slipped through the earth to mark this little site, these graves, and she inhaled.
"I'm sorry." She pressed her lips to the broken wood, tasting ash on her lips as she shut her eyes. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you this time either."
Kali stood then, Camio offering gentle words as she turned, her eyes hardening as her entire body flickered, the Rukh fluttering past her, perhaps the only little glint of life still left in this world.
I'm sorry...
And without a final glance, Kali faced forward, hardening her gaze and a little bit more of her heart as she disappeared.
Everyone.
"Ah! Aladdin! Watch out for the—"
"Hahaha, Aladdin, it's all over your face!"
Kali blinked, her dull eyes brightening as she turned, glancing out the wide, arching window Sinbad had in mind for her went he'd made this room her own so many years ago. Kali stepped closer, pushing open one of the glass panes and blinking down at the head of golden and blue locks below, Morgiana's bright pink-red hair shifting as she moved between Aladdin and Alibaba worriedly, what looked to be watermelon spilled all over the magi's face.
A wide smile split over her face and Kali grinned, leaning over the edge and whistling, causing the three to look up sharply. "Here in Sindria you eat the fruit, not kiss it!"
Alibaba laughed, clutching his rather considerable sized gut as Aladdin grinned, the two of them having...gained a few pounds from the time they'd been able to spend relaxing in a country as abundant and full of life as Sindria. Kali felt her heart warm and she beamed, turning away from the window and preparing to pay some friends a visit when Camio spoke up.
"Your hands, my king."
Kali blinked, glancing downwards and pausing as ash and blood stained hands gazed back at her, brown and dirty, the only memory of where she'd been moments before. Kali let out a tired sigh, murmuring a few words as Ose glowed against her braid, the water from a nearby vase shifting and swirling around her hands until there was no remain of the stains once there.
But the memory was still there.
"That should do it." Kali murmured, a small smile splitting her lips despite the heavy feeling in her chest as she sighed, rolling her shoulders. "I didn't get a chance to say hello to everyone yet, so I suppose that's in due order."
"I'm sure they will be delighted with your presence." Camio smiled in her mind and Kali returned the gesture, turning and preparing to disappear when a sharp knock stopped her midway. A frown touched her lips and she turned. "Come in!"
The door opened and a guard offered her a bright smile. "My lady—"
"Kali."
"Lady Kali," Kali rolled her eyes, reminding herself to tell Sinbad to get it through to his guards and servants that she was just Kali as the guard smiled. "I've news for you."
"I'm listening," Kali grinned, and the guard bowed.
"King Sinbad has returned from his journey to the east."
Kali paused, gazing at the guard before her for a moment before a wide smile split her lips, eyes glittering in amusement. "And why should I need to know?"
The guard's lips pulled upwards into a smile. "Our King simply thought you would like to be aware."
Expecting a greeting more like. Kali mused, nodding to the guard and making her way to the door as well.
"We mustn't keep him waiting now." Camio teased, and Kali's eyes brightened, a wide smile splitting her lips. "You didn't even send him off when he left."
He'll get over it. Kali felt herself grow lighter, the world around her shifting as her form flickered in and out of existence for the briefest moment. All thoughts, all horrid memories of places and lands beyond were gently tucked to the farthest corners of her mind, not forgotten, but set aside.
And with that she disappeared.
Eager feet and hurried bodies moved this way and that, keeping the overall business and life of the palace moving as servants and guards made their way around. Cheerful calls were passed between halls and warm smiles shot across corridors, a bright, fluttering air filling the palace. Preparations were underway for a welcoming feast, papers and documents filed away until later date brought to light.
"It's with an easy heart that I can tell you there is nothing to report," Ja'far began, for once in an easy stance as he faced Sinbad. "All has been well while you were away, and Alibaba and Aladdin are already beginning to shape up."
"Wonderful news," Sinbad admitted honestly, but his mind had begun to wander as he idly drummed his fingers along the sleek wood of the desk before him.
"Though they were rather disheartened at first, it's good to see them moving about again." Ja'far commented, a warm smile on the vizier's face. Down further below in the courtyards, Alibaba and Aladdin had begun their laps in an attempt to loose the vicious amount of weight they'd gained the past few months. "They should be fine soon enough."
"And..." Sinbad's fingers slowed to a halt. "Kali?"
Ja'far paused, a look of faint bemusement as well as annoyance flickering across his features as Sinbad awaited his answer and news of the wandering woman. "Kali has been very well as of late. Upon arriving in Sindria with everyone, she'd seemed concerned for the others. But she was quick to help cheer them up."
"So she's been around." Sinbad clarified, not daring to hope once more something he had begun to see as faintly improbable, but never impossible. "In Sindria at least."
"If you mean to suggest she's been here without leaving than no." Ja'far easily answered, rolling his eyes as Sinbad's lips turned downwards into a slight pout. "Kali has been appearing at her own whim, but she took special care in making sure Aladdin and Alibaba were alright."
"...is she here now?"
"Well, I'm sure you can ask me that yourself." A warm voice mused. Sinbad instantly perked up, turning around with a beaming smile only to come to a sudden halt, a look of disbelief coloring his features as he gazed at the woman before him. "Or do you need to send a guard for that as well?"
Ja'far shifted, a rare show of discomfort as he glanced to the side. Sinbad blinked once, twice, and carefully the king stood, a lost, despondent gaze in his eyes as he gazed down and Kali gazed upwards, a slight smirk curled upwards on her lips.
"K-Kali...?"
"Who else?"
Sinbad's body began to tremble, face paling as he struggled to maintain an ounce of calm in this situation. His hands hovered at his sides, shaking slightly as he gazed down at Kali, consistently blinking to be sure that this wasn't some awful nightmare. In all his years, the countless adventures, journeys, nothing had prepared him for this possibility before him.
Arms, slender and frail in Sinbad's opinion, though without a doubt hiding years of strength and muscle had extended, growing rather pudgy at the sides. Kali had been a head shorter than him, but appeared to be a great deal more with the sudden increase in size. Slender curves that had remained elusively hidden in her loose clothing were rounded and soft, her clothes straining slightly against the new size change. The thin scarf she wore twisted up around her neck tight against the new width.
Kali had gained weight.
Fear, disbelief, shock and confusion colored Sinbad's features as his hands trembled above Kali's shoulders, unsure of what to do and fearing the very fact of this new change before him. Kali blinked, eyeing Sinbad warily. "Something wrong?"
"As I said," Ja'far glanced to the side, coughing into his sleeve. "Kali was been doing very well."
"K-Kali?" Sinbad began again, disbelief lacing his voice as he struggled to smile at the familiar woman before him, refusing to give her an ounce of doubt as to how she appeared now. This was still Kali. So what she gained a few pounds or maybe even more? Kali is Kali.
"Sinbad." Kali nodded. "I'm surprised, you know my name—that's new!"
Sinbad's smile twitched at the corners and Kali waited patiently, a pudgy sense of adorable as she simply blinked up at Sinbad. Sinbad's mind raced, trying desperately to figure out what to do, how to act, how to feel. Of course he saw Kali for more than simply her looks—she was intelligent, cunning, elusive, strong, kind—she was all sorts of other things.
But how could she have...
"You look...well." Sinbad said carefully. Kali's lips tugged upwards and she set her hand on her rounded hips.
"I haven't felt this relaxed in ages. There was a change of staff in your kitchen and they've been making all sorts of new dishes—you need to try them now that your back!"
Sinbad could only nod, gazing limply at Kali as she beamed up at him, cheeks well rounded and pudgy. "How was Kou?"
Sinbad swallowed, his golden eyes hardening in determination and steely resolve. His hands suddenly set themselves firmly down on Kali's shoulders. Kali flinched, looking up in surprise before her face suddenly blanched at Sinbad's intense expression. "S-Sinbad?"
"Kali." Sinbad's voice was calm, deep. His eyes bore down into hers and Kali took a step back, Sinbad bearing down on her in a slightly intimidating manner.
Sinbad leaned forward, head tipping downwards as his eyes never left hers, burning pools of melted gold. Kali's face grew pale and she found herself attempting to put whatever distance she could between them. Ja'far gazed on, a defeated, wary look on his face. "Y-You're kind of freaking me out here Sin..."
"No matter what," Sinbad stepped forward and Kali staggered a step back. "I will still care for you Kali."
"T-That's nice to know—"
"I don't care how you appear or what you decide to do with yourself—I will always care for you!" Sinbad began passionately, forcing Kali to stumble back a few steps in surprise. "There is simply more of you to admire—more of you to love! I will not stand to let anyone else tell you otherwise!"
Sinbad took Kali's pudgy hands in his, firmly, clutching it with an iron grip. Kali's eyes went wide with fear and Sinbad pressed closer, gazing down at her with shining gold irises. "Should you ever feel unsure of yourself you may always come to me. I will shower you with praise and affection, and tender, passionate lov—"
"I get it!" Kali quickly ducked out from Sinbad's grip, clutching her hands to her chest with a look of absolute fear on her face as she quickly shook her head. "Don't worry I think I'm fine."
Camio began to laugh in her head, deep, heartfelt laughter and Kali pouted, crossing her arms over her enlarged body as she glanced to the side. Well that didn't go like I thought it would.
There was a shimmer in the air, trails of wispy mist and Kali's entire form flickered. The pudgier, well rounded girl disappeared, replaced by Kali's usual appearance as Sinbad stood, a look of surprise flittering across his features. Definitely not the reaction I was hoping for...But it was fun while it lasted.
"Kali!" Sinbad perked up, eyes brightening as Ja'far sighed. "You're alright!"
"While it is a wonderful dream to simply eat myself away," Kali mused dryly, rather disappointed her prank hadn't worked out the way she wanted it to, but slightly warmed by the fact that Sinbad didn't care. "I don't exactly have such luxuries right now."
"Should you remain in Sindria you could do so with ease," Sinbad quipped, a cheeky smile turned upwards on his lips as Kali narrowed her eyes at him. "Of course, my offer to shower you with praise still remains—"
"No thanks."
Sinbad smirked, crossing his arms over his chest as he towered over the pouting woman, a wide smile stretching across his features. "You didn't think I'd simply toss you aside because you gained a little weight, did you?"
"I didn't think." Kali corrected, mimicking him and crossing her arms over her chest as she tipped her head up, a mischievous smile on her lips. "I hoped."
Sinbad offered her a slight pout, looking wounded. Kali's eyes sparkled and she dipped low into a mock bow, a coy smile curling upwards on her lips. "Welcome back, my king."
"It's good to be back," Sinbad smiled, but golden eyes glimmered, faint, and he reached outwards, playing with a strand of sooty locks and letting it slip through his fingers. "My friend."
My queen.
Kali's eyes flickered, Ja'far shifting off to the side. The words had gone unspoken, Sinbad not testing the line she'd so carefully drawn around them, but pressing against it, waiting with baited breath on the edge. Kali simply smiled and leaned back against his desk, a look of amusement on her face. "And Kou?"
"Quite the country," Sinbad said. Kali nodded, knowing full well it had been a wonderful country with some untimely occurrences. "I've done all I can for them within my power. All we can do now is simply wait and hope."
Kali's eyes flickered, solemn. There were a great many things she wished she could do, but she was well aware that even though she herself may have been a bargaining chip in this whole thing, she could never simply help Alibaba at the sake of her own freedom. She glanced to the side, fingers curling.
I just have to make it up to them the best way I can.
"Thank you for everything!"
Kali blinked once, twice, brows furrowing at the bowed head in front of her and the smiling face of Aladdin.
"What?"
Alibaba's head shot up and he rubbed the back of his head, fingering his broken blade. "Well, you see, back in Balbadd... Kali you helped me out a lot." Warm honey eyes turned towards her and Kali found herself at a lost for words as Alibaba offered her a warm, grateful smile. "I don't think I would've made it this far without your help."
That's not right. You shouldn't be thanking me. Kali quickly shook her head. "All I did was pick you up here and there—"
"Kali-nee did a lot more than that." Aladdin beamed, clasping his hands behind his back. "Without you we might not be here."
You're wrong.
"I—" Kali blinked, startled as her cheeks dusted lightly. "I only...just a little—"
"You've done more than that." Morgiana agreed, a small smile on the Fanalis' face.
"Thank you." Alibaba admitted earnestly, a breeze fluttering past and tickling Kali's locks as the blonde offered her a warm, beaming smile. "For everything."
"...I should have done more." Kali murmured softly. "So much more."
She'd expected to run into them after their meeting with Sinbad, just to see how they were doing. But she had not been expecting for the two to come out seeking her and then thanking her. I should've done more. There was so much...
"You did your very best, my king. Nothing more, nothing less."
"There it is!"
"All right, the hunt is about to begin!"
Kali blinked, a wide smile splitting her lips as she quickly snapped from her reverie. Alibaba and Aladdin looked up in surprise, Morgiana blinking curiously upwards when their eyes suddenly went wide. "W-What the heck is that monster?"
"That," Kali's eyes brightened and she turned, setting her hands on her hips. "Is dinner."
"D-Dinner?" Alibaba exclaimed. Aladdin and Morgiana's face widened in awe and wonder and Kali turned her to the cliff side where Sindria's banners were beginning to march forward.
"There they are!"
"Our king and the Eight Generals!"
Kali's eyes settled over Sinbad, standing proud with his arms crossed as the generals appeared beside him, wide, eager smiles playing over their lips save for Masrur, Spartos and Ja'far. The three beside her shifted in surprise and Kali let out a whistle as the crowd cheered, raising their hands eagerly as Sinbad swung an arm out. "Yamraiha, Sharrkan, its up to you to get today's prey!"
"As you wish, my king!" Sharrkan and Yamraiha slid from their post, leaping downwards as the great serpentine beast below let out a mighty roar, shifting across the floor and floundering about.
"P-Prey?" Alibaba exclaimed. Kali's eyes brightened and she beamed.
"You guys are going to have a feast tonight!"
Yamraiha hovered midair upon her staff, a smirk touching her lips as the beast below them let out a burst of water. With a flick of her fingers the water surrounded her, shifting until it resembled a coiled rope and struck out, winding tightly around the beast. There was a flash, and before Yamraiha could finish, a head of white appeared and Sharrkan smirked, leaping downwards and swinging his sword in a large arch.
Slashes and whistles were heard through the air, and Kali nudged the three beside her out of the way as villagers rushed to the center with a large blanket, catching the pieces of fallen meat until what was left of the serpentine beast was arranged into a platter.
"H-He served it?" Alibaba's eyes went wide with disbelief and Kali simply grinned.
"Welcome to Sindria." Kali beamed, setting her hands on her hips with an air of pride as Sharrkan landed on the floor, the crowds letting out a cheer as he smiled brightly. "Tonight must be the—"
"Kali!" Kali's eyes widened and the air left her as strong arms slipped around her waist, jerking her forward. Aladdin, Alibaba, and Morgiana watched on with wide eyes as Sharrkan lifted Kali off her feet, his eyes wide with joy. "You're back! Everyone said you were but I had to leave and you haven't visited—you're back!"
"I wasn't...gone...as long..." Kali managed, weaseling her face out from his chest as she sucked in great gulps of air. "Good to see you too, Sharrkan."
"How long are you staying this time?" The swordsman quickly pushed forward, eyes shining brightly. "Months? Years? Forever?"
"For as long as I need to be."
"Stop pestering her, you idiot!" Kali was jerked backwards, her face cushioned between two soft mounds as Yamraiha clutched the other woman to her tightly. "You're going to make her leave again!"
"She's only going to leave if you keep hassling her, hag!"
"How dare you! Kali's better friends with me than she is with you!"
"Are you loosing your eyesight too, hag? It's obvious who she likes better! I bet she keeps running away because you keep showing up!"
Yamraiha practically hissed; Sharrkan glowering at her as Kali let out muffled noises pressed to the magician's chest. Alibaba blinked, eyes wide with wonder and disbelief, Morgiana curiosity while Aladdin looked on with slight longing at Kali's face pressed to Yamraiha's chest.
Kali managed to detach herself and let out a great gasp for air, taking a wary step back from the two and scanning the eyes for an attack from Pisti or anyone else before she righted her tunic and offered the two before her a warm smile. "I don't plan on leaving you two anytime soon, so don't worry."
"Wonderful to hear." Kali's eye twitched as Sinbad clasped her shoulder, a bright smile on his face as he gestured to Yamraiha. "Aladdin, this woman will be your magic instructor."
Yamraiha's cheeks flushed and she turned bashfully towards Aladdin, a warm smile on her face. "I am Yamraiha. I am not sure whether or not I can be of use to you but... feel free to ask me anything you want."
Aladdin's cheeks flushed and the boy seemed to sway forward. Kali blinked warily, jumping back in surprise when Aladdin lunged and Yamraiha's eyes went wide as he nestled into her breast. "It's nice to meet you, miss!"
"W-W-Wait, n-no, not there—" Yamraiha's eyes hardened and she slammed her staff to the ground, Sharrkan quickly jerking Kali back and out of the way as a plume of hot steam shot outwards. "Cut it out, you dirty little brat!"
A steaming Aladdin rolled away as Alibaba crouched down. "Aladdin are you—hot!"
"What a drama queen," Yamraiha adjusted her coat, slumped over her shoulders. "It's just steam!"
"I'm soaking wet..." Aladdin murmured.
Yamraiha tapped her staff to the ground, setting her hand on her hip. "I was nervous because you're a magi, but you're just a dirty little pervert. Do that again and I'll make all the liquid in your body boil, got that?"
"You look so gentle, but you're not at all..." Aladdin mumbled dejectedly.
Sharrkan snorted, Kali blinking dully with an arm wrapped around her and pressing her to Sharrkan's chest. "Don't get involved, kid. Even among magicians, who tend to be weak yet haughty, this woman is extremely nasty."
"What did you say?" Yamraiha snapped, whirling around and glaring daggers as Sharrkan glared in kind, clutching Kali tighter to him.
Kali blinked, exasperated amusement flickering through her eyes. I don't think I missed this part about Sindria that much.
"This is Sharrkan. He's your swordsmanship instructor, Alibaba." Alibaba's eyes widened and Sharrkan paused, turning to Alibaba in surprise.
"So you want to learn swordsmanship?" Sharrkan set one hand on his hip, the other still clutched around Kali as he pulled her along, a wide grin splitting his lips.
"Yes." Alibaba answered, jerking forward in surprise when Sharrkan used his free arm to sling around Alibaba, jerking him towards him as well.
"You know how awesome swords are; you've got a good eye! Um...what baba?"
"It's Alibaba..."
"Oh, Alibaba!"
"I've learned some of my best tricks from him." Kali admitted, motioning to a beaming Sharrkan as she offered Alibaba an encouraging smile. "You'll do well under him."
"But if you hang around that guy you'll become a freak like him." Yamraiha snipped.
Sharrkan whirled around, a hand on his sword, Kali in his other arm, still blinking blandly around her. "You wanna fight?"
"Leave Kali out of this!"
"Stop bringing her into it!"
"You're the one who won't let her go!"
"I'm making sure she doesn't leave like last time!"
"We're her friends, not her jailers!"
"Could you two go at it another time?" Sinbad inquired with a sigh, extending a hand outwards.
Kali blinked as she found herself slipping from Sharrkan's grasp and into Sinbad's. Her eyes trailed upwards and his eyes glittered, that little excited gleam in his eye she realized she hadn't seen for awhile as he beamed. "Tonight is the Maharajan!"
At that even Kali couldn't complain, her shoulders relaxing and a small, easy smile turning over on her lips.
"It's nice here, isn't it?" Camio murmured.
Very nice. Kali agreed silently.
But comfort was dangerous.
If there was one reason why Kali could never truly ever abandon Sindria from her heart, it wasn't just because of the loyalty she'd wound around the people here.
It was most definitely because of the festivals as well.
Cheers, loud, wild, full of joy and mirth split the air. Stars dotted the sky like carefully sprinkled grains of sugar, the crescent moon shining brightly over the tip of the palace. Lanterns strung this way and that, illuminating the stalls of the bazaar as people moved this way and that, dancers shifting in flowing silks, people milling from place to place, children running this way and that.
Sindria was alive.
Kali's eyes warmed at the sight, weaving in and out of the crowd with a bright smile plastered over her lips as she tore a piece of fish off of the skewer in her hand, humming in delight at the crispy taste. Camio was a gentle presence, warm and light in her mind as she ducked her head beneath a flower necklace, calling out thanks. A group of girls skipped past, one tugging at her flowing tunic. Kali willingly bent her head and the girl tucked in a bed of flowers beside the feathers woven into her hair, beaming at her before scampering off.
Kali's eyes softened and she smiled, warm and at ease as she stood for a moment, basking in the wonderfulness of it all.
I could never get tired of this.
"Cheers to our king!"
Kali glanced upwards to where Sinbad stood, silhouetted perfectly against the moonlight as he raised his glass, the people of his country cheering before him. Kali paused for a moment, gazing at the sight as the Rukh fluttered past her, warm, shimmering. A small smile quirked her lips and she lifted a cup in kind, eyes flickering before she tipped it back and took a sip.
Kali quickly set the cup down and took another bite of her skewer, shuddering at the warm scorch of alcohol. Got to be more careful...
"There you are!" Kali jumped, startled by the sudden cry when a woman appeared before her, mask propped upwards—a dancer. "We've been looking for you all over the place!"
"...me?" Kali inquired, blinking dumbly as the girl nodded, clasping Kali's hand and tugging her along. "W-Wait a moment—"
"We're already late! This is a special performance tonight, you know!"
"I didn't—"
"Come on, we need to get you changed!"
"What?"
"Such a lively country this is."
"The last batch of dancers has been sent off!" A woman reported, the older woman looking up from where she'd been fixing a little girl's dress. "All of them ready for the king's performance!"
"Good." The older woman smiled at the younger girl and ushered her off.
"But there was something..."
The older woman quickly turned, eyes narrowed. "What? What's wrong?"
"Well," the other woman shifted sheepishly. "There was one woman who seemed to be a little lost, but it looks like she might have been drinking or something of the sort. We had to get her sorted out and changed before we sent her along."
"What did she look like? I'll talk to her afterwards."
"Uneven black hair, gray eyes...she was also carrying a sword with her—must have belonged to a soldier. She also had rather pretty feathers donned up in her hair though, so we let them be—"
"Did she have a tattoo on her back?"
"W—yes, she did." The woman blinked, curious. "Do you know her—"
"Fool!" The woman flinched as the older woman turned, eyes wide. "That is Lady Kali!"
"K-Kali?"
"Our king's closest companion, she is friends with the generals as well!"
"H-His consort?"
"Nothing of the sort! A very dear friend—I can't believe we let this happen again." The older woman shook her head in disbelief as the woman blinked.
"Again?"
"She does look like a dancer doesn't she—well at least she can dance. Let us hope she takes no mind and that our king considers this as...a gift of sorts."
"I can't believe this happened again." Kali slumped to the floor, letting out a breath of relief as she pressed herself to the shadows of the stairs leading upwards to the palace.
"I suppose you do come off as a dancer sometimes."
"How?" Kali inquired incredulously. Shaking her head she slumped, fingering the loose clothing the dancers wore with a dejected sigh. "You do look wonderful though."
Last time this happened I was fighting tooth and nail to get Sinbad to keep his hands off. Kali reminded, but a fond smile touched her lips at the joyful memories, the laughter that had been shed. The loose, flowing silk exposed her stomach, the light flickering and shielding the little scars that covered her body. Her tattoo laid bare behind her, hair barely ghosting over it, but her friends were well aware of its presence already.
"What are you doing hiding around back here?" Kali blinked, looking up in surprise before a smile split her lips and Drakon gazed down at her, scaled arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the wall beside her. "Sinbad caught sight of you yet?"
"Not yet." Kali smirked, tipping her head upwards. "But by the laughter up there, I think he's a little preoccupied."
Drakon chuckled, eyes glimmering warmly despite the fierce appearance—Kali's gaze flickered, the faint memory of burning eyes and fierce green hair flickering through before she blinked, a hand suddenly clamping down on her shoulders as Drakon steered her forward. "H-Hold up, Kon—I don't really feel like—"
"Someone like you shouldn't be hiding in the shadows," Drakon gave her a mighty shove and Kali stumbled forward atop the platform as he grinned at her. "You should be enjoying yourself."
"I was enjoying myself." Kali muttered and Drakon chuckled, nudging her forward as he stepped past her.
"I believe a young, wild little girl once told a proud soldier something he remembers to this day," Drakon glanced backwards. "Live a little, kid."
Kali's lips couldn't help but turn upwards at that, eyes glittering as Drakon stalked off to find his wife. Kali's eyes softened and she turned, only to stumble in surprise when she slammed into another figure, the other teetering back in surprise. "Oof!"
"My bad—Aladdin." Kali blinked in pleasant surprise, a wide smile touching her lips.
The magi looked up, rubbing his head before a wide smile touched his lips as well. "Kali-nee—you look beautiful!"
"I wouldn't say that," Kali beamed, offering a hand to the younger boy and smiling warmly. "A little more cleaned up is all."
"It suites you." Aladdin beamed as well, sliding forward slightly. Kali quickly flicked his forehead and Aladdin retreated, laughing. "Are you dancing tonight?"
"Nothing of the sort." Kali grinned wolfishly. "I just got caught up with the wrong crowd is all. Where's Alibaba and Morgiana?"
"With Uncle Sinbad," Aladdin answered. There was a beat, a flutter of Rukh and the boy paused, looking at Kali for a gentle, curious moment. Kali sensed his stare and turned from her search towards him.
The Rukh fluttered, curling around them, bright, warm—loving. Aladdin seemed to think for a moment before he tipped his head upwards. "Kali-nee, I... If you'd like... I can..."
Kali's eyes softened. Camio grew oddly quiet, but she gently pushed it aside as Kali bent down onto one knee, facing Aladdin with a warm, sad little smile. "I would love and fear nothing more than to be able to see."
Unspoken the two tipped their head forward, bright blue locks brushing against sooty black, and Kali shut her eyes, reveling in the warmth of the Rukh around them, if only for a moment.
"But it can wait for a better time, Aladdin."
"I won't ever forget, ever."
"K-Kali!" Kali turned, a cheeky grin on her lips as Alibaba stood, a look of surprise on his face. "You look—"
"Terrible, I know." Kali grinned, her bare feet sliding soundlessly across the ground as she seemed to twirl, the flowing sashes curling around her as she laughed. "Not as good as Morgiana, but I suppose I will have to bear with it for the night!"
"Kali!" Kali turned as Pisti barreled into her, the other woman stumbling from the jump as the blonde beamed widely up at her. "If you were dancing tonight I would have joined in and—"
"I'm not dancing." Kali glanced upwards and added. "Spartos you won't burst into flames by looking at me."
Spartos stiffened, his eyes turned modestly towards the sky as he shifted uncomfortably. "I-I understand—"
"What's wrong with a little skin?" Sharrkan slung an arm around her, tugging her towards him. "The more the better!"
"Stop saying such revolting things!" Yamraiha snapped. "You're embarrassing her!"
"I don't want to hear that from the woman who wears shells as—"
"They're magic tools!"
"Kali-nee seems to fit right in, doesn't she?" Aladdin smiled warmly, as Alibaba blinked, Morgiana looking on in awe as the generals seemed to pile over Kali, whose breezy laugh split the air.
"Yeah..." Alibaba smiled, leaning back. "She seems at ease here."
"But she doesn't live here, does she?" Morgiana inquired. The two looked to her in surprise, but Morgiana was watching Kali's feet, the anklets clinking around together. "It seems...temporary for her."
"An interesting observation," Ja'far mused. The three looked up in surprise, but those calming gray eyes were watching the people before him, laughing and joking around. "But rather close to the truth."
"I know Kali says she travels a lot, but I thought—"
"You recall when she claimed she had no ties to any country, correct?" Alibaba nodded and Ja'far's lips barely turned upwards. "That statement remains true."
"But then..." Alibaba paused, brows furrowing as he watched Kali laugh, dancing out of Sharrkan's gasp and ducking behind Hinahoho, the Imuchakk's children darting alongside her. "She doesn't have a place to call home, does she?"
Ja'far's gaze flickered and the vizier glanced aside, memories flickering through his head. "Perhaps. But Kali does not necessarily require a home."
Gray eyes softened, and the image of a young assassin snapping at a grinning girl as a fisherman's son begged her to join their group flashed through his head.
"She is welcomed wherever she goes."
"I didn't realize I was receiving another dance tonight." Kali paused, turning her head as golden eyes met hers, warm and glistening with mischief as Sinbad's lips curled upwards.
"Really?" Kali turned around with wide eyes, making her way towards him before she plopped down onto a cushion. "I don't see them coming anytime soon, are they late?"
Sinbad's eyes glittered and Kali simply beamed up at him cheekily. "Aren't you a little preoccupied?"
Sinbad's eyes strayed to the many women that had been fawning over him, sending them a warm smile as they giggled, waving towards him. Golden eyes turned back to the woman before him. "I always have time for you."
"Flattering," Kali flickered, disappearing and reappearing on a wall beside him, her legs swinging outwards. She plucked a flower from her hair and bent down, sliding it into Sinbad's. "I'll see if I can make time in my own schedule for you one of these days."
Sinbad glanced to the flower in his hair and upwards to Kali, golden eyes shimmering with a warmth Kali chose to ignore as she simply grinned, flickering out and reappearing beside Masrur. "Besides, if you shower me with all this attention, what will your many admirers do?"
"Many admirers..." Ja'far mused aloud, a dry look on his face as Sinbad blinked innocently.
"What's wrong with being loved?"
"Have you no desire to ever find a wife then?" Drakon sighed.
"You should settle down and have kids." Hinahoho added. "It's wonderful."
The two winced when Yamraiha slapped them over the heads with her staff. Confused eyes turned towards her when Yamraiha shushed them, gesturing wildly toward Sinbad. The generals all turned and winced.
Unaffected, Kali simply continued to smile, looking amused by the prospect of Sinbad with a wife as she played with a tangled strand of flowers trailing down from the lanterns. But while Sinbad's lips played with a smile, his eyes strayed, lingering on the woman only a few feet away—always so close, Sinbad mused dryly, but so far. Sinbad did not see himself settling down, when he was younger at least. The idea came with the realization he'd no longer be able to explore—enjoy life.
But when he'd settled on the prospect, the idea of loving someone for the rest of his life, it hadn't taken him long to realize who he would do so within a heartbeat.
"One day?" Pisti whispered hopefully.
"Speaking of which," Ja'far turned, eyes curious. "You did settle things with Princess Kougyoku while in Kou, right?"
"The princess? What for?" Sinbad looked curious and Ja'far paused, a look of disbelief and horror on his face.
"Airhead of the Seven Seas." Masrur murmured.
"...Sin, don't tell me you..."
"What do you mean? I was only there for business, you know."
A light, breezy laughter filled the air. Sinbad's eyes instantly turned, catching Kali as she simply laughed. A bright, joyful laughter that filled the air around him as he paused, watching. Beside her Sharrkan and Yamraiha battered at each other, Pisti weaving in and out between them.
Sinbad watched his friend for a moment, golden eyes flickering in the lamp light as Kali tipped her head back, petals falling from the flowers in her hair as her breezy laughter flittered around.
Ja'far's eyes flickered to his king, his friend, gray eyes watching golden eyes never leave the laughing face for one moment, a rare moment of relief and ease for Kali. And that meant a moment where Sinbad's shoulders would slump, the worry that followed him every time he gazed at her as if she would break.
No. Ja'far mused, settling back as he slid his hands into his robes and Sinbad stood, finally making his way toward Kali with a warmth in his eyes that didn't linger with anything sly or cunning—simple, gentle adoration. Kali did not need a home.
Teasing banter filled the air, familiar, and the world shifted around them, rewarding the troubles and pains with a simple night of happiness.
She simply made one wherever she went.
Omake: Just Barely
"This is Balbadd?"
Kouen's eyes scanned the streets, the palace, the people—the country before him with a calm, even gaze. Soldiers moved this way and that to see to it that reconstruction and building went underway. Some people shifted by, hateful, spiteful glares sent his way. Kouen shouldered it all with a familiar ease. He would do so with any burden on his way to complete his goal.
"We will begin preparations to renovate the palace at once." A servant bowed, dipping his head. "Shall we head back to the ship—"
"See to it that my sister is well," Kouen turned with a sweep of his cape, stalking forward without a glance back. "I will continue on."
"M-My lord—" the servant paused. "Yes, my lord."
Guards moved to follow after, but Kouen made a single move with his hand, dismissing them. Some milled about uncertainly, but stepped back as ordered as Kouen made his way deeper into the slums.
If this was to be his, it was only right that he know the land.
Crimson red eyes flickered over the weakened buildings, silently making notes in his head as to where renovations should begin first and where certain buildings would be placed. He ignored the glares and snarls sent his way, the weary faces, the fierce glares. The turmoil that had happened in this country had given Kou all the more reason to step in and conquer. It was only an example as to why the world should be united as one.
"Look! I'm Free!" Kouen's gaze flickered as a pair of girls ran past, laughing and clothed in rags—clean ones, Kouen realized. One girl landed on the ground and jumped to the side. "I can disappear too!"
The other girl giggled, running past a group of workers who were setting to work repairing a strong of boats along a river way, ignoring Kouen's presence but not despising it. Kouen's eyes strayed to the surprisingly clean water running past, crystalline and blue. His eyes followed a deep green vine, memories resurfacing as he gazed at the thick green vines, curling upwards toward the bridge in a rare show of life in this dead country.
No. Kouen's eyes flickered, watching the people move. There was no heaviness, no weariness to their bones. Suspicion bordered their movements, spite, but not lifelessness. Kouen watched with a glint in his eyes. Something had brought these people back to life. He assumed it must have been the intervention of the so-called prince who'd been here before him and the famous Sinbad.
"But you can't heal like she does!" A girl cried. Kouen paused, half turning his head.
"So?" The young girl puffed out her chest. "I can disappear just as fast as she does."
A lifeless country suddenly turned anew. Kouen's eyes snapped to the great vine by the bridge, noticing now the little cracks all over the streets where similar vines had sprouted, some already large, towering fruit trees.
...it couldn't be.
"If you want to look like her," an older boy spoke up, looking to the girls in amusement as he sketched a drawing on a broken piece of parchment. "You need to look for a sword."
"There!" Kouen's eyes turned and he felt his body grow still, rooted to the spot as the young girl slipped a pair of feathers in her hair. "That's a start."
The prince and whoever else that had been with him had left the other day.
Kouen inhaled and exhaled, calmly. He needed something to make his assumption truly correct. He could not afford to be swayed by these simple actions.
With calm, even steps he made his way to the older boy that'd been sketching. The people around him paused, watching him carefully as Kouen came to a halt beside the boy. The ragged child paused, looking up at Kouen calmly, carefully, and the first prince met his gaze evenly.
"May I see your drawing?"
Polite for Kouen's standards towards the people he'd only conquered. Some shifted uneasily while the boy blinked, curious before he handed the paper towards Kouen quietly.
Firm fingers enclosed around the paper and Kouen turned it over, remaining rooted to the spot.
The only color to the picture was the eyes.
Everything else had been drawn in perfect detail, a hair off perhaps, but near perfect, perhaps better than the artists that had presented him with paintings and wanted posters alike of the woman he so desperately sought after. But the limp drawing somehow managed to capture that annoying twinkle in her eyes, the faintest upturn curve of her lips.
And those tauntingly beautiful gray eyes stained blue.
She'd been here.
Only moments before him.
"She's kind of a hero," the boy explained calmly. "Did a lot of good before you guys showed up." He fetched his scratched up notebook and showed Kouen several more drawings, one of her in all her Djinn equip glory.
"Do you've any idea where she went?" Kouen inquired calmly.
The boy shook his head. "Disappeared without a trace."
Kouen remained silent and the boy shrugged. "A lot of us wish she'd stayed."
"As do I." Kouen handed the picture back to the boy and turned, ember eyes burning darkly, intense as he stalked past.
Men sent him glowers, but the women around paused, looking up at the man moving past and finding their cheeks flushing as they turned their heads, the passion, the fire in his eyes enough to set any woman on fire.
There were a great many things for Kali to fear.
And the list was constantly growing.
Since so many of you asked I just had to put it in there. :) Hope you all enjoyed!
But seriously, Kouen fans, brace yourselves, there will be a great many chapters before we introduce Kouen back into the game.
But that doesn't mean I might sneak him in from time to time of course. ;)
CAN I TELL YOU GUYS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU? BECAUSE I REALLY, REALLY LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH. YOU WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING PEOPLE.
But there's something I must address.
I was given a review, a very blunt review, I'll admit, that mentioned and well, bluntly told me that I should rethink my story a bit in terms that I should stop referring to the characters by their hair and read some actual published books and see how they refer to the characters, as well as reading up on how to write fanfiction. FIRSTLY, I did not at all consider this insulting. It was a very blunt piece of constructive criticism, and I took it with a nod and understood what they meant to say. I know it did come off as rather rude, but some people are sometimes just blunt like that, and it's okay.
But I cannot tell you how incredibly warmed and loved I felt by all of you when only minutes after I received reviews addressing this review and calling them out. It was very, very touching of you all, and I'm not going to lie, it made me fuzzy and warm and love you guys so much more that I tried to get an update out as soon as possible. But while I appreciate it beyond belief, I most definitely don't want any fights or arguments started over reviews. It's very, very kind of you guys, but I don't want any feelings hurt over one comment. Feel free to say what you like, I understand, but no nastiness out there, all right? But the fact that you guys would actually stop and see a review and defend this story, my writing—I can't tell you guys how touched I am by that.
Thank you.
BECAUSE OF THAT YOU GUYS GET ANOTHER UPDATE VERY SOON. ONE THAT DOESN'T TAKE A MONTH, I PROMISE.
Plus I get out of school soon, so... :D
JUST YOU AND ME FANS, AN UPDATE IS COMING SOMETIME THIS WEEK OR NEXT.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR READING. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED.
Marshmellow-
-OUT!
