The time has come.

;)

I do not own Magi.


Enigma

Chapter Twenty Five:

The Reunion and the Roar


"What exactly are we looking for?"

"War."

"Isn't that, I don't know, kind of hard to miss?"

The hustle and bustle of the people from a small village only several miles from the border of Magnostadt surrounded them. People rushed this way and that, some hurried, with tense and uncertain looks on their faces, while others merely continued to move at their own pace, this town not yet affected by the outcomes of what was to happen.

"I hear that Reim has launched an attack on Magnostadt!"

"We're far from the border, so we should be fine, right?"

"What if they come this way?"

"Rumors have it that there's another army marching in from the east."

"Should we prepare for war, as well?"

Koran's searing ruby irises watched the people around him skeptically. His brows furrowed as he bit into the warm bun in his hands, perched on several sacks of flour and watching the stern face of the woman before him.

Kali's eyes were trained hard on the horizon. Her hair was pulled back tight into a ponytail behind her, strays wisps of hair curling around her face from where it was cut at uneven lengths. Her braid had been tucked into the bundle, feathers and hair pin dangling from the clasp on her ponytail. Seere was strapped to her hip on the opposite side of Raum, different from its usual position beside her chest.

In the far distance, several miles from them, thick clouds had gathered. They thundered, swelling into large masses against the horizon. Koran could glimpse the occasional flash of what looked to be lightning, but flashing far too sporadically for it to be natural. His hand tightened on the bun and his other rested on the half hilt of his sword.

"How shall we proceed, my king?"

Kali had watched a day like this unfold thousands of times. Whether it was Magnostadt against Reim, Reim against Kou, Kou against Sindria—there was always some kind of climatic war that seemed to tip the scales of every world she'd traveled. The hardest part to figure out was that here, in her original timeline—everything at this point was free game. She didn't know how the battle that may have already begun was unfolding, didn't know what was happening in this moment, but what she did know, with every fiber of her being and whispers of the Rukh against her was that it was time to make her move.

The way we think is best. Kali grinned, looking feral and wild as the air around her thinned. The way that will save the world.

"...Whose side are we fighting on, now?" Koran inquired and Kali blinked, turning to him in surprise. I need to think of what to do with him. "I've been studying world affairs, you know. We've got Reim and this magician's country and that country to the east you don't like all advancing forward—are we here for Sindria?"

"We're not fighting for any of them." Kali said.

Koran's eye twitched and he finished off the last of his bun, wiping his hands on his pants and standing with arms crossed over his chest. "Then who are we fighting for?"

A wicked smile split Kali's lips and Koran froze, startled by the sight as she cast stormy gray eyes on his form.

"The world."

...

...

...

"You're kidding, right?"

"I'm very serious right now," Kali ran her fingers over the bracelets on her wrists, a thoughtful look on her features as an echo resounded in her ears and she felt Camio stir in the back of her mind. "This is war, Koran, and since I decided to let you come, you're going to need to listen to everything I'm about to tell you very carefully."

Koran straightened, back growing rigid as he fell to attention. Kali's lips curled and she turned to face him fully. "You're going to start moving westward toward the shore, over there—" Kali jutted a finger toward the mass of storm clouds gathered thick over the horizon. "—is where I'm betting everyone is right now. That's where I'm going. You're going to be following the shore and hitting the villages that fall along that area. I want you to warn them all of what's happening and get them to start moving south, away from all the fighting—"

"I'm not fighting with you?" Koran questioned, incredulous. "The reason I came is so that you wouldn't be alone—"

Kali's lips turned upwards into a warm smile and he halted, her eyes shining. "I've never been alone."

"With you, my king."

"And what you're doing is fighting," Kali swept on. "The more lives we save the less those bastards win. I want you to do everything possible to avoid any kind of confrontation. Protect those you can but protect yourself first of all—if you need me, I want you to call my name as loud as you can and hold your sword, I will come—"

"You—" Koran shoved a finger at Kali and she stepped back in surprise. "If you need help, you call for me, got it? I don't care what you think you can handle, as your household, we're in this together. If I think for even a second you're getting pummeled into the ground, I'll come."

"Since when did you get so brave?" Kali teased, eyes shining with pride and Koran smirked.

"You gave me a reason to be."

Kali blinked, the dusting of a light pink colored her cheeks. Koran's face flushed a red as deep as his eyes and his skin seemed to turn burgundy in color, mouth stumbling over his words. "W-What I mean—you're such an idiot you always—I just—"

"Thank you, Koran," Kali tugged Koran close, wrapping her arms tight around him and he froze, eyes widening in surprise. "Stay safe, okay?"

"O-Okay..."

"Now," Kali's eyes sharpened as she pulled away from him. Koran watched in slight awe, eyes growing wide as Kali's lips curled upwards, feral and fierce and her eyes glittered almost darkly in excitement.

The air curled tight around her and her body flickered, Koran stiffening to attention as he watched this woman—his metal vessel user, his—

King.

"Let's do this."


Kali had learned several things about herself over the years she'd been living on this earth.

She had some awful timing.

"My, this is quite a surprise."

The feel of wood beneath her bare feet suddenly lurched, and the pole mast she had found herself appearing on slipped from the slick sea air. Kali let out a screech of surprise, nearly tumbling to the bottom of the ship had she not disappeared and reappeared, righted on the floor of the ship. Holy Solomon, that could've been bad.

"Dying before the start of the war is not our intention now, is it?"

"K-Kali?"

"Kali-nee?"

One of Reim's boats. Kali's eyes quickly assessed the situation. No one's fighting or screaming at each other—did I miss the battle? What is even happening right now? This is nothing like the other worlds—

"We must stop relying on thoughts of other worlds," Camio urged. "We must remember that this world is one entirely of its own making, one that we hope will bear no other similarities."

Kali's heart surged. A flurry of Rukh seemed to swarm her all at once, the presence of two heavily loved figures by the birds of destiny standing before her. The familiar faces of two she had longed to see for a while now shone with surprise and disbelief, a mixture of what looked to be hope and slight relief and Kali felt her heart warm, fluttering in her chest and a wide smile stretched across her lips.

"Hello, Aladdin, Alibaba!"

"W-What are you doing here?" Alibaba questioned, eyes wide with disbelief as he rushed to her and Kali swung her arms wide to engulf him in a hug, reaching for a happy faced Aladdin as well. "I thought you were still in Sindria—I didn't know you would know what was going on and come!"

"I'm still not caught up on this timeline just yet," Kali admitted, and Alibaba's face scrunched up in confusion. "But it's wonderful to see you again, I've missed you, you know. You look like you haven't changed at all! Did you change your outfit?"

"I haven't changed at all?" Alibaba exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief. "What are you talking about? Can't you sense how much stronger I've gotten? I've changed a lot, you know!"

"Kali-nee is still as soft as ever," Aladdin sighed, nestling his head in Kali's chest as he let out a pleased groan. "You haven't gotten any bigger though—"

Kali swiftly picked him up by the scruff and deposited him on the ground, eyes warm and shining as gazed down at the blue haired magi. "You've grown, haven't you, Aladdin?"

"Maybe just a bit," Aladdin's eyes were shining, bright and filled with happiness, but she could see the lingering darkness in the corners of bright blue. "Kali-nee, how did you know to come here?"

"I just teleported to wherever you were," Kali admitted honestly. "I figured the fastest way to the battlefield was wherever you'd be since you'd bound to be involved."

Aladdin winced, looking slightly sheepish and Alibaba was staring at her with curiosity. "Kali, if you're here, does that mean...?"

"I don't know what his stance on this whole matter is." Kali answered, knowing where his question was headed. "I assume he won't just remain idle, though we can't rely on anyone else but ourselves right now. There are more pressing matters to deal with than territorial disputes."

There's so much I want to say to them. Kali's heart lurched with impossible fondness for the two in front of her, eyes warming. I want to hear about everything.

"Then allow us to live to hear their tales."

"So Aladdin has kindly made me aware," the soft, clear voice rang out across the ship and Kali turned her eyes to a figure she'd hadn't seen in years. Golden locks tumbled like a waterfall past slender shoulders, eyes like sharp crystals peered up at her curiously through a half lidded gaze. "It has been long, Kali."

"So it has," Kali dipped herself in a slight bow, eyes shining with mischief. "How are you, Scheherazade?"

"Speaking to Lady Scheherazade so informally—" A blonde boy Kali didn't recognize but seemed to bear a striking resemblance to the magi woman in front of her looked as though he were about to faint. "A-Aladdin, who is this woman?"

"Kali-nee," Aladdin answered happily. "She's on our side, don't worry, Titus! Well, I suppose she's on the world's side, to be correct."

"That doesn't explain anything!"

"She won't hurt us, so that's all we need to know!"

"I am well," Scheherazade eyed her thoughtfully. "I have not forgiven you yet, for stealing Asmodeé from me."

"Ah, that I couldn't help much," Kali rubbed the back of her neck with a grin. "Muu was with me, you know. She could have easily chosen him, instead."

"Birds of a feather," Scheherazade looked meaningfully to the anklets around Kali's ankles. "I assume you aren't here to fight, why have you come?"

"I am here to fight, actually." Kali's eyes turned sharp toward the pale blue sky, dawn threatening to break over the horizon as she felt the Rukh curl tight around her. Something's happening. "I'm here to figure out who it is I need to put my sword through."

"Did Yunan send you?"

"I haven't spoken to that weirdo for a while," Kali grinned, turning to face the magi beside her again. "If Aladdin's already managed to get you to call off this attack, I assume I don't have to worry about you stabbing me from the back now, should I?"

"I would never do something so uncouth," Scheherazade said simply, inclining her head. "Especially not when one of my best is so fond of you."

The air shifted and the boat rocked from the sudden force landing atop its mass. Wood threatened to split and Aladdin and Alibaba lurched, eyes widening in surprise as metal clanked together and a foot took a single step forward. A smile split Kali's lips and she turned, eyes meeting a stunned gaze, bright locks tumbling past his shoulders and golden armor glistening against the taut muscles that ran beneath.

"Kali...?"

The air grew taut. Titus, Aladdin, and Alibaba watched the sudden exchange with avid eyes. They pressed close as the two metal vessel users strode toward each other, Kali setting her hands on her hips as she peered up at the man who towered over her, eyes wide and intent on her features.

A resounding clap echoed through the air like thunder, forcing Alibaba to jump in surprise had he not held back his screech. Kali's hand clasped Muu's tightly, a wide grin splitting both their lips as their eyes shone and Muu stepped forward, tugging the girl into a bone crushing hug. "Kali! Where have you been all these years, you temptress?"

"Oh, getting into trouble as usual," Kali wheezed over the tightness of his hug. Half Fanalis or not he's still ridiculously strong. "Still causing trouble for your poor magi?"

"I have done no such thing!" Muu pulled back, looking scandalized, and Kali quickly assessed the mess of wounds that had gathered all over his body, lips curling downwards. I did miss something, it seems. "Are you still finding your face in the dirt from all your losses?"

"I'll have you know I won that match in the colosseum in case you didn't remember."

"You two know each other?" Alibaba exclaimed, jaw dropping in disbelief and Kali turned to him with an impish grin.

"Met this fool on one of my journeys, he thought he could convince me to join his corps and fight for Reim despite the fact that I wasn't Fanalis."

"You still would have made a fine soldier."

"And find myself crushed to dust around you monsters? No, thank you."

Aladdin was watching Kali curiously, a wondering look on his face. "It's almost like Kali-nee has really left a presence almost across the world, hasn't she?"

"Perhaps," he jumped as Scheherazade nodded toward him. "Her actions merely mimic that of the man who spent the most time with her, after all."

Their eyes turned toward the golden haired magi in curiosity and the faintest wisp of a smile curled on her lips. "She has not moved to be loved, in fact, I believe far more would rather see her fall. She's merely done as she's pleased all these years for the sake of her own selfish goal."

"I assume you're not here to come sweeping in our aid," Muu mused dryly, closely echoing his own magi's words. "Why have you come?"

"Time to settle the score with someone," Kali admitted, venom barely escaping her voice and Muu reappraised her curiously. "Just so happens that it means helping the rest of you too."

Her hand reached outwards, settling on his chest and a warm light began to glow from her palm. Vines curled from the floor of the ship and behind her she heard the boy Titus squawk something incomprehensible. She focused on the wounds she could feel coursing through Muu's body and his shoulders slackened slightly as cuts and bruises began to heal. Scheherazade watched the exchange quietly before she inclined her head slightly.

"Still meddling into affairs that don't seem to belong to you, I see."

"That man rubs off on me," Kali pulled back and gave Muu a friendly pat, the general reaching out and ruffling the top of her head affectionately. "I'd love for all of us to catch up over some great food, but it seems we have more pressing matters to attend too."

The Rukh brushed past them and Kali stiffened, eyes snapping back toward where she knew Magnostadt lay and Aladdin was at her side, eyes hard. Scheherazade looked up sharply, gray eyes growing stormy. "What is that?"

"Mister Mogamett did create something like that, after all..." Aladdin said grimly.

Kali's eyes narrowed. The air curled tight, twisting and struggling. White Rukh fluttered wildly around them, brushing tight and almost suffocating them in their presence. But her eyes focused in on the clouds darkening in the distance—no, not clouds.

Black Rukh.

"Aladdin," the blue haired magi at her side glanced to her and Kali kept her eyes trained hard on the cloud of Rukh in the horizon. "What's been going on while I was away?"

"Reim originally launched an attack on Magnostadt," Aladdin explained. "We've managed to have a ceasefire since I told them all that something much darker, something that could destroy this entire world could appear if we don't stop the Chancellor."

"Do I need to get rid of him then?" Kali's eyes sharpened and Aladdin gripped the end of her sash, shaking his head roughly.

"I know he's a good man, he's lost and the hatred that he carries is deep—it's not that easy." Frustration flickered through his eyes and Aladdin bit the bottom of his lip. "An army from Kou is marching on Magnostadt, and we need to stop driving this country into a corner."

"Kou?" Kali turned sharply at the name, eyes growing wide. "Do you know who's leading?"

"We have no word," Scheherazade spoke up quietly.

"Are you afraid?"

I could care less about things like that right now. Kali thought grimly. Whatever price he has on my head or what he intends to wreak havoc on can wait. If this is anything like any of the other worlds, then the best option may be to stop the Chancellor before he can do anymore harm.

A hand tugged her sash sharply and Kali turned, eyes landing on a burning eyed Aladdin, his gaze fierce and almost threatening. Kali took a step back in surprise from the force of his gaze. "Aladdin?"

"I want to save them." Aladdin said fiercely. "The people of Magnostadt, the Chancellor, the people suffering underground, my friends—all of them!"

"Shall we still do away with that man, now?"

You're getting cunning, Cam. Kali narrowed her eyes at her djinn and felt his smile curling in her mind. You know very well now we can't.

"It was rather arrogant of you to think otherwise, wouldn't you say?"

I'm not without my flaws. A grim smile turned Kali's lips upwards and she focused in on the figures materializing in the distance. She didn't need to be up close to know what was being formed in the thick cloud of black Rukh, she'd been maimed and maimed them in return far too many times for her to ever forget.

Those monsters go first. Kali's eyes narrowed and her body flickered. Aladdin's eyes widened and he nodded to Alibaba, pulling his old turban forth to fly them toward the throng of black Rukh. "We have to stop them before they get to the Reim army!"

It's finally starting, isn't it, Cam? Kali inhaled and exhaled, throwing a grin to Muu and Scheherazade behind her before she felt her entire body disappear, the split second of warmth and belonging when she joined the Rukh enveloping her as she focused on the mass of black Rukh. It's all finally happening.

"This is what you have been training for," Camio pressed hard against her mind, warm and fierce. "We will beat back those monsters."

We'll show that bitch what we're made of.

Kali's form flickered and she appeared, arms instantly shooting up to bar herself against the fierce flurry of black Rukh beating wild wings against her. Her eyes narrowed and she peered through the thick mass, trying not to let the battering of darkness in the far corners of her mind break loose. Where are they?

She felt Aladdin and Alibaba only a little ways away on his carpet and she scowled when her eyes finally locked on the black djinn monsters before her. Horrid beasts.

Her hand shot toward her sword, heat beginning to sear up her arm when she froze, their sickly golden eyes focusing on her for a moment before they beat powerful wings and took off in another direction. Her brows furrowed in confusion and she heard Aladdin's voice shouting behind her. "Move, my king. The black Rukh are growing stronger."

Kali disappeared and reappeared beside Aladdin, crouching low on the carpet as Alibaba reached out to steady her. "Where are they going?"

"They're not after the Reim army," Aladdin said grimly.

Kali's eyes widened and her eyes snapped to the dawn breaking on the horizon. Sun began to stretch wide across the land, casting the black Rukh in a looming shadow, and she could still see the three monsters heading fast toward the east. Kali's heart sunk at the memory of Scheherazade's words.

Kou.

"Aladdin," Kali's hand clasped tight onto the magi's shoulder, her hand reaching for the metal vessel user beside her, "Alibaba."

Their eyes turned toward her and they froze, startled by the fierce look of fury that flashed over her features as her entire body flickered and a wave of heat washed over them. "I'm going first."

"Kali-nee—"

To where those monsters are. Kali's eyes narrowed and she disappeared, feeling heat course through her entire body as the familiar words tore from her lips, Raum's roar echoing wild in the back of her head. "Dwell within my body, grant me the power of kings—"

The world around her warped into view. Black blurred her visions, thick, monstrous dark djinns different from the three they'd seen earlier were pressing down hard. A violet scythe stood strong against them, swinging wildly and hacking their limbs into pieces as the piercing shouts and screams of soldiers below filled her ears. Banners flapped wildly in the wind, the familiar emblem emblazoned into her mind as Kali's lips pulled back into a snarl, revealing sharpened fangs as her clawed hands gripped the sword before her tight.

Crimson flames like blood burned brightly beside her, winding up her scaled feet and weaving through her hair as she brought her sword up in a wide arch, eyes burning darkly. "Raum!"

A cascade of flames shot from her swing, opening thick maws like that of a dragon as it shot through several of the djinns. Crimson flames curled along their bodies, warped shrieks escaping the monsters as they burned to ash. Cries of surprise echoed from below, the wind curled at her side and Kali's eyes snapped toward familiar irises as a voice rang out, shock and surprise coloring his tone.

"L-Li?"

"Could it be?"

"That woman is—"

"Kouha!" Kali snarled his name, but the memories that shot through her mind and the fierce surge of affection that flooded through her betrayed her emotions. "Are you alright?"

"Li!" Kouha exclaimed, hair a sharp lavender like the crystals adorning his djinn equip. "Kali, I can't believe—is that really you?"

"In the flesh," Kali grinned darkly, a large bird made entirely of flames shot outwards from her sword and halted the palm of one dark djinn. "Are you hurt?"

"I-I'm fine!" Kouha was at her side, swinging his scythe in a large arch and he sliced through the djinn. "Where have you been all this time? We searched all over for you. Why are you here?"

"I have some business to attend too," Kali mused. Her eyes narrowed at the djinns that were swelling together and bringing their feet up to attack the soldiers below. Her hand shot out, clasping Kouha tightly and his eyes looked up at her sharply, emotions swimming across his face and she offered him a wide smile. "I missed you. It's good to see you."

But let's talk after.

Kali disappeared, reappearing beside another djinn as she dug thick claws into the mess of flesh. Black Rukh instantly shout out at her, battering her cheeks and cutting along her body as she snarled. "Disappear!"

She heard Kouha let out a fierce cry to her side and her eyes snapped to where his scythe had extended. He held it up, eyes fierce and burning as three djinn pressed down hard against it, threatening to crush the soldiers below. Kali lurched forward but a heavy palm slammed fast into her. All air left her lungs and Kali hacked, blood slipping past her lips as she went soaring through the air, nearly slamming into the ground below had a force of flames not cushioned her blow. Her eyes narrowed and she snarled, spitting blood onto the floor as several more djinns peered darkly down at her. "You wanna go?"

"Caution, my king. The battle has only just begun."

Before Kali could make a move, a thick flash of bright, golden orange flashed across her field of vision. Heat washed over all of them and her eyes shot up, lips curling up into a grin as golden blonde shone bright against the plethora of flames curling up around him. "I'm going to hack these djinn into pieces!"

"A metal vessel user?" Kouha exclaimed, shock coloring his features.

Looks good on him. Kali grinned, disappearing and reappearing above several djinns as Alibaba gripped his sword, eyes narrowed in fierce determination. "Let's go, Amon!"

Alibaba was off in a whirl of golden flames, searing through the sky and splitting through djinns as though he were cutting down trees. Kali caught Kouha in the corner of her eye lowering himself to the floor and made a note to check up on him when she could. She wiped blood from the corner of her lips and brought her sword before her. You don't want to be bested by a newbie now, do you, Raum?

"Let's light it up, my king!"

"Those things will just regenerate if you slash through them!"

A vicious laugh echoed in the back of her head and Kali grinned, eyes glittering red as she shot downwards, impaling several djinn and leaving nothing but ash in her wake. She felt a flare of heat from her side and her grin widened when Alibaba burned through the djinn, ash falling to the floor as he raised himself higher into the sky. He looks so dependable now.

"Amol zel Saika!"

"He truly has grown."

"We weren't too late," Aladdin's voice appeared at her side and Kali braced the younger boy, looking worn from the force of traveling so fast. He must've been fighting this whole time. "Thank goodness."

A flare of heat pressed at her side and Alibaba was beside them, eyes narrowed. "Here comes more!"

Kali's eyes shot upwards and more dark djinns fell from the sky, hitting the floor with a ground shattering thud. Her lips pulled back into a fierce snarl and her eyes searched the skies as though she could spot the witch behind all of this herself.

"She would never show herself here."

"We have to stop the source of this," Aladdin murmured, and Kali's eyes narrowed.

A golden light illuminated both of them and they turned in surprise, Alibaba's eyes fierce and burning bright as the five star pentagram appeared before them. "A-Alibaba?"

"Aladdin! Kali! This is no time to be holding back our trump cards! Look at how many we're against!" Alibaba's hair blew back from the force of his flames, curling in a wide arch around him. "We need to give it all we've got!"

Aladdin gazed at him for a second before his eyes hardened and he nodded. "Right."

"Then it's a good thing we complement each other," Kali mused, inhaling and exhaling as she raised Raum to her lips.

"Al Thamen and the dark djinns..." Alibaba's eyes burned brightly. "I'm going to destroy them!"

The Rukh fluttered wildly around them. Kali prepared to cast her own magic when a brush of Rukh fluttered past her ear, brushing soft feathers against her cheek like a whisper and she froze, whirling around with wide eyes.

"Extreme magic—"

A sharp whistle seemed to cut through the air. Bright, glistening blue burning fiercely and brightly as it shot past and destroyed several of the djinns marching forward. Kali's eyes widened, heart thudding wildly in her chest at the sight of the familiar color.

It couldn't be.

"U-Unbelievable, Alibaba!"

"T-That wasn't me!"

All three of them whirled around, the ground below them shaking with the force of each thundering step. Kali's eyes widened at the hulking figure that advanced forward, the earth shuddering force of thousands of soldiers hitting the ground. Alibaba's jaw dropped beside her. "What the hell is that ridiculously strong looking monster?"

Just because they're here doesn't mean—

The familiar brush of Rukh cut sharply past her and Kali's chest tightened.

Scarlet carpets fluttered fiercely against the wind as they lowered to the ground. Several figures stood tall above them, hitting the floor and marching forward; hulking, powerful, and familiar frames glaring fiercely at the djinns gathered below.

One single person remained behind them.

He took steps forward from his carpet with the grace of a jungle cat. Scarlet hair, deep and burning bright against the black of his cape and the golden of the metal adorning his figure. His eyes were focused solely on the enemy before them, swallowing them whole in a gaze that left nothing else for anyone else to gaze upon, it burned fiercely, not the barest hint of fear or bravery or any other emotion breaking across his features, simply raw, solid, and burning—

Power.

Kali felt the air leave her lungs, her hand shot out and she steadied herself on Aladdin. The magi looked to her in alarm, eyes wide at her deathly pale expression and quickly helping her remain in the air. "K-Kali-nee?"

Camio. Kali tried to swallow the dry lump in her throat. This is where I end. I thought I could make it long enough to see the end of this war, but I was wrong. My story ends here. Write tales of all my deeds for years to come for me, okay?

"My king, if you leave this earth then I will part as well."

Rukh fluttered to him, wild and fierce and loving. His name began to fall off the lips of the soldiers below them. It rang fiercely in the air, echoed loudly throughout the valley and demanded to be recognized and looked upon. It spoke of power and promise and hope.

A name that struck both fear and fondness into the very core of her being.

Ren Kouen.

But maybe he hasn't noticed me yet? Kali arched a brow, looking curiously hopeful. He isn't looking this way, he's just focused on the enemy in front of him.

"What a frightening man."

Kouen's household made quick work of the remaining djinns. They tore them to pieces, flames enveloping them whole and letting ashes hit the floor. Smoke and fire curled thickly around the mess before them and Kali grimaced, the familiar smell weaving tight around her. Always fire.

"They're amazing..." Alibaba murmured, watching in disbelief as Kouen's household pushed the djinns back. "But I feel like this isn't the first time we've seen this before... No, the ones in Balbadd."

"But they're much different from them," Aladdin agreed. His eyes followed the thick stream of Rukh coursing from the household members and landed on Kouen. "They're drawing Rukh from that man..."

"Kouen," Kali said softly. The two instantly turned to her deathly pale face and Kali was using both their shoulders to steady herself, face set into a permanent grimace as she contemplated the set of options before her. "His name is Kouen. Ren Kouen."

"The first prince of the Kou Empire..." Alibaba said.

"They are only as strong as their king," Camio mused. "How far this man has come since the last time we saw them."

I'm going to die if I stay here. Kali took a hesitant step back, eyes darting to the far off horizon. Solomon knows what he's going to do once he realizes I'm here. I'm blessed he's got such a one track mind when it comes to the battlefield.

But Kouha... Her eyes trailed back to the younger male and stopped when she saw Kouen had already approached his brother, soft pink feathers curling outwards from his sword. Her shoulders slackened slightly and Kali's eyes flickered. Of course he wouldn't leave his brother.

Because that is the man he is.

Kali swallowed.

"Vanguard unit, all surviving troops to retreat! Take those who can still move with you! Kan Meiho, under your command have them join the first occupation forces stationed in the mountains!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Bring all the wounded to one place, I'll take responsibility for them all!"

Soldiers quickly set out to follow their lord's orders. Those who were wounded and could still move helped those who couldn't and gathered together in a small huddle. Kouha winced, flexing his arm and looking up hesitantly to his brother as he ground his teeth. I've failed here... Kouha's eyes landed on the bright crimson red standing beside Aladdin and Alibaba and he stopped, eyes snapping quickly to his eldest brother, who had yet to notice her thinly veiled presence.

"E-Entei," Kouha started uncertainly as Kouen reached for his sword to begin healing his troops. "I... I don't know if you've noticed, but—"

A soft, gentle white light began to glow beside the two of them. Kouen froze, grip tightening on his hilt as he turned his head to the side. Thin vines were beginning to sprout from the earth, curling gently around the wounded and bathing them in a gentle glow. His eyes took in the sight of the startled soldiers and followed the vines, taking them in fiercely before he whipped his head around and snapped his gaze toward the sky.

In the back of his mind he registered the blonde metal vessel user and the blue haired boy, but his gaze focused on one figure and one figure alone.

Soft gray met searing crimson, and the air around them shifted, Rukh calling and tugging and everything seemed to fall quiet.

Kali watched his entire body tense. His eyes widened for a split second as surprise barely colored his features and then it settled. His face was a stone mask, intense, unrelenting as he honed in solely on her. It threatened to send a shiver down her spine, how fiercely he focused on her, and beside her Aladdin and Alibaba stiffened in surprise. I could run. Kali mused.

As if sensing her thoughts his hand touched his sword, and Kali was completely certain if she tried such a thing she was not getting out of this unscathed, even with the speed she could disappear from his grasp again, just like that. But where's the fun in that?

"What is our next move, my king?"

Kouen waited for her to make the first move.

You always did say, Kali inhaled and exhaled, drawing whatever ounce of strength she could to herself and she tightened her grip on the two boys beside her. Releasing her hands she slowly drifted to the ground. Flames licked at her feet and she could sense Aladdin and Alibaba following her close behind. You reap what you sow.

Bare feet touched the rough earth, feeling the dirt steady beneath her as her equip flashed golden and left. Kali's hair, still wound tightly back into a ponytail brushed against her cheek and she raised her gaze upwards, standing tall and still before the man she hadn't seen for moons. Kouen made no move, remaining still and solid in front of her, eyes never leaving her gaze.

Close to the edges Kouen's household had turned their attention back toward their prince, eyes widening at the sight of Kali. "Wait a minute, isn't that the woman who—"

"My lord," Jun-Jun started, moving closer to Kouha. "Isn't that woman the one from before?"

"K-Kali?" Alibaba whispered, eyes darting to the woman in front of him. "Do you know him?"

Whispers started flying from the soldiers gathered nearby. Their faces began to dawn in recognition of the familiar features of the woman labeled on posters all across their empire in a search that had never ended headed by Lord Kouen himself.

"I suppose," Kali mused, and Kouen shifted at the sound of her voice.

A thousand different thoughts ran through Kali's head. They raced through and tumbled over each other, fighting for one clear, single coherency. Memories, quiet whispers, and eyes that threatened to swallow her whole, filled with nothing but an earnest, fierce desire. Kali ignored the storm gathering and instead she held her head up high, taking a few steps forward to where a vine was curling from the earth and she let her fingers brush against it. Kouen made no move.

Kali wondered what the best thing to say in a moment like this was. She could apologize, she supposed, but she doubted that was going to save her life. She could laugh, or perhaps even tease him, which could also end in her getting killed. Everyone went quiet around them.

What do you want to say the most?

Her eyes left the vine and turned back to Kouen. Her shoulders slackened slightly, Kouen's eyes dipping to the movement and then back to her, taking in the way her lips began to curl upwards into the smallest smile and her eyes softened.

"I'm glad you're alright."

Kouen took purposeful strides toward her. Kali started at the sudden movement, eyes widening slightly in fear as her face paled. His gaze was intense, never leaving, never ceasing, and she swallowed the lump in her throat as he advanced further on her, closing the distance between them in a mere matter of seconds. She kept her chin high, not relenting and refusing to cower under his stare as he stood before her now. His cape swept around him like a shadow from the force of his movements, Alibaba's hand shot to his sword and Kouen loomed over her, not a word escaping his lips.

Kali shakily met his gaze, fearing for once she might end up swallowed in those sharp crimson eyes. "...Kouen?"

His hand seized her wrist in a fierce grip. Kali winced as he suddenly tugged her arm far forward. Kali stumbled, her free hand shooting out to brace herself on his chest and she looked up sharply in alarm, bracing herself to disappear. His other hand shot forward and gripped her chin hard enough to bruise, tipping her face forward.

Gray locked onto fierce crimson and her eyes widened as the realization of what he was about to do came too little too late, for in a mere matter of seconds, Kouen jerked her chin forward.

His lips slammed onto her own with no remorse. Kali's eyes went wide, cheeks flushing darkly and Kouen gripped her chin tightly. His lips seared against hers, pressing hard and making her heart thud wildly against her chest, head spinning and fingers curling tight into his uniform.

"W-What?" Alibaba screeched, hands flying to his hair and Aladdin was staring with wide eyes as though he'd been broken.

"K-Kali-nee!"

Behind Kouen, Kouha was gaping, eyes wide with disbelief and stumbling to find his words while his servants were swooning at the sight, fierce blushing coloring their cheeks. Kouen's household gaped in disbelief, just as everyone else, looking stunned into silence.

"E-Entei..."

AIR. Kali forgot to breathe through her nose and she struggled to wrench her hand from Kouen's grip, jerking her chin roughly to the side and disconnecting their lips. Her eyes searched his, trying to find a single thought to latch onto, but the searing look he returned was nothing she could fathom. Kali balked, lips bruised as she opened her mouth but Kouen returned full force, pressing his lips roughly to hers and her eyes seemed to bulge from her head.

She felt his lips part her own and Kali bit down. Copper flooded her mouth and his grip slackened slightly. Kali quickly shoved him back with whatever force she could muster, her free hand shooting up to her furiously blushing cheeks as she stumbled backwards and wrenched her hand from his grip.

Kali stumbled and nearly fell backwards to the ground. Alibaba and Aladdin quickly rushed to hold her steady, their own eyes wide with disbelief and shock, unable to comprehend what just happened in front of them. A trickle of blood trailed from the corner of Kali's lips and she swiped it with the back of her wrist, forcing the blush on her cheeks down.

Kouen remained still and fierce before her, not an ounce of remorse or guilt on his features as he merely reached a finger up to touch his lip where she'd drawn blood. He spared it a brief glance and focused his gaze back onto her.

"I'm glad," his voice came out in a deep, low drawl, and it sent a shiver down Kali's spine. "You are well."

"Some greeting," Kali said grimly. Her heart hammered wildly in her chest and her head was spinning too fast for her to latch onto anything. Camio seemed to have gone mute somewhere in the back of her mind. "Didn't realize you missed me that much."

Oh, what have I gotten myself into, Cam? Kali mused, eyes never leaving the ferocious man in front of her. I've really underestimated this one.

"I wished to make it clear," Kouen said flatly, "where my feelings stand."

His fingers curled and uncurled at his sides. In all honesty, he wanted nothing more than to seize the woman before him and make it so that she could never slip through his fingers again. His eyes took in the thin cuts that still lined her arms, a growing bruise on her leg and he clicked his tongue. Her djinn is lacking.

"F-F-Feelings?" Alibaba squawked, jostling Kali. "What the hell is he talking about?"

"K-Kali-nee," Aladdin shakily turned to face Kali, holding a trembling finger up to point toward Kouen. "I-Is this man—"

"Your lover?"

Kali easily waved the notion aside. Her blush had finally settled and Kouen had fixed a hard, burning glare on her form as she slumped back a bit with a crooked grin. "No, no, nothing troublesome like that. I guess you could say he wanted to marry me though."

No use hiding it now. Kali tried to ignore the memory of burning lips on hers. I promised I wouldn't run away anymore.

Kouen's gaze finally tore itself from her form and settled hard on the two people beside Kali. His eyes narrowed slightly, face stoic and hands at his side. Several thoughts ran through his head, demands and thoughts all centering around the woman standing between the other two, but others matters were pressing despite the chance that had presented itself before him now.

"Who are you?"

Beside her Alibaba stiffened, and Kali's gaze flickered to him, worry shooting fast through her veins. Camio's advice to stop comparing the worlds that'd she'd lived through before rang loud and clear, but it was impossible not to feel the fear of this world because of the fact that she had no idea what was going to happen. She couldn't predict anything, couldn't figure any of it out...

"Just as they all have to live," Camio said quietly. "Just as we should live."

I thought you ran away for a second.

"I was merely...caught unaware."

Alibaba's eyes hardened and he faced Kouen dead on, something Kali felt a surge of pride towards. "A prince of the kingdom of Balbadd, Alibaba Saluja."

"I thought the whole family was executed..."

"Wasn't it after the coup?"

"I hear thanks to the Seven Seas Alliance, the sons of the former king managed to escape..."

"So that metal vessel user is under Sindria's control?" Kin questioned stiffly.

"Then he's our enemy." Seishuu said.

The soldiers around them stiffened at these words. Spears were lowered and despite their battered appearances, hard lines etched across their faces. Kali's eyes narrowed in response to the action, shoulders stiffening—an action that did not go unnoticed by Kouen and his eyes narrowed, assessing the space between Alibaba and Kali critically.

"Alibaba..." Aladdin began, worry flickering across his face, but Alibaba remained firm.

"It's alright, Aladdin. For the sake of the future, this is the one guy I can't let myself turn my back on," warm amber eyes met gray and Kali paused. "Kali, I'm not sure what your relationship with this man is, but I..."

Her hand stretched outwards and gripped his tightly. Kouen's eyes narrowed. Kali offered Alibaba a soft look, no words escaping her lips. With you.

Alibaba took slow strides forward. Kali waited beside Aladdin, watching the entire exchange sharply. Kouen didn't move from his spot, regarding Alibaba coolly as the former prince came to stand before him. A taut silence wound thickly over all of them, and Kali felt her fingers shift restlessly, tempted to rest on the hilt of her sword.

Alibaba's hand suddenly jutted out and she froze. "I have come to this battlefield in order to protect the third prince of the Kou Empire, Ren Kouha!"

"What?" Kouha exclaimed.

"I have also brought with me my trusted companion." Alibaba stepped aside so Kali was once more in view and the woman behind him blinked round eyes at the entire exchange. "Kali, who it seems you have been searching for."

"Interesting," Camio mused, and for once Kali felt a little stab of annoyance that he was catching onto something before she could and not sharing. What?

"I thought you would have caught on by now, my king."

It's kind of been a long day and I'm not as smart as everyone thinks I am—care to enlighten me?

"So that's what's going on here!" Jun-Jun said happily.

Kouha bristled at her side, fury quickly lining his features and it was beginning to dawn on Kali the kind of position Alibaba had managed to put himself in. "From the start, he came with the intention of saving us!"

"He's got to be bluffing." Seishuu scoffed.

"No, in this case, the truth doesn't matter." Kokuton shook his head. "The point is that he declared himself in front of us all. If our lord acknowledges him, we can't lay a finger on that guy."

"And he's voiced to be close it seems, with our lord's lover," Kin added. "Which could prove quite problematic if such a thing were true and if our lord were to take action against him, well..."

Their eyes strayed purposefully to the woman standing beside Aladdin. There was a look of intense concentration on Kali's face as she rubbed her chin, trying to keep up with all these political moves and sneaky underlying meanings. The three household members blinked.

"It would seem as though she hasn't changed much."

"No, perhaps a bit, she managed to hold her own against our lord, after all."

"Barely."

Kouen's gaze never once strayed from Alibaba's. Tension crackled, low and thick, alongside the curl of smoke still filling the air. Kali shifted, uncertain as her eyes darted between the two, ready to intervene but still not putting it past Kouen at this point to try anything else—not like he has anything to lose.

"So you don't want me to look down on you," Kouen began coldly. "For the sake of the country that you've already lost, and you want to ensure your safety by making clear to me that you have ties with her, someone I have clearly marked as important to myself."

Alibaba stiffened, his eyes shot downwards and his hands curled into tight fists at his side. Shame showed clear on his face as his cheeks flushed and Kouen merely took easy strides forward, coming to stop beside Alibaba and clasping him on the shoulder. "I thank you. It was good of you to rescue Kouha."

His eyes strayed upwards to where Kali was watching to blonde male, worry clear in her gaze and his eyes narrowed. "And for bringing this woman here with you, as well."

Alibaba. Aladdin quickly moved toward his friend, reaching out toward him and Kali took a step forward to follow, eyes setting hard in determination. Any thoughts of moving forward were quickly whisked away though as Kouen stopped before her. Kali balked, quickly taking a step back and tensing her arms at her side, warily watching the man who gazed coolly down at her.

What should I do in a situation like this, Cam? Kali grimaced. Kouen was standing directly in her way of advancing any further toward the two beyond him. Soldiers were casting them uncertain glances and she swallowed, trying very hard to erase the fact that he'd just nearly kissed her senseless out of nowhere and without any warning.

"I see that in all the time you've spent running away," Kouen began, voice cool and clear, resounding through every cell in her body. "You've found yourself some comrades to invest your time into."

Ouch. Kali's lips curled upwards into a bit of a wicked grin, eyes flashing defiantly and Kouen's eyes sharpened at the look. "I never swore loyalty to Kou, after all."

Kouen's eyes narrowed, head tipping to the side slightly. "Yet you deem it fit to heal our soldiers."

"Well, I'm not heartless, you know."

If he thinks being an asshole is going to get him anywhere closer to my heart, he's gotten a lot more warped then before. "You did run away after promising to give him an answer after he put his heart out on the line for you."

Kali completely froze at Camio's words, the resounding truth beneath them startling her. She turned her thoughts inwards and frowned. Cam, whose side are you really on?

"I'm aware." Kouen's eyes narrowed, seeming to realize that her thoughts had strayed. He'd spent far too long chasing after this woman and wasting time that could have been spent far more wisely with her by his side long ago.

His hand shot out and Kali let out a squeak of surprise, face paling as his hand fisted itself into the soft fabric of her tunic, clutching hold of bits of her sash as well. Kouen hauled her upwards, her feet dangling a little bit from the floor and Kali's hands instantly shot to his fist, eyes wide with surprise. "E-Easy there, Kouen. I don't know what you're thinking but—"

"I believe I did not make myself clear," Kouen began curtly, his eyes boring intensely into hers and Kali swallowed. "I allowed you to slip through my grasp once—a foolish mistake on my part."

His fist tightened around the fabric of her clothes and Kali lurched as he brought her closer, practically nose to nose as his eyes narrowed and Kali felt actual fear pooling into her stomach. Rukh fluttered wildly around them, curling tight around Kouen.

"I will not let it happen again," Kouen snarled. "That is a promise."

"You'd think he were swearing to get vengeance on you," Camio mused. "Not his affections."

Cam, for real, whose side are you on?

Kali's eyes snapped to where the earth seemed to rumble. Dark djinns were beginning to gather again, but Kouen hardly spared them a glance as his household began to advance. Kali blinked in disbelief, turning her gaze back to the man before her. What a terrifying guy. He's not even worried about those monsters with a household like his.

"I get it, I get it," Kali managed, hands patting the one that kept her suspended in air. Kouen's gaze narrowed further and she rolled her eyes. "I'm not going anywhere this time, alright?"

Words hesitated on the edge of her lips. Kali's eyes lowered to the floor and Kouen paused, drinking in the new expression coloring over Kali's features. Her eyes glittered before they rose up and met his firmly, her lips curling slightly into a wry grin. "We can catch each other up."

I missed you.

"H-Hey... Aladdin..." Alibaba began uncertainly, turning over his shoulder and watching the entire lover's spat with a pale complexion. "I don't know what to make of this."

"N-Neither do I," Aladdin admitted. "I always thought Uncle Sinbad was the only man in Kali's life..."

Kali watched a breath of Rukh flutter past Kouen's ear curiously, wondering what thoughts they might've whispered past him as his gaze flickered and his grip on her tightened. Kouen's lips curled upwards into a smirk, eyes glittering almost dangerously. "You've got some real nerve saying such things in a situation like this."

I don't know what he's referring too. Kali's brows scrunched in confusion. Did he actually get my hidden meaning or is he just talking about what I said? He's always so damn confusing and rough and—

Kali felt a shuddering pulse rack hard through her body. She stuttered, hands gripping Kouen's arm tightly and his eyes narrowed, grip on her slacking. "Oi—"

Kali's entire body flickered, flashing transparent for a second as her eyes went wide. Kouen stiffened, alarm flashing for the briefest of seconds across his face as he brought her closer to steady her. His hands swiped through air and his gaze snapped to her sharply. Kali's face contorted into a grimace, pain coloring her features and she slipped through Kouen grasp. Her entire body flickered, threatening to fade from existence before she plunged her hands deep into the earth and steadied herself.

"My king!"

"Kali!" Alibaba was at her side, hands settling on her shoulders and Kali felt relief rack hard through her body. "Are you alright? What was that?"

"Fine," Kali rasped, slowly extracting her hand from the dirt and gazing at the smears of mud and dust. "I'm alright, but—"

Another sharp pang forced her body to flicker and Kali lurched. Alibaba flinched when Kouen was suddenly crouched before her, eyes narrowed as he reached outwards and his fingers skimmed past Kali as though she were nothing but air. He reached for her once more and his hands finally enclosed around the cloth of her clothes. "What's going on?"

"Our reunion has to wait," Kali breathed, eyes narrowing as a thick fury began to wound tightly in the pit of her stomach. She felt Camio stir in the back of her mind, anger and rage welling tightly within the usual calm expanse of his presence and Kali's eyes slowly crawled skywards. "We have more pressing matters to deal with, it seems."

Everyone froze as the entire world seemed to wind itself tighter and tighter. The sky above them rumbled, thick clouds darkening overhead as a mass of shadows began to form in its center. Kali felt fear, wild and raw run rampant in the depths of her mind, overshadowed only by the intense anger she felt welling hot in her heart and threatening to spill past her lips. Her eyes darkened and she snarled, body solidifying once more.

They actually did it. "Scum," Kali spat. Kouen's gaze snapped to her, taking in the sight of her fury and the almost feral look that was beginning to run wild in her eyes, turning gray-blue eyes into a storm that matched the one above them. Monsters.

"No way..." Aladdin took hesitant steps forward, his eyes wide with despair. "It can't be..."

"What is it?" Alibaba questioned, eyes growing wide.

A thick, swirling mass of darkness was beginning to descend from the swirling mass of clouds. Tendrils of shadows waved and curled thickly around the sphere-like shape. Its massive figure peered down above them like an ebony sun, and Kali felt her lips pull back into a snarl.

Even in this world. Kali's fingers dug deep scars through the earth, anger curling thick and tightly around her. Even in this world. Even in this precious, beautiful world—

"Even if we stop the war," Aladdin murmured weakly. "Even if we stop the dark djinns, if that makes it here, it's all over..."

The blue haired magi's gaze snapped to Kali and focused on the man looming only an arm's reach from her. Kouen's gaze was focused intently on the gathering mass of darkness above them and Aladdin's eyes steeled in determination. "Uncle Kouen!"

Kali felt her grip on the earth momentarily slip. "U-Uncle?"

Kouen turned, brow arching slightly. "Please pull back your troops! If this battle goes on, everyone will die!"

Kouen regarded Aladdin, mild thoughtfulness flickering across his features as his eyes strayed back to Kali, whose gaze hadn't left the swirling mass of darkness that was beginning to gather above them.

"Lord Kouen, please disregard the inane prattle of this little brat," Seishuu scoffed.

"We don't have time for this!" Kali snarled. Kouen's eyes sharpened on her form and Kali stood on shaky legs, willing ever part of her body to listen to her right this moment or else be left behind to rot.

Shadows began to lick at her heels. Thick strands of darkness were beginning to seep from the bracelets on her wrists and Kali reached a hand toward it as pentagram began to glow. "Dwell within my body—"

"Kali-nee, please wait!" Aladdin's hand clasped tight around her wrist, halting her transformation and Kali whirled around to face him, eyes wild and frantic. "You can't take that thing on alone, we have to work together!"

"We don't have time to waste," Kali said thickly. Her eyes hardened and fury began to color her features, directed solely toward the monstrous being taking shape above them. "I won't let anything happen to this world—I refuse to let anything happen!"

"This world?" Alibaba echoed, brows furrowing in confusion and Kouen's eyes narrowed.

I won't. Kali chanted. I won't. I won't. I won't. "I don't care what it takes, nothing matters now expect stopping that thing from doing any harm!"

"You'll die if you try to fight it on your own!" Aladdin urged.

Kouen's eyes darkened. Aladdin's grip tightened on Kali's arm, expression fierce and unyielding. "There's no point if you go up there just to get yourself killed!"

"I could care less if I die!" Kali began desperately. "I'm not going to stand by and let them take anything else away from me!"

"Boy," Kouen said darkly, his eyes intense and unrelenting as Aladdin flinched at his searing gaze. "What are you talking about?"

S-Scary. Aladdin paled a bit, eyes flickering to his grip on Kali, perhaps the only thing keeping the woman from shooting off with reckless abandon to fight on her own. If he's like this because of Kali-nee...

Aladdin's eyes hardened and he bit the bottom of his lip, raising his hand upwards. "If you don't believe me, then let them tell you themselves!"

Kali's eyes snapped to him in surprise as the Rukh formed tightly around Aladdin, swinging and fluttering madly as a pentagram began to glow at the center of his head. "Everyone, show yourselves!"

A fierce storm of Rukh bathed them all in a gentle glow. Kali's eyes went wide, heart surging as a familiar feeling rushed over her and the metal adorning her figure began to glow. The air wove tighter, Rukh beating wings in tandem and several towering shapes began to take form. The three Kali assumed to be Kouen's djinn appeared, bowing their heads and bringing a hand to their chest. "Our king and Solomon's reincarnation."

"These are all my djinns..." Kouen said lowly. The soldiers stirred and his eyes turned toward Aladdin with newfound interest. "I see. This is the fourth magi that Judal spoke of."

Kouha's djinn appeared, Alibaba's following suit and Kali turned her focus to the storm of Rukh gathering before her, several figures beginning to take form and a wide smile split her lips. Her eyes focused solely on the single figure in the center, warm, familiar eyes and a hulking figure entwined in hundreds of vines gazed down at her, head lowering into a bow. "My king."

"Cam," Kali breathed, her eyes filling with happiness as a wide smile split fiercely across her lips.

Kali surged forward, arms extending outward and Camio bowed his massive figure, hands curling gently around her as his eyes softened. "I have never left you, my king."

"I know," Kali said, voice thick with joy. "But it doesn't mean that I miss seeing you."

"Don't we get any love?" Raum sniffed, running a hand through his thick locks and drifting his eyes to the side. "It's always Camio, Camio, Camio—you use me the most, you know."

"For convenience," Ose said haughtily. "My dearest gets the real work done with me."

"What was that, you harlot?"

"Take it back, you lizard!"

Fox ears twitched atop a fox-like face. Asmodeé turned, ears pricking forward in interest at the familiar figure several lengths from her and her gaze brightened. "Agares!"

"K-Kali's djinns," Alibaba murmured, Amon nodding at his words.

"Your friend has gathered a familiar crowd," Amon agreed. Camio flashed the older male a warning look over the top of Kali's head and the djinn refocused his attention toward the crowd gathered before them, dungeon conquerors and his fellow djinns.

Kouen regarded Camio's hulking form and the djinn's gaze turned smoothly to the first prince, a smile curling on his lips that didn't quite reach his eyes. Kouen's gaze narrowed.

"Our kings... Please seal off the dark void," Amon began gravely. "Otherwise, this world will be destroyed!"

"What do you mean?" Alibaba questioned, brows furrowing.

"A hole has opened up in the western skies," Amon turned toward the thick mass of darkness, tendrils curling out from the break in the clouds. "From there, an incarnation of evil will ascend!"

"It will take all life," Camio said, his hand never leaving Kali's side as she gazed fiercely toward the mass of darkness. "It will destroy all."

"His hands will rob everything he touches of the white Rukh that flows through this world," Amon said. "Everything will perish. A place where nothing moves, nothing can be heard... A complete world of death. Along with the black sun, it will surely come today, to this world of yours."

Tension curled thick around everyone gathered. Looks of horror colored their faces, save for the stern look that remained over Kouen's features and the fierce, wild look that had taken over Kali's.

"Everyone's gonna die, you hear me?" Leraje urged. "Don't let this world become another Alma Torran!"

Kali flinched, eyes snapping upwards at her words. Camio's hand tightened around her and Astaroth held a hand out in warning. "Leraje! That is taboo. The people of this world aren't supposed to know about the existence of the 'other world'."

"Other World, did you say?" Kouen's brows furrowed. "Destruction of the world... Don't tell me..."

"You're telling us to stop it, but how do we do that, Amon?" Alibaba called out.

"You must destroy the Medium," Amon answered gravely.

"Medium?"

"The incarnation of evil, Ill Ilah, is a high ranking entity from another dimension who normally wouldn't exist in a place like our world. The power spot that serves to pull it down into this world... That is the Medium." Amon explained. "A vast amount of black Rukh and magoi, crystallized. That is what Al Thamen was trying to create by causing an abnormality of the world. Their ultimate goal."

"So we just have to destroy that, right?" Aladdin stepped forward.

"But first we have to find it," Kali snarled. "Before it destroys this world too."

"That is correct, magi, but it will be a grueling battle." Amon warned. "Even if you, Solomon's incarnation were present."

"It won't just be him." Kali stepped from Camio's side and her djinn's eyes softened.

"Even so, my king," Camio shook his head. "You alone cannot defeat it. You know that very well."

Her djinns nodded in response, Raum's eyes narrowing. "You plunged into world after world and the result has always been the same."

"Hey," Kouen's voice rang out sharply, and Aladdin and Kali turned toward the crimson haired prince, his eyes fierce and unrelenting. "Other worlds? Solomon's incarnation? What are you talking about? Don't tell me that this Other World you're talking about... Are you referring to the world that Solomon once ruled over, and was destroyed long ago?"

Kali's jaw dropped. Aladdin's eyes widened in equal surprise as Kali spluttered beside him, seeming to short circuit. How the hell does he know about that? He didn't know about that before! "How do you know about Alma Torran, Uncle?"

Kouen's hand shot out, fisting Aladdin's clothes and jerking him upwards to meet him face to face. Kali balked, face paling at the action. "K-Kouen!"

"Tell me everything you know, right now!" Kouen commanded.

"Y-You're hurting me, Uncle!" Aladdin weakly patted at his arm, face turning pale.

"Ah, Lord Kouen! Please, don't be unreasonable toward the magi!" Astaroth pleaded, Phenex and Agars holding their hands up and shaking their heads in unison.

Kali stepped forward, snatching Kouen's cape and tugging sharply. "Hey! If you hurt him you're going to have some big problems to deal with—"

"And you," Kali flinched, face paling as she took a step back, but Kouen's free arm shot out and curled around her neck, putting her into a head lock and Kali let out a squawk of surprise, clutching at his arm in disbelief as he pulled her tight against his side and turned his furious gaze onto her. "We have a lot to discuss on these other worlds you speak so fondly of. There will be no negotiations."

Kali shuddered, his grip around her neck tightening as he tucked her tight against his side and turned his ferocious gaze back to Aladdin. Kouen's djinn waved their hands in distress and Kali's waved their arms in anger. "H-Hey! Tell your master to let ours go! He doesn't own her!"

Alibaba rushed forward, prying fiercely at Kouen's arms and the prince's grip tightened on Aladdin. "Come on!"

I think he just got scarier. Kali thought, completely terrified. He got scarier and greedier—and smarter. Oh, Cam I've gotten involved with a monster.

"I know!" Aladdin exclaimed, jutting a finger at Kouen and Kali turned over Kouen's arm to watch him, her arms clutching weakly at his. "If you pull back your soldiers and help us destroy the Medium, I'll tell you everything, Uncle!"

The djinns started back in shock. "A-Are you sure about that, magi?"

"If you start shooting your mouth off to people of this world, the normal flow of destiny created by Solomon will..."

"Do you really want to tell this guy about that?" Kali exclaimed in disbelief. Kouen's gaze snapped to her and she wheezed, his arm tightening around her throat. "K-Kouen, you're... Choking... Me..."

"This is an emergency." Aladdin protested weakly, eyes narrowed in distress. "We don't have time to worry about stuff like that."

Kouen's lips curled upwards into a wicked grin. "Very well."

He released his grip on Aladdin, the magi falling to the ground with a noise of surprise. His grip curled tight on Kali, her arms managing to weasel between his and her neck and hang over his arm as she looked at Aladdin in disbelief. "Hey! Let me go too—"

Kouen's mouth parted, inhaling deeply and Kali's eyes went round. Before she could disappear, a fierce energy washed over all of them and Kouen's voice rang out like a roar, echoing fiercely around all of them. "KOUMEI. HAKURYUU. HAKUEI. KOUGYOKU. COME TO ME THIS SECOND!"

Rukh shot fiercely upwards into the sky. Soldiers nearby covered their ears weakly. Kali, now limp in Kouen's one armed grip around her middle hung loosely at his side, eyes spinning and ears ringing. "Bastard... Didn't have to... do it right... by my ear..."

"Where are the wounded? As soon as we're done rescuing the heavy casualties, Kouha and I will be leaving!"

"D-Do you actually believe it?" Kouha stood, hands still clasped over his ears. "That ridiculous story he just told..."

"Whether I believe it or not, this is the abyss of history that I've been seeking. If I can solve the riddle of this world before I unify it, then there'll be no need to fight thousands of battles, over and over." Kouen smirked, glancing down to the limp woman under his arm, her ears ringing. "Since it appears it involves this woman as well, I get to kill two birds with one stone."

"You had to use that analogy," Kali's feathers rustled atop her head and she disappeared from Kouen's grip. His eyes merely narrowed in annoyance and she reappeared beside Aladdin and Alibaba, crumpling weakly to the floor as she rubbed her temples from the resounding echo of his voice still in her head.

"Hey, magi!" Aladdin flinched and Kouen's eyes turned fierce.

"I'm going to lend you the power of every metal vessel user in the Kou Empire. In return, when it's all over..." Kouen drew his sword from his sheathe, jutting it sharply into the air as his lips curled into a ferocious grin. "You're going to tell me everything about the truth of this world!"

His eyes narrowed, shadows looming over the edge of his face and his household stood tall and foreboding behind him. "Got that?"

"A-Aladdin," Kali pawed at Aladdin's sleeve, eyes wide with fear for her friend. "What have you just done?"

"I had no choice!" Aladdin whispered desperately. "We need his help!"

"Kali."

Kali jolted, never having imagined her own name could strike fear into her heart as she shakily turned her gaze around. The glistening tip of Kouen's sword met her gaze and she flinched back in surprise, face paling at the sight as Kouen loomed over her, eyes dark with promise. "Should you even consider running once all this is settled, I will strike you where you stand."

Solomon help me. Kali grimaced, swallowing dryly and she allowed herself to crack a shaky grin, raising a hand up and gripping Kouen's blade as she shoved it away from her face. "You sure know how to romance a woman."

I'm pretty sure I can run faster than he can kill me. Kali mused. But who knows how else he's changed after all this time.

"Hakuryuu..." Her eyes snapped to Alibaba, whose brows started to furrow. "Is he coming?"

"He said he would..." Aladdin murmured. "But how could he even hear?"

"The thing is, we send messages to our troops through clairvoyance magic!" Jun-Jun explained eagerly. "Although the distance it can travel varies on skill level and the amount of magoi put into it. In this case, we splurged all our magic and—"

Kouha's hands plastered quickly over her lips. "Listen, you—stop spilling our military secrets, please!"

The corner of Kali's lips curled upwards. Warmth flashed through her eyes for a brief second before she blinked, quietly surveying the scene before her in mild disbelief.

Camio's presence filled her mind, his physical form along with the other djinns having disappeared only moments ago. "My king?"

It's all coming together, Cam. Kali's hand went to the metal feather around her neck, gripping it tight. We've been fighting all this time in all these different worlds. It's finally come to the one that matters most, all the people we've met all this time...

"Destiny." Camio said simply, the single word echoing loud and fierce in her mind. "That, my king, is what we call destiny."

A small hand laid itself gently on her shoulder and Kali's eyes met bright blue, the fierce look of determination and strength shining through. Hazy memories, distant faces and quiet longing tugged deep in the far corner of her heart. The small smile on Kali's face widened, eyes shining as she gazed at Aladdin. "Together, Kali-nee."

What's different from every other world. Kali moved to stand and a firm hand snatched her wrist, tugging her upwards onto her feet and she met burning crimson with a wry grin, Aladdin flinching at her side. What we did differently in every world but this one.

Kouen's fingers lingered over her skin before he gripped his sword and turned his focus skyward, the prospect of what he'd been searching for all this time and the hunt he'd been undergoing finally coming to end. His lips curled upwards into a smirk, power radiating off every cell of his body. "Spirit of fear and meditation, I order thee and thy household members—envelop me, dwell within my body, and grant me the power of kings."

Kouen's eyes burned. "Astaroth!"

Heat fanned wild over Kali's body, scorching trailing wisps of flames at her heels and licking at her cheeks. Eyes inked the corners and burning fiercely with the flames of his equip returned her gaze. Kouen stood before her in all his djinn equip glory, the familiar serpents curling at the ends of his hair and a flamed serpent arching over his shoulders. To the side Kouha's equip flashed into presence, Alibaba raising his sword and calling forth his own.

Kouen watched her expectantly and she grinned, the far memory of trading equips with him flickering through her mind and she pulled Raum forth from her sash.

This time...

A roar of excitement filled her mind and Kali pressed her lips to her blade, gray eyes shining crimson as ruby red flames engulfed her being. Thick horns curled over her head and scales lined her arms and feet. Scarlet sashes curled over her hips and Kali turned her fierce gaze back toward the sky.

We're not fighting alone.


Actually considered what it would be like if I made this whole fight one chapter and then contemplated slapping myself for ever thinking something so stupid.

THE REUNION YALL WERE WAITING FOR HAS FINALLY COME. I hope it lived up to most of your expectations or went however you were hoping it would. I contemplated their reunion for a while, wondering what seemed to fit the best with both their characters and the growth these two have undergone, and what happened in this chapter seemed the best fit. The real fighting begins next chapter and it's honestly one of my favorite scenes so it's gonna be fun to write. ;)

Thank you so much for all your support! Hope you enjoyed the read.

Marshmellow-

-OUT!