Thinking about the final arc and the end and feeling a lil' melancholy. Exciting news about this story's update schedule (what, did she say a schedule?) down below!
Thanks for all your support guys, you always and forever will be absolutely wonderful.
I do not own Magi.
Enigma
Chapter Twenty Seven:
The Memory and the Mist
"You should be inside."
A quiet, scratchy hum left her lips. Her hand absently stroked the roundness of her belly and she sighed, pleased to have be found and disappointed all the same.
"I should be in many places."
He chuckled. Quiet hands reached for her and she didn't move away as they threaded through her hair. He moved to kneel down behind her, pressing his face into the top of her head and letting out a quiet sigh. A smile curled on her lips and she reached a free hand up to grab his. "I assume it was a success?"
"It was," he admitted, shaking his head despite his answer. "But it took far more than it should have."
She nodded, the action forcing his face to slip from the crown of her head and smack into the back of her neck. She laughed, breezy and hoarse as he left it there and strained to reach back and pat his thigh. "You should rest."
"I should be saying that to you," he mused dryly. Another laugh left her lips and he shifted his chin to her shoulder and peered up at her through her tousled locks, catching the curve of her cheek and the flutter of dark eyelashes.
"...what are you thinking about?"
Her hand never ceased its soothing movements over her stomach. She figured this child was giving her such madness because it was vying to take more after its mother than its father. She patted it fondly. "A name."
He made a noise of interest, hands reaching around her and settling over her stomach as well. Within an instant the movement in her belly ceased and she flashed the baby a traitorous look. He laughed, soothing fingers over the swelling bump. "Any ideas?"
"If I had any I wouldn't be here now, would I?" She mused.
He hummed absently, smooth and flowing and she remembered how envious she was that his voice was so wonderful while hers paled in comparison. She gave her stomach a rather firm pat. You better take after him, if you know what's good for you. He blinked once, looking back up to the moon thoughtfully.
"Something about the moon, perhaps?"
"No, far too lonely," she answered instantly. "I feel like we would curse them to be cold and aloof."
He laughed, "The sun, then?"
"Short-tempered and a pain to handle. We don't need to of me."
He looked thoughtful. "Two of you would be wonderful."
She swatted his arm but leaned into his embrace. His brows furrowed. "How about a flower?"
"I want them to be strong."
"The water?"
"They should be steady."
"The earth?"
"Unbound by anything."
He hummed, that same, loving tune and she closed her eyes. "We should name them after you."
He smiled at that. "I want them to be named after you."
"Anything but me," she sighed with a shake of her head, lids fluttering as she let herself begin to slip into a deep sleep. "Something else. Nothing long... nothing weak or particularly rough... Something clear."
He laughed at her demands and held her tight to him, shutting his eyes and pressing himself so close to her it seemed as though two had shifted into one. He whispered a name into her ear and she let out a content sigh, finally slipping into the darkness.
"That's the one."
The aftermath of war was always a mess.
Though, Kali supposed it was rightfully so since it was war, after all.
The tang of smoke still hung heavily in the air. People were talking and shouting several feet away as soldiers from different armies didn't dare cross between the lines dividing them. Damage was assessed, collateral taken into account, and the tally of lives taken across the stretch of battle. It was somber really, beyond belief. The bitter, dusty musk of ash still filled her senses and Kali hurt. Her body ached, her legs trembled and threatened to topple over any moment but the only thing keeping her standing was the vibrant, stuttering fact that—
They'd won.
Kali's mind felt hazy. Fleeting fingers and the promises of the people around her still ringing loud and clear in her head. She surveyed the scene around her, broken and a mess beyond all comparison, but still so wonderfully bright. People were already starting to gather together in huddles, helping each other to their feet or tending to their wounded as magicians and metal vessel users alike settled discussions.
"You are wondering," Camio began quietly, "where you belong in this scene, are you not?"
A bit. Kali admitted quietly. She spared the area around her one final glance, as if to commit it to memory and make sure it really wasn't all some fanatical dream. When it didn't disappear or blur before her eyes she finally let herself hit the floor with a long, ragged sigh. We've spent so long trying to achieve a scene like this, some sort of passage beyond all the wall we kept hitting and now it's here and I can't help but feel—
Afraid.
"We deserve some rest," Camio murmured. "It has been grueling on everyone."
I know. Kali agreed. Her palms slid over the dusty earth and grass feebly grew between her fingers. A few soldiers from Kou were calling for horses to help cart the wounded away and she let her legs slide out and lay flat in front of her, resting back on her palms. But did we even really do anything?
"Worlds before," Camio said, "You would not have lasted seconds against that monster. You would have been brutally thrown from the sky and into the ground and I would have been forced to send us away—"
I get it. Kali's lips curled weakly into a smile and she shut her eyes. No breeze trickled past to tug at her hair and she sighed. I get it. But even now, I was still thrown from the sky and into the ground, you know.
"Certainly," Camio agreed. "But we still live, do we not? You bought them some time."
Kali swallowed all the people in front of her with her eyes and heart.
Because of them.
She wasn't sure where the fear she felt gnawing at her bones was meant to be directed. It should have rightfully been toward the entire world war that they'd managed to evade by peer luck and perhaps and shared confliction of interest between the two men who could split this world in two. Yunan deserved most of the credit to that, above all else.
Her eyes strayed and Sinbad was discussing something with the other members of his Alliance. Heads were nodding and faces looked either calm or reluctant, but the soldiers and household members waited patiently beside them, at ease and chatting amongst themselves. Politics. Her gaze flickered to the other half of the field and Kouen had gathered with his siblings. He stood tall amidst them, Koumei at his side and words were exchanged between the group of them while it looked like Kougyoku and Kouha were handling evacuations and getting their army in order. Politics. Muu was several lengths away with the rest of the Fanalis corps, voices loud and rambunctious as Muu turned to discuss something with other generals from Reim. Politics.
Always politics. Kali thought grimly. While politics were politics and she supposed they were discussions long overdue and waiting to overlap, her biggest resentment toward these issues and ideals was simply the fact that she was so useless. Given, it was her own fault and choice, to be in such a positon. Choosing to forge no legal and adamant ties with countries aside from her own selfish whims and emotional attachments, she had no place in these discussions. No backing behind her aside from the metal adorning her body. No status or position—no right.
It made her useless, in a way she never really minded until now, when it seemed like being able to make decisions with Sinbad and Kouen seemed to be the most important thing. The Medium was defeated, but it was a single battle in the midst of an ongoing war to save this world.
She hated to admit it—but her hands were tied. The decisions that Kouen and Sinbad could make rested solely in their hands because they had fought so fiercely and viciously to be in the position they held in this moment—to be able to decide like this. Kali could say what she liked, argue and spit and fight, but it was all meddlesome to her, at this point. She had no right to interfere between these two countries unless blood was being drawn and lives were on the line.
But they're not. Kali thought, unable to deny the relief. For now.
"...if it came to such a thing," Camio said quietly. "Kouen and Sinbad..."
Kali didn't respond and Camio didn't finish his question because they both knew the answer themselves.
Her heart ached.
A Kou soldier stumbled carrying a cart with someone injured on it and she made a move to stand when one of Kouen's household members easily picked up the cart and helped him carry it with ease. Someone shouted from the gathering of magicians from Magnostadt and another magician quickly flew over to help.
Kali mindfully crossed her legs over each other and sat back, gazing quietly at the ocean that lapped at the shore only a few lengths away.
...was there anything she could do?
A brush of wings fluttered past her eyes and Kali paused. Her gaze swung around to where another reunion in the making was taking place. Aladdin and Sphintus—Aladdin had gestured wildly to his friend and explained more of the situation—and Titus, the newly reincarnated magi of Reim, were gathered together with Alibaba, Morgiana, and a young girl Kali had learned was Marga.
Kali's fingers twitched. What you fought to protect, Scheherazade.
The magi of Reim had never been fond of Kali, but she liked to think Scheherazade would've only killed her if she ever put her country in danger. Kali's eyes flickered and she wondered about the process of magis that was always beyond her. I'm sure if Aladdin loves him fine, we shouldn't be worried too much.
The Rukh around them was fierce and loving. It swirled and dove and flew so tightly around them that Kali watched the scene in quiet, wistful awe. Smiles stretched wide across their faces and tears were streaking down a furious looking Sphintus' face. Kali didn't put much stock into things beyond her own understanding—higher beings and the like because at this point she could only truly afford to trust the blood running through her own veins—but a quiet, hopeful wish and prayer left her lips for the group in front of her.
I hope they can stay like that forever. Kali thought resolutely. The grass between her fingers grew. I want them to be able to stay like that forever.
"I feel as though the fear that lingers is not merely for them," Camio said.
Searing eyes and dark hair with a wicked grin flickered through Kali's memory. She craned her head upwards to the sky, searching for something she knew she wouldn't find. Where are you right now?
Kali glanced down to her own hands. Experimentally she clenched and unclenched her fingers. Something had changed in that moment with the Medium when she'd nearly been wiped out of existence. She didn't know what is was, whether it was good or bad, but something had changed within the flow she normally felt as closely as her own beating heart. Kali figured it was to be expected, with everything that had happened, and she doubted such foolish and rash actions of power would not be without consequence.
Someone from Kou's side shouted something fierce and Kali idly glanced up, figuring if there was anyone she could be hanging around, it ought to be Yunan—he's essentially in the same boat as I am, just with more leeway since he's a magi. Kali wondered where Koran had gone and run off too as well since he should be with her right now. Her eyes searched for the familiar hat, wondering if she could badger Yunan for a bit of comfort when a brush of heat appeared at her side and a loud snort echoed in her ears.
Kali paused, blinking in surprise and she turned to meet large round eyes that peered at her curiously. It took her a few moments before her mouth dropped open in shock and Kali stumbled to her feet, the horse in front of her tossing its head up high and letting out a victorious neigh.
"Ryuu?" Kali exclaimed in disbelief. The horse in front of her bobbed his head, thrusting forward into her and Kali nearly fell over from the force, air leaving her lungs as her hands went up to stroke his neck and mane. "It is you! You clever, wonderful horse—how did you find your way out here?"
Kali's fingers touched metal and she turned her head to take in the entire horse. Ryuu's streamlined body was adorned with various metals and armor, glinting and clinking in the light. Gold pieces lined the mantle of his saddle and feathers were woven through his hair, braided along with charms and magic wards to keep him and his rider safe. Kali marveled at the fancy trinkets shrouding his entire frame and she flashed the horse a look of surprise, weaving her fingers through his mane and pressing her forehead to his with a look of absolute joy. "Whose ride did you end up becoming, huh?"
"Mine."
Kali stiffened and Ryuu let out a low nicker, bobbing his large head. Gray eyes flickered to the side and Kouen stood beside her, arms crossed over his chest and meeting her gaze calmly. Scratches lined his cheek and his arm—small wounds he didn't bother to heal. A fine black cape like the ones he usually wore was thrown over his shoulders and his hair was loose, stark red against the black.
"Really?" Kali glanced over Kouen's shoulders. The rest of his siblings had gathered together and seemed to be discussing something with Kouen's household. Only Hakuei seemed to be watching them with somewhat thoughtful eyes and Kali turned her gaze back to Kouen. "You took this troublemaker on?"
"He was bred for the best," Kouen said flatly. "Soft around the mouth at first, but he has served his duty well."
"You'll soften him." Kali's fingers slipped through Ryuu's mane and the horse pushed forward, pressing his head against her chest and moving it up in down. Her heart sang and she wrapped her arms tight around his neck, slipping beneath the elaborate decorations.
"I missed you," Kali laughed. "I wonder what it must've been like with this monster on your back."
"He was being held back with the rest once we realized what we were up against," Kouen said. A hand reached past her and Kali paused as his fingers ghosted over the bridle and came to rest inches from her own hand. "A worthy mount."
Kali imagined for a moment what it must've looked like to witness Kouen astride such a powerful, fearsome horse. She idly figured Ryuu must've looked quite the sight, snorting steam and smoke from his nostrils with the Ren Kouen astride him in all his glory.
Kali's fingers grasped a piece of cloth, fine golden stitching woven in with a call for victory. Her fingers traced the words, the final character a call to return home safely. She stared at it for a moment, Kouen only inches away, his arm still stretched past her with his hand woven into Ryuu's mane.
"A lot has changed," Kali said quietly. "Hasn't it?"
I'm glad we came out of this alright.
She felt the warmth Kouen always seemed to radiate only a ghost against her back.
"The world continues to move," Kouen said. "As do we."
You speak as though you intend to leave.
Flashes of old scrolls and crimson eyes flared in her mind. Kali couldn't explain in the tightness in her chest, but she knew the familiarity of it. She shut her eyes for a moment, searching past memories of thousands of worlds before her and a small smile touched her lips.
"You don't have more politics to discuss?" Kali questioned softly.
She felt Kouen shift, the warmth a hair closer. "I'm not here to squabble over territory. I seek knowledge."
Kali made a small noise, "You have an army to be directing then, don't you, great conqueror?"
"My brothers and sisters are capable and fine soldiers." Kouen responded.
The world seem to grow quiet and Kali wondered why she didn't feel that same, silly little fear she usually felt beside him.
Kouen moved. Kali didn't need to look to know if she turned over her shoulder she would see him.
"Kali."
There's so much I want to ask you. Kali inhaled and exhaled. I want to know how you've all been. I want to tell you that I really did care about you guys and I'm not plotting your demise. I want to properly apologize. I want to punch you for kissing me without any thoughts on how I would have felt and for showing the world I mean something to you.
She wondered in the back of her head if anyone was watching them. Kali knew Hakuei must have quite a few thoughts on her already with everything that was going on. She wondered if Koumei still thought kindly of her. She felt Camio sigh somewhere in the back of her mind and her shoulders grew taut.
Kouen's hand slid from Ryuu's mane. She felt his calloused fingers, warm and threatening to sear a burn into her skin. They slid over her own and his hand enclosed hers where she loosely gripped the charm.
I want to hear the new stories you have to tell.
Kali felt several different phrases all from the way his hand gripped hers. The thought struck her as hilarious for a fleeting second—do I really know you that well? Doubtful, but she'd like to think she had it right in this moment, at least. Kouen's body curved over hers but never touched, she could feel him beside her ear and they stood connected only where their hands lay, his enveloping hers.
You're a fool. She heard him say the loudest. You fought well. She liked to imagine the flicker of approval on his face. Your relationship with that man. Your future. Your injuries. Your next move. And perhaps the quietest—forgive me. Kali felt she might have been sorely mistaken on that part, but the way he didn't turn her around to look at him, the way his hand remained there and never did anything more than lay itself over her own—for what? Kali wanted to ask. The mess of a kiss? The death threats?
For something worse?
"We have decided," Kouen spoke by her ear, low and rumbling. "To meet again within two months. A summit will be held with all in attendance. That magi of yours will be explaining everything."
Kali remained silent, knowing exactly where she was meant to slide into place with all of this. She'd need to speak with Yunan first, but she knew what needed to be done. Aladdin and Kali needed to sit properly for a chat and put together all their broken pieces.
"You mentioned some intriguing things," Kouen said, and she heard that tone that normally sent a shiver down a spine, but now the tightness in her chest was growing. "I look forward to understanding what you meant."
"Putting all the last pieces into motion," Kali mused quietly. "I'm not sure you'll like what I have to tell."
Silence fell between them until Ryuu let out a soft nicker. Kali opened her eyes, turning her head slightly over her shoulder.
Gray met crimson and Kouen's face was completely unreadable.
A small smile touched Kali's lips. "I've never seen an expression like that on your face before."
Kali had expected flames. She'd expected after all this time of running and banter and butting heads that she'd have hell to pay—arguably already pain in full before this whole mess—and a fearsome man to keep from throwing her onto the next teleportation circle back to Kou. But the look on Kouen's face promised no such thing. He blinked once, seemed to swallow her entire being whole with nothing but his eyes and finally he spoke.
"I've made my intentions clear," he said clearly. "I am not a man to go back on his word."
His fingers brushed over her own, leaving trails of fire down her skin and then he was pulling away and the warmth disappeared and Kali quietly realized where she'd seen the look he was giving her before.
"That being said," Kouen's eyes never left hers. "I stand beside my own."
Kouen started to turn. Ryuu's body shifted beside them and with nothing but absolutely loyalty the stallion stepped past her and began to follow after his rider. Kali remained there, standing and staring at those crimson eyes and Kouen didn't need to say what was clear and hanging between them in the air.
No matter where you may stand.
"That could mean a thousand things," Kali said softly.
The corner of his lips twitched and then he turned away from her. "I look forward to seeing you again soon."
Kali watched his back, the slope of broad shoulders and the way Ryuu followed after him without hesitation. There was a strange sensation behind her eyes and Kali couldn't shake the memory of a particular world from her mind, one where she'd come to with a sword driven straight through his chest and Kouen had merely gazed up at her amidst a sea of flame and ash and given her that look.
Not a trace of regret, not a glint of animosity, clear, calm, and so loudly, without a single word—
Kali turned away from his retreating form. She heard Koumei speak, heard his siblings gather with a single call and then just like that, the orders to depart left Kouen's lips.
"Li!" Kali stiffened and she turned. Kouha and Kougyoku were only a few feet away from the rest of their siblings. Some heads turned at his call and Kouha looked unaffected, watching her curiously. "Aren't you coming?"
Kougyoku's hands were wringing over themselves, uncertainty and hope and perhaps a bit of confusion in her gaze. Kali met his gaze across the clearing and Kouen didn't spare her a glance despite Koumei and Hakuei turning at Kouha's call as well. He already knows the answer.
Everyone close enough seemed to grow quiet. She felt a pair of eyes on her only a length away and Kali wondered what this scene looked like, to anyone else watching.
Kali wasn't sure what kind of smile was on her face, but she hoped it was earnest enough. Kouha's face flickered and he made what looked to be a bit of a pout. "I'll see you again soon."
She flashed Kougyoku a warmer smile and the girl offered a fleeting one back, eyes dropping to the floor as something Kali couldn't decipher flashed across her face and then she was turning away. Kouha waved to her and Kouen said something to them that she couldn't hear. They began to proceed forward where several of their soldiers and magicians were stationed and Kali watched them leave.
"...are you alright?" Camio inquired softly, feeling the quiet storm within the furthest corners of her mind.
He leaves me at a lost, sometimes. Kali admitted quietly, blinking once and reaching up to touch the corners of her eyes. No tears fell and she imagined years ago in a moment like this they would be. I wouldn't say sad, exactly... I'm not sure what to call this feeling, Cam.
Camio was silent and Kali bowed her head.
It makes sense though. Kali wanted to laugh. He goes and says such things but in the end, he isn't like me. He has a country to look after, doesn't he?
Soldiers began to march onwards. The ground rumbled, horses called to each other and the entire forces from Kou that had been gathered began to depart.
"After making such promises," Camio mused quietly. "I'm sure he feels there's no need to say anything else."
Kouen didn't spare her a glance back.
"I intend to be in your future."
Kali thought about that gaze of his.
There was a flutter by Kali's ear. A whisper of the ocean and the tang of salt. A hand came to rest on her shoulder and she didn't move away as Sinbad's body came to stand beside her, the hair trailing over his shoulders brushing against her side and tickling her skin. She felt his warmth press close to her and Sinbad let out a small, thoughtful hum as they watched Kou's forces depart.
"I assume he spoke to you about the summit?" Sinbad said finally.
His voice filled her mind, clear and tugging like the waves along the shore. Kali nodded. "Vaguely."
Sinbad laughed, "I wasn't sure when Yunan of all people had become your spokesman, but he seemed to deem it fair enough to vouch that you would have quite a number of things to be sharing with everyone alongside Aladdin."
Kali sighed at that. The lingering shadows in her mind began to recede and she embraced the waves tugging at her mind and turned to face Sinbad with a bit of a grin. "He does know me better than I know myself, after all."
"I only thought you needed a moment to discuss some things," Yunan spoke up, appearing beside them in a brush of Rukh and Sinbad flashed the magi a bit of a withering look. "I figured while you had some time to collect your thoughts I could vouch for you instead."
"Guess there's no use in hiding anything anymore," Kali mused. She placed a hand over her stomach where several scars rested. "It's time to move forward."
"Of course," Sinbad added, as casually as possible, "you could always share these various things with me in private, you know, without any need for a summit."
"You've already got plenty of legs up on Kouen," Kali grinned. "I think you can wait two months like everyone else."
Sinbad made a face and Yunan tipped his hat, the smile on his face not quite meeting his eyes. "I assume we have some things to discuss then, don't we?"
Kali nodded. "I want plenty of updates on Amar after all—I hope you haven't been falling into any barrels while she's around."
Sinbad snorted and Yunan frowned. "My, you did entrust her studies with me. I figured you had more faith in me, Kali."
Sinbad crossed his arms over his chest and surveyed the field around them. "We've got some work ahead of us. Fixing all the damage in Magnostadt is already underway but attempting to finish it all off with time for the summit will be quite a feat."
"I expect nothing less of the great king of Sindria," Yunan said simply.
The magi turned to face Kali then, smile quiet and eyes completely earnest. She felt Sinbad's eyes on them, listening but not speaking and she wondered why Yunan didn't seem to mind being in the king's presence at the moment. Kali flashed Yunan a questioning look but his hand reached out and gripped her arm softly. Kali paused and she felt warmth travel through his fingertips, energy and thoughts and quiet whispers and above all else—
"I'm glad," Yunan's voice rang loud and clear in her mind and Kali almost forgot how soothing it was. "That you came out of this alright. I have missed you, Kali."
"I missed you too," Kali thought back earnestly, eyes softening. "I don't know what I'd do without you. You've helped me more than I can imagine, Yu."
A laugh echoed in her head, soft and gentle. "We have much to discuss at a later date. Stay safe for me until then."
Kali's eyes crinkled with the grin that curled on her face. "I've lasted this long, haven't I?"
For a brief moment she longed to throw herself into his arms. She thought about the small cottage sitting quiet in a place no many could ever find. Kali remembered long nights and tears and nightmares and Yunan's steady, constant presence in her life and felt a rush of fierce gratitude. Yunan's eyes warmed, feeling it all through whatever magical link he'd established in that moment. Kali selfishly wanted to share with him the storm of thoughts in her mind but knew better and that there would be a time to do so—and hopefully soon.
"Strength," Yunan's grip tightened and then he released her. "Until then."
Pure, unbidden annoyance flashed over Sinbad's face and his eyes darted between the two of them, completely unamused. "How horrible—both of you. It's rude to have a conversation like that in front of someone else, you know."
"I'm sure you'll find it in your heart to forgive me," Yunan mused. "If you excuse me now, there are some things I must discuss with my fellow magi."
With a flash of light he was already gone and Kali was left with nothing but the lingering warmth. Sinbad and Kali stood, side by side and surveying the field in front of them. A few bits of laughter filled the air from where some people seemed to be rejoicing already and she heard the loud calls from the Fanalis corps several lengths away. I need to speak with Muu, as well.
"For a moment," Sinbad said suddenly and she turned to look at him curiously. "You looked as though you were about to cry."
"Me?" Kali mused. "I'm not much of a crier, you know that."
Sinbad hummed, thoughtful. "I do recall there was one time when you leapt into my arms with tears in your eyes and embraced me with everything you had—"
Kali playfully swatted his arm. Sinbad reached up to grab her hand and she didn't pull away, watching as his fingers smoothed themselves over hers. You're alright. He seemed to be trying to say, smoothing over any worries and doubts in her mind that he didn't know about. Kali wanted to appreciate the gesture, and in some ways she did, but there was a deafening silence in the back of her mind she couldn't shake.
"You always come through, don't you?" Kali said instead, twitching her fingers in his grip. "Even without being asked."
Sinbad laughed and it filled her ears, threatening to drive away the darkness. "I do my best."
Golden eyes shined and Kali wondered what would happen if she ever allowed herself to drown in them the way they always seemed to be begging her to do.
"And if it's you," Sinbad said quietly, lowly, and Kali imagined the waves urging her further into the endless blue. "I will always come."
"No matter where you may stand."
Where do you stand? A voice seemed to tease, curling tight around Kali's heart and squeezing painfully tight. Where do you stand, Kali, who wants nothing but to be free? Kali, who comes and goes and never stays. Kali, who perhaps, when the moment comes to stand won't be able to stand at all because you cannot decide?
Kali gripped Sinbad's hand tight. "...Sin." His eyes turned to her. "About all of this... Were you always planning on—"
Sinbad's name hit the air and she turned at the call, but he kept his eyes fixed on her. Drakon was waiting along with the others for their king, most likely to finish up the things they'd been discussing before. Kali hummed, glancing back to Sinbad and offering him a wry smile. "It looks like there are others you must come too."
Before she gave him a chance to say anything else and not entirely trusting herself to remain in the spot less she follow after him—Kali disappeared. She reappeared beside several familiar and unfamiliar faces and Sphintus let out some kind of squawk while her favorite trio beamed. "Kali!"
"Where did Yunan go?" Kali opened her arms and caught Aladdin as he lunged for her. She mindfully kept a grip on his braid to keep him from getting too comfortable and her eyes searched the group in front of her. "I thought he had some things to discuss with our new magi."
"He said he wanted to check something out," Aladdin responded, gesturing up toward the sky and Kali looked thoughtful. "And that he'd be back!"
"You look well," Morgiana said happily, eyes shining and Kali beamed at her.
"You look strong," Kali said. "Look at you now—I want to see those wings of yours in action again."
"I still can't believe we made it out of this mess alive," Alibaba sighed, finally slumping down onto the ground and tossing his head back with a loud groan. "Kou and Sindria, Al Thamen and the Medium—it doesn't seem real."
It doesn't. Kali agreed, because in no other world had they arrived to such a position. It frightened her to be unable to imagine what could come next.
"It's not over yet," Sphintus snapped, looking as though he were getting ready to take off. "We have a lot to fix and help out—"
"It's nice to finally meet you," a soft, curious voice met Kali's ears and she focused her attention on Titus, golden locks spilling over his slender shoulders and Marga was at his side, beaming proudly. "Aladdin always spoke well of you, though he did say you had some interesting...habits."
"I would hope so despite the rumors that follow me," Kali mused. She offered a hand, watching the Rukh flutter so lovingly around the boy in front of her. "I'm sure you'll do well. Welcome back to this world of ours."
He smiled, eyes shining and he took her hand firmly. "I look forward to getting to know you better."
"You best not get wrapped up with that one!" Someone from the group of Fanalis called and Titus turned around curiously to his people. "She's bad news, you know!"
A round of laughter followed after them and Titus smiled. Kali sighed, rubbing the back of her head but nodding despite herself. "Scheherazade and I didn't always get along that well and she found my habits to be rather... disagreeable, but I hope to get along well with you, Titus."
"Kali..." Morgiana spoke up. "What will you be doing now?"
Alibaba looked to her as well, curious. Aladdin was still clutching her tightly but he didn't say anything and Kali hummed, absently letting her fingers curl along his braid.
"Helping, I suppose," Kali said finally. "However I can. I doubt there's much an outside like myself can do, but I'll help where I can. There's a lot to prepare for and since we have a summit now—"
Kali allowed a dry smile to touch her lips. "It's going to be quite the showdown."
"Don't say that," Aladdin groaned. "I made some promises I can't go back on—comfort me, Kali-nee!"
Alibaba frowned. "I was worried for a moment when you were speaking with Kouen but... it looks like things are alright?"
Kali laughed. "That whole mess with him was more or less my fault anyway. I was due for whatever he was willing to dish out."
Kali tugged Aladdin from her when she felt his hands wander and added, "I've got plenty to talk about with this one as well, so I'll be sticking around for a while."
"You'll be returning with them, then?" Titus questioned. "To Sindria?"
There was no malice behind his words, but there was a weight that hung in the air. Kali figured it was a weight only she felt, and one she knew would dictate the coming course of things. Kou had departed and the answer already seemed to be clear enough where Kali would be returning once all of this was over and Magnostadt stabilized.
"I'll be returning with them," Kali agreed quietly, motioning to the trio and Morgiana looked relived while Alibaba seemed to be contemplating passing out. "There's a lot to be settled, after all."
"You damn right there is!"
A hand came and smacked her back and Kali stumbled. She whipped around in surprise, eyes growing wide and suddenly a smaller body was tackling into her own. "Kali!"
Kali's hands shot up to catch the slender form and her heart soared. Kali's eyes filled with warmth as bright eyes met her gaze and silver locks spilled down twin pigtails. "Amar! I thought you were helping the people—"
"Brother came to get me!" Amar babbled quickly. "Oh, I have so much to tell you! Master Yunan was such a wonderful teacher and I was helping people left and right while you were fighting—I never needed to use the tool you gave me once and he said I improved so much—"
"We can talk about this later after a good meal and a shower," Koran snapped, prying his sister off of Kali's form. Amar violently protested and he threw his arms up into the air. "Haven't you been keeping up with what just happened? We just fought a war in case you didn't know. Our idiot of a king needs to rest before she falls over—"
"I'm a lot stronger than I look," Kali added mindfully, lips twitching. "I did just fight quite the battle—"
"That would have been easier with my help," Koran snapped, fixing her with a fearsome glare. "But you had me running around doing the side work—"
"I bet I did more than you did," Amar teased.
"You've improved in your mindless chatter too, it seems."
"Take that back!"
Kali laughed, bright and breezy as the two siblings tackled each other, staff and sword waving around threateningly. Aladdin and Alibaba were watching in amusement while Morgiana looked curious. Kali idly realized in the back of her mind all these different lives were suddenly beginning to tangle together and collide before she could have even realized it.
"The world moves on," Camio mused.
Shadows receded. Kali felt her mind clear, felt her heart stir and she kept her mind focused not on red or gold, not on lapping waves and smoldering embers—she focused solely on a single bench pressed against a small house overlooking the ocean. She focused on that wooden bench, the worn wood sprouting from the earth, woven through with vines and at its base flowers had started to bud.
Kali kept it tight in her mind as she began to properly introduce Koran and Amar to the others and she smiled.
The world was moving.
And she would as well, one step at a time.
I'm not the biggest fan of this chapter because it's a little choppy to me, and I apologize if its flow doesn't seem as nice either. Just needed this interlude to tie some things up and we'll continue on into the next chapter where things will really begin to move. I may go back and edit some things and if I do I'll let you guys know.
Got a couple things to say so stay with me, I never want to pile on massive author's notes but sometimes there's just so much to say back to you guys because you all take your time to write these meaningful reviews that have me glued to my phone or laptop and I'm walking around campus looking like an idiot because I'm an idiot for you guys and you're wonderful—all of ya.
Firstly—thank you, for always taking such time out to write all these meaningful reviews and sharing your thought with me. I know there's a lot of questions floating around and some massive questions that still need to be answered. I know this chapter didn't really do that but much more to come in the next one because we've got some interesting clashes coming up before the summit, and then we plunge into the Alma Torran arc because that's a trip and oof. Answers are coming fo sho. I'm continuously amazed at how much love Kali gets and how you guys are always taking the time out to point things out to me and just argh, thank you so much. She's still got ways to go to being a bit of a better person herself, but she's working on it :') I'm glad you guys enjoyed the last chapter and I hope the ones to come will continue to do so! To all you new readers who just joined as well, thank you for loving this story and welcome to the family. :)
AND THAT PARALLEL THAT yellowandgold MADE WITH CAROLINE AND KLAUS FROM TVD—DID NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT BUT I USED TO BE A DORK FOR THAT SHOW AND WHEN I READ THE REVIEW I WAS LIKE OMG YOU RIGHT MY DUDE, DIDN'T REALIZE THAT.
Also, can I just say how entertaining/awesome/idek it is reading between the KouLi factions and the SinKal ones? The way you guys break down these interactions is beyond even me sometimes and I can't say much on this topic because no spoilers but you guys make it insanely hard to vouch for a side, and that's coming from me who's supposed to be sitting on all these answers. I'm always torn myself and I think it shows with all these scene parallels and the interactions that follow one after the other. And then there's the precious lot of you who just want Kali to be happy and then there's the people sailing on ships they can't decide on because they want her to be happy too but these boys drive a hard bargain ;)
On the matter of updates, I'm super glad to finally announce that we're going to be shifting into a more regular update period! Which is practically amazing to me because this story has such sporadic updates sometimes it's mind boggling. Enigma will now be updated every two weeks with a day's difference between them. What I mean is that since today's Monday, in two weeks it might be a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday again, but regardless I'm going to work hard to keep it two weeks and I'll let you guys know a chapter before if I'm planning to be late with anything that might come up.
And I think it's long overdue, but I've compiled a list of the fanart for this story that's been gathered over the years, feel free to check them out (which I highly recommend because they're amazing) and if I'm missing anyone please let me know right away! I used to have a doc with all the links but I lost that when I lost everything else, so please lmk right away so I can add it, these are all the user names and you can find the artwork under them.
Tumblr:
catchingtrouble
Deviantart:
jangirl83
kera-n
taphihikoca (this one's Kali in Kou wear and it's really nice, ah)
Cyleni
CrazyPlushy
Kira-tsu
WhenElephantsAttack
Shiirasu
Thank you all so much too for checking out the Boku no Hero story, you're all wonderful and your excitement for the love triangles always make my day because love triangles can be such conundrums, but thanks for trusting me to write 'em ;)
Thanks for reading and I hope you all have a great day/night!
Marshmellow-
-OUT!
