The title for this one makes me a lil sad because it reminds me of what's to come :/

I do not own Magi.


Enigma

Chapter Twenty Eight:

The Crown and the Cage


"You seek power."

A wry smile attempted to tug at her lips but fell flat. Dark circles tugged at the corners of her eyes, the vibrant silver blood of the dungeon creatures splattered and stained her hands and coated her bare feet.

The floor of the throne room was littered in silver and gold, glistening brightly amidst a sea of skeletons of species from worlds and worlds beyond themselves. Thick ebony draperies hung along the walls, lined in silver and scarlet as they dragged downwards. Flames of ink black darkness flickered along silver holders and the djinn at the center of it all bared down on the woman before him.

Sleek black horns curled back over the top of his head, a massive, serpentine creature that swayed with the faint breeze that slipped through the doors to his throne room, unhinged and shattered from the force of the explosion that had brought her inside. Dark blue scales shifted with the light, casting dark shadows along his massive body and he slithered closer, bowing his head and turning to fix a golden slit on her haggard form.

"Everyone who steps into this dungeon seeks power," she said quietly, voice hoarse and ragged.

"But all kings seek power for different reasons," he hissed, a scarlet, bloody tongue escaping between jagged fangs. Jewels encrusted each ivory curve and he drew nearer. "For what reason have you come, little one?"

The sword in her hand seared a burning heat against her palm in resentment. She dropped it with a clatter to the floor, ignoring the quiet murmur tugging at the back of her mind and urging her to leave—"There are other ways, my king."

The serpent turned his head the other way, revealing a blood red iris on his left side as it peered eerily down upon her. Intricate black markings curved along his body and told tales of battles long before. A giant scale made of gold rose high amidst the skeletons and riches and her eyes were drawn to it for a brief moment, wondering which way it would tip for her should she stand before it.

She didn't have time for such musings.

"Ah," the djinn mused, craning his head and lips pulling back to reveal his fangs. "You come for reasons that lie in the shadows."

"I come for the power to take lives," she rasped. "You can provide that."

"I am aware," the djinn sneered. "The fact that you murdered to arrive at my doorstep says enough. Did you know that? That is my challenge. For the desires of whoever appears to be what stands in their way—you desire to kill, little one. I do not see how that will make you worthy of my power."

She shut her eyes, recalling the feeling of hot blood splattering her hands and slipping through her fingers as body after body bled out because of her own weakness.

"The only man who could quell this bloodlust," the djinn murmured. "Was the Great Solomon himself. But now that he no longer resides beside us and I am entrapped within this place in his aid—why should I grant you the power to take lives?"

"Because," she said softly, tired and worn but eyes burning. "I will take these lives in order to make this world a better place."

The snake's toothy grin widened. "Many have claimed to be doing the same."

The snake lowered his head, peering down at her with gold and blood red and she met his gaze quietly. "I will become what I must."

A slow, dark chuckle escaped his parted lips. The djinn opened his jaws and his tongue flickered out, blood dripping from the forked tip as he pressed his massive forehead to her slender form.

"Then so be it," he hissed.

She shut her eyes and the massive djinn lunged forward, engulfing her whole as she felt the metal flowers along her wrists grow white hot and molten lead surged through her veins.

"I will make you a murderer."


"I just want the biggest fried fish possible."

Spartos' brows furrowed, lips parting to tell her about what was there at the banquet table instead but Kali promptly turned, placing calloused hands on either side of his cheek and fixing him with a stare reserved for only the most daunting of moments.

"The biggest fried fish." Kali repeated calmly, slowly. "The one marinated with fruit on that massive skewer. You know where I need to go Spartos, just tell me."

Spartos' eyes darted to the head of the table where Sinbad was sure to make his appearance any moment had he not been caught up in the other festivities. Kali still had her stormy eyes fixed intently on him and behind her Pisti and Sharrkan were furiously making cutting motions at their throats, trying to will Spartos to hold strong.

"I'll be right back," Kali promised, pressing her forehead roughly to Spartos' and he spluttered. "Tell me where to get the fish."

"The corner stall by the far edge of the plaza," a calm voice spoke up at their side, clear and resounding and Spartos nearly collapsed to the floor as Kali let go of his armor and turned to face Ja'far, whose face lacked any amusement. "If you must insist on it so, you child."

"It's been a rough couple days for all of us," Kali said simply, standing up and flashing Ja'far a faint grin. "Can you blame me?"

Ja'far arched a brow. "Enough that you need that fish and not the many different platters arranged so nicely here at the head table? Sin won't be very pleased to find you've run off again."

"He's getting old and he likes a good chase," Kali quipped back, rolling her shoulders and sighing when they popped. I haven't been keeping much track either. We're getting old now, aren't we, Cam?

"Perhaps a new wrinkle or two but you're not gray yet, my king."

"Besides," Kali added, glancing mindfully to where Sharrkan and Pisti were berating Spartos and Yamraiha was sweeping in to his defense. Her eyes softened at the lighthearted banter and the flutter of Rukh so bright and loving around them. "He's got company from those gladiators from Reim and I've always been at odds and ends with that bunch."

Ja'far brought a sleeve to his lips and snorted. "Because the last time you tried to fight him he had you crying for mercy—"

"I'm not the expert at magoi manipulation," Kali grumbled. "It's never sat well with me and it never will—but who cares about fighting tactics? You know that old fisherman always makes the best fried fish."

Ja'far's eyes flickered and he glanced to the side. The top of the castle courtyard was lit with the festivities that illuminated the rest of the island. Rows upon rows of lanterns and bonfires peeked from each level of the island, drifting all the way down toward the shoreline where posts were set up and people danced along the water's edge. A salty breeze tugged at their clothes and he looked thoughtful.

Kali followed his gaze before pausing, a small hum of realization escaping her lips. "Familiar, isn't it?"

"A tad," Ja'far murmured. His brows creased for a moment before he let his hands drop to his sides and spared Kali a glance. "Go on then, I won't be held responsible for how he acts."

"You love him too much," Kali teased, eyes flickering as her entire body shifted with the light. "I'll be right back."

Kali disappeared.

The fight with the Medium had come to a close and the aid needed for Magnostadt had been given under a massive scale. Preparations for the upcoming Summit were the hot topic and focus as of late, but amidst all the war and wounded, Sindria still found it within its massive heart to provide a festival to welcome their king and soldiers home. She knew somewhere Aladdin and the rest were off finally enjoying themselves after all the hard work they'd put into restoring Magnostadt. Koran and Amar had been set loose to explore their fill of the country they only heard on occasion in tales and were able to visit with the occasional magic teleportation circle—Amar had trained to specialize in teleportation magic and Kali pretended to ignore Koran's meaningful glares.

There was still work to be done—many things to be done and they all lurked at the corners of Kali's mind in a way that wasn't unfamiliar. But for once she decided going mad with all the thousands of thoughts could wait perhaps an hour or two while she shoved as much fried fish and pork into her mouth as possible.

A group of children ran past, flowers flowing from their hair and feathers adorning turbans as they hooted and cheered for the sheer joy of another festival in Sindria. Kali mindfully stepped to the side of the road, following them for a moment before she turned her gaze away. Someone began to strum strings and another person joined in with a clapping beat. Kali's bare feet picked up in step, her sash streaming behind her as she swayed a bit to the sound.

The delicious scent she knew by heart wafted past and Kali grinned, snatching a wreath of flowers someone tossed to her out of the air and letting it settle over her head as she clasped her hands behind her back.

Something in the air betrayed her and for a moment Kali imagined someone by her ear whispering, "Welcome home."


"We beat the Medium here."

"We managed to defeat it in that one world as well, at a cost, however."

A sharp, jagged stick drew lopsided circles into the dirt ground before her. The towering brick walls that lined the staircase leading up to the top of the palace courtyard where the main festivities were behind held casted the perfect shadow for her little hideout. Kali bit thoughtfully into her fifth skewer that night, munching on the crispy honeyed pork.

In the last world where they beat the Medium, Kali drew another circle. We didn't get a Summit though. In the other one where we lost a great number of soldiers from Sindria we did.

"That Summit failed, however," Camio reminded quietly. "They drew apart and declared war."

"But I didn't tell them about this in that world," Kali said thoughtfully, dropping the stick and using her finger instead to draw a line in the dirt to connect that specific circle to the massive one she had in the middle with a flower placed in the center. "I will be speaking at the Summit this time—that hasn't happened before. It's the only other thing we can try differently in this world thanks to all the others."

"...you believe it to be wise?" Camio questioned softly.

"I believe it to be a risk worth taking," Kali bit the last piece of the pork off and chewed. What was the point of living through all those lives if we can't apply it to saving this one?

"You fear intervening too much," Camio said. "You stepped in with Balbadd already by finding Alibaba ahead of time."

I did, but doing too much scares me like you said. Kali rubbed the side of her head with a sigh. If I went around slitting throats and taking lives like before then I might as well go walk into that ocean right now.

Camio was silent at her words and Kali reached up for the feather necklace, rubbing it soothingly. I'm sorry.

"We all make mistakes," Camio said instead. "I trust you not to make them again."

"So we get a Summit in this world," Kali continued aloud this time, tapping the center circle with the flower. My timeline. "Kouen got Balbadd, but it was different this time. So maybe...?"

Kali ruffled her hair, brows furrowing in thought. "We don't know if Kouen will want to speak with Alibaba and the next time they meet might just be the Summit."

There was another factor to all these anomalies Kali still needed to consider, but she pressed that to the back of her head. He takes up too much space to think about alongside other things anyway.

"What's different about this one compared to the other one where I didn't speak but things didn't go bad?"

A small vine stretched out from the ground, curling around one of the other circles in the form of a crooked dragon and Kali paused, staring at it for a heartbeat longer than she should have.

"This time," Kali murmured softly, "we don't have Hakuryuu beside us."

"Considering the past timelines," Camio began. "He is a volatile existence. He is not your enemy in this world but he is neither your ally. That boy clearly has his own goals in mind and your lack of interaction with him compared to other worlds up till now leave it hard to imagine."

He could be plotting to go after his mother. Kali drew one circle toward another world where he had done exactly that and been slaughtered alongside Judal. Or his brother.

"Or he could have forgone his vengeance and sided with his country and his blood," Camio reminded.

"He might be too fond of his friends though and decide to do what he can to help them. The four of them grew rather close after all, didn't they?"

"Be as it may, that could also be what drives him apart from those three."

Or. Kali stopped the line she'd been about to draw toward the main circle, staring hard at it. "We have absolutely no idea."

Camio was silent in her mind and that was answer enough—the most likely answer, regardless. Kali's brows furrowed and she rested her head upon her knees, hazily drifting eyes over each of the circles and how several had been crossed out or roughly stabbed and others had multiple lines stretching outwards and connecting. There'd been worlds with Hakuryuu right by their side as they tried to take down Al Thamen and worlds where she'd watched him fall from the sky and far, far down below.

Because of who?

Kali rubbed the crease between her brows and sighed. Hakuryuu, where are you?

"I thought you were too old to be drawing in the dirt." A cool glass pressed to the side of her head and Kali felt a small smile tug on her lips.

"The best battle plans come from nothing," Kali gratefully took the glass, examining its contents and upon finding there was no sickly sweet alcohol she pressed it to her lips.

Hinahoho observed her mess of drawings in the ground, deemed it unworthy of their time and easily grabbed the back of her clothes, tugging her upwards and depositing her beside him on the cliff ledge. "Our dear king is missing your presence by his side."

"I'm sure he's got plenty of dancers to keep him warm for now," Kali mused, swirling the sweetened fruit juice within her cup. "How are the kids?"

"Getting bigger and stronger every day," Hinahoho's chest puffed out with pride, making him twice as large then he already was. "You should come visit them—they're off around here somewhere."

"I will," Kali promised, bringing the cup back to her lips and surveying her mess of drawings for a second more before she followed his gaze out into the throngs of dancing people.

Petals fluttered loosely to the ground from stray wreaths, flowers floated along the air and laughter bubbled past lips. Music breezed past her ears and Kali felt her shoulders relax. "How have preparations been going?"

"Messy," Hinahoho chuckled, taking a long sip of wine from his mug. "Sinbad's pulling his hair out over plans and Ja'far is a few hairs shy of balding."

Kali grimaced at that. "I joked about him getting older but he's not that old. Besides, don't talk about Ja'far like that—we're practically the same age after all."

Hinahoho made no comment and Kali roughly punched his arm, regretting the notion immediately and blowing on her reddening knuckles while an earnest laugh slipped past Hinahoho's lips. "And what will you be doing when all this goes down?"

"Same as I always do," Kali muttered as she flapped her hand to ease the pain. "Causing trouble and being useless."

Hinahoho made a disapproving noise. "That would have gotten you several lectures and an entire written report on the things you have done so far."

Kali's lips tugged upwards but her heart twisted at the comment. A comfortable, soft silence befell the two of them until Kali set her half empty glass beside her on the ledge, peering out into the endless lights that illuminated the island.

"Do you miss her?"

Hinahoho set his mug down beside hers. "Every day."

Kali turned her gaze toward him and Hinahoho's lips turned into a small smile, eyes flickering in memory. "But I know she's still here with me—with all of us. She always was so strong. I was a lucky fool to have been able to win her over."

"We were all lucky to have her," Kali said quietly. "I never had many mother figures in my life, but she came very close."

The press of a large, soft hand atop her head as Ja'far shouted obscenities and Sinbad whined about something shifted through her memories. Kali let them flow for a moment, warm and breezy before her eyes turned back down toward the circles at her feet.

A rough hand reached upwards and clapped her over the back. Kali winced, reaching up to rub her stiffening shoulders and Hinahoho's hand traveled up to the top of her head, large enough to crush her skull with ease. But his fingers ruffled her head affectionately and Kali shut her eyes for a moment.

"Take care of yourself, Kali."

"You too," Kali replied softly.

There was a loud clatter above them and they both turned their heads upwards as a familiar blue braid dangled over the top. Aladdin beamed down at both of them, cheeks flushed and his stomach extending more than she expected. "Kali-nee! You're missing out on everything. You still have to meet Orba and everyone and Alibaba got a girlfriend!"

Kali snorted. "Really? I hope he doesn't intend to take after Sharrkan and take forever to realize—"

Hinahoho roughly patted her back, shooting her a mindful look and Kali shrugged. She reached for her glass, tipped it to the Imuchakk and disappeared, reappearing beside a grinning Aladdin instead as they began to head off toward the heart of the festivities. "What's she like?"

"Very strong!" Aladdin said cheerfully. "And pretty too—I think you'd like her fine enough! She worked with the Yambala tribe—"

Kali blanched, faltering one step at the name. You can't win them all, after all. Her relationship with the old man wasn't awful, but it was clear the speculation and distrust from his side stemmed from the fact that Kali was, well, Kali. Her overzealous free-thinking didn't sit well with everyone, and since he was a wise and strong man who'd seen his fair share of the world, Kali couldn't blame him. It works out anyway since that tricky magoi manipulation of his is such a pain.

"But Kali-nee," Aladdin halted in his steps, looking thoughtful as he played with the end of his braid. "Are you alright?"

Kali paused beside him, looking down curiously and Aladdin's brows furrowed. "The Rukh around you is... a little different now."

Ah. Kali experimentally held a hand up to the moonlight, letting her entire form flicker and it flashed gold for a moment, bright white and wavering and Aladdin stilled as Kali glanced back down to him. "When I went head to head with the Medium, I wasn't just trying to steal magoi back—I was trying to make the entire thing disappear and bring it somewhere else. It looked like the surplus was just too much for me though and now my connection with...me has become a little strange, but I should be alright for now."

As long as I don't go trying to disappear anymore Mediums. Kali flexed her fingers and curled them into a tight fist. We may not know what'll happen next, but I can still try.

"...about the Summit," Aladdin started, peering up at her with those wide, bright blue eyes and Kali met his gaze quietly. "Kali-nee, I know you know that there's a much bigger problem for us to be dealing with compared to everything like boundaries but..."

Aladdin reached a hand out and grabbed hers. Kali felt warmth at his touch, smooth and caring and Aladdin smiled, gentle and understanding. "Kali-nee, your heart seems torn."

Kali's eyes warmed. "You've gotten smarter, haven't you?"

Aladdin's smile remained, open and trusting and Kali ran a finger over the back of his hand. "The world doesn't care about one heart, Aladdin."

"Is there any way we can make this easier?"

"If there was," Kali said quietly. "I'd do anything for it in a heartbeat. But that's the way things are and we all have to live with the choices we make. You're doing good, you know, not making any promises and joining forces where you shouldn't."

Kali ruffled the top of his head with her free hand. "You fight for the world, Aladdin, and you do a good job at it."

Aladdin frowned, reaching up with his own free hand to settle it atop her other hand in return. "Kali-nee, you've been doing your best too."

"No," Kali grinned, a briefly tired look flittering through her eyes but there was no regret. "I've been selfish. I have a past now with people whose very existence can change the flow of this world in a heartbeat. I've tangled myself up in a web played by a thousand kings and, well—"

Kali squeezed his hand in return.

"You reap what you sow."


"That was rude, you know."

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

The breeze was salty, as always, but it wasn't particularly unpleasant. A few petals drifted from one of the hanging trees, heavy and thick with blossoming flowers—Kali took a moment to eye them because they were particularly pretty but she couldn't help but feel like she'd seen prettier flowers somewhere else. The flowers made the air a little sweeter, crisp and curling against her face like an old friend laughing by her ear.

Sleek marble columns caught the waning moonlight. The large fountain within the edge of the palace courtyards rippled as petals touched the surface and floated along their own paths. The tile was cool beneath her feet, sending a pleasant shiver up her spine and Kali disappeared, reappearing above a heavier branch. She leaned back against the rough tree bark, perched on a draping branch over the fountain.

Below her Sinbad stood, hands on his hips and regarding her with a contemplative look that told her he was mapping out several moves ahead to find what end result would have her on the ground and beside him.

Idiot just has to ask. Kali mused, idly reaching up and playing with one of the thinner branches, arching from the weight of flowers. They were a pretty shade of white with gold tinting the center.

"I thought you liked the palace food," Sinbad said. "You had Spartos in a slump for failing to keep you by the banquet table."

"I do," Kali said earnestly. "But I like the fish skewers better."

"The old man was asking about you and how you were."

"He thinks I'm trouble," Kali grinned, fingers skimming over the edges of the soft petals. The wreath of flowers still hung in her hair, mingling with feathers and the dragon hairpiece gleamed sharp eyes above the bushels.

"He trusts my judgement," Sinbad said. "And I trust you."

Kali peered over the branch and down at him at those words. "You do?"

Sinbad arched a fine brow and Kali hummed, propping her chin lazily on a palm as she swayed with the branch, sooty black locks tugging around her. "Perhaps more than I should."

"That goes both ways." Kali said quietly.

The wind whistled between them. It sang with the lulling voice of the sea, crisp and sharp and on another night Kali would have allowed Seere to take over and taken to the skies.

"What are you thinking about?" Sinbad asked, feet shuffling along the floor as he came to stand beside the tree.

"Worlds," Kali said honestly.

"Does this have to do with all those drawings you've been doing lately?"

Kali's eyes snapped sharply to him, not a word escaping her lips but Sinbad merely peered up at her with those searching golden eyes. "Ja'far was worried, you know. Thought you were finally losing it with all those secrets and troubles when he saw all the ink splattered around your room."

Sinbad sighed. "But I suppose those answers will be answered well enough at the Summit, won't they?"

"Where are the rest?" Kali asked.

"Eating and drinking to their hearts' content while they congratulate Alibaba on his love life," Sinbad's lips curved into that familiar smile and his eyes twinkled. "Which is more than I can speak for."

Kali arched a brow. "Aren't there a line of women waiting to leap into your arms?"

"But only one who refuses to stay."

Kali plucked one of the flowers off the branch, twisting it gently between her fingers. Moonlight pooled around them and it turned the soft gold inside the flower into starlight.

Music whistled between the columns, laughter a quiet echo and Kali glanced down as a hand raised itself up to her. Sinbad's face was earnest, golden eyes shining and no hint of the thoughtful, contemplative man she'd come to have to watch. Kali didn't let her gaze leave his hand for a moment, wondering just how much her heart could take and the crackle of smoke and the heat of ruby red eyes seared themselves into the back of her mind.

"Where will you stand?"

The days like this dwindle down to none. Kali's eyes softened and Sinbad grinned, boyish and she was plagued with the memory of a boy so much younger with a goal to change the world. But I don't even know what you're thinking anymore.

"Dance with me?" Sinbad questioned softly.

Then while I can.

Kali was horribly, terribly selfish.

She reached down, bending as her hand stretched out the meet his. Her hair fell along her shoulder, pooling along one side as the flowers in her hair slumped, shifting with the sudden turn and Sinbad was reaching up to grasp her hand in his.

Their fingers brushed, curling past each other and then sliding into their palms. His hand so widely engulfed hers and then it tightened with a soft tug.

The branch shuddered with the sudden disappearance of her weight, petals raining to the floor in a sweet storm. Kali's feet touched the ground and before she could step he was already sweeping her into a large arch, tugging her along as a hand settled on the small of her back.

And then they were dancing.

"The first time we danced, Serendine believed it would help with my presence in a court." Sinbad said.

"The first time we danced I shoved you off the side of the ship because you lied about not knowing how."

Sinbad laughed, the kind of sound that made his chest vibrate and his shoulders shift and Kali wondered how long it'd been since he'd properly laughed like that. "I've been told you started pulling your hair out over this Summit."

"There's a lot to prepare," Sinbad said grimly, tugging her along and their feet skimmed over smooth tiles, stirring up bunches of fallen petals around them. "Of course, you could always be of great help."

"And deprive you of finally acting like a king? I couldn't."

"Ah, but I suppose before I know it you'll be running off to that prince of yours—is it because he's younger?"

"I've always thought red was a handsome color."

Sinbad's hand curved along her back and he dipped her low. Gold met gray and her hair ghosted across the tiles and caught stray petals.

"You look tired."

Kali's lips twitched. "I feel tired."

Sinbad's eyes were warm. "Are you sure you aren't the one giving up on me?"

Her hand strayed from his shoulder and reached up. She tugged the headpiece of his off and let it hit the ground. Thick locks pooled around his shoulders, draped themselves down his arms and tickled her cheeks. Kali let her hand tangle in the mess and felt the silk locks stream through her fingers, slipping just barely out of her grasp.

"Sin." Kali said quietly.

Golden eyes flickered, heavy, Kali realized. Thoughts and lives and memories all swirling in their depths. Things she knew and things she didn't, ideas and plans and she could only hope—

"I'm here," Sinbad replied.

For now.

His eyes drifted downwards and Kali felt her eyes twinkle. Her grip on his head tightened and Sinbad stiffened just as the two of them disappeared. A short shout escaped his lips as they reappeared, wind buffeting their ears for only a second and then cold water splashed up around them as they fell into the fountain.

Cold water pierced her skin but Kali let a laugh escape her lips, loud and ringing and Sinbad grunted, adjusting his grip so his hands weren't crushed beneath her body and he could hold himself above her. Water dripped from the ends of his hair and locks of it floated along the top of the water beside the petals.

Sound came muffled, half of Kali's head beneath the water as she continued to laugh, heart light and untethered by the world for only a moment. Amusement flickered over Sinbad's face despite their now dripping clothes and their drenched hair as Kali's hands slipped from him and she clapped them together in glee, her voice echoing along the empty hallways and towering marble columns.

"Ja'far won't be pleased."

"He loves us too much to be that mad."

"And if we get sick?"

"You'll be all the more formidable before Kouen."

"Kouen—perhaps you are trying to sabotage me, aren't you?"

"Ah, I've been found out."

Fingers ghosted against her cheek.

"Kali."

Kali shut her eyes, letting the cold water numb her skin and her hands fell to her sides, drifting down to the cool rock beneath her fingertips at the bottom of the fountain.

Still Sin.

"I know."


The morning sun was warm against her skin.

Kali's eyes watched the rays of sunlight stream through heavy drapes, sitting up and resting her back against a mountain of downy pillows that had no business being there in such a large quantity but they were because Sinbad was still a man of little pleasures. Her hair clung in a way that promised it hadn't dried properly from the night before and Kali propped an arm on top of her knee, peering through the heavy draperies as let her head fall.

"My king." Camio said warmly and Kali shut her eyes, wishing she could soak up the sun for the rest of her life.

The world moves.

Kali's head turned and she glanced down to the mess beside her. Sinbad's head was buried beneath a mountain of pillows, silk blankets pooling around his shoulders and—thankfully—fully clothed despite his poor sleeping habits.

"Sin."

His back continued to rise and fall in an even pace and Kali leaned a little closer. "Sin."

There was no reply and Kali rolled her eyes, shoving his side. "Sin, wake up."

A low, rugged groan met her ears. Sinbad shifted, burrowing deeper into the pillows and loosely grabbing at the blankets as he pulled them closer to his body. "Sin, you have to wake up."

"King," Sinbad's muffled voice responded. "Can decide... what I want."

Kali hummed, tapping her chin in thought before she snapped her fingers and bent down beside the mountain of pillows.

"The Summit is today."

A pillow shot out and smacked her in the face as several others exploded upwards. Sinbad scrabbled against the silk sheets, looking haggard and disbelieving as he shot to his feet and began racing around the room, tugging robes and snatching loose papers. "Solomon—Ja'far! Ja'far! Where is Ja'far? We need to get the ships ready and we have to prepare the others—"

His hair stuck up at odds and ends and Sinbad nearly slammed into one of the extravagant dressers, tripping over the tangled sheets at his feet as he cursed, snatching his sword and preparing to hack straight through them.

Kali watched in faint amusement, casually stretching her arms above her head and praying ever so quietly to whoever was willing to listen that these moments could return one day.


"An invitation from Ren Kouen?"

Kali rested her arms behind her head, peering over Sinbad's shoulder and skimming the contents of the official letter—Koumei's handwriting by the looks of it—while the trio before them gaped in disbelief at the news.

It's like he knows. Kali mused, dropping her arms and crossing them over her chest instead. My thoughts stray for a moment and there he is again.

"Formidable," Camio agreed dryly.

"As you know, the conference will be held between Reim and Kou on an uninhabited island near Magnostadt." Sinbad began calmly, lacing his fingers together as he set his arms atop his desk. "Ren Kouen wants us to send an attendant for him to provide conversation and serve as an escort."

"That's a prince for you." Alibaba mused.

"What a selfish guy!" Aladdin said without a hint of malice, turning to Kali curiously. "You've attracted someone scary, Kali-nee."

"Don't remind me."

"He wants to come by sea," Sinbad continued, shooting Kali a mindful look. "Though I wish he would come by djinn equip, we've agreed that no metal vessels or armies will be allowed at the conference to avoid a hostile break out."

Kali perked up faintly at this, mind racking through memories and they skidded to a halt before a few. The worlds where that happened...

"But I suspect," Sinbad added, eyes rising to meet Alibaba's curious gaze. "This invitation serves another purpose."

Ah. Kali played with the metal and glass feather around her neck. So he does want to speak with Alibaba.

"The possibilities remain though, my king."

"He requests that I send either Alibaba or Aladdin," Sinbad said thoughtfully. His fingers drifted over the parchment before they flickered to Kali. "And he won't be taking anyone else."

"What?" Aladdin balked, face turning pale and Morgiana stiffened. "He isn't asking for someone... from Sindria? Not even Kali-nee."

"Given Kali's status as a technical rogue," Ja'far said matter-of-factly, eyes drifting to the woman beside them and she shrugged one shoulder. "The status of this official message is not something she can adhere to. There can be no summons for Kali because there is no country to summon her from."

Sinbad's eyes remained on her in a way that gave his meaning away loud and clear. Kali cuffed him over the back of his head and he clicked his tongue. "If there's anything for his war council to give him problems about it would be me, anyway." Old bastards who think they know what they're doing.

Kali couldn't help the small flutter of pride. Ren Kouen is no fool.

"But you can't—" Morgiana started and Ja'far held up a hand.

"Morgiana, you suspect that Ren Kouen will be attempting to have either Aladdin or Alibaba join him," Ja'far began calmly. "Perhaps he does, since he placed the request as a Lord-General, sending an official messenger and offering to provide all the necessary supplies. We can't trust him but Sindria will have to negotiate with him in the future."

Morgiana's expression hardened while Aladdin winced. Ja'far's face remained neutral, "In other words..."

"It's an invitation," Sinbad said calmly. "To visit his expeditionary force in Balbadd."

Alibaba stiffened, his friends whirling around. Morgiana's eyes softened. "Alibaba..."

"He's letting him come to Balbadd?" Aladdin murmured.

He knows if one of them goes I'll be at their heels. I can't afford to not be eavesdropping on a conversation like this. Kali grinned, mildly amused and partially irritated that she was that easy to figure out. He gets something out of it regardless.

"You did express quite a concern over them before many people. It was only natural."

Mutiny, Camio. Kali dropped her arms to her sides, looking thoughtful as she turned to glance out the long windows that lined the back wall of Sinbad's royal office. What it is that he wants from Alibaba... What his next moves are...

Kali felt a tug in her chest and her gaze flickered. I guess I've never really known what to expect from you either.

A brush of wings fluttered past her ear and Kali half turned, watching Alibaba's face shift into one of quiet determination, undeterred and earnest as he pressed a hand to his chest.

"I understand. I'll go alone."

Kali imagined gears shifting into place.


"Alibaba, I want—"

"Free."

Kali blinked, confusion clouding her face for a moment before it cleared and she arched a brow at Alibaba, stopping in the middle of his room where she'd appeared. She'd been mentally preparing herself for hours on what she needed Alibaba to know when facing Kou's royal court—because not one of them would let a former prince walk through their palace unscathed and if Kouen had anything to say about it, the entrance would prove a fair enough judge for him to see what Alibaba was made of.

A small smile tugged at Alibaba's lips, his eyes drifting to the sword in his grasp as he ran a thumb over the jewel in the center of the hilt. "I was just thinking about that is all... You really gave me a surprise, you know. Sweeping in out of nowhere and helping me... helping us all out. It's where we met, wasn't it? Balbadd."

Kali gazed quietly at the former prince in front of her, his golden gaze focused softly on the blade in his hand, thoughtful despite his normally dorky and grinning nature. "It was."

"It's been a long time," Alibaba said quietly, sheathing his short sword and turning to Kali with a boyish smile. "I'm grateful for what you did back then. I always will be."

You don't know though. Kali thought with a touch of bitterness, gazing softly at his smile face and finding it replaced with a thousand others—many of which bloody and bruised or beaten. In a way I was treating you like I did with all of them.

"But you fell in love with him. With all of them."

"It's already been that long," Kali mused instead, rocking back on her heels. She disappeared and reappeared beside him, landing cross-legged atop his bed and regarding the items he'd been packing together. "Those days were pretty fun too."

"Yeah," Alibaba's eyes brightened. "In their own way they're memories I won't ever let go."

The light caught the glint of Kassim's old earring and Kali glanced to it for a second before looking back to Alibaba. "Going to Balbadd... This is something I know only I can do. I can't ask anything more of anyone else because I promised I would never turn my back on my country again."

"You haven't," Kali reminded gently. "You've been doing what you've always believed to be right."

"What's right..." Alibaba's brows furrowed. "I don't know if what I'm doing is right, but I know the only way I'll ever find out is if I take this chance to go back."

"You might not like what you see."

"I have to be strong no matter what."

"It could be a trap."

"I'm strong enough to protect myself now. And I know Sinbad wouldn't let me walk off to my death just like that."

"You don't know Kouen."

Alibaba's eyes flickered up to her. "But he cares for you. That must say something, doesn't it?"

Kali's eyes glittered darkly in the evening light.

"There may be nothing to see."

Alibaba stilled at those words, his brows creasing together as he let them hang there in the air before he added another pair of clothes to his bag.

"Then I'll mourn as I should."

A soft hand reached out, settling on Kali's shoulder. Alibaba's smile widened into a grin, earnest and bright and she was so loudly reminded that these people were loved by the Rukh and loved by the world for a reason.

"Kouen isn't one for games," Kali began instantly, reaching up and setting her hand atop Alibaba's, coarse with growing callouses but not horribly rough just yet. "He isn't... bad. But I know you're already figured that out for yourself. I may not know what goes on in his mind half the time but, well, he's something."

Alibaba watched Kali's face for a moment, gratitude in his gaze but eyes curious as Kali's face began to shift, eyes shining with a small warmth and the corners of her lips tugging into a half smile at the man she spoke of. "He's strong. In a fight you will lose but don't mind the old bastards who'll be there as well. His household are enamored by him and aren't cruel—they'd do for him what the generals would do for Sin."

Kali's brows furrowed in thought. "Koumei will most likely be with him. He's lazy but he's one of the smartest people I've ever met aside from Ja'far. If it's talking about ideals and motives then Koumei will be far more formidable than Kouen—Kouen just like saying what he thinks and leaving it there for you to figure out."

Alibaba was silent, recording her words to heart but thoughtful as Kali grimaced, rubbing the side of her head a little roughly. "Then again, I don't know much about that woman Hakuei—if she's there as well then things may go different. She seems more like a warrior than a politician to me though, and Kouen seems to trust her. Don't mention me though—I don't think she's particularly fond of me."

"Kali," Alibaba took a seat beside her on the bed. "You... care about them a lot, don't you?"

Kali let her eyes settle on her hands, running her fingers over each other before she splayed them out.

"I care for many things."

The two of them sat there for a moment in silence. A former prince and a woman with nothing but a name.

"I'll be right there if you need me," Kali promised softly. "But I know you'll do what's right."

Alibaba gazed down at his hands, turning them inwards so he could examine his palms. His fingers slowly curled and he gripped them tightly into a fist, shutting his eyes. "For everyone... For Balbadd... I'll do my best."

Two days after, Alibaba departed for Balbadd. Within three days his ship, along with Morgiana and the rest of the rescued children who'd demanded to ride aboard with him would arrive before Prince Kouen.

Three days and Kali would make her move.


I feel like a lot of the writing has been so intense lately with all these undertones and careful looks and it was kind of nice to just write a little bit of comedic Sinbad because god knows where that's all going to go after a fat arc :') Minor filler chapter before we hit the Balbadd scene with Kouen and Co and finally get started with the Summit. Look forward to some waited interactions and good ol' Yunan and of course, everyone's favorite first prince ;)

It seems like there were some mixed feelings on the other world Kali and how she willingly went out to battle knowing she was pregnant and had the nerve to apologize to the child. I honestly completely agree that there isn't much sympathy to be found because it's an awful thing to do. I included that bit not just for an appeal to emotion but because I felt like doing something so irrevocably selfish on Kali's part would speak volumes about her character, whether it was another her or not. Though given the circumstances of that world are different from this original timeline, Kali put her desire to hoping Sinbad would turn away above the chance she could give that child, which was both cruel and selfish, but Kali isn't a good person in all aspects of the thought, to be honest. I'm really looking forward to upcoming chapters because morals will be tested and crimes will come to light because for all Kali may try to do, other worlds or not, she has done some pretty awful things. (lowkey why I both love and aggravate over writing her sometimes because isn't gray such a nice color for characters :,))

It's been pointed out to me that Kali hasn't seemed to have had much of an impact regardless of everything she's gone through and I do think I've been holding back a bit because considering what happens at later dates, there's just more I'd rather have Kali actually do there than compared to the Medium fight where she might just seem far too all-knowing. She also cheated a bit already by heading to Balbadd and training Alibaba to help him have a leg up when the time came against Kassim and she's a little wary about doing too much that could send her original world off onto a path like all the others.

But I'm glad most of you seemed to enjoy the last chapter! Sinbad's will come on a later date and I've been asked if there will be a flashback arc for Sinbad and Kali. I can definitely say there will but when it will come I've been contemplating and I think I know when the right time to put it will be. :D

I'VE ALSO JUST NOTICED BECAUSE I HAVEN'T VISITED THE ACTUAL PAGE FOR MAGI ON FANFIC FOR AWHILE ASIDE FROM JUST POSTING THE UPDATES BUT IS IT ME, OR IS THERE A LACK OF ACTIVITY IN THIS FANBASE? I know with the manga ending and having to wait for a third season it's torture but I feel like there's been such a lack of new stories lately and it makes me a bit sad because Magi is such an amazing story for what it's worth, and anyone with even just a bit of an itch to write something for it I highly encourage you to do so and just have fun with it. It's what we're all here for anyway. :)

Thank you all so much for your support and for reading and I hope you enjoyed!

Marshmellow-

-OUT!