I just couldn't properly get this one to flow the way I wanted too so I kept drafting it back and deleting, but hopefully this one finally does it!

Thanks for waiting :)

I do not own Magi.


Enigma

Chapter Thirty:

The Throne and the Thorn


"Don't ever forget. When you don't know if the ground beneath you is steady, if the sky above you is clear—when you don't know whether it is night or day or whether the stars shine and the moons rises—Remember."

"Remember what?"

"That the beating of the heart in your chest, that the blood flowing through yours veins and the Rukh that beats within and beside us—

is you."


"If you do not make a choice, you will find yourself torn apart."

Wind tugged at Kali's hair in an attempt to coax her to play.

Her eyes stared silently against the evening sky. Colors had begun to bleed into one another, dark reds and soft purples, the hints of orange and the lick of gold as the sun disappeared over the horizon. Night was coming.

Kouen had departed in a sweep of robes and the lingering memory of low lights and a well-kept study. Kali had remained on that rooftop for a while longer before she disappeared and reappeared on one of the many balcony alcoves along the palace walls. The three princes might've finally finished whatever discussion it was they were having to shape the course of the next few days and the only witness to Kali's own thoughts were Camio and the Rukh.

"Sometimes I wonder if I should simply allow myself to fall apart," Kali admitted and a vine curled between her fingers. "Allow myself to be ripped into a thousand little pieces so I can become a part of every little thing. A piece of me in the ocean, one in the sky, the earth—that doesn't sound so bad, does it?"

"You have never been one for the conventional," Camio said in response and Kali smiled. "You feel as though you are sinking but I know your wings have already taken flight."

Kali tipped her head to the side. "What does that mean?"

"You made your decision long ago."

Kali watched flurries of Rukh brush past them in swarms. They rose up from thousands of homes and from the hearts of all those living and breathing around them. They called to her, singing songs of painful familiarity and she recalled Aladdin's smile and his soft hand on hers.

"Your mind is muddled but your heart is clear," Camio murmured. "You are not as still as you believe yourself to be."

"Kali!"

Kali glanced over her shoulder, blinking in surprise as familiar magenta locks spilled elegantly over slim shoulders. Kougyoku beamed from the entrance of the balcony, shifting her robes aside as she stepped out onto the smooth tile. "Kougyoku."

"I'd heard you'd arrived and I searched all over for your whereabouts!" Kougyoku began eagerly, eyes shining as she bounded over to Kali and the older woman turned to greet her. "There's so much I wanted to speak with you about. Are you well? How are things? Brother told me that you'd be attending the Summit, well, surely you would be and—"

"I've been fine," Kali soothed, grinning at the princess' eagerness. Kougyoku flushed and Kali gently squeezed her shoulder. "Things are... messy. But that's to be expected. What about you?"

Kougyoku's already bright eyes seemed to ignite and Kali watched curiously as she stepped back. Kougyoku pressed a fist to her chest and beamed, holding her head up high and tilting her chin upwards. "You are now speaking with an official General of Kou!"

"I want to be useful."

"I'll work hard and do my best to support them!"

"Kougyoku, that's amazing," Kali praised, her heart warming for the younger girl. "I don't know what took them so long when all this time, they've had such a fierce fighter right in their midst."

"The recent battle truly showcased what I have to offer," Kougyoku explained eagerly. "Brother Kouen saw to it that it would be done and now here I am!"

Kali ruffled the top of her head and Kougyoku's smile widened, a pleased flush coloring her cheeks. Slender fingers began to twiddle with each other and Kougyoku hid the lower half of her face with her sleeve. "I also... I wished to thank you, Kali."

Kali went still. "Me? I didn't say anything—"

"Those days you spent with us at the palace," Kougyoku began hurriedly, eyes darting to the side and then back to Kali, shining and gentle. "It wasn't for friends like you... Like Alibaba and everyone else... I never would have made it here and I would still be hiding in the shadows."

Kali shook her head, hand coming to grip the hilt of her sword. "You're plenty strong on your own, Kougyoku. I know... I know you'll do what's right."

Kougyoku's smile went wide and Kali found herself returning it despite it all. Camio's words rang in the back of her mind and she turned her eyes skywards, the coming dark of night reminding her that there was still so much to do in so little time.

"You're surrounded by people who are strong and mean well despite it all," Kali added. "Your brothers will keep you safe and I know you'll do the same for them. I just gave you a push where you needed it."

"But there is much that still needs to be settled," Kougyoku murmured, eyes lowering to the ground. "Brother Kouen... he does not see that Sindria is not an enemy... There are such larger threats at stake and we need to do what we can to stop it."

Kali smiled. "You're miles ahead of millions of people in this world, I'll tell you that much. I'm glad you feel that way but we have to understand where those two are coming from."

"But Kali," Kougyoku began, eyes wide. "You of all people... Sindria is a precious place to you, is it not? Sindria and everyone there... King Sinbad—"

"Sindria holds a place in my heart," Kali agreed. "But so does this world."

"...Kali," Kougyoku started softly and Kali half turned her head to face the newly crowned general.

Kougyoku's head was slightly bowed, bands shifting across her face and she turned her fingers over each other before sliding them into her sleeves. "Once before we spoke of King Sinbad and the two of you... You know my brother is fond of you and I know you care for him dearly but..."

Kougyoku turned her head upwards to face her properly, eyes intent and Kali paused, taking in the strangely curious glint to her eyes. "What do you intend to do, Kali?"

Will you side with my brother or with Sinbad?

"You already made your choice long ago."

"Kougyoku," Kali allowed her lips to curl upwards into a faint grin and Kougyoku blinked curiously. "Would you come with me for a moment?"

A heartbeat and Kougyoku hesitantly extended her hand with a small smile. Kali blinked once and the air around them shifted, the two disappearing and reappearing.

Water lapped at Kali's bare feet, biting and cool as it flooded around her ankles and receded back to her toes. Kougyoku blinked in surprise, robes growing soaked along the shoreline on one of Balbadd's many port sides. Sand pressed between their feet, indenting beneath their weight and Kougyoku looked up in confusion.

Kali's head was turned toward the sea as water continued to lap at her ankles. It tugged, urging her further and further as the sand beneath her shifted with each rise and fall of the waves, slowly dragging her deeper and deeper into the heart of the sea.

Kougyoku's eyes shone with understanding.

"I'm going to do whatever I can with these two hands to see to it that this world doesn't fall apart," Kali said softly. "Where my heart lies doesn't matter."

I've already chosen the world.

"Kali," Kougyoku sighed and Kali frowned, turning to her curiously at the strange tone the younger girl had taken. "Your heart matters dearly. You shouldn't force yourself to think otherwise and you should act—"

"Kougyoku."

Kali peered over Kougyoku's shoulders in surprise, golden hair glinting against the waning light. Alibaba's eyes were hard and Kougyoku merely smiled, gathering her robes about her as she turned. "Alibaba dear! I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

"Alibaba," Kali said in surprise, sloshing through the water and Kougyoku followed carefully behind her as they touched the shore where the former prince stood. "How'd you find us?"

"Luck," Alibaba said grimly, glancing back to Kougyoku and then back to her as his fist clenched at his side. "I was looking for someone and I saw the two of you from the port. You should head back, Kougyoku, I don't think your brothers would appreciate you being gone for so long."

"Ah, you're right!" Kougyoku began hurriedly, looking flustered as she surged past Kali and gripped the woman's elbow briefly. "Please, Kali, remember what I said."

Kali nodded absently and Kougyoku beamed, stepping past her and offering Alibaba a small smile as well before she was surging up the steps that would lead to the port docks. Kali watched her retreat curiously, surprised by the strength in what Kougyoku had said and feeling idly put off by the whole thing as well. "She's got more spunk to her now, doesn't she?"

"Kougyoku is kind," Alibaba said quietly.

The blonde roughly shook his head, nails biting into his palms and Kali quickly turned her attention toward him. Sand clung to her feet and she paused a step away from Alibaba, brows furrowing in worry. "...what did they say?"

"It's not..." Alibaba started and then he roughly ran a hand through his hair. "I-I wanted to speak with you, Kali. I don't..."

Both of Alibaba's hands rose upwards toward his head and he gripped it tightly between his fingers. Kali's heart thundered in her chest and Alibaba crouched down low to the sand, shaking his head. "I don't know what I should do. I thought finding you to ask would be right but it's not fair of me to do this to you when—when all of this is happening and—"

"Alibaba," Kali fell to her knees beside him and hesitantly laid a hand on his shoulder. "I'm always here for you. I promised you that much, at least."

"I know," Alibaba stressed and Kali realized the heavy magnitude of what must have transpired. "I know you'd do whatever you could to help me but what if that meant forcing you to have to pick just like me?"

Kali stilled. "What do you mean?"

"I... My heart was so steady," Alibaba said roughly. "I thought I knew what I needed to do but then everything changed. My answer isn't clear anymore and I feel as though everywhere I look there's something to urge me back. The people I'm supposed to trust have all plunged their hands into something deep and I can't..."

Kali settled down onto the sand with a soft thud. Watching Alibaba's face carefully as his hands slipped from his hair and fell into his lap. His eyes lowered to the ground and he shut them. "Should I be like them? Should I do what I want? Can I do that? It feels as though so much rides on my shoulders and any choice I make could cause someone to suffer but I don't want that."

"You feel as though you're being torn apart."

Alibaba looked up sharply and Kali offered him a small, bitter smile. "...it's hard, isn't it? Deciding what's right or wrong. I used to think I could tell as easily as saying what was left and what was right."

Kali looked up to the sky. "... it's hard to remain clean in a world as dirtied as this one is. I'm no exception."

Alibaba was silent and Kali absently turned the bracelets along her wrist. "I don't know what they said to you, but if it was anything like what they explained to me... I know it can't be easy."

Kali smiled down at her hands, curling her fingers and then meeting Alibaba's golden gaze, hazy and glassy and she grinned. "It'll always be hard. Sometimes you'll have to side with people you never thought you would stand beside and you start to realize that there's so many different perspectives that make up this single world—and they add to it, you know. They're part of what makes it so wonderful and chaotic and worth living for."

"But what if I side with the wrong side?" Alibaba whispered.

"Then you do what you must to make it right."

Kali reached forward, gently gripping Alibaba's hand in hers. "I'm not in the same position you are. I may have my own things to be dealing with, but the fact remains that there is a greater foe we all need to face. They'll speak of sides and loyalties for now, but at the end of the day we all must be one if we even stand a chance."

The Rukh fluttered, sealing the promise.

"I'm going to do everything I can no matter what." Alibaba's brows furrowed and Kali raised their joined hands, turning it and pressing them against Alibaba's chest. "And someone told me once... Someone important from a long, long time ago..."

Her forehead pressed to his and Alibaba went still. "When you don't know if the ground beneath you is steady, if the sky above you is clear—when you don't know whether it is night or day or whether the stars shine and the moons rises—Remember."

Alibaba waited and Kali shut her eyes, feeling the earth around them and her heart thudding loud in her chest.

"That the beating of the heart in your chest, that the blood flowing through yours veins and the Rukh that beats within and beside us is you."

Kali met his gaze.

"And that will never change."


The Rukh whispered and Aladdin looked up sharply, bright blues scanning the entire room. Bags tugged at his eyes, hundreds of scrolls spilled across his lap and around him as his glasses threatened to fall off his face. "Kali-nee?"

The air shifted and Kali appeared, Rukh fluttering at her heels and brushing against her cheeks before they dispersed. Aladdin quickly shoved several scrolls aside, rising to stand. "What are you doing? We have to—"

"I'm ready."

Aladdin blinked wide blue eyes at her and Kali smiled, settling down onto her knees beside the shorter magi. Light burst around them in a flurry, wings brushing against one another as the Rukh began to climb higher and higher and Aladdin gripped the staff at his side tightly.

"Are you sure?"

Kali lowered her head in the faintest of nods. "I told you I wanted to wait until the time was right... I was a bit afraid back then, to be honest. I was worried about what I might be able to see with your help but now there's nothing left to lose."

"There is," Aladdin murmured, crouching beside Kali and gently laying a hand against her cheek. Kali leaned into his touch, watching him with warm gray eyes and Aladdin bit his lip. "Our memories... They're different. What resides within you may not be the best—"

"But you braved it anyway," Kali murmured. "I need to know if I'm to stand before them all and say my piece."

Aladdin's brows furrowed and his lips parted but Kali reached up with her own hand to grip his tightly. Kali's eyes shone, warm and imploring and Aladdin hesitated. "It's been hard... hasn't it? Living with those memories all this time by yourself."

"But you too, Kali-nee," Aladdin whispered. "You've suffered too."

A wry grin curled itself on her lips and Kali's eyes shone. "So why not a little more?"

Aladdin's grip on his staff tightened. Kali could feel the energy in the air thrumming with life as it began to curl around them as though a vortex. A pentagram appeared along Aladdin's forehead and he bit his lip, glancing to the ground and then back to Kali. "We can't go back after this."

"We both know we need this if we want the Summit to work."

"It might only do so much."

"I know."

"It'll be a bit scary."

Kali's grin widened. "You don't think I can handle it?"

"I don't know what we'll see from your side of things."

"But it might not all be bad?"

"No," Aladdin agreed. "But some of it will still be impossibly and horribly sad."

Kali reached forward and wrapped her hand around Aladdin's. She gripped his staff alongside him and raised it upwards. "It's been a while since I cried anyway."

Aladdin shut his eyes. "Okay."

Kali smiled. "Thank you, Aladdin."

"Solomon's Wisdom!"

Arms wrapped tight around Kali's neck, fingers wrapping around her throat and she felt lips press to her temple.


"Remember."


The Rukh flowed ceaselessly throughout the entire world.

Their wings fluttered, their whispers and promises lost to the wind and brushing against the faintest of ears. They sang and laughed and cried. They swirled about those who were so increasingly loved by fate, they tagged at the heels of those who sought to change it. They existed throughout countless timelines and lives.

The abandoned island to hold the Summit thrived.

Every plant that wove through the cracked ruins perked to attention. The sand at their feet seemed to shift and twist constantly. Air curled tight, stones trembled, and the forces of power gathered together on this day faced off as the Rukh burst forth into the air in a swirl of untamable energy.

Several pairs of feet stood hunched and ready, swords and weapons kept at bay as masked persons emerged from the dwindling clouds of smoke. Magoi thrummed to life in the air as the Yambala remained silent and waiting.

Masrur and Sharrkan flanked him on either side, arms crossed behind their backs as they gazed forward intently. Between the two of them, violet hair spilling in smooth rivets down his shoulder and catching on a stray breeze. Light caught the glints of threading on his elegant robes, the familiar clink of metal no more and safely tucked aside with the rest of the metal vessels. He leaned back in the chair provided, Sindria's banner waving proudly behind him as he settled his hands onto his lap.

Sinbad, King of the Seven Seas, smiled.

Sunlight glinted against the shifting of golden armor. Bright, magenta locks shifted over shoulders and against massive bodies. Lips were curled back in slight snarls and the man at the center of the gathered mass of power beamed with a pleasant smile. His eyes turned to the side and hulking figures flanked either side of the throne that had been provided for the man they followed.

Crimson—bright and flaming against the light shifted as though aflame. Dark eyes scanned the table and the set up before him impassively. Power lined every shift of his figure and turn of his head. Koumei stood dutifully at his side, regarding those gathered and he noticed the absence of several figures in particular as he inclined his head.

Ren Kouen, First Prince of Kou, merely leaned his head against his hand.

"This has to be history in the making," Toto murmured quietly, shifting away from Kouen's household and closer to the other former pirates and Alibaba. "Three of the largest world powers gathered in one spot..."

"I'm surprised the island hasn't shattered under the power of it all," Olba agreed with a shudder. "It feels like any moment just their presence will suffocate someone."

Morgiana held her chin high at Alibaba's side. "We won't be pushed around."

Toto nodded and their backs straightened in unison beside their leader. Alibaba watched, golden eyes unreadable as his hands curled into fists at his sides. I have to trust in Aladdin... In Kali and everyone here.

Toto blinked, scanning the gathered crowd once more before she nudged Morgiana. "Where's your friend? The wispy one from the palace."

"I'm not sure," Morgiana murmured, sniffing the air and blinking at the sky. "I believe it was decided that Kali would be here though."

"It would appear," Kouen began, voice loud and resounding as it echoed off the broken ruins and towering pillars. "That we are still awaiting the final piece to this set."

Sinbad smiled in a mannerly fashion, golden eyes shining as he clasped his hands together and reclined back into his chair. "It would seem so. Well, Kali has always been one to act on whims so I'm sure she'll show when the time is right."

"The time is right," Seishuu muttered. "He means to play our King."

Kin Gaku snorted, playing with one end of his mustache. "You'd be wise not to doubt our King when it comes to that woman."

Kouen regarded Sinbad in a languid fashion, crimson colliding with molten gold. "Interesting. I was lead to believe she would come at your call."

Sharrkan grimaced slightly, refusing to allow his eyes to stray. Sinbad looked unperturbed, eyes bright and smile carefully wide. "The two of us have built something a little more than on words alone."

Alibaba awkwardly glanced between the two world powers and sighed with a slump of shoulders. His group blinked behind him, trying to figure out what to make of the growing tension in the air.

Koumei held his fan up to his face and Muu let out a low whistle, crossing his arms over his breastplate. "I guess Kali's gotten into more trouble than she's worth."

"You might've been a part of this whole mess too," Myron reminded him with a rough jab to his side and Muu merely smiled charmingly. "Thankfully you had some sense knocked into you before that."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"This is foolish," Kouen said flatly, voice a low rumble and he scanned the skies before turning his gaze back to Sinbad. "Let's get to the point."

"Ah, I suppose he's right!" A voice chimed and light seemed to twist and bend, the Rukh parting as though they were curtains amidst the swirling masses of power and magoi. "You kept them waiting too long, Kali."

"Give me a break."

Heads whipped around at the new voice. Sinbad's smile widened and Kouen's eyes turned slowly toward the center of the table. Both men watched as the air shifted and bare feet appeared, gracing the top of the table before they landed with a soft thud. Absent were the usual anklets that adorned her legs, white fabric falling about her as her tunic shifted and sooty locks drifted out behind her.

A feral smile curled over Kali's lips and she spun on her toes, landing at the center of the table between Sinbad and Kouen. Her hair piece no longer fitted along her braid, Raum missing from her side along with the rest of her metal vessels. Her wrists were bare, revealing thin scars up along her arms and Kali clasped her hands behind her back, standing atop the table as though it were the most perfect place for her to be.

"I had a bit of a headache," Kali explained, flashing wary soldiers a wolfish grin. Her eyes slid from a beaming Sinbad and an impassive Kouen and she bowed. "Sorry if we kept you waiting."

"She intends not to take a side?" Myron questioned, arching a brow with a small huff and Muu shrugged.

"If she did," he glanced between the two sides with a wry smile. "There may be more to discuss than the fate of the world."

"She still could've stood on the other side of the table," Masrur said slowly, blinking once. "Instead of on it."

"Maybe she's making a statement?" Sharrkan offered.

Kouen's eyes followed the curve of her collar bone peeking from her tunic and he regally inclined his head. "You don't intend to follow the proper regulations we set in place?"

"I do, I do," Kali appeased, grin curling upwards as her fingers reached for the vines curled lovingly around her neck. "I merely wished to prolong our parting until the very last moment."

Yunan coasted down beside Sinbad, the Yambala and Sharrkan stiffening at his sudden appearance. "I'll take him off your hands for you, Kali."

Kali inclined her head, fingers curling as the vines left her neck and wrapped tightly around her fingers. She gazed for a moment at the metal and glass feather, pressing her thumb to the faint glint of a pentagram.

"I will always be with you," Camio promised fiercely and she let his voice flood her every thought and being.

I've never been apart from you before. Kali pressed the feather to her lips. I can only imagine the entire world would fall apart.

"It will not," Camio vowed and Kali pulled away as Yunan appeared beside her with a warm smile. "Just as we will never be apart."

Kali withheld the shudder that threatened to overtake her entire body. She gently raised her hand and Yunan extended his, gripping the feather in a gentle hold as he pulled away and the vines slowly pulled from her hand, lingering along the tips of her fingers before it was pulled from her entirely.

A vast emptiness flooded Kali's mind but she kept her face impassive. It didn't matter how dearly the two men watching her carefully knew Camio was to her—they'd figured that out ages ago. What did matter were the dozens of unfamiliar faces who had no business understanding that her metal vessel had never been just a metal vessel to her.

Family. Heart. Soul. My greatest friend.

Her mind was absent of all thoughts, all prying presence and warming touches. Every inch of her skin crawled without Camio's quiet whispers. She steeled her body and curled her fingers into a fist, pressing it once to her lips and then to her chest before she allowed her hand to fall to her side.

"With that," Kali said loudly, and her eyes glinted like steel. "We are all equal."

So let's make this worth it.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone," Yunan tilted his hat upwards and spared Kali a glance. "Kali here will be playing an important part of our discussion today, but I believe it's time to introduce you to the two friends who will have the leading role today!"

Heads craned upwards, following Yunan's extravagant sweep of his staff. Eyes narrowed, whispers were traded and Kali smiled, watching the Rukh burst to life as a shadow appeared amidst the burning glint of the sun and coasted downwards. Bright blue and tumbling gold drifted against the wind.

"Was there really a need for us to arrive in such a flashy way?" Aladdin wondered aloud and Titus merely beamed.

"Now, now, we're supposed to follow Yunan's orders—plus, it's making me feel rather excited!"

"Aladdin!" Alibaba exclaimed, eyes brightening at the final arrival of his friend. Aladdin shot him and Morgiana a beaming smile and coasted down to the ground.

Kali offered the two a hand, meeting their gazes with a wry grin as she pulled them forward. The three magis and one bird turned, raising their staffs as Kali crossed her arms over her chest and the Rukh erupted around them, fluttering madly and lovingly as thousands of voices raced through the air.

"Gathered kings," Aladdin began, bright blue eyes scanning each and every face gathered before him. "There is something I want to tell you all. Something that no one knows about another world... about Alma Torran."

Kouen's eyes narrowed, shifting in his seat as he regarded the quartet in silence. Sinbad's face remained unreadable, golden eyes watching carefully as he clasped his hands together. Alibaba stiffened and Kali wound her fingers together.

"By the way," Yunan began softly, turning toward Kou's gathered forces. "Where is the magi of the Kou Empire?"

"The High Priest has been immersing himself in magic training as of late," Koumei explained calmly. "He has an atmosphere around him that clearly says that we should not interrupt him. We will be the only ones representing the Kou Empire in this meeting."

Kali frowned, eyes turning skywards. She wished dearly for Camio's words to flood her mind to make sense of whether or not the choices made today would be right—

"You have already taken flight."

No. Kali narrowed her eyes and hardened her heart. Whether they are right or wrong, we have to make sure they change the course of this world.

"I see, that's a pity," Yunan mused. "It took a lot of time to organize this Summit so I wanted all the magi to be here and listen to Aladdin's story. But I suppose we should begin then, Aladdin."

"Alright," Aladdin nodded, turning to face everyone. Kali's fingers reached outwards and he gently gripped her hand in his, the two of them meeting eyes with a small smile before they faced those gathered before them. "Alma Torran is the place where the djinn, Al Thamen, Kali and I..."

Aladdin's smile widened. "Were born."

The air in the room shifted and light burst forth, brushing against faces and whispering into ears. Kali felt the Rukh flutter past her hair and brush against Aladdin's braid. Sinbad sat forward, golden eyes widening slightly. "Al Thamen?"

"The djinn and..." Kouen started before both men turned their heads.

Crimson and gold landed in a sea of hazy gray. Kali inclined her head slightly, a small smile curling against her lips.

"Your home..." Sinbad murmured and Kali's smile widened into a crooked grin.

"The place you could no longer return to." Kouen said lowly, meeting her faraway gaze.

Kali pressed fingers to the left side of her chest, splaying her palm out and the markings etched into her back warmed against her skin. "The start of it all."

"The land where they were born..." Morgiana murmured in awe and Alibaba's eyes brightened, shining like stars.

"What kind of place is it, Aladdin? What kind of country? Was it really far from here or was it on the other side of the world—like the Dark Continent! It was a place like that, right?" Alibaba began eagerly and Aladdin smiled warmly.

"Not really. Alma Torran is a world that exists in a different space and time from this one." Aladdin met Kali's eyes. "It's another world!"

Morgiana's brows furrowed and Alibaba blinked in confusion. "Another world?"

"Aladdin, do you mean that it is located on another 'star'?" Sinbad inquired thoughtfully, eyes drifting to Kali in rapt attention. "I think that our world is just one of many celestial bodies, correct?"

"You're amazing Uncle Sinbad, you've already considered a possibility like that..." Aladdin smiled. "But it's not like that. Another 'star' is located in the same space and one day it could be possible to reach it no matter how far it is. But another world is different—it's like a mirror, even if inside of that mirror there is a world we won't be able to reach it, and the world and the other world could prosper and then be destroyed without coming in contact for all eternity. Right now, there are a lot of these 'worlds' somewhere out there!"

"They branch off," Titus added, stretching his hands wide. "All the possible outcomes in one world happened in another—if one morning I couldn't decide whether to dress in red or blue, one world exists where I dressed red and another blue."

"And while normally we wouldn't be able to cross between these worlds and ever interact with them," Aladdin raised his staff, gently tapping Kali's shoulder. "Kali can."

Sinbad froze, gazing at Kali in silence and Kouen's eyes shot to her, intent and seeking. Kali offered them all a grin while others gaped, disbelief coloring their features.

"As some of you know," Kali started, holding out a hand and watching her entire body flicker briefly. "I have the ability to disappear and reappear—similar to teleportation magic without actually casting a spell."

Kali disappeared, reappearing beside Kouen and the crimson haired man never allowed his eyes to stray from her once. "At first I didn't understand this ability myself—I was born with it. It took a long time and several encounters to fully understand that the reason I am able to appear and reappear is because I use the Rukh itself to travel. Wherever the Rukh goes, I can go."

"Where it ceases," Sinbad continued thoughtfully, eyes following Kali as she walked from Kouen's side and moved back to the center of the room. "...you cease as well."

"Right," Kali smiled absently, twirling a finger in the air. "Through all these thousands of different worlds, as Titus explained, thousands of possibilities exist. Worlds where thundering empires have risen to the top, world where the seas overtook everything in their path—all kinds of different possibilities and outcomes revolving around those of us and everyone intertwined within this universe. I'm able to traverse all these worlds because the Rukh flows ceaselessly between them all, even if our world and those will never interact."

"You can travel between these worlds?" Seishuu repeated in disbelief. "Using the Rukh? How is that possible?"

"Kali comes from a group of people from Alma Torran who all possessed this ability," Yunan explained calmly. "They are descendants from another species you will see when we tell you our tale."

"Their culture was one woven heavily with the energies that bound everything together," Kali explained. "Whether it was called magic, Rukh, destiny—they found themselves apart of it which called for the power they were given."

"How do we even know these worlds actually exist?" Myron questioned sharply. "Thousands of worlds—are you saying that there could be a world where even Reim didn't exist?"

"Exactly," Kali responded, drawing patterns along her palm and the three magis around her turned, raising their staffs. "Worlds where each and every one of us exist but living out completely different lives."

Kali grinned, bowing her head and three staffs gently touched the top of her head. "Of course, the easiest way would be to show you all."

Energy filled the entire room. The three magis bore their staffs, holding them steady and Kali shut her eyes. She felt gentle fingers prying along the edges of her mind, bringing forth pages and pages of countless memories—fire flashed behind her eyes, soft smiles and lingering touches, screamed promises and choked sobs and she pushed them all forward in stunning clarity so they could all see the thousands of paths she'd walked. Her fingers curled into her tunic and she inhaled and exhaled, raising her head as a burst of light illuminated all of them. A glassy sheen enveloped the entire gathering place, soldiers jumping in surprise and not once did Sinbad and Kouen's gaze leave her face.

"W-What's happening?" Alibaba questioned and Aladdin smiled.

"It's illusion magic," he raised his staff higher and the glass sheen shifted along their feet, coating every available surface as the lights began to scatter, shifting and blurring and taking colors. "We're showing all of you everything Kali has seen."

The colors began to sharpen, taking shape. Sinbad turned his head and stilled, blinking once, twice before images erupted forth around all of them. A young boy grinned impishly from the top of a ship, dressed in simple robes. The salty sea breeze tugged lovingly at his violet locks and he turned, calling down to an older man below as he grinned up at him.

"That's... you," Sharrkan murmured in disbelief, watching as the younger version of Sinbad leapt from the top of the ship and scaled the side, laughing loudly as the sea rushed up to meet him.

"Different versions of us exist in each of these worlds," Kali explained quietly, raising her head as she watched the images blur once more and she blinked.

Well paved roads appeared beneath their feet. Sleek cobblestone and the warm scent of spices filled the air. Koumei paused, turning to take in all the familiar sights. "This is Kou."

Kouen reached outwards, young children rushing past him and wavering as the illusion dispersed beneath his fingertips. He raised his eyes and Kali smiled, gazing absently as an older man twisted open the knob of his door. He turned halfway over his shoulder, dark crimson eyes scanning the streets before he set down the thick stack of scrolls he'd been carrying beneath his arm.

"Alternate realties," Kali waved a hand and new images appeared, a world filled with winding jungles and towering trees as people raced through forests and called to each other. She curved her fingers and what looked to be a world where Balbadd had risen to a higher power appeared and Alibaba's breath caught as a young man revealed himself at the top of a palace, bright golden locks spilling down his shoulders as he beamed. "Alternate pathways and choices we could have taken."

"But what..." Sinbad paused, watching as the images shifted and a young Judal followed at the heels of a smiling Ja'far. "What do these worlds have to do with our own?"

"It's thanks to being able to travel throughout these worlds," Kali started quietly. "That I was able to take on the life of the different Kalis living in each and every one. The me that existed in that world and the life he or she lived—I received it all and came to realize that there was something that distinguished these thousands of worlds with my own—this world."

"And what was that?" Kouen rumbled, fingers curling against the table and Kali turned her eyes skywards as the images around them blurred and suddenly a sweeping heat engulfed the room.

"This world, our world," Kali murmured, turning her head and fire ignited at her feet, it licked fiercely up the marble columns, raced along the banners brandished proudly behind each man and threatened to swallow them whole. "Still exists."

Kali waved a hand and the fire parted, revealing torn, ripped banners waving amidst a shadowy wasteland. Alibaba sucked in a breath, staring with horrified eyes as hundreds of bodies piled over each other. Massive black djinn from the fight in Magnostadt appeared, grinning devilishly as their feet crashed into the ground and piercing wails filled the air. Kali blinked once more and the entire scene shifted, pulling forth the strongest of familiar memories.

Muu went still, whirling around as his brethren around him stiffened. Their arms raised as though to defend themselves but the illusion merely rippled, showcasing towering colosseums. Flames rippled amidst familiar buildings, horrified shrieks ringing loud within the ruins surrounding them. The Fanalis bared their teeth and Titus watched, gripping his staff tighter.

"Reim," Muu murmured, blinking slowly at the ashes that fell to his feet and he glanced back to Kali.

"It's not just Reim," Kali ran her fingers through her hair and tilted her head. The images shifted along the ground and columns and Sharrkan sucked in a sharp breath, Sinbad watching above his clasped hands and surveying the carnage that appeared before them. "There are hundreds of worlds where these fates have happened."

Kali rubbed the side of her arm and the images rippled, changing and blurring before they revealed endless fields and bowing flowers. "At first, I didn't understand what it was I was doing with this. It was fun, a chance to play out different paths and see how they turned out."

A sharp gust of wind blew through the stretching green fields, ripping petals from the growing buds and sending them swirling in a turbulent storm. "But the more lives I lived out, the more I realized that the same ending continued to repeat—it didn't matter where I was, who I was with, what I did—each world ended up falling to ruin."

The scenery ripped itself apart, crimson flames engulfing everything in their path. Smoke curled up from buildings, people ran left and right and Kouen turned over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of haggard gray eyes and blood stained hands. Kali brought a hand up to her face, wiping aside a streak of ash and blood and her eyes lifted, staring past him and at something else as she raised the sword dripping ruby red at her side.

"Kou, Sindria, Reim—I've watched country after country fall. In different ways, by different hands." Kali glanced to the side, mounds of dirt lifted up from the earth and stabbed through with wooden stakes. Vines curled around the soft beds of earth and she absently reached for one, watching the illusion ripple beneath her fingers. "Over and over again. It was through all these experiences that I attempted to steer whatever events might have happened in this world in a different pathway so that it wouldn't suffer the same fate."

"Then you know what we should do," Morgiana murmured, glancing upwards and Kali's smile was bitter.

"I can prolong it," Kali's fingers gripped nothing and the images swirled, changing until it showcased hundreds of black djinn barreling through cities and wreaking havoc. "But I can't change it unless we all work together to stop the only force that truly needs to be stopped."

"But Kali..." Alibaba began quietly, voice shaking slightly before he swallowed. Golden eyes traveled across the room before they landed on Kali's back. "How many times did you see things like this?"

Kali's shoulders went slack and she half turned her head. Sooty locks fell over her shoulders and she offered Alibaba the smallest of smiles. "I stopped keeping count a long time ago."

"Where you always went off too," Sinbad spoke up suddenly and Kali turned, golden eyes holding her in place. "When you always came back... This was where you were going?"

"I have too," Kali glanced down to her palms, turning her hands before she curled them into fists. "With the connection my body shares with the Rukh, I have to constantly be jumping worlds—if I don't I run the risk of losing myself in the entire flow. I never know where the jumps will take me or what world it will be—time flows differently in each one. Five years spent in one world could end up being no more than an hour in this."

"Years," Koumei murmured. "Years living another life in another world."

"Spending all the time with people just like us..." Morgiana gripped the left side of her chance and glanced to Alibaba, his brows creased in pain. "Stuck in another world..."

"You had to live through each and every one," Kouen said, voice low and resounding and Kali turned toward him with a faint grin. "You watched these worlds all crumble."

"You look as though the world is falling apart."

"That's why," Kali swept her hand across the room and the images vanished in a cloud of smoke.

Aladdin, Titus and Yunan lowered their staffs and Kali inclined her head toward them. "We need to work together to ensure that this world doesn't suffer the same fate—because I promise you, it runs the possibility of ending just like the rest."

"If you've been to all these different worlds, then shouldn't you know the outcome of what happens today?" Koumei inquired thoughtfully, eyes sweeping up and down Kali's form as he gripped his fan.

"Right now in this timeline, it's free game," Kali drew a figure in the air, as though a pathway. "The events that have occurred to lead to where we are now are different from the other worlds—the actions taken today are different as well. That's why we're gambling that this is what needs to happen to ensure this world's victory."

"But since Kali is able to travel between these worlds because of her people," Alibaba began slowly, turning to Aladdin. "How did you come here in the first place, Aladdin?"

"Well, the 'creator' of this world sent us here," Aladdin explained, gesturing with his staff and Alibaba and Morgiana blinked.

"Creator?"

"That's right," Aladdin nodded and motioned to Kali. "There's a person who made the world as it is now. He made it so things would fall toward the bottom. That there would be a sky and earth. He controls all of the Rukh. He is the God who created the divined providence of this world and the man who worked alongside those who Kali descended from."

Rukh wrapped thickly around each individual within the room and Aladdin met their gazes. "He is the man called King Solomon."

"King Solomon?" Kouen echoed, narrowing his eyes as he leaned forward and Sinbad remained silent. "The master of the djinns, the supreme ruler of the world as reported in the Torran inscriptions..."

"King Solomon told me that I shouldn't tell anybody about Alma Torran," Aladdin explained quietly. "If they knew the meaning and reason behind their birth, anyone would fall into despair. They will lose their ability of thinking independently. They will be unable to walk forward when everyone does so and eventually this world will stop moving—but I don't agree with that."

"Two hands alone can't change the fate of the world," Kali murmured, clenching her hands tightly into fists. "It's impossible to gather up all the threads woven throughout all of our lives and carry them in your arms—we need to all be able to walk alongside each other if we want to cross the end."

"We should be able to end these unnecessary conflicts with the knowledge of this world and all the fates of the worlds Kali has seen fall," Aladdin continued. "I believe that all of the people gathered here are strong, that's why—"

Aladdin raised his staff and energy crackled sharply through the air. Kali disappeared and reappeared, a golden goblet in her hands as she set it upon the table. Crimson swayed and swirled inside and she stepped back. Aladdin's eyes narrowed and the Rukh beat their wings furiously, swirling and coming together.

"Today I will disobey the 'God' of this world!"

Light flared outwards, energy searing across the air. A thunderous explosion filled the room and instantly a sharp beam of light erupted forth from the base of the goblet, filtering through the air and enveloping them whole.

"W-What the hell is this?" Alibaba exclaimed.

Yunan raised his staff beside Aladdin and the energy increased, thrumming to life and crackling fiercely through the air as Kali steadied herself, wind whipping her hair from her face.

"It's the clairvoyance magic that the Chancellor used!" Titus' eyes went wide and Aladdin nodded fiercely, bright blue eyes shining amidst the light.

"That's right, now look. This is the image of Alma Torran I obtained through Solomon's Wisdom—the world and the memory of this land through my blood and Kali's!"

The light burst forth, shrouding them all in its glow before everything flickered and then slowly, gently, wrapping tightly around them—

It all went black.


"A lot of species were fighting, and the world was on the verge of a crisis that would lead to its destruction. In order to save the world, Ilah said that one species should have an overwhelming power with respect to the others, so that it could rule them and unite the world."

Aladdin's voice flooded their minds as the images shifted. The raging wars between the sentient species and the blood that had run like rivers throughout the land blurred, swirling together in a giant mass before soft, flickering light began to filter through. Bits of energy scattered across the sky, thrumming through the cracks in the earth and the image of the first humans—the ones from Alma Torran rose upwards.

Kouen and Koumei raised their heads at Aladdin's words. Unite rang in the air and Kali stood beside Aladdin, watching the images absent from her own mind in stunning clarity since her memories after all only made up part of the tapestry weaving itself before them.

"The species Ilah chose in order to rule the world was humanity." Aladdin explained.

"Humanity?" Sinbad questioned, brows furrowing as he leaned forward. "Why did he choose the weakest species?"

"Well, I'm not sure about that," Aladdin admitted, turning his eyes toward the images projecting themselves above them. "It's normal for people who are in the world—that is, at a level beneath that of the 'creator' to not understand his thoughts. But it is likely that Ilah anticipated that humans who were the weakest species in the world were also the ones who wanted to help their friends the most."

"Those who knew cruelty would not be cruel," Kali murmured.

"And then at the that time, Ilah shared with the humans a part of his absolute power in order for them to rule the world, a power capable of creating overwhelming miracles—the power of magic!"

"Magic?" Alibaba's eyes went wide and Aladdin nodded eagerly.

"This is the instant where the magicians of Alma Torran were born," Aladdin smiled. "And then the humans were grateful to Ilah because he saved them from extinction. So they swore that they would build the world the creator had wished them too—Alma Torran."

"So, with such noble intentions in their hearts, all the five hundred remaining 'humans' who were on the verge of destruction became magicians and set foot in the vast world. The magicians did their best. They amassed wisdom dedicated to stop wars and prevented other species from fighting with each other. By doing that, they guided the world toward peace!"

"It sounds as though it all happened in an instant," Kouen said evenly and Aladdin smiled softly.

"It does, but it didn't go that easily." Aladdin waved his staff and Kali turned her eyes skywards toward the flurry of images. "The values, the language and the ecology of Alma Torran's species were really different from each other. That's why they had to create laws that everyone would accept. Then chaos continued for another eight hundred years, but in the end, the king who unified the world finally appeared."

The images shifted and Kali felt a familiar scent wash over her. Something tugged sharply at her heart and she absently reached over her shoulder, fingers drifting along her back and the base of her neck where her skin warmed and she imagined that gaping jaws of the dragon bearing its fangs along her back.

Petals fluttered past each of them, light filtering through and shrouding them all in its warm glow as a bright, brilliant sun beamed high above the clouds. The echoes of cheers rang loud through the island's ruins, pounding off the marbled columns as the cries of the people grew louder.

A golden staff raised itself high in the air, long, sweeping ocean blue locks tumbling past broad shoulders and a calloused hand raised itself high for the world to see. The images before each of them shifted and Kali stared, colors blending and bursting forth before her eyes as one by one, people began to take shape.

"He was King Solomon, and he was the strongest and the most marvelous magician in all of Alma Torran's history!"

"My king! My king!" Voices chanted and Kali turned her eyes, taking in the new figures with a sweeping gaze and she stilled.

"King of all kings, Solomon." A familiar face beamed, wrinkled skin tugging at his eyes as he pressed a hand to the place above his heart. "You are finally uniting the world. Thanks to your great deeds, the day we were eagerly waiting for is finally..."

Tears pricked at the old man's eyes and a younger man scowled, jerking his arm away. "Don't cry like that Amon, you old geezer!"

"Old men are easily moved to tears!" A woman snickered, long locks tumbling past her shoulders and names began to flash through their minds.

Amon. Paimon. Zagan.

Another woman peered shyly amidst the gathered crowd of magicians, her flushed cheeks coloring her face as her eyes traveled. Her gaze finally landed on the man she was searching for and she squawked, tears streaking down her face and she angrily turned her head aside while others grinned beside her. "Just give it up already!"

"He's right, just fall in love with me!"

Leraje. Barbatos. Focalor.

"Come now, don't tease the poor girl," a woman waved daintily painted nails. Long, coral branches protruded from her pearl colored locks and she grinned, crossing arms beneath her voluptuous chest. "Love makes things far more interesting."

"Only when you're the witch involved," a man snapped, fire slipping past his lips as he jutted pointed black claws her way and ruby red scales rippled across his chest. The woman huffed, turning her head to the side and he scowled. "You always go and find some way to steal my catches!"

"You're simply too slow putting it in. I give them what they want."

"I'll burn you, sea witch!"

"Things are so nice when they're lively," a breezy voice sighed, coasting casually above several other heads. Phenex gently raised a hand, tugging the windswept man down so he could stand properly beside them. "How much longer is this going to go on?"

"Now, now, we must be understanding," a fox shaped child snickered, patting Agares' furred shoulder and the two grinned. "It is an important day after all."

Kali's heart surged loud in her chest.

"How kind of you to say that," a man mused, eyes a dark, vibrant forest green and thick vines curled lovingly around his arms. Flowers bloomed amidst his darkened locks and he offered them all a warm smile, eyes sweeping the crowd in search of one figure in particular. "When did you become so mature, Asmodeé?"

"Someone has to pick up the slack when you're not around," Raum sniffed, shooting Ose a heated glare over Asmodeé's head and the woman ignored him, choosing instead to shoot a sobbing Leraje a wink.

"He was complimenting Asmodeé," Seere sang, fingering a lute he'd produced from amidst his robes and Barbatos was trying to convince him to allow him a turn.

Flames ignited along Raum's shoulders and the man let out a thunderous roar. Ose rolled her eyes and the green eyed man smiled, trailing his eyes before they landed on one figure in particular and he beamed.

"Yes, no one other than you could be able to do this. Such an extraordinary and wonderful dream..." a soft voice murmured, gentle steps clacking against tiled floor and Solomon's shadowed face turned.

"Do you really think that?"

Tired, sunken eyes gazed back at her beloved king. Long wisps of soft scarlet and magenta colored locks sprung messily from beneath her turban and the woman smiled, dulled eyes gazing sightlessly ahead of her.

"Yes... of course..."

Soft sobs and troubled eyes watched the two in silence. The gathered crowd for the Summit turned, catching the huddled figures looking before the entire scene with scornful eyes. Kali blinked at the familiar face, her heart quieting in her chest.

"By the way," Aladdin added, jutting casually with his staff toward where a worried look young man comforted another woman with her head bowed. "This guy here is Ugo."

"That's Ugo?" Alibaba squawked and Aladdin nodded proudly. "What? You said that this is the place where you were born, so could that mean—who's that woman with him?"

Sinbad stilled, brows furrowing as another figure swept into the images appearing before them. A breeze curled through the gathered crowd of djinns and magicians alike, energy curling like a whisper and bare feet touched the tiled floors.

Kali idly tucked a strand of hair back behind her ear, watching as the woman's robes shifted across her body—soft fabrics in light blues and whites wrapped loosely around her chest and hips to leave her stomach and back bare.

Ebony ink curled along her back, a dragon opening its gaping jaws as it glared defiantly at the world around it. Kouen stiffened, eyes narrowing at the figure and Kali heard once more the soft, familiar voice that curled so sweetly and distantly past her ears.

"That will be her name."

Forest green eyes turned, a hand stretching outwards to grasp slender, scarred fingers. "You were almost late."

"All for show," the woman mused, a breezy, wry smile curling on her lips. Raum straightened to attention, sidling over to her side and Ose blew the woman a kiss. "I think I came at the perfect time, Cam."

"Cam?" Alibaba echoed, eyes dropping from the man shrouded in flowers and vines and it shifted to the woman. "Then that woman..."

"You grow cheeky," Astaroth called to her.

"Though perhaps it merely adds to her charm?" Focalor offered, rubbing smooth fingers against his chiseled jaw and Leraje spat on the floor with jealous tears streaking down her cheeks.

"Try all you like," Paimon sighed, throwing her hands up uselessly into the air. "Cam will always be number one in that woman's heart."

The woman turned on her heel, metal bands around her wrists clinking together as dark, unruly sooty locks tumbled past her shoulders and toward her lower back. A breeze tugged on them and a crooked grin touched her lips, bright blue eyes shining a shade darker than the sky.

"Kali?" Sinbad breathed and Kouen watched in rapt attention as the woman tucked a strand of unruly hair behind her ear, Camio reaching past her and placing a brightly colored blossom to hold it back.

Kali watched in silence.

"Not Kali," Aladdin smiled, pointing with the tip of his staff and the woman's eyes seemed to shine, her grin turning almost feral and the air around her shifted, blowing long, unkempt fringes from her face.

"My mother," Kali said softly.


A little bit of rambling and weird word vomit ahead, bear with me you wonderful and amazing people who love this story and I cannot thank enough for loving.

WE FINALLY HAVE THE SUMMIT. Several filler chapters and scenes in between and now it's finally here! I had trouble considering how I wanted to break this up since sometimes we get flashed of everyone throughout the manga as Aladdin is explaining the story—I know some of you might have been expecting deeper reactions from everyone at Kali's revelation, but I wanted to save those proper discussions and talks with everyone till after the Alma Torran story. I figured realistically Sinbad wouldn't just get up and confront Kali about all that in the middle of this explanation, so look forward to those interactions once we close up the Alma Torran arc!

That being said, if anything about the explanation of Kali's disappearing and reappearing powers is confusing, please lemme know so I can clear it up for y'all. Kudos to anyone who's got a good hunch on that "species" that Kali's mother and her people descended from ;)

I hesitated with Kougyoku and whether or not I wanted Kali to be able to figure out what was happening—I decided in the end against it not only to save her from being too "all-knowing" but because it also builds up to what's to come. :,)

When it comes to the pairings, I know a lot of you are worried about your ships sinking and feeling as though the clear choice has been made. I've written it a bit to make it seem as though Kali isn't showing any clear preference or writing off the interactions as frivolities, but I promise that's not the case ;) Whatever you think is solidified through this chapter, just keep in mind that the waters to come are turbulent and rough and hearts will not be safe amidst these storms. We're nearing the end and more clarity needs to come to light, which I've been trying to do albeit subtly in certain scenes, because I've more or less finally mapped out the way this should work in the end after the originally ending I had planned changed when the manga ended awhile back.

ALSO, thank you so much for being patient. I know this update is a week late but I really appreciate that you guys didn't come waving torches and demanding the update—I honestly had a bit of a problem writing this chapter because it felt weird to me the way it was explained, but hopefully it went through smooth enough. The main point of it was to finally give entrance to the Alma Torran arc so we can take things off from the perspective of a character I've been looking forward to bringing into the story to explain a crap ton of things—Kali's mother, who we'll be seeing a lot of Alma Torran through.

With that too, next update will most likely be in three to four weeks as well. I've got some stuff going on with work and some summer courses, but I also need to hit up the manga again and reread the Alma Torran arc to make sure I've got this mapped out well enough—and as some of you know it's a bit of a hefty arc to go through :,) I also wanted to catch up on a few of the other stories and get OHBAB to a certain spot before I let that story chill out a bit.

Someone also brought up that their might've been a clash with something Kali said a few chapters back about not knowing what would happen past the Medium but in the last chapter she was planning out past that from other worlds—that's a total mistake on my part. I meant to write that Kali had seen most worlds end after the Medium or in different fashions, but others ended just the same, merely at later dates and after other events. I'll go back and edit that to make sure it's all coherent and doesn't conflict, so thanks for pointing that out!

ALL THAT BEING SAID—thank you so much for your patience and for the immense support for this story. You're all amazing and wonderful and thank you for sticking with it for so long. I've always been looking forward to finally hitting the Alma Torran arc and now we're finally here.

THANKS FOR READING AND I HOPE YOU ENJOYED.

Marshmellow-

-OUT!