Another extra long chapter!

Chapter Seven

Ren Kouen

They end up staying with Yunan for an entire week. It takes roughly that long for Morgiana to master the use of her vessel. Yunan teachers her to manipulate her chains to their full extent and even to use them to propel her through the air like a bird. Now she really can fly. She can't wait to show Aladdin and Alibaba.

On the final day before she and Hakuryuu set out again, she's finally able to reach the top of the rift. She soars upward like an eagle and sunlight showers her in its radiance as she crests the top. It's the first time in nearly two weeks that she's seen the sun and a giggle explodes giddily out of her as she gives a twirl.

Behind her, a fully djinn equipped Hakuryuu shoots out of the chasm and comes up to soar around her, looping her playfully. "You did it, Lady Morgiana!" he exclaims. He takes her hand and beams at her proudly. "Look at you! You're like a white rukh."

Morgiana smiles widely back at him and her cheeks pinken prettily at the compliment. She slips from his grasp and propels herself even higher, testing her limits. If she strains her eyes she can just see the edge of the canyon far off in the distance. The rift itself is like a giant gaping maw below her ready to swallow up anything that dares come too near. She revels in the warmth of the sun on her skin as she continues to fly up and up until finally she reaches her arms out to the burning orb and releases her control on her household vessel. She hovers for a short moment, eyes closed in ecstasy before gravity takes her and she begins to fall back down toward the chasm.

Morgiana laughs out loud as wind rushes past her ears and she flips around to see Hakuryuu hovering about thirty meters below her. She gives him a wave and he grins back and shoots up to meet her. Halfway up, he catches her and performs a twirl to absorb the impact. They both laugh as they come to a stop, still high above the rift. Hakuryuu holds her tightly against him and Morgiana can feel his heart racing just as fast as hers is. She grabs his face and presses her nose against his briefly in a show of jubilation. Pulling back, she says, "Now I can fight in the sky as well! I can be even more useful to everyone!"

Hakuryuu beams at her and nods. "You are a force to be reckoned with, Lady Morgiana," he praises. His red eyes are filled with warmth and his pleased expression is so beautiful that Morgiana feels a tug in her chest. She somehow wants to be even closer to him, but she's already pressed flush against him so she doesn't know how to satisfy the feeling. She settles instead for wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tightly as they begin to drift back down into the chasm. Her heart is brimming with so much emotion that she fears it might burst, but as they descend, the feeling fades until it's more of a pleasant fullness.

Finally, they touch down outside Yunan's cabin and break apart. Hakuryuu releases his djinn equip and his hair and eyes return to normal. Morgiana takes his hand and pulls him toward the door. It's time to tell Yunan that they'll be leaving.

The next morning, Yunan stands with them outside his cabin. All of their things are packed up and strapped to their backs and their clothes have been cleaned and mended. Yunan brandishes his staff, pointing its tip at their feet. "I can take you as far as the port in Heliohapt. From there it will be up to you to catch a ship to Balbadd where Kouen resides," he tells them.

Morgiana and Hakuryuu nod their understanding and Morgiana thanks him for helping them get even that far. "You'll be shaving nearly two weeks off our trip. We're grateful enough for that."

Yunan awards her with a smile. "You've done very well since coming here, Morgiana. I truly hope that you are able to protect what's important to you." He then turns to Hakuryuu. "I am no longer a magi who supports king vessels," he says, "but if you had been around back when I was…" His smile takes on an air of melancholy. "Well, it doesn't much matter now, but know that I sense true greatness in you. I pray that you don't lose your way."

Hakuryuu puts his hands together and bows deeply. "I swear to do everything in my power to forge a happy future for the people of this world," he responds.

Yunan's smile becomes genuine. He tightens his grip on his staff and says, "Then it's time for good little children to be on their way." A circle of light appears around Hakuryuu and Morgiana. "Until our paths next cross," he bids. "Oh," he adds as his image begins to flicker, "I took care of that favor you wanted, Hakuryuu. Be sure you don't dally." His face vanishes and suddenly they are surrounded instead by sunlight and sand. The smell of seawater fills their nostrils.

Just as Yunan promised, they are back at the port where they had disembarked three weeks ago after sailing from Aktia Kingdom. Luckily, they are in an empty alleyway and nobody has witnessed their unconventional arrival.

They head immediately for the pier and a dockhand informs them that the next ship for Balbadd will be departing in just over an hour. They purchase their tickets and grab a quick snack from a falafel stand before boarding the boat that will take them to Kouen.

The trip to Balbadd is not as long as the one from Aktia and takes only two weeks. They spend it mostly the same way as their last sea voyage, though Morgiana feels distinctly more comfortable around Hakuryuu now than she did back then. It occurs to her that they've actually become very close. Now, when they play chess, Morgiana doesn't feel awkward about talking about her time as a slave. She tells Hakuryuu all about Jamil and the awful things he did to her and his other slaves. Hakuryuu is horrified and he tells her that if Jamil hadn't already died he would have hunted him down himself. The look in his eye as he says this assures Morgiana that he means it completely.

Hakuryuu, too, is more detailed now when he talks about his life. He tells her about how hard it was to live for so many years so filled with loathing for the woman who birthed him. He admits that his sister was the only thing keeping him sane back then. His need to protect her just barely outweighed his need for vengeance. "I know now that Gyokuen is not an enemy I can defeat by myself," he tells her as he moves his bishop to take her knight. "And I've made peace with the fact that she never loved either Hakuei or myself. It's okay, because as long as we can surround ourselves with other people who we love and who love us, the love of a mother isn't all that important, really."

Morgiana reaches over the chessboard and pulls him into an embrace. Some pieces get knocked over, but that's okay. She feels like he needs the comfort more than he needs the game.

Now, when they're not playing chess, instead of sitting across from each other, they often sit side by side, their bodies pressed up together and her head tucked into the space between his chin and shoulder. She watches his hands, one wooden and one flesh, gesticulate as he tells her stories and talks about his family. She learns that Kouen is severe and aloof but he cares deeply for justice and his siblings. He explains how Koumei is a master strategist and admits that he's never won a game of xiangqi against him. He also tells her about Kouha and Kougyoku and how they both had a rougher time growing up because of being only half-siblings but that both of them are strong and proud and worked hard to make names for themselves and become dungeon capturers. Of course, the person he talks most about is his sister Hakuei. He tells Morgiana all about how kind and lovely and good-hearted she is and regales her with many memories from when they were growing up. Morgiana listens to all of this in fascination and wonders what it would be like to have siblings and cousins of her own. Someday, she wants to have a family too. She's set it as a goal for later, when she's older and the world is at peace.

Morgiana has come to love listening to Hakuryuu talk. She likes the way his face lights up when tells her about Kou and all the things he thinks she'll like there and she enjoys how expressive he becomes when he talks about his cousins and their antics growing up. She also just likes his voice. It's gentle and pleasant and overflowing with sincerity. She occasionally wonders how such an overwhelmingly sweet and well-bred person as him ever came to want to spend time with someone as rough and uncultured as her. But Hakuryuu never grows tired of being around her, and somehow she never grows tired of being around him either.

No, she's used to having him around now and she finds she doesn't want that to change. And so, each night, as they curl up in their beds, Morgiana reaches out a hand in the dark and asks, "Still here?"

And Hakuryuu's fingers brush hers and he answers, "Still here."

Only then does Morgiana sleep.

The day they reach Balbadd, Morgiana is somewhat nervous. She hasn't been to Balbadd since the black djinn incident with Alibaba's friend and now she's coming back to the place of Alibaba's birth but Alibaba himself is not with her. It feels almost wrong to come here without him. More than that, though, she'll soon be meeting Hakuryuu's eldest cousin—or rather, his brother, she reminds herself—the first prince of the Kou Empire and the man who Hakuryuu himself described as severe and aloof. Why he's in Balbadd, she doesn't know, but she does know that if Hakuryuu can't convince him to temporarily suspend his plans to invade Magnostadt they are going to be in a lot of trouble.

The moment they step off the boat, Morgiana's jaw drops. This…is Balbadd, right? Surely it must be because she knows she and Hakuryuu didn't make a mistake when boarding their ship, but the town that greets her looks nothing like the Balbadd she remembers. The place has clearly been completely rebuilt from the ground up. Instead of crumbling stone structures, neat wooden houses with iron shingled roofs now line the streets. But what makes the image even weirder are the people milling about, all dressed in odd robes of solid colors.

Beside her, Hakuryuu frowns. "They've been completely absorbed into the Kou Empire," he explains. The look on his face is disapproving. "This is what the Kou Empire does when it takes territories. It strips the people of all their wealth and redistributes it equally. Then they set up a class system based on hard work. It keeps the people fed and off the streets but it stifles any kind of personal expression. To be honest, I hate it."

"But," she protests, swiveling around to face him, "Balbadd was made into a republic. Why is the Kou Empire running everything?"

Hakuryuu looks at the ground. "A republic in name only," he explains darkly.

Morgiana looks around at the perfectly uniform buildings and people and feels a powerful pang of frustration. How can this be? What would Alibaba think if he saw this?

"Don't worry," Hakuryuu tells her, laying a hand on her shoulder. "This is only temporary. One day, Balbadd will have its independence again. I swear it."

Morgiana doesn't know how Hakuryuu can possibly know this, but she sees the conviction in his eyes and believes him regardless. Hakuryuu doesn't say things he doesn't mean.

They walk through the center of the city toward the palace and people give them odd looks all the while. A few people seem to recognize her because they point and whisper to each other as she passes and Morgiana catches the words 'fanalis' and 'companion' and 'Prince Alibaba'. Their odd dress and general meekness disturbs her and she does her best to ignore them and focus on the grand palace looming ahead. Even it has been remodeled to match the rest of the city.

They walk up the great steps and palace guards eye them warily as they advance but say nothing. When they reach the top, a messenger comes out to greet them. "Prince Hakuryuu!" the man says nervously, clearly not expecting their visit. "This is quite a surprise. Have you come to speak with the general?"

Hakuryuu answers the man with a stern look. His whole demeanor has changed and now his stance is tall and proud. "I have. Is he busy?"

The man sweats and gestures for them to follow. "Please, come with me. I shall announce your arrival immediately."

They follow the man as instructed and he brings them to a room where they are able to drop off their things. Hakuryuu unloads his pack but keeps his halberd. The messenger leaves to tell Kouen of their arrival. It's only a few minutes before he reappears and bows. "The general will see you now."

Morgiana's nervousness increases as they approach two enormous and ornate double doors, behind which she infers must lie the new throne room. Right before they enter, Hakuryuu takes her hand. "Don't worry. Just let me handle it," he tells her softly and gives her hand a squeeze before letting go. Morgiana nods and steels herself as the doors are pulled open.

A great hall greets them. It is at once both similar to and yet entirely different from the throne room of the previous palace. The throne itself is the same as she remembers, but nobody sits on it. Instead, there is another seat situated in front of it on a raised dais where a handsome, muscular man with fiery red hair sits and watches them approach with a mildly interested expression. Hakuryuu stops before him and kneels respectfully. Morgiana follows suit. All around them, richly dressed people watch them curiously.

"Hakuryuu," the man greets, and his voice is deep and regal. "This is a surprise. I was not informed that you would be coming to Balbadd."

Hakuryuu takes his cousin's greeting as an invitation to stand and Morgiana does as well. It's certainly not the first time she's been in the presence of royalty—she travels with a couple of princes, after all—but Kouen has an aura of power and authority about him that sends a shiver up her spine. Her instincts tell her this is a man she doesn't want to cross. "I've come because I have a matter of urgency to discuss with you, lord brother," he says evenly. It is clear that Hakuryuu is not intimidated by Kouen. He glances around the room purposefully and adds, "Privately."

Kouen is silent for a long moment as he looks down at Hakuryuu with an impassive expression. Finally, he stands and says, "Very well."

They relocate to a small audience chamber behind the throne room. Kouen settles into his new seat and his bearing changes somewhat. He seems to relax just slightly and he rests his jaw on his fist as Morgiana and Hakuryuu take their seats as well. His eyes flicker briefly to her before resting on the halberd in Hakuryuu's hand. "I heard that you captured a dungeon." He looks back at Hakuryuu. "Well done."

Hakuryuu's serious expression doesn't change. "Thank you."

Kouen doesn't seem surprised by Hakuryuu's stolidness. "Now then. What is this matter of urgency you've come all the way to Balbadd to discuss with me?"

Here it comes. Morgiana swallows and hopes fervently that Hakuryuu will be able to convince Kouen to go along with their idea.

Hakuryuu doesn't mince words. "I've come to ask that you suspend your plan to invade Magnostadt."

If Morgiana expected Kouen to be surprised by this, she's disappointed. He doesn't bat an eyelash. "Explain."

Hakuryuu looks his cousin directly in the eye. "It's for the sake of the Kou Empire," he states. "I've received word that the emperor's health has been declining." His eyes narrow. "You ought to know better than anyone what that likely means. Or, more accurately, who may be responsible."

Kouen's eyes narrow as well but he says nothing, instead waiting for Hakuryuu to get to his point.

"Should our lord emperor prove unable to beat this untimely illness, it is imperative that you be free to inherit the throne."

Kouen lifts his head from his fist and threads his fingers together in his lap. Morgiana can tell he is genuinely interested now. "That is quite an accusation," he warns. "But I admit I am surprised to hear you calling for me to take the throne." He quirks a brow. "I was under the impression that you would rather eat your own teeth."

Morgiana looks at Hakuryuu in surprise and Hakuryuu finally cracks a ghost of a smile. "At one time, yes," he admits. "But I suppose it's possible that I misjudged you."

Kouen is smiling as well now. It's an odd expression coming from him and still manages to seem slightly sinister. "You've changed," he says, sounding more intrigued by this observation than by the news Hakuryuu has brought him. "You seem to understand now." He throws his head back and barks out a short laugh. "That said, I wonder if you can tell me what my answer will be to whether or not I intend to inherit the Kou throne."

Morgiana looks back and forth between them and her eyebrows furrow in confusion. They're having another conversation underneath the obvious one and she can't follow it at all.

Hakuryuu closes his eyes and shakes his head, still smiling. "I know already. You don't want to become emperor." He reopens his eyes and gives Kouen a long look. "But the Kou empire needs you to be. Just for a little while; so that my mother can't take the throne for herself. After she is dealt with, you can hand it over to Koumei or whoever you want."

Kouen cocks his eyebrow again. He is amused. "Very well," he concedes, surprising Morgiana. Isn't this too easy? She thinks. However, it soon becomes apparent that Kouen isn't finished. "But in return…" his eyes narrow dangerously and to Morgiana he looks predatory—like a wolf who has scented a wounded rabbit. "I expect you to tell me exactly how you came to know all this. Of course, I'll be wanting the full truth."

Hakuryuu grimaces just slightly but he nods. "I will tell you," he agrees. "But only after Gyokuen is dealt with."

"Fine," Kouen allows, returning his chin to his hand. "Was there anything else?" His gaze flicks back to her. "You haven't introduced your Fanalis friend yet. I assume she came with you today as more than just arm candy."

Morgiana flushes but retains her composure. Luckily, she is saved from having to speak by Hakuryuu. "This is Lady Morgiana. She and I have been traveling together since I acquired my djinn. She is a friend of the former prince of this country, Alibaba Saluja, and the magi Aladdin."

Morgiana stands and bows to the Kou general. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, lord general," she says steadily before taking her seat again.

"In fact, there is one more thing we must discuss with you," Hakuryuu continues. "Alibaba Saluja has sent word from the Reim Empire that they intend to invade Magnostadt as well. War between Reim and Magnostadt is something that we absolutely cannot allow, no matter what. This is another thing that I can't explain right now, but trust me when I say it will be very bad for everyone if Magnostadt gets caught up in war right now. Luckily, we still have roughly ten and a half months until they plan to strike. When that time comes, I want you, as emperor, to give Magnostadt your support."

Kouen sits back in his seat. "You've been very busy making plans, I see," he says wryly.

Hakuryuu's smile returns. "This one is actually hers," he reveals gesturing to Morgiana. "We both believed you wouldn't have any complaints as long as you can get a foothold in Magnostadt."

Kouen smirks. "Truly, you have impressed me today, little brother," he says, sounding almost pleased. "For that, I will consider your proposal." He looks back at Morgiana. "Morgiana, was it?"

She nods and puts her hands together like she's seen Hakuryuu do so many times.

"I wonder if you plan to make a habit of involving yourself in Kou politics."

Morgiana regards him oddly. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

Hakuryuu clears his throat and when Morgiana looks at him his face is pink. "In any case, that concludes everything we came to talk to you about today. Thank you for hearing us." He stands and turns to go, but then he pauses. He seems to deliberate for a short moment and then he turns back around and gives Kouen a sober look. "Also…I'm sorry, Kouen. About your father. I really am. Perhaps if you hurry back now, you can still make it."

Kouen closes his eyes and shakes his head. "No. I'd known this day was coming. I've prepared myself."

Hakuryuu nods. "Then I'll see you in Kou." He turns to go again and Morgiana moves to follow him but Kouen stops him again.

"Hakuryuu," he starts, "where do you intend to go now?"

Hakuryuu looks back at his cousin over his shoulder. "I have preparations to make in order to take out Gyokuen." He gives Kouen a smile. "Don't worry. I'll let you in on it when I finally go after her."

Kouen chuckles darkly. "I'd like that very much."

Morgiana is keenly aware of the bitterness in Kouen's voice as they leave the chamber. She wonders if there's a single person in Hakuryuu's family who hasn't experienced tragedy.

They pick up their things and head out of the palace and back into the dry heat of Balbadd. The moment they've cleared the palace steps Hakuryuu surprises her by catching her under the arms and lifting her into the air. He twirls her around, smiling from ear to ear like an absolute fool. "He agreed!" he exclaims, setting her down and beaming at her. "We'll have to make sure Gyokuen doesn't pull anything at the funeral, of course, but now all her plans will be messed up!" He leans down and hugs her tightly. "We're doing it, Morgiana! We're changing fate!"

Morgiana doesn't know what he means by changing fate, but she does notice that this is the first time he's ever called her by her name without the addition of an honorific. It sends a pleasant tingle through her. Hakuryuu releases her and pulls her along down the street by her hand. "Come on! We have to go to the next place right away!"

Morgiana is still completely in the dark, but she's never seen Hakuryuu look this excited before and she can't help but catch some of his enthusiasm. She casts one last glance back at the palace before smiling as well and letting herself be dragged off to their next adventure.

oO0Oo

Wow, that pacing was cringe-worthy. Blegh. There's so much I was going to change about this chapter but then I didn't. Here comes the regret.

You'll have to forgive me for not updating on time. These chapters are giving me a little more trouble and the new manga chapter is messing up my premise. Of course, I was already prepared for that to happen.

I hope those of you who are still reading this are managing to still enjoy it. The next chapter is a very important one so I'll be doing my best to make it not suck as much as I can. Just bear with me. Also, drop a comment if you have some time!

Next time: Two tigers and a gorilla walk into a bar… Morgiana beats them up.