Hello everyone out there!
First thing for you to know that I only own my OC's and the pictures! Magi is the work of Ohtaka Shinobu, may there be more volumes and an end before she reaches 700 chapters! Anyway, the original plot and the characters belong to her and it's great she shared Magi with us.
Second, my main OC speaks with British accent while I use a kind of American English, so those are no grammar mistakes but intentionally done.
Third, for those who haven't read that far: this work will contain spoilers.
Fourth, and references to other manga, games, songs, books etc. They will be set italic so you can sort them out. I do not advertise them, it's just that my OC and I are kind of nerdy.
Fifth, I use the Character names as they are written in my home country's edition of Magi so they might differ from those you are familiar with * except Morgiana's nickname, Aladdin's and Sinbad's, I think their names looks better with double 'd' and without a 'd' :] *
Have a fun time reading!
Day 3 Meeting Sinbad
Five days later they left the caravan. Lenka had continued training her equipment during these days while the main characters were watching her, asking questions sometimes and cheering her on. She had talked with them and came to the conclusion that their journey together would be really pleasant. Morgiana was as calm and Aladdin as cheerful as she had read in the manga and a lot easier to handle than Lenka had feared at first, even though he sneaked under her blanket every evening to get cuddled. He remembered her of her little brother Henry while the other girl made her think of her sister Valerié, even though Val was a genius musician and Morgiana a born fighter; she had convinced the foreigner to show her some tae kwon do moves just to master them after an afternoon which Lenka thought was very impressive.
They winked at the caravan disappearing in a cloud of dust.
"Then, let's go!" the Magi said and turned towards the path trough the green forest. Morgiana and Lenka took the boy between them while they walked to keep him from tripping in his excitement. Aladdin raised his arms and smiled.
"From now on, please take care of me, Morgiana, Lenka!"
"Yes," answered the fanalis girl and Lenka simply nodded while adjusting her bag's straps.
"Hey," he said looking up to the redhead, "'Morgiana' is kinda long, so can I call you something else?"
"... whatever."
"Then 'Mor'," the boy smiled. Morgiana's face instantly darkened.
"That's no good?" Aladdin asked with big eyes and slightly trembling lower lip. Lenka chuckled and looked at the other girl.
"Lenka is a nickname as well. And I think 'Mor' does suit her, Aladdin, doesn't it?"
His face brightened.
"Really? So, what's your real name then, Lenka?"
"Marlene-Karen," the blonde sighed under his intense stare. "Please go with 'Lenka', though."
"I will," he cheered and Morgiana nodded, her expression slowly lighting up. Aladdin continued to chatter with Mor while Lenka had the feeling that it was almost time for a certain man to make his entry. She was either going to hit him or say something really fangirl-worthy or creep him out. Probably the last thing, she thought. Orobas snickered at this thought and Lenka concentrated on the younger one's talk.
Mor was doing dogeza, the traditional Japanese kneeling apology gesture, at the moment and Aladdin tried to get her up again, saying "But I think it's the same for Alibaba, we don't need any praise."
"Alibaba seems to be a very good guy then," Lenka joined the conversation.
"Yep, I think Alibaba is a kind person! Ah- I really want to meet Alibaba soon..." the boy sighed. Mor smiled and pointed on the road.
"... We'll meet him if we follow this road."
"Yep. That's right!"
Lenka patted his head saying "That's the spirit, Aladdin. Think positive, everything is going to be alright."
That was mean. We know what will happen, don't we?
We do, but I don't want him to be depressed right now. And be quiet for some seconds, I don't want to miss any second of what will happen soon.
Aladdin started to walk a bit faster, cheered on by his new friend's words. Mor did as well and Lenka started to smile, knowing what was going to occur.
They had been walking for a few minutes through the woods when someone stepped on the path, arms stretched out to block their way.
Oh my...
Aladdin and Morgiana stopped instantly. Their expression was a mixture of confusion and disbelief as they stared at the naked man with the long purple braid standing on the road. Lenka bit on the insides of her mouth to not start laughing like a lunatic. This was too glorious. The man raised his right hand to greet them while smiling friendly at the travelers.
"Hey, you guys. Nice weather today."
He is really well build. How does he keep that leaf in this place without any string?
Shall I ask him? I am curious as well.
That would scare him, Lenka. Please do.
The kids' faces started to turn shocked at the man's words and Aladdin stepped forward.
"Mor, this is bad! Stay back!" he screamed while the fanalis had switched to attacking stance in an instant. She was definitely the most dangerous one now.
"Leave this to me!"
"Huh? No, you're wrong! Listen to me!"
"Please tell me what you did to keep that leaf there."
"Lenka!"
"Thanks a lot for the clothes, Aladdin!"
"Mhm! Sorry for them being so small, though," the boy said apologetic. They had made a campfire and were now sitting on tree trunks Lenka and Mor had broken in the wood. The dungeon capturer had found a small creek so the girls had refilled their water canisters then cooked a kind of soup while Aladdin had given the man some of his clothes.
"My name is Sin," the now kind-of-clothed man introduced himself. "I'm a merchant and I'm heading to Balbadd."
Lenka grinned into her soup bowl while the others continued their chat. That king really was a lying so-and-so. And the clothing the boy had given him really did not cover more than before.
My body is as well-build as his, you know, Orobas complained.
I don't believe him saying that the only thing keeping the leaf at place was training, Lenka thought. There has to be a trick. Glue or something.
Lenka, that kind of thought is not very appropriate. And eww, glue would be very... eww.
The rules and morals taught in my world are a bit different from the ones here. I talk about things bothering me. Plus I am already an adult. I'm eighteen and can have this kinds of thoughts and relationships including-
Please stop, my queen. I don't want to hear about this, Orobas screamed and send her a mental image of him with the hands over his ears.
Lenka chuckled and stood up.
"Are we finished? Noon is already over and I don't want to spend the night outside in the wilderness."
Sin gave her a smile and apologized while she and Mor put the campfire out.
"We got a bit carried away with talking about adventures," the man said when they continued their travel to Balbadd. Aladdin who was walking next to his left leg grinned brightly and raised his arms.
"I know. I understand how you feel!"
Sin seemed to notice that the fanalis on his other side was looking down while she walked and stared at her for a few seconds. Mor who seemed to feel his gaze looked up to him and slightly tilted her head.
"Umm... What is it?" she asked with her calm voice. Sinbad blinked, then realized that he had been staring at her and smiled.
"I was just thinking about this meeting with two such lovely young ladies and how interesting this journey has been so far," he answered.
"I see..."
"This will get even more interesting, trust me," Lenka said and adjusted her bags a second time.
"Hey, are we there yet?" Aladdin asked the king undercover. Sin nodded and pointed along the road.
"Just over that hill, You'll be able to see the town."
Lenka started to run.
"The devil takes the hindmost!"
In the end Morgiana won the race but Lenka didn't mind. The view over the town and the crystal-clear sea was enough of compensation and when Sin led them trough the city gate telling background knowledge Lenka had almost forgotten what was going to happen in the near future. She walked next to the man now while the children ran in front of them, noticing or not noticing the beggars and starving citizens.
"The people. They are suffering so much," she mumbled in his direction. Sin nodded.
"Since the last king passed away the country has become disheveled."
"That's a nice way to say it's a messed-up situation that will end in anarchy sooner or later."
He stared at her in surprise.
"You are very pessimistic."
"I'm a realist and that this country is at the edge of collapsing should be clearly visible. I won't tell the children, though."
Sin smiled and placed a hand on her forearm.
"I agree in every point with you. Time to do something against this chaos."
Lenka nodded. Sin stopped in front of a huge building which facade remembered her of the renaissance style in Europe and smiled at the group.
"It's safe here. And I always stay at the country's best luxurious hotel!"
In this clothes, Orobas chuckled.
Morgiana started to fumble with her bag's straps.
"But, I'm worried about the costs... I worked at a caravan the past six months so I have money, but I don't have that much..."
"Me too," agreed Aladdin and Lenka said:
"I don't have that much left as well..."
"Don't worry about anything," Sin said and explained that he would come up for the costs. Lenka and the main characters thanked him and waited at the entrance. The foreigner watched the king in disguise walking through the foyer in his makeshift clothes like he owned the place and started the countdown.
"Hey you! You're suspicious!"
Guards stormed at Sin like wasps that found jam at the breakfast table.
"I should have paid him for this show," the dungeon capturer chuckled.
"Sin-sama! Where have you been up until now?"
Entry Ja'far and Masrur.
"This is your room," the maid said and opened the door.
Even Lenka was impressed about the feudal interior. It seemed like the room of a princess out of thousand and one nights.
"It's gorgeous!" Aladdin screamed and jumped on the bed and started to roll around while Morgiana checked the windows then opened them. Lenka threw her bag on a free bed to symbolize that this one was hers.
"It really is. This bed is mine and no complaints."
"If there's anything you don't understand please don't hesitate to ask," the maid said with a friendly smile.
Then Aladdin asked her about Alibaba and the plate the maid was holding fell on the floor. Fruit jumped through the room. Lenka quickly walked up to her to help her.
"Thank you, Miss. It's just that the name surprised me a bit. Now I think about it, this name isn't so uncommon. Your friend has the same name as famous person in this country..."
The boy tilted his head and asked:
"A famous person?"
The maid suddenly looked very depressed and Lenka took a step back.
"Right now 'Balbadd's Alibaba' refers to 'Wonder man Alibaba', this country's number one criminal."
Aladdin's face froze. The blonde went to his side, sat down on the bed and patted his back.
"Relax, child. We don't know if this is really your Alibaba. It might be a coincidence."
You lie almost as good as the naked king.
I had to learn how to do or die.
Lenka woke up early on the next day and peeled Aladdin off her breasts. He, the fanalis girl and Ugo had tested how bouncy the bed was and they stayed up until midnight, laughing and jumping. The djinn had been a good distraction to keep the small Magi away from dark thoughts.
Lenka covered him with her blanket then sneaked out of the room to the backyard to train her djinn equip. She had the maids prepare a bath afterward and waited until Morgiana and the boy were awake, knowing that Sinbad was at the palace right now.
Being an omniscient being is kind o fun, isn't it?
I think it is a pain. I wish I could tell them what is going to happen but that would change the flow of destiny severely I reckon. And that flow shall not be changed that grave.
I want you to meet some of my friends, Orobas said. They are a funny bunch. They would really like you.
Maybe we can find some of them.
Aren't they awake yet? Having you train djinn equip is kind of tiring.
You don't say, Lenka thought sarcastic.
Can't you wake them?
Do you want me to get kicked by a half-sleeping fanalis girl?
I think we should let them sleep.
You are so... Never mind.
Hey! You like me, do you?
Lenka received an image of the djinn with big golden puppy eyes.
You like me?
Well...
Meanie!, he howled.
Oh, please shut up, the dungeon capturer thought and shook her head, then plugged her earphones in to distract him with music.
They met again at noon to eat lunch. Lenka was as overwhelmed by the delicious food as the kids even though they wolfed their portion down while she ate in her dignified manner.
"By the way, I haven't introduced my subordinates yet," Sinbad said and pointed on them. "My subordinates are Ja'far," he pointed on the white-haired man with the green keffiyeh and long robes, "and Masrur." He pointed on the fanalis in golden armor, then looked at the girl next to Lenka while the dungeon captured nodded friendly at them.
"Morgiana. Masrur is a 'fanalis'."
The girl looked really surprised and Sinbad laughed. Lenka sighed and ate another bite of the fish she had on her plate. Really good food they had here. Soon Mor and Aladdin stood up and started to fire questions at Masrur.
"Miss Lenka, would you mind accompanying Masrur and have an eye on the children as well?" Ja'far asked her. Lenka gently wiped her mouth with a napkin before she nodded and stood up.
"Thank you for the meal and have a nice chat, you guys."
She ambled over to them. Aladdin was really riled up.
"My friend Ugo is bigger than you, Masrur. And I bet he's stronger."
"... is he?"
The boy nodded exited and waved with one arm at her.
"He is! Lenka, Ugo's strong, isn't he?"
Lenka nodded and smiled at the boy.
"He was the one next to Mor taking out that thieves' hideout, wasn't he?"
"Right!" he cheered and waved with his flute.
"I'm sure he want's to meet you and Uncle Sin too! Wait a second!"
"Whoa, not in public-"
Ugo's blue arms appeared as Aladdin blew into his flute making Ja'far spit out his drink in shock and surprise.
"Oh boy," Lenka sighed while the other guests started to scream.
"Amazing!" screamed Sin. They had brought the djinn down to the canal underneath the restaurant where they were safe from curious looks. Ja'far stood guard to keep spectators away while Sin examined Ugo's big blue body. Lenka leaned on the brick wall next to the djinn.
"I kept him safe until now, but the master had told me to watch the other ones as well," she mumbled towards Ugo. She didn't know if the djinn heard her, but Masrur gave her a quick glance. He had noticed her mumbling. Fanalis ears were way too good.
"I am 'Sinbad'," the king said with a proud smirk. Aladdin stared at him with his blank expression.
"What? You don't know?" Sinbad asked wile starting to sweat in discomfort.
"I think I've heard it somewhere before... just where?"
"Please remember! The legendary 'Sinbad' who had repeatedly sailed the world's seven seas," the man with the purple braid said enthusiastic. Lenka smiled. He must have told that introduction very often.
I bet you will capture more. You have more magoi than he has, too.
Hey, I want to hear the rest of his intro!
"Capturing a total of seven dungeons! The master of seven djinn, the High King of the Seven Seas. That is 'Sinbad'," he finished then looked at the kids as if he waited for applause.
The blonde took another step towards the kneeling djinn.
"Something really bad will happen and I'm not sure if I can manage not to change the regular flow of destiny that grave. I will have do my best," she whispered.
He knows you will, Orobas said gently. Lenka touched the pendant through her scarf.
I'm very glad that you are here with me. Even though you are a whiny djinn sometimes.
I'm not whiny. Not in the least!
A bit possessive?
… That might be true.
She grinned, then closed her eyes as she faced the sun and sighed under the warmth. Right now this quest was really acceptable. Good food, nice lodging, warm sun...
"Right now I do not have any metal vessels!" Sinbad said to Aladdin. "Would you be willing to lend us your power?"
The Magi stared at him, then looked at Lenka for help.
"Can't Lenka give you her djinn?" he asked simple-hearted. Lenka frowned. Or maybe not. Sinbad spun on his heels to stare at the young woman.
"You're a dungeon capturer?" he queried with squinted eyes. Ja'far gripped something in his sleeves tighter and Masrur shifted his weight to have a better attacking position. Lenka raised her hands to show them that she was unarmed.
"Relax, King of Sindria. I'm no threat to you and your country. I simply follow the Rukh's guidance as well as my own rules. And no, Aladdin, my djinn is bound only to me and, as you already know, he is very possessive, isn't he? I would fight at your side if you ask me, though, as long as this won't interfere with my original task."
The boy's eyes grew bigger with every word. Mor was surprised as well but Sinbad wasn't fed off that easily.
"So what is your original task?" he asked, still on guard. Lenka shot a quick glance at Ugo. The djinn shrugged and raised his hands, the universal gesture for well, I don't mind. Thanks, pal.
"My task is to watch the Magi, protect them and help them preventing the downfall of this world."
The silence after this revelation was so deep that Lenka thought she could hear a pin drop. Aladdin's jaw hung almost at his knees. Even Masrur seemed to be surprised and that was a huge achievement.
"Close your mouths or bugs may fly in," Lenka joked. They could haven't be more stunned if she had started to sing and perform the moonwalk. Ja'far was the first to recover.
"Are you serious?" he asked slowly. The foreigner nodded.
"I am. Ugo told me to do so and to especially watch this guy here," she reached out and gently closed Aladdin's mouth. The boy's eyes started to sparkle.
"You talked to Ugo?" he asked with saucer eyes. Lenka smiled and petted his head, then gave the djinn another look.
"I did. I was at that place because I have a similar background as you do, Aladdin. The Rukh took me here."
The boy's eyes nearly popped out now.
"They did?" he whispered disbelieving. The dimension traveler nodded.
"So you will help us capture the 'fog troupe?" Sinbad said. Lenka looked at the king. His expression was pleading and she sighed.
"I will help as long as it does not interfere with my original task," she repeated.
"Great," he said and smirked.
"Capture the fog troupe?" Aladdin asked and Lenka was out of the spotlight again. That was more to her liking. She could easily make friends with any kind of people and liked to have a certain degree of attention by them yet after all she knew about Sinbad from reading Magi she was triple cautious. That man was unpredictable and would do anything for his country. And the way he was smiling at her was a good reason as well.
Thank you for reading the third chapter! I try to upload as often as I can, yet there might be delays too. Just assume there will be a chapter every ten days – or so I guess – so you can be pleased if there are unscheduled uploads :)
And a huge thank you to those who have liked the story already * I nearly died of excitement when the first notifications came in *
Yours,
TheMultipleMeExperience