Hello everyone out there!

So Magi belongs to Shinobu Ohtaka, my OC to me, there might be references to this world, music etc, spoilers for those who haven't read the manga this far and some spelling mistakes.

Even so, have a fun time reading!

Day 15 Meeting Miran

The sea-sickness was back again and Lenka felt miserable, but not only because of that. The parting from the generals and Kougyoku made her stomach churn guiltily. The princess had been so sad but after she had assured her that she would definitely visit her in Kou she had calmed down.

"Thank you for averting Judar's focus from me. I couldn't say anything to defend myself," she had said and Lenka had hugged her.

"No big deal, darling. He returned to Balbadd as soon as we had finished that dungeon."

His face had been flushed red when he came to his senses and realized he had rested on the blonde's lap and disappeared in a vortex of black Rukh before she had the time to tell him she was sorry but that was something she wouldn't tell her friend.

"Is that so? I thought he would have brought you back to the island or near it. What happened?"

Under Kougyoku's intense stare she had to tell her everything that had happened in the dungeon Orias, every single embarrassing detail. The redhead squealed and blushed but her eyes sparkled at the same time.

"He really kissed you? I'd never expected that!"

Lenka had groaned and hid her face in her hands.

"Me neither. Can you keep quiet about that?"

The other had smirked devilishly.

"Lenka, dearest, you gave me perfect blackmailing material. You can't expect me not to use this on our cute Judar. The next time he is mean to me he will suffer. Greatly."

That girl is dangerous, mumbled Orobas and she agreed silently while the sea wind tugged at her bangs. Ren Kougyoku was an dangerous and clever yet sweet and innocent individual, the worst combination ever.

The generals had been quite depressed of her departure as well. Pisti had teared up but helped her with the packing, Spartos had gathered all of his courage and said her he would miss the sparring, Drakon and Hinahoho wished her well and Ja'far told her that she had been the best assistant he had had in awhile and promised to tell Aladdin, Mor and Alibaba of the reasons of her sudden leave and hand them the hastily scribbled letter over. That letter was another reason of her guilt. It would have been best to wait for her extended family to come back first and tell them good bye then but Sinbad had wanted her to leave as early as possible so the only way to tell them what happened was a letter. The content was really short:

Dear Aladdin, Mor, Alibaba;

I'm sorry that I won't be here when you come back but I had to make a decision. While you were in Zagan Judar appeared, declared war with Sindria and took me into another dungeon. It was Orias, the twin of Orobas who I already possess and thus the only dungeon for which I'd ever go with him. After that I decided to leave for Reim to lessen the chance that Sinbad will suspect me for a spy again and to train my magoi-manipulation at the coliseum.

Aladdin, to what decision you come, I will support you. It's your life and your way and I'm sure you chose it wisely.

Mor, Alibaba, the same counts for you. You are going to be fine adults soon who can choose their way of living on their own.

You are stronger than you think and will become even better in no time.

If you have the time please visit me in Reim, but I might travel to Kou in a few months. We will see each other in a year's time in Magnostadt for sure.

Love, Lenka.

She sighed and looked at the horizon to calm her nausea. She was on this boat, the Anneliese, since five boring days now where the only thing she could do was to roast the southern sea creatures that would occasionally attack but the captain, a middle-aged man with an impressive gray mustache and a face that looked like a dried raisin when he smiled, had told her that they would reach the port of the Aktia kingdom at the evening. A good wind from the south sped the ship up and sometimes Lenka would use Gusion's power to manipulate the current to travel even faster. Orias was almost as easy to manage as his brother; his weapon was a long whip of midnighty blue, and yesterday she was able to open the hole in space where her treasure was stored and immediately stuffed her other belongings in as well. She was really curious how the inside of the storage looked like but it would be a really bad idea to stick her head through the gate without knowing what was on the other side.

Lenka yawned and stretched her arms. Hopefully a sea beast would attack soon or the boredom would kill her for sure. A chirping Rukh fluttered past her nose and then circled over the deck. That was strange and it got even stranger when she felt two large water bubbles move upwards from the depths of the ocean.

"What's up with you guys?" she asked and another Rukh landed on her outstretched finger.

"Who are you talking to, Miss?" a voice said and Lenka turned to look at a boy floating in a water sphere a few meters over sea level. He wore a pelt-skirt and had triangular paint on his face and skinny chest. One side of his head was shaved while the other was tied in a ponytail and he had a hook instead of his right hand. Lenka beamed at him.

"You are pirates! Finally a bit of action!"

The boy, Olba if she remembered correctly, yelped surprised as she raised her arm with the protector and the water from his bubble flew towards her.

"Attack!" he yelled furiously and two ships in water bubbles rose from the sea while pirates climbed aboard. Lenka made a quick pirouette and the ocean turned into a hydra: tentacles of water picked the surprised and screaming corsairs up and held them twenty meters away from the ship. She laughed when she saw Olba's angry face.

"The sea is the place of the one who governs the liquid, the hard and the gas! Dwell in my body, Gusion!"

Her hair turned into the color of the emerald green sea while a crystalline corset covered her upper body that turned into a fluid skirt with two slits at her waist and into gas at her knees. Jackal ears and whiskers grew and Lenka wriggled with her clawed fingers then closed them around a sword-lance similar to Hakuryuu's. A thin skin of water covered the ship and the sailors before the boat slowly rose to the sky.

"What are you?" screamed Olba and pointed his weapon on her. The traveler chuckled.

"I am a dungeon capturer, boy. Now leave the ship or I will turn the fluid that captured your mates into sulfuric acid until you give me a good fight."

His gaze switched between his men and her wide grin that showed many white sharp teeth.

"I start the countdown. Five. Four. Three. Two."

"Retreat!" he screamed then scowled at her before jumping of the rail.

"Hey, come on, I want a fight!" she yelled and shot a hail of ice at the enemy ships but the water bubble protected them.

"Homing spear!" The sea obeyed her command and a multitude of water jets attacked the boats that started to sink in the water.

"That's right! Sod off you midgets!"

Lenka laughed and released the captives who fell into the water then turned to the captain of the Anneliese.

"I speed us up for a bit, okay?"

He nodded gladly and inspected the thin membrane over his mustache.

"This is quite convenient, Miss Lenka. Thank you for protecting our lives and the cargo."

"It's no big deal," she waved his thanks aside and the boat rushed forwards. The pirate boats disappeared in the ocean again and a few seconds later the dungeon capturer could see the port of Aktia. She released the membrane with a sigh and then the equip.

Thanks, Gusion. You are very handy.

It's no big deal, the djinn imitated her and Lenka laughed until a shadow fell on her. She looked up and saw three ships with the flag of the Aktia kingdom.

"This is the naval fleet of the Aktia kingdom! Your ship is under our protection now!" yelled a soldier down and she changed a quick glance with the captain before yelling back.

"Guys, you are too late, I had to do the work all alone! I demand at least a biscuit for retribution!"

It was afternoon when Lenka left the hotel where she had rent a room to search for a map store like she did in Qishan and to buy food for her travel to the Reim Capital. Her flying scarf was wrapped around her neck, covering the necklace while she wore the other metal vessels openly plus the unbreakable sword and a dagger in the boots she had bought back in Sindria. The city had been glamorous once but now the buildings were shabby and the inhabitants wore rags and had a hopeless expression. Lenka noticed that there was a lack of children running around and reckoned that they were taken by the pirates and their creepy booby leader.

This town is boring. Let's leave tomorrow, Orobas complained when she finally found a map store and bought one that showed the way to the capital Remano.

I have to admit that I agree with him, said Gusion. I don't like this town.

I get it, guys, we will leave tomorrow morning. I have to buy quite a lot of food because I don't want to travel by ship again but rather with the flying scarf. I think Alibaba will take a ship, but either way I should ask at the docks to where and when the ships will leave.

That is a good plan, my queen, er, Lenka, Orias who wasn't that familiar with her yet agreed. She hummed contended and walked around a corner on a huge plaza which buzzed with citizens, merchants and other. At the other end of the square was a stage and a huge crowd had gathered around it. Her curiosity was awake now. Maybe it was a play or a singer who told about the news from the world.

"What is this commotion?" Lenka asked a woman who hurried away.

"A slave auction."

Slave traders! growled Orias. They have no dignity whatsoever.

Indeed, agreed Gusion and Orobas added: Let's see if we can free them.

Lenka nodded and forced her way towards the podium crafted from rough planks. The slave merchant was a fat man with many golden rings and a smirk that rivaled Sindbad's in perverseness. His voice echoed over the crowd and the traveler spotted some wealthy-looking merchants. Apparently today was a big catch for sale. She gritted her teeth. This was really despicable! She had been sure that slavery was illegal in this part of the world but apparently the city lacked morals after the frequent attacks from the pirates. And when the soldiers were away to protect the borders from Magnostadt criminality blossomed. Surely those lunatics from Al-Thamen had their fingers in this as well.

"And today's special good!" the trader announced and winked with his hand whereupon eight man climbed up to him, heavy chains clinked as they tugged the slave to the front. Lenka stopped breathing and the color drained from her face.

"Caught two weeks ago at the border! An extremely rare specimen! A nine to ten year old male fanalis!"

The boy was completely wrapped up with chains, he could barely walk. His hair was a bit longer than Masrur's and ruffled, red eyes stared frightened down into the noisy crowd. Lenka's ears tingled.

Henry. He is younger than Henry.

"The starting price-"

"STOP THIS IN AN INSTANT!"

Her yell was loud enough to reach every man on the plaza. The crowd parted to let her to the tribune, hundreds of interested eyes followed her. Lenka felt their gazes while walking but they didn't affect her. The aura of hers, humming with power and anger forced them out of her way until she stood in front of the vendor. He leered at her with obvious interest at first but paled when her stormy gray eyes met his.

"You will sell this child to me then quit this business."

The slave trader's eyes widened and Lenka herd the surprised gasps and murmurs behind her. The faint glimmer of hope appeared in the boy's face as he watched her. Then the fat man chuckled.

"I don't believe I will sell such a fine-"

"Orias, spirit of mine, open space."

At her command a black glittering hole opened in the fabric of the world, Lenka reached out and pulled a big sack with dungeon treasure out of it. She threw it up on the stage then jumped up as well; the bag was almost as large as the man was.

"More than your weight in gold and jewelry. Now give me the keys," she demanded. He opened the bag to check, peeked into it then turned back to her, leering like the scumbag he was.

"This should be enough for him, M'lady."

Lenka snorted.

"This is enough for him and you to quit slave trading. Give me the keys," she repeated. The crowd was silent now, everyone was watching her argument with the fat man who raised his fingers and inspected a ring he had pulled out of the sack.

"Why should I quit when I have such good business right now?"

The traveler scowled and took a step forward then released her killing intent. A hiss went through the people watching and the slave trade stumbled backwards, his face white with shock and fear as the menace affected him.

"What? Who-"

She stretched her hand out.

"Give. Me. The. Keys. And. Quit. Scumbag." she ordered. The man fiddled with the key ring and managed accidentally – or intentionally – to drop them through a hole in the floor. Lenka growled.

"Have you just drop the keys through a hole in the floor you-"

The crowd whispered, angry screams were heard. Apparently some were feeling the same way as she did right now. The traveler sighed and turned to the captured boy while waving her hand at the men holding the chains.

"Please step away."

They didn't move but stared angered at her so Lenka unleashed her killing intent again. Five of them ran away screaming in fear and she bared her teeth at the remaining three while pointing on the boy.

"Gusion, protect his skin. Orobas, melt the shackles."

A thin layer of liquid covered the fanalis who gasped in surprise when the white flames shot forward, the shackles melted and crumbled under the heat. The dungeon capturer stepped forward and pulled the boy to her side then stared at the slave trader.

"You have the money. Now quit and leave or I will have my djinn make you quit."

The man whined and started to babble and murmur while the crowd began to get noisy. Lenka smiled at the boy.

"Let's get away, shall we?"

His blank fanalis stare told her nothing but nevertheless she pulled the scarf off and grabbed his small hand.

"Get on, please."

He hesitated for a second then stepped on the fabric that rose to the sky when she got on as well and gave the command to fly to the hotel. The girl sat down and sighed then caught his glance.

"I won't let go of your hand. You would die if you were to jump or fall from this height."

The boy blinked then slowly kneeled without averting his eyes as if she was some sort of a dangerous animal.

"We will be at the hotel I stay in a few seconds," she said with a warm smile then stretched her free arm. "I'm really hungry now, I had to save the ship from pirates this morning. They strain the trade between Aktia and other countries. Ah, here we are."

In wise precognition she had left the window open but Orias placed an illusion over it so she simply had to command the scarf to fly in and drop them gently on the floor. Lenka continued to smile when she stood up, leaving the boy sitting on the wooden floor.

"Flying is fantastic, isn't it? Just let me order food and prepare a bath for the two of us, I haven't bathed in what feels like ages and it seems like you need one as well. Please stay where you are, it would be a loss of time and money if you tried to escape or trash around and I have to clean up afterwards."

He nodded slowly and the blonde walked four steps to the door and looked out. Luckily a maid passed by and she could order room service then turned back to the fanalis who had moved a bit to watch her. Lenka stepped to the door that led to the bathroom and pointed at the tub.

"I'm using a bit of my magic to get us hot water, please don't be afraid."

She used Gusion to collect water from the damp air outside and white flames to heat it then went back into the main room and crouched down in front of the boy.

"Shall I help you with bathing or can you do it alone?"

He reminded her of an albino rabbit, big red eyes that never left her out of sight as he slowly stood up.

"... alone."

His voice was deep for a nine to ten year old but had the same calm as Morgiana's and Masrur's. She smiled up to him.

"There is a piece of soap next to the towels. In the meantime I look if I have clothes that could fit you, okay?"

A nod. The traveler stood up and went over to the chest she had pulled out of space after her arrival. Light footsteps and the creaking sound of the door told her that the boy left the room.

What will you do with him? Orobas spoke for the first time since the purchase and Lenka shrugged while pulling out a short dress then stuffed it back.

I actually don't know – wait, I do know. There is the fanalis corps in Reim. I think bringing him to them would be a good idea.

So he is not a possible household vessel? Orias asked with concern. She frowned then grabbed her white top from London and a piece of cloth.

He is not. He is a child for that I will find a suitable home in a place where his is life is not in danger. No one of you claims him, understood?

Orias smiled approvingly.

That is a great decision. I won't.

… me neither, Gusion yawned.

I respect your wish, my dear darling queen.

Geez, you charmer, Lenka chuckled then went to the door to let the servants in who placed the mountains of food on the table and left. A few seconds after the door fell shut the one to the bathroom opened and the boy peeked in the room. She gave him a warm smile then stretched her arm with the clothes out.

"If you're done changing you can eat while I take a bath. Make sure to chew properly, it's hot."

He nodded and took the offering then disappeared again. She sighed and sorted changing clothes out, underwear, shorts and a wide shirt that she had bought with Pisti and long boots that were almost high stockings similar to those she had seen Titus Alexius wearing them in the manga.

The door opened and the boy hushed outside to the table to look at her from a safe distance.

"I think I should buy clothes for you tomorrow," she mused and stepped to the bath.

"Remember, please chew properly and hands off the wine."

The whole situation was strange yet somehow heartbreaking to Lenka. The fanalis boy was like a small animal, a rabbit in front of a snake or a deer in the lights of a car. He stared at her when she left the bath clean and freshly dressed, he stared at her when she finished her dinner – he had eaten quite a lot despite his skinny frame – and he stared at her now while she was sitting on the bed and he on the floor next to the bathroom. She was sure that he had stared at her when she had casted an illusion around him so that the maids could take away the dishes too. Truly, a frightened animal but she was sure she just had to wait until he would speak again. The night had fallen already when that time came.

"Why did you save me?"

His red gaze was unwavering but Lenka could tell he was scared. Scared of her, of her power, her djinn. She smiled, answering his glance.

"You reminded me of my brother."

His eyes widened nearly unnoticeable and she continued.

"When I saw you standing up there on the stage all I could think was that you were younger than my brother."

She started to fiddle with the ring she wore after finding it in Gusion's dungeon.

"Maybe it was a kind of guilt because I couldn't save him but I'm convinced that no child should be a slave."

He continued to stare at her before asking his next question.

"Is your brother a slave?"

She shook her head.

"No, but I left him and my sister alone with our abusive father. That is almost as bad."

There was the truth she had told no one yet, not even Aladdin. Yet she admitted it in front of this boy who looked so fragile, so tiny.

"Why don't you return home and save him?"

She took a deep breath.

"I am from another world. Another dimension. And I don't know if I ever can return to them. That's why I decided to save as many persons as I can, to give them the safe life my siblings probably don't have."

He was silent for a minute. Then another until Lenka carefully asked: "Do you know if your parents are still alive?"

He began to tremble then shook his head. A sob escaped him causing her to swallow the pang of guilt of having asked that question so she stood up, picked him up, carried him back to the bed and placed him on her lap. The boy wrapped his arms around her, buried his face in her blouse and started to cry.

"They are gone. Gone."

The dungeon capturer cradled him, petted his soft hair and tiny back while humming the tune that had not only calmed Valerie and Henry but Aladdin as well. It worked on the fanalis too, after a few more minutes his sobbing calmed until it completely stopped. Still she waited a bit more, hugging him tightly before she spoke.

"Will you tell me your name?"

"Miran," he whispered near her collarbone.

"I'm Lenka. Actually Marlene-Karen, but that's way too long for a name, so I took a few letters and created a nickname myself."

Her voice seemed to calm him almost as well as her humming so she continued.

"I have a good friend, she is called Morgiana. Her nickname is Mor and sometimes even Mo. She is a fanalis pure-blood, around fifteen, and I love her like my sister. She is calm and composed most times but can be really frightening if she fights. Until a year or so she was a slave."

Miran looked up to her with wide eyes as she continued.

"I know her since seven months but she is very dear to me. She, I and two of our friends spent the past half year in Sindria, the kingdom of Sinbad. Have you heard of his adventures, Miran?"

He nodded.

"Mom would read them to me every evening."

She hummed a bit.

"Then you know about Sinbad's general, Masrur? He is a fanalis as well and was Mor's teacher during our time there. They are both pure-bloods and terrifyingly strong. They have the same eyes as you do."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"Mom and Father had eyes like me too. And hair, even though Mom's had more the color of raspberries than mine."

Lenka ruffled the still slightly wet strands.

"Then I can foresee that you will become very, very strong."

"Can you see the future?" he asked in amazement.

"Not a tiny bit, I have read everything I know, but fanalis are always strong. Have you heard of Reim's fanalis corps?"

He leaned a bit away to have a better look at her, saw the genuine gentle smile and decided to trust her. He shook his head and the girl chuckled.

"They are the strongest military unit Reim has, their pride. Their leader is Muu Alexius, a half-blood who has conquered a dungeon. I have heard only stories but the corps has to be incredible."

Miran smiled then his eyes widened.

"You have conquered a dungeon too!"

"Not only one but three," she corrected with a proud grin. "I am amazing too. Say, Miran, I want to travel to Reim's capital Remano to meet the highest priestess. The fanalis corps will probably be there too. What about if you joined them?"

The boy's eyes started to sparkle and he nodded quickly.

"That would be great."

Lenka stretched her hand out while grinning wide.

"Would you travel with me then?"

Miran nodded again and grabbed her hand.

"Please take care of me."

"I will. So the plans for tomorrow are buying clothes for you, buying food and looking if there are ships that will take off to Reim the same day. If not we fly over land."

He smiled happily at her.

"That sounds great. I'm happy that I met you, Lenka."

Miran's eyes were as big as saucer plates and his grip on her hand was almost painful when they walked around the docks to ask the captains where to they would sail. Lenka had bought him clothes in which he could move easily, dark green pants and a sleeveless shirt with a sash but he had refused to wear shoes, like most fanalis did and had given him a dagger so that he could defend himself if there was not enough room to land a kick. The boy had decided to trust her completely without asking more questions and she was really happy that she had come at the right time to save him.

She looked up as she heard someone call her name and smiled at the captain of the Anneliese, 'gray mustache and raisin face man' as her djinn called him, who walked up to her.

"Miss Lenka, nice to see you again. Are you looking for a ship?"

Lenka nodded.

"I do, my destination is Reim after all."

The man grinned wide and showed her a few gold teeth.

"That is good because I changed plans and will sail there as well with a ship full of exotic spices from the east. Can I ask you for your company and protection a second time?"

"Sure, if the cabin I had on the trip here is still free and we can get a second hammock."

The captain tilted his head then smiled at Miran who was glued to her left leg and stared at the man with big eyes.

"Of course you will get everything you need, Miss Lenka. Oh no, you don't have to pay anything, the fact that you will protect the cargo better than anyone else is enough for this man."

"Please accept this and use it to buy a bit more food, Miran and I are always hungry," she said with a grin and handed him a small pouch filled with Sindrian gold coins. He saluted in front of her and guided them aboard.

"We will leave with the flood, in approximately two hours. Make yourself home again, dear Miss Lenka, little Miran."

"We will," she laughed and smiled at her companion.

"I just hope you won't get as sea-sick as I did on my first longer journey by ship. That was true torture, I couldn't eat for days without sacrificing it to the sea god a few minutes later."

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"So I know what awaits me now," he said dryly causing her to grin and ruffle his hair.

"That kind of humour is something you fanalis share, isn't it? I'm glad you will keep me company. Maybe I won't suffer so much this time, it's only four days if I speed the ship up and I certainly will do that. That's going to be funny! Maybe we'll run into pirates again."

Poor pirates, grinned Orobas.

"Poor pirates," mumbled Miran as he followed Lenka to the side that was near the sea.

Lenka, I like him! He's a good kid! Make him a household vessel!

No.

Please!

NO. End of discussion.

Aw. Meanie.

… if he doesn't I do it.

No, Gusion. No one of you will make him household vessel because he will join the fanalis corps.

And he will join us before that, Orias assured his brother. He certainly will.

Oh guys, Lenka sighed then hurried over to keep her charge from falling over the railing in his curiosity.

And here is as melodichummingbird requested an extra about Judar after the dungeon conquest in chapter 14. Enjoy!

When he arrived at the base at the border to Balbadd Judar was convinced that raising that dungeon and going on the conquest had been one of the worst ideas he had until now. Okay, he had planned raising a dungeon while flying around aimlessly over the thousands of small islands between Balbadd and Sindria until he found the most suitable which was surprisingly close to the stupid king's kingdom. And who was he if he wouldn't pay his old acquaintance a visit just to annoy him? A bit of curiosity had played in as well, he hadn't been there for a long time and wanted to see what Sinbad had achieved, to his annoyance more than he had thought. Bugging him was the next step and yeah, the nagging of the geezers of the organization had been a reason as well, always Aladdin, Aladdin, what is his power blah blah. The midget wasn't that impressive, he had just this strange power and the djinn and her. Maybe he was interested in the boy, simply because of the things he had and where the hell he got them. Okay, he was envious. Really envious, Judar had to admit and wrinkled his nose while floating deeper. The midget's dungeon capturer was a joke, his were way stronger, better and had more magoi. He was way better, stronger, had more magoi and a country. So why the hell was Lenka with the shrimp and not with him?!

Those were more or less the reasons why he broke the shield and invaded the palace, hoping that they were still with Sinbad and cornered the stupid king with the topic 'who the heck is the fourth Magi?'. So far so good, he had a great time messing with him, declaring war seemed only natural to do. His fault for declining his numerous and grateful offers to become Sindria's Magi. Kougyoku's appearance was no big deal either, it was actually fortunate, the more he could confuse them the more fun it would be.

And then Lenka stepped forward. The Rukh seemed to be attracted by her, almost as much as they were by him, yet in a completely different way. She appeared to be a container for them, they flew through her, black and white but only white left. It hadn't been like that in Balbadd, he would have remembered something this extraordinary. She was stronger than back then and he quickly discovered why: she had conquered a second dungeon.

He had to avow that his reaction had been a bit childish, the traveling dude would never pick a king vessel without meeting him or her first but he was somehow pissed off about her having that djinn. In a split second he decided to let her conquer his new dungeon. Her decline to be his king vessel was annoying, the conditions for the favor were as well but that she actually offered a favor was really interesting.

Judar landed on the street and instantly the soldiers greeted him.

"Lord Priest!"

"Lord Oracle!"

He ignored their behavior and ambled towards headquarters, completely unaware of the six men following him. Guards. Like he needed guards. He was the Magi of the Kou empire, he wasn't in the need for guards. He may needed a warrior, but certainly no guards.

A loud tapping interrupted his thoughts as Kouha wrapped himself around his left arm.

"Finally! Where have you been, Judar?"

His pink-haired king vessel grinned at him.

"Isn't it unbearably damp in this country? I'm sweating all the time!"

"Then don't stick to me, that's not going to help."

He tried to shove Kouha away while the boy grabbed him tighter. Sindria hadn't been this hot and damp. The dungeon either.

"Priest!"

Ren Koumei, second prince of Kou scurried towards him, his robes and hair were as messy as always and he looked like he hadn't slept for almost a week.

"Where have you been? I couldn't reach you and started to worry."

Judar rolled his eyes and handed him a small package.

"Hello Koumei, the same dull glance as always. Take this as an excuse for the delay."

He surely wouldn't tell him the main reason because the man would explode like fireworks for sure. Damn his stupid self, his stupid plan and her.

"What is this?" the other asked and eyed the emblem on the wrapping.

"Smoked squid, a Sindrian specialty."

"Sindria!?" Koumei yelped while Kouha ran over to him to get a better look at the package. "No wonder you were late. What were you doing over there?"

Judar frowned.

"What was that for a show? Put me down!" Lenka yelled in his ear.

"Okay."

"Wait!"

"What?!"

What was her problem now, he simply had loosened his grip around her waist like she wanted him to do, so why she had to cling to him like her life depended on it? Not that he would complain about that.

"Not this high above the island!"

They landed on the roof of a house in the marked district and she instantly let go off him to catch her breath then poked his sternum.

"You. What were you thinking? Declaring war to Sindria? To the Alliance? Are you insane?"

"I'm not insane," he snapped back. "This is a great opportunity for the Kou empire. They have five metal vessel users-"

"The alliance has Sinbad, Armakan Amun-Ra of Heliohapt, Artemina from Artemyra, Darius Leoxses from Sasan, the Super chief dude from Imchakk and fore sure one or two more; even though they have no Magi they can fight back easily."

"Time and tide wait for no man."

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity!" she huffed angrily then sighed. "Even a Magi can be killed in a war and I have to prevent that. I fear the-"

She stopped in mid-sentence with a horrified expression and covered her mouth with both hands. He snickered and tried to pull them away.

"You fear what? Tell me."

"You doing something really stupid, like destroying entire islands just because you're bored," she hissed at him. Her flustered face was really cute he decided with a grin, shrugged and turned around.

"Is that so? Don't worry, I won't destroy Sindria. Yet," he added with a smirk then started to float again to look at the bustling streets. "Look, they sell smoked squid."

"Wait, take my money, just don't steal here. And buy the ones from the stall a few streets further towards the port, they are better there."

"How do you know?"

She grinned wide and jumped down on the street.

"I've been living here for almost seven months!"

"Nothing special," he answered after a few seconds. "Let's go. Your big brother is waiting for me for sure."

Koumei mumbled something unintelligible while Kouha started to question him about Sindria. Judar answered a few of them before they reached the staircase to the headquarters and walked into the huge chamber where Ren Kouen, first prince and supreme commander of the western expedition was waiting. Koumei and Kouha kneeled in front of their older brother while he remained standing. He was a Magi, Magi bowed before no one, not even for the gods.

"Priest! What were you thinking, worrying our young master to this extend?" older general on the right side said and old general on the left side nodded in agree. Judar didn't bother to learn their names. Or to listen to their ramblings. They were surely boring. Kouen waved his hand and the two geezers stopped instantly.

"That's enough."

He smiled at Judar, a dangerous, preying smirk.

"You really made me wait. I hope you came up with an interesting souvenir."

"I informed Sinbad."

He did, hadn't he? The dungeon conquest must have confused him more than he had thought. Oh, the dungeon conquest... Worst. Idea. Ever.

"I told him that we were going to war against him."

Yeah, he had threatened the stupid king before Kougyoku stepped in. And Lenka stepped in. And they flew to the dungeon. And he did one of the most stupid acts in his life.

Koumei yelped in horror, Kouha looked surprised and Kouen started grin while the other people in the hall turned noisy.

"You dare to challenge Sindria and the Alliance of the Seven Seas without the permission of the emperor?" Koumei yelled furious but stopped as his brother started to laugh. Kouen wasn't the type to laugh, the hall instantly fell silent.

"I like that," he finally said with a grin. "That's our Magi."

He stood up and looked at the mass of people, creatures and what else was in the room.

"Attention! At the moment our Kou empire might just rule the east, but soon... the whole world!"

The Rukh filled the room, black and white, chirping and creating an almost menacing aura around Kouen and his four assimilated household vessels, Kouha's mages and the other household vessels. The corners of his mouth twitched upwards as he watched the fluttering birds settle down again. This was Kou. Strong, fierce, powerful. The country he served, he helped to become this magnificent. The country that would rule the world.

"Judar."

He looked up at Kouen who connoted him to follow outside into a smaller room, Mei and Ha trailed behind. The prince sat down on a couch and nodded; his brothers took place as well. A second or five passed in which he and his king candidate stared at each other. Kouen started to fumble with his ridiculous goatee before speaking.

"I don't doubt your story," he began, "but I think there is another reason for your late arrival. Tell me."

Stupid Kouen, stupid plan, stupid me, he thought and shrugged.

"I raised a dungeon."

Koumei tried to say something but was silenced.

"Where?"

"On a small island. Don't worry, it's been captured. We might get another ally."

If Lenka would switch plans and come to Kou and not to Reim. The old hag there didn't need her as much as he did. Wait... that sounded strange. Did he need her? Kou, he wanted to think Kou. Since when did he had to justify his own thoughts?

"I didn't think you would choose another king candidate besides us, but tthat could prove to be fortunate. Time sure has passed since the last conquest."

He choose her as king vessel, not just as candidate but she declined. His. Offer. At least he had that favor to ask. But what would he ask her to do? Something really good. Maybe her servitude for her life. Or that she would have to be his warrior. That would be nice. Sadly she wouldn't destroy Sindria together with him...

"Hm?" he said as he noticed that the three were looking at him. "What?"

"I asked when he will arrive?" Kouen repeated. Judar frowned then sighed heavily and kicked against the couch Kouha was sitting on.

"I don't know when or if she will come. But I think I've bugged Sinbad enough to kick her out of Sindria."

"Is she his fiancee?" Koumei paled while Kouha asked "Didn't you say you would never let a girl conquer again because they were always crying and so straining? You said that after Kougyoku got her djinn."

"No she turned him down. And she's not like that."

She had cried but only because of the illusions she had seen. And than almost fell into depravity. How she managed to get back was a riddle to him, but he had enough time to solve it.

"So she is a woman who refused to be Sinbad's wife and queen? Interesting. Is she your taste?" Kouen said with a smirk. Judar didn't like the combination of what he said and his expression. And the thought of Sinbad wanting Lenka to be his queen. He should have smashed his palace to smoking pieces then buried it under tons of never melting ice.

"Weird. She is a weird person."

She was different from the women in the palace, wasn't intimidated by him and argued back. But he had seen her nice and caring side due to the pieces of memory she subconsciously transferred to him when she healed him in Balbadd. And her weaknesses in the dungeon Orias.

"But she has to be someone special if you sent her to the dungeon."

"She is friends with Kougyoku. Is that special enough?"

If it had been someone else who said this words it would be him howling with laughter, but after he saw how her Rukh had flown into the old hag he couldn't make fun of that. Kouha laughed in his stead then stared at him with big eyes.

"Seriously?"

"She is the dungeon capturer we met in Balbadd. The hag might have pestered you with stories about her how she helped to tend my injuries and spent time with her and stuff."

He spotted her on the roof of a house, looking into the green yard while eating peaches. The hag had been with the glasses advisor guy so he had decided to fly around for a bit and noticed the strange movement of the Rukh. He followed them until he found a young woman with golden hair, clothes similar to his and eyes of the color of steel and silver. She was special, he had the feeling she was even before she told him she came from a place without Rukh.

Kouen nodded slowly.

"She indeed told me about a person who spent time with her and sent a letter. So it was her second dungeon."

"Her third," he corrected with another shrug. Koumei and Kouha yelped surprised while Kouen smirked and chuckled, much to the surprise of his brothers. He seemed to have a good day.

"Her third? I have to meet her. Why didn't you bring her?"

And here was the core of the problem. After she had decided to go to Reim he had tried to find a way to convince her to come with him and tried to remember every moment he had spent with her to get a clue or reason and stumbled over the events in Balbadd when he had that djinn and did a bit small-talk with her and Sinbad. Actually he had been interested in her since she shared her peaches with him but her blushing face was really funny, so he had tried to make her blush even more to see if she could get as red as Kouen's hair but her bold replies brought their talk to an interesting topic. Or rather straining. Sinbad that womanizer. The playboy of the seven seas he was! Luckily Lenka didn't fall for his trap. Or did she? He thought puberty had been over but damn he had been so pissed off by the images invading his mind. Mostly indecent images. So he had asked her about kissing Sinbad. And then-

"AAAAARGH! THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING!" he screamed and shot a set of ice spears out the window and into the blue sky. Then another. A third was followed by a fourth and fifth and a sixth, just for fun until he was sure he was calm enough to think about Lenka again. And wanted to have a spell to turn back time because Kouen was laughing his ass off. Much to the utter horror of Koumei and Kouha.

"You're totally clueless, aren't you, Judar?"

"Shut up Kouen! I'm leaving!"

"You won't leave this room until-"

"You can't!"

But the Magi had already flown outside, leaving a laughing, an angered and a pouting prince behind.

Chapter 15! 5,000 words plus 2,700 words extra! Yaay! Got to introduce another OC besides Lenka and finally I can start the long, long countdown to the battle with the Medium. Many chapters to write before I start college and my free time drastically decreases... Oh well, life goes on either way.

Thanks to everyone who read, followed/favorited and/or reviewed!

Yours,

TheMultipleMeExperience