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 because I do the correcting stuff on my own and English is not my native language.
Even so, have a fun time reading!
Day 26 Talking and Meeting the Evil Witch Queen
"I still don't know what this is all about. Green suits me," Lenka tried to calm an enraged Kougoku. The servants had brought green clothes for her, but the color was totally disapproved by the princess who now scowled at her friend.
"Green are commoner's clothes, white the ones for the higher families. You are a noble."
"Yeah, but that is more or less unimportant in my world."
"Here it is, and as your host I can't accept the fact that they dare to bring you commoner's clothes."
Miran looked up from his breakfast and tilted his head. Clothes was not an important issue for him, Lenka bought them and they either fit or didn't fit.
"Then wear a dress from Reim. The pretty one from the founder's feast."
The blonde frowned and crossed her arms while thinking.
"That is a good idea, but I think I should wear this if I ever have the misfortune to meet the empress."
Luckily she had been forced by Myron to buy a lot more on that day and thus pulled another white dress out of the black storage hole, almost the same design. The only difference was that it had no cape but a deep plum-colored shawl and leather straps around her upper body. Kougyoku nodded approvingly when the blonde did a pirouette.
"This will be okay, I guess. But the elders will still get skeptical of you, Lenka. We hadn't had an ambassador of Reim here in ages. I can't even remember if there ever was one."
"I think I'll be fine," she replied and combed her hair with a brush then attempted to braid it to the side. Scheherazade had answered her through a Rukh this morning and ordered her to act as goodwill ambassador in the Magnostadt question. It was a very vague message so she decided to improvise if someone asked her, telling something about greater good and an attempt to cover the distance between the two nations. The second part worried her even more: don't get deceived, Scheherazade had said, keep out of the Kou internal politics as much as possible. A contradiction to the first sentence and a nearly hopeless undertaking for Lenka: becoming a dungeon capturer of Judar had already pulled her into the spider's web.
Kougyoku clicked her tongue then walked over to help her friend with the hair.
"I hope I can stay to hear your story, but I doubt brother Kouen will let me."
"Then I say I will tell you everything later. A female conspiracy, or so to say."
"And I'll stay because I'm your household member," Miran added and placed his chopsticks next to the plate. Slowly he got more confident with the tiny sticks of doom. The princess frowned at the braid then used a leather strap to tie it in place.
"I don't think he'll be convinced this easily."
"Lenka can do anything," he said with imperturbable trust in his guardian shining from his eyes then he frowned as if he had realized something crucial.
"Well, anything but being honest to herself."
"Huh?" Kougyoku asked and turned to the boy who nodded and crossed his arms.
"Yes, if she had been honest to herself we would be in Reim now and perhaps celebrate her proposal."
"Proposal!" the princess squealed then scowled at Lenka.
"You are betrothed to whom? Why didn't you tell me?! Is he good-looking?"
"I'm not! Miran, the curse of porridge will strike you when you least expect it!"
"But Myron said... well, she said it was only a matter of time."
"Yes, and that means we are not engaged. Besides, Orobas doesn't approve of him."
Well, he's not as bad as the perverted girly Magi brat and the perverted stupid king, so...
"Orobas! What happened to you!" Lenka screamed and shook the pendant in desperation.
"You are not the Orobas I knew! He would never say he'd approve of a male besides him! And Miran, but he's your household, so what happened to you!"
I happened, Foras said with a smug grin and suggestively wriggled her eyebrows. The blonde gasped at the ring on her finger.
"No way! Are you an item again?"
Yep, and they celebrated their reunion very enthusiastically, Orias shuddered and dodged the pillow his brother threw from his place on the couch at him.
Eligos needed earplugs, the djinn added and rubbed her arms under the chilly breeze Foras' gentle smile caused.
"Oh, you poor guys. But thanks for the blackmailing info, Elly."
Eligos is always helpful.
"It's always a bit creepy when she does this," Miran entrusted Kougyoku who nodded in agree then both redheads stared at Lenka who continued to chat with her djinn until she noticed their careful glances and stopped.
"Yeah, so, shall we go to the meeting?"
A small group of soldiers joined them outside the building to guide them to Kouen's private meeting chambers, which was a bit over-the-top for Lenka. She wasn't weak, Kougyoku either, but apparently every female needed at least two guards to cross a road. Luckily the omnipresent advisor of Kougyoku, Ka Koubun, had been banned from the talking so she could present herself from her best side. Or what she thought of being her best side.
The soldiers stopped in front of a huge wooden door and Lenka, Kougyoku and Miran entered a library. The blonde was amazed how many scrolls were stored in here in high shelves, small parchment straps with the titles hung from the end of the wooden sticks, candles were burning, the whole room smelled like dust, ink, parchment and the wood used for the shelves.
Kouen sat on a chair near a huge window from which he could look into a smaller garden, Koumei and was standing next to him. Both looked up at their entry, Koumei nodded politely.
"Miss Lenka."
"You two can go," Kouen bluntly told Miran and Kougyoku who instantly hid behind her sleeves. Lenka raised a brow and touched her friend's shoulder to keep her from leaving.
"Kougyoku is my friend. She knows a lot about me and will hear everything what we will speak about either way. Miran is my household member. My djinn would open a connection between my mind and his if there was vital information to witness. You have seen Orobas; he was the one who was about to bite Judar's head off. He's very protective of what belongs to him, to put it mildly."
One corner of Koumei's mouth rose to a half smile.
"I see. My brother and king?"
"Then stay," answered Kouen and jerked his head towards the sofa and chairs opposite of his. Kougyoku gave Lenka's hand a short grateful squeeze as they took place on the sofa, small Miran took the chair and continued to eye the princes closely. Somehow this situation reminded her of the talk she had had back in Balbadd with Sinbad before he kissed her and a small shudder crept down her spine. Luckily she had her friends with her this time.
She leaned back and laced her fingers in her lap while looking at them with a slight but attentive smile.
"You wanted to speak with me, Lord Kouen."
"What are you doing here?" he asked forthright but at least bothered to look her in the eyes.
"Sitting and admiring the library. I'd love to read through the works some day."
Stupid question, stupid answer, Gusion muttered then chuckled at the glance the men exchanged. Koumei spoke for his brother then.
"As we have witnessed yesterday you possess five djinn. May I ask how you got them?"
The truth or the version in which you came from Reim? Orobas asked with a frown.
Better. A mixture of both, Lenka answered and nodded.
"You may, Prince Koumei. The country I'm from is called England, or the British Empire, a land far, far away. I don't know if I can ever return. I somehow fell into a dungeon, captured it and found myself the oasis Qishan in the great desert. From there on I traveled towards Balbadd and met King Sinbad undercover on the way. Several incidences later I was invited to come to Sindria with three friends I had made. This led to me acquiring my second dungeon which was raised surprisingly in the middle of the ocean. The third I conquered with the help of Judar-"
Kouen sat up straight and a smirk tugged at his lips. Lenka frowned and stopped.
"Is something the matter?"
He shook his head but the gleam in his eyes didn't die down.
"Continue. The third dungeon."
"Yes, Judar more or less dragged me into it. We had met in Balbadd before and he had shown interest in me. I had no chance to decline and when I came back Sinbad refused to let me stay as he suspected I was a secret spy of Kou. Again."
Koumei hid behind his fan and his brother snorted his disapproval.
"So I departed for Reim with the intention to train under Shambal Ramal's tutelage, stopped by in Aktia, freed Miran and more or less adopted him," the boy smiled wide at her, "and we continued our travel together. On the western continent we accidentally entered the dungeon Eligos – okay, with the intent to get another djinn, I have to admit that. In Remano I graduated the gladiator school after one fight, I know how hilarious that sounds, as Shambal said that my magoi-control was perfect already. Due to the display of my rather unusual abilities I caught the attention Reim's Magi Scheherazade who bestowed the honour of being one of her king candidates upon me as the dungeon I just had conquered had been raised by her.
I conquered the fifth because of personal reasons and got teleported here by the djinn."
Lenka inhaled, exhaled and smiled at the princes. Short and with as much information she could afford to share with them. Kouen nodded slowly and looked at her more closely.
"Why would Sinbad suspect you of being a spy for us?"
She shrugged then exchanged glances with Kougyoku.
"As I said before I met Judar in Balbadd and decided to go with Kougyoku to heal him as it was partly my fault that he had been injured, instead of staying with him and my friends. Judar showed his interest several times but I managed to convinced Sinbad that I was no threat. That was the first time."
"And the second was when Judar invited you to the dungeon," Koumei added for her so she smiled at him and nodded.
"Exactly. After destroying the shields, part of the palace, threatening his advisor, guest, proclaiming war and making a fool of him. He really set the bar high that time, didn't he, Kougyoku?"
"He did," the princess agreed with a furious nod then hid behind her sleeves. Lenka fondly patted her right arm then sighed.
"Sinbad is difficult. He would do everything for his country, like many other influential people I've met up until now."
Kouen raised a brow, still smirking at her and another shiver ran down her spine.
"He was in a very bad mood when he returned to us. What happened in the third dungeon?"
She flinched, looked away and raised her hands as if to keep his interested glance away, a pointless endeavor.
"I believe this is a thing between us."
"They kissed," Kougyoku told her brother from behind her sleeves.
"Ew," Miran shuddered and Lenka felt her cheeks heating up.
"Kougyoku, I swear to God, Solomon and everyone who might hear me, this will have some serious consequences later. Prepare for the worst: I'll ask Kouha to teach me braiding. And then you will suffer big time."
Kouen nodded and stroked his goatee.
"I figured as much after witnessing their innuendo-filled talk yesterday."
"The 'Chase the Suitors away from Lenka'-committee strongly disapproves of this," Miran said and tapped on his brass knuckles. Kougyoku stared disbelievingly at the boy.
"Really? Have you ever seen them together? They are so cute!"
"Totally impossible," said Lenka and shook her head.
"I ship you and him. He always calls you old hag, but I believe he does this because he likes you and doesn't want you to know."
"No! Absolutely not!"
The blonde snapped her fingers.
"Ha! Now I know. It's Sinbad he's interested in! He only kissed me because I told him I kissed the stupid king! That would explain why he was so adamant on becoming Sindria's Magi in the past."
The princess' jaw fell then she nodded and clapped her hands.
"That's so logic it's incredible we didn't think of it sooner!"
"But Sinbad is in a secret relationship with Ja'far already, the whole womanizing is only a cover so he doesn't get caught when having a homoerotic relationship with his attendant, or why else would they bicker like a long married couple about his alcohol consume and slacking off during work hours?"
"A triangle!" Kougyoku almost squealed and blushed with sparkling eyes.
"Everything makes sense now!"
… behold the incredibly powerful imagination of fangirls, Gusion stated dryly. Kouen and Koumei stared dumbstruck at the giggling women on the sofa before they exchanged glances.
"I've never seen you this passionate, Kougyoku," the first prince said and effectively stopped the incoming fangirl craze. The princess blushed a deeper shade of red and hid behind her sleeves again.
"I'm sorry for interrupting the talk, brother."
"You weren't interrupting, dear, you were selling me out."
"He said he knew already, didn't he?"
"I believe he can talk for himself," Koumei said from behind his fan. Lenka chuckled then looked at Kouen.
"Nice if you have people speaking your thoughts while you were about to form them."
"Indeed," he smirked.
"Back to business. Will you work with us?"
"On what? World domination? Sorry, but that is the image you're giving everyone," shrugged the blonde and smiled.
"I don't want to dominate. We need to unite the world. That is our goal."
Lenka stared wide-eyed at Kouen. Did she understand him correctly? Did he really say what she thought he had been saying?
"Unite," she repeated slowly and leaned back.
Guys, do you think it's wise to tell him I'm from a world with around two-hundred countries from which 193 form the United Nations? A large-scale alliance?
No, Gusion answered instantly.
The chance of them hearing about it is too big. It can be held against you.
But I have to do something.
Then think about it quickly, I don't like the way he's staring at you.
"What made you think you need to unite the world?"
Kouen's smile faded and his hard glance softened minimally to a thoughtful expression.
"I've been thinking about the meaning of a 'king vessel'. Just what is a 'king vessel'?"
Scheherazade had asked her almost the same question when they first met, Lenka realized then tried to answered Kouen the same as she had then.
"A Magi chooses a king vessel by leading him or her through a dungeon and fully supports them so they can create an empire, like Scheherazade of Reim did. But in this era there are several dungeon capturers who all have different plans for the future. Those who can convince a Magi of their goals will realize them.
As far as I know Yunan didn't choose a king vessel but several people have conquered dungeons raised by him, like Sinbad and me.
Scheherazade chose to assist Reim several hundred years ago and raises dungeons for the empire to uphold it. She has asked me the same question as you did."
"And what did you answer?" he questioned with barely contained interest.
"The same as I told you. Her reply was that I was the ideal candidate for a king vessel. I declined politely but she nevertheless proclaimed me as her king candidate."
His hands grabbed the armrest so tight the wood creaked in protest.
"What is your goal then?"
"To change destiny to the light's favour," Lenka replied honestly. She must have said this sentence at least twenty times now, but she was still contended with how mysterious and badass it sounded. His and Koumei's reactions were priceless. Their jaws fell for a few seconds before they recovered.
The hungry glint in Kouen's eyes was almost menacing now but at the same time he was giddy with excitement.
"Destiny. What will you do to change destiny?"
"Everything that is possible except falling into depravity and pointless killing. What will you do to reach your goal?"
Kouen smirked again.
"Everything possible."
She sighed and rubbed her temples.
"This is getting really intense now. Kouen, I have to warn you. Waging war and conquering other countries will not get the world united. Treaties, patience, tolerance, acceptance, trust, those are the keys. Trust me, I have several hundred years of history and knowledge to prove my point.
By the way, could you please lean back, you are almost sitting on my lap now."
"Several hundred years?" he asked with almost sparkling eyes but followed her wish.
Careful now, Orias warned. Lenka slightly tilted her head.
"More or less. Fact is that countries based on slavery are sooner or later doomed to fail. There are always people opposing the principle of others being reduced to simple objects. I belong to those. Objectification is disgusting. We are all humans, every life is equally important. We are different and that makes us unique. But whether we have different skin colours, physical traits, beliefs, genders or sexual orientations, we are all born as humans. Before we are fanalis, Kouga, Sindrian, Reimian, British or Torran, we are human."
"Are you saying our lives are as important as those of the canal cleaners in the city?" Koumei asked with dangerously low voice.
"We are only different because there are differences in power. What if the canal cleaner was to conquer a dungeon tomorrow and then lead a slave revolution against you and you'd loose? Then you would be forced to leave the country like it happened in Balbadd.
Those who are powerful set the rules. Those who are superior rule the others. But what makes superior? Metal vessels? Not necessarily. One of our friends is a dungeon capturer currently trying to find a way to get his country back. He's absolutely normal, suffered like a commoner, crawled in the dirt in front of of people who were superior at the particular moment. Minutes later those were licking his boots.
And why was that so?
Because they found out that he was of his royal birth. And why was he born royal? Because his father was and his grandfather and so on. And how became the first in line a noble?"
"Because he somehow gained power," Kouen said. Lenka nodded.
"Because he gained power and set the rules. Set his destiny. Shared his belief with others who agreed with what he thought was right.
Take Sinbad as an example. As far as I know he was a fisherman's son who got into the first dungeon, Baal. He wanted to built a country in which everyone could live free, happy and equal. He shared his belief with other countries and created the Seven Seas Alliance through treaties and thus expanded the range in which his belief was spread. This is the peaceful way. The members of the alliance won't attack each other, but if one of them is attacked the others come to crush the enemy. That's the way it should work, shouldn't it?"
Kouen nodded in agree and signaled her to continue. Lenka inhaled deeply. Now she had to bring forth her plan.
"I believe the only way to change destiny and unite the world would be to have Reim, the Alliance and Kou to form a treaty and get rid of Al-Thamen with all forces these three superpowers could muster."
Miran suddenly sat straighter in his seat as did Kougyoku and her brothers. Koumei was impressed but skeptical as well.
"I don't think this would be possible as Kou has declared war to Sindria."
"Just say Judar acted on accord of them or on his own."
"Either way the economical and political consequences a pact of this dimension would have on Kou..."
"We are too tightly connected with them," Kouen stated but continued to watch Lenka as if she was an incredibly interesting specimen, a giant green mushroom with purple sparkles perhaps that sung with the voice of birds or something like that.
"It could destroy everything we've built up until now."
"Does that mean you've submitted to them? Accept your fate without resistance? If it was like that I would be disappointed of how different you are from the things I've heard of you by your siblings."
And from your lecture by the way, Orobas added.
Shut up, I have to concentrate on what to tell him.
Kouen's eyes narrowed.
"And what did you hear?"
"You are strong and follow your beliefs. You are an excellent leader who tries to find a way to improvise the living conditions of the citizens, not only in Kou but in the whole world. As I have noticed from talking with you are intelligent and enjoy academic discourse and learning new things.
Kougyoku is grateful for you acknowledging her as someone who is strong enough to fight at your side."
The princess blushed and hid behind her sleeves as both her brothers looked at her.
"... I really am. It would be great if you would overcome your differences with Sindria. It's a beautiful island and the people are very nice and moreover, innocent. Don't let them become involved in pointless slaughter if you could go another way. A more peaceful way."
Do you hear this buzzing sound? Gusion suddenly asked and her jackal ears turned to catch the noise. The twins instantly stopped cooking respectively cuddling Foras and listened.
I do, Orias lowered the knife and looked at Orobas who slowly nodded.
But I can't grasp from where it comes. It feels familiar.
Eligos doesn't hear a thing.
Me neither, Foras and Lenka agreed then frowned as a shiver crept down the traveler's spine.
A knock on the door interrupted whatever Kouen was to say to his sister and two of the hooded priests entered, followed by a third she recognized. The banker with the mismatched eyes and the toothy grin bowed politely in front of the dungeon capturers.
"Pardon the intrusion, Lord Kouen, but the empress wishes to see the ambassador of Reim."
The Empress. She felt a tug at her magoi when Eligos' charming protection kicked in and her djinn stirred from their relaxed state. Lenka shuddered and exchanged glances with Kouen whose gaze hardened. He nodded almost unnoticeable and she felt her stomach drop to her knees. Fudge.
"Miran, stay with Kougyoku please," she ordered and stood up with a soothing smile for her household member, hoping he wouldn't notice her growing panic.
"I'll try to be back soon."
And alive, she added inwardly then bowed slightly for the princes.
"Lord Kouen, thank you for your time."
"It was a pleasure," the answer came with another short nod. He wished her luck. And she would need every ounce of it if she really was to meet the empress of Kou. She ignored the hand the magician politely offered her. Avoiding as much physical and Rukh contact with the fallen dolls as possible Lenka left the room and waited outside for them to catch up and take the lead. The banker grinned at her.
"I believe we have met in Balbadd before, young lady."
"My memory of faces is not that good, you might have slipped my mind," she replied and rubbed her right thumb over the metal vessel ring Foras had chosen to reside in. His voice was oily and sleek and sweet like poison and threatened to invade her conscience like ink dripped in clear water.
"Alas, at least I can remember the encounter with a woman as gifted as you are."
"You're flattering me."
The closer she got to the audience hall the denser the black Rukh she encountered became and as soon as she entered she knew why: the only persons inside were the priests and the empress. Ren Gyokuen smiled sickeningly sweet at her when she bowed deep in the traditional Kou greeting.
"Empress Gyokuen. My condolences for your loss of your husband and Congratulations to ascending to the throne. May your reign be a successful and prosperous one."
Caption: I hope you die soon, bitch, Orobas stage-whispered and rose from the couch to wait for her command. Gyokuen smiled even more.
"I thank you ambassador. May I ask your name as we haven't officially been introduced to each other?"
Her voice made her skin crawl as if a myriad of ants were running over her but she bowed again, exposing her neck to the evil witch of Al-Thamen.
"The name is Lenka Sensenmacher, your highness."
It was so wrong telling her her name. Names had power. Gyokuen tilted her head and pressed her fingertips together.
"My, could you be the Lenka our Judar talked about?"
The priests stomped their staffs on the floor and answered her like the chorus in a mad orchestra play and their Rukh trilled shrill and agitated.
"The oracle has mentioned her!"
The blonde had to fight the rising nausea and bowed a third time, just to be sure the witch would think of her as polite and completely and utterly respectful.
"I might be as he helped me conquer a dungeon."
"Wonderful!" exclaimed Gyokuen.
"He was so full of praise for your abilities. Ithnaan was interested in you as well but alas, he does not roam this world any longer."
"How... unfortunate," Lenka answered and her stomach clenched even more under the assault of the countless black birds and their sickening aura. The empress nodded and sighed theatrically.
"Indeed. He saw limitless potential in you, as did Judar. But I wonder what your objective here is," she mused and the blonde had the impression that the white of the other woman's eyes was turning black. Every single cell in her body screamed at her for not running away in terror but it was as if she had been frozen to the floor in her fear.
Certain death. Certain death. One move and she would die. Black. Black. Death. Insanity. Death. No escape. Certain death. Any second now.
This. Who could ever kill this mass of darkness, this endless well of deceit, murder and cruelty? She couldn't. Solomon, what was she in comparison to the being sitting high on the throne of an expanding empire, this thing that controlled an uncountable army of depraved persons?
Nothing.
You are Lenka! Eligos screamed at her.
We chose you, Gusion growled.
You! Over hundreds and thousands of other souls! Orobas mentally knocked her upon the head.
Don't forget what you owe us and those who have died following the way you're walking.
Don't forget your oath to Solomon!
Lenka inhaled deeply and smiled while bowing again.
"I came here to congratulate as well as to fulfill a promise I had given the eight princess, Ren Kougyoku as she had invited me as a friend. My aim is not to stir trouble in your realm, Empress Gyokuen."
I can't do a thing against you and thus won't try to fight you openly.
"My, what a polite thing to do."
Don't mess with me, bitch.
"I always fulfill an obligation and answer requests made by friends with joy."
I know where my loyalties lie and am powerful enough to do so.
"Your Magi must be very proud of you."
Whom do you really serve?
"I try to fulfill my orders the best I can."
Won't tell you, hag.
"Are you perhaps interested in joining the Kou empire? My children and especially Judar would be very happy if you did so."
Do you want more power? I could give you everything you desire. You just have to fall into depravity and become my pawn.
"Sadly I have to decline as my connections with Reim and Sindria run to deep to be beneficial to Kou. I prefer to act as neutral counsellor and ambassador if requested."
I know what happens when I accept and where I can go to for support. I like to keep out of your squabble, though.
"What a shame, we would welcome you with open arms."
You are powerful and I need a loyal lackey. Come on.
"Maybe I will have to accept your generous offer later in the future, Empress, but not at the moment as I have already offered my services to someone else."
Never ever ever in hell.
"As much as I enjoyed our conversation I feel the need to end it now. The council of elders will arrive soon to discuss the war plans and I fear they can't start without me."
Out or I'll end you, girly.
"It was my utmost pleasure to entertain you, Empress Gyokuen."
Fudge you, wrinkly hag.
Lenka bowed, took two steps back then turned around to leave with her head held high despite her inner commotion.
She managed to walk through two halls and get into a garden before she broke down on a veranda, shivering and shaking like a leaf in terror and leaning against the wall while being rolled to a ball. Never before she had encountered someone so terrifying, so completely and utterly evil that she had difficulties describing just how wrong Ren Gyokuen simply felt, not to mention of what the woman, if that was a sufficient term for her outward appearance, was capable of.
She could have died in there, even before she would have been able to realize that she was dead. Or rather she would have suffered thousands of cruel and nightmarish deaths before finally committing seppukku with her katana.
A familiar Rukh fluttered by and she looked up to find Hakuryuu standing a few meters away.
"Miss Lenka? Are you alright?"
She jumped up and raced over to pull him into a tight embrace.
"Hakuryuu, you are a wonder. It's a true miracle that you haven't gone mental already after being so close to that woman for years. You are incredible. You are absolutely and utterly incredible."
Lenka pressed a kiss on the scarred side of his face then stepped back to look him in the uneven eyes.
"I am proud to call you friend right now."
He blushed a little and looked away.
"I'm not that amazing. I couldn't do anything."
"Hakuryuu, you were a child back then. An innocent child simply can't do a thing against a being like this."
She took his face in her hands and urged him to look up to her again.
"Hakuryuu, I can't do a thing against her. Neither can Sinbad or Kouen. Heck, the three of us together could barely scratch her, even if we used up our lives and died attempting."
He froze up when she mentioned Kouen and his eyes instantly turned cold and steely. Lenka pulled and squished his cheeks in return.
"You don't scowl at me, young man. He is well aware of the fact that he is powerless against her. He hasn't said 'no' to a possible alliance with the Seven Seas and Reim to destroy them yet."
His eyes widened in surprise and she grinned.
"Exactly. Don't loose faith in the light yet Hakuryuu. We still have a chance. All you need to do is to hold out a little longer. You are strong enough to do so. Your mind is stronger.
Don't fall."
"I don't know if I can," he whispered and freed himself from her grip.
"It is... so difficult."
"If I could you will be able to do so as well," Lenka replied stubbornly. Hakuryuu shook his head and an almost maniac glint appeared in his eyes as well as a sneer when he stepped closer again, menacing, black Rukh started fluttering around him.
"You don't know a thing about me, Lenka. This hatred... it will never go away. Don't try to be all sunshine and roses with me. You know nothing."
"No, you know nothing," she growled and glared back at him.
"Have you ever been raped, Hakuryuu? By your sadistic pedophile of a father?"
He flinched but didn't back off and she continued her lecture.
"Have you been accused for killing your twin for years by your own father? Have you been deteriorated and abused simply because you had the wrong gender? Have you been raped by your very own father until you couldn't even crawl or scream anymore because you were choked so had you fainted? Violated until you were bleeding and sore and then forced to orally satisfy your torturer? Stripped bare and had put a collar on you and a leash of steel chains and then fed dog food when the sun sank? Cut and marked with a burning cigar like cattle for sale?
You mother killed your father, brothers and threatened your sister? At least she admitted to you she did it and they had a relatively fast death.
My father slowly killed my mother, married the sadistic slut he had knocked up, raped me for years, practically sold me to the one bidding highest without me knowing and threatened to do the same thing to my sister and half-brother while I was 'serving' my husband-to-be in front of them, then his father and every other candidate that would come for me so they could make sure how well he had trained me.
And here, where I could finally recover from the trauma of being so utterly mentally fucked up I got dragged into a dungeon which messed with my memories and had me experience the horror of being back there again! And the cherry on top is that while I was in Reim I practically violated an absolutely nice and honest guy who was on top courting me simply because I was under the influence of a drug.
Have you, Hakuryuu? Have you felt the pain I have felt? Have you been a mental wreck like me?"
She jerked her chin up in a gesture of defiance.
"Come back when you have experienced the very same. Until then you can stop your self-pitying and hold on for Christ's sake!"
During her recollection of the past his face had lost all color and a disbelieving then appalled expression had replaced the initial anger and finally, guilt. Lenka perversely felt satisfaction when he bit on his lower lip and looked down; she reached out and raised his chin again to look him in the eye.
"Look at me and say you had it worse. Say it."
Hakuryuu gulped but somehow the hard words of hers had reached him.
"I... can't say I had it worse."
"Finally," she sighed and combed his bangs back into place.
"Don't forget that. You are not alone. There are others suffering like you do, like I did and they will continue to suffer if we continue doing nothing."
He nodded slowly.
"I'm sorry for doubting you."
Lenka grinned.
"Apology accepted, but I want you to do something. Talk to your sister. I have noticed she worries about you. Apologize for whatever you did up until now then take her for a walk and explain everything from the start. Tell her the true story."
Hakuryuu frowned deeply then his shoulders slumped and she could see a flutter of white Rukh towards him.
"I'll try."
Maybe, maybe this was the first step away from the terrible future she had to prevent.
When she arrived at her room she found Miran sitting next to the doorframe, staring at something further inside the dark chamber.
"Hey, little one, what's wrong?"
"'That' is here," he scowled and rubbed his brass knuckles before making fists. Lenka frowned and looked from him to the fluttering of the Rukh in the room until she spotted the lazing figure on the sofa. There was only one person in the whole empire who would sneak into other people's rooms and then pretend to be asleep.
"Fudge," escaped her, "what is he thinking? Miran, can you go to Kougyoku? I'll fetch you later, when I managed to get him out."
"She felt not well after the meeting. I'll wait outside on the porch."
Lenka closed the door behind him and listened to his steps for a few seconds then turned towards the Magi on her couch.
"Judar. May I ask what you were thinking? If you were thinking."
He opened his eyes to grin mischievously at her.
"I just wanted to see why you brought that twerp with you. He's even smaller than the Chibi."
"That's because he's about two years younger. I bet you weren't always this big, weren't you?"
"I was stronger."
"Just because you're a Magi."
"Yep."
During their banter she dropped her shawl on the cupboard and kicked away her sandals before taking place on the other sofa across his. Judar rolled onto his side to look at her, still grinning wide.
"I heard you have met the witch hag."
"Please spare me with talks about her. Meeting Gyokuen should be considered dungeon trial."
He snickered then floated over to her couch to drop on her lap.
"What did you talk about with Kouen?"
"My, aren't we nosy today?" Lenka murmured and started to pet his head, a habit she had developed long ago when her siblings were to use her as pillow.
"Just talking about my dungeon adventures and his goals for the future. A basic discussion about the worth of human lives."
"That's boring."
"Actually it wasn't that boring. Kougyoku was there with me. We had fun, but I don't think Koumei and Kouen had."
"You are strange," he murmured and rubbed his thumb over her kneecap. A shiver ran down her spine, neither pleasant nor unpleasant.
"Stop that. It tickles."
Judar turned around so she could see his wide grin.
"Are you ticklish, Lenka?"
"Try it and I'll let you walk around as a girl for the next two months."
"Meanie."
"I had great teachers."
Lenka used the following pause to tickle his nose with the end of his braid and giggled when the Magi scowled at her.
"Are you bored, Judar?"
"Incredibly so. Nothing happens any more. No big war with someone strong, no conquests, nothing. It's frustrating."
"Does that mean I had more fun this past months than you?"
That sounded strange.
I just noticed, Orias.
Luckily Judar didn't notice as well, he simply frowned at Lenka then pinched her side and cackled when she flinched and tried to wriggle away from his tickling fingers.
"Git."
"But you like me."
"Maybe."
She sighed and leaned back to stare at the ornamented ceiling. A small spot attracted her attention and the longer she stared at the more spots appeared and started to dance before her eyes. Lenka sighed again.
"Do you know the feeling when you realize that you have done something incredibly stupid?"
He took his time with answering and then simply grumbled in agree.
"I want to head-butt the wall."
"Help yourself."
"Can't. You're lying on me.
I mean, at first it seemed like the best idea you had in a while and then after you, let's say, ate fifteen peaches and drank two bottles of wine everything falls out of your face? Incredibly dumb."
"I never regretted eating fifteen peaches," Judar mused.
"Me neither, but hypothetically speaking. I feel incredibly dumb right now."
"Isn't this your normal state?"
Lenka pinched his cheeks and wondered about the soft texture for a few seconds.
"Stupid Judar. We can't hold up a decent conversation, can't we?"
"Why should we?"
She groaned and shook her head.
"Now that was stupid. It sounded like a good idea in my head to talk with you."
"Hey!" the Magi protested and sat up to scowl at her.
"So you're saying talking with me is stupid?"
"I just said that my idea was stupid."
"Oh."
Judar instantly relaxed and changed his position until he could nuzzle his head in the crook of her neck.
"You are really cuddly today. Or is it because you missed me?"
"Oh please. Who would miss someone like you?"
"Well, you obviously. Then there is Miran, my siblings, Mor, Aladdin-"
"I got it," he grumbled then jumped from the couch.
"So maybe I missed you. So what?"
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"I missed you too."
Since the familiar was there Miran was less bored. The glowing white bird that appeared when he focused on his household vessels was kind of funny in the way it fluttered and spoke with a higher-pitched version of Orobas' voice that spouted commands for the first executioner, like when it had introduced itself when he activated his household vessel.
I am the familiar of the household of cleansing light, born from the passionate and certainly unhealthy over-protectiveness of Orobas, djinn of faithfulness and truth and his chosen queen, the incredibly awesome Lenka! Let's crush her enemies, har har har!
Now what was there more to explain? He was stuck with an insane voice in his head. It could have been worse, the voice could have been his own, Miran decided and wriggled his toes in the spot of light the setting sun spent. The air smelled different here in Kou, much more like hot spices and the sweetness of the peach trees growing in the palace orchards whereas Reim held the fragrances of olives and lemons and and an aroma he could only describe as friendly. A bit like home. He didn't know if Lenka felt the same, but he missed his life in Remano quite a lot, the sparring with his friends, the food and the other fanalis, but the chance was still there that they would return one day.
"What are you doing here?"
Miran looked up and tilted his head in confusion. Who was the pink-haired girl again? No, it wasn't a girl, even if he looked rather feminine. But as far as he could see the other was a skilled fighter, a predator. Someone he should better not antagonize.
"'That' is in the room. I choose to wait outside for it's leave."
Pinky tilted his head as well.
"'That'?"
"You know, 'that'. The guy with the black braid."
He shuddered when he remembered the smell of that person. Sweet, but with a bitter and sharp tint that made his head spin and stomach churn. Bad. The other nodded and balanced on his heels.
"Judar? He's awfully interested in blondie."
"Her name is Lenka. I don't like him being around her."
"Why?"
"We, the committee, disapprove of him," he replied with a nod and crossed his arms for a few seconds. The other chuckled and flopped down next to him.
"Because he's a guy? Do you disapprove of me, too?"
Miran waited a few seconds with his answer to listen if the familiar had something to say then shook his head.
"He smells bad. You don't smell bad like him, plus Eligos likes your djinn, and Orobas hasn't declared you an enemy yet, so you are okay I guess."
"You decide who's permitted to see her based on smell? So like what do I smell?" Pinky giggled and leaned closer to him. Miran was thinking hard. Was this this ominous flirting Orobas had warned him of? Or was the other just that strange? On the other hand he had met a lot of strange people already, one or two more wouldn't really matter at this point.
"Warm. A bit like spices, a bit metallic like copper and similar to Miss Kougyoku."
"Like the hag?"
The boy-girl was clearly shocked, so he added "And like Lord Kouen and Lord Koumei, too."
"Whew, I just saw my life flashing before my eyes, but if brother En and Mei smell like me it's okay I guess.
I'm Kouha, third imperial prince."
"Miran, Lenka's first household member and executioner of the 'Chase the Suitors away from Lenka'-committee," the boy introduced himself. Kouha giggled again.
"You are funny. Taking this whole committee thing so seriously..."
"You would be amazed to hear what would have happened without me already..."
He had the feeling he had found a new friend already.
And chapter 26 is out for the audience! I'll continue with the omake story in the next upload, which will be on Dec 20! The real world tries to keep me from writing...
A huge thank-you to everyone who favorited/followed/and reviewed! *hands out the cookies*
DaFierceBitch, Madam3Mayh3m, Kankri: Ship who you like to ship! I'm simply overwhelmed just how far your interest in my story goes. Absolutely overwhelmed. And so happy *cries tears of joy*
Yours,
TheMultipleMeExperience