Hi all, this is the next chapter of Alibaba the fallen. This is quite longer than the previous and it's quite a boring one XD. This is more on a flashback and not much Alibaba-centric but instead more on his friend. I hope you bear with it because I need it to progress the story :D. Also, the flashback I made is of nobody's POV. It was really just what happened in the past :D. I also didn't made it italic since the readers may have a hard time reading it when italic especially that it was quite long.
Review Corner:
NoImagination - yup it could become to overpowered that is why I will be very careful on his use of it ^_^. Judar is quite a very hard character to decipher. He wants chaos but sometimes I think he has his own plans. I'm not sure he isn't completely loyal to them. And yep, being a fallen doesn't really make someone really bad. I believe they were just a little darker than the others in RPG term, either chaotic good, chaotic neutral, or chaotic evil XD. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks for the review.
Guest Midnight - Thanks for the review and the support ^_^. This is chapter might be a little boring but please bear with me :D. She will be revealed now so you'll know if you are right :). I try my best to reply to my reviewers, afterall you gave your time to give me a review, I believe it's only right I reply back hehe.
SakuraWindChime - haha I enjoyed kicking Judar's ass too, I mean Alibaba kicking his ass. I hope to continually interest you in this story. Thanks for the review and please continue your support ^_^.
Sock my Rock - Thanks for the review. Yep, I was really interested to see Alibaba just let all his negative feelings out. I think he was always keeping it in. So I came up with this hehe. I hope you continue your support ^_^.
Updated: 8/31/2014
Disclaimer: I don't own Magi and its characters.
Chapter 4: Resolve
As the woman entered Balbadd, she walked while she gazed at the city and frowned a little. She had now realized some things she never did when she was still a princess. She had always thought that the caste system placed in Balbadd was great and that it gave people equal chance to progress their life. But now, looking at it as a commoner's perspective, she could see that it wasn't fair at all.
'It never was fair. When one person is placed above another just because of his social status, it wasn't fair. I forgot about that since I have been living as a princess for more than decade. I was so focused on how I could be accepted by my brothers and sisters that I have let the empire use me for whatever they want.' She stopped her thought as she was now standing in front of the central building of the city.
She entered the building and was stopped by the guards as they weren't able to recognize who she was.
"Halt, what is your business here."
"I have come here to see Prince Koumei." she answered.
"On what grounds?"
"Please tell him that Kougyoku requests for an audience." she answered with a polite bow.
The guard did a double take as he now could clearly see the resemblance of the woman to the princess.
"My apologies princess, I wasn't able to identify you due to your new choice of clothing. You may proceed. I believe at this time he would be at the library."
"That won't be good. I'll wait at the visitor's area while you go and fetch him. I believe that is the standard procedure for people asking an audience to the current head of a city. And please, just call me Kougyoku." she answered as she took off her sword and satchel to surrender it to the guards as a standard procedure.
"But princess, this is unnecessary." the guard countered.
"It is, for I am here today not as a princess but as a commoner." was the only answer he got as she proceeded to the waiting area.
The guard immediately go and fetch Koumei as he couldn't understand what Kougyoku was talking about. How can a princess become a commoner, surely there was something going on here and he didn't want to deal with this kind of problem. He will let his leader deal with it. He arrived at the library's door and knocked.
"Come in." he heard Koumei answered.
He opened the door and bowed as he reported.
"Prince Koumei, your sister princess Kougyoku requests an audience from you. She is currently waiting at the visitor's lodge."
"Kougyoku? Why would she need to go through that kind of procedure just to see me?" Koumei asked with a raised eyebrow.
"We have asked the same thing but she said that she was here today not as a princess but as a commoner."
Those words sent warning bells inside Koumei's head.
"This wouldn't be good." Koumei said as he shook his head.
Koumei stood up and followed the guard to the visitor's lodge. When they reached the area, he saw Kougyoku patiently sitting on a chair while waiting for him. He almost didn't recognize her because of her new look. Kougyoku looked at him and stood up. She bowed politely and said.
"Thank you for allowing my audience, Prince Koumei."
Koumei dismissed the guard and motioned for Kougyoku to follow him.
"I believe that whatever we are going to talk about, this isn't the right place to do. Let's talk about this at a more private place." He said as he walked out of the lodge with Kougyoku behind him.
There was a dead silence as they were walking which was getting awkward. Koumei broke the silence as he asked.
"What's with the new look? I almost didn't recognize you. You seem different."
"It was probably because I have no make up right now." Kougyoku teased.
"So you acknowledge Aladdin's accusations."
"I never said I didn't wear make-up. But it wasn't that thick as what he described." Kougyoku answered quietly.
They entered the library and each took a seat.
"So tell me, what do you want to talk about and what about this not as a princess you were saying?" Koumei asked.
"It would be best if you read this letter from her majesty first." Kougyoku answered as she handed the letter to Koumei.
~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback! Note: This is not told by Kougyoku~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After Alibaba discovered Sinbad's magic was manipulating her, she collapsed and Alibaba brought her to her quarters and waited patiently for her to wake up. Even Koubun-ka wasn't able to persuade him to leave. Kouen allowed it since he wanted Alibaba and Kougyoku to be able to get to know each other.
The moment she opened her eyes, she saw Alibaba asleep while sitting on a chair. She smiled, Alibaba was really a great person and she would be forever thankful to have known him. She gently nudged him. He woke up and asked her if she was alright. She nodded and asked him what happened.
"You collapsed while we were talking."
"What did the doctors say?" she asked a little worried.
"Don't worry, it wasn't because of health issues. You are perfectly healthy." he assured.
"Then what happened?" she asked curiously.
Alibaba looked at the floor as if trying to debate on himself about something. He took a deep breath as if he was trying to encourage himself. This only made Kougyoku worried.
"Alibaba-chan, please tell me. Whatever it is, even if it is your fault, I promise I won't get mad at you. I know you wouldn't do anything that would hurt anyone."Kougyoku assured as she held his shaking hand with hers.
Tears started to fall from Alibaba's eyes as he started to explain everything to her.
"Kougyoku... remember before you collapsed, I said that I wanted to tell you something?" he asked to which she nodded.
"Your brothers offered me a way to help Balbadd... They said that they would transfer to me Balbadd's reign and let me help the people of Balbadd..." He started.
Kougyoku wanted to cheer him up and congratulate him but she knew that those proposition were too good to be true. If it were that easy, Alibaba wouldn't be shaking like a leaf so she decided to stay quiet and listened.
"But there were a few conditions."
Alibaba braised himself as he started to say those conditions. Kougyoku's eyes started to narrow, she didn't like where this was going.
"First was that I should cut all my ties from Sindria."
She expected that one.
"Second, I need to present a plan to make Balbadd better."
'That wouldn't be a big problem, Alibaba is quite clever. He could formulate a plan.' she thought.
"Third was that I need to show my loyalty to the imperial family."
Her eyes widen as she heard that last one. She knew the implications of that condition as she have been part of that so called condition in the past.
'Does that mean Alibaba would need to marry into the Ren family?' she thought.
"Wait, so are they forcing you to marry to our family?" she knew the answer, she just had to ask him for confirmation.
Alibaba was silent for a moment as he didn't know how to tell her who they chose as his wife.
"Alibaba-chan?" she called still waiting for his reply.
Alibaba bowed his head low and said.
"I'm sorry Kougyoku, it was you whom they picked to become my wife. I'm sorry... I'm sorry."
Kougyoku's eyes widened as she heard those words. Thinking back, it was the obvious answer as her older sisters were already married and Hakuei was too valuable to the empire just to be married off. She was the obvious choice to be sent to a political marriage.
She looked at Alibaba, who was still apologizing to her repeatedly. She smiled, she was prepared for any political marriage. She placed a hand on his shoulder and said.
"No need to apologize to me Alibaba-chan. I was already prepared to be married off for political reasons a long time ago. It was kind of funny though, I dodged being married to a prince of Balbadd not too long ago, and now it feels like deja-vu." she joked with a small laugh at the end.
"You have no qualms about marrying me?" Alibaba asked confused.
"None. Remember, I was prepared to marry your tyrant of a brother before. I think I am quite lucky to land you actually." Kougyoku said with a little blush.
"Huh?" was the only intelligent answer Alibaba gave to which she chuckled.
"My sisters were married off to men they didn't know. They met them on the day of their marriage and most of them were pigs and not men. I on the other hand, am going to be married off to a man I already knew and to a man who has a good heart and would put everyone before him. So I believe that I actually am one of the luckiest person in the world."
"But what about love?" Alibaba asked.
"What if I told you that I might actually love you?" Kougyoku teased and giggled as she saw Alibaba's face turned bright red.
"You're a great person, Alibaba-chan. You are brave, smart, strong and yet you are probably one of the kindest person I have known. I don't think it's that hard to love you so don't be surprised."
"Thank you... I think you are quite a great person too." Alibaba answered a little embarrassed and happy.
"So tell me how you really feel about their proposition, I know you have many friends in Sindria and Aladdin probably won't join you here. I also know that you have feelings for Morgiana." Kougyoku said seriously.
"I'm not sure... Part of me was saying that I was given a great deal, that I should take it. But part of me was telling that this wasn't right. That I shouldn't just leave my friends behind or force you to marry me. That both of us should marry because of love and not of politics."
"You really are a kind person. Very well, accept or not accept their proposition. Do not worry about me, just do what you believe is right and let me think of a way to bend those conditions."
"Yeah."
"Now tell me, why did I collapsed?" Kougyoku asked to Alibaba's dread.
'How am I suppose to tell her that Sinbad was actually making her spy on her brothers?' he thought.
Kougyoku saw the dread in Alibaba's face and she was starting to think that she didn't want to know but she needs to know.
"Alibaba-chan?"
"Kougyoku... I don't know how am I suppose to say this to you." Alibaba started.
Kougyoku braised herself, with how Alibaba was acting, this won't be good.
"Remember... when you and Sinbad fought and he used that sound attack that knocked you out?"
Kougyouku nodded trying to piece things together.
"That sound magic's ability is to issue a command to the others to do something." Alibaba said almost into a whisper but Kougyoku heard it.
Her eyes started to moist as she was starting to piece together what Alibaba was saying.
"When the sound wave was made, he forces his own rukh to their body and because of that he could control them even when they are far from him."
"Wait does that mean that I'm..." Kougyoku couldn't finish her sentence as she started to sob and cry.
"Yes... when we were talking earlier, he took over and told me that he was using you as a spy to your brothers so he could create a countermeasure for them." Alibaba finished.
Kougyoku cried as she felt she had betrayed her family. Alibaba couldn't help but envelop her into an embrace as she cried.
"I'm sorry Kougyoku... If only I knew about it earlier, I would have stopped it."
"I was spying on my own family... I betrayed them..." Kougyouku said between sobs.
"No, it's not your fault... You had no idea. But don't worry anymore, I'm going to find a way to dispel his magic on you." Alibaba whispered but Kougyoku continued to broke down and cry as she felt she had done a great sin towards her family.
"I've loved him... He was the first person I have fallen in love with... Why does this have to happen to me... It was bad enough that I never got a chance for his love... Why did he have to use me like this..." Kougyoku said in between her sobs as she cried on Alibaba's chest.
Alibaba's heart almost broke from seeing her cry. He considered her one of his most precious people. Probably on par with Aladdin and Morgiana and he felt anger towards Sinbad for hurting her like this. Suddenly, Kougyoku unlatched herself from Alibaba and spoke.
"So you really told her the truth, Alibaba."
Alibaba immediately knew that Sinbad again had took over Kougyoku.
"Isn't this enough already?" Alibaba asked with anger dripping from his voice.
"As I said, I would do anything for the sake of my people."
"Willing enough to play with the heart of a pure girl who truly fell in love with you? Enough to destroy a person's credibility to her family when all she wanted was for them to acknowledge her? Enough to destroy her and reduce her to this?" Alibaba said as his palms were turning white from clenching it. Sinbad being in Kougyoku's body was the only thing stopping him from punching him right in the face.
"Yes." was Sinbad's simple answer.
"But she's a person too! What about her feelings? What about her future? What about her? You stoop this low to gain something and then hid it on the premise of necessity for the better of your people but in the end, you are no different from the empire you dislike so much." Alibaba exclaimed.
"I will grant her a place to stay here in Sindria."
"You think it's that easy? I am known for being a naïve but even I am not that naïve to think that she can just stay in Sindria when this is all over. You think she can still trust anybody after this? You think after betraying her country, she can just up and leave as if nothing? You made her betray her family, her country and especially, herself and all you could say is she can stay in Sindria after everything is done? How can she trust you? How can she even trust herself?"
"As I said, sacrifices must be made."
"Undo the spell now, Sinbad."
"And if I don't?"
"Everyone will know about your spy network. I am sure Kouen and Koumei would be greatly thrilled to know how you were able to make countermeasures."
"You wouldn't dare. That would also mean sentencing Kougyoku to a traitor's fate."
"You think she wouldn't seek help to her brothers? She would rather die than continually do it. And I don't think the punishment would be that great if she confess now since it was fairly new. I wonder how much political strife it would be if it spread to not only your enemies but also to your allies that you have been spying at them?" Alibaba said.
"Tch... You'd really sell me huh?"
"As I said, the next time we meet. We would be on opposites sides and I would fight you for real."
"Very well, I will release her. I didn't know that your loyalty to Kou is this high even if you were forced."
"It has nothing to do about loyalty to Kou or any country. This has something to do with my principles in life and me protecting Kougyoku."
"Oh right, she's going to be your wife soon." Sinbad teased.
"Wife or not, I will not let you play with her anymore... Not on my watch."
"Before I go, I'll repeat what I said. Whatever happens, you are still my friend." Sinbad said as he released Kougyoku from his spell.
Alibaba caught Kougyoku as she fell forward. He smiled at her peaceful sleeping face unlike when she had collapsed earlier due to the spell.
"You'll be fine now." He said as he carried her to her bed. He tucked her under the sheets and left the room to get some rest but one thing had been playing on his mind.
'In this world, just who could you really trust when everyone chose to sacrifice someone just for the better of the other... everywhere I go, it was always the same...' He thought as he walked towards his room. He never realized that something inside him woke up.
The next day, Kougyoku woke up and refuse to talk to anybody, that was until Koumei asked Alibaba to go and see her. He found her by the flower bed just outside the manor and he asked his escort to leave them for a while. He sat down next to her and said.
"Hey Kougyoku..."
She didn't not respond but instead just nodded a little to acknowledge his presence.
"Please talk to me..." He begged.
"Last night, he took over me again, didn't he?" she responded with a little anger in her voice.
"Yes, but I have a good news." he said with a smile to which she just looked at him curiously.
"Good news?" she asked as Alibaba nodded vigorously.
"When he took over you last night, I threatened him that I would expose his method not only to your brothers but also to his allies if he didn't stop what he was doing." he answered seriously to Kougyoku's worry.
"But that could potentially end your friendship with him. That would be betraying him. Why would you do that?" Kougyoku asked.
"He is a friend but you are very important to me too. And I can't just stand by and look as he manipulate you. If what I did would mean that I am betraying him and Sindria then so be it... But I'm not going to let him do those things to you... not anymore." Alibaba answered with a determined look.
"You'd do that for me?..." Kougyoku asked as her eyes started to moist.
"Yes, as I have told him. Wife or not, I won't let anything bad happen to you even if it means that I would sell him because you are very important to me. He relented and released the spell on you. Though, I'm sure that he would still find a way to spy on your brothers but it won't be through you anymore. Sinbad may do cunning things, but I still believe that he is a man of his words." he answered with a gentle smile.
Kougyoku's face turned beat red as tears started to pour out of her eyes as she lunged at Alibaba and cried but this time from warmth and joy.
"Thank you... this is the first time that someone did something like this for me..." she said in betwwen sobs.
"No need to thank me..." Alibaba whispered.
"Wait... if you can't go back to Sindria... does that mean you..." Kougyoku asked with a heavy blush as she unlatched herself from Alibaba.
Alibaba caught what she was implying and also turned beat red.
"Well... I could also go back to traveling or to Qishan city, I have a house there. If Kou decided that they don't want me." He answered to which Kougyoku shook her head.
"No need, I'm sure Kou will take you in since my brother Kouen has already decided and I'm sure that creating the plan would be easy for you. Leave the marriage to me, I'll find a way to convince her majesty to bend that rule just this once."
"Don't do anything that would get you into trouble." Alibaba reminded.
On the day of the summit, as Alibaba and the others left for the meeting place, Kougyoku also left Balbadd to go to the Kou empire's capital. After a few days of travel, Kougyoku now stood in front of the capital's castle. She only have one thing in mind.
'I have to stop them from making Alibaba their dog.'
She entered the castle and walked straight towards her goal. She gave a small smile to the servants gave their respect but nonetheless never stopped to waste any time. She reached her goal, the throne room and was stopped by the guards outside.
"Halt, our apologies princess Kougyoku but we couldn't just let you in without her majesty's permission." one of the guards said.
"I understand, please tell her majesty that I, princess Kougyoku requests an audience." she answered with a polite bow.
The guard nodded and entered the room. As he entered, he saw the empress talking to one of her ministers. He politely excused himself and said while he bowed.
"My deepest apologies for the interruption your majesty, but princess Kougyoku is outside asking for an audience. Will you grace her with your presence?"
Gyokuen was surprised by Kougyoku's arrival and request to meet her but she didn't let it show. She gestured for her minister to step aside.
"Why yes, Kougyoku is a family. There is no reason for me not to meet her no matter how busy I am." she answered with a gentle smile as the guard bowed and fetched Kougyoku.
'Quite interesting that she chose to go to me rather than her brothers. This is probably because of that proposition of her marrying that Balbadd brat.' she thought as she saw Kougyoku walked towards her and gave her respects.
"It is an honor to be given an audience by her majesty." Kougyoku said as she bowed.
"No need for that formality, Kougyoku. You are afterall, a family. So tell me, what troubles you?" she assured her.
"Your majesty, I presume you have received the proposition of my brother, prince Kouen about giving the reign of Balbadd to Alibaba Saluja?"
"Yes I have, and one of its condition is that you would be married to him. Is this about that?"
"Yes your majesty."
"That is quite a surprise. I remember you being married off once to the king of Balbadd, Abhmad was it? You didn't have any problem with that. But now, you are being married off to Alibaba, who I believe is known to be your friend..." Gyokuen let her sentence hang.
"No, your majesty. I have no problem marrying Alibaba-chan. In contrast, I believe that any woman would be very lucky to have him." Kougyoku answered with a little blush.
"Then what seems to be the problem?"
"Unlike me, Alibaba had always believed about marrying because of love and I know that he is currently in love with someone else. And just as known, he is my friend. He is important to me and I would do anything to make sure he doesn't do anything he would regret." Kougyoku answered with determination.
"That is quite honorable of you but I do believe that he won't regret marrying you. Afterall, you are someone who is prepared enough to do anything for him. He would be one lucky guy."
"But he loves someone else."
"Can't he learn to love you?"
"That maybe so... But for atleast once, I want to do something for him and that is to let him marry the person he loves and not be tied to any political marriage."
"You'd go so far just for his small pride of marrying his love? Isn't this quite ridiculous? You know he could just take her as a concubine if he wishes. Why go this far?"
"He has been someone who had put others before him and he had done so much for me more than any other person have. He was my first real friend outside of the Kou empire. He always looked for everyone else that sometimes they forgot that he too needs help, I want to support him. I know, that he'd rather suffer than let her be known as a concubine. So please your majesty, I beg of you. You could marry me off to anyone you'd like but please spare him." she begged as she knelled and bowed.
Gyokuen looked at the bowed Kougyoku with unreadable eyes but inside she was forming a plan that could work very well just for her.
"Tell me Kougyoku, as to what length would you go for this man." she asked sternly.
"I'd do anything you say, even give up my status as a general."
"Status as a general? That won't do. You need to understand, prince Kouen is someone of high stature in this empire. I am nothing but a figurehead until he takes over. Giving up your status as a general is quite laughable as to your request. You are basically telling me to make him as my enemy by modifying his proposition. No, your status as general is not enough. By our law, if you want something of this degree, you would need to give up everything." Gyokuen stopped and let the information to sink.
"Everything?" Kougyoku asked with wide eyes as she piece together the implications of what Gyokuen had said.
"Yes, everything. That would be the only way for me to relay to prince Kouen that your resolve was sufficient enough that I had no choice but to comply. That is what is stated by our law. With that, neither I or prince Kouen can say anything to oppose it. Think of it Kougyoku, you will not only lose your status as a general but also as a princess and a part of the Ren family. You will also have to leave all the material things you have earned as a princess, including your metal vessel. You will also be prohibited to step foot to the capital city of Kou though you may step foot on the land of our allies or vassal cities. Tell me Kougyoku, are you prepared?" Gyokuen asked sternly.
"So it would mean leaving my life behind..." Kougyoku whispered as she looked at the ground.
"Yes, you may never step foot on your birth land and you may never use the surname Ren. You shall only be known as Kougyoku. A person with no family and banished by the empire."
Kougyoku was silent and everyone on the throne room waited for her reply. Suddenly, her right hand rose up and settled on her metal vessel that was on her hair. She pulled it out and everyone was all in guard thinking that she may attack but instead she placed it gently on the ground as she also started to take off her accessories and imperial clothes leaving her standing in front of them with nothing but her underwear. Her face unreadable but no trace of shame or breaking down.
"I have made my decision, your majesty. My only wish is that you may let me leave the capital with dignity, atleast let me wear even a servant's clothes and let the servants who served under me to continually serve the empire, they have nothing to do with my decision." she answered with utmost resolve.
"Fetch me clothes that are suitable for long travels and an official scroll and pen, now." Gyokuen told her servants as they hurriedly left and fetch some clothes for Kougyoku.
"Your resolve is quite admirable. Very well, I shall let you leave here with dignity and I shall in turn rebuke the last condition. Do not worry about your servants, they will be assigned to a new task or to Koubun-ka's case a new place in the government. It was reported that he was good when it comes to politics." Gyokuen assured her.
The servants came back and gave Kougyoku clothes to wear and to Gyokuen the scroll and pen. Kougyoku accepted the clothes as she started to wear them while Gyokuen wrote something on the scroll. After a while, Gyokuen finished what she was writing and announced.
"From today on forward, Alibaba Saluja of Balbadd may ally himself or be given land and high social status from the Kou empire without the proposition of being married off. He may chose to marry anyone he liked or not to marry at all. Any proposition that would include in him being forced to be married shall be disregarded. And to the latest proposition given to him, he may take the reign of Balbadd without having to marry into the Kou empire. In exchange, Kougyoku formerly known as princess Kougyoku Ren, is hereby banished from her family leaving everything behind, social status, material things and land. She may never set foot at the capital of Kou ever again but is allowed to settle and live on any vassal cities or allied countries of Kou. As such, she is free to work for any private individual or non-Kou government but not on the Kou government. Signed Empress Gyokuen Ren."
Gyokuen then handed the scroll to Kougyoku and let her read it to confirm that what was announced was true. Kougyoku nodded in agreement as Gyokuen asked for a magician to imbue the scroll with magic. The scroll multiplied into three and was also sealed.
"One of the copy shall be sent to the capital's vault. The other will be with you and the last one would be sent to Balbadd to inform your brothers and Alibaba. The scroll is imbued with magic so it shall not be easily destroyed or vandalized."
"I'll personally deliver the scroll to Balbadd." Kougyoku assured.
"Very well... You have an hour to leave the capital. If you are not outside before that time expires, the guards would throw you out." Gyokuen said as Kougyoku bowed in thanks as she walked out of the throne room.
"Is it wise to do that, mistress Gyokuen?" a minister asked.
"Yes, it is. We may never be able to use Vinea but with her out of the picture, Kouen's supporters have weakened and she is also a threat to side with Aladdin because of her friendship with Alibaba. I can't dispose of her because it would cause too much trouble with her siblings but this way, they would know that she left on her own will and decision. We have weakened our enemies while coming out clean." Gyokuen answered with a dark smile.
As Kougyoku exit the castle, she saw that Koubun-ka was waiting for her outside. She walked towards him and said.
"Why did you follow me here?"
"Of course, I would. Afterall, I am your attendant." he answered.
Kougyoku smiled and said as she handed a scroll to him.
"Let us talk about this outside of the city. It would be bad if I lose track of time and got thrown out for overstaying. Though, I want you to read this while we walk."
Her words and her new look confused him but nonetheless he complied. As they reached the outside of the city, Kougyoku sat under a tree and spoke.
"Koubun-ka, you have been with me for so long. I've always said that Alibaba was the first real friend I found outside the Kou empire. But you, you were my true friend inside the empire. You knew me more than my family and tried your best to do what was best for me. Though, I know that you were also trying to manipulate me so you could advance your rank in Kou."
Koubun-ka paled as he tried to explain himself but Kougyoku stopped him and said.
"That is alright. You have your dreams and if I really hated you, I would have exchanged you for another assistant. Koubun-ka, you are a very smart person and I know that you would do great as a minister. The empress promised me that she would give you a post to the government."
"But princess..." he was stopped by Kougyoku shaking her head.
"I am no princess any longer as what have been said in the scroll. I am no longer a Ren. You shouldn't call me that or you might get into trouble. I'm sure I don't need to explain to you why I did those things for Alibaba. You're too clever and too nosy to not know."
"But what about you? What would you do now?"
"I'll go back to Balbadd and stay there with Alibaba and his household. You can visit me there if you want, just don't call me princess. I'm sure in due time, I'll be able to adapt to my new lifestyle. Koubun-ka, you are my friend and will always be. So, I want you to fulfill your dreams and don't hold back just because of me." Kougyoku said with a smile.
"Guess, I really can't stop you... Well then atleast take this as my good luck gift to you." Koubun-ka said as he handed her his personal sword.
"But Koubun-ka, this is the sword bestowed to you by Kou when you passed the National Exam."
"Yes, but if I'm going to be a minister, I really don't have anything to do with it. It's not like I am good at using it anyway. It would be best that you take it and put it to use. Use it to protect yourself, Kougyoku. And here take this gold coins, you would need it if you want to get a hitch back to Balbadd. I won't take no for an answer." Koubun-ka finished.
"Thank you... I'll treasure it. I better get going. It would be a long journey to Balbadd. When you visit, come and see me okay?" she said in gratitude as she gave him one last hug before they parted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The long flashback ends~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Koumei had read the letter more than a few times now and still he couldn't believe what Kougyoku just did. His head was starting to ache as to how he could devise a plan to counter this but he found none. The empress' orders were absolute and nobody could overturn it even when Kouen becomes the king.
"You really sacrificed this much just for that friend of yours, huh?" He asked.
"Yes..." she answered.
"Well, I can't say that Kouen would be happy with this but there is no way we could overturn this decision. So all I could say is, good luck." Koumei said as he and Kougyoku stood up. As Kougyoku were about to leave, Koumei asked one last time.
"Kougyoku when you made that decision, did you even have a single doubt?"
"None..." was all the answer he heard.
"Then it's all good. It would mean that you won't be regretting this decision. But if you ever find yourself in a pinch, don't hesitate to ask. You may not be a Ren in name but you would always be sister to me." Koumei assured.
"Thank you, prince Koumei." she bowed as she left.
"I can see the future headache this would give me once Kouen hears about this." Koumei said as he slumped back on his chair.
At an oasis a little far out from Balbadd, Morgiana stood and in front of her was the unconscious Judar.
"Alibaba's scent fills this area but all I find is a battered Judar. Could Alibaba have done this?"
She looked around and tried to trace his scent but she frowned as she found none.
"It looks like Judar is the only lead I have. I need to bring him back to Balbadd." Morgiana said as she carried Judar fireman style as she hurried back to Balbadd.
In Balbadd, Kougyoku was starting to get tired from roaming the city trying to find Alibaba.
"I wonder where he went?" she asked herself as she turned the corner and found someone she didn't know was here.
"Hakuryuu, I didn't know you were here." she asked to Hakuryuu's surprise as he was looking far away as if thinking of something deep.
"Kougyoku, so you came back. What's with the new look?" he asked.
Kougyoku responded by letting him read the scroll. After reading the scroll, Hakuryuu gave her back the scroll and said.
"I wish I have the same resolve as you when it comes to wishing your friend happiness. I wish you the best of luck, Kougyoku."
"Thank you, but did you see Alibaba anywhere?" she asked.
"I haven't seen him in a while. He must be busy trying to reconnect with his friends here in Balbadd."
"I see, well I'll go try and find him." but as Kougyoku said that they saw Morgiana running towards them.
When she arrived, Hakuryuu could not look into her eyes but he recognized the man she was carrying.
"What happened to Judar?" he asked.
"I'm not sure... I found him on an oasis near Balbadd. He looked pretty bad, we need to bring him to a doctor." Morgiana explained.
"Of all the people to help Judar, I wouldn't expect it to be you." Kougyoku said in bewilderment as they walked to find help for Judar.
"I was originally looking for Alibaba but when I followed his scent, I found Judar in this state. I couldn't trace Alibaba's scent after that."
"Why? What is wrong with Alibaba?" Kougyoku asked in worry.
"He has been down in the last few days..." Morgiana proceeded to tell them what had been happening to Alibaba and how Toto and Olba had gone to get Aladdin for help.
"So that's what you were trying to tell me..." Hakuryuu said to which Morgiana nodded.
"Let us hurry. Alibaba-chan needs us." Kougyoku said.
'If something happens to him, I won't be able to forgive myself for not being there when he needed someone.' Kougyoku thought as they raced towards the hospital.
When they arrived, Hakuryuu called for the best doctor to treat Judar's wounds.
"Hakuryuu, your Djinn is of life don't you? Can't you speed up his healing?" Kougyoku asked as she wanted to find Alibaba as soon as possible.
"Zagan isn't the same anymore." Hakuryuu answered.
"I don't understand." Morgiana replied.
Instead of explaining, he showed them. He tried to summon some of his rukh and made it visible to their eyes using his magoi manipulation. Their eyes widen when they saw that his rukh was black.
"What? When did you fall, Hakuryuu?" Kougyoku asked.
"It's a long story and I don't want to talk about it. But since I have turned my back from the light, I wasn't able to use Zagan's power. Judar did something to my metal vessel and forcefully corrupted Zagan and turned him into a dark djinn. But in turn, I lost his power of healing." Hakuryuu answered.
"So we have no choice but to hope he wakes up soon." Morgiana replied.
"You're not disgust because I am a fallen?" Hakuryuu asked.
"Fallen or not, you are still my friend. I believe it doesn't matter to Aladdin and Alibaba to, afterall they befriended Dunya before she died." Morgiana answered.
"I guess she's right. You are Hakuryuu, no matter what happens." Kougyoku agreed.
Hakuryuu was about to say something when the doctor came out and said.
"The patient has woken up and is currently spouting nothing but curses. Could you talk to him?"
They agreed and came in. They saw Judar being held down by several people as he shouted curses.
"Curse you Alibaba! I will find you and I will get my revenge!"
Hakuryuu used his vines to strap him down and said.
"What happened to you and Alibaba, Judar?"
Judar looked at them and shouted.
"That Alibaba, he has fallen and stole my rukh!"
AN: And that's the end of the chapter. BY now you should know my pairing so I am going to coin it in the pairing section hehe. Its quite long so it may have a several typo errors hehe. Please point it out so I could edit it later. :D Thanks for reading and please read and review :).