This is being updated much, much later than I planned to. My apologies for that. All I can blame is summer and a slight case of writer's block. Nothing to major, but stuff happens right?
A huge, huge thanks to SmileRen, Perpetual Dreams, Akumarayne and mamita for the kind comments, and anyone else reading etc so far. Erm...well first of all I'm sorry as I guess that the last chapter didn't explain much why Alibaba sees white rukh :p. Mainly I was starting explaining the rukh thing and my head gets easily side tracked. There will be quite a bit on that though, as its something which interests me. And yeah, there's sort of a lot of one sided stuff here. The only real one working out is AlibabaxAladdin, but there's a lot of one sided stuff? Why? I don't know, it just seems to have worked it into my drafts and crushes are fun things.
Anyway, my apologies again for the somewhat long break and any confusing stuff. Enjoy~
Chapter 7
As a Magi, Aladdin was of course extremely well read. It hadn't been a past time he enjoyed quite as much as Judal, but he valued it nonetheless. He was well aware that some experiences were better had first hand, rather than dwindling away long and tedious hours within the numerous palace libraries in Kou. Hovering above the shores of Sindria as midnight approached, Aladdin knew this was one of those times. After all, that night was the celebration to welcome him to the islands. To allow him the chance to show off his power and with it the Kou Empire's might. It was the night of the Mahrajan Festival.
The celebration was something Sinbad had often embellished to he and his brother, and typically had been a rather long and impressive tale. Again, Judal tended to enjoy such things more. From what Aladdin remembered, the festival had two purposes. Firstly, it was meant to be entertaining. Secondly, and just as crucially, it was there to protect the king's island kingdom from the influx of maritime monstrosities looking to break upon those serene shores. Looking out into the black and twisting tides, he could see the monster approaching in the far distance. He was there to show Sinbad's people what he could do.
He didn't mind, even if he knew the foreign king was curious just how strong his empire was. He wasn't as keen on showing off his magic as Judal was, however. Below him, the copious and many flickering candles wavered in the strengthening breeze. Their eyes were fixed on him and their anticipation filled the air. What a shame his brother wasn't here to revel in this attention; the festival was something he would have enjoyed immensely. How strange, too, to do such a thing without him.
Somewhat nervously, his slim fingers slipped over the cool metal of his flute as it hung around down onto his chest. He looked back down, to those adoring crowds of perhaps every soul that comprised of the friendly and welcoming country. Perhaps this to him was more frightening than the prospect of pitting his magic against a fantastical monster. It just seemed so strange, to fight like this alone. Especially as originally this festival had been meant to welcome his brother instead.
Alibaba's eyes were locked on him, and with an expression Aladdin couldn't quite read. Far from his usual pale and loose clothing, he was wearing a rather rigid and elaborate looking kamishimo. Draped within the silken folds of black and sapphire, he almost didn't recognise him. He certainly looked more like a prince, side by side with Sinbad and dressed like royalty.
How apprehensive he looked, almost nervous. The Magi remembered him well; the prince of a shattered country he had passed through those months ago. The same country now Kouen troubled himself with repairing. Alibaba Saluja was that strange young man who had called him a thief, didn't know what he was, and had shouted at him. He certainly didn't seem to like Aladdin all that much. But then, he was looking over the Magi as if almost fearful for him. As if he couldn't comprehend how such a skinny, deceptively fragile looking person could fight against such a creature alone. But then, Aladdin tended to be underestimated in such a way. Compared to his brother, he always felt as though he lacked presence.
Directly, Yamaraiha cleared her throat loudly as if to remind Aladdin of the task at hand. Flying above her, he nodded and took a deep breath. As from tomorrow, she would be his new teacher. And the magician was more than enthusiastic what her new student would be capable of. She, like Sinbad, had been keen to see him fight tonight. Both of them were confident he'd have no problems.
He was a Magi, so honestly he didn't know why he was nervous. Aladdin looked out over the glistening, still waters ahead of him. From his vantage point, he could see the seas gradually part as that monster of the sea waded its way to their shores. The ocean had begun to quake, as if being struck by an invisible hand, and he shuddered in spite of the warm and summery air.
Azure eyes flicked, focusing upon the sinewy beast of darkly flittering scales, black smoke and barred yellow fangs as it drew close. Battling against the tides, the abominable creature seemed very much set its sights on destroying that beautiful and peaceful island. Winds gushed past the Magi as the beast's roar echoed like thunder through the skies. With grace surprising to his gigantic size it snaked out of the water to draw level with him, long neck wafting from side to side as it did. Bloodshot and murderous eyes considered the young man, its sharply ridged head inclining as if preparing to strike.
He knew Magi were meant to be peaceful. Aladdin believed those like him were special, both for the power they held and the peace they could wield with it. He detested violence, and fighting, and even showing off. Unlike Judal, he would do something like this purely if he was asked nicely. It just seemed amusing, clutching that small, insignificant yet faithful instrument to him and thinking that would be enough.
However, Ugo was already wordlessly prompting his master to summon him. Without accepting or denying the djinn, he had burst forward to protect his Magi. The fog-like gathering of white rukh parted as that blue and muscular – and still headless – body of the giant burst forth. Aladdin hung back, preparing to ready himself as the imposing figure locked with the monster to the awe of the audience below them.
With another roar, the merciless beast of the sea emerged fully from its home in the oceanic depths. water cascaded down violently from its twisted body in huge shivers of inky blue water. The massive droplets struck against the pristine and pale shores to dye them in a mottling of soaked shadows. The cries of any too close reached him, as their soaked selves backed off in surprise.
Aladdin could have expected as much from Sinbad's books and stories. Most of his adventures were of the seven seas, as well as far beyond them. He had always told him of merciless beasts, and their terrible tempers and insatiable hunger and their unhealthy tendency to crush and break everything in sight. That was all very well. The Magi had neglected to remember that they allegedly had a tendency to breathe fire.
As such, flames of charred shadow and smoke charred at the sands below him and Aladdin felt his eyes widen. Following Sinbad boasting to the twins of fighting off such creatures, he should have remembered that detail. But then, the king did like to exaggerate. As that sickly black fire advanced, he became fearful of the people below. Their cries made tension film and bead over his prickling skin in sweat, and his heart grew almost painful in his chest. Again, Aladdin assured himself he would be alright.
The moment he went to join Ugo who was wrestling with that fire-breathing monster however, a curious sensation washed over him. A feeling as though he had never experienced, as though he was being submerged into black and freezing water. It clung like ribbons of miasma to the air wound him, just out of Aladdin's reach. Something about it was unsettling, and he didn't like it. He felt panicked, and the hair on the back of his neck rose and prickled against his skin. He whipped round, and found himself looking at Alibaba once again. Only now, that prince was fixed upon the darkly licking flames with a vacant stare. He didn't look himself, and it felt as though his once brilliant rukh were dyed black.
Black rukh – what was this?
The area surrounding Alibaba had certainly darkened. More than that, looking down even from such a distance the prince's whole body seemed gripped in terror. His hands were balled into fists, and staring at the destruction the sea creature brought seemed to rob his eyes of their clarity. Aladdin knew that Balbadd had fallen tragically to strange circumstances, and to something Sinbad described as shadows burning through the streets. Was such a sight enough to force Alibaba to remember that traumatic experience? All the Magi knew were the sketched details that the prince wished to not think of the pain and suffering that event had brought him. Certainly that seemed enough for this...poisonous helplessness to seep out from him.
He cursed himself; did it matter? He had to help him. He –
"Aladdin!"
...He snapped back to himself as he heard Yamaraiha call up sharply to him.
Still attempting to push back that beast, Ugo faltered. And the creature set its sights on Aladdin as it whipped out its lethal tail. The Magi gritted his teeth as he felt the bladed ridges strike against his forearm. Already his djinn had pushed it away, and intercepted any worse damage. As it was, and rubbing over his arm, he knew it was a mere scratch.
Silence still fell over the crowd, however. Ugo was fast, and the two were a good enough team on most occasions. He knew that was lucky, however, and cursed himself. He needed to focus. With a light note played onto his flute, he watched the rukh around him brighten and glow. With another roar the creature swiped at him, Aladdin floated back at the way and Ugo pushed it back.
The flecks of white had gathered, and at his unspoken command were tinged with scarlet. They glistened like fiery embers wafting lazily over the pleasant night breath as they welled up and collected together. Then they scattered, piercing the velvet night all around him. Finally Aladdin found himself fighting fire literally with fire.
Power spilled out in the form of scarlet and golden flames, as if to quench and cleanse the chaos the monster had brought. Ugo finally released it as the serpent-like creature let out a sharp cry. Aladdin's magic billowed against its muscular, scaled body and it rushed back to its refuge in the sea. Water once again splashed over Aladdin, and he took a deep breath. With a low, gentle tune on that instrument Ugo obediently vanished. With a second, and shorter, once, the wind grew gentler as magical and bright fire faded and died from the scene. The Magi felt the power reverse and pour back into him. The night faded, and grew darker, and he sank back down to the beach below him.
The audience grew loud again, somewhat impressed and in awe of him. Aladdin felt enervated, shivering and attempting to compose himself. As his bare feet touched upon the cool and soaked sand, he watched Yamaraiha rush forward in a stream of cerulean hair. She lightly gripped him at the elbows, searching over that scratch with concern. "Are you alright?"
He nodded. Aladdin watched Sinbad approach, who still had Baal's blade in hand. Even if the king thought the twin Magi were amazing and capable of anything, he still remained paranoid over their safely.
"You should go with Yamaraiha; you're shaking..." Sinbad told him softly, and it wasn't simply a suggestion. The man's eyes lingered on Aladdin as Yamaraiha led him away. Aladdin knew, however, he wasn't trembling from the terror of encountering a fantastic and fire breathing monsters. Instead his mind lingered on those shadows as they had darkened that pleasant night. And just how disturbed it made him to think Alibaba Saluja needed his help.
Even as Yamaraiha led Aladdin back to the palace, that prince was watching him. He was even starting towards him. He could still see feel that darkness, even if it was muted. To him, it didn't feel like the man. Instead it felt almost like someone else's rukh and magoi, partially taken residence within Alibaba's body. He doubted that was a good thing, especially with how fear and loss had seeped from him in those moments.
Out of the corner of his eye, Aladdin still felt it. That strangely black rukh darkly shimmering, as if waiting to take over Alibaba again. Still, was he really seeing that? Judal had spoken more and more of such a thing. And he had told his beloved brother not to lie and talk about such a strange and illogical thing. Right now, it didn't seem all that illogical and seemed very much real.
So – what if Judal had been right? What if such a thing existed? Just what did it mean, to have rukh inhabiting the body of another? Without reading or knowing more, Aladdin knew one thing. To him it seemed very frightening and dangerous.
Far from being able to sleep, Aladdin took to sitting outside and alone. Curled up within the hanging and night-time gardens of the palace outside of its Purple Leo tower, he turned over that long, plaited lock of hair his brother had given him thoughtfully in his hands. The events of earlier on the beach weighed upon him. The sight of that darkness spiralling around and within Alibaba, and trying to work out what such a thing meant. He had some idea, and it wasn't a pleasant once.
His thoughts had only darkened as he looked down at the gift within his hands. Judal's rukh clung to it still, after all the silken hair was a part of him. He was used to his brother's rukh as bright and as numerous as his own. However, those lingering on the lock of hair seemed eerily different and barely recognisable. Strangely it felt almost like that incident of earlier that might, where white rukh were eclipsed by the black.
So far away, Aladdin worried if something had happened to his brother. He had already written a letter to him, and right now he felt so far away. Especially as his brother had been the person telling him about this, and he hadn't believed him. All of this couldn't be a coincidence, or not harmful. Aladdin just didn't know what it meant, and that's what really scared him.
The fresh air wasn't doing much to clear his mind, it seemed. Aladdin sighed, sprawling out into the long grass and against the cold stone of the cheerily splashing fountain behind him. Looking out over the flowery and scented gardens, he noticed that muted and somewhat sullen sensation of darkened energy etch out to meet him. Alibaba, it seemed, had been looking for him. Perhaps he had even followed his rukh as he had that first time they had encountered each other.
Curiously, he watched the prince approach him. He was still dressed in that rigid kamishimo, rustling over the lawn as he approached. Aladdin in general wasn't used to being followed. In fact he was quiet and insignificantly enough to not draw all that much attention in the first place.
Alibaba cleared his throat and looked down at him. Aladdin was lying flat on his back and stared back up at him with a polite smile. He continued to twist that darkened braid neatly around his fingers as he spoke. "It's...a nice night..." he tried, and a little awkwardly.
"Mm, it is," Aladdin agreed after several long moments of silence. He watched Alibaba crouch down, albeit awkwardly in the clothing he wore as if not accustomed to wearing such a thing. His fingertips lightly passed over the scratch on the Magi's arm. It was there, a thin and crimson line which wasn't really close to being something he was worried about at that moment.
As if satisfied, as Yamaraiha had been, that it wasn't serious Alibaba sat down with great difficultly, drawing his arms round his knees. "You were pretty amazing out there, you know. I didn't think you could do anything like that. Then...I didn't think anyone could do that. That djinn, all that fire..."
Aladdin nodded as his company trailed off. With one last glance he tucked the lock of hair back into his pocket and sat up. he tried not to think that such a thing as black rukh existed. After all, he didn't know anything about this. Perhaps he was wrong. Dwelling on it so much wasn't doing him any good. "I don't really like showing off like that though. The people here just wanted to see what I could do."
"You're kidding, aren't you? You scared that huge monster off so easily. What's your problem? If I was that strong I'd never stop showing off," Alibaba gave a slight, nervous laugh as if he wasn't sure what to say to him now.
"Well, growing up my onii-san and I used to fight a lot, so it didn't seem all that amazing anymore."
"I had someone growing up I thought of as a brother, too. And we fought a lot," Alibaba smiled sadly. He was passing a couple of crimson ear cuffs from palm to palm, tracing his thumb over them almost tenderly.
Aladdin watched him closely for a moment before speaking. "You saw something out there, didn't you? The moment you saw that creature breath fear, I felt some strange energy come out of you. The air literally went black around you and you freaked out a bit." At his words, Alibaba's hand closed around the cuffs. As if slightly unnerved, and like before, the air darkened and he regretted mentioning it. "Erm, I..."
"Seeing that black fire made me remember some pretty horrible things, yes," Alibaba told him bluntly.
Unsure if he wished to continue talking of such a thing, Aladdin traced his fingers though the grass to distract himself. "You mean what happened to your home."
"No. Not my home," the prince corrected him almost angrily. "I'm not like you. It's not like when I leave here I'll go back and everything will be as it was. Everyone back there is..." he took a shuddering breath. Alibaba stood, taking a few steps away from where Aladdin sat curled up against on the grass. The other man rubbed at his face, and calmed himself. "...When I saw those flames, I remembered something. When I see you and those white lights, I keep thinking about what happened. How when I was back there we were winning and then...all that happened. Everything went dark, and I don't understand how it happened. But I know my friends are gone, and its my fault. I couldn't save them. I could never do anything on my own. Not without..." he spun back round, teeth gritted and fists clenched. "So tell me; how can I go back there after all that."
Aladdin looked back up at him. He sat up straight and linked his fingers together. "Well, Kouen said he's going to help the people there. You can't forget what happened, though. It's something you have to face and –"
"Why? Why Do I have to face it?" he demanded. Alibaba, after all, seemed fairly adamant in not remembering what happened. He hadn't wanted to remember the pain and loneliness of those days. And at that point, the Magi was naive enough to not really fathom what such a thing meant, and wise enough to know how much it affected him. "After I woke up I thought I could pretend it was all a bad dream. Then you turned up, and all the bad things happened. White rukh, my dreams, everything. Even when I smoke I can't forget them...Hakuryuu was right about you!"
Alibaba drew up, pointing an incriminating finger sharply against the Magi's chest. In those elegant clothes, yet shouting like that, he couldn't help but feel a little amused. Even so, he drew back. "The bad things had already happened. You just wanted it to be a dream you could wake up from. But what will that help? Harmful things don't just go away if you want them to, you know." He paused, and got to his feet. "Wait – Hakuryuu was right about me? About what?"
"He warned me. He told me you and your brother is bad people."
"...We are?" Aladdin asked curiously. That was certainly news to him."
"Yes..." Alibaba looked over him. "No. Perhaps – how would I know? I've only just met you! But when I met you, you were stealing things!"
"I did, but Sinbad-sama said its fine if I steal things, and if its food."
The prince shook his head. "No. Hakuryuu was talking about the bad things you do back in Kou. And those things were what made him leave."
"I don't remember doing anything that bad, to be honest," he told him, scratching at the back of a head of dishevelled blue hair. "Maybe he remembered wrong?"
"No," Alibaba replied shortly. "Whatever you two did, it's enough for him to be too scared to go back. And he lost his father and two older brothers. A prince scared of going back to his own country – do you know how insane that sounds?"
"Mm. It sounds like you."
Alibaba paused, snapping back to look over him. He took to pacing the grass in long, slow strides in front of him. Standing, Aladdin thought about leaving. He was pretty sure, of all things, he wasn't meant to antagonise royalty. His bare feet tripped lightly over the thin, stony path leading back to the white and golden spire of the Purple Leo tower. After all, Sinbad had wanted to keep the Magi close to him in case something happened. As he wanted to get an early start tomorrow, it seemed the best idea.
"Maybe with you and your brother gone from Kou, Hakuryuu feels Kou will go back to how things were," Alibaba told him quietly to his retreating back. He reached the wall, palms resting against it before looking back. He had never, ever heard of someone wishing for he and his brother to leave their home. It gave him a sinking feeling, that they wouldn't be welcome there. He remained silent, and watched that prince walk silently up to him. "I don't know, though. I think if you went back home right now, things wouldn't be any better. I...actually like you being here."
Aladdin turned, giving him a slightly thankfully look but folding his arms over his chest. "...Thank you. So I know, when Hakuryuu-san talks about bad things, what does he mean?"
"Erm..." Alibaba ran a hand through his short, messy hair in thought. "Stuff like black rukh."
His eyes widened. So they did exist..."Alright. Well, I've never even seen something like that. Not until I saw you, anyway. Onii-san used to say they existed, and I thought he was lying."
"I don't think that's true. Both the king here and Hakuryuu claim they've seen them."
He paused. "...Sinbad-sama never told me that."
"Well, you said he knew you growing up. Maybe he didn't want to scare you, I don't know. You could ask him why."
"Oh, I will," the Magi informed him. "So you know, onii-san and I only did as we're told. And we were told to help Kou; so how does that make us bad people?"
"I guess it doesn't. All the same, bad things have happened since that night I saw you."
Aladdin nodded. "I'm sorry, I-"
"L-like I want an apology for something like that!" he stuttered angrily. Slightly unnerved, Aladdin leaned up from the wall with a slight stretch. The air was darkening again, and again he reminded himself he shouldn't upset anyone. He looked away from that furious gaze and looked to pass him. "We're talking, so where are you going?"
"You're shouting at me," he replied. "And I start studying tomorrow, so –"
"Just...stay. Please," he had already stopped walking. All the same, he found Alibaba's fingers reach out to lightly circle his wrist. He didn't pull away. "I feel like you know something, when you look at me it's like you're scared of something. What is it?"
"Erm..." he paused nervously. "Well...the only black rukh I've seen are yours. But they're not yours. I think you have someone's rukh inside you."
"...Inside me? What does that mean?" Alibaba asked. He leaned down, trying to catch sight of the Magi's expression who refused to look at him. "You...from your tone you don't seem to think that's normal."
"Not really, but I don't really know what's meant to be normal with this. I guess you might be cursed. Or poisoned. Or something else that..." out of the corner of his eye, he watched those light gold eyes grow panicked. "Um, it's not like I wanted to worry you over it."
"...Don't you think saying that's a bit late if you're saying I'm cursed!"
Aladdin felt himself being lightly pushed back against the cool wall behind him. Two strong palms reached up, settling against his shoulders to hold him there. He reached out, as if going to push him away. Far from looking angry though, Alibaba looked more confused and hurt. He looked almost begging for the answers he didn't have. As Aladdin's fingers settled at the prince's clothed forearms, the other man leaned in. His forehead rested into the crook of the Magi's neck, burying his face in his hair. "Please, Aladdin – just tell me. You know something. Why is this happening, why do I keep seeing strange things? Why did I survive and wake up here, and my friends didn't..." he breathed and pressed heavily against him. "Anything you can tell me – it's better than this. You're a Magi, aren't you? They're meant to help people..."
Aladdin closed his eyes. He leaned forward to meet him, and nodded. "We do. But you're thinking those things because a lot happened there. Going to Balbadd bothered me a lot. I thought about it, and I guess my rukh talked to the rukh there. Maybe to the rukh that belonged to the people you lost and they said I was coming here. It's all I can think of, that they knew I was coming to see you. So my rukh show themselves to you, so I know to help you. But you're blocking out so much because it hurts. All those people you lost are looking for you and still care about you."
He felt Alibaba shift and meet his eyes, shaking his head. "That doesn't make any sense, though. That was my home and I was meant to save them and stop all that suffering. In the end I couldn't do anything. If...they told your rukh to help me – I don't get it. Why would they forgive me? Why would they help me after all that?"
"...You're such an idiot," Aladdin sighed. "Isn't it obvious?" he was just given an oblivious look...clearly not. "Ah, you're infuriating! Is it so hard to just admit you're scared and need help? What's so bad about that?"
"Because...it's embarrassing," he replied, in the tone that Aladdin should have known that. Clearly he didn't.
"Well, all those people wouldn't have followed you if they didn't trust you. You didn't want to abandon them, did you? You can't just shoulder all that on your own as you think you can. You stood up to what you believed in, didn't you? I guess you're meant to do amazing things."
"I...don't know," Alibaba told him, shaking his head. "Maybe I just aren't cut out for stuff like that..." he commented quietly, and glared as Aladdin gave him a sharp look. "...What?!"
"So all those people back there were wrong then?" he snapped back just as loudly. "Maybe you were a better leader and stronger than you thought. Maybe they all agreed that you'd make a good king. And good kings, like Sinbad-sama, don't just turn away and forget everything! Think about it..."
Aladdin really, really thought that would have gotten him angry. However, Alibaba made a slight sound and leaned in. The Magi felt a hand pass through his long fringe softly, and his skin prickled under the touch. In a way he felt nervous, just a very different sort of nervous to how he had when he had battled that sea monster. "So...is that what you think? That I'd make a good king?"
"Of course, who wouldn't? Even if you're acting this stupid right now I can see that. But..." Aladdin fell silent, and into deep thought. Those words washed over him, and he realised why that prince was looking at him softly. What it meant, for a Magi, to say someone would make a good king. Judal had been the one who had named their kings, and Aladdin was fairly sure Alibaba was the first he had named. Perhaps he should have thought about it more, and he had said that without thinking. Even so, he was fairly sure he didn't regret saying such a thing.
"...I can't keep avoiding things, can I?" Alibaba said quietly. "I can't turn my back on those people. Maybe...if I challenge a dungeon, and go back there I'll be strong enough. I'll make up for what happened back there. Do you think it's worth going back there?"
Aladdin closed his eyes, but nodded. He allowed himself to be pressed back to that wall, and felt the other man draw close again. "I could help you. We could set things right..."
"I don't really get it," Alibaba told him softly. He felt fingers reach in, smoothing lightly down his cheek and he leaned into the touch. "But this feels right..."
"Yes, I was told it would feel right, I guess," Aladdin mumbled, and wasn't too sure what he was referring to anymore. Naming a king or...something else. A finger curled under Aladdin's chin, but he refused to open his eyes as he was sure that prince looked over him. He felt too nervous to. If anything he felt dizzy, as if this was both incredibly easy and confusing in the same instant.
"Do you know, it's funny...when I first saw you, I thought you were a girl," Alibaba laughed. His nail was drawing slowly over his lips as if to part them. Aladdin allowed it, and reached out to stroke over his hand."
"I don't see how that's funny," he replied a little dumbly. Pressing into him, Alibaba continued to outline the soft lines of his lips with his thumbnail. His face felt flushed, and without being held there he was certain he would have lacked the energy in his numb body to stand.
"I guess it's not funny. All I mean is that you're much prettier than any girl I've seen..." Alibaba whispered quietly in his ear. He wasn't sure, really, if that was a good or a bad thing. Far from explaining anything, it made him want to ask what he meant. Even so, he felt the body pressing him there stop slightly to equal his lesser right. He had closed in, and looked to claim the Magi's soft lips between his own...