My apologies for anyone waiting for an update. I seemed to want to take a break after completing one of my other stories, and then other stuff happened.

A huge thanks to MissSexyRain, Perpetual Dreams and Akumarayne for the reviews and comments (I do seem to enjoy writing Sinbad and Jafar's conversions a lot. Almost as much as I love writing Sinbad and Judal together but, well, that's a given for me. It's the same with Aladdin seeming to want to tease Alibaba all the time), they're very kind, encouraging and they give me motivation as always, lol. And thanks to everyone reading, following, and putting up with the lateness.

Anyhow, enjoy:

Chapter 16

"...I don't want to go to Magnostadt, though," Judal complained loudly from where he lay, flat on his back, on the bed. He yawned heavily, despite the fact he doubted he'd sleep. Even if he did, his rest would be shallow and disturbing as always. "I want to go to Sindria. Or – at least make Entei-sama fight me."

The student and his teacher had made their way to the lavish rooms they had been given at the palace of Balbadd. And currently Ithnan was the target of whatever Judal felt the need to rant about. But then more than likely, he didn't care what the Magi wanted. "There was a chance Kouen might have fought us. But he won't if it endangers his siblings – and hurts you. And there's no point in fighting our allies, is there?"

"Sure, it would be fun..." he muttered. To think he had been excited upon entering Balbadd. Yet it was almost tedious, as the events had transpired just as Ithnan predicted they would. Judal himself had wanted something more entertaining. Beyond disappointed, he took to wafting a hand before his vivid eyes, and watched the small, bird-like and dark flecks dance between his outstretched fingers as he lay there. "Ah, I'm so bored though! Let me fight someone strong already!" he felt so frustrated.

"In time; when we head west..."

Yet somehow Judal felt as if his outburst was taken seriously for once. The way Ithnan's rukh elevated slightly from where they usually idled around the hem of his robes indicated that much. He looked up hopefully.

"Much in Balbadd has gone in our favour," his teacher considered. He really seemed to be analysing the events. And admittedly, well thought out schemes weren't to Judal's liking. Hovering in an awkward state between lethargic and an energetic, almost desperate need for war or something interesting he couldn't win. And he sure as anything didn't care to wait. "No, we should continue with Gyokuen's plans. Which means Magnostadt," he groaned in complaint. "There's no need going south. Durya and her Hollow Knight are headed to an island close to Sindria. She'll oppose Kouen's siblings if needed."

Carelessly, Judal counted on his fingers. "That's no good, though..." he couldn't recall the princess from the fallen Mustashim kingdom. He barely remembered that night he spent in the palace's tombs, witnessing the infusion of dark magic to Isaac's dark armour to animate it again to serve his mistress. It seemed so long ago. "It's just those two. And all of Entei-sama's brothers and cousins I took through dungeons already, remember?"

"I remember. But Durya would be strong enough once she conquers Zagan's dungeon...for as long as she's needed, at least. We can help her, if you wish. Then you can go south."

That wasn't what he wanted, though. He wanted to go to Sindria. "...Zagan's dungeon, huh?" he inquired softly. He wrinkled his nose. "No way; she's not the right one for him. The rukh told me."

"Then you have someone else in mind?"

"Of course I do..." even of the gentle chiming of the white rukh seemed somewhat muted to Judal now, he still heard them. Their calls still reached him over the increasing cloud of black ones; obeying his command to remain with him. And he knew what they told him on such a matter. He smiled. "They told me there's someone in Sindria who Zagan will like. A prince you guys exiled ages ago. He's strong, interesting, and he wants to kill you all~" he relished that thought. Whoever this prince was, he just liked the idea he was so keen to wage war on his Al-Thamen masters. "I don't blame him, though. But he won't kill you all, or Kouen. It's going to be me destroying you all someday."

Ithnan had moved forward. Perhaps those magicians would fear giving Judal so much power. As they should. "It would be difficult..." those lifeless eyes informed him. "If you care to remember how our magic works."

It was one thing he did remember. The result and sum of countless rituals he endured when still in Kou; now long forgotten. The power which had been forced into him, that made him feel this way – so strong and hollow in equal measures. The many times Judal had woken to see those black rukh consume and replace his own. They had caused the world to seem so faded to Judal in a way, yet made it so interesting with their silent promises of power. His fate had been caused, yet this depravity he knew was worth it.

"It is Father's wish, brought with us from Alma-Toran to this world," Ithnan told him. "A legacy and curse we bequeath to you. For you to curse and make black kings, to reject the fate of this world. You know this, and you're here as you're so important to our aims. This world, and its white rukh, must be erased and re-written. Gyokuen sacrificed her ties with the white rukh. You must do the same."

Judal glanced up. "I don't want to."

"Perhaps you and Kouen have something in common. Like him, you need to remember you serve us. Or do you think you can take the power we gave you, and use it against us, Judal?"

That was exactly what he thought. "Well – I like this power. You all made me do this, but I like being stronger. But I'm not going to stop talking to the white rukh just because that witch did. They're mine. And they'll make me stronger than her. Than all of you."

"...That's what you think? How foolish."

"Let me prove it. I'll curse Sinbad," he gave a beaming smile. He sat up, drawing his arms around his knees. "Just you see. I'll go, have Kassim tear up his whole island. I want to see his face when I do."

"Are you that strong, I wonder? Taking on that First Class Singularity?" perhaps Ithnan just felt this repeated display of impudence amusing enough to entertain a while longer. "As a Magi, you're powerful. Even if Gyokuen, and even Aladdin, are stronger than you. Still – it took you under a year to learn what it took me a lifetime to master. Several lifetimes," he corrected himself. "Still, I don't think you could harm Sinbad that much. Or keep the white rukh's favour, when our Empress herself forfeited her claim to them."

Judal looked over the hints of white still settling over his robes, and knew he was wrong. "That's her, though. She can't even leave Kou as these hurt her so much. And they hurt you. But I'm fine with them," as if to indicate as much, he cast those robes aside, feeling the same uncomfortable prick of numbing pain as they settled on his skin and the clothing he usually wore. He drew over to the window, looking down over the filthy, diseased capital below. "But I told them to stay with me, whatever happens. So they will. Not that someone like you would get that. A simple magician like you couldn't do it."

"I happen to be one of the strongest magicians you'll ever meet. And you've learned a lot from me," Ithnan's voice drew over to him. "But know this; Aladdin once opposed Gyokuen, back in my world. Now he's under her control. From the moment he was born into this world alongside you, he's as much our puppet as you are. Think of it – he's forgotten everything. His world, his life, his home – even his family now. All gone. Her power isn't something you can comprehend. If you betray us – think what she'll take from you."

"I'll fight her first," Judal felt a gloved hand seize his wrist tightly, the moment he moved to step up onto the marble railing. He snapped back. "Ha? Get off me."

"Let's make a bet then, Judal. Let's see who is right."

A sudden sensation of cold magic permeated the thick, dusty air around them before Judal could even agree. To Judal it felt almost poisonous; potent as it stained against his senses. He looked down, watching a small and pale asp slither out curiously from the dark confines of Ithnan's sleeve. A small, dark tongue cut into the air curiously, before the serpent seemed to obediently set to coiling itself around Judal's wrist. He drew back, and looked over it.

"That snake is me – well, a part of me. In this way, I'll shadow your every step. Think of it as taking part of me with you," that certainly wasn't a pleasant thought. "Go to Sindria, then. And curse that man if you can do so."

"...Alright," with an affirming hiss, the tiny snake dropped down to the floor, and set about winding itself round the Magi's ankles.

"Try, and fail, to keep your bond with the white rukh. Become strong, overpower whoever you wish. But you won't defeat us. Without us, you'll learn you're no stronger than a candle flickering in a storm. If you say the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong moment there, that fire of yours will be easily snuffed out. That's the warning I'll give you, Magi."

"...Whatever, you damned weirdo," the words unnerved him a little, but he got what he wished. And Ithnan would be far away, in Magnostadt - or, at least, most of him would be. The thought stayed with him as he stepped off the railing. A touch of ice formed under his toes as he landed there, in the narrow and derelict alleyways. The asp had followed him, its alabaster body staying close and its blood-flecked eyes, so much like Ithnan's, watched him curiously. He was free to watch; and see Judal become someone he should fear.

"E? Why the heck are you following me?" Judal demanded, yet didn't turn. Someone was there, even in that suffocating stench. Perhaps even listening to his conversation. The person passed fleetingly through the shadows, in the space behind the corner of his eye, and caught his interest. The rukh of an assassin; a household member of that damned king.

"...It's a habit," Jafar whispered mildly. Sinbad's servant emerged, dishevelled and slightly out of breath. The wires and daggers remained at his wrists, making Judal think he had overheard them. Or, perhaps, had been too busy outrunning someone. It seemed that way, by how his rukh pulsed, and the rukh he also sensed of Kouen's men searching the streets close to them. "I didn't think I'd find you..."

He was surveying over Judal curiously; from his creased, black and white clothing, to the dark circles more prominent under his eyes and his pallid, sickened complexion. It wasn't something he liked at all. "Well, I'm meant to be here. You're not," he grinned in reply. "You're in big trouble if Entei-sama's off sending his best guys to find you."

"Oh, them? I got rid of them ages ago," Jafar appeared to relax slightly, yet seemed suspicious. Judal was pretty sure he had been there, listening. Yet his faded eyes showed so little.

"Ha? Yeah right..."

"I did," he insisted. "Sin sent me here, you know."

"...Why?"

"Many reasons. To help Balbadd. To help Abhmad," ...Judal really wished for more interesting reasons. "But he wanted to find you, Judal. Sin's worried, and just looking at you – he was right to be."

"What? I'm fine," he animatedly wafted aside that concern. If only Sinbad had done something interesting, like declare war on this miserable country. But he wouldn't do something like that. Judal turned to walk away, and felt Jafar follow him. He wouldn't let him leave, he guessed. "Ha? Don't follow me! How about you go back, tell that meddling old man to keep his nose out of my business."

"...It's Sin. When have you ever known him to keep his nose to himself?" more than likely, Judal guessed the intention was to bring him to Sindria. Granted he was going there anyway but...not like this. He wanted a more memorable arrival than that. "It's about Aladdin," Judal stopped walking. "He had a vision. A couple since I left, actually."

That was it? He could have laughed. "Seriously? You mean those dreams he should have grown out of."

"You know what I'm talking about then? Sin believes what he sees is real."

"Yeah, well, he's a moron. They're just dreams," Judal insisted. "He'd always wake up crying from them..." to think, at once time he worried over such things. Now, it seemed impossible to comprehend why he did.

"Perhaps," the pale man drew in front of him. "Judal – you look awful," he declared abruptly. "What happened to you? What did those men do?"

"Eh? Men?" for a moment, he inquired blankly. But then and assuming his and Ithnan's conversation in the palace rooms had been overheard, this was an opportunity. He felt his lips tremble, and his tired eyes heated up. "...Yeah, you're right. You have no idea the things they've done to me. It started when Aladdin left..."

Jafar eyed over him, and nodded silently. "...Alright. Let's go somewhere safe. Everything will be fine; I'll take you to Sin."

"...Yeah."

From the suspicious gaze in Jafar's eye, it seemed he wasn't completely believed. It didn't matter though. With a slight, vindictive smile, his fingertips had fallen to his sceptre the moment the assassin turned. As if to lead him away. Granted it wasn't someone he wanted to fight, but he could at least have some fun.

Those daggers flashing in the early dawn's light, and wires cutting through the air, Jafar turned yet it was already too late. The moment he tried to defend himself, the chill had already swept through that alleyway and materialised itself into vicious fangs of ice. That power collected in Judal, and it felt amazing. Even something like this, beating someone so weak, made him glad. And he could just imagine the destruction he'd cause when he finally reached Sindria's shores.

The night had been a long one, and was not spent in a way Alibaba had intended. Accompanying Aladdin all those hours, and watching him visit so many of those watchtowers in turn, he had barely noticed the sun rise. Yet as it rose hazily to stain the horizon a vivid scarlet, his body protested. Even if Aladdin seemed more than fine skipping over the lush and rolling hills, he was too tired and had had enough. So, right as they rounded one of the last paths leading the way towards Sindria's palace, he stopped. And complained loudly.

"...We were doing this all night," he insisted abruptly. Already and in a light thud, his body had rested itself in the cool shade of one of the many tall trees there. It wouldn't even listen to him that he was best returning to his room for this; the relief from the already humid day was too welcoming. He folded his eyes, and watched a head of blue flick round to consider him. "So that's it. We've been to all the towers, so I'm going to sleep now."

"I know, I was counting them," he was too cheerful, for one thing. It seemed the Magi hadn't come close to depleting the vast reserves of magic running through his body, just by empowering those shell-like devices. No, unlike Alibaba's dour features, he was still so irritably lively. As though he expected to prince to rise to his feet and continue, and frowned when he didn't. "I don't think you can just rest there, though."

"...Yeah? Watch me."

He doubted he could either, or that he wanted to. But his body wasn't listening to him. And he certainly didn't relish the thought of explaining to Hakuryuu what he was doing the past night.

Aladdin nodded quietly, as if accepting how the situation was. He was glancing upwards, as though something in the large and shaped leaves and branches above had caught his interest. More than likely it was the shining hint of the rosy apples growing there. Within one moments Aladdin was reaching up, testing the lower branches to assure they could hold his weight. Then, carefully, he hoisted himself up into the tree and was slowly disappearing from view.

"...What are you doing?" he demanded of the vanishing figure, even if he felt he knew. Even if he couldn't rely on Aladdin tiring himself out, he could rely on his stomach apparently.

"I'm climbing a tree," came the Magi's all too obvious rely. Glancing up, that blue of silken white and azure had already made it to a respectable height in the verdant canopy above. As if he was used to doing such things. "Ah~ the breeze is so nice here. Come up."

"I'll take your word for it," Alibaba was aware he had never climbed a tree. Not a proper one, like the gigantic ones like this growing in the island kingdom at least as Balbadd had nothing quite like it. But he wasn't going to admit to such a thing, not to him.

"But you'll feel better if you're tired, Alibaba-kun..."

Even the mornings were so warm here. And it wasn't the dry, dusty heat from his oasis-side country either; but a tropical humidity carried from the surrounding oceans to prickle upon his senses. Something, even now, he wasn't really used to. "No, I'm fine," he replied flatly. "Just don't go and fall down," he muttered, closing his eyes. Unlike Sram, with its chattering markets and continued melody of orchestras, Sindria could also be so silent. And this morning was just that; aside from the chirping birdsong and threat of a rusting wind overhead whipping through the branches and promising rain later, they were quite alone. If anything that much was puzzling. He would at least expect to see the odd straggling merchant plodding the dirt-trodden paths. But there was nothing, as if not a soul was about for miles. He wondered why...

"...Hm? What would you do if I did fall out, then?"

Alibaba's eyes snapped open. "You'd use magic to float down," he informed the person rummaging in the tree. "Or...you could have just used magic to get up there to start with."

"...Oh," as if Aladdin had in fact forgotten he could do such a thing. And could in fact do almost anything with that near-infinite power of his. "I guess, but I was using magic all night. So that would be pretty boring."

"...Boring?" he repeated slowly before shaking his head in pure disbelief. "You're kidding me, right? You were using Ugo to fetch down those shells for you all night. You thought that was fun, remember? So what's so different between that and flying up into a tree?"

"It's completely different," he didn't see how. "Well – climbing is fun. Onii-san and I always used to climb the trees and roofs back home. I guess...I'd need magic to reach those towers anyway, right?" he nodded. "And it seems more fun to use a friend's power than my own. It's more fun to see, and I don't like using my magic so much. I don't want to take it for granted."

He wasn't sure he agreed with that, at all. He considered it as he watched Aladdin's fingers reach out for one of the large fruits above. It was carefully plucked from the swaying branches, and thrown down to land in Alibaba's lap. And a slight but significant churn of his stomach reminded him that he was hungry as well. He didn't hesitate in raising the apple to take a bite.

"...I guess because Judal always used his magic for everything I didn't want to. As it would just get him in trouble, see, when we were younger. Like one time, a bit like this, where he ended up freezing a whole peach tree. He tried getting me to fix it but erm – I set fire to it instead."

"...I guess you're responsible then, not using magic for everything," Alibaba admitted thickly through a mouthful of tangy fruit. "Judal is your brother? He sounds stranger than you."

"You're not too nice when you're tired. But I guess he is stranger than me," trust him to admit to such a thing. In the trembling foliage, Aladdin carefully picked a second apple. Then in the next moment he had dropped soundly down, ahead of Alibaba. "But we should head back."

He groaned, but knew he was right. After all, he did want to sleep. Carelessly he threw the apple core aside, watching it roll and become hidden in the tall grasses before making his way down the thin, stony path over the hills. "You know...if I could use magic and fly, I'd never come back down," he commented quietly. "I'd just go up in the sky and never come back down. I wouldn't want to."

"You'd have to come down anyway; you'd get tired and need to land. But I thought you'd say that," Aladdin commented as he jogged to catch up with him. Here, you want to fly and away and not think about anything that happened to your home – right? And here doesn't seem far enough. You think if you fly away, that will be far enough. But do you think it's just something you can't run from forever? That sooner or later you'll have to stop flying away and deal with things?"

"...Tsch..."Alibaba glared, and didn't want to admit to that. Or think about it. He had tried, and failed, to not overhear the whispered gossip of how things were deteriorating in his country. That even under Kouen's rule, it was falling to disarray and disrepair. And sooner or later, he would have to confront Abhmad about such a thing again. With the reminder of all he had lost that last time he had tried. "...Do you think I'm ready for that? Entering a dungeon, getting power...going back there?"

"I don't know," the response wasn't too helpful, and was too quiet. "I wish I did, but I don't think you'd forgive yourself if you stood back and watched it happen, would you?" No, he wouldn't. "I've entered dungeons before, anyway. With a lot of the princes and princesses in Kou, when onii-san and I helped them. When you do that, I think you'll want to do it. You'll want to go back there and save everyone."

Perhaps Aladdin was more optimistic about Alibaba than he himself was, sometimes. "...Or I could just use the djinn's power to fly away."

"I guess. But you'd still need to land somewhere. And you like me too much for that."

"I..." he didn't want to admit that either. As the two reached the pale, elongated courtyard it seemed he might not have to, however. So many of the island's denizens' were gathered there, forming a colourful and mob of people. The silence in Sindria suddenly made since, with so many whose collective interests seemed to be locked on what was happening in the palace gardens.

It was a gathering larger than Alibaba had seen for a while. At least, not since the night of that festival when Aladdin had proved himself by fighting off that sea monster encroaching on the island's shores. Yet the light-hearted crowds made him think of the midsummer markets in Sram when he had been a child. Back in the days long past when his home had still been vibrant and prosperous. "...What's going on? A fight?"

"I think so," Aladdin agreed, as he squinted ahead. Sure enough, those gathered were watching two, somewhat bruised people circling each other slowly, weapons drawn as if duelling for the entertainment of so many. Alibaba carefully pushed forward against the people gathered. It wasn't too difficult to do, considering how good-natured and friendly the nation of people was. It didn't take so much effort to push his way through the throngs of people to the front, or the Magi to remain close to him.

He recognised the two fighting immediately. Panting, and bruised from their efforts, his eyes fell upon the familiar white and lilac robes of the King of Sindria. A new, darkened metal blade he had never seen Sinbad use was grasped in his hand as he steadily and carefully stepped toward the prince of Kou. And Hakuryuu, holding his old, usual spear balanced in his left fist and approaching with his own, once cursed blade in his right, went to greet him.

Watching the two locked in such a way, one thought came to Alibaba. He doubted he would ever draw the attention of so many to watch him fight. Gloomily, he noticed just how much Hakuryuu was enjoying himself. Those usually stoic features seemed so alive, so revelling in this chance to prove himself he didn't even notice Alibaba there watching. Instead he drew forward gracefully, that spear in his left hand cutting a whistling path through the air, pushing Sinbad back before drawing forward his sword. It was enough force; it seemed, to send the powerful man skidding backwards. And Sinbad even beamed at Hakuryuu's determination before pushing back in turn.

They enjoyed this. And perhaps in a way Alibaba felt he never could.

"...They're really into this," Aladdin considered quietly.

"Yeah..." he agreed. Blow for blow, the two dark swords continued to clash and seek each other out. And likewise at the same time, Sinbad was repeatedly pushed back. He even tripped, losing his footing to the extent he collided heavily with a nearby pillar. Not able to react in time, Hakuryuu leapt and continued to travel forward. That spear in his hand span, driving itself into the ground for balance as if he was planning to deliver that last, and decisive, blow. "Hakuryuu's...actually really good. I don't actually feel so bad losing all those sparring matches if he can fight like this."

"Hm, I don't think that's something you really want to admit to through, Alibaba-kun..."

He scowled, and that seemed right. Just as he didn't want to admit to the enthusiasm shining in his fellow prince's eyes over such a thing. As their weapons collided, it seemed as if Sinbad was pushed into the wall and barely managed to raise his weapon in time. Unlike with Alibaba, Hakuryuu was putting everything into this. As though -

"Hm...say, what are those?"

"What are what?" Alibaba was forced out of his stupor by the question. As they often did, the Magi's eyes seemed to be roaming over, gazing at the rukh only he could see. "...I can't see rukh, remember?"

"You can see the black ones, right?"

Alibaba hesitated. That warning Sinbad gave him, of not talking about such things, stung silently and immediately in his ears. Besides, he really couldn't see any such things right now, "no, I've never seen anything like that."

From that expression, he doubted Aladdin believed him. Not wanting to deceive him, he turned his attention back. Sinbad was leaning against the wall behind him, clutching at it, before giving a slight smile of encouragement. As if to show to Hakuryuu he had lost, and to show the duel was over. It was then Alibaba felt something was wrong. Inexplicably, and as Sinbad's eyes widened, that once-cursed weapon was again risen against him. Only this time, however, Hakuryuu's expression was so much darker than usual.

"...What the hell is he doing?!" Alibaba started forward, yet felt Aladdin grip his arm. "Why's he attacking him like that?"

"Calm down."

"What do you mean, calm –"

There was a slight and scarlet gleam veiling on the air, one not so different from the glow of the sunrise behind them. The light surrounded Sinbad, gradually becoming more potent, and flowed out from the silvery cuff at his wrist. The humming light burst forward in so many tones of vermillion and scarlet, and in a display of magic Alibaba had never seen before. As if an entity was ripping forward into the world, to protect its master. The winds grew vicious, tearing past in a sound akin to the rustling feathers of so many great and powerful wings. What was going on?

"...That's one of oji-san's djinn," Aladdin's quavering and faint voice told him, as if to calm his confusion. "He went to help him, too."

"...As Hakuryuu just tried to murder him."

"...No," Aladdin looked so pale again. Not so unlike he had in the past, when it seemed those appearance of the black rukh held such a dire impact upon him. Alibaba hesitated. "That's not what happened. You didn't see them this time."

"...See what, exactly?"

"The black rukh. Oji-san's rukh," he was indicating Sinbad. "See, he didn't mean to use that djinn. But he was protecting Sinbad from those dark rukh within him – I guess he doesn't like to lose, and lost control a moment," he mused quietly. "Usually it doesn't happen but...I guess he lost control. The djinn and Hakuryuu-kun both saw it, and acted to make sure no one was hurt. Getting rid of the black rukh before they hurt anyone..."

"...Right," he wasn't sure he understood it. He glanced over to the Sindrian people clamoured around in concern for their king. And no doubt as confused as he was. "So if that's true, what will he – hey!"

Abruptly, Aladdin crumpled, almost striking against the ground as Alibaba caught him at the last moment. He seemed to be saying something, yet over the sound of the now tempestuous winds it was impossible to discern what. What he did know was that his face was increasingly drained of colour, and his thin shoulders felt clammy as he shook the now unconscious figure. It seemed Sinbad was right. That it was just the mere sight of the black rukh which had such a negative and profound effect against the Magi. "...Not again. Someone help!"