Disclaimer : Magi anime/manga belong to their rightful owners.
This is where the story is beginning to join with the anime/manga.
*I'm so sorry for the extremely late updates. I just don't feel motivated, and I have a bunch of ideas of where this is going, but I just can't figure out the events for those ideas to be known to you all. Sorry :( I'm a very bad writer for doing this.*
Note:
Ane-ue : older sister (more of a royal way of saying it)
Ani-ue : older brother (more of a royal way of saying it)
Chapter 7 Found Out - Kouga Arc.
"Kouga Clan?" Mei repeated what Hakuei said only moments before.
"Yes, I have been given the task of persuading the Kouga Clan to peacefully join as part of the Kou Empire." Hakuei gladly replied knowing it would be a peaceful task, and not one full of violence, something she was very well against.
"I see. I'm sure you're glad the first task you've been assigned as a general is to peacefully subdue a village. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about, hopefully everything goes alright. I'll inform Hakuryuu as well, I'm sure he would be against you leaving Kou this soon, and to a place he can't see or protect you. I think he's a little too overprotective of you." Mei assured her elder sister. Though given the situation it would be normal for him to be on guard. I'm sure Hakuei doesn't know, and she doesn't need to know. Mother sure has deceived all of us hasn't she?
"I understand. I'll leave it to you then, thank you Mei. For everything you've done. I don't think I've thanked you enough." Hakuei said.
"Hakuei, you know you don't need to thank me for everything. I'll do it regardless if you ask me or not, but of course it has to be something I'll agree with."Mei replied. She had no bad intentions when she said this and Hakuei understood that. However, this made Hakuei think of how much she's been relying on her younger sister. Mei is indeed strong, no one could deny that. But even the strong Mei becomes weak once she places all the burdens and duties on herself to protect everyone regardless of what they've done. If there is one thing Hakuei learned from Mei, that would be that she needed a more open mind to seeing the world. Everyone makes mistakes, and not everyone can actually do something about it. Others however just choose not to. Mei accepts all of them with the same amount of love whether their family, strangers, or enemies. She always tries to see things in a good light no matter how bad.
Hakuei, I'm glad I suggested Kouen to make you the commander of a subjugation army, and not a main fighting force one. Not that I needed to, he would never make you fight on the front lines. Hakuei, you don't use violence to change the minds of others. You show them why they should join the empire, and they'll be the ones to decide. However there are many who think the very opposite of that, far too many. Unfortunately this empire was built with that sort of mindset. And of course the mastermind of Kou's sudden growth is thanks to Judal and Al Thamen. I suppose in a way Al Thamen did help Kou, but all their doing is just increasing the number of victims and carried out their agenda of bringing 'Father' into this world. I still have to figure out who that is. No matter how Gyokuen says Father it always continues to sound like he is some God they believe in that will bring in destruction. I don't understand; what could have been so bad that they all fell into depravity?
"Mei? Mei-Li?" Hakuei continued repeating. Mei-Li was too focused on thinking about Al Thamen she forgot that Hakuei was even there.
"Huh? Oh I'm sorry I was just thinking of something. It's nothing to worry about. Just go on ahead, we're all safe here there's nothing for you to be anxious about."
Mei just continued to push Hakuei with words of kindness, and for her to not worry. Hakuei has always been too kind even as a child. Yes, she was the first to speak with Mei and encourage her to play with the others. After the death of Mei's parents, she had been on the edge of falling into depravity;while Gyokuen had secretly been edging that on to her while Hakutoku wasn't aware. Gyokuen even went as far as to have Mei be around Judal so much to end up having some of that influence of black ruhk. Though that turned out to be how Judal and Mei had gotten along so well throughout these years. Mei had been saved by the love and acceptance of her siblings while Judal had no one but Al Thamen. He had no way out of Al Thamen nor from the depths of depravity. Even after Mei had regained her peace in mind she continuously tried persuading Judal to change his mind. Judal denied her requests and continued on with the way things are today.
"Alright then I'll be leaving now." Hakuei says giving Mei a hug before prancing off on her horse with her new troops.
Mei waved off even when Hakuei had already disappeared from her sight. Now she had to notify Hakuryuu that Hakuei's gone before she forgets. As Mei walked towards Hakuryuu's room she passed by a few officials, and other retainers that just slightly bowed their heads as Mei did the same. It seemed they were all just leaving from a small meeting discussing what other nations and lands they plan to seize. According to the words being spread in the inner court, the next targeted land would be Balbadd, however they're planning to have Kougyoku marry the first prince to establish a connection.
I want Kougyoku to be happy, but...will she be? Being born of royal blood the treatment between prince and princess is like the difference between the earth and the sky. Being born of a prostitute, Kougyoku's treatment was especially bad when she entered the palace. I just hope she'll find the love and happiness she's deserved since she was born.
Mei had finally arrived at Hakuryuu's room to find that he wasn't there. Instead he was in the courtyard practicing his spearmanship with the guards and on his own from time to time. Mei decided to join in when she noticed Judal was there as well. She instinctively decided to call out to the two making everyone turn heads towards her. "Judal Hakuryuu what are you two doing here?" Mei questioned. Hakuryuu stopped his spear in place looking towards Mei calling her name. Judal just turned his attention towards her but nothing else changed.
"Ane-ue is there something you needed?" Hakuryuu asked kindly. Even with his scar that may scare people or make them avoid him, his heart is truly kind and his smile towards Mei was even kinder. Hakuryuu held a high respect for both his sisters and loved them both.
"Oh yes, I was supposed to tell you Hakuei had left for her first mission as General of the Northern Station Corps of the Kou Empire's Western Subjugation Army. I don't think she'll be back for a while." Mei replied answering his question with extreme detail of her new responsibilities to remind him she wasn't just his sister now. Hakuei was her own person now she had a life she had duties and she had responsibilities.
Hakuryuu was silent for a moment, and regained his composure of normality. "I see. Thank you Ane-ue I appreciate you informing me of this." Hakuryuu said before starting his spear training again. Mei-Li had only smiled and continued watching him practice, while Judal just stared between Hakuryuu and Mei. Suddenly a mischievous smile appeared on Judal's face, one that Mei knew would spell trouble.
"Mei! Fight me! I know I'm stronger than you obviously, but how strong are you? This is the perfect chance to find out!" Judal exclaimed.
Sweatdrop. Another crazy idea. I guess I could go along with it. It does seem interesting enough. "Alright I'll fight, but what's in it for me? Do I get to know a secret? Or -" Mei stepped closer to Judal and whispered in his ear. "-do I get a favor?" She mischievously asked him. Judal only continued to smirk fully knowing what she wanted. She wanted him on her side when she fights Gyokuen, and he knew that.
"You got yourself a deal. Now let's start!" Judal shouted. He immediately floated up into the air leaving Hakuryuu, Mei, and the people present at the time. "Hwaa!" He screamed while getting his magic ready into ice. They singly dispersed making them float and heading straight for Mei and Hakuryuu who was unluckily standing near Mei. Hakuryuu began backing away while Mei just continued standing there perplexing both Hakuryuu and Judal. "Oi Mei why aren't you doing anything? Don't just stand there! You're gonna get killed!" Judal continued shouting.
"Don't worry Judal, I won't die yet." This is your favorite ice trick, there's no way I didn't know about it. How long do you think I've known you? Mei calmly replied in this kind of situation which of course made people think she was crazy mad. She even had a kind smile on her face terrifying the officials near by into thinking something bad was about to happen. Something very bad. Judging from the position of the giant icicles they probably won't hit anyone around here since they already ran. I guess that means Judal can go all out. "Judal! I haven't told you about something new I got on my trip right?" Mei loudly said towards the sky above her to the magi. This had certainly caught his interest. Mei had done nothing but talk about her plans of taking down Gyokuen and keeping everyone safe that she didn't really tell him about anything that happened on the trip. "I'll tell you, but-" Mei looked at Hakuryuu. "Hakuryuu can't know, so could you come down? I'll secretly tell you." By this point Judal had practically already flew down leaving Hakuryuu a little left out. He knew the two had been friends since they were young, but he could never figure out why. They were so different, but they had this special mood sometimes especially when they were together talking about things other people just wouldn't understand.
"What is it!? Tell me!" Judal was totally pulled into this, and Mei was smiling as well but..for another reason. Mei walked closer and closer towards Judal who was walking closer by the moment. Mei placed her hand on his shoulder leaving him confused until-"Hey! Get this off of me! You totally cheated!" Judal yelled.
I'm glad I learned from Yunan and the Yambala Tribe about how to use my magoi in different ways. It definitely came in handy. Mei had placed her magoi on Judal limiting his movement temporarily which meant Mei had won. Of course this was her goal from the beginning, at least from the early stage making Judal definitely not accepting this match. His way was all about violence and the straightforward path, having known Judal since she came to the palace she knew that from the first moment she met him. "I'll stop my magoi flow, and it'll free you, but only on one condition. The moment my magoi stops I'm declared the winner. You know I don't take my chances." Having you do this favor for me is the best thing for you right now, and the safest thing. "Well? What do you think? Will you agree? Oh and just a reminder you can't get rid of my magoi without killing me, so I would advise against you trying to break out of it yourself."
Snap. The magoi surrounding Judal had been broken apart, and slightly stung Mei since her a portion of her magoi had been cut off. "Mei you obviously forgot I was a magi during that one year you were gone. Even if this is your magoi it still has rukh, and rukh is controllable by me, a magi. "Judal happily bragged, and slightly ticked off.
Judal's definitely gotten stronger, but I hope he doesn't use too much of his magoi. The palace is filled with black rukh that love him, and surround him with magoi. "It seems I've underestimated you Judal. After all I never thought you would have wanted to fight with me of all people. You've definitely grown." Mei smiled and asked.
"Hah? Mei what are you talking about? If there's something that's changed then it would be you. After all by the looks of it you've acquired a dji-" Judal suddenly got cut off by Mei when she grabbed his hand, and ran away leaving Hakuryuu, by himself...again.
"Judal." Mei began darkly hovering over him while her dark side began seeping through to Judal. Any sense of kindness from Mei before was completely gone, and couldn't be found. At least not from Judal's point of view. Making sure he clearly got the message to not tell anyone she had obtained a djinn. The seriousness in her eyes had already made Judal not want to say anything, but... that evilness was seriously scary. Out of all the years Judal knew Mei, she only got angry when things actually got serious, but she didn't actually have to say anything. Everything was just seen through with her eyes, and the evilness zooming out of her. It felt like a dark aura and cloud of danger you should beware. Not even the dark magi Judal could escape the fear of a childhood friend.
Once Mei had gotten the message that Judal wouldn't tell anyone for sure she sighed and calmed herself not wanting to scare her friend anymore. "And would you mind telling me how you figured it out?" She pried a question to him.
"Obviously because I'm awesome! .. And cause I can see your rukh changed." Judal started but seriously gave her an answer when she started glaring daggers at him making him sweat drop and beginning to walk backwards. Not again! He secretly complained hoping to get out of it this time.
"Ane-ue excuse my interruption, but there is something I would like advice on." Hakuryuu came into the conversation. Judal was quite relieved that he came, Hakuryuu definitely saved him big time. Judal nonchalantly went around Hakuryuu and grabbed him by his head giving him and arm hug.
"H-Hey Hakuryuu! What's up!?" Judal shouted very loudly in his ear. Hakuryuu covered his ears while Judal just turned his head having his back face Mei and Hakuryuu as he whispered a thanks to the fourth prince before running off. Mei decided to just let him go since she knew he understood, after all those two were very similar in good and bad ways.
Sooooo sorry for not updating recently. :( I was mega busy and had like a temporary brain craze over this story. I had all my ideas jumbled up, but after rewatching Magi for like the billionth time I had new ideas how to insert the things I wanted you guys to find out into the story. Well now I know the direction everything is pretty much going in.
BTW I'm not really going to focus on the Kouga Arc. The next chapter is gonna be moving right along the canon story line. :)
Thank you to everyone who stuck with me so far. :) And to those new and the reviews. :D