He was getting tired of these dreams. So much so, that he almost wanted his old nightmares back.

"Leave me alone," he muttered sullenly to the vortex around him. A laugh met his words and he sighed. The owner of that laugh wouldn't comply. He didn't care to even listen.

He could feel the boy's awareness of him, but neither really wanted to converse at the moment. Selim couldn't help but feel relieved. The boy frightened him, and he'd dreaded their seemingly inevitable meeting again. Fortunately, it did not seem like now would be that time. Selim had been sitting in the crimson vortex for what felt like forever and no one had appeared to him. The boy just continued to watch from somewhere beyond Selim's conscious perception.

Selim hated how he could know that…how he could feel the vague nonchalance that really only masked impatience and the anticipatory excitement that roiled beneath both. The teenager's frown deepened. He could feel something building, and he wasn't sure what or how, but he knew once it was released, the consequences would not be pleasant.

He just wished the sensation wasn't so vague.

In any case, he had long since moved past wary and frightened, only to sit inside this dream-like state and become more and more frustrated. Finally, he spoke, unwilling to tolerate the silence for long.

"Why can't you just go away?" he asked the red haze, not really expecting the boy to answer, although he knew the boy knew Selim had addressed him.

"Why can't you?"

To his surprise, the answering question seemed to ooze around him, weaving its way through the endless scarlet current. Selim's frown turned into a glower. "Because I'm here now. Why should I just leave?"

"Because you're weak."

"I'm stronger than you," he responded without really thinking and blinked at his own answer. He was stronger, Selim realized. He didn't really know how, but somehow he knew he was currently stronger than the voice.

"Not for long." The absolute certainty in those words caused him to shudder.

After a moment, Selim shook his head. "Alright, we're both here and we both want to be stronger. Isn't there some way for us to coexist?"

The voice paused for a moment. "Could you ever hate humans as a whole?"

"No."

"Then the answer to your question is 'no'. There is no way to coexist with one who takes pity on lower life forms." He sounded so nonchalant when he said it, as if he were stating a simple fact.

Selim set his jaw determinedly. "I won't give up without a fight."

The other voice sneered. "I wouldn't expect you to. You and I are the same after all." Somehow that made Selim sick, and he didn't want to explore why. The boy continued. "It doesn't matter. You'll still lose."

"We'll see about that," Selim retorted. The voice didn't answer.

xXx

A grumbling in his stomach area brought him slowly back to consciousness. It took him a moment to realize how comfortable he felt. He'd expected dry air and oppressing heat, but while he did feel warm, the sensation was not uncomfortable. Actually, the air he breathed felt almost cool. As a matter of fact, he felt as if he were sleeping on a cloud instead of on sand; or at least a bed—a very, very nice, unfamiliar bed.

The last vague memories of what had happened before he'd practically collapsed continued to return to him, and none of it matched up with what his body was telling him now. Maybe Mandy had transmuted him something?

Frowning, he went to open his eyes. It felt as if all the sand missing from below his head had found its way below his eyelids, and they did not want to move. Groaning, he put his effort into forcing them open. He succeeded in gaining a sliver of light that forced him to snap his eyes shut again.

The light hurt.

Dang, what had hit him? His sleep-muddled mind couldn't seem to figure out exactly why he felt like he'd been run over by a train. He twisted under the blankets and brought a leaden hand up to rub his eyes. It felt like he'd put his body through the workout of a lifetime and then plunged himself into water. His limbs just didn't want to move.

He really wanted to just go back to sleep, but knew his mind wouldn't let him in the unfamiliar environment. That and his stomach continued to growl incessantly, often accompanying dull aches that stabbed through his stomach. He was ravenous. As a matter of fact, he hadn't been that hungry in…well, he couldn't really remember ever being that hungry actually.

Sighing, he forced his eyes open again, shielding them with his hand. It still hurt, but the sensation became far more manageable this time, probably because he was expecting it and had braced himself for it.

The first thing he noticed was that he hadn't been laid on an actual bed, but on the floor. His vantage point of the rather plain room told him that much. Looking down, he saw a rich futon covered in a very smooth material. Silk? Probably not, but it felt just about as soft. The second thing he noticed was that he was alone. Normally this would not have been a problem, but he really wanted some answers.

The third thing he noticed was the unsettling feeling that had knotted inside of his chest. The closest description he could think of to describe it was something akin to an uprooted tree that hadn't been transplanted yet. He felt completely out of his element. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, but seemed somehow liberating at the same time.

He managed to push himself into a kneeling position and sat back as he raised a hand to rub at his scar out of habit. A shock rushed through his hands as soon as he touched it and he jumped, jerking his hand back. Blinking, he studied his tingling fingers. That was weird. Static electricity maybe? Slowly he put his fingers back on his forehead. It felt tender, but otherwise just like normal.

He dismissed the strange phenomenon and went to run a hand through his hair, only to realize that he hardly had any growth on his head.

"What the…!" he started, raising his other hand to run it over his scalp. Someone had cut his hair while he slept! Oh, he had something to say about that! It took him forever to grow his hair out to a decent length because it grew so slowly. He hated the idea of having anything resembling a military cut.

Grumbling he went to stand up and noticed he'd been dressed in a robe of sorts. A blush rose to his cheeks when he realized he had most definitely not put that on himself. He didn't see any clothes, wardrobes or closets in the room so it would have to do, but that didn't erase the fact that he didn't like it.

Still, uncomfortable or not, he was going to leave the room behind and demand answers from the next person he saw. Unsteady though he was, he managed to make it to the sliding door, hand-eye coordination improving as he continued to force his body to follow his mental instructions. The aching pain had begun to ease too, much to his relief.

It took more effort than he cared to admit to get the rather light door to slide open. He glared menacingly at it for a moment before going to step forward. Then he froze. The room he found couldn't have been more different from the little sleeping area he'd just left. Where the previous room had been plain and undecorated, this new room was lavish. At least three matching wardrobes had been placed next to what looked like a deep, walk-in closet. Even though he couldn't see the back of it, he could still see racks of clothing hanging from railings on the side. They looked foreign. Probably Xingese, he concluded as that's where they'd been heading before the incident with the train.

Pushing that to the back of his mind, he continued to study the room, mostly out of surprise; nothing in the room seemed inexpensive or of poor quality. He hadn't known what to expect upon exiting the sleeping chamber from before, but this was not it. A large basin and pitcher, both full of water, had been placed on a stand next to the door he'd just walked out of. A little way further he could see a tub full of steaming water behind what looked to be a sort of portable, folding wall he'd never seen before, probably set up for privacy.

In the other corner of the room, across from both the tub and the closet, a sitting area full of cushions had been arranged next to two or three wooden chairs and a table. The area had a distinctly western feel to it, despite the obvious eastern influence.

The rest of the room had ornate tapestries hanging from the walls, each showing various landscapes or scenes of men fighting and women with some of the most elaborate hairdos and clothing he'd ever seen hiding behind fans, or their sleeves. Vases sat on tables or floors in every corner of the room and on the side of the door in the wall opposite from Selim's current position. They looked intricate enough that he didn't even want to go near them for fear of breaking them.

All in all, it looked like a room from an enormous mansion more than anything else he'd ever seen, and he kept realizing over and over again how expense had not been spared. He had never really wanted for anything much as a child as his mother had been fairly well off. He rubbed shoulders with the wealthy of Amestris on a fairly regular basis, but this was still far more than anything he'd ever been subject to before.

It was a little overwhelming. He still had no idea how he could have come into such a situation while he'd slept.

"What is going on?" he asked aloud, not bothering to hide his shock. Then he glanced around uneasily and began to make his way to the door that would lead him outside. It was a sliding one similar to the door he'd opened before, and took considerably less effort to open due to his returning strength. No sooner had it been fully opened, than a Xingese man in a rich, black robe and matching hat stepped before him, bowing with one hand over his fist raised to his eye level.

"Honored guest," he said with an obvious accent. "It pleases all of Xing that you have finally awoken. My name is Xhou and I am to serve you." He spoke very good English, despite his accent. Selim blinked at him, unable to formulate a response due to even more surprise. The man took this as a bad sign as he bowed even lower. "Forgive me for not attending to you earlier. I was instructed to wait out here until your awakening."

"N-no," Selim said hurriedly. "That's fine. I…just don't know what's going on."

"Of course!" Xhou replied, still unmoving from his humble position. "Forgive me, good sir. When the train from Amestris did not arrive, the emperor sent out a convoy. We found what was left of the train in the middle of the Pi Shi desert." Selim frowned. Pi Shi? He hadn't heard that name for the large desert that separated Amestris from Xing before. Xhou either didn't notice his confusion, or he dismissed it and continued.

"When the entourage found your party, they were told of your exploits to save the train workers. Your comrades were worried over you because you would not wake. They feared you had severe damage from your rescue efforts.

"You, along with the rest of the travelers from the train, were then brought to Xing for treatment. When the Emperor heard of your brave deeds, he insisted you and your friend be brought to the palace as his honored guests."

For several seconds Selim didn't answer as his mind processed this information. Finally he managed to force out an 'oh.'

After several more seconds, Selim began to fidget. The man still hadn't moved. "Why do you keep standing like that?" he asked.

"You have not given me permission to rise, good sir."

"Oh…uh, please rise?"

The man stood straight, arms coming to rest in front of him, still griping each other loosely. He had typical Xingese features, dark hair over dark, almond-shaped eyes and pale skin set into a round face.

"The Emperor has requested that he meet you personally so as to honor your actions."

Selim blinked again, face going pale. "He what?" He'd never dreamed of meeting The Emperor before.

"On the Emperor's request, we have prepared everything you would need to clean and clothe yourself so you can present yourself to him properly at your earliest convenience."

"Clean and clothe…" Selim repeated dumbly. It took a moment for the man's words to sink in. Then he hesitantly glanced back over his shoulder at the room.

"I am here to assist in any way I can," Xhou continued.

"W-where's Mandy?" he asked, suddenly wishing for a familiar face.

"Your friend requested to use the…uh, you say tell-phone? She will return shortly."

Communications? Selim cocked his head, troubled. Who did Mandy have to contact? Her father? Then again, it wasn't like her life was any of his business. Maybe she had to meet someone else and had thrown that off to chase after him. That sounded a little more logical. The thought also succeeded in making him feel a bit guilty.

"If you would please, we have provided a bath for you," the man urged.

"Oh, right. I saw," Selim muttered and stepped aside, gesturing for the man to come in. "Uh, how long have I been asleep?"

Correctly interoperating his gesture, Xhou walked inside and slid the door shut before turning to Selim and bowing again. "I believe two days, sir."

"Really?" he asked, more than a little surprised. That seemed to happen a lot lately. "No wonder I'm so hungry."

"I will have something brought to you immediately," Xhou replied. "You may eat before you see his Excellency, the Emperor."

"Oh," Selim managed to reply, annoyed at how this man seemed to be able to keep him so off balance. "Thank you."

"Meanwhile, please make use of the bath. It has been scented and oiled. To wash your hair, you may make use of the basin near the tub."

"Right," Selim responded, hating how childish he sounded.

With that, the servant turned and left Selim alone. Untying the sash around his waist, the teenager decided to get into (and hopefully out of) the bath now, before Xhou returned with his dinner. Honor or not, he didn't want anyone—even a servant—around while he bathed.

xXx

Selim had to say he felt extremely content at the moment. Xhou had brought trays upon trays of food for Selim to choose from and then proceeded to watch in amazement as Selim cleaned each of the trays off. No normal person could have ever kept up with it, but then again, Selim's appetite had never been exactly normal. After five trays and about fifty different dishes, Selim finally informed him that he was sufficiently full. He'd like to say he'd stuffed himself silly, but he'd never been able to say that, and now was no exception. Still, it felt good to have food inside of him again.

So he was walking behind Xhou as the servant lead him to meet with the Emperor, trying not to trip over the expensive Xingese robes he wore, or dislodge the hat the servant had insisted Selim would need to keep himself presentable. Unfortunately, it sat atop of Selim's head and did nothing to hide his scar. Still, he really couldn't bring himself to be too disgruntled with the excellent treatment.

He finally felt like himself again, not the half-dead corpse who could relate more to a zombie than a living being that he'd been when he'd awoken earlier.

Now he glanced around at the décor, noting the old looking, well-kept carvings and lush decorations that resembled those he'd seen in his room. They had passed many people on their way to greet the emperor, and many of them had bowed to him in thanks. Selim would have reveled in the swell of pride he had if he hadn't known that the whole ordeal with the train had been his fault to begin with.

Still, they didn't need to know that. Not that he knew how to explain it anyway. Apparently, the man (Lee, who had been Xingese after all) had been the only casualty, and he was predicted to make a full recovery. That was all Xhou would tell him, insisting that the Emperor would tell him everything else.

Finally, they stopped in front of two extremely large doors and Xhou turned to him. "Please follow my instructions carefully, as otherwise you may embarrass and offend the Emperor. When we enter, bow. Keep your head down and do not look up until he says to." Selim raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. He was grateful the hat had a strap tied under his chin. Xhou didn't have one on his, but somehow managed to keep it from falling off. Selim suspected pins of some sort and found himself even more grateful for the strap. He didn't fancy the idea of pins in his hair. It reminded him of his mother.

"When we approach the Emperor, kneel, and keep your hands in sight and in front of you. This will show your respect to him. Do not speak unless spoke to, and please try to refrain from making any rude gestures or noises."

Selim's eyes widened. "Do you get that often?"

The man shook his head. "Once is too often. That particular incident almost resulted in a war."

Suddenly Selim felt butterflies begin to stir in his stomach. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

"If you do not offend him, you will bring great honor upon your family and possibly a reward."

"What kind of reward?" Selim asked, taken aback. He hadn't done anything for a reward.

"It depends on the Emperor's mood."

Oh yes, he thought to himself. How utterly reassuring.

"Now the Emperor is very busy. This will be only a short meeting. Once he dismisses you, back away. Do not turn your back to him. Do you understand?"

Selim nodded and gulped. "Yes."

"Excellent. Now wait here while I announce you." He knocked on the door and slipped through the crack that opened afterwards, leaving a rather uncomfortable teenager in his wake. It probably only took minutes but it felt much longer to Selim.

Finally, Xhou backed out of the room (looking rather foolish in Selim's opinion) and turned to him. "Follow me, please."

Selim took a deep breath and did as he was told, bowing and keeping his head to the ground. Ahead, he saw the bottom of Xhou's robes, and followed him into what had to be the largest room Selim had ever seen…and he couldn't even look up. He turned his head from side to side, awestruck at the sheer enormity of the place.

They walked on for several seconds until Xhou stopped and stepped to the side and then knelt down. Selim followed suit, putting his hands on the ground in front of him as Xhou had. He could see the bottom of a set of stairs in front of him, but that was all he could see without looking up.

Xhou said something loudly in Xingese, although Selim did hear his name. Apparently he'd just been announced again.

"Xhou, you may leave," a tenor voice from somewhere above and ahead of Selim. It took every ounce of will to not look up. Beside him, he saw Xhou gain his feet and begin to shuffle backwards. "All servants present will leave as well," the voice said, raising his otherwise monotone voice so it echoed throughout the room.

Then, apparently, he turned his attention back to Selim. "I will speak in your native tongue so you may understand, Selim Baker, honored guest of the Yao family."

Selim opened his mouth to say thank you, but caught himself just in time. After a few seconds, the Emperor spoke again. "You may speak."

Relieved, Selim smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty," he said. "It is an honor to be here."

"It is an honor to have you, distinguished guest."

Behind him, a loud slamming of the doors signaled the servant's leaving, and Selim felt his worry shoot up a notch. Being left alone with a very powerful, influential man did not strike him as something he'd particularly like.

"Phew! All these rules. I'll never get used to 'em." Selim blinked. The voice had gone from serious and monotone to carefree and almost whiny in a heartbeat. "Alright, get up and let me have a look atcha!"

"Um, excuse me?" Selim asked, wondering if this were some kind of prank. He was surprised the Emperor was that fluent in English, let alone that his personality had suddenly changed so drastically. Somehow he felt like he shouldn't be surprised about that aspect of this person but couldn't place why. He'd always seemed so serious in the pictures of him Selim had seen in school.

"Eh, all of the decorum is just to keep face," the voice replied easily. "Let me tell you a secret: most leaders are like that. At least all the stuffed shirts I've met. It's all about protocol and rules. Drives me nuts! I don't often get to 'mingle with the commoners', although I much prefer their company most of the time." He chuckled at his comment.

"I-I don't understand," Selim said, still keeping his eyes to the ground. He could practically feel the man grinning down at him.

"Well I want to take a look at the guy who saved my subject's life! He's extremely grateful, by the way. So is his family. You risked your life to save someone under my rule. To show appreciation, I'm gonna reward you."

For a moment, Selim could only blink in confused shock. Had the Emperor of Xing just said 'gonna'? Then he frowned and spoke again, still without raising his head. "With all due respect, sir," he said, "I didn't rescue that man to obtain a reward."

For a moment the other man remained silent. Then he burst out laughing. Surprised, Selim looked up for the first time.

Emperor Ling Yao seemed far more familiar than Selim would have thought he would. He was a man in his early 40's if Selim recalled correctly, and like Xhou, he had typical Asian features; slanted eyes, dark hair and pale skin. However, nothing about this man seemed normal. Firstly, he seemed to possess a natural charisma and charm that had nothing to do with his royal blood. Secondly, he did not look to be a day older than 25, and his posture screamed an ease with his body that Selim hadn't seen in most military fighters. This man was no pushover.

Still, something about him both set Selim's nerves on edge, and calmed them at the same time. He reminded Selim of Johan for a moment; someone born to high status who did their best to not have a care in the world while still looking after those around them. It was a paradox Selim had often wondered about in his best friend, and the reminder had him smiling.

Perhaps that's why he seemed so familiar? Selim could see Johan doing exactly what the Emperor was doing now; sitting on a throne in ceremonial robes and hat that Selim had always seen in the pictures of the Xingese Emperors when studying other countries while one arm clutched his stomach and the other had gone to his forehead while he laughed himself silly.

"Typical Amestrian," the Emperor said finally as he calmed down, eyes scrunched shut while he fought the chuckles. "So proud that they—" he opened his eyes and looked at Selim. Immediately the light atmosphere disappeared as an expression of horrified surprise washed over his pale features.

Then an angry realization replaced the surprise as the Emperor stood and pointed accusingly down at Selim, and he knew he'd done something horribly wrong.

"You!" The Emperor yelled out.

Selim's eyes went wide and his breath caught in his throat. He felt like a trapped animal, despite being in the absurdly open room. With the absolute anger (and was that fear?) in the emperor's eyes, Selim suddenly found himself just hoping he could make it through the meeting alive.

Then the Emperor yelled out in Xingese and suddenly two people were at Selim's side, hauling him to his feet as quickly as he could blink. How did they get there? Where had they been before? He hadn't seen them at all! Of course, this all only added to the panic and confusion already present in his mind.

"Imprison him!"

"Wait! What did I do?" Selim asked, struggling against the strong grips of the guards. Normally he could break a person's hold easily, but these guys seemed to have a special grip that he just couldn't seem to slip out of.

"Don't act innocent with me!" The Emperor thundered.

"I'm sorry!" Selim blurted out. "I didn't mean it, whatever it was! I apologize!" At that, Ling Yao practically froze, staring as Selim with a look of incomprehension. They stared at each other for several seconds (although it seemed like forever to Selim) and he found himself willing to hope that a simple apology would do.

Then the Emperor shook his head, and said something else in Xingese. The next moment, Selim was dragged out the door, crushed hope falling into a numbness covered by a confused haze.

They passed Xhou on the way. Much to Selim's annoyance, the man only shook his head in disappointment and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'I warned you'.

Thanks again to my beta reader, who has asked that I call him Gamoden. :)