Night 6- The Sorcerer of Creation
Magi © Shinobu Ohtaka
Shahra © Me
Aladdin, Alibaba, Shahra, and Morgiana stood in awe at the large city below them. It was completely empty. No bustling people, no animals walking around…just stone effigies and the sound of the wind.
"What is this place?" asked Alibaba.
"…The stench of death is everywhere in here," Morgiana noted.
Even Shahra recoiled a bit at the smell in the air.
"It may not be the treasure room," said Alibaba, "but…an ancient city! This is amazing!"
A pause. Alibaba could feel his heart racing and his blood rushing through his veins.
"…Well, what are we waiting for?" he asked. "Come on, you guys! Let's go look around! I'm sure the goal has to be around here somewhere!"
"Maybe we should start at the tower first," Aladdin said, pointing to the huge tower up ahead, surrounded by giant tree roots.
"Right!" Alibaba agreed.
As the boys and Shahra went on, Morgiana looked back to the door they had come through with an almost worried expression.
'I wonder…what happened to Jamil?'
XXX
"YOU IDIOT!"
BAP! Jamil kicked Goltas in the side, causing him to fall to his knees.
"Can't you do ANYTHING right?!" Jamil questioned. "You nearly had me EATEN back there by those hideous blobs! First Morgiana escapes with those two brats, and now this?! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW INCOMPETENT YOU ARE!"
Goltas groaned in pain as Jamil kept kicking him while nearby, the Slimes, back in their ant forms, stood in the shadows, glaring at him.
"I don't understand it," the lord growled. "I just don't understand it! The truth was in the dragon's tail, isn't it?! ISN'T THAT WHAT THE INSCRIPTION SAID?!"
He then gasped as realization struck.
"That…that boy…!" he whispered. "He tricked me!"
He then seethed angrily before he went back to kicking Goltas again.
"DAMMIT, DAMMIT, DAMMIT!" he shouted as he stopped kicking and started to stab him with his sword again. "You idiot…you damned, incompetent idiot! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!"
"You idiot…you idiot…! It's all your fault!"
Jamil turned…and saw the horde of Slimes, again, only this time…they had taken on his appearance, only they looked more grotesque and misshapen.
"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHH!" Jamil screamed as he pointed his sword at them. "S-S-STAY AWAY FROM ME!"
XXX
Back with Aladdin's group, they are exploring the vast empty city as they made their way to the tower in the center.
"This place is amazing!" Alibaba exclaimed. "I mean, the air does stink a little, but the view's magnificent!"
"But how come there's no one here?" Morgiana asked.
"Hey," Alibaba said. "Since we found this place, we could name it 'Alibaba-Aladdin-Morgiana Park'!"
Shahra growled at Alibaba, who tensed a bit.
"Okay, sorry," he apologized. "'Alibaba-Aladdin-Morgiana-Shahra Park'. Happy?"
Shahra pointed her nose up to the air and closed her eyes as she padded by, standing beside Aladdin, who smiled as he petted her neck.
"By the way, Aladdin," Alibaba said. "We are gonna get my flute back, right? Because…it's really important to me. Ugo's in there and my Mother gave it to me, so-"
"I promise we'll get your flute back from Jamil," Alibaba said. "Don't you worry about that."
Hearing that caused Aladdin to smile.
"Anyway, the treasure room should be around here somewhere," Alibaba spoke. "The Djinn Metal Vessel will probably do something! There will be a Djinn inside, like Ugo!"
"Mm!" Aladdin nodded. "Sounds good!"
Morgiana just remained silent as she followed them.
"Why so quiet, Morgiana?" asked Alibaba.
"…This place makes me feel uneasy, that's all," Morgiana said.
Alibaba shuddered as he rubbed his arms.
"You got that right," he said. "This place gives me the heebie-jeebies. I mean…what kind of city is this, anyway?"
"…A necropolis."
Alibaba, Morgiana, and Shahra looked at Aladdin, whose eyes were concealed by his hair.
"A…what?" a bemused Alibaba asked.
"My Mother and Ugo once told me about it," Aladdin answered. "Outside the Room of Fortitude…there's this vast city of the dead…the necropolis, they called it. Maybe…this is what they were talking about."
"The Room of Fortitude?" Morgiana repeated, confused.
"Wait a minute," Alibaba said. "You mean that giant of yours can talk?"
"Mm-hmm!" Aladdin nodded. "Mother gave him to me for my 7th birthday! Right now, only his body can leave the flute, but he really does have a face, and it's a pretty handsome one at that!"
"I see," Alibaba smiled. "You must be really proud of Ugo."
"Of course I am!" Aladdin said. "He's the first friend I've ever had!"
"…Aladdin," Alibaba stated, "when we leave the dungeon, I want you to introduce me to Ugo, properly, and tell me a little more about yourself, too, while you're at it!"
"Okay!" Aladdin answered. "I will!"
Behind them, Morgiana gave a small smile as she watched, and even Shahra seemed to smile herself.
Before long, the quartet made it to the tower and stood before the same door as before.
"You know what to do, Aladdin," Alibaba suggested.
"Right!" Aladdin agreed before he and Alibaba placed their right palms on the door.
"Open sesame!"
The eight-point star glowed, and soon after, the door opened up, creating a large gust of wind. The four shielded themselves from the large clouds of dust that had formed before they made their way inside, and as the dust cleared…they soon found themselves in a large room, filled with even more dust and stone ornaments, and in the middle was an urn with the same eight-pointed star as the door and Aladdin's flute.
"Is this it?" Morgiana asked, looking.
"This can't be right," Alibaba said as he looked around. "This looks like a giant storage closet."
"Wouldn't hurt to look around," Aladdin suggested.
As they looked around, they picked up the many items that had been found within, but no sign of gold, silver, or any kind of jewelry was to be seen.
"Find anything?" Alibaba asked.
"Not yet," Morgiana answered.
"What about you Aladdin?" Alibaba called.
"Nope," Aladdin answered as he held up a rusty oil lamp. "Everything looks old and rusty."
Shahra sneezed from the dust, causing her to drop a stone urn.
"I guess we ended up in the wrong place, after all," Alibaba mused before he stood up and prepared to head out. "Come on. Let's go outside. There's still plenty of buildings that haven't been checked."
"Okay," Aladdin said, but as they all turned to leave…they gasped in horror upon seeing Goltas, towering over them…covered in blood from head to toe.
"YIKES!" Alibaba cried.
"It's the big scary man!" Aladdin added.
"Goltas?!" Morgiana questioned in shock. "What happened to you?!"
Alibaba looked Goltas over…and saw the numerous burns, scars, and stab wounds that his body had been riddled with.
'What in Solomon's name?!' Alibaba thought. 'Where'd he get all these wounds from?! He shouldn't even be standing!'
Shahra growled before she lunged at Goltas, biting his shoulder. However, Goltas grabbed her by her muzzle and wrenched her mouth off before he threw her aside, causing her to crash into a stone column.
"Shahra!" Aladdin cried.
"Aladdin, look out!" Alibaba shouted, but as the boy turned around, he was suddenly struck in the belly by the hilt of Goltas' sword, causing him to go flying towards a wall. "ALADDIN!"
"Damn you…"
Alibaba and Morgiana turned to see Jamil walk in behind Goltas. However, his head hung low, causing his disheveled hair to hide his eyes, and he was shaking like a leaf.
"You again!" Alibaba shouted as he drew his knife while Morgiana backed away, completely terrified.
"You damned lowly peasant…!" Jamil hissed. "Just who the hell do you're talking to?!"
"In a dungeon," Alibaba began, "it makes no difference whether you're a lord or a commoner, you damned thief! First off, gimme Aladdin's flute, and then we'll talk!"
"…Commoner…piece of trash…!" Jamil mumbled. "You dare talk to me in such a manner?! You…you're weak…vulgar…and useless! A piece of trash that's unworthy of living!"
'What's wrong with him?' Alibaba thought. 'He's acting strange…wait, where's Aladdin?'
Morgiana ran over to Aladdin and gently picked him up.
"Aladdin?" she called. "Are you all right?"
The blue-haired boy didn't answer her.
'It's faint, but I can hear him breathing,' Morgiana thought. 'Still, Goltas hit him in the stomach pretty hard.'
"…Get the boy, Goltas," Jamil ordered, and the bloodied masked man grunted as he hobbled towards Aladdin.
"Hey, wait a second!" Alibaba shouted, but then, Jamil stabbed his sword into the floor just before his feet, stopping him in his tracks.
"You wait!" Jamil barked. "I haven't carried out your punishment, yet…"
"Punishment?" Alibaba asked. "What the hell are you talking about?!"
"Don't you play dumb with me!" Jamil shouted, sweating profusely and eyes as wide as saucers. "What the hell is with those monsters, dammit?! What did I do to merit such suffering! It's your fault! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, DAMMIT!"
Alibaba gasped in surprise before an annoyed expression appeared on his face.
'So that's it,' he thought. 'He had the living crap scared out of him.'
"Hey, listen," Alibaba spoke. "Why the hell are you whining? This is a dungeon, dammit! Your rank, your honor, your lineage…none of it matters here! Whether you're a lord or not…a dungeon is where you put your life on the line, no questions asked! So if you're just gonna complain about monsters attacking you…then you should've just stayed home, you spoiled brat."
Hearing that caused Jamil's eyes to go wide.
"…That's enough," he hissed. "Shut up! If I have to make you understand, so be it!"
He then began to swing his sword back and forth as he and Alibaba circled each other, the latter pointing his knife at the former with one behind his back.
'You damned fool,' Jamil thought. 'You have absolutely no idea how long I've honed my swordsmanship. Moreover, I'm talking about royal swordplay, normally taught only to the royal family. A little butter knife is no match against my blade! Yes…I am far superior! We are of different breeding! I won't kill him with just one strike. First, I'll torment him thoroughly…then, while he's begging for forgiveness…I'll lop his miserable little head off!'
"So, my boy," Jamil began, "let's start with…YOUR LEGS!"
He then lunged at Alibaba, his sword poised to strike at his ankles.
"Look out!" Morgiana shouted as she held the unconscious Aladdin in her arms, but then, Alibaba took a simple step back, avoiding the blade entirely.
"W-what the…?!" Morgiana whispered in shock while Goltas watched as well.
"You did well to dodge that, boy!" Jamil praised, mockingly. "But…can you dodge THIS?!"
SWISH! He swung his sword at Alibaba again, but still, the blonde-haired young man dodged him.
"Can't you do better than this, 'milord'?" Alibaba quipped.
Jamil grinded his teeth as he kept swinging his sword, wildly, but he couldn't land so much as a graze on Alibaba, who was practically dancing around the blade with a surprisingly expression on his face.
'I…incredible…!' Morgiana thought as she watched. 'I've never seen anyone dodge Jamil's swordplay like that! Just who is this man?!'
"Why…can't…I…HIT YOU?!" Jamil questioned as he attempted to strike Alibaba in the shoulder, but Alibaba caught the blade with his knife, sliding it along the side of the blade before he pushed it away, pointing his knife at Jamil's side.
"Because," Alibaba began, "you're leaving yourself wide open."
Jamil gasped in horror as an image of Alibaba cutting his arm off appeared in his head, causing him to yelp in fear as he staggered backwards, and as he did, Alibaba swung his knife at various body parts, coming very close to cutting each one.
"And don't forget your neck!" Alibaba shouted as he kept stabbing at Jamil, yet also avoiding to do so. "Or your elbows! Or even your shoulders! Didn't your instructor teach you any of that stuff?!"
Jamil gasped as Alibaba pointed his knife at his chin.
"…I give you an F…you spoiled brat," Alibaba said with a smirk while Morgiana's jaw dropped in awe.
'Who…who is this guy?!' Jamil thought. 'He pointed out all the things my swordplay instructor did! You couldn't do that just by dabbling in swordplay…no…this is bona fide…royal swordplay…!'
"W-who in the hell are you?!" he questioned. "Why in the hell are you able to read Tran?! JUST WHO ARE YOU?!"
A pause…but then Alibaba held his knife against his chest.
"…I thought I had forgotten about the past," he began, "and yet…my body still remembers."
"…G…GOLTAS!" Jamil shouted. "SAVE ME, GOLTAS! I ORDER YOU TO SAVE ME!"
Alibaba gasped before he turned to face Goltas, who raised his sword again.
"Oh, crap!" Alibaba cursed, preparing to fight back, but then…
"STOP IT!"
WHAM! Morgiana appeared, quick-as-a-flash, and kicked Goltas in the side, sending him flying into the wall.
"M-Morgiana?!" Alibaba questioned.
"Jamil…please return Aladdin's flute," Morgiana said.
"…What did you say, you traitorous little bitch?" Jamil asked with as much venom in his voice as possible. "How dare you, a slave, speak to me in such a manner?! How did you even get those chains off your ankles?!"
"…Remember when I bumped into you?" Morgiana asked, causing Jamil's eyes to go wide.
"…You," he realized. "You stole the key to your shackles!"
"That's right," Morgiana said.
"You damned bitch…!" Jamil cursed, gripping the hilt of his sword. "How dare you defy me?! You think you can get away with escaping from me?!"
Suddenly, Morgiana's face began to break out in a cold sweat, causing Jamil to smirk.
"That's right," Jamil hissed as he began to advance toward Morgiana, who slowly began to back away. "It doesn't matter where you go. You'll always be my slave, Morgiana…and even without those chains on your feet, you can never escape me!"
He then raised his sword, causing Morgiana to stumble back until she fell on her bottom as images of herself at the mere age of five while a younger Jamil, possibly around Aladdin's age at the time, was holding her by her pigtail and stabbing her in the mouth his sword until her gums bled. Yes. It was coming back to her. More than anything, Morgiana wanted nothing more than to escape Jamil…but his ruthless abuse towards her, day after day, had changed her. Like Aladdin had said, the chains on Morgiana's ankles were not the ones that bound her. Rather, it was the memories of Jamil's torture that kept her from running away…and even now, no matter how hard she tried to summon her courage…staring at Jamil, who glowered at her menacingly, caused that fear to keep leaping back into her heart, over and over.
"Now then," Jamil hissed as he raised his sword, "how about I stab you in the mouth? And maybe this time, I'll cut your tongue out…MORGIANA!"
Morgiana let out a terrified shriek as she cowered, but just when Jamil was about to hit her…KLANG! His sword was stopped by the blade of Alibaba's knife.
"…Leave…her…alone," Alibaba hissed as he pushed Jamil away.
"You…!" Jamil hissed. "How dare you get in my way?!"
"Listen here, you damned coward!" Alibaba shouted. "Not only are you a spoiled-rotten brat, but you're also a bully! Outside, you may've been able to do only Solomon-knows-what to Morgiana, but here in a dungeon, those rules don't apply! She's not your slave, anymore. She's a regular human being!"
'…Alibaba…!' Morgiana thought.
"And if you think I'm gonna stand by and watch you torment her again," Alibaba began, "you've got another thing coming! YOU HEAR ME?!"
A pause…but then, to Alibaba and Morgiana's surprise, Jamil began to chuckle, then he began to cackle madly.
"…You fool," the deranged lord muttered. "Those are just a bunch of petty words. 'Not my slave anymore', you say? HA! Don't make me laugh. I'm going to teach you how to properly use a slave."
He then tossed his sword to Morgiana, who surprisingly caught it by the handle despite her terrified state.
"Morgiana…kill this man."
Morgiana gasped upon hearing that order before she looked at Alibaba, who glanced back at her.
"Go on," Jamil said. "Do it…kill him! Kill him, now!"
Morgiana glanced back and forth between Alibaba and Jamil, her heart beating a million times a minute.
"I said…do it…!" Jami hissed. "Kill him! KILL HIM NOW!"
Morgiana stared at Jamil, then at Alibaba, who blinked at her in concern, and finally back at Jamil again…before a glare appeared in her eyes.
"No…" she said as she threw the sword down.
"What did you just say?!" Jamil questioned.
"I said 'no'!" Morgiana barked. "No! No, no, no, no, NO! NEVER!"
Alibaba's eyes went wide before he smiled broadly while Jamil's jaw dropped.
"…For ten years now," Morgiana said, "I've let you torment. For ten years now, I've been going to your beck and call! Well, no more! Alibaba was right…here…I am not your slave! I am Morgiana, a Fanalis, and as of today, I am free from your torment!"
Another pause…but then Jamil roared as he grabbed his sword and kicked Alibaba in the side, causing him to fall down.
"You…you did this!" Jamil shouted as he raised his sword. "You turned one of my best slaves against me with your poisonous words! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"
"ALIBABA!" Morgiana cried as Jamil prepared to stab him, but then, all of a sudden, there was a huge flash of light…and when it disappeared, Jamil's blade had somehow broken in half, and not long after, the rukh fluttered by him.
"W…what the…?!" Jamil questioned before he looked up and saw…Aladdin, holding a stone staff of some sort as he walked, the rukh flitting about him as he did. Behind him, Shahra padded along, although she limped a little bit due to Goltas throwing her into the column, earlier.
"A-Aladdin?" Alibaba asked in surprise.
"He's awake," Morgiana muttered.
"Did…did you…just break my sword?" Jamil asked, but Aladdin didn't answer him. The boy just walked over to Alibaba and knelt beside him.
"Alibaba, are you all right?" asked Aladdin.
"Y-yeah, I think so," Alibaba replied as he sat up, holding his side.
"What about you, Miss Morgiana?" Aladdin asked.
"I-I'm fine," Morgiana answered.
Aladdin then turned to look at Jamil, who glared at him.
"So you're awake again, eh, Magi?" Jamil asked.
"Mister," Aladdin began, "chaining me up like that and taking away my flute wasn't very nice. Now please give it back. My Mother gave me that flute, so it's very important to me."
"Sorry about that," Jamil apologized, "but I'm afraid I can't give it back now. You've taken sides with that commoner. However, I'm willing to give it back if you lead me to the treasure."
'Taken sides…?' Alibaba thought.
"Give me back my flute, please," Aladdin said, again.
"If you want it back so badly," Jamil smirked, "then why don't just take it from me? If you really are powerless without that little instrument, then you're just as useless as Morgiana, Goltas, and that commoner!"
Aladdin glared as he held up the stone staff in his hands while Shahra growled at Jamil.
"I said 'give it back'," Aladdin said.
'What's he gonna do with that?' Alibaba thought. 'That's just a stone staff that was lying around…!'
Aladdin took in a deep breath, and as he did, the rukh began to swirl around him as the staff and Aladdin began to glow a bright light.
'Those birds again!' Alibaba thought.
"What is he…?" Morgiana muttered.
Jamil's jaw dropped and his eyes went wide as he watched Aladdin, who continued to summon the rukh around him.
'Could it be…?!' he thought.
Flashback
Ten years ago, a mysterious figure approached a young Jamil, who smiled at him with bright, innocent, lavender eyes as he wrote on some paper.
"All right, boy?" the figure asked him. "There are two kinds of people in this world: those who use, and those who are used, and you, Master Jamil, are one who uses. You, my boy, have the characteristics of a king."
Jamil gasped as his smile went wider.
"Now then," the figure said, "let us begin the lessons."
XXX
Inside a cell, Jamil is seen whipping some slaves, who screamed bloody murder as he continued.
"Like…this?" Jamil asked as he looked up at his teacher, who nodded.
"That's right," he said. "Just like that."
Jamil turned to the quivering slaves.
"…This…feels a bit wrong," he said, looking a bit uneasy.
"At first, it seems that way," his teacher said, "but just keep doing it. Mercy is useless, Jamil. Slaves are things. They are a king's strength!"
"They are?"
"That's right…so you must punish and discipline. Remind them where there place is."
A pause…but then Jamil grunted as he kept whipping the slaves. As he did…a smile appeared on his face.
"That's right, Jamil," his teacher praised. "That's how you do it. Your parents are dead, but they had to do. A king does not need anyone standing above him."
As his teacher kept speaking…Jamil's smile grew wider, and those innocent eyes turned steely and dark.
That's right. It was that man who made Jamil who he is now.
Then one day, his teacher left.
"I've taught you everything you needed to know, boy," he told Jamil. "However, listen well to my words. One day, dungeons will begin to appear around the world, and in ten years time…a certain boy will appear before you, and that boy…will make you a king."
Jamil gasped at the revelation.
Flashback
'It's just as my teacher told me,' Jamil thought as he watched Aladdin gather the rukh toward his staff. 'He is the one! The one who guides kings! The great Sorcerer of Creation…MAGI!'
At that moment, Goltas stood up, glowering at Aladdin, who glared back at him while Alibaba, Morgiana, and Shahra stared in complete shock and awe.
'W-what's happening!?' Alibaba thought. 'All those little bits of light are gathering at the tip of Aladdin's staff! What is he?!'
"Splendid!" Jamil exclaimed. "It truly is you! The power to make me king that my teacher foretold!"
Goltas panted heavily as he held his sword.
"Goltas," Jamil said. "Good…make him pay for this! As my slave, you are my greatest strength!"
"How is he even standing with all those wounds?!" Alibaba questioned.
"Goltas has been always been a resilient man," Morgiana said. "I've known that since the day I met him. This is the main reason why Jamil always has him around…aside from me, he is one of the strongest slaves at Jamil's disposal!"
Jamil laughed as he held Aladdin's flute.
"This is all your fault, Magi," he said. "You didn't recognize me, first, so now you and your foolish friends will perish! Goltas…KILL THEM ALL!"
Goltas then charged at Aladdin, who stood there, still holding his staff.
"Aladdin! What are you doing?!" Alibaba questioned. "Don't just stand there! Run!"
"He's coming!" Morgiana shouted.
Shahra looked back and forth between Aladdin and Goltas worriedly. Just when the latter was about to strike…Aladdin threw a gigantic ball of light at him from his staff, blinding everyone for a moment. As the light cleared…Goltas seemed to have vanished, and the only thing in his place was the rukh.
"Did…did he kill him?" Morgiana asked, worriedly.
"No, look!" Alibaba answered as he pointed up to another stone column, where Goltas had been pinned by the same ball of energy that Aladdin had fired him.
"Sorry, Mister," Aladdin spoke as he went over to Jamil. "Just stay there for a bit."
He then approached Jamil, who fell down on his posterior in shock.
"Now can I have my flute back, please?" Aladdin asked, and Jamil, with shaking hands, handed the boy his flute back. "Thank you. Are you okay, Ugo?"
His flute hummed in reply, and Aladdin smiled.
"I missed you, too," he said before he headed back over to Alibaba.
"H-hold it!" Jamil called, causing the blue-haired child to stop in his tracks. "Y-you…you're going to make me king, aren't you? I've been waiting so long for this day to come…the day that you'd appear and choose me! I've worked hard as lord of this city…in place of my incompetent father. I used people, issued decrees, expanded trade, and made Qishan prosperous! I'm great, aren't I?! I'm exceptional…commendable! I'm a very competent man…SO YOU HAVE TO MAKE ME A KING, O MAGI!"
"…You? King?" Aladdin asked, his back facing Jamil. "I don't really know what you mean…but in my eyes, Mister Jamil…"
He turned to him with a cold glare in his eyes.
"I can't think of anyone less deserving of that title than you."
Jamil's jaw dropped and his head fell, a despondent look upon his face as he sat there on his knees while Alibaba and Morgiana smiled and laughed at his expense. Even Shahra had snickered at Jamil. Meanwhile, Aladdin, whose features had returned to that usual innocent expression, approached the three, with Shahra going up to nuzzle and lick him, causing him to go into a fit of giggles.
"Yeah, yeah, Shahra, I know," Aladdin reassured, patting her lightly on the nose. "I'm happy you're all right, too!"
"Aladdin, that was amazing!" Alibaba exclaimed. "Was that magic?! Just what are you?!"
"What am I?" Aladdin asked. "What are you talking, Alibaba? I'm just your friend, that's all!"
Hearing this caused Alibaba to smile, and even Morgiana smiled a bit.
"Now then," Aladdin began, "let's continue our adventure and head for the treasure room!"
"Right! You got it!" Alibaba exclaimed as he and Aladdin shook hands, but just then, the eight-pointed on Aladdin's flute started to glow.
"Huh?" he muttered before a small beam of light shot off from the flute and hit the stone urn in the middle of the room.
"…That urn has the same eight-point star as your flute," a bemused Alibaba noted.
"…I wonder," Aladdin said as he went up to the urn and reached his hand toward it.
"H-hey!" Alibaba said. "You really think that's such a good idea?"
Aladdin lightly tapped the star on the urn, and all of a sudden, a bright light burst forth, nearly sending Alibaba and Aladdin flying. Not just that, but the urn itself and all the stone objects in the room…had all turned to solid gold!
"Great spirit of Solomon…!" Alibaba whispered in shock and surprise.
"I-it's not over yet!" Aladdin shouted. "Something else is coming!"
Not long after, the light flew out of the tower, causing it to explode…and as everyone in that room…they saw a huge, blue-skinned giant. He was bald-headed, had a long beard, and he wore a white clothe around his back and arms. His upper torso seemed muscular, but his stomach was rather large, almost disproportionate to the rest of him. He had long fingernails, almost like claws, and in the middle of his forehead was a third eye.
"Who is the one who would be king?" the giant asked as he looked down at the group.
A pause…but then, Jamil's white robes suddenly became dark…right at the spot between his legs.
"AAAAAAAAAAGGH!" Jamil screamed as he backed away. "W-w-what the…?!"
"No…not you," the giant said. "Your heart is tainted with darkness and cruelty. To put it simply, you are a sham made by another."
Unable to handle any more of the shock, Jamil just outright fainted, right then and there.
"Hmm…the girl?" the giant inquired. "Mmm…not quite. She is a small vessel…but she has a strong will to live."
Finally, he spotted Aladdin and Alibaba, who blinked at him.
"Well, what's this?" the giant asked before he chuckled and gave a nod.
"W-what the-?!" Alibaba questioned. "What are you laughing about?! What the hell is up with you?!"
"Stop that babbling!" the giant cried. "I can't understand what you're saying!"
He then shrunk down to a point where he was about as big as the room, possible about Ugo's size.
"Well, well," he said as he floated towards Aladdin and bowed his head, "greetings, young Magi."
"Huh?" Aladdin muttered while Shahra padded up beside him. "You mean me?"
'He bowed his head?' Alibaba thought as he looked at Aladdin. 'Aladdin…just who are you?!'
Just then, Ugo came out of the flute, kneeling before the bearded giant.
"Oh, my!" he exclaimed. "You are…!"
Ugo raised his hands up and began to make odd gestures with his hands. The giant hummed and nodded his head, brushing his fingernails along his beard as he did.
"I wonder what they're saying," Aladdin said.
"They can understand each other?" asked Alibaba.
"…Ah, yes," the giant said. "I think I've gotten the gist of it."
He then turned to Aladdin and Alibaba.
"My name is Amon," he said. "I am fire-wielding Djinn of the dungeon, created from decorum and austerity. As the master of this dungeon, I hereby acknowledge that you've cleared it."
Both Aladdin and Alibaba gasped upon hearing that.
"C-cleared, you say?!" Alibaba asked before he ran to all the treasure in the room. "WHOO-HOOOOOOOO!"
"Hello, Mister Amon," Aladdin greeted. "My name is Aladdin! It's very nice to meet you, sir!"
"And you, as well, child," Amon replied. "However, I am already aware of exactly who you are, Magi."
"Um…forgive me for asking," Aladdin began, "but what exactly is a Magi?"
Amon then looked to Ugo, who gestured to Aladdin, as if to say "Please, do explain to the boy."
"Well," Amon began, "a Magi is…one who chooses kings."
"Chooses kings?" Aladdin repeated.
"That's right," Amon nodded. "In any age, a sorcerer chooses a king, who is necessary to properly unite the people. There is always one who should be kind, and ours sent a wise man to find the one who would identify him and guide him. O reincarnation of our beloved Solomon. That is who you are, Magi."
Aladdin looked to Ugo, who crossed his arms and turned to face him.
"Hey, Amon!" Alibaba called. "Since we cleared this dungeon, that means we can take as much treasure as we want, right?!"
"Do as you wish," Amon answered.
"YEAH~!" Alibaba cheered as he went to gather more of the treasure in the room.
"Ugh…why did you have to go and choose a little brat like that one?" the elderly-looking Djinn asked.
"What do you mean?" Aladdin asked. "Never mind that. What did you mean by 'reincarnation'? I just don't get it. Just who…or what am I, anyway? My Mother told me I'd find the answer if I went out into the world…but now I'm even more confused."
"…About that," Amon started, but then, the room began to shake.
"Whoa!" Alibaba cried. "What the hell was that?!"
XXX
Outside in the sky, someone is seen making strange hand gestures as a black, eight-pointed star appeared over the dungeon.
XXX
"It seems someone is endeavoring to seal the way out," Amon pointed out.
"The way out?!" Aladdin repeated.
"Oh, man, that's not good!" Alibaba cried, sitting amongst bags of treasure.
"We have to get out of here!" Morgiana shouted.
"Quick, guys!" Alibaba exclaimed. "Help me carry the treasure! Ugo and Shahra can help!"
"Uh…okay!" Aladdin answered.
"You have more pressing matters than that," Amon said. "If nothing is done soon, none of you will be able to make it back."
"EEEEEEEHHHH?!" Alibaba questioned. "W-WE DON'T WANT THAT! GET US OUTTA HERE!"
"Stop your whining!" Amon ordered as he waved his fingers, creating another eight-pointed star on the floor, from which emerged a shaft of light that hit the ceiling. "Those of you who wish to return, step inside this! Only death awaits those who remain behind!"
"Look!" Alibaba exclaimed as he, Aladdin, and Shahra ran to the portal with their riches. "The ceiling…it's like the dungeon's entrance!"
"Yeah, you're right!" Aladdin said while Shahra sat beside him and Ugo shrank inside his flute.
As they headed to the portal, Aladdin looked back and saw Morgiana, just standing there.
"Miss Morgiana!" he called. "Come on! Hurry!"
"Morgiana, come on!" Alibaba shouted. "If you stay here, you'll die!"
Morgiana seemed hesitant…but then she looked back at Jamil, who just sat there in a puddle of his own urine. She chewed her lip…before she slowly began to walk toward him.
"What are you doing?!" Alibaba questioned. "Why are you worried about a guy like him?! He treated you like dirt, remember?!"
"Miss Morgiana!" Aladdin cried.
Morgiana glanced back and forth between Jamil and the portal before she grasped her head.
'Why?' she thought. 'I don't understand! Why do I feel like I'm still bound to him?! I stood up for myself…I announced my freedom…so why?!'
Just then, she felt a hand grab her by her shoulder. She turned and saw Goltas, who had been freed from Aladdin's previous attack.
"G-Goltas…?!" Morgiana asked in surprise.
"…Go with them, Morgiana," Goltas spoke, causing her to gasp.
"Y-you can talk?!" she asked.
"A man like him…cannot be allowed to leave this place."
He went over and hoisted Jamil over his shoulder.
"Morgiana," he said. "You and I are from the north and the south…but we descendants of minority tribes. However…unlike you, I have forgotten the pride of my clan. I've made myself a slave to this fool and killed innocent people on his orders. Even if I went home now…I couldn't bear to show my face before my brethren. But you…you're different, Morgiana. Even after all the times Jamil had tormented you, you still kept your pride…and finally, you found the courage to get away from. Go home to your country, Morgiana…that is…my solemn, final wish!"
Morgiana stared at Goltas in surprise…but then she had a look of determination as she nodded her head.
"I will!" she exclaimed.
"Hurry, Morgiana!" Alibaba called as the portal began to rise. "Hurry!"
Morgiana panted as she made a mad dash for the portal while Goltas remained behind, carrying Jamil away…his sword stabbed into the floor.
"Goltas Dorjis…such a good lad," praised a crazed Jamil. "I'm going to give you as much corn as you want…oh, wait! Where's Morgiana?"
Morgiana watched as the dungeon began to collapse…and soon after, Goltas disappeared as a piece of rubble fell.
'…Goodbye, Goltas,' she thought, 'and thank you.'
"Off you go now!" Amon exclaimed. "This is the last of the magoi that my beloved King Solomon entrusted to me!"
As he said this, the portal began to rise higher and faster while Amon himself began to shrink. Then, he darted towards Alibaba's knife…where an eight-pointed star appeared on the sheathe.
XXX
Meanwhile, it is midday in the city of Qishan. The people are going about their usual routine, when suddenly, they felt the ground shake and rumble. They all turned…and saw the dungeon beginning to collapse.
"WHOOOAAAAAHH! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"
"THE DUNGEON'S COLLAPSING!"
"QUICK, EVERYBODY MAKE A RUN FOR IT!"
As the townspeople scurried to get as far away from the sinking as possible…they didn't notice two mysterious figures, sitting upon a magic carpet in the sky. One of them was a cloaked man, his face concealed by a veil. The other was a young man, possibly about Alibaba's age, with a slender muscular build and average height. He has long, black hair that reached down to his ankles, tied up in a thick, braided ponytail and red ringed eyes. He also wore purple eye shadow and around his neck is a white chunnari, along with a short-sleeved, black choli which revealed his toned midriff. He also has on a pair of black, baggy pants, similar to Aladdin's, and he wore golden bangles that extended from his wrists to his elbows, and more bangles around his neck with a ruby in the middle.
"Are you sure about this, Magi?" asked the cloaked man.
"Yeah, I'm sure," the black-haired teen said. "It would be a pain in the ass if someone captured it. That stupid lord you roped in is dead. Might as well head home."
With that, they flew off into the sky.
On that day, Dungeon No. 7, Amon, which had been active for ten years and one month, had been conquered by Alibaba Saluja.
Until Next Night…
This might not have been my best, either, mostly because I changed up the fight in this.
Still, review, please!