Night 9- Hakuei's Devotion

Magi © Shinobu Ohtaka

Shahra © Me

Aladdin sat in front of Hakuei at her small table, the latter pouring him a cup of tea.

"There you are," she said.

"Thanks!" Aladdin said as he blew on his tea and began to drink it.

"So, Aladdin," Hakuei began, "you're not really from the Kouga Village, are you?"

"No," Aladdin answered. "I'm actually from a small town called Utan."

"I see," Hakuei said. "That's a rather mysterious cloth, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's my Magic Turban!" Aladdin said, putting his hands to his head. "If I use the power in my stomach, I can make it fly! It's kinda slow, though."

"…That's a Magic Tool, isn't it?" asked Hakuei.

"A Magic Tool?" repeated Aladdin.

"Magic Tools, like the one you have there, exist in my home country as well," Hakuei told him. "Strange objects invested with vast power for crossing the sky or piercing the earth, and to get one…you had to have a captured a dungeon. Is that how you got yours?"

"No," Aladdin answered. "I've had my Magic Turban since I was a baby!"

"A baby?" Hakuei repeated, surprised.

"Before, my Mother used to use it as a blanket until I was old enough to wear it on my head," said Aladdin. "She found it in a place called the Room of Fortitude."

"The Room of Fortitude?" Hakuei repeated. "That's not a dungeon I've ever heard of."

"I don't think it is a dungeon," Aladdin said, "but that's beside the point. You're an army general, right, Princess?"

"Yes," Hakuei replied.

"So…does that mean you're gonna invade the village?" Aladdin asked, causing Hakuei to gasp silently. "You see…if you invade them, it would make Baba cry. She and everyone else there reminded me what it's like to be in a family, and I love them all so much! So please…don't kill them."

A pause…but then Hakuei put her right fist into her left palm.

"I would never kill them," she assured. "Never, child."

Hearing that caused Aladdin to smile.

"I assure you," Hakuei began, "this isn't a war of aggression. Strange events are occurring around the world, filling it with danger and strife, so someone must address it: a single ruler of righteous strength and heart could unite the world and make it so no one dies!"

As Hakuei spoke…Aladdin saw the rukh, swarming about her with great vigor.

"…I see," the boy smiled. "The rukh flying around you are very determined."

"What?" Hakuei muttered. "What do you mean, 'rukh'?"

"Never mind," Aladdin said. "I'll go tell Baba what you said! Thank you for taking this time to speak with me! I'm sure we'll meet again, soon!"

With that, he pulled off his Magic Turban, jumped on it, and flew off, leaving Hakuei staring after him in wonder.

'Who is that child?' she thought.

XXX

Later, Aladdin is seen riding on Shahra's back, heading back to the Kouga Village. As he did, he looked down at his flute.

"Hey, Ugo?" Aladdin asked. "Can I ask you something?"

The eight-point star glowed for a moment.

"Well, I was wondering," Aladdin started, "you didn't show up when Princess Hakuei appeared earlier, and you didn't show around Alibaba, either…but back in that dungeon, you came out when Mister Amon appeared. So…what were you saying to him?"

For once, there was no reaction, and yet Aladdin still grinned.

"It's okay," the blue-haired ten-year-old reassured. "I understand. Sometimes, there are questions you just can't answer. So…I'll just do what Mother told me. I'll keep traveling the world, and someday, I'll find the answers I'm looking for, and I have a feeling I'll find it in this village!"

As he rode back, Aladdin spotted the rukh, fluttering by.

"Huh?" he muttered before Shahra came to a stop, standing upon a hill overlooking the valley. From there, they could see the Kouga Village…and two carts, riding away from it.

"That's strange," Aladdin muttered. "Why are those carts racing away from the village?"

Shahra growled, causing her hackles to rise.

"…Shahra, I think something bad might've happened!" Aladdin said. "Let's hurry and get to the village!"

Shahra roars before she dashed off.

XXX

As soon as they made it back, the sounds of panicked yells had filled the air.

"So I was right," Aladdin said worriedly as he jumped down from Shahra's back. "Everyone! I'm back!"

"Aladdin! There you are!" Doruji exclaimed.

"What's going on?!" Aladdin questioned.

"Some of the women are gone!" said one of the Kouga men. "My daughter included!"

"Toya's gone, too!" Doruji added.

"How could this have happened?" Baba asked, worriedly.

Aladdin gasped quietly, but then he saw Shahra sniffing something.

"What is it, Shahra?" Aladdin asked as he ran over to her.

It is soon revealed to be cartwheel tracks, as well as footprints, plus one shoe.

"…There was struggle here," Doruji said. "Were they kidnapped?!"

"Wait, that's right!" Aladdin realized. "When Shahra and I were on our way back, we saw two carts, heading for the Kou Empire camp!"

"What did you say?!" Baba asked.

"Then that means," Doruji started, "they were slave-hunting!"

"…Oh, no," Aladdin muttered while Shahra let out a worried groan.

"Not again!" cried another Kouga clan member as he dropped to his knees in tears. "How often must this happen?! The Kou Empire steals our loved one and works them to death!"

Aladdin chewed his lip as he remembered Morgiana and Goltas.

"Damn them!" Doruji cursed. "They try to convince us with petty words, but the empire views us as cattle or slaves! Tonight, we ride! We're bringing back our women!"

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!" the Kouga men roared in agreement as they raised their swords.

"Don't you kill a single one of them!" Baba shouted. "If you do, it will mean war! Don't worry! It hasn't been too long! On these grasslands, no one can escape the Kouga Clan!"

With that, the Doruji and the rest of the Kouga Warriors mounted their horses and rode off into the valley, hoping to catch up the Kou soldiers and save their women.

'I'm coming, Toya…!' Doruji thought. 'Don't worry!'

XXX

Meanwhile, the Kou soldiers are seen, riding in a merchant's cart…with Toya, as well as several other women, all bound and gagged.

"Well, that worked well!" said one of the soldiers as he tapped Toya's cheek with a knife. "Pay us well, merchant! They're resilient people! You could stab them 100 times and they wouldn't die!"

"Yeah! Wanna try?" asked another soldier with a devious smirk as he began to expose Toya's chest and pricked it with the tip of his knife.

"Hold it," said the captain, a man with a scar on his lip and a goatee similar to Ryosai's. "Don't kill them…not yet. These bitches will make us money for a long time to come."

"How so, captain?" asked one the soldiers.

The captain smirked before he looked at Toya and pointed his sword towards her stomach.

"We're gonna make them bear us man children," he said. "Breeding them like dogs will make us a fortune!"

'Doruji…!' Toya thought as tears fell from her eyes. 'Doruji, where are you?! Oh, please help me, Doruji!'

"Do you think your general will allow such an atrocious thing?" asked the merchant.

"Ha! Don't worry about it!" laughed the captain. "General Ren Hakuei doesn't know a damn thing about war!"

"Uh, captain?!" asked one of the soldiers, nervously. "We've got a problem!"

"Oh, what is it, you big baby?" the captain asked as he looked outside…only to see the Kouga Clan, charging towards them on their horses. "What the hell?! Those savages are following us?!"

"GIVE BACK OUR WOMEN!" Doruji roared as he gripped the hilt of his sword.

"KILL THEM!" shouted the captain. "PUT THEM IN THEIR GRAVES!"

The Kou soldiers held up their bows and arrows and began to open fire. However, the Kouga Clan easily managed to dodge the arrows and continued their charge, splitting up into two large groups.

"What the hell?!" the captain questioned. "We can't hit these guys! Not one arrow has pierced them!"

Just then, Doruji jumped into the cart, grabbing the captain by his shoulder and holding his sword.

"Let this be a lesson to you, you damned snake," he hissed. "You don't mess with the Kouga Clan!"

XXX

Meanwhile, Aladdin is riding on Ugo's shoulder, along with Shahra, while Baba flew behind with the use of the boy's Magic Turban. The elderly woman sat there, her mouth agape in disbelief and awe.

"…Aladdin," she began, "just who are you, child?!"

Aladdin just smiled at her.

XXX

Back with Doruji and the others, they had just knocked the carts over, freeing the women and toppling over the soldiers. Just when Doruji himself was about to go for the captain, he froze when he saw Toya, a knife held up to her throat.

"Not so fast, buddy!" the captain shouted. "One false move, and I kill this bitch!"

Toya looked up at Doruji with tears pouring out of her eyes.

"…Big mistake," Doruji seethed before he raised his sword. "YOU BASTARD~!"

XXX

Aladdin looked around as he sat atop Ugo's shoulders.

"No good," he said. "It looks like we've lost sight of them."

"Oh, dear," Baba muttered. "Aladdin, it appears we'll have to sit and wait for them."

"What?" Aladdin asked. "But Baba-"

"I can't see very well," Baba said, "and you don't know how to read the stars. On these vast plains, we'll only end up getting lost. We'll just have to have faith in Doruji and the boys and stay and wait where I can still see the light of the village bonfire."

"…Are you sure?" Aladdin asked.

"I wouldn't worry too much about them," Baba reassured. "They are warriors with the bold hearts and spirits of the Kouga Clan. They'll save Toya and the rest of the women. I have the utmost faith in them."

"I see," Aladdin said with a smile. "Okay, Baba. Shahra and I will wait with you."

With that, Ugo went back into the flute while Aladdin, Baba, and Shahra sat on the grass, waiting.

"You truly are an extraordinary child, Aladdin," Baba mused.

"Me?" Aladdin asked.

"A Djinn and the rukh serve you," Baba said. "You're just like the Magi in the old legend."

Hearing "Magi" caused Aladdin to gasp.

"…Baba," he said, "do you…know what a Magi is?"

"Yes, of course I do," Baba replied.

"Then tell me," Aladdin urged, "what is a Magi? That's just what I might be. I've been trying for a long time to figure out who I am!"

"…I see," Baba surmised. "Very well. I will tell you an old story."

"Story?" Aladdin repeated.

"Yes," Baba answered. "An unusual legend in the Kouga Village. It goes something like this."

Aladdin scooted closer to Baba, eager to listen.

"Long, long ago," Baba began, "when there were no countries in the world, the people suffered great calamity, famine, and plague with no way to face the perils of the world. Then one day, a mysterious youth appeared, and with a magic staff, he drove away disaster and chaos. He then spoke, thus to the surprised and grateful masses 'Humankind, you must establish countries. You are weak, therefore you cannot survive without banding together and supporting one another. If you do, peaceful and prosperous days will follow'. The people agreed and the youth raised his staff, once more. Then, a massive tower appeared from the earth, and the youth once again addressed the people. He said 'Let he who would be king enter within this tower. If he can withstand the trials that await, he will gain the power worthy of a king'."

Aladdin gasped quietly in awe while Shahra kept her ears perked, also listening.

"Many people entered the tower," Baba continued, "but many lives were lost…until one day, a single boy returned with great wealth and a mysterious power. That boy went on to become a king and established a vast country, and peaceful days soon followed. The people respected the mysterious youth who had led them into a peaceful and prosperous, and thus gave him the title of 'Magi'."

"…Magi…!" Aladdin whispered in awe.

"That's right," Baba said. "That young man was a Magi, and the large country he made was our homeland, the great Kouga Empire."

"Wow," Aladdin said. "So that's what a Magi is…!"

"Aladdin," Baba said, "why didn't you ask your mother about who you are?"

"I tried," Aladdin answered. "Whenever I did, she would always smile at me and say that I was one of a kind…and at first, it did satisfy me for a while…but…I still felt like it wasn't good enough. It was almost like…she was trying to hide the truth from me…like she didn't want me to know."

"I see," Baba said. "Maybe she was afraid things would change between you and her."

"That's not true!" Aladdin rebuked. "Even if I did know the truth, that would never stop me from loving my Mother!"

Baba chuckled at this.

"…Tell me," she said. "What was your mother's name, Aladdin?"

"Sheba," Aladdin answered.

"In that case," Baba began, "you are Aladdin, child of Sheba and Baba. What about your friends?"

"Oh, yeah!" Aladdin said. "There's Ugo, and Shahra, and Alibaba, of course!"

Shahra purred as she nuzzled up against Aladdin, who giggled.

"Then you are Aladdin, child of Sheba and Baba and friend of Ugo, Shahra, and Alibaba," said Baba. "Hohoho! Funny…I seem to know so much about you, and yet you don't seem to know anything about yourself, at all!"

Aladdin smiled.

"Yeah," he said. "Thanks, Baba."

"Anytime, child," Baba replied.

"…By the way," Aladdin said as he stood up, "I wanted to tell you something. Earlier tonight, Shahra and I went down to the Kou Empire's camp to talk with Princess Hakuei."

"You what?" Baba asked in surprise.

"She promised that she wasn't going to kill anyone," Aladdin said with a smile. "There's not gonna be any war…so don't worry."

"Aladdin…who are you?" Baba asked in awe.

Suddenly, Shahra stood up, her ears perked up and alert as she looked out to the horizon. Aladdin followed her gaze before he gasped.

"Baba, look!" he exclaimed. "Doruji and the others! They're back!"

Baba looked and saw that the boy was indeed correct: Doruji and the rest of the Kouga man came riding towards them on their horses, with Toya and the rest of the woman riding along with them.

"We did it, Baba!" Doruji shouted. "Toya and the women are safe, and we didn't kill anyone!"

Hearing that caused Baba to gasp in surprise.

"Grandma!" Toya cried as she ran into her arms.

"But…but how-" Baba started as she hugged Toya.

"During the rescue," Doruji began, "your words came back to me. You said that killing the Kou soldiers would mean a declaration of war. If we killed any of them, we couldn't live together like this…and I knew that none of us wanted that."

Baba smiled before she slapped Doruji in the arm.

"You certainly have grown, Doruji!" she exclaimed.

"Ouch!" he cried. "That hurts, Baba!"

Hearing that caused everyone to laugh, but then the laughter ceased when they saw Baba put on a serious face.

"Baba?" Toya asked. "What's wrong?"

"…I've put a lot of consideration into it," Baba began, "and I've decided that we will join the Kou Empire."

The Kouga Clan, plus Aladdin, gasped.

"So many of our compatriots have died defending the clan's honor," said Baba. "Whatever the reason, right or wrong, fighting only leads to death. What do you think it is that we should protect? Our country? Our honor? No! It is our lives! Whatever happens, we must not engage in war! The only war we must fight is the one in our hearts, to survive this as one whole clan!"

"RIGHT!" the Kouga Clan exclaimed.

"That's great," Aladdin said, "now then…can we go back to the village and have dinner? I'm hungry."

As if on cue, his stomach gave a small gurgle, causing everyone to laugh.

XXX

Later on, everyone had arrived back at the village and are celebrating the safe return of the women.

"Wow!" Aladdin exclaimed as he put his hands close to the bonfire. "So warm!"

Shahra lied on the ground, snoozing, while the village children climbed all over her.

"Thanks for saving me, Doruji," Toya said as she leaned on his shoulder. "You were so brave!"

"Uh…yeah, well…" Doruji murmured before he looked Baba, who gave him a somewhat sly grin. "What's with that dirty look, Baba?!"

"Why don't you be a man and marry Toya already, Doruji?" asked Baba. "I wanna have some great-grandchildren, already!"

Hearing that caused everyone to laugh while Doruji blushed as red as a beet.

As the party went on, Baba got up and walked away from the gathering.

"Hey, where are you going?!" Doruji asked.

"I have to take a leak, if you don't mind!" Baba shouted as she left. After a while, she found herself, standing in the middle of the plains, not too far from the village and stared up at the crescent moon.

'…I don't know why I was so unsure,' she thought. 'Building a country and fighting supremacy was the old empire's job. Now, my role is to ensure the family survives. Yes…I must see my children, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren, and my great-great grandchildren's faces…I must continue to live with everyone.'

Suddenly, THUNK! Baba gasped in pain…when she felt an arrow pierce through her back. She soon fell down…as blood began to pool around her.

XXX

"I wonder what's taking Baba so long?" Aladdin asked, still basking in the glow of the fire with the Kouga Clan.

Until Next Night…

I did not expect this one to be so short, either. Oh, well!

Review, please!