PROLOGUE: SOMEWHERE IN THE EASTERN EMPIRE

"I am Seire, the Djinn of truth and reconciliation," a deep voice echoed off the walls of the treasure room startling the young woman who stood alone inside. "Who seeks to become king?" There was no response, the girl paid him no attention as her eyes wandered around the room taking everything in, all the history and tales they told. "Do you not seek to rule?"

It took the girl a while to realise that the djinn was talking to her, when she did the girl laughed, both at the question and her own foolishness. Who else could he possibly be talking to? "Now why would I want to do something as tedious as that?" she asked.

"To conquer the world, to change it."

"I like the world the way it is," she replied with a shrug. "Why would I change it?"

"This world is flawed and people suffer because of it, there will never be true peace and equality without a worthy king, or queen, to rule and guide it." This didn't seem to trigger the intended reaction as the girl only laughed again.

"A word of advice," she said with a small smile. "Even with a king, this world will be flawed, nothing will change that. We're only human after all, but your ideology is interesting though," she commented. "What informs it?"

"You do not wish to be king?" the djinn asked curiously, almost as if avoiding the question.

"Not at all."

"Do you not seek power?"

"Nope."

"...Then why have you journey here?" the voiced questioned in an almost exasperated tone.

"If a dungeon was to sudden appear next to you while you were taking a nap, what would you do?" she replied. "I'm a curious type of person, well nosy is how Kouen describes me, but I'm only human and I've so many questions that need answering. What is a King vessel? Which is the true history of this world? That as we know it? Or the tales that cover the dungeon walls? Would you care to tell me?" There was no response. "No? Oh well, worth a shot." She looked up at the djinn thoughtfully, taking her time before continuing. "There are those who are destined for greatness, individuals who will make their mark in history and change our perceptions of this world as we know it. I've met people who I believe personify the definition of a king vessel, yet what does it mean? All I know for a fact is that I'm not one of them. Perhaps I'm not your ideal candidate, but would you join me in my travels? Grant me the power to explore this world unhindered. The power to seek as I please. If you're content to settle for one with no desire to be king, or queen, for one who will not fulfil your purpose, won't you lend me your strength? Someday, I'll uncover the truth of this world, I would like you to be there when I do."

"You conquer a dungeon, yet you ask for permission?" the djinn all but scoffed.

"Well I did enter without knocking, a girl has got to draw the line somewhere."

PART 1: SINDRIA

Chapter 1

Schehera laid on her side with her eyes closed, her fingers skimmed the surface of the clear blue ocean water as her hand dangling off the edge of the magic shawl which carried her across. It'd already been a day since she set forth towards Sindria, and while she was a little tired from infusing her magoi into the magical item, it was still preferable to buying a ticket on board one of the ships that left from Balbadd. She'd made the mistake a few of years earlier and discovered that she was just a little bit severely prone to sea sickness, but above all she enjoyed the solitude that being alone in the middle of nowhere brought her.

Schehera opened her eyes when she sensed the presence of something trailing after her below the surface of the water and quickly sat up. She could tell it was hungry, and it had its eyes on having her for breakfast. She contemplated reaching for her sword, but decided against it. Instead she infused the shawl with more of her magoi making it travel higher up into the air. As she moved further and further away, the creature suddenly jumped out of the water, its jaws opened to swallow her whole, Schehera's eyes widened when she saw the sheer size of the fish-like sea monster. The Southern creature snapped its jaws to take a bite but she was already beyond its reach, it could only empty handedly fall back into the water. Schehera let out a sigh of relief before falling into a fit of laughter at what had just happened. It was one thing to read in books about the savage creatures which inhabited the waters around Sindria, but it was the another to see them in person. Adrenaline was pumping through her veins, her hands trembled with excitement, what would she see next? Already excited to see old friends, her excitement was further elevated by the notion of taking part in the famed Mahrajan harvest festival. What did such a monster taste like? Her stomach played a large part in all her decision making processes.

Landing on the edges of the island kingdom, Schehera took hold of the magic shawl and stopped the flow of magoi which she had been sending through it, instantly it began to shrink, once it reach the desired size she gave it a good shake and draped it over her head and around her neck like a headscarf, usually she wore it draped over her shoulders but it was a sunny day and she'd forgotten to bring a hat. Just as Schehera began making her way through the forest and towards the palace she stopped, sensing someone hiding in the bushes, discretely she reached for the knife she kept tucked at her waist.

"Excuse me lovely lady," said a male voice. Recognising the voice Schehera frowned as she turned her head, sure enough there stood a tall and muscular male, in the nude, standing with his arms out and waving, in what seemed to be some attempt to appear harmless. "It seems a few birds have taken off with all my belongs, would you mind sparing a robe?" he asked light heartedly, running his fingers through his purple hair.

"How-?" Schehera began to ask when then man recognised her.

"Schehera!" he exclaimed in joy and running towards her. "Good to see you again!" He ran towards her to hug her but Schehera tooked a step back and threw her shawl at him, it grew and wrapped itself around the man causing him to trip over and fall on the ground. "What was that for!?" he demanded, rolling around as he tried to angle his head to meet her eyes.

"I'm sorry, it was my first instinct to a man running towards me naked," Schehera explained with a smile, making her way towards the purple haired and golden eyed man lying on the floor she asked. "How are you Sinbad, drunk again?"

"Yaaa, of course not," the king insisted as he tried to wriggle his way free, providing an impression of a dancing worm. "I fell asleep in the great outdoors. How is this not budging?"

"It seals and traps magoi," Schehera explained. "Naked?"

"I naturally take off my clothes as I sleep," he answered. True enough, Schehera thought back on the number of times she'd found him asleep in the nude in the most inappropriate of places.

"I'll buy that," she conceded. Suddenly realising an important problem she asked. "So the birds, took ALL of your clothes?"

"Yep," Sinbad smiled shamelessly without care. Pity for his advisors filled Schehera's heart.

"Including your-" Another rustle in the bushes behind them caught her attention.

"You! What are you doing to the king?" a voice demanded. Schehera turned around to see Jafar, Sinbad's silver haired advisor, and behind him Masrur, the ever silent fanalis. "Schehera-sama?!"

"Hey! How you been!?" Schehera remarked rushing towards them and pulling the generals into a tight hug. "You look good, both of you," she told them. Masrur was starring at her intently making her a little self conscious, Jafar's attention however, was already on the wriggling king in the dirt and didn't notice this exchange.

"Your majesty, what are you doing?" he enquired politely.

"Yaaa, hi Jafar!" Sinbad replied in his usual carefree way. "It seems that my clothes have been taken."

"All of them?"

"Yes."

"Everything, as in your metal vessels as well?" Schehera smiled at the line of questioning. The exasperation in the advisor's voice indicated that it wasn't the first, and she highly doubted the last time this exchange had or would occur.

"Yes," Sinbad confirmed. Jafar began to noticeably shake in anger, with a broad smile Schehera pulled her magoi from the shawl, it went limp and few off Sinbad revealing his bare body for all to see.

"Sin!" Jafar shouted, ashamed of the state of his king.

"You might as well go look for the metal vessels," Schehera said to Masrur, she tried hard to keep her voice neutral and her laughter at bay. Jafar was already taking off his outer robe in order to cover the king's naked body. "I stumbled upon him not too long ago, so they can't be too far." Masrur merely nodded before he silently headed off into the forest.

"Excellent suggestion Schehera," Sinbad said as he handed Schehera back her shawl. "I was about to do the same. How about we head off to the palace and catch up over drinks? It's been what, three years?"

"Something like that," Schehera agreed.

Xxx

"So how you been?" asked a fully clothed Sinbad as he laid on a long chair, sprawled out on one of the balconies of his palace overlooking the city view. He had a cup of wine is his hand and his mental vessels back on his person.

"Good, I spent a lot of time over the past few years in and around the Kou empire," Schehara replied. Jafar had insisted that she make herself comfortable, preparing a bath and a change of clothes upon her arrival, likely in remorse over the shameful state of his king. She had changed out of her travel worn clothes into simple undyed white robes; it was sleeveless with a plunging v-neckline at the front where the fabric was wrapped over itself just below her breasts. A deep blue silk sash was wrapped and tied tightly around her waist, holding everything in place. Finally, her white shawl was draped over her shoulders (having had been washed before worn) for warmth.

"Is the conflict between the Kou empire and the Kouga clan still ongoing?" asked Sinbad. Schehara caught onto his attempts to gather information and merely raised an eyebrow at the questions. "Come on, tell me something."

"No," she said firmly enough that he immediately dropped the subject.

"What'd you do there?" Sinbad asked handing her the cup of wine before pouring himself another, he reached for a handful of grape from the bowl of fruit beside them and ate as she answered.

"Mainly explored the locations where a few dungeons once were, they're nothing but empty holes in the ground but it doesn't mean they didn't have anything of value. I found this," she touched the shawl on her shoulders. "and a few other trinkets. I found old transcripts and took down a lot of notes and sketches of the carvings left behind to translate. There were still traces of the Djinn's magoi as well."

"Learn anything about the Djinn?"

Schehara laughed. "You've been in more dungeons than I have Sinbad," she pointed out. "There are some consistencies across the board, the scripts for one are all in Torran. The first dungeon, appeared…ten years ago?"

"Eleven," Sinbad corrected.

"And conquered by yours truly," Schehera continued. "From what I've seen, each dungeon is different in appearance and difficulty. The Djinns that rule each choose the appearance and difficulty as they see fit. In other words the whole labyrinth is merely a test to them. The Djinn do not care how many die in the process. They're not of this world Sinbad, they can't be, the history written in Torran script doesn't match with our own. Where did they come from? And why?"

"You sound like you were having fun," Sinbad remarked, a smile spread across Schehera's face.

"I did." She took another sip of wine. "And you, look at what you've done, the last I saw of Sindria it was just a collection of small island, now look at it." Schehera sat up to get a better view of the kingdom. "What you've created over the past three years is incredible."

"Do you have any immediate plans?" asked Sinbad. Schehera shook her head.

"My next destination is the Dark continent, I've read that the great rift is so wide that one side is not visible from the other and that it got its name because sunlight doesn't reach the bottom, even though all physics says that it should," she replied, her eyes lighting up at the mere thought. Schehera had a habit of rambling whenever she was enthusiastic about something. "But I'm in no hurry right now. I received an offer to study Magoi manipulation in Reim from someone from the Yambala tribe that I met in Kou, so I'm going to stop there for a bit first."

"Do you want to stay here for a while?" Sinbad interrupted, it was the only was he could get a word in. "Would you mind staying and help out just for a bit?" he asked. "Sindria has just been established, and it'd be nice to know where others went wrong so I can avoid it."

"Why don't you read a book?" suggested Schehera lightly, however she noticed a strange tone to his voice. He sounded almost worried, what happened?

"Why read when there is a walking encyclopedia right in front of me?" Sinbad said mockingly but he could see the hesitation in her posture. Schehara liked to observe the world and didn't want to interfere. "For an old friend?" Sinbad pleaded. "Think of it like a teaching position if you will, a princess helping a mere fisherman's son."

Schehera snorted and choked on her wine. "A fisherman's son who showed no form of respect to the princess," she pointed out, remembering their first encounter.

"Hey! You were not dressed as a princess when I first met you 7 years ago, how was I supposed to know?" Sinbad demanded.

"You weren't, but you highjacked my carriage while running from the Parthevia Empire and proceeded to kidnap me to keep me quiet," Schehera replied.

"You went with us willingly and you know it!" said Sinbad a small frown appearing between his brows. "You were dying to escape that king daddy of yours and you ran away to join the circus." This drew a laugh from Schehera.

"And for 3 and a half years, you almost got me killed every single day," she remarked. "And let us not forget that incident with the spider princess and when you tossed me into a fight with one of the Fanalis Champions of the Reim Colosseum!"

"You were in no danger!" Sinbad rebutted. "I knew her poisons wouldn't work on you because your body was immune to most known poisons," Schehera opened her mouth to interrupt but Sinbad help up his hand. "Tsk, tsk, tsk," he tutted. "I needed you to get rid of the small fry while I dealt with Masrur, you should be flattered I sent you in there instead of Jafar or Drakon."

"You sent me in there because you knew that the odds against me would appear higher and you'd make more money betting on me!" Schehera pointed out, Sinbad shrugged unable to refute that. Whenever they somehow landed themselves in trouble she usually tried stayed out of trouble, preferring to observe her surrounding instead of directly taking part, however she'd found herself in a number of tightspots, which not surprisingly, happened more often than not thanks to Sinbad's overconfidence which rubbed people the wrong way.

"We had fun~~~" he said with his easy smile, Schehera shook her head and resisted the urge to hit him. "Anyway, stay, even if it's just for old time sake," he said finishing his wine. Schehera however was still reluctant. "Come on, tell you what, how about we drink on it?"

"Drink on it?"

"Yes, let's get absolutely drunk while you think on it, and while we're drunk, I'll tell you why it's a good idea," Sinbad offered.

"It midday, the sun is barely up."

"Since when has that stopped me?"

Schera laughed and raised her cup. "I'll drink to that."

Xxx

"Urgh," Schehara groaned as she sat up in bed the next morning, looking to her left she saw a naked Sinbad beside her with his arm around her waist, she looked herself up and down to make sure she was dressed and her underwear was still on, once she was certain she proceeded to hit him a few time on the head to wake him up.

"Ow," Sinbad complained, still groggy. The night, and day, before was a blur for both of them it seemed.

"Wakie wakie sunshine," she told him. There was a stain on one of the walls behind him next to the door still wet with broken glass on the floor, she didn't remember breaking anything last night which went to show how drunk she was.

"Mhhh, five more minutes," said Sinbad tightening his hold and pulling her closer towards him. Schehera felt her cheeks flush but she proceeded to hit him again to hide it.

"Stop it!" Let go," she urged pushing him away and crawling out of bed, her dress was wrinkled and stained with wine and dirt from lying on the ground, Sinbad's clothes on the floor were in a similar condition. She sighed and stumbled her way out of the king's chambers and back to her own bedroom, she was a mess she knew, but with her pounding headache and hangover she really didn't care. When she finally managed to open her chamber doors after the third try she paused to see Masrur lying on her bed.

"Hey," she greeted before stumbling and collapsing beside him.

"You look terrible," Masrur commented. He'd just come back from a run, Schehera could practically smell the warm rays of the sun off his skin mixed with that of the Sindrian forests that he was so fond of. Out of old habbit she rolled across the bed until she was snuggled close against his chest and her head resting on one arm, Masrur smiled as he placed the other arm over her shoulders. He'd gotten so big, she thought remembering the scrawy little teen who'd clung to her where ever she went.

"Sinbad drinks like a fish," she said with a groan. "And very big fish."

"Before the next time you drink with him, you really should take singing lessons," said Masrur matter of factly as he brushed her bangs away from her face.

"What?"

"Last night, you were quite drunk, the two of you were singing loudly from the rooftops for a good hour," Masrur clarified. Schehera groaned again.

"I don't remember," she admitted. "What are you doing here anyway? Shouldn't you be outside swinging from trees or something?"

"Waiting for you," Masrur replied. "I was a little worried I wouldn't be well received. After all, when you left 3 years ago all I got was a letter, which I had to get Jafar to read to me." Schehera began to replied but he interrupted her. "I get why you did it, but still… after you wouldn't take me with you, I left to go on my own for a while. Went to the mother land but then came right back," he admitted sheeply. "When I chased after you, I said some things-"

"Forget it," said Scehera. "I have. You are my friend, my family and I will always love you regardless."

Masrur didn't say anything for a while, his cheeks flushed, quickly changing the subject he said. "So, still in love with Sinbad or have the years away managed to tamper that unrequited love?" As blunt as Masrur was it came from a good place, he was worried about her, something she was grateful for. A bond had formed between the two the day they met in the Reim Colosseum almost instantly after Sinbad used the prize money he won from his fight and from betting on Schehera to buy his freedom. Their relationship grew out of a mutual need for family and comfort, it seemed inevitable, both of them were the less sociable and less talkative of the group, neither felt the urge to fill in silence with useless chatter leading them to unconsciously seek each other out during their travels with Sinbad and spending the most of their time together.

Masrur was a scrawny 14 year old when they'd first met, although Schehara was only 3 years his senior, she was a head taller than him and the stronger fighter. Whenever the group set camp in the remote wilderness he'd always end up sleeping beside her, drawn to her warmth and scent, his own mother was a slave who died when he was still very young and he never really had anyone to hold or cradle him whenever he was upset or scared. When Masrur awoke in the dead of night shaking and terrified from old memories or nightmares she'd always be there to hold him, stroking his head, humming or singing a song to calm him down until he fell asleep to a better dream.

Schehera left the group a year and a half later to return home, Masrur wanted to go with her but Schehera didn't let him. She knew she was heading towards danger, a war zone even, it was no place for a 15 year old boy. 6 months later she returned with the news that the Kou empire had invaded her country and that her brother and father were both dead, Sinbad wanted to march on the Kou empire, to retrieve her throne and country but she pleaded with him not to. It made no sense to anyone at the time why she refused to fight, Sinbad already had multiple Djinn, he was strong and at the time the Kou empire only had two. Masrur however knew her fear for Sinbad's life was stronger than any lingering attachment to a country which had left her with nothing but bad memories because of her father's tyrannical rule. A peace treaty was drawn and her country was integrated into the empire, leaving none worse off, some citizen even sited how the Kou empire had saved them from the oppressive king. But Masrur didn't understand how she escaped with her life or why the empire didn't make her wed a prince to strengthen their hold on the country, he wanted to ask but whenever her home was mentioned a pained look cross her face so he didn't.

It was around this time their roles changed, Schehera was now the one relying on Masrur for strength and comfort, the fanalis had grown to more than a head taller than her, his frame heavy with muscle. He'd decided to not marry and dedicate himself to the life of a soldier, Sindria and Schehera were all the family he needed. However when she decided to leave again with what seemed like no intention of returning the two fought, Schehera tried to disappear without a word but Masrur chased after her. He felt abandoned again and for the first time lashed out again the girl who was his mother, his sister and friend all in one. He had said some hurtful things, things he wished he never did.

"Nope, still struggling," Schehera confirmed with a sigh. Why him? She wondered, why Sinbad of all men? He was a flirt and playboy who got himself into all sorts of trouble, especially when drunk. He had no shame, no sense of responsibility and worst of all he was a king. She had enough of royalty, from her own family and the ones from Kou. "But it doesn't hurt anymore… I'm such an idiot, of all men, why him?"

"You're not an idiot," Masrur assured her, hugging and pulling her closer. "A little impulsive but never an idiot. Have you ever thought about just telling him."

"I tried didn't I? I can't do it again, not anymore," she answered. "I dropped enough hints over the years that even a child could get it."

"Don't compare Sinbad with a child, it's not fair for the kid."

Schehera giggled. "What's the point? You know how he feels about relationships, about marriage and love. He'll never settle down, why ruin our friendship with something that'll never bear fruit? I tried, I all but wrote 'I love you' in the skies."

"Maybe that's what you need to do," suggested Masrur, Schehera rolled her eyes.

"You've seen the way he is with woman, he either treats us as brother in arms or play things, there's no in between."

"You've practically given up before even trying," Masrur said accusingly. "Why even return then?"

"Cause I missed you all, I missed my friends," replied Schehera. "I know better now Masrur, things have changed as well. Before…maybe, I might had just walked up to him, give him a good shake and said 'I love you' until it sunk in, but not now, not anymore. He's king now. Please don't bring it up again."

"You never know," Masrur's voice was almost pleading. Schehera laughed lightly.

"No, I've made my choice."

Xxx

Masrur left to continue his daily fitness routine, he seemed upset with her, but she wasn't too sure why. After a quick bath and change of clothes she decided to join Sinbad for a late breakfast, or to the rest of the population, lunch. "You look as bad as I feel," she commented when she sat down at the long table in the dining hall. Sinbad had changed his clothes as well, but was sprouting a black eye, something he didn't have when she left him that morning. "Jafar's handy work?" she enquired.

Sinbad nodded as he picked at his food. "I give him way to much leeway," he replied.

"If you didn't he'd quit," said Scehera helping herself to some bread. "Besides, no one will be able to replace him, not many people are able to put up with you, you know."

"I know," echoed Sinbad. "But unfortunately he does as well." This trigger a laugh but the sound made Sinbad wince. "Shhhh," he pleaded, still nursing a hangover.

"Sorry," Schehera giggled. "I'll keep it down," she promised. Throughout the meal she made a note to be as loud and rough with her utensils as possible just to piss him off, but what took the cake was a loud siren that blasted though out the kingdom. Sinbad literally crawled under the table to get away from the noise. "What's that?" she asked, although not sure if anyone could hear over the siren.

"A sea creature has entered Sindria," explained a servant excitedly. "Tonight there'll be a feast."

Suddenly perked with excited she asked. "Harvest festival?" the servant nodded. No longer interested in her meal, she yanked the shawl from her shoulder and threw it out the window, her magoi made the fabric expand and hover before she jumped on to see the hunt.

Schehera has no problem finding the sea creature called a Moray, it's roars echoed throughout the island and she could see a huge crowd gathering around it. At first she was confused as to why they weren't running away before she realised they viewed it as a sort of show. She slowed down on a hill and lowered her altitude until she was just a few meters in the air.

"Where do you think you're going?" asked a voice, Schehera looked down see a tanned skin male with white hair walking towards her.

"Hello," she greeted.

"Hello to you too," he replied. "Who are you and where'd you get that thing?" he indicated to her flying shawl.

"My name's Schehara, yours?"

"Sharrkan," he replied as he drew his sword.

"You going to hunt that thing?" Schehara asked, looking at his sword, it didn't look nearly big enough.

"Yep," he said smugly.

"Not so fast," Jafar said walking towards them. "Sinbad said today's turn belongs to Hinahoho."

"And where is his majesty?" questioned Sharrkan.

"Hungover and not fit for public appearance," said Schehara. "Hey Jafar, do you think I could take that thing down?"

"Are you asking for permission or a judgement on your skills?"

"…both?" A gigantic man with long blue hair made his way towards them.

"Hey little princess!" Hinahoho greeted.

"Hi," Schehara replied with a small wave and smile. "Do you mind?" she waved suggestively towards the Moray.

"Go right ahead," the Imuchakk man said with a smile. Schehara grinned and made the flying shawl make its way towards the gigantic sea creature.

"And she is?" asked Sharrkan.

"Oh, you never met the little lady did you?" remarked Hinahoho. "She left before you arrived."

"Spartos and Pisti have never met her either," Jafar added.

"You know that rumor of the girl that Sinbad was crazy over a few years back but never did a damn thing about it because he was too much of a wuss and to justify his actions he's declared he won't ever get married?" asked Hinahoho.

"Yeah?"

"Well I started that rumor," said Hinahoho. Sharrkan frowned and stared at the distancing figure on the flying shawl.

"Her?"

"Yep."

"I thought his type was more," he made a suggestive motion with his hands in front of his chest. "More like Yamuraiha. That girl is way more…flat."

"Perhaps try elegant," suggested Hinahoho, Sharrkan smirked.

"Well Masrur got to her first," said Jafar casually. "Then Sinbad got discouraged and just gave up."

"Masrur!?" exclaimed Sharrkan.

"I don't think it was that kind of relationship, I mean she left for three whole years without looking back," Hinahoho pointed out before chuckling. "Maybe he'll finally get the balls."

"Doubt it," replied Jafar. "She's a princess of the former Huang nation, if they did get together the Kou empire wouldn't be too happy," he smiled. "That alone is worth the consideration. Schehara made a few attempts but he never got the clue, in the end after a while she gave up and left."

"So it's too late then?" asked Sharrkan.

"Probably," Jafar and Hinahoho replied in unison.

They watched as Schehara laughed and dodged the Moray's large tail which it whipped into the air to bring her down, she managed the maneuver her way towards it head and landed just between its eyes. She pulled out a small thin dagger from her sleeve and sunk it into the creature's flesh right between the joint of its head and body.

"That's not going to kill it," Sharrkan remarked.

"Wait for it," replied Jafar. Sure enough, the eel like creature slowly stopped moving, it's head shook as if it was nauseated before it completely collapsed onto the ground, dead. Despite the short length and width of the dagger, the moray's neck had somehow been pierced all the way through from the top to the bottom, all but decapitating it.

"She use magoi to extend her blade!?"

"HEYYYYY!" Schehera shouted still standing on the creature's head. "HOW DO I FILLET THIS?" she asked. Hinahoho nudged Sharrkan.

"Well, now its your turn to shine."