Story: Fraternizing With The Enemy

Rating: M (Cursing & Perverseness)

Anime: Magi

Pairing: KouenXOC

Author: ILoveBeingLyric

Chapter 18: The Aftermath/Gyokuen's Demise

Months after Gyokuen's demise at the hands of Serah and friends, the Kou Empire has changed drastically from what it used to be. As the suns glistening rays shine down on the capital, Kouen and Hakuryuu discuss the elements of his ways now that Gyokuen is out of the way. Serah cleared her throat from the balcony as Kouen sat patiently in front of his younger half-brother, who jumped slightly when he heard the sudden noise.

"Um, I don't really have much to say now that things are even. My sole purpose was to regain the honor of my brothers by ridding the world of Gyokuen." Hakuryuu said as he continued to fidget.

"Is that all? You don't want to become the emperor?" Kouen asked in confusion.

"At first I did, now things are different. As I look at things in a new perspective and understand the things I assumed to be true I see that it really wouldn't make much of a difference whether I became the emperor or not. I wouldn't mind it either way, just as long as my brother's and my father's purpose for the Kou Empire are recognized." Hakuryuu stated in a stern manner.

"Are you sure that is what you want, Hakuryuu?" Kouen asked again with concern in his eyes. Hakuryuu was slightly shocked by this, but he could only smile brightly.

"Yes, I'm sure. I planned to just explore the world to pass the time." Hakuryuu assured as he gave Kouen a genuine smile while thinking of a certain group of friends.

"Well that's just too bad," Kouen began as he stood up to retrieve an object on a stand behind him. Hakuryuu gawked at him in confusion as he tried to see the mysterious item.

"Since I planned to give this to you anyway. Besides, what person could share your father's and brother's ideals better than you?" Kouen said as he gave Hakuryuu the emperors crown.

"Are you serious?!" Hakuryuu asked in pure astonishment.

"Very serious. I've never really gotten the chance to tell you this, but I really don't care for becoming the emperor of the Kou Empire. My one and only objective is to bring peace for everyone." Kouen informed him with a bright smile on his face.

"That's all that he, your father, and your brothers ever wanted." Serah continued as she finally came into the room from the balcony. As they both graced him with happy smiles, he looked down at the crown in his hands and nodded once.

"We will hold the crowning ceremony for you in a week." Kouen declared as he stood up from where he sat and walked to Serah. "Then, we'll have our wedding afterwards." Kouen continued as he held her hands in his and lightly kissed her on the forehead.

"Why not celebrate them on the same day? The celebration of a new emperor, the marriage of his brother, and the welcoming of their child." Hakuryuu suggested as he smiled at the two.

"I think that would be a wonderful idea, Hakuryuu." Serah said as her smile grew even brighter, as Kouen lightly rubbed her moderately swollen stomach where their child grew steadily.

"Now all we have to do is see how we'll get the idea of being a grandfather across to Sinbad." Kouen added with an exhausted sigh as they began to walk out of the room.

"He'll come around." Serah said with a satisfied grin on her face.

~Sindria~

As Sinbad, the King of Sindria, sat quietly in his office a soft knock was heard at the door for a brief moment. Once he acknowledged the person at the door, a maid walked in and handed him an elaborately decorated scroll. He eyed it for a few moments once he dismissed her, then began to read its contents.

~Scroll~

Hello father,

I'm sorry for the delay in letters, things in the Kou Empire have been very busy now that Hakuryuu has decided to take up the throne as the next emperor. He and Kouen have finally set aside their differences and have come to an understanding with each other. Meanwhile, I have been doing very well with Kouen, he has been treating me with much care for the last few months and I have never had a dull moment with him. Things are going smoothly with my pregnancy as well, the baby is growing to be very healthy. We can't wait to see you when you arrive for the wedding and the crowing ceremony.

Love Your Daughter, Serah

~Scroll~

Sinbad couldn't help but smile as he read over the neatly written scroll. The images of daughter becoming a mother brought memories of her mother to his mind. He could remember the first time he had met her, and how much she glistened whenever they were together. In the corner of his eye, he saw something bright hanging from the end of the scroll. Looking at the object closer he could see that it was a crystal pendant on a gold chain.

"This looks familiar." Sinbad said as he inspected it more to find Selva's name written on the back of it in well-carved letters. Without much effort the crystal shined brightly and the room seemed to change into the small bedroom of a hut.

"Where is this?" Sinbad asked as he looked around to find out where he could be.

Suddenly, he heard soft sniffles coming from behind him. When his eyes recognized the scene playing before him he froze immediately. At the side of the old wooden bed was Serah as a young girl, and beside her was Selva breathing harshly in the bed.

"Please don't leave me alone, I need you." Serah cried as she begged her mother desperately.

"Listen to me Serah, my time has come. There is nothing I can do, there isn't even anything that he can do." Selva stated as she turned her head to meet her weeping daughter's eyes.

"Just like he hasn't done anything else! He's the reason for all of this, had he have stayed with you we wouldn't be like this! You wouldn't be sick!" Serah yelled in anger and frustration.

"No, it's all my fault that he left and didn't come back. I lied to him and I let him go." Selva admitted.

"What do you mean?" Serah questioned in confusion.

"Had I have told Sinbad that I was with child he would've stayed or at least took me with him. I didn't want him to do either because I knew it would stop him from reaching his dream. I knew that he would put everything on hold for me, and that's not what I wanted for him. It was very insensitive of me to do such a thing to you, but I couldn't do it. There were many times where I wanted to contact him, but I couldn't gather up the courage to tell him everything. I know that it sounds stupid, but it's the truth. If there's anyone that you should hate, it should be me. I'm the one who caused all of this pain, not him. He has his bad qualities, but he has many good ones as well." Selva confessed with a sad smile on her tear stained face.

"Well then he can still help you. Andhi and I can go to see him and tell him everything for you, right Andhi?" Serah asked with a forlorn smile.

"You wouldn't make it back in time, Serah. My illness has moved too far along for anyone to help me now. You have to go to him alone." Selva replied with a small fit of coughs.

"Alone? I refuse." Serah whimpered as she shook her head.

"Serah, please listen." Andhi reasoned.

"No, I refuse to go to him alone! I will not accept this! If I'm going to him then I need to have you with me too! I won't leave you behind to die on your own, I won't!" Serah yelled as she cried more tears.

"You have no choice, you either tell him alone or you'll continue to live like this! Andhi can't always be there for you, as her job makes it hard for her to have to take care of you and herself! You will constantly be subjected to things a child your age shouldn't see! I'm sorry, but you have no other choice. I won't let you slave your life away day and night to live like I did! You will have a better future, with better choices." Selva rasped, then another fit of coughs came over her. Serah eyes went wide as she noticed the blood coming from her mother's mouth.

"Mother!" Serah yelled in fear.

"Tifa, get her out of the room!" Andhi yelled as she ran to Selva's side as Serah was taken out of the room.

"Let me go! She needs me, please let me go! Tifa, she needs me! I don't want to be alone. I need her, please. I hate him! I HATE HIM!" Serah yelled as she struggled to get out of Tifa's grasp, but she held her in a strong grip and hugged her tightly.

Soon Sinbad was back in his office and the image was gone. His gold eyes held a look of terror as he realized what Serah had went through, without realizing it a stray tear rolled down his cheek. For the first time since meeting his daughter, he truly understood her actions upon arriving in Sindria for the first time.

"Maybe I can't go back in time to reverse the damage, but I can still fix what can be mended. You truly don't know how much I would've loved to have you in my arms again, Selva. I promise that our daughter and grandchild will always be in good hands." Sinbad said as he watched the birds fly through the sky with a smile on his face.

"You bet your ass, old man." Serah said as she secretly watched her father through the crystal with Kouen standing right beside her.

How did you guys like it? I finally was able to get it in to you. Well now that the story is done, I need to make an important announcement. I will not be taking anymore long-term story requests for a while, at least until I'm finished with school, which will be in March 2016. I will still be taking one-shot requests or short story requests, but only those. Although, once I am finished with school any long-term stories that you all ask for in advance will be started and finished. I love you guys, and be safe.