Good day/night my poppets
This month has been real busy, of course I'm prepping for the new year to come, and I can't wait to share it. Those updates will be shared on my Tumble Page.
I have more projects coming in as well. But for now just kick back, and enjoy the chapters.
CHAPTER 38
"WHAT?" Everyone shouted from above on the platform, staring down at Serendine and a speechless Sakura. Zepar, seemed thoroughly amused and waiting for a continuation of his trial.
"What do you mean?" It was as if the wind was knocked out of her as Sakura became conscious of the princess's beauty. A trickle of insecurity slithering into her heart. Like a toxin about to spread and destroy everything from within.
"If Sinbad helps me take back Parthevia, then that solves the problem of regaining the people's trust. If he does this, then he gets a country and can start working towards his goal of changing the world."
"Hold on!" Sinbad interjected, flustered as well, and he lost his tongue. "You just said blood was important, and I'm not royalty, so how can I become king?"
Serendine pointed to herself. "You won't, but I will."
Then Sakura understood what Serendine was suggesting, and her heart seemed to shake as much as the scales now were.
"I will take the throne, but all power will go to Sinbad-if he becomes my husband."
"HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
"What did you do to give her that idea!?" Ja'far asked, grabbing Sinbad by his collar and viciously shaking him.
"Nothing! I swear!" Sinbad cried out, trying to pry Ja'far from him. He looked back to the trial; the scales were shaking as if there was a tremor.
"Think about it Sakura!" Serendine threw her hand out, "You believe that Sinbad can become king, and I say he cannot. Why not make it easier for him by allowing him to marry into royalty? I will use the power of my metal vessel to restore my royal authority, and Sinbad can use that as my husband. He will have a country without needing to go through the long process of creating one." Serendine continued.
Sakura's eyes were as wide as they could go; the scales shaking as if it were about to fall over. "This doesn't mean you have to give him up of course. Sinbad clearly cares for you more than he ever will for me, but if you allow him to marry me, then you will be helping Sinbad achieve his goals. He can use me as a stepping stone to make his perfect world a reality." Then, she walked up to the pink-haired ninja, grasping both of Sakura's shoulders. Looking at her face, Sakura saw the determination and nothing but truth shining strongly in her eyes looking straight into her own. "Sakura! If you give up Sinbad, he will get everything he wants! "
Then on Sakura's side, the scale tilted, continued for a second until it had dropped completely.
Sinbad, Ja'far, Mystras, Masrur, Hinahoho, Sahel, and Tamira stared at the scales, completely struck as Sakura fell to her knees. Seeing the scale, once equal and now tilted.
"Your heart has wavered. Sakura loses. I have to admit, I'm surprised." Zepar said, arms folded. He turned to Serendine. "Serendine, I will acknowledge you as my king vessel as promised. Although with you backing Sinbad, it seems like I'll still end up being used by him."
Serendine nodded, turning away from Sakura but not before taking one last glance at her. There was something amiss in the princess's eyes as he looked at the downcast girl. Her own heart felt heavy all of a sudden, and she was glad that Zepar had removed the magic scales or it might have shown and balanced them out again.
Zepar averted his gaze. "I'm sure you all detest me for what I've done, but let me tell you this. I know what it's like to live in a world where a single great king rules over everything. However, no matter how great a leader you are, the betrayal of one's allies can lead to the death of that king and the destruction of the world. I never want that to happen again." He looked down as if in remorse. "A king must live a lonely existence. I want all of you to become true allies who protect the one you follow and support him from behind. That's my one true wish."
Zepar's words seemed to touch everyone, including Sakura, as she listened to him give his final apology before vanishing into white and entering Serendine's sword, now becoming a metal vessel.
Sakura heard shuffling around her; no doubt everyone was preparing to finally leave the dungeon, but she stayed in place. Staring blankly at her hands on the cracked stone beneath her. Her mind blocked out the voices of her djinns that attempted to call to her, break her from a trance. A warm hand fell over hers; she didn't need to look up to know whose it was.
Sinbad didn't have to wait long for Sakura to take his hand and let him lead her towards one of the two magic circles. Ja'far, Mystras, Hinahoho, and Masrur were in one, waiting for them while Serendine, Drakon, Sahel, and Tamira took another.
On their way out of the dungeon, Sakura and Sinbad sat a little way from the rest of their friends. Hidden behind the few giant bags of treasure which was working as a partition. Hinahoho had fallen asleep and was using the bags to rest against. Masrur was on top of them, admiring the view from above. Mystras had pressed up against the magic circle's barrier while they left the dungeon, and Ja'far was discreetly glancing in the direction of Sakura and Sinbad.
Sakura had her legs tucked up, her chin resting on them. That's when she felt Sinbad nudge her shoulder; she didn't respond other than cover her face in her arms. "Sakura."
Sinbad's voice was in a soft whisper; he ran his fingers through her short locks. "Look at me."
Slowly, she lifted her head. Staring at him with a passive expression. "I'm sorry."
That wasn't exactly the response he was expecting. "Sakura…"
"I couldn't do it," Sakura murmured, her voice barely audible. A long tear slipped down her cheek. "I said I would do anything for you, to realize your dream, but in the end, she won. She won because I was selfish…I couldn't even pretend to fathom the idea of sharing you with someone else. My heart wavered; it felt like I was trapped under a heavy stone that I couldn't lift." Sakura looked down at her knees, ashamed. She put her hand over her chest. "It hurts when you have someone in your heart, but you can't have them in your arms."
Her mind forcibly took her to the night she had confessed her feelings to Sasuke; the night he had left the village, the night she failed to stop him. She had cried for so long until she had had enough and decided that she would get stronger to bring him back. She realized that it was no longer possible, not just because she couldn't go back but because of him. She loved Sinbad, and she did not want to leave him.
"I'm hurt as well, you know," Sinbad said suddenly, pulling away from her. Sakura met his eyes, waiting for the inevitable explanation. "You actually believed that I would have everything I wanted if you gave me up?"
Sakura looked away, shame filling her, but at the same time there was a trickle of belief that still dwelled in her. It wasn't a battle of truth she and Serendine were having before; it was a battle of endurance of the heart. Whose beliefs were so strong that they could not be shaken even if the honest truth in opposition to those beliefs, were thrown at them and she believed Serendine.
"I don't think that Serendine was wrong," Sakura admitted quietly, linking her fingers together. "She made a fair point. If we helped her take back her country and she married you…" Sakura choked back the tears. "Then you would-
"Stop. Did you already forget?" Sinbad moved so that he was sitting in front of Sakura. "I told you before, didn't I, that day you came back?"
When he took her hand to place it over his chest, where she could feel his heartbeat, it came back.
"But they're not the ones who are able to handle this!"
There were three heavy footsteps followed by a tight hand grasping her shoulder to spin her back around, facing Sinbad once again. He took the hand from her shoulder, quickly snatching up Sakura's hand and placing it centre left of his chest. Where Sakura felt a rapid but soft pater.
"Your appearance, your abilities, your djinns, your strange power; none of that matters. You don't have to use any of it to help the company or me. As long as you remain where I can see you-that's all I care about." Sinbad stated, a light blush dusting his cheeks in turn.
"I know I'm not your ideal. I'm selfish, greedy, conceited. I have bad habits, and I'm sure you have an even longer list of everything that's wrong with me. But even so, I want you to stay with me. I don't want you to abandon me." He took a breath. "In return for all of that, I'll always forgive you no matter what, I'll sacrifice for you, I'll respect you, I'll stay committed to you, and I'll protect you."
Sakura's hand clenched over the material around Sinbad's chest.
"After saying all that, you actually thought that I would agree with Serendine's offer?" Sinbad asked, his face pleading.
"But if it were to help you-
Sinbad cut her off again. "What are you saying? Do you honestly believe that I won't be able to do this with you? Have you forgotten that it was you who stood by? That supported me?" he turned her head, making her look at him. "Is your faith in yourself really so weak? Your faith…in me?"
Sakura shook her head immediately. "Of course not, but what if someday…I do something like that again?"
"Where I come from, blood doesn't matter. A new leader is chosen from amongst the people-someone who has distinguished themselves-not by using a name as a crutch. They have the respect and support not only of their people but of leaders in other countries. That is how leadership works where I come from!"
Serendine frowned, speaking louder this time. "But that isn't how it works here! It's not where you come from! So you can't understand."
She had gotten swept up in the hype of the match, thinking that she had the right to mention her village as if it were a part of this world as if it belonged; as if she belonged. Serendine gave her a harsh awakening to the truth. No matter how much time passes, she will always be 'the interloper'. She could not forget that. Even if she decided to stay here, this world would never truly be hers, and where would that leave her with Sinbad?
"I still don't know how this world works, but I know I want to be in it with you." Sakura admitted quietly, she sniffed softly. Looking up at Sinbad, her eyes were shining sadly with glistening tears. "And I don't want just half of you."
Sinbad seemed taken aback, but he felt as though he was swelling with an overwhelming flow of happiness. His heart beating in his chest, he smiled. Driven speechless for a good reason. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"And you call me an idiot. Did you already forget?" Sinbad asked, snickering and sniffing at the same time. "You already have all of me."
"Sinbad…."
Sakura smiled against Sinbad's shoulder, feeling content once again. Although it might have been because Sinbad was now bearing the weight of her pain in his own heart.
'Sakura, you don't want half of me but why do I feel like you're only giving me half of you?'
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Both factions of the royal family were waiting, anxiously and impatiently, for Sinbad and his comrades to return and for the Royal Tomb to be returned to its former state. Nearly more than an hour later, the dungeon started to vanish before their eyes. Sinking beneath the sand as quickly as it had emerged, the ground swallowed it whole. Through the cloud of dust that was created, emerged the group that had been sent to remove the dungeon. They had a bit of a rough landing and their entrance was less than graceful, getting sand in their mouths and accidentally tripping and stepping over one another, but nonetheless, they were unharmed.
Sinbad emerged, Sakura beside him, and the rest of his friends all gathered behind him, covered from head to toe in sand.
"We've conquered the dungeon and returned the royal tomb as promised. Now the rest is up to all of you, Heliohapt Royal family."
While Sinbad was addressing the royals of Heliohapt, Sakura had the feeling of eyes trailing behind her.
Sakura glanced up at Serendine after realising that the Parthevia princess had been watching her for quite some time. She appeared calm and collected, but there was great distraught in her eyes when she looked at Sakura.
"Perhaps guilt for what happened in the dungeon," Stolas suggested
"She humiliated our king by playing on her emotions; she should be more than just guilty with her actions, but appalled!" exclaimed Beleth
'Enough.' Sakura silenced her djinns.
Sakura looked up to Serendine. The action caused the princess to jolt a little. Sakura gave a big grin in return, reassurance beaming from her, and Serendine couldn't help but return the smile, feeling herself become a little lighter.
'Thank goodness.' Serendine thought, relieved, her face felt warm, but her heart was beating steadily.
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The royal tomb, was a magnificent building, equivalent to the palace. With four men sitting on block chairs, carved in the front of the building, holding staffs crossed over their chests. The inside was dark, and because of its lack of visitors, there were no torches lit in advance. The hallway on the inside was lined up with statues of people standing against the walls. Narmes explained to them that it was the largest complex of royal tombs in the world as well as the pride of Heliohapt. The effort to build a place like this would make anyone understand how vital a king was to this country.
"From the scale of the structure. You can see that Heliohapt is a wealthy country." Ja'far said.
Narmes face fell, shaking his head sadly. "I wish that were the case, but our country's present condition is pretty desolate."
Armakan explained that structures like the royal tombs were build decades ago and that Heliohapt no longer had the power it once did. Despite the outstanding technology of the country, it was still mostly desert. It was obvious that they were going to need to rely on imported goods. From a global standpoint, Heliohapt was just a small country.
"We must lead Heliohapt down the road to prosperity. That is the mission of those who are entrusted with its future."
Sakura smiled at Armakan; who in turn seemed taken aback. "It's clear you care a great deal for your country."
"Hmph." Patra scoffed, her arms crossed and an arrogant smirk on her face. "You think opening our borders will make this country prosper? This is why we can't leave ruling to inexperienced youths."
"I wouldn't say King Armakan's vision for this country pertains to any inexperience he has as a ruler," Sakura said, her tone clipped and sharp, but her face remained passive to hide any readings for animosity. "Adapting to change is the way in which the world works. Leaders change the rules and policies of those before them, often to suite the trends of this time period so that they can function and prosper. If you are not willing to move forward and integrate to new ideas, then you will be left behind while everyone else is moving forward. Alliances with other countries offer not only new opportunities for trade and expansion but also foster bonds and make a country seem stronger, protecting them."
Patra looked at Sakura, a frown forming on her face. Unlike the kunoichi, she didn't feel the need to mask her hostility towards her verbal opponent. "Or it endangers them further! The Reim Empire is the biggest threat to our country. If they attacked us, we'd be helpless to defend ourselves. The only reason we've been overlooked before is that we're a small country. If we start diplomacy with other countries, we will only draw attention to ourselves. We'd just be giving them an excuse to attack our country!"
"You'd still be vulnerable if what you're saying is true. A country that doesn't progress can make itself a target as well, because other countries will think of it as inferior and may seek its resources knowing that they are weak."
Patra glared at Sakura before turning to Armakan and his faction. Armakan seemed to be listening carefully to Sakura's words; despite his eyes being closed, he wasn't turning away from her. Sinbad may have had a radiance that engulfed everyone he met, but Sakura had an unusual captivation that brought attention to her. For better or worse; it was as if you were told she was a unique anomaly.
"Don't tell me you are actually listening to this girl! Are you willing to risk the danger of getting our country mixed up in all that just to realize your ideals?"
"I won't deny that an attack is possible, but we should settle things by starting discussions with Reim."
"Oh, you want to discuss things with an empire that spends all its time at war? How optimistic." Gafra sneered.
Patra gave a dark smile, lifting her chin high. "It won't matter, in a few hours, Sharrkan will be the one sitting on the throne."
The former king's faction then left, Sharrkan being carried behind them on his sedan. Sakura did not miss the look on his face, his eyes sad and worried. Armakan and his faction followed as well through the tomb. When it was only the Sindria group that remained, Serendine told them that this kind of conflict happens in every country. There were also various factions in Parthevia, with conflicting policies. Because the military had seized power now, the policies were now lead by them. Sahel told them that Serendine had a younger brother and that if the military hadn't actually seized control, then the two might have found themselves in a similar power struggle.
"You know, it's ironic, but we were able to avoid that conflict because things turned out like this." Serendine clutched her arm, staring at the ground. "But it's frustrating. Thinking about a boy the same age as my brother, being used as a pawn in a power struggle…it pains me."
Sakura was the first to continue on the way through the Royal Tomb, a more determined step in her stride. "I agree with you Serendine, children should not be used as tools of their parents' will."
The tomb's size was not a trick meant to fool strangers by its outward appearance. It was a maze, full of different turns, clearly meant as a defence to keep intruders from entering without permission. The actual resting place of the previous king was a large room, empty, with a staircase in the middle of the room leading up to a single sarcophagus.
"Now…to confirm what's carved on the sarcophagus." Narmes, nervously and hesitantly, moved his lantern over the sarcophagus after everyone was gathered around. The air grew thick as the lamp shone.
"What?!" Narmes exclaimed when he saw what was written on the sarcophagus-or what was supposed to be written-instead there was nothing but a smooth surface of fine stone used to carve the box.
Ja'far frowned, "They said the final words of the former king naming his successor would be on the sarcophagus, right?"
Sinbad nodded, "Yeah…"
"There's nothing written here!?"
That had caused an immediate rush of adrenaline, Gafra ordered everyone to start looking for anything written on the sarcophagus; however, no matter which side they looked at, there was nothing carved.
"It's nowhere on the outside," Sakura stated, crossing her arms. This definitely didn't bode well for anyone.
Mystras then pointed, "We didn't check the inside."
Sakura wasn't too sure about defiling a man's tomb by looking inside-that and she really did not like the prospect of looking at a dead body that had been down here beyond the point of decay. She experienced dealing with cadavers from her medical training, but it was not a pleasant memory.
"Oh-uh-uh." Sakura shook her head.
Mystras looked at her pleadingly, "Please, Sakura."
"Fine." Sakura caved, helping Mystras push the top open. She stopped when she caught sight of the top half of the former king. She saw that he had actually been preserved, his body wrapped and dressed finely in robes cleaner than some civilians, but she didn't take too long to gawk because she noticed something resting on top of his chest. A scroll.
"There's something in here." Mystras pointed to everyone.
They put the top back on straight after taking the scroll out. Unwrapping the scroll, Armakan handed the scroll to Sakura, who took a step back, surprised. "Read it."
Sakura pointed to herself in confusion, "Why me?"
Armakan didn't respond and just held it out to her. "Please."
Sakura took it gently, pulling on the string that held it together and unrolling it. "I am Atenkumen. This is my final will and testament. This is a deviation from the custom of carving one's will into the sarcophagus, a custom established by generations of kings." Sakura took a breath before she continued, "Listen carefully, all those of the royal family. I am personally putting an end to this royal custom. I will not choose the next king. The ones to choose the next king will be you. Armakan. Sharrkan. As the two princes of Heliohapt, you must work together to decide who will be the next king."
Patra immediately went and roughly grabbed the scroll, being the first to overcome her shocked state, although she was still horrified. Her eyes darted over the parchment, wide and maddening. "This cannot be!"
Narmes was rubbing his head, as if he had been hit. "Nothing like this has happened fore, a long-standing custom broken…"
Sakura shrugged, "Perhaps the former king wasn't as old-fashioned as everyone presumed."
"They say men achieve wisdom before death," Stolas told her
'Too bad they need to die right after achieving it.' Sakura thought, 'By the time you gain wisdom, it fades.'
Now trembling, Patra had gone from shocked to having a maddening look in her eyes. "There's no way the former king would do that right? Sharrkan's name was supposed to be carved into his sarcophagus, wasn't it!?"
Sharrkan's visibly jumped when his mother's glare fell on him. "Sharrkan, you said so, didn't you? You said you would become the next king? Didn't you tell us that?" The former first queen appeared to be on the breaking point. Red lines glaring in her eyes. "ANSWER ME SHARRKAN."
The younger prince of Heliohapt was unable to hide the fear as he looked away from his mother. Then Patra came to realise what had happened.
"You deceived me…is that it?" Patra said, lingering towards her son. "Even though you're just a puppet!"
Only managing to grab Sharrkan's wrist for a second, before it was snatched away, and the boy was snatched away. "Lady Patra; calm yourself please. Your son's not some tool for you to vent your anger on."
The queen glared at Sakura, now holding her son protectively in her arms. Sharrkan was surprised when his feet left the ground and he was being held. Sakura's embrace was gentle but secure.
"How dare you!" Patra raised her hand but stopped abruptly when she heard a loud cracking and saw the stone beneath Sakura's one foot broken apart. With the glare that Sakura gave and the discreet warning with her display of strength, the former queen didn't attempt to get closer. Narmes came up behind Patra in an attempt to calm her but she would have none of that.
"WE'RE ONLY HERE BECAUSE SHARRKAN WAS SUPPOSED TO BE KING," Patra screamed, her voice shrill and cold. "THAT IS WHY WE HIRED THESE OUTSIDERS. WE SHOULD HAVE JUST KEPT USING THE DUNGEON AND THE CURSE TO DRAG ARMAKAN FROM THE THRONE."
Sakura raised an eyebrow, looking to Armakan as he came up behind his step mother. "So it was you after all. The mysterious deaths that lead to rumors of a curse. Even though you're the Dowager Queen, you've agitated our citizens and thrown our country into chaos. That is unforgivable."
"Isn't that your fault Armakan?" Patra countered, her frustration dripping in beads of sweat on her face. "We wouldn't have used such methods if you hadn't advocated internal diplomacy. The last thing our nation needs is to encourage negative attention from the Reim Empire. What we did was necessary to protect this country."
Then Armakan stated something that had the entire room freeze. "You say that, but you actually belong to the New Reim Faction, don't you?"
The New Reim Faction was a group that aimed to develop a close relation with Reim in order to avoid conflict and ensure safety.
"What's wrong with that?' Patra asked, screeching. "Without doing so, surviving all of these years would have been impossible. Our small nation is no match for that huge empire! Through carefully monitoring Reim's mood and playing by their rules. We have been able to protect this country!" The Dowager queen's face twisted as she looked at Armakan with disgust and hatred. "That is the duty of the royal family. We can't let centuries of Heliohapt traditions end like this!"
Names then countered, saying that they also needed to free themselves from Reim's control but Gafra said that all that would do is encourage Reim to invade their country.
"This is madness," Hinahoho said.
"This is politics," Serendine stated, hands on her hips. Sakura snickered, continuing to run her hand through Sharrkan's head as he gazed between his brother and mother.
"Our people are at their limits!! Please take their future into consideration!!"
"That would be too naive!! Our people may be temporarily impoverished, but it's in exchange for ensuring the existence of our country continues."
As the internal conflict took place right before their eyes, Sakura walked up to Sinbad and leaned towards him. "You want to step in now, or should I?"
"I got it."
Sinbad decided to finally step in, taking a deep breath before allowing his voice to override everyone else's arguing. "HOLD ON A MINUTE."
Everyone went silent, turning to the purple haired teen. "I can solve your problem…no," Sinbad smirked, his arms crossed. "The Seven Seas Alliance can!!"
There was confusion amongst other things, after Sinbad's bold declaration. Though not many understood his declaration. They did not know how Sinbad expected to resolve the dispute between choosing the next king when the two factions were opposing each other . Sinbad pointed to them that both factions were thinking about what was best for their country's future, and both sides were right but the issues wasn't the two factions; it was the Reim Empire itself. The Reim Empire was the biggest threat to Heliohapt's survival.
"This country has carried on by monitoring Reim's moods and obeying their orders, why?" Sinbad asked, "Because this country doesn't have the power to defy Reim. You would either have to gain power or borrow it from somewhere else. All me, Sinbad the Dungeon Conqueror, to protect you with my power that rivals Reim's."
Patra glared at Sinbad, "Don't be ridiculous!! Alliance? Power to stand up to Reim? There's no way you could do any of that!!"
Sakura smiled; she knew that they weren't going to believe Sinbad's claims at first-no one usually did. He was going to have to prove it to them, that his claims to form an alliance with Heliohapt were true and that he did have the power to protect Heliohapt.
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..
'He is going to show off again, isn't he?" Sitri stated more than asked and Sakura confirmed that it was exactly what he was about to do.
After leaving the Royal Tomb, Sinbad lead everyone to the outskirts of Heliohapt, a fair distance where they could still see the country but with enough space that Sinbad wouldn't accidentally destroy the country with his metal vessel. Now they all stood in the desert, with nothing lined for miles but dunes of sand.
"Sin, as far from the city as we are, please still try to use a little restraint," Ja'far told Sinbad, who was in Baal's djinn equip.
"What are you saying Ja'far?" Sinbad grinned, "Of course, I'm giving it all I've got."
Sakura rubbed her temple, feeling the threat of a headache coming on, "Of course he is,"
Holding out his sword to the distance, Sinbad unleashed Baal's power. The blast of his Bararaq Saiqa cut through the desert, the lightning had everyone's hairs at the back of their necks standing and the results was a gaping dark hole that went so far they couldn't see the end of it.
"Great, you made a chasm." Sakura commented dryly. Even though they were so far from Heliohapt, if Sinbad had moved his attack any further to the right, he would have ended up getting a piece of the country in his attack. Then she looked at the royal family and their subordinates, who were not only awestruck but trembling with terror.
"That is not my only metal vessel," Sinbad said, grasping Valefor's necklace and transforming into his second djinn equip. Mystras and Ja'far attempted to stop him, but he had already taken to the skies.
"Each metal vessel is different," Sinbad explained. He held out his hands to unleash his next display of power. "There's a multitude of ways to use them as well; however, that depends on the choices you make. If you misuse them…"
There was a crackling noise heard all around them as their hot desert air turned cool, a breeze washing over everyone as they stared at the giant ice shards that were now planted all over the desert sands.
"You can instantly cover an entire desert in ice."
Sinbad clearly wanted to emphasize on the strength that the metal vessels held; he said that if he wanted to invade Heliohapt he could have done so already on his own. The power of a metal vessel was enough to destroy a country overnight. After he was certain he had made his point, Sinbad reverted his djinn equip.
"And I'm not the only one who wields this power," Sinbad said to a horrified queen Dowager and her vizier. "Most of the national leaders of the Seven Seas Alliance have their own metal vessels and rumors are that there are more being used around the world."
Ja'far then added, "Our master is the first multiple dungeon conqueror in the world and his partner," the boy directed their attention to Sakura. "Is the second; no one rivals their strength. In addition, now one of our allies Princess Serendine of Parthevia, has also conquered a dungeon and has a metal vessel."
"Listen, our only desire is to protect global balance." Sinbad swore, "In order to do so, we need your cooperation. To build the world as it should be and to prevent this immense power from throwing everything into chaos. We must become a power that protects humanity."
Crossing his arms with his sword in his hand still, Sinbad spoke firmly. "I am Sinbad. I am the head of the Sindria Trading Company and the Leader of the Seven Seas Alliance. I have the determination…"
It seemed that royal members of Heliohapt were struck speechless, but for the first time, both opposing factions had come to understand just how great Sinbad's power was.
"Heliohapt will join your Seven Seas Alliance. I want you to lend this country your strength." Armakan said, his eyebrows furrowed with frustration. He had realized just how naive and narrow-minded his country's view of the world had been, and it was not easy when this was how you discovered something like that. Sinbad had just opened his eyes with a power far greater than anything he had witnessed before. Along with that, this demonstration of power had planted a seed of longing within Armakan. He suddenly wished that he had been the one to enter that dungeon, to gain that power, just like them.
He looked at Sinbad and Sakura, talking happily together over their achievement of having Heliohapt join their alliance. They seemed in perfect sync, which wasn't his first impression of the two when he had met them. Sinbad had continuously referred to Sakura as his partner
Gafra was still persistent and attempted a last minute resistance, he turned to Patra. Although it was obvious to everyone he was desperate and grasping at straws in vain. "Lady Patra, what are we doing?! We can't let them intervene! We've come so far, just one small step from the throne!"
When Patra spoke, she kept her head down, and her voice was trembling like the rest of her body. "It's pointless…We're no match for a power like that. Whether we make Reim our enemy or him our enemy, it's all the same…" Patra held up her hands in defeat. "There's no choice but to accept our fate."
The result at the end of that day, had the former king's faction surrendering and being arrested for their crimes against the country, thanks to the queens confession. Sinbad had also been given a document of Heliohapt's trading agreement, but there was still one more matter that needed to be settled then. There was still the unsettled matter of the former king's will.
"Both my younger brother and I must decide together, and fortunately, those who would interfere are gone." Armakan turned to his brother, Sharrkan held his staff tightly with a disconcerted expression.
"What will you do? Sharrkan."
When the boy didn't respond, Sakura came over to him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder and turning him to look at her. "You don't have to worry, I promise; just tell the truth."
Sharrkan turned back to his brother and his followers. "I think the one who should be king…is my brother. I know I'm not fit for such an important role. Since I've always just done what mother told me..."
Armakan seemed to come to his own realization. "This is what you intended from the start? Now that I can think about it calmly. It was strange that you said such a thing when your freedom of speech always so restricted by the former king's faction. Foolish little brother. It was all too late."
Sakura saw Sharrkan's face saddened; he clearly knew this from the beginning. The conflict of this country had resulted in innocent deaths from the former king's faction and their plot to remove Armakan from the throne and since Sharrkan was the figurehead of that faction, he would be in danger now.
"But I am also to blame," Armakan added, exasperated. "When I succeeded the throne, I should have tried to resolve the problem with the former king's faction before it came to this."
It was clear that if Sharrkan remained in Heliohapt, he would spark another conflict in the future; after that conclusion, Sakura decided to enter in.
"If he's in danger here, then why not allow him to come with Sindria Trading Company?" Sakura announced, resting her hand on top of Sharrkan's head.
"What?" Narmes asked with disbelief.
"He is in a precarious position right now. Wouldn't it make sense to leave him in the care of Sindria Company?"
"I agree with my partner on this." Sinbad said, coming up next to Sakura. "There are other royal children and important people from our allied nations who have joined us. I think you could say it's the safest place in the world."
Sakura had to bite back from commenting that any place with Sinbad could hardly ever be considered safe but if they were going to be trusted with the care of this country's youngest prince, she figured it was best to leave that comment unsaid.
"It's true if my brother remains here, it will only result in chaos for our country. I don't have a problem with your conditions but this is…." Armakan paused, "Like you're taking a hostage."
Sakura placed her hand over her chest, speaking with complete sincerity. "That is not our intention at all. We're only concerned for the safety of the prince, whose country we have now formed an alliance with."
Armakan was silent for a brief moment, "Fine, I'll entrust my brother to you, Sinbad. As a symbol of our alliance."
Sharrkan looked at his brother, with tears in the corner of his eyes.
"There's no place for you in this country." Armakan told his brother, "As Heliohapt is now, your presence will only lead to more trouble. But, once you've grown and found your own strength and I have suppressed this country's conflicts. Come home. Return to this country someday."
This must have been the first time that Sharrkan and Armakan were able to share a moment that was remotely close to a normal sibling relationship. It made Sakura wonder, though; if brother's who had been set against each other since birth were somehow able to share a moment like this and to retain a bond that had somehow been created despite the distance between them. Given their struggle for power. How was it possible that they could look at each other like that? That they still held this connection.
Sasuke's brother Itachi had killed every single member of his clan, except for Sasuke. Why was that, what was the real reason? This was making her reevaluate the Uchiha Massacre. There had to be something more that she was missing. If she could talk to Naruto about this when he came back-
'Wait.' Sakura stopped herself, her eyes casting down. 'Why am I thinking that, I can't go back home. Besides…' she looked over to Sinbad. She clenched her fists. 'I made my decision…'
"Although," Armakan continued, "There will still be many in Heliohapt that will remain under the influence of the former king's faction."
Sakura held up her hand, now looking back to the official king of Heliohapt. "Exposing the faction's true motives should be enough to allow the older generation to see reason. There is also the former king's final words as evidence in case you are threatened again but I doubt that will happen. I'm certain you and your faction will be able to achieve all you set out if you remain strong to your own ideals."
"You seem to have already thought this through." Narmes said, with everything that had happened today; the followers of the former king's faction and their reactions or retaliation had been set far back in their minds. In fact, it hardly seemed like something to be worried about and yet…
'Why did king Armakan bring it up?' he wondered
"Your partner seems to talk a lot on your behalf doesn't she?" Armakan asked Sinbad, it was clear he meant no actual offense in his words, merely curious about the answer.
Sinbad grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, I wouldn't say she talks on my behalf but for my sake and benefit yes."
Sakura shrugged casually, "I merely speak from my own perspectives and beliefs. Like I believe that this alliance will be a great stepping stone towards what Heliohapt and king Armakan wish for the country."
"She's a good negotiator too." Sinbad said, suddenly feeling the need to boast. "And one of the reasons I've been able to get as far as I have with my company. She has intuition and sharp views that have helped me make excellent decisions."
Sakura was about to completely deny Sinbad's claim as she always did when he said something like that about her, but Armakan said something that rendered her speechless.
"Then I would like to make a request," Armakan said.
"What would that be?" asked Sinbad.
"Would you allow me to keep your companion, Sakura Haruno in Heliohapt?" Armakan asked, directing his attention to Sakura.
Now Sakura already knew from the looks she was getting from her companions that the choked-up questions and splutters were about to come her way as they did for Sinbad in Zepar's dungeon. So she quickly pushed down her own shock to ask.
"Excuse me King Armakan, I don't quite understand," Sakura said carefully.
"Really?" all of her djinn's sarcastic voices ran through her head but she didn't bother to send back a comment.
"I am still a long way from achieving my goals for this country. There will be those who still oppose this alliance, but perhaps with someone standing in to represent that alliance would help." Armakan told them. "Though I hate to admit this; we are still green when it comes to these matters. Narrow-minded compared to the rest of the world, the perspective of someone who has seen what lies beyond Heliohapt could be a great asset and in terms of negotiating as well. And Sinbad has just pointed you as the best person for this."
Sinbad did not say anything-mainly because like the rest of his friends, he was struck a little speechless right now but finally coming out of that state he decided to as attentively as possible speak.
"Your highness, you're asking me to leave one of my companions in your care, without consulting them on the matter?" Sinbad asked.
"You are their leader correct?" Armakan asked back, "If you wished it, wouldn't any of your subordinates agree?"
"Of course we would," Sakura said quickly. Sinbad gave her a questioning look. Did she not realize that this included her remaining behind in Heliohapt? "I wouldn't have any objections if Sinbad wished for me to remain in Heliohapt to assist you."
Ja'far, Mystras, Hinahoho, Masrur, Drakon, Sahel and Tamira were gaping at the three, along with Narmes and the rest of the king's subordinates. No one was able to make sense of why King Armakan would request for Sakura to stay in Heliohapt.
"What is happening?" Mystras asked, leaning towards his friends.
"I don't know. I blinked and missed the turning point." Hinahoho said back, his arms folded as he watched with interest.
"Well then, Sinbad?" Armakan asked. "Would you assist me in confidence of our alliance?"
Sinbad looked back and forth between Sakura-who wasn't objecting in any way to get him out of this pinch! He didn't want to agree with this but he didn't want to damage their newly formed alliance in any way so he was finding the right words to reject the king's request. And he would have if Serendine hadn't stepped up next to them and speak instead.
"King Armakan, that request you make is not possible."
Sakura and Sinbad both turned to Serendine, as she addressed the king, her expression calm and serious. "Sakura Haruno is Sinbad's partner and intended; it would not be appropriate for him to agree to this request of yours. Sakura Haruno is also a co-leader of Sindria Trading Company; therefore, she has many responsibilities as well."
Sakura was surprised by Serendine's intervention, but she couldn't say she didn't appreciate it. Then she felt a tug on her waist. Sinbad was looking at Armakan, grinning. "It's exactly as Princess Serendine has said, your highness. She's my intended before my subordinate."
Armakan nodded with just the slightest hesitation before turning away. "I understand."
"King Armakan," Sakura called to him. Waiting until he turned back around, she smiled brightly. "I feel that you will definitely be able to make this country great, greater than any of your previous kings, because you have the vision and the determination. You do not need someone like me; you already have all you need."
King Armakan turned back with his subordinates. "When I do, be sure to return in good faith to that belief of yours."
Sinbad's grip tightened around Sakura's waist, but she continued to smile. "We will."
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