Sin'na of Sindria

The Dungeons

Ja'far didn't know what to do with a letter like this, not when it could cause an uproar. He rolled it back, quickly walking his way through the halls to find Sinbad. There was no doubt about it, the painted picture in Ja'far's hand from the letter resembling his leader far more than he liked. Who was the woman to afford color in the painting and why would she wait so long to send the news? Ja'far pushed the door open to the study, staring at Sinbad and gulping down the fear of what could happen.

Sin'na coughed and struggled to get away from the sting of the water, her skin almost burning as she managed to claw her way up a wall. Screams of grown men filled her ears as she glanced down, her eyes widening in horror at the sight. They were melting, their bones the only things remaining as they crumbled into the stream they died from. She trembled, clinging to the walls for her life as she ran scenarios through her head. It was a wonder if anyone had made it past this part of the dungeon she was thrust into.
She let out a breath, coughing a bit more from the burn in her throat. The effects didn't seem to last too long so that was good, at least she now had a time frame. She glanced around the dripping, cave-like walls, golden eyes calculating. She was too young for this insanity but that man just had to have whatever power was here. A deep breath in and Sin'na launched to a different part of the wall.
Blessed was her mother, that was all she could think of as the claws on her hands latched into the wall. The gloves were tight, even as the metal appendages from them pulled the fabric from her weight. It was the last gift her mother had given her and while they were beautiful in design and detail, they were dangerous. It hadn't registered why her mother would train her every evening, making her fight against dummies with her fingers in certain positions but now it did. The weapons were her mother's last gift; they were the dying wish of her mother for Sin'na's survival.
Sin'na pushed off and landed on a small platform, flexing her hands as she coughed again. Did her mother know this is where she would end up at? She knelt down, placing her elbows on her knees as she studied the ground for anything living. Nothing had disturbed the dust here in what looked like forever as she stood up and walked silently. If any of those men survived, they could figure out what to do. She didn't care for them, they were just a means to keep her in check to begin with.
Writing was on the walls, hidden until someone just barely passed them. She could read them just barely, beginning to wish she had listen to her mother's teachings on ancient script. Frustrated, Sin'na hit one, yelling out angrily, "Why am I here!" The tunnel seemed quiet for a long while as she glared at the crumbling space in the wall, blinking as the sound of rushing water filled her ears. She pushed herself against the wall, climbing up a bit and closing her mouth tightly as the sound got louder. Nothing came, even as the noise thundered in her ears.
She frowned and slowly got off the wall, looking around before walking more. She found another piece of writing, scrutinizing it before gently touching the tip of one of the claws to it's center. The sound of the water stopped and in its place, a flute began to play. Sin'na became confused as she stared at the wall, her eyes widening as the sound grew fainter. The sounds were illusions, cast by something deeper in and the flute that played was leading her.
She turned and followed the sound quickly, her feet carrying her faster than she thought through twists and turns. She stopped at a door, the halls narrowing into it as the flute played loudly in her ears. Why was it still playing? Shouldn't it have stopped? She rubbed her head as the sound grew and faded continuously while figuring out the door.
Her hand slammed into the door, the structure creaking open a bit. Sin'na blinked and hit against it again, watching it creep open. "All right," she giggled and stepped back. She took a deep breath and flexed the claws, bouncing on her toes. "Breath in. Breath out. Feel it."
The mantra was something her mother would repeat again and again while she trained and in a strange way, it helped her stay on top of the training that turned rigorous. The progression of her mother's illness sparked the rise, the training getting harder and harder. She launched forward and kicked the door open. She rolled forward and squealed, her chin hitting the bottom of the stairs inside. Sin'na groaned and sat up, rubbing her chin.
"Ow, why'd it have to give," she whined softly.
"You have passed the dungeon," a deep voice made the room shake and before she could look around the room, the head of a horse was in her face.
"Don't hit me," Sin'na held her arms up to block a strike, stiffening quickly. Nothing came but silence and she peeked past her raised arms. The horse head was just staring, a blaring blue in its shade and red eyes taking her in thoughtfully.
"A child has made it here," the head hummed. "How amusing."
"I'm ten thank you," Sin'na barked.
"A child," it reiterated. "I am Amduscias, the jinn of storms and calamitous music. You have passed my dungeon. What is your purpose?" Sin'na blinked and slowly relaxed, her claws tapping on the ground as she stared at the creature wide-eyed.
"My purpose," she muttered.
"Yes, your purpose," the jinn leaned back and Sin'na took in the room. What would be riches was all stoneware, the room decorated with instruments and fine linen. Sin'na looked back at the jinn and leaned forward, her gaze falling to the floor. What was she here for? That no good 'father' of hers and his greed?
She grit her teeth and clawed at the floor a bit, pulling her knees close to her chest.
"I have no purpose of my own, is that okay," she asked.
"None of your- what is that," Amduscias fumed. Sin'na squeaked and raised her arms once more, the jinn staring and the tension from him dying down. The horn on its forehead began to shrink first before the jinn shrunk to her size. "You must have your own reason."
"I don't," Sin'na replied quickly.
"What about a dream," the jinn asked after a moment. Sin'na looked at him and blinked as her eyes widened a bit. A dream could be a purpose? Would he take that? "What is it you most desire, child? It's getting awfully boring in this forsaken place."
"It's boring here? But there's so much going on outside the door," Sin'na pointed past the door.
"I made all of that for this dungeon," Amduscias waved his hand at the door and sighed. "No ones ever gotten past entering so there was no need to change the rest."
"Acid water," Sin'na blinked. "Well of course not, silly! They died the minute they got in!" She laughed and Amduscias blinked at her before crouching to her level. "If you put that throughout, they'd have seen all the writing."
"So that's how you got here? You actually saw it," he seemed excited as Sin'na nodded.
"Of course I did! Mama said 'the first thing you look for is a clue in the room'. Of course, that was along with everything else she taught me," Sin'na giggled.
"Your mother," Amduscias chuckled dryly. Silence filled the room as Sin'na stared at the claws on her hands. Amduscias sat down and crossed his arms, staring at her thoughtfully. "Why do you sound as if you've lost her? She's still there."
Sin'na clutched her hands tightly and grit her teeth, "She's not. And I don't know where my father is to tell him that she's gone. I don't even know who he is."
"You don't," Amduscias tilted his head and scowled a bit. "My power can't be used for finding him. I am meant for a king's vessel. I am a ruler's power to control a country."
"A king," Sin'na seemed to brighten a bit, her golden eyes shimmering. "That would be something. To rule over people, make sure they were happy; that would be amazing."
"That is what I am here for," he nodded slowly.
"If I became a ruler, I could do that, right," Sin'na smiled brightly, the ideas racing through her mind.
"You made it here, didn't you? And at such an age; I'm sure you'd be a good ruler," Amduscias chuckled. He studied her for a moment longer and stood up, holding his hand out. "There is no Magi with you, but that's fine. I am willing to be your power."
Sin'na stared at his hand and took it carefully, letting herself be helped up, "I don't know what power you offer but if I can make people happy, that's good enough for me!" The stoneware in the room glimmered, turning to gem encrusted gold items. She looked around and gasped.
"These are your riches and I will be your power," the jinn nodded. "You will be a queen, child."
"My name is Sin'na," Sin'na giggled. She blinked as a flash blinded her and she was standing in an empty clearing. She slowly stared to her claws, a new symbol amongst the designs. She stayed quiet for a moment before staring at the bags of treasure near her. "Well, Amduscias, first thing's first; I need my freedom."