At the location where the dungeon once stood, now transformed into a massive crater, soldiers surrounded the area, their voices merging into a constant buzz of confusion and disbelief. The sight before them was nothing short of astonishing.
At the bottom of the pit lay five large bags, overflowing with gold items and other treasures. And sprawled atop the bags was a young boy with long, purple hair and golden eyes.
"A... a child!" one soldier exclaimed, pointing at the boy in astonishment.
The soldiers gathered around, their curiosity piqued and their voices filled with amazement and speculation.
"We came to investigate since people said the dungeon vanished. What in the world?"
"Was the dungeon conquered by this child who suddenly appeared?"
"Marvelous!"
"Report to his majesty! The first dungeon conqueror has appeared!"
As the soldiers busied themselves with their discussions, the young boy couldn't help but smile at the commotion. However, his smile quickly faded as some soldiers approached him, wearing smiles that betrayed an air of entitlement.
"Good work, the dungeon conqueror lad. His majesty will be most pleased;" a soldier began, his voice laced with condescension. "You're just a child soldier, right? Well done. Now, hand over the treasure and the power of the dungeon."
The boy's expression hardened as he faced the soldier, determination glinting in his eyes. "Don't count me as one of you," he retorted, his voice firm and resolute. "Be it the treasure or the powe. I got it with my hands, no way am I giving it to you!"
The soldier's face twisted in anger and disbelief. "What is that? That is treachery against the empire. Arrest him!" he bellowed, and several soldiers raised their halberds threateningly toward the boy.
The boy's determination remained steadfast, but a flicker of unease crossed his features. He glanced at his sword, as if anticipating something.
But just as tension reached its peak, a familiar voice rang out from behind the boy, startling both him and the soldiers. "Sinbad, you got this power after all this effort, yet you're not going to use it?" the voice asked.
"Yunan!?" Sinbad exclaimed, his gaze shifting in the direction of the voice. "And Reana too!?"
Yunan offered Sinbad a warm smile, while Reana jumped forward to embrace him, her smile tinged with an odd mix of happiness and concern.
"Ah, I see," Yunan said, his tone understanding. "You don't know how to use this power yet. Then, let me lend you a hand." With a gentle touch, he laid his hand on Sinbad's sword, causing it to emit a radiant wave of light. To the soldiers' horror, a towering figure materialized above the trio—an imposing blue-skinned man with horns, a third eye on his forehead, scaly skin, batlike wings, and a wild mane of dark hair. His menacingly long fingernails sent shivers down the soldiers' spines.
"Well, do you need my assistance, my Lord?" the giant figure's voice rumbled, echoing through the air.
"A blue giant? What is that monster?" some soldiers shrieked in fear and confusion.
"Come... Scatter them away. With your power!!" Yunan encouraged Sinbad, his voice filled with unwavering confidence.
Fear gripped some of the soldiers as they turned and fled in panic.
"Now, follow the voice that rose in your heart," Yunan instructed, his voice a steady guiding presence.
Sinbad stared at the glowing eight-pointed star symbol on his sword, uncertainty swirling within him. But then, as if reciting a formula he had learned by heart, he spoke with conviction, "The Djinn of Wrath and Heroes, I command thee and thy household to feed on my magoi and empower my will with your great ability! Come forth, Baal!"
As the last word left his lips, he held his sword high above his head. In an instant, lightning crackled from his sword, striking the soldiers who had threatened him. The display of power was swift, and in an instant, the threat was extinguished. Sinbad gazed at his weapon in awe, scarcely believing the incredible abilities it had granted him.
"Stay away from me!" one soldier shrieked, fear evident in his voice.
"This brat used witchcraft!?" another questioned in shock.
Sinbad looked around at the soldiers, still shocked by what happened. "This is my power..." he murmured, his voice filled with disbelief and wonder.
Yunan interrupted his thoughts, his voice calm yet resolute. "This should be enough... Sinbad, let's go." With a flick of his wand, Sinbad found himself floating in the air, his surprise evident.
"Yunan, what are you doing?" Sinbad asked, sweat forming on his brow as he tried to comprehend the situation.
But before he could receive an answer, soldiers who had been discreetly approaching lunged forward to attack. Sinbad's eyes widened, but out of the corner of his vision, he caught sight of Reana, swinging a long stick she had in her hands. He hadn't noticed it before. Flames burst forth, encircling the group and forming a barrier that blocked the soldiers' advance. The soldiers recoiled in horror, their panicked cries filling the air.
Without hesitation, Yunan and Reana took off into the sky, and a bewildered Sinbad was swept along with them. The wind rushed past his face as they ascended, leaving behind the chaos and confusion of the soldiers.
----
Disheveled and breathing heavily, Sinbad stumbled as he landed on the firm ground in Tison Village. He couldn't help but let out a laugh, a mix of exhilaration and a touch of queasiness. "Ha... Haha. That was awesome. I've never flown in the sky before..." His words were interrupted as he covered his mouth, a sickly expression crossing his face. "Urp..."
Yunan, observing Sinbad's state, scratched the back of his neck. "Let me heal your motion sickness with magic," he offered, reaching out to help.
Sinbad shook his head, mustering a weak smile. "It's okay. Don't do anything."
Reana, her expression serious, took a step closer to Sinbad. She began to speak, her voice filled with worry, but before she could utter another word, villagers approached them, their eyes filled with a mix of relief and reproach.
"Aren't you... Sinbad?" a woman called out, her voice carrying a tone of both relief and frustration.
"Yeah, I'm back, everyone..." Sinbad smiled at them.
The woman's frustration boiled over as she shouted, "What took you so long!? Leaving Esra and Reana behind... How could you stay away for two whole months!?"
Sinbad stood there, dumbfounded, his eyes darting toward Reana, who offered him a sad nod.
Here I'm linking two musics, I think they fit for what's to come, and I love them :') Feel free to listen while reading the rest of the chapter, if you feel like it :')
The villagers hurriedly led the way, guiding Sinbad to his house. As they entered, the woman and Reana knelt beside Esra, who lay on a couch in the center of the room. The fragility of her existence struck Sinbad like a blow to the chest, causing his breath to catch in his throat. He stood frozen at the entrance, his heart sinking with each passing moment.
Summoning his strength, Sinbad approached, his steps heavy with a mix of guilt and sorrow. He knelt by his mother's side, his trembling hands reaching out to take her frail, weathered one. He was at a loss for words, his heart heavy with a sense of impending loss.
Esra struggled to open her eyes. She glanced toward the figure kneeling beside her, a weak smile tugging at her pale lips. The room was filled with a palpable sense of finality as she struggled to find her words. "Darling?" she rasped, her voice barely audible. "I see... Badr, it's you, right?" Sinbad's eyes widened at the mention of his father's name. "If I... can see you... that means I'm leaving soon, right?"
Sinbad's grip on his mother's hand tightened, as if trying to hold on to the precious moments slipping away.
The villagers had respectfully withdrawn, giving the family their space. Reana, feeling like an intruder in this deeply personal moment, began to rise from her spot, thinking Sinbad needed space. But as she brushed past Sinbad, his trembling hand shot out, grasping hers tightly, silently begging her to stay. She paused, her own tears threatening to spill over, and settled back down beside him, their intertwined hands a lifeline in the sea of sorrow.
Listening to his mother's words, Sinbad fought back tears, his gaze fixed on Esra's weakened form. "Say, Badr, our boy..." Esra continued, her voice soft but filled with love. "He went out for adventure... to the outside world... with your sword in hand... He's energetic, full of curiosity, and reckless. But... He treasures his family and companions. Especially Reana... He's gentle deep inside... That boy is already a grown up now... He will be fine... And he will have Reana by his side... Heh, you haven't met her, but... You would have loved her... I'm sure..." Her words trailed off, her voice growing faint with each passing breath. "I love you... Sin... Reana..."
The hand that Sinbad held relaxed, and he could see Reana trying to hide her tears with her free hand. Sobs resonated from behind them, betraying the presence of some of the villagers at the entrance of the house. The weight of the moment hung in the air as Esra's final words drifted into silence, her love and devotion etched into the hearts of those left behind.
A/N: Hello! Shorter chapter, but with less waiting! Quite a difficult one too... Tell me what you think of me putting some music to accompany some chapters :) Hope you'll enjoy!