Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

There's a feeling you get when you're at the edge of the world…

It's so beautiful...

The feeling is falling into the abyss, where it's covered with peace and freedom. There is no worries, no wars, and no blood... just peace and quiet.

...But that only lasted for two seconds because the next feeling was pain. Pain in every part of the body and places we didn't know even existed until now.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Damn that hurts..."

"Wow, so the Princess does know how to curse." The Princess looked around to find the sarcastic voice, luckily the voice spoke again, "Can you please help me get down? I'm...stuck."

The Princess look up and saw another girl in a Kou servant uniform hanging upside down in a tree. The Princess looked away and started to snicker in her sleeve at the misfortune of her companion was in, "Ha-ha, actually I'm enjoying the show."

"Princess, I said please." The other girl cross her arms and pouted.

Sigh... "Fine." The Princess carefully climbed up the tree and got the servant girl's leg free from the vines.

"Yelp! Ow...thanks." The girl rubbed her back side and glared at the Princess, who jump down gracefully.

"Your welcome."

The two girls walked around trying to find any signs of life, but during their time together they would just ignore one another or glare if the other if they made a noise or just let out a breath of air. They manage to hold off killing one other because a group of men stop them in the middle of the trail. They could tell the men were greedy for the jewels and silks that they wore plus, the girls are beautiful as well.

"Stop right there and give us everything you own and no one gets hurt." The leader of the men said with a sword pointed at them and smirked. The girls look at one another unimpressed and bored. Before the man knew it, he and his group were tied up and covered with bruises, cuts and blood.

"Now then, let's try that again." The Princess said with a sadistic smile. "Where is the nearest village?" 

The men shiver in fear and used their heads to point in the right direction, "Th-that way! Please don't kill us!" As the men continue to plead the girls to release them or beg the girls to not kill them. They girls ignore them and walk into the direction they gave them and saw the village. 

The village was small but homely. All the villagers didn't have much but they can see they were content. But what put them off was the soldier who were walking around. Their uniforms are different. This particular uniform the Princess has only seen in history books about more than 10 years or so old.

"Uh, Princess. I think we need to change our clothes." The girl saw the villagers in clothing that weren't as rich as theirs. Plus their dresses were getting heavy and the silk wasn't feeling as nice as it was before.

The Princess blinked her pink eyes in confusion as if this is the first time a commoner, a servant no less, was giving her, a princess, an order. The Princess glared at her, "What? Why?"

The servant girl pull her dark green hair into a high pony tail and glared back, "We would stand out. Plus I don't see any Kou soldiers around only... I don't know what that uniform is but it isn't Kou's." The girl thought the Princess was spoil but didn't know Princess can be the type that can make friends with anyone. The princess is someone who gets underestimate a lot and she's one of the people who can surprise the most unlikely people and change their minds about them, only slightly.

"Those are Parthevia Empire uniforms but I don't understand... Why they look somewhat out dated and... What are you doing?" As the Princess look around, the servant was taking off her outer layers of clothing but leaving one on.

"Come on Princess. Just take off your outer layers and wear only one."

"I don't expect a commoner like you to understand but that's improper!"

"Look at them! It'll be fine!"

After a few minutes of arguing the Princess and her servant change into their lighter layer of clothing. The rest went into a bag they took from the robbers which had a necklace the Princess put on. The Princess also change her hairstyle just in case, more like the commoner started to pull on it and said it stands out, she almost lost a hand that morning, into a long braid and bun it up. The servant girl put a few cuts on theirs dresses so they can move around easily. 

They made it into the village without trouble, well other than a few rude words here and there, and found a shop that trade materials for money. The store keeper is a pleasant middle age woman who loves children and dressing everyone up. The woman was very pleased with the silks and jewelry but the girls kept the gold just in case and the necklace they found. The woman gave them enough money for, food, horses, housing, and clothes that would last month. She was quite curious about the two girls, the older one has dark green hair pull up into a high pony tail, and gray eyes that reminded her of a storm passing through, plus the dress she wore was dirty and probably white before they came into the village and had a few cuts here and there. The younger girl is clean of dirt, she has red pink hair and eyes that match with a sweet naivety to them but they held a darker gleam if someone messes with her the wrong way. The red pink girl wore a dress that wasn't seen very often but with what they are wearing and what they traded in was obviously expenses and maybe even noble... boarder lining royalty.

The woman couldn't help back asked the girls who were looking at the outfits with curiosity, "Are you two running away from something or someone? Because these clothing and jewels are obviously from nobles."

The girls froze at the question but the older one answered the woman with a sheepish smile, "No. Actually we're trying to find our way home but we don't even know where we are."

"Oh you poor dears. I'm sorry. But you two are in Rears Village, just two weeks or so ride from Contantia Harbor in the Parthevia Empire." The girls look at each in confusion, Kougyoku was taught everything to know about the world and what her family would take over but she also knew Rears Village was destroy from a battle a few years after she was born. The woman saw the confusion in their eyes and explain a bit more, "We are in war to simple put it, with the Reim Empire. Most of our men have gone to fight but the ones who got out of fighting came back as thieves, robbers, and killers but luckily some of the hunters have been around to help keep those bad boys away but I'm surprise at you two. It's been known some of those robbers are in the woods hiding and waiting for their next victim."

The older girl chuckled a little before saying, "Well, we almost got robbed on our way here but we had training and know how to protect ourselves."

"Really, that's amazing. You must have a knife or something on you to get this far." The girls just smile, "Well how about I help you ladies find some new clothes and you can be on your way." They can tell it's best not to argue with her about clothes or anything that has to do with fashion as they watch the woman look at the clothes on the shelves and pulled different pieces while looking back at them or putting back the clothes and grabbing different ones.

"Thank you my lady. We would be most appreciated for your help."

"It's no problems dears. Oh dear me I didn't tell you my name. My mind must be getting old," the woman giggled, "I'm Yuki, with a lazy merchant as a husband who is away at the moment."

The girls giggled, "It's nice to meet you Yuki-san. My name is Gyoku and this my... traveling partner, Lina." Both of the girls bow to the shop keeper and she bow back.

"My, my. You two are very polite. Now let's find some clothes for you two." After two hours the girls finally have an outfit that is comfortable and easy to fight in. Lina kept her hair in a high ponytail but added a few braid in and left her bangs alone. The top in a gray that's a shade or two darker than her eyes, covers her breast to the bellybutton, on top is a light tan shirt. Her pants are a dark tan and has to be tied crisscross at the ankles to the mid-calf plus soft brown shoes that are easy to run in. Holding it together at the waist in a tight light brown scarf and two belts that can hold her knives. And for the finally piece dark brown gloves so she doesn't hurt her hands.

Gyoku is embarrassed that her outfit shows off her shoulders, midriff and wrists. Her top is a cream color long sleeves with blue at the ended but she can't hide her blush as easily with the outfit. And on top of that is a dark blue vest held tightly with a small red scarf. Plus her new necklace is being shown off as well. Her pants are creamy white too and at her hip is a long blue and red scarf that can be used as a small blanket and at her feet are dark blue boots. Yuki-san gave them a better bag to hold their money and belongings.

"Thank you my lovelies and please come back again! And please try not to fight one another again!" Yuki-san yelled at the girls while waving at them.

The girls turned to wave back and yelled, "Thank you and no promise!"

The girls walk around the village looking for a place to eat lunch and saw wanted posters of the men they left in the woods and the award is 5,000 gold coins.

Lina looked at the poster in thought before turning to her...companion, "Well it would be easy money." Because they left the group in an area no one could see unless you were really looking for it.

Gyoku glazed at the poster, "But we don't need it." She is a princess for Solomon sake, she didn't need the money. Plus the money Yuki-san gave them will last a while.

Lina rolled her eyes at, in her opinion, the spoil princess and counted off her fingers, "Listen, these people only know about one war. A war that has been over for years, plus I haven't heard anyone mention the dungeons and if they aren't talking about that, I bet if you ask anyone about him they won't even know who we're talking about."

The red hair girl thought the points over before looking at the green hair girl, "But, but that would mean..."

"We're in the past."

"We're dead."

"Wait what? Why would you say that?" Both of the girls said at the same time. The villagers can almost see lighting coming out of their heads as they glare at each other. Not long the Princess and the servant were arguing for another five minutes again about the possibility of time travel.

Lina sighed and looked at the heated Princess she knew she's going to be stuck with for a while, it's definitely better then one of her insane, idiotic, bloodthirsty brothers but she still hated the Ren family, "Look, the only way we would know who is right is by going back to the woods, get the men and talk to the guards or someone who can tell us what's going on. Deal?" Lina held out her hand. Kougyoku look at it, "Sigh, deal." They shook hands but what they didn't know is that the rukh were flying around their hands because this is the starting point of a new beginning and a beautiful friendship but they still had a long way to go before they notices.

"Wonderful lets go."

"Wait...now?"

They got to the area where they hid the men and found them asleep and still tied up. As quickly and quietly as they could they dragged them into town. It wasn't dinner time yet so people were still out and about so a few kids, girls and boys, saw who they were dragging and not long everyone started to come out and cheer for the girls and thank them. The girls' waved back and when they made it to the prison where the Captain of the Guard was waiting for them, "Thank you my ladies. How did you ever find them?"

"They didn't realized who they were targeting or trying to steal from."

"Well here is the award and if there is anything I can do please let me know."

"Some information would be nice."

"Oh, on what?" The girls notices how his shoulders got a little tense and his voice tighten but it relax once they explained.

"So you see you just want direction to get home and be on our way."

"I see. What is the name of your village and where is it located?" The Captain invited them into his office which has a big map.

"Our home is called Dialina, near the Kou Empire." Dialina was a town in Kou made from one of the dungeons.

"I'm sorry my ladies. But I have to say I've never heard of Dialina. And with the Kou Empire...it's still new to our ears so we don't hear much about them. Other than they were three kingdom who formed under one but that's about it. But here on this map, if you take this road you'll make it to Contantia Harbor you'll know if you're going the right way once you pass Tison then it's a straight shot. From there a ship is going to Napolia and from there you can go home."

"Thank you so much Sir." The girls realized they maybe more lost then they thought but they knew one thing for sure. They managed to travel back in time.

"It's no problem. But it's a shame you two are leaving you could have made great hunters."

"Us? As hunters?" The girls asked together then glared, the man laugh at the scene. "Yes. The hunters are everywhere and almost everyone knows who they are. They are the ones who take care of bounties like these guys and bring them in. And in their own little way, they change the world to be safer with for everyone. With some training I bet you two can become great huntresses."

"Thank you but we need to get home."

"Of course, of course. Well safe travels you two. Ah, here." The man placed a coin in Gyoku's hand. "Just in case you ever change your mind."

"Thank you Sir." The girls bow and made their way into the night looking for an inn and dinner.

One of the guards went up to his Captain, and if you look closely on both of their right wrist you can see a tattoo of a dragon, the same mark as the coin he gave Kougyoku, "Sir. Was it wise to tell those girls where to look?"

The Captain look at the spot the girls were standing at before looking at his lieutenant, "I can see they have a long way to go but their future will be brighter if they learn who the Hunters are."

"I hope you're right."

"Eh! Why must you doubt me?"

"Because you do dumb things like this!"

"Ha-ha! Maybe so but these girls... They're special."

The girls found an inn that serves dinner and they stayed for two nights before leaving for the docks. They asked themselves questions on why the past was different from the stories they told. Who are the hunters? Where is Sinbad and his stories? Can they change the past for a better future? How did they get to the past? Is Kougyoku's family worry? All these question but no answers. The third morning came and the children ran into them asking for the girls to visit again.

The girls said their goodbyes and went off to start their adventure.

"Why did I have to be stuck with you?"

Chapter Text

On a small piece on land in the center from where all the kings were located is a place where the magis and their kings meet up and talk about problems before blowing stuff up.

Somehow four magis managed to blow up the building, well more like the room they are in.

Once the smoke cleared out the magi got out from whatever hiding spot they were in.

The black hair magi, the one who loves chaos and making people's lives a living hell, was wiping the dust off his outfit and looking around for the Princess and her servant who were in the room just a second ago, "Well I wasn't expecting that... Hey! Old Hag! You can come out now!" Judar knew from past events she would pop up once she heard her nickname but this wasn't one of them, Judar was scratching his head on this one, "Hag! Where did she go?"

The magi with long wavy blonde hair got out from the table and remember the bottle he was holding was broken, "Oh no. What have I done? I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

Everyone look at him confusedly and try to remember just what happen and where the princess and her servant went.

 Twenty minutes ago

"So why are we here?" Aladdin asked while hanging off one of the couches and wishing his friends were with him but he knew 'Magi Hangout' was important.

Judar rolled his eye and continued to spin a bottle that has bubbly neon green liquid and a skull on it, "Yunan and I made a new potion that should help with traveling around easier."

"Cool..." Aladdin said uninterested because he has his magic carpet and they all fly.

"Is it dangerous?" Titus was new at being a magi and Scheherazade made sure he was cautious of anything glowing especially like the bottle Judar was handling carelessly.

"I hope so." Judar shrugged and smirked at the blonde.

"Eep!"

"Judar..." Yunan said softy but everyone can hear the warning in his tone.

"Fine. Fine." Judar look at the blonde and force out an apology. "I'm... sorry..." Judar look at Yunan with a grumpy attitude because the older magi was still smiling, "Happy?"

"Very."

Aladdin was about to fall asleep but when a silk dress and beautiful red hair brush pass him. He got up so fast he fell off the couch but got up to greet his favorite Kou royal with the dragon djinn, "Hi Kougyoku-san!"

"Hello Aladdin-chan." Kougyoku hid a smile with her sleeve and sat on a comfy chair, behind her was a green hair servant watching the princess with hate in her eyes. Before Aladdin could met the green hair girl Judar push pass everyone, "Don't ask why I brought the hag cause I don't know myself. Hey Blondie! Hold this."

Titus look at Judar as if he said go join the gladiators and fight the lions in the colosseum, "Wh-what? Why?"

Judar rolled his eyes and with attitude he explained like it was the simplest thing in the world, "Because if that thing explodes, I don't want that on me. So anyways..." Judar explain the fundamentals on how the potions was made and what spells was placed but during that meeting Titus was getting nervous because the bottle started to crack. The Princess and the servant were arguing about time travel and what time in place they would be in and what they would change but that just inflame a verbal fight. Judar saw an opportunity and scared Titus so bad he let go of the bottle. Yunan was watching the bottle fall in slow motion, even though he knew he could stop it, he had a feeling that this needs to happen and it fell and broken right in front of Kougyoku and Lina.

End of flashback

The smoke was finally out but the magis were, lack of a better phase, freaking out in their own ways.

Judar is being an ass to everyone in the building while looking for his friend, don't ever tell Kougyoku he said that or she'll cry of happiness. Titus is freaking out and going through a panic attack because he didn't want to start a war. Aladdin is confuse for what just happen and really wanted Alibaba and Morgana to be with him and help him find their favorite princess. As all of this is going on, Yunan has another feeling that the girls are safe and will return but by then everyone will change. Yunan thought to tell them they're fine but he thinks; what's the fun of telling everyone, they should be in the nice and cozy dark and find out in time.

Yunan looks out the window, where in the sun is starting to rise making the sky a beautiful gold and blue, with a secret smile.

"So did we just invent time travel?"

Chapter Text

"I'm telling you we should go right!"

"It's left! It says it right here!"

"I swear! I'm going to kill you!"

The girls have been slowly making their way to Contantia Harbor on horseback but because they keep getting side track and always argues. They almost got into actual fight but luckily (unlucky for them) some bandits were around and they got a beating from the furious ladies, it was taking longer than usual to get to the Harbor.

As they turn in the bandits they met a woman, with white hair and blue eyes. Her name was Haru. She was still quite young, maybe 27, but she's another person from the Hunter's Organization.

She knew what the girls were going through from meeting people from H.O. and H.O. telling them to join so she skip that, but since she recognize their potential she gave them a slight nudge... meaning she gave them weapons.

Lina got a beautiful silver spear with blue details at the tail and the front.

Kougyoku got two red and purple katanas.

Both weapons were a perfect weight and size for them.

The huntress taught them a few tricks and gave them some more information to where they're at. So far they learn that there was only one dungeon but so far no one captured it but they did send so many soldiers and others in and a kid. Funny enough there has been rumors that there is more popping up but no one can access them yet.

The two days later the girls were off and said their goodbye to the huntress, who disappear into the shadows.

After glaring for a while, Lina had the idea to walk a few paces and come back if one see a village or hears people they'll go that way. Kougyoku nodded and went right, as Lina goes left.

And the winner goes to... Kougyoku!

Kougyoku found a village not too far away it was around lunch time when the girls heard a cry for help.

15 minutes later

They helped a middle aged woman who's a few inches shorter than Kougyoku, with long brown hair tied in a braid, light brown eyes and thick eyebrows. She wore normal Parthevian clothes and hoop-shaped earrings, who's very sick and weak but she just had the urge to walk around. Luckily the girls made it to her in time because the woman was about to faint from pushing her body too hard. The woman also kindly told them to stay for lunch and if they need to, stay the night in her home.

"Oh, but we don't want to impose..."

"It's alright. It would be a nice change to have company around again."

The girls look at one another, "If you insist..."

"I do!"

"Thank you."

"My name is Esra..."

"I'm Gyoku and this is Lina."

"Thank you and it's a pleasure to meet you both."

They made it to Esra's home, it was small but definitely homey. For some reason Kougyoku thought something was missing inside the small home.

"Sorry, I haven't clean in a while-" Esra started picking up blankets and whatnots.

Kougyoku stop her, "Esra-san, please. You're ill. Don't overwork yourself for us."

Lina watch the princess did some house work and put Esra-san to bed, 'Wow. So the Princess does have a heart and knows her way cleaning around a room...'

"I just don't want to be a bad host..."

"Believe me you are not a bad host."

Lina had to get out because she has seen too many sides of the princess and it's breaking her ideals about her. Lina found her way out, "Is there a water hole around?"

"Yes just outside. Why do you ask?"

"Your jug of water is almost empty."

"I knew I was forgetting something."

"Please let me."

"Sigh alright..." Lina nodded, grab the jug and left the small household.

Esra just shook her head and smile, "You two... you two remind me of my son."

Kougyoku paused in her cleaning and asked, "Is he fighting in the war?"

"To be honest... I don't know but I do know he has found his calling. About a month ago I told him to go follow his dream for I didn't want to be a burden." Esra's eyes tear up a bit but she clean her face quickly, "Ah sorry, I bet you don't want to hear that."

Kougyoku got on her knees, held Esra's hands and look her in the eye with a kind smile, "No please tell me about him."

"Thank you but as long as I get to do your hair. I always wanted to brush a little girl's hair... Not that you are a little girl! I-I only mean-"

"It's ok I wouldn't mind, my mother pass away before she could do any mother/daughter bonding."

Kougyoku took off her hair pin and pull the hat off. Her hair was in a messy braid and her bangs fell loose.

"I didn't expect your hair to be red. It's beautiful."

"Thank you."

Eras got the brush and Kougyoku, for the first time felt a mother's love. She was too young to remember her own mother and was quickly made into a low princess. Plus no one really care for the young princess or wanted to hear her feeling about certain things like 'girl talk' at the Empire.

"My son is 14 years old, soon to be 15. He's smart, caring, reckless, and turning into quite the little charmer. He looks just like his father but with longer hair." Esra is almost done brushing, "but I know who he is... a boy who wishes for peace, a place that has no worries, pain, war, and blood. A place where no one is taken from their families and no one is judge for who they are and what they want to be... I do miss him."

"He sounds wonderful."

"He is. Now tell me something about you." Esra started doing different styles to Kougyoku's hair.

Kougyoku was a little nervous to say anything but she wanted to let it all out, "Um...well... Ok I have three brother and seven sisters, almost all of us have a different mother. My father is a noble man and fighting in the war... I was born different than anyone in my family... My mother was a harlot and she ran away from something but my father's guard found us. My sisters would tell me she ran away to get rid of me, or to hand me off to someone else. But I knew they were wrong because my mother had me for five years and I remember we lived in a house just like this. But I was still very young and don't remember much of her expect she had black hair and green eyes. I don't remember how she died and no one would tell me what she was really like. I didn't talk to anyone because my sisters hated me and my brothers were always on the move. I felt... isolated, sorrow, lonely and once in a while I would feel the urge to run away from that life." Kougyoku had to stop to breathe, Esra hug her from behind until she was ready, "But after I finally got the courage I talk to my brothers and found out I could talk to them and I didn't feel as lonely but I wasn't anyone special."

Esra snorted, "I doubt that."

Kougyoku shrugged, "Perhaps. Sometimes I would imagine I was in another place and free to do whatever I wanted. Like travel the world, fall in love, and find my place in the world..."

"Isn't that what you're doing now?" Esra couldn't help but laugh at the irony.

Kougyoku thought about it, "You... you're right. I shouldn't waste this opportunity, I'm sure my siblings wouldn't need me for a while. Thank you Esra-san."

"Your welcome." Esra hug her a little tighter before going back to her hair, "You have lived in such a lonely life. I believe you deserve better then what you had."

"Thank you..." Kougyoku blushed but couldn't hide it like before.

Esra smiled, "It's my pleasure. Hm...What a beautiful necklace."

Kougyoku look down at the beautiful heart shaped necklace.

"Oh thank you. In the last village or maybe the other one, Lina and I ran into some bandits and in one of their bags I found this... On the back of it has engraving. Here." Kougyoku took off the necklace and handed to the older woman, Esra softly grab it, "I only ask because it almost looks like the one, I lost...10 years... ago..." Esra saw the engraving, her eyes widened. Kougyoku turned around with she heard Esra's voice hitched.

"Esra-san..." Kougyoku was unexpectedly pulled into a tight hug.

"Thank you, thank you so much."

"You're welcome but what did I do...?"

"This necklace, here look." Esra release Kougyoku and with a few twists and turns the necklace turned into a locket with a memory inside.

"Whoa..." Lina said in awe, she was outside playing with the kids then eavesdropping on Kougyoku and Esra but she came in time to see the memory.

"Before you two, only three knew this secret... myself, Badr, and my son. And now you two. I guess that makes you my daughters."

Kougyoku blushed and Lina scratch her cheek in embarrassment.

Kougyoku said, "Thank you, when I found the necklace I thought to myself, 'what a beautiful love gift, to be held with such pain, sadness and angry and to be treated like it's nothing. I want this necklace to feel loved, new, and belong like it did a long time ago,' I hope I didn't over step."

"No, it found you to come back to me as my closure. And from me to my son. Call it a mother's intuition but I think you'll reunite with this necklace."

"But the engraving..."

"I'll leave a letter for my son, just in case. I only hope he doesn't ignore it or I'll hit him from the other side."

Kougyoku laugh, "I was once told that a mother's word is law and she's always right, dead or alive."

"Whoever said that is right and a genius."

'Alibaba-chan truly is'

"I love the new hairstyle." Lina said as she took in the princess hair. Kougyoku hair was down, wavy and filled with flowers.

"Thank you..."

Esra fixes the blanket on Lina and pets Gyoku's hair for a few seconds before going back and finishing her letter to Sinbad. Esra knew she didn't have much time left and hope Sinbad would be back soon. As she look back at the girls and couldn't help be laugh silently at the scene, Lina was spread out and one of her arms were hitting Gyoku and Gyoku just whine and somewhat kicked Lina, Esra cooed at the precious scene. Once Esra was done with her letter she look back at her necklace that was finally home.

Badr gave Esra the necklace during the first time they said 'I love you', Badr used all his money just to get this necklace and engrave, 'A love like the sea. Endless, deep, and completely unique', Esra though she lost the necklace 10 years ago but she had a though that either Sinbad or Badr miss place it in a bag or clothing. Esra remember the last two days, the girls were so helpful and the villages loved them, not to mention that they give almost all their money to help the village. Esra can only pray for their safety and hope that day they would meet Sinbad, for he could defiantly learn a thing or two from them.

A week has pass and the red and green girls are getting ready to continue their trip.

"I'm so glad to have met you two!" Esra pull the girls into a hug.

"The pleasure is ours!"

"Thank you for everything."

After their goodbyes they once again felt heartbroken for leaving another village that treated them so kindly. But without Esra knowing they left more money for her, for medicine and food.

Along the way when they were sleeping, their horses and other materials got stolen. Kougyoku found tracks the horses left after three days they got their horses and materials back, Lina notices they were slowly becoming famous because the village they were at, a few people have heard of them. They back track to the area they were originally at and continue on, during their walk to Contantia Harbor they found a boy.

Kougyoku was having a small argument with herself because the boy look very familiar with his long purple locks and golden eyes.

Is that...No way...Well it could be...No... Maybe...You know what, look away.

"Hey kid, are you lost?" Lina called out.

Sinbad turned and saw two beautiful woman and their horses. He took some time to look at them.

The green hair beauty look like a female version of Drakon who turn into a bandit but the she had a spear across her back so he knew she wasn't. He look at her as she looks back at him with her stormy gray eyes, he read her waves that feels like suspicious, annoyed, confused, and familiarity...? That was odd.

The pink eye girl caught Sinbad's attention and he wonder 'Why does she hide her hair and is her eye alright?' She is clearly beautiful, but he thought she would look better in a dress. Her clothes said runaway noble because the hair pin look expensive. This girl's wave was confusing to him, he felt pain, love, loneliness, loyalty, sorrow, familiarity and the most confusing of all... Sinbad felt his own waves within her.

Both of the girls got off their horses when he didn't reply to Lina, Gyoku did the first thing came to mind... poke him in the forehead.

He fell back quite dramatically and the girls couldn't help but laugh.

"Haha you're cute."

The purple hair boy quickly jump up and try to charm Lina and held her hand, "Thank you, usually I'm not like this in front of beautiful ladies."

Lina look at him like he had no business touching her and said with a sharp smile, "If you don't get your hand off of me in the next second, I will cut it off."

The boy was smart and Kougyoku couldn't contain her giggles, "Haha, wait a few years and try that again."

The boy slightly blush and bow to Kougyoku, "As you wish my lady."

Kougyoku smile and Lina raised an eyebrow but asked, "Maybe you can help us. We're trying to get to Contantia Harbor but... we're lost."

The boy straighten up and pointed the direction they were going in, "Well if you keep going straight you'll see it in a few miles but that's where I'm going so I can show you the way."

"Sweet."

As they walk down the path Sinbad introduced himself and talk about exploring the world and how he got Baal, the dungeon.

"Wow not only you look like him but act like him as well," Lina laugh because now they know they were truly in the past.

"Who?"

Lina smirked out the answer, "A man we know," Lina try to be quiet and pointed to Kougyoku, "she has a crush on him. Haha!" Kougyoku gave Lina a sharp punch on the shoulder. "Ow!"

"What's wrong?"

"Don't play innocent!"

And from there Sinbad watch their argument and saw their waves float in happiness.

Sinbad smile and asked to Kougyoku, "So what's your dream?"

The girls placed a pause on their argument for another and took a second to think, "Hm, let's see. It's kind of silly but I don't want to be in sorrow or isolation anymore. I want to help my family find the right path and give Lina a way home and help her take back her village." Lina wasn't expecting that and Sinbad saw the shock on her face and she smile in disbelief. "But I also want to help as many people as I can, during these few months Lina and I have been doing good work and I want to continue that and share it with the rest of the world."

Lina just shook her head because she knew the princess was thinking about the offer, "Never thought you cared princess."

Kougyoku smiled, "Of course I do. You're my friend." Lina's eyes widened but had a small smile she was hiding.

"What about you Lina?" Sinbad asked.

"As princess said I want to reclaim my home but I don't know how just yet. How about you? I mean we know you want to explore but is it more in depth then we know?"

Sinbad stop in the middle of the street and said seriously, "I want to be king. I want to explore unfamiliar countries with unfamiliar people. I want to see it all, so I change the world."

He looked at the girl's expecting awe or the opposite but instead he saw humor and something else in their eyes.

"That's quite a dream you got there but you have a long way to go."

They made it to Contantia Harbor, Lina spotted something and left Sinbad and Kougyoku alone.

"I will make my dream a reality."

"Oh I don't doubt you but can I offer some advice," he nodded but got poke on the forehead again, "Hey!"

Kougyoku look him in the eye, "Make sure you have a plan and try not rush in. Think it through, if you can help it. Whatever lessons you learn make sure you know which ones you take to heart and the ones you shouldn't and always, never forget you're human." Kougyoku look at the ocean, "There are two men I hold deeply in my heart, one is my best and dearest friend, and he has such a beautiful mind, heart and soul. He holds his friends close but lets them go when needed so they can grow and become the people they are today."

Kougyoku smiled and look at Sinbad, "The other man is my first love but I know he doesn't feel that way for me. I know I'm not what he has in mind but I can tell he close off his heart a long time ago for a few very good reasons. So, what I'm going to tell you is... Even when times are tough or you feel you're most helpless and vulnerable or even if you can take on the world, just remember its ok to ask for help and its ok to let someone in your heart. Fall in love, get a broken heart and move forward till you find the one. Everyone needs that one person, they can fall back on. The one they can tell everything and anything without a second thought. The one who will pound them on the head and tell them they're being stupid or overconfident. They will be your best friend, your outlet, and the one who will not care if you cry and will lend shoulder or ear. And most of all... Have fun. Your still a kid," Sinbad wanted to say he wasn't but he got poke again, "No listen. There are times to be the adult and then there is a time to be yourself. And don't over think it. Got it?"

Sinbad look at the beauty in front of him and saw the same waves that he feels in himself. The ones that call out to him to be a king.

Sinbad nodded and felt his necklace under his shirt get a little warmer. Sinbad took out his necklace and look at it and the beauty in front of him.

Kougyoku gasped, "You... You didn't say you are Esra's son!"

"You know my mother?"

"Yes, Lina and I meant her a few weeks ago. She gave us a place to stay for a few days. We didn't want to leave when she was so kind and we try the best we could to keep her illness at bay and-," Sinbad pulled Kougyoku into a hug, "What is this for?"

Sinbad was shaking and Kougyoku felt tears on her shoulder and hug him back. "Thank you. Thank you. When I got back the villagers were happy I return and my mother... She looked so much better and told me the stories about you two. She said she had a few days left to live but didn't want me to see it. She said if I worry about her she would drag me on a ship herself and leave me to adrift. I told her ok and she gave me her necklace, I haven't seen in years and a letter." Sinbad smile at Kougyoku and without her knowing put the necklace on her. "I got to spend two days with her and got to say goodbye to her as well. She died in her sleep but she look so peace and I will honor her wishes but thank you for giving me a few more days."

Kougyoku started crying to and Lina came back in time to hear Esra is died and pulled Kougyoku and Sinbad into a hug with her own tears building up.

After a few moments they knew it was time.

Kougyoku smiled, "Well, maybe one day we will see each other again."

"And hopefully you will get better pick-up lines." Lina scoffed and smirked at the eggplant.

"We'll see." He smirked back.

Lina reach over and punch him on the shoulder, "Hey before you leave, make it big."

"Lina don't confuse him."

"Trust me he'll understand soon."

"Okay? I just realized I didn't get your name..." Sinbad realized.

"Before I give you my name. I'm going to give you something. It's something far more meaningful than any pretty words that come out of those lips of yours." Kougyoku move his bangs up and kiss him on forehead, the same place where she poke him. Before Sinbad could do anything she poke him again and walk away and turn to say, "Gyoku! I hope to see you again, my prince."

Sinbad lightly touch his forehead and whisper, "And I you, my princess." Sinbad turned and walk closer to the docks. 

Kougyoku and Lina found a place to eat and Lina had a surprise.

"So what did you find?"

Chapter Text

The two girls were eating their dinner and drinking their wine and that's when Lina told Kougyoku what she has discovered.

"So, I found a shop with the same symbol as the coin."

Kougyoku was surprised that they found some hunters but, "Wow... What should we do?"

Lina just stared at the princess before she finally found her voice, "Are you asking me for my opinion?" Kougyoku nodded "Oh. Um... I don't know... I always wanted to be free but after months with you..."

Kougyoku knew hesitation she saw it and quickly thought of something, "How about this... We go talk to them and work out from there. I know we gotten close and I can now proudly call you a friend. So..."

"How do you feel about me sticking with you for awhile longer?"

Kougyoku smiled, "It's a deal."

Lina and Kougyoku decided to wait until morning to go to the store and talk to the people there.

"Wow, this is exactly like the coin." The girls walk up to the building Lina found the other day. By the door was a symbol that the girls recognize.

"Right. So, if I remember correctly, the captain told us if we change our minds they can let us go."

"Alright let's do it!" Kougyoku suddenly said.

"Wait really?"

"Yeah, who knows it could be fun." Kougyoku grabbed Lina's wrist and pulled her into the store.

They were greeted by a middle aged man who wearing a simple shirt and pants but had a very decorated dragon bracelet on his right wrist. "Welcome to Dragon Fire. May I offer you ladies our special collection? It's on a good price this time of year."

"Thank you but no. We were hoping someone can tell us about this." Kougyoku showed him the coin that glitter in the light.

The sell man look at the coin and smiled, "Ah. Well, please follow me. I know exactly where you need to look."

The man took them to a back room where another man and a woman were sitting. The woman was mixing up some cards in her hands and the man was reading a book.

"Welcome, are you here for a reading?" The woman was a beauty with blue hair that turned purple towards the tips. She also had a blue right eye and a gold left eye. She was wearing a dark belly dancer's like outfit. Her right wrist had a dragon tattoo.

"Ash. These ladies come with a special coin." The shop owner explained.

"I see, please sit. As he said I'm Ash and this man is Shiro."

"Pleasure." Shiro is a rugged handsome man with dark grey hair and matching eyes. He was wearing a white long sleeved shirt with a black vest and black pants. And once again a dragon tattoo on the right wrist.

Ash stop shuffling her cards to look at the girls who walked in with a special coin. "Now to start, where and who gave you this coin? Don't worry your not in trouble. I just wanted to know who saw your potential."

The girls looked at one another and try to remember, Kougyoku said, "Um, it was from a Captain in the Rears Village. We didn't get his name. Sorry."

"Don't be. I know who you speak of. A loyal and kind man but careless." Ash chucked as she knows exactly who they are speaking about.

"How he got promoted to Captain I'll never know." Shiro scoffed but winks at the girls in good nature.

"You and me both. Well darlings please sit and we'll tell you what you want to know but please keep it to yourselves...

"The Hunters were founded many moons ago. It started as a small group of people with different skills, personalities and life styles. It took time and patience to get to where we are now.

"After all the group started with a man, a woman, a magician, a royal and a pirate. You can imagine it wasn't the best of starts but slowly they knew they had to work together.

"Later on they learned they were elementals; air, water, earth, fire and ether. Divided they were strong but together... They were a force to be reckoned with.

"Years pass and they discover dragons or the code of dragons. They took it to heart and they started with the tattoos on the right wrist. They separated and taught others the code, no matter who or what they were, if someone saw potential they were taught but to truly be a hunter they had to pass the test. For everyone it's different but they all have the same lesson.

"But I have to know... Do you girls have what it takes to be a hunter? To proudly take on the challenges? And become to be the best versions of yourself because everyday you have to be better than the days that have passed."

The girls look at each other and smile, "Count us in."

Ash smiles and used her cards to show them what to expect, "Ok. You two will have four trails..." Four cards were face down at the table.

"First the air," she flipped the first card on the left, it showed a city but under it was a dark cave. A mix of diligence and temperance.

"Then earth," the next card was flipped it showed magnificent mountains but with a path leading up, down and around. A balance patience and maybe kindness.

"Next fire," this card had a pose city glittering in the light as if it was composed of abstinence and chastity.

"And finally water," the last card on the right was building that almost resembles a dungeon, one that is full of pride but has humility.

Even though all the cards were beautiful the girls could see the darkness that larks in the shadows within the cards.

"But there will be a surprise." Ash took the cards and with a flip of the wrist they formed into one card with a colorless dragon lounging of something.

"Good luck and I'm sorry." Shiro said with an apologetic and guilty smile.

"For wha-" 

Be to continue...

Chapter Text

Good luck and I'm sorry." Shiro said with an apologetic and guilty smile.

"For wha-"

 
Kougyoku dreams of when Shiro knocks them out but suddenly she wakes up from someone yelling or arguing.

Kougyoku puts a hand to her head try to clear out the webs of sleep and focus as to where she is. She observed the wooden room and a slight sway and realize she's on a ship.

Where- where are we?

Kougyoku gets up from the small bed and walks to the door where all the shouting in coming from. She blocked her eyes from the sunlight but once her eyes adjusted she sighed in relief when Lina came to view. Lina's arms were held by two cabin boys who are scared as hell because Lina wasn't making it easy to restrain her. There's a man in front of Lina with a dark bruise on his right cheek and blood on his neck and arms from cuts. The boys are also worse for wear as Lina kept struggling to escape.

Lina's red in the face with angry and the will to kill the man, "Well I want to know where we are going?! You son of a -!"

Kougyoku spoke softly but it's enough, "Lina..."

Lina stopped in mid rant and grinned as she turned to her princess, "Oh thank rukh! Your awake!"

Once the girls woke up they found themselves on a ship that was taking them to who knows where. After the unpleasant ride they made it to land and the girls were thrown off board. Lina quickly got up and raged, screaming every curse word known to man, some of the words actually made the sailors blush. Kougyoku rolled her eyes but she's enraged too but she try to keep her mind and bloodlust calm. Knowing she can easy get rid of the commoners but won't because she isn't her family and right they aren't important, both them and sailors. Plus they knew the ship won't be back, so the girls turned around and started walking on the side of the cliffs where a trail is located.

It's been a few hours but they found a cave to sleep in, oblivious to the small dragon carved in the wall and if they had noticed, the dragon's eyes are following them, not in the creepy, fear me way. More of the protector, and safe way. A noise woke Kougyoku, suddenly aware that the cave they slept in, change.

No longer were they in a small, dusty cave, no they were in a regal stone city. They are alone with just their echoes and the beautiful, well-crafted walls of the city.

"What happened here?" Lina ran a hand over the wall in awe.

"I don't know..." Kougyoku is surprise as Lina but kept walking as if something, deep in her soul was calling her towards the middle of the city.

Kougyoku and Lina have been in the stone city for two days, they found a way to tell when it's time for sleep and when to start working and planning how to get out of the city.

In the center of the city were doors, two to be exact. The one on the right is the color of gold coins and the one on the left is gray like a stormy cloud. The girls felt it was best to leave the doors alone for the time being.

They also found food but it was running out fast, and water was no worry due to Kougyoku but she didn't like using Vinea like that. Plus it was taking a lot of magoi so they had to stop for a while for Kougyoku to rest.

Lina was playing around with the fire with a stick before asking, "Hey Princess..."

"Hm?"

"How come you didn't tell Sinbad or the Hunters you have a metal vessel or that you're an actually princess, well sort of, and it's not just a nickname?"

The princess thought about it and said with a sighed, "...I guess, I just want to feel like a normal girl for once."

The green haired girl raised an eyebrow, "But you're not."

Gyoku huffed in annoyances, "I know that! But they don't and I like being unknown even if it's only for a little while. Beside you're the only one who knows what I truly am or rather who I am." Kougyoku looked at Lina with puppy eyes and slightly, because she a royal, begged. "Please just for a little while longer like after the trials I will tell them."

Lina's eye twitch and caved, "Yes... Your Majesty." She smirked as her friend froze at the title.

"...Was that really necessary?"

"...Yep!" Lina nodded and grinned.

During the third night, the girls woke up from a loud noise. Turns out the cave was clasping on itself. The girls left everything and ran towards the doors.

"Which one?!"

"Um... we'll each take one!"

"...Promise me well see each other at the end."

"Of course."

"Let's do this!"

Lina open the gray door, as Kougyoku went through the gold one. Both were surprise what they saw on the other side but as they turned around the doors were gone.

Lina had to close her eyes from the bright light, she open her stormy gray eyes, and slowly she took in the site in front of her.

The room gave off a relax and sleepy atmosphere, the walls are a soft gray, the room itself is large with the biggest bed Lina has ever seen, with lots of gray and gray-blue pillows and a comfortable looking light-black blanket. One of the walls are actually a large window. It show her the ocean and a forest. Its a nice view, just gloomy with no life. Lina put a hand to the window only to pull back right away because the window nearly froze her hand off. The green hair lady back away from the suspicious, icy window and saw a hallway. Smooth to the touch with gray-blue lights shining the way down the hall. Lina wanted to go through the hallway but something stop her.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A husky, sleep filled voice called out from behind Lina.

Lina turned around as fast as lighting and saw the most unusual... woman, in her entire life.

"Who are you? How did you get here? Where am I?" Lina reached for her knives but remember she left them as well as her spear on the ground where she was sleeping before the cave collapsed.

"Oh..." The woman stretch her limbs and lay down again on the bed, "Oh... A brave one I see." She release a big yawn. "Well if you must know I'm the Sin of Sloth, spiritual apathy and inactivity but please call me, King."

Lina raised an eyebrow, "King?"

"It's a joke..." King, had an amused smile but lost it when Lina didn't get the joke, "...never mind." King yawned again, "And the how and where part, well I'm a part of you. And this is where you keep me."

"...what?"

"This is going to be boring but fun." King raised an eyebrow as she got in a comfortable position to look and talk to Lina.

 
Kougyoku saw no door but a golden wall with beautiful silver designs, she ignore that and started banging the wall and shouting, "Lina!"

"It's no use my dear." A velvet, low pitch female voice echoed the room.

Kougyoku grabbed her hair pin but it wasn't in her hair, "Who's there?!"

"My, my bloodthirsty are you? This is interesting."

Kougyoku look around trying to find the voice but instead she only saw a beautiful, golden room. It reminded her of the drawings of Heliohapt but at the same time it isn't. There is a small pool looking out to the sea, a rich, silky bed with gold sheets and black feathered pillows and a table at the foot of the bed filled with gold, jewelry and different types of coins, gems and money from all over the world. There were some she didn't recognized or know of. Kougyoku also saw a hallway with candles set on a beautiful piece of glass hanging from the ceiling.

"Whoa..." Kougyoku looked in awe.

"Beautiful right."

Kougyoku jumped and turned around as she follow the noise to the pool.

A woman had her feet in the stream water as she sipped from her glass cup of red wine, "Do you know you're quite rare? You have no desire for treasure, for money, for clothes, no what you desire is more... primal."

"Where am I? And who are you? What happen to my hair pin? Where's the cave and Lina?" Kougyoku wanted answers and the stranger woman has them or at least an idea.

"Where are my manners?" The woman laughed as she got out of the pool and bowed to the Princess, "I'm Greed, one of the seven deadly sins, a selfish desire for more of something than is needed. But please, Ban will do. Your hair pin doesn't belong here but it might be returned to you... later that is. As for the cave... technically you and your friend are still in the cave, just in an area that's different from everywhere else."

Kougyoku blinked in confusion, "What? Is this place like a dungeon?"

"Dungeon? No my dear, those are a different, older, lost type of magic. This place is more of the rare and unusual type. And like I said you're rare."

"You know nothing of me." The princess glared.

"You see that's where you're wrong. I am you. Your desire, your secret greed that's buried deep within you. And I know exactly who you are... Your Majesty."

"Don't call me that." Kougyoku narrow her eyes.

Ban shrugged indifferently, "Sorry but as I said I'm you, well the selfish part anyways."

"I don't believe you."

"God, stubborn much." Ban got close to the Princess and reached for Kougyoku, who flinched away. Ban sighed and forcefully grabbed Kougyoku by the back of her and softly touched her forehead, "Here, I'll show you since you refuse to see."

 
Lina gave the "female sin" a once over, she's pretty in a sleepy, I just got out of bed, way. Gray tone skin, gray hair with highlights, an odd sleep gown but still able to move around if she so wish to. But what stands out is her face and horns: glowing white eyes, some type of tattoos on her face, a line starting from her bottom lip going down her body. Lina has no idea where it stops. There's also an upside down crescent moon shape on her forehead with a line across her cheekbones to her ears on both sides. Her horns glow dark by her roots but gets lighter as she looks at the tips.

"What do you mean you're a part of me?" Lina narrow her eyes and asked.

King yawned, "... Jeez, you're slow. Come take a seat." Lina hesitated, she didn't want to be around the woman. The demon looking girl rolled her eyes, "Honey, I am too lazy to do anything and it takes way too much work and energy so get your pretty little arse over here." King saw Lina was taking her time and snapped her fingers. "OMG better right?"

As she did that Lina was sitting right next to her, which confused the hell out of Lina, "The hell?"

King put an arm around green hair girl's shoulders, Lina froze at the touch, "Now I know your past, your hate. Pretty much everything. Here, you can forget everything and just... stay put. Do nothing as the ones you despise die. Now what do you think about that?"

Lina stared at the wall with an unknown emotion, if someone gave her this deal about a year ago, hell even five months ago, she would have taken it but after everything with Kougyoku, meeting Sinbad, Esra-san, and the Hunters, she wanted to do more.

"Why can't I through the hallway?" Lina said after being quiet for so long.

King sighed and took her arm away from Lina, "Damn you're strong. Nothing is wrong with it you can go through it but there's one obstacle you must defeat."

Lina took a second and realization flashed in her eyes and look at the sleepy sin, "You."

King smile and nodded, "Me."

King and Lina jumped away from the bed and from each other, trying to find a weakness before running at full speed kicking, punching, dodging, jumping all over the gray-blue room. King seem to have the upper hand knocking Lina to the ground multiple times but Lina wouldn't give up. She would get back up again and again and finally found the weakness in the Sloth and gave the finally punch in King's diaphragm.

King, out of breath and on the ground, looking at Lina. "You're good... I'll give you that ... and congrats... you passed me."

"What was all this about?!"

King sat up, gingerly rubbing her stomach as she gave Lina a tired smirked, "To be Diligence, you sacrifice your personal comfort to do your duty as a Huntress."

Lina shook her head trying to grasp the situation but couldn't, "Say what?"

The Sin laughed and with a yawned, she moves her hand towards the hallway and Lina walks through the hallway with King behind her, they leave the room and enter darkness.

 
Ban is golden, well partially gold, the long hair in pigtails, skin, eyes, and clothing...The only different color is a shiny black with gold tones. Her black over the knee boots and a tight black shirt with gold like chains weave into a flower-star in the middle of the shirt. A golden skirt and a gold jacket and a black circlet.

Ban touch Kougyoku's head and in a flash she understand, her selfish desires, her greed, everything Ban has been trying to tell her. Her darkest secret.

"Now you understand, Your Majesty." Ban smirked at the recognition in the jade-red haired girl's eyes.

"Please stop calling me that." Gyoku growled.

"Why? It's one of your desires. Koubun Ka must be so proud. All of his hard work payed off. Your family on the other hand... well they're not here, are they? And you love it."

"No!"

"Yes! And not to mention your bloodlust, you always want more then needed, so! Take! Give in! Here you can and more!" Ban spoke with hungry and a bloodlust the Kou Princess is very familiar with.

Kougyoku closed her eyes, she knew everything Ban said and showed is true but... then she remembers the villages, Ersa-san, Yuki-san, the Captain and his guards, and Sinbad. She's been giving, never taking or asking for more than needed. And when a wanted poster says Dead or Alive she always kept them alive for a second chance or just to start over.

Kougyoku opens her eyes and with determination, she tells the sin with a regal voice, "No! I'm not that person anymore. This time I'm choosing my own path! One that's not tainted by my family's darkness! So you can shove it somewhere else because that is not my way nor am I interested."

"Well one way to find out, Your Majesty." Ban had the biggest grin and with a snap of her fingers both were hold swords and ran towards one another.

The fight was short but intense and destructive. The once beautiful, golden room now no longer looks the same. The bed ripped apart with feathers all over the remains. The pool destroyed and the wine spilled making the pool red like blood. The coins, jewelries and glass covered the surface of the floor.

Kougyoku and Ban face one another, chest heavy with each breath, faces are red, their hair sticking to their faces with sweat. Their arms shaking for one last hit. One of them moved and in a flash they sprinted, their swords clash, suddenly the sound of thunder fill the room with Kougyoku turning around disarming the sin and kicking her to the ground and quickly got on top and criss-cross the swords on Ban's neck.

Ban scowled but couldn't move anymore. "Finish it! Destroy me!" Ban is under Kougyoku swords, on the ground, both breathing heavy and sweating from the short but intense fight.

Kougyoku shook her head not wanting to take someone life, "No! Because underneath all that gold, is a beautiful, genuine person."

Ban's scowl is wiped from her face, she blinks a few times and smiled, "Congrats you passed."

"Wha-"

They were surrounded by darkness amd fell into the abyss.

 
Before they knew it Lina and Kougyoku saw they ended up outside and next to each other. It was almost like they haven't seen each other in years.

"Lina!"

"Princess!" The girls hug but a cough cut them off. They turn to the Sins who are glowing.

"Well girls you two passed your first test."

"How?" The girls asked the same time.

The Sloth sin smile and explained, "Lina, you sacrifice your personal comfort to do your duty."

And then Greed sin took over, "Kougyoku, you remember the times you gave your time, talents, and gifts freely no matter the situation."

"Not to mention you both showed survival skills, teamwork, and loyalty." They said at the same time, "We were the Sins of Sloth and Greed and now we're Virtues of Diligence and Temperance." The Sins transformed into beautiful Virtues.

Sloth is now Diligence, a lovely mix of white and silver-blue. Her gray skin is now white as snow, her hair is long, silky and silver. Her horns are gone as are the tattoos. Her eyes now a light blue, twinkling like stars with light blue eyeshadow.

Greed still in her gold theme but in more regal way and turned into Temperance with long blonde hair to her thighs, honey gold eyes, and pale skin. She wears a beautiful, majestic black with gold designs dress and on her neck is a beautiful silver and blue necklace that flows to her shoulders making a beautiful web pattern. On her head is a gold crown but one neither of the girls have ever seen.

The Virtues faces softens as they look at the girls, "Now there is a Queen in that building who might need some help." They disappear but there's a whisper in the air flowing towards them and beyond, "Good luck."

Kougyoku and Lina smile and quickly up the hill, they were surprise with how light they felt like a weight they never knew they had has lifted. On top on the hill they were shocked by what they found.

 
"It's a dungeon!" The dungeon is beautiful as always but this one is wide and has structures that Kougyoku has seen in pictures. (Picture the Temple of Artemis).

"Shall we?" Lina asked with a grin, happy to have her weapons back.

"We shall!" Kougyoku placed her hair pin back where it belong and her twin katanas were on her back as well.

They ran up the stairs to the glowing gate, they held hands and touch the gate and saw the red planet before a bright line hit them.

"Wow."

They landed in a rainforest but it was cover in ice and snow, making it look like a winter wonderland. After a moment they found the path and started to run towards it, before they knew it the path was leading them into the middle of the forest but they saw a hail storm, with thunder, lighting, and a volcano about to erupt.

In the forest, there were many beasts with a different look each time one pass by, they had to fight a few but lucky they were fast and strong due to their past or future. They made it out of the winter wonderland forest and ended up in a thunder, lightning storm surrounding a volcano. By the edge near the entrance to the path up the mountain is a small group of women, three to be exact.

Kougyoku and Lina try to hide but one of the blonde women spotted them. "Halt! How did you get here? And why are you in Artemyra!?"

All of the blondes are very slim and youthful women. But one of them has straight blonde hair down to her ankles and long, dark eyelashes. She wears a kind of crown-like helmet with tall spikes pointing upwards, and there is a tattoo on her right cheek. She wears a simple dress with a feather collar, befitting the fashion of Artemyra. She also wears a metallic necklace and leg protectors with wing-shaped protrusions. She's barefoot and carries a spear.

"Wait! Please, we were doing a test for the Hunters Organization and at the end of the test it brought us to the gate of the dungeon. We just want to get out." Kougyoku said in a rush, she didn't want to be killed by one of the woman she respected deeply. Kougyoku recognize the queen when she saw her but she has a bad feeling about the women.

"...Kill them."

Turns out she's right, "Well fuck."

They started to fight but a giant beast with wings got in the middle of it.

"Watch out!" Kougyoku got in front of the queen and protected her from a blast of water from the creature. After defeating the beast the five women agree to a truce and climbed the mountain.

"You are powerful. I'll give you that. Thank you for protecting my sisters. Although I try to have you and your friend killed." The one Kougyoku saw as a queen said to her.

"Thanks, I think... I'm Gyoku and this is my friend, Lina."

"How do you do. I'm Mira and those two are Parsine and Cassandra."

"Hello!" The other blondes put their arms round Lina leading her away from the royals.

"H-hi!"

"So, H.O. Huh?" Mira asked with a smirk.

"You know then?" Gyoku raised an eyebrow.

The queen nodded and looked forward, "Yes, some of my sister are part of H.O., sorry I was told to kill or fight any recruits on site, if they survive or passed, and well they move on. Out of curiosity do you know where we are?"

"Yes, we're in a Dungeon." Kougyoku looked around and saw many creatures and different parts of the dungeons.

"Ah, so does that mean you know about Magi's and all?"

"Yes, but we have come with no agenda to conquer this dungeon."

"And whys that?"

"Because you're here. I like to believe the dungeons were placed where they needed to be."

Mira turned to the young woman with slight shock in her eyes and smile, "You're insightful, definitely a special one."

"Thank you." Kougyoku blushed and played with her red hair.

They walked up the volcano talking about magic, dungeons and so on, but after an hour they made it to a cave that has some type of writing on it.

Lina and the other blondes stopped and let their leaders know. "Princess! We're here."

"It's Tran." Kougyoku ran a hand on the words and started to remember the times her older brothers taught how to read Tran.

"You can read it." Mira stated as Kougyoku nods. "Good let me know if I'm wrong, Take a journey throughout the caves, trust in another. The knowledge you seek is at the end, near the Sphinx."

"You're correct. Sphinx?" Kougyoku nodded in agreement.

"This is going to be fun." Lina said to her royal friend.

"Let's go."

The group of women had each back as they cross the frightening cave filled with monsters. Finally they found the Sphinx with three doors.

"It Tran again it says, You're lost in the cave, and don't know where to go."

"Well it's not wrong." Lina mumbled but Parsine elbow her to stay quiet. Lina groan from the hit, Parsine quickly apologized and helped Lina.

"There are three doors that lead to the treasures. Door one; there is poisonous gas that is extremely toxic to animals. Door 2; there are blood-sucking bats. If you get bitten, you are infected with a deathly disease. Door 3; there are radioactive plants."

"What's radioactive?" Cassandra asked with a worry tone.

"Well, it can kill you." Mira said softly.

"What door do you choice?" Kougyoku finished the riddle.

"Hm, toxic, bats, plants all can kill..." Parsine mumbled but everyone heard her fine thinking the same.

Lina's head snapped up just as Kougyoku's did, "Wait. Yes, they all kill but one is dangerous for-"

"For animals."

"Its door one." Mira said walking towards the door.

"Well let's go."

They open the door, instead of poison gas they found the eye of the storm in the middle of the volcano, with buildings.

"Whoa..."

"Beautiful."

"Indeed."

"Look a gate!" Cassandra pointed to the gate that was a far from where they are.

"That must be it! Queen Mira that's where you djinns is." Kougyoku excitedly jumped and grabbed the queen to run, "Let's go!"

Queen Mira looked at the girl and smile while running with her. They made it to the gate to open the gate three left hands must open it.

"Huh. That works."

"Yup. Your country, your hands."

The Artemyra women placed their hands on the hands with a glow it opens. The gates open wide and they walk into the treasure room. All the saw broken, dusty, everything in ruins room.

"Where's the djinn?"

"Don't know..." They look around before climbing the stairs to a platform that has a justice scale. Both the queen and princess touch the scale and supply everything was glittering with god, silver, scrolls and more.

"Whoa."

"Beautiful..."

"Amazing."

"Who shall be the next King? Who's the King's Vessel?"

The djinn a giant three headed animal that has four arms or legs and three faces but its a very beautiful creature. The djinn has different kind of weapons and show different expressions. The body on her left is crying and is carrying two opened vajras. The body on her right looks furious and is carrying an arc and an arrow. Cerberus's main body wears a scarf that elongates in her back. In addition she's wearing a necklace and shoulder straps. Each head has the characteristic third-eye on its forehead, and each arm is wearing a bracelet, and has crystal-like feathers on its elbow. Cerberus has this kind of feathers on her legs too and her feet are paws. She also has a tail and a golden halo.

Kougyoku raised an eyebrow at Mira, who smirked and walk forward stating, "That would be me, Mira Dianus Artemina, Queen of Artemyra."

"Hm, you're strong. What about you? I see you already have one. Vinea, I believe."

Kougyoku's pin glowed for a second before she answered, "Huh? What? No, no! I just want answers that's all."

"I see." Cerberus nodded, shirking down to get a closer look at Kougyoku and Lina, "Well from what I can tell, you are here by accidents but only the one who sent you can send you back."

Kougyoku blinked and face palmed, "...You got to be kidding."

"Whelp! We're stuck here." Lina said sarcastically while throwing her arms in the air.

Cerberus laughed as the two, "Ha-ha you two are amusing but choose a king, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty?" Mira asked.

Kougyoku sweat dropped just a bit, "Long story, Queen Mira is the best candidate she'll make you proud."

Cerberus nodded and turned to the queen, "Very well. Treasure, knowledge and all are yours. Your vessel?"

"My staff."

"You are King!" A bright light shine throughout the room and they are back in the valley near Artemyra, the sun giving the country a glow of enteral and mystical.

"You have a beautiful home." Kougyoku looked out in awe.

"Thank you, please help yourself to the treasure."

"Thank you but we must be going."

"How about dinner and a good night rest?"

"Thank you. Your Excellency, we'll take it." Lina said before her princess talked the queen out of it.

"Thank you." Kougyoku bowed and smile.

"Follow us."

The queen called on her birds and they flew to the palace. Queen and Princess talked.

"May I ask?"

"You're wondering why Cerberus called me 'Your Majesty', like I said it a long story."

"We got some time."

"Alright. I guess you can say I'm a runaway Princess but really I was just crown Empress in my country."

"Empress? But you're so young."

"Thank you but I'm actually 21 and Lina's 23. We got into an accident and no one knows where we are but I'm not too worry because I trust my family till I find a way back."

"Is that what you asked Cerberus, a way home?"

"Yes..."

"I see, well I wish you two the best of luck."

"Thank you."

"Welcome to Artemyra! The City in the Sky!" Queen Mira shouted as her giant birds landed by the palace.

The queen got off the bird quickly as some of her warriors ran towards her. "Your Excellency, you're back!"

"Yes, has there been any problems since I've been away?"

"Only a few letters, but no problems."

"Good and we have guest. Treat them well, they saved my life after all."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Dinner was a party of the Queen's returned, they gave Kougyoku and Lina new clothes to wear and told them how to get to their next test. One of the letters were from H.O. informing them of new recruits, Lina saw the signature and went into a rage about Shiro and she'll do if she every sees him again. After that the girls became part of the Artemis family.

Once sunlight hit they were off to their next test...

Sasan.

Chapter Text

Before the nightmare… Before this adventure... Before becoming a servant to the Kou Empire… Lina was a kind, happy, normal little girl. Her father was a farmer and her mother made beautiful clothes in a little shop nearby. Lina had an older sister who had a talent at taming the animals and a younger brother who for some reason loved playing dress up with their mother and helping her make some of the clothes. Lina, on the other hand, was the middle child, a bit wild but kind and outspoken and all she wanted to do was explore and fight.

Then one day everything went wrong… The village was dying. Fires were started in every crop, shops were destroyed, children screaming for their families as they were taken away.

It was a battlefield, no…worse… A Massacre. 

Blood filled the streets and water was no longer clear or good enough to drink. During the worst part of this time Lina’s parents ran out to help the town and keep the fires at bay but after hours of waiting Lina bravely ran into the streets to find her parents after they disappeared and her siblings found a cave to hide in as the chaos swirled around them. Lina was yelling for her parents and avoiding anyone she didn't know but when she found them the ground began to shake and the wind got harsher. Something even more dangerous had arrived. Lina's parents told her to be safe and protect her siblings. She ran as fast as she could to her siblings but someone grabbed her from behind and knocked her out. 

That day was the last time she ever saw her family. The only things she had left were her father's dagger, her mother's chain necklace, her sister's charm, and her brother's ribbon. One day she hopes to reunite with her siblings, until then she'll forever hate the slave traders and the Kou Empire, the ones who took her.

“Lina... Lina…” A soft but lovely voice brought a little girl back to reality. She looked up and saw a beautiful face with soft gray eyes and blonde hair with a tint of green. The older woman has a strong resemblance to the girl with the face but the little girl has dark gray eyes with green specks and green hair with blonde highlights in cute long pigtails. She smiles brightly at her mama and jumps into her mama’s arms.

“There you are. Where did you go, silly girl?” Her mother brushes the little girl's bangs to the side to see her sweet little face.

Lina giggles as she tries to tell her mama about the dream she just had, “Mama! I was in the clouds and I saw a giant hill with a town in it!!"

“I think you mean a mountain, Sweetling.”

“Yes! And! And! There was a boy! But he was sad... and lonely...” The little tilt her head to see if she used the right word and nodded to herself. She giggled again when her mama picked her up to sit on her lap.

“Ohh, a boy. Hmm. Maybe one day you will put a smile on his face and you’ll make sure he will never be sad or lonely again.” The mother poked the girl’s nose with a cheerful smile and hugged the child closer to her heart. “Because, I believe you will go on a journey like never before and change the world.”

“Yes!” the girl smiled brightly at her mama.

“Now it's time to….”

A beam of sunlight got through the curtains and landed suddenly on Lina's face. With a groan she blinks her eyes and quickly covers her eyes with her hand as at the same time wiped the drool off her face.

“Oh good, you're awake.” Cassandra is by the window, which pretty much tells Lina who opened the curtains and woke her up and according to Cassandra’s tone of voice she didn't feel guilty in the slightest.

“Wha- Why are you here?! Rukh! Turn off the light!” Lina shouted in a stutter to the blonde warrior and quickly covered her entire body with the silky light pink sheet.

“I came to wake you silly.” She giggled and moved away from the window to help Lina get ready to leave the small country. She places Lina’s old clothes by the table, her clothes are now clean and fixed from any rips and tears.

“Oh yeah, I did ask…”

“Come on, get up. Queen Mira wants to see you off herself.”

Once Cassandra left, Lina stretched and looked out the window. The last few days had been wild for the girls; first the cave, then the sins, the dungeon and now they’re off to another land. Lina quickly changed into the clothes she came in and left to go check on the Princess, who was already up and in the garden making something with flowers. After a quick breakfast the girls were off but first the Queen had a few words for them.

Outside of the palace Queen Mira, Cassandra, Parsine and a few others came to see them off. Queen Mira walked up to the girls and all three of them gave a bow of respect. “As a thanks for saving me… You two are welcome anytime and will always be my personal guests. May we meet again.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.” The young ladies bowed back to the Queen.

“Please, Mira will do.” She corrected them.

“Of course. Mira.” All three women shared a laugh.

As they were getting the giant bird Kougyoku was hesitant but marched up to the blonde queen. Mira saw her coming and excuse herself from her ladies to walk up to Kougyoku.

“Mira, may I have a quick word?”

“Yes. Is something wrong?”

“No. Just here.” The future Empress blushed and presented a beautiful woven bouquet of carnations, gladiolus, yellow roses, and iris into a flower crown. And a single letter.

“It's beautiful… What is this?”

She giggled nervously and once again hated that her sleeves were not long enough to hide her ever growing blush. “It's a flower crown, the flower represents what I think and feel about you as a fellow captured, Queen and friend. And the letter is everything about who I am. My plans for the world and the people I know who will change the world.”

“...I will read it when I see you again.” Mira promised and put the letter between her sash.

“Why?”

“Because you are special and my friend.”

“Thank you…”

The two royals bowed to one another again but for a second Mira hesitated but decided to do the unexpected. She pulled Kougyoku into a tight hug and whispered in her ear before letting her go.

"I think I'm going to be sick..." Lina turned green as the giant bird made another sharp turn.

"This is amazing!" Kougyoku is having the time of her life with her arms up in the air and her braided hair flying behind her. This is the feeling of freedom, wilderness and no worries. Everything Kougyoku wants and has, to truly be herself.

The girls got a ride from the giant bird, which are actually called the wyatt, by Queen Mira's request. The wyatt dropped the girls off on a large mountain side, it was close to the country of Sasan, or at least that's what Queen Mira said. They were able to see Sasan from where they were and soon enough they found a path that goes up the tall mountain.

"Finally! I like them and all but man! That was torture!" Lina complained but was happy to be on her feet with solid ground and walking.

"It wasn't that bad." Kougyoku chuckled at her friend and waved farewell to the wyatt.

"Please, you're used to flying. I'm not."

"Ok, ok, look." Kougyoku pointed to a building up ahead. The girls ran up and in a few feet they were in a temple-like church on the side of the mountain. It's beautiful and a work of art.

"Whoa..."

"You can say that again."

In front of them is the temple- church carved into the mountain and had the illusion of being indoors. The arc is perfectly symmetrical and the building has collins and open windows.

"Hm cool, so I'm guessing our test has to deal with our sins and maybe dungeons." They notice the detail that went into the structure, it looks like the elements and something else…

"That seems about right. Hm?" Lina quickly walks to a wall that has a craving on it. “Hey Princess! Check this out!”

"It's a dragon... No, it's the hunter's dragon symbol!"

"Yeah, how did we miss this last time?"

"Who knows...?" Kougyoku shrugged.

Lina rolled her eyes. They walked deeper into the temple. They found a room with windows bringing in sunlight and in the middle of the room is a table with two bottles, one green and the other red.

"Do we drink it or something?"

"I don't know… maybe?"

"One way to find out."

"Wait, Lina!" Kougyoku stopped Lina from drinking the odd bottle and pulled them away from it but she lost her balance and the green bottle spilled into her mouth while the red bottle splashed into Lina’s.

"Princess!" Lina groaned and fell unconscious as did Kougyoku.

Kougyoku woke up with a headache that strangely reminded her of a hangover that she once had back when she was younger at a particular party. She promised herself not to drink sake or wine like that ever again. She tries to get up but her head is pounding too loud for her to focus. "My head. What the hell...?" Kougyoku fell back to her knees in a daze. Kougyoku shook her head slowly but surely the pounding was leaving her head. Once she got control of her body Kougyoku opened her eyes to the dark room but suddenly she saw a green light from the corner of her eye and all she saw was rocky terrain and in the middle of the terrain is a woman, dark skin, and warrior-like outfit, with skulls, feathers, and beads standing in the green light.

“Took you long enough.” The woman has a husky voice with a hint of annoyance.

"You must be Envy." Kougyoku stated.

Envy nodded, "Yep, resenting others for their possessions or gifts. This is a Battle of Wits, a mental battle. All those feelings come out to play as I tear you down."

"What do you mean?"

“We play a game.” With a wave of her hand they are sitting in the green spotlight with a small table in between them. A board game rests on it innocently, the game is Mahjong. A game Kougyoku played with her three older brothers when they had the time. It's a game of tactics, observation, memory, and adaptive strategies. While she didn't win a lot, it's a good game to learn more about your opponent. So far, she learned her two elder brothers, Kouen and Koumei, are creatures of habit. While Kouha is a wild card and loses a lot, on purpose.

“Mahjong?”

“Of course, let's begin.” A bell chimed in the stilled air, they grabbed tiles from the middle and truly began.

The game is a slow to middle pace but got faster as they understood how the other played, to a degree. “Your whole life, while privileged, you didn’t have everything you wanted. A true family, friends to call your own, a man who loves you unconditionally and a chance to truly provide yourself. But instead you got the opposite, a family that only wanted you for your power, friends to use you to grow within and leave you behind, a love who used you to get information and save himself and his people. And you were the last to pick because your older siblings were useless and you are easy to control but I've to tell you that you actually know how to run a country and make them… better than before.” Envy sort of commented on her before shaking it off and getting back into the game. “You envy being the last choice because all you wanted was to be first. But you can’t. Forever in sorrow and isolation.” Envy placed a tile in front of Kougyoku. "Remembering your childhood, your siblings, your first love, your dear Alibaba and his friends. The loneliness, the jealousy, everything. That's gotta hurt. Hm?" Envy got into Kougyoku’s head making her relive every moment she felt envy, jealousy, covetousness, resentfulness, and spite. But there is one thing they all have in common. All of these moments that turn her who she is today.

Kougyoku 's started to tear up but as she looked at the tile in her hand and placed it in the middle of her deck and showed her hand… She won. "That may be true but I learned how to deal with all my issues... Not to mention… My djinn is Sorrow and Isolation." Kougyoku looked at Envy with a patient smile.

"You passed." Envy wasn't all upset about the lack of fighting, or word play, sometimes violences or a silver tongue isn't answered to truly win a war within one's self.

The grey sky, covered in smoke and fire. A taste of sulphur in the air and in the middle stood a girl with a familiar shape and hair but a visual difference showed in her stances. Lina saw the girl collapse and got closer to her and saw her princess.

Lina rushed to her with a few trips and fell to her knees to wake up the girl, “Princess... Princess wake up!”

The girl groaned and pushed Lina away from her to stand up, “Enough with all the shouting.” 

“Princess are you ok?”

“Better than ever.” Kougyoku turns to face Lina but the look and smirk doesn't match what Lina’s used to seeing everyday since she was nine. Also her eyes, they glow a bright red filled with malice instead of a kind soft hearted jade-red.

“What's wrong with you?! What's with your eyes?... Who are you?!”

“Ohh you are sharp my dear. To tell the truth I quite hate that.”

“Where. Is. The. Princess?!”

The fake laughs as she steps over a hot rock, “Now, now. No need to be angry. Let's have a chat.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“Fantastic because I do.” She claps her hands, smoke fills up the area and all of a sudden Lina and the look alive sit on rocks shaped like stools with a tea set in the middle, also in front of them is an area that looks like a pool. “We’re going to play a game. It is called a game of truth. Here's the rules sweetheart. I say something and you say why it's good or bad and come up with a solution. It sounds easy, right? Great. Let's begin.”

Lina is a little out of it but does understand what the sin said about the game but she can’t think when the sin looks like Kougyoku. 

“Why do you look like Gyoku?” Lina asked.

The Sin just shrugged as if the question is meaningless. “Because you hate her. Well… more like, angry at her. It will make sense soon. Don't worry.”

“I'm worried about it now. Why? Wait… are you… Wrath?”

Wrath smirks at the girl, “Strong, vengeful anger or indignation but we’re getting off track. The game is pretty simple, let's do a trial… Watch…” The sin touches a pool of lava and shows Lina a blast from the past. It's when one of Kou's sisters got Lina in trouble. She was humiliated and filled with anger that day but she couldn't do anything to a princess.

“What did you feel?” Wrath asked.

“As if you don't know…” Lina is still going through the emotions and hates this game already.

“Tell me. Describe it to me.”

Lina glares at Wrath but looks away for she still looks like the Princess, “It was painful, humiliating and all I wanted was to hurt that girl but I couldn't. I was powerless. The only thing I could do is nod, apologize for something that wasn't my fault, and take a punishment I didn't fairly deserve.”

“And how would you make a solution for that?”

“What do you mean?”

“If you can change the outcome, how?”

That stump Lina for a second and finally she really did think about it, “I don't know. No one would believe a poor servant girl. But if I did have the chance to change it, well I wouldn't change a thing.”

“Why?”

“Princess… Kougyoku, she… she was the only one who tried… hm, I forgot all about that.” Lina remembers that Kougyoku was also there and told the truth but the other princesses didn't believe her and stood by the other. That’s when Lina was first shown kindness at the palace.

“Let's continue.” 

The game went on for a long time, there were times Lina wanted to fight the Sin and other times she refused to speak but Wrath saw something, that Lina is truly working on her anger but some things you can't change because the damage is too deep. And what Lina had experienced wasn't pleasant but she never gave in or feared the ones who caused the anger and pain in her eyes.

“One last question. What would you do if you stood in front of the people who hurt you and your family and sold you to the Kou Empire?”

Lina had to really think about it, for a long time she had nightmares of that night and wanted to kill every person who took her from her family and for years she never found out what truly happened to them. “Make them pay or at least have them never step foot in my village but that has already passed… unless I can change now. There are so many possibilities already, but one needs to have patience and what's a better way to kill them, then with kindness.”

“Interesting answers but will you stay with The Empress?”

Lina scuffed at the question because it was meaningless, “Yes. For we had promised one another and that's a promise I will take to the grave.”

“Congratulations.”

“Say what now…?” Lina tried to ask but once again smoke filled the air making the area black.

The girls woke up but in a very interesting way. Lina woke up with a gasped suckin in all the fresh air she could. Kougyoku with a scream of frustration.

“Holy-”

“Lina!”

“Gyoku!”

The girls quickly grabbed onto one another, they have done this more times than they can count. Although they got the pattern down it doesn't make it easy, not physically, mentally or emotionally. It's a nightmare but it will be worth it in the end. All of these challenges will get them ready for the Hunters.

“Are you ok?”

“Yeah yeah but my head is killing me.” Kougyoku said while rubbing her head, as if it would take the pain away.

“Same.” Lina agreed, they were about to talk about their experiences but a flash of red and green hit their eyes and they saw…

“Hello girls.” Wrath and Envy but slightly different with a pure light surrounding them. They finally became Kindness and Patience.

“You wanna tell us what that was all about?!” Lina got up and was getting ready for another showdown but she needs a second to gather her energy, which the girls will need for the dungeon they believe is waiting for them on the other side.

“Still so angry but at least you know kindness.” Kindness smirked at the greenette who scowled back.

“Can you please, stop talking in riddles?!”

“Temper, temper. Ok, my dear.” Kindness is having fun teasing these girls because the former sin can see the Empress getting frustrated as well but hides it better, “You both passed the test of the mind, of your envy and wrath while you two still have issues you know how to solve the problems with kindness and patience.”

Patience continued the thought, “Wishing the best for others; a love for each person you come across.” Patience looks at the both of them and can see they're taking in the wisdom they give them, “Also, it's a balancing act; acting with patience, mercy and charity when resolving conflicts. You will need those skills as Hunters.”

Kindness picks it right up with a fare of drama, “Welp! Just follow the trail and the second part of your test shall be revealed. Good luck! You’ll need it!” She claps her hands, their bodies disappear and turn into a ball of light that quickly shows them the way out.

“Ok…”

“These trials get weirder and stranger as we go on.” Lina commented and once again placed her spear and knives in their rightful place on her body.

Kougyoku nodded and shielded her swords on her back, “Mm hmm. Let's go.”

They rushed through the temple-church and found a path, which led them to the other side of the mountain and outdoors. And once again in front of them was another dungeon. A tall structure that looks like a knight with a longsword in front of its body and the entrance is between its feet, by the tip of the sword.

“Another dungeon, really?”

“It can't be that bad…”

“True.”

“So, should we go in?” Lina asked as they stared at it in silence but awkward silences didn't work for them, “….Flip a coin?”

Kougyoku just raised a single eyebrow in disbelief, “No way- what is that?” They heard a rumble that was coming towards them.

Lina recognized the sound, her eyes widened as she grabbed her friend and ran, “Run, dude! Run!”

The girls ran into the dungeon to escape the earthquake that was happening below their feet.

“Well that happened.” Gyoku stated as they caught their breath leaning against the wall.

“Really? I had no idea.” Lina was feeling sarcastic and being reminded of her past pain didn't help the situation at all.

“Your sarcasm is refreshing…” The Empress rolled her eyes and finally saw the dungeon.

“Why thank you.” Lina said but she followed her friend’s eyes and they widened two sizes bigger, “Wow this place is…” The inside of the dungeon had a very mediaeval feel to it. The horses, swords, giant knights, and much more. “Beautiful…”

“But beauty has its dangers.” The Dungeon Capturer said, as she knows there are dangers here, “Let's find the path and get a move one. I'm almost positive that a local is here.”

“Hopefully they’re nice like the last one. Even though they did try to kill us.” Lina tried to stay positive because for some reason Sasan and this dungeon feels… right to her. Like she was supposed to be here. Although time will tell.

The Princess shrugged and remembered her lessons about each country, “I don't know. Sasan, even with a contract with Sindaar and opened their gates to the outside world they still didn't like outsiders all that much…”

“They're going to kill us. Awesome.” Lina’s face fell and really didn't want to fight something or someone at the moment but they had to survive the dungeon.

Speaking of the dungeon, it was a pain in the arse to the young ladies, the monsters were wearing armour and shouting in an odd way like;

O gull, o dolt, as ignorant as dirt!

You scullion! You rampallian! You fustilarian!

O’serpent heart, hid with flowering face!

That's just to name a few! And they wouldn't stop unless the girls killed them. Strangest dungeon ever! They had to fight the giant knights, outsmart flying metal, swim in oil, and there was a monstrous horse chasing them for the longest time. That was Lina’s fault. 

“That bloody horse almost killed us!”

“I told you it wasn't friendly but did you listen no!”

“Shut up!”

Kougyoku finally had enough and used Vinea to destroy the horse and used the water to get to higher ground. There they found the door that leads to the treasure room.

“We are finally here!”

“Oh thank rukh.”

“Let's get this over with.”

“Please!” 

The girls open the door. They were expecting broken, rusty, unable to use stuff but instead they found a beautiful room filled with treasure. A round table in the centre of the room but in the middle of the table there is a hole with a sword in a stone. The Djinn is connected to the sword, Alloces, is a huge, slightly beastly, of a knight. Covered in armour from the neck down and his head looks like a lion with a mane, horns, and no hair on the face. Alloces holds himself like a noble, courtesy and loyal. Most of all Kougyoku can see in his eyes that he is fair and will allow all to have a chance to be a victor.

“Oh looks like we have more potential kings.” Alloces greeted the ladies with a bow.

Lina just raised an eyebrow at the man in front of them and bowed back to the Djinn, “Nope, not interested.” Shrugged and took a closer look at the man, she realised that he is the Knight-King Darius Leoxses. A middle-aged man with cunning eyes, a little beard, and dark red hair. He has a serious look and a bang going down the left side of his face. He wears ornamented clothes and metallic protectors in his arms and legs, and carries around a long metal spear. He wears a light colored turban around his head, which has a dark feather sticking up from it. Lina, for some odd reason, waves at the man like they’re old friends and has the biggest grin ever. Like she knows something. All he does is sneer and look away like they’re beneath him.

The princess just rolls her eyes and bows back in respect and tells the Djinn the truth, “We just have a question and-”

“And you didn't come here to capture me…” Alloces can feel that the girls didn't want his power and one of them is connected to another Djinn, a particular dragon with a taste for royal blood. One of them is of royalty, the same as the man. Even with all this information Alloces still wanted to know their goal, “Then why did you step foot into my dungeon?”

Kougyoku has her back straight, looked into the eyes of the Djinn and spoke in a gentle tone but everyone can hear the steadiness, confidence, and authority. “As you just said, we didn't come here to capture you. I have but one question that I hope you can answer. Your answer may help us to know what our purpose is and to find the right path, for we are lost in time.” Kougyoku looks and sounds like a Queen or rather an Empress should. Alloces acknowledged this with a nod.

Everyone but one believes she’s a candidate to be Alloces’s Chosen King.

The Knight-King Darius Leoxses snarled, “Of course, because I'm the only one pure enough to receive this power.”

Kougyoku, while she wants to glare at the man, just wants this whole ordeal to go over smoothly without conflict but when has life ever been that easy. She sighs and looks at the Sasan King, without raising her voice she tries to explain the situation calmly, “That's not how dungeons work-” 

But the man doesn’t want to hear it from an outsider, who is close to his country. He points his lane at her,  “Do you wish to die?” He threatened.

Kougyoku looks unimpressed at his display of dominance. 

Lina glares at the man for speaking over her friend and Princess, “Well, now that you say it like that…”

“Lina, be quiet.” Cue the eye roll from the red headed girl.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lina smirks at her while watching the King.

“Seriously. Now?”

“Yep.”

Kougyoku takes a deep breath to settle her nerves and blood pressure before she turns back to face the powerful Djinn, “Great Djinn of Courage and Faith, Alloces… Do you by any chance have any texts about the magical power to time travel?”

“Time travel… No I don't, but perhaps these books will help.” Alloces has a few books laying on the table and points to them. They are filled with spells and techniques that are mostly theories about time travel, the multiverse, inter-dimensional and universal travel. That is more than enough and will hopefully point the girls in the right direction on where to go.

Before Kougyoku can grab the books, Darius steps in front of them with his lance at the ready to strike down the girls. “No, everything here belongs to me and my country.”

“My Lord, we just want nothing but those books and to go home."

“No.”

Alloces saw arguing wasn't going to change anything, while he had made his choice about his King, one more challenge couldn't hurt. After all there is a method to his, and his fellow Djinns, madness. “How about a challenge for the books?”

Lina steps in front of her Princess and agrees, “Okay!”

“Lina!” Kougyoku gasped, she held onto Lina’s arm wanting an answer.

“Listen, we need those books. Please, let me be your shield and finally prove myself to you.”

“...You already have it, Lina-chan.” Kougyoku eyes soften at the older girl, they have gone through a lot in the last few months. From enemies to friends to a bond that now can’t be broken. Lina has Kougyoku’s respect and friendship but she understands what Lina has to do, “Are you sure?”

Lina nodded and strongly said, “I accept this challenge.”

“I, as well.” The Knight-King also agreed.

Alloces nodded, “The challenge is jousting.”

Lina started to blink in confusion and had to ask, “What the hell is jousting?”

“The ultimate test of mediaeval gallantry.” Alloces grinned, for he loves to see a good show of gallantry, creatively, and honour between warriors.

“What the fu-”

Alloces claps his hands, “Let's begin!” The magic the Djinn released made an arena; 

About 120 feet with 10 additional feet on each end as a stake down, 140’ total. They’re using 5, 6’ poles with a rope strung across the top as our centre line. To keep it so high so that it discourages low hits and horses bringing their heads over the centerline. Also they’re using 100’ with 10 additional feet of stake down at each end for a counter lists, outside lines, to keep the horses running down a lane, 120’ total each side. They’re using 5, 4’ poles with a rope running across the top on each side. Then use flags and flagpoles to mark out the end of all of the ropes. 10’ to mark the centre ropes and 5’ to mark the counter list ropes. This makes it easier for the riders to know where those ropes are and avoid them. We also assign a colour to each side – usually red and blue- to make it easy to announce.*

“I can't see! What is this covering my eyes?!” Lina freaks out from the unusual clothes on her body.

Knight-King huffed in irritation, “You're annoying, it's armour for knights for which you are not.”

The armour is padden linen and leather with plate armour on the upper body. The battlefield armour is specialised to be hit, in sections like the chest and right side of the helmet, being reinforced with an extra metal plate, a heavy gauntlet for the lance hand and the helmet is like a frog mouth, the bottom half protruded more than the top half. The shields are made of wood and leather, the top corner is cut out so the lance can be rested. Also the shield is secured to the shoulder by a strap to ensure it didn't fall to the ground when struck.*

“I'm really getting tired of listening to your voice.” Lina glared at the man through the sliver of her helmet.

“Hmph.”

“You mother-”

“Lina-chan.” Kougyuko gave her a warning glare which she can't see at the moment but she knows what face the Princess is making and what it feels like too.

“Whatever…”

Alloces smirks just a little at the banter of all three of them, for he knew one day they all will be friends and remember this moment. 

With a deep voice he explains the rules;

“The rules are:

Firstly, we declare that the knights who must joust should run four courses, and no more. And if in these four courses one knight should hit the other, splintering his lance, and the knight upon whom that lance splintered did not break his own lance by striking his opponent, he shall be vanquished, for he did not break his lance.

And furthermore, we declare that, if one knight splinters two lances and the other only one, the winner shall be the knight who breaks the two lances. But if the knight who only splintered one lance knocks off his opponent’s helm with the same blow, a tie shall be declared between him and the knight who splintered the two lances.

And furthermore, if a knight shatters two lances by striking his opponent, and the knight who has been struck knocks him off his horse, even though he did not splinter his lance, a tie shall be declared between him and the knight who splintered the two lanes.

Furthermore, if one knight knocks down both his opponent and his horse, and the other knocks down the knight but not his horse, we declare that the knight whose horse fell with him shall be the winner, because the fault in this case was the horse’s and not the rider’s. And in the case of the knight who fell but whose horse did not, the fault rests with the knight and not with the horse.

Furthermore, we declare that lance staves shall not be judged properly broken if they are broken crosswise, but only if they break after striking with the point.

Furthermore, we declare that if in these four courses each knight splinters two staves, or one each, or they each strike in the same place, a tie will be declared between these two. And if in these four courses they never manage to hit each other at all, let the judgement be that they jousted poorly.

Furthermore, we declare that if any knight should drop his lance whilst charging, without ever coming to blows, his opponent should raise his lance and not strike him, for it would be unchivalrous to strike an opponent who had no lance.

These are the rules.” 

The Knight-King nodded and understood the rules clearly, “Hm, easy enough.”

While Lina on the other hand… not so much, “Say wha- I'm going to die!” She is trying to figure out how to move in the amour! So far, it's not going so well!

On the other side of the ring is Kougyuko cuffing her hands together in front of her mouth to loudly cheer on Lina. “You can do it Lina-chan!”

“Yeah, no problem…” she chuckled nervously, while figuring out how to move in the metal suit.

“Little girl.”

Lina had a bit of a whiplash for she’s slightly offended being called ‘Little Girl’. She is a grown ass woman! “Oh, he said what now.”

If the Knight-King heard her he showed nothing but glared down at Lina, “This tower was brought through the Gods I serve. You are an outsider; a pagan, you won't touch what does not belong to you. So, quit now and leave with your life.”

She glared at him, “No, let's do this.”

“Very well.”

Alloces slyly smirked, raised his hand and began to challenge, “Begin!”

After a few rounds somehow they’re tied which surprises both women… (I’m sorry. I have no clue how to describe a joust scene but for inspiration please use the last joust scene from A Knight’s Tale.)

“You have some skill, I'll give you that but you will not win.” Darius huffed out as he caught his breath.

“That may be so but giving up is not a word I'm familiar with. Princess help me get the armour off me.” Lina started taking off the amour. “Hey Princess! Please come down here!”

 Kougyuko ran down the stairs to help out Lina although she opposed the idea, “You’ll die.”

“No, I won't. Please, just trust me.”

“Ok…”

Once all the armour was off Lina is wearing a long sleeve shirt and riding pants. In her right hand she held the shield and her left was the lance. She nudged her horse to the starting point.

“You are making a grave mistake girl.”

“No, I'm fighting for my right and my name is Lina!”

The flag is waved, the Knight-King urges his horse to run, Lina waits a few seconds to spit out some blood that filled in her mouth and urges her horse as well, both are headed towards each other at top speed. Lina is without armour or any protection but this, light clothes and free of the extra weight helps her with speed, with a mighty roar fell her lips, she broke his lance and knocked down the king and won the challenge.

“Congratulations, My lady! You are the victor of this challenge! The books are yours!”

“Thank you.” Lina bowed and saw the King struggling to get up because he was weary and the armour is heavy and so like the good person she is, gave him a hand, which he glared at. “Come on, you can’t be so proud to not ask for help.”

Once he got up his frown deepens because behind Lina is Kougyoku silently laughing and next to the princess is Alloces glaring down at the Knight-King daring him to insult the lady, “You… you did a fine job.” He spitted out and glared at the two.

She didn't notice what was going on behind her but she could hear the struggle to get those words out but luckily it was at least sincere, “Thanks.” Lina smiled but a yawn escaped her, “Now, I need a nap.”

The Princess gathered the books and started to read the first one; it explained the theory of magic mixed with space but it was incomplete like there is a missing ingredient or step… Kougyoku has the book completely covering her face as she reads on.

Alloces watches as the two young women, one trying and failing to not fall asleep while standing and the other reading and trying to figure out the puzzle of time travel. The King is glaring at them and he is the one Alloces has an issue with but the Djinn must put away his difference for The King of Sasan is now his chosen king but luckily the Djinn can give advice while they are still in the treasure room, “Knight-King Dauris, these ladies don't want to be my chosen king… Although, they are worthy. Do not forget that.”

Dauris nodded in agreement and not because he was afraid of the Djinn or anything, “Yes, they are.”

The ladies found a spot on the round table to sit on while the Djinn and his Chosen King talked. Lina overheard what King Daruis said and gave a sleepy chuckle, “I can jus eel the outrage.” Lina rubs her eyes and yaws out slurring her words just a bit.

“Be nice.” Kougyuko said but was distracted as she’s still very interested in the book.

“Your nose is stuck in that book, what do you know?”

“More than you at this point.”

“Oh my Solomon, you are such a -”

The powerful djinn chucked at the scene in front of him as the ladies argued. The young time travellers were quite the handful but entertaining to say the least. They will definitely make an impact on the world… or even change it for the better. Although they have already changed it by just being here… What else have they changed? Only time will tell.

“My King, the knowledge and treasure are yours. Your metal vessel?”

“My lance.”

“Very good, be prepared.” Alloces said in a booming voice and within seconds the small group were in the magical portal to go back to the outside world.

Once their feet hit solid ground, Lina fell to her knees holding her stomach turning a little green in the face, it clashed horribly with her hair. 

“Oh rukh! I feel sick.”

“You'll be fine.” The Future’s Empress helps Lina to her feet as they walk behind the King of Sasan because he is used to this terrain.

“You two. Why are you here in Sasan?”

“We are participating in the Trails of the Hun-”

King Darius huffed in annoyance, “Of course the Hunters sent you here. As if they don't cause enough headaches already… Very well, follow me and say nothing.”

Lina perked up and knew how to push the man’s buttons, “So we can ask questions?” The Knight-King ignored her and continued to walk down a trail that leads to his Kingdom. “Jeez, icy much… well… Why is your country on a mountain? Why do you hate outsiders? Are you this much of an asshole to us or others? Are you a parent? Why do you have your hairstyle that way? How come you don’t look us in the eye? What's your regional like? Do you have knights in the hunters or not?” Lina asked a hundred and one questions till they got closer to Sasan and at this point Knight-King Daruis was about to strike the traveller and push her down the mountain.

“Will you answer any of these questions?”

“No.”

“Oh look, he finally speaks.”

“Wait here.” The Sasan King walks up to his guards who are stationed at the base of the trail.

“Aya sir!” Kina gave him a mock salut.

“Lina-chan.” Kougyuko glared at her somewhat friend and she is displeased that Lina might have banned them from Sasan, because who knows if they had to come back to Sasan for business or something.

“What? I was curious.”

“Ever heard the phrase; Curiosity kills the cat?”

“Nope! And thank rukh I'm not a cat.”

“That's not what it means-”

The Princess was cut off by the deep voice of the King who partially threw a letter at the ladies, “Here, take this and leave my country.”

“Ok but one day you will answer my question!” Lina promised with a grin.

King Dauris’s eye twitch a little, “Leave.”

“Thank you for your hospitality. Let's go.” Kougyoku bowed and started to leave but then remembered how they were supposed to travel to their next destination.

Luckily Lina didn't have a filter or a fear factor when she yelled at the King with the same thought in mind, “Wait! How the hell are we supposed to go to- um, where are we going?”

“I'll give you a boat if you finally leave me in peace.”

“Deal.”

The Knight-King Daruis join them at the docks and get them a tiny boat that will hold them both and their essentials, Lina waved to the small but interesting country and one day she’ll be back.

Kougyoku chuckled, “Well that was fun. Did you really have to annoy the man that much?”

“Yes, he hurt me.” Lina admitted

“And you said I would be the handful.”

Lina’s laughter had her head back, “You are. Just in a different way, besides I like him. Something tells me we'll be back.”

“I think you’re right.”

“So where are we off to now?”

“Reim.”

Chapter Text

“I still can’t believe you cut your hair.”

Lina touched the ends of her new haircut before they left Sasan. Before they left, Lina had a bit of a mental breakdown and chopped some of her hair off. Once she realized what she had done, she had a little freaked out and somehow sweet-talked her way to get a local woman to cut her uneven hair and give her a fresh blob. The haircut shows off her beautiful face, and her head feels much lighter. She’s free from the weight that's now off her shoulders and ready to move on.

“It was getting in the way; besides, I needed a change.” Lina avoided the real reason.

Kougyoku raised an eyebrow but went along with it. “Well, it looks good, Lina-chan.”

“Thank you…Well, how about you?”

“What? Cut my hair?” Kougyoku raised both eyebrows and shook her head at the ridiculous idea. “Not a chance in hell unless something happens. Besides braiding it, twisting it into a bun works just fine for me.”

Lina shrugged and nodded, “Fair enough… How much longer do we have to wait?”

Kougyoku shugs because she doesn’t know, but water is her specialty, and she at least knows they are going in the right direction.

“...can we dye the rest of it?”

The dirty look Kougyoku gave her was so worth asking the question.

The Princess and her companion made it to Reim faster than they thought. The wind and waves were definitely in their favor. Once they made it to the docks, the girls sold their boat to the locals with a bit of persuasion and a subtle threat. The girls found a little cafe with the dragon symbol they’re finally familiar with and met other hunters. They explained why they were in Reim.

Their subsequent trial is going to happen in the Colosseums in Reim. The test will be emotional because they have already done physical and mental tests. What comes next is going to be a pain. As it turns out, they’ll have to separate during their trials. Kougyuko is going to stay in Narpolia while Lina is going to leave for Ria Venus Island. They will be by themselves in their fighting arenas.

For some reason, Kougyoku has the feeling that someone is watching her. It didn't feel threatening or dangerous, more curious, safe even like the Rukh was trying to push her on the path to someone special. Someone who can help better understand what her purpose is… What was… What is… What could be… After all, the Rukh works in mysterious ways.

Before the first sunlight, they went to the docks the following day. Lina and Kougyoku quickly hugged and said their goodbyes. 

“Good luck Lina-chan.”

“You to Hime. See you on the other side.”

“I will do that.” Lina raises an eyebrow and makes a hand motion. Kougyoku sees this and resists, rolling her eyes with a slight smirk: “Hell yeah!”

“Much better!”

“Time to go.” The captain of the ship waved at Lina to hurry up.

“Goodbye.”

“You better keep your promise!”

“Always!”

The Princess stayed at the harbor to watch her sail away to the island; she walked away once the boat was out of sight. Kougyoku made her way to the Colosseum, but she didn't realize someone was before her and bumped into them.

“Oh! I'm sorry! I was lost in through! Here.” Kougyoku picked up the man’s bags.

Nodded to thank her and accepted the apology, “It's alright. I wasn't paying any attention either.”

The first light rosed, and she got a good look at the man’s face: long golden hair with golden eyes, wearing a familiar outfit that was a little outdated and plain. But his hair got her attention because it reminded her of her dearest friend.

“Alibaba-chan…” She whispered.

The man blinked a few times in confusion, “Excuse me?”

“Sorry! You um… You look like a friend of mine.” she blushed.

“Ah… Well, I hope your friend is in good health.”

“Me as well.” Kougyoku saw one of the hunters calling and waving to her to hurry up. Kougyoku bowed to the man politely, “Have a pleasant day, sir!”

“You as well, my lady.” The man watched the young girl swiftly make her way to the hunters with a contemplative look but smiled and continued his morning walk. After taking a step, he felt something under his shoe. It was a gold coin, but he had never seen a currency like that before. He looked around for the young lady and remembered someone shouting her name… Her name is Gyoku.

“Gyoku! There you are. We’ve been looking for you.”

“I apologize. I wasn't paying attention to the time.”

“Entitled Princess.” The hunter rolled their eyes but held no malice, just amusement, “Follow us, and we’ll begin.”

Lina was on the ship, making everyone's life a living hell with her questions because, without Kougyoku, she could be very annoying. Plus, it has been a very long two days at sea, sue her.

“Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we-”

“SHUT THE FUCK UP, KID! WE’LL GET THERE WHEN WE GET THERE!”

“Sorry, I'm just bored… Can you tell me about the island?...... Please.”

The ship’s captain rubbed his forehead as if remembering why he didn’t like kids. Never mind that he has three of his own brats, but they weren’t as annoying as the young woman before him. “Ugh, fine. Ria Venus Island is the main island for Mariadel Company, run by Maader Umm Mariadel, also known as Lady Maader.”

Lina tilted her head, ‘Maader… that sounds very familiar… why?’

“Lady Maader is a prominent merchant based in Remano before settling on Ria Venus Island. The island is the Special Administrative District and the Company’s main branch. It’s one of the main trade locations owned by the prominent and powerful families of the Mariadel Company. Ria Venus island was built to show appreciation to merchants from various places and became a place where they could privately enjoy popular attractions such as casinos and the arena. The island also serves as a center of commerce where tourists can come and go freely. It may be a territory of Reim, but it’s a self-governed region with its own laws. It can be difficult for the mainland to interfere with matters occurring within the region, pretty much making it an entirely separate country. Lady Maader’s private life is kept under key, so no one really knows her or her personality, but she has many children.”

“That she adopted or…?”

“It’s unclear, but kids seem to like her.”

“Hm…”

After the conversation, Lina left the sailor alone to think. She knew the name was familiar, but it was just out of reach, on the tip of her tongue. ‘Reim, Remano, Ria Venus, Maader, kids… Reim, Remano, Ria Venus, Maader, kids… Reim, Remano, Ria Venus, Maader, kids… What is it?’

Lina was thinking about the connection, but nothing was coming up as they made their way to Ria Venus Island. The island was quite beautiful, but it was not Lina’s cup of tea; too much gambling. After all, she could be lazy and angry but not greedy. That was more of Princess’s thing. The island felt off; it was a little too clean. Yes, casinos were everywhere, people were gambling left and right, and there was rare fruit that Lina had seen at the Kou Palace, but it all seemed fake. Finally, the reason she’s here… The arena. A place where people can bet higher than in the mainland. The island just screams money. Lina wonders where the funds come from, other than gambling and bets. Wait…

Lina sat up with a straight back and turned to the captain, “Hold up, what does she exactly trade?”

The captain scratched the back of his neck, looking away at the young woman, “...You might not like this kid,”

Lina narrowed her eyes, “Just tell me.”

“Mostly goods like clothes and such, but she’s primarily known for…” He sighed. “Slaves…”

Lina’s eyes widen, “...Fuck.”

“Told you wouldn’t like it.”

Lina is close to a panic attack but closes her eyes and breaths. She counted to a hundred before steeling herself. She has to remind herself she’s not a slave or a servant anymore. She is just an attendant to her Empress because she freed Lina; even when she hates Kougyoku, she still lets Lina choose like everyone else because Kougyoku is not her family. Kougyuko promises to help Lina look for her family. Lina knows for a fact that Kougyuko does not break promises. Lina opened her eyes and kept her face blank because she could only do this by not thinking at all.

“This is going to be a disaster.”

The ship reached the docks, and Lina walked to the ramp to get off.

The Captain gave Lina a two-finger salute, “Well, this is where I drop you off. See ya, kid.”

“Yep! Later, old man!” She saluted back and flipped him off with a laugh.

The man laughed, “Screw you too, kid!” After that, his ship sailed away onto another shipment on a nearby island.

Lina walked into the town, ‘I guess I just wander till I see; nope, never mind.’ Her eye caught a symbol she was now very familiar with at a fruit stand. Pineapple, what a treat! Lina speed-walked to the stand and hoped to get a few answers about her trial.

The seller saw her and said, “Hello! Here you go!” She then handed her a slice of pineapple on a stick.

Lina was suddenly taken back with a pineapple on a stick in her face. “I didn’t ask for one,” she said.

“The first one is free to newcomers.”

Lina nodded and took the stick, but before she took a bite, she had to ask, “Ah, thanks. Hey, question, who can I talk to about this?” Lina showed the seller her dragon coin as she took a bite of the pineapple. “Yummy!”

The seller’s face had five different emotions: happy, scared, worried, sad, hopeful, and back to the fake-happy mask of a seller. “Ah! Yes, I do know where to lead you.” The seller pushes some hair behind her ear to show her bracelet with a dragon carved into it. “Mister Alexius has been waiting for you.”

Lily, the seller, asked her coworker to take over for a few minutes so she could take and show Lina where Mister Alexius was working. Lily explains to Lina who exactly she is meeting. Mister Alexius, also known as Gailus Alexius, is the younger half-brother of Ignatius Alexius, but due to his status, he is not part of the direct line. Gailus worked hard as a soldier and stayed away so as not to bring shame to his family. Gailus got injured in the field while protecting a household family of the Hunters. One member of that family saw the potential in Gailus, and he went looking for him after being told Gailus had been discharged from the military. Ever since then, Gailus has been with the Hunters.

“Here we are!” They arrived at a building that was a close distance from the arena. Lily explains that this is where fighters and gladiators come to sign up for a fight. “Mister Alexius, I have brought the recruit!”

Mister Alexius has features similar to his brother, with long, wavy blond hair, bushy eyebrows, and a long nose, but he looks younger than his brother, who looks older with his wrinkles.

He looks up at the girls; surprisingly, his green eyes light up when he sees them. “Lily! It’s good to see you again! Thank you. Sure, you don't want to stay.”

Lily giggled and shook her head, “Nope! I got work to do. Bye!”

Lina raised an eyebrow at Lily’s quick escape but kept her true thoughts to herself, “Interesting girl…”

He chuckles under his breath and smirks, “You can say that again. I’m Gailus Alexius, you must be Lina.” He stands up and bows.

“Why must I be? But yes, I am. Pleasure.” Lina bows back to the man.

The man laughed full-heartedly, “Funny, too! Now let's begin.” 

Mister Alexius is a tall man who walks with a cane due to an injury on his hip, which gave him a limp. But his disability doesn’t stop him from fighting if need be. He can still keep up with the best of them.

 They make their way to the arena to start the trial.

“Mister Alexius-”

“Gailus, please. I’m not that old.”

“Gailus-san?”

“That works, too. Please continue.”

“What can I expect with this trial?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure… Each recruit’s trial is different, but I know they follow the same theme. What is your theme?”

“Sin… The Seven Deadly Sins, to be exact. I have done Sloth and Wrath. My friend got Greed and Envy.”

“Hm, I see. So next will be Pride, Lust, or Gluttony. That is interesting… Not many get the sins. You and your friend might be special.”

Lina blushed and laughed, “No, I’m nothing special, just someone trying to survive and live as much as possible.”

“There is a saying, ‘Those who survive life will live longer but have regrets, while those who live every day like it’s their last will never have regrets.’ Life is always a risk.”

“Who said that?” Lina raised an eyebrow at the older man.

“I did, just now.” They laughed, “What I’m saying is… Yes, there are times we must survive, but never forget that life is beautiful, and we must live to the fullest, so we know we didn’t take life for granted because that makes life so interesting.”

“Thank you.”

“You are welcome. Here we are. Welcome to the Ria Venus Island’s Colosseum!”

The Colosseum looks to be just as significant as Reim’s—maybe more minor, but still as impressive. It’s filled with people cheering and booing inside that can be heard all over the island.

“It’s pretty packed in here.”

“That happens when a fight is going to take place. It can be enjoyable, but sometimes it can be difficult to watch, especially when Lady Maader makes an example.” His eyes glass over before he shakes his head as if to get rid of a thought, “Never mind that, follow me.” Gailus led Lina to a different entrance that’s hidden in plain sight; it’s where mostly workers, servants, attendees, and slaves go through to get inside the Colosseum when their masters don’t want them to be seen.

Gailus explained to Lina that the trial is somewhat two-part; she will be injected with a potion, with the promise that it’s not poison and won’t kill her, but it will take time for it to activate. After that, she’ll have to participate in the arena. While fighting, she must win by using physical, mental, and emotional strength. The potion will attack her emotionally and mentally, so she must defect her sin before defecting her opponent. Her opponent will be a new hunter who is training under Gailus. Rue, the new hunter, will get images of Lina’s sin and try to make Lina forget what is a hallucination and what is real. The trial aims to separate dreams from reality and combine emotion with physicality because there are times when logic and emotion don’t always go hand in hand. Lina must learn how to combine them.

“You ready?” Gailus asked both Lina and Rue.

Lina nodded and sat on the table, waiting for the injection. 

Rue was a bit more nervous, for this was her first assessment. Closing her eyes and breathing deeply, she nods, ready to begin and help the newcomer.

With the deafening sounds of cheers from the crowd, the two girls stand in the middle. For the public, it’s a fight between rivals with unfinished businesses that want to show off. In reality, it’s a test not for the faint of heart.

“Ladies and gentlemen! We bring you the sword match sponsored by The Abyss Company. Today’s match is a special match that can be seen just once! Please welcome Lina and Rue to the stand!!”

“A young woman traveling the seas trying to make a name for herself and settle the score with her rival! Lina! And representing The Abyss Company, an up-and-coming warrior of renowned military service known by Reim! Rue!”

The girls hold their respective weapons: Lina with her bo staff and Rue with her sword and small knives. They wait for the bell. It rings, and they begin their fight. They attack each other quickly, learning their techniques, strengths, and weaknesses. The fight looks brutal, and the crowd cheers for the excitement.

The crowd is cheering with their deafening sound. Lina can barely concentrate on her opponent because it feels like there is another with them. All time had stopped for this one meeting. The Sin has arrived with orange hair, dark skin, and purple glowing eyes, marking all over the body in orange and purple. A dark body suit covers the Sin’s assets. Around the neck is a wide choker, and another piece comes down to the middle of the chest shaped like an eye.

“Don’t worry. This won’t take long. That is… If you understand the meaning of my clue.” The sin glides over to Lina.

Lina raises an eyebrow, “Not a fight, I’m guessing.”

“Nope. That’s what this huntress is here for.”

“Which one are you?”

“Gluttony, consuming an unhealthy excess or amount, but never mind that. Here is your clue: follow your king, learn as much as possible, but be overindulgent; you will not go far. Knowledge is power, but it can cost a price. Endless freedom is a distance away. It’s at your fingertips.”

Lina has to think about it because it is obvious it’s not about food, which is most associated with gluttony, but Gluttony is mainly talking about knowledge, power, and freedom. The test is about how much knowledge will be too much, and it can overpower Lina and keep her from her original goal. It’s a warning before it gets too bad or far, and she would be too late to save her home and family. But if she can gather her knowledge modernly, she will know how to get home, be free, and have endless freedom with her family at home. It’s about control, self-restraint, and taking in the knowledge in moderation.

Once it clicks in Lina’s head, the Sin smiles; the orange lines turn purple, and the hair gets short. Gluttony turns into Abstinence.

“Congrats. Sorry this wasn’t as exciting as the rest of the Sins, but you have a fight to finish. Don’t be easy on her. She can use a challenge.”

“Thank you.”

“Good luck. You and the Empress are almost there.” Abstinence was left in a swirl of purple mist.

Lina is back in the fight, stops playing around, and gets serious in a quick movement. She twirls her bo staff in many serials and lands two hits on Rue, one close to the head and the other on her side, which has Rue on her knees but has to move and get back on her feet. Lina doesn’t give Rue the chance to attack, only dodge and parry. Rue lets her guard down for a second, allowing Lina to kick Rue in the stomach and send her flying. Lina jumps after her at a fantastic speed, ready to impale Rue to the ground. Rue jumps out of the way to create distance between them. Rue knows she’s at her limit and has only one trick left up her sleeve. She gets started and waits to create an opening. Lina smirked, knowing what was to come, but she also knew how to get the upper hand. Lina breaks her bo staff into two and throws one half at Rue. Rue is surprised at the turn of events and blocks the broken staff coming her way. Lina runs towards her, throwing the other, which is also blocked, but Lina gets into Rue’s space using her arm guard to block the sword, throws Rue over her shoulder, and steals her sword simultaneously.

“Wow, nice sword.”

“Eh?!” The crowd shouted at the display below them.

On the sidelines was Gailus chuckling in disbelief as the audacity Lina had just shown, “Sword-stealing? Ha! You don’t see that every day! Good work, soldier!”

“Give it back?” Rue asks in shock, her hand stretching out for her sword.

“I declare defeat.”

From there, Rue admits defeat, and Lina stands tall and holds the sword in the air. The crowd goes wild for the fight. In the shadows, a few kids can be seen watching the fight. The kids have chains on their necks and ankles. They are slaves to Lady Maader, and they don’t honestly know that being covered in chains is wrong and the woman they call mother is a monster in disgust, but a little boy with heavy chains and weight balls on his throat, wrist, and ankles watches the fight with more attention than he usually gives, but the lady, Lina leaves an impression on him. He wants to fight her too.

Kougyoku lay on the table, waiting for the potion to activate. Her mind and heart were racing, and she couldn’t focus on Gemma’s words, but it was the same as before.

“You will be injected with this potion. Once it activates, it will feel odd. For every recruit, it’s a different experience, but the beginning is the same. It’s a dream walk. It’s like sleeping with your eyes open, but instead of walking through Reim, you will walk in your trial with your sin. Remember, the trial’s goal is to separate dreams from reality and combine emotion with physicality because there are times when logic and emotion don’t always go hand in hand. You must learn how to combine them.”

Gemma looks at Gyoku, and her eyes start to gloss over. “Good luck.” Gemma disappears. 

Gyoku looked around the area but couldn’t find anyone. That was when she realized the potion had already been activated, and she was now in the dream walk.

The room changed from a medical standard room to a white room with no doors. Gyoku got up from the table to look around. She turned once more, but the table was now missing.

“Please come back to me.”

Kougyoku tilted her head. She thought she heard something, “Huh? Hello? Is someone here?”

“Find me, please.” She heard the voice a little more transparent now, but it seemed familiar.

“Which sin are you?” Kougyoku called out.

“Princess…” She turned around and saw someone who wasn’t supposed to be there. He’s on his way to the North.

“Sinbad-san…”

“Beautiful.”

She turned again and stepped back away from who was before her. “You are not Sinbad-sama. What’s going on?”

“Intellange and kind.” A teen showed up, but he wasn’t supposed to be there.

“Alibaba-chan.”

“Strong with the biggest heart.” Neither should he.

“Aladdin,” Kougyoku had to step away. She couldn’t believe what was happening. You are not real. None of you are real.” Kougyoku was now being circled in by the men in her life who were not her brothers but the ones she held love for. She closed her eyes and wanted to cover her ears, wanting this to stop, but someone held her hand to stop her.

“Old hag.”

Her eyes snapped open. “Judar. Stop, please stop.”

“Powerful Empress the world has ever seen.”

“Koubun Ka. This does not make sense.” Kougyoku looked at each man to see which was the sin or if they would give a clue to what was happening. “Wait…” She put her fist to her chin, thinking the trials through. “Seven Deadly Sins… So far, Greed, Sloth, Envy, and Wrath. Gluttony, Lust, and Pride are left. Sinbad, Alibaba, Aladdin, Jadur, Koubun Ka, you are not real… But why do I see you all?” She was still trying to figure out which sin she was facing and hadn’t noticed: the shadow behind her or the room had changed again.

Instead of a medical standard room or a white room with no doors, the room is now pink. It was in a way that was not overpowering and faded into another color, mixed with purple and red. With a big bed, hot tub, closet, tables and candles. In the center of the room is a stand with a couch and chair near it.

“You are correct. They are not real, but your feelings for them are.”

Her eyes snapped open, looking at the woman who was wearing barely any clothes, “Lust! You are Lust.”

“Ding! Ding! Ding! Give the beauty a prize! Correct! I’m Lust, considering others as objects of sexual desire. And my, my, my! Wouldn’t I love to go a round with you!” Lust was pink but had hints of gray, purple, and red on her figure. She had pink hair, jewelry, and makeup, but her skin was gray. Her clothes were a tiny pink dress with a purple and blue robe on top, but it was slipping off her shoulders.

“What?” Kougyoku is bewildered by how shameless she is, but then again, it’s Lust.

Lust gave the princess a slow once over but sat on the comfortable chair. “Come now, I can feel your desires. Granted, they’ve been pointed to this man, but it seems maybe not.” Lust pointed to Sinbad.

Kougyoku glared at Lust and the older Sinbad, “I know what I feel for him, and that’s the result of his actions and words.”

Lust shrugged in agreement, “I understand, but lust is more than that. But for today, we’ll keep it simple.” 

Kougyoku’s eyes started to twitch, “You are very confusing.”

“Good, maybe you’ll learn something from me.”

“Fine, but what does Sinbad have to do with this?”

“Everything. He is your past, present, and future. And you are his. Your paths intertwined in a way that only shows once every thousand years.” Lust looked at her long nails and pulled a nail filler from the air.

“What does that even mean?”

Lust sighed. She dropped the filler and got up to move closer to the royal. “No matter the time, place, or distance, you two created something so strong that not even death can separate.”

Kougyoku turned to look at Sinbad, both past and future. “How is that possible? With Sinbad-sama, he wants nothing to do with me unless we meet up for our roles as leaders, and young Sinbad, I only met him once. Yes, we travel together for a few hours, but how can that be enough?”

“Even if it were a few seconds, a slight glide of the hand, a quick glance in the eye. That would still have been enough. Sinbad, present or future, will always need you for something.”

“Thank you for that.” Kougyoku said with a deadpan expression, “What does this have to do with lust?”

“Mm, nothing,” Lust smirked. She’s having fun riling up the Empress, “It’s just information you will need later in your journey.”

Gyoku throws her hands in the air, frustrated, “You’re accommodating with giving nothing.”

“And you are ignorant for not listening.” Lust throws right back.

Gyoku sighed, ready for this to be over, “What’s the test?”

“I told you, use the information that has been handed to you.”

“What information?” She asked, “So far, I’ve seen Sinbad-sama and young Sinbad, Alibaba-chan, Aladdin, Judar, Kiubun Ka, and you! And! All you told me is I have a connection with Sinbad.”

“Yes. Why do you think it was these men? What do they mean to you?” Lust really wanted the future Hunterness to think about it, but it looks like she’ll need help.

“I don’t know…”

“Yes, you do,” Lust pointed to the men standing in the room, “or they would not have shown up. You have feelings for them.”

“I don’t feel lust for any of them!” Kougyoku blushed and shouted.

“Sweetheart, I’m a part of you and the Sin of Lust. Believe me, you have felt it at least once.”

The royal was now red, confessing, “Maybe for Sinbad-sama, but not really for the rest.”

The sin stretched and fixed her robe, tightening it up before grabbing the redette and sitting her down on the cozy chair, “Let’s try it this way.” Lust snapped her fingers, and another chair appeared. She sat in front of Gyoku and explained, “Do you know there are six types of love? And before you say anything, love, and lust are two sides of the same coin. Lust is desire, sensuality, passion, erotic, amoros, longing, sensual, and many more. But you have to remember so is love. Love comes in many different forms. For example, Eros, my favorite, is a primal love that comes as a natural instinct for most people. It’s a passionate display of the desire for another person’s physical body or romantic.”

“In other words, lust.” Kougyoku rolled her eyes but was starting to understand.

“Eh, to a degree,” Lust shrugged. “Moving on. Storge is a naturally occurring love rooted in parents and children. As well as best friends. It’s an infinite love built upon acceptance and deep emotional connection. It comes easily and immediately in parent-child relationships.”

“I don’t remember my parents that well.”

“It doesn’t have to be blood-related.”

“Oh. Ohh. Wait, what about my brothers?” She asked.

Lust smiled at her because she slowly understood the point, “That would be sibling love, which is philia. It’s love without romantic attraction and occurs between friends or family members. It occurs when both people share the same values and respect each other—it’s commonly referred to as brotherly love. More than one person can fall into these, but we’re sticking with nonblood-related love.”

“Okay. What if you don’t feel desire or familiarity?”

“Good question. That would be Xenia. It’s hospitality, meaning guest friendship. It’s associated with hospitality, generosity, and the courtesy of having someone from far away come to your house. In a way, it’s love for strangers or acquaintances.”

“Makes sense.” Kougyoku nodded.

“Next is philautia, a healthy form of love in which you recognize your self-worth and don’t ignore your personal needs. Self-love begins with acknowledging your responsibility for your well-being. It’s challenging to exemplify the outbound types of love because you can’t offer what you don’t have.” Lust gave Kougyoku a secret smile and continued on, “Finally, the last form of love I will tell you is agape. Agape is the highest level of love to offer. It’s given without any expectations of receiving anything in return. Offering Agape is a decision to spread love in any circumstances, including destructive situations. Agape is not a physical act; it’s a feeling, an act of self-love. You can also feel this for another person as well.”

“Are there more types of love?” Kougyoku asked, wanting to know more.

Lust nods with a full-on grin, “Of course there are. But these are the most prominent for you. Let’s play a game of which one of your boys fits into which type.”

“I have no choice, do I?”

“Nope.” Lust’s grins stayed in place. She made their chairs into a single couch and had the men stand in a line in front of them with the stand also in place. “At least it’s fun. Now, when you think of eros, who comes to mind?”

“Um.”

“Don’t think about it. Just say the first person that comes to mind.” Lust wanted her to spit it out, not think about it. Like ripping off a bandage. So they can get the show on the road with their back and forth.

“…Sinbad-sama.”

“Good. What about storge?”

“Koubun Ka.”

“Who received your philia?”

“Alibaba-chan.”

“Interesting. Who is your acquaintance? Your xenia?”

“Aladdin.”

“You sound sad about that. Why?” Lust asked.

Kougyoku sighed and hugged herself, “I want to know him better. I want to understand the stories Alibaba-chan and my brothers tell me about him.”

“Admitting it is a good first step to learning about love and how it can change over time,” Lust advised and moved on. “Philautia?”

“Judar.”

“Hmm. I guess that would make sense. And finally, agape. Now, think about it. Obviously, it’s yourself, but does anyone come to mind?”

“Sinbad, the younger one. Why?” She asked the sin.

“Like I told you. The two of you are connected in a way that the fates themselves decide and put into light.”

“For someone whose embodiment is lust, you sure are a romantic.” Gyoku raised an eyebrow.

“Two sides of the same coin, darling. You already have chastity. I have always been Chastity, but you were brought here to learn there is more than one path in love, lust, and life. Also, it doesn’t hurt to be flirty once in a while. Be free while you are here, and don’t hide your true self anymore. But then again, you’ll have everyone falling at your feet.” Chastity said as her figure changed a little. Her pink hair turns purple, and her skin looks a lot healthier with a tan. She was still wearing the robe that was slipping.

“It was good, then downhill it went.” Kougyoku glared at Chastity.

“You have to take the bad with the good, Sweetheart.” Chastity winked at her.

“I thought this trail was about separating dreams from reality, combining emotion with physicality, and learning how to combine logic and emotion.”

“And you think the different types of love aren’t?” She asked.

“Huh. I guess that would.”

“Every trail is different for each hunter. They gave you the baseline, but in the end, this is about you as a person. You passed, but remember you still have much to learn, and Pride will make you see that.”

“Thank you,” Kougyoku honestly tells Chastity with a bow, “For teaching me.”

Chastity bows back with a smirk, “No prob. Tell your boys I say hi.”

“Goodbye.”

Kougyoku closed her eyes and was back in the medical standard room, lying on the table. She got up and stretched.

Gemma was still there waiting for Kougyoku to wake up, “Welcome back to the living. Good trip?”

“My head hurts.” She held her head, and Gemma grabbed a pill and water for her. “Thank you, and yes, I learned a lot.”

Once Gemma finishes checking her over, she lets her go to explore. Kougyoku walks out of the room to wander around the Colosseum to find somewhere to eat. A little boy runs past her into another room. Kougyoku is curious and follows him, but the boy is nowhere to be found inside.

“Hello?” Kougyoku called out. “Sorry for intruding, but I just need help.”

A voice near a widow spoke, but it wasn’t male but rather a soft female voice that held power, “We all need help no matter what.”

She walked further into the room and gasped, “Scheherazade-sama…”

“You know who I am. That’s good.”

Scheherazade is an old magi with more than 200 years of experience. She has the appearance of a young female of a short stature. She has big, bright, blue eyes that are usually closed and only open when she wants to put emphasis on something or when things go wrong. She has long blonde, wavy hair with two braids in the back that reach down to her ankles with a laurel wreath of grapes and vines around the left and right side of her head. Her attire consists of a long white robe that looks similar to a stola, with loose short sleeves over her shoulders that are secured by a round fibula and a long pink ribbon tied under her bust. It's usually not seen, but underneath her long robe, she is depicted barefoot. Scheherazade’s wand resembles a trident. It is longer than her body and shaped like a crescent moon pointing upwards. The center is a spherical red gem, and the tip extends through the gem.

“So you’re the one who has been changing.” Scheherazade turned to face the Empress.

“I-I. I’m sorry.” Kougyoku was very out of place. She only occasionally spoke to Titus, but facing Scheherazade was a bit intimidating.

Scheherazade smiled at the royal like she knew exactly what was going on, and she did. “Don’t be. It’s been a while since I felt a soul like yours. The changes you have made might help the world become a better place.” Scheherazade studied the young woman in front of her. A princess to some but an Empress in truth. Scheherazade can see that the young royal is troubled by her and looks closer. “I take it you don’t have a high opinion of me.”

Kougyoku’s eyes widened, and she shook her head. “It’s not that. It’s just… future stuff.”

Scheherazade giggles a little and nods, understanding the future is a tricky topic, “Well, luckily, I can see your old future and the new one you are making.”

“I’m literally making a change?” She states it as a question.

“Yes.” Scheherazade nodded, “Don’t be disheartened. Just keep true to what you are doing.”

“Thank you.” Kougyoku bows to the magi. Grateful for getting an answer she didn’t even know she needed. “That makes me feel better.”

“You’re welcome, Your Majesty.” Scheherazade bows back.

Kougyoku waves off the title with a blush, “That title doesn’t belong to me here.”

“No, but it still stays true. After all, you and your friend will be going to my dungeon next. I wanted to meet the King who will conquer it.” Scheherazade smiles at the surprised expression on the Empress’s face and quickly stops Kougyoku’s train of thought that she is not worthy. “And don’t say you are no one special. Because the changes you made are from someone special and worthy to be one of my Kings.”

“Thank you, Scheherazade-sama.”

Scheherazade walked up to Kougyoku and lifted her chin to lock eyes with her to show how serious she was, “Pride will help you. Through that door, it will take you where you need to go. May we see each other again.” Scheherazade waved her wand at the mirror that turned into a door and smiled at her chosen King.

“I hope to see you again, Scheherazade-sama.” Kougyoku bowed, touched the door’s handle, and walked through, but not before she heard Scheherazade say one last thing.

“Goodbye Empress Kougyoku.” Scheherazade went back to the window to look at her city, and Muu popped his head up from the table with food.

“Who was that pretty lady?” he asked.

Scheherazade smiles at the young teen and waves him over, “Someone special, and I believe you two will meet soon.”

Muu perks up, excited to see the pretty woman again, “Can’t wait. She looks strong.”

“Indeed, she is.” Scheherazade places a coin in his hand. “Keep this on you. One day, you will need it.”

Muu closed his hand and kneeled to her, his fist at her heart. “Yes, Scheherazade-sama.”

“Don’t be so serious. Smile.”

“Yes, my lady.” Muu smiles brightly for her.

“Thank you.” Scheherazade pets his head, and they walk to the food to eat. Scheherazade can’t wait because the next few months and the upcoming year are going to be interesting.

Kougyoku walked around the long hallway and spotted green hair and brown clothes. She gasped and ran towards her friend.

“Lina, it’s been so long!”

“Princess, it’s only been a week.” Lina hugged her back while laughing.

“Still…” The royal pouted a little before grinning.

Lina rolled her eyes, “I missed you too.” Kougyoku gave a happy clap.

“Yeah, yeah.” Lina smiled because she missed the crazy princess, “So, do you know where we are?”

Kougyoku nodded and led them down the hallway, “Scheherazade-sama said she raised a dungeon around here and was waiting for a potential hunter to claim it.”

“It’s a hallway…” Lina shakes her head. Magi and magic are above her paygrade, “So you?”

“I don’t know; it could be you.” She shrugged and continued to follow her instincts about where to go.

Lina scruffed, “Please, I would be better off as a household member than a king. Plus, you already have one, so… Why not another?”

“We shall see.”

They walked quietly for a little bit, but then they got to talk. 

“So, what’s the story behind the dungeon, anyway?” Lina asked because they had been to two dungeons and doubted they would stop anytime soon.

“My brothers told me bits and pieces, and Judal wasn’t good at explaining what comes naturally to him, but the Magi and the dungeon are connected. They are from another world…” Kougyoku explains what she knows so far from her own knowledge, her brothers’ and Vinea had told her. It took a while to explain it all, but Lina understood the basics of it all.

“Where is this dungeon?” Lina groaned as they walked for what felt like an hour or so, “I thought something so big would be easy to find. But we’re stuck in this maze!”

“Magic isn’t always so easy. Sometimes, you just have to look around to find it. She did say Pride will help, so...”

Lina facepalmed, “Great, another trial!”

“Speaking of which, how did yours go?”

Lina stopped her mumbles of murder and scratched her cheek, trying to remember, “Well…” Lina told Kougyoku about her trial, the hunters, Maader, her island, and the slave kids she saw. “Afterward, when I was done and brought in for a check-up, I saw a little boy following me. He was a Fanalis that was familiar, but I don’t know who he was just yet.”

“Hmm, a male Fanalis… Reim will have their corps, so maybe one of them.”

“Maybe.”

Before Kougyoku could tell Lina about her trail, there was a sound behind them. They turned around and saw shadow-like creatures coming towards them. They split-second look at each other and run like hell.

“What the hell?! Where did these things come from?!”

“Run!!”

“Door! Door! Door!” 

They ran into the door, closed it tightly behind them, and moved back from it in case they had to fight. They waited with weapons in hand, but after a few minutes, they relaxed.

“Thank Rukh!” They breathed in relief because their strength wasn’t back to 100%, they hadn’t had food in a while or slept, and Kougyoku didn’t feel strong enough to use Vinea’s power.

Lina heard her stomach growl, reminding her it had been a few hours since she had eaten. After her trial, she got a checkup and some food, but she gave the rest to the little Fanalis boy who was following her before she disappeared into a strange hallway and found the Princess. She took a deep breath and looked up and saw a sight that had conflicting emotions of relief and dread.

“Um, I think I found the dungeon.”

The dungeon is a tall arch that looks to be held up by warriors and dragons, one on each side. Below the arch is a small building with a tall door that’s the entrance to the dungeon.

“Whoa. That’s pretty.” Kougyoku looks at the dungeon in awe, the same way she looked at Vinea’s when she first saw it.

“Yeah, let's go get your djinn.” Lina put her spear on her back and pointed to the path leading to the dungeon, “There’s the pathway.”

Kougyoku nodded, sheathed her swords, and said, “If they pick me.” She lightly touched her hairpin, holding Vinea, which glowed beneath her hand.

“They will.”

“I love your confidence in me.” Kougyoku giggled at her companion.

“Someone has to,” Lina smirked back.

They walked through the door/gate and fell into a river. As in every dungeon before, the inside is significantly bigger than the outside. The river leads into a cave, but the girls have to get out quickly for the water monsters that are trying to kill them. The cave brought them into an underground city filled with many trails with flying creatures in every direction.

“I hate dungeons,” Lina whispers to Gyoku, “Can we please stop going into them?”

“I doubt it.” Gyoku gave her an apology smile.

“Aw.” Lina hits her head on the rock, but it makes them slip, and they have to run again. They went down the path that led straight into a gate. That coved each back as the creatures started coming in every direction. They left the underground city and moved into another city, but one that’s familiar. The city is the same as the other dungeons, meaning they are close to the treasure room. They ran, hoping not to run into any more monsters of the dungeons. They stop to catch their breath.

“Oh, another gate.” Lina pointed to the gate in front of them.

“Come on.” They reach the gate, and Kougyoku has to stop Lina from opening the door, “Wait, there’s writing on it.”

“What does it say, Princess?”

She lightly touches the script that’s in Tran. “To go through, release all pride, and be humble to pass.”

“Another test?”

“Looks like it.” Gyoku nodded.

“How does one release pride?” Lina asked.

“Hmm.” Gyoku had to think about it. It wasn’t as straightforward as the other dungeons. Her leg brushes, her swords attached to her back and legs. Gyoku stops in place and pulls off all her weapons in a second.

Lina sees this and tries to stop her. “Please don’t,” she says when Kougyoku tries to give Lina her prized possession, her pride, her hairpin that holds Vinea.

“We won’t know until we try.” Kougyoku places Vinea gently in Lina’s hand, “Worse comes to worst; we have each other to protect our backs.” She stares into Lina’s eyes to show that she trusts her to take care of Vinea.

Lina stared back, looked down at her hand, and sighed, “Fine.” Finally, Lina nods in agreement.

Kougyoku nodded back. She stepped away and got closer to the gate with a deep breath. She whispered Open to the door, and it opened for her, “It worked. The treasure room.” They ran in as the door closed behind them. Lina gives back Kougyoku her hairpin and weapons. 

She looks around, but a question sits on her tongue, “Wait, what exactly was the trial?”

“Good question. To release all pride would be ridiculous.” A woman appeared with long black hair, gold-green eyes, long pointy ears, and a dragon tattoo on her whole right arm, wrist to shoulder. She was wearing a simple white dress with pink scales on the top.

“Are you Pride?” Kougyoku asked.

She nodded, “I am, but I am also Humility.” She bows to the girls, and they bow back.

“Pleasure to meet you.” Thye raise from their bows.

“That's more of a Lust thing.” Pride smirks at her joke.

Lina respectfully rolls her eyes in a good-natured, “Funny.” As Kougyoku tried to cover up a giggle.

“I am your final trial, and this djinn will judge you as both King and Household member.” Pride explains, “Sheila! Come meet our guest.” she calls out, and in the center of the treasure room, the djinn showed up in smoke and a bright light. 

Sheila is a female djinn but doesn’t look like other djinns. All the djinns Kougyoku had seen had blue bodies, and their clothes, hair, jewelry, or accessories were a different color. This djinn did have blue skin, but it was toned down where it was like makeup or tattoos. Her hair is blonde with brown tips that reach down to her hips. She’s wearing a white, gold, and red dress that makes Kougyoku blush for how revealing it is. The top only covers the breast in a criss-cross fashion, and the skirt has long slits for both legs on the sides.

“Who shall be King? Apologies. We have to say that every time someone proves themself.”

“But we have-” Kougyoku tried to deny that they haven’t done that much to prove themselves.

Sheila cuts off the princess because she knows the truth, “Yes, you did in your trials. And I know who my King will be. I am Sheila Djinn of Life and Illumaution.”

“An honor to meet you.” Kuogyoku smiles at the beautiful djinn and bows to her.

“It is mine, Empress Kougyoku and Lina of Xue Rue.”

“How do you…” Lina stares in shock at the djinn who knows where she’s from.

Sheila smiles at the young woman in front of her and explains, “Magic mixed with hunters and my own can let me see paths that could, would, and will be.”

“Can you see us returning to our timeline?” Kougyoku asked.

“Yes and no. Sorry for sounding cryptic, but the choices you make will reveal which path you’ll take.”

“That plus needing Judar as well.” Lina sighed.

Kuogyoku nodded and had to think where he was now, “I believe he’s a child right now and with… Oh no.”

“I don’t want to know.”

“Al-Thamen.”

“I just said… I forget about them.”

“Maybe we can stop them before everything pops off.” Kougyoku was surprised by her train of thought and agreed with it because they were here to make a change.

“Princess, in case you’re forgetting, there are only two of us.” Lina believes in her princess, but it’s a big change, and she doesn’t know if just the two of them can do it.

“Yes, and we had already changed the past by just being here. And Sheila-sama wasn’t claimed last time.”

“I thought you said Scheherazade-sama raised this tower.”

Sheila nodded and was pleased that her King was going to continue to make changes, “She did, and she picked up because she saw what I saw.”

“Past, present, and future,” Kougyoku said, understanding what that means now.

“Yes, what could, would, and will be. The paths of life.” Sheila nodded and held out her hands, showing the paths.

Pride watches them interact with a smile filled with pride because the girls are growing and understanding. She pulls out two pouches from the air, “Before you go, keep these on you.”

“What are they?” The girls asked and opened up the pouches, which revealed…

“They look like… Eggs?” Lina asked, holding the green and brown egg. Kougyoku has a red and blue egg.

“The tattoos are more than a statement. Each hunter has one, but no one hasn’t woken up yet.” Humility said.

“And you believe one of us will?” Kougyoku asked.

“I believe both of you will. You two are kind and humble and have grown so much. You are hunters, and you will continue the traditions of a hunter for generations to come.” Pride has faith that these girls will continue the traditions of a hunter because, in their time, it had died out, but now they have a chance to save their way of life.

Sheila goes through the treasure and pulls out a small bag, “Here, take this bag for the treasure. It's bigger on the inside.”

“Sweet.” Lina grabs the bag and starts filling it with money, books, and clothes.

“Don’t be greedy.” Kougyoku jokingly tells Lina and hands her a few items to put in the bag.

“That’s your thing.” Lina’s side-eye glares at the Empress.

“Funny.”

Humility laughed and brought attention back, “Good luck, girls. I believe in you and want you both to believe in each other and yourself.”

“Thank you, Pride, um, Humility.”

“Either will do. We’ll meet again.” Pride/Humility waves at them and disappears in the light.

Sheila smiles and turns to her King, “My King, do you have a vessel?”

“I don’t. Wait, no, I do.” Kougyoku takes off her necklace that was given to her by Sinbad, “My necklace.”

Lina looks at it and remembers where it came from. “Isn’t that?”

Gyoku nodded, “Yes, but when the time comes, I can always change it if he wants it back.” She stared at the necklace with a gentle look and remembered Esra-san. Now, she’ll be part of their journey.

“Good choice.” Sheila touches the necklace, and the symbol appears on the red gem. After that, she makes a portal to leave the dungeon and waves them in, “Best get in, then. I’m going to return you where it all started.”

“What does that mean?” Lina asked.

They were lifted out of the dungeon before the djinn explained what she met. It was a quick trip, and they landed roughly on the ground.

Kougyoku got up and rubbed her back. “Ugh. My back. Where are we now?” She looked around and saw a harbor—a harbor they hadn’t seen in a month or two. “We’re back in Contantia Harbor.”

“What?” Lina got up quickly and ignored her dizzy spell to see the harbor, “How did we go from Reim to Contantia Harbor?”

“Magic?” Kougyoku shrugged.

“Whatever.” Lina shook her head, but it snapped in a second, and groaned, “Oh no, I’m going to have to face that stupid man again.”

Gyoku laughed at Lina’s expression and pushed her to start walking, “Come on, let's get this over with.”

As they walked the harbor, it looked like nothing had changed. They arrived back at the store where everything started, and the same older gentleman was there and greeted them.

“My ladies. Welcome, Lady Ash awaits you.”

“Thank you,” they said and walked into the back room where only Ash, in her black belly dancer outfit, was waiting.

Ash looked up from her cards and smirked, “Welcome back. Now, let’s really begin.” She picks up a single card and twirls it on the tip of her finger.

Kougyoku and Lina looked at one another and nodded, ready to start their beginning as Hunters.

Chapter Text

“I still can’t believe you cut your hair.”

Lina touched the ends of her new haircut before they left Sasan. Before they left, Lina had a bit of a mental breakdown and chopped some of her hair off. Once she realized what she had done, she had a little freaked out and somehow sweet-talked her way to get a local woman to cut her uneven hair and give her a fresh blob. The haircut shows off her beautiful face, and her head feels much lighter. She’s free from the weight that's now off her shoulders and ready to move on.

“It was getting in the way; besides, I needed a change.” Lina avoided the real reason.

Kougyoku raised an eyebrow but went along with it. “Well, it looks good, Lina-chan.”

“Thank you…Well, how about you?”

“What? Cut my hair?” Kougyoku raised both eyebrows and shook her head at the ridiculous idea. “Not a chance in hell unless something happens. Besides braiding it, twisting it into a bun works just fine for me.”

Lina shrugged and nodded, “Fair enough… How much longer do we have to wait?”

Kougyoku shugs because she doesn’t know, but water is her specialty, and she at least knows they are going in the right direction.

“...can we dye the rest of it?”

The dirty look Kougyoku gave her was so worth asking the question.

The Princess and her companion made it to Reim faster than they thought. The wind and waves were definitely in their favor. Once they made it to the docks, the girls sold their boat to the locals with a bit of persuasion and a subtle threat. The girls found a little cafe with the dragon symbol they’re finally familiar with and met other hunters. They explained why they were in Reim.

Their subsequent trial is going to happen in the Colosseums in Reim. The test will be emotional because they have already done physical and mental tests. What comes next is going to be a pain. As it turns out, they’ll have to separate during their trials. Kougyuko is going to stay in Narpolia while Lina is going to leave for Ria Venus Island. They will be by themselves in their fighting arenas.

For some reason, Kougyoku has the feeling that someone is watching her. It didn't feel threatening or dangerous, more curious, safe even like the Rukh was trying to push her on the path to someone special. Someone who can help better understand what her purpose is… What was… What is… What could be… After all, the Rukh works in mysterious ways.

Before the first sunlight, they went to the docks the following day. Lina and Kougyoku quickly hugged and said their goodbyes. 

“Good luck Lina-chan.”

“You to Hime. See you on the other side.”

“I will do that.” Lina raises an eyebrow and makes a hand motion. Kougyoku sees this and resists, rolling her eyes with a slight smirk: “Hell yeah!”

“Much better!”

“Time to go.” The captain of the ship waved at Lina to hurry up.

“Goodbye.”

“You better keep your promise!”

“Always!”

The Princess stayed at the harbor to watch her sail away to the island; she walked away once the boat was out of sight. Kougyoku made her way to the Colosseum, but she didn't realize someone was before her and bumped into them.

“Oh! I'm sorry! I was lost in through! Here.” Kougyoku picked up the man’s bags.

Nodded to thank her and accepted the apology, “It's alright. I wasn't paying any attention either.”

The first light rosed, and she got a good look at the man’s face: long golden hair with golden eyes, wearing a familiar outfit that was a little outdated and plain. But his hair got her attention because it reminded her of her dearest friend.

“Alibaba-chan…” She whispered.

The man blinked a few times in confusion, “Excuse me?”

“Sorry! You um… You look like a friend of mine.” she blushed.

“Ah… Well, I hope your friend is in good health.”

“Me as well.” Kougyoku saw one of the hunters calling and waving to her to hurry up. Kougyoku bowed to the man politely, “Have a pleasant day, sir!”

“You as well, my lady.” The man watched the young girl swiftly make her way to the hunters with a contemplative look but smiled and continued his morning walk. After taking a step, he felt something under his shoe. It was a gold coin, but he had never seen a currency like that before. He looked around for the young lady and remembered someone shouting her name… Her name is Gyoku.

“Gyoku! There you are. We’ve been looking for you.”

“I apologize. I wasn't paying attention to the time.”

“Entitled Princess.” The hunter rolled their eyes but held no malice, just amusement, “Follow us, and we’ll begin.”

Lina was on the ship, making everyone's life a living hell with her questions because, without Kougyoku, she could be very annoying. Plus, it has been a very long two days at sea, sue her.

“Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we-”

“SHUT THE FUCK UP, KID! WE’LL GET THERE WHEN WE GET THERE!”

“Sorry, I'm just bored… Can you tell me about the island?...... Please.”

The ship’s captain rubbed his forehead as if remembering why he didn’t like kids. Never mind that he has three of his own brats, but they weren’t as annoying as the young woman before him. “Ugh, fine. Ria Venus Island is the main island for Mariadel Company, run by Maader Umm Mariadel, also known as Lady Maader.”

Lina tilted her head, ‘Maader… that sounds very familiar… why?’

“Lady Maader is a prominent merchant based in Remano before settling on Ria Venus Island. The island is the Special Administrative District and the Company’s main branch. It’s one of the main trade locations owned by the prominent and powerful families of the Mariadel Company. Ria Venus island was built to show appreciation to merchants from various places and became a place where they could privately enjoy popular attractions such as casinos and the arena. The island also serves as a center of commerce where tourists can come and go freely. It may be a territory of Reim, but it’s a self-governed region with its own laws. It can be difficult for the mainland to interfere with matters occurring within the region, pretty much making it an entirely separate country. Lady Maader’s private life is kept under key, so no one really knows her or her personality, but she has many children.”

“That she adopted or…?”

“It’s unclear, but kids seem to like her.”

“Hm…”

After the conversation, Lina left the sailor alone to think. She knew the name was familiar, but it was just out of reach, on the tip of her tongue. ‘Reim, Remano, Ria Venus, Maader, kids… Reim, Remano, Ria Venus, Maader, kids… Reim, Remano, Ria Venus, Maader, kids… What is it?’

Lina was thinking about the connection, but nothing was coming up as they made their way to Ria Venus Island. The island was quite beautiful, but it was not Lina’s cup of tea; too much gambling. After all, she could be lazy and angry but not greedy. That was more of Princess’s thing. The island felt off; it was a little too clean. Yes, casinos were everywhere, people were gambling left and right, and there was rare fruit that Lina had seen at the Kou Palace, but it all seemed fake. Finally, the reason she’s here… The arena. A place where people can bet higher than in the mainland. The island just screams money. Lina wonders where the funds come from, other than gambling and bets. Wait…

Lina sat up with a straight back and turned to the captain, “Hold up, what does she exactly trade?”

The captain scratched the back of his neck, looking away at the young woman, “...You might not like this kid,”

Lina narrowed her eyes, “Just tell me.”

“Mostly goods like clothes and such, but she’s primarily known for…” He sighed. “Slaves…”

Lina’s eyes widen, “...Fuck.”

“Told you wouldn’t like it.”

Lina is close to a panic attack but closes her eyes and breaths. She counted to a hundred before steeling herself. She has to remind herself she’s not a slave or a servant anymore. She is just an attendant to her Empress because she freed Lina; even when she hates Kougyoku, she still lets Lina choose like everyone else because Kougyoku is not her family. Kougyuko promises to help Lina look for her family. Lina knows for a fact that Kougyuko does not break promises. Lina opened her eyes and kept her face blank because she could only do this by not thinking at all.

“This is going to be a disaster.”

The ship reached the docks, and Lina walked to the ramp to get off.

The Captain gave Lina a two-finger salute, “Well, this is where I drop you off. See ya, kid.”

“Yep! Later, old man!” She saluted back and flipped him off with a laugh.

The man laughed, “Screw you too, kid!” After that, his ship sailed away onto another shipment on a nearby island.

Lina walked into the town, ‘I guess I just wander till I see; nope, never mind.’ Her eye caught a symbol she was now very familiar with at a fruit stand. Pineapple, what a treat! Lina speed-walked to the stand and hoped to get a few answers about her trial.

The seller saw her and said, “Hello! Here you go!” She then handed her a slice of pineapple on a stick.

Lina was suddenly taken back with a pineapple on a stick in her face. “I didn’t ask for one,” she said.

“The first one is free to newcomers.”

Lina nodded and took the stick, but before she took a bite, she had to ask, “Ah, thanks. Hey, question, who can I talk to about this?” Lina showed the seller her dragon coin as she took a bite of the pineapple. “Yummy!”

The seller’s face had five different emotions: happy, scared, worried, sad, hopeful, and back to the fake-happy mask of a seller. “Ah! Yes, I do know where to lead you.” The seller pushes some hair behind her ear to show her bracelet with a dragon carved into it. “Mister Alexius has been waiting for you.”

Lily, the seller, asked her coworker to take over for a few minutes so she could take and show Lina where Mister Alexius was working. Lily explains to Lina who exactly she is meeting. Mister Alexius, also known as Gailus Alexius, is the younger half-brother of Ignatius Alexius, but due to his status, he is not part of the direct line. Gailus worked hard as a soldier and stayed away so as not to bring shame to his family. Gailus got injured in the field while protecting a household family of the Hunters. One member of that family saw the potential in Gailus, and he went looking for him after being told Gailus had been discharged from the military. Ever since then, Gailus has been with the Hunters.

“Here we are!” They arrived at a building that was a close distance from the arena. Lily explains that this is where fighters and gladiators come to sign up for a fight. “Mister Alexius, I have brought the recruit!”

Mister Alexius has features similar to his brother, with long, wavy blond hair, bushy eyebrows, and a long nose, but he looks younger than his brother, who looks older with his wrinkles.

He looks up at the girls; surprisingly, his green eyes light up when he sees them. “Lily! It’s good to see you again! Thank you. Sure, you don't want to stay.”

Lily giggled and shook her head, “Nope! I got work to do. Bye!”

Lina raised an eyebrow at Lily’s quick escape but kept her true thoughts to herself, “Interesting girl…”

He chuckles under his breath and smirks, “You can say that again. I’m Gailus Alexius, you must be Lina.” He stands up and bows.

“Why must I be? But yes, I am. Pleasure.” Lina bows back to the man.

The man laughed full-heartedly, “Funny, too! Now let's begin.” 

Mister Alexius is a tall man who walks with a cane due to an injury on his hip, which gave him a limp. But his disability doesn’t stop him from fighting if need be. He can still keep up with the best of them.

 They make their way to the arena to start the trial.

“Mister Alexius-”

“Gailus, please. I’m not that old.”

“Gailus-san?”

“That works, too. Please continue.”

“What can I expect with this trial?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure… Each recruit’s trial is different, but I know they follow the same theme. What is your theme?”

“Sin… The Seven Deadly Sins, to be exact. I have done Sloth and Wrath. My friend got Greed and Envy.”

“Hm, I see. So next will be Pride, Lust, or Gluttony. That is interesting… Not many get the sins. You and your friend might be special.”

Lina blushed and laughed, “No, I’m nothing special, just someone trying to survive and live as much as possible.”

“There is a saying, ‘Those who survive life will live longer but have regrets, while those who live every day like it’s their last will never have regrets.’ Life is always a risk.”

“Who said that?” Lina raised an eyebrow at the older man.

“I did, just now.” They laughed, “What I’m saying is… Yes, there are times we must survive, but never forget that life is beautiful, and we must live to the fullest, so we know we didn’t take life for granted because that makes life so interesting.”

“Thank you.”

“You are welcome. Here we are. Welcome to the Ria Venus Island’s Colosseum!”

The Colosseum looks to be just as significant as Reim’s—maybe more minor, but still as impressive. It’s filled with people cheering and booing inside that can be heard all over the island.

“It’s pretty packed in here.”

“That happens when a fight is going to take place. It can be enjoyable, but sometimes it can be difficult to watch, especially when Lady Maader makes an example.” His eyes glass over before he shakes his head as if to get rid of a thought, “Never mind that, follow me.” Gailus led Lina to a different entrance that’s hidden in plain sight; it’s where mostly workers, servants, attendees, and slaves go through to get inside the Colosseum when their masters don’t want them to be seen.

Gailus explained to Lina that the trial is somewhat two-part; she will be injected with a potion, with the promise that it’s not poison and won’t kill her, but it will take time for it to activate. After that, she’ll have to participate in the arena. While fighting, she must win by using physical, mental, and emotional strength. The potion will attack her emotionally and mentally, so she must defect her sin before defecting her opponent. Her opponent will be a new hunter who is training under Gailus. Rue, the new hunter, will get images of Lina’s sin and try to make Lina forget what is a hallucination and what is real. The trial aims to separate dreams from reality and combine emotion with physicality because there are times when logic and emotion don’t always go hand in hand. Lina must learn how to combine them.

“You ready?” Gailus asked both Lina and Rue.

Lina nodded and sat on the table, waiting for the injection. 

Rue was a bit more nervous, for this was her first assessment. Closing her eyes and breathing deeply, she nods, ready to begin and help the newcomer.

With the deafening sounds of cheers from the crowd, the two girls stand in the middle. For the public, it’s a fight between rivals with unfinished businesses that want to show off. In reality, it’s a test not for the faint of heart.

“Ladies and gentlemen! We bring you the sword match sponsored by The Abyss Company. Today’s match is a special match that can be seen just once! Please welcome Lina and Rue to the stand!!”

“A young woman traveling the seas trying to make a name for herself and settle the score with her rival! Lina! And representing The Abyss Company, an up-and-coming warrior of renowned military service known by Reim! Rue!”

The girls hold their respective weapons: Lina with her bo staff and Rue with her sword and small knives. They wait for the bell. It rings, and they begin their fight. They attack each other quickly, learning their techniques, strengths, and weaknesses. The fight looks brutal, and the crowd cheers for the excitement.

The crowd is cheering with their deafening sound. Lina can barely concentrate on her opponent because it feels like there is another with them. All time had stopped for this one meeting. The Sin has arrived with orange hair, dark skin, and purple glowing eyes, marking all over the body in orange and purple. A dark body suit covers the Sin’s assets. Around the neck is a wide choker, and another piece comes down to the middle of the chest shaped like an eye.

“Don’t worry. This won’t take long. That is… If you understand the meaning of my clue.” The sin glides over to Lina.

Lina raises an eyebrow, “Not a fight, I’m guessing.”

“Nope. That’s what this huntress is here for.”

“Which one are you?”

“Gluttony, consuming an unhealthy excess or amount, but never mind that. Here is your clue: follow your king, learn as much as possible, but be overindulgent; you will not go far. Knowledge is power, but it can cost a price. Endless freedom is a distance away. It’s at your fingertips.”

Lina has to think about it because it is obvious it’s not about food, which is most associated with gluttony, but Gluttony is mainly talking about knowledge, power, and freedom. The test is about how much knowledge will be too much, and it can overpower Lina and keep her from her original goal. It’s a warning before it gets too bad or far, and she would be too late to save her home and family. But if she can gather her knowledge modernly, she will know how to get home, be free, and have endless freedom with her family at home. It’s about control, self-restraint, and taking in the knowledge in moderation.

Once it clicks in Lina’s head, the Sin smiles; the orange lines turn purple, and the hair gets short. Gluttony turns into Abstinence.

“Congrats. Sorry this wasn’t as exciting as the rest of the Sins, but you have a fight to finish. Don’t be easy on her. She can use a challenge.”

“Thank you.”

“Good luck. You and the Empress are almost there.” Abstinence was left in a swirl of purple mist.

Lina is back in the fight, stops playing around, and gets serious in a quick movement. She twirls her bo staff in many serials and lands two hits on Rue, one close to the head and the other on her side, which has Rue on her knees but has to move and get back on her feet. Lina doesn’t give Rue the chance to attack, only dodge and parry. Rue lets her guard down for a second, allowing Lina to kick Rue in the stomach and send her flying. Lina jumps after her at a fantastic speed, ready to impale Rue to the ground. Rue jumps out of the way to create distance between them. Rue knows she’s at her limit and has only one trick left up her sleeve. She gets started and waits to create an opening. Lina smirked, knowing what was to come, but she also knew how to get the upper hand. Lina breaks her bo staff into two and throws one half at Rue. Rue is surprised at the turn of events and blocks the broken staff coming her way. Lina runs towards her, throwing the other, which is also blocked, but Lina gets into Rue’s space using her arm guard to block the sword, throws Rue over her shoulder, and steals her sword simultaneously.

“Wow, nice sword.”

“Eh?!” The crowd shouted at the display below them.

On the sidelines was Gailus chuckling in disbelief as the audacity Lina had just shown, “Sword-stealing? Ha! You don’t see that every day! Good work, soldier!”

“Give it back?” Rue asks in shock, her hand stretching out for her sword.

“I declare defeat.”

From there, Rue admits defeat, and Lina stands tall and holds the sword in the air. The crowd goes wild for the fight. In the shadows, a few kids can be seen watching the fight. The kids have chains on their necks and ankles. They are slaves to Lady Maader, and they don’t honestly know that being covered in chains is wrong and the woman they call mother is a monster in disgust, but a little boy with heavy chains and weight balls on his throat, wrist, and ankles watches the fight with more attention than he usually gives, but the lady, Lina leaves an impression on him. He wants to fight her too.

Kougyoku lay on the table, waiting for the potion to activate. Her mind and heart were racing, and she couldn’t focus on Gemma’s words, but it was the same as before.

“You will be injected with this potion. Once it activates, it will feel odd. For every recruit, it’s a different experience, but the beginning is the same. It’s a dream walk. It’s like sleeping with your eyes open, but instead of walking through Reim, you will walk in your trial with your sin. Remember, the trial’s goal is to separate dreams from reality and combine emotion with physicality because there are times when logic and emotion don’t always go hand in hand. You must learn how to combine them.”

Gemma looks at Gyoku, and her eyes start to gloss over. “Good luck.” Gemma disappears. 

Gyoku looked around the area but couldn’t find anyone. That was when she realized the potion had already been activated, and she was now in the dream walk.

The room changed from a medical standard room to a white room with no doors. Gyoku got up from the table to look around. She turned once more, but the table was now missing.

“Please come back to me.”

Kougyoku tilted her head. She thought she heard something, “Huh? Hello? Is someone here?”

“Find me, please.” She heard the voice a little more transparent now, but it seemed familiar.

“Which sin are you?” Kougyoku called out.

“Princess…” She turned around and saw someone who wasn’t supposed to be there. He’s on his way to the North.

“Sinbad-san…”

“Beautiful.”

She turned again and stepped back away from who was before her. “You are not Sinbad-sama. What’s going on?”

“Intellange and kind.” A teen showed up, but he wasn’t supposed to be there.

“Alibaba-chan.”

“Strong with the biggest heart.” Neither should he.

“Aladdin,” Kougyoku had to step away. She couldn’t believe what was happening. You are not real. None of you are real.” Kougyoku was now being circled in by the men in her life who were not her brothers but the ones she held love for. She closed her eyes and wanted to cover her ears, wanting this to stop, but someone held her hand to stop her.

“Old hag.”

Her eyes snapped open. “Judar. Stop, please stop.”

“Powerful Empress the world has ever seen.”

“Koubun Ka. This does not make sense.” Kougyoku looked at each man to see which one was the sin or if they would give a clue to what was going on. “Wait…” She put her fist to her chin, thinking the trials through. “Seven Deadly Sins… So far, Greed, Sloth, Envy, and Wrath. Gluttony, Lust, and Pride are left. Sinbad, Alibaba, Aladdin, Jadur, Koubun Ka, you are not real… But why do I see you all?” She was still trying to figure out which sin she was facing and hadn’t noticed: the shadow behind her or the room had changed again.

Instead of a medical standard room or a white room with no doors, the room is now pink. It was in a way that was not overpowering and faded into another color, mixed with purple and red. With a big bed, hot tub, closet, tables and candles. In the center of the room is a stand with a couch and chair near it.

“You are correct. They are not real, but your feelings for them are.”

Her eyes snapped open, looking at the woman who was wearing barely any clothes, “Lust! You are Lust.”

“Ding! Ding! Ding! Give the beauty a prize! Correct! I’m Lust, considering others as objects of sexual desire. And my, my, my! Wouldn’t I love to go a round with you!” Lust was pink but had hints of gray, purple, and red on her figure. She had pink hair, jewelry, and makeup, but her skin was gray. Her clothes were a tiny pink dress with a purple and blue robe on top, but it was slipping off her shoulders.

“What?” Kougyoku is bewildered by how shameless she is, but then again, it’s Lust.

Lust gave the princess a slow once over but sat on the comfortable chair. “Come now, I can feel your desires. Granted, they’ve been pointed to this man, but it seems maybe not.” Lust pointed to Sinbad.

Kougyoku glared at Lust and the older Sinbad, “I know what I feel for him, and that’s the result of his actions and words.”

Lust shrugged in agreement, “I understand, but lust is more than that. But for today, we’ll keep it simple.” 

Kougyoku’s eyes started to twitch, “You are very confusing.”

“Good, maybe you’ll learn something from me.”

“Fine, but what does Sinbad have to do with this?”

“Everything. He is your past, present, and future. And you are his. Your paths intertwined in a way that only shows once every thousand years.” Lust looked at her long nails and pulled a nail filler from the air.

“What does that even mean?”

Lust sighed. She dropped the filler and got up to move closer to the royal. “No matter the time, place, or distance, you two created something so strong that not even death can separate.”

Kougyoku turned to look at Sinbad, both past and future. “How is that possible? With Sinbad-sama, he wants nothing to do with me unless we meet up for our roles as leaders, and young Sinbad, I only met him once. Yes, we travel together for a few hours, but how can that be enough?”

“Even if it were a few seconds, a slight glide of the hand, a quick glance in the eye. That would still have been enough. Sinbad, present or future, will always need you for something.”

“Thank you for that.” Kougyoku said with a deadpan expression, “What does this have to do with lust?”

“Mm, nothing,” Lust smirked. She’s having fun riling up the Empress, “It’s just information you will need later in your journey.”

Gyoku throws her hands in the air, frustrated, “You’re accommodating with giving nothing.”

“And you are ignorant for not listening.” Lust throws right back.

Gyoku sighed, ready for this to be over, “What’s the test?”

“I told you, use the information that has been handed to you.”

“What information?” She asked, “So far, I’ve seen Sinbad-sama and young Sinbad, Alibaba-chan, Aladdin, Judar, Kiubun Ka, and you! And! All you told me is I have a connection with Sinbad.”

“Yes. Why do you think it was these men? What do they mean to you?” Lust really wanted the future Hunterness to think about it, but it looks like she’ll need help.

“I don’t know…”

“Yes, you do,” Lust pointed to the men standing in the room, “or they would not have shown up. You have feelings for them.”

“I don’t feel lust for any of them!” Kougyoku blushed and shouted.

“Sweetheart, I’m a part of you and the Sin of Lust. Believe me, you have felt it at least once.”

The royal was now red, confessing, “Maybe for Sinbad-sama, but not really for the rest.”

The sin stretched and fixed her robe, tightening it up before grabbing the redette and sitting her down on the cozy chair, “Let’s try it this way.” Lust snapped her fingers, and another chair appeared. She sat in front of Gyoku and explained, “Do you know there are six types of love? And before you say anything, love, and lust are two sides of the same coin. Lust is desire, sensuality, passion, erotic, amoros, longing, sensual, and many more. But you have to remember so is love. Love comes in many different forms. For example, Eros, my favorite, is a primal love that comes as a natural instinct for most people. It’s a passionate display of the desire for another person’s physical body or romantic.”

“In other words, lust.” Kougyoku rolled her eyes but was starting to understand.

“Eh, to a degree,” Lust shrugged. “Moving on. Storge is a naturally occurring love rooted in parents and children, as well as best friends. It’s an infinite love built upon acceptance and deep emotional connection. It comes easily and immediately in parent-child relationships.”

“I don’t remember my parents that well.”

“It doesn’t have to be blood-related.”

“Oh. Ohh. Wait, what about my brothers?” She asked.

Lust smiled at her because she slowly understood the point, “That would be sibling love, which is philia. It’s love without romantic attraction and occurs between friends or family members. It occurs when both people share the same values and respect each other—it’s commonly referred to as brotherly love. More than one person can fall into these, but we’re sticking with nonblood-related love.”

“Okay. What if you don’t feel desire or familiarity?”

“Good question. That would be Xenia. It’s hospitality, meaning guest friendship. It’s associated with hospitality, generosity, and the courtesy of having someone from far away come to your house. In a way, it’s love for strangers or acquaintances.”

“Makes sense.” Kougyoku nodded.

“Next is philautia, a healthy form of love in which you recognize your self-worth and don’t ignore your personal needs. Self-love begins with acknowledging your responsibility for your well-being. It’s challenging to exemplify the outbound types of love because you can’t offer what you don’t have.” Lust gave Kougyoku a secret smile and continued on, “Finally, the last form of love I will tell you is agape. Agape is the highest level of love to offer. It’s given without any expectations of receiving anything in return. Offering Agape is a decision to spread love in any circumstances, including destructive situations. Agape is not a physical act; it’s a feeling, an act of self-love. You can also feel this for another person as well.”

“Are there more types of love?” Kougyoku asked, wanting to know more.

Lust nods with a full-on grin, “Of course there are. But these are the most prominent for you. Let’s play a game of which one of your boys fits into which type.”

“I have no choice, do I?”

“Nope.” Lust’s grins stayed in place. She made their chairs into a single couch and had the men stand in a line in front of them with the stand also in place. “At least it’s fun. Now, when you think of eros, who comes to mind?”

“Um.”

“Don’t think about it. Just say the first person that comes to mind.” Lust wanted her to spit it out, not think about it. Like ripping off a bandage. So they can get the show on the road with their back and forth.

“…Sinbad-sama.”

“Good. What about storge?”

“Koubun Ka.”

“Who received your philia?”

“Alibaba-chan.”

“Interesting. Who is your acquaintance? Your xenia?”

“Aladdin.”

“You sound sad about that. Why?” Lust asked.

Kougyoku sighed and hugged herself, “I want to know him better. I want to understand the stories Alibaba-chan and my brothers tell me about him.”

“Admitting it is a good first step to learning about love and how it can change over time,” Lust advised and moved on. “Philautia?”

“Judar.”

“Hmm. I guess that would make sense. And finally, agape. Now, think about it. Obviously, it’s yourself, but does anyone come to mind?”

“Sinbad, the younger one. Why?” She asked the sin.

“Like I told you. The two of you are connected in a way that the fates themselves decide and put into light.”

“For someone whose embodiment is lust, you sure are a romantic.” Gyoku raised an eyebrow.

“Two sides of the same coin, darling. You already have chastity. I have always been Chastity, but you were brought here to learn there is more than one path in love, lust, and life. Also, it doesn’t hurt to be flirty once in a while. Be free while you are here, and don’t hide your true self anymore. But then again, you’ll have everyone falling at your feet.” Chastity said and her figure changed a little. Her pink hair turns purple, and her skin looks a lot healthier with a tan. She was still wearing the robe that was slipping.

“It was good, then downhill it went.” Kougyoku glared at Chastity.

“You have to take the bad with the good, Sweetheart.” Chastity winked at her.

“I thought this trail was about separating dreams from reality, combining emotion with physicality, and learning how to combine logic and emotion.”

“And you think the different types of love aren’t?” She asked.

“Huh. I guess that would.”

“Every trail is different for each hunter. They gave you the baseline, but in the end, this is about you as a person. You passed, but remember you still have much to learn, and Pride will make you see that.”

“Thank you,” Kougyoku honestly tells Chastity with a bow, “For teaching me.”

Chastity bows back with a smirk, “No prob. Tell your boys I say hi.”

“Goodbye.”

Kougyoku closed her eyes and was back in the medical standard room, lying on the table. She got up and stretched.

Gemma was still there waiting for Kougyoku to wake up, “Welcome back to the living. Good trip?”

“My head hurts.” She held her head, and Gemma grabbed a pill and water for her. “Thank you, and yes, I learned a lot.”

Once Gemma finishes checking her over, she lets her go to explore. Kougyoku walks out of the room to wander around the Colosseum to find somewhere to eat. A little boy runs past her into another room. Kougyoku is curious and follows him, but inside, the boy is nowhere to be found.

“Hello?” Kougyoku called out. “Sorry for intruding, but I just need help.”

A voice near a widow spoke, but it wasn’t male but rather a soft female voice that held power, “We all need help no matter what.”

She walked further into the room and gasped, “Scheherazade-sama…”

“You know who I am. That’s good.”

Scheherazade is an old magi with more than 200 years of experience. She has the appearance of a young female of a short stature. She has big, bright, blue eyes that are usually closed and only open when she wants to put emphasis on something or when things go wrong. She has long blonde, wavy hair with two braids in the back that reach down to her ankles with a laurel wreath of grapes and vines around the left and right side of her head. Her attire consists of a long white robe that looks similar to a stola, with loose short sleeves over her shoulders that are secured by a round fibula and a long pink ribbon tied under her bust. It's usually not seen, but underneath her long robe, she is depicted barefoot. Scheherazade’s wand resembles a trident. It is longer than her body and shaped like a crescent moon pointing upwards. The center is a spherical red gem, and the tip extends through the gem.

“So you’re the one who has been changing.” Scheherazade turned to face the Empress.

“I-I. I’m sorry.” Kougyoku was very out of place. She only ever spoke to Titus on occasion, but facing Scheherazade was a bit intimidating.

Scheherazade smiled at the royal like she knew exactly what was going on, and she did. “Don’t be. It’s been a while since I felt a soul like yours. The changes you have made might help the world become a better place.” Scheherazade studied the young woman in front of her. A princess to some but an Empress in truth. Scheherazade can see that the young royal is troubled by her and looks closer. “I take it you don’t have a high opinion of me.”

Kougyoku’s eyes widen and she shakes her head. “It’s not that. It’s just… future stuff.”

Scheherazade giggles a little and nods, understanding the future is a tricky topic, “Well, luckily, I can see your old future and the new one you are making.”

“I’m literally making a change?” She states it as a question.

“Yes.” Scheherazade nodded, “Don’t be disheartened. Just keep true to what you are doing.”

“Thank you.” Kougyoku bows to the magi. Grateful for getting an answer she didn’t even know she needed. “That makes me feel better.”

“You’re welcome, Your Majesty.” Scheherazade bows back.

Kougyoku waves off the title with a blush, “That title doesn’t belong to me here.”

“No, but it still stays true. After all, you and your friend will be going to my dungeon next. I wanted to meet the King who will conquer it.” Scheherazade smiles at the surprised expression on the Empress’s face and quickly stops Kougyoku’s train of thought that she is not worthy. “And don’t say you are no one special. Because the changes you made are from someone special and worthy to be one of my Kings.”

“Thank you, Scheherazade-sama.”

Scheherazade walked up to Kougyoku and lifted her chin to lock eyes with her to show how serious she was, “Pride will help you. Through that door, it will take you where you need to go. May we see each other again.” Scheherazade waved her wand at the mirror that turned into a door and smiled at her chosen King.

“I hope to see you again, Scheherazade-sama.” Kougyoku bowed, touched the door’s handle, and walked through, but not before she heard Scheherazade say one last thing.

“Goodbye Empress Kougyoku.” Scheherazade went back to the window to look at her city, and Muu popped his head up from the table with food.

“Who was that pretty lady?” he asked.

Scheherazade smiles at the young teen and waves him over, “Someone special, and I believe you two will meet soon.”

Muu perks up, excited to see the pretty woman again, “Can’t wait. She looks strong.”

“Indeed, she is.” Scheherazade places a coin in his hand. “Keep this on you. One day, you will need it.”

Muu closed his hand and kneeled to her, his fist at her heart. “Yes, Scheherazade-sama.”

“Don’t be so serious. Smile.”

“Yes, my lady.” Muu smiles brightly for her.

“Thank you.” Scheherazade pets his head, and they walk to the food to eat. Scheherazade can’t wait because the next few months and the upcoming year are going to be interesting.

Kougyoku walked around the long hallway and spotted green hair and brown clothes. She gasped and ran towards her friend.

Chapter Text

As they walked through the harbor, it looked like nothing had changed. They arrived back at the store where everything started, and the same older gentleman was there and greeted them.

“My ladies. Welcome back. Lady Ash awaits you.”

“Thank you,” they said, walking into the back room, where only Ash was waiting in her black belly dancer outfit. Thankfully, Shiro wasn’t there. It turns out he was assigned a mission near the Dark Continent, and Lina still hasn’t forgiven him for knocking them out.

Ash looked up from her cards and smirked, “Welcome back. Now, let’s begin.” She picks up a single card and twirls it on the tip of her finger.

Kougyoku and Lina looked at one another and nodded, ready to start their new beginning and training as Hunters.

“For the next month or two, you’ll travel to different locations where you can train. We know you two can fight, but we must see your specialty. In the Corps, we have five types of special skills. Humans, Animals, Treasure, Knowledge, and Dark Users.” Ash explained.

“Meaning?” 

“Bounty Hunters, Rare Beast Capturers, Artifact Finders, Knowledge Seekers, and Unspeakable Slayers.” 

“I’m sensing a pattern here.” Lina raised an eyebrow.

Ash smiled sheepishly and shrugged, “Yeah, our Founders thought they were being clever in the beginning. But we’ll get into their history of naming things later. We already know you two have talents, such as Bounty Hunters and Artifact Finders, but the training will help you explore the other options. Come rest for today because you two will start tomorrow.”

After that, their lives completely changed, and it was for the better—not that they knew it, but soon they would. The two young women were on their way to change the world and make it a better place.

~*~Line Break~*~

1. Hate. The. Living!

To be more specific. TWINS!

It has been two weeks since Princess and I started training to be Bounty Hunters. In the beginning, I thought to myself, ‘Oh, this will be easy.’ Bullshit! I’m sore in places I didn’t even know existed! Somehow, I keep finding sand, blood, and mud in areas where there shouldn’t be sand, blood, or mud! What the hell?! Ugh!!! Yeah, I know, I know it takes time to develop muscle memory and shit, but people skills… Sorry, but I don’t have that! Princess is the definition of fake it till you make it. Better than me, obviously. But even I can tell she’s close to her breaking point and is going to crack and kill someone. Okay, look, the start of our training to become Huntresses was Bounty Hunters; excellent, we’ve done that already. It should be easy. Wrong! People make it so unbearable to do the job. Like now, I’m not even surprised there are no Hunters in the future because they would have to deal with stupid people on a daily basis. Okay, that might be a bit much because we don’t know what really happened, but a small part, most definitely! Our teacher, sensei, whatever, is a pair of twins. I don’t know their real names, but they like to be called Hansel and Gretel. Weird names, but who am I to judge… They used different techniques to chase, capture, and bind bounties. Not to mention, they were always solid as a rock. But their personality is difficult to pinpoint. I mean, we’re relaxing for one minute, and then the next, bam! They are throwing rocks at us or bounties. It’s so frustrating! And they keep making me talk to people. In case you haven’t realized, I am not a people person. I piss people off to make time fly, not just because. Ok, I do need to work on my temper, but still! Princess once told me they make a good part of the Kou soldiers look like amateurs. Damn, that’s funny, but at least we are learning new materials. People skills happen to be one of them. Ugh! I hate the living and these twins!!!

~*~Line Break~*~

Another week has passed, and we are now learning about Rare Beast Captures, and I have come to the conclusion that it’s a pain in the ass!