Nearly a year since she had been in this new world and there were still so many concepts that eluded her or were just barely understandable. And after conquering Sitri's dungeon it became apparent to her just how important that kind of knowledge was. She wanted to know more about djinn, rukh, and magic. That was the only way she could learn more about the looking glass that brought her here.
'And that voice I heard.'
"Are the rukh those golden birds I keep seeing?" Sakura asked after a short period; she recalled seeing those things quite a few times especially when she was with Sinbad.
"Yes," Beleth said "They are my king,"
"You must be very special yourself if you can see them."
Sakura shrugged before moving her arms and stretching her legs trying to feel for any more signs of pain. "While I wonder what that means, it's more important for me to get back to my world,"
"I wonder though," Sitri began "If you died in this world, where would you go?"
"SITRI!" Beleth yelled . His voice echoed through Sakura's ears. It was an amazing concept of demons in your head.
"What?"
Though Sitri's tone did not hold any signs of seriousness or true thought; it was something that would stick with Sakura. A sense of dread; even in death she would not belong to this world therefore where would she go?
And then there was the Looking Glass. Sakura wanted to find Yunan, he was the one who knew about this magical item. When she brought him up, her djinn's seemed to clamp down and the voices would become quiet. That was an indication she was missing some sort of significance to the so-called traveler and had met.
She hoped their paths would somehow cross again.
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It had been days since conquering her second dungeon, and the Looking Glass did not react, leaving her stranded in a desert land. She knew that she should work to recover. After using her djinn equip, Sakura was met with a new degree of fatigue as if she had lost all the chakra in her body. When that happened it usually meant a person was on the edge of death, but in this case, her magoi was depleted. She still struggled to control that power, but she felt that it was a great one.
It really was worthy of being called the power of kings.
Sakura's skin was burned from the desert sun, sweat dripped down her forehead' the good news was that she didn't have to carry all those sacks of treasure that were brought out of the dungeon with her. She discovered an interesting dungeon item that according to Sitri was called a vortex bag, which was small in appearance but Sitri explained that the space inside of it was infinite meaning Sakura was able to store all of the treasure inside.
That was one load off but the infinite treasure wasn't doing much for Sakura in terms of dehydration-unless of course she found an inn in the middle of the desert.
She started at a speedy chakra-filled pace after just getting out of the forest but as time passed she was doing her best to conserve her energy, it wasn't that she was tired but she didn't know just how far she would have to travel before she got out of the desert. And her survival training advised her to conserve energy.
Sitri had pointed out that if Sakura knew how to use her djinn equip she would be able to travel great distances at an incredible speed.
"But since you don't-
"EXACTLY SO SHUT UP"
Another djinn added was useful in terms of gathering more information on the world and gaining another power but there was also a downside, Sitri had absolutely no filter when she spoke and that seemed to annoy not only Sakura but Beleth as well, they would often start an argument when they were talking.
"I swear you guys-
Sakura stopped walking and looked over in the distance, appearing over one of the dunes, she saw something moving....and it was either a person or a very vivid mirage.
'Has the sun gotten to me and I'm finally hallucinating?' she wondered as she watched the figure continue to run straight towards her. Squinting her eyes, Sakura started to move closer but then she heard the sounds of a couple of angry voices shouting, she began running further to figure meeting halfway but whoever this person was didn't look where he was going because all Sakura saw was a flash of red hair knocking her smack first in her gut so hard-she fell to the ground.
'What the hell.....?'
The person who knocked into her was picking himself off the ground, his hands clawing in the sand, his skin was clammy, but not from the heat alone. No, Sakura could see something was wrong with him. He had some scratches on his skin, and blade marks, but the way his flesh bubbled with white, she knew that it was poison. On closer inspection, she noticed the boy's bright red hair, like the deepest shade of autumn leaves, his eyes mimicking that color. The sound of metal hit her ears every time he moved, his ankles and wrists were linked to one another with a short chain, and Sakura saw that he was also wearing a metal color that bruised his skin.
"GET HIM"
"YOU'RE IN TROUBLE NOW."
"BOSS THERE'S ANOTHER PERSON OVER HERE."
"Bring her along; we could do with extra profit!"
More arrived, but they were on horses, an odd choice of transportation unless the distance between the desert and civilization wasn't that far off. They were men wrapped in robes, suited for the journey through the scorching desert. Whips in hand and swords on hip.
'Slave traders,'
"What do we have here? What little girl travels in the desert alone?"
"What kind of man chases after children and puts them in chains?" Sakura asked, pulling the boy to his feet and hiding him behind her.
They reached for their blades, pointing at Sakura from three directions. "We won't kill you, wouldn't want to damage precious goods,"
"What do you intend to do?"
"Take you back to join the rest of the stock, until it's time for the auction. Play nice and we won't have to get rough with you,"
Sakura looked down at the little boy, his eyes brimming with emotion.
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The chain was roughly made, with little care for the comfort of the wearer. Then again what was pleasant about slavery? The chains around her wrists and ankles weren't much better. Neither was being dragged along the hot desert sand, staring at a horse's backside, and having to pick up speed when the sadistic rider decided to flex the reigns.
Sakura glanced at the young boy, who wasn't in a much better position. He seemed drained. What she heard from all the yelling of the slave traders. The boy had managed to escape them before they could reach their destination but was hot on his trail.
'If he hadn't bumped into me, things might've gone differently.'
She looked at the man who had taken all her belongings, including her metal vessels and bag. He had one hell of a time searching for her. He was a lanky man with a thick beard and crooked eyes.
'I'm remembering this debt.'
Maybe we can take a pit stop and have some fun!"
There was a holler of laughter from everyone that made Sakura sick to her stomach before a gruff voice spoke.
"Now, now boys no need to lower the value on an exotic like this. We'll see after we have her examined."
Sakura raised an eyebrow, "For what?"
"To find out if you're a virgin," Yaqut said glaring at the men as they resumed looking ahead.
The concept of slavery in this world truly lit a spark of anger within her that continued to burn and right now while she could've easily broken from her bonds and escaped she wasn't going to, not just yet....instead she decided to make conversation.
"So Yaqut, you ran into me pretty hard."
Looking down Yaqut opened his mouth, though he was checking to make sure their voices weren't going to annoy the men.
Sakura sighed "You bumped into me I'm sorry to have slowed you down."
"I should've been more alert," Yaqut said clenching his fists
Narrowing her eyes Sakura whispered "You're rather strong, aren't you? I felt like I had been hit head-on by a bull."
The red-headed boy seemed hesitant to speak after that observation but after some time he opened his mouth "It's because I'm a Fanalis."
Sakura cocked her head to the side confused "What's a Fanalis?"
Yaqut looked down "We're-
"They're beasts that's what they are!" one of the slaver merchants said glancing back at them with a toothless grin. "Incredibly powerful strength, super humans that's what, and fetch for quite a high price! This little bastard gonna fetch quite a pretty penny once we sell him off then he'll be someone else's problem!"
Sakura gave a hateful glare at the man before turning back to Yaqut who looked like he was about to attempt an attack.
"Don't try anything kid, not even a fully grown Fanalis can break through those chains!"
"Lady Madaura's gonna be happy to add another Fanalis to her collection."
"Yeah and I'll bet she'll pay just as much for a beauty with pink hair, she's always into those exotic-looking kids..."
Sakura tuned out the men and turned back to Yaqut "Don't worry" Sakura's voice was soft and reassuring like the smile on her face "Everything will be alright, I promise."
"I doubt that though..."
Scooting closer Sakura placed her hand on the young boy's shoulder, her eyes shining with determination "I promise. Just leave it to me."
Pulling back Sakura sat right next to Yaqut now before chuckling humourlessly making the Fanalis look at her like she had lost her mind.
"You snapped quickly."
"I was just thinking about this guy I know, I was wondering what he would say if he found out I got myself captured like this?"
When she thought back, there were times when she and Sinbad argued about her well-being. Although was a hundred times stronger than any of the men he was always telling her how dangerous it was for a girl to be doing things like carrying all those heavy loads of cargo or going out alone at night when the streets were crawling with predators and there was even a time he mentioned her being kidnapped-oh if he saw her now he would probably be laughing saying how he told her something like this could happen. Of course, she couldn't help but be touched by his sincere gesture-even if she thought he was a bit sexist in her opinion; well he called it being a concerned gentleman,
"Oh, the reaction I'd get." Sakura sighed shaking her head at the memories.
Yaqut stared at Sakura "You're strange."
She smiled at him and Yaqut felt his cheeks tint red before he turned his head to the sides "Stupid, this isn't anything to smile about."
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A few hours passed and it was nearing sunrise but they never stopped until they reached a giant stone structure; carved out to resemble a building, with windows, entrances, and hallways. Sakura could see a few more eyes falling on them when the gate fell and they were roughly dragged forward by their chains. Inside they were then led through a maze of carved-out stone halls lit with torches. Sakura made a mental map in her mind as they continued to walk through it.
They were taken to what appeared to be a dungeon, at the lowest level of the structure, a snake way of stairs and halls, until they reached a cluster of prison cells. The rooms were barred up in metal. There were many people gathered in these cells, chains binding them, and collars tight on their necks. Sakura could just sense the misery the moment she set foot here.
"Get in!"
They were pushed into one of the cells, Sakura watched as the men walked away "Well be back for you later girl."
Sakura leaned against the wall looking back at all the terrified prisoners that were going to be turned into slaves. The atmosphere was so thick with despair that it was suffocating. There were no real windows either. So light wouldn't escape, and neither could the prisoners.
"What are you thinking?" Yaqut asked. Noticed the intense gaze Sakura had on her chains.
"Oh, nothing..."
"If you do anything," Yaqut whispered to her "They're going to do something you're not going to enjoy before they sell you off."
Sakura seemed unaffected by the clear warning. She put her hand on his head and roughly ruffled his locks, mindful of the chains. "Oh don't worry, I've got everything under control."
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"Alright; all of you girls line up hurry!"
Several whimpers were heard and the clanging of chains as a few young girls lined up, small hiccups escaping their mouths along with frightened tears. Sakura wasn't the only one who was about to be examined to assess her 'value'. She had no fear for what was to come, but complete disgust that made her stomach twist in knots and her veins throb under her skin.
She didn't have to stay in that cell for too long before she was dragged out along the corridors again. Yaqut had almost tried to put up a fight against taking her, but Sakura didn't struggle. She had assured the young boy that she would be fine and already warned him not to make trouble. That he should wait for the moment.
Sakura had a better idea of the layout of the hideout, and she wanted information on where she could find her belongings.
"W-What are they gonna do to us?"
"I-I heard that those girls that aren't assessed as virtuous will-will be-be served to the men-
"What?!"
"I'm scared!"
Several men were surrounding them with lecherous looks on their faces; they were meant as a means of precaution as there were a couple of 'tools' in this particular area of the place. However, Sakura could tell that they were just here for a free show and to get their pick of the girls that were unlucky enough to come back with negative results. One man was standing who she assumed was doing the 'testing' and he gestured for the men to bring the first girl up.
"NO STOP IT STOP! NOOOOOOO" the girl cried attempting to kick free from their grasp.
'Sickening,'
Sakura watched stoically as the girl struggled against the two holdings her, they were about to lift her dress when everyone heard a thud.
"What happened?!"
"She's out cold!"
The entire room fell silent as they turned to the pink-haired girl that appeared to have passed out.
"Heh must've been frightened unconscious."
"Yeah, must be a virgin."
"Hey wake up!"
Several footsteps and five men were towering over Sakura; one of them drew back their foot to kick her awake and there was a crunching noise that followed. The man fell over, clutching his foot and howling in pain.
"MY FOOT!!" Tears were pouring down his face, as he spluttered.
The rest of the men in the room gathered around to inspect their fallen colleague, and like a coiled viper waiting for movement, Sakura moved. With agility and speed that could hardly be counted with a normal eye.
"Gotcha!"
The other girls watched in awe and disbelief as they watched the pink-haired girl leap to her feet and instantly attack two of the men, kicking them right through the wall. When the others came at her with their swords drawn, intent to kill she held a calm demeanor. Her strength was bewildering as she began stretching her arms beyond the point of the chains and they snapped as if the metal was the fragile stem of a flower easily picked.
Sakura broke the chains off her wrist, now holding them both in her hands she used them to block the sword coming from above and aimed directly at her head.
"I'm gonna kill you, you little-
"Shut up," Sakura pushed the man back as if he weighed nothing and watched as she sent him flying into two more of the men. She glanced over her shoulder at the remaining six who were watching her with heavy caution. She looked at her wrists to see slight bruises from the chains; to think that people were forced to wear these things like animals-not even animals deserved this kind of treatment.
"Where are the keys to the chains?" Sakura asked in a deadly, calm tone.
They held up their swords towards Sakura as she took a threatening step forward making the remaining men take a step back.
"A-As if we'd tell you!"
Everyone watched as the ground beneath Sakura's feet cracked as easily as shattering glass, "Where are the keys and the belongings you stole from me while you're at it."
They remained silent, though Sakura could see them trembling; she narrowed her eyes and hissed. "Due to recent events I am not in a good mood and looking at your faces only infuriates me further so I'd suggest you get on with it or else...."
Then she heard it.
Several heavy footsteps headed in the direction of the room, Sakura watched as more armed men rushed into the room surrounding Sakura and the girls who appeared very fearful.
"Don't worry," Sakura said turning to them with a smile "I'll get you out of here."
"Heh, how are you gonna do that in pieces you insolent brat!?"
"That's right, you're surrounded!"
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the entire room was packed with men surrounding the entire room with swords pointed directly at her and there were most likely even more outside of the room and it seemed that they were all confident they'd be able to hold out against her together. However what they weren't aware of was that while she was outnumbered, Sakura's job was just made a whole lot easier.
"All this fuss over one brat." A gruff voice said
Through the crowd emerged a large, tub of a man with dark hair and eyes; he also had a bushy beard, and he was dressed very extravagantly compared to the rest and Sakura could only conclude that this was the leader of the slave drivers.
"What happened exactly?"
"Boss, this girl took out a few of the guards and broke her chains."
The boss looked at them with fury "You're saying this little girl was the one who sent the men I saw knocked out in the passageway through the wall?"
"Y-Yes sir, we saw her do it!" one of the men said flaying his arms around "She's as strong as a Fanalis!"
"And yet she isn't one so stop your blubbering and take care of her!" the boss ordered before starring at Sakura, his eyes raked over her form hungrily as he licked his lips "Well feisty does make for more entertainment in the bed chambers."
Sakura glowered at him "So you're the leader of this group of slave traders? Well, then this makes it all easier."
"Listen girl you better watch yourself and remember your place or I'll have to force you into it,"
Shifting, Sakura crouched down, her fists raised as she stood in a fighting stance "We'll see about that you perverted bastards."
"NOW"
They all rushed towards her and Sakura, just giving a satisfied grin etched with a deep bloodlust. It made them feel like they were about to come a little too close to a tiger, but were already too late to escape its jaws.
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Sakura was swift and precise in her movements, knocking out all her opponents with lightning speed that an untrained eye would not be able to process. She was a blur at best to everyone there. The men dropped quicker than flies on their last day.
'After dealing with those monsters in the dungeons, an army of men is nothing.' Sakura thought as she sent another couple of men flying through the wall and to the outside-the entire room was close to being reduced to nothing.
Minutes later unconscious men were lying about all over the floor and a victorious Sakura standing among the bodies. Her attention then turned to the so-called boss who was now left cowering in disbelief.
"H-How? Su-Such power-it's
"Impossible right," Sakura said with a light chuckle, a sinister smirk on her face "Well, I went easy. If I wanted to-I'd have crushed all the bones in your men's bodies so that they'd be paralyzed for the rest of their lives...There's a lot they have coming to them, but I don't have time to waste fixing each of you,"
"Why you-I-I will send word to Lady Madaura of you, she will make sure to turn you into a slave just you watch! No one can stand up against-
"Send word of me?" Sakura said making him tense "That word gonna come from beyond the grave?"
She waited a moment to see if this man had any more smart comments to make but he was clearly at a loss for words. Her expression was calm, but it felt like terror was gripping him around his throat when he looked into her eyes. They held him there like a feral animal waiting.
"Now, I'm going to ask again-where are the keys to the chains and the belongings that were stolen from me when I was taken?"
"Th-The keys and everything else is in my office-
"Then you'd better lead the way." Sakura said glaring at him "And I'd begin thinking of a new carrier choice; because if by fate's unfortunate hand should I see you again and find out you are still a slave trader, I'll demolish you."
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With her belongings, her metal vessels, and treasures back in hand Sakura moved quickly to use the keys she had acquired to free the other people. The look of shock and relief on their faces was unlike anything she had experienced before. When Sakura saved lives and healed people, she always caught sight of their gratitude toward her and etched it into her heart, however, this was another level of gratitude. It's as if they believed she had saved them from a fate worse than death.
Of course, it could be argued that's what slavery was. When your will was stripped away and your freedom stolen with nothing to show for it, but endless days of suffering until death, it made sense why the option to simply stop existing was a better choice.
Sakura smiled as she opened up the cell that was holding Yaqut. He was stunned but also looked at Sakura curiously "What did you do?"
She continued to beam; her headband was placed firmly on her head and her hair was held together by her hairpin, "Nothing much, just got my stuff back and a little souvenir."
Everyone stared at her in shock as she unchained Yaqut and handed him a few keys "Hurry and help me unchain everyone, after that I want all of you to gather outside."
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After every man, woman, and child was unchained they gathered outside of the slave merchants' headquarters and looked at Sakura who was standing in front of everyone, she held out her small pouch from Sitri's dungeon.
"Alright, I want you all to form a line."
No one questioned their savior's word and did as she commanded quickly. Sakura then threw the small bag upside down and watched as thousands of silver and gold coins glittering in the sunlight fell out forming a hill as tall as Sakura behind her. She then tied up the bag and made an announcement.
"From this day on, you are no longer slaves and therefore are no longer allowed to consider yourselves as someone else's property! Your lives belong to you and you are free to do with it what you desire! I want freedom for every single one of you but freedom costs so for now I'll do what I can to help you pave the way to a better life!"
No one moved just yet, despite the shiny objects in the background there was no greed behind anyone's eyes. When you experience the terror of having your life ripped away, it's the concept of freedom that was worth more than any amount of gold, even a hill.
A couple of claps were heard and then a loud round of applause was directed at Sakura with cheers and shouting that were muffled with appreciation calls. She saw the rukh fluttering around all of the people and could tell that they were all somehow lighter as if a heavy weight of worry had been demolished.
As Sakura handed out her treasure everyone she gave offered their sincerest thanks and gratitude towards her. She couldn't help but think that Sinbad would be proud to hear about this.
"Well done, my king." Beleth praised "You are truly a miracle."
"Not bad," Sitri said in a pleased voice "You're quite the king's candidat e. Consider my previous reservations of your demolished successfully my king, "
'Gee thanks,' Sakura said softly.
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After she finished distributing most of the treasure she had captured Sakura was quick to say her goodbyes after suggesting that everyone move on away from this place. There was a town not too far from their current location so Sakura didn't think she was going to have to worry about these people anymore. They were free now; it was up to this world to decide their fates.
'May the rukh be merciful then,' Sakura silently prayed as she started walking towards the entrance/exit of the place.
"Hey wait!"
Sakura turned around and looked down at Yaqut.
"Yes?" she asked
"I-I'm going with you."
The pink-haired girl took a step back in surprise "You can't."
The young Fanalis boy pulled a face at her "Why not, I know how to fight. I may not be as strong as you but I'm defiantly strong and I'll grow stronger!"
"Yaqut-
"Please!" he begged "I don't have anywhere to go and I've never met anyone like you before, please! I want to stay by your side!"
Sakura's eyes softened, she reached out and gently ruffled the boy's hair "I'm sorry but I can't take you with me, I'm on a very dangerous mission. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I put someone else's life in danger."
"But I'm a Fanalis! I'm strong, I can handle-
"I don't doubt your strength," Sakura promised holding up her hand "However you still can't go with me, I'm walking my path and you need to do the same."
"What about other slave traders?" Yaqut asked quickly, his tone getting desperate now "Everyone wants to capture Fanalis as slaves because of our abilities! I don't have anywhere else to go unlike everyone else! Are you going to leave me all alone knowing that?"
Sakura felt her heart give a painful jolt as she looked into the boys blazing red eyes; "I'm sorry, really I am. This world is a cruel place but remember that you have a place in it. So keep fighting and you'll be fine. Create a goal for yourself no matter what it may be and things will work out."
"But-
Sakura smiled before murmuring the mirror's spell. She hadn't known if at that moment it would work, but the words dripped from her lips like silk and she slowly became engulfed in a light that would take her somewhere new. And bring her closer to her goals.
"If I find you again, I'll definitely stay with you!"