piratejournal | [Audio]

Let me think. We were on a lovely peaceful island when we last spoke. Then Ja'far and I went to visit another crew and they were on a different island. It was very calming, a lot of wilderness there. It was an interesting place to visit for a day and we set sail with them to another island.

This island was no ordinary island however, this island was full of jovial men and women engaged in all the finer things in life with much drinking and partying as one could stand! Alas, we spent no real time there because my ship was calling and Ja'far and I needed to return to Vyse. We did bring his pet back with us and we've gotten a bigger ship!

The call of the open sea was far too insistent so we've been sailing along the waves, and then we've come to the island we were at more recently. It's a fascinating place. Unfortunately there's not much of a story to tell there.

[Can't or won't, either way he's surprisingly tight lipped about Blackfisk.]

You sound as if you need a rest my angel. This strange night we experienced must have taken a toll on you. I hope your crew mates are well. When they are, I think you should take the opportunity for a good rest. Perhaps you should go to a nice peaceful island, have a warm, relaxing day at the beach.

Oh? Where did you and he go, and who were you with? That sounds interesting.

That sounds like fun. What kind of pet was it? I am happy for you that you have acquired a bigger ship.

I think that I and the rest of the crew do. You know, that's not a bad idea at all, Mr. Sinbad.

The island is named Serenes I believe, a very relaxing place. We were visiting the Spade pirates, I met some enchanting young women, but they were probably no match for you, Miss Kodachi. I should like to meet you sometime. Perhaps you'd be interested in an adventure?

[He's grinning.] Since you seem to enjoy my stories so.

Merida is some kind of dog creature. Ja'far also has a pet rattlesnake that he can use to poison someone at a moment's notice. I don't think the snake cares for me very much but at least he hasn't sunk his fangs into me yet, so I guess we'll call that progress.

The bigger ship was necessary, with the three of us and the two pets and now there's more room to get out of the sun if necessary, which for my first mate it seems to be.

I do try to come up with good ideas. Mind your skin though, a sunburn would be a nasty end to a nice holiday. [Of course, the last time he's been on holiday is...never.] Unless you're used to the heat like I am.

[She let out a laugh. Oh, what a flatterer.]

Already elevating me above the rest before you've met me? Why, I should hope that I match up to the image that you have of me in your mind!

Yes, I do enjoy your stories and would love to hear more of them.

[She had to giggle once again at his description of Ja'far's snake.] I think snakes are cute, but I suppose it's better for you to avoid them if you don't have a way with them.

Thank you for your concern, Mr. Sinbad. I'll be certain to apply sunblock whenever I can.

I've no doubt you will. You'd like another story? Hmmm. Perhaps I could let you in on one of my secrets and tell you about the first dungeon I conquered. Surely I haven't told that one before?

I don't find it particularly cute, although it is a pink and blue snake which makes for an amusing image. I'll let Ja'far handle it. The snake is probably still mad at me for leaving it alone on the ship for a day or two.

I'd hate for anything to happen to your skin that's all. A lovely lady such as yourself should not be in unnecessary pain.

You've told me about it, but you haven't regaled me with the stories about what you did in it. I would love to listen if you would like to tell me about them.

Pink and blue? Oh, that sounds darling!

I've yet to have a sunburn, and I hope that I don't. ♥

As always, your wish is my command my angel!

This story truly begins with something so terribly mundane you'd never imagine how it turns out. I was working at the Contastia Harbour, hiding out and keeping an eye out for situations where I could work. There were a group of bandits that appeared to harass some women who were leading a covered wagon through the town. Women and children and an elderly man who was driving the wagon itself.

These disgusting ruffians attacked the carriage in broad daylight, how bold of them wouldn't you say? I stood on the rooftop and I told them in no uncertain terms would they be getting away with this, not if I had anything to do with it. They were dumb, dimwitted creatures. Easy to read too. They laughed at me but I just jumped down on the ringleader's head. I'm a pretty solid guy, I weigh enough to knock the man out and his goons, well they're clearly idiots because they get mad and charge at me, swinging their swords like they're going to gut me.

Unfortunately for them, they're not that good at swordplay. See, when you're a bandit who just intimidates people into doing what you want, what do you need actual skills for? [He snorts a little.] Anyhow! The women were very grateful to me and I offered my services as an escort. Unfortunately, my rotten luck, they were heading out to sea but they were so thankful that they allowed me to take some of their fruit as payment for helping them out.

When they opened the barrel, they found inside a man who was hiding in there. A traveler named Yunan.

[Kodachi listened, occasionally piping up to ask a question.]

Hiding out? Why would you need to hide?

Oh, my goodness. They couldn't pay you with a man in a barrel. That's bad.

I'm not sure why he was hiding, apart from the fact he's a really weird traveler. I like him though, he seems trustworthy. I was where I was so I could get the best view of the area and so I could surprise people. Fortunately, Yunan had no interest in the fruit and I was able to get a few pieces to take home with me, as well as bringing Yunan. He had nowhere to stay and they weren't very happy with him so I told him he could stay the night with us.

Fate is a funny thing, and I think Yunan is one of those people I was meant to meet in this lifetime. The next morning this jerk comes into town with his henchmen to tell me under no circumstances am I going to get out of military service. I got a notice before but I was just ignoring it. I didn't really want to go. They roughed me up a little, but that's not important. It's just so...[He sounds frustrated.] Parthevia is done for. It's such a terrible, corrupt place. But...let's not focus on that. It's unpleasant. Yunan sat with me for awhile after that while I told him what I thought about Parthevia and it's him who told me the most amazing story.

Imagine if you will, Miss Kodachi, that in a dungeon lies the power of a king that one could use to change the world. What would you do with it? Both Empires are after the power, there's a great deal of pressure to turn it in should you succeed and also it would mean continued war with another nation. If such a power exists at all, because no one knows. Ten thousand men have gone into the dungeon and none have returned.

I'm curious now. What would you do?

How funny that a man in a barrel became your friend. I suppose fate is strange that way.

Hm?

I would first ascertain if the power was true. It could simply be a trap to eliminate one's enemies.

Assuming, then, that it is real, I would then study the strategies of those who went before me.

Should I succeed in taking it for myself, I would keep it without saying I have it and ascertain who would be best to build a better world with it.

[Sinbad sounds thoroughly amused.]

I'll give you the answers to your questions now. The truth of the power is unknown, after all it's only the words of a traveler. There is no way to know if it is real or not.

The people who have entered the tower have not left behind any strategies. It's the kind of place where if you enter, you cannot return unless you conquer the dungeon. That is the only way out, which explains why no one has returned.

Would you go?

How did the traveler come up with the story?

That's a good question. I laughed when he told me the power but he asked me 'What if it's true?'.

I didn't ask how he heard the story, so I don't know. He'd likely chalk it up to rumour. It's no secret people have been vanishing though.

I would not go. I may like adventure, but it's foolish to chase after a rumor, especially if it could be anything that's causing those other people to vanish.

I take it that you went and were able to find this power, though?

I had a feeling. One of those important feelings I get sometimes. I told him if such a power existed, I would take it and change the world.

[Yunan liked that answer.]

I had a problem though, I didn't want to leave my mother but she insisted. She gave me my father's sword and to get out of there, go do this one thing I was meant to do. It isn't like I really had a choice, I was supposed to meet up with the military anyway. I just decided I was going in on my terms.

I was at the dungeon entrance, right on time to hear that annoying jerk Drakon complain about me and I charged in without them. I didn't need them anyway, I was going to be the one to take the power with my own two hands and there's no way I was going to give it up. Yunan met me at the entrance and I told him we should meet again before I left.

When you enter a dungeon you're surrounded by a very strange feeling and a lot of darkness. The pull of the magic is very strong. It's like you're floating down into the depths of the sea, or something similar to that effect. The amount of time it takes for you to reach solid ground varies. There is a bit of time travel involved.

I came to my senses in a room surrounded by broken statues. It's not the most exciting room so I didn't pay it much mind, but you have to be careful from that point on. There could be any number of dangers in a dungeon. Just remembering gets me so pumped! It's a lot of fun.

The room I was in led into a small hallway which led to a huge chamber with dragons flying all around. It was amazing! You could never believe how big this place was and it was underground on top of that. Dragons of every size flying through the air. Dragons weren't the only strange creatures. Big and small, all kinds of animals and plants I'd never seen and the air was so cool down there, a far cry from the heat of Parthevia.

Unfortunately, the mood was totally ruined when I heard people screaming.

[Kodachi listened, and then - ]

A passageway like that . . . I just thought of something.

What if passageways like that lead to places like the one we're in now? It would make sense as to why people are disappearing - they're being spirited away!

That's a very interesting theory. It would mean there are all kinds of points in all kinds of places, right?

[He's giving it some serious thought.]

Although Ja'far has returned home and come back since we first arrived. I'm not sure how that works...I've yet to figure out the true magic of this place, but if it means conquering something, you can bet I'll take care of it! I wouldn't want someone lovely like you to be stuck somewhere she doesn't want to be.

I am certain that that is the answer. And should we find another place like that in this realm, we could possibly find a way to our homes.

[This was her theory to begin with, but Sinbad's tale just gave her further reason to believe it.]

I am happy here, but thank you for the offer, Mr. Sinbad. I am certain that it would benefit several people to know of an exit.

Anyway, I did not mean to interrupt your story. Please, do go on.

If you should happen to stumble upon it, please call for me and I will be at your side immediately.

I don't mind the interruptions. Allow me to continue. So there were screaming men and I was confused. How did Drakon and his army get ahead of me? I went inside first. But like I told you the magic is a very dangerous and mystical thing in these dungeons and it involves time travel. I entered first but arrived last. How curious that is. Anyhow, Drakon was the only one left standing when I arrived, facing these hulking dragons. They were angry, ferocious beasts with the taste of blood! His men had all fallen to them and he was the last. I beckoned him to where I was hiding, a small nook of sorts made out of rock. He came running and hid with me until the dragons began to calm down.

Of course, being the aristocratic idiot he was then, he began to lecture me. [She can practically hear his eyes rolling.] He kept rambling on about how I'm a famed expatriate. Seems the rumours from the village long ago had reached his ears. He wanted to know why I saved him. I'm not quite sure myself, or at least I wasn't then. It was the decent thing to do and..now I'm certain it was the right decision. I have a feeling.

[He gets those a lot.]

Then he gives me his name. You would scarcely believe such a name exists! I swear it took him an entire minute to get it out. I named him Drakon then. He was pretty mad. [He laughs.] It sent him into a frenzy and he wanted to challenge me. That was inevitable, but then from behind us came a mighty roar and the sound of cracking stone as a giant, ferocious dragon caught our attention!

[She laughed at the idea of two people fighting amidst a dragon attack.]

Ah, if only one could befriend those ferocious beasts. I would love to have a dragon friend of my own.

[She absolutely would.]

Wouldn't they make for a powerful ally? I'm not sure how you go about taming a dragon but it certainly would be something incredible. Imagine if I get myself a pet dragon. Sounds great! [He laughs.]

However this dragon was very angry at having people in his lair and really, you can't blame him for that. Suddenly it seemed as though our little disagreement was going to have to wait. Even Drakon agreed this was the wisest course of action. This dragon was enormous with big pointy teeth. All the other smaller dragons were circling him as if he were the king!

This dragon king was guarding the only door in the room. No greater test then that, really. How do you pass an enormous dragon who's trying to eat you? Now I should preface this plan by telling you Drakon is an aristocratic idiot. Well, he was then at least. He turned to me and in all serious informed me I could be his shield. His shield! He wanted me to stand there and get mauled by the dragon so he could break through. He kept going on about what an honour it was and how my mother would be compensated and all I could do was tell him to shut up.

[Because bickering instead of dealing with the dragon seems to be the course of action they took in the end.]

He kept calling me an expatriate and it really pissed me off. He was the worst kind of militaristic moron. He gave me that look that said I was no better than the trash under his feet and he finally declared he'd do it himself and he ran off. No matter, of course, I was more concerned about the dragon.

As I sat there, thinking about what to do, I heard it. I thought at first it was one of my strange feelings, but it was the actual sound of water. I could feel it interrupting the natural flow of things and I knew I had to do something with it. Do you know what it was? Geysers!

You and I agree on that front.

Geysers? In a cave with a dragon?

[Kodachi was hanging on his every word.]

That's right, some geysers! How strange wouldn't you say? Dungeons are very very strange places.

While I was figuring these things out, the foolhardy Drakon found himself running towards the dragon, hoping to pass him and make it to the door. He made it to the door, but the dragon set his sights on him all the same. The dragon reared itself up on its hind legs, Drakon is completely doomed and I was riding on the geyser! It was kind of fun, actually.

I used the power of the water to come at the dragon from above. I slayed the beast with a swish of my mighty sword! Drakon was saved, naturally I reminded him he now owed me his life twice, but that boy is foolish. He asked me to kill him. He was being an idiot. You see, in Parthevia, standing your ground, throwing your life away is the code of the soldiers. Such idiocy! As I told him then, that was the dumbest thing I ever heard. Of course humans don't want to die! Of course they want to run, to survive!

When we were done arguing, I pointed out the big door was not really the exit and we made our way out of the chamber. The next room had these strange creatures that were round and had little tentacles on the top of their heads. Very unusual, but they were not friendly. At least Drakon was willing to work with me! We could always settle things later, after all.

Each twist and turn through the halls brought forth wonderfully amazing creatures that no doubt live nowhere else in this world nor mine, but only in that dungeon. We worked surprisingly well together after all the arguing. I can't be sure how many chambers we crossed through, but we finally found ourselves in an incredible place, the centre of the dungeon.

At least with that, you have a new minion.

[Yes, that was the way Kodachi thought.]

So what was at the center? This power that you were speaking of?

[They think so alike.]

I don't know yet, maybe someday. For now, in the story at least, he still hates me. So we entered that room and I found a lamp. When I touched it Baal-sorry, the great, powerful Baal appeared. He's a very large genie who asked us who would become king. This was my chance so of course I said it would be me! However, Drakon said the same, he wanted the power as much as I did, so we decided to settle the score between us. Baal agreed he would choose the winner.

We faced each other and I raised my sword, he raised his head. I charged in and attacked. He parried and thrust his sword at me. He taunted me a little, telling me that although I was good, there was no way I could beat a trained soldier in a sword fight. He did have me beaten in skill. He had me cornered, back on the floor and his blade at my throat. He raised his blade to kill me and I reached up and grasped it. Unfortunately for him, in real life you can play dirty. I slammed my fist into his face!

He went down, but he didn't stay there. I have to hand it to Drakon, he's amazing! He kept getting up, he fought me tooth and nail, blow by blow. Ultimately though, I finally knocked him out and I was victorious. The power of the djinn Baal belongs to me!

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Oops! And suddenly Sin was 30 XD

haha, I was like, "wait a minute......"

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