It was the dead of night when you were pulled out of bed by your (h/c) locks. Jamil stood above you, smirking at the small gasp you made at the sudden action. He threw you to the floor before walking towards the door to your cell.

"Get ready, we are going to the dungeon. Morgiana will fetch you in a few moments. Don't be late." You flinched as he slammed the door.

Pulling yourself up, you groggily rubbed your eyes. You were used to waking up early, but this was even sooner than usual. Actually, it probably was still the middle of the night.

'Why on earth are we going so late?' You wondered.

Footsteps could be heard echoing down the stone corridor, as your room door opened to reveal Morgiana. She looked at you and you could see the ghost of a small smile dancing over her lips. Your eyes lit up slightly as she stepped forward and grabbed your hand to lead you to Jamil.

The two circumstances involving the boys, Alibaba and Aladdin, you remember, had brought you closer. You still didn't talk much, but there was a sort of silent understanding that you had developed a sort of bond. And, contrary to what you'd thought about her when you met, she seemed to genuinely feel as trapped as you. You almost laughed at the thought. You felt guilty for believing that she was more alright than you when she was also being forced to work.

Being so wrapped up in your own predicaments can make it hard to see other problems, and you silently vowed to never make that mistake again.

As you walked down the cobblestone streets of the small city of Qishan, you grasped her hand tighter as the people lining the streets cheered for the person who called themselves your master.

You felt a bubbling hatred build up inside you, followed by a cold sadness that crept all around you. They were cheering. None of them has any qualms at the thought that you, Morgiana, and the other, larger slave trailing behind you, being treated as property and being beaten and mistreated by basically everyone higher.

Reaching the dungeon, you heard Jamil exchange a few words with an older guy, before motioning you, Morgiana, and the other slave forward. You closed your eyes as you entered and took a deep breath.

When you reopened them, you realized that you were already in the dungeon. The sound of Jamil's voice ahead of you cased you to start walking forward, racing to catch up with them.

You walked for hours. Past broken rocks, oil stains, and even bug guts. Someone had been here, and they were quite obviously not too far ahead of them.

You winced every time you came across a new trap. Jamil used mercenaries and other slaves to avoid being killed. You made sure to whisper a silent prayer for each of them.

Guts and slime were sprayed all over the next chamber you entered. There must have been some sort of fight between whoever had come in front of you and some sort of...bug monster?

As you pondered, a small shuffling could be heard from the corner of the room. Jamil looked a Morgiana, before nodding towards the sound. She looked back at you, before quietly, but quickly, running forward.

You heard muffled voices before Jamil roughly grabbed your shoulder and dragging you over as well. He pushed Morgiana out of the way to reveal a sort of cave that had formed. You cautiously poked your head around, wanting to see who was hiding.

Your eyes widened. 'Wait, that's the blonde-haired boy! Alibaba! What is he doing here?'

"Ah, so this is where you've been," Jamil stated.

He hopped down into the large divot, and you followed. Alibaba met your gaze, and his mouth opened. You knew he recognized you.

"The other girl from the Caravan," He mumbled. He really did remember. At that moment, you wanted nothing more than to run over and introduce yourself. To tell him you had a name. To ask him questions. To thank him and Aladdin for saving you when you had tried to rescue that little girl.

'Aladdin!' Where was the blue-haired boy? He was normally with Alibaba, as far as you'd seen.

"For ten long years, my Magi, I have been waiting for you to finally appear before me." You tore your eyes away from the blonde and looked towards Jamil. He was kneeling in front of someone. The person was shorter and had a long, blue braid...Aladdin.

'Why is he on the floor? Wait, why is he unconscious?' you thought. You were somewhat worried about him, and though you'd never admit it, half of you wanted to help him just to get back at Jamil and to show him that you were not just property and that you were done following his orders.

Ashamed, you shook your head. This was a boy in need of help and possibly medical attention, those other thoughts had to wait.

'Besides, he helped save you, so you should help him out of gratitude and to be a nice person,' You mentally scold yourself

You had spaced out. The sound of a metal sword striking the ground brought you to your senses. Aladdin was gone from his place, and Jamil was carrying him while the other slave, Goltas, you finally recall, was trying to strike Alibaba. You felt yourself begin to call out, but one glare from Jamil silenced you.

'Goddammit! I couldn't go against him even if I tried. What the hell is wrong with me?' You thought hopelessly.

Then, something rather unexpected happened.

Alibaba used Goltas' position against him, and as he went down to grab his long sword, the blond-haired boy snuck behind him and put his dagger to the masked figure's neck.

"What's the big idea?" He growled. You let out a sigh of relief, releasing a breath you didn't know you were holding.

Jamil let out a sort of strangled gasp.

"That was spectacular my boy! I underestimated you." As he began to walk forward, you tensed. You had no idea what Jamil planned on doing now, but you were worried that it might be something similar to the constant punishments you and Morgiana had to endure. That scared you more than anything else. You were wised enough to know that no one deserves to be treated like that, not even Jamil himself. So the thought of someone who had actually been courageous and genuinely nice enough to save you being put in that situation scared you.

You saw him draw his sword and you reached out your hand. Morgiana pulled you back and glared at you as if to say: 'Do you want to be stabbed you, idiot?'

The sound of the sword piercing skin echoed through the small cave. Red stains began to spread all across Goltas' white shirt.

"Compared to that boy, you are pathetically worthless." You stopped listening after that. White noise rang in your ears as Jamil pulled the sword out and stabbed him again, and again. It was horrible. Inhumane. You watched Goltas' eyes widen with pain.

'How could someone do something like this?' It must have been the fourth time you'd asked yourself that question over the past two days. It was amazing how a tiny taste of freedom could open your eyes so much. Yet another shameful thought crossed your mind, as you knew that if you hadn't been given that small taste, you would barely be reacting. After all, you had almost given up all hope before you had run into Alibaba and Aladdin.

"How can I punish you enough? Is this enough?" You knew that look. The way Jamil's eyes lit up with a crazy glare. It made you want to vomit. He was going on and on to Alibaba about something, but the only thing you were paying attention to was each kick, stab, and blow Goltas received. Your mind screamed at you to do something, but Morginana's firm grip on your arm stopped you. Amidst all this, you still had to wonder, in the back of your mind, how she could carry Aladdin in one arm, and yet still have such a strong hold on you.

You forced yourself to watch as Jamil threatened Alibaba with death. You forced yourself to watch as he agreed to come along. You knew that he had made a mistake. Even if he did survive the rest of the trek, Jamil would never let him go. At best, the blonde-haired boy would become his puppet, and at worst...you didn't want to think about it.

You walked along until you came to a corridor filled with flames. There seemed to be a gate on the other side.

"Such an obvious looking gate, is it not?" You hated to agree with anything the man standing in front of you said, but you couldn't help nodding your head.

"These characters are in the...the..." Jamil stuttered.

"The language of Tron." Alibaba cut in. You looked at him, surprised. His eyes met yours once again, and he smiled slightly.

"Good for you, boy! It's unusual for a commoner to even be able to read!" Jamil smiled. The look made your gut churn. It looked so fake, so condescending.

"Uh, thank you?" Alibaba tore his eyes away from yours as Jamil handed him a gold piece.

'Wait a minute,' you thought.

"Hang on, you wouldn't be able to read Tron unless you received an extensive education," Jamil finished for you.

You looked over to Alibaba. He looked so uncomfortable as he tried to make up some insane excuse about teaching himself. It wasn't impossible, but you could tell he was lying.

Jamil fumbled to understand the strange characters before Alibaba stepped in.

"Dance with the tornado, scale the dragon's jaw to reach the truth. All can be found in the dragon's tail," He translated. However, backtracked quickly.

"Or something like that."

The familiar sound of a sword being drawn filled your ears, followed by a pained cry from the blonde. Scarlet beads dripped out of the fresh cut on his arm.

"I was about to say that." Jamil glared at Alibaba, before looking back at you and Morgiana. He smirked when he saw your startled expression.

"Oh? Looks like someones a little worried for the commoner," he sneered.

Alibaba looked at you with a somewhat surprised but also a grateful expression that was hard to describe. Almost like he didn't expect you to be worried but was grateful that you cared.

"Anyways, this is perfect. Now we are going to see if your translation is right." The fires seemed to roar bigger and brighter than ever.

'Oh shit,' you thought as you realized what he meant. Why was it that every time you met these two they always ended up getting put in some kind of life-threatening danger?

Alibaba gulped. He was nervous. But, looking back at Aladdin, he couldn't help but feel like he had to do this.

'Aladdin put his life on the line for me more than once, now I guess it's my turn.'

He turned back around to face the flames. His golden eyes seemed to dance as the fire cast its shadows. You should have felt scared for him, you knew, but a little voice in the back of your head told you everything was going to be alright.

He began to run. His movements deliberate and graceful. They mesmerized you.

"That's it! Now pull the lever, boy," Jamil called.

Alibaba complied and reached out towards a stone dragon head. He pulled some kind of lever, and the flames all began to go out one by one. He had made it across! You smiled and began to walk forward.

Alibaba turned around and smirked as if to gloat. You couldn't help but smirk right back.

You didn't expect the large tornado of a blazing fire to irrupt around him. You gasped and staggered back. His pained cries filled your ears as Morgiana pulled you away. Her grip was tighter than usual, and she was biting her lip. From those simple actions, you could tell that she hated what Jamil was doing as well.

When the flames dispersed, nothing was left except for falling ash. A flake fell on your cheek and smudged on your hand as you wiped it away. Hot tears began to slowly flow down your face.

"Aw, is the little slave sad for her commoner?" Jamil's face was suddenly in front of your own.

A stinging pain shot through your cheek, as his hand collided with your face. The sound was deafening in the quiet of the caves. Morgiana had stepped back and could do nothing but give you a sympathetic glance.

"Ugh..." Your head slowly turned towards the blue-haired boy. He was stirring. You pressed your cold hand to your cheek and began to move closer to Goltas, who had switched with Morgiana and was now carrying the boy.

"Finally awake, Magi." Jamil's voice echoed. Aladdin looked around, obviously confused.

"Huh? Where's Alibaba?" He questioned.

-----------------------------------

Jamil brought the boy to a small area covered in vines and lit by torches. There didn't seem to be any booby traps.

"You mean, you actually saved my life?" Aladdin looked confused.

"That's right! Your friend took your flute and went on ahead, but I promise you, I'll find him no matter what." You clenched your fists so hard that your nails broke the skin. First, he kidnaps Aladdin, then leads his companion to his death. After all that, he tops it off with lying to the poor boy. You quietly growled. He really was a terrible person.

Aladdin looked to you curiously. You could do nothing but avert your eyes.

"Ah, yes! The three behind me are my slaves. The big one is called Goltas, he's from a nomadic tribe up north. He can't speak because he has been wounded, but he has superhuman strength. The smaller one is Morgiana, she's a descendant of a hunting tribe from the infamous dark continent. She has a superb sense of smell and extremely powerful legs. And, lastly, the pretty one is (Y/n). We don't know where she came from, but she seems to have superior instincts, almost on par with Morgiana, and she has shown other...rather unique abilities. They all cost me a pretty penny."

"Oh." Aladdin seemed concerned. Something about his reaction made you happy. Though it shouldn't surprise you, after all, he was the one who tried to free you. Still, no one ever seemed to care that you were enslaved, and it gave you a bit of hope. Maybe there were more people out in the world like him.

"Alright then, I'm going to go investigate what lies ahead. Women and children will kindly wait here." Jamil tapped Goltas on the shoulder and they began to walk back towards the main path.

"Keep an eye on him," you heard him mutter to Mogiana.

"Any more tears or tricks and you'll end up like Goltas." The whisper sent shivers up your spine as you nodded.

-----------------------------------

"So we meet yet again, slave ladies!" The boy exclaimed. He waved at you both, but you didn't wave back. You wanted to talk to the cheerful by more than anything, but you sure as hell didn't want to end up like Goltas.

"Aw," he sighed. Then, his eyes seemed to light up with an idea. He pulled at his face, making a bunch of funny expressions. You looked away, trying not to laugh.

"Lord Jamil," his voice weakly floated towards your ears. You turned and let out a snort as you saw the funny pose he was in. Morgiana snickered as well.

"Yay! You both finally laughed a little!" He looked so excited, you couldn't help letting a few more giggles slip out, before slapping a hand over your mouth.

"I was not laughing," you said defensively. What if he told Jamil? You shuddered.

"You know, your really beautiful when you smile." He grabbed your hand, almost reassuringly, and you couldn't help but blush. When was the last time someone complimented you?

"But you look a little different from the rest of us." His eyes traveled to Morgiana. "Is that because you're from that place he was talking about?" He sat back down on the mat that was laid out for him and glanced at Morgiana, eager for an answer.

"It's not dark." This seemed to catch the boy's interest, and yours as well.

"They call it that because they say that the area south of the Reim Empire is undeveloped. It's a derogatory term for my birthplace, so please don't call it that."

"Really? It's an undeveloped area?" You smile softly at the boy's interest. He seemed to be so positive, which you kind of envy.

"No, not at all," Morgiana replied, turning to face Aladdin. "The truth is, there are counties, towns, and villages, and the sunlight is beautiful. The land is vast, and there are many large animals. We have lots of delicious fruit there, too." You could see the bittersweet emotions stirring in her eyes. You gently reached out and placed a (S/c) hand on her shoulder.

"That sounds nice! It might be a really fun place to visit." The boy grinned.

"That's right." Morgiana clenched her hands together. "It might be. I don't really remember it that well."

"It sounds neat! Could Jamil, maybe take you to your birthplace?"

"No, he couldn't. I'm a slave, and I can't escape."

"You can too! As long as I cut those chains like before!"

"You don't understand a thing! Lord Jamil is a terrifying man. I could never escape from him simply by cutting off these chains."

"I see. I think Lord Jamil has invisible chains on you."

The silence was deafening. Aladdin turned his eyes towards you and in an attempt to break the silence, began talking.

"What about you, pretty lady? Lord Jamil said he didn't know where you came from, is that true?"

"Yes, yes it is." The boy nodded, intrigued by your story as well.

"I don't remember anything about myself. I don't know where I came from, I don't know who my parents were, I don't even know my own last name. All I can recall is waking up in this...retched town, state, city, whatever. That was three years ago when I was sold off to Jamil." You took a deep breath. "And all I've wanted since then is to be free, to find out where I came from. I have so many questions, and yet because of that pig who calls himself my master, I may never be able to." You immediately slapped a hand over your mouth. You hadn't meant to say that much. Morgiana's eyes widened at your statement, knowing that if Jamil ever heard you say that, he would kill you in the most painful and brutal way possible.

Aladdin, however, seemed to be slightly understanding. "You don't seem to have strong invisible chains like your friend, but they're there. If you didn't have them, you would probably already be out exploring the world." You couldn't do anything but nod. This was the first time you had spoken to Aladdin, and yet he seemed to already be able to see right through you.

"But I can understand half of your struggle," He continued. "To be honest, I don't know where I came from either. That's why I've been going on this adventure with Alibaba!" He then looked back at Morgiana.

"Hey miss, where is Alibaba?" He questioned.

Morgiana tensed and looked away.

"Your friend is an utter fool. He's dense and reckless and doesn't know his place. He can't even save himself, yet he tried to save another. And because of that, you're friend has been killed." You put a stern hand on Morgiana's shoulder.

Your heart broke when you saw Aladdin's confused expression morph into one of shock. He looked down at the ground as his eyes began to water.

You chains clanked and scraped against the floor as you walked over and knelt down to a sitting position so that you would match his height. You put a hand on his knee.

"I'm sorry," You whispered. Aladdin looked up at you, slightly surprised that you were trying to comfort him. He placed a small hand on yours and tried to smile. You closed your eyes, silently apologizing over and over in your mind.

You were jerked out of your state by the feeling of a few small rocks bouncing off your head. Aladdin had apparently felt it as well and you both looked up confused.

There, peeking out of a small window at the top of the room was Alibaba. You and Aladdin gazed up and deadpanned before he awkwardly waved to you. Part of you wanted to laugh at the awkward expression, and the other part was happy. Your instincts seemed to be screaming 'I told you so.'

"Your friend is quite dead." Morgiana continued after the long pause.

"Um, oh, yeah, is that right?" Aladdin attempted to act like everything was normal and you quietly facepalmed.

"Take care, remember your place, or you'll end up dead, too," She replied.

"That's not really true." A voice from behind you stated. you whirled around to face Alibaba, who appeared to have swung down on a vine, landing next to Aladdin. Morgiana gasped.

"But how?"

"I'm immortal, that's how!" As happy as you were too see him alive you groaned at the lame answer.

The sounds of fighting and shrieking could be heard from outside the room as Jamil came running in.

"Magi! Magi I beg you, that monster," he pleaded. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Alibaba. "You? But-"

"My bad, that translation was bogus." He smiled smugly. "What it really said was 'Dance with the tornado, the truth lies inside the jaw of the dragon. You will find everything before you reach the dragon's tail. Thanks to you, I was able to find the right path." You would be lying if you said you weren't impressed. It was a clever and cunning scheme that you probably would not have thought of in his situation. You didn't even realize you were practically beaming until Lord Jamil's voice cut through your excitement.

"Why are you beaming? When this is over I swear..." Lord Jamil quietly swore to you.

"Anyways, see ya!" You turned back to see Alibaba and Aladdin floating off the ground on Aladdin's magic turban. While Jamil had been distracted with you, they had taken off.

"I'm sorry slave lady, but let's meet again someday! Once your invisible chains are broken, let's go see the sun together, okay?" Aladdin called from the air. "And miss, I promise that once you can escape, we'll go on an adventure together, okay? We'll see all sorts of places, and maybe we can find out where you came from!"

"Why you!" Jamil shouted after them, shaking his fist as he drew his sword.

You looked up at him, and then back at Jamil. You pictured you, Mogiana, Aladdin, and Alibaba flying on the turban. Laughing together, seeing amazing sights, and then, you saw something else. The blurry outlines of a city, a small doll, and a tall boy with dreadlocks standing next to a little girl.

"Morgiana, (Y/n)." Jamil's voice once again cut you out of your thoughts and pulled you back to reality. You felt yourself glare. You turned towards Jamil and snarled, before being forcefully pulled away by Morgiana.

You yelped as she dragged you along while running up the wall trying to catch up to the turban.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!" You heard Alibaba panicking. "Higher, Aladdin! Take us higher!" Morgiana reached for the end of the turban with her free are, fingers just barely brushing it.

Then, before you could comprehend anything, you were flying through the air. Your body landed sprawled across Aladdin and Alibaba as the turban flew up and out of the room.

"Ugh." You groaned as you tried to sit up. Alibaba was silently panicking as he watched your eyes drift to him. What were you gonna do? He started to stutter, afraid you were going to start attacking them.

Aladdin, on the other hand, smiled. "I guess we don't have to wait that long, huh." All you could do was nod. You were still in a daze trying to understand what had just happened. Alibaba seemed to relax once Aladdin expressed n signs of worry.

"Welcome aboard, I guess," he trailed off. Holding out a slightly shaking hand, evidence that he was still slightly on edge. You looked down at his had and then up to his nervous gaze. Something about those golden eyes was definitely familiar now that you got a good look at them. That little voice in your head was back, and your instincts told you that there was nothing to fear. They were right before, so why not now? You closed your eyes for a moment, before reopening them, filled with a new determination.

Confidently, you reached out and grabbed his hand.

A/n: Wow, okay. This is the longest chapter I have ever written. It took way longer than expected, but I kind of like the way the long chapters look, and I personally like reading works with long chapters. Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that I'll probably try to continue writing long ones. Another important announcement: I am going to go back and edit a few of the first chapters. I probably won't change anything significant, barley anything, probably. So if you see a few notifications going off one after the other saying I published/updated it's just that.

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Stay awesome, and I love you guys!

~Alex