In the heart of Balbadd's royal palace, tensions simmered. Alibaba stood before his half-brother, King Ahbmad, pleading for the future of their kingdom.
"This treaty will turn our people into slaves!" Alibaba's voice echoed through the chamber. "I won't let you trade away their freedom!"
Ahbmad scoffed, lounging on his gilded throne. "You're too naive, Alibaba. This alliance with Kou is the only way to preserve our rule."
Before Alibaba could retort, the doors creaked open. Princess Kougyoku Ren, radiant in imperial attire, stepped forward with her entourage. The atmosphere tensed as she greeted the king to finalize their political marriage—one that would seal Balbadd's fate.
But another interruption arrived. Sinbad of Sindria strode in, flanked by diplomats of the Seven Seas Alliance. "There are better paths, King Ahbmad," Sinbad declared. "Paths that don't involve selling out your people."
Alibabas's plea failed to sway his brother, and Kougyoku hesitated, troubled by the greed in Ahbmad's eyes. As the debate wore on, it was I who subtly positioned myself between the guards and Alibaba, ready for the inevitable descent into chaos.
Just then, the palace walls trembled. Cassim—Alibaba's childhood friend turned rebel—led a surprise assault, backed by Fog Troupe deserters and armed with stolen dark metal vessels. The palace plunged into battle.
Morgiana, fierce as ever, engaged multiple mutated warriors. I joined her, my blade cutting through waves of corrupted soldiers. "Hold the left flank!" I shouted, reinforcing Alibaba as he rushed toward Cassim.
Cassim stood in the throne room, his body already altered by the Dark Metal Vessel. Judar, hovering above in a whirlwind of dark Rukh, smirked from the shadows. "Let's see how far your friendship takes you, Alibaba."
Aladdin arrived at last, his eyes glowing with newfound wisdom. He'd gained Solomon's Wisdom after his battle with Judar. Summoning his heat magic, he forged a towering construct resembling Ugo, engaging Judar in a spectacular clash of fire and frost. I joined Aladdin, shielding him when Judar unleashed a blast of ice, countering with my own energy to buy him time to focus his spells.
Meanwhile, Cassim, pushed to desperation, absorbed all remaining dark gear, fully transforming into a towering Dark Djinn.
Alibaba charged, clashing with Cassim in a fierce one-on-one. The battle devastated the palace—walls crumbled, and the sky turned black with Rukh. Cassim's mind, lost in rage, nearly killed Alibaba—until Aladdin's magic halted the blow.
"Alibaba… remember who I was..." Cassim's voice broke through the monster's growl. Their memories, their childhood, came flooding back in a powerful scene. Alibaba's Metal Vessel shattered, but he stood firm, speaking directly to Cassim's soul.
Aladdin stepped in, purifying the black Rukh with Solomon's Wisdom. Cassim collapsed, his monstrous form dissipating. In his final moments, he smiled—free at last—and died in Alibaba's arms. Alibaba broke down, holding his brother-in-arms amidst the rubble.
Moved by the sacrifice, Aladdin summoned the Rukh of Balbadd's fallen—just briefly—allowing the people and Alibaba to say goodbye.
Sinbad, meanwhile, had tracked down Ithnan—the true puppet master of the chaos. With a roar of thunder and the terrifying might of Baal's full Djinn Equip, Sinbad obliterated Ithnan as he tried to escape. "This darkness ends here."
But there was no time to celebrate. On the horizon, ships bearing the crest of the Kou Empire appeared.
Recognizing the threat, Sinbad made a swift decision. "Naberiou, get Alibaba out of here."
I stepped forward, nodding. But before I could move, Sinbad rendered Alibaba unconscious with a single strike.
"Take him to Sindria," Sinbad ordered. "He's done enough."
As I helped carry Alibaba away, my thoughts swirled. This wasn't the end—but it was the end of Balbadd's old era.
With Judar fleeing, Kougyoku uncertain, and Balbadd freed from its corrupt monarchy, we had survived the storm. But the war for the world's future was only beginning.