Magi: The Goddess of Hope [DISCONTINUED]

💮 Scene Five: Symposium Magarum

Cold...

Kougyoku Saluja felt like she was submerged in cold saltwater, with her regal Balbadd-style robes floating around her like a jellyfish. Her red eyes wearily scanned the dark surroundings, as her arms protectively wrapped around her belly, as if to protect her precious child.

A small blush rose to her cheeks, thinking that it still made her giddy inside whenever she thought that she was already mother. It was amazing how she had been Alibaba's enemy years ago, and was now his beloved wife. 

Alibaba called her his crybaby wife at times to tease her, but she always never fell out of loving him.

A warm smile inched its way onto her lips. Alibaba-chan was always kind and warm. Like the sun, or a bonfire that chased darkness away.

The young queen flinched as she felt something brush against her ankles. Curling up protectively around her unborn child, her red hair floated around her like a mane of flames, ready to scorch anything that dared to try and harm her baby.

I'm so cold...

A shadow rose up in front of her, taking the distorted form of something two legged, arms outstretched towards her. The murky light gave light to imaginary monsters walking in the shadows; and Kougyoku, although terrified, stood her ground against her fear.

The shadow opened red bloodshot eyes, and beads of tears, like clear pearls spilled out and floated upwards, a chasm with teeth like serrated daggers opened, too large for a human mouth-

I'M SO COLD SO C O L DS OC OL D

Kougyoku felt water enter her lungs, but instead of screaming for someone to help her she wanted her and Alibaba-chan's precious baby to be saved-

a monstrance from the shadows a girl supplicated in prayer vines and branches vines and branches and through her stomach and oh god oh god oh god--

**

Kougyoku woke up; meeting her husband's concerned amber-colored eyes.

She was still in their shared room, with the gauzy curtains fluttering in the warm wind. The soft material of the mattress bunched up under her hands, and her Metal Vessel, Vinea, was propped up on the small jewelry box near the table in their room. 

Kougyoku exhaled in relief as strands of her red hair fell over her face.

"You were writhing in your sleep -- are you alright?" Alibaba fussed all over her, his large hands cupping her face gently. "S-should I call Aladdin? O-or maybe a physician if it's one of those maternity things--"

Kougyoku embraced her husband and planted her forehead on his shoulder. "It's nothing, Alibaba-chan. It was just a--bad dream."

(a monstrance from the shadows a girl supplicated in prayer vines and branches vines and branches and through her stomach and oh god oh god oh god--)

"You're shaking."Alibaba murmured as he gently stroked Kougyoku's glossy red hair. "...Could you-would you...tell me about--?"

Kougyoku nodded mutedly. "I-it was about-about me-I-I was drowning, a-and the baby along with me--!" the queen choked on tears as Alibaba narrowed his eyes. Even with Zayd and Ashante, Kougyoku had always been edgy with pregnancy, afraid that she would do something wrong and cause their children to-

Alibaba couldn't say a word as he tightened his embrace. He knew that Kougyoku would never allow anything bad to ever happen to their children. Neither would he and the rest of the Ren Family stand by and watch either.