[A Few Minutes Later]
"My name is Darius. I'm a traveling merchant. You saved my life. I'm truly grateful. My ship was wrecked, and when I came to, here I was. It seems that all my cargo was washed away. I don't know what I should thank you with." The guy explains. Esra wasn't buying it and Annalise was in agreement.
"What a disaster. We'd love to help as much as possible." Badr explains.
"Darling!" Esra exclaims, "I don't think we should get more involved."
"But it's not nice to leave someone in distress, right?" Badr asks.
"That's..." Esra begins and a slapping sound is heard. Sinbad was suddenly climbing on Darius and slapping him in the head. Esra looked like she was going to faint again and Annalise stared blankly while Badr was a little surprised but was staring with a small smile.
"This is serious, mister! I've never seen this before! Why is Mister's head yellow?! Is he from somewhere far away like Annalise?" Sinbad asks.
"Sinbad!! What are you doing to Darius? Get down now!" Esra scolds and pleads.
"Hahaha. It's alright." Darius replies, "Sonny, have you never been outside the village?"
"Outside?" Sinbad asks as Darius gets him down, "Going outside is strictly for grown ups! Because there are scary monsters that eat children! I've read it in books!" Darius laughs.
"There are barely any monsters. I'm from somewhere even further than just outside this village. From another country." Darius explains Sinbad gasps, listening intently, "Outside, there are all kinds of people with different hair colors, and live in different countries with different cultures. The difference not only exists in people and countries. There are animals and plants you've never seen before, fruits and food you've never tasted before. The world is filled with things you have yet to discover." Annalise looks over at Sinbad and she thought she saw a few of those magical yellow birds that led her to Sinbad floating around Sinbad as his eyes widened.
"Whoa~" Sinbad breathes out.
"Was that too complicated?" Darius asks.
"No! It's very interesting! You told me a lot of new things! I haven't been so excited in a long time! Hey, Mister! Tell me more!" Sinbad pleads.
"B-But I..." Darius replies.
"Annalise will listen too, right Nellie?" Sinbad asks and Annalise's cheeks flush red.
"Nellie?" Badr asks and starts laughing, "Is that the cute nickname you've been calling her when you're playing?"
"I've heard it quietly a few times too." Esra whispers.
"I'm honestly surprised to see a Fanalis here. Is she your servant?" Darius asks.
"No, Annalise is free. We're raising her. She's Sinbad's best friend. We'd never dream of owning her or letting anyone else own her either." Badr replies.
"I apologize, I didn't mean to assume." Darius responds.
"It's alright. Also, you can tell the children your story." Badr explains, "I don't mind if you're a foreigner. You can stay in this house until you've healed. However, we live in a hand-to-mouth life, so don't expect much from us. One thing I ask of you in return is don't cause any trouble. Can you promise me?" Darius stares at them and then looks down.
"Y-Yes." Darius replies.
"Welcome then." Badr states.
"Darling, I'm against this." Esra whispers, "What would the villagers do if they knew we're hiding someone suspicious? To make matters worse, we're already being discriminated as ex-patriots. I can't imagine if anything happens..."
"So, you would have left him there to die last night?" Badr asks.
"I-I would never..." Esra whispers.
"Then it's fine." Badr replies, "If someone's in trouble, help him. If someone's wounded, treat him. We're only doing the natural thing mankind should do. What's wrong with that?" Annalise looks up at him. It was how she came to be taken in by this little family. Badr looks at his wife and gently touches her shoulder.
"Anyway, let's wait and see, okay?" Badr asks.
"Okay." Esra responds with a small sigh.
'From that day on, Darius told Sinbad stories everyday and I would sit behind Sinbad listening quietly. The stories would always last until late at night.' Adult Annalise's voice explains.
"What story should I tell you now? How about the country covered in ice? Or the country of scorching desert wrapped in flames? In the Easter lands, there's also a tribe with special powers!" Darius explains.
'Darius was a learned man, and a good storyteller. From thrilling adventures to lyrical legends, the world widened with every tale. It initiated Sinbad's excitement from the depths of his heart. How wide the world is, and how small the village was... for the boy unable to leave the village, Darius' tales were like wild dreams. But... the happiness didn't last long. A few days later, Parthevia soldiers visited Tyson Village... and the soldiers announced that they were searching for an enemy spy on the run and to report immediately as soon as you saw him. A Reim spy on the run... was the true identity of Darius, who Sinbad's family saved and sheltered.' Adult Annalise's voice explains.
[A Few Days Later]
Darius gathered his things to go. He knew the soldiers would come looking for him soon. Annalise was sitting with Esra helping out.
"Hey! Come out!" A voice calls out and Esra goes over to the door and pushes back the curtain. Annalise peeks her head out as well. She spots soldiers and she grips the curtain with small worried tears.
"Yes, may I help you?" Esra asks.
"We're looking for a Reim Empire spy." A man explains.
"A Reim Empire spy?" Esra asks.
"We're going to search your home for the spy." The man declares.
"W-What? Why?" Esra asks and Annalise squeaks as Esra is pushed to the ground and the curtain is ripped out of Annalise's hands. Annalise looks up just as she hears the sound of flesh being pierced. Darius stood behind her and her eyes widened as all the color in her face drained away. She lets out a scream as Darius kills the soldier right in front of her. Sinbad runs into the room, hearing Annalise scream. Annalise had fallen over staring up at Darius.
"Nellie! Are you okay?" Sinbad asks and he gasps before he's grabbed by the man.
"SIN!" Annalise screams. Darius rushes out, holding a blade to Sinbad's neck. Esra and Annalise run after him.
"Sinbad!" Esra cries out.
"Mommy!!" Sinbad screams out.
"Argh! Stay back! Any strange movements, and this kid will get it!" Darius demands, "I'm serious! Hey!! Move it! Clear a path!!" People scream as they clear a path like he ordered.
"That's the enemy country's spy, how frightening!" A woman screams holding her own baby.
"S-Someone! Go and call the soldiers!" A guy yells.
"Shut up! Just try and call the soldiers, I won't let you!!" Darius yells.
"Why mister... Mister is... not the type of person who would do something like this!!" Sinbad cries out, "Isn't mister a nice person who tells me stories?"
"Kid. This is the real me. If it's for a mission, I'll resort to any means, if need be, I'll mask my true self. Reim Army Intelligence officer Darius... That's who I am." Darius explains. Sinbad stares at him in shock.
"Hey! Mother of this kid! Make arrangements for my escape from the soldiers! Let's see... a ship would be good. Taking the sea route will make it hard for them to follow as well! Water, food, and a ship! Everything!! Get to it!!" Darius yells.
"Please! Someone help my boy! Someone please!" Esra cries out. Annalise stares over at what was happening. No one was helping. Everyone was too scared. Esra looked at the villagers and everyone was too afraid.
"Even if you ask to be saved... we... there's nothing we can do. We're not soldiers... in a fight, we'd be killed for sure. It's useless. Besides, aren't you guys... ex-patriots?" A guy asks.
"Wha..." Esra asks.
"Since you're ex-patriots, it's no use talking now... There's no helping it... after all he's just a child of an ex-patriot even though watching someone be killed is unpleasant... but... but if it's an ex-patriot it can't be helped..." Someone continues.
"But..." Esra pleads, "Um..."
"We don't want to be involved with an ex-patriot anymore than this..." A voice says in the crowd. Esra's eyes were wide. More tears fill her eyes. Esra falls to her knees.
"Each one of you is useless, huh? You're in the way, move it! You filth!" Darius yells. Annalise's little hands grip into fists as she was moments from rushing forward, using her Fannalis strength when she looks forward to see Badr arrive.
"Could you not leave yet? Will you let the child go first? Release Sin, please." Badr pleads.
"Darling..." Esra cries.
"Daddy!" Sinbad cries out.
"Uncle..." Annalise whispers.
"Darius... didn't you promise not to cause any sort of trouble?" Badr asks. Darius doesn't answer.
"I see. Then once again..." Badr replies and everyone gasps as Badr drops down onto his knees, "I beg of you..." Sinbad gets tears in his eyes.
"In this manner... release my son!" Badr pleads, "Please let my boy go... Darius, in this manner..." Esra was crying while everyone was shocked. Annalise stares in shock like Sinbad.
"And one more thing... I beg you... please surrender peacefully." Badr pleads.
"Wha..?" Darius asks, "Me, surender?! Don't screw around!!"
"Darius! You, of all people, should understand!! You know our family is labeled as 'Ex-Patriots'. Using that boy as a hostage will do you no good... the people of this village are loyal citizens of Parthevia... Everyone has given their horses and boats to the government!! The one boat I had is destroyed... the army is already on their way. If reinforcements were to come, there's no way you could escape. Besides, you don't have anymore to run to! However, your information would be useful to the army. Surrender... if you cooperate with Parthevia, your life would be spared... that doesn't sound so bad, right?" Badr explains. Darius suddenly grins.
"Yeah, I see now... what a good idea... is that what you thought I'd say, huh? Don't fuck with me, you ex-patriot! You want me to sell out my country in order to save myself?! To someone like me, who proudly serves my country, who was entrusted to bring them victory... How can you say such a thing?! I'm a proud citizen of Reim! Even if I die, I'd never betray my country!! I'm not like some ex-patriot that would betray their country so easily!!" Darius explains and Annalise screams with Sinbad as Darius stuffs his blade into Sinbad's open mouth.
"SIN!!" Badr screams out.
"Seeing an ex-patriot like you really pisses me off... Having no respect for their country... running from battle. Not having to worry, living so carefree... I don't take orders from some cowardly ex-patriot!" Darius snaps looking like he was about to stab Sinbad through his mouth, which would kill him. Esra and Annalise both scream in fear. Badr reacts, drawing his sword that he had concealed and hidden. He stabs Darius in the stomach. Darius gasps and spits blood.
"Darius... I... I have no interest, and don't care what happens, in the dealings of this country, whether it be ex-patriots or the war... That's why being labeled as an ex-patriot, or being belittled... doesn't really matter. However..." Badr begins and rips Sinbad free from Darius after he'd gotten the sword out of Sinbad's mouth, "If someone, for any reason... tries to harm my family, I won't forgive them!!" Darius falls over.
"This... trickster... hiding his strength... this whole time... pretending to be some sissy... I was... completely deceived." Darius breathes out.
"Mister... Mister's adventure stories... I... I really liked them... I really liked them..." Sinbad whispers out.
"Shut up... brat..." Darius breathes out.
'Soon after, the army troops arrived and took control of the situation. Darius's body was collected and Sin's father, Badr, was taken into custody... since Badr had housed a Reim spy, he faced severe interrogation. Long days of harsh lashing, waterboarding tactics, and questions... At that point, it became torture. Later on, he was acknowledged as innocent, but... because housing an enemy spy is a severe crime, Badr was issued one penalty... and that was to be deployed to the war... In exchange for his deployment, the family's crimes would be cleared... this seemed to be the only method of respite...' Annalise's adult voice explains.
[Day of Deployment]
"Hey, here they come!" Someone's voice calls out. Badr was pushed forward.
"Ex-Patriot Badr. As of today, we'll be transporting you to the capital city's army headquarters. Let's go!" A soldier yells.
"Come on, move it!" Another yells.
"Argh!" Badr cries out, falling over.
"What are you doing... Hurry up and stand, Ex-Patriot!" A soldier yells out.
"Daddy!" Sinbad yells out. Badr gasps as he looks over to see Esra, Sinbad and Annalise standing there.
"Daddy!" Sinbad says.
"Darling..." Esra whispers.
"Esra... Sin... Annalise..." Badr whispers.
"Go away." A woman orders, "Hurry up and leave, Ex-Patriot." Annalise clings to Esra's legs.
"That's right... you ex-patriots... all of this happened because of you." A woman continues.
"That spy infiltrated us because you ex-patriots are here! If we lose the war, it would be all your fault! You traitorous ex-patriots, get out of the village!!" A guy yells. Sinbad gets mad.
"STOP IT!! DON'T BAD TALK MY DADDY!" Sinbad yells, "Daddy protected us... and yet... why?"
"Shut up!! Even if you're a kid... You're a damn ex-patriot!" the guy yells and goes to attack Sinbad. Annalise flinches her eyes shut in fear.
"Stop it!!!" Badr yells out, "Don't lay a hand... on my son... or my family..."
"Daddy..." Sinbad whispers. Annalise looks over at Badr and her eyes widen in shock. The fierce look in Badr's eyes was an expression that Annalise would never forget for as long as she lived.
"Listen here, everyone... from now on, I'll be going to war. What you guys are so worked up over, have such a zeal for... is this war. However, what kind of thing is it exactly? Remember this well..." Badr announces and rips the top of his tunic off, "LOOK! THIS! THIS IS WAR! This body, that's hard to look at... and covered in scars... is a product of war!!" Annalise stares in shock with everyone else.
"Now I ask everyone. What has war done for you?! Is it because, thanks to this, this country has flourished? Or that you've received money for everyday novelties? Open your eyes! That money wasn't simply won over from the country we invaded! It's deception! In the shadows, how many thousands of people... have been hurt, or cried... or even died?!" Badr yells and everyone gets quiet, listening, "What about your struggles now?! Your tools for work, along with your boats have been taken. Your money, your food... everything is now the government's. Don't you think it's strange?! Is war... really such a great thing? My body became like this because of the war. That's why I've kept my family away from the war. Being labeled an ex-patriot or being beaten until I cough blood, I've sworn... that I'd risk my life to protect my family!!" Annalise and Sinbad stare up at Badr in shock. Annalise's eyes fill with tears.
"What about you guys?" Badr asks and no one could answer, "I see..."
"W-Why you!!" The Soldiers snap, "You ex-patriot! We'll execute you as a traitor to this country! Hurry up and move it!!"
"Sinbad! Fight as a man... to protect those precious to you! Annalise and your mother... I'm counting on you to look after your mother and Annalise okay?" Badr says before he's led away.
'Sinbad understood his father's true strength after that harsh reality check. The important lesson his father taught him at the cost of his life. His father's great smiling face became something that Sinbad and I'd never forget... And a few months later... the notice of his father's death arrived. In the coffin that was sent were his father's belongings as well as his sword. However, his body never made it back... Nine years have passed since then and the next part of our story truly began.' Adult Annalise's thoughts explain.
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