Before any of the excitement could commence, a series of methodical, bone-rattling booms erupted from the wall. The same one that your backs were currently pressed against. Suddenly, the blocks of granite exploded. You and Rex bolted fast enough to only be clipped by the smallest chunks of rubble.

As the dust began to drift and rest, two figures emerged from the gaping hole in the wall. A stoic Fanalis man, wrapped in the same linens as Rex, strode into view. Squirming pathetically in the man's grip, was a grubby, stubby, little worm you recognized as Melichor's armourer. In contrast to the armourer's usual dirt-caked clothes, he was draped in glimmering  jewelry, furnished with a freshly-polished sword and, to top it all off, adorned with a gem-encrusted circlet. 

Rex's grim expression melted into a warm smile. "Masrur! Wow, you have got some excellent timing, my friend. For a second I thought I might have to break a sweat!" 

Masrur regarded him with an unwavering, emotionless stare. "Your arm..."

Rubbing the back of his neck with his good arm, Rex brushed off the comment. "Oh, that? It's nothing, just an accident is all." Rex trotted over to the wriggling armourer and leaned into his face, completely ignoring the rest of the slavers. "Now, I'm going to need those metal vessels back." 

"You'll get them alright..." The armourer sneered and withdrew the curved sword from its sheath, shaking it above his head. The djinn gave no response. "Come on, you lazy djinn!"

With a sickening scraping noise, Rex forced his arm back into the correct place. He winced, before stretching the arm. Slowly, Rex loomed over the armourer, almost nose-to-nose with him, and spoke in a low, calm voice. Without breaking his smile he said, "I'm going to need those metal vessels back."

The portly armourer gulped and presented the interesting sword to Rex with quivering hands. 

"Heh, I didn't expect you would be that smart." Rex smirked and faced the crowd once more. "Now, where were we?" He raised the blade above his head and flicked his wrist. A jolt of blue lightning shot from the end, ricocheting from wall to wall, leaving webs of electricity. Each of the currents joined together to construct a cage of sorts. When the show was over, ribbons of lightning pulsed white-hot, deterring any of the slavers from escape. 

"Who here is second in charge?" Rex roared. The armourer waved his hand sheepishly. "Good. Masrur, take him and unlock all the slaves. Free every last one." Rex stooped and addressed the armourer with a grin. "Oh, and I wouldn't trouble Masrur if I were you. Those muscles aren't just for show." 

"Yes, m-my lord." The armourer peeped. 

The imposing Fanalis warrior, grunted, shook the remaining metal vessels from the squat man, and exited with the armourer still clamped firmly in his bear-like paw. 

Rex was digging through the pile of vessels when you asked the question. "Why is it that everyone calls you 'my king' or 'my lord'?" The rummaging halted abruptly followed by a sigh. 

"I suppose you do deserve an explanation. Come with me." He began towards the entrance. 

You lagged behind him. "What about the bandits?" You asked, scanning the horde. A yowl tore through the hall as a slaver had singed himself on one of the electric bars. 

The barrier briefly parted to allow you passage. "This is much more important."Rex held the door for you as you crossed through into the dreary corridor. With the barrier regenerated and the exit closed, Rex began to speak. "I wanted to express how grateful I am for your help." 

You continued to venture down the passage, listening intently. 

"They say I am a man of power, of influence and yet, a few weeks ago a dear friend of mine, Masrur, was captured and enslaved. Abandoning him was not an option, but I never imagined I would be leaving with two friends by my side. I appreciate the help, especially from someone so amazing."

You smiled and rolled your eyes at the comment. "Keep talking, you flirt."

"It's completely true. I had purposely allowed myself to be shackled in order to save my comrade and I was going to let the hours tick by, waiting for the right moment. That is, until I discovered the fire in your eyes. As soon as I had experienced that strength, that resolve, I knew that there was not a more perfect time."

"Thank you, but who are you really?" 

Rex faltered. "I am the king of a far-off land. Lord Sinbad, the renowned monarch of Sindria and the esteemed leader of the Seven Seas Alliance. 

Your mouth hit the floor, eyes wide, like saucers. "H-how?! Your name is Rex, isn't it?!"

"In a way, yes. Rex is another word for king in a foreign tongue. I thought it was clever, don't you think?"

"Clever? Why would you hide your name in the first place?!"

"It's more convenient that way. Besides, you seem to ignore the fact that I don't have your name either."

Tears threatened to spill down your cheeks, as you wracked your brain desperately for an answer. "I have... forgotten it."

Sinbad seemed to share your sorrow in a slight frown. "It doesn't matter. You're no longer a slave.  You're a new person now and you can have any name you like."

You began to move woodenly at first and then, with an unprecedented drive, you became animated. The stride quickened to a jog, the jog launched into a sprint. 

Sinbad raced beside you, bursting with hearty laughter. "That's the spirit!"

A faint light winked somewhere in the distance. Rushing nearer you were able to trace the rays to a yawning tunnel into the outside world. You dashed towards the blinding, white of an unknown place. 

In one glorious bound, you were bathed in golden showers of sun. Your skin, once cold and pale, soaked up the warmth, gifting you a bright glow. Once your eyes adjusted, you felt as though you had teleported into some alien dimension.  

You were standing on a sloping, green hillside. A wonderland was sprawled before you, sweeping from the highest mountains to the deep, glassy sea. Birds chirped, insects flitted through the emerald trees, and the breeze gently played with your hair. Life had been splashed with colors lost to memory and buzzing with sounds unheard.

Sinbad emerged from the prison with his hand against his brow. "I knew you would like the view."

"It's absolutely stunning. There has to be more!"

Sinbad chuckled. "Of course there is, more than a lifetime's worth of travel."

 "I want to see it all!" You cheered. 

"Can I expect to see you in Sindria?"

You propped up on your toes and planted a small kiss on his cheek. 

"You better believe it!"

Dazed, his face lit up with a crimson blush. You spun around and began down the hillside before he could respond.  

He shook off his astonishment and hollered after you. "You won't regret it; the food is delicious! See you then, Milady!"

Just as the sunlight had washed over you, so did the truth; it was over. You could barely describe the thoughts, the worries that escaped you in one sober exhale. You were free- no. You were more than free, you were a new person, a better person. The world had been so cruel to you, so horrible to you, and now you were ready. You were coming for it.