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“How’s your sense of adventure?” Nahri had asked, eyeing the ancient ruins before them. The large domed structure sat precariously atop pillars that stretched up from the center of a sinkhole. How it had not crumbled into the inky abyss centuries ago was a mystery solved as soon as she and Ali drew near it: the entire area simmered with magic, keeping it steady.
Ali took in the ruins, his eyes wide with amazement. An excited grin lit up his face as he caught Nahri’s gaze. “Oh, I am definitely in.”
Made of red sandstone with intricately carved arches and pillars that built up to support a tiled dome; the building was a beautiful sight to behold despite its dilapidated state. Tall palm trees burst through the dome and walls in several areas, scattering bricks that littered the ground and a few fallen pillars that stretched out over the abyss.
A winding sandstone path led from the sinkhole’s edge to the building’s main entrance, so extraordinarily narrow that Nahri and Ali had to cross it single-file. The wind howled as they walked, the sinkhole stretching so far below them that its end was unseeable.
A sudden gust pushed Nahri off-balance, and Ali grabbed her outstretched hand to steady her.
“I’ve got you!” he reassured, the wind ripping his voice from the air.
Nahri nodded curtly, not daring to look anywhere but the path ahead. She didn’t let go of his hand until they reached the massive front door, the platform wide enough for them to stand side by side. The door was twice Ali’s height, made from dark wood and carved with an elaborate design of pictograms and geometric shapes. It looked as solid and heavy as the day it was made, but thankfully a lower portion had been smashed in, allowing the two to creep inside.
The wide room that greeted them was brilliantly lit, the walls reflecting the light streaming in from tall patterned windows and gaping holes in the ceiling. Vines stretched across the floor, breaking apart the stone tiles and furniture. Palms loomed overhead from around the room, with young coconuts taking root in the dirt the vines had freed. Somewhere ahead they could hear the rush of water, and vibrantly colored birds and insects flitted through the air.
“Wow,” Nahri marveled, taking it all in. “This place is amazing.”
Ali wandered over to a tall stone tablet, embraced by an imposingly carved zahhak. Unfamiliar text covered the tablet surface, broken into segments by equally confusing drawings. Ali pulled at his beard as he studied it.
“I think this is a warning,” he mused, glancing at Nahri as she walked over.
“A warning for what?”
Ali squinted again at the vague drawings, tilting his head to the side. “This scribble here… it sort of looks like a stick figure being attacked by… snakes, doesn’t it?”
Nahri hummed unsure, tilting her head as well. “Eh. Could easily be some elaborate flower. Unless...” her eyes glinted in mock concern as she met Ali’s gaze, “you don’t think you can handle a few puzzles and traps?”
Ali snorted and took in the tablet again. The writing, though unreadable, appeared advanced. Combined with the magic and the architecture around them, whatever ancient clan had made this place was intelligent. Perhaps more of their work existed further in. Maybe even books, or inventions?
Ali rolled his shoulder, his smile broadening as he faced her. “Please. Ready when you are.”
Nahri laughed and they set off.
Walking under a series of crenelated arches, the vibrantly colored tiles and strands of crisscrossing sunlight created a dizzying, dazzling effect. When they reached the next room and their vision cleared of colorful spots, an overgrown jungle awaited them. A sandy path stretched from the arches into the trees, and the air was heavy with the hoots and croaks of various animals.
Ali looked up, seeing the remains of the stone roof in between the humid mist and streams of light. Though hard to see through the tall trees and bright light, he could just make out what seemed to be the far wall and the highest peak of an archway.
“Let’s try to go straight across, I think I can see a doorway. And let’s be careful, there’s a surprising amount of wildlife in here,” Ali said as they moved forward. Deep in the distance there was an echoed growl.
Nahri glanced around as they stepped into the treeline. “What are you talking about? This room is quiet like the other one.”
Ali frowned at her as she passed by him. And then with a sudden gasp, grabbed her shoulder to pull her back.
“Hey!” she yelped. “What are you—”
“You almost stepped on that frog,” Ali intoned apologetically, pointing at the ground with his other hand.
Nahri glanced at the ground and then glared back at him. “That isn’t funny, al Qahtani.”
Ali examined her face, his expression concerned. “...You truly don’t see it?”
Nahri frowned at him, crossing her arms over her chest. “See what?”
Ali stepped back, biting his lip with another frown. He then crouched to the ground and rose just as quick. “Hold out your hand,” he asked quietly.
Nahri glared with suspicion, her eyes flicking between his face and the strange way he cupped his hands together. “I’m not falling for this, Ali.”
He gave her a soft smile, lifting his eyebrows. “Please? Humor me.”
Unable to take that irritatingly genuine look, Nahri rolled her eyes with a grunt and held out her hand, palm up. “I don’t know why you’re so– Saughluman’s Eye!” Nahri yelped as Ali placed something slimy and gross into her palm.
She jumped back and shook her hand free, eyes searching for the object or creature but could see neither. Ali took a step back as well, warm laughter escaping from him. Nahri balled her fist and charged for the djinn prince, but her anger cooled at the pure delight on his face. She decided to shove him instead, seemingly knocking him into something as he leaned back oddly in the air; his robe caught on something unseen.
Inclining his head he grinned apologetically, his laughter slowed into halting chuckles as he pushed himself back up to a stand. “I’m sorry! But your face was…” He paused, eyes averting as he tried to tamp down an infectious smile. He cleared his throat and stood, brushing the back of his robe and whatever had caught on the fabric. “I mean, um. This is perhaps what the tablet was warning of. We’ll need to be careful, and stay close.”
He stepped onto the sandy path, pausing to look back at Nahri. He tilted his head to the side with a half-smile, waiting until Nahri groaned and stepped onto the path behind him.
“This room is anti-shafit,” she grumbled as they began walking forward.
As they reached the back of the room, the dense jungle gave way to a more rocky terrain. Along the back wall was another archway, with the crenelated top that Ali had seen earlier. He led the way toward it until Nahri gave a sudden shout and grabbed at his arm, pulling him backwards.
“Watch where you’re going!”
Ali blinked in confusion, glancing between Nahri’s very concerned face and the plain ground before him. “I– I see a stone pathway?” he asked her unsure.
Nahri nodded to the ground ahead. “I see a cliff’s edge.”
Worry flooded Ali’s face as he looked back at the ground. “Oh.” He licked his lips. “Should we throw a rock?”
“Rock sounds good.”
Ali stepped back and glanced around, spotting a palm-sized stone by a massive fern. He picked it up, and then with a nod of confirmation to Nahri, tossed it to the path ahead of them. They watched, frowning.
“I don’t see the rock anymore,” he whispered.
“That’s because it fell down the cliff.” Nahri whispered back.
Ali swallowed and then met Nahri’s gaze. “I believe I will be following your lead, then.”
Nahri nodded, glancing again at the cliff’s edge as she ushered Ali to take another step back with her arm. “Good. Stay close.”
Beyond the archway into the following room the landscape changed once again, this time to a rocky, rushing river banked by many large mangrove trees. The river’s path winded back and forth into the distance, with a few natural bridges crossing its breadth. It seemed incredible that such large areas could even fit into the building they saw from the outside—clearly many types of magic were at play here.
Ali distractedly turned to say as much to Nahri, before realizing he stood entirely alone. “Nahri?” he asked aloud, spinning in a half-circle as he looked for her.
Panic tightened his throat as he called out again, fear moving him until he crashed into something solid. He stumbled, confused at the empty pathway before him. But then he saw the gravel shift slightly and felt a small disturbance in the air before him. He squinted his eyes, watching for more movement, when suddenly something poked him in the chest. Ali quickly stepped back, pressing a hand over his heart.
“I… Nahri? Is that you?” He stared into the empty air for a long moment before something small double-tapped the back of his hand. “Oh!” he exclaimed. “Uh, it seems you are the one who has vanished now. I cannot see you. Or hear you. Can you hear me? Um…” he drifted off, unsure, before something wrapped around his fingers—her hand?—and pulled him forward.
“R-right,” he exhaled, focusing on his steps and not how warm Nahri’s hand was as they walked toward the river.
Closer inspection revealed the bridge to be built from the still-living entwined tree roots; the river fast and crushing beneath it. However something about the trees around it and their maze of branching roots grabbed at his attention. As they moved forward the strange shapes became familiar, and Ali pulled to a stop.
“Wait! These roots. Don’t they look like that squiggle drawing from the tablet?”
There was a long pause before the hand holding his squeezed once, strongly, then continued to pull him forward. Ali gave a dissatisfied grunt but followed along. The bridge crossing went without incident, and they continued onward, stepping carefully over the mangrove roots that crisscrossed the path on the other side.
The next bridge presented more of an issue, the root structure having submerged just below the surface of the water. But the water here seemed calm enough as it streamed over the roots. After a moment’s hesitation Ali stepped forward, hand still in hand with Nahri’s. The current was stronger than it looked as he crossed into the water, but his steps felt surer and more solid than ever.
The same could not be said for Nahri. A few paces in she must have slipped, as a sudden straining weight pulled at his arm downriver. He held on tight, pulling her back to the bridge, but with nothing to hold onto and the current pushing them apart, he plunged into the river as well.
The water was murky and filled with plantlife that grasped at them like fingers as they careened downstream. Ali held tight to Nahri’s hand as they neared the next gravely bend, the river’s momentum slowing just enough for Ali to force their way toward shore. But the resistance was strong, Nahri seemingly pulling against him, pulling him back. Her grip tightened around his and he looked back in vain, seeing nothing but the crush of moving water and waving plantlife. Unable to do anything else and knowing they’ve been under the water for nearly too long, he struggled forward.
Soaked and dripping, he dropped to the pebbled shore, dragging his invisible friend with him. He could feel the weight of Nahri falling beside him, but something seemed wrong, her hand in his falling slack.
“Nahri? Are you okay?” Ali tugged gently at her hand, but there was no response. And though he could not see her, the pebbles beneath her shifted suddenly, as if she had fallen into a heap.
Concern leaping into his chest, he placed his free hand over the other, then cautiously traced his fingers up her arm until he found her shoulder. There were vines all over her, wrapping her like a net. Moving inward to her neck, he hoped to feel for a pulse but instead found something thick and cold wrapped tightly around it. Waterweeds?
With a cry he ripped the plants away, and felt Nahri burst to life. His hand darted to her back as a reassuring pressure as she shook and coughed. He could feel her take several deep breaths as she settled, then stilled. Ali’s eyes searched the air, fear and adrenaline still shaking him.
“Nahri?”
Carefully his fingers traced their way back to her shoulder, and then to her chin. He cupped the side of her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. “Are you okay?” he asked, unseeing eyes wide with concern.
She remained still for a long moment, seemingly staring at him though he couldn’t be sure. Her jaw moved against his hand as though she were speaking, but he couldn't tell what.
Confusion colored his expression as he shook his head. “I- I don’t—”
Something knocked his wrist away from her face, then he felt the sharp sting of a flick to his forehead.
“Ow! What—Oh,” Ali said in growing horror at how inappropriate he had been. Heat filled his face as his gaze and hands dove to the ground. “I– I am so sorry.”
The wet gravel shuffled before him. Then something grabbed his hands, pulling him up to his feet. He hesitantly obeyed, then stumbled forward as his back was suddenly given a push. The invisible hand slipped back into his own, the embrace warm.
“I’m glad you are alright,” he murmured, trying to calm his racing heart that he was sure Nahri could hear.
They continued along the path, the river and mangroves giving way once again to lush jungle and palm trees as they reached the next room.
He sighed. I’m like an open book while she carries on with all her secrets. Just once I wish...
A glitter of light danced across Ali’s vision as he pushed away some palm fronds, and the jungle parted to reveal a rocky downward slope leading to a towering pile of boulders at its center. A shaft of light from the broken ceiling highlighted the glistening treasure nestled at the top.
“Finally,” Nahri breathed, slight agitation in her voice. Ali lifted his head in surprise, glancing at Nahri through the corner of his eye.
“I see treasure up ahead. Do you?” he asked cautiously. Nahri squeezed his hand twice as she made her way downhill, dragging him with her.
“Don’t slip, don’t slip,” she chanted to herself as they made their way down. He allowed himself to watch her, a quiet smile on his face. In the prospect of being invisible, Nahri had completely dropped her usual cool mask. A delighted grin graced her face, her eyes lit up. She glanced back at him and he slid his eyes to the air next to her.
The ground grew steeper, and the gravel beneath them began to slide. Nahri lost her footing but Ali held tight to her hand. With the momentum of the sliding gravel, he pulled her back then leapt over to a nearby boulder. Spinning her towards him, he caught her with his free arm. Nahri threw a hand to his chest to prevent collision, catching her breath in unsteady bursts. She blinked repeatedly, staring at her hand and then up at him. He slowly released her, his eyes carefully avoiding hers.
“S-sorry,” he stammered. “Are you alright?”
Nahri made no attempt to move, her gaze tracing his neck and chest before squeezing her eyes shut with a flinch.
“Shit,” she mumbled, stepping back. Ali tried to hide his surprise as her flushed face twisted in annoyance. “Fuck,” she continued, the whispered swears under her breath a new chant as she led him by the hand across the boulders that were placed like stepping stones toward the treasure.
Sludge filled Ali’s veins. Had he done something wrong? Did Nahri... always curse his presence? Insecurity flooded his heart like ice and he struggled not to let it show on his face. He must not have done well however, as Nahri glanced back at him and scowled.
“What are you upset about? And must you do that now?” Nahri jumped to the next boulder throwing her free arm out to steady her balance. “I can scarcely concentrate as it is.”
Ali lightly stepped to the next boulder, his long strides making it easy. Then he stopped, dropping Nahri’s hand.
“Do you like me?” The words tumbled from his mouth before he could think better of it. His eyes stayed low, tracing the pocked edges of the boulder Nahri stood on. “Are we friends? Or am I just someone you tolerate because you must?” Despite his effort, he couldn’t keep the hurt from his voice.
Nahri stared at him. “Are you…? Ali, of course I like you. I can’t not like you. Even when I try not to, I still do. It is extremely frustrating.” She took a step toward him. “Like right now. You. Can’t. Hear. Me. Why would you ask me this? How am I supposed to answer you?”
She glared at him and he struggled to keep his expression blank, his breathing steady, but his heart rocked unsteadily. She leapt to his boulder, giving him a slight push as she landed. He gasped, taking a half-step back.
“You are the most infuriating, wonderfully odd person I’ve ever met. You’re smart, and kind, adventurous, and handsome, and stupidly reckless in helping others. I enjoy spending my time with you, even if half the time I can no longer decide if I want to slap you or kiss you.”
Ali’s eyes went wide at that, his dark skin flushing with heat.
Nahri narrowed her eyes at him. “...Can you hear me?”
Ali gulped, involuntarily taking another half-step back. His gaze stayed determinedly low, but when Nahri ducked into his view, he couldn’t help but catch her glare. Her face twisted up in rage.
“You can SEE ME?”
At that Ali rushed past her, deftly dodging her hands as they grabbed for his sleeves.
“You FAKER!” she roared, chasing after him as they leapt from one boulder to the next. “How long have you been able to see me? Have you been lying this whole time?!”
“Not the whole time!”
Ali leapt to the last boulder, then jumped up to grab the top ledge of a taller rock. He pulled himself up and rolled onto his back, breathing hard. He glanced down at Nahri, who had stopped at the second closest boulder. Her face was as red as his still felt. “I... Only started seeing you again... in this room,” he gasped.
Nahri glared at him. “And yet you find it necessary to hide out of range, like a little boy in trouble?”
Ali leaned his head back and closed his eyes, still catching his breath. “Survival instincts are definitely saying I’m in trouble.” A smile brightened his face, his heart skipping a beat. “But well worth it.” He turned over onto his stomach, folding his arm underneath his chin as he looked down at Nahri, his expression shy. “I enjoy spending time with you too, by the way. Very much.”
Nahri’s face was carefully blank. “Then come down here.”
Ali didn’t move. “You’ll slap me, I can see it in your eyes.”
Nahri narrowed her eyes at him. “Nothing you don’t deserve.”
Ali softened his gaze. “I am sorry for misleading you. I only wanted to know how you truly felt.”
Nahri glared to the side, crossing her arms over her chest. “My feelings are my own.”
“That is true. But when you can hear every lurch of my heart, it can feel rather... one-sided.”
Nahri lifted her gaze with conflicted emotion as Ali slid down the rock face, landing silently in front of her.
“I am at your mercy,” he stated softly.
Ali closed his eyes with a flinch as Nahri balled her fist and swung it towards his face. But instead of the expected hit, all he felt was a brush of air and then a tap to his cheek. He opened his eyes to find her staring back at him, her expression serious. Her hand lingered by his jawline.
“I can’t have you lying to me, Ali. I won’t have it.”
“It won’t happen again,” he promised, his eyes earnest.
She continued to stare at him with an unreadable expression, her thumb lightly brushing the edge of his beard. “And I can’t, by the way. Hear you… not since that night with the marid. Your feelings are also your own.”
Ali stared back at her, his eyebrows lifting slightly. “Oh,” he murmured.
“Not that I need it: you are a terrible liar,” she added sharply. Her sandal knocked into his shin and he bit his tongue in surprise. Nahri dropped her hand and stepped back from him, a sharp frown on her face. “That is for misleading me. And running away! Ya idiot.”
Ali chuckled, bending to rub his shin. “Suppose I panicked. I got a glimpse of the treasure up ahead, though. I saw gold, and some large scrolls. If you are still interested?”
When he rose, Nahri was still before him. She gave him a small smirk. “Always.”
They made their way to the pile of boulders and began to climb. Shafts of light from the domed ceiling glittered overhead.
“Did you see some of the drawings on the wall earlier?”
“The ones by the waterfall?”
“Yes! I’ve seen a similar design in Bir Nabat.”
“Really? That’s quite a distance away. Do you think there’s a connection?”
“One of the accounts I read there said that...”
Nahri smiled to herself as Ali rambled on, not even pausing as he interlocked his fingers to boost her up to the next pillar. Climbing atop, she turned and reached her hand out. Ali grasped it as he found a foothold to help push himself up, his history lesson finally breaking apart by the rivaled effort to climb and breathe. He sat with a huff to catch his breath, and before she could stop herself, Nahri took his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his.
He jolted, startled, eyes staring wide into hers. She started to pull back, self-consciousness thundering in her ears, but then he moved to follow her, his fingers brushing into her hair as he kissed her back. Her hand twisted in his shirt, pulling him closer. She could feel his heart racing, his body trembling beside hers.
And then there was a greater rumble, as if the rocks beneath them were shifting. Nahri threw out a hand to steady herself as Ali looked around. The rock they were on suddenly dipped a half-meter and there was the distinct sound of gravel tumbling into the water far below.
“We should probably leave now,” Ali stammered, his face still burning.
“Right,” Nahri agreed, disentangling herself from him as she stood up. Ali clasped her outstretched hand and pulled himself up as the rocks began to tilt sideways.
The treasure awaited atop the highest boulder, still some distance ahead. Though harder to see at their level, the glinting edge of golden statues, various jewels, and a rather large scroll sparkled in the light. They jumped to a nearby rock and quickly made their way up. The entire structure seemed to be unsteady now, the perimeter cracking deeply apart.
“Are we going to be able to find another way back down?” Nahri suddenly questioned, glancing back at the path below, some of the lowest boulders already slipping away into the steadily increasing sinkhole.
“I’m actually hoping we’ll be able to climb out through there,” Ali replied, his gaze appraising the cracked ceiling over the treasure. Bright light shined through it. “I think we can reach it, if we hurry.”
“Lead on, then!” Nahri urged as another boulder broke apart, dropping into the abyss.
The treasure at the top was unspeakable; a rich collection of gold and sculptures and jewels and paintings. Ali ignored it all, bending under the largest shaft of light to boost Nahri up through the ceiling. Her eyes scanned the treasure in hunger and regret as she climbed into his arms and was shoved upwards. She climbed out onto the tiled dome, its surface interlocked with vines and blooming jasmine, and turned back toward the gaping hole. She reached her hand in, expecting Ali but receiving a large scroll instead.
“Ali!” she cursed, tossing the scroll behind her without a thought. “Give me your hand!”
The sound of crumbling rocks grew louder, the whole structure shaking as if in an earthquake. She again reached for Ali’s hand but was given a golden egg with unrecognizable symbols carved into it instead. She tossed it aside and leaned deeper inside, trying to grab at Ali’s shoulder. He dodged her, bending to pick up more gold.
“Damn it, Ali! I'll murder you, it’s time to go! You don’t even care about that stuff!”
He turned to look up at her, his face strangely solemn. “But you do.”
Nahri stared at him, feeling as though the room had grown darker and smaller around her. “Not if it costs me you,” she whispered. She reached out a shaking hand. “Now please, get out of there.”
Ali looked at her hand, then met her gaze, his arms still full of treasure. He opened his mouth to say something, but a loud crash roared and the entire platform dropped. Nahri screamed, watching Ali as he fell into the abyss, light glinting off the gold coins and jewels like falling stars.
—
With a sudden gasp Nahri opened her eyes. Sunlight filtered in through the wild greenery and ruined walls around her. Breathing heavily, pure confusion flooded her veins and mind before recognition seeped in; the ruins around her transforming into the foray of the old Nahid hospital. The air was humid and alive with the sounds of birds, and her neck ached from her rest on the stone bench. But she stayed still, her brain and body feeling weirdly out of sync and terribly unsteady.
“But this was the card,” Ali’s voice whispered in disbelief.
“And yet it is not,” Razu softly replied, irritation lacing hers.
“I followed the movements closely. It landed–”
“Prince, could I offer you a drink?” Razu cut-in tersely.
Ali hesitated. “...What kind of a drink?”
“My personal specialty.”
Nahri stiffly sat up and cleared her throat, and the two djinn glanced over at her from their makeshift table and card game.
“You’re awake!” Ali’s expression was momentarily relieved before it faded and he glanced away. “You dozed off, and… You’ve been so busy, at the infirmary. Razu kindly let us stay while you rested.”
“He didn’t have the nerve to wake you.” Ali scowled at the older woman’s answer, who grinned back at him. “It was quite entertaining, watching him reach that conclusion.”
Nahri pushed herself up to stand, and massaged her neck. “Entertaining?”
Razu met her gaze with a wink. “You as well.” Her voice took on a conspiratorial edge. “You mumble in your sleep.”
Nahri felt heat climbing into her cheeks before she forced it back down. “What?”
“You were yelling at him,” Razu smirked, inclining her head toward Ali.
His face grimaced even as his voice lifted as if making a joke. “Seems I disappoint you even in your dreams.”
Nahri watched as Ali’s gaze turned downcast. “Oh.”
In her mind’s eye, she could still see him falling; the idiot throwing away his life just to give her what she wanted. Her eyes wandered along the corners of the room, the construction effort to rebuild the hospital already underway. The prior impossibility of this project, of finding allies to champion it, made real thanks to him.
He always goes out on a limb for you, her mind warned.
Her troubled gaze ran into Razu’s, who still had a knowing smirk on her face. The other part of her dream snuck in then, of Ali’s question and her angry confession. Of her taking his face in her hands and kissing him, his body willing against hers. She shoved the image out of her mind with an angry denial.
“Dreams are stupid and unreliable,” she declared loudly. “They don’t mean anything.” Adjusting her headscarf, she growled: “I need to get back to the palace.”
She stomped toward the door as Ali rushed to hold it open for her. But as they passed through the great doors, she hesitated; still feeling the dream’s pull and a quiet guilt at Ali’s poorly masked despondence.
“You’re– you’re not a disappointment,” she muttered softly. His eyes lifted to hers and she had to wrestle her mouth to get the next words out. “I appreciate your support.”
Ali blinked at her stunned. “I...” he whispered after a moment. “Whatever I can do to help.”
Nahri inhaled deeply to drown out every other sense and glanced again at the doors. “You, um. You know anything about these symbols?”
Ali glanced between her and the door carvings in surprise. “The- djinn tribal symbols? Of course. Would you... like to hear about it?”
Nahri glared outside, half-wondering if she had gone mad. “I guess. Sure. You could explain it on the way.”
A small smile danced at the corners of Ali's mouth. “Alright.”
Nahri forcefully pulled her gaze away from his smile and stomped out into the sunlight, Ali quickly following her steps. Razu watched them leave, a glittering smirk still on her face.