《Sinbad: High King of the Seas》Chapter 26: "Beacon of Rebellion!"
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Sinbad and Annalise's chains are taken off and Annalise looks over at Jafar standing with a few others.
"Please hand over the Mariadel company property, the slaves as agreed upon in the contract." Jafar says and Sinbad and Annalise walk over to Jafar. Everyone bows in respect to Sinbad and Annalise.
"Welcome back, Sin." Jafar says as he had tears in his eyes. Maader leaves and Annalise looks back as her red eyes glare back at Maader.
"Jafar... I'm back." Sinbad says as he grinned, "Now then... enough of that docile stuff." Annalise stretches and cracks her neck.
"Took you long enough, Jafar." Annalise says and tackles Jafar with a hug.
"Maader brainwashes her slaves and once they're under her control, she uses that to manipulate them. That woman still thinks that we're under the influence of that brainwashing. Unfortunately. I've already come to my senses. And that's just the beginning." Sinbad says.
"Because soon we'll be able to see the last of that woman." Annalise says.
"The last?" Jafar asks, "Sin, have you two done something?"
"We left something behind." Sinbad says.
"A tiny... tiny ember that will engulf everything in flames." Annalise says as she looks back.
They think back when they spoke to Masrur alone. The memory comes to Annalise's mind.
[Flashback]
"Masrur, I need to talk to you..." Sinbad says and Masrur looks at Sinbad.
"Hmm?" Masrur asks.
"I'm thinking about freeing all the slaves here." Sinbad says and Masrur's eyes widen in shock, "Don't you think it's strange? You and Annalise are both Fanalis. Your race isn't a race of slaves and it's not like you became a slave by choice. Isn't your position as a slave something that was decided by someone else? So why do have to go along with it? Most importantly... you are strong! In our sword match, you followed Maader's orders and went easy on me. Have you ever fought something using your real strength? Because Annalise has. Just how long do you plan to keep holding yourself back?" Sinbad places his hand on Masrur's shoulders.
"Choose the world that you live in. As long as you stay here, you may be a Fanalis, but you're still only a slave. No matter how much pride you have, if you can't change your current position and only make excuses... it's the same as doing nothing." Annalise says, "I choose my own path. I fought. I ran! It led me right to Sinbad and I chose my own destiny to remain by his side for the kindness that he showed me!" Sinbad looks at Annalise with wide eyes.
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"You aren't the kind of person they can shut up in a cage like this. That's right, isn't it? Masrur?" Annalise asks.
"Why... did you... want to tell me this?" Masrur asks.
"I came to my senses thanks to you. But more importantly, I can tell that you're someone that can make that choice. Let's go to the outside world together." Sinbad says, "Annalise and I will get you out of here." Sinbad holds out his hand for Masrur.
"In order to do that, I need your help, Masrur. Use your strength to confine the guards. At the same time, I'll agitate the slaves inside to stir up the rebellion. You'll be the spark that sets off the rebellion." Sinbad says.
"The arena and the headquarters of the Mariadel company are..." Jafar says as they begin smoking, "What the world is happening over there?!"
"We did it." Annalise says.
"We convinced the slaves to... That's a slave rebellion." Sinbad says.
"You probably don't know this, but Maader has collected slaves that are still children, and utilized the idea of motherly love to brainwash them. In order to snap them out of it... We had to make them realize something." Annalise says.
"Despair. We made them face the harsh reality of their lives as slaves." Sinbad says.
"They despaired and then we gave their broken hearts a bright future dream of the future and freedom, to bring them back and give them hope. The children who have adored Maader started to trust us instead. It was probably thanks to the fact that we were slaves too." Annalise says.
"It was pretty easy. After that we filled their minds with ideas that encouraged their resentment of Maader. And we prepared all of the slaves, both the children and the gladiators to start a rebellion when I gave the signal." Sinbad says.
"In other words..." Jafar says, "You two brainwashed them, manipulated them to benefit yourself and used them as your own pawns. Exactly like how Maader had brainwashed them for her purposes. If that's the case, then you should understand. The local infrastructure within Reim is supported by the institution of slavery. So a slave rebellion is unforgivable. Even if it's a rebellion led by children, there will be a price to pay. The fate of all rebels is the death penalty." Annalise and Sinbad look down.
"Ria Venus Island is a special administrative district so there will be limited help. Reim's national armed forced won't be able to interfere. That means the private armed guards of the Mariadel company will try to suppress the rebellion as quickly as possible." Jafar says.
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"We know that... All of it." Sinbad says, "That's why I'll settle this myself. I'll take responsibility for all of it. My metal vessels. You brought them, didn't you, Jafar?"
"Yes." Jafar says.
"Sin, this is my doing too." Annalise says.
"I know, but... I care too much for you to let you get any blame." Sinbad says before he transforms with Baal and takes off.
"Sin." Jafar says.
"Please tell me you found my household vessel." Annalise says.
"Of course. Do you think I'm stupid?" Jafar says as he holds it up.
Sinbad heads and confronts Maader. She yells at him for betraying her. Sinbad gets ready to attack her. He offers her a choice and she decides to give everything to Sinbad rather than die. Sinbad stares watching Maader fall apart. Annalise and Jafar managed to catch up.
"And finally, sign this document to relinquish the ownership of all your slaves." Sinbad says and she does, "Now everything you owned belongs to me. And as of today, all salves here are free!!!" He holds the document up. Everyone cheers happily and Annalise walks over to Sinbad. Sinbad begins talking about how he's no better than anyone else and Annalise watches when Jafar punches him.
"THIS ISN'T A FUCKING JOKE SINBAD!" Jafar says.
"But I disappointed you, didn't I?" Sinbad asks and gets punched again.
"Jafar!" Annalise says as Jafar continues to punch Sinbad.
"What a fucking joke!" Jafar says, "Disappointed me? Yeah, you disappointed me. You let Annalise get caught up in the life of slavery again. You took responsibly for everything. You're not really taking responsibility for anything are you?! You're letting yourself sink into despair, giving up and on top of that, having the nerve to act like it's all over! SO LISTEN UP!" Annalise stares in shock.
"IT'S YOUR NAIVETY THAT DISAPPOINTED ME THE MOST!" Jafar yells, "What you did is the same as what Maader and Parthevia did? And because of that, you're calling yourself a corrupt person?! This isn't a fucking joke! In order to pay our debt, we used the same tactics as that hag to fuck with the Mariadel Company! WE RISKED THE COMPANY YOU WERE DESPERATELY TRYING TO PROTECT! We used King Rashid and got our hands dirty pulling off the worst sort of scam that barely escaped getting us mixed up with the law!" Annalise's hands go to her mouth in disbelief.
"You and I committed the same offense! Our hands are already dirty! Did you think that you could realize your dream while keeping your hands completely clean?! Did you really think you could?! THINK BACK! That Dream that you shared with me... Was that dream really so meaningless that you'd give up on it just because you had to get your hands dirty?! IT ISN'T IS IT?!" Jafar yells still as he cried, "You did what you could to save everyone!"
"Jafar..." Sinbad says.
"Built it! Use those dirtied hands to build a country! Build the world you want Annalise to call home! There's no time to waste complaining! I've already decided to do whatever it takes in order to make that ridiculous dream of yours a reality!" Jafar says before he stands up, "Sin, get up. Because the next time you whine and give up. I won't hold back. I'll kill you." Sinbad starts crying and Annalise finds herself crying as well.
"I'm sorry, Jafar." Sinbad says.
"Good. Following you sure is troublesome." Jafar says and Annalise tackles them both with a hug, "Annalise!"
"Um Sinbad? Annalise?" Masrur says and everyone looks over at them.
"Jafar, can't we bring these children back on the boat with us?" Sinbad asks, "Annalise actually got attached to them all."
"What is it with you and strays?" Jafar asks.
"Don't complain, you are also a stray." Annalise says.
"Although causing a rebellion was my goal, I really did want to free all of us from slavery. As atonement for getting them all mixed up in my fate... I'd like to at least help the survivors." Sinbad says.
"Of course. I'll take responsibility for all of it. That's what you said after all, isn't it?" Jafar asks.
"Yeah, it is." Sinbad says.
They return to the company and Annalise and Sinbad are bombarded by everyone. Their close friends hug them and Pipirika hugs Annalise tightly.
"Guys." Sinbad and Annalise say in unison.
"Welcome home!" Everyone yells happily.
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