Chapter 18: Omission

Aladdin woke slowly, sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He felt much better than he had before the long nap. No nightmares and no messages from the Deathseeker either.

He quickly realized he'd overslept the moment his vision cleared. The area outside the windows of Tani's cabin showed the sky completely overcast, the moon round, full, and shining in the sky.

"Jasmine? Genie?" he called. He walked into the other room where a snoozing Carpet and just waking Iago flapped his wings to shake himself awake.

"Geez, I think I slept on this side so much I got a wing cramp," Iago said. "How long were we supposed to be napping, anyway?"

"Until sundown," Aladdin said. "It's way past that time now. I wonder if Jasmine and the others just let us sleep on through. Still, we can't let them do all the work on their own."

"Uh, are you sure you wanna do any kind of heavy lifting in the condition you're in? I know you're Wonder Kid Extraordinare, but those bruises aren't gonna heal anytime soon with you putting them through the grinder."

Aladdin bit back a smile as he raised a brow. "Not that I thought you minded, but I'm planning on NOT overdoing anything tonight. Mostly sticking to making supplies and taking inventory, I guess."

Iago groaned. "I just wanna know when the Deathseeker is gonna decide to show its ugly mug again. Can't we just get it over with already?"

"Not until we're prepared. I'm glad it's not showing up while we're still in the middle of things, but," Aladdin found himself struggling to put his next thoughts into words. "Can't shake having a bad feeling as to why it hasn't shown up yet. Ezele had a good point earlier about it recovering strength after the last battle, but I don't know what it means about the Deathseeker using Vessels to retaliate."

"Wonder if Ezele and Tani had that talk with Arzin. I woulda expected to hear a lot more outside with that kind of revelation being handed down."

Aladdin shrugged. "Can't hurt to ask them. Let's see if we can figure out where Ezele and Tani are." Aladdin looked down at Carpet, who started to stir. "Carpet, you in on joining us?"

Carpet shook his knobs furiously with agreement, while Iago complained. "Us? Oh no, no,no. I was just saying the quiet part out loud. I don't wanna get anywhere near that kind of drama. You guys can go, I'm stayin right here."

Aladdin shared a sly look with Carpet. "Okay, but you know Carpet and I were going to swing by the diner to get something to eat before..."

Iago flew very quickly to perch on Aladdin's good shoulder, rubbing his belly with his wings to emphasize the point. "Okay, that has me hooked. I'm starving!"

Aladdin smiled, realizing that the bird really couldn't resist the mention of food. "Okay, it's my treat then. Maybe while we're out, we can also see what Jasmine, Genie, and Abu are doing. Then if you wanna come back here, Iago, I won't stop you."

"Now we're talkin'," Iago said, grinning. "I'm thinkin' as long as that big scary lookin' sea demon/sky god/whatever monster is sleepin' down below, I'm gonna practice some much needed self-care."

Aladdin was disappointed that he didn't see Jasmine, Genie, or Abu on the way to the diner. It looked like a fair number of people were making weapons and preparing in other ways along the shoreline of the beach. But it didn't escape his notice that not only were there fewer people on the beach working, the atmosphere seemed more tense that usual.

The usual attendant at the counter was nice to Aladdin and Iago. He brought out one large bowl of soup for Aladdin and several plates for Iago. The soup was free, but Aladdin paid out of pocket for all of Iago's meal. The attendant insisted Aladdin didn't have to pay because of all the ways he helped the village, but Aladdin didn't want to use that as an excuse or take advantage where he shouldn't.

Iago scarfed down several pieces of fruit. "Come on, Al, you should've taken him up on the offer. Would've saved you a few coins."

Aladdin didn't say anything as he ate his soup. It felt good going down his throat; he didn't realize how hungry he was until he started eating. But something else had Aladdin's attention in that moment. The diner was much more low energy than usual. Some were stealing glances at where Aladdin and Iago sat near the front of the diner, while the others seemed to converse in more whispered tones since they'd entered.

What's going on? What happened that everyone's weary of us when we're around?

"Iago," Aladdin said carefully, "You notice anything different about the way people are around us? Something's off."

Iago shoved an entire entree of food in his mouth at once, looking at Aladdin with puffed out cheeks before he swallowed. "Not my business, not my problem. Remember: self care."

Aladdin rolled his eyes. "Come on, don't tell me this doesn't bother you. Everyone was friendly to us when we were helping out earlier. I don't know what changed."

"Do ya think it might've been about that Vessel thing? Maybe Arzin found out and now people don't know who to trust."

Aladdin didn't think Iago was too far off, but still wasn't sure. "I don't know. If Ezele or Tani had the 'talk' with Arzin, we would have seen one of them by now. Same with Jasmine, Genie and Abu. Maybe they're not on the beach, but further inland."

The attendant looked at Aladdin then, leaning in over the counter to the prince and speaking in a whispered tone. "I'm not supposed to say anything because you're not supposed to know, but I think you should talk to Tani. She's at Remi's house taking care of him right now. He got a really bad blow to the head from earlier; still recovering, the last I checked."

Aladdin wasn't sure what the man meant by "not supposed to know" but he was alarmed at the news about Remi. "Thanks, I appreciate it."

It didn't take Aladdin long to fly to Remi's house aboard Carpet. Iago reluctantly agreed to accompany them. When Aladdin knocked on the door, Tani answered, her eyes widening as she recognized him.

"Aladdin! I thought you were still sleeping."

"Woke up a little while ago and just came from the diner. I heard Remi had an accident earlier. Is he okay?"

She stood aside to let them in. "He's awake if you want to talk to him."

When Aladdin entered Remi's room, Remi gave him a short salute while holding a wet cloth against the side of his head. "Hey Aladdin, looks like you had a good rest. How are you feeling?"

"Much better than before. But I should be asking you the same thing - heard you hurt your head."

"Yeah, there's a knot on the side of my head the size of a bird's clawed foot."

Iago snorted. "I resent that comparison. I have bigger feet than people think!"

"Wasn't saying it was small, though. Anyway, Tani says I can't sleep for a while because my condition might get worse. I feel pretty tired. It's hard to stay awake or focused."

"What happened?" Aladdin asked.

Remi went very quiet. When he finally did break the silence, his words were careful. "It's nothing for you to worry about, Aladdin."

"Why wouldn't I worry? And why is it that no one's willing to tell me what's going on?"

Tani entered the room then, her face pinched with worry but she didn't speak up. Aladdin could tell she was hiding something very important too. He looked between them both.

"Let me guess," Aladdin broke the silence in an attempt to get a hint of what was going on. "This has to do with everyone acting strange towards us in Gloloria. Did you guys have the conversation with Arzin? Can you at least tell me that?"

Tani folded her arms across her chest, fingers pressing hard into the sides of her arms. "We haven't been able to find Arzin at all. He's missing, Aladdin."

Aladdin's eyes widened. Iago cringed. "Geez, I figured something was up. Well, it's not like the guy can hurt anyone if he's gone off on his own doing whoever knows what."

"That's not the only thing," Remi said, his voice shaking.

Tani turned to Remy, her gaze sharp as if to scold him. "Please, don't. Aladdin doesn't need to be involved in the search. The Princess and the others are already with the team."

So that's where they are, Aladdin thought, but decided to press on to figure out the truth. "I can still join up with them to help. Where did they go? Ezele said that I shouldn't confront Arzin directly, and I wasn't planning on it, but..."

Tani cut him off, though she spoke in a gentle voice. "It was Ezele who specifically told us not to involve you. Jasmine, Genie, and Abu all agreed to that as well. At first they didn't know about the search, but it was Genie who offered help. They had enough to be able to do what they needed. Ezele also told the other villagers the same - to not involve you."

"What?" His voice registered barely above a whisper. Aladdin couldn't believe what he was hearing. His heart felt heavy in his chest at being completely shut out of whatever secrets they held onto, let alone knowing that Jasmine and the others had agreed to it. "Tani, that's...I don't understand. Why?"

She shook her head. "Believe me Aladdin, if I could tell you what was going on, I would. But you need to stay out of this. Arzin's too dangerous considering the Deathseeker's presence is inside him. Your wounds make you too weak to fight him directly. I also want to respect Ezele's wishes."

Aladdin took a long breath, closing his eyes. "Guess for some part of it, I understand." He then look directly at her, unyielding and determined. "But I don't agree. Not for a second."

Remi looked like he wanted to say more, but held himself back. Aladdin turned and walked out of the cabin, with Carpet and Iago flying a distance behind.

"Uh kid, was that it? Aren't you curious as to why Arzin went missing? Why nobody told us anything?" Iago asked.

"It wasn't their story to tell, which is why I'd rather figure it out on my own. Not to mention that they don't know me well enough to know that I'd never let my friends fight alone." Aladdin turned to look at Iago as the bird perched on his good shoulder. "Are you coming with me or going back to Tani's cabin? Your choice."

Iago looked at Aladdin like he'd been punched in the gut. "Kid, you really know how to guilt trip someone."

Aladdin shook his head, his voice quiet. "Never said anything either way. I'm not making you do anything you don't want to, Iago. I mean it. Wasn't intending to guilt you into making a decision, either."

Iago groaned. "Okay, fine. I'm stickin' around here. You'd better come back though."

Aladdin smiled. "I'll fill you in. Don't get into too much trouble around here, okay?"

As Aladdin boarded Carpet, he saw Tani running to approach him and Iago from the cabin. Remi moved more slowly behind her. "Aladdin, wait a minute!"

Aladdin looked between the two of them. "Sorry Tani. If you guys can't or won't tell me the details of what's going on, that's fine. I'm still going to find out for myself."

Tani stepped forward, as if to reach out to stop him, but paused midway. "I know it's not fair to you, but Aladdin, you can't..."

Remi put a hand on her shoulder. "We can't stop him. I don't know why we should have tried. Besides, Ezele made you promise not to tell Aladdin what was going on, but he didn't put me under the same terms. Then again, I was a little out of it at the time." Remi turned to Aladdin. "Ezele thought you'd try to go because it's not just Arzin that's missing. Miza's missing too; the last time anyone saw her, she was hurt really badly." He explained that Yirya had attacked Miza under the influence of the Deathseeker and had carried her off beyond the beach further inland. Remi also explained his encounter with Arzin, and how Ezele had found Yirya later.

Remi sighed as he finished his explanation. "Yirya remembered what the Deathseeker made her do. It's rare when it happens, because most Vessels don't know they're under the influence. We haven't had many Vessels over the years the Deathseeker's attacked us, but those who were made an impact. Yirya's getting treatment at least. Even with Ezele's treatments being promising, it's got everyone in the village worried about who's next and whether or not we'll ever find where Arzin and Miza went. They weren't in places we would've expected them to be or in the vicinity of where most of us would frequent. It's like they just...vanished."

Aladdin felt his stomach turn with all the information he learned. It was hard not to be upset by it all. "You should've said that sooner!"

Remi nodded in that admission, his shoulders drooping and head bowed briefly with guilt. "We have as many people as we can spare looking for them. I don't think either Arzin or Miza would've left beyond Gloloria, but it's still worth checking the surrounding desert just in case. There's no sign from the scouts that they came anywhere near the beaches either."

"Wonder if Genie and the others are already out that way," Aladdin mused aloud. "I'll try searching the outskirts of the city from the north, then make my way back. They couldn't have gotten too far, not by themselves."

Tani reached up to lightly touch Aladdin's forearm as she issued a warning. "Aladdin, if you can bring Miza back without confronting Arzin, that may be better for you and her. Leave it to the others to find Arzin. Please don't endanger yourself more than necessary."

Aladdin nodded to her, taking her hand in his own. "I won't, ma'am. Promise." He turned his attention to Carpet, gripping the rug's edge with his hands. "Let's go, Carpet."

Iago watched Aladdin fly off towards the desert with Tani and Remi. He found words to break the silence between them as he ran a wing over his face. "Guess I'm gonna have insomnia for another night again."

Miza knew she was hiding in a place where her Uncle Arzin couldn't find her, at least for the moment. Venturing out of hiding was not an option, as she was afraid of who to trust. She remembered pieces of what happened. First, her mother - no, the Deathseeker acting through her mother- doing something to make her feel like she was struck by lightning. Then waking up briefly on the ground near the memorial. She'd witnessed a verbal fight between her mother and Uncle Arzin, while Remi lay unconscious on the ground a distance away from them. She'd been too tired to stay awake to know what happened after that.

When she woke again, she was near the cliffs at the edge of Gloloria, deeper inland and headed out towards the desert. The drop off between the city's outskirts and the desert beyond was steep. Miza was warned never go go this far without someone because of the risk of falling from the cliffs to the sands and rocks below. She'd known one villager who had gotten very hurt after falling off the ledges there, but had heard of others who'd died from accidents there happened long before she was born.

Miza was scared to think that she was in that area with her Uncle at all. She determined that he was only part of the man she'd known. Why else would he have shocked her to keep her from screaming for help one of the times she woke from a long sleep?

She'd been weak from both attacks, but she still had enough strength to escape when her Uncle's back had been turned. He'd leaned her against a nearby tree as she was half awake, trying to decide what direction they would go in to flee the villagers looking for them. That's when she ran in the opposite direction, not looking back as she raced as fast as her legs could carry her. Uncle Arzin had called after her, cursed after her, tried to be charming and coax her out of hiding.

Miza knew better.

Miza just wants to go back home. To be with Papa and Ma-Tani. To be with the others. To feel safe.

I don't know why I'm here.

She held her knees to her chest, trying not to cry in her hiding space. If her Uncle heard her, she knew she'd be in trouble. But who could she call for help? And if she did so, even if her hero or heroine reached her first, how long would it be before her Uncle Arzin would find them both and hurt them too?

Worse still, would her saving grace be under the Deathseeker's control? For now, the only thing keeping her safe was her silence. She would stick to that.

Abu sighed, stretching his long body on a few smooth stones as he took a break from the search.

Genie floated a distance away, scouting the area, but glancing briefly behind him to where he saw Abu's position. "Man, monkey boy, that's an entire mood right there. Though I'm not sure how I would feel about laying out over stones like that. My lower back has too many knots to take that kind of stretching. Now if it were the reverse, and you had smaller smooth stones on my back, that would hit the spot."

Jasmine appeared from between a pair of trees to approach the two. "It's been so many hours and we haven't found any trace of Arzin or Miza. It's like they've vanished into thin air! What are we missing?"

Genie turned to her, his expression turning serious. "I'm trying to think of other options, Princess. With us searching with everyone, they're not responding to us calling for them, so my guess is that for some reason, they're in hiding?"

Jasmine clenched her fists at her sides. "If Arzin has Miza, then he would have a reason to hide. Still, we don't know what his intentions are - whether for taking Miza or for staying hidden from all of us. It's not like he knows that he's a Vessel. Not yet anyway. But if Miza managed to escape Arzin while he's under the influence of the Deathseeker, then she'd likely be hiding to stay away from him."

Genie winced. "Which means neither of them would answer us if we called out to them. So searching with the group doesn't seem like it'll get us anywhere."

Jasmine hugged the sides of her arms. "Should we tell Ezele? It may be helpful for us to continue our search away from the group and look on the outskirts of the town. Probably around the desert just in case they went that far."

"Or maybe they never went that far, Jas. Maybe they're right in front of our noses," Genie transformed into an oversized dog sniffing around the ground. "I say we backtrack and see if they weren't already hiding somewhere we've searched."

"That's a good idea, Genie. Abu, are you okay with that plan too?"

Abu sat up, nodding enthusiastically. But his expression briefly turned sad as he mused another name aloud. "Aladdin."

Genie's shoulders drooped. "Yeah, I know, Abu. I feel bad leaving Al out of this, but it's probably better he doesn't know that either of them are missing."

Jasmine's fingers further dug into the sides of her arms. "Nothing about this makes me feel at ease, but at least I feel better knowing Aladdin, Iago, and Carpet are safe. If we're lucky, we'll find Arzin and Miza before they even know the two are missing. And hopefully without something else going terribly wrong."