Chapter 26: Lifeline
Arzin knew his reasons for returning to the shoreline after making sure Miza was back with Ezele. He wanted to see the Deathseeker's demise with his own eyes. He wanted closure. It didn't matter that the wound on his head throbbed, that he was intentionally skipping out on getting treated for his injuries. After the many times he'd crossed the sea demon, after the pain it put him through for possibly losing his brother, for having to watch the deaths of his fellow villagers in the past, for hurting his mother, for hurting Miza, and for making him hurt so many others...he wanted to see it fall.
He wasn't sure why Aladdin's friends were running after him. Maybe they had their own reasons for following his path back to Gloloria's beach. Maybe they wanted to help Aladdin and Genie in the last stretch of the battle with the Deathseeker. Maybe they wanted to make sure nothing went wrong. Arzin didn't look back to find out. At one point he thought he heard Jasmine call out to him, but the wind carried her words away, as did the Deathseeker's continuous calls.
But even as Arzin reached the beach and saw the scene play out in front of him, he knew it had gone horribly right and horribly wrong at the same time. He hadn't made it in time to have any part to play in the Deathseeker's final fall. It's last scream had been a final attempt of silencing, hitting Arzin's head with an intensity that made him fall to his knees to the sands. The same thing likely happened to Jasmine and the others, slowing them down behind him.
He saw the moment the Genie fell. He saw the Deathseeker's dark, sludge body melt to the sands of the beach. He saw the moment the limb took it's final fall - right into the path of Carpet, knocking Aladdin off. He heard the prince's scream as he fell to the water near the cliffs, darkened by the night sky and the demon's thick, black sludge remains.
When he was able to move, Arzin knew exactly what he needed to do. He didn't stop running in his path to the shoreline.
You stupid kid, he thought. You stupid, reckless kid. You're breaking your promise.
Guess it's up to me to help you keep it.
Jasmine, Abu, and -by obligation- Iago ran towards the beach after Arzin.
"I still don't understand why you guys decided to drag ME along. I'd rather stay inland where it's safe and we're not running into very certain dangerous territory."
Jasmine looked over her shoulder at Iago as they ran. "Aladdin, Genie and Carpet are fighting the Deathseeker by themselves and you would rather stay here? You're not worried?"
Iago cringed a little, even as he flew alongside her. "I mean, it's been a little while, but when has there ever been a time when they haven't come out of fighting an almost dying monster? They should be fine, right?"
The Deathseeker's inhuman scream ripped through the air, making Abu's fur stand on end and rendering a long beat of silence among the three.
"Maybe I stand corrected," Iago muttered under his breath.
"Arzin! Wait!" Jasmine cried. "You shouldn't go after the Deathseeker alone. Please stop!"
Arzin picked up his pace at that moment. Soon enough, he was out of their line of sight.
Iago huffed and puffed as if he were out of breath. "This would've been so much easier if Rug Man were with us. We could've been to the beach already."
"I wish I knew why Arzin was going back. He didn't bring any weapons, so it didn't seem like he was going back to help Aladdin and the others fight. So why put himself in harm's way like that?" Jasmine asked.
Iago managed to catch up with Jasmine then, flying slightly ahead of her. "If I were to guess, he's probably wantin' to see the Deathseeker get what's coming to it. I mean, he's got enough grudges against it that he'd want to see it pulverized."
Abu screeched a few statements along the same lines, which Iago picked up on, but Jasmine didn't.
"What did Abu say just now?" Jasmine asked.
Iago groaned. "Same thing I did, except he pointed out Arzin's probably worried about Al too. I'd beg to differ. Arzin hates Al's guts. Maybe not enough to wish him dead anymore, but close enough."
The Deathseeker's scream them knocked them all off balance. Jasmine fell to her knees, managing to cover her ears with her hands. Iago and Abu fell close to her, following her example.
"That doesn't sound normal! At least as much of normal for the Deathseeker that we know of!" Iago shouted while his wings covered over his head.
"It's dying, Iago," Jasmine said. "I think Aladdin and the others are close to defeating it. I hope that means they're okay."
"I wouldn't bet on it if it's screaming like that. Feel like I want to throw up everything I ate today. Ugh."
Jasmine turned to look at Iago and saw he wasn't kidding. The bird's face turned a pale shade of green. Abu looked equally sick. Jasmine felt the pain in her head, rendering her dizzy, but not enough to make her sick to her stomach. She closed her eyes, willing herself to block out the cry of the sea demon as much as she could. It was a long time until she finally was able to uncover her ears. Iago looked like he recovered, but Abu still looked sick.
"Don't worry, Abu, I'll carry you the rest of the way. Let's hurry to the beach and see what happened." Jasmine scooped up Abu in her arms.
"Why is he gettin' special treatment?" Iago grumbled, but followed them without another word.
By the time they reached the beach, they saw what was left of the battle with the Deathseeker. The thick, black pool of sludge in the middle of the beach was all that remained of the former sky god and sea demon. It truly was gone for good. Jasmine wasn't sure if she felt relieved at the sight, because it also didn't hold much in the way of answers as to what happened in the battle. There were no signs of Arzin, Genie, Carpet, or Aladdin.
Iago cringed. "Eww...is that blood or guts or...what is that?"
Jasmine walked over to one of the areas of black sludge, studying it in the moonlight as she touched her fingertips through a part of the pool. "I think this was essence of the Deathseeker's body. The heat of the lightning magic and fire that we shot through the limbs must have melted it. Almost feels as thick as candle wax."
"Ewww," Abu said.
"I'm with the monkey, this is not somethin' I'd like to bathe in, let alone be in charge of cleaning duties. And why the heck is it so quiet now? Where IS everyone?" Iago asked.
Jasmine looked around the area at the broken huts, equipment and pools of sludge on the beach. She even saw the remains of Tani's hut a fair distance away. The place where the elder woman had fed them, allowed them to sleep, met with them, even treated those who were injured was now completely gone.
It wasn't until Abu started screeching that she thought to look over towards the side of the beach where the cliffs were. And there she saw the first form of someone she recognized. Her stomach twisted at the sight of Genie, who was not only partially covered in the Deathseeker's sludge, but also appeared to be completely worn out.
"Genie! Genie, are you okay?" She said as she ran toward him.
She helped the semi phenomenal being sit up as he groaned. "Man, I think I got sacked in the final stretch of battle worse than a quarterback making the final play during the Super Bowl." He transformed into a football coach. "You are out of the game, youngin'!"
Jasmine wasn't sure what that meant, but she figured it wasn't anything good. She placed a hand on Genie's shoulder. "You hit your head?"
"Not just that princess. Deathseeker hit me with a blow that not only shocked me but also knocked me out cold by brute physical force. Don't remember much of what happened after that. Just remember that Al...Oh, no, Al!" He looked between Jasmine, Iago and Abu with a panicked expression. "You guys haven't seen him or Rug Man at all, have you?"
Jasmine shook her head. "No, we thought they were with you. Arzin's missing too. We think he was running towards the cliffs."
"Bad idea, considering how dark it is now," Genie said, looking over towards the beach cliffs. "The Deathseeker forced us all the way back this way. I'm wondering if it was on purpose. Still, what would Arzin be running after over there?"
"He may have seen something you didn't," Jasmine said, holding the sides of her arms as Genie stood up and stretched. "Let's keep searching. Maybe you can tell us what happened before you passed out in the meantime."
Genie wasn't able to make it far into his recount of the battle before they found Carpet. Carpet was a distance away from the shoreline, covered in the black sludge remains of the Deathseeker and lightning burn spots that dotted his surface. He didn't even budge when Genie gently lifted the rug up to study the damage.
Iago cringed. "If the Rug got it this bad, you know it's serious."
"Hang on, I still have enough semi-phenomenal magic to put pep back in Carpet's step. Watch and learn, kids." Genie twirled his finger a few times, generating a steady sparkling ring of magic before using it on Carpet to turn the rug back to his usual self. Carpet seemed to wake after that, looking around uneasily before recognizing his friends. Carpet flew around Jasmine, Genie, Abu, and even Iago in excitement and relief.
"We're glad to see you're okay, too, Carpet," Jasmine said.
But Carpet's moment of relief was short-lived as he seemed to look around the cliffs where they were. Then he erupted in a series of panicked motions, almost flying straight toward the water before Genie used both his hands to grab Carpet's rear knobs.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, can you at least tell us why you wanna go towards the ocean this late? I've never heard of magic rugs wanting to swim, but even I can tell you it's a bad time and bad idea," Genie said.
But as Carpet pointed towards the water, Jasmine realized what happened even before she saw the two familiar figures emerging from the waves. One was clearly Arzin, struggling in his steps. She wasn't sure if it was in part from the horrible head injury the man suffered, the coldness of the water he'd been in for what was clearly a good moment, or fatigue in helping support the other person he carried to the shore.
"Arzin! Aladdin!" Jasmine shouted as she ran toward them. Genie, Abu, Iago, and Carpet followed quickly behind her.
"Man, that was a plot twist I wasn't expectin'," Iago said. "Arzin saving the kid's life? After givin' him a hard time since the moment we arrived in Gloloria?"
Arzin looked up at each of them as he lay Aladdin's body down on the sands. Aladdin coughed up water, but he didn't wake. "I saw the moment he fell. The Deathseeker shocked him and the Carpet in its last attack. I'm fine, but Aladdin won't be if he doesn't get my brother's treatment soon. He won't survive the night without it."
Genie winced. "I wouldn't say you're fine with a head injury like that, Arzin. You could've drowned with Al if a wave hit you the wrong way. Or you both could've been trapped in the same dimension that Al and Ezele were in earlier. I would've come out to find you, but then..." He trailed off, struggling with his next words. "It would've been too late."
Arzin didn't say anything as the group surrounded Aladdin with support and concern. Genie propped up Aladdin's body so that he could breathe better. Aladdin appeared to struggle, his chest rising and falling with labored breaths.
Arzin started to walk away from them, but Abu scurried over to where Arzin was walking, tugging on the man's pant leg and screeching a series of statements. Arzin did appear to understand Abu's words, which were calmer than their interaction just a day or so before.
"I don't need your thanks for saving Aladdin's life. It was a debt repaid - long past due. Not to mention making sure he kept a promise to me that he almost broke. I can't do any more for him right now. I'll leave the rest to all of you." Arzin motioned his head forward towards the group, his firm tone ending any protest the monkey could have had. "Go back to them. Let me be."
But as Arzin turned away, he only made it a few steps before he suddenly groaned, falling to his knees to the sands beneath him. Abu screeched with panic, drawing Genie's attention as he helped Jasmine ease Aladdin onto Carpet.
"Looks like he needed a lot more help than he was saying," Genie said. "You guys ride with Carpet and Al back inland. I'll take Arzin back myself."
When Aladdin woke, he knew it was well before day from the way the moon shone high in the sky at the window near his bedside. A dim light shone from a candle illuminating the room, bathing the area in a warm glow that he wasn't facing directly, but found his eyes adjusting to. He didn't recognize the room or bed he was in.
"You're finally awake," the familiar voice near his bedside said. "For a while there, I really thought we were going to lose you."
"Remi?" Aladdin said, meeting the eyes of the archivist. "Where are we?"
"You're in my archive, in one of the back rooms. This is where I have several beds for guests to stay if they need to. You're not the only one here right now. Since most of the huts on the shoreline were destroyed, we've had to improvise to give people places to sleep, especially the injured." Remi paused for a long moment, rubbing the back of his neck. "You were among the ones with the worst injuries, near death even. Been rotating shifts to look after you with some of the others here."
"Are they okay?" Aladdin said as he tried to sit up. He didn't have much success, as the effort made him dizzy. He had to lay back down, still finding it hard to breathe as his chest grew tight.
"Hey, don't overdo it! They're fine, don't worry," Remi said, his brow furrowed with concern. "You won't be if you keep pushing against your injuries like that. The Deathseeker shocked you pretty bad this time around. It might've also been worse because you never completely recovered from the last time it attacked you."
Aladdin groaned. "Figured as much. Tell me this - is the Deathseeker really gone?"
"Easy answer for an easy question: yeah. You guys really did it. I still can't believe it."
Aladdin let out a shaky breath. "Good, at least I'm glad we were able to do that much. But still...the town's not going to be easy to rebuild. Not for a while."
"We're a resilient bunch," Remi said, flexing the muscle on one of his lean arms. "I can help out on that too. Think it'll be easier for us now that our biggest threat isn't one anymore. Aladdin, I don't know how to begin thanking you and your friends for what you've done. You've given us our life back, our village back after generations of torment and loss."
"Wasn't just us - you guys fought back too. We all did," Aladdin said.
"Aladdin? You're awake!" A familiar voice from beyond the partially open door to the room spoke. Aladdin felt his heartbeat pace faster.
Remi smiled a little, looking over his shoulder to Jasmine as she opened the door. "He just woke up, Princess. I know you wanted to see how he was doing." He turned back to Aladdin. "I'll let you guys have your space. She's your wife, only right that you both have your privacy. Just let me know if you need anything, okay?"
Aladdin nodded without a word as Remi stood, leaving the room. Jasmine took a seat in the stool that Remi had been in moments before, as Aladdin managed to sit up.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey Princess." Aladdin found that he couldn't find any words beyond that to say in the moment. Possibly because he had too many to say and was overwhelmed with where to start. Jasmine placed a finger against his lips before he could say anything, then followed it with a kiss on his lips.
When she pulled away, she sighed. "I didn't think I'd be able to do that again, after everything that happened the night before last."
"Wait, what? What time is it? How long was I out?" Aladdin asked, his brow furrowed.
"Just before dawn. You were in and out of it a while, about a day."
Aladdin nodded. "Guess I lost some time then. How's Genie? Carpet?"
"They're fine. Carpet's good as new and Genie's been helping out the other villagers where he can. Abu and Iago are sleeping now, but they were helping out earlier. Do you remember much of what happened after the battle with the Deathseeker?"
"Pieces of things. I know Arzin saved me. I was able to talk to him before we left the water. Is he okay?"
Jasmine held the sides of her arms, looking away from Aladdin. "He was in just as bad of shape as you for a bit there, even worse than Tani, who recovered quickly once she had the medicine. I heard from Ezele that you tried to help her earlier. Arzin woke up before you, earlier this afternoon. He was convinced that you wouldn't make it, but I knew he was wrong."
Another beat of silence passed between them. Aladdin rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm glad he won't have to have that conversation with Miza, at least. Or that I won't be another name on the memorial, I guess."
Jasmine's eyes widened. "You know, now that the Deathseeker's gone, there won't be any more names added to that memorial. I think that's another of the best things that could've came out of this. No one died in the attacks over the last several days because of the Deathseeker. Not since we were here."
"Would make sense that Remi's happy about that too," Aladdin said with a small smile. His smile faded on his next point. "But there are still so many people who have to recover from the last attack - physically, emotionally. Then there's the part of rebuilding the city. If it's okay with you, Jasmine, I'd..."
She finished his thought. "You want to stay? I was going to say the same. You're going to need another few days to physically recover. Not to mention us making sure Gloloria's in a good place - they'll need all the hands they can get. Flying back to Agrabah immediately doesn't make sense right now. Father's probably behind his mind with worry, even with Genie's last message to the Palace. I'm sure he'll understand, though."
Aladdin touched his forehead against Jasmine's, closing his eyes. He whispered his next words close to her ear. "Thank you, Jasmine."
"You really don't need to thank me. I'm really glad you're okay. I'm sure Genie, Iago, Abu, and Carpet would agree. And everyone else here in Gloloria."
"Guess you guys are really my lifelines. Wouldn't be here without any of you."
She surprised him by embracing him then. He returned it, holding her the way he'd wanted to just before the last part of the battle with the Deathseeker. At least Aladdin could say there was nothing keeping them apart for now. And that's what he needed in the moment.