Chapter 27: Epilogue

Ezele, Yirya, Miza, Tani, Remi, and even Arzin stood among the villagers that were seeing Aladdin and his group off that particular morning. It had been another three days since the time the Deathseeker fell. The citizens didn't seem to know what to do with the newfound peace their town had found. The once established rules were now relaxed, that the source of their fears had been eradicated for good. While the town had a long path ahead to full reconstruction, the past several days had seen progress towards the effort. What was new, which Aladdin and Jasmine had personally overseen with Ezele and Yirya, was the construction of a community center and museum that told the story of Gloloria, including the struggle of the Deathseeker, taking care to include the history of the struggles of previous histories. There was also a special area to commemorate Saztou, where his herbal remedies and magic contributions to the town were noted.

"You're welcome to visit us at any time - every single one of you," Yirya said. "Personally speaking, I feel like I wasn't able to get to know the group responsible for saving my husband and protecting the rest of my family, so I would welcome having the chance to get to know you more. Thank you for giving me back my life, one I can live free from the Deathseeker."

"Absolutely. And we definitely plan on coming back to Gloloria to visit," Jasmine said, holding Yirya's hands as she, Aladdin, Genie, Abu, and Iago sat aboard Carpet.

"Be safe getting back to Agrabah," Ezele said. "We know you have a way still to go. You've stayed with us quite a while today getting things wrapped up."

"Wouldn't have changed it for anything, Ezele," Aladdin said. "We should reach Agrabah by nightfall, so no worries there."

"Presents, Uncle Arzin! Miza was supposed to remind you to give them presents!" Miza said, pushing him forward.

Arzin groaned. "Miza, they're not presents, more like souvenirs they can take back to Agrabah." He turned to Aladdin, looking uncertain. "It's just a few things. First is a bag of seeds that you can use to grow some of the medicinal herbs we were able to cultivate in our land. Guessing that you have a royal garden, so you could add it to that, if you wish. Second is a book that Tani handmade and compiled herself. Contains some recipes of Gloloria's kitchen that you've had since you've been here."

Tani grinned as Arzin gave the bag of seeds and book to Genie, who took it eagerly. "There's plenty more where that book is concerned, but some of my dishes and their ingredients will remain a secret, at least until I feel the need to pass it along. Until that time comes, you'll have to return here to have those dishes for yourselves."

"Yummy!" Abu said, licking his lips and rubbing his belly.

"Man, I know I'll be missing the food here," Iago said. "Now that we don't have supreme evil ex-god lurking, we can have all the food we want when we visit."

"Thank you, all of you," Aladdin said. "We're really grateful you've cared for us and made us feel at home in the time that we're here. We'll definitely spread the word when you guys are ready to invite more travelers to visit." Aladdin turned to Carpet, running his hand along the rug's rim. "Ready to go, Carpet?"

Carpet gave a quick salute with his knobs before slowly rising up into the air. Miza, Ezele, Yirya, Tani, and Remi all waived to Aladdin and his friends as they prepared to leave. Arzin stood with his arms folded across his chest, looking up as if he wasn't sure what to do. Aladdin met his eyes directly then, giving the man a two fingered salute. Arzin returned the gesture. It was a brief one, but Aladdin would take that as well as a peaceful "see you later" could convey. He wondered if it would be easier to get to know the man later on, now that he wasn't under the Deathseeker's influence anymore.

As they rode off to Agrabah, Jasmine looped her arms around Aladdin's waist, staring ahead at the skyline. "So, how's it feel to finally be returning home?"

Aladdin smiled at her over his shoulder. "Feels pretty good, to be honest. I'll admit I'm going to miss being in Gloloria. We spent so long there, we really got to know so many of the residents there. I hope that they're able to rebuild even more over time. Next time we visit, we can see how far along they are. Maybe we can bring the Sultan next time."

"Speaking of the Sultan," Iago said, cringing. "Does anyone know who's gonna tell him the story of why we missed two banquets and essential staff meetings? Not that it's my job, but I don't want the blowback of an angry Sultan coming back on me."

Genie, Jasmine, and Aladdin all shared a look between each other, before Genie spoke. "I think the tale we have to tell him might capture his attention so much, he won't care about the other stuff. I mean, we defeated a former sky god and sea demon. That's gotta be a story for the books of the library at least."

Aladdin chuckled. "I wonder who's going to take the opportunity to transcribe that tale in its entirety though. I seem to remember the Sultan promising that he was going to make you do some royal chores to make up for trying to take coins you weren't supposed to from the royal treasury, Iago."

"Are you seriously going to bring that up, now, Al? Come on! I don't wanna do chores when we get back!"

Aladdin held up his hands. "Hey, I'm not saying that I'm bringing it up, but I'm pretty sure that'll be the easiest thing you have to potentially do if the Sultan decides to cash in on having you do something when you get back. Just a suggestion."

Iago finally understood Aladdin's point. "Ahhh, now I get it. Could always be worse things I could be doin', so I'd better make the suggestion before the Sultan comes up with anything else. Good lookin' out, Sultan-in-training."

Aladdin rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything.

Jasmine laughed. "Sounds like someone's doing better. You look more relaxed, Aladdin."

Aladdin took a long breath of the fresh air around them, exhaling slowly. "Feels nice to be on solid ground with the people you care about, in more ways than one. And to finally breathe again."

The End