Kingdom Hearts

Ch. 68

Agrabah

The Land of Sliver and White

The boy named Jafar studied vigorously like it was a matter of life or death. Reading and taking notes of everything he read. He read an earlier version of "The Boy and the Genie" linking the story to the origin of Agrabah. Some texts documented the history of every tribe. From whom they were descended from to how they got their names. Others scrolls wrote of when the world was filled with many different sources of water before being lost because of war. These documents date back long before any writings in Agrabah. These texts intrigued Jafar to no end but one scroll above all others caught his attention. Sitting on the top rack shelved a scroll with details not concerning this world but the ones that makes up the stars. Jafar read carefully repeatedly memorizing every word to and from written on the golden paper.

"Throughout the farthest reaches of time we only knew and set foot on the desert sands of this begotten place we call home. But this world is one of many. For through careful reasoning and logic. There is more then just the desert. Other worlds exist numbering the stars above. Glimmering as only their light can be seen proving their existence. These out of reach lands are filled with different people and animals. Unknown to our kind. Places of grass, water and springs. Some resembling landscapes that can only be imagined in our dreams. Through my time on this earth I was privileged enough to meet a stranger from one of these outside worlds. We crossed paths on accident while traversing this giant world I call home. We spoke only a little while but the words that left his lips would change my whole outlook on life and to all those who read this scroll. As he described what I am writing down. He speaks of his home world as something that puzzles me even as I'm writing this. He tells of a place of wood and rock where tiny crystals of water fall from the clouds above covering the land in something he describes as snowfall. The world he resided from is covered in these sliver crystals freezing the wells of water where boys and girls skate across with blades sewed on the soles of their feet. He tells me of creature's alien to me. Of rodents with long ears and feet. As gentle as a new born baby but too fast to catch. He warns me of predators called wolfs and bears. Giant creatures whose thick pelt wards off the cold. He speaks to me of the fire in every home. He tells me how every night his family old and young would gather around the fire for warmth. Treasuring something we have so abundant of here. Yet on days my people would dream of a cold day and the feel of frosty air around their faces. The man laments leaving his home for a grand journey. But in the end, it was his destiny he told me. He wore sliver armor on his body. His hair was long and white like the snow he described, but he was not human. As his ears were but on top of his head resembling that of a jackal but bushier and white. He waved goodbye as a tool suddenly appeared in his hand resembling a key. The man put his helmet on. In front of it was a sigil of what I can assume is a water crystal. It was white with many points in the shape of a hexagon Though the man has traveled far his memories of his home still reside deep with in him. He took the key in his hand and created a portal of light with it. He waved goodbye as he headed through the mystical vortex. His body vanished leaving me by my lonesome on this desert plain I call home. As I looked around to the sky and the sand beneath my feet. Witnessing this great and giant desert. For the first time in my life I truly felt small.

Jafar reread this text over and over trying to come to a conclusion of his own. He searched long and hard through the library for more information in the texts. But not a single scroll even referenced anything of an outside world. The boy collapsed next to the special scroll looking up at the ceiling. Imagining the land of sliver. Thinking of what it's like to be cold. For anyone here it would be nearly unimaginable. He then imagined other worlds new to him. Places filled with water and plants with no sand in sight. Places where you can just kick back and enjoy the cool wind blow on your skin. Places where mighty mountains can be seen out in the distance. The boy smiled dreaming of leaving this world behind for a better one. The boy even questioned the sliver haired man, but he was as ignorant as the boy himself. As days turned to weeks, he was no closer to understanding the scroll more than anyone.

Three months had passed so quickly the young boy Jafar couldn't believe it when Ajee told him it was time to go.

Ajee brought Jafar to the Rascar waiting for him by the pool of water. The sliver haired man guided him to the gate of the city with a picture of a bird carved on it. The boy was packed for a safe journey through the desert. He carried a large pack filled with enough sand cow cheese to feed a family.

Jafar felt very somber about leaving. He felt that he only tasted the knowledge contained in this place and wanted to stay longer. But he never had the courage to ask for the sake that they'd question why he'd abandon his Mother even longer. The boy was given a vase of water to bring with him. Ajee went to see him off. "Now remember you can never tell anyone of this place. We prefer to remain here in secret."

Jafar nodded giving the dark-skinned woman a hug. Just as predicted the door began to creak open revealing the outside. But there was no light peering through the crack. It was late at night out in the desert. Jafar looked towards the dark wasteland and stepped back. He turned to the people of Zerzura seeing the city of gold and light. Deep down he didn't want to leave. He didn't want to return to the land of darkness and ignorance. As his throat become groggy he felt as if he would cry. He walked out the door very slowly almost hoping it would close before he'd leave. But it did not. The door was wide open revealing the night sky with all the stars shining above. Jafar's foot stepped out onto the familiar sand feeling no nostalgia. He exited the cavern unable to crack a smile. He was too focused looking at the stars.

"Imagine just what secrets they hold. What world is each like?" He continued to wonder before finally staring upon the sandy terrain of his home world. In his thoughts he asked a mental question. "Why did I have to be born here?"

There in a distance he saw what appeared to be a settlement of sorts. Jafar decided to take one look back at Zerzura hoping to see it one last time. He turns around expecting to see the city one more time. But behind him all he saw was more sand and stars. The mountain that held Zerzura had vanished. Jafar was completely shocked. The city which he spent 3 months in had vanished without a trace. The boy fell to his knees and began to cry. His tears were trailing from his face dripping onto the sand sinking between the grains. Seeing the stars again knowing the knowledge he obtains. And he thought to himself. "This world is too small."

The gates to Zerzura had closed and the giant sliver haired man brushed his beard. Ajee went home leaving the Rascar behind. The old men planned to return to the study until he heard someone run quickly towards him. A shorter man about 8 feet tall ran before him and shouted. "Your greatness, one of the golden scrolls is missing."

The Rascar turned back to the gate in fear. "No, it can't be!" he spoke brashly.

Walking along the sand terrain the golden scroll was hidden inside Jafar's shirt. He brought the scroll with him before placing it in his back pack as he treaded down the sandy path to the settlers. He caught their attention while the men and woman were seated around a fire talking to each other. He waved at them while coming up towards the campsite. The settlers ran to the boy alone in the desert with great concern asking him, "What happened?"

He gave a quick grin to them remarking, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

The next morning, the traveler's went atop their sand riders letting the wind move their sails like a boat over water. The sand riders headed across the sandy sea effortlessly racing over sand dunes like waves. Jafar sat tightly below deck where no one could see him next to some traded goods placed in boxes. The young boy took out the golden scroll rereading the account of the foreigner. He looked out in the open desert imagining the land covered in the mysterious snow crystals the text speaks off. But it was nothing more then a thought.

The boy was returned to Agrabah where the sand traders waved him goodbye. The boy put his scroll away inside his backpack. He ran down the street to the Second District. He made his way passed the well around the harem house. Till he came across his childhood home. A small two-story building made of rock with a strong wooden door in front. Red and blue patterned

Inside his Mother was bowing on a rug upstairs praying for her family to return. She was stern and humble. Jafar opened the door calling out in the small two-story house, "Mama!" Hearing her child's voice. The woman wearing an orange hijab quickly ran out of the room. She ran to the top of the stairs looking down at her long-lost son. Her hand was placed over her mouth. Tears flowed from her eyes.

"My son!" she cried. She ran down the stairs nearly tripping along the way.

"Mama!" Jafar cried.

The woman embraced her son as they both began to tear up.

Jafar then turned his smile upside down thinking of how he will go on with the rest of his life.