Chapter 04: Nightmare Fuel
Aziz had all the materials he needed to enact his plan, though tonight's efforts would be the beginning. A small starter to a much more extensive plan. It was the night of a full moon, he had the cure book to see the list of maladies that he could work with to test Ezele's skills. Aziz even had a record of all the things that the Deathseeker did to the town, from start to finish.
It was all there, and even then, he knew he couldn't rush this process because laying low and not drawing suspicion was what he wanted to maintain. He sat in the cave that night by the cliffs, materials spread out as he stroked his chin in thought.
"If Aladdin and his group find that I'm behind this - then my whole plan is ruined before it begins. Ugh, I hate waiting around." He folded his arms across his chest. "But then again, good things come to those who wait, or at least in my case - bad, very bad things." He chuckled at his own joke.
He'd tested his powers already that night on one player in this game - Arzin. Aziz was amused that Arzin had a similar name to him, thinking it would be a useful tool to bond with the man once he reached that point in his plan. But Aziz needed to try to see if he could recreate the scenario of the Deathseeker communicating with his targets through nightmares. It was a subtle step to create doubt and fear. Aladdin and his friends would be looking for anything direct considering the links the scrolls had to the Deathseeker's history.
"I don't want to be too obvious. If anything this test would be better to be a one-off they could dismiss as coincidence. But Arzin's nightmare was easy to choose," Aziz mused. Aziz chose to make Arzin relive the moment the Deathseeker gave him the scars on his stomach. Matter in point, it was a little too easy to choose something from Arzin's past to taunt him with - the man did carry a lot of mental weights. But in the end, it worked.
"So that means I can try this same method on Aladdin next. Choosing something from the past for him sounds dull. I want something to link past and a possible dismal future for him. Something to really hurt him. Considering the events of tonight, it's a fitting time." Aziz had watched the tense exchange Aladdin had with Iago on the beach earlier. He'd been hiding out of sight at the time. He couldn't help taking a distinct pleasure at the tension between friends. It was enough to encourage Aziz to follow through.
"I have so many plans for you, Aladdin. This is just the first of many. I hope you're prepared."
"Come on, come on," Abu motioned for Iago to follow him down the halls of the inn. Iago didn't want anything to do with where they were going, but followed the monkey anyway.
"Wouldn't it be better to do this in the morning?" Iago asked. "I mean, I know I want to have a peaceful night's sleep. And self-care advice says never go to bed after a big fight, but still!"
"Now, now," Abu insisted, though he stifled a yawn. He didn't know whether it was late at night or early in the morning, but he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep if Iago didn't. And Iago had been debating for a few hours to himself (aloud) whether or not he should go to Aladdin's room and "clear the air." Abu pointed out that meant Iago was looking to apologize, but the bird strongly denied that. Iago had more than enough energy to continue the denial.
"Look monkey, I meant what I said. Arzin's been suspicious since point one. Sure, we don't have evidence that he did this specific thing, but what if it comes up later he hired someone to do his dirty work? I'm just going to clear the air and clarify that I might've been too hasty - for now - not having all the facts."
"Iago." Abu turned then to fold his arms across his tiny monkey chest and glare right at the bird.
"Don't give me that look! Besides, who said that Al's still awake after all this time? I don't think he talked to any of us after dinner. Not surprisin' he didn't talk to me, and he can't exactly talk to Carpet 'cause the rug don't speak. But to blow off you, Genie, and Jas? That's brutal. Kid must be in a mood."
Abu screeched a fair series of points then, about Iago hitting a bad nerve and bringing up memories that Aladdin didn't necessarily want to have while they were on vacation.
"Look, I've got trauma from our first time in Gloloria too. Remember when Arzin used magic to knock you out, then hit me over the noggin, then tried to drown us in that icky bag to be Deathseeker chow? THAT'S the kinda thing I'm talkin' about."
Abu screeched a reminder that he didn't necessarily want to remember that moment either. (And it actually happened. Thanks to Aladdin, the prince put the pieces together to figure out the culprit. Not to mention Aladdin's stubbornness caused him to search for and rescue the two.)
"Truth hurts, monkey. Now which room was Al's again? I don't wanna walk into Jasmine's room and set her off. I've gotten enough lectures for one night."
When Abu pointed out that Jasmine's lecture around dinner had been about Iago being more thoughtful about his actions and that she hadn't even yelled at him, Iago rolled his eyes. "Doesn't change anythin' I said before."
When Abu realized the conversation was a lost cause, he sighed and motioned with a paw for the bird to follow him.
Iago groaned before he obliged. "Might as well get this over with."
He stood on the beach overlooking the ocean that night, closing his eyes and letting the light breeze tease the ends of his hair. He hoped the night air would be enough to clear his head after what had been a horrible night. The water rushed in smooth, foamy waves over his ankles. It felt soothing to him, considering the knew the water couldn't harm him. Nothing lurked there anymore, not like in the times before. For once, he could breathe.
But can you really? it asked. His breath hitched in surprise, even horror, at the familiar voice. He thought it was dead. Dead in a memory from long ago.
Why? Why are you here? he demanded.
It laughed at his indignant demands. You really thought you were safe, didn't you? I've just found a different place to settle. You'll never escape, not as long as you make space for me in your heart. Your terror feeds my existence. Perhaps instead of watching the water, you should be watching your back. You'll never know what may come up behind you.
He felt something standing directly behind him, casting a long shadow that settled upon his skin. But he realized quickly that the shadow wasn't settling. No that wasn't accurate the feeling at all.
It was crawling. The shadow, as it lengthened, draped itself over his back, his arms, the back of his legs. It combed through his hair, gripped his neck, tightened over his throat. It reached for his flesh even through his clothes. Soon he forgot the waves at his ankles, they were no longer a comfort he could escape to. He couldn't move as the tiny claws dug into him.
He could feel the scream rising in his throat, but there was no place for it to escape as the shadow gripped his neck. Screaming would be a waste of air. Not enough was getting into him. If only he had savored the breath before that moment, before the shadow gripped him, before it ever returned.
He heard its voice by his ear. How does it feel to taste the sweetness of death now, Aladdin? You'll know it very well, soon enough.
Aladdin gasped, his breaths staggered as he lay on his side. He realized where he was - in the inn within his own room. He wasn't on the beach at all. His eyes were wide, his hand pressed against his chest as if he could use it to slow his rapid heartbeat. He could feel the raw tightness in his throat. Almost as if the vice grip on his neck that he'd experienced in the dream were real.
He didn't remember the moment he fell asleep, but he realized he'd left the light of the lantern by his bed was still on, undimmed. He wasn't sure what time it was, but it was definitely late. The remnants of the nightmare gripped at him, just as sharply as his fear.
Why did I see that? The Deathseeker's gone, so why did I...?
He closed his eyes, trying to calm down. He remembered the familiar nightmares the Deathseeker chose to show him when it was alive. It unsettled the prince so many times. Yet when it had been distant enough away for him to feel comfortable, it came roaring back with a vengeance. It made him think to what Arzin had said about forgetting in the face of comfort - the coincidence was not lost on him.
You should be watching your back. At the moment he recalled the words, the creak of his room door opened. He shot up from the bed, a terrified, impulsive yell coming from him as he turned to face the unexpected.
It was followed quickly by an equally startled screech and squawk, as Abu and Iago entered the door with equally creeped out expressions.
Aladdin sighed heavily with relief. "Oh, it's just you guys."
"Who'd ya think it was? Maybe if you didn't wanna be surprised, you shoulda locked your door, geez," Iago said, his initial panic turning annoyed. But then he saw the fear that hadn't left Aladdin's expression. The kid had really been spooked by something. "What happened to you?"
"Just a nightmare," Aladdin managed. He felt dizzy then, the high of the sudden panic quickly leaving him drained.
"Aladdin," Abu said with concern. He leapt up on the edge of Aladdin's bed, getting closer to see if there was any way he could comfort his friend. But Iago looked ready to bolt.
"You know, we should probably come back later," Iago suggested with an uneasy grin.
Abu screeched a few lines about coming all this way, which made Aladdin's gut pinch with guilt.
"Wait, don't go," Aladdin said, shaking his head. "Sorry, I really didn't mean to scare you guys. Did something happen?"
Iago cringed, but remained inside the room. "Nah, nothing new. Look, I'm just gonna come out and say it - I'm sorry, all right?!"
That made Aladdin and Abu share a look of surprise before Aladdin returned his attention to the bird. "You're actually apologizing...to me?"
Iago looked more than a little annoyed. "Is it really that hard for you to believe I'd say somethin' like that? Look - it's not like I was tryin' to bring back up memories of what happened with you and the Deathseeker. That'd explain your nightmare too. But it's kinda hard not to when the moment we set foot back here, something bad happens. So it made sense to me to blame the party responsible for that last bad thing we went through. But I realize that I didn't have evidence. Ergo, you were right." Iago looked like the last words pained him to say.
Aladdin let the silence between them settle a moment before he could respond. "I appreciate you saying that, Iago, but I don't think you brought on that nightmare. I should apologize to you too. I just didn't like the fact you were putting words in my mouth. We really don't know who the thief is, so it's better that we keep looking into it until we know for sure. So can we call a truce?"
Iago shrugged. "Eh, fine by me. Said my piece, now I'm going back to sleep. Come on, monkey. I need a guide to get me back through this place, it's way too big for my liking."
As Iago left, Aladdin and Abu shared another look, this time of confusion. Aladdin spoke what they were both thinking. He raised one eyebrow, skeptical. "Iago never has issues navigating the palace in Agrabah and going back to his room, but yet he thinks this place is big?"
Abu started to chuckle at that, which brought a small smile to Aladdin's face. "And him apologizing to me too. I know that's not the first time he's done that, but still kind of surprising." His smile faded. "Not mad about it, though."
"Aladdin okay?" Abu asked, looking up with him with renewed concern as he settled against Aladdin's arm.
"Like I said, just a nightmare. I'd rather forget about it." He used his hand to rake his hair away from his face. "Please don't worry the others about it. I'm good now."
"Okay, okay," Abu said, giving Aladdin a quick salute.
"Thanks pal. Go on, before Iago gets mad at you." Aladdin went to the doorway and watched as Iago and Abu went down the hallway. He thought it was great that Tani had a place for both Iago and Abu to sleep, in beds that were made just for them. She said that she knew that the two were his friends, but she wanted to give spaces where everyone could be comfortable and wanted to give animals and humans their own areas to sleep, if they wanted. Though Aladdin missed Abu curling up by his head on his pillow, he was glad Abu appeared to be comfortable with his own space.
He closed the door, hoping he'd find a space to return to a more peaceful sleep than before.
Jasmine waited on the outside of the inn for Aladdin, hoping she'd be able to walk with him before breakfast. He arrived a few moments after Genie left to help out both Miza and Tani in the diner's kitchen.
"Didn't realize you were waiting for me, Jasmine. Hope you have been out here long."
She shook her head. "Not at all, I wanted to see how you were doing after everything that happened yesterday. Iago told me he apologized last night, but I found that hard to believe."
"No, he did, we talked a little while," Aladdin rubbed the back of his neck as he confirmed the truth. "I think with everything that happened yesterday, it got under my skin a little more than it should've. I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. No one would blame you knowing what you went through before. But that makes me wonder who would attack Remi and steal those scrolls. I haven't seen him yet this morning. Maybe he remembered something overnight?"
Aladdin nodded. "We can check in with him after..." Aladdin had started to say more, but was cut off by the sound of his name a distance away. Remi ran up to Aladdin and Jasmine, nearly out of breath and eyes wide with surprise.
Jasmine spoke first as Remi steadied himself. "Are you okay? Did you remember something?"
He shook his head. "No, I still can't remember anything from what happened in the attack yesterday. But the scrolls - the scrolls were on my doorstep this morning!"
"What?" Aladdin and Jasmine said at once, looking at each other briefly with shared disbelief.
"It's true, I took them inside my house and locked up to keep them safe for now. Neither of them appeared damaged or missing anything from what I could tell. But the fact that they've returned, I don't know what to make of it. I'm glad they're in one piece, but I have so many questions."
Jasmine frowned. "So do we." She turned to Aladdin. "So what does a former thief have to say about this?"
Aladdin exhaled slowly, trying to collect his thoughts. "Well, the easiest answer was that the thief in question didn't find what he was looking for. But I don't think it was that easy at all. They might've gotten what they needed from those materials and could be planning something as we speak. But there's one other issue."
"What would that be, your highness?" Remi asked.
"The thief had to have known where you lived. Either they followed you and knew where to leave the scrolls once they were done with them, or it's like what Iago was hinting at all along," Aladdin's expression hardened as he folded his arms across his chest. "This might've been an inside job. And I don't like that thought at all."