P5
Lady Holly and Aladdin busied themselves with the trials of the dusty tomes and worn scrolls organized within the cabinets of the palace war room. Vast hand-drawn illustrations dictating the local areas from city blueprints to travel routes made up for most of the sultan's anthology. But one map stuck out. An elder scroll nestled tight between two thick Arabic tomes came to view when Aladdin shifted the selection by pulling on one of the books. Lady Holly felt an odd curiosity to examine it. It was difficult to tell its age because it was sealed tight enough for dust not to bother it. However, the linen material was mysteriously charred on every edge with flakes of scrap that still felt warm to the touch and the illustrations and writings were faded though it was clear the writing was Greek. Upon closer inspection, it was noted that the scroll emitted a strange rotting scent of sulfur and gave bad vibes to both the Templar and the thief. But it was the only map that detailed a fine connection between all of the seven deserts including Agrabah and Mozenrath's kingdom, the Land of the Black Sand. "This will be our lead." Lady Holly rolled the scroll back up and had it placed on her back, held up by a rough leather strap arched over the shoulder and around the waist. "I don't see this ending well…" Aladdin's concern grew more by the minute. The Templar was brief to console his feelings and only used the opportunity to complain about her own issues. "When it's over, you won't have anything to worry about. Let's just get the job done and be done with it for good. I'm tired of having to empty sand from my boots."
Within the twisting nether of damned reach, the advisor walked among the dead. His charisma was as hauntingly hollow as the chasms that gave abode to the restless wails of the Underworld's inhabitants. Ja'far kept to himself as he wandered ever closer to the frigid cold chamber of the fiery hell's lord. He was expected even without proper invite. The black robed god stood outside his throne room door, arms crossed, hair cackling calmly. Ja'far approached though was first greeted by the three excited faces of Cerberus who sat on the other side of the passage peering in to paw at the familiar. "Ja'far, buddy, what a surprise. If I knew you were coming, I'd have cleaned the place up a little better. Would hate to leave the place looking DEAD for a guest." Hades' joking manner gave light to his otherwise vile demeanor. Ja'far never even gave a chuckle however. "You knew I was coming, Hades. I would like to get down to business." Ja'far wandered past the Lord of the Underworld to make himself comfortable within his chamber. "Way ahead of you. Those two went off with one of my special maps." It was of no surprise to Ja'far that Hades was ahead of the game. After all, even without the Sisters of Fate to guide his eyes into the future, Hades could see the mortal plane from any angle at any time. He was only merely forbidden from being "there" personally. "Then you must know I want the boy. How will you go about that?" Hades pondered for a moment, letting one of his blue slender fingers brush under his long pointed chin. "Well, you'll see. That isn't some ordinary map, you know? I wouldn't just GIVE them a map directing them to Mozenrath. All I can say is: follow them and you'll see. However, there is that slight collateral. I did this for you, what can you for me?" Hades sat back in his throne, eager to hear what Ja'far had in store. It was expected that no deal made would ever go one-sided. Ja'far grinned, expectant of his friend's demand. "That 'hero' Hercules… How has he been?" Ja'far knew exactly what Hades wanted. He knew the son of his brother Zeus pulled at the veins that boiled with blood within his being. "Go on…" Hades' golden hues gazed into Ja'far's eyes. He kept from analyzing the situation, eager to feel the excitement of a well-hatched scheme. "Have him lured to Agrabah and I will take care of the rest." Ja'far only found it fitting that since Hades kept him in suspense, he'd copy. It was apparent Hades felt a little uneasy but eager to see how things would turn out. "Done." The Lord of the Underworld whistled. Cerberus approached and peered into the chamber to await its master's command. "Lure Hercules to Agrabah. I don't care how you do it. And when you come back, there will be steak." The demonic hound let off like a rocket. "It falls to you now Ja'far. Follow the pair. You'll know when it's time to separate the pair."