Chapter 11: Hard Bargains and Then Some

"It's about time the tables turned in my favor, after that blunder.", Mozenrath said. Komal stood at attention in front of the magic apparatus, looking stone faced at Genie, who winced. Genie had been so occupied with trying to reason with Komal and prevent him from going after the others that he didn't realize both Xerxes and Mozenrath were planning to trap him.

Trap him they did, considering Genie was now behind a very well guarded Genie-proof containment unit, fortified by the magic amplifier that was stolen from the Palace. Genie frowned, not happy about his current predicament, but he refused to let Mozenrath have the upper hand. "That might be true now, but when the others get back, they'll definitely stop you. As they usually do."

"You sound too confident in their abilities. I doubt that whatever magic help they seek out, that they'll be able to separate Lati and Aladdin the way that I can. Even you're more powerful, which is exactly why I seek to harness your power with mine. With the artifact as an amplifier, that becomes a reality."

"Haha, reality," Xerxes echoed.

"I refuse to participate in any scheme that has you harming my friends. Nope, not a single finger of magic lifted." Genie stuck his tongue out for emphasis.

"Don't worry, you won't have to. I'll just drain your magic whenever it's convenient," Mozenrath said with a wave of his hand. "I'll wait long enough for them to have a fighting chance. But if they're not back before tomorrow night, Agrabah will be the next destination. And I've great plans for that place once I deal with the Sultan."

Whatever predicament Jasmine, Aladdin and the others were in, Genie hoped they were better off than him. And that his prediction for their success turned out to be true.

Jasmine looked upon the large closed door with wide eyes - it was a monumental space in what had seemed small at first. Then again, they'd gone a fair distance underground compared to where they started. She had been amazed at the shifting columns and platforms powered by a technology that felt ancient. Probably as old or even older than Genie. She didn't understand how it all worked, but it was still majestic all the same.

Lati seemed equally as amazed, but she seemed more nervous as they stood in front of the door. "After I open this door, then I'll shift form to let Aladdin lead. He has more experience with Sufyan, so it makes more sense."

"Is he ready for that?" Jasmine asked.

Lati paused a moment. "He's more than ready; that's what he's saying now."

Carpet, Iago and Abu all looked nervous as the magic keys Lati activated with her magic opened the door before them.

The voice was almost immediate when the pathway opened. Only three may enter here. I will count the essence that's in the dual body as two beings, so choose wisely. And no, your magic rug counts as an entity. Bring him, and bring none more.

"Well that narrows it down," Iago muttered. "I was stayin' out here anyway."

Abu looked conflicted. He looked like he could go either way. When Jasmine looked at Aladdin, Lati nodded.

"I'll let him decide once he's present. Hold on." The shift happened quickly, making Aladdin wince. Jasmine stood close to him, making sure he kept his balance. She kept a hand on his back, as he gasped and struggled to get his breath.

"Are you okay?" Jasmine asked.

"Yeah, I don't think I'll ever get used to that. Don't want to either," Aladdin admitted. "But I heard what Lati said. So Sufyan only will allow three of us in at once. Lati and I count as two, so that means one more. This feels like a puzzle, but I'm not sure what to expect. He was like this last time." Aladdin balled his hands into fists at his sides.

"I could go with you," Jasmine said, but Aladdin quickly shook his head.

"I'd like to take you, Princess, if I could guarantee you'd be safe in there. But I'm not sure about that. Especially since Sufyan likes to make challenges that involve slipping up. One wrong move, and..." He didn't finish, looking over at Carpet, Abu, and Iago. "And I don't exactly want to take Carpet in case things go wrong out here. If something happens, anyone else out here needs to be able to make a quick getaway."

"Good idea! I like that line of thinkin', especially since it means we have somethin' to worry about out here," Iago said, partially sarcastic and partially serious.

Jasmine looked towards Abu, and nodded. "You should take Abu with you. I'll stay with Carpet and Iago outside in case something happens."

"Me?" Abu blinked a few times, surprised.

"The way I think about it," Jasmine continued, facing Aladdin. "You and I have been in a place like this before. Iago, Abu, and Carpet haven't. Carpet can fly quickly if things get odd out here. You are familiar with dealing with Sufyan, and Abu will be with you. I'm familiar with a place like this and can guide Iago and Carpet out if needed."

"I get it," Aladdin nodded as he realized what she meant. "There's five of us physically here - one person familiar with this place in each group, one member of the group of each who isn't, and Carpet to assist with you guys getting away. Lati can wield magic and transport us out in a pinch if we need to shift places. But that's only if Abu..."

Abu was very quick to respond. "Yeah, yeah!"

Jasmine grinned. "That settles it."

Abu hopped off of Carpet, eagerly scurrying up to perch on Aladdin's shoulder. Jasmine could see the relief in Aladdin's expression. She would have to hope that all of them would be safe in there for whatever Sufyan wanted. Hopefully it was just tricky riddles and nothing compared to the physical traps they'd had to navigate in the temple beforehand. And hopefully no monsters like the one Aladdin and I ran into the last time he saw Sufyan, Jasmine thought. She wondered what Lati had to say about all of this, but with the way that Aladdin paused for a moment and his shoulders relaxed, Jasmine realized Aladdin already had the conversation with her too.

She couldn't help but still feel uneasy. Lati was their ally and could wield magic if Aladdin and Abu needed to get to safety. But if something happened in the shift between, how badly would Aladdin get hurt from that?

"Princess?"

Jasmine blinked as Aladdin's voice broke through her thoughts. She saw him frown, knew that he was worried about her, wondering if she would tell him what was going through her mind. She took Aladdin's hand in hers. "Be careful, Aladdin. All of you." That summed up most of what she wanted to say anyway.

He nodded. "You too." He returned the gentle squeeze of her hand in his, before letting her go, turning, and walking through the path into Sufyan's lair.

Aladdin did feel a little nervous walking through nearly total darkness into Sufyan's lair. But he was mostly curious as to what he would find compared to the last temple he'd been in. He could sense Lati shifting uncomfortably within him too, but she didn't say anything. Abu, on the other hand, was trembling so badly that it was little wonder the monkey wouldn't jump out of his fur by the time they were finished. Which was a complete change from the enthusiasm the monkey had when they'd entered the path beforehand.

The prince reached up a hand to pat the monkey's back as Abu's paws gripped his shoulder. He whispered only loud enough for the monkey to hear him. "It's okay, Abu. I won't let anything bad happen to you. We're just...talking. At least if my experience with Sufyan last time means anything."

Regardless of however low Aladdin's voice may have been, the powerful echo around them made it clear that they'd been overheard. "Correct, Prince Aladdin. Though I thought I made myself clear that I hoped we would not meet again." Sufyan's voice floated throughout the room. It was hard to know where the powerful being was.

"Yeah, well, circumstances being what they are, don't think we had a choice." Aladdin spoke normally, was used to this part, at least. Sufyan was not an entity that non-magic wielding people could normally see. If Genie were here, that might be a different scenario. But Aladdin wasn't unnerved by Sufyan's voice. No, he gasped when the lanterns suddenly illuminated the room - magic that came from Sufyan, no doubt. Even Abu flinched, but the monkey seemed more in awe of the sight around him to feel too afraid.

What Aladdin recognized first were the flowers. His eyes widened. He remembered those flowers from his last encounter with Sufyan. The leaves of some of them were what cured the perpetual headache spell Nefir cursed him with when the imp was forcing Aladdin to do his bidding. Sufyan had a fondness for flowers in a way that the prince didn't understand, but at least could appreciate.

"You're maintaining the flowers well, I see." Aladdin said, thoughtfully. He knew that was something Sufyan would like.

It sounded like Sufyan smiled from the way he spoke. "Indeed, I always do. I'm glad there's someone who appreciates my hard work. But I know you came here to request something of me. You ought to know I do nothing for free."

Aladdin nodded. "I know you wouldn't." He paused, trying to think of a way to phrase what he needed without asking a question. He decided to turn around at that moment, facing a similar room to where he'd met Sufyan for the first time. The prince expected a desk, but realized the chair behind it wasn't empty. And from the startled yell that came from his throat, he wasn't sure if it was his, Lati's or both of their reactions occurring at once. Abu was startled by the fear that caused Aladdin to lose his balance and fall backward to the sands beneath them. Abu managed to keep his balance, but he saw Aladdin staring ahead, eyes wide and nearly breathless.

"Oh, it seems you can see me," Sufyan said. The figure wore a long tattered robe, had skin the color of the grayest of rocks in the flickering magic flames illuminating the room. Sufyan's hands were those of an elder's, but his nails were long and looked the shape of a monster's claws. Could easily cut skin if reaching out or holding someone in a vice grip. But that wasn't the cause of Aladdin's shock.

Sufyan continued as if Aladdin's reaction hadn't surprised him. "You couldn't see me when we met before, because you weren't a magical being. But since your body is inhabited by one who can wield magic, in a cursed spirit no less, you can see me by extension. Unfortunate for you."

"I-I-I'm sorry..." Aladdin could barely get the words out. He swallowed against the hard lump in his throat. "It's not so much the fact that I can see you, but that I didn't know you were there, and..."

"You're merely stating a convenient fact to spare my feelings. A partial truth is only partial. You know better than this." Sufyan was quick to cut off Aladdin's words. The prince wisely fell silent, though it was still hard for him to catch his breath. He made no move to rise from where he lay on the ground.

"Aladdin okay?" Abu was concerned, standing close to Aladdin and patting his shoulder with a paw.

"Aladdin, it's okay, breathe," Lati said, though it seemed from her voice within him that she was no less shocked than he was.

"I'm really trying; wasn't expecting that." Aladdin's message was only for Lati to hear as he communicated with her.

"You're wondering why I'm missing half my face, are you not?" Sufyan asked directly. Sufyan had the face of an elderly man, at least fully formed on the right side. One eyebrow, one eye, one nostril for a nose, one still moving mouth that spoke without the slightest bit of pause. But the other side of his face looked like it was carved out, as smooth as the inside of a cracked egg missing the yolk. There was nothing there, though he had a fully formed head otherwise. "And believe me when I warn you now, Aladdin, I will accept nothing less than the truth. The other option is to kill you all."

Abu had to keep himself from being sick on the stomach at both Sufyan's admission and not-so-subtle threat. His paws covered his mouth.

Aladdin was quick to respond, his breaths starting to even out. "You're right. That is what I'm wondering. But I don't have the right to ask you that."

"Good, you seem to be aware of your limitations here." Sufyan said. "But I will at least give you a bare minimum response for a question you cannot ask. This is the price of magic. You've seen the sorcerer of Black Sand who is missing a hand from his glove. We all pay for the price of using magic in some measures. I paid a toll with part of my face. It is at least some reason why I cannot be seen by anyone other than magic users. Magic users will recognize exactly how I paid my debt for the power I wield. Non-magic users, including most humans, will not."

Abu returned to his perch on Aladdin's shoulder as the prince stood upright, but didn't take any steps closer to where Sufyan sat at the desk. His voice was quiet, and far more full of remorse. "You mask yourself to protect from being judged or hurt by those who don't use magic. Humans included." Aladdin was deliberate in forming his statement, not asking a question.

"The reason I shield myself from non-magic users is only partially protective, so you're correct on one note. But assuming that's the whole is incorrect. Still, I appreciate your sentiments. And since you are still following my decorum rules for the temples I occupy, I may be inclined to help you."

Aladdin's shoulders relaxed. "Thank you."

"Do not thank me just yet. I place a heavy leaning on the word 'may'. And I will require you to do something for me to separate the wayward soul trapped within you. I am not able to hear her, your mind and spirit alone can. Perhaps your Genie could if he were here and she were not intentionally masking her identity."

Aladdin could feel the recoil of Lati's spirit inside him. While it was unclear how much Sufyan knew about Lati's actions, it might be the powerful being happened to take a very, very good guess. At least from Aladdin's viewpoint.

"The task I would have you do is simply stated. You must retrieve the artifact that's in the possession of Mozenrath and bring it to me. It is an old relic that used to be in capable hands with respect to your Sultan in Agrabah. But being seen as a trinket and falling into the wrong hands places others in a peril that hasn't been seen for centuries. I will take it."

"But that doesn't solve our problem," Aladdin said. "If you're seeking to use it..."

Sufyan cut him off again. "No. I only wish to store and protect it, not to use it for the process of your separation. It was not intended for that use without consequence. If you bring me the artifact successfully, I will use my magic to separate the two of you."

Lati's spirit was beyond upset by this news, and Aladdin could hear and feel both her disappointment and rage. "I will not accept such an inaction. Not after we've come all this way for help. Part of the reason why we came was to separate so that I could help my brother Komal! I cannot free him from the artifact's curse if Mozenrath is using the artifact to control him and harm your Genie."

"Lati, wait a minute..." Aladdin began to communicate to her, but he felt a part of his consciousness shift. It made him wince as he felt her power surge within him. Aladdin wondered if this bargain had been the point where Lati couldn't tolerate any more, given the circumstances. She'd tried to help Aladdin only to end up lying to him and hurting him. Then Komal and her were deceived by Mozenrath. Now Sufyan was proposing to send them back into the snake's pit to get the artifact from Mozenrath as a condition of being separated. Aladdin could relate. If he were in her same position, he'd be upset also.

He too was upset by the wild goose chase, but Aladdin hadn't formally agreed to anything Sufyan had said. Not yet. He'd wanted to use his street smarts to try to negotiate another term, which was why he'd held back from challenging Sufyan. But Lati's strong emotions threatened to overtake them both. He definitely knew that if this kept going, she'd push him out again. And Aladdin wasn't sure how much more shifting either of them could take.

"I refuse." Aladdin quickly said.

That surprised Lati, Abu and Sufyan all at once. Lati's sudden fury dissipated, which made Aladdin's headspace clear. He would need every bit of his mind's clarity as the anger in the room shifted primarily to Sufyan.

"What did you say to me?" Sufyan's expression made Aladdin's body stiffen. It wasn't just the tone of the powerful being, but seeing him now gave him a whole other level of menacing.

Aladdin didn't back down. "I said I refuse. That's not a fair trade. Lati and I didn't come all this way just to leave empty handed. Well...not having our bodies separated. You're not giving us any better of a scenario than Mozenrath did. The artifact is the thing that's hurting our friends. We're seeking a way to free them. Separating us is the best means to do that. Going back to get the artifact and bring it to you gives us nothing."

"You dare to question me?" Sufyan snapped. Abu even flinched at the anger flooding the room through his voice. The monkey's paws tightened on Aladdin's shoulder.

"I didn't ask a question," Aladdin said, keeping his voice steady. "I know you hate being questioned. What I said is that there has to be something else you want to restore our bodies back to normal that's more fair than your proposal. I'm not saying that you helping us is going to be done for free. But it doesn't make sense that you create a term that has us doing something for you that holds no benefit for us until after everything is done and dusted. Getting the artifact away from Mozenrath was never in question; we're having to do that anyway. I sought your help last time for the stone, and you created a term in giving it to me that I knew I could abide by. It was mutually beneficial. And I know you gave me the flower leaves to help me out of the headache spell Nefir cast on me because you saw it was unfair. That was your kindness. This scenario isn't a benefit for either Lati or me. And so, I refuse. And if you're going to propose something that puts us further in harm's way, might as well seek help from someone else."

"Wow," Abu said with a whistle. The monkey realized that Aladdin was calling Sufyan out in a way where the powerful being couldn't deny it.

"Aladdin..." Lati was stunned at not only how forthright Aladdin was, but how he'd managed to call Sufyan's deal a bad one. She was also stunned as Aladdin turned away from Sufyan and started walking back towards the entrance of the lair.

Aladdin had only made it a few steps, and was the only one not surprised when Sufyan's fury suddenly turned to booming laughter.

"You have proven to me time and again that you're a surprising human, Prince of Agrabah. Discerning while diplomatic. You aren't a mere errand boy either."

"No, I'm not," Aladdin said, looking over his shoulder. "Your conditions didn't make sense."

"It makes sense that I was unable to trick you then. But it seems I've caused your companions a great deal of anguish. I can't hear the words of the one called Lati, but I certainly felt that magic energy surge moments ago. Very well, you've come all this way and provided amusement for me. I'll separate your forms without any terms, apart from you bringing me the artifact when you finished dealing with Mozenrath. But you should well be aware of the costs before that happens."

Aladdin turned back towards Sufyan. "What costs? Is it going to erase me?" Aladdin was starting to think that maybe there wasn't a way he could get out of this without him being hurt in some way. If the curse that Lati and Komal were under had that kind of cost, how were they ever going to get out of it in the first place without hurting someone else?

Lati seemed to have the same level of discomfort Aladdin had, but she didn't say anything.

"It will not erase you, but the two of you may be unable to do much in the aftermath if all goes well with the separation. Your Genie might have been able to conjure a spell to help you both if he had the right spellbook handy. Fortunately for me, I know of this particular curse all too well. And I have the resource available." Sufyan snapped his fingers, even with his talon fingernails, to produce a larger tome than Aladdin had seen come from Jafar's old lair. Abu whistled, marveling at the size of it as Aladdin approached closer to Sufyan's desk.

Sufyan chuckled. "You are not the only one who has an eye for tomes. But the spell I have with me does come with a cost. I thought you should be aware before proceeding. It may inform your decision of what to do next if you - say - were to travel back to the Land of the Black Sand to retrieve the artifact."

"What kind of cost?" Aladdin asked wearily.

"The magic user would temporarily lose her power, the effect of which will be indeterminable for how long it may last. Hours, days - certainly not over moons or years, but long enough to not provide the aid that you may wish for or require."

Aladdin could feel Lati's spirit deflate, disappointment in her tone. "That will be of no help to you all when facing Komal or Mozenrath. And your wounds Aladdin, I..." She trailed off, unsure of what to say to him.

"Think you've done a lot to help me despite a lot of things, Lati," Aladdin said honestly.

"Are you still upset with me and Komal for entering your body without permission?" she asked wearily.

"Not really on that; it's more that I didn't know you were there. You should have told me, so at least I could have a say in terms of what to do. Maybe if you had, could have warned you sooner about Mozenrath."

"That I now understand. I am so sorry. On behalf of my brother and myself both, though I think he'd tell you himself if things were...better than now."

"Appreciate hearing that too," Aladdin said. "We'll get them back, but first we have to keep our focus. Get through this." Aladdin turned his attention outward to Sufyan, who seemed to understand that Aladdin was conversing with Lati. "So we know what could happen with Lati with the extraction, but what's going to happen to me?"

"As I mentioned, you won't be erased. And the wounds that have been healed won't regress, which is good considering the progress this healer has made with you." Sufyan paused, his tone pensive. "But I cannot say that your condition will improve. Your wounds won't be able to be treated with magic once the conversion happens. Any protection that the healer provides for you at present will be gone, so you may be in no condition to fight or flee."

"Oh no," Abu screeched.

Aladdin nodded. "Kinda what I expected. At least it isn't Mozenrath's option." Aladdin shifted his attention to Lati. "I'm ready whenever you are."

Lati hesitated only a moment, as Aladdin felt the weight of her hesitation. "I am ready. Let us proceed."