I followed Iago's directions...yet they led me back to the city gates. I glared at him angrily. "Iago...."
"Look Lady I swear! He can't come into the city!" Iago squawked. "He's staying in a cave on the outskirts of town...ever since he was defeated...he was forbidden to meddle in Agrabah again."
I thought on this. Was this truly the case for all villains? If they were thoroughly defeated...then their own worlds became untouchable to them? It made sense...yet Jafar still actively participated in the downfall of other worlds. After all, villainy was in his being...he couldn't simply STOP being evil.
"Take me there." I commanded.
"Oh come on...I don't wanna go anywhere near that guy. I told you...isn't that enough?" Iago cried.
"I don't have time to waste looking Iago." I explained harshly. "I can't stand deserts...yet you say I must venture out into it once more. I say fine...so long as I have a guide to get me swiftly to my destination. Once I have reached the location, you may go. You won't have to see him."
"Ugh....fine." Iago reluctantly agreed. Unfortunately...he DIDN'T have a choice in the matter.
"You may go Abu." I released the monkey.
Iago was furious, but I tuned him out and headed into the desert. I walked and walked...feeling myself grow extremely tired from the desert heat. It was draining beyond measure. Such an environment was treacherous to the ice in me. I felt myself as I seemed to slowly melt away...suddenly Iago broke my silence.
"THERE! Straight ahead...see it? The ridges in the distance?"
I looked up. It was still quite a way...but there seemed to be a mirage in the distance. I could indeed see the ridges he spoke of. Most likely a series of desert caves. "You're sure then...that's not a mirage?" I spoke, my mouth dry.
"I'm positive. There's no way you can miss it. Can I please go now?" He pleaded.
"Very well...but if you're wrong Iago...I'll have your neck next we meet." I threatened releasing him.
I continued forward. I'd walked so far...I didn't think it would take nearly half a day to reach...yet it was true. The sun here would be setting soon. I'd spent too long in this world already. Jafar HAD BETTER be there. I halted at the cavern entrance. Leaning against the wall, I tried to rest a bit. Then I stood up straight, put on a blank and tireless face, and went onwards.
As I walked through the narrow passageway, I felt an ill presence ahead. Suddenly a ball of fire shot straight at me. I threw up a wall of ice, which nullified it completely in a second. "Jafar! I come to speak with you!" I called out. Suddenly it was eerily quiet again, until a light appeared from a torch ahead.
"Who told you I was here?" His malicious voice slithered. "Name yourself."
"RaXi. That is all you need know." I answered approaching. "I come for answers...or more precisely...advice."
"Oh ho! You come here for advice?" Jafar smiled. "Then come, sit and be comfortable. How may I be of service?"
He escorted me to a long table, where I was seated in the high chair. This "cave" was rather comfortable living quarters for him, it was immediately apparent he'd been staying here for awhile. He took a seat to the left of me, and awaited what I had to say eagerly.
"I'm doing research of sorts...concerning pacts, contracts, and slavery." I began calmly. "And how to break free from them."
Jafar smiled with that same malicious grin. "Slavery...this I know a bit about. Not only about placing one under it...but being one as well."
"This I know well." I clarified. "You often dreamed of making Jasmine your slave...and in the end, you became a slave to your own power. So then, what say you...how does one break away from such bonds?"
"You won't like the answer." Jafar smirked. "But since I know you want to hear regardless...the answer is simple. The only way to break free is through death."
"Death?"
"Yes. Either the oppressor is killed...or the one being oppressed." Jafar spoke confidently.
"That makes sense..." I spoke slowly. It was more believable than a KISS. It was also more of something I wanted to hear. "Is that the only option you see?"
"Well...there's always the off chance that you could deceive the oppressor somehow...oh never mind. I wouldn't know exactly how to go about that unless I knew all the details, which I'm sure you don't wish to give...now do you Miss Nobody." He sneered.
"You ARE smarter than you appear Villain." I quipped. "Well then, I'll be going now."
"Wait just a moment." He stopped me. "You have most likely come to investigate Agrabah as of late...have you not?"
"Not me personally...but a team was dispatched for that purpose, yes." I sat back down. He sounded serious.
"So then...you know of the new tyrant?"
"Tyrant? Last I checked Jasmine was a kind and merciless ruler...though...the conditions of Agrabah has seemed to decrease somewhat..." I thought over.
"That's because it isn't Jasmine in charge here." Jafar explained. "No one knows what exactly happened to her...only that she disappeared one day...to be replaced by Keesha, the next successor in line to the throne."
"So what's the problem Jafar? I doubt this is any of my concern."
"Well, it's not yours specifically...but I just can't stand another villain terrorizing my domain." He whined.
"You lost that right when you were utterly defeated. Agrabah is no longer within your reach Jafar...you are dead here." I clarified coldly.
"I know..." He mumbled. "But I can't get over how good this new ruler is...she commits acts of evil...but somehow manages to cover them up in her favor. Then rules through fear of death."
"Covers up her acts? What deed has she done that you commend her for?"
He snickered. "She murdered the man she was supposed to marry. Yet then, placed the blame on him...making it seem as though he was escaping from their marriage...and that she didn't 'kill' him."
I raised one of my eyebrows. "Still...this is none of my concern. If it so pleases you...I will bring it to the attention of my leader in return for your help...but I personally, will take NO action here."
He looked slightly disappointed but nodded and stood up as I did. "Very well RaXi. That will suffice. I wish you luck on your information gathering...I pray my suggestion aids you."
"Thank you." I accepted graciously and left him. It was dark outside, a chill in the desert air. I took a deep breath and stood there for some time. I didn't want to go to the next world just yet. It was yet another hot place...I was already feeling drained as it was from this world. I'd wait just a bit....
I stood there...admiring the beautiful stars in the clear desert sky. They seemed so close...
~RaXi
As I gaze into the starry sky,
I wonder...
Will I ever see you again?
