A/N: Please R/R and let me know your thoughts, I really appreciate them. Thank you!

Shattered Dreams
By Kim
~*~ Prologue ~*~


She had cried until there were no more tears left to shed, until her face had become sore, and until her eyes were red and dry. A sob was something she couldn't muster out of her anymore and was unable to vent her hollowed emotions. She leaned against the cold, hard balcony railing and stared blankly into the dark sky. She was feeling lost, frozen, but mostly empty and dead.

She drew a shaky breath and looked out into the horizon where the sun had previously set and wished that it would never come up again. She wished that it would remain in its darky depths so that she wouldn't have to face another day alone. She wanted to curl up and die. That's all she wanted and simply wished that it could be granted.

Her life had been taken away from her in one instant and there wasn't a thing that anyone could do to help her or take her out of her terrible depression. Once before, she felt only joy for life and happily looked forward for her dreams to come true. Now, those dreams were shattered to pieces, with no hopes of ever being put back together.

Jasmine wanted to cry again as her thoughts fled to him, but there were no tears of sorrow and grief left. Everything was gone from her. With each teardrop that she had shed, an ounce of her life had escaped her being and now she felt she could greet death with open arms. Life had become an empty and shallow void.

She felt a cold wind cascade around her, but she didn't shiver or bring her arms closer to keep warm, but instead, she welcomed the coldness. Jasmine closed her eyes and put a picture of him in her mind and concentrated on it, as it was all she had left aside a small picture she cherished on her vanity. She tried to think of the good times and the days that made her laugh with joy and happiness, but every time she tried, her thoughts wandered to that horrible day as if it was yesterday.

The day Aladdin died.



~*~ Chapter One ~*~

"Are you ready?"

She drew in a breath and nodded. Aladdin's arms wrapped protectively around Jasmine's waist and his worried expression changed for a fleeting moment to reassure her with his warm brown eyes. Jasmine wished they didn't have to do this, she wanted to stay lost and locked within his eyes forever. Just within a simple instant, they could reassure her of everything with a quick glance.

But, alas, a shout from behind reminded them of where they were and why. Agrabah was standing up for themselves and fighting back against Mozenrath after his latest attempts on destroying the city and taking over, inevitably dooming their city. If they didn't act, they were sure that another attack on their city would bring disastrous results. They had chosen Aladdin and Rasoul to lead them into battle and to bring the Land of the Black Sand to ruins.

Even though Aladdin had tried his best reasoning that he had, Jasmine would not stay in the palace. The fight with Mozenrath concerned her too and she wanted to be there to help and to stop his evil from reining on. Aladdin took Jasmine's hand and squeezed it. His eyes gazed over Mozenrath's land and he turned back to her. Before he could speak his growing concerns again, she silenced him with a finger to his lips.

"Don't even bother to try Aladdin, I'm not leaving." She said stubbornly. Aladdin smiled warmly and pulled her in for a lingering kiss.

"Please be careful." He asked, his voice barely a whisper. He rested his forehead on hers and took her hands in his.

"I will if you will." She quipped and smiled slightly.

"Just remember," He began and smiled wider. "we're getting married in three weeks." He said as he kissed her forehead and caressed her cheeks.

"I know. I'm counting down the days." She said with a smile. Jasmine hugged Aladdin tightly and fought the urge to hold him back from the battle. Something felt wrong. Whenever she got a shivering feeling up her spine, she was certain something bad was going to occur. Why of all times did she have to get that feeling now?

"We're ready to start." Rasoul stated blandly behind them as he came out from behind some horses with Genie at his heals discussing strategies, in the end breaking up their embrace. With one last kiss, Jasmine and Aladdin held their hands together for one final moment before breaking them apart. In the instant that their hands separated, Jasmine's body became suddenly cold, despite the burning sun that beamed down on them, and goose bumps covered her arms. She rubbed them briskly as they mounted their horses and galloped into the deadly Land of the Black Sands.

The battle took off immediately as Mamluks appeared out of the sands, unsheathing their rusted swords as they rose. The brown, old metal dully reflected in the sun. Mumbling shouts they tried to sound was all that was heard combined with the hoof beats of horses. Jasmine kicked her steed to go faster and cleared most of the Mamluks before they had time completely emerge out of the sand and stop her run.

Aladdin, Rasoul, Genie and a few other guards were still at her side while the rest were cut off by Mamluks in the attempt to reach the Citadel and had to stop and begin their battle early. Jasmine's sword rested comfortably at her side of her Ram-Jazz outfit that she wore; her whip snugly at the other side.

Suddenly, they had to pull their horses to a halt as a blinding black and blue lighting bolt shot out in front of them just before the Citadel entrance. Mozenrath appeared in the light's place, his hands on his hips and his head cocked to the side with a sly and defiant smile spread across his face. His complexion was as pale as ever and his gauntlet was tightly worn on his right hand, the apparent danger from it flew to Jasmine like a raven and clouded her mind with a hazy fear.

"Well well well, to what do I owe this pleasure?" He said, snapping Jasmine out of her reverie. His grin widened when his eyes met her's, but the change was faint, and meant only for her to see. It was if he had all ready won and victory was his. Almost like he knew something they didn't. Another shiver shot up Jasmine's spine and caused her body to tremble slightly.

"You're through Mozenrath. This time, it's over." Aladdin declared after he jumped off his horse and approached Mozenrath.

Mozenrath was very still for a moment, almost considering what to do. When he spoke, it was worse than the silence that had previously filled the air. "I'm warning you, Aladdin. Leave now. I'm giving you a chance." His normal dry humor was gone and instead was replaced by the sinister warning.

Mozenrath waved his arm and motioned behind them. Aladdin paused and considered turning his back, but after hearing Jasmine's startled gasp, he turned. Behind them was an entire army of Mamluks that had surrounded them completely and blocked out the rest of the troops. Perhaps eight dozen stood, waiting for the war to begin.

Aladdin turned back to Mozenrath with rage. "That won't matter Mozenrath, today marks the end of your kingdom and your evil. You will be beaten."

"You'd like to think that, wouldn't you? I don't think so. You better just watch out for yourself, street rat." Mozenrath sneered and snapped his fingers. It caused him to vanish and his Mamluks to begin their attack. It came like a flash flood, with very little warning and devastating results. The clanging of metal to metal and iron to flesh was immediately heard, mingled with the horrible sounds of bodies hitting the ground. Cries of pain and groans of war echoed in Jasmine's head. It was horrible and nauseating, but despite the terrible noise, she kept her concentration well.

Before she even realized what had happened, she was suddenly separated from Aladdin in the battle. Each time she tried to move closer to Aladdin, another line of Mamluks would force her back. Genie was doing the best he could and was clearing away most of the undead, but for every advance that he made, it seemed to her that double the number of Mamluks would suddenly appeared.

Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead as she decapitated another Mamluk and she began to feel her breath come out quicker and her heart race in her chest. Because the Mamluks were undead, they didn't have to worry about fatigue or pain like humans did; that's where they had the advantage.

Jasmine's doubts of winning were becoming stronger as the battle ensued, but each time she turned her attention for a moment to Aladdin who was caught up in the fight, her hopes would soar to new heights.

Then, a massive wave of Mamluks suddenly appeared around her, forcing her to withdrawal slightly and let them gain a slight advantage. Rasoul was near her, fending off most of the undead before they had time to reach her. More and more Mamluks were appearing, steadily weakening her tired arms and causing her to back up more and more.

When a pause seemed to clear the area for just a split second, she looked for Aladdin. When she caught a glimpse of him, he was rushing towards her, fear dominating his every move and glance as he approached her. Before she could find out what caused his worry, another batch of Mamluks started their attack on her, switching her concentration.

Before she knew it, she heard a loud twang from behind, one that only a heavy and massive sword would create as it was being unsheathed. A freezing wave of chilling air cast over her back like ice being formed on her very skin, draining and sucking the life out of her spine and up to her heart. As she sliced at the last Mamluks in her path, she turned in time to see Mozenrath position behind her, a sword shadowing the sun from her view.

He held the sword higher and the sun glinted of the silver metal, streaking bright rays into her eyes. She was too stunned and disoriented to think or move. Time ceased and everything froze in its place. She stared into Mozenrath's burning eyes and saw the hate and anger that consumed his very soul and damned him to the furthest regions of Hell.

Jasmine watched as his lips moved and he shouted, "Agrabah is mine!" As he lifted the sword even further, he paused and he winked devilishly at her. She screamed as he brought the sword down on her and covered her head desperately, but did not pierce her skin. She didn't even notice her eyes were closed until she realized how dark it had become for no reason.

Finding the will and strength to open her eyes and see what had become of Mozenrath and why he didn't reach her, she gasped in complete and utter terror. Aladdin was at her side, kneeling very still like he was a glass statue, with his hands at his stomach and his eyes staring at the far off dunes. That's when she saw the blood.

It came like a rushing stream, soaking his clothes and covering the black sand with his crimson blood. Mozenrath's sword was streaked in the liquid, dripping slightly from the tip and onto the sand as he watched the scene with pleasure.

Jasmine's shrieks of horror and cries of worry and pain were stopped by the lump that had formed in her throat. She crouched down to him the instant he started to waver and caught him from hitting the ground. She lowered him gently and minded the wound in his upper abdomen.

Blood. There was blood everywhere. Coming from everything. It seemed that blood was even coming from his clothes where it had soaked up and could be wrung out like a sponge. What could she do? How could she save him?

"Hang on, you're going to be all right." Jasmine whispered when she found the voice. Her unknown teardrops were falling onto his vest, making the purple tinted cloth become even darker. She was shaking and trembling at the sight of him, feeling even worse that she caused it. "You're not going to die, do you hear me!?" She said in his ear with the thread of her last hope.

It seemed that he was dazed, in a far off land. His eyes were glazed over, the beautiful brown color was faded and a paler gray formed in his iris. Blood began to trickle from his mouth as convulsions started and wracked his body violently. With his last remaining strength, Aladdin turned slightly and whispered to Jasmine in the barest of voice, "Forever." He said with passion and longing. "I love you."

He turned his head as it slumped in her arms and closed his eyes. Aladdin took his last breath and was still. Jasmine stared down at him and begged for him to awake. She shook him very lightly, trying to stir him, not wanting to even think about believing he was gone. He couldn't be gone! No, it was too unreal to happen.

Jasmine couldn't move. She stayed where she was, still and unbelieving, almost like a reflex; that if she didn't move, it would be all right. She couldn't comprehend what was happening, her mind wouldn't process it, nor want to. She tried to call his out his name, but her voice was again stuck in her throat and all she could do was mumble incoherently.

A strong wind blew around them, sending sand and dirt into the air and covering her long hair in filth, sticking to Aladdin's blood like paper on paste. She didn't notice the layer of dust that covered her or anyone else, her mind was solely focused on Aladdin's still form. Genie appeared next to her suddenly, his eyes beginning to tear and a few short sniffles escaped him. If he was giving up...

"Aladdin. Please move, please." Jasmine begged silently when she found she could not say the words out loud. "Please Allah!" Jasmine wanted to wake up, she wanted to believe it was all some horrible nightmare and she would wake up and find Aladdin on her balcony, waiting for her.

Mozenrath began to speak, but she didn't hear his words, they fell on her deaf ears. Her attention was on Aladdin, the broken hero of her dreams before her.

"He should've learned to be more careful." He said, the words starting to sink in. "Too bad, I was hoping for more of a challenge out of him. And to die protecting a princess." Jasmine stared at Mozenrath and felt her pulse increase and her face grow hot.

"You!" She growled. "You black hearted jackal!" She screamed and ran after him. Before she could sink her nails into him, tear him limb from limb, unleash lions and tigers on him; to make him feel the pain she did inside, he had disappeared and so did Aladdin's body and all of the Mamluks that fought in the battle. The war had stopped suddenly and everyone from Agrabah surrounded Jasmine and where Aladdin had been, but she paid no attention to them. Jasmine was completely unconscious of what was happening, she didn't want to believe any of it. It couldn't be true. It couldn't. Why would fate be so cruel and unforgiving? Why was Aladdin dead when Mozenrath held the sword?

She didn't remember anything else that happened that day, it was too much of a horrible blur. The only thing she did remember was waking up the next morning, her pillow soaked from her tears and remembering the battle that took Aladdin's life and the sorcerer she would kill for it.


~*~ Chapter Two ~*~

Three weeks had passed since that day. As Jasmine thought back to her last conversation with him, she realized with pure sadness, that today she would've been his bride and began a new life with him. Now, that life would never happen and she would have to go on alone, into her bleak and lonely future.

The stars came out in the sky like small pinpoints that some talented artist had made; each precise and careful on a beautiful blackened canvas. But ... she had no appreciation for such art, and instead sneered upon it. She turned her back on the sky and walked solemnly to her room.

For days after his death, she didn't eat, sleep or talk; she couldn't bring herself to speak with anyone that reminded her of him. Genie and the gang became distant from her, trapped on the other side of the wall that she had built between them. She never left the palace, as every step into the marketplace reminded her of their first meeting. Her entire life had become a living memory, filled with flashbacks of excitement and fun, adventure and love; still reminders that they would never happen again.


Jasmine sat down, almost mechanically, on her divan and stared at the curtain before her, not really focusing on anything. Rajah came up to her and nuzzled her leg before whimpering slightly and sinking down to the floor. Jasmine stroked his head lightly and then returned to her empty thoughts.

A knock was suddenly made at her door, but Jasmine didn't move, nor flinch at the sudden sound. The knock repeated and an old voice cleared on the other side before talking.

"Jasmine? Dearest?" Her father asked quietly as if he was careful not to wake her if she were asleep. "May I come in?" She was surprised that he actually waited for a response. She hadn't talked in weeks, what made him think that she'd do so now? The door opened after a still moment behind her and her father stepped forward.

"Jasmine. Please talk to me." He begged as he approached her. Jasmine still didn't move. After a few silent moments shared between them, he swallowed and spoke. "I understand what you're going through, I lost your mother at a very young age and I still have yet to recover fully."

Jasmine didn't mean to, but the anger she had pent up for three weeks was suddenly unleashed, and on the last person she wanted to do so on. "What do you mean you understand!?" It was so strange to hear her own voice, especially in that tone.

After three weeks of silence, she almost thought she had forgotten how to speak. "How could you!? You and Mother were married and had me before she died, I didn't even get to walk up the alter! I didn't get to start a life with him, or even have a final chance to tell him how much he meant to me. I lost so much with him, more than anyone could ever believe. I died that day!"

The Sultan was silent until he was sure that Jasmine was done. She was trembling with anger and of her emotions that finally began to flow out. When he did speak, it was low, quiet and sincere. "I'm very sorry, Dearest. I know how important he was to you." He came up to her and wrapped her in a loving hug. At first, Jasmine was unsure of what to do; a hug was like a foreign object. But then, desperately longing for love and family again, she encircled him in her arms and embraced him tightly.

"Oh Father," She whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "What am I going to do?" She asked him, clinging onto him, never wanting to let go of the safety in his arms. "How can I go on?"

"You have to take it one day at a time and learn for yourself that he's never gone. He'll always be with you. Thank Allah for the time he blessed you together and for letting you both meet in the first place. That truly was an act of Allah that you met, be happy for that." He said as they broke their embrace. He wiped away the fresh tears that Jasmine wept and slightly smiled reassuringly. "I'm sorry this happened, Dearest. I truly am." He kissed her cheek and headed for the door.

"Thank you Father." She whispered.

He nodded lightly and left her room, shutting the door behind him. Jasmine cleared her tears and was stunned that she was shedding any in the first place. She cleared her throat and sat down on her bed. Jasmine reached for her crown that she had set on her nightstand and cleaned off the dust that had settled on it after the weeks of ignoring it.

She didn't want to think about her status or her place in society anymore. She didn't want to be thought of as a Princess anymore, it was too hard to think about. For every time she began to think about being a Princess, her immediate thought was when she would become Sultana, but without her loving Sultan at her side.

Her father never brought up the fact that she would have to see suitors again and pick someone she would marry, just imagining herself walking up to the wedding pavilion and seeing some stranger on her arm set her mind in a downward spiral and caused her heart to throb in pain. It hurt too much to think about weddings, Agrabah and even her own life. Everything reminded her of him, everything! It wasn't fair! How could she go on and live her life when he was her life!?

Jasmine felt her temper burst as she flung her crown to the other side of her room where it slammed into the marble wall and clanged to the floor. It spun in a circle before silently resting on the ground. Jasmine crossed her arms and leaned forward in hopes that her bundled emotions would leave her and take the fear and coldness with it.

She didn't want to live the way she was anymore. She wanted to laugh and feel love and happiness again, but knew deep inside that it would never happen to her. Everything was over and for some reason, Allah took Aladdin from her in an instant. She would never have the warmth of his arms around hers again, feel his soft lips on hers, or know what it was like to wake up every morning with him sleeping soundly at her side.

All of her thoughts were eating her up inside; she couldn't take it anymore. Why did this have to happen? Why did she have to loose him? It wasn't fair! It wasn't! "Why Allah, why? What did we do to deserve this?" Jasmine stood and went back out to her balcony and without even thinking, she ran over to the balustrade and looked down at the ground beneath her. The trees were so small compared to the height she was at; the ground seemed like a million miles away.

Jasmine made sure her balance was steady and slowly placed one foot onto the stone railing before heaving herself up and joining the first foot with the other. She put her arms out to steady herself and closed her eyes. A cold current of wind whipped at her hair and tousled her clothes. When she her balance became perfect, she opened her eyes again and looked down once more. This was the way out; it was the door to Aladdin. She wasn't going to wait years before she could be with him, she wasn't even going to wait seconds; she was going now.

Jasmine said a silent prayer in her mind, sending apologies to her Father and Agrabah for what she was about to do, and hoped that she would be granted forgiveness. Life had betrayed her, so she was leaving it.

Memories of her friends and Father came rushing into her mind. Adventures shared with them and Aladdin were played over and over; small tidbits of words she spoke flashed like lightning. One stood out in particular where she spoke with Abu, replaying without an end.

// "I can live as a snake, but I can't live without Aladdin.

Can't live without Aladdin.

Can't live without Aladdin.

Aladdin.

CAN'T LIVE.

CAN'T!//

Just as she was going to lean forward and fall to her fate, she heard a startled gasp from behind, causing her to turn suddenly at the noise. Her balance unraveled as her slippers lost their traction and so, she fell backwards, off the balcony railing and down towards the ground. Before she reached the hard, unforgiving ground, a soft fabric came under her and wrapped around her body to prevent her fall further.

Jasmine's eyes fluttered open and she focused on Carpet, who had stopped her decent and saved her life. Without waiting for any words from Jasmine, he flew back up to the balcony and gently set her down.

"Jas, are you okay?" Genie asked as he placed his hands on Jasmine's shoulders; she nodded weakly. "It's a good thing Carpet caught you in time, whew! What were you doing up there in the first place?" He asked as he led them back into her room. She fought the urge inside her to run back out to the railing and finish the job.

She noticed Abu and Iago were with Carpet and Genie, but because they were so silent and out of character, she didn't realize they were there until the group had reached her room. It was almost completely dark outside and Jasmine had only two candles lit, so the room was dimly illuminated.

"We just came to see how you've been. We haven't seen you in a while." Genie said quietly, lacking his normal enthusiasm. He sat down on Carpet who was hovering over by Jasmine and sighed. He was unsure of what to say at a time like that, he was completely devastated after losing his best friend and was currently fighting back tears, and so he had no idea what Jasmine was going through after losing her true love.

Jasmine remained silent and made very little eye contact with the group, shutting herself out again. She wanted to be alone, she wanted to be kept from thinking about anyone or anything. Still, they stayed and surrounded her. Abu whined sadly at her side while Iago sighed mournfully.

Genie's face lit up a little bit and he began to talk again. "You know, we were thinking about going on a little trip, getting out of Agrabah for a few days. Maybe go to some oasis or something. Would you like to come? You can get out of the palace...."

The last sentence rang in Jasmine's mind as she snapped her head up and heard repeatedly in her ears, "We could get out of the palace, see the world..." Over and over it played, never stopping and becoming louder each time around. It was like her last replaying thought, but this one was ceaseless and deafening. She shook her head slightly as if in a trance and tried to clear the thought. Warm tears flooded her eyes and nearly fell before she wiped them away.

"Please go away." She stated finally, as the words inside her mind became quieter and eventually stopped. "Just let me be alone, please." Jasmine turned her head and blocked her eyes from seeing them leave. They obeyed her wishes and left her alone. Genie wanted to stay and keep her away from the balcony railing again, but after seeing the look in her frightened eyes when she first tried, he knew she wouldn't try it again. He didn't know why, but something told him why inside himself.

When they were gone, Jasmine let out a shaky sigh and glanced at the balcony, feeling embarrassed for being caught where she was. Jasmine shook her head at her foolishness and scolded her attempts. She knew that Aladdin would never forgive her if she did that, and she didn't think she would either. Taking her own life would've proved how vain and selfish she was acting.

"Oh Aladdin," She whispered, her voice cracking slightly as her throat tightened and her eyes burned with wet new tears. "Why did this have to happen? We were supposed to be together forever. You were the last person who deserved this. I wish I could just see you once more, tell you how much I love you, how much you mean to me." Jasmine paused and looked at the picture of Aladdin that sat on her vanity. "Please Allah, take me. I want to be with him. Please."

She sat there, not really expecting an answer, but hoping for one. Without warning, her thoughts drifted to Aladdin's last moments when she stood motionless in the crowd and saw Mozenrath's burning eyes with hate. She sneered at the thought and felt bile rise into her throat as she thought of Aladdin's murderer.

He was the cause of all her pain and emptiness. Why was he still living in his kingdom when Aladdin was dead? Again the fairness flew from reason. He deserved to die a more painful death than even imaginable. Because of his blackened heart, Aladdin was dead and her spirit was as well.

Jasmine's face became red with anger and she clenched her teeth. "He's going to pay for what he's done." Jasmine said as she hurried over to her closet and put her Ram-Jazz outfit on. The layer of filth and dust from the wind that had happened after Mozenrath's attack was still clear on her clothes and flashbacks of the day came back to her in snippets. A small patch of his blood that had dried, left a muddy crimson print. Jasmine ran her fingers over it and forced her thoughts away.

She grabbed her sword and whip and walked over to her vanity before picking up the picture of Aladdin and stared at it forlornly. "I promise Aladdin, I'm going to make him pay for what he did to you, what he did to us." She lightly kissed the picture and left her room, unsure if she would ever return, or join Aladdin in the afterlife.

She crept in the moonlight, down the corridors and to the stables where she picked out her horse and set off into the night for the Land of the Black Sands. As the horse galloped through the sand dunes and over the hills and flatlands, she felt meaning in her life for the first time in weeks. She had a reason to live, and that reason was to see to it that Mozenrath didn't.


~*~ Chapter Three ~*~

Jasmine's horse sat atop a shimmering golden dune that began to twist and weave it's way into the bleak slate sands of Mozenrath's kingdom. The sun rose behind her, but the brilliant and assuring rays were depressingly blocked by sable clouds that circled ominously above her head. Despite the growing doubt that was slowly diminishing her hopes, she whacked the reins she held fiercely and raced over the border.

The gloomy and dismal clouds above her and the growing pitch black sand that seemed to increase with every clomp of a hoof beat, followed her on as she rode into the kingdom. When she made her way over a final dune, she was left to look at Mozenrath's malicious castle that sat wickedly over the placid city below. A light flooded from a single skull shaped window that seemed to be lit by a burning candle. The flame flickered as a strong wind blew over the kingdom and ruffled her clothes and tousled her hair as well.

With her whip once again snugly fastened to her hip and her sword gleaming in the eerie passing moonlight, Jasmine felt ready for anything. Alone to face the demon of a sorcerer, Jasmine's mind, unwillingly and out of her control, flashed and raced through her last encounter in the Land of the Black Sand when Aladdin's life was taken.

Pictures, sounds, feelings; everything was a rush, but she didn't hear anything, she couldn't remember the cries of war or what she or anyone else said. Jasmine couldn't remember any sounds that reached her ears; all she could hear was her blood rushing to her head and the loud thumping that vibrated in her chest. The tears that ran tepidity down her cheeks sounded like a rushing stream and her own cries and thoughts were blocked out of her head as she solely focused on Aladdin.

Jasmine was suddenly snapped from her reverie quite harshly as a thunderclap banged over head and illuminated the sky in a surpassing moment. She brushed away stray tears with annoyance before they shed and took in a steady deep breath. This was the time. There was no turning back. Not now ... not ever again.

Jasmine's anger rose as she looked over the home of the nefarious ruler that had been so often seen to show his destructive hand. She could feel nothing but complete loathing and utter despair all at once. For now, she was left to solemnly face the murderer who took Aladdin's life and her soul as well. Deep inside her, Jasmine knew that no matter how much damage she was going to succeed on accomplishing upon Mozenrath, it would never bring Aladdin back. A frown smothered her face.

Jasmine spurred her horse with anger and galloped wildly into the city. The clomping of the horse echoed with a dead pulse through the alleyways and deserted homes and buildings. The reins she whacked cracked as hard as a thousand raging lightning bolts in a sea of war and burning fire.

As she approached the castle gates, Jasmine felt a sudden twinge down her spine as she realized that no Mamluks had risen and tried to stop her barrage. Was he expecting her? Or was she going to take him by surprise buy not be detected and alone? Jasmine dismounted her steed and tied the reins snugly to an old wilting tree that stood quite a ways down from the entrance. She stroked his nuzzle and rubbed his nose affectionately before continuing on foot.

When Jasmine reached the twin snake doors that had been carved and painted on with such thorough detail, she felt a lump rise in her throat that burned with bile and contempt. Swallowing, Jasmine lightly pushed on the heavy deadwood doors and winced as the old rusted hinges fought to hold on to the massive gates. Once open, Jasmine stepped through and jumped slightly as they suddenly shut behind her with an echoing slam.

A chill greeted her once the doors were closed and felt like snow was being constantly rubbed up and down her spine. She brushed away the feeling and stepped cautiously through the hallway, minding her own footsteps that made small pats on the dingy marble floor. Silently she crept into a capacious passageway, choosing it solely based upon a guess.

As Jasmine carefully walked along the hall, she passed an open window in which the sinister moon had a second's chance to slip through the charcoal clouds that constantly circled above. The light shined onto the impassioned red carpet, and was blocked for a moment's time as Jasmine's shadow absorbed the illuminating light.

Murals and large portraits lined the hallway, each eloquently gloating the rulers captured within the oils and paints. They, no doubt, passed easily through their lifetime, simply base on their mindless servants and their excessive riches and wealth. While Jasmine completely despised rulers such as those, she also knew that they all had a different baneful power they possessed rather than just their status and place. A shiver shattered up her arms and legs, racing into her heart and splitting into goose bumps as her heart pumped it back out. She gazed into a portrait and realized in aghast fear that the irises of the man were completely black and somber. Life was an expression on that man that must have possessed within a single mood.

Walking somewhat more briskly through the hall and failing to keep her eyes concentrated on the passage and not the paintings, she was finally nearing and end to the memorable hall. As she gazed upon the last one, she could hardly make out the name that was intricately carved in a delicate cursive, forever instilled into the oak frame; it read as "Destane". Remembering fragments of learning some history of Mozenrath, she stared up at the man before her, his memory only living on in the dust covered fresco canvas.

A shuffle of paper snapped her attention and drew her to the door that was steering her to at the end of the hall. A beam of light slanted from the cracked opening and lit up that corner of the oppressive corridor. Jasmine crept closer and peered into the room through the slim and abiding crack. She felt her face harden, her brow crinkle down, and her tongue taste nothing but distaste when her eyes fell upon Mozenrath who was casually looking into a book.

She placed her hand on the rusted doorknob and planned on making her move into the room. Without even lifting his gaze from the book he was into, Mozenrath's brow lifted slightly with curiosity and he spoke very quietly with a hint of amusement entwined with scold. "You know," he said, matter-of-factly, "It is very rude to hang in doorways."

Jasmine felt her feet step back a few inches and her breath caught desperately in her throat as it threatened to stop her breathing. Now that she was detected and there was no use in running, nor want to, she defiantly shoved the door open with much malice and stepped through. She let a stray breath escape when she realized she was still holding onto her surprised gasp.

"What brings you to my humble home, Princess?" Mozenrath's mouth twisted into a ruthless smile as he shut the book he was reading with a loud snap as the pages were slapped together. He rose from his chair and circled from behind his desk, emerging only to lean against the crumbling edges of the old rotting desk.

Jasmine's voice turned to sap and clung to the sides of her throat, disabling her from speaking. She tried to swallow the constricting force that was tightening her windpipe, but failed to clear enough to open her airway and polish off the glue that mended to the sides of her vocal cords.

When she did not speak, but instead stood frozen and silent, Mozenrath shifted. Her eyes bore into his without wavering and held her ground. He smiled again as he crossed his arms over his chest and glanced her over once more. She had changed since the last time he saw her, her eyes rigid and hard; no longer compassionate or warm, completely lacking the youth of an eager child he had once seen in her.

Her knuckles were white at her side, her body stiff and rough. Her clothes were rumpled and her hair was a disaster compared to the normal perfect due she always seemed to have graced her head. Jasmine's crown was missing. An identity crisis, he smiled, perhaps he would have to remind her just who she was and what was expected of her.

Still, as the silence began to deafen him, she didn't speak. Feeling uneasy without words in the air to turn against her, Mozenrath tried a different tactic. "Well, I doubt you came here to stare me down all night, so there must be something that's making you travel so far." He paused and put his gloved index finger to his lips and let his eyes wander in thought. When his eyes lit as if he discovered a hidden memory, he shifted. "Oh, I know, it must be about that little street rat."

The cruel impassiveness that rang in his voice and the nonchalant movements he made to disregard the subject made her blood boil. Her nails dug into her palms once again and she felt the dense throb from her fingers and the sting from the new wounds she had marked upon herself. She hadn't realized her jaw was tightly clenched and locked until it started to pulse with pain. Her teeth were grinding together slowly as her temper rose beyond unmarkable levels.

"You should thank me for putting him out of his misery, the world has one less rat to worry about and you are rid of him." He passed it off with a wave. "Besides, now you can find an actual Prince, Oh. You do know you're going to have to find someone new, what with you being the only heir to your kingdom and all. Well, now you can find someone with something to offer you; money and wealth. Why would you want trash like that street rat? He was a good-for-nothing and you should be thanking me."

Jasmine couldn't control her rage any longer and suddenly let the gates open and unleashed her furious emotions. Teeth clenched and adrenaline rushing, Jasmine ran full force for Mozenrath. Catching him off guard, she sank her dagger nails into the flesh of his arm, instantly being flung to the ground as he recoiled in pain. As blood began to seep down the side of his arm, Mozenrath's gauntlet was all ready gaining power.

Fueled by his anger, the glove soon grew to a mesmerizing violet shade that glossed over and around the gauntlet. Jasmine got up quickly and ran at him again, this time slashing her nails down his cheek, creating three long scratches that immediately swam with fresh blood. Taken aback by the pain and his concentration wavering, he began to power his glove again. Jasmine tried to move in time when she noticed he was ready, but couldn't make it out of range before a stabbing feeling shot through her body and wracked her violently to the ground.

Curled in a fetal position, Jasmine awaited another blast, but it never came. When she looked up at Mozenrath, he just looked right back at her; blood streaming slowly from the three slashed cuts. When she finally found her legs and was able to use her strength to stand, she was greeted none so pleasantly by another bolt to the floor that shattered into her mind and caused her vision to blur.

While she figured Mozenrath thought she was holding her side in pain, she was actually getting a firm grip on her sword. When the adrenaline was flowing once again, she unsheathed it and dove for him, aiming for his abdomen. With dismay, she missed her target as he flung another fire blast towards her that rammed into her with force and a crushing weight.

Not giving him the satisfaction of falling to the ground once again, she fought desperately to hold her ground. Her stance wavered and faulted, but she didn't meet the floor. Her other hand slid down by the crisp handle of her leather whip. With venom and a stormy rush, she uncoiled the whip and lashed it out.

Instead of striking him with it, he simply caught it in his gloved hand and gave it a gentle tug. Realizing too late what was happening, she tried desperately to undo her hand from the tangle of the whip. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Really, Princess, You should've learned by now." With that, he let loose his beam of power that traveled within seconds down the whip and directly into Jasmine.

The shock of the blast and the hurtling wave of pain, fatigue and deja vu, sent her slamming into a wall of smoldering heat that burned from inside. Her scream danced in her throat as she slumped to the ground in a heavy heap. Dazed, Jasmine tried to raise herself, but her arms and legs both weakened, she was unable to push herself from the floor. Mozenrath towered over her, his wicked smile gleaming and splitting into her like a three foot razor.

"Princesses shouldn't play with such dangerous toys, they could get hurt." As he spoke the last of those words, with a fever he brought down the whip and slammed it into Jasmine's leg. Her entire body tightened with the crack, her back curving and her leg's muscle began to throb. She gripped her leg within her hands, but nothing she could do seemed to help.

The hot sensation ripped through Jasmine and tore through her heart, sending violent shockwaves through her body. She tried to scream in absolute torture; to release some of the pent up agony, but all she could let out was a strangled whimper. A burning crease felt like it was melting down her skin to the bone and leaving nothing but charred skin in it's wake. When she thought she could bare no more, the whip came down with another destructive blow, terribly over the original wound.

Jasmine wouldn't give him the benefit to see her cry. Even though tears were all ready swimming in her eyes and her sobs threatened to choke her if she didn't release them, she held it in, desperate to keep her emotions inside and not let a single tear roll down her cheek and reveal a weak, small, frightened girl to him. She was alone now and had no one to count on to save her. No hero to dash to her side and hold her in his arms. No hero. He was gone. All because of the monster before her.

Jasmine's pants were slashed at the contact point and through the ripped fabric, Mozenrath saw her skin red and blistering; radiating from the immense heat. Grinning in pleasure from seeing her pain, Mozenrath hovered over her, sneering down at her through his empty and hollowed eyes. He didn't think she would make such an impact on him, but the stinging pang in his cheek and down his arm was a constant reminder that she wasn't as fragile or as frail as he thought her to be.

Without another thought or a single doubtful wire in his mind, Mozenrath charged his gauntlet once again. Jasmine was straining and gasping against the pain beneath him, twisting and wincing. He didn't feel a fiber of sympathy. Bringing the glove back and above his head, his eyes met with Jasmine's for a suspended moment before he brought it down on her with as much force as he could muster.

Jasmine didn't even have time to scream.


Chapter Four

Jasmine opened her eyes into a searing white light that seemed threatened to pull her in. She winced away as her eyes failed to open in her first attempt, but cooperated more with a second try. She rubbed them weakly, still squinting against the pure blinding light that, even with her eyes closed, burned. She uneasily stood and almost stumbled back down before an arm gently caught her.

"Easy, you wouldn't want to get a crease in that dress." A familiar voice eased behind her as he helped her to stand. Jasmine spun around with wonder and amazement as she turned face to face with Aladdin. He was smiling handsomely at her, dressed dashingly in his very best clothes, topped with his purple turban snugly on his head and the gold and violet robes she had seen him in more than once.

She glanced down at her ensemble; a white and elegant dress that was beautifully crested with sparkling round diamonds and flowed as a snowy river behind her. A wedding dress. She didn't understand, this was all so impossible; but yet she didn't have the heart to question.

"Wha…" She tried to talk, but as she blindly gazed around the ballroom, she made out family faces and lifelong friends that were spinning around the room. A song was playing; so loud, and yet beautiful, she couldn't imagine how she hadn't noticed it at first. "How is this real?" She mumbled more to herself than anyone. The guests that danced around the ballroom seemed unfazed by her rise from the marble floor or her second near fall. It was almost like they didn't even know she was there. As if they didn't matter.

Then she realized they didn't. Jasmine's mind couldn't comprehend everything. Aladdin was dead. She watched him die in front of her very own eyes, so how was this even remotely possible? Jasmine's head began to throb and she wavered yet again. Aladdin took her unsteady hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Everything was so perfect here, what was happening? Reality escaped her and she felt the strong urge to just accept and enjoy.

"Am I dead?" She wondered aloud, Aladdin smiled gently back; his statement changing very little by her blunt question. It would be the only thing to make sense. She and Aladdin were supposed to married, of course and here... //That was an old dream; it's out of reach now. This is never going to happen, at least, not in life.// She reminded herself with a slight sigh.

"Come dance with me." He said to her, leading her out slowly onto the middle of the dance floor. The marble gleamed of the burning candles mounted on the walls and in the chandeliers that dangled above them. The guests that were dancing gracefully around them, parted and stood still on the sides of the floor, all eyes were on her and Aladdin. As she took less and less notice of them, they began to slowly fade off into the horizon, leaving her and Aladdin alone to the harmonious music.

"… But, how is this possible?" Jasmine asked as they started to slow dance to a new melody that sounded vaguely familiar. As a few cords were struck and a couple instruments were added, she recognized the sound to be that of the song her and Aladdin had sang on their very first magical date. Her heart began to pound against her ribcage and the adrenaline was rushing to her head.

"Just trust me." Aladdin whispered in her ear as he pulled her closer. "Trust me." His words began to repeat over and over, gently weaving into her ear.

"I trust you." She replied in the barest of whispers and shut her eyes. She let Aladdin lead her in the dance, swaying softly together to the gently harmony. The feel of him was so real, so there. His body was strong as he held her, warm and tender. She wanted nothing more than to stay in his arms forever, never leave his gently embrace.

"Aladdin, I never got to tell you. I never got to say that I --" Jasmine's words were stopped at the tip of her tongue as Aladdin put a finger to her mouth and silenced her. His loving brown eyes seemed to dance as they locked with her's. "Aladdin ..." She sighed and felt a hot tears sting her eyes.

"Jasmine." His voice had a faint echo that covered it as it slowly began to fade and become distant. Jasmine shut her eyes and clung to him as a last attempt to keep him with her. She buried herself in the crook of his neck and inhaled the scent of him, treasuring it as she held him. He was leaving her again.

"Please don't go. Don't leave me. Please. No." She whispered in his chest. He held her very tight and caressed her hair and the small of her back. His words still repeated to her as he disappeared and left her alone on the floor. Jasmine searched for him, but there was nothing but a white void that began to increase and suddenly consumed her.


"Don't leave me." Jasmine mumbled into the carpet that was pressed to the side of her face. "Please." The plea stretched the contours of her face and made her wince slightly. A new headache had taken over from the daze one she had recently experienced. What was happening now? Jasmine drowsily lifted her heavy head off the floor and felt a throbbing pain that seared on her leg.

"It's about time you woke up." Mozenrath's cruel voice spoke from behind her. As she craned her neck around, she looked at him as he leaned against the corner of his desk, arms folded and his head cocked to the side. He had an annoyed statement mixed vaguely with an amused one. He casually walked over to her and sneered down upon her. A gesture Jasmine was beginning to get used to.

"Just get it over with and kill me." Jasmine hissed with venom. After the recent dream, she had an even larger void in her heart and a stronger yearning to join him. Seeing what could've been, made everything she had traveled there for seem worthwhile. To regain some of her composure, she sat up and rubbed her raw cheek that had been on the carpet for, who knew how long.

"Princess. Do you really think I would just end your life," He snapped his fingers together and smirked. "...like that? Especially when you ask for it? Please, what kind of man do you take me for?"

"I take you for a coward." Jasmine said with much more bravado than she felt well inside of her. With her energy drained and her spirit diminished, she had no idea what she was getting to or why she was bothering. But still, something was burning inside of her the pushed her on; to walk over the line and keep going without return. "A man who hides behind his magic and lacks true bravery and courage that he claims to hold."

"I would watch what I say, if I were you." Mozenrath warned as his blood steamed to his gauntlet and caused it to automatically glow a violet haze.

"Mozenrath, you're nothing but a weak, inconsequential, low and vial snake that deserves everything you shall get; a painful and horrible death." Her voice was low and raging, her temper hot and reeling. Straining from the pressure on her leg, Jasmine found the fuel in her rage to stand against the pain and face him. "When you took this kingdom, you betrayed the man who taught you. He was weak and old, unable to battle you. But, even though you claim to be the most powerful sorcerer in the Seven Deserts, you are no more powerful than the words you speak; vain and shallow!"

Mozenrath felt his mouth twist into and angry frown and a feral snarl escaped his throat as he slashed his gauntlet in front of her face, sending her sprawling once again to the floor. Jasmine gasped and coughed from the blow, but did not take long before she rose to her feet once again and stared him down. "Jasmine, I'm warning you." To illustrate his point, Mozenrath lifted his glove and let the azure glow return to it.

"No, I'm warning you. I'm warning you of all the gruesome and malevolent deeds that shall not go unpunished, once left by your hand. You kill without thought, without consequence and without mercy. You deserve to die over and over, for each death you have caused." Jasmine's hands shook slightly in the balled fists they remained in at her side. Her nails cut into her palms and a trickle of blood escaped her tightened hand.

"And why am I the one to be punished, Princess?" His voice was suddenly unnaturally calm and cool. Mozenrath cleared his throat and squared his shoulders. The glow was slowly draining from the gauntlet and weakening the inclement glow. "Haven't you realized yet? Haven't you thought of who really killed Aladdin?"

Jasmine's placid face suddenly changed as her brow furrowed in confusion. "Mind games won't work on me, Mozenrath. So don't even try." She stepped back as he stepped towards her. Her voice wavered slightly, and she was sure he heard it.

"You haven't figured it out, have you?" He smiled at her befuddled statement. "Let's think about this, shall we? Remind me Jasmine, who was it that Aladdin took the dagger for? Who was too absorbed in what was happening, they didn't react or block what was coming? Who trembled in the face of danger and showed her true cowardly face? You Jasmine. You."

"Stop it. Stop it!" Jasmine's heart was beating so fast and violently, she thought she might throw it up with the bout of queasiness that threatened to make her fall. Her knees buckled and caused her to sway, her palms were sweaty and stung as it flowed into her self inflicted cut that already was burning in her hand.

"What's a matter, Princess? Can't face the truth. Don't you see? He was just trying to protect you, trying to save you from me. Which, in the past, you have shown to be able to take care of yourself, so what happened? Why did you freeze and allow Aladdin to take something that was meant for you?"

His words sliced into her and cut out her throbbing heart; shredding it to pieces. Her face was white and perspiration covered in a slick and cold dew across her brow. Jasmine's stomach was in knots and constantly became tighter and tighter. She clutched her side as her vision began to blur and double of everything was dancing before her eyes. "Stop it." She said again, but it was faint and strangled.

"Stop what? From telling you what you've known since that day? The truth?" He walked closer to her; only a mere foot separated them. He sneered down upon her glossy eyes and felt a twitch in his mouth that was struggling to become a smile. "The blame is solely upon you. Get it now, Princess? Aladdin is dead because of you."


~*~ Chapter 5 ~*~

"How dare you!" Were the first words that sprang from Jasmine's lips. Nothing else could come to mind to keep Mozenrath from seeing how distraught she really was. Even while she kept the flame of fire and anger swirling tightly together in her eyes as she bore them into him, she felt the world around her blur and spin. She needed to sit down, she needed to think, she needed to forget.

Everything was replaying inside her head, the pictures we permanently stained and burned into her memory, never to be erased or omitted. Everything that Mozenrath had said was true, it was all falling into place piece by agonizing piece. What could've been done, the openings that had risen, the words she could've spoken; they were all there. Tears scorched her eyes and guilt stung her throat as she fought desperately to block the tears from falling. She couldn't show weakness now, not to him, not to anyone.

"You are nothing but a jackal." Her voice forced through her clenched teeth, her breath low and covered with denial for what she began to believe as her own fault. "A Jackal," She continued and took a bold step closer to him, the burning sensation inside her gut whispered murderous thoughts into her mind and wove and taunted until she wasn't sure how long she could possibly restrain herself. "You travel the deserts and pray on the vulnerable, the lost, and the weak."

"Oh my heart is just breaking." He retorted and walked away from her, turning his back and strolling near a shelf of books. "Please, spare me the propaganda."

Jasmine continued on as if he had said nothing at all. "You are nothing but what you destroy, the very lives you have ended are nothing but a mirror image of the pain you will find when your time comes. When the world will turn the tables ... everything you have earned through cheated ways and sins will fall through your grasp like sand. You deserve nothing but to feel the same wrath you have brought upon others, only intensified until you truly understand the meaning of Hell."

"I'm warning you Princess, you're treading on dangerous ground and are pushing me further and further with each word you speak. Remember, you're trespassing on my Kingdom and I don't tolerate that very well." Mozenrath let his gauntlet glow a steady emerald to illustrate his point before letting it simmer and cool.

Jasmine ignored the warning and blocked out any traces of fear she felt welling. "Your Kingdom? How did you acquire that? By building it with your bare hands? By leading a faithful army to overcome a kingdom and claim it in Allah's name? By actually earning it? No, you murdered the one who taught you, in cold blood, you slain him. And to this day, you believed that you are an all powerful sorcerer, magical and with it, and can somehow achieve immortality. You are a jackal."

The blast came so powerful and quick, Jasmine had no time to react but to brace the pain as it shot through her body and convulsed her to the floor. Gripping her head as it throbbed in time with her pounding heart, Jasmine took a deep breath and steadied herself before rising.

"I suppose you think you're brave? Coming here and trying to face me down. What makes you think you actually have a chance? I am powerful, I am magical and will rule the Seven Deserts. And when I do, you shall cower before me." He smiled despite the gleam from Jasmine and the feral glint in her eye.

"You are nothing."

"But what are you, exactly? This from the 'Princess' who let her fiancee die in her place. How very brave you are." He said with mirth outlining his words. He was finding this all so amusing and entertaining, Jasmine felt the power inside her build up so strongly she suddenly felt she could've broken him in two with a simple twist of her wrist.

"I see what you're doing Mozenrath, and it won't work. Nothing you could say would hurt me." She assured, setting a stiff upper lip and even though she was shorter than he, she managed to look down her nose to him.

"Princess, I think I can." He said with a chuckle. "How do you feel ... knowing he's dead and you're not? That he gave up his life for yours? That day, Aladdin proved what you really mean to him, he died for you. And what do you do? You refuse to admit that you are responsible for his death. You claim, "Love" Princess, where is it now?"

Jasmine fell speechless. His words had woven around her, slid into her head and distorted everything she was thinking and feeling. It was true. Everything was true. Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead and a chill ran down her spine. Her heart began to race as words she had yet to speak jumbled in her mouth.

"I loved Aladdin with all my heart, I still do. No one can ever change how I feel about that and no one will make me wallow in self pity for what happened. If I could turn back time, I would. I would trade my life for his in an instant." Her words were painful as each bubbled up through her cracking voice.

"Really now?" Mozenrath's brow lifted and he massaged his chin. "Do you mean what you say?" He asked doubtfully, skeptic of her answer. His eyes began to churn as he stared into her own blurred ones.

"Of course I do!" Jasmine's hands shook in the balled fists she held them in. The fact that he was questioning her words made the tears fall back and clear her eyes. Adrenaline racing, she felt a sudden rush through her.

"Perhaps, something can be arranged." Mozenrath smiled benevolently as the anger drastically drained from Jasmine's face and paled her completely. The reddened glow from her cheeks was replaced by a pasty color while her eyes dulled slightly then cleared suddenly.

"What?" Her voice was the barest of whispers as she placed a hand over her thudding heart. Each time it took a beat, it pushed a little sliver of hope out that she was too confused and awestruck to stomp out. Something in his voice was not only warning her, but telling her a hidden message she had yet to decode.

"Jasmine ... what did you really come here for? Hoping to achieve a revenge? Accomplishing a burning need inside you to see to it I died?" He paused. "All because of him? A street rat? Do you even know what that word means?"

"That doesn't matter, it never did. If you're trying to bruise me or dig down, you're fighting a loosing battle. I have nothing to take and nothing to give."

"I wouldn't be so sure, Princess. Fact is, I can. I can see it in your eyes, the way you look away whenever I mention his name, whenever you blame me for what happened. I hate to break it to you, Jasmine, he wasn't the first person I've killed. You shouldn't place yourself to believe I went out of my way to kill him, because I didn't. He was special or my intended target. I wanted to kill you." The detachment and pure coldness echoed his own voice and made him seem more unreal than ever. The sheer simplicity as he talked about murder made her insides quiver.

"You have the chance. Why don't you?"

"Because it's easier to watch you suffer." Mozenrath crossed his arms over his chest and squared himself. "That's what I wanted and it's what I got. The truth and irony is, I wanted to kill you so Agrabah would be without an heir and thereby be easier to dominate, but without Aladdin, I surely don't believe their will be any coronations being scheduled anytime soon." He paused. "So, this leads me to my proposition."

"You're insane. If you think in your right mind that I would make a deal with you, you've got another thing coming!"

"Hear me out first, before you make such rash decisions." Tucking his tongue into his cheek, Mozenrath tsked. "My, you're timing sure has been off lately, hasn't it? First you act too slowly and then too quickly. I thought they taught you better than that, Princess." Mozenrath strolled over to his desk and leaned against it before sighing. "Here's the deal." He blinked long and hard, considered his options and realized it was the only and possible way. "If you were to retrieve something for me in the desert, I would give you something I wouldn't offer any other time."

"What is it, what is it's importance and why do you need me?"

"Such questions. I'm beginning to think you don't trust me." He grinned before pulling a book from his collection and flipped through the pages. "Have you heard of the Jewel of the Moon?" Stopping suddenly on a page in the center of the book, he laid it out on his desk, the picture facing her.

"Yes, everybody has. It's just a myth."

Mozenrath shook his head and smiled. "That's just because no one has lived to tell about it. Actually, it resides deep within the mountains to the North, protected, of course, by it's elemental and traps." He paused and slammed the book shut, surprised Jasmine didn't even flinch. "I need you to go and get it for me."

"You really are insane. Nothing on heaven or earth could make me get that jewel for you."

"Are you so sure?"

Jasmine froze.

With the snap of his fingers, a violet haze blinded the room and Mozenrath's smile deepened. Jasmine brought down her arms which had shielded her eyes and gazed around for what had created the light. Then, she felt as if she had stopped breathing and an iron vice had cranked slowly around her heart, pressing and squeezing until a simple breath became a painful task. No words could come, sentences jumbled in her throat and her stomach fluttered like mad.

Aladdin.

He was bound and gagged, lying helplessly on the floor. His face was bruised, his eyes were swollen and his clothes were ripped. Severely beaten, Jasmine finally let the tears fall from her eyes as she slowly approached him. Afraid it was a mirage, a devil trick of Mozenrath, she didn't let hope or happiness sink through yet; but allowed a shimmer of faith.

Bending down, she slowly brought her hand to his face and felt the sob vibrate her throat as she felt his warm cheeks. His hair was matted by sweat and blood from cuts and gashes on his forehead, his eyes were hollowed and dark from lack of sleep or food and his neck was red and dry, as if from a chain he'd worn. Realization dawned and her gaze quickly traveled to his abdomen and saw that there was no wound, no mark of a sword, no fatal scar.

"Aladdin?" She whispered and untied the piece of cloth that had gagged him from speaking. Placing it aside, she ran her hand down his cheek and gently down his reddened neck. The warmth, the glow of his cheeks, the soft rise and fall of his chest was enough to let the dam of emotions break and fall free. Tears were spilling from her eyes and her heart thumped and fluttered wildly in her chest as the layers of frigid ice of hollowed emotions cracked and broke. Her cheeks soon became sore from the wide smile on her face and even though the tears still spilled, she felt no reason to cover them. "Aladdin?" She whispered again as she cleared his bangs from his eyes.

He stirred.

He lifted his hand to his head and rubbed his forehead before opening his eyes. Squinting, he looked at Jasmine and then around the room. He rubbed his aching jaw and was greatly pleased to find the gag was no longer there. Jasmine was openly weeping and didn't let one inch of dread or fear creep into this moment. Joy was the only thing she could feel or want to feel. All the pain and sorrow drifted away and left her in bliss as she sat next to him as he awoke.

"Aladdin." She gasped through her tears. Before she could put his arms around him or kiss him tenderly as she longed to do since he was taken, he backed away from her. The distant gaze in his eyes, the wildness in them consumed him. His brown eyes were dulled and shadowed not just by lack of sleep and food, but by something else. He looked at Mozenrath with contempt and anger, but with a sort of recognition. A look he didn't give her.

Staring into her eyes and lifting a brow, he spoke in a low and absent voice. "Who are you?"




To be Continued ...