Chapter Two
Mozenrath
The most complete darkness covered the Land of the Black Sand as usual.
Everything was quiet.
Everything was lonely. The streets of the city were, as always, empty,
lonely and only a ghostly
desert wind crossed the old and dark city. And above that desolated city was
standing there in all its majesty and glory the Citadel, the castle and
fortress of the Master of that land.
Mozenrath was not in a good mood that night. He was a very taciturn man,
always lost in his own
thoughts. But that night he looked depressed.... almost sad.
He was sitting in his throne, staring at a big sand hourglass. The device
which served to count his
time... the device that was stoplessly counting his time left on Earth.
Mozenrath sighed deeply. It was obvious that dark thoughts were torturing
his soul that night. He arose to his feet and paced around the hourglass
whispering to himself: "I haven't much time left.... it's not much of it
left... my time is almost up.... and there's nothing I can do about it....."
-he looked at his gauntlet and sighed- "The power given to me is not worth
this sacrifice! What did I get? Where have I come? This isn't what I had in
mind.... when all this started I had other plans.... other dreams.... and
now.... now here I am.... and I have not much time... "
A shadow slid through the air and went to Mozenrath's side. It was Xerxes.
The magic eel spoke: "Master.... must come..... "
"Not now Xerxes, " said the young wizard rubbing his gauntlet and staring at
the fall of the sand in the hourglass- "Not now..... "
"It is important..... "
"I don't care..... " Mozenrath buried himself in his throne. "I don't care
about anything tonight.... Ah, Xerxes! " he sighed. "If only I had some
time.... just a little more time.... I could find some spell... some magical
formula to break this curse.... I could find a way out.... I know I
could.... but there are so few sand grains left... it's all a matter of time
now.... I'm almost done.... almost done... I'm hopeless....when the last
grain of sand falls I will die.... "
Xerxes didn't respond. He didn't want to interrupt his master's
meditations, especially because he
knew Mozenrath's reactions when he got mad. But the news he had was
important, very important, so he decided to have a try: "Master.....
Agrabah.... big party..... "
Mozenrath looked at his familiar, arching an eyebrow. Obviously the news was
totally pointless for him.
"Oh yes? Well.... my Agrabanian friends can celebrate all they want....
after all, it seems to me that's all they can do.... celebrations,
parties.... some people spend their lives throwing away all they have in
parties.... personally I find it totally useless..... "
"But this party..... is big.... is important..... "
Mozenrath left his throne and went out to his balcony. There he looked
absently at his dark kingdom and the never-ending night. When Xerxes went to
his master's side, the young wizard said with a note of envy in his deep
voice: "Destiny smiled upon that street rat.... he never risked anything
in his life.... he got everything and he didn't have to pay any price for
the power... for the glory... for the happiness.... all his dreams came
true.... that isn't fair, is it? It's a mystery the way the Powers play with
the lives of us, humans.... Why have they chosen that street rat? Why did
they ask me to pay? I don't know.... I did give everything... I did risk
everything.... I did bet everything I had.... and I have nothing... I win
nothing.... I have so much power here.... no one could ever defeat me....
not even Aladdin.... but it's me... it's my own body who is doing what no
warrior, no wizard and no hero could do.... my body is getting weaker... I'm
being defeated by my own body..... and soon.... soon I will die.... "
Mozenrath sighed. "Once I gave my right hand for power.... but now I'd
gladly give my other hand for life... just for a little more of life... I'd
give anything for a healthy body.... I wish I could be reborn in a young and
strong healthy body.... one that is full of life, of strength... a body full
of passion.... full of energy... yes, if only I could get my wish....
reborn.... be a healthy man.... I'd be the most powerful human on Earth...
the most powerful being ever.... once I tried to take over Aladdin's
body.... but I failed... I must admit, that street rat has an enviable
body.... he's strong, he's full of life and energy.... yes, that street rat
has just everything... he has life, he has a future... he has a kingdom....
he has a genie... he even has a princess..... "
"And now, " Xerxes said, "he has a son...."
Mozenrath looked at his familiar with wide eyes: "What did you say Xerxes?
What did you say?"
"Aladdin.... Jasmine.... a son..... "
"Are you trying to tell me that Agrabah is celebrating the birth of the
heir? "
"Yes master.... "
An evil smile brightened Mozenrath's face. He went into his Citadel,
rushing to the room where he had his magic mirror. As he got closer he said
some magic words and the mirror started to glow with a blinding blue light.
The image of Agrabah appeared. The streets were filled with color and music.
The people were happy. The Agrabanian sky was illuminated with a colorful
spectacle of fireworks. And the Sultan in his royal balcony was announcing
the birth of the heir. He was telling Agrabah that in forty days they would
officially present the newborn prince to the people.
Mozenrath smiled malevolently and started to walk from one corner to the
other in the room, thinking out loud: "Aladdin has always been a healthy,
strong man.... the princess Jasmine is a healthy and beautiful woman... what
came from their union can only be a healthy, strong and beautiful child...
full of life and determination and..... heir of the great kingdom of Agrabah
besides... This is just perfect! It's simply perfect! "
He meditated for a couple of seconds and then he laughed.
"Just imagine, Xerxes, the street rat and his princess will have to spend
the rest of their lives taking
good care of his beloved son.... the fruit of their love.... and they must
protect him from any harm, even if their greatest enemy is living inside the
body of that child.... Yes! I could even get rid of those pests... I would
have them on my side unconditionally.... I can't believe it! Aladdin and
Jasmine did me a great favor bringing this boy into the world.... giving
life to him.... they are also giving life to me.... "
"What will master do? "
"I'm going to prepare everything.... this must be perfect... no mistakes
this time.... this time I'm going to prepare even the last detail.... this
is my last chance and I'm not taking any risk.... "
Mozenrath spent the whole night in his library studying, reading, checking
all kinds of books and
scrolls. No, Xerxes and not even the mamluks dared to interrupt his work.
Hours were passing very quickly but Mozenrath was so concentrated on what he
was doing that he didn't notice how much time he spent there. It seemed he
was going to read forever. Finally, after all his work, he leaned back
heavily into his chair, sighing. Xerxes, who had been observing his master's
work finally came closer cautiously.
"Master?"
"I've got it, Xerxes, " the wizard told him, rubbing his eyes. "I've found
what I was looking for.... I knew I had it here somewhere.... "
"Mozenrath found spell? "
"Yes Xerxes.... I have the spell I was looking for... and I have it right
here.... " he reviewed his notes. "I can not use with the child the same
spell I tried to use on the street rat.... after all, the baby is a brand
new body.... I don't want to transport my spirit into his body... no.... I'm
planning to take over his body and his own life.... I will be reborn in
Aladdin's son.... I can't afford any mistake now... and I will grow up as
the most perfect human being on Earth... I must thank that little thief and
the royal pain he has for a wife.... after all they are the ones who are
giving me the possibility of a new life... This is so ironic!" He laughed.
"I can't lose time.... " Mozenrath went to one of the windows where a
telescope was placed and took a look at the sky. "The stars must be in a
perfect line if I want this spell to work properly.... "
For a few minutes Mozenrath stared at the sky and checked some stellar maps.
Then he smiled
widely and spoke: "In forty days the stars will have the correct
alignment.... and they will be in that position for a couple of nights.....
I have enough time to get all the stuff I'll be needing for my spell.... I
also need to have everything ready here before I go.... after all I won't be
around for a while.... for a few years.... until the young prince of Agrabah
is old enough to come to take the throne of the Land of the Black
Sand....and his place as the most powerful wizard ever.... forty days....
well, I don't want to ruin the great celebration in Agrabah..... I will
allow the sultan to officially present the young heir to his people.... and
that night I will go to take him.... that will be the night.... I will be
reborn as the Prince of Agrabah..... "
Mozenrath's laugh sounded even more scary than usual. Xerxes laughed with
his master.
"C'mon Xerxes, let's get down to business..... we can't lose time..... "
The Secret of Immortality by Evi