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Jafar looked at the Buqbuqa, remembering how his predecessor had obtained it.
It had all begun years earlier, when Jafar had set out on a journey to the southern continent in search of a legendary talisman said to grant its possessor immense power. He later discovered that the sorcerer who had sent him had been deceived and had stolen a valuable magical ring.
The sorcerer offered him the talisman in exchange for bringing him the Buqbuqa—a rare, exotic bird said to speak human language and know the secrets of ancient magic. Jafar accepted the deal and set off on a perilous journey through the dark forests, encountering wild beasts and deadly magical beings. Finally, after much effort, he captured the Buqbuqa.
It was the first time Jafar had seen a creature that spoke like a human and possessed magical power. The Buqbuqa told him the truth about the deceitful sorcerer, and that the talisman was incomplete and useless. He also revealed a treasure trove of rare materials held by the sorcerer.
He asked him about the ring. He said it wasn't magical, as the magician had said. It was an ordinary ring left behind by the magician's dead son, a theft intended as revenge.
Ja'far was enraged by the magician's lie, but at the same time, he was fascinated by Baqbaqa. He offered him the title of his servant for life, vowing to protect him as long as he lived. Baqbaqa agreed without hesitation. From then on, he became Ja'far's constant companion.
That day, he named him Abdo.
Ja'far tricked the magician and killed him, taking everything he owned. Time proved Abdo's words that the spell was incomplete. From that moment on, they were inseparable.
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"Sir... have you forgiven me?"
Abdu said in a low voice, recalling what had happened a week earlier, when Ja'far had asked him to poison the Qaid al-Harith's food, but he had made the mistake and put it in the king's food.
Ja'far smiled coldly and said, "Yes, I forgive you... but if you make a mistake again, you will be the main course on my table."
Jafar contemplated the differences between this world and the one he knew from the film and the novel. One of the biggest differences was that Abdo, Jafar's past, and many of the high-ranking officials were not mentioned.
Oddly, this world resembled the movies more. The kingdom they lived in was called "Aghria," ruled by King Saad al-Din. Despite the Arabic names, they were not Muslims; they might even be living in an era predating Islam.
This kingdom didn't follow a single religion, although its inhabitants' features and names suggested Arab origins.
"Sir, what will you do now?"
Abdo's question brought Jafar out of his reverie and he smiled, a smile that sent shivers down the bird's spine. Abdo knew his master only smiled when he was planning a catastrophe.
"First... we'll have breakfast. The king is waiting."
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Jafar opened the Bugaboka's cage, and the latter flew off to land on his master's shoulder. The two men exited the room, and the first thing Jafar noticed was the long corridor with its ornate white walls and black-clad soldiers standing like statues.
"Your staff, my lord..."
It was made of a rare metal called "Green Sea Gold," a magical metal that enhances the power of spells. The previous Jafar had intended to engrave hypnotic spells on it to control important figures in the kingdom.
Jafar smiled and said, "I no longer need it."
He continued walking down the corridor, decorated with antiques and exquisite architecture, as the maids moved quietly, and the soldiers greeted him with a submissive bow whenever he passed. This wasn't because Jafar was arrogant, but simply because it was what the previous Jafar did.
He heard the maids whisper:
"Is this the minister Jafar? What happened to him?"
"I don't know... but he looks like a great warrior. Wasn't he thin yesterday?"
"Shut up, he might hear you!"
"Don't worry, he won't notice... but he's gotten handsomer."
Jafar smiled secretly, noticing that his senses had become more acute. He felt that if he concentrated a little, he could hear the movement of insects.
His memory led him to a massive white door, beautifully carved.
"Open the door."
At first, the guards didn't recognize him, but they quickly recovered.
"Prime Minister Jafar enters the dining hall!"
Jafar entered the great hall and found only ten men: the other ministers, the king, and some of the senior commanders. Upon seeing him, everyone's eyes widened in surprise; he looked completely different from his former self.
Some were his enemies, some were neutral, and some were his followers. Everyone knew of Jafar's ambition and despised him for his devious methods. Yet, over the course of twenty years, he had risen through the ranks of power to become the second man in the kingdom.
"Jafar... how have you changed so much?"
The questioner was King Saad al-Din, a short man no more than sixty feet tall, with a gray beard tied with a gold ring, a prominent belly, and luxurious clothing inlaid with precious stones.
Jafar smiled and said calmly, "Your Majesty, for the past few months I have been working on a magical talisman that restores youth and increases vitality."
The king's eyes widened with interest. His body was failing him, and he was no longer able to eat, drink, or enjoy his concubines as he had in his youth.
"Would you share it with me?"
"Of course... Your Majesty."
Jafar took out a yellow piece of paper with mysterious inscriptions on it and said, "This is called the Paper of Youth. I created it today."
The ministers were astonished, wondering if this was even possible. Jafar asked the king to place the talisman in his robe. Suddenly, gray smoke spread around the king, obscuring everyone's vision.
When the smoke cleared, everyone stood there, hesitant and doubtful that Jafar had done anything to his kingdom. The king appeared as if nothing had changed. Jafar stepped forward and said in a strong voice, "I apologize. It seems I failed."
"Oh, no, but if you make a new one, tell me."
Jafar sat down and heard some jeers from the ministers, but he didn't care.
From the corner of the hall, Baqbaqa watched the scene in shock. He remembered the legend of the "Spell of Submission," which tells of an ancient, tyrannical king who wanted to rule his people by force. He went to a great demon and struck a deal with him, selling his soul in exchange for this power. Now... Baqbaqa wondered fearfully: "Did his master do the same thing?"
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