Elias snapped his eyes open, his body slick with sweat as he pulled himself off the bed. As he looked around the room, finding it familiar, he sighed in relief.
"A bad nightmare? Since when did I have bad nigh—" Before Elias could finish his relieved words, his eyes suddenly widened, as the familiarity of this situation pulled him back to his past.
Back then, he discovered his talent for future sight through deep-sleep dreams, which is why he started chasing and learning time magic.
And the dream he just had now was nowhere near a good dream, rather it would be more fitting to call it a nightmare.
In that dream, he watched the members of the Coven, alongside his former students, Jafar, Morgan Le Fay, and a few others, facing off against the Hero, Henry.
It was an intense battle, even he, throughout his entire career as one of the most powerful mages alive, could barely keep up. Perhaps the only details he managed to remember and take note of were Henry's aged appearance and the battle taking off in what seemed to be a desert place, everything and everywhere else was a dark blur.
"Could it be Agrabah? But there's also the Gobi from the South Continent, and a few other similar places." Standing up, he started to pace around the room, back and forth.
Perhaps because of what happened in the past, Elias is not sure whether this future that he just dreamed of is real or not. He can no longer trust his own visions.
"I should at least tell Henry about this tomorrow. It'd be better to let him know."
———
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Elias. He wasn't the only one having a vision of the future. Henry, sleeping on his bed with Elsa snoring beside him, was flipping from side to side.
His forehead was slowly accumulating sweat as his eyes kept moving behind his eyelids. Slowly, his breathing turned heavy until Elsa abruptly woke up and noticed his expression.
"Henry?" She touched his bare chest, trying to shake him awake, "Henry. Wake up. I think you're having a nightmare."
Still no response, Elsa frowned, she coated her hand with ice and slowly hovered it above his forehead. Only when it came in contact and Henry felt the sudden change of temperature on his forehead did he finally snap himself awake.
The first thing Elsa noticed was his reddish eyes, like somebody had just poked them for fun, she leaned toward him with a whisper, "Are you okay? You were having a nightmare."
Craning his neck towards her, he asked, "A nightmare? That was a nightmare?"
Elsa worriedly nodded her head, "You kept shifting around, you woke me up."
Rubbing his forehead, feeling his sweat on his palm, Henry forced a smile, "I'm sorry, my love. You should go back to sleep, I'll get myself some water."
"Are you sure? I can come with you, if you want."
Henry shook his head, "No need for that. Just go to sleep. I'll be back later."
Albeit hesitant, Elsa also noticed the embarrassed look on Henry's face and decided to leave him be for now.
Resting her head back on the pillow, she murmured as he left, "Make sure you come back. I can't sleep without someone to hug." She only heard a soft chuckle followed by the soft clink of the door closing.
———
Outside, the hallway was filled with darkness. The candelabra had recently been blown off by the servants.
As Henry slowly made his way to the kitchen, his mind couldn't help but recall the dream from earlier, rather a nightmare.
In that dream, he wasn't alone. In the middle of the desert. But that's not what truly caught his attention. It was the darkness surrounding that desert. It was as if the desert had the sun exclusively for itself while the rest was bathed in darkness, only shapes and outlines remained to be seen.
And when he said he wasn't alone. It was true. People were surrounding him. Those familiar coloured robes along with a few familiar faces. Jafar, Ursula with thick human legs, and many other people he didn't recognize.
What confused him about that scene was the absence of the person he was looking for, his sister, Samantha. If the reports and assumptions were right, Samantha should've gone and joined the Coven, right?
So why is it that she was never included among that group of women in his vision?
Another thing that caught his eye was a singular structure standing behind those people. It was shaped like a giant head of a tiger carved out of rock and sand. Its eyes were glowing and its menacing expression made him shiver slightly.
He recognized that place.
"The Cave of Wonders. From Aladdin…" He rubbed his forehead. What could this mean, he wondered.
"From what I can remember. Aladdin is all about that wishing lamp…" His eyes unmistakably widened all of a sudden as the realization finally hit him hard on the head.
"They want to use the Wishing Lamp. And what else could they wish but for some nefarious purpose?"
———
The next morning, he immediately called all of his Generals, Commanders, and Advisors.
"I think I know where the Coven might be."
Everyone looked surprised by his words but considering his capability as a wizard, they recovered shortly and leaned in to listen closely.
"This might take a while or might even be impossible to do but they're in the middle of the desert near Agrabah Kingdom. I don't know where, I don't know what they're doing there but all I know is that somehow, or maybe someday they will be there, looking for something like this."
Everyone looked down on the table, at the piece of parchment that Henry just placed on the surface. On the paper was an expertly drawn face of a tiger with glowing eyes and an open mouth, surrounding this structure was nothing but sand.
"This is what they're trying to find or perhaps they've already found it, we have no idea. Give this job to your best scouts and search for this place. But make sure they do this as discreetly as possible. I'm not sure what would be the stance of Agrabah if they've caught wind of our activities in their territory, not to mention, we don't want to alert the Coven, is that understood?"
General Darius stepped forward and gave him a strict knight salute, "Worry not, Your Imperial Majesty! I will personally pull all of our best scouts to find this place. Together, we shall avenge your father!"
'It's not revenge I'm truly worried about right now. Rather, what they could possibly do if they get a hold of that Lamp.' Henry murmured under his breath, but didn't bother to correct the man.
If that is what keeps them determined to do their jobs well, then so be it.
The rest of the meeting was spent in talks regarding the state of the war. Umber Kingdom right now is still being held back thanks to the Great Wall while also being slowly infiltrated at the same time. It won't take long before the Great Kingdom of the West discreetly dances on the top of Lioncrest's palm.
On the other hand, a notable figure is said to be preparing from the Northern Lands. The High King's right hand, and also a brother will be marching alongside a hundred-thousand-strong army.
The said right-hand is rumored to possess a gift from their Norse Gods. It is said that he drops down from the sky like a god descending, wielding two majestic axes that can carve a boulder in half.
Even though they were mere rumors, Henry didn't dare to dismiss them. He's not that ignorant.
It's unfortunate that among the Central Lands, only Maleficent, Elias, and Henry himself were capable of fighting someone that capable. Wizards might be known throughout the entire continent or even the entire world but their number can be counted with two hands.
"Either I establish that academy for magic project as soon as possible or I find myself an apprentice of my own." Henry rubbed his face and contemplated.
Before he could think further about it, there was a knock on the door, "Your Imperial Majesty, there is something that needs your urgent attention."
"What is it?" Henry casually replied.
"It's about Princess Lily. She's—"
The man behind the door wasn't able to finish his sentence when the door was pried open, almost pulling it off its hinges.
"What of Lily? Did something happen to her?"
Seeing that panicked look on Henry's face, the servant stammered in fear, "I-I think it would be better for you to see it for yourself, Y-Your Imperial Majesty."
———
A few stairs later, Henry arrived in Lily's room and he didn't even get to open the door before his senses were assaulted with the familiar magic hymn of the air magic element.
Opening the door, Henry tilted his head just in time as a pen swiftly whistled past his left cheek.
Staring at the scene in the room, Henry was taken by surprise. Lily was jumping up and down on her bed while servants were scattered around the room, their arses on the ground, with expressions that looked like they were trying to make sense of what was happening.
The entire room was a mess, several items and objects were flying all over the air, circling Lily as the center.
Raising his hand, Henry summoned an Air Magic spell, instantly putting every single flying object in the room to a halt, much to the relief of the servants and Lily's disappointed pout.
"No! Henry, I was playing!" She stomped her feet on the soft mattress she was standing on.
It's been a while since Henry last saw her throw a tantrum like this. And he was glad. These past few months, Lily was no longer the bundle of energy that she used to be. Even with Henry and their mother trying to comfort her and everything.
"Little bud, what happened? Are you doing all this?" As he spoke, he stepped slightly aside, letting the servants crawl past him and out of the room.
Facing his question, her expression went back to excitement and she jumped off her bed, rushing towards him with a huge smile on her small face, "I can do magic like you now! I was like Fwoosh! And then, BUWAHHH! It was so fun!"
She didn't even need to explain that much. The first sentence is enough to strike Henry on the top of his head.
His sister was also a wizard, like him! And just by looking at her feat earlier, her talent doesn't seem that ordinary!
Turning around, he ordered one of the servants, "Call Master Elias over here, right now!"
After that, he entered the room and pulled Lily close for a hug. The feeling is hard to explain but he was very glad to see this familiar side of hers after months of grief.
"Henry! You're squeezing me! I'm not a kid anymore! I'm a wizard now! Like you!" Pushing him away, she flexed her non-existent muscles.
"I'll beat up all the bad guys and enemies of our Empire! And give glory to the Emperor!"