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THE DJINNPOCALYPSE - EPILOGUES

NEFER

The fact that Nefer had actually waken up was a good sign.

Opening up his eyes, the Lord of Kittens either expected for the end of the world or glorious success, both extremes and yet he was caught in the ambiguity of whether or not his dad had been saved...or if his father figure had destroyed everything of this world and continued its rampage caused by Sahira's dark will. He ached, his superior durability and endurance as a god not exactly protecting him against the unwilling lashing of an Elder God as his vision became clear...until he saw that both Esme and the Cobra God were sitting by the side of his bed inside a familiar environment: inside Naylee's lamp.

“S-so...we won?” he asked meekly, his voice causing quite a reaction for those two who rushed even closer, obviously quite thankful that he had woken up. Recognizing the one he himself identified as his father, Nefer nevertheless found him to be quite different in look, his immensely long tail nowhere to be seen as the Cobra God was clad in a rather simple yet sumptuous bedlah, with a bolero vest and a sash adorning his waist. “D-did everyone make it okay?”

“Hush now...you need some proper rest. I'll go get Naylee. She'll be happy to see that you're okay!” Esme said, a little eager and happy as that sight gave Nefer a likewise reaction, a huge tension and pressure removed from his shoulder as the nightmare was over. The adventure concluded well and all would finally be good for everyone...as good as they could be as he sighed in relief. With Esme gone, the Cobra God chuckled with a little hiss and gave his surrogate son a little wink, his more humanoid shape and mannerism at odd with what Nefer knew of him.

“My my...she did not leave your side and spoke so, so well of you,” he said, his voice startling Nefer as he never had actually heard it before. Hisses communicating intent and emotions were how the Elder God spoke prior to this, as the more beastly side of the Cobra God was seemingly removed for this instance. “She'd be good for you, I can say. A heart of gold, that one.”

“Daaaaaad...” Nefer said, already embarrassed by the fact that the Cobra God was acting exactly like how a father would...or how he pictured it. It was not exactly the first thing he expected to be said, the beginning of a deeper conversation and yet it felt real...making the cat-boy ironically think that perhaps this was but a dream, a fantasy of the after-life. “We're just friends.”

“Uh uh...Might wanna explain it to her without breaking her heart, lover boy,” the Cobra God said, finding himself hilarious as hissed chuckles accompanied his retort. The two looked at each other, their reunion not quite what any of the two expected as some silence instilled itself onto the scene before he spoke again. “I'm...deeply sorry, Nefer. I hurt you and...I was lost, without focus save for simple things and...”

“You were hypnotized, downright corrupted. There were hundreds of her gems and I could see you were fighting. Stop this nonsense, it doesn't suit you,” Nefer said, a bit too drastically for his own good as he tried to adjust himself on the bed he was resting in, making him wince a bit in pain as he wasn't entirely healed yet. “Ouch...Anyway, seems like you've regained your...I guess true form? I never expected you to speak, though. Your voice, it's...deep and weird yet suave all the same. I can't really explain it...Anyway, I suppose you remember your true name now? What do I have to call you now?”

“Oh, I never really had a name. I was there before the beginning...if that can be explained, so no one gave me one and I never saw the need to have one myself. I was...me, you know?” the Cobra God responded, helping Nefer out to get more comfortable, his touch gentle and light as if he was afraid to hurt him more, the guilt of having caused this still lingering obviously. “I had many titles or appellations given by many, some I care much less for I will admit...But you...you can call me dad like you said prior. I think it might be one of my very favorite.”

A silent gaze at each other, words finally said and shared, sentiments of the most earnest kind out in the open and then they finally hugged. Not coils to protect, not a reluctance in sight as affection was spoken without a word, a lingering sensation that made Nefer purr unwittingly, the thing he had sought for so long being finally given to him: a parent who gave a damn about him, who loved him for who he was. Decades of solitude, of building fake relationship, of building a shell of platitudes and illusory aloofness around his personage, all of it needing to be torn down and rebuilt little by little...and this was the start.

“I'll go get Naylee too...I have a few things to talk to her about,” the Cobra God said, getting up and messing with Nefer's hair, making it so the cat-boy playfully struck at his father's hand in a way that felt characteristically like a cat, like himself in a sense. “But I'll be back soon, alright?”

“I know you will dad...I know you will.”

ESME

Thank the cosmos it was all over.

The sight of Nefer, her protector, finally waking up meant that everything was in its place, with her finally about to resume her lessons. While she felt like she had grown, perhaps much more so than she herself realized, the djinn-in-training was certainly not eager to repeat that experience, feeling it still weird that she so actively participated in saving one of the Multiverse caught in the grand scheme of things called the Omniverse. It felt important, larger-than-life...and yet she felt no different still. A part of her was still anxious about performing correctly in her role as a djinn despite her achievement, how she strangely used her magic correctly under very trying circumstances. The eyes of an important number of djinns had been set on her and, without being aware of it, she had made quite an impression, her reputation growing despite itself. As such, it was no surprise that another surprise guest in Naylee's lamp where she was lodged went for her with the firm intent to check Esme the heroine for herself.

“Greetings, young one,” a woman said to Esme, causing her to eep and stop in her current process as she turned around to notice a woman clad in red and gold, sporting red hair and pale skin, a beauty of confidence that she recognized as one of those who assisted her back then in the heat of battle, Naylee's mentor herself. “I must say, it has been a long time since I saw such an inner fire like you demonstrated back there. I was left quite impressed, one might say.”

“O-oh...Y-y-yes of course...I mean...I did j-just what I thought was needed...s-spur of the m-m-moment thing you know, mistress Aliyah...uh I mean Aliyah...ma'am?” Esme responded, her shy and timid behavior returning back in force before this woman who Naylee spoke very highly of, one she had seen effortlessly hypnotizing and freeing many of Laura's multiversal copies with a plethora of techniques. Smoke, dancing, winks...a cavalcade of impressive and mesmerizing seduction. “S-sorry, I...”

“Shy? Don't worry, Naylee told it all to me...And I can see what she means when she speaks of potential,” Aliyah said, approaching Esme in such a way that even the djinn-in-training couldn't quite deny that there was an otherworldly, fascinating appeal to the crimson-haired djinn before her. Her words, her confidence...it made it so easy to listen and give her all the attention that was needed, making Esme feel smaller than ever before. “The energy, the sheer potency...the audacity you had and the courage you've shown...Yes, I think you'll be one of the greats sooner than expected. I even had a chat with your friend Hama back there about it, believe it or not.”

“R-really? What did she say?” the mention of her friend Hama making Esme forget her social reluctance for a spell, making her a little eager as all this praise from well-known source did cheer her up a bit. “I mean...if you want to share.”

“Your enthusiasm is certainly endearing and I think in no time at all, with the proper training...you'll make a lot of people very happy,” Aliyah stated, repeating what Hama believed, also paraphrasing her own sentiments as she smiled in a genuine fashion...until that turned into a little smirk in but a few seconds. “But if you ever want to learn to defend yourself, perhaps even to learn a few techniques like Naylee did...why contact me and I'll give you very personal lessons.”

One snap of her fingers, a calling card shared and right there Aliyah vanished in flames, her devilish attitude making Esme begin to question whether she was sincerely being given an opportunity for lessons...or a possible romantic pursuit. Both gave her some fright, yet as she stored the card she pondered the subject and finally met Naylee, the Hypnodjinn giving her a smile as they bumped into each other by accident.

“My apologies, Esme...I was lost in my own thoughts. By the looks of it, so were you, though,” Naylee said, herself seemingly doing some rather deep thinking as she stopped in her tracks to listen to her own apprentice. “It's actually quite a nice coincidence that we found each other, as I've a task for you, something for your training.”

“Oh, can't it wait? I wanted to meet you to tell you that Nefer's actually awake now!” Esme said, her happiness over that fact a little surprising even to her as she voiced it out. “I mean...if you want to talk to him, o-of course.”

“That is indeed wonderful news. I'll be sure to pay him a visit soon, then,” Naylee answered to this revelation, indeed a touch relieved that those in her routine proximity were doing okay. “Actually, this does help with what I was about to say. We've had rather short-term wish expeditions here and there, but I think that you might learn faster by actually being the personal djinn to someone for you to grow...and I think someone in need of assistance like Nefer would do the trick quite fine. Starting from now, until I believe the task if complete, consider yourself his djinn here to help him heal...among other things.”

“N-n-n-n-Nefer?” Esme retorted, her shyness coming back exponentially stronger, the fact that she'd be serving, being a magical slave to one she knew of all things...and him of all people. The Lord of Kittens own servant, here to grant his own wishes. She felt flustered, blushing, wondering just how she'd take advantage of the situation...of where this might lead. “Are you sure? It's not a joke right? No fooling around? No kidding? He's a god, right? Does he even need a djinn? Is it even legal?”

“Now get on with it, my apprentice. Since he's woken up, he might just need the help of his personal djinn at any time,” Naylee answered to all these questions, giving her a wink that pretty much meant that she'd have to figure it all out for herself, all those exploits that the djinn-in-training had accomplished giving the Hypnodjinn enough confidence to give such responsibilities to Esme. “You'll do fine...more than fine, I'm certain~”

With stress and pressure on her shoulders, it was with a sigh that Esme went back to Nefer, hoping things would prove to turn out alright in the long run...

THE COBRA GOD AND NAYLEE

“Good thinking. I really see them work wonderfully well together.”

Naylee looked behind her, the presence of the Cobra God even a surprise to her, though the fact that he had regained his faculties did mean that he was far above anyone she knew in terms of power. He had been able to actually beat Sahira, after all, one powered by a vast, vast amount of wishes. As impressive as he was, he also was very bizarrely relatable as he walked in his bedlah, his tail seemingly tucked inside this shape of his for now. “I didn't really think about this assignment that way...but you may be right,” Naylee said, laughing softly and yet perhaps a bit forcibly as seeing him only reinforced a certain feeling she had been keeping locked inside, one which gnawed at her soul. “Perhaps they'll find some form of happiness together...or at least tolerate each enough long enough. Who knows?”

“I can sense a certain hesitation in there, Naylee...It's not like you not to think of other's happiness in such a lacking fashion,” the Cobra God said, summoning his tail to create a seat of coils for himself to rest upon. “Are you thinking about all that happened prior...about what we both went through?”

“It was...horrible. I became everything I hate, all the things I would never do somehow I was made to do and enjoy. I turned into the antithesis of what I am...and it was the most terrifying experience of my whole existence,” Naylee said, sitting down and opening herself up, shaking as if she finally could say those things out loud. Herself exercising a great amount of pressure for performance, to be open-minded, capable, loving, clever, witty and everything else, to be vulnerable was a challenge in its own right. The Cobra God, though, has gone through a similar suffering and as her heart was heavy, her mind worn out. “And I was conscious all the time, unable to fight back. This Sahira was particularly cruel, something so deeply ingrained in her that was so evil that no pain or anguish caused was enough. Whatever made her turn out like this...I dread to learn of it.”

“It was painful...she got me in a moment when I was especially vulnerable, back when I finally remembered who I was, in a panic...and because of that, I wanted to run away, feeling shame, regret...and her hypnosis gave me all that for the briefest of instant and then it was too late,” the Cobra God shared, looking at Naylee with the clearest hint that he understood what she spoke of all too well. “She used me on occasion, keeping me in a basket and hypnotizing me, corrupting me with all the power she could muster. I fought yet it never seemed enough...until Esme and Nefer came for me and...I caused my son to receive harm. It's a selfish reason...but it was enough.”

“It's not selfish...he's family and I think this is what you yearned for, yet also dreaded all the same. I saw one of my families back there too...my daughter Iziphe and one of my many husbands Huxstrag...the dragons,” Naylee said, trying to change the subject a bit though there was still some stress and remorse in her that needed to be let out. “I felt ashamed that I hadn't seen them for the longest time. I almost forgot them...and they were so, so happy to see me, to free me from my torment...and it made me realize that it seems like I've been cruising for so long without much thoughts for the consequences of my actions. Have I been so selfish and thoughtless?”

“No...but you've stretched yourself too thin and tried to please too many and, as someone who has lived a long time, it can cause some unfortunate results. Any happiness is fleeting, something you most assuredly know by now,” the Cobra God answered, indeed thinking the world of one of his dearest friend, yet not so amiable that he'd just tell her what she wanted. “Moving from one master to another, giving them their earnest wishes can be amazing...but it will inevitably lead to pain and misery if their wish is for you to stay. As a djinn...it's impossible. You will eventually move on because their wishes will be spent or because of any other reason, even if they mean for you to stay forever. It's simply not who you are and what you do.”

“But my daughter...she's grown so much and she missed me so...and my other children too...” Naylee said, her culpability hitting her head-on as she wasn't in the best frame of mind, her own trauma making it so she couldn't just ignore the facts. “I am such a terrible mother and terrible person.”

“Of course not. You rose her, gave her splendid memories of the time you spent together and the possibility to grow up as her own person...which I'm sure you did for them all for each and every one of them,” the Cobra God said, himself strangely the voice of reason when he couldn't even speak properly before, his presence comforting despite what he represented and how grand his power truly was. “All children leave the nest sooner or later...in one way or another. Mine, for instance...well he never had a chance to meet his father. At all. I don't know what he must be thinking of me, what my past lover thinks now. Did they wait for me? Did they understand that I am to be the one to end their world down the line? If I go back, will it be only to destroy it all?”

“I think we're both due a vacation, some time off for ourselves,” Naylee said, taking the role of the one for comfort here as she placed her hand on top of the Cobra God's, holding back her own tears so that the two of them could possibly move forward after all of this. “Let's go meet our families, see what happens. After all the bad we unwittingly did, maybe it's time to see the good we created, yes, even if it'll be weird for the both of us.”

“So that's why you sent Esme to Nefer, uh?” the Cobra God said with a light chuckle, trying to smile as he had good reasons to be happy, yet also plenty others to feed his sadness. “I think I'll listen to you on that front...and grab a vacation with the kid.”

LAPINE AND LIÈVRE

“Boy did we need that vacation!”

Lapine was right, Lièvre thought, as the djinn bunny-girl was lounging on a long chair, sipping down perhaps the fifth conjured too-sugary drink in an hour. The colorful, perhaps even alcoholic beverage, fitted the décor quite well as the bunnies of bonne fortune were relaxing on the beach, the sunset and temperature agreeing with their choice as Lièvre sighed, a touch of melancholy hitting her straight-on.

“Do you think we'll see our adventuring pals again?” she asked, causing for Lapine to turn around nonchalantly, slowly even as if that question was more irritating than the few mosquitos that occasionally flew close to them. “I mean...it would be fun, right?”

“They were fine, brave, courageous people and even some of them being gorgeous creatures,” Lapine answered, trying to be diplomatic, yet a touch of snark was about to land as she weighed her words, only for the simplest and most direct of answer to come to the always bedlah-clad bunny-girl. “But I hope I never, ever see them again.”

“Awwww come on, it won't have to be another big quest fraught with danger. We could just chat, have some tea and everything!” Lièvre suggested, quite aware that she could just ask Lapine for it to happen and it would, yet their bond and arrangement made it so she relented on that course-of-action, knowing that her precious friend and partner wouldn't enjoy this at all. “I mean, even you got along with some of them, like Huxstrag and some from the Golden Clamp Company.”

“One, it's the Golden Lamp Company. Two, Huxstrag's a dragon and married...though he was kinda hot in his human form...but still,” Lapine explained, lamenting half-heartedly as she summoned a carrot cake for her to munch upon, not particularly caring that it was a stereotype for her to do such a thing in the first place. “Can't you just take it easy? We've been on just our second day of vacation, which you promised, and already you seem to crave more excitement, a plan to do good or what-not, another project...Give us a break, will ya?”

“I know...I know...but it just feels like we peaked and...I don't know what comes after,” Lièvre further explained, her own quandary indeed simple and yet not quite easy to answer. They had participated in saving everything that they knew existed...and even more than that. She had been instrumental even, this she was half-sure about...and yet now what? They had worked hard so that things would go on, yet they needed to do the same now. “I mean...how do you follow that up?”

“I dunno. Write a book about it or something,” Lapine answered, already regretting it as Lièvre looked at her with astonished eyes, taking this off-handed comment as if it was meant to be serious. “And now you're gonna do it, are you?”

“We could make a play about this! We could share this true story and find actors and everything! No more low-lives street-theater, now big effects, big stakes, big productions...and you could be a star even!” Lièvre said excitedly, clearly invested now as she took out pen and papers from her own bag beside her chair to write everything down. “Practical effects would be a cinch with you on board and we'd just need to pace things out, add drama here and there...”

“No no no...come on, the story would literally end with a deux ex machina, a god who just conveniently wake up and then defeats the villain. How lame is that?” Lapine declared, trying to discourager her friend from yet another big project, something which threatened their months-long vacation together. “We were supposed to be there to relax and watch people in swimsuits together. Live the good life!”

“We'll just embellish that part. I mean, we don't know what even happened with that big Cobra God thingy...Oh, maybe it was his son who freed him at the last minute, this would add such dramatic and tragic depth!” Lièvre wrote down as she spoke, never quite understand how close she was to the truth of the matter. “I'm bursting with ideas now. Maybe we'll even option it for a film too!”

And with a sigh, Lapine summoned her sixth sugary drink, her sweet tooth no escape from the bursting and creative energy of her friend...the one she shared her best and worst moments with.

THE GOLDEN LAMP COMPANY

They had shared some of their best and worst moments together.

The whole company were uneasy, anxious about the fate of their friend as they marched left and right, unable to rest or to relax after these trying times. Not after what they saw as the remain of their friend, the one whom they were all named after, the Lamp Golem, had been through the wringers. Her head was almost squished, some of her gem-eyes cracked, one arm had been literally teared away...they weren't even sure she was alive. No response came from her when they spoke, no sign of life...nothing. It was scary, each one of them dealing with it in their own way as they paced themselves through Huxstrag's own home, the dragon kind enough to provide material from his hoard to the artisan who would try to build her back, the one who called himself her father.

Belital the wise.

“So...any progress, any news? Tell us straight!” Breghni asked, gravitating toward the spot in which the master arcanist and craftsman did his job. The dwarf could not move away from even 10 meters, too stressed about the fate of one who changed everything in his life. “Come on, don't keep us wanting and waiting!”

“It shall suffice, Breghni. Let the man work in peace, as we all share your enmity toward this powerlessness that assails us,” Huxstrag said, the large dragon observing from a higher position, his own help coming in the form of some focused lighting breath on occasion and all the gold or gems they'd ever need. Aware that the safety of the world and everything within, including his daughter, was due to the construct he gave what was necessary to save the life of one so valiant. “To think that we started as enemies and now I am trying to save her from possible doom. Life certainly is strange.”

“Dad, focus. I can't just use my magic alone while that old man does his job. I mean, he looks like he's about to pass out at any second!” Iziphe added, using her reserves of magic to try to repair and mend while the fire of life was being reignited through jumpstarts of the arcane from within and without.

“Come, Breghni. We can't help, only hinder at this point. Let Belital, Iziphe, Huxstrag and the genie within our dearest friend's body do what they can,” Nakhi went on to say, the feline monk trying to be calm and rational as she brought the dwarf along toward the others. “While certain beautiful things can result from pressure, this is not one of them.”

“I do fear for Belital, though. When I apprenticed under him he was old...and that was a very, very long time ago. I'm surprised he's still alive,” Yanissa observed, sharing that thought with the others as the sun elf tried to stay by her lover's side, Breghni joining her as they all couldn't help themselves but worry. There had never been any casualty on their side yet, though this adventure had also been their greatest challenge. It was bound to happen...yet being prepared for it did not mean it would be easy nevertheless.

“I have kept myself alive for one reason alone...and it was to speak with her,” Belital responded, his senses sharper than his frail body suggested as he worked diligently, returning the gold to its former sheen as the gold was melted and shaped with his magic alongside that of Iziphe. The djinns and citizens of New Akoora helping in their own way as the dimension inside her was still active...which meant that this might not be a fool's errand. “So do please stop interrupting or distracting me!”

That retort was sharp, a bit aggressive even and as they kept themselves silent, everyone in the company observed from afar and in silence. Theresa, Richard, Malachai and Valina were all anxious, doing their own thing to occupy their brain away from every possible worst case scenarios. It was Aliss who was surprisingly silent, her emotions kept bottled in as she did not even give a second glance at the scene, preferring to keep watch over the tunnel “in case of an attack” as she said.

“It is done. The spark of life has been kindled anew and she will return to us soon. She is very weak right now, though,” Belital said as loud as he could, taking a rest as he sat down while his djinn assistant conjured a chair for him. “I built her to last, and it's not a battle against primordial darkness being corrupted that will be the end of her, I assure you.”

“B-Belital?” the Lamp Golem said, acclimating herself to the new gold that had been melted down to repair all the damage. Like a new layer of skin, her body felt alien to her, a certain sore and weird sensation passing through her metal flesh as she turned her head to her creator. “I-is that really you?”

“Yes, my dear...Yes I'm here,” the old man said, taking the Lamp Golem's hand as he made an extra effort to stand up just as he sat down, making his back hurt considerably yet he moved past it. “You went through quite a fight...but everything's okay now. Your friends and I, all the djinns...we all worked very hard to make sure you'd live.”

“Were you...were you watching all this time?” the Lamp Golem spoke, a little more savvy about events and recent revelations than most knew as everyone's attention was on her right now. “I-I'm sorry if I-”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. The culprits were identified, made reparations and everything worked out in the end...though you feared for the worst for such a long, long time, not knowing the crucial details, afraid of what you might have done,” Belital said, his breath a little ragged, forcing himself to speak as his body strained itself, the man being far past the age in which he'd normally have deceased. “You went through so much, yet were ever good, helped so many people...and now you saved everything. I am so, so very proud of you...words cannot express how I feel, really.”

As he squeezed her hand, she squeezed it back and after giving a meek smile, the Lamp Golem did something for the first time in her life: she fell asleep. At first many thoughts that it was her death they witnessed, yet the snoring cut short that theory as sighs of relief, nervous chuckles and plain old joy invaded their thoughts and reactions rightfully. “What a miracle...Everyone lived in the end, it seems...At least from what I gather,” Huxstrag said, wise yet not all-knowing as he indeed did not deplore allies or innocents meeting their demise, with Sahira wishing to enslave or assimilate all. On their realm, things had been okay, which was indeed a true blessing on its own. “Now, Iziphe, I think we owe them a promise. They did help us and we gave them our word.”

“Alright, alright...mom disapproved anyway. Here goes...” Iziphe said, sighing before then snapping her fingers as not only the many adventurers in her harem-hoard were freed from thrall...but also vanished somewhere else entirely, gone from the insides of the mountain. “They're on their way to their home and they won't obey my commands anymore. There, it's done now.”

“You sound angry about it,” Malachai noted, thinking aloud as he looked at the dragon in her bedlah, crossing her arms while looking at her father. “Aren't you happy that your mother is alive and well?”

“Yes, yes, of course...but now I don't have anything to do to pass the time until the next time she visits...” Iziphe told him, sighing as a little burst of lightning escaped from her nostrils. Her eyes suddenly widened as she then has a mischievous look on her face, looking at the Golden Lamp Company with a smirk. “I know! Since I'm a grown person, completely able to make her own decisions and since I'm so, so good at adventuring it turns out...I'll join your company! We'll save people, meet pretty heroes and heroines, fight evil...It'll be terrific!”

“Wait a minute, you can't just invite yourself in, that's not how it works!” Breghni replied, indignant as a debate inside the group was started...one that lasted but ten seconds before Valina herself jumped in and cut it short.

“Besides the Lamp Golem, can any of us actually stop her from doing just that, what she wants?” she said, stating the obvious as indeed Iziphe was a powerhouse and had been much help during this tenuous journey full of hardships. “I say we just let her in. The more the merrier.”

“Besides, it'll be good for her not to stay in the house all the time, playing with her adventurers like a recluse. Yes, seeing the world is a wonderful idea, my dear,” Huxstrag added, the surprisingly open-minded dragon not helping with Breghni's reluctance as the dwarf abandoned his position and just shrugged it off. They could indeed use more numbers, as the offers to join had been multiplying lately through magical messages and expedient missives.

And they certainly would need some help with finding just the right spot for the city of New Akoora.

ODORIKO AND DJINNOBU

“May I ask the reason of your continued presence in these lands?”

It was a bizarrely harsh, yet honest question coming from Odoriko as she sat comfortably at her own table, sipping her own tea as her friend and herself seemed to replicate a particular scene from prior all this madness they went through. Meeting adventurers from a continent away, fighting corrupt djinns, rebelling against an evil witch-entity and saving all that was and would be in order to avenge Djinnobu's people...only for them to turn out fine and actually better in the end.

“What, you mean why I won't join their initiative for their city of theirs, New Akoora?” the kunoichi asked, partaking of the finest sake courtesy of her host, laying comfortably as her mannerism, attitude and general stance were entirely different from when they had been on a mission together. Calm, collected, serious, professional, downright devoted while on this quest...and then aloof, laid-back and downright relaxed right now. “I mean, why would I even go there?”

“It was my understanding that they were your people and that you would wish to get back to them, perhaps to meet your family, rekindle friendships...matters of great importance,” Odoriko asked, herself bringing arguments as to why her friend should indeed commit to the idea of participating in these rebuilding efforts...and yet it seemed to be for naught as one glance outside and a little smirk was all that Djinnobu had to say on the subject for now. “I must admit to being astonished by your lack of investment in this. Shouldn't this be a great revelation, something that changes your whole perspective and prospects for your life?”

“Yeah, it's why we're celebrating! Also no, it doesn't change much, not really,” Djinnobu admitted, coming to the understanding that Odoriko had been invested enough, risking her life for her friend and perhaps an actual explanation might be the least that she would be owed. “The thing is...I'm actually pretty happy here. I got a master...who's probably wondering what's taking so long for my latest report by the way...friends and an easy, satisfying life here. I wanted closure, I got it...and now I move on.”

“I am unsure if this is remarkable or disappointing...but in the end it is very much you,” Odoriko said, taking a sip of her bitter green tea, wondering how she'd try to spin this whole adventure into a tale palatable for her children, those who actually saw their lands somehow get diminished, a great witch in the sky cackling and then dancing hypnotically. One was old enough to understand, while the other was smaller and more afraid, a query indeed that she was actually enjoying given that she was alive to face it as opposed to simply gone. “And what did your queen have to say about it?”

“Oh, she was pretty happy to see me, I gave her a report from all that time I spent here, told her of my life...and she asked me if I wanted to stay,” Djinnobu said matter-of-factly, as if conversing with a being of great power and legendary prestige was nothing to write home about as she downed her sake cup only to see Odoriko fill it with the help of one of her fluffy tails. “I said no, she understood...and here we are.”

“So long as you are content, then,” Odoriko said, putting a final word on that matter as she picked up a rice cracker and bit upon it before herself taking a small cup of sake, feeling that indeed it was perhaps time to celebrate a little after all of this. She had taken a gamble upon her life for the purpose of all life and she had won, thus perhaps enjoying it a little more could be a good thing. “I would wish to speak about the payment that I am owed, if you do not mind. You made certain promises and I would see to it that they are fulfilled.”

“Oh yeah, I told you I would grant you a wish and train your two kids,” Djinnobu said, scarfing down a few rice crackers herself with less poise and manners, filling her cheeks with the salty snacks. “You thought of a wish yet?”

“I prefer to keep it in reserve for now, for rainy days, as I'm sure you'll understand,” Odoriko answered, indeed thinking long about this as such a boon could be greatly beneficial...yet could be discussed with her husband and their family, if only for everyone to be on the same page. “You can begin to train my eldest, if you do not mind. Ever since that bout of a certain extravagance in our halls she has been rather taken by the way you handled yourself. She'd be quite pleased.”

“Gonna fill in a report with my master, drink and sleep for a day or two and then you can send her to me,” Djinnobu promised, already somewhat losing interest as she yawned, allowing herself the luxury of being tired and wanting to rest, two needs that she didn't really had any obligations to partake in as a djinn. “You're gonna have a wonderful dancer, kunoichi and an expert swordswoman out of that girl if what I saw is true. A true heroine for a new age.”

“We'll need more of those for the date when evil will come back. I do not want my children late for any special destiny awaiting them.”

THE SUMPTUOUS SHADOW

She couldn't afford to be late for this date.

She thought of this meeting, this important talk like in order to not be too afraid, for her nerves to be steady as everything had been kind of a mess after they had prevented the Djinnpocalypse with everyone. The many Laura's had to be returned to their home, some had to be returned to their initial form while others wanted to remain djinns. Repairs had to be made here and everywhere, with many helping including her...and during all this time she hadn't really exchanged but a few banal words with John. He still had every rights to be angry with her, perhaps even to be done...but she wanted to stop feeling guilty over it, to move on and that required communication. Surprisingly enough, it was John who had done the first move, giving them a spot to meet and speak.

The exact rooftop where they first met.

It was significant, quite symbolic and yet she did not know what it meant. Was it to conclude things in a way that would close the loop? A new beginning? Just something that he remembered and felt she would recall too? She didn't know and that drove Laura crazy as she leaped from one roof to the next, too many things happening all at once. As terrified as she was, however, she had fought and helped defeat Sahira in her own way, so an actual discussion shouldn't be as scary...and yet it was. As she reached the spot, her heart beating faster, there he was waiting for her, arms crossed as he too did not seem all too comfortable or eager for this.

“Hello, Sumptuous Shadow,” John said, going by her alter-ego as opposed to her name, not the most auspicious start as it made Laura tense up immediately, which seemed to put him on edge too. “Is everything with the other versions of you okay? Is the Multiverse recuperating?”

“Hello, Prime,” Laura responded, a little hurt by the fact that they did not exactly start with the most important matter to them both, dodging the issue for a few minutes longer. “It was an arduous task, but the Sumptuous Council, the name I gave them, is working hard to bring things back up. None of the souls assimilated by Sahira were lost, thankfully...but they need to be brought back to their rightful place. A great many amount of djinns are helping with this, thankfully. It'll take a while, though.”

“Good. Good,” John said, honestly relieved to hear that, yet it was clear that this wasn't exactly the first matter he had in mind as he glanced at Laura and then gazed at her navel unwittingly, making him avert his gaze through some effort. “How long as this...thing between us been going?”

“Give or take five years. Perhaps six if we count absolutely every instances,” Laura answered, the two finally getting to the crux of the matter, the uncomfortable subject. “This is when I started hypnotizing you.”

“Why did you do it? Why exactly did you start and...why did you even continue?” John went, going for the harder questions and yet those were things he deserved to know. She had to tell him, to free herself from this burden.

“At first it was just self-defense. You caught me, I was out of my league as you did it so easily...but then I caught you looking at my midriff and I still didn't quite know how to use my powers and I just...thought that putting you in a trance was the only way to get out of this situation,” Laura further explained, catching him staring at her navel the moment she half-mentioned it, old habits and conditioning being hard to kill. “It was during a museum heist and I thought it would be just a one-off...but the thrill I had of having the most powerful super-hero under my power got to me and I...kinda half-sought you out. I didn't expect anything, but then we bumped into each other and I was successful all the time...because you have a midriff fetish. Navels, bellies...you just love them.”

“You can't prove...oh, yeah you would know,” John began to retort, until the truth dawned on him that many years of inductions would indeed make it pretty self-explanatory that he'd have no secrets to hide from her. “And did you use me for nefarious schemes? Self-indulgence? Evil plots? Was that why you went on to become my secretary in disguise?”

“No...except maybe for self-indulgence. I did develop the same fetish with time and you were a good target to see how I could develop my own powers, getting to understand them,” Laura continued, this discussion being more of a quiz, an exam of her good graces and goodwill more than anything else, yet it was necessary and she knew it. “It's just that I knew you were an important super hero and I kinda didn't see the point or the fun in just...corrupting you. And the more I learned from you, how you told me your adventures, your fears, your worries...a lot I began to feel a bit sorry for the man who could do anything...yet didn't. I guess I became attached after a few months...and then went on to become your secretary soon after.”

“Became attached? What do you mean?” John asked, intrigued as he was caught in-between trusting her words and doubting everything, her own rescue back when he had been caught in Sahira's control being more telling of her good intentions despite his reservations after all that happened.

“I fell for you, big time. You needed a real-life badly, something to look forward to and I decided that I could be that for you. It was strange for me as I was used to play and fool around, never taking those things seriously...and yet the great Prime himself was vulnerable and showing a different side to me...through immoral means, but still it was earnest,” Laura continued, some low-key thoughts of smoothing and softening a few truths being tempting, yet she chose not to instead, sticking to reality. “I wanted to help you so much at some point, giving you something to look forward to, a secret to you so that you could keep on being the greatest super-hero...but also mine. Yet as I tried to guide everything and to take my time...well I realized eventually that this was fake, wrong and that you deserved better...and then, well, this happened.”

“The Djinnpocalypse, you mean,” John continued, lost in thought as he still listened, though it was hard to really understand exactly what his position was right now on everything. She had indeed betrayed his trust on multiple levels and even with her saving his life...it did not make the past okay. “When I saved you after I began to speak ill of your character...and then you came back to save me.”

“Yes...and I came to understand just where your stress comes from after all this. You save so many, deal with such high-concepts as a super hero while I...I steal things on occasion. I'm small-time compared to you...and I was afraid, stressed, almost beaten by despair during this...and you do this on an almost monthly, perhaps weekly basis,” Laura proceeded to explain, giving her perspective about how she now saw what he did, the sacrifices he made for everyone. “And I respect you immensely, finding my devotion to you entirely worth it...but it hurt you and I cannot be sorry enough for that. Ask me and I'll remove all triggers, conditioning, programming, suggestions and commands from you...and you can finally deliver me to the authorities.”

She extended her arms as if she'd be cuffed and she felt uneasy, unworthy, completely miserable...and yet it was the right thing to do. What they had was built on a lie and it could be shattered with the truth...and she did allow just that. It felt terrible, disappointing, herself ready to cry and yet she'd come clean after this. Then, John placed one of his hand on hers and she looked at her in the eye...and gave her a kiss. It was a surprise, completely unforeseen and yet Laura clinged to that, getting into a light embrace before John himself broke that gesture of affection.

“And here I thought I was being too hard on myself. What you did was entirely wrong...but seeing who you are, what you did and how you've come entirely clean after saving everything...I think we can start working on that together,” John said, his judgment far-less harsh than what she expected as she began to sob and to lean upon him...and he received her gracefully, saving her from such despair because that's what he did. He was a super-hero. “I'm not happy about a lot of the choices you've made...but I believe in your core being that of a good, decent person. I was angry, furious even before...But I can see you want to change and to be better...and I want to help you in this.”

Thus they lingered in silence, their bodies near one-another in a warm embrace as they would perhaps get their moment of happiness together. It would be a struggle, they would need an immense amount of work to make it function...but they were both willing to do their part and that was more than they could hope for.

SAHIRA

All that she had hoped for had been in vain.

Sahira did not know precisely where she was, yet a nagging sensation that coursed through her formless body and ethereal weight gave her enough information to give her a good guess as to what transpired: she was dead. Bitter, furious, downright insulted she had attained the greatest of high, the tallest of height...only to come crashing unceremoniously. Feeling as if she had been part of a great cosmic joke, she was waiting for something else to happen as darkness surrounded her, yet not one aglow with a certain corruption of smooth undercurrent of energy, nothing like her body or the void that characterized it. Cold, empty, wide, the spark that was her could only see solitude as her future as she had been swallowed and destroyed by a primordial entity, an Elder God that defeated her without much struggle. Humiliation, a late entry in her repertoire, came crashing in as she had it all and lost it much too quickly...because people would ever fight her at every stages of her life.

“I feel that someone is throwing a freaking pity party in there. It reeks of shame and failure here,” a voice could be heard, an echo followed by a few steps as Sahira recognized that mocking, teasing tone and a jolt of fear and indignation came rushing in. One of the reason she attempted to destroy this world, while first to remove any elements of her past, was to indeed vanquish these two and get the last laugh...and she didn't succeed. “There she is, Rosh. So small now, so easy to squish and break down. Not so tough now are you, little witch...”

“Now now, she gave us an excellent amount of entertainment and rose to greater heights than most. Almost succeeded even!” another voice came in, Rosh the incubi as he was accompanied by Astra the succubi, their blue and red colors in their flashy getup, their rather lustful appearances clashing amidst the deep darkness of the afterlife...or wherever Sahira could be found. “Almost is the key word here, however...but we were rooting for you, really. You did us proud, went on to reach whole new heights in evil...only to then rightfully crash down when you got too greedy. It was pretty obvious how it would end, but it was very interesting to see your rise and fall.”

She could not talk, no mouth, lips or anything of her own being manifested to reply as all she could do was listen, anxious to hear the rest as they unabashedly came to gloat and laugh, to take their prize: her soul. “Yeah, if you hadn't tried to destroy the world, settled down somewhere else or...you know...actually hypnotized everyone before trying to relish in their pain or something. People hungry for power ever get so, so stupid in the end,” Astra commented, making a point and yet not quite being nice about it as she grabbed the small thing that Sahira had become, bringing it close to her face as she glanced at it with a smirk. “You abuse your power when you know you have a solid basis, not when you build it, dumbass!”

“Alright now, enough. I think Sahira is a very smart woman who can learn her own lessons on her own time...which she will have plenty of because she will have to honor the deal she has made,” Rosh stated, picking the orb himself and yet gently placing it upon his palm. His skin was smooth, soft, luscious and warm...and yet filled with a dark power that could darken even the deepest night, his mannerism a façade for perhaps the most diabolical and decadent of these two. “I actually thought you were very close to success, but failure is but an invitation to try again someday...which we may let you do after a millennia or two under our service, give or take. If we feel generous, that is.”

She had indeed sold her soul for power a long time ago, an attempt to gain what she had lost when the djinns were gone. She had her goal back then, one that she had been so close to achieving and yet fell short of as she already felt their aura overtake her, the contract of blood and symbols that she signed made manifest before their eyes...and then she saw the reasons and clauses and wanted to scream...and yet couldn't.

“Do you even remember why you sold us your soul? I bet you don't,” Astra said, ever cruel in the way she dealt with those she felt were inferior to her, which were a great many. “I mean, if you read closely, you can already see that we more than succeeded in our part.”

“Indeed. You wanted for the djinns to return in greater numbers so that your magic would grow greater,” Rosh explained, himself taking a calmer, far more polite tone yet one glance in his eyes could tell anyone that he was enjoying this torment too, perhaps even more so than his partner. “It is always interesting to see how dark energy, anger, frustration and corruption can twist even the best of intents. Still, because of our influence and gift, what you wanted has indeed been granted to you. A new city rife with djinns and half-djinns will assuredly be built while you turned some other people into djinns themselves, thus their numbers are actually greater than before...all thanks to our combined effort.”

This was a joke, the most terrible of jest as she barely remembered the specifics of that contract as her devotion, her obsession with her desire for power combined with her frustration and the sacrifices made...all added up to her being played the fool by two demons experts at their own game. She knew not if this had been planned, if it was all crazy circumstances or not, yet they were indeed rightfully the owner of her immortal soul as the torture would just begin.

“We're classy and downright generous to even come and search you, you know? We could just leave you there alone and you'd get your just desserts,” Astra commented, spiteful as she approached her heart-shaped tail-extremity close to the shapeless small mass that was Sahira, threatening her. “You did try to annihilate the world we were in...maybe to get rid of us, I'd bet!”

“That does indeed sound like a very serious offense that we need to consider,” Rosh said, his tone now entirely cold, as if he let his true emotions run rampant for even a minute as he was now far more intimidating, the contrast between his mellow self quite striking. “But we are magnanimous and we know exactly how we can best use you. Trust me, you will feel right at home in there.”

And with his usual smile and pleasant manners, Rosh then presented a singular object of great significance: an oil lamp. Aware of what this meant, it was while Rosh held Sahira's soul that Astra rubbed the lamp and then the enchantments were activated...and Sahira was pulled inside. A small vortex arose, taking all that she was and the energy that remained of her as Sahira could hear the pull of music, the strength of a certain aroma and the might of servitude wash upon her. All were odd sensations, feelings that she was to impose upon others and yet were set upon her as a connection was made with the lamp. Its brass color turned into a mess of obsidians and amethysts, of rubies and gold meshing together into spirals and runes as eventually Sahira was absorbed and assimilated by this object, her new receptacle.

“And now as stated, you shall become our servant in payment to our part of the deal. I very much look forward to when you will obey our first commands~”

Sleeping in the lamp, tales of obedience and servitude were awash, spirals and hypnosis being regular outings for the witch to partake in. Amidst her many trances, in the confinement of her lamp, an anger resided, kept pristine and pure. It was a promise to herself that she'd try her hardest to keep, the only thing that was hers that truly remained.

Her hate and how she'd unleash it once more upon everything.

Description
THE DJINNPOCALYPSE - EPILOGUES

NEFER

The fact that Nefer had actually waken up was a good sign.

Opening up his eyes, the Lord of Kittens either expected for the end of the world or glorious success, both extremes and yet he was caught in the ambiguity of whether or not his dad had been saved...or if his father figure had destroyed everything of this world and continued its rampage caused by Sahira's dark will. He ached, his superior durability and endurance as a god not exactly protecting him against the unwilling lashing of an Elder God as his vision became clear...until he saw that both Esme and the Cobra God were sitting by the side of his bed inside a familiar environment: inside Naylee's lamp.

“S-so...we won?” he asked meekly, his voice causing quite a reaction for those two who rushed even closer, obviously quite thankful that he had woken up. Recognizing the one he himself identified as his father, Nefer nevertheless found him to be quite different in look, his immensely long tail nowhere to be seen as the Cobra God was clad in a rather simple yet sumptuous bedlah, with a bolero vest and a sash adorning his waist. “D-did everyone make it okay?”

“Hush now...you need some proper rest. I'll go get Naylee. She'll be happy to see that you're okay!” Esme said, a little eager and happy as that sight gave Nefer a likewise reaction, a huge tension and pressure removed from his shoulder as the nightmare was over. The adventure concluded well and all would finally be good for everyone...as good as they could be as he sighed in relief. With Esme gone, the Cobra God chuckled with a little hiss and gave his surrogate son a little wink, his more humanoid shape and mannerism at odd with what Nefer knew of him.

“My my...she did not leave your side and spoke so, so well of you,” he said, his voice startling Nefer as he never had actually heard it before. Hisses communicating intent and emotions were how the Elder God spoke prior to this, as the more beastly side of the Cobra God was seemingly removed for this instance. “She'd be good for you, I can say. A heart of gold, that one.”

“Daaaaaad...” Nefer said, already embarrassed by the fact that the Cobra God was acting exactly like how a father would...or how he pictured it. It was not exactly the first thing he expected to be said, the beginning of a deeper conversation and yet it felt real...making the cat-boy ironically think that perhaps this was but a dream, a fantasy of the after-life. “We're just friends.”

“Uh uh...Might wanna explain it to her without breaking her heart, lover boy,” the Cobra God said, finding himself hilarious as hissed chuckles accompanied his retort. The two looked at each other, their reunion not quite what any of the two expected as some silence instilled itself onto the scene before he spoke again. “I'm...deeply sorry, Nefer. I hurt you and...I was lost, without focus save for simple things and...”

“You were hypnotized, downright corrupted. There were hundreds of her gems and I could see you were fighting. Stop this nonsense, it doesn't suit you,” Nefer said, a bit too drastically for his own good as he tried to adjust himself on the bed he was resting in, making him wince a bit in pain as he wasn't entirely healed yet. “Ouch...Anyway, seems like you've regained your...I guess true form? I never expected you to speak, though. Your voice, it's...deep and weird yet suave all the same. I can't really explain it...Anyway, I suppose you remember your true name now? What do I have to call you now?”

“Oh, I never really had a name. I was there before the beginning...if that can be explained, so no one gave me one and I never saw the need to have one myself. I was...me, you know?” the Cobra God responded, helping Nefer out to get more comfortable, his touch gentle and light as if he was afraid to hurt him more, the guilt of having caused this still lingering obviously. “I had many titles or appellations given by many, some I care much less for I will admit...But you...you can call me dad like you said prior. I think it might be one of my very favorite.”

A silent gaze at each other, words finally said and shared, sentiments of the most earnest kind out in the open and then they finally hugged. Not coils to protect, not a reluctance in sight as affection was spoken without a word, a lingering sensation that made Nefer purr unwittingly, the thing he had sought for so long being finally given to him: a parent who gave a damn about him, who loved him for who he was. Decades of solitude, of building fake relationship, of building a shell of platitudes and illusory aloofness around his personage, all of it needing to be torn down and rebuilt little by little...and this was the start.

“I'll go get Naylee too...I have a few things to talk to her about,” the Cobra God said, getting up and messing with Nefer's hair, making it so the cat-boy playfully struck at his father's hand in a way that felt characteristically like a cat, like himself in a sense. “But I'll be back soon, alright?”

“I know you will dad...I know you will.”

ESME

Thank the cosmos it was all over.

The sight of Nefer, her protector, finally waking up meant that everything was in its place, with her finally about to resume her lessons. While she felt like she had grown, perhaps much more so than she herself realized, the djinn-in-training was certainly not eager to repeat that experience, feeling it still weird that she so actively participated in saving one of the Multiverse caught in the grand scheme of things called the Omniverse. It felt important, larger-than-life...and yet she felt no different still. A part of her was still anxious about performing correctly in her role as a djinn despite her achievement, how she strangely used her magic correctly under very trying circumstances. The eyes of an important number of djinns had been set on her and, without being aware of it, she had made quite an impression, her reputation growing despite itself. As such, it was no surprise that another surprise guest in Naylee's lamp where she was lodged went for her with the firm intent to check Esme the heroine for herself.

“Greetings, young one,” a woman said to Esme, causing her to eep and stop in her current process as she turned around to notice a woman clad in red and gold, sporting red hair and pale skin, a beauty of confidence that she recognized as one of those who assisted her back then in the heat of battle, Naylee's mentor herself. “I must say, it has been a long time since I saw such an inner fire like you demonstrated back there. I was left quite impressed, one might say.”

“O-oh...Y-y-yes of course...I mean...I did j-just what I thought was needed...s-spur of the m-m-moment thing you know, mistress Aliyah...uh I mean Aliyah...ma'am?” Esme responded, her shy and timid behavior returning back in force before this woman who Naylee spoke very highly of, one she had seen effortlessly hypnotizing and freeing many of Laura's multiversal copies with a plethora of techniques. Smoke, dancing, winks...a cavalcade of impressive and mesmerizing seduction. “S-sorry, I...”

“Shy? Don't worry, Naylee told it all to me...And I can see what she means when she speaks of potential,” Aliyah said, approaching Esme in such a way that even the djinn-in-training couldn't quite deny that there was an otherworldly, fascinating appeal to the crimson-haired djinn before her. Her words, her confidence...it made it so easy to listen and give her all the attention that was needed, making Esme feel smaller than ever before. “The energy, the sheer potency...the audacity you had and the courage you've shown...Yes, I think you'll be one of the greats sooner than expected. I even had a chat with your friend Hama back there about it, believe it or not.”

“R-really? What did she say?” the mention of her friend Hama making Esme forget her social reluctance for a spell, making her a little eager as all this praise from well-known source did cheer her up a bit. “I mean...if you want to share.”

“Your enthusiasm is certainly endearing and I think in no time at all, with the proper training...you'll make a lot of people very happy,” Aliyah stated, repeating what Hama believed, also paraphrasing her own sentiments as she smiled in a genuine fashion...until that turned into a little smirk in but a few seconds. “But if you ever want to learn to defend yourself, perhaps even to learn a few techniques like Naylee did...why contact me and I'll give you very personal lessons.”

One snap of her fingers, a calling card shared and right there Aliyah vanished in flames, her devilish attitude making Esme begin to question whether she was sincerely being given an opportunity for lessons...or a possible romantic pursuit. Both gave her some fright, yet as she stored the card she pondered the subject and finally met Naylee, the Hypnodjinn giving her a smile as they bumped into each other by accident.

“My apologies, Esme...I was lost in my own thoughts. By the looks of it, so were you, though,” Naylee said, herself seemingly doing some rather deep thinking as she stopped in her tracks to listen to her own apprentice. “It's actually quite a nice coincidence that we found each other, as I've a task for you, something for your training.”

“Oh, can't it wait? I wanted to meet you to tell you that Nefer's actually awake now!” Esme said, her happiness over that fact a little surprising even to her as she voiced it out. “I mean...if you want to talk to him, o-of course.”

“That is indeed wonderful news. I'll be sure to pay him a visit soon, then,” Naylee answered to this revelation, indeed a touch relieved that those in her routine proximity were doing okay. “Actually, this does help with what I was about to say. We've had rather short-term wish expeditions here and there, but I think that you might learn faster by actually being the personal djinn to someone for you to grow...and I think someone in need of assistance like Nefer would do the trick quite fine. Starting from now, until I believe the task if complete, consider yourself his djinn here to help him heal...among other things.”

“N-n-n-n-Nefer?” Esme retorted, her shyness coming back exponentially stronger, the fact that she'd be serving, being a magical slave to one she knew of all things...and him of all people. The Lord of Kittens own servant, here to grant his own wishes. She felt flustered, blushing, wondering just how she'd take advantage of the situation...of where this might lead. “Are you sure? It's not a joke right? No fooling around? No kidding? He's a god, right? Does he even need a djinn? Is it even legal?”

“Now get on with it, my apprentice. Since he's woken up, he might just need the help of his personal djinn at any time,” Naylee answered to all these questions, giving her a wink that pretty much meant that she'd have to figure it all out for herself, all those exploits that the djinn-in-training had accomplished giving the Hypnodjinn enough confidence to give such responsibilities to Esme. “You'll do fine...more than fine, I'm certain~”

With stress and pressure on her shoulders, it was with a sigh that Esme went back to Nefer, hoping things would prove to turn out alright in the long run...

THE COBRA GOD AND NAYLEE

“Good thinking. I really see them work wonderfully well together.”

Naylee looked behind her, the presence of the Cobra God even a surprise to her, though the fact that he had regained his faculties did mean that he was far above anyone she knew in terms of power. He had been able to actually beat Sahira, after all, one powered by a vast, vast amount of wishes. As impressive as he was, he also was very bizarrely relatable as he walked in his bedlah, his tail seemingly tucked inside this shape of his for now. “I didn't really think about this assignment that way...but you may be right,” Naylee said, laughing softly and yet perhaps a bit forcibly as seeing him only reinforced a certain feeling she had been keeping locked inside, one which gnawed at her soul. “Perhaps they'll find some form of happiness together...or at least tolerate each enough long enough. Who knows?”

“I can sense a certain hesitation in there, Naylee...It's not like you not to think of other's happiness in such a lacking fashion,” the Cobra God said, summoning his tail to create a seat of coils for himself to rest upon. “Are you thinking about all that happened prior...about what we both went through?”

“It was...horrible. I became everything I hate, all the things I would never do somehow I was made to do and enjoy. I turned into the antithesis of what I am...and it was the most terrifying experience of my whole existence,” Naylee said, sitting down and opening herself up, shaking as if she finally could say those things out loud. Herself exercising a great amount of pressure for performance, to be open-minded, capable, loving, clever, witty and everything else, to be vulnerable was a challenge in its own right. The Cobra God, though, has gone through a similar suffering and as her heart was heavy, her mind worn out. “And I was conscious all the time, unable to fight back. This Sahira was particularly cruel, something so deeply ingrained in her that was so evil that no pain or anguish caused was enough. Whatever made her turn out like this...I dread to learn of it.”

“It was painful...she got me in a moment when I was especially vulnerable, back when I finally remembered who I was, in a panic...and because of that, I wanted to run away, feeling shame, regret...and her hypnosis gave me all that for the briefest of instant and then it was too late,” the Cobra God shared, looking at Naylee with the clearest hint that he understood what she spoke of all too well. “She used me on occasion, keeping me in a basket and hypnotizing me, corrupting me with all the power she could muster. I fought yet it never seemed enough...until Esme and Nefer came for me and...I caused my son to receive harm. It's a selfish reason...but it was enough.”

“It's not selfish...he's family and I think this is what you yearned for, yet also dreaded all the same. I saw one of my families back there too...my daughter Iziphe and one of my many husbands Huxstrag...the dragons,” Naylee said, trying to change the subject a bit though there was still some stress and remorse in her that needed to be let out. “I felt ashamed that I hadn't seen them for the longest time. I almost forgot them...and they were so, so happy to see me, to free me from my torment...and it made me realize that it seems like I've been cruising for so long without much thoughts for the consequences of my actions. Have I been so selfish and thoughtless?”

“No...but you've stretched yourself too thin and tried to please too many and, as someone who has lived a long time, it can cause some unfortunate results. Any happiness is fleeting, something you most assuredly know by now,” the Cobra God answered, indeed thinking the world of one of his dearest friend, yet not so amiable that he'd just tell her what she wanted. “Moving from one master to another, giving them their earnest wishes can be amazing...but it will inevitably lead to pain and misery if their wish is for you to stay. As a djinn...it's impossible. You will eventually move on because their wishes will be spent or because of any other reason, even if they mean for you to stay forever. It's simply not who you are and what you do.”

“But my daughter...she's grown so much and she missed me so...and my other children too...” Naylee said, her culpability hitting her head-on as she wasn't in the best frame of mind, her own trauma making it so she couldn't just ignore the facts. “I am such a terrible mother and terrible person.”

“Of course not. You rose her, gave her splendid memories of the time you spent together and the possibility to grow up as her own person...which I'm sure you did for them all for each and every one of them,” the Cobra God said, himself strangely the voice of reason when he couldn't even speak properly before, his presence comforting despite what he represented and how grand his power truly was. “All children leave the nest sooner or later...in one way or another. Mine, for instance...well he never had a chance to meet his father. At all. I don't know what he must be thinking of me, what my past lover thinks now. Did they wait for me? Did they understand that I am to be the one to end their world down the line? If I go back, will it be only to destroy it all?”

“I think we're both due a vacation, some time off for ourselves,” Naylee said, taking the role of the one for comfort here as she placed her hand on top of the Cobra God's, holding back her own tears so that the two of them could possibly move forward after all of this. “Let's go meet our families, see what happens. After all the bad we unwittingly did, maybe it's time to see the good we created, yes, even if it'll be weird for the both of us.”

“So that's why you sent Esme to Nefer, uh?” the Cobra God said with a light chuckle, trying to smile as he had good reasons to be happy, yet also plenty others to feed his sadness. “I think I'll listen to you on that front...and grab a vacation with the kid.”

LAPINE AND LIÈVRE

“Boy did we need that vacation!”

Lapine was right, Lièvre thought, as the djinn bunny-girl was lounging on a long chair, sipping down perhaps the fifth conjured too-sugary drink in an hour. The colorful, perhaps even alcoholic beverage, fitted the décor quite well as the bunnies of bonne fortune were relaxing on the beach, the sunset and temperature agreeing with their choice as Lièvre sighed, a touch of melancholy hitting her straight-on.

“Do you think we'll see our adventuring pals again?” she asked, causing for Lapine to turn around nonchalantly, slowly even as if that question was more irritating than the few mosquitos that occasionally flew close to them. “I mean...it would be fun, right?”

“They were fine, brave, courageous people and even some of them being gorgeous creatures,” Lapine answered, trying to be diplomatic, yet a touch of snark was about to land as she weighed her words, only for the simplest and most direct of answer to come to the always bedlah-clad bunny-girl. “But I hope I never, ever see them again.”

“Awwww come on, it won't have to be another big quest fraught with danger. We could just chat, have some tea and everything!” Lièvre suggested, quite aware that she could just ask Lapine for it to happen and it would, yet their bond and arrangement made it so she relented on that course-of-action, knowing that her precious friend and partner wouldn't enjoy this at all. “I mean, even you got along with some of them, like Huxstrag and some from the Golden Clamp Company.”

“One, it's the Golden Lamp Company. Two, Huxstrag's a dragon and married...though he was kinda hot in his human form...but still,” Lapine explained, lamenting half-heartedly as she summoned a carrot cake for her to munch upon, not particularly caring that it was a stereotype for her to do such a thing in the first place. “Can't you just take it easy? We've been on just our second day of vacation, which you promised, and already you seem to crave more excitement, a plan to do good or what-not, another project...Give us a break, will ya?”

“I know...I know...but it just feels like we peaked and...I don't know what comes after,” Lièvre further explained, her own quandary indeed simple and yet not quite easy to answer. They had participated in saving everything that they knew existed...and even more than that. She had been instrumental even, this she was half-sure about...and yet now what? They had worked hard so that things would go on, yet they needed to do the same now. “I mean...how do you follow that up?”

“I dunno. Write a book about it or something,” Lapine answered, already regretting it as Lièvre looked at her with astonished eyes, taking this off-handed comment as if it was meant to be serious. “And now you're gonna do it, are you?”

“We could make a play about this! We could share this true story and find actors and everything! No more low-lives street-theater, now big effects, big stakes, big productions...and you could be a star even!” Lièvre said excitedly, clearly invested now as she took out pen and papers from her own bag beside her chair to write everything down. “Practical effects would be a cinch with you on board and we'd just need to pace things out, add drama here and there...”

“No no no...come on, the story would literally end with a deux ex machina, a god who just conveniently wake up and then defeats the villain. How lame is that?” Lapine declared, trying to discourager her friend from yet another big project, something which threatened their months-long vacation together. “We were supposed to be there to relax and watch people in swimsuits together. Live the good life!”

“We'll just embellish that part. I mean, we don't know what even happened with that big Cobra God thingy...Oh, maybe it was his son who freed him at the last minute, this would add such dramatic and tragic depth!” Lièvre wrote down as she spoke, never quite understand how close she was to the truth of the matter. “I'm bursting with ideas now. Maybe we'll even option it for a film too!”

And with a sigh, Lapine summoned her sixth sugary drink, her sweet tooth no escape from the bursting and creative energy of her friend...the one she shared her best and worst moments with.

THE GOLDEN LAMP COMPANY

They had shared some of their best and worst moments together.

The whole company were uneasy, anxious about the fate of their friend as they marched left and right, unable to rest or to relax after these trying times. Not after what they saw as the remain of their friend, the one whom they were all named after, the Lamp Golem, had been through the wringers. Her head was almost squished, some of her gem-eyes cracked, one arm had been literally teared away...they weren't even sure she was alive. No response came from her when they spoke, no sign of life...nothing. It was scary, each one of them dealing with it in their own way as they paced themselves through Huxstrag's own home, the dragon kind enough to provide material from his hoard to the artisan who would try to build her back, the one who called himself her father.

Belital the wise.

“So...any progress, any news? Tell us straight!” Breghni asked, gravitating toward the spot in which the master arcanist and craftsman did his job. The dwarf could not move away from even 10 meters, too stressed about the fate of one who changed everything in his life. “Come on, don't keep us wanting and waiting!”

“It shall suffice, Breghni. Let the man work in peace, as we all share your enmity toward this powerlessness that assails us,” Huxstrag said, the large dragon observing from a higher position, his own help coming in the form of some focused lighting breath on occasion and all the gold or gems they'd ever need. Aware that the safety of the world and everything within, including his daughter, was due to the construct he gave what was necessary to save the life of one so valiant. “To think that we started as enemies and now I am trying to save her from possible doom. Life certainly is strange.”

“Dad, focus. I can't just use my magic alone while that old man does his job. I mean, he looks like he's about to pass out at any second!” Iziphe added, using her reserves of magic to try to repair and mend while the fire of life was being reignited through jumpstarts of the arcane from within and without.

“Come, Breghni. We can't help, only hinder at this point. Let Belital, Iziphe, Huxstrag and the genie within our dearest friend's body do what they can,” Nakhi went on to say, the feline monk trying to be calm and rational as she brought the dwarf along toward the others. “While certain beautiful things can result from pressure, this is not one of them.”

“I do fear for Belital, though. When I apprenticed under him he was old...and that was a very, very long time ago. I'm surprised he's still alive,” Yanissa observed, sharing that thought with the others as the sun elf tried to stay by her lover's side, Breghni joining her as they all couldn't help themselves but worry. There had never been any casualty on their side yet, though this adventure had also been their greatest challenge. It was bound to happen...yet being prepared for it did not mean it would be easy nevertheless.

“I have kept myself alive for one reason alone...and it was to speak with her,” Belital responded, his senses sharper than his frail body suggested as he worked diligently, returning the gold to its former sheen as the gold was melted and shaped with his magic alongside that of Iziphe. The djinns and citizens of New Akoora helping in their own way as the dimension inside her was still active...which meant that this might not be a fool's errand. “So do please stop interrupting or distracting me!”

That retort was sharp, a bit aggressive even and as they kept themselves silent, everyone in the company observed from afar and in silence. Theresa, Richard, Malachai and Valina were all anxious, doing their own thing to occupy their brain away from every possible worst case scenarios. It was Aliss who was surprisingly silent, her emotions kept bottled in as she did not even give a second glance at the scene, preferring to keep watch over the tunnel “in case of an attack” as she said.

“It is done. The spark of life has been kindled anew and she will return to us soon. She is very weak right now, though,” Belital said as loud as he could, taking a rest as he sat down while his djinn assistant conjured a chair for him. “I built her to last, and it's not a battle against primordial darkness being corrupted that will be the end of her, I assure you.”

“B-Belital?” the Lamp Golem said, acclimating herself to the new gold that had been melted down to repair all the damage. Like a new layer of skin, her body felt alien to her, a certain sore and weird sensation passing through her metal flesh as she turned her head to her creator. “I-is that really you?”

“Yes, my dear...Yes I'm here,” the old man said, taking the Lamp Golem's hand as he made an extra effort to stand up just as he sat down, making his back hurt considerably yet he moved past it. “You went through quite a fight...but everything's okay now. Your friends and I, all the djinns...we all worked very hard to make sure you'd live.”

“Were you...were you watching all this time?” the Lamp Golem spoke, a little more savvy about events and recent revelations than most knew as everyone's attention was on her right now. “I-I'm sorry if I-”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. The culprits were identified, made reparations and everything worked out in the end...though you feared for the worst for such a long, long time, not knowing the crucial details, afraid of what you might have done,” Belital said, his breath a little ragged, forcing himself to speak as his body strained itself, the man being far past the age in which he'd normally have deceased. “You went through so much, yet were ever good, helped so many people...and now you saved everything. I am so, so very proud of you...words cannot express how I feel, really.”

As he squeezed her hand, she squeezed it back and after giving a meek smile, the Lamp Golem did something for the first time in her life: she fell asleep. At first many thoughts that it was her death they witnessed, yet the snoring cut short that theory as sighs of relief, nervous chuckles and plain old joy invaded their thoughts and reactions rightfully. “What a miracle...Everyone lived in the end, it seems...At least from what I gather,” Huxstrag said, wise yet not all-knowing as he indeed did not deplore allies or innocents meeting their demise, with Sahira wishing to enslave or assimilate all. On their realm, things had been okay, which was indeed a true blessing on its own. “Now, Iziphe, I think we owe them a promise. They did help us and we gave them our word.”

“Alright, alright...mom disapproved anyway. Here goes...” Iziphe said, sighing before then snapping her fingers as not only the many adventurers in her harem-hoard were freed from thrall...but also vanished somewhere else entirely, gone from the insides of the mountain. “They're on their way to their home and they won't obey my commands anymore. There, it's done now.”

“You sound angry about it,” Malachai noted, thinking aloud as he looked at the dragon in her bedlah, crossing her arms while looking at her father. “Aren't you happy that your mother is alive and well?”

“Yes, yes, of course...but now I don't have anything to do to pass the time until the next time she visits...” Iziphe told him, sighing as a little burst of lightning escaped from her nostrils. Her eyes suddenly widened as she then has a mischievous look on her face, looking at the Golden Lamp Company with a smirk. “I know! Since I'm a grown person, completely able to make her own decisions and since I'm so, so good at adventuring it turns out...I'll join your company! We'll save people, meet pretty heroes and heroines, fight evil...It'll be terrific!”

“Wait a minute, you can't just invite yourself in, that's not how it works!” Breghni replied, indignant as a debate inside the group was started...one that lasted but ten seconds before Valina herself jumped in and cut it short.

“Besides the Lamp Golem, can any of us actually stop her from doing just that, what she wants?” she said, stating the obvious as indeed Iziphe was a powerhouse and had been much help during this tenuous journey full of hardships. “I say we just let her in. The more the merrier.”

“Besides, it'll be good for her not to stay in the house all the time, playing with her adventurers like a recluse. Yes, seeing the world is a wonderful idea, my dear,” Huxstrag added, the surprisingly open-minded dragon not helping with Breghni's reluctance as the dwarf abandoned his position and just shrugged it off. They could indeed use more numbers, as the offers to join had been multiplying lately through magical messages and expedient missives.

And they certainly would need some help with finding just the right spot for the city of New Akoora.

ODORIKO AND DJINNOBU

“May I ask the reason of your continued presence in these lands?”

It was a bizarrely harsh, yet honest question coming from Odoriko as she sat comfortably at her own table, sipping her own tea as her friend and herself seemed to replicate a particular scene from prior all this madness they went through. Meeting adventurers from a continent away, fighting corrupt djinns, rebelling against an evil witch-entity and saving all that was and would be in order to avenge Djinnobu's people...only for them to turn out fine and actually better in the end.

“What, you mean why I won't join their initiative for their city of theirs, New Akoora?” the kunoichi asked, partaking of the finest sake courtesy of her host, laying comfortably as her mannerism, attitude and general stance were entirely different from when they had been on a mission together. Calm, collected, serious, professional, downright devoted while on this quest...and then aloof, laid-back and downright relaxed right now. “I mean, why would I even go there?”

“It was my understanding that they were your people and that you would wish to get back to them, perhaps to meet your family, rekindle friendships...matters of great importance,” Odoriko asked, herself bringing arguments as to why her friend should indeed commit to the idea of participating in these rebuilding efforts...and yet it seemed to be for naught as one glance outside and a little smirk was all that Djinnobu had to say on the subject for now. “I must admit to being astonished by your lack of investment in this. Shouldn't this be a great revelation, something that changes your whole perspective and prospects for your life?”

“Yeah, it's why we're celebrating! Also no, it doesn't change much, not really,” Djinnobu admitted, coming to the understanding that Odoriko had been invested enough, risking her life for her friend and perhaps an actual explanation might be the least that she would be owed. “The thing is...I'm actually pretty happy here. I got a master...who's probably wondering what's taking so long for my latest report by the way...friends and an easy, satisfying life here. I wanted closure, I got it...and now I move on.”

“I am unsure if this is remarkable or disappointing...but in the end it is very much you,” Odoriko said, taking a sip of her bitter green tea, wondering how she'd try to spin this whole adventure into a tale palatable for her children, those who actually saw their lands somehow get diminished, a great witch in the sky cackling and then dancing hypnotically. One was old enough to understand, while the other was smaller and more afraid, a query indeed that she was actually enjoying given that she was alive to face it as opposed to simply gone. “And what did your queen have to say about it?”

“Oh, she was pretty happy to see me, I gave her a report from all that time I spent here, told her of my life...and she asked me if I wanted to stay,” Djinnobu said matter-of-factly, as if conversing with a being of great power and legendary prestige was nothing to write home about as she downed her sake cup only to see Odoriko fill it with the help of one of her fluffy tails. “I said no, she understood...and here we are.”

“So long as you are content, then,” Odoriko said, putting a final word on that matter as she picked up a rice cracker and bit upon it before herself taking a small cup of sake, feeling that indeed it was perhaps time to celebrate a little after all of this. She had taken a gamble upon her life for the purpose of all life and she had won, thus perhaps enjoying it a little more could be a good thing. “I would wish to speak about the payment that I am owed, if you do not mind. You made certain promises and I would see to it that they are fulfilled.”

“Oh yeah, I told you I would grant you a wish and train your two kids,” Djinnobu said, scarfing down a few rice crackers herself with less poise and manners, filling her cheeks with the salty snacks. “You thought of a wish yet?”

“I prefer to keep it in reserve for now, for rainy days, as I'm sure you'll understand,” Odoriko answered, indeed thinking long about this as such a boon could be greatly beneficial...yet could be discussed with her husband and their family, if only for everyone to be on the same page. “You can begin to train my eldest, if you do not mind. Ever since that bout of a certain extravagance in our halls she has been rather taken by the way you handled yourself. She'd be quite pleased.”

“Gonna fill in a report with my master, drink and sleep for a day or two and then you can send her to me,” Djinnobu promised, already somewhat losing interest as she yawned, allowing herself the luxury of being tired and wanting to rest, two needs that she didn't really had any obligations to partake in as a djinn. “You're gonna have a wonderful dancer, kunoichi and an expert swordswoman out of that girl if what I saw is true. A true heroine for a new age.”

“We'll need more of those for the date when evil will come back. I do not want my children late for any special destiny awaiting them.”

THE SUMPTUOUS SHADOW

She couldn't afford to be late for this date.

She thought of this meeting, this important talk like in order to not be too afraid, for her nerves to be steady as everything had been kind of a mess after they had prevented the Djinnpocalypse with everyone. The many Laura's had to be returned to their home, some had to be returned to their initial form while others wanted to remain djinns. Repairs had to be made here and everywhere, with many helping including her...and during all this time she hadn't really exchanged but a few banal words with John. He still had every rights to be angry with her, perhaps even to be done...but she wanted to stop feeling guilty over it, to move on and that required communication. Surprisingly enough, it was John who had done the first move, giving them a spot to meet and speak.

The exact rooftop where they first met.

It was significant, quite symbolic and yet she did not know what it meant. Was it to conclude things in a way that would close the loop? A new beginning? Just something that he remembered and felt she would recall too? She didn't know and that drove Laura crazy as she leaped from one roof to the next, too many things happening all at once. As terrified as she was, however, she had fought and helped defeat Sahira in her own way, so an actual discussion shouldn't be as scary...and yet it was. As she reached the spot, her heart beating faster, there he was waiting for her, arms crossed as he too did not seem all too comfortable or eager for this.

“Hello, Sumptuous Shadow,” John said, going by her alter-ego as opposed to her name, not the most auspicious start as it made Laura tense up immediately, which seemed to put him on edge too. “Is everything with the other versions of you okay? Is the Multiverse recuperating?”

“Hello, Prime,” Laura responded, a little hurt by the fact that they did not exactly start with the most important matter to them both, dodging the issue for a few minutes longer. “It was an arduous task, but the Sumptuous Council, the name I gave them, is working hard to bring things back up. None of the souls assimilated by Sahira were lost, thankfully...but they need to be brought back to their rightful place. A great many amount of djinns are helping with this, thankfully. It'll take a while, though.”

“Good. Good,” John said, honestly relieved to hear that, yet it was clear that this wasn't exactly the first matter he had in mind as he glanced at Laura and then gazed at her navel unwittingly, making him avert his gaze through some effort. “How long as this...thing between us been going?”

“Give or take five years. Perhaps six if we count absolutely every instances,” Laura answered, the two finally getting to the crux of the matter, the uncomfortable subject. “This is when I started hypnotizing you.”

“Why did you do it? Why exactly did you start and...why did you even continue?” John went, going for the harder questions and yet those were things he deserved to know. She had to tell him, to free herself from this burden.

“At first it was just self-defense. You caught me, I was out of my league as you did it so easily...but then I caught you looking at my midriff and I still didn't quite know how to use my powers and I just...thought that putting you in a trance was the only way to get out of this situation,” Laura further explained, catching him staring at her navel the moment she half-mentioned it, old habits and conditioning being hard to kill. “It was during a museum heist and I thought it would be just a one-off...but the thrill I had of having the most powerful super-hero under my power got to me and I...kinda half-sought you out. I didn't expect anything, but then we bumped into each other and I was successful all the time...because you have a midriff fetish. Navels, bellies...you just love them.”

“You can't prove...oh, yeah you would know,” John began to retort, until the truth dawned on him that many years of inductions would indeed make it pretty self-explanatory that he'd have no secrets to hide from her. “And did you use me for nefarious schemes? Self-indulgence? Evil plots? Was that why you went on to become my secretary in disguise?”

“No...except maybe for self-indulgence. I did develop the same fetish with time and you were a good target to see how I could develop my own powers, getting to understand them,” Laura continued, this discussion being more of a quiz, an exam of her good graces and goodwill more than anything else, yet it was necessary and she knew it. “It's just that I knew you were an important super hero and I kinda didn't see the point or the fun in just...corrupting you. And the more I learned from you, how you told me your adventures, your fears, your worries...a lot I began to feel a bit sorry for the man who could do anything...yet didn't. I guess I became attached after a few months...and then went on to become your secretary soon after.”

“Became attached? What do you mean?” John asked, intrigued as he was caught in-between trusting her words and doubting everything, her own rescue back when he had been caught in Sahira's control being more telling of her good intentions despite his reservations after all that happened.

“I fell for you, big time. You needed a real-life badly, something to look forward to and I decided that I could be that for you. It was strange for me as I was used to play and fool around, never taking those things seriously...and yet the great Prime himself was vulnerable and showing a different side to me...through immoral means, but still it was earnest,” Laura continued, some low-key thoughts of smoothing and softening a few truths being tempting, yet she chose not to instead, sticking to reality. “I wanted to help you so much at some point, giving you something to look forward to, a secret to you so that you could keep on being the greatest super-hero...but also mine. Yet as I tried to guide everything and to take my time...well I realized eventually that this was fake, wrong and that you deserved better...and then, well, this happened.”

“The Djinnpocalypse, you mean,” John continued, lost in thought as he still listened, though it was hard to really understand exactly what his position was right now on everything. She had indeed betrayed his trust on multiple levels and even with her saving his life...it did not make the past okay. “When I saved you after I began to speak ill of your character...and then you came back to save me.”

“Yes...and I came to understand just where your stress comes from after all this. You save so many, deal with such high-concepts as a super hero while I...I steal things on occasion. I'm small-time compared to you...and I was afraid, stressed, almost beaten by despair during this...and you do this on an almost monthly, perhaps weekly basis,” Laura proceeded to explain, giving her perspective about how she now saw what he did, the sacrifices he made for everyone. “And I respect you immensely, finding my devotion to you entirely worth it...but it hurt you and I cannot be sorry enough for that. Ask me and I'll remove all triggers, conditioning, programming, suggestions and commands from you...and you can finally deliver me to the authorities.”

She extended her arms as if she'd be cuffed and she felt uneasy, unworthy, completely miserable...and yet it was the right thing to do. What they had was built on a lie and it could be shattered with the truth...and she did allow just that. It felt terrible, disappointing, herself ready to cry and yet she'd come clean after this. Then, John placed one of his hand on hers and she looked at her in the eye...and gave her a kiss. It was a surprise, completely unforeseen and yet Laura clinged to that, getting into a light embrace before John himself broke that gesture of affection.

“And here I thought I was being too hard on myself. What you did was entirely wrong...but seeing who you are, what you did and how you've come entirely clean after saving everything...I think we can start working on that together,” John said, his judgment far-less harsh than what she expected as she began to sob and to lean upon him...and he received her gracefully, saving her from such despair because that's what he did. He was a super-hero. “I'm not happy about a lot of the choices you've made...but I believe in your core being that of a good, decent person. I was angry, furious even before...But I can see you want to change and to be better...and I want to help you in this.”

Thus they lingered in silence, their bodies near one-another in a warm embrace as they would perhaps get their moment of happiness together. It would be a struggle, they would need an immense amount of work to make it function...but they were both willing to do their part and that was more than they could hope for.

SAHIRA

All that she had hoped for had been in vain.

Sahira did not know precisely where she was, yet a nagging sensation that coursed through her formless body and ethereal weight gave her enough information to give her a good guess as to what transpired: she was dead. Bitter, furious, downright insulted she had attained the greatest of high, the tallest of height...only to come crashing unceremoniously. Feeling as if she had been part of a great cosmic joke, she was waiting for something else to happen as darkness surrounded her, yet not one aglow with a certain corruption of smooth undercurrent of energy, nothing like her body or the void that characterized it. Cold, empty, wide, the spark that was her could only see solitude as her future as she had been swallowed and destroyed by a primordial entity, an Elder God that defeated her without much struggle. Humiliation, a late entry in her repertoire, came crashing in as she had it all and lost it much too quickly...because people would ever fight her at every stages of her life.

“I feel that someone is throwing a freaking pity party in there. It reeks of shame and failure here,” a voice could be heard, an echo followed by a few steps as Sahira recognized that mocking, teasing tone and a jolt of fear and indignation came rushing in. One of the reason she attempted to destroy this world, while first to remove any elements of her past, was to indeed vanquish these two and get the last laugh...and she didn't succeed. “There she is, Rosh. So small now, so easy to squish and break down. Not so tough now are you, little witch...”

“Now now, she gave us an excellent amount of entertainment and rose to greater heights than most. Almost succeeded even!” another voice came in, Rosh the incubi as he was accompanied by Astra the succubi, their blue and red colors in their flashy getup, their rather lustful appearances clashing amidst the deep darkness of the afterlife...or wherever Sahira could be found. “Almost is the key word here, however...but we were rooting for you, really. You did us proud, went on to reach whole new heights in evil...only to then rightfully crash down when you got too greedy. It was pretty obvious how it would end, but it was very interesting to see your rise and fall.”

She could not talk, no mouth, lips or anything of her own being manifested to reply as all she could do was listen, anxious to hear the rest as they unabashedly came to gloat and laugh, to take their prize: her soul. “Yeah, if you hadn't tried to destroy the world, settled down somewhere else or...you know...actually hypnotized everyone before trying to relish in their pain or something. People hungry for power ever get so, so stupid in the end,” Astra commented, making a point and yet not quite being nice about it as she grabbed the small thing that Sahira had become, bringing it close to her face as she glanced at it with a smirk. “You abuse your power when you know you have a solid basis, not when you build it, dumbass!”

“Alright now, enough. I think Sahira is a very smart woman who can learn her own lessons on her own time...which she will have plenty of because she will have to honor the deal she has made,” Rosh stated, picking the orb himself and yet gently placing it upon his palm. His skin was smooth, soft, luscious and warm...and yet filled with a dark power that could darken even the deepest night, his mannerism a façade for perhaps the most diabolical and decadent of these two. “I actually thought you were very close to success, but failure is but an invitation to try again someday...which we may let you do after a millennia or two under our service, give or take. If we feel generous, that is.”

She had indeed sold her soul for power a long time ago, an attempt to gain what she had lost when the djinns were gone. She had her goal back then, one that she had been so close to achieving and yet fell short of as she already felt their aura overtake her, the contract of blood and symbols that she signed made manifest before their eyes...and then she saw the reasons and clauses and wanted to scream...and yet couldn't.

“Do you even remember why you sold us your soul? I bet you don't,” Astra said, ever cruel in the way she dealt with those she felt were inferior to her, which were a great many. “I mean, if you read closely, you can already see that we more than succeeded in our part.”

“Indeed. You wanted for the djinns to return in greater numbers so that your magic would grow greater,” Rosh explained, himself taking a calmer, far more polite tone yet one glance in his eyes could tell anyone that he was enjoying this torment too, perhaps even more so than his partner. “It is always interesting to see how dark energy, anger, frustration and corruption can twist even the best of intents. Still, because of our influence and gift, what you wanted has indeed been granted to you. A new city rife with djinns and half-djinns will assuredly be built while you turned some other people into djinns themselves, thus their numbers are actually greater than before...all thanks to our combined effort.”

This was a joke, the most terrible of jest as she barely remembered the specifics of that contract as her devotion, her obsession with her desire for power combined with her frustration and the sacrifices made...all added up to her being played the fool by two demons experts at their own game. She knew not if this had been planned, if it was all crazy circumstances or not, yet they were indeed rightfully the owner of her immortal soul as the torture would just begin.

“We're classy and downright generous to even come and search you, you know? We could just leave you there alone and you'd get your just desserts,” Astra commented, spiteful as she approached her heart-shaped tail-extremity close to the shapeless small mass that was Sahira, threatening her. “You did try to annihilate the world we were in...maybe to get rid of us, I'd bet!”

“That does indeed sound like a very serious offense that we need to consider,” Rosh said, his tone now entirely cold, as if he let his true emotions run rampant for even a minute as he was now far more intimidating, the contrast between his mellow self quite striking. “But we are magnanimous and we know exactly how we can best use you. Trust me, you will feel right at home in there.”

And with his usual smile and pleasant manners, Rosh then presented a singular object of great significance: an oil lamp. Aware of what this meant, it was while Rosh held Sahira's soul that Astra rubbed the lamp and then the enchantments were activated...and Sahira was pulled inside. A small vortex arose, taking all that she was and the energy that remained of her as Sahira could hear the pull of music, the strength of a certain aroma and the might of servitude wash upon her. All were odd sensations, feelings that she was to impose upon others and yet were set upon her as a connection was made with the lamp. Its brass color turned into a mess of obsidians and amethysts, of rubies and gold meshing together into spirals and runes as eventually Sahira was absorbed and assimilated by this object, her new receptacle.

“And now as stated, you shall become our servant in payment to our part of the deal. I very much look forward to when you will obey our first commands~”

Sleeping in the lamp, tales of obedience and servitude were awash, spirals and hypnosis being regular outings for the witch to partake in. Amidst her many trances, in the confinement of her lamp, an anger resided, kept pristine and pure. It was a promise to herself that she'd try her hardest to keep, the only thing that was hers that truly remained.

Her hate and how she'd unleash it once more upon everything.