Chapter Six: Djinn are not our Friends

I came to in dead silence, laying on the floor of the Elders Chapel, Rastlith towering over me still wrapped in lightning chains and staring down at me with murder in his eyes. Then I felt hands grab under my arms and begin dragging me away from him. Then sound came crashing back down on me and I heard Leema talking to me in a soothing, reassuring voice. “It’s alright my Prince you’ll be alright, Zazjek will be alright and Rastlith will get his due for this.”

“Leema, take Vet-vek, Zazjek and go.” The Eldest called out.

“Eldest,” Leema bowed and began casting a spell, a summoning circle forming at her feet. Once she finished casting a large four armed gorilla like creature made of crystal rose up from the summoning circle she created. She pointed at Zazjek and at Vet-vek. The summoned creature lumbered over and gently lifted Zazjek into one pair of arms then lumbered over and did the same for me. Leema grabbed a hold of the creature's leg, climbing up onto its back and directed it out of the chapel. The trip from the chapel to her home was much faster than our walk to it.

“Leema,” I started to talk to her but she shushed me, so I remained silent for the trip.

The summoned creature set us all down gently at the door to Leema’s home before taking up a defensive stance. Zazjek had awakened by the time we reached Leema’s home. I was surprised when several people ran out of the building to assist us, mostly carrying both Zazjek and myself inside and up to the once empty great room on the first floor. It now had several chairs and couches along with an assortment of tables and other furniture. The helpers led us over to a pair of couches that we were laid down on. Leema pulled a chair over to the pair of couches for her to sit on. “My Prince, Zazjek, I must beg your forgiveness for what just happened. I knew Rastlith would have something planned but I never expected that.” She bowed her head deeply.

“Leema, it’s not your fault he went insane.” I reassured her.

“Prince Vet-vek, I’m sorry I could not stop him,” Zazjek sobbed and turned away from me. “I couldn’t even scratch him and he almost killed you. I couldn’t do anything to him, I can’t be worthy of being your squire, Leema should have just let me die.” He curled up into a fetal position and sobbed uncontrollably.

“Zazjek!” I struggled to get up from the couch but I managed. “You saved me Zazjek, you saved me, if you hadn’t leapt in, I could see his teeth coming for my throat, if you hadn’t gotten his attention, I would be dead.” I cradled him. Leema sat in her chair paralyzed tears running down her leathery face.

“Zazjek, you were a true warrior today, brave, and true. You saved the Prince, without you all would be lost.” she dropped out of the chair and moved over to cradle him as well. “You have earned your name today, Zazjek Boldtalon.” As Leema spoke his name a rainbow glow surrounded Zazjek.

Zazjek’s tears subsided and he fell into a deep sleep. I looked over at Leema and asked “What was that about earning a name and that rainbow light?”

“For most Yamakai, especially those who are born into the warrior races, they are not given a surname, instead having to perform great deeds to earn one. An elder must recognize the deeds and give the warrior a name. If the deeds and the name are recognized by the Divine Mother then the light forms over the person and usually a title, profession, or skill is awarded. I do not possess the Identify skill nor would I share someone's status screen with another without their permission. He will have to share it once he is ready, I expect it will be something intensely personal given the circumstances in which he earned his name.” She sighed, “I am still shaken by Rastlith’s actions and his total loss of control. I shudder to think what may have happened if the Eldest had not stepped in.”

“You and I both. But, I really need to know why he tried hard to kill me. Something set him off and I don’t think I did anything to warrant the reaction.” I looked at her intently.

“You are right my Prince, even speaking gibberish in that setting would not have warranted his reaction, instead it is what you are and the challenge you represent. It has been no secret that he has sought the Prince title for himself over the decade, gathering both personal and political power, earning his place on the council, reaching out to the various Races and factions, and making sure that he would have all in place to take the Trials to prove he is worthy to rule. A summoned prince would put an end to those plans. So when I followed the Quest set down by the Divine Mother instead of the ruling of the council brought his plans to a halt.” She paused with an introspective look on her face.

“However, none of us expected him to react with such insanity, or he would not have been allowed to be present no matter what he or those lapdogs of his demanded.” She balled up her fists and her lip curled in a silent snarl. “It is no excuse and should not save him from punishment but it is likely tales told to him and the experiences of his ancestors at the hands of the Djinn that fed into his rage at the sight of you.”

“What exactly did the Djinn’s do? He was shouting things but they were incomprehensible to me.”

“The Djinn are or were, we don’t know if any survived the Last Battle, a race that viewed all other races as lesser than them and as much as it pains me to even think it their arrogance was not without reason if the histories and stories that remain are to be believed. The eldest Djinn were the first children born of the gods and shared their images though lacking the divine spark.” Leema paused.

“So demi-gods or something?” I ask in the pause.

“Not exactly, but similar, the Djinn were formed from an amalgam of flesh from the gods and no two Djinn shared a form, though all had wings. The Djinn were made without the divine spark so they did not have the immortality or raw power of the Gods. But what they did have was a limitless ability to grow and learn. What we would now under the Divine Mother’s will consider Skills, Spells, Qi Abilities came to them with only the barest effort and even their Attributes soared higher and faster than the other Races. Combined with an almost manic fervor to battle and kill they grew powerful at an astonishing rate. Even as children most of the Djinn possessed powers greater than seasoned warriors of other races in addition to their ability to fly. That advantage gave them power and they had no qualms about using their power. What’s worse is they stood at the absolute apex and had a power second only to the old Gods that affirmed their opinion of the other races as lesser and worthy only to serve as entertainment. They made all of the other races not just those of the Yamakai but humans, elves, and dwarves as well, their playthings and one of their favorite activities was setting up deathmatch gladiatorial games. They would pit the various races against each other in any number of combinations to watch the slaughter. Sometimes for fun and to teach their children they would pit the strongest of their playthings against the youngest Djinn with the promise of freedom if the lesser being could win. Even fighting children there were no victors but the Djinn regardless of the outcome.”

“Damn, that’s really shitty.” I said with a wince.

“Rastlith’s people, the Crocadore, were a particular favorite to be used in these games. Very few of his people survived the games of the Djinn and the few that did were made to serve basically as pets suffering further denigration. Rastlith himself is not old enough to have suffered at their hands but his family certainly did and he is reminded daily by the obscenely low number of Crocadore who survived to take shelter with the Yamakai. They were almost wiped out as the Djinn preferred to kill their pets then let them be free.” Leema said somberly.

“Faced with the horror and chaos of the aftermath of the Last Battle the ancestors still turned to the Djinn’s power, even with that history of bloodshed and horror those who formed the Yamakai sought to enlist their aid. But from the Djinn’s perspective those of us who banded together to become the Yamakai were marked from birth as lesser beings and even after more than a century of war, violence, and bloodshed brought on by the Twilight of the Gods, they never deviated from their arrogance.”

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“Our ancestor’s first went to the youngest and most impressionable of them to try and form an alliance that would use the Djinn’s strength to help carve out a place of sanctuary but the young were just as blood crazed as those who led them. So, the ancestors then went to the oldest of their race in whom the blood lust had cooled some, as they were not throwing themselves endlessly into the bloodshed and into battle after battle. But they were largely rebuffed by the Djinn; some few did let their ‘pets’ come with us. Which is why there are any Crocadore among the Yamakai. But not one of them would agree to lend their strength to us to carve out a sanctuary, even the oldest of them sought only one last glorious battle as they could feel the death of the Gods coming and so the Yamakai did not have the strength of the Djinn when they fought their way down the dungeon floor by floor until finally the sounds of the Last Battle and the Twilight of the Gods no longer chased them deeper.”

“Damn, sounds like they were real selfish bastards.” I interjected

“Yes, according to the stories they were true terrors. The only other race they even slightly respected were the Seraphim and that was only because they gave a good fight.”

“But if they were so awful why would the System…er…the Divine Mother make me into one?”

“That is a mystery. One I wish I had the means of answering. We can only hope that the form does not impact your mind.”

“If they are such boogieman from your past it must be hard for all of you to even look at me.”

“Most without an Identify skill or ability will not be able to know at a glance that you are a Djinn as the Djinn’s only consistent defining physical feature were their wings which the Seraphim share. Those of us who know you are Djinn either through Identify or having been told like Zazjek, such as myself and even Lady Hezxia are able to separate you as the Summoned Prince from the actions beings that shared your Race in the past. You had no part in the form you were given nor did you partake in any of their atrocities so placing the blame on you for things that people who looked like you in the past is not rational, but still others may not and in Rastlith’s case has not reacted well to your Race.” She bowed her head in apology. “Rastlith is an extreme case but I fear his will not be an isolated one, there is a great deal of fear and hostility that remains around the Djinn but there are few alive that personally experienced their actions so it is all second hand stories and rumor which hopefully you will be able to work past.”

“I guess, I’m still trying to wrap my head around this whole situation. It feels like I’ve spent weeks here but truly it's been less than a day.” Pain lanced through me as I shifted my hips to face Leema better. I waved her off as she started to reach for me. “Thank you again for the healing. It has helped immensely. I just haven’t fully recovered yet.”

“It will take a few days for you to recover completely, cracked and broken bones take much longer to restore than cut flesh.” Leema said apologetically. “You will heal my Prince, and those like myself who recognize you will ensure it. If the royal guard will not be deployed then there are others who will do that job. On my honor you will be protected and those who would do you harm will be punished.”

The vehemence in her voice both reassured and scared me. “I appreciate that Leema, I really do.” My train of thought was interrupted by the sound of a bell. “What?” I started to ask.

“It seems we have a visitor who is either too stubborn to be turned away or too important. Wait here my Prince, I will see if they are worth your time.” She stood up, walked to the door turning her head to listen to someone or something I could not see. Then she opened the door and stepped out.

I could hear nothing through the stout door so began examining myself hesitantly. The magic Leema had cast on me was doing miraculous things, all of the cuts, scrapes and bruises were gone but my bones still hurt. It struck me then just how close I had come to death. I hadn’t had any chance against that giant alligator I’d flown well above his head but he casually jumped ten feet or more in the air to snatch me up then just as casually crushed me under his feet. I was completely and utterly powerless. I was exactly as he had described me weak and without any sort of skills or abilities except flight and I had no real idea how to use even that small advantage. Without the Eldest or Leema or Zazjek I would be dead right now and I didn’t have the faintest idea how I had any hope to survive. The pain, fatigue, depression and hopelessness crashed down on me. Just before I could break down into a sobbing mess I heard the door open. So I put back on a brave facade. Leema led the Eldest in through the door. I stood up shakily and moved towards them and away from the sleeping Zazjek.

“Vet-vek.” The eldest gave me a nod of her head in greeting.

“Eldest?” I asked, I had strangely gotten used to being addressed by my title so hearing my name was odd.

“My Prince, I’m afraid that the Eldest does not bring the best of tidings.” The slight tightening around her eyes and the flexing of her hands betrayed her anger.

“Vet-vek, not Prince, Leema he has not been recognized by the Elders. Vet-vek, I’m afraid that the Elders will not be recognizing you as Prince of Yamakai at this time. As disgusting and vile as Rastlith’s actions towards you were, he did have a point that you do not have all three legs of the Rule of Worth and cannot be put into a place of leadership over the Clan as you are.” She gave me another small head bow. “That is not to say that Rastlith is not going to be punished for his actions. There will be an announcement tomorrow that he will no longer have a seat in the Elder Chapel and he will be entering seclusion for the foreseeable future.”

“Doesn’t sound much like a punishment. Doesn’t sound like it's being put forward as a punishment at all, more like he’s just stepping away for a bit, and let me guess nothing is going to be said about his attack on me or on Zazjek, right?” My not quite claws dug into my palms. As I got angrier.

“It will be made known eventually but he has too much clout and many others will understand his actions based on your appearance. I’m not sure yet if it has been made known to you yet what the race you have been summoned into this world means for the people of the Yamakai clan.” she hesitated.

“They were massive bastards who made many people's lives miserable. Yeah I got that but Leema also said almost no one alive today ever experienced those things because it all happened over a hundred years ago. And what’s more I was summoned here by you all and I had no choice in the body I got and had nothing to do with that baggage regardless.”

“As one of those few who did live under their rule I can attest to their monstrous tyranny. They were powerful and they flaunted that power with an arrogance I hope never to see again. I and the other Elders had been warned that you had been summoned into the body of a Djinn but knowing it and seeing a thing out of your nightmares thought long dead walk into your most sacred of spaces is something else. Had any summoner other than Leema been the one to call you forth from the Spheres, or if you had displayed any of the arrogance or menace of a real Djinn you likely would not have left the chapel alive. I would have ended you myself before I let their evil rule over the Clan. But you passed my test by not rising to anger at the slights put your way and passed another harsher test when Rastlith nearly killed you. Had you been a true Djinn, Rastlith would not have laid you low alone.”

“I guess I should be thankful that I’m so weak then, guess the whole ‘we need to summon a hero, like the System says we have to’ thing was just a misunderstanding. If that’s the case you all can just send me back home now it’s obvious you don’t need me. I wasn’t consulted and didn’t volunteer for the job anyway so let's just go ahead and work on getting back where I should be. Instead of being here in the way where I'm not needed or wanted!” I was shouting by the end the horrors of the last day having built to a crescendo.

“My Prince I,” Leema stuttered, “my Prince I’m afraid I don’t have a way to send you back, yours was a permanent summons.” She hung her head. “I had no way of knowing the Divine Mother would choose this form for you. I’m sorry.”

“So, I’m stuck here surrounded by people who hate me literally enough to kill me on Identification because of what people who looked sort of well, kind of like I do with wings like mine at least, did hundreds of years ago before the world ended. That’s just so fantastic, guess you should have let Rastlith kill me if I’m so weak, unwanted, and useless.” I dropped to the floor.

“You are weak, and many do not want you but you are not useless. The System required you to be here for a reason so I will not dismiss you as worthless. Weakness can be overcome and you may be able to overcome the specters of the past by proving yourself. The Rule of Worth is not one that will dismiss a candidate for all time for not meeting its tenets upon birth you may yet prove yourself. Leema has agreed to be your guide and shepherd but you will have to earn a second chance to be recognized by the Elders.” The Eldest then turned away heading for the door. But turned back to say “you should get stronger as quickly as you can because Rastlith and his cronies are not ones to accept a loss in stature and influence.” She turned back around and exited the house.

“I’m sorry again my Prince. I did not expect this to be the way this would unfold when I summoned you this morning.

I waved her off, “I need some time to myself. I’m going upstairs, I’d like to be left alone.” Numbly, I walked up the short flight of stairs to the room I’d awoken in not so many hours earlier. Internally I screamed to myself What the fuck! What the actual fuck! What is wrong with these people and me? Why the hell did I think it was any sort of good idea to mouth off to a twelve foot tall crocodile headed rhinoceros bodied centaur I’ve gone completely fucking insane. My internal freak-out was interrupted when a thundering crash reverberated from downstairs. “Now what?” I cried out and flung myself around and rushed back down the stairs.