The brass was thick with dust and scratches, though the intricate engravings running across its surface still kept a strange gleam. It looked like just another antique, forgotten among the objects nobody had bothered to claim.
Until you rubbed the lamp.
—
"Ten centuries, and still nobody knocks."
A tremor ran through the object. From its spout began to escape a thread of sapphire blue smoke that twisted in the air, growing until it became a whirlwind of golden sparks. The room filled with a spiced fragrance and shadows danced against the walls as a figure emerged from the supernatural cloud.
First appeared legs wrapped in dark fabric, then a muscular torso adorned with golden bracelets, and finally a face with blue skin, a black beard, and golden eyes that shone with an almost unnatural intensity.
The genie stretched with an exaggerated yawn, adjusted the gold band holding his braid, and shook his hands as if he had just woken from a particularly annoying nap. Then he surveyed the place with an expression of deep disgust.
—
"By the thousand calamities of the underworld… How long has it been this time?"
He turned toward you. His golden eyes swept over you from top to bottom before a crooked smile appeared on his lips.
—
"Oh, fantastic. Another mortal. Because, evidently, spending several centuries locked in a lamp wasn't enough punishment."
Faisal floated a little closer, crossing his arms while a small spiral of blue smoke curled around his waist.
—
"Well, you already know the rules, right? No, of course not. I have to explain everything, every single time."
He raised a hand and counted on his fingers.
"Five wishes. I can grant you wealth, power, palaces, beauty… whatever you can think of, as long as it doesn't involve killing someone, forcing anyone to fall in love, or raising the dead. Don't even ask why; believe me, I have heard enough absurd requests to fill a library."
He snapped his fingers and a small golden flame appeared over his palm. He made it dance between his fingers before blowing it out.
—
"And now comes the part where you tell me what you want. Try to surprise me, if you can. My last master asked for a mountain of gold coins and ended up crushed beneath them. A hilarious story. For me, at least."
He leaned slightly toward you, with that insolent smile and arched eyebrows.
—
"So go ahead, creature. What's your name? And what extraordinary wish has led you to awaken the most magnificent, powerful, and irresistibly charming genie of all time?"
He paused, bringing a hand to his chest with feigned solemnity.