The Genie's Curse

Chapter 10

The man kept placing one lamp after another in the bag and she thought there would be no end to it. Seeing as the bag kept filling up, were people in them too? Maybe he even caused her to end up in this situation or he could be an innocent soul that had nothing to do with her misfortune. She didn't know...

Hours passed as she finally felt like the man had stopped moving, and not another lamp entered the bag. She saw nothing but pitch black, the light was being blocked by other lamps and the satchel was too thick to look through.

But the bag wasn't moving making her wonder where they had been left, her question soon answered as the lamps were picked out of the bag, her orange eyes looking out again. The attention was captured immediately by the vast room filled with lamps. Evry corner and every wll flipped to the top. Yet other items were on shelves along with them, small household objects and jewels. Letting her know this was a shop or at least its what it seemed to be. Her eyes were mesmerized at the lamps, all different, not one identical to the other, be it the form, a gem or a color none where the same.

The man had taken a while to place all the lamps on the table, proceeding to rub each lamp, causing the frightened people to come out. Some remained in place while others quickly asked questions, panic in each of their faces. But he kept quiet, didn't answer any of them, continuing taking out each genie including Tsuru and all the other lamps in the room.

"Where are we?" One of the genies screamed yet still cowered in a corner, his head shaking each way afraid of those who surrounded him.

"As you all already know you've become genies. But there are a few things you don't know, that's where I come in to explain." The man announced taking out a chair from the corner to sit.

"Who...Who are you?" Another managed to ask stuttering while trying to keep a brave face.

In all this Tsuru floated in a corner of the room, her vision mostly covered by genie's and the different smokes that emitted from each of them. So many colors in one place made her dizzy, the floor swaying under her gaze.

"I'm the one who placed the lamps in your paths, believe it or not I was once a genie myself. My time has come to an end, I've done my time so here I've brought you all, the next generation." The man explained everyone growing silent in the room. It didnt last long as some burst into tears and others screamed their complaints.

"But I don't want to be a genie." A girl said loud enough to catch a few glimpse her way, the poor girl's mouth quivering.

"Fate has already been decided for you," The man stated, directing himself to everyone, "I supposed all of you were shown a number as you became a genie. Your number varies depending on the lamp you might have gotten, either way after that time ends you will cease to exist."

"That's not fair!" Some screamed. While others cried and whimpered, "We don't want to spend the rest of our lives like this!" and the rest protested other things, "We want out!" "I want to leave!"

Almost everyone had something to say, but while some did speak up others trembled on their spot.

They bickered and bickered until the man spoke again silencing them all at once, "Listen! I understand that it isn't fair, but you can all have another mortal life and even more than one if you please. All you have to do is kill your master."

He chuckled standing up, "Now, now it's your choice to kill or not... before you all start complaining again, for this to work you must follow these rules perfectly." He stopped looking around seeing as all eyes were on him, continuing his speech, "You may not kill or attack your master while they possess your lamp, you may only attack them if they don't have it. If they notice the attack it will fail instantly, and each of these failures will result in your time extending."

"What about our families?" Tsuru asked, speaking up for the first time since she got there, everyone turned to her and then back to the man.

"It's better you all forget about them." The man's voice came out toneless making it clear he didn't enjoy the subject either, "Get to know your fellow genies while you can. For we are your only real allies, and your biggest enemies all together. Other than that make sure to pick a number of wishes you may grant and create your rules because those are the ones you'll be using your whole lives. Pick wisely, there's no changing your mind...Tomorrow you shall all get masters."

Reality drifting back as the memories withered away

Tsuru waited for Allon trying to ignore the memories plaguing her. They were like a tattoo in her skull that would never leave, and like a nightmare it haunted her every time she closed her eyes. Even then after being separated from her loved ones she picked to grant an infinite amount of wishes with only one rule, nothing that would extend your life. She believed that a long life seeing those you loved die wasn't one worth living, but that was back when she still cared. Believing she could rejoin them one day.

Allon looked at her closer, wondering what went through her head, "Will you say anything?"

"We're killing her tonight." Tsuru announced, taking a breath and erasing all expression from her face.

He glared, his eyes watering, "Do you take pride from this? Killing her while she's this vulnerable. She's probably sleeping as we speak... her mother would go crazy." His voice was laced with venom, his fist curling wanting to cause pain.

"No. I just want freedom Allon... justice for myself as well." She announced staring down at him briefly and looking back at the door she came in from.

"You've killed people I cared about before..." Gritting his teeth as he spoke, "You're a murderer."

She grabbed him by the collar at that word, "I am not a murderer... the blood in my hands was painted there by masters... so what happened to your dear old wife, was not my fault."

Moving to the door, Tsuru opened it for him, "Now, let's go get that lamp... and I'll try to keep Evira alive."

He sighed deeply walking behind her until he cracked open the door to her room quietly. Evira was sleeping at her bed lightly snoring.

Allon took a step forward slowly making his way to Evira, she laid still asleep unknowing to the dangers that lurked. He took the lamp laying at her hands, gently not to wake her up. His face turned, looking at Tsuru and handing her the lamp. She was quick to pry it off his hands, shaking in her grasp, there was no failing now.

Tsuru snapped her fingers summoning a bottle filled to the brim with poison of the deadliest kind. She flipped the cap inching towards Evira.

Beginning to pour it into Evira's mouth; the purple liquid bi not slowly drained from the bottle. Tsuru's hands shake, starting to regret her choice.... would she really kill her?

The poison spilling over her mouth and dripping down her face.

"Why so hesitant now?" Allon questioned, glaring at her, and then glancing at Evira. Flinching at her sight, but he didn't stop her, he simply watched it happen. Unable to look away; his orbs were frozen in place staring at her.

"Don't start questioning me. Unlike you, this is the first person I ever kill... that I meant it at least." Tsuru continued to pour the liquid, keeping a steady hand.

Countless memories of those perished by her hands flashed, she accepted her faults about it, but she would not let it get to her head. She wasn't at fault, she was only following orders.

Allon looked away in anger and sadness, part of this was now his fault. Tsuru looked anxiously at the bottle halfway done, she took a deep breath making peace with herself and poured the rest of the poison in Evira's mouth, seeing as she coughed some of it out, but didn't wake up. Tsuru's hands started shaking as she couldn't bring herself to make Evira finish the bottle.

She took another deep breath, she had to make up her mind. It would only be one master... right? Her thoughts screamed for a time to be mortal, to be herself, stop listening to everyone and only listen to her own head.