9

"I have my limitations," says Masfiwi. "I'm only capable of seeing futures that may transpire within my own lifetime."

The three of you walk on, passing under a section of ceiling so low that even Masfiwi has to stoop.

"I believe I have found a weapon that might be the Surgeons' undoing," says Masfiwi, from up ahead. "Ah yes, here it is."

You can see a bright light further along the tunnel. But it is only when you duck under another low ceiling, into a massive natural cavern, that you see its source.

It is a living creature of flame and shadow. Vaguely man-shaped, and gigantic: almost a thousand feet high. The three of you have emerged on a ledge at the height of its belly. It spots you and roars in fury, and you wince at volume of the noise. For now, it makes no move toward you.

"What is it?" you ask, suddenly feeling weak.

"A genie," says Katariki. "Or, more properly, a jinni. Forget the cheerful blue guy from Aladdin. The jinn are spirits of fire and death. They exist to bring about destruction, to return everything to the great elemental flame that created this world." He sees your concerned expression, and adds, "We're in no immediate threat. This particular jinni has been bound by magical runes for more than a millennium—runes that you are now capable of crossing, thanks to that symbol on your shoulder."

You have no inclination to go near the thing just now. "Yeah. Thanks for that."

"This jinni has no corporeal form as we understand it, and so is wholly immune to the Surgeons' influence. It is an unstoppable destroyer: the perfect weapon against them. We only need a means of sowing it—we need the proverbial genie's bottle. I know of one such vessel that can be found in Rabat, not far from here. Will you go and secure it? Will you work with us to forever prevent the Surgeons from coming to this world?"

"Rabat?" you ask. "We're in Morocco?"

"Please," says Masfiwi. He coughs, and sits down on a rocky outcropping. "I need a decision from you. Now."