When the Goddess Meets the Genie

Upon witnessing the monster unearthed by Elyra erupt into the sky, Grayson, Morven, and Seraphine were taken aback. They gazed at the creature, with its broad upper body and a waist that tapered into a wispy trail of smoke, unable to comprehend just what it was.

The creature radiated a blue energy, its upper body clothed in a sleeveless red robe that showcased muscular arms and a chiseled torso. Its bulb-like eyes glared at the group before charging toward them like the wind.

Grayson, with decisive agility, drew his sword and thrust forward, only to find the silver blade passing harmlessly through the monster, leaving it unscathed. The creature countered with a massive fist that bore down onto Grayson's face, unleashing a gust-like force that sent him tumbling away.

He somersaulted through the air, landing on one knee with steadiness, but as he looked up, the monster charged at Morven. The adventurer swiftly backpedaled, avoiding the iron fist, yet a wave of potent energy grazed him, sending him sprawling back-first into the snow, with Katheren, his companion, tumbling beside him.

Seraphine rushed to their aid, summoning a shield of water to block the descending punch of the monster. To her dismay, the fist passed through the shield, striking her squarely in the chest.

Time seemed to freeze. Grayson, Morven, and Elyra's eyes widened in disbelief. Seraphine, stunned, stared down the monster, which in turn looked back at her dumbfounded, continuing to press down its fist without moving her an inch.

"Back off, you brute!" Seraphine's face flushed with alternating shades of rage as she lifted her mermaid staff, blasting a forceful jet of water that sent the monster staggering backward.

Unwilling to relent, Seraphine continued her assault, her staff unleashing torrents of water that pummeled the creature, sending it reeling. She advanced, lashing it across the face with watery whips, leaving it defenseless under her onslaught.

Dizzy and disoriented, the monster collapsed to the ground. Seraphine, still fuming, strode over and jabbed it fiercely with her staff, causing the creature to vanish in a puff of white smoke.

Turning around, Seraphine found Grayson, Morven, Elyra, and the newly awakened Katheren staring at her, dumbstruck. The mermaid paused, her cheeks reddening with the realization of her fury. "I was just... too angry..." she stammered.

"No need to explain, we understand..." Grayson interjected, helping the bewildered Katheren to her feet alongside Morven, and whispered, "Take note, brother, never provoke a beauty!"

"Am I, along with this silly girl, considered beautiful?" The little owl piped up, drawing her head close to Grayson, who shot her and Katheren a glare. "Quit the nonsense, you two little girls!"

"What are you whispering about?" called out Seraphine gently. The group hastily pretended nothing had happened, standing up as Seraphine announced, "Grayson, that creature left something behind."

Grayson instructed Morven to stay with Katheren while he joined Seraphine, noticing a golden lamp in her hand, and asked, "The monster left that?"

"Yes, it just appeared on the snow after it vanished. Do you recognize it?"

Elyra chirped from his shoulder, "That's it! That's what I dug up, thinking it was treasure!"

"You treasure-hoarding owl, always causing trouble!" Grayson retorted, ignoring Elyra's indignant "I'm prettier than a crow!"

Grayson took the lamp to Morven, saying, "Hey, adventurer, take a look. What's a lamp doing out here in the wild?"

Morven inspected the object, supporting Katheren with one hand. "Legend speaks of a 'Genie of the Lamp' on this icy island. Perhaps we've encountered it?"

"A genie? I heard stories of it as a child. Rub its side, call it out, and you're granted three wishes," Katheren mused, leaning on Morven.

"Three wishes? It sure gave us three punches!" Grayson quipped. Seraphine's cheeks flushed, recalling her earlier outburst.

"Let's give it a try!" Grayson suggested, passing the lamp to Seraphine. "Miss Mermaid, do as Katheren says, see if we can coax that turtle out."

Seraphine moved away, rubbing the lamp gently. Soon, a white smoke arose, and the blue creature reappeared, this time lacking its initial ferocity. Seeing Seraphine, it recoiled in fear, attempting to retreat into the lamp but was caught by her firm grip on its robe.

"What are you?" Seraphine demanded with authority.

The creature whimpered, "I am Genie, a magical spirit summoned from another dimension by sorcery!"

"So, it is a genie!" Seraphine glanced back at the group as Grayson smiled wryly at Morven and Katheren, "Turns out, listening to tales is useful. You'll have to share them with me later!"

Morven and Katheren shared a smile. Grayson approached Seraphine, asking the genie, "You're made of magic, which is why my sword didn't harm you, right?"

"Yes, I fear only magic weapons and beings powerful enough to dissipate my energy..." the genie confessed.

Swapping glances with Grayson, Morven stepped forward, "Genie, you grant wishes, yes? Can you find an antidote for Katheren's poisoned leg?"

With a ridiculous dance and a chant, the genie produced a brown pill that quickly healed Katheren.

"How do you have a mage tower antidote?" Seraphine inquired.

Genie smirked, "Just borrowed one through a dimensional passage!"

Grayson laughed, "So genies are just thieves! Fairy tales do lie!" Everyone chuckled.

Grayson turned serious, "Thank you, genie. My wish is for the Archangel Statue, a sacred artifact. Can you bring it to us?"