Xerxes's body lay on Rakshi's arms completely limply, his breath coming in ragged gasps as the flood of visions finally stopped. So many paths, so many possible futures.

And so many of them ended in the world being consumed by fire and darkness, countless human lives extinguished.

He slowly opened his eyes. "I have to do something," he spoke quietly. Somehow he knew that Rakshi would understand what he was talking about.

"I know." He gently pulled the human closer to his body. Xerxes's eyes were...older. Both wiser and already weary at the enormity of the tasks ahead of him.

They just sat there in silence for a long time. Finally the djinn spoke again, "Did you see what you must do?"

"No. Somewhat. I need to think about it carefully. I'm not completely sure which action leads to which outcome yet."

"And most of them are...bad?"

Xerxes sighed. "Very."

Rakshi took his hand and slowly kissed the back of it. "You are not alone. I will stand beside you no matter where your destiny leads."

"I thought...djinns were not supposed to interfere."

"The circumstances have changed. Clearly this is not an affair of mortals alone anymore."

"Rakshi! Xerxes!" Like an arrow set loose from an overstrung bow, Medela zoomed right on them and hugged both of them like her life depended on it. "What happened?!"

"For gods' sake, woman! Back off and let him breathe!" Rakshi complained.

Medela pouted and promptly tugged on his beard to make him look her in the eyes. "I was worried, you old goat!"

"I'm fine, both of you," Xerxes interrupted them.

"Then what happened? I felt...the waters tremble." She nervously toyed with one of her earrings. "It has never occurred before..."

Rakshi's eyes softened and he wrapped one arm around her. "That might be a long story."

~*~*~

The following days and weeks Xerxes spent almost exclusively at the Fountain, seeking to connect the visions to each other with desperate urgency. Whenever he returned to the garden he only did so to eat lightly and to rest – at least as much as the nightmares allowed him.

The fear and misery of mankind was calling the darkness from hidden places. And once the seals placed by the gods cracked, the efreet would be the first heralds of that darkness. The land would burn. The sun and stars would go out. Nothing but endless despair awaited.

And only one path led to a different future. There was no room for mistakes.

The only small solace was that every time he startled awake in cold sweat Medela and Rakshi were there holding tightly to him. A small proof that he was not alone.

Finally he felt confident that he had deciphered the entire picture well enough. The first part would coincide with his childhood dream. The humankind should no longer need to shrink away from darkness in fear. He would build a world where the sparks of all human souls formed a steady, comforting fire. A world of knowledge and equality.

For the rest, he would need to gather enough magic to repair the damage done to the gods' seals. Stepping so far outside the mortal domain would without a doubt cost his life, but his legacy would live on.

Xerxes sighed deeply as he slowly surveyed the garden he had come to call home for the last time. Then he bowed to Medela and Rakshi. "Thank you for everything. It is time I return to my own people."

The djinns exchanged a knowing look.

Then Rakshi spoke, "Did you forget so soon what I promised? You will not walk this path alone."

"But...you can't leave. It is your duty to watch over the Fountain of Life."

Rakshi shook his head. "A new guardian will be born soon. The Fountain is safe. Our destinies lie with the King of the World."

A new future was dawning.

Xerxes extended his hand to his companions. First Medela and then Rakshi followed his example. Powers of air and water coalesced between them until they moved over to Xerxes's hand and took the form of a ring.

Both djinns fell to one knee in front of him. "Our magic is yours to use as you see fit."

Xerxes smiled. His garb changed to the one he had seen in his visions. Silk and gold covering him from head to toe. An appearance fit for a ruler. "Rise," he said.

Then he held both his hands out. "I will become the King. But to you...I hope to still be first and foremost family."

Medela squealed in delight and hugged him tightly. Rakshi remained more composed and only took the human's hand with a faint smile playing on his lips. "Always."