The liquid creatures words seemed to pour over Icaros and Milton, empowering them to speak without hesitation. The words came tumbling out of Icaros before Milton could speak, "This is no wish, Tree, but a series of questions. I'd like to know your name, and the limitations of what you can do ... "
The genie that towered before the both of them seemed to smile. A thin black line spreading into shape along the oily figures face. The creature spoke, sounding almost giddy, "Not in several Millennium has one of your mind or kind made such a request, Let alone desired to know my name. The knowledge of these things must be kept a close secret. However, if you vow to keep this information guarded I will answer your questions, Human."
Icaros nodded, Agreeing to the terms the genie had set down. Slowly the creature began to speak. It's dialect slowing down quite a bit as the mystical figure began to explain, "My name is Ba'ruo. When someone offers up a wish to me, their desires and emotions are judged. Death, life, good and evil. Everything is subjective in the realm of imagination. So long as your wish does not threaten the balance of that which we live in, Human, anything will be granted. You shall have a total of five wishes as a creature of your intelligence. If one of you should fall unable to speak that which you desire, you may give permissions to have your other to do so for you, so long as the wish is not used for you, but your companion. The both of you ... be specific, for many have desired petty things. Trifling, insignificant desires to waste such a gift on. And as a guardian of the urn, the wishes I grant are final. You have been warned." ...
Thinking this over, Icaros realized something as he turned to Milton, "Death cannot be reversed, Milton. It goes against everything natural ... " but Milton seemed to already have figured this out. His eyes were a fog as he pondered the rules that had been set forth by Ba'ruo, "Yes, boy. It appears so ... "
It tore Icaros apart to see his companion so broken, but there was no telling how long the genie would stay corporeal, not to mention how long they had to make their desires known. Turning back to Ba'ruo, he spoke. His wishes a certainty. He knew what he wanted, "Mighty Ba'ruo. I desire to use all five wishes!" Everything seemed to enhance, like Icaros's mind was on some kind of drug. His thoughts, his sight, his clarity. It was all so much clearer than it had been moments ago. Favored by the genie, or part of the ritual? It didn't matter.
Icaros spoke with confidence. The words rolling out of his tongue, "I wish there was an end to this war that plagues the land. I want the peace I so love to continue. The nation of SPQR. The nation of Rome must fall. However it's done, please Genie. Ba'ruo, make it happen."
The genie named Ba'ruo raised a liquid hand that appeared to be shifting constantly in a vortex of the swirling black liquid. The creature snapped its fingers. A ripple of pressure flying past both Icaros and Milton as the genie nodded, "That wish will be a while, but you can be assured the peace you love will return, human. Now, your second wish."
The genie seemed to have taken on more features, as if the wish that had been granted had fulfilled him in some way. He now possessed black eyes resembling the purity of the liquid that surrounded us, and a shapely face. His body was more pronounced too. The features that were once lacking revealed. He looked almost ... human.
Icaros started to speak his second wish, "I wish that in the future, someone from my bloodline will change the world and give it new meaning. That they shall introduce a new era." Icaros watched the genie patiently as he finished his wish.
The genie snapped his fingers and that all-too-families rush came at them. A shockwave of air pressure as the wish was fulfilled. Slowly molding itself as the second desire had been spoken, the creature changed yet again. It had a turban, and a prominent beard. Icaros no longer felt comfortable calling it a creature. It was obviously more than that. Then again, it was a wish granting mystical entity so that might have been a little obvious.
Icaros blinked to make sure he was seeing right and then shook off the thoughts as he tried to continue on, his third wish a bit more self-centered. He phrased the wish into a question so as to obtain an answer before he made the mistake of expressing such an unchecked desire, "Mighty Ba'ruo! I wish to become an immortal god of knowledge and imagination. Can this be done? Answer me before casting your spell, if you would."
The genies eyes observed Icaros most concerningly. Was it impossible? Or maybe the figure didn't approve of the wish? It spoke, a mysteriosity bound to the tone of the genie, "Quite a bold wish, human. Yet, you don't seem to want such a thing for anything but honest intentions. I shall grant it, but I do wonder what you will do with such power."
Milton was gaping at Icaros. The request had obviously shocked the man as he stared at the young man. Milton spoke shakily, "B-boy! Isn't that some sort of sacrilege?" It really seemed to bother him, but Icaros shrugged and turned back to the genie. It was a big wish, and he watched on patiently.
Ba'ruo spoke through strained concentration, "I will require a few moments. Creating a deity is ... an unusual request." The genies hands lit aflame in a purple fire as he began to shiver from head to ... oil? The mystical figure began to glow, and strangely enough, so did Icaros. The connection and growth of power being linked to the young man as his wish was fulfilled. With an eruption that blew back Milton, an energetic shockwave followed. Filling the air around them with a cracklings of power and mist. As it began to evaporate, Icaros caught a brief glow coming off of his form that was quickly fading.
Icaros looked up at the genie. His whole body thrummed. It sounded like he had been charged with some kind of energy, and despite the noise of the echoing inside of him, despite the dissipation of the glow, the energy only felt like it was getting stronger as it acclimated to his body. He spoke, and his voice echoed twice over at the genie, "I have a question, wish granter. How do I control such power? I feel like I'm going to explode."
The genie laughed, which took Icaros and Milton by suprise before he spoke in response to the new deities question, "How do they say it in the 2000th century? ... Just relax. The energy will subside, then you can think more on it, Godchild." 2000th century? Icaros was thoroughly confused now, but he dismissed the prophetic saying. If the genie could perform miracles, surely seeing the future was not so unrealistic.
He spoke. His fourth wish at the ready, Icaros was quickly growing impatient as the hype of godhood began to drain, "I wish for the same powers you have, unshackled by your chains. Unbound, unrestrained. The wishes must be at my own disposal as well as others." This was a risky wish, but Icaros had no ill will for the power. He simply sought to sate his desires, to fulfill his curiosity, He might as well make the most out of the wishes since he got five.
The genie seemed to read this in Icaros. Those black eyes leering at him now, "You seek a power that should not exist so freely, Human. I am willing to grant your request, but ... " the genie seemed to be thinking hard on this. Finally, he spoke. His words coming forth to bear on the godchild, "You cannot be completely unrestrained, for such a power could be our doom. You will need to agree to terms, or I cannot in good faith give you such a wish."
Icaros nodded, submitting to the genie's insistence, "Fine, but I want to hear it, Ba'ruo." The genie groaned in concentration as he imbued the words Icaros would speak to achieve his wish, voicing them aloud as they came, "With reckless use or thoughtless wishes, your ability will be revoked for a time. Being an immortal now, I believe two hundred years should suffice. What say you, Godchild?"
Icaros almost blanched. He might've been immortal, that's true, but two hundred years? A little steep. He voiced his concerns to the genie, hoping to lower that number a little, "Ba'ruo. That seems a bit steep. Why not one hundred years instead?" The genie smiled, apparently. Finding humor in Icaros's suggestion, "If you do not fear for yourself, it is no penalty. No, I believe two hundred will do just fine. Unless you wish to change your wish?"
Icaros sighed, and so did Milton too as he listened on in silence. The pub owner had been surprisingly patient throughout this ordeal. He watched onward, a look of satisfaction finding his expression as Icaros spoke to the genie, "Very well. I accept the terms, Ba'ruo."
The genie nodded, pleased. Addressing Icaros one final time, "Godchild. Your fifth wish, then I shall see to your companion. What do you desire?" His eyes seemed to find Icaros's as he listened patiently. Waiting for the end to their exchange.
Icaros found the genies gaze and asked a question of the genie that had burned its way back to the surface, "You spoke of a new time, far into the future. Is this a time of peace, Ba'ruo? Will war find its way from our lives? This ... 2000th century .. " The urge to know was great. He needed an answer to this, and the genie responded slowly, seeming somewhat anxious, "I can tell you, child, but knowing the future is never good. It only brings unnatural change to those around you."
Icaros's gaze was unchanged. It remained fixed on the genie as he spoke with certainty., "I need to know, Ba'ruo." The genie stared on for a few more moments before relenting. He began to speak, "Yes, godchild. For the most part, War has found its way from lives in this new Era. Far flung from your own. Many live in ignorant peace, going about much more complicated lives than you live now. You know, now what will you do?"
Icaros wasted little time. The information he'd received more than satisfactory as he made his final wish, "I wish my abilities to be accessible to all who prove themselves to be of good heart after such an era has come to pass. Congenial. A power exclusive to those who have proven themselves as noble and one of my bloodline. Can you do this, Ba'ruo?"
The genie had no words as he snapped his fingers. The wish had been granted, as the mystical figure found Icaros's gaze again. A deep thoughtful expression unusual to the creatures normally emotionless features taking on life as it spoke a goodbye to Icaros, "You take many risks, godchild, but I do sense a righteousness in you. Albeit a curious greed as well. You would do well to be cautious when dealing with your gifts, for you are now the most powerful human to walk the land. Power corrupts many. Take the utmost care."
Ba'ruo pointed behind Icaros and a doorway of black opened. It was hazy, like a fog that had taken shape. The genie spoke to Icaros, an edge to the creatures tone, "I foresee no complications, Godchild. So In an effort to speed things along for both of our sakes, I shall be sending you back to your plane while I address the one you call Milton." Icaros took a look at the grief-stricken man as he stood before the genie, feeling for the man. He took steps through the black portal after that, and everything began to fade as he was enveloped in fog.