At the touch of the Djinn's lips on Gabrielle's hand, a burst of golden light cut through the scarlet energy around them, like lightning in a dark night. The blinding brightness lasted only a moment, but it was enough to change everything. When the light dissipated, the ensuing silence was broken by a sudden movement.
With a graceful leap, a female figure landed atop the wall, her silhouette outlined against the night sky. The Tar, still dazzled by the light, looked up and saw the mysterious woman, her long hair flowing in the breeze, her stance proud and confident. Her presence radiated a powerful and intimidating energy, as if she were a warrior from ancient legends.
— THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!! — Exclaimed the Tar-Guilherme, in fury.
The unexpected appearance made it clear that something big was about to happen, something that would forever change the course of events. The female figure seemed to be Gabrielle, but at the same time, very different from the girl.
— My dearest Tar... it's time to wrap this up! Because now, things are gonna get wild!! — Declared the girl, with a voice similar to Gabrielle's, but with a more mocking and electrifying tone!
Guilherme, transformed into Tar, observed the figure on top of the wall with a mix of confusion and distrust. The girl seemed to be Gabrielle, but at the same time, she wasn't. Her skin, now a beautiful copper tone, glowed under the moonlight, and her eyes gleamed with a mix of mischief and challenge, a sharp and mocking look he didn't recognize.
She wore blue Arabian pantaloons, open at the sides, which swayed gently in the night breeze, while a wide golden anklet shimmered on her ankle. A short blue corset, with puffy sleeves that left her shoulders bare, stood out with golden details on the neckline and cuffs. Her hair, now a hazel shade, was tied in an elegant ponytail, from which a blue amethyst stone dangled, resting on her forehead, adding an enigmatic touch to her appearance.
The figure exuded an almost palpable confidence, as if challenging the world. While Guilherme tried to understand what was happening, he realized that the Djinn had disappeared. Then, Guilherme immediately understood what had happened.
Farid's presence, so imposing moments before, now seemed to have merged with Gabrielle's. The young woman was no longer the same, and the Djinn had vanished, leaving in their place a new entity — Shamal, who emanated power and mystery.
— Really... the means you use to survive know no bounds. First the chamber pot, now this?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! — Mocked Guilherme.
— This transformation is going to save me some trouble, since I can take both of you down at once! — Celebrated the Tar.
Shamal was jumping to test her new body, and looking challengingly at Guilherme, she lightly licked her own lips.
— This body is pretty cool, quite light, despite the frontal weight. Look at this, little Tar, see how they bounce!! IAHAIHAIHAIHAIHAIHIAHIAHIAHIAHIHA — Shamal laughed hysterically, and blatantly looked at Guilherme.
— What a brazen woman! — Said Gabrielle's voice, visibly upset.
— Don't be a hypocrite, blondie, Shamal is half you. — Said Farid, amid chuckles.
— If she's half me, that means the shameless half is yours, Djinn! — Retorted Gabrielle.
The Tar once again became enraged at being ignored and shot his claws at Shamal, who dodged. The Tar's claws then hit and shattered the wall. From the raised dust, Shamal emerged.
— My dear Tar boss, it's very rude to attack your dedicated employee like that!
She laughed mockingly at him! — You won't get anywhere with me like this because I like gentle boys, got it?! — Said Shamal, cheekily.
— What am I even saying?? — Said a mortified Gabrielle!
— Did you really say that, blondie? Hahahahahahahaha — Laughed Farid mockingly!
Shamal then lunged at Tar with a maniacal laugh.
— UHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Now you're gonna see!
As she approached, Tar's tail struck her squarely, making her collide with a wall, which shattered.
— Thanks for telling me where you were coming from, idiots! — Exclaimed Tar!
Shamal lay among the rubble of the wall, her nose bleeding.
— I'm bleeding, I'm bleeding!! — Said Gabrielle, desperate!
— Ow, ouch… did anyone get the license plate? — Said Farid.
Shamal narrowed her eyes at Guilherme and said:
— I already told you I like gentle guys, are you an idiot or what? — Said Shamal, as she wiped the blood trickling from her nose.
These words from Shamal enraged the Tar even more.
— GET OUT OF MY SIGHT, YOU BASTARDS! — Roared the Tar!
The Tar formed a ball of scarlet-colored energy.
Shamal rose from the rubble, a little unsteady, but managed to regain her balance.
— Look at this… a "finish him"? HUHAUHAUHAUHAU!! Bring it on, big boy! — Said the mocking Shamal.
The Tar fired! Shamal dodged, and with her speed, she already appeared behind Tar.
— ASTRAL PURIFICATION!! — Shouted Shamal!
An intense light flooded the entire area, like a great flash.
***
Gabrielle suddenly awakens in her room at the Pousada Buraquinho. The space is modest, with light-colored walls, one of them occupied by a wardrobe, and a tiled floor that reflects the soft morning light.
The environment is marked by a cozy simplicity, without curtains or adornments, just a window that lets in the diffused light from outside. She rises slowly, the remnants of sleep still lingering, and raises a hand to her head, trying to process the confused feeling that envelops her.
— What a strange dream... my head hurts... — she mutters, feeling the discomfort.
— Oh, don't give me that, I patched it up nicely! — replies Farid, floating beside her with a playful air, flipping through a small book absentmindedly, casting an amused glance in Gabrielle's direction.
— Huh? — Gabrielle says, looking to the right side of her bed, still a little lost, searching for the voice she just heard.
— Hey, how's it going? — Farid asks, smiling!
Gabrielle's eyes widen as she finally notices Farid's presence beside her.
— AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! — she screams in shock.
She then curls up in the corner of the bed, moving away from where Farid is.
— It...it wasn't a dream? — she stammers, visibly shaken to discover that the entire dangerous situation she faced was the purest reality.
— Meeee? A dream?? — Farid asks, visibly offended.
The Djinn then throws some Sands of Desire around him, transforming into a human. The blue smoke gives way to legs, dressed in Arabian pantaloons, the same color as his vest.
— I'm very real, okay?! — Farid complains! — Look, I've even got legs! — he says, pointing at both legs as he climbs onto the bed to get closer to Gabrielle.
Suddenly, as if to defend herself, Gabrielle kicks the Djinn in the face.
— Don't climb on my bed saying that, you maniac! — Gabrielle says, and in an explanatory tone, continues... — That scares me!
— Watch my face, you wild woman!!! I'm in my human form, I bleed! — Farid says sulkily, although he managed to dodge Gabrielle's kick.
Gabrielle looks embarrassedly at Farid and says: — I'm sorry, I got scared when you came closer, since I just woke up, I thought you were some evil spirit.
— Me?? An evil spirit...? I may have a few flaws, but I'm a really nice guy, you know? — says the offended Farid, turning his face to the side, pouting.
***
Farid is sitting with Gabrielle on the bedroom floor. Between them, there is a round rug. The girl is leaning against the bed, with both legs pulled close to her body, listening intently to Farid, who is sitting across from her with his legs crossed, almost in a lotus position.
— Ahem!! — clears the Djinn's throat. — Let's start again! I am Farid, the Djinn of the Marid Class. We Djinns, born from smokeless fire, were created millennia ago. We manipulate and purify the Sands of Desire, magical granules that have the power to grant wishes to humans when summoned to the earthly plane. — Says Farid.
Gabrielle listens attentively to the Djinn, realizing that Djinns are indeed pre-Islamic entities known in the West as Genies. — You, Miss, who summoned me to the mortal plane, are entitled to three wishes! There's a huge list of rules for wishes, which can be summed up as: Don't mess with other people's lives! Any wish made with bitterness in the heart can corrupt the Sands of Desire. Then, you'll turn into a big bad creature. Simple, right? — Farid continues.
Gabrielle, who was still listening intently, seems quite worried. "Wishes... if I make the wrong wish, I could end up like Mr. Oshiro..." the girl thinks, feeling somewhat lonely.
— That's right! And Mr. Oshiro?! What happened to him? — asks Gabrielle, with a tired expression.
At this moment, Farid puffs up like a peacock, flashes a wide smile, and says — He's fine, thanks to me, who saved the day! — He points his thumb at himself.
— I purified every corrupted grain of his wish, so he's as good as new! Like brand-new! — He finishes the sentence with a convincing smile and an OK sign.
Gabrielle, who had been curled up with her legs close to her chest, stretches out her legs and sits up, looking at Farid with a mischievous gaze.
— Thanks to Shamal, you mean! — says Gabrielle with a cheeky grin.
— The powers used by Shamal are mine, so it was ME who saved the day! — replies Farid, annoyed.
Gabrielle then tilts her head back, resting it on the side edge of the bed, letting out a sigh of relief. "It's good that he's okay..." she thinks with a look of tranquility.
— Ah, that's good! I'm not unemployed! I still have a roof over my head! — says Gabrielle, masking her concern for Guilherme after noticing Farid's intrigued gaze on her.
Upon hearing this, Farid widens his eyes and then narrows them at Gabrielle. "You left the ball right in front of the goal, blonde... and I'm going to score."
— She wants a roof, folks! You can have as many as you wish! Just ask, just ask! — he says, doing a little finger dance and smiling in a goofy way.
— Hey, Djinn… — says Gabrielle, in a melancholic tone, cutting off Farid's theatrical moment. — What kind of wish would leave a person like that? — she adds, with a look of concern.
— Hmm... simply put… — says Farid, seeming to search for the right words.
Suddenly, Farid stands up, raises his arms, and continues in a loud voice: — HEARTBREAK! BETRAYAL! CHEATING!
— Wh... what do you mean? — questions Gabrielle, with a puzzled expression.
Farid settles back down on the floor, crossing his legs into a lotus position with graceful fluidity. His eyes, once glinting with sarcasm, now close, and his expression changes dramatically. The usual smile disappears, replaced by a mask of austerity and melancholy. When he finally opens his eyes again, Farid's gaze is deep and distant, as if he is carrying an invisible burden, maintaining a seriousness that contrasts with his usual disdain.
— Guilherme Oshiro's first wish was for this inn... He used to live on the streets with his girlfriend until he found me… — Farid's voice becomes slightly choked. — He wanted a sustainable and 'dreamlike' place to live with her...
Farid pauses for a long moment, then approaches Gabrielle, and with an expression of fury, he clenches his fist tightly.
— THEN... THAT LIAR BETRAYED HIM! IN THEIR BED! WITH A KITCHEN HELPER. I SAW IT ALL! — Farid roars, in a tone louder than usual.
Gabrielle's eyes widen in surprise.
***
A spacious room with a large glass door leading to a balcony is shown. The space appears to be a bedroom, as a roomy double bed is visible. The room seems very cozy and is tastefully decorated.
Guilherme is sitting on the bed with both hands covering his face. A photo frame with a picture of a couple is also seen on the floor, shattered.
Farid is standing, in his human form, wearing jeans and a blue hoodie, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
— Let me put real antlers on her head! Actual horns, like a moose! It's on the house! I won't count it as one of your 3 wishes; you'll still have your third wish left! — says Farid, his voice visibly agitated.
Guilherme lifts his face, which is completely red; his eyes, swollen and soaked with tears, are dull, clearly showing that he is disoriented.
— I… I just wish… that my feelings would disappear… — Guilherme murmurs, his voice weak and trembling.
Farid then summons the Hourglass of Wishes, and a strong golden light fills the entire room.
***
Farid is now sitting on the bed beside Gabrielle, who remains leaning against the furniture. The girl is focused on everything Farid is saying, staring intently at him. Farid, on the other hand, hasn't looked at Gabrielle for a second, keeping his face turned toward the right side wall of the room, where the bed's headboard is placed.
—…so the Sands of Desire were corrupted, and I was forced to enjoy my immortality in that chamber pot! I couldn't go back to the lamp, right? — Farid finishes in a disgruntled tone.
— But… wasn't that your goal? — Gabrielle asks, intrigued.
Farid jumps up from the bed, standing in front of Gabrielle.
— Exactly! Glad you understand me! — says Farid, with a stern expression.
He crouches down to be at eye level with Gabrielle. Looking directly into her eyes, he speaks almost like a command.
— So, what's the wish going to be? — Farid says, still with a stern look.
— You scoundrel… — Gabrielle responds, bored.
A cell phone, resting on the bedside table next to the bed, begins to play a song. It's an alarm indicating 6:30 in the morning.
— Oh no! I forgot about school! — Gabrielle exclaims, startled and in a tone of urgency.
She quickly gets up and starts rummaging through her small suitcase, looking for something among the things she saved from the storm. When she seems to find what she was searching for, she lifts the object triumphantly and hugs it.
— Lucky I saved my paper notebook! — Gabrielle declares with a smile.
— Ho, ho, ho… who needs school? You've got a genie now; you can use him! Live your dream! — Farid says, a bit exasperated.
Gabrielle seems to pay little attention to what Farid says, quickly walking past him after grabbing her phone and deliberately bumping into the Djinn. Upon reaching the bedroom door, she turns to Farid with a tone of challenge and confidence, saying:
— I'm going to make my dream come true on my own! No magic help! — Gabrielle turns to leave but looks back at Farid, adding — Oh! I'll be back soon! Don't get into any trouble, okay? — She then rushes out of the room.
The Djinn remains there, standing in disbelief at what he just heard. Moments later, he throws himself onto the bed with an exhausted expression, muttering to himself.
— It's going to be hard to get a wish out of her... I think I'm doomed…
Gabrielle rushes out of the room and comes across Guilherme, who is sweeping the yard. Guilherme looks at her, embarrassed, immediately lowering his head and gripping the broom handle tightly.
— Oh, Gabrielle! I… — Guilherme begins to stammer an apology when he's interrupted.
— Mr. Oshiro, I've got school this morning. But I'll be back before 1 PM, okay?— Gabrielle says, in a hurry.
Guilherme remains standing, watching as Gabrielle passes by him and keeps running. She then turns to him, now running backward, and says:
— Don't do my chores!! When I get back from school, I'll do everything. — After saying this, Gabrielle resumes running normally.
Guilherme cracks a slight smile.
As she climbs the stairs to reach the door of the Pousada Buraquinho, Gabrielle thinks, "I'm going to make my dreams come true on my own… you'll all see! I'll make it!!" She smiles, confident in herself and her efforts.
Gabrielle crosses the street, leaving the Pousada Buraquinho behind and heading toward the school. At that moment, a female figure discreetly appears in the shadows. The silhouette watches Gabrielle closely, her face hidden in the darkness.