Sunken Recesses

Hao Xuan bade farewell to Elder Khadim and the rest of the villagers before his figure blipped out of existence right in front of their eyes.

He stood rooted to the spot until the youngsters walked up behind him one by one. One of them stepped forward, speaking in their own language.

"Do you believe it to be him, great father?"

Elder Khadim weakly shook his head once.

"Too early to tell. It could be another trickster God toying with us, we mustn't let our guard down."

The younger Djinn's shoulder slumped, "It would be good if he was the one the Old Lord told us about. We cannot afford to make another enemy during our exile."

Elder Khadim turned to face him and the rest of the youngsters. He could see past the concealment magic that hid their true forms so their many wounds were as clear to him as the ground beneath their feet.

They were ready to fight to the death but it would be a brief encounter if it came to it.