Oasis of the White Palm

Tired and sore, you struggle over the burning sands towards the long-forgotten city. Will you reach the place in time to save yourselves from the evil Efreeti? The sun beats down, making your wounds stiff and worsening the constant thirst that plagues anyone who travels these waterless wastes. But there is hope - are those the ruins over there?In the midst of broken columns and bits of rubble stands a huge statue. This is the place! You've found it at last. Gratefully you sink onto the sand. But there's no time to lose. You must hurry. So with a quavering voice you say the magic words. And then you wait....A hush falls over the ruins, making the back of your neck prickle. Then, out of the east, a wind rises, gentle at first but quickly growing stronger and wilder, until it tears at your clothes and nearly lifts you off your feet. The once clear sky iis choked with white and grey clouds that clash and boil. As the clouds blacken, day turns to night. Lightning flashes followed by a menacing growl of thunder. You are beginning to wonder if you should seek shelter, when all of a sudden there is a blinding crash and a bolt of lightning reduces the statue to dust.For a moment, silence. Then, out of the statue's remains, soars a blue flame. Its roar deafens you as higher and higher it climbs, until it seems about to reach the clouds. Just when you think it can grow no larger, its shape begins to change. The edges billow and soften, the roar lessens, and before your eyes materializes a gigantic blue man.