The quite blue aurora of Penthos illuminated over them.
I'm not getting it anymore. Should I take pride in my actions, or I feel ashamed of them?Some may become afraid of me, or love me because of my violence, but was it ever necessary?
Malik had never encountered such a mix of emotions on somebody's face before. The woman hugging her son before him had appreciated his actions, but he himself was still hesitant on confidently keeping his grip on the blade.
Furrowing his eyebrows, he resisted the urge to hide the blade, but he knew she had already seen it. Even if he put it in his pocket, it would still weigh, like the pressure that he once felt in his heart.
Eventually, he decided to let it hang in his palm, for full display. Except the blade was clean, without a stain of blood on it.
Suddenly, a voice tore him from the epiphany, "What is your name?" The woman asked.
He blinked, "Malik. What's yours?"
"Yan Wei. I come from Zi Jin Cheng, but ended up here." The woman said perfunctorily.
Nodin gave a gap-toothed smile to his tired-looking mother, "Mama, is Yima Wei coming to play?"
Yan Wei patted her son's head, "I'm afraid not sunshine. She's not very well after your Uncle's passing not too long ago."
The boy curiously tilted his head, imitating Malik, "I saw Yima throw a stone at him in the court. She was very mad at him, and so was everyone else."
Sighing, the woman frowned, muttering faintly, "Nian, you'll never let it go will you . . ."
Yima. A stone. Could that be a term for people of Marah? I mean, many of them threw stones at me, but only one was able to land . . . oh. I get it now. That distraught girl. Now that I think about it I wonder if that's a family term. Maybe a cousin, or an aunt?
Its hard to collect these new words. I lived with somebody I could barely call Father, much less Dad half the time. If I were to have any relatives like that, maybe they're still out there.
Yan Wei asked Nodin, "Is your necklace okay?"
The young boy pulled the necklace out of his collar, "Yes its okay."
It was in the shape of a heart, and it had the word 'Papa' plastered on it.
The mother gave a warm smile, "Remember that that's all you have to remember of Papa, he said he would always be watching. Right here."
Yan Wei coughed, "Mama doesn't feel very good, so she can't smile a lot. But remember what Papa would always tell you."
Nodin gave out a heartwarming ear-to-ear grin, "I'll never forget his words!"
Suddenly, she came to a realization, "You never knew his real name, did you . . ." She whispered.
For a brief, a silence settled between them, and strangers passed by carrying thier vast souvenirs for the dead.
Malik shook his head, grasping the scene in front of him, "I'm sorry, I should go. I have somebody I'm looking for."
This time, he didn't loosen his grip on the blade, as he knew it would guide him as a proper souvenir of Penthos.
Yan Wei rubbed her droopy eyes, "Oh no. You're not being a burden. I trust who my son trusts. He knows people better than most."
She continued, "I can help you find them, and maybe my sister would know. She moved here, but she's not very pleased. Would you mind telling me what the person is like?"
They came from Marah, so I don't think mentioned Awan should be of any trouble, but for some reason I feel the need to avoid saying his name. Saying names out loud to the wrong ears wouldn't be favorable.
"He's of your people, and he's quite an important one. He's tan, a bit shorter, with a charismatic smile, and jet-black hair. Ever seen him?" Malik gave a somewhat vague description of the crowned vice-chief.
Yan Wei pondered for a moment, ". . . Hmm. No. I'm sorry I haven't seen anybody like that since I was indoors. Maybe my younger sister would have something to say, she always keeps track of who enters and leaves in any land. She's most likely at the bar right now."
She proposed, "I can take you there if you'd like, but my sister isn't exactly the most friendly person. And considering what my son told me, its better that I accompany you along the way."
"You see, she fought in the revolt of Mala and Zi Jin Cheng, family means everything to her."
It all aligns with what Noam said. There really were people fighting for thier freedom, yet all I had to do was wait. If I remember correctly, the young woman's name was Nian Wei. Guan Sui directed her, is she working with him?
. . . Someone who fights against injustice wouldn't abide by them, would they?
Abruptly, Nodin tugged on his mother's shirt, "Mama, can I come?" He gave a forced grin, and gave a puppy-eyed look.
Yan Wei sighed, "Yes you can come, but make sure to always hold my hand. I'm only taking Malik to the bar, you're not stepping a foot in it."
"Okay mama!" The boy gleamed a smile, blocking out all blue light that casted above them.
The mother and son both stood up, and firmly gripped thier hands together, Yan Wei motioned for Malik to follow after them. Accordingly, Malik walked besides the two. He was slightly separated, but he wondered about how he should hold the blade.
She saw what I did to the council. I don't think I should have this blade exposed if I'm here to gain information. I get a strange feeling from this. *Was she one of the people who praised my ridicule, or praised my massacre? But I wonder if she'd be violent when it comes to me.
These people have lost many of those that are dear to them and still manage a smile. I also think about what would I do if I lost any of my people. Do I have any family left to lose?
After many seconds of consideration, Malik eventually stored the blade in his pocket, only a faint outline of its shape printed in his cargo jeans.
A collection of people with hanging heads strolled by, wiping thier tears, and hugging thier mementos. They gave grimaced as they stared at the three who kept oddly stern expressions.
Malik turned his head, and saw that everyone that passed was heading towards the entrance.
"Why are they all leaving?" He asked Yan Wei.
"Its the time of day to remember those we lost, by mourning thier memories beside thier skulls. Some give strange looks to me as I couldn't participate, but its because there was never a skull for me to mourn over." She said, only looking at Nodin.
The young boy was skipping, swinging his arm as he held his mother's hand.
Yan Wei quietly spoke, "Nodin, not here. The people here aren't very happy, so you shouldn't disrespect them. You can only play when we're inside the house."
Nodin pouted, "But why should I be sad for others that want to be sad? Being sad only makes you sadder, but being happy only makes you happier!" He smiled.
Yan Wei nearly laughed, "You really are his son, Nodin . . ."
Malik was distanced from the conversation, averting his gaze, and only following where they went. Up until this point they had only been heading straight.
Then, "Malik." Yan Wei said.
He turned, skeptical at the change of tone in her voice.
"If the friend you're looking for were to never come back, what would you do?" She asked.
Malik hesitated for a moment, scanning for a possible answer to give.
Then, he shook his head in disdain, "I try not to think about it, though I know its a very real possibility."
"You said he shared the same name as you, right? The one who held the blade?" She asked.
Malik frowned, "That's not the friend I'm looking for."
"But the friend who held it, you must've already lost them. I apologize for asking such an insensitive question." Yan Wei took her words back.
Mali avoided looking at the handle of the blade below him, "I wouldn't say friend."
A brief silence fell between them. Thier expressions began to match the members of the tribe over time.
Yan Wei gave a worried look, "If you don't mind, could you tell me why?"
Malik closed his bright grey eyes, and only kept walking, avoiding an answer.
The mother quickly understood, and shafted her attention back to her son. The rest of the walk was quiet.
Soon after, they turned a sharp corner, and they met it.
From afar, a large two-story bar with all its light on illuminated in the bright day, and the street lamps made it appear larger than it was. Many cheers and cries were heard from the inside, and there were already a handful of people entering and leaving.
Those who entered appeared to have exhausted expressions, but those who exited were plastered, without a worry in the world.
Yan Wei tapped Malik on the shoulder, "I'll leave you here. My sister, her names Nian Wei, shes easy to get in conversation with, but she's short tempered. We're both from Zi Jin Cheng, so we've learnt to be cautious when it comes to people."
Malik nodded, and the mother and son took thier leave.
He paid close attention to the traffic at the entrance.
However among those who left, there was a man with a slight smile. He had tired eyes and an unkempt beard.
Malik stayed still, observing from a distance, but the man's gaze widened when they made eye contact.
Malik quickly gripped in his pocket, in case of any occurrence, he couldn't take any chances.
His mouth hung open slightly, and walked faster towards Malik.
His open stance meant no harm, and he appeared to want to engage in conversation.
Then, "Sir! Are you perchance Malik?"
What the hell . . . I mean, I can't be surprised by it anymore, this guy must've been at the court. But he doesn't look like the jolly people of Marah.
Malik's raised an eyebrow as he came closer, "What does that name mean to you?"
The man stopped, and put his hands up in friendliness, "Oh no. Your name was the life of the bar today since many people from Marah moved here, and they say Malik is a man with gray eyes and a blade, who slaughtered the council in mere seconds."
Is that how they remember me . . . I hope they remember the words I said, and not the people I hurt. Oh well, theres no hiding it anymore.
Malik sighed, "I'm only visiting, as I'm looking for somebody."
A lightbulb lit in the man's head, "Now that I think about it, the bartender spoke of some people that spoke of your name before it even happened when everybody was disputing about you."
Malik pondered, Awan was always with us before it happened, so who else could he be referring to?
He paused, "And I knew those three from the start. Kamil, Lias, and Amaya. Such great people."
. . .
Malik nearly jolted forward to ask him a plethora of questions, but decided to keep his composure.
They were here? There's no possible way. I mean, it was only a matter of time that they'd discover a tribe, but to think they'd meet someone, and the odds that I meet them here, must've been astronomical.
If he mentioned them, then that means they must be around here somewhere, but if I'm searching for Nian Wei only to get a hint of finding Awan, what should my priorities be?
"Are they safe?" Malik asked.
The man nodded, "Yes. But I was told they supposedly left somewhere, talking about also finding something."
I'm glad.
"Aside from that, I'm searching for a woman named Nian Wei, she might know who exactly I'm searching for." Malik shifted the conversation, concealing his excitement.
The man scratched his head, "That's no good whatsoever. If you're the guy the bars talking about people won't leave you alone. They love and hate you. I'm sure if you know her, then its a safe bet what you're waiting for."
Malik straightened his posture, "I understand. But I have to get my answer one way or another. i can't blindly search for who I'm looking for."
"She's not a nice one, so just be careful around her. But I'll vouch for you, I know her well." The man said flatly.
You're saying that to me of all people . . .
Malik bobbed his head, "Thank you, what's your name?"
"Thakal."
"Nice to meet you, Thakal. Your help has been a world to me. " Malik properly greeted the man.
After exchanging names and having small talk, they both went to enter the bustling bar.
From outside, Malik heard dozens of conversations at once, and in each one, he heard his name within it.
It feels so weird to hear others say my name. I was always used to the same voices saying my name, whether they be in my head or in the ship, I could pinpoint them.
But now, I'm entering another world, with people that have different ideas, stories, and expectations of me. I never knew that this would be so . . . overwhelming.
Thakal entered first, and the door creaked open, and a blue aura of piercing light broke through the gaps of the door, pooling outside along with the streets lamps.
It was a dark blue that held hints of darkness within it.
As Thakal stepped in, he waved for Malik to follow.
Malik took a deep breath, and entered. The door closed behind them as they saw the faces of those that spoke of him.
All of a sudden, their clamors went quiet. They all stared, groups of people seated at a long wooden table, and various tables and seats spread across the room.
It was an uncomfortable silence that lasted way too long.
I assume that they expect me to introduce myself.
The second Malik moved a muscle-
Thwack!
. . .
Turning his head, he saw a sharp dart lodge into the doorway behind him.
Then, his heart began to beat as a feminine voice shouted.
"Leave you monster! How dare you show your face here!"