Chapter 214: Schemes in the Hallway
Malik paced the hallway outside Haido's throne room, running his hand absently along the cold, sleek metal that lined the walls. Haido's fortress was nothing like the ancient Gelel temple they'd explored just hours ago. Here, every surface gleamed with the stark sheen of polished marble, steel, and electric lighting. The harsh light cast long shadows across the corridor, filling the lavish hall with an unfeeling, almost sterile atmosphere that felt miles away from the natural world outside.
The tablet he'd recovered from the temple was tucked under his arm, and Malik glanced at it, feeling the weight of the ancient symbols etched into its surface. He knew this tablet was crucial to Haido's plans, and likely the key to bringing the power of the Gelel stones into the world with full force. But as he stood there, waiting for Haido to summon him, Malik's thoughts drifted from the artifact in his hand to Haido's knights.
Kamira had left him here with a dismissive wave, her mind clearly refocusing on her mission and her unwavering loyalty to Haido. Malik could sense her reluctance to admit she enjoyed his company, but he knew there was a crack in her devotion—a small opening he could work with. He had begun to understand her complexity: fierce, confident, and yet, beneath it all, the kind of woman who desired true purpose and perhaps even companionship beyond the harsh loyalty Haido demanded. Kamira was a puzzle, but one that Malik was willing to solve. And he felt he was getting close.
Fugai and Ranke, though—they would be more difficult to sway. He hadn't spent much time with either yet, but from what Kamira had told him, he knew they were both dangerously devoted to Haido's cause.
Fugai was the type to exert dominance over her opponents, someone who thrived on strength and who likely viewed compassion as a weakness. She had a fierce loyalty that was almost feral, and Malik suspected that breaking through her devotion to Haido would require strength—both in character and perhaps in battle. She respected power, and if he wanted to win her over, Malik realized he'd have to show her that he was no ordinary pawn. He'd have to make her see that there was something more powerful than Haido's vision, something she could respect and maybe even admire. But could he show her that strength without compromising his values? He smirked to himself, imagining the challenge of impressing someone as fierce as Fugai.
Then there was Ranke. Ranke was playful, a bit arrogant, and clearly saw herself as above others. Malik had heard how she taunted her opponents in battle, showing off and underestimating them at her own peril. To win her over, he'd need to appeal to her pride, perhaps even challenge her in a way that forced her to recognize him as more than just Haido's ally. She was used to respect, almost demanded it, and he would have to give her the recognition she craved while showing her something beyond the narrow view Haido instilled. Ranke would be complicated, though. Her arrogance was a defense as much as it was a part of her nature, and finding a way to unravel it would require subtlety.
As for Kamira—Malik allowed himself a slight smile. She had at least shown she was intrigued by him. He could sense it in the way she looked at him, the way she half-smiled at his jokes even when she tried to brush him off. Kamira was loyal, yes, but he could see a small glimmer of doubt, or perhaps a hidden desire for something more. She'd shared a glimpse of her past, small but significant, and it was a start. To fully win her over, Malik realized he'd have to show her that loyalty to Haido didn't have to mean losing her sense of self. If he could give her a vision of freedom, perhaps something she'd never considered possible, then he might be able to unlock her potential to see beyond Haido's oppressive ideals.
Malik's thoughts drifted briefly to Temujin, Haido's fourth knight. Unlike the others, Malik sensed a fragility in him, something that hinted he wasn't as fully devoted as the others. There was a conflicted energy about him, almost as if he knew the darkness behind Haido's words but chose to stay loyal regardless. Malik chuckled to himself, thinking about Naruto. He couldn't help but imagine the two meeting—it seemed almost destined. Naruto had a way of reaching out to people like Temujin, those with hidden doubts, those on the cusp of redemption. If anyone could guide Temujin out of Haido's shadow, it would be Naruto. Malik laughed softly, murmuring to himself, "Those two are practically written in the stars. I'll leave Temujin to Naruto—he's got the knack for turning enemies into friends."
Lost in his thoughts, Malik hardly noticed how long he had been waiting until he glanced down the hall and saw the double doors still shut, no summons from Haido in sight. He leaned back against the cold marble wall, folding his arms and glancing at the tablet again. It felt as though the artifact hummed faintly in his hands, a dormant power awaiting its turn to be unleashed. He wondered what secrets it held—clues that Haido would no doubt use to cement his rule and fulfill his own twisted vision of power.
But as Malik considered his options, the importance of winning over the knights became even clearer. Haido might control them now, but each of them held potential, lives and ambitions of their own buried beneath layers of Haido's influence. Malik knew he had to find a way to unearth those hidden desires, to peel away the layers of control that Haido had embedded in them. If he could reach them—if he could show them a future beyond Haido's empty promises—then perhaps he could help free them, or at the very least, plant the seeds of doubt.
With each knight, Malik understood, he'd have to approach them differently:
Kamira required a touch of trust, a quiet assurance that there was life outside Haido's expectations. He would show her compassion without condescension, a glimpse of freedom wrapped in mutual respect.
Fugai would need to see strength, to know that he wasn't someone to be dismissed or underestimated. She would need to witness power, but power with integrity, power that didn't rely on cruelty to prove itself.
Ranke would need to be challenged, made to realize that pride in oneself could mean more than blind loyalty. He'd have to spark her curiosity, show her that there was a world beyond Haido's ambitions.
He looked again at the closed throne room doors, wondering what lay in store for him within. Haido was clever and dangerous, an insidious manipulator who wore the guise of a visionary. Malik could sense that Haido wasn't someone who could be simply outsmarted or overpowered—no, Haido demanded something far more calculated.
The wait stretched on, and Malik let his thoughts drift, replaying the moments with Kamira, her almost unguarded laughter in the forest, her quick smirks, and the way she tried to mask her intrigue. She was a woman loyal to her lord, but he saw something else in her, something that hadn't yet fully succumbed to Haido's shadow. If he could find a way to reach that part of her, to nurture it, he knew he could help her see past Haido's promises. And if Kamira started to shift, the others might follow suit.
A small flicker of hope lit within him. These knights had once been people with dreams and ambitions of their own. Perhaps, deep within, they still were. Malik was willing to bet on it. Haido may have convinced them that loyalty was power, that servitude was strength, but Malik believed otherwise.
The hallway remained silent as Malik stood there, his thoughts as steadfast as his resolve. He would make it his mission to reach them, to show them a new way of seeing the world, one person at a time.
Malik leaned against the sleek marble wall, the tablet he'd retrieved from the Gelel Temple tucked under his arm as he let his mind wander. He glanced down the long, silent hallway, its polished marble floors inlaid with vibrant patterns of green, blue, red, and gold, catching the light from the ornate electric sconces lining the walls. The hall was grand but cold, the kind of place that seemed to drain warmth from anyone who lingered too long.
Just as he began to consider the idea of using his cooking skills to charm Haido's knights, the massive doors of the throne room creaked open, spilling a sliver of light into the hallway. He looked up to see Ranke stepping out, her sharp gaze immediately locking onto him.
She tilted her head, her light-violet eyes studying him with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "Waiting at the far end of the hall, sweetie?" she drawled, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Afraid Haido might bite?"
Malik chuckled, pushing off the wall with a relaxed shrug. "Just giving him and his knights the space they deserve. Wouldn't want to crowd the scene, right?"
Ranke let out a low, mocking laugh, folding her arms as she leaned against the doorway. "How considerate of you," she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Well, Haido's ready to see you now, and make sure you bring that tablet. Wouldn't want you to forget the entire reason you're here."
Malik stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and the throne room doors. He offered Ranke a polite nod as she held the door open for him, catching her eyes as he passed. "Thank you, Ranke," he said with a slight grin.
She held his gaze for a moment, and he could see her attempt to return his smile—though the gesture seemed almost foreign on her face. Still, she didn't look away, her smirk turning into something almost genuine before she dropped her eyes. With a quick nod, she let him pass.
As he entered the throne room, the grand scale of Haido's domain loomed before him. Marble columns stretched up to a high ceiling painted with abstract shapes and patterns. In the center of the room sat Haido's throne, flanked by banners bearing the insignia of Gelel, a symbol of power twisted into something both majestic and sinister. The cold, metallic surfaces of the walls and furniture were accentuated by patches of vibrant, polished marble, giving the room an atmosphere that was both opulent and intimidating.
Haido himself sat on his throne, watching Malik with a warm, calculated gaze as he approached. To Haido's right stood Fugai, her violet eyes narrowed with scrutiny, her light brown hair cascading over her shoulders as she assessed Malik's every move. Kamira was close by, her usual confident stance in place, and Ranke moved to stand beside her fellow knights, her posture as impatient as ever.
Malik stopped in the center of the room, offering Haido a respectful nod. "Lord Haido, always a pleasure."
Haido's lips curled into a smile, the kind that seemed practiced, like a facade he used often. "Malik," he began, his voice soft yet carrying a weight that filled the entire room. "I have always believed in your potential. You, my dear friend, are a rare soul—one who sees the possibilities in the impossible, the path forward in the face of uncertainty."
Malik listened attentively, maintaining a respectful demeanor as Haido spoke. Behind him, he sensed the presence of Haido's knights closing in, a quiet but palpable reminder of the authority and loyalty Haido commanded. A quick glance at their expressions told Malik they'd heard this kind of speech many times before. Kamira's reddish eyes held a faint gleam of anticipation, though Malik could tell she was accustomed to this ritual. Fugai looked slightly bored, her arms crossed, while Ranke's impatience was more obvious, her fingers tapping against her armor in silent rhythm.
Haido continued, his words spilling out like a mantra. "The power of Gelel is a gift—a gift that calls for vision, for conviction. Together, with the strength of Gelel, we will build a world free of weakness, free of the endless cycles of suffering. A world where power and loyalty reign supreme."
When Haido finished, he held Malik's gaze, his eyes filled with a fanatic light that was equal parts mesmerizing and unnerving. Malik offered a respectful nod, masking his own thoughts as he held out the tablet.
"This," he said, gesturing to the tablet, "is the first key, Lord Haido. As you know, the Gelel temples serve as a guide, a map if you will, leading us to the true Vein of Gelel. Each of the three temples holds a piece of a larger stone map, and by using the stones embedded within each of us, we can access these pieces, one at a time."
Haido's gaze shifted to the tablet in Malik's hands, his interest piqued. He motioned for Malik to set it on a nearby pedestal, and as Malik complied, Haido rose from his throne, his robe sweeping across the floor as he moved closer. The air around him seemed to thrum with a barely-contained energy as he examined the ancient artifact.
Malik watched as Haido ran a gloved hand over the tablet's carved symbols. Over his shoulder, Malik caught a glimpse of Kamira, her expression one of quiet fascination, while Fugai and Ranke observed with more skepticism.
"This tablet," Haido murmured, his voice reverent, "holds a wealth of knowledge, a map that has remained hidden for centuries." He glanced at his knights, his eyes gleaming. "The time has come for us to unlock this power. Kamira, you have served us well in the first temple. Now, Fugai, Ranke—will one of you step forward to continue this mission?"
Fugai's mouth curled into a confident smirk, her eyes gleaming with an almost feral intensity. "I'll go, Lord Haido," she said, her voice low but brimming with anticipation. "I'm more than ready to handle whatever the temple holds."
Ranke, not to be outdone, stepped forward as well, her own smile sharp and taunting. "If she doesn't return, I'll happily take her place, my lord. I've faced worse challenges."
Haido looked between them, his expression one of satisfaction. "Good. I have faith that each of you will rise to this task." He turned his gaze back to Malik, nodding with approval. "And you, Malik—you have brought us one step closer to a new dawn. Tonight, we will dine in celebration. Though, I'm afraid I'll be occupied with my studies." He gestured dismissively. "Send a plate to my quarters."
Malik inclined his head, showing no hint of his amusement. "Of course, Lord Haido. I'll ensure it reaches you."
Turning to Haido's knights, Malik allowed a warm smile to break through his polite mask. "I'll be preparing dinner again tonight. If you'd like, you're more than welcome to join me." His gaze lingered on each of them in turn. He could see Kamira's eyes brighten subtly, an unspoken excitement flickering in her gaze. Fugai's smirk turned into a more genuine smile, her aggressive demeanor softening at the thought of a warm meal, while Ranke's impatience seemed to melt, replaced by intrigue.
Fugai crossed her arms, her voice tinged with eagerness as she replied. "You're cooking again, are you? Good. I was starting to miss the taste of real food."
Ranke leaned back, her smirk growing. "Well, it's not often we get a meal worth savoring around here. I'd say you've already won over our stomachs, Malik."
Kamira gave Malik a knowing look, her tone softer than usual. "I'm looking forward to it." There was a subtle warmth in her voice, as if she saw this dinner as a chance to know him beyond her mission.
Malik smiled, sensing the small victory in their responses. They were already intrigued, their loyalty tempered with curiosity. Haido may have secured their obedience, but Malik was starting to win them over in a different way—slowly, carefully, through small gestures and genuine interest. And tonight's dinner would be yet another opportunity to lay the foundation of trust.
As he bowed to Haido and exited the throne room, Malik's mind raced with ideas. Dinner would be a chance to reach these women in a way that Haido never could, a chance to sow seeds of doubt and curiosity that would, with time, blossom into something greater.
As the grand doors closed behind him, Malik's mind was already working through tonight's menu, a feast designed not only to fill their stomachs but to spark a deeper connection. He would use every tool at his disposal—flavor, warmth, and conversation—to start breaking through Haido's hold.
For tonight, Malik would cook not just with skill but with purpose, his every dish a small rebellion, an offering of freedom wrapped in the warmth of shared company. The path ahead was long and dangerous, but Malik felt more determined than ever. This was only the beginning, and he was ready for whatever Haido's world would throw at him.