"Ahh, damn my life." Malcolm muttered quietly as he slowly woke from his slumber. He opened his eyes to see an elaborate multicolored ceiling that had illustrations of mythical figures Malcolm couldn't be bothered to learn about at the moment.
He looked down to see that he was lying down on perhaps the largest bed he had ever seen. Not even a California king would be a good match against this monstrosity that stretched for over 25ft down and 8ft across. There was a massive black and white mudcloth blanket that reached out just as wide as the bed itself.
Malcolm sat up in awe at the sight of the bed. He also realized while looking down, that his body was fully healed. No longer did he have numerous scars and missing body parts.
"What the hell?" He muttered softly while lifting a hand up to inspect closely. He clenched his hand into a fist and could feel the immense inhuman power contained within. His veins bulged so hard Malcolm almost thought they were going to pop until he opened his palm to see them relax once more.
He looked around at the large room he currently dwelled in, and saw that he was alone for the moment. He got into a meditation pose and closed his eyes to look within himself.
He first checked his abdomen and confirmed that his spiritual core was truly gone. But what caught his eye was what was in its place.
'Oh right, I almost forgot.' Malcolm thought as he saw the pathieite curled up into a ball shape in place of his spiritual core. He watched the scene in silence for a moment.
'Damn, I really don't have a core anymore. Shit... just when I had it, I lost it. And now that I don't have a core, I can't use spiritual energy.' He balls his hands into fists while veins bulged across his arms.
Before he could think more on the matter the door to the large room was opened and a massive figure walked in.
The man had a lean and athletic build with an all black robe to match his black skin. His hair was framed in the shape of a lion's mane, and said mane seemed to almost have a mind of its own as it waved in the air.
Malcolm was immediately on guard and found that his senses were even more enhanced than before, despite his currently non existent realm level. He could feel that this man was in a whole other league compared to Mashallah at her peak.
'If I ain't mistaken, this should be someone at the fifth realm. Damn, this ain't nothing to play with.'
The man stopped a few steps from the bed Malcolm rested in, crossing his arms as he stood tall. He looked at Malcolm with a cool gaze that said nothing about his next action. Malcolm looked at him with an equal expression, showing no weakness.
"Hmph, Old Shallah was right. You really are quite the daring type," The man chuckled slightly. After a moment of silence Malcolm spoke.
"Yeah I guess so. So how's grandma doing anyway?"
"Grandma? That's elder Mashallah for you young man." There was a tangible increase in pressure emanating from the man as he finished his sentence. But Malcolm continued to look him in the eye with not even the slightest hint of fear on his face.
Malcolm saw a thick golden aura coil around the man and rose above his back to form a 12 foot phantom lion that also had fifth realm aura.
The sunlight casted its yellow radiance through the large window, reflecting off Malcolm's back as he stood up and walked up to the man until he was standing face to shoulder with him.
"I'll call her whatever I damn well please." Malcolm said plainly.
"Hmph, I suppose I'll let it be if Old Shallah let's someone like you refer to her in that way. But know this." He leaned down until his head was next to Malcolm's ear.
"If you put my daughter in harm's way ever again, not even my dead forefathers could save you from my wrath. Do you understand me?"
"Duly noted sir," Malcolm said quietly as he only now realized that he was naked. Malcolm quickly covered his privates with both hands and stepped away from the man.
The man chuckled slightly while dispelling the lion manifestation. After that he pointed a finger to Malcolm's left at a large decorative closet door that stood taller than Malcolm himself.
"Get yourself dressed and meet me outside when you are ready child. Oh and the bathroom is to the far end of that corner." He points out before leaving Malcolm to his own devices for the moment.
Malcolm now left alone once more quickly rushes to the bathroom and sees a large ovel shaped ornamental mirror. He stood in front of it to take a good look at himself.
"Oh, my, lord above," he lifted a hand to feel his altered face.
His eyes were still the color black, but now their shape was more narrow and sharp. His nose was slightly bigger and rounder than before. His lips were full and plump, as if he applied dermal fillers to them. His facial fat had been thinned out by a large margin. To make things stranger, he had no hair in sight on his body. In every sense of the word, Malcolm now resembled a black sculpture. With his skin having become even darker than before, he felt less like a real person and more of some kind of macabre onyx doll in appearance.
He stood there, looking at that stranger in the mirror that only looked back at him with the same blank expression. He narrowed his eyes into a deep frown as he rushed his consciousness to his inner guest.
"Ey! Wake the fuck up! Watchu do to my goddamn body nigga?!" Malcolm yelled at the still pathieite who only remained still in response.
Frustrated, Malcolm's thoughts moved at lightning speed as he tried to come up with a way to get the pathieite's attention.
Now he was starting to remember more details about the blood pact.
'Damn! This little shit must be sleep right now. That fight took alot out of it along with the blood pact we made.' Malcolm sighed deeply as he came back to reality.
He exited the bathroom and opened the closet door to see an enormous number of robes of varying styles and colors. Malcolm smiled slightly at the options in front of him.
Hasani waited for nearly 10 minutes before Malcolm walked out from the room. He wore an all black wide-sleeved robe that complimented his black skin.
Hasani said nothing as he lead the way down the hallway.
As Malcolm followed him he looked around and was truly amazed at the grand scale of the palace halls as they traveled through them.
The halls were decorated with thousands of images of various people, animals, and other beings Malcolm couldn't quite recognize. The mirage of colors and art styles made Malcolm wonder just how old this palace truly was.
"It's a beautiful place isn't it?" Malcolm remained silent for a moment before responding.
"It's got a nice look, but...shit, what really ought to matter is what's underneath."
"What would you know about what's underneath?" The lion king said plainly.
"Nothing really. I just know its more than what I see right now. My folk used to tell me 'believe in nothing that you hear and only half of what you see'." Hasani turned an ear towards Malcolm as they kept walking.
"Who are your folk that you speak of?"
"Just a bunch of niggas, no one special." Malcolm said as he had a slight smile on his face at the thought of home.
'Strange way of speech.' Hasani thought inwardly as they finally approached a large room where there were numerous people gathered at.
"Greetings Your Royal Highness." The men bowed and the women curtseyed as they unanimously greeted Hasani who gestured everyone at ease.
A long moment passed before Hasani spoke.
"Good afternoon everyone. I want you all to be introduced to the individual who has only recently arrived to our lands, but he has already proven to be a valuable ally who unfortunately fell into a scheme set up by the treacherous Terra clan." Everyone now gave Malcolm their undivided attention and brief appraisal.
Malcolm tried to scan through the many faces, but none showed their true thoughts. With this in mind he stepped up until he stood next to Hasani. Now he could feel the mood shift from appraisal to feelings of quiet shock, envy, and rage.
The feelings flowed through the air like gusts of wind as they came into contact with Malcolm's enhanced senses.
'Who does he think he is?'
'Why would his highness allow this nobody to stand next to him?'
Many whispers could be heard all at once by Malcolm, but strangely he didn't see anyone's mouth move to speak these words. The figures and faces started to be muddled in his vision. Everything slowly grew more abstract as if these new senses were trying to guide Malcolm's mind pass the skin and flesh of these people, and show him what they really looked like.
However to Malcolm's still developing mind, this was akin to showing a first grader calculus when they only knew addition. It was too overwhelming for his brain to process.
His eyes were wide like a tree frog. He clenched his hands into tight fists and lifted them slightly. He leaned his head forward like a snake necked turtle. All the while his body tensed up like a springboard, ready to launch itself in any direction.
"If anyone has something to say, say it now or forever keep your mouth shut bout me!" The room became as still as stone when Malcolm finished speaking.
The silence was sharp enough to cut through steel but perhaps the hearts of the wicked were sharper still.
"Wh-what did you say?" A haughty sounding noble woman pointed a shaking finger at him.
"Did I stutter?! If anyone has something to say! Say. It. Now."
The court stood shocked at not just the outburst but the lack of response or reaction from the lion king himself.
"That's it, I'm gonna teach this little bastard a lesson!" A large dark skinned man in a gold plated suit of armor stepped up and quickly bowed before Hasani.
"Your highness if I may, can I request a dual with this low life?"
"I suppose there's no issue with the request, sure go for it." Hasani said casually as Malcolm's eyes lit up in anticipation.
'Good, it seems I ain't go too far. Now I can test out this new body of mine and try to get use to these damn senses.' Malcolm thought as he stepped forward until Hasani put a gentle but firm hand on his shoulder.
"Not here child, there's an arena nearby the two of you will fight in." Malcolm only nodded at this as everyone proceeded towards the arena.
It was a large ovel shaped stadium that was carved from stone. It stood over 800ft high with enough seats to fit over 150,000 people. However for the occasion only around 50 or so people would be the audience.
Malcolm walked near the back as he observed the many different characters present.
"Hey brother black." Malcolm looked to his left to see Banji walking next to him with a slight smile on his face.
"What you want?" Malcolm said rudely.
"Nothing right now, I just wanted to inform you on the man you're going to be fighting with."
"Enlighten me then."
"Well you see, his name is Esi Ojo from the Ojo clan. You need not worry too much about them, they're small characters in the grand scheme of things. But Esi here in particular has only just reached the second realm after nearly 10 years of accumulation. His main line of arts pertain to body enhancement and light so watch out for sudden spikes in physical power and flashy lights." Banji advised as every reached the center of the arena.
"Oh by the way, how long has it been since that fight at the hamlet? Last I saw you, you turned into a monster."
"Oh just a week has passed, and as for my recovery, my clan possess many methods although my aptitude did drop from high to average, so consequences are a thing apparently." Banji spoke in a very casual manner about the matter as the crowd finally reached the arena center.
Everyone sat on the stands, leaving Malcolm and Esi in the arena.
Hasani sat on a polished throne at the very top of the stadium. The people took their seats as someone came running into the stands frantically.
It was Yara who stopped to take a deep breath as she smiled at the sight of Malcolm. Despite his somewhat different appearance once she looked at his eyes, it was easy to recognize him. Malcolm smiled as he waved at her casually.
Hasani narrowed his eyes at the sight but said nothing in the end.
'So it seems she has taken in interest in him indeed. Hmph, for now I'll see what you're made of little black before letting you publicly associate with her.' Hasani thought as an announcer came out to signal the fighters to their positions.
They each stood 50 meters from one another.
The sunlight reflected off of Malcolm's skin as he threw up a boxing stance. He looked like an onyx sculpture in the radiant light. With his wide black robe, he gave off the air of a black prince.
Esi took out a small spear that he held down while his left hand formed a fist which he held up to his face. His armor matched the color of the sun as the two seemed to be in sync with one another, creating a thin golden barrier that promised to protect him from any harm this no name kid could dish out.
"Fight!" The moment the announcer called Esi rushed forward with enough speed to send dust and rocks flying in all directions.
In an instant he was in front of Malcolm with his spear thrusted forward, ready to end the young man's life.
However Malcolm simply sidestepped the thrust and moved aside, letting Esi blitz pass him.
"Hmm, not gonna lie nigga, you kinda slow." Malcolm said with a wide smile on his face.
Esi only growled in response before he ran at Malcolm and went for a barrage of spear thrusts that hit nothing except air. Malcolm found the attacks relatively slow and predictable as he quietly analyzed.
'If I remember right, that fire mystic was in the second realm to. But he would make easy work of this nigga right here. Hell I might be able to make easy work of him right now but.' He let his senses loose slightly to scan the surrounding observers. Without having to look at them he could tell that they were observing every move Malcolm made.
'Damn, ain't shit simple is it? I don't wanna let no one know that I'm way stronger than this guy, but I know I can't look too weak at the same time.' He casted a side glance at the one who set up this entire situation.
The lion king only gave him a cold look in return.
Malcolm stopped moving his body and barely dodged a spear slash while launching a punch.
Bam!
It connected with the thin golden barrier and produced a small shockwave that reflected much of the force back through Malcolm's arm.
"Ahh! Fuck!" Malcolm yelled as he slid on the ground soil while holding his shaking left arm.
Esi seeing his chance charged forward and coated his fist with spiritual energy.
["Mystic art: Blazing Fist!"]
The spiritual energy that coated his fist lit up in yellow flames while Malcolm had a shocked look on his face.
'Here goes nothing.' Malcolm tried to move away from the attack but the timing and precision of the fist proved too well placed.
Bam!
The punch connected with Malcolm's face as the attack sent him flying back for over 100 meters before he landed on the ground creating a cloud of dust.
Malcolm laid on his back looking up at the blue sky with a somewhat blank look on his face. He put his hands to the spot where the attack landed and felt nothing. No impact, no burn, no pain.
Even so he laid there for a long moment.
"Hmph, serves him right. I don't know why his highness let him into our palace in the first place. The way I see it he's nothing."
"The boy losing is no surprise. What is a surprise however is the fact that this Ojo child is taking so long to defeat him. It has already been nearly half a minute and the boy is still in one piece."
Many of the nobles here weren't paying much mind to Malcolm except a few who noticed that throughout the entire fight, not an ounce of aura leaked from Malcolm's body.
"Well, you really are a pathetic child. I don't care that you helped out during an incident, that will never put you in the same tier as our lion king." Esi mocked and scorned while Malcolm stood up on shaky legs.
Esi laughed as he watched the miserable child struggle to stand.
"Well, I guess it's about time I try something new." After saying this Malcolm hung his arms down at his sides and leaned his head forward. He then started to walk.
He held a slight smile on his face, with half opened eyes as he stepped forward. At that moment Malcolm resembled a member of the living dead, slowly encroaching on its prey.
Esi narrowed his eyes as he quickly stopped laughing and in fact he raised his guard up and stood ready for any sudden movements. But Malcolm only proceeded forward at the same sluggish pace. There was a cold light that shimmered in Malcolm's eyes that reflected the image of Esi back at him.
Another thirty seconds had passed with Malcolm only walked half the distance to reach Esi who was starting to feel the pressure mount up.
'C'mon damn you. Why won't you just run over here?! Why walk so slowly?' Esi shook his head slightly to snap back to his equilibrium.
Yara sat near Banji and the rest of her class who arrived one after the other at the news of Malcolm's dual, including Safari.
"Hmm why has he forgone his guard altogether? Is he truly that confident in his reflexes?" Safari said slightly confused but curious as well.
"I'm not sure, maybe it's a just a new trick brother black is trying out." Banji said while rubbing his chin.
Yara watched silently not wanting to miss any sudden change.
["Mystic Art: Self Purification!"]
Esi yelled out as his entire body burst into flames that burned him harshly. But in another moment, these flames were sucked into his flesh. A bright flash was then emanated from his body, said flash also came with a loud near deafening vibration that roared with an almost divine spirit.
Malcolm only kept walking towards this spirit, as though he were seeking its guidance that could cleanse his wayward young soul.
A humanoid figure made of light lept forward at such a frightening speed that the air behind the figure burst into flames. In less then a millisecond Esi was in front of Malcolm with his spear inches away from stabbing into his eye.
Said eye twitched with a wicked gleem as Malcolm threw a left straight that crossed over Esi's right arm and.
Bam! Crack!
In a flash all of the light and fire disappeared into thin air, and what remained were two figures down below that stood still.
One figure was clad in gold and oozed strength and pride while the other almost looked delicate, like Black Mondo Grass.
Malcolm smiled with his teeth reflecting the light of the sun.
"Cross-counter bitch." The spear tip touched the edge of his cornea but couldn't pierce through. Meanwhile Esi had a fist that punched into his chest grabbing his spiritual core.
Malcolm's mind flashed back to the moment he made the blood pact with the pathieite.
"Oh and remember one thing brother. Make sure to get some spiritual cores for me whenever you get the chance. It'll be our one and only way of getting stronger in any conventional sense." The pathieite spoke one of the terms for the blood pact.
"How the hell im I gonna do that?"
"Easy, just punch into their body, preferably as close to the spiritual core as possible. Then I'll handle the rest." Malcolm thought about it for moment before agreeing to that part of the pact.
Back in the current time Malcolm could feel the pathieite stirring up slightly as it then sent out a phantom replica of itself that traveled through Malcolm's arm and into Esi's body. It quickly consumed the Amber colored spiritual core in a matter of seconds before going back into Malcolm's body to merge with its maker once more.
The pathieite swam around in satisfaction at the meal it devoured.
Malcolm pulled out his bloody fist, splattering blood and flesh all over his robe, but he didn't care about that now. He looked down at his fist with a blank look on his face.
Yet if one saw his eyes at that moment, they might have been lit aflame by those blazing orbs that promised destruction on those who wished to obstruct this young man's journey of self mastery.