Part 1

A bright and brilliant light blinded him as Kaladin looked up. Covering his eyes, he couldn’t see what it was. Still in awe of the world around him, Kal glanced at the frozen Thrak, some mid-air and teeth barred.

Taking another peek, Kal looked up again to see a humanoid figure floating down to him, resting next to him. It hovered there, his feet not touching the ground.

The being before him was immaculate, his body was pure white, and glowed and hummed from power inside. It was sexless but had a male form, his muscles looked as if he had been carved out of a statue. His perfect face, high cheekbones, and square jaw gave him a strong but gentle look. His eyes and hair were also pure white, glowing dimly.

His hair flowed in the air as if in water, the slow movement with bits of it flicking almost looked like a white flame. Kaladin couldn’t tell if it was looking at him but he floated in front of him, and all Kaladin could do from the ground, bloodied and wounded, gawked in awe at the being before him.

“Who…” Kal croaked. “What are you?”

There was a momentary pause as his eyes moved, presumably looking him up and down. He stretched out a hand and touched his forehead.

A blast of white light exploded in his vision and for an instant, Kal thought a bomb had gone off but instead, he felt his flesh move and his blood cool then warm. An overwhelming sense of love and passion filled him to the core, leaving him with a warm feeling. As if he had been held by his mother and nursed back to health.

Looking down at his left arm, Kal noticed his shoulder was completely healed along with his stomach. Not even a scar remained. The skin was pink and fresh, similar to a baby's skin.

Again, Kal looked back up at the angelic being and gawked with wonder.

“My creator gave me the name of Malik, though I go by many names here.” the bright being said with a voice so pure and calming, Kal wanted to cry.

Just being in his presence, made Kal want to bow down and worship this god-like creature but his words finally registered in his mind.

“Creator?” Kal whispered in confusion.

“Yes. Demiurge. Creator of the universe, the one who designed and brought all life into being.” Malik said softly. “And I… am his servant.”

“You're who he was talking to,” Kal muttered. “The demon possessing Cassius.”

“I was,” Malik responded with a faint smile. “Mulguran is his name. He is a fallen Dyaddan. Once like me, Mulguran chose to use his power for evil and corruption. These creatures around you,” he pointed to the Thrak. “They have been corrupted by him and remain enslaved to do his bidding. Cassius was also trapped in his snares. Promising power to those who lusted for it.”

“What is a Dyaddan?” Kal mumbled, trying to keep up with the angelic being.

“Our master created us. Two, to watch over the universe. Mulguran was appointed to the humans and I to the creatures that stand before you.” Malik once again gestured to the Thrak. “The Vog, as you call them, were also under my care.”

“What happened?” Kaladin asked. “Who watched over the Emarine?”

Malik paused for a moment again, contemplating whether or not to answer his question. He smiled then spoke again.

“You have many questions, I know,” Malik said understandingly. “In short, Mulguran watched over the humans and forgot his duty to our creator. For a time, there was harmony, but Mulguran had other plans. He grew jealous of them, lusted for more power, and seeking gratification. In spite and hatred, he poisoned the minds of the humans and forever changed their lives.”

Kaladin listened intently, his mind fully focused on his words.

“Mulguran took it upon himself to reproduce with them as well, as a further insult to Demiurge,” Malik said. “In fact, you are his offspring.”

Again, Kaladin was too unfocused to fully understand what that meant, then it dawned on him.

“The Emarine are Mulguran’s descendants?” Kal asked in shock.

“Indeed,” Malik said. “He mated with the humans and produced many of your kind. This is why you live as long as you do and have ten times the strength of a human. His seed bore power and the Emarine were the result. For all his crimes and disobedience, after many changes, Demiurge banished him and stripped him of his power and appointed me the sole guardian of the universe.”

Malik smiled faintly at him again as he looked at him, shock and awe mixed together.

“My creator removed the Emarine from earth and placed you on Votis. A new world in which he crafted specifically for you. Your separation was lost through the ages and forgotten. Though the damage that Mulguran had inflicted had already taken its hold. It corrupted the humans and drove them to shun Demiurge and cast him aside. Their arrogance drove them to seek knowledge and power of their own. They worshiped themselves as gods, putting themselves above HIM.”

“What about the Emarine?” Kal asked. “What did we do?”

“Hmm.” Malik paused. “You have been blessed with long life and great strength, but what you did with it was similar to the humans.”

“I see,” Kal said, understanding. “How did Mulguran do all this if Demiurge took his power from him?”

“Like all creatures, they are susceptible to manipulation.” Malik began. “He deceived and gained control over the Thrak and used them to feed off worlds, in which he drained that energy to restore some of his powers.”

“That’s what they did to our colonies and almost did to Isulia.” Kal said. “Is that why he is so hellbent on destroying planets?”

“Yes.”

“And the Thrak are being used like he used Cassius?”

“Yes,” Malik said sadly. “They too wish for freedom but cannot find it without your help. You can free them and free the humans under his control. You can undo all this.”

“How?” Kaladin sat up at that.

“You must die,” Malik said.

Kaladin took a long look at the being before him, his hair flowing and his body floating in the air. This god-like creature that had just saved him, now told him he had to die.

“I don’t understand. You just healed me and stopped me from dying. Now you’re telling me I have to die?” Kaladin said.

“I healed you because you were in pain. I did not want you to suffer.” Malik said softly. “However, to save the ones you love, you must die.”

Kaladin glanced over to Lamir, who hung on the wall, pinned by spikes. Over the wall, Felkuru’s corpse lay bloodied and mutilated. Then turned his gaze to Yvlana, who lay motionless, frozen in time. Still looking at her, Kal asked the only question he could think of at the moment.

“What do I have to do?” Kal asked.

Part 2

“You still have the dagger I gave to Xerath.” Malik pointed to his leg.

Kal instinctively touched his side and clasped the small metal dagger, which glowed brightly. Detaching it from his suit, Kal held it up to Malik.

“This?” Kal asked.

“Yes.” Malik smiled. “I bestowed this dagger upon Xerath many years ago, in which he was to give to you. All in preparation for this very moment.”

“You mean you planned this?” Kal asked. “You knew all this would happen and you didn’t stop it?” For the first time, anger and resentment filled him and he turned it toward Malik.

“I understand your anger, Kaladin Valhorn.” Malik started. “However, every choice anyone has ever made led to this very moment. I did not choose to kill these people. Mulguran did. I did not choose to give myself over to Mulguran’s persuasions, they did.” he pointed to the Thrak. “The humans chose to follow Mulguran, they chose to obey his will. And now, you too, have a choice to make.”

“What kind of choice is that?” Kal asked. “That isn’t a choice. You are manipulating me, just as Mulguran does.”

“No.” Malik sighed. “I lived among you, but you ignored my teachings. I lived countless human lives, praying they would heed my words and choose to repent, but alas, they chose differently. Your choices led you here, not me.”

“I-I…” Kal stuttered, baffled by his words, unable to see the error in them. “How do I know you aren’t just another Mulguran? Using me for your own gain?”

“Because, Kaladin, out of the two of you, I watched over you, protected you. Knowing that one of you would end up here.” Malik said. “After Cara chose to marry Xerath, I knew it wouldn’t be her, but rather you.”

“What?” Kal asked. “How do you know all this?”

“I lived as a human named Jebbin. I spoke your languages, I spoke out against evil and turned the people towards good, all the while doing so without using my own powers, as it is forbidden.” Malik said. “God allowed me to influence you in this way only. Never to reveal my identity until now.”

“Jebbin,” Kal whispered. “I know that name. He was Cara’s mentor, Erik’s advisor. You… are… Jebbin?”

“I was,” Malik said. “I could not force anyone to choose good, so I guided those who would listen. Cara was to be the one who stands before me now, but she chose a different path.”

“She was evil?” Kal frowned, unbelieving the implication.

“No,” Malik said. “She simply chose something different.”

“Why now?” Kal asked, skeptically. “Why has Demiurge allowed you to intervene?”

A thought, a memory flashed into his mind, remembering the moment Felkuru came out of the black and white portal.

“You lie,” Kal said. “You sent Felkuru back. That was over three thousand years ago. You couldn’t just now be allowed to use your powers. You’re lying to me.”

“Again, no,” Malik said. “When I sent Felkuru to you that day, that was only yesterday.”

“What?” Kal was completely confused. “What do you mean?”

“Yesterday, I sent the Felkuru that is on Tepra back in time three thousand, one hundred and seven years ago, to the exact moment your leg was trapped under that rock,” Malik said calmly, never showing frustration. “I do not lie. My creator has given me the authority to use my powers to defeat Mulguran, which you will do with that dagger. If you decide to forfeit your life for your friends.”

“I don’t understand,” Kal said again. “You sent Fel back in time to save me. So the Fel over there,” Kal pointed. “Is the one that just left Tepra?”

“In a way, yes.” Malik frowned for the first time, unsure how to make it so he understood. “You will understand, in time.”

“Okay.” Kal looked at Yvlana again, his heart filled with sorrow. “What do I have to do?” he asked again.

Malik, still floating, waved his arm over the wall and a tear in space opened with a blast of wind and light. Black and white streaks, circled around like a whirlpool.

“This will take you where you need to go,” Malik said, staring intently at him.

“My death… will save them?” Kal asked, looking down at the portal.

“In a way,” Malik said a second time. “You must choose. Going through there will lead to your death but not in the way you think.”

Kaladin jerked his head up, looking at him with suspicion. “What does that mean?”

Malik smiled faintly at him. “I’m afraid I can’t answer that. If you choose to go, all will be revealed to you.”

Kaladin gulped audibly and took one last look at Yvlana. Clenching his jaw and fists in determination, he looked back at Malik one last time before jumping.

“I failed here. What if I fail wherever that takes me?” Kal asked.

“You won’t,” Malik said calmly.

Kaladin sighed deeply, “You know… for a god-like being your very cryptic. But I don't really have a choice do I?”

With that, Kaladin jumped off the wall and into the swirling portal.

He didn’t get to see him grin from his comment. "We always have a choice," Malik whispered.