The warriors of the Blackreach became completely speechless as their gaze settled on Malakai, seated calmly atop his Gravethorn.
He was surrounded by experienced warriors, battle-hardened men and women who had faced countless battles.
Because of this, it didn’t even take a second for them to feel it.
The Vita.
Streaming into him like a river.
And when they did, the realization slammed into them.
He had evolved.
It was hard to believe what they were seeing. Harder to accept.
A silence blanketed the fortress, so absolute that most didn’t even remember to whisper among themselves.
Still, despite the stares… despite the weight of countless gazes trying to make sense of his presence, Malakai remained utterly calm.
He was the first to dismount, landing softly.
Hamada followed next, then Nyx, who silently took her place behind him.
Hamada stepped forward.
“Let me escort you to your chambers, Ninth Vein. You should rest. I’ll have them bring you some food.”
But Malakai shook his head immediately.
“I want to leave. Now.”
Hamada frowned slightly.
From the state of Malakai’s shredded clothes, it was obvious, he had gone through hell inside the pit.
He needed rest.
But as he met Malakai’s eyes… he knew.
He wasn’t taking no for an answer.
Just as Hamada was about to speak again, a voice suddenly rang out from the gathered crowd, slicing through the silence.
“This is impossible!”
All eyes turned at once, and they landed on the one who had spoken.
Varek.
His eyes looked as though they were on fire as he stormed forward.
“This is impossible!” he roared.
“You!” he pointed at Hamada,
“Are you sure he entered the pit!? The Soverei—”
But before he could finish, a cold aura washed over him.
Hamada took a single step forward, his voice low and heavy.
“Are you questioning my loyalty to the Sovereign?”
His killing intent bled into the air.
Every warrior present, without realizing it, took a step back. Hamada was angry, and they weren’t about to be caught in the storm.
Varek’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t stop.
“That has to be the only explanation!” he snapped. “Otherwise, how can tr—”
He caught himself, correcting his words quickly—
“How can an unevolved survive the pit!? You hid him and let him come back after two days! And this—” he motioned toward Malakai,
“You must’ve done something to him! There’s no way he can evolve! His nodes were broken!”
The warriors around exchanged glances, and whispers spread quietly.
Varek had clearly lost himself to anger… but it didn’t change the fact that some of what he said was true.
However, before Hamada could respond,
A voice like ice cut through the air.
“It is not your place to understand.”
All eyes shifted. Even Varek turned, slowly, his confidence slipping.
Malakai stood there, gaze glacier.
“How I survived. How I evolved… is not your place to understand. I owe you no explanation.”
Suddenly, the Vita around him surged, wild and chaotic. It roared without sound, pressing into every corner of the air.
He took a step forward.
Crack.
The ground split beneath his foot. Dust curled upward.
Varek’s eyes widened. Was this… real? This power… had he actually evolved!?
Another step.
Crack.
Malakai’s gaze locked onto him, burning cold.
“I am a direct descendant of the Sanguine Clan,” he said. “You do not question me.”
A pause.
“You do not look me in the eye.”
Varek’s face darkened. To think this trash would dare…
His aura rose, and his eyes flared before he could even think.
“You—”
But before he could speak, Malakai’s voice cut through, low and cold.
“…Or are you rebelling against the direct lineage?”
Silence.
Complete and utter silence.
Although his eyes never left Varek, every warrior present felt it. They knew.
He wasn’t just addressing Varek.
He was addressing all of them.
And his message was clear: He was a direct descendant of the Sanguine Clan. And none of them had the right to question him.
Varek clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked.
He was angry.
So angry that it wouldn’t have been a surprise if he exploded on the spot.
How had Malakai survived?
How had he evolved!?
Then, Malakai’s last words finally registered in his mind.
Was he rebelling against the direct lineage?
Another surge of fury ripped through him.
He could already see Hamada reaching for his sword, as though he was hoping he made a mistake.
Unless he was tired of living, his answer was clear.
Varek reeled in his rage and slowly lowered his head.
“…I apologize, Ninth Vein,” he muttered through gritted teeth.
But Malakai didn’t even look at him. He walked right past, voice cold as he ordered,
“We’re heading back to the clan immediately. Get ready.”
“…Yes… Ninth Vein,” Varek replied after a second.
But the hate in his gaze only deepened.
Luckily, his squad members knew their captain all too well and kept their distance.
Soon enough, the crowd began to disperse, but the whispering had only intensified.
They had just witnessed the impossible, and many couldn’t help but voice their thoughts, their doubts, their shock.
But Malakai paid no attention. He walked steadily toward the carriage that had brought him here. He had no time for any distractions.
Getting back to the clan immediately was paramount.
Many would wonder why he was so insistent on leaving the moment he came out. But only Malakai knew the storm of thoughts that was raging inside his mind.
‘They’ll try to kill me.’
The entire Blackreach fortress now knew he had evolved.
And Malakai had no idea how far the reach of his uncle and aunt extended within the clan.
But he wasn’t about to gamble with his life.
Varek was a problem too, but Malakai had already addressed that now in front of everyone.
They had seen the confrontation between them. If anything were to happen to him on this journey back… Varek would be as good as dead.
He reached the carriage, and just as he was about to step in…
“Ninth Vein.”
Hamada’s voice called out from behind, and Malakai turned to look.