Malachi
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
Contents |
Origin
The Cur'setem
Hundreds of years ago a secret and nameless sect was formed by ancient masters of the arcane. The purpose of these "Masters" was to harness the full magical potential from rare, "Gifted" individuals and forge that power into a great weapon. This weapon would be used to combat the champions of order, the elite of those who would drive chaos from the world. This weapon was known as the "Cur'setem", or "Messengers of Death", a ruthless group of dark assassins.
Most of the Gifted were found as common people--most did not even know of the power they possessed. Few were willing participants in the training of a Cur'setem... before their conditioning. Unfortunately, the adult minds of the Gifted were also innately resistant to conditioning. To complicate matters, the traits that were used to identify potential Gifted were not apparent until puberty. The Masters found the solution for this in capturing and forcing the Gifted to breed like cattle. Their offspring would be claimed at birth and trained until maturity.
With the success of this program came an unexpected side-effect; the offspring possessed an even greater power than that of their parents. This was not an entirely beneficial bonus--the Masters saw the potential for a Cur'setem to wield a power greater than their own. If bringing together the bloodlines of two Gifted magnified their power into one being, would further breeding create a super-being that they were unable to control? This super-being was only referred to among Masters as the "Exequis."
Several safe-guards were put in place to prevent the rise of the Exequis:
1) The Cur'setem were only trained to master a single element--Earth, Air, Fire, or Water. Drawing on power other than the base elements was considered forbidden.
2) Two Cur'setem were forbidden from conceiving a child together. This would be an unprecidented and unpredictable merger of bloodlines.
3) The Cur'setem were alotted a limited lifespan. The final rite of passage for a succeeding generation was to sacrifice their predecessors.
Iris and Malachi
| |
| Malachi Bedell | |
| Player: | |
| Origin: | Magic |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Brute |
| Threat Level: | Confidential |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Malachi, (Mal) |
| Known Aliases: | The Volcanic Hammer |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | 28 |
| Height: | Unknown |
| Weight: | Unknown |
| Eye Color: | Green |
| Hair Color: | Black |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | Unknown |
| Occupation: | Villain |
| Place of Birth: | Unknown |
| Base of Operations: | Unknown |
| Marital Status: | Unknown |
| Known Relatives: | None |
| Known Powers | |
| Command of Earth and Flame | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Confidential | |
| Equipment | |
| Confidential | |
 | |
Malachi was a name known by all Cur'setem. Serving the Masters for 13 years, he would soon meet his end at the privileged hand of Iris, an aspiring young offspring. Undesigned by the Masters, Iris was the biological sibling of Malachi, as they shared the same Gifted parents. This was common knowledge, but a significance that went unspoken as all Cur'setem were considered to be brothers and sisters.
The ending of Malachi was a much debated topic among the Masters. He had proven to be among the most capable of the Cur'setem, commanding the power of Earth to a degree that few were able to match. During his years of service, he eliminated several heros that were nothing short of legend among their misguided followers. It was tempting to allow Malakai's accomplished life to continue, but this was not the way of the Masters.
This thought didn't cross Malachi's mind--it was an honor to leave behind such a legacy. Malachi, like all Cur'setem, embraced the methodology behind his demise. It signified the successful completion of his duties, and it was the will of the Masters. Iris was secretly less eager to see the completion of her ceremony. Everything she knew told her that it was a beautiful thing, yet something inside of her felt desperate.
The Ceremony
Act 1
Four dark hallways empty into a large round chamber with a dome ceiling. The chamber is comprised of large rough stones and dimly lit by many torches set in sconces. An elaborate rune is carved into the center of the floor--a massive stone tablet rests horizontally on top of it. The walls are lined with a thirteen thrones that point toward the altar. Two people converse in this otherwise empty chamber, their voices echoing slightly.
Iris stands at the altar, diligently sharpening the sacred ceremonial dagger, attempting to concealing a distraught look.
Malachi leans against the wall, his arms folded, "In a few years time, this will be a fond memory. You will understand when you are older."
Iris glances at Malachi, looks away, and resumes sharpening the dagger.
Malachi tilts his head in attempt to catch her eyes with his, "I'm sure it was sharpened thoroughly by the acolytes."
Iris stops, places the dagger on the altar, and walks over to Malachi, "This doesn't seem right--not with you. You are still valuable! They need you, I--"
Malachi interrupts, "You need only to place your faith in those that have come before you. This is the way it is done, and you should focus more on the tasks to come."
Iris pauses for a moment, "I don't know if I can..."
Malachi states coldly, "You must. If it were not you, it would be a lesser student--I am very proud of what you have become."
Iris grimmaces and looks down to the side, clenching her fists, "I will be strong, as you have taught me."
Malachi grins and nods, "Of course you will."
Act 2
Later that night, the thrones are now occupied by the Masters of the Cur'setem. Their faces are covered with emotionless, reflective metal masks and framed by black hooded robes. They stare forward without word as the darkened hallways begin to brighten with approaching torches. Malachi and Iris enter from opposite hallways. Cur'setem Angelus and his successor, Nunzia, enter from the remaining hallways. They are each accompanied by several acolytes as they come together in front of the altar.
Master Dechion removes his mask with one hand and speaks in a haunting voice, "Angelus, son of the Storm. You have been the instrument of destruction that you were born to be. In doing so, you have served us well. Leave this world now, and fulfill your destiny."
Angelus removes his robe, displaying a muscular bare chest painted with powerful runes. He lies on his back upon the tablet altar. Nunzia shoulders her hood as she steps forward--an acolyte hands her the ceremonial dagger and steps away. She looks over to Master Dechion. Master Dechion nods to her.
Nunzia takes the dagger in both hands, raising it over her head. She looks down at Angelus--grinning wickedly, she brings the dagger down into his heart, holding it in place as she watches him. Angelus grits his teeth and grins for a moment, nearly motionless with no restraint. His grin fades into a blank stare as Nunzia releases the dagger and steps back. His blood flows through the tablet, filling the pattern below.
The acolytes begin to chant as Iris looks across at Malachi. Master Dechion raises his hands and the acolytes cease chanting. His eyes begin to glow with a blue tint before he claps his hands together, willing Angelus to be engulfed in blue flames. The flames disintegrate Angelus' body and form a blinding pillar, swirling and escaping through a hole in the center of the ceiling. An acolyte steps forward and removes the remaining dagger from the altar.
Malachi and Iris step up to the altar, facing eachother across it. Master Dechion speaks, "Malachi, son of the Earth. You have been the instrument of destruction that you were born to be. In doing so, you have served us well. Leave this world now, and fulfill your destiny."
Malachi removes his robe and lies back on the tablet, several scars breaking the pattern of the runes on his chest and arms. Iris shoudlers her hood and takes the dagger as it is handed to her, stepping forward to loom over Malachi. She looks down at him, a dazed expression on her face. She pauses for a moment, then looks over to Master Dechion. Master Dechion nods to her.
Staring vacantly, Iris raises the dagger above her head with both hands. She pauses again, looking down into Malachi's reassuring eyes, her own eyes shimmering. After a few moments pass, Master Dechion bellows "Iris." Her hands tremble briefly as she hears her name called. She looks down in shame as she slowly lowers the dagger and sets it alongside Malachi on the tablet, her hands falling to her sides. Malachi looks up at her--she does not return the look.
Master Dechion growls loudly, "Iris!" She remains motionless.
Dechion then exlaims "Nunzia!" Nunzia steps alongside Iris and grabs the dagger. Malachi watches, sighs, and tilts his head back as he closes his eyes. He whispers "I forgive you, Iris."
A few moments pass as an eternity while Malachi embraces the quiet darkness. Suddenly a soft whimper is followed by the rustling of fabric. Malachi opens his eyes to find Nunzia standing alone. He turns his head and sees Iris collapsed on the floor. Malachi quickly rolls off the tablet onto the floor next to her, placing his hand on her shoulder. Blood trickles from her mouth as she silently forms "Mal" with her lips and tongue. Her eyebrows furrow slightly as she recognizes him. "Iris..." he mutters. She smiles slightly as she hears his voice, then all expression vanishes from her face.
Malachi leans back on his knees, trying to comprehend what has happened. He looks over the lifeless body of Iris and sees the ceremonial dagger piercing her back. The chamber is filled with a deafening silence as he looks up at Nunzia. She smirks down at him. Malachi falls onto his hands, his pulse quickening as he looks back to Iris. Veins rise over his muscles as the entire chamber begins to tremble; dust falls from cracks in the ceiling. The sweat on Malachi's back turns to steam as his skin becomes more flush. He cries out in pain as the air around him bursts into flames.
Master Dechion stands and exlaims, "You are no son of Flame!" Several alarmed Masters begin whispering "Exequis!"
In one swift movement, Malachi rises from the floor, the ground shattering and forming around his clenched fist. He brings the jagged rock up directly under Nunzia's chin, connecting with terrible force as her head is nearly severed and driven to her upper back. Blood streams down her neck and torso as she collapses to her knees then falls to the side. Malachi looks down at the bloodied rock as it crumbles away from his fist.
"Abomination!", screams Dechion as he points toward Malachi. The Masters rise to their feet and approach Malachi with a host acolytes. Malachi quickly raises his foot and slams it back into the ground, sending a large section of floor into the air along with those on top of it--he darts into the hallway during the wake that follows. Looking back into the chamber, his gaze meets the glowing blue eyes of Dechion. Malachi's eyes flash a bright red as he makes a lifting motion with his hands, crushing those following him with stone as the hallway is sealed.
Act 3
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