A Journey to the East
Good morning, good afternoon or whatever time you will read this.
My native language is not English, so please excuse my poor grammar or use of words.
Pairing: Altair x Malik
Rating: T
Genre: Adventure
Disclaimer: Assassins Creed belongs to Ubisoft.
This is an Adaption of 'Journey to the West' with Sun Wu Kong.
_
Even the largest deserts have their merciful places. The Oasis. Kashgar was built upon one of these Oases. Pinyin Shūlè – how the locals called it – was one of the larger cities in the Uyghurian Empire. It was not part of China but would be in several hundreds of years. In this Oasis, many merchants gathered. It was a small surprise how humans were keeping such random places full of life just based on the wish to trade and travel...
"The great Xuanzang passed Kashgar on his Journey. A long time ago he came from China to study the Origins of Buddhism. With only 26 he decided to leave his convent without the consent of the Eldest...Around the time where he lived were many wars going on in the foreign lands.", Malik explained with a certain awe as the outskirts of Kashgar came into view. He felt himself related now that he was about the same age and also had become a wandering monk.
Altaïr just yawned. "Okay, when can we get something to eat?"
Malik felt like throwing a brick at Altaïr's head. How could he be so ignorant?!
With being so close to the border, Kashgar was a melting pot for many cultures. With being on the silk road anyway.
Usually, Malik would part from the others to have his own cultural tour through a city now. But this time he was accompanied by Altaïr.
"And what have I done to deserve that?", Malik complained. He was greatly irritated by Altaïr's presence.
The latter however just smiled. "I became curious why you always leave us in the cities. Maybe you make... certain acquaintances?"
"What the hell? I'm a monk! I don't do any of that!"
"Well, you need to let off steam too. You are just a normal human.", Altaïr continued, his gaze wandering towards Maliks lap. "Unless... you can't anymore."
Malik blushed furiously. "Altaïr! Did you only follow me to insult me?! If you want to die so badly, you can die right here and now!"
"Woah, calm down!"
For Altaïr this was proof of just how much Malik needed an outlet... like this. For now he let Malik off the hook and pretended to go back to Djadi and his wife. When Malik was far enough away, he followed him still.
On a busy street, Altaïr kind of lost Malik. A larger carriage drove by, taking Altaïr's sight of Malik. And once the thing was gone, Malik was gone as well. Damn, the demigod mused. But before he wanted to give up, he saw Malik again...
Altaïr followed suit, not thinking twice.
Malik's way led them both to a dead end on the outskirts of Kashgar. When Malik turned around, Altaïr realised that this was not Malik at all and he was angry with himself and surprised at the same time. What Altaïr saw was all Malik, or better... a copy of Malik. But the face was entirely different. And not only that, it looked pretty unnatural for a human being too. 'Malik' started to grin widely and his hair turned to white. Then the transformation took further and a man quite similar to Kubira stood before Altaïr. Only this time the man was taller and looked more like a monkey.
Knowing what was going to happen, the latter drew his sword quickly. But he couldn't draw it! Vines had spread from the ground and wrapped themselves around Altaïr's waist and the handle. "Goddammit!", then his legs got wrapped with vines too.
"This time you won't be able to run...", the monkey said.
Two thin trees came out of the ground like spears and Altaïr's wrists got tied to them also by vines. Fake-Malik took the sword gently from Altaïr's belt. He led the blade towards Altaïr's throat but froze in mid-air.
"You better release him now, before I get really angry.", Malik had come – once again – to save Altaïr. "Seriously, why do I always need to save you?"
"I... I don't know."
Malik had noticed that he had been followed by Altaïr. But then he had also noticed when the fraud had come to interfere.
The fake-Malik however was not going to give up that easy. He released Altaïr and just when he got enough distance between Maliks blade and his own throat, he shot his vines again to grab the both of them. Both dodged the attack and Malik lunged at the fraud.
"Why did you try to look like me... and who are you?"
"Call me Makora. And the other part is none of your business."
"Yes it is. You tried to take my face!", Malik angrily said and punched Makora square into the face. Now he was involved because Makora tried to copy him, which had angered Malik.
Makora tried to defend himself, using Bamboo that shot from the ground, but Malik was too quick for him.
Altaïr however, stood for a brief moment clueless to whether or not he should pick up the sword Makora had dropped. Then he took out the Dark Grey orb of Kubira and focussed on it. Then, Kubiras sword was in his hand.
"Malik, duck!", he yelled and performed a large stroke with Kubiras sword. The stroke cut through the air, pushing the air further and creating something like a crescent shockwave.
Just seconds after Malik actually ducked, the shockwave passed over Maliks head and beheaded Makora.
"Goddammit Altaïr, you could have beheaded /me/!", Malik angrily snarled as Makora dissolved into dust, leaving behind an emerald green orb.
"I'm sorry."
"No, you're not. And now I tell you that, I have enough of you! You are ignorant, you insult me and you are a constant nuisiance!"
"...Then why do you keep saving me before guys like him?", Altaïr carefully walked around Malik and picked up the orb. Kubiras sword had turned back into an orb again too.
Malik intensely looked for words. But as he could not find an answer in his heart or mind, he just growled. "I don't know. At least try and change, okay? Try not to be arrogant."
"... I could try.", Altaïr said, lowering his gaze in guilt.
"A-anyway, there is something I want to give to you. ...You deserve that.", Altaïr gave Malik the orbs. "They were left behind when you killed Kubira – that mouse thing... and now the green was Makora. And they can be weapons if you know how to use them properly. They are also a trophy, if you will."
"I don't want a trophy.", Malik grunted and shoved Altaïr's hands away.
"Take the grey one. Please. ... I want to see if a mortal could actually... wield them."
Malik rolled his eyes and took the grey one. After just a brief moment he gave it back but Altaïr stopped him.
"Hold it... and focus on it."
Kubiras sword reappeared now in Malik's hand. The black haired male lifted his eyebrows. He had to admit that this seemed kind of useful... "Okay, I will take this one. But when I got this, what will you have? Needless to say that you are pretty useless with that sword. Have you ever fought up there?", Malik nodded towards the sky.
"Uh... it was kind of different style of battle.", Altaïr picked up his sword and properly put it back to his belt. "But I had two daggers."
"Then wouldn't that be better? I am certain I won't always be there to save your bum."
"... Weapons are expensive. And I don't want to bother Djadi with this."
Now this was new. Altaïr didn't want to... bother someone? Why was Malik the only one being bothered by that bloke?
After having met up with Djadi again, the Caravan went further East until they were stopped by a blockage of the road.
A large white Bull stood with a similarly large instrumental horn in the middle of a road and seemed to not care at all about the newcomers. It was calmly chewing on some grass. Unfortunately, there was no way to the right or to the left. It was a mountain path with pines everywhere. Also the climate had changed. It was much colder now.
"Would you be so kindly and help me with that?", Djadi said to his bodyguards as they stood watching the massive animal. Djadi was a bit scared. "I-I mean, I know I hired you to fight off robbers... maybe it will be fine enough if you could distract this beast and lead it away?"
"I will try this one. Malik, you can stay behind... be my backup perhaps if things go wrong...? Thank you.", Altaïr was aware that sometimes things went wrong with him around. But he wouldn't stop trying.
"You can't pass here.", the bull said as Altaïr got closer. For a brief moment, Altaïr was surprised but then he saw the calm golden eyes of the bull. No doubt, it was one of /them/.
"I'm not here to torment you. Don't worry, traitor...", the bull huffed.
"Then what is...?", Altaïr was glad that for once he could talk calmly with one of the heavenly generals.
"The Queen Mother of the West is on the Jade Lake. You mustn't trouble her."
"We just want to get past. We have come all the way from Palmyra. Uh... from the Mediterranean Sea."
"Well, then go back there."
"It's too far.", Altaïr pouted. "Don't you know another way? We don't want to trouble the Queen mother of the west."
The 'Queen Mother of the West' was a goddess known from ancient times. She and her counterpart, the King Father of the East, were the couple ruling over China. Many cultures were formed to worship the Queen Mother. She was not only often accompanied by many animals such as the ninetailed fox but also a tiger and a dragon were guarding her throne. In her garden would grow the peaches of immortality which would grow fruit only every 9000 years.
Yet, she was not only known as giver of life but also had a very destructive side...
Now, Altaïr was not too keen about seeing the Queen Mother.
"Actually I should deliver you to her.", the bull seemed to be smiling. "But she really is not in a condition to meet anyone."
Altaïr blushed and looked to the ground, obviously ashamed over something.
"Altaïr, how long more do we have to wait until you shoo that bull?", Malik asked, not having heard anything.
"We can't take this route, Malik. L-let's try the other way...", Altaïr shoved Malik back to the Caravan, where Djadi waited patiently.
Taking a detour further south, the Caravan reached the ruins of the ancient city Jiaohe. It had not been too long after Jiaohe had fallen. Most of the buildings were still good...
"I will camp outside. These ruins are too creepy.", Djadi complained. "You can go visit there if you want, but I will remain here."
The merchant had already lit a campfire and he and his wife had sorted out more things to stay the night as the sun surely set.
"I'm curious for those ruins...say Altaïr, will you join me?", Malik asked with a small grin. He took a torch from the campfire.
"Uh... okay?"
"Be careful, there might be robbers inside.", Djadi warned. "I will blow the horn when we get visitors. Make sure to be back by then."
The ruins were a huge complex of a variety of buildings accompanying a larger building – presumably the palace of Jiaohe. The buildings were made of red-yellowish sandstone, chiseled with nice carvings. Scattered all over the place was sand and larger stones. It looked like the desert was slowly but surely eating away the ancient city, leaving nothing but crumbs.
Malik and Altaïr stepped inside the palace.
Everything was coated with a thick layer of dust. There were lovely paintings on the wall depicting some primitive mythology, then torn curtains, rugs here and there. It looked like it was frozen in time. Still items of daily usage could be found. Those of less value anyway, because obviously robbers had indeed found their way in.
Whenever the two found a dresser, chairs or anything minor it was basically torn apart as if some wild force had opened it clumsily and taken whatever was to its liking.
Here and there, there were dissolving scrolls of papyri scattered over the floor. Then a broken cup made from clay. A small doll which was barely recognisable. All seemed to have been left in great hurry.
"Altaïr... who the hell are you really?", Malik suddenly asked. "You fell from the sky and all. I got that, but what about these guys who want to kill you? Be honest."
"Uh...Malik, I...", Altaïr looked rather insecure.
"If you don't talk to me I can't help you."
And obviously Altaïr needed Maliks help. Altaïr had been unable to do anything to the Heavenly Warriors without Maliks help.
"Malik...", Altaïr still battled within himself. Thought things through.
But before Altaïr could make his move, a shot of Wind bolted through the hall, destroying some already broken vases in the process.
"Finally I found you, imbecile...", an unearthly voice said.
A centaur entered the room. If Malik had not already seen to many strange things happening ever since Altair had fallen from the sky, he might have pinched himself to make sure he was not dreaming. "Could you leave the room? I was just having a conversation with my... friend here.", Malik casually demanded.
"He is not your friend. Never will be.", the centaur snarled and took the large fan from his back to send another shockwave into Altaïr's direction. Altaïr had been able to dodge that blow, but then got a good kick into his stomach by one of the horse feet.
Malik had not expected the centaur to move so fast and felt unsettled. He drew his sword.
"I'd rather not interfere, mortal.", the horseman sneered.
"Don't tell me what to do.", Malik growled and lunged towards the centaur.
The centaur seemed to be an equal opponent. Yet, Malik had just one arm and the centaur had two arms and four legs. It was a rather uneven battle.
Altaïr coughed and stumbled after he had gotten up. Then he rushed to help Malik, drawing his own sword.
It looked almost like dancing, the way Malik and Altaïr set their rhythm to dodge and attack the horseman. They were in perfect harmony despite their quarrels so far.
"I don't even understand why you protect this imbecile, mortal.", the centaur asked between the blows. He used a fan for a weapon but the fan was pretty durable.
"That is none of your business.", by now Malik knew that with their current tactic they could not defeat the centaur. They had to think of something else. But what?
It was Altaïr who had the solution. When the centaur had been unaware, he had gotten on the horseback and used his scarf to blindfold the centaur. Unfortunately where Altaïr sat was something like a blind spot. "Damn you! Let go!"
Malik used the moment and reinforced his sword with the grey marble of the mouse. It had been just a quick idea but it worked. The sword got slightly larger and started to glow as it pierced through the centaurs chest, through the heart.
Altaïr got from the centaur's back as the creature sunk into itself losing the fight.
"...That's that.", Altaïr carefully said.
"You will pay for that...", the centaur breathed his last words.
"That was annoying.", Malik sheathed his sword. "Now back to our conversation. ...What the hell is this all about?"
"...", Altaïr was still unwilling to answer this question. But then he concluded that he could tell at least a bit. "These ...things that keep attacking me are the twelve Generals of the Celestial court. They come in different shapes and each has their designated weapon and... element. It is some sort of magic."
Altaïr had been about to tell more, but then the horse body jerked and started to move by itself while the limbless human part hung from the front. It looked rather creepy. After the moment of surprise, Altaïr simply pierced several times where he assumed the horse heart would be.
"...Figures this one had more than one heart.", he frowned.
Malik just stared at the now limb body as the body dissolved and formed into a light purple marble.
"W-well now...ugh... they use magic. Actually they are really to protect the royal family.", Altaïr continued his explanation. "Now they come down to earth to attack me obviously. Even after I lost my wings they see a threat in me."
The eagle huffed.
Malik picked up the marble and focussed at it to know what this one was good for. The fan appeared. "Well, have you ever been a threat to them? Or maybe to the royal family?"
Altaïr was still silent. He was unsure if he should really answer this. Or how to do best. He knew that when these Generals didn't keep their mouth shut, Malik would probably hear it from them.
"M-malik... can I regard you as a friend?"