"This would've never happened if you didn't have to vanish all the time!" Kinessa snapped, yelling at Pip as they got back from the battle.
"Me? Vanishing!? I was flanking excuse you! Except that Buck kept running after me!" Pip barked. "You should blame Viktor for being behind Fernando all the time!"
"He was doing his job! I'd rather be behind his shield and do more damage then be in the open and not even touching them!" Viktor yelled. "Look at Kinessa! She missed most of the shots!"
"It's because you dumbasses kept taking the kills! If it was just me out there, I would've wiped them out and won the game in two minutes!"
"Amigos, please! The battle is over-" Fernando added.
"Don't amigo me! All you did was put up that shield and barely did any damage!" Kinessa interrupted.
"I did my fair share of damage!"
"If we didn't have anyone to protect us, we would've lost by a landslide!" Viktor yelled.
"Having more damage and less protection would've put more strain on them!' Pip said.
"See! Even the weasel gets me!" Kinessa said.
"Weasel!? Who are you calling weasel you coward!"
"Coward?"
"Yeah! Staying far away to avoid getting shot!"
"I am a sniper! It's our job!"
"Oh, sure it is..!"
"Why you little-!" Kinessa said. The four began to bicker back and forth, leaving Mal'damba to watch the show, until Fernando spoke up.
"Why are you all blaming me when you should be blaming him!" Fernando yelled, pointing to Mal'damba. "You all know I do my best when I have a healer with me in combat, but he only used his greatest attack once throughout the game!"
Mal'damba's jaw clenched under his mask and he got up right to Fernando's face with his slithered movements.
"Blaming me for doing my best now? I only came here a day ago and you waltz in like a young boy and expect me to hold your hand throughout the battle. I can only provide benefit to the team, but I can only damage the enemy as well. What am I saying? A knight wouldn't need this talk! Oh, that's right, you aren't one. No wonder you can't save Cassie all the time. So, next time you say I didn't help the team, I will let the spirits feast on your eyes." Mal'damba snapped. Pip, Kinessa, and Viktor were speechless, their eyes wide. Mal'damba stared at Fernando, who also had his eyes and jaw opened. Mal'damba walked away, slamming the door behind him.
Mal'damba sat in the garden, trying to meditate, but the thought of Fernando's ignorance distracted him. Mal'damba growled, giving up on the meditation. He watched the snake in front of him, swallowing a rat tail.
"How is this idea of champions fighting still going?" Mal'damba said. "I understand it's supposed to help those show their talents to save the world, but with everyone fighting another, why bother?"
The cobra viewed Mal'damba, flicking its tongue and slithered to him and rested at his side.
"Your no help. You're stubborn, but Wekono gave you to me for a reason. Rest, it was a long and harsh battle," Mal'damba said, petting the reptile. "We may be needed later."
Mal'damba closed his eyes and reopened them. He was among the tropics. He was sitting on a large tree branch, wide enough for him to keep his posture. Above him was a cobra, lowering its upper half body to examine Mal'damba. It was large, it's head alone was as vast as Mal'damba's torso.
"You are troubled, chosen. The leopard paces around your feet."
The voice was sourceless, but coming from the cobra's direction. It was soft, like a whisper, but hearable.
"I have joined some sort of fighting competition, where people like me can be heard of their deeds and see how they are," Mal'damba said. "I have encountered a man who claims himself to be a knight from fairytale stories I've heard. He's full of narcissism, saying that I was not helping my allies."
The cobra flicked its tongue, eyes narrowing.
"You shouldn't be distraught about it, my chosen. Soon the spirits he contains will be eaten away by the truth."
"How long, my goddess? No matter what is stated to him, he still tells himself of how great he is," Mal'damba asks, gazing away from the cobra.
"Fernando is a man blinded by himself."
Hearing the name caused Mal'damba to view the Cobra again, who was now only a few feet away from him.
"How do you know his name?" Mal'damba asked.
"I watch over my followers, especially you, my chosen. Fernando is a charming man, but he too can be weakened by the beautiful. Through all of that vanity is a man with a golden heart. I can feel that you can change him, but don't do it alone."
Mal'damba slumped out of his posture, processing on what to do.
"Go chosen. You are needed in another battle."
Mal'damba's eyes opened. He was back at the garden, his snake still sleeping beside him.
"Oh my goodness, Mal'damba. You aren't looking too well,"
"I am fine Ying, how can you even tell I am not?"
"You can barely walk Mal'damba and your voice sounds hoarse."
She was right, Mal'damba had trouble walking. He was sore from yesterday's unstopping battles, not to mention he grew ill. Maybe it was the gourds he was making or a virus got to him. Whatever it was, it was eating away at his strength.
"I am fine," Mal'damba said, clearing his throat. "Now if you excuse me."
Ying grabbed onto his collar and pulled him back.
"No. I am calling the advisors and you are spending the rest of the day resting. Being in battle while sick could cause a lot of problems," Ying said.
"I'll respawn-"
"Respawn doesn't help the sickness. It only recreates your body when you enter it at the beginning. You'll grow even iller and eventually not be able to help your team," Ying explained.
"Being sick is my problem. I will deal with the consequences," Mal'damba protested, removing himself from Ying's grip. He could hear her mutter something, then dash off quickly.
He was the first one to get to the waiting room. He sat at a table and watched the TV, seeing the frames waiting for the rest of the champions. Mal'damba went into a coughing fit, his throat burned from the coughs. The snake peeked out from the collar.
"I'm alright. We will get this day over with," Mal'damba said. Some champions began to stroll in. Grohk, Cassie, Viktor, Kinessa, and Buck were the ones to get there early. They all acknowledged Mal'damba and did their own things.
The door swung open violently to Ying, her hands on her shoulders and staring directly at Mal'damba. Above her was Fernando, not in his armor, but in his morning clothing. Fernando made a beeline towards Mal'damba, then grabbed him.
"Fernando! What are you doing!? Let go of me!" Mal'damba said, trying to struggle out of Fernando's grip. He began to slither out, but Fernando was quick, grabbing Mal'damba as soon as he was out of the slither and throwing him over Fernando's shoulder.
"Let go of me! I command you to let go of me!" Mal'damba exclaimed, hitting the knight's back. Fernando walked out of the room, Ying following him, closing the door behind them.
"Fernando, turn around so I can see Mal'damba," Ying said. Fernando spun around. "Mal'damba, I already called the advisors about your sickness. I am not letting you grow iller!"
"Stop getting into my business!" Mal'damba growled.
"I'm with Ying on this. Even I stated I wanted to continue fighting when I was ill, but I was convinced to rest," Fernando added.
"So you can protect your handsome little face?" Mal'damba said. Fernando ignored him.
"I'll be with you shortly, Ying. I'll take him to his room," Fernando said, beginning to walk away.
"Make sure he rests!" Ying called back. Fernando exited out of the gateways building, Mal'damba hanging from his shoulder.
"I can walk the rest of the way there," Mal'damba said after a few minutes of silence. "You can let me down."
"Can't let you do that," Fernando said.
"Do you think I cannot walk on my own?"
"You can barely stand and you sound sick. Rather take you myself." Fernando said. Mal'damba took the snake from the back of his collar and onto his hand.
"A dry bite," Mal'damba commanded in a low whisper.
"Que?" Fernando asked. The cobra bit into Fernando's shoulder, causing him to yelp in pain and drop Mal'damba. The snake too tumbled but was scooped up by Mal'damba. He ran, peering over his shoulder to see Fernando freaking out in the distance and making his way towards the gateways building.
