Chapter 10: Magic is revealed

Jack and Malen had walked into the airlock and were in the interior room that lead to the Normandy's outer door. It was a bit cramped with Jack getting pushed up against the left wall as Malen's massive werewolf form took up most of the room.

Jack:" so how is your big ass going to get in?" she says with slight curiosity but mostly with annoyance that she is being covered in blood stained hair.

Malen:" This isn't how I normally look. Just let me change and we can be on our way since the answer to your question is probably "I Cannot""

And with that Malen's body begins to shrink as he is covered in a black mist that surrounds his entire body. The transformation takes about 2 minutes to complete. Malen had returned to his original Argonian self, still wearing his Daedric armor he had on when he entered Purgatory.

Jack was mostly just relieved that she didn't have to deal with hair all over her or that God awful wet dog smell, Though she was still a bit awed by the transformation and how Malen's armor look.

Jack:" You look ready to rip someone's damn heart out." She says in a slight tone of amused.

Malen removes his helm and carries it on his right side.

Malen:" My name is Malen Katarn. It is a pleasure to meet you Jack. Please do not take my kindly disposition as a sign of weakness for it is only proper manners. Just because I have power does not mean I have to throw it around like an asshole and NO ONE likes an asshole." Malen says with a polite bow.

Jack:" You started off sounding like a pussy, but I see your point. Actually to me that sounded like a challenge liz.." Jack began saying but was cut off by Malen.

Malen:" Call me a lizard and I'll rip your heart out and make you eat it." He said in a calm but very threatening voice.

Jack:" o Yea then what are you going to do about it lizard?!" she answered in a mocking tone.

Malen's only response was snapping with his left hand. When Malen did, the duo was surrounded by a black orb of some kind that quickly dissipated, revealing that they were now in Malen's room on the Normandy.

Malen:" I shall only use my left hand for this fight. You; however, may use whatever means you wish." He says in a calm tone.

Malen puts his right hand behind his back and his left hand in front of him with his palm facing up, his four fingers held together flat out and his thumb bent into his palm.

Jack is both amused that Malen would face her so handy capped, but also a bit pissed off that Malen would place such handy caps on himself as if he didn't think she was a threat.

Jack:" all right then, but don't be a little bitch when I beat your ass!"

Malen:" You won't" Malen says in a monotone and serious voice.

Jack raises her right fist and empowers it with biotic energy which gives off a blue glowing aura around her fist. She charges at Malen and throws her fist at him with mechanical speed, but Malen blocks her fist with his left pinky, raises her hand with his left in a quick motion as to not allow her block with that hand for a moment, and then back hands her face that sends her a good 4 feet back with a small spin.

Jack quickly rises to her feet. On her face was a red imprint of the back of Malen's left hand. Jack's facial expressions would have frightened even a battle hardened krogan.

Jack:" you little shit! I"LL KILL YOU!" she yells in a rage.

Jack's body begins to glow brightly with biotic power as she charges at Malen. Malen's expression does not change as he lazily dodges all of Jack's attacks.

While Jack's attacks may have been powerful, they lacked grace and a sense of unpredictability.

Jack:" hold still you fucker!" she calls out in annoyance.

Malen:" as you wish." He says in a monotone voice.

Malen lowers his left hand and stops suddenly in the middle of Jack's flurry of punches. Jack's next punch was a right hook that struck Malen on the right side of his face. Malen's entire body did not flinch at all, nor was his head moved an inch by the force of Jack's punch.

Jack:" OUCH! FUCK! What is your head made out of!? I've punch ship hulls softer than your face." She yells as she pulls back her right hand and messages it with her left hand.

Malen:" you told me to stop moving and so I did. What you did not take into account is why I would let you in my defense after all the times I dodged you. I thought blocking your first strike with my pinky would give you a hint as to who you are fighting, but I see that you don't even possess that precognition when fighting. You fighting style is brutish at best. You are too predictable; you rely too much on your strength and speed; and you are not versatile with your abilities."

Jack:" Yea?! So what?! It gets the job done! I haven't seen you do anything bitch!" She says in a very annoyed tone.

Malen:" Only because I do not want to destroy what little pride you have as a warrior, but so be it."

Malen charges at Jack and begins to slide on the ground. Before Jack could raise her fist and strike the ground Malen raises his left hand and grabs Jack's hand as he pulls her underneath her own legs. Malen then rises back to his feet and uses the momentum to throw Jack against the back wall with enough force to knock her unconscious.

Malen:" I think I may have gone a bit overboard with that." He says with concern as he approaches Jack.

Malen holds out his right hand as it glows with a golden light. The golden light then surrounds Jack and just in a few short moments she slowly opens up her eyes.

Jack:" ugggg… Wh… What happened?" She moans out as she begins to regain consciousness.

Malen:" you challenged me and I defeated you Jack. Sorry about that by the way. I guess I got carried away." He says with a slight chuckle and slight embarrassment on his face.

Jack:" how did I get back up so quickly? I'm sure I was just hit by a speeding shuttle." She says with confusion

Malen holds out his right hand in front of Jack and makes it glow with golden light.

Malen:" I used restoration magic to heal your wounds."

Jack:" Magic? You think I'm stupid or something?!" she says in a pissed off tone.

Malen:" I know it's hard to believe, but what else would you call it?"

Jack:" I don't know! Biotics!?"

Malen:" maybe but biotics don't heal concussions do they? And Medi-gel only heals burns, cuts, and chemical exposures, not internal trauma. Though I suppose calling it "Magic" would be farfetched in this galaxy, but that is what it's called from where I am from. Besides if you were to show biotics to humans in the medieval era they would probably call it "Magic" to. So at least for now Jack, let's call it what it is, Magic."

Jack:" All right, but if I find out you are fucking with me I'll rip your damn balls off!"

Malen:" well then I guess my "balls" don't have anything to worry about then. If you go up to the 2ed floor, you will find Shepard waiting for you."

Jack:" Fine then, beats having to stick around this dull as shit room. But hey Malen."

Malen:" Yes Jack?"

Jack:" You fight pretty damn well, sure you don't want to take over this ship now? Looks like it would be great for pirating."

Malen:" No thanks, I had my fill of pirates a while back." He said with a chuckle.

Jack:" Suit yourself. Wouldn't mind having a rematch some time."

Malen:" Sure. I'll even teach you."

Jack just turns around and waves her left hand as she approaches the elevator.

Time skip: 5 minutes after Shepard's meeting with Jack.

Shepard was presented a video of Malen's fight with Jack by EDI while he was on an elevator ride down to the 5th floor. Shepard was heading down there to ask Malen about his abilities. When Shepard looked at the part where Malen had healed Jack with a golden light, which he remembered when Malen had used it on a batarian plague victim, it further pushed Shepard's curiosity as what Malen can actually do, or better yet can't do.

When the elevator reached the 5th floor, Shepard walked out to where Malen was currently meditating in the air. As soon as Shepard's right foot hit the ground outside the elevator Malen brought his feet back to the ground and turned around to face Shepard who was approaching him.

Shepard:" I don't think we had much of a chance to really talk, though I suppose I will just get straight to the point since there are still other things that need to be done. I think you told me a little about it when we were in the quarantine zone but didn't really fully explain it. What are those strange powers you used with your voice?"

Malen:" That commander, was the powers that can be found in the ancient language of dragons. These "words of power" are called "Shouts" or "Thu'ums" in the dragon language. I am what is called the Dovahkiin or Dragon born; I can learn any shout instantly whenever I look at the words of power. Each shout contains 3 words of power, though there are some that have more or less words. Each word adds to the power of the shout. Those who have the ability to use a shout must always be cautious when they speak, especially for one like me; I can kill a man with a whisper, and can bring down nations, maybe even planets with a sentence. And no commander I'm not exaggerating one bit about this. I am, as far as I know, the Last Dragon Born."

Shepard:" What does it mean to be a Dragon Born?" he asks curiously.

Malen:" it means to have the soul of a dragon. For all intents and purposes Shepard, besides the fact that I was born an argonian and became something else when I absorbed my former self, I am a dragon Shepard."

Shepard was a little taken aback by this, but after seeing what Malen was capable of first had, he was not all that surprised by it, but it might take some getting used to.

Shepard:" All right. I would also like to know what you did to heal that batarian plague victim and Jack."

Malen held out his right hand again and it glowed in the all to now familiar golden light.

Malen:" I used restoration Magic Shepard."

Shepard:" uh-hu" he said not really believing what Malen said, but is willing to be open about it.

Malen:" I know you probably don't believe me Shepard, but how else would you explain how I'm able to do things like this." He said as he changed his outfit into his party cloths as to show that it was not his armor that created what he was about to show Shepard.

Malen held out his right hand that had nothing in it. Suddenly it burst into flames as a brilliant fire engulfed Malen's hand. Shepard was surprised to say the least, but not wanting to just believe off the bat what he was seeing, he asked EDI to scan Malen for any sources of ignition that could logically explain why Malen's hand suddenly caught fire but was not burning at all.

EDI:" Shepard I am detecting no sources of ignition that would logically or scientifically lead to Malen's hand catching fire without burning him. But I am detecting an unidentified anomaly surrounding his hand. It's an "energy" of some sort that I have no data, records, or instruments to identify it. But other than that Shepard that is Fire that is surrounding Malen's hand. But there is something unusual about it."

Shepard:" No Kidding?!" he said with sarcasm.

EDI:" No, I am not talking about the reason behind it Shepard, I am referring to the fire's properties that seem to be defying many scientific laws as we speak."

Shepard:" oo?! What are these properties that you are referring to? It just looks like plain fire to me." He says with curiosity and confusion as he raises an eyebrow.

EDI:" Shepard, The "plain fire" that you see in Malen's right hand is burning at well over 100,000 kelvin, but at those temperatures, even with such a small source, the room you are in should not be hospitable, let alone without any sighs of deformity. Also with temperatures at those levels the "fire" in Malen's hand should not be that color, it should at least be of a blue to purple hue, not orange and yellow. The best possible explanation I have for this circumstance is what humans refer to as "Magic"."

Shepard is more shocked that EDI would use the term "Magic" to describe what Malen is doing rather than the actual explanation itself. Since EDI seems to be siding with Malen depiction of it, Shepard decided to swallow a bit of is arrogance and express his ignorance of the matter to Malen in hope that he would explain how he was using his magic.

Shepard:" How are you doing that if I may ask? I have never seen anything like it to be honest."

Malen:" HAHA! You mean you have never seen fire before Shepard?!" he said in a mocking and hysterical tone.

Joker heard that through the intercoms and could not help but laugh as well since he instantly got the joke.

Shepard:" you know what I mean Malen." He said trying to keep his irritation down.

Malen:" Well Shepard, the best way I can detail it for you is that I can manipulate my own life force using a second form of stamina called "Magicka". I refer to it as a second form of stamina so that it would be easier to understand what it is. Usually when a person from Nirn drains their Magicka reserves, they simply can't use magic until they have aloud their reserves to restore to full. I; on the other hand, don't have such a restraint on my reserves. I regenerate my Magicka reserves so quickly that I can't actually exhaust them at all. This does not mean I am omnipotent or anything. It simply means that I can cast whatever spell I know of without worrying about my reserves ever being exhausted."

Shepard is extremely impressed by this as well as having a scientist's curiosity about it, but probably would never ask the right questions about it or understand the answers.

Shepard:" well that certainly is something to ponder over for a while, but I don't really have any more questions for you Malen. You can continue with what you were doing."

Malen:" really? That's all you're going to ask? But there is still other things that I can do that you have not seen."

Shepard:" like what?" he says with curiosity

Before Malen spoke again he started changing shape. When Malen's body had stopped changed he looked exactly like Shepard, down to the last skin follicle.

Malen:" like this." He said in Shepard's exact voice.

Malen's transformation into Shepard was so seamless that if she didn't see Malen transform then EDI would not be able to tell which one was the real Shepard.

Shepard:" That's a little creepy. So you can shape shift too?" he said with slight amazement and a little freaked out.

Malen:" Yes Shepard. (transforms into Miranda), into anyone or, (transforms into a varen that talks), anything I wish, (transforms back into Malen)."

Shepard was a bit creped out by the display but being able to shape shift into anyone or anything would be very beneficial to Shepard.

Shepard:" Is that also magic I assume?"

Malen:" no actually. Remember when I told you that I am also called Hermaeus Mora?"

Shepard:" Yes, but what does that got to do with it?"

Malen:" Daedric Princes can assume any form they wish and since I am a Daedric Prince, I can use this ability as well."

Shepard:" thanks I think that's all I can take.. I mean learn today Malen. Rest well, we will be heading to where our next recruit is soon."

Malen:" Thanks Shepard. You take care of yourse…." He was saying but was suddenly interrupted by a low growl that came from his bowls.

Shepard:" You ok Malen?" he asks with concern.

Malen did not respond as he pretty much tramples over Shepard to get to the elevator.

Malen starts hammering his finger at the 3rd floor level display so much that he broke the keys on the elevator door.

Malen:" FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKKKKKK!" he screamed in aggravation that could be heard as a dull rumble throughout the Normandy.

EDI:" Do you require assistance Malen?"

Malen:" YES THIRD FLOOR NOW!" he shouted.

EDI:" Will do, also you don't have to shout I can hear you."

When the elevator finally reached the 3rd floor, Malen raced around the corner to his left and found the first bathroom he sees.

EDI:" Malen. The Men's restroom.." EDI was saying before Malen loudly interrupted her

Malen:" DON'T GIVE A FUCK, NEED TO GO NOW!" he shouted in irritation at EDI.

Malen opened the women's restroom door and sat on the first toilet he saw. What happened next could only be described as the only time EDI actually had the pipes in the Normandy clogged. Throughout the 3rd floor, all that could be heard were the sounds of moaning, grunts, water splashing, and what sounded like the biggest whoopee cushion being sat on by a krogan.

EDI:" Are you all right Malen? Do you need to see for medical treatment?"

Malen:" (grunts) nope, just peachy EDI. Doing just fan fucking tastic! (moans)" he said in a sarcastic voice.

Malen:" Man! What the fuck was in that batarian?! (grunts loudly).

EDI:" The anatomy of Batarians consists of….."

Malen:" RETORICAL FUCKING QUESTION EDI!"

The grunting and moaning went on for at least 3 hours until finally Malen got off the toilet and flushed for the 18th time. EDI vented the air in the room and filled it with much cleaner and crisper air. Malen washed his hands and stepped out of the Women's bathroom.

Malen:" EDI. Tell Shepard to never eat batarians." He said while groaning.

EDI:" Will do Malen."