Beowulf, the mighty hero of the Geats, had fallen in battle against the fire-drake that ravaged his lands. His loyal thanes bore his body to the cliff of Earnanæs, where they built a great barrow and laid him to rest with his treasures and weapons. They mourned him for many days, and sang of his deeds and glory.
But Beowulf's spirit did not depart to the halls of his fathers, nor to the bliss of the Valar. He found himself in a strange and dark realm, where the air was thick with smoke and ash, and the ground was cracked and barren. He wandered for a long time, until he came to a vast chasm, where a bridge of iron spanned the abyss. On the other side, he saw a towering fortress, surrounded by a ring of fire. He crossed the bridge, and approached the gate. There he was met by a fearsome figure, clad in black armor and wielding a great sword.
His face was hidden by a horned helm, but his eyes glowed with a red light. He spoke in a harsh and cruel voice: "Who are you, ghost, that dares to enter the domain of Maliketh, the Black Blade? What is your name and your errand?" Beowulf answered boldly: "I am Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, king of the Geats, slayer of Grendel and his mother, and the fire-drake. I know not how I came to this place, nor what is my fate. But I fear no foe, and I will not turn back." Maliketh laughed scornfully: "Beowulf, Beowulf, I have heard of you. You were a great warrior in life, but now you are nothing but a shadow. You have come to the Crumbling Farum Azula, the land of the dead, where I rule supreme. Here, you will find no rest, no peace, no hope. Only pain and torment, until the end of time."
He raised his sword, and said: "But I will give you a chance, ghost. A chance to prove yourself, and to earn your freedom. If you can defeat me in single combat, I will let you pass. But if you fail, you will be my slave, and suffer my wrath for evermore." Beowulf gripped his sword, and said: "I accept your challenge, Maliketh. I have faced many foes, and I have never fled. I will fight you, and I will prevail. For I am Beowulf, and I fear no blade." They clashed, and the sound of their steel echoed in the air. Maliketh was a fierce and cunning foe, and his sword was imbued with the Rune of Death, which made it deadly to the living and the dead. He struck at Beowulf with great force and speed, but Beowulf parried and dodged his blows, and countered with his own. They fought for a long time, and neither could gain the upper hand. Then, Maliketh changed his form.
He shed his armor and his sword, and became a monstrous beast, half-man and half-wolf. He had a shaggy fur, a snarling muzzle, and sharp claws and teeth. He leaped at Beowulf, and tried to tear him apart. But Beowulf was not afraid, and he met him with his sword. He slashed and stabbed at the beast, and wounded him in many places. But Maliketh was not deterred, and he continued to attack. He sprang into the air, and swooped down on Beowulf. He did this several times, but Beowulf was agile, and he avoided his strikes. He waited for the right moment, and then he leaped behind him, and thrust his sword into his back. Maliketh howled in pain, and fell to the ground.
Beowulf stood over him, and said: "Maliketh, Maliketh, you have met your doom. You have fought well, but you have lost. Now, yield to me, and let me pass." Maliketh gasped, and said: "Beowulf, Beowulf, you have bested me. You have fought bravely, and you have won. I yield to you, and I will let you pass. But tell me, ghost, where will you go? What will you seek, in this land of the dead?" Beowulf looked at him, and said: "I know not, Maliketh. I know not where I belong, nor what is my destiny. But I will go on, and I will find out. For I am Beowulf, and I will not give up." He left Maliketh, and walked to the gate. He opened it, and saw a bright light. He stepped into it, and disappeared.