Malace allowed Drake to face the golem, not really putting much faith in the sand knight. Frankly, Malace didn't trust them at all, no more then she trusted the lich. What was there motivation? Why would Drake and Rock be so willing to go against their country? Or was it a ruse to simply allow them to get close to a power to help them? And the lich? Surely someone who would be so willing to escape the authority of death would have no reason to answer the authority of mere mortals. Perhaps there was a certain benign reason that Malace's jaded outlook is missing, but if so, are they so benign if they're willing fight the Sand Kingdom? Malace stayed weary. Treachery was the last thing she wanted to face. In fact she wanted to get it out of the way as soon as possible.
Drake managed to defeat the golem surprisingly enough. Malace said nothing of course and continued onwards. They reached another room with another puzzle, this one actually challenging their will this time. Malace shifted uncomfortably as the lich spoke the riddle, causing everyone to vanish. "That damn bastard couldn't even take the time to tell us what he was going to do." Looking around Malace took a step forward. Soon she saw... Visions of the future. Or so she thinks. Two people, both of them her, and they look almost the same. And yet... There was something different about all of them. To her left, there was a Malace who had her bow in her hand, looking confident and smug, as if she was challenging the original Malace. On the right another Malace with her bow drawn, but she looked... Cautious. Like she was hunting a dangerous beast.
No.
Like she was trying to fight against a dangerous beast, one who has her cornered. Fighting for her life. Was this her greatest fear?
But then Malace looked at the other. Such confidence, such arrogance... She has the look of someone who thinks she could do no wrong. That in the end, she is correct, and that those who defy her are fools A guilty pleasure, but Malace realized that this was the sort of person she never wanted to be. She wanted respect... Not dominance. She didn't care to be the winner, only that there were those who believed in her. So which one was her fear? Which was her desire?
Malace thought long and hard. But she didn't chose either. In her own mind, they were both things that she feared. To her right, she feared weakness. Failure, being trapped and forced to face the consequences of her action. To her left, she feared pride. So much damage was done in her life because she thought herself better then others. So much hatred, so much strife, because she held herself above, and pushed everyone else down. These were not things she wanted.
She walked pasted the two shadows her herself. She was not going to deal with them. Her fears... Would not rule her. She would not get angry at them. She would not strike them down. No, instead they would serve to remind her, to show her the results of her mistakes. They were warnings, and she had no reason to remove them. As much as she feared them, they served a purpose. They would show Malace who she is when the chips are down, or when she looses herself. There was no point in fighting them, for they are nothing more then nightmares, figments of her imagination, so long as she stays on the right path. As long as she keeps moving onwards.
As the two shadows vanish Malace arrived back to what looked like the room she was in before. There was no one around, so she assumed she was the first to arrive. Or perhaps the last? Who knows how the others fair. Looking around she noticed that the sign on the pedestal changed, now reading:
"You are worthy of continuing on to the top floor of the tower, where the master waits. Good job, and I hope you do as well in the future. I'll miss you, from yours truly, The Sign Maker~"
A door opened. Malace looked at the door and saw a vision. A great battle. The kingdoms were warring with each other, a bloody conflict that was threatening to engulf the world. Malace was no stranger to war and was about to dive in when she saw herself amongst the warriors. She had gleaming armor made of mythical stone, which she recognized as ancient rune. The Forest Watchers held the stones sacred, as they are said to contain the essence of nature itself. She had a might bow, and was using it to slay hundreds of foes. Malace had become a weapon of mass destruction, but used her powers not to wipe out the armies, but to get them to stop. That Malace spoke out over the armies, telling them their wrong doings. How they could solve this peacefully, through negotiations instead of blood. This... This is what Malace wanted. She wanted to be a hero. Someone that even kings would listen to. This Malace had no desire to rule; only to stop the pain and misery of war. She wanted the kingdoms to be at peace, and have the power to ensure it.
Malace was tempted to enter. She wanted that power, that respect, that strength. But she stopped herself from entering through the door. "No... I cannot. That... That is not me. Not yet. One day that power may be mines... But I must earn it first. Malachite... Enjoy your prosperity. One day, I shall join you."
Malace then noticed another door, plainer then the one she was standing in front of. She looked through the door's window but saw nothing on the other side. Looking back at the celestial door that contained her fortune Malace sighed. One they she will have what she wants. But she has to take every step to get there, not take it from the hands of another. Not even herself. Malace entered the plain door and into another room.
