Despite Alithis Evengises downfall due to reasons Malak liked better left forgotten, although Alithis would always hold a place in his heart, the avian remained in his great oak tree; covered in trinkets and treasures only a bird could adore. However, in the more recent years, it would be wise to move to a different tree. Malak couldn't, more admittedly he wouldn't. Not without reason. Although, a rotting tree was reasoning enough, right?

Winter had come and gone as it always had, as it always will, making way for the spring season; the rainy season. It had been a year and a half since Malak had last seen Bai Shi in which he helped shed their antlers; stealing a bit of velvet for himself in the process. For all he knew, Bai Shi was dead, this being the only thing to remind him of the dragon besides memories. Memories of meetings, of journeys to regain sight, back at forth between the pitt and the typhoon all for a few ingredients. Journeys to no end, it seemed. However, it seemed Malaks journey stopped here; caught in the stone teeth of a hunting trap. Blood trickled down the side of his body, the source of which it flowed being his upper chest, shoulder, and throat with a fairly sized crimson puddle pooling below him along with feathers strewn wildly around the fringes of the accident, an obvious indicator of his struggle.

Oh what he wouldn't give to go back to the old days, the familiar, safe days of medicinal work in Alithis, of watching Laeglin torment his guardian, of perching upon Bai Shi, his Kingpin, his companion. It was always hard to say goodbye. Malak flapped harshly, trying to break free. It started of as a dull pain within his chest, but it soon spread across his entire body. Malak felt weak, sweat covering every inch of skin and wings trembling out of control. His eyes darted all over, desperately searching for a way to relief his body from this miserable feeling. It was all too much to handle and for a moment he considered giving in to the pain and giving up. Malak was tired. Tired both staying strong for what little members of Alithis still came to him for guidance or for help and tired from being strung up like a lifeless doll upon a young spruce branch, but he didn't really have a choice in the matter. The avian felt sore all over, the injury was clearly taking its toll on his entire body. Malak winced sharply, a shrill cry falling from a blood soaked beak that left as a wispy cloud into the damp air.

The bird clenched his jaw tightly, shutting his eyes as little tears drip...drip...dripped down from the corners of his eyes to the pool below to dance wildly in a mix between salt and blood. Gently sobbing turned into fit of rage, the bird looking up to grab hold on the rope like twine and shaking wildly; out of ideas. The world seemed to spin around him and a sharp, throbbing pain took hold of Malak, so much so that all he wanted to do was vomit and hope the pain would come out with it. It was exhausting. Tired, but unable to sleep and unable to stop it. The bird paused for a brief moment, contemplating all he had fought for and all he could lose if they gave up now. Laeglin, Bai Shi, Althis. Everything. He took a deep breath, then another and then another. A state of calm returned to his mind for a moment. With every breath he drew, a darker cull crept forward and for a mere second all Malak wanted to do was to give in. To finally make this pain cease, to finally have peace. To join Bai Shi, wherever they were. To join his kingpin, his companion. His love. Malak shut his eyes, letting a soft sigh release from his drenched beak, the tenseness from his body subsiding; salty tears falling from scared eyes. I can’t go on, Malak thought as the sharp pain returned. Terrified now, he kept his eyes clamped shut. Whatever caused the agonizing sharp pains in his right side, Malak was sure it wouldn't look pretty. Surely this pain would stop soon. Surely there's an end to this. But I hope you can. The bird stopped flapping, his wings growing still, yet death late to cull. Malak waited for something now, anything.