Malachi came walking from the outhouse. He was sluggish, his mind still trying to comprehend all that had happened in the last two days. It was too much. He hadn't even grown accustom to the way of living here, yet he was being immersed into the training of an elite group that was to be exemplary to the rest of the islanders.

His body ached greatly from the exercising. The gruesome activities throughout the day made even breathing hard.

He opened the door to his small hut, the moonlight shining on his back, his face shrouded in darkness.

One of his roomates, a bright red headed boy with a frohawk, gasped as he stood directly in front of Malachi. He had gone for the door, but Malachi had reached it first.

"Sorry," Malachi stated, groggy like.

"No problem," the boy sighed. "Sorry about being startled. Its just that your darker skin confused me a bit. Thought you were one of the intructors."

"What?" Malachi inquired.

"Go to sleep!" One of the other roomates said, growling. He threw one of his spare pillows at the door.

Malachi stepped out with the other boy, closing the door behind them.

"What were you saying?" Malachi started.

"Oh, about the intructors..." the boy began, but stuck his hand out. "The name is Irvin. What's yours?"

"Malachi," he replied, shaking his hand. "Sorry about that. Why were you heading out by the way?"

"Just needed a bit of fresh air," Irvin replied. He sat down in front of the door, motioning for Malachi to sit as well.

Malachi complied and further questioned the boy about what he had stated earlier about the instructor.

"About that," Irvin continued. "I thought you were an intructor because of your darker skin. See, they have the ability to change their skin tone, even their physical state. They can become rock itself I hear."

"Oh," Malachi said, suddenly becoming very conscious about the color of his skin for some odd reason.

A memory started once more.

"Don't let them bother you about that." His best friend said, smiling.
"If they wish to relive that prejudicial view from the stone age, allow them. Not everybody is the same, bro. We all gotta be different."

He felt himself grin. "You're right."

He attempted to straighten his- once again- broken glasses.

He was always picked on, whether it was because of a matter of height, unpopularity, race, class of living, his hobbies, or having only one parent.

But for some odd reason, he found the bullying of his race to be most bothersome. He knew not even what his race was. Hard as it was to believe, his origins were shrouded. He had shared that with his best friend in hopes to have someone to understand as well.

He looked down at his arm, smiling. He shouldn't care in all reality.

"I'll find my own identity!"

"As will I!" His best friend roared beside him. Those walking by gave them odd looks. They were sitting on the steps leading to an apartment complex, one of many down that neighborhood.

They both laughed. Never had he been so happy to have another friend as him.

The memory faded away and Malachi found himself staring down at the sand.

"Are there others as dark skinned as I am on this island?" Malachi asked.

Irvin shook his head, a sad expression forming. "They all died in the last invasion. We consider everyone on this island as one, but what happened last invasion was clearly them targeting the dark skinned islanders. That's also when we lost most of the infants. We would have a much larger population if not for that. But, oddly I hear they were looking for someone."

Irvin grinned. "That's why when you came, it made a lot of noise. It brought hope to some people's heart and represented an omen to others. Some think it's the enemy stating they're back for the rest."

"I hadn't noticed that," Malachi replied. "I've been too busy trying to figure out more about this island. But most of the islanders seemed afraid of me at first."

Irvin nodded. "It's crazy. Rumours of you have spread like wildfire. Some really do belive you to be the hero prophesied. Many were skeptical at first, but Benjamin changed that all. How did you arrive here?"

Malachi sighed. "Sorry to tell you that I really don't know. I barely even know who I am. I don't even know my full name. I have no memories of before. To be honest, I'm not sure what to do other than what they've told me to do."

"Sounds frightening," Irvin replied. "No memory of who you are? Or what you're fighting for? Who you're fighting..."

Something inside Malachi clicked. I'm fighting for those who once loved me. I need to return... but to where? Only Agredon has the answers.

"I'm feeling terribly sleepy," Malachi said yawning. "I'll head on inside. Tomorrow will be much rougher than today I presume."

Irvin stretched his limbs as he stood. "I should do the same. I was third to last among the candidates. Its not looking too good for me."

"You've got much more left than I do," Malachi replied, walking inside. "I'd quit right now if they let me. Apparently I can't because of some order Benjamin set."

They made their way into the hut. It was small, barely twelve by twelve feet. Two bunk beds were on either side of the room. Their uniforms hung on the front of the bed, facing the door.

A small chest was at the center of the room. It was red, with yellow lines painted around it, as a spider web. That's where all the daily equipment was stored.

Malachi took the bottom bunk on his left, Irvin taking the top.

♢◆◆♢◆♢◆♢◆◆◆♢◆♢◆♢◆◆◆◆♢

Yelling woke Malachi up. An Instructor came barging into their hut.

"WAKE UP!" He roared.

Immediately Malachi bounced out of his bed, Irvin jumping down near simultaneously.

The other two roomates, twins, to Malachi's surprise were standing beside their bed as well.

Both appeared to be around fourteen or so. They were well built reminding him of Terx. They were fair skinned and had orange hair, about an inch or two shorter than Malachi.

The green haired mohawk instructor stood a little past their doorway, his head above everyone. A devilish grin escaped him.

"You have a penny to get your equipment from inside that trunk onto you and be outside in formation!"

With that, he turned and headed out the door.

All four surrounded the trunk, opening it to peer inside.

Irvin cursed.

Inside were four top tunics: all the color black. They seemed really light weight, made of a rubber like material.

For some reason the tunics intertwined, looping several times into one another.

They did this as a test, Malachi thought.

He set to work on immediately untying them. After taking the first two off and handing them to the twins, he pulled the last two apart and ran for the door.

All four lined up right outside their door.

Malachi looked to his left and right. Younglings from other huts were starting to line up outside their rooms.

Malachi saw the intructors bark at the other candidates.

One group out shone the rest, at the end stood Banri.
Banri's group consisted of the larger, stronger candidates. Banri was the tallest candidate, Malachi realized.

He also noticed that every group had lined up from shortest to tallest, left to right.

Malachi instantly went to the right end of his group, whispering the reason to his fellow candidates quickly.

All three glanced at the other candidates and nodded in recognition.

The green haired instructor was there once again, his look menacing this time.

"You were the slowest today. For that, you're gonna be the first to enter into the water!"

He was in Malachi's face.

The instructor immediately threw him down to the ground.

"Being slow will get you and your comrades killed! Give me 10 pushdowns!"

Malachi grimaced. He was winded from the throw. He began with the exercise, his arms deathly sore from the day before. As what had happened during the run, his body seemed to be possessed and didn't stop. He wished to quit, but his body kept going.

After the set, the instructor set them running off.

The green mohawk intructor stopped them at the shore, briefing them.

"You and your group are to swim out 1,000 yards. You will rest at the ball that is anchored for about 40 pennies then head back here. You will be timed. This will determine which group will washout first. An instructor will keep an eye on you. You are not to swim farmer than ten feet apart. Provided, that's why we gave you the line to connect your tunics together."

Malachi's eyes widened.

"Sir, I didn't grab the line. I need-"

"WHAT!?" The intructor asked all too loud.

Malachi lowered his head as saliva went on his face from the man's mouth. He saw the intructor's name sown on his tunic, Sarren, it read.

A look of seriousness formed onto the intructor's face.

He took a step back shaking his head.

"You failed the team. You shall take charge now. You are group leader."

Malachi looked at his teammates, their expression filled with worry.

"Yes sir," he responded.

The twins grimaced as the intructor left and headed back towards the other groups.

"Alright," Malachi said looking at the twins. "I at least need to know the names of those I'm working with. I'm Malachi."

The twins nodded.

"I'm Barry," the one on the left said.

"I'm Zeno," the other responded.

Malachi looked at their eyes and noticed that Barry's eye were different colors. His left eye was blue, his right green. The opposite was true for Zeno.

"As for how were gang to make it across, well just link arms when one of us can't keep up or when someone needs a break."

Irvin smiled. "We're pretty good swimmers."

♤♢♢♧♧♡♤♤♡♧♧♧♤♡

Malachi choked, spitting out the sea water. He had his arms looped around Irvin and Barry's. They were pulling his weigh as they swam.

Think Malachi! You're slowing the team down!

The tunics weren't helping either.

"These things, they're so heavy." Malachi wheezed. As soon as they hit about 100 yards, the tunics suddenly seemed to weigh them down, inflating some.

"You're heavy," Barry grunted.

Malachi's lungs burned. His arms ached.

"The instructor never said anything about abandoning these tunics," Malachi said.

"No," Irvin responded, paddling forward with some gusto. "Even if they are heavy, they keep us afloat. It'd be too dangerous."

Malachi cursed and felt his break had been long enough. He began to swim alongside the group, trying to keep up.

12 nickles later, he was back to being carried by Barry and Irvin.
Zeno swam ahead.

"We're almost there!" Zeno shouted. The large red ball bobbed up and down, bringing hope to Malachi's heart.

Malachi looked up ahead. We'll have time to rest.

New energy filled him as he broke apart and he began to swim on his own.

They reached the ball. All four gripped onto handles that stuck out.

"We've made it this far." Malachi breathed.

Barry's face contorted into anger. "With no thanks to you."

"I'll take care of him on the way back." Zeno said. "You can take a break then."

"Won't be too long after that," Barry said through frustrated grunts. "Irvin is about done."

Malachi shot his Frohawk friend a glance. His eyes were closed. He was inhaling and exhaling deeply. He looked exhausted.

"I'll try my best to make it back without help," Malachi said, miserably.

Barry shook his head. "If you haven't been trying your best so far then something is wrong."

We've been out here for about forty minutes because of me, Malachi thought. That's nearly twice the length it's supposed to take.

●□■♤♡♢♧♧♢♡♤■●○

On their way back, they had seen several groups swim past them.

Making it onto shore, they collapsed onto the sand.

Sarren was there waiting to bark and scream.

"Took your sweet time didn't you?" He raged.

All four immediately stood erect as best they could.

Malachi's head was held low.

Sarren noticed Barry glare at Malachi for a brief moment before looking forward again.

"You slow them down?" Sarren asked, getting into Malachi's face.

"Y-Yes," he responded hesitantly.

"Get your carcass back into that water and swim back all by yourself! Everybody will be doing strenuous exercise until you return! However long it takes you, that's how long well go over the regularly scheduled time. You'll be losing sleep this absence, boy!"

Malachi felt his lower lip quiver, but he bit it out of anger and frustration.

Before he made it to the water, Sarren yelled. "Be sure to bring that ball anchored to the ground! I don't want you to swim halfway and come back thinking you're sly!"

Malachi jumped in and began swimming.

Other groups gave him odd looks as they noticed he was alone, heading back towards the ball.

Banri's group had been the last to go, yet his was second group to make it to shore.

The sky was clear, the sun shone on the water. It was a bit bright for Malachi. He felt the temperature in the water begin to rise.

The water instructor must be here, he thought. That's probably why I haven't seen him. He's been underwater this whole time.

A large wave spontaneously formed and rammed into Malachi.

He winced at the pain it did to his shoulder. It moved him him a bit.

He looked up in time to see a massive wave about 15 meters high and 10 meters wide smash right into him.

He had wondered what it felt like to be hit by a bull, now he truly knew.

The last thing he noticed was the wave form a wedge directly at his chest. It would explain all the crushing pain he felt there.

For a second, he lost all sense of direction as his body twirled crazily.

He opened one eye, slowly, the other eye stinging from the impact.
His tunic had come off. He was flailing his arms about him, trying to find which way would lead him to the surface.

Once he regained his composure, he headed for the top.

He inhaled as his face broke from the salt water. He saw that the sun was hidden behind dark clouds that hadn't been there moments ago. It was starting to drizzle.

A gigantic shadow appeared in front of him. He realized it was being cast from behind. He turned his head to see an enormous wave three time the size of the last coming at him. It scared him, that and the fact that he was far away from shore- about 600 meters out.

It formed the shape of a sharper wedge this time before slamming into him. It was like a railroad pike being driven on top of a tiny ant.

All went hazy for him.

He awoke as his back hit something. It was the ocean floor.

Malachi saw blood rise from his chest. He placed his hand over the crater in his chest. Blood flowed through his fingers. His hand then limped uselessely to his side.

He should be dead, no?

His body barely moved. His mind was empty.

He felt something grab his legs. Looking over, he saw a hand had broke through the sand covered, ocean floor. It was nearly all decomposed, pieces of rotted flesh still on its bones. Another hand broke through as well. Several followed after that.

They grab holt of every part of his body and pulled down, the sand welcoming him.

He tried to move, tried to think, but it was all too hazy.

Is this your end, boy? A voice all too familiar whispered. Shall your demise come at these hands which have no soul? Will your loved ones die in vain? Are you dead yet? If not, fight.

One of Malachi's eyes was still shut from the impact. It happened to be the eye on the scarred side of his face.

A hate awakened. He opened his left eye, a red glow emanating from it. He thrashed around violently, ripping the hold of the hands.

A sharp skeleton hand pierced into his back through the crater in his chest. His eye widened, before a furrow quickly developed followed by a growl.

It dug back into his chest, grabbing hold of his heart.

Malachi felt violated at the touch, an organ that should never be felt by any another. It was his most vulnerable and precious thing. It was what made him, him.

He opened his mouth, sharp teeth- like that of a sharks- lining the left side of his mouth. The blotched scar grew larger.

He grabbed the hand and ripped off the phalanges.

The bones came apart.

Malachi saw some of the bone pieces, names forming in his head.

Hamate... Pisiform.... Capitate... Metacarpal... Lunate... Human Anatomy was it?

The radius and the ulna only remained.

Malachi shot forward, wrenching his body free of the hands.

A large arm erupted from the sand floor, grabbing hold of Malachi's ankle. Parts of the triceps were still clinging to the bone, most of the bicep was rotted.

He kicked the arm, seeing a head begin to pop through as well.

An eyeball was in one eye socket, no iris and all white. Strands of black hair were attached to the skull. Some skin appeared on the bottom jaw.

He stomped hard onto the head before stumbling back, landing on his rear. Clouds of sand were kicked up by all the movements.

Arms shot out immediately from the ground. They grabbed at elbows, forming a pentagram. A purple light illuminated the sandy floor. The body trying to come out was at its center.

The light became blinding.

Malachi covered his eyes, shielding them with his arms.

Upon looking forward, a large muscular corpse appeared in front of him. Long, flowing black hair covered the partially skin covered head. One eye was restored, the iris a clear pale blue. Drops of blood were around the pupil.

It grinned at him, opening it's mouth to let out a laugh that sent shivers down his back.

Eat him! Kill him! Do it for us! Hurry and do it!

Voices seemed to surround the immediate area around Malachi.

The corpse's head hanged to the side, the top of the skull leaning against the shoulder.

It gave a shrill scream and lunged at Malachi.

His heart beat at a horrid fast rate.

It was fight or flight.

Malachi threw a punch. Though hundreds of feet underwater, he felt no resistance. It was abnormal, as other things, such as his indefinite need to breath. He hadn't felt pain for not filling his lungs with oxygen.

It connected. The corpse crumbled to pieces.

Malachi heard his heart beat loudly in his head. Was it over that easily?

He stood in eerie silence. He noticed how dark it really was down at the bottom. He couldn't see past ten feet in front of him.

He took a step forward.

Several hands ripped through the ground once more, the sharp bones stabbing into his calves.

A cloud of dust was in front of him. It formed back into bones, the bones realigning to create the corpse he had just hit.

He heard snickers and chuckles. He looked around and to his dismay about twelve more corpses surrounded him. One had its jaw hang by a thread, another was missing the upper half of its cranium.

They jumped onto him, ripping into his flesh. Pieces of his bodily tissues floated upwards.

He roared, vain in his resistance.

A bellow of rage escaped him. In one second, it all changed. His body rapidly healed all of its wounds. His muscles swelled in size. A sinister smile escaped him; he was now the hunter.

He slammed his arms into the corpses, sending them reeling backwards.

Malachi dashed backwards, sand clouds billowing out from under his feet.

Screams started around him as the ghastly creatures closed in on him.

Stop... A voice said, all commanding.

The corpses paused their actions.

A skeleton came up straight from the ground, a foot in front of Malachi.

It had on a tunic similiar to what one of the intructor's wore.
A sheath was at its side.

A sand tornado swirled around him.

Malachi's rasied a brow as he saw flesh grow back on the bone; veins, arteries, and some capillaries spread through his body. Finally, his skin grew back.

Malachi's eyes widened. He was dark skinned like him.

A man mid- age stood before him, a few inches taller than him, his body wiry.

His gray beard was cut short and close to his jaw. He wore a friendly smile.

Lay not one more finger on this boy, He said in spirit whisper. It was similiar to the way Agredon had spoken to Malachi on occasion.

Malachi was speechless.

You are the the next savior are you not? He asked.

Malachi nodded.

Then why do you not appear so right now? Why do you wear that mask of hatred?

Malachi lowered his head, realizing all the hate that was coursing through his mind and body.

He couldn't speak underwater, but mouthed his words to the man.

I had to, he replied. It was fight or die. Win or lose.

Do not rely on hate. We are all the islanders that died the last invasion, or their remnants at least. The man said, we have guarded the oceans floors for anything that presents a threat to this island. Hate or that similiar to the sort is one of them.

I'm confused, Malachi stated. I don't know how I got here or what I'm supposed to do.

The man put his hand on Malachi's shoulder.

Our time is up, he smiled. We may rest in peace knowing the new hero has arrived. Heed this final warning. Never trust those that lie with their eyes and visualize with their mouth. Take this sword, boy.
Wait! Malachi began, reaching out to grab him.

The man disentegrated into a cloud of sand.

Malachi turned about him to see the corpses in their final forms.

Several islanders smiled at him before following in their leader's footsteps.

Many of them had been of darker skin as he, some of the fair skinned boys near his age.

Malachi looked down to see the sword that had been placed into his palm. It was medium sized and double sided, heavily rusted.

It grew dark at the bottom of the ocean with all the sand clouds creating a larger one.

In that dark area, a light shone. It was the red glow coming from Malachi's left eye. A red glowing drop seeped from his eye, running down his cheek.

Yet have I lost my company so fast, he thought, a new pain at his heart.

♤♤♡♢♧♧♢♡♤♤♤♡♢♧

The intructors had sent all of the younglings back to their huts, canceling the remainder of the training until the storm passed.

"I have to go back!" The water instructor said, pacing back and forth.

Sarren shook his head. "No. Wait till the storm passes. It's not your fault he was lost. If he truly is the hero Benjamin states he is, then he'll have survived this entire ordeal without problem."

Something caught the attention of Sarren's eye. It came from his peripheral vision. He saw the ball that was anchored at the 1,000 meter mark bob up and down a few meters away from them in the water.

Malachi washed up onto the sandy shore, his right hand gripping the chain connected to the ball, his left with a sword clenched tightly in it.

End Of Chapter

I HOPE YOU LIKED THE CHAPTER! VOTE AND OR COMMENT IF YOU DID. I KNOW THIS CHAPTER WAS FILLED WITH A COUPLE SURPRISES. FEEL FREE TO COMMENT ABOUT THEM! :)