Malik Al-Sayf

"I know... in fact, the entire city knows!"

―About Altaïr's successful assassination

Malik (مالك السيف), (born 1165) was previously a high ranking assassin rivalling Altaïr, is the Dai and the leader of the Jerusalem Assassin's Bureau.

Biography

Malik back from Solomon's Temple with his arm heavily wounded.

Solomon's Temple

"You always do as you please! If were not by your arrogance, de Sable would be dead, and my brother would still be alive!"

―Malik to Altaïr following the battle at Solomon's Temple

Malik, along with his brother Kadar and Altaïr, were charged with capturing the Templar's Treasure, later found to be the Piece of Eden by Al Mualim. He forewarns Altaïr of his blatant disregard of the Creed when Altaïr murders an innocent old man beneath the Temple to hide their presence and considers compromising the Brotherhood for the chance to kill Robert de Sable. Eventually, Altaïr's stubbornness, headstrong attitude, and arrogance leads to the tragic failure of the mission, costing Malik his left arm and his brother's life. Malik however successfully escaped with the Piece of Eden, and arrived at Masyaf with his arm still attached but bleeding badly, implying it was amputated later.

Jerusalem: 1st Visit

Altaïr: "Safety and peace, Malik."

Malik: "Your presence deprives me of both!"

—Malik and Altaïr in Jerusalem

When first meeting up with Altaïr in Jerusalem, Malik makes no effort to disguise his new-found hatred of Altaïr. Pointing out even the most subtle of flaws and the small haughtiness of his attitude whenever possible, the two have an unpleasant meeting when discussing the assassination of Talal. Even though the assassination was a success, he criticizes Altaïr for triggering the City Alarm and alerting the citizens of Jerusalem to Talal's demise.

Jerusalem: 2nd Visit

Altaïr: "It seems everything I do troubles you"

Malik: "Reflect on that. But do so on your way to Masyaf."

—Altaïr and Malik at the Bureau

Though his cold attitude toward Altaïr has gone through little to no change, he expresses a small level of satisfaction when Altaïr asks for advice and begins to respect the Creed more. After the assassination, he notes that Altaïr had performed just as an assassin should -- no more, no less.

Jerusalem: 3rd Visit

"We are one, as we share the glory of our victories so too we share the pain of defeat; in this way we grow closer, we grow stronger."

―Malik before Altaïr assassinates "Robert"

Malik and Altaïr in the Jerusalem Bureau.

When Altaïr visits Malik for the final time in Jerusalem, the easily angered and quick to criticize Malik has changed, speaking to Altaïr as a fellow assassin rather than the failure that had caused the tragedy in Solomon's Temple. After the skirmish at the funeral of Majd Addin, Malik and Altaïr have a quick, heated argument over whether to chase Robert de Sable to Arsuf or return to Masyaf to seek the wisdom of Al Mualim. Altaïr argues that Malik uses the Creed as a shield, not seeing the entire truth but rather what Al Mualim wants him to see, and then suggests that Malik learns more of the Piece of Eden from the people of Jerusalem and Al Mualim while he hunts down Robert. Before their departure, Altaïr apologizes for his failure at Solomon's Temple, which Malik refuses because he feels that the Altaïr who stands before him at that moment is not the same one that had sparked their defeat at Solomon's Temple.

Masyaf

Malik makes his final appearance at Masyaf, aiding Altaïr in fending off the hypnotized assassins with loyal assassins still unaffected by the Piece of Eden. He then leads an assault at the back of the fortress, going on advice given from Altaïr as he personally deals with Al Mualim. His final appearance before the end of the Memory Block is in the last cut-scene, where he catches up to Altaïr in time to witness the Piece of Eden display its holographic map of the world.

After Assassin's Creed

"I have also worked with Malik to describe new methods of assassination: from on high, from ledges, and from hiding places. Basic movements, but critical nonetheless."

―Altaïr's Codex, page 13

At some point after the events of Assassin's Creed, Malik became the "right hand man" of Altaïr while he was the Leader of the Assassins. Altaïr mentions in the first Codex Page that Malik suggested that he should forget about trying to understand the Piece of Eden and that he should simply lock it away. Altaïr seemingly ignored this advice as shown in later codex entries. Malik's fate afterwards is unknown.

Characteristics and personality

Malik is a harsh, yet wise Assassin who dislikes Altaïr due to his skill and rank in the guild, as well his arrogant attitude in the beginning of the game that costs Malik his left arm and brother. At first, his devotion to the Creed and Al Mualim is unbreakable and undeniable, yet he slowly gains respect for Altaïr as he changes on his quest to redeem himself.

Trivia

Malik in his Assassin robe.

• Malik is the only Assassin seen wearing a similar outfit to Altaïr's in Assassin's Creed. In this outfit, he is also equipped with a Hidden Blade though his ring finger was not cut, probably due to the inaccuracy of the character design.
• 'A-Sayf' means 'of Swords' in Arabic, "Malik" can mean 'Master', 'King' or 'Owner'.
• On your first trip to Jerusalem, if you stay in the bureau before going to your assassination target and lock on to Malik, he will comment on why you have not already left. He gives out a sarcastic comment to him: "Thinking of another great plan, Altaïr? Like the one back at Solomon's Temple?!"
• It is possible to throw Malik off the cliff right before he and his men run past you before the final boss fight. Doing this does not have any affects on the game, and he still reappears during the credits to look at the Piece of Eden.
• The common surname is Al-Sayf, but possibly due to a typo mistake or creative liberty from Ubisoft the name in the game credits is stayed as A-Sayf.

Video

thumb|480px|left|Solomon's Temple events and consequences