Malik Al-Sayf
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He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning recent or upcoming releases from the Assassin's Creed series. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. |
Malik Al-Sayf[2] (Arabic: مالك السيف) was a member of the Hashashin Order from the end of the 12th century, and into the beginning of the 13th.
At one point, he also acted as the leader of the Assassins' Bureau in Jerusalem.
Biography
Third Crusade
Solomon's Temple
In 1191, Malik, his brother Kadar, and Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad were tasked by Al Mualim to retrieve the Templar treasure; which was later found to be the Apple of Eden. Soon after their arrival at Solomon's Temple, Altaïr willingly disobeyed the Creed of the Assassins, enraging Malik with his blatant disregard for their way of life.[3]
Eventually, Altaïr's stubbornness and arrogance led to the failure of their mission. Upon being separated from Altaïr, Malik and Kadar were forced to defend themselves from a great number of Templar soldiers, resulting in Kadar's death, and a brutal injury to Malik's left arm.[3]
Despite this, Malik managed to steal the treasure, and escape with his life.[3]
Escape to Masyaf
- "I have what your favorite failed to find. Here. Take it."
- ―Malik presents Al Mualim with the treasure.[src]
Malik returned to Masyaf, and reported immediately to Al Mualim despite his heavy injuries. He informed him of Altair's treachery, and presented him with the treasure he had retrieved.[3]
However, he also lamented that the Piece of Eden was not the only thing he had returned with, and soon revealed that the Templars had followed him to the fortress. Below, the enemy force unleashed an attack on the village protected by the Assassins.[3]
This was the last time that Malik was witnessed with his left arm, implying that it was amputated soon after these events.[3]
As Bureau Leader
- Altaïr: "Safety and peace, Malik."
- Malik: "Your presence here deprives me of both."
- —Malik and Altaïr in Jerusalem.[src]
Engaging Altaïr in Jerusalem after the disaster in Solomon's Temple, Malik made no effort to disguise his hatred for him. He pointed out the most subtle flaws of Altaïr's technique and attitude, resulting in an unpleasant encounter between the two as they discussed Altaïr's assigned assassination of Talal.[3]
The mission was a success, but Malik nevertheless heavily criticized Altaïr for triggering the city alarm, and for alerting the citizens of Jerusalem of Talal's demise.[3]
Malik met again with Altaïr in the Jerusalem bureau after the latter was tasked with the assassination of Majd Addin. Though Malik had still not forgiven Altaïr for his mistakes, he expressed a small level of satisfaction when Altaïr asked for his advice instead of demanding it.[3]
Once Majd Addin had been successfully assassinated, Malik remarked that Altaïr had performed just as an Assassin should. Upon parting, he also revealed that everything that Altaïr did troubled him, and asked the man to consider that information during his journey back to Masyaf.[3]
When Altaïr arrived at the Jerusalem bureau for a third time, Malik responded to his presence quite positively. He spoke to Altaïr as a fellow Assassin, and did not insult him. They exchanged information and parted ways peaceably, quite unlike their previously hostile conversations.[3]
After the skirmish at the funeral of Majd Addin, Malik and Altaïr had a hurried discussion over whether to chase Robert de Sable to Arsuf, or to return to Masyaf to seek the wisdom of Al Mualim.[3]
Altaïr argued that Malik used the Creed as a shield, and thus did not see the entire truth. He decided to journey to Arsuf rather than waste time asking Al Mualim for permission, imbuing Malik with a sense that Altaïr had not really changed. Altaïr did not comment, and only suggested that Malik learn more about the Templar treasure from the people of Jerusalem while he hunted down Robert.[3]
Before his departure, Altaïr apologized for his failure at Solomon's Temple. Malik refused to accept, and clarified that this was only because he felt that the Altaïr who stood before him was not the same one that had caused their defeat at Solomon's Temple, and thus held no guilt. Malik claimed that they were brothers under the Creed, and as such, were one - the mistake of one was the mistake of all.[3]
As Altaïr journeyed to Arsuf, Malik returned to Solomon's Temple and discovered the journal of Robert de Sable. It recorded the finding of the Piece of Eden by the ten Templars, including Al Mualim. Finally convinced of their Master's betrayal, he traveled to Masyaf to aid Altaïr in retaking the fortress, along with several Assassins under his command.[3]
Retaking of Masyaf
- Altaïr: "Safety and peace, Malik."
- Malik: "Your presence here will deliver us both."
- —Altaïr and Malik parting ways during the invasion of Masyaf.[src]
Malik arrived at the city in time to rescue Altaïr, who was under attack by a small army of hypnotized Assassins. The loyal Assassins threw throwing knives at the attackers, thus forcing them to flee, and giving Altaïr the chance to converse with Malik. They greeted each other warmly, claiming that each other's presence brought peace to the battleground.[3]
Following the duel between Master and student, Malik caught up to Altaïr in time to witness the Piece of Eden displaying a holographic map of the world. Malik's reaction to the advanced technology was not recorded; he was speechless, at first running to his friend's side, but slowing to a stop as he beheld something that was not thought possible during his time.[3]
Later life
- "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.[src]
Once Al Mualim had been defeated, Malik became Altaïr's close colleague and a very high-ranked Assassin. Altaïr was promoted to Grand Master of the Order in acknowledgement of his great willpower and new-found wisdom. The two worked together to discover new assassination techniques, which Altaïr recorded in his personal journal.[4]
Altaïr also began to delve into the secrets of the Apple of Eden, studying it for days at a time. Both Malik and Maria suggested forgetting about trying to understand the artifact, as it was distracting him from food and rest, and insisted that Altaïr lock it away. Their advice was mostly ignored.[4]
In 1217, Altaïr, his wife Maria, and their son Darim left for Mongolia to deal with the rising threat of Genghis Khan, and Malik was left in temporary control of the Order.[2]
In 1225, Abbas Sofian, another high-ranking Assassin, staged a coup in which he had Altaïr's other son Sef killed, and had the murder weapon placed in Malik's bed. In addition, one of Abbas' spies claimed to have heard Malik and Abbas arguing that same day.[2]
Everyone thus believed that Malik was the killer, and Abbas had Malik thrown into the prison below Masyaf.[2]
Death
When Altaïr and his family returned in 1227, Abbas tried to trick them into believing that Malik had murdered Sef. However, Altaïr did not believe this, and infiltrated the prison to rescue Malik.[2]
He brought Malik, who was in a very poor condition, back to their residence, where he revealed the truth about what had happened. Malik lamented that he had not been a better leader, and that this would not have happened to Altaïr.[2]
After having made sure he was asleep, Altaïr and Maria left Malik in their home to speak with Abbas. However, in their absence, Abbas' spy Swami killed and beheaded Malik. He put his head in a burlap sack and delivered it to Abbas, who showed it to Altaïr and Maria when they confronted him.[2]
Many years later, Altaïr met Malik's son, Tazim Al-Sayf. Together with other Assassins still loyal to Altaïr, they killed Abbas and regained control of the Assassin Order once again.[2]
Characteristics and personality
Malik was a harsh, but wise man who based his life and his work completely on the Assassin's Creed and its tenets. He was protective of, and adhered wholly to those laws, believing in the righteousness his Master claimed was the foundation of the Creed.[3]
As such, Altaïr's arrogant dismissal of the Creed was a terrific blow to his beliefs and sensibilities; Malik disliked his fellow Assassin on principle. However, he slowly gained respect for Altaïr as he became the man needed to save their Order from enslavement, on his quest to redeem himself.[3]
Malik's devotion to the Creed and Al Mualim was unwavering and somewhat blind; Altaïr broke the spell of such a belief by claiming that Malik was using the Creed as a shield, and was ignoring the facts. Malik took this advice to heart and searched for the truth.[3]
Malik found proof of Al Mualim's treachery recorded in a diary left within Solomon's Temple - the facts recorded there broke his heart, but were the final truth necessary for Malik's rebellion under his friend's guidance.[3]
Trivia
- In Arabic, "Malik" means "king" or "owner," while "Al-sayf" means "the sword." Put together, "Malik Al-Sayf" means "King or Owner of the Sword."
- Malik's name in the in-game credits is written as "A-Sayf," the way it is pronounced.
- Malik is the only Assassin who is seen wearing an almost identical outfit to Altaïr's in Assassin's Creed. In this outfit, he is also equipped with a Hidden Blade, though his ring finger is still intact. The reason for this is unknown.
- It is unknown how Malik would climb inside or out of the Bureau after the loss of his left arm.
- During the first visit to Jerusalem, if Altaïr lingers in the Bureau, Malik will comment on why he has not already left. He sarcastically remarks: "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 Altaïr before the fight against Al Mualim. Doing this has no effect on the game, and he still reappears during the credits to look at the Apple of Eden.
Gallery
References
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