A bright and brilliant light blinded him as Kaladin looked up. Covering his eyes with his one good arm, Kal squinted, trying to make out what it was. Still, in awe of the world around him, Kal glanced at the frozen Thrak, some mid-air, others mid-step.

Taking another peek, Kal looked up again to see a humanoid figure floating down to him.

The being before him was immaculate, his body was pure white. He glowed and hummed from power inside, much as the dagger had. It was sexless but had a male form, his muscles looked as if he had been carved out of a statue. His perfect face stared directly at him. High cheekbones, perfectly symmetrical nose, and square jaw gave him a strong but gentle look. His eyes and hair were also pure white, glowing brilliantly.

His hair flowed in the air as if in water, the slow movement flickered, giving it the appearance of white flame. He had wings of light arching out from each shoulder blade. The wings didn’t connect to his body, however, they floated and moved with his shoulders as if connected by an invisible wire.

He moved slowly, sinking further down through the air, and stopped in front of him. His wings of light flickered up and down once, then stopped. The wings pulsed brightly and methodically. This being gave off an aura of power and magnificence.

The colors instantly reminded him of the vortex of light Felkuru had come out of. The day Felkuru rescued him from under that rock in the cave.

Kaladin couldn’t tell if it was looking at him, but all he could do from the ground, bloodied and wounded, was gawk in awe at the being before him.

“Who…” Kal croaked. “What are you?”

There was a momentary pause as his bright white eyes moved, presumably looking him up and down. He stretched out a hand and touched his bleeding forehead.

A blast of white light exploded in his vision and for an instant, Kal thought a bomb had gone off but instead, he felt his flesh move and his blood cool then warm. An overwhelming sense of love and passion filled him to the core, leaving him with a warm feeling. As if he had been held by his mother and nursed back to health.

It happened in an instant, but to Kal, it felt like hours. His bones stopped aching. The pain in his entire body disappeared, replaced by comfort rather than agony.

Looking down at his left arm, Kal noticed his shoulder was completely healed along with his stomach, chest, and legs. Not even a scar remained. The skin was pink and fresh, similar to a newborn’s.

His suit was already in the process of repairing itself.

Again, Kal looked back up at the angelic being and gawked with wonder.

“You know who I am. You called to me.” the bright being said with a voice so pure and calming, Kal wanted to cry. “I am Malik. Though I go by many names.”

Just being in his presence made Kal want to bow down and worship this god-like creature but his words finally registered in his mind.

“Are… are you Hashem?” Kal whispered in confusion. “Are you the angelic being that visited Felkuru? The one he told me of?”

“I am the one Felkuru spoke of but I am not Hashem.” Malik gave a warm and welcoming smile. “Hashem is my father. Our father. He is the one who called for my interference.”

“Th-th-this is...” Kaladin trailed off. “I don’t understand.”

Malik continued to smile at him, waiting patiently.

“Y-you are Hashem’s son? I-if you are not Hashem, th-then what exactly are you? Are you another god?” Kal stuttered. “What i-is Mulguran? Who is Mulguran? How is he manipulating everyone? I-I have so many questions.”

“I am not Hashem’s son in the traditional sense. I am what is called a Dyaddan. One of two beings of power created by Hashem to govern the universe.” Malik raised one arm as if looking at something. “Our purpose is to watch over life and to fulfill Hashem’s perfect will.”

Malik paused, making sure he was following.

“Mulguran too was like me but he chose to defy Hashem. He manipulated and twisted the hearts of man.” Malik explained. “For his arrogance, Hashem stripped him of his power and banished him. He fled to Doenon, the homeworld of the Thrak. There he used and tricked them. Like all creatures, they are susceptible to manipulation. He consumed their planet and forced them to his will. As you know, he used the Ocaid to travel from planet to planet, destroying and consuming each world’s power.”

Kaladin listened but instantly thought of Yvlana and everyone else, dead around him. All this death. The innocent live's lost. It threatened to overwhelm Kal and the very thought that this being knew of it and did nothing fueled his rage.

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“Why?” Kaladin felt a wave of anger inside rising. “Why would you allow that to happen? If Hashem is so powerful, why didn’t he just kill Mulguran and be done with it? Why would you allow all this death and suffering to happen?”

Malik paused for a long moment again, contemplating whether or not to answer his question. He smiled then spoke again.

“That answer is for another time.” Malik gave a faint smile. “Your questions are just. Do not think I put them lightly. In time, you will understand.”

Kaladin listened intently, his mind focused on each word. He sneered, unable to accept that answer. “Of course you wouldn’t give me an answer.”

“Do not worry, Kaladin Valhorn,” Malik said evenly. “You have doubts. Anger and frustration. Sorrow and pain. I understand your feelings completely. Now is not the time for that. But I will leave you with this. Every choice has a consequence. Every consequence has a reaction. What that reaction is, is up to the person making those choices. Each individual's actions will inevitably overlap each other and thus, the events that led to this moment unfolded.”

“That… doesn’t make sense.” Kaladin frowned. “Everyone I’ve ever known is dead. Are you saying I killed them through my choices?”

“Each choice is different. Each person. Each being. Everything and everyone has a choice to do good, or to do evil.” Malik said patiently. “You too must choose.”

“How do you explain your choice then?” Kaladin got to his feet. “You chose to let this happen. You chose to watch us all die.”

“No.” Malik sighed heavily. “I lived among you, but you ignored my teachings. I lived countless mortal lives, praying they would heed my words and choose to repent, but alas, they chose differently. You all did. Your choices led you here, not me. This very event is an accumulation of thousands of years of choices made by man, Emarine, and beast.” Malik pointed out. “You cannot see what I see, Kaladin Valhorn. You are bound by time and space. You cannot comprehend the intricate threads of the universe. You cannot comprehend, God.”

He said that word like it held such meaning that power was in the word ‘God’ itself.

“As a whole, mankind and every sentient lifeform have led to this moment.” Malik continued. “I did not choose to kill these people. Mulguran did. I did not choose to give myself over to Mulguran’s persuasions, they did.” he pointed to the Thrak. “You see, Kaladin Valhorn, I am not the one who has brought about this destruction. Other people’s actions are the cause.”

“Then who is to blame?” Kaladin shook his head. “Mulguran? How about the Thrak? Huh?”

“I will not pretend to know who Hashem blames or does not blame. And I am in no position to think otherwise. I do as Hashem commands me.” Malik placed a hand on his shoulder.

The Dyaddan’s touch was electrifying. Jolts of energy rushed through his body and he felt the power within once again.

“I do not have the answers you want,” Malik said calmly. “But I do hold one answer in which you need.”

“And what is that?” Kal whispered, distracted by the power flowing through him.

“That dagger on your hip. You will use it.” Malik started. “It has the power to release the energy Mulguran has stolen. The life he has drained from each planet will be returned. The power he has now is due to consuming the lifeblood of each world. You must kill him with that dagger.”

“You mean to tell me... that Mulguran absorbs planets to gain power?” Kaladin frowned in confusion. “Is that why he targeted my homeworld?”

“In part. Yes.” Malik floated backward a step.

“Then the Thrak are being used as he used Cassius?” Kaladin frowned again. “And Amira.”

“Yes,” Malik said sadly. “They too wish for freedom but cannot find it without your help. You can free them. You can undo all this. You have already freed one, but you don’t know it yet.”

“How?” Kaladin refocused his attention. “How can I undo this… this carnage?”

“You must die,” Malik said simply but his voice was full of sorrow.

Kaladin took a long look at the being before him, his hair flowing and his body floating in the air. This god-like creature had just saved him. He bit his lip in frustration and confusion.

“I don’t understand. You just healed me and stopped me from dying. Now you’re telling me I have to die?” Kaladin said. “You’re not making sense.”

“I healed you because you were in pain. I did not want you to suffer.” Malik said softly. “I take no pleasure in watching this world being consumed by death. Pain and sorrow bring me suffering also. However, to save the ones you love, you must die.”

Kaladin glanced over to Lamir, then over the wall. Felkuru’s corpse lay bloodied and mutilated. He turned his gaze to Yvlana, who lay motionless, frozen in time. Still looking at her, Kal asked the question he had wondered ever since he fought Cassius.

“Are you the one who spoke to me when I held this dagger?” Kaladin held it gently.

“I am.” Malik smiled again. “You heard me. And you listened.”

“How can I free them from Mulguran’s grip?” Kal asked. “What did it do? Why was Mulguran so afraid of it?”

“The moment he saw the dagger, he knew its purpose. When you cut Cassius, you only solidified Mulguran’s fears. That it will drain his power. And it did just that.”

“You mean… if I had waited longer, Cassius would’ve been freed?” Kal felt sick.

“If I were to answer that question, your reaction will be different,” Malik said cryptically. “But Mulguran saw to it that he perished.”

“What?” Kal frowned. “My reaction will be dif-? What aren’t you telling me?”

“Patience.” Malik held out a hand. “In time you will understand. You must trust me.”

Kaladin gritted his teeth but didn’t push further.

“What about Amira?” Kaladin asked. “Could I have saved her?”

“You still can.” Malik smiled knowingly. “You must choose,” he repeated.

Kaladin stared at him. A part of him felt anger towards Malik. But another part was thankful. He had brought Felkuru to him. He had saved his life all those years ago. And from his story, he had lived among them, trying to help not only the humans but the Emarine as well.

“What do I have to do?” Kal asked in defeat.

Malik, still floating, waved his arm over the wall and a tear in space opened with a blast of wind and light. Black and white streaks circled like a whirlpool, an identical one that appeared three thousand years ago.

“You said you lived among us.” Kaladin stared over the side, mesmerized by the spiraling lights. “Did I meet you? In any of your lives.”

Malik’s body brightened, and he grinned at him. “Perhaps,” he replied mischievously.

“One in which you do know was an old man from Vulkira. You know his name but we never met.”

“Who?” Kaladin squinted.

The Dyaddan paused for another long moment, staring at him intently. Slowly and surely, he opened his mouth in response.

“Jebbin.” Malik smiled. “I lived as a man called Jebbin.”