Inferno: The Great Divide

Chapter 2: The Meeting

The Grand Malaki continued, despite the  interruption from Melaki 3. 

Three more hours and the meeting seemed to be unending. The Malaks were faced with a difficult decision to make. 

It all started when the Grand Malaki read out what a spy had sent him via a messenger eagle. It read 

" All hail the Grande Malaki,

I bring news from the realms of the land dwellers. 

The Emos activity on the Earth's surface has rapidly increased over the past 3 months And the humans have been clueless. 

We are concerned about the Emos' penetrance into the realm of the land dwellers. This rapid spike signifies they are getting much more powerful. 

We will continue to look closely into the matter"

The Grand Melaki then proceeded to ask the council, "what do you propose we do about this situation?"

"Like the land dwellers say,  let sleeping dogs lie," Melaki 2 began,

" During my days of exile amongst them, I learnt that when people tried to end wars even before they started, they created more problems. 

The Emos do not trouble us directly. 

Moreover, our existence has remained only a myth to humans.

It's important to note that making the Earth's surface a battle ground to engage the Emos will only result in more catastrophes. I implore you to exercise patience and observe first."

The 6 Melakis were rather pleased with the response and nodded in affirmation. Most of them were not in support of meddling in human affairs. 

However, the Grand Melaki continued to insist

"I understand your concerns  great leaders. However, like I stated initially, this is not just a threat to humans, it's also a threat to our kind"

"A threat to our kind??" Melaki 3 objected.

" We are Malaks, the strongest beings in this universe, our magic is far superior and our science far more developed. We have lived in the Earth's atmos for thousands of years, and humans, despite their technological development, haven't had even the slightest proof of our existence. 

The Emos will know better than to attack us. Our defenses are indomitable.

You, Grand Melaki, understand this. 

Yet, you continuously bother this council with the issues of humans and Emos, both of which are below and beneath us, in every sense of that word.

Makes me wonder.

if you have a personal interest in this?"

That line struck a chord. First there was silence in the council and gentle whispers amongst the Malakis. 

What Malaki 3 had insinuated was disrespectful by their code of conduct. 

Malaki 5 , in an affirmative tone, spoke out

"Even if you have no sense of respect. 

You will accord some to this great council. 

The Grand Melaki has served the Malaks wholeheartedly and sacrificially, even before you were born!

Everything the Grand Malaki does, he does for the Malaks!"

All the other Malaks nodded in affirmation. 

Even so, a good number of them disagreed with the Grande Malak's stand. They all understood that it was his self sacrificial nature that was the issue. He cared too much about the entire universe. He had once even proposed a way to redeem the Emos and help them, but was unanimously rejected by the council. 

Malaki 3 most definitely had gone too far with this. 

"enough " The Grande Malaki spoke in a calm voice. 

"Malaki 3, you've always been known to be a loud mouth. It'll be in your best interest that such an act of disrespect to the council never repeats itself. If you have something to say, say it. Do not insinuate things and leave them for the minds to ponder on and be misguided. We are leaders, not conspiracy theorists"

"My apologies, Grand Malaki" Melaki 3 calmly replied. 

"This meeting will be adjourned at this point, we will meet again in a week's time. I implore that you all look into this matter with a clear unbiased mind. "

The Grand Malaki concluded that meeting. 

Everyone exchanged pleasantries. 

And soon enough the council chamber was empty.

The Malaks had the ability to quickly move, and build up energy in the process, such that if a Malaki quickly moves,  it will be seen as a bolt of lightning. 

The Grand Malaki in a quick bolt ascended to a quiet location in the skies. It was a higher plane in the clouds. It was a much darker, and calmer place in the clouds. But it had the best view of the Earth's surface, Since Malaks had the best vision and could see  hundreds of kilometers clearly, the Grand Malaki sat and floated on the clouds as he meditated with his eyes shut, With no one around, except his most trusted guard.

Everywhere was quiet, until there was a sudden bolt of lightning. He remained calm. His guard immediately took a stance ready for combat.

"Be calm Amra," Grand Malaki told the guard. "Malaki 5 does not need reminders to announce his presence"

"All hail the Grand Malaki" Malaki 5 greeted on a bended knee. 

"Come, Malaki 5, come meditate with me"

Malaki 5 obliged and joined him on the clouds. 

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes, Grand Malaki, it is"

"Speak, I presume you did not come here to meditate with me"

"I was only concerned about what you said today at the council, about the dangers that lie ahead"

"Yes..."

"Even though it didn't seem like it, I did agree with malaki 3 at some point. We are strong and it doesn't concern us. But I still had to come enquire, if there's more that requires attention. "

"There certainly is, Malaki 5"

"Hmmm.." Malaki 5 sighed and continued, "Does it concern 'him'?"

The Grande Malaki opened his shut eyes. And turned to face Malaki 5

"You think Malaki 3 is right, don't you?"

"Grand Malaki, take no offense. But you and I both know that if the council ever found out about 'him'. An exile is the least punishment you'll get. 

While Malaki 3 may have been ignorantly talking when he said that you may have a personal interest in this, we both know the issue of your human child is a real issue. And I'm only concerned that your love for him does not blind your judgement."

The Grand Malaki did not respond. He stood up. 

He paced slowly around. And walked back to meet Malaki 5. He then patted him on the shoulder, and said 

"You're right.  I do love him. And the council cannot find out about his existence. "