✧ Hollow Forest; Secrets from Within ✧

Chapter 16 • The Vivid Desert and the Banquet of Nobles

He can vividly recall the chamber, it was a mess of chains. The walls were dark and covered in moss and vines, brown rust clung to the pipes that lined the ceiling of the horrid place.

His fingers trailed across the dark walls of the cell, a mysterious smog and light showered the room in a creepy and strange feeling. He hadn't been there that long, two years give or take. Alas, he doesn't remember. He hasn't for some time.

He recalls many nights and days spent in WHO's office, trying to regain those missing pieces of his life, he recalls none after so many failures.

The only memory that's been kept all through the missing memories of his life is his name— Malaysia. WHO has reminded him countless times of his name, his power and his childhood. He feels as though his childhood was more miserable than his current life stage.

He remembers bits and pieces, but never the full picture. He recalls the chains, corroding against his skin, piercing into them like needles and pins. The frequent times he has woken up in cold sweat and his own power taking control from within him. The painful slumbers he spent in the torment of his dreams and nightmares.

His power has caused so much torment, he would rather abandon it for a different eccentricity. But he knows, deep down, someone gave it to him— to wield indefinitely. The vicious tiger that was within him, and he himself was one with it. But isn't always like this, as he remembered. He feels as if someone gave him his torturous ability.

It was a stormy night during his first year at the Academy, helpfully locked away in one of WHO's hospital rooms and injected with light anesthesia to help him sleep. The said power knocked on the door, lighting creaking it open to speak to the Malaysian.

"Malay, you have a visitor, my dear." She spoke softly, a well known fact about the Power was she only needed to raise her voice one octave that her usual voice to get everyone in the room to shut up— back to his memory,

He sat up slowly as the door cracked wider and wider until another new figure was next to WHO.

Malaysia's gaze shifted from WHO to the new figure, ASEAN, who emanated an aura of authority and intrigue. As they approached, Malaysia's curiosity piqued, sensing a shift.

"Malay," ASEAN's voice was both commanding and comforting, "I have come to offer you an opportunity to reclaim your past and shape your future. But it requires loyalty, unwavering commitment."

Intrigued, he nodded, sensing the weight of ASEAN's words.

With a solemn expression, ASEAN extended a hand, revealing several bracelets and anklets adorned with intricate runes pulsating with an otherworldly energy. "Wear this, and you shall be bound to me and our cause. Your power will serve a greater purpose, and your past will become clearer."

Without hesitation, Malaysia accepted the bracelets and anklets, feeling their energy coursing through him, intertwining with his own. It was a pact sealed not just with metal and magic, but with resolve and purpose.

"Welcome to the Council, Malaysia," ASEAN declared, a hint of satisfaction in his voice, knowing he had gained a valuable ally in the enigmatic Malaysian with the power to transform into a feline beast at will. 

"I will personally introduce you to your council mates and colleagues tomorrow morning, WHO will bring you the necessary badge to signify your allegiance and a new uniform." ASEAN snapped his fingers, smiling slyly as he backed away from the young blood.

Malaysia could feel the cursed energy that pouring and surging from the golden jewelry but he knew better than to question the actions of one of the Higher Powers. He wondered if his colleagues were bind by cursed jewelry as he was.