Malkonovsky von Teknika, or simply Mal for short, is a middle-aged jackal of a holy lineage. He has a quiet demeanor but can become serious and hotheaded at a moment’s notice. Born into the city of Oziris, located in the eastern region of The Lands, he experienced a favorable upbringing, for a time. His mother and father were members of the high church, the Cathedral of the New Era. He attended private schooling, in his parents’ hopes of him turning out an intelligent, successful man later in his life. He also frequently partook in the art of fencing, the elegant, one-on-one style of swordplay. However, in his teenage years, things began to spiral downhill. His father, Balthez Teknika, had become obsessively engrossed with the prospect of “Gifts Of Magic”. While in his prayers to the Gods above, he claimed to have been spoken to by one. In his words, he was told that he had the potential to awaken a great Gift of significant power, but how he would achieve such power was unknown. And thus, his father took it upon himself to reach these grand heights. Whether it was sheer delusion or desperation, he became increasingly more distant and secluded from his wife and child. Mal had grown to hate his father due to his obsession with some false power. Nothing he could say would deter him from his pursuit.

In time, Malkonovsky’s father had become the head of the Cathedral of the New Era, the Gifted Bishop. All the while, his mother, Tania Teknika, remained faithful to the church and her husband. She may not have shared his ideology of such Gifts, rather she merely sought to be watched over and protected by the Gods above. The church had steadily been gaining new members under the Gifted Bishop’s leadership, with them pledging their allegiance to a new era of safety and protection from the Gods. Mal had long suspected that his father’s pursuit of grandeur had been deluded, corrupting himself in the process. Sadly, as previously stated, not even his own son could reach him anymore. All the church saw the Gifted Bishop as the one true voice of reason, with not an ill bone in his body. Mal saw through this façade and knew that this was no longer a church seeking guidance. It had become a cult for power. At this point, Mal was in his mid-twenties, seeking to escape the insane delusions of his father, all the while his poor mother merely sat and watched as her husband lost himself to madness. He met with his mother one night and told her his plan going forward. He was going to leave Oziris and travel The Lands, starting his life anew and hoping to potentially start a family of his own. He also hoped to become a professional fencer. Noting his distaste for his father’s behavior and ideologies, he pleaded with his mother to leave his father’s side. Reluctantly, his mother accepted his decision to leave and wished him luck on his journey. She promised her son that she would bring his father back to his senses. Afterwards, Mal spoke to his father for one final time, expressing his disappointment that he was no longer the father he grew to love. He ridiculed him for his delusions of grandeur, claiming that the so-called “Gifts Of Magic” were nothing but a farce. His father, enamored in his obsessive readings, tried to reason with him. He assured Mal that he sought these Gifts Of Magic to protect and to heal, but Mal refuted all of it, calling him a madman. And with that, he took his leave from Oziris.

Thus, Malkonovsky left the city of Oziris and sought a more fulfilling life for himself. He kept his beloved rapier, known as “Ascendant”, at his side. ‘Twas a parting gift from his old fencing instructor. It was a beautifully crafted weapon, with a razor-thin blade and stylized hilt. He traveled many regions and gained a whole new worldview, still lamenting that things didn’t turn out the way he wished for with his father. He frequently participated in swordplay competitions, showcasing the art of fencing in a way none had seen before. Mal had never dropped a match, always dominating his opponents. He had garnered a reputation of his own, one born from his own skills and dedication. Skipping ahead a few years, he had settled in the Kingdom of Reiyon, taking some time off from his travels and working a normal life as a chef in the local tavern. He had picked up some worthwhile recipes and methods from his mother, so he had a decent proficiency in the culinary arts to give him a head start. There, he started hearing rumors about an up-and-coming “Hero Of The Lands”, and their exploits. At the time, he didn’t pay the rumors much mind and instead focused on his own endeavors. Soon, he ended up meeting a woman who would change his life for the better. Her name was Mazeri Lantagne, a sweet, innocent fruit bat that caught his eye. They initially knew each other in passing due to working in similar areas of the Kingdom. Whenever Mal was working at the tavern in the evening, Mazeri would occasionally stop by for a drink. She was somewhat of a shy girl, so she hesitated on conversing with Mal at times. Mal would always be courteous, sometimes adding onto her orders free of charge since she was such a regular. He noticed that she also frequently wrote in a book. He assumed that she was writing a story of some sort, but he chose to respect her privacy rather than pry. One evening, Mal was ready to turn in for the night and head home, but he noticed Mazeri sitting by herself, not at her usual table. In a gut decision, he manned up and decided to go sit with her. She looked lonely and was less talkative than usual, so he could tell something was bothering her. He offered to get her another drink, free of charge, but she declined. He wanted to get to the bottom of why the normally quiet girl was so distant. Mal didn’t want to overstep his boundaries, but his mother taught him to treat a lady with respect and kindness. Mal eased into it by asking the bat how her day had been. She took a moment to reply, but she admitted it hadn’t been stellar. Mal told her that regardless of what happened, she was here now, relaxed, and without a care in the world. Mazeri thanked him before retreating back into her metaphorical shell. Realizing she still wouldn’t budge, Mal made a bolder move, telling her that he didn’t like to see her sad like this. She looked up at him, albeit without making eye contact. She had the faintest of smiles on her face as she told him not to worry about her. However, Mal felt a genuine concern for the girl. Seeing her was always something he looked forward to each day, even if she didn’t talk to him much. A girl as sweet and innocent as her should have nothing to worry about, yet here she was, purposely isolating herself and her feelings from the outside world. Inevitably, he would learn the truth, but it wasn’t what he expected to hear.

In truth, Mazeri had felt this way for some time, but never properly understood why. She has felt lonely ever since she was a child. Her only family is her brother, a soldier in the Moonlight Legion, Reiyon’s royal army. Of course, he is away most of the time, never truly able to give his sister the time of day. Everyone around her thought she was strange for being quieter and more introverted, when that was merely just the way she was. Every night, she came to the tavern after her work as an innkeeper was finished. At first, she only did it to get a quick meal in before heading home for the day. That was until Mal started working there. For the first time, someone else was actively making an effort to talk to her and maintain an interest in her. She thought it was sweet of him and chose to keep coming back, even on days when she was feeling particularly down. Talking to him always made her feel a little bit better about her day. She was embarrassed that she hadn’t been more up-front about her feelings sooner. Mal maintained his soft, gentle tone with her, reassuring her that she had nothing to be ashamed of. In another bold move, Mazeri asked him if he would like to be friends, since she never explicitly called him as such before. He replied by saying that they were already friends, much to her happiness. Mal asked her what she was writing in her book, since she always looked so concentrated when writing. He told her that he had an interest in literature and thought it could be something they could bond over. She told him that she was writing a story in her spare time, confirming his initial hunch. Mazeri was reluctant to divulge any further details, so Mal respected her privacy. From there, they talked a bit more about what kind of books they enjoyed reading and the authors they liked. It was the most talkative he had ever seen the typically quiet girl, undoubtedly a refreshing sight to see. Their conversation was only cut short by the tavern’s owner telling them they were closing for the night. Mazeri asked without hesitation if Mal would be in tomorrow to continue their conversation, and he promised her he would be back here at the same time. Later that night, as Mal lay in bed, he couldn’t lose that fuzzy feeling in his stomach. Mazeri was a very sweet, precious girl, and it brought him great joy to finally see her true self. She was immensely passionate about books and writing and could have easily gone on for hours had they not been forcefully stopped. Regardless, he graciously looked forward to their next meeting.

The next day, sure enough, the fruit bat was there, this time sitting at the front counter to more easily talk with Malkonovsky. They were both glad to see each other again and picked up right where they’d left off the day prior. Business was booming tonight, so Mal was unfortunately kept quite busy amongst the chaos, though he still got in a quick moment of reprieve every so often with the girl at the counter. On any other day, Mazeri would have already left by now, merely having her meal and heading home for the night, but not this time. She chose to stay put just so she could talk more with her new friend. Mal, realizing things would go much easier were they able to spend time alone, decided to request a break from his boss. His boss obliged, as business was slowing down for the night, and he had earned a brief break. Mal hung up his apron and prepared to take things a step further. He approached Mazeri, this time away from the counter, and asked if she’d like to go for a walk. Mazeri couldn’t hide the smile on her face as she said yes. And so, the two friends ventured over to The Queen’s Parkway, the calm, serene park at the Heart of Reiyon. They continued to make small talk, discussing literature further and telling more about themselves. Mazeri, albeit still cautious about some things she said, seemed like a completely different person. She was boisterous and talkative, a far cry from her normally reserved demeanor. Once they had reached the end of their walk, Mal made the smart decision that they would end up at the Champion’s Tree, a popular landmark in the Kingdom. Under the cool breeze and crisp orange leaves, Mazeri looked up at the moon. ‘Twas a beautiful sight, with the ever-so-slightest hint of romance in the air. Mazeri thanked Mal for bringing her out here, as she’d never been before. She felt at ease when with Mal, being one of her only friends. Mal could sense the genuineness in her words. After a moment of silence, she asked him an interesting question. She asked Mal if he wanted to hear a little bit about the story she was writing. At first, Mal wasn’t sure what to say, knowing it was very dear to her considering how much she kept it a secret. Mal agreed, but only if she was truly okay with telling him. She said she was. She told him that her story is about a young, sickly girl, cursed to a life of solitude by a deathly contagious disease. Despite the disease’s lethal consequences, she herself was immune to its effects, only turning others away from her. In a way, she was like a plague. But there was one man who ignored the warning signs and sought a friendship with the girl anyway. She stayed distant, not wishing to bring harm to anyone who dared come close. And yet despite her grievances, the man asked for her time. Her feelings were bittersweet. On one hand, she was overjoyed that someone wished to talk with her, to be near her. On the other hand, she was saddened that her touch would spell doom to the innocent soul. Despite all of this, the two fell in love, attracting much ridicule from the other village folk. To everyone’s surprise, they were even wed and bore a wonderful cub together. It was as if the girl’s curse had no effect on the man. Clerics said that he should have been long dead by now and could find no explanation as to why he lived within the cursed girl’s embrace. The truth was, he had broken her curse. He had done what no man had done before: he felt compassion, even love for the girl. When everyone else ran away and shut their doors, he charged in headfirst to be there for her. In a way, he was her knight in shining armor. That was the basic premise of Mazeri’s story, titled, For An Aching Soul. She felt embarrassed to have exposed her secret to Mal. Mal thought the story was heartwarming, and that she should continue work on it to ensure it reaches other people. Though, he quickly realized the similarities the story drew to Mazeri herself. A shy, sweet girl who felt shunned by the world, yet all she wanted was someone to care for her. Mazeri continued to look away, feeling vulnerable now that her secret was out. In a make-or-break moment, Mal mustered up the courage to finally say exactly how he felt. He put a warm hand on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes. He told her that he would be there for her and that he would protect her. At that moment, her Heart melted, and tears ran from her eyes. Mal pulled her in for a long, warm hug, something she undoubtedly needed. She looked up at him, telling him that she didn’t deserve it and should be left alone. Though, Mal wouldn’t take such an answer and wiped the tears from her face. He reassured her that she was valuable and that she mattered in the world, and he would see it through that she gets to tell her story to The Lands. He offered her his hand, asking if she’d like him to walk her home. She regained her composure and washed the tears from her eyes. Mazeri accepted his offer, taking her hand in his own and returning back from where they came.

Before long, Malkonovsky and Mazeri became a couple. They enjoyed every moment with each other, with Mal helping Mazeri to get out more and break out of her emotional shell. Mazeri continued work on her story, now seeking feedback from Mal, the one who encouraged her to continue on this journey. Eventually, Mazeri moved out of her old family home and in with Mal to truly start their lives with one another. Once Mal had told Mazeri about his upbringing in Oziris, she wished to visit his childhood home. While he was initially reluctant, knowing how his father turned out, he agreed to make the trip back to his hometown to show her where he was raised. Upon arrival, nothing seemed to have changed. It had been a few years, but people were going about their business as usual, and old comrades greeted Malkonovsky and his new partner. And indeed, the Cathedral of the New Era still stood tall at the Heart of the city. He wished to reconcile with his mother, hoping that at least one of his parents was still sane enough for a conversation. But alas, once he reached his family home, he found no sign of his mother. Mal asked the neighbor, a long-time family friend of theirs, who had unfortunate news. She had passed away while he was gone on his travels. Shaken, he asked what had happened to her, and supposedly, she succumbed to an incurable illness. At first, he didn’t believe such a story, and reluctantly made the decision to confront his father on the matter. Sure enough, his father was still deep in his studies at the church. Surprised to see his son had returned at all, he questioned his sudden reappearance. Mal ignored the question, not wishing to make small talk with the man he despised. Fearing the worst, he grilled his father on the whereabouts of his mother. His father paused for a moment, then looked him in the eye for the first time in years. She had indeed passed away six months ago. Taken aback, he asked what had happened. Supposedly, she came down with an incurable illness about a year prior. Not even the best clerics of Oziris could save her soul. Filled with both anger and sadness, he asked his father: why couldn’t his special “Gifts Of Magic” save her? At that moment, he had deemed such high powers to be nothing more than a fantasy, a hopeless plea being shouted into an empty void. As the tears trickled down his face, Mazeri tried her best to comfort him, ensuring that she’d made it to a better place. His father tried to make one final plea to his son, telling him that he searched for these Gifts in order to heal, to protect from anything like this happening again. Mal dismissed his father’s words as the ramblings of a madman, deciding to take his leave. He and his partner went to visit his mother’s memorial to pay their respects. The gravestone was located under a lone Belvenere tree, the only one in all of Oziris, that Mal and his mother frequently walked to. There, he introduced his mother to the special woman at his side, Mazeri. He promised his mother that he would take care of her, that he would never let an ill fate befall her. He swore on his own life that he would fight by blade or bare hands to keep his loved one safe. Afterwards, he opted to turn in early that night, feeling exhausted from the heart-crushing turn of events. While Mal slept that night, he couldn’t shake the thought that something was awry. His father certainly hadn’t changed from his previous self, in fact, he didn’t even seem so distressed that his wife had passed away. Perhaps he handled grief in his own way. Mal didn’t truly understand the way his father thought about anything. He kept trying to shake these thoughts, but he heard a strange voice in a dream. The voice was unfamiliar, not his own, nor his father’s, nor Mazeri’s. The mysterious being asked him, “When your eyes are clouded in darkness, how is it you wish to press on? Do you reach out, hoping for a miracle to guide you, or do you seek solace in the embrace of shadow? You may not yet believe, but in due time, all will be revealed. Remember my words, young jackal: at the hour when the world is at its darkest, the Light within you will shine its brightest. Rest well.”

The next morning, Mal brushed off the strange voice in the dream as some sort of side effect of his stress and grief. What did any of it mean? It all sounded abstract to him. Was it trying to tell him something of importance? He confided in his love, Mazeri, asking her to stay strong with him, sensing that things were no longer the same. Suddenly, he no longer felt welcome even in his hometown. His mother had moved on to another plane of existence, and his father was still a deranged cult leader masquerading as a holy man of guidance. He was still suspicious of what truly happened to his mother during his absence, but he left it as it was for now. She was gone, and no amount of racking his brain would bring her back. So then, he and his partner returned to their abode in the Kingdom of Reiyon, wishing to live a normal life together. He was reminded of the rumors he had heard not long ago, that “Hero Of The Lands” people spoke of. He’d never met this person, so he brushed it off as nonsense, but after thinking about them once more, he wondered: what if, just what if, they could be the key to cracking down on his father’s cult before it went too far? A somewhat selfish desire, but it could potentially save hundreds, if not thousands of lives from succumbing to his father’s mad teachings. Alas, he had no real information to go off for this particular Hero, so he instead maintained his fencing skills. If he ever had a chance to meet this Hero, he may request their support in his endeavor. Recently, the concept of firearms had been making its waves across The Lands. They were smaller, lightweight weapons that had the potential to deal damage from afar. While still in its infancy, the Kingdom’s royal army had begun training the use of such weaponry. The army’s firearms were being supplied and manufactured by Messiohs Firearm Works, one of the first of its type to open in the city. Thanks to his earnings from competition, Mal had made enough to purchase one of these guns. It was a wood-grain white, bolt-action rifle with the utmost of precision put into it. He doesn’t have much use for it now, other than for sport, but he aptly named it “Emblemaginus”, after his old fencing instructor. His official title is “Tactical Ranger”. He continues to compete in fencing, proving his mastery of the art, all the while ensuring the best life for his partner, Mazeri. Some of his signature self-taught maneuvers include: First Marksman, Rapier’s Flurry, Rain of Light, Ivory Crackle, The Teknika Technique, etc. However, beneath his exterior, he holds a special power of his own. Unbeknownst to him, he is capable of an immensely powerful type of Magic, the Ivory Light. Indeed, despite all of his outspoken doubts about the existence of them, he carries one of those coveted “Gifts”. The same Gifts that he refuses to believe in, yet his father believes so adamantly in. His Gift has the innate ability to defend those close to him and shine a light on the dark paths of life in The Lands. He has yet to realize it fully, but when the time comes, the Light will guide him to the truth of The Lands.

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TL;DR: this new face is Malkonovsky von Teknika, or Mal for short, the newest addition to my Heart Of The Lands saga. He is the endearing gentleman, master fencer, secretly Gifted, and the son of a cult leader. He can be a bit hot-headed at times, but he's an honest, down-to-earth man. Conflict with his father aside, he lives in the Royal Province of Reiyon. He'll have a much bigger presence in the true story when the time comes, but for now, I'm introducing him because I've been dying to give him a proper design and story after brewing in the ideas for months. Also, he lives with his girlfriend, a fruit bat named Mazeri Lantagne, who I'll also introduce later. 'Till then!