Task Name: Finding the Queen
Tier: 2
NPC or PC: PC
Location: Briss Kingdom
Crew, Team, or Personal: Personal
Description: After saving his life, the King graciously asks that Malik would save his wife. He immediately accepts and quickly leaves the palace to do so. He is again ambushed by remaining members of Tri-Shadow. By defeating them, he will be able to learn the whereabouts of the queen.
Enemy Details: 2 Tier 2 Cultists
Boss: No Boss

In the throne room of the palace that served as the living quarters for the rulers of the Briss Kingdom, the king stood before Malik as they both conversed on what action to quickly take next as the queen had been abducted from her home, leaving her husband to worry about her well-being. They had tried to squeeze as much information out of the remaining leader of the cult, Tri-Shadow, so they could locate the female ruler of the country and return her to safety as well as in the arms of her beloved husband. As the king had promised when they had the information they had desired, he had previously called for his doctors and stylists to fix up the young martial artist of a adolescent fighter. He was, at the moment, perfectly healed and was wearing his favorite hoodie and blue backpack. Of course, the amount of time required for the boy's body to recuperate was longer than he had expected. The life of an innocent woman was at stake, not to mention the kingdom's queen. Waiting made him anxious about the current situation taking place. He was worried that the more time they had took, the more the woman's life would be in danger. Similarly, the king had thought akin to what the teenage warrior was thinking in to begin with.

"Your majesty, we must be rational about this. I suggest to keep the queen's recent capture a secret to the public as it would most likely cause a state of panic, which will result in most, if not, all of the country to go into chaos. I suspect that Tri-Shadow was planning on taking advantage of that same chaos to come out as the new rulers of the kingdom." The intellectual, adolescent child suggested as for a way to keep the people of the Briss Kingdom as calm as possible, so they do not lose control in this sort of matter. The king firmly nodded towards the young fighter, strongly agreed to what he had recently said. Malik was right in this period of instability. If one of the rulers was missing, most of the populous was take this as a sign that their kingdom is in danger, which they would be right to jump at. The fact that a ruling figure of a nation was in danger could mean many negative outcomes for their people such as having their country taken over by enemy forces. The muscular adult raised his right hand and settled it onto the left shoulder of the novice pirate. He had a look in his eyes that Malik could make out to be the king telling the adolescent fighter that he is pleading for his wife to be returned to him safely.

"My good man, I humbly ask, with all my heart, that you find my beloved and bring her back to me. Bring her home as soon as you can. I would accompany you in your travels across my kingdom, but I must remain here to keep and prevent any confusing and chaos taking place among the populous." The muscular ruler of a man said, expressing to the young pirate his desire to help him find his wife and save her, but also noting why he must stay, hoping the adolescent would understand. The king felt worry for the boy's well-being as well, but needn't had much to be apprehensive about due to the young warrior previous display of power at the former lieutenant of the cult that was recently threatening the Briss Kingdom. Said robed man was now locked up in the dungeon as a criminal as a result of his transgression. All that remained of Tri-Shadow were remnants represented as cultist dwelling within certain parts of the country. It was expected that those same remnants were also where the queen was and that was where he needed to go. With the information the king and Malik had gained from the lieutenant's defeat, the martial artist knew exactly where he should go next. At understanding the ruling male's decision to stay and keep peace among the citizens within the kingdom, the adolescent fighter gave a simple nod of approval, deciding to go at it alone and return with the queen out of harm's way.

"Do not worry, your majesty. You are needed here more than you are needed outside. After all, with out you here, your people would become anxious, losing their sense of tranquility as well as fearing the worse. Fear not, I will not fail at rescuing your beloved. I would gladly put my own life on the line, if it means getting her back to you as soon as possible. I promise to find her and will not allow any harm to befall her. This you have my word." The adolescent warrior proclaimed, holding his right hand up to his chest and clenching it into a fist to help reaffirmed his statement. The look in his eyes was not of an innocent child's, but rather of a man full of compassion and strong determination. The king can only imagine the ordeals the boy had faced to mature into such a brave, noble knight such as him. At this moment, the king was honored to be within the presence of this pirate. To him, it was rather difficult to believe such people of that faction were capable of selflessness, kindness, and chivalry. The muscular man gave a small smile of happiness, the thoughts of see his wife already running through his mind. He gave a small nod, which signal the child to leave immediately to go and search for the queen and so, he did. He turned on his feet and made a dash for the hallway, which would lead him to the palace's exit.

The young, determined warrior of a pirate firmly rushed down the hallway, which would lead him out of the castle and into the certain part of the kingdom where the last of Tri-Shadow's members were holding the queen hostage. There wasn't much they could do anyway from how the situation for them looked at the time. They rest of the cultists were all, but fading remnants of their now destroyed organization. They, of course, never expected one boy to overthrow them. On his own, Malik, admittedly, thought how powerful he has become sense his arrival at the Briss Kingdom. Each battle, each confrontation he had forgo strengthened his ability much further than he had expected. However, to himself, none of that mattered much as he was in no way arrogant or blinded by how strong he was. All that was important to him were his family, friends, and upholding goodness and just wherever he went to smite the wicked. There was no doubt that this child was exceptional to others as he had previously demonstrated in the throne room during his recent battle against the remaining, yet formidable, general. Now he nothing more than a prisoner in the castle, which he searched to exit in order to locate the queen being held hostage.

"Hmm, never got the time to memorize the layout of the halls, since I was in such a rush to save the king and his wife. At least one of the rulers were present. The current state of the kingdom would have been total chaos, if they both weren't there to begin." The adolescent martial artist thought to himself, thinking of how things would have turned out, if he had been too late to save at least one of the rulers of the Briss Kingdom. At the current moment, he was glad he had made it in time. Now, his next task, given to him by the king himself, is to find and rescue the queen. it will be difficult for him, but the life of the king's beloved is on the line and he cannot afford himself defeat at a time such as this. He increased his running speed and the halls begin to pass by him and a much quicker pace. He never slowed down in his strife for the woman's safety. He knows, if he were to waste one second, it would be one second closer to her being in danger. As he continued his sprinting down the seemingly endless hallway, he finally spotted an acceptable exit, which was guard by two soldier. He grew closer and noticed them gesturing towards the doors that would lead out. They were letting him pass.

Knowing the king and his gratefulness, the man must have told the guards to allow the one who saved them to exit the palace without even interrogation. They probably recognized him from just his appearance alone. He quickly closed the distance between him at the doors towards the exit, the fact on helping save the queen much closer than he had expected before. When he grew closer, he quickly slowed his paced to to not bump into anything. He then, stopped his certain stampede and stood in front of the two large door, which lead out to the environment of the Briss Kingdom. He had nothing to worry and especially not fear as he knew were to look for the queen from the information he gain from the now defeat lieutenant he had previous battled in the throne room. He lifted both of his arms and place both of his hand on the solid surface of the doors He gave a firm, forceful push, causing them to swing open with ease. Behind the supposed gates of the exit he now stood at revealed the kingdom he traversed to enter the palace to being with.

With not one second to be wasted now, he simply began his search with walking. As he passed the two opened doors, which serve as a way for one to leave the castle, his pace slowly quickened to that of of a faster repetition of taking each step. This quickly changed to that of a dash as he began to move much at a much quicker rate. He altered the angle of his gaze to observe his current surroundings. He wants to be sure to recognize them, if he should happen to wander within familiar places. He did not want to become lost in terms of direction at the moment. Not when the queens very own life was at stake. He immediately spotted a road in front of in and quickly started to run up to it. When he was on it, he followed the pathway, which he knows will lead him to the wife of the king. Even while dashing along the stone pavement of the road before him, he remained cautious of his surroundings as to make sure he isn't caught off-guard, so any potential threats couldn't utilize his surprise against him. He did not want any distractions slowing him down either. Though, he was expecting some opponents to show themselves with what recently took place, especially after he defeat of the cult last leading general.

While he progressed in his sprinting, a certain split within the road revealed itself to be, causing the boy to slow down. From the middle, the pathway divided itself into three ways to traverse into. He came at a complete stop, now standing at the center before he moved again to save the queen. He looked in each direction, remembering which path the lieutenant he said he should take. He knew he wasn't lying, since the general knew his forces were defeated. He surrendered with honor and gave the coordinates to the female ruler's location of captivity. With the direction now returning to mind, he looked to the path of the far left and recalled the robed man telling him to take that road towards the queen. Turning on his feet, he resumed his stride, walking with great vigor.

While he carefully took each step down the pathway laid out before him, knowing full well what lie beyond it as well as the fact that this road was confirmed to be the right one to take by the lieutenant he had triumphed over back in the castle, his kept his gaze alert in all directions as much as possible. If he should happen to run into any more cultists, he will be prepared for when they would ambush him. He suspects some members of the organization he helped brought to ruin are stubborn and will not rest. They will keep going with the goal laid out before them, such as conquering the Briss Kingdom, if they can rebuild their cult, that is. Malik had defeated so many of it's members that he practically decimated the organization. It will take a long time for Tri-Shadow to resurface. However, after what they did that is, he was certain that the cult have seen it's last days. It's last members are, right now anyway, clinging on to fragments of hope. This soldiers are probably the ones holding the queen hostage. They must be refusing the reality of the situation they are currently in.

"Well, it would seems there was nothing much they could do. Those cultist holding the queen hostage were persistent. I commend them on their tenacity and faith. That alone made them worthy foes. Though Tri-Shadow was an evil cult, the members, most of them, anyway, had standards they live by. Still, kidnapping a beautiful woman is very wrong. If they torture her, then, they will face my wrath." He thought, believing how persistent the cultists were as well as momentarily growing angry at the thought of the queen being hurt for fun. Despite how innocent Malik may seem, he can become formidable when angered. Hurting good people completely undeserving of suffering is something he doesn't tolerate, it is unwanted cruelty. He hopes to make it in time. When he is finished with a current adventure in this kingdom he is wondering in, he will travel to parts unknown throughout the world, searching for more excitement. Life is a never-ending adventure, never a dull moment. If he is fortunate, he may also find a Devil Fruit out at seas. He desire is to eat one of the Logia class, the strongest and most powerful of them. However, with the number of natural forces that occur within the Earth's environment, they were also the rarest. Logias were forces of nature and command the natural forces themselves. They are not to be taken lightly, ever. He father told him that with a little luck, he might find a Devil Fruit to his liking.

He will focus on search for one later, but for now, he is in the middle of saving a real queen, who is being held in a building he felt he was growing closer to by the minute. In this moment, he approached another split in the road he was traversing on. This time, there were two pathways to choose. He stopped in the center and quickly began to think over on the information he has been given. Using his gifted intellect, he started to recall what the former leader of the cult, Tri-Shadow had told in in getting to the building, which held the queen to further the remaining cultists' goals as a result. In the recesses of his vast mind, he began to swiftly recall the words of the lieutenant. If he remembers correctly, he had told him to travel down the right path, if he should happen to come at this point in the road. As such, with a turn on his feet in the desired direction, he made a dash towards the pathway. He was smoothly jogging along as he felt he was growing closer to the female ruler of the Briss Kingdom. Down this stone pavement of a road was the building, which held her prisoner and to get there, he will have to move as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, other circumstances are here to not allow the adolescent fighter such passage. Not until he has carved out his own way to go further. With his jogging quickening into a run, two figures hiding within the shadows of the road's walls suddenly got up and revealed themselves. In that moment, Malik stopped a good distance from them both. With much inspection from his narrowed gaze, he can tell they were obviously cultists. They must have been stationed here to keep the boy from reaching the building to rescue the lovely queen. They appear to not have any weapons on them. They were probably more used to the ways of close-combat. If that is such that case in the apparent situation, it would most likely seem that the young martial artist will have to engage in another battle of brutality of sorts. He didn't have time to waste, he knows the queen in apprehensively awaiting for a rescue. She will most certainly be surprised by the sudden appearance of the same adolescent warrior that have found his way into the throne room.

"Man, if you're here in this part of the kingdom, then that means you've defeated the boss. As much as I wouldn't like to believe in the first place, I have to give ya credit where it's due. Never thought we would run into someone of you skill, yet of your age in the time. Fighters of shapes and sizes are spring all over the place. Anyway, no time to be beating around the bush, let being our battle." The robed man on the left side of the young pirate's side said, bewildered by the fighter's victory over the last leader of the cult, but still has the courage to congratulate him to begin with. The adolescent warrior can tell that this man will indeed prove to be a challenge in battle. Obliging to his request to engage in combat, Malik took a few steps back and shifted to his fighting position. The cultist on his left walked to him, distancing himself from his comrade. He halted a good distance from them both and switch to a battle stance of his own and so, another confrontation will be taking place. In order to reach the queen, the teenage fighter will have to do two battle before he can quickly advance further to his desired destination.

Both combatants stared each other down, waiting for either one to make the first move. In such a situation, Malik hardly had the time to wait for his enemy to move before him. So, he has made a decision to perform a certain stratagem of unpredictability, which will throw off his opponent's guard and leave him wide open for an onslaught of the adolescent's brute force. Deciding to put it into play now, he made a dash for the robed man. The said person prepared himself for what was about to come. While rushing to his opponent, the boy initiated the first part of his strategy. Using his legs, he propelled himself in a jagged pattern. This, as a result, cause the cultist soldier fighting him to quickly become confused as to where he will strike. He tried his best to focus and deduce a pattern the young warrior has to his movements. He decided when he was close enough, the man would land a hit there and now. He had calculate enough of the way the skilled fighter was moving to begin with. He reared back his right arm with his hand clenched into a fist, waiting for the precise moment. When the boy was close enough to the robed man, he performed a counter-clockwise spin, moving to his left. The cultist thrust his right fist forward in the direction the strong warrior was, but inevitably missed.

When the adolescent martial artist stopped spinning, he stood firm on his feet as he clenched his right fist. He was currently positioned at the cultist's left side and was aiming to inflict sever damage to his bodily form. He released a right hook towards the enemy. He managed to hit the man in his left jaw, but he wasn't done just yet. He clenched his left hand into a fist as well and pulled it back. He then, thrusted it forth. It successfully connected to the soldier's chest. This caused the robed individual to let out an audible grunt of pain and discomfort. To finish up, he perform a kick with his right leg. It was able to hit the cultist in his back. The force of the impact pushed him forward a couple of feet, leaving him to stagger slightly. Malik planted his right foot firmly onto the ground, returning to combative stance and he awaited for the robed man's own strategy. The said cultist managed to stop staggering around and was able to regain his footing. He turned on his feet and faced the young warrior before him. Such skill and caliber, it is no wonder he was able to single-handedly crush their organization. However, that does not mean he should quit here and now. This cultist prefers the honorable way. To go down fighting until his last breath.

The battle seems to be going in favor of the adolescent fighter, but this is not an excuse to become laid-back of sorts as there are numerous possibilities to each battle. Any outcome is possible, similar to how any future is as well. Malik is one to take life and fighting seriously. While he does enjoy a good challenge from time to time, he does realize fighting is not everything, yet it is a huge part of his life and combat is essential when on adventures. For the life of a pirate, knowing how to fight is vital. In this moment, it was the cultist's turn to act while the boy stood and wait, but only for so long as the queen's life was at stake. This fact, made him very jumpy to begin with. It was difficult to handle how the queen is doing when he doesn't even know what situation she is in. To add to to the already dire situation, the king is more apprehensive from how everything is at the very moment. He entrusted his faith within the one who has managed to take down the cult, Tri-Shadow himself. He trusts the young warrior as such he cannot let the man down. He must win, even if it means he has to give it his all, unleashing his full strength.

The cultist rushed towards the adolescent fighter staring him down. The boy prepared himself for what is about to come. He carefully analyzed the man's movements and see what he was going to do. From what he can observe, the robed individual was going for a frontal approach, attacking head-on. It was easy to counterattack for someone, like himself. Although, he mustn't become cocky. The cultist soldier might have something else in stored and might using this straight forward strategy to throw him off. If so, then it was certain a clever tactic it initiate. The young pirate readied himself as the robed man closed in on him. When the cultist was close enough, the martial artist positioned himself to parry what move this man would try. The robed soldier slid passed the young fighter and performed a kick with his right leg. Due to himself being well-prepared for what was coming, he was able to see the attack. He raised his left arm to stand up against the attack. He successfully blocked it. Using this short period of time, the cultist immediately reared back his left fist. He then, thrusted it forth. He successfully managed to hit the boy in his chest, who let out an inaudible grunt.

"Hah, got him" The robed individual thought after he managed to land a hit on the teenage fighter. However, something unexpected occurred in that moment. The young pirate, with his free right hand, grabbed the fist the soldier used to hit him in his chest. With a mighty pull, he easily lifted the man off the ground. The cultist watching from the sideline observed with complete awe at how strong this child was. To easily lift a man off the ground with such little effort, his strength have to be classified as superhuman. With the robed man fighting Malik off his feet, the young warrior threw him to his right. The cultist flew and he grew closer to the ground. He landed with a thud. The force of it cause him to bounce over the stone pavement while rolled over on the ground. He came to a complete stop as his body skid to a halt on his back. He slowly stood up after be flung, like a rag doll. Never in a hundred years had he expected to be thrown with such power from a person as young as this boy before him. When he got back to his feet, he put his gaze back on the adolescent fighter.

With the robed man back on his feet, the potent novice pirate decided he should make the next move. He rushed towards the cultist with great vigor in his steps. With the training he had gone through since living on Karate Island, he was able to surpass ordinary human speeds. With this in mind, Malik could rush faster than humanly possible for other people. He demonstrates right now moving faster than the cultist can keep track of him. The young pirate began to move about in a jagged pattern, like before, but this time his speed was different. He was so fast, he appeared as a blur before both the gazes of both robed robed men with the one facing him in combat and the one watching from the sidelines. More skilled and powerful fighter could read his movements with less difficultly and could keep up with his speed at this level, but his current opponent can hardly keep track of the adolescent. He was definitely a force to be reckoned with. When he was close enough to the cultist, he stopped to the man's right side and performed a right kick of great power. It was successfully able to make contact with the cultist's gut. The impact caused him to lean over and grunt painfully. He immediately retracted his leg and used it to perform a right roundhouse. The attack managed to hit the robed individual in his head.

The blow was sufficient enough to knock him to the man to the ground on his right. When he landed on his stomach, he felt unconscious. He firmly planted his right foot onto the ground and turned his gaze towards the remaining cultist, whom was watching the whole fight from a safe distance. It was his turn to do battle with Malik.

The robed man who was watching as a spectator of the battle previously won by the young warrior with much talent in his skill of martial arts, his expression that of shock towards the the pirate. He had never seen anyone of this martial artist's age easily do away with his comrade. The speed the boy moved at was not that of an ordinary human being. It surpassed such levels of how fast a regular person could move at. The cultist wondered what training this boy had gone through to achieve such a level of power. It was seem he wouldn't even get the chance to find out as the adolescent fighter stared at him, determination evident with his gaze. He decided to walk up to the robed man at a quick pace. As the teenage pirate approached him, he grew more nervous of the outcome their future battle would produce. He was uncertain, if he could win this fight after witnessing the strength this potent martial artist possessed. The young warrior stopped a good distance from the cultist. In the short period of time they now had, both stared each other down. The boy's gaze had determination and courage behind it. His opponent's had only anxiety and confusion on what to do next. All he could do now was fight as it was his only choose at the moment.

With the short amount of time of looking at one another quickly closing to an end, the adolescent warrior quickly shifted to his combative position to begin their next battle. It would make sense to be in such a hurry in combat as the life of someone important was at stake. While Malik was so focused on rescuing the queen from the clutches of the remaining members of Tri-Shadow, the cultist standing before him in apprehensiveness could not find why he is so set on saving someone he hardly knows. This was from the fact that this man doesn't know the meaning of doing what is right to begin with. It is part of who Malik was. It was similar to being a cultist was part of who this robed man was as well. Though, these two subjects were very much different from each other as such, both figures opposing one another were different. The robed individual decided to fight against the adolescent warrior of a pirate as he started walk up to him. He soon stopped a good distance away from the young fighter and switch to a battle stance unique him alone. Malik has to note that his fighting style looks intriguing. Though, he wonders, if it will be any different from how his previous opponent fought.

"Here we go, the last of the two battles I have to fight in order to pass through on the road behind this man. I made a promise to the king that I would bring him his wife back. I do not intend to fail him or break my promise, not now, not ever." The adolescent warrior thought to himself, knowing full-well that this battle will grant him free passage. He is also intent on keeping the promise he had made to the male ruler of the Briss Kingdom. When Malik makes a promise, he intends to keeps it. He's a person who never goes back on his word. Deciding to be the first one to make the the starting move of the battle, make a quick dash towards his opponent. The robed man prepared himself for what the young warrior was about the initiate in his strategic ways. He clenched his right hand into a fist, focusing his strength into it. He was getting ready launch his signature technique. The one he continuously used against other previous opponents. This attack began to grow on him and eventually became a trademark technique. He found it be be interesting. It was as if this attack help defined a part of who he was. Fighting was a bigger part of himself to begin with.

Seeing the attack coming at him, the cultist, readied his legs. With the distance between them closed, the robed man performed a kick with his right leg. The young fighter saw this and decided to duck. He was able to successfully dodge the attack and counter with his own to boot. He rose to his feet and gave a sharp thrust at his opponent. The punch was able to connect with the cultist soldier's left jaw. The force of the impact pushed his back a few feet. He staggered back momentarily while trying to regain his footing. The teenage martial artist took this chance to inflict further damage compared to the moderate amount he had just given. He made a dash towards the robed man and perform a roundhouse kick using his left leg. The cultist was unable to block or dodge the attack due to still suffering from the previous technique he had endured from the boy. The adolescent fighter managed to hit the robed man in his left side. Retracting his limb, he put his foot back on the stone ground. Immediately, he followed up with unleashing a barrage of punches with five blows in total.

The cult soldier was able to dodge just two of these attacks, but was unable to evade the remaining three. One connected with his right jaw, one with his chest, and the final with his face. The aftermath of the onslaught had him slightly stumbling back a short distance away from the young warrior. The teenager remained in his combative stance and he stood firm on the rock-solid pavement. He may be in a hurry, but he was still going to be a fair opponent and give his enemy some time to recollect himself. With the cultist being able to stop his stumbling, he was able to stand up straight and took a few deep breaths. He knows full-well how this match he was participating will end. With now other way to to surprise him and seeing the full extent of his power, the cultist knelt to his knees. This surprised the potent martial artist. He never thought he would meet a member of Tri-Shadow who would willingly surrender. It was probably due to the fact that his cult had been reduced to ruin, his comrades were low in number, and he was greatly overwhelm by the young fighter's might. After kneeling, the robed man bent over and put both of his hands on the hard pavement with his head facing down.

"I-I can't believe it has come to this, but I surrender. I can tell by watching how you fight and how strong you are. I know without a doubt that you are stronger than I am. I know when I am beat. This may not be what you expected, but to me, fighting a battle such as this is fighting to lose. You have my praise, pirate. I'll let you pass. Besides, if I tried to escape, the guards would eventually come and arrest me anyway, so why delay the inevitable. Our goals have already been crushed." He said, despair evident in his tone now that his dreams have been crushed. He never realized it until now, but when traveling to the Grand Line, countless number of pirates face hardships. There are times where they lose hope and as a result have their spirits crushed. With their dreams destroyed, the die lonely, empty deaths. This is just a reminder for him to always keep faith and look to the brighter side of things. Even in tragedy, there is always something fortunate coming out of these experiences. Malik stood up tall and gave a solemn nod, accepting the man's surrender. It would be cruel to ask him to continue further and rub salt into his exposed wounds. He simply turned on his feet and began to quickly rush into the direction of the pathway he intended to walk on in the first place. As he entered the road, he progressively sprint faster and faster, feeling much closer to the queen's rescue that ever.

[Techniques Used: Ryuutakashi: -15 = 235 Stamina]

[Word Count: 5587 Words]