Chapter 158 I'm Maleek
Alberto straightened slightly against the wall despite the chains still holding his wrists above him. His eyes studied the newcomer carefully as the man walked further inside.
The figure wore a dark cloak that covered most of his appearance, the hood casting a shadow over his face so that only the lower portion of his jaw was visible.
The three guards remained near the door while the man stepped closer toward the center of the room.
His gaze moved slowly from Alberto to the spilled food on the floor.
A smirk appeared on the man's face.
"It seems the animal has made quite a mess," the man said calmly.
Alberto raised an eyebrow slightly.
His posture remained firm despite the situation.
"You should see what happens when you actually give the animal enough space to eat," he replied.
The man chuckled softly.
"Animals like you do not require comfort," he said while glancing again at the spilled liquid on the stone floor. "Animals like you require discipline."
Alberto rolled his eyes slightly.
The movement was subtle but deliberate.
The man noticed it immediately.
"You find that amusing?" he asked.
Alberto looked back at him with a calm expression.
"I just find it interesting," he replied quietly.
The man stepped closer.
"Interesting in what way?"
Alberto tilted his head slightly.
His tone remained low.
"I find it interesting that you speak about animals as if your origin was not the same."
The guards behind the man shifted slightly.
The cloaked figure stiffened.
"What exactly do you mean by that?" the man asked with a sharper tone.
Alberto studied him carefully.
His lips curved into a faint smile that carried quiet defiance.
"I would explain it to you slowly," he said calmly.
The man's eyes narrowed.
"Then explain it."
Alberto sighed lightly.
"But then again I realize something," he continued while lifting his gaze toward the hooded figure. "Speed is not the problem here."
The room grew tense.
The guards exchanged brief glances.
The man took another step closer.
"You seem very comfortable speaking like that for someone chained to a wall," he said.
Alberto shrugged slightly.
The chains rattled faintly with the movement.
"You walked in here talking about animals," Alberto replied calmly. "I simply pointed out that your origin likely shares the same nature."
The man's jaw tightened.
"Careful," he said slowly.
Alberto lifted his chin slightly.
"Or what?"
One of the guards behind the man shifted his grip on the weapon at his side.
The cloaked figure raised a hand slightly without turning his head, and the guard immediately stopped moving.
The man remained silent for several seconds while studying Alberto's face carefully.
Then he spoke again.
"You do not seem to understand your position."
Alberto gave a quiet laugh.
"Oh, I understand my position perfectly well," he replied.
His eyes briefly glanced toward the chains attached to the wall before returning to the cloaked figure.
"I also understand something else."
The man's gaze sharpened.
"And what exactly do you understand?"
Alberto's voice grew colder.
"You did not come here to watch me struggle with a bowl of soup."
The man said nothing.
"You came here for a reason," Alberto continued.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"So let us stop pretending otherwise."
The cloaked figure remained still for a moment before slowly reaching up toward the hood covering his head.
Alberto watched carefully.
The man lowered the hood slowly.
The movement revealed a face that immediately caught Alberto's attention.
One side of the man's face looked normal enough, though the expression there carried years of anger and bitterness. The other side, however, looked horrifying.
Burn scars covered nearly half of his face.
The skin was twisted and uneven, the marks stretching from his temple down toward his jaw. The damage was severe enough that the edge of his mouth pulled slightly downward on that side, creating a permanent distortion in his expression.
Alberto stared for a moment.
The man noticed the reaction immediately.
"Surprised?" he asked quietly.
Alberto tilted his head slightly as he continued examining the scars.
"I have seen worse," he replied calmly.
The man's damaged lip twitched.
"My name is Maleek," he said.
The name meant nothing to Alberto at first.
Maleek watched his face closely as if expecting recognition.
When none appeared immediately the man's eyes darkened.
"I suppose that name means little to you," Maleek continued slowly.
Alberto remained silent.
Maleek took another step closer.
"I am the twin brother of the wolf your father killed twenty five years ago."
The words settled heavily in the room.
Alberto's expression changed slightly.
Maleek's burned eye narrowed as he studied him.
"Now does the name carry meaning?" Maleek asked.
Alberto did not respond immediately.
Maleek continued speaking.
"Your father killed my brother," he said quietly. "And when he thought the job was done he tried to burn me alive."
Maleek gestured toward the scars covering half of his face.
"This is what he left me with."
The guards behind him remained silent.
Alberto finally spoke.
"So that is what this is about?" he asked.
Maleek's eyes flashed.
"This is about justice."
Alberto looked at him calmly.
"Justice after twenty five years?"
Maleek stepped closer.
"Revenge does not expire."
Alberto studied the man carefully.
"So you decided to chain me to a wall and starve me because of something my father did?"
Maleek's voice dropped.
"You are his blood."
Alberto held his gaze.
"And you believe that makes me responsible?"
Maleek's expression hardened.
"It makes you part of the debt."
The silence in the room grew heavier.
Alberto looked at him steadily.
"So you tracked me down because of something that happened before I even learned to speak?"
Maleek did not hesitate.
"Blood carries the burden of blood."
Alberto exhaled slowly.
"That sounds like a convenient excuse for revenge."
Maleek's burned lip curled slightly.
"You speak with a great deal of confidence for someone who cannot even reach his own food."
Alberto glanced briefly at the spilled liquid on the floor.
"That was unfortunate timing."
Maleek followed his gaze before smirking again.
"Animals must learn discipline," he repeated quietly.
Alberto looked back at him.
"Is that what you tell yourself to feel powerful?"
Maleek's eyes narrowed.
"You are not in a position to mock me."
Alberto tilted his head slightly.
"And yet I just did."
The guards shifted again.
Maleek remained silent for several seconds while studying Alberto's face carefully.
Then he spoke again.
"Your father burned my brother alive," he said slowly.
His voice carried deep anger now.
"And he tried to do the same to me."
Alberto remained calm.
Maleek gestured toward his scars again.
"I survived."
The room grew quiet again as Maleek stood there staring at Alberto with hatred burning in his damaged eye.
"And now," Maleek said quietly, "his son will pay the price.”