"…Who are you?"
Like earlier, there was no warmth in that question.
It was plain and cold, a pin dropped in a quiet room.
Unlike Faqir, this man didn't look hurt or surprised; if anything, his grin softened into something gentler.
He gestured at a wider spot of sand near the fire and sank down cross-legged, patting the spot next to him.
Malik hesitated, then sat, folding himself down in one smooth motion.
"You know."
He poked a stick into the fire.
"My last promise to you was… really selfish."
A short, self-mocking laugh left his lips.
"I knew how dependent you were on your Return By Death. I wanted to help you. I wanted to ease the weight. But… looks like I just dumped more on you. Made you feel like a hypocrite."
Malik's eyes flickered.
A faint widening—barely there, but noticeable.
"…Did I…?"
The man shot him a sideways grin.
"No, you didn't tell me. I figured it out myself. It was kind of obvious at that point."
"I see."
"For the record…"
