Mahdi and Malum

" What will you do when you get lonely

No one waiting by your side?

You've been running and hiding much too long;

You know it's just your foolish pride. "

As Mahdi was walking. He noticed The Five Pillars of Nosgoth- I mean! Islam... in ruin.

Mahdi now saw him… Malum. His armor: made from the remains of Jawzahr. The head of Kuyūthā: visible on his chestplate. He had the wings of Roc, and his helmet: the head of Falak.

He was a warrior: whose bloodlust had exceeded that of Ibrahim II of Ifriqiya. He is more vicious than Vathek. His skills with the sword far surpassed that of El Cid. Khalid ibn al-Walid could not challenge him. Nor could Dhiraar ibn al-Azwar beat him.

" Who are you? " asked Mahdi with a glare.

Malum did not answer.

Mahdi's Qareen flew out from within his body.

Malum looked on. Amused.

Mahdi and his Qareen both charged. That was when a Ruhaniyya Portal opened - teleporting the two of them away.

Malum continued his "pilgrimage" towards Mecca.

As Mahdi fell out from the portal. He petted the nearby Aralez. He then stood up, but he quickly fell on his butt again, as the earth shook.

Mahdi's Qareen, who looked like the Dark Prince, from the Prince of Persia: Two Thrones, helped Mahdi back on his feet.

" Where are we? " said Mahdi, as he looked around.

Mahdi's Qareen did not answer. He returned within Mahdi's body, for a stranger was approaching.

" Al-Qa'im " said the woman, who was holding a medieval torch.

Mahdi did not seem to understand. He had many questions. For starters:

" Where am I? "

" I will lead you to him "

Even more confused. Mahdi decided to follow the woman. As they walked. Mahdi could not help but notice the desolation and destruction.

" This looks familiar… and yet strange… "

Mahdi noticed the survivors. All of them were hiding. All of them were glaring. All of them seemed scared… of Mahdi.

" What did I do? "

" It is not what you do " said the woman; " but… what you did "

Mahdi paused. For he had just about had enough.

" Alright! " exclaimed Mahdi, as he halted; " what the fuck did I do? And where the fuck am I?! "

" Language " said Mahdi's Qareen. For he knew who the woman really was.

The Woman with the Torch turned to face Mahdi. She did not look angry. She did not look sad. She looked enlightened.

" I am sorry to be vague " said she with a gentle smile; " I am sorry for speaking in riddles… but... It is not my role to enlightened you "

" At least… " said Mahdi; " tell me where I am… "

The woman smiled softly.

" You are in a different world - a different reality "

Mahdi did not reply. He was still in the midst of processing what had just been said. So the woman continued:

" Almanzor won. This world: lost. And the people are scattered and scared "

(Almanzor won by using the Sword of Moses, with some spells from the Picatrix, and Mahdi would later figure out that Malum went by different names - within these different realities. What Mahdi did not know was that Almanzor's real name was: Thamud.)

They walked a bit further.

" Wow… " awed Mahdi, as he beheld a greater and bigger wall than the one in China.

Mahdi then noticed a figure standing before the wall. He noticed the clothes, which seemed familiar. He noticed the sword, and then knew who it was.

" Qarnayn! " exclaimed Mahdi, joyfully.

Mahdi ran with joy and delight towards his old and dear friend. Key word: old. For when Mahdi's childhood friend turned around, Mahdi beheld an older version of his dear friend.

" Qarnayn…? " said Mahdi, confused and dumbfounded.

" Mahdi " said Dhu al-Qarnayn with a warm smile.

Mahdi was speechless.

" Look at you! " said Mahdi, finally.

Qarnayn giggled.

" Time has been kind to you " said Mahdi, as he noticed the yet handsome face. He then noticed the tired eyes.

There was a pause. Mahdi then asked:

" What did I do? "

Qarnayn paused, as he sighed.

" You lost… and won "

Qarnayn now looked towards the distance.

Mahdi followed his eyes, and that was when he saw himself - dead, crucified.

" Isn't that technically haram? " said Mahdi, as he pointed.

Qarnayn simply shrugged his shoulders. That was when the earth shook once more. And Mahdi noticed the wall crack even more.

" What is going on? " asked Mahdi.

" They are breaking through, " replied Qarnayn.

Mahdi finally understood.

" Yājūj and Mājūj… "

A portal opened up.

" Go " said Qarnayn, as the wall cracked once more.

" I can't leave you… " said Mahdi, tearing up.

He of the Two Horns, gently placed a hand on his dear friend's shoulder.

" Go. "

Mahdi stood within the Ruhaniyya Portal. As the portal slowly closed. Mahdi beheld Qarnayn face the mighty wall. Yājūj and Mājūj broke through, as Qarnayn drew forth Zulfiqar.

Mahdi landed on top of an elephant: unconscious.

Mahdi's Qareen shook his master awake.

" Mahdi, wake up! "

Mahdi gasped, as he awoke. He then recognized the elephant.

" Mahmud " said Mahdi, joyfully.

He then noticed Malum.

Malum heard the elephant approaching. He turned around to face Mahdi, who had dismounted.

" Majnun "

Mahdi could not see his covered face. But his words clearly had an effect on Malum.

Mahdi grew deathly pale, as Malum drew forth his: Zulfiqar-Zabaniyah.

Mahdi, his knees shaking, his heart: ice, and his courage slowly dwindling, pulled out his weapon of no renown.

The brave ant charged at the mighty lion. Malum easily pushed Mahdi to the side. The pebble stood up, as he beheld the mountain.

Mahdi charged once more, but that was when Malum wounded him. Malum was about to deliver the killing blow, but that was when Mahmud held him in place.

Malum cursed, as he tried to get the elephant's foot off his chest.

A portal opened up, and Mahdi's Qareen could be seen dragging his master towards it.

" We have to go! " yelled the Qareen, as Mahdi was not willing.

As he was within the portal. Mahdi's heart sank, as he beheld a shot go through Mahmud's back.

" Mahmud! " yelled Mahdi, tears in his eyes, as the elephant fell.

Malum saw the portal close. That was when he gripped tightly around Mahmud's tusk.

Mahdi coughed, as he landed on the dusty ground. He noticed that the light was being blocked. Mahdi looked up, and beheld a statue of Alamgir. The statue was well-made, but Mahdi's heart broke when he saw Alamgir's foot resting on top of a destroyed Kaaba.

" Is that m- "

Mahdi stopped short, as he noticed someone running towards him. He was overjoyed to finally talk to someone. But, that was when the person slapped him, and then spat in his face.

Poor Mahdi was speechless, for if the person could not hurt Malum; they would settle for Mahdi.

As Mahdi was walking. He could not help but remember the death of Mahmud.

In anger, sadness, and frustration. Mahdi kicked the ground. He did not see it. But his kick had just revealed a strange looking lamp.

Blue mist came forth; from out of the lamp.

Mahdi turned around. With a smile, he said:

" Blue One "

Jenny, daughter of Eden the Genie and Genie the Blue, was now before Mahdi.

" Shaykh al-Maqtul " said Jenny with the voice of Zelda Williams. Her green eyes shining, her blue skin glowing, and the sun loving her black bright hair.

(Her full given name is actually: Jeannie Eden Genie. But Jeannie prefers to be called: Jenny.)

" What is this place? " asked Mahdi.

" This is a world: where Alamgir managed to tame Daabba. In doing so: the Beast of the Earth granted him the Ring of Solomon, and Moses' Staff - Jenny paused for a moment, before she continued; brave Luqa ibn Shamlut tried to stop him… he did not even last two seconds… "

(Jenny did not mention it, but she knew Alamgir's true name, which was: Taqhut. And if you are wondering how Alamgir managed to tame the beast. He managed to charm the beast with speech, for all Arabs understand the tongue of animals - at least according to Apollonius of Tyana.)

" Speak of Shaytan " said Mahdi's Qareen.

" And Iblis appears, " said Alamgir.

He looked different, but Mahdi recognized him.

" This is it, " said Mahdi, resolute.

" Indeed " said Alamgir, as he held his hand towards the sky. The Ring of Solomon glowed, and that was when something was blocking the sun.

Mahdi fell to his knees in despair.

" No… "

Falak, a Forbidden Beast, was blocking the light.

Mahdi clasped his hands together.

" I wish that everyone were saved... "

" Your wish is hereby granted! " yelled Jenny, as she punched the shit out of Falak.

With the Forbidden Beast out of the way. Jenny turned her attention towards Alamgir.

As the Blue One charged. Alamgir simply said:

" Kneel "

Mahdi looked on in horror, as Jenny knelt before Alamgir.

" This ring " said Alamgir, calmly, as he lifted Jenny's face; " has made angels kneel "

Jenny looked at him in horror. For she could not move her body.

" I wish " said Alamgir, as he took hold of his weapon; " for your death "

" I… I wish… - it now dawned on Mahdi - I wish that the Ring of Solomon held no sway over Jenny! "

With a smug smile. Jenny got back up.

" Huh... " said Alamgir, as he paused for a moment; " that was actually quite clever... I did not see that one coming "

Jenny sendt Alamgir flying with a punch.

" I wish " said Mahdi with a smile; " for Jenny the Genie to be set free! "

Jenny held up her arms, as the bracelets fell off.

Alamgir got back up.

" Bitch " said Jenny, as she pushed her hair back; " I have phenomenal cosmic powers. What do you have? "

" Ten inches, " said Alamgir with a smirk.

Jenny showed a look of amazement and curiosity.

" Really? "

As Jenny moved her finger down. Both Alamgir's pants and underwear were brought down.

" More like two inches... " said Jenny, sounding a bit disappointed.

" It is cold, " said Alamgir, as he was pulling his pants and underwear up.

Alamgir took hold of his horn.

" Israfil's Trumpet… " uttered Jenny in dread, as Alamgir blew the horn.

The whole earth shook.

Mahdi cried out in horror, as an undead creature tried to grab hold of him.

Mahdi was safe - thanks to his Qareen. As the two of them were flying, they beheld an army of Mamluk zombies - each zombie wielding a sword made from Damascus steel.

" How dare you… " said Jenny, not letting her emotions get the better of her.

Alamgir smirked, as his army surrounded Jenny.

He then brought forth the plagues - using Moses' Staff.

Jenny saw that Mahdi was in trouble, and she had just about had enough. The undead army and the plagues both vanished as Jenny simply snapped her fingers.

Alamgir looked to his right. He looked to his left. He looked between his legs. He then looked back at Jenny.

Jenny simply said:

" Phenomenal cosmic powers "

" Bitch "

" Straight up, " said Jenny with a proud smile.

Moses' Staff flew from Alamgir to Jenny.

" Now you see it " said Jenny, as she made the staff disappear; " now you don't "

Mahdi smiled, as Alamgir said:

" Let us do it the old fashion way, then "

Jenny dawned armor, as a brawl broke out between her and Alamgir. Back and forth they went, till Jenny uppercutted Alamgir into the sky.

Jenny clenched her fist, as she flew towards him.

" Phenomenal...Cosmic...Punch! " yelled Jenny from the top of her lungs, as she finished off the Conqueror of the World.

A portal opened up.

" I wish you the best, " said Jenny with a kind smile, as she placed a hand on Mahdi's shoulder.

The two of them hugged. For she could see that he needed one.

Exiting the portal. Mahdi found himself in the heart of Babylon. He looked around. And that was when he noticed someone. As Mahdi was walking towards the stranger. The whole of Babylon shook violently.

" Woah… " said Mahdi, as it was a big one.

" Excuse me "

The stranger turned around, and that was when Mahdi's eyes widened.

" Mahdi " said Old Man Mahdi.

Poor Mahdi was speechless once again.

Old Man Mahdi explained how Ashvapati and his army of Kharijites(riding on the Mares of Diomedes) had laid waste to this world.

It took years, but Old Man Mahdi would finally figure out who Ashwapati really was… Tamerlane.

Hamza, Ali, and Ubaydah, all three tried to defeat Ashwapati… all three failed. This memorable showdown is referred to as: The Final Fitna.

" I failed… " said Old Man Mahdi, defeated.

" Then… " said Mahdi; " what are you doing here? "

As Mahdi had said those words. The ground shook once more. And from far underneath Babylon, came bursting out Harut and Marut.

Storm clouds gathered, as the two angels glared down at the two Mahdi(s).

" I can at least do this much " said Old Man Mahdi, as he drew forth his weapon.

A portal opened.

" Let us go " said Mahdi's Qareen.

Mahdi looked back.

" Succeed where I failed. "

The portal closed.

" The last one " said Malum, joyfully, as he looked upon the Kaaba. Not even the Ababil birds could stop him. Malum killed them all by using his Draconic: Evil Eye - Nasnas Eye, to burn them all alive.

Malum approached the Kaaba. But that was when a little girl stood in his way.

The girl looked up at Malum, as he cast a shadow down on her.

Malum was about to flick the girl away. But, that was when he heard a portal open.

Mahdi landed on the ground.

" Thank you, Qareen " said Mahdi.

" Mahmud "

Mahdi looked at his Qareen.

" In his honor " said Mahmud with a smile.

" in his honor " said Mahdi, also smiling. He then noticed Malum.

" Mahdi " said Malum, calmly.

" What? " said Mahdi with a glare.

" I answered your question "

Mahdi paused. His eyes then widened in disbelief… but he was not that surprised… for he had been suspecting it.

" This ends now! " yelled Mahmud, as he flew towards Malum.

Malum caught his punch. And that was when Mahmud noticed something strange… another hand was covering Malum's hand.

The hand grabbed tightly hold of Mahmud's fist, as Malum's Qareen flew out from within his body.

" No… " uttered Mahmud in horror, as he looked upon the more powerful Qareen.

" Yes. " said Malum's Qareen(who looked a lot like the Sand Wraith from Prince of Persia: Warrior Within.)

A brawl now began between the two Qareens - and yes: it is a Jojo reference.

Mahdi and Malum looked upon one another. The only sound which could be heard… was the sound of them drawing forth their swords. The sound of swords clashing could now be heard.

Back and forth they went, till Mahdi managed to break Malum's helmet.

" Mahdi... " said Mahdi.

Malum smiled. He then giggled lightly.

He then fired off some Sihr Swords - magical swords which can be fired like arrows or fight like Freyr's Sword. Malum was both surprised, and at this point, not really surprised that Mahdi had summoned Sihr Swords of his own: protecting himself.

Mahdi smiled, while Malum had a smirk.

It was now time to finish this.

Black light covered Malum's right arm, as white light covered Mahdi's right arm.

" Nāzi'āt! "

" Nāshiṭāt! "

Yelled the two of them, as they were reaching for each others' souls.

" Yes! " exclaimed Mahdi in joy, as he managed to reach Malum's chest first. There was just one problem - Mahdi could not find a soul.

Mahdi looked up at Malum in horror.

" I have no soul, fool "

Mahdi breathed in. He then said, with a smile:

" Mistakes have been made "

Malum slapped Mahdi to the side. And that was when Mahmud landed in front of Mahdi.

It was now that Mahdi noticed them. Located on Malum's right shoulder… were the tusks of Mahmud.

" Haram! " exclaimed Mahdi through his gritted teeth, as tears rolled down his cheeks.

" Halal " said Malum with a devilish grin.

Malum charged, as Mahdi was thinking. He then remembered what Malum had said:

" I have no soul… "

Malum looked on, as Mahdi used Nāshiṭāt to take out his own soul.

Malum caught a falling Mahdi. He was speechless, for he did not understand.

Mahdi tried to utter some words, but it was already too late, as his soul flew within Malum.

A single tear ran down Malum's cheek. For with a soul - comes conscience.

" Requiescat in Pace... Mahdi... " said Malum Mahdi, as Mahdi died in his arms.

Mahdi was buried near the Kaaba.

The little girl took hold of Malum's hand.

" What is your name? " he asked.

" Medina "