Malik Al-Sayf

"We are one; as we share the glory of our victories, so too we share the pain of defeat. In this way, we grow closer, we grow stronger."

- Malik inspiring Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.

Malik Al-Sayf (1165 - 1227) was a member of the Assassin Order during the Third Crusade period.

Raised to be an Assassin, Malik learnt the fighting arts that struck fear in the hearts of their enemies. He was an excellent swordsman and a devoted acolyte to the Creed, as well as a caring adult figure for his brother, Kadar.

Malik became jealous of his rival Altaïr once the man was promoted so quickly, becoming a Master Assassin by the age of 25. His jealousy was fired into rage when Altaïr ignored the tenets of the Creed and foolishly endangered his companion's lives during the events of Solomon's Temple, 1191. Due to Malik's rival's actions, Kadar was killed and Malik's arm was injured to the point that amputation was necessary. Malik retrieved the Templar Treasure that Altaïr failed to find and delivered it to Al Mualim, beginning the events of Assassin's Creed 1.

Altaïr made Malik his close second-in-command after becoming the Grand Master Assassin, once Al Mualim had been killed and the Apple safely stolen. Malik provided advice and a trusted blade when necessary over the years and was eventually appointed a temporary Grand Master in Altaïr's absence. Unfortunately a hated rival of Altaïr imprisoned Malik in Masyaf's dungeons for close to two years with false charges of murder and had him beheaded when Altaïr returned from his quest across the Middle East. Malik's death occurred during 1227, at the age of 62.

Early life
Malik was born into the Assassin Order in 1165, the son of Faheem al-Sayf. Trained from an early age, he managed to gain a high rank within the Order by the year 1191. His brother was also trained into the Order, but would keep a lower rank than Malik until his early death. Malik was cautious not to involve Kadar too much into the Order's occupations or missions.

Quest for the Apple
"I would not have drawn attention to ourselves. I would not have taken the life of an innocent."

- Malik reprimanding Altaïr for breaking a tenant of the Creed.

In 1191, Malik, Kadar and Altaïr were tasked with a mission “more important than any other”, as described by Al Mualim. This lead them into Solomon’s Mine, Jerusalem. The three of them stealthily infiltrated the mine until they came across an aged Templar priest, whom Altaïr assassinated expertly with his Hidden Blade. Malik scolded his unnecessary murder, citing the first tenet of the Creed as “Do not harm an innocent”. Altaïr claimed that his way of life was better, which angered Malik into moving ahead to scout out the rest of the route.

The three Assassins found themselves on an alcove overlooking a section of Solomon’s Temple and are awestruck by the sight of ‘The Ark of the Covenant’, an ancient artifact with ties to several divine acts in ancient history. Altaïr dismisses it as a “silly legend”, but they were interrupted by the arrival of Robert de Sable and four of his Templar Knights. Malik attempted to advise Altaïr to keep his distance, but the Master Assassin ignored him and attacked Robert. Malik and his brother were left to fight off the Templars when Altaïr was thrown through a wall, blocked away from the battle.

Somehow Malik retrieved the Templar Treasure and escaped, though his brother was killed and his arm was ruined.

"I have what your favorite failed to find. Here. Take it."

- Malik presents Al Mualim with the treasure.

Malik returned to Masyaf, and reported immediately to Al Mualim despite his heavy injuries. He informed him of Altaïr's treachery, and presented him with the treasure he had retrieved. However, he lamented that the Piece of Eden was not the only thing he had returned with, and soon revealed that the Templars had followed him to the fortress. Below, the enemy force unleashed an attack on the village protected by the Assassins.

This was the last time that Malik was witnessed with his left arm, implying that it was amputated soon after these events.

Jerusalem's Bureau Leader
Engaging Altaïr in Jerusalem after the disaster in Solomon's Temple, Malik made no effort to disguise his hatred for him. He pointed out the most subtle flaws of Altaïr's technique and attitude, resulting in an unpleasant encounter between the two as they discussed Altaïr's assigned assassination of Talal.

The mission was a success, but Malik nevertheless heavily criticized Altaïr for triggering the city alarm, and for alerting the citizens of Jerusalem of Talal's demise.

Malik met again with Altaïr in the Jerusalem bureau after the latter was tasked with the assassination of Majd Addin. Though Malik had still not forgiven Altaïr for his mistakes, he expressed a small level of satisfaction when Altaïr asked for his advice instead of demanding it.

Once Majd Addin had been successfully assassinated, Malik remarked that Altaïr had performed just as an Assassin should. Upon parting, he also revealed that everything that Altaïr did troubled him, and asked the man to consider that information during his journey back to Masyaf.

When Altaïr arrived at the Jerusalem bureau for a third time, Malik responded to his presence quite positively. He spoke to Altaïr as a fellow Assassin, and did not insult him. They exchanged information and parted ways peaceably, quite unlike their previously hostile conversations.

After the skirmish at the funeral of Majd Addin, Malik and Altaïr had a hurried discussion over whether to chase Robert de Sable to Arsuf, or to return to Masyaf to seek the wisdom of Al Mualim.

Altaïr argued that Malik used the Creed as a shield, and thus did not see the entire truth. He decided to journey to Arsuf rather than waste time asking Al Mualim for permission, imbuing Malik with a sense that Altaïr had not really changed. Altaïr did not comment, and only suggested that Malik learn more about the Templar treasure from the people of Jerusalem while he hunted down Robert.

Before his departure, Altaïr apologized for his failure at Solomon's Temple. Malik refused to accept, and clarified that this was only because he felt that the Altaïr who stood before him was not the same one that had caused their defeat at Solomon's Temple, and thus held no guilt. Malik claimed that they were brothers under the Creed, and as such, were one - the mistake of one was the mistake of all.

As Altaïr journeyed to Arsuf, Malik returned to Solomon's Temple and discovered the journal of Robert de Sable. It recorded the finding of the Piece of Eden by the ten Templars, including Al Mualim. Finally convinced of their Master's betrayal, he traveled to Masyaf to aid Altaïr in retaking the fortress, along with several Assassins under his command.

Retaking of Masyaf


Malik arrived at the city in time to rescue Altaïr, who was under attack by a small army of hypnotized Assassins. The loyal Assassins threw throwing knives at the attackers, thus forcing them to flee, and giving Altaïr the chance to converse with Malik. They greeted each other warmly, claiming that each other's presence brought peace to the battleground.

Following the duel between Master and student, Malik caught up to Altaïr in time to witness the Piece of Eden displaying a holographic map of the world. Malik's reaction to the advanced technology was not recorded; he was speechless, at first running to his friend's side, but slowing to a stop as he beheld something that was not thought possible during his time.

Later life
"I have also worked with Malik to describe new methods of assassination: from on high, from ledges, and from hiding places. Basic movements, but critical nonetheless."

- Altaïr's Codex, page 13.

Once Al Mualim had been defeated, Malik became Altaïr's close colleague and a very high-ranked Assassin. Altaïr was promoted to Grand Master of the Order in acknowledgement of his great willpower and new-found wisdom. The two worked together to discover new assassination techniques, which Altaïr recorded in his personal journal. Altaïr began to delve into the secrets of the Apple of Eden, studying it for days at a time. Both Malik and Maria suggested forgetting about trying to understand the artifact, as it was distracting him from food and rest, and insisted that Altaïr lock it away. Their advice was mostly ignored.

In 1217, Altaïr, his wife Maria, and their son Darim left for Mongolia to deal with the rising threat of Genghis Khan, and Malik was left in temporary control of the Order.

In 1225, Abbas Sofian, another high-ranking Assassin, staged a coup d'état in which he had Altaïr's other son Sef killed, and had the murder weapon placed in Malik's bed. In addition, one of Abbas' spies claimed to have heard Malik and Abbas arguing that same day. The Assassins thus believed that Malik was the killer, and Abbas had Malik thrown into the prison below Masyaf.

When Altaïr and his family returned in 1227, Abbas tried to trick them into believing that Malik had murdered Sef. However, Altaïr found this difficult to believe, and after discussing with Maria, infiltrated the prison to rescue Malik. He brought Malik, who was in a very poor condition, back to their residence, where he revealed the truth about what had happened. Malik lamented that he had not been a better leader, and that this would not have happened to Altaïr.

After having made sure he was asleep, Altaïr and Maria left Malik in their home to speak with Abbas. However, in their absence, Abbas' spy Swami killed and beheaded Malik. He put his head in a burlap sack and delivered it to Abbas, who showed it to Altaïr and Maria when they confronted him.

Many years later, Altaïr met Malik's son, Tazim Al-Sayf. Together with other Assassins still loyal to Altaïr, they killed Abbas and regained control of the Assassin Order once again.

Characteristics and personality
Malik was a harsh, but wise man who based his life and his work completely on the Assassin's Creed and its tenets. He was protective of, and adhered wholly to those laws, believing in the righteousness his Master claimed was the foundation of the Creed.

As such, Altaïr's arrogant dismissal of the Creed was a terrific blow to his beliefs and sensibilities; Malik disliked his fellow Assassin on principle. However, he slowly gained respect for Altaïr as he became the man needed to save their Order from enslavement, on his quest to redeem himself.

Malik's devotion to the Creed and Al Mualim was unwavering and somewhat blind; Altaïr broke the spell of such a belief by claiming that Malik was using the Creed as a shield, and was ignoring the facts. Malik took this advice to heart and searched for the truth.

Malik found proof of Al Mualim's treachery recorded in a diary left within Solomon's Temple - the facts recorded broke his heart, but were the final truth necessary for Malik's rebellion under his friend's guidance.

Trivia

 * In Arabic, "Malik" means "king" or "owner," while "Al-sayf" means "the sword." Put together, "Malik Al-Sayf" means "King or Owner of the Sword."
 * Malik's name in the in-game credits is written as "A-Sayf," the way it is pronounced.
 * Malik is the only Assassin who is seen wearing an almost identical outfit to Altaïr's in Assassin's Creed. In this outfit, he is also equipped with a Hidden Blade, though his ring finger is still intact. The reason for this is unknown.
 * It is unknown how Malik would climb inside or out of the Bureau after the loss of his left arm.
 * During the first visit to Jerusalem, if Altaïr lingers in the Bureau, Malik will comment on why he has not already left. He sarcastically remarks: "Thinking of another great plan, Altaïr? Like the one back at Solomon's Temple?!", or "A wise approach, Altaïr. If you stay here, Talal will just die of old age."
 * It is possible to throw Malik off the cliff right before he and his men run past Altaïr before the fight against Al Mualim. Doing this has no effect on the game, and he still reappears during the credits to look at the Apple of Eden.

Gallery
thumb|300px|left|Solomon's Temple events and consequences