Malik Drexel

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Malik Drexel is the captain of Team Lucifer. He is one the original members of M-Division, one of only 12 current Level 5 Superhumans at H.E.R.O., and one of only 3 naturally evolved Level 5 superhumans. He is notably the gentlest and closest to regular humans among the captains and is noted for his general empathy, bright optimism, and huge appetite.

## Background

### Origins

Malik Drexel was a street urchin roaming the streets of the old pre-unification Sector A. Nothing much else is known about his childhood but at some point during his early life he was noticed by Tarnic Miliken and brought into his service at M-Corp. During his tenure, Malik survived a monster infection and ascended as a superhuman. He was given the code name: "Lucifer" for his forbidding and demonic looking exterior, fire-based powers, and biblical manner of speaking. While friendly with all his fellow squad mates, Malik formed especially close friendships with fellow superhumans and M-Division soldiers Bernhardt Gunvald and Henrick Bendrix. After Henrick became the first superhuman to reach Level 5, Malik and Bernhardt both used his experience to achieve their own final evolution. So far, these 3 superhumans are the only ones to have reached Level 5 naturally.

As a member of M-Division, Malik helps end The Unification War in the United Republic's favor and then continues his work as a founding and controlling member of H.E.R.O.. He spends most of his time between hunts helping to train the members of his team: Nicolette Heart, Alexis Allaband, Clark Cabellero, and Lochan Deus.

### Current

Malik's first appearance is in a Dead End where the MC loses control of his powers and monsterifies. He is brought in to kill the MC since his regeneration was outstripping Alexis Allaband's ability to keep damaging him. He is also present in another Dead Ends where he torches the frat house to kill the M22: Minyak corrupted MC from leaving.

Malik is a member of the controlling council of H.E.R.O. and has a vote on the organization's general operations. He is generally the voice of progress, empathy, and openness on the council. He advocates for restrained measures, cooperation with humans and human government, building loyalty and friendship among the superhuman members of the organization.

### H.E.R.O Arc

Malik first talks to the MC while eating in the org's canteen. He is friendly and welcoming and spends some time talking about his past and motivations as a person. Malik is seen once again after Nico's confrontation with Ella's wards at the TV station. He speaks to the MC about the experience and introduces the other captains as they convene for the council meeting.

### Battle of Diamonds

Malik and the rest of Lucifer squad are chosen to spearhead the assault on Hex's dimension. Malik gives a rousing speech to the assembled troops and superhumans before launching himself as a fireball into the battle. He immediately begins to devastate the enemy monsters with his seekers, but a large group of Strength Eaters and Undines are able to capture him in a shield bubble, halting his attack. Malik spends much of the battle fighting this massed monster trap but is eventually able to break free. He immediately resumes his assault; first severely injuring Goliath with a stratospheric tower of flame, then using his seekers to obliterate a huge percentage of the enemy forces. He then attacks Ella Vulpe, quickly overwhelming her with his fire. On realizing the scope of her regeneration, he begins to prepare one of his most powerful attacks, before Nyx Elis enters the battle in an effort to limit the collateral damage and kills Ella.

### Post Battle and Twins Arc

If the MC has high Public approval, he and Malik are ones to conduct H.E.R.O.'s post battle press conference. Malik expresses his regret at the huge casualties among the regular human troopers and pleads ignorance to H.E.R.O.'s human experimentation and eugenics programs. He is in the room when the MC presents his plan to infiltrate a S.I.N initiation and is largely complementary of the MC's efforts. He also advocates for the council to trust the MC and build on their relationships with him. When the council debates using coercive measures to keep H.E.R.O. operatives in line, he is horrified since building trust amongst comrades is a core value to him. He is equally disdainful at the idea of restarting Bernhardt's old training regime and wants to find a third path for integrating superhumans who don't want to fight into H.E.R.O.'s ranks.

If the MC decides to try and kill the Ella doll, he asks Malik to help him. Malik agrees to try but the two are unable to find the doll. He then tell the MC to keep an eye out while he warns the rest of H.E.R.O.

## Powers and Abilities

Malik is one of the most powerful superhumans in the story. He - along with Bernhardt Gunvald and Henrick Bendrix - are the most powerful superhumans at H.E.R.O. and he is known for his incredible power, control, and experience.

### Human Abilities

Malik is veteran solider; serving for decades as a part of M-Division in multiple conflicts. He is also a good leader; kind, humorous, and caring to his subordinates, and assertive and direct to the other captains and council members.

### General Superhuman Abilities

As a Level 5 superhuman, Malik's body is incredibly durable. He is also shown to be very fast and strong, moving across battlefields in a blink of an eye. He also likely has the standard suite of superhuman senses and enhancements.

### Level 5 Abilities

Malik is a pyrokinetic. He able to summon and manipulate enormous quantities of fire in an instant and he displays incredibly refined control of his power, able to shape the explosions and heat to only burn enemies while leaving allies untouched. He is also largely immune to physical attack with innate flame shields that burn away anything that might hurt him. He is also very fast, able to either transport himself as a fireball or fly with flaming wings that he can summon at will.

Over the decades, Malik has shaped his powers into specific abilities to allow him to deal with a wide variety of situations. These moves are listed below: