“YOU let a lowly shifter come inside our sacred shrine? I can’t believe it!” Professor Prife motioned his staff in bewilderment. He was enraged. “Why? Isn’t it an insolent act?” “Are you questioning my decision, Professor?” Lansear glared with a warning at the old elf. The professor glanced down and cleared his throat. “My apologies, Governor. But why did you do it?” his voice turned low. They were inside the receiving hall of the Capitol building waiting for General Rikrus Amakir. It had been a few days, and he wasn’t back in Baraf. This was their schedule to meet after his urgent business in Hala. “The Aqua festival will end soon. After what I observed inside the shrine, I became more interested in the Princess of Hala.” “What have you seen?” Lansear’s lips quirked up mysteriously. “That will be your task, Professor Prife. Be vigilant once she enters the School of Magic. I know this will create confusion among our students. But I want you to watch her closely in the final match
“MAGIC is not good for close combat. We have a high chance of winning if nothing goes off with our strategy.” Alleki reminded everyone before going out of the battle stadium. They all wore the black warrior uniform flaunting the embroidered insignia of Hala. Malaika chose her usual battle attire from Frode. But she didn’t have her cloak and mask. She wanted everyone to remember her face… as the Princess of Hala who could wield magic despite it being considered taboo. The governor did not object to her teaming up with the shapeshifters.The final match was called the exhibition battle. All the Halan delegates were required to participate since it was only a ‘friendly competition’ to conclude the Aqua Festival. Even those who were injured from the fight yesterday must join. Fortunately, their wounds had healed, but the mana hadn’t recovered to a hundred percent. The warriors modified the battle arrangement from what they had practiced before, with Malaika’s magic as an addition. Mala
XUHE had frozen the cape covering Reta’s body until it was fit enough to get back to her feet. And despite the embarrassment, Reta continued to mock Malaika and her team as if nothing had happened.“Careful, next time.” Xuhe flew at a safe distance, and Yulli shifted to his wolf form to follow the male elf.“Bold of you to assume you’d win against us!” Reta laughed hysterically. “We are the elite warriors of the army of Axum.”Malaika looked around, and it was a slow motion in her eyes. Despite her protection, it appeared ineffective.She first saw Kane, who was at a disadvantage because he could not shapeshift into his animal form. He tried to engage in close combat, but his opponent was the archer who kept a safe distance while firing hundreds of arrows nonstop. Kane only defended. But because of his huge build, he found it hard to engage in the same stealth as the archer. Until four of the ice arrows hit him, and he fell on the ground, bleeding. Then there was Luan, fighting side
MALAIKA lay unconscious, despite the Axumean healers tending to her in the battle area. She was brought back to the infirmary again. The governor had punished Stan for wielding forbidden magic, and he announced that the winner was the Halan warriors. And yet they could not celebrate their success, considering Malaika’s condition.The Princess of Hala may appear in her deep slumber, but something was happening in her subconscious. She was fighting a battle that no one knew.Malaika was in the darkness, alone. She didn’t know how she came to this place. The last time she remembered was fighting for the exhibition game, and the governor stopped her rampage.“Anybody here? Xoxo… where are you?” her voice echoed.But even the magical creature was nowhere to be found. “Hello!”Silence.She walked straight, despite her uncertainties. Until her feet had stepped on something… she heard a sound of a splash.Water!Malaika continued her slow pace into the water, but as she went on, the current w
MALAIKA bid her goodbye to the Halan delegates. She forced herself out of the infirmary since her health greatly improved after she awakened. Seti and Attisha embraced her tight. The two shifters cried and refused her to let go. At the same time, Yulli stood beside her in silence, observing his fellow warriors for their departure.“I will be all right here. Yulli is with me,” she assured the two.“We will wait in Hala.” Seti finally stepped back.“I promise to improve my healing magic so I can be useful to everyone when you’re back home.” Attisha was still sobbing.Darkis beside them cleared his throat. “I-I ask the commander if he’s willing to take me in. I will train to serve the Halan army. I’m so glad I’ve met you, Princess.”“Best of luck, Dark. You’ll enjoy the serene environment at home. Come on. They are waiting.” Malaika wiped her tears as Attisha loosened her hug. She’d surely miss them, specially Alleki. His return to Axum might be longer than expected with all these intern
MALAIKA and Yulli explored the capital city unguarded. They left Xoxo at home to guard the house for a possible burglary. The magical creature seemed comfortable in their new home.As the two strolled into Baraf, they were surprised that a lot of elves had recognized them. Unfortunately, most immediately distanced themselves as if they carried a contagious disease. “This saddens me. Despite our good performance during the festival, they still looked at us as low-class shapeshifters. Perhaps, our dreams of equality would take a long way to achieve.”“Don’t mind them, you so won’t get stressed.” Yulli suddenly paused.Malaika frowned and lost her vigor to keep going.“Come here.” He pulled her closer and grabbed his black handkerchief. “Let me cover your face so we can enjoy our tour.” Malaika looked up and met his gaze. Yulli slowly tied the cloth behind her head. She could feel his breath damping her cheeks. It had been a while since she felt discomfort because of him. Yulli’s aroma
THE SEAMSTRESS arrived after an hour. She was a plump middle-aged elf that looked friendly. She went in as if the house belonged to her.“Hello! You’re here, at last. I’m Tamni.” She looked around. “Where’s your kid? I can’t believe you will leave her unattended. Is that a common practice in Hala?”Malaika and Yulli looked at each other. And as if on cue, Xoxo came over in her child form, yawning.“You mean her?” Malaika turned to Xoxo. The shifters heartily laughed. “Don’t get us wrong, Miss Tamni. That’s Xoxo, my magical creature. Believe it or not, but she used to be an axolotl.”“Oh,” Tamni gasped, looking amazed. “I think she is a cute little human.”“Sure, she is. But please, don’t indulge her by giving her so much chocolate. She might not want to be back in her animal form.”“I’ll bear that in my mind.” Tamni winked at Xoxo. While the magical creature mischievously smirked as if there were unspoken words between their glances.Tamni got her tape measure from the satchel she had
MALAIKA stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror, wearing the uniform that Tamni had made. She turned around as the soft fabrics twirled. The Colegio Maxica’s uniform for females was a royal blue knee-length robe with silver lining on the collar and sleeves. The intricate insignia of Axum was embroidered on the arm, while a swirling crest was pinned on the chest. And they could be determined by the class they were in based on the color of the swirls. For Malaika, it was green.“You look good in your uniform, princess.” Xoxo in her child form suddenly popped in. The kid was still yawning as if tired.“I’ll take that as a compliment, Xoxo. But please, go back to your smaller form.”“Later,” the magical creature yawned again.Malaika heaved a sigh. She had no idea that she’d be babysitting her magical creature. When she peeked at Xoxo, Malaika shook her head to see the child again filling herself with chocolate cake. “Enough sweets, Xoxo. That’s probably the reason your body i