THE barren forest was dark and serene. The absence of the moon added the eerie around where the dead trees perfectly concealed. Even the temperature was humid, and since the altitude was relatively high, its location made it harder for an average human to gasp for air.
Malaika sprinted fast so that she could no longer sense the danger engulfing her body. It had been the sixth day of her Santiguar—the sacred rite of her tribe given to children aged seven to ten-year-old. An ancient tradition which all the participants should survive seven days around the forest, alone. It was a test for survival to determine which shapeshifting attributes they could exercise at an early age. They blindfolded them on their first day upon reaching their respective locations.
One more day left, and it will be over. She would survive unscathed.
She knew her abilities already. Malaika could shapeshift in different animal forms. Although it required mastery, her tribesmen told her she would be the best warrior when she reached her full potential. And the possibility that she could inherit her father’s position as their Tribe Leader.
The last six days were strenuous. She made it this far thanks to the edible fruits around that she found it unnecessary to hunt live animals for food. She encountered a few wild critters, and Malaika shifted as a bird to escape. Shapeshifting exhausted her body because of her small built. She had to wait long hours to cope with the energy she lost. Once she drained her mana, she might die.
Malaika felt her thumping chest as her heartbeat increased. Navigating the barren forest was difficult. Although her father taught her the geography of their island, being present on-site was different. If only she took the schooling seriously. Geography lessons usually made her yawn. She was only interested in combat training.
She slowed down when she finally heard splashing water. Her mind wandered about the spot she was in. Could it be possible that she reached the Great Lake? Or a river near it?
She finally found her haven. Her green eyes flickered, and her lips curved into a smile. Malaika thought she would stay here until the last day of the rite.
She fetched water, using her hands to satisfy her thirst. She hoped she was not mistaken. This was the flowing river near the Great Lake of Virina, this body of water divided the two territories of Hala and Axum. It provided everyone abundance of water and the reason their agriculture thrived without food scarcity for the past centuries.
Malaika inhaled and exhaled deeply for her lungs to recover. She could feel her body trembling in exhaustion. She sat on the ground and leaned her back on the rock a few meters away from the flowing water. She stretched her arms and legs several times, and she felt relieved. She slowly dozed off, thinking she was safe. Her body badly needed to rest.
But a loud thud made her flabbergasted, and her head pounded in shock. Perhaps she was not safe after all. Malaika noticed that the water level rose, and it kept rising rapidly. She jumped up and tried to run. But the flow of water was burgeoning.
Before she could concentrate on her shapeshifting ability, the river overflowed, setting off her balance. She swam away, but the current was too strong. The next thing she knew, it submerged her entire body in the water. She treaded her hands to gain buoyancy, but it was like something pulled her down into the water.
Malaika did her best not to panic, but the more she thought the possibility of not getting out alive made her body shuddered in fear. Shapeshifting into a water animal was beyond her ability. Even if she could, her limited training forbids her to make it.
She was confident at the beginning of the sacred rite, too proud that she would bring honor to her father, to her noble clan. But it turned out she was just another sacrifice to the Great Lake. A haughty offspring of the Chieftain, a shapeshifter prodigy who would probably die soon at a very young age.
She screamed for help. But her muttering voice could not make it. Her body shivered over and over. The pull underwater went forceful, and her legs felt rigid. What a nasty time to suffer cramps!
What is happening?
Could it be some magic? But they forbid water magic in the territory of Hala.
No, this was not magic. Just a natural occurrence where Malaika underestimated the power of nature. She gathered all her strength, but her vision blurred. Fortunately, something calmed her to stop resisting.
She felt peace.
And everything went black.
Ten years later THE Halan tribe celebrated the appointment of the new Warrior Commander. Alleki Certus deserved the position because he trained hard to be the best. He aims to be the next Chieftain when the time comes. He was very vocal about his dream to lead the Halan people when the present tribe leader retired, and being the youngest commander made him closer to his goal. Because in Hala, the strongest warrior leads. Malaika stood at a safe distance behind Alleki. He looked gorgeous in his black uniform embroidered with gold. Although she was happy for her childhood friend, she could not stop feeling irrelevant because Alleki finally got the spot she had dreamed of when they were both kids. Back then, Alleki was just a lad with ordinary shapeshifting ability. Even he was royalty. Unlike her, at a young age, she displayed a tremendous amount of power. Anyway, those were the thing in the past. Because at this moment, she was nothing
AS Yulli watched the fire as if mesmerized, Malaika gazed at him as if he was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. The burning ember warmly reflected in his golden eyes. He had always been gentle on her, even if everyone was showing their disappointment. He played and sparred with her when Alleki was not around. Yulli always found different ways to entertain her when everything was falling apart. After a decade, he became their brilliant strategist. Their meeting place was below the massive century-old tree, where a cave lies beneath the lush forest grasses. The furrow was wide enough for at least twenty persons. Malaika accidentally found this place when she was hunting sometime five years ago. They somehow renovated the cave to make it more comfortable—the smell of fresh flowers and burning firewood mixed in the surroundings. “Now that I am the new commander, I expect more of you. We need to do our best to protect Hala. Especially these day
THE mock battle tournament took place in the middle of the Lezana forest. The massive grassland was perfect for the event; gigantic trees sprawled in the battlefield’s perimeter made it safer for the spectators watching nearby. Healers were on standby in case of emergency. Although they were less worried about any casualties, shapeshifters heal faster than normal humans as long as they do not lose at least seventy percent of their blood. Malaika scrutinized every participant as possible, measuring her capability to win just in case she would face one of them in the match. Some players seemed familiar faces. According to the insignia embroidered in the warrior’s uniform, she knew they came from a well-known clan of their tribe. Everyone looked prepared and eager to win, just like what she felt. This event would be the ultimate test to see how much she had improved from her rigorous training. This kind of two-day event happened every four years, and it w
THE team battle began. This time, the entire forest was their battlefield. They gave each team a specific flag with a number. The mechanics were simple. They must protect their flag because they would lose if another group got a hold of it. And to win, their squad should get another two flags from a different team. Winners must have three flags in total. Malaika’s team owned an orange flag with a number seven. It would have been easier if there were no time limit, but they only had to finish the task until sundown. “Princess, keep our flag.” Yulli insisted. “Are you certain about his?” she asked her teammates. “Never doubt yourself,” Yulli reassured her. Malaika nodded. “All right.” “We will attack head-on. We can’t make this easy; the clock is ticking.” Yulli tightened his black armband, where a warrior’s emblem was carefully crafted. “Understood.” They said in unison. Pierre was an excellent tracker. He
THE announcement of winners came at dusk. Malaika celebrated with her team at night, she even checked her last opponent during the team battle, and she was glad that the bison shifter was all right. She was fully healed at this point with the help of their tribe healers to hasten the recovery. There was a massive bonfire on the ground, and people started celebrating. The music and laughter echoed around. Some warriors were drinking along with their fellow fighters who were lost in the mock battle game. But for Malaika, it was not yet the proper time to celebrate. She had to prepare for the final fight tomorrow. It was announced earlier that the activity for the next day would be head-to-head. It was a relief for her. Malaika knew her capability, and she was confident that she would win. Unless if there would be an unforeseen turn of events that she miscalculated. “Princess, where have you been?” Yulli walked towards her with a bottle of halan wine at h
ALL the participants for the final battle were inline into the ground of the Ezana forest. The spectators were almost doubled compared to yesterday. Malaika observed everyone that gathered around the battlefield. Most were familiar faces coming from a well-known family. True enough, each clan had sent their best warrior to compete, and they were winning up to this stage. The chieftain expressed his high hopes to every warrior who proudly stood on the battleground. He was seated in the middle of an elevated stage along with the council of elders. “The most awaited final battle came at last. I announced last night that this is going to be a head-to-head fight. All of you are aware of the danger, and some of you might die. However, I trust in you not to reach that point. To surrender, the participant will only raise their hands….” Zuyesh Thronsden explained the simple rule of the final test. The tribe leader went on, “And with that, we will only c
MALAIKA swallowed hard, but she held her head high to concentrate. Even she only got a small chance of winning against Yulli. She would cling to that probability. Maybe this time, the Water Goddess’ favor was with her. However, her delusion was instantly shattered when Yulli immediately attacked as if he was prepared for an onslaught. His usual warm face was gone, only feral look, determined to win. She knew how devoted he was to his training, and he loved being triumphant in making his adoptive father proud. Everyone knew how Yulli climbed to the top with his intelligence. The crowd was cheering, but Malaika seemed to have lost her sense of hearing because she fully focused on her opponent. She made a counterattack after Yulli launched his first assault. Using her sword, she targeted the weak points of her opponent, but she couldn’t hit him. Yulli would only block her blade with his own. Malaika thought if she would only be defensive, the game
THE disappointment in the Chieftain’s eyes was unconcealed. It was the first thing Malaika observed when she regained her consciousness. She laid flat on the queen-sized bed inside her room. Her father stood a meter away along with Alleki. She slowly got up and leaned her back on the headboard. She couldn’t meet her father’s gaze. She felt his tremendous regret for having her as his daughter. Well, nothing new. It has been like this from the time she lost her power. “This is what I’m worried about. You almost died in Yulli’s hand!” The Chieftain deeply exhaled. The line in his forehead deepened. Looking at his father, he looked younger at his actual age. Yet, at fifty-two, his body was still fit. She only got his black hair, but the rest of her features came from her mother. “My apologies, I embarrassed you again, Father.” She turned her head to the open window beside her and focused on the gigantic trees outside where wild white orchid