CHAPTER 2 - DISCUSSION OF THE CASTE

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 days, there are threats of invasion from Axum and uprising among our people.” Alleki spoke in low tones. His face looked determined.

Malaika’s eyes sparkled in amusement when Yulli smirked. “I’ll crash them if they lay their filthy hands on us,” he said, still gazing at the fire in the center.

“It wouldn’t be easy; Axum is facing the same dilemma. According to one of their warrior captains, there’s an evil force lurking inside the walls of Axum,” said Valin. He shrugged and drank the wine from the glass he was holding. “I heard one of their leaders wants to gain full control of Axum and the entire Virina in the future,” Valin added. He took another sip of wine and hardly shook his head.

“I gathered enough intelligence that someone powerful in Axum plotting an invasion to Hala,” Attisha said. Her gentle face hardened, “I hate the caste system. They think they are superior, and they could easily trample on us.”

Attisha was their best spy because of her rare ability of shapeshifting. Everyone in the tribe usually transforms into a certain animal form, but Attisha was different. Her transformations were usually as plants to blend in with nature.

“The system has rooted deeply. It’s going to be hard to break. But I still dream, a day will come that everyone will be equal.” Malaika broke her gaze to Yulli and looked at Attisha. She felt the harsh reality of being different. Even though their people still respected her because she was Chieftain’s daughter, rumors still reached her. She was not spared from prejudice and discrimination—a total disappointment to her family. Her mother died giving birth to her. The late Chieftess was an extraordinary warrior during her time.

The Halan Tribe was well-known for its unique attribute of having golden eyes. The reason they could distinguish their form from an ordinary animal. However, Malaika and her mother got the same vibrant green eyes; the only explanation they have the immense power to shapeshift into different forms. Well, at least she could do it before.

“Until the higher and lower caste concept is there, inequality is everywhere. The lower caste remains oppressed.” Alleki exhaled sharply in frustration.

“But let us not forget, the people of Axum are in charge of the protection spell that makes us hidden in the mist. We must find balance, or else everything in Virina will collapse.” Valin reminded them.

Valin was right. The magic completely hid their island, the reason there were no invaders until now. The Axumeans protected their place. They were the Elven race that wields water magic.

Malaika wanted to change the system they had been practicing moreover centuries ago. But it would take a lot of willpower to do so. For a long time, the Halan people trained hard for the coming battle that none of them knew when would take place. Whether it would be a war between Hala and Axum or other territories, it was in their custom to prepare for upcoming disasters. Because there was a prophecy about the Great War coming, and one hero would emerge.

“We will find the best way to compromise. We are ready to protect our people even our lives are at stake. By the way, are you ready to take part in the upcoming mock battle next full moon? The Chieftain will choose a team which will represent our tribe in Axum for friendly battle competition.” Alleki said. He emptied the rice wine from his glass.

“I’m warning you guys. This will not be easy. We have a lot of promising warriors. Please do your best. You know I got the best aerial squad as well. I don’t want to be biased,” said Valin. His eyes were tantalized under the slight influence of alcohol.

“Don’t you trust us? We’ve been training hard since the day of Santiguar. We need to make it to Axum to have full access to traveling there unguarded.” Yulli looked confident.

“I don’t think I’ll take part in it.” Attisha winked, “I’m just a mere part of a lower caste. Royalties are scary,” she added.

“I will join. I need to prove that I am worthy enough to be a warrior, not just because of my heritage. Our shapeshifting ability will not determine our fate in battle.” Malaika clenched her fist. Her friends were powerful, and so was she.

“That’s the spirit, Princess.” Yulli glanced at her. It made her heart flutter and uncomfortable at the same time. Because she knew that Yulli never looked at her the way she sees him. Her young heart could not be tamed to be attracted to this guy. Being stuck in a friend zone sucks.

Alleki cleared his throat. Malaika was unaware that she intently stared at Yulli. “All right, let us not stress each other for now. Let’s celebrate!” said Alleki and raised the glass he held, “For Hala!”

“For Hala!” they said in unison. All of them raised their glasses and simultaneously drank the wine.

They fell silent for a while. Malaika was lost in her thoughts, too. But two wild animals barged in, and she instantly got back to her senses.

“Pierre, what the hell?” Valin uttered in disgust. The bottle of rice wine almost fell because the large fox brushed his fur and wiggled its tail near Valin.

“Oops, sorry,” said Seti after transforming back in her human form from the fierce lioness.

“And, we’re late again,” Pierre said unapologetically. He immediately went back to his human form because Valin repeatedly cursed him.

“Let me convey my felicitations to our new commander. Job well done.” Seti looked genuinely happy. Alleki and her were cousins. Their ability to transform into any wild cat runs in their blood.

“I’m happy about your appointment, Alleki.” Pierre extended his compliments.

Looking at this couple, Malaika somehow thought about the possibility of being together with Yulli someday. Pierre and Yeti looked fine together. It was like they were a pair made by the goddess. They were both nineteen, and their good physical attributes made Malaika insecure. Especially that Seti was remarkably tall and slender. While her height was just average. Malaika’s built was slightly muscular because of her intense training.