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
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
PIERRE’S group would take off after meeting General Iljun and the trackers to really information they gathered. The deliberation did not take long. And when they were dismissed, Pierre talked with his father.Raev gazed at his son, cheering in silence. “Be careful son. Always remember everything I’ve told you. However, you and your squad’s life will be the top priority.”“Yes, Father. I will not go back until I find Lazir’s whereabouts.” Pierre was determined despite his father’s warning.“We will wait for your return, son.”“Please look after Seti while I’m away.” Pierre’s face softened. He didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to his lioness since Seti’s team was already on the move. Pierre knew that this hunt would end in an expedition.Pierre’s squad left immediately on foot. The lynx twins were unusually quiet as they tracked Lazir’s scent. Kane was at the back and checking for a possible ambush. They rested after three hours of searching nonstop. Finally, they reached the cliff ne
CHIEF ZUYESH had an emergency council meeting because Lazir was nowhere to be found. The aerial army checked thoroughly around Hala, but there were no signs of the black wolf shifter. A whole squad of trackers was on the ground. Everyone was waiting to hear some good news, yet the search yielded an unfavorable result. It appeared that Lazir suddenly vanished out of thin air. “It’s unfortunate that our best warriors are still recuperating in the infirmary. They could easily track Lazir,” Raev said. He was seated on the first row facing Atekun, while Zuyesh was in the center. “Did you notice anything weird, Chief? Why would Lazir suddenly ask for a Hafukana and display his magic while everyone is watching? Then he is suddenly gone.” “That puzzled me, too. But I have a hunch as to why he did it.” Zuyesh looked calm. No one could notice that he was restless. “Lazir had been a member of this council for ten years, and we all know that his sharp mouth always put him in a tight spot. I won
THEY dropped by Niusa’s class, and the black elf seemed thrilled to see them. She hurriedly went out of her room to meet them in the hallway. “Whoa, I can’t believe you are here. Do you need help with schoolwork?”“Let’s talk in the garden. I don’t need many elf ears hearing about this crucial information.” Malaika strolled, and Niusa followed.As usual, they ignored the discriminating glances given to them. It was not Malaika’s concern at the moment.“Something wrong?” Niusa began to wonder because she wouldn’t talk until there were no elves nearby.“How well-versed are you in Tuara? How about Aigavan? I need your water healing ability and water purification magic,” Malaika said in a low voice.Niusa was confused. “My water healing magic is intermediate, but with Aigavan….” She hesitated, “I know only the basics of water purification. Why?”“Do you know other healers? I need them badly, Niusa. There’s a plague in the East, and Baraf turned a blind eye despite its plead for help. Time
YULLI spoke to ease Malaika’s worries. “There are a lot of things you need to know outside the wall barrier, Princess. I hope you’re ready once we set foot in Eastern Axum.”“Then tell me everything! I deserve it, don’t you think?” She clenched her jaw. “It’s been a while since I was taken away from Hala, and I don’t know how to get back without facing the consequences of breaking the sacred law. Hell is an understatement of what I’ve been through, Yulli. What other secrets are you hiding away from me?”Yulli gently shrugged. “Since you ask, the world is huge outside this island. However, the way life is a lot different. I heard that there is extreme drought, and water is a precious commodity. There is information that every water mage is captured so they could provide for the needs of the royalties.”“Are you certain?” Malaika seemed to doubt Yulli, only that the wolf shifter was serious.“I can’t be sure since the information came from my adoptive father. The chief and everyone in t
MALAIKA was too stunned to speak when she opened the door. She heard loud knocks earlier, and Xoxo gave her a signal that it was safe to check it out. They made a pact that they shouldn’t just open the door with random knocks knowing they were hated in this place. Dealing with another death threat would only bring more stress instead of focusing on their studies.“Oh, goddess! What happened?” Malaika gaped.Yulli carried an unconscious woman. It was almost daybreak, and the wolf shifter was worn out, trying to catch his breath.“She needed immediate medical care.” Yulli peeked inside. “Where is Xoxo? The healers I found along the way wouldn’t help us. I guess a traditional healer can’t aid her terrible condition.”“Get in! I have been practicing my mana control all night because I cannot sleep while waiting for you, Yulli. Our kind is being hunted in this elf territory!” Malaika assisted them inside the house.Xoxo was so engrossed in making a potion in the kitchen, but as soon as she
“WHERE is my horse?” Yulli came to them unbothered by the intimidation they were showing. He had no plan of getting into trouble, but it seemed inevitable, especially since he saw his horse a few meters away with a female tied in it.At a glance, Yulli could identify the female was not an elf. Her tangerine-colored dress matched the thick fur scarf covering her neck. She was muddy, especially her feet, which had one shoe on. These elves probably had fun chasing the poor lady. Based on her scent, she had a faint smell of being a shapeshifter. “This one is more valuable!” One of the elves shouted. Among these brigands, he had the biggest physique and blade scars on his cheeks. He might be the leader in the way he gave an order. Everyone laughed. “We can sell him at a high price! This night is indeed auspicious for hunting!” said another who could not contain his excitement.“Hey, Scarred Face! Give my horse back, and that lady or I will kill all of you without a trace,” Yulli turned
“D-DID I summon you?” Malaika finally got back to her senses and asked.The goddess shook her head. “I came out on my own. But because of my depleting spiritual energy. This is the form I can sustain for a short while.”“I am not dreaming this time, right?”The goddess smiled. “What do you think?”Malaika slowly motioned her hand and touched the translucent form of the goddess. Her hand went through, feeling like cold water had slipped into her skin. “You are real.”“I can take any form I want. But since we are one, we have to be in sync so that we both live without harming each other, even unintentionally. I will guide you with your mana control. You must quickly learn because if you fail, both of us will cease to exist, along with the people of this island.”“I understand. I am at your disposal, goddess. I will serve you until my last breath.”Malaika thought that mana control would be the easiest part of learning since she had already wielded powerful types of water magic. But now
WHEN Malaika and Yulli entered their special class, they were not spared from the discrimination as soon as they got inside. All eyes were set on them, sharing bothered expressions. But everyone immediately shrugged them off, which Malaika found amusing since no one had uttered a word, and they continued to their usual chats and ignored the two of them completely.Malaika made a quick mental count of how many students belonged to the class. There were approximately twenty, including her and Yulli.“Don’t mind them. We are here to learn,” Yulli said. They were seated on the last row, and no one wanted to be acquainted with being with them.“As if I’m bothered. I’m expecting the worse, and I’m starting to like this class.” Malaika silently winked to make Yulli feel at ease.Yulli gave him a nod of approval. “I’m glad to hear that from you, princess.”Malaika thought of the positive side of the indifferent treatment towards them. It could work to their advantage since she could fully con
THE crowd started murmuring again when the chieftain announced that the warrior delegates that gave honor to the tribe would face one of the heaviest sanctions due to negligence and insubordination.“Warriors, be ready!” Alleki faced the members of his squad.“Yes, commander!” Everyone said in chorus.When Alleki turned around, he started walking on the part of the battlefield that was not affected by the destruction from the chieftain’s attack earlier. It would take time to rehabilitate the damage since magic was forbidden, and they’d all resort to physical labor, which was mainly the cultivator’s job.Despite the commotion created because of Lazir’s use of forbidden magic, the warrior delegates were not exempted from the rough treatment. And although some of the spectators from the royal clan had already exited, many people still left to witness them receive their punishment.One of the elders came to them. He was Carius, the head of the council of justice. The man was a little youn