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
THE golden horizon slowly flaunted its marvel at daybreak. Malaika prepared her medium-sized backpack before leaving. It contained a few essential tools that she would need when she started her plans in mind. She wore her brown and green combat suit to help her become invisible when she navigated the deepest of the forest. A quiver and her bow were tightly attached to her back. Two daggers were resting to the sheath on both sides of her hips. She sneaked out from the open terrace of her room, going down to a huge mango tree branch where she descended silently. She made sure that no one noticed her presence until she disappeared into the thick forest behind. At her present age, she had already memorized the map of Virina. Well, mainly in Hala because the corners of Axum remained classified. Almost all places in Hala were familiar because she had already visited the area along with her friends, led by Alleki before he was appointed as the Command
YULLI opened his eyes and alerted himself when he heard loud knocks on his door inside the Krieger’s house. He was nearly dozed off after he freshened up. The training earlier exhausted his body. And who could be disturbing him in this ungodly hour? It was past midnight. Then, he heard the familiar female voice. “Yulli, I need to talk to you.” There was an urgency in her voice. He lazily opened the mahogany door of his room. “What’s the matter, Argana?” The middle-aged clairvoyant appeared to be in a panic. She looked paler than her normal complexion, and her golden eyes blinked hard. Her long swirling black hair was disheveled as if she only came from sleep. “I saw a vision. The princess is in danger, Yulli.” His eyes widened. “How can you be so sure?” Argana heaved a sigh. “You know my vision never missed. I heard she left home a few days ago, and until now,
YULLI was out of breath when he finally found the commander. Alleki was standing near the entrance of the battleground. It appeared that the training had just finished.The commander immediately glared at him when he materialized in his sight.Yulli didn’t mind. His scolding was nothing compared to the bad news he brought.“Where the hell have you been? Why did you skip your training today? You deliberately disobeyed my order! What do you take me for?” Alleki’s face was red.“I’m sorry about that, but I have bad news, Commander,” he said, still trying to catch his breath. He took a shortcut to be back here as quickly as possible, and his mana was nearly drained.“You’re just creating an alibi for skipping your training,” Alleki said with unconcealed disappointment. “If we are defeated in this game with Axum again, I will blame you for not cooperating,” he added.&n
MALAIKA slowly opened her eyes. She had to blink many times to adjust her blurry sight. It took her a few minutes before realizing the danger she was in. She was tied within a large wooden pole and could not move. Her feet and hands were bound. It seemed impossible to escape. She carefully examined the place, and it seemed they were inside a cave. It was dark, and the light was coming from a large torch resting a few meters away from her. The air was somehow dry, and judging by the temperature, she was sure that the place was not in Hala. It was freezing. She might be anywhere in Axum! Her eyes widened when her vision caught the dark elf walking towards her with a dagger in hand. “What do you want?” she gritted her teeth and tried to free herself, but it was futile. The dark elf played the dagger in his hand in a circular motion. Slowly, he examined her from head to foot. Then he smirked, flaunting his sharp canine teeth. “The r
EREVAN laughed like a maniac as Malaika screamed her lungs out. It seemed he had an immense pleasure seeing how she suffered. “Show me your power, princess. Or die!” Erevan swung his dagger again and targeted her heart for the second time. Malaika was too tired to scream this time. Her throat swelled for wailing nonstop. At this moment, she knew that she would draw her last breath anytime now. Memories have come like a flash since she was a child. She saw how her father loved her when she still had her gift. The gentle pat of the Commander every time she did something horrible that would bring her father to shame. Alleki always stood beside her every time she failed, telling her it was all right to mess up as long as she would rise again and come back stronger. And then there was Yulli, who always brightened her day with just one smile. My life ends here. I’m sorry. She clearly visualized the smiling faces of her friends, who always made her feel she belonged to the circle despite
VALIN was waiting in the battleground along with the other shifter delegations. There were two females and three males beside the Captain of the Aerial Army. Mainly from a well-known clan. Yeke, the jackal shifter. The sibling Luch and Rys, both lynx shifters. The females Kaca, a snake shifter, and Ayi, a bear shifter. There were several Halan Cheetah that was almost triple their normal size. They used them for fast travels like this since it would be a hassle if they would shift in their animal form because they have different animal attributes. They immediately gave Alleki a salute when he arrived. “We’re ready,” Valin said confidently. A few meters away from them, the spectators were the family members of each delegate, giving everyone a blessing for a safe journey. The Chieftain came along with Argana, who would give then the final blessing as she prayed fervently to the water goddess to provide them with strength and