Malaika

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.