The Maze

"Today?" Cara clarified with Ashton.

"Yes." He nodded and turned around to pick up his black leather jacket before he stepped out of their room.

Cara exhaled deeply as she looked down to check her outfit for the day. The body hugging black top with a plunging neckline and short denim skirt will prove to be a challenge for her today.

Ashton led the way as Cara heeled him. "If I had known this would be training day, I would wear my comfy gray hoodie, jeans and sneakers." Cara mumbled as she struggled to catch up with Ashton with her wedges.

This is the first time Cara seen the back part of the estate. There are no staffs around this area; the vibe is a little gloomy, good thing the drizzle she caused now stopped.

"Just how far does this estate go?" Cara muttered as she's starting to get tired following Ashton.

Cara was trying her best to keep up with Ashton, but he walked too fast, like a child who's exited to show off his new toy.

"Ash, wait up." Cara said, but Ashton did not slow down.

"Ash!" she said again and tugged his shirt.

"Ash, what are we doi- ahhh!" Cara shrieked, as she almost fell out of balance.

"Gotcha." Ashton said in a soft voice as he caught Cara. He grabbed her towards him. This is the first time Cara had any man this close to her. The same is true with Ashton. He can feel Cara's whole body against his rigid body. They are like a couple finishing a dance routine. Ashton firmly grabs Cara's arched back to prevent her from falling.

Their gaze locked at each other, as Ashton helped her to get back, stable on her feet.

"Thanks," Cara said, in a low voice.

Ashton looked up and instantly felt a light raindrop on his face. Cara bit her lip as she felt the rain, too. Again Ashton was clueless that she caused the drizzle for the second time today.

Cara realized that there is a humongous black gate in front of them. They intricately designed the solid steel gate with leaves and vines. The craftsmanship of this gate is undeniable. "Why would they make an effort to make such a work of art and hide it in this place?" Cara thought to herself as she admired the gate in front of her.

Ashton opened the gate with a key he pulled out from his pocket. Cara looked around and noticed that they are in front of a high bush, almost like a maze garden type of bush…..

Ashton pushed the gates open and slowly walked inside. Cara stood still, afraid to take a step… for some reason she is feeling something weird in this place.

Ashton extended his hand to Cara, seeing her hesitation to enter. He completely understood that something is preventing Cara from entering.

Cara looked at Ashton with a trust as she accepted his hand. Ashton squeezed Cara's hand and nodded as they went inside the garden. Lo-and-behold, her initial impression was correct. Her eyes widened at the site of endless wall to wall giant bushes. They are inside a gigantic garden maze. Cara has a very weak sense of direction. She literally could get lost in this place. She tightened her clasp on Ashton's hand as they walked deeper into the maze.

Ashton confidently led the way and walked like he knew this place by heart. After a few turns, they reached the center most part of the maze. There is an elevated platform and a weird-looking concrete staircase.

Cara's feeling of uneasiness doubled as they reached the center. Ashton let go of Cara's eyes as he stood behind her.

"Swoosh…" Distant sound of loud wind can be heard. Cara hugged herself. She clearly did not cause this sudden change in the weather. She looked up in the sky and saw how fast clouds were moving, as if racing towards her.

The sky turned dark, and the clouds circled above their location. It was almost like a tornado but its center is bigger as it formed at the top of the concrete staircase.

To Cara's eye it seemed more like a portal that is trying to open up. It scared Cara. This is something she only sees in movies. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine witnessing such a thing. Not to mention she does not even like those types of movies.

She slowly backed down… until she hit Ashton, who was standing firmly at her back. He held both of Cara's shoulders and bent down to whisper into her ears.

"Cara; the Sakalam. Your ancestors are acknowledging you." He said in a serious tone.

"My ancestors?" Ashton's words confused Cara. How on earth would they be able to do that? She thought.

"Yes, your ancestors." Ashton nodded, sure of the information he was sharing.

"Centuries ago, this was the holy place of your coven. Unfortunately though, many of your kind were also murdered here." Ashton said, confirming why he looked at Cara with complete understanding when she was hesitating to enter.

"Murdered by witch hunters?" Cara asked again.

"Yes. The Brotherhood of Phantoms." Ashton replied.

Cara cannot quiet grasp her feeling of empathy and sorrow. Her eyes swelled in tears. She did not know anyone of her kind. But no one deserved to be murdered for being themselves. It broke her heart. As if in a trance, she walked towards the staircase. She overcame her fear one step at a time. The staircase is around three meters high without anything to hold on to.

She was afraid of heights, but this time her desire to protect her kind was greater than her fears. She reached the top and shut her eyes tight and then spread her arms as if she was offering herself.

"My name is Cara, I am the Sakalam." She shouted.

Lightning struck, and the sky rumbled soon after. She could not help but compare the sound to giants rushing towards her. Cara's heart is pounding hard; not because of fear, but because of anticipation.

Will they accept her as their Sakalam? Is she worthy of the position? And more importantly, how will she able to protect the remaining witches in this world. Her thoughts slowly melting away in her feeling of being one with the entities she is facing right now. She is slowly feeling weightless, her body arched like she's a baby being carried by the wind.

Ashton watched everything unfold like his favorite novel is slowly getting a movie adaptation. He read this in his books. His father told him about this scene. He clearly remembers his dad saying that he is the luckiest servant to experience such unraveling of powers. Ashton used to abhor his father for the torture he endured as a kid.

He could never forget that cold dark night when his father left him there at the gate so he could get to the center of the maze by himself. He suffered this torture a couple of times, he even had nightmares about it. And now he can go through the maze without breaking a sweat not because he knows it by heart but because they forced him to. And today, leading Cara into the maze proved his training was indeed helpful.

Ashton watched as electricity like fluid surrounded Cara, as if she is being fuelled with magic. He is in awe. "This is Cara's destiny and mine is to serve her well." Ashton said. It overwhelmed him with emotions, like Cara; he finally accepted his role. His father trained him hard, and Ashton is sure that he will be able to help Cara in many ways.

Cara is slowly going down. Ashton noticed that Cara is unconscious. He prepared to catch her in his arms in case she falls. But the wind gently placed her in his arms. And like what his father prepared him to do, he brought Cara in the cabin overlooking the maze.

He pushed the door open and was satisfied as they maintained the cabin as he instructed his helpers. He carefully brought Cara to bed and covered her in a blanket. He quietly sat beside Cara, waiting for her to wake up.

"This woman is special, beautiful, strong and naïve all at the same time… too bad I am not capable of love." He thought to himself while he fixed Cara's hair that slightly covered her face. He took a deep sigh when he realized what he just said. Is it already an admission that he likes Cara? Is he that desperate to show Cara affection when he knows it is impossible for him to love?

It's been hours, and Cara is still asleep. The gloomy sky turned purple and the stars were a sight to behold. Ashton glanced back at Cara; the woman who holds the power of the moon and a thousand of her kind.

Cara opened her eyes slowly and found herself in an unfamiliar place. "Where am I?" Cara asked as she sat up and faced Ashton, who is sitting silently beside her.

"We are at my fort." Ashton smiled at Cara. He stood up and walked towards the window. Ashton nodded as if he is excited to show Cara the view.

Cara went beside Ashton. But all she can see is darkness, nothing special. "Are you kidding me right now?" Cara hit Ashton's shoulder for tricking her.

He chuckled at Cara. "I'm serious. Why don't you light it up?" Ashton dared Cara.

"How?" Cara asked Ashton.

"How would I know? You are the Sakalam, and I am just your servant." Ashton replied.

"Sindi, Sindi." Cara said. She closed her mouth right after she said that. What she meant to say was she wishes she could light it up, but spells came out of her mouth instead.

Torches around the maze lit up, and from their location, she can oversee everything. Now she understands how Ashton knew his way around the maze.

"Wow look at that, I think you just had a system upgrade." Ashton said to Cara.