Beyond Oakalo - The Adventures of a Young Witch

It was midnight. The crisp wind howled, and the murky clouds hid the bright full moon. I sat upright in my bed, filled with the chilling feeling of intense worry and anxiety. Cold air from the outside leaked through the large cracks in my walls. I shivered in the unpleasant draft that took over my dark surroundings. Unable to get a wink of sleep, I busied myself by glancing around my hut. It wasn’t what it used to be. All I saw was ashes, rubble, and ruin. The majority of my possessions had been burned, and the rest had been crushed or stolen. My hut used to be my happy place; it was cozy, colorful, and peaceful and it let me escape from the world. Not anymore. It was now cold, dirty and crumbling and being inside of it made me feel utterly hopeless. Our Planet Oakalo was not in a good state. The magic belonging to witches and wizards was becoming weaker by the second, and our animals were dying harsh and helpless deaths. Everyone who was able was desperately trying to mend our destroyed planet, but it seemed impossible. No spell, potion or charm could have possibly reversed the unimaginable damage done to our Planet Oakalo. I was just an ordinary witch, but something deep inside my heart told me that it was my responsibility to help. I just wasn’t sure how, not yet at least. Just as I was about to place my head on my uncomfortable pillow, a giant gust of frigid wind slapped me in the face right after it slammed open my rickety door, ripping it from it’s rusty hinges. A large silhouette stood before me, getting bigger and scarier by the second. A rush of fright burst up my spine and alerted all my muscles. My feet felt hot, as if ready to run away, into the deep, dark night. I heard the bats flapping their shadowy wings, and the werewolves growling fiercely. My heart nearly pounded out of my chest, and my breathing became heavy and loud. Was it him? Was he back? I knew better than to scream. My body was shaking, but my gut was telling me ‘step into the moonlight. It’s alright, it’s alright…’ I was practically one hundred percent sure that it was absolutely not alright, but I had to trust my gut. I pulled my thick cloak over my head, hiding my pale skin and bright blue eyes. I crept out of my creaky bed and stepped into the moonlight, away from the shadows. I was standing in the center of my hut, illuminated by the moonlight that was pouring through my door. This was the moment. The moment where my wild adventure began and my life changed… forever.

…

What stood before me was none other than the Golden Night Owl and it’s mistress, Aurelia Goldshade. No wizard or witch on Planet Oakalo had seen Aurelia in over three thousand years. I blankly stared at Aurelia and her owl, too shocked to open my mouth to say anything. Thunder roared and lightning crashed as she began speaking to me.

“Alvina,” she said breathlessly. “I need your help…”

“Wh— me?” I stuttered, still astounded. “But—”

“He is back.” Aurelia said in a frightened voice.

I shuddered. “Again?” I whispered. “To Planet Oakalo?”

For a few long moments, all I was able to do was stare into her big golden eyes, shining in the moonlight. Her long blue hair flowed behind her, as smooth as the waves in the ocean. Her owl hooted, and it’s golden feathers shone as bright as the sun.

“He has fled to Earth.” she whispered in reply.

At that very moment, her ancient Golden Night Owl spread its wings, took off into the cold air and flew towards me. As it landed on my small arm, it felt like a missing part of my soul had been found. I felt a strange sense of energy, as if the owl gave me unspeakable power. I looked into its majestic shiny blue eyes. They looked just like mine. “Just as I thought,” Aurelia stated.

“What do you mean?” I asked curiously.

“You belong with this owl, Alvina. You have a strong and powerful connection with him.” Aurelia said to me, with a small spark of hope in her voice. “That is why I need your help, desperately. You are my only and final hope at saving Planet Oakalo and Planet Earth.” Aurelia finished.

“You mean… Drokule… he is going to strike again?” I asked. “Oh no…” I panted. “I will do anything to save my planet. Anything.” I said to Aurelia. “The innocent witches and wizards of Planet Oakalo don’t deserve to suffer like this.”

The golden owl was still perched on my arm, and was hooting softly every once in a while. I had never felt so strong in my life. I felt confident, motivated, and hopeful. I guess that the Golden Night Owl really was the missing piece of my soul. I was going to save my planet, and I wasn’t going to give up. Not even after a million years of consistent effort.

I took my eyes away from the enchanting and gorgeous owl and asked Aurelia, “How can I help?” But Aurelia was nowhere in sight.

It was like she had disappeared into thin air. I sprinted to my door and leapt outside, and the freezing rain soaked my tangled hair. Aurelia was floating into the sky, into the thick clouds, and fading away into nothing. Nothing but a memory.

“My time has come, Alvina. You are stronger than you could ever imagine. You are capable of the impossible. Save your planet. I believe in you. I believe in you…”

“No.” I stammered, as I squinted up at her. “NO! Aurelia!” I yelled, as loud as I possibly could. But it was too late. I was left there, alone. I was out in the pouring rain, wondering what had just been placed on my shoulders. What was I going to do? How was an ordinary sixteen year old witch like me going to save two entire planets from the most powerful and despicable wizard to ever exist?

~ TO BE CONTINUED ~

By: Avery Durand