Enchantment of Kara

Eyes as dark as the night stalked the trees, tracing the steps of Kara between the entangled enchantment of branches. The air was crisp but Kara showed no concern. Her legs pumped in front of her while her feet struggled to be the motivation she needed. Among the surroundings, susurrated voices ruffled the hairs on Kara's neck. Despite the quieted tension, the fear raged in her ears like the malediction of the witch's past. Her minions are the unearthly woodlands that carry her legend. Her own eyes swamped and fidgety, peeled through leaves and shadows no other could. Scratches seared her skin and the soft white fabrics of her dress were snagged and snatched.

The pitched black orbs that followed, watched her run in circles, falling further into the forest she so desperately craved to escape. From the body the orbs belonged to, ghostly pale wings spread like an angel ready to take flight. Its talents released its grip on the branch used to platform itself. Kara had not noticed the silent predictor taking on the plight to protect her soul. It knew the past lives the Kakó forest took. It refused to watch another get stolen away. The extent of Prostátis's concern was to send her back from whence she came.

The hope coursing through Kara's veins almost depleted when a speck of light came to view. At first, it seemed too far to waste her energy, but Kara did not cave. Instead, she pressed forward, until the speck grew into such a force, beckoning her with its warmth. Freedom! Kara’s mind encouraged. I will be free soon!

In the darkened skies above, the owl, Kara's Prostátis, adjusted its snow-white wings before diving through air. Kara did not hear the whoosing soundwaves beating against the quaint green leaves of the Kakó forest trees. Her eyes finally adjusted to the sudden switch of light. Through the blotch of white beams, Kara could see an opening. On the other side, the outside world waited with open arms. Her heart leaped, praising the gods for watching over her. Her ignorance shielded her eyes from the truth. A god had already been in the making of its works, watching out for souls as such that grew restless, frail, and untendable at the hands of the Kakó. The panic that once arose in the owl fermented into gallantry. Its nose and face seared through the lingering darkness until the owl's talons merely scraped against the bare skin on Kara's shoulder.

Finally, the presence of Prostátis grabbed ahold of Kara. Her attention whipped in its direction. She skidded to a stop as her feet dug into the dirt for balance. Prayers and rebukings flooded her mind. All through her forced stay in the forest, she was visited by its creatures who had tricks up their sleeves, like Cheshire to Alice. "I admonish you!" she compelled. "Leave!"

Confounded, the owl returned a look of lament. Its wings batted in place as effort to keep the body floating mid-air. "Do I pose a threat?" Prostátis questioned.

Kara's eyes shown defiance. Shoulders stayed hunched over as fists hovered her chest. "I am not shaken!"

"Why, then, treat me as such?"

"I have been running in circles!" she hollered, frustration taking over her senses. "I can't leave! I came here searching for my sister! I'm afraid—no! I'm convinced the same fate is near!"

"If you give into that light—" Prostátis stated, gesturing to what beckoned ahead, "—you will. You must resist. It is false. Many of the unwary, young and dogma-driven, have fallen to their grief and met the same end as their loved ones. I have tried to lead all back home, but very few have listened. So, please, for your sake."

Kara glowered back with furrowed brows. "Why should I trust you?"

The owl paused, returning the intense stare. It was determined to save this soul. Kara was his redemption. "Because I am your only shot," it finally spoke. "Resist, and follow me."

"I follow no other's creed," Kara refutted.

"That is not what I am asking," said Prostátis. "However, I watched you slowly succumb to the Kakó."

"The Kakó?" Kara repeated.

Prostátis bobbled its head. "That is this forest."

Kara stayed silent.

"I pray once more," beseeched the owl. "Follow me. I know the way out."

Kara did not why, nor did she care anymore—but a flicker of hope was renewed. Maybe it was exhaustion. Still, the feeling was more authentic than the blotch of light gave before. Her shoulder's rolled back and her chin raised. "Where is the way out?" she asked.

One of the wings belonging to Prostátis raised, the tip of the upper arm pointing to its left, opposite of Kara's right. "The door I've built—you passed it a hundred times and fifty," it said. "It is a door one must seek, and open at will. If you want out, step off the path of the Kakó. Walk a hundred steps and eleven from now. On the hundred-eleventh step, the door will stand on your right. Remember it opens at your will, not by your hand on the knob. If the Kakó has not consumed you, autonomy is nigh."

Kara was stricken. Her conscious begged her to heed, while second-guessing made her reluctant. But there was one answer. The door was the way out. If there was none, then that would be that. Before turning on the path following imperatives, Kara asked the owl, "What is your name? I am Kara."

"I am the Protector."

“Please, stay with me.” And Prostátis did.