The sun shines brightly, making a dazzle display of light. The light breaks into sparks of colors as it hits the seas’ calm, cool water. The water so calm and clear reveals the richness of the seas’ treasures. Seaweed and coral swaying softly and seductively while the small, exquisite fishes congregate and explore the seas fathomless bottom.
Makaliwe has been following this school of fishes in the hopes of bigger prey. His lungs that was already strong with years of diving protested. Makaliwe calmly cleaved the water with strong and steady strokes. He surfaced with rainbow tainted mist sprayed from his mouth. His face was blasted with habagat, the warm humid wind from the seas. Makaliwe smiled, he always enjoyed the contrasting characteristics of nature. He floated for a while lying down on his back the saltwater buoying his body, the waves relaxing his tired muscles.
“One more dive, then I’ll quit.” Makaliwe decided.
There were still many preparations to do these days. More Mindanaoan Datus will arrive in the Isles and many may stop over here in Danay. Makaliwe’s thoughts stopped. There was a great splash to his right.
“Bariles.” shouted Makaliwe
It had been days when the tribe haven’t tasted tuna. Makaliwe hurriedly gulped fresh air and dove with a strong kick. Powerful legs and arms working smoothly and steadily. Makaliwe caught sight of the enormous fish. He unstrapped the spear from his back and tied a rope connected to the spear to his left wrist. Aiming with care and practice, Makaliwe almost gulped in water as he was suddenly pulled by the frantic thrashing of the hurt fish. Disoriented with the incessant movement. Makaliwe tried to set his bearings. Predictably the fish stopped its thrashing. Makaliwe smiled and thought that his was an easy kill.
Exhausted, Makaliwe sprawled on the white powdery sand, his head rested on the sleek shiny body of the bariles.
“Makaliwe! Makaliwe!” Salinog shouted. “I smelled fish and thought you were around…I was right!”
“Ha!…Ha!…Ha!” Makaliwe mumbled sarcastically.
“Bariles! Oh what delicious fare. My vinegar is just in the right condition and the tuba! The tuba!” Salinog raved.
“Hoy! Shut up! You are too noisy and greedy. Don’t forget we should share the fish with the tribe.”
“Yes, but you are Maharlika. A noble blooded lucky boy! You can do anything you want.”
“Salinog you rascal! Stop being so childish. People share what he has to others…”
“Yeah, yeah, stop lecturing. You Datu want to be!”
“Sure, sure. Now shut up and help me carry this overgrown fish.”
Makaliwe and Salinog were already breathing heavily and sweating profusely as they carried the bariles on their shoulders. As they approached their baranggay, they noticed a lot of people congregating at center of it. The Nasailogans wore alarmed faces and were clearly excited at something on the ground. Makaliwe and Salinog hurried their pace to a jog, curious why their tribesmen were agitated. When Makaliwe and Salinog reached the nearest house, the Nasailogans were already massed at the baranggay center and there was already a deafening hum the tribesman talking excitedly and simultaneously.
“Tahimik!” A strong and loud voice rose among the din of the crowd. There was a sudden silence and the mass of Nasailogans went still. Scruffling of feet and rippling movement came from the back of the throng. The crowd parted, revealing a withered old man. The Nasailogans stepped back further as a man covered with tattoo followed and stood at the old man’s left side. Datu Bangkaya is an impressive sight. His long black hair was checked in place by a thin gold circlet on his head. His face is handsome accentuated by an inner strength of character. He wore thick looped golden earrings at both ears. On his neck hung a necklace that held the Nasailogans clan pendant. His elaborate tattoos spoke well of status and accomplishments.
“Greetings. Estranghero” Datu Bangkaya said. “The Nasailogan tribe thanks you for rescuing Tigasol and for bringing him to the clan. We welcome you to the tribe of the Nasailog. I am Datu Bangkaya. First son of Datu Manlakas of the line of Nasailog.”
“Mabuhay. Datu Bangkaya.” the stranger answered simply. “I am Bagani”
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Sparks in the dark night by pauwiks
The great warrior fought valiantly. Still his enemies were standing. Tigasol was dumbfounded when he realized that his cuts did not penetrate his opponents. He was amazed and terrified when he realized he could not kill them. His kris, given by his father, was broken in two, his dagger was somewhere lying in the mud. Tigasol took stock of his situation. He was outnumbered ten to one and already his body was covered with nicks and cuts. He observed his opponents as a trained warrior would. He immediately discounted six from the group. The other four worried him. They were not so eager and boisterous as the rest. The one with the patch over his eye looked calm and relaxed as the other three, but his one remaining eye was calculating. The other two had the same stance and body movements. They would be sparring partners, very hard to fight as a team. The last one was small but has very muscular arms. A warrior that trained relentlessly, also a difficult one to fight. It was a good thing that the place of ambush was near a forest and there were lots of sticks of wood lying around.
The short man felt Tigasol’s eyes gaze over him. Dotaran knew that Dagatad, Kulingan and Buwanglan were also scrutinized. Still, Dotaran noticed that the warrior’s eyes just passed over him, unlike the lingering gaze at Kulingan and Buwanglan. The warrior is observant and has a very quick calculating mind. He also has a precise and accurate fighting style. This Tigasol would make a dangerous adversary. Dotaran motioned to his three henchmen to hold back and let the young warriors harass Tigasol. They were doing a lousy job of it. Young warriors are still new with the blood lust and Dotaran knew that they were hard to control but very easy to play with. Eventually Dotaran surmised, Tigasol will make a run for it and may lose some…well, maybe all of those boisterous youngsters. Not a problem, Dagatad is a very good tracker and Dotaran can rely on Kulingan and Buwanglan to butcher the competent warrior. No, not merely competent…his technique is very familiar and it nagged at Dotaran’s mind.
Tigasol bent down and took two sticks, one in each hand. The six young warriors howled with laughter while the other four just looked on the rest of the group and their quarry. One of them shrilled a cry, and as one attacked the warrior. Tigasol just stood there waiting for one of the supposed warriors to come to him and give him a thrashing. He was not worried with their numbers. It was a messy, unconcerted attack, an attack expected from dogs not trained warriors. Tigasol parried and struck and danced with their blades. He was edging near the forest. He is not stupid, he could not win with enemies whose skin refuse to bleed and whose bones do not want to be broken. Already the sticks that he used were already shattered and broken to pieces and there were only three or four lying around. Tigasol was already exhausted with this mock battle. Fortunately, the young warriors also shared his sentiments. Tigasol took the chance, dropped his broken sticks and ran into the forest.
The young whelps ran after him while the four warrior just jogged and trailed along. Tigasol could not take advantage of his surroundings, he did not know this part of the forest. So he blindly ran on. He looked back and saw two of the untrained warriors trailing him. He ran on but a tree blocked his way. One of the whelps posing as warriors took a swing at him and he easily dodged it. Tigasol took a branch lying on the ground and parried at an overhead strike. Tigasol lost a lot of time from dodging the other boy and picking up the stick. His parry did not arrive at the right angle at the right time. The wood shattered and he took a blow on his right shoulder. He ignored the pain as the other boy tried to skewer him with a blade pointed at his belly. The boy had a two handed grip on his kris. A serious mistake, it did not give him an advantage of parrying an opponents attack. Tigasol used the blade of his right hand and chopped the dogs forearms while his left hand locked onto the last two fingers of the boys left hand. After doing this, Tigasol’s right thumb pried the others right thumb while his other fingers grasped the guard of the kris. With a twist, the blade was his.
Tigasol swung the blade to the boy’s neck and his arm was jarred as the kris bounced against the young warrior’s skin. The two whelps just stood there and laughed at him. Tigasol was never laughed at during a fight, especially not by two stupid youths, he was infuriated by the taunting open mouths. He stuck one with the tip of the kris. Both stopped laughing and froze. Then blood squirted from the warrior’s mouth into Tigasol’s face. There was a loud scream. The blood blinded Tigasol and he did not see where the incoming strike of the other boy would land. His left hand parried aimlessly and was met by the blade of the whelps’ kris. His left wrist was cut. The whelp was encouraged and took a swing at Tigasol’s neck. However, Tigasol already recovered and blocked the blow with a strong sideward motion. The boy’s kris flew away, as the warrior ran to fetch it, Tigasol took his chance and resumed his escape. The four veteran warriors stopped. They did not expect that the dying cry would come from one of the group. Yet, here was one with blood coming out from his mouth. Dotaran knelt down and examined the body. He realized that Dagatad was looking at him with his one eye. Asking for permission to continue with his tracking. Kulingan and Buwanglan wore frustrated masks. They were responsible for training those pathetic recruits. Dotaran grunted and affirmative reply to Dagatad also indicating Kulingan and Buwanglan to continue the chase. Dotaran inspected the boys’ body and found no marks on it, except blood at the boy’s mouth. He really did not expect to see any cuts but he needed to be thorough. Everyone in the group performed the correct ritual, everyone should be protected by the magic. Dotaran opened the corpses’ mouth. Ah! The tongue was slashed and the mouth’s crevice was cut in two. He. never knew a fighting style that stabbed a part of the face, much less the mouth. Stabbing is usually done to the torso, the head and the extremities are usually hacked off. Still, the boy should not be stabbed with a blade, maybe they boy committed a mistake in the ritual. Dotaran convinced himself but he was nevertheless, disturbed. He stood up and followed the trail left by Dagatad.
Tigasol ran and ran deeper into the forest. He found a spring, took a cautious look back and was relieved that there were no sign of a chase. The sun was already diving to the west, ushering the night. He knew that if he dallied there would be a chance that the rest of the enemies might track him. However, he had to take care of his wounds, take a rest and ascertain his location in order to increase his chances of survival. First he had to tend his wounds. Tigasol tore the sash on his waist in two. He was relieved that the cuts on his left wrist and right shoulder were not as deep as he thought. He cleaned it with the fresh water from the spring and tied his wounds as the healers taught him how. He lay on a rock and let his body rest. He looked up and noticed that Adlaw, the sun, was already gone replaced with Bulan, the moon and their children. He noticed that the land was sloping upwards and realized that he was near the base of the mountain of Naktud. Tigasol knew that Datu Bangkaya and His tribe will be waiting for his arrival at the base of the Ablan river. he should not waste his time.
Dotaran caught up with Dagatad and Kulingan. He was about to ask the whereabouts of Buwanglan when Dagatad sharply brought his right forefinger to his mouth and pointed with his left hand to the west and there lay Tigasol, on a rock looking up at the darkening sky. Dotaran saw a movement at the far right of Tigasol’s rock. He realized it was Buwanglan crawling stealthily towards Tigasol’s unguarded kris. Slowly, Buwanglan stole the kris and with great care backtracked towards a tree. Dotaran motioned Kulingan to go to Tigasol’s far left. He indicated to Dagatad to move at the further front of Tigasol. Dotaran looked for a leafy tree, found one and climbed on it. When he located a vantage point where he could see Tigasol and his three henchmen, the three warriors looked up an waited for his signal.
Tigasol stood up from the rock and went to the spot where he left his kris. He looked for it but it was gone. Tigasol slowly stood up straight. He looked into the suddenly dark night and did not spot any pursuers. He closed his eyes and counted, usa…duha…tulo…upat…lima and opened his eyes. He can now see the faint outlines of the trees and bushes and some of the small animals scurrying away from the vicinity. There were no birdcalls. He only heard the bubbling of the spring and the rustle of leaves, there was not even a sound of a cricket chirping. Tigasol knew that he was surrounded. He tried to relax his tense muscles. He breathed deeply. There was a chuckle to his left, he listened to it but ignored it. He needed to concentrate. There was another chuckle to his right joining the other to his left. A rustle of leaves to his front and then a howl. The dark silent forest burst into insane laughter and rustle of leaves. He did not know where the attack would come. The rustling stopped and the laughter died down, the dark clouds overhead let strays of moonlight pass. There…in front of him was “Buta”, the single eyed man, to his right and left were the sparring partners. “Putot”, the small man was not there. It was a three to one battle. Tigasol glanced back and saw a black space. He would take advantage of that clearing. It would offer no obstacle. How unfortunate that the forest was unfamiliar to him, it would have offered a lot of defense.
Tigasol slowly stepped back when he almost came near the black clearing, he heard a rustle of leaves and movement at his front also a faint whistle of air to his left. Battle instinct clicked and he automatically dodged from his left and tripped sparring partner number one…”Usa”! He amazed himself that he can still brand names to his enemies in the middle of a fight. “Usa” rolled away but Tigasol was also outbalanced. He landed on his back as “Buta” executed a diving strike. Tigasol blocked the overhead strike with his left hand to the right elbow of “Buta”. “Buta” twisted on the air, turning to his left as he was falling. Tigasol saw a glimpse of metal hidden inside “Buta”s waist sash. He grabbed for it with his right hand while his left was still pinning “Buta”s right arm. Tigasol took the dagger and rolled to the right, following the enemy’s rotation. “Buta” landed on the ground with his left shoulder. Not wasting a moment, Tigasol stabbed the left earhole of the enemy. He was right, it was not protected by magic.
Tigasol was moving a little slower because of the strain from his wounds. He heard a battle cry from the right and quickly withdrew the dagger and tried to parry the horizontal strike as the kris grazed his stomach. His dagger was thrown away by the strong blow. “Duha”, sparring number two, stopped and knew that the pray was good as dead. He was glorified by the sight of blood and howled like a maddened dog. “Usa” having recovered from his fall joined in with maniacal laughter. Tigasol backed away slowly. The lunatics were still howling and yapping, laughing and taunting. He backed away into his right, hoping for a retreat but he was stopped. He did not realize that the black space he thought as a clearing was actually an enormous ebony tree. He took advantage of the ravings of the maniacs and looked for a weapon and found a branch from the tree. It was a little bit crooked but its length was the same as the kris and it felt good in his hands. Tigasol knew that a piece of wood won’t stand a chance against a kris, but it can be used as a defense against a blade.
The two salivating brutes stopped their ravings and slowly treaded towards him. They separated, “Usa” went 45 degrees left of him and “Duha” went to a 45 degree angle to his right. A two pronged attack! Tigasol bit his lip and tightened his grip on the stick, it is a hard tactic to defend…only if the diwatas would help him. Simultaneously they shouted a blood curdling cry and attacked. The warriors’ mind took hold, if both would reach him at the same time, he would surely die. Tigasol sprang from his wooden niche and hit the forearm of “Usa”as he executed an oblique overhead blow. When the stick completed its downward motion, Tigasol shifted his body to the right. “Usa”, propelled by the momentum of his oblique blow and from the consequent parry, continued to move forward away from Tigasol. As “Usa” passed him, Tigasol used the momentum of his downward parry and converted it to a vertical windmill and hit the top of “Usa”s’ head. There was a loud clack as the wood connected with the enemy’s skull. the defeated warrior dropped like a full sack of wet grain.
Tigasol did not lose one moment, as the stick finished its circular motion the blade of the remaining enemy was swiftly falling downward towards his crown. Tigasol reacted instantly, he brought the stick into a horizontal position, the ends pointing left and right, and jerked his right arm obliquely to his left and executed a perfect payong. Simultaneously his left hand went for the enemy’s right forearm. As Tigasol’s palm hit the others flesh, there was a loud clack and bright sparks. The blade hit the outermost length of the stick and slid harmlessly away. Tigasol pivoted away from the path of the blade and twisted his stick pointing its ends to his front and back. Sharply, he brought his right hand down. The stick hammered the forearm of the enemy. The brute barked a puzzled cry, while Tigasol pushed the enemy’s back with his left hand and with his last remaining strength, he aimed at the enemy’s neck and struck. Tigasol heard a crunch, there was a flash of lightning and a peal of thunder and all went black.
Dotaran could not believe what his eyes saw. Three of his best warriors were killed by a lone wounded man wielding a stick. A stick!. The Kulintaman are supposed to be invulnerable. The babaylan assured them that and they proved it time and again. Those three were adept with the ritual, it was impossible for them to commit a stupid mistake. Dotaran knew that Tigasol was and still is a great warrior, but he can be killed! What can he do with these proven and veteran warriors protected by magic? Nothing!…supposedly. A stick! This man is smiled upon by the diwatas. No…he is favored by the gods. By the gods…a stick! Dotaran scampered down the tree and crept carefully to the scene of the battle. Dagatad'’ left ear was already clotted. Dotaran understood then that the magic protected unbroken skin, all except the natural openings of the body. Dotaran went to Kulingan'’ body and inspected it. The corpse skull was cracked. Next, he went to where Buwanglan’s corpse lay. Sure enough both forearm and neck were crushed. Yet, these were protected by unbroken skin! There is no other explanation…it is the stick. Dotaran crept noiselessly towards Tigasol. he observed that Tigasol already had a loose grip on the stick. Yet the stick was unremarkable, it is crooked and black. What could it’s power be? Slowly, carefully Dotaran knelt down and reached for the end of the ebony stick. When his fingers touched the black wood his vision was flooded by a flash of bright light…
The short man felt Tigasol’s eyes gaze over him. Dotaran knew that Dagatad, Kulingan and Buwanglan were also scrutinized. Still, Dotaran noticed that the warrior’s eyes just passed over him, unlike the lingering gaze at Kulingan and Buwanglan. The warrior is observant and has a very quick calculating mind. He also has a precise and accurate fighting style. This Tigasol would make a dangerous adversary. Dotaran motioned to his three henchmen to hold back and let the young warriors harass Tigasol. They were doing a lousy job of it. Young warriors are still new with the blood lust and Dotaran knew that they were hard to control but very easy to play with. Eventually Dotaran surmised, Tigasol will make a run for it and may lose some…well, maybe all of those boisterous youngsters. Not a problem, Dagatad is a very good tracker and Dotaran can rely on Kulingan and Buwanglan to butcher the competent warrior. No, not merely competent…his technique is very familiar and it nagged at Dotaran’s mind.
Tigasol bent down and took two sticks, one in each hand. The six young warriors howled with laughter while the other four just looked on the rest of the group and their quarry. One of them shrilled a cry, and as one attacked the warrior. Tigasol just stood there waiting for one of the supposed warriors to come to him and give him a thrashing. He was not worried with their numbers. It was a messy, unconcerted attack, an attack expected from dogs not trained warriors. Tigasol parried and struck and danced with their blades. He was edging near the forest. He is not stupid, he could not win with enemies whose skin refuse to bleed and whose bones do not want to be broken. Already the sticks that he used were already shattered and broken to pieces and there were only three or four lying around. Tigasol was already exhausted with this mock battle. Fortunately, the young warriors also shared his sentiments. Tigasol took the chance, dropped his broken sticks and ran into the forest.
The young whelps ran after him while the four warrior just jogged and trailed along. Tigasol could not take advantage of his surroundings, he did not know this part of the forest. So he blindly ran on. He looked back and saw two of the untrained warriors trailing him. He ran on but a tree blocked his way. One of the whelps posing as warriors took a swing at him and he easily dodged it. Tigasol took a branch lying on the ground and parried at an overhead strike. Tigasol lost a lot of time from dodging the other boy and picking up the stick. His parry did not arrive at the right angle at the right time. The wood shattered and he took a blow on his right shoulder. He ignored the pain as the other boy tried to skewer him with a blade pointed at his belly. The boy had a two handed grip on his kris. A serious mistake, it did not give him an advantage of parrying an opponents attack. Tigasol used the blade of his right hand and chopped the dogs forearms while his left hand locked onto the last two fingers of the boys left hand. After doing this, Tigasol’s right thumb pried the others right thumb while his other fingers grasped the guard of the kris. With a twist, the blade was his.
Tigasol swung the blade to the boy’s neck and his arm was jarred as the kris bounced against the young warrior’s skin. The two whelps just stood there and laughed at him. Tigasol was never laughed at during a fight, especially not by two stupid youths, he was infuriated by the taunting open mouths. He stuck one with the tip of the kris. Both stopped laughing and froze. Then blood squirted from the warrior’s mouth into Tigasol’s face. There was a loud scream. The blood blinded Tigasol and he did not see where the incoming strike of the other boy would land. His left hand parried aimlessly and was met by the blade of the whelps’ kris. His left wrist was cut. The whelp was encouraged and took a swing at Tigasol’s neck. However, Tigasol already recovered and blocked the blow with a strong sideward motion. The boy’s kris flew away, as the warrior ran to fetch it, Tigasol took his chance and resumed his escape. The four veteran warriors stopped. They did not expect that the dying cry would come from one of the group. Yet, here was one with blood coming out from his mouth. Dotaran knelt down and examined the body. He realized that Dagatad was looking at him with his one eye. Asking for permission to continue with his tracking. Kulingan and Buwanglan wore frustrated masks. They were responsible for training those pathetic recruits. Dotaran grunted and affirmative reply to Dagatad also indicating Kulingan and Buwanglan to continue the chase. Dotaran inspected the boys’ body and found no marks on it, except blood at the boy’s mouth. He really did not expect to see any cuts but he needed to be thorough. Everyone in the group performed the correct ritual, everyone should be protected by the magic. Dotaran opened the corpses’ mouth. Ah! The tongue was slashed and the mouth’s crevice was cut in two. He. never knew a fighting style that stabbed a part of the face, much less the mouth. Stabbing is usually done to the torso, the head and the extremities are usually hacked off. Still, the boy should not be stabbed with a blade, maybe they boy committed a mistake in the ritual. Dotaran convinced himself but he was nevertheless, disturbed. He stood up and followed the trail left by Dagatad.
Tigasol ran and ran deeper into the forest. He found a spring, took a cautious look back and was relieved that there were no sign of a chase. The sun was already diving to the west, ushering the night. He knew that if he dallied there would be a chance that the rest of the enemies might track him. However, he had to take care of his wounds, take a rest and ascertain his location in order to increase his chances of survival. First he had to tend his wounds. Tigasol tore the sash on his waist in two. He was relieved that the cuts on his left wrist and right shoulder were not as deep as he thought. He cleaned it with the fresh water from the spring and tied his wounds as the healers taught him how. He lay on a rock and let his body rest. He looked up and noticed that Adlaw, the sun, was already gone replaced with Bulan, the moon and their children. He noticed that the land was sloping upwards and realized that he was near the base of the mountain of Naktud. Tigasol knew that Datu Bangkaya and His tribe will be waiting for his arrival at the base of the Ablan river. he should not waste his time.
Dotaran caught up with Dagatad and Kulingan. He was about to ask the whereabouts of Buwanglan when Dagatad sharply brought his right forefinger to his mouth and pointed with his left hand to the west and there lay Tigasol, on a rock looking up at the darkening sky. Dotaran saw a movement at the far right of Tigasol’s rock. He realized it was Buwanglan crawling stealthily towards Tigasol’s unguarded kris. Slowly, Buwanglan stole the kris and with great care backtracked towards a tree. Dotaran motioned Kulingan to go to Tigasol’s far left. He indicated to Dagatad to move at the further front of Tigasol. Dotaran looked for a leafy tree, found one and climbed on it. When he located a vantage point where he could see Tigasol and his three henchmen, the three warriors looked up an waited for his signal.
Tigasol stood up from the rock and went to the spot where he left his kris. He looked for it but it was gone. Tigasol slowly stood up straight. He looked into the suddenly dark night and did not spot any pursuers. He closed his eyes and counted, usa…duha…tulo…upat…lima and opened his eyes. He can now see the faint outlines of the trees and bushes and some of the small animals scurrying away from the vicinity. There were no birdcalls. He only heard the bubbling of the spring and the rustle of leaves, there was not even a sound of a cricket chirping. Tigasol knew that he was surrounded. He tried to relax his tense muscles. He breathed deeply. There was a chuckle to his left, he listened to it but ignored it. He needed to concentrate. There was another chuckle to his right joining the other to his left. A rustle of leaves to his front and then a howl. The dark silent forest burst into insane laughter and rustle of leaves. He did not know where the attack would come. The rustling stopped and the laughter died down, the dark clouds overhead let strays of moonlight pass. There…in front of him was “Buta”, the single eyed man, to his right and left were the sparring partners. “Putot”, the small man was not there. It was a three to one battle. Tigasol glanced back and saw a black space. He would take advantage of that clearing. It would offer no obstacle. How unfortunate that the forest was unfamiliar to him, it would have offered a lot of defense.
Tigasol slowly stepped back when he almost came near the black clearing, he heard a rustle of leaves and movement at his front also a faint whistle of air to his left. Battle instinct clicked and he automatically dodged from his left and tripped sparring partner number one…”Usa”! He amazed himself that he can still brand names to his enemies in the middle of a fight. “Usa” rolled away but Tigasol was also outbalanced. He landed on his back as “Buta” executed a diving strike. Tigasol blocked the overhead strike with his left hand to the right elbow of “Buta”. “Buta” twisted on the air, turning to his left as he was falling. Tigasol saw a glimpse of metal hidden inside “Buta”s waist sash. He grabbed for it with his right hand while his left was still pinning “Buta”s right arm. Tigasol took the dagger and rolled to the right, following the enemy’s rotation. “Buta” landed on the ground with his left shoulder. Not wasting a moment, Tigasol stabbed the left earhole of the enemy. He was right, it was not protected by magic.
Tigasol was moving a little slower because of the strain from his wounds. He heard a battle cry from the right and quickly withdrew the dagger and tried to parry the horizontal strike as the kris grazed his stomach. His dagger was thrown away by the strong blow. “Duha”, sparring number two, stopped and knew that the pray was good as dead. He was glorified by the sight of blood and howled like a maddened dog. “Usa” having recovered from his fall joined in with maniacal laughter. Tigasol backed away slowly. The lunatics were still howling and yapping, laughing and taunting. He backed away into his right, hoping for a retreat but he was stopped. He did not realize that the black space he thought as a clearing was actually an enormous ebony tree. He took advantage of the ravings of the maniacs and looked for a weapon and found a branch from the tree. It was a little bit crooked but its length was the same as the kris and it felt good in his hands. Tigasol knew that a piece of wood won’t stand a chance against a kris, but it can be used as a defense against a blade.
The two salivating brutes stopped their ravings and slowly treaded towards him. They separated, “Usa” went 45 degrees left of him and “Duha” went to a 45 degree angle to his right. A two pronged attack! Tigasol bit his lip and tightened his grip on the stick, it is a hard tactic to defend…only if the diwatas would help him. Simultaneously they shouted a blood curdling cry and attacked. The warriors’ mind took hold, if both would reach him at the same time, he would surely die. Tigasol sprang from his wooden niche and hit the forearm of “Usa”as he executed an oblique overhead blow. When the stick completed its downward motion, Tigasol shifted his body to the right. “Usa”, propelled by the momentum of his oblique blow and from the consequent parry, continued to move forward away from Tigasol. As “Usa” passed him, Tigasol used the momentum of his downward parry and converted it to a vertical windmill and hit the top of “Usa”s’ head. There was a loud clack as the wood connected with the enemy’s skull. the defeated warrior dropped like a full sack of wet grain.
Tigasol did not lose one moment, as the stick finished its circular motion the blade of the remaining enemy was swiftly falling downward towards his crown. Tigasol reacted instantly, he brought the stick into a horizontal position, the ends pointing left and right, and jerked his right arm obliquely to his left and executed a perfect payong. Simultaneously his left hand went for the enemy’s right forearm. As Tigasol’s palm hit the others flesh, there was a loud clack and bright sparks. The blade hit the outermost length of the stick and slid harmlessly away. Tigasol pivoted away from the path of the blade and twisted his stick pointing its ends to his front and back. Sharply, he brought his right hand down. The stick hammered the forearm of the enemy. The brute barked a puzzled cry, while Tigasol pushed the enemy’s back with his left hand and with his last remaining strength, he aimed at the enemy’s neck and struck. Tigasol heard a crunch, there was a flash of lightning and a peal of thunder and all went black.
Dotaran could not believe what his eyes saw. Three of his best warriors were killed by a lone wounded man wielding a stick. A stick!. The Kulintaman are supposed to be invulnerable. The babaylan assured them that and they proved it time and again. Those three were adept with the ritual, it was impossible for them to commit a stupid mistake. Dotaran knew that Tigasol was and still is a great warrior, but he can be killed! What can he do with these proven and veteran warriors protected by magic? Nothing!…supposedly. A stick! This man is smiled upon by the diwatas. No…he is favored by the gods. By the gods…a stick! Dotaran scampered down the tree and crept carefully to the scene of the battle. Dagatad'’ left ear was already clotted. Dotaran understood then that the magic protected unbroken skin, all except the natural openings of the body. Dotaran went to Kulingan'’ body and inspected it. The corpse skull was cracked. Next, he went to where Buwanglan’s corpse lay. Sure enough both forearm and neck were crushed. Yet, these were protected by unbroken skin! There is no other explanation…it is the stick. Dotaran crept noiselessly towards Tigasol. he observed that Tigasol already had a loose grip on the stick. Yet the stick was unremarkable, it is crooked and black. What could it’s power be? Slowly, carefully Dotaran knelt down and reached for the end of the ebony stick. When his fingers touched the black wood his vision was flooded by a flash of bright light…
The Dark flowing into the Light by pauwiks
When the siblings of the stars knew that Bathala created Tao, they welcomed the new race. They have similar form and were as beautiful as the Diwatas. The only difference was that the Diwatas were taller and paler than the light races, their hair were blinding white and their magic is far more powerful and stronger. Some Diwatas intermarried with the Taos. Some did not. A small party of Tao comprised of different tribes did not intermarry with the Diwatas and made their households with their own tribes. These Taos migrated from the mainland and sailed to the islands in the North. These tribes founded the Kingdom of the Isles and they were called Tagaisla. The Taos left behind integrated their culture to the Diwatan culture. Decades passed and the unique combination of Diwatan and Taon culture flourished. There were still some contact with the Tagaisla from the Babaylans and some adventurous Mandirigma. Peace reigned for thousands of years. The Taos in time rose to their potential almost equaling the Diwatas in different fields; magic, sciences, philosophy and the arts. The Diwatas and Taos were equally proud of their children, the Engkantos. They were the perfect symbol of the Diwatan and Taon coexistence. They were slightly taller than the Taos, have the same features except for the hairlip, the Engkantos do not have it. The Engkantos inherited both magics of the Diwatas and Taos. They have in their power the magic of the universe and the magic of nature. The Engkantos have the natural ability to shape shift and develop their natural powers depending on the path they choose.
The Taos lived freely with the Diwatas. They learned and taught with them. Discovered philosophies and acquired new magic with them. They governed and served with the Diwatas. The Tao and the Diwata achieved equal status in their civilization. All were content except for a young Diwata called Hinugdan. Hinugdan is a proud Diwata, he never forgets to emphasize that their race was the first to live in Kalibutan. They were the shapers of what Kalibutan is today. It never left his mind that his race were descended from the sun and the moon. He viewed the Taos as lesser beings made by Bathala to honor and serve the Diwatas. Engkantos , he favored because they have a part of the Diwatan blood. Still he viewed them as lesser beings that were made for the Diwatas to make up for the loss of divinity of the Diwatas made by the stupidity of LaAdlaw and LaBulan. Hinugdan soon accumulated a group of diwatas and Engkantos disgruntled with the Taos that for some reason or another were the cause of their loss of favor among their peers. For their were Taos that were exceptional, deserving of their office and their status. Hinugdan nurtured their disgruntlement and disappointment slowly but not obviously. Discarded appeasing opinions and fostered destructive suggestions.
Decades passed and Hinugdan’s group became large. Hinugdan now possesses loyal followers that obeys his commands and spread his ideas. Soon this group became a strong organization in the Assembly. The older Diwatas took this lightly and thought that it was only hot blood of the young. They did not do anything to the organization for the Diwatas value freedom. As long as this new group did not break the law they were not banned. This apathetic attitude was then realized to be a mistake, for after centuries, the once little organization became a big party that acquired a seat at the High Council.
Unfortunately because of the Diwatas long life span, the older Diwatas did not see what had happened during the Party’s growth. The Taos that were members of the Clan that is under the Party were already abused and oppressed short of slavery. These Taos though of short life span has long memory passed from generation to generation. these Taos formed an organization of their own that opposed Hinugdan’s’ belief and sentiments. Decades after Hinugdan’s’ Party was recognized in the High Council this organization became a small Party that acquired a seat in the High Council. the oppositions debated about in the High Council, soon it was reflected by serious fights among Diwatas, Engkantos and Taos. It became common to see a Diwata fight against a Diwata. Diwata against Engkantos, Engkantos against Engkantos. The Taos that were already fed up and fought against Diwata and Engkanto. These started with heated arguments then to insults and threats. Growing into isolated fights that grew to larger riots. The once peaceful society was now ruled by chaos.
The High Council called for an Assembly to address the situation of their society. The two Parties were by now equally strong and each acquired sympathies and allies. Factions rose from the Assembly. One faction headed by Hinugdan suggested outright banishment of Tao because they were the cause of all the chaos. Another faction opposed the idea and defended the Taos because they had contributed much to the Empires’ Civilization. A faction headed by a Hinugdan follower suggested the Taos remain but their status lowered to that of servants or if not as laborers and workers but never equal to a Diwata. The Empire was torn in two. The Alliance War was to be started.
The Taos lived freely with the Diwatas. They learned and taught with them. Discovered philosophies and acquired new magic with them. They governed and served with the Diwatas. The Tao and the Diwata achieved equal status in their civilization. All were content except for a young Diwata called Hinugdan. Hinugdan is a proud Diwata, he never forgets to emphasize that their race was the first to live in Kalibutan. They were the shapers of what Kalibutan is today. It never left his mind that his race were descended from the sun and the moon. He viewed the Taos as lesser beings made by Bathala to honor and serve the Diwatas. Engkantos , he favored because they have a part of the Diwatan blood. Still he viewed them as lesser beings that were made for the Diwatas to make up for the loss of divinity of the Diwatas made by the stupidity of LaAdlaw and LaBulan. Hinugdan soon accumulated a group of diwatas and Engkantos disgruntled with the Taos that for some reason or another were the cause of their loss of favor among their peers. For their were Taos that were exceptional, deserving of their office and their status. Hinugdan nurtured their disgruntlement and disappointment slowly but not obviously. Discarded appeasing opinions and fostered destructive suggestions.
Decades passed and Hinugdan’s group became large. Hinugdan now possesses loyal followers that obeys his commands and spread his ideas. Soon this group became a strong organization in the Assembly. The older Diwatas took this lightly and thought that it was only hot blood of the young. They did not do anything to the organization for the Diwatas value freedom. As long as this new group did not break the law they were not banned. This apathetic attitude was then realized to be a mistake, for after centuries, the once little organization became a big party that acquired a seat at the High Council.
Unfortunately because of the Diwatas long life span, the older Diwatas did not see what had happened during the Party’s growth. The Taos that were members of the Clan that is under the Party were already abused and oppressed short of slavery. These Taos though of short life span has long memory passed from generation to generation. these Taos formed an organization of their own that opposed Hinugdan’s’ belief and sentiments. Decades after Hinugdan’s’ Party was recognized in the High Council this organization became a small Party that acquired a seat in the High Council. the oppositions debated about in the High Council, soon it was reflected by serious fights among Diwatas, Engkantos and Taos. It became common to see a Diwata fight against a Diwata. Diwata against Engkantos, Engkantos against Engkantos. The Taos that were already fed up and fought against Diwata and Engkanto. These started with heated arguments then to insults and threats. Growing into isolated fights that grew to larger riots. The once peaceful society was now ruled by chaos.
The High Council called for an Assembly to address the situation of their society. The two Parties were by now equally strong and each acquired sympathies and allies. Factions rose from the Assembly. One faction headed by Hinugdan suggested outright banishment of Tao because they were the cause of all the chaos. Another faction opposed the idea and defended the Taos because they had contributed much to the Empires’ Civilization. A faction headed by a Hinugdan follower suggested the Taos remain but their status lowered to that of servants or if not as laborers and workers but never equal to a Diwata. The Empire was torn in two. The Alliance War was to be started.
The Beginning of the Universe by pauwiks
Millennias ago before time was born Bathala made the universe, he made two kinds of entities, the stars and the planets. In one of the first galaxies, they were two entities, La bulan and La adlaw. These two entities fell in love and made many children.
The dark cosmos and the stars
La bulan was bidden by Bathala with an errand. La bulan have to go outside their part of galaxy to fulfill this errand. La bulan said goodbye to his husband and to her children. Before she set on her way, she reminded La adlaw not to go near to their children, for as yet they had little power to withstand La adlaw’s fire. La adlaw nodded hearing little of what his wife said and kissed La bulan and sent her on her way.
Centuries passed, La bulan was not yet home. La adlaw did not worry for he knows the strength of his wife and he has faith with Bathala that he would never send his creations in harm’s way. Some of their children grew up and learned how to walk, some can withstand La adlaw’s fire and some cannot.
La adlaw on his loneliness sought comfort on his children. He went inside their quarters. La adlaw did not know what happened, there were screams and bright lights coursing through his eyes. La adlaw was disoriented and could not regain his balance. Someone grabbed his hand and he was lifted on his feet. La adlaw could not yet see his rescuer. Slowly he regained his sight, and saw La bulan’s features right before his eyes. La adlaw smiled but on seeing Labulans features La adlaws face became puzzled. Suddenly he felt La bulan gathering her strength. Hot waves of pure energy was passing through him into La bulan. La adlaw soon realized what La bulan was attempting to do. He tried to shout but his scream was engulfed by the sheer power of La bulan’s blast.
La adlaw saw nothing, smelled nothing, felt nothing. Slowly La adlaw saw little dark spots growing bigger until he saw black. There was a faint tingling sound that he heard from far away. The black was painfully flashing with tiny white spots. The tingling sound became a piercing shriek.
La bulan did not heed the moaning roar of La adlaw. She held on to her surviving children and with the little strength that she had, she carried her children away. La bulan did not know where to go, but she flew on. Her flight through the cosmos was swaggering still she held on. She could not hear La adlaw’s moaning anymore. Thinking she was safe she slowed her flight and glided contentedly.
La adlaw following her thought that La bulan’s anger had simmered down as she glided in the cosmos. He flew hurriedly to her to ask forgiveness. He shouted her name and took her hand. La adlaw focusing his thoughts only to his wife never thought of their children cradled in La bulan’s arms.
He never felt the last of La bulan’s magical energy sear through his heart. La bulan tried to catch her children but she was too late. Some of her children who were hanging on to their lives died and imploded into a black mass. The black covered all the cosmos. Her older children through the power of self-preservation gained the power of flight flew desperately throughout the cosmos, lighting it up like fireworks in the sky. The other children fell into a newly formed planet.
The Sun and the Moon and the Beginning of Time
La bulan followed the fall of her children. She was careful not to get near enough to affect the planet’s balance. She could only go round and round the planet's body to look for her children.
La adlaw too followed her wife and children after he regained his senses. La adlaw now knows the extent of his being. He followed La bulan from far away lest he gets near the planet and burn it and lose his surviving children.
La adlaw could never go fast enough to see La bulan's face. He could only glimpse La bulan’s features for precious of seconds.
The Diwatas
The children of La bulan gained their consciousness and were startled with their surrounding. Gone is the feeling of warmth of their parents. Gone is the comfort of being caressed by the cosmos. Gone are the beautiful sights they can see towards eternity. The children of La bulan and La adlaw now felt the cold of the wind that lashed their skin at night and the heat of La adlaw during the day. Now they felt the hardness of the ground on their feet. What they can see is now limited towards the horizon. The children of La bulan lost their divinity. Still they were immortal as their parents. Still they possessed the powers of a divine child but never will it mature as it supposed to. They called themselves Diwata.
The Diwatas befriended Kalikasan the entity of the planet. The Diwatas helped Kalikasan forge the planet. They tamed the fires of volcanoes, subdued the harshness of the waves and gentled the hostility of the earth. In their quest they learned the secrets of Kalikasan and merged it with their inherent powers. Centuries passed and the planet was teeming with life. Kalikasan nurtured the flowers and trees, fed the beasts and the fish and foraged for the birds. The Diwatas continued on their learning with Kalikasan’s consent. They specialized in different fields. Some concentrated on Fire or Earth magic, others on Water or Wind magic. The Diwatas need not develop their Spirit magic for it is inherent in them.
The Tao
Bathala saw that the planet where the Diwatas fell was filled with life as according to his plan. Bathala was content that everything fell into place. Bathala then took soil from the planet, and formed it in Bathala’s image the same as the Diwatas. Bathala took water from the sea and the spring and sprinkled it on formed clay. Bathala took fire from the volcanoes and set it in the oven. Bathala summoned the wind to fan the fire. Bathala took out the humans and breathed on their mouth with his spirit. Bathala examined his creation and was content.
The dark cosmos and the stars
La bulan was bidden by Bathala with an errand. La bulan have to go outside their part of galaxy to fulfill this errand. La bulan said goodbye to his husband and to her children. Before she set on her way, she reminded La adlaw not to go near to their children, for as yet they had little power to withstand La adlaw’s fire. La adlaw nodded hearing little of what his wife said and kissed La bulan and sent her on her way.
Centuries passed, La bulan was not yet home. La adlaw did not worry for he knows the strength of his wife and he has faith with Bathala that he would never send his creations in harm’s way. Some of their children grew up and learned how to walk, some can withstand La adlaw’s fire and some cannot.
La adlaw on his loneliness sought comfort on his children. He went inside their quarters. La adlaw did not know what happened, there were screams and bright lights coursing through his eyes. La adlaw was disoriented and could not regain his balance. Someone grabbed his hand and he was lifted on his feet. La adlaw could not yet see his rescuer. Slowly he regained his sight, and saw La bulan’s features right before his eyes. La adlaw smiled but on seeing Labulans features La adlaws face became puzzled. Suddenly he felt La bulan gathering her strength. Hot waves of pure energy was passing through him into La bulan. La adlaw soon realized what La bulan was attempting to do. He tried to shout but his scream was engulfed by the sheer power of La bulan’s blast.
La adlaw saw nothing, smelled nothing, felt nothing. Slowly La adlaw saw little dark spots growing bigger until he saw black. There was a faint tingling sound that he heard from far away. The black was painfully flashing with tiny white spots. The tingling sound became a piercing shriek.
La bulan did not heed the moaning roar of La adlaw. She held on to her surviving children and with the little strength that she had, she carried her children away. La bulan did not know where to go, but she flew on. Her flight through the cosmos was swaggering still she held on. She could not hear La adlaw’s moaning anymore. Thinking she was safe she slowed her flight and glided contentedly.
La adlaw following her thought that La bulan’s anger had simmered down as she glided in the cosmos. He flew hurriedly to her to ask forgiveness. He shouted her name and took her hand. La adlaw focusing his thoughts only to his wife never thought of their children cradled in La bulan’s arms.
He never felt the last of La bulan’s magical energy sear through his heart. La bulan tried to catch her children but she was too late. Some of her children who were hanging on to their lives died and imploded into a black mass. The black covered all the cosmos. Her older children through the power of self-preservation gained the power of flight flew desperately throughout the cosmos, lighting it up like fireworks in the sky. The other children fell into a newly formed planet.
The Sun and the Moon and the Beginning of Time
La bulan followed the fall of her children. She was careful not to get near enough to affect the planet’s balance. She could only go round and round the planet's body to look for her children.
La adlaw too followed her wife and children after he regained his senses. La adlaw now knows the extent of his being. He followed La bulan from far away lest he gets near the planet and burn it and lose his surviving children.
La adlaw could never go fast enough to see La bulan's face. He could only glimpse La bulan’s features for precious of seconds.
The Diwatas
The children of La bulan gained their consciousness and were startled with their surrounding. Gone is the feeling of warmth of their parents. Gone is the comfort of being caressed by the cosmos. Gone are the beautiful sights they can see towards eternity. The children of La bulan and La adlaw now felt the cold of the wind that lashed their skin at night and the heat of La adlaw during the day. Now they felt the hardness of the ground on their feet. What they can see is now limited towards the horizon. The children of La bulan lost their divinity. Still they were immortal as their parents. Still they possessed the powers of a divine child but never will it mature as it supposed to. They called themselves Diwata.
The Diwatas befriended Kalikasan the entity of the planet. The Diwatas helped Kalikasan forge the planet. They tamed the fires of volcanoes, subdued the harshness of the waves and gentled the hostility of the earth. In their quest they learned the secrets of Kalikasan and merged it with their inherent powers. Centuries passed and the planet was teeming with life. Kalikasan nurtured the flowers and trees, fed the beasts and the fish and foraged for the birds. The Diwatas continued on their learning with Kalikasan’s consent. They specialized in different fields. Some concentrated on Fire or Earth magic, others on Water or Wind magic. The Diwatas need not develop their Spirit magic for it is inherent in them.
The Tao
Bathala saw that the planet where the Diwatas fell was filled with life as according to his plan. Bathala was content that everything fell into place. Bathala then took soil from the planet, and formed it in Bathala’s image the same as the Diwatas. Bathala took water from the sea and the spring and sprinkled it on formed clay. Bathala took fire from the volcanoes and set it in the oven. Bathala summoned the wind to fan the fire. Bathala took out the humans and breathed on their mouth with his spirit. Bathala examined his creation and was content.
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