There is a struggle in the spirit world, an open rivalry to some, a vicious battle to others.
This is between the servant of Kadaklan and the dog-hunter Anguan.
Kimat, the lightning hound, it of the Skyworld and creature of destruction has parried with the Anguan many a time, but their battles have no victors.
Only ruination exists.
Some may think that nothing could harm Kadaklan’s pet, and that would be true in some cases, but the Anguan’s power is fueled by spite. Its hatred for hunters and their dogs bursting through in every move.
This skirmish was no different.
Another human did not give proper offerings to Kadaklan and Kimat was sent as lightning to strike at the offending party.
It was a battle without end.
The lightning was fast, deftly dodging the spirit’s blows. Electricity cackled and met its mark, burnt spirit-flesh wafted in the air.
The Anguan did not relent, it summoned its strength to cut the hound with its weapon. The Kimat bled pure energy, a small puddle of lightning-blood was formed from these drippings.
They traded blows, having found each other’s match.
The battle raged into the twilight hours.
Both fell from exhaustion.
It seemed like the Anguan would perish but the hound was called back to the Skyworld by its divine master.
They would battle again.
A constant stalemate.
But that would not last.
The Anguan is a spirit capable of traversing the layers of the many worlds. It wanted more power, enough to fell the lightning dog. It was thus that it traveled to the lower worlds. Known by all spirits, there was a rivalry between the courts of the Skyworld and the Lower Worlds.
The spirit traveled to the lower world until it found the pillars of the earth.
And the goddess, Dagau.
There was no love lost between Kadaklan and Dagau and what better way to fight the lightning than the earth?
The Kimat would have its match if the Anguan could harness the power of the pillars.
Dagau ignored the spirit’s pleas. She would not debase her divinity by settling what, to her, was a petty rivalry.
She would not give it what they wanted, not without something in return.
And it was given a task, seemingly easy, all it had to do was to get a healing salve for one of her serpents. There was a god who wanted the power of the pillars for their own devices but even they could not get past her serpents.
The salve was made by the goddess of mercy, Sappia, in the Middleworld. She was not a diwata that spilled blood. The Middleworld was easy to journey to, and there the Anguan and Sappia had a conversation.
She told it that its journey would only read to ruin.
The Anguan nodded and said it knew. Hatred was all it had known, what it would always know.
The goddess’ pleas fell on deaf ears. She gave the salve and wished the angry spirit well.
With its prize it went back to Dagau. She surveyed her serpent and was overjoyed to see the healing take effect.
Dagau blessed the angry spirit with the strength of the earth and sent it on its way.
Finally it was time.
It knew the patterns of the sky, knowing when the sky god would call on its spent.
One strike and it raced to the origin.
It was overconfident with its new power.
With one blow the Kimat fell, but that wasn’t the end of the fight.
It had always thought that there was only one Kimat. This mistake caused it dearly.
Seven strikes, seven Kimat.
Even the blessing of Dagau could not help it.
The Kimats chased it to the horizon and the Anguan was able to delve into the Lower World.
It had the earth goddess’ power but that wasn’t enough.
It licked its wounds and thought of power.
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by the description Wilson, Laurence Lee. (1947). Apayao Life and Legends. Baguio, P. I.: Human Relations Area Files OA5, OA1, p. 23.
Illustration by Kian Reglos used with permission from Rob Martin of Pine Box Entertainment and Secret Garden Games
