There are many strange creatures that I have encountered in my travels, but none more dangerous than the Berbalang. This horrid affront against nature can be found by the burning of their eyes.
Their nature is that of a corpse-eater, exhuming bodies for their next meal. I have been told that in their feedings they rend flesh from bone in a cacophony of tooth and claw.
I have been told that the flesh of the dead is not the only thing that will keep them satisfied. They have the ability to use what I can only describe as magic of the foulest kind. Their spirits to fly out into the ether. This strange process is nothing like I’ve ever seen before, even in all of my travels.
These creatures’ spirits would find unsuspecting victims and pounce on them, gutting them like a newly harvested corpse, satiating their hunger for living flesh. Like other creatures of their ilk, most commonly the wak-wak, they can be heard. The sound that they make is louder the farther they are from their victim.
I have been warned if I hear their sounds, or see their eyes, I must run away with much haste, the alternative would be to fight them off and heaven help the fool that tries that.
This creature is much like the other scavengers of the islands, feasting on the innards of corpses and flying to the side of their victims. I do not know what will happen when I find one in person, though I hope for the sake of my research, my notes survive.
I do not know why I do this, why I keep putting myself in harm’s way to record these strange beings. I have noted my family’s disapproval of both my methods and my research, but these things have to see the light of day. There must be something to warn the people of the dangers of these islands, even if it may cost me my very soul.
—- From the notes of Mari Bas
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by the Berbalang legends from Cagayan Sulu.
Berbalang Illustration by Ysa Peñas
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