The midnight hours reflected on the chains in front of the cave. Or carefully reflected on what she was about to do. It was only two twilights ago that she learnded that she was descended from Handyong. And now she was face to face with one of her ancestor’s greatest feats.
She was not alone for this. Or was flanked by the blood of Rabot, Nicandro and beside him, Jason, whose mundane ancestry was being tested.
They were facing an opponent more powerful than anything Bicolandia had ever seen and they needed help.
Ever since the discovery of her bloodline, she had gone through all things related to Handyong, reading the Ibalon front and back.
There she learned about the Sarimaw.
They had claws and bloodlust, warm bodies to throw against the enemy.
The sarimaw were once part of the enemy’s horde, but due to the bravery and power of Handyong, they were exiled to a cave where their ferocity was kept bound.
Or said that they didn’t have a choice, theis was but one strategy that they could employ. And they were running out of options.
She took her sword and split the chains in twain.
Because of Nicandro’s inherited power, he was able to lift his compatriots. It was just in time as the sarimaw flooded out of the cave, a sickening sound accompanying them.
Nicandro dropped off Jason and Or at a nearby clearing. It was time to plan.
Asuang.
It was the first time they said his name out loud.
“What is our next move?” Jason asked.
“All we can do is buy more time until I finished the ritual,” Or replied.
“This is insane, summoning a god to fight another god?!”
“We have godsblood in our veins, he will have no choice but to answer the call.”
“But then what will happen with Asuang’s army? The sarimaw can only do so much.”
“We must find more allies.”
“Who else can we ask?!”
“I have heard of a powerful congregation of babaylan in these parts.”
“I am still getting used to my powers, I can call the beasts to at least slow him down.” Nicandro added. “I can redirect the sarimaw to attack his forces, but I don’t know how much time I can buy.”
“What is his endgame? Why has he returned?” Jason intoned.
“That doesn’t matter right now! He needs to be stopped, even if our blood will be spilled.” Or was fuming. “The babaylan can help finish the ritual.”
“Would they even help us?” Nicandro asked.
“Asuang will not stop until he extirpates all that stands in his way.” Or looked to the skies.
They agreed to the plan.
Nicandro would fight Asuanfg’s forces while Jason and Or would seek the babaylan’s aid.
It seemed hopeless, but they had no choice but to fight and live than surrender and die.
They looked at each other and nodded.
Fate saw it fit to bring these three together.
It was time to see if they could be the heroes that fate demanded.
=————————=
“Yes,” the babaylan nodded.
“Wait, that was it? You haven’t even heard what we have to say!” Jason couldn’t believe it was this easy.
“We listed to what the spirits say, and they are in disarray. It was not written in the stars or in the reflections in the water. The return of the enemy must be stopped.”
“So you will help us call the good God?” Or’s stare burned through the babaylan.
“Your attempts to summon him are, frankly, pathetic. The use of the old magic is laughable. We and our spirits will do this for you.”
“How long will this take?” Jason inquired.
“A week’s time.”
“What will we do until then?”
“The enemy will try to stop the ritual. You must keep us protected from harm.”
“Nick is in the front line.” Jason looked at Or. “We have to help him.”
“Let us regroup. Now, at least, we have an objective.”
=———————–=
“They’re winning.” Nicandro thought out loud.
He did not expect the sarimaw to listen to him, much less take his commands.
The words in the Ibalon did not to justice to the bloodlust of these beasts.
Asuang’s army was seemingly torn. No amount of strategy could route the sheer force of the sarmaw.
Blood and bone.
Claw and fang.
Maybe they didn’t need to call on the good god after all. But there was one thing they forgot: The sarimaw were once part of Asuang’s forces. It was only due to Rabot’s blood that Nicandro was able to tame these beasts.
At the horizon Nicandro saw him. The god Asuang in all his eldritch glory.
The god pointed his finger at the sarimaw forces and, in an instant, commanded them to betray Nicandro.
Victory was snatched and Nicandro felt a sickening pit in his stomach.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen.” Nicandro continued his inner monologue.
All he could do was run.
So stupid. Now Asuang’s forces were stronger than ever.
He hoped Jason and Or were faring better than he was.
He flew to the clearing where they said they would brief each other. And he waited.
Each minute was agony.
The destructive forces were laying waste to the surrounding barangays.
Each hour a life was taken too soon.
“Please Gugurang,” he looked to the sky.
“Save us.”
=—————————-=
Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired from Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.
Sarimaw Illustration by Yan Tamba used with permission from Rob Martin of Pinebox Entertainment and Secret Garden Games
