The Last Days of the Wind Part 1
The wind was playful today, she had rarely been to this part of the coast and her sense of adventure was overflowing. The wind pushed the stubborn sea in ripples of delight, she smiled and danced along the sand, gently moving the grains around her. The dance reached a dizzying peak, when she suddenly stopped.
She wasn’t used to this feeling, there was a place where her gusts would not touch. The wind collected herself and approached an unassuming cave by the shore.
She felt the thrumming of something through the stone. There were spirits here, but far too many to count. Curiosity took over and she stepped in the cave.
HELP US SAVE US PLEASE HELP ME I DON’T KNOW WHERE I AM I CAN’T FIND MY MAMA PLEASE HELP
The wind was greeted by a harsh cacophony, hundreds of voices all screaming at the same time, begging and pleading.
“ENOUGH!” Another voice cut through the discord and there was silence.
“I hope you weren’t troubled, mistress.” The wind was greeted by what looked to be an old human, but she could see past his tawdry disguise. This was a powerful spirit, made even stronger by the lives he stole.
“There was no trouble at all.” The wind tried to flow through the cave, but the air was thick and heavy with the souls around her. “May I know who I am speaking to?”
“I am Tan Mulong.” The old man stared through the wind, smiling with a toothless grin. “I would like to say what an honor it is to have you in my humble cave.”
“I am just passing through.” She could feel the stagnant atmosphere take a toll on her movements, the breeze wasn’t listening to her anymore.
“Please, you must stay. I insist.” Tan Mulong took a rope and tied it around the wind’s neck. “I’m sure you’ll find pleasant company here.”
She tried to move, tried to push away against the power that was paralyzing her, but it was a losing battle. Every inch of the cave was covered with Tan Mulong’s prisoners and the souls could not help but listen to their jailer.
“A spirit of the wind, what a wonderful addition to my collection.” Tan Mulong smiled and pulled the rope.
“You’ll have a wonderful place next to the lolids.”
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Story inspired by Tan Mulong description in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.
Tan Mulong Illustration by Leandro Geniston fromAklat ng mga Anito
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