The evening air hung heavy with the scent of woodsmoke and jasmine.
A young boy shuffled along a narrow path between bamboo huts, his small hand clasping a piece of dried fish. His sister's laughter echoed from somewhere nearby—
a sound as familiar and comforting as a lullaby.
"Brother!" she called. "I found someth—"
Her words cut off abruptly, replaced by a muffled whimper.
The boy froze. His heart thundered in his chest.
"Agiw?"
A harsh voice shattered the peace:
"The gold, boy. Now."
Confusion swept over the child's face.
"Gold? I... I don't understand."
"Don't play dumb!" the man's voice trembled with desperation.
"I saw you with it. Give it to me, or your sister dies."
The boy's sister whimpered through her tears.
"It hurts... Brother, please help..."
Her plea faded as the thief's fingers dug deeper into her small neck.
Tension tightened like a noose.
Panic clawed at the boy's chest. His hands shook as he patted himself down, searching frantically.
"I'll give it! I promise! Just don't hurt her, please!"
"Stop stalling!"
The knife pressed deeper, drawing a thin line of red across the girl's neck.
"I'm not! I'm looking!"
"Please, I don't know what gold is, but I'll give you everything I have!"
"Brother, I'm scared..."
Suddenly—
A warm trickle of blood ran down the thief's hand.
He looked down.
Horror.
Blood spurting from the girl's neck.
"Shit!"
He shoved her forward and vanished into the shadows.
"Agiw? Where are you?"
The boy stumbled forward, arms outstretched.
"I've got this fish I traded earlier. You can have it. Agiw?"
[The Present – At Sea]
Kalayo squinted as he opened his eyes. The harsh sunlight burned after the darkness he'd just escaped.
The salty breeze stung his face. The scent of the sea filled his lungs.
He saw—nothing. Just endless ocean.
No other boats in sight.
"We're lost,"
Baybay's tired voice broke the silence. His arms moved in slow, weary strokes.
Kalayo groaned, propping himself up on the boat's edge.
"Hate to say it, Baybay, but from the look of things, you might be right. Can't see a damn thing out here."
(He glanced at Abo.)
"Not that I'd admit it to the freak here."
Silence.
Only the lapping waves and the creaking wood.
Everyone's eyes drifted to Abo, who sat… calm.
"Was that necessary?" Dayang leaned toward Kalayo. "He can hear you, you know."
"If you don't want all of us dead," Dagan snapped,
"keep your mouth shut."
Kalayo glared at Abo.
"Why'd we bring him anyway? He's just dead weight."
Abo smirked, letting his fingers trail in the water.
-GRAB-
Dagan seized Kalayo by the vest.
"Are you out of your mind?"
Kalayo chuckled.
"Remember that fool in the village who called Abo's mother a whore? Turns out he didn't even have a mother."
"And what happened to him?"
"His head ended up on a pike, perched on his own backside."
(Dagan's face twisted in horror.)
Kalayo smiled wider.
"Have to give him credit. For someone who can't see, he sure found the right end to attach it to. Lucky guess?"
"Look, I know you're scared shitless of him, but look at us—lost at sea. I'd rather take my chances with the blind bastard than rot here."
His voice rose.
"I'm not dying out here!"
Dagan leaned closer.
"I know you're not afraid. But I am. That crazy bastard's right behind me. If he snaps..."
(He spun a finger around his ear.)
"I'll be the first with a blade in my back. Get it?"
Dagan looked at Abo.
The scar across Abo's eyes — ruptured vessels, raw flesh — made him shiver.
"We're nearing land," Abo suddenly announced, calm and confident.
Kalayo scoffed.
"And how'd you figure that out? The water whisper it to you?"
Dagan's eyes burned into Kalayo.
"Currents follow a pattern," Abo explained.
"Near land, it shifts. Shallower water pushes the boat differently."
Silence.
"Are we really close to land?" Baybay muttered. "Or just going in circles?"
"I'm blind, not stupid," Abo snapped.
"The currents told me more than your eyes did."
"Let's hope he's right," Baybay grumbled. "I don't fancy another night out here."
Kalayo shook his head.
"Can't believe we're trusting the words of a blind man."
Abo smirked.
"Unless you want a closer look at the seafloor..."
"Start paddling."
Kalayo stared at Abo.
Then resumed paddling.
The others followed.
Their strokes—driven by hope.
[Land Appears Like a Dream]
From the mist… land.
Datu Rayo's boats came into view.
Rayo stood at the water's edge. His face softened as he recognized the boat.
"Kalayo the Fearless! What kept you?"
Kalayo climbed out, soaked and exhausted.
"Storm hit us hard, Datu. My boat capsized. I nearly drowned. Dayang and the others pulled me out."
Rayo nodded solemnly.
"We'd have lost a fine warrior. Well done, Dayang."
"It was Abo," Dayang said. "He kept us alive. He heard Kalayo's call. We just pulled him back."
Baybay added,
"Couldn't hear a thing over Kaptan's thunder."
Rayo's gaze shifted to Abo.
"So it was you? Seems Katio's 'crazy bastard' isn't as mad as they say. How'd you read the waters…?"
Abo's grin widened.
"It's quite simple. Being blind means I rely on senses others ignore."
"If you were me, you'd start noticing things too."
[Later – Shore]
The beach buzzed with tension.
Sharpened bolos. Armor clinking. Prayers murmured to ancestral spirits.
Datu Rayo stood alone, watching the horizon.
Then, Abo, standing apart—still, silent.
Rayo approached.
"Admiring the view, are we?"
"Oh yes, Datu. The sunset is breathtaking today," Abo smirked.
Rayo laughed.
"If only your eyes were as sharp as your wit."
The smile faded.
"What's wrong, Rayo?"
The Datu sighed, hand through graying hair.
"Our scouts ran into Moro patrols. They know we're coming."
"And the village—its defenses are stronger than expected."
Abo nodded, thoughtful.
"Built on stilts?"
"Surrounded by mangrove swamps. Treacherous ground."
Abo's fingers brushed his bolo.
"Nearly impassable..."
"...but not entirely."
Rayo leaned in.
"You have an idea?"
"A possibility," Abo said.
"We use the swamps. Small team. Silent. While the rest create a diversion."
"Risky," Rayo muttered. "The swamp could kill our men before the Moros do."
"True," Abo said.
"But the greatest victories come from unexpected places. They won't see it coming."
Rayo fell silent.
Then:
"Who leads the team?"
Abo smiled grimly.
"I have a suggestion... if you're willing to hear it."