Chapter 45: The Promise.
Five days after the tragedy in Plaridel, life in the town was slowly returning to normal, but the sorrow of those who lost loved ones lingered, a lasting scar etched into the hearts of its people. Damaged buildings were gradually being repaired, shattered streets cleared by workers, and families of the victims cared for one another amid their grief.
Yet, beneath these efforts, a heavier hand of governance gripped the entire Philippines. The number of soldiers stationed at town borders doubled, and police patrols became more frequent, their eyes ever watchful, ready to quell any hint of new rebellion. The air was thick with tension, as if chaos could erupt again at any moment.
Amid these changes, in an opulent room within a mysterious mansion, Erik, the sugo known as Ifugao, awoke. He sat up slowly on the bed, rubbing his eyes as he realized his surroundings were unfamiliar. The room was grand, adorned with lavish furnishings: a soft bed draped in gleaming white linens, antique vases glinting under the chandelier's light, and silk curtains swaying gently in the breeze from an open window. The scent of lavender filled the air, offering an odd calm despite his confusion.
"Where am I?" Erik whispered to himself, his voice tinged with wonder and slight fear. He stood and approached the window, but the view outside offered no answers—only a sprawling garden filled with flowers and trees, with no sign of a city or town. His heart raced, and memories of the battle in Plaridel flooded his mind.
Before he could process further, the heavy door creaked open, and a woman of captivating beauty entered. Her long hair was green as spring leaves, and she wore an elegant Filipiniana dress of fine fabric, embroidered with intricate floral patterns. Her smile was warm, but her eyes held a mysterious depth.
"Good morning, Erik," she greeted, her voice soft yet commanding. "How are you feeling?"
Erik froze, unable to respond immediately. The woman's beauty was mesmerizing, her presence like a gentle breeze—calming yet unsettling. "Who are you? And… where am I?" he asked, his voice laced with hesitation as his eyes darted around the room, searching for answers.
The woman smiled, a confident curve of her lips. "Don't worry, Erik. I'm not your enemy," she replied, brushing a stray lock of hair from her shoulder. "I saved you after the tragedy in Plaridel. You're safe here, and we mean you no harm."
Memories Erik had briefly forgotten surged back—the fierce battle, the general's attack, the deafening explosion, and the moment he feared death. Above all, he remembered Georgia, his friend, who had sacrificed herself to protect him.
His heart clenched with fear. "Georgia! Where is she? What happened to her?" he demanded, his voice nearly a shout, filled with worry and dread.
The woman raised a hand, a gesture of peace. "Calm down, Erik. The sugo of Plaridel is safe. I saved her, just as I saved you. But she's in a coma now, under the care of my companions."
"A coma?" Erik repeated, his eyes wide with shock. "Is that true? Where is she? I need to see her!" His voice trembled with desperation, his hands shaking as he awaited an answer.
The woman smiled again, her expression tinged with sadness. "It's true, Erik. But before you see her, you need to freshen up. Come, join me for breakfast, and I'll answer your questions afterward." She extended her hand, an invitation brimming with assurance.
Erik had no choice but to follow, though his mind buzzed with questions. As they walked through the mansion's long hallway, he marveled at its opulence—antique paintings hung on the walls, crystal chandeliers sparkled in the morning light, and polished marble floors gleamed beneath his feet. Each step felt like entering a world he never imagined seeing. "The owner of this place must be incredibly wealthy," he whispered, his eyes wide with awe.
"Where exactly is this?" he asked again, unable to contain his curiosity. "Am I still in Plaridel?"
The woman smiled, her steps light but purposeful. "I can't reveal the mansion's location, Erik, for everyone's safety. But I promise you're safe here. The important thing is that you and your friend were saved, so don't worry."
As they walked, Erik sensed a strange energy from the woman—familiar yet inexplicable. "Are you a diwata sugo?" he asked, his voice uncertain.
She laughed, a refined chuckle that eased his tension. "Why don't you freshen up first? I'll answer your questions over breakfast in the mansion's dining hall. You have much to learn, and I'll explain everything later."
---
Hours later, after bathing and dressing, Erik entered a vast dining area as luxurious as the rest of the mansion. The room was adorned with crystal chandeliers, walls embroidered with gold, and a long table of polished wood laden with an array of foods: warm pandesal, adobo, fruits, and desserts. The aroma was enticing, but the room's grandeur alone was enough to make him glance around repeatedly.
At the table's end sat the green-haired woman, her smile warm as she invited him to sit. "Come, Erik, take a seat. I prepared this for you. Eat," she said, standing to serve him, placing a plate of food before him.
Erik was startled by her courtesy. "Please, I can serve myself," he said, his voice shy as he tried to decline her offer.
But she ignored him, piling his plate with steaming sinigang, rice, and a piece of lechon kawali whose aroma alone made his stomach rumble. "It's no trouble," she said, her smile sincere. "It's an honor to serve a hero of the Philippines."
After serving him, she sat across from Erik, but he noticed she took no food for herself. "Aren't you eating?" he asked, his eyes curious.
She smiled, her expression enigmatic. "I apologize, Erik, but I can't join you. I don't need to eat. Enjoy your meal and don't mind me."
Erik frowned. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Covering her mouth with a fan, she laughed delicately before waving it. With her gesture, birds, butterflies, and fireflies appeared, dancing around the room as if from a fantasy film. Their colors shimmered, and the air filled with the scent of flowers, sparking a strange joy in Erik's heart.
"How did you do that?" he asked, his eyes wide with wonder. "Is that a sugo's power?"
She laughed again, her fan hiding her smile as she tried to contain her amusement. "You're adorable, Erik. I love seeing young people delighted by such displays." Her tone grew serious. "Yes, this is a power from a diwata. But I'm not a sugo, Erik. I'm just a creation of the sugo of Laguna."
"A creation?" Erik echoed, his eyes widening in shock. "You mean… you're not human?"
Magdalena smiled, and with a flick of her fan, the birds and flowers vanished like an illusion dissolving into the air. "Let me introduce myself properly," she said, her voice confident. "I'm Magdalena, one of the creations of the sugo of Laguna. Her power gave me life, and I'm here to help you."
Erik couldn't believe it. "I heard about the sugo of Laguna from Hiyas. She helped us in Urdaneta, but I've never met her," he said, his voice filled with wonder. "If you're her creation, why are you here if Laguna isn't?"
Magdalena's expression brimmed with pride. "Even without Laguna, I exist as long as I have energy. Her power can create beings from nothing—entities with form, emotions, and knowledge, like me. But we're not truly alive. We don't sleep, eat, or breathe like humans. Laguna's diwata energy sustains us."
Erik was awestruck. "If Laguna can create beings like you, she's like a god," he said, his voice full of amazement. "Can she make many beings?"
Magdalena laughed, her chuckle refined yet joyful. "It's not that simple, Erik. Laguna has only five special creations, each taking over a year to form. My power, for instance, can create animals or objects, but they last only seconds to five minutes, depending on the energy I invest." She waved her fan, and a lion appeared beside her, only to vanish like smoke moments later.
"Laguna knows your true love for Filipinos," Magdalena continued, her voice sincere. "That's why she tasked us with protecting you. Don't worry—after this, you'll meet another of her creations."
---
Minutes later, Magdalena led Erik to a grand lounge in the mansion. Like the dining area, it was steeped in luxury—antique vases with intricate designs, plush sofas embroidered with gold, and paintings of natural landscapes on the walls. Light from large windows warmed the room, though an air of mystery lingered.
Erik was startled to see Hiyas seated in a rocking chair, reading a thick book. "Hiyas!" he exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and joy. "You're here too!"
Hiyas glanced at him, her eyes cold and emotionless. After a moment, she returned to her book, as if ignoring him. Erik approached, his voice edged with irritation. "We nearly got caught by a general in Plaridel, and you did nothing to help us!"
Hiyas lowered her book before responding, her voice calm but tinged with boredom. "Even if I was there, Erik, I couldn't have done anything against a general. I'm merely a nature spirit. If I got involved, I could've been harmed."
Erik forced a smile, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're the one boasting about this mission, but when we're in danger, you're nowhere to be found? Didn't you say we needed to fight the Spaniards? It's unfair that I'm always the one rushing into danger!"
Hiyas closed her book, her eyes locking onto Erik's. "I'm your diwata, Erik. It's only right you prioritize my safety over yours," she said, her tone authoritative. "But you're wrong. I was in Plaridel, watching everything you did."
"Watching?" Erik repeated, his voice rising with anger. "If you were there, why didn't you help? And you're not my diwata! I serve Sid Aliwa, not you!"
Hiyas smiled, her expression amused. "Even Sid Aliwa didn't come to help you, Erik. How am I different? Neither of us helped in your moment of danger."
Before Erik could retort, a man with green hair entered, wearing an intricately designed americana coat. He carried a tray of fruits, bread, and a glass of hot chocolate. "Hello, Erik," he greeted, his voice deep but warm. "Feeling better after five days of sleep?"
"Five days?" Erik echoed, his eyes widening in shock. He noticed the man's striking features and sensed the same energy as Magdalena's. "Who are you? And… I slept for five days?"
The man smiled confidently. "I'm Crisostomo, or Cris, another of Laguna's creations. I healed your wounds from the Plaridel battle. Your body was exhausted from overusing your faith-based power, so it took time to recover."
Cris handed the tray to Hiyas, who took a piece of bread and ate while reading. Erik thanked him for the healing, saying he owed them his life. Then he noticed Hiyas eating. "You eat?" he asked, surprised. "In all our time together, I've never seen you eat."
Hiyas laughed, her chuckle playful. "I'm a nature spirit and don't need to eat or sleep to live like you do. But that doesn't mean I can't." She raised her book. "I'm studying humans through this book. I've noticed people enjoy eating delicious food."
"So you're trying to enjoy things like humans?" Erik asked.
"I don't know," Hiyas replied. "I don't understand what enjoyment feels like. I just wanted to eat."
Erik couldn't fully grasp Hiyas's perspective, sensing her view of things differed vastly from humans, but he saw no harm in it. Then a thought struck him. "If you eat like humans, does that mean… you also, uh, poop?" he asked, his voice curious.
Hiyas stared at him, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Why are you interested in my pooping? Want to see how a diwata does it?" she teased, her tone playful.
"What? No!" Erik shouted, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I didn't mean it like that! I was just curious!"
Hiyas closed her eyes, as if considering her response. "My body naturally cleanses any waste. I don't really understand how human pooping works. But if you want, Erik, show me how humans do it. Maybe I can try," she said, her smile mischievous.
"Stop it, Hiyas!" Erik yelled, his voice thick with embarrassment. "Cut it out!" He covered his ears, his face red as he tried to hide his mortification. "That's so embarrassing! Are you really a diwata?"
Hiyas responded with pride, saying she was a diwata who had lived for millions of years and seen far more than humans could imagine. Seeing a human body or how it functioned was trivial to her.
"Tama na!" Erik shouted, pleading. "Stop talking about embarrassing stuff!"
"You started it," Hiyas retorted playfully.
Cris and Magdalena laughed, their amusement lightening the room's mood. After a moment, Erik's expression turned serious. "Where's Georgia? Is she okay?" he asked, his voice heavy with concern.
Cris answered, his tone calm but sincere. "Georgia's safe, Erik. Come, I'll take you to her room."
---
Minutes later, they ascended to the mansion's third floor. The hallway was quieter but no less luxurious—antique lamps, paintings of provincial landscapes, and white curtains swaying in the breeze. They entered a smaller room, still beautiful, with white curtains embroidered with flowers, an antique wardrobe, and a bed with soft linens.
On the bed lay Georgia, her face serene but pale. Her body was enveloped in a faint red energy, like a thin blanket casting an eerie glow in the room. "Georgia!" Erik whispered, his eyes wide with shock and fear. "What's happening to her?"
Cris's voice was tinged with sorrow. "I healed Georgia's physical wounds, but I can't repair the damage to her spirit. I suspect her soul was harmed from overusing her sugo powers. If her spirit fades, Erik… she'll die."
Erik froze, his heart shattering. "No… that can't happen!" he shouted, his voice desperate. He approached Georgia, his hands trembling as he gazed at her. Memories of her bright smiles and their joyful moments together flooded his mind, crushing his chest. "All Georgia wanted was to live happily and peacefully. Why did this have to happen to her?"
He turned to Cris, his eyes pleading. "There's something we can do, right? Please, help her!"
"I'm doing everything I can," Cris replied, his eyes full of sympathy. "Laguna tasked us with saving you both, and I won't let Georgia die. But her condition… I don't know how to fully heal it."
Erik faced Georgia, tears welling in his eyes. He clenched his fists in anger and frustration. "I couldn't do anything to help her," he whispered, his voice thick with guilt. "If I'd been stronger… if I'd stopped her… she wouldn't be like this."
Magdalena embraced him, her touch gentle but warm. "Don't blame yourself, Erik," she said, stroking his head. "It's not your fault. You did everything to save Plaridel's people, and that's enough."
Cris nodded, his voice firm. "Don't see this as a failure, Erik. The world is full of pain and injustice, and you're here to be a light in the darkness. You can't control the future, yet you keep saving lives."
Erik wiped his tears, his voice resolute. "Thank you… but I'll do everything to save Georgia. I won't let her die."
Hiyas spoke, her voice calm but hopeful. "There's still hope, Erik. The fight for Georgia isn't over."
Erik's eyes lit up. "Are you serious? How?" he asked, his voice a mix of worry and hope.
Hiyas explained, her expression serious. "Georgia's spirit is damaged, so we need someone who can heal it. There's a diwata sugo with nature-based powers who can restore spiritual energy. If you convince them to help Georgia, she might recover."
"Is that true?" Erik asked, his heart swelling with hope. "Who are they? Where are they?"
Hiyas sighed, her eyes tinged with exasperation. "You still don't trust me, Erik. How many times must I say I'm helping you?"
"How can I trust you when your words often get me into trouble?" Erik shot back, his voice annoyed. "And you knew Georgia was Hustisya. Why didn't you tell me? If I'd known, I could've stopped her!"
Hiyas admitted calmly, "Yes, I knew Georgia was the sugo of Plaridel. But I didn't plan for you to meet. I was surprised to see you together. If fate brought you to know each other, why would I interfere?"
Erik rejected her explanation. "You should've told me! If I'd known, I could've reasoned with her. I might've prevented this!" he shouted, his voice heavy with regret.
Hiyas's eyes narrowed. "Do you think you could've convinced Georgia? Her heart is full of anger from what her family endured in Plaridel. She had no choice but to fight. The only way to stop her is if her heart changes—if she finds a new reason to live."
Proudly, Hiyas continued, "That's why I brought you together. In the moments you spent with her, her anger lessened. If you'd kept making her heart happy, Erik, things might've turned out better."
Erik didn't understand. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice confused.
Hiyas raised her book. "This book says a human's heart changes when they love. If you'd made Georgia fall in love with you as a partner, she might've stopped seeking revenge against the Spaniards. She'd have chosen to follow you and live happily."
Erik's face flushed, his eyes wide with shock. "What are you saying? Why would I make Georgia fall in love to be my partner? What kind of plan is that?" he shouted, his voice a mix of embarrassment and anger. "That's why you kept pushing us to go on dates? To make her fall in love? Hiyas, that's too much! Georgia's my friend, like a sister! I wouldn't use her feelings to control her!"
Hiyas smiled, her expression teasing. "You're so boring, Erik. The book says love is the only way to make Georgia forget her anger. But if you don't want to, I can't force you."
Erik refused to accept it. "Even if I believe love is powerful, you shouldn't dictate people's feelings! Georgia and I are too young, and her anger isn't a reason to manipulate her emotions!" he shouted, his voice fierce.
Hiyas closed her book, her eyes serious. "If that's your belief, I can't change it. Whether you succeeded in making Georgia fall in love doesn't matter now. What matters is saving her." She stood, her smile mischievous. "Are you ready for your next mission?"
Erik sighed, his eyes filled with worry. "I get nervous when you smile like that, Hiyas. But I have no choice. As her friend, I must save Georgia. I'll keep my promise to protect her, no matter what."
He vowed, his voice brimming with resolve, "I'll do everything to ensure she wakes again."
Hiyas raised her hand, pressing her fist to Erik's chest, her eyes confident. "Stay strong, Erik. This is just the beginning. A farmer doesn't eat the fruit of his tree the same day he plants the seeds. It takes action, perseverance, and patience to reap a good harvest."
The battle in Plaridel was over, but its scars lingered in the hearts of the survivors. Amid a new beginning, a new trial awaited Ifugao and the beliefs he held dear. Despite an uncertain future, Erik was determined to press on, ready to walk the path of a Filipino hero, carrying the oath to save Georgia, no matter the cost.
**End of 2nd Arc**