Chapter 50: The Battle in the Shadows
In the height of the joyous night, as the lights of the City of Dreams still shimmered and the garden's flowers filled the air with their sweet fragrance, the atmosphere shifted abruptly. The once-festive ambiance was swept away by a chilling breeze, and the silence was shattered by an ominous presence. High above, a massive white portal tore open the sky, and from it emerged a monstrous creature, its serpentine tendrils writhing, its crimson eyes blazing with malice and danger.
Perched atop the beast's head stood a muscular man, clad in a crimson coat with a red bandana tied around his arm. His stance exuded confidence, but his eyes burned with raw fury.
Flora, ensnared by the creature's electrified tendrils, hung limply in the air, unconscious from the high-voltage shock that had coursed through her. Her white gown was slightly torn at the edges, the tendrils coiling tightly around her body. The tiara on her head still gleamed faintly, but the beauty of the night had vanished, replaced by tension and dread.
"Disgusting," the man spat, his voice thick with resentment. "To see traitors of our nation reveling in wealth stolen by the Spaniards from true Filipinos! While those who rightfully belong to this land starve and suffer, you bask in luxury!"
Each word pierced the night's stillness like a dagger. His rage surged as he continued, "It's unforgivable—abandoning your own people for riches and fleeting comfort! In the new nation I will build, alongside the Spaniards, traitors like you will be the first to face punishment!"
As the man spoke, General Romeo stood silently, his eyes cold and piercing as they locked onto his adversary. His calm wasn't born of fear but of controlled fury. Suddenly, he spoke, his voice low yet laced with warning, "Release her, or you'll regret it."
A mocking laugh erupted from the man, dismissing Romeo's words with scorn. "You want me to free your princess, my lord? Sorry, but I can't just hand her over. She stays with me until I've made use of her. People like her fetch a hefty price!"
In an instant, the creature's body swallowed Flora, as if she were drawn into a dark vortex within it. Her form vanished from sight, leaving only the horrifying image of the beast, now gloating in its triumph.
Suddenly, hundreds of portals flared to life around the building, from the rooftops to the windows. From these emerged rebels, each armed with swords and guns embedded with strange, glowing crystals. Their movements were precise, like a seasoned army long prepared for this battle.
"Don't worry, General," the man sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "I won't kill them. You can reclaim your princess—and the other captives—for the right price."
Romeo remained silent, his eyes methodically scanning the surroundings. His composure was unsettling, like a storm waiting to unleash its wrath. He looked at the man again and spoke, "If I'm not mistaken, you're the rebels known as the Katipunan, correct?"
A smirk curled the man's lips. "Impressive that you know of us! Yes, we are the Katipunan—the force of Filipinos who will liberate this nation from the oppressive Spanish regime!" he bellowed, his voice brimming with pride. "I am Martin, the Supremo of the Katipunan, the one who will bring true justice and freedom to—"
His words were cut short. A balisong streaked toward his face, swift and precise. But before it could strike, one of the creature's tendrils intercepted it effortlessly.
Martin's expression darkened, his smirk replaced by anger. "I didn't expect you to wield power as well," he said, noticing the dozens of balisongs now hovering around Romeo, each glinting under the moonlight.
"A diwata's emissary, yet you let yourself be a lapdog to foreigners? Have you no shame?" Martin taunted, his voice thick with disdain.
Romeo didn't flinch. "You talk too much," he replied, his tone icy and direct. "I have no interest in debating with terrorists like you."
Martin laughed, but Romeo's words struck a nerve, piercing his pride. "A force to liberate the nation? Don't make me laugh. You're nothing but a terrorist exploiting your fellow Filipinos for wealth and power."
Insulted, Martin let out a derisive chuckle. "The money we gain from captives is returned to the people! We use it to build a new nation, free from Spaniards and traitors like you!"
Romeo was unmoved. "You use the plight of Filipinos as an excuse to manipulate them for your own gain," he countered. "You lure them with promises of hope, but in truth, you exploit them to fuel your hunger for power and control."
"Hah! What would a Spanish puppet know of true freedom?" Martin roared, his anger nearly exploding. "What I do is for the future of Filipinos! Long ago, the Spaniards used their wealth to oppress and enslave people like you!"
Romeo closed his eyes, and in that moment, a powerful energy began to envelop him. His form shifted—from the man in a white tuxedo to a towering figure with long blue hair, clad in the pristine white uniform of a general. His eyes blazed with resolve, his presence like a storm ready to break.
"I'm tired of talking to the likes of you," he said, his voice heavy with authority. "No amount of words will make you surrender."
Martin's eyes widened in shock. "A general?" he whispered, staring at the insignia on Romeo's uniform.
A blue aura enveloped Romeo, and a surge of energy rippled through the air, as if awaiting the perfect moment to erupt. "You chose the wrong place to commit your crimes," he said, his voice a warning.
The building shook with a sudden explosion. Glass shattered across several floors, and debris from the decorations scattered. Romeo smiled faintly as he explained, "This place is crawling with skilled soldiers. I am the Governor-General of Batangas, the diwata's emissary of this province. Your timing is perfect—my mission is to hunt down terrorists who kidnap and extort for money."
Martin's eyes blazed with fury. "You think you can catch me so easily? What chance do you have alone?" he shouted.
In an instant, portals appeared around the garden, and armed rebels poured out, their weapons gleaming with crystalline energy. Romeo noted the crystals—products of a diwata's power. The rebels' swords and guns pulsed with energy, and he knew he couldn't afford to be careless.
"Kill that traitor! There's no place for his kind in the new nation we'll build!" Martin commanded, and the rebels charged.
But Romeo stood firm. The balisongs around him sprang to life, moving like birds with minds of their own. Each blade was swift and precise, deflecting the rebels' swords and guns like an invisible wall. Despite dozens of attackers, Romeo didn't move from his spot. His balisongs danced a deadly waltz, striking and defending in perfect harmony.
Martin couldn't believe his eyes. "How is he doing this?" he muttered, watching his men fall one by one. The balisongs didn't just block—they attacked, piercing shoulders and thighs, weakening the rebels without killing them.
Romeo smirked, his stance radiating confidence. "I'm a soldier honed for battle. Did you really think thugs like you could defeat me?" he said, his voice laced with bravado.
Martin seethed with rage. His body crackled with black lightning, and his form began to change. His frame grew larger, his skin darkening to resemble a carabao's hide, with horns sprouting from his forehead and a tail lashing behind him. "I'll crush you, General! I'll show you the might of the Katipunan's Supremo!" he roared, his voice thundering across the rooftop.
A portal opened behind Martin, and he vanished into it. Before Romeo could react, another portal appeared behind him, and Martin emerged, his fist poised to strike. The speed was blinding, and Romeo could only block with his arm. The force of Martin's punch sent him crashing into a garden pillar, nearly shattering it.
Martin grinned, his face alight with pride. "Surprised? I've got plenty more where that came from!" he taunted, as the creature's tendrils in the sky began to attack, slithering like vipers waiting to strike.
Romeo knew the tendrils were dangerous—their electric charge could paralyze, as it had Flora. He dodged swiftly, his movements fluid as air, but another portal opened at his side. Martin lunged out, fist ready. The speed was too great, and Romeo took the blow to his face, hurtling into the garden's foliage.
"Hahaha! What now, General? Is that all you've got?" Martin jeered, his laughter dripping with scorn. But he froze when he noticed balisongs embedded in his arm. Despite his swift attack, Romeo had managed to strike back. "He's fast," Martin muttered, his anger simmering.
He yanked out the blades and tossed them aside, declaring, "Your attacks are useless against my body! I'm immortal, General! You can't kill me!"
Romeo rose slowly, calmly brushing off his uniform. No trace of fear or fatigue marred his face. "So, even if I pierce you with my balisongs, you won't die?" he asked, his tone challenging.
"Hah! One of my powers is to become a living weapon. I am the weapon, and I won't die as long as I have energy!" Martin boasted.
Romeo's lips curved into a faint smile, as if amused. "A fascinating power," he said, his voice calm but tinged with mockery.
Martin bristled at Romeo's reaction. "You're too arrogant, General! Show me what you're capable of!" he roared, his fury boiling over.
Martin unleashed a massive aura, black lightning crackling around him as he charged at Romeo. But the General didn't falter. He met Martin's attack with fists and feet, each strike hitting the ground like thunder, shattering nearby stones.
Martin dodged a powerful kick from Romeo that nearly cleaved a stone pillar in two. "He's strong," Martin whispered, his mind racing but refusing to show weakness.
The battle raged on, each clash of fists echoing like explosions. In one moment, their punches connected with each other's faces, forcing both to stagger back. They leaped apart to gain distance, but Martin's anger flared as he saw Romeo's unshaken demeanor.
"He doesn't tire," Martin muttered, his fists trembling with rage. "How is he doing this?"
Romeo spat a small amount of blood and wiped his mouth with his arm. "I didn't get to train today, so it's nice to at least break a sweat," he said, his voice calm yet brimming with confidence.
"You're too cocky, General! Don't underestimate me, or you'll regret it!" Martin bellowed, his anger uncontainable.
He charged again, his fist surging with energy. But Romeo blocked it with a single hand, the impact reverberating like an explosion. "Don't you see? The gap between our abilities is vast," Romeo said, his smile unwavering.
Martin's rage boiled over. He swung another kick, but, like before, Romeo blocked it with his arm. Each of Martin's attacks seemed ineffective, and Romeo's grin only fueled his fury. "Stop underestimating me!" Martin screamed, his voice raw with frustration.
With a powerful punch, Martin landed a hit, sending Romeo crashing into the building's wall. As he struck, Martin followed with a kick that drove Romeo through the structure, causing an explosion on the roof.
Martin emerged from the debris, dragging Romeo by the leg and hurling him back onto the rooftop. The floor buckled under the impact, and another kick from Martin demolished the garden. "Hahaha! Where's your vaunted skill now, General?" he mocked.
But silence fell. Amid the garden's ruins, Romeo's mocking laugh rang out. "I didn't expect tonight to be more intense than training," he said, rising slowly. He brushed off his uniform and spat a bit of blood. "I'll admit, you're strong. I didn't think you'd damage my armor."
"Is that all you've got?" Martin shot back, his anger nearing its peak.
The fight resumed, the rooftop trembling under the force of their blows. Stones and plants scattered, and the garden's lights shattered with each surge of energy. Martin attacked relentlessly, his black lightning tearing through everything it touched. But Romeo remained composed, his balisongs moving like living entities, blocking and striking in unison.
In one moment, Martin's fist slammed into Romeo's chest, sending him into a wall. But to Martin's shock, Romeo stood, stretching as if unscathed. "If you're done showing off, it's my turn," he said, his voice brimming with assurance.
Dozens of balisongs materialized around him, floating and cloaked in a blue aura like blazing flames. Each blade seemed alive, spinning and ready to strike.
Martin laughed, though unease crept into his voice. "Your ordinary balisongs are nothing to my body, General!" he shouted.
"Really? Let's see if you're ready for what's coming," Romeo replied, his eyes blazing with resolve. "First Knife of Peace: Peacock of Martyr!"
In an instant, the balisongs converged, forming a colossal peacock cloaked in blue energy. Its wings were composed of smaller blades, while its tail was made of giant balisongs, each nearly six feet long. The peacock stood like a god of war, its every movement radiating power and authority.
Martin's eyes widened in disbelief. "What is this?" he whispered, sensing the extraordinary power Romeo wielded. The General's presence felt twice as potent, each balisong pulsing with its own consciousness, ready for any assault.
Martin refused to yield to fear. He unleashed a massive aura, black lightning enveloping him as he prepared his next move. "Fine! Show me if you can defeat me!" he roared, charging with a force that shattered everything in its path.
But the peacock's wings formed an unyielding shield, blocking Martin's punch with a deafening explosion. He struck again and again, but the balisongs held firm. "You can't break my absolute defense," Romeo said, his voice calm yet commanding. "The gap between our powers is too wide."
The peacock's tail blades shot forward, attacking Martin like shurikens. Though swift, he was forced to dodge and shield himself with his tendrils. But the balisongs' speed was relentless, striking from all angles.
"Infuriating!" Martin muttered, struggling to parry the onslaught. "His defense is impenetrable, and he attacks without moving!"
"What's wrong?" Romeo taunted, his smile mocking. "I haven't even started, and you're already losing hope."
Martin's fury erupted. "I'll kill you!" he screamed, charging with his tendrils lashing like serpents. But the peacock spread its wings, and the balisongs spun like shurikens, slicing through the tendrils effortlessly.
A massive balisong—nearly fifteen feet long—slammed into the ground, blocking Martin's punch. Stunned, he couldn't react as dozens of smaller blades struck his arms and legs. Though he felt no pain, he was forced to retreat, his anger giving way to unease.
"You can't defeat me with this trash!" he shouted, his voice tinged with doubt. But before he could charge again, five three-foot balisongs pierced his body, pinning him to the ground.
"Damn you!" Martin roared, struggling to rise, only for six-foot balisongs to strike his back and shoulders, paralyzing him. He realized the blades carried an energy that restricted his movement.
"You won't defeat me so easily!" he bellowed, his tendrils lashing out. But the spinning balisongs sliced them apart with ease.
"I didn't expect him to be this strong," Martin whispered, his eyes wide with shock. "Is this the true power of a General?"
Romeo stood calmly, his blue energy overflowing. "Finished with your bravado?" he asked, his voice steady. "If so, it's time to end this."
The battle was far from over, but the chasm between their powers was clear. Romeo, the Governor-General of Batangas, was not just a soldier but a diwata's emissary, ready to fight for those he cherished—even if it meant facing an army of rebels. In the aftermath of a night of celebration turned to chaos, one thing was certain: this fight would shape their destinies.