Chapter 35: The Shadow of Doubt
Erik's POV
It was a quiet morning in the old warehouse that served as my prison, save for the faint, distant clang of metal echoing from somewhere far off. Sunlight streamed through the broken roof, but it wasn't enough to banish the chill that clung to my skin.
I sat on a broken chair, eating a simple breakfast—a cup of coffee and a bowl of warm rice with a dish provided by Sir Apyong's men. The food tasted delicious to my weary body.
Across from me, Señor Apyong sat in his wheelchair, his eyes sharp but tinged with concern. Beside him was Miss Jana, silent, yet possessing the presence of a disciplined and formidable person.
Their gazes felt like daggers piercing my chest, yet I refused to let doubt creep into my mission.
I knew these moments would determine if I could continue on the path I had chosen as Ifugao.
"How are you feeling, Ifugao?" Apyong asked, his voice calm but weighted with a deeper purpose. "Do you still want to pursue this? This path of a hero?"
He praised my body's remarkably quick regeneration and swift return of energy, admitting it was highly unusual. Still, he conceded that I was not yet capable of fighting like a true warrior.
I couldn't answer immediately, thinking that perhaps my rapid recovery was linked to receiving my diwata's power in a different way. I recalled Hiyas's words: that I was more fortunate than the other sugos of the Philippines because she trusted and protected me immensely.
Despite this, I was uneasy. With every bite of the food, I seemed to lose faith in my combat abilities. After more than ten fights with Jana, I hadn't won a single one.
Her weapons, like living tentacles of an octopus, were too fast, too strong. Yet, despite the pain in my body—which felt like a thousand needles pricking my flesh—my belief that I must continue remained firm.
"I won't give up, Señor Apyong," I said, my voice low but full of determination. "I know I don't know enough yet to defeat Miss Jana, but I still want to try to be a hero. I want to protect the people."
Apyong smiled at my words, but his smile held a hint of sorrow. "Your courage is admirable, Ifugao. But courage alone is not enough to save the people," he said, his words sinking into my chest like a heavy stone.
"Many have tried to be heroes, sugos like you, full of dreams and purpose. But most of them have failed. Some of them died before they could even fulfill their missions."
His words brought sadness. I felt a pang of sorrow, and for the first time, fear entered my mind at the thought that I might end up like the former sugos who wished to be heroes.
"Is it really impossible, Sir Apyong?" I asked, my voice almost breaking. "Is it truly impossible for me to become a hero?"
Before Apyong could answer, Jana abruptly interjected. "Anyone can be a hero, Ifugao," she said, her tone sharp but tinged with truth.
"But the reality is, most of them just die. My question to you is this: What is it you truly want to do? Do you understand the consequences of your actions? If you face the other Generals, they will not hesitate to kill you in battle. Are you ready to die in battle?"
I bowed my head, my hands tightening around the bowl of broth I held. I didn't know how to answer her.
"I don't know what I should really do, Jana," I admitted, my voice raw with honesty. "Of course, I'm afraid of dying in battle."
"All I know is that the violence must stop. I just want to bring peace to this country, and that is why I am doing this."
Jana disliked my answer. She shook her head, her eyes filled with disappointment. "You are like a child playing in a war, Erik," she said, her voice like a whip lashing at my heart.
"You don't understand the gravity of the responsibility you want to take on. If you try to help the Filipinos, you will become an enemy of the Spaniards. But if you side with the Spaniards, you will be a traitor in the eyes of the other Filipinos. I know this because I have been through it and have made that choice."
I stared at her, surprised by her words. "May I ask why you joined the military, Miss Jana?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "Why did you fight your fellow Filipinos and follow the Spaniards?"
Miss Jana took a deep breath, and for the first time, I saw sorrow in her eyes. "I joined the military because I wanted wealth, influence, and power," she admitted, her voice faint but heavy with regret.
"I won't deny that a part of me wanted to protect the Filipinos, but I also won't deny that I turned my back on some of them."
'Before, I used my power as a sugo against the abusive Spaniards. For five years, I joined the rebels, fighting everywhere. But one day, I realized I was gaining nothing. I fought and grew tired, but the abuse didn't stop no matter how hard I tried to prevent it. In the end, I was just exhausted and failed to achieve true peace."
I glanced at Apyong, who was listening quietly. "But when I met General Apyong," Jana continued, "he gave me new hope. He showed me that I could help my countrymen in a different way, and I could only do that by joining the military."
"That way, I could protect the territory entrusted to me by my diwata, and the people there could live peacefully under my care."
I looked at Sir Apyong, my curiosity deepening about the true plan of a General like him. "In that case, Señor Apyong, why are you giving me an opportunity like this?" I asked, my voice tinged with bewilderment.
"Even now, the government is still looking for me because of what happened in Urdaneta, so as a General of the government, shouldn't you be arresting me?"
Apyong smiled, his expression tinged with mystery. "There are things I need to do to maintain balance, Erik," he said. He took a deep breath, as if waiting for the right moment to explain.
"I want to see you become a true warrior—a warrior who can fight even Generals like me."
I was stunned by his words, and even Jana looked at Apyong, her eyes full of doubt. "What do you mean, General?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
Apyong smiled, unshaken by her reaction. "We Generals are bound by the laws and rules of the Spaniards. We have power in this country, but we cannot ensure the safety of all Filipinos."
"Take Bulacan, for example. Abuse is rampant in Plaridel because of the city officials. But since it is not under my authority, there is nothing I can do there. We cannot fight our fellow Generals, even when their actions are wrong."
I looked at Apyong, feeling the weight of his words. "Everything needs to have a balance, Erik," he continued. "And I want to see you do what I cannot. I want you to fight Generals like me when their actions are no longer just. Stop them from killing Filipinos."
I was shocked by what I heard, my mind confused. "B-but why me, Señor Apyong?" I asked, my voice heavy with doubt. "Why do you want me to do this?"
Apyong admitted, "You are not skilled in combat yet, Ifugao. Perhaps because you are young. But the sugo Laguna recommended you." He smiled, as if holding a secret I didn't yet grasp.
"I spoke with Laguna, and he said that you have great potential to defeat the Generals."
I was confused. "Laguna?" I asked, my mind flying through memories. "I have never met him. My companion diwata once mentioned that Laguna saved me when I lost consciousness during my fight in Urdaneta."
Apyong laughed lightly but meaningfully. "Laguna never shows himself to others. He moves in secret, like a shadow you can never catch."
"He is one of the five strongest sugos in the Philippines. If you ask me, Laguna is capable of fighting even the Swords of Spain—their country's most powerful warriors."
I was stunned by what I learned about Laguna. "If Laguna is that strong, why did he recommend me to stop the Generals? Why doesn't he fight for the Filipinos himself?" I asked, my voice full of curiosity.
"Laguna's hands are also tied," Apyong replied. "The Spaniards know him and recognize his power. If they discover he is fighting the government, Spain will send the other Swords of Spain here."
"Swords of Spain?" I asked.
"The Swords of Spain—warriors with a King-class rank in Spain—who are sent to wars. When they arrive in the Philippines, blood will certainly flow, and a tragedy worse than we can imagine will occur."
I nodded, though my mind was still reeling. "But how can he be sure that I can fight?" I asked, my voice faint. "Even I doubt I can defeat the Generals."
Apyong smiled, and for the first time, I saw hope in his eyes. "For now, Jana will teach you how to unleash the true potential of your power as a sugo."
"We call it 'Hyper Mode.' According to the Spaniards' knowledge of diwata power, this is the way for you to control your energy and manipulate the chakra in your body."
"However, it will take time to master, but if you understand the concept and method, it's not impossible to learn quickly."
Jana suddenly cut in, her voice skeptical. "General, are you sure we should teach him this? He might become an enemy of the government in the future."
Apyong smiled, seemingly unfazed. "Are you afraid, Jana, that one day Ifugao might defeat you in battle?" he asked, his tone teasing.
Jana denied it, her face flushing with annoyance. "This isn't about me, General! It's about the government's leadership. I worry that the other Generals might find out, and you will certainly be in trouble."
"They won't know unless someone speaks," Apyong replied, his voice calm but confident. "No one can truly say what is right or wrong in this world, Jana. If our decision to side with the Spanish government proves to be wrong, someone needs to stop us. And I believe Erik can do that."
I couldn't speak when I heard Sir Apyong's trust in me. I bowed my head, my heart heavy with doubt. I didn't know if I could defeat the Generals, but I was willing to try. I was ready to stop what was wrong, and no matter how many times I failed—I would get up and fight again.
Meanwhile, in Plaridel, the morning was already filled with chaos. The town seemed shrouded in a dark cloud, the air heavy with the fear and anger of the Spaniards. Early on, Filipinos were woken up in their homes. Due to last night's events—the death of the Mayor at the hands of Hustisya—the police became even more brutal in arresting Filipinos.
They forcibly arrested every Filipino they saw in the town. Children, the elderly, women, men—no one was spared, all were loaded into vehicles and taken to an unknown location. The cries of the captives echoed through the streets, but no one listened, no one helped.
Due to the Mayor's death, General Vicente Salazar himself, the acting head of the police force in Plaridel, ordered the police to arrest every Filipino in the town.
In the middle of Plaridel's plaza, all the captives were forced to sit with their hands tied by ropes that tightened with every movement.
More than a hundred people were there, fear etched onto their faces, their voices filled with pleading and weeping. But they received only kicks and punches from the police.
"Be quiet!" yelled one police officer, striking an old man on the back. "If you make another sound, we will hurt you even worse!" The Filipinos clung to their families, their eyes full of apprehension and despair.
After a few moments, General Vicente Salazar climbed onto a platform in the middle of the plaza. His appearance was like a vulture ready to feast on its prey—his uniform was elegant, full of medals and badges, while his eyes burned with anger and arrogance.
"I am General Vicente Salazar, the Governor-General of Bulacan," he announced, his voice echoing across the plaza. "I am here to end the chaos happening in the town of Plaridel!"
He informed everyone present about Hustisya's murder of the Mayor and how great a sin it was to kill a high-ranking government official. "Because of the crime committed by Hustisya, he and his accomplices will be punished by death!" he shouted, raising his fist in the air. "No criminals will escape Spanish law!"
From the vehicles, the police took numerous whips and distributed them to every soldier. Salazar declared that everyone in the plaza was considered a rebel, an accomplice of a vigilante, and their punishment would be a thousand lashes each.
The people were terrified by the punishment they heard, and the area was quickly filled with pleas.
"Please, have mercy!" cried a mother, hugging her child. But at Salazar's command, the police began lashing the Filipinos with the whips.
The plaza was filled with shouts and weeping. Even children and the elderly were mercilessly whipped, their bodies bloody with every strike. From the platform, Salazar spoke boldly.
"No one can oppose the Spanish government! This is the punishment for rebels!" he yelled, his voice like thunder striking the hearts of every Filipino.
Hours passed, and the news of the horrifying events in the plaza quickly spread throughout Plaridel. Filipinos hid in their homes, afraid they would be the next ones arrested.
The town seemed trapped in a dark nightmare, and every sound of the police patrol's footsteps in Plaridel felt like a knock of death.
Georgia's POV
At our house, while we were eating lunch, I couldn't hide the worry etched on my face. Every bite of rice felt like I was chewing on my conscience.
I knew that the current chaos in Plaridel was the effect of what I did last night as Hustisya. The Mayor's death had fueled the Spaniards' more intense anger against the Filipinos, and it was clear they were suffering because of me.
Guilt consumed me. Every cry I heard from outside pierced my heart. I was confused, questioning whether what I did was right. The people I saved last night were suffering even more now, and I was still the reason.
I put down my spoon and fork, my hands trembling under the weight of my thoughts. My conscience was heavy.
"Granddaughter, is something wrong?" my grandfather asked, his voice full of worry as he looked at me.
I suddenly spoke, my voice full of determination. "I need to leave, Grandpa."
My grandparents were shocked by what they heard, and they both spoke at once. "Where are you going, Georgia?" my grandmother asked, her eyes wide with fear. "Don't go out! It's too dangerous to leave the house right now!"
They tried to stop me, full of concern. "Georgia, dear, you might get caught up in the trouble outside," my grandfather said, his hand resting on my shoulder. "Stay here in the house, where you are safe."
But the anger in my heart was stronger than their words. I stood up, my fists clenched. "If no one stops the Spaniards, their abuse will continue!" I yelled, my voice heavy with indignation.
"I won't let the Filipinos in the plaza suffer because of me!"
"Because of you? What are you saying, granddaughter?" my grandfather asked.
Since only my grandmother knew I was Hustisya, she was afraid I might go to the plaza to help the captives. At that moment, she gently held my hand, her grip calm but full of love. "Georgia, dear, I understand how you feel," she said, her voice soft, as if trying to calm me down.
"But you don't have to rush into a decision. Going there to fight the Spaniards will only bring you more problems. It will only add to your intense self-anger over your mistakes. You cannot achieve true peace through violence."
I closed my eyes, as the anger inside my chest exploded. I realized that even if I fought the Spaniards, the suffering of my countrymen would not end.
Even if I killed the officials, new ones would just replace them, and the abuse would continue. I suddenly felt fear—fear for myself, and fear that my decisions might indeed be wrong.
I started to cry over my mistakes, weeping like a child, and clung tightly to my grandmother. "I was wrong, Grandma," I confessed, full of remorse.
"I regret what I did. Because of me, people are suffering more. What should I do? I'm afraid they will arrest you. I don't want our family to be involved in the mess I created."
My grandmother stroked my head to calm me down, embracing my head while her words wrapped around me like a warm hug.
"You don't have to do anything, granddaughter," she said, her voice full of love. "Your grandfather and I are old. We are in the final chapter of our lives. We are ready to leave if that is our fate. But you, Georgia, your life is just beginning."
"You have a long way to go. You have much more to do, much more to experience—travel, fall in love, build a family. Your grandfather and I want you to live a long life and experience the beautiful things in this world."
She added, "Not everything can be done by one person, granddaughter. You have done what you could for the Filipinos, and that is enough. Just stay here with us."
I continued to cry, clinging to my grandmother like a child. My conscience wouldn't quiet my mind; I wasn't sure what I could do. I knew I needed to act to help the Filipinos, but I wasn't sure if I would succeed—or what the cost of my next actions would be.
"Grandma, I love you and Grandpa very much. I don't want to lose you," I said.
I was terrified that my actions might cause another tragedy. In that moment, all I wanted was to see my family safe; I couldn't think or decide anymore.
End of Georgia's POV