4.5 DOG AWAKE

  Si-an Usong pushed herself farther inside the crevice as the minokawa's saber-like claws dug through the space between the boulders for the hundredth time. She checked the gash on her hip, thankfully it stopped bleeding but the pain from it was still excruciating. If only she had Silver Fin with her– but the magical dagger was somewhere out there, lost when the minokawa chased her into this hole. With it, she could have conjured another illusion to distract the predator outside or do any number of things to save herself.

  She shook her head. It was the only thing that could change her dire situation, but only if she could wield it again. No. She tried to think of another way. She just can't give up. What would her Lord Halmista say. Things should not end like this– not in an embarrassing situation. But as seconds pass, no solution came to mind. And only the certain outcome of death was clear. When desperation and doubt weighed Si-an Usong down, she finally tried to cry for help, hoping Tikum or the others could hear her, but she knew it was useless. The only thing that'll stop the race is if she or Tikum could reach and cross the finish line. But she'd been in this hole for a while and it looks like Tikum was either dead or so far off course that the minokawa outside would eventually find a way to move one of the boulders to get to its prize. Another strike from the giant bird's claws sent spark and dust towards Si-an Usong, sending her into a coughing fit. Mouth dry and voice hoarse she screamed at the mystical bird, "You have to work harder than that pea-brain. Want me as dinner, right?"

  The minokawa replied by flapping its vast metallic wings, driving a gust of wind through the narrow hole and blowing Si-an Usong back to the cramp corner of the crevice, knocking the air out her chest. "Well, okay," she said, grimacing in pain. "I guess you still have a few tricks. But is that all you got? Come on!"

  She expected it to blow her back again but suddenly the minokawa stopped. She waited a few more seconds, listening in and trying her best to anticipate the moon-eater's next plan of action but nothing happened. There was only dead silence pervading in the nook where she hid, making her more nervous with each passing breath. Every move she made echoed inside the hole as the ominous silence continued. She waited and waited but it seemed like somehow the minokawa had forgotten her. Betrayed by her curiosity, she crawled to the opening to take a look.

  "What in the hell are you doing!" she said, picking herself up and seeing things unfold before her eyes.

  Outside the hole, the minokawa circled Tikum who was armed with what looks to be a spear. What was curious about the scene was not how stupid it looked, which was a given, but by the fact that he didn't cower or ran from the circling creature above him. Tikum just waited in the open, poised to throw his hastily-made weapon.

  "Run, idiot!" she cried, but Tikum ignored her. "What the hell are you trying to prove, manling!"

  Before Si-an Usong could do anything, the minokawa drove down for the kill– keen talon first. As it plunged down, Tikum drew the spear back.

  His face did not betray the fear in his core. This was not the brightest plan. He even doubted if he could call this one that. But he had an inkling about this approach and his instinct about these things were rarely wrong. Rarely. Heart throbbing, bouncing on his chest, he exhaled deeply and threw the spear as straight as he possibly could. It soar through the air arching slightly to the right side of the minokawa. Tikum made a face– it looked like it would miss its mark. The glint of talons made him blink for half a breath. When he opened his eyes, the keen weapon met its target. Only then did the fool Tikum Kadlum rolled away to dodge the falling bulk of the minokawa. It crashed in the heap of dirt behind him, thrashing its wings violently. In its throes, metallic feathers carved and slashed the ground. Then, it cried out and screeched in a most human-like tone but soon it stopped. And as the dust settled, Tikum stood and approached Si-an Usong. Behind him, the minokawa stayed motionless– its wings were mangled and twisted by the fall and on one of its eye a broken piece of the spear protruded.

  "How the hell did you do that, manling?" Si-an Usong said as Tikum helped her out of the crevice. "You just felled a giant bird made of metal with a wooden spear?"

  Tikum lifted her up and started to walk to the two pillars connected by a slab of dark stone.

  "How? Just a guess. But I gotta give it to you. You're really right about it having metallic feathers."

  "It's almost nigh-invulnerable with all that steel covering it. Even the strongest Living blade couldn't cut through that easily. I should know. I tried."

  "But you missed one detail." He gave him a sly smile.

  "What detail?"

  Tikum paused to pick something up, studying it for a while. "This is really fancy. Can I have this? I mean borrow it." He smiled.

  Si-an Usong took the dagger from him. "This won't work anytime soon. This is a Living blade given only to the worthy."

  "You sure about that?"

  "Yeah, and it only answers to a buruhisan's blood." The dagger made a whining sound. Hear that? It said, you certainly are not a buruhisan. And the essence inside needs to recuperate too."

  "One of the disadvantages of using it too much in one day?"

  "Yes." She stowed it away back to her side. "Wait, before we get distracted again, how exactly did you bring down the minokawa–"

  "Oh, that? You saw how. It was plain but honestly not as simple as it looked."

  "Funny. All I saw was you brought the damned thing with a single shot."

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "A lucky shot," he corrected. "And isn't it obvious? It was its eye!"

  "What of it? Wait–"

  "From feather to talons it was made of metal but not its eyes!" He smiled again, noticing Si-an Usong's face. "You look like you're going to ask next how I found out..."

  "Sure. Indulge me."

  "Well, earlier, when one of your illusions burst into a silvery mess. The minokawa got itself temporarily blinded when it attacked your magical copies. And before that, when it dove down it had a peculiar habit of crashing."

  "Yes. I didn't exactly miss that one detail."

  "That's why I knew it would work. But I needed it to do what it does every time it swooped for the the kill."

  "Huh? Will you just spill it all out," Si-an Usong said, turning her head towards him after staunching her wound.

  Tikum shook his head. "You don't really pay attention do you? Before it drives itself down its prey, it pulls its beak up and closes its eyes.

  "Rendering it blind for a short span and opening itself up for an attack the moment it opens its eyes again."

  "Well, yeah, couldn't have worded it better. But to be honest, it took me awhile to realize it. And gi-atay... It took all my nerves to time it right." He gave out a nervous laughter. "And good thing I did hit it, huh?"

  "And what if it didn't work? It could've–"

  "That's why we call that a risk," Tikum answered. "It was a gamble like everything else. And you should be glad it worked.

  "Or we'd be bird food by now."

  He placed Si-an Usong on top a small boulder, making sure she was comfortably seated. "We could pass through the line together, but I really need this one. So, I guess, I'll be winning this race."

  He walked in between the pillar of rocks, standing and searching for a lever to turn and activate it. The gate framed the valley behind it in perfect symmetry but something caught his eyes. He moved closer and examined the ancient-looking columns. He was now sure no human hands moved or crafted the pillars in place. The carvings on it were too alien to comprehend just like the ruins before, but these were far older. Looking at it closely, some parts did resemble babayin patterns though. As soon as he stopped fumbling the pillars surface for a latch, the whole thing rumbled and shifted on its place. Slowly a cut into the space between the pillars grew, making a portal that led to a dark forest. In the distance, Tikum could spot a broken down hut and through the wall, he could see himself in slumber.

  "I want another race. A rematch," Si-an Usong said as Tikum took a step. She raised her dagger and pointed it towards him as Halmista and his friends joined her side, coming from another portal. "Next time on your terms," she declared. "When I get myself fixed, alright?"

  "Agreed," Tikum said, giving her a curt nod. The rest settled for smiles from the Black Dog. "But you owe me one."

  "I owe you nothing, manling."

  "Saved you."

  "I saved you first!" Si-an Usong shook her head. "We're even Tikum Kadlum. Thank you, but I don't owe a scoundrel like you."

  She smiled, but Tikum was already inside the shear in space, set to return to his daughter.

  ***

  Jurah was washing her hands on the stream after teaching the girls how to clean the fish they caught earlier when Milong began shouting, urging her to come inside their nipa abode. Jurah moved swiftly with Ukok in tow as soon as she heard it. When they got inside, she went straight towards Tikum's bed but only found Milong sitting there, face covered in sweat.

  Jurah halted, panting and confused. "What happened? Where's Tikum, Milong?"

  "That's the problem. A moment ago he was just here soundly asleep. And then he wasn't. It's like he magically disappeared..."

  "That can't be true," Jurah said, echoed by Ukok. "Where is he?" the woman added, fearing the worst had happened. But as they searched for him all over, they realized there were no signs of struggle or of him leaving their crooked abode. He simply wasn't there. They would've seen him if he passed through the only door of the hut. But unless he learned to fly, no other explanation would suffice for the mystery.

  "Where's, Bapa?" Ukok said, looking at Jurah for answers but the ati had no words to console her. A tear fell from the child's eye. "Where is he?" She grabbed Jurah's arm, frustrated at the woman's silence. Tikum Kadlum promised Ukok that he would always be there for her. He wouldn't just leave her here. Not without a word. "Where's my bapa!?" Ukok repeated, but someone else gave her the answer she wanted.

  "Oh, I'm here, mongrel," a voice said behind them. They all turned and saw Tikum standing with a bamboo cup on his hand, leaning on the door, face still pale. He gave them all a warm smile. Or at least the warmest he could muster. "What's with faces? Is there something wrong?"

  Running as fast as she can, Ukok embraced Tikum, tears streaming on her face. He gasped the moment she held her on his arms. Then, she began to pound at his chest with closed fists, lips pouting. "I thought you left me! I hate you, bapa! I hate you!"

  Tikum held her tighter, crushing her with a hug as she sniffed and tried to blink back her tears. "I'm sorry little mongrel. Bapa's never going to leave you again. Okay?"

  Believing his every word, Ukok buried her head on his chest. Tikum took something out his belt. "Let me make it up for you with a gift."

  Ukok took the blue glowing crystal from Tikum. "What is it, bapa?"

  "Some fool of a devata said it will lead you to your heart's desire. Of course, a whole lot of hogwash to me but I couldn't say no."

  ***

  In the town of Ulay, inside its datu's vast hall, Amburukay traced the edge of the chieftain's throne with her blackened hand, admiring the craftsmanship behind the carven figures on the armrest. Finally, she sat on its cushioned seat with narrowed eyes.

  "Did you find them?"

  "Not yet, Lady Amburukay," Tihol said with less confidence in her voice, bowing down at her master's feet. "But the spoors point only to one place." She raised her head and stared at the manghihiwit with her void eyes.

  "They're hiding in the forest, not far from the stream we crossed three days ago. As you suspected, Tikum is not alone."

  Amburukay raised a brow. She did not like the idea of Tikum finding an ally of his own.

  "There are at least three or four of them with him," Tihol continued, "and Karas said one of them was responsible for casting a spirit glamour around the trees, hiding their tracks. It's a very old magic that Karas can't dispell so she stayed? to cover their possible exits. They are, at this moment, effectively trapped."

  "Nicely done," Amburukay said. "I never doubted you and your sister, Tihol." She smiled or at least her lips tried? to mimic one. As she stood, the Toad king, Magung, and his remaining retainer cowered in fear. Both men were huddled in the far corner of the bamboo town hall, gibbering and cursing their fates. The manghihiwit glared at them, silencing the lot.

  "I want you to relieve your sister, Tihol. I'll be needing her help for my preparations here." She smiled again, this time it was clear that darker thoughts had swayed the manghihiwit's mind. "I'll finally crush Tikum" she whispered to herself, "and get my Ukok away from him."

  Amburukay paused beside the bagani, placing her blackened hand on her servant's shoulder. Tihol raised a brow, making her laugh.

  "Curious?" the manghihiwit said in an almost jovial tone.

  Her control on the Raguetanon sisters' minds were not as taut as earlier, making full use of their instincts and talents. This approach also gave way to shadows of their personalities to come out, making them less like puppets and more like people he could actually converse with. But just to be sure, she maintained her influence on their thoughts much more stronger.

  Tihol slowly nodded her head, observing the minute tells on the bagani's face.

  "Confused?" Amburukay walked pass her. "Oh, don't fret... you see I'm just inviting a friend from Gadlum, Tihol. Yes... Yes... a friend from the Dark realm who's dying to meet my beloved Tikum Kadlum."