Midterms are finally over! It's time for hardworking students to rest, go on a vacation, and focus on themselves. But not for most of the freelance hunters at Francisco Javier University. Daniel and Danica, along with one of their freelance hunter friend, Raymund Alvaran, set out to Santo Tomas, Batangas to investigate a rather unnatural laughter heard at the foot of Mount Makiling. It has been reported that this laughter already caused several locals to develop mild paranoia. They swore every time they walked near the woods, laughter followed them until they were home, sometimes they even heard their yero (Galvanized iron sheet usually used for roofing material) creak.
Upon arriving at the hotel, Daniel and Raymund immediately tried to head out to buy snacks before Danica called them over. Her irritation is apparent in her voice.
"Where do you think you're going?! We agreed to make plans once we arrived!"
"But I'm hungry! It was a 2-hour ride and we didn't get to eat anything!"
"Can't you just wait until dinner?!" Danica said sternly.
Daniel looked at Danica with pleading eyes, "Please? I promise we'll just buy food and get back to you quickly."
Of course, Danica gave in to Daniel's request, "Fine! Make it quick!"
"Thank you, Danica!" a smile formed on Daniel's face.
"Oh wow, okay, so if it's Daniel you're willing to change plans, I see."
"Shut up, Raymund!"
After filling their stomachs at dinner, they had a meeting in Daniel and Raymund's room. Danica handed both of them a copy of the mission details provided by the school.
"Alright, since the reports stated that locals hear ominous laughter at the foot of Mt. Makiling, tomorrow we'll ask locals at the barangay. There should be at least a few people who saw what mythic we're dealing with. Although based on what we know, It's most likely a bungisngis. " Danica explains.
"I won't be able to come with you tomorrow, I still have to connect with a sacred tree in Batangas."
"Huh?! Absolutely not!" Danica exclaims. "It's too dangerous! What if you encounter a hostile mythic?!"
"Don't worry, I can handle myself! We can save a lot of time if we split up. Besides, I'm not that unlucky to encounter it on such a huge mountain." Daniel said in confidence.
"He's right, Danica, Daniel is not that helpless, you know? Otherwise, he'd be dead by now, considering how reckless he is."
"Hey, I'm only like that on a solo mission!"
Danica furrowed her eyes. "No! It's too risky! Who knows how many mythics live on that mountain?! No one will help you if something goes wrong!"
"I'll be careful! I won't engage with anything, even with those cute little animals! I'll connect with the sacred tree and then meet you guys immediately, I promise!" Daniel pleaded.
Danica is still hesitant but eventually allows Daniel to go alone. "Fine! But do not engage with anything! Do you understand?!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Yeah Daniel, Better listen to your mommy." Raymund Laughs.
"Shut up, Raymund!" Danica sighed, "Alright, moving on... Raymund, did you bring the items I asked for?"
"Yup, a dream catcher and a few fallacy potions."
"Good, hang the dreamcatcher near the center of the barangay before we gather information. We'll need it just in case we find our target tonight. I'll take the potions."
"Roger that, ma'am!" Raymund said eagerly.
"And for me?" Daniel asked
"You will focus on connecting with the tree, and meet us before sundown! Understood?!"
"Yes, ma'am."
They proceeded with their meeting and did a small research on the mythics that are found in Batangas. Knowing that mythics such as Diwata, Anggitay, and Kapres reside in the mountain brought relief to them, considering that these neutral mythics would be on their side if they showed the respect they were due. However, if they do something that will harm the forest in any way, they will find themselves facing these creatures. And if that were to happen, they know that escape would be their only option.
"Good, let's end this meeting. Prepare your weapons, equipment, and anything you think you'll need." Danica returned to her room...
Three hours later, the cold air from the A/C dried Daniel's throat, pulling him up from his sleep. With each breath, a sharp pain strikes his throat, which becomes worse when he realizes there is no water in their room. "Damn... I don't wanna go to the lounge. Maybe I can tough this out?" Daniel ponders the thought but eventually decides to grab water from the lounge. There, he saw Danica sitting on a sofa with a cup of coffee in hand.
Daniel sat beside Danica after grabbing water. "Wazzup Danica! Can't sleep?"
"Hmm? It's only 11 pm, it's not that weird to be awake. What are you doing here?"
"I woke up with a dry throat. It hurts..." Daniel stared blankly at the floor for a few seconds before speaking again. "How about you? Can't sleep?"
Danica answered as if it was a common thing. "It's only 11 pm, I'll head to bed shortly."
"Don't drink my coffee," she said after seeing Daniel stare at her coffee.
"Okay." He leaned back and tried to rid of his sleepiness. "Alright, what are you thinking of?
"We're most likely dealing with a giant, it would be bad if it got out of the mountain." Danica explains.
"Yeah, It would be a BIG trouble if it reaches the barangay." Daniel smiles.
To Danica, that pun is so terrible that it would only work when told to old people. But at moments like this, even she doesn't know the reason why these jokes can make her smile.
"Did you laugh at that?" he smirked.
"No, that is the worst joke I've heard."
"Whaaaat? Yes, you did!" He kept teasing Danica for laughing at such a terrible joke but stopped when Danica started to get mad. "Oh... she makes that face when she's mad, I better stop before she snaps at me."
"Are you finished?" Danica asked
"Yes... sorry..."
After a long pause, although hesitant, Danica asked Daniel a question. "So, you're still wearing that pendant... Isn't it too old and worn out?"
"But I like it! I kinda let it get a lot of scratch marks tho."
"Then you should take care of this better." Danica can't look at Daniel's eyes when handing him a new pendant.
One look at this pendant will tell how much effort and thought was put into making it. It's as if all the parts were put together to have only one wearer. The chain is the perfect length, the beads are purple and blue, Daniel's favorite colors, and as shiny as the eyes of a Diwata, and the centerpiece is a carving of an owl, standing out as its quality is clearly lower than the others. At the back of the centerpiece, inscribed the phrase "Unyielding heart". Although clearly an amateur's work, it is a piece of jewelry whose value is only seen by the giver and receiver.
Speechless and mesmerized, Daniel can't help but wonder if this beautiful pendant is really for him. "I-is this really for me? It's so pretty... And it looks so expensive! I can't accept something like that!"
"Shut up and take it! I made it, so don't worry about the price."
"Really?! That's so cool! I didn't know you could make pendants. Wait, this is an owl, right?"
Danica is quite embarrassed since she is well aware of the carving's quality. "It is! I know it's my first time carving something, but it can't be that bad!"
Daniel chuckles, "I'm just kidding! I love it! It's so cute! Especially these huge cute eyes. And wait... I sense magic in this... Don't tell me you enchanted this too?! What does it do?!"
"Well... Not just me, I had help from a Diwata to enchant it." Danica looked sternly at Daniel. "Since you're so damn oblivious when you're alone, I enchant it so it can detect the presence of mythics."
Daniel smiles and holds the pendant tightly. "Thank you so much! I promise I'll take good care of it!"
Danica covered her mouth, yet a blush can be seen through the gaps of her fingers. "You better do..."
Seeing Daniel's reaction makes the hours of making the pendant worth it. Just the thought of Daniel cherishing the pendant she carefully crafted with love fills her with happiness. The splinters, cuts, and weariness she experienced making the pendant don't matter anymore, all her focus is on the smile formed on Daniel's face.
Before Daniel sees her blushing face, she decides to return to her room. "Now go to sleep! I don't want you complaining tomorrow morning."
Morning comes, it is now time to do what they came to do. To hunt down the mythic terrorizing the locals. Raymund and Danica head out to the barangay disguised as curious tourists to gather information regarding the laughter that can be heard near the foot of Mount Makiling. The more they hear new information, the more certain they become that they're dealing with a bungisngis. A giant mythic that although not considered evil, are dumb creature that most often thinks with its stomach. "But why would it target humans now?" A question that lingers on both of their minds, wondering why a generally neutral mythic would try to hurt humans. However, they decided to proceed with information gathering as it is more important than pondering on one thing. While Danica and Raymund gather information, Daniel is wandering in the mountain, lost as always...
"Damn... I'm lost... Danica is gonna get mad at me again if I don't meet up with them on time." He is more concerned about making Danica worry instead of the dangers within the mountain. A complete trust in his abilities? Or perhaps a disregard for his well-being? After wandering in the forest for what seems like forever, the pendant Danica gave him vibrates. "This must mean a mythic is nearby. Thank you, Danica." Just then, bushes rustle near Daniel. He turns around quickly, but can't see anything. After another 30 minutes of walking and countless tries of trying to catch the mythic in his peripheral, he finally caught a glimpse of the mythic stalking him. Peeking behind the trees are two beautiful women with long silky brown hair hanging to their waists, and their upper bodies covered only with a single plain garment, yet covered with precious stones. As the women walk up to Daniel with their bows pointed at him, their lower bodies of a horse come into sight. Fortunately, Daniel read about them in the university archives.
"Hello! Please don't shoot, I'm not a bad person! I have no weapons or anything that can harm the forest, I swear! You're an Anggitay, right? Protectors of the forest?"
The 1st anggitay spoke, "This one is a brancher, sister."
The 2nd anggitay lowered her bow. "We now know this one's purpose, sister. To connect with a sacred tree." Both the anggitays smiled.
"Does that mean you'll help me get to the sacred tree?"
"We do not see why we would guide you, brancher. Unless you can provide a worthy offering. That pendant of yours, perhaps."
"What? No, why would I give you my pendant? Besides, Don't you anggitays only like expensive jewelry?" Daniel held the pendant tightly.
"Material value and sentimental value are different, brancher. But we desire both, and we can sense how much you value it. A gift from a lover perchance?
Daniel blushed a bit, "It doesn't matter who gave it to me! You can't have it!" Knowing that the anggitays won't help him find the sacred tree, he offers something else. He offers the last thing that connects him with his family, a ring given to him by his parents on his 16th birthday. For someone so sentimental, Daniel barely hesitated when giving up the ring.
The anggitays accepted the offering. "A very precious jewel indeed. Yet you're willing to give it up." The two anggitays led him to the sacred tree.
At first glance, the tree was just like any other tree. But as soon as Daniel touches it, flowers instantly blossom around it. The birds flocked, and the insects swarmed. The tree was awakened from its slumber once again to lend a brancher its power, and the magic that surged was felt by every mythic residing in Mount Makiling. He turns around and sees the two anggitays seething with anger, and pointing their bows at him. "Explain yourself, brancher! Did you deceive us?! Why did we feel darkness in your magic?!"
-End of Chapter -
Creature feature
Anggitays - In the mountains of Santo Tomas, Batangas, they are called anggitay, a creature most often depicted as a half-human and half-horse. They are believed to be the female counterpart of tikbalangs, and they are obsessed with collecting gemstones and other precious jewelry. Whether they are evil or good is unclear, which is why I decided to make them neutral.