Chapter 45: The Final Promise
Five days after the tragedy in Plaridel, life slowly began to return to the town, but the grief of the bereaved remained, scarring the minds of every citizen, a perpetual reminder of the battle.
The damaged buildings were gradually being repaired, workers were clearing the ruined streets, and the victims' families were comforting one another amidst the sorrow.
However, behind these efforts, the government's grip across the Philippines tightened. The number of soldiers at the borders was doubled, and police patrols became more frequent, their eyes always alert, ready to suppress any trace of a new uprising.
The air was thick with tension, as if chaos could erupt again at any moment. Amidst these changes, in a humble settlement, young Erik, the sugo known as Ifugao, awoke in a luxurious room within a mysterious mansion. He woke up in the soft bed and slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes as he gradually realized his unfamiliar surroundings.
"Huh? Wait, where am I?"
The room was expansive—a large space with wooden walls, adorned with expensive furnishings: a soft bed with clean white linens, antique vases gleaming under the chandelier's light, and silk curtains swaying gently with the breeze from the open window.
The scent of lavender filled the air, providing a strange peace despite his confusion. "Whose room is this?" Erik whispered to himself, his voice filled with wonder and slight fear.
He stood up and slowly approached the window to look out, but the view outside offered no answers. Peering out, he saw a vast garden filled with flowers and trees, but no sign of a city or town.
He began to feel nervous, especially as he recalled the last events before he ended up there. His flashback brought back memories of the battle in Plaridel and the blinding object that struck him.
Before he could fully process his thoughts, the large door to the room opened, and a woman of captivating beauty entered. Her long, green hair resembled spring leaves, and she wore an elegant Filipiniana made of fine fabric, intricately embroidered with flowers.
She greeted the young man with a beautiful smile, a greeting that hinted at a unique mystery in her eyes. "Good morning, Erik," the woman said, her voice soft but authoritative. "How are you feeling?"
Erik was stunned and couldn't answer immediately, seemingly captivated by the woman's beauty, whose presence felt like a gentle, calming, and strangely comforting breeze.
"Who are you? And... where am I?" he asked, his voice full of doubt, as his eyes scanned the room, as if searching for any answer to shed light on his questions.
The woman tried to walk closer to Erik, sensing the boy's apprehension as he suddenly stepped back, hesitant to trust her.
As she reached the young man, she placed her hands on his shoulders, brought her face close, and touched her forehead to his, their noses almost touching.
At that moment, Erik was utterly shocked by the woman's action and wondered why, but at the same time, a certain energy flowed through his body. A presence so pure that it calmed the young man's fear and doubt.
"This presence... it comes from the energy of nature," he whispered in his mind.
The woman gently lifted her head and released Erik. She simply smiled at him, a smile full of humility. "Don't worry, Erik. I am not an enemy," she replied, adjusting a strand of hair that had fallen onto her shoulder. "In fact, I am one of those who saved you after the tragedy in Plaridel, so put your mind at ease; we mean you no harm."
Erik's memories rushed back—the fierce battle, the attack by an unknown general, the deafening explosion, and the final moment when he feared death. But above all, he remembered Georgia and the last sight of her after she sacrificed herself to protect him.
His heart was suddenly filled with fear. "Georgia! Where is she? What happened to my friend?" he asked, his voice almost a shout, filled with worry and concern.
The woman calmed him, raising her hand slowly as a sign of peace. "Calm down, Erik. The sugo of Plaridel you are looking for is safe. We rescued her just like you. However, she is in a coma right now and is being watched by my companions."
"Coma?" Erik repeated, his eyes wide with shock.
"We can say she is in a very deep sleep," the woman said with a smile, trying to calm Erik.
"Is that true? Where is she? I need to see her!" His voice was full of desperation, and his hands were trembling as he waited for an answer.
The woman smiled again, but her expression held a hint of sadness. "What I said is true, Erik. But before you see her, you need to prepare yourself. Come, join me for breakfast, and I will answer your questions afterward."
She offered her hand, an invitation full of certainty. Erik had no choice but to follow, even though his mind was still full of questions.
As they walked down the mansion's long corridor, he noticed the luxury of the surroundings—antique paintings hung on the walls, crystal chandeliers gleaming in the morning light, and floors made of polished marble.
Each step felt like it was leading him to a world he never thought he would see. "This mansion is so beautiful; the owner must be incredibly rich," he whispered to himself, his eyes full of awe.
"Where exactly are we?" he asked again, unable to contain his curiosity. "Are we still in Plaridel?"
The woman smiled and gently answered Erik, "I cannot tell you where this mansion is located, Erik, for everyone's safety. But I promise you, you are safe here, so please don't worry."
As they walked, Erik noticed the woman's peculiar presence—an energy that was familiar yet unexplainable.
"Excuse me, miss, are you a sugo of a diwata?" he asked, his voice filled with doubt.
The woman chuckled softly, a gentle laugh that eased the young man's anxiety. "You should take a shower and get ready first. Afterward, I will answer your questions while we eat in the mansion's dining hall. I know you have many things you want to know, and I will explain everything later."
A few hours later, after showering and getting ready, Erik entered a spacious dining area as beautiful as the rest of the mansion. The room was adorned with crystal chandeliers, gold-embroidered walls, and a long table made of polished wood, laden with various kinds of food: from warm pandesal and adobo to fruits and sweets.
The smell of the food was enticing, but the beauty of the room was enough to make him glance around repeatedly. At the end of the table sat the green-haired woman, her smile warm as she invited him to sit.
"Come, Erik, sit down. I prepared this for you. Please eat," she said. The woman stood up, approached Erik's seat, and prepared a plate of food, placing it in front of the young man.
Erik was surprised by her attentiveness and felt shy. "No, please, I can get my own food," he said, his voice full of embarrassment as he tried to decline her gesture.
But the woman ignored him, continuing to place food on his plate—hot sinigang, rice, and a piece of lechon kawali whose aroma alone was enough to make him hungry.
"It's not a big deal," the woman said, her smile full of sincerity. "It is an honor to serve a hero of the Philippines."
After preparing Erik's meal, the woman sat across from him, but he noticed she did not take any food for herself. "Aren't you going to eat?" he asked, his eyes full of curiosity.
The woman merely smiled, but her expression held a hint of mystery. "I apologize, Erik, but I cannot join you for a meal as I don't need to eat. It is better if you just enjoy your food and don't worry about me."
Erik was puzzled by what the beautiful woman in front of him said. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice full of curiosity.
The woman covered her mouth with the fan she was holding, chuckling softly, and then gracefully waved it.
With her movement, birds, butterflies, and fireflies suddenly appeared, dancing around the room, as if it were a scene from a fantasy movie. The colors sparkled, and the air was filled with the scent of flowers, bringing a strange joy to Erik's heart.
"How did you do that?" he asked, his eyes full of wonder. "Is that the power of a sugo of a diwata?"
The woman laughed gently, her fan covering her mouth as she tried to contain her amusement. "You really are cute, Erik. I am delighted when I see young people enjoying these kinds of shows."
She paused briefly, and her tone became serious. "Yes, this is a power from a diwata. But I am not a sugo like you, Erik. I am Magdalena; I am merely an artwork created by the sugo of Laguna."
"Artwork?" Erik repeated, his eyes wide with shock. "What do you mean... you're not human?"
Magdalena smiled, and with a wave of her fan, the birds and flowers suddenly vanished, as if an illusion had disappeared into thin air.
"Let me introduce myself properly," she said, her voice full of confidence. "I am Magdalena, one of the creations of the sugo of Laguna. His power brought me to life, and I am here to follow Master Laguna's commands."
Erik couldn't believe what he had heard. "I heard about the sugo of Laguna from Hiyas. She said he helped us before in Urdaneta, but I've never actually seen him," he said, his voice full of wonder.
"Our master is currently not in the mansion, so he cannot meet you right now," she added.
"Wait, if he's not here and you are only a creation from his power, why are you still here?"
Magdalena smiled, her expression full of pride. "Even without Master Laguna, I remain alive as long as I have energy in my body. His ability is to create things from nothing—things with form, emotion, and knowledge, like me. But we are not truly alive. We do not sleep, eat, or breathe to survive like humans."
"The energy of the diwata of Laguna sustains our existence." Erik was amazed by the explanation.
"Wow, that's incredible. But it makes me think, if Laguna can create beings like you, he's almost like a god," he said, his voice full of awe. "Can he create many characters like you?"
Magdalena laughed again at the young man's keen interest in things, her laugh gentle but full of joy. "It's not that simple, Erik. Master Laguna only has five special characters, and each of us took more than a year to create."
"My power, for example, is to create animals or objects using my fan, but they only last for a few seconds up to five minutes, depending on the energy I put into them."
She waved her fan again, and a lion suddenly appeared beside her, but after a few seconds, it vanished like smoke in the air.
"Laguna knows your true love for the Filipino people," Magdalena added, her voice full of sincerity. "That's why he instructed us to watch over you. Don't worry, after this, you will meet one of his other characters."
A few minutes later, Magdalena led him to a spacious living room in the mansion. Like the dining area, the room was filled with luxury—antique vases with detailed designs, soft sofas embroidered with gold, and paintings on the walls depicting nature scenes.
The light from the large windows gave warmth to the room, but the atmosphere still held a hint of mystery.
Erik was shocked when he suddenly saw Hiyas sitting in a rocking chair, reading a small book.
"Hiyas!" he exclaimed, his voice full of surprise and wonder. "You're here too!"
Hiyas looked at him, her eyes cold and emotionless. After a few seconds, she returned her gaze to the book, as if ignoring him.
Erik walked closer to her, his annoyance evident. "We were almost caught by a general in Plaridel, and you didn't do anything to help us!"
Hiyas put down her book before answering, her voice calm but with a hint of boredom. "Even if I was there, Erik, I couldn't have done anything against a sugo of the diwata. Have you forgotten that I am merely a spirit of nature? If I get involved in conflict, I could be harmed."
Erik forced a smile, his annoyance clear, his voice filled with sarcasm. "You have the nerve to boast about doing these missions, but when we're in danger, you do nothing? Didn't you say we needed to fight the Spanish? It's not fair that I'm always the one rushing into danger!"
Hiyas closed the book, her eyes staring directly at Erik. "But I think what's happening is just right. I am still your diwata, Erik. It's only proper that you consider my safety before your own," she said, her tone full of authority. "But you are mistaken if you think I abandoned you. I was there in Plaridel; I saw everything you did and I was watching over you."
"Watching over me," Erik repeated, his voice rising in anger. "If you were there in Plaridel, why didn't you help? And another thing, let me make it clear, you are not my diwata! I serve diwata Sid Alwa, and I will never trade her for anyone!" Erik added.
Hiyas simply smiled, her expression full of amusement. "Even your celebrated diwata, Sid Alwa, didn't come to help you, Erik. What's the difference between me and her? Neither of us helped in the time of danger."
She spoke gently, as if joking that he could only rely on her for many things, and that the diwata Sid Alwa would never know that he would choose Hiyas to be his diwata, because the diwata of Ifugao was still asleep and couldn't possibly wake up to know things.
Before Erik could respond, a man with green hair, also wearing a detailed-design Americana coat, entered the room. He was holding a tray full of food—fruits, bread, and a glass of hot chocolate.
"How are you, Erik?" the man greeted, his voice deep but warm. "Are you feeling better after five days of sleep?"
"Five days?" Erik repeated, his eyes wide with shock. He noticed the man's handsomeness and felt the same energy as from Magdalena. "Who are you, mister? And... wait, I've been asleep for five days?"
The man simply smiled and introduced himself. "I am Crisostomo, or you can call me Cris, also an artwork of the sugo of Laguna. I was the one who healed your wounds from the battle in Plaridel."
"Your body was severely exhausted due to the excessive use of your power of faith, which is why it took so long for you to recover your strength." Cris handed the tray to Hiyas, who immediately took a piece of bread and began to eat it while reading.
Erik thanked him for healing him and said he owed them his life, but a moment later, he noticed what Hiyas was doing.
"Wait, you're eating? Aren't you just a diwata?" he asked, his voice full of curiosity. "In all the time we've been together, I've never seen you eat."
Hiyas chuckled playfully, her laugh with a tone of amusement. "I am a spirit of nature, and I don't need to eat or sleep to survive like you humans. But that doesn't mean I can't do the things you do."
She raised the book in her hand to show it to Erik. "As I told you, I study humans using this book. Based on what I've observed of the characters in the book, people are happy when they eat delicious food."
"So you're also trying to enjoy things like a human by eating?" Erik asked, confused.
"I don't know; I don't really know what it feels like to enjoy food. I just want to eat to experience it."
Erik couldn't understand what Hiyas meant, and he thought the diwata had a different perspective on many things, but he saw nothing wrong with it.
He suddenly had a thought. "If you eat like a human, does that mean... you also defecate like us?" he asked, his voice full of curiosity.
Hiyas suddenly stared at him, her eyes full of amusement. "Why are you interested in my bowel movements? Do you want to see how a diwata defecates?" she asked, her tone full of mockery.
"Huh? No!" Erik shouted, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I didn't mean to ask that! I was just really curious!"
Hiyas closed her eyes, as if thinking about her answer. "My body cleanses itself of any waste. I don't really know the process for defecating like a human. But if you want, Erik, you can show me how a human defecates. Maybe I can do it too," she said, her smile full of mischief.
"What? Why would I do that? What are you saying, Hiyas?" Erik yelled, his voice full of embarrassment. "Stop it, Hiyas!"
He covered his ears, his face bright red as he tried to hide his shame. "What you're saying is embarrassing; are you really a diwata?" Erik asked.
Hiyas answered him with pride, boasting that she was a diwata who could live for billions of years and had seen more than humans could. Seeing a human body or how it defecates was nothing to her.
Erik shouted loudly, pleading, "Enough! Stop saying embarrassing things!"
"What's the problem? You were the one who started asking," Hiyas replied playfully.
Cris and Magdalena laughed, their laughter bringing a strange joy to the room. After a moment, the young man suddenly remembered something and asked his companions seriously.
"Where is Georgia? Is she okay?" he asked, his voice full of worry.
Cris answered his question, his tone calm but full of sincerity. "Your friend Georgia is safe, Erik. Come, join me in her room."
A few minutes passed, and they went up to the third floor of the mansion. The hallway was quieter and seemed deserted on the entire floor, but the luxury remained evident—antique lamps, paintings of provincial scenes, and white curtains swaying gently in the breeze.
They entered a room smaller than the others, but still beautiful: white curtains embroidered with flowers, an antique cabinet, and a bed with soft blankets.
In the middle of the bed lay Georgia, her face peaceful but pale. Her body was enveloped in red energy, like a thin blanket that gave off a strange light in the room.
"Georgia!" Erik whispered, his eyes wide with shock and fear. "What is happening to her?"
Cris answered, his voice full of sadness. "I have healed the wounds on Georgia's body, but I cannot repair the damage to her spirit. I suspect that the excessive use of her power as a sugo has damaged her soul."
He explained that although they can sustain damage and attacks as a sugo, the flow of energy still has a major effect on their physical bodies, which can be harmful to humans. Georgia's body was not accustomed to using her power to its full extent, and when she absorbed energy from others, it affected her spirit, putting her life in danger.
"I have a feeling that if her spirit fades, Erik... she will die."
Erik was stunned by what he heard, his heart crushing and full of fear. "No... that can't be!" he cried out, his voice full of desperation. He immediately rushed to Georgia, his hands trembling as he looked at her condition.
Erik suddenly remembered Georgia's happy smiles, and the joyful memories with the young woman flashed through his mind, further crushing his chest. "Georgia only wanted to live happily and peacefully; why does this have to happen to her?"
He looked at Cris, his face pleading, "Can we still do something for her, Mister Cris? Please help her!"
"I am doing everything I can," Cris answered, his eyes full of sympathy. "Laguna instructed us to save you, so I won't let Georgia die. But in her current condition... I don't know how to completely fix this."
Erik faced Georgia, his eyes filling with tears. He closed his eyes, his fists clenched in anger and frustration. "I couldn't do anything to help her," he whispered, his voice full of regret. "If I were stronger... if I could have stopped her... she wouldn't be in this state."
After a moment, Magdalena approached him and suddenly hugged him from behind, her hands gentle but warm. "Don't blame yourself, Erik," she said, stroking his head. "What happened is not your fault. You tried your best to save the people of Plaridel, and that is enough."
Cris agreed with his companion, his voice full of certainty. "Don't view what happened as a failure, Erik. The world is full of pain and injustice, and you are here to be a light in the darkness. Remember that you do not control the future, yet you continue to save many lives."
Erik wiped his tears, his voice filled with determination. "Thank you... but I will do everything to save Georgia. I won't let her die."
In the middle of their conversation, Hiyas suddenly spoke, her voice calm but full of hope. "There is still hope, Erik. The fight for Georgia is not over."
Erik was surprised by what he heard and immediately looked at Hiyas, his eyes sparkling again. "Are you serious? How?" he asked, his voice full of concern and hope.
Hiyas explained the method, her expression serious. "Georgia's spirit was damaged because she used it as a weapon, so we need someone who can fix it."
"There is one sugo of the diwata who possesses the power of nature, capable of providing physical and spiritual energy. If you can convince her to help Georgia, she might recover."
"Is that true?" Erik asked, his heart suddenly filled with hope. "Who is that? Where is she?"
Hiyas sighed, her eyes full of boredom. "Up to now, you still don't trust me, Erik. How many times do I have to tell you that I help you with many things, so you should believe what I say?"
"How can I trust you when I often get into trouble because of what you say!" Erik retorted, his voice full of annoyance. "And besides, I want to clarify that Georgia and Hustisya are the same. Why didn't you tell me that before? If I had known immediately, maybe I could have stopped her!"
Hiyas admitted to the young man's point and calmly explained it. "Yes, I knew Georgia was the sugo of Plaridel. But I didn't plan for you two to meet. I was also surprised when I saw you together. If fate brought you two to meet, why would I interfere?"
Erik didn't accept Hiyas's explanation. "You should have still told me! If I had known immediately, maybe I could have enlightened Georgia. Maybe I could have prevented what happened!" he cried out, his voice full of regret.
Hiyas doubted Erik's ability to convince Georgia, her eyes fixed on Erik. "Do you think you could have convinced Georgia? Her heart was full of anger because of what her family experienced in Plaridel."
"She had no choice but to fight. The only way to stop her was if her heart changed—if she found a new reason to live."
She stood up from her chair and placed her hands on her hips with arrogance as Hiyas proudly continued her explanation of the plans she made in Plaridel. "That's why I brought you two together by giving you the fish and vegetables. In the moments you spent together, her anger lessened. If you had just continued to make her heart happy, Erik, maybe everything would have turned out better."
Erik didn't understand Hiyas's words, which seemed far from reality. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice full of confusion.
Hiyas raised the book in her hand and showed it to Erik. "According to this book, the human heart changes when it falls in love. If you had made Georgia fall in love with you and become your girlfriend, maybe she would stop her mission to seek revenge on the Spanish. She would choose to follow you and live happily."
Erik's face suddenly flushed red at what he heard from Hiyas, his eyes wide with shock. "What are you saying? Why would I make Georgia fall in love with me to be my girlfriend? What kind of plan is that?" he shouted, his voice full of shame and anger. "Is that why you always ordered us to go on dates? Just to make her fall in love? Hiyas, you've gone too far! Georgia is just my friend, like a sister! I won't use her feelings to make her follow me!"
Hiyas smiled, her expression full of mockery. "You're so boring, Erik. According to the book, love is the only way for Georgia to forget her anger. But if you don't want to, there's nothing I can do, especially since you failed to make her your girlfriend."
Erik didn't accept what Hiyas said, as if she was dictating who his girlfriend should be. "Even though I believe that love is a powerful thing, you shouldn't dictate human feelings! Georgia and I are too young, and her anger is not a good enough reason for me to use her feelings!" he shouted, his voice full of anger.
Hiyas closed the book, her eyes staring at the young man seriously. "If that's what you believe, there's nothing more I can do. It doesn't matter now whether you succeeded or failed in making Georgia fall in love with you. What matters now is that you save her."
She stood up from the very chair, her smile tinged with mischief. "Are you ready for your next mission, my sugo?"
Erik sighed, his eyes full of worry. "I get nervous when I see you smile at me like that, Hiyas."
"And how long are you going to insist that I am your sugo?" he said listlessly.
"Until you accept for yourself that I am your diwata," Hiyas quickly replied with a smile.
They stared at each other for a few seconds, and the young man could see her determination in what she wanted to happen. Erik sighed. "But in that case, I have no choice but to follow you. As a friend, I need to save Georgia. I will fulfill my promise to her to protect her, no matter what happens."
He swore, his voice full of determination. "I will do everything to ensure she wakes up again."
Hiyas raised her hand and put her fist against Erik's chest, her eyes full of confidence. "Be strong, Erik. Everything is just beginning."
"A farmer does not eat the fruit of his tree on the same day he plants the seeds. It takes action, perseverance, and patience to harvest good fruit," Hiyas said.
The battle in Plaridel was over, but its scars remained in the hearts of the survivors. Amidst a new beginning, a new trial awaits Ifugao and the beliefs he holds dear. Despite the uncertain future, Erik is determined to continue, ready to tread the path of becoming the hero of the Philippines, carrying the promise to save his friend Georgia, no matter what happens.
End of 2nd arc.