The token felt warm in Felicita's hand, almost as if it pulsed with its own heartbeat. It was small—no bigger than a peso coin—but heavy with meaning. The embossed gumamela surrounded by fire was unlike any symbol she had ever seen, and yet it carried an unmistakable authority. People in the crowd gave her a wide berth once they caught sight of it.
No one said anything. No one had to.
By the time Felicita reached the marble gates of the Palasyo ng Alitaptap, her legs were aching and her mind was spinning. The palace, nestled in the heart of a reimagined Cebu, was a marvel of wood, stone, and glowing crystalline lanterns. Each wall was carved with stories from old epics—some familiar, others lost to time. Above it all flew a massive flag bearing the same gumamela crest, its petals flickering as though lit by real fire.
A guard in golden armor stepped forward.
"Summons?" he asked, voice clipped.
Felicita held out the token. It glowed faintly in her palm.
The guard's eyes widened just enough to betray surprise. "Come," he said, snapping to attention. "The Hari and Reyna have been expecting you."
She blinked. "They… what?"
But he was already walking. She scrambled to follow him.
Inside, the palace was a world away from the noisy market. Everything gleamed with order and beauty. Sunlight filtered through colored glass windows, scattering vibrant patterns across the halls. Attendants in silk moved silently through corridors. The scent of sampaguita and warm earth filled the air.
They reached the Bulwagan ng Kalinaw, a grand chamber with vaulted ceilings, etched chandeliers, and two thrones at the far end.
Felicita's breath caught.
Seated atop a dais were the Reyna, regal in layered garments of gold and teal, and the Hari, tall and sharp-eyed, his crown carved from ancient wood.
So this was the ruling power of this parallel Philippines—a monarchic society untouched by colonization, thriving in its own rhythm.
The Reyna rose first.
"You are Felicita," she said, her voice a melody wrapped in steel. "Bearer of the Bahandi Gem."
Felicita straightened. "Yes, Your Majesties." Her voice wavered, but she kept her gaze steady.
The Hari leaned forward. "You crossed the portal unintentionally, yet the gem accepted your blood. It only responds to willful energy."
"I… didn't know," Felicita replied. "It was an accident. I found it in a hidden part of my school library."
The Reyna exchanged a glance with the Hari, then nodded.
"You may not realize it, but your arrival has shifted the balance. The Bahandi Gem does not activate without reason. And now, others seek to corrupt its use."
Felicita remembered the rogue wielder. Her hand clenched unconsciously around the gem.
"Yes," she said quietly. "I saw one already. He tried to access the Market through it."
The Hari stood. "Then the threat is real. You must understand what you carry. That gem is not merely a conduit for trade. It is a relic forged during the time of the Tatlong Alon—the Three Great Waves of resistance. It connects timelines, realms, and energies. It is power, but also burden."
A tremor passed through Felicita. "So… why me?"
The Reyna stepped down from the dais, her feet silent on the polished floor. "Perhaps because you do not seek power. You stumbled upon it. And those who do not chase such things are often the most suited to bear them."
Felicita looked down at the gem. It no longer glowed as brightly as before. Almost as if it, too, was listening.
The Hari motioned toward a servant, who brought forth a rolled scroll sealed with wax.
"This," he said, "is your mission. One we would never assign lightly. But time is running short."
Felicita took the scroll. Her hands trembled.
"You are to find the lost Kuwintas ng Panahon, a second gem forged to restore what was stolen from our people. It was hidden before the first colonizers arrived—before even the stars shifted in our sky."
"Why me?" she asked again, this time more softly.
"Because the Bahandi Gem chose you. And because the opposing wielder has already begun unraveling our protections."
The Reyna placed a hand on her shoulder. "You won't be alone. You will have allies. One of them is already waiting."
The doors opened again—and a boy around her age walked in.
He had dark, serious eyes, the kind that looked like they had seen too much too young. His hair was tied back, and he wore simple but finely tailored clothing. A curved dagger hung at his belt.
"This is Kalden," the Reyna said. "He has trained in the Old Ways, both in battle and in history. He will be your guide."
Kalden nodded curtly. "I don't have time to babysit," he said. "So keep up."
Felicita frowned. "I wasn't asking you to."
The Hari chuckled. "Excellent. You'll challenge each other. That's good."
Kalden looked at her gem, then back at her. "We leave at sunrise."
The Hari raised a hand. "Before you go…"
A servant approached Felicita and handed her a long, silk-wrapped bundle. Inside was a scroll case, a journal, and a beaded bracelet—its charm the same gumamela emblem from her token.
"The bracelet is your seal. It identifies you as a mission emissary of the Crown," the Reyna said. "But guard it well. In the wrong hands, it could endanger us all."
Felicita bowed low. "I will protect it."
As she turned to leave, Kalden stepped beside her. "You're really from a different timeline?"
"Yes."
He raised an eyebrow. "And you know how to use that gem?"
"…Sort of."
"Great," he muttered. "This'll be fun."
They stepped through the palace gates as the last rays of sun bathed the sky in orange. Below them, the city hummed with life, unaware of the danger looming in the shadows.
Felicita held the scroll close to her chest and whispered to herself, "I may not know where this ends… but I know where I begin."
---
End of Chapter 6