Under the scorching midday sun, amid the cracking of whips, an Ikugan woman worked feverishly to bandage the wounds of a Kalanget whose arm had been crushed beneath a massive timber that had been meant for one of the posts of the dock being built in Kubiz.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing!?" one of the Iberian soldiers yelled at her.
He yanked the Ikugan woman by her sticky, matted brown hair. Then, gripping her thin arm with brute force, he dragged her away from the weakened Kalanget.
"Wait!" she cried out. Though exhausted, her face still carried the will to resist. "I haven't finished dressing his wound."
The soldier sneered. "He doesn't need bandages anymore."
He raised his rifle and aimed it at the Kalanget. The Kalanget, battered by exhaustion and pain, tried to extend his remaining hand in a desperate plea. Tears streamed down his face. The Ikugan woman struggled to stand and threw herself in front of him, but another soldier restrained her.
"Where do you think you're going? Hahaha..." another soldier said.
He wrapped his arms around her body and leaned in to smell her.
"Hmmm... a bit sour, huh? Hahaha..."
Then he studied her face, his eyes lingering on her sharp nose and chocolate-colored eyes. "But with a good bath, you'd be a real prize. Hahaha."
Her eyes widened in horror. She tried to break free, to escape and help the Kalanget.
"Let go of m—"
BANG!!
The Ikugan woman collapsed to her knees as she watched the small head of the Kalanget explode into pieces. She covered her mouth with both hands, as tears poured from her eyes.
"You animals..." she whispered, her teeth clenched in rage.
Under the same sky, in the town of Kubao, Kario, Islaw, and Bay-an were deep in quiet conversation. They waited patiently for the coming day, for Mayari's decision.
Opportunities like this were rare. Doubt and hope—both emotions wrapped tightly around them now. If Mayari reclaimed the throne and truly became Datu, Penumbra's influence would expand. In Kario's mind, should that happen, driving the invaders out of their land would finally become more realistic.
"Supremo, are you alright?" Bay-an asked after noticing Kario's distant stare.
"Huh? Ah, yes..." Kario replied. The three of them sat in the kitchen, sipping hot broth.
"Bay-an," Kario continued, "what do you think of Mayari?"
Bay-an stared into his reflection in the soup, searching for the right words. "Honestly... I don't trust her," he said at last. "Damn it—I don't trust any maginoo..."
He stopped mid-sentence. Kario and Islaw both noticed.
"But?" Kario prompted.
"I—I mean... nobles like her are exactly who the Iberians used... they turned them into tools, to enslave us in our own land..." Tears slowly welled in Bay-an's eyes.
"But when I looked into her eyes... I saw myself in her. The same look I had when the Iberians killed my mother... when I was only ten."
He looked straight at his leader, his voice steady despite the pain.
"Supremo, I don't mean to disrespect you, but in all three years of our struggle... it was only last night that I felt hope."
Kario smiled. "Then you agree to help her reclaim her throne?"
"No," Bay-an replied. "I agree to help her free our people in Kubiz. And if placing her on the throne is the way to finally drive the invaders out..." He briefly glanced at the iron pira bound to his hands. "Then so be it."
Kario placed his palm firmly on Bay-an's shoulder, gripping it with intent. "Thank you, Bay-an."
"What do you think Dayang Mayari's answer will be?" Tata Islaw asked. Kario shook his head slightly before answering. "To be honest, Tata, I can't read the young Dayang."
He took another sip of broth. "I don't know her true intentions... but I'm certain she'll accept our offer."
"And if she succeeds?" Islaw pressed.
"If that happens," Kario said, his gaze sharpening as it fixed on nothing,
"we'll use whatever authority she gives us to continue the revolution."
"And what if she turns against our goal—to truly free Tundun from the Iberians?" Islaw asked again.
Kario took a deep breath. "If that happens, Tata... we'll have no choice but to seize power from her."
Bay-an's eyes widened. "So... we betray her?"
Kario gave a small smile and shook his head. "Not like that. As long as she doesn't oppose what we're fighting for, we remain her allies." looked at Bay-an intently. "Remember this, Bay-an. Yes, Mayari is young, but she is also a politician. She'll use everything at her disposal to get what she wants. I have a strong feeling she'll abandon us too, the moment our goals no longer align."
"Supremo is right, Bay-an," Islaw said gently. Then he turned to Kario. "Still... I don't believe the Dayang is that kind of person Supremo. In truth, the first thing she asked of us was to help free our brothers and sisters in Kubiz."
Kario let out a slow breath. "Even so... there's no harm in being careful."
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Giben and Agustin went out to look for food. I asked Agni to accompany them, while Wan stayed in the room with me. I leaned against the window and took in a breath of fresh air. It was hotter in Kubao than in the Capitol. Outside, a few leftover Iberian soldiers were walking around, exhausted, drenched in sweat. Tch. Clearly not used to Kubao's heat. The very reason why my plan will succeed.
"You really are something else," Wan said.
I frowned and turned toward him. He was sitting on the bed, staring at me. What does this idiot want? Why is he staring like that? My heart started beating faster, and I didn't even know why.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You're playing them," he replied. "Power... there are four kinds of it, right?"
He gave a slight grin with his thin, red lips. "I read that in one of Teacher's books."
"Hiraya's?" I asked.
I didn't know how it happened, but I suddenly found myself sitting beside him. I stared straight into his feline eyes, and for some reason, my heartbeat grew even louder.
"So then," I said, "what do you think I did?"
His gaze sharpened. I tried to meet his eyes—but I couldn't hold it. Then he spoke.
"One of the surest ways to get the attention of people like them is to display strength. That's why you ordered us last night to do that first, to show them that you and the old man could fight even when you were outnumbered."
I nodded. He was right. He raised a finger and continued. "Second, you introduced yourself as the legitimacy as the ruler of Tundun, something they don't have. After that, you made sure to make yourself relatable to them. A person who was robbed of something that was rightfully hers. You equated the theft of your throne with Iberia stealing their freedom."
I didn't expect Wan to read my actions this deeply. He went on. "Then you started pushing on their emotions. You used your 'desire' to free the victims of the polo to earn their trust and sympathy." He smiled after that.
I swallowed when I saw his smile.
"And my favorite part, you showed them how insignificant they are in Iberia's eyes. You stripped away their remaining hope. But you didn't stop there... You gave them new hope. A hope where you are at the center."
Wait— My hands rose without thinking, and I squeezed Wan's cheeks. I studied every angle of his face, the sharp slope of his nose, the way it tilted upward at the tip...
"Hey! What are you doing?" he asked.
Yeah... what am I doing? I released him immediately. Then I asked, "Are you still Wan?"
"Of course. What's wrong with you?" he replied.
I felt my cheeks heat up. What is happening to me? "N–nothing... you just feel different," I said. "I have a read that you're an observant one, but not like this—this deep."
"I told you, I didn't have anything else to do back then, so I read some books," he explained.
"Yeah, but you connected all of that to real life. It's just... I'm not used to it. You're not usually like this."
"What, should I shout everything I know all the time?" he shot back.
By two in the afternoon, I told Wan, Agni, Giben, and Agustin to prepare. It was time to meet the Penumbra again.
"What's the plan, my lady?" Agni asked.
"Same as before. You and Wan will be my personal guards," I replied. I looked at Giben. "Giben, don't leave my side. Don't speak. Same goes for you, kid."
Both he and Agustin nodded. "I'll handle the negotiations."
"You think they'll agree to what you want, girl?" Giben asked.
"Yes. Just like me, they stand to gain a lot from this agreement." I couldn't help the small smile forming on my lips. "Kario probably doesn't fully trust me yet."
"So, I already have a plan," I continued, "on how to earn his trust, and after that, the Penumbra's."
Once everyone was ready, we headed toward their base. The sun was blazing, the wind carrying dust from Kubao's sandy roads. Vendors shouted from the sides, and countless Tunduvans were still walking toward the Capitol.
On the left, I noticed three vendors chatting.
"Who do you think our next datu will be?" asked a plump woman selling mangoes to a Kalanget selling dried fish.
"Oh, who knows," the Kalanget replied. She looked young, maybe around eighty. "Whoever sits on that throne, nothing's going to change in this town."
Then a thin old woman chimed in, "If it weren't for that beast Mayari, Datu Rakta would still be alive."
You motherf— "Oh yes," the plump woman agreed. "My cousin said so too. That girl was hot-headed and foul-mouthed. Good thing that monster's dead. Serves her right."
I ground my teeth. A moment later, two hands covered my ears from behind. "Calm down," Wan said softly, his palms pressed against my them.
And there it was again—my cheeks heating up. "Hah... y–yeah," I replied. He smiled at me. I swallowed and looked away.
"I mean, obviously," I clarified quickly, "I don't care what they say."
"Oh really? Hahaha. You looked like you were about to slit their throats if I hadn't stepped in."
I grabbed his hands and pulled them away from my ears. We kept walking. I noticed Agni had seen the whole thing. He gave Wan a slight smile and a nod.
When we reached the Penumbra's stronghold, I did exactly what Islaw had instructed me to do last night. The door opened, and the rebels immediately let us in. Before stepping inside, I immediately took Agustin's hand.
Right at the entrance, three rebels were already staring at us from the doorway. To the right stood ten more, five humans, four Ikugan, and one Kalanget. I lifted my chin and followed the woman who had opened the door, leading us toward the main hall. I removed the hood from my head. Giben was at my left, Agustin at my right.
A few moments later, Kario descended from the second floor. "Good afternoon, Dayang," he said, hurrying down the stairs. "You arrived earlier than I expected."
I smiled. "Yes, my apologies, Supremo... am I interrupting anything?"
His gaze briefly lingered on how I was holding Agustin's hand before returning to my face.
"Come," he said. "Let us talk upstairs—with Bay-an and Tata."
We followed him to the second floor. Upon seeing us, Islaw immediately stood and bowed.
"Good afternoon, Dayang Mayari."
Bay-an remained seated.
"Please, sit, Dayang... friends," Kario said, gesturing toward the empty chairs.
"Dayang, I did not expect you to come today as well," Islaw remarked.
"Yes, my apologies," I replied, deliberately letting my eyes drift toward Agustin.
"But to be honest, I barely slept last night. I couldn't stop thinking about our people in Kubiz, those still suffering under the polo."
Kario nodded. "I feel the same, Dayang. I also wished to speak with you again as soon as possible."
"Still," I continued, "there is one more thing weighing on my mind..." I intentionally did not say what it was.
Because—
"And what might that be, Dayang?" he asked.
Good.
"Something that could lead to an even greater problem," I said, then looked at him directly.
"Supremo, are you familiar with the name Sula of Tundun?"
"The son of Aslon Amanisula?" he asked.
I nodded. He spoke again, thoughtfully, good. Let's make him think he's the one steering the conversation. "Dayang, please share with us what you have in mind."
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Wan scoff quietly. "Well," I said, "if my reading of the situation is correct, I am certain he is the one intended to replace my father."
Kario's brows furrowed, and he asked why I believed that. I explained my theory—how Aslon sought to seize Tundun, and how both he and Yizmael were connected to my father's death. I saw Bay-an grit his teeth, and Islaw's brow crease deeply.
"Damn them," Bay-an spat.
"Dayang," Kario said, "by sharing this with us... does this mean you agree to our arrangement?"
I took a deep breath. "Yes," I said. I looked once more at Agustin, making sure all three rebels noticed.
"However... we must turn our attention first to Agustin's companions, those still enslaved in Kubiz."
I forced my eyes to glisten, not too much, just enough to suggest restrained emotion.
"They matter more than the throne."
Bay-an and Islaw froze at my words. Kario stood abruptly and reached for my hands.
"Dayang..." he said softly. "Thank you... truly." And so, the first condition in gaining his trust was cleared. Moving on.
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The most important ability of a general is to understand the minds of their soldiers and earn their trust. They must never be treated like machines that need to be forced into motion, but as living beings with their own desires and emotions—beings who require genuine leadership. When a commander achieves this, obedience follows naturally.
And now, let us return to the present.
Sula has been formally installed as Datu, and the entire capital is steeped in celebration. Yet in the small town of Kubao, an event is unfolding that will change not only Tundun—but soon, all of Ma-i.
In the dead of night, a man can be seen running breathlessly through Kubao's narrow alleys. At every turn, he carefully scans for guards, whether from Tundun or Iberia. Upon reaching a modest house, he knocks three times and whispers the word:
"Lariz."
The door opens quickly. He slips inside and rushes toward another man.
"Supremo—" the runner gasps, nearly out of breath.
"Calm yourself, Kuroy," the Supremo replies.
"Supremo... the Dayang was right," Kuroy says. The Supremo hands him a glass of water.
"Earlier today, the new Datu was formally proclaimed."
His eyes drift toward Mayari, seated quietly in the corner, listening.
"As the Dayang predicted, the one installed as Datu is Sula—the eldest son of Aslon."
The Supremo closes his eyes and nods slowly. "So it has come to pass..."
He exhales deeply, then stands and turns to the roughly thirty people gathered inside the house. The lamplight illuminates his bronze skin and the solid lines of his powerful frame.
"Brothers," he begins, his voice gentle yet commanding, "as our guest foretold, the council has chosen Aslon's son to be the new Datu of Tundun."
"Damn them!" one-man shouts.
"Shameless bastards!" Bay-an adds. Kario turns to Mayari.
"As agreed," the Supremo says, "I, Kario Sakay, Supremo of the Penumbra, pledge my support to you."
He bows his head. From behind him, Mayari steps forward with her chin held high. Standing behind her are Wan, Agni, and Given.
"Thank you, Supremo," Mayari says.
She faces the members of the Penumbra gathered in the house.
"Brothers, my fellow Tunduvans. I am Mayari of Tundun! With your help, we will reclaim Tundun and drive out the foreigners who have brought suffering upon our people!"
"Drive them out?" the rebels murmur among themselves.
Even Kario is caught off guard by the young princess's words. He had not expected their desires to align so completely. But this was deliberate. Mayari had intentionally withheld this from Kario during their earlier discussion—so that...
Tears slowly well in Kario's eyes. This is exactly what Mayari wanted. Making Kario prejudge her intent to only reclaim her throne was a ruse made for this very moment. She wanted the Penumbra to see their own leader moved—ignited—by her words.
And when they see their Supremo openly weeping, one by one they rise to their feet, shouting in fervent acclaim for the princess. Kario turns to them and orders that their weapons be prepared. Behind him, Mayari quietly steps back until shadows swallow her face. Under that very shadow, a smile curls across her lips.
Because of these events, Mayari's plan has advanced another step toward her true goal: to avenge her father.