The wind in Ilocos Norte wasn't supposed to whisper.
But tonight—
It said his name.
"Amir…"
Amir Navarro stopped mid-step.
"…yeah, no," he muttered. "Not dealing with that."
He turned around.
And started walking faster.
His grandfather was waiting at home.
Sick.
Alone.
And Amir had already stayed out too long.
"Amir…"
He stopped again.
Annoyance flickered across his face.
"Real funny," he said, louder this time. "If this is a prank, I swear—"
"…anak…"
His breath caught.
That voice—
That was his grandfather.
Amir's grip tightened on the strap of his bag. The familiar weight of his rattan sticks pressed against his back.
"No," he said firmly. "He's at home."
The wind surged.
Cold.
Heavy.
It wrapped around him like invisible hands.
"…come…"
Amir stared down the dark path leading toward Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.
Every instinct screamed at him to leave.
"…Tch."
He clicked his tongue.
"Fine. One look. Then I'm out."
And just like that—
He walked straight into the dark.
The road faded.
Concrete to dirt.
Dirt to jagged rock.
Until the cliffs opened before him.
The ocean roared below.
The wind howled louder here—
But now it felt… focused.
And someone was standing near the edge.
A figure.
Still.
Waiting.
Amir didn't stop this time.
"Hey," he called out, pulling one stick free. "You're the one messing around?"
"You hear us."
The figure's voice blended into the wind itself.
Amir frowned. "Us?"
"You carry the blood," it said.
"You carry the blade."
CRACK.
Amir spun instantly—
Stick already raised.
"…Amir…"
His breath hitched.
That voice—
His grandfather again.
"Help me…"
"Yeah," Amir said, lowering his stance. "Not falling for that twice."
Something crawled out of the darkness.
Its limbs bent wrong.
Its grin stretched too wide.
"…why didn't you come home…"
Amir exhaled slowly.
Fear was there.
But it didn't control him.
"You talk too much."
The aswang's smile widened.
Then it vanished.
"Left—!"
Amir pivoted—
CLANG—
The impact slammed into his stick.
Pain shot through his arms.
But he held.
"Got you."
The creature skidded back—
Then disappeared again.
"Fast…" Amir muttered.
"…anak…"
Behind him.
Too late—
SLASH—
Claws tore across his side.
"Gah—!"
He dropped to one knee.
Blood soaking through his shirt.
The aswang circled him slowly.
Smiling.
Whispering.
"You left me…"
"You let me die…"
Amir's grip tightened.
"…shut up…"
His vision blurred.
His breathing grew heavy.
"…still talking…" he muttered, forcing himself up. "Guess that means you're scared too."
The aswang paused.
Just for a second.
Then it lunged.
Amir raised his stick—
Too slow.
"I—"
"Stand."
The voice hit like thunder.
Inside him.
Ancient.
Commanding.
Unforgiving.
"Stand, child of the blade."
Pain exploded in his chest.
"AAAGH—!"
It spread through his arms—
His legs—
His bones—
Like something was forcing him to become stronger.
The aswang closed in.
Amir gritted his teeth.
"I'm… not dying here…"
He forced himself up.
Behind him—
Light ignited.
A towering warrior emerged.
Golden.
Armored.
Eyes burning with ancient fury.
Twin blades resting at its sides.
"I am your Anito."
The wind erupted.
The aswang staggered back.
For the first time—
Afraid.
"Too late," the Anito said, voice cold.
"You awaken as an Initiate… and already stand at death's door."
Amir smirked weakly.
"…story of my life…"
"Focus."
The aswang screamed—
And charged.
"Move."
Amir stepped forward—
Wrong timing—
The claw grazed his shoulder—
"Too slow."
"Then help me!" Amir snapped.
A pause.
Then—
"Again."
The aswang lunged.
Amir watched.
Closer this time.
"Left…" he muttered.
He moved—
Perfect timing.
His stick struck—
Light burst from it.
"First Form—"
The words came without thought.
"Hangin na Hiwa."
(Wind Cut)
CRACK—
The impact sent the aswang flying across the rocks.
Screaming.
Silence fell.
Amir dropped to one knee.
Breathing hard.
Laughing weakly.
"…okay…" he gasped. "…that was new…"
The Anito stood beside him.
Unmoving.
Watching.
"This is only the beginning," it said.
The wind shifted.
Amir looked toward the cliff.
The figure—
Was gone.
But this time—
He felt it.
Watching.
"Someone was here…" Amir muttered.
"Yes."
A pause.
Then—
"You are late."
Amir frowned. "Late for what?"
The wind howled louder.
"Others have already awakened."
Far beyond Ilocos Region—
Something stirred.
"And some…"
The Anito's voice darkened.
"…have begun hunting."
Amir tightened his grip on his stick.
"…then they can try."
The wind roared.