SEVEN DAYS SINCE DISSAPEARING IN THE FOREST

“ FEARLESS”

Time passed quickly once again, and night fell. The three of them were playing in the hut as Amira demonstrated her ability to summon fireflies, something Felimon truly loved. The entire hut glowed brightly.

However, their joy was short-lived when, suddenly, the fireflies’ lights flickered out, as if they had been frightened by something. Moments later, a foul stench filled the air—an unbearable odor, like rotting flesh or a decaying animal.

Amira told them that this was a sign that the Aswang were nearby, and there was also a chance that Maligno were with them. However, she assured them that if these creatures were planning to attack, they wouldn’t be able to. Most likely, they were only there to intimidate.

Amira stepped outside, calm and even smiling. The siblings peeked through a gap to see what was happening outside. The Aswang took a slight step back when they saw Amira in her Diwata form. There were about a dozen of them, varying in size and appearance, but all looked fierce and terrifying.

Dark creatures—Maligno—also lurked around, their black forms emitting smoke, their glowing red eyes burning with rage.

The Diwata only smirked at them until, suddenly, Amira spoke in a language they couldn’t understand. In the blink of an eye, they saw an enkantado man standing beside Amira.

He was incredibly striking, his presence exuding an air of authority and dignity. His posture commanded respect, and his clothing—radiant in gold and green—glowed, symbolizing nature itself.

The fear in the creatures’ eyes became even more evident, yet it still wasn’t enough to make them leave.

“Why do you keep tormenting these two innocent children? Do you truly have anything to gain from them?” the enkantado man asked. “I won’t even bother questioning why you refuse to respect Amira’s wards—it’s clear your ancestors never taught you such manners.”

“Baynugo and Amira, those children have no parents anymore. No one will come looking for them,” one of the dark maligno responded. “You both know we need new disciples.”

“Disciples to spread evil?” Amira scoffed. “You must be joking, Baynugo look at them. And you dare ask us for them? Aren’t the false albularyos, the mambabarang, and the yanggaw you’ve already corrupted enough? They keep returning to this forest, blindly obeying your wicked will. And now, you want to drag these children into your miserable existence? When they could still have a future far brighter than yours?”

“Let’s keep this night peaceful, Maligno,” the enkantado Baynugo said. “Don’t force me to have the tikbalangs hurl your aswang around until their bones shatter. You might still have souls left to feast on—though I doubt they wouldn’t be poisoned in the process.”

“We are not finished,” the maligno declared. “We will not stop until those children are ours. They will crave power soon enough, especially once they learn they could become the Princes of the Northern Forest—where they will rule and be worshipped by the maligno and aswang they fear so much.”

With that final warning, the dark creatures retreated, leaving Amira’s hut behind. Amira and Baynugo exchanged their farewells before the enkantado man vanished as well.

Grandmother Amira introduced Baynugo, a warrior enchantment who has lived in the world for countless years. He is known for frequently battling creatures from the other world and has proven himself many times. He has slain numerous evil beings, including the Black Malignos and Aswangs they have encountered. He commands an army of Tikbalangs who assist him in battles. Baynugo is more powerful than any other Enchanted being in the forest, and he was the one who granted Amira the gift of becoming a Fairy of Nature. His arrival was delayed because he was too busy attending to matters in his own world, but if he had come sooner, they would have been able to leave the forest much faster.

Federico asked why Grandmother Amira and the others didn’t just kill the Black Malignos, Aswangs, and Mambabarangs that entered the forest to bring peace once and for all. The old woman responded that no good being ever attacks first—goodness is always on the defensive. If you are good but you initiate a conflict or battle, then you are no longer truly good. That is the law among the envoys of nature; they do not attack unless they are attacked first. However, in this particular situation, those creatures had already launched too many attacks against the siblings, so Amira and Baynugo’s Tikbalangs were now ready to defend themselves.

The siblings felt saddened by the news they received. Even though they longed to return to a life without fear, they couldn’t deny that they would miss the feeling of being cared for. The thought of Amira suddenly leaving, despite the short time they had spent together, pained them deeply. The siblings made sure to show Amira how they felt, and she quickly sensed their worry. In response, she reassured them that they had nothing to fear.

Amira focused her attention on Felomino, as she was still healing the wound on his back—an Aswang’s mark that no longer held any effect. Meanwhile, Federico kept himself entertained, making the most of the remaining time before he had to work to provide for himself and his brother. His favorite spot became the mango tree beside Amira’s hut, where he would sit and watch the animals in the forest.

Suddenly, a pleasant fragrance filled the air beside him. The scent was so captivating that he instinctively turned to look.

Federico saw Baynugo sitting beside him, smiling. He immediately greeted him, and Baynugo greeted him back.

“Are you feeling sad, Federico?” Baynugo asked gently.

“Just a little, not too much,” Federico replied. “I just know that my brother and I will miss Grandmother Amira. Once we leave, there will be no one left to take care of us.”

“You know,” Baynugo said, “you can come back here anytime. If you wish, you can become Amira’s disciple—to help those in need and protect others from evil beings. I’m not saying you have to become exactly like Amira, but I can heal Felimon. I can make him normal. He can live as an ordinary child.”

“Really? What do I have to give in return? Just not money, please—you already know we don’t have any,” Federico responded.

“There’s no payment. What would we even do with money, Federico? Our world is filled with gold,” Baynugo said with a gentle smile. “All I ask in return is the same thing I’ll give your brother. If I heal him, you must promise me that you will also become a healer. You will help others without asking for anything in return. And I promise you, along with all my Tikbalangs, that we will never abandon you. Amira will also be with you.”

“A healer?” Federico hesitated. “But I don’t know anything about healing… I don’t think I can do it.”

“The enchanted beings will teach you,” Baynugo reassured him. “You will have many allies. You will learn to heal curses, counter the magic of Barang, and defend against Aswangs and Malignos. You will also be able to cure illnesses, whether minor or severe. And you will gain many more unexpected abilities—both physical and spiritual.

So, what do you say, Federico? Will you accept?”

“I’ll be able to help those in need?” Federico asked, his voice filled with both excitement and hesitation. “You wouldn’t offer this to me if you thought I couldn’t do it, right? Alright, I accept—but only if the first thing you do is heal Felimon. And please, make his knees strong, so I won’t have to carry him from time to time.”

“Wait for the right moment, Federico,” Baynugo said. “Nature itself will grant you the gift you have accepted. Be patient, and do not be afraid of the beings that may reveal themselves to you outside this forest. They are part of nature’s test—meant to change the way you see the world. Stay strong.

By tonight, when Felimon opens his eyes… he will be normal.”

With a knowing smile, Baynugo spoke his final words before vanishing into thin air.

Federico ran to the hut to tell Amira everything Baynugo had said to him. As he spoke, Amira’s eyes shone with joy. She was truly pleased with Federico’s decision. Though she knew the path he had chosen wouldn’t be easy, she had no doubt that he would excel in it. She believed he wouldn’t waste the opportunities and powers he would gain.

There would be many challenges ahead in his journey as a healer, but they were confident that Federico would always find a way—his sharp mind and resourcefulness would guide him through any obstacle.

Amira also admired him for making such a choice just to heal his brother. And she was certain that Federico would never regret it, for in the end, he wouldn’t just be helping Felimon—he would be helping countless others as well.