Polux and the unknown worlds

Polux vs. The Kapre

The Trial in the Cave

One quiet evening, Sirio, Polux, and Alhena gathered near the entrance of Bathala's cave. There was a heavy wind around them, seemingly signaling danger.

Sirio: "Kuya Pol, have you heard what the elders say about the cave? According to them, there are seven passages here, but one is a cave named Sikreto—one that leads straight to Quezon Province. But it's dangerous, long, and filled with peril."

Polux: "You're right, Sirio. I've already entered all the passages here, but the so-called Sikreto one? I haven't dared to try it. My parents said it's too dangerous. They say there's a giant creature living there that eats humans. That's why they forbid me from going there even when I was a child."

Alhena: (Looking at Polux, obviously nervous) "If that's the case, how can we be sure? What if what they're saying is true?"

Sirio: "But think about it, if we just go to the beach, the police will find us. But if we try to pass Sikreto cave, maybe we'll have a chance to escape. But Brother Pol, are you ready to try it?"

Polux: (With a deep sigh) "Even though it's scary, it's the only way. But are you sure about this? Alhena, I won't force you if you don't want to come."

Alhena: (Her voice trembling) "If you go, Pol, I'll go with you. It's better to face the danger together than for me to be left alone."

With their decision to try the secret passage, the three of them prepared. As they approached the cave's entrance, they could feel the tension building. The entrance of the passage was small, and barely a person could fit through. They had to crawl to get inside.

Polux: "I'll go first. I have the flashlight. Wait for my signal before you follow."

Slowly, Polux crawled into the narrow entrance, holding the flashlight. The cold stone inside sent shivers through his skin. Finally, he reached the end of the entrance and saw that the inside was wide, like a large tunnel.

Polux: (Shouting from inside) "You can follow now! But be careful."

Sirio followed, carrying a small bag with food and water. When he reached the end, Alhena followed, struggling to crawl. When she got out, she was crying because her knees and elbows were bleeding.

Polux: (Feeling sorry for Alhena) "You shouldn't have risked yourself. You could've gone back."

Alhena: (Crying while looking at Polux) "No, Pol. I won't leave you. No matter what happens."

They covered the entrance with a large piece of wood so no one could follow them. The surroundings grew even darker, but thanks to the strong flashlights Polux carried, the cave remained lit. But when they illuminated the area, their hair stood on end at what they saw.

Sirio: (Pointing to the ground) "Oh my God...!"

Various skulls were scattered on the ground—cow skulls, carabao skulls, pig skulls, and even human skulls. Alhena screamed loudly.

Alhena: "Aaaaaahhh! What is this? Skull... skulls?" Alhena screamed.

Her scream echoed throughout the cave. Suddenly, they heard a loud growl from an animal, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching them.

Polux: (Panicking, spinning the flashlight beam) "Be quiet! Find a place to hide! Quick!"

Sirio: "Over there! There's a large rock on the side!"

They quickly ran and hid behind the large rock. Alhena trembled while Polux held her close. They felt the ground shake with each heavy step of the creature drawing nearer.

Alhena: (In a faint voice) "Pol... what do we do if it finds us?"

Polux: (Staring at the sound's direction) "I don't know, but we can't give up. Be ready. No matter what happens, we'll help each other."

The growl and footsteps grew louder from the darkness.

Sirio: (Barely whispering) "Oh Lord God, please help us..."

The Kapre

Hiding behind the large rock, Polux, Sirio, and Alhena turned off their flashlight and lamp so they wouldn't be seen in the darkness. The only sound around them was the beat of their hearts. After a while, they heard heavy footsteps drawing nearer, and the smell of burning tobacco filled the air, sending chills down their spines.

Sirio: (Whispering) "What's that? Is it an animal or a human?"

Polux: (Quiet but confident) "Stay still. Don't move."

Polux, whose vision was clear even in the dark, noticed a gigantic creature coming closer. For the first time, he saw a creature he had only read about in books – the kapre. It was an enormous man-like creature with a long beard and mustache and bald head, almost 7 meters tall, with a hairy body, yellow big eyes . It held a huge log that could crush anyone with a single blow.

Kapre: (Shouting) "I know you're hiding behind that big rock! Everyone who enters here hides there. Do you think I can't find you? Show yourselves so I won't have to struggle!"

Alhena burst into tears from fear, and Polux embraced her to calm her down.

Polux: "Stay quiet. I'll handle this kapre."

Alhena: (Crying) "Don't go out there! It will kill you!"

But Alhena screamed again in fear when Polux mentioned the word "kapre." The creature turned and pinpointed their location. Polux had no choice but to step out and face it. He lit the lamp and flashlight, causing the cave to light up again.

Kapre: (Looking at Polux, confused) "How can you see me, human? I can't be seen by ordinary creatures."

Polux: (Brave) "I know what you are. You're a kapre. But we're not afraid of you. We mean no harm. We just want to get through this passage."

The kapre laughed.

Kapre: (Laughing) "Don't pretend to be brave, little human. You won't make it through here!"

The other two, who couldn't see the kapre, wondered who Polux was talking to. All they saw was the giant log floating in mid-air, held by the creature.

Suddenly, the kapre swung the log at Polux, but the young man quickly dodged it. He ran around and passed under the creature's giant feet. When he reached the gap, he jumped high and aimed for its weak spot—the groin.

Polux delivered a powerful blow.

Kapre: (Screaming in pain) "Aaaaaaargh! My... my pain?!"

The kapre knelt down, holding its injured part. Polux wasn't satisfied yet; he kicked the kapre in the face, knocking the giant down and causing its head to hit the rock. To his surprise, the kapre suddenly started crying, like a child.

Polux grabbed the kapre's fallen stick and was about to strike it in the face, but the kapre begged for mercy, so Polux lowered the stick.

Kapre: (Crying) "Waaaahhh! I don't want this! Don't hurt me!"

Polux was taken aback by the kapre's reaction. The creature approached, still crying, and said:

Kapre: "Who are you, human? Why are you so strong, and how can you see me? Are you an enchanted being? What are you doing in my cave? I've lived here for almost a hundred years, and nothing like this has ever happened to me, being defeated by a human!"

Polux: "The truth is, I don't even know if I am one, but I'm a human, that's what I know. Will you let us pass, or should I strike you with your own stick?"

Kapre: "Even if I let you pass, you won't make it through this passage. There are many more creatures ahead, stronger and fiercer than me. I, even I, can't get through this passage. I also want to reach the other side to be with my people, but I've been stuck here for almost a hundred years. I can't pass because the creatures there are too frightening, and the passage is too long. It might take you two weeks to walk through it. Are you sure you can make it through? If I, a kapre, am afraid, what about you?"

The kapre slowly revealed its true form, shocking Sirio and Alhena when they saw it, bloodied and lying down while Polux stood on its chest, talking to it.

Polux: "Yes, I'll make it through because I have to. I don't care about the creatures in this passage. We will get through it!" (He pointed at the two of them who had already exited the passage).

Kapre: "Just the three of you? And a girl and a skinny one? Hahaha, are you joking? That skinny one will surely die!" The kapre laughed as it pointed at Sirio, who was getting annoyed.

Sirio: "Oh, this kapre is a joker!"

Alhena: "Even a kapre is a bully, huh? Ahahaha!" Alhena laughed, and all her fear disappeared as she saw the kapre acting like a child being scolded by Polux.

Polux: "We're not just three, we're four. You'll join us so you can finally reunite with your family!"

Kapre: "You'll take me with you? Are you sure? I'll finally be with my family, huhuhu!" The kapre cried again.

Sirio: "I'm skinny, but you're the one who cries a lot, so it's fair, huh? Ahahaha!" Sirio teased the kapre, but it suddenly hid behind Alhena, giving her a dirty look.

Polux: "Yes, I won't kill you. I'll take you with us, and I'll do everything I can to help you reunite with your family. But in exchange, you'll show us the right way, carry our supplies, and protect my friends. Are you willing?"

Kapre: "This is the first time anyone has offered me help, but okay, because you're different and you showed strength, maybe we can make it through. I'll trust you. Okay, I agree to join you on your journey through the passage. I'll protect the girl, but not that skinny one! Hahaha!" The kapre laughed loudly, holding its stomach while teasing Sirio.

Sirio: "I don't need your help. Look at yourself! You're huge, but you're still clumsy!" Sirio shot back at the kapre.

And the four of them laughed. Polux stepped off the kapre's chest and helped it to its feet.

Kapre: "What's your name, boy, and what's the name of the beautiful girl?"

Polux: "I'm Polux, and this is Alhena, and this one is..."

Kapre: "Okay, I know the name of one of you! Skinny one! Hahaha!" The kapre kept teasing Sirio.

With the kapre's loud laughter, the three of them couldn't help but laugh too. Eventually, the kapre stopped laughing and became serious.

Kapre: "I'm Kreto, a kapre from the kingdom of Or-or. Yes, I'll accompany you. And I promise to be loyal to you, Polux, because you didn't kill me, and you're the first human to show me kindness."

Sirio: "Kreto? That's why this cave is called Sekreto, because—Kreto is the guardian here, right?"

Kapre: "You're wrong, skinny one! I'm not the guardian here, I just got lost. I don't care about this cave. Once I leave, I'm never coming back!" (The kapre laughed).

Alhena: "What about the animal bones and skulls here?"

Kapre: "I don't know about those. They've been here since I came. I don't eat meat. I eat fruits and tree sap. I don't know about others, but if it happens, this will be the first time I eat a skinny human. Grrrr..." The kapre stared at Sirio, who again hid behind Alhena.

Sirio: "I am not afraid of you!, Try coming near me or you will surely regret it?"

Kapre: "Really!” As he tries to walk and grab Sirio the white cat jumps from Sirio’s bag and jumps and bites Kretos’s hand which scares him to death. He got out of balance and fell to the ground again.

“What is that creature take that away from me”

Sirio: “Hahaha! look how clumsy big you are and yet you are scared of a small cat”

Sirio laughed, and then Polux and Alhena could not stop themselves and also burst into laughter seeing the Kapre’s pale face,

Kreto also starts laughing while holding his stomach and unexpectedly farts so loud that makes the three laugh louder while holding their noses, Their laughter echoed throughout the cave, which reaches into the darkest part of the tunnel and down to the deepest part of the cave, bats panicked and flies everywhere and in the darkness ahead, two large red eyes suddenly open.