Polux and the unknown worlds

Lost Tikbalangs and the Forgotten Prince

(In the dessert, the sound of hurried footsteps echoes through the sands . Suddenly, a desperate voice calls out.)

Voice: "Polux! Polux!"

(Polux stops in his tracks, scanning the area for the source of the voice. He turns around and sighs in relief upon seeing Kreto but becomes very worried immediately as He remembers what the tikbalang just said, Kreto panting heavily and clad in full armor. Beside him is Sirio, also catching his breath.)

Polux: "Kreto! Sirio! What’s going on?"

(Before Kreto could answer, he dashes forward with his axe raised, ready to strike down the restrained Tikbalang. But just as he’s about to land the fatal blow, Polux steps in and stops him.)

Polux: "No, Kreto! Don’t kill him!"

Kreto: "Why not? He’s one of them! Tikbalangs are nothing but traitors!"

Polux: "He swore to help us! He knows how to save Alhena. If you kill him now, we lose our only chance!"

(Kreto grits his teeth but lowers his axe reluctantly. Polux turns to the Tikbalang.)

Polux: "Get down on the ground and don’t make any sudden movements. We need to talk first."

(The Tikbalang obeys, lying face down. Polux then gathers Kreto and Sirio, whispering urgently.)

Polux: "He told me that rogue Tikbalangs were sent to find you Kreto. They must never learn that You are the prince, and we must protect the Oro Stone at all costs."

Kreto: " Really So He knows something about me, Maybe, He could help me go back to my Kingdom and once We reach there you can also see the engraved marking in one of our pillars that looks like your dagger."

Polux: Yes Kreto but for now We should focus on saving Alhena first. You can investigate the tikbalang if you want

(The three of them approach the restrained Tikbalang again, who has now regained his sight after being momentarily blinded. The Tikbalang flinches as he sees a towering Kapre standing before him.)

Kreto: "State your name, Tikbalang. And answer my questions properly, or I’ll have your head."

Tikbalang: "I am Tobal. My brothers are Rabal and Zebal. We are rogue Tikbalangs from the kingdom of Balang."

Kreto: "Lost Tikbalangs? How did you end up here?"

Tobal (Tikbalang): "A hundred years ago, our king commanded us to search for the missing Prince of the Kapres from the Kingdom of Or-or. Our mission was to retrieve the ORO Stone from him—the stone that holds an extraordinary light. Our king discovered that this light could break the curse upon the Tikbalang race..."

Kreto furrowed his brows. "Curse?"

Tobal nodded solemnly. "Yes. No Tikbalang has ever had a daughter—only sons. The ORO Stone is our only hope of lifting this curse. But despite searching for a century, we failed to find the Kapre prince. We became lost in this world."

Kreto crossed his arms, eyes narrowing. "So, you spent a hundred years searching and found nothing?"

Tobal sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It was nearly impossible. Not only did we not know what the prince looked like, but he also possessed the power of invisibility. No matter how hard we searched, we could never see him."

Polux and Kreto exchanged glances. A prince who could turn invisible?

Tobal continued, his voice bitter. "We were afraid to return to our kingdom empty-handed. Failure meant death—our king would have us beheaded. So Balendik, Bentohangin, Onlo, and Binangunan made a decision... We would never return. Instead, we built our own kingdom here in the desert."

There was a long silence.

Polux: "So you abandoned your mission and became rulers of your own land... But what happens now? Do you still seek the prince?"

Tobal hesitated, then looked straight at Kreto.

Tobal: "The prince may have been lost to history... but his destiny is not yet fulfilled."

Kreto stiffened. There was something unsettling in Tobal's gaze—as if the Tikbalang knew something he didn't.

(Kreto clenches his fists, his fury barely contained. In his mind, he swears that once Alhena is safe, he will personally behead the Leader of the Tikbalangs.)

Polux: "Tell me what’s going to happen tonight and tomorrow. And how do we get inside the volcano?"

Tobal: "Don’t worry. Nothing bad will happen to your friend tonight. Until the wedding, she will be treated with care. She will be… happy."

Polux: (Frowning) "Happy? How?"

Tobal: "I made her inhale a special scent while we ran. She is in a deep sleep. Soon, Binangunan will touch her forehead and enter her mind, discovering her deepest desires. He will take on the form of the one she loves, while other Tikbalangs will mimic the faces of her family and friends. When she wakes up, she will believe she is surrounded by her loved ones. She will be dressed as a princess, bathed, and served by female Tikbalangs. She will be so overjoyed that by the time the wedding begins, she won’t even think of resisting."

Polux: "That’s despicable! So that’s why no one ever refuses the wedding… because you trick their minds!"

Tobal: "I will help you sneak into the cave during the wedding when everyone is distracted."

Kreto: "I can use my ability to become invisible and get close to that Binangunan. Just give me the signal, Polux, and I’ll end him immediately."

Polux: "No, Kreto. That’s too risky. If you do that, they’ll kill you too."

Kreto: "How? If they can’t even see me?"

Tobal: "You are mistaken. Kapre’s invisibility only works on weak Tikbalangs like me. But the four elders… they can see you. They are monsters with different abilities, and we fear them. Killing them won’t be easy."

Kreto: "Then what’s your plan, Polux?"

Polux: "Here’s what we’ll do. Tonight, we enter the volcano while the Tikbalangs are asleep. Kreto, you will use your ability to make both me and Sirio invisible by carrying us on your shoulders. Can you do that?"

Kreto: "Of course. Anything I touch can vanish if I will it."

Polux: "Good. We will follow Tobal. He will lead us to Alhena."

Tobal: "Understood. Now, can you untie me? Don’t worry, I won’t run."

(Polux nods and releases Tobal. Kreto lifts Polux and Sirio onto his shoulders, and with their plan set, they begin their dangerous journey toward the volcano—determined to save Alhena before it’s too late.)