The journey begins
1192 Words
The Mysterious Abduction
They had already been walking for about a kilometer when they decided to take a short break. The path they had taken was unpredictable—some parts were wide, others narrow, with steep inclines and sudden drops. Sirio, as usual, was busy eating while walking, intentionally dropping bits of food along the way to mark their route for their return. He also broke off branches from the plants they passed to leave signs of their trail.
Sirio: "Kreto, where exactly is this place where you found food earlier? Is it still far?"
Kreto: "We're close. Look over there! Once we get through that small passage, you'll see it."
Sirio: "Really? Now I'm excited!"
As they stepped out of the narrow passage, their eyes widened in astonishment. Before them lay a breathtaking paradise.
A massive river, about fifty meters wide, stretched in front of them. Beyond the river was a vast meadow, lush with trees bearing various fruits.
Sirio: "Is this deep?"
Kreto: "Nah, just waist-deep."
Excited, Sirio eagerly jumped into the water—only to vanish beneath the surface instantly. It was much deeper than Kreto had claimed.
Kreto swiftly reached for him and pulled him up.
Sirio (coughing): "You tricked me! You said it was only waist-deep!"
Kreto burst into laughter. "It is… for me!" he chuckled, towering over Sirio.
Polux and Alhena climbed onto Kreto’s massive shoulders, while Sirio clung to his arms like a baby. The giant kapre waded through the river with ease, the water barely reaching his waist.
Upon reaching the other side, Sirio immediately sprinted toward an apple tree and began climbing. Meanwhile, Alhena giggled as she chased after colorful butterflies.
Polux: "Kreto, what is this place?"
Kreto: "This is why I prefer living in that cave. This place has abundant food."
Polux: "Who planted all these trees?"
Kreto: "I have no idea. When I first discovered this place, it was already like this—overflowing with food."
Polux: "If it’s so wonderful here, why don’t you live here instead of that cave?"
Kreto’s expression turned serious. "This place is only beautiful during the day. But when night falls, it becomes terrifying. There’s nowhere to hide, and I always feel like something might suddenly attack me. And the trees here… they’re too small for me. I haven’t found a single giant tree to live in. I don’t know why, but something about this place gives me an eerie feeling at night."
Polux: "Then we should be careful, too."
Kreto suddenly noticed Sirio wandering far ahead.
Kreto: "Hey, skinny! Don’t go too far! Something might happen to you!"
Sirio (waving back): "I’m fine! Don’t worry!"
Meanwhile, Alhena returned, holding an unusual golden flower.
Alhena: "Pol, look at this beautiful flower! Can you tuck it behind my ear?" she asked sweetly.
Polux smiled and gently placed the flower behind her ear. Alhena beamed with delight and, in a burst of excitement, kissed him on the cheek before running off again, chasing butterflies.
As they continued walking, they reached a small stream.
Kreto: "This is where I get my drinking water. It’s so fresh."
Kreto noticed Sirio had gone even farther ahead. "I’ll go after him," he said, leaving Polux and Alhena alone by the stream.
Alhena, delighted by the clear water, splashed her face and washed the soot off her arms.
Alhena: "I’d love to take a bath, but I don’t have extra clothes. The water’s shallow, though—only up to my chest. Polux, let’s bathe!"
Polux: "Maybe not now, Alhena. You don’t have extra clothes to change into."
Alhena: "But my body feels itchy. I think I’m covered in dirt. How come you still look so fresh? You don’t even seem to get dusty."
Polux: "You can take a bath, but your clothes will get wet."
Alhena: "Is that a problem? I’ll just take them off!"
Without hesitation, Alhena removed her top and pants, hanging them on a tree branch nearby. Polux turned away, feeling flustered.
Alhena playfully jumped into the water, giggling as she splashed around. A few moments later, still submerged, she removed her undergarments and tossed them to Polux.
Alhena: "Pol, hang these somewhere sunny so they’ll dry faster."
Polux (stammering): "Uh… O-okay."
Avoiding eye contact, he wrung out the garments and hung them to dry before stepping away to give her privacy.
Alhena: "Come on, Pol! The water feels amazing!"
Polux: "You enjoy it. I’ll stay here."
Alhena: "Aww, you’re so shy."
She bathed for nearly an hour before finally calling out.
Alhena: "Pol, I’m done! Hand me my clothes."
Polux removed his shirt and tossed it to her before turning away again.
She slipped on his oversized shirt, which draped over her like a dress, then retrieved her now-dry undergarments and put them back on.
Alhena: "Hey, Lover Boy! You can turn around now!"
Polux turned, and Alhena suddenly blushed.
Polux’s shirtless figure was striking—his toned muscles and six-pack abs gleamed under the sunlight. She was momentarily speechless.
Then, she noticed something.
Alhena: "Pol, you have a mark on your back. What is that?"
Polux (puzzled): "I do? I never noticed. My parents never mentioned it, and no one else has seen my back before… except you."
Alhena (teasing): "Wow, I’m so lucky!"
She moved closer to examine it.
Alhena: "It’s a birthmark. About three inches big… it kind of looks like a map. Also, Pol, you should stay shirtless more often. I like this view!" she teased, laughing.
Polux chuckled, helping her up as they continued their journey. Alhena once again tucked the golden flower behind her ear.
As they reached the meadow, they looked around—Kreto and Sirio were nowhere to be seen.
They kept walking, but something felt off.
Polux: "Wait… something’s wrong. We’ve been going in circles."
Alhena: "Yeah… Are we lost?"
Polux: "I’m not sure, but we definitely passed here before."
Suddenly, Alhena spotted Sirio in the distance.
Alhena: "Look! There’s Sirio! He’s waving at us!"
Polux: "Let’s go to him."
But something was strange. Sirio was walking too fast.
Polux: "Sirio! Slow down! Where’s Kreto?"
Sirio didn’t answer. He stopped in front of a large tree, his back still turned to them.
Polux ran up to him. "Sirio, turn around! You’ve been making us chase you—"
Before he could finish, Sirio suddenly kicked him with inhuman strength.
Polux was sent flying ten meters away, slamming into a tree.
Alhena gasped in shock. Before she could react, "Sirio" grabbed her and dashed away at an incredible speed—then leaped off a cliff!
Polux (shouting): "Alhena!!!"
Just then, Kreto arrived.
Kreto: "Polux! What’s wrong? Why are you screaming?"
Polux: "Alhena was taken! By Sirio! He jumped off that cliff!"
Kreto turned pale. "That’s impossible! Sirio is right here with me!"
They turned—and there was the real Sirio, casually munching on food.
Polux (stunned): "Then… who took Alhena?!"
Kreto’s face darkened. "A shapeshifter… It must be a Tikbalang."
Polux: "I don’t care what it is. If it hurts Alhena, I’ll kill it."
Sirio: "What do we do?"
Polux: "We jump."
Without hesitation, Polux leaped into the abyss.
- Writer
