The dagger and the feather
Aling Lorna: "Hunyo, look! What's that floating thing over there?" she said, pointing at a white object.
Mang Hunyo: "Maybe it's a dead whale or a big fish. Come on, let's check it out!"
They quickly approached the floating object and were shocked to discover an enormous feather, twice the size of their boat. In the middle of the feather, something was wrapped in a large leaf. Moments later, they heard the cry of a baby coming from it.
Aling Lorna: "Hunyo! It's a baby! A baby! Get it! Get it!"
Mang Hunyo immediately jumped into the water and swam toward the feather. He pulled it close to the boat and handed the baby to Aling Lorna as soon as he reached it.
Aling Lorna: "Let's go! The giant bird might still be nearby!"They hurriedly returned home and locked the door.
The Baby and the Dagger
Inside their house, the couple, still catching their breath, carefully unwrapped the baby from the leaf. The baby stopped crying when it was freed. They placed it on the bed, and Aling Lorna grabbed a towel to clean the child. To their amazement, the baby was completely dry, despite having come from the sea.
The baby's hair was white, its eyes were blue, and its skin was smooth and flawless. Upon inspection, they discovered it was a boy. On the lower part of his back, near his waist, was an unusual mark.
Along with the leaf was a strange dagger. Its hilt was made of black, hardened stone with five slots running down its length. At the very bottom was a white jewel resembling a pearl, while the other slots were empty. The blade was green, not metal, and smooth as glass. Engraved on the hilt were unusual shapes and letters, which, when read, spelled: "P.O.L.U.X. 11:11."
Aling Lorna: "What should we do with the baby and this dagger?" she asked, still panicked.
Mang Hunyo: "Could he be the child of an enchantress or a mermaid? We should return him to the sea."
They went back to the shore to return the baby but found no trace of the giant feather.
In the end, they decided to care for the child, thinking it was God's answer to their long-standing prayer for a baby. They buried the dagger and leaf under their house. Fearing the bird's return, the couple moved to a cave on a mountain they called Bathala. They named the child Polux.
The Extraordinary Polux
As Polux grew up, the couple noticed many strange traits. Water could not make him wet, dirt could not stain him, and he possessed extraordinary strength. His white hair could not be cut with scissors; Mang Hunyo had to use an axe instead. Even if he fell from a tall tree, he never broke a bone.
Despite these oddities, Polux grew up cheerful, playful, and obedient. One of his favorite games was freeing their horses and catching them again with his remarkable speed. Every afternoon, he climbed to the top of a large tamarind tree to watch Mang Hunyo at sea, no matter how far away he was.
At seventeen, Polux had never interacted with anyone outside his family, as the couple forbade it.
One evening, while eating dinner, the couple spoke to Polux.
Mang Hunyo: "Son, next week, you'll turn eighteen! What gift do you want?"
Polux: "Father, I want to go out to sea or visit the town."
The couple exchanged worried glances and sighed.
Mang Hunyo: "On your birthday, we'll take you to the sea and to town, son."
Polux: "Really, Father?!" Polux replied joyfully.
Mang Hunyo: "Yes, son. But early tomorrow, your mother and I will leave to help a large fishing ship. We'll return before New Year's for your birthday."
Polux: "Of course, Father! I can handle being alone here. As long as you return safely, I'll be fine!"
Aling Lorna: "Son, remember what I told you."
Polux: "Yes, Mother! I won't talk to strangers," he said, smiling.
The Next Day
Polux woke early, but he noticed an unusual silence. His parents, Mang Hunyo and Aling Lorna, were gone. Beside his bed, he found a box made of a leaf and above it is an envelope with the words: "Read this on your birthday."
He held the box, wondering about its contents. Remembering his parents' instructions, he set it aside and decided to wait until his birthday.
The danger comes
Polux climbed the highest branch of the giant tamarind tree at the mountain's summit to look out at the sea. From there, he spotted the large fishing ship his father had mentioned. He smiled, thinking his parents were probably busy helping the crew.
But something else caught his attention. Near their home, he saw armed men approaching the cave where their house was hidden.
"Who are these people? And what are they doing here?" he asked himself, worried something bad might happen.
While watching, Polux noticed a woman held captive by the men. Her hands were tied behind her back, and she looked terrified. Even from a distance, Polux could see her beauty-long black hair and a gentle face. With his sharp hearing, he overheard the men talking, learning that the woman was the mayor's daughter.
"I can't let this happen," he whispered to himself.
Polux quickly climbed down the tree and raced ahead of the men to reach his home. He grabbed a pair of glasses to hide his blue eyes and a bandana to cover his long white hair. He resolved to save the young woman.
Battle with the Bandits
The bandits surrounded the house, laughing and discussing their plan.
Bandit 1: "When the mayor arrives, he'll pay us a fortune for his daughter. And what a beauty she is!"
Bandit 2: "Perfect! There's even a hidden house in this cave where we can rest. Miss, you're staying with us!" he said with a demonic laugh.
Suddenly...
Polux (in a deep voice): "Let the woman go."
Everyone was startled when Polux appeared from behind the house. His face was covered with glasses and a bandana, and he stood tall like a warrior.
Bandit 3: "Who are you? What are you doing here?!"
Polux: "Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that you release her-or you'll regret it."
Bandit 1 (laughing): "What? You're alone, and we're many. What can you do to us?"
Before one of the bandits could approach, Polux dashed toward them at incredible speed, almost too fast for their eyes to follow. One by one, he took down the bandits with punches powered by his extraordinary strength and speed.
Bandit 2 (shouting): "Catch him! He's not normal!"
But no matter what they did, they couldn't land a single blow on Polux. In a flash, he subdued all the bandits and freed the young woman.
Young Woman (frightened but in awe): "W-who are you? And how did you do that?"
Polux: "I'm Pol. Don't ask questions. What matters is that you're safe now."
