Stop the Wedding
1028 Words
Polux: "We have to stop this wedding! I promised Alhena that I would never abandon her. I need to save her."
Sirio: "How do you plan on doing that? There are thousands of Tikbalangs guarding that place. If we charge in recklessly, it’s suicide."
Kreto: "Just say the word, Polux. I’m ready."
Polux: "We need a plan. Tobal, is there a way for us to get close to the stone altar without being seen?"
Tobal: "Yes. We have to circle around. We’ll exit through the passage where you first arrived and take a hidden tunnel on the other side. That passage will lead us directly near the altar. Only the regular Tikbalang guards are stationed there, so they won’t notice you. I’ll guide you."
Polux: "That’s perfect. Let’s move quickly."
(Polux swiftly climbed onto Kreto’s shoulders, while Sirio followed. But before they could leave, Tobal handed Sirio something.)
Tobal: "My friend, take this. You might need it in battle. I made it for my son, had he been born a warrior. But he wasn’t, so it no longer serves a purpose for him. Be careful."
(He handed over a finely crafted blowgun made of bamboo, along with a set bow and arrows, a quiver, and two small bottles—one filled with a green liquid, the other with black.)
Tobal: "The black liquid is a sleeping potion. The green one is poison. Use them wisely."
Sirio: "Thank you, Tobal. These will be useful."
Polux: "Let’s go!"
(They hurried off, exiting the volcanic passage and making their way around the mountain to reach the hidden tunnel leading to the altar.)
Tobal: "Polux, I can’t go any further with you. Ordinary Tikbalangs like me aren’t allowed beyond this point. The path splits ahead—left leads to the palace of the Elders, right leads to the altar. I’ll return home and look for reinforcements."
Kreto: "Tobal, we’re trusting you again. Don’t betray us this time."
Tobal: "I swear, I won’t. I owe you my family’s lives, and I will repay that debt, even if it costs me my own. Go now! The ceremony is about to begin."
(At the towering altar, a grand staircase led to the top where Binangonan, the dark Tikbalang, eagerly awaited his bride. A Tikbalang priest stood beside him, chanting in a strange language. Alhena, dressed in ceremonial robes, slowly ascended the steps, her expression unreadable.)
(Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept through the area. From the sky, a brown Tikbalang with small wings like a cupid descended gracefully. Despite his undersized wings, he flew like a hawk. The crowd erupted into cheers, chanting, "Bentohangin! Bentohangin!")
(Bentohangin, ever the showman, flexed his muscles midair, striking a pose before landing beside Binangonan with a smirk.)
Binangonan: "What’s the point of wings if you’re always late?"
Bentohangin: "Hey, you know my wings are small! Besides, I’ve got a lot of wives to keep happy. The important thing is, I’m here now."
Binangonan: "Excuses! Where are the other two?"
(A moment later, two more Tikbalangs emerged from the palace gates—a very thin, white one named Belendik and another with white fur covered in dark spots and surrounded by a cloud of flies named Onglo.)
Bentohangin: "Ah, here come the slowpokes. You two had the shortest trip, and yet you’re still late!"
Belendik: "Blame Onglo! He smells so bad, it’s like dragging a corpse."
Onglo: "A corpse?! Look at yourself—you’re skin and bones! And don’t blame me; you were the one snoring!"
Belendik: "Excuse me! I woke up because of your stench!"
Onglo: "Same thing!"
(Before their bickering escalated, Binangonan growled.)
Binangonan: "Enough! My queen is arriving. Isn’t she exquisite? She’s a perfect bride, strong and beautiful!"
Bentohangin: "You got lucky, my friend. She’s gorgeous. I wonder what she’ll look like once she transforms into a Tikbalang. Maybe I should take her instead."
(Binangonan shot him a deadly glare.) "Try it, and you’ll be crawling back to your hole in pieces."
(Bentohangin laughed.) "Relax! I was just joking. She’s all yours."
(Alhena ascended the stairs, her heart pounding. Something felt… off. A strange sense of familiarity washed over her, making her skin tingle. Then she saw him. Her breath caught in her throat. Standing tall at the altar, dressed in black, was—)
Polux.
(Her heart skipped a beat.)
(Polux, standing at the altar, exuded strength and confidence. Beside him stood an elderly couple—his parents, no doubt. They made it. They came for him.)
(Tears welled in Alhena’s eyes. This was it.)
(As she reached the top of the stairs, Polux stepped forward, and without hesitation, she took his hand.)
Alhena: "You look so handsome, Polux."
Polux: "And you’re breathtaking, Alhena. I can’t wait to make you my wife."
(They walked side by side to the altar, where the priest prepared to begin the ceremony.)
(Meanwhile, at the tunnel entrance, Tikbalang guards were collapsing one by one, slipping into deep slumber.)
Sirio (grinning): "This thing really works!"
Polux: "Be careful. If you get scratched by that dart, you’ll be the one snoring next."
(Sirio laughed, dipping another dart into the sleeping potion. He took aim, fired, and another guard slumped to the ground.)
Sirio: "One more down! We’re almost there."
(The ceremony began.)
(The Tikbalang priest raised his hands.) "Today, Polux and Alhena shall be bound as husband and wife. With a kiss, their souls will be entwined for eternity. Polux, you may now kiss the bride."
(Binangonan leaned in towards Alhena.)
(Before their lips met, Alhena suddenly collapsed.)
(Binangonan’s eyes widened.) "What?! What’s happening?!"
(He turned to the crowd, shocked to see every single Tikbalang slumped over, unconscious. Only the five Tikbalangs on the altar and a handful of servants remained awake.)
(Before he could react, a powerful kick slammed into Binangonan’s face, sending him flying off the high altar, crashing into the ground below.)
(Polux grabbed Alhena’s unconscious body and handed her to Kreto.)
Polux: "Kreto, Sirio, take her and run! I’ll hold them off."
(Kreto vanished into thin air, carrying Alhena away.)
(Polux stood alone on the altar, facing the remaining Tikbalangs.)
(The real battle was about to begin.)
- Writer
