The Last Moon

Chapter 5: The First Babaylan (Shaman)

I heard the sound of people taking and felt a hand brushing my hair as I opened my eyes. I gazed upon a room so bright with a cold breeze touching my skin. Beside me lay another girl sleeping, she and I were like around 6 or 7 years old. And the hand that is touching me belongs to another maiden so beautiful. Her skin glows like the dawn and her deep brown eyes show love and kindness while her smile melts any sadness you have in your heart. Her black curly long hair radiates like the night. She smiled at me and called me Halea.

"Halea, my love what's the matter?" she asked, speaking in a language that I have known in this current world I am in.

"Mother?" 

"Yes dear, I am here," she says once again so lovely to listen to. I look into her eyes and my heart flutters as she tries to embrace me. Her hands are so soft and her embrace is so warm. As I tried to hold her close my eyes began to water and she was no longer in my arms. When I open my eyes I am in the embrace of Miyari and another woman, she is weeping like I am.

"She is gone," Miyari said

"How can she be gone?" I asked

"We humans, we can get sick and can easily die if struck by any dangerous items," Aunt Mida said. Aunt Mida is the younger sister of my mother.

"How did she die?" I asked. My heart feels like it's being crumpled into pieces and the pain I am feeling grows inside me that I cannot breathe as I and Miyari sit down.

"There was an accident, the hunters thought she was the wild animal they were chasing. She was in the forest and the deer ran in her direction and when she moved the hunters shot their arrows in her direction thinking that she's the prey they are hunting," Aunt Mida explains as she comforts us.

We lived a few years under Aunt Mida's care. She is like our second mother, caring for us, feeding and teaching us the ways of humans. She taught me how to hold a bow and arrow as well as the Kampilan (sword). I studied the weapon that took the life of my mother and promised that it will only be used for good. 

The next scenes seem a bit blur, I stare upon a man whose face I cannot see. I am standing next to Miyari while Aunt Mida stands in front of us, she is holding us away from the man. And I heard him speak.

"Mida, I was not aware of what happened to Ayesha. If I have known I would have come immediately," he said, "I am here to take my children and let them live with me as they are the only memory that Ayesha has,"

"Forgive me, Ginoo (Sir), but I do not know you," Aunt Mida, "Ayesha did not speak of you, how would I know that you are the father of her children?"

"They possess the light and life that I have," he then took her hairpin and prick the tip of his forefinger and from the hole, a bright ray of light came out blinding like the sun. And the wound healed after he took the pin away. He then hands her the knife.

She took it and I gave my hand to her but she was afraid to hurt me, so I took the pin and pricked my finger as he did and let it sit there for a few minutes as we all know I can heal myself easily. And like him, a ray of light came out of my flesh but not as strong as what he has. Miyari then took the pin and did the same, we were both curious as to what this man is saying. And she shines in the same manner as I am.

Shocked as to what we are capable of, she didn't speak.

The man who introduced himself as our father then speaks, " They will soon come of age and needs to take their place and destiny, I am sure that Ayesha has discussed this with you as this is the arrangement I had with her,"

She then falls on her knees, "Forgive me for doubting you, I didn't believe it to be true,"

He then smiles and touches her shoulder, "I understand you, you only did what any guardian would do. And for this, I give you the insight and ability to communicate with your nieces and any deity for help. And those creatures living in your world would know you as a caring guardian, in your hand, they will find peace and healing. Your home will be their fortress and your song will be their lullaby. And these shall be carried in your blood for you share the blood of the twin and Ayesha,"

"Call us Aunt Mida and we will come to you," Miyari said

She then stood up and embraced and kissed our forehead as our father took our hand and faded from her sight. 

 A long pause and silence fill the air, I can feel a damp cloth touching my forehead and a striking scent hit my nose. I opened my eyes and found myself in a room of a wooden house. I then realized that I was just dreaming again.

I sat down and held my head, "What happened?" I asked Adrienne who was sitting next to the bed where I lay.

"You passed out and had a slight increase in temperature. how are you feeling?"

"I felt my head a little heavy but I am fine, I must have gotten tired of the trip,"

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that you would get sick during our outing,"

"It's not your fault if my body was not strong enough for the outing," I said smiling, "don't be sad this is nothing,"

"Do you want us to call your Dad?"

"No need, I am feeling better now. How long was I out?"

"About thirty minutes,"

She gave some water, "This should cool you down,"

I tried to check on my temperature and I felt fine, my temperature went back to normal.

An old lady came inside the room with Amelia. 

"How are you feeling now?" the old lady asked

"I am feeling better now, thank you,"

"Adrienne was so worried about you but I know it's nothing serious," she chuckling

"oh, Halea, this is my grandmother Apong Estrella," Adrienne said, "Apong this is Halea the friend I was talking about,"

Apong Estrella sat beside me on the bed and checked my temperature, "It's good to finally know you hija (daughter),"

"What does Apong means?"I asked smiling

Amelia and Adrienne laugh, "Apong is a polite term use to call someone old and wise," Amelia said

"Almost all people of old age, as well as those who have a high position, and people revered to be called 'Apong'," Adrienne added.

"I see, thank you very much Apong,"

And she chuckles as she holds my hand and she then looks into the palm of my hands. 

"Do you mind if I read it?" she said in her soft sweet old voice

I sway my head, "Not at all, please go ahead and tell me what it says," I was also curious as to what destiny would have. 

"You have a very thin line here that is not connected yet to any of these two lines which means you are undecided of which path to take. Before this line, the path will be hard and intricate but any path you take may result in someone passing so be careful, the choice is yours to make. It is important that you make preparations of what may come," she said smiling at me

"That's enough for now, I believe you are all hungry. Let's go-to dining to eat," she stands and exit the room

"You're one of the lucky ones," Amelia said, "She never read any of our destiny," she held my hand and guided me out of the room while Adrienne followed.

As we sat down at the dining table I was surprised to see the boys were here.

"Hi, Halea!" Matt, Jason and Caleb said in unison

"Hello, three musketeers," I said looking at them

They were already eating, so we sat down with them and started eating. I am fascinated as to how they behave here in Apong Estrella's house.

"So what are you guys doing here?" I asked them

"Well, we heard you're coming so we came to join your little excursion," Jason said

"I heard you fainted, how are you feeling?" Caleb asked

"I am okay, do not worry about me I was just tired,"

"Do you live nearby?"

"Yes, we were just in the next commune about 15-20 minutes," Matt said

"So what do you plan on doing?" Caleb asked

I look at Adrienne, "I'm afraid that Halea might get tired again so it's better if we just enjoy the scenery here, the boys can get us some fruits and watch the other kids playing. What do you think?"

"I'm okay with it, I can get you as many fruits as you want with this arms," Jason said showing his muscles

 I saw Adrienne rolled her eyes while Amelia and I laughed.

"What was your original plan?" I asked

"Well, I was thinking of going to the lake but maybe next time. I don't want you getting tired,"

"Alright, next time then,"

While we ate we saw a young man come rushing asking for the help of Apong Estrella. They asked her to check on someone who has been injured. She and some of the other ladies went to the aid of the man.

We followed them as they went out and Adrienne showed us the big hut facing a terrific view of the downtown.

"Don't worry about them, the Babaylans (Shaman) will take care of them," Amelia said

"What are Babaylan?"

"Babaylans are tribe healers like shamans, they used ancient and new medical techniques combined to cure people," Caleb said

"Like Adrienne's Mom is a Babaylan and a nurse, she teaches the correct way of treating some injuries," Jason said

"I see," I said as I sat on one of the hammocks on the hut.

"But as traditional healers or shamans can they talk to spirits?"

"We believe that they do," Matt 

"And why is that?"

"It was believed that they are from the same bloodlines as the demigods," Caleb

"What do you mean by the same bloodline of a demigod?"

"Adrienne here can tell it better than I am," Caleb

"Well, It was told from old stories that the Goddess of the moon was born from a mortal mother. And when their mother died their aunt took care of them. Battala merits her and gave her the gift of healing and the ability to perform miracles including talking to spirits and devatas." Adrienne said

I recalled my dream Aunt Mida, she must be the first Babaylan. And I whispered, "Apong Mida,"

"Yes, correct it was Aping Mida the first Babaylan," Adrienne said, "How did you know?"

"I must have heard the story before," I said as I looked into the beautiful scenery.

The view was fascinating, you can see the rice terraces down below, the meadow on the other side and the slope and forest mountain in front. The wind blowing was so good