The AswƏng

The First Encounter

"Wha-! Where am I? What am I doing here?" Uttered the clueless Myr.  She woke up outside the resort on a lounge chair near the pool.  The last thing she remembered was wandering throughout the woods to meditate and collect data and experience and that the old boatman at the docks which ferried her to the resort accompanied her.  And then everything was hazy. Except for a silhouette of a man in a black hoodie. She tried so hard to remember all of the hazy and fuzzy blank details at the back of her mind as she walks back to her room. 

Myr is an aspiring writer who writes stories of the paranormal.  She visits abandoned sites like old buildings, hospitals and asylums in search of any paranormal activities. She performs tests of courage all by herself.  That's how passionate she is to get the data she needs for her work. She was born and raised in the city of Manila. And on her latest adventure, she decided to visit a resort in Pangasinan, far from civilization as a form of retreat and to gather details and data for her novel. Too bad though, because of Faust's special home-brewed tranquilizer she forgot the encounter she desperately seeks. The encounter that almost cost her, her life.  Little did they know that with that encounter, Faust and Myr's thread of destiny has already been entangled with one another. 

"Hey! f**k face! what are you looking at?  You want me to smash your face?" growled a drunk man in an empty alleyway.

"Eh?  Me?  Well sorry for looking. My bad" Faust grunted as he stealthily went past the drunk man.  

"You bastard! Where'd you go?!" angrily snarled the man but Faust was no longer to be seen. 

This kinds of scenario is common to Faust. Some people would just feel sudden disgust or sudden unexplained rage towards him without any reasons at all. It's like his very existence draws people to hate him.  But like a professional and a man full of manners, he handles most of this petty conflicts without any problems at all.  He heeds all of his grandfather's teachings and lessons.  He learned to control his emotions more than anyone. If you could think of it, without his incredible restraint and discipline, Faust without a doubt can unleash havoc and doom to those people who mistreats him.  

He currently lives with his grandfather and only remaining relative, Ignacio Dela Cruz.  A man of the age of 65. He has a medium built body and stood 175.26 cm. He has gray visible hair with strands of black hair as well. They live in an old, but decent Spanish style house in Pangasinan. Their house is located at the end of the city in which they live in. 

Faust, although a product of mutation, enjoys the life of a normal young adolescent. Despite the usual bullying, he attended and finished his high school and is now attending the local university and is currently pursuing his pre-medicine course.  He, like any other kid has a dream. He aspires to be a doctor and his stern but loving grandfather fully supports his only grandchild's dream. 

Faust has only one friend. A guy named Benedict Bautista.  Benedict or Ben, which most people usually call him, is Faust's childhood and only friend. Back when they were kids, around 10 years old, his grandfather cured Ben's mom, Cecilia, of an estranged disease that the doctors can not cure. His grandfather who knew the ancient arts of their family learned that Ben's mother was being attacked by a playful entity who took a liking to the unsuspecting woman. Although the intention is not malevolent at all, this is still harmful towards the health and well-being of the woman and an action is needed to be done. 

This unfortunate phenomenon was used as an opportunity by Ignacio, Faust's grandfather as a test for Faust to test and utilize his training and skills as an apprentice Aswəng. This was Faust's very first job and mission. Being a 10 year old kid, this job was big and scary for the young boy. But he has a kind heart and he wanted to help his best friend's mother.  Because she treats him like she was her son as well.  Growing up without a mother in his life, Cecilia's care and affection, both tenacious scolding and delicious cooking had left a very deep impact towards longing heart of the young boy to a mother's warmth. 

12 midnight struck the clock.  Faust and his grandfather had prepared fo confront the entity that took a liking to his friend's mother. They instructed the family to draw a line of salt to the windows and doors of the house as a protection so no unexpected visitor will come as they perform the banishing of the entity during midnight. 

Faust's grandfather had prepared himself as he did not suffered the same ritual to be a mutated hunter unlike his grandson. He is not as sensitive as his grandson but he is not to be underestimated as he mastered almost all of the knowledge and skills collected and preserved by his ancestors in fighting, countering and almost anything related to their secret line of work, Hunting at night.

 Although the identity of the entity that latch itself to the woman is unknown, he pretty much have an idea what he will be expecting to meet.  He wore the special eye lens made of a feline's retina to be able to see what entity the tow of them will be confronting.  He coated his bolo with blessed water, and a pouch filled with salt on his waist is to be seen.

Faust on the other hand, although nervous,  the young boy steeled himself as he and his grandfather made their way to the old Acacia tree on his friend's backyard. It was silent.

"You there! Behind the branches. We want to talk" yelled Ignacio in a stern voice as Faust tries to focus on the direction in which his grandfather was calling someone out. 

A loud, deep, hair-raising laugh that came from the shadows on the highest branch of the Acacia tree filled the area.  

"Fine,  Fine you got me,  I'll come down" said a creature that suddenly leapt from the tree that produced a little tremor as the massive behemoth's feet touched the ground.  It was towering in size, it has a long hair on his head and thick hair grows all over its body and face, eyes are red, and it holds a lit cigar on his right hand as he scratched his head with the other.  The most distinctive feature of the creature was its nauseating, head pulsating strong, putrid odor.  Imagine a man that didn't took a bath for a whole year.  That's how strong the scent is.  

"How can I help you two?" Said the behemoth as it slouched and smiled revealing a set of strong, yellow teeth that highly resembles of a man while looking at the Faust and Ignacio straight in the eyes. 

"I-I am--" stammered the young boy as he tried to find to words to say to the jolly looking giant. 

"Let me do the talking for now boy" hushed Ignacio towards his grandson. 

"I am Ignacio and this is my grandson, Faustino. We are friends of Cecilia.  The woman who happened to live on that house, and we would like to exchange some words with you, if it is all right" said Ignacio in a stern voice as he points to the direction of the house of Faust's friend. 

"Ahh.  It is nice to finally meet the both of you in person.  I am called Bigat by my peer a long time ago. It is a rare sight to see an old man and a young boy trying to seek for me and wanting to talk to me without them pissing their pants." Roared the creature as it laughed a genuine jolly cackle. 

"Okay. Is it about Cecilia? What of her? " smiled the giant still amused of the situation

"Are you aware, Bigat, that what you're doing is endangering her life? If this continued, Cecilia won't make it until this week"

"I know nothing of the sort.  In fact I am only helping her" claimed the towering creature in an honest and innocent tone. 

"In what way you're helping her? " asked Ignacio as he sat down on a log near the tree. 

"You see, I've been here for almost 50 years. I didn't interact with the people that much because the last time I did, they ran and got scared and destroyed my home.  That's why I relocated here." Said the creature as it blew out a smoke from his big cigar.  His face is now serious. 

"Then, one day I saw a small girl near my home.  She was pure and innocent.  She had a good heart.  I watched her grew and all. The moment she found her husband,  the moment she gave birth to her beautiful kids I was there.  All of her happy moments and all of her sad ones, I always watch her" it said in a now solemn and sad voice

"Did you perhaps fell in love with her? " asked Ignacio now also lighting a cigar of his own using a match he grabbed on his pocket as Faust clearly fascinated with what's happening sat down beside his grandfather. 

"I would lie if I said no,  and I am no liar.  But I know we cannot be together. So I just observed and I remained on watching her" claimed Bigat, in a more sadder tone. 

"So despite being in love with her,  you inflicted her a curse?  Did you do this so you can get her spirit when she dies?  So you two will be able to be together? " Ignacio claimed like a detective solving a crime

"What? Of course not! " said Bigat crossly. 

"Then elaborate so I might know what to do" says Ignacio as he exhaled smoke from his mouth. 

"You know" the giant creature said as it blew out another smoke,  "She is very sad and she is suffering a lot. You might not know this but her husband beats her up a lot.  He goes home drunk and beats her up for no apparent reason. And those beatings cost them their first child. It’s Heart-breaking to see her in that state as her partner still shows no remorse.  But what made me really angry is she still loves him and his family like nothing is happening.  His husband is also committing unfaithful acts behind his wife's back.  I see all of these acts.  She cooks and took care of their kids, performs all the work while her man pretends to work on the field but only f***s the neighborhood whores! " roared Bigat in rage. 

"There is even a time that I decided to put matters on my hand and punish him for his wrong doings.  Punish him with blood. But Cecilia, she would cry more and that act would cause her more grief because even her man is a degenerate,  she loves him truly and sincerely.  I cannot bear that" Bigat confessed,  his words are now heavy with feelings.

"I did not know of this.  I usually don't put my nose where they do not normally belong but this revelation shocked me. I know an honest man when I see one.  I believe you.  But still, I don't understand why did you afflict her of the curse if you don't want her to suffer" said Ignacio in a confused state. 

Faust, shocked of all the words that came from Bigat, can't believe it. Although he knows and can sense that he is telling the truth. Everytime he would visit his friend's home, his friend's mom didn't emit or showed any kinds of sadness nor negative emotions as Faust is very sensitive towards those kinds of energies.  This shows just how good of a woman his friend's mother is. 

"I was left with no choice." Said Bigat. "One afternoon,  she sat near my home. The very same log you're sitting now.  She cried and said she can't do it anymore. It was very heartbreaking for me to see her in that state. She said she just wants to be happy and she just wanted to rest. She pulled out a knife and that's where I started to act" uttered Bigat. 

"I know of an old incantation that can send a human's soul in a spirit realm, that is only filled with happiness and joy. That is why I am extracting her spirit to be able to send her there.  In exchange of my soul." He calmly explained. 

"I know of this method. And I believe you.  But this is unnatural.  You don't get to decide. Didn't it occured to you that her Children is what makes her happy?  You said you watched her all through her life? Listen Bigat, we humans have methods too to solve things.  She still has kids that depends on her and they need her. You cant just send her somewhere.  I appreciate you saved her life. But this is wrong" explained Ignacio. 

"who are you? What are you old man? How do you know of this? But No! I refuse! You don't understand!  This is the only way!" Protested the giant full of emotions.  

"I’m just an old man who plants mango trees for fun. But I know of a way.  I will help her I assure you and I will make sure that her husband would be punished not by blood but by our laws.  You have to trust me." Said Ignacio 

Bigat paused as if he realized something very horrible. His face clearly stricken with grief and guilt.

"What have I done. I forced her a decision without her consent. I will believe you and I will put my whole trust in you. Ignacio, you are a good man. You remind me of an old, honorable man that I'm friends with back when I was but a lad. But to undo this curse that I laid, you have to kill me.  When you kill me, the ritual would stop and she will return to her original state" said Bigat in a relieved way

"If that's what must be done" said Ignacio as he reaches for his bolo.

"Wait!" Shouted Faust.  "Does it have to be this way? Is there no other way around this? There must be another way!  " Faust shouted to his grandfather. 

Faust,  even though he just met this entity,  A Kapre,  commonly known in their culture,  felt and knew his intentions are pure. He just acted out on his own because he truly cares to Cecilia more than his human spouse. And he even went so far as to sacrifice his own soul just for her to gain happiness. A monster in the outer appearance but his heart far exceeds most man.  

"Well, I just remembered that I know of an another way.  But this method is risky.  This is what could happen.  I get rid of the curse without harming his soul and Cecilia's soul,  I get rid of the curse,  but i also get rid of Bigat,  and lastly they could.. both die." Said Ignacio to his grandson. 

"Just kill me.  That is the safer option.  I don't want no harm to befall upon Cecilia. I know what I did was selfish and wrong and I am ready to atone for my mistakes." Pleaded Bigat. 

"Have faith in my grandfather.  Please, he can pull this off,  please" pleaded Faust to Bigat. 

"Do you trust me?" Ignacio asked Bigat as he looked at his eyes.  Man to man. 

"I entrust my life to you and her life which I selfishly included in this ordeal" Bigat said full of regret. 

"Faust, we have a work to do. You will accompany me and learn all of what I will do. But be wary, while I perform the ritual some uninvited guest might come.  You have to protect me if that happens for I cannot stop once I start" Ignacio said sternly towards Faust as he smiled and again said "I was just testing you if you would blindly accept my first verdict and not look for another way.  I'm proud of you boy." Faust's cheeks turn hot as the once in a blue moon compliments and affections of his grandpa is truly a treat to be savored.  "I will protect you with all my might grandpa! "Faust exclaimed full of vigor as the two men went forth to perform the ritual in a secluded part of the woods near the home. 

Dawn came.  c**k's crows can be heard and the birds are starting to sing.  Grasses and leaves are wet from the fog and the sun is almost up. Soft, bright orange streaks can almost be seen in the morning sky. Ignacio and his grandson, who looks visibly tired, stood together as they faced his friend's home and they can see even from the distance, Cecilia, standing good as new,  doing her usual morning routine as she sweeps the yard of dried leaves from the trees, humming her favorite song. 

And a smoke is seen, rising silently and peacefully towards the sky, on a still-lit tobacco beneath the roots of a giant acacia tree together with the dead leaves. 

This was the first time Faust learned that Humans, sometimes are worse than monsters.