The Warrior in Time

His heart beats so fast that a thunder rumbling up in the sky like a thousand drum sounds nothing. Lightning streaks anywhere which can burn and cut anything it touches the ground. Yet nothing stops his firm legs and his tense muscles to run fast just to reach his village. Even a howling wolf or a hungry lion cannot even surpass his running pace along the way "Please hold on, wait for me" he keeps saying, wishing that the howling wind can reach people waiting for his comeback Everything is dark and covered with heavy rain that he sees nothing, thanks for the lightning, it gives him light everytime it scratches the sky. As he ran so fast, he remembers the most beautiful smile he always see and desire to see in his life. The innocence of her eyes makes him determined to protect her no matter what happen. Her laughters sounded like a symphony that calms his dark soul. "Inaginid and Malanduk, please, protect my people, protect her" he mouthed a quick prayer hoping for a protection from above. The rain pours so hard and everything is not visible anymore. All he feel is a strong wind that pushes him in the opposite direction to where he is headed. His big steps and huge leaps tire his entire body but not his soul. "Please hold on, I am coming" Words that keep escaping on his mouth every steps he take. Suddenly, a strong lightning striked the ground near him. He dodged luckily and paused for a moment. "That was close" He looked up in the sky and smiled, "Daghang Salamat" (Thank you so much) He thanked gods for protecting him from a sudden disaster. Suddenly, he was taken aback as he felt the most chilling air around the surface sending shivers all over his body reaching his soul. His heart thumped so hard and for the first time he felt scared. Suddenly, he saw a blazing orange light near him. Despite the strong pouring rain, nothing had stopped the blazing orange light from afar which determined him to continue his journey back to his village. He started to run again as fast as he could, never thinking what's ahead, only to reach his destination. The way is getting harder as the tree vines covered the secret pathway, yet nothing of these obstacles matter. As he took the last leap, his heart pounded so fast, his lungs pumped so hard that feels like bursting with all the oxygen it rushed to supply his body for him to keep on moving. As he lift his eyes, everything stopped, everything went silent, his body started to numb, and he collapsed on the ground. Children running all over the place, laughters filled with pure joy, women taking care of household, contentment and happiness is seen on their faces. These are the sweet sightings he sees all over the place. The joy of living in his mother land shaped him to be a strong and brave warrior equipped to protect his people. All his life, only have one mission, to protect the village and its people. Out of nowhere, felt a hot stinging tears roll over his tensed face. For the first time again after his beloved mother died, he cried. He was taken back to reality where he can clearly see the burning village in front of him. He was raged with so much anger and hatred that he grips and slams his kampilan (sword used by warriors) in the nearby trees and grasses. "HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?! HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN?!" He was shouting so hard up to the sky hoping that the gods could hear his anguish. "I was faithful to you! I offered you everything I have. I offered you my soul, all I ask is protection from you" Words that keep on escaping his mouth and words that loose his faith from gods and goddesses he grew up believing with. He hit everything so hard that consumed all his energy until the last bit. When he raised his bold arms to hit the poor innocent tree, he suddenly heared a soft voice calling out his name "Hinigugma, you're here" and everything suddenly moved so slow. He was longing to hear this voice for a very long time that never failed to calm him and make him feel safe. He was in the middle of taking in everything when a strong lightning striked his body, and all he see is a blinding light sorrounding him "Is this the end? Is this my end? Maria, my love, my life, I am deeply sorry for I fail to save our village, to save you, and to save our son. I regret the days I left you with our son. I am truly sorry if I cannot spend more time with you, I am sorry that I disappoint you. If only..." And he looks up to the sky, feeling and taking in defeat together with the hard pouring rain. "Get up, save me, save us, you are our hero" A sweet loving voice whispered him again. He knew this sound, this melody, this sweet sensation that always wakes his sleeping soul. And he was awaken again, feeling the blood rushing through his veins that fueled his heart to pump again. That was all he needed, her voice, her face, her memory, and he suddenly felt strong and powerful again. Like the strongest and mighty hero that the villagers always praise. As he was regaining consciousness, he suddenly saw the second lightning coming on its way to hit him. He felt nervous and scared, He desired to stand and run, to save his life, but he cannot move and all of his hope is slowly escaping every bit of his body. And with just one blink, a strong lightning striked his body again. FOOTNOTES: Inaginid and Malanduk- Visayan gods invoking battle victory and plunder Visayan- People living in the group of islands in the central part of the Philippines Daghang salamat- Means Thank you very much in the Visayan dialect Hinigugma- An endearment means My Love