World to Come

2: The Changes the Hero Makes.

[Player who have chosen to come along our adventure,

Pick what you like the most.

Others: _______

Warning: Please, be reminded that your skill will be permanent but upgrades are available. So, choose wisely]

It's permanent? I won't be able to change it again?

I'll leave it up to Batman.

"Hey, Chan, the time's going to be up soon, please choose one already." I faced and talked to Chan.

"Nope, not going to do it. It's just a blue screen saying "Welcome Player!" I guess they make different versions of the ad to not draw people's suspicion." He said.

I was confused and was going to ask him what he means when the voice from my dream spoke once again.

[Chosen players, time is up.

Penalty for those who picked option "No" will start in

04:59 ]

Wait, this time it's five minutes as supposed to a minute timer from my dream.

I grabbed Chan and approached Leander and the kid.

"Hi, uhm, can I ask if you pressed "Yes" on your screens?" I might look overly friendly, but I can't help it. I've already known them from my dream.

"Uh, well. There's no yes or no button, our phones just displayed a blue screen and no other applications can be accessed, so this kid can't contact his mom" Leander answered, just like what happened in my dreams. I looked into my phone and everything is also gone. The screen is just blue with a message mocking me for getting the right answer the second time.

[You actually chose correctly this time, Buwan.

You're lucky, the Gods favor you.]

Gods? For the longest time that the Philippines have been a Christian-majority country, we believe there's only one God. But seeing that I saw the Bakunawa in my dreams, it may be that the ancient Gods that our ancestors used to worship are also real and is the one being mentioned in the text.

"Well, there's a penalty going to happen, maybe it's best for use to go and look for his mama instead?" I suggested. I mean he said that she went to the restroom, it's going to be dangerous if she's left alone there.

"Sure, let's do that. Hey, you kids, are you going with us?" Leander called the attention of the students in our car.

"You're going back to the platform right? Sure, we'll go with you!" one of the girls said.

"Hey, 'Thena, it might be dangerous, you don't even know them." Her friend said. Understandable, we're strangers after all.

"Ado, one of them is a cop, for sure it'll be safe to be with them." She responded.

"Well, there's still three grown men and only one of me, if ever they do have bad intentions it'll be bad for us. And not all cops are good." he said once again. He's got a point, but that's going to be really offensive for Leander.

"Hoy, that's too much Ado! Let's just go, okay? We're literally going the same way as them, might as well, go the same time as them." the girl once again said. Then the girl in the middle that's been quiet the whole time spoke.

"We're going to leave the station as soon as we arrive at the platform, right Ado? So it won't be dangerous and besides they're looking for the kid's mom, so they have other things to do, they're probably kind won't bother with us." She said in a very calm voice.

"Okay, fine. We'll go." the guy said and took his bag.

"Sir, I'm really sorry for what Ado said, he just can't control his mouth sometimes." the first girl said.

"Yeah, that's fine, he's just being careful." Leander said with a smile.

After that encounter, we left the car and walked back to the station's platform, it wasn't a long walk, after all, it stopped not long after it departed.

When we arrived, we went straight to the bathroom stalls, the two girls went in to look for the kid's mom.

"She said she'll be out in a minute, she's releasing some grudge." the more cheerful girl said.

We sat by the ticket booth in front of the bathroom stalls and waited.

"I'm P01 Leander Santos by the way, nice to meet you guys." he introduced himself to all of us.

"I'm Kale Garcia, 7 years old and I like stuffed toys, animals and of course mama!" Kale said, I couldn't help myself but smile at Kale, such a sweet child.

"I'm Chan Villafuerte, this guy's one and only best friend, we work in the same company but I'm part of the marketing department." Chan said and wrapped his arms around me.

"Hey, I thought we're going already?" the male student said, a little annoyed.

"Well, if you're really worried if they're bad guys, shouldn't we wait for Kale's mama to make sure they don't kidnap him?" the girl said, it looks like they always banter like that.

The quiet girl sighed and spoke.

"I'm Chloe Agas, I'm a freshman university student taking an Engineering course, I love gardening and learning about plants in my free time, they're my friends Athena and Adonis." she said and introduced her bantering friends for her.

"Whatever, Adonis! Well, I'm Athena Tan, we're all taking the same course, I like me some physical activities once in a while. Pleased to meet you!"

"Adonis Echevarria. Playing guitar and bass." he said shortly, he really doesn't trust us, which is fine.

I didn't get to introduce myself because the voice spoke again.

[ Penalty in

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The penalty is death ]

We became quiet after the voice spoke. And just like before we started hearing screams of terror I just know that it's the sea serpents again, and I think we'll be safe for a while before the water reaches high enough for the sea serpents to come after us.

"Ahhhhh!!" someone screamed.

"Mama! Kuya Leander, help mama please." Kale begged Leander.

"Ma'am we're outside with Kale, run outside!!" Chan yelled loud enough for Kale's mom to hear us. He sure is a loud one, nothing changes even after years.

"Mama! Mama, I'm here! Over here!" Kale waved and Leander picked him up so that he can be clearly see by his mom.

"Oh God! Thank you! Thank you so much. I'm so glad you're safe." she said and hugged Kale tightly.

I though she really didn't care for Kale like those in the telenovelas, but I guess those only happen in television and not in real life.

She looked really tired, like the representation of fatigue, I'm not saying this as an insult but as a compliment, she probably works like a Buffalo to give Kale a comfortable life.

"Ado! Help me!" We were shocked when Athena screamed. The water reached the top of the stairs to the platform we're in, one of the sea serpents was able to bite Athena in the ankles and lift her up.

"Athena!" Adonis yelled and threw his backpack on the floor and grabbed Athena's hands.

"Adonis, don't pull her! It's biting her ankle, just make sure it doesn't swallow her!" Chan shouted

"Well, what am I supposed to do!? This thing will swallow her whole, forget about a missing ankle!" Adonis yelled back and pulled Athena.

"Ouch, ouch! Adonis it really hurts when you pull me!" Athena yelled with tears on her eyes.

"Fine! Just don't let go! Now, what are we supposed to do!?" Adonis yelled with frustration and looked back at us.

Kale was in his mom's arms, Chan and Leander are looking for something to help Athena while I have Chloe, Kale and his mom behind my back.

"There's nothing to use on this thing!"

"Ouch!! Please, can you look faster? I can't feel my feet anymore!!" Athena is now crying, she's probably panicking from the pain and fear.

Suddenly, the moon shone as bright like never before, Chan's hands started to glow, followed by a shadow that covered the moon.

"Chan, what's in your hand!?" Leander asked, shocked. Chan is now wielding a long weapon with blades on both sides.

"What the hell is this!?" Chan exclaimed, shocked at what is in his hands.

"Just help her, please!!" Adonis yelled. He's now struggling to hold on to Athena.

I ran to him and grabbed him by the back to make him add more weight. Chloe, Kale's mom and Kale soon followed suit.

Chan ran and slashed at the sea serpent's neck. He successfully decapitated it, but it's mouth did not let go of Athena.

Adonis caught Athena, who's now fainted from the pain.

"It's still biting down on her." Leander said, and Chan tried to pry its mouth open.

"Kale, anak, stay right here okay, behind kuya." Kale's mom said and went back into the rest room.

She came out with a bucket of water and her bag. I quickly stood up and helped her with the bucket.

"There, it's good!" Chan said when they finally succeeded in opening its mouth.

"Here, water to clean her wound, it might get infected because of the monster's saliva, here's also some cloth." She said and took out some cloth out of the bag, probably some lampin for Kale. She really does love Kale so much. I was totally wrong about her the first time.

Chloe started to clean Athena's wounds with water and cloth. She was pressing on it gently to stop the bleeding, then I can see from the platform some plants started to glow, and something grew right out of the concrete floors, a plant.

"What's that?" Adonis asked.

Chloe's eyes shone bright.

"It's a medicinal plant, though it's not native to our world, it has properties that can disinfect wound and help blood clotting of the opened wound faster." she said.

"So, it doesn't exist in our world, like on Earth?" I asked.

"Yeah, I've never seen it in any book I've read before." Chloe answered and picked the leaves, she continued to the crush it in her hands and wrap it around Athena's ankle.

"It's getting dangerous here, we should move away from the platform." I said, the splashing sound from the stairwell filled with water started getting closer.

"Yes, I think we should." Leander said and picked up Kale's mom's bag. Before leaving, we also took some water from the restroom, just in case some of us get thirsty on the way.

[ You shouldn't accept your fate, Buwan. ]

[ The Gods are looking forward to your decision. ]

What are they looking forward too?

*Ping*

[ Players, the penalty is still not done yet, so be aware and vigilant.

While the non-players are getting the penalty.

Registered players should make a party, it can consist any number of people.

Make your decision. ]

A party, huh? Well... I looked around them. I think we would all be good in a party, just need to get used to working with each other.

"Uhm, are we all players? I only got a blue screen welcoming players." Chloe said.

"Yeah, I think we all are. Do you guys want to be in a party together?" Leander asked.

"Sure, that'd be fine." Chad said, and I also agreed.

We took a short stop in the middle of the tracks. The Bakunawa is still there, just stretching towards the moon. It doesn't appear to want to attack me.

I opened my phone and saw a list I'm very familiar with, like back in high school, for those impromptu plays we always did.

[ Players, create your party with your desired party members;

Party Name: _______________

Leader: ________

Members__________

Note: Non-players can be a member. However, they will be continuously hunted down by monsters, so choose wisely.

You are also free to name your party any name as long as other parties don't have it as their name. You can also change this later on, if desired. It costs a little butil in exchange. ]

"So, who wants to be the leader?" Adonis started.

"I can't I'm too indecisive." Leander refused, he really hates the idea of being the leader huh?

"I also can't, do you want some arrogant and rude dude to be your leader?" Adonis followed.

"I never experienced to be the leader, I'm more of a proactive follower." Chan said, which is true for his personality.

"I used to be the leader in group activities back in school, but I hated it so, I don't want to be the leader." Chloe said shyly.

Adonis then winced and gave her the peace sign. Ah, I see. They force her to be the leader 'cause she's smart.

"I'm too young, hihi. I can only be the leader when it comes to Pup Rescues." Kale said, I looked at his mom.

"Pup Rescues, his favorite show." she said. Kale's such a cute kid.

"So, it's only you dude." Chan said and patted my shoulders.

"Fine. I'll be the leader."

The typed on their phone except for Kale's mom. I wonder why?

[ Players, create your party with your desired party members;

Party Name: _______________

Leader: Buwan Dela Cruz

Members__________

Note: Non-players can be a member. However, they will be continuously hunted down by monsters, so choose wisely.

You are also free to name your party any name as long as other parties don't have it as their name. You can also change this later on, if desired. It costs a little butil in exchange. ]

My screen now changed.

"Pft."

"I dare you to let that laugh out, I'll smack you in the head, Ado." I said half jokingly.

"Sorry, your name's just really funny." He said.

"Uh, 'Wan I can't type anything, anymore." Chan said.

I looked back at the screen.

[ Leader, create your party with your desired party members;

Party Name: _______________

Leader: Buwan Dela Cruz

Members__________

Note: Non-players can be a member. However, they will be continuously hunted down by monsters, so choose wisely.

You are also free to name your party any name as long as other parties don't have it as their name. You can also change this later on, if desired. It costs a little butil in exchange.

You now have the power who to take and who to leave behind. ]

"This is just messed up." I said.

"What's wrong?" Leander said and took a peek at my screen and the rest followed suit.

They all went silent, I looked up at them and they look terrified.

"Don't worry I'll take all of you." I said and smiled. I can see the look of relief in their faces.

I started typing out their names, and it appeared like how you tag or mention friends on social media sites. It's like we already have our own profile.

"Uh, Ma'am, what's your name?" I asked.

"Melinda." Kale's mom said with a nervous smile. Maybe she's just scared for her child or something like that.

I typed her name and went silent.

[ Leader, create your party with your desired party members;

Party Name: _______________

Leader: Buwan Dela Cruz

Members: Chan Villafuerte

Leander Santos

Athena Tan

Adonis Echevarria

Chloe Agas

Kale Garcia

Melinda Garcia

WARNING: Melinda Garcia, is a non-player. She will be hunted by the monsters and won't stop unless she's dead.

Take the Risk?

Yes No

Note: Non-players can be a member. However, they will be continuously hunted down by monsters, so choose wisely.

You are also free to name your party any name as long as other parties don't have it as their name. You can also change this later on, if desired. It costs a little butil in exchange.

You now have the power who to take and who to leave behind. ]

I looked at her and smiled. I pressed yes. For Kale, she also isn't a bad person at all.

[ The Gods are pleased with your decision. ]

[ The God of Glutton is looking at you with a dissatisfied face. ]

What did he want me to do then? Susmaryosep.

"Okay, we're all members now. What do we name our party?" Leander asked.

"Hmm, Dilaw na Buwan?" Adonis said jokingly.

They all held in a laughter except for Kale.

"Hahahaha, that's a cute name, I like it!!" he said while giggling.

"But Kuya doesn't like it, is it okay I think of another name?" I asked and he nodded

"We're not going to name our party Dilaw na Buwan." I said and looked at Adonis, "Hmmm, how about Bakunawa. Since it's infront of us." I suggested.

"The name's cool, but isn't is too intimidating? Like, I feel people wouldn't want to join or mess with us if that's our party name." Leander said.

"That's great, I mean. There's no way you're planning on taking more party members right? We don't know maybe they're non-players that miraculously survived or people with bad intentions." Adonis shrugged.

"The kid has a point. However, we should also take in to consideration that there might be a party that would have a bigger number of member and would want power for themselves in these times. If ever we come across them, we might fall victim to them." Chan chirped in.

"Hmm, I think that won't happen. At least for now, since probably a lot of the people who survived or are players are still trying to figure out what in world is happening, so let's just focus on recovering and figuring out or getting used to our powers since Athena's badly injured we can't travel a lot for now, maybe we can focus on just observing the monsters and gathering useful resources first, like food and water." Chloe suggested.

"All of you have great points, we'll take shelter for now and wait for Athena to heal, observe and gather resources and then in the near future, we'll accept few new members to grow our party so that we won't get targeted by bigger parties with larger number of people, while being careful on who to accept in our party. There's also an option for us to hide in a secluded area for the time being as we get used to the powers we will discover and just wait if there's anything we need to do." I said.

"Sure, that's going to be fine, as long as we're going to survive together." Adonis said.

I'll make sure we do. Don't worry. I looked at them typed out party name.

[ Leader, create your party with your desired party members;

Party Name: The Bakunawa

Leader: Buwan Dela Cruz

Members: Chan Villafuerte

Leander Santos

Athena Tan

Adonis Echevarria

Chloe Agas

Kale Garcia

Melinda Garcia

WARNING: Melinda Garcia, is a non-player. She will be hunted by the monsters and won't stop unless she's dead.

You chose to take the risk.

Note: Non-players can be a member. However, they will be continuously hunted down by monsters, so choose wisely.

You are also free to name your party any name as long as other parties don't have it as their name. You can also change this later on, if desired. It costs a little butil in exchange.

You now have the power who to take and who to leave behind. ]

"Okay, let's move and look for a possible shelter we can use." I said.

We started moving again and from a far we saw that even the next station is flooded with water, we were careful that sea serpents may appear out of the blue but all we saw were mangled bodies, the sea serpents didn't eat any of the non-players but just killed them or worse played with their already dead bodies.

I felt the tension among us rise. Athena is still on Adonis' back unconscious. I heard a silent gasp from behind me.

I saw Tita Melinda shaking. I walked up to her.

"Don't worry tita, I'll protect you. I'll also make sure that everything's a secret, okay? So, relax. You'll always be with Kale."

She smiled at me and said, "Thank you so much, Buwan. And if ever the monster do end up catching me, please make sure Kale doesn't see it and take good care of him, okay?"

"That won't happen tita, I promise." I said with a smile.

"Hey, what's with you two? I'm getting tired here, Athena's really heavy you know?" Adonis told us.

"Sorry, do you want to change? You assist Tita Melinda, I'll carry Athena." I said.

"Sure! Tita, I'll carry your bags and please hold on to me." He said and gave Athena to me.

"Buwan! I'll carry Athena." Chan yelled, and just like that I felt the same chill as my dreams when the Bakunawa awoke.

"RUN!!" I screamed.

The Bakunawa bent and peeked at us through the other side of the station.

"Buwan? Chan? Isa. Dalawa. PITO!" the voice of the Bakunawa said and started chasing after us.

It's after me and Chan! What? Why is it also after Chan!? It can't be!

"Just run ad fast as you can!!" I said and grabbed Chloe now that Chan is carrying Athena. Leander grabbed and carried Kale and Adonis ran with Tita Melinda.

We didn't look back, all we heard was water splashing and concrete crumbling.

It was smart enough to break the tracks in front of us and block out path. Now, where do we go?

Where!? It can't be! I can't die here, I won't die by the hands of this monster again.

[ Don't accept your faith, Buwan. Never. ]

[ The Goddess of the Moon is looking at you and Chan intently from nervousness ]

Is she watching me because my name literally means moon?

But why also Chan?

"Kale run to Tita Melinda!" Leander said and Kale ran as fast as he could.

I felt Chloe's hand tighten her hold on to me.

"Kuya, we're not going to die here right?" she asked with tears welling in her eyes.

As she said that, the Bakunawa started to dive right onto us.

No, it can't let this happen.

I can't die here!!

I can't let them die here!!

---------- END of CHAPTER 2 -------------

I'll leave it up to Batman - something that Filipinos say when they give up on thinking carefully before making a decision. The original phrase in Tagalog is "Bahala na si Batman." I don't know why Batman, but I do know that the word "bahala" or "Up to you"/"I'll leave it up to you" is a word originally from Sanskrit word Bathala or "God", so saying "Bahala na" is like saying "Jesus, take the wheel" and in this sense, this phrase can mean "Batman, take the wheel."

She's releasing grudge/some grudge - call of nature, number 2, I just wanted to write it this way, hihi.

Works like a buffalo - there's plenty of farmers in the Philippines, and if a field tractor is not available they use a water buffalo or as we call it in the Philippines, Carabao/ Kalabaw. It works the hardest in the fields, under the hot and bright sun, no complaints. Though I do feel bad for the buffalos, they became the Philippines' National Animal for it became the symbol or hard work. So people who works like a buffalo, works extremely hard.

Anak - literally means child/my child. For me, the English translations sounded off, so I used the Tagalog word instead. Adults use this endearment a lot for their children or even for kids who are not their own (might be neighbor's kids, their students, co-worker much younger than them, my teacher used to call of us anak or 'nak)

Lampin - swaddle cloth/diaper, but the lampin I grew up with is very versatile it could be use anyway you want, so I chose to also use the word lampin instead of diaper or swaddle cloth. It's very soft so it's perfect for baby's or toddler's sensitive skin. And even for young kids.

Butil - grain of rice (the unharvested version, palay in Tagalog). But in this story, I'll be using this as a currency.

Tita - aunt, can be biologically from mother's or father's side, or maybe an elder woman in general. In the Philippines, we call everyone tito or tita even if we're not blood related as a sign that we respect them.