The Moon Symphony

Lawod

The man did not answer my question. Instead, he started to escape and laughed at me menacingly. 

I tried to follow him, but his movements were too fast. Luckily, I was able to cast my Ice magic and rooted him in place.

"Answer my question, who are you? And what are you plotting again this time?"

"I don't need to answer your questions, Chosen of the Moon. If I were you, I would be checking on my comrades."

I made sure that he won't escape again, so I froze him in place. I hurriedly went to where my siblings were, and luckily I made it on time. I cast my spell and blew the monsters away. They were all unconscious. 

I rushed to where my siblings were and checked on them. I tried to wake them up, and after a minute, they regained consciousness. Anan woke up first.

"Hey Anan, Are you okay? How are you feeling?" I asked while rubbing his back to comfort him. 

"Yes, I am fine. How about the others?" He asked. 

"They are still unconscious. Can you do me a favor, Anan?" I said. 

"What is it, big brother?"

"I'll ward off the remaining monsters and continue the ritual alone. Go ahead and check on Ester and the others. Then after that, check on the mastermind east from this swamp. I rooted him in place so that he cannot escape. Held him captive, but be careful as he is also a quick-witted enemy. I'll be back as soon as I finish the ritual."

"But, can you just wait for us? It is dangerous to wander off in the underworld." Anan said worriedly. 

"Trust me, okay? I'll come back in one piece. Just make sure the portal is open. Ask Makisig and Baku if there is a way to extend the duration of the portal." I said and patted his head. 

"Okay, if you say so, big brother. Please take care of yourself."

"I will," I said and helped him to stand up. 

Anan started to go to our comrades and heal them while I rushed towards the other monsters roaming around. I closed my eyes and tried to summon the Galeforce like the last time, and I succeeded again. 

I aimed at the sky and gathered my spiritual pressure on the bow. A massive magic circle appeared, and a strong gust of wind started to blow. 

Please, work again as the last time. 

"Winds of the four corners of the orient seas, come to my aide. 

Shatter thy enemies, blow them with your rage and might. 

Grant thy wish, make my energy with you as one."

Storm Strike!

A barrage of arrows started raining down on the enemies, and one by one, their numbers decreased. The attack lasted for a minute until all traces of the remaining enemies were erased. 

Using the other relics takes a toll on my body, as it consumes a large amount of spiritual energy. I hurried back to where Anan was, and everyone was awake already. They were waiting for me. 

"Hey, Yari! Anan told me about your plan, and it's dangerous. Let me accompany you." Apo said. 

"Thanks, but I need you to stay here. Please protect everyone while I am in the underworld. We don't know if the enemies will make another surprise attack like this because we were too confident that they cannot do what they did the last time." I said. 

"But--

"No buts, Apo. Please listen to me, okay?" I said. 

"Okay. You win this time, Yari. Make sure you are safe. We will wait for you, okay?"

"Okay, I'll be back in a jiffy," I said and smiled at him. 

I was about to go back to the portal, but Apo pulled me close to him and hugged me tightly. My heart was about to explode again by his sudden actions. I can feel that he is worried about my safety. I was taken aback by what he did next. Apo kissed my forehead and ruffled my hair. 

He let go of me and smiled, mouthing the words. 

"Be safe!"

I can hear Ani squealing in the background. How can she still do that in this situation. I can't help myself but laughed softly and pointed at her. Ani just gave me a wide smile. 

"Thank you," I said and hurried to the portal. 

I jumped back on the boat, and I can feel the souls were starting to get restless. I need to hurry. 

I infused my spiritual energy on the wooden staff, and the boat started descending again. I can see the portal getting smaller in size, but I trust the others that they will look for a way to keep the portal going. 

The boat continues going down until I can't see the surface. I guess we successfully descended on the path to the underworld. 

The place was like the realm of Mayari, but the area gave off a different vibe. It was silent, and I can't hear anything but the boat moving on the water. The whole place gave off an eerie feeling as if a lot of eyes were watching me. The atmosphere, too, was cold and unpleasant. 

I can feel different emotions from this place—agony, pain, loneliness. I remembered what this place was called from what Makisig said. This place was called Lawod, or the place where the souls meet their end. 

I continued infusing my spiritual energy on the staff as it emitted light that serves as our vision. I looked around, but there was nothing to see. It feels everything has no life. 

I tried to recall what Makisig told me on how I can know if I am getting on the river's end. I will see a massive tree in the middle of the waters, splitting the water path into two. I need to stop beside the tree, and that's where I will perform the Judgement on the souls. There will be a platform, and on the tree, there is a keyhole, and I need to place the key that I am wearing. That will activate the Soul's Judgement. 

I reached for the key on my neck, but I can't feel anything. I checked again, but it was not there. Where did it go? I started to panic and tried to remember where I placed the key. I checked on the dimensional storage, but it was not there. 

Where is it?

Then I started to feel the ominous aura that I had on the surface. It's the same as the man I fought earlier, and when I looked behind, I was shocked. It was him! 

"Looking for this?" The man said and laughed, mocking me. 

Crap, I was careless and did not notice. 

"How did you escape? I made sure that you cannot move." I said. 

"You seem to have underestimated me, Chosen of the Moon!" He answered. 

"Give me back the key!" I shouted. 

"And why would I do that. I will kill you here, and me, the Mighty Bansot, will get a promotion!" He said and gave another shrill laugh. 

Crap! I need to get the key back.