The Moon Symphony

Ingo

Apo's POV

I was brought back to the surface by the gust that Ayari summoned. Once I was out, the portal closed, and nothing remained.

"Ayari!" I shouted.

The others rushed towards where I was, confused. I can feel my knees weakening because of what happened. I knelt on the ground and punched the earthen soil.

"What happened? And where is Ayari?" Baku asked.

"I don't know," I answered Baku.

"What do you mean that you don't know, Big Brother Apo?" Ester asked.

I can feel that they are getting a grasp of the situation. I can see the worried faces of Ayari's siblings. Ani was also looking at me, wanting to squeeze out the answer from me.

"Calm down, Apo," Ani said.

"Please, tell us what happened," Anan said and patted my shoulders.

I can feel that his hands were trembling, but he was trying to hide his emotions. I looked at them and bowed my head.

"Ayari was trapped in the underworld. I said," my voice shaking.

"What?" Ani said, shocked.

"Can you tell us what really happened in the underworld?" Makisig said.

I told them everything that happened during the ritual. I began with the enemy Bansot as I pointed to the one enclosed in the ice near us. I said to them that this is only one of his body, and the enemy followed Ayari in the underworld. I also told them that we defeated the herald, but in return, Ayari was swallowed by a black hole created from the remains of the enemy. We both don't know that it will happen, nor even death. The enemy still has tricks on his sleeves. I told them that Ayari also decided to save me instead of going back. He chose to be left in the underworld.

After telling them what happened, I saw that Ester was already crying, and Ani comforted her.

"We should not have allowed big brother to venture into the underworld alone," Anan said.

"I'm sorry, guys, but I guess this is my fault. I believe that our move was premature despite our preparations." Baku said, lowering his head.

"Don't take all the blame, even we have accompanied him in the underworld, you know how big brother was too kind and selfless. That's what, in the first place, he asked us to trust him, right? What we need to do right now is to find a way on how we can save my brother." Ester said, wiping her tears.

I was surprised by what she said, especially after the news. She regained her composure. She is really like Ayari.

"I still want to say sorry, and I know I can do something, but instead, I kept Ayari making the decision."

"It's okay, Apo. Don't blame yourself. Besides, Ayari is still alive, I can still feel his faint spiritual pressure, and we don't know where he is precisely now. Let's plan everything first. To think that the enemy was able to infiltrate us here, it's not a good sign." Makisig said.

Anan walked towards me and helped me to get up.

"Let's go back for now and take some rest. I know big brother is doing things to get back to us soon. Let's put our trust in him." Anan said.

"Still, I'm sorry," I said and bowed.

There are still things that keep on bothering me, and I want to tell them. If I do so, I might put them in grave danger, so I'll try my best to keep this for now, for myself.

------

Flashes of memories flooded my head now. After what happened after the black hole, I don't know what happened. I can't feel my body. It is as if I am back at square one, floating into nothingness.

I saw, when I first arrived here, the encounters that I had. Everything that happened so far in my journey here in Orient Seas as Ayari. During this stay here, I found the happiness that I never felt when I was Peter. The trip that I had, the new things that I found, and even the most minor meetings were special. Well, not to add the evil forces, of course. Is this really the end for me?

Then I saw someone going near me, and I cannot identify the person's face clearly. As he got closer, he was wearing the same clothes like mine, the same physique.

"Hello, Peter. Finally, I was able to meet you." The man said.

"When he got close to me, It felt like I was looking at myself in the mirror. Is he the person that I was looking for a long time ago?"

"Thank you for taking care of my family here. Oh, and sorry I forgot to introduce myself, I am you. I mean, I am the Ayari of this Orient Seas." The man said.

My guess was correct. From his features, I can already tell that he is the real Ayari.

"I'm sorry I took over your body," I said.

The real Ayari began to laugh because of what I said. What's funny about what I said?

"I'm sorry, I was just amused by your actions." He answered.

"It's okay. I also find it a bit weird, like I was looking at myself in the mirror. So, I'm dead again, right?"

"Silly, you are not. You just lost consciousness, and that's all."

"So, why am I seeing you right now?" I said.

"You are really funny, Peter. I know from the beginning that you were looking for me, about my soul's whereabouts. And to tell you, I was with you the whole time. I am inside you."

"What? I had many things in mind if what really happened to you, and now you are within me all this time."

"Yes, that's right, Peter. If you can remember correctly, you don't know physical combat, right?" The soul of Ayari said.

"So you are the one behind that," I said.

"That's right, and I know everything that has happened so far." He said, laughing.

"You mean you saw everything? Oh my goodness, this is so embarrassing." I said and covered my face.

"I can hear Ayari laughing in the background."

"It's okay, Peter. You are me now, so what happened in the past, you were the one who decided, and I am good with that. Plus, I hope the best for you and that guy." Ayari said and chuckled.

"No, we don't have that kind of thing," I answered.

"Of all people, you are going to hide your emotions from me when I can see everything from here." He answered.

"Okay, fine. I want to say thank you for letting me use your body to continue my life." I said and reached out for his hand.

"It's okay, Peter. I know what you have been through. I saw everything from your memories, and I completely fine with this. I already accepted the fact that I can't go back, so I only have one wish." The real Ayari said and held my hand tightly.

"Sure, I will listen."

"I want you to take care of my family, and please be happy with your life in Orient Seas, okay? Promise me that. One more thing, you have companions with you, don't take things on your own." He said.

"Okay, I will. Thank you so much, I promise." I said and hugged the soul of Ayari.

"Time's up, Peter. Live your life well, and don't let the evil forces do what they want." Ayari said.

I opened my eyes, and I was in some unknown place. I noticed something was in my hand, and when I checked, it was a blue orb. It began to glow, and the Night's fall appears mid-air. The ball floated and went to the handle of the saber. The two objects began to resonate, and powerful spiritual energy burst out from the blade.

Is this the missing part of the Night's Fall?

I forced myself to stand up, and I looked around. I was covered in wounds that had dried up already from that black hole Bansot created even after death.

Am I still in the underworld? But why do I feel I am in an old abandoned place of some sort.

I walked around to check, and I was right. I was inside an old house, and most parts of it were already torn apart.

How did I get here?

Then, I heard footsteps, and it was getting closer to me. I tried to look for a place to hide, but it was too late. The person grabbed my shoulder, stopping my movements. I did not bother to check if who that person was, and I tried to calm down.

"Are you feeling better now?" The person behind me asked.

I don't know if I should answer him or not.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Ingo and found you near the sea when I was picking up some food." The man said.

I looked around to check the person behind me. I guess he is not an enemy since he is not giving off a sinister intent. But I find it weird. How did I get out of the underworld? The last thing I can remember was being sucked up in that black hole, and what happened next?

"I'm sorry, I was just a bit skeptical because I can't exactly remember what happened before going here," I said and bowed my head.

"Oh, please raise your head. It's embarrassing. I just came across you, and I was worried if you would survive since you are really hurt. That's why I carried you here at my place." Ingo said.

"Thank you so much, Ingo, for saving me. I am grateful for what you did. I will make sure to pay you in the future." I said.

"No worries," Ingo said.

I looked at him to check if he is not an enemy, but instead, I focused suddenly on his features. His skin was white as the snow, and his eyes were the color of the summer sea. His hair was deep black, making his eyes stood out from the contrast of his skin and hair. He looked good, and I felt a bit insecure.

People are sure lucky to be born like this, and having a good attitude is a plus. That's what I can say about Ingo.

"Is it okay if I ask for your name?" Ingo asked and picked up the basin he was carrying.

"I'm sorry, I'm Pe- I mean, I am Ayari," I said.

After that talk with the soul of Ayari, I almost forgot that I was back in his body.

"Nice to meet Ayari. By the way, I am not finished cleaning up your body and tending your wounds. If it's okay, I will help you clean them. Oh, and your clothes, I washed them."

"My clothes? You washed them?" I said and looked down.

I suddenly felt the rush of embarrassment all over my body. I can feel my ears hearing up because of the situation. I instantly covered the thing down there with my hand. I looked at Ingo, and he just smiled at me.

Ingo told me to go back to my room to get some clean wardrobe from his things. I did what he told me to do while he carried the basin to the room. While I was waiting in the room, I noticed that the house was different from the style that we have from Bulan.

The design was a bit on the modern side, even if it was worn down already. There was an antique feeling to the place, and the smell of the wood was what caught my attention. It's the same scent that I always remember when we usually visit our grandparent's province in the real world.

Feels nostalgic.

Ingo went back to the room and gave me the clean set of clothes. He offered that he assist me in washing my back, but I said it's okay, and I'll do it myself.

I was feeling sore because of the injuries that I got from the last battle. Did Apo make it back on the surface safely?

When I tried to reach for my back, I suddenly felt the stinging pain from my injuries. I whimpered in pain.

"Please, Ayari. Let me help you." Ingo said.

"Uhm, okay. I said and gave him the wet cloth."

I should have agreed with what he said earlier.