Monsoon Maiden - Part One
1227 Words
"What are you doing here?" I asked, confused.
"Worry about yourself first." Apo said and pointed at my arm.
I did not notice that I was bleeding. I was too focused on the fight that I did not mind the pain. Baku rushed towards me and pulled out the medicine Anan prepared for me. After putting the panacea on, he gently wrapped my wound. I felt a stinging pain after that.
"Now, please answer my question." I said.
"I was on my to Amihan to visit an old friend." Apo said.
"I saw the village people in panic while I was on my here. So I hurried to go here." He continued.
"Anyway, thank you for saving me." I said.
Apo just looked at me and did not answer. I was annoyed by his attitude, a snob.
"Do you know what happened here at Amihan?" Baku asked.
"The people kept on saying that the Goddess was about to punish them with her wrath." Apo said.
"What could have happened for the Goddess to turn her back from the people?" I said.
Baku and Apo just looked at me. Both of them are also thinking about what happened.
"I guess we have no choice but to check Amihan ourselves." Apo said.
"He's correct, and the sinister pressure is going stronger!" Baku added.
We decided to continue our way in Amihan. Baku cast an enchantment to protect as from the thick foul air. As soon as we arrived, devastation welcomed us. A lot of villagers perished from the ongoing onslaught. Structures destroyed from the wrath of the Goddess. Maybe, what the people said was true. But something feels different. Why would the deity who loved people so much incur her rage at them?
As we are advancing towards the heart of Amihan, the pressure is getting heavier. The air is getting thinner. We need to figure out the real cause of this incident.
"Master, I can feel the spiritual energy coming from the temple. Not just one, but two. The second one is weakening." Baku said.
I looked in the temple and, I can feel that someone was calling for me. Someone was asking for help. The mark on my hand feels warm.
"We need to hurry, Baku." I said
"Yes, Master." He said.
We arrived at the temple in no time. The air is calm around it. It feels like we are inside the eye of the storm.
A man suddenly dashed towards our direction. The man is around his fifties. He was injured and weak.
"Please save my daughter!" The man said and kneeled in front of us.
We exchanged glances, confused by what the man said. I moved closer to the man and told him to stand up. The man stood up, crying.
"Please tell us what happened." I said.
"Please help my daughter. She is inside the temple and, the chief is absorbing her powers." The man said.
"What?" I said, confused.
The man told us that her daughter was the chosen Maiden for the Monsoon goddess. She showed the great potential that the village chief got envious of her. One day, her daughter told her that a strange mark appeared on her chest and can see the future. Every night she would have dreams about Amihan in ruins. She also dreamt of traveling with other people and looking for something.
Her daughter displayed a lot of admirable acts that made the village chief more jealous. The village head was hungry for power. The rumors regarding the maidens abused are true. Her daughter fought back and made the chief angry, locking her up in the temple.
The girl continued to have visions about being one of the successors of the deity. The village chief overhead the Maiden's situation and, he started a rumor that the Maiden was a witch and demanded the girl's execution.
The chief wanted what the Maiden possess, so he keeps it a secret. To properly execute his plan, he made the people believe that they need to sacrifice the girl. Everyone agreed on his scheme without knowing the real reason.
The chief tried to absorb the spiritual energy from his daughter but did not succeed. Instead of absorbing the power, he distorted the flow. The Maiden cannot control her powers, destroying Amihan.
After telling us what happened, the man kept on asking us to help her daughter.
"Please save my daughter, Ani." He said.
After hearing what the man said, I can feel the anger welling up in my heart. How can someone do such hideous things to his people? The hunger for power, it's scary.
"Baku, let's go and save her daughter." I said.
Baku nodded in agreement, and we decided to go to the temple. Apo followed us.
"May the Goddess Anitun Tabu protect you." The older adult said.
-
The stench of blood filled my nose as soon as we entered the vicinity. A lot of soldiers were lying on the floor, lifeless. I feel nauseated by the sight of dead bodies.
"Master, are you okay?" Baku asked.
I nodded and signaled the two to move forward. The ominous aura is getting stronger. When we arrived at the great hall, monsters started appearing out of nowhere. They were the same type of creatures that we encountered outside Amihan.
"How did they reach this area?" Apo said.
"Someone must have summoned them. Only those who sold themselves on the Evil Lord can do such things." Baku said.
"The village chief!" I exclaimed.
A sinister laugh echoed on the great hall. A man appeared from the shadows.
"What do we have here. Some random people are showing up—the Village chief said.
The man slowly walked in front of us, revealing his features. Half of his body was decaying already. He was holding a staff decorated with bones.
"Let the Maiden go!" I shouted.
"And why would I do that? Who are you?" The chief said and laughed.
"The one who will stop you!" I said.
"Oh, righteous people." The chief said, laughing menacingly.
All of a sudden, I heard a voice in my thoughts.
"Please save Amihan." The voice said.
I looked around to check where the voice from and saw the Maiden up mid-air. She was bound in chains.
A faint green light was shining from her chest. I felt that the mark on my arm was resonating with her. The symbol on my arm started to glow.
Master, what's happening? Baku asked.
I pointed my fingers towards the Maiden. Baku and Apo looked in that direction.
"The Monsoon Goddess successor." I said.
"Baku, we need to save her. I can feel her life force fading." I said.
"Yes, master!" Baku said.
"Oh, marvelous! Two descendants in one place. I think I hit the jackpot." The Village chief said.
"Just go with me, and I'll let your friends go." he added.
"Master, please don't listen to him." Baku said.
"Why would I do that?" I said.
Apo looked at me and laughed.
"Crazy kid." Apo said.
I pulled out my dagger and prepared myself. Baku and Apo did the same.
"I see that's your answer. I have no choice but to kill all of you." The village head said.
He raised his arms and chanted a spell summoning a horde of monsters. They surrounded us.
Prepare to die!
- Writer
