The Moon Symphony

Jet-Black Dragon

"Okay, I'll listen," I said.

I can feel that something was bothering Apo, and he must be mustering his courage to tell me those things. I stood up and sat beside him, patting his shoulders.

"You can tell me anything you want, Apo, since you have so good to me all this time, this is what I can do for you. I'll lend my ears if you have something that troubles you, and let's figure out the answers with me, and of course, the others." I said and stroked his back, assuring him.

I considered Apo as one of the people I can trust, even though we have not known each other for too long. We have gone through some things together, and I can safely say that he is trustworthy. Even there are times that his attitude would change. He still had a mysterious aura in him, but that did not bother me because I consider him an important person ever since I arrived at Orient Seas. I had issues trusting other people in the world I came from because of the not-so-good experiences.

"Thank you so much, Yari," Apo said and looked at me.

We looked at each other in silence, and no one dared to talk. I cleared my throat to break the silence.

"It's okay if you can tell me, say it when you are ready," I said.

I stood up and left Apo in the room. I was surprised when someone was standing near the door, and it was Ani.

"You're eavesdropping again, Ani," I said.

Ani just laughed and ran away.

Suddenly, I heard a loud shrill tone, followed by the ringing of the bells. It's like an alarm. Everyone went out of their rooms and was confused about what's happening. I saw Baku and Saldang rushed out of their rooms too.

"What's happening?" I asked.

"Someone must have been trying to breach the barrier in Pine Lagoon. I'll go ahead and check first." Saldang said, worried.

She rushed out of her house and transformed into her dragon form. Unlike Baku, her appearance as a dragon was so majestic. The color of her scales was the same as her gown, the color of spring. Her scales gleamed with the sunlight. Her wing was the same as a butterfly, with the pattern of the rainbow. She flew upwards and checked the surroundings.

Then all of a sudden, another dragon appeared, the opposite of Saldang's appearance. It was jet black, and the aura was ominous.

"What's that?" I said.

"The shadow of the Millenium Tree, why is it here?" Baku said.

"The shadow of what?" Apo asked.

"I'll explain later, and I have to help Saldang!" Baku said.

Baku transformed into his dragon form and rushed to where Saldang was. The pressure was getting intense, and it's suffocating. It's because of the malicious aura that the enemy is giving off.

"Guys, we have to save the villagers here," I said.

We went down the house and rushed to people who are in a panic. I told them to follow the others and hide in the safe spot.

Baku and Saldang cast a barrier to protect the villagers of the Pine Lagoon. They had a hard time holding off the enemy. I can sense that it was so full of anger.

The two were having a hard time warding off the enemy dragon. I have to do something.

I focused my spiritual energy and aimed at the jet-black dragon. I was having a hard time aiming because it was scurrying.

Focus, Ayari! Go!

Moonlight Strike.

I successfully hit the wing of the enemy dragon, and it growled in pain. It senses my presence, and I felt its gaze was upon me. After a few seconds, it flew away.

Everyone cheered when the dragon flew away from the Pine Lagoon. Baku and Saldang went back to the ground.

"What was that creature?" I asked the two.

"Let's talk inside," Saldang said.

The two morphed back to their human form. Luckily the villagers gave them some clothes before transforming.

We followed the two guardians back inside the house.

"Who is that?" Anan asked the two.

"As I said earlier, that's the Shadow of the millennium tree. It was the former guardian of this place but succumbed in darkness." Baku said.

"He was one of us but chose to serve the Evil Lord because of his anger towards the living creatures, especially the Dalaketnons, Pine Lagoon's citizens," Saldang explained.

"During the war with the Evil Lord, we had to seal her away too, but since the seal is weakening, all of the creatures served the Evil Lord started to appear one by one. It has to do with those hooded people." Saldang added.

"Do you mean the hooded people who worship the Evil Lord?" Ester said.

"Yes, that's right. How did you know about these people?"

"When I was cultivating at the Moon Temple, I had encountered them on my way there. Also, Batibat, the one who attacked Bulan, was one of them." I said.

"The village head of Amihan got attacked by their underling, too," Ani added.

"It makes sense, and they are on the move now. We have to be cautious of our actions from now on. Mainly you, chosen of the deities." Saldang said.

"Okay, understood, but will you do now with the Shadow?" I asked.

"It is a matter here in Pine Lagoon, so I'll handle it. Just focus on finding Estrella. We should make haste in our actions, or it might be too late."

"But why does the Shadow mad at the citizens here."

"I'll tell you later, and I have some matters to attend to," Saldang said and left the house.

"What was that?" I asked and looked at Baku.

"Saldang is right, and we should hurry. The forces of the evil lord appear at an increased rate." Baku said.

"Baku, this matter with the Shadow is bothering me. I want to help them." I said.

"We can't leave them like this," Ester said.

"I saw the people in fear earlier, and I wanted to help them so much. It feels like it's the same situation with Amihan." Ani said.

Baku sighed and just looked at us. I hope he understands.

"Okay, we have to ask Saldang first, okay?" Baku said, scratching his head.

"Thank you, Baku."

-

Later that day, Saldang went back to us, carrying a small box with ancient texts carved in it.

"I'm sorry for making you wait and also for the incident earlier."

"It's okay, we understand," I said.

Saldang opened the box that she was carrying and took out its contents. It was a golden compass.

"This compass can help you locate the missing village of the stars. It originated from Estrella and can track the Star Agate inside the Star Temple."

Saldang handed out the compass to me.

"You can infuse some of your spiritual energy for it to work."

I followed her instructions, and the compass glowed. It was pointing south.

"Thank you, I said and looked at Saldang."

I can see her peeved expression. Maybe she is still thinking about what happened earlier. We decided to go back to our rooms to rest.

I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

"Please help me! I don't want my people to suffer."

Who's that? I looked around but saw nothing. Am I dreaming again? I heard the voice again. I moved forward and saw a man shackled in with chains.

Help! Please save my people.

Then scenes appeared in front of me. First, I saw a dragon that looked like Saldang, but the difference was the color of its scales. It was the color of autumn. Then another scene flashed, showing the Dalaketnons living happily with the dragon at that point. The last scene was disturbing that even it was a dream, it sent shivers down my spine. It was the same dragon, and a dark, ominous aura engulfed him. The dragon went on a rampage and attacked the villagers.

"Hey! Yari. Wake up!" Apo said, shaking me to awaken my senses.

I sat down as fast as I can, and I was gasping for air. I was sweating so hard.

"Are you okay?" Apo stood up and picked up a glass of water near the table.

"I am, thank you," I said and drank the water.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Apo asked.

I told Apo about the dream that I had. I said that I saw a man in chains and asking for help for his people. I also said to him that something ominous was surrounding the man.

"What could it be?" Apo said.

"I don't have any idea, but the aura I sensed was the same as the jet-black dragon," I said.

"Let's tell the others tomorrow. It would be best if you went back to sleep and have some rest." Apo said.

"Okay, Good night," I said and waved my hand.

"Good night, Yari," Apo said, smiling, and left the room.

After Apo left, I sat down near the window. I can't help myself but think of what I saw in my dreams. It's so disturbing, especially the aura I sensed. It wants to kill, to destroy.