The Moon Symphony

Makiling and Cordilleras

"What? Are you serious? I exclaimed. 

"Yes, that's right. I can barely see you."

"But how can you tell if where I am?" 

"By spiritual energy, of course, and you don't have to worry. I did not see anything down there when I was tending your wounds." Ingo chuckled. 

He was teasing me. 

"So, can you tell me more about the monster at the Cordilleras?"

 I said. 

"Sure, but let's go back to our place first. My sister can tell you more than I can." Ingo answered. 

"Okay, if you say so," I said. 

We decided to go back to Ingo's place. He told me to wait first before we go to her sister. Ingo said that he would pick up something from their storage, so I was left alone near the door of her sister's room. 

I wonder how the others are doing now. Judging them, I know that they are finding ways to look for me. The only problem is I can't feel their spiritual energy from here. Something was blocking my senses, or is it because I was too far away from them? 

Ingo went back and was carrying a tray with a teapot and some tea leaves. He asked me to take the tray, which I did, and while he knocked on the door. 

"Come in." The woman behind the door spoke. 

Her voice was really soothing and pleasant to the ears. Ingo opened the door and went close to her sister. She then whispered in her ears about something, which I did not bother to know. 

The woman looked at me and smiled. 

"Nice to meet you. I am Makiling, Ingo's sister." The woman said and smiled. 

I can't help to smile. Just by Makiling's voice, it was so captivating. I noticed that the two were looking at me, and I can see that Ingo was holding his laughter. Does it have to do with my facial expression? I don't know, but I really can't help myself every time Makiling speaks. 

"Uhm, nice to meet you too. I am Ayari, and I am from Bulan." I said and bowed my head as a greeting. 

Makiling smiled at me and told me to come closer, which I did. When I was near her, she reached for my hand and held it. I was surprised by what she did. 

Makiling closed her eyes, and I suddenly felt a flow of spiritual energy. 

"So it's true. You are one of the chosen successors and the chosen of the moon." Makiling said. 

"How did you know?" I asked. 

"Earlier, I felt your presence when you entered my room. Your mark reacted with my song." Makiling explained. 

"I see. Anyway, thank you for letting me in here and, of course, your brother from saving me from the brink of death." I said and bowed my head. 

"Oh my, chosen of the moon. You don't have to do that. We are thankful enough to have such a person like you in our place." Makiling said. 

"No, I'm just an average person, so please, don't be too formal with me," I said. 

Ingo pulled up two chairs and placed them near Makiling. Makiling offered me the seat, and without hesitation, I sat down. Ingo started preparing the tea. The smell was pleasant, and I think I know this one. It's chamomile tea. I was surprised that they even have this kind of tea here.

"So, Ayari. Can you tell me what happened to you and how come did you got here? What about the other successors?" Makiling asked. 

I started telling her about the incident with Bansot and the purification ritual. I said to her that I was warped here by the black hole that appeared when Bansot died. I also told her that we are still looking for the other successors, and only three of us were together. I told her that we are still looking for the sun-born successor and also the dawn successor. I said to her that we are on the way to Adlaw before this incident happened. 

"I see," Makiling said while nodding her head. 

 "We are still looking for clues on how to find the Village of the Morning and to check Adlaw for other successors," I said. 

"I see. I know it can be a hassle when it comes to the tribe of Adlaw. Even we are far from the mainland, we heard a lot of rumors about their tribe, and it was true after all." Makiling said.

Ingo was done making the tea and gave us cups. I drank the contents, and it was refreshing. I never tasted such a good tea like this before. 

"I'm glad that you liked it," Ingo said. 

"Yes, it's delicious. Thank you, Ingo," I said and smiled at him. 

"How about the relics of the deities? Do you have them already?" Makiling asked. 

"Yes, we already acquired three of them. But the Star Shatterer is incomplete. The enemy got the other half." I said. 

Makiling and Ingo were shocked by what I said. 

"Don't worry, the other half that the enemy stole is not helpful," I said.

"That's good to hear then. I feel relieved. I know how powerful that weapon was, and I am afraid it falls into the wrong hands. Disaster shall occur at the Orient Seas."

"Yes, the Dragons also warned us about that," I said. 

"Dragons, you say? So have you met the Fae Dragon?" Makiling asked. 

"Yes, I did."

To tell you, I know Saldang personally. We fought one time together, and she is one of my good friends." 

"Really, wow. That's good to hear. I'm glad that I was able to meet you too." I said and smiled at her again. 

"To tell you, I am one of the maidens here at Pinatubo when everything was normal here. I was nominated because of my abilities twenty years ago. And it was also the time that the monster from Cordilleras attacked our home."

"Is it okay if you can tell me more about the monster that you are referring to? I'm sorry, but Ingo told me that defeating that creature can help me go back faster to the mainland." I said and bowed my head. 

"Of course, as long as I can help you, chosen of the moon. To tell you honestly, I was one of the reasons why this place got attacked by the forces of evil, because of my powers. I know you might have noticed, but my voice was pleasant to your ears, right?"

"That's right, especially when I heard you sing." 

"I see. I am an invoker, and my ability is related to my voice. I can do things at my command, control other people's minds, and call upon creatures that I want." Makiling explained. 

"So have you tried using your powers at the creature from the cordilleras?" I asked.

"Unfortunately, no. He already submitted himself to the forces of evil. That's why my voice can't reach its heart. Also, the enemies were threatened by my powers. That's why they attacked our village, leaving us two behind as the survivor."

"I see. The more I hear about the Heralds of Darkness, the more I want to get power to end their evil doings," I said while clenching my teeth." 

"Thank you, Ayari. I hope you will succeed in your plans. But for you to do that, of course, about the monster of the Cordillera. That creature was once a guardian of that mountains but got controlled by the enemies."

Makiling said that the creature was once a peaceful being, guarding the mountains of Cordillera. But due to an unfortunate incident, the guardian got mad at the people living around her. They abused what nature gave them, taking things that should be left alone. Little by little, the creature's heart grew far away from the people, causing a rift between them. 

Due to its anger, the forces of evil took advantage of it caught the guardian, turning her into a ruthless monster. Many living things perished under her wrath. No one can face the anger of the guardian, so the citizens flee from fear. 

The news spread about the maiden with an invoker ability, which caught the enemy's attention. They tried to manipulate her, but the people of Pinatubo protected her from the enemies, resulting in the village's destruction. 

After that incident, no one dared to go back to the island, making the place not livable. As an oath of the ones that survived, Makiling decided to stay on the island. 

"I tried to fight the Lobo at the mountains, but it was no use. It only resulted in losing one of my limbs."

Makiling lifted her skirt, and I saw that one of her legs was amputated. I was shocked by what I saw. 

When I looked at her, she just smiled at me as if she was telling me that it was okay.