The Moon Symphony

Winter Wind

The pressure around me was getting intense. The moonlight energy is reacting with my emotions, as it was enraged too.

"Don't feed yourself with anger, Ayari. Calm down." Apo said.

I just looked at him, but the outburst of emotion was too intense because of the inside's rage.

"Don't worry, Apo. I'll end this once and for all. Not only for you but also the people who perished under her hands."

I slowly moved forward towards Batibat.

"What did you do, boy?" I can't move! She shouted in fear.

Because of the intense force radiating around me, Batibat was overwhelmed, causing her not to move. She tried summoning sigbin, but they just dissolved in the thin air one after another.

I closed my eyes and used the dimension magic that Baku taught me to summon the Night's Fall. Instead, a different weapon appeared.

Galeforce?

The mark on my hand was reacting to Galeforce. Instead of giving of the luminous green light, it was pure silver. I grabbed the weapon, and the energy surged towards me even more.

Okay, there's nothing wrong if I use Anitun Tabu's relic. Here it goes.

Eyes of mine, see bright and clear,

With moonlight shall vanish fear,

Whisper of air, show thy power.

Ravage oh winds of light.

Winter Wind!

Moonlight energy concentrated around my hands and formed an arrow. I aimed at the sky as the power continued to accumulate.

"Please, forgive me!" Batibat shouted in fear.

"What you did was unforgivable; now, you must pay your sins with your life."

I released the energy, and moondust rained down on Batibat. She screamed in pain as the light shards continued to bombard her.

"The King will avenge me. Just wait, Chosen of the moon!"

After that, she disintegrated into thin air, leaving no trace. I ran towards Apo, checking on his condition. It was getting worse. I need to get back to the village fast. How will I do that? I can't blink or teleport.

"I'm so sorry, Apo, you got caught in this mess again," I said and carried him on my back.

"Help!" I shouted as loud as I can.

Apo's lifeforce was slowly fading away. His pulse was getting weaker. I tried to run as fast as I can.

"Big brother!" I heard someone calling me, and it was Anan.

He hurried toward me to check on us.

"Please tell me what happened."

"He was bitten by the sigbin." I said, trembling.

"Put him down here, and I'll check the wound," Anan instructed.

I put Apo down, and Anan started checking on his injuries. He pulled out a water bottle from his waist and poured the contents into Apo's wounds. Apo groaned in pain because of the liquid. Anan wrapped the wound with clean clothes.

"What did you do?" I asked.

"I poured water that I got from the Spring of Life," Anan answered.

Spring of life?

Apo should be fine now. The poison will start to subside, but we need to continue checking on him. You sneaked out again, Big Brother?

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Big brother, I understand, but next time. Please tell us your plans, okay? Remember that you already have companions with you."

We carried Apo back to Bulan. Ani and the others were waiting at the gate.

"Ayari, you sneaked out again, did you?" Ani asked.

"I'm sorry, guys. It would be best if you didn't get hurt; that's why I did not tell you."

"But look at what happened to Big Brother Apo. You were acting without thinking again, and I'm disappointed in you." Ester said, crying.

Ester was right. I moved again without thinking what will be the outcome of my actions.

Please don't be hard on Yari, and he was thinking of you guys. Apo said weakly.

I moved towards Apo and held his hands. I bowed my head and apologized to him.

"I am so sorry, Apo. You got hurt because of me, for the second time." I said, my tears welling up.

"It's okay, Yari. We defeated the enemy, and everyone is safe now." He said and held my hand tightly to comfort me.

"Okay, guys, that's enough. They both need rest, and we could talk things about tomorrow." Anan said.

Everyone went back to our house. I told Anan to bring Apo to my room and decided to look after him. Apo's condition was getting better, and his color was going back to normal.

I still feel bad after what happened. I know I disappointed all of my companions, especially my siblings. I held Apo's hand, and my tears started to fall.

"Don't cry, Yari," Apo said weakly.

"I'm sorry, Apo," I said.

"Shh, don't cry."

Apo let go of my hand. Instead, he reached for my face and wiped my tears. I looked at him, and Apo smiled at me, assuring me that everything is okay. I felt my worries were washed away by his smile.

I wiped my tears and picked up the wet towel to wipe his body. Apo still has a fever, and Anan instructed me to wipe Apo every time for his temperature to go back to normal.

After wiping him with the wet towel, I replaced his upper garments with clean ones. I placed the tub of water near the table in my room. I went back to his side to check on him, but I guess Apo has fallen to sleep.

I decided to go out, but Apo grabbed my arms and pulled me close to him. I felt my heartbeat getting faster, my face blushing.

What now, Apo?

"Please don't leave me, Yari," Apo said and pulled me even closer to him, placing my head on his chest.

I can hear his heartbeat and his breathing. I tried to get up, but Apo held me tightly and hugged me. My emotions are getting out of control.

"Hey, Apo. Please let me go," I said slowly.

Apo just groaned in response. It might be because of his fever. I had no choice but to stay like that until I fell asleep in his arms.

-

The next day, I heard a tray crashing on the floor. When I opened my eyes, it was Ani, and her expression was surprised. Ani screamed like crazy.

"Oh my goodness, I'm sorry for disturbing you guys!" Ani said, blushing.

Wait? What?

I looked around me, and to my surprise, Apo was still beside me and hugging me tightly.

"Wait, Ani! Let me explain. It's not like what you are thinking."

Ani ran out of the room and continued screaming like a crazy girl.

Oh my goodness. It's so embarrassing, of all people. Why Ani?

I tried to stand up, but Apo was holding me tightly.

"Hey, let me go, Apo. People might get the wrong idea about us." I said, still trying to stand up.

I heard Apo laughed, and he finally let go of me. I glared at him, but he continued laughing.

"Such a tease!" I said.

"Why didn't you like it?" Apo asked, laughing.

I can feel my face flushing because of the embarrassment.

"Like your ass!" I said, snapping at him.

"But you were hugging me so tightly last night," Apo said.

What?

I can't stand this anymore. I ran out of the room as fast as I can and met Anan in the hallway.

"Where are you going, big brother?"

I did not answer his question and went outside of the house as fast as possible to get some fresh air. I can still feel my heartbeat so quickly.

I'll come back to you, Apo. Just wait and see!

-

Palmora Grooves

"Batibat is useless after all!" The older man with the staff said.

"He got wiped out by a newbie. What a shame," the small man said.

"I should have gone out instead of her." The man wearing a hood said.

"Failure is not an option for us, and this is the second time we got defeated. The King will be furious at us." The man with the staff stomped his feet in anger.

"Make haste, my companions. We shall get all the relics and kill the successors." The man said.

We are running out of time.

-

"Are you still mad at me, Ester? I'm sorry."

"At first, I was so mad at you, but I understand your purpose. Big brother explained it to me as well as Father". Ester said.

"Thank you so much," I said and hugged Ester.

"Thank you for saving the people of Bulan."

"By the way, Father said that he wants to meet you, bring Big Brother Apo with you." She said.

"Okay, I will."

After talking with Ester, I met Apo in the hallway and told him that Father wants to speak with us. He agreed, and we went straight to the Chief's hall.

We were surprised when we arrived there. A lot of people were waiting for us. As soon as we entered, everyone clapped their hands and welcomed us. I saw Baku and Ani next to my father. Also, my siblings and mother. They were smiling widely.

I was confused about what's happening. I looked at Apo, but he had the same reaction as mine.

Father raised his hand, and everyone went silent.

"Please welcome the heroes of Bulan, my son Ayari and his companion, Apo."

Everyone clapped and cheered at us.

What's this?

"As a sign of gratitude by the Bulan people, they want to send thanks to the two of you."

Everyone continued cheering at us. We went straight to where Father was.

"I'm so proud of you, son!" Father said and patted my shoulders.

"Thank you too, young traveler, for saving my son. I don't know how we can repay you."

"It's okay, Father, I mean, Sir," Apo said and bowed his head.

I heard Ani and the rest giggling. Here she goes again.

Everyone decided to celebrate, but I asked Ani and Baku to go with me, also Ester.