The Moon Symphony

Monsoon Maiden - Part Two

The pressure was getting stronger.

I enchanted my dagger, adding light energy to it.

The monsters started to launch at us. Baku summoned Icicle spears to subdue the first wave of attacks. A lot of monsters perished by his move. The village head keeps on summoning hordes of monsters.

"Ayari, you should focus on saving the maiden." Apo said.

"We will create a diversion." Baku added.

Apo summoned a polearm and started to chant a spell.

"Oh, the brilliant vanguard of the sun, come forth and wreak havoc! Soul Ignition!"

Apo's weapon started to glow bright red. His spiritual energy rose fast.

Apo held his polearm tightly and aimed at the monsters. He started to swing his polearm and created loud vibrations. One by one, the enemies began to burn out of nowhere. Apo continued his stance and created a pathway towards where the maiden was.

I charged forward and stabbed the monsters with my swift movement. Their numbers were decreasing.

I looked around, but I can't find the village head. I felt an ominous aura behind me. The chief tried to backstab me, but I shifted my body, delivering a counterblow. He was surprised and flew backward.

I can feel the adrenaline rush. My body reacted fast because of the real Ayari's training, and I felt confident.

I dashed towards the chief and tried to land another blow. I threw a barrage of attacks, but the head was able to evade it. I moved back and gripped my dagger hard.

Wasting no time, I ignited my dagger and focused on the head. I pounced at him and directed my blade towards his chest.

"Futile!" He laughed.

The chief summoned a thick haze, knocking me backward.

I stood up and quickened my pace. I need to redirect the attention of the chief. I closed my eyes, following my instincts. Again, the ancient texts flowed in my thoughts.

"Dance of Silent Night!"

The waves of spiritual energy radiated in my body, and I charged towards the head, creating after images. I closed our distance and bombarded him with attacks. An outburst of light energy rained towards the enemy, making him lose his balance.

"Insolent fool!" He shouted angrily.

The chief summoned another haze and directed it towards me. The light that wrapped me countered the attack, negating it. I bounced towards the head, gathering all the pressure on my left fist.

Bam!

My punch landed, crushing him downwards.

"Now!" I shouted.

Apo jumped towards where the maiden was and slashed the chains binding her. The chains broke, and Apo caught the girl. He hurriedly went to where Baku was, who activated a barrier.

We successfully recovered the maiden. I looked at the two guys behind me and smiled.

"How dare you go against my plans." The village head said, angry.

He stood up, and his wounds started to heal. The head started cursing at us, and the pressure coming from him got denser. He raised and staff and started chanting.

I tried to stop him, but it was no use. I got knockback. Baku and Apo wanted to attack him, but the haze that surrounded him was too thick.

"Let's see if you can stay alive after this." The head said and laughed menacingly.

The head transformed into a monster, a dark vapor covering his lower body. His upper body was rotting like the monsters he summoned earlier. Horns grew on his head, and his eyes became black as the abyss.

"A herald of darkness!" Baku exclaimed.

"A what?" I said.

"Followers of the Evil lord. Get away from there, Ayari!" Apo shouted.

I switched my stance and started to run, but it was too late. Dark shadows rooted me in place, stopping my movements.

"These will be your graveyard! Goodbye, poor souls." The village chief said.

A large shockwave rocked the whole Amihan, destroying everything within the vicinity.

Why am I still alive?

I opened my eyes and saw Apo standing in front of us. Slowly, his body fell backward, like a doll with no strings. I looked up, and the barrier surrounding us started to crumble.

I rushed towards Apo and saw how badly he was hurt. Blood was gushing out from his wounds.

"Hey, Mister! Wake up." I said and held his hand.

I can still feel his lifeforce. He saved us from the explosion.

"Baku, help!" I shouted.

Baku rushed at us and looked at Apo's situation.

"These wounds are not good, Master!" Baku said.

I can hear the Village head laughing in the background. He kept on mocking us, saying that Apo's sacrifices were nothing. I can feel my rage rising. Then I heard a female voice from behind.

"I can help," she said, her voice weak.

I looked where the voice came from, and it was from the Maiden, Ani. She tried standing and moved towards us. She has not recovered yet from her injuries but still tried to move. I went to her and helped her walk.

"Listen to me, chosen by the moon." She said.

"I have no healing abilities, but I can transfer some of your life force to this man. Just a warning, there is no guarantee that he can survive." She continued.

Without hesitation, I agreed with her conditions. Baku disagreed, but I convinced him that this is the best that we can do.

"We need to hurry." Baku said.

The head was gathering his dark energy again and was getting ready to attack us.

Ani linked my hands with Apo's hand. She told me to close my eyes and prepare myself. Ani started her magic, and it feels like she was singing.

"Oh, Anitun Tabu. I ask thee. Link these souls and share their warmth—life bonds with life."

I can feel a tender warmth flowing within me.

I opened my eyes and saw that Apo's wounds are recovering. Time was reversing as his injuries disappearing one by one.

Ani stopped the flow of our life force. She smiled at me and said that everything was okay.

I pulled out Night's fall, and it started to resonate with my mark. The moon sigil appeared on my forehead.

I pointed my blade at the village head and shouted.

It's payback time!