Chapter 18
🛡️ "A Hero's Duty"
The chapter continues amidst the volatile situation unfolding during the Siklaon revolt in the town of Urdaneta, where all of Alfredo's plans ended in tragedy.
Because of General Slasher's vicious tactics to win, Erik is now cornered in a situation where he must choose who lives and who dies.
The gigantic spears float above Slasher, aimed in two different directions. He plans to release them simultaneously toward Erik and the people in the municipal building.
"I am pleading with you, sir, let's stop this senseless fight and unite for change, for the good of everyone."
Erik once again pleads with the general to stop his planned action, negotiating for a reconciliation with the rebels and unity for a new Philippines. He mentions his plans for establishing a new nation, but instead of listening, the general just laughs at him while insulting the Filipinos as the low-class of society, or "indios."
"One thing you must know before you become a hero is the truth that none of us is entirely righteous in this world. You make decisions and act based on what you believe is right, and unfortunately, that contradicts my convictions. The only thing that proves a conviction is right is who remains standing and stays alive," he says.
Erik cannot believe the general's words, as he seems to care only about winning the fight. He is capable of twisting the beliefs of others to make everything align with what he wants, as if he controls the people and the laws of the country.
"You're insane," the young man says.
While this is happening, Tayog struggles to stand. He knows his friend is in a situation where he has to protect him from Slasher, so to avoid being a burden, he wants to stand up again and help him.
His body is weak and trembling from his injuries, but he continues to rise and slowly takes a step closer to Erik.
He places his hand on Erik's shoulder, pushing him aside to move past, and tries to force him out of the area.
Erik did not expect Tayog to be able to stand and push him aside to move past him.
"Wait, what are you doing, Alfredo?"
"You don't need to worry about the life of a criminal like me. Erik, if you want to be a hero, you must learn to weigh what is more important and valuable," he says.
Due to his weakness, Tayog's legs give out, and he kneels where he stands. Erik immediately approaches to help him, but instead of accepting help, Tayog shouts at him and pushes him away.
At that moment, he tells Erik to leave him and help the people in the building, and allow him to face Slasher alone.
He wants Erik to leave so he can pay for his sins by himself. Erik sees that Alfredo can no longer fight and has no energy left, so he doubts he can still fight Slasher.
Alfredo stops his advance and smiles, thinking that his actions seem to be choosing death so that the Spaniards in the building can live, which goes against his initial cause.
Nevertheless, he knows this is not about his cause but about helping his friend who wants to be a light for people in need.
He knows he is not noble, but he thinks, as he looks at his hands, that if he has one last thing to do for the country, it is to help his friend become the Hero of the nation.
At that moment, Tayog states that he needs to die for the Filipinos because of the sins he committed. He knows that other Filipinos in the town might get caught in the crossfire if the leader of the revolt against the government doesn't die, due to the desperate methods of the Spaniards to completely eradicate the members and believers of a group fighting their government.
"I won't let you die, Alfredo, I don't want to... Please," Erik says.
Tayog turns and steps closer to Erik again. He declares that he must do this for their beliefs and for being a hero to the Filipinos. He is determined to accept the fair payment for his sins.
"You don't need to die. There's another way," Erik says, tears slowly falling.
"I don't want to. I can't accept you dying and leaving me." ~ Erik PoV.
I can't understand why everything has to come to this. What's wrong with staying alive? I can't understand why, despite my insistence on saving him from death, he is the one facing it and accepting it.
I can't handle this inner turmoil I'm feeling right now. I can't imagine losing an important friend like Alfredo.
The moment I step away from where I stand, I will never be with him again. I will never see him again in my life.
"Please, Alfredo..." he whispers to himself.
Alfredo doesn't respond to me, just staring. I wait for words to come out of his mouth, but he gives no answer—a selfish answer that he still wants to live.
I don't know if Alfredo is considering his situation, but at that moment, I decide in my mind to choose Alfredo to live.
Not because of the equivalent value of who should live or die, but because of my selfish desire to be with my only friend.
"Please, Alfredo, tell me you want to live."
I only need one word to act. One plea for help and Alfredo's desire to live, and I'd be ready to abandon my mission for other people, but he gives no response, only smiling as he slowly approaches me.
He is bowing his head as he says, "Do everything to save them. Do everything to be great... Be a true HERO."
However, I don't listen to him because of my overwhelming emotions. Our friendship prevails over me right now, and I value the things I will lose and the things I need.
"I will save you. No matter how many times I fail, I will repeatedly try to save you..."
As I express my feelings, memories of the times we played and laughed together in the camp flash through my mind. A picture of brief but meaningful moments to me, which further weigh down my heart at that moment.
"I won't get tired or discouraged from rising again and trying."
"Please, tell me this is not the end, Alfredo."
"Allow me to save you," he says tearfully.
End of PoV.
Alfredo doesn't answer because he feels the same sadness at that moment.
Like Erik, he wishes to play with him again and, if possible, be with his friend forever, but he knows he can't back down now and must completely end the revolt that took place.
He senses that Erik is being carried away by emotion, and he is afraid that he might make a reckless move that goes against his friend's mission if he shows any desire to live or fear of death.
The place is silent for a moment as the two face each other.
Tayog holds Erik's cheek and wipes away the tears flowing from his eyes.
"I will never forget our friendship," the young man says.
He suddenly presses his forehead against Erik's head, their faces almost touching. Then, the two fall silent again, sensing each other.
They are able to sense each other's inner state using the energy of the Sugos that envelops their bodies, similar to the Diwatas.
"I don't want to lose you," Erik replies sadly.
"I won't be gone. As long as the flame of your good heart to save remains, I will stay in your heart and mind," he immediately says.
"I can't be a Hero alone. I don't know what I'll do if you're gone. Please," Erik says to his friend, his voice catching.
"Don't worry, everything will be alright," Tayog says softly, smiling.
At that moment, Erik cries again because he knows everything will never be alright if his friend dies, but it seems there's nothing he can do to change his mind.
His friend's smiles seem to tell him to just accept everything that will happen and move on with life.
He lets go of Erik and steps back to distance himself. There is no trace of fear of death on his face, and at that moment, he asks his friend for a favor and a final request.
"I want you to promise me that you will save the Filipinos as their hero and create a country with equal treatment for everyone."
Erik can't speak and just nods in response. He doesn't like what Alfredo is saying, which seems like a farewell, but he knows he has no choice but to agree in that situation.
Slowly, a blue aura emanates from Tayog's body and merges with Erik. This energy comes from Tayog's faith in Erik, accepting his heroism and believing that he can save many lives.
At that moment, General Slasher releases the two gigantic spears, and both lunge in the two directions.
"Forgive me, Erik, and thank you for everything," he smiles as he turns his back.
In that moment, Erik runs away from their location to intercept the other spear that will hit the people in the building.
He leaps with full force to reach the direction the spear is heading.
He digs his feet into the ground to stop right in front of the gigantic spear and winds up for an attack. Still holding his red sword, he is once again surrounded by a blue aura.
It swirls like a tornado, almost blowing everything around him away.
As the energy gathers on the blade, images of the people he must save flash through Erik's mind, along with those loved ones he still wants to protect.
"I believe every person has the right to choose their destiny, and no one can dictate it or appoint their death just for a selfish desire to succeed."
"I am the Sugo of Ifugao, and with the power entrusted by the Diwata Sid Alwa and the people who have faith in me as the hero of the country, I will protect them until death!!!" he shouts.
He swings his sword in the air with full force and once again unleashes a devastating power, just as he did before.
"MIGHTY FAITH SLASH!!!"
Again, the light melts away anything in its path. Even the gigantic spear that hits it, released by the general, is simply dissolved by the energy until it goes straight toward Slasher, erasing the general from existence.
'Impossible! I won't be defeated by a mere indio!!!" he shouts as he is dissolved by the light.
Simultaneously with Erik's swing, the other spear in the opposite direction hits Tayog.
It strikes the crystal on his chest, shattering it, and the swords pierce through Tayog's body, which his Diwata's power could no longer protect.
He remains standing, holding firm as the spear made of swords is embedded in his body.
A moment later, the swords slowly vanish, melting like ice because of Slasher's death.
Blood flows from him as the armor he is wearing dissolves, and a moment later, he returns to his former appearance as a normal person due to the depletion of his energy.
Alfredo slowly kneels from where he stands, and his arms lose strength.
At that moment, he still manages to turn his head toward Erik and whispers his thanks.
Meanwhile, Erik's attack causes a massive explosion, with the damage reaching the buildings across the street.
Thick smoke covers the entire area after the attack, obscuring the enormous trench that splits the street, nine feet deep and three meters wide.
After unleashing his intense attack, he feels dizzy, and his body completely collapses to the ground due to weakness and the depletion of his energy.
He lies on the ground, whispering his friend's name, whom he wants to see.
"Alfredo."
A few seconds later, his eyes slowly close, and he completely loses consciousness.
Because he loses consciousness, his form reverts to that of a normal person, and the Diwata's presence in his body vanishes.
The Siklaon revolt against the Spanish rule in the town of Urdaneta in the province of Pangasinan, which ended in tragedy, is finally over.
That day became a sad day for everyone and served as a lesson to the citizens.
In its conclusion, the death of over three hundred rebels, including Alfredo, and over five hundred Spaniards and Filipinos caught in the attack across the town was recorded. Over three hundred police officers were killed in the fighting, and an estimated over three thousand citizens were wounded in the attack.
Among the casualties was the Spanish mayor of Urdaneta, and the Governor-General of the province, General Slasher, is also believed to have died, as his body was not found after the explosion.
A few days passed, and the Urdaneta revolt became a major news story covered by the media, especially with the circulation of a video taken by an unidentified person who was present in the building at that time.
It contains several parts of the battle that the whole country focused on.
This man named the mysterious Hero "Ifugao," who would change the Philippines and establish a new nation.
This includes the part where Ifugao told the Spaniards why the rebels were revolting and the confrontation with Alfredo where he articulated his desires and vision for the establishment of a new Philippines for the Filipinos and Spaniards living in the country.
Even though the Spaniards tried to stop the spread of the news and the video about it, it seemed ineffective due to the advancement and breadth of the internet in the modern age.
Various people watched it, different opinions emerged, and as expected, many government officials were angered and are now hunting for the mysterious Sugo Ifugao, but despite that, many were also delighted, especially the Filipinos who hoped for change.
The views of various groups, especially the other rebels scattered across the country, are divided regarding the idea of universal unity.
A few days pass, and the video continues to spread.
In a hidden room in the basement of an old building, a man is currently watching the video about the hero Ifugao.
"Nonsense. How can this be a new Philippines if the Spaniards remain with us? Fool! He's destroying my plans," a man sitting alone and watching TV says.
"The country will not achieve true change if it does not attain freedom from the foreigners," he adds, slamming the table.
The room is covered in red smoke emanating from his body.
This man has black hair with some red parts, and he wears a black hat with a K symbol on top, the emblem of his group.
He also wears a half-mask on his face with three stars as a design.
He has a muscular physique in his fitted suit with the symbol of his affiliated group on his chest. This man is a revolutionary considered a government rebel, leading the "Kalasag ng Bayan" (Shield of the Nation), a group of Filipinos in Manila and neighboring areas fighting against the Spanish rule in the capital.
He is the Sugo of Manila, Supremo, who is now hailed as the new hero of the Filipinos.
"Be ready, Ifugao."
End of chapter.