The sun rose once more over the skies of Tundun, bathing the plains in golden light, as if ushering in a new beginning. To the north of Tundun lay the small town of Kubao. The town sat exposed under the heat—hotter than the capital, more humid, the air heavier and stickier against the skin compared to the gentler breeze of Nilad. Dust clung to the air, sticking to the bodies of the townsfolk as they go about their daily routines, mixing with sweat and grit.
Even so, the people of Kubao were used to it. In truth, it seemed to only sharpen their vigor. Along the streets, merchants shouted as they sold vegetables to their regular customers. Their voices blended with the clatter of horses passing through the rutted roads. Out in the fields, farmers, sunburnt and darkened by labor, bent low as they tended to their corn crops.
Not far away, near the center of town, stood the lodging house Mayari had rented using the last of her remaining money. The lower floor was wrapped in the smell of grilled fish, and the chatter of people from the eatery below drifted upward. Pigeons descended one by one, pecking at scraps of bread and bits of food that fell from the patrons' tables.
Upstairs, Agni moved quickly to wake Mayari. The young woman's eyes slowly opened.
"Princess, he's here," Agni said, urgency evident in both his face and voice.
"Huh?" Mayari muttered, lips still damp with saliva, hair a complete mess. "What are you talking about?"
"The leader of Penumbra."
It was as if cold water had been poured over her.
"Fuck," she blurted out. She slapped both of her cheeks. Downstairs, Given, Agustin, and Wan were already eating. Mayari immediately instructed Agni to tell their guest that she was just getting ready. The soldier nodded and stepped outside.
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Agustin and I were the first to wake up that morning. Wan followed soon after. As for Agni, I honestly don't know if that man even slept at all. Mayari was still upstairs, fast asleep. She looked completely exhausted from everything that happened the last night.
Agni filled me in on what had gone down. He even handed me a whole chicken thigh from what he was eating earlier. My god—if he weren't already fifty-plus, I'd think he had a crush on me. Agustin, meanwhile, was clearly enjoying his food. "Slow down," I told him, gently rubbing his head.
Then I saw him pause. A single tear slid down the corner of his eye. Damn it, Given. What did you do now?
"Hey... it's okay—I mean, are you alright?" I asked him.
"Oi, it's early in the morning, and you're already making the kid cry," Wan cut in while sipping his tea.
"Hey! All I said was to slow down!" I shot back. I was just reminding him.
"I–I'm just... happy," Agustin said, his voice hoarse.
Right. Judging by his body, it looked like he hadn't eaten properly in weeks... maybe even months. He was probably overwhelmed. After everything he'd been through, he finally got to eat and sleep properly. I'd noticed earlier that his back was covered in dried, half-healed wounds. Just thinking about it made my appetite disappear.
I looked outside. Agni was there, talking to a man. Hmm... he looked like he was in his thirties. Broad shoulders. And—oh my god—is that Papa P!?
Like, Piolo Pascual-level resemblance.
While they were talking, Agni's eyes suddenly widened. Then he started walking quickly upstairs with Papa— I mean, the guy. It looked serious. I stood up and tapped Wan, signaling him to follow. He stood too, after finishing the last sip of the nilaga soup he ordered. Agustin came with us.
When we reached the top, we saw them waiting outside the room. Papa Piolo looked at us and—oh my god—he smiled at me. Okay, fine. At us. But still. He smiled and bowed his head politely.
Agni immediately spoke to introduce us. "Sir Kario, this is Giben, Wan, and Agustin."
Then he turned to us. "This is Kario Sakay, the Supremo, the leader of Penumbra."
"Good morning," he greeted us. His voice was gentle, yet carried weight.
It felt like being wrapped in a tender hug by very firm arms.
My gosh. Agustin and I bowed in return. We waited as Mayari was still changing. Kario walked toward us, then knelt in front of Agustin.
"Are you the child who escaped from the polo camp?" The change in his eyes was unmistakable.
"Y–yes, sir..."
"How old are you, child?" he asked again.
"Eight," Agustin replied.
Kario let out a deep breath as he examined Agustin's scars and wounds. He covered his mouth, as if holding back a scream. I saw anger in his eyes, but also sorrow.
Then he smiled at Agustin, ruffled his hair, and said, "You're strong. Our Lord Kan-laon must have had a plan for you, to let you meet good people like them."
He stood up and offered his hand to Wan. "You're skilled in eskrima, aren't you?" he asked Wan, probably noticing his arnis sticks.
"Huh? Oh... yeah," Wan replied, munching on peanuts.
"I hope you can teach me some time," Kario said.
Before Wan could answer, the door opened. And then Mayari came out. Wow, our girl had a different energy today. She looked radiant. Her hair was neatly tied back, her face freshly washed. She looked... blooming. I immediately glanced at Wan, subtly. He froze for a split second, then looked away.
"Good morning, Supremo," Mayari greeted him.
Papa K bowed and returned the greeting. "Good morning, Dayang. I am Kario Sakay."
Mayari's right eyebrow lifted when she heard Papa K's surname. "Sakay?" she asked, her tone curious. "Does that mean...?"
Papa K smiled, scratching the back of his neck as he bowed his head slightly. "You're right, Dayang... I am one of the distant descendants of Rajah Ache."
A look of awe crossed Mayari's face as her suspicion was confirmed.
"It is an honor to meet one of the descendants of the great Rajah Ache."
"Heh... honestly," Papa K replied, "it's been centuries since our surname carried any real weight."
I didn't get what they were talking about, so I leaned toward Wan and whispered,
"Hey—who's this Achi or Ache guy?"
"Given... you're really asking me?" Wan shot back. Tsk. Yeah, fair. That one's on you, Given. What did I expect from a guy who picks his nose and snacks nonstop?
"Rajah Ache was the second-to-last Rajah of Ma-i, a sovereign ruler." Agni explained, "before the continent fractured more than five hundred years ago." Oh. So it's been that long since Ma-i collapsed.
Mayari invited Papa K inside. She asked if it was alright for us to stay, and he nodded. The two of them sat down, a small table between them with cups of tea on top.
"When I received Tata Islaw's letter through his pigeons," Papa K said immediately, "I traveled here to Cubao at once."
"Tata Islaw said you came from Itakam," Mayari clarified, her brow furrowed.
"That's over a hundred kilometers away. You arrived here in a single night?"
Papa K smiled and stretched out his firm, muscular arm, covered in tattoos. The markings began to glow brown. Something on his back glowed as well. Then a portal opened beneath his outstretched right hand.
And then— WHAT THE FUCK. WHAT IS THAT!?
"What do you want now, kid you rotten brat!?" the creature that emerged from the portal barked.
Agustin stumbled back and hid behind Agni. Mayari was clearly startled but forced herself to stay composed. As for me, I also hid behind Agni.
An aswang came out of the portal. Well... not aswang-aswang. But it was about the size of a zoo tiger, just leaner. It looked like a mix between a dog and a kangaroo, hairless, with black skin and huge red eyes. It stepped forward on thick feet with long claws.
"Is... is that a sigbin?" Mayari asked.
"Is iT a sIgBiN?" it mocked her in an obnoxious tone, baring its sharp teeth. "Isn't it obvious!?" Great, an aswang with attitude.
"S–sorry, Dayang," Papa K said, standing up as he tried to grab the sigbin's head, only for the thing to dodge like it was about to bite him. "Ton, don't embarrass me—hey, stop it—don't embarrass me..."
"Don't you boss me around! You made me run for four hours, you demanding bastard!" the sigbin, apparently named Ton, yelled at him.
"This is not the Supremo I was expecting," Agni muttered to Wan.
"Same," Wan replied.
A moment later, Papa K clearly gave up and sent his Pokémon—
I mean, the sigbin—back into the portal. He sat down, straightened his clothes, and cleared his throat, clearly trying to recompose himself.
"Ahem... as you've seen, Dayang, I am also a baylan," he said. "My path as a baylan is Kasugpon."
He straightened his posture. "As I said earlier, once I received the message, I came straight to Kubao."
The air suddenly shifted. I felt like it became harder to breathe. Papa K's gaze sharpened as he looked at Mayari, as if trying to read her completely.
"Tata Islaw also told me what happened last night," he continued, "and what you said to them."
Mayari smiled slightly. "That's good. It means I don't need to explain myself again."
"You're right," Papa K replied. "I want to free our brothers and sisters in Polo..."
He paused, staring at Mayari. "But to be honest, I don't know if I can trust you."
I noticed Agni swallow hard. Mayari's expression didn't change at all.
Silence filled the room. Then Mayari smiled.
"And yet, you came here yourself," she said, taking a sip of tea. "So that means you're willing to negotiate with me. Am I right?"
Papa K returned a faint, respectful smile. "So the rumors are true. The late Datu's daughter is direct."
Mayari leaned back in her chair, more relaxed now. "Forgive me, Supremo, but given my situation—and the condition of the slaves in Kubiz..."
She took another sip of tea. "I'm racing against time. I need to be direct."
Papa K lowered his head, his expression turning heavy. "I understand, Dayang. Truthfully, I can't stop thinking about our brothers and sisters enslaved in Kubiz."
He tilted his head toward her. "And you're right. I came here to negotiate."
"I'm listening," Mayari said.
God. At this point, I still can't believe Mayari is only sixteen, just one year younger than me. She's talking to a revolutionary leader like a Starbucks CEO pitching a merger.
"After we free the slaves in Kubiz," Papa K said, "we are willing to help you reclaim the throne."
Mayari's right eyebrow lifted slightly. Papa K continued, "When that happens, I want you to make us official soldiers of Tundun."
I couldn't read Mayari's thoughts, like always. Her expression didn't change at all. Then she spoke. "I'm sorry, but I can't agree to that."
Papa K's thick eyebrows furrowed. Mayari noticed and explained calmly. "Supremo, what do you think Iberia will do if they learn that my soldiers were once members of Penumbra?"
"Chaos..." Papa K replied, thinking hard. "But... what if we serve differently? What if we serve as soldiers in the shadows?"
Mayari took a deep breath, staring into her reflection in the tea. "Guardia Negra?"
"Yes, Dayang. If it's dangerous for you to take us in openly, let us serve in the shadows."
His gaze lowered again. "You were right about everything you said to Tata Islaw. Despite our growing numbers, my people still lack true knowledge of war... of weapons and discipline."
The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable. "Honestly," he added, "it's a miracle from the goddess Ynaguinid that our group has survived this long."
Damn. This is the first time I've seen a leader like this. Handsome and a green flag.
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Honestly, I didn't expect things to go this smoothly. I took another sip of tea, watching Kario's expression as he spoke about his group's shortcomings. Leaders like him are rare... humble, sincere, and honest with their words. That was exactly why he was easy to read.
Every word I had chosen since the start of our conversation was meant for this moment. I forced myself to hide the smile forming on my lips.
Not yet... Not now.
"Supremo," I said, "may I ask for a day to think about it?" I noticed his eyebrow lift slightly.
"No problem, Dayang." He stood politely and extended his hand toward me.
"Thank you for your time. May Lord Kan-laon guide you in your decision."
"Thank you as well. It is an honor, Supremo," I replied.
Before leaving, he told us that once I had made my decision, we only needed to go to their stronghold. He bowed to Wan, Given, and Agni, then embraced Agustin and promised that everything would be alright.
When he finally left, I was able to breathe freely again. I chose to sit down; my knees were still exhausted from everything that had happened the day before. Agni escorted Kario downstairs. A few moments later, he returned and informed us that the Supremo had departed.
I stood, then collapsed onto the bed.
Finally.
"My lord..." Agni began, "whatever your decision may be, I am rea—"
I cut him off before he could finish.
"Even before he came here, I had already decided."
Given tilted her head in confusion. Agni looked genuinely puzzled.
Wan, on the other hand, simply smirked, as if he already knew exactly what I meant.
"His request, to turn Penumbra into the Guardia Negra, was one of six favorable outcomes I had already accounted for," I continued. "Based on the way I spoke to him."
"Huh?" Given asked.
"You'll understand eventually," I said. "Wan, Agni—get ready. We're going to their stronghold at three this afternoon."
I let out another long breath, steadying myself for what was to come. If everything went according to plan, the days ahead would be soaked in blood.