After their very first encounter with an Aswang, Cafra and his friends realized that they are not strong enough to go against an Aswang. With that in mind, they decided to train and learn more about their powers and how to use it effectively. So they trained, almost everyday with their excitement of using their new found abilities, and at the same time they fear that anytime another Aswang could show up and attack humans.
A few months have passed without any appearances of an Aswang. One night, out in the streets they all hanged out at their usual spot.
Erlo: "Guys, Have you watched the latest episode of "anime name"? The main characters got a huge power boost. I wonder if we can be strong like them."
Amon: "If we train hard enough. It might take us years to get to their level."
Gil: "What if we upgrade our weapons? I can do it to make us a bit stronger. But I'll need a lot of money to do that."
Ric: "It would be great if we get a proper weapon. Like a real one. The ones we have are just made of bamboo and other materials we find laying around."
Kael: "You know we don't have any money, or a job. So in the meantime, we just need to train more on how to strengthen our abilities."
Cafra: "It's been a few months since we fought an aswang. I wonder if we can defeat one now that we got some training."
A group of adults were gathered and whispered to each other talking about something. They got curious and went closer to eavesdrop.
Man1: "A man was attacked. Behind the plaza. You guys know that street is really dark."
Man2: "They say no one saw the creature who attacked him.. but the body.. His head was gone and his insides are scattered around."
The group went silent. Cafra and his friends exchanged a grim look. A person was attacked by an unknown creature on a dark street behind the plaza. Nobody saw who or what attacked the person. The residents who live nearby only heard the man screaming for help. The body that was found was beheaded, his abdomen was open and insides are out. The person's heart and liver was missing. Hearing that, they already knew that it was an Aswang that attacked the man.
Erlo: "That's.. that's an Aswang kill."
Amon: "Yeah. There's no other creature who would so such thing. It's definitely an Aswang."
Cafra: "Let's go and see for ourselves. Let's head to the Plaza."
And so they rushed to the plaza where the incident happened. Police officers closed of the area and there were investigators interviewed the residents who live nearby.
Investigator: "Ma'am, Did you see what happened?"
Old lady: "No sir. I just heard a scream and looked through the window, it was very dark in the area I couldn't see anything."
The investigator continued to ask questions and he also asked other people as well. Cafra and his friends walked away from the scene and searched for the Aswang.
Cafra: "We were too late. The aswang escaped already."
Gil: "It probably went back to where it came from, but I'll scan the area if its still around."
Gil knelt down, pressing his palms on the ground, closed his eyes and concentrated. He can sense all vibrations from every movement on the ground, concrete, soil, roots, stones. He couldn't sense anything close by, he concentrated more to scan a little further. Then he picked up a signal.
Gil: "I found him! He's in the woods. North"
Erlo: "Let's go after it! before he escapes."
They rushed through the trees, moving through bush and thorns and into the woods. It was very dark and the only light they have is the moon. The Aswang sensed that it was being followed. It stopped and turned around, wanting to eat more. It prepares to attack. Cafra and his friends saw the Aswang standing, waiting for them. It's sharp claws and fangs out, steam coming out of its breath, and saliva dripping from its jaws.
They stopped and kept their distance but the Aswang dashes towards them with its claws ready to swing. Cafra pulled out a flat bamboo stick carved like a sword, electric charges flowing through it. He blocks the Aswang's attack. Sparks exploded around them. Gil coated his arms with rock gauntlet, slid under Cafra and landed a powerful blow on the Aswang's body. the force lifted it airborne. Behind them Kael with his bamboo straw, shoots out high speed water bullets, striking the aswang mid-air. Arja followed with his slingshot and detonating rock bullets, it exploded and hit the Aswang across its torso. Behind them, as it was gonna fall on its back, Erlo, Amon, and Ric prepares a combined attack. Erlo summoned a fireball, Amon inhaled deeply, blew a gust of wind from his mouth, and Ric launched the big fireball using a strong air pressure from his palms. It flew towards the Aswang like it was a blazing meteor. It slammed into the Aswang, engulfing it in fire. They smiled and trembled, thinking that they have slain the Aswang.
Kael: "Did we do it? we killed the Aswang?"
The Aswang staggered on all fours, screeching as it rolled violently in the soil to extinguish the fire. It was hurt and it became furious, it became stronger. It's muscles bulged, bones cracked, veins darkened.
Gil: "Guys..! Is it just my imagination or its evolving?"
The fight continues. The Aswang got very exhausted going against them and they found a chance to finish the Aswang. The boys circled it, preparing for the final blow.
Cafra: "Let's attack him all at once!"
Everyone else: "Let's do it!"
They all prepared for a combined attack, but as they are about to attack they felt a very strong crushing presence. It felt very heavy, like something massive was pressing down on their chest, a strong bloodlust, it sent chills to their bones. It was a fear they never felt before, like a haunting nightmare.
Erlo: "What the hell is this presence, its too hard to breathe"
A dark portal appeared from the shadows and a tall figure emerged. With an ominous aura, it stood tall, fully armored head to toe, walking slowly. It approached the Aswang and spoke to it. The Aswang immediately bowed.
Aswang: "Master! You didn't have to come. I am going to finish them."
Dark creature: "You foolish fiend! You act without command. You dare feed before the Legion's call?"
The Aswang, trembling despite it's monstrous rage, lowered it's head.
Aswang: "Forgive me, Master. I was hungry. I thought..."
Dark creature: "You thought? You are nothing but a hound of the dark, you exist to serve."
The dark creature raised it's clawed gauntlet, and shadowy tendrils lashed out, wrapping around the Aswang's neck. The Aswang screamed, its body convulsing as the shadows pierced through it like spears. It's flesh withered, crumbling into ash that scattered in the cold wind. The Dark creature turned its gaze towards the six friends. It's armor pulsed with red veins of energy. The helmet's eyes glowed like dying embers, and from within came a low, distorted voice that vibrated through their bones.
Dark creature: "You children. Bathed in the fallen light. You carry the fragments of Sandipa."
Cafra: "What did you just say?"
Dark creature: "That rain you celebrated was not a blessing. It was blood. His remnants, scattered across this fragile world. And now, you carry his curse."
It stepped closer. The air thickened with it's presence, like gravity had turned to liquid. The boys struggled to move, their breathing became heavy. Sparks of electricity flared from Cafra's hands involuntarily as fear and adrenaline surged.
Erlo: "Cafra, we have to run."
Dark creature: "You are not ready. But your power will serve him well."
The dark creature raised his hand. A black sphere of condensed energy began to form, swirling with screams and shadows. The ground beneath it cracked. Cafra shouted.
Cafra: "Everyone, stay back!"
He dashed forward, lightning exploding from his feet, he swung his bamboo blade. The electric surge clashed with the shadow sphere. A deafening blast lit up the forest like daylight. The explosion threw everyone backward. Trees snapped, dirt erupted. Cafra landed hard, gasping for air. As the dust cleared, the dark creature still stood, unharmed.
Dark creature: "Interesting. The core answers to you."
It's gaze fell on Cafra's chest, where faint blue sparks flickered under his skin.
Dark creature: "So you are the bearer."
It raised its other hand, conjuring a spear made of dark crystal. But before it could strike, a loud chime echoed across the forest, a ringing sound like pure light cutting through shadow. The dark creature flinched, growling.
Dark creature: "Tch...The Solaris Sanctum interferes already?"
A faint golden mist spread across the trees, forming a barrier of light that shimmered around Cafra and his friends. The dark creature snarled and stepped back as the golden barrier brightened.
Dark creature: "You may have avoided death today. But you cannot hide from the coming night."
He thrust his arm forward, slashing the air. A rift opened, swirling darkness swallowed him and then he vanished. Cafra dropped to his knees, clutching his chest. His friends rushed to him.
Kael: "Cafra! you okay?"
Cafra: "Yeah.. I think so. But.. what was that thing?"
Erlo: "It wasn't like the Aswang. That thing talked, like it was commanding the aswang."
Gil: "And it knew about the rain. And your stone."
Cafra: "He said we carry the fragments of Sandipa.. Don't know who this Sandipa is."
They all fell silent. The realization hit, more danger are about to come.
Amon: "So.. what are we fighting against?"
Erlo: "We dont know yet. But for sure more monsters will appear. And whatever is happening, this is just the start."
Cafra: "If they are coming for us.. then we will be ready."