The wind didn't calm.
It tightened.
Like something was closing in.
Amir steadied his breathing.
In.
Out.
Pain followed every breath.
"…still alive…" he muttered.
Across from him—
The aswang twitched.
But something was different.
Its body—
Wasn't stable anymore.
It pulsed.
Like something inside it was trying to break out.
"…that's new…" Amir said.
The masked fighter didn't respond.
They had already lowered their stance.
Blades angled.
Ready.
"Watch carefully," the Anito said.
"I am—"
"No."
A pause.
"Understand."
The aswang lunged.
Faster.
Violent.
Uncontrolled.
The masked fighter stepped forward—
CLANG—
Steel met claw—
But this time—
The ground cracked beneath them.
Amir's eyes widened.
"…that's stronger—!"
The fighter slid back half a step.
Not much.
But enough.
"…they got pushed…" Amir whispered.
"Good," the Anito said.
"…good?!"
"They are adapting."
The aswang let out a distorted laugh.
Its body twisted—
Bones cracking—
Muscles expanding unnaturally—
"…it's changing…" Amir said.
"Yes."
"Why?!"
"Because something is forcing it to."
The wind shifted.
He felt it again.
That presence.
Closer.
Watching.
Controlling.
"…it's here…" Amir whispered.
The masked fighter moved again—
Faster now.
No hesitation.
SHING—
A clean strike across the aswang's torso—
But—
It didn't slow.
It grabbed the blade.
Barehanded.
Amir's eyes widened.
"…no way—"
The creature grinned wider.
"…stronger… now…"
It pulled—
The masked fighter twisted—
Released—
Stepped back instantly.
Controlled.
Not panicked.
"…they let go…" Amir said.
"Correct decision," the Anito replied.
"…I would've held on…"
"And died."
"…yeah… fair…"
The aswang lunged again—
This time—
Toward Amir.
"…WHY ME AGAIN?!" he shouted.
"Because you are the weakest," the Anito said.
"…I GET IT!"
"Then prove otherwise."
The creature closed in—
Amir steadied himself.
Breathing.
Watching.
"…I need to get home…" he muttered.
His grip tightened.
"…I'm not dying here."
The aswang struck—
He moved—
Cleaner.
Sharper.
The claw missed.
Barely.
"…good," the Anito said.
"Again."
The creature turned—
Attacked—
Amir stepped—
This time—
Closer.
His stick struck—
Light burst stronger than before.
Still unstable—
But real.
The impact pushed the aswang back slightly.
"…I did that…" Amir breathed.
"Again."
The masked fighter moved—
Intercepting—
Driving the creature back—
But this time—
The aswang didn't retreat.
It roared—
And surged forward—
Overpowering.
CLANG—
The masked fighter blocked—
But their foot slid back—
Just a little.
Amir saw it.
"…they're being pushed…"
"Now you understand," the Anito said.
"…we're in trouble…"
"Yes."
The wind howled violently.
The presence watching them—
Shifted.
Closer.
Interested.
The masked fighter turned—
Looking directly at Amir.
"…you," they said.
"…yeah?"
"Move properly."
"…working on it!"
"Faster."
"…I'm bleeding!"
"Then bleed while moving."
"…you're not very encouraging."
"Survive first."
The aswang lunged—
Both of them moved.
This time—
Together.
Not coordinated—
But aligned.
Amir stepped left—
The fighter struck right—
The aswang faltered—
For the first time—
It lost balance.
Silence hit.
Heavy.
Then—
The masked fighter spoke.
"…you're not useless."
Amir blinked.
"…wow. I'm honored."
A pause.
Then—
"…but if you stay here…"
The fighter's voice lowered.
"…you die."
Amir exhaled slowly.
"…not before I get back."
The wind surged again.
This time—
Carrying something else.
A whisper.
Not the Anito.
Not the aswang.
Something deeper.
"…good…"
Amir froze.
"…did you hear that?" he asked.
The Anito didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"Yes."
The masked fighter's grip tightened.
The aswang stilled.
For a brief—
Terrifying—
Moment.
Then—
It smiled wider.
"…it's coming…"
Amir's heart dropped.
"…what is?"
No one answered.
But the wind did.
And it didn't sound like wind anymore.