7.6 BLOODY-RED CUR

  Tikum did not notice it at first. But above the horizon, the sun was now black and ringed by a blinding golden halo. His breath hitched, seeing the eclipse. This was his last opportunity. But Apo Lokangan held him at bay with a hand suffused with magic. Tikum took a step but finally relented.

  "Look first before you leap," the old man said. "You don't want jumping to your own grave."

  Tikum swallowed a curse as he eyed the clearing below where a great balete tree stood, or rather three trees that grew and melded into one. The monstrosity had gnarled roots wound at each other like serpents piled on a pit-hole. Around the ancient flora, torches on bamboo poles were arranged into a semi-circle, glowing bright yellow. Their flames readily dancing every time the merciless winds blew. But the manghihiwit in the midst of it all stood firm, his back on Tikum and Apo Lokangan. Sri Kihod raised a lit incense, letting its smoke build up and thicken. Then, the manghihiwit twisted, body contorting abnormally as he uttered ancient words, older than Vijayas. And by some unknown manner, the leaves of the great balete trees whispered to him the secrets of the primeval forest that surrounded Mount Laon. Secrets that should not be shared to mortal ears.

  The manghihiwit repeated the chant as he made his way around the countless giant banga strewn before him. The clay jars were about hip-high. Not big enough too fit a man. Tikum cursed. But surely they were large enough to contain a child. He grinded his teeth. He needed Amburukay here. Factored in, her former wife, would upset Kihod's advantage. If not, at least, give him enough time to figure out a way to save Ukok without going back to the mud in the process. But for now, all Tikum Kadlum could do was watch his master proceed with his dark ritual.

  ***

  In the midst of his erratic dance the king of the Island of Sorcerers paused. And a strange grimace covered Sri Kihod's frightening visage. Slowly, Tikum unsheathed his dagger. Good thing Apo Lokangan returned it back.

  "No, you are severely outmatched," Apo Lokangan said. "Your master is indeed powerful. Perhaps, as powerful as any devata."

  Tikum hissed in frustration. Of course, Apo Lokangan was right. The Black dog could feel the aura from his former master drown everything in the area with its malicious taint. Like a weight dragging him down still waters, the sensation lingered far longer than it had to. He shook his head. "I need to do something."

  "No. I smell a powerful glamour down there, Tikum. A magic strong enough to bend reality... "

  Tikum's shoulder slumped. "But... Ukok."

  "Watch him first!" Apo Lokangan gestured to Sri Kihod, who stood like an immovable anito statue.

  "I've watched too long," Tikum said. "I can't-"

  "Do you have any plan?"

  "Why, do you have one?"

  Apo Lokangan's face brightened. "None at all."

  Tikum smiled. "But that didn't stop you before, right?

  "It won't stop me today too..." Apo Lokangan smiled back. "But patience, boy. Patience... Your daughter might get hurt if you do not stop to think. We strike when he is at his most vulnerable-"

  "Gi-atay!" Tikum crouched down. Again, the senile fool was right. The fact that he did not know where exactly Ukok was made him all the more anxious. Bravado and leaning on luck wouldn't help him here too. He needed an opening. He fixed his eyes on Sri Kihod.

  Even at a distance, Tikum could see Sri Kihod's cold smile on his face, and there, he also saw that there was only ruin in the manghihiwit's eyes. And to add to his master's ominous glare, the winds grew stronger and lashed at the looming balete trees. Up high, the clouds turned gray and the gloomy firmament halted, making it look like a yawning cavern. When Sri Kihod opened his mouth, his shorn shadow split apart like tendrils. And like venomous serpents they moved between the banga, converging into the one in front of him.

  "What monstrosity!" Apo Lokangan whispered. " What fiendish thing...That man! That creature is not from this realm or the next." He stared at Tikum, face alarmed and in disgust. "That is from the primordial womb! This is a breach! An invasion! I must stop him from making the mistake of Saragnayan..."

  Tikum nodded his head. "Just about time. I thought you'd never say that. Let's do this, old man! Let's make it simple and–" Before he could finish, Apo Lokangan whistled. It was so loud Tikum felt like his ears would burst and bleed. The leaves around them vibrated and the wind hummed. And then all was silent. Sri Kihod turned his head towards their position as though he could see through Tikum's hiding place.

  Tikum turned to Apo Lokangan. "What the hell did you do that for?"

  The old man ignored him as he burst out the shrubbery to face the manghihiwit. As though in unison, his panigotlo steed rushed from the opposite flank of the sorcerer. Sri Kihod looked confused at first but soon calmed down."Were you the ones who were tagging at my wards, trying to find me with your tracing spells? I expected someone else but–"

  "Shut up!" the spry old man answered. And with a gesture, Apo Lokangan shed his guise, revealing his true form for all to see.

  Suddenly, his bulk grew thrice its size. Even his limbs grew out of proportion, turning what was frail into corded muscle and sinew. All the hair in his body also took a darker shade as it covered his bare skin. He then roared as his towering form drew closer to the manghihiwit who was now slightly bemused by the old man's exhibition.

  "Ah, a kafiri?" Sri Kihod said.

  With keen eyes, Apo Lokangan smash a fist on his chest. "Not just a kafiri. But the guardian of this domain!"

  "Then, this shall be entertaining!" Sri Kihod said before the panigotlo rushed his blind-spot. As it closed in, the beast reared up and twisted its pronged head, driving it down the manghihiwit's exposed back. The sound of breaking bones broke the momentary silence, followed by the sound akin to a goat-skin water bag bursting. Then, the mystical steed galloped away, circling back to its wounded foe.

  "Good girl!" the kafiri said as he took a breath and concentrated for an incantation. "Now, end this!"

  With its enormous hooves, the panigotlo trampled the limp body of the manghihiwit. Then, it neighed in victory, orienting itself. But Sri Kihod was not done for. Bloodied and severely wounded, he used his inhuman speed and held the creature's prongs. Then, he brought it down crashing to the hard ground. Before he could end it though, Old Lokangan interfered. His looming figure grabbed Sri Kihod by the face, smashing him on the nearest boulder and breathing out a fountain of fire on the sorcerer's prone body. Next, Apo Lokangan let out another ear-shattering whistle, signalling the panigotlo to strike. He drew away as the creature rushed down Sri Kihod a second time with its pronged head aimed directly at Tikum's former master's face. The ground shook as the ungulate thundered down to end the sorcerer once and for all. Closing the distance, it leaped up high into an arc. But all Sri Kihod had to do was raise his hand and the mystical beast of burden's momentum halted mid-air. Time seemed to linger and stop as the air vibrated around it.

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  Sri Kihod shook his head, face covered in his own blood. "Why do you all answer everything with violence?" With a finger's flick, the panigotlo went down– its crash followed by a sickening thud.

  "You vile demon!" Apo Lokangan said, frothing in the mouth. His eyes was seething with fury as he eyed his steed, trying to get up with its broken hind leg. Then, Apo Lokangan took out and lit a tobacco cigar and sucked deep, chest rising.

  "All I do is for the greater good of all buruhisans!" Sri Kihod cracked his neck. "Why do you refuse to see that the greater good must always prevail–" Before he could utter another word, Apo Lokangan grabbed Sri Kihod by the neck, throwing him to the treeline.

  The Lord of Manghihiwits spun in an arc and abruptly plummeted like a rag doll. But an invisible force stopped his momentum, leaving him suspended in the air. Seeing this, Apo Lokangan sucked at his cigar one more time and blew a ball of solid smoke towards Sri Kihod. It smote the sorcerer so hard that it sent him crashing back to the ground. The manghihiwit struck a tree, felling it in half and sending splinters everywhere. A resounding boom punctuated his crash and a dust cloud erupted from its impact.

  "Perhaps, I was wrong, Tikum," the kafiri said as the Black Dog came down the hill to join him. Tikum noticed that there was a glint of arrogance on the kafiri's eyes when he continued, "Perhaps, he is not as strong as I thought. More mad... maybe. That or he is unwise, does he not know that the devatas will never permit the opening of Gadlum?"

  The former timawa cursed, as he eyed the old man's transformation. "What the hell did you do to your face?"

  "This is nothing to worry," the kafiri said. "Appearance can sometimes be deceiving. What is important is that we've won."

  Tikum ignored him, his attention was not on Apo Lokangan but on the silhouette of a figure that leisurely walked from the wreckage and debris in front of them.

  "This shit ain't done yet, old man," the Black Dog added as he raised his dagger. At that exact moment, the wind blew the dust cloud aside, revealing Sri Kihod. The sorcerer-king paused, running an eye on Apo Lokangan's shocked visage. Then, the manhihiwit turned to his former timawa.

  "My... My..." he said to Tikum. "This is a pleasant surprise my larcenous agent."

  "Seeing you again really ain't my idea of pleasant but–" Tikum's jaw fell as his former master turned to Apo Lokangan who was about to strike him to mush. How did he even get that close that fast to Sri Kihod? Tikum was left unanswered because with an almost inhuman speed, the sorcerer-king avoided the kafiri's claws. Apo Lokangan took another violent swipe but Sri Kihod retaliated, and with a word and a gesture, his tendril-like shadow snaked and struck at the kafiri, binding his limbs and pinning him down.

  The guardian of Mount Laon struggled, railed and wailed but the serpentine shadows was far more stronger.

  "The glammmour!" the kafiri cried to Tikum and then eyed Sri Kihod. "Halt this foolishness! If you open it... the behemoth will awaken!" As he spoke the last word, the ground beneath him collapsed to devour his whole bulk full.

  "No!" Tikum backed away, steadying the hand that held his dagger as it trembled. Kafiri or not, Apo Lokangan did not deserve an end like that. The Black dog calmed himself, trying his best to manage the little courage he had, but fear was all the more powerful. He tried to hide it from the Lord of the manghihiwit but the sorcerer saw through it in a breath.

  Sri Kihod smiled. "Run along before you get yourself hurt, Tikum Kadlum. Run like you always do..."

  Self-questioning doubt rose inside the Black Dog. This was not the fight he expected. Fighting a sorcerer like Sri Kihod was hard enough with Ambu. But this was something else entirely. Something that's beyond his grasp...

  Tikum breath out loud. He'd been in too many situations like this. And panicking did not help him in any of those experiences. He relaxed his breathing, after seeing an opportunity he could exploit. But first, he had to keep the manghihiwit talking. "You think I should run?"

  "It would be better if you prefer to live."

  "Nah. Can't do that..."

  "How so?"

  "I have a bad knee," Tikum said. "When you get at my age, running becomes tiring too."

  "Still with humor," Sri Kihod said. "Always with humor. I've always admired how you dealt with problematic things using it."

  Tikum smiled. "Much appreciated."

  "No... You know, I should be the one to thank you. You gave me the opportunity to escape from my prison, Black Dog. And all this, your defeat... your daughter's fate... This is all on you!" He smiled. "But guess what, Tikum Kadlum? I'm still going to give you a head start... so, it'll be more satisfying when all of the gadlumanons hunt you down."

  "Wait, stop." Tikum raised a hand. "I feel like this happened before. Yeah... Yeah... this has happened before." He chuckled but abruptly stopped. "But again, the answer's no."

  "No? I guess I am mistaken, it seems like a lot has change with you my timawa. The years seemed to have granted you more courage than it ought to."

  Tikum smiled. "Yeah, old man. A lot did change. But the results will still be the same– that's me winning and you losing."

  Sri Kihod laughed. "Then, if fighting me is your final decision... perhaps I shall grant you a last request instead." He gave his former timawa a devilish smile. "Before you go back to the mud and meet your anitos."

  "I'm not here to grovel and beg," Tikum answered. "I ain't here to ask you anything too. I came here to get Ukok. If that means I have to fight and win over you again and again and again. So, be it." Tikum smiled back, noticing something peculiar a hundred or so feet above Sri Kihod. "But it seems I'm not alone."

  Sri Kihod raised his brow and soon realized what Tikum meant. As he turned his back to his former timawa, Tikum continued on, "Well, Gi-atay! Better late than never as they say."

  The Black Dog squawked, ducking low and giving Amburukay a clear shot of Sri Kihod. Firm-footed, she waited for the rest of the Ulayan warriors to spill out from the clearing behind her master. And as soon as the sorcerer-king turned, Amburukay steadied her finger, concentrating all her magic into one single point and aiming it at him. Satisfied with the power she had built up, she released the hex, a needle-thin rod of super-heated beam.

  The spell gave off a greenish flash as it spiraled towards the sorcerer's head. It struck him dead on, making the wind pop as an explosion of magic from Amburukay's target rained down. Then, the headless fiery body dropped to the ground as the beam continued forth, scarring the side of Mount Laon as it felled great trees and churned the hard earth.

  Tikum scrambled up, eyes trained on Sri Kihod. He began to cough as the smell of burnt ozone grew thick in the air. He cleared his throat. "Gods, that almost got me! For a moment, I thought you were aiming for me too."

  Amburukay smiled, but her face was paler than usual and cold beads of sweat curtained it. "What makes you think I wasn't?"

  Tikum shook his head. "Ha. Ha. Ha. That's not funny."

  "It would've been nice hitting two birds with one stone." Amburukay dropped to her knees, physically exhausted. But she waved off the Ulayans who tried to help her. She would manage. As always.

  "I thought you'd never come." Tikum sighed. "I thought I was going down the shit-hole there all on my own." Tikum went to Amburukay, extending his hand to his former wife. For a brief second she hesitated. But then, she took it and both of them watched Sri Kihod's charred remains lie in defeat.

  They both imagined a prolonged fight with their former master. And this, was clearly unexpected. They knew Kihod was far stronger. They knew he would not surrender easily even if by chance they snatched the upper-hand from the sorcerer-king. But even with the evident triumphant result, Amburukay and Tikum could still not erase the felling of doubt.

  Amburukay sighed, feeling a bit nauseous. "Where's Ukok?" She shook her head to clear the dizziness away. "Where's Ukok, Tikum?"

  Tikum looked her in the eye, trying to find the best words to say. "I... I don't know." Then, Tikum snapped his head as a malicious and oppressing aura emanated from Sri Kihod's body, spreading to the ground and sending them all on their knees. It was followed by a booming laughter. Tikum and Amburukay both cursed. Things were not finished yet. And worst was, their situation seemed like it was really going to the shit-hole this time.