Claustrine and Sophia are current taking a bath inside the shabby bathroom. They feel awkward as they never used on such way of cleaning where they used a tabo to scoop water on paint buckets filled with freshwater.

  "I miss the showers." Sophia is pouting.

  "Just deal with it." Claustrine answers with indiference.

  As the women enjoys their privacy. The men are washing beside the well, only wearing their shorts. They have no joy as they still filled with doubt and alertness all time, the thing they feared might strike without warning.

  After some time, Grand Ecstasy finish their bath and now wearing their fine clothing for the occassion. They got picked up by Nathan who guiding them around the village.

  They clearly hear the faint party music. Stereotypical sound of a baranggay fiesta full of classics too old for the young folks to enjoy.

  "Ready to leave?" Rosa asked as she also prepares a small feast for their very own visitors.

  "Yes ma."

  "Rosa the baby is crying again." Rene appears holding a a crying baby on her embrace.

  "I see, our little prince is hungry again." Rosa chuckle as she stops her prep and come closer to Rene to pick the baby to him.

  "I didn't know that I have a little brother." Nathan is genuinely surprised.

  Rosa brings the baby closer to Nathan and the others to show him.

  "Meet Geraldine. Isn't she cute?" Rosa is brimming with pride.

  Sophia looks on the baby and got bewitched by his cuteness.

  "What a cute baby!" -Sophia.

  "I know right?!"

  "Tita... Can I ask advices later." Penelope asked, her hand patting her pregnant belly.

  "Of course! I gonna teach you everything I know."

  "Rosa you should let them enjoy the fiesta first." Rene speaks as he continues the preperation of food.

  "Ah sorry. Well then, enjoy and don't forget to eat so much food out there." Rosa smile.

  The group leaves the house and they got greeted by a happy scene which makes their worry dissappear.

  Banderitas are hanged everywhere, making the silent hidden village have sort of color. Kids are walking around, having fun as they visit houses for treats and food. Some are playing party games prepared by the adults. A scene of men cooking numerous food and roasting a pig is also present.

  In the center are speakers playing music which powered by a generator. Making the quiet town even more alive. Compared to Ligaya's hometown fiesta, it's a lot simplier but there's still beauty on such simplicity.

  Mateo noticed that there's a lot more people compared to the amount of homes they see.

  "Isn't the people unusually numerous?" Beltrand asked.

  "Ah they came from the nearby towns similar to us. Some are even located deeper in the woods." Nathan answers with ethusiasm.

  "For far away villages, all of them seems well connected." -Beltrand.

  "They're our neighbors so it's normal that we close our ties right?"

  "Makes sense."

  Far from the men are Claustrine and Sophia assisting Penelope as they walk slower to match the pregnant Penelope's delicate pace.

  As they walk, they also having small talks of their own.

  "When did you and Nathan meet?" Claustrine asked.

  "Hmmm... I believe 6 months ago."

  Sophia looks on Penelope's belly and then counts on her fingers which make her eyes widen a bit."

  "That baby is not Nathan's?"

  Penelope is not offended but instead she make a blissful smile.

  "Yes. Despite that, he still accept and love me."

  "Such honorable man." Sophia smile.

  "I know right? He promised me that he would treat her like her very own children and he already proved that so many times. He's the one that helped me on my worst moments."

  Claustrine sees the solemn expression of Penelope as she remembers some unpleasant memories.

  "You see... The moment we find out that I'm pregnant. My ex-boyfriend, the real father of this child leave me. That bastard not even saying a single word. I know it's also my fault for being reckless and disregard the consequences but still, he also have fault here and he can't just put all of this to me."

  A single tear flows on Penelope's cheek.

  "It's my first time being a parent and I know that once this baby comes out. Things are going to become even more difficult as I watch her grow. I need to quit my job when it's too much for my body and now only doing minor works with little pay just to survive."

  "Penelope..." Sophia is genuine feel pity for her.

  Penelope's gaze turn empty.

  "I even contemplated to have an abortion, but I can't stomach it. As time goes by, I feel like I love this child even more."

  Claustrine doesn't know what "Abortion" is but she get the gist based on the tone and expression of Penelope. Sophia also understand what she meant and Sophia is disgusted on the thought of snuffing out a life just like that.

  Penelope wipe her tears and gives a calm smile to the two.

  "But everything changed when I met Nathan. He already knows my circumstances but despite that, he still accepted me. Loved me, understand me. Nathan stays on my side on the most crucial time where I need care and compassion the most."

  "How you two meet?" Claustrine asked which make Penelope chuckle.

  "To be honest, it's quiet awkward and funny. He's one of the regulars on the store I working with as cashier. I noticed that Nathan always buying on our store and always checking out on my counter. There, we make small talks and greetings."

  Penelope sigh.

  "Then that small talk turn into friendly banter everytime we meet then he started treating me kindly. A day becomes good when I have a conversation with him and I didn't notice, I fallen in-love with him. And to my surprise, he also feel the same since the beggining."

  "That's quiet an unsual way to develop a relationship." -Sophia smile.

  "That's why its funny." Penelope makes a cheeky smile.

  "But do you feel weirded out at first on Nathan's antics?" Claustrine asked.

  "I am really that weird?" Nathan joins the chatter of the girls then laughs joyfully.

  "Of course you are. To be honest, I viewed you like a stalker first."

  "Ouch."

  "Hey don't be sad babe. You already proven that you're truly serious to me and to our baby."

  "Haha I know. But still, being called a Stalker is hurt a bit." Nathan chuckle.

  "I don't know your circumstances but you must be really acting weird in the past if that's the first thing Penelope thought about you." Shiva states his opinion casually.

  "Well... I think I kinda understand." Nathan scratches his head out of embarassment.

  "But still everything works fine babe so don't worry that much. You're still the Nathan that I love and nothing can change that." Penelope smiles.

  Grand Ecstasy clenches their jaws after hearing Penelope's words. They lowkey wishing that things is true just like what she said.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  But on what they gather on Shirna's observation, the town is holding a secret which Penelope is unaware of.

  Nathan walks closer to Penelope and give her a peck on the cheek.

  "I love you babe."

  .

  .

  .

  As they continue to walk. They hear someone calling Nathan.

  "Nathan long time no see!"

  Nathan is delighted to see the man calling him.

  "Tito! Let's go guys, we should eat first."

  The group visits the house of Nathan's uncle. They see that they just finished cooking assortments of food.

  "You grew a lot! How's Manila?"

  "Still loud as always Tito. But still, it's full of fun. The food is quiet a pain tho." Nathan sigh.

  "I know right. That's why I decide to just stay on our town. Anyway, it seems you befriend a bunch of people there huh?" Nathan's uncle eyes Grand Ecstasy but his gaze focused on Penelope, especially on her pregnant belly, Mateo notices the fixation.

  "H-hello." Claustrine's friendly greeting.

  "You know what, come in first and let's have some good meal and booze." Uncle's ethusiastic invitation.

  .

  .

  .

  In a large wooden table outside of the house.

  "So that's what happened huh?"

  "Yes. That's why I want to treat them so much as a form of gratitude."

  "Nathan. That's nothing really. We just want to help someone in need." Mateo's humbleness.

  "Haha... What a kind boy you are. And you must be my Nephew's beautiful wife? I'm so proud."

  "We're not married yet tito but still thank you." Penelope smiles.

  "Nathan. Let's talk for a moment. As for you our dear guests, just enjoy the food ok?" Nathan's uncle makes a proud smile.

  Then he called his two daughters two serve food for Grand Ecstasy.

  "Babe, I going to return later. Just enjoy the food, tito's ube halaya is the best."

  "Ok babe. See you later."

  Nathan waves to Grand Ecstasy then leaves. He enters his uncle's home.

  After minutes of waiting. The daughters bring them bowl of Menudo with rice.

  "Menudo huh? Nice starter."

  "Uhmmm..."

  "Is something wrong sis."

  "I'm can't really eat meat now. I'm craving something sweet. Sorry." Penelope's honest words.

  "Ahh you must be craving due to your pregnancy sis. Just wait for a moment ok." The girl understands and gives a reassuring smile.

  "Thanks a much."

  Some time later, the girl brought a bowl of ube halaya and give it to Penelope. Penelope drolls on the sight and she grip the fork then takes a bite.

  "Hmmmmmm!!! Delish!" Penelope is savoring the earthy sweetness of ube.

  "I glad you like it. You guys also want it?" The girl look at Grand Ecstasy.

  "Maybe later. Thanks for the offer though."

  "Okie. See you later."

  The girl leaves, leaving Penelope enjoying her ube halaya while Grand Ecstasy are just looking on the menudo in front of them. But they don't have any ethusiasm. Instead, their expressions shows doubt on the fresh food.

  "Shirna. Do you smell something on the food?" Mateo quietly speaks to avoid suspicion.

  "Nothing suspicious so far. Still smells like a normal food without hint of any additives." Shirna answers with caution.

  "Should we taste it?" Beltrand propose.

  "I don't know. I still have doubts." Sophia is unsure, Claustrine agrees on her.

  "Let me try it first." Shirna propose as he holds a spoon.

  "I know that elves are immune to diseases and poisons but still. We should tread this situation carefully." Claustrine reminds everyone, knowing well that they're in an unknown situation.

  "Damn." Shiva is amazed.

  "If it's a magical curse. I gonna rely on Sophia to purify me."

  Sophia nods seriously.

  "Ok then. Shirna, just say if you feel something ok?" Shiva's worry, Shirna nods.

  With everyone's watching. Shirna scoops some menudo and put it on the portion of rice. Then he takes a spoonful which he eats carefully. The people around him observe as Shirna chews slowly.

  His expression shows indiffirence then it turn to confusion until he swallows the food.

  "Hmmmm?"

  Shirna takes anothet bite but instead, he only take a spoonful of menudo. Her confused face becomes even more pronounce until the very end where he swallows the food.

  "What's wrong? You look struggling eating it." Mateo's question.

  "Nothing wrong really. It's just... The taste is so bland, so flat. There's still tastes of the tomatoes but I think it have few to no salt at all."

  "No salt?" Mateo raised his eyebrow.

  "Yes. How about you guys try it? I deem it safe to eat."

  Everyone hesistate first before they take their own spoon and have a taste of the menudo. It only takes second before they express the similar confusion Shirna have.

  "You're right Shirna... It lacks salt." Beltrand almost spit the meat as he don't find enjoyment eating the food.

  "What's your take away on this Mateo?" Claustrine asked, trusting that Mateo's knowledge of his own world would give them answers.

  "I think I have an idea. But for now, we should finish these so the people would not suspect us."

  Everyone is clearly displeased but they have no choice but to comply. Thankfully, the menudo is just a small bowl which the servers purposely portioned so the visitors still have space for other food.

  "How's the menudo?" Penelope asked as she just finished her ube.

  "It's delicious." Mateo gives a fake smile.

  "Great. I wonder what they going to bring next." Penelope is excited for the next dish.

  Later, Grand Ecstasy recieves a plate of lechon. The lechon is fine and the sauces are weirdly sweet with no hint of suspicious smell nor taste.

  "Phew. I'm glad the lechon is normal." Shiva gives a sigh of relaxation.

  "There's no vinegar dip nor calamansi." Mateo whispers.

  "Yeah. Not even soy sauce. Both essential for another bowl of dip for Lechon. Things starting to get even more bizzare here." Shiva agrees on his brother.

  "What's wrong with those condiments?" Claustrine asked.

  But before Mateo even answers her question. The girl alongside the uncle returns. The uncle puts a bucket of small beers and ice. While the daughter places a bowl of dinuguan.

  "Do you enjoy the food?" The uncle's friendly question.

  "Yes sir. Everything is delicious." Mateo smile.

  "Good to hear that. Now it's time to have some booze. Don't feel shy and just drink to your hearts' content ok?" The uncle gives a thumbs up.

  "Tito where's Nathan?" Penelope asked innocently.

  "Oh... He's inside the house talking to the mayor. He's asking guidance for your wedding."

  Penelope is delighted on the news. A boy walks towards them and joins their conversation.

  "Pa the mayor wants to see the bride."

  "I see I see... Let's go hija. Looks like that they want to have a talk for your wedding day."

  "See you later guys." Penelope gives her farewell to Grand Ecstasy who waves back as she and the other leaves them to enjoy the feast.

  "Dinuguan? Nice." Shiva is amused.

  "Uhmmm... Is this dish really edible?" Sophia is not trusting the blood stew.

  "What even is this thing? It doesn't look trustworthy." Beltrand points his finger to the bowl of dinuguan.

  "That's dinuguan. That's made with pork blood and intestines. Quiet a savory dish and one of my favorites." Shiva answers calmly.

  "I thought it's chocolate." -Shirna.

  Claustrine meanwhile looks at Mateo who staring on the bowl of dinuguan with seriousness and intense suspicion.

  "Do you sense something?" Claustrine asked Mateo.

  "Yeah... I think this time, we should skip this one."

  Shiva at first is confused but he caught on what Mateo is worried about. His expression turn aware as he almost forgot their problem.

  "I think that's the best option here."

  "What do you mean the "best option"? You two know something right?" -Beltrand.

  "I knew it. This dish is not edible." Sophia shivered on the thought of eating such suspicious dish.

  "No it's not like that. Dinuguan is delicious, it's just..."

  "Sophia is right. This one is not edible."

  "You smell something Shirna?" Mateo asked as his words adds more weight to their situation.

  "Yes. This bowl smells similar to the people on this town."

  Mateo's eyes widen as he struggles to speak. Instead, he thinks for a moment. Then he remembers something which make him look at Shirna.

  "Shirna give me your knife and a calamansi."

  "But why?"

  "Just do it."

  Shirna awkwardly comply as he open his Bag-of-Storage then pulls his balisong and a single calamansi. He gives both to Mateo who proceeds to look around them. After ensuring thay there's no strangers close to them, Mateo swifly slice the calamansi into two before giving the balisong back to Shirna.

  "What are you doing?" Beltrand asked.

  "Testing something."

  Mateo squeezes the both ends of the calamansi to the bowl of dinuguan. The moment the sour juices touch the suspicious dish, everyone watch with horror and digusts. Sweats forming on their faces as their gaze focused on the the blood stew.

  Or whatever the hell is the thing they looking now as the tidbits of chopped offals squirms like it's alive. Everyone now smell the pungent odor Shirna is smelling since the beggining as the bowl of organs move erraticly. Like the acid is burning its contents as the chopped organs dances like they're on pain.

  It lasted 30 seconds before it all stops. Sophia almost puke due to the grotesque show.

  "I knew it. Everything makes sense now." Mateo speaks.

  "Fucking hell. So that's what they want to do to us huh?" Shiva clench his fists tightly.

  "I-I feel... Sick... Puwee..." Sophia almost puked by she perseveres.

  "What's going on? Can you tell us what you know?" Claustrine asked as she still have no idea what two Earthlings is refering about.

  "Yeah... Can you fill us in now? You two seems already know what we dealing with." -Beltrand.

  But before Mateo can even answer. They see the girl approaching them.

  "Shirna open your bag."

  Shirna complies and sneakly open his Bag-of-Storage where Mateo throws the squeezed calamansi. Then Mateo proceeds to mix the so-called dinuguan to hide the citrus smell and the bright seeds before the girl spot them.

  "Hello guys. How's the pulutan? Do you like it?" The girl cheerfully asked.

  "Yes. It's delicious." Mateo's fake compliment.

  "Good to hear that. I gonna tell mom that you like our food. Do you want more?"

  "Thanks for the offer but I think we just gonna finish this bowl." Mateo's reasoning.

  He notices the girl looking intently on the bowl for a moment before she returns to her cheerful self.

  "I see... Well just call me if you change your mind ok? I will bring you more food and booze. Bye."

  The girl gives a smile then leaves. After she disappears, everyone makes a deep relaxed sigh.

  "Hey Shirna."

  "Yes Beltrand?"

  "Can you smell the beer and check if it's safe?"

  "Really Beltrand?" Sophia said as her and Claustrine look at him with disbelief.

  "Come on. I'm thirsty and I need to numb myself, atleast we have our fun first before trouble reveals itself."

  Shirna picks one of the small bottles of beer, let Shiva open it with his swiss knife then takes a short sniff.

  "The beer is. It just regular store beer."

  "Phew! Finally something good." Beltrand pulls a bottle on the ice bucket, opens the cap with his very own hand and chug it bottoms up. Then he makes a satisfied pwah sound.

  "Now that's the good stuff!" -Beltrand.

  Everyone then picks their own bottles, open it with Shiva's swiss knife and then drink. Claustrine then push the bowl of disgust away from them.

  "That won't do Trinne."

  Mateo opens his Bag-of-Storage, pulls a plastic bag full of candy snacks, pour out all of its content back inside the he sneakly pick the bowl, pour the entire content to the plastic bag which Mateo proceed to tie tightly before throwing it inside the magical bag. Now the bowl is empty in front of them.

  "Now no one can suspect us."

  "Good, now lets go back to the main topic. Whay you two discover after all of this? Even us are suspicious and demand answers." Claustrine then drinks to her beer.

  Mateo makes a deep sigh.

  "We're now dealing with an Aswang."

  Beltrand almost burst out laughing but he manages to repressed it alongside Claustrine who look down to hide her restrianed giggle, Sophia who cover her mouth with her hand, and Shirna who puffed his cheek to avoid laughing.

  "Ass Wang? The fuck is that name?"

  "You know I'm being serious here right?" Mateo raise an eyebrow.

  "I'm so sorry brother. It's just..." Beltrand makes a soft giggle.

  Mateo thinks for a moment.

  "On a second thought... Yeah, it's quiet funny."

  "Hoy." Shiva is not amused.

  "Ahem! Just like I said, we're now dealing with unmeasurable monsters now."

  Mateo then gulped.

  "Or more precisely, an entire village full of it."

  The cheerful vibe turn sour after Mateo reveals the extent of the situation. Grand Ecstasy scans the surroundings full of faces they don't know. Their expression turn grim. As they're now...

  In a village far away from civilization. Hidden deep in the woods.