⚔️ Chapter 33: The Heart of the Battle in the Soul's Darkness
Georgia's POV
The afternoon in Plaridel was hot and dusty as I sat in my grandfather's small peanut stall, helping out. I was perched on an old bamboo chair, staring at a simple necklace given to me by Erik. It was a humble string of wooden beads, yet for me, it was more than just jewelry—it felt like a chain tethering my heart, a constant reminder of him.
As I twisted the wooden beads between my fingers, the questions replayed in my mind: Will Erik ever return? Is he angry with me? Did he leave because I hurt him?
My mind was restless, constantly troubled and agitated. I was terrified that he might come back, but with that woman—the one I saw him with in front of the swing.
What would I do if that happened? Would I be angry at him? Would I cry? Or would I simply accept that I am not the woman he truly desires? These questions were like daggers stabbing my chest, and I couldn't figure out how to silence them.
"Lord, why do I have to think like this?" I whispered to myself, clutching the necklace tighter. I wasn't like this before. My life was simple—selling flowers, helping my family, never worrying about men. But now, every day feels like a fight against my own emotions. Why do I have to be this way? Is Erik really that important to me?
In the midst of my melancholy, I overheard the voices of the female vendors on the nearby pavement. Their conversation was loud, emotional, and heavy with worry about what happened in the squatter settlement yesterday.
"Did you hear the news? The police arrested even more people last night," said one woman in a faded duster. "They rounded up everyone they suspected of being Hustisya's accomplices. No one was spared—young, old, women, men!"
"I'm terrified for my family and me," replied another vendor, her voice trembling with fear. "We're Filipinos, too, so what if we get dragged into this? Is Plaridel still safe for us?"
Another woman, carrying a basket of vegetables, shook her head. "Why do we have to suffer because of what Hustisya did? If it weren't for her, our town wouldn't be in chaos!" Her tone was tinged with anger, and her words struck my heart like a whip.
But one woman disagreed with the others. "Don't speak that way," said a vendor with a gentle face. "Hustisya is the only one who can help us against the abuses of the Spaniards. Do you know how many Filipinos she has saved from those cruel Spaniards? She is the one who gives hope to people like us!"
"Hope?" another countered, a hint of disdain in her voice. "What hope is she giving? Everyone she helped is now arrested! They're in jail! What about them? What about their families?" Her words intensified the pain in my chest, and I felt crushed by guilt and self-reproach.
As Hustisya, those painful words pierced my heart like a spear. I was overwhelmed with sorrow, and for the first time, I felt anger—not just at the Spaniards, but also at myself.
I knew I couldn't do anything right now. My power as a Sugo (Emissary/Apostle) is limited, and the remaining energy I have is not enough to fight so many enemies. When I use my ability to control objects, my body's energy depletes quickly, and I know fifteen minutes is not enough time to save so many people across Plaridel.
I was afraid of reaching my limit mid-battle and failing my mission. What would happen if the Spaniards caught me? My remaining energy is reserved for the critical fights I anticipate in the coming days.
Even though I desperately want to help the Filipinos in the city, there's nothing I can do right now. Transforming into Hustisya requires an immense amount of energy, and if I use it too soon, I might not have any left to face the Governor-General, who also possesses powers like mine.
As the vendors' conversation continued, I heard them express their gratitude for Ifugao. "Thank goodness Ifugao showed up last night," one said, her voice filled with hope. "If it weren't for him, even more people would have been arrested."
I was frozen in my seat. Ifugao? I was shocked to hear his name. I knew Ifugao was still in Plaridel, but I didn't expect him to fight the Spaniards to protect the people here.
I also heard the vendors' praises for him. "Wait, isn't Ifugao the one in the online news? The one who fought the terrorists in Pangasinan! Even though he's from a faraway place, he's helped us more than Hustisya, who seems to have just abandoned us!"
"Don't say that," another vendor objected. "We owe Hustisya a great debt. I don't believe she abandoned us. Maybe she's just preparing a plan to rescue the arrested people!"
But another woman shook her head. "Don't bother hoping that Hustisya will show up again. SHe's probably hiding. All of Plaridel people is ready to hunt her down. The police said they won't release the arrested Filipinos until Hustisya is captured. So, if you know anything, turn her over to the Spaniards so this can finally end!"
One vendor became furious. "How can you even think of betraying Hustisya? Do you have no gratitude? No matter what happens, we should support our fellow Filipino!"
"Support?" one woman scoffed, a trace of resentment in her voice. "If Hustisya cared about us, she would surrender! The people in prison are suffering! So many children and women were arrested, and we know the police might rape the captured women. Their situation is pitiful!"
Those words ignited a fire in my heart. I stood up, my hands trembling with sheer anger. I knew I couldn't hide for long. Even with limited energy, I have to act. I need to save the Filipinos who were arrested because of me, especially the women. In my heart, I swore: I will not forsake them. I will free the captives.
Erik's POV
Inside the old warehouse, five hours after my conversation with Apyong, my intense battle with Jana continued. Every second felt like my life was on the line, and every time I fell was a test of my resilience.
Jana's moving tentacles, like the living limbs of an octopus, attacked me quickly, and no matter how fast I ran, I still couldn't evade them all.
I moved swiftly, running past broken bamboo and rusting machinery, but Jana's tentacles seemed to have a life of their own.
One struck me, sending me tumbling. I regained my balance and quickly leaped to avoid the second tentacle. But before I could stand properly, another tentacle grabbed my leg, and in an instant, it hurled me toward a pile of boxes. A sharp pain, like a spike driven into my back, shot through my body.
I immediately stood up, even though my knees were shaking. As I rose, three tentacles lunged at me, each one faster than the last. Using my sword, which materialized from my power as a Sugo, I sliced two of them. But the third quickly gripped my arm and slammed me into the warehouse's hard concrete wall.
The sound of my bones hitting the cement reverberated through the air. The tentacles' strength was abnormal, and I knew a single blow could be fatal.
I felt exhausted, breathing hard, my hands trembling. I knew I couldn't defeat Jana—not this way. I noticed she hadn't even moved from her spot, and every tentacle I cut quickly reverted to normal, as if my attacks had no effect.
"Erik, get up!" Jana shouted. "If this were a real fight, I would have killed you! Don't boast about being a hero if all you can do in a fight is dodge!"
Gasping for air, I forced myself to stand. I knew there was no other way out of this warehouse but to fight her. Blue energy enveloped my body, and in a flash, my yellow hair became more vibrant, and my eyes blazed with determination. I charged forward, ready to face Jana, even though I knew the odds were against me.
In my first attack, I delivered a powerful sword slash toward her. My sword, ablaze with blue energy, sliced through an incoming tentacle, easily separating it, and the falling parts quickly vanished into thin air.
But before I could celebrate, two more tentacles emerged from behind Jana, and one struck me in the chest, knocking me to the ground.
I felt pain throughout my body but forced myself to stand, even though my legs felt heavy with exhaustion.
"You still haven't learned anything, Ifugao," Jana said, a hint of mockery in her voice. "If that's all you have, you'll never leave this place."
I charged again, using my speed to evade the tentacles. In a swift spin, I avoided three attacking tentacles, waiting for a chance to hit Jana just once. But before I could get close, a tentacle wrapped around my waist and violently pulled me, throwing me toward an old machine, its metal part striking my back.
Lying there, I tried to figure out how to counter her tentacles—three of Jana's five tentacles were protecting her while the other two attacked. I could feel my energy limit, which was continuously depleting with every passing minute.
Every attack I launched failed, while Jana's attacks grew stronger. But despite the pain, I knew I had to keep going. For Hustisya, for the people of Plaridel, and for myself.
A few minutes later, seeing my exhaustion and near inability to stand after another fall, Jana offered me a half-hour break. It was short, but I was grateful for her consideration and immediately slumped onto the floor, gasping for breath. I needed to make the most of this brief rest to recover my strength.
While resting, I noticed Apyong was still watching from above. I didn't know his plan, but I ignored it for now.
After a few minutes of rest, I prepared for another round. My body was weary, but my heart still burned with determination. "I won't give up, Jana," I said, even though my voice was weak.
Jana smiled confidently. "Your courage is admirable, Ifugao, but courage alone won't win against me," she said, as her tentacles once again blazed with energy.
This time, I decided to change my strategy. Instead of just dodging, I tried to use the warehouse environment. I leaped toward a pile of boxes, using them as a shield against Jana's tentacles. I managed to slice one, and with a quick move, I jumped onto a high platform, hoping to get closer to Jana.
But before I could reach her, a tentacle grabbed my leg, violently pulling me down and hurling me toward the warehouse roof. Because my body's protection was weakening due to low energy, I felt every single slam as if my body was being crushed. I fell to the floor, almost breathless. The boxes surrounding me shattered, and the air filled with dust.
"Is that all you have, Ifugao?" Jana said, her voice a warning. "Won't you even try to study your opponent's movements?"
Gasping, I struggled to my feet. My body was battered and bruised from her attacks, but my mind remained clear. I knew I had to continue, even though winning the fight seemed impossible.
For the third time, I prepared to fight. My body's energy was nearly exhausted, but I was still determined to fight. "I can still fight, Miss Jana," I said, my voice steady. "No matter how many times you knock me down, I will get up."
Jana smirked, her eyes gleaming with confidence. "Then prove it," she said, as her tentacles attacked again.
This time, I poured my remaining power into one attack. Blue energy enveloped my sword, its blade ablaze with an intense aura. With a quick move, I sliced through three incoming tentacles, destroying them.
But I didn't expect another tentacle to quickly grab my neck, and with a strong pull, it flung me toward an iron post. Once again, I collapsed onto the floor, unable to stand.
I could barely lift my body from the ground. I knew the energy I was drawing from the surroundings was limited, and I was close to running out of strength, but my heart refused to surrender. Despite the pain, despite the failure, I knew I had to keep going. For the people of Plaridel, for Hustisya, and for my own purpose as a Sugo.
"I'm impressed by your ability to hold so much energy in your body. What now, Ifugao? Do you want to continue?" Jana asked.
"I can still fight. Let's keep going," I said bravely.
The fight continued, every moment a test of my courage and resilience. Despite my falls and the challenges, I knew I had to persevere. This warehouse felt like a prison, and I had to escape it by any means necessary to prove that I am capable of being a hero.
End of Chapter