Chapter 55: The Hope Behind the Door
Inside the House Without Stairs, a profound silence settled over the room just minutes after the intense battle. The ferocity of the clash faded as the tension dissipated. The two soldiers, Abby and Peter, were finally permitted to enter the chamber where Romeo and Laguna waited.
Laguna was currently recognized by the Spaniards as the most powerful sugo of the Filipino diwata. The three visitors sat on chairs adorned with intricate wooden carvings, facing a long dining table. At the opposite end sat Laguna, flanked by her five subordinates: Maria Clara, Cris, Basilio, Elias, and Juli. The room was heavy with a quiet intensity; Laguna's attendants remained vigilant behind her, their eyes alert yet filled with absolute respect for their mistress.
Clara served bowls of fresh fruit salad—a medley of apples, pineapples, and jicama tossed with sweet fruit cocktail and cream. The air was thick with the inviting, sugary scent of fresh fruit, yet the three soldiers sat like statues, barely moving in their seats. Laguna, on the other hand, wore a visible smile, savoring the fruit salad as her eyes sparkled with the simple joy of the meal.
Noticing Romeo's grim expression and untouched cutlery, Laguna spoke. "General, why not try the salad? I'm certain you'll find it to your liking," she said, her tone light but tinged with a hint of playfulness. She lifted a spoon with a slice of apple and smiled broadly.
"I am in no mood to eat," Romeo replied, his voice heavy and serious. "My purpose here is urgent, Laguna. With every passing minute, more lives are at risk. I cannot afford to waste time here just to dine."
Laguna let out a long sigh, like a mother weary of a child's stubbornness. "You are far too young, Romeo, to stress over things beyond your control," she said, resting her spoon on the edge of her plate. "What I mean is, death is natural. Every day, people in this country die—from war, hunger, or disease. In the end, we all face the same fate."
Romeo surged to his feet, slamming his fist onto the table so hard the silverware rattled. His eyes burned with fury and conviction. "Even if death is natural, no one has the right to dictate when or how it happens!" he shouted, his voice laced with bitterness. "I will not stand by while this chaos continues and innocent lives are snuffed out by injustice!"
The room fell into a stifling silence. The weight of Romeo's words hit them like a falling stone. Abby and Peter exchanged worried glances, anxious about their General's outburst in the presence of Laguna. Laguna remained calm, though a flicker of concern crossed her eyes. She bowed her head and took another bite of salad, as if waiting for the right moment to speak.
"I won't beat around the bush any longer," Romeo said, his voice calmer but still vibrating with intensity. "I am here to ask for your help. You know of the Katipunan—the rebels led by Martin. Over five hundred people have already died because of them, and I won't let it continue. I need your help, Laguna, to stop them."
Silence reigned once more. Laguna continued to eat, her spoon moving with agonizing slowness while her subordinates stood like shadows behind her. Despite his anger, Romeo bowed low before her, his forehead nearly touching the table in a gesture of both respect and desperation.
"Five hundred lives, Laguna. Five hundred Filipinos. Is that not enough to make you act?"
Ten seconds of grueling silence passed while Romeo remained bowed. Finally, Laguna set her spoon down and looked Romeo directly in the eyes.
"Oh, the Katipunan? Right, the group led by Martin, the sugo of Quezon City," she said, her voice steady and knowledgeable.
Abby's eyes widened. "You know Martin?" she asked, incredulous.
Laguna did not deny it. Instead, she offered a small smile. "I know everything about the sugo of the diwata in the Philippines—their names, their abilities, their locations, their personalities, and even the nature of their energy. I have my man Elias to thank for that," she said, glancing at the man beside her.
Suddenly, several spherical objects resembling floating eyes manifested in the air, glinting in the light of the room. "Elias uses these to observe, regardless of the distance," Laguna explained. "Through them, I monitor the movements of sugo across the entire archipelago."
"Then you know everything that is happening in the country?" Romeo asked.
"I know much, but not all," Laguna replied with a guarded smile. "It depends on the timing and the situation. I cannot see everything, but I know enough to be cautious."
"Is that true?" Abby asked, her curiosity piqued. "Are you saying you know the location of every sugo?"
"Not all," Laguna clarified. "But Elias can detect the presence of a sugo the moment they manifest their power, making them easy to track. Currently, there are over one hundred and twenty sugo in the Philippines. Thirty of them serve as soldiers for the Spanish Crown."
Peter and Abby were stunned. "One hundred and twenty?" Peter exclaimed. "I never imagined there were so many of us!"
"It is a staggering number, but if you say it is so, I believe you," Romeo said respectfully.
Laguna's eyes gleamed with intellect. "Would you like me to tell you where they are?" she teased. "Many of them have no wish to be found. Only a few possess the courage to use their gifts to fulfill their mission as a sugo."
She explained that the diwata granted powers in various ways. "They do not force their sugo onto a set path. Just as we once were, they are free to use their power as they see fit. I believe that even if they defy the will of the diwata, their power remains because it was destined to be theirs long ago."
"If you could gather the other sugo and convince them to join you, the Spanish government's forces would be insurmountable," Laguna added. "You would have total control over the country."
"I am not trying to 'use' them," Romeo countered with sincerity. "I help them so they can lead decent lives and fulfill their duties as sugo."
Laguna's smile turned skeptical. She stared at him intently. "There is no difference between what you do and 'using' them, Romeo. You offer them wealth and privilege in exchange for becoming soldiers—soldiers who must follow Spanish orders, orders they cannot defy, even if it leads to the deaths of their fellow Filipinos."
Romeo snapped back, his voice rising in anger. "I know our missions often end in the deaths of rebels, but we do this to protect the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire! My only wish is for Filipinos to live in peace and to fix the system from within. But how can that happen if the rebels keep sowing chaos?"
"We must unite under one goal before peace can exist," Romeo continued, his eyes burning. "And until then, those who oppose that peace must be dealt with."
Laguna waited for him to finish before challenging him. "Are you saying that killing the rebels is the only way to achieve the peace you crave? Do you truly believe you will succeed that way?" Her eyes softened with pity. "Not every Filipino shares your beliefs, Romeo. You must accept that."
Romeo clenched his fists. He knew his vision was not shared by everyone.
"To others," Laguna continued, "the Spaniards are colonizers, and this country needs its freedom. They want to reclaim the dignity and rights stolen from them in the very land of their birth." She looked down, her voice becoming somber. "Do you really want Filipinos to remain slaves, Romeo? To live like the lapdogs of foreigners?"
Laguna's words cut Romeo to the quick. He slammed the table again, his hand trembling with rage, though he restrained himself from lashing out at the most powerful sugo. "I did not come here to be insulted by you!" he barked. "You know that even if I serve the Spaniards, my heart and mind belong to my people! I only want what is best for the Philippines!"
Silence returned. Romeo took a deep breath to steady his emotions. "When you saved me back then, Laguna, you gave me no orders, no purpose. You left me to decide for myself. And the only way I saw to help this nation was to become a soldier. I see the failings of the Spaniards, and it pains me when they order us to kill our own. But what else can I do?"
He hit the table once more, his voice thick with bitterness. "I want all of this to end! I don't want my sins to grow any larger, but I don't know how to stop this madness!" He looked at Laguna with desperation. "Tell me, Laguna—you who are known as the wisest and most powerful in the land. If you believe rebellion is the right path, I am ready to follow you. Just say the word, and I will join you to tear down the Spanish government myself!"
Abby and Peter gasped, their mouths agape. "General, are you serious?" Abby whispered.
The tension in the room was like brittle glass. They all waited for Laguna's response. Instead of answering, she simply smiled, her eyes twinkling with admiration.
"You are clever, Romeo, and bold. I admire your heart," she said with soft authority. "Like you, I wish for a free Philippines. But the problem is, I have no taste for fighting. That is why I created my subordinates—Clara, Cris, Basilio, Elias, and Juli—to fight in my stead."
Romeo listened intently. "I do not believe Filipinos are capable of being truly free right now," Laguna admitted sadly. "That is why I cannot lead the rebellion you speak of."
She offered him a piece of information as if it were a favor between friends. "If a rebellion of all the sugo were to start against the Spaniards, only twenty would truly have the capability to face the 'Swords of Spain.' And of those, only five could stand on equal footing with them—and even then, only after long preparation."
"Only five?" Abby asked in wonder.
Laguna smiled. "The number isn't exact, of course. It depends on the situation. Even if those five could match the 'Swords,' victory isn't guaranteed. My analysis is based on Elias's data—personality, ability, and combat potential."
"I will admit to you," Laguna said gravely, "those five could kill the 'Swords.' However, they won't. Why? Because they despise conflict and refuse to be dragged into an endless war against a global power like Spain. Most sugo want nothing to do with fighting. Even if they have the potential, we cannot rely on those who have no will to join the fray."
Romeo chimed in bitterly. "The Spaniards have mastered the third level of the sugo state. Their knowledge of combat is leagues beyond ours. Because of that, winning a war is nearly impossible."
Laguna nodded. "You're right. There is a massive gap in knowledge between us and the Spaniards regarding the use of the diwata's power. I have fought the 'Swords of Spain' on their own soil; they are no easy opponents."
Abby and Peter were floored. "You fought in Spain?" Abby asked. "How were you not caught?"
Laguna's smile was full of confidence. "While the Spaniards hunt me here in the Philippines, I am largely ignored in Spain. When the generals here pursued me, I went to Spain myself to negotiate with their officials. You see, Romeo, politics runs the world. If you have nations supporting you and you are part of their alliances, you have power."
She took another bite of salad, looking as carefree as a child, while Romeo and his team waited for her next words.
"I am trying to convince influential people abroad to help the Filipinos against the dark system that exists here," Laguna said. "But it seems unlikely they can help me now because of the global conflicts occurring." She sighed. "I have no right to question the beliefs of others, given that I am a coward who hides and avoids responsibility."
She told Romeo that as long as he had time, he should do what he believed was right. "When I saved you, I didn't tell you what to do because even I didn't know the right path for you. I help Filipinos in my own way, but I know that every day, many suffer and die. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up, or if my methods will ever bear fruit."
"Romeo," she added compassionately, "this will not end through bloodshed alone. Violence only breeds anger and hate, leading to an endless cycle of revenge."
"I know," Romeo replied. "But the rebels have gone too far. I must act to stop them."
Laguna paused, setting her spoon down. "If you are serious about killing the Katipunan rebels, I must tell you that I cannot help you," she said with a hint of sorrow. She admitted she knew Martin and had met him twice, thanks to Elias's surveillance. "Last month, he came to me to convince me to join the fight for freedom."
Abby leaned in. "You know where Martin is?"
Laguna didn't deny knowing his hiding spots. "Tell me where he is, and I'll handle the rest," Romeo said bravely.
Laguna's smile turned hesitant. "You're mistaken if you think I'll just hand that information over, Romeo. Things aren't that simple."
Romeo's voice rose again. "Five hundred people died because of Martin! Is that not enough for you to help me catch him?"
Laguna closed her eyes in disappointment. After a moment of silence, she spoke. "When Martin came to me, he knelt and pressed his head to the floor, begging for help for the Filipino people. He wants to free the Philippines, and he is ready to sacrifice everything for it."
Romeo slammed the table once more. "What Martin is fighting for isn't for the sake of the Filipinos! He's using people for his own ends! Those who died didn't deserve their fates! Even now, the orphaned are weeping because of his selfish desires!"
Despite Romeo's fury, Laguna remained unmoved.
"All I want is for you to tell me where I can find him," Romeo said with desperate courage.
Laguna sighed, reiterating that she would give him no information. Romeo shouted her name in a rage, the sound silencing the room. They locked eyes for several seconds in a tense standoff. Laguna saw the desperation in him to end the rebellion.
"Romeo, I understand what you're fighting for, and I know the hardships you've faced," Laguna said softly. "I want to support you, but you must know the truth." She explained that Martin was also a victim of the country's dark system. "His family was burned alive in front of him. His comrades were killed, and he was enslaved for years. He will never stop this fight, especially now that he has the chance for revenge."
Laguna believed Martin's killings were unjustifiable, yet she understood his hatred for the Spaniards. She detested his actions but felt she had no right to stop him as it wasn't her responsibility. She described herself as just an "ordinary girl" who shouldn't interfere in things outside her purview.
"If you were in Martin's position, Romeo, what would you do? If your loved ones, your rights, your freedom, and your happiness were snatched away by the Spaniards, would you not also crave vengeance?"
Silence fell over the room. Romeo bowed his head, struggling with his internal conflict. "The Filipinos caught in the crossfire had nothing to do with the death of Martin's family," he said bitterly. "They didn't deserve to die."
"Great goals require great sacrifices," Laguna replied. "To Martin, sacrifice in war is inevitable."
Romeo closed his eyes, suppressing his anger. "If people continue to cling to their twisted beliefs and principles, there will never be peace in this land. It will only lead to a bloody struggle where we kill each other off. How much longer must we endure this?"
Laguna felt the weight of his soul—the exhaustion and pain of an endless battle. She felt pity, but she knew she couldn't help him the way he wanted.
"I have to protect my name, Romeo," she said. "I swore not to interfere in the internal conflicts of this country because I must keep my reputation clean for my international plans. Martin knelt before me for help, just as you are doing now. I denied him, and like him, I cannot grant your request."
Romeo realized he couldn't change her mind. He bowed, his eyes filled with disappointment but his voice now calm. "I respect you and thank you for all you have done. I understand you must protect your name. Even if you cannot grant my wish, I thank you for your time."
Romeo stood up to leave. "We're going. Thank you."
But before he could step away, Laguna spoke. "Even if you find Martin, you stand no chance against him."
Romeo stopped and turned back. "What do you mean?"
Laguna sighed and revealed Martin's power. "His Ursarion is one of the most peculiar abilities I have ever seen. When the Ursarion consumes something, it absorbs its energy—and not just that, but it also takes the abilities of the sugo it devours."
Romeo and his team were horrified. They recalled Martin's seemingly limitless array of powers during their previous encounter. "So that's why he has so many abilities," Abby whispered.
"The Katipunan has five sugo, and the number is growing because of Martin's recruitment," Laguna added. "Many sugo are cowardly and know nothing of fighting, but Martin offers them a strange deal—to willingly merge with the Ursarion."
"He isn't just taking their energy; he's taking their very essence," Laguna explained. "With that power, if he gets enough sugo to agree, he could actually challenge the 'Swords of Spain.'"
"But if his power comes from the Ursarion, he'd be easily defeated if it were destroyed," Abby noted.
Laguna's smile carried a warning. "You have a point, Abby, but even if you destroy the Ursarion, there's no guarantee you'll catch Martin. Furthermore, there is no way to get the people out of it. Their minds and spirits are linked to it—if you destroy it, everyone inside dies too."
Romeo and his companions were stunned. Laguna leaned her chin on her hand, looking at the young man with a questioning gaze. "Have you ever wondered, Romeo, if perhaps Martin is the hero the Filipinos have been waiting for? The man who will finally bring freedom to this land?"
The room went quiet. Romeo did not answer, his eyes full of doubt. Laguna suddenly clapped her hands, breaking the tension.
"Forget I said that," she said, her voice light again. "No one can say what the future holds." She touched her chin as if remembering something. "Wait, Romeo. It's been over four years since I told you that if you want to succeed in this war, you need to use her as your weapon."
"Use her?" Romeo asked, confused.
"The sugo of La Trinidad—Jasmine," Laguna replied confidently. "She is one of the most powerful, and I can say she has the potential to fight even the 'Swords of Spain' in a full-scale war."
A few minutes passed after their visit to Laguna. Inside the vehicle, as they traveled to their next destination, none of the three spoke. Romeo stared out the window, his mind clouded with anxiety. The silence grew heavy until Abby couldn't take it anymore.
"General, what did Laguna mean about Flora?" she asked worriedly.
Peter joined in, looking puzzled. "I know Flora's ability to draw energy from her surroundings, but it has limits and can't be used for long. I don't understand why Laguna thinks she can face the 'Swords of Spain.'"
Romeo sighed, his voice bitter. "Flora is strong compared to other soldiers, and she has talent. But she is too kind… and a coward."
He explained that because of her weak heart, she often trembled in fear despite her power. "Everyone would be angry with me if they knew how much I favored her, especially since it's clear she lacks the courage to be a soldier. I know her cowardice better than anyone. Even though she trains hard, she can't be relied upon in a real, large-scale battle."
"General, we know that," Abby said supportively.
"I keep Flora at the camp only to protect her from the Spaniards who want to use her," Romeo admitted. "If I let her go to another camp, she'd be in deep trouble. Flora can never bring herself to kill anyone, and I don't know if she can last as a soldier. I've always felt she hates what she's doing. She's terrified of blood and wounds—she nearly vomits at the sight of a crime scene. She's only there because I ordered her to be, and I feel sorry for her."
He admitted he had made many wrong decisions, one of which was forcing Flora into the military.
"I know Flora isn't meant for the military, but I don't think taking her in was a mistake," Abby said hopefully. "She has had a good life under your care, General."
Romeo smiled sadly. "Flora's power can draw energy from the environment or an enemy, but she needs to maintain contact or wrap them in her plants. But there was a mission once that proved what Laguna said—that she could match the 'Swords of Spain.' The mission in Pampanga," he said, his voice dropping. "The tragedy where a thousand rebels and Spanish soldiers perished."
Abby and Peter gasped, remembering the event. "It was blamed on the sugo of Angeles, but the truth is, Flora was the one responsible for the deaths there," Romeo revealed. "Flora can't control her emotions—her fear, anger, and desperation. When she panics, she loses control and destroys everything around her." Romeo smiled weakly. "She's been traumatized ever since. She's afraid it will happen again—that she'll kill not just rebels, but her own comrades."
He recounted how, out of guilt and fear, Flora had collapsed in a hospital and woken up with no memory of the event. Romeo had been terrified for her, but he was relieved she had forgotten that nightmare.
"She was comatose for a month after that mission, right?" Abby asked. "The report said the explosion was caused by rebels."
"That is why I decided that as much as possible, I will never send Flora into battle again," Romeo said. "I'll let her decide if she wants to leave the service to live a happy life, even if it means we have to be apart."
The car fell silent as the two subordinates realized why Romeo had been trying to distance himself from Flora and encourage her to build her own life.
After a while, Abby spoke again. "General, what are your plans for the new sugo Laguna mentioned?"
"We have to convince her," Abby urged. "If Laguna says she's one of the most powerful, we must do everything to get her on our side."
"If she has that much potential, we need her as an ally against Martin," Peter added.
"An ally?" Romeo said, his voice full of bitterness. "I don't know if what I'm doing is right anymore." He explained that he felt he was doing exactly what Martin was doing—hunting for sugo to use for his own goals. "Martin offers them money and freedom—things Filipinos can't refuse. I feel like I'm no different from him."
Abby immediately disagreed. "General, you and Martin are different! You seek peace and you have a heart for the people, unlike Martin, who kills without mercy!"
Romeo's smile was full of doubt. "There is no difference between Martin killing Spaniards and me killing Filipino rebels. Even if we say it's for the good of the country, the fact remains that people are dying." He sighed. "For now, we have to stop the Katipunan and Martin. But I'm struggling because Laguna's mission is so complicated. How can I convince a sugo who hates soldiers like me?"
He recalled what Laguna said before they left. She had handed him a photograph of a sugo she had once trained.
"Because I'm in a good mood, I'll give you a favor to help defeat Martin," Laguna had said.
"Who is this?" Romeo had asked.
Laguna introduced the girl in the photo as Indang, the sugo of Kawit, fourteen years old. Her powers had manifested at age seven, and the Spaniards had been hunting her since. Laguna took her in, but she couldn't keep her forever because of the dangers of her work. They had also had a falling out that threatened Laguna's plans. Because of Indang's opposition to the Church, there was a high chance a 'Sword of Spain' would be sent to kill her. The Church, after all, controlled the 'Swords' and decided who lived or died.
"Despite her stubbornness, I've grown to love Indang," Laguna had said, her voice full of worry. "I want you to save her from this cruel world."
Romeo stared at the photo with hesitation. "I don't understand how I'm supposed to save her while trying to convince her to join me as a soldier," he said.
Laguna doubted Indang would ever agree to be a soldier or a "lapdog" for the Spaniards, but she mentioned that a deal could be reached if Romeo approached her the right way and with a good reason. Laguna clarified that she didn't want Indang harmed and trusted Romeo to look after her like a daughter.
"Can she really help against Martin?"
"Without a doubt," Laguna replied confidently. "She is one of my most powerful students. To be honest, you wouldn't be able to beat her if she got serious in a fight."
Cris had agreed, noting that Indang had mastered three levels of the sugo state and various international techniques. "I'm telling you, Romeo, she was fighting my five subordinates all at once when she was still training here," Laguna added.
But then she scratched her head. "There is a slight problem with her personality—she's a bold tomboy who hates soldiers. And your biggest problem is that she also wants the Philippines to be free, just like what Martin is offering. You'll have a hard time convincing her to be a soldier. But you'll regret it even more if Martin gets to her first. She lacks experience now, but one day, she will be the most powerful warrior in the land."
Romeo sighed and jokingly asked Laguna why she didn't just call the girl and talk to her on his behalf if she really wanted to help.
"Oh, what you're asking is quite complicated," Laguna said, scratching her head.
Clara intervened and revealed that Laguna and Indang had a major misunderstanding before Laguna kicked her out.
"You kicked her out?"
Laguna just smiled and remained silent. Clara answered, explaining that Indang refused to listen to Laguna, which led to their fight. "Because Indang kept interfering in national affairs, which led to her hurting Spanish police, Master punished her. Before long, she was rebelling against Master's orders."
Laguna defended the girl, saying she understood why Indang was protecting Filipinos, but Laguna felt it was too dangerous for both of them.
Laguna sighed as she said goodbye. "This is as much help as I can give you. I will pray for your success," she said with a smile.
As the car moved, Romeo sat in silence, staring at Indang's photograph, his mind swirling with questions. The weight of his responsibilities felt like a mountain on his shoulders, but he knew he had to push forward—for the country, for those who trusted him, and for the hope of a better tomorrow.
End of chapter.