Chapter 68: Trials of Courage and Love
Adelina's Point of View
A quiet morning in Cavite greeted the day, the air crisp with the scent of the sea wafting from the nearby bay. Romeo arrived at his office, a modest room within a government-owned building. His steps were heavy, as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. Upon opening the door, he found Abby and Peter waiting, their faces etched with concern. The office was silent, save for the steady ticking of the wall clock.
The two immediately stood and offered a stiff, formal salute. "Good morning, General!" they greeted in unison, but their posture broke the moment they saw him.
Their expressions twisted into worry at the sight of a large bandage on Romeo's cheek, which was still noticeably swollen. The angry redness around the edges spoke of the pain he had endured.
"General, what happened? Were you attacked? Why didn't you call us?" Peter asked frantically, his voice high and rapid with fear. His eyes were glued to the bandage.
Romeo let out a long, weary sigh—a breath that betrayed his emotional exhaustion. He raised a hand to calm them. "I'm fine. Adelina and I just had a bit of a... misunderstanding," he answered softly, a trace of embarrassment in his tone.
His mind flashed back to the moment—the sudden kiss he hadn't expected himself to initiate, and the stinging slap she had dealt him in return.
Abby and Peter were stunned. Abby, always fiercely protective of her general, couldn't believe it. "You can't let a woman do this to you, General! Don't tell me you're just letting her beat you up?" she cried, her face flushing with a mix of anger and concern. To her, Romeo was a brave soldier respected by all; he shouldn't be harmed by anyone, especially not her.
"There was no beating, Abby. She's not that bad. And besides, it was my fault she slapped me," Romeo explained, his voice steady but gentle, showing his acceptance of his own mistake. He felt a deep sense of shame for what he had done, though he tried to hide its full extent from his subordinates.
Abby stomped her foot hard against the floor. "I can't believe that woman would lay a hand on you! You should find a decent woman to be your girlfriend!" she shouted, her eyes burning with a mix of jealousy and worry. She immediately brought up their sister, Flora, describing her as the perfect match—helpful, kind, and someone who would never hurt him.
"Don't be dramatic, Abby," Romeo said, forcing a small smile. He knew where this was going the moment Flora's name was mentioned. He sighed again, cutting her off. "I know where this is headed. Stop pushing Flora on me."
"Fine, I won't push, but General, I'm just worried. I'm still your older sister, and it hurts me to see this happening to you. I know you're grown, but you've never even had a girlfriend. I'm afraid women might take advantage of you," Abby said, her voice softening with genuine affection.
Romeo understood her concern, but it stung to hear her imply he was so easily manipulated. Peter coughed to try and steer the conversation away, but Abby turned on him. "Are you just going to let our General be abused?" she demanded. "I'm looking out for him. Maybe I should go talk to her?"
Romeo sat heavily in his chair, the wood creaking under his weight. "Don't you dare," he said firmly. He explained that he was old enough to handle his own affairs. "It was my fault I got hurt. I did something I didn't think I was capable of, and I'm too ashamed to talk about it further."
"What? Your fault? Wait... General, did you do something inappropriate?" Peter asked, his eyebrows shooting up in suspicion.
Abby stepped back, horrified. "Don't tell me you tried to force yourself on her!"
Romeo slammed his hand on the desk, his face turning a deep shade of crimson. "No! Don't think such terrible things of me!" he barked, shaking his head in embarrassment. "I just... I kissed her suddenly, and that's why she slapped me. I didn't ask, so she got angry." He trailed off, looking away in shame.
The two were speechless. They never expected this from their usually stoic and disciplined general. But Peter was confused; they all thought the two were a couple. "Why would she slap you for a kiss? That's normal for people dating," he asked.
Romeo sighed and finally confessed the truth. "We aren't actually dating. It was just a lie Adelina and I made up because of the situation." He kept his eyes on the desk, avoiding their gaze.
Abby was shocked. "Why would you pretend?" Romeo explained it wasn't a plan he wanted to keep; they were just stuck. He told them about their history as gaming buddies, their deal, and how he just wanted to spend time with her, so they lied to her family to keep her out of trouble. As he spoke, his voice was soft, heavy with regret over the kiss.
After a few minutes, Abby felt a sense of relief. She was glad the relationship wasn't real, muttering, "At least there's still hope for Flora!" But Peter just smiled. "I'm not so sure, Abby. If Romeo only saw her as a friend, why did he kiss her?"
Abby turned back to Romeo suspiciously. "Wait, General, why did you kiss her?"
Romeo looked down, stuttering. He tried to smile through the explanation. "It's normal for people to be impulsive. Sometimes emotions take over and you don't think about right or wrong." His heart raced as he remembered the heat of the moment and the sudden attraction.
Abby hit the table again. "No! I know it wasn't your fault! That woman must have seduced you!"
"No one seduced anyone! It was entirely my fault. Stop thinking ill of Adelina. She's a good person," Romeo said, pulling over a stack of folders to end the conversation. "We're at work, aren't we? Focus on your assignments."
The rest of the day was spent on reports and planning. Meanwhile, at the condo, Adelina was preparing dinner for her family and Romeo. The kitchen was filled with the savory aroma of adobo and fried rice. Her brother Aries snuck in to try and sneak a taste.
Adelina smacked his hand away. "Can't you wait? That's for Romeo, don't touch it!" she snapped, her face flushing with irritation.
Aries looked at her skeptically. "Why are you preparing his food before the family's?"
Adelina rolled her eyes. "He's the one providing for us; it's only right I prioritize him." In her mind, she wanted to make sure Romeo felt special, seeing how exhausted he looked every time he came home from work.
"Since we moved here, you've changed," Aries noted. "You're working so hard at cooking; you're acting like you're actually married to Kuya Romeo." Adelina's cheeks turned pink as she smacked his hand again for grabbing a hotdog. "I said it's not for you!"
A few hours later, while watching the news in the living room, Adelina received a message from Ate Mara. Her face went pale with terror. Her hands shook as she read the words: Ate Aira was in the hospital, fighting for her life.
Her knees went weak, but despite the panic, she rushed to the hospital just minutes away. There, she found her two sisters weeping outside the emergency room. She felt a crushing fear but knew she had to stay strong. She hugged them, tears flowing as she watched nurses scramble inside the operating room to save Aira.
Mara explained that they had been ambushed—a vehicle had rammed them and opened fire on their jeep. Aira was hit. They had no idea who was behind it, but their gut told them it was linked to the case against Don Felidemo.
The next morning, they learned that Don Felidemo and the other honorary Spaniards had been released. Adelina's sisters trembled with fear. They had agreed to testify to get bail, but now that he was free, their lives were in grave danger.
Fury boiled within Adelina at the thought of the Spaniards trying to kill her sister. "I will protect you no matter what!" she vowed, her eyes burning with hatred.
Because Aira was comatose, they stayed at the hospital. Romeo sent his apologies and promised to visit after work. That night, despite his busy schedule, he made it. He found Adelina asleep, holding Aira's hand. The room was silent except for the steady beep of the monitor. Romeo's face was a mask of guilt and self-loathing; he felt responsible for this because he was the one who ordered Felidemo's arrest. His fists were white-knuckled with rage.
Adelina stirred as he entered. "Romeo, you're here," she said weakly, her eyes puffy from crying.
"How is she?" he asked, his voice thick with concern.
"She's out of danger for now, but they're monitoring her because she lost so much blood," Adelina explained. Then, she broke down again, her hands trembling. "I'm so scared. I thought we were going to lose her." She grabbed Romeo's shirt, pleading. "Please help her. I'll pay back everything I owe, just save her. Ate Aira has always been the one to look after us. She has so many dreams. I can't lose her."
Romeo's heart broke as he watched her beg. She leaned her head against his chest, sobbing. He could do nothing but hold her and apologize. "Felidemo is too powerful. He has too many connections; that's why he's out. Things are going to get dangerous. He has a private army of thousands. You aren't safe in Kawit anymore." He placed a hand on her head. "I will do everything to keep you safe."
He was seething. "They will pay for this." He told her he had to go settle some matters.
"Wait, what are you planning? Don't put yourself in danger!" Adelina cried.
"Don't worry. I'm a soldier; I can take care of myself. Tomorrow, my men will arrive to take you all to Batangas."
The next day, the family was moved to a massive mansion in Batangas, sitting on a four-hectare estate. Hours later, they saw the news: a building in Kawit housing Felidemo's men had been burned to the ground. They suspected it was an act to eliminate witnesses, but the fear now permeated the entire family.
Standing on the roof of the mansion, a strong wind whipped around Adelina. A faint blue energy began to hum from her body. Blue sparks danced across her arms as her eyes narrowed with cold fury. Her form shifted, transforming into the messenger of Kawit: Indang.
"You will all taste my wrath," she hissed, vanishing into the wind.
A few hours later, at one of Don Felidemo's heavily guarded estates in Kawit, Indang dropped from the sky. The guards, armed with long rifles, scrambled in shock. She stood slowly, her head bowed.
"Hey! Who are you? What do you want?" one guard barked.
"Bring out your animal of a boss! If you don't, I'll kill you all!" Indang roared, her voice echoing like thunder.
She tore through the property, destroying Felidemo's assets, but he was nowhere to be found. She incapacitated the guards and set the mansions ablaze in retaliation, the flames dancing as they consumed the luxury goods.
That night, Romeo returned to the Batangas mansion. He spoke to Adelina's family. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here for the move, but I promise that as long as you're in my house, you're safe. You have bodyguards, and you aren't to leave without permission. I'm working to get Felidemo back behind bars, but he has many powerful protectors."
He took Aries' shaking hand. "Don't be afraid. No one will hurt you here." Aries hugged him, crying. "Please look after my sisters, Kuya Romeo."
Romeo then went to Adelina's room. She was startled as he entered. "Sorry for barging in. I noticed you were avoiding me. Are you mad at me? I just want to talk," he said softly.
Adelina shook her head. "I'm not avoiding you. I'm just tired and not in the mood. And I have no right to be mad when you're helping us."
Romeo tried to step closer, but Adelina backed away, keeping her distance. "Wait, don't come closer. Talk from there."
Romeo stopped. "Why are you so tense? Do you think I came in here to kiss you again?" he asked with a small smirk.
Adelina turned bright red. "W-what? Don't bring that up! Do you want me to punch you again?"
Romeo smiled. "I don't want you to be violent, but I'm glad to see your spark again. Your sisters rely on your strength."
He held out a small box containing a handgun. It was a specialized weapon, its bullets infused with fairy energy, capable of harming even those with elemental powers.
"You want me to use this? But I'm a woman!" Adelina exclaimed.
Romeo laughed. "Your 'tomboy' act doesn't fit this sudden dainty routine. It's for your protection."
Adelina refused to take it. As she reached out to push it back toward him, Romeo pulled her forward with force. They tumbled onto the bed, Romeo pinning her down, holding her wrists so she couldn't move.
"Wait, what are you doing? Let me go!" she shouted, her heart racing from a mix of fear and attraction.
"I don't want you to be harmed. Take the gun," he said seriously. "I can't watch you twenty-four hours a day. I'd be at peace if you had this."
"Stop it, I'm already such a burden. You don't need to do all this for me," she replied.
"But I want to. I worry about you so much... because I like you," he confessed, his voice dropping an octave.
Adelina's face burned. In her panic, she shoved him so hard he fell off the bed. The positions reversed—now she was pinning him to the floor. "I can take care of myself, don't underestimate me!"
"Impressive. You really are strong," Romeo said, genuinely amazed.
The noise of the scuffle brought her siblings running into the room. They froze at the sight of the two on the floor. "I can explain!" Adelina shouted, panicked. The siblings immediately shut the door, leaving them alone again. As she tried to get up to follow them, Romeo pulled her back down.
"Our conversation is more important. Take the gun."
Adelina huffed, defeated by his persistence. "Fine! I'll take it! Just let me go!"
Romeo let go and stood up. He waited for her to rise, then stepped behind her. "I'll show you how to use it." He guided her hands, essentially hugging her from behind to steady her aim. "Hold it firmly and line up the crosshairs."
Adelina could feel the heat radiating from his body and couldn't concentrate. Her hands were shaking. "Why are you nervous? Scared of the gun?" he asked.
"I'm not scared of the gun, I'm scared of how you're holding me! I feel like you're being a pervert!" she snapped.
Romeo sighed, then smirked. "How am I supposed to teach you without touching you? You know, it's normal for me to teach marksmanship like this, but you're giving me ideas on how to get free hugs."
Adelina suddenly pointed the gun at him. "Don't you dare try to hug me again!"
Romeo laughed as he walked toward the door. "Stop being paranoid. Just because I like you doesn't mean I have bad intentions every second." He paused at the door. "I didn't realize you were such a conservative tomboy with such a vivid imagination."
The next day, Romeo went to work. Alone in her room, Adelina stared at the gun. "So he really is a soldier... but he's under the Spaniards' thumb. How can he fight Felidemo?"
She worried that he was putting himself in danger just for her. If Felidemo's rage turned toward Romeo, he could be killed. "I can't let him get hurt. What if Felidemo has him killed? He just said he liked me and had to live so he could marry me."
She stopped mid-sentence, dropping the gun as she realized what she had just said out loud. She turned bright red and dove onto the bed, burying her face in the pillow. "Why am I thinking things like that? What is happening to me?"
In her excitement, she rolled around until she fell off the bed. She stayed there on the floor, staring at the ceiling. "I have to find a way to end this."
A few hours later, she arrived at the military base in Cavite as Indang. She slipped inside easily, using her powers to leap over the gates. She bypassed several guards, knocking them unconscious with swift kicks. On the fifth floor, she entered the office of General Apyong. The general sat in his wheelchair, watching her calmly.
"I don't know why you're here, but I hope you didn't hurt my men. Many are Filipinos like you," he said.
"Don't worry, I don't have time for them. You're the reason I'm here," Indang replied, her voice laced with anger.
"I thought you wouldn't show your face here again because you wanted a quiet life. Why break our agreement?" Apyong asked.
She slammed her hands on his desk. "You let Don Felidemo go! Despite the evidence of his illegal businesses! I'm here to ask why!"
Apyong sighed. "We didn't want to, but many politicians are protecting him and influencing the police officials."
"I curse him! He's destroyed so many Filipino lives!" Indang shouted. She reminded him of his promises to the Filipino people; if he were serious, Felidemo would be behind bars. She was disgusted by his perceived uselessness as Governor-General.
"I apologize for my failure," Apyong said, closing his eyes.
"I've tolerated this lie of 'peace' for too long, but I can't rely on you. If you can't stop them from committing crimes, I will. I'll kill them all!" Indang's aura flared violently. "Now, tell me where Felidemo is."
Apyong shook his head. "I won't tell you. Your plan will bring no good to you or anyone else." He explained that it would only make things worse; the central government would label her a terrorist, and she'd never know peace again. "I sympathize with your pain, but I won't let you sacrifice the lives of police and soldiers."
"You really are a traitor! You'd rather protect those Spanish animals than your own people!"
"I'm trying to—" Before he could finish, Indang slammed the desk to silence him.
"Enough! If you won't end this conversation peacefully, I'll force the answer out of you."
An explosion rocked the office, sending stone and thick smoke everywhere. Moments later, Apyong was floating in the air on his wheelchair, shielded by six giant spectral hands.
"I am not your enemy, Indang. Please, think about what you're doing," he pleaded.
"Prove you're an ally! Tell me where Felidemo is!" Indang roared.
Apyong remained silent, hesitant. He knew that if she found him, Cavite would descend into chaos. "If you choose silence to protect them, then fine. Your words mean nothing to me now. You're nothing but a puppet of the Spaniards!"
Indang leaped forward, launching a punch that was intercepted by the giant spectral hands. Apyong was amazed. "Incredible... she's matching the force of my weapons, which hit with the power of a truck."
Still, she couldn't break his defense. "Are you just going to hide behind those?"
Indang released a terrifying aura that sent chills through the surrounding soldiers. "Power up, speed up, armor up!" she screamed.
Apyong felt the shift; she was serious now. Indang's outfit changed again, signaling she had entered the second level of her Sugo State. She stepped forward and punched the air, creating a shockwave that tore through the concrete path.
Apyong quickly formed a massive wall with twenty armored spectral hands. "Hand of Iron!" he commanded. The barrier held, protecting him from the blast.
He knew that was only a taste of her power. "Ten minutes, General. If you survive my attacks for ten minutes, I'll accept your excuses for why you can't help me."
The battle erupted—a blur of speed and raw power. Every clash sent shockwaves through the buildings and cracked the ground. The soldiers could only watch in awe as the landscape was terraformed by their force.
Apyong realized he couldn't win by just defending. He released his own massive aura. "Let's begin, little girl."
Indang was shrouded in blue light, electricity dancing around her. "No," she said with a smirk. "Let's finish this, old man!"
End of Chapter