The cave felt alive.
Amara Villanueva pressed her palm against the damp limestone wall and swore she could feel a faint hum, like the low murmur of a heartbeat. The cool air carried the smell of earth and salt — a reminder that this hidden cavern lay somewhere between the forests of Cebu and the whispering waves of the sea.
"Doc Amara," called Jun, her assistant, from behind. "We're almost out of light. The tide is rising soon."
"Just a little deeper," she replied, voice firm. "I can feel something here."
Her team had spent weeks chasing rumors of a forgotten cave system told in the stories of local fishermen. Most dismissed the stories as old folktales — tales of "Diwata" guarding treasures and spirits dwelling where the land met the sea. But Amara, with her relentless curiosity and her grandfather's love of history fueling her, couldn't resist.
Her flashlight beam danced across the walls, revealing faint etchings. Baybayin. The ancient script seemed to shimmer in the dim light, though that was impossible. She traced one with her fingertips, whispering the letters under her breath, as if speaking them aloud might unlock their meaning.
Then she saw it.
At the far end of the chamber, half-buried in sand and rock, something metallic glimmered. Not like gold or bronze — but a polished sheen that looked… unnatural.
"Jun, bring the tools!" she called, her voice echoing.
Together, they cleared the debris. What emerged was a sphere, roughly the size of a coconut, but smooth, seamless, and etched with strange, intertwining Baybayin characters that pulsed with faint light. It was ancient yet futuristic, as if it didn't belong to this world.
Amara's breath caught. "What in the world…?"
She reached out instinctively. The moment her skin brushed the surface, the world exploded into light.
---
Amara stumbled backward — or at least she thought she did. The cave vanished, replaced by a blinding sky and the sound of shouting men. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene before her: warriors with spears and shields stood on a beach, their tattoos glistening in the sun. Smoke and fire filled the air, and in the distance, a man stood defiantly against armored figures who looked like they had stepped out of a history book.
"Lapu-Lapu…" she whispered.
She was at the Battle of Mactan.
No, this wasn't possible. She had to be dreaming.
One of the warriors ran right through her, as if she were made of air. Her heart raced. She wasn't really here — she was an observer. The realization brought both awe and terror.
A voice spoke behind her. "You touched the Veil."
Amara spun around. A man — or was it a spirit? — stood there, dressed in flowing garments that shimmered like water. His eyes glowed faintly, like embers hidden in ash.
"Who—what are you?"
"I am Kailan, keeper of the Veil," he said calmly. "You hold in your hands a relic that sees all time. Past, future, and the space between. But beware, traveler — you are forbidden to interfere. Even the smallest ripple can unravel the thread of your own existence."
Before she could respond, the light flared again.
---
Amara gasped, finding herself once more in the damp cave, her hands still gripping the strange sphere. Jun was shaking her.
"Doc! You spaced out! Are you okay?"
She blinked, her heart pounding. The echoes of shouting warriors still rang in her ears. "I… I'm fine. I just—" She glanced at the artifact. It was warm in her hands, as if it held the memory of fire.
She knew, deep down, that her life had just changed forever.
to be continued...