Golden Hour in Solsona
The sun was setting over the quiet barangay of Solsona, bathing the streets in a warm golden light. Kids played in the narrow alleys, some holding smartphones, snapping pictures of friends as they ran and laughed—the faint hum of motorcycles blended with the occasional ringtone or message alert. Neighbors gathered on their porches, sipping instant coffee from plastic cups, chatting about the day's news, and scrolling through social media on their phones.
Marko sat on the wooden steps of his family home, fingers lazily scrolling through the endless feed on his phone. The sun dipped lower, painting the sky with strokes of orange and pink, casting long shadows over the peaceful barangay. Around him, the usual evening symphony played—children's laughter, neighbors' quiet conversations, the distant roar of motorcycles, and the soft ping of incoming messages.
Yet, despite the familiar comfort, a strange knot tightened in Marko's chest. It was as if the air itself held a secret it was unwilling to share. He put his phone down, trying to shake off the creeping unease. His gaze wandered to the horizon, where the last light of day faded into dusk.
A Shadow in the Calm
"Marko," a voice called softly beside him.
He turned to see Lolo Dario, the village elder, standing quietly with his hands folded behind his back. The wrinkles on the old man's face seemed deeper than usual, and his eyes clouded with worry.
"The First Pulse is near," Lolo said, settling beside Marko. His voice was low, almost a whisper. "The ancient seal is weakening."
Marko's brows furrowed. "What does that mean, Lolo?"
"It means something terrible is coming," the elder replied, eyes drifting to the darkening sky. "Our ancestors sealed away a great calamity long ago. For centuries, the balance held... but now, signs tell me the seal is breaking. We must be ready."
Marko swallowed hard, the words sinking into his heart like cold water. "How do you know? What signs?"
Lolo's gaze sharpened. "The restless winds. Strange behavior of animals. Unease in those who carry the bloodline. Tonight, it feels stronger—like the calm before a storm."
Marko shivered despite the warm air. "I don't feel ready."
"No one is," Lolo said with a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes. "But we don't have a choice."
As if on cue, the earth suddenly groaned beneath them. The gentle rustle of leaves was replaced by a deep, rolling tremor that shook the ground like a living thing. Marko grabbed the edge of the step to steady himself.
Windows rattled, doors creaked, and distant shouts turned into cries of confusion.
"What's going on?" a woman yelled from a nearby porch.
The Gate Opens
Phones flickered and died, their glowing screens plunging into darkness. Marko's device went black, leaving him staring at a lifeless rectangle.
Streetlights blinked out one by one, and the barangay was swallowed by a deepening shadow. Motorcycles and tricycles on the main road kept running, their engines humming steadily. Headlights cut through the dusk, casting long beams onto the cracked pavement.
Confusion rippled through the neighborhood. People stepped outside their homes, whispering with worry. Children clung to their parents, eyes wide and searching.
Near the edge of the rice fields, a strange light began to glow—a flicker, then a pulse, then a sharp burst. The earth cracked open like a wound, and from the gaping fissure rose a swirling portal shimmering in blues and purples.
Marko's heart pounded as from the glowing gate poured creatures—twisted, snarling beasts racing forward like a pack of wolves. Their eyes burned with hunger; their claws tore through anything in their path.
Screams erupted.
Mothers grabbed their children, pulling them away from the advancing monsters. Dogs barked and howled, running in frantic circles. Fences splintered under the beasts' weight, and plants were uprooted as if caught in a violent storm.
The Chaos Begins
"Monsters!" Uncle Tomas shouted, scrambling to his feet and grabbing a bolo from a broken cart. "Get ready to fight!"
But no one was ready.
Aunt Mayang pushed through the chaos, gathering women and children and urging them toward the community center—the safest place in the barangay.
Marko's heart hammered as he followed. When he looked back, men scrambled to form a line beside Lolo Dario. The elder's voice cut sharply through the panic.
"Hold your ground! Protect the people!"
Marko's legs trembled in the thickening chaos. The peaceful barangay he had known all his life was dissolving into a nightmare. Faces twisted in fear and desperation. Mothers clutched children tightly, whispering frantic prayers. Fathers grabbed whatever they could—bolos, sticks, broken wood—trying to protect their families.
He spotted a small group of teenagers near the chapel, eyes wide with shock, frozen in place. One, a boy named Jun, gripped a fishing spear, trembling.
"Jun!" Marko called, voice cracking. "We have to move! Help defend the center!"
Jun looked at him like he saw a ghost. "I'm scared, man. I don't know what to do."
Marko's heart ached. He felt the same but forced himself to keep moving. "We all are. But if we don't fight, they'll tear this place apart."
Nearby, Aunt Mayang's voice rang out clearly as she organized the women and children. "Stay close! Don't run off! We have to stay together!"
Marko caught sight of Uncle Tomas locked in combat with a beast his size. The creature's claws ripped through the air, narrowly missing Tomas's head. Tomas countered with a fierce strike, slicing a deep gash along the beast's flank.
"Uncle!" Marko shouted.
Tomas grunted, blood trickling down his forehead, eyes blazing with fierce determination. "I won't let this monster harm my family."
The ground shook again, stronger this time. Marko stumbled, barely catching himself on a wooden post. The portal near the rice fields pulsed, brighter and more violent. More creatures spilled out—a never-ending flood.
One lunged toward Marko, snarling. He raised his stick just in time, connecting with its snout and sending it stumbling back. The creature snarled, eyes burning with rage.
Cold sweat dripped down Marko's back. He fought to steady his breath, mind racing.
What if I fail? What if I can't protect anyone?
A sharp cry tore through the chaos.
Desperate Defense
"Help! Someone help!"
Marko spotted a mother trapped beneath a fallen cart, eyes wide with fear as a beast approached. He rushed forward, swinging his stick with all his might. The creature snarled and backed away, giving her space to scramble free.
"Thank you," she gasped, tears streaming down her face.
Marko nodded, heart racing.
Smoke curled from several houses where small fires had started. Villagers worked quickly to douse the flames, passing buckets of water and beating down sparks.
Phones and radios lay dead, screens dark and useless. Calls and messages failed.
"Why isn't anyone answering?" A woman cried, panic breaking her voice.
Lolo Dario's face hardened. "The Gate is blocking all signals. No one outside can hear us."
The First Night of War
Smoke rose into the sky as more homes caught fire. The heat stung Marko's eyes as he fought through thickening haze.
Nearby, children huddled together, faces pale and tear-streaked. Marko knelt beside them, trying to offer comfort he didn't fully feel.
"Stay close," he whispered. "We'll get through this."
The battle raged into the night. People fought bravely but were overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Marko's arms ached, and his legs burned, but he refused to stop.
Lolo Dario's voice was hoarse but resolute. "This is just the beginning. The seal weakens, and the gates will open again."
Marko looked around at the tired, frightened faces of friends and neighbors amid the chaos.
The archipelago must wake—or it will fall.
Clenching his fists, Marko knew he wasn't ready—not yet—but he would fight.
The peaceful days were gone. The fight for their home—and their very survival—had begun.