The White Chronicle

Chapter 21: Part 1 - Aswang

A mob demanding justice was suddenly turned into a remorseful crowd. The power of the dust that Shamir spread to the aswang was so potent that Juan wasn't sure if that was a kind of illusion or powerful mind trick magic was used but one thing he is certain – the aswang might pose a threat.

Long ago, the Aswang Swarm made a living hell on Antrian. A horde of vampire-like creatures that can shapeshift into any form and creatures they want. The balance of the world was threatened but was saved by The Chronicler and her guardians. And Juan hopes that they won't see a resurgence.

Earlier, when the aswang crowd dispersed at the gates of Vale, Juan instructed his frog to leap across the gates and follow them to their home and spy on them to see any intel. All Juan suspects now that the aswang can be behind this kidnapping – only they can be so bold, he thought to himself.

Up the hills and over the river, the aswang run across the fields like horses. At first, the frog wasn't able to keep up but Juan was watching thru the frog's eyes. He imbued his power to it and allowed it to shift into a dog and this allowed the frog to follow the aswang. Later the aswang arrived over a huge mountain, it spanned miles and miles away. The aswang shapeshifts their hands into sharp claws and began to climb the mountain. Their sharp claws allow them to cling and hook themselves upward. Juan sees this and transformed his frog into a mountain goat; the hooves allowed it to leap and climb across the rocks and follow the aswang.

As the frog reached the top of the mountain, it saw the aswangs took a breather. They all converge and began to talk about how they are going to explain this to their elder. One of the aswang said "Tatang will be mad at us, he demanded to bring back Leshin dead or alive.... what do we bring him? Nothing." Another aswang chimes in and replied "My life is in debt with Leshin but would Tatang understand us?" The aswang talked back and forth, discussing the punishment they would receive, others are optimistic that the elder of the aswang tribe, Tatang will understand their action.

Juan is curious about the powder that Shamir used. The effect was so powerful that the aswang change their mind and abandon their mission. Not only that, they had false memories with Leshin and they all seem to agree with it. "If Shamir was only available to save me against my father. . ." Juan thinks of the time with his family and how his father led to the separation of his family. And if Shamir was only there to change the mind of his father, his family wouldn't have this kind of suffering.

"Alright, let's just hope Tatang will hear us out." One of the aswang signals the rest and they all have an agreement. An aswang spread its arms and bat-like wings began to form. It leaps from the edge of the mountain and glides thru the clouds. Juan transformed the frog into a small fruit bat and the frog followed the group as they glide across a huge forest area.

As the frog glides as a bat, its eyes move and scans the area, it spotted the mountain ranges that span side and it encircles the forest beneath them. In a distance, a small village can be seen. Juan takes in for a moment and this is when he realized, this mountain range hides a valley where the aswangs live.

"I see. This is how the aswang hide from the other races after their defeat." Juan thinks as he continues to monitor thru the eyes of the frog. Juan praises how good at hiding they are, but not for long. He is excited to tell the news that Juan discovers the source of kidnappers in Antrian and it was always have been the aswang.

What feels like an hour, the aswang finally arrives in their village. They all landed in the center of the town where they transform back to their human form. At this point, Juan is already at the Inn in his bed ready to turn in the night. Juan sees Leshin grabbed his spear and began his shift as for Atlas, well he is fast asleep.