Cradle of the Valiant (Duyan ng Magiting)

CH 9 - GATHERING OF FIREFLIES

Ice woke up under the night sky.

She got up at once realizing that she is no longer inside the bus.

She glanced around hoping to find John nearby but no one seemed to be around for miles.

Panic was starting to seep in but she tried to go into a corner of her mind she always goes to when feeling threatened.

In here, she is stronger, smarter and braver.

In here, she is invincible.

Inside her mind's eye, she is connected to the realm of the Gods where strength is not measured by one's physical stature but by the resilience of their mind.

She began to gather her wits and her composure returned.

She took stock of her situation and began gathering information according to what she can see and feel around her.

Once she gets into this state, there are few who are her equal in terms of focus and clarity of mind.

The nights sounds are both fascinating and scary.

The insects are emitting low-grade sound waves that seemed to make the very air around her electric but it helped her focus instead of being distracted.

She can use this sound to detect if there is somebody hidden from her sight.

She just had to be sensitive to the disturbance in the steady hum of the insects.

When content that no one is really nearby, she relaxed a bit more and sat near a gigantic tree.

The fireflies made the tree look like a small city from a distance.

The dance of the thousands of flying light bulbs caught her fancy and she was entranced to it for several minutes.

She never saw the pair of eyes watching her as she also watched the fireflies.

Her senses, fine tuned as they were, did not register the rock-like stillness of the owner of the eyes.

These were not malevolent, however.

In fact, they looked even friendly.

Abagat, the rock-like figure beside her, reached out into her bag and put a piece of paper inside.

Then he closed his eyes and contacted Tinaw.

"Kuyang, the First Child is here. It seemed like the portals had been opened" he reported.

"It shouldn't have. The other guardians told me the contract has not been made as of yet."

"She is here, nonetheless."

"Send her back. It is dangerous to cross without the contract. She might get sent to the Lost Isles."

"Done," Abagat gave Ice a gentle push and the young girl, without noticing that she was no longer seated at the foot of the tree continued staring up but all she saw was the ceiling of the bus.

Some of the ceiling lights are on so she thought she was still looking at the fireflies.

She gasped as John touched her upper arm.

"Are you okay?" His look of concern touched her deeply and she felt profused warmth towards him.

She nodded and he went back to sleep.

Ice looked around.

They were seated near the front of the bus and it seemed like only her and the bus driver were awake.