The White Chronicle

Chapter 28 - Beauty

The purple crystal shines brightly as it caresses the skin of Mebuyan. She turns her head and took in the beautiful world that she managed to maintain over these countless decades.

She closed her eyes and reminiscing the time where the dead tried to appease her. The greatest artist made beautiful jade sculptures, clay figures and wooden carvings offered to her but all she declined as she has no use for them.

One day, the Aswang Swarm took place. More and more dead came to her realm and with it, a peculiar man came to her realm seeking help. At first, Mebuyan was ignoring his plea and demands his return to the realm of the living but the man was determined.

The man saw the dead trying to please her and he took her on a deal. He asked Mebuyan that if he managed to please her, she will need to help him against the swarm. She agreed but will only give him three tries.

The first concoct a mixture that allowed anyone to have the strength of 10 men for an hour. Mebuyan scoffed at the man and proudly states that the dead don't need to fight in her realm as they are all living in solitude.

Next, he used his magic and weaved a huge dress for her. The man filled it with jewels and made it from the finest silk. He explains that the wearer of this dress will allow them to hasten themselves on growing. She rejected it as well; she replied that she did not need a dress since her realm is filled to the brim with jewels and her milk allowed children to grow faster.

The man took a step back and looked around him. All he sees are the spirits in her realm shambling about with nothing to do. The man figured it out. Mebuyan and her subjects are bored.

The man took a handful of seed from his pocket. He sprinkled by the foot of a mountain. He put a drop of the concoction earlier and covers the seeds with the dress. In a few seconds, he flipped the dress and showed the seeds are now full grown rice.

Mebuyan was entertained by this as she never saw rice in a long time. The man continues his work until he was able to fill the mountain with rice. At the top of the mountain, he slams his staff, and the rice all across the mountain was filled with dark green hues.

The man smiled and declared the rice can now be eaten by the dead.

The spirits gather by the rice he made and proceed to touch it. The sensation of the rice field made them happy and reminds them of the times they have when they were alive. The dead began to cultivate the rice and cook them.

Mebuyan was satisfied with the beautiful site she saw. She turns to the man and asked his name and asked why had he come here for her help.

"Glorious one, my name is Masiken and I am here on behalf of the Mangagamot. Our village is in turmoil and we are powerless before the Aswang Swarm."

"You are brave Masiken, are you aware that time moves differently here? You might return days or even months after your initial entrance to my realm."

"I am but it doesn't matter if I cannot avenge my clan. Some of us survive but I cannot say for certain if Antrian will survive a year from their attacks. And I am here to ask your help, by giving me a fragment of your power"

"I am aware of the Swarm but it is not my concern. Bathala gave me instructions to never interfere with mankind."

Masiken looked up and met with Mebuyan's purple eyes. Mebuyan can see that this man is serious. Though she righteously understands the situation, she won't lift a finger to help him. She turned him down.

The Masiken slowly walked in front of her and instead ask for her perfect black lock of hair. "A strand will do my lady, as one beautiful is enough to remind me of our time here."