The Moonlight Assassin

Seeking Revenge

Fueled by anger, frustration, and a deep-seated sense of entitlement, Alice Del Fierro paced around her luxurious office, a space adorned with polished mahogany furniture and panoramic views of the city skyline. Her monologue began as a bitter soliloquy, expressing her resentment towards Miguel and the perceived betrayal of choosing Tabitha as his girlfriend.

"I cannot believe he chose her over me," she seethed, her eyes narrowing as she clutched the edge of her desk. "Miguel was supposed to be mine. My possession. I offered him everything-wealth, power, the prestige of the Del Fierro name. And he dares to defy me, choosing that insignificant woman."

As Alice continued her monologue, her emotions began to intensify, shifting from anger to a deeper, more profound longing. Unbeknownst to her, the supernatural undercurrents in her bloodline started to stir. The dormant manananggal instincts that ran in the Del Fierro family began to surface, fueled by Alice's intense emotions.

Her thoughts turned towards her brother, Alexander, the elusive manananggal trapped inside the innocence of Miguel. A sense of abandonment and loneliness gnawed at her, creating a void that only Alexander's presence could fill.

"I miss you, my brother Alexander," she whispered, her voice tinged with sorrow. "You were the only one who truly understood me. But now, you've left me alone to deal with these trivial matters. I need you."

As her desperation peaked, Alice's transformation began. Unseen by the world outside her office, her body contorted and stretched, wings unfurling from her back. Her nails elongated into razor-sharp claws, and her eyes glowed with an otherworldly intensity.

In the throes of her manananggal form, Alice declared her wrath, "I am Alice Del Fierro, heiress to the manananggal legacy. Miguel and Tabitha have defied me, and for that, they shall face the consequences. Death shall be their fate! HAHAHAHAHA!"

Suddenly, her younger brother Jeremy knocked at the door.

"Sis Alice? I got a scoop for you!", called Jeremy.

Alice hissed in anger, "Why are you disturbing me, Jeremy?"

"Did you know that the Changco family just left the city for San Roque?", asked Jeremy.

"Yes, I did," answered Alice.

"No, no, no, it's not just them that left. An entire crew is with them too," Jeremy chuckled in delight.

"Who are these people with them?", asked Alice.

"Well, well, well, my sister, just their close friends from the family's church community. How lovely," replied Jeremy, "That just means, we have an entire feast to enjoy!" He continued to chuckle. As his desire for flesh and blood ensues, Jeremy soon transformed himself into his manananggal form.

"I can't wait to feast on those unfortunate creatures!", Jeremy said.

"Don't rush, my little brother. We need to plan that out," said Alice.

As the moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the city, Alice and Jeremy gathered in the shadowy corners of Alice's office at the DF Towers. Their supernatural presence radiated an ominous energy, and a legion of manananggal minions surrounded them, drawn to the call of their dark leaders.

Alice, her eyes ablaze with determination, began formulating a sinister plan. "We shall descend upon San Roque with the full force of our manananggal lineage. Miguel and Tabitha will pay for their defiance, and we shall feast on the blood of the innocent."

Jeremy, his wings unfurled and claws at the ready, added with a wicked grin, "Yes, sis! It's time to show them the consequences of crossing the Del Fierro bloodline. Our feast awaits!"

Later, their parents Don Salvador and Madam Sylvia entered the scene.

"What is this gathering over here, my children?", asked Don Salvador.

"Father, we are about to take back what's ours," said Alice. "He is your son, my brother, the one and only Alexander, the right heir to the manananggal kingdom! But, there is a roadblock on the way. It's that stupid, good-for-nothing man, Miguel Mangubat, and his whorish, slutty girlfriend Tabitha Changco!"

Don Salvador was thrilled to hear the name of his long-lost son, and called his wife Sylvia to join in. Sylvia, however, was a bit hesitant, as she still was apprehensive towards Salvador's similar longing for his dead first wife, Ariana.

"You're heading to San Roque again?! What's this, another family reunion? And going back to that ruined hacienda of yours, mourning again for Ariana? Ariana, Ariana, Ariana! I hate Ariana, for Satan's sake!", complained Sylvia.

"Don't worry, my love, it's gonna be ok. I'm not there for Ariana. Yes, she's dead, but what we need now is to take back our son, Alexander," said Salvador.

"So, what are they planning to do then?" asked Sylvia.

"You're the best mangkukulam I know, dear Sylvia," Salvador answered. "I am excited for you to unleash your powers towards those people around the brats Miguel and Tabby."

"Is that true, my love? Let me kiss you and hug you! I love you so much!", said Sylvia.

Salvador and Sylvia hugged and kissed passionately in front of their children and the whole mob.

Alice sneered, "Ew, that's disgusting, Mom!"

"Yeah, cut it off, Dad," said Jeremy.

Sylvia paused, "My children, don't worry about us. We will also do our plan to reclaim Salvador's estate as soon as we can, and destroy Miguel and Tabby and their families for good!" She then continued kissing Salvador.

"Ugh, can you just do your French-kissing somewhere?", asked Alice.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the village of Purok Kahalipay, outside the ruins of Hacienda del Fierro, Miguel and his parents wandered through its narrow alleys. Seeking guidance, they heard whispers of a wise mystic named Lola Esperanza, known for her ability to unveil the secrets of the past. With hopeful hearts, they followed the tales until they reached a humble cottage at the edge of the village. Lola Esperanza, a weathered yet kind soul, welcomed them in, sensing the weight of their burden. It was within the walls of her sanctuary that they learned of Salvador Del Fierro's tragic journey and the dark forces that entwined their fates.

"Lola, can you tell us what happened to Don Salvador after the hacienda fell down?", asked Miguel.

"Apo, it has been very tragic after the manananggal estate was destroyed," said Lola Esperanza. "
"But because of the determination of Don Salvador to rise again, he took a path less travelled.

She spoke of Salvador Del Fierro's journey as the leader of the manananggal kingdom together with his wife Ariana, the matriarch.

"Long ago, before the shadows of tragedy fell upon the Hacienda Del Fierro, Salvador and Ariana were revered as the leaders of the manananggal kingdom," Lola Esperanza began, her voice carrying the weight of history. "They built their estate upon a foundation of both opulence and secrecy, nestled in the heart of San Roque."

As she spoke, the mystic painted a vivid picture of the golden era of Hacienda Del Fierro. The sprawling estate stood as a testament to the power and prosperity of the manananggal family, hidden from the prying eyes of the mortal world.

Soon, they gathered the different manananggal tribes to work and serve their estate, in exchange for their freedom to slaughter at least one soul every month. They then formed a sort of cooperative, sharing the riches of each family alongside the blood of all innocent people they murdered.

"Salvador and Ariana ruled with a delicate balance of authority and benevolence," Lola continued. "Their love for each other was unparalleled, and it echoed through the halls of the hacienda. It was within those walls that the matriarch, Ariana, bore a child-a son named Alexander. It was a very dark, and eerie ceremony, I heard."

A melancholic smile touched Lola's lips as she recalled the joy that Alexander brought to his parents. "The birth of Alexander marked a new chapter for the Del Fierro lineage. He was destined to carry the legacy of the manananggal kingdom. The family thrived, their secret kept safe, until an unfortunate turn of events changed the course of their lives."