The Moonlight Assassin

The Fall of the Hacienda

Lola Esperanza's weathered hands gently held a dusty old book, its pages yellowed with age. The air in the cottage seemed to still as she began recounting a chapter from the forgotten annals of Hacienda Del Fierro.

"In the midst of Hacienda Del Fierro's opulent existence, there came a time when the shadows of its secrets could no longer be contained," Lola began, her voice carrying the weight of the past. "The manananggal kingdom, ruled by Salvador and Ariana, thrived on the essence of unsuspecting victims. The thirst for power and the desire to maintain their way of life blinded them to the suffering they inflicted."

She flipped through the aged pages of the book, revealing illustrations of the once-grand estate and the dark rituals that took place within its walls. "Your parents, Cristobal and Lorena, were once mere folk healers who witnessed the horrors wrought by the manananggal kingdom. The cries of the innocent reached their ears, and their hearts were ignited with a fire of justice."

Lola's gaze shifted between the illustrations and Miguel's parents, who listened with a mixture of guilt and determination. "In a quest for retribution, your parents, fueled by grief and the need for justice, led a group of townsfolk to confront the manananggal rulers. The night was heavy with tension as they approached Hacienda Del Fierro, their torches illuminating the darkness."

The illustrations depicted a scene of fierce confrontation, with the townsfolk standing against the manananggal kingdom. Lola continued, "The battle was fierce and unforgiving. The townsfolk, armed with the knowledge of the manananggal's vulnerability to salt and garlic, fought valiantly. Your parents, Cristobal and Lorena, stood at the forefront, their resolve unyielding."

As the story unfolded, Lola spoke of how the townspeople, driven by a collective sense of justice, managed to breach the walls of Hacienda Del Fierro. The once-hidden atrocities were laid bare, and the battle reached a climax within the heart of the estate.

"The fight was not without sacrifice," Lola said somberly. "Lives were lost on both sides. Your parents, Miguel, faced Salvador and Ariana in a final confrontation. The echoes of their pleas for mercy mixed with the battle cries, creating a haunting symphony of desperation."

The illustrations portrayed a climactic moment where Cristobal and Lorena, armed with their weapons, confronted the manananggal rulers. 

Cristobal interrupted, "Lola, I would like to continue the story, may I say so?"

"Yes, you may," said Lola Esperanza.

"Don Salvador was a vicious creature. I already knew the warnings about male manananggals, how rare they are, and how dangerous they can be. And it's true: he had the body of a strong man, sharp claws, and a long tongue acting as a whip and as a device to suck blood out of an innocent human. But that sight did not faze me, at all," Cristobal said. "Armed with my faith in the almighty God, I was able to overcome his attacks against me."

"Same to Ariana, mahal." Lorena continued with her side of the story, "Yes, manananggals are dominantly female, but Ariana, the matriarch, was more powerful than the ordinary kind. She has unique powers: she can move things with her mind, she can hypnotize you, and even make you deaf with her loud scream."

Cristobal interjected, "I faced Don Salvador, a once-respected man who had succumbed to the darkness. His wings, once a symbol of power, were now tainted with the blood of the innocent. Our fight was brutal, a dance of vengeance and retribution."

Lorena's gaze drifted towards the window, lost in the memories. "Doña Ariana, driven by a thirst for power, attacked me relentlessly. Her bites were painful, but the pain fueled my determination. I could hear the cries of the victims echoing in my ears, urging me to end the reign of terror."

Cristobal continued, "We fought not just for ourselves but for the countless lives lost to the manananggal's insatiable hunger. With each punch and stab, we aimed to bring justice to the families torn apart by their malevolence."

Lola Esperanza, her eyes filled with understanding, nodded in acknowledgment. "You carried the weight of the town's collective grief, my children. Your bravery echoes through the ages, a testament to the strength of the human spirit against the forces of darkness."

As the recounting of their struggle unfolded, Lola Esperanza remained silent for a moment, absorbing the essence of their journey. The room seemed to hold its breath, honoring the sacrifices made in the name of justice. In the eyes of Cristobal and Lorena, the flames of determination still burned, fueled by the memory of that fateful night when they faced the embodiment of evil in Hacienda Del Fierro.

"In the end, justice prevailed," Lola murmured, closing the book. "Hacienda Del Fierro, the symbol of their power, was reduced to ruins. Salvador and Ariana disappeared into the night, leaving behind a legacy tainted by tragedy."

The room fell silent, the weight of the past hanging in the air. Miguel's parents exchanged a glance, a mix of remorse and understanding passing between them. The tale of Hacienda Del Fierro, woven by Lola Esperanza's words, echoed through the generations, connecting the destinies of those who sought justice and those who yearned for redemption.

Meanwhile, in the dusty road leading to San Roque was long and winding, Daddy Eli navigated the family van with a sense of purpose. Mommy Miriam, brother Bart, and sister Liza gazed out of the windows, their eyes filled with curiosity and a touch of apprehension. They were entering a town veiled in supernatural mysteries, a place where their daughter, Tabby, had embarked on a perilous journey.

As they arrived in San Roque, a sense of unease settled upon them. The town square, though quaint, seemed to carry an air of ancient secrets and hidden sorrows. Daddy Eli pulled into the parking area near the Calachuchi Inn, where they would spend the night, hoping to reunite with Tabby in the morning.

Calachuchi Inn was a decent, comfortable place for outsiders to stay inn. It is owned by the Nestor family, whom one of the children is Maggie, the famous chef now based in Maharlika with her partner Jacob Kim, whom are set to be married that year. She recommended the inn to the Changco family so they can be secured while being in the mysterious town.

With them was Pastor Kevin Francisco of All Nations Arise Church, a man with a kind smile and discerning eyes. Also with the party are some of the elders, including Travis Yang, Tommy Lao, Dr. Earl Komar, and Vincent Stevenson.

"Well, this is San Roque, my dear friends," Pastor Kevin said, his voice carrying a soothing reassurance.

Daddy Eli reciprocated with a firm handshake, "Thank you, Pastor Kevin. We appreciate your participation in our cause to help Miguel and Tabby."

Pastor Kevin's discerning gaze seemed to pierce through the unseen layers of the town. "I sense a great spiritual turmoil here, a clash between light and darkness. The shadows that linger in San Roque are not merely physical. Evil spirits float around, whispering malevolence."

Mommy Miriam, a woman of faith, listened intently. "What do you mean, Pastor? Is Tabby and Miguel in danger?"

Pastor Kevin nodded gravely, "There's a battle unfolding in the spiritual realm, and your daughter and her boyfriend are at the center of it. The forces of darkness are not to be underestimated. But fear not; we shall pray for her protection and guidance."

As the family gathered in a circle, Pastor Kevin led a heartfelt prayer, invoking divine intervention for Tabby and Miguel's safety and strength. The room filled with an ethereal energy, a fusion of hope and faith that transcended the mundane.

"Father, I ask for your divine guidance to guide our brother Miguel Mangubat and sister Tabitha Changco in their quest for the truth about Miguel's identity. We believe Miguel belongs to You, and we declare victory over the enemy inside him and around him. Give him the strength to overcome the demon Alexander, and his supernatural lineage, through the mighty and holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

After the prayer, Pastor Kevin shared his insights, "We must stay vigilant. The journey ahead is fraught with challenges, and the town holds ancient secrets that may impact Tabby and her boyfriend, Miguel."

The night pressed on, and the inn embraced them with its warmth. Yet, the shadows outside seemed to dance with unseen entities, echoing Pastor Kevin's warnings. As Tabby's family settled into their rooms, the weight of the impending supernatural clash hung in the air, a palpable tension that mirrored the struggles faced by their beloved daughter in the heart of San Roque.