HIRANG

Prologo

The dark sky with lightning striking in various directions gives me a foreboding feeling of an approaching strong storm.

Father, please wait for me...

"Your Royal Highness, the Crown Princess, please stop!" Ada said, my loyal Ypiretis, pleaded as she held my hand, her face filled with fear and worry.

"I must leave to save my father, Ada." I insisted, pulling my hand away. She wept, kneeled before me, and begged me to stay.

"Royal Princess, please do not leave! You will die!" she sobbed. Both of us were drenched from the pouring rain. The sound of thunder and lightning matched the rapid pounding of my heart.

"I can't stay here while my father's life is in danger!". Leaving Ada in tears pained me, but the regret of not saving my father would be greater. Turning away from her, I swiftly mounted my horse with my sword and soaked gown.

Forgive me, Ada, but I have to do this.
"I need to save my father."

"Crown Princess Neazhoi!"

I rode my horse swiftly to the North Ypsistos tower, where the fierce battle was taking place. I must get there.

Father. Please wait for me.

O Dakilang Bathala.
Dinggin ang aming panalangin.

The rain is getting stronger. I hope I can make it in time.

O Dakilang Bathala
Dinggin ang aming panalangin

What are those sounds? I'm starting to hear some weird voices, and I don't know where they're coming from.

Kaluluwa'y paglakbayin
Aming alay ay tanggapin
Mula sa dilim na paparating
Ibalik ang liwanag namin

Cerel suddenly acts wildly, which only happens if he's terrified or senses something is not right. Oh no! This is not good. My horse is behaving wild. What is happening?

The thunder and lightning are growing fiercer, and worry grips me like death.

I must rescue my father!

"Celery! What is happening to you?"

I struggle to control my horse, as it refuses to calm down. I must reach the northern tower! Despite my attempts to soothe him, he resists. The mysterious voices echo persistently.

Dugo'y muling ipadaloy
At sisibol muli
Tanging ilaw ng kahapon
Sa nakaraan ay magdadalit

Alaala o siyang dakila
Kanyang espada ay muling mahahasa
Sa kanyang pagbangon at pagdilat
Ikalawang tagpo ay mauulat

"What on earth is happening to you?" I exclaimed angrily, halting my horse, Celer, who was acting wild.

He was venturing into the thick jungle, appearing to lead us off course.

What are those sounds?

O Dakilang Bathala
Dinggin ang aming panalangin

"Argh! That's enough!"
My head is throbbing! I can hear it!

I shut my eyes against the headache. It feels like it might explode at any moment. What is going on with me!?

"Sa ngalan ng ******"

What's happening?

"Ako si ******"

Why am I seeing something??

"...ay nangangakong magiging matapang.."

I am perceiving something.

A woman

I cannot discern her image. She is just moving her lips.

And a fuzzy picture.

My head is still aching so intensely, it seems like it's about to split!

"... mapagkumbaba, makatarungan...."

Argh.... my head!

"Stop it!!! Stop it!!" I cannot bear what I am hearing anymore. My head is pounding painfully! My sight is also becoming hazy.

"Cerel, stop!"

"Sa lahat ng nilalang ng.."

My vision becomes hazy. It feels as though something is bursting in my head, and I am unaware of where my horse is leading me!

"bilang...."

Stop it!

Stop it!

"PLEASE, stop it!!!"

Argh!!!! My head!

" H*******."

I was taken aback when Celer suddenly reared up and broke free from the reins. I sensed pain in my left arm, and I could not pinpoint where it struck as my vision blurred.

"Celer! Ahhhhhh!!!!!"

I do not know what occurred next. After witnessing my horse flee in terror, I felt myself descend into darkness.

"Ahh!!"

I descend further into darkness, feeling as though I lie in a cold, dim abyss.

W-what happened just now?

Overwhelmed by weakness, I can no longer rise. Fatigue weighs heavily on me. My strength ebbs away, and eventually, my eyelids surrender completely.

"F-father..."