HIRANG

9: Bigo

"Is there a problem, Neazhoi?" I blinked in surprise as Nunong Haikuri called me. As promised, we are heading to the cave now. My mind was occupied with thoughts of last night's dream. 
 
I gently shake my head and offer a faint smile. "Oh, nothing."
 
She gazed at me for a moment, and I sensed even Pula fixing his wide, intense eyes on me, almost as if peering into my soul. He has a strange and humorous appearance. Nunong Haikuri must be thinking about what's bothering me.
 
*Bock*
 
Haistt...
 
"Ah, let's go!" I walked ahead of them because they were staring at me intently, and I felt uneasy when they did that.
 
Upon reaching the cave, I was taken aback by what lay before me. There was a large crater at the entrance, reminiscent of a powerful explosion.
 
"What happened here?" I asked as I approached the entrance of the cave.
 
Charcoal was scattered around, with burnt grass surrounding the cave and rocks strewn about.
 
What happened here?
 
"The dragon might have used its liyab to escape from the cave," I observed Nunong Haikuri, pinching the remaining embers on a stone.
 
liyab?
 
She turned to face me.
 
"Tell me, Neazhio, when the dragon attacked you, that was not your first encounter with it, was it?" She spoke with a serious expression.
 
I nodded slowly.Oh, indeed. How did you come to know?" I queried in astonishment.
 
"You mentioned waking up for the first time in this cave from your era. You encountered the dragon here, and it attempted to kill you. Fortunately, you managed to escape as rocks fell and buried the dragon," she narrated.
 
I couldn't help but be astounded by Nunong Haikuri's detailed knowledge of the events, almost as if she had been present when I faced that monstrous creature.
 
"When I found you, your attire was torn to shreds, and you bore the marks of a fierce struggle," she continued. "There is a piece of fabric here, most likely from your garment." She presented me with a single white fabric that seemed to match my dress. Memories flooded back of the perilous encounter with the dragon, where I narrowly escaped death—a realization that I had faced such dangers and survived.
 
*bang!*
 
*Bokk!!!*
 
I glanced at Pula, who seemed eager to show us something. We approached him and observed him scratching at something shiny.
 
"My sword!"

Spotting my sword, I immediately recognized its appearance, picked it up, and examined it. It is still intact. Glancing in another direction, I noticed my scabbard was not far away. Though covered in ashes and stones, it remains undamaged.

"Oh, it's fortunate that it's still here! Thank you, Pula!" I expressed with a smile, placing the scabbard on my waist and sheathing the sword.
 
Hihi... I am prepared to return home!
 
"Is that what you wielded against the dragon?" I turned to Nunong Haikuri. Choosing not to respond, as it wasn't a direct confrontation with the dragon but more of an escape, I used it to create an exit.

"You believed you had killed the dragon, but you were mistaken. The dragon used its liyab to survive and returned to seek vengeance." Nunong Haikuri's revelation sent chills down my spine.

I remembered how it went down in the village just to hunt me down. It appears eager for revenge since I was the one being chased by all the people. I am also curious why the giant bird is targeting me. Is there something about me that draws them in? Do the creatures here have a taste for alien beings? Despite the fear, it's truly incredible how the dragon survived.
 
"What is this 'liyab' you keep mentioning?" I asked Nunong Haikuri.

I've heard her say that word several times, but its meaning is unfamiliar to me. It seems to hold deeper significance in ancient tongues. She rummaged through the cloth bag she carried, and I was intrigued by its contents.
 
"Liyab is a dragon's ability to breathe fire. It is a formidable trait of these creatures. You were fortunate to survive that encounter," she explained, leaving me amused for a moment.
 
I can envision what she's describing, and judging by what I witnessed in the cave, that fire is indeed strong. Good thing the dragon didn't use his flame when I was in the cave, or I would have been a cake in the oven! However, it did unleash its 'liyab' on me during the forest chase, showcasing its immense power. I managed to leap off the horse just in time before it could scorch me. But it left some small burns on me that I had only noticed when Nunong Haikuri treated me. 
 
Observing the vast crater within the cavern, which served as a grand entrance, I couldn't help but marvel at its sheer size. The cave resembled a colossal mountain, with a towering tree perched atop it, its roots firmly embedded in the rocky crevices.