NEVER Again | AU Countryhumans Fanfiction

⇢ ˗ˏˋ Chapter Four: First Destination

Palawan took care of her province well. She's the governor. She's professional and strict in a good way. She is sincere. She is... good, socially.

We did not ride a police car anymore. We were in a van! I was thankful they finally treated me like a tourist, not a threat. On our trip, I couldn't stop looking at the tall trees and magnificent details of the mountain rocks.

Palawan is a paradise. Fits sooo well to be my first destination. I am pleased.

We stopped by a hotel. Her staff helped me with my baggage. God, the hotel was luxurious. It would cost me everything in my wallet right now. But, I was assured not to worry. She took care of everything for me. I couldn't be more thankful, really.

I am assigned to Room 7, 6th floor. She left me to change my travel clothes to swimwear for a while because we were going to a lake. I feel like a child for being sooo excited. I don't remember being in lakes before. My life was horrible until today!

I got out with my shades and I was wearing my floral shirt and shorts. I find them comfortable.

We rode in the van again. And she introduced to me the Kayangan Lake.

The waters. So clear. It's like a liquid glass. I can see what's underneath! I'm mesmerized!

"You can jump there now. Why wait?" Palawan suggested, smiling teasingly at me.

I was feeling hesitant. "How about you guys? I can't enjoy this moment with you watching me. I don't need a babysitter."

"Tourist guides don't really swim with tourists. But, I guess my guards can go with you."

I grinned at the men behind her. They quickly looked away but I could see their faces turn red. "WELL, YOU HEARD HER!" I tried inviting them with me— "WOAH!" I felt a hard push on my shoulder that made me fall from the wooden pathway.

I swam upwards, panting, and heard Palawan laughing at me. "WHAT'S THAT FOR?!"

"You're wasting minutes!"

"FINE! I'D THANK YOU, REALLY!"

I turned my back to her and dived into the lake. I don't have my goggles with me but everything is clear in front of my eyes. It's cold on my skin. The underwater plants. The refracted lights on the surface. Perfection. Magnificent.

I rose from the waters again and brushed my hair. Looked around me again to watch the lake wave. Then, up to the view of the mountain rocks. Admiring every detail.

Hmm. Palawan and her guards seemed to leave me in my moment for now.

Recalling my life, the only happiness I felt that was still clear to me right now was being in the military. I never dreamed of being in such a beautiful place like this. This demotivates me to start a war.

Does their Martial Law think this way? Does he go here often?

What a lucky man he is. However, I'm afraid to admit that I'm envious of his life. I can't be him. 



*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:

I guess that is enough swimming.

I swam to the wooden footpath and climbed it. I walked to our cottage, quickly grabbing the towel hanging. I dried my hair with it while facing Palawan who was eating a slice of the watermelon.

"It was better if you were there with me," I joked at her and chuckled.

"Shut up." She responded and laughed with me. She put the finished slice on the table and moved an inch away to let me sit beside her. "About the crime I mentioned earlier this day, I'd like to tell you about it."

It had me surprised. "Oh? What is it? That's the one your Martial Law did, right?"

"Yeah. When he was Phil's alter."

"Tell me about it."

She fixed her sitting and put her hands together. "Well, as I remember, Phil and Martial fought."

"How will they have it if they are in the same body?"

"An alter can control the host's body part by sharing consciousness. For example, they can eat together by using each of the host's arms. It's funny."

"And complicated."

"Yeah. And Phil wanted to end Martial's life. He is restrictive about his life. Phil told me Martial was breaking a lot of rules. He's being a disgrace by loving the enemy and for being homosexual."

"Ah. China told me about it. But, what's the incident? What happened next?"

"Well, they were both drowning. Then, when I got there, I saw Martial climbing up the bridge with his one eye glowing and glaring at us."

"How can you notice if it's Martial or not? They're in the same body."

"They switch colors. When it's Phil, the blue's on the top. When it's Martial..."

"It's the red on top?"

"Correct. Now, you're getting it. That's the day I first saw him using a finger gun. Horrifying. He killed everyone around him. It's a massacre."

"I see. I understand more now."

"That's also the last time I saw them in this identity disorder. Phil confirmed the next days that Martial's gone."

I nodded. Then, I saw a frown on her face. I tilted my head slightly to see it clearer. "You're sad about it?" I asked.

"To be honest, he is an effective leader. Because of whatever-he-did-with-China, the threats were lessened. He made a promise to Martial which is a mystery until now. China could kill his people if they treated us badly."

"The China in my universe is... considerate, as well. True to his promises. He promised me I wouldn't feel different in his military because... you know it's his country and I have this strange flag on my face."

"Aahh, so you're Chinese by birth?"

"Hm-mm. And he also threatened his men that way. He shoots them with no more thinking whenever someone bullies me. I did not take advantage of that. Rather, I proved to everyone I should be treated well by being better than them!"

"Martial is indeed better than Phil..." Those words are almost a whisper from Palawan.

"Why do you say so?"

"Phil is too soft. And dependent to America. He always wants to be friends with everyone for peace. Maybe, he thinks friendship is magic, I don't know. He never fights."

"Submissive?"

"I think that's the word." Palawan reached for the chips and opened the pack. She offered me some and placed it on the table between us. Then, we looked away. "He's running for president."

"Hmm? Who's he against to?"

"No one. Silly democracy. If someone wins over him, the country's name will change. He should win." She sighed.

"Ooohh..."

"If you're only our Martial Law, I would encourage you to run for the presidency. Only those who are Filipinos can run as politicians here."

"Yes, of course. It's reasonable."

"I won't encourage you now because, heh, you know nothing about this place!"

I chuckled. "Who says I want to?"

Palawan stood up and took off her mesh top she wears over her swimwear. "Enough with this conversation. We talked a lot. Please remember Phil is still my friend. Don't stab me in the back."

I raised my hand to promise. "I wouldn't."

She went out of the cottage first. I was watching her make her way. "We'll have a last swim, then we'll go to our next destination. Come on!"

"Sure!"