Elara, a mystical creature, had long served as the guardian of the Siera Madre mountain, her tenure spanning centuries. However, a tragic tale of mistaken love shattered her role, compelling her to forsake her duties. She decided to descend from the...
Standing before the altar, Simon anxiously watched the restless swirl of incense smoke. His mind was troubled, and a sense of unease gripped him, leaving him unable to find peace.
He sighed and entered the room where Milan sat by the unconscious Yana. Simon noticed the deep concern on Milan's face, revealing her overwhelming worry.
"Hindi sya pangkaraniwang tao." sabi ng matanda. "Pano nya nagawang makaligtas kay Amon."
Amon, a soul eater, is a smoke wolf, devouring souls with an eerie, ethereal presence.
"Maaaring may kakaiba nga sa kanya o baka dahil konektado sya kay Enzo." tugon ng babae habang nakatingin sa walang malay na si Yana. "May kakaibang ding nanyari sa kanya habang hawak nya ang balaraw."
"Hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko sa bagay na to." the old man spoke, his face etched with an inexplicable worry that hung heavily in the air. Milan could see the concern in his eyes but remained silent, offering no reply. She gazed at him, absorbing the tension and unspoken words that seemed to linger between them.
Milan's touch on Yana's hand sent a surge of unfamiliar energy through the room, catching Simon off guard and heightening the atmosphere with an unexpected intensity.
"Bakit mo sya minarkahan." tanong ni Sinom kay Milan matapos nyang nakita ang ginawa ni Milan.
"Sigurado ako nang dahil sa nangyari babalikan sya ni Amon. " tugon ni Simon.
"Dahil ba sa kanya kaya nais mong iligtas ang batang yan?" tanong muli ni Simon.
Napahinto sa paglalakad si Milan at nilingon ang matanda na nakakunot ang nuo.
"Simon. Ano bang gusto mong sabihin." tugon naman ni Milan.
"Minsan ka ng nagkamali, pakiusap iwasan mo ng magkamali muli." Bakas sa mukha ni Simon ang pag-aalala ng sabihin nya yun. "Tapusin mo na kung ano ang dapat mong tapusin at bumalik ka na sa kabundukan. Kailangan ka ng Siera Madre."
"Sa tingin mo ba makakabalik pa ako sa dati?" tanong naman ni Milan. "Sa sandaling pumanaw sya, yun din ang sandaling mawawala ako mundo."
Hindi nakaimik si Simon ng madinig yun.
The tranquility shattered as Milan's cellphone pierced the silence with its ring. With a quick gesture, she answered the call, only to be jolted by the shocking news delivered from the other end of the line.
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The sunlight woke Yana, and she quickly realized she wasn't in her room, though the place felt familiar. She rose from the bed and left the room, wandering through the house in search of someone. She found no one despite her efforts, leaving her feeling alone and curious.
While searching for a company, Yana halted mid-stride upon noticing something in the hallway. Intrigued, she approached cautiously, her footsteps echoing softly. The dim light cast shadows, adding an air of mystery to the scene.
Walang ibang tao ruon maliban sa kanya. She stood before the altar, her eyes fixed on the Buddha statue, surrounded by the restless movement of the incense smoke.
She felt the icy wind caress her cheek, sending a shiver down her spine, as she gazed intently at the statue, lost in thought and enveloped by the serene atmosphere.
"Sino ka ba talaga?" tanong ng matandang si Simon na katayo mula sa kanyang likuran.
Yana turned to Simon, her mind racing with confusion. She couldn't fathom what the old man was trying to communicate with his cryptic question, leaving her puzzled and uncertain.
"Ako si Yana." tugon ng babae. "Nakalimutan mo na ako? Galing na ako dito dati."
Simon could only respond with a deep sigh, his eyes fixed on Yana, observing her with a mixture of contemplation and concern, as the moments passed in quiet reflection.
"Gising ka na pala." sabi naman ni Milan na nakakarating lamang.
Milan approached Yana, gently grasped her hand, and led her out of the temple with quiet determination and warmth.
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The two women walked silently into the Sierra Madre forest. Milan gripped a wooden dagger, Yana following closely. Their steps echoed in the quiet, dense greenery around them.
"San tayo pupunta?" tanong ni Yana habang inililibot ang tingin sa paligid.
Milan stopped walking. She glanced back at Yana as if she wanted to scrutinize the woman.
"Tell me, bakit mo ninakaw ang painting?" seryosong tanong ni Milan kay Yana.
"Anong painting?" Balik na tanong ni Yana sa babae.
"You don't have to hide something from me." sabi naman ni Milan. "Gusto ko lang malaman kung bakit mo kinuha yung painting sa gallery. I don't care kung san mo dinala. I just want to know why."
"Hindi ko alam ang sinasabi mo." nagtatakang tanong ni Yana. Hindi nya maintindihan ang sinsabi ng babae.
Milan moved closer to Yana. Milan firmly grasped Yana's arm, her eyes blazing with anger as she glared at Yana's companions. At that moment, Yana was overwhelmed with fear. The intensity of Milan's grip and the hostility in her gaze made Yana feel more vulnerable than ever, amplifying her sense of dread.
Milan was momentarily stunned. As she gazed into Yana's eyes, she saw a fleeting image of Enzo. The resemblance was unmistakable; the child standing before her was undoubtedly Enzo's flesh and blood. It was only now that she fully realized how strikingly similar they were, a detail that had eluded her until this moment.
"Nasasaktan ako Milan." pagpupumiglas ni Yana.
Milan released Yana with such force that she nearly toppled over, struggling to maintain her balance as the impact of Milan's push left her momentarily stunned and disoriented.
"Umalis ka na. Ayoko ng makita ka ulit." sabi ni Milan ng walang pag-aalinlangan.
Hindi maintindihan ni Yana ang nangyayari. Lumapit sya kay Milan. "Ano bang problema?! Hindi ko kasi talaga maintindihan!" bulalas ni Yana "First of all ikaw nagdala sakin dito tapos papaalisin mo ko tapos pagbibintangan mo pa ako na ako nag nakaw ng painting!" mataas ang boses ni Yana ng sabihin nya ang mga bagay na yun. "Ganun ba kababa tingin mo sakin?"
Milan glanced at the woman upon hearing her words. Unsure whether to respond or stay silent, she hesitated. She disliked conflict, yet knew Yana valued clarity. In the end, she chose quiet acquiescence, understanding Yana's preference for clear explanations.
The silence of Milan in response to her question was still an answer sufficient enough for Yana. Yana decided to just leave. Nagbuntong hininga na lamang ang nagawa ni Milan habang pinagmamasdan si Yana na papalayo.
