LAKAN of the Engkanto

Chapter 8: The Unforeseen Threat

The scream pierced the tranquil night, its echo reverberating through the valley. Lakan and Amihan sprang to their feet, their hearts pounding in their chests. The villagers erupted in a cacophony of panicked shouts, their joyous celebration turning into a scene of chaos.

"What's happening?" Lakan cried, his voice filled with alarm.

Amihan's eyes darted towards the forest's edge, her expression grim. "I don't know," she said, her voice strained. "But it doesn't sound good."

They rushed towards the source of the commotion, their 'lakas' energy propelling them through the village. As they reached the outskirts, a horrifying sight unfolded before their eyes.

A monstrous creature, unlike anything they had ever seen, was rampaging through the village, its massive form casting a long shadow over the terrified villagers. It stood on two legs, its body covered in thick, matted fur. Its head was a grotesque mask of fangs and horns, and its eyes burned with a malevolent red light.

The villagers scattered in fear, their screams echoing through the valley. The creature swatted them aside with its powerful arms, its roars shaking the very ground beneath their feet.

Lakan's blood ran cold. He had never encountered such a terrifying beast. It was far larger and more ferocious than any kapre or manananggal. He knew that they were no match for it in a direct confrontation.

Amihan grabbed his arm, her eyes wide with fear. "We have to help them," she pleaded, her voice trembling.

Lakan nodded, his resolve hardening. He couldn't stand idly by while innocent people were being slaughtered. He had to find a way to stop this creature, even if it meant risking his own life.

He scanned the surroundings, his mind racing. He needed a plan, a way to distract the creature and give the villagers a chance to escape.

His eyes fell upon a cluster of large boulders perched precariously on the hillside overlooking the village. An idea sparked in his mind, a risky but potentially effective strategy.

"Amihan," he said, his voice urgent, "I need you to create a diversion. Draw the creature away from the village."

Amihan's eyes widened in surprise. "But how?" she asked, her voice filled with doubt.

Lakan pointed towards the boulders. "Use your wind magic to dislodge those rocks," he explained. "The noise will attract its attention. I'll try to find its weakness while it's distracted."

Amihan hesitated for a moment, then nodded resolutely. "Be careful, Lakan," she said, her voice filled with concern.

She turned and ran towards the hillside, her movements swift and graceful. Lakan watched her go, his heart filled with a mixture of admiration and worry. He knew that she was putting herself in danger, but he also knew that she was their only hope.

He turned his attention back to the creature, its roars echoing through the valley. It was wreaking havoc, its massive form crushing huts and uprooting trees. Lakan's 'lakas' surged within him, fueling his determination. He had to act quickly, before it was too late.

The creature's rampage intensified, its fury fueled by the villagers' screams and the chaos it had unleashed. Huts crumbled under its weight, and the once-peaceful village was transformed into a scene of devastation.

Lakan watched in horror, his heart aching for the innocent lives caught in the crossfire. He knew he had to act, but he also knew he couldn't face the creature head-on. Its sheer size and strength were overwhelming, and a direct confrontation would be suicidal.

He circled the outskirts of the village, his eyes searching for an opening, a vulnerability he could exploit. The creature's roars reverberated through his body, its primal rage sending shivers down his spine.

Suddenly, a deafening crash echoed through the valley. Lakan turned to see Amihan standing atop the hillside, her arms outstretched. A cascade of boulders tumbled down the slope, their impact shaking the ground and sending plumes of dust into the air.

The creature's attention snapped towards the commotion, its red eyes gleaming with curiosity. It let out a guttural growl, its massive head swiveling towards the source of the disturbance.

Amihan waved her arms, her wind magic whipping the dust into a swirling vortex. The creature roared in anger, its fury redirected towards this new threat. It charged towards the hillside, its heavy footsteps pounding the earth.

Lakan seized the opportunity. He sprinted towards the village, his 'lakas' energy propelling him forward with lightning speed. He weaved through the debris, his eyes scanning the chaos for any sign of the creature's weakness.

He reached the center of the village, where the creature had been wreaking havoc just moments before. The air was thick with dust and smoke, the ground littered with splintered wood and shattered pottery.

Lakan's gaze fell upon a young girl, cowering beneath the wreckage of a fallen hut. She was crying, her tiny body shaking with fear. Lakan's heart constricted. He couldn't let her become another victim.

He rushed towards her, his bolo at the ready. He gently lifted the debris, revealing the terrified girl. Her eyes widened in fear as she saw him, but Lakan offered her a reassuring smile.

"It's okay," he said, his voice soft. "I'm here to help you."

He scooped her up in his arms and turned to flee, but a deafening roar stopped him in his tracks. The creature had returned, its fury reignited by Amihan's distraction.

Lakan's blood ran cold. He was trapped, with no escape route and a helpless child in his arms. He turned to face the creature, his bolo raised in a futile gesture of defiance.

The creature towered over him, its fetid breath washing over his face. Its eyes burned with a primal hunger, its fangs dripping with saliva.

Lakan closed his eyes, bracing himself for the inevitable. But instead of the crushing blow he expected, he heard a gasp of pain, followed by a sickening thud.

He opened his eyes to see the creature stumbling backward, a long, bloody gash running across its chest. Amihan stood behind it, her face pale but determined, her hands glowing with the remnants of her wind magic.

"Run, Lakan!" she shouted, her voice strained. "I'll hold it off!"

Lakan hesitated for a moment, torn between protecting the girl and helping Amihan. But he knew that she was right. He had to get the girl to safety.

He turned and sprinted towards the forest's edge, the girl clutched tightly in his arms. He could hear the creature's enraged roars behind him, the sounds of a fierce battle raging in the village.

He didn't dare look back, his focus solely on reaching the safety of the trees. He ran until his lungs burned and his legs ached, the girl's whimpers spurring him on.

Finally, he reached the forest, its cool shadows offering a welcome respite from the chaos. He gently placed the girl on the ground, his heart aching for her trauma.

He turned back towards the village, his eyes searching for Amihan. He saw her silhouetted against the burning huts, her wind magic a whirlwind of defiance against the creature's onslaught.

Lakan knew he couldn't abandon her. He had to go back, to fight alongside her, to face the darkness together. He took a deep breath, his 'lakas' surging within him, and turned back towards the heart of the battle.