The Balintataw Oracle

Shadows and Symbols

Kleng's resolve had solidified, but each day felt like a race against time. The visions haunted her at every turn, lingering in her mind like dark omens. Her Tarot readings had become more urgent, the cards speaking to her in symbols that seemed to echo the warnings of The Balintataw. She couldn't look at The Tower or The Hanged Man without thinking of the impending bridge collapse or the grim futures she'd glimpsed.

One afternoon, the shop was empty, save for the faint scent of sandalwood incense and the soft glow of candles lining the shelves. Althea sat at her reading table, shuffling her worn deck of cards. She didn't have a client today; this reading was for herself—a rare moment of reflection. that she desperately needed. She spread the cards in a simple three-card draw: past, present, and future.

The cards revealed themselves: The Moon, The High Priestess, and Death. The Moon symbolized illusions, fear, and the unknown—echoing Kleng's nightly journeys into The Balintataw. The High Priestess, sitting at the center, spoke of hidden knowledge and intuition, a reflection of her role as an oracle. But it was the final card that sent a chill down her spine. Death was not a literal end but a symbol of transformation, endings, and the potential for rebirth. Kleng knew it was a warning, a call to action—change was coming, whether she was ready or not.

Just as she was contemplating the spread, the shop's bell rang, breaking the silence. A young man walked in, his expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension. He was dressed in a dark hoodie, hands shoved into his pockets, and his eyes darted nervously around the room.

"Are you Kleng? "He asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kleng nodded, motioning for him to sit. "I am. How can I help you? "

The man hesitated, glancing at the Tarot cards on the table. "I don't usually believe in this stuff, but... I read your blog post about the bridge. You saw it collapse in your dreams, right? "

Kleng's heart quickened. This was the first time someone had come to her, taking her visions seriously. "Yes, I did. I saw it clearly in The Balintataw. I've tried warning people, but—"

"They think you're crazy," the man finished, a bitter smile crossing his face. "My name's Miguel. I work maintenance near the bridge. I've seen some structural issues, cracks that no one's paying attention to. I reported it, but they told me it's not serious. Your post... it kind of confirmed what I was already worried about."

Kleng leaned forward, hope flickering inside her. "Miguel, you've seen the damage? Do you think it's really that dangerous? "

Miguel nodded, pulling out his phone to show her pictures—fissures in the concrete, rusted metal beams, evidence of neglect that was easy to overlook if you weren't paying attention. "It's bad. It's only a matter of time before something gives."

Kleng stared at the photos, her mind racing. The visions were real. She wasn't alone in seeing the danger; Miguel was the proof she had been searching for. But convincing the right people was another battle entirely.

"Why didn't they listen to you? "Kleng asked, her frustration mirroring his. "You work there; they should take your concerns seriously."

Miguel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Bureaucracy, budgets, negligence—take your pick. They don't want to deal with the cost of repairs. And when it's just one guy like me, they think I'm overreacting."

Kleng clenched her fists. She knew she had to act, but the question was how. The Tarot, the Balintataw, and now Miguel—everything was pushing her toward action. But it still felt like an insurmountable task.

"We need to make them listen," she said, her voice firm. "If we can't go through official channels, we'll find another way. We have to warn people."

Miguel nodded, though doubt still clouded his expression. "I don't know how much difference we can make. But I'll help however I can. Maybe if we can get more evidence, something undeniable, we can force them to act."

Kleng watched Miguel leave the shop, her mind whirling with possibilities. She had found an ally, but it was just the beginning. The visions had set her on a path she couldn't walk alone, and the symbols in her cards told her that the journey ahead would demand more than just warnings—it would require bold, direct action.

That night, Kleng returned to The Balintataw, hoping for guidance. She found herself in a darkened library, its endless shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. Shadows flickered between the rows, barely visible, but she could feel their presence—the Watchers were observing her every move.

Kleng approached a large, ornate book that lay open on a pedestal at the center of the room. The pages were filled with cryptic symbols, familiar yet unknowable, each one a fragment of the visions she had seen. She traced her fingers over the symbols, feeling the weight of their meaning. They were warnings, yes, but also a map—a guide through the maze of futures she had glimpsed.

As she studied the pages, Kleng saw the bridge once more, but this time it was surrounded by flames, engulfed in a violent storm. Figures ran through the chaos, their faces obscured, but one stood out—a child clutching a red balloon, alone and terrified. Kleng's heart ached. This was more than just a structural failure; it was a human tragedy waiting to unfold.

The shadows in the library shifted, and Kleng turned to see one of The Watchers step forward, its face hidden beneath a hood. It raised a hand, pointing at the book, and for a brief moment, Kleng understood. The visions were not just a curse—they were a call to fight, to confront the unseen forces that held the power to alter lives.

Kleng woke with a start, the symbols from the book etched into her memory. She knew what she had to do. She couldn't wait for others to act; she would take the message directly to the people who needed to hear it. Kleng grabbed her phone, her fingers moving swiftly as she drafted a new post—a detailed account of Miguel's evidence, the dangers she had seen, and a plea for anyone who read it to take action.

This time, she would not be silent. This time, she would use every symbol, every shadow, and every vision to make the world see what she had seen. The Balintataw had chosen her, and now Kleng was ready to fight back.