The Balintataw Oracle

The Watchers

The increased media coverage and public outcry surrounding the bridge had started to make waves. Kleng and Miguel worked tirelessly to keep the issue in the spotlight, but the relentless threats and harassment continued to cast a shadow over their efforts. As Kleng walked through her shop, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched—an unsettling sense that their every move was under surveillance.

One evening, while organizing documents and preparing for a community rally, Kleng noticed something odd. The usually busy street outside was unusually quiet, and her shop's windows seemed to reflect an unnatural stillness. She glanced up from her work, her intuition alert. The feeling of being observed was becoming more pronounced.

As she stepped outside for a breath of fresh air, her eyes scanned the street. She noticed a black sedan parked a few doors down, its windows tinted so darkly that it was impossible to see inside. The car had been there for a while, and its presence struck Kleng as both ominous and familiar.

Miguel joined her shortly after; his expression was troubled. "I've been getting more strange calls," he said, lowering his voice. "People are asking questions about us, trying to dig up information. It's like someone's trying to find out everything about us."

Kleng nodded, her apprehension growing. "I've felt like we're being watched. That car has been parked outside for a while. I don't think it's a coincidence."

They decided to investigate discreetly. Kleng approached the sedan cautiously, trying to gauge if anyone was inside. Just as she was about to get closer, the car's engine roared to life, and it sped off down the street. Kleng and Miguel exchanged worried glances.

"That was definitely not a good sign," Miguel said. "We need to be careful."

They returned to the shop, locking the door behind them. The atmosphere inside was tense, and Kleng's mind raced with possibilities. If someone was watching them, it meant that their efforts were causing significant concern for powerful interests. The sense of urgency to protect themselves and their mission became even more critical.

Later that evening, Kleng decided to consult her Tarot cards to seek confirmation of the ominous signs she was experiencing. Sitting at her small table, she shuffled the cards, her hands moving. with practiced grace. She spread them in a three-card draw, each card representing a different aspect of the present situation.

The first card revealed was The Moon. Its imagery was haunting—two towers standing under a pale moon, a wolf and a dog howling at its light, and a crawfish crawling out of the water. The moon symbolized deception, hidden dangers, and illusions, confirming Kleng's fears that unseen forces were at play. It was a card that warned of secrets and the need to be wary of those operating in the shadows.

Kleng stared at the card, feeling a chill. "The Moon speaks of hidden threats and unseen enemies. It's a warning to trust my instincts and stay vigilant."

The second card was The Seven of Swords. The image of a man sneaking away with five swords in his hands, glancing back as if to ensure he wasn't being followed, spoke of betrayal, deception, and strategic cunning. This card underscored the manipulative nature of the watchers, confirming that their enemies were using covert tactics to undermine them.

Miguel leaned over, studying the card's symbolism. "This is exactly what we've been feeling. Someone's trying to get the upper hand through deception and stealth."

Kleng nodded, absorbing the message. "We need to be smarter than them. They're watching, waiting for us to slip up."

The final card was The High Priestess. A serene figure sat between two pillars, holding a scroll of hidden knowledge, her gaze calm and knowing. The High Priestess symbolized intuition, secrets revealed, and the power of inner wisdom. This card was a powerful affirmation of Kleng's connection to The Balintataw and her ability to see beyond the surface.

"This is the guardian," Kleng said, her voice soft but resolute. "It's reminding me to trust my visions, to tap into the deeper truths that others can't see. The watchers might be hidden, but the cards and The Balintataw show me their intentions."

The Tarot reading reinforced what Kleng had seen in The Balintataw earlier that night. She couldn't afford to be passive; she needed to be strategic and careful, using the knowledge she had to navigate the growing threats around her.

That night, Kleng found herself unable to sleep. The feeling of being watched lingered, and she decided to enter The Balintataw once more for guidance. The realm greeted her with its ever-shifting landscape, darker and more foreboding than before. As she wandered through the fog, she encountered shadowy figures—the watchers, standing in a semi-circle, their forms shifting and blending into the darkness.

One of the figures stepped forward. "You seek to understand the watchers," it said, echoing the hidden knowledge revealed by The High Priestess. "They are drawn to those who threaten to unveil hidden truths. They seek to undermine your efforts, to silence the truth before it can be fully revealed."

Kleng's heart pounded as she processed the information. The watchers' power was not in direct confrontation but in manipulation, deception, and intimidation, just as the Seven of Swords had shown.

"How do I protect myself and continue our mission? "Kleng asked.

"The watchers' influence lies in fear and uncertainty. To counter them, strengthen your alliances, protect your credibility, and expose the truth with unwavering resolve. Your intuition and visions are your greatest defenses," the figure intoned, mirroring the guidance of The High Priestess.

As the vision faded, Kleng woke in her shop, her mind buzzing with clarity. She and Miguel would need to bolster their defenses—fortify their support, stay strategic, and trust in the knowledge that The Balintataw and the Tarot provided. The watchers' attempts to intimidate them would not deter their resolve.

The weight of prophecy was heavy, but Kleng felt a renewed sense of purpose. The watchers might be lurking in the shadows, but she would shine a light on their darkness, revealing the truth that lay hidden. With each vision and Tarot reading, she found the strength to face the forces that sought to silence her.