The Balintataw Oracle

An Ally's Betrayal

Kleng felt the weight of her visions pressing down on her as she prepared to face the day. Every glimpse into The Balintataw had left her more determined but also more wary. The watchers were not just opponents—they were predators, lurking in every shadow, manipulating the world to suit their desires. She knew she needed to move carefully, but she was not alone. Miguel and Ms. Reyes had been her unwavering allies, their belief in her fueling her resolve. But even in their tight-knit circle, doubt could grow in the darkest corners.

The three of them met at Ms. Reyes's office, a small, cluttered space filled with documents, books, and the faint scent of old coffee. The room had become their war room, a sanctuary where they plotted their next moves against the watchers. Miguel was already there, leaning over a map of the city, marking out locations with a red pen. Ms. Reyes sat behind her desk, reviewing files they had gathered on the bridge's construction and the overlooked safety violations.

"We need to go public with this," Miguel said, his voice tense. "People need to know what's at stake. If we can get enough attention, the authorities will have no choice but to act."

Kleng nodded, but she sensed an undercurrent of hesitation in the room. Ms. Reyes was unusually quiet, her eyes fixed on the papers before her. Kleng knew that the older woman had connections—friends in politics, media, and business. She had used those connections to help them before, but today, something felt off.

"Ms. Reyes, are you okay? "Kleng asked, her voice gentle but probing.

Ms. Reyes looked up, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm fine, dear. Just thinking. This is getting riskier than I anticipated."

Miguel glanced up, frowning. "Riskier how? We've been dealing with risks since day one. What's changed? "

Ms. Reyes sighed, her hands wringing a worn-out handkerchief. "I've been hearing things—rumors about who the watchers really are. They're not just a group of skeptics; they have ties to powerful people, people who don't want their secrets exposed. If we go too far, we could end up in serious trouble."

Kleng's heart tightened. She had always known that standing up to the watchers would come at a cost, but hearing the fear in Ms. Reyes's voice made it all feel more immediate, more dangerous. "We can't back down now," Kleng said firmly. "We've come too far to let them win."

Ms. Reyes nodded, but there was something guarded in her expression. Kleng tried to shake off the unease, attributing it to the mounting pressure they were all under. They spent the next hour going over their plans, discussing potential allies and strategies to get their message out. But even as they talked, Kleng couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that something was wrong.

After the meeting, Kleng returned home, her mind restless. She tried to focus on her Tarot readings, seeking answers and guidance, but the cards felt heavy in her hands. She laid out a spread, her breath hitching as she turned over The Seven of Swords. The card depicted a figure sneaking away with stolen swords, a symbol of betrayal, deceit, and hidden agendas. Kleng stared at it, her pulse quickening. The card's message was clear—someone close to her was not who they seemed.

Kleng tried to push the thought away, telling herself it was just her paranoia playing tricks. But that night, when she entered The Balintataw, the realm was restless, mirroring her own turmoil. Kleng wandered through the fog, the landscape shifting and twisting in unsettling ways. She was drawn to the same ancient stone circle she had seen before, the one that had revealed the watchers' secrets. But this time, a new figure awaited her there, cloaked in shadow.

The figure stepped forward, and Kleng's breath caught in her throat. It was Ms. Reyes, but not the warm, reassuring presence she knew. This version of Ms. Reyes was stern, her eyes cold and unyielding. Kleng knew it wasn't truly her mentor but a manifestation of her fears—a warning from The Balintataw.

"What are you hiding? "Kleng demanded, her voice echoing in the stillness.

Ms. Reyes's figure did not respond. Instead, the stone circle began to shift, and the symbols carved into its surface glowed faintly. The ground trembled, and Kleng saw flashes of scenes playing out before her—Ms. Reyes was in a dimly lit room, speaking with a man whose face was obscured by shadows. Papers were exchanged, and Kleng recognized the blueprints of the bridge, marked with red lines and signatures. The watcher's influence was evident, and Kleng's stomach churned as she realized what she was witnessing.

The vision shifted again, showing Ms. Reyes on the phone, her voice low and urgent. Kleng strained to hear, but the words were muffled, distorted by the dream's fog. She caught only fragments—threats, negotiations, and a promise to keep Kleng and Miguel in check. Kleng stumbled back, her mind reeling. Ms. Reyes had been compromised, possibly coerced, but the result was the same: their trusted ally was working with the enemy.

Kleng woke with a start, drenched in sweat, her heart pounding. She couldn't believe it and didn't want to believe it. But the signs were too clear, and the Balintataw had never lied to her. She needed proof—something tangible to confirm what she had seen. Kleng called Miguel, her voice shaky as she recounted the vision.

"We need to confront her," Miguel said, his tone a mix of anger and disbelief. "If she's working with them, she's putting us all in danger."

The next day, they arranged a meeting with Ms. Reyes at her office. Kleng and Miguel arrived early, their nerves on edge. Ms. Reyes greeted them with her usual warmth, but Kleng could see the strain in her eyes. As they sat down, Kleng took a deep breath, knowing she had to tread carefully.

"We need to talk," Kleng began, her voice steady. "About last night's vision."

Ms. Reyes's face paled slightly, but she maintained her composure. "What did you see? "

Kleng laid out the details—the meeting with the shadowy figure, the phone call, the papers. With each revelation, Ms. Reyes's mask of calm began to crack. She looked away, her hands trembling.

"It wasn't supposed to go this far," Ms. Reyes finally said, her voice breaking. "They threatened me, Kleng. My family, my business... They said if I didn't cooperate, they'd ruin everything."

Miguel's fists clenched. "So, you sold us out? You let them use you against us? "

Tears welled in Ms. Reyes's eyes. "I thought I could protect you; buy us time. But I didn't realize how deep it went."

Kleng felt a mix of anger and pity. She had always seen Ms. Reyes as their rock, a steady presence in the storm. But now, faced with the reality of betrayal, she realized just how vulnerable they all were. "You need to make this right," Kleng said softly. "We can still fight this, but we need you on our side, completely."

Ms. Reyes nodded, her face etched with regret. "I'll fix this. I promise. I never wanted to hurt you."

But trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild. As Kleng and Miguel left the office, they knew the path ahead would be even more treacherous. The watchers had shown that they could get to anyone, even those closest to them. The battle was no longer just about exposing the truth—it was about surviving long enough to see justice done.

Kleng walked away, her mind racing with possibilities. She would need to be smarter, stronger, and more vigilant than ever. The watchers might have infiltrated their circle, but Kleng still had The Balintataw, and she would use every vision, every card, and every ounce of her resolve to bring them down. No one said the fight for truth would be easy, but Kleng was ready to face it—betrayals and all.