Maharlika Mahika // undergoing editing

Act IX

Kageyama's POV

"Die, Kageyama Tobio."

I was filled with shock and horror. Her voice was different, mingled with another's voice. And the look in her eyes was strange.

They were clouded with wrath.

"Espada.(1)" I heard her say.

Her fingers snapped, and instantly, a sword was forged out of nowhere. The hilt fit snugly in her palm, and her lips curled into a mischievous smile.

"Maharlika like you should die!" she yelled, and charged toward me.

My sword clashed with hers, the sound of metal against metal echoed through the cave.

Her blows were fast, not even a sword master can catch up to her. I never knew that she could even wield a sword.

What's wrong with her?

"Jiyuu! Stop playing games!" I yelled as the duel continued.

"Your kind killed my father, my brothers! You'll pay! You'll suffer. You don't deserve to live!" she shouted, and quickened her pace.

This was not the Jiyuu I know.

I was starting to get tired as minutes passed, several cuts were now visible on my arms, scarlet dotted the floor below me. I caught my breath as the duel continued, every parry of my sword calculated carefully. If waver even slightly, it could cost me my life.

"Die, Maharlika!"

Her eyes were filled with a burning desire to kill, her expression showing a mix of anger and lunacy. A crazed laugh reverberated from her lips as her sword repeatedly clashed against mine.

"Jiyuu, stop this!" I yelled.

"Not until you fall down to your doom!" she yelled, and another laugh gushed out of her lips.

I panted, trying to keep up with her blows. I was slowly getting exhausted from the duel, but I still continued to fight.

You're no match for her. She's possessed by my sister.

Who are you?

I heard the voice laugh, a laugh that echoed in my mind.

I am the spirit of Pride, Kayabangan(2), the fourth spirit of the Pitong Nakamamatay na Kasalanan(3). I, together my six sisters, Galit(4), Inggit(5), Katamaran(6), Katakawan(7), Kalibugan(8) and Kasakiman(9), am the guardian of this cave.

What's happening to Jiyuu?

The voice laughed once more, before it continued.

She awakened our slumber by her magic, and now, my sister, Galit, has possessed her. You're no match for her. If she succumbs to Galit, she will be Galit's tool for destruction. She can destroy the whole country!

I drowned in anger. Anger for this spirit. Anger for everything it caused.

"Jiyuu, snap out of it!" I yelled.

She laughed, and she clashed her sword against mine with full force, and I fell to the ground.

The blade was pointed to my chest, a crazed look in her eyes as she raised the blade high.

"Die." she said.
"Fight it, Jiyuu!" I yelled.

These could be my final words.

The crazed look in her eyes faded, and she slowly lowered the sword.

Kabaliwan!!!(10)

I heard another voice, that seemed to revert Jiyuu back to her crazed state.

This could be the end.

I closed my eyes to embrace my fate.

Then, I heard a thud.

And an ear-splitting scream rang through the cave.

I opened my eyes.

"Takeda?!"

There he was, my adviser, bruised and wounded, holding a knife stained scarlet, a fallen Jiyuu at his feet, her Achilles' heel stained crimson.

"Hello, Your Highness. Glad I came in time, you might've been killed by the spirit." he said.

I stood up, feet unsteady and carefully carried the now-unconscious Jiyuu in my arms. Takeda carefully wrapped a piece of cloth on her Achilles' heel to subside the bleeding.

"I apologize, Your Highness, cutting the Achilles' heel was the only way to stop a spirit from possessing a human." he said.

"It's alright, Takeda. Is she going to be alright?" I asked.

Takeda smiled at me, as we exited the cave.

"Of course, Your Highness."

I hope so.

++++++++++++

Author's Translations

*all terms are Filipino.

Espada(1)- sword

Kayabangan(2)- pride

Pitong Nakamamatay na Kasalanan(3)- seven deadly sins

Galit(4)- wrath

Inggit(5)- envy

Katamaran(6)- sloth

Katakawan(7)- Gluttony

Kalibugan(8)- lust

Kasakiman(9)- greed

Kabaliwan!(10)- Craziness!

Author's Note:

That was tense....

Imagine yourself being possessed by one of the Seven Deadly Sins...

Well...that would be weird.

Nevertheless, hope you enjoyed act 9

Vote, or comment if you do :)

Good night, Good Morning, or Good Afternoon!