"The Moon Shines On Death..."

Confront

"Bulan!" Sidapa's voice caused the entire palace to quake.

Seated on his golden throne, Kaptan turned to see the shadowy figure materialize before him.

"Don't tell him I'm here..." Bulan came running through the pearl and diamond hallway. He stopped abruptly when he saw Sidapa.

"Trying to hide from me, little one?" Sidapa confronted the moon god.

"Was not. I uhm, thought you were... you were a messenger. Why are you even here!" Bulan lied.

"Bulan! That is no way to welcome our guest. Have you forgotten that Sidapa was a skygod much like yourself before he decided to reside in mount Madjaas? Apologize to an elder god right now." Kaptan scolded.

Bulan stood frowning, but made no move to follow his grandfather's request.

"I said apologize Bulan. Do not make me repeat myself." Kaptan said, the sky shook with rumbles of thunder.

"I'm sorry." Bulan sighed.

"It has been seven days Bulan! You did not return to mount Madjaas. I am here to take you home." Sidapa announced.

"This is my home. With grandfather." Bulan replied, looking at Kaptan for support.

"Oh no you don't. You are not dragging me into your problems... both of you." Kaptan stood to leave the enormous throne room.

"Grandfather you promised I could stay longer!" Bulan halted Kaptan in the midst of escaping.

"I said you could stay... if Sidapa agreed. You must remember Bulan that Sidapa is the reason you are still alive today. Without his help, I would not be able to do this." Kaptan covered Bulan in a tight embrace, then kissed his forehead.

"Talk this over you two." Kaptan ordered.

"There is nothing to talk about. I am enjoying my second chance at life. I do not want to go back to Sidapa's mountain. Atleast not yet. As my friend... you should understand that Sidapa."

"Why are you even mad at me? Can we not talk..." Sidapa was cut short when Bulan disappeared in a blinding light.

Kaptan looked apologetically at the other god. He knew Bulan was acting out of anger.

"Kids. What can you do, right?" He tried to make light of the matter. Sidapa just nodded in response.

They stood in the middle of the throne room, quiet until Sidapa started to speak.

"It's just like before. I feel like I am once again at a losing end. Much like the time with Maguayan." Sidapa sighed.

"I may have won her heart, but in the end I still lost her. She now prefers to stay in your realm than come home to me. Doesn't that make you the winner? You've taken everything important in my life... my wife, my son, my grandsons. I may have wronged you once, but you've repeatedly made me pay for my mistakes in an ever increasing price." Kaptan said in a soft voice.

"I took nothing from you. I merely let life take its course. I had no hand in the way things turned out. I couldn't stay mad at you. I held no grudge. You were, and still are, my oldest friend." Sidapa replied.

"And I yours. We have had several misunderstandings time and again, but through all that we have remained brothers. Tell me how I could help you now, and I will do what I can." Kaptan offered.

"No. Like before, leave things as they are. It isn't fair to twist fate to favor us simply because we are gods. Like everything else, I resign myself to what is instore for me in the future. Whether that future is with Bulan will remain a mystery."

"Sometimes fate needs a little push to decide what's right for us. Bulan is very fond of you Sidapa... you have cost me another person that I dearly love. You have won my favorite grandson to your side, and I am happy for both of you. Don't let fate take him away. Fight for what you hold dear this time my dearest friend. For once, be selfish... and be happy."

"Does that mean I have your blessing Kaptan? I can claim your grandson as my lover and companion?" Sidapa asked, hopeful.

"You always had my blessing, my friend. I pray you both become happy in this lifetime and in the next." Kaptan smiled.

"Thank you. It means a lot to me." Sidapa answered.

"Take good care of Bulan, he means the world to me Sidapa. Hurt him, and I swear to unleash the wrath of an angry irrational grandfather on you and everything you hold dear."

"You have my word. Thank you, for the chance to be finally... happy." Sidapa said.

Kaptan stared a long time at the place where Sidapa stood after he disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Turning to leave his throne room Kaptan took a step away from his seat of power when a familiar voice called out to him.

"Father?" Kaptan turned to look. His son Lihangin stood there in the flesh, alive and well. He ran to hug his son whom he has missed so much, grateful that the god of death has given him back... his happiness.