Libulan, The Moon God (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 5-6

EVER lustrous lake of Laya, home for the mythical creatures that every tale would tell, by mouths or by scriptures. Tales to preserve or tales to instill fear, regardless of what the reason may be, these mythical beings existed because of how much impactful a story from mouth can be. It can be tantamount to how mortals are worshipping deities; the more followers they have, the powerful they become.

Hence, the more mortals tell the tale, more of these mythical beings shall exist.

It also became a place where a lone serpent god inhabited for moons and so, eventually adopting several mythical beings to be protected from any divine castigation. Tales would tell that Laya is part of the Lower realm, a frightening and dangerous area for all beings that ever live, but in reality, it is a mythical lake filled with mythical beings.

Amidst that peaceful scenery...

... an annoyed serpent god can be seen glaring at some two gods namely Sidapa and Libulan as they enjoy their time together at the Lunar Village through his "Seeing-Eyes" which are said to be envied by many deities. It is an ability that can be compared to Bathala's "All-Seeing", the only difference they have is that Bathala can see everything from far and beyond while the serpent can only see things that he has been to.

He did not have the time to visit Libulan lately because of the sole reason that he chose not to eat the moon god, so he spent most of his time in Laya, just observing the moon god from afar like he used to. But then, the god of death suddenly showed up out of nowhere in Libulan's life and this, for him, is a threat.

"Pops, would you like us to take these frail beings down, so you won't have that look on your face anymore?" Tiyanak suggested, a mythical cursed child who was aborted by his mother and thrown away without any prayers to offer. The serpent god found him on his way to Laya and took the infant with him as he prayed for the poor child to become one of his companions. Thus, he was named Tiyanak, tales about him would exist that he attacks women out of anger and resentment towards his mother.

He is now at a certain age where he exceeded hundreds, but his appearance would always be an infant that lures people to him and attacks them when they get close. But as of now, he chose to be a 12-year-old boy who likes to play around with the Duwendes, and other mythical beings. The serpent god treats everyone as his children, but only Tiyanak is seeing him as a father figure.

"Tiyan, how many times do I have to tell you not to disturb him? Also, those are powerful gods and even a mythical child like you cannot take them down," Nuno, the king of all Duwendes, and master of trickery and illusion - has been alongside the serpent for a long time now as he serves as the advisor of the serpent god and overseer of the lake whenever their master is away. He is also the guardian of Tiyanak and other younger creatures.

Tiyanak pouted at the reminder, then he decided to sulk at the corner and play 'bato-bato-pik' with Sigbin, a mythical dog beast whose head was twisted terribly. He used to scare away the trespassers of his previous forest by how he looked but ever since mortals received divine protection from their deities, Sigbin could not overpower their faith. He retreated far away from the village, then he found Laya, and the serpent god who accepted him with open arms. His physical appearance changed into a foxlike form without a tail, but his head is still twisted upside down as his "trademark". His human form is around the 20s of an average mortal, and a pack was formed under his leadership, and they are considered the hunters of Bakunawa's pandemonium.

"His Grace (a title they gave the serpent god after realizing he is, after all, a deity still) seems to fancy this certain god instead of actually swallowing him alive, ripping his skin off before gobbling up his innards." Kapre whispered to Sigbin, as he puffed a thick, black smoke beside him, earning a cough from the latter.

"That... is too detailed for me to know," Sigbin awkwardly said as he arranged the stones for Tiyanak to play with.

Kapre is a mythical giant who lives on Baletes or trees that resemble his tall and huge figure, and every time he would be around, it is believed that a group of fireflies will surround the area as a sign that Kapre is near. Tales about him say that he likes to drink, smoke, and loiter around.

"But I do get the feeling, he rarely joins the hunt nowadays," Sigbin chuckled as he played with Tiyanak some games, "and it explains why we have little food for the next moons to come."

Kapre laughed along with Sigbin as they watch the master of the lake frowning at the waters, where he can see Libulan and Sidapa together, laughing and having fun.

"I wish I could hunt."

"You only know how to mess around so no thank you."

"Why you- "

A shriek from above caught their attention, a winged lady with half of her body was missing, arrived at the place with a few harvested goods on her bayong, an item that mortals use to put their things in. Nuno pointed out where the lady's other half was hidden, it was behind the bushes, well-kept and protected.

"Many thanks, Tandang Nuno. For always taking care of my other body whenever I have to go somewhere far," she spoke with gentleness as she patted Tiyanak's head and gave him a pen and a paper for him to get busy at. It brought joy to the mythical cursed child since he has no other beings to play with other than them, he always dreamed of being able to write his name or draw the family he has right now.

"Thank you, Aswang! I like this a lot!"

"I am glad you liked it; they no longer write on leaves but a cloth that can last for ages. Now, off you go, your elders will be talking about something important now."

"Okay!"

"Tiyan... the manners."

"I mean opo!"

The rest of them only smiled in fondness as they watched Tiyanak ran towards the forest to play or draw on his newly brought cloth, then after that, they returned their gaze on their master who was still glaring at the reflections on the lake.

"I wonder if Kulam has found it yet though." Aswang, a shapeshifting creature that has grotesque features, and it is believed that she can divide her body into, leaving the other one in a safer place. She used to attack mortals and feed on them, but Bakunawa took her in to avoid any severe punishment from the heavens again. Her motherly appearance would sometimes fool the mortals, but it is something that Bakunawa adores about her.

Aswang became his mother figure, yet Bakunawa rarely addresses her nor talk to her since the serpent god was always away for his own business (the moon god). Though in mind, the serpent god has high respect for this mythical shapeshifting creature.

"It may be hard to find now but I am pretty sure she can convince Barang to come home anytime soon," Nuno reassured them.

"I surely hope so," Aswang sighed.

"Why in the underworld are we even sitting here, watching that old fish frowning and being grouchy at the lake?" Tikbalang groaned, having enough of the scenario as he checked on his hooves then looked back at the serpent god again, displeased by how annoying he looked right now.

The serpent god looks jealous but would not, in all millions of moons that will pass, admit it.

Tikbalang, it may be hard to believe, is the right-hand companion of the serpent god, meaning he is almost as powerful as their master and he was even granted a wish to become the god of the stallions, if and only if he gets to marry the right one for him. His physique is strongly built, his speed is inhumanely fast, and can shapeshift his limbs akin to mortal flesh but never his head. Only his one true love can break the curse that has been bestowed upon him.

Everyone in his sanctuary is cursed, including the serpent god himself.

"Says the one who's being grouchy," Tiyanak suddenly came out of nowhere, only to annoy the mythical horseman.

"Shut up, you orphan."

"W-why you! Ugly horsehead who doesn't have anyone to love him!"

A moment of silence it was.

"That's it, I'm drowning you alive by the lake."

"Kapre! Do something! They tend to shift into their grotesque form whenever they fight!" Aswang panicked and pulled the giant beast who shrugged his shoulders, completely uninterested.

"They are old enough," he puffs.

"Aren't we all old?" Sigbin laughed, sighing after seeing that Tikbalang has no plans of stopping so he decided to stop them instead.

"Enough both of yo- no using of teeth, Tiyan! Do not dare to kick him in the face, Balang!"

Meanwhile the serpent god had enough of the whatever he was seeing that he shuts his eyes close and plunged himself into the water. He could not understand wherever this overwhelming sensation is coming from, but he disliked the fact that Libulan is no longer only for him to see. Grunting in annoyance by the image of the two gods, he shifted into his serpent form, resting his head over a rock deep down the lake. He did not even notice his companions were already clawing at each other, for he was too distracted and preoccupied.

'I should eat him now,' he tried to convince himself, but later shakes his head in frustration whenever he remembers how Libulan looked whenever he fell asleep on his chest. Everything tends to be serene whenever he is with Libulan, like every part of him would subside, and forgets what he was meant to be.

A monster to fear, someone that should be despised and neglected for all the wrongdoings he had done for the last moons of his existence. It almost felt like being immortal is a cursed blessing he does not want to have anymore.

He felt like he did not deserve to live this long.

"Your Grace, we have an urgent message from our keepers in the forest," Serena interrupted their master's lone time, earning a glare from the serpent but he was only preoccupied that moment that he did not notice he was scaring the Sirena. The Sirenas are known for their lullabies that lure fishermen to the lake, a tail that resembles a fish, and their upper torso that resembles a mortal woman that can woo anyone. They feed on souls while the body would either be buried deep below the ocean or be fed to the Barracudas.

"What is it?" Bakunawa asked while poking the bubbles he makes with his sharp claws while Serena started fidgeting, afraid that their master might not like this news, but she has to tell her otherwise they will all be put in danger.

"S-Someone has passed through the mist."