Tales of the Supremes 22 ANI'S MIGH

"Father, th...the beasts! They're heading that way!" a young man said stutteringly. His trembling hand pointed the dozen of beasts running wild, heading west.

"Let's hurry up! There's only Kalipsi around to protect little Miya and Lolo Dan," another young man cried.

The bulky man in his forties nodded.

Three men fought side by side to obstruct the beasts.

As they expected, they weren't matched in numbers and strength.

"Taas, go ahead. Inform Lolo Dan and the children to leave this place right now," Tibay ordered.

Taas ran as fast as he could, but a beast blocked his way.

Tayog, the other young man, strikes his sword to a bulky beast.

Instead of injuring it, his sword was broken. The bulky beast apoplectic dashed towards the young man. Tibay blocked the enraged beast using his wooden shield.

"Get away. HURRY!" Tibay shouted. The might of the bulky beast sent him flying. His shield shattered to pieces. He spouted a mouthful of blood. 'This beast must be their leader.' Using his sword to help himself stand up he murmured, "I'm going to drag you with me."

He knew that he wasn't its opponent, but if he kills their leader, the other beasts might retreat. Drawing forth his might, he dashed at visible speed towards the beast. The beast did the same. A loud bang reverberated as the two forces met. Tibay tumbled on to the ground while the beast moved a dozen steps back.

Tibay couldn't move anymore. He just hoped to buy more time for his family to escape.

The beast dashed towards him. There's nothing more he can do. He was just like a prey waiting for his predator.

A green light traveled at visible speed and passed through him. The attacking beast backed off and it suddenly ran away, wailing. The other beasts run away too with their tails between their legs.

Tibay heaved a sigh of relief. A moment later, his brows creased.

...

Three figures emerged in front of the tree. The two of them approached Lolo Dan and Miya while the lady faced the tree. She extended her slender arms to touch the tree and surged her spirit energy whilst radiating green luster.

The tree was showing sign of liveliness. The lady did not stop until the tree emitted green luster that spread across the farmland in visible speed, stopping in a fixed distance.

…

The trio greeted by dazzling green light emitting from the tree. Their eyes caught four figures standing 50 meters away from it.

"Father, what is happening here?" Tibay asked his father Dan.

Tibay noticed a creature slowly approached them. Her green illuminated wings spread on her back as she was emitting unfamiliar energy. Her green dress reached her knees. The silver headdress shimmered under the sun rays. It was a captivating sight.

Startled, he asked, "Who are you?"

"I am Ani, the spirit creature of this place," Ani remarked.

"Spi.pirit?" The people around staggered to their feet except for Miya, Kalipsi and Tala.

Miya was after all just a kid.

Tibay falteringly stepped back. His widened eyes looked at the lady in awe.

Regaining his composure, he asked, "Do you know the reasons for the anomalies that happened these past few days?" Tibay was a straightforward man.

"Yes," Ani replied. "These two boys have saved me from the demon. I am truly grateful that you have taken care of such brave children."

"De...demon?" Everyone was baffled.

"Yes. Two weeks ago, I felt uncomfortable energy from the north. I investigated it but unfortunately, I was attacked from behind. From then, my energy was weakened and the demon managed to enter my place. He absorbed my energy. If these two young boys didn't show up, I will not be here in front of you," Ani explained.

"Two weeks ago? That's when the plantation starts to withered," Tayog stated.

Everyone came into realization.

Ani waved her hand creating four dots of pure green energy that flew and sipped through the foreheads of Lolo Dan, Tibay, Taas and Tayog. It spread through every part of their body healing every wounds and illness.

"Now, that everything is okay, I will take my leave!" Ani was going to leave when Miya hurriedly run towards her and asked,

"Can I see you again?"

"Of course Miya. I will always be inside the tree. I do hear you and everyone here, so if you need my help just call my name." Ani pointed her index finger to Miya's forehead and a leaf-shape marked. "I have bestowed my ability to you, young lady. Use it to help the one in need," saying so, she vanished immediately.

Expending so much of her spiritual energy, Ani couldn't manage to stay longer outside.

The leaf-shape mark emitted a green luster. Then, it sipped through her flesh and vanished.

"What a great gift for our little Miya," Tibay said beamingly.

…

Tibay asked Kalipsi what happened. Kalipsi narrated everything. They stared to Tala full of confusion.

"It is just a cacodemon; the weakest of their species. Ani was just caught off guard." Tala explained with full of respect.

Tibay was amazed. 'He didn't brag his victory. What a kind heart.' He thought. "How do you know about it?"

"Knowledge I gathered from traveling. I came from a faraway land," Tala explained vaguely.

'He might have a vast knowledge!' Tibay barely knew the existence of demons.

"Uhm. Tala, where is your next destination? I might be able to help you," Tibay asked. He wanted to reciprocate the help he did. 'Maybe, I can aid him a little.'

"I'm going east!" Tala replied.

"Oh. You're going to the Butuan kingdom. Are you going to study there?" Tibay asked.

Defeating a demon was no easy feat and his knowledge surpasses his. So, Butuan Kingdom might be a good place for him to study.

Tala nodded. She didn't actually plan on studying there, but from the looks of it now she needed an identity.

Tibay fell into a dilemma. He never thought that the destination of the youth will be too far to reach.

"You needed not to worry about reciprocating my action. It was already paid by the breakfast of Lolo Dan," Tala knew how far the kingdom was. Asking them to lend her a hand was too much.

Tibay felt relieved and ashamed. He offers help in his own volition, but in the end, he couldn't do a thing.

"Ca...can I come?" Kalipsi said in a low voice while his face was beaming red. He dreamed of studying in the Kingdom. 'Maybe this is my opportunity, but will Tala approve?' Hearing no words from Tala, he felt woe.

Tibay and the other was startled to Kalipsi's words. They gazed towards Tala with hope. 'If Tala kept Kalipsi by his side, maybe Kalipsi might be able to enter too.'

Tala fell silent.

'Maybe he thought Kalipsi might be a burden to his journey.' Tibay felt sad in his heart. He knew how his nephew dreamt of studying there.

Tala finally opened her mouth and said, "Uhm. If Lolo Dan and the others approve to it, then I don't have any reason to disagree!" She was startled at first that's why she fell silent.

The face of Kalipsi brightens. He gazed towards Lolo Dan and the others with anticipation.

"Your dream was knocking in front of you Kalipsi. I don't want you to waste it." Although sad, Lolo Dan knew he couldn't keep Kalipsi by his side forever.

"This is an opportunity for you Kalipsi. I will support your decision." Tibay smiled at him.

"It's settled then." Tala looked at Kalipsi, "We're going to set off this afternoon. Be prepared."

"Yes. Yes!" Kalipsi head home to prepare.

"I'll take my leave too." Tala returned to the bench.

…

Kalipsi returned with a tattered big backpack.

"What are you doing?" Tala was perplexed.

"These were all the needed things. Dress, food, medicine-"

"Did you think we're going to a vacation?" Tala asked.

Seeing the baffled Kalipsi, Tala said further, "Just take your weapon and pills. That's all we need."

"How about our foods and clothing?"

"We can get it throughout our journey. You don't need to worry."

"Is that so? This will be my first journey, so I don't know much." Kalipsi put the pills in a pouch and hang it on his waist with his sword.

"That's it," said Tala.

Tibay cleared his throat and said, "Here's some money. You might need it. Though it's not that big." He handed a pouch to Kalipsi.

Kalipsi took a glimpse. '20 bronze piloncitos?' He was surprised. It was a big sum for him. 'I can only fetch one, but now I have twenty on my hands!'

"Thank you uncle," said Kalipsi.

"Be careful on your journey, little cousin," Taas rubbed his head.

"Take care, everyone!" Kalipsi waved his hands.

The duo bade farewell.

"Take care, big brothers," Miya shouted to the disappearing silhouette of the duo.

Chapter end