#TCS100: Tomorrow's Approaching Fast

WHEN we arrived at where we were staying, I was still and quiet. Honoka looked like her soul left his body. Rebel's aura was nothing but dark, and his expression screamed hidden anger. While Akakios had that blank facial expression, there was nothing you could read.

We were greeted by the gang in a merry noise, but the moment their eyes landed on the silent Akakios and his intimidating cold presence, they all went mute. We sat at the massive table in the common area.

Everyone—from the Crowns to my siblings and the Pasaways sat there without questioning what just happened and why we were like this. I couldn't seem to remove that image of terror within my mind.

I knew I witnessed more cruelty than that in the world we lived in; I knew it was supposed to be something that I should be used to; it wasn't the first time—there were worst scenarios than that, but there was a red alarm inside my head with that circumstance.

Those people who were performing in the orchestra—their group—looked so rich. They were part of the higher society, but they experienced that kind of brutality. I could only sink just thinking of what those without power were experiencing.

They were already in paradise, but there was something like that; how about those out of this deceitful city?

"What happened to where you went?" Everyone almost inhaled simultaneously when Akakios said those words. Their hands and eyes quivered a little. Napalingon ako kay Akakios at nakaramdam ako ng kaba at takot.

"We went to the palace for the tour." The eyes of everyone at the table landed at Law when he spoke firmly. "Everything in there screamed richness and power. It appeared simple at first just, you know, surroundings, and exterior where the politics happen in this country."

"There was nothing special, really, 'til the lunch happened," Harper continued what Law was saying.

"Master Gideon instructed us to go to a room, so we secretly separated in the group. And when we arrived at the room after so much trouble not to get caught in anything, we heard some people or higher officials talking and discussing things," pagkukwento ni Law habang blankong nakatitig sa amin.

Harper's shoulders dropped, and she sighed heavily. I saw how her hand clenched into a fist.

"Those bastards..." nanggagalaiting bulong nito, ang mga mata ay nagtutubig sa matinding galit.

"They talk about covering crimes and corruptions, and they..." Natigil ang pagsasalita ni Law no'ng ikuyom nito ang kamao. "They conversed about taking funds from different projects to put it in their pockets."

"Bullshit!" Theon bellowed angrily with what he heard.

"They... even talk about like what if people get suspicious of it? And they laughed like it was nothing and answered that they would just need to kill people off so the mouths that the government feeds would be less." Harper closed her eyes momentarily while stating what they learned earlier.

"They also suggested increasing the taxes to make useless structures and statues, so the view of the palace and the residential areas for the officials will be 'topnotch,' they reasoned out that it was necessary so they could perform better in the Domain. You know for their mental health." Law's eyes burned in disgust, and he was gritting his teeth just by remembering the nonsense they heard earlier.

"Mga hayop!" galit na reaksyon ni Cleon. "Nasisikmura nila 'yon?! They are fucking stealing from people's money!"

"One even asked with a mocking tone: How about the poor? And those bastards just laughed and answered that they are poor because they are lazy, that's why they will remain like that even in their deaths," Harper mentioned with a voice so low and serious. She was furious.

Para namang napapantig ang tainga ko sa nalalaman. They had the audacity to say that when they were the main reason why people were suffering?! Those fucking bastards! What kind of mindset was that?!

"Those people just kept blabbing about things that would make you vomit," Law declared intensely. "I swore they would pay. They will burn in hell."

Halos lahat kami biglang naging determinado sa sinabi ni Law at sa kwentong dala ni Harper. Mas naging tensyonado rin ang lugar sa matinding galit na nararamdaman namin. This needs to stop. It needs to stop because it wasn't humane anymore.

"How about you, Art and Caerus? What happened?" tanong ko sa kanilang dalawa na tahimik pero nag-aalab ang damdamin sa mga mata.

"We went to a museum, like what Master Gideon instructed us..." simula ni Art. Her eyes glowed in loathe. Hinawakan ni Caerus ang kamay nitong nakakuyom sa ibabaw ng lamesa.

"It was such a magnificent place. The history was really presented so regally. It was treasured and maintained so well," she narrated, and I nodded. That was how great they were in showing façade and beauty that was in vain.

"Then someone arrived; it was one of Abelard's direct people, probably the chief of his secretaries and staffs." Hindi pa man buo ang storya ni Art, nanggigigil na kaagad ako kasi parang alam ko na kung saan hahantong 'yon.

"At first, it was peaceful, and all the workers in the museum brought them to the room where they can buy art pieces. We sneaked in to see what will happen because the tension in the air was so different before they arrived," Caerus continued in a gentle voice.

"They spent a lot of money lavishly; they bought pieces that cost millions." Halos mapanganga ang lahat sa sinabi ni Caerus. Nanatili naman kami ni Akakios na nakikinig at walang emosyon sa mukha.

"Using people's money again to display their wealth, huh?" Akakios said with mockery.

Caerus sighed and nodded. Hindi na kailangan hulaan 'yon, alam mong 'yon na kaagad 'yon dahil Marquis sila. They'd do that without a doubt. For what reason? Because they could do it. That was how power works for them.

"They also destroyed art pieces and other things there," Art said while shaking her head and sighing loudly.

"They even called an art 'outdated' because they already saw it from before, and for them, it was an eyesore. And they proceeded in breaking it." What the actual hell? Muntik na akong tumayo sa kinauupuan ko dahil sa sobrang kabobohan na narinig ko.

"You mean... they destroyed pieces that cost a fortune, never paid for it, just because they already saw it the last time?" I repeated dangerously, asking for confirmation with what Art stated. Art couldn't look at me, but Caerus glanced to nod.

"What the fuck is this madness?" hindi mapigilang bulaslas ni Nicasia.

"This is the most fucked up reason that I heard!" Sloane growled while her hands were fists ready to punch who would ever cross her way.

"I am getting speechless with the way they are doing things and their nonsensical reasons," Akira muttered with dark eyes.

"They even fired people like it was nothing because they tried to save those arts," nagtitimping dagdag ni Art.

"They harassed some female employees, too, and I almost stepped in because of how fucking cruel and unjust they are," galit na patuloy ni Caerus. Kahit sino naman gano'n din siguro ang magiging reaksyon.

"Some who passed by that room... I thought they will help or will report what's happening, but they didn't... I even heard someone said that it was their fault for not satisfying a customer that will spend a million bucks, and they deserve the treatment they receive." Art's breathing became harsh, and she closed her eyes, trying to calm herself.

"How dare they?! Hindi na sila tao!" Hope yelled in frustration.

"How could people have that kind of mindset...?" nanlulumong saad ni Pierce. "How could they blame the apparent victim? How could they want to twist the situation around like no lives were at stake?"

"Those people they fired with that reason have lives, too; how can they do that?" Thorn questioned and his eyes looked pained. "They are nothing but monsters. They are the ones who make the situation worse... they are even more despicable than the monsters."

"I feel so disgusted with myself." Para kaming sinuntok ng hangin sa sinabi ni Caerus.

"I was there. I was there watching. But I couldn't do anything. So how am I different from them?" he inquired in anguish.

Art's jaw tightened, and she also held Caerus' hand. The look in her eyes were so revengeful. She'd make sure they'd suffer.

"Gusto kong magmura..." mahinang bulong ni Yvo. "Gusto ko silang pagbayarin ang ginagawa nila. Pero... hindi tayo pwede kumilos basta-basta."

"That's one of the things that irritate me the most," Caerus confessed in a low voice. "We wait; we always wait for the right time. I know. I understand the reason for it. It needs to be done that way. Or else many more will face the consequences. I know that... but doesn't it frustrate the hell out of you?"

Tiningnan n'ya kaming lahat ng masinsinan.

"It's like killing one person and transplanting his organs to the ten patients that needed it to make them survive. I know it has a great purpose. But isn't it sickening?" umiiiling na pagtatanong nito. Art looked at him with teary eyes.

My breathing hitched a little because he voiced out all the frustration that I was feeling inside of me. There was that helpless feeling.

"I hate it as much as you do," Akakios muttered powerfully, that I felt goosebumps all over my body.

Akakios slowly raised his head and stared at Caerus's eyes. You could see how hostility was evident in those orbs. He was as tired and as frustrated, maybe more than we could imagine, or more than what we were feeling.

"I despise that we needed to look at the whole forest... disregarding the wildflowers that we stepped in during the process."

The way Akakios said it was so quiet but it definitely knocked the air out of my lungs.

"That's the reality," Saint suddenly spoke. "We just can't live ideally. Those flowers we trampled on during this journey... it is an inevitable part of it."

Natahimik ang lahat dahil do'n. Yeah, he was right. That was really the reality.

"It's not like we wanted that... it just the process. Saan ka ba nakakita ng gyera na walang dugo at walang nagbubuwis ng buhay?" he queried seriously, I pressed my lips together.

"But it has a purpose. We need to look at that purpose. We need to stay steady. Let's all look at the reality here. Although people are suffering, we are already going to the path that advances forward for our goal to be reached. Let's keep that in mind." Ni walang nakatingin kay Saint sa sinabi n'ya.

That was all true... how cruel... but true.

"But aren't those wildflowers you are trampling on also lives?" Akakios questioned him softly.

"That's what you called sacrifice."

Saint's response thundered in our ears.

"And those sacrifices are fated. It will happen for a great purpose. And we can do nothing about it, but also through those we thrive."

It wasn't pleasant to hear. It wasn't something that you'd wanted to hear. But he was real with our situation.

"It is a predestined path that we needed to endure. Because greatness and new beginnings will happen only with those lives that we sacrifice." Saint looked at each one of us with his words.

Damn, it wasn't really something we wanted to listen to, but I couldn't argue with it.

I glimpsed at Akakios, and I saw him made fists using his hands and how his jaw clenched tightly. He closed his eyes, and his arms quivered a little. We were followed by the hunting silence of Saint's words and Akakios's emotions.

"How can you speak of those casualties so lightly?" nanlaki ang mga mata namin no'ng biglang sinabi ni Sven 'yon kay Saint. He looked at Saint with blank eyes. Saint smirked at him and cackled softly, making all of us feel a sinister aura around us.

"Why? Do you plan to dwell about every life? Then you must be forgetting the real plan that we have. In this plan, you will not—no, you should not stop just because you lost a life. Because stopping will only mean another death!" he declared powerfully.

"In this game, we are playing; all lives are at stake, we all know that, didn't you all fight the Senses? Didn't you learn from them?" Nakita ko kung paano hawakan ni Nicasia si Saint para kumalma 'to dahil mas magiging tensyonado ang paligid.

Idagdag mo pa ang tahimik na pagmamasid ni Akakios sa sinasabi nito.

"Why? AmI wrong?" Saint then questioned while shrugging his shoulders. His vision also traveled to Akakios' direction. "Am I wrong for pointing out our reality?"

"What you said isn't wrong... but is it any different from this current regime?"

Akakios answered with a hoarse voice that made me stop breathing—that made us stop from breathing.

"Aren't they also the people of this nation?" His voice burrowed in our ears to ring.

"The people that the Domain doesn't and wouldn't want to look at nor hear. The people that you call the sacrifices."

"Aren't we aiming for a world that was different from this? Aren't we planning to overthrow this madness? If we abandon those whom you see as sacrifices..."

"Who will ever hold their hand?" Akakios threw him queries with great invocation.

Napalunok ako dahil do'n. Damn. That was really powerful.

"Who will ever see their pain? Who will ever hear their woes? Who will ever... give importance to their lives, and their pleas?"

Biglang napaiwas ng tingin si Saint sa titig ni Akakios. Nicasia lowered her head.

"Aren't we doing all of these for those people?"

"Aren't we supposed to be fighting for them? Aren't we doing this to protect them? Or... are we not?"

The fire that was flickering with the reality suddenly glowed with Akakios' words. Para may kung ano'ng sumuntok sa puso ko, at gumising sa akin sa tunay na katotohanan.

"No lives will be in vain... death or living... we will win this. There is no room for failure. There is no room for hearts that wavers. We will reach this goal. And in that process, I will save those lives that you wanted to sacrifice, maybe I cannot hold all of them, but I will keep whoever I can, even if it makes me bleed, even if I will be put on the brink of danger and death."

"Even with that... I will still grasp our way to victory."

The way Akakios said that was full of determination and full of realness. That was how he was. There was no way he'd ignore those who were trampled on, but there was also no way he'd stop in this plan. If it were him saying those words... then I could hold on to that even in the next lifetime.

Natahimik ang lahat dahil do'n. Napabutonghininga ang ilan sa mga naririnig at sa tensyon na nararamdaman sa buong lugar. I felt someone's presence, and I saw Master Gideon and Isolde from afar watching all of us.

Isolde was smirking at Akakios's direction, and Master Gideon was nodding as if he knew Akakios would say the words that left his mouth. Kahit papaano napangiti ako dahil do'n. His words really made a significant impact on my heart.

Nang humarap ulit ako sa kanila halos nakatungo na silang lahat. I breathed in and out then glanced at Hope and Theon. They were both holding each other's hand in silence. Hope was sighing countless of times.

"What did you see in the place that you went to, Theon?" pagtatanong ko sa gitna ng katahimikan. He lifted his head, and our gazes met. He sighed and Hope's eyes automatically formed tears. I sighed; it felt like I already knew what I would hear from them.

"It's like a different place from this city... no, it's like a different country, even," he mentioned while shaking his head, his eyes darkening every second.

"At first it seemed good, but only that it doesn't have these huge buildings, parks, and roads. It seemed like it was for people who are not that rich but well-off; there are good buildings and residential areas," Theon started plainly.

"But the deeper we go in the city, the darker it seemed to be. There are illegal areas run by the rich. There are beggars who are all over the roads. Some houses are wrecked and are only built so they could have homes..." Napaiwas ng tingin si Theon sa akin habang inaalala ang mga bagay na nakita.

"It was... just so... different," Hope voiced out in pain. "If you stay in this capital, in this city, you'll see the richness, but if you leave here, you'll see the reality of this nation."

"There are even bones in the narrow alleys. There are children who seemed like they never eaten anything their whole lives... it was confounding," naiiyak na pahayag ni Hope. Para may kumirot naman sa puso ko dahil sa naririnig.

"No'ng—no'ng." Hope struggled to speak, and Theon hugged him and kissed the top of her head to comfort her. "No'ng naglabas ako ng pagkain... biglang tumakbo 'yong mga batang pulubi, para silang makikipagpatayan sa simpleng tinapay..."

I felt a grip on my wrist and a lump on my throat. Bakit gano'n? I could already imagine all the suffering that those children went through.

"I-I asked them where their parents are..." Para ayoko nang makinig sa sinasabi ni Hope, kasi nasasaktan lang ako. "They told us... that they were taken to work for the Domain. And they haven't returned yet... and they needed to find food for their younger siblings, or they will starve to death..." Tuluyan nang naiyak si Hope sa sinabi nito.

Theon looked up the ceiling with a broken heart from what they witness.

"We ended up buying foods for them... and I swore they would kill for a piece of bread... they are that deprived of what was supposed to be their necessity. They were withheld of what they should have because it goes to the pockets of the bastards that abuse power..."

I felt all the emotions rushed through my system. Tama si Theon. Dapat sa kanila napasok sa school, nag-aaral, sinusuportahan, pero hindi... nando'n sila, hinahayaan mamatay ng mga taong walang ginagawa kung hindi magpakasasa sa yaman na hindi dapat sa kanila.

Galit ang bumalot sa puso ko. Was it this? Was it the payment for the extravagance in the capital?

"Those... children... only wants to live..." patuloy ni Hope habang umiiyak.

"Those children just wanted to eat and take care of their siblings. At their young age... they already have these kinds of worries. Why?" Theon questioned powerfully.

Biblee held her Ate's hand while he bowed her head. She'd been quiet since earlier, but her eyes, although not shedding tears, her heart was the one crying. She was never the quiet one, but her silence right now spoke volumes of words and grief unsaid.

"Those children, those people in that area from that city are not going to die from fights or wars, they are going to die of poverty..." Theon stated and I nodded to agree. Ang bigat sa puso, ang bigat sa puso no'ng naririnig namin ngayon.

"And I am sure that there are a lot of areas from the different provinces of this rotten country that experiences the same..." Halos ibulong ko ang mga katagang 'yon dahil sa lungkot na gumuguhit sa puso ko.

"When will this ever end...?" Biblee murmured. "This problem was here thousands of years ago, and even thousands of years after... it is still here..." Ni hindi kami makasagot sa simpleng tanong na 'yon.

They said that in the eyes of the children, the world's problems could be answered because you'd also find them in this world. But how could they see that? When were they starving? When they were suffering?

Pierce and Thorn looked so devastated. "Can we go and feed them...?" malungkot na dagdag ni Thorn.

"Can we help them even a little?" Pierce also questioned.

"We'll go... please... I don't want those children to die..." Gabby also added with a face full of sadness.

"We'll be back safely; we really just can't eat and stand here knowing those things are happening. It makes my heart ache..." Katniss added while bowing down, hoping for a permission.

"I'll go with them," Kalix suddenly spoke quietly.

Napatingin sila kay Akakios. I glanced at Master Gideon and I saw him nodded. I held Akakios's balled fists and gave him a slight nod. He smiled at me softly. Then he looked at the ones who were asking and he gave them permission without hesitation.

Kahit papaano natuwa sila dahil do'n. Napangiti rin ako nang palihim. If only... If only the world were filled with these kinds of people, would it ever be different?

We stayed quiet and only heard the silence of wrecking hearts and tears of each other, questioning and questioning because that was all we could do at this time.

"Where did you go Luna and Justice?" Napalingon ako kay Akakios no'ng mahina n'yang itanong 'yon sa tahimik at nakikinig lang na kapatid at kaibigan. They were both bowing their heads, and they raised them in synch.

"Ah..." Luna tried to clear her choked up throat. "To another city. This city is also looked develop with high buildings, structures, and all that... it looked clean in one glance. Just like this city..." Pinilit n'yang tumawa para pagaanin ang hangin sa lugar, pero hindi n'ya rin nagawa.

"But just like how beautiful it is like a rose, there are thorns that lie from within..." Justice continued in a low and calm voice.

"We are not really supposed to go to the specific area that we end up with, but we went there when a circumstance occurred," Justice explained the first event to what led them to see things that they shouldn't have seen, but it still opened their eyes.

"Someone tried to steal from Luna's bag, and we chased him..." my sibling started.

"No'ng mahabol namin, nakarating kami sa parang liblib na barangay," Luna narrated in a heavy tone. "There we saw... we saw people who are not well-off, but leeching and making a profit from the ones weaker than them..." She closed her eyes because of how devastating it was witnessing it.

"B-Binubugbog nila 'yong isang pamilya para ibigay no'ng ale 'yong bag na dala-dala n'ya. Nakayakap 'to nang mahigpit do'n at sa paslit n'yang anak na babae nagmamakaawa..." Luna continued with trembling lips.

"'Tapos 'yong tatay, pilit na lumalaban do'n sa mga lalaking nakapalibot sa kanila at may dalang baril."

Fuck. I wanted to curse badly and shout the words that were hidden in my throat because of what I've heard. That was beyond cruel!

"'Yong batang lalaki na nagnakaw ng bag ni Luna, ibinigay nila 'yon do'n sa mga nambubugbog. Pagkatapos nanood lang 'to do'n sa pamilyang inaalipusta nila." Napabuntonghininga si Justice at hindi malaman kung ano ang iisipin o gagawin.

"They also tried to separate the little child from the mother while trying to steal their belongings and beating the father." Luna's eyes cried with rage. "Those filthy... those bastards... how could they steal from someone who is in the same situation as them?!" nanggagalaiting dugtong nito.

Parang kumulo naman ang dugo sa loob ko, at gusto ko nang sumugod sa mga Marquis at patayin na lang sila. I wanted to end this. I wanted to end this. I badly wanted to take the root of the Marquis and end them in my own hands.

"We fought them..." Justice declared sternly; his gray eyes turned a shade darker. "I couldn't stand there and watch..." napapailing na pagsasaad pa nito, kitang-kita ang pagkamuhi sa ekspresyon.

"But when we defeated them easily. They couldn't even fight..." Luna said while staring at Akakios and me intently. "I honestly wanted just to end their lives, you know. They are nothing but trashes who tainted this society red..."

"Pero bakit gano'n?" naiiyak na tanong nito. "Bakit sila sumigaw ng tulong? Bakit sila sumigaw ng patawad kasi gusto lang din nilang may maiuwing pagkain sa mga anak nila?! Bakit?!" Luna cried in so much emotion.

"They are evil, right?! They should have stayed evil!" nanggagalaiting pahayag nito at saka sinuntok ang kamao sa lamesa.

Justice hugged her and tried to comfort her. But he, himself was angry as she was. Para kaming binuhusan nang sobrang lamig na yelo dahil sa tindi ng emosyon na pinaparamdam ni Justice sa amin.

"Why...?" Justice questioned with a voice that was breaking but was powerful enough to punch our emotions. "Why did they do that? Why did they tried to steal from those weaker than them just to feed their families?"

"You know the answer?" natatawang imik ni Justice.

"Because... the higher-ups are doing it blatantly, why can't they? So... why can't they?"

Mas naiyak si Luna sa sinabi ni Justice nang buong-buo. Napatingin ako sa itaas para pigilan ang luhang gustong kumawala sa mga mata ko.

"Hearing those words... hearing those words..." napailing-iling si Justice at hindi maituloy ang sinasabi. He bit his lips until it bled. Ramdam na ramdam mo 'yong pait, at hindi man n'ya itinuloy ang sinasabi n'ya, alam kong nakuha na naming lahat ang ibig sabihin no'n.

"Ain't this world so devastating...?" mahinang bulong ko habang namamayani ang sakit at katahimikan sa amin.

"Some people will defend their government because they are experiencing the greatest things, but how about those left in vain, who will take accountability for them?" pagtatanong ko sa kanila na halos mawalan na ng boses.

"Some people will say that the government is doing the best that they can... just look at this, look at that... they worked on that, you know? But what about those suffering because of their decisions? Aren't they also counted as a part of this nation?" I saw different emotions in their eyes as I stated those words.

"Every action they take has consequences; I am aware of that... there is no fair world no matter where you are. There are those will agree, and those who will disagree. Some will see the colours, but others will see the black and white..." I murmured with a breaking heart.

"But you know what we can do? Aim for change... aim for change over and over. Yes, be happy when they do the right things. However, question them about their wrongs and let them take responsibility and consequences. Because that was the only way, we can live in these turbulent times..." It would always be a long process, decisions mixed with whys and what-ifs, but if we wouldn't start now... aren't we just waiting for more deaths?

Ni wala kaming masabi pagkatapos no'n tanging katahimikan.

Para kaming bumangga sa pader na hindi namin alam kung masisira ba namin, para kaming bungga sa bundok na hindi mo masusukat kung gaano kataas, at para kaming bumangga sa hangin... hindi alam kung saan kami tatayangin.

Honoka and Rebel also told them about what we saw earlier. Honoka was so mad. The whole time she and Rebel were telling the cruelty of Abelard. Kita mo ang sindak sa mga mata nila dahil sa talim magkwento no'ng dalawa.

Honoka's low tone would make you shiver. The words she said embedded deeply in our hearts. And Rebel's anger tightened our resolve to fight the Domain. We became fully aware of what awaits us in the path ahead of us, but there was no feeling nor thought of backing down.

Even with Honoka and Rebel's warning of how intimidating and overwhelming the Emperor was. There was no going back. Even if bloodshed was going to flood all of us. We were going to face it with our heads held high.

"To those people whose lives were trampled on..." Pierce suddenly started that made us look at him, and his eyes glowed darkly.

"To those lives that were ruined by the bastards who are stealing from their hard work..." Thorn also spoke with eyes burning with passion.

"To those people who are being torn by taxes..." Katniss added emotionally.

"To those people who are starving..." Hope chimed in with a broken voice.

"To those who are being forced to act harshly on their pitiful situations..." Theon also murmured looking at Akakios and I.

"To those people who kept being pushed because they are weak..." Akira said while gritting his teeth.

"And those people who are being killed by the hands of their own people..." Biblee continued with eyes watering from anger.

"We will fight for those lives. We will speak of a change that they are not able to do and cannot do," Luna declared in a whisper, but her words screamed throughout the whole table.

And we all agree. Nicasia and Saint nodded silently, and Yvo smirked while agreeing. Wala namang emsyon si Sven na tahimik lang na nakikinig at tahimik sa kinauupuan n'ya. Si Kalix naman tumatango dahil sa kapatid.

"Well... what a great determination and passion there..." Napatingin kami lahat kay Isolde nang magsalita 'to. Napangiti naman kami ni Akakios.

"Now that you see the reality of this rotten country, I hope you are more than ready to fight." Napatango kaming lahat sa sinabi ni Master Gideon, kaya naman mas naging tensyonado ang lahat.

"Tomorrow is approaching fast..." Akakios mentioned. "And I shall prepare to depart for the South, to set foot in the place where I was born and finally, to start the revolution." And an electrifying feeling ran through my spine with his declaration.

***

KAMING dalawa lang ni Akakios ang pumunta sa South kasama si Biblee at Akira. They were the ones who volunteered to go with us, while the rest would start with their tasks and would prepare for the battles that would surely take place when the plan was in action. Some wanted to help those who were suffering, and that was what they were doing secretly.

"Still nothing?" I glanced at Biblee when she sat beside me and asked that. I nodded at her with a sigh.

"Yeah, still nothing... I am getting worried if my plan will really work..." I started doubting myself with the first obstacle that we were facing. Halos unang beses yata 'to na hindi umayon sa plano ko ang lahat.

"Nah, I have a feeling that Alas will pull it through, just give it some time..." she mentioned with a smile.

"Nasaan si Akira?" tanong ko na lang kasi kapag ito ang pinag-usapan namin, hindi matatapos. Puro pag-aalala lang ang mangyayari, at hindi pwede 'yon.

"Nasa bayan, tumutulong sa mga tao rito," she answered with a dreamy grin. Natawa naman ako nang marahan do'n, talagang baliw na baliw to kay Akira eh. "Nako, mamaya ang dami ko nang kaagaw, kailangan kong protektahan ang bibiloves ko!" She pouted.

"Tingin mo pa lang atras na 'yong ibang tao rito eh," I told her laughingly.

"Dapat lang aba! Makuha sila sa tingin!" she declared like she was ready to fight anyone for Akira. Kulit.

We had been in a small village here in the South. Hindi katulad sa capital at mga kalapit na city na 'to na sobrang developed at moderno, dito sa South puro kagubatan at halos parang mga nayon. It was an island afterall. There were some developed buildings like the municipal offices, and the market, but the rest remained simple and ancient.

The houses were built like the ones in the past, the ones with stones and woods in mix. It was not that old, but also wasn't that new. There were also multiple fields in different areas, but mostly, you could really see how deprived this island was. Parang pinagbawalan maging moderno, pinagbawalan maging edukado ang mga tao rito.

Nabubuhay pa rin sila sa pangangaso at pangingisda. May mga tao pang galing mismo sa mga kamay ng Marquis na kinukuha ang pangkabuhayan at pinaghirapan nilang ani at mga produkto ng pagsasaka, pangangaso, at pangingisda.

They were saying it was part of the taxes that they needed to fulfill, but I was sure it was just the Marquis that wanted them to stay poor or to make them poorer. Halos walang tigil ang mga tao rito sa pagtatrabaho, kahit sinasaktan at halos patayin na sila ng mga tao ng mga Marquis.

Biblee, Akira, Akakios, and I had been doing our best to help them. Still, we couldn't really just fight off the Marquis's people who were abusing them because they might directly report about us, so we were disguising as ordinary citizens in this place.

Akakios had been trying to convince the leader of this land to hold hands with him against the Marquis. And to try to pass the self-governing law. But nothing was happening, and almost two weeks had already passed.

Ni ayaw ngang magpakita no'ng leader kay Akakios, puro mga tauhan n'ya ang nagtataboy rito. They wouldn't even listen to him. For that leader, it would only be in vain, and trying to piss off the Marquis would only lead to more consequences.

Galit na galit 'yong isang tauhan n'ya sa amin no'ng halos muntik naming kalabanin 'yong mga tauhan ng Marquis. Even the people of the village who were just silently cooperating with the unjust demand were mad at us.

"Sino ba kayo?! Bakit ba kayo nandito sa lugar namin?! Gusto n'yo ba talaga kaming mamatay?!" sigaw no'ng babaeng lider ng nayon sa lenggwahe nila no'ng pumagitna ako para tumulong.

I was perplexed by her retort; I thought she'd thank me because those people were gone for a while after the torment they did.

"Bakit...? I helped you..." nanlulumong saad ko.

"Tulong?!" the lady yelled while crying. "Mas pinalala mo! Sa bawat paglaban mo, mas lalo silang magiging ganid! Kung ang binibigay namin ay kalahating porsyento ng mga kabuhayan namin, magiging pitumpong porsyento ang kukunin nila!"

"Kaya nga dapat mas lumaban tayo... para hindi na maging gano'n ang trato sa inyo..." Biblee added while looking at the people of the village. But they returned her gaze with disgust and like we would never understand them.

"Ano'ng akala n'yo sa amin, hindi dumaan sa bagay na 'yan?!" an old guy shouted at the three of us.

Akakios wasn't there that time because he was at the office of the South's leader trying to convince him with our self-governing plan and to make him meet the Empress.

"Nagawa na namin 'yan! Nagrebelde kami! Umiyak kami! Nanlaban kami! Higit pa sa inaakala n'yo! Pero alam n'yong natanggap namin?! Kamatayan! Sobrang daming namatay dahil dyan! Ang mga anak namin na akala namin na mabubuhay nang mas mahaba sa amin... sila 'yong nilibing namin!" sigaw ng isang matandang babae habang umiiyak.

"Wala kayong alam sa hirap na dinanas namin sa kamay nila! Kaya't huwag kayong makialam!" hiyaw pa ng isang lalaki.

"Kaya kung gusto n'yong mamuhay ng tahimik sa lugar na 'to, h'wag na h'wag n'yo kaming papakialaman, at h'wag na h'wag n'yo pakialaman ang ginagawa ng mga tauhan ng Hari!" the lady declared at us powerfully.

And that was when we realized how hard it was going to be to change their opinion... not just their leader but them... because their village and nation were the largest in the southern islands, and yet they were once resolute in never crossing the Marquis again.

We tried to get along with them; at first, only eyes of anger stared at us, but Akakios's kindness soon had a significant impact on them, especially on the young ones.

His simple gestures of being polite, helping them in their daily lives, and to be there with them, made a great impact. We followed Akakios's deeds, and we finally got some of their trust. Nag-sorry rin kami sa ginawa namin no'n.

Kaya naman namumuhay kami kasama sila at tinutulungan sila. They were also happy because we were at least, making a difference, especially with their foods, paano marami ang huli at ang pangangaso sa tulog ni Biblee at Akira. Kaya naman kahit kalahati ang kinukuha sa kanila, nagiging sapat pa rin 'yon sa pang-araw-araw nila.

We became welcome in their village. We were trying to convince the young ones. They were wary at first because of the elders, but in the sparks of their eyes, I knew they wanted change; I knew they also wanted to fight like us.

Kaya naman sa tagong pagkakataon, tinuturuan namin silang lumaban. They were amazed by how they could quickly learn. After all, even though they were oppressed and were prohibited from learning how to fight because of the Marquis—it was still in their blood.

I even asked some of the ladies about the tale of Agnyska Saude, and they knew her. They knew how great she was, and I would see how Akakios would smile while hearing the stories about his mother.

Agnyska did a lot to help the South from before, and they'd always be thankful and not resentful. Because they knew how Laurentius and Agnyska died for their people, and them not to be hurt by the Marquis, and that was why they tried to resist the Marquis like her, but in the end, because they don't have someone powerful like her, they gave up.

"Kung may panibagong High Priestess siguro pagkatapos ng High Priestess Agnyska... siguro hindi ganito ang Timog..." malungkot na sambit ng isang dalaga sa amin ni Biblee noon.

"Wala na ba talagang pumalit kay High Priestess Agnyska noon?" pagtatanong ni Biblee.

The girl shook her head. "Iyon na ang dulo ng mga paniniwala at mga turo sa amin tungkol sa mga pangitain at mga kapangyarihan ng mga purong babaylan..." she added with dropped shoulders.

"Pero..." she suddenly started while looking at the sky full of stars and the crescent moon.

"Ang sabi sa mga kwento... no'ng namatay raw ang Babaylang Agnyska, tila naging dalawa raw ang buwan sa langit." Napakunot-noo naman kami ni Biblee sa sinabi nito. Huh? We really never heard of that.

"Eh, impossible naman 'yon iisa lang buwan 'no," natatawang sagot ni Biblee, habang tahimik ang akong nakikinig. Tumawa rin ang babaeng kausap namin habang tumatango.

"Oo naman, iisa lang naman talaga ang buwan, pero parang nagkaro'n daw 'yon ng anino, o basta parang saglit nagdalawa 'to sa paningin ng lahat marahil dahil sa walang tigil na pag-iyak ng langit no'n," kibit-balikat na dugtong nito.

"Pero... naniniwala ang mga nakakatanda rito na nagpapatuloy ng mga turo tungkol sa mga Babaylan, na ang buwan na tila naging anino ay si Agnyska nang namatay ito, at ang buwan na nagbigay liwanag sa buong kalangitan noon ay ang magiging taga-pagligtas namin." She smiled while trying to reach the crescent moon.

"Isang gabi... lilitaw ulit ang buwan, at siguro iyon ang magiging hudyat ng katapusan ng paghihirap namin at pagkawala sa kamay ng mga Marquis..." The little voice of the girl echoed inside my ears.

"Alam n'yo ba ang nangyari sa naging anak ni Agnyska?" pagtatanong ko naman para maiba ang usapan.

The girl's eyes saddened. "Itinakas... pero hindi pa rin bumabalik... baka napatay na rin ng mga Marquis. 'Yon nga ang inaantay namin magbalik... baka sakali s'ya ang maging susunod na High Priest. Kung may High Priest o High Priestess lang ulit, paniguradong magkakaro'n kami ng konting lakas ng loob," she narrated.

"At paniguradong magbabago ang isip ng mga nakatatanda rito. Lalaban na ulit ang mga 'yon... para sa aming pinagmulan, para sa aming kultura na pilit inaalis ng mga Marquis..."

Biblee and I looked at each other with how hopeful she sounded.

Hey... the son of Agnyska already returned. He's helping each of you in your daily lives with a smile on his face, he's trying to convince the leader Saude to make sure you'd be able to live proudly again with your culture and history... and he's beside all of you shining like the sun that he is...

"Oh, Akira!" I was pulled back to reality when Biblee jumped from her seat to run towards Akira, who was laughing with the guys at his age after looking at the things they've brought from the market.

"Bibiloves!" Biblee jumped towards Akira and Akira's eyes widened and still manage to catch her.

"What the hell, Solstice?" Akira mentioned while Biblee was hanging on his neck and her leg circled around him. Biblee's laughgh echoed.

"Sana lahat!" loko ng mga lalaki sa isla kay Akira. He shook his head at them while blushing.

"Geez, Solstice, get off me." I heard him whispered to him when I went near them. Biblee, of course, did not listen, instead she held his face and gave him smacks on his cheeks and nose.

Nagpaalam naman 'yong mga lalaki na aalis na habang tatawa-tawang inaasar si Akira at Biblee. Kinuha ko sa kamay ni Akira 'yong mga plastik na dala n'ya. He looked so embarrassed while shaking his head. I cackled at him, and my eyes widened when I saw Akakios also coming.

I smiled widely and waved even with plastics on my hand. He ran towards me like an excited kid with his white plain shirt and beige shorts. He automatically locked me inside his arms. "Missed you!" he told me, and I giggled when he kissed my forehead.

Kinuha n'ya rin kaagad ang mga plastic sa kamay ko. He saw Biblee and Akira and blushed with what he witnessed.

"Inggit ka?" pang-aasar ko kay Akakios.

"Hmm? Then should I also carry you?"

"Aaah!" I exclaimed when he suddenly carried me like a princess!

"Ibaba mo ako! May hawak kang mga plastic, jusko!" saway ko sa kanya, pero parang wala lang 'yon sa kanya.

Nauna maglakad si Akira habang buhat pa rin si Biblee na parang bata. "How's your day?" he asked Biblee. And Biblee started to blab about all the things that we did for the whole village and its people.

I could feel that Akira was smiling while Biblee was telling him her day. Then suddenly, Biblee's voice vanished, and it was because Akira kissed her lips. I pouted unconsciously while looking at those two.

"Geez, Silhoue," Akakios suddenly laughed.

"Bakit?" kunot-noong tanong ko. He suddenly put me down. And he lowered himself so our heads would be leveled.

Nanlaki rin kaagad ang mga mata ko at awtomatikong umatras ng ulo ko no'ng ilapit n'ya ang mukha n'ya sa akin. I saw how he smirked, and my eyes flew wide open when I felt his lips touched mine for a quick peck!

"Stop being jealous of someone else's sweetness."

Akakios! Papatayin mo ba ako sa simpleng kilig!? He winked at me, and walked away while laughing! Jusko, tuwang-tuwa s'ya na nauna s'yang lumandi kaysa sa akin ha?! Pero pabor naman sa akin 'yon...

I grinned to myself while touching my lips, then followed him when I heard him called me. "Silhoue, let's go!"

We arrived at the place where we were currently staying. There was an old couple who lived there together with us; they were renting us some rooms.

Akira put Biblee down on her feet and tousled her hair. Biblee automatically hugged Akira from the back. Akira was cackling at her. "Clingy," I heard him teased. "Ikaw rin, kaya fair tayo, h'wag kang tatanggi!" reklamo ni Biblee.

"Hindi naman ako tumanggi, assuming," Akira retorted and started walking towards the kitchen. Biblee laughed victoriously while still hugging him and going there.

Sumunod naman kami ni Akakios na natatawa sa kanilang dalawa. It was only afternoon, but we cooked dinner for us and the other people in here. Gano'n palagi ginagawa namin. Pagkatapos sa labas kami nakain kasama ang ilang kapitbahay. Malaki ang village o isla, kaya 'yong mga kapitbahay lang talaga nakakasama namin sa ganitong pagkakataon.

While we were bonding with them in that simple environment where there was a huge wodden table prepared by the other neighbour, we would use our hands while eating. And our plates were just banana leaves.

"Sa susunod na linggo, magkakaro'n ng pyesta sa buong probinsya!" masayang sambit ni Jessette. S'ya 'yong madalas kausap namin ni Biblee, at nagsabi sa amin tungkol kay Agnyska at paghihintay nila sa anak nito.

"Masaya 'yon! Kaso lihim lang ginagawa, kaya h'wag kayo maingay!" dagdag pa ni Precious, kapatid nito na mas nakababata.

"Pyesta namin 'yon nang buong Timog no'ng may mga Babaylan pa," bulong naman ni Gil, ang lalaking anak ng isa pang kapitbahay namin, kaedadan lang din ni Akira.

"Ano'ng klaseng kasiyahan 'yon?" tanong ko sa kanila.

"Pagsasaya na mula sa kultura namin," sambit ng ina ni Jessette at Precious. "Handaan 'yon at may sayaw rin. Sayaw na turo sa amin ng mga ninuno, magkahiwalay ang sayaw ng babae at lalaki. Pagbibigay pugay sa mga biyaya sa buong taon."

We all nodded while amazed.

"Akala ko po hindi na kayo gumagawa ng kahit anong may kinalaman sa mga tradisyon n'yo?" Biblee asked them politely.

"Tuwing gano'ng gabi lang ng buwan at araw na 'to namin ginagawa 'yon, dahil umaalis lahat ng mga tauhan ng Marquis! Ang aming leader naman na si Tinsel Saude ay naghahanda rin do'n. Ito ang kaisa-isang pinapanaliti namin para hindi mabura ang pinagmulan at kultura!" masayang banggit ng tatay ni Gil.

"Maari po kaming sumali?" Akakios asked them politely.

"Aba'y kung nais ninyo!" masayang sagot nilang lahat sa amin.

"Talaga po?" hindi makapaniwalang dagdag ko.

"Oo! Masiyahan din sana kayo!" sambit pa ng isang kapitbahay.

"May kailangan po bang dalhin?" Akira queried curiously.

"Tanging prutas at palay o kahit anong ani lang sapat na!"

We all smiled and nodded about that. We also asked them about the clothing that we needed to wear and it was advised that we should wear cream or brown clothing and white should be prohibited because only the blessed ones were allowed to wear it, and sadly, there were no more blessed ones.

We prepared for that and we were all excited because finally there was a chance to speak to the Saude leader.

Our week continued like the usual. We helped them and lived together with them. They were now warm to us, and we were being treated like part of their village. We also visited the other parts that we haven't been to yet.

Nagpunta rin kami sa may ilog sa lugar at tumulong maglaba ro'n.

There were still cruelties. Minsan nauwi na lang ang mga kapitbahay o mga ka-nayon na may mga pasa at sugat. Mukhang napagmalupitan na naman ng mga tauhan ng Marquis sa mga dahilan na hindi makatarungan.

Some reasons were just because they couldn't stand looking at them.

Some were like because they wanted something they were wearing.

And even some were because they cat-called the women in this village, and the men would try to fight for them but would either ended up beaten or would be imprisoned.

Gano'n kalupit ang nararanasan ng mga tao rito. Paniguradong hindi pa 'yon matatapos do'n at mas lalala lang nang lalala. But what change were we aiming... when the ones in here were the ones who don't want it?

That was why we were always trying our best to get them to see that this needs to stop. And it could only stop if they would cooperate and stand up against these abuses. Because if not... all that we were fighting for would be in vain.

One night while I was sitting on a log outside the house where we stayed, Akakios joined me.

"You okay?" I asked him quietly, but my gaze stayed at the dark sky with bright stars and a half-moon.

I heard Akakios sighed heavily. "Honestly, no... I feel like my voice would never be heard..." I saw how his head bowed down. "I feel like the time that we have now are getting wasted..."

Tingnan ko ang kamay n'yang halos nasa ere dahil katungkod ang siko n'ya sa kanyang mga hita. I slowly reached for it to hold his hand carefully. "No time is wasted if in this very moment we are trying our best..."

"Mahirap talaga, minsan gugustuhin mo na lang sukuan lahat... pero kapag nakikita ko 'yong mga tao rito na uuwi na duguan, bugbog, umiiyak ang mga bata at mga babae, hindi kaya ng puso ko na tumigil... at isipin na nagsasayang tayo ng panahon..."

"They are suffering, but why are they not listening?" Akakios questioned softly while caressing my hand.

"Because they are trained that way... they were controlled with pain that what if worse things happen if they stand up? The Marquis is manipulating them, and in the end, we are only tools to make them see how horrible their situation is..."

"In the end... the ones that needed to wake up and realize what's really happening is... them," Akakios continued the words that I left unsaid. And I smiled widely because that was right. The only answer to change that we were seeking was them.

We looked at each other, and he smiled at me. "I will try my best. I will try to convince the head Tinsel Saude to listen to me... I didn't need him to agree to our wants, but I need him to listen... even just that..."

"Yes, that's my Akakios," I told him proudly and raised our hands that were clasped together.

That night we both wished for the best, and for them to finally listen.

Akakios, with a new determination, went to the office of the leader early. He was going to make sure to at least make the leader talk with him. I wasn't aware how, but I was sure he'd be able to do that... si Akakios pa ba?

"Sasama kayo?" Nag-aayos kami ni Biblee at Akira ng mga ani no'ng bigla kaming tinanong nina Precious at Jessette.

"Saan?" tanong ni Biblee.

"Sa pinagtataguan ng mga sobrang produkto natin, para sana sa paghahanda sa pyesta!" masayang dagdag ni Gil na kalalabas lang sa bahay nila. Nakatingnan kaming tatlo nina Biblee at mabilis na sumang-ayon.

"Tara," Akira told them, and we all stood up ready to go.

Pumunta kami sa isa pang bahagi ng nayon para mag-aya ng ilan pang kasama. The older ladies nodded and the other girls also joined us. Si Akira, Gil at isa pang lalaking kapitbahay lang ang lalaking kasama namin.

Masaya kaming naglakad papunta ro'n. Excited din kasi malapit na 'yong gaganaping handaan. Maybe during that day, we could convince some of them. That event shouldn't be done discreetly, for it was their culture; they should proudly hold it.

"H'wag kang malikot, Solstice," sayaw ni Akira kay Biblee no'ng magtatalon 'to sa daang bato.

"Hmm, e 'di piggy back mo ako!" Biblee requested.

"O sige, maglikot ka na ulit," sagot ni Akira rito.

Nagkatawanan kami saglit dahil do'n. We were just enjoying ourselves; then we finally arrived at the storage house. But our eyes circled in shock to see what was happening in there.

"Ano'ng ginagawa n'yo rito?!" sigaw ng isang nakakatandang babae.

The Marquis's people were all over the place, and they were looking at our stocked foods. They were all saved from being thrown, and we cared for these ones to grow! They threw it away because for them it wasn't good enough, but they were now eyeing on it?!

"Ano 'to?! Ano 'tong mga 'to?!" one of the guards with a spear yelled furiously while pointing at the house that was full of crops and other materials that were helpful for the village.

"Amin 'to!" Jessette spoke at them with eyes narrowing in rage.

"Nagtatago kayo ng mga ani mula sa mga Marquis?! Hindi n'yo ibinibigay ng tama ang nakasaad sa batas?! Putang-ina n'yo ah!" Biglang tinulak ng lalaking 'yon si Jessette kaya naman nanlaki ang mga mata namin.

Akira immediately went to help her. Gil also followed. The kids hugged together. And I went in front, but the other ladies went forward. Hindi ko alam pero natigilan ako ro'n, parang unang beses silang umabante sa mga pang-aalipustang ginagawa sa kanila.

"Hindi kami sumusunod sa batas?! Sumusunod kami kahit sobrang hindi makatarungan no'n!" sigaw ni Precious sa kanila.

The guards were alerted with the tension brewing in the air.

"Hayop, sasagot ka pa!" biglang sinampal ng isang gwardya si Precious, kaya naman biglang napasigaw at napasinghap ang mga babaeng kasama namin.

"Kung hindi rin lang makukuha ng mga Marquis ang mga bagay na 'to, sunugin n'yo na lang!" anunsyo ng isang gwardya sa malagong at maawtoridad na boses.

Our eyes widened... no... no... no...

I was about to stand up against them because of what was unfolding but suddenly, Jessette went forward.

"Bakit?!" she queried. "Amin 'yon! Kami ang naghirap para sa mga bagay na 'yan?! Ano'ng kasalanan namin sa inyo?!" she cried with her full voice.

"Punyeta!" Mabilis s'yang kinuwelyuhan at itinapon sa lupa ng gwardya.

Precious went in and shouted, too. "Bakit kami ang palaging nagpapakahirap pero iba ang tumatamasa ng yamang dapat ay amin?!"

Kakaibang kilabot ang naramdaman ko dahil sa tapang ng boses nito kahit bata pa. The other ladies who were with us also started to question and overpower the guards. Biblee and I looked at each other in astonishment...

"Dahil ang buhay n'yo ay hawak ng mga Marquis!" the guard shrieked in fury.

"Amin ang buhay namin! At hindi sa inyo!" one elderly lady answered, yelling, and she threw her dirty slipper on him.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa ipinakita nila. They all shouted what the old lady cried. And everyone suddenly it was thrown in chaos. Everyone was shouting because the guards started to beat them.

Biblee and I immediately helped. They were strong. Their spears also started the spill of blood. Maraming dalaga at matatandang babae ang nasaktan. Ang mga bata nagsimulang mag-iyakan. Their moves were trained and they were strong... but we were stronger.

Nakipaglaban kami nina Akira at Biblee. We defeated them without that much effort and the ladies and children cheered for us...

But we were wrong when we thought we won that simple battle.

There was an arrow that suddenly flew, and it pierced through the heart of one little child. I was too, late because I saved another child from a spear! Fuck!

"Anak!" a lady bellowed while crying. The child... The child... was bloody and perished on the spot.

Parang tumigil ang mundo namin no'ng pagkakataong 'yon at nang tingnan namin kung saan nagmula ang palaso, nagsimulang umapoy ang buong bahay kung saan namin itinabi ang mga extrang pagkain.

The cries of the ladies and elders were defeaning. They wanted to go to the burning house. Sobrang bilis kumalat ng apoy ro'n, kaya naman pinigilan na lang namin sila kasi hindi na 'yon masasalba. They were questioning and crying hysterically.

They were also mourning for a death of an innocent child.

That day... we went back to the village with a lifeless body of a child, and their spirits were once again burned down by the Marquis. Sinalubong kami ng kalalakihan mula sa nayon, iyak ng mga kasamahan namin ang maririnig mo.

"Hanggang kailan...?" Jessetted cried while carrying the child's cold body.

"Hanggang kailan kailangan magbuwis ng buhay ang mga inosente...?" I bit my lower lips because she looked at me after that question.

"Bakit ayaw n'yong lumaban?!" biglang sigaw nito sa mga taong nasa lugar. Marami ang mga 'yon at halos lahat nag-iiyakan. Napatungo na lang kami nina Akira, at Biblee sa isang banda. Nahihirapang panoorin ang pighati nila.

"Dahil takot kayo sa kamatayan?!" Jessette bellowed while holding the hand of the child.

"Hindi pa ba... kamatayan 'tong ginagawa nila sa atin?!" she added powerfully. "Hindi pa ba mas masahol 'to sa kamatayan?!"

"Tama na... tama na..." Hinele n'ya ang batang hawak.

"Pagod na ako... pagod na akong maging sunud-sunuran sa mga Marquis... at pagod na akong manahimik..."

And that night, while the whole village was mourning for their loss... they didn't know the sun was watching from afar. And how the moon was crying with them.

There was something in the air that changed... and as tomorrow approaches fast, I knew that our voices would be finally heard.

***