"Hey!" 

Napalingon ako sa tumawag sa 'kin. Nakaangat ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Hindi ko maaninagan nang maayos ang mukha niya dahil maliban sa pagitan nang tangkad namin, may suot-suot pa siyang malaking sumbrero.

Pero . . . nakikita ko siyang nakangiti.

Bumaba ang itaas na katawan niya para magpantay ang mukha naming dalawa. Nakaalalay ang mga kamay niya sa tuhod niya.

"Are you that kid who stole Hestia's ring?"

"Hoy! Zalli, nakikinig ka ba?!" Narinig ko na ang garagal na boses ni Jairo. "Bilisan mo!"

Nasa batok ang dalawa kong kamay habang naglalakad sa talahiban. Doon ko napansin na nahuhuli na pala ako sa kanila. We're on our way to the crime scene. I chuckled, rushing towards him. Patalon ko siyang inakbayan.

"My, my! Look at you, Jairo! Being punctual! Don't worry, we have all the time we need!" I smiled, even my eyes were. 

Lumabas ang matutulis niyang ngipin dahil sa pagkairita. Mariing tinanggal ang pagkakaakbay ko sa kaniya. "Shut up. 'Wag mo kaming pabagalin," mariin niyang sagot.

I have a smug look on my face. "Now, now. Maiba ako. Aren't you from the MHAF Dep., Jairo? Why are you here in DEMII?" pag-iiba ko nang may maalala.

The Mythos Agency has two departments. The Mythical Heritage Alliance Force (M.H.A.F.) and the Department of Mythologies Investigation and Interrogations (D.E.M.I.I.). The case we're doing right now is under DEMII, wherein we investigate cases that involve mythical creatures, monsters, and humans—and solve them. Since normal people couldn't do jobs like this.

However, MHAF is the opposite. They are the offensive troops. They hunt monsters as their job. They don't investigate and wait for cases, they work on the field. 

I used to work in the MHAF department, that's how I met Jairo who's on the offense as well. He was my junior in the Mexico branch back then. But I don't work with the agency now. Matagal na 'kong umalis sa field, dahil mas kumikita ako sa iba kong trabaho. I only do cases like this from DEMII when the agency calls for me. Or if the award is alluring to me.

I always thought that a man like Jairo who was still known as the undead on the battlefield stayed at that MHAF dep. He was even called to be par to Chen Li Sha from the China Branch who's a known monster on the battlefield. Who would think he'll settle as a detective, and work lowkey away from the lively and exciting field?

Napaiwas siya ng tingin na nakakuha ng atensyon ko. Narinig kong napabuntog-hininga ang nauuna sa 'min, ang kakambal niya.

Pouting, Celi glanced at me. "He almost killed a member of his team, 'mistaking it as a monster', he said."

Jairo gasped, couldn't believe that his sister would spill the beans. Napalobo ang bibig ko, pagpipigil ng tawa. Mapang-asar akong tumingin sa katabi ko.

Celi crossed her arms as we continued walking. "He was banned at the department at the moment, so he's here."

Nilakasan ko ang tawa ko, lalo na nang lumabas ang pagkapula sa pisngi ni Jairo. Mas lalo siyang nagalit.

"What are you doing, chico? You should be glad that you didn't have to face grave consequences," I scoffed. 

He glared at me. "Working with you is a grave consequence," he answered me with pure rage.

I answered him with a laugh. Hanggang sa may sarkastikong pagtawa ang sumabay sa 'kin. Bilang ang bawat pag-haha dahilan para mapatingin ako sa kaniya. Panis siyang nakangiti sa 'kin.

"We're here, captain," mapait at may tono ang pagbanggit niya. Huminto siya sa tapat ng bangin, sa gilid nito ay may tandaan na 'BABALA, BANGIN'.

Sinabayan ko ang mapait niyang ngiti. "Oh, thank you, chico." I sounded sincere as much as possible. Dinaanan ko siya. Kung baguhan pa lang ako sa trabaho, malamang ay aakalain kong gusto niya 'kong tumalon.

Well, despite the situation, I do think he wants me to. After all, the mist here is kind of hard to see at first glance. Masyadong makapal, mahirap malaman na meron kung hindi ka pamilyar sa lugar.

But of course, I know this place. For that reason, I casually stepped forward. Imbis mawalan ng aapakan ang paa ko, patag na lupa pa rin ang nadaanan ko. Nagmumukha akong naglalakad sa ere. Pero hindi, mali.

Dahil walang bangin sa harapan ko, bagkus ay kadugtong ng lupang tinatapakan namin. Pero imbis na talahiban, patag din na lupain ang sumalubong sa amin. Marahan akong pumikit, nakangiti. I'm expecting to be greeted by fresh air—no, it's not fresh. It actually smell spoiled, it's hot as well. Like it's breath. 

Namulat ang mga mata ko, mga pulang malalaking mga mata rin ang sumalubong sa 'kin. Nasa bungad ako ng bunganga niyang nakanganga, matutulis ang mga ngipin.

Halos nakaluwa na ang mga mata niya. Itim ang balat, labas ang bungo. It's staring directly at me, I heard someone behind me squeak, definitely Celi. I sighed, unfazed. I stepped forward, not minding the creature in front of me.

"You need a little more effort to scare me, señor." Dinaanan ko ang nasa harap ko, tila parang hanging naglaho nang lagpasan ko ito. It's an illusion. And the one who made it was waiting for me behind it.

Kabaliktaran ng bumungad sa 'kin na napakalaki ay ang kinaliit ngayon ng kaharap ko. Hindi pa siya umabot sa tuhod ko. A creature with a toddler's body, exept that it has an old man's face with a bald head. Matutulis na tenga na nakababa, malaking ilong, at malapad na bibig. Pero sobrang singkit na mga mata na parang hindi na nakakakita. He's wearing a hat leaf, and leaf clothes as well.

Looks like we have our first Levianis. The trickster guardians of nature who love frightening intruders, a chaneque.

He was alerted and got into a defense posture.

"Quetzalli!" Garagal pero matinis at maliit ang boses niya.

Mababa ko siyang tinignan, ngumisi. "Señor, fear not, we're not intruders."

"You're not allowed here! Demigods are not allowed here! Mortals live here, Quetzalli!"

I understand where he gets his finicky. These goblins lived in this land for hundreds or even thousands of years. It's a tradition to scare off anyone who tries to get into their so-called 'houses'. They call themselves the owners.

"Don't be so harsh, señor. We mean no harm." Naningkit ang mga mata ko sa kaniya. "Ngayong nakikita ko kung gaano ka kahigpit, palaisipan sa 'kin kung paano nangyari ang trahedya rito."

He faltered, I could see the sweat on his face.

"Daughter of Quetzalcoatl, I'm giving you your warning. Leave!"

Nagkibit-balikat ako, tinaas ang mga kamay. "Come on! Tell me, tell me what creature killed the Devotees?" He stepped back, I continued. 

"Was it an Ahuízotl?" A dog-like creature, with hands capable of manipulation and an additional hand on its tail. Known to love human flesh.

"A Cihuateteo?" The spirits of women who dies from childbirth, a demon who sucks blood.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko. "Perhaps . . . a Tzitzimitl." I intentionally gasped, knowing it was impossible. Since it's the greatest demon who only appears once in a blue moon.

I can feel everyone's stares. Celi, smiling even though confused to cheer me. Jairo, with his judging look and whispering curses. And Izel . . . of course, with his fake smiling eyes and lips.

"Tell me, what kind of mons-"

"A centzon tōtōchtin."

There was a sudden pause. I still have a smile on my face. Seconds turned into minutes. Nagkatitigan pa rin kami, iniisip ko kung boses ko ba sa utak ang nagsalita.

"A what?"

"A centzon tōtōchtin." May diin na ang pagbanggit niya.

I once again, stared at him with a smile. Ang nasa isip kong mga halimaw na nasa loob ng lobo ay biglang pumutok, at napalitan ng nilalang na binanggit niya. From flesh eating monsters, I imagined a . . . rabbit.

Centzon . . . tōtōchtin. That . . . rabbit?

"HUH???" Ang garagal na boses ni Jairo ang nagpabalik sa 'kin sa katinuan. Naunang nakapag-react ang mga nasa likod ko.

Nakalabas ang matutulis na ngipin ni Jairo, kulang na lang ay lamunin ang chaneque sa harapan namin. He's trying to intimidate and frighten him with his looks. Jairo should definitely be his next illusion.

"Perhaps you're drunk as well?" Pagsali ni Izel. He casually said it, still having a smile on his face.

Their reactions are valid, hearing that impossible answer. A centzon tōtōchtin he says? That's a rabbit! A drunk rabbit! They are divine creatures whose sole purpose is to party and get drunk! They don't even hurt humans!

"He's . . . telling the truth," our seer said. Sinulyapan ko siya, marahang nakatingin sa goblin na nasa harapan ko.

I sighed. "Are you sure that you've seen it right? I haven't heard a centzon tōtōchtin killing a man before."

"Not even I! Ilang siglo na 'kong nabubuhay, ilang libong kuneho na ang nakita ko! Dalawang beses lang akong nakasaksi ng panananakit nila sa mortal, at ang tao ang nauna! Wala pang nakapapatay!"

Tumalim ang tingin ko, napaisip nang malalim. "Then, it won't be a problem if we check it ourselves, right?"

Natigilan ang chaneque. Napaatras siya, tila namuo ang hangin sa harapan niya at nabuo ang maliit na sibat na tinapat niya kaagad sa 'kin.

"Walang makapapasok!"

"It's an order from Mythos."

"Hindi!" Nilapit niya sa 'kin ang sibat. "Isang pamilya ang nawala dahil sa pagpapabaya ko, Quetzalli. Kailangan mo 'kong maintindihan. Wala akong papapasukin!"

I stepped forward, not minding his spear. "Don't you trust me?"

His expression once again faltered. This is what Laonya said when a case like this is my forte. Again, a merchant without connections is not a merchant at all.

"Y-You're a demig-"

"I'm Quetzalli!" Tumaas ang boses ko, kahit walang emosyon na ibig sabihin ito. I'm trying to show dominance, not because of the difference of our strength, but coming from my name, the pride I hold into. 

"What? Is that supposed to do something?" I heard Izel comment.

"More reason the chaneque should be worried," Jairo added.

I didn't mind their words, after all, this goblin knows what I'm talking about. If you doubt a merchant, hand them a contract. That's what his creator did when he met me. He didn't meet Quetzalli as a demigod, but as a merchant. As the greatest merchant. I'm not full of myself, I'm not overbearing. I'm just stating facts. 

He paused for a second then sighed in defeat, my smile widened. I knew I won.

Binaba niya ang sibat at inusog ang sarili. Bahagyang yumuko. "Indeed, you are Quetzalli."

I showed a proud smile as I walked, I can imagine the two faces behind me, mocking me. It's not an easy task for a chaneque to trust someone to enter their homes. But that someone—is me. Some may say I'm a bully, but my intentions are always pure.

"Ang huling kubo malapit sa ilog," huling pahabol ng chaneque. Sinulyapan ko siya para makita ang marahang ekspresyon niya. He gently tilted his head before disappearing with the wind.

I kept in mind what he said. Puno ng kubo ang nayon na 'to. Malayo sa sibilisasyon, hindi na kataka-taka dahil iba ang paniniwala nila. Devotees lived their lives based on their beliefs, based on the gods they worship.

They live in huts, grow their food, and take care of the animals as well. They built temples for their gods and prayed for them. No one forced them, but since the gods answered their prayers, they continued to believe. 

While roaming my eyes, I haven't seen one person outside. Wala rin akong presensyang nararamdaman mula sa loob ng mga kubo. Sinulyapan ko ang malaking templo sa gitna ng bayan, hindi kalayuan sa pwesto ko. Perhaps it's their time to pray.

Pinuntahan namin ang huling kubo malapit sa ilog. Nakikita ko na ito pero hindi pa gaano kalapit, napakunot na ang noo at ilong ko sa mabahong amoy.

It doesn't smell flesh nor blood.

"Curse," ang boses ni Celi ang nagsalita.

Iba ang amoy ng sumpa, masangsang. Kahit masakit sa ilong, pinagpatuloy namin ang paglalakad. Pinasok namin ang kubong hindi nakasara. Hindi ito ginalaw mula no'ng nangyari ang trahedya. Maliban sa mga katawan ng mga nasawi, ang gulo-gulong mga gamit at sira-sirang parte ng kubo ay natira.

Could the rabbits really do this?

"Gather evidence," ma-awtoridad kong sambit. Kaagad kaming nagkahiwa-hiwalay sa loob. Hindi ito kalakihan, kaya nasa iisang spasyo lang din kami.

Tinatatak ko sa isipan ko ang bawat sulok ng kubo. Hindi ito sapat. Kahit sino ay posibleng gawin ito. Kailangan kong makita ang mga bangkay . . .

"JAIRO!"

Napaangat ang mata ko. Nakarinig ako ng pagputok ng baril. Mabilis na nalipat ang tingin ko sa pintuan kung saan ito nanggaling. From the woman standing at the door, panting, holding a gun, to the man she shot in the forehead, have a hole between his eyes.

Come on . . .

My eyes followed Jairo who was shot in the head as he fell to the ground.

𓆚𓆚𓆚

Pronunciation:

Quetzalli- Ket • Zali
Quetzalcoatl- Ket • Zal • Ko • Watel
Huitzilin- Hit • Zi • Lin

Dictionary:

 Levianis (Lev • Ya • Nis)- Mythical Creature

Levianises Dictionary: (CTTRO for the pictures used. Credits to the sources and references used for the information as well.)

Chaneque (Cha • Ni • Ke)- Are small guardians of the forest. They are considered goblins in Mexican folklore. In ours, they could be considered as duendes or dwarfs. They scare intruders.

Ahuízotl (A • Wi • Zolt)- known as a 'water dog' and 'water thorny'  who lures people to their deaths. They eat human flesh.

Cihuateteo (Si  • Wa  •  Te  •  Te •  Yo)- The known vampire of the Aztecs. They are also called divine women because they are mothers who died during childbirth. They steal children and kill men who succumb to their seduction. They perish under the sun.

Tzitzimitl ( Tzit • Tzi • Mi • Tel)- A monstrous deity associated with stars. They are skeletal figures and are considered demons and devils. They wait for the gods to sleep to devour the world.

Centzon tōtōchtin ( Cen • Zon • To • To • Chin )- Drunk divine rabbits. Yes, just drunk rabbits who love to party. And there are like, 400 of them.

For more information, google is always free. Zalli's service is not. Don't forget to pay ;)