The Tales of Tikum Kadlum

0 EPILOGUE

A TALE'S ENDING AND A TAIL'S BEGINNING

Mount Laon was shattered beyond recognition. Its flora was charred to black ash and its stranger fauna were either roasted to a crisp or nowhere to be found. What was left of the enchanted land around it was a burning heap of molten rocks and sulfuric fumes. The Bone Gates itself was gone as well, but its effects had left its mark on the land of Vijayas. The seven-headed dragon which was now missing one of its head was still in flight, ravaging the skies above and spewing flames on the surrounding ancient forest.

On the eastside of the volcanic mount, on top of a hill untouched by the flames, Tihol gently laid Karas on the grass, sighing at the ordeal they had just experienced.

"We're not going back to Gadlum any time soon, right?" the bagani said, collapsing on the grass.

"Not plannin' to," her babaylan sister answered, sitting up slowly. "I'm way over my depth." She lowered her voice. "I have to be stronger than this. You listenin'? We have to be, Tihol."

"Oh, the things we do to ourselves..." Tihol spread her arms, letting the breeze do its soothing effect on her sore muscles. "Could we just live unexciting lives for once..."

Karas gave her a weak smile and took a deep breath, watching the devasted land before her. Things were bad right now, but they could've been worse. She nodded to herself. Far worse. She knew time would come and the plants would grow again, the animals would come back and the land would heal itself in time. It was the way of things in Vijayas. What they had now was a better fate than letting Sri Kihod's goals come to pass. She turned her head to their other companion.

"Are you still with us, Usong? We might be needin' your help with cleanin' things up."

Halmista's emissary buried her face on her arms, sitting like a carven wooden anito.

Tihol hushed her sister. "I think she's having one of those headaches better to not bother her, Karas."

Si-an Usong occupied herself, massaging her temple over and over again to no effect. Getting beat up like this was not on her to-do list. The plan was to win flawlessly, not by the skin of their teeth. Not by this margins. She grumbled a curse. Technically, they haven't won yet. They just escaped. Sooner or later they might have to fight again.

Karas ignored her sister and began to pester Halmista's emmissary. "You listenin', Usong?"

"Can't talk yet," she answered. "Need to rest. Bother me later, babaylan."

Karas made a face and Tihol chuckled.

Beside Si-an Usong, Jurah took out varying sizes of bamboo receptacles containing all her healing salves and unguents. It was everything she could carry, but she still wished she had a bigger satchel bag. Moving efficiently, she placed them neatly on the ground, choosing different combinations and applying them on the various injuries of her companions, starting with Si-an Usong, who moaned and moaned even before Jurah started.

"You will be okay, in no time," the ati said.

"I don't doubt that," Si-an Usong replied, wincing at the salve placed on the side of her head.

"What are you doing, Mistress Usong?" Jurah paused. "Stop rummaging through my belongings. I told you before I don't like carrying liquor with me."

"I'm not looking for arak." Si-an Usong dropped the satchel bag. "I am a respectable emissary of Devata Halmista. I abhor drinking of all things, mortal. But is there a chance you have basi wine with you?"