Chapter 1: A long Night

"They always say that I am crazy" muttered old Sagani, a 7 feet tall old fellow under his huge mushroom house located at the deepest part of Maca, just outside the city gates of Biringan.

He was once a great scientist back in the days but now, his fellow Enkantos sees him as crazy old Sagani.

"They do not believe me because I am old! I know dear Tala would hear my prayers that someday I will find that portal to the Human world. Humans are real! they are not monsters!" Sagani muttered.

"they are-- who is there?" asked. Sagani as he saw two weird small creatures with small ears approaching his huge mushroom house.

"Whe-where are we?" Asked the confused and scared creature to Sagani. "Oh dear come inside, in Tala's name why are you shivering?" Sagani asked as he composes his posture for he himself was also very scared and confused

"My wife and I were strolling the forest for artifacts for the Museum but then we got lost!"  answered Fernando. 

"Well why don't you relax for a moment. Enteng- give our visitors some honey tea!?" exclaimed Sagani. Enteng, a small patianac. 

"Oh my! an ogre!" cried the startled Elizabeth who was holding Fernando's arms so tight. Enteng, who was carrying the tea was also so frightened that he spilled the tea all over Sagani's new carpet.

"Come on dear, why are you scared of Enteng?" Sagani asked the frightend fair Lady.  "Get away from me!" exclaimed Elizabeth that she fell unconcious as she burst into fear.

"Why don't you bring her upstairs you can sleep at our guest room." Sagani said calmly to Fernando and Elizabeth. Enteng led Fernando upstairs as he was carrying Elizabeth, his beloved wife. He tuck her to bed and sat still. Indeed it was a very long night for them for he do not know what had happened.

After a few hours,  Fernando went downstairs to speak to Sagani. Sagani was on his table sipping his hot tea while looking at the huge window, listening to the sound of the fire, as it cracks the burning wood. 

"You know, the star is so bright tonight" Exclaimed Sagani. "I didn't meant to startle you. I apologize for my wife's behavior. We are in much confusion plus I have never seen a tall man like you nor a small creature like Enteng. By the way--my name is Fernando Dela Cruz and my wife is Elizabeth." said Fernando as he bowed his head in shame. "By the way, were are we? why is your home a huge mushroom?" Asked the confused Fernando

"Well we are at Maca! the deepest forest of Biringan. Enteng is a Pantianac and he has been my assistant for a very long time." explained Sagani.

"So what are you? what is your name?" Asked Fernando as he sat on the opposite chair of Sagani. Fernando's foot was hanging like a child as he look astounded at the tall fellow with long ears in front of him.

"Well, since you do not really know what I am, I am an Enkanto, a scientist actually of the high council of Biringan perhaps you must be a human." Sagani replied calmly."My name is Sagani Santiago and I see that Tala must have brought you to me for a purpose." 

It was a long and calming night for both Fernando and Sagani. They both exchanged information. Fernando was very much fascinated of Sagani for all the urban stories he heard from his parents were never really true. 

"Is it true that you do not eat salt?" asked Fernando curiously. "No, food without salt isn't flavorful." replied Sagani. "So do you fly?" asked Sagani "No, but we do have aircrafts in our world and we call them Airplanes. they are like birds but machines." Said Fernando. 

Both Sagani and Fernando became very much acquainted as they asked each other information. Sagani, with excitement, took a paper and a pencil. He took notes of everything Fernando told him about humans and the two became friends. 

"This is just a dream, this is just a dream." mumbled Elizabeth as she woke up. Bright lights illuminated the huge room. The bed and the curtains had a very sweet aroma. The young Elizabeth was still very confused on what happened, but still there was much comfort in her heart as she sees her beloved husband at her side, sleeping soundly. 

"Good morning dear!" Fernando greeted as he gave Elizabeth a kiss on the forehead "Don't you find this weird?" Elizabeth asked for she saw how calm Fernando is.

"Well no! I mean- yes but I talked to the old tall man and He was so kind! Actually- we are at the world of Enkantos!" Fernando exclaimed! "What?! oh my, they are going to kill us, don't eat the food they serve, they will make us into Enkantos  like them!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

"Shh dear, no! what our grand parents told us about Enkantos aren't true at all! they don't eat without salt and they love the smell of Pepper!" Fernando explained. Fernando them began to explain the situation to Elizabeth, and the more she listens to her beloved, she lost her fear, and was very much assured. 

"Alright! I believe you! I always do and I love you" said Elizabeth as she held Fernando's hands tight. "Fernando, there is something I have to tell you!" Elizabeth said. She then starts sobbing for she do not know what to do. "What's wrong are you still scared?"

"Fernando, I am pregnant. I should have told you before we accepted the job and -  now, we are here- we de not know what to do, we do not know how to go back home. I am scared." She exclaimed."Hey, we can do this. Wherever we are, we can do this! As long as we have each other" Fernando assured her. 

They went down stairs and were greeted by Enteng. "Morning be good to both of you! I-I was sorry for being so startled yesterday. Me was shocked and confused if you were a Hocloban or a Catalonon." Enteng explained in a very startled way.

"No Enteng, I am sorry for last night. I was so scared. By the way my name is Elizabeth and you can call me Liz." Elizabeth extended her hand to shake Enteng's hand. Enteng just stared for he do not know what to do so he gave her button for he thought she was asking for one. They all laughed and Elizabeth was more calm than before.

"Fernando, Madam Elizabeth! We should go to the high council. I should introduce you to the High king of Biringan. I am pretty sure He will be very excited to meet both of you." Sagani said excitedly

"And screw you Pedro! Humans are real and kind!" Sagani exclaimed. "Enteng! give this lovely couple a fine suit!" Enteng then hurriedly took a spinning wheel and just a few minutes a golden dress was made and a silver colored suit was also created."Yes, Pantianacs are very good artists. they can make wonderful dresses and songs in just a few moments." Sagani Explained.

The whole group then rode a huge pumpkin carriage without a horse which just ran as a vehicle. The Maca forest was indeed very magical. Everyone was so kind and tall. Kapres also exist! They are huge people more than 12 feet and they have a huge cigar on their mouths but they weren't stinky at all but instead they smell like Cuban and cinnamon. the Kapres were very kind to the group as they waved to dear old Sagani entering the gates of the majestic city of Biringan.

 Biringan indeed was very magical. Tikbalangs were the guards of the city and they were so kind to the old enkanto. The road was made of gold and the lampstands were always burning. it was very harmonious and peaceful. The group approach the castle there lies a banner with a bright star symbol on it.

"Why is it a bright star?" asked Elizabeth. "Well, it is a symbol of the goddess Tala who protects our city." Sagani replied.