1 Oath Breaker

She kept her pace knowing that she will not see the end of day if she's not able to return in time. However, she has already lost one of her slippers when she slipped and almost fell to her death as she ascended back home. She was also worried about the thick clouds forming above her. Anytime now and the rain will soak her, as well as the woods she gathered. It will be a waste if they won't be able to use it to cook dinner.

Slowly but surely, she pulled herself up beconing her legs not to stop. Yesterday was the worst beating she ever had. Her legs was still swollen and painful, but her dear Aunt Merlita still asked her to gather more wood.

It was already what they call the wet or rainy season in her region and the southwest monsoon will reign until September. She hated it, she hated how habagat can bring heavy rains that brings strong typhoons making it impossible for them to gather their crops. She hated it, knowing that her Aunt always say that she's the reason why her life was miserable.

It wasn't her fault she succumbed to her brother-in-law's promise of fortune after he returned from the mines. "He said it was good money!" Aunt Merlita would always say.

It wasn't even her fault that her husband and two boys got interested as well, never knowing that they won't be coming back with the promise of riches. It wasn't her fault that the operators were not thinking about the safety of their workers.

She stopped when the pain from her leg reach her heart. The physical, mental and emotional pain she's feeling just because of the weather. She hated this monsoon, she hated him.

She tilted her head while her eyes were closed, balancing on the steep hill where she stood. She felt the wind blew pass her making her calm. When she opened her eyes, tears started flowing while she smiled as the wind continued to blow her hair in her face.

She closed her eyes again and listened very carefully wanting to hear something, someone. But eventhough she tried so hard, all she could hear was the gustling of the leaves and birds chirping from a tree, some children playing in the water of a nearby stream and the wood cutters chainsaw some distance. The latter bothered her a lot but she was not about to do something crazy like yesterday.

She didn't want to remember it. She doesn't have to remember it, does she? But that incredible power that surged right thru her that eventually knocked off both that man along with Alunsina - her cousin. That poor lass, she only wanted to help, but it ended up hurting her as well.

Yesterday, while gathering woods, Alunsina presented to come with her. She hesitated a bit, however, she's the kind of girl who could persuade anyone with words and because she's the only one Amihan was close to, she ended up letting her go. While they were walking back home they encountered a few woodcutters along the way. Much to their surprise they were new to the area and had to ask for directions. They didn't mind helping them, but they didn't expect they would ask Alunsina to come with them. They were mere children of 10 and 12.

"Come on, you will just show us the way," one man said coaxing Alunsina.

"We've given you the direction, why take her?," Amihan instinctively asked.

"I'm not talking to you, get lost!" The man coaxing Alunsina said while he gritted his teeth.

"Please sirs, we need to get back home. My mom will be looking for us and the woods." Alunsina pleaded.

It seemed the man was desperate that he pulled Alunsina to his side. The girl struggled to get away from him, she slapped him to his face real hard. He turned to her, his cheeks red with a grim look on his face. The other woodcutters laughed at him which made him more angry than he was.

"You!!!!" He shouted dragging Alunsina with him with more force.

Amihan was also grabbed by the nearby man knowing she will help Alunsina. While struggling, a mysterious feeling swelled up in Amihan's body. It was the first time she was able to feel that anger again. As if it was hidden within her in some memory of a distant past.

In an instant, an invincible force was released in Amihans body. As if a strong orb like wind issued from her. The man who grabbed her, the other bystanders, Alunsina and the man coaxing her all felt a blow in their bodies.

Seconds later, Amihan found herself in a small crater like basin. The force reached about two meters wide. It was a disaster, but she didn't think twice, she looked for cousin only to find her some distance laying on the ground. Amihan hurriedly checked on her only to find her head bleeding. "Amihan, call for help," Alunsina said softly.

Amihan stood not wanting to waste anymore time, but at that moment her eyes became blurry. She had to close her eyes for a minute and when she opened them she was standing on a boat overlooking a giant castle. It was somewhat familiar and she felt at home. She closed her eyes again, feeling the familiar cold breeze in her face. When she opened them again, she felt numbness in her body and she fell to the ground slowly. The last she was able to hear was her Aunt Merlita running to them shouting and pointing at her while saying, "What have you done?" And everything went black.

She opened her eyes and wiped her tears away before she straightened and whispered softly, "I'm still waiting for the day, you will take me away from this fate you oath breaker."