1 Chapter 0

Way before other mythologies exists, there's already a prominent one that resided on Southern-East coast of Asia. Where population of that specified civilization makes such immolation to the sovereign-- for wealth, rain, festivity, harvest, war and success. A named Gods in every duty, they spawn it. However, there are a much more intriguing things that made me in such awe regarding this lore.

"Why is the moon dimmer than the sun?"

But really, how come?

It's a mix of a comedic and action pack kinda story to narrate.

Let's all start to the Supreme creator of those existing Gods, as we all are just getting tired from it, named Bathala and there He have three off-springs from an undetermined mortal being; Hanan, the Goddess of morning, Tala, the Goddess of star and lastly, Mayari, the Goddess of moon.

Oh, right, I almost forgot about Bathala's one and only (and probably most favoured) son, Apolaki, the God of Sun and Patron of Warriors.

Just before they could get their participation in family business, the sun and moon, rather called by their names first, the pride and prejudice of this mythology, Apolaki and Mayari who are already an unlikely-duo from the beginning.

Those two both possessing almost identical personality of one another, they really can get into each other's nerve that easily. In terms of doing everything, they battle to see who's the best, (just some common sibling pet peeve maybe?) swordsmanship, harvesting, doing some God chores-thingy and such. Everyday is a dispute. Like always.

Next thing led to another, they grew older and that's when this child play became trivial between them. When a God reached their early adulthood they will get to choose their role in serving the mortal realm. Hanan and Tala being a kind and understanding Goddesses that they naturally are, abide the morning and stars. Such minor purpose for them.

And as usual, the unlikely duo wanted the paramount role that are accustomed to them to select, which is the sun. Then next to it, is the second to superiority, the moon or so that's what they made it look like, so that it'll look fair for the two immature siblings a rationale not to brawl.

However, old habit, die hard. They duel yet unlike before. This will be a bit troublesome for everyone.

Both decided a sword combat. One who bled and forfeit loses.

"Apolaki! This ain't any kiddy fight! Forfeit before I pierce every inch of your organs!," from a far, Mayari utter in a loud voice. The tension between those two overpowered the entire atmosphere surrounding them.

And in the vast meadow of green and blue, they covered it with grayness. All those that inhabit the place are intimidated by those two just to get their sibling fight done.

However, Bathala doesn't fancy the idea, then the two daughters can't do anything rational it'll bring more distraught to them if they decided to get between them. They both listen to no one. Not even their father, the supreme God. And the only way out is to get this fight be in control. So, it began.

"Thou can't make me Mayari! No God and mortal can bring this God down," he mocked accompanying such insulting face.

Then, the great juvenile brawl commence.

Mayari immediately made the first move and swung with her Kampilan (a sword) and attacked Apolaki. However, knowing they are each other's sword buddy. He outsmarted her by dodging the attack. Then countering an elbow strike to Mayari's jaw causing her to feel a bit dizzy. But that doesn't prompt her to pause. She kept on outraging him while Apolaki just dodges every attack. Mayari felt like he have some kind of tricks hidden.

"Although being your sword companion, I didn't know that you can use such lowly act of shenanigans hidden just so you can get ahead. How boring!," Mayari used her own trick that can somehow get her some time to catch her breath, a jest. Once he take the bait, she will surely get the chance to breath for one or two seconds.

"WHAT?! MOCKERY???," he made a dry laughed and continued. "Think before you shout! Its not a trick! Its a technique! A TECHNIQUE!," he immaturely said.

Now, Mayari went on defense while the hot-headed Apolaki forgot what his technique is and begun to take the offense.

Surely, she knew what his brother's weakness is. Mayari surely is a trickster.

They continued to fight and duel. No one is near to forfeiting nor giving up. No blood and sweat will make those two rest. Not until one can't stand anymore.

Meanwhile...

Up on the clouds where the family gathered together to watch such idiotic fight to finish. Instead of pacifying the quarrel, they jokingly made a bet. Just some family quality time between father and daughter. Bathala, being a favorable father that he usually is, he bet on Apolaki. No surprises. The two sisters, on both Mayari. No awards or penalty, just some silly bets. The other Gods from different region of Ma-i came to observe as well and by their entertainment they also made bets. Some bets became personal, so they took such awards or penalties in exchange. It's just like watching a sports or something.

Okay, back to the main story.

The story may be a bit too long already for a silly fight. But anyways, on the battlefield where the ground are all crooked and the clouds covered the entire sky, turning the entire place to into a no man's land. Both Apolaki and Mayari are exhausted but none are near to giving up.

"Hey! Fool!"

Mayari already knew where this is going. She knew she will win. She uses her so-called "technique" again on Apolaki. ("Oh God! Don't get fooled twice!," the Gods exclaimed. Yes, they have a great intuition to everything.)

Being in the mortal realm, any Demigoddess or God that are on land will become mortal. They will regain their immortality again if they wishes to go to the Heaven again. Yet anything done on the mortal realm will remain permanent even on Heaven. So, this fight surely is a death to death combat already.

"WHAT?! AGAIN!," Apolaki exclaimed with exhaustion. "Don't tell me you'll use your technique again!"

"Oh, you knew already?! Oh my Goddess!," she foolishly answered. She knew she will win. She can sense it. Rather her pride and ego did. Apolaki got distracted.

SLICE!

Apolaki's surprised with what happened. Everyone, even Mayari herself and even the audience above. The entirety are bewildered by how the events have turned. Some worry about their bets but some worry about the damaged.

However, Mayari is far more startled than anyone.

She doesn't know...

She miscalculated.

Apolaki's kampilan came straight to her eyes then he immediately grouched Mayari's left eye out of surprised.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Apolaki won. But his conscience outgrew inside him. Still, a bet is a bet. They duel and he won fairly.

Later on after the chaos, a settlement regarding to the bets are made. Apolaki rule the sun while Mayari to the moon. From before the moon is already equally brighter as the sun, yet because of their silly little game, the moon became dimmer because of Mayari's lost eye. Hence she's been accompanied by Tala, the Goddess of star to make the night glow a bit brighter. And that's how the moon is dimmer than the sun.

also how their sibling pet peeve ended.