The Oath-Takers
~ Henlo guys! I just got out from Hope Facility X two hours ago, still have some covid-19 after effects though but atleast I can write in peace now, it was quite noisy in those facilities, expect to see some releases this week!!! and thank you for your advices!!! It was unfortunate though, that my dog died while I was inside the facility, I wasnt there when he needed me most 😢 ~
Bonifacio's POV
I am currently walking in a place that seems foreign to me, this place is way different that Manila and Cebu, as this place is not affected much by the Spaniards, most people are still wearing clothing that embrace their traditions, most people are inked from head to toe, a sign of bravery because in Mindanaoan culture, the more tattoo means the more battles they have won, there are even guys that are black from head to toe, their eyeballs are all black, their teeth are healthy but they are also color black, they fit the description Master, he said that they are the Juramentados, or the oath-takers.
As master have described, they are towering chunks of human meat, clad in black from head to toe, with bandanas worn above their heads to signify their status and are clad with various tattoos and trinkets in their bodies, the trinkets they are wearing are the source of their power, their so-called "agimat" Master said that they are pseudo-immortals, and I think I believe him now as I see a Juramentado a few meters away from me, slicing his own arm with a bolo, yet the bolo broke in half like a twig!
"Susmeyo!" I let out a gasp yet those inked people just laughed at me like I'm an idiot or something, but as I walked further, a lot of bizaare things happened along the way, I've seen those inked people try to shoot, stab, maim, and even cut each other's dicks off! But nothing works! They're all "alive"!!!!
"What the hell are these people?!" I cried out loud, feeling like I'm in a dream but my nerves went numb after a few moments of being here. It creeped me out a bit but I kinda accepted it? I can't really do anything because Master ordered me to lead these people, but I don't know if I'm up to the task.
Well, enough of that I guess? I'm now in front of a big nipa hut, this is supposed to be where the leader of all these oath-takers are, and this man is the key towards leading them.
Per old customs, it is always necessary to clean our feet before entering a nipa hut so that's what I did before saying;
"Tao po!" I knocked at the door three times and when the door opened, what I saw is one of the wildest things ever!
I expected some kind of nipa interior but what is this?!
With my own two eyes, I saw a different world beyond that door, a paradise, even.
With rich trees and a bright atmosphere, there are various creatures that roam about, some are even known as mythological beings but here they are, walking about, there are creatures that has the body of a man and the head of a horse, there are also fireballs with faces flying about, there are dwarves, fairies and those mythological beings of Philippine origin, I almost fainted! but I held my ground, I cannot fail master, he trusts me and if I faint now, I might be deemed weak by these beings in front of me.
When I was a child, my parents always told me stories about them, stories about "Engkantos" and "Lamang-Lupa" but as I grew older, my beliefs waned after roaming the globe and not seeing a single one of them. I served master for a long time, I became a mercenary because he told me that it is to improve my men and I's expertise but no training can ever make me ready for what is in front of me right now, this is straight out of fairytales!
As I was brought out of my stupor, a beautiful lady with pointy ears approached me and said;
"Are you General Bonifacio?" asked the girl.
Meanwhile, I was is stunned by the girl's looks, almost to the point of drooling excessively, like a child that saw something new for the first time...
The girl looks puzzled by my sudden drooling but I really can't help it! She's so beautiful! Much more beautiful than Estong's sister, Eliza!
After a few minutes, Bonifacio snapped out of his stupor, embarassed, he replied;
"Uhhh, yeah, I'm sorry for that Binibini, it's my first time to see someone as beautiful as you are, I'm ashamed of myself, may I ask you the reason why you approached me?" Bonifacio blushed as he looked at the girl's face.
Seeing Bonifacio blush, the girl immediately gets the reason why he blanked out suddenly, and she said;
"I'm sorry for that, I am a half-diwata and my name is Alliana, I am the daughter of the Chieftain, father asked me to lead you there to negotiate about the terms and condition of the alliance that your master has proposed to him a few years ago" the girl blushed, seemingly also entranced by Bonifacio's oozing manliness and simplicity.
"I see, I really apologize for earlier Binibini, and please lead me to your father, my master told me to negotiate the terms for our alliance, although he isn't exactly aware that all of you are not humans" Bonifacio said, composing himself to not feel awkward about his earlier actions.
The girl nodded towards Bonifacio and led the way towards a big tree on the horizon.