5 DREAM

Volume 1: Ydeo's Adventure and the Trial of the Wise King - CHAPTER 5: DREAM

I live beside the coast of Northern Lucios. It is my home ever since I was young. The wind breeze is so warm and the juice from the coconut are fresh and delicious.

In the peace of our own small world Father called that the ocean is big.

"What do you mean big? If you step back a little bit you can cover the whole ocean with your palm."

Father laughed when I said it.

Father always tell me stories of the world. Father's stories are amazing and inspiring which is why I always demand a new story. Although Father only do so when I'm about to sleep, and Father said that the stories are meant to be told before sleeping, so that I may dream of it.

I was talking to Father when Datu Maru went to look for me and he keep shouting. I wonder why he is shouting?

“Go Ydeo, I will tell you with a great story I know once you come back.” Father said.

I ran towards Datu Maru, waving goodbye to Father, expecting to hear new story.

"Are you the one who destroyed the coconut trees in the Southern Lucious?" Datu Maru asked.

‘Yikes—how did he know that?’

Why this old man knew that I went there?

This bald, Datu Maru, is one of the twelve chieftains in Lucios. He is man in his thirties, has a very big yet tough body, like a bear... but still young to be bald.

"I only defended myself against a bear; the bear is the one who destroyed it!" I defend myself.

Datu Maru looked at me with a serious face, scrutinizing me. This old man is so doubting, no wonder why he became bald!

"Whether what it is, you still need to replant the coconut trees. You are responsible for it, you need to replant 10 times of the coconut trees that the bear destroyed."

"What? That's too much!" I tried to beg

You heartless bald!

"I will take the bear in my possession in exchange of punishing you."

"Damn it!"

I can't stand it! I’m not the one who destroyed yet I'm the one who got punished. Besides there's a lot of coconut trees here in north and in the east. Why do we need to replant coconut trees in the south? Lucios is not a populated much anyway.

"Hoy, Ydeo!" Someone is calling me.

I know this voice! It's Mina!

"I heard about your punishment." Mina said.

This is Mina, daughter of Datu Maru and my childhood friend. She is a cute little girl which she get from her mother, Dayang Ba-na's. Just like her mother, Mina has a cute face and curly brown hair. Unfortunately Mina get Datu Maru's scary eyes but unlike her father it looks cute on Mina. She is like a scary looking yet cute kitten.

I explained to Mina that the incident is not my fault, and I am glad she believes in me. Mina brought some lunch boxes, she said that I need to eat properly, not just eating fishes or rabbits. I was actually planning to catch some fish with Father when Datu Maru called me.

I told Mina that I was asking Father to tell new story when her father started yelling. Mina also love the story that Father told me.

"Really? My favorite was always been the story about the giant bat that lives in the Moons!" Mina said.

"But you should take your bite first." Mina scolded me.

Mina is great in cooking just like her mother, as we eat, we talked about mundane things. Mina always likes the story of Father. She always want me to tell her new stories and some times want me to repeat it for her.

In the Torogan of Datu Maru

"I was worried about Ydeo." said Dayang Ba-na in concern.

Datu Maru said to his wife Dayang Ba-na "Do not worry about the kid. Mina is with Ydeo." Assured Datu Maru

"I'm glad that boy is cheerful again, after what happened to him 2 years ago. I thought he wouldn't be able to smile again." Dayang Ba-na said.

"I still wonder where that boy gain his strength. Ydeo is only a 9 years old boy yet he killed a bear with his bare arms." Datu Maru said.

"Ydeo is loved by the gods and our ancestors." they both agreed.

Meanwhile on the Southern Lucios.

We were walking to the woods but then Mina slipped, I tried to catch her hand and asked if she is okay, and she replied that she is okay. So we kept on walking and I have observed that the bear was already taken by Datu Maru.

'He already took it before asking me, that old man.'

Mina was impressed when she found out that I was able to beat a bear.

"You are so strong, Ydeo! You can be a Datu!" Mina praised me

"I do not want to be Datu like your father, Mina." I said.

"Why?" She asked

"Being a Datu will only give me headaches. It's a pain in the ass." I answered her truthfully.

"But if you choose to be a Datu, You will be recorded as the strongest Datu in history of Lucios!"

"But I want something else. I just wanted to be free..."

"...But we are already free." she said with a hint of confusion in her face.

I only laughed as I react to her.

"Stop acting cute, Ydeo! You plant too slowly!" Mina said to me while scolding me.

"But we're only just about to start!" I said in defense.

She got annoyed as I try to talk back to her. Mina is so scary when she is angry.

In a different island, everyone has their own memories to be remembered.

"Hey! Hey! Bakunawa! Look at this butterfly, isn't it cute?"

"Yes it is. Where did you saw it?"

"I saw it on that orchid! I caught it for you!"

"But you have to release it."

"Yes I will. HIHIHIHI!

Back to the Southern Lucios.

The sun has set, but we are not yet finish replanting the coconut trees.

"We should continue tomorrow Ydeo." Mina said.

"Will you help me again tomorrow?" I asked Mina

Mina smiled, it was beautiful!

"Wow, it's the twilight!" Mina commented.

The twilight is beautiful!

"You see Ydeo, I don't want anything else in this world but this." Mina admitted.

"The twilight?" I asked.

"Hm? Yes! The Twilight." she replied.

"Me too." I said.

"It's getting dark, we have to go back." I said.

"I don't want to encounter wolves because they are annoying." I added as I am concern for Mina's safety.

I am also worried that they might attack us and I wouldn't be able to protect Mina from them. They are fast and annoying.

So we decided to run back. As we were running, I asked Mina to go back and replant the trees with me tomorrow.

"You are silly Ydeo, I already said earlier that we will continues this tomorrow."

I am glad I have Mina, she is bright and colorful!

Mina looks so happy and bright

She is looking at me while we run towards their Torogan.

I challenged Mina to have a race.

"Let's race Mina! The loser will prepare for our lunch tomorrow!" I said and she accepted it.

I ran so fast and won the game. Mina was amazed on how fast I am.

Mina will prepare for the food tomorrow! I will be able to taste Mina's cooking again.

"See you tomorrow Mina!" I said.

"See you tomorrow Ydeo!" She said.

I am so happy, what should we do tomorrow, I wonder? How can I make Mina smile again?

Now it's time for Bedtime Stories! I can't wait anymore!

I dashed quickly.

I called to Father as I ran nearing our home.

"I am here." I heard him say "There is no need to run."

It's time for Bedtime Story!

"It's about the story of Tiny Humans." Father said.

"I know that, Father. Those are called Dwarves! Datu Maru taught it to us in Torogan with the other kids." I replied.

"Dwarves? Well, Ydeo. They are quite different from Dwarves. Dwarves are creature of the Land but what I'm going to tell you are humans which tiny as a palm." Father replied mysteriously.

"Which is bigger Father?" I asked in comparison.

"The Dwarves. They are as big as a one-year old baby." Father answered.

"What is this Tiny Human Father?" I asked.

"We call them Suman." Father answered.

"That's sound so tasty Father. I think it's a food!" I replied.

Father just laughed at my antics, "No. It's not that suman that we eat, Ydeo."

"Then what are these Suman?" I asked.

"Sumans are tiny humans beloved by the nature. They are the ones who keep the land nourished." Father answered.

"Is that why we have rich soil?" I asked.

"Yes, Ydeo." Father replied.

"Where are they now? I haven't seen one yet." I asked.

"They use to live everywhere but because of a certain man, he changed almost everything in this world." Father said.

"Is that the man you mentioned about how the world become divided?" I asked.

"Every good Ydeo, you remember it. Suman used to live everywhere but they are now in a different land."

"What? How can I see these Tiny Humans now? I want to see them!" I replied.

"They now live in a land called Kasuman, the Paradise Land. It is a vast land, ten times bigger than the land of Lucios. It is full of trees, flowers, plants, and every kind of animals. They co-exist with the nature and they protect it.

"Despite being small, they are incredibly strong. Never underestimate someone's strength with their size, because they can even beat a Giant. Sumans is a lovely race, they are passionate in what they do, from farming to fishing and to any agricultural work. Most of their fruits are big! One tree can feed a whole barangay." Father narrated incredibly.

"If they are small, then why everything they make is big?" I asked.

"What they make is not only for them, but also to feed every race and creature in the world. That's why everything they do is big." Father answered.

"What is the biggest tree they planted?" I asked.

"It's the Acacia tree. It is the biggest tree in the world that goes up to the skies. It is their pride. They live in the Acacia, it protects the land of the whole world. Its roots make sure that every land is combined together. “Father said it.

"That's amazing Father!" I commented.

"Do you want to see it?" Father asked.

"Yes, I want to!" I answered.

"Once you are old enough, go to the Land of Paradise and see how great the Sumans is." Father replied.

"I will Father!" I replied.

"Suman loves human but be weary for they do not like liars. So Ydeo, never ever lie to them. Do you understand?" Father said while looking in to my eyes.

"I won't lie to them Father. I promise!" I replied.

"That's good. It is already time to sleep, you should sleep now."

"Yes Father, good night!"

Father's stories are always amazing! I can't wait for tomorrow and tell this to Mina!

The night passed and as soon as I woke up, I quickly ran to Mina. I want to see her as soon as possible! I am almost at the Torogan but...

'But why is Datu Maru and Dayang Ba-na outside?'

'And do they seem sad?'

I heard Dayang Ba-na said, "Ydeo and Mina.."

"Why?" I stepped in.

'What about me and Mina?'

Dayang Ba-na was shock when she saw me. Did I look like a lost spirit to her?

"Stay there and not do anything stupid." Datu Maru said.

"Why? Where is Mina?" I am confused.

I can see that Datu Maru— a big tough man, one of our twelve chieftains, just stopped his tears. But his wife, Dayang Ba-na couldn't stop her tears.

What is happening? What is still feeling? It feels like something bad happened.

Something bad happened? Wait?! Mina! She is not here. Where is Mina?

"Where is Mina?!" I asked out of fear of losing Mina.+

"The Holy Covenant came earlier and took Mina. The Priest who came, said the Mina is cursed and she have to be taken away."

Everything is clouded.

Everything seemed to lose its colors.

The atmosphere is suffocating.

Where is Mina?

What is this feeling?

What is this emotion?

Why am I feeling strange?

Datu Maru seemed to be worrying and Dayang Ba-na was saying something.

Why am I sleepy?

Mina…

Where are you?

"Ydeo!" The last thing I heard is Dayang Ba-na's voice

Is she shouting?

Mina.....

CHAPTER 5 END…