Cold Drop Of Tear

Three days ago before the Magindra incident happened...

At another tribe away from Saon, a village drowned in burning flames breathed their last night as a tribe.

Pitiful cries of help rang monotonously around the whole place and a mountain of corpses laid bare beneath a burly figure.

The cries became louder and louder as the sound of someone being pierced or stabbed echoed until the last shrill was muffled, gradually silence is achieved.

Looking around the whole place, a trail of blood painted the road with bodies laying like ghoulish mannequins, the esophagus and arteries sticking out like so much corrugated and rubber tubing.

Numerous wooden huts are lighting the whole area that seemed to shine brighter in the absence of the moon in the sky.

Just then, a series of thudding footsteps were heard...

"Datu Hagat! We have successfully invaded this island, you are now fully in control of the remaining tribes here. No one shall challenge your authority except the 4 Major tribes and that Elapidi Tribe."

A warrior dressed in Bahag respectfully bowed in front of his chief to report their successful victory.

Datu Hagat while holding the torch in his hand, tossed the torch and the fire scattered among the corpses. It burned brightly like his eyes full of wickedness. Not even an ounce of respect or ceremony was held as he shifted his gaze to this warrior who is currently bowing in front of him.

After a while, as he watched the corpse be devoured and consumed by the flame he then responded "Yes, I am... We completed the task."

"I don't understand why we are doing this Datu... We don't have to listen to that Apkon. If you feel threatened by him, we could just gather our forces and attack their Banwa." The warrior voiced out his disagreement.

"This is for our tribe... You don't understand how mighty their forces are. You haven't seen how they easily destroyed that tribe who once belonged to the Major Tribes, now they only numbered four. In the past, that tribe commanded terror among the lands of Danao... Yet in a single night, they were easily destroyed."

"We are the proud warriors from Lumin Tribe! Things are different now, only say a word and we can conquer them! Why should we be afraid?" The warrior implored, still having doubts about the decisions of his Datu as he slowly raised his head from his one-knee-bended kneeling posture.

"Just arise, you have accompanied me until now. No need for such formalities when the two of us are left alone." Irked by this warrior's behavior, Datu Hagat waved his hands as he turned around to face his loyal warrior.

Under his hoarse voice and trembling tone, he replied: "Well, to tell you... They have Mahouts."

When the warrior heard what his Datu said, he could not help but also tremble in his knees. He now understood how powerful the Apkon's forces are.

[42]Mahouts are keepers or trainers of War Tusked Elephants. They are very effective in a siege battle and mowing the enemy's territory. Most of the chieftains only dreamed of having one, yet when the warrior heard that the Apkon had an entire force of Mahaouts his knees immediately trembled.

Now he learned why his Datu could only obediently abide by the wishes of this Apkon Amron. It turns out, their Datu is acting this way to save their tribe from being invaded by this powerful ruler.

After a brief silence, the Datu with an overbearing stare said "You shall not speak of this to the others... Understand?" Datu Hagat solemnly warned.

"Yes..." And the warrior instantly replied with shivering shoulders. Now he won't dare question why this kind of thing is happening.

Ever since Datu Hagat had betrayed his sworn brother, Datu Sadjar. Datu Hagat had been away for far too long from home. An expedition after the expedition was held under the orders of Apkon Amron and tonight was the last order from the Apkon.

This was the last from the list of tribes which he ordered to be eliminated. The warriors from Lumin's Tribe had limited news from their home which made them complaining and always asking for any reason why they are still continuing to fight almost every single day.

But now, a smile aroused from Datu Hagat's lips, thinking that he finally accomplished his tasks and can now finally return home.

"But rejoice now my loyal warrior, this shall be the last. We are to return to our tribe the next day."

"Is that true, my Lord?" The warrior asked in a half disbelieved state. He had lost count on how many times Datu Hagat have told them this sentence.

"Rest assured. This time it is is true..."

And when the warrior heard his Datu affirming his promise, uncontrollably he hugged Datu Hagat beaming in delight as he jovially leaped towards his Datu.

"My Lord! I am grateful! I was worried sick with the family I left... I can finally return home." A visible tear came out from his eyes as he jovially screamed.

But, right at this moment, a hastened sound of someone's footsteps is heard coming close.

"Datu Hagat!" Another warrior came while panting and breathing for some air. He looked older and had a different attire than the other warrior.

Still wearing a Bahag, but in his head is a feathered war-bonnet and his neck was decorated with a bone necklace.

"Datu Hagat, the forces of Apkon Amron is here... They are looking for you."

Hearing this piece of hot news, Datu Hagat spared no useless seconds, he immediately dashed forward towards the island's shore, ignoring the corpses he stepped on his way.

.

.

.

...

But as he is nearing the shore, apart from hearing the sounds of waves crashing and the silent whiz of the wind. He also heard some clinking noise which made his running faster.

His heartbeat was thumping, he could not help but think of one possible outcome why he heard those noises.

And just in time when he reached the shore, he saw something that made his eyes gush a cold drop of tear.

"NOOOO! DON'T!"