Chapter 4: The Burden of the Ancients

The weight of Dakila’s words lingered in the air, pressing down on Jeff like a heavy cloak. Standing in the middle of a place he could barely comprehend, Jeff’s thoughts swirled in a torrent of disbelief, fear, and curiosity. Could it really be true? Could he, a simple teenager from San Isidro, be tied to something so ancient and powerful?

Amihan glanced at him, her eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay?”

Jeff nodded, though the truth was far more complicated. He wasn’t okay—he was far from it—but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Not now. Not when everything around him was unraveling, and the strange creatures from the other realm had nearly killed them.

Dakila stepped forward, his presence calm but commanding. His robes shimmered in the dim light, as though they were woven from threads of the stars themselves. "You will have questions, Jeff, but time is not our ally. We must leave this place before the veil weakens further. More Tagabulag may come."

Jeff blinked, trying to focus on the Seer’s words. The overwhelming sense of danger returned, tightening his chest. "Where… where are we supposed to go?"

Dakila raised a hand, and in the distance, the landscape seemed to ripple and bend. The trees, the mountains, and the very sky itself shimmered, as if reality was a thin film stretched over something deeper and older. In that moment, Jeff understood: this realm was alive. It wasn’t just a place; it was something sentient, watching and waiting.

"The veil between realms has been weakening for some time," Dakila explained, his voice quiet yet firm. "The stone you found acts as a bridge, a passageway for those sensitive to the ancient bloodline. That is how you came here. But this realm is not stable. The longer we stay, the more dangerous it becomes."

Amihan looked uneasy. "So… how do we get back?"

Dakila smiled faintly. "Through the same stone, but with purpose this time." He glanced at Jeff. "You must focus, Jeff. The blood of the Ancients gives you the power to open the veil, to move between worlds. But you must learn control."

Jeff took a deep breath, the enormity of what he was being asked to do sinking in. He could barely process the idea that creatures like the Tagabulag existed—now he was supposed to open a portal between realms? How was he supposed to handle all of this?

"Close your eyes," Dakila instructed. "Feel the energy within you—the connection to your ancestors, to the land, and to the realms that exist beyond sight. It’s in your blood, Jeff. You just have to listen."

Nervous, Jeff hesitated, then slowly closed his eyes. He tried to push away the fear, the uncertainty, and instead focused on the steady rhythm of his breathing. In the silence, he began to feel it—an undercurrent of energy, subtle but undeniable. It pulsed through him like a distant heartbeat, growing louder with each breath.

"Do you feel it?" Dakila’s voice was a soft echo in his mind.

Jeff nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

"Now, imagine the stone," Dakila continued. "Picture it clearly in your mind, as it stands in the clearing where you first found it. It is your key, your anchor to the human world."

Images flashed in Jeff’s mind—the stone, the forest, the warmth it radiated when he touched it. His pulse quickened as the connection deepened, and the veil between realms seemed to shimmer around him, bending to his will.

A soft wind stirred around them, and Jeff felt the air shift, becoming lighter, more familiar. Slowly, he opened his eyes, and before him, the landscape of the other realm began to blur and fade, replaced by the familiar sights and sounds of the forest in San Isidro.

They had returned.

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Jeff blinked, disoriented by the sudden change in atmosphere. The cool, crisp air of the forest greeted them, and the vibrant colors of the real world came flooding back. Amihan exhaled in relief beside him, her shoulders sagging as the tension of their ordeal finally lifted.

"Did we… did we really just…?" she began, her voice trailing off as she stared at the familiar trees surrounding them.

"Yes," Dakila said, his expression unreadable. "You crossed the veil. But this is only the beginning."

The stone stood before them once again, silent and unmoved, as if nothing had happened. But Jeff knew better. He could feel the energy humming beneath its surface, the connection between this world and the other realm still present, still potent.

"What happens now?" Jeff asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He felt a strange mixture of exhaustion and anticipation, his mind still reeling from the experience.

Dakila’s gaze turned serious. "Now, you must begin your training. You must learn to control the powers that have awakened within you. The creatures you encountered are only a small part of what lies beyond the veil. The Tagabulag are drawn to the blood of the Ancients, but they are not the only ones. There are others, far more dangerous, who will stop at nothing to gain the power you possess."

Jeff swallowed hard, the weight of Dakila’s words sinking in. He wasn’t just dealing with some mystical adventure—he was facing real danger. And if what Dakila said was true, that danger wasn’t going away anytime soon.

Amihan, still shaken, looked from Jeff to Dakila. "But… how do we even begin? What kind of training are we talking about?"

Dakila nodded. "I will guide you both. The first step is learning to tap into the ancient power within you at will, without the need for external triggers like the stone. Jeff, your bloodline holds incredible strength, but it will not be easy to unlock. You must be prepared for challenges ahead."

Jeff nodded slowly, his mind racing. Part of him wanted to back out, to pretend this was all just a bad dream. But another part—a deeper, stronger part—knew that there was no going back. Whatever this was, it was his to face. His destiny.

"Where do we start?" Jeff asked, determination flickering in his eyes.

Dakila smiled faintly. "We start with the mind. Master that, and the rest will follow."

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows through the forest, Jeff felt the weight of his future settle on his shoulders. He didn’t know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: his life was no longer ordinary. It never had been.

And now, with the blood of the Ancients awakening inside him, he would have to find the strength to face what was coming. The other realm had called to him, and soon, he would have to answer.

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Author's Note: Chapter 4 marks the beginning of Jeff’s training, setting the stage for his journey into understanding his powers and the danger he faces. His return to the human world brings a moment of calm, but the looming threat of the creatures from the other realm—and the responsibilities of his bloodline—leave no room for rest. The path ahead is fraught with challenges, and Jeff’s transformation has only just begun.

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