Chapter 5: Awakening the Ancients

Jeff stood at the edge of an ancient stone platform, hidden deep within the forest. The structure, overgrown with moss and vines, bore the marks of an era long past. Strange symbols were etched into the stone, pulsating faintly with an energy he couldn’t quite understand yet. The air was thick with an eerie stillness, as if the very world held its breath. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of excitement and anxiety as he prepared for what was to come.

“I can feel it,” Jeff whispered, staring at the ground beneath his feet. "There's something here."

Dakila nodded, his eyes scanning the perimeter, always watchful. “This is a sacred place—one where the Ancients first communed with the other realm. Here, you will begin to unlock the power that runs through your veins.”

Amihan lingered nearby, her gaze flickering between Jeff and the surrounding forest. Though her expression was calm, Jeff could sense her unease. She had been supportive since the start, but even she seemed uncertain about what Jeff was about to face. The world they had stumbled into was far bigger than anything they could have imagined, and every step deeper into it brought more danger.

Dakila raised his hand, and the symbols on the stone glowed brighter. “Sit in the center,” he instructed. “Close your eyes and focus on the energy around you. The blood of the Ancients will guide you, but you must be open to its call.”

Jeff hesitated but did as he was told, sitting cross-legged on the platform. The stone was cool beneath him, grounding him to the earth. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, his pulse steadying as he tried to push away the noise of his thoughts. Slowly, he began to feel it—a subtle hum, like a vibration coursing through his body.

“Good,” Dakila’s voice came softly. “The blood of the Ancients connects you to both realms. You are not just a descendant—you are a bridge between worlds.”

Jeff felt the hum grow stronger, spreading from his chest to his arms and legs, as if the earth itself was awakening beneath him. His skin tingled with a warmth that wasn’t entirely natural, and for the first time, he sensed the power within him—not as something foreign, but as a part of him.

But just as quickly as it surged, the power flickered, slipping from his grasp. Jeff’s brow furrowed in frustration. “It’s… I can’t hold onto it.”

“Don’t force it,” Dakila advised. “Let the energy flow naturally. You must learn to listen before you can command.”

Jeff exhaled slowly, easing his tense muscles. He let his mind drift, tuning in to the rhythm of the forest—the rustling of leaves, the whisper of the wind, the distant calls of birds. In the quiet, he found that the power wasn’t something to be controlled; it was something to be understood. It was alive, just like him.

Suddenly, a sharp gust of wind swept through the clearing, disrupting the stillness. Amihan jumped to her feet, her eyes wide with alarm. Jeff opened his eyes, startled. The wind was unnatural, swirling in a tight circle around them.

“What’s happening?” Amihan called out, her voice tense.

Dakila’s expression darkened. “Something is coming.”

Before Jeff could react, the wind coalesced into a figure—a tall, shadowy form with glowing, red eyes. Its body was like smoke, shifting and twisting in the air, but its presence was suffocating. A cold dread crept over Jeff as the creature hovered before them.

“Tagabulag,” Dakila hissed under his breath. “A hunter of the other realm.”

The Tagabulag’s eyes locked onto Jeff, its intent clear. Jeff could feel its hunger, a burning desire to consume the power within him—the power of the Ancients. He scrambled to his feet, his heart racing.

“What do I do?” Jeff shouted, panic rising in his chest.

“Remember your training,” Dakila commanded. “The power is within you. Call on it!”

Jeff’s mind spun, but he forced himself to focus. He clenched his fists, trying to summon the energy he had felt moments before. The hum returned, faint but present, and he latched onto it. He closed his eyes again, shutting out the fear, the doubt, everything but the energy inside him.

The ground beneath him trembled, and Jeff felt a surge of warmth rush through his body. It was stronger this time, more controlled. He opened his eyes, and a faint glow radiated from his hands. The Tagabulag hissed, recoiling at the sight of the light.

“You’re doing it!” Amihan shouted, hope flickering in her voice.

The creature lunged toward Jeff, its smoky form stretching out like tendrils of darkness. Jeff acted on instinct, thrusting his hands forward. The light surged from his palms, colliding with the Tagabulag in a blinding flash. The creature let out a screech of agony as the light tore through it, dissolving its form into nothingness.

The wind died down, and the clearing fell silent once more. Jeff stood frozen, his chest heaving from the effort. He stared at his hands, the glow fading but the warmth still lingering.

Dakila stepped forward, his expression unreadable. “You are beginning to awaken your true power, Jeff. But this is only the beginning. The creatures of the other realm will not stop coming.”

Jeff swallowed hard, the weight of Dakila’s words sinking in. He had tapped into something incredible, but it wasn’t enough. The Tagabulag had been just one of many, and there would be more—stronger, more dangerous ones. If he wasn’t ready, they would overwhelm him.

Amihan approached, her eyes filled with a mixture of pride and worry. “You did great,” she said quietly. “But we have to be careful. There’s so much we still don’t know.”

Jeff nodded, still trying to process what had just happened. The power inside him was real, but it was also unpredictable. He had felt it slip through his fingers, wild and untamed, like a force that didn’t entirely belong to him.

“We’ll continue your training,” Dakila said, his tone firm. “But you must be prepared for what’s coming. The veil between the realms is weakening. More creatures will come, drawn to your power.”

Jeff clenched his fists, determination flickering in his chest. “Then we keep going. I’ll learn to control it. I have to.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the ancient platform, Jeff knew that the path ahead would only get harder. The blood of the Ancients flowed within him, but unlocking its full potential would take more than just training. It would take everything he had—strength, courage, and a will to survive in a world where the realms of myth and reality were beginning to blur.

The creatures from the other realm were coming, and they wouldn’t stop until they claimed the power in his blood. Jeff could feel it now, the weight of his destiny pressing down on him.

There was no turning back.

**Authors Note: Tagabulag - Indirectly translates to "blinding spirit" or "one who causes blindness." In Filipino folklore, it typically refers to a supernatural entity or spirit that has the power to cause temporary blindness, and takes away vitality and bloodline power from people. They are low-ranked creatures, and Tagabulag often work under the command of more powerful beings.

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