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Once upon a time, there was a lonely god.
He sat on his throne of ebony as he watched the vast forest of Casanaan which he called home.
His name is Sitan.
But he prefers to be called Chan.
Chan was the god of the afterlife. He carries the souls of the dead in his strong arms. The same arms that fought the Minokawa in the great war of Sansinukob. He was feared by man and God alike for he was known to have a short fuse.
Oh, how misunderstood our poor god was.
He was just lonely.
He was bound inside the Casanaan with a curse. It was meant to keep him and the night creatures from wreaking havoc in the living realm. He thinks it's absurd but he was used to it.
Loneliness is something he was very accustomed to.
Not the other gods though, the pantheon enjoys lavish banquets every fortnight, but he was not invited.
It had been almost a year since the last banquet he attended. He can still remember it clearly.
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It was a calm summer night, the sky was littered with millions of stars. The seven moon shone brightly as the gods entered the hall one by one.
The banquet hall was a huge canopy, big enough to hold around 100 guests and high enough to fit a giant. It was decorated beautifully with floating sky lanterns, colorful hand-woven rugs, and long silk ribbons. The main table situated in the middle was several feet wide and made of the strongest narra wood.
The food was served before they entered as the supreme God Bathala sat at the head of the table. To his right are his three beautiful demigod daughters Tala, Hanan, and Mayari. The goddesses of the morning, the stars, and the moon respectively. To his left was his oldest son, Apolaki, The Sun God.
Chan sat at his designated seat. The far end. Opposite Bathala and next to the fickle goddess of rain and storms Anitun-Tabu. There are seven vacant seats right next to him which meant that they are finally having the grace of the moon's presence.
You see, the moons are one of the most important creations in Sansinukob. They control the tides which not even the sea god Aman Sinaya can calm. They also affect the animals, nocturnal creatures, and even the souls that travel to the dark forests of Casanaan where Chan resides, and need the moons guidance and light to find the right path.
There are seven moons in the sky and each of them is bright and beautiful, but his eyes are trained on just one.
The youngest of the moons, Minho.
Fireflies had gathered towards the sky, making a makeshift stairway for the moons to walk down into. It took them a while as the skies are so far up. If not for their ability to fly, Apolaki and other heavenly gods would've been as late as them.
Mayari greeted them with a smile. She, unlike most of them, often spends time with the moons. She was their goddess after all.
They sat one by one at the table and if it was physically possible, Chan would've smiled for he was sitting right next to him—The boy Moon.
The night continued as light chatter goes around the table. They were briefly interrupted by Bathala raising his hand in a fist.
His eyes were fixed on Aman Sinaya, the god of the sea.
"It is time we discuss the current situation of our oceans. Aman Sinaya" he nodded to him.
"The ocean floor is in unrest. The impending doom of Bakunawa is near" he spoke grimly.
"Bakunawa? But we have been so careful? I am keeping the peace on land and there had been fewer wars. Crops are thriving and so was the economy of humans. How could this happen?" Idianale, the goddess of labor and good deeds asked. Her beautiful face was marred with worry.
"The coming of Bakunawa is inevitable. It is attracted to the brightness of the moon over the ocean. We must do our best to protect the moons and our people. We cannot have another incident like the Minokawa" Apolaki finally spoke.
"I don't get it. The Bakunawa is a spawn of Casanaan. Can't Chan handle it? I mean what's the point of having a god of the underworld if he can't even control his creatures?" asked Anitun-Tabu
Chan knew someone would ask about it again even when most of them already knew the answer.
"The Bakunawa came from Casanaan but it left its cave years ago. The last time we heard of it, it was under the sea. Which is why Aman Sinaya was tasked to stop it from surfacing" Bathala answered for him. The discussion about the Bakunawa continued which made the moons shift uncomfortably in their seats.
Bakunawa is a moon-eating dragon. It was created by the amalgamation of human sins. Much like Minokawa it is attracted by the light but while Minokawa wants the sun, Bakunawa wants the moon.
Before the set of the current seven moons, there were others. Back then the Gods were not as prepared.
The Bakunawa, in its infancy, swallowed all the moons and it took the great power of the Sansinukob to create the new moons. To prevent it from ever happening again, the Bakunawa was laid to rest within the caves of Casanaan. Bakunawa is a creature that cannot be killed, for as long as humans sin, it will keep on living.
"Have you seen it before?"
Chan was pulled from his thoughts when he heard a whisper beside him.
It was Minho.
"I—uh yes, I've seen it. Of course" he answered, trying to dodge his gaze.
Minho is breathtaking up close. Of course, everyone here is beautiful except Chan, or he thinks he isn't—but Minho is different.
His skin glowed under the luminance of the sky lanterns. His nose bridge rivaled the perfect shape of the Mayon. His eyes held a piece of the galaxy that he brought with him on land. A small playful smile tugged his plump lips as his white and lilac robe flowed with the gentle wind.
The rumors are true. Heavenly people are the most beautiful creations to ever exist.
"Is it really huge? They said it's bigger than the Minokawa" Minho asked again, now completely facing Chan.
He looks fascinated with the Bakunawa. Does he know that the Bakunawa was the one prophecized to kill the moons?
"Yes. It's a hundred times bigger than the Minokawa. It's a serpent. A huge black serpentine dragon. It's sleeping under the deepest ocean floor, waiting for the time it can come up again" Chan answered.
"I only heard rumors about it. My sisters said they wanted to 'eat the moons', which is not a good idea. I don't think we taste that good. I mean I probably do, but my sisters? Ugh," Minho made a gesture as if he was puking and Chan almost laughed at his reaction but he didn't.
He can't even remember the last time he did.
"You smiled!"
Chan's eyes widened. Did he?!
"Thank heavens you smiled. I thought you hated sitting with me or something" Minho smirked.
"I don't hate sitting with you," Chan said trying to peel his eyes away from Minho.
"You don't speak and keep averting your eyes earlier though?" Minho pouted.
"It's because you're too beautiful"
"Oh" Minho blinked before looking away, his ears turned red.
Chan was mortified. Did he say that out loud?!
"I don't mean to be rude. It's my first time seeing a moon up close" Chan apologized, hoping he didn't offend the beautiful boy moon.
"I hope I didn't disappoint?" Minho asked bashfully.
"No. You didn't. You're the most beautiful person I've ever seen" Chan said, wondering to himself where he got the sudden courage.
"Oh you're getting more confident, I see" Minho laughed making Chan stare in awe once more.
He heard the humans talk about it before. How the moon pulls you into a trance and makes your heart calm.
He is not human so it should not affect him, and maybe it didn't. He never felt it for the other six moons. Just Minho.
They continued to talk until the dawn approached, the cacophony of forest sounds grew louder and roosters crowed to signal the new day.
Everything was lively and happy.
A few moments later the sunlight peeked into the horizon, meanwhile, Chan felt the sunset inside him.
It's time to leave.
"Minho..."
He called to him as his sisters walk up to the stairs of fireflies.
"Yes?" there was a hopeful glint in Minho's eyes as he waited for Chan to speak again.
"I know it is forbidden for heavenly creatures to meddle with the ones on land, much less us from the underworld—but if on the 25th night of the 10th moon cycle, I call for you, will you answer?" Chan asked.
"I'll be waiting for your call" Minho smiled, turning away to follow his sisters.
His white and lilac robe glowed ethereal under the sunlight and Chan looked up until he was gone, ignoring the blinding light of the sun.
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Minho sighed dreamily as he folded their robes.
All the moons are gathered, folding robes in the large bamboo bed outside of their house in the clouds.
"Oh, what is our youngest smiling about?" his oldest sister teased.
"I know, I know! I saw him chatting with Sitan at the banquet. He's probably dreaming about him again" his other sister excitedly shared.
"Sitan? The god or the underworld?!"
"Oh my, what a taste" his other sisters laughed.
"What's wrong with him? And he doesn't like that name. His name is Chan! " he asked, now upset.
How dare his sisters talk like that about Chan?!
"Minho, you do know we cannot mingle with land creatures—and he's the god of the underworld for crying out loud. Why won't you look at Apolaki or his sons instead?" his oldest sister said.
"And his eyes are all black! It's not that good to look at. You never know what he's thinking. He just has one expression all the time. Like he's thinking of death or whatever" his other sister rolled her eyes.
That's it. Minho slammed the robes on the table and stomped into the house.
He can't believe they'd think that badly of Chan. He isn't as heartless as they're trying to make him out to be. They didn't even talk to him during the banquet and they all act like they know him.
He was nice and sweet and his smiles are so attractive. Especially when his dimples show. Why can't his sisters see that?
He hopes the 25th night comes sooner.
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Chan looked up at the sky. It's still in the middle of the day and the sun is shining hotly on his skin.
He still got time.
He knew that Bathala and the others are busy with the preparation. He was left out of it on purpose.
The God of the underworld does not deserve the title of the hero, much like how they erased his name in the battle of Minokawa. He does not care about that though. Honor and glory only sound good for gods of heaven and earth, not death and the underworld.
He only cares about one thing now, Minho.
You might be wondering if he does not care about humans. He does, however, their pains and suffering above the surface of Sansinukob don't make sense to him.
Casaan, although it was made out to be a dystopian land was a peaceful one.
Within the forest are creatures of the night separated from human souls. The humans have their lands, no work needed, and no forced labor. They do not feel hungry because their corporal bodies are dead. Their mind is in a constant state of peacefulness.
Of course, it's different for the sinners. The ones who made vile acts while on land. They are made to wander the endless caves of Casanaan with only a torch in hand. The torch, however, only lasts for a few hours and after that, they are left to walk in pitch darkness as monsters and aswangs roam the cave freely. Waiting to pounce on fresh human souls.
Chan pushed a tree branch aside as he approached the bottom of the waterfalls.
Melodious singing grew louder as he walked closer. It was the Sirenas. They sat atop the wet rocks below the waterfalls, their beautiful tails in full display in an array of different shimmering hues.
The Sirenas inside the Casanaan is different from the ones above. Kataws are known to drag people into the sea, drowning them and eating their flesh.
Sirenas are peaceful merfolks. They live in the rivers and freshwater springs in Casanaan. They use their voices and songs as a way to guide souls in the forest.
"Greetings my lord" The Sirenas bowed in unison when they saw him.
"I have a little favor to ask of you"
"Anything, my lord. Our lives are to your bidding"
Chan knew that his voice alone will not be able to travel to the skies, he needs the powerful guiding voice of the Sirenas to call upon the moon.
"There is someone I want to call into our forest"
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Chan continued his journey to the swamps of Casanaan. It's where the biggest population of fireflies resides.
"My little creatures. I am here to ask you for a favor. There is someone I want you to guide into our home"
He knew that they are listening as the forest floor grew quiet. It is not an everyday occurrence that the God of the underworld himself asks for favors.
"When the Sirenas sings tonight, I want you to fetch him for me. Give him your sturdiest stairs as he walks down and guide him to me. I, Sitan will grant you anything once he is safe in my arms."
The forest sound came back as a sign that the dwellers agreed to do his bidding.
He can't wait to see him—but first, he must give Mayari the power to protect the other moons from Bakunawa.
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"Noise? What do you mean by noise?" Mayari asked.
"The Bakunawa's power is within its roar. The loudest roar that tears through the air. You must show it that you are way more powerful than its roar. That way you can keep it at bay and when the time comes, you must immediately slit its throat. " Chan explained.
He knew that Mayari will doubt him and Bathala and the others would not like the idea that he once again came up with a solution to end a catastrophic event so he left it at that, however, he had to make sure that if ever Minho didn't hear his calls he'd still have a way to keep him safe.
Once the night falls, he'll be bound to Casanaan again and he won't be able to get out. It has to work.
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The air was still tonight, unsettlingly so.
Minho stood over his cloud as he peeked at his sisters. All of them but the oldest were fidgeting uncomfortably.
"Sister! Sister!" he called to his sister nearest to his cloud.
"Yes" she answered
"What is going on?" he asked.
"Nothing, just stay in your cloud. Mayari will be here soon" she answered.
It calmed him a bit but he still felt like something was off. Then he heard something in the distance.
It was a soft melodic sound.
Like it was calling him.
Calling?!
He gasped. It's Chan!
Chan is calling him?!
But it doesn't sound like him.
The melody resonated in the air and it made his sisters curiously look at him.
"I told you he'd call!" he smirked smugly.
Something glinted in the distance and it grew closer and closer.
The fireflies!
The stairs that only ever come when the Gods invite them to the banquet were here but it's different. These fireflies are bigger and brighter.
He slowly stepped down his cloud as he heard his sisters panic.
"Minho?! Where do you think you're going?!" his sister asked.
"His calling me!" he said as if it was the most normal reaction.
"Let him be," the oldest sister said.
"But—"
"Walk down slowly and don't trip," his oldest sister said with a small proud smile on her lips.
"Yes, sister. Thank you" he waved them goodbye and even stuck out his tongue to some of them.
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Chan started pacing worriedly in front of his throne. He can hear the Sirenas singing but he can't see the fireflies.
What if they didn't guide him?
The Bakunawa is going to wake up soon. No one can stop it and his Minho, oh his dear naive Minho is as clueless as he can be of the horror that the Bakunawa can do.
His sisters had protected him from the knowledge this whole time and he must've taken its threat lightly.
He heard the sound of drums from the Sansinukob.
It's here.
It's starting.
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Minho hummed to himself as he walks down the staircase, following the melody in the air.
He just remembered how long it takes to go down these things.
How do they maintain flying at such great distances for so long? He wishes they can have regular wood stairs so he doesn't have to step on these pretty fireflies.
He heard water splashing in the distance and he looked around.
The ocean was sparkling as the other six moons illuminated the waters.
Another splash.
What's that?!
He turned around just in time to see it.
A large black serpentine dragon.
The Bakunawa.
It's here.
He looked up to his sisters. He should go back!
The staircase from above him suddenly disintegrated.
"No! No, please let me go back!"
The staircase suddenly moved on its own, lowering him down.
"No, let me go back! Sister!" he screamed as the night sky dimmed. The long body of the serpent covered the night sky above him. Its glistening scales taunted him as it blocked his vision.
He looked around and saw Mayari rushing to the skies with her spear, followed by the winged Apolaki.
He heard drums and gongs being struck as he got lower. It was so loud that it drowned the voices of the singing to him earlier.
Then he heard it.
A roar. He's still midair but he felt the world shaking.
He looked up just as the Bakunawa devoured his youngest sister.
"No!" he screamed as Bakunawa's throat lit up. He can see clearly how the moon traveled from its mouth until its light went off halfway through its stomach.
He might not be fond of his youngest sister but she was still his sister.
He saw a flash of gold light as Apolaki attacks the Bakunawa. Then silver as Mayari shielded one of the moons. His sisters are defenseless. The moon's power might be immense but it's not for combat. It's peaceful and slow like a steady flow of a spring.
He can't do anything but close his eyes and cover his ears as flashing lights, screams and roars tear through the atmosphere.
Then quiet—it was like he was dropped into a vacuum. He can still hear the distant drums but it was way quieter.
He slowly opened his eyes and saw that he was sitting on land. He looked around and saw nothing but trees and darkness. He looked up to see the sky but was met with a roof of leaves. Like the trees are hiding the horrors that are happening above him.
His tears fell as he looked around. The fireflies are still surrounding him, lighting a path for him to take as the melody earlier comes back. They're guiding him.
He didn't even get to go that far before he heard steps. Someone is running towards him. He stopped, thinking of how he'd protect himself from it.
Then from the dark treelines and bushes comes Chan, in all his Godly glory, worry etched on his handsome face then relief when he saw Minho.
He ran towards him, immediately wrapping his arms around him.
Chan held him tight as the fireflies surround them. The singing of the sirens and the beating of drums echoed in the distance.
His moon is safe at last.
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Once upon a time, there were seven moons in the night sky.
They were so beautiful that the gods vowed to protect them from the Moon-eating dragon, Bakunawa.
The Bakunawa was fierce and strong and the people had to make lots of noise to scare it away. But the people were not loud enough.
It swallowed the moons one by one!
One... two... three... four... five... and six—but Apolaki and his mighty sword slashed the Bakunawa's throat, making it spit back the sixth moon.
The people cheered as the Bakunawa slithers into the night sky and dives into the deepest ocean floor, never to be seen again.
The day—or night, was once again saved by the mighty heavenly gods.
...
But where is our lonely god, you ask?
Well, he's still in Casanaan. At the top of his mountain castle, sitting on his ebony throne... and beside him, in his throne of ivory, was the seventh moon. Minho.
Or as the people call him, Libulan.
The moon guide of the underworld.
He makes sure that our lonely god will be lonely no more.
And they live happily ever after.
The End.
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