The moment Lumawig opened the second book, another bright light flashed, and another projection was being shown in front of him. This time however, it was not the same happy and successful man. The scene in front of him is nothing but destruction and death. In one scene Lumawig saw people being killed by various monsters, and monstrous creatures. Some of them are ripped apart, others are eaten alive by the monsters. In another scene, Lumawig was shown an explicit scene. A scene full of depravity. Complete strangers engaging in lustful activities, losing themselves in the throes of pleasure. Intoxication and addiction were also rampant, and explicit familial relations are common. On another scene, Lumawig saw pestilence and death. All kinds of illnesses sprouted from the earth, from the plants to animals and humans, everything is afflicted by sickness. Hunger is a common sight, and deaths are part of the people's everyday lives. As these scenes continued to play in front of him, he finally saw the government of the Philippines crumble under all the things that are happening, and the country became a land of death and home of monsters that threatens to throw the whole world into chaos.
Lumawig was no longer able to continue watching the gruesome projection of the second book, and he closed its pages immediately. He was again shaken, but this time out of fear of the thought that the scenes he saw on the projection will happen in the future.
“I-is this what will happen if I choose to become a babaylan?” Lumawig thought to himself, seemingly unable to believe that if he ever chooses to become a babaylan, he will bring about the disaster that will destroy his country. The more he thought about it, the more he became convinced that he must not continue on the path of becoming a babaylan.
Just when he has steeled himself to pick up the first book, a voice sounded in his ear.
“Open the first book again and watch it until the end.” Said a warm voice, and Lumawig was able to tell that it belonged to a woman for he was familiar with this voice. This was the same voice that whispered to him a couple of days ago.
Hearing the familiar voice, Lumawig opened the first book again, and let the scenes play out in front of him. As he came to the part where he was about to hug his wife and children, a group of monsters suddenly appeared out of nowhere and killed his wife and children. Eating their hearts and innards. Lumawig tried to fight the monster but he was unable to even hit it, and he ended up being overpowered by the monster. Just as he was about to be killed, the projection ended.
The scene that played out in front of Lumawig was so life-like, that he felt the pain of losing his loved one right in front of him. He felt rage, he felt terror, and he felt morose when he saw the people, he loved being torn apart right in front of him; and all he could do was watch, frozen in terror as the other worldly beings take delight in eating their bodies. Though it was all but a projection, the emotions Lumawig felt are all real.
“Why…? Why?! Why are there monsters on that projection?!” unable to accept the fates of his loved ones, unable to accept his own fate, Lumawig could not help but shout out of confusion and anger.
“Why would it still show the same thing as the other book?! Are you telling me that whatever my choice is, everything will still end up the same?!” Shouted Lumawig.
“ANSWER ME?!” he continued.
“Mawi…” a soft voice called out to him.
“!?” in the midst of his shouting, the soft voice cut through the air like a sharp knife and reached the young man’s ears.
“Mawi…” the voice called out to him again.
Stolen novel; please report.
“Who’s there?! Who are you?!” shouted Lumawig.
“Do not be afraid. I am not your enemy.” The voice was now clearer, Lumawig noticed that this was the same voice that told him to look at the first book again.
“Why did you tell me to open the first book again? Is this a foretelling of the future or is this just a test? What does it have to do with my choice?” Lumawig asked a series of questions towards the voice.
“This is not a test but a divination of what is to come.” Answered the voice.
“Then why is it showing me these things?” asked Lumawig who seemed to have calmed down after his earlier outburst.
“Because an evil is about to befall the world.” Answered the voice. “Your decision tonight will affect the fate of the world.”
“But either choice will end up in destruction and death. How can my choice affect the world if both endings are the same?” Lumawig only became more confused.
“The scenes you saw in the first book is the future that awaits you should you choose not to continue in becoming a babaylan. I am sure that you have been already told about the effects of this decision. The scenes in the second book are also the future that awaits you should you choose to continue in your path.” Answered the voice
“But both of them do not differ in the end! Regardless of my choice, death and destruction will only be waiting for me.” protested Lumawig.
“That is only true if you choose the first book. For you will be powerless to change anything. If you choose the second book, then you will be trained as a babaylan, giving you the ability to resist, and fight against what is to come.” Patiently answered the voice.
“But what is the use of having the power to resist if in the end I will still die, and the destruction of the country will still happen?” retorted the Lumawig.
“The scenes you saw are nothing but predictions of the future; in the end the future can still be changed. However, if you choose to not continue on your current path, then you will not have the power to change that future. However, if you continue on your path as a babaylan, then you will be given the ability to change that future. You are only seeing the destruction and deaths in the second book as you have not yet made your decision.” Said the voice.
“Now choose Lumawig Langitan Mercado! What future do you want to have? A future of certain death, or a future where you can have the chance to change it?!” A booming voice replaced the warm and soft voice that has been speaking to Lumawig.
When Lumawig heard the question. Determination appeared in his eyes, and his heart that has been wavering earlier became resolute. Rather than accepting a future of certain death, Lumawig resolved himself to grab that small fighting chance to change it. Lumawig then steeled his resolve and finally picked up the second book.
“If in the end I’ll still end up dead, then I will die fighting!” declared Lumawig boldly.
As soon as he said this, the book that was in his hand suddenly emitted a strong golden light, and a crowing of chicken was heard. Before he could react, he saw two figures fly towards him at high speed, he was not familiar with these two figures, but he felt a strange connection to them. It was then that he realized that the two figures flying towards him are the two abyan that have disappeared. However, before he could get a good look at these two, they had already arrived in front of him and took him back to his body at a speed he could not comprehend – everything was but a blur. However, before Lumawig was fully taken away by his two abyan, he saw a silhouette in the distance.
“I wonder who she is.” Thought Lumawig.
The silhouette that Lumawig saw belonged to a woman. Her appearance was that of a middle-aged kindly mother. Her almond eyes reflect warmth and softness, but at the same time an unflinching determination. A warm smile decorated her lips. Her hair reaches just a little bit below the shoulder and a mix of black and white. She is dressed in a silken robe full of vibrant colors in gold, blue and red patterns and decorated with geometric designs. If Lolo Gani is here, he will undoubtedly recognize her as his beloved Inang Selia.
“May your heart remain dauntless, and strong, apò; and your resolve unfaltering and unflinching.” A doting look can be seen on Inang Selia’s eyes, after which, she sighed and said, “It is all up to you now, Gani.”
When Lumawig opened his eyes, all he can see outside was a white expanse. He had to check twice if he did indeed come back to his body. Confusion colored his face because he was indeed inside the tree’s cavity, and he could see the altar and the candles lit just below it. In the midst of his confusion, Lumawig heard a terrifying roar.
“Lolo!” was all Lumawig could say before he dashed out of the cavity.