The following morning, Lola Yma and Mawi woke up quite early. They were careful not to wake the little girl as what they will be doing is something that is not suitable for her. Lola Yma prepared some items like salt, lana oil and some candles, while Mawi helped her carry the items, while he himself brought a flashlight. Mawi also brought his buntot pagi and pasyawan whip, however, Lola Yma did not seem to mind it.

“What about Sabel, lola?” Mawi asked.

“She will be fine.” Smiled Lola Yma as she tapped her walking cane on the ground, and immediately, Mawi saw a white barrier form a dome around the house.

“This will keep anyone and anything from entering this house.” Said Lola Yma, a hint of pride and confidence in her voice.

“Now, let us go! Make sure that you are able to keep up with me!” With a teasing laugh, Lola Yma then started to run, no, more like a sprint in the direction where she found Mawi.

The duo ran at a speed that was almost two times faster than the vehicle they rode home yesterday. What should have been a thirty-minute walk to their destination, they were able to reach within eight minutes. The same as with yesterday, Lola Yma was not out of breath, but Mawi was panting lightly. They arrive at a small clearing, a few tens of meters away from where the maglola found Mawi.

“Impressive! You have clearly regained more of your strength to be able to keep up with me despite running a bit faster than yesterday.” Lola Yma was clearly impressed with Mawi’s speed and endurance.

“Now, pour the salt on the ground in a circular shape and then pour the lana oil on the salt. Light the candles and put them inside the circle with one candle on the left and right side of the circle. After you are done with that, go sit inside the circle and wait for further instructions.” Lola Yma quickly gave Mawi a series of instructions as soon as they arrived at their destination.

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After hearing Lola Yma’s instructions, Mawi immediately began working on the task as per the old woman’s directive. He worked with such precision and speed that Lola Yma was astonished by his actions. From the old woman’s perspective, this is not the first time that Mawi did this. Further cementing her belief that Mawi must be already an apprentice, however, she does not have definite proof yet, so she can only make Mawi undergo the initiation ritual for becoming a babaylan. Three minutes later, Mawi was already done with the task.

“Very good, you work quickly.” Smiled Lola Yma, impressed by the young man’s speedy work.

“Yeah. I just felt like the process is familiar, so I was able to do it rather fast.” Replied the young man as he stepped inside the circle and sat.

“Now close your eyes and try to feel the presence of a spirit.” Said Lola Yma.

However, as soon as Mawi closed his eyes and started to meditate in an attempt to sense the presence of a spirit, a clear rhythmic sound broke his concentration.

“Tiktik tiktik!” It was loud, as if the source of the sound were right behind him and was shouting at his ears.

“What was that?!” Mawi was alarmed.

“Hmph! some unwanted visitor!” Lola Yma calmly answered.

“Tiktik tiktik!” The sound was heard again, but this time it was a bit softer, as if it were going away.

“So, it is going away now?” Mawi asked in confirmation.

“Hahaha! No, it is actually getting closer.” Replied the old woman. After saying her statement, she then tapped her walking cane on the ground, and immediately Mawi felt that her presence became faint.

It is not like she disappeared as Mawi can still see her very clearly standing in front of him. However, he has a feeling that he could not feel her, like she has blended with the wind or the nature around them.

“Tiktik tiktik!” The sound was heard again, this time it has become much fainter than the previous two.

“Careful now. It is almost here. As long as you remain inside the circle it will not be able to accurately smell you, however, it can tell your general direction.” Lola Yma warned Mawi.

“What should I do then?” After hearing Lola Yma’s warning, Mawi’s heart started pounding. He started to become afraid of the unknown foe. A normal human reaction, since nothing scares a man more than the unknown, those that which they do not know.

“Tiktik Tiktik!” The sound was heard a fourth time, and this time, the sound was like that of a whisper.

“It is here.” Lola Yma remarked, and then just sat down a few meters away from Mawi.