Toby and the team arrived in the quarters. A few steps across the room where Triggs woke up, there was a wide lodging designed to accommodate multiple people.

Inside the room, there were 3 queen-sized beds, with the same design and material as the previous. The first bed from the door was occupied by Chris and Randy, who were lying unconscious at that time.

The middle bed was unoccupied, but beside it was Eddy, sitting on a wooden stool. His arms were crossed, and his dreamy eyes hinted that he woke up not too long ago. Another stool was across him, occupied by the dismayed Michael.

Cassie and Jesse were lying on the bed furthest from the door. Like the Barangay Officials, they too were slumbering.

Gwyn was inside the room, healthy, and the wound already healed. However, reflecting on her protruded-shaped round eyes was a blur of unease and worry.

Standing beside her was another young woman from their group. This woman had a plus-size body, confidently wearing a brightly-colored skimpy crop top shirt paired with a knee-length tiered skirt.

Her hair was dry and wavy, but it was thick to hide her ears. The eyeglasses she was wearing signified that she had poor eyesight. In her right hand was a jaded mask, similar to Toby’s.

Along with Gwyn, the young woman was cautiously looking after Cassie and Jesse, as if they were expecting something to happen once those 2 suddenly woke up.

Entering the lodging, with Triggs and the others, Toby greeted everyone in the room, “Heya!”

“Hey, sisteeeeerr…” the young woman greeted Toby with so much sass.

“How’s everything going?” Toby asked.

The woman replied, “Sis? What’s wrong with these two?” She was referring to Chris and Randy.

“Why? What did they do?”

“They were total dimwits! Throwing words like ‘witches’ and ‘demons’ to us? Naah, they shouldn’t,” she stated with cheeky finger motions.

“Okaay…” Toby mumbled, with a bit of confusion in his voice.

After a faint sigh, Gwyn explained, “As expected, even after we explained everything to them, they just decided to stay stupid. We had to sedate them because they were getting too hysterical.”

“I see. But did you, uhm…” Toby paused a bit, hesitant to speak the next words loudly. “... do ‘it’?”

“Totally! These dimwits don’t deserve to remember us, at all!” the plus-size woman answered.

“Yes. Quenie already used the Words,” Gwyn expounded.

“Good,” Toby replied. He leaned closer to Gwyn. “How about him?” he whispered, referring to Eddy.

“He’s been calm since he woke up,” Gwyn whispered back. “We tried talking with him, but all the time he was unbothered. Seems like he’s not afraid of us.”

“Is he one of us? You know… a ‘Word-user’?”

“No, I doubt he’s Favored by a Giya,” Gwyn replied. “Well, I believe he’s not as ignorant as the others when it comes to this stuff. He claims to be a Paranormal Investigator.”

“Oohh… Interesting…”

Unbeknownst to them, Eddy had overheard their conversation.

“Come on, you don’t need to whisper things about me. I can hear you, anyway,” Eddy said.

Toby scratched his head in embarrassment. “Erm……”

Seeing the old man safe and sound, Triggs greeted him out of courtesy, “Hey, Mang Eddy…” He felt guilty, worried that Eddy was mad at them for lying.

Preemptively, Triggs apologized, “I think you already knew… that we’re not vloggers. We’re very sorry for hiding our true identities.”

“Don’t worry. I already knew from the start,” Eddy uttered with a confident smile.

Triggs didn’t expect the reply. “Wait, what?...”

“I’ve been doing paranormal investigations for almost a decade now. I know if there’s more to a person just by sensing their auras,” Eddy explained.

“So you already knew that we were lying about being vloggers?”

“Yes,” Eddy answered. “And also the same with him…” he said as he glanced at Michael. “...This is what I meant when I said I felt something strange about him.”

Triggs and Lae were both surprised and fascinated at the same time.

Eddy chuckled, “Well, next time, come up with a better cover story, you sly fox. You even dragged your Lola into it—she must be rolling in her grave,” he teased Michael.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Well, it's true, though. We used to wander around this mountain because my grandmother was affiliated with the Children of the Moon,” Michael argued. “She used to take me here. My parents didn't know about it.”

“I see…” Eddy stood corrected. “I guess that’s also how you met this fine lady,” he said to change the mood.

“Uhm… yes,” Michael answered with a cherry face.

Gwyn, however, couldn’t help but worry. “Hey, old man… I know you’re working for his father. But I beg you to keep silent about our relationship. You seem reasonable enough, I don’t want to do ‘it’ to you too.”

“Nah, you don’t need to do that,” Eddy assured. “As paranormal investigators, our role extends beyond solving 'out-of-this-world' mysteries. Part of our job is to mediate between the 'normal world' and the 'paranormal world'.

Our job often involves dispelling misconceptions about the paranormal. We aim to educate people so they understand that an event isn't paranormal because it lacks an explanation; rather, it's the lack of understanding about the event that makes it seem paranormal.

But sad to say, some people choose to remain deliberately ignorant, despite everything we do; I understand them because that gives them a sense of security. But this leads us to do the thing we most hate: lie. When one party refuses to be open-minded, we have to resort to false narratives to retain the safety of both parties.

So, there's no need to worry. I empathize with your circumstances. Your secret is safe with me, and I'll do my best to ensure it remains so.”

Somewhat, Eddy’s explanation eased Gwyn’s uncertainty. “I choose to believe you on this, old man. Please don’t disappoint us.”

Eddy nodded his head.

“What’s your plan, Mang Eddy? What are you going to tell my parents? The people?” Michael asked.

“Anything,” Eddy answered. “I can just blame everything on an imaginary Tambaloslos. You know, I can say anything and they will surely believe me,” he explained. “I’m more worried about you, kid. What’s your plan after this? What will you do once your parents find out?”

Michael stared at Gwyn with eyes burning with passion. With conviction, he stated, “I’ll stick to my promise. I’ll fight for our love.”

Gwyn tried to shrug it off by muttering, “You and your sweet tongue again, Michael.” But it was obvious that she was bluffing, evident with her blushing face.

“My intention is always pure, Gwyn. For you, I’ll do everything,” Michael added.

Romance floated in the air as the witnesses got excited. “YIIIEEEHH!” they cheered in sync.

Meanwhile, Monty and Zaine found the scene disgusting.

“Fucking cringe,” Monty muttered.

The cheesy scene was interrupted when suddenly, Jess sprung out of bed.

“WAAAH!!! Where am I!?” he blurted out of panic.

He saw the unconscious Cassie beside him. Jess shook the young lady, trying to wake her up. “Cassie! Cassie, wake up!!”

“Mmmm?” Cassie groaned as she rose from the bed with eyes half-awake.

She looked around and the first thing she saw was Gwyn and Queenie. Eyes widened with shock, Cassie screamed while crawling away from them, “Witches!! Get away from me!!”

Offended, Queenie responded, “Excuuuze me!?”

Deluded with hysteria, Jess urged his friend, “Quick, Cassie! We need to exorcise them! Get the tools!”

Cassie frantically searched for her bag, but it was nowhere to be found. “I can’t find it, Jess!! What should we do now!?”

While his apprentices were getting hysterical, Eddy was hiding his face out of embarrassment. “Please calm down you too,” he uttered pleadingly.

After seeing Eddy, Jess let out a big sigh of relief. “Thank God, Mang Eddy, you’re here…” However it was not enough to stop their delirium. “Mang Eddy, we need to exorcise these witches!”

This time, Mang Eddy got serious. He scolded his apprentice, “Jess! What did I tell you about making judgments out of fear? And who are you to persecute them!? Just sit there and calm yourself!”

“Wait…… It was you after all!!” Cassie suddenly blurted. “You’re responsible for the experiences in the forest!!!” she accused. “You are all evil!”

Queenie was getting irate, “Daz it! I have enough of this!” She stepped forward, intending to use a Word against Cassie.

Toby stretched his arms to halt Queenie. “Wait, let’s ask him first.” He then questioned Eddy, “Old man, these are your apprentices, right?”

Ashamed and deeply disappointed, Eddy answered softly, “Yes.”

“Well, as their mentor, I’m asking for your consent to do this to them…”

With a heavy heart, Eddy accepted by nodding his head.

After Eddy’s approval, Gwyn turned to Queenie and said, “You do the first this time, I’ll do the next.”

“Gotcha, sisteeeeer!” Queenie replied with excitement. She leered at Cassie with a mocking face. After wearing her mask, she slowly walked towards the terrified lady.

“Wh… What will you do to me?” Cassie mumbled. “Ah! Go away, you witch!”

“HA!!” Queenie squealed with excitement. “Night-night!” she teased. She aimed her palms at Cassie and chanted, “BONUM NOCTIS!”

Instantly, Cassie dropped to the bed and fell back to slumber.

“Wh… What did you do to her!?” Jess blabbered. “Mang Eddy, why are you allowing this!?”

However, his mentor had made up his mind; Eddy chose not to reply.

“BONUM NOCTIS!”

Jess fell to the bed like a boxer knocked him out.

“Sleepwell, bitch’s!” Queenie uttered with sass.

Toby had to reassure, “Are you sure you want us to go through with 'it' on them?”

“I believe it’s what’s best for them,” Eddy answered.

“Well… If you say so…” Toby murmured. “Everyone, please cover your ears. It’s for your safety.”

Although clueless about what would happen, Triggs and the others followed Toby’s instructions.

Meanwhile, Gwyn and Toby both wore their masks.

Gwyn stepped closer to the sleeping Cassie. She moved her mouth closer to the lady’s ear and whispered, “OBLIVIALIS…”

Next, she moved to Jess’s side and did the same procedure.

After a while, she removed her mask and signaled, “All done!”

Queenie and Toby also removed their masks. Triggs and the others instinctively uncovered their ears.

After a big sigh, Eddy quickly apologized, “I apologize for their behavior. Unlike me, Jess and Cassie are amateurs. This is their first case as paranormal investigators. I'm not excusing their actions, but I anticipated this reaction from them - they still have much to learn.”

“Well, good luck explaining everything to them when they wake up,” Toby replied.

As usual, Triggs was intrigued by the procedure Gwyn did. “What did you do to them?”

“I used a Word to wipe out a portion of their memory; they shouldn't be able to remember everything that happened today,” Gwyn explained. “It’s such a potent Word, that’s why you needed to cover your ears. I’m still mastering it, but I guess it’ll work.”

“I see…” Suddenly, a certain thought slipped in Triggs’ mind. “Wait, I just noticed… All of you are followers of Bulan, right?”

Puzzled with the random question, Gwyn answered, “Uhm… yes? We all revere Him as the Primordial God of the Moon.”

“Is it correct? He is the only Giya you’re serving? And all of you are Favored by Him too?”

Gwyn was even more confused, “What are you trying to say? What are you trying to get from here?”

“Well, I always thought that a Giya only Favor a single person,” Triggs explained. “I didn’t know that a Giya could give Words to multiple people. I assumed it was like an exclusive relationship.”

“What made you think that?” Gwyn scoffed. “These Beings are powerful, They can give powers to anyone as much They want.”

“I suppose that's a bit of a slip-up on our end,” Lae apologized. “But Triggs, I thought you already knew that the Words we use to create Portals came from Kuya Vishtar. Sure, They have Their ‘favorite’ person, but They can also give Words to whomever They want. Again, it still depends on the Giya."

Triggs finally came to a realization. “Now, it’s starting to make sense,” he murmured. He just chuckled everything off after that.

“Who’s hungry!?” Queenie suddenly yelled. “I’m the chef in this place! Just tell me what you want, and I’ll cook it for you, sissies!”

“Ow-ow-ow, me! I’m hungry!” Calla excitedly uttered while raising her hand. “Do you have some fresh veggies?”

“Yessie, we have!”

“My grandma and I used to eat Bicol Express when we visited here. Can you cook that?” Michael requested.

“Gotcha, sisteeeer!”

“Do you have some beer?”

“Kuya Otto!” Lae scolded.

While everyone was excited for the meal, Triggs was contemplating something else. He was deep in thought as if he was trying to finish a puzzle in his mind.

He tapped Calla on the shoulders. “Calla, can I talk with you for a while? I just want to confirm something.”