While the Kapulisan brought everyone in the crowd to their knees, Hojun still kept her eyes on Llorenç. From her perspective, she couldn’t help but pity his situation. His pokerface had long melted, and from reading his face showed more confusion than angst. The members of the Kapulungan also stood confused by the city officers’ actions, but held no objection against it. The calm wind flowed throughout Katipunan Square, matching Hojun’s mood.
“‘The Tagahatol’, is what they refer to you as.” Hojun began, trying not to let her parched throat interfere with her. “I believe it’s only an ironic name given to you because of how you act.”
“I am an Oksidentano… I do not support that title nor do I oppose it.”
“You were assigned with the task of killing Alejandro back in that first encounter in the warehouse. But due to my sudden presence it gave you a reason not to kill. Since that isn’t like you.”
The man gave no rebuttal, but remained silent through those sharp inferences. Hojun, seeing that she was spot on, continued.
“The Occident did not like that, so they sent out their own separate squad to assasinate him on the tram bound to Metro Liusung. Am I wrong?”
“...”
“You don’t have the will to kill anyone, Llorenç. That’s why they mocked you with the name ‘The Tagahatol’, ‘The Arbitrator’-”
“Silence!” One of the Kapulisan smacked her in the face. Hojun went into shock, until she recovered just as fast. “You dare talk to a datu like that?! Our city is in ruins and you people, the gangs are the direct cause of it!”
Hojun faced the officer. “We have mutual understanding that part of the blame for the destruction of several blocks fall on us.”
“Then we better wrap this up and through you all in the brig-”
“Officer.” Llorenç raised his arm, grabbing everyone’s attention with the first words he let out. “Then where were you when this country, was on the tip of anarchy due to your incompetence?”
“What?...”
“I order all you Kapulisan to release all individuals here.”
No one could describe the officer’s look of defeat. Hojun felt her cuffs loosen, and the throbbing pain in her wrists. Soon, hundreds of cuffs dropped to the stone pavement. The sound echoed throughout Katipunan Square. The Kapulungan members stepped forward, their eyes gleaming with newfound confidence. The Kapulisan officers, however, were taken aback by Llorenç's sudden show of authority.
The wind picked up, and the sand flew as if they too were caught up in moment. The people in the crowd were torn between fear and excitement. Hojun rubbed her wrists, feeling the warmth return to her hands. She stood up, putting her arm around the unconscious Jorge.
“For your negligience in your lawful duties until now, all Kapulisan nationwide needs to be replaced unless proven otherwise.” Llorenç clenched his fist.
Llorenç stepped off the podium and forward, his eyes blazing with a fierce determination. He faced the Kapulisan, and for a moment, no one moved. Then, slowly, one by one, the officers lowered their weapons and stepped back.
“So? What will it be?” Hojun asked him one more time. “Do you believe this country can have amiable people? After all, you are one of them.”
Llorenç pressed his hand into his forehead. “The bosses of the Occident and Bakal are still out there, that’s still a problem.”
“You can take care of that as the Pangulo.”
“Ugh…”
As the wind settled down, Hojun and Llorenç stood facing each other, their eyes locked in a tense stare. The crowd around them was silent, waiting to see what would happen next. Finally, Llorenç let out a long sigh and turned to face the Kapulisan officers. With a single command, he had disarmed and disbanded them, showing that he had the power to make a difference in the country.
Hojun watched as the officers retreated, and the Kapulungan members celebrated their newfound leader. The gang members surprisingly became overflowed with pride, throwing their bandanas and hats up into the air. Hojun felt a sense of hope for the first time in a long time, knowing that Llorenç had the potential to change things for the better.
With a final glance at each other, Hojun and Llorenç parted ways, both heading in different directions to continue their own missions. Hojun, Suruj, Toya, and Izdaha, walked away from Katipunan Square. As they carried along Jorge and Tvuj, the memories of the chaotic events still fresh in Hojun’s mind.
“Doña Hoyun.” The Kapitan of the Kamaong Batikan called out to them, as the rest of the Kamaos grouped together. “Since Alejandro and José are gone… We were thinking of making someone the new leader of the Kamaong Batikan.”
If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Hojun turned around. “I believe that is up to you to decide, Kapitan.”
“Yes. And we all think it should be you, Doña.”
“Me?...”
“Yes.” The Kapitan took off his hat, “You saved us from further injury when the Tagahatol ambushed us… and you fought for Jorge and Alejandro. With that… You have our support.”
“But I’m afraid I can’t stay in Buhanggilog. How will I lead your people?” Hojun remembered her duty in Silla, but the imagination of how her father would respond to Tayang’s death instilled uncertainty in her.
“It’s completely okay. Even in your absence, we will all look up to you. Right guys?” The Kapitan looked back, and Hojun witnessed a wave of smiles, cheering, and brightful faces from all the Kamaos. She smiled for the fifth time.
“If you wish. I shall send a liaison to keep communication with you all.”
After a while, the group made it to the outskirts of the Luzokapital. The sun set at the Koridor del Oriyente, and the neon lights that survived dazzled in the sky. Crowds of people walked among the streets, confused by the explosions and fires of the city center.
Hojun took a deep breath as she made her first steps into the station. It felt like forever since she entered Buhanggilog, now on her way to leave the country. However, she didn’t know where to go. She had Jorge on her back, and her original goal of bringing Tayang back to Silla went up in flames.
“Princess Hojun, why don’t you come with us?” Toya stepped beside her, with Seung-Hyeok on her back. “We shall be going back to the Laoyuang House. On the way, we can take detour at Al-Qarakh ‘Aimag.”
Before Hojun could respond, they turned their heads to a man walking towards them. Draped in a black and red hanfu with his face obscured by a straw hat, he lightly bowed his head to them.
“Salutations. It appears that the operation in the Luzokapital… although derailed from it's original purpose went quite smoothly, isn’t that right?”
Hojun recognized the man immediately from the voice and verbage. It was a Laoyuang. Specifically, the Crown Prince.
Toya swayed her head away. “Tch. What are you doing here, Zhenbyoung?”
“Just checking up on the situation. And this is?...”
“Princess Hojun al-Qarakh of the Al-Qarakh House. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
The Crown Prince rubbed his chin. “Hoh? Delighted to make thy acquaintance. I am Crown Prince Laoyuang Zhenbyoung of the Laoyuang House. I see thou hast gotten familiar with Gong Dongye and Hou Yizi. I hope our company operation did not cause thee any trouble.”
“Company?”
Toya let down Seung-Hyeok, before putting her hand over her chest. “Indeed. We all are a part of the Izato LK Company, a subjugation squad assembled in order to take down Al-Wa and Thiệu Addja.”
“Al-Wa, huh…” Hojun thought about it. Soon silence over took them, before she finally made up her mind. From all of the events that transpired here in Buhanggilog, she made her own decision. “Mind if I join your company?”
That proposal baffled even the silence of Izdaha, whose face gave her emotion away. As long as Al-Wa still existed in this world, there would be no end to those that once suffered under them. People like Hojun’s brother, grew evil from the malice of it.
“Can I join too?...”
Jorge’s voice rang throughout her ear. She could feel his body move slowly, and she immediately let him down to stand.
“We are able to… Unless there are other circumstances that prevent it.” Toya answered, folding her arms.
Seung-Hyeok raised his hand. “Count me in as well. Wherever m’lady goes, I will go too.”
Hojun, Jorge, and Seung-Hyeok all announced their will to join Izato. The quiet Azu girl, Izdaha, took Suruj’s hand and lifted it.
“Alright…” The Crown Prince snapped his fingers, “The four will be admitted, although all need to go through the paperwork.”
Hojun looked over at Jorge and Seung-Hyeok, who seemed excited about the prospect of joining the company. Joining Izato meant that she could continue to fight against Al-Wa. Even with the problem of returning to Silla, if she had a cause for it, then perhaps her father would forgive her.
Hojun turned to the Crown Prince and bowed her head respectfully. "Thank you for allowing us to join your company, Crown Prince Zhenbyoung. We will do our best to assist in any way we can."
Zhenbyoung gave a small smile, nodding in acknowledgement. "I look forward to working with all of thee. We have a long road ahead of us, but together, we shall prevail. After all, we finally know where Thiệu might be.”
“Really?” Toya cracked her knuckles, “I guess this is the final operation now.”
“Hold on, Gong Dongye. Emphasis on ‘might’.” He waved a finger at her, “Since Tayang was defeated, it means that Thiệu is not in Buhanggilog, or has already fled. He wouldn’t hole up in Azutami and As-Z̆onghu̐a, nor Tasdaha.”
“Tch. You disappoint me, Zhenbyoung.” Toya crossed her arms and looked away.
Hojun took notice in her behavior. “Toya, you seem quite acquainted with the Crown Prince, while you speak formal with me. Shouldn’t we not share the same level of closeness?”
Zhenbyoung butted in before Toya could speak. “Well, as you see, Gong Dongye here had an attachment to my late brothe-” He took a punch to the gut, causing him to arch over. “Thou art… quite the ‘tsundere’ as people say in Azutami, Gong Dongye.”
Suruj tiredly went forward. “Your Royal Highness, you said that you might know where Thiệu is? Would you please give an idea on where he is?”
Zhenbyoung fiddled with his robe, searching for something. At last, he pulled out a map of Yahmajô̗ Alą̧̄utl. “From what I infer, he shall be here.”
He pointed at a region on the map, to which everyone layed their eyes to it. Soon after, they looked up to the sky northeast.
The finale of the Piyesta de Kadayawan, the fireworks festival, came afoot. The first burst of color shot into the air, illuminating the night with a dazzling display of red and gold. The crackling sound of the explosion echoed through the air, followed by a shower of sparks raining down. Dozens of bursting light took to the sky, splitting into rainbows of bombastic colors.
Each burst of color seemed more vibrant and alive than the last. Waves of blue, purple, and green rippled across the sky, painting a tapestry of light that illuminated the ruins of the city center.