The whispers grew louder and clearer, but only Leigh could hear them. They called to her, urging her to come and find it. Deliberate and unhurried movements from the shadows seemed to hold the group back, as if separating them from her. Suddenly, the whispers stopped, leaving behind an oppressive silence. Arden raised his hand, signaling the group to halt. “Leigh, you may proceed and meet that thing inside.”

From the shadows ahead, a faint glow appeared. The figure flickered like a flame, its form resembling a woman made of light. Arden’s gaze remained steady, but his stance was composed and watchful. The General stepped forward; his tone steady. “Leigh, where are you going?”

Arden stopped the General politely. “Let her go, it’s okay.”

The glowing figure materialized into a beautiful woman. She extended her hand softly, her voice serene. “I have been waiting for you for a long time.”

Marcos, ever observant, said, “So that’s how it is.”

Dominic looked at Marcos, puzzled. “What is it?”

“The Star Guardian of Hope. My name is Venya,” the woman said, stepping aside to reveal a beautiful sword with a star-shaped hilt and a pure white scabbard. Its design radiated light, linked intrinsically to Leigh’s role as The Star—Guardian of Hope.

Leigh hesitated for a moment, her fingers hovering over the hilt. The energy radiating from the sword was undeniable—it felt as if it had been waiting for her.

“It’s yours,” Arden said simply, his gaze steady. “Take it.”

Leigh grasped the hilt, and as her fingers closed around it, a surge of energy coursed through her. The sword pulsed with light, its intricate design glowing warmly in her hand before it dramatically vanished, leaving a white tattoo on her right hand. A soft whisper echoed in her mind: “You can call my name when you need me.”

Dominic, watching the moment unfold, smiled faintly. “Looks like you’ve found your match.”

Leigh stood, the weapon’s presence feeling natural and alive. “More than a match,” she said quietly. “It’s a destined friend.”

As the group emerged from the encounter with Venya, Leigh flexed her fingers, feeling the reassuring warmth of the sword’s energy as if it were cheering her on. The General smirked, his tone light yet commanding. “No time to admire your new toy, apo. There’s still someone waiting for us deeper inside.”

“Toy?” Leigh raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smirk. “You mean my destined companion, Lolo. I’m sure Venya’s more reliable than your old machete.”

The General chuckled, his laughter echoing in the narrow cave. “Old but dependable! You’ll see when it counts.”

Arden tapped the hilt of his dagger, his grin widening. “Let’s hope we don’t end up needing a tool showcase. Though this place might have other plans.”

Dominic spun his staff, its glow bouncing off the glistening walls. “If the cave’s testing us, I hope it likes what it sees. Because I’m not putting on a second performance.”

Marcos placed a hand against the wall, his expression thoughtful but relaxed. “It’s not just testing. It feels like it’s watching. Not threatening, though… more like waiting.”

“Good,” Arden quipped. “I love an audience.”

Leigh rolled her eyes, trailing her fingers along the wall as she led the way. “Let’s just hope this audience doesn’t demand an encore.”

With light banter breaking the tension, the group pressed onward, their footsteps mingling with soft laughter as they braced for whatever lay ahead.

The air inside the cave grew denser, tinged with a metallic scent that seemed to hum against their senses. Dominic flicked his staff, sending playful shadows skittering across the walls. “Think they got the message yet?” he teased.

“Speak for yourself,” Marcos replied with a smirk, his tone steady but amused. “This feels more like a warm-up.”

A faint cry pierced the tension, stopping them in their tracks. The sound was weak but unmistakable—a child’s voice, distant yet desperate.

“That way!” Leigh snapped, her instincts sharp as she pointed down a narrow tunnel. Without hesitation, the group moved, their pace quickening.

“Bet it’s a trap,” Arden said with a grin, his steps light and ready. “Who wants to spring it?”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Let’s spring it together,” the General replied dryly, his smirk hinting at his confidence. “Teamwork makes the dream work.”

As they rounded a corner, the sight before them froze their momentum: a boy no older than ten huddled in a dimly lit chamber, his knees pulled tightly to his chest. His pale face turned toward them, relief mingling with fear in his wide eyes. “Help me,” he whispered hoarsely.

“Hey, kid,” Dominic said softly, kneeling beside him, his staff dimming to a gentle glow. “You’re safe now. We’ve got you.”

The boy’s gaze shifted behind them, into the shadows. “No... it’s still here...”

The ground trembled, cutting through the moment. A guttural growl reverberated through the cave as a monstrous figure emerged from the darkness. Its glowing red eyes locked onto the group, its form a grotesque fusion of jagged stone and swirling shadow.

The Kaluluwang Bundok, a tormented guardian born from desecrated sacred lands, loomed over them. Cracks along its rocky frame glowed like burning embers, its limbs resembling twisted roots. Wisps of dark smoke twisted around it, fleeting faces forming and vanishing in its shroud.

“Well, this just got interesting,” Arden said, his grin widening as he cracked his knuckles. “Alright, class, time for a practical lesson. Marcos, stabilize your connection to the ground. General, absorb the energy around you. Leigh, refine it into a pearl.”

“And me?” Dominic asked, raising a hand mockingly.

“Do whatever you want,” Arden replied with a taunt.

“Oh, come on!” Dominic groaned dramatically, though his grin betrayed his excitement.

The General stepped forward, shielding the boy as he drew his old machete. “Protect the kid. Let’s handle this.”

Dominic spun his staff, its glow brightening. “Handle it? I’m about to make it dance.”

Leigh summoned Venya, the sword flashing into her grip. “Just don’t trip over your own feet,” she teased Dominic, her tone sharp but playful.

Marcos moved to flank the creature, his energy coiling like a spring. “I’ll keep it off balance.”

The creature roared, swinging a massive arm toward Dominic. He nimbly danced out of range, laughing. “Too slow, big guy! Try harder!”

Leigh’s blade struck true, each slice glowing as it cut through the creature’s dark aura. The General’s machete struck with deliberate power, forcing the beast back, while Marcos delivered a precise kick to its legs, disrupting its footing.

“There!” Arden shouted, pointing at glowing runes etched into the walls. “Its anchor—destroy those!”

“On it!” Dominic fired a bolt of energy, shattering the runes. The creature howled, its form flickering erratically.

“Finish it!” the General commanded.

Leigh surged forward, Venya’s light blinding as she drove the blade into the creature’s core. It let out a final, deafening roar before crumbling into ash, the embers along its form extinguishing.

“Alright, sit cross-legged and meditate,” Arden instructed as the dust settled. “Absorb the energy before it disperses.”

The three Masters followed immediately. Moments later, the results were evident: Marcos broke through to the Beginning Stage of the Lunok Realm; the General ascended to a Grandmaster, his injuries from the Loboc River battle healing completely; and Leigh reached the Beginning Stage of the Bunlao Realm, her refined energy glowing faintly like a pearl.

Dominic, crouching beside the boy, gave him a reassuring pat. “See? Told you we’d get you out of here.”

Tears streamed down the boy’s face as he clung to Dominic. “Thank you...”

The General ruffled the boy’s hair, his expression soft. “Let’s get you home.”

As they made their way out of the cave, the tension eased. Leigh glanced at Venya as it dimmed, retreating to its tattooed form. “One life saved,” she murmured. “But something tells me this cave isn’t done with us.”

Arden’s grin widened as he glanced back at the darkened tunnels. “Good. I’d hate for it to get boring.”

The morning sun cast golden rays over Panglao as the group emerged from the cave, the boy safely in tow. The fresh air was a welcome relief after the oppressive tension of the cave. Waiting near the entrance, the boy’s lolo stood with the Mayor of Panglao, his hands trembling with anticipation.

“Lolo!” the boy cried, his voice breaking with emotion as he ran forward.

“Apo!” the old man dropped to his knees, catching the boy in his arms. Tears streamed down his face as he clung tightly to his grandson. “Thank the spirits you’re safe!”

The group watched silently, the weight of the mission easing as they witnessed the reunion. Leigh smiled faintly, crossing her arms. “That makes it all worth it.”

The General stepped forward, his tone firm but kind. “Your apo is safe, but that cave won’t be troubling anyone anymore.”

The Mayor approached, her expression one of relief and curiosity. “The creature?”

“Gone,” the General confirmed. “It was bound to the desecration of the land, but we’ve dealt with its anchor. The balance has been restored.”

“Thank you,” the Mayor said sincerely, bowing her head. “Our people can finally feel safe again.”

As the group prepared to leave, the boy hesitated, turning back toward the cave. “Lolo, there was something else,” he said, his voice trembling. “Sometimes, I heard it speaking… not the monster, but something else. It said strange things in my dreams… about a moon.”

Dominic raised an eyebrow, breaking the silence. “Talking dreams? That’s definitely new.”

Marcos’ expression darkened slightly. “Whatever it was, it’s not part of this story. We’ll keep it in mind.”

The General nodded, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You’re safe now. Don’t worry about what’s behind you anymore.”

As the boy and his lolo began their journey back to the village, a faint shimmer appeared at the cave’s entrance. The shadows twisted briefly, forming the outline of a crescent moon before dissipating into nothingness. Leigh noticed it first, her hand brushing over Venya’s tattoo. “Did anyone else see that?”

Arden’s gaze lingered on the cave. “The Moon Arcana,” he murmured, his voice unreadable.

“A warning?” Leigh asked, her brows furrowing.

“More like a prelude,” Arden replied, his tone calm. “Whatever it is, it’s not here.” no reaction from the Wandering Crescent.

The General exhaled, breaking the moment. “Then it’s time to go home. Panglao is safe. We’ll handle whatever comes next when it comes.”

They head back toward the Mayor’s office, before going back to Cebu, their mission complete. But the faint image of the crescent moon lingered in their minds, a harbinger of the challenges yet to come.