Amir's POV:
We trek up the mountain of Almaciga for the mission of Cleb Odin and to take the Arnica Montana plant; as promised by Li to Osanyin Village. Cleb led the trek and followed him behind, others were at the back, struggling. It's quite slippery and steep, slipped and tripped climbing the hill. Gasping some air. It's tiring, feels like my body is not used to hiking. Cleb who's unbothered by the slippery steep of the mountain, turned around at us and smirked.
"Mukhang hindi kayo sanay umakyat ng bundok, ha!" He utterly said boasting.
"Malamang! Hindi naman kami mangangaso gaya mo o taong gubat!" Niala ominously uttered.
"Sanayin mo sarili mo, babae!" Cleb responded.
"At bakit?" she emits in sass.
"Kasi pagkatapos ng misyon na ito, aasawahin kita at sasama ka sakin mangaso dito," he playfully uttered. He then laughs loudly.
Niala groaned in disgust, unhesitant, picking up mud and throwing it at Cleb, still cracking up.
"Yuck! What the hell?! Hoy! Maghunos-dili ka!" She wailed.
"Nagbibiro lang, babae! Ang tatahimik niyo, halos lahat ng atensiyon niyo nasa inaapakan niyo." Cleb said.
"Eh, saan ba dapat?" Niala responded, irritated.
Cleb deeply sighed.
"Huwag magmadali! steady pace, always. Stay focused on the trail ahead of you. Keep the weight on your feet; the steeper it is, the shorter your steps should be. Keep distance sa mga kasamahan mo. The basics of hiking." Cleb uttered.
We are speechless. We followed what he said, steady pacing, focused on the trail, the weight, and the distance. As we trek, sooner, the hike goes smoothly as it is.
...
Hours ago, we reached the flat grassy, and rocky portion of the mountain. Breathily, on our knees and gasping for some air, the moment we set foot on here, the scenery of the wonders of the Realm
glimpse. It was marvelous, astonishing, and a promised land. Walked forward near the edge to gaze at the landscape. From here, I can view the wide crops, rice fields, and numerous huts made of wood, bamboo, palm fronds roofing, and livestock set behind in the southern part, it's the Osanyin Village. With its neighboring village, the Central; modern constructions; were seen as economically stable, and crowds walking around the central plaza were viewed here like walking grains. The closed-wall village; Lelantos Village, in here can take a glimpse of what's inside it. A big well-constructed wooden bungalow which I think is the village headquarters, others around it were just mere wilderness huts. From afar, the boundary of the realm to its neighbor, a village of warriors safeguards the boundary, a wide ground that looks like a plaza or a training ground, numerous tunnel tents and campfires, but one that catches me was the colonial house with a flag swaying at the top and the center of tunnel-like tents. Unknown townlets were seen. This is a viewing deck.
I turned around and saw Cleb showing off his axe skills; forcefully threw the axe at its target, From here where I standing I could hear the whistling sound coming from the axe, and he perfectly hit the mark. Then, he picked up the pebbles on the ground then threw them above the sky. I saw Mill and Niala in full concentration watching Cleb flexing his axe abilities. I looked up and saw three pebbles on the verge of falling. He didn't even bother to look at it, instead, he just shut his eyes. It is necessary to shut down his eyes? or show off? Nonetheless, he hit the first stone by smashing it down; poor pebble, smashed down by Cleb's double-blade axe. The second pebble was around waist-level; doubt he could hit it though, as it was about to land on the ground and since he's in a kneeling position; with one knee on the ground. But somehow, hits it with ease. He scrapes the double-blade axe on the ground from frontal to sideways gradually lifts it and hits the stone on the mark. The last one was right in front of him, he opened his eyes — I was astonished by the switching of colors of his iris from hazel brown eyes suddenly turns into the bisque shade; even from afar, I can see the switching of his eyes. He then stood up from kneeling and did one last hit, holding the axe single-handedly, he struck it in half rotation coming from above dismounting from the rear sideways, and then hitting it right the mark. He managed to flawlessly hit it with his double-blade axe, I was thunderstruck. Even, though the last pebbles he struck accidentally came through me, Luckily, I was able to dodge them with my reflexes.
Mill and Niala gazed at me, mouths wide open. Shocked? Nervous? Astonished by Clebs mastering his axe ability.
"Oh! Mabuti't hindi ka tinamaan, Prinsipe!" Cleb emitted, then went back from practicing his axe.
"Yeah, just got lucky! by the way, where are the siblings?" I asked Cleb but he didn't reply. Seems like he ignored me or was busy playing with his axe. So, I walked forward to Niala and Mill who were sitting on the log, unpacking.
"Niala. Mill." They turned at me.
"Where's Lusaka and Li?" I asked.
Niala shrugged.
"I do think that they looked for the Arnica Montana," Mill answered.
I looked around the corner and I didn't catch a glimpse of them. They are not around here.
"I'll look around. I'll be back soon." They just nodded. I left and looked around to find them.
Walking around the woods, it's quite dark but somehow a dim light comes from the daylight, I keep strolling and strolling until I have no vision of the plain. Suddenly, I heard again the voice whispering my name.
Amir!
I looked back around. Saw no one.
I keep on strolling. Quite a bit uneasy but I'm trying to be calm and composed despite being alone in these dense dim woods.
Amir!
I heard it again.
I deeply sighed. Courageously uttered.
"Whoever are you. I'm not scared, show yourself up 'coz I'm not playing games with you."
Then, a sudden ache emerged. It felt like it was burning me inside. It's draining my stamina; my knees weakening, my eyes slowly shutting down, and catching up my breath, but I keep myself on my feet, leaning my arms on the bark, and turned around to get back to the plain. But then, I accidentally tripped on something and stumbled upon it. And then, lost consciousness.
Amir!
I woke up, in a dark hallway. It's pitch black. I couldn't see anything. But I hear it again. That voice.
Who are you?
I'm inside you. I am you.
No! There's only one me! Who are you?!
I'm the light in the shadows, the darkness in the light. I'm yours — and you are mine! Together. The Vessel. The Power. We evolve to be stronger.
Then suddenly a light emerges at the end of the hallway. The light is dazzling. It's blinding me.
Follow me, Amir! Hurry! There's not much time!
The voice uttered.
I can't trust you! You're just a voice.
I'm not just a voice. I'm the power, you're the vessel. Together, we are stronger! You don't have much time left, Amir! Follow the light! Follow me! Run Amir, Run!
I didn't have any choice but to run towards the light. This is just a dream or rather a nightmare.
I run along until I reach the light. The light just engulfs me and suddenly after, I wake up in the woods.
I leaned my arms. Tried to stand up. Scanning myself if I got any bruises or scratches. I sighed., it was just a dream or maybe a nightmare.
"It's just a dream." I sighed.
When I was about to walk, I heard a scream. I woman's scream. I turned around and it was coming from somewhere. The screaming was coming from the plateau. I run as far as I can to reach the plateau. I almost have sight of the plateau, the screams are getting louder and louder. As soon as I got out of the woods. I was stunned the moment I saw the scene. Mill was severely wounded in the chest while holding a knife and Niala was behind her screaming it was only them, Cleb was not there. A big, wild grizzly bear attacks them and severely scratches Mill. Blood dropped on his chest and looks pale.
"Mill! Niala! Run!" I utterly shouted they noticed me.
"Amir! Help us!" Niala screamed.
I look around at the ground to find a big rock. Luckily, I found one and threw it at the grizzly. It hit the rear of the bear and turned at me. Drooling; sharp teeth and large claws. Now, it's coming towards me. I glanced at them and saw them running away from the scene.
"Come on here, boy!" I uttered catching its attention.
Growl!!!
Growling. As it's a meter away from me.
"Now what."
I looked around picked some rocks and threw them at it. Well, It doesn't work. But at least, I was able to let them escape from the grizzly. I step backward, slowly but surely, and this grizzly comes forward. I turned around and saw the edge. If I keep going backward then possibly, I'm going to fall into this cliff. I thought of some other ways to do it, but then, the grizzly ran towards me mouth wide open, drooling on its sharp teeth.
Whoosh!
Then I heard a whooshing sound coming from nowhere that hit the grizzly. The grizzly growls —hurt, the axe stick on its neck. I saw the axe! A throwing axe. I glanced to the right side to where that axe came from and saw Cleb.
"Umalis ka diyan! Takbo!" Cleb uttered with his dominance.
I ran towards him. The grizzly saw me and chased me after.
"Bilisan mo! Magtago ka 'dun!" he said.
Then I ran and hid behind the big rock. I peeked at it and saw Cleb fighting against the grizzly bear. He was able to dodge the sharp claws of the grizzly, he has this great thrust speed despite being big and bulky; he can pull and push himself in a greater movement and can dodge the grizzly's attack without hurting himself.
"Prinsipe Amir!" I turned around when I heard the voice. It was them; Lusaka and Li.
They stealthily walk towards me and hide.
"Narinig namin ang sigaw, kaya kaagad kaming bumalik dito," Li said seeing him holding something. A bag.
"What's in there?" I asked. He took a glance at it and looked at me.
"Arnica Montana. Nahanap namin!" Lusaka uttered.
"Nasaan sila Mill at Niala?" she asked.
I almost forgot them.
"Ah, yes. you are healers, right?" They nodded.
"Mill's badly wounded. It needs to be treated right away." I uttered heavily breathing.
They were shocked by it.
"Where are they?" Li asked.
"On the other side, they are hiding."
"Sige, pupunta ako 'dun —"
"Hindi, dito ka lang, Li. Ako na pupunta 'dun. Samahan mo si Prinsipe Amir dito." Lusaka uttered cutting off Li from spoking.
Li just nodded right.
"Mag-ingat ka, Ate."
The battle between Cleb has not yet ended. Cleb started roaring like a grizzly. Exchange of roars, then abruptly, smashed the grizzly's jaw with his double-blade axe. It sticks to its jaw; the brown bear attempts to take it off by swaying off its head. Cleb jumped off at the grizzly's back and rode on it, trying to remove his throwing axe at the grizzly's neck.
"Hayop ka! Ang laki-laki mo! Sarap mong ulamin, uso!" Cleb uttered shivering.
He successfully took off his axe and choked the grizzly with its big, bulky arm.
"Argh!!! Hayop ka! Mamatay ka naaa!!!" uttered shivering and forcefully stabbed the grizzly right off its head. Blood squelched, and the grizzly suddenly dropped on the ground — dead.
Cleb panting. Stepped on Grizzly and took off the other axe that stuck to its jaw.
I and Li ran towards him. He glanced at us, boastfully smirking.
"Ayan, pwedeng ulamin ng isang buwan!" He said.
Li applauded him.
"Galing mo!"
"That's what hunters do!" boastfully uttered.
...
"Guys!"
We all turned our gaze.
"Mill's losing blood!" Niala utterly wailed, weeping.
We run forward them. Mill panting heavily, is pale and loses too much blood.
"Lusaka! Ate." Li said.
"Ginawa ko na, tinahi ko na pero nawalan siya ng maraming dugo. Malayo tayo sa ospital."
"Remolatsa...," Li uttered.
Everyone turned their gaze at Li, perplexed and curious.
"Ano 'yan?" even Lusaka was confused.
"No, he's not! He is weak! Beetroot juice ang kailangan niya, Mayroon ako sa bag ko diyan; mga root vegetables. I need to extract them. Prinsipe Amir, puwede niyo po ba akong samahan?" Li uttered with concentration on his face.
Lusaka gave the bag to Li.
"Dito lang kayo, give him space, pero bantayan niyo siya..."
"Ate, alam mo ang gagawin kapag lumala. I need to extract a beetroot juice and..."
"the Arnica Montana," Li uttered.
Li left and followed him through. He hurriedly strolls in a direction I'm not familiar with. I followed him behind.
"What's with the beetroot juice?" I asked while following behind him.
"Beetroot juice; katas ng mga root vegetables gaya ng onions, patatas, ginger, carrots at iba pa, sa Beetroot juice, maaaring mapabilis, mapagaling, at mapaganda ang daloy ng dugo at maihatid ang oxygen na dala nito sa ibang parte ng katawan..."
"... Nitrate; a key compound of beetroot juice. When consumed, it will convert itself into nitrate oxide which can relax at mapalawak o luwagan ang daluyan ng dugo para mapabuti ang daloy ng dugo sa buong katawan."
Uttering those words coming from Li, makes me admit that I am far behind him when it comes to science and medicine. I was speechless.
He tilted back his head at me.
"Prinsipe, basic knowledge lang 'yon sa panggagamot. Natahimik ka na d'yan!" Li emitted.
"No, I'm not! I'm listening to you."
Then suddenly, Li halted walking. I stopped too. Glances and saw a stream, nearby it was a carved table that is made of rock. Li walked forward, put the bag on the stone table, and started to unpack things; mortar, pestle, cheesecloth, juicer, decoction pot, stone grinder, sifter, and a distillation apparatus...
I took a gaze at him who was busy unpacking and getting some things out of his bag. He's not done yet — after getting the apparatus, it's the root vegetables now.
...onions, potatoes, ginger, cassava, and beets.
"Is that all?" I asked.
"Yes, here..." he said handing me over a satchel.
"Get me some water, please. Your Highness" He requested. I follow right away and get some water at the stream.
I walked back, right after and saw him manually grinding the herbs using a mortar and pestle, then, I gave him the satchel filled with water, and he grabbed the satchel, put the water on the pot, and started to boil it.
"When did you make a fire?" I asked as soon as I saw a fire, put the pot on it with water inside.
"Kanina. Habang kumukuha ka nang tubig, gumawa na ako ng apoy." He said.
I did nothing here but to assist him. Seeing how fast his hand reflexes and his coordination in doing his crafts makes me wonder. He excels. Put the ground herbs in the boiling water.
"Decoction..." He emitted.
"What?"
"Decoction Method; pagpapakulo ng halamang gamot sa kumukulong tubig. In a specific period, it will extract the active compounds. Ang likido ay isasala at ang resulta ng decoction method ay ang lunas — ang beetroot juice." he said.
I remained wordless. Nodded. Saw him, straining and putting the beetroot juice in a teacup and another in the satchel. It has this earthy aroma; after the grinding process and the decoction method used by Li.
"Mahal na Prinsipe, mauna na po kayo 'dun at ipainom kaagad ito kay Mill," he said giving me the teacup with beetroot juice inside.
I nodded right away.
"You? You'll stay here?"
He nodded.
"Opo, kasi gagawin ko pa ang Arnica Montana. Susunod ako pagkatapos."
He assured. I nodded.
I left him there as I returned to the plateau and gave Mill the beetroot juice.
- END.