“Ms. Crystal?” Zoriel called, still in awe.Caloy rushed to his side. “We’ve been looking for you, bro!” he said, then glanced at Zenaida. “Whoa! Miss, easy with that blade!”Zoriel snapped back to the moment. He turned to his sister. “Zen, put it down.”Zenaida reluctantly lowered her weapon but narrowed her eyes. “And who are they supposed to be?”Zoriel glanced toward Crystal, who stood silent, her eyes fixed on him. Standing beside her was Mr. Thompson, his expression stern and unreadable.“They’re my friends,” Zoriel said simply.Lily squealed, flapping her tiny wings. “It’s her! She’s the one who was possessed by the kapre!”She flew over to Crystal’s side, hovering close to examine her face. “She’s so beautiful… like a Diwata!”Zenaida arched an eyebrow. Still unsure, but sensing something different, she slowly sheathed her blade.“You! Who the hell are you, and what are you doing here?!” Alfred barked at Crystal and Michael, his eyes sharp and threatening. Jessa, on the other

“This place is amazing!” Caloy exclaimed with excitement, his eyes darting all around.They were riding in a customized van—Crystal’s work vehicle. It had been converted into a tiny house, complete with everything she needed for travel and rest.“Thank you. I’m sorry if this is all we could bring. The bus still isn’t ready. A few things are being fixed,” Crystal explained a bit sheepishly.Caloy and Zenaida exchanged glances.“You have a bus, too?” Zenaida asked, stunned.“Is it like this one?” Caloy added quickly.Lily flew up near Crystal’s face. “She must be a princess or something!”Zoriel could only sigh. Somehow, he was the one feeling embarrassed for his companions.“I’m sorry, Crystal. They’re always like this.”“It’s fine. There’s food in the mini fridge. Help yourselves,” she said kindly.Caloy’s grin widened. Without hesitation, he stood and opened the fridge. Zenaida quickly followed to check what was inside.Zoriel shook his head again. “They're really embarrassing,” he m

"You pests! You shouldn't have come here!" Agnes screamed, her voice now shrill and sinister."Ahh! What is that?!" Caloy cried out, instinctively hiding behind Zoriel.They all backed away in shock as Agnes’s form began to change. Even Lily fluttered behind Caloy in fear.The woman who once had smooth, radiant skin now had wrinkled, sagging flesh. Her once-gentle face twisted into something cruel and feral, and her formerly straight hair turned wild and tangled.Their friend had become a witch."Y-You’re not Agnes! You’re not her!" Zenaida screamed. "You’re a Bruja!"The Bruja snarled. Her long, jagged nails nearly grazed Zenaida’s face as she pointe

Zoriel spent a few more days resting. It was almost miraculous how quickly his wound was healing. There was something strange—something special—about the leaves Zenaida kept applying to it.It was only when he was finally able to stand that he realized the house they were staying in used to belong to his grandfather.The old wooden house was fairly large. Despite its age, it remained in good shape, with barely any damage. There were a few holes in the roof—after all, it was made of nipa and some parts had come loose—but the walls and the foundation were still strong. It was built on four sturdy stilts, raised above the ground, with a space underneath.To an outsider, it might look like someone still lived there. The area around the house was well-kept. Not a single weed could be found—only vibrant, colorful flowers filled the yard.“Did you find it already?” Zoriel asked Zenaida.They were having lunch. Caloy had cooked adobong sitaw, using the string beans he harvested from their yar

“What should we do?” Zoriel asked.They were all gathered in the living room, facing Agnes. Zenaida was busy grinding medicinal herbs in a small stone pounder. She kept pounding until the juices began to seep out. She said she would use it to help heal Agnes.“We need to remove that thing inside her,” Zenaida said, determination written all over her face as she continued to grind the herbs.Lily flew over and hovered in front of Agnes. “Zenaida's right, Zoriel. Besides... it looks like she’s about to give birth!”Zoriel’s brows furrowed. He looked at Agnes’s belly, which still appeared small—barely two months along, if that.“Her stomach’s still small. How can she be about to give birth?” he asked, confused.Both Caloy and Agnes turned to Zoriel at once.“What?! I-I’m about to give birth?!” Agnes asked in shock.“S-She’s really pregnant? How? Why is she giving birth already?” Caloy stammered, eyes wide.Zenaida stopped what she was doing and placed the stone bowl on the table.“When a